Silently, she sent out a wish to the universe.
If he was the one, give her a sign.
It didn't have to be huge, just something to hold onto as it gave her the strength to trust in him. That’s all she needed. Jaxon wanted to know he was her destiny.
Unable to help herself, she leaned down to place a whisper light kiss across his lips. If it was the last one, she wanted to squirrel it away and hold it dear.
Jaxon wanted something of her own.
She wanted this man.
Tony felt her move.
Forcing his breathing to remain stable, he waited to see what she would do. All night, he had laid there waiting for her to sneak away.
What he planned on doing, he didn't have a clue. It wasn’t like he could handcuff her to his side.
Don’t get him wrong, he wanted to, but it wasn’t feasible. If he could lock her away in an ivory tower, he absolutely would. Yet, in his heart, he knew that it needed to be her choice.
Staying or going had to be up to Jaxon.
She had to choose him.
When her fingertips touched his face, he wanted to open his eyes. It hurt him that she was fighting a battle and losing. Tony wanted desperately to ride in on a white charger and save the fair maiden.
Never in his life had he ever thought of any woman like a damsel in distress. His whole existence, he saw them as equals and able to handle themselves.
Well, he’d been wrong.
She wasn’t strong enough, and he could see it. Tony knew that in order to keep her by his side, he had to hold her up. No matter what, he couldn’t slip and let her fall. What Callen said last night had registered, burrowing itself deep into his brain.
What wouldn’t he do for her?
The answer was nothing.
The well of emotion was so very deep for the woman lying beside him. Logically, it shouldn’t be, since he barely knew her. In fact, Tony didn't even know her middle name.
Yet, he wanted to love her for the rest of his life.
It was instinctual and part of his entire being. She was meant to be his, and there was no turning back. For Jaxon, he’d offer his soul.
There was a soft touch of lips upon lips, and Tony’s body ached to hold her. He could let her kiss him and run, or he could take matters into his own hands.
Now was the time.
Just as she planned on pulling away and escaping, the man beneath her came awake. His arms wrapped around her and held her to his body.
“Jaxon,” he whispered, deepening the kiss. Tony knew that if he gave her an inch of leeway, she’d be gone. Instead, he was going to take charge. That way, if it failed, it was all on him.
Staring down into his eyes, her hands were braced on his strong chest. She couldn’t speak. The emotion in his eyes filled her with the same feelings.
Rolling, Tony waited for her to protest, and when she didn't, he was relieved. Well, why not go for it?
“If you run, I’m going to follow, honey. No matter how far, I’m going to find you and bring you back.”
She stared up at him and there was one emotion clearly imprinted on her face.
Fear.
No one had ever wanted her that much that they’d follow her to the ends of the Earth.
“I’ll search for you until I can bring you back. That’s how much I want you in my life. Don’t run. Instead, stay.”
Her eyes filled with tears. It was so damn frustrating that this man saw through her. He knew what she was planning and how to stop her. Just by telling her he’d find her, he bound her heart with tenuous threads. No one ever wanted her before.
Now, here was her sign.
Damn the universe!
“Promise me you won’t do it,” he stated. “Give us a chance.”
She wanted that. Jaxon desired nothing more than to be safe in this man’s arms and life. Trusting him was easy. Only one fear remained.
“What if I hurt you?”
He knew without a doubt that she would, but Tony made a silent vow. If that occurred, he’d never say it out loud. In that moment, he’d swallow the pain, carrying it alone.
For her heart, he’d do anything.
To have Jaxon as his, Tony would shoulder the burden.
“What if you don’t?” he offered. “What if this is what’s meant to be? I know you didn't want me to use the logic of what we do, but maybe you’re evolving and this is right.”
She stared at him. “I’m scared, Tony.”
Bringing his mouth to hers, he gave her a gentle kiss. “I won’t leave you alone, and there’s nothing you can do to hurt me.”
Yeah, except leave me.
He waited for that brief second and saw her make the decision. For now, he’d won. Jaxon was going to stay.
Gently, he brought his mouth to hers and drank from her lips. There was no way he’d ever get enough. She was his addiction.
Jaxon let go and fell into the kiss. While his arms were wrapped around her, she was safe. As her hands slid up his shoulders, past his neck, and into his hair, there was a metamorphosis.
Tony became her rock. She could trust him.
He groaned as her hands slipped thought the silky strands. He wanted and needed her in the worst way. Taking his time, his hand slid down her body, past her hip and to the hem of her oversized shirt. Slowly, teasingly, Tony slid it up her body, just to reveal his prize.
The battle had been won, and to the victor went the spoils. Jaxon was his prize and always would be a treasure in his life.
Deepening the kiss, his hand wandered, stroked, and offered pleasure. While she held him to her mouth, his fingers teased her breast. When he cupped her, ever so gently, she purred for him.
Yeah, she was his.
Sliding down her body, he sought ways to keep her locked to his side. If it meant offering her pleasure, he would. Tony knew he’d give her his heart if that’s what she asked.
There’d be no end to his devotion.
As his tongue swirled past her bellybutton, she moaned in pleasure. The man above her was making her crazy. Never before had she been this full of emotion.
Jaxon was overflowing with love.
When he finally reached his destination, he stared up her body. There was something about the red hair and brilliant eyes watching him that made the knot in his chest come undone. What he wanted to do was whisper those three words to her, promising Jaxon his heart forever, but instead he let them stay hidden.
For now, he’d show her and hope it would be enough.
As he began his torment, his heart pounded as she whispered his name over and over again. There was nothing more spectacular than hearing that. With each moan, he tormented her further, relishing in the taste and feel of Jaxon.
She couldn’t handle it. Her body was tight and ready to break apart. As he nipped her with his teeth, Jaxon shattered into a million pieces, fixable by only this man. It felt like so many explosives went off around her, pushing her into the ecstasy. Vibrating beneath him, Jaxon feared she’d never surface from the pleasure.
Tony kept going. If he forced her to feel, she’d stay with him. Continuing his oral torment, he tortured her more.
Jaxon couldn’t catch her breath. He was strumming her body, drawing such amazing feelings from her.
As she shook, he worked harder to implant himself into her heart.
When she tumbled again, only then did he pause.
Moving back up her body, Tony stared down into her face, waiting for Jaxon to resurface.
Opening her eyes, she stared into his. The cool, serene color welcomed her.
“I want you, Jaxon,” he murmured.
“No,” she replied, watching his face show the sudden flash of pain. “I want you.”
Immediately, there was relief.
Rolling, she placed herself over his body. Now, she’d explore and find all the man’s secrets. With lips and tongue, she explored her way down his lean form. First, she playfully teased his nipples. Then, when she wa
nted more, Jaxon kissed further down his torso, her fingers leaving a trail of fire and desire in their wake.
“Jax honey,” he murmured, as soon as her warm palm found him. Slowly, she began stroking his flesh, pulling so much pleasure from his body.
Before Tony could process it all, her mouth was devouring him, almost like a starving woman. She didn't give him a second to catch his breath as his body threatened to go up in flames.
When her teeth scraped down the long length of him, Tony had never felt anything like it before. It bowed his body, pulling him closer to the edge. “Jaxy, you’re killing me,” he admitted.
Gently, she eased up, sliding back up his torso. When she could stare into his eyes, her heart thudded. “I love when you call me that.”
Her declaration meant everything to him. It was one more tie to her that he could use to keep her in his life. Rolling again, he placed himself above her body. “I need you now,” he murmured, leaving more kisses across her shoulders.
“Yes, please,” she whispered back, dying to have him fill her. When she could feel the tip of him poised to invade her, there was nothing but calm and love.
Tony began the slide home. His heart flipped as she wrapped her legs around his hips, securing herself to him. When he was completely sheathed in her body, Tony gazed lovingly down into her eyes. The slow glide began and the pleasure followed.
“What’s your middle name?” he asked, as he kept the rhythm.
She was caught off guard. “Charlotte.”
“What’s your favorite color?” he continued, hitting that perfect spot, over and over again.
“Red,” she murmured, unsure what he was doing. Her mind was split between curiosity and so much pleasure.
“Promise me you won’t leave me, or I have your permission to find you and drag you back,” he said.
She stared up at him.
“Say it, Jaxon Charlotte Armstrong.”
It reminded her of something her mother would say to her. “I promise that I’ll stay until I hurt you.”
He began driving into her harder.
“You’re mine,” he murmured, dropping his lips to her ear, even as his lower body stole her breath. “Say it!”
She couldn’t think.
“Say it, Jaxy,” he pleaded. “Give me this.”
“Yes!” she shouted, as her body slipped from control and broke apart. “I’m yours!”
Tony heard the words and followed her into the orgasm. Not falling but chasing her. Where his woman would go, Tony had no choice but to follow.
In the aftermath, they both fought for their breath. Tony lay over her, pressing her into the mattress. Slowly, when feeling began returning to his body, he rolled, taking her with him. Gently, he tucked her against his side, refusing to let her retreat.
“Tony,” she began.
He cut her off. “I’ve got you, Jax, until the day I die.”
It said it all, at least to him.
Saying nothing, she closed her eyes and relaxed. It would be okay.
It had to be.
Tony would lead the way.
* * *
Strolling into the morgue, Elizabeth, Ethan, and Callen sipped their coffees. After Callen had returned that morning, he chased her around the cabin until he caught her. Then, the men carried her off to bed to have their way with her.
It had been fast.
Wild.
And done in typical Blackhawk fashion with no holds barred.
Now, all three of them were ready to start their day. Nothing made Elizabeth more alert than a profile to back her up, and a fast, hot romp in bed with the men she loved.
“Okay, team. Dazzle me with your genius.”
Meredith approached, looking exhausted. “We ran the hairs, boss. They matched our first victim, Walter Dennison. Doctor Armstrong must have picked them up when she was on the floor of his twisted playpen.”
“Agreed. Go on,” she stated.
“We ran the blood, and it matched the third and fourth victims, Kaylee and Emelia.”
“Okay, so we have confirmation that he used this place long term. If the hair and blood of our victims were found there, we located his workshop.”
Ethan dropped his arm over his wife’s shoulder. “Did the warrant come thought?” he asked, waiting for her reply.
“Yes, sir. It arrived, and I have your buyer. It seems that there is an auto ship to Saint Mary’s of the Sacred Heart.”
Elizabeth grinned. “Is anyone here shocked that the church is the entity purchasing the oil?”
No one raised their hands.
“Great. You all keep your job for another day. Now, continue playing along with ‘Catch the Wacko’, so we can get the hell out of Devil’s Lake, and soon.”
They went back to work.
“Ethan can you text our agents and get them down here? I want them to do a little work. Where are the anthropologists?”
As if on cue, the morgue doors swung open. Walking in, Tony held Jaxon’s hand in his. “We’re here, boss lady. I was just making sure Doctor Armstrong was able to work today.”
She went to say something, but before she could, Ethan’s hand was over her mouth. Mumbling, she couldn’t help but laugh.
Ahhhh, he knew her too well.
“What did she say?” questioned Tony, still refusing to release Jaxon’s hand.
“She called me a spoilsport,” replied Blackhawk. Apparently, their doctor had caught the babe. Only, she looked ready to bolt.
He was going to have his hands full on this one.
When she bit him, Ethan released her mouth. “Jaxon, are you okay to be here?” she asked, concerned for the woman.
“I have a little bit of a migraine, but I’m okay.”
She understood. “If you feel lightheaded or dizzy, take your bodyguard and head back to the Rez.”
Tony grinned at her.
Deep down, she was glad that her friend was finding his way through the love thing. It could be incredibly tricky. It made her happy to see that Tony had a shot.
“Thank you, Director.”
“Where are you three headed today?” Doctor Legend asked, sipping his coffee.
Her team must have been up late. He looked beat too.
“We’re going out in the field. Our first stop is a sex shop. I want to look around and dig up some new things.” She knew exactly how that sounded, and all of the people in the room looked from Callen to Ethan as they tried to suppress the giggles.
“Elizabeth!” Ethan blurted, horrified at the implications.
Callen merely grinned smugly.
“That’s what you get for covering my damn mouth. When the hell will you learn? Next time, let me torment my staff, and you’ll be safe.”
Exiting the morgue, Callen finally spoke, “I don’t mind them thinking you’re a pervert. It makes my day.”
She gave him a look.
Out in the hall, she found Agents Madden and Seaton heading their way.
“Hey, boss! You wanted us?”
“I want a super deep search on all of our victims. I mean all the way back to kindergarten. Check out their family, friends, and hell, their enemies too! I’ve got this niggling feeling that we’re missing something. When that happens, it makes me cranky. We all know what that means.”
They saluted, but said nothing.
“Yeah, yeah. Get some coffee and get to work.”
As the agents raced off, the three headed out to the Navigator. It was a little early to be heading to the sex shop, so instead, they headed toward Dixon Industries. It was more likely that he’d be there, than Toni Michelle would be at work.
“So, what happened last night?” Elizabeth asked Callen, referring to Tony and Jaxon.
“Well, when I got there, he was pretty depressed. He believes she’s going to take off.”
“Yeah, I can tell. He was holding onto her hand like she was ready to make a break for it. What’s her deal?” she asked.
Callen nodded from
the back seat. “I don’t know exactly. Want me to find out?” He pulled out his tablet and held it up.
Ethan looked over. “Technically, we should know what’s going on with our employee, even if she’s just a loaner.”
In all honesty, she loved when her husband was sneaky and felonious. It turned her right on.
“Do it,” she said, glancing back at Callen. “I want to know who she is, where she went to school, and if she has a history of breaking hearts. If she does, I’m going to break hers.”
Both men grinned. When Elizabeth loved someone, they became her family. Tony, like his counterpart Doctor Leonard, was like a kid brother to her. She guarded them fiercely since they went way back.
Callen worked as Ethan drove. “Well, I can tell you that Armstrong is her mother’s maiden name. When her father was killed, she took that name and moved out of Boston.”
Elizabeth listened. “Okay, what else?”
“Her brother is a highly decorated Marine. He works special ops. I won’t be able to access anything on him.”
That she could appreciate. Anyone who fought for their freedom was high on her list. “And?”
“She has an excellent education.”
“As in?”
He laughed. “She smoked your ass, angel. The redheaded doctor went to Harvard.”
That amused her. “I’m not worried, but Tony should be. He met his match on this one.”
When he went to access her father, he hit a wall. The tablet beeped, throwing up a security box. “What the hell?”
She turned around. “What?”
“I went to search her father and clearance is needed.”
She took the tablet from him and didn't know what was going on. All three of them were pretty high up there on the security level. Well, she and Ethan were higher. After all, they were privy to Oracle, and that was the top of the food chain.
Punching in her password, it was denied.
She glanced at Ethan. “We’re the same clearance right?”
“Yeah, to my knowledge. Try mine.”
Redemption is Here (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 9) Page 40
