Team: Alpha (Knights of Ares)

by Honor James

  “I know why you left, I just hadn’t thought about it I suppose.” She shrugged and then smiled with his confession, “Well you are here now, in my life and staying so there is no need to put it in a box anymore. We are a unit. We will work together from here out. Even at your home, I will do all that I can to help you make it what you want it to be.”

  “Probably should figure that out at some point,” he said scratching his short nails through his hair. “I’m uh,” he pointed slightly, “I’m going to get some water I think,” he told her and headed for the kitchen.

  Daisy just sat down and sighed. “Hell, I scared him off again.” She couldn’t win for losing with this man. Rubbing her hands over her face she felt the ache in the center of her chest and knew that no matter what she did, no matter how many times she told him and showed him she loved him, he would never be there. He would always be running away to try to keep from being hurt.

  Coming back with two bottles of water he bumped her hand with one, “Want?” he asked quietly looking down at her. Wiggling it before her eyes he tipped his head, “What did I do now D?” he asked on a sigh.

  “You didn’t do anything.” Daisy took the water from him and took a seat, “Wanna sit with me and talk for a while?” She wasn’t going to do more than ask him to spend some time with her, if he didn’t want to then he could leave, otherwise he would hopefully sit and chat with her for a bit.

  Waving her over on the seat he settled next to her, “I did something D. You always get the same look on your face and in your eyes when I’ve fucked up. Trust me, I recognize it,” he muttered. “So just tell me what I did and I’ll add it to my list of ‘stupid things Mikhail does that gets on Daisy’s nerves and pisses her off’’.”

  “That’s just it.” Daisy set the water down, “You see yourself as this monster, as someone that’s not worth loving and you are. God I wouldn’t love you as much as I do if you were truly as unlovable as you believe yourself to be, and Honey certainly wouldn’t. You won’t let us love you though, will you?”

  “Don’t see why you do D, no one else ever has and no, that wasn’t my poor little pity party,” he said shaking his head. “Do you know my dad took all those assignments and extra tours just so he didn’t have to come home? Yep, mom made sure I knew about that each and every day right before she got on me about the list of things that were my fault and how I was the bane of her existence. Oh she changed her tune eventually but for those years he was serving she hated me as much as a mother could I think.”

  “I’m sorry about that honey, I really am but that’s the past and that was her. This is me. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a completely different kettle of beans than you mother. Never once have I said that I hated having you around. I adore you and I don’t know how many ways I can tell you, show you that.” She sighed and shook her head. “I love you because you are the man that you are. I love you because you are strong, caring, giving, and thoughtful, but I can’t compete with your past. I want forever, I damn well deserve forever, but only if you can let me in.”

  “I don’t know how to D,” he said honestly. “The guys,” he made a face. “The guys all wormed in but they don’t exactly take no for an answer either. But they also know that I’m not the sort of person that can give emotion like you need Daisy. I don’t know how to do that. I was taught to bottle it up, keep it hidden, and lock it all away because then it can’t hurt when those around you leave. That’s me Daisy, I’m sorry but that’s just who I am and will always be.”

  Reaching out he rubbed a finger down her cheek, “You’re the only person that got through my defenses as soon as you smiled that first day,” he admitted quietly. “I have no idea what to do D or how to be the person you deserve.”

  “Ground rules.” Daisy decided. “If something I say makes you go into that dark place, tell me. Talk to me. If I do something that makes you question the love I have for you, tell me. Talk to me.” Yes she was repeating herself but she was trying to drive the point home to him. “If you ever think that you aren’t what I need, or what I want, tell me. Talk to me. Are you catching what I’m throwing here Mik?”

  “I speak English fluently Daisy, not always well but fluently,” he said rolling his eyes at her. “I don’t do chit-chat about my feelings,” he muttered leaning back on the sofa. “And that you aren’t going to change but,” he held up a hand, “if you piss me off I’ll say something. That’s about as far as I’ll go D.”

  “I want you to talk to me if I do something that makes you think that I do not care. I do. Can you ever believe that? Believe that you are totally worth loving? Because you are. Shit, already Honey looks at you like you hung the moon.”

  “She sees someone that doesn’t exist,” he said softly. “I just worry because one day she’ll realize the truth about me. Hopefully it doesn’t hurt her,” he murmured with a sigh. “All I can do D is promise to keep trying. I am but this whole thing, family and everything is hard for me. And there isn’t exactly a manual for dummies that can assist and give me tips.”

  “Just be open to Honey and I. You don’t have to worry about others honey, just us.” She told him softly. “Especially to Honey. You won’t hurt her because she would kick your shin first, but please, don’t make her do that because I really don’t want her toes broken.” She teased.

  “Bruised maybe, broken unlikely,” he commented before looking at her. “Teasing, right,” he shook his head. “I suck at it and apparently still have issues recognizing it. I’ll add that to my to-do list of things to clue into.”

  Daisy’s lips began to quiver and then a giggle slipped passed her lips. “I got that one though.” She said with happiness bubbling from her where before there had been intense sadness. “You’re teasing me about Honey’s toes, very funny.”

  Frowning he shook his head, opened his mouth and then closed it. “Yes,” he said quietly. He hadn’t been, he thought she’d been teasing him. Obviously he needed to work on that some more. Opening the bottle of water he drank some of it down and just sat there looking at her.

  Chapter Eleven

  Looking up the stairs a time later Mikhail stood up and held out a hand to Daisy, “Come on,” he said softly. “Let’s take a short walk, I have my cell if Gareth needs to get a hold of us, and you know Honey will text if she needs us. We need to talk and I need to move around while I tell you everything that’s been happening of late and what’s going to be happening soon.”

  Daisy nodded and slipped her hand into Mikhail’s, she would follow him to hell and back if that was what he asked of her to do. When they were outside Daisy lifted her face to the skies and inhaled the sweet scent of honeysuckle in the air. “It’s going to be a beautiful spring, hot but beautiful.” She was nervous, he had a look about him like he was ready to come out of his skin and that worried her for him, a lot.

  Tucking her hand into his arm so he could shove both into his pockets Mikhail walked with her for a time. “Our Colonel from our days in the SEAL’s contacted us a while back. When he came out to see us he told us of a new project that the government was putting together. We were willing to listen but a little hesitant to make any commitments. When we went out there to the beginnings of the new base we did medical tests and such. From what we found out we’re all viable subjects for the program,” he murmured quietly.

  Daisy stopped, frowned and looked up at him. “Okay.” She let the word trail out and watched him for any sign that he would continue. “I don’t think I like how that sounds; viable subjects for what Mikhail? Are you going back into active duty?” She felt her throat closing with fear. “If so, where does that leave us?”

  Chewing his lip he waved her into the park they were standing next to and climbed up to sit on the picnic table, his feet on the seat. “Active duty; not really. We’ll be based here, well the farm, and only go out on the specialized missions pushed through to just our division.” Looking at her he let out a breath, “There are threats out there that none of us had a fuck
ing clue about D. They were testing us to see if our bodies could accept the tech that needs to be implanted to get us up to the level of the threat. It’s designed to make us faster, stronger, better eyesight, and hearing. The works basically; but it’s only been tested on monkeys up to this point, so there’s a lot that no one knows about. It’s a serious risk because it could kill us, leave us in vegetative states, or it could work. The surgery is still new, the tech is still new, but the threat is not and it’s getting bigger and starting to bleed into human lives.”

  Daisy shivered, “Why you?” She whispered. “I can’t lose you Mik.” She whispered and moved closer, shifting so that she could sit in his lap and wrap her arms around him. “I can’t lose you again, ever. You said that it’s risky, but does the risk really outweigh the good that might happen? I don’t think that you should do this. It’s too great a possibility that I could lose you.”

  Pressing a kiss to her cheek he closed his eyes, “It’s all of us D. The entire team is viable, though a couple will have to be watched for a time due to strange reads in their blood work. The risk is big babe, but we’re already trained. Most of our records are hidden, so we pretty much don’t exist and what is there they will wipe out so we’re truly ghosts. The threat that is out there has to have something and someone to go up against it. Trust me; having that shit fall into our lives would be beyond bad. It would be devastating. But,” he rubbed his nose to her cheek, “if you don’t want me to do it, I won’t. We have to give our answers in just over two weeks and I’ll just tell the Colonel I’m out.”

  “No, please don’t. I’m sorry Mikhail but you just came back into my life. I want a full and complete life with you, not one where you have some new technology in you that has only been tested on monkeys. I love you too much to test that possibility that it would hurt you in the long run. The risks far outweigh the rewards in my opinion.”

  “I said I wouldn’t do it D,” he told her running his hand up and down her back. “And I won’t. I stand by my word always.” Pressing a kiss to her neck he nipped at her throat lightly, “I don’t want to have you mad at me over anything if I can help it. This I can take care of so you don’t get mad, everything else,” he lifted his head, “working on.”

  “Good,” Daisy patted his chest lovingly and grinned. “So since we are out here, and no one else is around; what do you say about us having a little roll around in the slide over there?” She pointed to the covered slide in the park. “I really think that it would be fun, what do you think?” Yep, she was a bad momma, ready to make love to her guy on the children’s play equipment.

  “You do realize innocent and impressionable little people play on these things all day long right?” he asked her. “And the slide might be a bad idea, I’d hate to have to explain to anyone why you have metal burn on your ass or knees or whatnot.”

  “Good point, what about the top of the castle there? It’s got walls but no top. I’m totally up for it if you are.” Daisy lazily let her hand move over his chest, “As for the kids.” She shrugged, “What they don’t know happens is perfectly fine with me.”

  Looking around he spotted the street cameras but noted there were none in the park itself. “No one can see us,” he said with a shrug, “And there are no cameras here to catch images of us. I say we should, but we should also keep as much clothing on as possible just in case a group of teenagers have the same idea as we do.”

  “Good idea. So just my pants off, and yours undone? Shirts stay on?” Daisy licked her lips and giggled, “Is it bad that I’m really looking forward to this? Looking forward to being so naughty as to want to do something like this?” Life would never be boring with this man; that was for sure.

  “Nothing is bad as long as you enjoy it,” he said softly. “No matter what it is Daisy.” Setting her on her feet he climbed off the table and took her hand. Moving to the castle he lifted a brow, “If we get jammed in here promise me we don’t call Gareth and just call 9-1-1. I’d rather have the entire neighborhood looking on as they cut us free than him, and all the photos he’ll take for blackmail purposes.”

  Daisy laughed, “We won’t get stuck in there, although that might be really, really freaking enjoyable. The feeling of you stuck deep inside of me.” Biting her lip she moved faster, “Come on, hurry babe because I seriously am in need here.”

  Muttering to himself he hauled himself up to the top and, with a bit of maneuvering, got settled in behind the walls. Undoing his jeans he stroked his cock and watched her, “Don’t go mooning the neighborhood D, you never know when some little old lady is looking out her window.”

  “M’eh,” she quickly stepped out of her pants and moved into his lap. She watched him for a moment as he stroked his cock. “God I love watching you do that. Have I mentioned that fact to you?” She leaned closer and put her hand over the top of his cock, her fingers running slowly down until her hand covered his.

  Shifting his grip so her hand was on him he stroked her fingers up and down, “You may have once or twice. Personally, I prefer watching as my cock slides into your pussy, so if you would; it’s a little chilly out here. Wrap me in some heat.”

  “Gladly.” Daisy moved so that she could take him into her body. Biting her lower lip she leaned in closer to him, her forehead to his and began to move slowly up and down on him. “God this was such a great fucking idea.” She moaned.

  Cupping her ass he lifted his chin slightly to catch her mouth. Nibbling on her lip he tugged, “I love the feeling of you wrapped around my cock.” Nipping at her chin Mikhail worked his way down her throat slowly and then up the other side.

  Bracing her hands on his shoulders she moved up and down on him. Whimpering she nodded, “I love the way that it feels to wrap around you.” She loved her time with him, alone or with Gareth, it didn’t matter as long as they were together. “More.” She moaned and tilted her head to give him better access.

  Sliding his tongue over her neck he nipped and sucked lightly. “Faster D, I’m ready to explode here and I’d really like to have you cum with me.” Squeezing her ass he helped her to move, “Squeeze me tight, oh God yeah,” Mik moaned out, “just like that.”

  Daisy rode him faster, harder and panted. Her forehead was to his when she felt herself about to explode. Before she did so she latched her mouth to his, kissing him as her climax hit, his kiss keeping her from screaming.

  Grinding into her slick pussy, he came. His yell muffled and mixed with her scream. Collapsing he panted and stared at her under heavy lids. “Damn,” he breathed out with a slight grin. “Damn,” he said again and chuckled.

  She couldn’t help but giggle. Moving so that she could lay her head on his shoulder she squeezed him inside of her body and moaned, “Damn is right. I think you and I both needed this. Besides, it’s really good to be really naughty sometimes, right?”

  “There is always room for naughty,” he told her sitting up slightly. Tipping his head he listened, “I hear people coming this way babe. I hate to rush the aftermath of a great fucking orgasm, but I think we should at least both be fully clothed if they pop in here.”

  “Agreed.” She rose up off of him with a shiver, “Damn, I forget how good that feels.” She grabbed her pants and pulled them on, one leg at a time and giggling like a loon as she did so. “Okay, you all dressed too?” She asked and looked down at him, god he was perfect, and hers. He was all hers.

  “Of course I’m dressed,” he said pushing to his feet and shifted things around a little. Leaning back he pulled her in closer to him. Brushing a hand through her hair he pulled her in for a kiss. Sucking on her lower lip he caught it in his teeth and tugged as he leaned back letting it go at the last moment. “I worry Daisy,” he said quietly to her. “We’re so in sync when we make love, but we can’t spend all our lives naked and having sex. I just don’t know what to do about the rest of it, to get us where we need to be to have a good life.”

  “Just trust in our love for each other Mikhail. Just know that n
o matter what I want; I need you in my life sweetheart. You are my heart and soul. I need you in my life and I need you to know that. Just talk to me. That’s all that I ask. Talk to me when you feel like I’m pushing you away because I won’t, ever. You are mine, and I will just pull you closer.”

  Stroking her hair gently he nuzzled her cheek lightly and held her to him, “I don’t like talking,” he grumbled under his breath. Nipping her jaw he breathed her in as he rubbed his nose to her skin. “We should get back to the house. I have to ask though,” he lifted his head, “are you going to talk Gareth out of doing the procedure too?”

  “I want to.” She admitted to him. “I really do. I don’t want either of my men to do it. I would rather have you both with me as you are. I guess I just don’t see the danger, so I can’t see the reason to put you in such danger because of it.” She let her hands move up his chest and around his neck, “I love you Mikhail. I know you don’t like talking, but I promise it is what’s needed. So please, talk to me? I know that talking is not what you like to do, but I would really and truly like for you to talk to me so that I don’t jump to conclusions like I have been.”