by Susan Stoker
She looked at him, willing him to understand. “I get it, Ghost. I know why you did it. I do. But what you need to understand is that you’ll always be my super-secret spy. The guy who can slay dragons and nasty taxi drivers with a look. Just because you’re hurt doesn’t mean you aren’t still my über-masculine spy. I know you’re a badass. Anyone in their right mind knows that by looking at you. Please don’t shut me out. If you do, this won’t work. You’ll slowly kill me day by day, because I’ll know you’re keeping a part of you from me.”
“Come here, Princess.” Ghost put out his good arm and held his breath, hoping against all hope she’d do as he asked.
Rayne hesitated a moment, then threw herself into Ghost’s side. She snaked one arm around his stomach and shoved the other behind his back against the cushion. She snuggled her face into his chest and squeezed.
Ghost had barely moved his injured arm out of the way before she’d landed on him, and held back a grunt of pain. Having Rayne in his arms was heaven. Better than any medicine the doctors could give him. “I love you. I’ll never shut you out again. I swear.”
Rayne nodded. She knew she was maybe being an idiot for forgiving him so easily, but she loved him. It was a stupid thing for him to have done, but she got it. She really did. “I love you too, Keane.”
“Ghost. Call me Ghost.”
Rayne smiled against him. “I love you, Ghost.”
“God, Princess. I’m so sorry, I—”
“Enough. We’ve discussed it, you’ve apologized, it’s done. Okay?”
“Okay.”
“I’m reserving the right to bring it up again if you do anything remotely similar, so you’ve been warned. Maybe that’ll be some incentive for you to not be a bonehead again in the future. Now…how’s your arm? Does your leg hurt? What do I need to do to make sure it stays clean? Are you allowed to get it wet? What does—”
Ghost covered her mouth with his to shut her up. When he finally lifted his head, he reassured her, “I’m fine. I have to go in every day for the next week for them to change the bandages and do something horribly painful to the dead skin on my arm. I’m not supposed to submerge my arm, but my leg should heal up pretty quickly. Tomorrow night I’ll be able to shower and not worry about it.”
Rayne put her hand on Ghost’s cheek. “You need to be more careful next time. Avoid those nasty firestorms. Okay?”
“You got it, Princess.”
“Come to bed?”
“Hell yes, I thought you’d never ask.”
“No hanky-panky though, mister. You’re not up for it.”
Ghost laughed. “I’m always up for it where you’re concerned.”
“Whatever. Come on, I put some clean sheets on our bed, you’ll sleep so much better here than in the hospital.”
“I like that.”
“What? Sleeping?”
“Our bed.”
Rayne smiled and helped him up.
When they were lying in bed not too much later, after Rayne had helped him get his shirt off and gently kissed the bandages over his arm, Ghost said quietly, “We have a lot to talk about, Princess.”
“I thought we were done talking.”
“We were…about my dumb-ass decision. But we need to talk about us. We have a lot to work out.”
Rayne nodded against his chest drowsily. “Not really, me and Mary already figured it all out.”
“You did?” That made Ghost really nervous, since Mary wasn’t his biggest fan at the moment.
“Uh-huh.” She paused for a huge yawn then continued. “We’re both moving down here. Me to be with you, and Mary because she loves me and says she can get a job at any ol’ bank. I don’t know if that’s true or not, but I’m pretty sure she can get transferred or whatever.”
“You’re moving to Belton?”
Rayne obviously didn’t realize how big of a moment this was for Ghost, because she simply murmured, “Uh-huh…”
Ghost shifted and rolled Rayne until she was on top of him, and predictably, she immediately tried to scramble off.
“I’m going to hurt you.”
“No you aren’t, scoot up here.”
“What?”
Ghost put his good hand on Rayne’s ass and pushed her toward his face, careful to keep his injured arm out of the way. “I need you, Princess.”
“You can’t! Ghost, you’re gonna hurt yourself.”
“Not if you do all the work. I need to taste you. I need those gorgeous folds in my mouth. I can’t lie on my stomach, so you’re going to have to crawl up here and kneel over my face. Just watch my arm as you go.”
“Ghost! I’ll suffocate you.”
“No you won’t. Promise.”
Rayne hesitated for a moment more, but finally eased up toward his face. She hadn’t worn any undies to bed, only one of his large Army T-shirts. She could feel her wetness smearing on his chest as she went.
“God, you’re beautiful. I can’t believe you’re mine. You have no idea what it means to me that you’re willing to move down here to be with me.” Ghost looked up Rayne’s body as she stopped, kneeling over him. He could smell her arousal, and he could see her chest rising and falling with her quick excited breaths. “I love you. You have no idea how much. Now come on, get to work, woman. I want to feel you all over my face.”
Rayne looked up in embarrassment, but moved to where Ghost wanted her. Far be it from her to deny Ghost what he wanted…especially when she’d be the recipient of his generosity.
Epilogue
Rayne knew Truck was waiting downstairs and Fletch would be there any minute, but the second Ghost walked out of their bathroom in his jeans and tight T-shirt, she had to have him. She didn’t even give him a chance to fight; she dropped to her knees and went to work on his belt and zipper.
“Rayne? We don’t really have time—”
“I’ll be quick.”
Ghost put one hand on her head as she pulled down his boxers and freed his cock. “Princess, seriously—”
That was all he got out before Rayne engulfed his entire length in her mouth and moaned.
“Jesus. Yes. Take it. God, yeah.”
Rayne hadn’t always been confident in making love to Ghost this way, but not only had she been a good student, she’d discovered how much she loved taking his cock down her throat. She’d told him once that she got the biggest kick out of reducing her man to a pile of goo.
Ghost took control of her actions by putting one hand on the back of her head and the other under her chin. He gently thrust in and out of her mouth, being careful not to hurt her in the process.
“You love sucking me off, don’t you, Princess?” When Rayne moaned, he felt it all the way to his toes. “Are you wet for me?” She nodded in his grip, but didn’t stop licking and sucking as her head bobbed up and down on him.
“As soon as you finish me off, take off your pants and get on the bed. Spread your legs so I can tongue you until you come. Yeah?”
Rayne moaned around him once more. Ghost had no idea what it was about taking him this way that turned her on so much, but it did. He never knew when she’d get a wild hair and want to take him down her throat. He’d never let her do it where they might be caught, but she never ceased to surprise him when she’d lean over in their car or when they were in a semi-public spot.
Groaning, Ghost felt the come churning up from his balls. “I’m close, Princess. Almost there… Oh yeah, right there…” He felt Rayne’s soft hand grab hold of his balls and give them a tight squeeze before fondling them not quite gently. It was all he needed.
He let go of Rayne’s head, never wanting to force her to do anything she didn’t want to do…namely, swallow his come if she didn’t want to. He laced them together behind his head and arched his back as he exploded.
When he no longer saw stars behind his eyelids, Ghost opened his eyes and looked down at the woman he loved more than his own life. Rayne sat at his feet, caressing his softening cock, as she lovingly licked
him clean.
“What set you off that time?” he asked, genuinely curious. He’d just come out of the bathroom after brushing his teeth and she’d jumped him.
“You.”
He smiled and ran his hand over her hair, enjoying the after-effects of his orgasm and Rayne’s hands on him.
“I could smell the cologne you put on. And you don’t wear jeans a lot…you’re just…hot.”
Ghost smiled again. She was so fucking cute, and all his. He reached down, tucked himself back into his pants, and got to work belting himself back up. “Go lie on the bed, Princess. Your turn.”
“But, Fletch and Truck—”
“They’ll just have to wait.”
“But they’ll know…” Her voice trailed off, but she went to the bed as he’d asked her to.
“You should’ve thought about that before you attacked me.”
Ghost watched as Rayne smiled and blushed, but popped open the button on her shorts and pulled the zipper down.
“Don’t take them all the way off. Just to your knees.”
“But—”
“Hush. Do it.”
Ghost got on his knees on the floor and pulled Rayne’s legs up until they were around his neck. Her panties and shorts at her knees made it so she couldn’t spread open. While it was more of a challenge for him, Ghost knew it would be super frustrating and exhilarating for Rayne.
He leaned in and licked her once, loving how wet she was. He’d never met a woman who loved giving head as much as she did. She’d protested that she’d never enjoyed it before, that it was only him, and that made him feel ten feet tall.
Rayne moaned as he moved one finger to her opening and pressed in, not giving her a chance to prepare for his invasion. She was soaked and he could feel her muscles pulling at his finger. Wishing he had more time—he could eat her out for hours, but Fletch and Truck really were waiting for them downstairs—Ghost got to work pleasing his woman.
Within five minutes, Rayne shivered with her second orgasm. He’d plundered her clit, not giving her any chance to pull away or to come down after her first quick orgasm. She lay limp under him as he pulled his finger out of her warm body. He leaned down and ran his tongue up her slit, catching the wetness that seeped out with the removal of his finger.
“You’re gonna be wet for a while, Princess.”
“Ummm.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to refrain from pulling my cock out for a few hours while we hang with the team?”
“As long as you don’t do anything sexy…maybe.”
Ghost laughed and turned to kiss her inner thigh. He ducked and lifted her legs back over his head. Pulling her up farther on the bed, he leaned over her as she worked to get her clothes back in order.
“I love you,” Ghost murmured against her lips, knowing she would taste herself on him.
Rayne licked his lower lip and smiled up at him, blushing.
Ghost pulled her up. “Come on. We really have to go now.”
“I love you, Ghost. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m glad I was a hostage in Egypt.” Before Ghost could explode, she continued quickly, “Because it brought you back to me.”
“Come on, before I tell my friends we can’t make the cookout after all.”
Rayne giggled as Ghost pulled her out the door.
* * *
“Come on, tell me what you did,” Rayne cajoled Truck as they rode in Fletch’s car.
The big man shrugged. “I called Tex.”
“You called Tex,” Rayne repeated with no inflection in her voice.
“Princess, drop it,” Ghost warned, putting his hand on the back of her neck and squeezing affectionately.
“But Ghost—”
“Do you enjoy your new job?”
“Yeah.”
“Then why do you care?”
“Because!” Rayne protested. “It’s not normal that some guy named Tex—who I’ve never met, by the way—is able to not only get me out of my job with a glowing recommendation, but get me hired, without an interview, for a different airline out of Austin instead of DFW!”
“I’ll ask again,” Ghost said with extreme patience. “Would you rather be flying the DFW international routes again? Taking a chance you’d have to fly into Cairo, or Turkey, or some other Middle Eastern country?”
“No.”
“Then drop it, Princess. Seriously.”
Rayne huffed out a breath. “Oh all right. But only because you trust and like this mysterious Tex guy.”
Ghost smiled at her.
Rayne looked to Fletch. The four of them were finally on their way to Fletch’s place for a barbeque. Since he’d been out making a beer run, he’d offered to pick them up…and Truck too, since he’d been over visiting Ghost. They hadn’t planned on the extra fifteen minutes it took Rayne and Ghost to “get ready” but neither said anything about it, pleased as hell things were working out between their team leader and his woman.
“I still think you should’ve let me bring something,” Rayne griped.
Fletch shrugged. “Got everything I need. Nothing left for you to bring over.”
“But something…brownies? Chips? Something?”
Fletch laughed. “Nope. Got it all.”
They pulled into the driveway of Fletch’s place and Rayne looked toward the apartment over the garage. “Is your tenant going to join us?”
“No.”
The word was bitten out.
“Why not? I thought you said she was nice?”
“She is. But she’s busy,” Fletch said flatly.
“Oh. Did you ask politely?” Rayne pushed. “Sometimes you can be a bit abrupt. You said she had a little girl. Maybe they both could’ve come over.”
“Of course I did. I’m not a Neanderthal. And she has a boyfriend, so get that matchmaking gleam out of your eye right now, Rayne,” Fletch warned, putting his car in park.
“Oh, that’s a bummer. There’s always Mary then.”
Fletch laughed, especially when Truck stiffened next to him. “No way am I mixing it up with that hellion. Your friend is safe from me.”
“Well, poo. I still think one of you needs to hook up with her.” Rayne had been thrilled when Mary had finally done as she said she would, quit her job and moved down to the Fort Hood area. She’d been offered a job at the same branch as her old bank and hadn’t even missed too much work with the move.
Rayne was going to move in with Mary after she’d found a place nearby, but Ghost had convinced her, in the best way possible—namely, making her orgasm over and over again until she agreed—to move in with him. And while they had their moments, she’d never regretted it.
They all tromped into the house, ready for some good food and a nice visit with friends.
But they didn’t notice Fletch turn as he was closing his front door and look at the apartment over his garage longingly, before shutting the door with a sigh and joining the rest of his teammates.
* * *
Look for the next book in the Delta Force Heroes Series, Rescuing Emily, in July. In the meantime, catch up with some of your other favorite characters in the Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series with the third and fourth books in the series, Justice for Corrie and Justice for Laine, coming in March and April, respectively.
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Also by Susan Stoker
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne (Feb 2016)
Assisting Aimee (Feb 2016) Loosely related to DF
Rescuing Emily (July 2016)
Rescuing Harley (TBA)
Rescuing Kassie (TBA)
Rescuing Casey (TBA)
Rescuing Wendy (TBA)
Rescuing Mary (TBA)
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie
Justice for Mickie
Justice for C
orrie (Mar 2016)
Justice for Laine (novella) (Apr 2016)
Shelter for Elizabeth (May 2016)
Justice for Boone (TBA)
Shelter for Adeline (TBA)
Justice for Sidney (TBA)
Shelter for Blythe (TBA)
Justice for Milena (TBA)
Shelter for Sophie (TBA)
Justice for Kinley (TBA)
Shelter for Promise (TBA)
Shelter for Koren (TBA)
Shelter for Penelope (TBA)
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Beyond Reality Series
Outback Hearts
Flaming Hearts
Frozen Hearts
Writing as Annie George:
Stepbrother Virgin (erotic novella)
About the Author
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Susan Stoker has a heart as big as the state of Texas where she lives, but this all American girl has also spent the last fourteen years living in Missouri, California, Colorado, and Indiana. She’s married to a retired Army man who now gets to follow her around the country.
She debuted her first series in 2014 and quickly followed that up with the SEAL of Protection Series, which solidified her love of writing and creating stories readers can get lost in.
If you enjoyed this book, or any book, please consider leaving a review. It’s appreciated by authors more than you’ll know.
For more information:
@susan_stoker
authorsusanstoker
www.StokerAces.com
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