by Piper Stone
When he was close, I shifted, diving into the water in an effort to keep him on the run. I should have known better, his strong arms wrapping around me within nanoseconds. He dragged me toward him as he pulled me to the surface.
His face reminded me of the big bad wolf that he believed himself to be. Sexy.
Seductive.
Dangerous.
He shifted his hand to my hair, further untangling the bun. “I like your hair long, wild like the woman I know and need to tame.”
Why was every word that came out of his mouth dripping with possession? I rolled my hand over his shoulder to his neck, sliding my fingers into his short cropped hair. “I think you should allow yours to grow, now that you’re a cowboy and all. You already have the beard.” I gave him a naughty girl grin as I shifted my gaze to his face. He’d yet to shave, as if attempting to corral his rebellious side.
A side of him I definitely adored.
“I guess I’ll have to keep that in mind,” he said under his breath. “Cause I am definitely not leaving. Someone needs to keep you in line.” He pulled me closer, wrapping his hand under my bottom.
“I’m glad,” I managed as I wrapped my legs around him, my smile fading. “I heard what you said when you rescued me, you know. You can’t deny it.”
“I said a lot of things, sweetheart. Which comment are you talking about? That I’d kill Calen if he ever came within one hundred yards of you or that I wanted to do more than shatter his arm?” His smile faded when I didn’t react immediately.
“You know exactly what I mean, Hawk. I know this is crazy between us, but I have to know if what you said is true. It’s important to me. I can’t go through with another betrayal. I just don’t have it in me. If you don’t want this, I can understand. Just let me know.”
“Did anyone ever tell you that you talk too much?” Hawk shook his head.
I hated the nervous tic that appeared in the corner of my mouth, a weakness that I’d fought to eradicate, like the majority of the woman I used to be. He brought everything to the surface.
Every joy.
Every pain.
Every longing for the future.
He cupped my chin, rubbing his thumb aimlessly back and forth. “You mean the world to me. I can’t imagine spending another day without you in my life. As long as you understand that I’m no longer alone. I have Ashley to think about. That might be too much baggage for you. I also have demons, Bryce, and they’re not going away. The nightmares are real to me.”
“Maybe I can help you.”
“I wish you could, but this is my burden to bear, not yours.”
“Remember something, Hawk. When you care for someone the way I care about you, you’ll do anything to take away the anguish, no matter how difficult it might be. When you’re ready to talk to me, I’m here to listen.”
Sighing, he slid his hand under my hair, wrapping his fingers around my neck. “I do love you, Bryce. Maybe I shouldn’t. I definitely don’t know how to be good at this, but I can tell you that I’d like to spend the rest of my life with you.”
His words were chilling. While I knew there was no such thing as perfect, I wanted nothing more than to enjoy every day with the man I loved.
“Then make love to me.”
Everything about Hawk was powerful, including the way he held me, his fingers digging into my skin. I was safer in his arms than anywhere else in the world. I kept my legs tightly wrapped around his hips as he lowered his head, holding me in place as he blew across my mouth and chin.
“What am I going to do with such a naughty girl?” he whispered.
“Anything you want.”
As he crushed his mouth over mine, pulling me even closer to the head of his body, I closed my eyes. The shared moment of passion sizzled just under the surface, the kiss so controlled. He shifted his hips back and forth, making certain I knew exactly what he wanted to do to me.
Everything about his hold screamed of domination, a man who’d never let me go. I clung to him as our tongues entwined, slicing back and forth. I could do this for hours, simply enjoying the moment.
And I’d been right. He’d heated up my body within seconds, driving shots of raw electricity into every cell and muscle. As he twirled me in circles, the light breeze and delicious scents added to the incredible atmosphere. I couldn’t believe we were here together, enjoying the simple act of being in each other’s arms.
A moan slipped from my mouth into his, my nipples aching to the point of pain, the weight of his body adding fuel to the fire. I swished my hips, scattered prickles dancing along every inch of naked skin.
He broke the kiss, entangling his fingers in my hair as he shook his head. “You’re being naughty.”
“And you’re complaining?”
He yanked my hair, exposing my breasts from the water. “Oh, not at all, lady.”
I noticed the look in his eyes before he dropped his head, suckling on my nipple. Gasping, I gazed at the gorgeous blue sky, wondering if there could ever be anything better than this. I felt like I was floating, the water tickling as it rolled over me, no longer chilly in the least. He sucked and nipped on my tender flesh before brushing his lips to my other hardened bud, taking his time swirling his tongue in lazy circles.
My mind was empty, my heart bursting from the series of emotions, yet my hunger knew no bounds. I crawled my hand down his chest, able to tease the tip of his cock with the end of my index finger. His shaft throbbed and was scorching to the touch, searing my fingers.
“I keep telling you to be careful, little girl, but you don’t seem to want to listen.” Hawk lifted me by the hips, immediately bringing me down on the full length of his cock.
“Ah. Yes. Yes!” I threw my head back, watching as droplets of water flew into the air. I could feel him swelling inside, filling me completely. Everything was a beautiful image, the colors suddenly brighter and the chirping birds more musical. I gasped as my muscles stretched then clamped around his thickness, drawing him further into my aching channel.
“God, you feel so good. My tight little pussy,” he huffed.
“Yours, huh?”
“All. Mine.”
He jutted his hips forward, thrusting into me hard and fast, the water splashing over our heated bodies. We were on fire together and I could swear there was steam rising from the surface. As he turned us around and around, we became as one, our bodies a beautiful cataclysm of fire dancing in the breeze.
“I want you to come for me, baby. Come with me,” he commanded as he rubbed my cheek, his eyes darting back and forth.
There was no holding back for either one of us. I placed my hand on his chest, the hard thumping tickling my fingers. For a few seconds, we were both pulled into a vacuum. I wanted this to last forever but my body betrayed me, the dazzling sensations rushing up from my toes, a climax exploding jolts of electricity. “Oh. Oh. Oh!”
“That’s it. Come, baby.” His breathing ragged, the second I squeezed my muscles, he threw his head back and roared.
Love was something I’d hungered for my entire life, the preciousness of knowing you could get through any ordeal together.
But I wasn’t certain that his demons would ever be exorcised and even if they were, could I handle the man in their aftermath?
Chapter Sixteen
Hawk
“Go around to the right,” I instructed. We were almost there, the building where they kept Snake just up ahead. “Make certain none of the bastards are coming.”
Vader and Scorpion moved off, leaving Mustang and Reaper by my side. We would have a single shot at this. As we crept closer, I could hear the beating of my heart, the echo just as draining as the ordeal, but I refused to fail. We would get him back. Hearing a noise, I threw out my hand, stopping our progression. Hunkering down, I scanned the perimeter, prepared to strike. Through the night vision goggles, I was unable to detect any sign of movement. After waiting another thirty seconds, I motioned them to flank the building as I he
aded toward the door.
I raised my weapon, aiming at the lock. All time seemed to stand still. I glanced at the others, nodding then pulled the trigger.
Boom!
The bright flash was blinding, the force of the explosion tossing us into against the fence. Rattled, I blinked several times until I realized the entire building holding the prisoners was on fire.
“Jesus!” Mustang called.
“We have to get out of here,” Reaper added, scrambling toward me.
“No. We go in!” I insisted, struggling to get to my feet even as I heard the sound of Afghan soldiers, their boots thudding over the crackling of wood, the screams of the prisoners inside.
“No!” Mustang hissed, yanking my arm. “We can’t get to him, Jake. He’s gone. We have to get out of here.”
“No. No!”
“No!”
I jerked up, panting, unable to see clearly. When I felt something against my arm, I yanked hard, prepared to throw a punch.
“Hawk. It’s me. It’s Bryce. You’re okay. Baby, it’s okay.”
Horrified, I tried to focus as a wash of pain and terror flooded my system. I grabbed at whatever was holding me down, scrambling then falling down on the floor. No. No. No. No. No. “No!” I held my head in my arms, gasping for air.
“It’s okay, baby. Everything is going to be all right.” Bryce’s soft voice filtered into my mind as she wrapped her arms around me, pulling me against the heat of her body.
Nothing was going to be all right.
As the vision of Snake’s face filtered into my mind, I realized I had to finally let him go. I eased back against the wall, shifting my arms over my knees. And I began to talk.
“There were six of us in what we called a posse. We did everything together including getting into trouble. We got the crazy idea that we’d join the military in order to get the hell out of Montana. We even signed up at the same time, were sent to the same boot camp. Then we were stationed in different parts of the world, but we kept in touch. Finally, when several opportunities occurred to become military contractors, one by one we accepted the assignments. Who would have thought we’d ever end up in the same place but we did. We all had a different and useful expertise, both for training purposes as well as a few frontline missions.”
Bryce shifted closer, remaining quiet.
“Anyway, we were stationed overseas for sixteen months. While we rarely saw the frontline, we had no choice because it came to us. An Afghan informant provided some intel that I believed was true, a group holding prisoners while they prepared for an attack. We went in. Snake was a lone wolf, angry that his fellow soldiers were being kept like animals. He ventured too far against my orders. Then we were attacked. The majority of soldiers got out safely, but Snake hadn’t returned. I refused to leave him. They were my orders. Mine.”
“Jesus,” she whispered.
I could feel her eyes watching me, likely worried I’d lose my shit. “The Afghan soldiers were closing in on us. I waited as long as possible before I had no choice. I was one of the helicopter pilots responsible for a number of men, including my buddies. I was forced to leave Snake behind. That didn’t sit well with me, but my superiors weren’t given the orders to attack the facility. Too dangerous, they told us. I convinced my buddies that we would go in and save him as well as the others. I went against orders and I failed. The enemy got wind of what we were planning and blew up the buildings where they held the prisoners.”
“Oh, Hawk. I’m so sorry.”
Anger rushed to the surface and I closed my eyes, trying to control my breathing. “I got him killed and what’s worse, I don’t know if they ever retrieved the body.”
“You tried to save him. You and your friends, men you trusted and who trusted you attempted to save lives. You did everything you could. You’re a hero.”
Laughing bitterly, I shook my head. “I’m no hero, Bryce. I’m a monster.”
She took my hand, refusing to let it go, her grip firm. “No. You are a true hero, a man with such honor and integrity that I feel honored to be by your side. You need to forgive yourself because I have no doubt that Snake would have wanted that. He knew in his heart you’d try and save him. That’s what mattered most to him.”
I shifted my gaze and seeing the warmth of her smiling face created a series of flutters in my heart. I doubted I would be able to forgive myself, but a portion of the weight had been lifted.
As she crowded closer, placing her head on my shoulder, I could almost see Snake smiling from up above. How things had changed in such a short period of time.
I’d changed. Hell, we all had during the course of seven years.
I’d received the official notification that my contract with the government had been terminated. While it had been expected, seeing the papers signed by the senior ranking officers had been just another reminder of what had happened.
Of bad decisions.
Of failure.
But I’d do it all over again.
With the men I trusted with my life.
The sound of my phone was jarring, the early morning call churning my gut. As I grabbed it from the nightstand, I was surprised seeing the overseas number. I gazed into her eyes, able to see the kind of love that I honestly didn’t deserve. When she squeezed my arm, I was finally able to answer. “Hawk Travers.”
“Hawk. It’s Mustang.”
“Jesus. It’s good to hear your voice.”
“I know it’s early there, but I wanted you to know that I’m accompanying Snake’s casket. I’m bringing him home.”
* * *
“Let us bow our heads and pray.”
I closed my eyes as the wind whistled softly in the trees, the only sound on the beautiful late summer day. When I felt Mustang’s hand on my shoulder, I finally took a deep breath.
The moment of reverence passing, those attending Snake’s funeral began to disperse.
“It was a beautiful service on a gorgeous day,” Bryce said quietly as she took my hand, intertwining our fingers.
“Yes, it was,” I managed, wincing from the stream of sunlight.
“Snake would have said all this fuss was for nothing.” Mustang shook his head. “You know how he was.”
“Yeah, I do.” We remained in the back of the service. I’d wanted to keep our distance. Maybe that made me a coward, but Snake’s family deserved to have their time with their fallen son. Besides, I knew they must have such rage inside of them, anger that we’d failed. I didn’t blame them. But I had to pay my respects.
One of the most difficult things I’d had to do was go to the airport to meet Mustang, but it had been necessary. A closure, some would say. There’d been no way to prepare for seeing the flag-draped coffin or the emotions from being able to bring Snake back home. At least his parents had a place to visit and spend time with him. I was grateful for the dedication Major Wallace had given in retrieving the bodies of all the fallen soldiers.
At least orders had been given to eradicate the entire enemy camp and the informant had been arrested. He’d face harsh penalty for his treachery.
“Uh-oh. Don’t look now but Snake’s parents are headed in this direction,” Mustang said under his breath.
Both Mustang and I stood tall, a military stance, as they approached. There were tears streaming down their faces, their eyes bloodshot.
I felt the squeeze of Bryce’s hand offering courage.
“Sergeant Travers?” Mrs. Garcia asked, her voice barely audible.
“It’s just Jake now, Mrs. Garcia. I’m no longer in the military.”
Her hand shaking, she reached out for mine, taking it from Bryce. “Jake. Holt. I understand that you were both part of the group of soldiers who attempted to save my Ricardo’s life.”
I shot Mustang a quick look before nodding. “There were several of us who attempted to free him. I’m so sorry that we failed. I know how angry you must be at what happened.”
She tipped her head, searching my eyes. �
��Jake, in my eyes, you and the other men are heroes. You went in when the Marines refused to try and save his life. Major Wallace made certain that we were told the truth.”
I could hear Mustang’s ragged breathing.
“Ma’am, I served with some of the finest men and women, a true honor. I am proud to say that each of us would have given our lives in order to save him. Ricardo was one of the most honorable men I’ve been lucky enough to call a friend. You should be very proud of him.”
“We are. And we’re very proud of both of you as well,” Mr. Garcia said softly.
“We would love to have you as our guests at some point. I hope you will consider staying in touch,” Mrs. Garcia said as she smiled.
“We would love to,” Mustang said, his voice cracking.
As we watched them walk away, I realized how lucky I was to have friends who would have done the very same thing to save my life.
I watched as Mustang took a step forward, offering a heartfelt salute to a fallen soldier.
And to our friend.
As I joined him, I finally felt a sense of peace.
“Don’t forget. You have a homecoming to get to,” Bryce said after a few minutes. “And a party.”
While I wasn’t certain about having a party on the day of Snake’s funeral, Bryce had insisted and hell, she’d been right about almost everything else. I’d been able to explain to Ashley that her mommy and daddy were in heaven but that they would always be with her. The single tear sliding down her beautiful little cheek had offered hope.
“Think you can stop by or are you headed back?” I asked Mustang.
“Well, something I forgot to tell you. Word came down that the rest of us are allowed to work through the current contract. There won’t be another one. Mine expired a week ago. Looks like I’m staying around.” Mustang shifted his gaze in my direction, finally grinning. “And you know what? That’s just fine with me. I think I could use some mountain air, although I have no idea what I’m going to do. Not many calls for a ballistics expert in these parts.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m sure you’ll think of something,” I said, smacking him on the back. “It’ll be good to have you here. Come on back to the ranch. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”
