“If a good dousing is what I get when you’re a little jealous, remind me not to make you really mad,” he grinned. Sitting up, he tucked his legs under him to stand, his arms still around her.
She glanced down at his shirt, wet and slightly muddy, as the dogs continued to bark in excitement. “I’m sorry I got a little jealous. For someone like you, I can imagine that you’d have women knocking down your door to be with you.”
Laughing, he bent over, kissing the top of her head. “Just to get it out there, babe, there are no other women in my life. No one wanted to take a chance on a man who lives out in the country, surrounded by animals.”
Standing up straight, she smiled as her dark brown eyes met his gaze. “Well, then the loss is for them…and is my gain!”
They quickly finished the kennel feeds and cleaning, then headed to the house to take care of the inside animals. Talon, mewling at the indignity of being in a cage, poked his paws out to grab their attention.
“Can he come out soon?” she asked.
“Actually, he can come out now. He’s had a quarantine time and is now up to date on his shots.”
Cooing, she opened the cage, cuddling the kitten in her arms. “I remember the last time you were out and we got surprised, little one. You nearly clawed me to death!” Putting him down on the floor, she giggled as Talon hissed and spit at Gypsy and Ransom sniffing her over.
“Don’t worry about them,” Blaise said. “They’ll learn to get along.”
Turning back to him, she said, “You need a shower…and your clothes need to be washed. If you take them off, I’ll throw them into the washing machine now.”
Lifting an eyebrow, he quipped, “You just want to get me naked.”
Blushing, she agreed. “Well, yeah, I do!”
“I’ll get naked if you will,” he said, stalking over to her, stopping only when his body was pressed against hers.
Leaning her head way back to hold his heated gaze, she breathed, “Oh, yeah…”
Within a flash his lips were on hers, shooting straight to white hot.
Her fingers went to his shirt, fumbling as she tried to undo the buttons without losing his lips. The height difference was not a big deal, but right now, the forward angle of his body to continue the kiss made it difficult to get to his buttons. Abandoning that effort, she grabbed his belt instead.
Unbuckling it was easy but her fingers once more fumbled, trying to unzip his pants over his prominent erection.
Blaise wrapped his arms around her waist and hefted her in his arms, making the lip-lock easier to maintain while he stalked to the front of the house. Turning the corner at the bottom of the stairs, she finally managed to unbutton his shirt and attempted to pull it over his head. Laying her down on the stairs, he pressed his swollen cock against her heat underneath him as he reached behind him, grabbing his polo and jerking it over his head. Tossing it to the side, it landed on the floor by the front door.
She managed to scoot up two stairs while grabbing the bottom of her shirt as well, pulling it over her head, throwing it up the stairs behind her. With his cock desperate to maintain contact with her body, he crawled up until it rested against her jean-clad sex once more.
Grace grabbed his face, pulling it toward her as she thrust her tongue into his mouth, drinking him in. His tongue dueled with hers, vying for dominance.
Lifting his hips, he slid his hands between their bodies as he struggled with her jeans, but the wet fabric proved difficult. She pushed on his shoulders for a second, creating enough space that she was able to scoot a few more steps upwards. Unbuttoning her jeans, she shimmied out of the wet pants, leaving them where they lay.
While she continued to scoot up a few more steps, he divested himself of his socks and then jeans as well. A few more steps and her bra and his boxers joined the trail of clothing from front hall to the top of the stairs.
With only one more piece of clothing left, she grinned mischievously before whirling around and attempting to escape. With a large hand reaching out, he snagged her panties, dragging them down her legs as she dissolved into giggles.
Now, both completely naked, they lay on the top step, panting. His eyes dilated with lust as she spread her legs wide, looping them on his shoulders. With a grin, he kissed her belly before sending a trail of kisses down to the prize he sought.
With the scent of her arousal in the air, he dove in, licking and sucking until she thought she would go mad with desire. Her hands reached down, gaining purchase in his hair, loving the feel of it through her fingers.
Lost in his own world of desire, Blaise tongued her slick folds, nipping on her swollen clit. His awareness was heightened; he felt her calves on his shoulders, her fingers running through his hair. Her taste, unique, filled his nostrils with her scent and his tongue with its warmth.
Her hips bucked upward and she knew her orgasm was close. Grinning, while still sucking, he reached one large hand up and gently tweaked her distended nipple. With a huge jolt, she came in his mouth, cries of his name on her lips.
As she slowly relaxed, he continued his trail of kisses from her sex upward over her belly and to her breasts. Giving each one attention, he moved to kiss her neck before sucking on her pulse point. Sliding his nose up by her ear, he whispered endearments as his body, tight with need lay over hers.
Finally kissing her lips, she tasted her juices on his tongue. Grabbing his shoulders, she dug her fingernails into his skin, pulling him in closer.
“Come on, babe,” he finally said, knowing she could not possibly be comfortable on the top step. Standing, he scooped her limp, and sated, body into his massive arms and carried her to the bedroom. Laying her on the center of the bed, he was surprised when she moved faster and rolled so that she was on top.
Grinning, she kept her eyes on his as she shimmied down his body until she was seated on his legs. Leaning forward, she took his cock into her mouth, her moist lips surrounding his girth.
Fuckin’ hell! I’m gonna come right now! Trying to keep his eyes on her mouth as it moved up and down his shaft, he finally gave up, throwing his head back against the mattress. Staring at the ceiling, he wondered how he had ever managed to find a woman just right for him. That was the last coherent thought he had as her tongue and mouth continued to work their magic.
Moving on instinct, Grace pumped the bottom of his cock with her hand as her mouth continued to suck, swirl, and trace her tongue around his sensitive rim. She heard his groan and smiled around his erection, memorizing the taste of him.
“God, I’m gonna come.” When he could tell she was continuing, he battled the decision to either come in her warm mouth or buried balls deep inside her pussy. The latter won out. Grabbing her by her shoulders, he pulled her upward until her sex was directly over his cock. “Please, babe. I want in.”
“Whatever you say, honey,” she panted, reaching between her legs and grasping his dick in her hand, placing its tip at her opening. Sliding down, inch by inch, she kept her hands on his chest as she accommodated his impressive girth. The slow friction only made her want more and as soon as he was fully seated, she rose up on her knees before moving back down again. Over and over until she was panting.
Blaise reached his hands up, cupping each bouncing breast, tweaking the nipples. Watching her face as she bit her lip, her eyes closed in concentration, he felt her sex begin to tighten around him. As she whimpered, he slid one hand own to press on her clit, eliciting the response they both wanted.
Throwing her head back, she screamed his name again as her pussy clenched and the orgasm sent electric shocks throughout her limbs.
Knowing she was exhausted, he took over, lifting her hips slightly with his hands as he began to piston upward. In a minute, the friction sent him spiraling into his own orgasm, groaning as he pumped until he was empty.
She fell onto his chest, her head on his shoulder, legs tangled. His large hands roamed up and down her back from her neck to her ass. The lazy movement, plus
the two orgasms, had her relaxed and sated. Several long minutes later, she managed to lift her head, her hair plastered to her sweaty forehead, and looked down at him. His sky-blue eyes held hers as their hearts pounded together.
“You interested in a shower, big boy?” she teased.
“With you? Hell yeah.”
Grinning, the two moved from the bed and into the master bathroom. A few minutes later, as the warm water sluiced over their bodies, they made love once more.
*
Bayley and Barbara stepped inside the front foyer as Bayley slipped the key into her purse. Barbara said, “Did you call this time?”
“Yes,” Bayley said, quickly amending, “But he didn’t answer. I just wanted to say goodbye since I’ve got to go out of town tomorrow.”
Barbara’s eyes widened. “He didn’t answer? Bayley Hanssen! We shouldn’t be here if your brother doesn’t kno—”
The words halted in her throat as the two women noted the man’s shirt on the floor with the woman’s shirt a few feet further. Socks, men’s jeans and then women’s jeans continued up the stairs. A bra and panties mingled with boxers near the top.
The women could hear water running from the shower. Mother and daughter cast wide-eyed looks at each other, as they both tiptoed backward toward the front door, Bayley grinning wildly.
“Bayley, that’s it. Tomorrow, give your brother his key back,” Barbara whispered as they stepped out onto the front porch.
Sucking in a deep breath of air, Blaise’s mom, red with embarrassment, looked at her still grinning daughter. “Thank God Grace doesn’t know we’re here or she’d be mortified once again.”
“Mom, I can’t help but grin. He didn’t catch us and, face it, doesn’t it feel good to know that he’s with a good woman?” Bayley asked, winking at her mom.
Rolling her eyes at her daughter as they drove back down the driveway, Barbara smiled secretly. Yes, I am glad my son is with someone so good. Breathing a sigh of relief as they made it back to the road, she vowed, No more impromptu visits!
Chapter 26
Standing on his front porch the next morning, Blaise sipped his cup of coffee, barely hearing Grace padding outside in bare feet to encircle him with her arms.
“How’d you sleep, babe?”
“Mmmm,” she grinned, looking up at him. “With the workout you gave me, I slept like a baby.”
Bending to kiss her sweet lips, he barely touched her before his phone buzzed. Glancing at the screen before answering, he said, “Hey mom.”
Grace headed to the kitchen to give him some privacy, shooing the cats away as she walked. Resorting to giving them some food, she then bent to rub Gypsy’s fur. “Hey, girl,” she said, staring into her dog’s warm eyes. Looking up as Blaise came back in, she asked, “Is everything all right?”
“Yeah,” he said. “Bayley is flying out today to go on a business trip and mom wanted to know if I could take her.”
“Sure we can,” Grace offered.
“You want to go too?” he asked.
“Honey, I’m not going to fall apart just because I see an airport. I used to work at one, you know,” she teased.
Stepping closer he put his hands on her shoulders and bent to look into her eyes. “I know you say you’re ready to get out there and face your past, even face the unknown, but you don’t have to do it all at once. Yesterday was big for you,”
Nodding slowly, she smiled softly. “Thank you,” she whispered as she leaned forward, resting her head on his chest. “I certainly wouldn’t be ready today to go meet Carter and the group in Richland, but the small Charlestown airport should be easy. If I do it today, then I’ll be ready to tackle the much larger airport…maybe tomorrow.”
“You’re ready to jump into this feet first, aren’t you?” his voice rumbled in her hair.
“I think I’ve remembered all I can from dreams…and nightmares. I think getting out will stir more memories. At least solidify the ones I have, like the training center and seeing Mr. Wilkins.” She squeezed her arms around his waist, then continued. “Being with you has given me strength…and courage, to face the rest of what happened to me.”
“Grace, I’m telling you straight up…you’re the bravest person I know.”
With his arms enveloping her, the two stood for several silent minutes in the kitchen, bodies pressed together, hearts beating as one.
*
Laughter rang out in the SUV as Grace listened to a few embarrassing childhood stories about Blaise. She was quickly finding that Bayley had very little filter when it came to making fun of her brother. The drive was soon over and the three walked into the mid-sized airport. Giving Bayley a hug, Grace stood back to give the siblings a chance for a private goodbye. Wandering over to a row of small shops, she found herself next to the security line. Watching as people moved through the security she stared at the TSA agents, in their dark blue uniforms, herding the travelers.
A blinding flash bolted through her mind, painful and searing. Grabbing the wall next to her, she blinked rapidly. An image blasted to the forefront of her mind.
Leaving the locker room, I check the mirror first to make sure my dark TSA uniform is perfect. Lifting my gaze to my face in the reflection, I take a deep cleansing breath. “I got this,” I say out loud. Glancing down to Gypsy, sitting obediently at my side, I grin. “Come on, girl. Let’s do it.”
Stepping out of the locker room, we walk down the hall, passing through several doors, ending in one of the large luggage bays. Preston is already scowling at me. Wondering why, Gypsy and I hustle over to him. He begins barking orders and without hesitation, Gypsy and I perform.
The baggage carousel is loaded with every size and shape of luggage, but she and I work as we’ve been trained. Preston continues to bark orders as the carousel begins to fade…
Blinking rapidly as the Charlestown airport came back into view, Grace clung to the wall. I remember the Richland Airport. Being here has triggered more memories. Closing her eyes again, she willed her memories to continue, but nothing came.
“Grace, Grace,” Blaise called, his hands grabbing her shoulders. “What happened? Are you okay?”
Blushing, she opened her eyes, glancing around in embarrassment, hoping no one was watching her fall apart.
Searching his face, she steadied her breathing. “Yes, I’m fine. I just had a flashback. It was triggered seeing the people move through the security lines.”
Pulling her in close, he held the back of her head to his strong chest, saying, “Can you tell me?”
“I remember my first day at the airport in Richland. I remember seeing Preston as he yelled out his commands to Gypsy and me. I had on the same uniform as these TSA agents. I remember feeling really proud, kinda nervous, and sure that Gypsy and I could do the job.”
“Come on, Grace. Let’s get you out of here,” Blaise ordered gently, tucking her underneath his arm, guiding her away from the wall.
Afraid she had made a spectacle of herself, she glanced around once more, stumbling as her eyes landed on a man staring at her. Dark hair. Dark suit. No smile. Just staring.
Blaise steadied her as his concerned gaze drop to her. Making their way out into the bright Virginia sunshine, she breathed deeply.
“Better?” he asked, leading her to his SUV.
Nodding, she forced a smile, but the eyes of the man from the airport continued to bore into her mind. He seemed familiar. I think…I think I’ve seen him before. But…I can’t remember.
As they pulled out of the parking lot, the suited man stood on the sidewalk outside the taxi line and placed a call.
“I’ve seen her. She was not fuckin’ killed. I thought someone went to the car and checked. She saw me…looked right at me, but didn’t seem to recognize me. No, no. I’m not taking a fuckin’ chance that she won’t remember where she saw me. I want her taken care of…permanently this time.”
*
Blaise sat at the Saints’ conference table, listening to Lu
ke’s report and growing more frustrated by the minute.
Finally, he blurted, “So we’ve got no identifiable fingerprints from the plane, the barn or office, nor from Grace’s apartment. And Mitch is telling us there are no other prints on Grace’s car other than hers.”
Luke glanced at the others before continuing. “I’ve been running the finances of everyone on the list Grace provided, from the K-9 training center to her co-workers at the TSA, and, so far, I don’t see anything odd at all. No large deposits, or withdrawals. No new accounts that I can find. Nothing suspicious at all.”
Throwing himself back heavily in his chair, Blaise ran his hand over his face. “So, right now, we still got nothing. We’ve got no fuckin’ idea why she was on that mountain, although we can suspect that it had something to do with the Savine operation. The FBI’s got nothing new on her car.”
Mitch, on video-conference, replied, “We know what kind of vehicle hit her but have found no garage in a fifty-mile radius that claims any body work has been done on a vehicle fitting that type.”
“What made her go up that mountain?” Marc asked, pondering out loud.
“Okay, men,” Jack said. “Brainstorm any reasons you can think of.”
“She found something at the RIA.”
“She’d have reported it there.”
“She was meeting someone.”
“At night? With Gypsy? There’s no indication anyone on that road knew her.”
“Maybe she discovered something on her job. Gypsy reacted, but didn’t find it.”
At that, the others grew thoughtful. Looking over at Blaise, Jude added, “Grace remembered feeling pressure at work. Maybe she and Gypsy noticed something but, as a TSA trainee, missed it…or wasn’t sure.”
Blaise, unconvinced, sighed heavily. “I guess it’s possible. But what did she notice?”
“Noticed an address? Followed someone?”
Monty, the quiet Saint, spoke up after listening to everyone’s suppositions. “We’re going about this backward.” Gaining everyone’s attention, he explained, “While we can’t be certain, we can make a good assumption that her being on the mountain road had something to do with the Savine property and the fact that it’s more than likely a private drug running airstrip.”
Remember Love: Saints Protection & Investigations Page 21
