by Mia Kenney
I’m lifted from the ground like a child being carried. And I guess it’s a good thing because my head feels so heavy. My entire body feels heavy. I lean into Romeo’s chest and he’s so hard. All over. He must be wearing some sort of armor under his clothes. We’re in the long hall and it’s dark again. He’s got the big goggles covering his face. They scare me. In the distance I can hear Miguel’s screams. I know what Chaos is doing but I can’t think about it. Romeo gave those orders. Men are violent. But he makes me feel safe. It doesn’t make sense. I close my eyes and it doesn’t matter. I can’t see anything. I’m surrounded by complete darkness. The only noise is the rumbling of the ocean and Romeo’s breathing. I look up at him. I can’t see him in all this blackness. I’m not sure how he knows where he’s going but his strides are long and confident. He’s moving fast. He’s angry. His pace is picking up. He’s back to mumbling words I can’t understand. His voice is clipped. He must be mad at me. Mad for lying. Mad for not telling him the truth from the beginning. So many lies. I allowed him to believe Cisco was my husband and then I left him believing those lies. I want to tell him I’m sorry and that I’m not married. He doesn’t know I killed my own mother. I need to tell him that too. But my mouth doesn’t work. I must be broken all over. I drift between a dream and a nightmare. And then I’m asleep.
16
Romeo
Kat has been sleeping since the rescue. Even on the boat she didn’t stir.
“She’s going to be ok, Romeo. Your girl is exhausted and very dehydrated. Those fuckers didn’t give her anything to drink. I’m giving her another bolus of fluid through her IV line. I expect her to wake up soon. Her vitals are good. You should go take a shower before she gets up and sees your ugly ass face. It may make her change her mind.” Everything Noble is saying is right. He’s doing everything he can to help Katalina. Rest and intravenous hydration are what she needs right now. Plus, I know I look like shit right now.
Noble hangs another bag of fluid and works his magic. Snipers need to learn this medical stuff for the field. All SEALs are trained in basic medical combat skills but he actually enjoys it.
“I’ll be fast. Get me if she wakes up. I don’t want her seeing you first and believing you’re her hero. She’s mine. Whether she likes it or not.” I scrub my hand over my jaw. I’m being a complete dick. I can’t make her forgive me. I allowed another man, a fuckin’ drug lord, to walk right into my own building and take her away. She should hate my guts. Has every right to. But I’m a SEAL. And I always get what I want. And I want her.
Noble raises one eyebrow. “I know you’re not dumb enough to think you can make her stay. What’s going to happen if she leaves?”
“She’s not leaving. I’ll make her want to stay,” I grumble.
“For fucks sake boss man, you gave your girl away and she barely survived. You think she’s going to forget she was about to be auctioned to the highest bidder in another country? Because you didn’t fight to keep her? Man, if she wants to walk away you have to let her. You know this all goes back to…”
“Fuck you, Noble. Don’t even go there. I thought she was married. When Cisco said he was her husband she didn’t deny it. What the hell was I supposed to do, man? He said she was his fuckin’ wife. And Kat went along with it.” I shake my head and slam the door behind me. I don’t need him to remind me of where I came from and what I am. That nightmare has been buried a long time and I don’t need him doing some psycho babble bullshit about my personality. I am what I am. A dick.
Noble was there when I was a brand new SEAL and thought I was king of the world. A woman I had previously hooked up with was mad when I ignored her in a bar. She stormed out, and I didn’t even try to stop her. Five minutes later she was dead from a head on collision with a tractor trailer when she flew out of the parking lot. I don't need him reminding me that if I would’ve at least talked with her she would probably still be alive. Screw this shit. I need a shower to clear my head.
The water stings my skin. All six jets are on full blast and the shower rain feature allows the hot spray to get me from all directions. I scrub soap all over myself and repeat. How did something so good go so bad? Noble’s words keep going through my head. If she wants to walk away you have to let her. Screw him. I’ll make her want to stay. A woman I’ve wanted has never walked away from me. I always win.
Seeing that bastard Miguel with his pants down about to do whatever the fuck he wanted to Kat makes my blood boil. If I could raise him from the dead and kill him all over again I would. My muscles ache and my left shoulder hurts like a bitch. I lean forward, rest my forehead against the cool tile wall and let the water pound against my body. I stay in until I’m out of hot water.
Kat’s voice is soft. Barely above a whisper. She’s asking Noble something, but I can’t quite make out the words. There’s a muffled sound and silence. I told that asshole to get me if she woke up. I wanted to be the first person she saw.
I push the door open enough to see Noble with his arm around her, Kat’s thin body leaning into his for support. She’s thin. Too thin. My SEAL t-shirt I dressed her in hangs from her body, the neck large enough to expose her pale shoulder. My stomach churns. But the site of her long bare legs makes my cock stir. I can’t help the physical reaction my body has to her. It’s like we’re magnetic, our bodies always being pulled together.
At this moment I want her more than ever. She looks so vulnerable and the caveman in me wants to be her protector. Carry her over my shoulder and make her understand she’s mine.
I want to kill Noble for having his hands on her. Am I jealous? This is a new feeling for me. Fuck. I don’t remember ever feeling anything before Kat came into my life. Now I’m standing here watching one of my best friends doing nothing but helping her and I want to punch him in his face.
“Hey.”
That’s all she says. And I’m not even looking at her. My gaze slowly travels up her legs, along her body and hesitates over her breasts. Even through the loose fabric I can tell her nipples are hard.
My breath hitches when our eyes meet and a little squeak escapes her. She’s so beautiful. After everything she’s been through she still takes my breath away and makes my heart race.
Noble shoots me a sly grin. He’s playing with me. Showing me he enjoys having his hands on my girl. Even though I know he would never do anything to come between Kat and me, it still pisses me off that he’s the one she saw first. Fucker.
“Romeo.” Her sweet voice grabs my attention. Noble doesn’t move as Kat walks towards me. My t-shirt skims across her toned thighs with every step and I can’t help but remember how sweet she tastes. That’s it Kitty Kat. Come back to me.
Her dark eyes are big and round, the color has returned to her cheeks, and her pink tongue darts across her lips as she looks up at me. We’re so close her breasts skim my chest with every rise of her chest. Her long hair is tangled and messy. My Kitty Kat has that just fucked look. God I need this woman.
“You bastard,” she says at the same time I feel the sting of her hand across my face. Well, that was unexpected. And it actually kind of hurt. What the hell?
My girl spins on her heel and returns to Noble’s arms. He just looks at me with a smile and shrugs his shoulders.
17
Kat
He saved my life but Romeo Cruz is an asshole. He thinks this is some sort of game. Well, I’m not a player. If he believes he can just walk back into my life and think I’m going to throw myself at him for saving me he’s an even bigger asshole than I thought.
“I want to shower. And take this thing out of my arm.” I can feel Cruz’s eyes on me but I’m not turning around, no matter how bad my heart wants him. I swallow hard and stare up at Noble. He’s fast but not fast enough. I see him flash a look over my shoulder at Romeo.
“You don’t need his permission. Just take this out of me and tell me where the shower is.” Noble doesn’t say anything. He sighs heavy and clears his throat. These two think t
hey’re so smart.
“If you’re not capable of taking it out without an order I’ll just do it myself,” I snap and hold my arm up in his face.
“That extra fluid made a difference. Welcome back to our world Kat.” Noble grins and gives me a hug.
“I just want to get clean. Please Noble, don’t make me beg. I need to get all this dirt off me. I can still smell the stench of his cigar on myself.”
Noble’s expression softens. “Give me your arm, Kat.” Moments later the IV is removed and I’m standing in a huge tile bathroom with nothing but Cruz’s SEAL shirt on. The shower is expansive and there’s a bench built into it that curves along the wall. I eye all the dials and look up at Noble. He must read my mind.
“This is the main control. The top dial is for the rain effect.” My eyes follow his to the ceiling. Hanging above us is a long rectangular shower head. Ah ha, so that’s the rain effect.
“Every dial below controls the wall jets. It’s not hard to figure out once you get it all going. Just be careful. You’ve been asleep for three days, Kat. I’d stay in here with you but Romeo would break down the door.” I can’t help but smile at his words. It’s true.
“So do me a favor and use the bench. You’re still too unsteady on your feet. I don’t need you falling and hitting your head on the tile.” Noble cups my face and places a gentle kiss on top of my head. “Give him a chance, Kat. He’s a good man. Stubborn, bossy, and overprotective of those he loves but those are the things that make him the best damn SEAL team commander I’ve ever met.”
Noble’s words are unexpected. None of these men are talkers. They just thump around grunting and swearing at each other. But damn, they stick together.
“But the rescue boat. I remember him leaving me there. I begged him not to, but he did anyway. I was by myself and he left me,” I acquiesce in a soft voice.
“Cruz left you for a reason Kat. He wanted to make sure Escobar was dead.”
He gives me a wink and gently closes the door behind himself. I’m not sure why I ever let myself believe I could have a relationship with Romeo. There are too many secrets between us. Too many lies. I’ll shower and walk out of his life forever. My heart aches and my eyes sting. But my common sense tells me it’s the right thing to do.
I take a second to look around the massive bathroom. It has a double vanity with individual mirrors placed over each sink. Fancy white towels with intricate folds are stacked on open shelving. Decorative soaps of every shape, size, and color are on display. It’s like being in a hotel except I know it’s not. I walk over to the window and immediately recognize the view. It’s the same from Romeo’s apartment but from a different floor. I see the Starbucks and my stomach growls like it’s a reflex. I wonder when was the last time I had something to eat.
The reflection in the mirror doesn’t even look like me. My matted hair is stuck to my neck. Dark shadows ring my eyes and my lips are chapped. Ugh. I toss Cruz’s shirt over my shoulder and step into the shower. Within seconds thick clouds of steam engulf me. The hot water feels refreshing and I just stand there, letting the jets do all the work.
Flashbacks of everything that’s happened since that day play like a slide show in my head. It’s overwhelming. I start to cry, and I hate crying. I haven’t cried since I was a little girl. Crying is for the weak, my father always said. And I promised my mom I’d be strong. But now it’s too late and I can’t stop the tears running from my eyes like a marathon.
The shower washes them away but more come. It’s like a switch in me has been turned on and I have no control to stop it. It’s becoming more difficult to see and the room is getting darker. I don’t know if it’s from my uncontrollable crying or if Noble was right and I’m just exhausted. My legs are trembling and I’m scared I’ll fall. I reach out for the wall for balance but I can’t reach it, and this makes me cry more.
“I got you Kit Kat.”
His words are hot against my ear. My body gives out and he’s holding me up. I’m enveloped in his strong arms. And he feels so safe.
“Romeo,” it’s all I can get out before I turn my face into his bare chest and cry.
“Shhh, it’s ok. You don’t need to say anything.”
My chest heaves and I wish I could just crawl up inside of him and hide forever. My brain and heart are at a tug of war and my common sense is losing. He feels too good. Too warm and soft and insulating from all things bad. Cruz makes me feel cherished. It’s because of him I’m protected.
My back tingles as he glides soap in random circles along my spine. He’s everywhere while I’m nowhere. His hands make me feel like I’m being touched and caressed in every crevice of my body. His soft mouth trails kisses along the length of my neck. Even though I can’t see I no longer care. I give up, and give into him. He’s too good, too skilled on the ways to make me feel good all over. This is his way of showing me he cares.
“Turn around Kit Kat.” I do as I’m told, using his body as my guide. His wide hands circle my waist and he pulls my back against his chest. “Keep your eyes closed. I don’t want to get shampoo in them.”
Romeo starts at my temples, massaging the floral scented product in small circular motions, gradually becoming wider and wider. He’s controlling my body, positioning me exactly how he wants. And it feels so good to be cared for like this. His hands move and section off my hair. He’s meticulous, making sure every bit of me is squeaky clean.
“Let me worship all of you, Kat.” The heat of his hard length presses against the area right over my rear. I push back.
“Ahh, that’s my girl. Let me love you in ways I never have before,” he rumbles into my ear. Love. The single word causes my body to stiffen, but only for a second.
He makes me feel strong when I’m at my weakest. Right now he’s supporting all of me but he’s giving me my strength back. Building me back up one stroke at a time. “Mmm, this feels so good,” I say, tilting my head back while he rinses the shampoo from my hair.
He lets out a chuckle. “Good. That’s the plan. And you’ve stopped crying.”
And then he sits me on the bench, perches my feet on his shoulders and buries his face between my thighs.
18
Romeo
No way was I leaving her by herself in the shower. And when I saw her standing under the water, eyes swollen closed and sobbing, there was no keeping my hands off of her either. I don’t care if she thinks she hates me. She’s confused right now. The secrets between us are deep, but not enough to keep me away.
Her scent surrounds me. Damn, I’ve missed her. The little sounds coming from her pouty lips are driving me wild. But this isn’t about me. It’s about her. I felt her body stiffen under my hands when I told her I want to love her like I never have before. Hell, I never planned on saying those words, they just sort of fell out. Katalina Martinez has me under her spell. And I want to stay right here, in her heart and in between her long creamy thighs forever.
One long stroke of my warm tongue from the bottom of her slit to her little swollen clit makes her come. Kat is fuckin’ wild. No matter what she says her body cannot lie. And right now it’s taking all my strength to keep her hips pinned down while I suckle on her shiny smooth nub and prolong her rolling orgasm. Her heels dig into my shoulders while her hands pull my hair, keeping my mouth exactly where we both want it.
“Romeo, don’t stop. Please don’t ever stop,” she whimpers more to herself than to me. She must be out of her damn mind if she even thinks I’m capable of stopping. I want her too bad. And need her even more. I lap up and swallow the milky gush of fluids coming from her. Her warm pussy pulses against my mouth and chin. I press my face into her wet folds more, letting my jaw stubble rub against her sensitive pink flesh. I could do this every day for the rest of my life and it still wouldn’t be enough. I need more.
“I’ll never stop, Kat,” I mumble into her pussy. Her legs go lax and fall open, her feet now wrapped around my legs. “Hold on tight,” I say and lift her fro
m the bench. Her head falls against my shoulder, her long wet hair swaying against my chest. My cock throbs with every step. It desperately wants to be buried deep in her, but this night isn’t about me. It’s about her.
She holds on tight and I don’t even grab a towel. Hell, I’m taking my woman straight to my bed. I lay her in the center on the mattress, her beautiful body surrounded by soft white cotton sheets and pillows.
“Romeo, what are you doing to me?”
“Making you feel good. Lift your hips.”
She doesn’t ask why, just does as I order. Trust. I push a pillow under her and position her hips exactly how I want them. “You’re so beautiful, Kat. Every part of you.” Her little pink pussy clenches at my words. I press my long finger against the top of her mound and drag it down, slow and deliberate before pushing it in knuckle deep.
“Mmmm, more,” she pleads.
“You’ll get what I give you, Kat.” I crook my finger in her, feeling the small uneven patch of delicate fibers that make her g-spot. She’s pushes her hips up to take more.
“No, Kat. No lifting up. Let me play with you tonight. Let me show you how good it can be.”
She’s being so compliant. Her hips go down, resting again on the pillow. I smile. Compliant Kat.
I lower my face and gently blow against her folds. She moans but follows direction and stays still. I press my thumb against her clit and her breath hitches. At this moment I have complete control of her body and I’m only touching her with my finger and thumb.
Kissing and licking my way up her body I keep playing with her pussy. Every time those sweet wet lips clench my finger my cock twitches.