Caught in the Net

by Breanna Hayse

  “Nothing I love more than a kinky girl,” Rich commented, obeying. “Just know that this will be the only reason I do this.”

  “Don't count on it, buddy,” Michael laughed, watching Sam's eyes glitter. “She will find every chance to make us guys into a human pack animal. She likes to be carried and if you hang around for any amount of time, she will be either hanging onto your back like a little monkey or demanding she be schlepped around like a queen.”

  “And all of you allow this?” Rick clucked with disapproval, slowly petting the velvety soft fur of the sea lion’s body. “It sounds like someone is a little bit spoiled.”

  “They like spoiling me, Mister Richard. Plus, I'm cute, so they can't resist.” Sam stuck her tongue out at him good-naturedly. Rich eyed her carefully, his instincts honing into her needs. Hmmm, she was definitely the type of woman he was interested in... beautiful, smart, and oh, so bratty! The perfect submissive.

  “You are cute. I will give you that one. And maybe a little irresistible. But don't think I'm going to become your pet mule.” Rich winked at her.

  “We'll see. I'll have you trained in no time,” Sam giggled, watching him raise his eyebrow. Rich sensed that she was testing him, and a flush of desire rushed through his body.

  “Don't put up with her crap, Rich. Just let me know if she gets to be too much. Samantha, behave yourself.”

  “Trust me, Mike. I can handle much more than she could ever dish out,” Rich laughed. “We will see who gets trained.”

  “Ooo, sounds like a challenge.” Sam giggled again, her heart pounding with excitement. This man did something to her mind that she had never experienced before. “As for carrying me, you might not be strong enough and...”

  She shrieked as he tackled her against the sand and straddled her body between bulging, rock hard thighs and held her wrists above her head. He looked down at her flushed face. “Did you say something? Go on, try to get up.”

  “Michael! Tell him to let me go!” Sam laughed, unable to break the lock he had on her.

  “I'm busy,” came the response as Michael tied the lobsters in her abandoned sweatpants and placed them in the breakwater to soak. “So, what is your impression of this morning's events?” he asked Rich, who finally decided to release his captive.

  “I’m fascinated. You said you have gear that lets you go down without a tank?”

  “That’s what I do. As well as the bands. Is it something you might be interested in working on? It’s called neuroengineering. It’s a new science.”

  “Hell, yeah. What kind of protocol do you follow?”

  “Essentially, we call the shots. I always go through Scott for his permission…”

  “Always?” his sister asked, mischievously.

  Michael smacked her thigh. “Hush, brat. I typically go through Scott for the approval and Dad handles funding. I can’t remember ever being refused a project.”

  “I do. They always tell me ‘no’,” Sam pouted, lifting her arms to be carried.

  “That’s because you always put yourself in as the test subject. No, I have my surfboard. You can walk. She’s a handful, Rich. Don’t let the pretty, sweet exterior fool you. The crew calls her ‘the Siren’ for a reason. She’s also in charge of the area recon team.”

  “Really? How was the team’s response to that?"

  “They had some issues until she proved herself to them. Now they are her self-appointed bodyguards. That is something else you can be involved in, but you would have to follow her orders.”

  “I know my limits. After what I witnessed today, I would not question anything she said when it comes to the water,” Rich said, not budging as Sam pushed herself against his side.

  “You are like hitting a brick wall. Ow!” Sam whimpered, rubbing her shoulder.

  “Oh? Were you trying to knock me over? I didn't notice,” Rich teased.

  “You are gonna fit in great here.” Michael chuckled, happy with the level of comfort Rich was displaying with his sister. “You will find that the folks are real supportive of our crew. Whatever they need to be happy and fulfilled, the bosses go out of their way to help them. They’ve put several of the men through school to keep them with us. We also have an assigned research vessel, the Allegro. It’s a sweet gig.”

  “I'm sweet, too, you know.”

  “Yes, you are,” Michael agreed, kissing her forehead. “And you also make the best French toast in the world.”

  “That I do. I'll make breakfast for everyone after I rinse the sand off. Here, carry the lobsters, pack mule,” she ordered Rich.

  Dr. Quimby was awake, lounging on the deck with a cup of coffee. “Good morning, kids. Good surf? It looks like you had some nice peaks out there.”

  “Good morning, Doc. Yes sir, very nice. Mike and I talked and, if possible, I would be very interested in joining your team. It sounds like a dream job,” Rich said, standing his board next to Michael’s and handing Sam the heavy load.

  “Let’s see what we can do. What do you have there, honey?” the man asked, kissing his daughter.

  She untied the knots and dumped five large, angry lobsters on the deck. “LUNCH!”

  “Tsk, tsk, you know you aren’t supposed to remove them from this area,” Dr. Quimby said, grabbing two of the bugs off the deck and tossing them into a cleansing tank that the family kept for fresh seafood. Sam caught one, as Rich grabbed the other two.

  “I have diplomatic immunity. And they are males,” the girl shrugged. Rich questioned the statement.

  “Oh, well, I guess it’s something else we haven’t told you. We are both Special Forces,” Michael added humbly.

  “I’m guessing life with you two is neither boring nor predicable,” Rich commented, still finding it difficult to process all the information being presented to him.

  Dr. Quimby clapped him on the shoulder. “You have no idea, son. So? Did I hear anything about bacon?”

  Scott dragged himself out of bed by the time breakfast was made, and eyed the lobsters in the holding tank as he sat at the deck table to eat. “Looks like someone broke the law. This is a preserve, no fishing.”

  “Technically, I didn’t. The lions snatched them and gave them to me. If you don’t want lobster…”

  “I didn’t say that. I just don’t want to deal with having to get you out of park ranger jail. Mmm, coffee.”

  “So, Sam told me that you got to meet the pod this morning? How did it go?” Dr. Quimby asked Rich.

  “It was amazing. Thanks, Sammi.” Rich smiled as she handed him a plate stacked with food. “I’ve never seen anything like it. After threatening to eat me if I touched Samantha, that whale made me put my arm in its mouth. That was not an event I could have prepared for in my wildest dreams.”

  “Really? Why would he have you do that? I don't understand,” Dr. Quimby asked, eyeing his daughter and seeing a little smile. She was up to something again. Poor boy. Rich explained what he had been told, wrinkling his brow as Michael, literally, fell on the deck laughing and holding his stomach.

  “Did she tell you that? Oh my God…” he howled.

  Rich frowned, looking at the girl.

  She offered him a toothy grin. “Still think I’m cute?” she asked, blinking her long lashes as she ducked behind her father.

  Rich shook his finger at her. “Watch out, my dear. You’re not the only one who can pull pranks.”

  “Good, finally we get someone who can beat her at her own game,” Scott commented, slapping Dr. Quimby’s hand away from his bacon. “Welcome to the family, Mr. Lewis. You’ve been pranked.”

  “Should I expect this often?” Rich asked, hearing the girl yelp as her uncle smacked her thigh.

  “We don’t have enough time in the day to warn you what to expect. Just sit back and enjoy the ride. And please let one of us know if she gets to be too much to handle,” Scott ordered, wagging his finger at Sam who stuck her tongue out at him.

  Rich grinned, his dimples accented. “Yes, Mike warned me as we
ll. Don't worry, I will call on you for anything I can't handle on my own.”

  Rich blended into the family easily, and by the end of the day, the comfort level was at its peak, with him joining right in with the warm teasing and playful banter. Sam walked him out to his car, holding his hand. “Did you have fun today?” she asked. “My family is always like this. I love hanging out with them more than anything.”

  “It was the most fun I’ve had in years. Are you upset that I joined them in teasing you?”

  “After my stunt? Heck no. I had to see if you had a sense of humor, you know. And balls.”

  “I have both. Just beware, you don’t want to pull pranks on me too often, I always get even.” Rich smiled, holding her chin gently.

  “I’m an expert at dodging bullets. Live in a family like this, raised with hundreds of big brothers, a girl learns how to take care of herself. I hope we didn’t overwhelm you about us, though.”

  “Not at all. I find you amazing. And beautiful. And a bit of a brat.” Rich smiled, kissing her. “All the qualities I look for in the perfect woman.”

  “Even the brat?”

  “Especially the brat. I have a special way of dealing with that quality.” He kissed her again.

  “Believe me, so does my family and I don’t care for it,” she mumbled against his lips. Her knees shook after he let her go and got into his car. Wow, she thought, almost as good as the swirls. Sam watched him drive away and, after regaining control of her legs, returned inside. Her family was in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner. She smiled, leaning against the wall.

  “Did you have a nice day, love?” Dr. Quimby asked, handing her a dishtowel. She nodded, still smiling.

  Michael grunted. “Looks like she got a real kiss tonight. Samantha? Helllloo? Care to join us?” He snapped his fingers in her face.

  “He’s so nice and cute. And he likes my brat side.”

  “Speaking of which, what were you thinking with putting his arm in that damn whale's mouth, girl? You have more sense than that,” Scott asked.

  She started to dry a plate. “No, really, Uncle Scott, I was responding to Ton's inquiry. He asked me how Rich tasted. I didn’t understand, so I let him find out for himself. Plus it showed me Rich wasn’t a wimp.”

  “Tasted?” Michael piped in, “What could that mean?”

  “I don’t know. I can tell you now, from a human perspective, he’s delicious,” she sighed.

  “I don’t want to hear that, thank you,” Dr. Quimby grumbled. “How did you introduce him to Ton?”

  “As a new pod member, but closer than those at work. Like a mate.”

  “Oh shit! Samantha, Ton was asking you about sex!” Michael howled again, laughing hysterically. “He wanted to know if Rich satisfied you!”

  His sister turned bright red as her eyes widened. “Oh no... Do you really think so? No wonder he was confused when I put Rich’s hand in his mouth. I’m so embarrassed.”

  “You’ll get over it. At least until I tell the men,” Michael hooted. The room exploded with uncontrolled laughter as the other two men joined in.

  Sam's face turned a deeper crimson. “Please don’t, they raze me enough as it is. Come on, Mike, please?”

  “No way. Not after your last prank on me. I’m still finding love letters signed by dolphins on my desk.”

  “You guys are so mean. You’re lucky I love all of you,” the girl grumbled back, getting a hug from her uncle.

  “Yes, we are. Both mean and lucky. I do like that boy, though. A lot. He’s got a good head on his shoulders and I get the sense that he might be strong enough for you. The fact he’s got a long fuse and a good sense of humor helps. I’m going to take a trip to North Island tomorrow and check out his unit. Mike, if you really think he would do well in the lab; I’ll see about getting the transfer.”

  “I think he would be awesome, Scott. His credentials are incredible and he gets along with the family. Plus, it looks like we’ll have a new sparring partner, too. Kenpo black belt, martial arts honors in Annapolis, boxing, recon training… his are almost identical to ours. I really could use an officer with his skills,” Michael said.

  “I'm sensing a bromance here,” Sam whispered to her father.

  “Yeah, me too. I don't know who is more infatuated - Scott or Michael,” Dr. Quimby whispered back.

  Not paying attention to the whispers between his friend and niece, Scott continued talking, “Just be careful not to mix personal with business. We already have a fine line between you two. You need to be able to focus on work. Samantha, I’m talking to you. What are you two whispering about?”

  “Nothing ‘cept how wonderful you are to get Rich this job.” Sam blinked innocently, smacking her father's hand as he pinched her for the lie. “Seriously, Uncle Scott, when have I not focused on work? That’s all I ever seem to do. Maybe a cute engineer will give me some positive distractions.”

  “He’ll eventually find out about our dynamics if you don’t behave. Will you be able to handle that?”

  “How did Mom handle it when Daddy found out?” she asked, wrinkling her brow.

  “She was mortified. But, I hate to say, it never stopped her from getting into trouble. She got used to it eventually, especially after he moved in with us,” Scott chuckled. “Just try to behave yourself.”

  “I will. I really like him a lot.” Sam blushed sweetly.

  Chapter 5

  As promised, Scott presented to the commander of the engineering unit at North Island the next day. Scott explained his need for a design engineer in the labs and reviewed several files before selecting Rich. The colonel did not cover his dismay at losing the new officer, noting that Lt. Lewis was hard working, reliable, competent and had strong leadership skills. He additionally acknowledged that the new position would offer the young officer a unique opportunity to rise through the ranks, and verbalized his pleasure at seeing a major general take personal interest in caring for their troops.

  Reluctantly, Scott agreed to allow the young man to complete his present project before reassignment and, immensely pleased with himself, Scott called his nephew to boast about his success. This was followed with a grumpy command for Michael to take a hopper across the bay immediately and help set up Rich's office in the engineering department of the main facility. Michael politely refused Sam's offer to assist, feeling it best to avoid any chances of her trying to pull another prank on their new friend and coworker.

  “I think having Rich in this unit will work well. I spend half my time over here anyway,” Michael said as they moved a desk into the empty office.

  Scott nodded. “That and out of your sister’s reach. I was really impressed with what I heard about him today. There’s more than meets the eye with that boy. He might become my new favorite.”

  “You will have to fight with Sammi over that,” Michael chuckled, hooking up the computer. “She is already accusing us of trying to steal him from her.”

  “Think he can handle her quirks?”

  “Yeah, I do. He's already given her looks that made her pause mid-step. My gut tells me he's good people.”

  “Mine, too. And Dad as well. Let me know what you need for him and we’ll get it. I think it will be good for the men to have an officer in here full time, too.”

  “I’ll let them know he’s coming. Hopefully, they’ll be okay. I spoil them a bit.”

  “Give them time. We’ve taught you two how to build loyalty and I would hope they’d be concerned about someone replacing you here. I also want you to move the transmitter and band study this way. Closer to me and your father, just in case.”

  “You read my mind. I really don’t want her to have unlimited access to the bands if I can stop her. I want to keep an ECG in the new lab, though. I need that.”

  “No problem. How’s she doing? Anything new?” Scott asked with concern.

  Michael shook his head. “No. She seems balanced right now. No more of that swirling stuff either. I think she convinced the pod to
stop it. I’m getting ready to start the weapon detection study and she gave her promise to cooperate. We plan to begin that next week. Hopefully, we’ll have Rich on board by then. That is right up his alley.”

  “We should. The colonel anticipated completion of the project by the end of the week. He’s going to call me and let me know. And Mike? Please come to me if you see anything odd with Sam. Dad is already stressed enough about it.”

  “I will. But you have to trust me when I tell you she's fine. I would know. I always do.”

  Rich was ecstatic when Michael shared the news, as well as the precautions taken against his sister meddling with his new office. Rich started laughing. “Would she actually try to pull stunts at work?”

  “Don't underestimate the Siren. She has a huge following, including all the men in your unit. Most of them were present when she had the accident, so they share a very special bond with her. I can assure you, with all certainly, that she would prank you as often as possible and that she will have assistance. Your only hope is to get the men to develop the same amount of loyalty towards you as they give to her. I can't think of any other way to put the brakes on her. I guess I should warn you that they still back her with pulling crap on me. This is your last chance to back out… are you sure you want to date her?” Michael teased.

  “She’s adorable and her pranks are harmless. Yes, I do. Are you having concerns over this? I will respect your opinion if you feel that it would interfere with our work. You know her much better than I do.”

  “I would never get in the way of my sister’s happiness. I’m hoping that having you around will allow her to slow down and not be so work-driven. As long as we can stay professional and focus on our jobs, then there is no problem. If something happens and you guys break up, you will still be friends. She doesn’t hold grudges.”

  “Neither do I. I want your word that you will be up front and honest with me should you see or hear anything that might cause problems.”

  “Always. And likewise. Especially regarding her.”