Beauty and the Brigadier

by D. L. Jackson

  “You’re godson is waiting back at the office.”

  “Shit. Can you tell him I’m on a date?”

  “No can do. Said he needs to talk to you now. It’s urgent.”

  Eli let go of her hair and rolled off. He grasped her hand and pulled her to her feet. “He’s got shitty timing.”

  “I can see that.”

  Chapter Four

  “A spy?” Dry mud crumbled all over the floor of his office, putting Eli in a fouler mood. First his godson interrupted his date as it started to get interesting, and now Uncle Sam saw fit to stick his nose where it didn’t belong. “You can’t be serious?”

  “I assure you, I am serious. When I was informed of your escapade, I needed to come and warn you myself. Until the background check is run through Homeland Security, you should call this arrangement off. I can’t believe you’d put national security in the hands of some woman called Madame Eve. Don’t you think Anya is just a little too perfect? What were you thinking?” Steve snapped at him and crammed his hand in his hair. “All eyes are on me—and you’re a general for Christ’s sake. One of the highest ranking officers in the U.S. Army and you didn’t even stop to do your own investigation on this woman?”

  “How did you know I had a date with her? How do you know any of this? It’s supposed to be confidential.” Eli ground his teeth.

  “Someone from the State Department contacted me, told me you were being investigated by a dating service. So I had my people contact this dating service and, a day later, I get an email from this Madame Eve woman, who assured me she fully vetted your date for my party and I shouldn’t worry about Ms. Volkov—even though she’s both a citizen of Russian and the United States. She suggested I speak to you, as she couldn’t give me any other information for confidentiality reasons, and if I wanted further clarification, I could run an investigation on my own dime.

  “Of course, with all the incidents of spies recently—caught rubbing elbows with government officials in Washington, and the media splashing it all over the news—her dual-citizenship sent up all kinds of red flags. As did the name of this Madame Eve’s business. A one-night stand? Really? Were you planning on sleeping with this woman? This is not the kind of public image you want people to see. And for your information, before you say there’s nothing sketchy about this dating service, even the FBI can’t dig up a scrap of information about this Eve woman. She. Does. Not. Exist.”

  “Nobody was supposed to know I went through a dating service. And it’s none of your damn business if I planned on having sex with Anya. I’ll fuck who I want.” Eli glared, anger roiled inside him, and if he wasn’t careful, he’d explode at the last person he could call family. He could understand Madame Eve responding to an inquiry when government secrets were at stake, but that his godson didn’t trust him and thought he would walk blindly into a dangerous situation, pissed him off. Tom would have done a background check on his own, or there would never have been a date. After a day with Anya, Eli knew without a doubt he could not walk away. He needed this woman. In his life. In his bed.

  “You need to reconsider.”

  “I’m not calling this date off, or waiting for the bureaucracy to decide if I can or cannot date a woman because you think she might be a spy. I’m not discussing state secrets with her, and give me some fucking credit, I’ve held a security clearance long enough to know how to keep my mouth shut and what could happen if I don’t. This is a date. Nothing more—nothing less. Anya is a charming woman, who happens to be damned perfect for me. It’s been a hell of a long time since I’ve met one who is. I’d appreciate it if you don’t screw this up. If you don’t want me at your party, fine, I won’t go. But I’m not calling off this date, and I’m not going to stop seeing her.”

  “Shit. Don’t force me to speak to your commanding officer.”

  “His office is right next door, and I doubt you’ll have to. I can guarantee he’s heard every word. Man’s got the best damned hearing of anyone I know.”

  “You need to stop seeing her, or your career could be over. Do you want to throw it away on a woman you barely know?”

  Eli sat and soaked in what he said for several moments, gathering the thoughts bouncing around in his head. “I’ve served in the Army a long time, Stevie. For the last two years, it’s the only life I’ve had—military. I’m tired of going home, sleeping, eating, and living my life alone. I miss Peggy more than you can imagine, but today, for the first time since she passed, I can finally breathe again. Anya makes me feel like a man who with something more than a career. So, you asked me if I am ready to give it all up?”

  “Are you?” Stevie crossed his arms over his chest.

  “Yes.” Eli swiped his hat off his desk. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a date with a beautiful woman and a shower. I know without a doubt she’s not what you claim. Major General Gilbert would have checked her out the minute he knew who she was—and he knows shortcuts. If I left it up to your people, I’d be in a nursing home before they decided if the woman was safe for me to date. Tom had that information three days ago—more than enough time to dig into her background. You do what you have to do, but I’m not dropping out of this arrangement and I’m going to see her again. And while you’re busy investigating my date, I suggest you just save the time and ask Tom. I’m sure he’s already taken care of it.” Actually, he’d arranged for all of it, but Eli wasn’t ready to elaborate.

  “Even if Major General Gilbert investigated her, it’s still a one-night stand! Such behavior could damage your reputation if it got out.”

  “Then keep your mouth shut.” Eli strode out, snagged Anya’s hand as he passed, and pulled her from the building. “How much did you hear?”

  “Enough to know why your godson is here—interrupting our date.”

  Eli nodded and walked her toward his car, resting his hand in the small of her back. He opened the door for her. “Please get in. I’d like to talk some place private.”

  Anya stared into his expensive BMW. “The mud....”

  “Is not important. I can get my vehicle detailed.” He could give a shit less about the mess. For the first time in two years, he wanted a woman, and not just any woman, Anya. But he needed to hear the truth from her, know that everything would be okay and his godson had merely jumped to conclusions.

  She slid into the passenger seat. Eli ran around and climbed in the driver’s side, shutting the door. He turned toward her and concentrated on her body language. Over the years he’d become a master at reading people by studying mannerisms as though they were a fine art. If she had secrets she wanted to cover up, a direct question would force some form of involuntary reaction. “I don’t have anything to worry about, do I?” He firmly trusted his friend would have checked her out. Tom never left anything to chance and, if Madame Eve’s company was sketchy, he never would have sought out her services to arrange the date.

  Anya blew out a breath. Her gaze locked onto his and remained connected. She didn’t scrub her palms on her pants, touch her clavicle or any part of her face, or give a lopsided shrug or show any stiffness in her body. No tells, nothing pointing toward deception. Instead, she maneuvered in her seat to face him and reached up to cup his cheek with one hand. “No, nothing to worry about, Eli. But...I have something I need to tell you. I can only disclose this because you have a need to know.”

  Eli narrowed his eyes at her last words and his heart began to thump hard. Was she a spy? Honestly, because Tom filled out the application for his date, he hadn’t questioned it. Maybe a little stupid on his part. But then again, he’d known the real reason Tom wanted to know who the dating service set him up with—had assumed it was why he’d come into his office and refused to leave until he knew whose name was in the envelope. Eli was certain he’d have screened her. If something was off, he would have known before now. It had never occurred to him the date with her would be a problem.

  “Your godson is right. I am a spy. I was a CIA operative for over twenty year
s. My father was CIA. I’m half Russian, but as American as any man or woman walking around on this post.”

  “Come again?” His jaw dropped. Well, her affiliation with the clandestine organization would certainly explain a lot about her.

  “I was a spook, Eli. As an international celebrity, I was able to get close to foreign dignitaries without drawing undue attention. I was a spy—for the United States Government—for over twenty years.

  “My father is one of the stars on the memorial wall—he lost his life serving this country. His mission was so secret it’s still classified and most likely will remain so and, before you ask what he did, know I can’t tell you—I’ll never be able to tell you some things about me, or my family, and I know you understand better than most. But, I don’t want you to take my word for it. I want you to pick up your phone, call the CIA, and ask them who I am. They’re expecting your call. In fact, General Gilbert was in touch with them three days ago and was forbidden to disclose my affiliation to anyone.

  “Your commander fully investigated me, and you were right to tell this Stevie so. When you’re done, have them call your godson. I won’t have his investigators following us for the rest of our date, not with what I have planned.”

  He took a deep breath and, as he exhaled, the tension leached out of him. So, no need to worry about information being compromised. There couldn’t be a more perfect woman for him to date. They worked for the same team. Eli pulled his phone out and dialed a contact in Washington who patched him through to the director’s secretary, even though he was certain at this point they’d verify everything she’d said. As he waited for someone to come on the line, he turned back to Anya, to probe a little deeper into her previous suggestion. “Just what do you have planned, Ms. Volkov?”

  “To start with, someone owes me a back scrub.” She smiled.

  “I never thought you were a spy.”

  “Well, I’m very good at what I do—everything I do.”

  “I’m going to have to test your statement.” He turned his attention to the phone as the receptionist picked up. “This is General Eli Wells, I’m calling to—”

  “We’ve been expecting your call. I’m patching you through to the director.”

  Two minutes later, they were headed toward the Castillo Resort. The car behind them started to follow then turned around. Their tail disappeared and the rest of their day became theirs to enjoy as they saw fit. He always kept an overnight bag in his vehicle for when he might need to travel to a meeting on last minute notice. No excuses. There was nothing holding him back.

  ***

  When they arrived at the hotel, they jogged through the lobby, hand in hand. Everyone turned to watch them go, covered in dried mud they shed with every step, yet nobody said a word. The second they entered the room, Eli grabbed her shoulders and spun her against the closed door and kissed her until her knees shook. Mud cracked where he held her, dropping around them.

  He nibbled along her jaw to her ear. Hot breath on tender flesh sent shivers racing through her body. Just as she thought she’d melt, Eli moved away and went into the bathroom to start the shower. He came out and grabbed both her hands, pulling her into the spacious room. “Let’s clean up, before we make a bigger mess.”

  She reached to open the Velcro on his top and he pulled her under the massive open shower, clothes and all. Mud ran down his body and hers, hitting the tile floor. “A multi-tasker.”

  “Honey, you have no idea.” His deep voice penetrated into her core, triggering a series of stomach tumbles and jolts that raced to her fingers and toes.

  She stepped back, tipped her head, and took in the view. She’d straddled his body, but good lord, she didn’t know a man his age could look as good as Eli did. At least she’d never seen one who did. Without the mud, she got a better look. The wet fabric clung to his frame, displaying muscle perfected from years of hard training. She added a walk in the rain with General Eli Wells to her bucket list. It would be a shame to experience the view only once.

  “Like what you see?”

  She sucked in a breath and nodded. Understatement.

  He reached out and pulled her against him. “Want to see more?”

  She rose up on her toes and kissed him. “Da. I very much want to.”

  He pulled his mouth away and pressed his lips to her ear. “You need to be naked, now.”

  “After you.” Anya ripped his top open and tugged it off his shoulders, dropping it behind him.

  Seconds later, boots and clothes were flying in every direction. Hands tugged at belts, bootlaces, her bra clasp. T-shirts were ripped off and dropped wherever convenient.

  They both went for his boxers at the same time and quickly became a tangle of limbs. Eli grabbed her wrists and backed her against the wall. “Let me.” He used his thumbs to hook the fabric of his shorts and shuck them off his hips, letting water and gravity take them to his ankles. He kicked them to the side. “Put your hands on top of your head.”

  “Are we playing a game?”

  “No. Not a game. Put them on your head and let me warm you up good and proper. If you touch me, I’ll have to restrain you.”

  She lifted her hands and he dropped to his knees, stroked her hips and thighs, kissed across her belly from one hipbone to the other as he disposed of her panties. Eli moved slower when he removed her undergarments, taking his time to peel them off her body and watch as he uncovered her—as though she were a wrapped gift. When he leaned in and slid his tongue between her lips, Anya reached down and grabbed his head, seeking hair to fist, finding nothing but a flattop too short to get a good hold on.

  “Bad girl. I warned you.” He sucked her clit into his mouth and she bucked against him. He retained the wet stretchy lace and, when he rose back to his feet, trailing kisses up her body, he brought them with him. He grabbed her wrists and wrapped the wet panties around them. He locked gazes with her and lifted her hands above her head, pinning them to the wall with one hand, while he slid his other palm down her body. “God, you’re beautiful.” He wedged his knee between her thighs and spread her feet apart, forcing her to ride the hard muscle of his leg.

  “I could say the same for you, but you’re much too rugged to be called that.” She panted and tugged on her wrists, never as turned on as she was now. But he continued to hold her, leaning in and kissing her neck, sucking a nipple into his mouth.

  “I like rugged. How do you like to be loved?”

  “Let me free, Eli, and I will show you. I need to touch.” She squirmed, and creamed. Even though the shower rained down, it couldn’t possibly make her wetter than she was below. Anya wanted him. Now. Yet he continued to torture her with slow kisses, nips, running his tongue along her skin to capture streams of water and sucking her flesh between his teeth. He lightly bit a nipple and she groaned, arching into him. “Pleaseeeee,” she begged, even more desperate.

  But Eli was having none of it. “Bad little soldiers need discipline, and you, my dear, didn’t follow orders. I think you like it a touch rough.” He eyed her nipples, hard as stones. Yes she did. He got her. But the restriction drove her nuts. She never gave control to a man, but with him....

  “I can’t take it.”

  “You can, and will. I want to commit every taste, every scent, all of you to memory. If I let go, you need to keep your hands on your head. I don’t think I can handle you touching me just yet.”

  “Then take a picture. I want you inside me.”

  “In good time. If I’ve learned anything over the years, sweetheart, it’s always worth the wait. And I promise to make this more than worth it. We have no condoms in here, so relax, let me make you come.”

  “We don’t need them. Not only am I too old for babies, my tubes were tied years ago when I realized I didn’t want children. Family and the CIA don’t mix. I’m clean, Eli.”

  A smile spread across his face. “I haven’t made love with a woman, other than my wife, for over thirty years. I promise you I’m clean, if you trus
t me.”

  “Then what are you waiting for? Make love to me.”

  “After I make you come. Hands on your head, don’t disobey me again, or I’ll take longer.” He released the panties he’d used to bind her and returned to his knees. This time, when he licked her pussy, she kept her hands where he’d told her.

  He never dreamed someone could fill the void left behind by Peggy, but Anya took up a good chunk of it. And though no one could replace Peggy, nor would he want them to, Anya could become a companion, and so much more. “I thought you were beautiful when I saw your centerfold in the eighties, but, honey, some things improve as time goes by, and you are one of them.” Eli slipped his finger inside her, and discovered she was slick. He leaned in and lapped at her pussy, absorbing her essence. Anya moaned, but behaved.

  “You flatter.” She gasped. “Oh.”

  “No, you were a young woman back then. Now you are all woman—a goddess. You’re curvier, sexier, in control of your life. You know who you are and you own it. I don’t think I’ve seen a more beautiful woman.” He pushed a second digit inside her.

  “Eli,” she cried out and jerked against him. He twisted his fingers and searched for her go-spot, the place that would bring big things. When he found it, she jerked again and began to pant. “Please.”

  “Right there.” He pumped his fingers in and out, making sure to strike it every time. Anya’s pants turned to whimpers. He hooked her knee and lifted her leg over his shoulder, and as the muscles in her pussy contracted, he leaned in and sucked the swollen pink nub between his teeth.

  Anya screamed and came. He didn’t let up, fucking her faster with his fingers and tongue, licking, sucking, probing.

  “Eliiiiiii!” Her hands were back on his head, nails raking his scalp. He did promise to punish her if she disobeyed him again, but, damn, he didn’t want to take longer. He wanted to be inside her, fucking her against the tile wall, owning her.