Flynn's Firecracker: A SEALs of Honor World Novel (Heroes for Hire Book 5)

by Dale Mayer

  He waited for her to climb the stairs, making sure all the lights were out downstairs, and then trailed up behind her. At her bedroom he stopped in the doorway. “You’ll be okay for the night?”

  She scrubbed her face with her left hand. “I’m just realizing how awkward this will be. I can’t get my shirt off with my arm like this.”

  He saw the tears in the corners of her eyes and felt like a heel. “Come on. Let’s get you ready for bed.” He pulled back the bedding, took off her shoes and socks in seconds, and helped her out of her pants.

  She looked at him and said, “You are very experienced at this.”

  That startled a laugh out of him. “Not as much as you may think. Now let’s get that shirt off.” He studied the sling first, then gently lifted her arms so he could pull it over her head. As if dealing with a baby, he carefully pulled one arm out of her T-shirt, then over her head and off her injured arm.

  “What do you want to sleep in?”

  She pointed at the dresser. “I have an oversize cotton T-shirt I like to use.”

  It was lying on top of the dresser. He grabbed it and came back to her. “Honey, the bra has to go.”

  She glanced down and winced. “Yeah, it so does.” She stood, turned her back to him and said, “Unhook it please.”

  He did, and as she leaned forward, it managed to drop off her arms. Then she put her good one in the air, and he dropped the big T-shirt down over it and her head, followed slowly by her right arm. Gently he eased her sore arm back through the sling.

  She turned around. “Damn that hurts.”

  “It’ll feel much better in the morning.”

  She shook her head. “I doubt it.” She kicked her dirty clothes off to the side and sat down on the edge of the bed. “I should brush my teeth, but I’m so damn tired.”

  “But you’ll feel better. Come on. Let’s get it done, then you can go to bed.”

  She let him lead her to the bathroom, where he put toothpaste on her toothbrush, ran it under the water and gave it to her. Then he grabbed the washcloth, doused it with warm water, and while she was brushing her teeth, he gently dabbed at the dried blood in her hair. His goal was to let her sleep without having this pull and tug through the night. He rinsed the cloth in more warm water and some soap, and when she was done with the toothbrush, he gently washed her face.

  She smiled. “I feel like a two-year-old.”

  Using the same washcloth, he finished the job by washing her injured arm and both hands. “Sometimes we all need to be looked after. Now into bed with you.”

  She made her way back to the bed, crawled underneath the covers and lay down. She looked up at him expectantly. She wasn’t at all sure what she wanted, but he tucked the bedding up higher, bent down and kissed her on her forehead. Then he reached for the light.

  “Wait.”

  He looked down at her. “What do you need?”

  A flush stained her neck and cheeks a beautiful rose pink, but her eyes were direct and her voice clear when she answered, warm and lovingly, “You.”

  “Honey,” he started to protest. He wanted her, but she was injured, so this was not a good idea.

  She patted the side of the bed. “To sleep with me. Maybe just hold me until I fall asleep,” she confessed. “It might hurt too much to do anything else. If you could see your way to sleeping beside me tonight …”

  He lowered his head and kissed her passionately, thoroughly, just enough for her to know he was there any time she was ready. “Absolutely. Just give me a minute to grab my stuff in the other room.”

  She nodded and shifted more comfortably, her eyes closing.

  He went to the spare bedroom, where he had always stayed, then returned to hers. Exhausted, he prepped for bed. He’d planned on a shower, but there really wasn’t a need tonight. He washed his face, brushed his teeth, and when he went back into the bedroom, found her almost asleep. He crawled in on his side. She turned to him instinctively, and he wrapped his arm gently around her, tucking her ever-so-slightly closer. But she moved in like a homing pigeon, nestling close to his chest.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He reached up and stroked her back gently. “My pleasure. There’s nowhere I’d rather be right now.”

  With a happy smile she fell asleep.

  He followed soon after.

  Chapter 17

  The next morning, Anna woke, surrounded by the intense heat pouring off Flynn. There was such a sense of well-being inside, she couldn’t resist snuggling closer. She moved her injured arm experimentally. It didn’t feel too bad.

  She shifted away from the sleeping man beside her and made her way to the bathroom. She wondered if she should risk a shower. She could probably get the T-shirt off by herself. If she left the bandage on, would that be better or worse?

  When she realized she still had dried blood in her hair, even though Flynn had done his best last night to wash it out, she decided the shower was mandatory. She glanced out the window to see bright, strong sunlight. So it was morning. And the animals were waiting.

  She turned on the water, closed the door and waited for the water to warm up. She stripped off her panties and the T-shirt, taking great care not to bang up her arm as she did so, then stepped under the spray, bandage on. She’d do her best to keep it out of the water, but she knew that wasn’t possible. Just standing under the heat as the warm water pounded down on her head felt soothing. With soap and a washcloth, she gave herself a good scrub, then did her best to shampoo her hair, washing it twice in order to get all the blood out. When she was done, she turned to find a shadow outside the glass doors.

  A shriek escaped her, and she fell.

  The door opened immediately. “Anna? It’s just me.”

  She stared at him as the fear slowly drained. And then she got mad. “You could at least call out to let me know you’re there,” she cried.

  He apologized. “I woke up and found you were gone. I came right away to see if you were in here. I just got here when you shrieked.”

  He held out a hand, which she used to get herself to her feet carefully because everything was so wet. That’s when she realized she was standing fully nude in the shower in front of him. And he was standing fully nude out of the shower in front of her.

  She shook her head. “Well, you might as well come in and get cleaned up.”

  He glanced at her in surprise, then grinned. “I wouldn’t say no to that invitation.”

  “I was washing my hair,” she said, “but I can’t reach places on the right side.”

  “Here, I’ll do that.” He grabbed the shampoo and proceeded to wash her hair gently. He massaged every inch of her scalp until she was melting and moaning in pleasure.

  “Oh, my God, where did you learn to do that? That’s wonderful.”

  He moved her gently back under the stream and let the warm water rinse away all the suds. “Do you have any conditioner?”

  She pointed at the bottle on the shelf. He grabbed it and put some in his hand. Rubbing his hands together, he gently stroked it through her hair.

  She smiled. “Obviously you’ve practiced.” And oddly enough it didn’t bother her a bit. He’d had a life before her, as she’d had one before him. As long as their future was built together on truth and love.

  “I’ve never done this before in my life.”

  Her eyes flew open. “Really?”

  He nodded and smiled down at her. He dropped a kiss on her nose. “Never. But I can see I might be interested in doing it often from now on.”

  This time, when he lowered his head, his hands still massaging her scalp, he took her lips in a deep passionate kiss, but he was so in control. Giving her time to say yes, giving her time to say no. Lady’s choice, and she appreciated that. But what she wanted was him.

  She’d never wanted any other man like she did him. Heat surrounded her inside, outside—his steam, the water’s steam, the steam enveloping them in the small stall. More than that, her body w
as softening, dampening, opening, readying for him.

  She slipped her good arm up around his neck and pressed against him from her slippery soapy hips to breasts. Skin to skin. Heat to heat. She kissed him back like she’d always wanted to. Need clawed at her.

  This was the first chance they’d had to be together without all the horror. Not ideal as she was injured. But if they were careful …

  He raised his head and pulled back slightly, in case she wanted to let him go. Instead, she wrapped her good arm tighter around him. He reached up to stroke her wet hair back off her face, his fingers caressing, gently loving. “Are you sure?” he whispered.

  Anna looked up at him and smiled. “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.”

  He looked around her at the shower and said, “Here or in the bed?”

  She laughed. “Your choice. But personally I have no intention of walking anywhere.” Her eyes lit with humor as she confessed, “I don’t think I can.”

  He chuckled, shut off the water and said, “Maybe not, but for the sake of your arm, we’re probably better getting you into bed, just so you don’t hurt yourself more.”

  He grabbed a towel, wrapped it around her, then got a second one for himself. He gently helped her out and taking the towel, dried her off. As in every single inch of her. His strokes warm, lazy, and teasing.

  She whispered, when she finally could find her voice, “I said I couldn’t walk before. How the hell do you expect me to now?”

  He gave himself a brisk rub over, tossed both towels to the floor and swept her up into his arms. “I never intended for you to walk anywhere.”

  He carried her to the bed and laid her down. Then he dropped beside her. She turned and wrapped her legs around him.

  “Now that you’ve done so much to stoke the fire,” she whispered, “how about you put it out?”

  He would’ve chuckled, but she reached up and kissed him, hard. Her teeth biting the inside of his lip gently and then harder, kissing, licking, tasting her own passion, rising, driving her forward.

  When he finally pulled his head back, his voice was hoarse. “Jesus.”

  She dragged his head back down. “Sorry, he’s not available. In fact, nobody can help you now.”

  He gave a muffled laugh, followed by a strangled moan and positioned himself between her thighs. She wrapped her legs around him tight, high up on his hips, and rubbed up and down against the hard shaft between them.

  Flynn grabbed her hips, pulling her back, but she fought, climbing all over his frame. He gave a half laugh. “Sweetie, I haven’t actually gotten where I need to be.”

  She gave him a half-lidded look. “Are you sure about that?” She pushed on his shoulders, and he rolled over. She went with him and sat up on her knees, straddling him. Whether by luck or design, she was poised right above his erection.

  He stared up at her, and a wonderful smile crossed his face. “Oh, my God, you are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”

  She threw her head back and slowly lowered herself on his shaft. She was so wet, ready, and damn hot that he slid right inside. He grabbed her hips and thrust himself upward, seating himself fully and as deeply as he could go. She cried out, and with her hand on his shoulders to brace herself, she rode like the inner Valkyrie she was. She set a fast tempo, as nothing else would do, and drove them to the edge of the cliff. He reached down between them, his fingers sliding between her curls, finding the nub, and with a cry she threw her head back and exploded. He cupped her shoulders and slowly moved within.

  With a shudder, she opened her eyes again and stared back down at him, one eyebrow raised.

  He grinned and said, “Round two?”

  She groaned. “Oh, my God. Why do I think this is going to be a long session?”

  He laughed and gently stroked the nub in her curls, sending her blood pressure roaring to maximum once again.

  This time it was a slower ride to the cliff but just as fantastic. She didn’t want to go alone. She stretched down behind her and gently caught the soft globes between his legs and gave a squeeze.

  It was his turn to groan. So she did it again, then slowly lifted herself up as if to remove herself from him. He grabbed her hips, forced her down. This time he lost control and drove harder, higher, deeper, and faster, and shouted when his climax ripped through him, his seed pulsing deep inside, sending her crashing to the shores below.

  She collapsed on top of him and whispered, “I knew my arm wouldn’t be a problem.”

  He gave a great big shudder and held her close. “If this is what you’re like when you’re injured,” he whispered, “I can’t imagine what you’re like when you’re not.”

  “For that, you’ll have to wait a few days.” She closed her eyes and nodded off.

  *

  Flynn waited until she was asleep. He slowly and carefully disentangled himself from her arms and slid off the bed on his side, got to his feet and went to use the bathroom. He collected the towels, straightened them over the railing and dressed. He needed to check in with Levi this morning. It was late already, but she needed the sleep.

  He’d take care of the animals and get some coffee going too. By the time she woke, she’d be ready for a cup.

  With a happy whistle, he made his way downstairs and put on the coffee first. He grabbed his phone and called Levi while waiting. No answer.

  Fine, he’d call back in a few minutes. He’d take care of the animals. He moved Jimbo and Duggy out to the big dog run. If Anna was feeling up to it, maybe they could take them both for a walk later. The dogs certainly needed it, but the dog run was big and gave them lots of space to jump around, which was exactly what they were doing.

  He gave them fresh water, refilled their food dishes and let them eat in the pen. He checked on the cats, but they appeared to be snoozing, although two walked over for a greeting as he stepped inside. He spent a few minutes cuddling them, realizing just how much he enjoyed being able to pick up an animal and snuggle with it. The cats had lots of dry food. He’d mix in some canned, and they’d be good to go.

  When he was done, he went back toward the house, still whistling. He grabbed his phone and tried Levi again. When the other end was answered, he asked, “Levi, any update?”

  “Yes, but not one you’re gonna like. He’s been released.”

  Flynn couldn’t believe what Levi was telling him. He heard the words, but the concept was just not computing. “What do you mean, he’s out already?” He glanced at his watch. “It’s only been, what, ten hours at the most?”

  “His lawyers. He answered all the questions reasonably and gave alibis the police have checked. And apparently the detective in charge, some new upshot, spunky asshole, said he was allowed to leave the station but to stay in town.”

  “I don’t give a shit what kind of lawyers he’s got …” Flynn strode up and down the kitchen, his fury rising. “You do realize he is on his way here then, right? It’s either that, or he’ll disappear, and we’ll never see him again. Except we’ll always be watching our backs.”

  “I know. I hear you. The DA’s on it. Apparently they’ve sent men to pick him up again.” Levi’s voice was just as frustrated and angry as Flynn felt.

  Flynn calmed down; his mind kicked in, working fast. “I haven’t seen any sign of him. I was just out with the animals. I’m back inside now. I’ve got to get her up. We have to be ready. You know we can’t trust him.”

  He strode toward the living room to look out the big window. No sign of Brendan. Good thing. “They could have kept him for twenty-four hours with no problem,” Flynn snapped. “No way in hell should he have been let out.”

  Levi was still talking in his ear. “Keep me posted if you see him.”

  “I’ll go check out the rest of the house now,” Flynn said, turning. And he froze. “Levi …”

  Brendan stood in front of him, a gun pointed at his chest. “Say hello and good-bye to Levi for me.”

  And he fired.

 
Chapter 18

  Anna woke with a jolt, the harsh cold sound still zinging through her memories into full wakefulness. Instantly, she knew she was alone in the room—and nude—lying on top of the covers.

  Awkwardly, but ignoring the pain, she slipped on the panties and T-shirt she’d slept in before the shower and crept to the bedroom door. Downstairs she could hear a door bang, followed by running footsteps. She raced to her bedroom window to look out.

  And saw Brendan running. He threw something into the neighbor’s garbage and darted for a small black car. Within seconds, he drove down the street.

  Panicked, she grabbed her phone and raced downstairs. She couldn’t see anything in the kitchen or office. She barreled into the living room.

  And fell to her knees screaming, “Flynn! Oh, my God. Flynn.”

  Blood poured from his chest. He’d been shot. She dialed 9-1-1 and slapped her hand over the wound, keeping pressure to slow the bleeding. “Help, please. He’s been shot. Dear God. He’s been shot in the chest.”

  “Calm down, we need to know your address. Are you still in danger?”

  “My God. No, he ran away. He took off in a small black car. It was Brendan. I saw him.”

  “Just stay on the line and stay calm. I have to dispatch somebody to your address. Is the front door unlocked?”

  Anna twisted to find the door was open. “Yes. They should be able to see me from the front porch.”

  “Please stay on the line until we get you some help. Are you sure nobody else is there? Are you sure you’re not in danger?”

  “No, no, no. He ran away. Please hurry. Please, he can’t die. Oh, my God. There’s just so much blood.”

  “There is always a lot of blood with any injury. Don’t let that affect you. Stay calm, stay collected and talk to him. If you can get any kind of response, let me know.”

  “No, he’s totally unconscious. The color from his face, I mean… Oh, my God. It’s just so white.”

  “And that’s normal. Don’t panic. Help is on the way.”