by Aliyah Burke
“Why aren’t you with the DoJ anymore?” he asked when they sat to eat.
Sidra took a deep breath before stabbing a spear of asparagus. “We had an irreconcilable difference.”
“Which means what exactly?” he questioned one blond brow rising.
“It means I couldn’t compromise my beliefs for them any longer.”
“Did Larson have anything to do with it?”
She sighed. “Not at the time.”
Chapter Three
Pete wanted to shake her. Sidra Bonnaire was entirely too calm and accepting of the fact a rogue DoJ agent was after her. It didn’t help his feelings to know he’d done the dirty work for Larson. How long has this been going one?
Siddy had hugely affected him and he’d never gotten over her. There was no way in hell he was going to abandon her now. Married or not. She was back in his reach again. After the assignment, she’d been spirited away and he’d never heard from her again.
He’d done his best to forget the cocoa-skinned beauty whose passion matched his. Her job had come first, so for her to quit… Pete looked at her. Siddy had her head down and she played with the pile of rice on her plate.
“Helps if you actually eat it, Siddy.”
She jerked her head up to meet his gaze and forced a smile. “Guess I’m not as hungry as I thought I was.” Sidra put her fork down and stood. “Excuse me.” She hurried off up the stairs.
Pete cleaned up slowly and ground some coffee beans before starting a pot. Sidra hated pre-ground coffee. If the beans were not freshly ground, she would assume pass versus drink ‘nasty’ coffee. He pulled down two mugs and stared out the kitchen window while he waited for the java to brew.
He thought back to the time he and Sidra had been together. A smirk filled his face. Their time in the room had been nothing short of explosive. He had loved it, and her, so much so it wasn’t difficult to play devoted husband. He tried to think of the women he’d been with since her and he honestly couldn’t.
“Siddy,” he whispered. I have to help her. He had eighteen days left on his leave.
Outside the snow still fell, the setting sun casting deep shadows around the mountains. Turning, Pete went into the living room and turned on the gas fireplace.
I want you in front of the fire, Siddy. Pete shook his head. Hell, he wanted her everywhere. He readjusted his hard cock within his jeans and headed to the kitchen to get the coffee. Mugs in hand, he headed up the stairs and walked to the room Sidra had taken. He wouldn’t tell her she picked his room for herself anyway.
Crazy woman. Like I won’t be in whatever room she is.
He approached the door which was cracked open. Pete looked in and immediately more desire hit him. Sidra stood there, shirtless with her back to him and drawing up her pants. Along the lower portion of her back, he noticed her tattoo. An edgy star with flames cradling it. The waistband of her pants hid the lower portion of the tattoo but the bright flames curled up over her hips, holding her like he had when his hands had gripped her hips as he pumped in and out of her.
“Knock, knock,” he said, pushing into the room.
Sidra pulled on a shirt and faced him. “Why are you—”She broke off when he held out the coffee. “Ohhh, coffee.” Her eyes narrowed.
Pete knew exactly what the look was for. “Freshly ground just like you taught me.”
His cock throbbed when she captured her lower lip in her teeth and waggled her eyebrows. Her hands beckoned for it. Pete watched the damn near orgasmic bliss fill her features when she took the first sip.
“Perfect,” she said on a sigh. “Thank you.”
It was like he’d given her the moon. He loved that feeling. “Come downstairs. Fire’s going, and we can figure out how we’re doing this.”
“I don’t want you in this, Pete. You have a life and I don’t relish the idea of you being injured and unable to fly again because of me.” She walked by him out the door.
Pete frowned at her response and hastened after her. He held his tongue until they were seated in the living room. “I’m not letting you do this on your own, Sidra. I told you so and I meant it. What the hell kind of man would I be if I left you alone?”
“The same one you are now. I don’t need a saviour.”
Her words fell like cement in his belly. “The same one I am now? What the fuck does that mean?” he bit off.
She drank some coffee and stared at the fire. “Not everything is meant as in insult, Racer.”
Pete arched a brow. She used his nickname only when exasperated and as if pointing out his cocky flyboy attitude. He opened his mouth to respond but she spoke again.
“I don’t need your being hurt or killed on my conscious.”
“What happened to you, Sidra? You were so passionate about your job. And now you…you seem so tired.”
“Things change. And what happened to me or not holds no bearing on the fact I don’t want you hurt or dead. I never would wish that on you.”
“Let me help you, Siddy. We worked well together before.”
“We had a team and backup then. This is…different.”
“Can you call in the DoJ?”
“Sure. If I wanna be locked away or used as bait in a poorly laid trap.” She drank some more before shaking her head and running a hand though her hair. “You know how things, unwanted things, are handled.”
He did. And he bristled over it. Especially when it pertained to his Siddy being in the ‘unwanted things’ category.
“I’m not hanging you out to dry here, Siddy. Are you planning on killing him?”
“No, not unless he leaves me with no other choice. But I’d prefer not to.”
“What does Larson want from you?”
Her body stiffened and Pete narrowed his eyes. Setting down his cup, he moved beside her legs where she sat on the loveseat and crouched on his haunches. Pete brought her face to his.
“Sidra?”
“A chip. A computer chip. The only remaining copy of all his contacts.”
Jesus! Running a hand over his face, Pete searched for the right words. And failed miserably. “How come you didn’t give it to them?”
Flames flickered in her exotic eyes. “Because I tried my damndest to warn the bastards I worked for and they didn’t believe me. In fact, they thought I was going crazy and sent me to the department shrink. Long story short, they realise I was right and I don’t trust them to protect me.”
“Where’s the chip, Siddy?”
“Near.”
Pete sighed. He could still read her body language. She was shutting down. Withdrawing.
“Will you turn him in?”
“I have no use for him otherwise, Pete. I’m not blood thirsty.”
“I am.”
A small smile turned up her mouth. “I know you are.”
Pete slipped onto the love seat with her and wrapped his arms around her. Resting his chin on her shoulder, he stared at the fire. “Sidra. Trust me to help you.”
She relaxed into him. “What happened to the overly arrogant flyboy who cared only about himself? And sex?”
He sighed. “I always cared about you, Siddy. I just didn’t know how to show you other than with sex.”
“Make me a promise,” she said, setting the cup on the coffee table before settling back against him.
“What?”
“You’ll stay safe. Don’t let him hurt you.”
Pete kissed her cheek. “I’ll do my best, Siddy.”
She manoeuvred so they where chest to chest. Lips touching, she murmured, “I couldn’t handle it if he hurt you.”
I feel the same way. Pete nipped her lower lip while he slid his hands up the shirt she wore. “Siddy,” he whispered.
“I’m addicted to you, Pete Kysenzki. I can’t say no even though I should.”
He groaned when her nails connected with skin. Pete moved them to the floor. Soon after, their clothes disappeared and he was treated to her naked, silken skin along his. He shudde
red with pleasure as Sidra teased him with her mouth on the thick rug before the fire.
“Shit!”
Her tongue swirled around the crown of his stiff cock. Up and down the shaft she licked. Long, leisurely strokes which drove him crazy. Pete grabbed her hair, but she moved at her own pace, refusing to listen to his direction. He almost lost it when she finally sucked him in her mouth, the warm haven nearly too much.
More and more she took until every hard inch he had was sunk between her full lips. Tightening his hold on her hair, Pete began to flex his hips. A throaty purr left her, vibrating his length.
“Siddy!”
Her lips tightened as she drew harder. Her tongue continued to torment him. His balls tingled as she worked her magic, her nails lightly trailing over them. Pete felt delirious with lust. He thrust harder, wanting to lose himself. Sidra allowed him to take over the pace.
“Shit, Siddy, baby, I’m about to come.”
Her response was to increase suction. A low roar welled up and spilled over as he powered into her mouth twice more and came hard. Sidra took it all, her eyes closed as she milked the last bit she could from him. Pete loosened his hold on her hair and eased from her mouth. Need and passion dripped from her eyes as they followed him getting up from where he’d lain on the floor. With a jerk, he flipped her over onto her hands and knees. Gripping his shaft, he fisted it and stared at her.
“Pete,” she begged.
“Tell me you want me, Siddy.”
“I want you, Pete. Please, take the ache away.”
Positioning himself at the entrance to her wet pussy, he thrust home in one stroke. Grabbing her hips, the flames of her tattoo under his palms, Pete began to drive hard and deep into her.
“So tight, Siddy. You’re so damn hot and tight.”
He watched her as he made love to her. The firelight glowing off her cocoa skin, head down, hair in disarray, a sexy mewl with each propel he delivered and her amazing tattoo before him.
Sidra came with a loud scream, her pussy walls rippling around him. He followed suit with a hoarse shout soon after. Sweaty and exhausted, they collapsed to the floor. At some point, he reached up to grab a blanket down from the furniture and covered them. Then he cuddled up to her and held her as close as possible.
This is where you belong, Siddy, in my arms.
Done in, Pete fell asleep.
* * * *
“Well now, ain’t this interesting.” A drawling masculine voice broke through the shroud of sleep cocooning Pete.
He opened his eyes to see a tall blond cowboy sitting on the arm of a chair, arms and legs crossed, staring down at him, eyebrow raised in amusement. At them. He felt Sidra stiffen beside him and knew without looking at her, she was wide awake. Aww shit!
“Hello, pretty lady,” the man said, nodding.
Pete ground his jaw. “Go away, Cort.”
“This is my house, Petey.”
He sighed. “I’ll blind you if you so much as look at her before she gets dressed.”
He laughed but touched two fingers to his head. “I’ll be in the kitchen. Ma’am.” Without another word, he disappeared.
“Oh my God.” Sidra moaned. “Who is that?”
“My brother, Cort.”
“I can’t believe he caught us like this.”
Pete looked at her and kissed her quiet. “Let’s get dressed. You lying there naked is too much temptation for me.”
Sidra stared at her reflection in the mirror as she stood in the bathroom. Freshly showered and dry, she was just delaying the inevitable. I can’t believe we were caught by his brother! She jumped when a knock came on the door.
“Come on, Siddy,” Pete said.
She groaned but opened the door. Immediately her heart rate sped up and she licked her lips. Pete had showered as well and looked yummy for a lack of a better word. Distressed jeans and a sweatshirt.
“I really don’t want to see him. He caught us in his living room. Naked!”
Pete smiled and kissed her before dragging her out of the room and towards the stairs. Muttering to herself, she allowed him to pull her down the stairs and to the kitchen. Sidra lifted her chin and stared across the large area to gaze upon Pete’s brother.
Damn! The Kysenzki genes were hot. Cort was a bit taller and broader than Pete. They both sported the same blond hair, although Cort’s was longer and rakishly messy. The same blue eyes as well. Tight jeans and a snug grey long-sleeve button-down hugged the powerful physique.
Pete’s hand settled familiarly on the small of her back and he said, “Cort, I’d like for you to meet Sidra Bonnaire. Sidra, my older brother, Cort Kysenzki.”
A flash of pain lanced her heart at his omission of her being his wife and she didn’t want to begin to explore when that minor bit of information had begun to mean something to her. Reaching out her hand, she smiled. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Kysenzki.”
He flashed a grin which she would bet anything sent women into fainting mode and bent over her hand. “Please, I think we’ve passed the need for formality here. Call me, Cort. Or something entirely more personal if you wish, darlin’,” he added in his slow drawl with a wink.
Pete walked to the counter and glared. “If I wouldn’t share a girlfriend with you, Cort, why the fuck would you think I’d share my wife with you?”
“Wife?” Cort’s eyebrows shot skyward.
Didn’t think that was going to happen. Sidra looked at Pete unsure of what he was doing.
“Wife,” he reiterated. “As in married, binding and legal. Oh yeah, and mine.”
Cort glanced between the two of them. “Why’d you get married without telling the family? Is that what you’re doing here, having a honeymoon?”
“Siddy’s been my wife for over six years, Cort.”
Oh, how she longed to sink below the floor. Cort’s eyes honed in on her and she forced herself to meet his gaze unflinchingly.
“You’ve been married to my brother for over six years?”
Can’t lie about that. “Yes.” She licked her lips. “Perhaps you two need to talk. I can leave—”
“I don’t think so, Siddy,” Pete broke in. “Nice try though. You’re staying right here. Cort, there’s nothing to talk about, other than we need to use your cabin. And I don’t think you should be here.”
The cowboy crossed strong arms over his chest and merely arched a brow. Good looks ain’t all the Kysenzki boys have in common. Apparently stubbornness is another attribute they share.
“Maybe we should tell him,” she said. “After all, it is his home.” Both brothers looked at her and she held up her hands. “Or not. In fact, this could be better. If he’s here, that means he has a vehicle and I can go.” Sidra nodded. “That sounds like a much better plan.”
Sidra didn’t even make it to the stairs before a strong hand latched onto her wrist and spun her back around. Pete stood there, eyes shooting blue flames and his face set in a mask of anger.
“Not funny, Siddy,” he growled low.
“I wasn’t laughing, Pete. This is for the best. I don’t want you involved, much less getting your brother involved. He’s innocent and I can’t have his blood on my hands.”
“It’s my fault that bastard found you and I am not letting you do this on your own.”
“Your concern for me is thoughtful, darlin’, but I’m not an easy man to kill,” Cort drew out.
She looked past Pete and saw his brother standing there, hands in his pockets. Sidra shook her head. “Lucky for you. It doesn’t matter.” Putting her eyes back on Pete, she said, “I’ll not have more blood on my hands, Pete. I won’t do it.”
“Siddy, wait. Cort’s not just my brother; he’s also a US Marshal.”
Fear slammed into her. Jerking away from Pete, she stared briefly at Cort before looking back at the man she’d trusted. “You bastard. You fuckin’ bastard!” She dashed up the stairs and into the room where her things were. Heart pounding and palms sweating, she grabbed her bag and began
shoving things into it. The bitter taste of betrayal seeped into her taste buds.
The door swung open and her hand curled around the butt of her SIG as she waited for whomever it was to enter. It was Cort. Sidra didn’t draw on him, but neither did she let down her guard.
“Care to explain what’s going on?” he asked, closing the door most of the way behind him.
“Nope.” Sidra forced herself to step away from the gun and continue refilling her bag.
“I’m here to help, Sidra. My brother seems to think you’re in danger. That’s why he called me, no other reason.”
I wish I could believe that. “Then help him. I’ve been doing fine on my own.”
Cort walked closer, staring at her with those intelligent eyes. “Would it help to think of me only as his brother whose house you’re staying at and not a US Marshal?”
Not in the slightest. You’re still under the DoJ umbrella. Sidra sank onto the bed, the rucksack between her legs and held his gaze. “You want to do something for me?”
“Yes.”
Closing her eyes and swallowing hard, Sidra pushed to her feet and faced him. “Take him away from me and keep him safe. Convince him to sign the divorce papers and get on with his life.”
One eyebrow rose. “Divorce papers? It didn’t look like y’all need divorce papers earlier in the living room. What’s going on?”
She flushed from the memory of her time in the living room with Pete. “Six and a half years ago, Pete and I worked together. For the assignment, we had to get married, so we did. When it was over, we went our own ways, assuming it would be handled. It wasn’t, so technically we’re still married.”
“Looked a bit more than ‘technically’ to me.”
Waving him off, Sidra said, “So Pete still feels like he needs to protect me, or something. He needs to be back in Virginia doing what he should be doing. Flying planes. Serving his country.”
“My brother is an honourable man. You’re his wife; of course he’d feel the need to protect you. He would protect any woman but more so since you are his wife.”
“I wasn’t even supposed to be.” Sidra ignored the pain at those words. “He was supposed to be with some leggy redhead. I’m not special and I don’t want his death or injury on my conscious. Nor yours.”
