“Were they alive?”
“Yes. My team was in and almost out before we ran into trouble. The shot that hit me was a ricochet as we hauled ass back to our ride out of the jungle.”
“I bet it didn't even slow you down.” She smirks, knowing she’s right. It didn't. Adrenaline is a funny thing. You don’t feel anything until after you hit the finish line.
“Nothing was slowing me down from getting back to you.”
“Next time will you tell me you’ll be gone for a few days? I know you can’t tell me everything. I have an idea of what you’re doing. I put it together. I just-”
“I’m out. There won’t be another time.”
She bites her bottom lip. She tries to hide the relief she feels, but I can see it. It confirms that I’ve made the right decision.
“I don’t want you to quit doing something you love because of me.”
“I wouldn't say I love it. I love you, though.” She turns her head, kissing my palm. “I left because I now have a reason to stay home. We’ve both lost so much already.”
“We have.” She nods her head.
“I’ve kept everyone at arm's length for a long time.”
“I know.” She smiles at me. “All my brothers have been in the service at one time or another. I had a feeling with how you up and disappeared that had to be it. There was also a part of me that thought maybe you got scared.”
“I am.” Scared of losing her. Scared that I could end up dead and she’d have to live through losing someone else in her life. I wouldn't do that to her.
“I know I can be super intimidating.” She lifts her arm and flexes. “I throw a mean right hook too.”
“You do,” I agree with a small laugh. I don’t know how she does that. Take something serious and make me laugh about it.
“I thought if you did run scared you’d come back. I was going to show you that I’d fight for you. I was going to smother you in my love until you accepted it. Obviously I was going to include baked goods too.”
“I’ll never run from you.”
“I figured.” She leans in, kissing me. I stand with her in my arms.
“You can’t carry me. You're hurt,” she protests as I carry her back to the bedroom. I smile when I see her things all over my room. It looks like a tornado went through here.
“Say it again.” Her whole face goes soft.
“I love you.” I lay her down onto the bed.
“I love you, Bow.” She says it again.
“I love you too, kitten.”
15
PJ
The sun pours in the window. Bow slept through most of the day yesterday. He was out after our second round of lovemaking. I fed him, then learned that I was impressively good at giving oral. At least I think I am. I got him to come fast into my mouth. Then he attacked me. I was trying to get him to relax, but it only spurred him on.
I run my fingers through his short chest hair, stopping when I get to the bandage. I lean up and kiss it. I shouldn’t be happy that he’s retired, but I am. I would never have asked that of him, but I’m thankful for it. It’s hard having a family that are all in active service. My brother pretends to be retired too, but I think he still gets called on random missions from time to time. There is always this fear that something will happen. It’s not one I want to have with Bow. I want to live in peace. Our biggest worry about what we’ll have for dinner or what we might name our daughter.
I slide over on top of him. His hand comes to my back. His eyes stay closed as he runs his hand up and down, caressing me lightly. All night he’s kept a hand on me. I think he’s reassuring himself in his sleep that I’m still here. Maybe it fends off some of those bad dreams he said he used to have.
“Never going anywhere,” I whisper, kissing his chest before I sit up. His eyes open, locking with mine.
“Is this your way of telling me you’re moving in?”
I sit up some, reaching for his cock. I give him a firm stroke, making him groan. I can’t get enough of this man.
“I already moved in. You’ll notice I’m quite messy.” I put the tip of his cock against my sex. I’m already wet. Looking at this man turns me on. I slowly sink down onto him, letting my body adjust. I might be wet, but Bow is big all over.
“Kitten.” He growls my name. I try not to dig my nails into him but I can’t help it as I start to work my hips up and down, taking the pleasure I need from him. Bow’s hand slips between my thighs to work my clit, making me whimper. I try to hold off on coming, but I know there is no stopping it. Bow knows my body all too well. He reads me like no other person ever has. If it were anyone else, I’d hate that fact. But not with him. I want him to know everything about me. For us to be connected in every way.
“Bow.” I breathe out his name, unable to form any other words. He sits up, taking my mouth in a kiss as I come undone in his arms. His warm release spills inside of me.
“Love you,” he says against my mouth.
“Love you too.” I lean back to look at him. “How are you feeling? I'm not overworking you, am I?”
“I’ve never felt better in my life.”
“Good. Shower with me. I want to check your bandage.” In one quick move he’s standing, his cock still inside of me. “Bow! You’re going to hurt yourself.”
It doesn't stop him. He steps into the bathroom, turning on the shower. He finally lets me down.
“I promise it doesn't hurt.” He steps in with me.
“At least let me take care of you.” I look up at him. “I want to and maybe it will make me feel better.”
“I’m sorry,” he says again.
“Don’t be sorry.” I push on him to get him to sit on the wide bench in his giant shower. I take my time washing every inch of him.
“You're going to spoil me.”
“Good.” My throat goes tight. He should be spoiled. Bow has gone too long without love. Spent his life saving others and putting his own on the line. He is a good man and now he’s mine. I am going to take care of him, smother him in the love that he’s gone too long without. He places his hands on my hips as I wash his hair. Then he helps me wash my own.
“What do you want for breakfast?” I ask as we get dressed. I toss my towel on the ground. Bow picks it up. “I was going to get that.”
“Maybe I like picking up after you.”
“I know. I’m a mess.” I look around the room. “This isn't even all my stuff.” I laugh. It’s like a small bomb went off in here.
“Where is the rest? We can go and get it.” He wraps an arm around me, pulling me into his big body. “I like seeing your shit everywhere.”
“Are you saying I’m moving in?” I tease.
“Moving in. Me kidnapping you. Call it whatever.” His lips twitch.
“There you go joking again.” This feels so good. “Most of my stuff is at my brother's place and that's a whole other thing we’ll have to deal with. Let's not tell him you kidnapped me.”
“I don’t think he’d believe it.”
“True, but I’m not sure he’s going to buy that I’ve fallen in love either.” I shrug.
I would have told him already but he’s been busy. I’ll have to wait until he resurfaces again. I don’t think I’ll tell him the details over the phone. Especially if Bow is going to accompany me home to get the rest of my things. Mason will wind up calling or getting in touch with the rest of my brothers and I can almost guarantee that we would have a welcoming party when I got home. I’m not worried too much about it though because I know my Bow can handle himself.
16
Davis
“What do you think?” Precious looks over her shoulder at me, her ass in the air.
“Looks good.” She winks before turning back around to tend to the flower bed I installed for her this afternoon. She said the house needed some color so I went and got the flowers she picked out. I picked up some paint too for the front door. Now I’m sitting on the porch swing I hung, watching her te
nd to the flowers. It’s the most relaxed I’ve ever been. Her being here makes this feel like a home finally.
“I think I’ve got a green thumb.” She pops back up, her blond hair bouncing all around her. I’ve learned it gets curly when it's wet. I love playing with her hair. That is something I would have never thought I’d enjoy, but with her so much has changed. I look at the world differently now. I’m learning more about myself with each minute I spend with her.
“Those jeans shorts are entirely too short.”
“They make my ass look good. Don’t look if you don’t like them.” I smile, loving the fact that she’s not going to take any crap from me. My eyes run up and down her toned legs as she walks over toward me. She takes her sweet-ass time coming up the stairs. I spread my legs, knowing she’s going to drop down into my lap. She does.
“You always look good.” I run my hand up her thigh. I love these shorts, but only because there’s no one else around for miles. The last three days have been the best in my life. I didn't know I could be so fucking happy. Sometimes it scares the shit out of me that I could lose it. But I know even having my kitten for a day would be worth it.
“You think we should grill out tonight? It’s such a nice day.” She holds her arm up. “I’m getting a tan. I’m going to be sunkissed soon.”
“Trying to make me jealous of the sun?”
She wraps her arms around me. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m all yours.” She wiggles on my lap as she starts to turn to straddle me. “What time are Bunny and Jameson coming over?”
“Six. We can grill out if you want.” I rest my hands on her hips, pulling her in tighter to me. Her pussy rubs along my cock. She lets out a sexy moan, reminding me that I haven’t been inside her sweet cunt for hours. I’m going to have to rectify that real soon.
“I think we have time for you to clean me up.” She leans down, kissing me. I’ll make the time. I’ll call Jameson and tell his ass not to show up until later if I have to. She lifts her head when we hear someone coming down the driveway. It’s too early to be Jameson. Plus, I don’t recognize the truck. I start to lift Precious from my lap, but she lets out a string of curses. “It’s my brother, Mason.” She turns to look at me. I can see the worry in her facial expression.
“It’s fine.” I pull her down for another kiss until she’s breathless. I can hear her brother park his truck and step out. “Down, Duke.” I call Duke off, knowing without having to look that he’s on guard.
“You kissed me in front of my brother.” Her eyes are wide in surprise.
“He’s going to have to get used to it sooner or later. You do realize that I’ll be kissing you in front of everyone when we get married. I’m guessing all your brothers will be there for that.”
“Married?” She smiles at me. All of the worry fades from her face.
“Davis.” Mason barks my name. I let Precious go. She's up on her feet heading for her brother before I can even get a word out. He’s staring a hole through me even as Precious gives him a hug. I can’t blame the man. I’d be the same way if it were my sister. But he has to know that it won’t change anything. I’m not easily intimidated and I will be marrying my kitten whether they approve of me or not. But I’ll go along with this for a bit to appease Mason.
“Don’t be giving my man a hard time.” She lets go of the hug, stepping back from her brother.
“You know who he is?” he asks her. “You don’t want to tangle with a man like him.”
“I know who he is.” She puts her hands on her hips. “He’s my Bow and that’s all that matters.” I stand, not needing Precious to fight my battles for me, but I’m walking a fine line here. I don’t want to get between her and her brothers. She loves them all and I know they will be a big part of our lives. But that’s not saying that I won’t do exactly that. I’m a selfish man when it comes to her.
“No, PJ. He’s not yours. He’s the government's killing machine.”
Precious rolls her eyes. I didn’t know I was a killing machine. I think he might be exaggerating some. Not that I haven’t killed anyone, because I have. There are some people that need killing and I have no regrets about the lives I’ve ended. They would have killed more if they were left to live. Innocent soldiers that had families back home. These were not angels that I knocked off, they were bad men that were a threat to our way of life. I will never feel bad for ending them.
“I’m not fucking around, PJ. Bowen Davis feels nothing. They call him Monk because he barely talks and delivers justice.”
“He talks to me. Sometimes I can’t get him to shut up.” I bark a laugh, unable to help myself. “Monk,” she whispers to herself and then she starts laughing. “I can guarantee you that my man is no monk.” The way her heated eyes run over me should be illegal.
“He’s dangerous.” He reaches out to snag her around the wrist. I’m down the stairs in a blink of an eye, but Duke beats me to it jumping between Precious and Mason. He steps back, holding his hands up.
“You’re going to have to change your tone or we’re going to have problems. Brother or not.”
Precious smiles at me. “Told you Duke would be favoring me soon.”
Mason’s eyes bounce between Precious and me. I think he’s trying to get a feel for me. He’s being an asshole. He does the same shit I do. Or he did at one time. So his act about me being dangerous is a bunch of bullshit and he knows it. He just doesn't like the idea of anyone being with his baby sister.
I don’t blame him. She really is Precious. A rare kind of woman with fire in her. One that doesn't take shit, but on the flip side of that she’s all sweet. There isn’t a mean bone in her body when it comes to the people she loves. I thank my lucky stars I’m one of those people.
“Like I said. Can’t blame him.” I shrug. Duke will be getting his own steak tonight.
“PJ, let’s go. I want to talk in private.” He points at me. “You don’t fucking stop her.”
“I would never stop Precious from doing something she wanted to do. You don’t try to control a woman like her. You grab hold and enjoy the ride. If she wants to go have a private conversation with you then by all means. That’s not saying if she’s not back in thirty minutes I won’t get itchy and come looking for her.”
“Precious. Really? You're not going to hit him for that?” he throws back. Duke growls again. “Didn't know you could talk so much.” Mason takes another step back from the dog.
“Porch,” I tell him. He stands there for a second, not wanting to follow my order.
“Go on, Duke.” He turns, doing exactly what Precious asks. She really has won the damn dog over. “I’m not going anywhere with you. There is no need. Bow is going to be family, so whatever you want to say you can say in front of him. Either way I’d tell him everything because that’s how we are.”
Mason lets out a string of curses that sound a lot like the ones his sister uses. “You said you’d never be with someone in this line of work. That it’s too risky. That you couldn't lose another person.”
I look to Precious. It doesn't matter at this point. I’m retired.
“I did say that, didn't I?” She smiles over at me. “Things change when you find your one.” She steps over toward me, putting her hand on my chest. Tension I didn't realize I was holding melts away. “I hope one day you find it too. But Bow is perfect for me. Don’t you see it?” I don’t think anyone sees me the way she does.
Mason turns at the sound of another truck coming down the driveway. Precious groans. “We aren't getting that shower.”
“We have our whole lives to shower, kitten.” I kiss the top of her head as Bunny and Jameson pull up. Bunny is out of the truck as soon as Jameson pulls to a stop. She’s holding a giant picnic basket.
“You’re early.” Precious releases her hold on me. I don’t want to let her go. She looks up at me. “Not going anywhere, big guy.” I let her go. She walks over to Bunny, giving her a hug. I know she’s been missing her. The way she talks about Bunny m
akes me think they’re more like sisters than friends. I’m glad she’ll have someone close.
“I have a surprise.” Bunny looks as though she’s going to burst with excitement until she peeks over at Mason. “Why is he here? Are you in trouble?” She smiles while looking back to Precious.
“He’s here to save the day. Which means he barged in here and tried to take me away from whom he presumed was the evil villain. All that yada yada yada.” My little kitten waves her hand around.
“It’s not yada yada. Also, I didn't bust into anyplace.” Mason sighs. I think he might be coming around. Not that he has much of a choice in the matter.
“Don’t be ruining this, you big lug. PJ is going to marry Davis and then she and I are going to be forever neighbors. We are also going to have adorable babies together. Well, not together but at the same time. You know what I mean. Bottom line is, don’t you ruin this for me. I mean her.”
Desire licks through me thinking about Precious carrying our baby. I’d never thought about having kids before, but now it’s all I’m going to be thinking about. For all we know she could be pregnant now. She’ll make a hell of a mom.
“You’ve got this all planned out, I see.” Precious laughs but doesn't disagree. I’ll take it.
“She’s known him for five minutes.” Mason isn’t giving up that easily. I have to respect him for that. I would expect nothing less. He wants to make sure I’m serious about his sister.
“Is this the asshole that was blowing up your phone?” Jameson wraps his arm around Bunny, holding her close.
“I was trying to get ahold of my sister. She has a problem with keeping her phone on her lately.” This is true. I might have shoved it away. I wasn't hiding it. If she’d asked about it I would have handed it over. I put it in my dresser for safe keeping.
“You don’t call another man’s woman.” Jameson is looking more than a little irritated.
“I stopped calling the last time you threatened to kill me.” Mason throws his hands up. “Everyone has lost their goddamn minds around here.”
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