Minefield [Black Ops Brotherhood 5] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Bella Juarez

  The prospect of living without Alex was getting harder and harder. Izzy briefly wondered when she’d become so dependent on him. She needed to steel herself because their time together was growing short, and once she was back in Miami, it would be over. He would forget her and she would go back to the lonely existence she’d known before she met him.

  Isabel moved her hand upward to his sculpted arm and marveled at how massive it was even at rest. She recalled their conversations and smiled at the way he wanted to get her to say she would consider living with him. I would love to. She recalled how those words almost came out of her mouth without thinking. Izzy watched Alex sleep and noticed a small scar above his eyebrow. She had one almost just like it. She redirected her gentle caresses back to his abdomen. He had a couple of scars there, too.

  Izzy looked back at his sleeping aristocratic features. She wondered what had ever possessed him to join the military when he’d obviously come from a privileged background. He didn’t need to do this. He’d told her before he wanted to do it. Why? It was a silly question. She knew why. It was in his wiring. He had a strong sense of conviction about what he did and it showed in every little detail. Even when he dealt with people who didn’t like or trust him, he still cared for and protected them, putting his own safety at risk.

  Alex stirred and caught Isabel’s roaming hand. He lifted it to his lips and kissed it. She traced her finger over his bottom lip and giggled when he snapped at it and caught it lightly in his teeth. He chuckled and released it. Alex opened his eyes and turned his head. Pulling her to him, he kissed her and smiled.

  “Good morning, angel.”

  Even in sleep his voice could send the butterflies swarming in her. The vibration in the tone made her toes curl.

  “Good morning,” Isabel said, snuggling closer. “If I’m bothering you, I’ll stop. Go back to sleep.”

  “You’re not bothering me. What you’re doing feels really good. Keep going. Otherwise I’ll just keep you like this for a while,” Alex said, wrapping his arms around her and closing his eyes.

  “Why would you want to do that?”

  “It’s my second favorite part of my day.”

  “What’s the first?”

  “Cuddling with you at night and falling asleep,” Alex said, nuzzling her forehead with his scruffy chin.

  “I don’t think so,” Isabel taunted with a giggle.

  “No?”

  “No, I think getting laid is the most favorite part of your day.”

  Alex chuckled. “That’s definitely on the short list, angel.”

  Alex growled when Izzy nuzzled his neck and bit lightly. She giggled. When did I start giggling? She drew her hand over his chest and lightly rubbed his nipples with her thumb. Izzy noticed he shivered under her light touches, so she moved her hand lower and reached for his cock. Alex groaned and relaxed. Isabel ran her fingers lightly over his shaft and marveled as it grew with every light touch. She wrapped her hand over it and started moving up and down. She shifted herself and started to kiss his chest, moving over him slowly, taking her time just as he did with her. Alex surrendered to her touch by the way he melted back into the sheets. He loosely held onto her, stroking her arms and back as she moved over him. Isabel inhaled smelled his familiar woodsy-sage masculine scent. She nipped at his nipples and then licked away the slight ache she knew she’d caused.

  Alex was groaning and growling as his fingers tangled in her hair. She wondered when he would pull back and push her backward to have his way with her. She smiled as she lifted her hands and stroked his shoulders and forearms. He unconsciously reached for her hands, so she laced her fingers in his and shoved his hands down over his head. She watched his reaction and waited for the familiar power struggle they had going between them. His eyes flew open and he looked at her sharply.

  “My turn,” Isabel said.

  * * * *

  What the fuck? Alex’s eyes narrowed as he bristled. He prepared to fight and wrestle his control back with a lesson she would never forget. Does she have any idea who she’s fucking with? Never had any woman dared to try and top him. Even the dominant ones didn’t fuck with him. Most men didn’t fuck with him either, for that matter. His power was absolute and he’d never tolerated someone challenging that structure. He looked into Isabel’s wicked expression and knew he needed make a decision and quick. Was he letting her do this?

  Alex took a mental pause. No, she doesn’t know me like that. He retreated slightly and relaxed. This wasn’t a power struggle and she wasn’t topping him because she knew nothing about those kinds of games. He wanted her to be his equal in every sense of the word, his partner, his friend, and his lover. Isabel wasn’t just any woman. She was the only woman he’d ever been drawn to and wanted to share his life with. She had no idea what he was or what he’d been. He wanted to keep Izzy pure and realized he needed to learn how to share. He was willing to make changes and give up some of that precious control he always had to maintain. For her. By choice.

  “Okay, angel,” Alex whispered.

  “Relax and let me try this my way,” she said, soothing him by kissing him.

  Alex closed his eyes, he was uncomfortable with this situation but was at least willing to try and do what she was asking. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you. He reminded himself he’d been in a submissive position before. He was in the military. It happened all the time. He was also a SEAL and that training was the ultimate in submission. I can do this. Alex took a deep breath. He gave in to her gentle caresses and manipulation of his senses that she was learning to give him.

  This was a test of the emotions that were creeping into his consciousness. Alex was falling hard for Isabel and knew he couldn’t dominate her the way he had other women who shared his bed. She would never be happy in that sort of relationship. Their bond would be different from anything he’d ever experienced with a woman because it already was different. He wasn’t falling in love. He was in love. He knew it the first time he kissed her. He recognized it when he saw that terrorist bastard holding a gun to her head. He knew it when he held her as she cried in her sleep after she’d been traumatized. Their special bond was there when he held her right before he closed his eyes at night. There was no choice. I want do this, for her. Whatever it takes. I love you, angel.

  Isabel was back to her tasting and nipping. She released his hands and it took every ounce of stubborn will he had to remain submissive to her. The Dom in him was kicking and screaming. He laced his fingers and kept his hands over his head. Alex hissed when Isabel took his semihard cock in her mouth and started licking and sucking him. She’s getting really damn good at that. He squeezed his eyes shut. He wanted to grab her hair and fuck her mouth, so he didn’t dare move his hands now.

  “Izzy!” he cried.

  Isabel moved her tongue over his shaft and around the head. He would teach her to suck him as deep as she could. Alex wanted to instruct her, force her down farther and make her learn how to relax the back of her throat so she could take all of his cock like a good subm—No! No! No! Holy motherfucking shit! She’s killing me! Alex balled his fists and reached above, grabbing the headboard, gripping it as if his life depended on it, until she finally released his cock and started moving up his body.

  “I like you like that, restrained.” Isabel growled as she lightly bit his lower lip.

  Fuck! She’s a quick leaner! Everything she was doing to him, she’d learned from him. Alex was panting from the tension she was causing him.

  “Angel, please…” He groaned.

  Alex’s eyes flew open when he realized what he’d just said. Was I just…begging! Christ! What am I saying? What the hell is she doing to me? He knew he really was falling hard now. No one had managed to draw that kind of response from him. Isabel leaned in close. He closed his eyes as she nibbled his earlobe and licked up and down his neck. It made him shiver when she was so close.

  “Alex, do you have any idea how crazy you drive me? I think it’s time I retu
rn the favor,” she said, nibbling his jugular.

  Isabel straddled him and slowly slid down over his cock. Alex was relieved as she started fucking him. He got lost in at the sensation of her velvety pussy sliding up and down his cock. It was familiar and it didn’t matter what position he was in. He would always enjoy the sweet contact of his cock gliding in and out of her cunt. Alex growled because he was close to the edge. She was encouraging him by speeding up her pace. His muscles flexed with his impending release. Isabel stopped. “Angel, what are you doing? Don’t stop.”

  Alex released the headboard and slowly ran his hands over her thighs. He squeezed his eyes shut and willed himself to wait for it.

  “I’m not ready yet. You are waiting for me, aren’t you?” Isabel demanded as she sat up and fully impaled herself on him.

  “Of course, angel,” Alex said, squeezing his eyes shut again.

  Izzy wiggled her hips. Alex opened his eyes and watched as she closed her eyes with a very sexy gasp. She’d found the right position. His cock was hitting her G-spot and making them both crazy now. He gritted his teeth and gripped her thighs and cursed himself as he wondered how many times had he demanded a submissive wait for an orgasm, and how many times had he withheld it, just to be a bastard and prove who was in charge. He was rethinking now that he was on the receiving end of that situation. Alex thought with wry humor that Izzy was his karma in so many ways.

  Alex slowly ran his hands up Isabel’s body and started the light caresses he knew she enjoyed. Her thrusting and wiggling became more urgent. Alex threw his head back because he was just about over the edge and hoped she wasn’t that far away. He needed to think of something else. Finally, her pussy clamped down and Isabel threw back her head and screamed as she came. Alex allowed himself to let go and join her as he gripped her ass. He thrust upward, no longer able to stop himself from climaxing. The room was filled with their mutual cries and screams of pleasure. Alex pulled Izzy down to him and held her for a moment.

  “How was it?” Isabel asked, kissing him.

  This was new for her and Izzy was spreading her wings. Alex needed to encourage confidence and trust in her abilities. That’s what he needed to do for her because he loved and cared about her so much. With the way he controlled their direction, it was probably hard for her to take the lead. He was proud of her and himself for the way they were starting to share. There were no roles here, just mutual give and take.

  “You couldn’t tell by the way I was begging?” Alex asked with a smile.

  Izzy giggled and kissed him. “That good?”

  “That good, angel,” Alex said, kissing her again. He swept back her long hair. “You take my breath away every time you touch me.”

  Chapter 13

  NAVSPECW Camp Echo

  Near Kush, Afghanistan

  78 km from the Pakistani Border

  May 29, 2009/0730 Zulu

  Isabel and Alex arrived back in Jalalabad, exactly twenty-four hours after they’d started out from Istanbul and were flown by chopper to Camp Echo. Kashi and Cobra met them at the aircraft when they arrived. Alex was whisked away to a secure briefing area and Isabel was taken to the hospital to meet with the new doctors that were now assigned at camp.

  “Welcome back, lieutenant,” Cobra said with a grin.

  “Lieutenant Alex Richards? That’s all kinds of fucked up!” Shaq said, shaking his head in mock disgust.

  “No shit!” Gamez agreed.

  “No problem, I’ll go back to the hospital and resume my duties as a combat medic. Labs always did bore me,” Alex said.

  “The bloody hell you will!” Kashi exclaimed.

  “Congratulations, man,” Shaq said, tossing a water bottle to Alex.

  The rest of the men all gave Alex their best wishes and best jabs. A video link was cued up and within a few seconds, Captain O’Malley and Admiral Campbell were on the screen.

  “All right, boys, looks like we’ve got some good news! Bring us up to speed,” the admiral said.

  “We’ve got Marine Recon and SEAL Teams doing watch duty over that lab. I’ve got some sniper teams from Camp Leatherneck watching the area as well. And I’ve got surveillance set up for ten miles around the area. So far, no one’s been interested in taking it back,” Cobra said.

  “Were you able to capture anyone?” Rock asked.

  “Five Russians, thirty-four Iranians, including an Iranian colonel. There were one hundred and forty or so Iranian causalities. They put up one hell of a fight,” Shaq said.

  “How many on our side?” Rock asked.

  “None, Rock. We had nine wounded and three had to be shipped to Germany,” Cobra said.

  “I was a little hesitant about doing that joint with Marine Recon, but hell if it didn’t work like a charm. I was glad they came along,” Shaq said.

  “Shaq, I want a detail back brief of the OP later. I also want to know about those Russians. You and I can talk alone,” Rock said.

  “Aye, Captain,” Shaq said.

  “Give me the bottom line. What was the haul?” the admiral said.

  “Not sure, Dixie. Doc, Kashi, and a Bio HazMat Team from MI-6 are scheduled for a field trip out there. I can tell you this, for a closed-down, abandoned base, there was a hell of a lot of activity. The Russians were running the business end of it for the Iranians,” Cobra said.

  “Alex, get your team in on this one along with MI-6. It’ll be good experience for them,” Rock said.

  “Did you get my list, Rock? Over half the SEALs I selected are assigned to other teams right now,” Alex said.

  “I’ll get them there within forty-eight to seventy-two hours. Meanwhile you guys go and start taking inventory. Isaac and Steve are there. Start working it with them, Alex,” Rock said.

  “Steve’s here? Has he been cleared to come back?” Alex asked.

  “I cleared him. I’m a little lost without my admin right now. I had to hire a civilian temporarily. Don’t get him fucking killed! He’s the only one who knows where most of my shit is in this office,” Rock said with a grin.

  Alex smiled in understanding and the other men around the table laughed lightly. He was wondering if Rock would let go of Petty Officer Steven “Friday” Montgomery as his administrative assistant. Rock could be a class-A bastard and demanding as all hell, but he could also be generous to a fault. He always did what was in a person’s best interest, even if it meant he had to sacrifice. Rock was by far the best boss he’d served under during his military career.

  “I need a plan by the time the rest of Doc’s team arrives. Kashi, how long until MI-6 is ready to roll?” Admiral Campbell asked.

  “I’ve been told they can be here within twenty-four hours, Admiral,” Kashi said.

  “Okay, boys, looks like you have your work cut out for you. See you back here in two days,” the admiral said, signing off.

  * * * *

  “Hello, ma’am,” a voice said behind Isabel.

  Izzy was looking over some additional findings from the lab results she and Alex had done on the herders in the valley. She’d met the new medical staff that had arrived after they had left for Turkey. They had some questions about some of the findings she and Alex had documented on the pathogen. Isabel turned around and looked at the man who had addressed her.

  “I’m Petty Officer Steve Montgomery. You must be Dr. Vasquez?” he asked, extending his hand.

  “Y–yes,” Isabel stuttered.

  “I’ll be working with you and Chief, I mean, Lieutenant Richards. It’s hard to get used to calling him that,” he said with a smile as he and Isabel shook hands.

  Petty Officer Montgomery was a striking man, even with the scar that ran along part of his left cheek. Hell if he didn’t wear that scar well. In fact it made him even more attractive. The man was like Alex. Confidence radiated off of him. He was six foot and solid like the rest of the men here. He had light brown hair and very expressive light golden-brown eyes. Isabel couldn’t remember seeing longer eyelashes on a man a
nd he was also starting to sport a five-o’clock shadow. She looked closer at him. He favored one side of his body or had been for some time by the way he leaned.

  “I’ll be doing all the logistics and documentation work for you from now on. I just wanted to introduce myself so you would know who I am,” Petty Officer Montgomery said.

  “Thank you. It’s nice to meet you,” Isabel said.

  “The pleasure’s all mine. It’s nice to have such a beautiful woman to look at instead of all these guys,” Petty Officer Montgomery said with a mischievous smile.

  “Friday, quit flirting with her. She’s off limits.” Alex growled from the doorway.

  “Can’t blame a guy for trying, Doc. Cobra wasn’t lying. She’s gorgeous,” Petty Officer Montgomery said, winking at Isabel.

  Isabel’s face flushed and she knew she was blushing. Thank God she was dark enough that it didn’t show easily. She glanced at Alex hovering in the doorway and watched in nervous agitation as his deadly stare never wavered from Petty Officer Montgomery. She almost started to fear for the younger man because Alex’s body bristled and tensed as he stared at Petty Officer Montgomery. She wished he would stop. Alex would give them away for sure if didn’t quit acting like a jealous boyfriend.

  “I mean it, Friday,” Alex warned.

  “I’m looking forward to working with you, Dr. Vasquez,” Petty Officer Montgomery said as he walked past Alex and out the doorway.

  Alex visibly relaxed as he walked into the room and to the table where all the documents Isabel was reading were laid out. Isabel decided she needed to set him straight on how things would be while they were back at the base.

  “What’s wrong, angel?” Alex asked with a frown.

  “You listen to me,” Isabel said harshly as she dropped her voice. “While we’re here, you will not call me angel, baby, honey or anything like that. You will address me as Doctor, Dr. Vasquez, or Isabel. Do you understand me?” Isabel demanded.