Hard Landing

by Becky McGraw

  “Otherwise, you might not know there were people in this world who would help you without expecting a damned thing in return. It’s what we do here, Maddie. We help people who are in trouble, whether they can pay us back or not. It’s one of the many reasons I’m proud to be part of this team.”

  She pushed away from him to look up into his eyes. “How in the world does Logan afford all the toys and equipment you have, if he doesn’t charge people?”

  “We have many, many private jobs from people with a lot of money and several huge government retainer contracts. We’re the best in the security field, so we command the big bucks for our services. Deep Six only does the pro bono jobs for family, those we love and special cases that need us, but can’t afford us.”

  “Is that what category I fall into?” she asked, her face flushing. “Pro bono, because I’m a special, down and out, downtrodden charity case?” she asked, sounding embarrassed.

  “No, you and Sarah are family, and you’re loved,” he replied gruffly.

  Maddie stared into his eyes for a second then blew out a breath. She squeezed her arms around him and he felt her tears wet his shirt. “Thank you for loving us, Rhett Hawkins. I don’t know why you do, but I’m glad.”

  Thank you for loving us. But still no declaration of love.

  Hawk had six weeks to change that, or he had a feeling when the bandages came off after the second surgery, Maddie would want to start planning a life for herself and the baby, which would not include him. And he knew wherever she chose for them to live, he would follow.

  He’d give up his everything for a woman he loved, but who didn’t love him, because of a child he loved more than his life.

  Chapter 20

  “Oh my God, I’m so full. I need a nap,” Maddie said, laughing as Hawk opened the door for her and she walked inside the suite.

  “Aaah, no nap for you, sweet thang. We still have a lesson,” Hawk growled, as he shut the door behind him, and pulled her close.

  “Ooh, now that’s the kind of dessert I can go for,” Maddie purred, sliding her arms around his waist to nuzzle her face into his chest. “Did I mention how good you smell? Good enough to eat.”

  Hawk laughed, but another tremor rocked him when she slid her hand between them and rubbed it over his already burgeoning fly. One good report from her doctor, a glass of wine with dinner, and Maddie Carter was back at her finest. This was the woman he’d fallen in love with five years ago and he fully intended to take advantage of her.

  Shoving his hand into her now almost shoulder-length hair, he tilted her face up and put his hand on her ass to pull her closer, trapping her hand between them. God, he loved it when she got aggressive with him. Even more so now.

  “You’re playing with fire there, sweet thang. You may not remember what happens when you push me, but you’re about to find out.”

  “Bring it on. You don’t scare me, because I’ve noticed you’re all talk and not much action,” she teased with a relaxed giggle, her eyes sparkling as her left brow lifted in challenge.

  This sexual energy between them had been building all day. She’d been teasing and flirting with him with increasing boldness, since they’d left the doctor’s office. Maddie Carter had always liked being fucked hard and quick, wherever they happened to be, when she was in this mood. The teasing was her way of telling him that and he was about to oblige her.

  “I’ll show you action, baby. More action than you know what to do with,” he growled, his cock going rock-solid under her hand.

  Before, he’d have turned her to the door, lifted her up and fucked her right there. Now, though, there were other considerations. His eyes drifted to the sofa, and he smiled as he held her and walked her that way.

  But he didn’t lay her down, Hawk turned her and bent her over the arm of the sofa, then knelt to grab the hem of her skirt. He gathered it as he stood, pushed it up to her waist to expose her ass and Maddie laughed when he gasped.

  No underwear. Yeah, Maddie Carter knew exactly what she was doing here, he thought, and grinned. This wasn’t a heat-of-the-moment thing, and he wasn’t the one in control. The borrowed skirt, no underwear, and her flirting showed a well-thought-out seduction.

  That made him even hotter.

  He grabbed her cheeks, kneaded the pillowy mounds, then spread her to look at the delicious, dewy pink treasure they hid. Her anus winked at him, her folds quivered and Hawk slid two fingers through her wetness, raked his fingers over her swollen bud and a tremor rocked her.

  “Wow, that pussy is weeping to have me inside, isn’t it?” Hawk whispered.

  “Yessss…” she hissed, and he smiled, watching his fingers as they disappeared inside her slick passage. Her body sucked at his fingers, her hips wiggled, begging him for more and Hawk almost burst out of his zipper.

  He reached his left hand to unbutton his jeans then carefully pulled the zipper down. She moaned when his fingers left her so he could push his jeans and underwear down. His hand shook as he reached into his back pocket, found his wallet and pulled out a condom. Something he hadn’t done the night Sarah was conceived, because she’d taken the lead, and had been on the pill forever—since they met.

  God, don’t think about that.

  With a growl, he ripped open the foil with his teeth and sheathed himself, then moved back between her legs. He fisted his cock and raked the head through her wetness then positioned himself at her opening and grabbed her hips.

  “Do you want me inside of you, Maddie?” he asked, the sweet scent of her desire filling his flared nostrils. Anticipation of feeling her wet heat surround his aching erection held every muscle in his body in suspense.

  “I’d think that was obvious, but since it took you so long to pick up on my hints, I’ll spell it out. Yes—now!” she croaked, as a tremor rocked her.

  She spread her legs wider, pushed back against him, and Hawk moaned when his head slipped inside her body and throbbed there. His fingers dug into her hips, as he fought to control the urge to slam into her.

  “Nah, I may just tease you for a bit,” he hissed, holding back as the tightness around the crown of his cock constricted the blood there and it swelled more. “Torture you and make you beg me to fuck you for teasing me today. That wasn’t nice.” And torture himself in the process.

  “I’m not a nice girl—now fuck me! You’ve teased and tortured me long enough with those looks and that smile!” she whined, her voice gurgling with her need.

  “Oh, yeah?” he asked, a grin stretching his face. “Well, I had everything planned. A nice dinner, a slow seduction and then lesson three. You ruined it.”

  “I’m going to ruin this too, if you don’t get a move on,” she grated, her hand sliding down her side then disappearing under her body.

  When she moaned, her hips rocked and her body tightened around his head, Hawk lost control. She was not going to make herself come without him. His fingers dug deeper into her hips and he lunged forward, hissing when her tightness sheathed him. His balls tightened and hot lava shot to the head of his cock as her heat filtered through the condom.

  “Mmmm…that’s more like it,” she mewled and her hips moved in slow, sensuous circles as she had obviously worked herself up without him.

  This might not be what he planned, but he was fully on board with her version now. Even if he wasn’t—she left him no choice. With a roar, he pulled back then drove her into the arm of the sofa with his hips. Her back rose and fell unevenly with her labored breaths. Her body shook as she pulled her hand out and lifted it with the other to grip the cushion.

  “Are you okay, baby?” Hawk asked, his shoulders tensing as he wondered if he might have hurt her. Women changed after they had babies, so he didn’t know.

  “Yes!” she growled, her voice desperate as she pushed back against him. “Stop talking and start moving! Pleeeease.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Hawk said, his insides clenching as her desperation became his own.

  With a shuddering bre
ath, he held her hips firmly to pull his hips back then he pushed back into her body. His pace increased with her cries of encouragement, which echoed in his skull. Maddie moaned, her body shook violently and a wave of red-hot lava coursed through him as he felt her body constrict around his cock. He moved faster and endorphins made him lightheaded as he pounded inside her again and again. Fireworks exploded behind his closed lids, he gripped her hips tightly and roared as the lava left him in hot spurts inside of her body.

  His knees buckled as he lowered her wilted body back to the arm of the sofa and stepped back, breathing hard. He ran a shaky hand through his hair and moved around the sofa to sit down, before he fell down, then glanced at Maddie, who still hadn’t made a move to get up. He frowned when he saw her shoulders shaking, then scooted closer and put a hand on her back.

  “Are you crying, baby? Did I hurt you?” he demanded, feeling sick. She mumbled something, her shoulders shook harder and his pounding heart skidded to stop. “Talk to me, dammit!”

  She lifted up on her elbows to look at him and there were indeed tears in her eyes, but they were in direct conflict with the wide smile on her face, which confused him.

  “I may need some help up. You not only knocked off my socks—you were so good my leg went with them.” Her lips twitched then she dropped her head on her hands and howled.

  Shock and relief made Hawk weak as laughter bubbled in his gut too. It consumed him and he laughed with her until his sides hurt.

  Laughter was indeed the best medicine, he thought, followed closely by love. Hopefully, if he kept the press on, soon, he’d have both from her.

  Chapter 21

  “Mail call, lovebirds. I slipped it under the door,” was Hawk’s wakeup call from Mickie over the intercom in the suite the next morning.

  He stretched and Maddie protested by hugging him tighter, as if she would never let him go. His heart swelled along with another part of his anatomy, which should be worn out this morning. Her hand found his cock under the covers and she squeezed. Hawk groaned and covered her hand with his.

  “Again,” she murmured sleepily.

  “Damn, baby—I’m not sure I can keep up with you.” Hawk laughed as he hugged her to his side. Three times, including the quickie on the sofa, and she wanted to go again? He was a lucky man, but definitely in need of some recovery time.

  “Then you need to practice. Isn’t that what you told me?” she replied, and he felt her smile on his pec.

  “We didn’t go dancing, so you didn’t practice,” Hawk replied, moving her hand away, but sighing when she put it right back.

  “Who’s talking about dancing? I don’t need legs for this activity and I’ve evidently mastered it,” Her giggle tickled his skin. “I’ll stick with what I’m good at.”

  No, all she needed was that mouth, and she was right—she was damned good at it.

  A shiver racked him as he pushed her hand away to sit up and throw back the covers. She leaned up on her elbow and her lower lip stuck out. His eyes followed her hand as she traced her curves up to her breast. She flicked a thumb over her nipple, sucked in a sharp breath and Hawk’s cock hardened with her nipple.

  “Since you won’t even give me a good morning kiss, I guess I’ll have to handle things myself. These self-service lessons aren’t nearly as fun.”

  With great effort, Hawk shook his head and forced his eyes up to hers. “Hold that thought, baby. I want to see what’s in the mail.” He leaned in for a quick kiss and her lips followed him as he sat back up. “It might be something important.”

  They were waiting for so many answers, he hoped one of those letters might allow them to check something off that list. This waiting and wondering was killing him, he thought, as he swung his legs off the bed and stood.

  He walked out of the bedroom and his eyes locked on the envelope beneath the door. His heart beat faster with every step, until it pounded when his eyes landed on the logo of the DNA lab where they’d had the blood drawn.

  Bending, Hawk snatched it up and ripped his shaking finger through the seal. He pulled out the sheaf of paper inside and quickly unfolded it. Skimming over the introduction, he went straight to the test results and his heart stopped, he fell to his knees, and clutched the letter to his chest.

  “YES! Thank, God!” Hawk roared, his body so full of love, excitement and relief, he felt like he might pass out.

  Maddie came hobbling out of the bedroom, still getting settled in her prosthesis. “What happened?” she asked, her voice shaking as she finally stopped to look down at him.

  “She’s mine! All fucking mine!” he shouted, his smile shaking it was so wide.

  “Um, not quite. She’s mine too,” Maddie corrected, her smile lighting up her face.

  “Of course she is,” Hawk replied. “But she’s mine too—ours—and I am so fucking relieved.”

  He was going to frame this freaking letter and hang it somewhere, so everyone in the world knew it too. Maybe hang it beside her birth certificate, which would have his name on it. Someone pounded a fist on the door of the suite, and Hawk jumped up to his feet to answer it.

  He grabbed the doorknob, but Maddie covered his hand.

  “Ah, you might want to get some clothes on first, honey,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t want anyone seeing that incredible body but me.”

  Hawk turned and grabbed Maddie to him, then kissed her until she was breathless. “I love you, Maddie Carter. Thank you so much for the gift of my daughter.”

  Her eyes glistened and her lips wobbled. “Thank you for the gift of my daughter,” she replied, then swallowed hard. “I’m so glad you are her father, Rhett. You have no idea how relieved I am too.”

  Hawk stared deep into her eyes then sighed as he released her. It would come, he thought, as he turned to walk toward the bedroom feeling her eyes on his back.

  Maddie sighed, her heart full, as she turned and opened the door to find Mickie standing there. “I just wanted to know if someone needed help in here,” she said with a laugh. “And I found another letter in the mail for you that I missed.” She handed Maddie a thick envelope with the Army seal in the upper left hand corner.

  “We’re all good. Hawk just found out for sure he’s Sarah’s father. He was a little excited, and I am too.”

  “Congratulations!” Mickie squealed, her beautiful green eyes widening. She launched herself at Maddie and knocked her back a few steps as she hugged her.

  “Thanks,” Maddie said, smiling as she released her.

  “Oh, Dio!” she said clapping her hands with glee. “I have a reason to cook now! Gray put me on a hiatus, because he says he’s getting paunchy. His words. Those gorgeous abs look perfectly fine a little rounded to me. I’m getting rounder by the day, so it’s only fair he does too.” She rubbed her slightly rounded belly and smiled down at it.

  “I wouldn’t complain if you cooked, but why?” Maddie asked with a laugh.

  “We’re going to have a celebration, of course! I’ll get everything set up and invite the troops. We never imagined Prince Charming would finally settle down, or I didn’t, anyway.”

  Maddie looked back at the bedroom, and a little surge of jealousy tightened her stomach. Hawk was Prince Charming, and he probably had women dropping at his feet. Or left them in his wake as he flew off into the sunset without them. She didn’t want to be one of them.

  When I turn on the charm it’s real, and I’ve been told, lethal.

  That was true, because Maddie had been slain by that charm. Combined with his looks and that smile, what woman stood a chance? Before she told him how she felt, though, head over fucking heels crazy about him, she was going to make sure his words of love had substance. It was scary to make that leap, until she knew what was charm and what was real.

  But when will you know? The man’s hurt expression every time you don’t return those words says he means them. What more do you need? If you don’t tell him soon, he might get tired of saying them.

  “Your face
looks amazing, by the way,” Mickie said, and woke her up.

  Maddie smiled, and touched her cheek. “The doctor pulled a rabbit out of his hat for sure. He was pretty proud of himself at our appointment yesterday.”

  “He should be. You look great.” With another quick hug, Mickie left her standing there thinking. She shut the door and turned to find Hawk behind her.

  “What’s that?” he asked, motioning to the letter she forgot she was holding.

  She looked down at the envelope and studied the Army insignia again, before she slid a nail under the loosely attached flap.

  “I don’t know. Maybe it’s from the VA about my benefits,” she said as she pulled out the folded letter. She smoothed it open and her chest got tighter with every word she read. By the time she finished, Maddie could barely breathe.

  She looked up to find Hawk reading along with her, and his face was a thundercloud.

  “They’ve put my discharge and benefits on indefinite hold, pending further investigation into the crash. They want to interview me at the base at the end of the week,” she recapped, her voice quaking.

  The threat at the bottom, to send MPs to escort her if she didn’t show up for the meeting, scared the shit out of her and told her this wasn’t a request. It was an order, and something was going on that had nothing to do with her benefits.

  “Don’t worry, baby. Whatever this is we’ll deal with it too,” Hawk said, pulling her into his arms. “I’ve got your six.”

  His strength surrounded her, his unwavering support amazed her. This man had become her champion in all things, and it was time she let down her guard. Maddie needed his strength and support now, because she was weak as a kitten and hanging on to her sanity by a thread.

  Sliding her arms around his waist, Maddie hugged him tightly. “I love you so much, Rhett Hawkins. I don’t know why you love me, but I’m so thankful you do.”