by Susan Stoker
He had her on her back once more and was fucking her wet channel. Her ass was propped up by two pillows, and every time he thrust inside, he hit her G-spot. Wendy moaned and gripped his thighs as he reached his peak.
“Once more, sweetheart. I want to feel that hot pussy grip my dick once more before I fill you with my come.” He used his thumb to rub her clit in a relentless motion as he spoke.
“Oh, God,” Wendy moaned as she felt another orgasm approaching. Her legs shook as she went over the edge, and she watched as Aspen’s eyes closed and he threw his head back. The tendons in his neck bulged, and it was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen in her life.
She felt his come begin to leak out around them, but didn’t move. It was fucking hot, and she almost couldn’t believe this amazing man was hers. Almost.
He fell on top of her, nearly crushing her, but Wendy didn’t care. She didn’t deserve Aspen, but she wasn’t letting him go. Wrapping her arms around him, she ignored the way her thighs protested being spread around his hips. She ignored the wet spot growing under her ass. She ignored the way it was hard to take a full breath. She simply soaked in the moment of contentment.
Chapter Eighteen
A month later, Wendy was as happy as she’d ever been, all things considered. Lars had been charged with trespassing, attempted murder, assault, and kidnapping. His friends had all been charged with trespassing, assault, and kidnapping. Chuck’s parents were also in trouble, seeing as he still lived with them on the Army post. The authorities said that Chuck had apologized, cried, and desperately begged that his parents not be reprimanded and allowed to stay on post, but it had done no good.
Two teenagers from a neighboring high school had come forward, after seeing the publicity about what had been done to Jenny and Jackson, and had admitted they’d also been bullied, then assaulted by the group. More charges were pending, but Wendy was confident the thugs wouldn’t be a problem for them anymore and they were getting what was coming to them.
Jackson and Jenny were as close as ever. He’d recovered from the beatings and Jenny had been by his side the entire time. Wendy wasn’t worried about their relationship at all. She had a feeling, even with the difference in their ages, that they’d make things work. They had a special connection that went deeper than just the bond they had because of what Lars had done.
The most amazing thing that had happened was when Aspen asked permission to talk about her situation with a friend of his named Tex. He explained that Tex would be able to use the computer to search for information about her discreetly.
Trusting Aspen, Wendy had agreed.
That had led to her, Jackson, and Aspen flying out to California to meet with the authorities in her hometown. Wendy had been terrified to turn herself in, but Tex had given them the name of an incredible lawyer, who’d reassured her that all would be well.
And she’d been right.
The authorities hadn’t been pleased with her actions, but because Jackson was still with her, safe and sound, in school, and had told the detectives everything that had happened to him in the foster home—and what his sister had done for him while on the run—they’d ultimately let her off the hook.
They’d reprimanded her, of course; told her that she should’ve come to them when she’d found out what was going on in the home Jackson was in. That if they’d known, they could’ve gotten him the help he’d needed. She didn’t handle the situation properly, which was something she knew, but luckily, they hadn’t seemed inclined to lock her up for the choices she’d made as a scared teenager.
She had to pay restitution for the time and money spent ten years ago looking for Jackson, but in the end, it seemed all her moving around and trying to fly under the radar had been for naught.
She’d thought they’d been lucky. But in reality, their case just wasn’t important enough for the State of California to spend even more money hauling her back across the country.
“You can get your degree now,” Jackson told her once the detectives had said no charges were going to be brought against her. “We’re truly free!”
And they were.
Back home in Texas, Truck had been released from the hospital and had no lasting issues from being shot, other than having another scar. Wendy had met the man once and had been taken aback more by his size than the gnarly scar on his face.
There had been no more get-togethers with Aspen’s friends or their women. The betrayal of Truck secretly marrying Mary had fractured the once-close friendships. The women were upset at Mary, and the men were upset at Truck. Aspen said work was strained and the tension was affecting their previously seamless group. He even admitted the commander had noticed and had suggested splitting them up if they couldn’t work together anymore.
Their friend, Fish, had finally arrived in town, and he met with Jackson’s robotics club. He’d been impressed with everything they’d done and had offered more invaluable suggestions for their design. There hadn’t been a barbeque though. Wendy had been looking forward to it, but since none of the men were really talking outside of work, that was inevitable.
After speaking with Casey one night, Wendy learned that Fletch had decided to sell his house. The construction had been completed, but he’d decided there was just too much shit that had happened there, and both he and Emily wanted to start fresh. Wendy could tell Aspen was upset about it, but he refused to say anything to Fletch.
Wendy felt helpless, not knowing how to help Aspen. She wanted to do something, but when she’d asked, Aspen had told her that being with him, being there in his condo when he got home, was enough. Their sex life was as amazing as ever and she reveled in the way he took her hard and fast every time. Slow and romantic sex did nothing for her. It was pleasant enough, but didn’t make her come over and over, like when Aspen slammed into her and forced her orgasms.
Evenings were much more pleasant now that she didn’t have to go to the call center a few times a week. She didn’t get cussed at or hung up on and it was amazingly nice.
They were eating dinner one evening when Aspen said, “There’s an Organizational Day on the post this weekend. Want to go?”
“What’s that?” Jackson asked. “And can Jenny come?”
Aspen smiled. “Of course you can bring her. And it’s basically a fair. There will be food trucks, games, music, and face painting and balloons for the smaller kids.”
“Cool,” Jackson said.
“It sounds fun,” Wendy said. “Are the others going?”
Aspen sighed. “Probably.”
“But you don’t know?”
He shook his head. “We haven’t talked about it.”
Wendy put her hand on Aspen’s arm. “You need to talk to them about this. You need to get past it. I’d hate to see you lose such amazing friends over this.”
“You don’t understand,” Aspen said, putting down his fork. “Everything we do and say while on a mission affects everyone else. We have to absolutely trust each other to not do anything stupid and get us all killed. What Truck did broke that trust in a big way. Hell, Hollywood told us when Kassie was pregnant, even when he wasn’t supposed to. We’ve always known everything everyone does even before we do it. Somehow, Truck keeping this huge secret made us all question our blind loyalty to each other. We’re now wondering what else is being kept from us.”
“Have you asked him about it?”
Aspen sighed and shook his head.
“Don’t you think you should? I mean, I don’t know Truck all that well, but he had to have a reason for keeping his marriage from you guys.”
“I know you’re right. I miss my friends, and I hate how it’s hurt the friendships between the women as well.”
“Yeah. The only one I’ve talked to is Casey, and she’s said that everyone is taking sides.”
“That’s what I’ve heard too,” Aspen agreed.
“Rayne is devastated and hasn’t talked to Mary since she found out. Emily is on her side. Harley and Kassie
think Rayne should talk to Mary and find out why she married Truck, and what’s up. Casey is Switzerland, so to speak. She says it’s sad, because Kassie and Emily used to talk about their pregnancy all the time and they were looking forward to their kids being raised together, but now they aren’t even speaking to each other.”
“I don’t know how to fix this,” Aspen said. “It’s a fucking mess.”
“Talk to him,” Wendy ordered.
“I will.”
“Good.”
They finished their meal, and that night, when they were in bed and Aspen was sending her over the edge for the second time, Wendy had the thought that no matter what, things could only go up from this point on.
* * *
The next day after PT, Blade had had enough. The guys were all grumpy and things were beyond awkward between them.
“Enough is enough,” he said, glaring at his friends. “We’re acting like a bunch of junior high school girls.” He turned to Truck. “Why didn’t you tell us you got married? We’re a team. We tell each other shit. We knew when Kassie was pregnant way before Hollywood told anyone else. We knew about Emily’s baby before anyone too.”
“Coach and Harley went and got married without telling us,” Truck said defensively. “Why didn’t anyone yell at him?”
“That was different,” Fletch said.
“How?” Truck asked.
“It just was. He didn’t keep it a damn secret for months,” Beatle said.
Truck sighed. “I can’t tell you all the details because it’s not my story to tell, it’s Mary’s.”
“That’s a cop-out,” Ghost seethed. “I’m pissed at you, man. You know how badly I want to put my ring on Rayne’s finger. She’s been holding out because she was sure Mary and you would fall in love. You could’ve at least told me.”
“You’re the last person I could tell,” Truck said. Then pressed his lips together and shook his head. “Leave it, man. It’s done.”
And with that, Truck walked away.
The other men stared after him in disbelief, disappointment, and confusion.
Blade sighed. He’d wanted to end their feud by offering Truck a chance to explain why he hadn’t told them about his marriage, but instead, it made things worse.
* * *
Saturday was a beautiful day. The sun was out and it wasn’t too hot for once. There were families everywhere, enjoying the activities of Organizational Day. A local country band was playing on a stage at the far end of the field and there were several food trucks set up serving free food for the Army families.
Jackson had wandered off with Jenny as soon as they’d arrived, and Blade was enjoying walking around with Wendy. They were holding hands and talking about nothing in particular. Everything was fine—until he’d seen Truck and Mary. They were easy to spot, the difference in their heights almost comical. There was nearly a foot between them, but somehow, it worked. Mary had her fingers intertwined with Truck’s and they were laughing at something.
A pang of sorrow hit Blade as he watched them. It was the first time he’d seen Mary look like she openly enjoyed being with Truck. Everyone knew they belonged together, and they should all be thrilled that it seemed as if they’d worked through their issues. But because of Truck’s secrecy, their union had broken the team instead of bringing them closer together.
Blade also saw the others walking around. Sadly, everyone was keeping away from each other. It was depressing, and nothing he’d imagined would ever happen in a million years. They’d been through so much together. From Rayne’s rescue, to laughing with little Annie, to Coach nearly dying on his first jump with Harley, to the latest with Fletch’s house being blown up by a psychotic pedophile.
That didn’t even begin to cover what the team had been through on missions. From Africa to South America and the Middle East. They’d had each other’s backs for years. Saved each other’s lives time and time again. It almost felt as if they were going through a painful divorce right now. Thinking about the good times between them was like a knife being thrust into his chest.
Blade wrapped his arm around Wendy’s waist and pulled her into his side as they walked.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“No,” he told her bluntly. “This sucks. I miss my friends.”
“What can I do to help?” she asked.
“Unfortunately, nothing, I—”
Blade’s words were cut off by a loud popping sound.
Knowing immediately what it was, Blade threw Wendy onto the ground a little rougher than he meant to and covered her body with his own, even as he was looking around for the source.
The gunfire sounded again, and Blade turned his head to look in the direction it came from.
Standing on the stage was Chuck, one of Lars’s friends. The members of the band were rushing away behind him as Chuck yelled and continued to randomly shoot into the panicking crowd.
Blade’s eyes swept the grounds and caught Ghost’s. His team leader was on the ground hovering over Rayne, much as he was doing to Wendy. Ghost used his head to gesture to the right. Looking in that direction, Blade saw Truck and Hollywood. Before long, he’d made eye contact with all six of his teammates, and they’d silently and quickly made a plan using hand signals.
“See that set of bleachers over there?” Blade asked Wendy urgently, pointing to their left.
“Y-Yeah.”
He could tell she was freaked out, but she was listening to him. “I need you to go over there as fast as you can. Stay down low and make sure you don’t run in a straight line. Can you do that?”
“Yeah, but what are you going to do?”
Ignoring her question, he went on. “Rayne and the others will meet you there. Once you’re all there, hunker down and do not move, no matter what. Hear me?”
“Okay, but, Aspen, what are you going to do?” she repeated.
“Me and my team are going to stop this motherfucker,” Blade said. Then he kissed her hard. When there was a lull in the gunfire, he pulled her to her feet and pushed her toward the bleachers. “Go. Now!”
Blade watched as Wendy took off running toward the relative safety of the bleachers. Nothing was foolproof, but the women would be much safer there than lying in plain sight on the grassy field.
Then, as if the last month hadn’t happened, Blade and his team did what they did best…worked together to bring down the shooter.
* * *
Ten minutes later, Blade stood with his teammates as they waited for the MPs to clear the area. They’d surrounded Chuck and disarmed him within five minutes of his rampage starting. They didn’t have weapons, but hadn’t needed any. Basically, they’d bum-rushed him when he’d paused to reload his rifle.
The boy was now sobbing and begging them to let him up, to let the MPs shoot him. Crying that he’d ruined his parents’ lives and they’d be better off without him.
With Truck and Ghost holding him down, the rest of the team had secured his weapons and ammo and made sure Chuck wasn’t going to be a risk to anyone else. By the time the MPs had gotten there, the younger man was limp and non-combative.
Truck told the Military Police what Chuck had been babbling. Basically, he’d been shooting the ground to avoid hurting people, but in the hopes the police would still kill him and end his misery.
He was hauled off quickly and, after making eye contact with their women to ensure they were safe, the Delta team stood together at the bottom of the stage, waiting to be dismissed.
“I fucked up in not telling you guys about me and Mary. But if I had to do it again, I wouldn’t change anything about what I did,” Truck said, breaking the silence.
“We’ve talked about this shit already. Rayne is devastated,” Ghost bit out.
“I know. And I regret that—but Mary was dying. She couldn’t afford treatment when her cancer returned, and I married her so she could be under my insurance.”
Everyone was immediately silent upon hearing that. Truck had said it
was Mary’s story to tell, but none of them had expected that bombshell.
“The ceremony was when we all went out to Idaho to help Fish, wasn’t it?” Hollywood finally asked.
Truck nodded. “Yeah. She was at a low point and agreed. But I knew if I put it off, she’d find her second wind and refuse.”
“She been living at your place?” Ghost asked.
“Mostly. Yeah.”
“I figured. The few times Rayne convinced her to meet up, it’s been somewhere other than her apartment.”
“She hasn’t been back there much. At first, she was too sick. Now that she’s better, it’s become a habit to stay with me, I guess,” Truck said with a shrug.
“You should’ve told us,” Coach said.
Truck nodded. “I know. I’m telling you now because this stupid feud between us is affecting our work. I don’t want the team to be split up. But the other reason why I didn’t say anything before is because I’m convinced it’s only a matter of time before Mary tries to divorce me. She married me for my insurance…well, I made her marry me so she could use my insurance. And now that she doesn’t need it anymore, I have a feeling she’s gonna want to go her separate way.”
“She’s okay now though?” Blade asked.
Truck sighed and nodded. “Yeah. She saw a doctor last week and he gave her the all clear. She’ll be on drugs for at least the next seven or eight years, and she’s considering breast reconstruction, but the cancer seems to be gone for now.”
“Here’s the thing,” Beatle said. “We were pissed at you, Truck. And your betrayal of our trust hurt the team. But…today proved that deep down, we still trust each other implicitly. Right?”
Everyone agreed.
“So, we need to stop this petty shit and fix this rift between us.”
“I agree,” Fletch said. “I miss you guys. Annie misses you guys. She’s also been asking when she’ll get to see Wendy again. And the rest of the women. I need to break in my new house with a barbeque.”
