Enforcer

by Ryleigh Rhodes

I looked to Sarah, not knowing anything about an embassy.

  "Porter. Yes. We were all in Okinawa together. I haven't heard anything. Hoping I won't be going to Boston," Sarah said, and looked across the room. Q gave her a short embrace.

  Mason and Kelly lost interest with the conversation. They started mingling between themselves, easing away from the bar. Conner conveniently followed Mason. Good riddance, I thought. Q moved next to Sarah with his drink in hand.

  "What's in Boston?" Kristen asked looking puzzled.

  Jack's arm encompassed Kristen's waist. "Possibly a funeral. The embassy looks like a war zone ... Claire was watching CNN in the kitchen so I caught some of it."

  I knew this would bring up all sorts of emotions for Claire. She'd lost her husband, and so many friends already. I couldn't imagine that much loss.

  "You helped her hide out in the kitchen?" Kristen scolded Jack.

  I began studying the bottom of my glass, deciding to stay out of it.

  "No. I found her in the kitchen after I checked on the kids," Jack said defensively.

  "Guess I won't be getting her into a dress," Kristen admitted, and Sarah laughed almost dropping her drink.

  "You will never get her in a dress! She values your friendship. If you want to continue being her friend don't push her. Trust me!" Sarah took the last sip and added, "Well, incredible party. Thanks for the invite, but we're going to head out. Happy New Years!" Sarah grabbed Q's hand and headed for the door.

  "Happy New Years!" I called out, smiling as they left. Sarah wasn't one to shy away from a party. The embassy situation must be bothering her too.

  "Maybe I should go check on Claire?" Kristen finished her champagne.

  "We have guests. I'm sure Clay won't mind checking in on her." Jack winked at me, as he guided Kristen towards the party. Thank Christ, Jack is running interference. I needed to get out of there. There was only so much hobnobbing I could handle.

  ######

  "Uncle Clay's here!" Matt screamed. I look over and saw Clay leaning against the doorjamb, watching me cuddle the kids.

  Clay walked over and settled down next to me. "Why aren't you at the party?" Matt questioned, in a disappointed tone. Matt resembled Jack the most, but managed to snag Kristen's blond hair.

  "Your mom asked me to check on Aunt Claire. Looks like you guys are having more fun up here anyways." Clay would be right about that. I was enjoying the kids excitement. They rarely stayed up late. Seeing such enthusiasm from them over the little things help keep my mind off Porter.

  "Momma, since Uncle Clay is here can we pop another balloon?" Tara-Lynn patiently asked. I glanced at my watch. Only 10:45 pm! I was ready for bed.

  "Might as well." Tara-Lynn ran off and popped a balloon.

  Clay reached over and twirled a strand of my hair around. "Sorry about Conner ... What's the deal with the balloons?"

  "There's a slip of paper inside it telling them what to do next." Thanks to Pinterest for providing the idea. At least Kristen and I could semi-control their schedule in hopes of a bedtime close to midnight. Cullen brought Clay a bottle of sparkling juice to open.

  "It says to brush our teeth and pick a movie to watch," Tara-Lynn proclaimed across the room.

  "Well, go brush your teeth. Clay will open the juice when y'all get back ... " The kids rushed to the bathroom to comply. "They are hyper! How bad is it downstairs?"

  I was wondering if Kristen was pissed at me for leaving, but it had been a long day. With Porter's status being unknown, I wasn't in a mood to party.

  "I don't plan on going back down. Your date seemed content with my date." Clay laughed as the kids came running back in the room.

  "Open the bottle, Uncle Clay." Clay complied and the cork released with a big pop. The kids quickly filled their glasses.

  "Pick a movie and settle down," I ordered. Matt picked a movie, and Clay helped him start the DVD. My phone rang. Instantly, dread filled my stomach. I let it ring a few times before pulling it out of my pocket and answering. It was work related, not about Porter. A sigh of relief escaped my lips. I hated feeling uneasy like this.

  "Dr. Harris ... Okay. I need to get to my computer and login to take a look ... Start her on IV vitamin C, I'll call you back with any other recommendations ... Yes, 5,000. Happy New Years. Bye." I hung up. "Sorry, kiddos. Mommy has to do some work really quick, but I'll be back before midnight." I assured Tara-Lynn and Cullen with a kiss before leaving the room.

  ######

  I barely finished my phone consult before someone knocked on my bedroom door. I needed a beer, or sleep, preferably both. "Come in," I called out. Clay entered holding his overnight bag in one hand, and easing his tie off with the other. "Um— " I pointed to the bag. "What's wrong with your room?"

  "Conner's girlfriend is having an orgy in it ... without Conner. I'm debating going downstairs to tell Kristen. I'm tired and want out of this suit," Clay collapsed on the loveseat next to me.

  I giggled and then asked, "Did you recognize any of them? What did they do when you walked in?" If Conner attends a party, drama like this is normal. I mean, his shenanigans land him in the tabloids at least once a month. Another reason I don't care for Conner, is that and he gropes and hits on me constantly.

  "I was invited to join, and I politely declined and grabbed my bag. Fairly sure she's on E or something. I didn't recognize anyone, but Kristen knows a lot of people."

  I learned a few years ago to expect such behavior from Connor, and his "girlfriends". This past year Connor had brought the same girl to family functions insisting they had a steady agreement, open relationship, whatever. I wasn't one to judge, but that lifestyle wasn't for me.

  "I do not understand their relationship. I hope they're using condoms ... Let me grab a beer, then you go tell Kristen and we can watch the drama." Clay chuckled at my enthusiasm. It would be an entertaining distraction.

  I made it to the hallway before Clay touched my shoulder. His face showed concern and something else I couldn't place. He probably wanted to talk about the couch incident.

  "I'll grab a couple when I go downstairs. The kids looked like they were about to be down for the count," Clay informed me.

  I did tell them I'd be back to check on them. If they were about to pass out I was tempted to let them be, and just peek in on them.

  "Thanks. I'll peek in on them— Hey, Jack. Is that beer for me?" I smiled and leaned against the wall away from Clay.

  "Figured you guys were hiding out up here." Jack handed me and Clay a beer.

  "Thanks! Clay has an issue with his room." I giggled. Clay would find it funny later. At least I hoped he would, if anything it would be funny in his memoirs later.

  "What?" Jack questioned, as Clay cleared his throat.

  "Conner's girlfriend is having an orgy, in my room," Clay acknowledged. I let a giggle slip.

  "I just saw Conner downstairs," Jack said.

  "That would be part of the problem," I retorted, sipping my beer.

  "Shit! This is going to push Kristen over the edge. She's already upset with you." Jack pointed at me.

  "I made a brief appearance, and I refrained from breaking Conner's nose." I kept my end of the deal. I never agreed I'd spend the entire party downstairs.

  "Touché, but I think we can all make that argument concerning Conner," Jack quipped.

  "True, but Conner didn't grab your ass. Why is she pissed?"

  "Both your dates are downstairs. Sarah laughed at her idea of getting you in a dress." I held up a finger before Jack could continue. Time to spill the beans, maybe it was the beers, I don't know. Maybe, I thought sharing part of my past would scare Clay.

  "I'm only going to say this once, and it's not up for discussion." I looked at both of them before continuing. "I took some shrapnel my second tour in Iraq. I have scars, lots of scars. It's easier to hide them, than to constantly explain or deal with looks of disgust and/or pity." Avoidance was how I coped. Their lack of reaction about the scars was exactly why I remain
ed friends with them. "Second, can't you knock her up so she gets off this matchmaking kick?" Clay laughed.

  "Been trying to knock her up ... If you really want her off your backs just make out in front of her."

  If Kristen witnessed us making out, it was anyone's guess how she would react. She could get worked up and hold a mean grudge.

  Jack smiled, walked down the hall, and beat on the door. "You have two minutes to get dressed, and get downstairs or you'll be arrested for trespassing," Jack declared. A minute later, glass shattered inside the room.

  "Someone broke a lamp ... or the TV," I commented as we watched one man emerge from the room buttoning his shirt and heading towards the stairs. "How many were in there?" An older man zipped his pants as he exited the room.

  "Four, including Conner's skank. There's number three." Another half naked man quickly exited.

  "Clay, that wasn't an orgy ... That was a gangbang." I finished my beer, listening, and watching Jack impatiently count down. Pretty sure I was the only one amused by the situation.

  "What is the difference, and why do you know the difference?"

  All the jokes about angry pirates, dirty Sanchez's', rusty trombones, all bounced around my brain. If he only knew. I shook my head. "I did spend four years in the Marine Corps. Fairly sure I've heard every perverted sex joke out there ... Had there been another woman, orgy would be appropriate. I'm now completely convinced Conner has an STD."

  Kristen appeared next to Jack. If I had to guess, judging by the wild hand gestures, she was questioning him. "Shit. Kristen's here."

  Conner's girlfriend stumbled out of the bedroom adjusting her dress, and staggered towards the stairs. I crossed the hall to stand near Clay.

  If anything went wrong I could hide behind Clay or duck into my room. Jack wrapped his arm around Kristen and steered her towards us.

  "If she starts bitching, I'm going to kiss you." Clay quietly confessed.

  Shit. That was not a good idea. Not only would Kristen flip out, but she'd read me the riot act later.

  "Clay ... " I hissed. I still rejected the fact that I liked kissing Clay. He re-awakened my body after years of drought. I was still pondering the idea of whether I even wanted to or should end my sexual drought.

  "Why aren't both of you at the party?" Kristen scolded. Looking down at my feet, I waited for Clay to answer. Yep, I'm a chicken shit.

  "We were going to spend some time with the kids." Clay's arm snaked around my waist pulling me further into his side. Fuck ... might as well go along with it. Bringing my arm around his waist and settled my hand on Clay's hip.

  "Seriously, you're pretending to be together now?" Kristen asked sarcastically. Clay started to speak, but I pinched him first.

  "We're testing the waters. I guess is what you could say. Please, do not make a big deal out of this," I pleaded with Kristen. Clay motioned to Jack to turn around.

  "That's vague." Jack slightly turned away from Kristen to see Conner kissing a blonde. "Conner's trying to sneak someone in our bedroom." Jack briskly left the group.

  Kristen rolled her eyes, but refused to budge from starring Clay down. "We'll talk about this tomorrow. I have guests downstairs ... I'm disappointed you both feel the need to lie to me," Kristen nagged.

  Frustrated, Clay leaned down and roughly kissed me. I went pliant against his skilled mouth. Kristen loudly cleared her throat.

  I felt Clay pull away, instantly missing his mouth. Opening my eyes, I see Clay stare defiantly at Kristen. Shit, Kristen did not look happy about this development.

  "Fine! I'm going downstairs." Kristen muttered as she met Jack at the staircase and descended back into the party. Clay eased buttons open by his neck, and gazed down at me.

  "Guess you're wanting to talk?" I pulled out of his grasp, and retreated back into my bedroom. Clay followed and closed the door behind him.

  "That would be best. You're not too drunk to talk either."

  "No, but I might have a hangover tomorrow." I slouched into the loveseat and kicked off my heels.

  "I like you, Claire. I love your kids. Why not take this slow and see where we go?" Clay perched his suit jacket on the chair. Damnit, I went and caught feelings.

  "I'm not saying no, exactly. I accepted a position at a private practice. I start in a few weeks. Your season is starting. I might have to go to Boston. If I go to Boston I'll have to take the kids. In a month or two, my schedule will be less hectic ... How did we get from fake dating to this?" I left the loveseat to dig into my closet for pajamas.

  "Making out on the couch is what changed. I'm not trying to push you. Yes, we will be busy. We both have cell phones. I meant what I said a few days ago, about abstaining, if that's what you're worried about."

  Since Sawyer, I had avoided intimacy like the plague. I was already emotionally closed off. For the past years, any sexual satisfaction I received was at the hands of a battery operated toy, and until Clay made his move I had been happy with said toy.

  "It's going to take a while for me to trust you with my scars, and my baggage. It's been five years for me. Slow is the only option." I escaped into the bathroom before Clay could reply. Why the hell did I just agree to a relationship? I questioned my sanity.

  Clay was an honest man, and sexy as hell. I'd lost Sawyer, and I couldn't handle another loss like that. After washing my face, I finished changing. Thankfully the pajamas I picked fully covered my scars. C.B.'s lack of acceptance is what gave me most of my image issues concerning my body.

  I lingered in the bathroom doorway, watching Clay dig in his overnight bag for pajamas.

  "Bathroom's all yours."

  "Thanks. Someone called while you were in there." Clay rubbed my arm as he walked into the bathroom and shut the door. Slowly making my way over to the loveseat, I briefly stared at my phone before picking it up.

  I didn't recognize the number, but redialed it anyways. I sat on the corner of the bed while the phone continued to ring. A man finally answered.

  "This is Dr. Harris someone called me from this number ..." Clay exited the bathroom with his clothes neatly folded over his arm. He tucked them into his overnight bag and moved it to the loveseat. "I don't think she's here you might as well call her ... Thanks for letting me know Davis ... Yeah. See you soon. Bye." I ended the call and wiped a few tears from my eyes. Fuck, I didn't want to cry in front of Clay. Q and Pohl had both deployed after I lost Sawyer. When they came home intact I thought my loss of friends had stopped. Boy was I wrong.

  "You're going to Boston?" Clay asked as he wrapped his arms around me. I leaned back into Clay's embrace. There's no way I could explain to him exactly what I was feeling right now. Anxiety, anger, hurt, frustration that I had lost yet another friend. Much of the same feelings that I felt when I lost Sawyer.

  "Yeah. I don't want to talk about it. I just want to sleep." Clay kissed my hair and eased away.

  "Okay. I'll get the light." I crawled into bed and burrowed under the covers. Clay flicked off the light and laid down next to me. He made special care to avoid touching me. "I'm sorry about your friend."

  "Me too, Clay." A few more tears slipped down my cheeks before I fell into a deep sleep.

  ######

  My alarm sprang to life causing Clay to jump. I reached over, fumbling with the phone, but managed to silence the alarm.

  "Sorry. Forgot it was set." I resettled myself in bed.

  "How early is it?" Clay questioned and he eased behind me in a spooning position.

  "Early enough you'll be pissed at the answer."

  "How pissed am I going to be?" He nuzzled my neck.

  "Five a.m. pissed. Go back to sleep." Clay nibbled my neck pulling my hips closer. I rolled further back against his broad chest. When did he take off his shirt? "Clay ... " I felt his morning wood growing against my thigh.

  "Just kiss me," he whispered against my cheek. After kissing my cheek, he moved to my mouth. Running my fingers through his hair, my lips found his. I felt a fiery heat ignite
, and my body responded. His massive leg moved pressing against my center. My hands stalked the lines of hard muscle around his nicely sculpted body.

  I purred into his mouth as he cupped my breast. Clay eased his body over my leg bringing our fiery centers together. My hips bucked against his rigid peak. His hand slid down my stomach to my outer thigh. I could lose myself in Clay. No, I was losing myself, forgetting all my hurt and loss.

  Clay deepened the hungry kiss making me breathless. His hand brushed against my stomach, pushing under my shirt. His hand stayed on my stomach, the skin to skin contact. He was too close to my scars. The anxiety started to take hold. He was too close, and I couldn't breathe.