Attached (Coronado Series Book 3)

by Hart, Lea

  Cary felt her heart slowdown in the millisecond that time seemed to freeze. The solid presence of Travis and her blind faith in his ability were the only things holding her together as they began their free-fall. It was loud as she felt the force of the wind push against her body and face, but at the same time, it was peaceful and serene. It seemed that the free fall lasted for a lifetime and five seconds at the same time.

  Travis squeezed her leg to let her know that he was about to pull the chute. She felt it open and heard the snap as they dramatically slowed down. The change of speed made her feel a little dizzy, and she closed her eyes for a moment to see if she could get her bearings. What a funny thought. I’m hurtling toward the earth, and I think I’m going to get my bearings. Travis must have been steering them, because they floated gently through the sky in a path toward the grass field.

  “Pull your knees up, baby I’m bringing us in.”

  She followed his instructions and felt his powerful legs push against the ground and then bring them to a stop. The chute fell behind them, and Cary felt her legs give out as her feet hit the ground. Tears fell down her face as her heart filled with an unexplained emotion.

  “So what do you think?” he asked.

  He unlatched their harness, and she was able to turn around and throw herself at him. He caught her as she buried her face in his neck and laughed and cried and generally fell apart.

  “I think you liked it.” He held on tight and brought them both down to the ground slowly, and she plastered herself against him and continued to laugh and cry. He whispered quietly in her ear, “Love you, baby.” He wasn’t sure if she heard him, because she was still crying and laughing, but he wanted to say it just the same.

  She rolled off him, unzipped her jump-suit and dug in her pocket. She pulled out a bunch of tissues and wiped her face and nose. “Oh, Travis…this is the best gift anyone has ever given me.” She launched herself at him again and kissed him and kissed him and kissed him. “Let’s go again.”

  He hugged her and rolled on top of her. “We can come back and try it tomorrow, but you get only one jump a day.”

  She leaned up and kissed him. “You’re amazing Travis. Thank you.”

  “Anytime, sweetheart.”

  They looked over and saw a truck roll down the dirt road. “Looks like our ride is here,” Travis said.

  They got up. Travis started collecting the chute and harness and waved to the man as he parked. The man looked like an older version of Kevin. “Are you hooked?” he asked Cary.

  Cary gave him a dazzling smile “Travis said I had to wait until tomorrow, but I’m ready to go again.”

  She watched him laugh. “So maybe we’ll see you again.”

  “Absolutely.”

  “Do you want to learn how to do it on your own?”

  “No, I want to do it with Travis. He does the work, and I have the fun.”

  “Sounds like a perfect relationship.”

  Cary winked at him as she peeled off her jumpsuit and took off her goggles. “That’s what I was thinking.”

  Travis smiled at her and put all the equipment in the back of the truck. He thought it seemed like a good relationship, because she should rely on him for all her fun. If she did that, then she would never look anywhere else. They got in the truck and headed back to the airfield. “Are you getting hungry?”

  “I could eat a double cheeseburger and french fries with no problem.”

  “Sounds perfect. I think you did good, ‘Adventure Girl’.” He held her hand and noticed that she held on a little tighter.

  She nodded and looked out the window in a daze. Travis was definitely the perfect man to have as a partner.

  ********

  They sat in a bar not far from the airfield and toasted one another with a glass of bourbon. “Thanks for the adventure.” Cary looked into Travis’s chocolate-brown eyes and felt her defenses start to fall away. The damn connection was happening again, and she didn’t know how to stop it and realized she didn’t really want to.

  “One adventure down, thousands to go.” He tipped his glass against hers and took a sip as he watched her. She took a sip and swallowed and then started to cough. He patted her on the back as she tried to take a breath.

  “So that’s what bourbon tastes like. I had no idea.” She took another small sip and managed not to choke. “I’m probably going to get drunk, so if you want to take advantage of me when we get home… feel free.”

  “I’ll be sure to do that. It’s been a big day for you-your first jump and your first bourbon. Pretty impressive considering it’s only eleven in the morning.”

  “I know. What else can I do today?” Ooh… ooh…I know. I want to handcuff you.”

  Travis looked around and noticed that the bartender slid his glance away quickly. “Sweetheart, you have to use your inside voice when you say handcuffs. Not everyone is open-minded.”

  She twirled around on her barstool with her glass of bourbon and looked around. There were only a couple of other patrons. “You’re right. What if I ran into someone I knew?”

  “Probably not something that you want advertise.”

  “Is there a sex store around here?”

  “I have no idea. Why don’t you Google it?”

  “That’s a great idea.” She took another sip of her bourbon, pulled out her phone and started to look for someplace close by. “I found one that is only ten miles from here, and it gets excellent ratings from Yelp. I think we should go there.”

  The bartender brought over their burgers and fries, and Cary dove in and ordered another drink. Travis looked at her and had to laugh. She was embracing this adventure life with gusto. “Have you ever been in a store that sells sex toys?”

  She shook her head as she finished her bite. “I’ve never been. This is so exciting.”

  “What are you most interested in?”

  “I have no idea.”

  “How much experience do you have with this sort of thing?”

  “None.”

  He shook his head and worked on his burger. “What do you fantasize about?”

  “Being on top and having you do what I say.”

  “You were on top this morning, and you didn’t have to handcuff me.”

  The bartender brought over her bourbon, and she smiled at him. She leaned over and whispered in Travis’s ear, “I know, and it was amazing.”

  “You may not have to handcuff me to get what you want.”

  She looked over at him and shook her head. “It’s a nice thought, but you have a tendency to direct the action. I want to direct it, and I don’t want any interference from you. I know this opportunity with you isn’t going to last forever, and I want a chance at your amazing body before it’s too late.” She took a sip of her bourbon and winced and started to eat her fries. She watched him and smiled. “Something wrong with your food?”

  “No, I’m just trying to process what you said, and my brain isn’t able to work it out. I want to be with you with no expiration date, and I’m willing to let you do whatever you want to me, and yet you feel the need to handcuff me.”

  “Yes, whenever I start exploring, you flip me over and take over. I’m going to get at you without you being able to do anything about it.”

  “Fine.”

  “I know you don’t mean fine, but I’m going to take it. I want some handcuffs, and you’re going to get them for me.”

  “Fine.”

  She leaned over and kissed his cheek and then proceeded to finish her burger, fries and bourbon. “I’m ready when you are.”

  “Let’s go.” He paid the bill, and they walked out into the sunshine. Cary felt like her world had opened up, and it was in large part due to the man holding her hand.

  ********

  They sat in the truck in the parking lot of the store, and Cary felt nervous. “Let’s go.”

  “You sound like someone who’s facing a final exam.”

  “I feel nervous, and I’m not sure why.”
They were in a strip mall, and the store had a lovely window display that was tastefully done. It wasn’t like she was going to run into anyone she knew.

  Travis went around and helped her out and noticed that she looked around. “Are you sure?”

  She flipped her hair and straightened her shoulders and walked in the direction of the store. “Of course, I’m sure.” She walked in and held the door for Travis. He followed her in and she grabbed his hand. The salesgirl said hello and told them to let her know if they had any questions.

  They wandered around, and Cary looked at everything with big bug eyes. “See anything you like?” Travis asked.

  “I have no idea what most of this stuff is. I feel like a neophyte. How is it that I’m twenty-eight years old and I don’t know about any of this?”

  He held onto her waist and made her look at him. “Is this something you’re really interested in or is it something that you think you should be interested in?”

  “I just want a pair of those Velcro handcuffs. Is that too crazy?”

  He looked into her worried eyes and hugged her. “No, baby. I just want to make sure that we get what you want, not something that you think you want.”

  “How do I know what I want if I’ve never seen it?”

  “That’s true. Why don’t we look around and see if anything catches your eye.”

  “What about you? What are you into?”

  “You.”

  “Just me? I don’t believe you. I teach kindergarten and don’t have a lot of experience and I have big hips. I can’t imagine being all you want.”

  “I want you more than my next breath. It’s you…just you.”

  He watched a smile spread across her face, and she leaned against him and rested her head against his chest. “I still want the handcuffs.”

  “Of course. Let’s find out where they keep them.”

  Travis drove home and looked over at Cary as she rested her head against the window, sound asleep. He heard her snoring and wondered if she was ever going to drink bourbon again. She looked so sweet and innocent as she clutched her bag. She had decided on the black furry handcuffs because she felt like they wouldn’t threaten his masculinity. He almost started laughing because she took the decision so seriously. He knew she understood that this was about trust between them. She expected him not to disappoint her, and he was going to make damn sure he didn’t.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Cary stood in the closet and was looking at her options. She might need to go shopping again. Having a limited wardrobe wasn’t a lot of fun. Travis walked in and wrapped his arms around her and looked over her shoulder. She kissed his cheek and turned in his arms. “Sorry I crashed so fast last night. I wanted to use the handcuffs, but I couldn’t stay awake.”

  “I think the day caught up with you. Jumping out of a plane, drinking bourbon, and going to an adult store, can take it out of a person.”

  Leaning her head against his chest, she sighed. “It’s a lot different than my usual routine.”

  “Where are you going today?” Travis asked.

  “I’m going over to Birdie’s. She’s going to help me set up a foundation for my reading projects.

  “Tell me about this foundation, you want to set up.”

  “I want to create programs for kids who are struggling with reading delays. I see how important early intervention is, and I want to make it available to as many kids as I can.”

  “Let me know how I can help because I want to be a part of it.”

  “OK. What’s on your schedule today?” she asked.

  “Max asked me to help them out with some security analysis projects. They’re buried in work over there, and he’s trying to get as many hands on deck as he can.”

  “Do you have to wear big boy clothes to work, or can you wear your jeans and a T-shirt?”

  “I’ve no idea. I guess I’ll wear big boy clothes today. I’ve worn some sort of uniform for the last fifteen years, and I’m not sure how to dress myself every day if I don’t.”

  She stepped in front of him, went through his options and pulled out a pair of khakis and a white-button down shirt. “Here you go. It’s the perfect outfit for the first day.”

  “Can you do that every morning for me?”

  “Sure, but we’re going to have to take you shopping, because almost all you have is jeans and cargo pants.”

  “Let’s go this weekend.”

  “I think we may have to find one of those big-and-tall shops, because I don’t think you’re going to fit in regular clothes.”

  “Whatever you say.” Leaning over, he kissed her and then took his clothes from her hand. He walked out to the bedroom and started getting dressed. He watched Cary come out with a dress in her hand and watched her robe drop and thought about how late he could be today.

  Cary lifted her head and noticed how Travis was looking at her. “Get that wolf look off your face. It’s not happening. We both have things to do today.”

  “Are you sure? We only had the chance to do it once this morning.”

  “I’m very sure.”

  “Then we’ll have to do it more tonight. I want something to look forward to as I’m sitting at a desk doing security analysis for oil companies.”

  “Think about those handcuffs, because they’re coming out tonight.”

  “OK, honey…handcuffs it is.”

  She smiled at him, came around the bed and turned around. “Can you fix the top two buttons?”

  He kissed her neck. “I’m glad to know that you can’t get out of this dress without me.”

  She turned around and smiled at him, “I’m just going to let you believe that.” She walked into the bathroom and finished her makeup. She could see his reflection in the mirror and watched him shake his head and talk to himself as he got dressed.

  ********

  Cary sat in Birdie’s office in her house and pulled some files out of her bag. “Thank you for helping me set this up. I’ve thought about this for a long time, and I’m happy to put the plan in motion.”

  Birdie took the files and started opening them on her desk. “So, you would like to set up a foundation and use the proceeds to fund reading programs?”

  “Yes, my parents left me a substantial estate, and I want to use some of the money to provide programs for children who have difficulties. My experience as a teacher has taught me that if children don’t get the help they need early on, then they will struggle for years. Reading is the foundation of every child’s education, and I want to make that opportunity available for as many kids as I can.”

  “I think this is a terrific idea. Once we set this up, you can count on a donation from Mark and me. The idea of helping children learn to read is an important one, and I would love to help with it.”

  “That’s very generous of you. Thank you. I’ve seen the effects of helping a child who is struggling, and the impact is profound.”

  “What class are you teaching in the fall?”

  “I’m going to job-share with another teacher and teach a kindergarten class. My schedule in the fall will be much lighter, so I’m going to use the extra time to work on implementing these programs.”

  Birdie pulled out the papers and started to organize them. “Let’s get you set up then and get your good work started.”

  “How is Rory doing?

  “She and the babies are doing well. I think they get to come home at the end of the week. The doctors want to keep the twins for a couple of extra days to make sure that their lungs are working properly. I’m in love with my god children, and I can’t wait until they’re home.”

  “Are you and Mark going to have children soon?”

  “We would like four children, but we’re not starting until we’ve been married for a year. Do you want to get married and have children?”

  “I want children, probably five or six. I know that sounds like a lot, but I’m an only child and my parents were only children. I have no family left in the world, so I wan
t to make a big one of my very own.”

  “I would keep the whole children thing to yourself for now. If Travis gets wind of it, he’ll have you pregnant within a month.”

  Cary sat back in her chair. “I went through the process to become a foster parent and got approved last month. I decided I wanted my chance at children even if I didn’t get married. I could end up with a child sooner rather than later, which is exciting.”

  “I think that’s wonderful. If you have no family in the world, it makes sense that you would want to start creating one.”

  “I should probably tell Travis about it. He might want an out if he thinks that I could have a foster child. I don’t think he’s interested in a long-term commitment.”

  Birdie looked at her and laughed. “Wake up and smell reality, that man’s in love with you and he’s probably plotting your surrender as we speak.”

  “I don’t think that’s true.”

  “I know it’s true. I saw the way he was with you the other night, and he’s done. You’re his person, and he’s just trying to figure out a way to make it permanent.”

  She thought about what Birdie had said and wondered if it was possible. “I had no idea.”

  “Well now you do. Welcome to the family.”

  Cary looked up, smiled at her and started to laugh. “I thought I was just having a one-night stand.”

  Birdie laughed right along with her. “So did I, but Mark never left after the first night. I probably couldn’t have gotten him to move even if I blasted him out. He had his ideas and his plans, and he did everything he could to make sure they happened.”

  “How did you feel about it?”

  “I didn’t really see it coming. All those covert skills they have developed are hard to spot. Although to be fair, he kept warning me what was coming, and I never took him very seriously. I should’ve, because everything he said has happened. I was engaged in a month and married two months after that.”