by Geri Foster
He tapped her on the nose. “Don’t worry. I doubt anything will happen.”
Before long, Austin’s vehicle came into sight. After turning into the driveway, he stepped out, closing the door behind him. The geese and Rosco ran to meet him almost immediately. He shooed away the geese but knelt to scratch Rosco’s ears. “I thought I’d better come by and check out everything. Satisfy myself, if you know what I mean.”
He nodded. “I’ve been expecting you.” He held up his bottle. “Beer?”
“No, thanks. I can’t stay too long, although, I’ll stay until it’s over if you need me to.”
“I think I have everything handled.”
Austin looked at Nancy. “Are you okay out here? I can take you to my house. You’ll be safe there.”
“Thank you, but I’m fine.” She glanced over at him. “He’d be worried sick if I wasn’t here where he can keep an eye on me.”
“I just don’t want Alec to kidnap you and I’m the best one to prevent that from happening. Besides, wasn’t it you who insisted we stick together?”
Austin chuckled at their banter. “I’m not going to remind him there are several people capable of keeping you safe, but you’re right, Nancy. He wants you here. Don’t let him pretend otherwise.”
“I’m glad he does.”
He smiled, completely unashamed of the fact.
Austin stepped up on the porch. “Candi also wanted me to ask you about the furniture. She thought tomorrow was the delivery date.”
“It was,” Nancy said, holding up her phone. “But I texted them and I just heard back. We rescheduled for a week from tomorrow.”
Austin looked at him next. “Do you think it will be over by then?”
“I think it will end this weekend. If something doesn’t happen, I’m going to lock her in jail and go looking for the guy.”
She turned and glared at him. “I’m not going to jail.”
Austin laughed. “He’s not going to do that. He’s only making a point.”
She rose and searched his eyes. “You’re kidding, right?”
Reaching up and pulling her down to him, he gave her a quick peck on the lips. “You’re safe. No jail.”
Austin left several minutes later, after shooting him a knowing smile. Russ was going to be calling him soon about his budding relationship with Nancy, he just knew it.
Later, Nancy cooked a delicious dinner and, afterwards, they relaxed into a calm, quiet routine. They watched a movie and he lay on the couch, his head on her lap, munching on popcorn.
He was trying to keep things normal, not wanting her to become a nervous wreck. Alec was out there somewhere, and he’d prepared the best he could. He had weapons all over the house, out of Nancy’s sight. Now, they just had to wait. But calmly. Nancy didn’t need to worry. That was his job. Still, even with his good intentions, beneath the surface a storm brewed. He was ready to pounce at the slightest hint of danger.
By the time the movie ended, he knew the sound of every night animal and every rustle of every leaf. Alec wasn’t close by.
Yawning, Nancy stretched her arms up over her head. He liked the way her shirt cupped her full breasts, taunting him. “You ready for bed?” he asked.
“Yes. Morning will be here before we know it.”
When she finished in the bathroom and headed for the guest bedroom, he put his arm around her and led her to his room instead. She looked up at him with wide, inquisitive eyes, but she didn’t seem nervous.
“You’ll sleep in here with me until this is settled. You’ll be safe. I’ll keep my hands to myself, unless you indicate otherwise.”
Even with his promise of good behavior, she grew anxious beneath his steely gaze. He didn’t want to intimidate her, but he refused to take any chances with her life. He would protect her no matter what.
“Do you think this is a good idea?”
He shrugged. “Probably not, but if you’re right next to me, I won’t worry about him coming into the house and taking you.”
“Do you think he can break in?”
“Alec didn’t impress me as someone who has perfected stealth and strategy. He’s more volatile, aggressive and clumsy. But that doesn’t mean he can’t get lucky, or kill you.”
“Is there a chance you can talk to him and explain what happened? Make him believe you?”
“Nancy, I don’t mean to scare you, but he’s a murderer, a drug dealer, he dabbles in sex trafficking, and is an enforcer for a dangerous gang. You can’t reason with that.” He threw the cute little pillows Candi had bought for the bed across the room and they landed in a heap. Tossing back the covers, he waved his hand. “He’s out to wrongly avenge Hector’s death and I’m not going to stand there talking while he tries to kill me or hurt you. It’s simply not how I’m wired.”
“I’ve never slept with a man before,” she blurted out. Turning to face her directly, he saw her swallow with difficulty, her breathing hitching several times.
She was scared. And it wasn’t about Alec.
“If it makes you feel better, it’s been a long time since I’ve spent the night with a woman next to me,” he confided. Her eyes widened in confusion and he held up his hands. “That doesn’t mean I haven’t been with women, because I have.” He rubbed the grit out of his eyes. “I just don’t spend the night with anyone.”
“Why?” she asked softly.
He lowered his gaze. “I don’t want to get attached to anyone, that’s all.”
“But, aren’t we attached? In a way?”
“Yes, we are, but I hadn’t planned on that. You kind of took me by surprise, darlin’.”
She stepped back, her face stark and sad. “When this is over I won’t see you again, will I?”
His head shot up. “What?”
She spun her hand around in a circle. “This, us, won’t be any longer. Right?” Tears threatened to fill her eyes.
“No.” He reached for her but she moved her hand and stepped back further.
“What am I to you, Jeff? Just a play thing? Someone you feel sorry for and take pity on? Show the fat girl a little attention to make her feel better?”
“Stop it,” he said, surprised at how quickly the conversation had gone off the rails. “That’s not what this is at all.” He narrowed his eyes and pointed a finger at her. “And you’re not a fat girl, dammit.” He carefully moved closer. “This isn’t a game. Yes, I’m certainly out to make you feel better, but it’s because I feel better around you and I want you to feel good too. I don’t pity you.” He put his hands on his hips. “Just what kind of man do you think I am?”
“One who doesn’t want to get involved.” Her words were shaky and soft.
He nodded. “You’re right. I’ve been going around for years protecting my heart, my life, my feelings but, then, you came along.”
Her questioning eyes found him and stripped him of all precaution.
“I’ve been running since I came back from Afghanistan. Nothing there went the way it should have. I failed and men died. That’s hard to live with.”
“You shouldn’t blame yourself.”
“Who else can I blame? I was their leader, the one they followed without question, without reservations, or hesitation. And I lead them into a gun fight they couldn’t win.”
“Did you, Jeff?” She moved closer. “Or did you follow orders like every soldier who’s ever enlisted?”
“They were the wrong orders.”
“You know that now, but you did the best you could at the time. The whole failure of the mission can’t rest on your shoulders alone.”
He felt his gut rip open, tears burn the back of his eyes, and a paralyzing pain stab his heart.
He’d failed.
And, because of that, ten men lay beneath six feet of cold, hard dirt while he was expected to continue on with his life like nothing had happened. They lost everything and he walked away without a scratch. Not a drop of his own blood got spilled, yet it covered his uniform, his boots,
even his weapon. Suddenly, he was back in that dark alley in Afghanistan.
He squeezed his eyes shut. He didn’t want to see the carnage. His hands automatically covered his ears and he squatted down to duck for cover. The sights, sounds, smells and feeling of knowing he’d die washed over him and stole his breath.
That night, surrounded by his fallen men and burning Humvees, he’d fought back. He’d emptied every gun, used every bit of firepower he had and stood and fought while expecting the bullet with his name on it to strike at any moment.
But it never came.
The next thing he knew that night, another team had arrived and strong arms had wrapped around his chest. The soldier’d said, “It’s over, Senior Chief. You’ve killed them all. There’s no one left.”
Now, the arms around him were soft and comforting and tears stained the back of his shirt. “I’m so sorry, Jeff. I’m here for you. I’ll never betray you and I won’t leave.”
Coming back to reality, he recognized Nancy’s voice, her sweet words. She came around and stood in front of him, clasping his face between her palms. “I’m here for you. I may not be the ideal woman, but I’m solid as a rock and honest enough that you can trust your heart, your soul and your life within my love.”
He squeezed her tight and for the first time in more years than he remembered, he cried.
* * *
Alec needed a place to spend the night, and he’d grown tired of Denton and all the college kids everywhere he looked. He needed some fun, a little excitement. He knew the whole town of Rainwater had probably been expecting him all day to ride into town and shoot up the town square.
He laughed at the idea. No, that wasn’t his style. He’d hit when they’d least expect it. For now, he planned to hide the guns in the trunk and get new license plates, then head off for a casino to enjoy himself.
He knew one sat on the other side of the Red River and he headed that way. What a great place to hide. Who’d be looking for him there? He could drink, gamble, then relax in a nice, comfortable room.
He didn’t have to worry about hiding all the scratches on his face or his swollen nose. Gambling joints tended to be dark. Right now, he liked the thought of being able to move around and not be noticed. Maybe he’d get lucky and not sleep alone.
Tomorrow, he’d take care of Crawley.
Chapter 14
Nancy held on to Jeff while he released all the pent-up pain, anger and guilt plaguing him since his return. Together, they crumpled to the floor in a heap of tears, emotions and love.
Sometime later, they moved to the bed and Jeff laid his head on her chest, allowing the last bit of trauma to wash over him. She felt it the minute he’d surrendered it all, his body growing softer, more malleable.
With a deep exhale, he sat up and went to the bathroom. She heard the shower a few moments later. Going to the guest bathroom, she brushed her teeth, washed her face then got undressed and put on her gown.
Barefoot, she walked into Jeff’s room and crawled beneath the covers, pulling them up to her chest. His familiar scent surrounded her, and she inhaled deeply. Perhaps now Jeff could put the fight behind him.
However, Alec Opara still had to be dealt with. Maybe he was hanging around outside somewhere waiting for the opportunity to kill. The crazy man wanted to murder the man she loved for something he hadn’t even done.
The thought that there was a slim chance he might just succeed had her biting her lip. She was finally in love, and with an amazing, strong, wonderful man, and he could be taken away from her just like that. She didn’t want to wait any longer to experience everything that came with loving someone. She was forty years old. It was time to throw caution to the wind.
Reaching beneath the covers, she removed her gown and panties. Throwing them to the floor, she tucked the blankets firmly under her chin. No, that wouldn’t work. Too uptight. She wiggled around a little, trying to get comfortable. In the end, she draped the blanket lightly over herself and turned on her side, head propped on her palm, facing the bathroom.
A minute later, Jeff walked out wearing nothing but a pair of grey boxer briefs. Their eyes clashed and she felt heat build up inside her. But, while she was practically drooling at the sight of him, he didn’t seem to have picked up on what she intended at all. No. Rather than jump her, he crawled into bed on his side, calm as could be. She wasn’t sure whether she should be embarrassed or laugh.
Once settled, he reached over and pulled her closer, pressing her head to his chest. “Sorry, I don’t own pajamas.”
“I don’t mind. For some reason, I didn’t think you did,” she said, bemused at the situation.
Suddenly, his hands roamed over her body like a drug sniffing dog on a scent. “Nancy,” he breathed out.
She laughed. “Did I not mention that I don’t either?”
In two seconds flat, his skivvies were off and flying across the room. Taking her in his arms, he pulled her against him. He smelled of clean soap and male prowess. She bit back a moan when he gently squeezed her breasts together and licked her nipples.
“Jeff,” she whispered. It seemed he didn’t hear her. She tapped him on the shoulder. “Jeff.”
His head came up. “Don’t tell me you’ve changed your mind.” He groaned. “I can’t take that.”
“There’s something you should know.”
He cupped her bottom. “What on earth can be more important than this right here?”
“I’ve never done it before,” she rushed out.
His brows furrowed. “Done what?”
“Um, had sex.”
His eyes widened, then he slumped back against the pillow. “I didn’t know that. I mean, I know you said you didn’t really date, but it hadn’t occurred to me that you hadn’t…that you were…” He rose on one elbow looking at her intently. “If you want to wait, I understand.”
She reached down and wrapped her hand around his hard penis. “No, I have no desire to wait. I just thought you should know.”
He threw his head back and groaned. “For God’s sake, stop doing that or it’s going to be over before we start.”
She rubbed her hand up and down slowly. “You mean this?”
Reaching down, he stilled her hand. “Oh, you are a very naughty girl,” he said with a smile. “Very naughty indeed.”
She pulled the covers to her chin and laughed. Flashing her eyes, she admitted, “I’ve always wanted to be.”
Barking a laugh, he reached over and turned out the light. “This is going to be a fun night.” Relaxing back, he gently urged her to her knees, and then to straddle his hips. Taking her by the waist, he held her in place. “Baby cakes, this might hurt the first time.”
“I know you won’t hurt me, Jeff.”
A soft smile covered his lips as he pulled her mouth to his and kissed her with enough heat to steam up the windows. Putting his hand between them, he felt along her slit before inserting two fingers.
She squirmed. “Jeff, I can’t wait.”
“You have to—”
She shoved his hand aside and slid down on his erection. Halfway there, she paused, losing her nerve. “I don’t know where to go from here,” she said in a trembling voice.
“Let me take over, sweetheart.”
And take over, he did. Continuing to kiss her, he brought her to new heights, leaving her panting like she’d run a race. He entered her so slowly she thought she would scream, but there was no pain.
After she adjusted to the feeling, they moved, in and out, the heat, desire and wetness increasing. Then, before she even realized what was about to happened, her body jerked, quivered and then tensed. Nothing in her life had ever felt so good.
“Oh,” she said, breathlessly. “I never realized it felt so good.”
“Yes,” the word was drawn out and breathless as his neck tensed and he joined her in pleasure.
Fully sated, he pulled her close, pressing her head in the crook of his neck. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“No, you brought me more pleasure than I’d ever imagined possible.”
He let out a manly chuckle. “That’s what every man wants to hear when it’s over.”
She rose up quickly. “Didn’t you enjoy it?”
He cupped her face, pulled her lips to his and ran his tongue over them. “You’re damn right I did. Baby cakes, this is a two-way street.”
“Hmm, I like the way you drive.”
Feeling safe and secure, it didn’t take long for her to doze off. Several times she woke to find herself alone, Jeff nowhere in sight. Then, the bed would give with his weight as he returned. She understood he was on the lookout for Alec and would be all night.
Come daylight, the place beside her lay empty and she knew instinctively he wouldn’t be returning to her. The scent of coffee filled the air as she rolled out of bed and she smiled.
After her shower, she blow-dried her hair, slipped on a pair of comfortable jeans and a shirt and stomped into her boots. Coming out of the guest bedroom, she collided with Jeff’s chest.
Pulling her against him, he kissed the top of her head. “Good morning, sweetheart.” He tilted her chin and their gazes clashed. “You okay this morning? A little sore?”
She grinned, fighting back the embarrassment at everything they’d done. They’d had sex almost the entire night—every time he came back from a search. “Just a little.”
He tilted his head down. “You sure it’s just a little? We went at it pretty hard last night.”
She felt her panties getting damp just thinking about it. Now, they had to discuss it. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to drag you back to bed and have my way with you, again.”
“You think I’d mind that?”
Chuckling, he draped his arm over her shoulders and they walked to the kitchen. She headed for the coffee pot and poured herself a cup. Holding up the pot in question, he shoved his cup across the counter for a refill.
His phone rang, and he reached over and pushed the speaker button. “Crawley here.”
“It’s Lucas.”
“Good morning.”
“I wanted to update you on what’s going on.”
