by Stone, Piper
“No, Franny. I’m saying life is short. You should do what you want to do, what makes you happy. Is that where you met Mitchell? Law school?”
I nodded. “He was a charmer. Just about to graduate and ready to take the world by storm. We dated on and off for a few months. Then he took a job in Chicago, returning a little over a year later. On that very night he asked me to marry him. I said no. I had dreams of my own. The man was persistent. Four years later I said yes. I’m not entirely certain why.”
“Sometimes people don’t want to be alone.”
Laughing, I tilted my head, admiring the view, my heart fluttering. “I assure you that the only reason Mitchell was so dead set on marrying me was because we looked good together on paper and in glossy pictures. He was already a celebrity in several states because of his ruthless nature, earning six figures. He merely needed to be married to complete his polished persona. I think I just gave in. There was some chemistry but now that I look back on our relationship, we never loved each other. For me, I don’t give a crap what a man earns. I need a partner who makes me swoon.” Inhaling, even his rugged scent was enough to do just that. “And I’m babbling.”
“I like to hear you talk.”
“You mean since you’re not a big talker.”
He grinned as he opened the fence gate, ushering me inside. “I prefer observing. You can learn a lot about a person by their mannerisms.”
There was still such sadness in his voice but the moment he walked into the barn, even the horses sensed his presence and Vader’s expression changed. He was in his element, nurturing and loving. The dichotomy was fascinating.
“By the way, I really can’t ride. After today, I’m terrified I won’t be able to hold onto the reins.”
He reached one of the stalls, unlatching the gate. “You’re not going to have to, Franny. I’ll be the one navigating. As I said, trust me. Nothing is going to hurt you ever again, no matter what I have to do in order to protect you.”
They were words that sent a shiver into my heart, evoking emotions that were difficult to describe.
With one exception.
Love.
I wasn’t just falling for him. I was one hundred percent in love with the brutal, caring, yet closed-off man.
I watched as he saddled the beautiful black horse, the lovely white star on the creature’s forehead stunning. When he was finished, he took my hand, pulling me toward the horse. “This is Marko. He’s a gentle giant.”
“Marko. You’re gorgeous, baby.” Vader didn’t need to encourage me to pet him. As I rubbed the horse’s nose, the creature lowered his head, issuing several whinnying sounds.
“Lead him out of the barn,” Vader instructed.
I grabbed the reins, surprised when the horse came without pulling. As I walked out of the barn, the beautiful sunset the backdrop, I took a deep breath. Maybe a change in lifestyle was exactly what I needed.
Vader didn’t hesitate, lifting me into the air, helping me over Marko’s back. Then he climbed on behind me, pulling us together. The feel of his muscular legs against mine, his cock pressed into my bottom was almost as exciting as the anticipation of the ride itself.
“Now, just relax. We’re going to have a nice, easy ride.”
After he coaxed Marko out of the barn, leading him through the gate, he forced me to take the reins but kept his hands over mine.
“Pull the left and he’ll go left. It’s that simple.”
“Easy for you to say,” I half moaned but tried to do my best. I remained tense, but the closeness of Vader’s body not only kept me warm in the slightly chilly air but also inflamed the desire just below the surface. “Where are we going anyway?”
“There’s a pretty little spot not too far away. Just keep following the fence.”
We both remained quiet, the ride allowing some of the tension to fade away. I was surprised how much I enjoyed the experience, the view of the mountains one of the most incredible sights I’d seen. Maybe I’d taken them for granted, not paying attention to their majestic beauty, especially with the fading sun as a backdrop. I took a deep breath, the crisp air and the fragrance of hay and flowers mixed with his all male scent, filling my nostrils.
As we passed by several other barns as well as what looked like a large ranch house, I finally gathered a sense of why both Vader and Hawk loved the place. There was livestock in several fields, several of the massive beasts munching on grass. The amount of land was incredible, the peace and serenity unequaled by almost any other experience I’d had.
“I can’t wait to see your ranch when it’s finished.” I wasn’t certain he even heard the words until he squeezed my hands.
“You can visit anytime. Open invitation.”
I shuddered from the thought, tingling all the way to my toes. The man had such a way about him.
“I’d like that.”
“Just up ahead. There’s a little lake and a few trees that I think you’ll like.”
When we reached the area, he took control, pulling Marko to a stop then jumping off. Just the way he held out his arms, waiting to guide me to the ground was so chivalrous, entirely different than I was used to. However, he didn’t simply pull me down and let me go, he yanked me against him with the same passion he’d exuded the very first night. The electricity soared, my mind going blank.
There were no concerns or fears.
There was no frustration over what I’d face in the light of day.
But there was burning desire, an intense longing that refused to be denied.
He cupped the side of my face, shaking his head. “I could have lost you.”
“But you didn’t. You saved me, my very special hero.”
“I told ya before. I’m nobody’s hero, but I take care of my own, and lady, I’m never allowing you out of my sight.”
While his grin was playful, I had a feeling he meant what he said. “The sheriff doesn’t think highly of you.”
“Yeah, well, I guess she thinks she has her reasons.”
“That’s crazy, Vader. From what you’ve told me, what occurred in Afghanistan should actually garner all of you Medals of Honor.”
He laughed, his expression full of genuine amusement. “That’s not going to happen. If we’re not court-martialed given the case is being reexamined, then I think every one of us will consider that a win.”
Sighing, I took a few seconds to enjoy the scenery, the dazzling colors in the sky a true spectacle.
“What were you and your friends talking about a little while ago?”
The sweet moment broken, he pulled away, walking to the fence and leaning over. As I flanked his side, I couldn’t keep my eyes off the incredible group of horses as they frolicked in the field. So happy. So energetic.
“I found what appears to be a portion of a blasting cap at the explosion sight. Granted, I’m not a hundred percent sure given the condition it was in, but Scorpion has a buddy who might be able to offer a definitive answer,” he answered.
“Why is that important?”
“Because,” he said as he looked into my eyes, “I suspect that whoever set that bomb possibly used military grade explosives.”
“How would you know that?”
“I also found this.”
When he held up a bag holding a black utility knife, I had to admit I was confused as to its significance. “Okay. Where did you find that?”
“Buried under one of your shrubs. As far as why the knife is important, you’re not going to find a single Marine without one of these. They are designed with the military in mind, including tools for use with explosives, such as C-4.”
“C-4? Wait a minute. Isn’t that shit volatile?”
Vader rubbed his finger over the knife. “Not as much as you think and only a small amount is needed, along with a blasting cap, in order to cause the kind of explosion that destroyed your vehicle.”
“Jesus.” I thought about all the threats I’d received over the last few months, the vario
us people and organizations I knew were responsible. “What you’re telling me is that whoever did this has expert military training.”
“That’s what I’m telling you. Only a small additional amount used, and it would have taken out the entire neighborhood. The person responsible knew what he or she was doing. I honestly don’t think it has anything to do with whatever senatorial agenda you’ve been working on.”
“I’m asking too many questions about the fire,” I said more in a whisper.
“Exactly. And whoever is responsible will return to your house to try and find this, especially given the initials carved in the steel.”
“Dog. Another nickname.”
“You got it,” he said, slipping the piece into his pocket. “You’re staying right here for the time being. No going to the office, no returning to your house, and you can’t come to my ranch either. It won’t be long until my name is listed with the damn video those fuckers keep showing.”
“I told you before, I can’t stop my life. I’ve already had friends try and call me.”
“I don’t give a damn who calls you, including the freaking president of the United States. You’re not going to leave here. If you try, so help me God, you will be tied to the bed and locked in your room and I mean it, Franny. You aren’t going to be stupid or reckless about this. Someone is out to kill you and next time they just might succeed.”
His vehemence was more endearing than he could realize. “You’ll tie me up, cowboy? Really?” I shifted to face him, sliding my fingers along the buttons of his shirt. “I’d like to see you try.”
He gripped my arms, yanking me onto my toes, even more exasperated. “I’m not kidding with this, Franny. This isn’t a game and I’m not risking losing you ever again. Don’t you get that?”
“Why, Vader? Why does it matter so much to you? You and I barely know each other and it’s clear to me that you don’t want anyone to get close to you, so why?”
Growling, he shot a look into the sky before exhaling, the sound guttural. “God damn it. Because I love you, Francesca Montgomery. Can’t you figure that out? Because I don’t want to spend another minute of my life without you.”
I was stunned by his words as well as the reflection of light in his eyes as the man bared his soul, lowering his defenses. We were tossed into a vacuum, lost in each other, the world no longer existing.
“Vader. I love you too.”
He captured my mouth with his, wrapping both his arms around me, cupping my bottom. The kiss was an eruption of our emotions as well as the kind of hunger that refused to go away. I was breathless, every part of me quivering as he crushed his pelvis against mine, shifting back and forth, the friction making me hot and wet. His cock throbbed, adding fuel to the roaring fire.
As he thrust his tongue inside, dominating mine, I swayed my hips back and forth, completely lightheaded. God, I wanted this man. I needed him.
So protective.
Dangerous.
Dominating.
Exactly what I craved.
The moment of intimacy became a roar of our combined desires as he pinned me against the fence, cupping both sides of my face. All the tingling sensations continued, the touch of his fingers scalding my skin. Whether or not this was right or wrong, I no longer cared. He’d awakened the woman inside, and nothing was going to prevent me from enjoying every moment of being with him.
He broke the kiss, brushing his lips across my cheek and down to my jaw, nipping gently. “I want you.”
“Mmm…” I gripped the fence with one hand, crawling my other down his chest, sliding my fingers into his waistband.
“Bad girl.”
“Your bad girl.”
He laughed then pulled away, a twinkle in his eyes. “And I take what I want.” When he shifted me to face the fence, I moaned. The second he slid his arms around my hips, unfastening my jeans, I gasped.
“What are you doing?”
“I’m going to fuck you.”
“Right here?”
“Yup. No place better,” he growled.
“Right in the middle of one of the most gorgeous places on earth?” I glanced from side to side, heat rising on my face. While I could see nothing but horses and cattle, that didn’t mean one of the other cowboys wasn’t taking an evening ride.
He yanked at the dense material, jerking my jeans and panties past my hips. The man wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
“I’ll take you anytime and anywhere I want.” Vader rubbed his hand between my legs, immediately fingering my pussy. “You’re so damn wet.”
“Oh, God. I…” I pressed my fingers into the wooden posts as a rush of dazzling sensations shot up from the toes of my tennis shoes.
After thrusting several fingers deep inside for several seconds, he shifted away, but only long enough to unfasten his jeans. Seconds later, he plunged his cock deep into my pussy, the force shoving me against the fence as he stretched me wide open. Instantly my muscles clamped around the thick invasion.
Every sound he made was husky, his breathing ragged as he fucked me. When he placed his arms on mine, intertwining our fingers together, I lolled my head against his chest. I’d never felt so close to a man, as if we were one.
While the thought was terrifying, I knew what we’d shared was so right. Every feeling was spectacular, every moment of yearning exactly what I’d been looking for my entire life. How could this rugged, brutal, possessive man have such a hold on me in such a short period of time?
He jutted his hips, changing the angle. My heart skipping, I dug my fingers into the fence, issuing several strangled moans. His soft growls were just as electrifying as his savage actions and when he blew across the side of my neck, rubbing his lips up and down in an aimless fashion, I could no longer feel my legs.
“I will spend hours fucking you, ravaging every inch of your body.”
As he nipped my earlobe before swirling the tip of his tongue in my ear, the beginnings of a powerful orgasm rushed to the surface.
“I’m going to feast on your pretty pink pussy,” he continued, his whisper a reminder that he was very much in charge. “Then I’m going to fill every hole with my cum.”
“Uh-huh. Yes…” I closed my eyes, the light breeze barely able to cool me down, the fire sizzling between us becoming a raging firestorm.
“Imagine your hard nipples and swollen clit pierced, a chain dangling between. Think about the delicious pain as I tug the thin metal between my fingers.”
His filthy words were more of a turn-on than I could have imagined, my breasts aching, my juice slickening my inner thighs.
“Um…” I couldn’t speak, couldn’t think clearly but the filthy images of his fantasy rushed into my mind’s eye.
“I’ll mark that rounded bottom of yours every time you refuse to obey me.”
I dragged my tongue across my lips, nodding over and over again. “Yes, sir.”
“Then I’ll mark you with my brand.”
He had no idea what he was doing to me, the excitement of what he was saying like bottle rockets, keeping me on the very edge of my sanity. He required my full surrender. My body. My sex. My soul.
And my heart.
The various sounds of nature meshed into a beautiful orchestra as he brought me closer and closer to an orgasm. I twisted in his arms, grinding against him, meeting every hard thrust.
“Oh. Oh. Oh…”
“Are you ready to come for me, Franny? Are you ready to come on my cock?”
“Yes. Yes.”
He plunged into me harder. Faster. The man was a beast as he fucked me, his growls permeating the air around us. As a climax swept up my legs, I couldn’t hold back a sharp cry, my entire body shaking violently.
“That’s it. Come. Come!” His commands seemed miles away, my body skittering toward sheer ecstasy. One filtered into two, the incredible wave of pleasure stealing my breath. The hammering of my heart echoed into my ears, stars floating in front of my eyes.
He continued to pound into me, lifting me onto my toes, the weight of his body tossing me over the fence. All time stood still, every concept of night or day demolished. I was his.
His to fuck.
His to taste.
His to own.
His body shaking, I knew he was close to coming. I arched my back, struggling to hold on, and just when I knew he was ready to erupt deep inside, I squeezed my muscles, laughing from his animalistic sounds.
As he threw his head back and roared, I realized I was the happiest I’d ever been in my life.
And the most terrified.
The monster would strike again.
Chapter 15
Vader
“Do you know what the meaning of happiness is?” Snake asked.
Scorpion and I looked at each other, shaking our heads. Snake had always been the philosophical one of the group, a trait we’d teased him about relentlessly since the beginning.
“I’m afraid to ask,” Scorpion answered as he hung over the bar, swirling the shot of tequila.
“When you’re no longer afraid of the person you’ve become.”
From where I was sitting, I could see the haze that had formed over Snake’s eyes. The Marine was also the one most vocal about searching for a purpose in life. We’d all felt the same way from time to time. Coming together after the years of being on different bases had succeeded in making each one of us harder, more on edge. Death and destruction had a way of stealing a man’s soul.
“Does that mean you’re happy?” I asked.
Very slowly Snake turned his head, studying my eyes. “Don’t mistake joy or satisfaction, even pride as a substitute. I’ve experienced some of the greatest joys in the world as well as some of the simplest ones, including finding a sweet lost dog who needed love, but that’s not happiness.”
I’d never heard him this forlorn.
Snake polished off his drink, slamming the thick glass onto the bar then immediately jerking to his feet. As he walked by, he gripped my shoulder, leaning over. “I’m not the kind of man who will ever find happiness. I’ve learned to accept that.”
The admittance was haunting, more so than anything he’d ever said before. The words were also cathartic in so many ways, the fight I’d had with the man inside more difficult every day I remained in Afghanistan.
