Protecting Fiona (SEAL of Protection Book 3) (15 page)

“That’s easy, keep it all.”

“Hunter, you haven’t even
seen
any of it.”

“I don’t have to. If those two forced you to buy it, I know it looks great on you.”

Fiona just shook her head. “You’re insane.”

Cookie kissed the top of Fiona’s head and sauntered into the kitchen. “Insanely happy you’re here with me.”

* * *

Fiona stood awkwardly next to the bed. Hunter was already in bed and had a sheet covering his lap. Fiona knew he was naked under it and she so badly wanted to throw back the covers and attack him, but knew she wasn’t going to.

She’d worn the new nighty the girls had insisted she buy, along with the matching pair of panties. Even though she was adequately covered, Fiona still felt mostly naked. She hesitated next to the bed, not knowing if she should slip into the bed next to Hunter with her nightgown on or if she should take it off.

Hunter decided for her, holding out his hand. “Come here, Fee.”

Fiona put one knee on the mattress and went to lay down. Hunter grabbed her arm and pulled. She fell against him and quickly got under the sheet and stretched her legs out until they tangled with his.

Cookie could feel Fiona’s heart beating hard against his chest. “Relax, sweetheart. You’re safe.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“You don’t have to do anything. Just be here with me. We’ll figure it out together. Okay?”

“Okay.”

After a few minutes, Fiona wiggled against Hunter. She could feel the hair on his legs rubbing against hers. It should have brought back bad memories, but instead all she could think about was the other night when he’d exploded in her hand.

Fiona slowly moved her hand against his chest, remembering the feel of Hunter’s nipples hardening under her ministrations.

Cookie lifted a hand and put it over hers on his chest. “I love your hands on me, Fee, but I want to pleasure you tonight. Will you let me?”

“I don’t know if I can.”
              “How about we take it slow, and if I do anything that makes you uncomfortable, I’ll stop.”

Fiona nodded. “I trust you, Hunter.”

“I won’t betray that trust.” Cookie moved one hand up to the back of Fiona’s neck and leaned up and over to kiss her. He kept the kiss light, not wanting to spook her. He used his other hand to swipe up and down her body, gentling her. He kept his touch on top of her short nightgown, which had ridden up to expose her panties, not delving under it. He could feel Fiona squirming under him. Finally when she moaned, Cookie moved his hand so just his fingertips skimmed under the front panel of her panties.

“Do you know how good you feel, Fee? You’re so soft. You were meant for my hands. I can’t wait to taste you. I bet you taste so sweet. You’ll explode so hard when I put my tongue on you, won’t you?”

Fiona shivered at his words. God Hunter felt good. His words were making her crazy. “Please, Hunter. Please.” She had no idea what she was begging for, but she needed something. She needed more.

“What do you want, sweetheart?”

“More.”

“More? More of my kisses? My hands on you?”

“Yes. All of it.”

Cookie loved making Fiona feel like this. He didn’t really want her to beg, but he also wanted to make sure she wanted it, wanted
him
. He moved his fingers back and forth just under the waistline of her panties. He could feel the heat coming from her core. He leaned down and kissed her again and moved his hand so it was covering her mound, but on top of her panties.

Cookie rubbed against Fiona while kissing her, his tongue mimicking the movements of his hand. He ground the heel of his hand against her clit and couldn’t deny the pleasure her cry of delight gave him.

Fiona threw her head back and grabbed hold of Hunter’s wrist while he moved his hand against her.

Cookie stilled, not knowing if she wanted him to continue, or stop.

“Don’t stop. God, don’t stop.”

He grinned. Thank God. Cookie rubbed against Fiona harder and harder while alternating kissing her face and nibbling on her neck.

“That’s it, Fee. Rub against me. You feel so good, you’re so hot. You’re doing fine. You’re so sexy.”

Cookie could feel Fiona was getting close. He’d been keeping his groin away from her, not wanting to freak her out, but now he let himself brush against her.

“Feel how hard I am. You did this. You’re so sexy. I’m going to come with you, Fee. Just watching you get off makes me lose it. Feel me.”

He let go of her neck with his other hand and brought it to her chest. Cookie tweaked a nipple that was already sticking up through the fabric of her nightgown. At the same time, he leaned down and blew into her ear then sucked the lobe into his mouth hard. “Come for me, Fee. Come now.”

Fiona shattered. Her back arched and she cried out in ecstasy. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d orgasmed that hard…or if she ever had. She could barely remember her own name, nevertheless anything or anyone that came before Hunter. When Fiona came back to reality, she could feel Hunter’s face against her neck and he was breathing hard. She also felt wetness against her hip.

“Whoa.”

Cookie chuckled. “Whoa indeed. Just watching you made me lose it too.”

Fiona opened her eyes and stared into Hunter’s eyes which were locked onto hers. “You did?”

“I did. Your smell, the feel of your heat. It’s all so damn sexy, I couldn’t help it. When we get together for real, we’re going to be fucking combustible. We won’t get out of bed for days.”

Fiona could only smile up at Hunter. His words made her relax. He didn’t think she was a freak, and apparently he really
didn’t
want to rush her into a deeper intimacy she knew she wasn’t ready for.

“Come on, as much as I love my mark on you, you can’t sleep in that wet gown.” Cookie climbed out of bed, completely unselfconscious about his naked body. He went into his closet and Fiona heard him calling back to her. “Where’d you put your nighties? I want to see you in the red one.”

“The second drawer on the left,” Fiona called back, completely floored Hunter was getting her a new nightgown to wear. She’d never been with a guy that had bothered to take care of her in any way after sex.

Fiona watched as Hunter came back into the room.

“Come on, climb out.”

Fiona pulled the sheet back and climbed out, embarrassed by the wet splotch covering the front of her gown. Why she was embarrassed, she had no idea, especially considering she wasn’t the one who left it there.

Cookie grinned at her. God she was cute. “Arms up.”

Fiona closed her eyes and did as Hunter told her. He’d just made her come, it didn’t matter if he saw her naked, and he’d seen her boobs before as well. It wasn’t anything he hadn’t seen a million times on other women either. At least that was what Fiona tried to tell herself.

Cookie tried to keep his touch as clinical as possible. He took hold of the bottom of her soiled gown and pulled it over her head. He could feel his heart speed up. He wondered for the millionth time how she’d survived the hell she’d been through down in Mexico. She seemed way too fragile to have been able to come through it at all.

“Keep your arms up, Fee. Give me a moment and I’ll have you covered in a second.”

Knowing he couldn’t prolong dressing her, no matter how much he might want to, Cookie put the red nightgown over Fiona’s head and pulled her arms through the straps. It fell over her hips with a swoosh. Now for the hard part.

Once the gown was covering her hips and fell to mid-thigh, Cookie grabbed hold of her undies and slid them down her legs without warning her, keeping her covered the entire time.

Fiona squeaked as she felt the underwear fall down to her ankles.

“Step out, sweetheart. I’ve got a new pair for you. These are soaked.” Cookie kept his voice low and controlled and unthreatening.

Fiona did as Hunter asked, knowing she was bright red.

“God, I love it when you blush. I think the red goes from your face all the way to your toes,” Cookie teased, trying to keep Fiona’s mind off of what he was doing. He tapped each ankle when he wanted her to step up and was able to get the new pair of panties into place. He couldn’t resist running his hands over her butt cheeks and down the back of her thighs before he stood up.

“Come on, back to bed.”

They crawled back into bed, and it didn’t escape Fiona’s notice that Hunter took the side of the bed that had the wet spot. She snuggled back into his arms and sighed.

“What was the sigh for?”

“I’m so happy. It’s hard to believe two weeks ago I was…”

“Don’t finish that sentence.”

“But...”

“I don’t want to picture you there again. It kills me.”

“It’s okay, Hunter. I was just going to say that I don’t think I’ve been happier in my entire life and in some warped way, I’m glad I was kidnapped, if only because it brought you to me.”

“Jesus, Fee. I can’t…I don’t…”

It was Fiona’s turn to shush him. “It’s okay, Hunter. I won’t bring it up again, I swear.”

That night Cookie woke up once again to Fiona having another nightmare. Not one night went by without her dreaming about her captivity and he fucking hated it. She never talked about it, but Cookie knew she had to talk to someone. She wasn’t moving on from her experience as well as she could, as evidenced by the nightmares she still had every night. It wasn’t healthy and as well as Fiona was doing, Cookie knew she’d break if she didn’t get it out. As much as he wanted to be the one she talked to, he knew he had to get her to a professional. He’d seen a lot in his life, but he didn’t think he’d be able to handle what she’d say about her time in Mexico. If she needed to tell him, he’d listen, but if not, he
never
wanted to hear it. He knew what happened to women who were taken, destined to be sex slaves, but he couldn’t think about his Fee being in that situation.

Cookie soothed her as best he could, and held her as she cried. As usual, Fiona never fully woke up, but settled back into his arms without a word as he counted out loud to her. Cookie always started at a hundred and counted backward toward one. Fiona was usually asleep by the time he reached eighty.

The next couple of weeks went by quickly for Fiona. She spent her days with Alabama and Caroline, either together or separately, and her evenings and nights with Hunter. They had more heavy petting nights in his bed, but hadn’t gone beyond that. Fiona wanted to, but knew she wasn’t ready because every time she thought about doing more than touching, she freaked out and couldn’t go through with it. Fiona was beginning to think she’d never be ready, and that killed her. Hunter deserved so much more.

Hunter had begun to encourage her to talk to a professional. He’d told her there was a doctor on base that had experience in dealing with the type of abuse she’d suffered. He’d even given her the doctor’s card. He’d spoken with her and she’d agreed to talk to her whenever she was ready. Fiona didn’t know if she’d ever be ready, but she carried the woman’s card with her wherever she went just in case.

One day when Fiona was hanging out with Alabama, Fiona’s cell phone rang. The only calls she ever received were from Hunter’s, and now her, friends. It obviously wasn’t Alabama calling her, as she was sitting in front of her.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Fee, it’s Cookie.”

“Hey, Hunter, everything all right?”

“Of course. I’m sorry to have worried you. You with Alabama at her place?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, I’m coming over.”
              “Are you sure everything’s okay?”

“Of course. I’ll see you soon?”

“Okay, I’ll be waiting.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.”

Fiona looked over to Alabama, only to see her fingers flying on her phone. She was obviously texting someone.

When she was done, Fiona said, “That was Hunter, he said he was coming to pick me up.

“Okay, yeah, okay.”

“What’s up? Was that Abe?”

Fiona had never been able to remember to call the other men on the team by their real name. If anyone ever listened to them talking they’d think they were crazy since Caroline and Alabama both used the men’s real names, and Fiona used their nicknames. It was as if they were talking about completely different people.

“Uh yeah, Christopher is coming home too.”
              “Do you think they’re all right?”

“Yeah, I’m sure it’s nothing.”

“What? You sound funny, Alabama.”

Alabama sighed. “Look, I’m sure Hunter wants to tell you himself, but I’m finding it hard to keep this from you.”

“Oh my God, what? You’re freaking me out.”

“They got called out on a mission. They’re leaving tonight.”

“
Tonight
?” Fiona couldn’t help the shrill tone of her voice. She took a deep breath and tried again. “Tonight? They’re leaving tonight?”

“Yeah, and I’m probably going to get my butt kicked for telling you before Hunter could. He’s probably nervous as hell about telling you and about leaving you. I know the first time Christopher went on a mission after we got together he was a mess. I’m only telling you this because I think you need to know now and not have it sprung on you.”

Fiona nodded, even though she was freaked out, she knew whatever Alabama was about to tell her was serious.

“Christopher made mistakes on that first mission after we got together. He was worried about me and his head wasn’t in the right place. When he got back…he…well he hurt me and we almost broke up for good as a result.” Seeing the panic on Fiona’s face, Alabama hurried on. “We got it worked out, so it’s all good. I’m only telling you this so you can do whatever you need to do to convince Hunter you’re good and he can keep his head in the game.”

Fiona nodded frantically. “I’m sorry you went through whatever it was, and I’m so glad you two worked it out. I don’t want Hunter to worry about me. What do I say to him?”

“You’ll figure it out. But remember you aren’t alone. He might be going on a mission, but you have me and Caroline here. We have your back. Okay?”

“Okay. Thank you for telling me. I probably wouldn’t have reacted well if I didn’t have a head’s up. I appreciate it. Can I call you later?”

“No, don’t call. Just get your butt over to Caroline’s after Hunter leaves. We’ll have a slumber party over there and eat too much and cry over missing our men. Then we’ll go shopping tomorrow and spend a crap ton of money. That should hold us over until our men come back to us.”

Fiona laughed as Alabama had intended her to.

There was a knock at the door. Alabama went to it, checked the peephole and opened it. Hunter and Abe stood there. Abe immediately reached for Alabama and pulled her into his arms.

“Hey, babe. Hey, Fiona.”

“Hey,” Fiona answered absently, her eyes on Hunter.

“Hey, Fee. Ready to go?”

“Yeah. See you later, Alabama,” Fiona called, as Hunter steered them out the door with his hand on the small of her back.

Fiona didn’t say anything as Hunter led them to his car and made sure she was she settled into her seat before walking around to the driver’s side. He started it up Fiona fidgeted in her seat, but kept silent. She put her left hand on Hunter’s thigh as he drove. She could tell he was tense, and knew Alabama had been right in telling her what was going on. She’d be freaking out right now if she didn’t already know. Hell, she’d probably have convinced herself that Hunter was about to break up with her or something.

It was obvious Hunter was dreading telling her he was leaving. Fiona relaxed a little when he put his hand over hers on his lap, liking the skin-on-skin contact and taking comfort from it.

They arrived back at his apartment and they both were silent as they walked up the stairs.

“Let’s sit on the balcony, okay?”

“Okay.” Fiona kept her voice as soft and soothing as she could.

Cookie sat down on one of the wide patio chairs and pulled Fiona down into his lap. Fiona immediately settled into him and curled one arm around his neck and laid her head against his chest. “Whatever it is, Hunter, it’ll be all right.” Fiona wanted to settle him as soon as she could. She hated seeing him worked up.

“You know I’m a SEAL.” Fiona nodded and Cookie kept speaking. “It’s a part of who I am. I don’t want to change it. I’m good at what I do. But if you need me to quit, I will.”

Fiona sat up at that. “What the hell, Hunter? Why would you even
say
that?”

“We’re leaving tonight for a mission, Fee. I have to leave today. This is how it works. Sometimes we get advanced notice, but more often than not, we have to leave as soon as we’re notified.” Hunter’s voice was tortured and he continued. “I can’t tell you where we’re going or what we’re doing. I can’t tell you how long we’ll be gone. There’s a chance I won’t come back. There’s always a chance I might not come back.”

Fiona’s eyes filled with tears at his tone of voice. This was what Alabama was talking about. Somehow she had to find the right words to reassure him.
              “Hunter, I know you’re a SEAL. I thank
God
you’re a SEAL every day of my life. Do you think I would’ve survived getting out of that hell hole if you weren’t? I, more than
anyone,
know how important your job is. I’d
never
ask you to quit. I’d kick my own ass if I asked you to quit. Will I worry about you? Of course. Will you worry about me? Of course. But dammit, you can’t let either of those things keep you from doing what it is you do best. Am I sad you’re leaving? Yes. Am I concerned that I won’t know where you are or what you’re doing? Hell yeah. But Hunter, I can handle it. You’ll come back to me. You
will
. Every time. I believe it and
you
have to believe it. I’m not some little girl that’s gonna fall apart every time you leave. Besides, I have Caroline and Alabama to hang out with and go shopping with.” She felt Hunter relax a fraction beneath her. Fiona continued, trying to tease Hunter out of his doldrums.

“Besides, you did give me carte blanche to use your credit card, and I plan on using the hell out of it when you’re gone.” Okay, that was a blatant lie, but Hunter didn’t have to know that.

“Only if you buy another sexy nightie for me to see you in when I get back.”

Fiona smiled and leaned toward him. “You got it.”

“I have to admit, you’re taking this much better than I thought you would.”

“I know. You stressed yourself out about it too. But Hunter, I have to tell you something…Alabama already told me. She wanted to prepare me.”

Cookie frowned. “It wasn’t her place.”

Fiona could tell Hunter was about to get all worked up, so she interrupted him before he could start. “Yes, it was. You worked yourself into a frenzy. Alabama lived through something with Abe that she didn’t want to happen to us. She did us a favor.”

Cookie was quiet for a moment digesting what Fiona told him. She was right. Alabama had done the right thing. “You’re right. Abe screwed up with Alabama and she was trying to prevent me from doing the same damn thing. But, Fee, frankly, I’m dreading leaving you.”

“Since we’re being honest, I’m kinda dreading it too, but you need to go, Hunter. I
want
you to go. I’ll be okay. I swear.”

“Before I leave, I want you to know something,” Cookie said in a low voice, running his hand over Fiona’s back gently and lovingly.

Fiona curled up into Hunter’s chest again. “Okay.”

“I love you.”

Fiona’s head whipped up at Hunter’s words and stared at him.

Cookie said it again, “I love you.”

“You aren’t saying that because you’re leaving and you’re afraid you’re not coming back are you? Because if you are, I’ll kick your ass.”

Cookie laughed. “No, Fee. I’ve known I’ve loved you for a while now, but I was trying to give you time to get used to me and to get used to being mine. I decided now was a good time to let you know. I’m coming back, you can bet the farm on that. I have yet to get inside you.”

“Jesus, Hunter, you can’t say things like that!”

“I just did.”

Fiona smiled at Hunter through her tears. “I…”

Cookie put a finger over her lips. “Don’t say it just because I did. Even if it takes you another twenty years to say it, I’ll be here. I’m not letting you go just because you haven’t said it. Say it when you mean it. When you know deep down in your heart that you mean it. Until then, I’ll be here. I’ll be annoying you with leaving my socks on the floor and my beard shavings in the sink. I won’t let you go. If you leave me, I’ll find you. You’re mine. Hear me? Mine.”

“I hear you.”

“Say it.” Hunter’s words were guttural and desperate.

“Yours.”

“Damn straight. Now kiss me.”

* * *

That night Caroline, Fiona, and Alabama sat on Caroline’s huge bed. They’d watched Bette Midler in
Beaches
and cried their eyes out. Of course the movie was just an excuse to cry, and they all knew it. None of them wanted to admit they were worried about their men. Belonging to a Navy SEAL wasn’t an easy thing. But luckily the women had each other to rely on and to lean on when necessary.

The next morning Caroline was the first to wake up, as usual. She elbowed Fiona and Alabama until they woke up. They took turns getting ready to go out and have some retail therapy.

Around eleven, they were finally ready. Alabama drove them to the mall and they set out, each determined to find something sexy to wear for when their man arrived back home.

They were in the lingerie shop, and Caroline was trying to decide if she should buy a black or red nighty, when something caught Fiona’s eye to her right. She turned her head and saw two Hispanic men watching them. A shiver immediately ran down Fiona’s spine and she felt lightheaded and sick.

She hated her reaction. The men weren’t doing anything wrong. They were watching them because Caroline was loud, probably too loud for the sedate store. The men weren’t trying to kidnap them, they weren’t even leering at them. But it didn’t matter. Just seeing them standing there looking at her, brought her right back to that hell hole in Mexico.              

Fiona fell to a crouch in the middle of the store. She put both hands over her head and whimpered.              

Caroline heard the sound and looked around in confusion. Seeing Fiona on the ground she immediately dropped the bra she’d been holding, and crouched next to her.

“Fiona? What’s wrong? What is it?”                           

“They’re here,” Fiona whispered. “We have to get out of here.”

“Who’s here?” Alabama asked kneeling at her other side.

“Don’t let them see you, they’ll take you too. We have to hide.”

Alabama and Caroline locked eyes over Fiona’s shaking body. They weren’t exactly sure what was going on, but they had a good idea.

“Fiona, it’s safe. They’re gone now, come on, get up, we’ll go home and have a cup of coffee.”

Fiona peeked out from under her arms and saw the two men standing there, looking at them in morbid fascination.