Holding Out For A Hero: SEALs, Soldiers, Spies, Cops, FBI Agents and Rangers (168 page)

After cleaning up and changing into flannel pajamas, she drew in a deep breath and left the bathroom. She expected him to be asleep already, but instead he peeked out between the drapes. His broad, muscular back impressed her.

He turned around, and she asked, “See anything interesting?”

“Streets look quiet. That’s a very good thing. Maybe a few people are realizing it won’t do them a damn bit of good to freak out.”

His gaze danced over her pajamas. “Looks warm and cozy.”

She smiled. “Flannel is my number one nightwear in a Colorado fall or winter.”

“Maybe I should start wearing flannel.”

She snorted a laugh. “I have a hard time picturing that.” Her mouth ran away with her, and she continued. “You seem in your element now that everything has gone to hell.”

His eyes narrowed. “No, I’m not. I’m just as out of my element as you are. I’ve never been in this situation before.”

“Caught in a hotel room with a strange, flannel-wearing woman?”

He stalked toward her, and the room felt too small. Vulnerable, perhaps. He stopped close to her, his gaze burning into her.

When one tear escaped, she caught it and wiped it away with her hand. She closed her eyes, as if doing so would banish the reality staring her in the face.

His touch landed on her hair, soft and gentle. “Damn it, Cassie. Don’t cry.”

Anger lit her from within, and she opened her eyes and glared into his contrite face. “Don’t tell me not to cry.” She heaved a sigh. “What is it with men hating tears? Besides, I almost
neve
r cry.”

He drew her closer, cupping her face between both of his big hands. “You’re a strong woman, and you’ve endured a lot in your life. But I can keep you safe.”

His reassurance echoed inside her. Part of her wanted to believe what he said so much, the other didn’t know how she could. “You’ve never been in this world before, Griff. You can’t protect me from it.”

Something fierce and hot entered his eyes. His voice lowered, husky and soft. “I’ll die trying.”

“Why? You barely know me. I could walk out that door tomorrow and you’d be free of me.”

He made an exasperated noise and released her only long enough to clasp her shoulders. “God, that douche bag ex-husband made you think you’re not worth saving.”

His statement smacked her in the gut. He’d cut to the quick and figured out in short order the crux of the matter. “Yes. Yes, he did. But I’m over that. I’ve worked ten long years to be over that.”

“Are you? You can’t be if it’s come up now. People’s weaknesses always show up in times of stress and crisis. It’s only their strengths that can overcome them.”

Damn him, he was right. She hated that. She didn’t want to admit she had any weaknesses. Not after working her ass off to become the independent woman she was today. To discover she hadn’t leapt over that last hurdle hurt like a mother.

Not thinking, she placed her hands on his chest. Hot, hard male flexed under her touch, and his breath sucked inward on the smallest hitch of sound.

“Okay.” She kept her hands in place, loving the masculinity under her fingers. His chest was sprinkled with dark hair, and she liked that way too much, too. “What’s your weakness?”

His eyes smoldered with intention, and she knew she played with fire. “You’re my weakness right this minute.”

Her heartbeat quickened, her breath shortening as he drew closer. “How can that be?”

“I like being with you, talking with you…” Once more his hands plunged into her hair, and he tilted her chin up. “Touching you.”

She felt certain he’d kiss her, but then something dawned in his eyes. A realization, and the heat she’d seen there started to cool.

“But we shouldn’t be,” he said. “We can’t be.”

A brand new anger arose inside her, and she decided there and then she didn’t have the patience or the stamina to play this game. She wouldn’t do a dance and pine for him. She wouldn’t ask him to hold her and tell her everything would be all right, even if it wouldn’t. She refused to pretend. No matter what he said, they had a potent fire between them. At the end of the world, even if only for tonight, she wanted to know what it would feel like to be with him.

“You don’t get to hide anymore, Griff. We’re in a new world now. I have a feeling secrets can get us in a world of hurt. I’ve laid myself open for you. You’re going to do the same for me.”

She slipped her arms around his neck, and brought his head down. Their lips met, not sweetly or politely, but with heady passion. They would burn up the night, and she knew it in her bones. If only he’d let her inside.

He easily worked open each button on her long-sleeved flannel top. Accidentally or on purpose his skin brushed hers and sent sweet need dancing in sparks across her skin. He kept his gaze pinned to her, and she closed her eyes as much to absorb sensations as to avoid his intense eyes. His fingers trailed over her collarbone, and she shivered once more from the delicious anticipation. He leaned forward and kissed her neck, each lingering contact of his lips a hot brand. As his arms came around her, she clasped his hard shoulders and hung on. His touch lingered everywhere, torturing her body in ways she’d never experienced before this moment. His big palms swept over her ass, cupping and stroking, pulling her into his erection. He pushed the pajama top off her shoulders.

Pleased that he was that turned on, she complied and didn’t touch him again. With a low moan he clasped her butt in both hands and squeezed. He lowered his head until he found her right breast. His tongue flicked over the nipple. A soft, surprised gasp left her throat. When he suckled, drawing her nipple into his mouth, she lifted her thigh over his and rubbed. With one kiss and another, he fed her desire until she couldn’t think of anything other than this moment, his body, joining their flesh. He eased his fingers between her legs, and she widened her stance to give him access. With one light touch, he found her moist flesh. She gasped in delight as he traced her outer lips. Tingling, she waited for what he might do next. His tongue worked her nipple as he slipped one finger straight between her soaked folds and deep inside. He moaned against her nipple, stroking sensitive flesh with the lash of his tongue. He moved his finger, teasing her until the desire heating within her felt as if it might explode. She moved, unable to keep still as he worked her like a finely tuned instrument. Her clit was so sensitive, and she needed him to touch it, to bring her to a screaming orgasm.

“Griff, please,” she said again.

“What do you need?” His question was hoarse.

“Just do it now. Take me.”

Griff’s breathing was harsh in his chest and throat and restraint trembling on the edge.

“Please,” she said again, not caring if she begged.

He drew her down on the bed, and then he was on top of her.

He inserted one hard thigh between her legs, and she arched against it. With slow movements he rocked, his thigh pressing against her core.

“You’re teasing me,” she said with a gasp.

“Yes, I am. Not for long.”

He shifted his hips between her thighs, and hot, thick male flesh parted her folds. She gasped as he eased inside. She held her breath at the exquisite sensation. Whimpering in delight, she closed her eyes and savoured the feeling.

“Cassie.” His voice rumbled low in his throat. “God, you feel good.”

He took her slowly, each stroke caressing sensitive areas inside her until she thought she’d lose her mind. One tantalizing stroke and another brought her arousal higher. Before he’d stroked a half dozen times, her desire coiled and snapped. With a startled gasp and moan of ecstasy, her body trembled around his cock in orgasm.

“Oh, God,” His voice was rough with desire.

She loved the sound of him out of control. Taking matters in hand, she lifted her hips, grinding against him. She drew him down for a kiss. She writhed in his hold, and he lost it. With a growl he drew back and slammed forward. He pumped, hips gyrating. Griff’s thrusts brought her higher, and she bucked in his hold. So wet and aroused from his lovemaking, she took him easily as he moved within her powerfully. Her body refused to remain still as pleasure enveloped her. As his thrusts pounded deep, she allowed everything within her to break free. Climax coiled and exploded in her loins and her body clenched him deep inside. She moaned low, her whimper filled with stunned pleasure. He pressed tight, holding still as she came apart around him. Breathing hard, he waited until she eased, her climax drifting away. Her fingers dug into his butt, and with a low groan he loved her again, building one thrust into another until his own groans of excitement renewed her own. Then, with one last plunge, he shivered and shook in her arms. As he relaxed, he rolled to the side and drew her close.

Blackout: Chapter Twelve

Friday

Someone touched Griff’s chest, and he jerked awake and grabbed for the hand.

“Ow!” a female voice, a little scared and surprised, yelled in his ear.

“Shit.” He hissed the word and sat up. He reached for the flashlight and switched it on. He didn’t have a clue what time it was, but light barely filtered through the curtains. Probably early morning.

Cassie moved back from him, holding her right wrist. Her pretty breasts, full and round, made him catch his breath and his cock went solid even as worry hit him.

He cupped her face with one hand. “God, I’m sorry.” He circled her wrist with a gentle palm. “I hurt you.”

She let him hold her. “I know you didn’t mean to.”

“No. A little too much time in the desert on high alert. Makes me jumpy.”

Compassion filled her eyes. “Do you have PTSD?”

He winced at the idea. “Hell no.” He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it. He caressed her wrist as tender need touched him. “Maybe a little. Loud noises bother me sometimes. The odd dream here and there. That’s all. I’m a damn sight better than most. I’m amazed I’m in one piece.”

“Why?” she asked.

“I was at a FOB.”

“A what?”

“A forward operating base.” He didn’t want to talk about this now, yet he knew if he blew her off and made light of it she’d dig it out of him. And what if it was time to talk about it?

“A forward operating base is usually in the thick of things. In the shit storm. Or the possibility of one.”

“Uh-huh.” Her direct syllables didn’t put down what he did or trivialize it. But uh-huh took it all in. She understood and he could see that in her eyes. But he wasn’t at a FOB, thank God.

“Sometimes when the shit hits the fan, we forget what to be grateful for,” he said. “There’s always something to be grateful for. No matter what happens to us in the days and months ahead, don’t forget that.”

Her expression altered into fear as she remembered their true situation. At least he imagined that’s what caused tears to flood her eyes, and that tenderness he didn’t want to feel rose once more.

“When I was sitting in my hotel room that night after the tsunami I wasn’t as grateful I should have been,” she said. “I was terrified. I hadn’t stopped being terrified from the moment the wave came. In the days before I left Thailand, I made the motions of being calm and plunged into helping because I wanted to and it also distracted me from the immediate fear. If I was calming someone else, I was less fearful. And I spent a lot of time being angry.”

“About what?”

“Anything. Everything. When I saw dead children. My mind went places I didn’t want it to go. But just like the solar storm, there wasn’t anything I control but myself. So the more fearful I got and the more angry I got, the less emotional I must have looked on the outside. I’d be damned if anyone was going to see me out of control.”

“Of course. It was a defense from the horror around you. A will to survive.”

Though tears filled her eyes, she fought them back and took a deep breath. He liked her strength and wanted more for her. He’d do whatever that took to accomplish. Maybe his priorities had changed.

He kissed his way from her wrist to her inner elbow. Soft, warm skin drew him closer until she lay under him. He pushed the sheet away, and that’s when she rolled him over onto his back and straddled his hips. He drew her into a kiss as desire road him hard. She took hesitation from him as she lifted high and sank down on his cock.

She leaned over him, her breasts pressed to his chest. “You feel so amazing naked inside me.”

Her sheath contracted around him, and she gasped. Maybe the idea turned her on, and the way her wet, tight body encased him in silky heat almost made him explode right that moment.

Unable to resist, he lifted his hips and thrust. Her lips parted, her breathing coming faster. Oh, yeah. She’d liked that.

She closed her eyes and lifted off him one slow inch at a time. Each excruciatingly slow movement threatened to make him explode. He gritted his teeth. He moved his hips in a slow, grinding motion, taking her with gentle thrust after deep thrust. He wanted to go fast, to ignore everything but the animal side which asked for quick release. He wouldn’t leave her behind, and modulated his movements. He watched her closely—the way she gasped and groaned. Her chest heaved with each breath, little moans escaping as she climbed higher. Her excitement fueled his, and he pumped harder. As her arousal increased, he kept steady, determined she’d have satisfaction. Suddenly she shivered and stilled, her head thrown back as a small shriek left her. A flush ran over her chest and up her throat. Muscles in her core clenched and released him with rhythmic pulsations. He couldn’t take it—the soft, wet grip around him blew his mind.

He left go, spurting hard and heavy as he released a hard growl. When she relaxed upon him and buried her face in his shoulder, he held her close. Whether he liked it or not, she’d branded herself upon him and there was no way he could remove her scent or touch.

* * *

Griff ate his breakfast, sitting in the restaurant with a granola bar and some sausage they’d cooked with a charcoal grill at the back of the hotel. He’d hoped the smell of charcoal wouldn’t bring the nuts out of the woodwork.