Fire (Beautiful Ashes Series, Book 2) (12 page)

“I want my cum all over you. I want to lick myself off your lips then swallow yours down. You make me feel like there is no other woman who could ever please you. I’m wholly and completely desired by you. Loved beyond measure.” She choked back the emotion caught on those last three words and confessed her deepest desires, “I want to be messy. Completely covered in you. In me. In us,” she hissed as he brought her over the edge.

His mouth on hers with ravenous hunger, making sure she tasted her pussy all over him. He licked along her lips, “You belong right here,” and dove deep with his tongue.

Keeley sucked hard like she craved to do to his magnificent cock. She pulled back. “I need your cum marking me.” His sharp intake of breath told her he was on the edge with her. She grew more brave. “Straddle me and let me show you how much I love your dick in my mouth.”

“Nasty little bitch,” he praised, giving her what she asked for. God, her hot mouth gripped him as she sucked and sucked, pausing to lick along his sensitive head and slit. Her fingers squeezing his hot as hell balls until her other hand reached back and enter his asshole, fucking him into orgasm. He came so hard and so fast she couldn’t swallow it all, and he gave her exactly what she requested. His cum covered her mouth and dripped off her chin. She pulled him to her and made sure he tasted himself mixed with her. “So naughty,” he said around her lips.

They were a sweaty, sticky mess and Tar was not even close to finished with her. He brought her leg up against his hip and entered on a deep moan. Slow purposeful thrusts, then hard fast ones. Repeating the rhythm until they came together. Both panting hard, he rolled to the side careful to not crush her but needing her on him. He held Keeley as tight as he could. “I will never have enough of you. Will never grow tired of loving you.”

She was spent but managed to raise up and tenderly kiss him. “We are one,” the admission ripped from her soul as tears of love fell.

“I am yours,” he confessed with not a little awe.

What they just shared was the most beautiful thing Tar could ever imagine, like watching a hundred sunrises and not one being less breathtaking. The most amazing gift of all, Keeley felt the same way. He knew without a doubt she was his wife, and planned on making that official as soon as possible. Romantic thoughts that had never once played through his mind overtook him, as he held the only woman he truly loved.

Even and Lacey entered the passcode and waited with not a little patience. The weight of what they were entering into was suffocating. Both were worried sick over Keeley and Tar, not to mention Chase. “Will we ever take down these bad guys, E?”

He turned to his wife, hating the doubt caught in her voice. Problem was, he knew all too well that when one ring was brought down another replaced it. But he couldn’t bring himself to shatter her hope. “We have to believe that justice will prevail, Sweetness.” E grabbed her hand and kissed it softly.

“At what cost? How many will be lost in this battle?”

Shit. He knew exactly where she was going with this line of questioning. The unspoken,
will I lose my sister
, hung over them like a guillotine. Even wanted to promise with all that was in him that Keeley would be safe, yet it would be a lie. And he’d recently learned hiding things from your spouse brought bad mojo. “Keeley is a strong girl.
Don’t
underestimate her,” he said with confidence. That much was absolute truth. The strength in his sister-in-law was awe-inspiring.

She nodded and flinched when the door opened. A familiar face greeted them. Lacey’s gasped, “Leith,” gave away the shock they both had.

“Mitch will be here shortly,” Leith confirmed, and E couldn’t help but notice the man walked down the hallway with an odd gait.

As a man, he couldn’t imagine how the soldier could even be there, then realized his answer lay in that title. A warrior put his team, his mission ahead of himself at all cost. And
paid in full
registered with each step the SEAL took. In E’s eyes the stupid mistakes Leith had made were reconciled. He found himself hoping and praying that the man found happily-ever-after and could function properly. No one had earned it more. E shook hands with him as he led them to a boardroom. “Thanks, man, for everything.”

Leith inclined his head. “Back attcha.”

Lacey trailed her fingers along the table, taking in the setup. Never a doubt that what she’d agreed to was dangerous and those she loved most lay in the balance. E came up behind her and coiled his arms around her waist. “Hey, try not to make yourself sick with worry.”

She leaned back into her husband. “What will I do…” her voice broke on the overwhelming emotion.

“Stop that,” he commanded. “It’s senseless to play the what if game.”

Lacey only nodded, knowing he was right, but unable to shake the eerie feeling that something very bad was about to happen. The premonition licked at her, taunting and playing, before taking a bite. Goosebumps raised as the chill passed over her.

E held her tighter, not oblivious to what she felt. “Tell that bastard to leave you the hell alone.”

She turned to him. “You feel him too?”

“That demon won’t win. But you have to stand up to him,” he demanded.

Lacey swallowed. “I’m trying, E. I’m trying so hard.”

He clutched her shoulders and locked his fierce gaze on hers. “You have the power, Lacey. Fight back.”

Her voice shook on, “Help me.”

“Always, baby,” he vowed and leaned his forehead against hers in a private battle. One he would sacrifice it all for. This was
his wife
and he would not permit the devil himself to even contemplate messing with her.

Mitch walked in to a scene that stole his breath. There was something beautiful in the harsh lines of the couple standing in the middle of that room waging war. The battle furious as he watched them gain ground. He couldn’t hold back his, “Well done.”

E shot him a sly grin. “Motherfucker should know better.”

“Keep that attitude, man, because I have a whole legion of mofo’s for you to face down.”

“Talk to me.”

Lacey squeezed his hand and added, “Tell
us
what you need.”

Mitch straddled a chair. “Here’s what I know…”

*****

Keeley noted Shelby’s agitated actions. What had the angel nurse so distraught? “You okay?”

She spun, surprised. Her eyes traveled down Keeley and back up. “No need for me to ask where you’ve been. Or what you’ve been doing.”

“Why would you say that?” She bit her lip trying to hide her embarrassment at being caught.

“You not only look like you’ve had wild passionate sex,” she inhaled and made a face, “you smell like it too. Ewwwww.”

“Oh, hell,” Keeley attempted to smooth out her clothes and hair.

“Honey, you need a shower,” Shelby chortled, “you reek.”

“Niiiiice. Appreciate you pointing that out,” she huffed.

“So, Tar and you are good?” Shelby ignored her ire.

A sheepish grin crept along her lips. “Very good.”

“I’m glad. Really I am.” Shelby went back to exaggerated movements piquing Keeley’s curiosity once more.

“What’s going on, Angel?”

Shelby scoffed, “My thoughts are far from angelic.”

“Ahhh…I do believe that’s the calling card for a man is involved.”

An exasperated sigh was followed by, “Go to hell.”

Keeley laughed hard and tugged Shelby’s hand. “Girl talk time.”

“I have no desire to talk about anything,” came the sassy retort.

“Alrighty then. Let me guess. You
like
a particular Captain.”

“Now what gave you such an idea?!”

“Well, for one, your nostrils just flared as your heart rate increased.”

“Observant little brat!”

“I’ve been called worse.”

“I’m sure you have,” Shelby muttered.

Keeley was by no means offended. The thought of Shelby and Mitch together made her happy, she wanted to help make that a reality. “I can talk to him if you’d like.”

Back to agitated body language as Shelby busied herself. “That’s not necessary.”

Curiosity got the best of her, even though Keeley knew she was prying. “Why not? He’s a nice enough guy. Handsome.” She studied her closely. “You make a good-looking couple.”

“My God, let it go!” Shelby nearly screamed. “I have no need for
any
man.”

She knew this was thin ice and retreated with caution. “Suit yourself.” Keeley walked across the room. “A man like that won’t stay single forever,” she spoke casually, wanting the seed to plant.

“You are the devil’s spawn,” Shelby spat out, marching from the room.

Oops. Busted. But Keeley couldn’t feel bad about it. She made a mental note to watch Mitch around Shelby and see if the attraction was reciprocated. An apple in hand, Keeley took a bite as Dr. Sheffield stepped into the room. Their eyes met and the doctor wrinkled her nose. “You stink.”

So everyone was aware she’d had sex. Awesome. “Yes, Shelby already informed me.”

Pamela shook her head. “Come with me, you need a shower before we meet up with the others.”

Keeley stood. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see,” she answered with a smile.

She was pleasantly surprised when the good doctor took her to a bathroom with running water. There was no denying she smelled of Tar and their love making. A part of her tried to counter that term with fucking but Keeley quickly squelched such thoughts. What they shared was beautiful and she would not let anything or anyone taint it. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she recalled the reunion, the joining of souls and hearts. Nothing could separate that bond. She washed herself thoroughly with a stain of sadness. His smell on her body made him feel close by. He told her where he was going and why. A job must be done. She still didn’t trust Lisa, but Cole deserved his uncle’s protection. And more importantly, Chase needed to be rescued. This wasn’t about her and him at the moment. People’s lives hung in the balance and she had to remember they came first. Family was everything.

*****

God, the stench that clung to him nauseated her. Worst part was, he wore that slut’s perfume like a badge of honor. There was no shame, no remorse when she asked Tar where he’d been. His words echoing in her ears, “
With my wife
.” Fuck. When did she lose him? Her own conscience speaking up, “Um…the day you fucked his brother.” Lisa picked up a plate and hurled it across the kitchen on a scream of frustration.

Tar rushed out of the bathroom, water still clinging to him, with a towel haphazardly wrapped around his waist. “What the fuck?”

She ogled the masterpiece in front of her, his flex of muscle as he hurried toward her. The eight pack that met her eyes, each roll clearly defined. Her eyes averted before he figured out she was openly lusting him. Lisa found something sad to focus on and turned on the waterworks. Warm fingers lifted her chin, “We’ll find him,” came the declaration.

Stupid, stupid man thinking she was crying over her husband. But she’d use whatever angle to get him to hold her, work on his empathy. “You don’t know that,” she spoke in partial truth.

He cocked his jaw, not liking what he was hearing, but it was true. Tar couldn’t guarantee he could bring Chase back to his wife and son. Even if he was physically rescued from the clutches of those sick fucks, it didn’t ensure he’d ever be back mentally or emotionally. He found himself offering up, for the thousandth time, a silent prayer for his brother. “I know we are doing everything in our power to make it happen.” He pulled her into a brotherly embrace.

Lisa seized the opportunity given and began to wail and beat on his well-defined pecs. Her antics causing the precarious towel to slip further down his hips. His focus on her, not his nakedness. Perfect. “You won’t get him out alive,” she sobbed.

He growled, “Don’t talk like that,” and pulled her closer into his body for shelter, for comfort. Tar understood that dark place of fear and doubt. He did care for Lisa and didn’t want her hurt any more so than she already was. “The team, my friends, will do everything in their power to get Chase out of this situation. Please,” he implored and pulled back to lock his gaze to hers, “believe that.”

Those eyes! Fierce in their passion, and bringing out the brilliant jewel color in them. “I’m trying,” she hiccupped, tugging once more on his compassion.

“No matter what,” Tar vowed, “I’ll take care of you and Cole.”

She’d done it. Lisa managed to get his word of honor, knowing full well how loyal he was. This would ensure that she stayed in his life actively and could manipulate him away from Keeley. A little victory grin laced her lips. “You’re a good man, Tar. I know how important your word is to you.”

He traced the tiny smile. “There, see, you can trust me.”

Cole came running in and yanked on the towel, “Uncle Tar. Uncle Tar.”

He stood there unashamed of his body as he picked up his nephew. “What’s with all the excitement, Buddy?”

Little arms encircled his thick neck. “You came back. You didn’t leave me and mommy like daddy did.”

Damn. Poor little guy was confused, but hell if he knew what to say to the child other than, “Daddy didn’t want to go, Partner. And I’m trying to help him come back.”

A tight hug was followed up by, “Thank you.”

Tar couldn’t resist, even if he wanted to, as he held onto his precious nephew. He’d all but forgotten he stood there nude until a knock at the door. He held his hand up for Lisa to be quiet as he handed over Cole. With the grace and stealth of a big cat, he peeked out a window to see who was there and then opened the door. He grabbed a pillow, sitting on a chair, to cover his dick. “Mitch, ‘bout damn time, man.”

Mitch eyed him before catching Lisa’s hooded gaze from across the small space. Didn’t take long for him to put together that Tar had recently showered, explaining his nudity. The towel on the floor telling him, for whatever reason, it’d fallen off. None of that really disturbed him. But that look in her eyes bugged the hell out of him. No wife should ever look at another man the way she was eyeing her own brother-in-law. He didn’t care what kind of history they shared. It was adulterous. He glanced back at his friend, “Better cover that shit up, brother, company’s coming.”

Tar looked down at himself. “Be right back.”

Lisa attempted to make small talk but Mitch was onto her. She could feel it. Bad news. All her life she’d been fantastic at fooling people, especially men, so she turned on her girlish charm. “I know how that must’ve looked when you walked in. Sorry if I was gawking inappropriately. It’s just,” her breathing hitched with the tears she forced, “I miss Chase so much, and Tar reminds me of him.”

Mitch stood, arms crossed over his chest, not buying her bullshit for a second. She was a dangerous woman who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. And it was written all over her face, she wanted Tar. No way, no how would he permit that she-devil to get her claws into him again. Shit, her infidelity with his brother damn near destroyed him. He went through hell to recover from that betrayal. Now, she wanted to do the same in reverse. What was her game? Why the McNeil brothers? Or did she honestly not care whose dick was involved? Fuck, women like her disgusted him. Homes were wrecked, families torn apart, men used and completely ruined by the likes of such cunt-bags. Yeah, no. Not gonna happen as long as he could prevent it. And at this point, he hoped like hell when they got Chase home, that he wised up to her manipulation. The sweet little boy staring at him didn’t need to be raised by the likes of her. Those kind of mothers spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e and would make sure their sons never knew love and happiness. Simply put, she wouldn’t share. He addressed Cole, “Hey there, I brought you something.” Mitch reached into his pocket and pulled out a few cars.