Grayson (This is Our Life Book 1) (16 page)

Gently, I tug her shirt, pulling it up her heated body.  I stop as her breasts come into view and seize the rounded mounds peeking out from her red lace bra.  Kissing the flesh that’s visible.  I still when I see the necklace placed between her breasts and finger the charms laid carefully in the place closest to her heart. 

“You...kept these.”  So many emotions occupy my brain as my heart catches up.

“You’ve never been very far, Grayson,” Ella rasps while she grips my hand in hers.

I lay a kiss on her hand before I remove the shirt up over her head.  I nod, seeing the passion and pleasure in her gaze as I unclasp her bra, releasing her breasts and kissing each reverently.  I continue down her body, tugging her bottoms off, snatching her panties as I go.  

“So beautiful, Bluebird.” 

I want to say so much, more, but intense bliss covers my throat, while I take in the delicate beauty presented before me.

Every night for seven long years I've dreamed of this moment.  Of connecting with my Bluebird.  My mate.  My zing.  My soul.  I want to slow down, but damn, my cock is weeping from the foreplay from the past several weeks, and tasting her skin has me in overdrive.

I crawl back up her body, stopping to get lost at her breasts. Sucking, tweaking, savoring.   Lifting my head from between her breasts, I lick each nipple slowly, relishing the luscious cherry dessert.  Her ample nipple beckons my tongue.  Slowly, my teeth graze the tip, causing a moan to escape her swollen lips.  My tongue circles over and over, leaving wet caresses.  Her back arches, forcing her breasts closer to my mouth.  Smiling, I know what she needs as I take her nipple into my mouth, sucking slowly.  Taunting her.  Her hips begin to move against my cock. Rocking.  Fuck, that feels good.  She's driving me insane.  Nobody has ever reacted to my touch like Ella. 

Her body is on fire, and I know before long her mind will realize what she is doing.  I don't want her thinking, only feeling.  Needing my touch.  Reminding her of perfection.  We were made for each other.  My fingers begin to trace my wet kisses.  I feel her heart pounding against my hand.  Her breaths are quicker now.  My hand descends to her blazing center, where my fingers delve into her wetness as my thumb plays with her clit.  Anticipation is building.  I apply pressure and circle her clit up and down, firing passion from her.  My fingers enter her hot tight cunt in and out.  Her hips begin to buck against my hand as I finger fuck her.  She races toward her release.  Her mind is lost to the ambrosia only I can give her.  Ella’s body surrenders as she stiffens.  She screams my name.  I've waited seven long years to hear her scream.

“Fuck, Ella.  I’m over the moon.  You are so hot and sexy.  I need you.”  Delirious for a taste of her, I inch down her spent body and lick her once, twice.  Wrapping her legs up over my shoulders, I grab her ass with my hands, burying my face in her juices.  She grabs hold of my hair, scraping her nails against my scalp.  Taking what I’m so willing to give.  I begin my delicious assault on her pussy.  Feasting on Ella as another orgasm rocks her world.  Ella cries out my name again as her body capitulates, shocks and tremors bucking her off the bed.  She's ready.

Standing up and licking my lips, savoring her honey, I begin to take off my BDUs.  I watch as Ella sits up on her elbows, surveying my every move, devouring me with her sexed-up blues. 

“Fuck, sweetheart. You’re burning me up.  See what you do to me?” 

I push my pants down and quickly dispose of them and my boots.  My hard cock is proudly on display.  I stroke my long, thick erection in my palm.  I hear her gasp.

“Damn, Grayson.”

Looking up, I give her the smile I know she desires, and chuckle. 

“I’ve missed you.  Can’t promise this won’t be fast, Bluebird.”

Leaning over, I grab a condom from my pants scattered on the floor with the rest of our clothes.  Tearing it open with my teeth, I slide it on and move over Ella. 

“Are you ready to fly?”

“Yes!” I cover her mouth and sink balls deep into her, stifling her plea.  Holding still to catch our breaths before we begin to move.  Becoming one again.  Our second chance.

From the start, she’s been mine.  My home.  My special place.  My solace when the world threatened to consume me.  The soothing balm for when I needed comfort. Even when we were separated, I knew we would find our way back to each other.  Because she’s my Bluebird. 

Standing outside the house in the dark cover of shadows, gazing through the uncovered window, Bahadar watches closely as the Captain carries Ella through the house.  Going out of sight. 

He laughs to himself.  “This is going to be too easy.  Now that we know his weakness, he will do whatever we want.”  An evil grin is plastered across his face.

Bahadar backs away without a trace and without Animal seeing him.  No one will ever know he was there.

My shift ends, and Savannah is strolling my way.  It’s our monthly 10k run.  We started it when we first moved out of the barracks after boot camp.  The discipline required toughens your mind, body, and soul.  I’ve been walking on cloud nine since my night with Grayson.  Everything seems so much better now that we are together again.

“Let’s change and get our asses going,” Savannah puffs.  She’s not exactly thrilled to run ten miles in the heat, but hey, it’s our thang.

I’ve got my tankini sports bra and running shorts on and I’m ready to tackle the heat.  Savannah is mumbling about her shift being so long.  She’s not in a good frame of mind.  She’s been distracted lately, and I’m really concerned about her.  I know it has something to do with a guy she’s been seeing, but she won’t say a damn thing to me.  We get our survival packs aka souped-up fanny packs, loop them around our waists, and head out. 

The sun is beginning its journey, setting in the distance.  There’s no breeze and the heat is stifling as we start.  We circle TMC and pass several soldiers lingering about, their gazes traveling our path.  Our rhythm is synced as we pound the pavement.  We are almost to the end of the street when a white van pulls up to the curb in front of us.  We make to go around, not noticing anything out of the ordinary.  I’m almost to the passenger door when an arm grabs my waist and yanks me backwards.  I start to scream when a hand clasps over my mouth.   There is something on the cloth that is slammed over my mouth and nose.  I can’t breathe as darkness descends.  My last thought is of Grayson.

I’m groggy as my mind begins to clear.  I try to move my right arm and can’t.  What the hell?  I try to open my eyes, but am not able to.  My mind’s alert now as I remember everything.  From what I can discern, both my arms and legs are strapped to a chair.  My neck is aching, and I know instantly I’ve been in this position too long.  My eyes are covered, so I focus on using my other senses.  That’s when I hear feminine sniffling and whimpers.  I try not to make a noise alerting the person.  Where am I?

“Thank god you’re finally awake. We’re in a shit load of trouble, Ella bug.” 

What in the world? Savannah?  I shake my head, trying to communicate with her, but I can’t, there’s something stuck in my mouth and all I can get out is a muffled “help me” which of course is nothing but garbled noises.

“I know you don’t understand, but the people that took us are bad, Ella, really bad.” She’s whispering the last part, and I know something horrible is about to take place. 

“Whatever happens, don’t give up.  Remember what we were taught in training.  We are survivors and we’ll get out of here one way or the other.  We just have to survive.  That’s it, sugar.  Got it?  I’m with ya, no matter what…” Savannah is interrupted when we hear the sound of a door opening and closing. 

A familiar voice comments, “Has our special guest decided to join us yet?”

“Keep your fuckin’ hands away from her, you pig!” Savannah threatens. 

That’s when I feel someone squeeze my breast hard.  It hurts, and I try again to scream.   As quickly as it started, it ends. 

“We are saving you for later, little one,” the deep voice promises.  “As for your friend, the boys have sampled her already and want more.”

Oh god, no!  Not my Vanna.  Why is this happening to us?  I hear a struggle and Savannah’s piercing cry echoing down the hall as the door slams shut.

My mind’s having problems comprehending the situation we are in.  Weren’t we just running a while ago?  Laughing and joking about bad hair days and dreading running in the heat?  How did we get here?  The presence I’ve been feeling had subsided over the past few weeks; not sure if that’s because of Grayson or what, but I let my guard down.  Now Savannah is paying the price.  Before long, Savannah’s screams go silent.  Oh please, God, let her be alright.  Please save us.

The next time the door opens, I only hear the scuffing of boots, a thump from something hitting the floor, and then the door closing again.  I wish I could see what’s going on.  The darkness is beginning to drive me crazy. 

As if someone could read my mind, the bindings around my eyes are unraveling.  I blink, trying to focus.  I’m seeing spots.  The room is dimly lit, and there are shadows cast by the lantern in the far corner.  The door slams, and I jump, forgetting someone was in the room with me.  I look around and notice whoever it was has left.  My heart is pounding with terror when my eyes land on the most heinous sight. 

Savannah, my precious friend, has been beaten so badly I can barely make out her face.  She’s lying on the floor, naked.  There are so many cuts and bruises, I’m not sure if she’s still breathing.  Oh god! I moan between sobbing and thrashing my body back and forth, trying to reach her. 

I begin rocking the chair from side to side.  It’s not attached to the floor and moves easily once I get it tilting.  I’ve got to reach her.  I throw all my weight on the next rock, and the chair gives. I’m crashing onto my side to the unforgiving concrete slab below.  The air is knocked from my body temporarily.  I had forgotten about the gag, and it takes longer for air to fill my lungs.

When I’m finally able to catch my breath, I crawl from one side of the room to where they placed her.  I inch closer to her and notice her chest is moving up and down.  Thank god!  She’s alive.  My arms and legs bleed as I continue to slowly move toward Savannah.  The little bit of clothing I was wearing to jog in does nothing to protect me from the rough bumps and edges of the concrete flooring.  I’m getting closer to her. 

I’m not sure how much time passes before I tire and stop to rest for a moment.  She’s about two feet from my face.  She’s still breathing, but she hasn’t made a sound or moved.  I study her, trying to wear my nurse’s hat to come up with a viable diagnosis.  Her lips are split and swollen.  Someone has used a knife to cut from her clavicle to her pubic bone and then parallel along her chest, giving the effect of a giant cross.  There is blood seeping from the long, jagged wound.  It doesn’t look deep, but I know it has to be painful.  There are other smaller knife wounds on her arms and legs.  My biggest concern is the internal injuries she’s probably sustained. 

I need to help fix her injuries, but I can’t touch her. I feel so helpless.  I’m not sure how long we lie side by side, not touching.  But I keep my eyes on her chest, watching her breathe.  As long as she’s breathing, we still have a chance. 

Ella’s gone.  Someone took my Bluebird.  Styx had been watching Ella from a distance as a van pulled up and took both Ella and Savannah.  He tried to get to them, but the culprits had perfected the abduction.  In and out within seconds.  They were definitely professionals.  Security had slacked the past few weeks, thinking the threat had subsided. 

“What’ve we learned?”

I stare at the table in front of me.  My team is assembled and searching every nook and cranny for a link to finding the girls.  It’s been two days since they were abducted.  Forty-eight hours and no contact from their captors.  I know the longer we don’t hear anything, the bleaker it is for them and their future. 

“The license plate on the van was stolen.  Another dead end,” Styx fumes as he stands and prowls the length of the table.  “The van was dumped about forty miles due south.  They must have switched vehicles.”

“There was blood on the floor in the rear,” Doc chimes in.  “Not much, I’m guessing from a deep scratch.  We’re running it now in the database to see if we get a DNA match.”

Beauty shifts in his chair, “I’ve spoken to my snitches and nobody’s talkin’.  Not sure if they’re scared or what.”

“I’ve got an algorithm running now on satellite feed for that area and time of day of abduction.  If it caught any of it, we will know in the next thirty,” Radar mumbles and continues typing on his laptop.

“Whoever it was knew their schedule.  Means they’ve been watching them for a while now,” Johnny mentions. 

A cell phone goes off, and everyone looks at Beauty as he holds his hand up for silence.  “Davis speaking,” Beauty answers, and I motion for him to put the phone on speaker. 

When he does, my world tilts when I hear her voice. “They want a meeting with Captain Grayson Blackwood.  If anyone else comes…” Ella’s voice breaks as she starts sobbing, “They’ll finish what they started and...and kill us both.” 

She’s cut off from saying anything else, and a disguised voice continues, “Further directions will be delivered to you soon.  Don’t keep us waiting, Captain.” 

Then the line goes dead and I’m left feeling more desperate than any other moment in my life.