Protecting Fiona (SEAL of Protection Book 3) (14 page)

Benny, Dude, Cookie, and Fiona headed toward the exit of the airport. Tex had gotten them all a commercial flight out of the Dallas/Fort Worth airport later that night. Identification was waiting for Fiona when they’d arrived at the ticket counter, as if by magic.

Cookie could only shake his head in wonder. Tex was amazing. Cookie had no idea how Tex did half the stuff he did, but he thanked his lucky stars for the millionth time that Tex was on their side. How they managed half the stuff they did without him, Cookie would never know.

“Remember, Fee, Wolf and Caroline will probably be waiting for us out in the main part of the airport. We told him we were coming back and he couldn’t wait to see for himself that you were all right.” Cookie kept hold of Fiona’s hand to reassure her.

Fiona was quiet. She barely remembered the man Hunter called Wolf. She knew he was there in the helicopter and later, but she’d been barely hanging on, and didn’t really recall anything they might have said to each other.

As the foursome exited the secure part of the airport and entered the main terminal, Fiona saw a group of people standing off to the side. Fiona knew instinctively they were waiting on them. There were three large, almost scary looking, men, and two striking women.

Benny and Dude made a beeline for the group, but Cookie pulled Fiona to a stop well away from his friends. He turned her to him and took both her hands in his. “If you don’t want to meet them now, it’s okay, just let me know and we’ll go and get a taxi back to my place. I want you to meet them when you feel comfortable with it.”

Fiona squeezed Hunter’s hand. God, he was so good to her. “It’s okay, Hunter. I want to meet them. I
need
to meet them. They all had a part in saving me.”

Cookie brought Fiona’s hand up to his mouth and kissed it briefly. “Strong as hell,” he murmured under his breath, then turned them both toward his teammates and friends.

As they got closer and Fiona could see the men better, she realized she did recognize them. She didn’t know who was who, but she recognized them.

One of the women detached herself from one of the men and came right up to them.
              “Oh my God, we are so glad you’re here! I’m Caroline and that big lug back there is Matthew.” At the look of confusion on Fiona’s face, Caroline sighed dramatically. “Yeah, okay, you’ve been hanging out with them…” she gestured toward Benny and Dude, “…so you probably have never heard everyone’s
real
name. Alabama and I try not to use their nicknames, we prefer to call them by their given names. So Matthew is with me and he’s Wolf. Standing over there are Alabama and Christopher, or Abe. You know Benny and Dude, but Alabama and I call them Kason and Faulkner. Then, last but not least, is Sam, who’s known as Mozart by the guys.”

Fiona’s head spun. She’d never remember all their names.

As if reading her mind, Caroline laughed. “Don’t worry if you can’t remember. It took me for-freaking-ever to keep them all straight. It’s like there are twice as many of them around when the guys are using their nicknames and we’re using their real names.”

Fiona could only nod as Caroline continued talking. “So, I haven’t heard much of what happened, only that you were kidnapped and rescued in Mexico and that you were awesomely strong. At least that’s what Matthew told me. I’m so happy you’re all right. Will you be staying with Hunter? Do you have clothes? I’m happy to...mmmmf.”

Fiona smiled as Wolf came up and put his hand over Caroline’s mouth. “Jesus, Ice, give the woman a chance to breathe.”

“Ice?” It was the only thing that immediately came to Fiona’s mind.

Hunter leaned down close to Fiona’s ear and explained, “Yeah, Caroline earned that nickname when Wolf first met her. It’s a long story, and one I’m sure you’ll hear sooner rather than later the way Ice talks, but for now maybe we can get the hell out of here?” He directed the last part of his words to his friends.

“Of course. Got any bags?” Mozart asked Cookie, Benny, and Dude.

“Naw, Tex arranged for our stuff to be shipped. You know how it is,” Dude said, while winking at Fiona.

Fiona knew they probably couldn’t have brought their bags on the plane with them since they were loaded down with weapons and who knew what else.

“Great. You and Fiona are with us, everyone else is with Wolf,” Abe said, chiming in for the first time.

Fiona took a look at the woman at Abe’s side. She’d been quiet, but she was very watchful. She hadn’t taken her eyes off of Fiona since they’d walked up. It made Fiona extremely nervous. She’d never been good at making friends, and she really wanted these women to like her. Fiona knew if she had a chance at making whatever it was she had with Hunter work, she had to get along with his teammates’ women.

Before they all left, Caroline ducked out of Wolf’s hold and hugged Fiona tightly. Fiona couldn’t help but stiffen in the embrace. Caroline held up her hand when Hunter took a step into Fiona. “I know, I probably overstepped my bounds there, but I’m so happy you’re here and with Hunter. He deserves the best, and from the little I’ve heard, that’s you. I can’t wait to sit down and get to know you better. Alabama and I need someone new to gossip with.”

“Jesus, Ice. Get out of here,” Cookie scolded with a laugh, grabbing Fiona’s hand and pulling her back into his side, with his hand around her waist and resting on her hip.

Caroline laughed with him and stood on her tiptoes and kissed Hunter on the cheek. “Don’t keep her all to yourself, Hunter.”

Cookie just shook his head as Caroline and the other men headed toward the exit. “Come on, Fee, let’s get you home.”

Home. Fiona liked the sound of that.

The four of them headed out the doors of the airport and Abe led them through the parking garage and over to his jeep. Alabama and Abe got in the front and Cookie helped Fiona climb into the back before heading around to the other side and climbing in next to her.

When they were on their way out of the parking area, Alabama turned sideways in her seat and spoke up for the first time.

“Fiona, I’m so glad you’re all right. Christopher told me a little of what happened and I can’t imagine what you’ve been though.” Her voice was quiet and soothing.

“Thanks, Alabama. I appreciate it. I’m glad I’m all right too.” Fiona smiled at the woman in the front seat. She seemed to be the complete opposite of Caroline, quiet and reserved, but Fiona liked her immediately.

“As Caroline said, if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to call one of us. It can be tough being with a SEAL and we need to stick together.”

Abe spoke up at that. “Hey, we’re not so bad.”

“Uh, yeah, sometimes you are,” Alabama disagreed.

They both laughed. Fiona smiled. They seemed to be at ease. If she’d met any of the men on Hunter’s team alone in a dark alley, she would’ve been terrified, but meeting them all together and seeing how close they were, made a huge difference.

“Thanks, Alabama. I’m sure we’ll have lots of time to hang out.” They smiled at each other.

The four made idle chit-chat as Abe made his way to Hunter’s apartment. Pulling up, he didn’t turn off the engine, but turned around in his seat to look at Fiona.

“I have to echo what the others have said, Fiona. You don’t know how happy we are that you’re okay. I was there, I know what I saw. Thank you for saving Cookie’s life. You have no idea what that means to all of us. You’re family now. You need anything, all you have to do is ask. I don’t care what it is. You want a car? Just ask. You need money? Same thing. If you need a lawyer, an ear, or a way to get out of Cookie’s place, we’re only a phone call away.”

“What the hell, Abe?” Cookie growled from next to Fiona.

Abe held up his hand to forestall anything else Cookie might say. Fiona could only look between Hunter and Abe in confusion. She thought they were friends. Why was he saying that about Hunter? Was he warning her away from him?

“I’m not insinuating you’ll want to get away from him at all, Fiona. Out of all of us, Cookie is the most sensitive, and, dare I say it, caring. But I’m trying to make a point here. I learned my lesson with Alabama and the mistakes I made. My team stepped up when I let her down. I learned the real meaning of family. Family supports and trusts each other unconditionally. You aren’t alone anymore, Fiona. Hell, if someone hasn’t heard from you in two hours, we’ll start trying to get in touch with you. Understand?
You’re not alone
.”

Fiona got it. She could only nod. If she tried to talk, she’d burst into tears. No one in her old life had noticed or cared that she’d disappeared without a word. Abe was telling her that wouldn’t happen here. She didn’t even know these people, but they’d showed more compassion to her than anyone had since she’d been a kid.

“Come on, Fee, let’s go home.”

Home. Jesus, that sounded great. Fiona nodded at Hunter then turned toward Abe and Alabama. “Thanks.” It was all she could say at the moment through the huge lump in her throat, but it seemed to be enough.

Cookie opened the door on his side of the jeep and didn’t let go of Fiona’s hand. She had to scoot across the seat so she could follow him out.

“Thanks, man. See you later.” Fiona watched as Hunter and Christopher gave each other manly chin lifts to communicate non verbally, then she was being tugged toward the apartment building. She looked back once to see Alabama lean over and kiss her man passionately. Fiona smiled. She hadn’t said more than a few words to the woman, but she liked her.

They stopped in front of a door on the second floor. Cookie turned her so they were facing each other. “I’m gonna apologize now before we get inside, Fee. I recently moved out of the barracks and the apartment isn’t fully furnished yet.” At her raised eyebrows, Cookie continued. “Okay, so there isn’t much in there except for a bed, a sofa, and a huge-ass television, but whatever you need or want, we can get. Okay? Don’t freak out.”

Fiona laughed. “Hunter, Seriously? I don’t care. I just spent three months in a damn hut in the middle of a fucking jungle in Mexico. Whatever you have is more than I have right now and it’s a million times better than where I was. It’s fine.”

Cookie hated being reminded of the hell Fiona had been through, but understood her point. Trying to keep things light, he mock grumbled, “I’m gonna remind you that you said that when you see it and are bitching about how it’s the ultimate bachelor pad.”

Cookie took the keys out of his pocket and unlocked his apartment door and watched as Fiona entered his home. He watched as she glanced around the living area. It wasn’t much, as he’d warned. The leather sofa was comfortable as hell, and of course the fifty four inch TV took up most of one wall. Otherwise it was pretty plain. There were no pictures on the walls and Cookie hadn’t even bought a carpet to put down on the hardwood floors. There was no hall table and no knick knacks sitting around. Hell, Cookie could even hear an echo as Fiona walked across the room.

He watched as she went straight to the sliding glass door that opened to a balcony. Fiona pressed her hands against the glass and looked out without a word. Cookie locked the front door and threw the keys onto the counter as he walked past the kitchen to get to her. Cookie put his arms around Fiona’s waist as he came up behind her.

“What are you thinking, Fee?”

“This is the most amazing view.”

“It’s why I chose the apartment. There were bigger ones in the complex, but I liked the idea of being able to sit on the balcony and have a beer or eat dinner, and seeing both the beach and the mountains at the same time in the distance.

Fiona turned in his arms and laid her cheek against Hunter’s chest and snuggled into him. “It’s beautiful. I didn’t think I’d ever see anything like this again. I thought…”

“Shhhh, I know.”

They stood glued together for a long time. Finally Cookie pulled away. “Come on, Fee, let’s head to bed. We’re going to have a long couple of days coming up. We need to get you settled, and I need to make sure you have what you need. If I know Caroline right, she’s gonna show up here as early as Wolf will let her out of the house. She’ll want to take you shopping.”

Fiona looked up at Hunter and nodded. She
was
tired. She couldn’t think of anything she wanted or needed more at that moment, than to cuddle up next to Hunter in his bed. How the hell she could want that, after everything that happened in Mexico, Fiona had no idea, but there it was.

Cookie’s thoughts were much the same as Fiona’s. He wanted to see Fiona in
his
bed. Not a borrowed bed, not on the ground in the middle of the damn jungle, but on
his
sheets in
his
home in
his
bed. Call him a Neanderthal, but he needed that.

Cookie was right. There was a knock at the door at ten o’clock the next morning. Luckily they’d been up and ready. Cookie looked out the door and saw it was indeed Caroline, but he was surprised to see Alabama with her. He opened the door and welcomed the ladies inside.

“I’m surprised Wolf let you out so early, Ice.”

“Ha, ha, very funny, Hunter. You know he forced me to stay away until now. I wanted to be here at eight.”

“Oh, I’m sure he didn’t have to ‘force’ you, Ice.” Cookie laughed when Caroline blushed.

“Yeah, well, maybe he didn’t have to convince me too hard.”

“I bet it was hard.”

Fiona laughed out loud at the comical way both Hunter’s and Caroline’s heads whipped around in shock at Alabama’s words.

“It’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for,” Fiona said, still laughing.

Caroline came up and wrapped her arm around Fiona’s waist. “I like you, Fiona. I think you’re gonna fit right in with us. You ready to go and spend some money?”

At her words and actions, Fiona stiffened. Shit. She wanted to spend some time with them, but she didn’t
have
any money.

Seeing Fiona’s body go tight, Cookie swore under his breath. He should’ve talked about this with Fiona already. “Can I talk to Fee for a second, Ice?” Cookie didn’t give Caroline a chance to agree or disagree, and grabbed Fiona’s hand and tugged her into the kitchen.

When Fiona opened her mouth to speak, Cookie covered it with his hand lightly. “Listen to me for a second, Fee. Remember when I said you were mine?” Waiting for her to nod, Cookie continued. “This is a part of what that means. I have money. I have too much money. Look around. I live simply, I have few obligations outside of my duty to my country. I have
plenty
of money, and you spending it on clothes and other odds and ends won’t even make a dent.”

Fiona twisted her head to dislodge Hunter’s hand over her mouth. He let go immediately. “I don’t like taking your money, Hunter.”

Cookie sighed. “How did I know you were going to say that? Okay, here’s the deal. Remember I told you about Tex?” When Fiona nodded, Cookie went on. “Well Tex is good at what he does. You’re not broke anymore, Fee.” When she just stared at him incomprehensibly, Cookie tried again. “Tex is a computer genius. It’s almost scary the things he can do. He arranged it so you’re not broke. You aren’t rich, but you aren’t broke either.”

“Are you saying he put money in my account…” Fiona’s voice dropped to a whisper as if the police were somehow listening and would barge in and demand to know where Tex was so he could be arrested, “…illegally?”

“I don’t think I’d put it that way. But let’s just say he decided it wasn’t right that you got fired so he
arranged
it so the money you would’ve made over the time you were in Mexico, was deposited into your account…plus interest.”

“But, I can’t take that money either, Hunter. It’s not right.”

Cookie sighed and tugged Fiona into his arms. It seemed he was always pulling her into his chest, but he loved the feel of her there and it didn’t seem to bother her. “Believe me, Fee, we’ve tried to rein Tex in, but he does whatever he feels is right. If you pay him back, he’ll turn around and do something bigger. Believe me, we’ve tried. After Tex used his contacts to find where terrorists had taken Caroline, Wolf sent him a bouquet of flowers, knowing it was lame and not very manly to send a former SEAL flowers, but not knowing how else to thank the man. Wolf sent it as a tongue-in-cheek thank you, but Tex turned around and ordered two dozen roses to be delivered
every day
for two weeks to Wolf’s house. We’ve all learned that a simple ‘thank you’ is enough when it comes to Tex.”

“Kidnapped by terrorists?” Fiona said incredulously.

“Focus, Fee,” Cookie jokingly admonished. “It’s either my money or yours.”

“I can’t use illegal money.”

“Then please, take my card today. You won’t bankrupt me. I promise. Even if Caroline takes you to Louis Vuitton and you buy the place out. Okay?”

“Do you even know who Louis Vuitton is?”

“Fee…”

Fiona nodded. “Okay, okay, but I’m keeping all the receipts and if I get too much I’ll take it back.”

Cookie just shook his head at Fiona. She was unbelievable, in a good way. Every girlfriend he’d had in his life had jumped at the chance for him to pay their way. Fiona was unusual in every way. “Kiss me before we go back out there. I need you.”

Fiona stood on her tiptoes and didn’t hesitate. She reached for Hunter as soon as the words were out of his mouth. It wasn’t an easy kiss; it was raw, and sensual as hell.

Cookie devoured Fiona’s mouth. He held nothing back. He wanted Fiona to know how much he needed and wanted her. Even if it was years before she’d be psychologically ready to make love with him, he’d wait however long it took.

Fiona felt goosebumps shoot down her arms as Hunter kissed her. He made love to her mouth. His tongue thrusting in and out mimicked the act of making love. Hunter tasted her, ran his tongue over her teeth and curled it around hers intimately. Fiona felt one of his hands move under her shirt and up her back.

His hand was rough and warm. The goosebumps that were on her arms, moved to her legs. As Hunter’s tongue melded with her own and pushed into her mouth, his hand moved around to her side and pulled her closer into him. Fiona felt his thumb brush against the side of her braless breast, then move a fraction of an inch to brush once over her nipple. It immediately puckered at his touch. Just as Fiona arched her back to encourage Hunter to continue, Caroline called from the other room.

“Come on you two! Don’t start anything you can’t finish in there! I’m ready to shop!”

Fiona startled badly and pulled back with a gasp.

Cookie swore under his breath, but didn’t let go of Fiona.

“Easy, Fee. It’s okay.” Cookie could feel her breathing hard, whether it was from being startled or from their actions, he wasn’t sure. Cookie didn’t immediately move his hand. Fiona was soft and warm and he wanted nothing more than to take her shirt off and worship her breasts with his mouth. He wished he’d done it before, but he knew they’d have all the time in the world to get there.

“I wish you’d go without a bra every day, but I suppose that’s going to be your first stop isn’t it?” Cookie laughed as Fiona blushed. “Relax. Caroline won’t come in. We’ll wait here until you’re ready.”

“If you don’t move your hand, I might never be ready.” Fiona laughed at herself.

“I like my hand here.”

“I can tell.”

They stood there looking at each other for a heartbeat before Cookie slowly moved his hand away from her breast and down to her waist. “Be safe today, Fee. Caroline and Alabama have my cell number if you need anything. Don’t be afraid to ask them to call me. I’ll pick up a cell for you today while you’re shopping. I’ll put you on my plan. And before you ask, it won’t cost that much to add you. Get what you need and what you don’t need. You have no idea what it means to me to know you’re walking around in clothes that I paid for. It’s Neanderthal, but it’s the way I feel.”

Fiona blushed and laughingly pushed at him. “You man, me woman.” She teased.

“
My
woman,” Hunter countered semi-seriously.

Fiona just shook her head and stood on her tip-toes to kiss Hunter quickly on the lips. “I’ll call if I need you. I’ll see you later?”

“You’ll see me later.”

Cookie held Fiona’s hand as they walked out of the kitchen and back into the hall where Alabama and Caroline were waiting for them.

“Jeez, you guys are worse than me and Matthew ever were.”

“Uh, no they aren’t,” Alabama countered immediately. “I remember me and Christopher once waited for you guys for twenty minutes and finally just left without you because you got distracted and ended up back in bed.”

Fiona giggled as Caroline blushed. She’d have to remember not to get on Alabama’s bad side. It seemed the woman had a way of remembering and throwing dead-on one liners like no one she’d ever seen.

“Anyway, let’s go! I haven’t been shopping in like a week!” Caroline tried to get the conversation off of her and her own sex life and back on shopping.

Everyone laughed and they headed toward the door. Fiona looked back as she left and saw Hunter standing right where he’d been when they made it back to the hall. Their eyes met and he winked at her and mouthed, ‘I’ll see you later.”

* * *

Fiona slumped on the sofa in Hunter’s apartment. Jesus, she had no idea what she’d been in for when she’d left that morning with Caroline and Alabama. She figured she’d have to rein Caroline in, but Alabama was the one that took control of their shopping. She’d dragged them from one store to another. They’d filled their cart with all sorts of clothes and the other women even insisted on including sexy undies and bras. When Fiona was ready to call it quits, Alabama insisted they visit “just one more store.” Of course that one store turned into five.

Fiona had spent way more money then she’d planned on. She was going to buy an outfit or two, some jeans, T-shirts and some nice utilitarian cotton undies and bras. When she’d said as much to Alabama and Caroline, they’d objected strongly, then just ignored her wishes for the rest of the day.

Fiona had
known
it was the quiet ones she had to watch out for. Alabama was no push-over, no matter what her first impression might make someone think. When they were jostled by a man who wasn’t watching where he was going, Alabama tore into him and he’d fallen all over himself apologizing before he’d slunk away.

After shopping, Caroline and Alabama brought Fiona to a place called
Aces Bar and Grill
. They said it was the team’s favorite bar and that they went there all the time to have lunch, or dinner, or even for drinks at night.

They had a lunch with no nutritional value, but was delicious. The other women introduced her to a waitress named Jess, who they said was always there and was, in their words, awesome. In between serving the other patrons, Jess laughed with them and told them some funny stories about some of the other regulars who made asses out of themselves on an almost nightly basis.

Fiona had asked Caroline what was wrong with the pretty waitress, as she noticed she walked with a limp, but Caroline had just shrugged and said they’d never asked.

After being gone for most of the day, the women had finally taken Fiona back to Hunter’s place. It was amazing how tiring a day of shopping and laughing could be.

Fiona closed her eyes and felt herself relax. She’d get up in just a second and see what she could make for dinner. Fiona knew Hunter would be hungry when he got home, and she wanted to do something nice for him. After all, he’d done a ton of nice things for her lately and Fiona wanted to make sure Hunter knew she appreciated him.

Cookie closed the door loudly behind him. He didn’t want to surprise Fiona and scare her in the process. When he didn’t hear anything, he walked carefully into the living room. He didn’t see Fiona, but he did see a ton of shopping bags strewn about. He smiled. God love Caroline and Alabama. He knew they wouldn’t let Fiona skimp on shopping. He had to be the only man alive that loved knowing his woman had just spent a fortune on clothes and other feminine fripperies.

He came around the side of his couch and smiled even brighter. Fiona was sprawled on the couch fast asleep. Her head was to the side and one of her arms was flung out and hanging over the edge. Cookie sat down next to her hip and massaged her back. He wanted to wake her up slowly so she wouldn’t be scared.

“Fee? Wake up, sweetheart.” Cookie kept rubbing her back, but put a bit more pressure on her. “Come on, sleepyhead. Have you eaten?”

Fiona slowly came awake. Without opening her eyes she knew Hunter was there with her. She could smell him, not to mention the goosebumps his hand on her back was raising. She pried one eye open and looked up at him.

“I’m awake. What time is it?”

“About seven. You hungry?”

“Oh shit!” Fiona sat up so quickly she barely missed knocking her head into Hunter’s. She didn’t even notice, but continued with her tirade. “I was going to make dinner for you! I’m so sorry, Hunter! What do you want? Are you hungry?”
              “Whoa, slow down, Fee. You don’t have to make me dinner. I’m thrilled I’ll get to make it with you. I’ve never really done that before.”

Fiona looked up at Hunter. “Really?”

“Really.”

“But I wanted to thank you for all you’ve done for me. And I just wanted to…you know?”

“You thank me every day by being here with me. By being mine. But I do know. I want to do things for you every day too. Tell you what, if you don’t ever feel bad for not having dinner ready when I get home, I’ll let you do it every now and then.”

“
Let
me?”

“Yup. Let you.”

They smiled at each other. Cookie held out his hand and helped Fiona to her feet.

“I’ll compromise with you, Hunter. I’ll cook dinner with you if you help me decide what of this crap Alabama and Caroline forced me to buy today I should keep and what I should return,” Fiona told him seriously.