Shadow of Doubt (An SBG Novel Book 2) (33 page)

Michelle swallowed hard. Cappy’s brown irises were so dark she could barely see his pupils. Raw desire radiated off of him, melting away the cold fear of rejection and making her juices flow.

The man told her the truth. Incredible. He wasn’t backing away or making excuses to beat a hasty retreat. Just the opposite; he said naughty things. No one had ever spoke dirty to her before . . . well, at least like this. Men have called her ugly names and—

Whatever. Jeez!
The man just said he wanted to drive himself inside you until you scream his name.

“Uh, we don’t have all year for you to kiss every one,” she uttered, her voice so husky she could barely comprehend it was hers.

“Then how about if I start with these?” His head dipped forward and he placed his lips against her left nipple. The one that had the most scars out of the two.

A faint wetness coated her bud and she cradled his head. Electricity shot through her veins. Ever since they tortured her, she had worried she had lost sensitivity. Now she knew she just needed Jeremy. Her breasts hadn’t felt so normal or been so sensitive since he reentered her life.

He licked from one end of her areola, over her nipple to the other end.

She cried out, desire punching through her core. His arm encircled her back and she leaned against his strength.

The end of his tongue traced each of the scars marring her breast, and she could only whimper at the rush of sensations.

“Tell me what you want me to do next?” he breathed against her skin, the air causing another rush of moisture to coat her channel.

Embarrassment flooded her. She couldn’t talk dirty back!

“Do you want me to suck on your other nipple?” His palm cupped the underside of her breast and his thumb traced over the bud.

“Oh, yes,” she breathed, stroking his short hair. Her fingers itched to go lower but she held back, savoring the moment before she allowed herself to roam all over his delectable body.

He licked a path to the center of her cleavage, pausing to nuzzle another ridged scar—this one from a cigarette—before traveling on. Chills raced down her spine as the air passed over his trail. His tongue swiped over her distorted right nipple.

“Holy fudge,” she cried. “Do that again.”

He immediately complied and she crossed her eyes. Never had she felt so much pleasure in her life. Her plastic surgeon was right; he
had
saved the nerves. She just never had the right stimulus.

“Touch me, Michelle. Anywhere. Please,” he growled.

She stroked a hand down his arm. His immense strength holding her up was so sexy she could hardly comprehend it. The hard muscles twinged and moved as she journeyed until she couldn’t reach anymore.

He laved her breasts. Alternating between the two.

Tension built deep in her core with each lick and kiss. She threw her head back.

“Tell me.”

His words called to an inner wildness wishing to break free.

“T-touch me,” she answered, pushing her nipple deeper into his mouth.

“Where?” he asked around the bud.

She lost focus for a moment.

He kissed a path up her chest. Stopping at every single scar, kissing the ridges before moving on. He licked the side of her throat and nuzzled the sacred spot.

She splayed her fingers across his back. The sheer breadth of him made her feel so feminine. So small. So . . .
hot
.

She hadn’t had real,
consensual
sex in over seven years. The guys since Colombia couldn’t get past her scars and the guy she lost her virginity to was a boy, not man. In fact, he had been a virgin too. Neither one of them knew what the heck they were doing, but they fumbled and groped like they did.

Jeremy was a
man
. Not a typical man either. A hardened warrior who would kill to keep her safe. An alpha male.

She had no clue what the rules were for alpha men. How did she touch him? When did she touch him? What did he like?

“Where did you go, sweetheart?” His ultra-sexy, grumbly voice cut through her spiraling panic. “What are you thinking about so hard?”

He drew back and she searched his eyes. Concern leaked into his smoldering irises.

“Despite Colin calling me a slut, I don’t know how to have sex,” she blurted, then could’ve smacked herself. Way to kill the mood.

His eyebrows shot up.

“I mean,” she rushed to say to fix her blunder, “I wasn’t a virgin before Colombia but I never really learned what to do either. I don’t know how to touch you.”

Understanding and love filled his expression. “Any way you want.”

His simple answer frustrated her more. “But how? What do you like?”

“Until we learn each other”—he kissed her lips—“stick with the rule, if you like it, I will too.”

She nodded. She could handle that. So far she liked everything he did.

She bit her lip and stared at his impressive chest. “So if I ran my finger along here,” she lightly grazed his pec. His eyes narrowed. “Then did this, you’d like it?” She curled her tongue around his nipple and he sucked in a breath.

Power at causing the reaction rocked her.

She flicked her tongue over the distended peak just like he had and he cursed, cradling her head against him.

All her stupid fears fell away. She wanted to touch him everywhere.

Cappy had to recite all the names of gun manufacturers to keep from throwing her on the bed and ramming himself inside.

Christ on a hand truck. She could make a profession out of tonguing his chest. A light touch rippled down his back and his skin goose pimpled everywhere. He couldn’t take any more. As gently as his caveman alter ego would allow, he lifted her face and dove his tongue inside her mouth.

She moaned and the vibrations tickled his tongue. Fucking hot. He devoured her and she met his raging desire head-on.

He trailed his fingers down her back, not lingering over the scars but feeling every one just the same. He had the rest of his life to give them the attention they deserved but for now he needed to touch every part of her.

Her ass was so hot he couldn’t help squeezing and rolling the muscles. “Do me a favor,” he wheezed, lifting just enough to speak against her lips. “Don’t ever go on a diet and lose this or any other inch of your delicious body. You hear me? You’re so fucking hot.”

In response, she nibbled on his chin and down his throat.

His dick hurt it wanted free from his pants so bad. Not yet. The second he undid the fly, he wouldn’t be able to hold back.

He swiped his hand down her stomach and cupped the most intimate part of her.

She cried out, loosening her legs.

He easily supported her weight. “That’s right, love,” he crooned, “make room for me.” His fingers swiped over her center and dripped with her response. “Holy hell, you are so ready for me.”

Now for the big test. He stroked along her folds and slowly slid one finger inside.

Her thighs slammed closed, trapping his hand, and she stiffened.

“It’s me.” He placed a kiss on her neck. “Captain Jeremy Malone.” He nibbled on her chin. “Your Cappy.”

She didn’t relax.

Lifting his head, he commanded, “Look at me.”

He waited until she opened her eyes and stared into his. Her leg muscles loosened a notch, allowing him to pull his finger out and slide it back in again.

She bit her lip and her muscles loosened further. He traced over her slick folds then slid back inside. When she didn’t immediately shut him out he added a second finger.

“So tight,” he murmured, keeping his pace slow. “So sexy.”

She sought his mouth and he kissed her, allowing her to take the lead. At first the kiss was hot, but as he increased the speed of his fingers so did her passion. She moved her hips, timing her small lifts with his thrusts.

“That’s it,” he murmured, damn near losing his mind at the fire brimming from her eyes and the nails digging into his skin. “Ride them, love.”

Her fingers tightened and her whimpers drove him mad.

“I’ve got you.” Knowing just what she needed, he extended his thumb and rubbed over the tight ball of nerves. She exploded.

“Jeremy!” She dropped her head onto his chest and clung to him as her muscles spasmed around his fingers.

Every nerve in his body demanded he take her now, to brand her, to finally make her
his
. He held on by a thin thread. He had no clue if she was ready for actual sex and he’d be damned if he ruined this moment.

She shuddered violently once more, then lifted her head and stared up at him with wonder. “I’ve never . . .
come
, so hard in my life,”
she whispered as if embarrassed to say the word. Oh, his future was definitely going to be so much fun getting her to talk dirty.

“I’m thinking you were overdue,” Cappy quipped to not let on the pain he was in.

His dick pulsed and jabbed into her stomach.

Subtle.

She blinked then pulled his mouth to hers. She kissed him with so much desire he let out his own whimpers from trying to hold back.

Her hands wedged between them and fumbled with his belt. He stopped her.

“I’m not going to be able to stop if you undo my pants,” he strained to say. “Be sure you’re ready.”

“Jeremy Malone, I love you,” she pronounced against his lips. “And every time I’m with you, I
know
it’s you. Now get rid of those pants and climb onto that bed.”

Sweeter words were never spoken. He wished he was more suave about it but he honestly couldn’t get his cargoes off fast enough. He jumped and twisted to land on his back, bouncing a few times in the center of the bed.

The lust radiating from her eyes practically ate him up as she stood at the end and just stared at him.

His pulse raced higher. “Good Lord, woman. If you don’t mount me right now, I’m not going to be responsible for my actions.”

Smooth, asshole.

She smirked and lifted one leg.

“Wait!” He lifted on his elbows. “Your leg.”

“It’s fine. I’ll manage. Besides”—she traced a finger over his ankle and he groaned—“if it reopens and leaks through the bandage, blood’s already on the spread from your ‘flesh wound.’”

“Ugly covering anyway,” he muttered, unable to take his eyes off her.

She climbed onto the bed and crawled forward. Holy Christ, the sexy sight of her breasts swaying as she prowled would forever be burned in his brain. She paused in the V of his legs and ran her palms up his calves and over his thighs. He mewled like a little girl at the light touch and anticipation. She stopped just shy of his dick, then roved her fingers up over his hips, ignoring his cock climbing up his abdomen to get to her touch.

“Michelle,” he growled, spearing her with his eyes.

A wicked smile played over her perfect lips and she finally wrapped both hands around him. He almost came.

Then she stroked from top to bottom and freed a hand to cup his balls.

“I’m barely hanging on,” he pushed through clenched teeth. “You keep that up and I’m going to come like a schoolboy in your hand.”

Little hussy actually looked like the idea appealed to her.

He fingered her nipple and she hissed out air.

Straight out of his fantasies, she straddled his hips and rested his length at her juncture. Juices coated his dick, making the wait all the more torturous. He gripped her thighs, knowing she had to be the one to make the first move, but Jesus Christ, he didn’t think he’d be able to hold out.

Ever so slowly she lifted him up and raised her hips.

He held his breath.

Her eyes stayed glued to his and he was afraid to blink. He wanted nothing to ruin this monumental moment. Such a huge deal both personally for her and for them as a new couple.

“I love you,” he whispered, unsure if it was the right thing to say but figuring she may need to hear it.

In reply, she fit his head at her opening and his heart stopped. Then she lowered her body to let him inside.

Every thought fled.

Moisture coated his tip and her inner muscles squeezed around him.

She lifted and he felt the loss of her warmth immediately.

But not for long. She dropped back down and took in more of him. Oh God. He blew a breath out. She lifted and lowered, working more of his cock in with each steady stroke. He wasn’t a vain man, but he knew he was endowed. Would she be able to take all of him? Two strokes later she seated herself against his hips.

“Jesus God.” He gritted his teeth, trying not to come. Her hot, wet grip felt like a vise surrounding him.

Never once did she break eye contact. It was the sexiest experience he ever had. “You feel so good.”

She leaned forward and captured one of his nipples. He sucked in a breath. Her tongue flicked over the end, over and over, making him see spots. He rolled his hips and clutched her thighs, unable to help pulling out and driving back in.

Her throaty groan told him he had license to do it again. And he did.

He didn’t mean to take over, but he couldn’t stop the rhythm once he got started. He wanted to flip her onto her back so bad, but had enough brain cells firing to remember not to trap her under him.

He clenched his fingers and adjusted her hips to ride the full length of him as he slid almost all the way out then back in.

She rested her hands against his sides and lifted. Her breasts scraping against his chest with each thrust and pull. Her hardened nipples grazed across his sensitive skin, driving his passion higher.

Tension coiled from his spine into his tight balls and he rammed home, his speed increasing with each lunge.

The gold flecks in her eyes blazed as she drilled her gaze into his. Her breathing stuttered, and she screamed, “Jeremy!” Her inner walls spasmed and swallowed his cock in deeper.

Holy God. His world exploded and he came so hard he rocked the bed.

Romeo watched Wraith pace the length of the small living room in cottage two. They had all received a text from Cappy very early this morning asking for everyone to meet here at eight.

He looked at his watch. 7:54 a.m. They still needed Isis, the Senator, Cappy, and Michelle.

“What do you think this is about?” Wraith asked for the tenth time.

“The case,” Romeo replied, also for the tenth time. “He may have come up with a plan to draw the asshole out.”

“Then why not say that?” She threw her hands up in the air. “I’m telling you something about this doesn’t feel right.”

“Your senses talking to you?” Magician asked, sitting forward on the couch beside him.

No one laughed because it wasn’t a joke. If their highly trained sniper didn’t like something, then every single one of them listened.

“Yes.” She chewed her lip.

“He could just be living off the high of finally getting some action,” Talon pointed out from his spot against the wall. “Lord knows we’ll all be able to breathe easier if they finally gave in and did the deed.”

“Don’t be crass, T,” Magician snipped.

“Honesty is now considered crass?” he volleyed, tossing his favorite black-bladed knife between his hands.

Ted’s keyboard clicking was the only sound as the two faced off.

“We’re here,” Isis chimed, stepping through the front door, the Senator right on her heels.

“What’s this all about?” the politician barked, taking his sunglasses off. “My protection detail is getting a little too nosy about my constant trips without them.”

As annoying as their new boss was, the man had a point. They needed to do their best to finish this today.

Isis fairly skipped into the room and gave a cursory glance about. Her lips pursed and she headed for the high-backed chair.

“You know Cappy’s going to kick you out of that once he arrives,” Talon predicted with no emotion.

She paused, cocked her head, and redirected her path . . . right to Talon’s side. The operative scowled and shifted away. She readjusted her stance to stay close.

“You do know you’d have a better chance gettin’ off on a washing machine than with me, right?” Talon asked coldly, scraping his eyes down Isis.

“Hmmm,” she purred, leaning into his space. “I can multitask. You and the washing machine at once.”

Talon glowered.

Romeo covered his laugh behind a cough.

Magician whacked him with the back of her hand and frowned.

What? What did he do?

The eggs and toast from this morning’s hasty breakfast lingered in the air and the dishes were still piled near the sink. He voted for Isis to have cleanup duty.

The Senator sat on the open cushion beside him on the couch and Romeo had to fight not to squirm. The grief and anger rolling off the man was palatable. It drained the humor out of him and made him feel edgy.

The door opened again and Cappy strode inside with Michelle a step behind him. An ethereal glow radiated off the pair. Only a really stupid person wouldn’t be able to pick up on the fact they emitted love and sunshine.

Romeo wanted to stand and applaud.

“Thank you all for showing up on time,” Cappy stated, making his way to the high-backed chair.

Grady had already set a dining room chair beside it and Michelle dropped onto the seat.

A new air filled the room and Romeo sat forward. Cappy still hadn’t turned and Michelle frowned up at him.

Wraith plopped beside Grady on the loveseat and she whispered, “I told you.”

Finally, the CO pivoted and his face bore his no-nonsense mask.

Romeo’s gut tightened.

Magician sat forward and bumped her thigh beside his and didn’t remove it.

“I have no easy way to say this,” Cappy started with his hands on his hips, “but as of this moment, I’m resigning from SBG.”

Nobody said a word or moved.

The bottom dropped out of Romeo’s stomach.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Talon finally broke the rising tension with his eloquent question . . . Though they were all thinking it.

The color drained from Michelle’s face and she held a shaking hand in front of her mouth.

Interesting. So this wasn’t something they planned together.

“You can’t quit,” Wraith breathed, her eyes swallowing her face.

Cappy smirked. “You of all people know how true that statement is, but I’m doing it anyway, and God help the man who comes after me.”

“Is that what this is about?” Romeo asked, still trying to comprehend. “The urban myth?”

“Urban myth?” Michelle whispered. “What urban myth?”

Everyone peered at Cappy.

He nodded. “She knows the truth.”

“Ah,” the Senator sighed. “You told her.”

“Goddamn right, I told her,” Cappy bit back. “If we’re to have any type of future I needed to stop lying to her.”

“The urban myth in SBG is that any operative who tried to leave the company died,” Wraith answered dully. Grady stroked her hand. “It didn’t matter if they retired or looked for a new job, something always seemed to happen to them and they ended up in the morgue.”

Michelle sucked in a breath.

“It’s also been rumored that any operative who broke their oath and talked would be killed,” Cappy added, his eyes hard as marbles.

“I’ll ask it again,” Romeo clipped. “Is that what this is about? I told you it’s not the choice you think it is anymore.”

“You don’t have to choose between her and us,” Magician said quietly.

A soft cry choked from Michelle. “Jeremy, I can’t let you pick me. This is who you are.”

“You’re choosing a piece of tail over your family?” Talon asked incredulously.

“Say that again and you’ll be picking up your teeth,” Cappy growled, stepping in front of Michelle’s chair.

“Simmer down,” the Senator boomed, hoisting himself off the couch. “Nobody’s choosing anybody. That’s all Victor bullshit.”

“This mission has shown just how ineffective I’ve been as a leader,” Cappy dropped the next bomb. “You heard how I got my other team killed, and I’ve almost done it again. I’m too emotional.”

“The hell you say,” Romeo barked, unable to take Cappy’s fucked up view of himself. “You have got to be the most levelheaded, badass man I know. You have the ability to strategize and think on your feet, changing plays midstream to keep us all alive.”

“I’ll say it again. Bullshit,” Senator Harris rumbled.

Cappy straightened.

“No.” The Senator held up a hand. “My turn. I asked Delta Squad to help me find my son’s killer for a reason.”

“We owed you,” Talon muttered.

“Yes. But that’s not all. You all have the reputation as the best of the best.” The Senator drew his suit jacket back and clapped his hands on his hips. “I looked into that fact very hard to make sure it wasn’t some made-up honor to appease the egos. It wasn’t.”

Romeo couldn’t help being a little impressed with the guy. Even in grief he kept his wits enough to surround himself with a team that would find justice.

“I’m told the reason you’re the best is because every single one of you contributes to the group’s success,” the politician stated bluntly.

“But—”

“So you found out you were human after all.” Senator Harris cut Cappy’s protest off. “Big deal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person at my side when the call came in about April.”

Cappy’s mouth clicked shut.

“As for choices? There is no
either/or
.” The Senator hung his head and a shudder ran through him. When he lifted his gaze his eyes were moist. “I’ve had the two people I love most taken from me. I’ll be damned if I’ll follow in some deranged—sorry, Ted—man’s footsteps and kill off my best resources because they fall in love.”

Michelle stood and intertwined her fingers in Cappy’s hand.

The Senator pointed to the loveseat. “Wraith exposed a glaring flaw with Victor’s insular style. He allowed no balance. It’s not healthy to separate you guys from your families or from living a life.”

Romeo’s heart sped at the politician’s words.

“If I can’t trust the very people I send out to stop a terrorist threat or end a sex-slave ring to keep SBG safe from discovery then we might as well shut the whole division down.”

Home.
That word kept singing in Romeo’s mind.
I can go home again.
He wanted to whoop and at the same time wring Cappy’s neck for not listening and trying to quit.

“Cappy,” Wraith implored, “we were going to wait until this mission was complete to tell you but I think I need to say it now. I decided to come back to Delta.”

Every eye turned to her. Romeo’s blood quickened some more. Maybe the dark days were coming to an end.

“But I’m now stipulating two things.”

“And they would be?” Cappy asked, his voice strained.

“
You
are still my CO, and Grady is inducted as a full member. I will not go on an assignment without him.”

“Nor would I let her without tagging along anyway.” Grady kissed her hand.

“Reasonable terms,” Senator Harris pronounced. “I can have all the necessary paperwork, including the salary details, drawn up in a few days. In the meantime, consider yourself on probation, Grady.” The politician peered at Cappy. “Can we put this whole topic to rest and move on to how we’re going to catch the bastard who killed my family?”