STORY EXCERPT

Dirk Brodie poured a cup of coffee and sat at his new kitchen table. He looked around the room. His house had been finished three weeks ago and finally he had all the furniture in and curtains at the windows. The kitchen was large and bright. There were three windows looking out at a wide sweep of prairie.

He was happy with his home, except it seemed empty. There were four bedrooms and three baths, a large great room, and a study for his desk and books.

But after watching the happiness Ty had with his wife and now his baby daughter, he was envious. He’d never thought he would be ready to settle down, but he was. He had been for some time.

His brother, Clay, had introduced him to a friend of his fiancée’s. Dirk didn’t like Clay’s fiancée. Her friend was just like her. Clay hadn’t understood his disinterest. The woman was beautiful, witty, and very cosmopolitan. Dirk chuckled to himself. She’d have never agreed to live on a ranch with the nearest town twenty miles away and very small. Anyway, he’d felt no sparks. None with her or anyone else lately.

He’d gotten up early so he had time to read his big city paper before he set out to work. Flipping open the newspaper, the headlines jumped out at him. Chelsea Pearce had been in a convoy attacked by rebels. He read down the article quickly. Three soldiers had been killed and two taken as hostage. Chelsea was also missing.

A small picture of her was at the top the story. It had been taken at a remote outpost. She wore brown slacks and a tan top and a bulletproof vest. She grinned at the camera, showing a strong, confident smile.

Taking long strides, he walked into the living room and turned on the television to get the latest news. There she was again, striding across the sand to join the convoy. One of the soldiers handed her a hard hat. Dirk watched as she swung into the truck and they began to move off from the outpost.

The newscaster talked about the men lost and the ones missing. He described Chelsea as a good, tough reporter who was respected by the men.

Dirk flipped his cell open and called Ty. “Hi, hope I didn’t wake you.”

“What, you think I’m going soft?” Ty teased. “It takes a strong man to keep up with a tiny baby during the night.”

“And you love it.”

“Yeah, I do.”

“Look, I know this isn’t the best time for me to ask to take a leave, but I have a private emergency I need to see about.”

“No, that’s fine. You covered double time when I needed it. Any idea how long you’ll be gone, and is there anything I can do to help?”

“I have no idea how much time I’ll need. I’d like Brent’s phone number. I need to ask him a favor.”

“Sure.” Ty rattled off the number. “Keep in touch, if you can.” He hesitated. “And come back safe and sound.”

“I didn’t say it was dangerous.”

“You didn’t have to. You asked for Brent.”

“Thanks, Ty. Take care of the family, and if by chance I don’t get back”—his throat tightened for a second—“my will is in my safe here at the house.”

“Damn, more dangerous than I thought. Sure you want to do this?”

“Yeah.”

Dirk hung up and called Brent. His wife, Angie, answered.

“How are you, Dirk?”

“Pretty good. I’d like to ask Brent a question. Is he nearby?”

“He couldn’t wait to get out to the barn this morning. He has a new stallion he’s training. But he always carries his cell phone in case I need him.” She gave him the number. “Feel free to call him. He won’t mind.”

“Thanks, Angie.” He hung up and quickly dialed the number. The minutes were ticking by. He was restless to get on his way. Fear for Chelsea stirred inside him.

“Brent here.”

“Brent, it’s Dirk.”

“How are you? This is early for you to be calling. Are Ty, Lily, and the baby all right?”

“Everyone is fine. But I need some information.” He told Brent all he knew from the paper and television.

“I gather this lady is important to you.”

“We were friends when I worked overseas.”

“Seems a high risk to take for just a friend.” He waited a second and added. “I’ve pretty much turned over the agency to Mick. He occasionally contacts me to go over certain plans. I know he’s done several overseas jobs this past year. What you’re asking for could get you all in trouble with everyone, including our government. You may be stepping on some toes to take this on privately.”

“Yeah. But we both know a small, elite force without the constraints of government can get in and out quicker, and hopefully safer. We’ll try to get all three of them out.”

“I’ll run it by Mick and have him call you. Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice if he accepts the assignment.”

“I’m ready now.”

Brent chuckled. “Must be a very good friend.” He hung up.

Dirk threw basics in a backpack and paced the floor, waiting for his call. Thirty minutes later the phone rang.

“Dirk Brodie?”

“Yes.”

“This is Mick Holster. I talked to Brent and to two of my men. One is an ex-SEAL, the other a crack sharpshooter. If we’re going to do this, we have to get in and out quick.”

“I agree.”

“I’m not sure about taking you along. We don’t need an inexperienced person to snag things up.”

“I’ve done a few covert operations in the past. I’ve never told anyone, family or friends, just you. And you aren’t going without me.”

There was silence on the other end for several seconds. “Brent said you were a good man. All right, I’ll take a chance this one time.”

Adult Excerpt

Across the width of the house, her scream woke Dirk. He was on his feet and running across the great room to her when she flew out of the hall and into his arms. She wrapped her arms and legs around him. He staggered at her sudden weight, but held on.

“It’s all right, Chelsea. I’m here. No one will hurt you. Not as long as I’m nearby.” He walked with her into his bedroom. She sobbed on his shoulder. Gently, he laid her on his bed, but she wouldn’t release him. He climbed in and held her tight.

Gradually the sobs slowed and stopped. He wiped the tears from her face, and kissed her cheeks and chin.

“I’m here, love. Everything is fine. You had a bad dream.”

“I hadn’t had one for quite a while. I thought they’d stopped, but this one was different. He grabbed me and choked me until I couldn’t breathe.”

Her body shuddered against him. Dirk rubbed her back and breathed in her sweet fragrance. Her curls were wet with perspiration.

He lay naked against her. She hadn’t noticed. His dick was hard and pulsing. He wanted to slide inside her pussy and love her, fill her with his love, and take away the hurtful memories from her childhood and the desert. He didn’t doubt they were all mixed-up in her mind tonight.

Her body stiffened slightly. Ah, she’d noticed his lack of attire.

“Shall I carry you back to your room?” His eyes stared into the wet sheen of her green eyes.

“No. I don’t want to be alone.”

Dirk held her head between his hands. “Chelsea, I want you. I can’t lie here all night and not make love to you. I don’t want to take advantage of the situation.”

“I know. I want you, too. But I don’t know if I’ll ever be the way you’d like me to be.”

“I understand why you distrust men. I’ll show you, you can trust me. We can have a different kind of life than your mother and father.”

“I can’t promise anything.”

“All right. I won’t either. We’ll do it your way. No strings attached. Agreed?”

“Agreed.”

He guided her to the bathroom and turned on the warm water in the shower. Then he pulled her gown off. He kissed the top of her head and breathed in her sweet scent.

“You need to relax. We’ll start here.” He lifted her and stepped in. The water cascaded over them. Dirk let her body slide down along his. He kissed her eyelids, her cheeks, and then her full, rosy lips. She opened her mouth and his tongue invaded the soft interior. Their tongues moved around each other, tempting, touching, caressing. Her lush breasts rubbed across his chest. He wanted to devour her.

Just a little more patience. If I rush her, it may make her pull back. And I’ve never wanted anyone like I do her. His hands massaged her back and cupped her buttocks, holding her hard against his cock.

“Feel how much I need you? How much I want to bury myself in your hot pussy? Stay here. I’ll be right back.” He stepped out of the shower and grabbed a condom package from a drawer. He tore it open and put it on his rigid cock. She watched him, making him harder. When he got back in the shower, he said, “Put your arms and legs around me again.”

Chelsea did as he said. She kissed his mouth as he held her close. Taking two steps, he put her back against the tiled wall. She reached between them and put her hand on his cock.

“Remember how good it always was between us? I want you inside me.”

“The lady’s wish is my command.” He positioned the head of his cock at her pussy opening and slid into her warmth. She wiggled and took him in further.

Dirk kissed her deeply as his cock pulsed inside her tight pussy walls. He didn’t want to move at first. Just hold her and savor the feel of her, the scent of her, and the taste of her sweet mouth.

She pushed down, exciting him more, and his cock demanded his attention. Slowly, he moved in and out while he watched her face. She met his strokes and tightened her inner walls around him.

Chelsea put her mouth by his ear. She bit his earlobe, sending a jolt of desire straight downward. “Take me hard. I’m not fragile.”

He bit her lip then ran his tongue over the spot. “I’ve been starved for you. If I’d had to take another cold shower I would have exploded with frustration.

She chuckled, then rubbed her peaked nipples against him, spiking his hunger. He pushed harder and faster as heat flowed through his body and the ache in his balls urged him on. He was going to explode. He wanted to. Her moans, and then her breath quickening, brought him to the edge. As pleasure zapped him, her scream of his name echoed around them and her body shivered in his arms. She clenched and unclenched her pussy walls around his supersensitive cock. It was all he could do to still stand.