Steele (The Elite Forces Book 4) Read online

  “I’ve created a monster.”

  “You have no fucking idea.” I tuck my head to her stomach, lift her over my shoulders, and swat her ass before I take off running through the grass and into the water.

  “If you throw me, I will—” Her squeals hit the air just as her body does as I toss her in and carefully watch her go under.

  “You asshole.” She emerges, shoving her hair back out of her face and laughing.

  “That’s twice today you’ve sworn. You keep it up, and I’m going to start keeping a tally; and for every swear word you're going to have to perform a sexual favor.” I dive under the water, grab her by the legs, and pull her against me.

  “Same goes for you,” she says as she wraps her legs around me and proceeds to grind herself against me.

  “It seems I’m the one who created a monster.” She blushes and ducks her face against my chest.

  “Hey, no going shy on me now. What’s wrong?” She lifts her head allowing her stormy confused eyes to stare back at me.

  “This is going to sound immature and childish, but I wouldn’t have any idea how to perform a sexual favor.” I take my time assessing her thoughts, at the same time wondering how the hell to answer her without sounding like an asshole. I’m a guy who hasn’t a clue how to talk sentimental shit with a woman. It just isn’t anything I ever cared to do, and now I find myself caring how I respond to her. I want her to know that I don’t expect anything out of her.

  “First off, I would never make you do anything you don’t want to. Second, the minute you confirmed my suspicions of you being a virgin, I knew what I was getting into. I fought my feelings for you because I didn’t think I was ready for anything like this. After last night, I know I am. Anything I experience with you will be perfect because I’ll know it came from your heart and is not something you learned from someone else.” I keep her attention focused on me. “Don’t worry about anything. We’ll take our time and do things as we feel the time is right.”

  Her smile lights up her entire face before she pulls mine toward hers and attacks my lips with her own. Being patient with her may end up creating a confident woman when it comes to sex. I don’t have any concerns that she won’t continue to rock my mind in the bedroom like she did last night. Hell, she could stand there and do nothing and I’d get hard just thinking about touching her.

  “I like how you talk as if we’re a couple or something.” She pauses her kiss attack and watches for my response.

  “I figured we could see where it goes. Unless you just wanted me for my dick and now you’re ready to throw me out.” She slaps my shoulder instantly, busting out loud in laughter as I twist and pull her under the water with me.

  We grope and tease each other as we swim in circles, both of us relaxed and flirting with each other. “I love how the water feels.”

  “I haven’t noticed the water; I’m busy feeling something else.” I grip her ass and pull her against me. She wraps her legs and arms around me, while I tread water and we start kissing again. She tugs on my hair, and I pull the strings on her bikini bottoms, purposely tossing them to the dock so she doesn’t lose them in the murky water. I follow with the top, it landing next to the bottoms.

  “I can’t believe you have me naked and you’re still wearing shorts. This hardly seems fair.” I raise a brow at her challenge, but willingly wiggle out of my shorts and send them sailing next to hers.

  “Is this what you wanted?” My dick is poking at her entrance instantly. There’s only one huge problem. I don’t have protection out here, and there’s no way in hell we’ll be having sex without protection. That’s not something I want to put her through.

  “It is.” She tries to squirm her way down, but I hold her up even though the look in her eyes is confused and questioning me.

  “I don’t have a condom. You, my dear, will have to wait until we get back to the house.” She swims off before she says anything.

  “Looks like we’ll just have to swim then.” Her tits float just under the surface, reminding me that I need to spend more time getting to know every single inch of her body. That’s something I look very forward to doing.

  It isn’t long until she’s stepping out of the water and purposely teasing me while she puts her bathing suit back on. I wish I could go back in time and find the person who invented the bikini and shake their fucking hand. They were brilliant and paved the way for men like me on days like this.

  Fuck. I could get used to this.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  GRACE

  I glance over at the clock on the nightstand next to the bed. Each minute that ticks away is a mockery to my crazy little mind. He’s possibly leaving, going out on a mission, and it scares me to death the way he casually acts as if it’s no big deal that he’s heading back to the desert. I have yet to find out exactly where or the reason why as I only heard bits and pieces of his conversation. A part of me thinks so much more of him. His bravery and courage to go back where his brother was killed. It may have not been the same country, but it’s still the same atmosphere. The same dry desert.

  He may have tried to soothe me, to make me see that this is a job to him, but to me, it could be a matter of life or death. I’ve lost the two most important people in my life to the desert; the thought of losing him to it, too, scares the crap out of me.

  Despite the fact my body is deliciously sore, parts of my body are slightly sunburned and my heart is overflowing with a quiet sense of peace from the way this man lying next to me has made me feel, I can’t seem to fall back asleep with everything that’s stirring up my mind.

  Convincing Trevor to swim was a heck a lot easier than getting him to ride a horse. He flat out refused. Told me he would saddle one up for me but drew the line when it came to him. After the things he said about me and him, now that he’s finally opening up to me, I didn’t dare push, not when every part of me saw in his eyes a memory that flashes so deep it was gutting him.

  That memory has something to do with his brother and horses. I could sense it every time one of them came close to us when we stood by the fence. Instead of riding, I chose watching their beauty as they ran around. Call me crazy, but when you're used to seeing nothing but sand for as far as the eye can see, you jump at the chance to see nature's beauty with the rolling green hills and pristine scenery.

  And now, as I lie here feeling more comfortable in my body than I ever have, thanks to Trevor, I can’t help but let my mind wander back to our conversation about sexual acts.

  I want to taste him. To find out what he loves, what turns him on, turns him off, and if I can make him go on this mission with a smile on his face. It’s cliché and crazy because he doesn’t expect a thing from me. It’s me. I want to experience it all, and I want it to be with him.

  I carefully roll over to stare at his handsome face as the sun starts to rise, allowing enough light to show me how peaceful he seems. I gave myself to this man, a man I’m not married to nor do I love. In time, I can see us getting there; to hear and say those three magical words and mean them would be a dream come true. I should feel guilty, some kind of remorse, yet instead I feel peaceful and content. He made losing my virginity and making sure I felt a connection to him better than I imagined.

  I inwardly sigh; my hands shake as I slide under the covers and down the bed. If I’m going to attempt to do this, I better do it now, or once he wakes, I’ll lose what little bit of nerve I have.

  My hands slide over his shaft, it’s thickness pulsing in my hand as it grows with every stroke I slowly make. He stirs and I pause, watching his stomach muscles tighten, and I want to lick those, too.

  My mouth waters in eager anticipation when he doesn’t wake. I lean down and run my tongue across the tip; a salty taste fills my mouth as I circle the smooth flesh with the tip of my tongue.

  “Grace, you don’t have to do this,” he says in a deep, gravelly morning voice that sends a tingle down my spine.

  My free hand presses down o
n his abs. I’m afraid to say anything for fear he’ll ask me to stop. His warm skin sears through the palm of my hand, his muscles contract, and I open my mouth, taking as much of him in as I can. When he sucks in a breath, I swallow down my moan and ignore the ache increasing between my legs and the fire building between my chest.

  “Christ, that feels so good,” he growls, lifts the covers, and I close my eyes. I can’t watch him watching me.

  My fingers close around his dick, the muscles in my mouth begin twitching as I suck him deep. “Look at me, Grace.” Shit, I curse in my head.

  I open my eyes and look up his body to find eyes resembling a thunderstorm staring back at me. Wicked and full of lust. I speed up, lips shielding him from my teeth, tongue licking the tangy, salty cum at his tip. I haven’t a clue where my courage comes from, but I keep my eyes on him the entire time. I stroke and I suck, I gag, but those stormy eyes tell me so much. He’s enjoying this. Not only what I’m doing to him, but this connection the two of us have, which is running deeper than what we both imagined. I feel you, I see you, and you mean more to me than I’m willing to express right now.

  “You need to stop unless you want me to come in that pure little mouth of yours.” My brows shoot up. I can’t believe the things that have come over me in the past few days or the way he makes me feel, like I could do anything and it still wouldn’t be enough.

  He expands in my mouth. The warm salty taste of his release hits the back of my throat. I swallow, and swallow again until I’ve taken it all, but the ache between my legs increases and my nipples are painfully tight.

  “Get up here,” he demands, his fingers stroking my cheek, my nerves pulling and coming undone with his touch. I do what he asks, crawling up his body and tucking my head against his chest. I seem to use his chest to conceal my embarrassment as if it will hide the redness in my face.

  “Don’t hide from me. Not after that.” He gently yanks my hair so I have no choice but to look into his eyes. “That self-doubt you had yesterday better be fucking gone. That was the best wake-up call I’ve had in my life.” His kiss on my forehead is short lived and ends only seconds before he pulls me onto his body. I lean across the bed and pull open the drawer, no doubt proving what I want out of him this morning.

  His laughter quickly turns serious when I open the wrapper myself. “Why are you laughing?”

  “I’m just finding it humorous that you’re this hungry for it now that you’ve had a taste.” His eyes focus on my hands as I slide them over his cock, rolling the condom down his length in the process. He exhales a deep moan as I reach the base, closing his eyes before I begin to move over him.

  “Jesus, Grace.” I work my way down him, rotating my hips to make progress, while he slowly thrusts toward me. So slow. So perfect. So different than I imagined sex would be.

  His strong hands spread over my butt cheeks before he takes over moving both of us. I find myself kissing him without pause, while he sends us both into the high we both crave.

  “How many times will we have to stop on the drive home?” I laugh at his words, only because I can see that happening. Since we both gave in, we haven’t been able to keep our hands off each other. It’s been quite different than I’ve ever witnessed with two people seeing each other, but then again, I know I’ve been raised in a more conservative environment than he has. Nonetheless, I like how he makes me feel as if I’m the most attractive woman in the world. One he can’t keep his hands off.

  Sliding off him, I reach for my phone as I see it light up. Not recognizing the number, I answer it with unease. “Hello.”

  “Is this Grace?” I look from the phone to Trevor, confusion written on my face.

  “Yes. Who is this?”

  “They’ve taken Leslie and Dr. Stapleton.” The faint whisper against my ear scares me and has me sitting up in my seat.

  “What are you talking about? Who took them?” I sit up abruptly, spouting out the first few questions that come to mind.

  “This is Rachel. I got your number from Leslie’s phone. I don’t know who took them, but I’m afraid they’ll be back. We have a clinic full of patients, and they’ve taken all of the medication and most of the supplies. He’s asking for you.” She’s frantic, and I can’t imagine how terrified she is. I just know I have to help.

  “I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

  “Thank you, Grace.” She hangs up, and I’m already moving from the bed before the phone goes silent.

  “Grace. What’s going on?” His deep voice follows behind me as I sweep through the house to gather everything I brought.

  “Someone has taken Leslie and raided the clinic of all their supplies. I have to get back there to help.” He pulls my arm, quickly forcing me to face him even though I can’t calm my mind enough to see straight.

  “Stop. You can’t go.”

  I yank my arm out of his hold before I glare at him to respond. “I have to.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  STEELE

  “The hell you do! You sit down and let me find out what the hell is going on.” I guide her to the couch, her mouth gaping open in shock. I heard the girl say the guy wants Grace. There’s no fucking way she’s going there.

  “Listen to me. Let me call Kaleb. He’ll get our guy on the phone who can find out if this is legit or not. You can’t just get on a plane and go over there without knowing what you’re getting yourself into.” She exhales a shaky breath. Her eyes pool with tears.

  “Alright, but I have to go, so make it fast.” There’s no time to argue with her about it right now. If this proves to be true, we need to move fast. And I need to keep an eye on her, because there is no way in hell she’s going anywhere near there.

  I sit next to her, pull out my phone, and Kaleb answers on the first ring. I’m not sure where my gut feeling comes from. I guess you can call it instinct.

  “Grace just received a call. The new doctor at her father’s clinic and a nurse were kidnapped. All the supplies and medicine were taken, too.” I place my hand on her jittery knee in hopes my touch can calm her down.

  “Are you calling me for information or for permission to send the team over?” he responds quickly, all business as usual.

  “I’m not sure yet. I guess for now we need information to see what we’re getting ourselves into. I can send you the phone number that just called her.”

  “Anything else I need to know?” Kaleb can read me better than I do myself sometimes.

  “He wants…shit, man. He wants Grace.”

  “What? Why would they want her? Alright, get your ass back here now. I’ll get all the guys on this, and we’ll go in smart on this.” There’s a reason why he leads our team. This is a perfect example for that reason.

  “My guess is it has something to do with her father, or maybe it’s someone she knew from the clinic. We’ll be at the airport in less than an hour. Can you get me two seats on the next flight? We’re both coming to the compound. We may need her for information.” My mind goes wild with all the possibilities and the horrifying reality that we have no idea who is behind this. Plus, keeping her with me will prevent her stubborn ass from trying to go there on her own. I hang up the phone with Kaleb without a single ounce of ease in my body.

  “What’s happening?” Her voice is so small, as if her entire being is shrinking in on itself.

  “We’re going to pack up and head to the airport. We’re flying to the compound to work the details of how my team will go in there and get your friend.” I haven’t shared details of my team with her. It’s not something we can share with just anyone. It’ll be interesting watching her deal with Kaleb setting down the rules of the mission when it comes time for that.

  Knowing Grace like I do, she’d risk everything for those people, and I refuse to let her do that. The love she has for them was obvious, but I have to be a sound of reason with her when it comes to the dangers of something like this. Not to mention the patients who are without proper medical care right now
. Hell, she’ll find a fucking way with or without me to go. If she’s with me, then I know she’s safe. Once I get to the compound and have the team brief me on everything they know, I’ll have a better idea of what we need to do.

  My heart races much faster than I want it to as I start thinking about all the shit that could happen. “You have five minutes to sweep the house to make sure you have everything.” I should apologize. Instead, I walk straight to my room, where I shove the rest of my stuff in my bag.

  She walks into the living room, just as somber as I feel. The tragedy of the unknown is painted on her face as she moves slowly toward me. “I have everything. How long before he calls? We’re wasting time.”

  ~~~~~

  She’s as impatient as I am as we wait at the airport for our flight information.

  “Grace,” I warn.

  “Don’t ‘Grace’ me.” She’s hot as sin when she’s angry. Before my mind has a chance to reply and lock my thoughts down, my phone pings with an incoming text. I swipe the screen, glance at the time of our flight, and shove my phone in my pocket.

  It’s a short flight from the ranch to the airport outside of West Plains. Grace has been completely silent the entire flight, lost in her thoughts as she worries about the people she left behind.

  “You ready?” I grab her hand, pull our bags out of the overhead bins, and we make our way down the length of the plane, through the small corridor and into the airport.

  “Well, howdy, darlin’,” Jackson greets in a fake southern drawl. He’s leaning up against a post, his leg kicked up, and a black cowboy hat on his head. I’ll give the asshole credit for breaking a smile on Grace’s weary face.

  “You must be Jackson.” She sticks out her hand. Christ, he’s going to eat her politeness up. I shake my head when he looks down as if it’s a foreign object. She needs this. My buddy who has a knack for making people feel better even at their worst time is the perfect person to help me keep her logical during all of this. He picks her up off the ground and spins her around. Her face lights up, her smile reaching her eyes as they move.