Chapter Twelve
A rcher glanced down at Addy in total wonder. Her damp, honey hair was spread out over his pillowcase, and her lips were rosy from being wrapped around him moments ago. He couldn’t believe she was here in his home. For months, he’d lived off the exhilaration of her text messages, never imagining it would bring them where they were right now. He hadn’t allowed himself to think of more when they were chatting back and forth, and he’d certainly never crossed any boundaries in their texts. Never even hinted at how deep his interest in her ran.
Now, she was in his bed, beneath him, trusting him so openly it stole his fucking breath. She dropped her knees farther to the side, giving him more space. He leaned down, licking the seam of her lips. Goose bumps broke out over his back as her hands trailed over his skin. He couldn’t get enough of her. When he kissed a path down her neck, her fingers dug into his skin. He closed his lips around one tight nipple, then the other, and she squirmed beneath him. His name rolled off her tongue, and a spike of pleasure pierced his chest. She shifted slightly and his erection nudged at her center. He immediately stilled. “Need to get a condom, sweetheart.”
Her cheeks pinked and she cleared her throat. He loved how she could go from bold to shy in a heartbeat.
“What is it? You can tell me anything. Ask me for anything.”
“I’ve only done this twice, about a decade ago. Both times I insisted on a condom, but it’s different with you. I want to feel all of you. Just you. If you’re okay with that.”
“Fuck, Addy. I’ve never gone without either and I would never put you in danger. All my military screenings have been clean.”
“I started the pill when I moved back here. I was hoping…”
“Hoping what?” Christ, he didn’t want to hear that she was hoping to meet someone.
“That you’d want to get to know me beyond our messages.”
Relief swamped him. “More than you could know.”
She smiled at him, eyes heavy with lust.
He watched her face as he gently eased inside her. He couldn’t fathom that it had been ten years since she’s been with someone. Addy was beautiful in a way that went further than skin-deep. Brightness and warmth radiated in the space surrounding her. Three words sat on the tip of his tongue. He’d never been so desperate to share something with another human. If he told her now, though, she might think it was just the heat of the moment. Their eyes were locked as he moved deeper. She was so tight, choking him. “I’m not even fully inside you and nothing has ever felt better.” The last thing he wanted to do was hurt her, but she made the decision for him, rocking her hips up to meet him.
“Are you okay?” He fought the need to move faster, even though his whole body was trembling.
“I never imagined it could feel this good.” She wrapped her legs around him, and he began to thrust slow and deep. He couldn’t tear his gaze from her face as he moved inside her. She was so goddamn stunning. The way her eyes became unfocused as her pleasure built, clouding with passion. It wasn’t long before her movements grew erratic and she blinked, staring up at him, flushed and breathless. She needed more. He moved one hand between their bodies and stroked the bundle of nerves between her hips. His name tore from her, thighs shaking as she broke apart, trembling and writhing against him. Her core rippled around him, and he let go moments later, pleasure surging through his body in endless swells. He paused above her, stunned by the intensity of what they’d shared. His chest was still heaving when he rolled them both over and tucked her against his side. He wasn’t sure how long they’d been lying wrapped around each other when a phone rang in the other room.
“That’s mine. I’ll get it in a minute.” Her lips curved against his chest, and he breathed in her scent, only instead of her sweet, earthy perfume filling his lungs, it was his soap and shampoo. He liked knowing that she’d been in his shower, using his things. That she carried his scent, even if it was a bit cave-manish. The ringing stopped, only to start back up again.
“You stay right here,” he said, tucking the covers snugly around her. He kissed the top of her head once more and slipped out of bed. He was halfway to the kitchen when he heard pounding on the door. Pretzel’s collar jingled as she hopped out of her cat tree and followed on his heels. He grabbed a throw blanket off the couch, wrapped it around his waist, and strode to the door. Usually, no one stepped foot on his property without triggering the sensors he had set up. They were either down, or he’d been so wrapped up in Addison he hadn’t noticed the alert.
He glanced through the eyehole and swore. Fucking hell. Of all the people to be on his doorstep, Addy’s brother was the last person he wanted to see. He’d take whatever shit his friend threw at him and tell him to come back in the morning. There was no way the memory of their first night together was going to be tainted by a brawl between him and his teammate. He swung open the door. Joker stood with his hands fisted at his sides, a drawn expression on his face.
“She here?”
“If you’re asking about Addy, yeah. She is.”
“Why the fuck didn’t either of you pick up your phones?” Awareness broke over Joker’s gaze, and his eyes narrowed as if he was seeing Archer for the first time, with only a blanket slung around his hips. “Oh, come on.” Joker’s dismay would’ve been comical if he hadn’t been pulled away from snuggling with Addy. “You two have been home for what? An hour maybe? Put some clothes on so I can come in and see my sister.”
“You’re the one who’s dropping by in the middle of the night.”
“The commander said you only landed two hours ago. I wasn’t expecting you’d drag her right into your love lair.”
“Julian!” They both turned. Addy had tossed on one of his sweatshirts. The hem skimmed around her knees, and she paced across the room. Her hair was still slightly damp and mussed around her shoulders. Now there was no question as to what they’d been doing. Joker came into the house and shut the door and Addy hugged her brother hard.
“I don’t deserve that hug,” Joker muttered. He took his sister’s hand and walked toward the living room. Silver detoured to the first-floor laundry and grabbed a pair of sweats out of the dryer, pulling them on before joining them. They were both sitting on the couch, and he went straight to the spot next to Addy.
Joker leaned in, elbows resting on his knees. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness after being a colossal dick at the barracks, Addy. I’ve been sick over it since I left the conference room. I was just so afraid that something would happen to you. I know how capable you are.”
Addy slipped her arm around his bare torso. Her damp hair tickled his arm and chest. The way she touched him openly, no hesitation, made him feel ten feet tall.
“I understand why you lashed out, even if it stung,” she said. “It’s over now. I had no idea what our assignment was until we stepped foot in the conference room. That must’ve been a total shock.”
“Not as much as Silver here opening the door with only a blanket on. Why didn’t you tell me you guys were together before? We’ve always told each other everything.” The hurt in Joker’s voice was palpable.
Addy raised a brow. “You really want to know everything?”
Silver choked back his laugh.
Joker mock-shuddered. “You know what, forget it. Details are the last thing I need.”
“Smart choice. I was going to tell you eventually, but he’s your teammate. You’ve fought with him. Bled with him. You know the type of man he is. I never thought for a second you’d have any hesitation about me being with someone you trust with your life. Everything between us is new. I would’ve told you, Julian, but I just wanted to cherish it for a little while. I’ve never kept a secret from you.” Addy was moving her hand up and down Silver’s side, giving him every reassurance that she was exactly where she wanted to be.
“I wouldn’t be here, at least the person I am today, without you, Addison. For so long, you were the only person in my world. My reason to get up in the morning and do the best I could. I disrespected you both. When I figured out you had feelings for each other, I didn’t stop to think about how lucky I was that the person with Addy was someone I already loved and trusted.” Julian’s gaze moved from Addy to him. “You’ve saved my ass so many times, brother. Shown your loyalty a thousand times over. Supported all of us when we found women of our own. I haven’t been able to stop thinking of your sister. When the time is right, I want to hear everything about her. You more than have my blessing, even though you never needed it. Addy, you’re the smartest person I’ve ever met, so of course Silver is who you chose. I hope in time, you’ll both forgive me.”
Addy released him to hug her brother and Silver stood and clapped his hand over Julian’s shoulder. “You already have my forgiveness,” Silver said.
“Me, too, Julian. I love you.”
“Love you, too, Addy.”
Silver’s phone rang from where he left it in the kitchen. If it weren’t the middle of the night, he would’ve ignored it, but good news never came at two o’clock in the morning.
“I’m going to get that,” he said then turned so he could face Addy. “You okay, sweetheart?”
She nodded. He leaned down to give her a brief but hard kiss on the mouth. “Be right back.” He released a long breath and started toward the kitchen. The phone was lit up on the center island. Ransom’s number was displayed on the screen, and he swiped the green bar to take the call.
“Silver,” he said.
“You make it home okay?” The stomp of Ransom’s boots was audible. What the hell was he doing up at this hour?
“Yeah, but that’s not why you’re calling me in the dead of night, is it?”
“Two things. Joker can’t get in touch with Addison. Someone threw a rock through her front window and her alarm’s been going off. We’re going to start a search around the immediate area. She couldn’t have gotten far. Her car is still parked in the driveway.”
“She’s crashing at my place. Joker is already here.”
The footsteps abruptly stopped. “Oh, shit.”
“Yeah.” He chuckled.
“How’s he taking it?” Ransom’s voice was grave, because hell, he knew just how well Joker handled surprises.
He dropped his voice and paced the kitchen. “Pretty good seeing I opened the door with nothing but a blanket tied around my waist.”
His teammate muttered a curse. “Need backup?”
“No. Think we’re past that.”
“The ER?” There was no humor in his teammate’s voice.
“He gave me his blessing,” he said, leaning against the cool marble counter.
Ransom gave a long, low whistle. “Amazing the change Sam has made in him. I called the police earlier to Addy’s place, but I’ll keep you up to date. Remind Joker his baby is due any second and he should get home to Sam where he belongs, just in case he changes his mind and decides to beat you to a pulp.”
He rolled his shoulders. “When did you become a comedian?”
“I don’t know. I guess I’m just feeling chipper.”
“Fuck you. You don’t usually pass moderately amused.”
“Yeah, but Brynn is pregnant. Jacob and Brynn put a ‘proud uncle’ flag on his wheelchair. Saw it when I got home and cried like a baby.”
“Holy shit. Congratulations.”
“I can’t believe it. And I can’t stop thinking about how different our lives are now compared to two years ago. All of us finding women we love. Babies on the way.” Ransom’s voice, heavy with emotion, broke. “Shit, well, expect a call from me within the hour. Guessing this was a random act. Kids maybe.”
“I’ll come out there and board up the window once they leave.” Nerves prickled over the back of his neck. It was probably kids, but Addy’s safety was far too important to rule out someone acting nefariously.
“Already got it covered.” It was so like Ransom to take charge and not ask for help.
“Thank you, and congratulations again.”
They said their goodbyes, and he started to follow Addy’s and Joker’s muffled voices back into the foyer, then paused.
“I love you, too, and I always will,” Addy said to Joker.
“I’m happy you found someone so loyal and good. Someone we both trust.”
Joker’s blessing meant everything to him. If he hadn’t given it, operating as a team would have been impossible. He’d have to let the lieutenant commander know he needed to be reassigned to another unit. His shoulders sagged in relief. He loved every one of his teammates, Joker included, but what he and Addy shared was once in a lifetime. She was it for him. The front door shut, and footsteps started down the hall. A moment later, Addy came into view. She all but ran across the room and into his arms, and damn did that feel good.
“Back upstairs?” He stroked the smooth waves of her hair, loving the weight and texture in his hands. He knew he needed to tell her about the rock that had been thrown through her apartment window, but he wanted her to be comfortable, with his arms wrapped around her. Ransom had handled everything that could be done tonight. They could check out the damage in the morning.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and tilted her head back. Silver took the invitation and ran his tongue along the seam of her lips.
Another round of banging on the door made them both groan. He was cursing Joker under his breath on his way to the front door. Disengaging the dead bolt, he opened the door.
Joker’s eyes were wide. His breathing fast. “Silver, Sam’s in labor. Her water broke.”
“What do you need?” There was nothing he wouldn’t do for Joker.
“You and Addy to be at the hospital. Shit.” He raked his hands through his hair. “I’m scared.”
“Get to Sam, and we’ll meet you at the hospital. On second thought, I’ll drive. You look like you’re going to pass out.” Silver went back into the house and tagged his keys off the credenza.
Addy was rushing back into the room. She’d grabbed her now-clean pants from the dryer and pulled them on. She caught Joker’s pained expression and went to his side. “Let’s go. She’s going to be fine. Sam’s strong.”
They sprinted to his truck. Addy jumped in first and shimmied into the middle before he got into the driver’s side. Julian was pale in the passenger’s seat. He started the engine and threw the truck into reverse, driving toward Julian and Sam’s apartment.