Epilogue
brONCO
A week later, I’m recovering in bed at one of Lone Star’s cabins on The Ranch when a text pings on my phone. I pull it from my back pocket and glance at the unknown number. It’s a link to a news article about Aiden Frost. The sender’s info is just the phone number and a skull and crossbones emoji.
I pull up the article and scan the contents.
It details dozens of shady dealings Frost was discovered to have made with business contacts worldwide.
Everything from spying to blackmail. Someone downloaded the entire contents of his personal drives and delivered them to the authorities…
and the press. Floyd Whitaker was also implicated and is under investigation.
: I owed you
A knot of tension I didn’t know I was carrying loosens in my chest. The next breath I draw comes easier, knowing Camille is truly safe. Her father has no more claim on her.
Bronco: No you didn’t
There’s no debt between brothers. We protect each other any way we can.
: No one should have to spend their lives looking over their shoulder
Bronco: Like you?
: At least I know I’ll see you there
Bronco: Always. Whatever you need, I have your back
I'm making my last move
If I go under the ice this time, don't come looking for me
I tuck the phone back in my pocket and swallow past the hard lump in my throat. Wherever Dallas is, I hope he's not starting a war he can't win. Because if he thinks I'll walk away, he's wrong.
Camille enters the bedroom carrying a tray. She’s been learning to cook and enjoying it.
She smiles when she sees me sitting up. The wound on my shoulder is healing well. Another two inches down and I wouldn’t have been so lucky.
“Breakfast?”
“Are you offering?” I lean in for a brief kiss, then trace the satiny skin of her cheek.
She sets the tray aside and climbs on my lap. One of my flannels clings to her body, sexy as fuck.
“Is this okay?” she asks.
“It will be.” This is the first day I’ve felt up to any… exertion. I plan to make the most of it. I reach for the buttons, sliding them from the holes, then push the shirt off, baring her body to me.
I’m addicted to the taste and feel of her skin. The way she shivers lightly when I rake my teeth over her tender flesh and lick away the sting. I’m full and aching for her. Been dreaming of this moment since the night I made her come.
“Your shoulder?” she asks, voice breathy as I suck kisses on her neck.
“What shoulder?”
A giggle escapes her.
Camille gasps and presses her fingers to her lips.
I freeze.
Then gently pry her hand away.
A soft smile graces her lips, reflecting in the depths of her eyes. I’m blinded by the transformation. She was already gorgeous. Smiling? She’s mesmerizing.
“Fuck, you’re stunning when you smile, princess.”
I vow there and then to make her smile every damn day. Starting now.
“I love you, Camille.”
Her lips part in surprise. “Are you sure?” Pink stains her cheeks. “I mean… you do?”
Her confidence is growing, and it’s almost as lovely as her smile. “I don’t want to live without you, princess.”
“I love you too, Bronco.”
I swallow hard. I used to think I didn’t deserve this level of happiness. Not after losing all those people in Afghanistan. All my focus went into keeping people alive my way, and it still wasn’t enough. Camille was taken anyway. If it weren’t for Dallas…
But maybe that’s the deeper lesson. A man shouldn’t be alone.
I reach for her hand and thread our fingers together.
Maybe it’s about holding on to the people who show up for you. The people you love.
My voice is thick when I ask, “Share this life with me?”
Camille leans down for a lingering kiss, then says, “I’m yours, Bronco. Forever.”
I press my forehead to hers, sharing the same air. Breathing her in.
“Show me,” I order, voice gruff with need. I urge her onto her knees and shove my underwear down. It’s awkward as hell with my shoulder patched up like this.
She traces her finger over the tattoos on my chest, the scars from battle. Her lips follow, setting fire to my body.
I grip her hips, pulling her back down until the wet heat of her core slides over my cock.
A feral growl rips from my throat. If I could, I’d flip her over and bury myself in her in one thrust. But this damn injury is limiting my movements.
If my princess has to stay on top, then it’s time I got creative, because there’s no way in hell I’m going to come before I’ve tasted her. Starting with her pretty tits.
Her skin is like satin beneath my palms as I explore her body. Her thighs, her back. Her stomach. I cup the soft mounds and tease her nipples, sucking them into my mouth. First one, then the other.
Camille moans, rocking her hips over my length.
Her heat drenches me, and shit, I need more.
“Up.” I urge her body forward as I slide down the bed.
“What?” She tips forward, grabbing the headboard.
Perfect.
“Don’t let go,” I order.
She grips the wooden frame, looking down at me with adorable confusion.
Has no one done this for her? “You’re going to come on my tongue, princess.” I grip her hips, gently tugging her down over my mouth. “Right here.”
“Bronco, I—”
“Trust me.”
She nods and lowers another inch.
Her honey scent is intoxicating. I stroke a finger through her folds, teasing her clit until she shivers.
Then I wrap my arm around her hips, draw her close, and swipe my tongue through her folds.
Jesus. I swear my eyes roll back in my head.
She’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted.
I lick her again, drawing every drop from her body.
Spearing my tongue into her depths, teasing the point around her clit, sucking the little bundle until she’s twisting with need.
Only then do I press my finger back inside her and suck her clit hard.
Camille cries my name as she breaks, coating my lips and beard with her honey.
It’s the most beautiful, delicious thing I’ve ever seen.
And it’s not fucking enough.
I lift her enough to slide back up, nuzzling her stomach, breasts, and neck along the way. “You’re gonna have to ride me, princess.”
The icy blue of her eyes has melted into blue of endless skies. I could look into them forever.
She trembles over me, still gripping the headboard, but when her heat rests against my tip, she stops.
“Bronco.” She chews her bottom lip and traces one of my tattoos.
I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, waiting. If she needs more time, I’ll give it to her. Even if it kills me.
Her hand tracks down my chest, petting the soft hair. She shifts, looking nervous.
“We can take it slower. I’m happy to just hold you,” I tell her, meaning every word.
“It’s not that. I want to. With you. But… I’ve never… done this.” She swallows and rushes on. “My parents insisted that I wait until I got married.”
My chest locks. “You and Frost never—”
“No. Thank God. I just wanted you to know. Before we went further.”
“Hey, come here.” I wrap my arms around her and draw her down to my chest. “I meant it. We don’t have to do this now.”
If she wants to wait, I’ll wait. Whether that’s until tomorrow or when we get married. Either way, this woman is mine. I just don’t have the ring to show her. Gonna have to remedy that as soon as I’m cleared by the doctors.
Maybe I should move that appointment up to tomorrow afternoon…
Camille cups my cheek. “I don’t want to wait. That was their plan, not mine.”
“You sure?” It’s her choice. It always will be.
She reaches between our bodies and wraps her hand around my cock.
My hips flex, and a moan rips from me. “Feels… feels good.” Understatement. Nothing has ever felt better. But I don’t have the vocabulary for that.
I wrap my hand around hers, showing her how I like to be touched.
She pumps her hand, then slowly raises up to her knees. “Like this?” Camille notches the head at her entrance, flooding me with sensation.
I grit my teeth and try to hold on. “Yes. Go slow.” For both our sakes.
She pushes down, and the head pops in. Little by little she sinks down until I reach her barrier.
I grip her hips, rocking back an inch, then press deeper. Again and again, until her nails bite into my skin and she’s on the edge. Then I thrust hard, pulling her body down, and seat all the way home. “Camille,” I breathe against her. Trying to remember this moment.
The first time we made love. One of what I hope will be many firsts.
Her hips swivel, testing the feel.
I grip her hips and let her explore my body. Hers. Where we’re locked together. Then she starts to move, and I help her find a rhythm.
Sliding in and out of her body is heaven on earth. I will never get enough. But it’s her love that makes this moment what it is. A promise between us.
When her breathing changes, I brush my thumb over her clit. Round and round, taking her higher. I feel the exact moment her body shifts.
Camille shivers, her head tips back, and the orgasm rolls over her in a glorious wave. Her walls clench down on me, gripping me so tight I see stars.
I come harder than I’ve ever come before. The world fades until it’s only Camille and me. Our breath mingling as we fight for air. I tug her down for a deep kiss, showing her how much I love her.
She’s all I want. All I need.
Earlier, Gray grumbled about breach of protocol and going rogue but didn’t fire my ass. He may be waiting until I’m healed.
Somehow, I don’t think so. Too many other operatives have fallen in love of late. But if I have to leave Lone Star, I will.
Whatever happens next, I’m home, so long as Camille is with me.
Thank you for reading Bronco and Camille’s story in Taming My Bodyguard.