Chapter 31
Chapter Thirty-One
Kate
“Why am I doing this?” I groan to Yankee, holding the bee suit that’s supposed to keep me protected from the little ninjas.
The mid-morning sun is bright, the sky is blue, and I’m a quivering mess.
“Sometimes I am too nice for my own good.”
The old horse nickers and nuzzles my front pocket. He’s learned that’s where I keep the peppermints he loves.
Vaughn called and said Gus would be staying at least another day in the hospital, so I’m holding up my end of the deal, berating myself for volunteering, and facing one of my greatest fears, alone besides a gentle giant of a horse whose current obsession is lipping at me.
It almost looks like he’s trying to smile.
I know I don’t have to do this. Vaughn doesn’t expect it of me. But it’ll make his day easier if I take this task off his plate. Even if it’s this simple yet terrifying thing.
“I can do this, though, right? If I’m going to run into burning buildings, I can feed some bees. There’s nothing to it. And it’ll help Vaughn and keep Gus from trying to get out here and do this. Right? I mean, how hard is it to feed some bees? People get stung every day, and they’re fine.”
I manage to get suited up the same way Vaughn had me do the one other time I tried to help him with the bees.
Yankee nips at my pocket again, and I give him a rub between the eyes.
“I’ll get you a treat as soon as I get done with this chore.
And then we’ll do a brush on you and get you some fresh hay for dinner. How about that?”
He eats hay all day long, but he must love this new stuff Vaughn had delivered, because he gets excited when we draw near the bale.
I’ve usually got his favorite treats with me because he is the goodest boi, so I’ve become Yankee’s favorite human—for the moment, anyway.
He follows me out of the barn and through the field to the edge of the tree line, where the bane of my existence and the object of my nightmares resides.
I pause, gathering my courage and trying to find my zen.
“I’m being ridiculous, Yank,” I tell the old horse. He snuffles and casts a wary gaze at the hive. “But you get it, don’t you, buddy. I’m scared.”
It seems as though time has flown, even though it’s been a matter of days since I got the message about Gus. I guess the endless grueling nature of the recruit program makes it seem like the days and weeks are long, but the months are short.
“You know, this next section is going to be extra brutal. Then I have to pass both my written exam and physical test. And I’m nervous,” I admit to the animal, trying to find some kind of distraction so I can do this thing I’ve promised to do.
“If I don’t pass, it’s not the end of the world. I mean, I can still be a medic.”
He shuffles closer to me, as if he understands this secret is hard to voice. “But what if I can’t do it? What if I can’t feed these bees—” I swallow thickly. “Or pass my test? I don’t want to be a failure.”
Vaughn says the bees can sense my mood, so I try to push the worry aside and focus on the positive.
I’ve kicked ass on every test we’ve had so far.
I’m not the best at the physical stuff, but I’m not the worst either.
I am one of nine remaining candidates from a starting pool of thirty.
“I’m a badass,” I whisper, channeling Vaughn’s reminder to me. “I can do hard things.”
And then I step forward. Yankee stands patiently waiting while I go through the motions.
My heart rate ratchets up a notch when a few of the buzzy fuckers land on my sleeve.
I freeze, watching as one walks up my forearm.
Deep breathing in a four-count pattern helps me keep from flapping my arm, and the little winged demon finally buzzes off.
I go through all the steps Vaughn told me had to be completed, and in no time, I’m backing away from the hive and moving back to the old horse standing sentry over me.
He falls into step just ahead of me as if to show me the way back to the barn.
Once I’m halfway across the field, I allow the jubilation to finally bleed through the tight control I’ve had on my emotions.
By the time I get to the barn and get the bee gear off, I’m smiling from ear to ear, and Yankee is stomping his feet, obviously done with waiting on his treat.
I rub him between his eyes while he crunches a peppermint.
“Thanks, Yankee. I needed a friend out there.”
“Looks like that went well.” Vaughn’s voice startles me.
“Hey, I wasn’t expecting you so soon. Everything go okay at the hospital?”
He doesn’t answer; instead, he walks to me and wraps his arms around me. It’s then I realize I’m shaking. I heave a breath of relief and allow myself to soften into his solid strength.
I don’t have to be tough and strong around this man. He will be that for me.
“Good job out there. You were slow and controlled the whole time. How’d you feel about it? Think beekeeping will become your new hobby?”
I scoff. “Hell no. You saw what I wanted you to see. Inside, I’m a screaming mess.”
A low grumble sounds beneath my cheek. “I see you, Kate.” He pulls back and cups my face, running a thumb over my cheek. “The rest of the world can’t or won’t look past the tough facade. They might see the fearless medic or badass woman working in a man’s world, but I see you.”
He brushes a kiss to the tip of my nose, then at the corner of my mouth, turning my limbs to jelly.
“And what do you see?” Good lord, could I sound any needier?
He continues with the soft, peppered kisses along my jaw, across my cheeks. “I see a woman working hard to reach her goals while also trying to take care of everyone around her. I see a badass who does shit even though it scares her.”
Warm fingertips skate over my waist, tracing the edge of my leggings in a featherlight caress. My breath stutters, and he continues his kissing assault while those hands build a different kind of heat inside me.
“Now, tell me what’s got you in here confiding to Yankee,” he murmurs in my ear when he’s got me good and compliant.
“I’m scared I’m going to make an ass of myself on the physical exam.”
“Why would you make an ass of yourself?”
“Because I let too much of what Asshat says get under my skin,” I admit.
I hate that I’ve let this dude get in my head like this.
Even Vaughn’s careful seduction dampens at the thought of what’s to come.
“We’ll have to be partnered up to pass a portion.
It’s a recovery drill where we mimic recovering downed personnel.
I’m the smallest in the class, and I’m afraid I won’t be strong enough.
You saw how bad it was when I was training with Cal and Jackson. ”
He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. Watching me in that way that he has. “Then let’s practice.”
“Practice?”
“Yeah. I know you’re much stronger than when we first met. I see you working hard. If you need a confidence boost, I’m bigger than either of them.” There’s a delightful spark of mischief in his eye, but he’s not wrong, and he knows it.
“You’re bigger than anyone I know. If I can move you, I can move any one of the recruits.”
In no time at all, I’ve explained the drill, and he’s lying on the dusty barn floor, stretched out like a total snack.
With one hand cradling the nape of his neck, the fabric covering his biceps is getting a workout of its own.
His legs are crossed at the ankles, and the bulge at his fly grows even as I study him.
“Careful there, Vixen. Keep looking at me like that and you won’t get your skills practice done until much later.”
I ease to the floor next to him with a warning glare. “Don’t make this easy on me.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Two little innocent words, but delivered in that sex voice of his, and they go straight to those little hormonal receptors that are attuned to everything Vaughn.
I flush. From head to toe, I am on fire. And he sees it and chuckles. “Hmm. I like that look on you.”
I waggle a finger at him. “Nuh-uh. Don’t use that sex voice on me. Now be still and play unconscious.”
He’s still chuckling, but he does as I ask. And when I slip my leg between his and flip his big-ass arm over to pull him onto my back, I try not to think about how sexy this might’ve been if we were doing this naked.
It takes effort—and several tries—but I get him rolled over on top of me, and true to his word, he doesn’t help at all.
“Jesus, did you just make yourself heavier?”
“No, all the blood rushed to my cock. It’s nestled so firmly against this ass. Must’ve shifted my weight distribution.”
An unladylike snort rips out of me at his ridiculous joke, but I don’t break my concentration, not even when I give him a boost and feel him take advantage of the change in position.
“Unconscious people don’t hump their saviors,” I pant, but I’m up on all fours, and I have him secured around me like a koala.
“I do like this exercise.” He grunts as I elbow him while trying to get to my feet. I stagger and struggle. Almost give out under his weight before I remember there’s no rule that says I have to actually get to my feet. I just have to carry him a certain number of yards.
“Let’s make this interesting. Let’s see how well you work under pressure.” And then his hands are under my shirt yet again, splaying across my belly, thumbs brushing the underside of my breasts.
My breath hitches as I try not to laugh. I advance forward on a crawl, and it hitches for an entirely different reason as those talented hands begin their assault. One cups a breast, and the other heads south, slipping under the waistband of my leggings to cup me over my panties.
“Fuck, Vixen. Your panties are soaked.” He brushes his other thumb over a nipple, and I whimper but don’t stop crawling, carrying the weight of him draped over me.
His head hangs low beside mine. The throaty groan in my ear does nothing to help the situation. “That’s my strong girl. Look at you carrying me to safety.”
Sexy words of affirmation. Who knew that would light me up, but it works. I’ve barely crawled over the make-believe finish line when Vaughn rolls off me and reverses our position. My legs fall to either side of his hips, and his big hands grip my thighs, pulling me against his rock-hard erection.
“Good job, baby. Your prize is a ride of your own.”
“I think I deserve extra credit. I crossed the finish line under duress.”
He grinds into me. “I’ll show you duress.”
Our laughter echoes through the barn. With a slap to my ass, he commands, “Stand up and take these off.”
My chest is still heaving from exertion and arousal, yet I’m about to get naked in a barn in broad daylight and I’m laughing.
That empty, seeking space inside my chest overflows with something new. My heart feels light. Is this what love is? It’s so much more than what I’ve ever felt with any man before. It’s authentic, natural. Easy.
I haven’t molded myself to what I think he wants me to be. I haven’t changed who I am with him. I am exactly myself, and he likes it.
Vaughn Adams might be the one.
The gorgeous man on the floor stares back at me, his heated gaze raking over me. Watching me like he can’t wait to get his hands on me.
So I preen a little. Give him a slow show. I’m so out of my comfort zone, but he makes me feel safe and wanted.
“Hurry up,” he growls, to the soundtrack of his zipper being yanked open.
The rebel in me perks up. He looks like he’s on the verge of losing control. What would it take to push him over the edge?
Instead of stripping my leggings, I scurry to the barn door. “You want it, come get it,” I taunt over my shoulder, then sprint across the lawn.
It’s the space of a moment before heavy footfalls draw near, so I pick up my pace, though it’s a challenge to sprint and laugh at the same time.
My stature is no match for his long legs, and in a heartbeat, I’m lifted and turned and spun to the ground, in the arms of my captor.
“Gotcha.” Vaughn claims victory by pinning my arms above my head in the carpet of grass.
With a smile on my face, I wrap a leg around his. “You did.”
He claims my mouth, tongue licking inside, and all pretense of lightheartedness shifts to darker desire and infinite need. Clothes fly in a flurry of groping hands and low moans.
“Condom?” I manage to get out.
He produces one like a magician, rewarding me with a lecherous grin as he sits back on his heels to roll it on.
My hands wander up his thighs, tracing the rigid muscles as they flex and shift under my fingertips. “Look at you being a boy scout.”
“Lucky you.” He shoots me a wink, then flattens a palm between my breasts, and I feel pinned to the ground as he runs that hand up to circle my throat.
He claims my mouth in the most delicious way as he stretches out over me.
The rasp of his chest across my nipples, the weight of him between my thighs, is delicious.
I hook a leg around his hips and roll us, then sit up, bracing my hands on his abs. Being so free and open with him is absolute perfection.
I cup my breasts, loving the way his eyes go feral at the sight of me touching myself. And when I sink onto him, I lose myself in that animal gaze.