Chapter Nine Brad #3
My brother wavered slightly as he glanced at me.
Then he dropped down next to me. It was hard to see him this way.
My older brother, whom I’d looked up to my whole life, was now a victim of PTSD.
The demons that lived inside his head dragged him back in time to when his unit had been attacked one awful night.
Out of the six guys, only he and Hayne had survived.
The incident had screwed him up badly, and he’d been sent home.
There’d been offers of help from the military, but the system was just so bogged down with similar cases that he was left languishing on a waiting list.
“I see them.” Rain sprayed from his mouth. “Ten o’clock.” He steadied his rifle. “There’s two.”
“Hold fire, Captain,” I commanded, hoping like hell he’d listen. “Eagle is almost—”
He suddenly flipped around onto his back and pointed the rifle at Bree, who looked down at us.
“No, Ronnie!” I grabbed the gun as I threw myself on top of him, and we rolled together. The rifle pointed toward the sky. “It’s me, Bradley! You’re home, Ronnie. You’re home!”
Bang! It went off again, and the look on his face was pure terror as the realization came to him that it was me. He threw his arms over his face and suddenly went limp. Quickly, I unloaded the gun and tossed it as far from us as I could.
I hopped to my feet and went to Bree.
“What the hell were you thinking?” I tried not to yell out of my own fear.
“I was worried about you.” She looked over at Ronnie. “Are you guys okay?”
Ronnie sat up, pulled his knees up close to his chest, and dropped his head. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Bradley.”
“Don’t be.” I bent down in front of him. “It’s not your fault.”
“Don’t.” He closed his eyes, and I knew my brother lived in a world of pain. “I could have killed you.” He looked over at Bree, his face white. “I could have killed you both.”
“But you didn’t.” She came close and rubbed his arm as I quickly called my dad to come outside. “Brad was here.”
I was thankful that Dad came so quickly. He pulled Ronnie to his feet and shot me a look. “It’s okay, Bradley. I’ve got him. Take Bree home.” He squeezed my arm. “It’ll be okay.”
Without another word, I took Bree by the hand, and we jogged back toward her cabin. We were sopping wet when we burst through the door. I shook myself and took a deep inhale. My head was in a tailspin. My concern for my brother had grown more intense.
“What just happened, Brad?” I turned around and saw her wild eyes.
I reached for her and pulled her to me and slammed my lips to hers to shut out the horror of it all.
I needed grounding, and I needed it from her.
Her body molded into mine, mirroring every ounce of my intensity.
We couldn’t get enough; our kisses were deep and passionate.
I took her in my arms and lifted her onto the table, and she wrapped her legs around my waist as we ravished each other’s mouths.
My erection pressed into her belly, and I let out a growl from deep within my throat.
“Brad.” I barely heard her speak. Then she pressed a hand against my chest, and I pulled back. She eyed my chest and stomach with such hunger that I lost myself again. “Christ, Brad, I think—”
I slammed my mouth back to hers to swallow her words. Her hands ran over my bare shoulders and into my hair, deepening the kiss.
Her touch soothed the storm inside. All thoughts of my brother had gone from my head. I ran my hands up under her shirt and palmed her wet breasts.
“Oh my god, you’re making this hard,” she groaned.
I lowered her hand and brushed it over my erection, and the feeling was unreal.
“You’re telling me.” I broke free for a moment, pressed my forehead to hers, and tried to slow myself down.
I moved my lips to her neck and devoured her smooth skin, as her hips ground against me.
“I want you to be with me, Bree. I’ve always wanted you.
” The words slipped from my lips, and I felt her go stiff.
“Brad,” she put a hand on my chest and pushed me back gently. “Brad, I’ve wanted this too. But we work together now, and—”
“I know.” I caught her lips again, then spoke against them. “I don’t care about that.”
She pulled away again. “It’s not just that.
My life’s in New York City, and I can’t see myself living back here.
” I knew she had a life in the city, but this was home.
This was where she needed to be, here and with me.
“Damn, I can’t think straight. Look, Brad, I’m not denying I want you, but there’s a lot going on right now, and everything’s up in the air.
Besides, being back has opened old wounds. ”
“Wounds,” I whispered. I knew her words weren’t just about that day at the river. Bree had left the day I asked Sherry to marry me, and I knew I’d hurt her.
“Yeah.” She brushed her hair back from her face. “Look, Brad, can we just get through this case and see what happens?”
I nodded. She was right. We had a case to work on, and I had a lot to figure out. I leaned down so we were at eye level. “I understand what you’re saying.” I gently tugged at her nipple, and her lips parted with a silent moan. “I guess I’ll just have to convince you to stay.”
She smiled weakly.
“I do love a good challenge.” I moved in slowly and kissed her jaw. “I’ll call you later.” Somehow I ripped myself away from her and let myself out the door. If I’d looked back, I wouldn’t have been able to leave.