Chapter 9
Rake (Silo)
Norah is half asleep by the time we get back to the cabins. After checking mine is still secure, I get her inside and tell her to get ready for bed while I do my inspections. Once she’s in the shower, I get my TSCM kit and head to Twila’s.
I find one hidden camera located between two ceiling beams in the corner of the kitchen and notify Patch who is the interface with local law enforcement.
Then I contact I-Tee to see if he can track the signal from his end.
Once I get the drones I’ll look for outside cameras.
After securing everything, I head back to my cabin.
I’ll let the locals do their thing tomorrow. After that I go on the offensive.
Letting myself into the cabin, I see Norah is already snuggled under the covers and fast asleep. Two drinks and out like a light. I’ll remember that for the future.
What future? I stop myself. Once she’s safe and any danger is over, I need to walk away. I’m not the kind of man she deserves. She’s got a whole damn future ahead of her. Mine is half over. Maybe even more so with the work I do.
She’s not meant for you. In the shower I can’t stop thinking about how perfect she is.
Her dark honey blonde hair smells sweet like flowers, her skin is soft when she takes my hand and I rub my thumb along the back of her hand.
Still smaller than I am, she’s not some twig that would break in a stiff wind. Or during a hard fuck.
She thinks she’s tall at five-nine, but she’s still a shorty compared to my six-four.
I’ve seen how she tries to hide her curves under oversized shirts or sweaters.
Her soft full breast would fit perfectly in my hands.
And damn, I’d love to palm her ass and lift her so I could devour her mouth while her legs are wrapped around my waist.
Sweet, kind, gentle, softhearted, and smart. So fucking smart. Not the kind of woman you’d be able to hide things from. Hell, she knew instantly what happened with my old man. Every mission that went bad, she’d know immediately. In all of that, she’s the spitting image of Twila.
The last few times I’d been at the cabin, Twila had talked about her granddaughter and how important she was to her. How good and smart a woman she was. And how alone she was.
She always seemed to have some new tidbit or story to tell about her the last few times I’d been back. How she’d like me to meet her some time, so I’d know who she was when she visited. Just enough to tease my curiosity.
Cagey old bird. I wonder if she knew what was going down? Knew she didn’t have long? Stubborn woman. Why didn’t she just say something? Tell me?
Finishing, I dry off and pull on a pair of pajama pants I had one of the guys get me. Damn, I hate these things. I hate the way they rub on my cock. I’m an au natural kind of guy. Boxer briefs or nothing.
After stoking the fire, I crawl into bed, careful to stay on my side in spite of how much I want to curl around my girl.
She’s not your girl. You’re too old, too jaded to deserve her. My throbbing cock disagrees.
I force myself to sleep. I need to be alert, to protect Norah.
My senses flare to life. Training keeps me still, my eyes closed. A soft touch skims up from my belly over my chest and cups my cheek. Inhaling a little deeper, I recognize Norah’s scent and open my eyes.
“Sorry I woke you. I just wanted to look at you and then couldn’t resist touching. You’re beautiful.”
I lay my hand over hers where it rests on my chest and swallow. She’s leaning on one elbow and slightly hovering over me. “Men aren’t beautiful. You on the other hand, are the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever met.”
“I’m not but thank you. I’ve never known a man like you and you kind of take my breath away. When you look at me like you want me, like now, my heart skips a dozen beats and I find it hard to breathe.”
“Norah, we...”
She slips two fingers over my lips stopping my words. “I was an ‘oops’ baby. Mom could never figure out who the father was. My Nana basically raised me. When I was with my mother, I spent most of my life in my room away from her and her alcohol induced tirades of how I ruined her life.
“Then she married my stepfather and got a little sober. I didn’t mind that he ignored me too, until he started not ignoring me. Again, Nana saw the signs and got me out.
“I’m not any version of Barbie or what trendy women should look like or that my mother aspired to. I’m tall and larger.”
“Sugar.”
“I am totally okay with that. I know my worth and like my body. I’m not a virgin. I don’t have a lot of experience because I’m picky. Looks are not necessarily my thing. Intelligence, honor, morals, those things turn me on.
“You, however, are the whole package. Multi-talented, good hearted, and so hot I can barely breathe when I look at you. And when you look at me like I’m your favorite dessert, my knees go weak.
“Nana taught me to stand up for myself and to go after what I want. I know you have a job and you probably won’t stay. But I want you now, for as long as I can have you. When this is over... well, we’ll deal with that when its done.
“I want you, Rake. I want you now.”
“God, woman, you may be the death of me. I have no right, I’m not good enough, I’m too old, but I’ll be dammed if I’ll turn you down. I’ve wanted to make love to you since I first looked in your eyes. You are a goddess and don’t let any fucker tell you different.
“I’m clean and I might have some condoms somewhere. Let me up to look.”
“I’m clean, too, and I’m on the patch. No little surprises for me.”
I cup the sides of her face, she lowers her head to kiss me. I may have just died and gone to heaven.