Iron Willed Warrior (Last Refuge Protectors #5)

18. Cole

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Cole

Brynn and I took the quicker route on our way back. But we stopped short in front of our guest room door.

A massive bouquet of flowers sat there, all bright and tropical, blooms spilling over the sides.

“What have we here?” I bent to pluck the note from the arrangement and unfolded it to show Brynn. I had a bet who it might be from.

Dear Brianna and Cameron,

My sincere apologies for the incident with my head of security last night. He tends to get overzealous on my behalf, but that’s no excuse. I hope to see you at dinner tonight. And naturally, at the seminar tomorrow morning.

Garon

Even though this was a good sign, it still irked me. If anybody was going to buy this woman flowers, it should be me. And this asshole had beaten me to it.

“See? Everything’s fine,” Brynn said. Not in her real voice, but Brianna’s. “Garon knows it was a misunderstanding. You need to let it go, Cam.”

Her eyes conveyed far more. Ryker, Westwick, and Manning had left the premises, but O’Hanlon could be watching from a nearby room. We hadn’t seen him in person yet, so I hadn’t gotten a read on him.

I put on my most intimidating frown. “We’ll be fine if nobody else touches you.” It didn’t matter if I was being Cameron right now or myself. The sentiment was the same.

I yanked off the “Privacy Please” sign and swiped the keycard. As we entered, Brynn and I did a subtle check to make sure our low-tech security measures were in place. Nothing had been disturbed.

We also brought in the bouquet, setting it roughly on a table by the entrance, then proceeded to pull it apart in search of surveillance devices. But it was clean.

Brynn stretched her arms over her head, and I admired the exposed strip of stomach when her tank top rose up. “So at least Westwick believes our cover story,” she said, “just like you heard from Manning. Garon wants to make nice. Unless he and Ryker are playing some longer game.”

“Either way, I have to think Ryker assigned O’Hanlon to report back on what we do today.” I edged closer, resting my hands on her hips. Didn’t seem to be able to stop touching her. Good thing she didn’t mind. Brynn’s hands ran up and down my arms.

“Then we have to stay in character,” she said. “Convince him we are who we say we are.”

“We could spend the day in the room in as little clothing as possible. Not required, of course, but just throwing out options.”

She smirked up at me. “As enticing as that idea is, I was thinking something more public. ”

“They might kick us out of the resort if we do that in public.”

Brynn laughed out loud. Pleasure lit me up. I liked making her laugh and made a mental note to do it a lot more often.

“Does Cole Bailey have a naughty side? I’m shocked.”

My cock pulsed at the thought of showing her just how naughty I could get. “I’m happy to demonstrate. But I’ll leave the decision up to you.” I pressed a kiss to her hair, lingering to inhale her scent. Shampoo and subtle hints of her perfume from last night, layered with the sweet notes that were just her. “I’m at your disposal.”

I wanted to make sure she felt safe with me. I was up for anything. But when it came to getting physical, Brynn could set the pace.

“Good to know.” Sliding out of my grip, she grabbed her laptop and set it up.

Brynn sent the photo she’d taken of Westwick’s guest to River. Hopefully River and his hacker network could identify the man quickly. I wasn’t too worried about that. River had a way of getting things done. He was a useful person to know.

I rested my bulk against the edge of the dresser. “I have an idea for today. Something that’ll get us outside in public while keeping our cover intact. And it might actually be fun.”

“Yeah? Tell me more.”

“Finish up what you’re doing. We can swing by the front desk to get what we need.” I scanned her outfit. One of her Brianna sundresses. “And put on something you can hike in.”

I wasn’t used to enjoying myself during ops. Except when I was hauling in a fugitive, maybe. That part was always satisfying in a dark, vengeful way. But I rarely mixed business with pleasure. In fact, I would’ve said it was too risky. Distractions led to mistakes .

So was it wrong that excitement simmered beneath my skin as I thought of spending the day with Brynn, being able to touch her and knowing that she felt the same interest that I did?

I had to admit I didn’t give a fuck. Sorry, not sorry .

For the moment, our mission and our desire for each other overlapped. I was going to roll with it.

Brynn switched into an outfit she claimed was hiking appropriate. To me, it looked like a sexy skirt made of stretchy material and a tight tank top, plus a pair of brand new pink hiking boots.

“You look like Hiking Barbie,” I said. “Cute.”

She winked. “Brianna has a signature look. What can I say?” Her honey-blond hair was pulled into a high ponytail, a nod to her own style. That small reminder of the real Brynn stoked my fire like nothing else.

I opened the door to our room, waiting for her to go ahead into the hall. After she’d passed me, I palmed her butt cheek beneath the short skirt and squeezed. Nngh . She had a tiny pair of boy shorts beneath. Hopefully this wasn’t too forward, but I was in character as Cameron, and he was a handsy, possessive guy. Could she blame me?

Brynn smirked at me. She knew exactly what I was up to.

We headed for the front desk. Along the way, we ran into Molly and her husband, the bakers. As always, Molly greeted Brynn warmly, but her expression soured when she saw me.

“Cameron,” she said, dripping with disdain.

I lifted my chin. “Yo.”

Molly crossed her arms. “I heard about the incident with Garon’s security last night. So unfortunate. Are you all right, Brianna? ”

Brynn put a hand on Molly’s arm. “It was nothing. Garon sent some flowers over to apologize. Just a mix-up.”

“Well that was thoughtful. Some men know how to behave.” Molly’s eyes narrowed at me. Then she gasped, gesturing at Brynn’s shoulder. “Are those…finger marks?”

Brynn’s hand flew up to cover the bruises. “It happened last night, but it was an accident.”

Hardly , I thought, my hackles raising yet again as I thought of Ryker hurting her. I was going to punish the guy. Make no mistake.

But Molly glared at me, as if she suspected I was the real culprit.

We said goodbye, resuming our course to the front desk. “I’m getting a reputation around here,” I murmured. “Soon half the resort will want my blood for abusing the popular girl everyone loves.” This felt different from them thinking I was a jerk. Even though they were judging Cameron, not me, I still didn’t like it.

“It’s all about perception. Planting the seeds in Westwick’s mind that I’m not happy with you. It’ll help if other guests are reinforcing that idea.”

Right, so Westwick could swoop in and steal her from me. Shaking my head, we continued down the hallway. Having Brynn put herself at the mercy of Westwick, even briefly, was simply not a viable option to me. I would have to make her see that. But I knew it would take some convincing.

At reception, I asked for info on the local hiking trails. Brynn glanced over the pamphlets excitedly, while I made noise about getting drinks and lunch for us to take along. All amenities that the resort offered. I wanted to make sure that as many people as possible knew where we were heading.

Once we were equipped, we set out, me wearing the backpack full of supplies and my fingers entwined with hers. This hike would take us up to the summit of the rocky red hills bordering the resort.

The air smelled of sunshine and dust, free of the mix of perfumes and cleaning fluid at the resort. I inhaled deeply.

Since the Army, I had felt most comfortable outside under the open sky. In an area full of hostiles, that could mean more danger. Yet it was liberating too, a reminder that nature wasn’t far away. In my experience, it was usually humanity that was the problem.

After being wounded, I’d hated being stuck in a hospital room. Staring at ceilings instead of blue sky. Feeling walls close in instead of the endless expanse and possibilities of the wilderness. I’d fought hard to get back to the same level of activity I’d taken for granted.

Since then, every time I was out in a place like this and moving on my two feet, free , I was grateful to be here.

And with Brynn hiking up the narrow trail in front of me, the view was even sweeter. Her toned legs, the curves of her hips and butt as the trail climbed. Her beauty was obvious to anyone who met her. Especially right now, with those clothes that hugged her curves. But Brynn was so much more than that.

I remembered my very first impression of her. Seeing her flip the guy who’d grabbed her arm by the side of the road. Even when that fierceness was directed my way, I admired it.

And I really admired the sheen of her skin as we stopped for a water break. A drop of sweat rolled down her neck and into the hollow between her collarbones. Would it be too much if I licked it off? Yeah, probably. But the thought of it, wondering what it would taste like, had my cock perking up.

Brynn wiped the sweat from her brow, her throat working as she swallowed water from the bottle.

“We’re being followed,” she said, the lip of the water bottle in front of her mouth and her voice low .

I moved into her space, giving in to the urge to kiss her temple. Salt spread over my lips. “We have been for a while, yeah.”

We’d passed a few hikers when we had first started, but since then, we’d seemed to have the path to ourselves. But despite appearances, we weren’t alone.

“He’s stopped every time that we have,” I said. “Trying to stay behind us so he doesn’t catch up. Good thing, because I was afraid that O’Hanlon had dropped the ball.”

“You’re sure it’s him? Westwick’s other bodyguard?”

“Definitely. His red hair is like a stoplight. Just like the photo in his profile.” I knelt to open my daypack. Beneath the snacks and drinks I had tucked inside, courtesy of the front desk staff, I had folded up a hand towel from our bathroom. I flicked one edge aside.

A gun lay beneath.

Brynn snickered. “I figured you had a strategy worked out for this excursion. But doesn’t it seem a bit early to be picking off Westwick’s men?”

I covered the gun, zipping the pack and slinging it onto my shoulder again. “I’m being a good boy. The bodyguard is safe, so long as he stays smart and keeps his distance.” But I didn’t expect anything more than surveillance. Sure, it was possible that Ryker had ordered O’Hanlon to get rid of me. But Westwick was busy with his guest, a man who’d given every indication of being important. Westwick wouldn’t want the mess and distraction of resort guests going missing, especially attendees of his seminar who’d tussled with his head of security last night. Westwick was too smart for that.

No, this was an opportunity. Not just to solidify our cover story, but to assess the security team’s abilities. So far, I wasn’t impressed.

“What do you want to do?” Brynn asked. “Keep going and see if he follows?” She sidled over and wrapped her arms around my neck. “Or should we put on a little show?”

As if I had to give that any thought. “I suppose, if you’re that eager to get your lips on me again…”

“More like, you’re happy for any excuse to get your lips on mine .” The tip of her nose nudged my cheek, a tease more than anything else. “Do you think he can see us right now?”

I hummed, turning slightly to assess the surroundings with my peripheral vision. “Probably not. I assume he brought binoculars, maybe even a camera with a long lens, but we need higher ground.”

“Guess we should keep hiking then.”

“In a sec.” Now that Brynn and I had given in to our attraction, I didn’t need any excuse to kiss her. My lips brushed softly over hers, just to make sure she wanted this, but she grasped the collar of my shirt and kissed me back. The rest of me responded, longing to get her as close as possible. But too soon, she pulled back.

“Come on,” she said. “Let’s find a better spot so he’s sure to see us. O’Hanlon will need something exciting to report back to Ryker and Westwick.”

“There you go again, wanting to get dirty in public. I’m going to think you’re an exhibitionist, B.”

She reached around to smack my butt cheek. “I’m still waiting for that naughty side you promised.”

Grinning, we continued hiking uphill. It was nearing midday, so the sun was getting intense, despite the cooler temperatures of spring. The other hikers from the resort had already made their way back for showers and the cool oasis of the pool, so aside from our shadow, we had the trail to ourselves.

About a mile later, we reached an overlook point. A flat area jutted out over the valley, a perfect spot for a break. The cliff above provided shade from the unrelenting sun, and there were a couple of smooth rocks that we could spread out on.

Brynn took the pack from me and unzipped it. “Lunch?” she asked.

“Yeah. I’m starved.”

She handed me a sandwich and took one for herself. While I took a bite, I went to the edge of the overhang, stretching my arms up like I was catching my breath and admiring the view of the valley leading down to the resort grounds.

I caught a brief flash of movement. Red hair beneath a dark cap, then sun reflecting off of glass. Our watcher was about half a klick downhill, off the trail and partially hidden buy some scrubby bushes and rugged looking trees.

Perfect.

I finished my sandwich in a few bites, then washed it down with water. Brynn was turned away from me, bent over to dig through my pack, which she’d set on the long, flat rock. I came up behind her, sliding my hands up her sides as she rose to standing, and I pulled her against me.

“Our friend can see us,” I said in her ear. “O’Hanlon is watching.” And I had to admit, even though I was no exhibitionist, the thought had my skin tingling. Especially when Brynn turned her head, eyes flashing with interest.

“I’m game if you are.”

Keeping her back to my chest, I spun us and sat on the rock, pulling her down with me onto my lap. I splayed one hand flat on her stomach and brought the other to drape loosely at her neck. Her behind nestled against my crotch, and the warm weight of her was impossible for my body to ignore.

Burying my face against her hair, I said, “This okay?”

“Yes,” she breathed.

She craned her neck so she could see me. I nipped at her lip with my teeth before slanting my mouth over hers. My tongue pushed inside. More salt, the taste of clean sweat. Her scent and the fresh dry air mingled in my nostrils.

In this spot, with us facing the valley, our watcher would have a perfect view of everything we were doing.

I trailed kisses along her neck, pausing to speak while being careful that O’Hanlon couldn’t read my lips. “If you want me to stop at any time, tell me you’re still hungry,” I said. “I’ll act annoyed, but we’ll head back to the resort. Okay?”

She nodded. “I’m good.”

“You are good.” Then I raised my voice. “You feel how hard you’re making me, B? That’s all you.”

She whimpered, dropping her head back against my shoulder. “ Cameron .” She’d used the name of my cover, but the way Brynn’s hips shifted, rubbing herself against my thickening cock, was just for me.

Hell. I had to close my eyes. That felt incredible.

“But there could be other hikers.” Her words echoed against the rocks. “Someone’s going to see.”

I held in my smile. Brynn was really getting into this. My acting skills were nothing much, but maybe I could step it up. “Let them. I saw the way you were dancing with Garon last night. You need a reminder of who you belong to.”

The look Brynn gave me was hot enough to feel the burn on my skin. Like the sun was shining directly on me, though we were in the shade.

“Keep going?” I murmured.

She nodded. A smile in her eyes, no hesitation.

I lifted her up and maneuvered her so she faced me. Her knees were bent, thighs straddling my hips. I switched my grip to hook my left arm at her waist, as if I was forcing her to stay there. But with my other hand, I gently massaged her stomach through her shirt. I kept my kisses soft. Coaxing. Letting her set the pace, even as I pretended to have complete control. Her tongue dipped past my lips, tasting me.

Yet as we continued to make out, the haze of desire started blotting out the rest of the world. Which meant danger. I had to remain aware of our surroundings. This woman meant a lot to me already. Probably too much, given how briefly we had known one another. I’d gotten glimpses of that secret vulnerability beneath her outer layer of strength. Which just made me want to protect her all the more. Not because she was a woman facing off against an enemy like Stillwater. And not just because she was my partner.

I had to protect her because, with every kiss and caress, she felt more and more like a part of me.

Damn, I was in so deep already.

I sat back slightly, enough to let my senses regain awareness. “Something wrong?” she whispered.

“Just looking at what’s mine.”

I’d said that for the benefit of whoever was listening, but that didn’t make it any less true in the moment.

I brought my hands to her thighs and massaged the muscle under her bare skin. Leaning forward, I spoke into her ear. “Just keeping an eye on the trail. I was getting distracted.”

She chuckled. “You and me both.”

My thumbs made small circles on her inner thighs, inching inward. One swiped the edge of her tiny boy shorts beneath the hem of her skirt. Brynn inhaled, her pupils dilating. Her breath caught, and she squeezed my bicep hard. Nodded.

My thumb moved again, this time drawing directly over the crotch of her shorts. Her whimper was a soft, desperate thing .

“You like that?” I ghosted my lips over hers. I had thought my cock was hard before, but that was nothing to the way my shaft throbbed against my fly. “No one can see what I’m doing. You wanted to put on a show. Whether it’s real is up to you.”

Brynn widened her legs a bit more. Arched her back. “Touch me.” Her words were rich with arousal. Her eyelids heavy, mouth pink and bee-stung from all the kissing.

Using that same thumb, I wiggled it beneath the edge of her shorts. Then slid into the juncture between her legs until I met slick wetness. Brynn whimpered. A long stroke, up and down over her most intimate parts, had her shivering. Her lashes fluttered.

“Don’t stop. Please .”

“I don’t intend to.”

With just that thumb, I explored her. Discovered the tempo she liked, the pressure. Brynn’s hips rocked against me. My cock was trapped inside my own shorts, receiving just enough friction to get me hot and wanting. Sweat dripped down my back.

The last thing I wanted to do was tear my attention away, especially with her moaning like that, but I kept an eye on the trail as well. Nobody could accuse me of being unable to multitask. Thank you, Ranger training. This was an exercise in concentration. In pushing aside my own wants to focus entirely on my task.

My thumb moved in ever faster circles. Concentrating on her clit as her moans quickened and her body tensed like a bow string.

“I’m—I’m going to—” Brynn fell forward against me, her kisses frantic and needy. “C- Cameron .” I was pretty sure she’d almost said my real name, but she’d corrected herself just in time.

I kept flicking my thumb until she started to shudder. My middle finger sank inside her. She gasped and pressed her face to my neck.

“That’s it, B,” I murmured. “I’ve got you.”

When she finally stopped shaking, Brynn sat back in my lap, blinking like she’d forgotten where we were. Nobody had bothered us. Actually, if any hikers had approached, they probably would’ve steered clear given the sounds Brynn had been making.

There hadn’t been much mystery about what Brianna and Cameron were up to.

I kissed her, lips closed, as I slid my hand free and fixed her shorts and skirt. “Think that was enough of a show?” I asked.

Her cheeks flushed. But she lifted her chin defiantly. “I challenge any other couple at the resort to do better.”

I kissed her again to hide my smile.