The Marine (Black Hawke Security #3)

CHAPTER SEVEN

AIDAN

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I t’s been a week since I saw Briar and I’m a strung-out wreck. Which is stupid considering until recently, we hadn’t seen each other in ten years.

Then again, I never told her I wanted her to be my wife. We said other things, but not that.

What was I thinking?

It’s all these fucking weddings. They’re like a virus. Infiltrating our brains.

I drop my bag on the floor of my office and reach behind me to tug my sweatshirt off. Then run a hand over my dirty, short hair.

“How’d it go?” Josh asks, leaning on the door of my office.

“You know how it went. Target eliminated. Bye-bye, bad guy.” I tell him as I remove my T-shirt and scrub it over my face and down over my six pack.

God, I need a shower.

For the past four days, I’ve been out of the country on a black ops job which will pay the rent on our office building for the next twenty years.

“You good, though?” he presses.

I know what he’s asking.

Josh used to do a lot more of this kind of work, but since marrying Cassy, he’s been asking me to pick up the slack.

In all honesty, I could’ve done without all the fucking sand through my things, but the distraction sounded like a good idea.

Shooting bad guys and getting away from Briar's glaring rejection? Hell yes!

So that’s what I did. But it didn’t work. I thought about Briar the majority of the time.

Okay, maybe not while I was crawling through tunnels or when I took the kill shot. But the rest of the time, she was like a sticker on a windshield.

Impossible to ignore.

I can’t get her out of my life right now, and the truth is, I don’t want to get rid of her.

The bigger truth is that I also can’t have her, and that’s what I’m trying to deal with. She works for, and is friends with, Savannah, who is marrying one of my best friends.

Every day I wonder if she will turn up at the office.

Every day, I look for reasons to head to Savannah’s premises to check on the team or the security system.

Every day, I wonder if today will be the day she forgives me.

While also knowing she won’t.

She believes I killed her father, and while he was a monster, he was still her dad. More importantly, her mother would never allow it.

So I’ll take on more operative jobs if it means I get some distraction from this insanity.

“Yeah, I’m fine. You know Marines always take care of business.” I smirk, glancing over at him as I pull out a fresh, black, button-down shirt from my closet.

“With your hand.” Josh snorts and walks out.

I roll my eyes and laugh. Inter-military banter is part of our everyday life here at BHS. We get in a dig whenever possible.

But there isn’t a man alive I respect more than that Navy SEAL.

“Hey,” I call out and Josh turns back. “If you want to permanently reduce time in the field, let’s get a few of the other guys prepped to step in. I can’t keep up with all the operations we have coming in, and it doesn’t make sense financially to be rejecting them.”

Josh nods for a long moment.

“Yeah, I know you’ve been picking up the slack and I appreciate it. I’m-...” His voice trails off and I frown.

I’ve never met anyone who speaks with more purpose and conviction.

“What’s going on?”

He better not be fucking dying.

His eyes meet mine. “I think Cassy is pregnant.”

“You think?” My brows lift.

“Yeah.”

I wait for more information, but he just nods and keeps nodding.

“And?”

“And I don’t think it’s a good idea to die if I’m going to be a dad,” Josh says firmly.

Jesus Christ.

“I meant, and is she? Has she done a test? Are you taking her to the doctor?” I press.

“Ah.” He rubs a hand over his jaw. “I’m not sure she knows.”

I bark out a laugh and close the distance, slapping him on the back. “Sounds like someone is scared of becoming a dad.”

“Fuck off and keep your voice down,” he snaps.

I smirk as we keep walking. Seeing him like this is pretty damn funny. I am going to ride this train for as long as I can.

But first business.

“I’ll review the new guys who just started last month and see if Marshall and Toby are interested.”

“Don’t say anything,” he says as we walk past Penny at the front desk.

I shoot her a smile.

“Welcome home, Aidan,” Penny says, sipping her coffee.

It was a smart move on Josh’s part to hire an older woman to work in our office. At any time, there are three dozen paramilitary guys wandering around. Sometimes shirtless as I am now.

I have no doubt she enjoys the view, but Penny doesn’t take shit from any of us. The grandmother of three wouldn’t put up with any intended or unintended harassment from any of us.

That doesn’t mean the boys don’t try to flirt and mess with her. I’m guilty myself when she threatens to forget my favorite coffee on our monthly order.

A man has to do what a man has to do.

“Thanks, Penny,” I say and rub the top of Josh’s head as we turn the corner. “I’m not going to ask your wife if she’s pregnant, you idiot. But you need to tell her you suspect something.”

“Just waiting for the right moment.”

“Well, you have nine months.” I smirk, and he elbows me sharply in the ribs.

I curse and laugh as I bend over.

“I’m getting my head around it. That’s all. But I wanted you to understand why. I’m not...”

“Scared of the action?” I grin, knowing I just asked for it. “Typical SEAL.”

I leap out of the way at the same time Ryder and Marshall push through the lunchroom doors. Marshall’s eyes light up. He’s always ready to join a rumble—even if he has no clue what it’s about.

Josh points at him. “Not today.”

“But, and hear me out, I was thinking, you know what we need?” Marshall asks in his heavy Texan accent that rivals mine.

“A mute button for you?” Ryder asks dryly.

“No, another round at the go-kart track.” Marshall shoves him.

“You literally destroyed one of the karts after smashing into all of us and getting us banned from the place for a year.” I cross my arms as I lean against the door.

Marshall smirks.

“Typical Green Beret guerrilla tactics.” Ryder shakes his head.

“Hey, no one said it was friendly warfare.” Marshall argues.

“It was a team building exercise,” Josh says, bewildered.

Although, why we thought it wouldn’t end up a colossal shit show is beyond me. Every member of the BHS team is paramilitary and competitive as hell.

It’s like a testosterone explosion.

“We had to replace that kart, so next time let’s do baseball or something cheaper.”

“An ocean swim.” Josh shrugs. “How much damage can we do to a beach?”

“Don’t fucking jinx it.” I push off the wall and walk into lunchroom, calling over my shoulder. “I’ll make sure Penny puts a small print in the email, so Marshall knows it’s not World War III and we find half the fucking team drowned.”

“I’m not a murderer...not my fault if they can’t swim.” We hear behind us as Josh follows me.

I roll my eyes.

He knows very well every man in this company is a prime military expert.

“JFC. You really think sending him on the black ops is a good idea?”

“Beside you and Ry, he’s the man I’d want by my side in battle,” I reply as I pour myself a coffee.

Along with Mack Cunningham. But he’s still working for Connor Barrett at Barrett Security in NYC.

For now.

Josh grabs a bottle of water out of the fridge, and we sit at one of the tables staring out across the Los Angeles skyline and talk business.

It’s rare for us to have formal meetings.

Often we’ll talk about things over a beer or while working out if we get private time in the office gym.

Not long later, my coffee now cold, Ryder joins us, this time with Savannah and... Jesus... Briar.

“Hi boys.” Savannah waves as she enters the room, like the celebrity she is.

“Hey, shit, I didn’t realize the time. I need to get going. I have a meeting in five.” Josh stands.

I sip the last of my coffee, grimace, and watch Briar as she hangs back near the door.

“What do you want to drink, B?” Ryder calls over his shoulder.

B. I mentally scoff.

“Nothing. I’m fine,” she answers and tightens the scarf around her neck as she shoots me a quick glance.

Is she sick? It’s eighty-five degrees outside.

“Water, babe?” Savannah asks her.

“No.” She points behind her. “I’m going to use the restroom.” Then she darts away.

They visit enough these days that both the women know their way around our offices.

I stand and rinse my mug, then put it in the dishwasher so Penny doesn’t kick my ass. Then, with a quick goodbye, leave them to it.

And find my feet walking toward the restrooms without my permission.

Call it intuition—or maybe I’m a fucking stalker, I dunno—but I need to see that she’s okay.

I quietly push the door open as she’s exiting one of the stalls.

“Jesus, Aidan!” Briar jumps when she sees me, her hand flying to her chest.

I hold up my hands.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. Just wanted to check you’re okay.”

She tightens the damn scarf around her neck again and walks to the sink. “Fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Good question.

I don’t have an answer. So I say the one thing a guy should never say, but then again, I’m hardly trying to get a date with her.

“You don’t look well.”

Her eyes meet mine through the mirror, filled with surprise and a little bit of hurt.

“Gee thanks.” She shakes her head and keeps washing her hands. “You don’t look so great yourself.”

“Well, I have good reason for looking like I’ve been run over.”

“Oh yeah, and why is that?” Briar tosses the paper towel into the trash and props her hands on her hips.

I like her sassy.

That’s the spark I expect to see in her eyes, not hovering in the shadows like she was a few moments ago.

“I’ve just spent four days in the desert and am in dire need of a big piece of meat and some vegetables.”

My attention to detail catches her flinch before she covers it up. She doesn’t like that I was somewhere in danger.

I want to prance around like a rooster in response.

It’s too late though. She bites her lip, then rubs them together as she runs her eyes over my body.

That’s right baby. I’m a Marine and can lift you onto my shoulder and... my cock reacts as images fill my mind.

“You don’t look like you’re hungry,” she whispers, then clears her throat as she catches herself once more.

Oh I am.

Hungry for you, sweetheart.

“Why were you in the desert? Do you mean Arizona?” she asks.

I bark out a laugh.

“Not quite, sweetheart. I’m a Marine, not a salesman.” I wipe my brow because it’s very hot in here. This time, I think the air conditioning truly isn’t working.

Damn thing.

It’s either freezing or hot in our office.

Briar adjusts her pink scarf and starts walking toward me. “Oh. Well, I need to get back. Anyway, I’m fine, you don’t need t—”

What the hell?

She’s a foot away from me when I spot it. The reason she’s covering her neck. It’s only because she moved that I saw it.

“The fuck, Briar?” I step in front of her and tug away the scarf.

She cries out and grabs at it, but it’s too late. It’s like deja-fucking-vu. On her neck is a greenish bruise. I don’t need to be a doctor to see the finger marks.

“Aidan! Give that back!” Briar reaches up as I hold the scarf above my head.

She’s so damn tiny—her five foot five inches is nothing on my towering height beside her.

“Who did that to you?” I growl.

Panic is written all over her face as she grapples for the pink fabric. Her breasts push up against the cotton of my shirt, her hot breath panting.

“Aidan. Stop. Don’t. Please.”

Words I’d love to hear as I pummel my cock inside her, not when I see signs of abuse on her body.

Again.

I wrap my other arm around her to stop her movements. “I’m going to ask you one more fucking time, Briar. Who. Fucking. Did. This?”

She swallows, and her eyes meet mine as she settles back on her feet. Heat merges with her fear and I find my gaze dropping to her lips.

This is so fucked up.

I don’t know if I want to yell at her or rip her damn clothes off and finally fuck sense into her.

Have we moved closer?

Her pussy presses against my erection and we both blink.

“I—” She breathes.

Fuck. Fuckkkkk.

I need to let her go. I need to step back and...

My mouth slams down on hers and I take what I’ve wanted to for over ten damn years.

Her body presses harder into mine and she clutches a handful of my shirt as I drop her scarf and grip her face.

Our tongues smash together and years of need and passion flare to life. Every sense I have feels and tastes and devours as much of her as I can.

Her moans fill my mouth, and I hear a low growl escape mine.

I tug one of her legs up and her pussy surrounds my cock.

“God,” she murmurs greedily against my mouth. “Oh god.”

“Stop me.” I lie as my fingers work their way under her panties. I know her body. I know what will get her off fast.

She doesn’t, and suddenly I’m sliding through her hot, wet folds and pressing two digits inside her.

“Fuck.” She arches.

“Christ.” I lift her farther, knowing this is so damn wrong but unable to stop myself.

“More, please.” Briar begs, her lips moving against mine.

“I want my cock inside you, Briar. One more time.” I remove my hand and shove down my pants. My cock bounces free, and I take no time in pressing it against her wet pussy.

What am I doing?

“Say no.” I dare her. “Tell me to stop.”

Our eyes meet and the world seems to vanish. There are only a thick unbending need and arousal pulsing between us.

I press my swollen fat head inside her.

“Last chance.” I rasp, carrying her over to the sink and lowering her onto the counter. Never once moving from her lips.

She breathes against me, and I can smell her need.

I lean over, plant a hand on the mirror, and press in another inch.

“Time’s up, sweetheart.” I slam the full length of my cock inside her.

Briar’s body reacts and she arches, wrapping her arms around my neck and crying out.

“I have wanted to fuck your pussy again for so fucking long.” I grunt, slamming in and out of her like a madman.

“Yes, god, yes.” She moans.

I know she’ll hate me after. I know she’ll regret it. But we both need this goodbye we never had a decade ago.

I haven’t forgotten the mark on her neck, and like a predator, I grip her face and stare at the evidence as I thrust my cock inside her.

Mine.

She’s always been mine.

To protect. And to destroy anyone who harms her.

Every dominant part of me—the warrior and the man—is screaming internally as I take out my frustration on her hot cunt.

“No one is going to touch you again. You hear me, Briar Sutton?” I say as our orgasms begin to peak.

She mumbles something indiscernible.

Slam.

Slam.

“Say you understand.” I growl as my hand holds her face so she has to look at me.

“Aidan,” she cries, trembling with the pleasure my body is giving her.

I know she can’t give herself to me.

But I want to hear her say it while I’m deep inside her.

I need to know that a part of her wants this.

“Say it.”

Her eyes close as she falls apart around me. Her climax shudders and clenches around my cock.

I come.

Like a goddamn freight train.

I release her face and collapse over her, my hand still on the glass as I pump, slowly milking every last drop inside her.

“Ohgodohgod. Too fucking good. Oh god.” Briar moans, wrapped around my body as her hot pussy throbs around my thickness.

Slowly, I straighten and stare down at her.

Her lips are red and swollen, her hair is tussled.

She’s fucking beautiful.

“Tell me you’re okay,” I whisper roughly.

“I’m married,” she replies.

What the fuck?