Page 67 of Legacy's Call

It took him about two hours to complete the walk around. He visited with the posted militia, and the fact that he spoke their language fluently was helpful. He heard stories of how each man had ended up working with the militia. For most, it was the only thing they could do to make money. Survival made a man do things he normally wouldn’t. It was almost dark when he made it back to the camp, and he saw a lantern on in Fleur’s tent. Going to the flap, he called her name, and she pushed the flap back and smiled in greeting. “Come in! I love the space!”

He slipped through the canvas. “I took a chance that maybe the cot wasn’t the most comfortable for both of us.” She rolled her bottom lip with her teeth and stepped out of his way. She’d made a bed on the ground. There was a tarp on the bottom, and on top were two sleeping bags zipped together. Her small suitcase was on the cot she’d brought from her small tent, and the lamp sat on a box she’d turned over near the bed she’d made. “It’s not much.”

He pulled her close with one arm and kissed her upturned lips. “This is perfect. Have you eaten?”

She smiled and pointed at a box in the other corner of the tent. “Wraith gave me a case of MREs. We can eat here.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do. I need to check in and make sure everything is handled. I’ll be right back.” He kissed her again, this time a bit deeper. Damn, what this woman did to him should be illegal. He pulled himself away from her finally and headed to his tent. Wraith was out front at a fire pit the men had dug while he was gone. “Status?” Ronan said as he sat down beside him.

“Stryker and Wolf are sleeping. I’ll wake them when I hit the hay. Jug’s in the camp.” Wraith glanced at him. “What you said to him worked.”

“Thank God,” Ronan said, and they both laughed.

“Jug said you’re thinking about a desk.”

Well, that news traveled fast. He nodded. “I am. No decisions yet. A lot has to be settled. You’re ready to lead this team.”

Wraith was quiet for a long time before nodding. “I am. Don’t mean I’m happy about you leaving.”

“Don’t push me out the fucking door, man. I’m not leaving yet.” Ronan chuckled. “Just thinking about it. Thinking about the future.”

Wraith nodded toward Fleur’s tent. “The future is over there. Not here.”

Ronan gazed at the fire. Something he wouldn’t do if he weren’t shutting down for the night. “Somehow, I can’t help but think my future is tethered to both places. We both know what’s expected.”

Wraith nodded. “But we make our way forward.”

Ronan glanced at Wraith. “Damn straight. The footsteps that built Guardian don’t fit me, and I can’t walk in anyone else’s shoes. Know what I mean?”

“You know I do.” Wraith stood up and slung his M4 over his shoulder. “Do whatever it takes, Skipper. This life is all we have.”

“For as long as it takes.” He watched Wraith walk into the camp. Wraith was a couple of years younger than his other men, but he had a soul that was fucking ancient.

Ronan stood and slung his weapon then walked over to Shelly’s tent and called her name. She popped out of the tent with a huge smile on her face. “Thank you so much for the tent. Fleur said you were behind bringing more in.”

“You’re welcome. Do you have everything you need?”

“I do, thank you. Jug is going to stop by after he finishes his shift, and we’ll have a late dinner. Wraith brought me an entire case of MREs. I’m being spoiled.”

Ronan laughed. “Spoiled by MREs? That is a low standard.”

She made a face. “Right? Oh, well, I am what I am.”

“And that is enough. Enjoy your tent and evening.”

“Thank you. I know you’ll enjoy yours.” She slipped back into her tent before Ronan could even laugh. Yeah, he would enjoy his evening and hopefully every evening for a long, long time.

CHAPTER 19

Ronan woke, opening his eyes, immediately aware of Fleur’s body beside him. The intimacy of them naked inside the doubled sleeping bag was a luxury he couldn’t afford himself again. Wraith would have his back tonight, and he was allowing his focus to waiver just this once. He let his hands slide over her soft skin, and when she murmured something and pressed back against him, he smiled at the reaction. Her response to his touch was amazing to watch. The dream of any man was to be able to drive his woman insane with his touch, and he knew he could send Fleur over the edge or hold her there until she shattered in his arms.

He kissed her neck, moving her long, thick braidas she sighed and smiled. He continued his slow exploration of her body. Her nipples tightened as his fingers lightly traveled over them. There was no hurry, no rush in his touches. He had this time and was making sure he knew her body by mapping every nuance of her in his mind. He didn’t know what the future held. He hoped it held them as a couple, but he wasn’t a fool. They would have to work to have a relationship. He wanted a life-long commitment. He wasn’t interested in just the now or perhaps a month or two.

He moved his kisses to her ear, and she shivered and then moaned softly. Fuck, the smallest things this woman did made him as hard as a diamond. He slowly moved his kisses to her shoulder so he could watch her better. When his fingers found her sex, she inhaled quickly and opened her legs for him. Fuck, she was hot and so ready for him. He shifted and moved over her. Her arms draped around his neck, and she sighed sweetly.

He dropped for a kiss as he entered her. Her tight heat was heaven around his cock. She wrapped her legs around him, and he slid deep inside her. Fuck, she had no idea how perfect she was. As he moved his hips, she arched, meeting his thrusts. He kept the movements slow, the build like a slow flow of lava.The heat of their union moved them both closer to that fucking mind-blowing ledge, but the swell flowed and moved them without urgency. They shared breaths, kissed without end, and reached a quiet climax that swept them over the crest.

He held her as they came down from the high before he said, “I’m not letting you get away from me.”

---