Page 74 of Blackstone's Heart
She smiled softly. “I know you don’t like it baby. It’s in your nature to protect people. But it’s also in my nature to take care of myself when I can.”
Ethan stared into those blue eyes he loved. What he saw in those orbs floored him. He saw love, trust, loyalty and worry. His Krista was worried about him. The raging inferno in him began to dampen a little.
"How the hell are you so calm right now?"
Krista laughed. "Okay, now you're pissing me off again. You honestly think I would fall apart? If I didn't when he shot at me and Grant a few weeks ago what makes you think I was going to do so after today?"
Ethan let out a ragged breath and pulled her tightly against him. "I could have lost you today. It scared the ever loving hell out of me baby."
Krista laid her head over his heart. "The feeling's mutual."
"I'm sorry I got so mad. It's just, me and my guys already went through hell overseas and now this shit is happening. Yes, we're trained for it, but when we left the Corps we didn't expect to have a damned sniper like fucker taking potshots at us."
"True. How's Tony?"
"I talked to him right before we left. He’s at his house bitching because I wouldn’t let him back at the office today. I know his stubborn ass won't stay home and actually rest so he's on the security planning for your released."
Krista moved out of his arms and walked to the fridge. She was back at his side a few seconds later with a fresh beer for him. "Did you and Gage find anything?"
Ethan and Krista moved into the living room. He pulled her onto his lap as he sat on the sofa. "We found where he was positioned. He had a clear shot of the doors from his roost. There was also blood. Looks like you hit him."
Krista snorted then took a swig of her beer. "Um, duh. His rifle falling three stories was proof of that Mr. Obvious."
"Smart ass."
"Thank you."
"Anyway. Cain and Jimmy have the rifle now. They will cooperate with PD to see if the bullets from today match the ones from outside the UPS store."
She nodded. For a long time, they sat there on the sofa. After finishing their beers, Ethan just held her. Krista could sense that today had rattled him. It wasn't just the fact this guy had shot at them. It was more about the fact that he had the balls to come onto Blackout's turf and do it. She eased his head down onto her shoulder and started running her fingers through his hair.
"Babe, I want you to listen to me. I know today struck a nerve, a big one. I get it. He came on your turf and hurt another of your guys. But if you can't stay focused you're giving him more ammo against you, against us. We can't give him that kind of power Ethan. He wants to make his point? Well, let's make ours. We stand together. You, me and Blackout. We put up a united front." She said softly.
Ethan turned his head slightly and laid a soft kiss against her neck. "When did you become so smart?"
Krista giggled. "I've always been smarter than you boys. You and my brothers just refused to see it."
Chuckling, Ethan shifted his hold on her. He stood and headed for the stairs. He walked straight through his bedroom and into his spacious bathroom. Krista had to admit, next to his bedroom, Ethan's bathroom was probably her next favorite room. It was a beautiful space of blue and white tile. A sunken garden tub took up almost the whole left side of the room. Then there was his shower.
God she loved it. The front was a wall of frosted teal glass bricks. He had four shower heads that felt magnificent washing over her. Course she also found it felt even better when he had her pinned to said glass wall screwing her brains out too.
Ethan sat her on the toilet seat and moved to the tub. She watched his back muscles rippling under the tight t-shirt he wore as he turned on the taps. Even pissed he was a breath stealing piece of masculine perfection. After he had the water heated to his pleasure he moved back to her, pulling her to her feet.
Without a word, he began stripping her. Though it was a simple gesture, Krista felt her breath hitching and her heart speeding up. There was such an intimacy and reverence to the act that it floored her. She was unable to look away from his steel gray eyes. The room was silent but for the running water and her ragged breaths.
As the last stitch of cloth was removed, a sudden feeling of vulnerability came over her. Something in his eyes made her feel stripped completely bare. Not in a bad way, but it was something new to her. She had never felt this way with any man. He once more scooped her into his arms and carried her to the nearly full tub. Gently, as if she was made the finest crystal, he lowered her into the water before turning off the taps.
The instant she hit the steaming water she moaned. The adrenaline of the day finally wearing off and the crash was setting in. Her eyes drifted closed when she laid her head back against the edge. The heat seeped into her body, easing her tired muscles. She barely registered when Ethan slipped in beside her.
"You okay?"
Krista opened one eye. "I'm getting there."
Ethan shifted them so that he was behind her, reclining against his hard chest. Krista whimpered in ecstasy as his calloused hands started massaging her shoulders. "Ohh. That feels good."
"Just relax baby." He whispered, his tongue teasing the shell of her ear.
As Krista relaxed a different type of heat began filling her. She felt her nipples start pebbling with each pass of his hands over her body. Soft mewing noised were coming from her mouth now. Her body was no longer under her control, but his.
