Page 25 of Bring Me Back
Need to use your range to release some tension. Okay if I come by?
The bubbles indicating he’s typing pop up before I can even set my phone down.
Funny you should ask…
A video comes in seconds after his text. My woman, arm’s length away from him on his firing range, a pistol in her hands as she lines her body up and fires off five rounds in quick succession. I always knew Willow and Breaker were close, especially when she revealed he was the one who helped her create this new life. Unnecessary jealousy builds inside of me, not because of the time they spend together, but because I want to see her like this. I want to watch her raw, untamed energy up close.
“I've gotta go. I’ll review all of this footage and get back to you later tonight, Eli.” Grabbing my keys from the counter, I leave my friends without another word.
My Mustang is already peeling out of the parking lot by the time the picture of her target comes through. Two to the head, three to the heart, perfect groupings. That’s my fucking girl. While I wish I could attach myself to her permanently so I knew for sure she was always protected, I’m glad she’s so capable and prepared.
It takes me less than ten minutes to get to Breaker’s place from the shop. Willow’s car isn’t here, so I assume Break picked her up from my place. I don’t bother knocking, placing my palm on the security pad and opening the front door, walking straight downstairs into his basement bat cave. Three muffled shots echo down the long hallway, and my heart beats a little faster. She’s close, so close I can feel her presence already. Enteringthe code on the security panel next to the last door, it slides open easily, and my heart melts in my chest when her gaze whips to mine. A wide smile spreads across her perfect lips, and it takes everything in me not to stalk across the room and kiss her.
“Had to see for yourself, huh?” She smirks, clearing the pistol and setting it down on the table next to her. That shouldn’t make me hard, but fuck, it definitely does.
“Your groupings are getting better, Will. You’re holding your breath when you pull the trigger, you’ve gotta stop doing that. When you anticipate the recoil like that, you jerk your hands back. Just breathe evenly, relax your wrists and let the recoil move through them. Don’t try to stop it from happening,” Breaker tells her, and she listens intently. It’s funny to see him teach her so patiently, knowing this is the same man who threatened to throw me out of my own helicopter in Somalia when I made a comment about his distaste for coffee.
“Seems an unnecessary skill when I could just keep you in my sights at all times, forever.” I suggest, and Willow scoffs.
“She needs to be able to take care of herself.” Breaker replies gruffly. I really just enjoy ruffling his feathers.
“I know, big guy. I’m just kidding. Well... kind of. I would be more than happy to keep you this close to me forever, pretty girl.” She smiles her beautiful smile, and Breaker rolls his eyes.
“Clean your weapon. Make sure it’s within your reach at all times, Willow. You know the consequences, don’t be the victim.” His words aren’t cold, but a chill still runs down my spine.
“I understand. Thank you for your help, Jason. I could never tell you how much it means to me,” she says, hugging him tightly. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him hug anyone other than his wife, but it’s clear he feels a brotherly need to watch over Willow. He turns to leave, giving me a stare that conveys everything I already know. This danger is real, and she needs to be protected.
“You’re good for each other, Helo. I know the feeling. Just remember I designed the security mainframe for your entire estate. Imagine what it would be like to wake up with me in your bed.” Breaker smirks, his threat as subtle as a fucking grenade. If I ever hurt her, there will be consequences.
“Thank you,” is all I reply. The look on my face conveys everything he already knows.Thank you for protecting her, thank you for creating her escape, thank you for caring about her enough to keep her secrets hidden.I could never thank him enough for everything he’s done that brought this perfect woman into my life.
“Don’t fuck in my basement!” He shouts, walking out the door and up the stairs.
Willow laughs out loud, the sound echoing through the large empty range around us. I love that sound. Pure,unadulterated joy. She turns her beautiful, warm gaze to mine, and another piece of my soul falls at her feet.
“No promises,” she says, a cheeky grin painting her lips. This woman will be my ruin, and I’ve never welcomed my demise so much before.
I lose all ability to keep my body away from hers, closing the short distance between us and crashing my lips against hers. A squeal escapes her throat before she softens into my kiss. I lift her up with ease, wrapping her legs around my waist and walking us to the table behind her without breaking the kiss. She hisses when I set her on the cold metal table, her hands finding their way into my hair, nails raking across my scalp. Fuck, I love the way she feels under my hands. She grinds her hips up into my growing erection, and my hand wraps around her throat, squeezing gently.
“Don’t play with me, pretty girl. I have no problem fucking you on this table where Breaker and Rory can hear you screaming my name upstairs. You mistake me for someone who has patience where you’re concerned. Let me assure you, I do not.” I nip at the side of her jaw before capturing her lips again. She makes me feel rabid, completely out of control in the best and worst ways. That side of me can be dangerous, and I work hard to keep it contained.
“That’s funny, because playing with you seems to be the only thing I can think of these days.” Her voice is husky and sensual, her breath hot as it skates across myskin. I want to ravage her. The only thing stopping me is the fact that I know it’s been years since anyone touched her that way. I won’t make her think for even a second that she's only worth a quick fuck in my buddy’s basement when she deserves the universe.
“As much as I want to sink deep inside you right now, when I take you, it’s gonna be somewhere you can scream as loud as you want and no one will rescue you from me. I want to take my time with you, and I can’t do that here.” I tell her, slowing our kisses as she clutches my shirt desperately.
“Then take me home, Beck.” She says, hopping off the table and strutting her fine ass right out the door. This woman truly blows my mind, now it’s my turn.
sixteen
My mind is racing,everything I’ve wished for and wanted since the first time I saw Beckett playing in slow motion. I want him, I have absolutely no doubt of that. And I know I’m ready for that. But I haven’t had sex with a man in nearly five years. On top of the physical consequences of going through with this, am I truly ready for what this will do to my heart? Beck is already buried so deep in my bones I don’t think I could ever remove him. He loves me. Maybe more than any man has ever loved me in this life. But do I love him the way I should if I’m going to give him this part of me? This hope of a future that never ends for us?
Yes. I do.
Even though every muscle and fiber in my being tells me I can’t trust a man with my heart or my body, I know that isn’t true. Beckett’s hands curl gently around thejagged shards of what’s left of my heart, each movement risking a deeper cut. But there’s so much tenderness in the gesture, as if my broken pieces still hold meaning or beauty worthy of the pain they could cause. When he looks at me, I do feel worthy for the first time in my life.
His warm hand wraps around my thigh as we pull into the long driveway leading to his front door. When he squeezes slightly, a shiver runs through my entire body. Adrenaline courses through my veins, my core clenching with just one touch. A soft moan escapes my lips involuntarily, the heat from his skin too much to contain. I need to feel his hands everywhere else, anywhere else. I just need him.
The way his forearm flexes as he steers this gorgeous fucking car up the driveway, one hand gripping my thigh and one gripping the wheel, is too much. My heart races, my breath coming in shallow pants. He shifts the car into park, staring straight ahead like he’s working through something mentally. Both hands grip the steering wheel tightly, and he takes a deep, calming breath.
