Page 8 of Relentless Surrender

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a line of people from The Willard Hotel scurry for cover as it started to pour rain. It would be a much longer wait for a taxi now, he absently thought as he also waited for his light to turn green.

That’s when he saw her.

Breaking away from the crowd at The Willard, dressed in a flimsy, ruffled piece of fluff that stopped mid-thigh showing off her spectacular legs, Sage darted across the street directly in front of his truck.

* * *

Ditching her very boring date from the fundraiser, Sage hoped to grab a taxi sooner if she made her way to the Metro Center Station on G Street where there was usually a taxi stand as opposed to waiting with the crowd outside the hotel. It meant getting soaked to the bone but at least she wouldn’t have to listen to another minute of her date’s droning advice about what bills he had helped copy and edit. Cutting across 14th, she began running along F Street, intending to scoot up 13th. That’s when she heard the honking.

Looking over her shoulder, she saw a large maroon Toyota 4Runner swerve over to the corner right next to where she was standing. The window rolled down and a familiar voice growled, “Get the hell inside before you drown.”

Sage leaned down to peek into the dark, interior of the SUV cab, “Conner?”

“No, it’s Domino’s Pizza,” he quipped. “Get in.”

Sage had the grace to blush at the reminder of her prank. “Thank you but I’m fine walking.”

“What?” Conner couldn’t hear her over the loud clap of thunder and pouring rain.

“I said I’m fine with walking,” shouted Sage.

“Get in the damn car, Sage.”

There it was again, that arrogant demanding tone that both repelled and compelled her. Sage had to get away from this man.

“No,” she shouted like a petulant child before storming off as fast as her heels would carry her.

The rain obliterated the colorful curses which streamed from the SUV as Conner raced ahead before throwing the truck into park. Tossing the hazard lights on, he got out, instantly muttering another string of curses as the rain cut through his dress blues. He was in formal uniform because of his meeting at the Pentagon.

Sage had already cut up 13th street. Conner broke into a trot after her.

“Sage, I’m warning you,” he loudly snarled after her retreating back against the pouring rain.

Sage turned to toss a sassy retort over a shoulder and stopped dead in her tracks. The site of Conner bearing down on her in his full Marine officer’s uniform was nothing short of powerful. Even through the heavy gray rain, she could see the shining glint of the brass buttons and countless metals across his broad chest. The intent look in his eyes was unmistakable. She turned again to run but it was too late.

Conner bent low, pressing his shoulder into her mid-section, lifting her clear off the ground.

“What are you doing?” she screeched. “Put me down this instant!”

Conner ignored her protest as he made his way back to his truck, carrying her weight as if it were nothing.

“Conner! Conner! I mean it! I will scream!” she warned.

“Go ahead.”

At a loss, Sage tried to beat him about the back with her small evening purse but it was like beating a rock with a feather. Next, she tried to kick him. That was a mistake.

Conner ran his hand up the back of her rain slicked thigh, under her short dress skirt, till he cupped the lower curve of her buttock. He then reared his hand back and gave her a stinging slap on her exposed bare skin.

“How dare you!”

Conner repeated the gesture on her other buttock. Sage was mortified to feel the prickling warmth spread beyond her bottom cheeks to between her legs.

“Try kicking me again and see where I spank you next,” warned Conner.

Sage immediately quieted down. It was a short distance back to his truck. Conner set her down on her feet by the passenger door. Caging her in against the car with his forearms he leaned in close.

Taking in the wet strands of hair clinging to her cheeks, the smeared make-up, her drenched clothes, he still thought she was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on.

---