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SAM SCRUBBED A HAND over his jaw and climbed out of Luke’s SUV, feeling the ache in his muscles from sleeping in a tent on the hard ground over the past week. It was a far cry from their stint to Mexico where they’d had hotel rooms but was on par with his Army days. Nothing like roughing it to make you appreciate your own bed. Not that he had anyone to share it with.
“Thanks for the ride, man,” Sam said, reaching back in to grab his duffle bag.
“Anytime,” Luke replied. “It’s good to be back.”
Gray hopped out of the backseat, calling out thanks as he slammed the door and strode across the parking lot of Shadow Security Headquarters toward his large pick-up truck. He tossed his gear in the back and then climbed into the driver’s seat, not bothering to look back.
Luke cocked his head in the direction their buddy had gone. “What’s his deal?”
Sam lifted a shoulder. “Dunno. He’s always been reserved about some things, but it’s been even more noticeable since we got out of the service. Maybe he’s got a secret woman he’s rushing home to,” Sam joked.
“Doubt it.”
“Yeah, well, the hell if I know. Gray will talk when he’s ready. We’ve all got our own demons to deal with.” Sam eyed Luke, his hand resting on the top of the door before he headed to his own truck. “You talk with Wren yet? I’m assuming it was hard to leave for a week after you just moved her in to your place.”
Luke smiled at the mention of his girlfriend. “Yep. The timing sucked, but it’s not like we deploy for months on end like we did in the Army. I texted her from the airport, and she was ecstatic that we’re back. She sent me messages every day while we were gone,” Luke added with a chuckle. “Wren said she knew I probably couldn’t see them but missed me.”
Sam nodded once, his lips quirking. Ava had tried that. Sort of. It wasn’t the same thing, but she’d been thinking about him enough to shoot him a few texts during her travels last year, and he’d blown her off, ruining any chance he might’ve had. “I guess you don’t know if Ava’s left yet.”
Luke looked surprised for a beat. “Think she’s got another week here,” Luke told him. “She’s got some big art show in the city this weekend. Wren hoped I’d be back in time to go with her. You should come,” he added, looking thoughtful.
“Nah. Don’t want to mess up that night for her. An art show sounds like a big deal,” he added. “When we were moving Wren out of her place, I saw that amazing painting on the wall. It shocked the hell out of me when Wren said Ava had painted it. I knew she was an artist, but damn. I don’t have any sort of talent like that,” he said, shaking his head.
“Neither do most of us,” Luke said wryly. “Ava’s one of a kind. But I don’t know...taking out terrorists has its place in the world.”
Sam chuffed out a laugh despite himself. “That’s dark, dude. True, but fucking dark.”
Luke nodded, pressing his lips together. They both knew what he wasn’t saying. None of them took death lightly. If taking out dangerous men meant saving the lives of hundreds or thousands of others, it was tough to feel the guilt though. They’d seen all sorts of evil throughout the world, and ridding mankind of the worst of humanity wasn’t something he’d ever feel remorse for. They helped more than hurt people, and that was why the men had all joined the Shadow Ops Team. They served a purpose in this world, even if most civilians would never know a thing about it.
“It’s the goddamn truth,” Luke said. “But listen, I still think you should come to the art show with us. Wren wants to have a little celebration. It’s a big deal for Ava, so it’ll be kind of a celebratory party and going away affair.”
“I don’t think she wants to see me.”
Luke raised his eyebrows. “You sure about that? Because sometimes I think it’s like that quote—the lady doth protest too much.”
Sam burst into laughter. “Is that Shakespeare? Shit, man, this is too deep for me. Say hi to Wren,” he added, stepping back to close the door.
“Think about it!” Luke called out.
The door slammed shut, and Sam shook his head as he moved away in the dark, his duffle bag gripped in his hand. Jett had gotten some other employees to offload the gear from the plane and get everything put away back at headquarters. His job was done for now. They’d debrief tomorrow but had gotten their man. Taking out El Din would slow down the Syrian branch of ISIS, but it wouldn’t stop them. Not by a long shot. He just hoped the ramifications of what they’d accomplished and any retaliation on the part of the terror network wouldn’t trickle down to Cairo while Ava was there.
Sam clicked the remote and tossed his duffle bag into his truck, climbing in before shutting the door. He leaned back in the driver’s seat, briefly closing his eyes. Damn he was tired. The type of tired you felt deep in your bones—not just exhaustion, but physical weariness. He looked down at his phone with a deep sigh, knowing there wasn’t a chance in hell Ava had texted him. That ship had sailed.
And if it felt just a little bit lonely heading down the winding, wooded road leading away from headquarters in the middle of the night, then so be it. Sam was just fine on his own.
***
“LOOK AT YOU PRINCESS, looking all pretty for me.”
Ava smiled and slowly turned around, showing off her toned ass in a sexy thong. Her hands covered her bare breasts, barely concealing her nipples, and Sam moved closer, wanting to touch. Taste. Needing to see all of her.
“Do you want me, Sam?” Ava licked her lips, a smile playing about on her lips.
Sam reached out, wanting to touch some of that soft skin, feel those smooth curves. Ava was so close. So goddamn tempting. “Ava,” he ground out. Her floral scent teased him, reminding him of that endless Paris night, of how sweet she tasted.
“Touch me, Sam. I want you to—”
Sam jolted in his sleep, the buzzing of the phone on his nightstand jarring him from his erotic dream. He blinked groggily, his cock stiff and aching, pushing against the boxer briefs he hadn’t bothered to remove last night. Pre-come leaked from the head of his cock as it strained to get free, and he felt like he was ready to explode.
It had been a goddamn dream, but it had felt so fucking real. She’d been right there, close enough to—
Groaning, he reached over and fumbled with his phone as it buzzed again. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, and he willed his body to calm down. He blinked at the screen. Luke. Why the hell was his buddy calling him so early? Wait. What time was it?
“Yeah?” he asked as he swiped the screen.
“Good morning to you, too, sunshine,” Luke quipped.
“Is there a reason you’re calling me so early?”
“It’s not early. You’re late. Boss wants to meet in thirty.”
Sam rubbed his eyes, looking at the clock on his nightstand. “Shit. I crashed after I got home and forgot to set my alarm. Jesus. I haven’t done that in—ever.”
“Briefing’s at oh-nine-hundred. And I figured,” Luke said with a low chuckle. “It’s not like you to be late. See you when you get here.”
Sam muttered a curse as he ended the call, tossing the phone back down. “Fuck my life,” he said, clamping one big hand down over his eyes. His other moved to his cock, gripping it firmly through his boxer briefs. He needed to lose the hard-on and get ready. Now he had visions of Ava’s luscious body dancing through his mind. He’d gone nearly a year without letting himself think of her, and then in Mexico, it had all come crashing down.
Losing the boxers, Sam stroked himself, twisting his hand as he reached the head of his engorged shaft. What he needed was Ava—her smart mouth and full lips. The swipes of her tongue. The way she’d sucked him off in the shower that morning, eagerly taking all of him. He twisted his hand again, moving faster, and exploded, unable to stop the streams of come spurting from his dick.
“God damn you, woman,” he muttered, wiping himself off with his boxers before rising and stalking toward the bathroom. He tossed the discarded clothing into the hamper, remembering that his other dirty clothes were still stuffed in his duffle bag. It was just his luck that Ava was now tempting him in his dreams. Even his unconscious self wanted her. He turned on the spray in his shower, his stiff muscles relaxing a minute later as he stepped under the hot water. The ibuprofen he’d taken last night had dulled the stiffness in his back, but it would be a couple of days before he felt one hundred percent again.
Sam leaned his head against the cool tiles, letting the hot water wash over him. He wasn’t as young as he used to be, but at thirty-four, he wasn’t that damn old either. Ava was younger than him, probably in her late twenties. He let out a resigned sigh. He needed to get a move-on to make it to headquarters for their briefing. He didn’t need to spend his morning dwelling on the what-ifs. Their op had gone smoothly, and no doubt the government would be pleased that the Shadow Ops Team had completed another successful mission. His teammates were happy to get home to their women.
And Sam? He was still fucking alone and just fine with that.
He quickly soaped up his body, his thoughts churning. Uneasiness washed over him as he recalled the anger in Abou El Din’s eyes, the hatred he and his subordinates had for the Western World. The Shadow Ops Team might’ve taken out the leader of the Syrian branch of ISIS, but the terror network was still alive and well, intent on harming innocent civilians. Ava was still headed to a dangerous place, where she’d be a single woman living alone.
“Mother-fucker,” he muttered. She might hate him, but he needed to talk to her before she left. He didn’t want to scare her, but she was free-spirited and trusting. She needed to at least understand the potential dangers. Maybe he would go to that art show. He’d offer his assistance if she needed something while in Cairo for the summer. Let her know they had contacts all over the world. Ava would be fine, but he’d feel better after he spoke with her nonetheless.
