Oscar
Ivy came to me again.
It was getting harder and harder to keep my hands to myself when she slipped under my covers in the wee hours of the night, her bare legs entwining with mine. She’d snuck out before I’d woken this morning. Had she been there when I’d opened my eyes, there was no telling what trouble I’d have created for us. I groaned aloud, pushing my hands through my wet locks as the water from the steaming shower slid over my skin.
We were going to have to talk about our situation. Yesterday at the gym I hadn’t been able to stop myself from kissing her. I’d almost lost her for good, and the thought was driving me crazy. Not to mention, she was still in danger. I wanted to claim her as mine. Keep her locked away until the danger had passed.
Of course, I knew these thoughts were barbaric and ridiculous. I’d never do that to Ivy. But the urge was there all the same.
I pulled jeans on as well as a black T-shirt and left my room, glancing around for Ivy. She wasn’t in the main living area, so I knocked on her door. No answer.
I pulled out my phone and typed out a message.
Heading to meet Ryder. You okay?
Yes, I’m with Jolie. She’s schooling me on guns and fighting today. Might need a long soak tonight.
I tried to push the mental image of Ivy soaking in a tub full of bubbles out of my head, but it was hard to budge.
I’m going to pretend I’m not picturing that right now and simply tell you to be careful today and not to go anywhere alone. Okay?
Flirting? Nice. :) I’ll be safe, I promise.
With a smile on my face, I met Ryder in his computer room. The man rarely slept, and usually only when Jolie had had enough and demanded he stop working and come home with her. She was good for him.
“Hey.”
Ryder didn’t look up from his typing, just threw a hand up in response.
“I found something. Have a seat—it’s going to take a moment.”
I pulled up a chair and sat behind Ryder as he typed frantically on the keyboard. Finally, he swung around in his chair and faced me, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “I found another possible medical site. Well, two actually. There’s been some chatter about a couple of different areas, and then, when I pulled up satellite images, there are guards at both locations.”
“Well, then, what are we waiting for?”
“Hang on. Don’t get ahead of me. We really need to recon the place and see what we’re up against. One of the sites seems to have a lot of action, trucks coming and going. I think we start there.”
I nodded my agreement and stood, pacing back and forth. “Are you free to go?”
“Of course. Levi’s in his office. Let’s fill him in and take it from there.”
We walked to Levi’s office, finding him there staring at something on his laptop. He looked up when we entered the room.
“You found something.”
Ryder grinned. “Of course I did. Did you expect any less?”
Levi smirked and made a motion with his hand for Ryder to continue.
“I found some chatter about a couple of locations. Oscar and I are going to head out to the most active and do some recon.”
“Sounds good. Cruz and I will take the other location. Cade and Piper have a doctor’s appointment today, so he’s out.”
Cade was a different person now that he was going to be a father. And Piper, too. She’d been terribly sick throughout the pregnancy and was just starting to feel a bit more normal. Cade had mentioned the nausea hadn’t subsided, but the vomiting had at least eased off.
I wondered about Ivy’s pregnancy and if she’d felt like that. I didn’t know if she’d shared the truth with me while I was away or if she’d kept things positive for my sake. It had been absolute torture being away from her, and if I had to do it all over again, I wasn’t sure what decision I would make.
“Sounds good. We’ll get our gear and roll out.”
Ryder turned to leave, and I followed until Levi called me back.
“Yeah?”
“How’s Ivy?”
“She’s good. Seems to have her strength back. No lingering effects of the virus. Feisty as ever.” I couldn’t help the smile that split my face.
Levi’s expression was concerned, and I sat down in the chair in front of his desk.
“And the marriage? Have you made any decisions?”
“We haven’t talked about it. There hasn’t been much time, but I know we need to.”
Levi nodded and folded his hands on top of the desk. “Just checking on you, brother. It’s clear your feelings for her run deep.”
“I won’t let that interfere with the job I need to do. Cami’s life depends on it.”
“It’s impossible for your feelings not to interfere, but I’m not worried that it will keep you from doing your job. Talk to her. You both deserve to be happy.”
With those parting words, I stood and strode out to the garage to join Ryder, suiting up in the gear we’d need to position ourselves for recon. We climbed into the van and took off towards the busiest location.
“So, you and Ivy.”
I groaned. “Not you, too.”
“Seems like things are pretty tense between you two. It’s like watching fireworks go off all around when you’re in the same room together.”
“It’s complicated.”
“Is it, though?”
“You have no idea.”
“I thought things were complicated with Jolie, but when it all came down to it, they really weren’t. My past didn’t matter. Our differences didn’t matter. All that mattered was that I loved her, and she loved me.”
I didn’t inform Ryder that I had no problem with our past or our differences. None of that mattered to me now. But I was trying to give Ivy the space she needed. She’d been through so much over the last few months, and I wasn’t going to be the one to push her over the edge.
“I haven’t given up.”
Ryder glanced over as he steered the van onto the side of the road. “That’s good, man. You both deserve to be happy.”
Seemed that was the sentiment for the day.
We parked about half a mile from the site Ryder had discovered earlier that morning. Two long rectangular buildings sat side by side, chicken houses that apparently Los Caballeros were using as some sort of headquarters. Located about thirty minutes outside the city, the area was rural and sparsely populated, which meant no one would care much about what was actually going on.
Ryder and I lay flat in the copse of trees on the outskirts of the property and watched through binoculars. There were a couple of box trucks parked out front with the name of a well-known chicken company plastered on the side. To anyone’s first glance, it looked like a regular chicken farm.
However, on closer inspection, one might notice the guards standing at the entrances, AR-15s slung across their chests, their faces diligent as they stood watch over the doors to the chicken houses. Unless those chickens were made of gold, there was no logical reason for that much firepower and security.
A black sedan pulled up the dirt drive and stopped in front of one of the buildings. I peered through the binocs to get a good look at who was arriving. The doors opened, and three men exited the car.
Ryder whistled softly. “Well, there doesn’t seem to be any doubt that the Cabs are involved in this mess anymore, now, does there?”
“Nope. Not one doubt.”
Angel Rubio shut the door to the driver’s side, while Santos Casas held open the back door for the one and only Matias Vicario—The Vicar.
“Looks like we’ve got the whole trinity here.” While not exactly the roles of the Holy Trinity, it would appear The Angel, The Saint, and The Vicar were all in attendance.
I huffed out a chuckle as I watched the three men enter the building on the right. Ryder’s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he pulled it out.
“Yeah… Got eyes on the sacred hierarchy… Just entered one of the buildings… Any news there?”
Ryder was quiet for a moment before answering, “Roger that.” He disconnected the call.
“That was Levi. Said there’s been very little activity at their site. It’s very similar to ours, rural but a large barn-like structure. Guards out front and a few pickup trucks with the name of a horse farm on the side. Not much going on.”
“So they’ve set up two sites. I wonder what the difference is?”
“I’d love to be a fly on the wall, but we’re too far away for infrared to do much good. We’ll need to wait until nighttime to get closer.”
We watched for about half an hour before the trinity exited the building. Angel glanced around the area as if he sensed he was being watched, and Ryder and I went as still as we could. Finally, he got into the car and drove away.
After an hour and no further activity, we crawled back into the trees and ran to the van.
Ryder’s phone buzzed again as he cranked the van and took off back to HQ.
“Yeah?”
“Interesting… Okay. Keep us posted.”
He disconnected and raised a brow. “The three amigos just showed up at the barn. They parked around back and went inside. He and Cruz are going to stay for a while and see if they leave again.”
“Well, at least we know they’re connected.”
“Levi said they’re able to get closer than we were. Infrared shows several heat signatures inside. It doesn’t seem to be as heavily populated as the compound we found Ivy and Lola in. Levi thinks maybe this is more of a housing/office-type venue while the two buildings we just left are most likely the medical facility.”
“So, it seems Cami would be located at the medical building, then.”
“That’s the assumption.”
It wasn’t much to go on, but it was something. Either way, there were hostages most likely being held in that building, and we’d need to free them. I was hesitant to get Ivy’s hopes up, but she needed to know we were making some progress.
I missed her. I’d only been apart from her for a few hours, and yet all I could think about was getting back to her and wrapping her in my arms.
When we walked in the back door to Shadow Force, Jolie and Ivy were sparring. It was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen to see Ivy up there, dressed in sports bra and spandex shorts, trying to kick another woman’s ass. By the low growl coming from Ryder, he was liking what he saw in Jolie too.
“She’s going to kill me dressed like that.” He stomped up the steps, smiled at Ivy, and hooked Jolie around the waist, throwing her over his shoulder. She squealed and laughed and punched at his back.
“Let me down, you caveman!”
“Not gonna happen. Glad we still keep a room here.”
Ryder took off towards the dorms with Jolie over his shoulder, not slowing down for anything. Ivy stood, grinning, watching the show before turning to look at me, her eyes glowing with humor. Our gazes caught and locked, and for a moment, everything else in the world faded away except for her.
I stepped closer, curling my arms around her waist and pulling her flush against me.
“Hi.” My voice was more breathless than I’d intended, but that’s what she did to me. Stole my very breath.
“Hi.” I was mollified to hear her voice was just as airy.
“I missed you.”
She smiled, her light-green eyes shining. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah.” I dipped my chin and lowered my lips to hers. I didn’t press for more, just a soft melding of our mouths that felt natural. Right.
When I pulled away, Ivy’s eyes were still closed, as if she didn’t want the kiss to stop.
“Have dinner with me tonight?”
Her eyes popped open. “Like a date?”
I grinned. “Yeah, like a date. You know, two people, talking, eating. Maybe a goodnight kiss?”
Her cheeks pinked, and I had a feeling she was thinking about more than just a kiss.
“I’d like that.”
“Excellent. I’ll pick you up in an hour?”
“That should be enough time.”
I leaned in and touched my lips to hers once more.
“See you soon.”
I released her and strode out of the room without turning back.
I had a date with my wife.
***
I paced the floor in the living area of the dorms, waiting for Ivy to exit her room. She was late, and I just prayed that didn’t mean she’d changed her mind. I wanted to treat her tonight, take her mind off all the crazy events that had passed over the past few months and just be together.
Whether that was possible or not, I’d find out. I just hoped she wasn’t having second thoughts.
The door to her room opened, and Ivy stepped out, wearing a black dress that had a scoop neckline with a small bow in the middle. It cinched her waist and accentuated her curves, but all in a very understated way. Her light-brown hair, almost blond, skimmed her shoulders and fell loose down her back, and her light-hazel-green eyes sparkled with humor.
“You’re staring.” She stepped closer to me, and I could smell the sweet scent of her shampoo as she drew closer.
“You’re beautiful.”
Reaching me, she lightly tugged on my collar and stood on her tiptoes to place a kiss on my cheek.
“You smell amazing.” Her eyes caught mine, then darted quickly to my lips. “And you don’t look half bad yourself.”
“Let’s get out of here before I change my mind about going out.”
Giggling, Ivy took my offered hand, and we went to my car parked at the back of the building. I was taking her to my favorite restaurant, which from the outside looked like a hole in the wall. However, I happened to know the owners and knew the food was amazing. Plus, I knew my wife, and she loved Mexican food. At least she used to.
We stopped in front of the brightly painted building with an enormous hand-painted mural of a beautiful Mexican girl on the side of the building next to it. I waited for Ivy to exit the car, and then, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, I took her hand as we walked into the restaurant.
The place was busy, but fortunately I’d called ahead, and they’d secured us a spot in the back near the kitchen. I didn’t want to share Ivy tonight with the masses, and there was a tiny nook where Rosa had set up a table big enough for two. There were twinkling lights lining the ceiling, and she only offered the spot for special occasions. I’d talked her into allowing me to obtain it for the evening.
“This place is really cool.”
“It is.” I squeezed Ivy’s hand as she took in the vivid colors and murals all over the walls. The hostess escorted us back to our little alcove, and Ivy’s eyes widened.
“How?”
I shrugged as if it were no big deal.
“I know the owner.”
It came with the territory. When you worked in security, it was good to have eyes and ears in the community. Rosa helped us identify the kids most at risk in the neighborhoods for gang recruitment. She and I worked together to offer them a better way of life. And it came with some perks. Rosa loved to cook, and she rarely arrived at Shadow Force without bags filled with her amazing food.
I pulled the chair out for Ivy as she sat down, and I took my seat next to her. We were close together, our knees touching under the table. Ivy glanced at the menu.
“So, what’s good?”
“Everything—but my favorites are the chimichangas and the arroz con pollo.”
Rosa appeared next to our table dressed in a traditional Mexican dress. It was yellow, with bright flowers stitched along the collar in vibrant colors. Rosa was short, barely five feet tall, and round, and had the most beautiful smile I’d ever seen.
“Mijo! Long time no see, yes?” I stood, kissing Rosa on both cheeks.
“Yes. It’s been awhile. Rosa, this is Ivy. My wife.”
Rosa’s eyes shone with surprise as she looked back and forth between us.
“Your wife?”
“It’s a long story.”
“How long have you been married?”
“Twelve years,” Ivy answered, standing to shake Rosa’s outstretched hand.
“Yes, there is a story here. But I will not take up your time together asking about it. Please, enjoy the food. I have a surprise for you for dessert. And be sure to have Mama Rosa’s Special Margarita. Guaranteed to make you fall in love all over again.”
“We will do that. Thank you, Rosa.”
After Rosa left, our waitress bustled over, wearing a similar traditional Mexican dress to Rosa’s, and took our order.
The mood was light between us as we chatted about Ivy’s tenuous career as a model and actress and my time in the military.
“Do you like working with the Shadow Force team?” She sipped on her second margarita, and I could tell the alcohol was doing its job. Rosa had confided in me at one point that it was “special” because of the amount of tequila she put in it. Sure to get Ivy, who’d not had alcohol in several months—apart from the one glass of red wine when I’d first taken her to the Shadow Force HQ—feeling pretty giddy.
“I do. They’re my brothers. Plus, we have a lot of autonomy about which ops we take and which ones we don’t.”
“So, you think you’ll stay in Atlanta? Permanently?”
“Yeah. This is home, you know? Since my parents died, I don’t have anywhere else to go. My extended family in Mexico don’t know me, and I really don’t know them either. So it makes sense to stay here.”
“Good.”
That sounded promising, but I wasn’t ready to push it and demand answers and ruin our time together. It was easy, being with her. It had always been that way, from the moment we met. We’d known within a matter of weeks that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together. So quick, Ivy’s mother had cautioned us to take it slow.
Of course, we hadn’t listened. Instead, we’d charged full steam ahead and were married within months of meeting, and pregnant shortly after. And separated before our first anniversary. Not exactly the stuff of fairy tales and happily ever afters, but maybe we could turn it around.
Rosa brought out her famous Tres Leches cake, a large slice for us to share. The spongy delicacy oozed with sweet milk in every bite. Rosa was brilliant in the kitchen—absolutely gifted.
When we’d finished and paid, I drove us to Piedmont Park, and we strolled along the lake to the bridge that crossed over the narrowest part. The sun had set, and the stars twinkled, watching us from above. I hoped they were on my side—I could use a little of their magic.
The wind whipped Ivy’s hair around her face, and when she turned to look at me, I was taken aback by her beauty. I stepped closer to her, and her eyes immediately dropped to my lips. My arms snaked around her waist, and soon she was flush against me, her chest rising and falling as her breaths came faster and desire pulsed between us.
“You are so beautiful, Ivy Bell.”
I kissed her, slow and languid, as if we had all night to savor each moment, as if we had the rest of our lives before us. But wasn’t that the truth? Didn’t we have that? Couldn’t we have that?
Ivy’s hands tangled in my hair, pulling slightly as she curled one of the locks around her fingers. I bent to kiss her throat, inhaling the fresh scent of her skin in the cool night air. When we pulled away, both of us were out of breath and charging full steam towards a single end.
“You ready?” The question was loaded, I knew. Was she ready to go? Was she ready to be together in the most intimate way? Was she ready to try again?
Instead of answering with words, Ivy pressed her lips to mine once, twice, a third time before stepping back and nodding. I took her hand, practically running back to the car.
The drive home was rife with tension, but not the bad kind of tension. The air practically snapped, crackled, and popped with the electricity bouncing between us.
We barely made it into the building before our lips crashed together. It took three tries before I cleared the scanner and the security on the door to the dorms. Her hands were everywhere, her mouth trailing kisses along my neck. Her hands fumbled with the buttons of my shirt, before she’d had enough and ripped it open, the buttons popping across the floor, while she trailed kisses down my chest.
“Ivy.” The single word was all I could manage. I had no idea if Levi was in the dorm area, or if Ryder and Jolie or any of the other couples had decided to stay over, but at that moment, I didn’t really care.
I tripped as I walked backwards, trying to keep my mouth firmly locked on her skin, but finally said to hell with it and scooped her into my arms.
I carried her to her room, the closest to us, and scrabbled with the knob to the door. Finally, I got it open and laid Ivy gently on the bed, following her down and covering her with my body.
Her dress was a soft jersey material that molded to her curves, reminding me of what I’d missed underneath, but I was ready to see all of her. Had longed to see her, feel her, touch her for so long. I lifted the dress over her head, leaving her in her black lace bra and matching panties.
“Gorgeous,” I whispered as my mouth landed hard against hers, our tongues tangling—tasting her, savoring her.
“Too many clothes.” Ivy pulled at my shirt, and I let it slide off my arms, throwing it across the room. Her hands went to the button of my jeans, and I swatted her hand away so I could take them off myself. Then we were there, just our underwear separating us from the heaven I knew we’d find together.
“I want to love you like this forever, Ivy Bell. Forever and always.”
For a moment, Ivy’s eyes went wide with fear, until she pinched them tightly closed, breathing deeply. And I knew. I knew she couldn’t say the same thing. Not yet.
Tonight wasn’t going to happen. Not like this. Not until she could promise herself to me. To us. To our future.
I dropped my forehead to hers, just taking a moment to gather myself, before I rolled us over, tucking Ivy’s body up against mine.
“Oscar?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
“Not tonight, my love. When you’re ready, I’ll be here. I promise.”
Her sigh was heavy, and I wasn’t sure if that was relief I heard or disappointment. Either way, Ivy would be mine. I wasn’t going to stop pursuing her.
But for now, I’d be patient.
After all, I’d already waited eleven years.