Every lick pushed her a little closer to the edge of the abyss. His mouth, his tongue, fingers, played with her body like she was something to be treasured. She ached for him, her core wet and ready for him, but he still had his pants on. Was he trying to drive her crazy?

“Raptor, baby, please. I need you.”

“And you’ll have me, angel. Tonight is all about you.”

“But…”

“What did I tell you about those buts? Let me love you, Rori, let me sate your desires.”

“Oh God, this is torture.”

“No, angel, this is love.” Then there was no more talking. He slid her soaked panties down her legs then spread them open. She thought she’d die of embarrassment as he stared at her woman parts. Then he traced his finger along her and scooped up some of her juices. Watching him slide his finger into his mouth and close his eyes, stoked the fires in her core. He was going to be the death of her yet.

When his tongue touched her most sensitive spot, she arched off the bed. No one had ever done that for her before, and now she couldn’t believe what she’d been missing. Bright lights flashed in her eyes as her body shuddered and tightened, as he continued to lick, suck and nibble on her clit.

As she came, she cried out, moaning his name like a mantra over and over, as she rode the waves of pleasure. Never had she experienced anything that came close to the heart pounding release that left her feeling boneless like a ragdoll.

Raptor moved to lie next to her, and she cuddled against him. “Are you okay, my angel?”

“Yes. Oh, my God, I had no idea.”

“What do you mean? You’re not a virgin, are you?”

“Oh no. But I was only with Jim and he never—” her voice trailed off, she couldn’t bring herself to say it. She wasn’t a prude, but sex wasn’t something she discussed with anyone.

“I’m sorry to hear that, he didn’t know what he was missing.”

“Can we do it again?”

Raptor laughed and pulled her closer. “Anytime you want, and more, so much more. I am looking forward to teaching you so many things. But you need to heal first. Then you can really enjoy it.”

“But you didn’t…”

“I told you, tonight was about you. I meant what I said last night. You will always come first.”

Joy filled her to overflowing, but there was sadness as well, for what would never be. Raptor made her complete in ways Jim never had, maybe he’d never been the right person for her. But would he want to spend the rest of his life in Montana when he’d traveled the world? His friends were all in Florida, and so was his job. Pushing the thoughts from her head, she focused on the feel of his arms around her, the beat of his heart against her cheek, and the love filling her to the brim.

“Can I get you anything? Some water? Food?”

“Water and a Tylenol would be great.”

“See I knew you should have filled that script.”

“No, it’s not bad, except for the pounding in my head. I’m really fine.”

“Hell yeah, you are, better than fine, and you better never forget it.”

Would she ever stop blushing when he said stuff like that? She loved how open he was, and how concerned about her wellbeing above and beyond the call of duty. But it was more, she loved him. There was no way to protect her heart, she no longer had it, she’d given it to her protector.

He'd just stepped into the bedroom with her water when the building shook from the force of a loud blast. It almost knocked Raptor off his feet.

“What the fuck? Put some clothes on but stay inside for now. Unless you smell smoke don’t come out.”

“Where are you going?”

“To catch the motherfucker. He’s going to learn what it means to mess with my woman.”

“Please don’t go. Let’s just call the sheriff.”

“Call Hank instead, I’m sure someone already called the sheriff.”

“I’ll be right back. I love you, angel.”

And he was gone. She hadn’t even had a chance to tell him she loved him too. Please, God, don’t let anything happen to him. Getting up, she pulled on her clothes and called the Patterson’s.

“Rori? What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. There was an explosion and Raptor went to check.”

“Where are you?”

“In my apartment.”

“Good, stay there. I’m on my way.”

What was it with these men? Every last one of them was bossy. When all of this was settled, she was going to have a long talk with Raptor about bossing her around.  Tears of worry filled her eyes, she couldn’t lose him now. God couldn’t be that cruel. He had to be okay.

Her cell rang a moment later, it was Sadie.

“What’s going on? Hank said something blew up.”

“I don’t know more than that. Raptor ran downstairs to check it out, but he said he’d be right back.”

“Ah honey, he’ll be okay. All the teams’ guys manage to get out of the worst situations. This is nothing for him.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I am. I know I am. Do you want me to come over?”

“No, I have no idea how dangerous any of this is. I have a feeling it was the bakery that blew up. My dream.”

“If it did, you’ll rebuild. It will be better than ever.”

“I hope no one was hurt. The fire trucks are here, I should probably go.”

“Be careful, please.”

“I will.”

***

By the time Raptor got downstairs flames had engulfed the bakery. The brick building had so far kept it from spreading, but it would only be a matter of time. He’d have to get Rori out of there. The heat was overwhelming. He threw open the back door and jumped back in case there was another explosion. That’s when he heard the sirens in the distance. Hopefully, there’d be something left by the time the fire trucks arrived.

Barefoot and only wearing jeans, he grabbed the fire extinguisher next to the door and worked on the fire. The heat scorched his skin, and the glass that was strewn across the floor cut his feet, but he had to make sure no one was inside.

Grabbing a damp towel from the sink he held it over his face and using the spray from the extinguisher moved through the kitchen and into the front of the bakery. The smoke was thick and billowing out of the front where the plate glass window had been replaced only hours earlier.

“Son of a bitch,” Raptor said and inhaled smoke. Gasping for breath, he checked once again for anyone, but the bakery was empty. Retracing his steps, he made it back outside in time for Hank to pull up.

“What the fuck happened?

“I think someone tossed a Molotov cocktail through the bakery window. There’s no one inside.”

“What were you thinking?”

“I wasn’t. It was more instinct than anything.”

“Where’s Rori?”

“Upstairs I hope. I told her to stay.”

“Me too. I bet she was thrilled. Your feet are bleeding, stay here and wait for the sheriff and fire trucks, I’ll go get her.”

“Okay.” Raptor leaned against Hank’s truck and tried to catch his breath, his lungs were burning from the smoke he’d inhaled, and his voice sounded hoarse even to his own ears. He should have thought twice before going into the building. If someone had been caught in there, it would have been the person who started the fire, and he deserved what he got.

“She’s not there.”

“What? Are you sure? You checked everywhere?”

“Yeah. The door was open, and she was gone.”

“Fuck. I shouldn’t have left her. I told her I’d never leave her.”

A scream pierced the night. Rori. “Where did that come from?”

“Over there, look.”

A dark figure was in the process of dragging Rori across the parking lot of the neighboring building. They were headed toward a truck, and she was fighting him every step of the way. Taking off at a dead run even though his lungs felt like they were going to explode, he circled around the building and approached the soon to be dead man from behind. The dirtbag never had a chance, he just didn’t know it yet. Raptor was Delta, they always completed their mission or died trying.

“Let her go.”

“What? Fuck you, dude.”

“You don’t want to mess with him, he’ll kill you,” Rori said, her voice about ten octaves higher than normal.

“Bitch, I’ve told you for the last time to shut the fuck up.” It was all he had to hear, Raptor’s fist collided with the side of the man’s head, and he went down, thankfully she pulled away before he took her down with him.

“Raptor, watch out.”

He turned in time to see a lead pipe coming for his head. Yeah, he was going to need to brush up on his situational awareness skills, they were definitely lacking.

“Drop it, or I’ll shoot,” Hank said from behind the second dirtbag.

The lead pipe hit the ground with a resounding thud, and Rori threw herself into Raptor’s arms.

“Are you okay, angel? I’m sorry I left you again.”

“You didn’t. You were doing your job for me. I’m fine. He didn’t hurt me, but I think I need to take some martial arts training for next time.”

“There better not be a next time.”

Hank nodded and grabbed the guy who had the lead pipe and dragged him over to the sheriff who’d pulled up behind the burning building.

“Thank you for saving me again. You’re making a habit of this.”

“Angel, you are my life. I love you.”

“I love you, Jasper. I really like that better, I hope you don’t mind.”

He lifted her into his arms and took her lips in a demanding kiss. “You can call me whatever you want, angel. I’m yours.”