Ten
Veronica
I don’t know how Kat does it. She’s sitting in a circle with the other women, playing with her kids as security walks around us looking alert and tense. I’m pacing back and forth, continuously rubbing my arms and looking in the direction the men left in.
“Veronica?” Kat asks in a loud tone.
I glance at her. “Yes?”
“Veronica, come here.”
I sigh and walk toward her. Kat stands and places her son, Jesse in my arms. He’s sleepy and instantly puts his head on my shoulder and closes his eyes.
“Kat?” I ask questioningly.
“This is how I know my man is coming back. Nothing will ever get between him and his children.” Kat chuckles. “And me of course. Dane can take care of himself in any situation and judging by how quickly Gear got into it with the guys, I’m pretty sure he can hold his own too.”
Kats words give me little comfort and I hand Jesse back to her. Kat’s gaze goes past me and I turn around to see the men walking back into camp. There’s a few black eyes and some are bleeding but they’re all smiling and horsing around with each other. Walking toward them, I only have eyes for Gear, and I can’t see him. Panic begins to crawl its way up my throat and I’m not sure what I’m about to do when an arm snakes around my waist. I turn into it. Gear’s gorgeous brown eyes are the first thing I see and I throw my arms around his neck. He envelops me in his embrace as the men walk around us laughing and making fun of him, of us.
“Are you okay?” I ask as I breathe in his masculine scent.
“I’m fine.”
It’s just like him, why waste time with unnecessary words when he’s got his arms around me and I can tell he’s okay. I release him and lean back but his arms stay firmly in place. Gear leans in and lightly brushes his lips to mine.
“You want to come back to my tent?”
Laughing, I nod at him. “I think I should check you out, make sure nothing's broken.”
Gear releases me and holds out a hand. I place mine in his and we leave the gathering party. I’m glad his campsite is away from everyone and everything. He climbs in first and I follow him. Now, I’m nervous, I don’t know him. Yes, he saved me and yes, I’m attracted to him but he’s a stranger to me.
“Get out of your fucking head, Veronica. I like you and you like me. We don’t have to do anything, although I’m not going to lie, I’ll be disappointed if we don’t.” He grins at me. “But I’ll live.”
He’s managed to put me at ease, I don’t think a man has ever been able to do that. I smile back at him and reach out, pushing his cut off his shoulders. Gear quirks an eyebrow at me.
“I just need to make sure there’s no permanent damage. To put my mind at ease, research, umm...you know?”
“Research? Hell, babe, you don’t need to ask me fucking twice to get naked.”
“No! Not naked, not yet, I only want to get a look at you…”
“Let me get this straight. Right now, all you want is my shirt off?” I nod at him and feel a blush as it creeps up my neck and inflames my face. Gear chuckles. “Too fuckin’ cute.”
He reaches down and pulls the t-shirt over his head, exposing a six pack and a chest that I can’t take my eyes off.
Tentatively, I reach out and place a hand on it. “Oh my…” I whisper.
“That’s the nicest fuckin’ thing you’ve ever said to me.”
Our eyes lock and Gear reaches up, crushing me against his chest and rolling us at the same time. His hands explore my body and the kiss makes me melt further into him. I’m so lost in him that I forget about my lip, my whole body is alive and feels like it’s on fire. All thoughts of taking it slow and steady, fly out of my mind as I arch into him, wanting more.
“Jesus, babe. You keep doing that and this is going to be a little more than search and explore,” growls Gear as he bites down on my neck.
“Yo, Gear! You in there man?” asks a voice from outside the tent.
“Go away!” yells Gear back.
“Gear, it’s Reaper, I need you.”
Gear rises up and looks down at me. A slow sexy smile works its way across his gorgeous face, he leans back down and kisses me lightly on the side of my mouth.
“I’ll be right back.”