Chapter Seven
Wilder wasn’t happy about the movie night that he wasn’t invited to, but he didn’t protest. He kept his frustration bottled inside because he knew he wouldn’t change my mind about it. I was a stubborn woman, just as stubborn as he was.
The next morning, I went to the bunker with my arm still wrapped tightly in gauze. It still hurt if I didn’t take the enormous pain pills that were prescribed to me, but in a few weeks, it would be back to normal. At least that’s what the doctor said.
Life continued on below the surface even though we captured my father. Techs monitored the computers, and a few agents were missing because they were doing work in the field. Missions weren’t known to everyone in the bunker because that information was classified. I suspected the only person who knew about every little thing that happened in RB12 was Wilder.
I walked to Wilder’s office and knocked on the open door. He was sitting at his desk looking down at his phone. “Busy?”
He looked up and tossed the phone on the desk. “Not when it comes to you.”
“Good answer.” I sat in the chair facing his desk, feeling like an agent more than a girlfriend. The situation made me realize I had to draw a line between our professional work and our personal relationship. Perhaps I shouldn’t come into his office unless I had something work related to discuss.
“I hope you’re free tonight.” Accusation was heavy in his voice, clearly unhappy that I spent the night with Ben instead of him.
“Depends.”
He raised an eyebrow at my audacity. “I’ve got the girl, but she’s still playing hard to get… Interesting.”
“I’ve got to keep you on your toes.”
“Well, are you free for dinner?”
“I’m always free when it comes to food.”
“Good. What about after? Are you free for a movie night in my bedroom?”
I crossed my legs and tried not to smile. “Depends.”
“Depends on what?”
“Are we actually going to watch the movie?” I gave him a trick question, and it was fun to watch him squirm.
He rubbed his chin as he tried to find the right answer. “I hope not.”
I smiled. “Good answer.”
That sexy smile of his reached his eyes, making him look more handsome than his hostile smolder. “Good. Don’t think I can do this gentleman thing much longer.”
“It doesn’t suit you.”
A knock sounded on the open door and Maxine appeared, reminding me of a cat with her slender figure and almond eyes. “Are you busy, Wilder?”
Now that Wilder was officially mine, I was jealous.
Like, super jealous.
“Give me a few minutes,” he said. “I’ll be right with you.”
She walked out again and disappeared into the hallway.
My eyes immediately narrowed on his face, asking the question without actually asking it.
“I’ll tell her when I speak with her.”
“Why didn’t you tell her yesterday?” I demanded.
That playful smile evaporated. “Maybe I would have if you weren’t too busy watching a movie with Ben.”
“What? That doesn’t even make sense.”
He turned stern, his jaw clenched. “I’ll tell her right now, alright? And I spent the evening alone in my bedroom, jealous over you and Ben.”
I was never concerned with Wilder’s fidelity. “That’s not what I was implying. I just want her to know you’re off limits.”
“Does Ben know you’re off limits?” he countered.
“Don’t be jealous.”
“You’re one to talk.”
The first day we were together, we were already butting heads. “Ben was fine when I told him. But we’re still good friends.”
“And what if Maxine and I were good friends?”
“But you aren’t.” Wilder wasn’t the kind of guy who had good friends. He was barely tolerable most of the time. “I just want her to know you aren’t her fuck buddy anymore. I told Ben right away, so I don’t know why you haven’t told Maxine.”
“Maybe because I don’t think about her when we aren’t together? And I’m not obligated to tell her anything. She doesn’t mean a damn thing to me, and she’s aware of that.”
I actually felt bad for Maxine, to be thought of as so meaningless. I was glad I didn’t jump the gun with Wilder because I would have been heartbroken if that was how he thought of me—as someone meaningless. “Pick me up at seven for dinner.”
“Seven, it is. Wear something sexy.”
I rose from the chair. “I’ll wear whatever I want.”
The corner of his mouth rose in a smile again.
“But I’ll go commando…”
He noticeably stiffened, and I bet his heart stopped too. He suddenly ran his hand through his hair and gave a quiet moan. “Fuck, how am I gonna get through the day?”
“Beat off. Make sure you think of me.” I walked out with a smile on my face.
“Jesus Christ, Gray,” he said from behind me. “I can’t wait to put my cock in that dirty mouth of yours.”
I got to the door and turned around. “Me neither. I’m sure it’ll make it dirtier.” I ignored the shocked look on his face and closed the door.
***
It was one of those dates where neither one of us wanted to be there.
Wilder was visibly anxious. His jaw was clenched like he wanted to say something but thought better of it. His jaw was cleanly shaved, unlike it was that morning. He wore a gray t-shirt with a black leather jacket on top. I could see the hardness of his body even through layers of clothes.
I wore a dress I found in my closet. It was black and simple, but it hit me well. I had a long torso, and there was enough fabric to highlight my elongated features. My legs were crossed under the table, and I kicked one of my legs, just as anxious.
Making conversation was difficult because neither one of us wanted to talk. We ordered our food and sipped our wine, looking at each other the entire time. I’d been getting action with Ben, but now I felt like it’d been years since I’d been satisfied. Wilder was the man I wanted for a long time, and very soon that dream would come true.
Wilder was just as desperate. When he adjusted his jacket then his jeans, I knew he was moving his hard cock into a more comfortable position but trying not to make it obvious. Maybe he’d been with Maxine and countless others, but that didn’t dwarf his desperation for me.
The waitress finally brought our food, but I wasn’t hungry. The pasta looked delicious. Steam erupted to the ceiling and heated the area directly in front of me. I’d much rather eat this in bed after rattling the headboard for a few hours.
Wilder stared at his food then lifted his gaze to my face. “Wanna get this to go?”
“Oh, thank god.” I threw the napkin down.
He smirked then waved the waitress over to get the tab. Thankfully, he had enough cash, so we didn’t need to wait around to use a card. He took care of the bill, and we got into the car and headed back home.
His hand rested on my thigh as he kept one hand on the wheel. Instead of paying attention to the road, he looked at me more than he should. Sometimes his fingers dug into my skin, squeezing me with his warm skin. “You look beautiful tonight.”
“Thanks. I like that jacket on you.”
“Would you like it better on your bedroom floor?” His eyes were on the road, and he said it with complete seriousness.
“Actually, I’d like it better on my naked body.”
He turned my direction, his eyes burning in a quiet smolder. “That can be arranged.”
We pulled into the garage an eternity later and walked into the house. Wilder’s bedroom was on the second level, and I didn’t realize until that moment that I’d never been anywhere near his bedroom. I didn’t even know where it was.
He took my hand and guided me down the hallway, and it seemed like time slowed down the closer we got. I didn’t think I could wait another minute to have those soft lips all over my skin. I missed kissing him. It was the most incredible feeling I’d ever known.
He got the door opened and pulled me inside. The second the door was shut, he pushed me against it and cornered me. He dropped his jacket with lightning speed then gripped my hands and pinned them over my head. His lips were on mine, anxious and desperate, as he devoured me like he already owned me.
He gave me purposeful kisses, taking his time but rushing at the same time. His tongue greeted mine, and they danced together in mutual desire. He panted into my mouth, his desire burning my skin. My legs could barely keep me standing because they wanted to wrap around his waist.
He squeezed my hands then pulled away, a hungry expression in his eyes. “I want to slow down and keep this romantic…but I don’t think I can.” His lips brushed against mine as he spoke and his hands dragged mine down until they were on either side of my body. His chest rose and fell against mine as his breathing remained heavy.
“Me neither.”
“Thank fucking god.” He yanked his shirt over his head then yanked my dress up to my waist. His jeans were undone and pushed to his ankles along with his boxers. He didn’t pull my thong down. Instead, he moved it to the side before he picked me up and pinned me against the door.
My arms circled his neck, and my thighs quivered with arousal. We couldn’t even make it past the door the second we were alone together, and seeing a man want me like that only made me want him more.
He pressed his face to mine as he pressed his cock inside me. His thickness stretched me apart instantly, his head quickly lathered in my slickness. He gave a hard thrust and shoved himself completely inside me, occupying my body like he’d been there millions of times before. He closed his eyes and moaned once he felt me. “Fuck, Gray.”
I dug my fingers into his shoulders and moaned the second I felt him, feeling his impressive length and godly girth. The back of my head hit the door with a quiet thump, but I didn’t even notice the pain. My arm ached from my old wound, but I didn’t notice that either. All I cared about was how wonderful Wilder felt.
He paused as he remained beside me, continuing to treasure how wet I was for him. I didn’t need to look inside my panties to know there would be an enormous pool of my arousal. I was turned on all through dinner, and even before that.
Wilder gently moved inside me, feeling my tightness before he took the plunge. “Your pussy…damn.” He positioned me harder against the door and closed his mouth over mine. He gave me a hard kiss that nearly bruised my mouth.
I loved his cock inside me. I loved it more than any other one I’d had. It was so thick, pressing up against me and making me feel full. No other man had been this hard for me, had been this big for me.
Wilder began to move once the initial shock was over, and he was hitting me in the perfect spot. His pelvic bone was rubbing against my clit, and his big dick was stretching me to full capacity. I knew I was going to come—big time.
He didn’t struggle to hold me against the door. His powerful arms managed to keep me suspended without any challenge. His hips worked to rock into me slowly. I thought he would thrust quicker and harder, but he managed to restrain himself to a reasonable pace.
I was already going to come. I could feel it. “God…” I buried my face into his neck and prepared for the heat that was able to burn me from the inside out. I knew it would be powerful, an orgasm that would nearly bring me to tears.
Wilder grabbed a fistful of hair and pulled my head back. “No. I want to see you.” He watched me with his intense gaze, his power and domination obvious in the stare. “Now come for me, sweetheart.”
Right on cue, I did. My pussy clenched around his big cock, and I came louder than usual. I shut my mouth and tried to keep my screams to a minimum since we were right against the door, but I didn’t succeed.
Wilder moaned and thrust harder, aroused by the sight of my flushed cheeks and satisfied eyes. “I’m gonna come inside you.” It wasn’t a request, but a statement. It hardly made him seem like a gentleman since I really had no say in the matter.
“Yes.” I rocked my hips and moved with him against the door, wanting all of that come to sit inside me for the rest of the night. This man had stolen my heart since the moment I first looked at him, and now I wanted all of him.
He carried me from the door to the bed and laid me down on top of the comforter, his body still intertwined with mine. His knees moved behind my thighs, and he pinned me underneath him, his hips still working to fuck me hard into the mattress. His hand moved to the back of my neck, and he locked his eyes with mine. “Gray…”
“Don’t make me wait.” I gripped his tight ass and pulled him hard into me, wanting every inch of that impressive length.
His chest was covered with sweat, and he breathed hard as he rattled his headboard against the wall. He pressed his mouth to mine and gave me a kiss that was soft in comparison to how roughly he took me. “I love you.”
Every thought was wiped from my brain the instant he said those words. Time didn’t seem to exist, and I was moving forward in space without any clear direction. My fingers slackened on his ass, and I nearly forgot to breathe.
When he said he wanted to be with me, I assumed he understood he couldn’t live without me. But I didn’t realize that how deep his feelings went. I didn’t understand the depth of his emotion, that I meant so much to him. “I love you too.” I knew how I felt the moment his lips touched mine. I knew how I felt every time I got jealous over other women. I knew how I felt when I told him I wanted to be with him and he coldly rejected me.
But I didn’t know he felt the same way.
Wilder kissed me again, his lips moving slowly while his hips still worked hard to thrust deep inside me. His cock nearly hit my cervix every time he pumped. He moaned quietly against me, his muscles tightening as he prepared to release. “Gray…” He shoved himself completely inside me and moaned against my lips. His cock twitched as he released, pouring his seed deep inside me.
I loved how wonderful it felt. “Wilder…”
He locked his eyes with mine as he finished, his eyes darkening noticeably. The satisfaction was in his gaze, but he looked hungry for more of me. I hoped he wanted me for the rest of the night, to take me as many times as possible until the sun comes up.
When he finished, he remained buried inside me along with his heavy come. “You make me so hard, sweetheart.”
I ran my hands up his chest and felt his powerful body. “I can tell.”
“You’re mine for the rest of the night.”
“I hope I’m yours every night.”
***
I had a skip in my step the next morning, a sway in my hips that seemed to be permanent. Not only did I finally sink my claws into Wilder, but he shared the most tender words with me. I suspected I was the only woman he ever admitted that to.
I suspected I was the only woman he ever felt that way about.
It made me forget the wound in my arm, the fact my father was being held captive, and that this nightmare wasn’t over.
Wilder was gone in the morning because he was usually the first one to get to work. He’d already worked out and showered, judging the sweaty shorts and t-shirt that sat in his hamper. There was a note on my nightstand.
I wish I was there to see you wake up.
Wilder
I folded the note and stuffed it into my pocket, planning on keeping it forever. The smile that stretched across my lips hurt my cheeks. It was the first real one I felt in a long time. Being in this foreign place felt more like home than Cambridge ever did. I was a terrible student who had no idea what she was doing with her life. At least I had a purpose here.
I got ready then headed downstairs for breakfast. Ben stood at the counter with a large bowl of cereal. It contained nearly the entire box because he stuffed as much as he could and slathered it in milk. On closer inspection, I realized it wasn’t a cereal bowl at all. “Is that a salad bowl?”
He looked up while he chewed the large bite he just stuffed into his mouth. After the crunching subsided, he answered. “I don’t know. I was hungry.”
“I’ll say,” I said with a chuckle. I raided the fridge and threw together a quick sandwich. It wasn’t necessarily breakfast food but I didn’t want to use the pans. I’d have to wash them afterward, and I was the type of girl who always took the path of least resistance.
He took another bite while his eyes stayed on me. “You’re in a good mood.”
“I’m just happy to get some food.”
“No.” He grinned from ear to ear. “You got that D, huh?”
My cheeks immediately flushed bright pink.
He chuckled and turned his attention back to his bowl. “I hope Wilder met your expectations. After being with me, I thought you’d be disappointed.”
I chuckled because I knew he was just teasing me. “You’re both excellent. It’s a tie.”
“Sure…make Wilder feel better.” He winked then took another bite. “Where’s that idiot anyway?”
“I woke up and he was gone.”
“That guy never takes a break.” He shook his head as he kept eating. “He takes workaholic to a new level.”
“He’s just passionate about what he does.”
“Like I’m not.” He shoveled more bites into his mouth and demolished half the bowl. “So I met this babe last night.”
“You did? Where?”
“I went into town and met some friends. We went out to a few bars and I spotted her across the room. She’s got the full package, if you know what I mean.” He wiggled his eyebrows.
I was happy we could have these kinds of conversations, two friends talking about their sexual conquests. It felt like it did before, minus the sex. “She got a name?”
“Laura.”
“You like her?”
“Oh yeah. A little too much.”
“That’s good. I’m happy for you.”
“I hooked up with her last night. Kinda wish I hadn’t moved so quickly…but whatever.”
“Is she here now?” I glanced at the hallway like she would appear from nowhere.
“We went to her place. Can’t bring her here.”
“What does she think you do for a living?”
“A banker. I travel a lot…blah blah.”
I was glad I didn’t have to lie to Wilder. Living a fake life just to have a relationship with a man would suck. How would you keep all your lies straight? “So, you just lie to her?”
He shrugged. “I can’t tell her the truth right on the spot. She’d probably think I was just feeding her a line or something.”
“Will you tell her eventually?”
“If things get serious I’ll have to. But I try to avoid that because it’s dangerous for her. I suspect I’ll be leaving RB12 in the next few years.”
The idea of him leaving made me sad. He’d become such a good friend, a great comfort. “Why?”
“I want a family, you know? And I’ve done my time. I worked with the military before I joined RB12. I’ve put my life on the line every day for others. It’s time I had some of the regular stuff, like mowing the lawn and making my wife breakfast in bed.”
I smiled. “Being married to you doesn’t sound half bad.”
“The position is still open if you want it. I’m sure Wilder would understand.”
Like hell he would. “Wilder isn’t really the kind of man to make me breakfast in bed, I’ll give you that. But I’m sure being his wife comes with other perks.”
“Like his mood swings and his dirty laundry?” he teased.
Wilder was a complicated man, I knew that. But there was a lot of good to counter his darkness. I finished my sandwich and tossed my paper plate in the garbage. “I should get down to the bunker and see if there’s anything I can help with.”
“Wilder is going to expect you to interrogate your father. So just be prepared.”
I was about to walk out but my feet remained glued to the floor. “Me?”
“Yeah.” He finished his bowl and left it in the sink.
“I’m not an interrogator. I have no skills.”
“But you have a very obvious connection. I’m just giving you a head’s up.”
I did my part when I helped intercept my father. I’d carry a scar for the rest of my life because of it. “Wilder told you this?”
He nodded. “You’ll be fine, Gray. You’re a lot more capable than you think.”
“It’s not about capability. What if that was your father sitting down in a cell?”
He shrugged. “A traitor is a traitor. It wouldn’t matter who he was.”
I found that unlikely. The tie of blood changed everything. “I’m gonna head down.”
“Good luck.”
I took the elevator to the bottom floor and entered the bunker. People were working around the clock like usual. When I headed to Wilder’s office, I crossed paths with someone I knew I’d have to face eventually.
Maxine.
In her black leather jacket and tight curls, she looked like she ruled the underground bunker. One of the most talented agents in the organization, she had some serious skill. My experience would never compete with hers.
When her eyes settled on me, a smile didn’t form on her lips. She didn’t look annoyed to see me, but she wasn’t as nice as she usually was. She crossed my path and gave me a slight nod. “Gray.”
“Maxine.”
She continued on her way and didn’t say another word.
But she didn’t need to say anything. She knew Wilder and I were an item, which effectively terminated her relationship with him. I’d be ticked too if someone took him away from me.
I arrived at Wilder’s office and knocked.
“Come in,” his deep voice announced.
I stepped inside in my jeans and a gray t-shirt.
He looked up from his computer with a stoic expression, clearly expecting to see another agent. Once he realized it was me, a soft smile formed on his lips. “You look well rested.”
“I got a great night of sleep.” I slipped into one of the armchairs facing his desk. “I slept with a huge teddy bear. It was great.”
“A teddy bear, huh?” he asked with a chuckle.
“Super comfy.”
“I think I’m a little hard to be a teddy bear, but whatever.” He set his phone down and gave me his full attention, no longer interested in whatever was on his screen.
“I ran into Maxine.”
“Yeah?” he asked, his mood immediately darkening. “She play nice?”
“She didn’t draw her gun, if that’s what you mean.”
“Well, I would hope not,” he said with a chuckle.
“She wasn’t happy when you told her?” I wasn’t sure why I was asking this when I didn’t want to know. It would just make me more jealous than I already was.
“She wasn’t angry. But she wasn’t happy either. She liked our arrangement. It was easy for her, simple. It was the closest thing she’s ever had to a relationship. It was difficult for her to let it go.”
The hair on the back of my neck stood on end in irritation.
“But when I told her I loved you, she finally let me go.”
All the anger disappeared from my body when I heard what he said. My eyes and lips softened.
“She’ll get over it. A beautiful woman like her has offers everywhere she turns.”
I was so thrilled by what he said that I didn’t care about that last comment. “I’m glad everything is out in the open now. Ben told me he met a nice girl last night.”
“Ben has never had a problem getting laid. He’s better at that than finishing missions.” He wasn’t as grouchy as he was yesterday. His jealousy toward Ben seemed to fade away now that he knew I was his—and that I loved him.
I stared at him for a few more minutes, wishing we were back in his bedroom with the sheets surrounding us. Better yet, I wish we were back in Switzerland with that huge house to ourselves. We’d make love all day and eat melted cheese and hot cocoa. Sounded perfect to me. “I’m ready to pick up a new assignment.” I shouldn’t waste all of his time on personal matters.
He eyed my arm. “I don’t think so. You need at least four weeks.”
“Ben is back in the game.”
“Ben is different. He’s been doing this for a long time.”
“Which means he needs to rest more.” I was getting special treatment because I was a woman. We both knew it.
“I still think you need to take some time before you move onto something else. Besides, I need you here. I’ve tried breaking your father with various devices but he won’t shake. You’re going to have to throw your hat into the ring.”
“Me?” I pointed at my chest like there was any possibility he wasn’t referring to me.
“Yes. You’re the only one who can get what I need out of him.”
“Wilder, I don’t think—”
“I know this is difficult, but I need you to do it.” He adapted his cold exterior, right down to business. “You’re the only one who has any effect. I’ve tried getting details about terrorist activity in America, but he won’t budge. It has something to do with his partners in Hong Kong but he won’t give me names. This is important. Just because he didn’t intercept the pulse doesn’t mean his men don’t have a backup plan. If we don’t succeed, people will die. Do you understand that, Gray?”
I didn’t expect special treatment from him on hard issues. I expected him to treat me like all of his other agents, getting right to the point. When he put it into those terms, I felt selfish for not getting my hands dirty. “I don’t know how to run an interrogation.”
“I’ll be in your ear. I’ll tell you what to say.”
“And you really think this will work?”
He shrugged. “I’ve tried everything else. He’s not like other men. He’s incapable of feeling physical pain, only emotional burden. You’re my only hope.”