CHAPTER TWELVE
In anticipation of the helicopter’s arrival, five women sat near the landing pad in lawn chairs, doing a little male bashing. Ivy could tell Athena was building up a case of steam by the set of her jaw. Grey would have some major sucking up to do with his lady.
Meeting the wives of Dust and Steelhead was a treat. Only Dust was really Dustin and Steelhead was Reece. Ashley’s romantic interest was JJ or Jerryl Jacoby. And Titan was Bo, of all things. Lord, how did anyone keep track? From what she could gather, the nicknames were only used during missions. Real names were for real life, except for ZQ who went by his nickname all the time. Maybe she’d call him Zane just to be difficult.
“Usually they aren’t gone this often, especially back-to-back. We understand this extra trip though. ZQ was so sick because of that poison. At least I got to see Jerryl for a little bit. He hugged me, which is all I can handle except for a kiss on special occasions.” Ivy could see the vulnerability in Ashley’s expression. JJ was right, she was still working through the days of gang rapes she’d suffered.
Steelhead’s wife Gina patted Ivy’s arm. “They were gone during the flood of Hurricane Harvey, rescuing people in the lower part of the state. Ashley went along because she was once Navy and has training. We were real proud of all their work there. Boy, were they grungy when they got home.”
“I had to wash Dustin’s clothes three times,” Kelcee chimed in.
Ashley laughed. “Yeah, I smelled like swamp water for days even after baths and showers. I still think of the people who lost everything. I cry for them at night sometimes.”
Ivy sat back and listened to what their lives were like married to these warriors. Men who couldn’t seem to lay down their guns. “How often are they gone?”
“Depends.” Gina swung an open hand at a group of gnats. “It seems like three or four times a year, unless there’s a home emergency like that awful hurricane. Sometimes it’s more. They deal with terrorist cells here in the States. By the time they leave, they’ve memorized the intel and run through several scenarios in case things go belly-up.” She looked at Ivy. “I was a real bitch when I found out Reece was joining Black Eagle Ops. I wanted him home with me and Piper. Safe.”
She glanced away. “I broke things off. Made us both miserable.” Then her eyes connected with Ivy’s. “I’m glad I came to my senses. Being with a man you love and who adores you in return brings the deepest kind of happiness.”
Is she trying to send me a personal message? There are things I have to know about ZQ’s life..
Ivy watched Gina’s reaction. “Still, it must be hard on you and your daughter. How much advance notice do you get?”
“You learn to recognize the signs. They spend more time here practicing. They’re pre-occupied. More sexual.” Gina laughed.
Kelcee piped up. “That’s not a bad thing when you’re trying to conceive. We stopped using birth control five months ago and nothing. Two days ago, I peed on a stick and got a plus sign. Dustin hasn’t been home to see me so I can tell the big jerk he’s going to be a Daddy. If he wasn’t so good in bed, I’d cut him off for a day or two.” She glanced at the sky. “Yeah, as if that’ll happen.”
All of them laughed as they jumped to their feet to hug Kelcee and pat her flat tummy. Ivy liked Ashley, Gina, and Kelcee. They were each genuine in their own way and eagerly accepted her into their private group. The sounds of the bird grew louder. “Okay, which one of us is gonna cave and hug her man first?” Kelcee glanced around.
“Doesn’t Bo have a girlfriend or a wife?” Ivy couldn’t forget how kind he’d been to her. Ashley shook her head. “Then I say we punish our guys a little by hugging Titan…er…Bo first.”
Athena spoke up. “Girlfriend, I always did like the way you think.”
Their hair blew back as the helo landed. Ivy’s son was at the window waving. She still wasn’t sure how she was going to punish him for sneaking off. Maybe it was something she and ZQ should talk over.
Her stomach cramped. That didn’t sit so well, to be honest. The boy was her son; she’d born and raised him alone. No, she’d have a long talk with Quinn and take his Spiderman away from him for a few days. Suddenly she felt possessive of him. What if he came to care for his daddy more? How would she handle the pain of that?
“Team Titan, are we ready?” Gina looked from one woman to the other. They all nodded and laughed in unison.
The door slid open and little Quinn jumped out. “Mommy, don’t be mad! I had to help save Daddy.” He ran to her and she leaned over to hug him.
“We’ll talk about your punishment later. You scared me really bad when I didn’t know where you were. You know the rules. Tell Mommy before you go anywhere. I love you and I was scared.”
Quinn hung his head. “Sowwy, mommy. But I just got my daddy. He’s bwand new.”
Ivy wrapped her arms around him and hugged. “Yes, sweetie, I know. But sneaking onto a helicopter by yourself was a dangerous thing to do.”
Steelhead handed Junebug out. She could barely stand. “Someone turn the sun off. It hurts my eyes. She pivoted and clung to the helicopter. “The earth is spinning so fast. I’m holding onto this big thing so I don’t fly off.”
“Oh. My. God. She’s drunk!” Kelcee’s jaw dropped.
The rest of the men jumped out except for JJ who helped ZQ. All the women ran for Titan, shouting his name, their arms out-stretched. The shocked redhead glanced around obviously at a loss as kisses were pressed to his face and neck.
“Ah…ah…what the hell’s going on, ladies?”
It was fun to see the rest of the men’s reactions. Normally cool and calm Dust went all batshit. He pulled Kelcee away and put her in a fireman’s carry, storming off. “Did you forget you’re my wife?”
“Yeah, well, your wife is carrying your child, so put me down.”
Dust suddenly turned to mush, treating her as if she were precious glass.
Steelhead took one look at his wife kissing another man’s face and scowled. He grabbed her by the waist, slipped his fingers in her hair, and yanked her head back. “Last time I looked. Those lips belonged to me.” Just to prove his words, he kissed her thoroughly.
Grey glanced at Athena. “Now, woman, I know you’re pissed. But I deserve a better welcome home than this. Now if you don’t quit kissing Titan, I’m going to have to whip his ass.”
Titan’s eyes grew wide. “Hey, I didn’t ask for any of this. It’s the magnetism of the red hair. It can’t be helped, man.”
Grey didn’t say anymore. He just walked on. Athena stormed after him and the two had a few words before they were in each other’s arms.
The only two females snuggled against Titan now were Ashley and Ivy. JJ helped ZQ off the bird. God, he looked so pale. Ivy couldn’t help herself. She hurried to ZQ’s side opposite the one JJ was holding up. Her arm slipped around him and she kissed his neck. “Welcome home, Zane.”
JJ glanced at Ashley who’d stepped away from Titan now that she was the only woman remaining. He smiled wide. “Hi, beautiful.”
She blushed and winked. “Hi, handsome.”
Their interaction was so sweet, Ivy was full of hope the two would get together.
“Titan,” Zane ordered. ”Now that you’ve used up your testosterone supply, help my mother into the house. Make sure she can’t find anymore whiskey.” He glanced at Ivy. “Getting poison in my system was worth it so I could come home to you.”
Their son was skipping along beside them. “I was a big help, wight Daddy?”
“Yes, you were, but I imagine your momma’s a little upset about your sneaking off like that. Whatever punishment she gives you will be something you’ll have to take like a man.”
JJ and Ivy helped Zane into his bedroom. “You need a shower, boss. You have a bad odor after sweating out those toxins. I’ll get you undressed.”
“No. I will. Can he get his bandage wet? Or should we cover it with something?” She was taking charge of his care now that he was home. Why, she couldn’t explain. Well, she could, but she didn’t want to analyze it.
JJ’s eyebrows shot up. “I’ll make a waterproof pad to place over his bandage. If you’re going to undress him keep his prosthesis on until he walks into the bathroom. He’ll take it off then.”
She didn’t want JJ to think she doubted his medical skills by pushing him away. “Oh, JJ? You did a great job removing the bullet from my leg. It still hurts, but I can manage with over the counter stuff. I’m moving well in short spurts.” She laughed. “No long walks for me for a few days though. I’m sure you did just as well with Zane. Thank you.”
JJ strode toward her, his smile rather shy. “I had some great help from ZQ2.”
“Yeah, good thing I’ve got some money put back. The way Quinn watched JJ work, I think I might be paying for medical school some day.” There was definitely pride in Zane’s words.
JJ leaned against the doorframe to the bathroom. “I had to cut away some of ZQ’s flesh that the poison had killed and ZQ2 wasn’t squeamish at all. He whispered questions and I answered them. Kid’s got a brain on him.” He slipped into the bathroom for a bit before returning.
“I have a couple washcloths folded together and placed in a plastic bag for you to tape over your bandage. Tape is lying on top. Don’t forget your next dose of antibiotics. Ashley and I will keep an eye on ZQ2. You two need some time alone and most of it better involve sleep.” He left the room, closing the door behind him.
An awkward moment passed between Ivy and ZQ. “So, you’re going to undress me?”
“Won’t be the first time, Zane. Now, lay back. I’ll start with your boots.”
His sexy mouth quirked. “What? No Master?”
“No. You’ll get Zane. Now that I know your real first name.” She kept her head bent as she untied his shoe laces, tugged off his hiking boots and socks, and came face-to-face with his fake foot. Her hands rubbed over it while her tears splashed the prosthesis. “Oh, my love.”
“Hey, hey! Why the tears?” Zane rose to a sitting position with a groan and scooted toward her. “Baby?”
“We’ve missed so much of each other’s lives. Rough times when our emotional support could have eased each other’s pain. Remember the day you texted me you’d arrived safely in hell’s half-acre?” Her gaze pinned his.
“Yes. I’d placed the cell on some rocks near the command tent where our communications gear was stored. Someone needed help and when I went to his aide, we were attacked. My SEAL was killed. I was wounded. And my phone blown to hell. I’d lost my way to contact you, especially since I didn’t know you’re real name.”
“I’d texted you I was pregnant. I guess the enemy took care of that message.” She wiped away tears. “I’ll help you get to the shower.” She opened his belt and unzipped his pants. Your mother put me in this room. I guess she wants us to sleep together.”
His hand ran over her hair. “She’s not the only one. I’m due for more antibiotics in an hour. Will you lay with me and talk until I fall asleep?”
“Okay. I suppose we need to start airing things between us.” One major thing was their son. She wanted custody and would have it. Quinn could come visit his daddy during the summer and over Christmas break, but the rest of the time she wanted him with her. She hoped they could come to an agreement as friends, as a couple who once adored each other.
She helped Zane shuck his cargo pants and underwear before he strutted into the bathroom. While he showered, she hurried to the kitchen to make him two fried egg sandwiches just the way he used to like them and grab a bottle of water. Her son plopped an apple on his daddy’s plate.
“Daddy told me he eats apples all the time because they smell wike you used to. Wike apple shampoo.”
“He did?” After all this time, the man remembered she washed her hair with apple fragranced shampoo and used apple lotion? She stared at the bowl of apples on the counter. Could it be he had thought about her all these years? Her glance dropped to the two scrambled egg sandwiches, each topped with a slice of cheese and crisp bacon on toast. How many sandwiches like this had she made for him during their time together?
“Quinn, be good for JJ and Ashley.”
“I will. Am I still in twouble?” His hopeful eyes so like his father’s were nearly her undoing. She set the plate down and dropped to her knees, her arms opened wide for him.
She hugged her son close. “You know I love you.” He nodded. “We’ll talk about it later after I’ve had a chance to cool down. Right now, I’m thinking five days without Spidey.”
“Mom, nooooo, not my Spidey!”
She stood. “Like I said, give me a chance to cool down. Sneaking off to where I didn’t know how to find you was a seriously bad thing to do.” She’d make it three days after he had a chance to think about his bad choice.
By the time she returned to Zane’s bedroom, he was out of the shower, dried, and naked. He pulled back the covers to crawl in, his prosthesis was off, and he used a crutch. “I thought maybe you weren’t coming back.” He eyed the plate she held. “Are those my favorite scrambled egg sandwiches?” He gave her a slow, sexy smile that nearly turned her knees to jello.
He sat on the bed and slowly ate. “No one can make these just right, but you. A bead of ketchup over the toast.” He chewed. “Man, I missed these.”
“Did you get your bandage wet?” She set the bottle of water on his nightstand.
“And suffer the wrath of JJ? He was already in here to make sure. The bastard.” He smiled with affection for his friend. “I understand ZQ2 was begging for your forgiveness while you were making my fav.” He shoved the last morsel of his first sandwich in his mouth and chewed. “And the apple was his idea?”
“Yes. I can’t believe you remembered the apple shampoo.”
He gaze took her in as if she were his favorite dessert. “Lioness, I remember everything about you down to all those sweet, sexy noises you used to make when I went down on you.” His cock started to thicken and grow.
God help her, she could recall how good that cock felt inside her. Heat bloomed on her cheeks.
“Did you lock the bedroom door?” She nodded. “Then get undressed and into bed. I want you close to me while we talk. I want you in my arms even as we nap.”
“No sex.”
“Yes, nurse, I know. We need a couple days to heal. I don’t want to hurt you.”
“We have big issues to work out first, Zane.” She walked around to the opposite side of the bed and toed off her sandals. “And I’m not crawling in bed with my clothes off.”
“Come over here and undress for me.” He used his low Dom voice and a wave of sexual need stormed through her. Oh, this is so not good.
She straightened her shoulders. “I’m not your submissive anymore. We’ve been apart too long. The trust is gone. You’re lucky I’m agreeing to lay down with you. Period.”
He chuckled while he finished eating and took his antibiotics. “You’re one badass woman. Someday, your Dom will paddle your ass for being so insolent. Because I’m bound and determined to win your trust again.” He slipped between the black sheets and sighed. “Damn, I hate feeling this weak. Lay down, Ivy. I imagine you don’t feel at your best, either. Not with all those bruises and a bullet wound.”
She lay on her side with her hand over his heart and her head nestled against his muscled shoulder. Lovers connected by emotional fibers that could be stretched, but never broken, or so it seemed.
They talked in detail about how they’d lost contact with each other. Her pregnancy. The loss of his foot. If they were going to begin a new relationship, they had to dissect the past and closely examine their feelings for each other. The question niggled at her constantly: was their love a memory or a substantial, living emotion that could still grow stronger?
Ivy had lost trust in him. Could she learn to believe in him again? It was so important that she did if they were going to begin a new relationship.