The rest of the day she spent inside. Call her stupid, but knowing someone was out there watching her and she wouldn’t see them was plain creepy. It was also ridiculous and unnecessary. And creepy. Definitely creepy.
So creepy, in fact, that she rang Wells Security.
“Wells Security, Raymond speaking.”
“I want to cancel the bodyguard.”
“I see. Name?”
“I don’t know their name.”
There was only the faintest of pauses. “Your name.”
Idiot! Ella did a mental head slap. “Ella Attwood.”
“One moment, Miss Attwood.”
Boof ambled across the floor, eyeing off a patch of sunlight coming through the kitchen window. Standing in it, he blinked, sniffed the air, and then slowly collapsed onto the floor in a furry puddle. Yawning loudly, showing a fair amount of teeth, tongue and - she could swear - his tonsils, he smacked his lips and went to sleep.
Lucky cat.
“Ella,” a deep tone greeted.
“Hi, Aaron.”
Silence.
“This bodyguard crap.”
Silence.
“Unnecessary.”
Silence.
Phone cradled to her ear with one hand, she studied her finger nails. Nope, didn’t feel uneasy at all. “Waste of time.”
Silence.
She flicked her thumb nail against the nail of her middle finger, shifted her foot.
Silence continued.
“You there, Aaron?”
“Yes.”
Oh boy.
When he didn’t elaborate, she said, “I don’t want a bodyguard.”
Silence.
“I don’t need one.”
Silence.
Her eyes narrowed. “Are you listening?”
“Yes.”
Annoyance bristled down her spine. If she was a cat, her back would be arching about now. “What are you going to do about it?”
“Nothing.”
“Haven’t you been listening to a word I said?”
“Yes.”
“Call off your people!”
“No.”
“Damn it, Aaron-”
“You’re under our protection until this investigation either ends or we can be certain you’re not marked.”
“Aaron-”
“No.”
Astounded, she stared at the wall. “That’s it? No?”
“No.”
“You can’t do this! It’s - it’s harassment!”
Silence.
She gritted her teeth. “I could come down there and see you.”
“Yes.”
“Cause a scene.”
Silence.
“You’re really irritating, you know that?”
“Yes.”
The man didn’t have a funny bone in his body. Not to mention she was feeling a bit stupid. His composed, short responses were making her feel pretty childish. She should never have rung him.
“Ella.”
“Yeah?” Now she really envied Boof. Cat didn’t care what people thought of him. She needed some of that attitude.
“Your safety is paramount.”
“Being watched is creepy. Do you know how creepy it is knowing someone is out there watching you and you can’t see them? Creepy, Aaron. It’s creepy.”
“Ryan still there?”
“No.”
“Ah.”
“What do you mean ‘ah’?”
Silence.
Taking a deep breath, she pinched the bridge of her nose, squeezed shut her eyes. “Forget I rang.”
“’Bye, Ella.”
Hanging up the phone, she groaned. “Boof, I’ve just made a perfect dick of myself.”
Boof didn’t move.
“I am such a drongo.”
Not even his one ear twitched.
“I know, right? I let Ryan rattle me, and instead of acting like an adult I ring his boss and bitch. Argh!”
This time one gold eye opened, surveyed her lazily and drifted closed again.
“Thank you for acknowledging me. I feel like you really care.”
His tail twitched a fraction.
“My hero.” With a sigh, she wandered into the lounge room, pulling the curtain aside to peer out. Nothing.
Wait, what if they were watching her peeking out at them? How humiliating would that be?
“Oh, who am I kidding?” Disgusted, she dropped the curtain back into place. “You’re avoiding the obvious cause of your snottiness.”
Ryan.
But thinking of him was only going to open up a huge can of worms, one she wasn’t prepared to start sorting through.
He kissed me. A rush of heat went through her at just the memory. Oh no, not going there. No no no.
“Fine.” Marching to the hall cupboard, she dragged out the vacuum cleaner. “I need to clean anyway. I’ll clean. Take my mind off all this crap. Boof, I need to get my equilibrium back.” She switched on the vacuum cleaner.
By one o’clock the house practically shone inside. The floor was vacuumed, mopped, everything dusted, the few wooden bits of furniture polished, bathroom and toilet scrubbed, even the laundry got a good clean out.
She spent a couple of hours on the computer cruising the internet, looking at interesting articles and uploaded videos, checked out favourite author websites and on-line bookstores, ordered a couple of books and DVDs, then switched to watching TV.
By evening she felt a little better and had just settled with a bowl of ice cream in front of a murder mystery when the phone rang. “Hello.”
“Ryan.”
That had her pulse fluttering, but she steadfastly ignored it. “Ella.”
A soft, deep chuckle drifted over the phone.
Oh Lord, that had a shiver go through her. Spooning up a mouthful of ice cream, she determinedly stayed silent.
“I have to go out of town for a couple of days,” Ryan said. “But rotating guards will be watching you.”
“Yeah, about that-”
“No.”
“You don’t even know what I-”
“No.”
Her fingers tightened on the spoon. “You spoke to Aaron.”
Silence.
“I’m getting a sense of deja vu.”
Silence.
“This is becoming more than a little creepy.”
Silence.
Closing her eyes, Ella sighed. “Why are you ringing me?”
“To tell you I have to go out of the city for a few days.”
“So?” Okay, being a bitch, but why stop now?
“I wanted you to hear it from me.”
She bit her lip.
“I’ll be back.”
Now it was her turn to be silent.
“When I come back, we’ll talk.”
“No, we won’t.”
“Yes.”
“Nothing to say, Ryan,” she said sharply.
“I have to go. I’ll see you when I get back.”
In the background she heard voices, the sound of - “Is that a helicopter?”
“Take care, Ella mine.”
Before he clicked off, she heard a voice call out faintly, “Guns secured.”
Hanging up the phone, she chewed her bottom lip. No doubt what was happening - he was off on some security mission that apparently involved a helicopter and guns. Just what kind of security company was Aaron running? Or was Ryan moonlighting for someone else?
She hoped he’d be careful. She should have told him to be careful. She should have - “Oh cripes, Ella!” Scowling, she turned up the TV volume. The man wasn’t part of her life now. Okay, he was, but just until this investigation was over then he’d be gone.
Or she would. After all, once those bloody lawless dregs were in custody and serving time, there was nothing to hold her here in West Australia. Her home had been Victoria, her grandmother’s house was still there currently being rented out, but once the lease ran out the plan had been to take Boof and go home.
Slowly she looked around the small lounge room. It held only a sofa and two armchairs, a small coffee table, one sideboard and the TV, a few library shelves. The basics. Every room was serviceable, made for frugal living. Not home.
But somehow Victoria didn’t feel like home, either. Not after everything that had happened.
“For crying out loud.” Impatiently, she scooped up more ice cream. “You’re letting this whole wretched day get to you. Yank up your grown-up knickers, you dill.”
Determinedly, she watched TV, refusing to let the thoughts bubbling below the surface well up.
She fell asleep on the sofa, woke up at two in the morning with a stiff neck and chilled. Rinsing out the bowl in the sink, she limped into the bedroom, dragged off her clothes, pulled on a comfy old nightie and fell into bed beside Boof, who grunted, stared balefully at her, then laid back down, snuggling up into her side.
Wrapping one arm around him, she fell asleep with his rusty purring a comforting rumble in the room.
~*~
Walking into the staff entrance of the service station, she pulled off her jacket, placing both it and her small bag into the locker before going out to the shop itself. The scent of fast food, hot oil and frying onions greeted her.
In the back wall behind the counter was an opening through which she saw Jessie busy frying onions and flipping meat patties, obviously cooking the food for several customers waiting at one of the tables.
“Hey,” Jessie greeted her cheerfully, her face a little shiny from being so close to the deep fryer.
“Chilly outside,” Ella returned.
“I’m going to have to step outside shortly for some of that chill. Man, my hot flushes are getting so bad the onions started frying before I could get them on the hot plate.”
“That’s a little disturbing. Is this what I have to look forward to?”
“Honey, peri-menopause sucks lemons.”
“Great.”
A small alarm notified her of cars pulling up to the bowsers and she got busy watching the surveillance cameras in the shop, checking for five finger discount drongos, those who thought it was a great idea to fill up and run without paying, and shaking her head at two drunks who drove in, practically took out one of the bowsers and pulled up with a lurch just outside the shop. She was dialling the police before the drunks even got out of their car.
The cops responded quickly, pulling in behind the car while the drunks were swaying in front of the big ‘fridges trying to decide if they wanted chocolate, soft drinks, or hit another bottle shop for more booze.
Jessie and Ella watched the entertainment as the cops put the drunks through their paces, including a breathalyser.
“I think I just heard the breathalyser blow a fuse,” Jessie commented as the cop’s eyebrows shot up at the reading.
“I think the other cop’s being hit on.”
They both watched as the second drunk grinned goofily at the pretty female cop. He patted his pockets, pulled out a card and handed it to her.
“Oh Lordy.” Jessie guffawed.
“Yeah, he’s a real catch all right.”
“Wedding bells. I hear wedding bells.”
Ella shook her head as the cops put the drunks into the back of the paddy wagon and drove off. “I don’t have time for drunk drivers.”
“Yeah.” Nodding agreement, Jessie returned to the kitchen.
The night continued, Jessie eventually going home and Cassidy taking over. Between the two of them they did the bulk of the cleaning, mopping the floors in-between the customers coming and going. Dusting, restocking, replacing the cooking oil with clean, keeping the bain-marie stocked, making sandwiches and placing them into plastic containers and into the ‘fridge.
It was the early hours of the morning when Cassidy went into the office to attend some bookwork. And, no doubt, to sneak a snooze.
Left alone in the shop, Ella was unpacking a box of chips and stacking them neatly on one of the shelves when the door opened.
“Well, well,” sneered a familiar voice.
She glanced over at the small group that had walked in. Three boys, three girls, none older than sixteen. She gave a mental sigh.
“This shit job the only one you could get?” Justin swaggered over to one of the display stands.
The girls giggled.
“Pays the bills,” Ella replied.
“Huh.” He picked up a magazine, dropped it. “Oops.”
She just kept stacking.
“Maybe you should do your job and pick it up.” Billy toed the magazine.
They talked big, but when push came to shove they were cowards. Besides, they had no idea that Cassidy was in the back room. Ella finished stacking the last bag of chips and picked up the box. “Something I can get you mob?”
Billy and Justin exchanged glances and lewd laughter before looking back at her.
“What you offering?” Billy thrust his hips. “You coming onto me, old lady?”
Cheeky little shit. “Not that desperate, sonny.” Walking past him, she looked at the girls. “Something in particular you wanted?”
There came a crash behind her and she sighed inwardly as she turned to see the rack of chips lying on the floor, Justin pulling an exaggerated face of horror. “Oh dear. Did I do that?”
“Really?” Ella asked. “That juvenile?”
That had the girls tittering. Justin scowled.
“Such big men. Coming in here, strutting your stuff, tipping things over. I’m sure everyone lives in fear.”
Billy’s face grew ugly. “You’re not at home with cameras now.”
“Actually, dumb arse, you’re on camera right now.” She jerked her thumb back towards the TV screen on the other side of the counter. “Smile.”
The girls and the third boy glanced around, faces expressing bravado but she could see the uneasiness in their eyes. Yeah, troublemakers, but not so far down that track that they wanted cop trouble.
Justin growled, Billy following him as he shoved past Ella, his shoulder knocking into her.
Rolling her eyes, Ella followed them.
They were almost at the counter when Justin stopped and rounded on her, shoving her in the shoulder with his palm. “You think you’re so smart.”
“Don’t touch me.”
“Or what?” His expression grew ugly.
“Justin,” one of the girls began nervously. “Come on.”
“No. This hag has had it in for me since she saw me.” He stuck his face closer to her. “Maybe I’m gonna teach you a lesson now.”
Not in the least fazed, Ella watched him coolly. Did he really think he could scare her? After what she’d been through? One kick to the nuts and he’d be down. Billy might take a swipe at her but she seriously doubted it. He was shuffling his feet now, muttering that they should ‘leave this shit hole and find somewhere decent to hang out’. The girls were already starting to back towards the door.
No, she wouldn’t provoke a fight, but she wouldn’t cower back, either. Maybe it was stupid, she could put the counter between her and this angry teenager who was actually a little taller than her, and yell for Cassidy. But if she backed down he’d only take his nastiness up a notch. He’d just keep coming back.
No point going to the police about him, it’d only invite further issues with him and then, no doubt, his parents. Plenty of people had gotten hurt even if their harassers had a restraining order - sad fact.
Arms hanging loosely at her sides, she watched him.
The door to the shop slid open as someone entered, stopped, glanced at everyone then walked around to stand beside Ella.
“Problem?” the woman asked calmly.
“Who the hell are you?” Justin spat.
Ella gave the woman a once-over and knew instantly. Pretty, in her thirties, slim, strength in her stance, confidence, an air of quiet control, her eyes calm and steady. Navy blue pants, navy blue polo shirt, navy blue jacket, lace-up boots. Hair in a ponytail. Ella just bet if the woman pulled her jacket open ‘Wells Security’ would be emblazoned above the shirt breast pocket.
Bodyguard. Her bodyguard.
The woman studied Justin coolly.
“You get involved, you’ll get hurt,” he growled. “Now piss off.”
She didn’t move. “I’m not going anywhere. Take your friends and go.”
Ella opened her mouth, only to shut it again when the woman didn’t look at her but simply brushed her arm with her hand. Okay, she would have preferred to handle this dickhead her way, but she wasn’t stupid enough to interfere in someone’s job. To argue now, cause a scene, would only bring disaster and repercussions later.
She definitely didn’t fancy being on the end of the repercussion from Ryan, Aaron or, indeed, this woman. No way, this woman might not be considered a threat at first glance but anyone in her presence for more than several seconds, noting the way she held herself, the way she stood her ground with such easy confidence, would instinctively know she could handle trouble.
Justin was obviously starting to realise it, but being a particularly stubborn, boasting and idiotic drongo, he was trying to figure out a way to leave without losing face.
This ought to be interesting.
And then it got even more interesting as the sound of heavy engines thrummed through the air, a pack of heavy motorbikes pulling up outside in the parking area. The engines turned off and the bikies dismounted.
Justin glanced back at her, then the woman, his jaw working as he scowled once more at Ella. “Luckily for you I have someone else I need to sort out.”
“Um - Justin-” one of the girls began.
“Shut up, Liz,” he snapped.
“Justin, seriously-” Billy began nervously, his eyes darting back to the door.
The door slid open again to emit five big bikies in leathers and boots.
Cripes, it was becoming a regular party, especially when a big, meaty hand slamming down on Justin’s shoulder nearly brought him to his knees. The teenagers squawked and scrambled for the door.
Swearing, Justin looked around, only to go white and stammer to a halt.
“Having a little trouble, Ella?” Snake asked pleasantly.
Behind him fanned Vin and three other bikies.
“You messing with my friend, boy?” Snake’s fingers dug into Justin’s shoulder.
Justin gasped, his knees buckling. “No! No, I swear. I-I was just asking her for directions.”
“That right, Ella?” Snake stared down at Justin.
“Actually, no. Justin lives in my neighbourhood along with his friend, Billy. Pain in my arse.”
“We can fix that for you.”
Justin’s expression turned panicky.
The woman just watched silently, her stance deceptively relaxed.
While Justin turned pleading eyes her way, Ella pretended to think it over. “I don’t know…”
“Cops will never find them.”
“Ella.” Justin was sweating. “Shit. Ella, I promise. We won’t hassle you again. I didn’t mean any harm, right? You knew I was just messing with you, huh? You - argh!” His knees struck the floor, his face twisting in agony as Snake’s fingers dug cruelly into the nerves.
“Now we have a problem, boy.” Snake’s mouth twisted viciously. “Ella and anything or anyone belonging to her is off-limits. You got that?”
“Yes! Yes!”
“See, boy, Ella’s gonna have a little chat with me.” Snake met her gaze, the cruelty in his eyes plain to see.
Yeah, and that couldn’t be good. Ella kept her expression neutral.
From the corner of her eyes she noted the Wells Security bodyguard studying Snake and those behind him. She wasn’t thumbing her mobile to call for help, wasn’t drawing a gun, was simply watching, listening. Waiting.
This ought to be real interesting. Actually, having her there was comforting, at least if Snake meant to beat the shit out of Ella, someone was beside her. Still, two women against five big bikies. Those odds were not good. In fact, they were sucky. Cassidy hadn’t appeared, so he’d probably wisely decided to keep out of sight and phone the cops. Though imagine trying to explain why bikies were interested in her? Or trying not to explain.
Geez, it just kept getting better and better.
“So I suggest you take a hike, boy.” Snake hauled Justin to his feet, eliciting a pained yelp, and shoved him towards Vin. “Don’t come back. Don’t come near Ella. I hear you or your friends even breathed in her direction and we’ll come and pay you a little visit.”
Vin shoved him forward, booting him up the arse as the door slid open. Two other big booted feet landed on his arse, kicking him outside. He fell to the ground, scrambled to his feet as the other bikies laughed uproarisly. He ran for the car his friends had already started, wrenching open the door to fling himself into the back seat. With a roar of the engine, the car disappeared into the traffic amidst angry honking from the other drivers.
Inside the service station, everyone’s gaze went from the disappearing car to each other.
Vin was watching the woman. The other bikies remained fanned out behind Snake. Ella didn’t move, stayed right where she was beside her bodyguard. Actually, she was ever so slightly behind the woman. Somehow, without anyone noticing, she’d stepped forward enough to no doubt intercept any threatening movement towards Ella.
Snake looked the woman up and down before giving a grunt and switching his attention to Ella. “You know why I’m here, Ella?”
“I can’t imagine it’s to ask me on a date.”
“I had a little visit from a man we both know.”
“Ah.” She resisted the temptation to wipe her rapidly dampening palms on her work pants.
“Ryan knows you, girl.”
“Um…yeah. We go back a bit.”
“He asked a lot of questions.” He paused. “For him, anyway.”
Politely, she raised her eyebrows. What else could she do?
Snake leaned forward a little.
The woman didn’t shift a muscle but there was a subtle change in the air. Ella couldn’t pinpoint exactly what it was, but it was…something. Like something coiled, ready, dangerous, yet when Ella glanced at the woman she was in exactly the same position, her expression serene.
Snake glanced at her before easing back.
Whoa, interesting. He’s actually wary of this guard.
Wary he might be, but Snake’s narrowed gaze snapped back to Ella. “You remember what I said to you, Ella? When I gave you what you wanted and you gave me the brooch that, incidentally, Ryan took back?”
But if this comes back to bite me on the arse, I will make sure you will unravel. I will take you down with me in a heartbeat. The words echoed in her mind. “Kind of hard to forget.”
He glared at her.
“I’m sorry, Snake,” Ella said honestly. “I had no idea that Ryan would just happen to walk into the pub, just happen to see the brooch, just happen to recognise it.”
Snake’s nostrils actually flared.
Holy crap.
Shaking inside but refusing to show it, she added, “I can’t undo what happened, but I swear I never told him.” Well, not until later, anyway, and by then he already knew. No need to bring that up, however.
“The feds know.”
Oohh boy. “Apparently I may have unwittingly stumbled onto something on their…uh…turf. But I swear, Snake, I didn’t know. I had no idea this would happen.”
The harsh lines on his face twisted as he snarled.
Flight or fright instinct was certainly trying to kick in, but Ella refused to give in to the flight. Since that day she’d realised that she’d been thrown to the dogs by her lawyer, she’d sworn she’d face head-on whatever shit the world threw at her and hell if she was going to start running now. Certainly not going to leave this guard to fight for her. If Snake and his mob were going to start throwing punches, well, she’d accomplished most of what she’d wanted, but geez, she certainly didn’t want to die just yet.
Hopefully he’d be happy to just pound her into the ground and not make her disappear permanently. Boof would be an orphan. Maybe Ryan would take him in.
Every thought, real, brave and ridiculous, flashed through her mind. Unconsciously she fisted her hands, stiffened.
Snake’s eyebrows shot upwards. He looked her up and down, and then he did the unexpected - he gave a rumble of laughter, his big belly jiggling with amusement.
Vin and the other bikies grinned, though whether they knew at what there was no telling.
Continuing to stand and quietly observe, the woman waited with infinite patience, ready at an instant’s notice to leap to Ella’s defence. The bikies’ laughter didn’t faze her at all.
Snake’s eyes gleamed. “You’re lucky I like you, Ella.”
She relaxed a little.
“But that wouldn’t have stopped me carrying out my promise.”
Threat. It had been a threat. Not a good time to point that out. But what had stopped him?
“You’re lucky you’re Ryan’s woman.”
What? Her eyes widened.
Snake looked her up and down as though seeing her with new eyes.
Not a comfortable thought. Not a comfortable feeling, either, especially when Vin’s hard gaze travelled over her as well. In fact, their gazes weren’t lustful but probing, as though trying to figure her out.
Maybe trying to figure out why Ryan had claimed her.
Because he was saving your arse, loser. That’s all. But then he’d said… No, no time to think about that now. She cleared her throat.
“You’re also lucky that you’re under Aaron’s protection as well.” Snake looked at the woman. “Marietta.”
She nodded slightly.
Snake’s eyes cut back to Ella. “If not for Wells Security and Ryan, your body would never be found, I can guarantee that. No man or woman drags me into their shit. I keep my promises.”
Yep, her palms were really sweaty now. But relief was also washing through her. Keep your game face on, Ella. She managed a nod.
A muscle jumped in Snake’s heavy jowls as he gave her one last warning glare, and then he crooked his finger at her.
Unsure, Ella glanced at Marietta, but the bodyguard shook her head so Ella stayed put.
Snake’s jaw worked, but finally he jerked his head at Vin and the other three bikies. Without a word they left, the door sliding shut behind them to leave Ella and Marietta facing Snake.
His arms swung loosely, fleshy hands fisting, flexing before relaxing, the thick, silver rings on his fingers catching the light dully. He stared hard at Ella. “Count yourself lucky that you belong to one of the only two men in this whole bloody world that scare me, because I’m telling you, Ella, I’d have killed you in a heart beat. But I value my life more than I need to kill you. If you disappeared Ryan would come looking for me, nothing would stop him and Aaron. There’s nowhere I could hide that they wouldn’t find me, no number of people I could hire for protection who could stop them doing their Ninja-type shit. Ryan would slit my throat without mercy and Aaron would just watch me bleed out. Those two have the killer instinct. This is the last time I ever want to see you. You are never to come to the pub looking for me. My help stops here. Business stops now. You got it?”
Dumbly, Ella nodded.
Snake looked at Marietta. “You got it?”
“Sure.”
Swinging on his heel, Snake left the servo.
Ella stared through the glass as the bikies got onto their motorcycles, the heavy roar of powerful engines cutting through the early morning darkness, the flash of headlights as the bikes roared out of the parking lot.
“Holy crap,” she finally croaked.
Standing beside her, Marietta grinned.
“He’s scared of Ryan and Aaron? Snake?”
“You blame him?” Marietta didn’t sound in the least surprised.
“You really think Ryan and Aaron have killer instincts?”
“I wouldn’t call it killer. Let’s just say they can deliver their own brand of justice, they make their own judgements.”
“Yeah, but kill him?”
“Sure.”
Stunned, Ella gaped at her.
“If it’s called for.”
Ella blinked.
“They wouldn’t just walk up and do it for no reason.”
“No reason? So if they had a reason it’d be all right?”
“They look after their own. You’re Aaron’s for the duration of the investigation. You’re Ryan’s for…” Marietta waved one hand nonchalantly. “Whenever.”
“I think you’re reading more into Snake’s words than is really there.”
Marietta looked at her. “Okay.”
“Seriously.”
“Sure.”
“Marietta.”
“Yes?”
At the innocent expression, Ella shook her head. “Forget it.”
Marietta grinned. It was an infectious grin, the sparkle in her eyes inviting Ella to laugh with her.
Amused, Ella grinned back. “I think you’ve got a problem.”
“That’s what a lot of people say,” Marietta returned cheerfully.
Relaxing now that the worst was over, Ella looked around. “Where the hell is Cassidy? For that matter, where are the police? He should have appeared as soon as Justin started causing trouble, at least have called the cops when the bikies came in and nearly gave me a heart attack.”
Marietta tapped the side of her nose.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Without answering, Marietta walked to the back of the shop and through the doorway.
Ella followed her to the staff toilets. The male door was locked, the key lying on the floor.
“Cassidy?” Ella called.
“About freakin’ time!” Cassidy yelled back. “I’ve been out here banging on the door and yelling! Some knob-head locked me in! Why the hell didn’t you come looking for me?”
Marietta unlocked the door and it swung open.
Cassidy came barging out, took one look at her and became flustered. “Er - hi.”
“Hi.” She handed the key to Ella. “Gotta go. Have a pleasant shift for the rest of the night.”
Ella and Cassidy watched her retreat, her strides long and confident, back straight, arms swinging loosely.
“Who is that?” he queried.
“Customer.”
“Wow. Hey, anyway.” He scowled. “Didn’t you hear me calling for help?”
“Nope.” Ella tossed the key up into the air.
He snatched it out of midair. “What the hell were you doing?”
“Cleaning up a mess a dickhead made when they tipped over the chip stand.”
“Man, there are some real losers around.”
“You’re telling me.”
They went back out into the shop, Cassidy helping Ella lift the stand and restack the chips.
“Maybe we should get new ones out, seeing as the stand fell on these and probably broke the chips into teeny-tiny bits,” she suggested.
“Are you kidding me? Why would we do that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Common decency?”
“No point. The chips are perfectly good.”
“And broken.”
“People chew them into mush then swallow. We’re doing them a favour, they don’t have to chew as much.” Cassidy headed back to the office. “Say nothing.”
“You’re the boss.”
“Yes. Yes, I am,” he agreed with satisfaction.
In the grand scheme of things, Ella decided, broken chips were nothing. It could have been her bones broken into itty-bitty pieces, so yeah, just going to go with the flow.
A car pulled into the bowsers and she went back to work. But no matter how busy she was, Snake’s words played in the back of her mind. You’re lucky you’re Ryan’s woman. If you disappeared Ryan would come looking for me, nothing would stop…Ryan would slit my throat without mercy…the killer instinct.
It was troubling. No lie, it made her feel protected that someone like Snake feared Ryan, that his name alone was enough to shield her. That he thought she was Ryan’s woman, making her off limits to Snake’s vicious revenge. But that Ryan would actually kill to protect her, to avenge her… It was sobering. Worrying. As much as she told herself it wouldn’t really happen, deep down she suspected it was true.
Ryan would do it without mercy.
The thought troubled her on and off for the rest of the shift, following her home, needling at her as she showered and settled into bed with Boof purring beside her.
As she drifted off to sleep she frowned uneasily, her last thoughts before sleep claiming her… Damn it, Ryan. Damn it.
~*~
Looking up into the night sky, Ryan watched the helicopter approach. Like the other members of Wells Security Armed Response and Retrieval team, he wore a black ski mask to hide his identity, dark navy cargo pants, dark navy long-sleeved shirt beneath a bullet-proof vest, black gloves and black boots. None of it would be removed until they were on the private jet back to Australia.
The last three days had been tense. Negotiations had been tried for the kidnap victims but in this country nothing was assured. Combine that with the fact that the leader of this group was a raving lunatic and it was bound to go to shit. The negotiator could see it, the head of the powerful Valordi family the kidnap victims came from could see it. That’s when the family had contacted a shady specialist force that did not exist as far as authorities knew for help. The Valordi needed help but not of the general law enforcement kind. The Sudan was a hotbed of violence. The Valordi were a known family dealing in dubious goings-on themselves, but so far nothing could be pinned to them. They were shady, skimming under the radar, sharks high up the food chain. But they also provided information to the feds, brought about the defeat of high-end, top-secret drug dealers bringing drugs into Australia, as well as giving information that broke a whole sex slave trade open. That they did it to get rid of their competitors was evident, but their information resulted in rescued victims and the demolition of many vicious, illegal rings that would have been a lot harder to break. But the only agencies who knew it were deep undercover, and one of those agencies was Aaron’s. So when two of the Valordi women were kidnapped by a rival gang word went fast down the chain of agencies until Wells Security was tapped. Within the hour the Armed Response and Retrieval team was moving.
The team didn’t meet with the family, remaining incognito in their ski masks from the moment before the private jet’s door opened and they exited, the entire time they were on the field, right up until they stepped back onto the jet, checked everything out, the door slid closed behind them, and they were back in the air. No visits anywhere, just land, do the job, get back in the air and gone. No security names on their shirts, no identity on their bodies anywhere. No one knew who the team was, who they worked for, or when or how they’d gotten into the country. An agent met them at the private airport, drove them to the field camp where they’d met with the negotiator and other security team, and they’d talked the plan out.
“Bastard’s mad as a cut snake,” said the agent. “He’s already sent Mr Valordi these photos. To say Mr Valordi is raging is putting it mildly.”
Picking up the photos in his gloved hands, Ryan held them so Kelly could also see. They studied the photos. Grim. Vicious. Two women badly beaten, clothes torn, their eyes glazed with more than just shock and pain. They’d been drugged and raped.
Ryan felt nothing. Every mental shield was in place, his mind working coldly, clinically, methodically, focussed on the job, the plan. The goal. Negotiations had failed, the gang leader was planning a grand execution to be filmed and uploaded to a popular social site for everyone to see.
Not going to happen.
They’d scoped out the camp and surroundings, rechecked the plan and then like wraiths the team had slipped into the camp. Gang members died silently, disappearing into the darkness. The women were rescued, the team working with deadly efficiency like a well-oiled machine.
Ryan stayed back with Zach setting explosives before they melted into the shadows. Once far enough away they detonated the explosives, levelling the camp and every bastard within it. The gang ceased to exist.
The women had a long way to go to recovery - if they ever recovered - but the Valordi family would fly them back to France to ensure they received the highest care available. The women were delivered to the negotiator and Valordi’s private security team and Ryan and his own team got back in the agent’s car and drove off into the darkness. Within an hour they were at the private airport onboard the private jet. Kelly and Brent checked the entire plane inside and out, scanned for bugs, checked-in with the pilots. Only then did the jet leave.
Once in the air, Ryan and the team stripped off their bullet-proof vests, gloves, weapons and ski masks, and finally relaxed, sitting back in the seats and taking a well-earned break.
Sipping from the bottle of cold water, Ryan gazed out into the darkness beyond, imagining the trickling water in the fountain in his private courtyard, his own personal place of serenity. The flowing water, the fragrant flowers, the whisper of a breeze through the potted plants.
And Ella.
Closing his eyes, he breathed deeply, imaging her faint flowery scent of soap and light perfume. The sweetness of her lips, the grey of her eyes, those soft curves.
I’m coming home, Ella mine.
~*~
The jet landed in the early morning. The team woke up instantly as soon as the captain announced they were approaching the city. They left the jet, going straight to a black van that waited for them at the edge of the tarmac. Gail greeted them cheerfully, her gaze skimming over them all.
“Looking good,” she said.
“All for you, my sweet.” Brent winked.
“Don’t make me hot under the collar.”
“Just the collar?”
“Did you bring me back a souvenir?”
“Ryan wouldn’t let us go shopping.”
“Ryan, I’m shocked.”
Ryan just slanted her a look.
Grinning, she put the van in gear and drove them away from the airport, going along the freeway before turning into a nondescript area to pull up in front of a tall iron gate set in a high, thick stone wall with a guard house just behind it.
Two German Shepherds stood stiffly at the gate, their eyes fastened on the van. Cameras at the top of the guard house tracked them, but Ryan knew there were also cameras further back hidden from sight. Brian, the guard currently on duty, would have seen them coming five minutes ago.
Gail got out of the van and approached the gate. Brian came out of the guardhouse, his intent gaze sweeping over her before shifting to the van. Opening a small gate at the side, he came through with the dogs flanking him. Coming to the side of the van, he peered in and nodded at Ryan before sweeping his gaze over the rest of the team while the dogs circled the van, sniffing.
He knew them all, gave a nod and stepped back. Gail got back in the van and waited. Brian went back into the guardhouse and seconds later the heavy iron gate slid to the side. Gail drove through towards the warehouse, only to stop at another checkpoint and another big guard accompanied by a German Shepherd. Cameras tracked every move of the van, and both the guardhouses plus Control Centre back at Wells Security monitored them.
Ryan fought the impulse to ring Wells Security and ask after Ella for four reasons - he always followed protocol until the mission was entirely over and everyone was dismissed home, Aaron would have personally notified him if something had happened to her while he was away, Ryan knew every member of Wells Security and trusted their judgement, and as team leader he never shirked his responsibilities which included seeing this through to the end. So he kept his mind focussed on the procedures, followed them to the letter T. Later, he would focus on Ella.
Two hours later the team had unpacked the weapons, signed them in to another guard to be cleaned and securely locked away before they took off their tactical equipment. The equipment was stowed away, their clothes they took home to wash and bring back. Every man and woman was responsible for their own equipment, and they took the time required to ensure everything was serviced, cleaned, neatly packed away and ready to grab for the next mission.
Next was showering, then they sat around the big dining room table and ate a hearty stew full of meat and vegetables accompanied by bread for lunch. Aaron was a stickler about no one going home after a mission until they’d been well fed and debriefed first.
Once they finished and were sitting back drinking tea or coffee and chatting, Aaron walked in. He looked around, nodded at them all. No fancy meeting, no official room. For this he simply pulled out a chair and sat amongst them all, inquiring as to their welfare, going around the table, looking at each person directly as he talked to them and waiting for their reply, letting them know he saw them, each and every one, as an individual, valued members of his team, and his responsibility. Only when he was satisfied that they were personally okay did he start the debriefing.
It was one of Aaron’s things that the debriefings be kept informal, though he missed nothing. If he deemed someone needed to see a counsellor if the mission was exceptionally bad or disturbing, he told them and there was no argument.
His team knew he genuinely cared about them, respected that he knew what he was talking about because he’d walked in the same footsteps as they did, and sometimes he still did, going off with them on missions, coming back with them, getting debriefed.
His team were relaxed around him, secure enough to talk honestly. The mission had gone well, no one had gotten hurt - except for the gang being blown to bits, which was, in their opinion, no loss and good riddance - and then finally the debriefing was over. The team were free to go to their homes and would come into the city office the next morning to write up their individual reports before having four days off before returning to work in other areas until the next mission. Gail was designated driver to drop them all off home.
When everyone except for Ryan had left, Aaron turned to him.
“Going to complete the report,” Ryan said. “Then I’ll go home.”
Aaron didn’t argue. “I’ll wait here. When you’re done I’ll drive you home.”
Ryan nodded and stood up. Now that everyone was gone and it was over except for the report, he found that regardless of knowing Ella was fine he really wanted to ask. Didn’t know why - wait, yes, he did. It was because she was his, he wanted to know, wanted the reassurance even though it was stupid, knew she was fine. At the door, he hesitated for only a fraction.
“Ryan?”
He looked over his shoulder to see Aaron taking a sip from the thick mug of now lukewarm tea.
Aaron said mildly, “She’s fine.”
Typical Aaron, he could read Ryan’s mind. From any other man it would have irritated Ryan, but his boss and friend? Whole other ball game. Aaron was about the only man in the world with whom he felt a kinship. No idea why, just did. “Thanks.”
“A bit of trouble with those two teens, Billy and Justin, when she was at work. Ella was holding her own but Marietta intervened. Then Snake appeared.”
Ryan’s eyes narrowed.
“Marietta was there,” Aaron said calmly. “Snake’s leaving Ella alone. He’s told her no more help, don’t come looking for him. Any business he was doing with her is finished.”
Good.
“Apparently he’s scared of you and me.”
Ryan nodded. It didn’t surprise him. Snake knew a fellow predator when he saw one, recognised a far deadlier predator as well, and both Aaron and Ryan fell into the latter category. It wasn’t boastful, it was undeniable truth. “Thanks.”
Aaron saluted with the mug.
Moving to the office, Ryan sat down at one of the desks, switched on the computer, keyed in the security passwords and codes, went through another set of security passwords, and finally brought up the forms. Meticulously, he entered every detail of the mission from start to finish, leaving out nothing. Once done, he scanned the photos he’d kept of the two rescued women as well as downloaded the photos of the camp before the raid and after and attached them to the digital report and filed them. Once it was all done, he printed the report, attached the photos, put everything into a file and shut it. Logging off, he shut down the computer and went in search of Aaron.
He found his boss and friend throwing balls for the German Shepherds. The savage, highly trained canines were chasing the balls, tongues hanging out, goofy expressions of pure joy on their furry faces. Now and again he gave them some treats from a little bag he carried in his jacket pocket.
Amused, Ryan watched the dogs drop the balls at Aaron’s feet and fasten their intent gazes on his pocket. In perfect formation they sat, waiting.
Aaron rewarded them by giving them the remainder of the treats, rubbing their heads and patting their sides while they wolfed the treats down and resumed frolicking like overgrown puppies.
Noticing Ryan’s amusement, even though it was hidden behind his stoic expression, he shrugged. “The cats refuse to fetch, and they steal the treats. At least I can control the dogs.”
That was even more amusing. “Shea’s cats love you.”
“Shea’s cats get away with murder.”
“That’s because you let them.”
“That’s because I’ll do anything to keep my wife happy,” Aaron replied honestly.
There was no hiding behind excuses there. He loved his wife devotedly and her happiness was his goal. He shared their home with her teenage brother, Cole, and three ginger miscreants.
Ryan glanced down at several ginger cat hairs speckling Aaron’s otherwise immaculate black jacket.
Aaron followed his gaze. “Carrot got into the cupboard again.”
Ryan had met the three ginger cats, all brothers with different personalities. Ginger glared at everyone - bit like Boof, really - Red was so laid back he floated through life with dreamy contentedness, and Carrot was hyper and into everything. Especially Aaron’s clothes. He seemed to make it his mission to shed his ginger hair on as much of Aaron’s stuff as he could - his desk, his reports, his clothes, and Ryan had personally seen Aaron pluck a ginger hair out of his coffee mug with a bemused look on his face. Mostly because the mug was in his Wells Security building so it was anyone’s guess how Carrot managed to get his fur there. Though, as Marietta happily pointed out, maybe Aaron was starting to hack-up hair balls. Aaron had cut his eyes to her and she’d suddenly found something extremely important to do which apparently required leaving the office for several hours.
Aaron gave the dogs a quiet command and immediately they ran back to the guards, returning once more to their guard dog duty.
Sitting beside him in the work car, Ryan watched the traffic go by as they drove towards the city. They sat in comfortable silence, neither feeling the need to talk or break the silence.
Pulling up outside Ryan’s house, Aaron kept the engine running and looked at him as he opened the door. “Family barbecue Saturday.”
It wasn’t the first time his friend had invited him. He’d gone twice, but amongst the happy group, their easy laughter and chatter, he didn’t feel comfortable. Yes, they engaged him in conversation, made him feel welcome, but Ryan had felt like there was a whole ocean between him and them. Sitting there quietly, absorbing the atmosphere, answering in the short way he had when it was obvious the women were trying to engage him in conversation, well… “Thanks, but no.”
“You know you don’t have to talk, right?”
Ryan looked at him.
“Maybe next time.”
Nothing was going to change.
A sudden, unexpected quirk appeared at the corner of Aaron’s mouth. “You never know.”
There went his boss again, doing his ‘freak thing’, as Luke, Aaron’s younger brother, termed it. Normally that amused Ryan because he knew exactly what his boss was doing, knew he did it more around his brother just to freak him out for Aaron’s own perverted amusement, but this time Ryan didn’t have a clue what he meant. For the first time since meeting Aaron, he actually asked, “What?”
Aaron just smiled faintly.
What did his boss know?
“See you back in the office in four days.” Aaron put the car in gear and drove off, leaving Ryan gazing after him.
Just what did Aaron know? No doubt he’d find out. Hefting the gym bag holding his uniform, Ryan walked up the path and let himself into the house.
Everything was as he’d left it - quiet, the white tiles and pale grey walls giving it a cool, open tranquillity, the carefully chosen furniture adding to the restful air.
Setting the gym bag on the floor, he pulled out his mobile and rang Ella’s number. When the message bank answered, he said simply, “I’m home, Ella mine. Call me.” Glancing at the clock, he decided that she was either sleeping from night shift or out somewhere. Or maybe, like he sometimes did, vetting her calls. He’d give her time to reply, to either wake up and listen to the messages, return from wherever she was, or simply decide to call him back if she was home.
Meanwhile, he unpacked, putting his clothes in the washing machine before passing the room holding the treadmill and various weights and into the room he’d turned into his office. On one side was a desk with a computer on top and a big chair tidily rolled into place behind it. On the other side stood a wardrobe in which his uniforms were neatly hanging. A shoe rack beside the wardrobe held work shoes - a steel-capped pair of boots, a normal pair of boots, and heavy sneakers. Several paintings hung on the walls, all country scenery, a couple of Australian bush scenes, a couple of English countryside scenes complete with cottages and ducks. The paintings had been his mother’s.
What no one knew was that the desk had a false bottom which he could access quickly to retrieve the gun he kept hidden inside. Beneath his bed he had another hidden access in the floor hiding another gun and a dagger. One didn’t live his lifestyle and not be prepared. He never expected to have to use it, but nevertheless he was prepared. Things could go to shit in seconds. He was ready.
Taking off his boots, he placed them neatly in the shoe rack, peeled off his socks and padded barefoot through the house to toss them into the washing machine with the uniform and turned it on. Undoing the top two buttons on his shirt, he retrieved a light beer from the ‘fridge and moved into the lounge room, opening the glass doors leading to the courtyard so the tinkling sound of the fountain filtered through the room. Little sprays on automatic timers were delivering water to the plants. It was peaceful, and he sat down at the little table, resting his elbow on it as he closed his eyes and let the tranquillity of his own private paradise seep through him.
The only thing to make this absolute perfection would be if Ella was here to share it with him. Okay, that would mean letting the ratty one-eyed, one-eared tom cat lie all over his furniture and shed hairs on his clothes, no doubt fossick amongst his ferns, too, but if it kept Ella happy… Well, he completely understood why Aaron allowed Shea’s three ginger miscreants to flop all over his house. Aaron was genuinely fond of them, and they were a part of Shea’s life, therefore a part of his. Ryan felt exactly the same about Boof. Okay, he didn’t know him well, but he was part of Ella’s life and therefore would be welcomed into Ryan’s.
Keeping Ella happy? Prime goal.
Of course, he had to win her back first.
Tipping the lip of the small bottle to his mouth, he took several swallows, enjoying the cold fizz sliding down his throat. He had no illusions, getting Ella to give him another chance wasn’t going to be easy, would be bloody hard if not almost impossible, but this was one mission he wasn’t going to lose. He’d never failed a mission yet, and this one? Winning Ella’s heart back? That wasn’t even in question.
Little images filtered through his mind, the echoes of her laughter, her love, the little things she’d done to make him happy, the way she’d understood his career choice, staunchly supported him when friends argued that marrying a military man who was away a lot didn’t make for a good marriage. She’d been delighted when he’d come home, cried when he left, but was so proud of him. Being alone didn’t bother her, she got on with her life, he got on with his life, and when he came home they just clicked together as though the months of his being away hadn’t happened.
But echoes of happy times were joined by echoes of sadder times - his parent’s deaths, the shock, the numbness at the senseless cause, again her unwavering support, and then the final nail in the coffin.
Just as the echoes of her laughter and soft words of love sounded in his mind, so did the echoes of tears, her pleading, the sound of the door as he shut it while walking away, and a picture he never forgot - the glimpse of her in his rear-view mirror as she’d stood beside the gate of their little rental home, the tears streaming down her cheeks as he’d left her.
Jesus, he’d been such a fool. Such a Goddamn, self-centred fool.
Taking another mouthful of beer, he gazed at the spray of water misting the ferns. He wasn’t going to throw this chance away. He wanted the echoes of her laughter and soft words of love to be reality in his home, his life. His heart.
Finishing the beer, he went back into the house, this time taking a small bottle of water from the ‘fridge and returning to the lounge room with it. Sitting at the piano, he ran his fingers over the keys, picking out several little melodies before settling in to play soft ballads.
Though he lost himself in the music, he didn’t forget the time, every minute that ticked past without Ella returning his call. He toyed with the idea of giving her another call before deciding against it. He wanted to give her time just as much as he wanted to go to her. Hounding her would do no good, but nor did he intend to let her slip away.
Turning to straddle the piano stool, he looked out at the courtyard, sipping the water as he noted the early evening setting in, the grey gathering outside as the sun slipped behind the horizon.
Tomorrow. If she doesn’t ring tonight, I’ll go around and see her tomorrow.
Just as he made the decision, his doorbell rang.
Instantly he stiffened, something slamming into him. A knowledge, a feeling, a stirring deep down in his soul. A sixth sense.
Ella mine.
Placing the bottle on the coffee table as he strode quickly across the room, long legs eating up the distance, Ryan moved out into the spacious hallway, pacing swiftly down the length and unlocking the heavy security screen door, swinging it open to reveal her standing there on his veranda.
Dressed in a simple long-sleeved lavender shirt over plain black slacks, all that golden hair pulled back into a ponytail, she looked up at him out of grey eyes filled with so much sadness and uncertainty it wrung his heart.
“Ella,” he said softly, reaching for her.
Those grey eyes filled with tears as she whispered, “Damn you, Ryan.”
And then she walked into his arms. Just walked into his arms, wrapped her arms around his waist and hung on.
He drew her inside, reaching over her shoulder to close the security screen, flicking the lock in place as he automatically scanned the empty road beyond. Only when the wooden door was shut, when she was safe, did he wrap both arms around her in turn, hug her close, so close, leaning down to press his lips to her temple, breathing in her sweet scent. “What’s wrong, Ella mine?”
She shifted, her head lifting from his chest as she tipped her head back to look up at him.
What he saw took his breath away. Tears still shimmered in her eyes, so much pain, so much…longing. Pure longing, the grey of those beautiful eyes holding so much…love.
Pained love. Shattered love. Betrayed love.
But still love. For him.
She still loved him.
“Ella mine,” he breathed, emotion surging up inside him.
In response she reached up, small palms laying each side of his face, fingers still chilly from the evening air.
He knew what she wanted even as she came up on tiptoe and lifted her face to his. Leaning down he met her, his lips skimming hers, glorying in the silky skin, the soft plumpness. Settling his mouth over hers, he welcomed her kiss, the press of her against him as she opened to him, demanded he open in turn, her flavour filling him as she kissed him with pent-up desire, passion, every sweet, luscious curve of her pressed against him from knees to lips.
Tenderness filled him, the desire to cherish her, to take care, not wanting to rush this, glorying in the pure joy of having her once more in his arms.
Knowing so much more, feeling so much more, so aware of what he’d left behind and was so blessed to have found again.
Wanting her to know how much he loved her, cared for her. Would take care of her.
So he kissed her back deeply, slowly, quietening her passion, soothing her despair and fear, dulling the pain by replacing it with pleasure, letting her feel how much he wanted her, desired her.
Treasured her.
Moulding their lips together, Ryan drank from her, swallowed her essence, filled himself with her as she did with him, and when they finally broke apart he rested his forehead against hers to look deeply into her eyes. “Ella mine.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
It was all he needed. Taking her hand, he led her down the hallway, turning right down another smaller hall to his bedroom. Without releasing her hand, he crossed to the window, pulling the blind down behind the lace curtain before switching on the bedside lamp to cast a soft glow through the room.
Only then did he face her.
Her attention was completely focussed on him.
Jesus, she was so beautiful his heart literally ached. It had been so long, so very long.
Keeping their gazes meshed, he drew off his shirt, tossed it aside then reached for her t-shirt. Without hesitation she raised her arms and he drew the shirt up and off, tossing it to land on his shirt on the floor.
His hands followed the pathway of his eyes, gliding over her arms, down her sides, his thumbs grazing the sides of her breasts in the lacy lavender bra, following the dip of her waist, bringing his palms to press lightly over the scars on her belly before settling on the plump curves of her hips.
Heat thrummed through him at the warmth of her skin, the familiarity of her body even as he reacquainted himself with it.
As he looked so did she, her gaze in turn moving over him - wide shoulders, muscular arms, the powerful swells of his pectorals, the ribbed muscle of his abdomen.
She didn’t flinch at the scars he’d gotten in battle. They weren’t many but he had several. Her fingers trailed down, skimmed his abdomen, made the muscles clench even as heat leaped lower. Her fingers unsnapped the button, pulled the zipper free, and then she hooked her thumbs into his waistband and eased his pants down, taking his jocks in the same smooth sweep to drop them around his ankles.
He stepped out of them, kicked them aside, slid his arms around her waist and pulled her close as she looked up at him. He had to kiss her again, had to taste her, capturing her lips to indulge himself.
Gently. Oh so gently. Tongue licking out to trace the seam of her lips, gliding only a little way in when she opened to him.
Like she’d always opened to him, always welcomed him into her body.
Sliding his hands down, he cupped the lush curves of her bottom in his palms, squeezed, gripped as he pulled her hips into him, pressed her against him while capturing her exhale, swallowing it, her breath becoming his.
He wanted so much more. He wanted her all, everything, nothing between their bodies.
Now it was his turn to pop the button on her pants, pull the zipper down, hook his thumbs into the waistband of her pants and panties, skim them over her hips to drop to her ankles. Only he didn’t wait for her to step out of them, instead wrapping one arm around her waist to effortlessly lift her up against him.
Ella kicked her pants off, the little ballet flats she wore hitting the carpet along with the clothes.
Smoothly he turned, laid her back on the bed, followed her down.
Her soft curves cradled his muscled hardness, her body giving to his, gently rounded thighs parting to let him nestle into place. Pillowy breasts pressed against his pecs, little nipples pink, budding, poking so sweetly into him.
Cradling her cheeks in his palms, he rested on his forearms, leaned down to kiss her again, unable to get enough of her taste, the sensation of her beneath him after so bloody long. So many lonely years with only the memory of her to torture him until finally he’d been able to bury her in the back of his mind, a faint echo in a past he’d left behind. But now she was here, the echo a reality, and he couldn’t get enough.
Doubted he would ever get enough.
Would never let her go again.
He licked gently along her plump bottom lip before pressing tiny kisses across her cheek, inhaling her scent, shifting one hand to slide off the band holding her hair back. Freeing the golden locks, he tunnelled his fingers into the heavy, silken swath, gripped lightly as he pressed an open-mouthed kiss beneath her ear, flicking the tip of his tongue against the sensitive skin, making her shiver and hunch her shoulders a little as she’d always done.
He’d learned her sensitive areas, had never forgotten them, each and every place, each and every touch. Now he laved the pulse beating so frantically in her neck, fastened his mouth over it, sucked lightly.
Beneath him she tensed slightly, her nails digging into the small of his back before she raked one set up his spine in a slow drag that had his stomach dropping out beneath him, raked them back down in an equally slow drag until she scratched lightly along the start of the rise of his buttocks, stopping just above the cleft of his muscled gluts.
Looked like she remembered his zones, too.
It was as though the years rolled back, but when he lifted his head to look down into her beautiful face he saw beneath him not the young woman she had been, so innocent and playful, but a woman who’d experienced pain and sorrow, revenge, a woman who had grown, matured. A woman who had lost in the same, yet different, way as he.
They’d both been through so much.
And yet here they were, together again.
“Ella mine,” he whispered.
In reply she slid her hand behind his nape, drew him down for a kiss both gentle and passionate. Pushing up onto one elbow, she reached around his back to tug him in close against her.
Her breathing now was becoming a little choppy, a little ragged, the desire in her eyes a shimmering sea of prurience.
It matched his own rising heat, the need to be gentle, be slow, moving side-by-side with the longing to be inside her, to feel all that creamy desire surrounding him. To once more be a part of her.
Dropping a kiss onto the tip of her nose, he nuzzled her cheek before shifting slightly to one side, resting his cheek against hers, looking down her body to where he now palmed one plump breast, thumbed the taut little bud to aching hardness before flattening his hand on her sternum and slowly caressing her upper abdomen, fingers tracing the wide scar, moving lower to trace the second scar, then the third that jagged through both, intersecting them.
“Ryan,” she whispered softly, a catch in her voice.
His lips brushed across her cheek. “So beautiful.” Rubbing his cheek against hers, he settled again, watching his hand, feeling the silken skin as he glided over her belly and lower, fingertips brushing the curls protecting her womanhood and continuing onwards, slipping further down.
Automatically she bent one knee outwards to give him access, making him almost purr with pleasure.
Now he could feel the heat of her even as his fingertips traced over the moist lips beckoning through the curls, felt the give of the tender flesh as he moved with gentle ruthlessness, breaching the protective folds to seek the little bud.
He found it.
Ella arched beneath him, unable to go far as he still partially covered her, but the muscles in her thigh flexed, her belly quivering as he lightly teased his fingertip over the little clitoris. Her breath came out in an erotic gust as he placed his finger pad on the bud and massaged firmly, alternating between lighter and heavier pressure.
“Ryan…” It was a passion-laden moan, her fingers curling tightly around his where he still held her hand pinned to the bed.
Lifting his cheek from hers, he switched his heated gaze from where his hand disappeared between her thighs to her face.
Seeing her.
Seeing the desire burning in her eyes, the lush redness of her lips from his kisses, the flush blooming in her cheeks, the golden hair scattered across the pillow from his fingers.
Looking so damned beautiful it wrung his heart.
Just as the feel of her, the soft press of her body against his, the position of her beneath him, the hot dampness of her secrets in his palm fired his ardour.
He wanted her so damned badly. His shaft had stiffened as he played with her body, his blood swirling hotly through his loins to curl deep. Looking into her eyes now, his ardour flared hotter at the candid erotic yearn in the hot grey depths, the needing of his body, the sheer carnality of her response.
Even now her hips lifted towards him, her free hand reaching for him, her hand at his nape urging him down.
He allowed it, followed her pull, pressed his lips to hers, demanded she opened to him, and as always she did, welcoming him in, kissing him more desperately, more hotly.
God, he could feel the snap of her fire sparking through him. He’d been concentrating on her, so lost in exploring her lush body once more that he’d been dimly aware of his own need, the heat of his own desire, but now he let it swamp him, let it surge up.
Unerringly he slid his finger into the opening of her body, felt her jolt up against him, her fingers squeezing his as he buried his finger deep inside her, the tight cavern gripping him as he sought the spot inside her that always made her shatter.
Found it, pressed it, rubbed it.
Swallowed her moan as she shifted restlessly beneath him, the soft keen that never escaped her lips because he wouldn’t let it, swallowing it instead, taking every whimper of delight deep inside himself.
Ardour spiked through him at the urgent press and undulation of her body, the way she tore her mouth from his to whisper huskily, “Please. God, please, Ryan.”
He rolled fully atop her, capturing both her hands to pin them each side of her head, came up onto his forearms to watch her, watch the heat in her eyes, the parted lips, the desire stamped across every bit of her beautiful face, knowing it was for him, caused by him.
That she wanted him as badly as he did her.
Carnal heat sparked into fire, burning through him as he let himself go, let it eat him, yet he didn’t completely go up in passions flames. Part of his soul remained with her, part of an inner awareness, focussing on her as he shifted his hips so his shaft could nestle between her thighs, the tip so deliciously scalded by the hot cream that greeted him as he pressed forward.
Looking deeply into her eyes as he flexed his hips, pushed inward, and then slowly, so exquisitely slowly, he breached her, keeping their eyes locked the whole time, watching the wonder, the relief, the love she revealed as he thrust with gentle mercilessness through the tight cavern. Feeling the sheath give for him, let him in, and when he slid home - so finally home, engulfed in her body, as close as two people could go - his name spilled from her lips on a heartfelt whisper.
Holding still, he just watched her, losing himself in the hazy desire of her eyes, the blossoming heat that dipped low in his belly, so full of love, so full of heat, wanting to both plunge into her and yet love her tenderly, glorying in the fact that he was finally, once again, one with her.
“Ella mine.”
She pressed against his hands. “Let me.” Her voice as husky as his.
He released her hands and immediately she twined them around his neck, pulling him close.
Bracing his hands each side of her head both enabled him to be drawn down to her kiss, and to start thrusting slowly into her.
She was hungry, he could taste it in her possession of his mouth, but there was also tenderness in the way she held onto him, so very clearly not wanting to let him move from her.
Her knees bent, the soft insides of her thighs brushing against his hips as he continued to thrust in a slow rhythm.
The urgency had tempered, now it was sweet, knowing each other as she finally released him so they could gaze into each others eyes while he continued the tender invasion of her body, claiming her once more, rejoicing in their togetherness.
Feeling so much love it overwhelmed him.
The fire was there but the emotion between them, the acknowledged feelings still so very evident that they didn’t hide from each other, made it so much sweeter, a light that burned with a cherished flame.
The urgency was replaced with the need for gentleness, with enjoying each other, filling themselves with each others scent, smoothing their hands over bodies once so familiar, still so even after all the years that had passed.
The desire washing through him had an exquisite knot of heat at the base of his spine, his shaft swelling as he continued to pump deep inside her. He saw the passion burn in her eyes, felt the flutter of her sheath as she lifted her hips to meet him, welcoming the perfectly timed undulation of her body beneath his.
The lovemaking was a dance they’d done before, they knew each others bodies so well, knew what the other liked, loved, and they fell back into the pattern so naturally.
But gentleness aside, ardour had its way of working on the body. Ryan’s strokes strengthened, becoming forceful as rising pleasure splintered through him.
Her soft moans of pleasure became more ragged, her nails again digging lightly into his back before she grabbed onto his upper arms, fingers clenching around the bulge of his biceps and triceps. Holding onto him as her hot cream coated him, spilled from her to moisten his sac as each thrust tapped it erotically against her perineum.
When Ella reached out to the side to wrap her hand in the sheet, dragged it into her fist, arched her neck to press her head into the pillow, Ryan knew she was close. He changed angle, found that sweet spot inside her, nudged it with every thrust.
“Oh, God. Ryan!” She started to writhe beneath him, losing her rhythm as carnal desire swept through her.
Ryan watched the change in her, watched her eyes go from dreaminess to darkening as the storm of rapacity started to fill her. As her body finally took over, desire riding her.
Only then did he let go, let the concupiscence overwhelm him, take over, his thrusts harder, stronger, faster as he crested the heat burgeoning through his loins. The fiery rope of sexual heat snapping inside him, coiling deep in his sac, scouring down his spine to spread out low and hot, his heart thundering as he continued to pound into her, riding that wave, feeling it swell high, felt the first trembling of the orgasm shaking them both, the crystal fragility starting to shake, splinter, but just before it shattered he refocussed on her, found her looking right up at him, both of them having a split second crystal clear moment of clarity.
Of awareness.
He actually stilled.
“Ella mine.” Heat and love combined in his low, harsh tone.
“Ryan.” Her voice was ragged, husky.
Drawing out until just the tip of his shaft was inside her, he kept their gazes locked and thrust hard.
Just once.
It tipped them both over.
Head back, he shuddered as the raking heat shoved down inside him, the fiery rope of desire balling high in his sac, pouring forth, crystal splintering through him, heart pounding, feeling as though he was being flung away under a frothing, rolling wave.
His hips jerked against her as his seed poured out, filling her, marking her inside as his.
Just before he lost it completely he wrapped his arms around her, pressed down against her, felt her wrap her arms around him in turn as she clung to him, as he fused their mouths together while they rode out the erotic storm, falling completely to pieces in each others arms.
**
As the rolling waves gradually ebbed and finally drew back, Ryan slowly drifted back to earth, immediately aware of Ella in his arms clinging to him. Carefully he lifted up onto his forearms, using one hand to push several golden strands of hair from her face.
Ella’s eyes fluttered open. She looked up at him.
Tenderness washing through him, he smiled.
Her eyes filled with tears.
“Ella?”
“Don’t,” she whispered. “Don’t say anything.” More tears came.
Rolling onto his side, Ryan took her with him, gathering her against him. She tucked her head under his chin, pressed close, and he curled around her, sheltering her in his arms.
She continued to cry softly.
Ryan gazed into the dimness of the room as the woman he loved more than life itself wept, her tears damp against his chest. Knowing he was the cause of her sadness weighed heavily. But he wasn’t going to let her go.
Gradually the tears died down and she relaxed, her breathing slowing, steadying as she fell asleep in his arms.
Pressing a kiss to the top of her head, Ryan nestled closer, closed his eyes and finally slept.
With his Ella in his arms.
**
Waking slowly, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept so soundly. But something was amiss. Someone was missing. He felt the emptiness in his arms straight away.
Ella was gone.
Throwing back the Doona, he swung out of bed quickly. Taking time only to yank on his pants, he was zipping and buttoning even as he strode out into the hallway, only to stop when he heard a faint sound.
The fountain? Yes, he could hear the soothing tinkle of the water. But something else…
Moving swiftly through the small hall, he turned into the main spacious hallway. He had an idea now where Ella had gone, the light spilling from the doorway another giveaway.
Stopping in the lounge room doorway, his eyes went directly to her. Dressed once more, hair pulled back into a ponytail, she was sitting on the piano bench, her fingers lightly stroking the keys. On one of his mother’s saucers atop the piano stood a glass of what looked like the apple juice from his ‘fridge.
He relaxed slightly. Okay, she’d stayed, had fossicked in his ‘fridge and then retreated to the lounge. No doubt her feelings were mixed, the sound of the fountain drawing her to its tranquillity.
Moving further in, he studied her. God, the memory of her beneath him, soaring with him, the sheer wonder of being with her again was indescribable, would stay with him forever. A cherished memory, one he’d be making reality for the rest of their lives.
Not just an echo, but real. So very real.
Ella stopped fiddling with the keys to glance at him over her shoulder. The expression in her eyes made his heart trip. Sad, lost, uncertain. Scared.
Before he could do more than take another step toward her, she switched her attention back to the piano and started playing. The tune was familiar, one he’d played a couple of times but tended to skip over.
Moving closer, he looked at the music book on the rack, read the title - ‘My Immortal’ by Everesance.
Ella might not play as expertly as he, had always laughingly joked that he was the gifted one, but she played this song with an assuredness that could only come from a tune played often.
And as the words came to him, he felt her pain, her sadness.
She was talking to him through this song.
Now he felt her aching loneliness over the years, her despair, her determination to forget him. Her inability to do so. A reminder of those times she’d stood by his side.
A lump rose in his throat. Leaning against the side of the piano, his attention focussed on her as she played, pouring her feelings, her emotions, into the music, making the song throb in his soul.
How she’d felt. What she’d been through. What he’d done to her, how her emotional wounds had never healed.
In his own fear and sorrow, he’d been such a blind, stupid fool.
He didn’t try to stop her - he owed her that and so much more - let her express herself the best she knew how, and he listened, thought about the words, absorbed the meanings.
Finally the music drifted off and she simply sat, her hands in her lap before she took a deep breath and reached for the cold glass of apple juice.
He handed it to her and she swallowed several mouthfuls before finally looking up at him and proffering the glass.
Taking it, he drained the last of the sweet juice and placed it back on the saucer atop the piano before sitting beside her on the bench. When she made to get up he shook his head, laid his hand on her thigh, gently squeezed, so she slid over to give him room but remained seated.
He didn’t need to find the book that contained the music for the song that said everything he felt, everything he wanted her to know. He knew it by heart. Thought it the only thing he could play in answer to her heartbreaking revelation.
‘Always on My Mind’ by Elvis Presley filled the air as Ryan played with his heart. Every note carried reassurance, acknowledgment, his regret, his own heartache, his love for her, the fact he’d never forgotten her, everything he wanted to say to Ella. Everything he desperately wanted her to know.
Needed her to know.
She sat still, her arm so close to his, and then as the song started to near the end slowly, ever so slowly, her hand crept out to rest lightly on his thigh.
It touched him to his soul, but he knew he had to finish this song, had to play it through completely. So he did. And finally, as the last note died away, he placed his hand over hers, warmth rushing through him when she turned hers over to link her fingers through his and squeezed.
For several seconds they sat facing the piano before he looked down at her. Gravely, they studied each other.
Finally, she said, “Talk to me.”