Withstanding the Enemy

Twelve

Chance…

Mr. Fletcher,

I expect you to make yourself at home in the guest room. I will be gone overnight several times in the next few months. Make a list of what you need, and I will arrange for Brutus to acquire it for you.

Rick

I toss the note back onto the midnight-blue covers of the oversized bed. Leave it to Rick and his demands, I think as I set my bag down. I walk around the four-post bed. The room resembles much of the rest of the penthouse with the Victorian décor; the only difference being the color theme of midnight blues and creams.

I make my way to the floral loveseat that is set directly in line with the door on the opposite side. This room is three times the size of my apartment, I think as I head in the direction of one of the two closed doors.

There, I find a bathroom and an empty walk-in closet. This is one of the nicest places I’ve ever stayed while on assignment… My mind flashes to memories of sleeping up against the dustiest hut walls, just before me and my men overtook some of the biggest drug cartel operations.

A knock echoes off the walls, shaking me back to reality. “Come in.”

“Mr. Fletcher, supper is ready. Ms. Andrews is waiting in the living room,” Brutus says before stepping back into the hallway.

Emma sits curled under a blanket on the couch, her cheeks are flushed and she has a book in her hand. She is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.

“So, what are we eating tonight?” I ask her and look down to her book wondering what she’s reading that is making her look so flushed.

“Hi. I’m ready,” she says not looking at me. She stands and starts in the direction of the kitchen. And I turn to let her lead the way.

“So … what are you reading? And what's for supper?”

“I hope you don’t mind pizza. Rick never lets us eat simpler food. And, I like to make it easy on Brutus when he cooks.” She guides me down the staircase and we enter a doorway just left of the landing.

We enter the back side of the kitchen.

“This must be the employee’s staircase,” I say and make a mental note of how she is avoiding my question about her book.

“Yes, I like using the stairs in the penthouse over the elevator,” she says as we round the island.

We take our seats and I eye the meat lover’s pizza covered with black olives—my stomach growls.

“It's my favorite pizza,” I say.

“Really? No way, it's mine too!” She looks at me with her eyes wide.

“Yes, really!” I pick up the pizza and hold it up to her. “Cheers.”

She meets my pizza with hers and giggles. “Cheers,” she says before taking a bite.

After a few bites, I look up to her and my pulse quickens. “You didn't answer me about what book you are reading.”

A blush colors her pale skin. “It's just a silly romance.”

“I should read it. Is it good?”

“Umm I don’t think you will like it.” She locks her focus on her plate. “Do … do you read romance?”

“No, but maybe I will like this one. Is it good?”

I watch her glance around the room—looking anywhere but at me. “Yes, it’s good … there is a lot of … umm suspense,” she pauses. “What do you like to read?”

“I like old war books; that is, when I have time to read.”

Her eyes light up. “Did you borrow a book from the library recently?”

“No. Why do you ask?”

“Hmm, someone borrowed some from the library and Ms. Gale didn't have a name on the account. I was just curious.” She adds, “You should have seen how Ms. Gale described this mystery man—all handsome and everything. It was cute.”

“You think I fit that description?” I tease.

“Yes,” she answers flatly. “Ugh, I mean NO … or I—” she says fumbling.

Her quick answer surprises me but her blush tells me that it surprises her more.

“Well, thank you!” I say sitting a bit higher in my chair. Lord, I want to kiss her.

“What I meant—“

“I'm not letting you take it back now. You will hurt my ego.” I look over to her signature blush. “Do you want another slice?”

“Yes, please,” she says shyly holding out her plate.

“Do you know how beautiful you are when you blush?” I ask unable to stop myself.

Her icy blue eyes dull. “Yes, I have been told,” she whispers.

I reach out and grab her hand. “Hey, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. It's just that I do find you very beautiful and your blushing is—”

“Is it breaking the rules if I go upstairs now or am I only allowed so many feet away from you?” She turns to hide her face, but I can still hear the sorrow in her voice. She sniffs and wipes tears away from her beautiful face—tears that I put there.

I don’t deserve her.

“You can go,” I say quietly letting go of her hand before she turns and leaves.

No longer hungry, I stand to clean up the mess—racking my brain wondering where I went wrong. What did I say? I just told her that I thought she was beautiful. Is that what upset her? But she is beautiful and so much more. If she were mine … she would never doubt how much I love her… If she were only mine…

“If you are done, Mr. Fletcher. You may leave. I can finish up from here,” Brutus says walking into the kitchen and around the island to take over cleaning up.

“Thanks, Brutus.” I turn toward the back stairs and stop in mid-stride. “Hey, the first time you met me you were … different… What's changed?” I ask curiously.

He stops as he rinses off a plate and looks up. “Well, if I’m frank with you, Ms. Andrews fancies you,” he says before returning to his task. “And I did my own homework on you—extensive homework—you might say. Your past assignments are rather—impressive,” he says giving me a salute with his sud covered hand. “Thank you for your service,Brother.”

Emma fancies you. The sound of Brutus’s voice rolls over in my head. What does that mean? Fancies—could Emma have feelings for me, as I do for her?

Then Brutus’s voice rings out again, only a different word—Brother. A realization dawns on me, only a fellow Marine would be so bold. And that also accounts for his ability to get information on my past assignments… Brutus was a Marine, too.

I salute him back. “And thank you as well—Brother”

“It goes without saying but your secret is safe with me.”

“Thank you.” I say respectfully.

“Don't hurt her,” he says sternly.

“As I assured her: I am not Rick.”

My heart starts beating harder in my chest after calling out to Emma and receiving no response. After several scans of the rooms on the second floor of the penthouse, I find myself standing in the middle of her bedroom, yet again.

“Emma.”

No response. f**k … if something happens to her…

“Emma.” I hear a sound from the bathroom.

I knock—no answer. f**k it! I can’t fight the overwhelming need to know she is safe. I turn the handle and the smell of lavender hits my nose as I swing the door open. The sound of water echoes.

“Emma,” I call out again as I walk around the corner following the sounds.

My eyes land on her laying in the jetted tub with earbuds. I inhale with relief knowing she is safe.

Okay, she’s fine … now leave.

I beg myself to turn away but feel completely powerless. Her golden hair is piled on top of her head causing ringlets to cascade over her pink face as she lays there—eyes closed. The steam swirls from the bubbly surface camouflaging what lies beneath.

Damn, f*****g leave, Chance, I tell myself just as her lips part and she lets out a moan. My heart beats faster in my chest.

My feet feel like blocks of concrete as my body wages war against my mind. The water ripples with every movement she makes, ineffectively disguising her hands as she slowly cups her breast. And I watch the bubbles covering her skin lift as she squeezes her luscious mound gently letting out a soft moan.

My body’s own needs react to her sounds of passion as my hands ache to replace hers, to feel her n*****s rub against my palm as I cup her entire breast in my hand. My d**k hardens painfully against the restraint of my zipper.

She released her breast and the tiny bubbles chase her hands like a second skin as she makes her way down.

She drops her knee to the side of the tub, and I lock onto her face knowing what she is about to do. The moment vibrates across her face as she radiates a glow of pleasure letting out a deeper low moan.

Out NOW!

I turn to leave before my needs completely overtake my senses. I quicken my steps in a hastily exit. No, f**k! You will scare her. Leave.

Just as I reach the bathroom doorway. Her soft moans echo louder but this time my name follows that roaring need.

I hiss with the sucker punch to the gut and I use everything I have to run out of her room, knowing I would scare her with the momentum of my desire—hell, I’m scaring myself. Never before have I wanted a woman as badly as I do Emma. I feel my insides burn like an inferno and she is throwing the fuel.

I dart to my bathroom and turn the shower on ice cold. Only taking the time to slip off my shoes, I jump in with all my clothes on to distinguish my flame for her. A few seconds pass before my mind begins to clear.

I make another mental note to add extra clothes to the list for Brutus to pick up.