Protecting Fiona (SEAL of Protection Book 3) (18 page)

Fiona smiled at Caroline and Alabama. A week after her “freak out,” as Fiona was calling it, she felt a lot better about everything that had happened. At first she’d refused to talk to either of the women, thinking they hated her. But after several meetings with Dr. Hancock, she’d finally reached out to her friends.

Thank God for true friends. Hunter had brought her over to Caroline’s house and he, Wolf, and Abe had watched some sports game on television while the three women worked everything out between them in the basement.

Hunter had refused to leave her side over the last week and Fiona was inwardly glad. She’d told him several times that he didn’t have to babysit her, but he’d countered, telling her he wasn’t babysitting, but supporting and lending an ear when she needed it.

Fiona had only taken one step inside Wolf’s house before she’d been engulfed in both Caroline’s and Alabama’s arms. They’d cried and laughed and that was before they’d even talked.

They’d spent hours in the basement talking through what had happened and both laughing and crying about it. When Fiona tried to apologize, Caroline lost her mind and ranted for a full ten minutes about kidnappers and nosy shoppers and sex slave rings, and Fiona hadn’t had the heart to try to apologize again.

It was eleven at night when Wolf finally cracked open the basement door and hollered, “Is it safe to come down?”

Laughing, the women had answered yes.

All three men came down the stairs and went right to their women.

Cookie scooped Fiona up and plopped her into his lap as he sat on the floor by the couch. He leaned back against it and Fiona snuggled down into his arms as she usually did.

Wolf sat next to Caroline on the sofa and pulled her into him so that she was resting her head on his chest.

Abe went to the big easy chair and sat down, motioning for Alabama to come to him. She went over to him and straddled him, putting her knees on either side of his lap and folding in on him like a boneless rag doll.

“We were worried about you, Fiona,” Wolf said, rubbing his hand up and down Caroline’s back.

“I know, and I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be sorry. It’s what friends do. You do know you’ve got some pretty serious friends here, right?”

“I do. And you’ll never know how much I appreciate it. I’ve never had true friends before, only acquaintances.” Fiona loved the feel of Hunter’s arms around her. It made talking about scary stuff somehow easier.

“I’ve already apologized to Caroline and Alabama, but I’m sorry you guys had to come back from your mission to get me. I honestly didn’t mean for that to happen. What you guys do is important. I can’t imagine if you got called away from
my
rescue.”

Without raising his voice, Abe answered calmly. “You would’ve been rescued, Fiona. We don’t operate independently. If we got called off of your rescue, another group would’ve been called in and you still would’ve been saved. Every SEAL team covers for each other.”

“But…”

“No buts, Fiona. And just so you know, you’re ours now. You’re mine. You’re Wolf’s, you’re Benny’s...you’re all of ours. If you’re in trouble, we’re there.”

Cookie held Fiona tighter as she sobbed in his arms. He let her cry. She needed to hear Abe’s words. Really hear them.

“So if you’re in trouble, it’s like our own women are in trouble. If you call me, I’ll come running. If Alabama calls Cookie, he’ll go to her. So you see, Cookie is your man, but he’s actually a package deal.”

Fiona looked up finally. Her face was blotchy and red from crying, but she tried to smile at Abe. She hiccupped once, then got herself together.

“I’ve been talking to Dr. Hancock a lot this week, as you all know. I’ve tried to come to terms with what happened to me, what happens to women all over the world every single day. But the one thing I couldn’t do was see any good that came out of what happened to me. Yes, I met Hunter and I’ll forever thank God for that, but I was having a hard time coming up with anything else for my list. Until now. Until you guys. I never dreamed I’d find a man of my own, nevertheless a family full of brothers and sisters.”

“You might not like it once we all get up in your business, Fiona,” Wolf warned her seriously.

Fiona chuckled. “You’re right, but once I can think about it, I’ll remember how lonely I was and how much better my life is now that you’re in it, and I’ll thank my lucky stars you all came into my life.”

A comfortable silence fell over the group.

Cookie broke it with a chuckle. “If you’re both done wooing my woman, I think we’ll be going home now.”

Everyone laughed and Fiona smacked Hunter on the arm.

Wolf stood up and pulled Caroline up with him. “It’s time we headed to bed ourselves. Abe, you guys staying here?”

Abe looked at Alabama with raised eyebrows. Since Alabama had lived here in the basement for a bit while Abe was getting his act together, they knew they were welcome and frequently took Wolf and Caroline up on the offer to stay the night instead of driving home.

“Yeah, we can stay here.” Alabama’s words were slurred. She was already half asleep.

Cookie stood up with Fiona in his arms. He carried her up the stairs and out the door without giving her a chance to say good-bye. He knew she’d see her friends again, most likely the next day. The trip home was done in silence. Cookie hoped the night had been a turning point in her recovery.

When they arrived home, Cookie turned to Fiona and ordered, “Stay,” as she reached for the door handle. She smiled at him and did as she was told.

Cookie came around the side of the car and opened her door and lifted Fiona out.

“You know I can walk. You don’t have to cart me around everywhere.”

“You weigh less than the pack I carry on missions. Now hush.”

Fiona only smiled and snuggled deeper into her man.

Cookie carried Fiona up the stairs into their room. For what was quickly becoming a habit for them, he laid her down gently on the bed and took off her shoes. Looking into her eyes, Cookie unfastened her pants and eased them down her legs.

Fiona lay on Hunter’s bed and watched as he carefully undressed her. She didn’t feel even a second of unease. This was Hunter. He wouldn’t do anything to hurt her. Ever.

Fiona watched as Hunter took his shirt off and threw it toward the hamper in the corner of the room. He then sat on the bed and leaned over and took off his boots. Next came his pants and boxers. Only when he was completely naked did he lean over Fiona and lift the shirt off her head. Fiona dutifully raised her arms to allow him to remove her shirt. Once that was done, he reached under her back and unhooked her bra. His actions were clinical rather than romantic, but he still made her feel cherished.

Over the last week, Fiona slowly came to terms with what had happened. As part of her therapy, Dr. Hancock had suggested she go back to the mall and the place where she’d had her “episode.” She hadn’t wanted to do it, but Hunter had encouraged her and promised he wouldn’t leave her side.

They’d gone and walked around the mall for hours. Slowly, Fiona lost her nervousness and enjoyed the day with Hunter. Even when a group of Hispanic men walked by, she hadn’t freaked out, but of course having Hunter right there with her probably had a lot to do with it.

After they’d walked by the men, Hunter had steered her into a nearby hallway and kissed the hell out of her. He’d claimed it was a reward for “good behavior.” Fiona had only laughed and kissed him again.

Hunter hadn’t ever made her feel guilty or bad for what had happened. Dr. Hancock had invited Hunter into their sessions and Fiona had to admit, at first she wasn’t happy. She hadn’t ever wanted Hunter to learn what the kidnappers had done to her, but after a few sessions she had to admit it was a good call on the doctor’s part.

Hunter had to hear what had happened and she’d had to tell him. It’d solidified their relationship in a way that they didn’t have before.

Cookie had guessed what Fiona had been through, but hearing it from her, hearing how she felt and how she’d endured, made Cookie realize how lucky he was that Fiona was here with him. There were so many things that could’ve gone differently…from the men selling her, to their hurting her, to them overdosing her by accident, to her being rescued, their trek through the jungle, the firefight as they waited for the helicopter, the flying bullets, the withdrawal…Cookie knew he could go on and on. But the bottom line was that they were here. Now. Together. Cookie knew they were meant to be together, otherwise any of those things could have ended differently.

As Fiona lay in bed next to Hunter, she knew there was no place she’d rather be.

“I love you, Hunter.”

Without hesitation Cookie responded, not making a big deal out of hearing the words from Fiona’s lips for the first time. “I love you too, Fee. You’re my everything.”

Tonight wasn’t the night they’d make love, but Fiona knew it’d be soon. Hunter hadn’t ever pushed her for it, and she knew he wouldn’t. Fiona had talked to Dr. Hancock about sex and how she felt, and while Dr. Hancock cautioned Fiona to go slowly, she’d also encouraged her to do what felt right, when it felt right. Fiona knew she would have to be the one to make the first move, and she would. For now, she and Hunter were enjoying each other’s company.

Fiona snuggled deeper into Hunter’s embrace. He was always so warm, just one more thing in a long list of things that Fiona loved about him. The feel of his naked body against her own was comforting, instead of horrifying.

“Stop thinking, Fee. Go to sleep.”

Fiona smiled. She loved this man more than she thought possible. As she drifted off to sleep, she smiled she heard Hunter murmur, “Mine, I’ll never leave you. You’ll never have another night of fear in your life.”

Fiona lay on Hunter’s chest panting and trying to recover. Jesus, he was going to kill her. That was the third orgasm he’d given her that night, and she’d never felt better or more loved.

“I think you’ve killed me,” Fiona mock complained, while Hunter tried to catch his breath as he lay under her satiated body.

Fiona watched as a satisfied smile broke out on Hunter’s face. She licked his nipple once more and grinned even wider at the shudder that made its way through his body. She felt him jerk inside her.

“I love you, Mr. Knox.”

“I love you, Mrs. Knox.”

They’d flown to Vegas and gotten married without telling anyone. Their friends hadn’t talked to them for at least two days in protest, but Fiona wouldn’t have changed anything about their wedding. She hadn’t wanted to make a big deal out of their marriage. For her, it was a natural continuation of their love. She’d had enough of being in the spotlight, Fiona had just wanted to marry Hunter and continue on with their lives.

Hunter had protested at first. He’d wanted to give her a huge wedding and invite all their friends, and their friends, and
their
friends. It wasn’t until Fiona had explained
why
she wanted a small wedding with just the two of them, that he’d relented.

Now, anytime anyone tried to complain about missing their wedding, Hunter would take them aside and bluntly explain it wasn’t any of their business why they’d done what they had, and warned them not to bring it up again.

“I hate to bring up anything other than how much of a man-stud you are since we’re lying still attached in our bed, but I’m worried about Mozart,” Fiona said drowsily.

“I know, me too.”

“Why is he so obsessed with that guy?”

“I’m not completely sure, but I think it has to do with his sister. I know she was killed when she was little and they never found the guy who did it. I think that’s why Mozart joined the SEALs in the first place, so he could eventually track down the guy, since the cops had essentially closed the case.”

“Do you think he’ll ever find him?”

“I have no idea, but I know he sure is trying his damnedest.”

“Do you think the guy he’s hunting up near Big Bear is the killer?”

“I don’t know, but I’d say so. Mozart doesn’t make many mistakes, not when it comes to something as important as this.”

Fiona nodded. “I feel bad.”

“Me too. But before you ask, I’m not going to sit him down for a chat about it,” Cookie told Fiona resolutely.

Fiona giggled, imaging Hunter and Mozart “chatting” about their feelings. Her giggle turned into a moan when she felt Hunter grow harder inside of her. She wiggled, urging him to do something.”

“Again, Fee?”

“Oh yeah, again.”

“You know, maybe you need to go and see Dr. Hancock about this insatiable need you have,” Hunter teased.

“If I have a problem, so do you.” Fiona sat up in Hunter’s lap and swiveled her hips, loving the feel of his hard length inside her. She put her hands on his chest and leaned into him.

“You’re right, I do. So let’s see if we can’t do something about it.”

Cookie smiled up at his woman. Fiona had come so far since the night he’d found her shaking and scared out of her mind in the hotel room in San Francisco. He’d never forget the anxiety he’d felt as he tried to get to her from his mission in Africa. She hadn’t had many relapses since then, and nothing like that time.

The first time Fiona had initiated sex when they’d gotten back from San Francisco, Cookie had tried to resist, not believing she’d had enough time to process everything that had happened to her. She’d insisted she was fine and it wasn’t until Cookie had wrung a promise out of her to stop if she felt even an inkling of unease, that he’d continued. That first time was special.

Cookie had been with his fair share of women, but nothing in his entire life, compared to the first time he’d eased into Fiona’s warm, welcome, wet body. She hadn’t even flinched, just held on to his face and looked him in the eyes as he’d entered her. She’d responded to his, “You okay with this, Fee?” with words he’d memorized. She’d said, “I’m perfect, Hunter. When you hold me in your arms, I can’t think of anything but you.” Even with her relapse, Fiona was still the strongest person Cookie had ever met.

He rolled over so Fiona was under him. He brushed her hair out of her face and smoothed it behind her ear.

“Mine.”

“Yours,” Fiona immediately returned with a smile.

Blocking everything and everyone out of his mind except for pleasuring his wife, Cookie bent down toward Fiona. He couldn’t ask for anything else in this world. He had it all right here in his arms.