Shattered (Broken Trilogy Book 2) (5 page)

“Yes?”

“Do you think you could help me with something?”

“Of course, what’s up?”

“Can we speak in your office?” I start to walk.

He reaches for my hand and we head for his office. He punches in the code and lets me enter first.

“You want something from the bar?” he asks, walking over to pour himself a brandy.

“No.” I pause by his desk and slip my dress off my shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. I step out and hop onto his desk, wearing a black and red lace bra, matching cheeky panties, and my black heels. “I had something else in mind.”

“Oh, yeah, what’s that?” he asks as he turns to look at me. His jaw drops as his eyes rake down me and a shameless grin spreads across his lips.

“You on top of me on your desk.” I pat the surface then lean back and rest on my arms. “Come bang in the New Year, baby.” I grin, feeling oddly bold, but that’s what Cole does to me, and I love it.

In three strides he’s in front of me with his shirt off, both hands on my knees, gazing down at me.

“How did I ever get so lucky?” he whispers. “Will I hurt you?”

I reach for his hand and pull him down so he is close to me. “Cole, I’m fine. You won’t hurt me. Nothing was damaged there.” I arch my breasts into his chest, reach for his belt buckle, and yank it open. “I need to feel you.”

Cole stands up, pulling his pants down and kicking them out of the way. He reaches under my knees and pulls my butt to the end of the desk. He leans down and kisses my stomach up to my bra and stops at my neck.

“I will never tire of feeling your silky skin,” he says between kisses. “I love the way you smell.”

“Cole,” I whisper as I run my hands across his strong back. My heartbeat is a hammer in my chest.

“The way you say my name is like it is made solely for your sweet lips.”

I hear a ripping sound, and my panties sail over my head. I can feel him resting outside my opening; it is a maddening feeling.

“Co—”

He pushes gently into me, and the slow friction makes my head flop back and my back arch high.

“My sweet Savannah,” his husky voice flows out across my chest, “you’re like a dream I never want to wake up from.”

He shifts so he is in deep, staring down at me. His eyes are incredibly dark and possessive. His lips brush over mine, muttering something I can’t make out.

He leans back to stand, gripping my hips, and makes slow and sweet love to me, and the entire time his eyes stay locked with mine.

Chapter Four

Cole

Cole stands fully dressed in his gear, watching over sixty-three men low crawl through a sea of mud. It’s cold inside the warehouse, but it doesn’t matter. These men need to be able to handle anything thrown at them.

“There’s been talk you’re looking for a recruit.”

“Major Anderson,” Cole nods, “nice to see you again.”

“You too, Colonel.” He crosses his arms as he stands next to Cole. “Any men caught your attention?”

Cole smirks, not wanting it to be known that he is indeed looking. It’s been five days of hell for these men. They’ve gotten maybe twenty-eight hours of sleep total.

“I have three if you’re interested,” Anderson says quietly. Cole doesn’t bite; he continues to watch his own prospect. “Forty-three, eleven, and fifty-nine.”

Cole scans the men’s arms and finds the three Anderson pointed out. Fifty-nine is already on his radar. His name is Captain Terrance Roth, from Texas. He’s thirty and one tough son of a bitch. He’d be perfect to work under Mike, since Cole wants Keith to join Blackstone. Keith has proven time and time again that he should be on Cole’s team, but Cole never moved him because he always liked the way Keith ran the outside unit. But with the way he has taken care of Savannah since she came to the house, Keith is now guaranteed the spot. Cole just hopes he’ll take it.

“On your backs,” Cole orders. “Sit ups—go.”

“Yes, Colonel,” the men shout in unison.

Cole glances at Mark, who is on his phone. He is smiling, then quickly hangs up. After a hundred sit ups, Cole orders the men to stand in rows and pick up a long, thick log.

“You lift the log over your head, to your other shoulder and repeat this till I say otherwise,” Cole instructs. “Do not move your head. Go.”

Cole walks through the rows of men, making sure none of them is slacking on lifting their part of the weight. He stops in front of number thirty-four, who slumps to his knees.

“What’s you problem, candidate?” Cole barks.

“Legs aren’t working, sir.”

“You need to see a medic?”

“No, sir.”

“Then get back up and lift that log!” he demands. “You think it’s fair for the rest of your team to carry the weight while you take a rest?”

“No, sir.”

“Then move!”

The man squeezes his eyes as he tries to stand. He’s finished; Cole can see it. “I can’t.”

“Are you VW?”

“Yes, sir.”

“I need to hear you say it.”

“I voluntary withdraw.”

“Okay, thirty-four, head that way and give your name to Major Paul.” He orders the rest of the men to lay the logs down.

Cole moves along the rows. “Drop and roll, candidates.” The men drop to the ground and roll all the way to one end of the pit, then roll back. Over and over again. He notices another man slowing down, holding the other men up.

He strolls over to his line. “If seven-eight can’t keep up, roll over him,” he shouts to the men who are enjoying the holdup. “Seven-eight, are you getting dizzy?”

“No, sir.”

“Seven-eight, are you getting tired?”

“No, sir.”

“Then why are you holding up your line?”

“Sorry, sir.” He picks up his pace just a little. Cole nods to a medic to watch this one for vertigo.

Cole continues down the line of men. “This isn’t for the weak, candidates. If you can’t make it here, what makes you think you can make it out there?” His voice booms throughout the building. “You’re part of a team, and if you forget you are a part of a team, then we will send you home. If you can’t follow orders, we will send you home. If you don’t pull your own weight, we will send you home. It’s all mental, do you understand me?”

“Yes, Colonel!” they all yell out.

“Now on your feet. You have five minutes to get your gear and check the information outside.”

“Colonel Logan,” Major Paul yells, catching his attention from the men. “You have a visitor.” Paul’s face gives nothing away but he can probably see a ping of excitement spread through Cole. He nods, signaling for Mark Lopez to take over.

Cole briskly walks over to the main building. The cold air wipes his face, making his eyes sting. His stomach is in his throat as he opens the double doors and heads to the front desk.

“Hi, Colonel,” the receptionist greets him. He nods outside with a little wink.

The moment he steps outside his eyes lock on to hers, and everything in his body comes alive. God, he loves this woman. A sexy smile runs across her lips then she breaks out in a full sprint, jumping into his arms and wrapping her legs around his waist.

“Hi, baby.” She grins, her eyes sparkling with need.

“Hi.” His voice is husky as he grips her body tighter around him. She wiggles, feeling how turned on he is. He’s been deprived of her for five days, and he’s been hard since he left her that night. He sees Keith grinning behind him before he waves goodbye.

“Is this allowed?” she asks suddenly, looking around at where they are. She tries to free herself from his grip, but he grabs her head, slamming her lips to his, just needing to taste her. She squeaks but gives in, running her hands through his hair and giving it a hard pull. “Cole,” she pants, “your room now.”

He drops her to the ground, takes her bag in one hand and her hand in the other, and beelines it to his room. Her laughter only makes him pick up the pace.

“Hey, Savi.” Mark grins from the stairway, blocking his path to his release.

“Move,” Cole grunts.
I need this woman under me now.

Mark’s eyes light up. He fucking knows what he’s doing. “So, Savi, how has it been—?”

“Move, Mark.” Savannah laughs, shoving him out of the way and leading Cole to his bedroom.

Cole turns over his shoulder. “Cover my next shift.”

“Yeah.” He chuckles and goes to leave, but not before he calls out, “Don’t break any furniture.”

“No promises,” Savi whispers, stopping at the top of the stairs. She looks up at him and licks her lips. “It’s been like a hundred and twenty-three hours since I’ve seen you. I almost forget what you feel like.”

“In that case, let me remind you.” Cole unlocks the door and barely has it shut when he grabs her and pushes her up against the wall. His knee is between her legs, holding her in place as he yanks off his shirt and unbuckles his belt. She manages to remove her shirt in record time too. He removes her pants and panties just as she grips his shoulders and jumps up wrapping her legs around his waist.

“I’ve missed you.” She giggles as his grin grows wider.

“Let me show you how much I have. Shower with me?” he asks as she nods, running her hands through his hair and giving it a small tug. He growls as he walks them into the bathroom.

She yelps as he places her on the cold counter. “Sorry.” He laughs as he tugs his pants off and starts the water.

Her gaze drops to his erection and she lets out a hungry moan. “You can make it up to me.”

“I intend to, a few times.” He grips the back of her knees and tugs her forward, and his fingers slip inside her easily. “Mmm, you were ready for me.” He groans as he pushes his fingers in further, feeling her velvet insides squeeze around him.

“I’m always ready when it comes to you, Cole.” She flops her head against his chest. “Please, I need you.”

He pulls his hand away and lines himself up with her. He nudges the tip inside, relishing how tight she is.

“Oh, baby,” he whispers as he slowly makes his way into her. Yes, this is his Atlantis. He feels her breath blow out across his skin; everything feels so intense when they are like this. So raw and primal.

“Remind me.” She wraps her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper. Her hands reach for his dog tags and guide him to her lips.

Cole clutches her waist and lifts her off the counter and steps into the shower. He pulls out and turns her around, pressing her into the wet tile. He grabs his solid erection and spreads her legs to make room for him. He slides back in, pressing his front into her back. He raises her arms above her head, entwining their fingers together. He thrusts forward hard, making her shoot up the tile, and her scream only fuels him further. His hips continue to thrust as he spreads kisses down her neck and shoulders.

“Cole,” she moans, leaning her head back on his shoulder. “Yes.”

“Who do you belong to, baby?”

“You,” she replies without missing a beat. “I belong to you.”

“Hell, yeah, you do,” he pants as he plows into her. His hands are everywhere; he needs to touch every inch of her. Her little sounds lead him in a path that she desires. “I love you so damn much.” This pushes her over the edge. She screams and shakes in his arms, and he comes right afterward, pumping her full of five days’ worth of pent-up stress.

She turns to face him and reaches for his neck, her eyes sparkling. “I love you too, Cole, so much it hurts sometimes.”

He kisses the tip of her nose before he washes her off and wraps her in a towel then does the same to himself. They lie naked in bed watching the sun slowly set.

“You hungry?” he asks, fingering her damp hair. “Dinner will be served in twenty.”

She pushes at his chest, forcing him to lie back, and crawls up on his lap. “That should be enough time for what I have in mind.”

Thirty-five
minutes later they walk out of his room and down to the dining hall.

***

Savannah

I smile up at him as we walk down the stairs, feeling very satisfied. “I have to admit this uniform is incredibly sexy.”

“The green makes my eyes pop,” he jokes, making me laugh.

“Are you going to be all scary when you’re with the men?”

“Not unless they step out of line.” He peers down at me. “This is the last hurdle for making the cut for Green Berets, Savannah. We're here to see if they have what it takes. We yell, but it’s nothing they can’t handle. A lot of these men have been in the Army for a long time, and those who haven’t will learn quickly enough.”

“I guess.” I sigh, thinking the Army would be no place for me. “So have you found anyone you like yet?”

“A few, but there’s one in particular I’ve been watching.”

“Who?”

“Fifty-nine.”

“Does he not have a name?”

“Not here, he doesn’t. They’re all assigned a number so they’re all equal.”

“Oh.”
Makes sense.

“Ready?” he asks as we approach the door.

“Wait, what if they ask me questions?”

“No one will be asking you questions. You’ll be sitting with Blackstone and my father.”

“Daniel is here?” I suddenly feel happy. I love Daniel like he is my own father.

“Yes.”

“Wait.” I grab his hand. “I don’t want to be disrespectful in there, so what do I call you?”

He laughs as he opens the door. “Come on, baby.” He places his hand on my lower back and walks me through the door.

I swear the entire place goes silent and all eyes are on me. “You’re not in uniform, that’s why everyone is staring.”
Yeah, that’s why
…or maybe it’s because the big bad Colonel has a civilian female in the dining hall.

Daniel rises to his feet and wraps me in his usual bear hug. “Good to see you, sweetheart.”

“You too.” I beam as I take a seat next to Cole.

“You’ve made quite the stir here.” John laughs as the dining hall grows noisy again. “Everyone wants to know who the civilian is with the Colonel.”

“I trust you set them right,” Cole notes, rather than asks.

“Nah, I figured this way would be more fun,” John smirks as he hops to his feet. “Come on, we're up.” He nods to the cafeteria line.

“Colonel?” a guy wearing number sixty-one says, standing behind us. “May I have a word with you?”

Cole sighs as he stands. “Savi, go ahead with John and get something to eat. I’ll meet you back here.”

“All righty, you ready for a five star meal? We have chicken or chicken or chicken.” John laughs as he digs in, taking a huge portion of hunter chicken. I take a small amount and pair it with a roll and veggies. “Here.” He hands me a bottle of water. “Grab a knife and fork from there,” he points to a tray, “and we're done.”

“Hang on,” a guy, says handing me a napkin. “There you go.”

“Thanks.” I go to move, but he shifts in front of me.

“Here, let me.” He takes my tray out of my grip and starts walking back to the table. It’s a nice gesture; if only half the place wasn’t watching us. I notice his number is nine, and I think I spot his table because they are the ones who seem most interested. Then it clicks, making me chuckle.