WARRIOR (CROSSFIRE SEALS, #5) (2 page)

Right now, it sounded like a game of twister going on, with body parts squished and tangled and people making noises. Suddenly, the hall light came on.

“Lucas Samson and Lucille Belle Branson! What’s going on out here? Oh my goodness! Mr. Mink!”

Oh-oh. It was Miss Clementine. Eeek.

The hard body holding her prisoner shifted, although, she noted, his hand was still grasping her ass. A low male voice rumbled through the wall of flesh.

“Sorry, Aunt Clementine. Why don’t you...uh...go back to bed? We’ll straighten up out here.”

“But why are you all on the floor outside my rooms? And why is Mr. Mink without any pants on?”

What? Kit tried to budge the muscled wall trapping her. One of them is naked? And Miss Clementine got to see him and she didn’t?
Move, you lug head, move!

“I’m sorry, Miss Clementine, truly,” she heard another male voice said, sounding slightly sheepish.

“I think you should get off Lucille and make yourself decent, Mr. Mink. And I may be old but I can see your hands hanging off my banister, Mr. Dirk. How long do you think you can hide like that without falling and causing damage to my staircase, young man?”

There was a small pause. Then a creak and a thud.

“Sorry, Miss Clementine.” The third male voice sounded meek. “It’s all Cucum...I mean, Lucas’, fault.”

“I will get to him in a moment. Miss Kit-Ling, is that you behind Lucas?”

Oh, now she was in deep doo-doo. Miss Clementine was going to be aghast at her attire. She moved her head, resting her cheek on the back-that-would-not-move.

“Yes, it’s me,” she replied. “I can explain, really.”

“Lucas, can you tell me why you’re sitting on Miss Kit-Ling? I don’t even think you’ve met.”

Finally, the-back-that-would-not-move came alive. It shifted, giving her some space.

“We...just met, Aunt Clementine,” that deep voice rumbled. “It was just an accident. It was dark and someone fell and we all sort of tried to catch Lulu quietly so she wouldn’t wake you up. Totally failed operation, that’s all. It was actually all Lulu’s fault.”

“Hey, don’t get me in trouble,” Lulu protested.

“You started it!”

“You didn’t have to send your boys to do the dirty work of...oh, I give up. Aunt Clementine, go to bed. It’s my fault. I tripped and fell.”

“Humph. That doesn’t explain the inappropriate attire. You’re all acting like...” There was a soft sigh. “We courted differently in my days, that’s all. I’m going back to bed. We’ll have a talk in the morning. Can I expect better attire?”

“Yes, ma’am,” everyone mumbled.

Kit cocked her head, listening. When she heard Aunt Clementine’s soft footsteps move through her door, which then clicked shut, she tapped Mr. Granite-Back on the shoulder.

“Oh yeah, I keep forgetting about the spider I’m squashing,” Lucas mocked, getting up.

Air. She took a deep breath. Goodness, that body was hot. She blinked and looked up at the whole man. Miles and miles of man. She exhaled loudly.
Oh, my goodness.
That body. Was. H-h-hot.

She’d seen Lulu’s brother in some photos before. Graduation, some camping trip with Lulu’s family, a bearded and scruffy guy with a backpack—she hadn’t really paid much attention. Her own father and brothers were Airborne Rangers, so she’d seen enough military guys not to notice much beyond their short haircuts, neat uniforms and tendency for machismo. Lucas Branson was just a name, her friend’s brother who was in the navy.

However, Lucas Branson in person? Wow.

There were miles of legs to admire. And above those shorts, a narrow waist that broaden into a hairy chest. Whose hairs she’d pulled. She tilted her head back and met a pair of amused eyes.

“You thinking of sleeping there tonight?”

Dammit. He’d caught her looking. His hand was extended, offering to help her up. She placed hers in his. He pulled her onto her feet with ease.

“I was catching my breath,” she explained huffily. “Something heavy was cutting off all my air.”

“I wasn’t leaning back too hard,” he said. “Besides, you bit me.”

“You pinched my...” She cut off the word “ass” and looked around. “...me. Oh, no wonder Miss Clementine sounded so horrified.”

There was a mostly naked SEAL on top of Lulu. And he was holding her down as if he was never going to let go. He was smiling down at her friend, though, who was looking spitting mad.

A flash of light. Kit turned her head. Another man was standing by the stairs with his smart phone in one hand.

“Yeah, tit for tat. Now if she posts, we can put this pic up.”

“Ha, you think that’s going to scare me off putting up a pic of three SEALs snuggling in a pink bed?”

“Maybe we should dangle her by her feet over the banisters. That should be scary enough,” Mink suggested. “What do you say, Cucumber? Permission to dangle your sister till she cries for mercy, sir!”

Kit blinked.
Cucumber
?

She glanced back at the man beside her and suddenly realized he was still holding her hand. And also looking at her as if he wasn’t going to let go. Something dropped like an anchor in her gut.

“You do what you have to, Mink,” Lucas said, his gaze still holding Kit’s, “although I suggest keeping it on the quiet side. We don’t want my aunt out here witnessing the pain and torture.”

“Don’t worry. Lulu isn’t going to make much noise. She can’t have anyone witnessing her humiliation. Where shall I take the prisoner, sir?”

“Don’t care. No longer interested. You take care of the problem for me, Mink and Dirk.”

Kit found herself pulled away from the wall towards the stairs. “Hey,” she said. “Where...are we going? I’m not...dressed!”

Her protest brought those hypnotic eyes to her body. The night was warm and she was wearing her camisole and matching panties.

“Me neither,” Lucas said. “Dare ya to come along. I promise to be the perfect gentleman.”

“You aren’t leaving me here with Mink and Dirk!” Lulu protested. “Mink, you let go right now or I swear I’ll hurt you the moment I’m free.”

“I want to hear pleas of mercy, not threats, from my prisoner,” the guy on top of Lulu said, a big smile still on his face.

The man—Mink?—seemed to be having a lot of fun, but maybe she should come to her friend’s aid. Kit tried to shake her hand loose. “I should help Lulu. Besides, I don’t even know you.”

“If you know my sister, she has a black belt and can take on Mink.”

“Ha, I would but I don’t want to break any bones!” Lulu said.

“You see, that doesn’t help your situation at all,” Mink said. “Next you’ll threaten to kill me and then where would that leave us? I’d have no option but to tie you up and do bad things to you. Hey, got some rope, Dirk?”

“I’m out of here,” the man by the stairs said. “Third wheel and all that. Things look pretty much in control here.”

Third wheel, what? She wanted to get out of there too and just forget about the whole thing. It was bad enough to be caught by Miss Clementine out here with “improper attire” on. She was sure it would be mentioned to her mother and then her father would hear about it. That was all she needed, another long talk with her already paranoid parents.

“Hey, uh, no,” Kit interrupted. “I...I really think we should all just go to bed. Oh shit. I didn’t mean that! Not that way!”

Her face felt as if it was on fire as all three men started laughing. Even Lulu was cracking up.

Lucas scratched his chin. “What way?”

Kit sniffed. She looked down pointedly at her hand still in his. “You can let go now.”

“What if you jump on my back again and pull my chest hair?”

Lulu snickered. “Next time, Kit, pull some out.”

Kit rolled her eyes. Her hand felt strangely cold after having been in his warm grasp. “Okay, getting in the middle of sibling fights was obviously a mistake. Bad habit from having my own pack of brothers. Lulu, I so wanted to help you, but you look quite...happy...right now. So I’m off. Really, I’ve got to get some rest because we’re moving furniture tomorrow bright and early, remember?”

That was why she was here, to help Lulu out. Miss Clementine was getting up in years and had decided to leave her favorite niece the B&B as her inheritance. Lulu was super-excited because she had loved the old restored mansion and her aunt was going to show her the ropes of running a B&B. Kit was excited for Lulu too. Her friend had a great deal of talent at management and creative decoration, and a B&B like this would be perfect for someone who loved to micro-manage as much as Lulu.

“Hey, don’t leave me with them!” Lulu pleaded now. “You heard their threats. They’re going to dangle me off the rails! Mink, if you don’t let me up, I swear I’m going to post that pic all over the place and then you’ll be sorry.”

“Ha, I think this one needs more convincing she’s no longer in control, Sir!” Mink said.

“And stop addressing my brother and asking permission for everything! I’m going to...”

“You have my permission to torture her,” Cucumber interrupted. “Of course, leave no marks and make sure she can still carry some furniture in the morning.”

“Aye, sir!” Mink got to his feet, hauling Lulu up in one swift motion and pulling her toward another door. “Come on, you and I are going to work out your form of punishment unless you give me that camera.”

Lulu kicked out. Mink jumped back. Lulu opened the door to her room and ran in. Mink dived through it before the heavy door closed with a thud. Silence.

Kit coughed. “Umm. My brother would never allow another guy to manhandle me like that.”

“Have you ever taken a picture of your brother in The Pink Room?”

Kit’s eyes widened. Lulu put three SEALs in The Pink Room? She couldn’t help herself. She grinned. “Nope. But now I’m going to have to.”

“If you did, would he retaliate?”

She nodded. “Yeah, but he wouldn’t send two of his friends after her.”

“Hey, I’m not in there,” Dirk interrupted. “In fact, I think I’m going to head off to The Pink Room to stare at some pink cherubs.”

Lucas was looking at her so intently she was starting to feel uncomfortable. “I think you should go too,” she said softly.

“I’m giving Mink five minutes,” Lucas stated, just as softly.

Kit rolled her eyes. “I hope Lulu is kicking his ass.”

Lucas’ slow smile made her feel hot and cold at the same time. He leaned one big shoulder against the wall.

“Let’s not talk about my sister and Mink behind that door,” he said. “What’s your name and I like your nightie very much.”

Kit had worn less at the pool but this man’s hot gaze made her feel totally exposed. He was too close, and knowing how hard his body was against hers added to the odd tension in the air.

She stuck out her hand, trying to make things normal. “I’m Kit, a friend of Lulu’s. It’s actually Kit-Ling but most people call me Kit.” She chose to ignore his second remark about her clothing. “And you’re Lucas, the brother.”

He took her hand but he didn’t shake it. “Kit-Ling. I like that.
Moi malenkei kotonok.
” His smile was slow and devastating. “Very fitting.”

“Huh? Moi what?” Kit frowned. It must be the late hour that was making her do dumb things because she had just given him her hand again. “What did you just say?”

He gave a small shake of his head. “Not telling you till you agree to go out with me.”

She swallowed. “You’re quick.”

“I could be quicker, if you like. But mind you, we’re still outside my aunt’s door.” He squeezed her hand gently. “Mink will be coming out soon. Give me an answer.”

“Hey, a girl needs to think about these things. We’ve just met.”

“You climbed my back. I like the feel of your...you...against me. Let’s kiss and see how we like that.”

She stared at him, then narrowed her eyes. Boy, the man had a one-track mind, didn’t he? “You went from asking me for a date to a kiss. Not very subtle, are you?”

He shook his head again. “Subtle doesn’t work in life. At this moment, the way you look, subtle is the last thing on my mind.” He took a step closer, a gleam in his dark eyes “What do you say, a kiss, and if you like it, a date? I bet you’re going to like both. Very much.”

She cocked her head. Confident devil. She liked the way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. Correction. Confident
and
handsome devil. “My brother has a name for SEALs like you. He’s Airborne, you know.”

Lucas flashed her a wicked grin. “My sister calls me names too. Do you think I’d worry about what an Airborne cupcake calls a SEAL?”

She raised her eyebrows. “Ooooh. Nice. Airborne Cupcake. I’ve got to remember to use that
and
tell him who passed on that nickname to me. I’ll bet he’d want to make you his cupcake, then.”

“Nah, not into pissing contests.” His voice lowered. “I’d rather be your cupcake. Come on, take a bite.”

It was so awfully tempting. Kit knew a lot about SEALs, having interviewed and talked to them in her job. Being a public information associate for a web-based broadcasting service had its perks. But her interaction had never been this up close and personal, and in the present surroundings, in her current state of undress, it was very difficult to pretend to be professional.

She stood on her tippy-toes.

And bit him on the lower lip gently.

He pulled her closer and his lips caught hers. Her free hand reached up and came up against the rock cliff that was his chest. She felt his free hand on the small of her back. She opened her mouth in protest. His tongue delved in. And in a split second, there was no space between them. Like she’d said, he was damn quick.

* * *

L
ucas was never one to wait too long about anything. His lifestyle didn’t promote that kind of philosophy. Live for the moment. Do it now; you might not have a second chance. Enjoy the things a man should enjoy—pretty women, good food, simple things.

People might say that was a really shallow way to live. Well, yeah, tote an AK-47 and fifty pounds of ammo up and down mountain terrain or run through the desert on one can of water while going after people who shoot back, asshole. Then come talk to him about simple things and shallow living.