Stevie sighed as she snuggled in under my arm. I looked down to see a small contented smile on her face. She looked so peaceful curled on the couch, feet drawn up under her, lying across my lap. It felt very natural and very comfortable. With a jolt I realised that I was starting to get used to being around people. So much for the big loner thing. It shook me for a moment but it took me seconds to figure that maybe this is what I needed. After all maybe this is what a normal life is supposed to be like, sitting with good friends wrapped in nothing but towels and enjoying quiet togetherness.
Having no real frame of reference as to what a "normal life" was made this one huge learning curve and I was starting at the very bottom. I had a lifetime of opinions, experiences, and values to reset or relearn and what better place to start than with good friends and a potential great partner.
Looking over at Matt and Becky cuddled up on the other couch I caught Matt's eye and smiled. They looked so content… not a care in the world. It was as if the events of today had never happened. The smile faded from my face.
"Guys, we have to talk about what happened today." This drew a theatrical groan from Stevie as she pulled herself upright on the couch next to me.
"Look, I don't want to piss on the party but we have to talk about this. I don't know all the details behind what went down today but I'm worried. I've been here for less than a week and all of a sudden there isn't just me to worry about any more. I have you to consider and frankly that is a pretty scary proposition. These guys were loaded for bear and from the looks of them and what I
do
know they were pretty professional."
"They got caught. That doesn't sound professional to me." This from Matt. At least I had their full attention now. I shook my head, regretting the one too many Scotches I had downed earlier. Stevie stood as if reading my mind.
"Hold on honey and I'll put some coffee on." Her voice was full of concern which again shook me. The feelings that were sweeping through me were confusing to say the least. For the last 8 years I had been as self sufficient as a man in my profession could possibly be. Sure, in any combat team you have to rely on the man next to you but I had been exceptionally good at separating my work from my private life. My down time had been spent in solitary pursuit of whatever interested me at the time. On the rare occasions I had chosen to socialise with my team mates it had always been a strained affair. We functioned well as a team because they respected my ability and leadership, not because they liked me. I could get the job done with a minimum of risk, and in our business that was a precious ability.
I was still doing my introspective navel gazing when Stevie came back into the room with the coffee pot, cups, and the trimmings balanced on a tray the salesman had thrown in when I bought my kitchenware. She had made a detour to the bedroom and was now, for want of a better word, dressed in an old denim shirt of mine. I have to say it looked better on her than it ever did on me.
Matt was sitting watching me, a look of concern on his face. Jesus… they must think I'm losing it. I waited until we were all sipping on hot fresh coffee before speaking.
"Matt you're right. They did get caught. That doesn't mean they aren't pro's. I've known their kind for years on both sides of the equation. They got caught because I'm a bit paranoid by nature and because I have pretty damned good instincts. Luck, paranoia, ability and instinct kept me alive for 8 years when a lot of guys around me died. Underestimating these people just because they got caught is wrong, dangerous and stupid." Maybe I laid it on a bit thick but I needed to get the seriousness of the situation through to them. I carried on.
"I made a hell of a lot of enemies down there in the last 8 years. I cost them a lot of money… millions in wrecked labs, shipments burned, planes and boats destroyed… I had a free reign and hit them whenever and wherever I could."
"These folks have long memories and fat wallets. I always knew that there could be repercussions when I left mercenary work, but I was always convinced that I would only have to worry about me. You people have gone and changed that dynamic quite drastically. I came here to melt into the background and be as anonymous as I could, to catch up on some of the luxuries of life that up 'til now have only been pictures in books or topics of conversation. That's all changed now."
"Are you saying you don't want us here?" I turned and was shocked at the expression on Stevie's lovely face. She looked scared, angry and shocked.
I sighed. "I don't know what I want at the moment baby. I need to find out what is happening first so that I know what I am up against. I need to know what the threat is before I can figure out how to react to it and protect you all."
"Craig, I can only speak for myself, but I'm damned sure I'm not going to abandon a friend in his time of need. Shit that sounded pompous. Look man I hardly know you but I'm pretty sure that if the tables were turned and it was us in trouble, you wouldn't leave us in the lurch. What makes you think that we would leave you to it?" Matt looked at me with a bemused look on his face. Becky was nodding her lovely head at his side.
"As usual, my man is long winded but correct. Besides, there is definitely strength in numbers isn't there?" Matt grinned and pulled her close.
I turned to Stevie. Her eyes searched my face for some sign of encouragement. I sighed and pulled her into a hug. I could see that this was a battle I wasn't going to win.
"Okay. You win… but we play this my way. Everyone needs to take some extra care until we find out exactly what's going on here. I'm going to pay a visit to Langley tomorrow. If the CIA had me red flagged then I want to find out why and what they know. In the mean time I think it would be better if everyone set up camp here. From what I've seen of the place so far it is going to be pretty easy to defend if it becomes necessary. Plus Becky's safety in numbers argument holds a bit of weight."
Stevie's grin was a thing of beauty. With a bounce and a whoop she was perched in my lap busy plastering my face with happy kisses. This lady didn't know how to do things by halves.
"Well I'm tired guys. Hope you don't mind if I grab my man and retire for the night. You kids play nice now and remember to lock up before you go up to bed."
This drew a thunderous laugh from Matt while Becky burst into a fit of giggles before putting on a mock severe look and speaking.
"Craig I think you are well and truly snared. This might be your last chance to escape intact. Take my advice and run… run while you can."
I laughed as Stevie dragged me to my feet. "I think I'll take my chances. Good night you two."
Their goodnights followed me as I trailed upstairs behind Stevie. I stayed a couple of stairs below her to take advantage of the magnificent view she was providing. When she had put my shirt on she had obviously neglected to replace her panties which were still lying out on the deck next to the hot tub. I briefly wondered if she realised what an incredible show she was putting on before she removed all doubt.
"Like what you see baby?" she murmured. "Do you like that ass honey?"
I felt it was about time I got a bit of control back.
"In about 30 seconds I'm going to be burying my tongue in that ass lover." I growled as I took two quick steps and swept her up and over my shoulder. She squealed as I ran up the remaining stairs and into the bedroom, kicking the door closed behind me. Laughing I dumped her unceremoniously on the bed and gazed down at her.
She lay with her hair fanned out around her head on the pillow. Her arms were up above her head and the shirt had rucked up around her lovely slim hips. Licking her lips sensuously she slowly spread her long legs.
"Put your money where your mouth is big guy." She purred. Her eyes were hooded, her cheeks flushed and her lips full and moist. I could honestly say I had never seen a sexier sight. Without a word I bent and grabbed her by the ankles. With a heave I dragged her over so her ass was resting on the edge of the bed. Still holding her ankles and looking deep into her eyes I dropped to my knees between her thighs. My hands slipped down her firm calves until I was holding her behind her knees. Firmly I pushed up, out and back, spreading her wide and rolling and raising her hips up off the bed.
Maintaining eye contact I slowly lowered my head until my lips gently grazed the inside of her thigh near her ass. My tongue slid out and slowly swept upwards toward her knee pulling a small moan from her beautiful lips. Slowly I trailed my tongue back toward her pussy, then just when I was about to touch her moist lips I switched legs and trailed upwards again. I could feel her heat and smell her clean fresh scent as she moaned and wriggled as my tongue found a sensitive spot behind her knee. I let my tongue play there for a while before sucking the soft flesh of her leg into my mouth and laving it with my tongue. Her arms whipped forward and her fingers wound their way through my hair insistently pulling my lips toward her wet pussy. Being the gentleman that I am, who was I to refuse her. With a sudden lunge my tongue was buried in her soaked hole, my nose pressed against her clit.
"AAAARRRGGGGHHH!" Her scream was guttural and loud enough to let Matt and Becky know exactly what was going on behind our closed door. Her hips started a rhythmic thrusting on my searching tongue as her hands left my hair and grabbed her own knees, spreading and opening herself even further. This freed my hands up for more enterprising tasks, and I immediately set them to work. As I lapped at her pussy my left hand slid up her flat firm stomach and over her hard nippled breast.
My right hand moved down and momentarily cupped her hard butt. I loved the way her skin felt, hot and smooth with a sheen of moisture. I slid my thumb up, sliding it between her butt cheeks, over her puckered asshole and into her wet cunt alongside my probing tongue. Stevie moaned as she felt the invasion then whimpered as I swirled it around getting it as wet as I could.
"Oh fuck baby… God I want you!" Her breath was coming in ragged gasps and stringing words together was becoming a major mission for her. I shifted the angle of my attack and slipped my tongue out of her pussy and started sucking on her engorged lips, my nose still sliding back and forth across her swollen clit. My thumb was now wet enough. Without further ado I slid it out of her and moved it slowly downwards.