Harder (The Unit #3) Read online

  “Drop your weapon,” Tony commanded.

  “Lower your weapons,” the man yelled in Hebrew. “Lower them now or he dies.”

  “That wouldn’t do you any good. As soon as you pull that trigger, you’ll have four bullet holes in your head. You want out of this, drop your weapon and kick it over here,” Tony said vehemently.

  The terrorist started to move Martin forward, taking care to keep his body covered with Martin’s. “Let me pass or he dies,” the man said as spit flew from his m0uth.

  “I don’t recommend moving. My buddies only need one chance. Please, give us one chance,” Tony taunted, effectively stopping the man in his tracks.

  “If I give him to you, you’ll let me walk away?” the man asked Tony.

  “I’m afraid we can’t do that, but I can promise to spare your life,” Tony reassured. “Come on. Drop your weapon.”

  The man lowered his hand from the side of Martin’s head. Once his hand was at his side, he dropped the gun and kicked it over to Tony. Tony kicked it further to the side. The man relinquished hold of Martin’s arm, and Tony grabbed Martin simultaneously. Martin was handed back to Tyrrell as Rob zip tied the terrorist’s hands behind his back.

  “Let’s go,” Rob said as he grabbed ahold of the man’s arm and pushed him forward.

  Back at the warehouse, Rob patched up Tony. Luckily, he was right, the wound was a through and through. Rob poured antiseptic on the wound, and Tony clenched his teeth in pain.

  “Hold still, you big baby,” Rob said, trying to lighten the mood.

  “What is that, iodine? It burns like a motherfucker.”

  “Relax. You’ll feel much better if you do. Here, hold this to the wound and apply pressure.”

  Tony held the gauze pad to his shoulder as Rob prepared the suture needle. “I’ll have you good as new in no time. But don’t do anything too strenuous for the next few days. I don’t want you ripping your stitches.” Rob sewed Tony’s shoulder up and taped clean gauze over the wounds.

  Tyrrell contacted the Israeli Defense Force so they could turn over the two terrorists. Once the commander arrived, Tyrrell led him to where the two were being held.

  “Nice work. Thank you,” the commander said to Tyrrell.

  “Your thanks isn’t necessary. We were just doing our jobs.”

  “Still, they’ll be able to provide us with valuable intelligence.”

  “I’m glad. When are we cleared to leave? Martin needs to get home to his family,” Tyrrell concluded.

  “You’re clear at 0200 hours. Your jet will be fueled and ready to go,” the commander informed him.

  “Thank you,” Tyrrell said, extending his hand to the commander. He grasped Tyrrell’s hand and gave it a firm shake. He then motioned for two of his men to take the terrorists to the transport vehicle.

  Tony ran back to the SUV from the fish processing plant to see if Jules was okay. He exhaled in relief when he saw Jules was still handcuffed, although she looked worried. After digging in his pocket for the key, he unlocked the cuffs.

  Unexpectedly, Jules threw her arms around Tony’s neck and squeezed. “God, Tony, I was so worried about you. Don’t you ever do that to me again,” she admonished as she struck him on the arm. They both winced in pain as she hit his injured shoulder with her injured hand. The pain medication she was taking for her hand had worn off. He reached for her face and brushed her hair from it. Electricity jolted through him when he touched her; he felt it all the way to his toes. God, could she make them curl with the way she leaned in to his touch. So receptive.

  He couldn’t resist temptation any longer. Grabbing her around the waist, he yanked her flush to his body. Her firm, round breasts pushed against his hard chest. He reached down and squeezed her perfectly firm ass before moving in to kiss her, but he paused as their lips were a heartbeat apart.

  The emptiness that was always there in his stomach was now replaced with butterflies. His pulse raced and he knew she could see it thumping in his neck. Hell, he could feel it. He was hyperaware of each part of her body touching each part of his. The way her thighs felt against his. The way her hand rested on his shoulder while her other arm wrapped around his neck. He felt the tickle of her fingertips on the back of his neck as she made her way to tangle her fingers in his hair.

  He went to speak, but the words got stuck in his throat. He tried again. “I love you,” he whispered against her lips. Inhaling, he closed the distance and brought his lips to hers, kissing her passionately, like all the times he wanted to kiss her after a mission or tour. She was the one he always wanted to come home to. She was his home. It didn’t matter that she lived in D.C. He knew in that moment, he would follow her anywhere.

  Her head spun as her heart hammered against her chest and her knees got weak. She was euphoric with his kiss. She continued kissing him even as he opened his mouth and sucked in her bottom lip. God, she loved him. She didn’t think she could hold out much longer. He was really working hard to convince her of how he felt. She broke the moment and pulled back from his lips.

  “How do I know you won’t do it again, Tony?” she whispered, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

  “I swear, if you give me another chance, I will never let you down again. I will never disappoint you again. I know what a dick I was before. I promise that I’ve grown and changed for the better. I want you in every possible way.”

  She met his eyes with hers and read the sincerity in them. She let her tears fall. She had waited so long for him, and now here he was confessing his undying love and devotion to her. Still, her muscles tensed. She wanted to give in to him so badly. She tried to think ahead to a life with Tony, one she had thought of so often: their house, their children, their life together.

  “Yes,” she softly whispered. Yes, she would trust her heart. Yes, she’d get out of her head. Yes, she wanted to feel him inside her. Yes, she was ready to allow herself to love him again.

  Tony bent forward and swooped her off her feet, cradling her in his arms and twirling her in a circle. Around and around they went until she felt her head spin. Playfully, she slapped him. “Put me down, you nut.” He lowered her to her feet but kept his hold on her waist to keep her from falling. As he crushed his lips to hers, she felt his love pour into her soul. She returned his kiss, trying to communicate the depth of her love.

  They walked up the stairs to enter the jet hand in hand and found seats. With everyone around, they couldn’t express their love for each other very conveniently. “We waited this long, we can wait another few hours,” she reassured him as he inched his way up her leg with his index finger.

  “This is going to be the longest plane ride of my life,” Tony confessed. All he wanted to do was make love to her.

  Jules tried to distract herself by talking with Stanley. She felt so much better having him on that plane with her. Once they were airborne and the captain turned off the seat belt sign, she changed seats to sit by Stanley.

  “How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?”

  “No, darling,” he said as he patted her knee. “I’m fine. Just thankful to be alive. I was so worried about you.”

  “Luckily, Tony found us when he did,” she assured him and reached over to kiss his cheek. “I’ll let you rest.”

  “Thank you. And, Jules,” he said as he reached out and grabbed her hand, “thank you for finding me.”

  “You know I am forever in your debt. I can never replace your son, but I knew I could find you.” She smiled sweetly and left his side.

  The plane touched down at Dulles International Airport. They had to drop Jules and Martin off before returning to Maine.

  “Tyrrell, I need to speak with you for a minute,” Tony said in a hushed whisper.

  “Sure, what’s up?”

  “You know all those vacation days I have saved up? Well, I want to take them. All. Now.”

  Tyrrell’s green eyes lit up. “I see,” he said with a knowing grin.

  Tony stood impati
ently, waiting for his boss’s answer, but either way, he was staying, and he knew Tyrrell knew that.

  “You’ve earned them,” he said as he patted Tony on his good shoulder.

  “Thank you.” Tony felt as if his body became weightless. For the first time in a very long time, he was completely content with the world. He couldn’t wait to get Jules under him. He couldn’t wait to make her his. He couldn’t wait to hear her moan his name.

  He was in love.

  Martin had offered them a ride to Jules’s place, and they graciously accepted. Riding in the back of the limousine, Jules and Tony sat next to each other, teasing one another with stolen touches. Their legs brushed against each other’s and with each touch, Tony felt the surge of energy hum through his body. God, he needed her. How had he shut her out for so long? She was everything to him, and as soon as they walked in her front door, he was going to show her.

  The ride was long through midday D.C. traffic.

  “How’s your shoulder?” Jules asked.

  “It doesn’t hurt much. Nothing I haven’t felt before,” he said, trying to reassure her. “Rob did a good job patching me up.”

  She placed her uninjured hand on Tony’s knee and squeezed. Running her hand up his leg, she turned to look at him. As their eyes met, the connection between them was strong, almost unbreakable. They had a past, and Tony was going to make sure they had a future.

  “There are some things you don’t know about me,” Tony said, anxious to get his secrets out in the open. He glanced over at Stanley who was looking out the window while talking on his cell phone. Tony lowered his voice. “I need to tell you everything.”

  “We’re almost to my place. We can talk then. I’ll make dinner.”

  “That sounds great. What did you have in mind?” Tony asked as he rubbed his belly.

  “I have some salmon in the freezer. How does that sound?”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  They rode the rest of the way in silence. When the limousine stopped outside her residence, Stanley got out and hugged her a little too long for Tony’s taste. He understood though why they shared such a bond. Being held captive together with someone did that to people.

  “Thank you again, Tony,” Stanley said, extending his hand to him. Tony grabbed the man’s hand and gave him a firm handshake.

  “And Jules,” Stanley said as he turned to face her before he got back into the limousine, “I’ll be in touch. I owe you.” He winked, got in the back, and closed the door.

  After watching the limousine pull into traffic and drive off, Tony grabbed Jules by the hand. “After you, my lady.”

  “Why thank you, kind sir,” Jules said on a curtsey. Tony followed Jules up the stairs to her door. She reached above the door and pulled down a spare key.

  “You know, that’s the first place a bad guy would look.”

  “Locks only keep out the honest thieves, Tony.”

  “Good point.” Tony followed her through the open door, admiring her space. It definitely felt like her. It also smelled like her. He inhaled deeply.

  “Your place smells fantastic.”

  “Thank you. It’s been a while since I’ve been here. Why don’t you come into the kitchen with me and spill your secrets while I defrost the salmon?”

  “I really wanted to get cleaned up first, but I think I’m gonna need some help with my shoulder,” Tony said as the corners of his lips pulled up into a playfully evil grin.

  “Oh really?” she questioned, her voice rising an octave as she approached him. Once she got near, she placed her hand on his broad chest. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

  “Jules,” Tony whispered in a husky voice, “I’ve waited a lifetime for you. Please don’t make me wait any longer.”

  Taking his hand, she pulled him in the direction of the stairs. “Come on. The shower is this way.” She stopped by the closet and got out two fluffy towels. Then she pulled him into the spacious bathroom.

  The bathroom had been remodeled before she moved in. She sort of wished the old, claw-foot tub still remained. In its place was a garden tub and shower combo.

  “Here, let me help you,” she said with a beautiful smile lighting up her face.

  “You’re enjoying this,” Tony teased.

  “Okay. Maybe a little,” she said as she touched the hem of his shirt, pulling it up slowly to reveal Tony’s gloriously tanned skin and rock-hard eight pack. She slid the shirt up a little more before letting it drop. Okay, so she was peeking.

  She ran her hands under Tony’s arms and helped him lift them to the sky before reaching back down for the hem of his shirt and removing it slowly from his body. Tony grimaced a little at having his shoulder in such a position.

  “Did I hurt you, big boy?” She was playing with him.

  “I can’t feel pain when I’m in your presence, beautiful,” Tony responded with a serious look in his eyes.

  Her smile faltered as she met those smoldering eyes.

  “Just so you know, I’m washing you and that is it,” she said with mock seriousness. Why did she feel the need to make him work for it? She wanted him in the worst way.

  “Just so you know, I will have you before the night is over.”

  “Is that so? You’re awfully sure of yourself,” she said as she reached down to unbutton his button fly. “And why do I get the feeling that you’re completely capable of doing this yourself?” she asked as she slid the jeans down his legs, making sure to graze his skin as she went.

  She helped him, one foot at a time, out of his pants. Next were his boxer briefs. She slid her thumbs inside the waistband and pushed down. She had to pull the front side of the briefs out to make it over his fully erect cock.

  “See what you do to me?”

  “I’m not washing that,” she said, bringing her eyes down to look upon his large size. She couldn’t believe that had fit inside her.

  “You said you were washing me. That means all of me.” Tony smiled as she stared unabashedly at his large cock. He reached down and pulled her chin up so their eyes met. She was suspended in the moment as she stared into his depths, communicating her love through just one look.

  “Get undressed,” he ordered.

  Reaching down, she removed her shirt, revealing her black lace bra. She shimmied out of her shorts, uncovering the matching panties. Tony’s mouth fell open. Her olive skin shone in the light of the bathroom, but then again, so did his.

  “The rest of it.” Tony motioned with his hand to her bra and panties.

  She unclasped her bra before removing her panties, letting them fall to her feet. Stepping out, one foot at a time, she enjoyed the show she was putting on for him. Her breasts felt full and plump, and her nipples hardened as soon as the air hit them. Tony stared with heat radiating from his eyes. She swore she could see herself in his liquid pools.

  “Start the water. I like it hot.”

  She turned on the shower, and soon there was steam billowing from the top of the curtain. “Ladies first.” She stepped in the shower, careful not to touch him. He pulled back the curtain and followed her in. She already had the washrag in her hands, soaping it up.

  “Here, let me start on your shoulder,” she said as she carefully blotted the damp rag quickly on his stitches careful not to get them too wet. Once she finished, she moved around to face him. His cock was standing at full attention. She was careful not to touch it as she washed his chest and stomach. He watched the way the soap bubbles formed as she rubbed his body with the rag. All he wanted to do was take her in his arms and press her against the wall, but he had a feeling she wasn’t ready. So, he allowed her to wash his legs. When she went down on her knees to do so, his erection got even harder. He imagined his hand on the back of her head as he fucked her beautiful mouth. Instinctively, his hand reached down to the top of her head.

  “I said I would wash you. That’s it, Tony,” she said firmly.

  Tony was lost in his fantasy of her perfectly p
lump lips wrapped around his cock. He imagined touching the back of her throat with his cock and hearing her gag. He pictured her getting the good spit that comes from gagging and spitting it on him. He could almost see the spit trailing from her mouth to the tip. Her hands were so delicate, but he imagined she was able to wrap them around his shaft to milk him.

  It took him a moment to realize she had stood up and was admiring his body. She cast her gaze over all six foot two inches of him. Each look felt like a caress.

  “Here, let me get your hair,” she said, breaking the spell.

  He tilted his head back, and she ran her hands through his dark curls until she had wet each strand. After rubbing the shampoo between her hands, she reached up and lathered his hair and then rinsed, accidentally brushing her breast against his arm. God, could he get any harder?

  After she was done, he moved to the back of the shower to watch her wash herself. He was going to enjoy this show. Without breaking eye contact, she moved her hand down over her breast, lathering it up with soap. Next, she did her other breast. Her eyes were smoldering amber as she slid her hand to the apex of her thighs. He intently watched every move her hands made, imagining they were his own. Soon, he would have her. He could be patient. He would wait forever for his Jules. When she turned to rinse her front, Tony got a spectacular view of her firm, round ass. He had never seen another living creature as perfect as his Jules.

  “God, Jules, you are so fucking beautiful. I can’t take it,” he said as he opened the curtain and got out of the shower. Shortly after, she got out too. They dried themselves off in silence, each throwing knowing glances at the other. Their dance had just started, but it would end with Jules under him.

  Back downstairs, Tony sat at the kitchen table while Jules ran the salmon under cold water. He was still reeling from the shower. Having her that close yet being unable to have her hurt him physically. His stomach felt an emptiness like he had never known. His heart hammered against his chest so loudly that he swore Jules could hear it.