Chapter 9

"Doyou really think Agent Atwell will follow through on this?"

Rocky turned to the woman who'd singlehandedly made him reconsider everything he ever thought he knew about the female race. She was sitting at his kitchen table with a beer in one hand and her head resting in the other, and even after the day she'd had, she looked absolutely beautiful.

And damn but if she wasn't so much more than he'd initially given her credit for.

A former soldier who'd taken a bullet and nearly died trying to get to her team? Hell yes, she was more.

So much fucking more.

"I can all but guarantee it," he responded to her question about the FBI agent in charge of the bank robbery scheme.

"How can you be so sure? I mean, Atwell seemed solid when I spoke to her at the bank, but…"

"You remember me telling you my team works closely with Homeland?" He waited for her nod before adding, "Our handler has already been in contact with the FBI over the whole bank robbery fiasco, so when Christian called her and explained the situation with Samer, she agreed to speak with Agent Atwell about looking into it further."

"And this handler of yours…" Raegan's golden stare lifted back up to his. "You trust her?"

"Yes." His answer was immediate.

Agent Foster may be new to the team, but she wasn't new to Homeland. Bottom line, if Jason Ryker—the team's former handler—trusted Foster to do her job, that was good enough for him.

"So…what do we do in the meantime?"

"We wait."

The tough-as-nails woman pushed herself to her feet with a frustrated growl. Walking over to the trash can sandwiched between the edge of his refrigerator and the wall housing the back door, she dropped the bottle through the lid's flap before facing him once more.

"I hate waiting for stuff like this."

"Me, too."

Studying him a moment, she began strolling closer to where he stood. "You know…I get that Christian wasn't cool with going back down to the house until he hears back from Atwell, but we could?—"

"Absolutely not."

"Come on, Rocky. Samer could be down there right this second. We could make a citizen's arrest. Or hell, you've got that fancy R.I.S.C. ID you carry around. Can't you just use that to smooth-talk your way out of any possible?—"

"That's not what the ID is for. And more importantly…do you really want to risk tipping Samer off or tainting evidence that will get thrown out in court should we make it that far?"

The look on her face said no. She didn't.

"Fine. You make a good point. But you and I both know the only reason someone covers a door like that, with a padlock on it, no less, is if there's something they really, really don't want anyone to find."

"I agree. Which is why we need to lay low until we hear back from either Homeland or the FBI."

Disappointment was clear behind her weary gaze, but the small nod she gave was promising. Pushing herself up onto his island, she let her denim-clad legs dangle over its edge as she changed the subject altogether.

"So what do you usually do to pass the time?"

"Depends." He set his beer bottle onto the counter next to him and leaned his ass against the counter, facing her. "Hang out with the guys, mostly."

The team had left not long after Raegan finished filling in the blanks where Samer was concerned. Rocky had followed them out while she'd stayed inside, giving the team time to discuss their next steps.

Christian agreed it was worth looking into further and had promptly put the call in to Agent Foster to run it by her, too. Brody still seemed a bit on the fence where Raegan was concerned, but the guy always had been a little slower to trust than he and the others.

Cade and Jagger seemed A-okay accepting Raegan's story as fact, especially after Liam was able to corroborate everything she'd shared from what he'd found during his dive into her life.

As for the person who'd come damn close to catching them inside the house down the street, Christian had verified the driveway was empty when he and the others had arrived. Which meant whoever had gotten there when he and Raegan were racing to get out was already gone.

"You guys seem close." She gave a small smile when referring to his team.

"We are." He nodded with a grin of his own.

"That's good. It really helps when everyone on the team gets along."

Hoping he wasn't adding insult to injury, Rocky asked, "Is that how it was for you and your team?"

Thankfully, her lips curved a bit higher, rather than falling into a frown.

"I was close to Valerie and Joe. And Chief Tupper." A bittersweet look fell over her then. "Chief and his wife, Trudy, had us all over for this giant cookout the night before we deployed. And I just remember standing there at some point during the night and thinking how lucky I was to have found a group of men and women to serve with who were like-minded and nice and…I don't know." Her head slid back and forth with an uncertain shake. "I guess when we were all together, it seemed more like hanging out with family, rather than just people I worked with. If that makes sense."

"It makes perfect sense. You spend that much time with people…you see and do and hear the shit people like us do…you become like family. Sometimes closer than the real thing."

"Definitely the case where I was concerned."

"You're not close to your family?"

"I might be…" That smile of hers twisted a bit before she added, "If I had any."

Way to go, asshole. Kick the woman while she's already down, why don't you?

"Sorry." He hurried to apologize. "I didn't mean to?—"

"It's okay." She seemed as if it really was. "Not like you wouldn't find out sooner or later anyway."

After a quick shrug and a deep, lung-filling breath, she finally, finally began to share with him some details of her past.

"I grew up here, in Chicago. My dad split before I was born, and my mom…" Her expression softened with a look of remembrance, and a touch of sorrow that did funny things to his heart. "She was killed in a convenience store robbery."

Ah, hell.

"I'm so sorry."

"Thanks. But you know, it was a long time ago, so…"

The tiny shrug of her shoulder seemed casual, but Rocky could tell the woman still felt the loss of her mother with every beat of her incredible heart.

"They catch the guy?"

The shake of her head was his answer.

"Shooter was just a kid." A muscle in her delicate jaw twitched. "He got caught stealing a bottle of liquor, and rather than leave it and run, or take off with the damn thing, he pulled out a gun and shot the clerk before turning the gun on my mom." Raegan's voice grew thick, but she cleared it enough to add, "She was the only customer in the store at the time, and the only reason she was there was because I'd used the last of the milk that morning and forgot to tell her. So when she went to make dinner and saw that we were out, she left to go grab some from down the street."

Jesus.

"How old were you?"

"Seventeen."

"Damn. That had to be…Christ, I can't even imagine."

Rocky had shared a bit about himself when he'd been at her place the other night. Things like the fact that his parents were both still alive and well, and still living in the same small Kansas town he'd grown up in.

Even now, at thirty-two years of age, he wasn't sure how he'd handle it if something like that ever happened to either of them. But to be dealt a blow like that at seventeen, with no other parent around to help pick up the pieces of her broken heart…

"What happened to you afterward?"

He could only imagine a young, scared, suddenly orphaned Raegan having to deal with the loss of her mother at a time in her life when she'd needed her most.

"I spent the rest of that year and the following with a foster family. They were nice enough, I guess. But I joined the military as soon as I could. I never went back."

He knew he was asking a lot of questions, but he couldn't help it. He wanted to know as much about her as she was willing to share, and since she was obviously in the mood to reveal bits of her personal life with him…

"Why the military?"

"At first?" The tip of her tongue ran a quick lick across her lips, making him think all kinds of naughty things. "College."

"The G.I. Bill?"

Raegan's ponytail bobbed with a confirming nod. "We had no money to begin with, and then after Mom died, I was basically on my own, so I figured the military was my best chance at getting a degree."

"And did you?"

Another nod. "I have a B.S. in Criminal Justice."

"Which makes sense with the whole M.P. thing."

"That's why I went that route. My original plan was to re-up one last time, get out, and apply to the FBI."

"FBI?" He blinked with a set of raised brows.

"That surprise you?"

"A little. Although, after the way you handled yourself at the bank today…not to mention, the ass-kicking you about gave me earlier tonight…I don't know." He tilted his head to the side as he gave her an assessing glance. "I could see it."

"I could, too…at one point."

"Not anymore?"

A look of sadness—with a touch of incredulousness—fell over her pretty face. "I doubt Quantico would be too interested in a has-been soldier who's a ‘loose cannon with paranoid delusions'."

"Who the fuck said that about you?"

"It was all part of my shrink's final assessment."

Asshole.

Tempted to have Liam look up her former psychiatrist's address, Rocky put aside his anger toward a man he didn't know and returned his focus to the amazing woman before him.

"Twenty-eight isn't old by any stretch, you know?" He rested his hands on the counter's edge behind him, gripping the smooth granite to keep from reaching for her. "You still have time to apply to the FBI if you still wanted to."

"They take applicants up to thirty-six."

"So…"

"So, I'm pretty sure the closets at Quantico are too small to hold the mounds of emotional baggage I tend to carry around."

"Everyone has baggage, sweetheart. You can either let it weigh you down or stack that shit up and use it to climb your way to the top. The choice is yours."

"There is no choice, Rocky." Raegan shook her head. "At least, not until Samer is dead or behind bars."

"If that really was him, and I'm not saying it's not, but if it is Samer…we will get him. One way or another, we will figure out a way to take him down."

Her expression changed, then. The weariness was still there, but there was also a tiny glimmer of something that hadn't been there a moment before.

"I can't tell if you mean that, but I really like that you just said ‘we'."

To hell with this.

Pushing himself away from the counter, Rocky slowly covered the distance between them. With cautious movements—because he wasn't in the mood to get thrown onto the floor for the second time that night—he reached up, tucking a few wayward strands behind her ear.

"Rocky…"

His name was a feather-light whisper falling from her lips.

"I meant it, sweetheart." He let his palm rest against her cheek. "You're not alone in this, anymore. Me and my team…we're here, and we're going to help you."

Raegan's eyes fell shut as she leaned into his touch. A tear fell from the corner of her eye, but Rocky used his thumb to gently brush the moisture away.

"Thank you."

"You don't have to thank me," he whispered back.

Helping a woman like her take down a piece of shit terrorist? Yeah. No thanks was needed for something like that.

Not fucking ever.

A few seconds passed before her lids fluttered back open, and her golden stare became fixed with his once more. Rocky's next breath became lodged in his throat when he realized the sadness and anger, which had been overshadowing those incredible amber swirls a moment before, were gone. And in their place…

Desire.

He needed to stop touching her. She'd been through hell today, and he needed to back off and let her get some rest. Except when he stared deeper into her heated gaze, she didn't look as though she wanted him to step away, but rather?—

Raegan grabbed hold of his face and brought his mouth to hers in a hard, almost desperate kiss. It took him all of half-a-second to rethink his decision to back the hell away.

Need to taste her.

Rocky took over, and the kiss turned wild. Fueled by passion and need, he brought his hands to her hips as his tongue breached the seam of her hot, wet lips.

Her legs fell open, and he took the invitation as it was intended. Closing the remaining space between them, he pulled her to the counter's edge and positioned himself between her thighs.

The woman kissed like she fought, taking what she wanted from him without the slightest hint of second thoughts. She tilted her head to the side, the tip of her tongue meeting the seam of his lips.

Rocky opened for her, and when their tongues met for the very first time…

He. Was. Lost.

She was sweet but oh so savory, the flavor that was Raegan unlike anything he'd ever had the pleasure of tasting. A low, husky moan vibrated from her mouth to his, and it was all he could do not to rip off both their clothes and take what he really wanted.

More.

He grunted, his fingers digging deep into her hips. Heat radiated from the apex of her thighs, and without conscious thought, Rocky pushed his hips forward.

Raegan gasped even as they continued to feast. At first, he was afraid the soft intake of air was a sign he'd gone too far. But when the brazen woman dropped her hands to his ass and pulled his lower body even closer to hers, that's when he knew.

She wants this.

She wanted him. His kiss. His touch. Raegan's actions said she wanted it all. And Rocky, well…

He wanted her even more.

Fuck it.

As they continued savoring each other's intimate offering, Rocky's hands moved from her hips to the hem of her black shirt. Sensing his intent, Raegan lifted her arms, giving him the permission he so desperately craved.

They pulled away just long enough for the shirt to be yanked up over her head and tossed somewhere to the side. The second it was free of her delectable body, Rocky went in for more.

The kiss went wild, then. All lips and teeth and tongue. It was the best, most intense kiss of his existence, and if they did nothing but this for the rest of the night, that was perfectly fine with him.

Raegan, however, apparently had other plans.

She clawed at his t-shirt until it was free and clear of his head. Not stopping there, the bold woman reached behind her back and unclasped her black satin bra.

With their mouths still connected, Raegan removed the delicate garment in record time. She let it drop to the floor near his feet, her hands going to his shoulders as she pulled him even closer.

Rocky moaned, their first skin-on-skin contact nearly bringing him to his knees. In the back of his mind, he had the fleeting thought that he should slow things down. Take his time to look and touch and relish in the gift that was her.

But the way Raegan's fingernails were digging into his skin, he didn't think she wanted slow. And since his one and only goal in that moment was to give this woman whatever her heart desired…

He leaned forward, his body guiding hers down until her back was flat against the counter's smooth surface. His lips left her mouth, but only so he could taste even more.

Her jaw. Her chin. The most sensitive areas of her neck. That little dip at the base of her throat.

Raegan arched her back as Rocky moved lower. He reached up with one hand, cupping one of the most perfect breasts he'd ever seen.

Full. Firm. Dusty rose nipples he couldn't wait to taste.

Don't mind if I do…

He brought his mouth to her other breast, his lips and tongue licking and sucking and teasing the rock-solid nub begging for his touch. Another moan escaped from her throat, this one louder. Less inhibited.

The sound spurred him on, making his dick so full it physically ached. He wanted inside her. To feel her hot, wet heat sucking him in with the same wild abandon with which she kissed.

That time would come, but for now, Rocky wanted to make sure she was ready.

His fingers went to the button of her jeans. They trembled as he released the button and pulled down the zipper. Stepping back, Rocky hurriedly unlaced her boots before pulling them off and tossing them to the floor.

His hands went back to the waist of her pants, their gazes locked in a silent look of understanding. Raegan didn't stop him. Instead, she lifted her hips off the shiny granite.

Knowing she'd just given him permission, he pulled her jeans and panties down over her thighs, removing them both in one fell swoop. He let them fall from his hands, but his eyes were on her.

All of her.

She was the most incredible, perfect woman he'd ever seen.

Holy hell, she's beautiful.

Rocky had already known she kept herself in shape, and he understood why. But she was also still soft in all the right places, and seeing her naked for the first time…soaking in the evidence of her strength and those feminine curves…

His hand went to her sex, his fingertips running the length of her smooth bare slit. Raegan gasped, her body jerking beneath his touch.

So reactive.

He pushed a finger inside, his knees nearly buckling from the sensation. She was hot and so, so wet. And tight.

Jesus, she was tight. And the way her smooth, velvety inner muscles were clamping down onto his finger…

Can't wait to get inside her.

Rocky added another finger, his hand moving in and out in slow, steady thrusts. Raegan moaned, her body writhing with the beat of the erotic rhythm he'd created.

She pressed her sex against his hand, her body seeking more of the pleasure he longed to give. Sensing she needed more, he picked up speed.

He pushed his fingers in and out of her molten core faster. His methodical thrusts became harder. And when he felt the early trembles of her impending release, Rocky knew exactly what she needed.

Have to taste her.

Leaning down, Rocky took her swollen clit between his lips. Raegan cried out, her hands slapping against the island's granite. The sound echoed around them, but he paid it no attention.

He was too busy feasting.

"Rocky…" she panted his name as if it were a cry for help.

Don't worry, sweetheart. I've got you.

He wanted to give her the slow, sensual pleasure she deserved. Next time, he would. But now…

"Please," she begged again. "I'm so close. I need…"

I know exactly what you need.

Rocky's fingers were a piston as they continued working her wet, greedy heat. With one hand between her thighs and the other reaching blindly for one of her breasts, he began licking and sucking her swollen bundle of nerves with a gentle, purposeful force.

Raegan's rough, raspy moan was all the encouragement he needed to bring her the release her body clearly needed. He moved his hand with more force. The tip of his tongue flicked faster. And when he began swirling his tongue around her clit while using his lips to simultaneously suck?—

"Rocky!"

The cry of his name filled the air around them as her climax sent her flying.

A rush of hot liquid coated his fingers as her entire lower body arched high. He followed her movements, drawing out every ounce of pleasure he could.

Soon, her body began to relax as the remnants of her climax began to fade. With slow, gentle movements, Rocky pulled his fingers free from her core.

"Holy shit." Raegan's breasts rose and fell with rough, panted breaths. "That was…"

"The most incredible thing I've ever seen."

His rumbled admission wasn't a line. It was the God's honest truth.

Watching this woman come undone beneath his touch—because of his touch…

I want to see it again.

And again.

And again.

Those thoughts were still rolling through his lust filled mind as Raegan pushed herself up into a sitting position. Her skin was flush from her recent orgasm, her lips were red and swollen from his kisses, and several strands had come loose from her ponytail.

He'd done that. Him! And damn but if he didn't suddenly feel ten feet tall and bullet proof.

Without a word, Raegan's hand went to the belt holding his jeans in place. A sly grin lifted one corner of her mouth, and as she released the leather strap from its buckle and began undoing the button on his jeans, Rocky realized he wanted to be inside this woman more than he wanted his next breath.

And then…

A phone started to ring.

No, not a phone. His phone. And with everything that had transpired over the last twelve hours, Rocky knew he had no choice but to answer.

With a muttered curse, he covered her hands with his to stop her. "I'm sorry. I have to take that."

"What?" When his phone rang a second time, Raegan's sated eyes became a little clearer. "Oh. I didn't even realize your phone was ringing."

"Normally, I'd ignore it. But after today?—"

"No, I get it."

She pulled her hands away from his jeans and rested them in her lap. With her sitting completely naked before him—fucking naked—Rocky dug into his pocket and pulled out his phone.

His dick hurt; it was so fucking hard. It throbbed to the beat of his racing heart, and his balls were so heavy they ached.

Tempted to say to hell with it and ignore the call, he glanced down at the screen and realized that wasn't an option.

"It's Christian."

And just like that, the moment was over.

"Maybe he already knows something."

Rocky tapped the screen to answer the call. "Hey. You're on speaker. Raegan's here with me."

"That's good, because Special Agent Atwell just called. She wants to meet us at the house you two broke into tonight."

"She does?" Raegan's widened eyes swung up to Rocky's. "Why?"

"Apparently, she worked some magic and managed to get a warrant to search the place."

"Seriously?" Rocky blinked with surprise.

He stepped back to give Raegan room when she started to push herself down off the counter. The focused woman began gathering her clothes and getting dressed while he bent down to pick up his shirt.

"I'm guessing Foster had something to do with pushing it through, and there are some legal details I'm sure Atwell will share with you once she gets there, but yeah. A judge signed off on a warrant, and for whatever reason, Atwell wants you two there when they go in."

"You coming, too?"

"I'm headed that way, now. I called Brody and gave him a heads up. Told him I'd let him know if there was a need for him or the others once we see what it is we're working with."

"Good call. Okay, we'll…" Rocky looked at Raegan as she was slipping her shirt back over her head. Clearing his throat, he finished telling his team leader, "We'll meet you there."

"See you in a few."

Christian ended the call, and Rocky set his phone down to put on his shirt. He'd come damn close to telling Christian they'd get dressed and meet him there, but thankfully he caught himself just in time.

Whatever happened between he and Raegan was no one's business but theirs. Especially since it was brand fucking new, and he wasn't even sure it would go any further than what they'd just shared.

Oh, it's going to go further. Just not right now.

"I can't believe Agent Atwell got a warrant." The woman's excited voice pulled his attention back to her. Raegan pulled the elastic band from her disheveled ponytail and began combing her fingers through her long hair. "I mean, this could be it, right? Whatever's down in that basement has to be connected to Samer."

The woman's excited voice pulled his attention back to her.

"If we're lucky." Rocky nodded.

And as they left his house for an unexpected meet-up with the FBI, he prayed with all he had that luck would be on their side.