And We've Come Full Circle (A Graham Family Story Book 2) Read online

  Two souls brought together where their ancestors once met.

  Jasira Graham in her last year of recruiting duty in South Dakota, has no idea going out to the Reservation would alter the course of her life. The sheriff who pulled her over was a man unlike any she’d ever met before and no matter how hard she tries, she can’t get him out of her mind. When he shows up at her work and asks her out, she accepts and learns that there are some things which are just meant to be.

  Stone Black Hawk is tired of dealing with military officers who fly through his domain with little or no respect. So when he sees a car swerving he pulls them over expecting more of the same. He’s never been more wrong. It wasn’t a commsioned officer and it most definitely wasn’t a man. He wasn’t ready for the lifealtering moment when he first touches her. Something about her strikes him deeply. Stone pursues her and realizes that things aren’t always what they seem. There is something going on between them that just can’t be ignored.

  Pursuit of a relationship leads them to passion neither can deny. The fact she will be leaving is something which stands in their way. Can Stone get her to realize sometimes to get a person to accept where they have been and where they belong they must come full circle?

  And We’ve Come Full Circle

  A Graham Family Story

  by

  Aliyah Burke

  MF, IRMC, AFRICAN AMERICAN, NATIVE AMERICAN, AND MILITARY

  Twisted E Publishing, LLC

  www.twistedepublishing.com

  A TWISTED E PUBLISHING BOOK

  And We’ve Come Full Circle

  A Graham Family Story

  Copyright © 2015 by Aliyah Burke

  Edited by Marie Medina & Dawn G

  First E-book Publication: November 2015

  Cover design by K Designs

  All cover art and logo copyright © 2015, Twisted Erotica Publishing, LLC.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  Dedication

  To everyone who's been such a supporter of this series. Thank you. To DH, thanks for never letting me forget how you've always got my back. To my publisher, thank you for taking a chance on my books. As always, to the men and women who serve their country— Thank you and God Bless!

  Chapter One

  Jasira Graham opened the door to her Nissan Pathfinder then slid inside slamming the door on the crisp fall day. Starting the engine, she looked at the gas pump in the side mirror and sighed.

  “Rapid City, South Dakota,” she grumbled. “That’s what I get for waiting so long to get to the detailer.”

  Without paying overly amounts of attention, Jasira listened to her navigational system, allowing it to lead her to the apartment she would be calling home for the next while.

  “Three years!” she groused. “Thirty-six months or one thousand ninety-five days.” She winced and continued, “Twenty-six thousand two hundred and eighty hours. Or better yet, one million five hundred seventy-six thousand eight hundred minutes.” She sighed. “Good thing I’m not obsessing over this.”

  With a groan, Jasira downshifted and waited for the light to change. There was total silence in the interior. She pulled into the parking lot and smiled at the sight of her brother leaning nonchalantly against the door of the moving truck he’d driven up for her. Once the engine was shut off, she climbed out.

  “What took you so long, runt?” he asked playfully.

  “Runt?” Jasira stuck her tongue out at him.

  He just smiled innocently. “Did you get lost?” he teased.

  “No, I filled up with gas.”

  Rolling his eyes, her sibling reached out and pulled her in for a hug. “You always were full of hot air.” She elbowed him in the stomach. “Ready?” he asked gently.

  Her fingers curled around the key for her new place. She’d met with the landlady at the rental office and done all remaining paperwork there. Nodding, she locked her vehicle and headed to the door of her first floor apartment.

  “Petty Officer.” A voice brought her back to the here and now. It was the Air Force recruiter who was next door. Major Tom Bolden.

  Jumping to her feet, Jasira blushed. “Yes, sir, Major. I’m sorry.”

  He sent her a small grin. “No problem. I was just on my way to grab myself some chow. Can I get anything for you while I’m out?”

  Jasira almost accepted. Almost. “Thank you for the offer, sir, but I have some food in the fridge back there.”

  The officer stared at her before smiling. “Okay.” That was all he said for in the next second he headed out the door.

  Rubbing her eyes, Jasira groaned. It’s been a long time since I’ve been lost in a daydream like that. Especially the one of first arriving here. She was in her final year of being a Navy recruiter in Rapid City, South Dakota. Staring out the glass door, she looked over the part of the city she could see. The trees had begun to change for autumn but some green remained on the hills which dotted the city, the windows shown in the sun. A nice place for sure but not one she could see herself living in forever.

  “Not a bad place. I could do without the winters though.”

  Jasira got up and restocked pamphlets then grabbed some lunch. Just as she finished her light meal, the ding from the door reached her. Making sure she was presentable, Jasira took a deep breath and headed out toward where the two young men were looking at pamphlets. Time to do my job. Pasting a smile on her face, she smoothed her hands down her uniform and said, “Good afternoon, gentlemen.”

  * * * *

  On Saturday morning, Jasira slid behind the wheel of her work vehicle. All the pamphlets and information she figured she might need sat packed in the back of the car. It may be the weekend, but she had an appointment with a possible recruit. He’d wanted to have his parents meet with her as well, so she offered to come to them instead of making them come back.

  Her travel mug full of hot, fresh coffee in the console beside her, she started the engine and began the drive out to the reservation. Not long after departing Rapid City did she feel like the only person on the planet. It seemed she was the only vehicle on the road. The Badlands was a very vast place, wind blew through the grasses, and off in the distance taller cliffs that only added to the mystery and lure of the area. It was beautiful.

  Singing along to the mix of music on her iPod as she drove, Jasira lost track of time and wasn’t prepared for the wave of emotional distress to hit her. In fact, it blindsided her. Pulse after pulse poured over her, so strong and powerful she almost swerved off the road. Shaking, she pulled over to the side and threw the car in park. Her hands gripped the wheel as if trying to choke the very life from it.

  From deep within her chest cries of agony tried to claw their way out. Pain, loss, and desperation washed over her. Her skin burned as if she were standing in fire. Breathing was difficult and she rested her head upon the wheel as she fought to control that which warred within her.

  “What the hell?”

  Jasira reached over and paused her iPod. The silence did little to calm her. Heart pounding a mile a minute, she took her hands off the wheel and rubbed her temples. After reaching with a slightly shaky hand for her coffee, she drank some. When she felt a bit better, she took a deep breath, pulled back onto the road, and continued her journey, the music once again her companion.

  Less than a
mile passed before another wave crashed over her with the same results. This time she didn’t pull over. Jasira kept driving, her course taking her deeper through the Badlands. She descended from a mountain, growing nearer to her destination when before her eyes a man on a black horse appeared in the middle of the road riding all out directly toward her. Jerking the car to the right, she punched the brakes and swore a low string of curses as the vehicle almost went off the road again. She glanced in her rearview and saw nothing. No horse, no man, nothing.

  “I’m fuckin’ hallucinating!” Jasira took several sharp breaths. “And not normal hallucinations, no, mine have to be near naked men on horseback. I need to get myself together before my meeting.”

  Sweat beaded upon her brow. Worrying her lower lip, she got back on the road and began driving. Not long after, a siren complete with flashing lights appeared in her rearview and another round of cussing left her mouth. “Figures, that couldn’t be one.” Grinding her back teeth, Jasira pulled off the road and put the car in park. With a deep breath, she tried to compose herself. In the side mirror, she watched as the officer got out of his vehicle.

  “Oh…mother of…!”

  The sun highlighted the man coming toward her. Tight blue jeans hung over dusty and worn cowboy boots. On his right side, rested his firearm. A brown uniform shirt and the sun glinted off the badge settled upon his chest. Jasira couldn’t see his face for it was covered by a cowboy hat, tugged down against the glare. He moved with flawless precision.

  Please be ugly, please, please, please! Jasira swallowed and got moisture back in her throat before turning her head completely when his large body stopped beside her window.

  * * * *

  Stone Black Hawk swore as he flipped on the lights and siren and pulled out of his small spot to chase after the dark blue sedan. He knew it was trouble when he saw that vehicle go by with its government issue plates on the back. Military. When it swerved and hit its brakes, he groaned.

  “I don’t feel like dealing with another overly testosterone-filled military man. Can’t they stay off my land instead of coming here all drunk ass wasted?”

  A sharp wind blew, and he shivered from the bite as he left the warm interior. It’s gonna be a cold winter. Should have put on my jacket. Tugging his hat down a bit further, he rapped sharply on the window. Without looking in the lowering pane of glass, he ordered, “License and registration.”

  “Sure thing.”

  His gaze snapped downward toward the vehicle. The voice that had slipped from there was definitely not filled with testosterone. There is no way that voice belongs to a man. It was low, husky, and stroked him in a way that he hadn’t been stroked in a long time. If ever.

  Resting one arm on the top of the car, he leaned down and stared inside. Wow! A woman in a military uniform sat there, digging through her purse for what he’d asked. Her head hung as she rooted, allowing him a moment to just take in her image. She had beautiful chocolate skin. He could see her lashes curving up, high cheekbones, and full lips. Her hair was pulled back in a bun and he could see her cover on the other seat. Dropping his gaze, he focused his attention on the crow on her left arm.

  Petty Officer Second Class.

  “Usually I get a commissioned officer,” he muttered.

  Seconds later her head jerked around and he swore fire snapped from them. “Excuse me?”

  Stone realized he’d spoken aloud. Pushing up his shades with one finger, he reached out his hand. “You do know why I stopped you, right?”

  She dropped the items in his hand. He glanced at her license and frowned. North Carolina. Jasira Breeze Graham. Lovely name.

  “No, sir.”

  Stone stole another glance at her through his sunglasses. She looked scared. Petrified really, as if something had rattled her to the bones.

  “Have you been drinking, ma’am?”

  Jasira Graham clenched her jaw. “No, sir. Not anything other than coffee.”

  Flicking his gaze to the hand curled in her lap, he was relieved to not find a ring. Why, he wasn’t sure. “Am I keeping you from something, Ms. Graham?”

  “Yes, sir, actually you are.” She faced him again. “So are you going to tell me why you stopped me?”

  “Swerving all over the road. Figured you may just be intoxicated.”

  It was obvious she struggled for control. “I’m not drunk.”

  Her chest rose enticingly as she took a deep breath. She makes that look good. “Well, if you’re not drunk, then you just must be a reckless driver.”

  Jasira faced forward, set her jaw and said, “If you say so, sir.”

  The urge to needle her some more flooded him and Stone shook his head. He couldn’t do that, not in uniform. So get out of uniform. In fact. Let her get out of hers as well. Turning around, he went back to his car and then ran her license. Nothing popped up on her.

  Back at his Jeep, Stone stared through the windshield at her vehicle. She didn’t move—no fidgeting no nothing. With a groan, he got back out and strolled to her window.

  “Here you go,” he said, handing back her items.

  “Thank you.”

  “Now,” he said, wanting her to look at him again. “I know there aren’t many cars out here, but you need to not be swerving all over the road.”

  “It’s not…” She took a deep breath. “You’re right. I shouldn’t be.” Her head turned and big brown eyes stared at him. “So what happens now?” The question was straight forward and not whiny.

  Wish I didn’t have my glasses on to see her without the tint. “Have a nice day,” he murmured before backing away and returning to his vehicle. Leaning against the hood, Stone watched as she put her blinker on and merged back onto the road. He didn’t move until her blue car was out of sight. As it curved around a corner and vanished, he took his hat off and shoved a hand through his hair.

  “Okay, I admit it. She rattled me.” Looking around his beloved homeland, Stone tried to figure out what had her so scared. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary and there hadn’t been another car to pass her.

  “Sheriff,” a voice squawked over his CB.

  “Go ahead, Rayne,” he told his dispatcher.

  “Molly requested your presence at the meeting hall. Says it’s important.”

  “On my way.”

  Setting his hat back on his head, he stepped in his Jeep and shifted into gear. As he drove, his mind remained on the woman he’d just pulled over. Jasira Graham. A smile lingered on his lips when he pulled into the parking lot of the hall.

  “I bet she’d have a lot to say to me if she wasn’t in uniform.”

  His mind conjured up an image of Jasira naked and his body hardened. Shifting on the seat, he took some deep breaths and tried to control his libido before he got out. Walking to the door, Stone groaned when he heard the yelling. This wasn’t always a fun job. With a sigh, he opened the door and stepped into chaos.

  Hours later, Stone was tired as he drove home. As sheriff he was never truly off the clock. This had been his day off and he’d spent it covering a deputy’s shift. It did get you the opportunity to met Jasira Graham, his brain reminded him.

  He chuckled when he recognized her blue sedan at the gas station. Glancing at his watch he frowned when he noticed it was almost four in the afternoon. It had been six hours since he’d stopped her. Maneuvering his vehicle into the station he then parked near the door before he headed inside.

  “Afternoon, Sheriff.”

  Stone smiled at the young woman behind the register. “Afternoon, Dawn.”

  Scanning the shop’s small interior, relief filled him at the sight toward the back. Jasira stood in the corner by the coolers. He moved to the head of the aisle and stared. The blood in his body flowed to his groin. She still wore her uniform and now he got to see it all. His mouth grew dry as he took in her figure in a skirt. Stone bit his lower lip when she bent over slightly. Removing his sunglasses, he waited for her to turn around.

  He wasn’t ready. No
t even remotely.

  Emotions rocketed through him, the most intense being possessiveness and familiarity. Like he knew her already. Like he knew she was his.

  Oh Lord. Lordy, lordy, lordy! She had a figure to die for, like an old Coke bottle, all curves and swells, and he was a man dying of thirst.

  Her expressive eyes widened when they saw him but she recovered quickly. He held himself immobile while she dropped her gaze and moved it slowly up his body. She was quick to hide her expression, but not quick enough. Feminine appreciation filled those deep brown pools she called eyes. Stone kept his face bland, not wanting to gloat.

  Well, not outwardly.

  Composure filled her features. A bottled water in one hand and her hat tucked under one arm, she walked toward him.

  She’s tall. I like that. I’d say about five-ten.

  “Excuse me, sir,” she murmured slipping by him in the narrow aisle.

  A gentle and enticing scent followed in her wake. A perfect mixture of fresh raindrops and the scent of a crisp wind blowing across the plains. The aroma wound around him, teasing synapses and embedding itself in his soul.

  Turning, Stone watched her pay and head for the door. Her voice was just as husky when she said goodbye to Dawn. The second she reached the door and began leaving, she put her hat on her head.

  Don’t let her get away!

  Hurrying after her, Stone caught up to Jasira when she reached her car.

  “Ms. Graham.”

  Jasira turned her head and glanced at him over the roof of the sedan. “Gonna write me a ticket this time, sir?” Her hand held up the clear bottle. “I promise it’s only water.”

  Stone chuckled. “No ticket. I just wanted to see if you were feeling better than when we first met.” I’m so glad she’s not mad I pulled her over.

  She laughed and rested her arms on the roof. “I don’t believe we’ve met, Sheriff. You know my name because of pulling me over. That’s not an introduction.”