Born to Fly: You Save Me Read online

  The men exchanged glances before looking back at him. “I just need to clarify,” Hammer said, lifting a pencil and twirling it in his fingers. “So you can ride and rope? Have you ever done a rodeo?"

  "It's been a while, but yes."

  "Okay.” Snake pushed away from the wall and stepped closer.

  The base CO spoke next. “You know we sponsor a rodeo here in which the proceeds go to a Benevolent Funds charity, right?"

  Garrick shook his head. “No sir, I didn't know this. But it sounds like a very worthy cause.” The older man grinned and Garrick had the funny feeling he'd just volunteered.

  "Glad you think so, son. We'd like you to enter. No bull riding or broncs, nothing to jeopardize your career, but maybe some roping, steer wrestling."

  It's great how it's presented like I actually have a say in the matter. “Of course, sir. Anything for charity."

  "Wonderful. We'll get some others from the base as well."

  I wonder if Delaney likes rodeos. “Very good sir."

  "Swing by my office and pick up the info,” Hammer said.

  "Right away sir."

  Snake waved him off and he left silently, the three men in some other conversation already. He put on his cover and strode with no real rush to get to the office. Delaney was with him in his mind and he had a half-smile on his face when he entered Hammer's office. It didn't take long and he ventured back out into the warm Florida sun. Without thought he withdrew his cell and placed a call. One ring. Two. Three and then four. He frowned the automated message gave him the option of having the person paged.

  Where are you Delaney? Garrick glanced at his watch. Almost five. Delaney was usually gone by now. Climbing into his truck, Garrick removed his cover and started the diesel engine. He wanted to hear her voice. He wanted to see her. Touch her. His cock stiffened and he shifted upon the leather seat. Ain't all I want with her. The throbbing of his shaft told him it agreed. Groaning, Garrick ignored it and shifted into gear. I am not jackin’ off in my truck.

  He drove to the NEX and headed into Building 3727 to pick up some things. Cover stowed, he walked slowly, more daydreaming than anything. Standing in Electronics, Garrick almost dropped the DVD he was looking at when the sounds of a sultry laugh raised goose bumps on his skin.

  Delaney.

  His entire body came alert. The slow smile on his face dropped away when he heard a masculine voice with hers. Garrick put back the DVD and walked around the corner. There she stood. He raked his gaze over her. A powder blue loose tee shirt, black shorts, and tennis shoes. Her hair was loose around her shoulders and he just wanted to let it flow over his skin.

  Mine!

  They hadn't noticed him, intent on their conversation. Garrick glanced over the man standing entirely too close to her. Back off, man. Handsome enough if he wanted to think about it. Which I don't. He was a marine and an officer. Garrick realized something. I'm feeling extremely territorial.

  With a deep breath, Garrick cleared his throat and strode closer. Delaney turned her head, eyes widening slightly before a small smile filled her face.

  Have I said “mine” recently?

  He stopped beside her and said, “Hey sugar.” Garrick kissed her lightly on the mouth. Then he turned his attention to the man in his fatigues. “Captain."

  "Captain.” Very professional. “I'll see you later then, Delaney.” The marine walked away with another nod to him.

  Yeah, you don't need to see her, man. Period. Just stay away from her. Garrick watched him disappear then looked at the woman staring at him with her eyebrow raised.

  "I tried calling you,” Garrick said, rubbing his knuckles along her jaw line.

  "I left my phone at home."

  He lowered his head to hers. “I missed you."

  Delaney rested her hands against his chest briefly. “It's been two days.” She stepped back. “Is that what brought on this possessiveness?"

  "Is that what that was?” he asked without shame.

  She rolled her eyes. “I have to go. You...my house...1830. ‘Kay?"

  "Try n’ keep me away."

  Delaney licked her lips and looked him up and down before sighing heavily. “Just so you know, Captain Stark, you look damn hot in that flight suit."

  Lust rocketed through him and by the time he'd recovered, Delaney was no longer there. He finished shopping quickly and headed back to shower and change for dinner. Garrick stood outside her apartment door and waited for her to answer it, exactly at six-thirty.

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  Chapter Four

  * * * *

  Delaney surreptitiously watched Garrick while she put the flowers he'd brought her in a vase. It was a mixture of Oriental lilies, her favorite flower. He stood in the living room and stared at the pictures on her walls. He wore his usual attire of jeans, tee shirt, and cowboy boots. He's such a cowboy. And according to Garrick, so were his brothers.

  She licked her lips as her gaze lingered on his ass in those tight-fit jeans. With a deep breath, she wiped off her hands and walked up behind him, sliding her hands around his waist. Garrick reached back and pressed her closer, before maneuvering so they faced one another. Closing her eyes, she inhaled his unique smell.

  "Hungry?” she asked, drawing back to look at him.

  His sapphire gaze glittered down into her eyes. “Starved."

  Delaney slipped her hands up over his shoulders and tugged his head down. His lips were warm and firm against hers. The aggressor, she slid her tongue into his mouth. His rumble made her skin prickle. She purred when his hands trailed to settle upon her ass.

  The submerged ache for him flared up. Only this man could quench it. Her pussy creamed and she shifted against him.

  "Delaney,” he murmured against her lips.

  She reached between them and cupped her hand around his hard shaft. The next second she was pressed against the wall while Garrick tore at her clothes. Her fingers made short work of the button on his jeans.

  "Ohhh,” she moaned when his callused hands covered her breasts. Heat flowed up and throughout her entire body.

  Garrick ate at her mouth hungrily while he rolled and tugged lightly on her pebbled tips. Delaney whimpered when he stepped back, but moaned in pleasure when his bare chest touched her.

  "Sugar,” he rasped, nipping her shoulder as he shoved her shorts down.

  "Garrick,” she panted.

  "Mine!” he growled.

  "Ahhh!” Delaney cried, arching her back and coming hard around the two fingers he drove home within her. Before she could come down from that high, he'd removed his fingers and replaced them with his thick cock.

  "Fuck, sugar,” he grunted, sinking fully within her. “You're still so fuckin’ tight."

  So long. It'd been so long since she'd felt this. Heaven. Delaney couldn't speak. Her fingers sank into the flesh of his shoulders, her head back against the wall. Flames hotter than molten lava flowed through her veins. Garrick began to move inside her core.

  Back and forth.

  In and out.

  His hands were upon her waist, his hard length filled her like no one else could. Garrick buried his face in the side of her neck as he picked up his pace. Each forward stroke lifted her so only her toes touched.

  "Delaney."

  "More,” she said, well aware she begged. “Harder."

  He complied. “Legs around me, sugar,” he ordered.

  Delaney could barely stifle the scream when she did and he thrust harder. Garrick placed one hand by her head and the other on her butt. She undulated against him and dug her nails into his skin. They moved together like it hadn't been twelve months since they'd been with one another.

  "Uh, uh, uh,” she panted.

  "Come for me, sugar,” he drawled against her jugular. “Come all over my cock."

  "Garr...please...I...I..."

  She tightened her internal muscles and began milking his cock. The low rumble rising within him made her grin. His sweat-covered
body pressed against hers. His teeth scraped along her pounding pulse and she tried to prolong the feeling.

  It was as if he knew.

  "Take it, Delaney. It's all yours, sugar."

  Delaney shattered around him, her cry of ecstasy filing the air. Garrick thrust hard and came with a low roar of his own. His release triggered another within her. Heart pounding, Delaney didn't say a word when he carried her back to her room, still buried to the hilt inside her. Once they reached her bed, they began again. She closed her eyes and entered a world where nothing existed except for her and the man with her. Garrick Stark.

  It was much later when they ate the dinner which, thanks to the “warm” knob on the slow cooker, was waiting for them. After they'd finished supper, Delaney lay along Garrick's hard body while they cuddled on the couch. He wore his jeans only and she wore his shirt. At the moment, his fingertips were trailing along the backs of her upper thighs.

  "So do you know what you'll be doing in the rodeo?” she asked, trying not to squirm from the tantalizing touches he gave her.

  "From what I gather, some bulldoggin’ and some ropin'. They don't want us injured with bulls and broncs. There will be others there to do that part."

  "Bulldogging? What's that?” She drew abstract patterns on his chest with one finger.

  "Steer wrestling. You run down the steer on horseback, slip from the moving horse, and grab the steer by the horns to bring him down."

  She lifted up to stare at him. “And that's safe?"

  He flashed a grin which would have soaked her panties, were she wearing any. “Compared to bull riding, yes. It is much safer."

  "Humph."

  "Will you come cheer me on?” he questioned, his eyes big and soulful.

  "Are you going to be hurt?” I don't want to see you get injured.

  "I will do my best to avoid all injury."

  "When is it?” He gave her the date and she frowned. “Let me check.” Soon she stood over her calendar, Garrick watching her with a drink in his hand.

  "What's wrong?” he asked from the doorway.

  "I'll just be getting back, but assuming we have no delays, I'll be there for the end of it at least."

  "Getting back?” He moved to her side. “Where're you going?"

  "Futenma."

  Futenma. The world dropped out from under him. Garrick frowned and stepped closer. He turned her toward him, his gaze narrowed and he searched her face. “What? Why the hell are you going back to Japan?"

  "It's what I do, Garrick. I do a lot of stuff with the USO. They need some help over there and I'll be there for a month."

  He knew that. Doesn't mean I like it. “So you're going over by yourself?"

  "No. Captain Marshall will be with me."

  Garrick shook his head, not recognizing the name. “Who's she?"

  "'She’ is the marine I was talking to in the exchange. The he."

  "He's going with you?” Garrick liked this less and less. She would be away from him and with that man who had more than just a passing interest gleam in his eyes while he looked at her.

  "Yes, he is."

  "And what about us while you're over there?” he ground out.

  "What about us, Garrick?” Delaney closed her calendar and stared at him. “How is me going over there any different then when you get deployed on a mission?"

  "I'm not sent with a man who stares at me like I'm his next meal."

  She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. “No, you're just dropped on a ship with more than enough willing women."

  "I never touched another woman while we were together."

  "We weren't really together, Garrick. We've gone over that.” She poked him in the chest. “And just because Marshall is going with me doesn't mean he's going to be in my bed."

  Running his tongue over his teeth, Garrick captured her hand and held it against his heart. “I'm not sure where I stand, Delaney. I hate the idea of another guy near you, especially if you're across the world from me."

  "Garrick. You have nothing to worry about. Nothing."

  "I just—"

  Delaney shushed him with a kiss. Garrick responded with a possessive growl. I can't even begin to imagine my life without her in it. His eyes, which had begun to close, flew open when her hand slipped inside his jeans and curled around his shaft.

  "Sugar,” he released on a hiss of pleasure.

  She lowered his jeans and he kicked them aside. Garrick watched her through slitted eyes as her hands wrapped around him again and she sank to her knees before him. His breath hitched when her warm mouth closed over the head of his cock. Her tongue swirled under the crown of the head before swiping along the top and doing it all over again.

  Fuck me! He ground his teeth together as she drew him in deeper and deeper. Adjusting his stance, Garrick sank his hands into her thick hair and began to thrust. Her mouth was making him lose his mind. Delaney applied the perfect pressure upon him. She purred in the back of her throat as he sank fully into her and back again. Staring down at her, he watched her.

  Eyes closed, full lips stretched around his pale cock. Her hands around the backs of his thighs holding him where she wanted him. And he didn't mind at all. When one hand slid through and began to caress his balls, he swore. The feel of her nails lightly scoring them sent bolts through him.

  "Sugar,” he forced out between clenched teeth. “Stop."

  Her eyes flew open and he stared into them. The pale green was darkened by passion and he knew she wouldn't stop. Her black lashes drifted closed and Delaney increased the suction. The tingling in his body rose swiftly and he began to thrust faster into her willing mouth.

  "Shit...Delaney...I'm...sugar..."

  She released his balls and sucked hard on him as his hips jerked and he unloaded into her mouth. Delaney slid up his shaft until just his cock head was encased by her lips. She stroked his shaft with one hand as she took all he had to offer. Garrick lifted her to her feet when she released him.

  "Delaney,” he whispered against her lips.

  "Stay the night with me, Garrick. Please. I want to fall asleep in your arms and wake the same way."

  He lifted her and she wrapped her legs around him. Naked he walked to the living room, making sure the door was locked and the lights were off. Then he carried her back to her bed where he made slow love to her before they fell asleep, limbs intertwined.

  Garrick woke early and after a quick check of the time, turned his attention to the woman who lay pressed against him. Her naked body aroused him like no woman could. The early morning light filtered through the curtains and touched her skin with a gentle dusting of gold.

  He had rarely spent the entire night with her while they'd done their thing in Japan. What an idiot I was. How could I not have wanted to wake up with her in my arms? Lowering his lips to her forehead he brushed them lightly across the smooth skin. You, Delaney Kiojah Byrd, are my future. You save me. And he realized it was true. With her he had a different outlook on life. It was more intense, more exciting, more everything. In that moment, Garrick knew he would do whatever it took to keep Delaney in his life.

  Dare I say I love her? She murmured and stirred in her sleep. Laying back down, Garrick curled up next to her again and smiled when she sank into him easily.

  Later on that morning Garrick had a smile on his face and continued to sneak glances at her while they walked towards their vehicles. She caught him and lifted a brow.

  "What?"

  They were stopped by her GMC and he boxed her against the door. “Can I see you again tonight?"

  "Sorry, girls’ night out. Heather's already claimed me."

  He nibbled along her ear. “Anything I can do to change your mind?"

  She shivered. “Stop it. Go out with your friends."

  "Okay. I'll see you later then.” He kissed her until she thrust her hips into his and whimpered. “Have a good day, sugar."

  Her pale green eyes sparkled up at him. “Be careful up there, Captain S
tark."

  "Always.” One more kiss and he smacked her on the ass before getting into his own vehicle and starting it. He smiled at her when she waved and drove away. Back on base he parked his truck and headed for his locker to change.

  "Where were you, Paladin?” a voice asked around the locker door.

  Zipping up his flight suit, Garrick stuffed his items in the gray space and shut the door only to come face to face with the dark gaze of another pilot. Lieutenant Colonel Daniel “Jazz” Harvin. “Hey Jazz. What do you mean, where was I?"

  "Last night. I stopped by your room but you weren't there."

  He shrugged. “Oh I had a much better offer than my room.” Garrick lifted a brow. “What'd you need?"

  "Just wanted to see if you wanted to go bowling. A couple of us are going out tonight."

  "Sounds good.” He fell into step with his friend. “What time and where?"

  "You sure? No hot date tonight?"

  "Girls’ night out."

  "Ahh, well, guess we'll have to do then."

  "The sacrifices I make for this country,” Garrick drawled with a laugh.

  "Yeah...sacrifices...if that's what you want to call it."

  Both men were still laughing when they entered the briefing room and sat down. Garrick smiled at the others in there but wondered about the look he got from Hollywood. When Snake stepped up to the front, he pushed Hollywood to the back of his mind.

  When they got lunch, Garrick pulled out his phone and called Delaney.

  "Captain Stark, what can I do for you?” she asked.

  "I can think of a lot of things, sugar. But for the moment, tell me you miss me."

  She chuckled. “I saw you this morning."

  "So you don't miss me?"

  "I didn't say that.” The voices behind her faded. “Fine. I miss you."

  "Am I disturbing you?” he questioned.

  "Kind of. I've got a pile of things to do before I go. And our date just got moved up."

  Garrick frowned. “As in you're leaving when?"

  "Tomorrow afternoon."

  "When were you going to tell me?” Garrick wanted to monopolize all her time. To hell with bowling or girls’ night out.

  "I just did. I got the news myself about ten minutes ago, Garrick."