Branded by Frost Read online

  Something as simple as a touch—but not just any touch. Dex’s. She dug her nails into her palms to keep from sinking her fingers into his hair, tugging him closer and pressing their mouths together. She shook from the amount of control it took to remain immobile.

  Closer and closer he drew her, his heated breath fanning along her face as he brought her in for a kiss. His breath was chocolaty. When he was a hairsbreadth away from connecting with her mouth, the tense silence in the room was shattered by the alarm on the phone, alerting them to the fact they had a rescue.

  “Soon,” he whispered along her lips before setting her away from him and rising.

  It took her a few moments to shake off the fog he’d put around her. Then she kicked it into gear and changed as quickly as he had.

  Running for the hangar, she thought back to the snake and wondered if this wasn’t another trap. She slanted her gaze to the man who jogged beside her, his expression closed off. She understood that he was totally focused when they were out on a mission. Off in the distance, lightning jagged and hopped from cloud to cloud.

  Dex paused in opening the door and stared off past her. “Thundersnow,” he uttered.

  I thought so too. Not my favorite thing to fly in. She walked in the building at his gesture and immediately headed for her pre-flight check. They would fill her in later but if they were taking the chopper, she needed to make sure she wasn’t the hold up. Dex met with a few of the others and they strode to the briefing room. At the door, he turned back and pinned her with a blatantly possessive stare. Her insides flipped again. They hadn’t finished.

  Chapter Five

  “I can’t see shit in this,” he called out over the headset he wore. “Where’s the beacon? Anyone have eyes on the beacon?”

  The helicopter shuddered in the darkness that was split by the power of raw lightning.

  “Are we sure this is the place?” Colton cried back.

  “This is the location of the beacon’s coordinates,” Frost interjected. “Look, if you’re going down, go. We’ve got another change in wind pattern coming in fast and I will have an even harder time holding her steady. I’d just prefer you have this person firmly aboard before it gets here.”

  Dex peered briefly toward the cockpit. He longed to take the time to think about what had occurred earlier this evening at their place—the snake, her response. But even more than that, having her between his legs and his hands on her waist. He refused to deny his attraction to her. What was the point?

  However, right now, I have a rescue to perform.

  “I don’t know, Dex. If we’re over the beacon, we should be able to see the strobe.”

  He hooked up to the hoist. “I’m going. Frost knows how to read coordinates. If she says this is the place, then this is the place.” He stepped to the edge. Colton was at the line, and allowed himself to be lowered down.

  Squinting against the blinding wind, snow and occasional lightning flash, despite his gear, he stared down toward the ground. The brutality of nature never ceased to amaze him. He was whipped around but thanks to Frost, he knew he’d not been knocked that much off course when he punched beyond the low hanging snow clouds to see the beacon that hadn’t been able to penetrate through.

  “I see it,” he said into the receiver. “Five hundred feet, Colton.” As he spun down, he understood why they hadn’t been able to see the strobe. The person was a bit under an overhang and the light pointed more toward the back of it as opposed to out.

  “Shit. Hang on.” Frost’s warning came seconds before he was jerked around like a balloon on a string.

  It didn’t take her long to regain control but even so, he was glad to be boots on the ground. The earth beneath his feet was slanted and unstable. He scrambled up to the light.

  “I’m with SAR, my name is Dex and I’m here to help you. Can you hear me?”

  “Help.” The voice was barely discernible over the howling wind. “Please don’t leave me here.”

  He crouched by the man. “I’m not leaving you here. Colton, send down the litter. This guy looks to be in a bad way.” He scanned him with the light. “What happened? Can you tell me your name?”

  “Da…David. I was hiking and fell.”

  He covered him with a heat blanket while they waited. “How long ago was that, David?”

  “I…I don’t know. I went hiking on Sunday. What day is it?”

  Five days. “Hang in there. You did great. Don’t worry about the day right now.”

  “I’m a mess. I couldn’t move to use the bathroom.”

  The shame in his voice was raw. Dex settled a hand on his shoulder. “You survived. That’s what’s important, David. You’re a survivor.”

  The white wall around them parted to form Colton and the litter. The men worked together to get him secured on it.

  “Game plan?”

  “Send you back up, then him, I follow last.” Dex double-checked his work. “Frost?”

  “Go ahead, Dex.”

  “How’s it looking up there?”

  “Snowy. But if you’re looking for time, I’d say no more than ten minutes.”

  “Roger that.” He clapped his friend on the arm. “Off you go.”

  Together they hooked the litter to the hoist. Colton latched himself onto the second hoist and rose into the sky, vanishing within seconds.

  “What about you?” David pushed the question past his lips.

  “I’ll be right behind you.”

  “I’m in, Dex. We’re about to bring him up.”

  One final perusal of him lying in the orange litter, the heat blanket over him, also strapped under the four buckles. “Ready on this end,” he said, backing away from the rectangle carrying the man to safety.

  “Are you attached to the other hoist, Dex?” Frost’s question hit him as he gave David an encouraging smile.

  “No.”

  “I want you on that line, now.” Her order fell in a brisk tone.

  He knew better than to argue. Something wasn’t right and she wanted him attached. He used his spotlight to find it hovering slightly above them. Snapping it to his harness, he made sure he was out of the litter’s way.

  “I’m on. Get him moving,” he demanded.

  The bucket disappeared and Dex waited on the ground listening to the others talking to one another. He winced when a pellet of ice smacked his face.

  “Got him,” Celia said. “Hook him up and pull this litter in so we can get Dex.”

  “He’s in.” Colton’s booming voice filled the earpiece.

  “You’re riding while we’re flying,” Frost informed him the second his feet left the ground.

  Dex protected his exposed skin best he could as the wire lifted him through the ice pelting down. They were moving, the extra vertical movement gave more credence to Frost’s statement.

  When he neared the chopper the spotlight blinded him and he squinted. Once his eyes readjusted, he saw Colton waiting to grab him and Celia was at the hoist controls.

  “He’s in,” Colton informed Frost the second his feet hit the floor. Dex removed the hook and the wire slipped all the way back into its housing. Celia slammed the door shut as Frost banked them left and sped up, getting them out of the situation they’d been in, which was deteriorating at a rapid pace. He unhooked his harness and gazed over to where Sandra worked over their rescue.

  He rotated his shoulder, wincing at the sting. He’d hit it on something but he wasn’t sure what that had been. Another shudder hit the transport and he held onto a seat to keep from falling.

  Frost didn’t curse, hell, she didn’t say a word. Moments later they leveled out and continued along. He ducked his head into the cockpit and stared at her. Her face was set in a mask on concentration. She didn’t turn to glance at him, but she knew he was there Couldn’t explain it, he just knew.

  “What’s up?”

  Aware the others could hear their conversation, he replied, “Nothing, just wanted to say thanks for getting me ou
t of there.” He had zero visibility out of the helo’s windshield. I don’t know how she does it.

  “Didn’t want my numbers ruined,” she joked. “Besides, I think it’s your night to do dishes.”

  “I didn’t even know he knew how to wash dishes,” Celia commented from the back.

  “Hah hah,” he said. Before he backed out, he rested his hand on her shoulder and squeezed.

  Sandra discussed the man’s sit rep with the hospital they were en route to. Frost had made the decision to take him there instead of having them send a chopper to meet and make a transfer.

  “Are you sure about this?” he asked.

  “We have the auxiliary tanks on, so we’ll make it fine. The return to our base will be iffy but if my calculations are right, we’ll make it. This man needs to get there ASAP and we don’t need to be wasting time shuffling him from one transpo to another.”

  “Okay. If you know we can get him there safely, I’m good with it.”

  Her chuckle warmed him. “Glad to hear it, Dex, but I wasn’t actually asking your permission. I was doing it.”

  Colton met his gaze and gave him a grin along with a thumbs up. He mouthed the words “I like her” before getting back to the paperwork in his lap.

  * * * *

  One eye on the fuel levels, Aminta blew out a breath of relief as she settled the S-92 down. Here there wasn’t any snow or blowing ice. The hangar door sat open and she wheeled them inside. Powering down, she unhooked her belts then exited the cockpit.

  She shook out her arms and cracked her neck.

  “You do that a lot.”

  Dex. She nodded. “Yes, kind of a ritual for me to do so. And cracking my neck feels good.”

  “Hear it’s bad for you to do that. Invites the onslaught of arthritis.”

  She snorted and lifted her head. He waited for her in the cabin that had been set up for Search and Rescue with eight passengers, internal auxiliary fuel tanks and a triple litter kit. They’d been going to use this figuration on their next training mission but this call had come first. He’d unzipped his suit and allowed it to hang around his waist, showing off his powerful upper body. The light gray shirt had a hard time containing his numerous muscles.

  Crap on a cracker, I’m in serious trouble with him.

  “Can’t say, but I’ll chock it up to superstition. I’ve done it after each one and the following has been successful.”

  He rose from the seat. “How the hell did you manage that in the storm we encountered?” He glanced around. “Is that part of this mystical stuff you mentioned?”

  She unzipped her flight suit, noting—and appreciating—the way he snapped his attention to the lowering piece of metal. “Nope. That was this bird.” She patted the side. “Trace got this with all the bells and whistles. It’s a damn nice ride. The RIPS allowed me to keep us airborne.”

  “RIPS?”

  She shrugged her arms free. “Rotor Ice Protection System.” Looping the sleeves around her waist in a loose knot, she added, “Having the ability to have the cockpit go all night vision assisted as well. Then all the other gadgets I’m sure you don’t care about.”

  “How close were we?” He fell into step beside her as she departed the helicopter.

  “Close?” She shivered in the biting wind. The snow might not have arrived here yet but the chill sure had.

  “The fuel situation on the way back here from the hospital.”

  “Oh, that. We were on fumes.”

  “You endangered everyone in that helicopter?”

  “I had it handled, Dex. Let go of my arm.”

  He dropped her and muttered under his breath. “Where are you going?”

  “I have to get her refueled and do a post-flight check.”

  “It’s almost midnight.”

  “Yes and if we have a call at two, I’d just as soon have her ready to leave again.”

  The others waved and took off to do what they had. She jogged to the fuel truck and brought it up alongside the helicopter so she could begin fueling. She opened the door to find Dex standing right there. He reached up, snagged her shirt, and hauled her into his chest, claiming her lips in a dominating kiss.

  She allowed him to hold her up as she opened beneath his assaulting tongue. He wasn’t asking permission to kiss her. He was taking. She scrunched her fingers in the taut cotton across his broad shoulders in an effort to get closer.

  He palmed her ass and ground against her. As fast as it had begun it was—unfortunately—over.

  Flames licked the corners of his eyes, adding an eerie fire to the iridescent hue of his irises. “I suggest you get that done then. You and I have some unfinished business back at the cabin. I’ll be there waiting.”

  Once more he took her mouth and left her nearly boneless. Using the step of the truck to support herself, she lusted after his retreating figure. Sure strides carried him away and out into the night.

  Despite her longing to be back in his arms and experiencing a kiss—or more—Aminta remained vigilant on her post-flight check. Not until she was confident all was right—the helicopter fully fueled and ready to go at moment’s notice—did she put her feet toward the hangar door and leave.

  She’d changed prior to vacating the hangar and her jacket kept her much warmer on the hike back to the cabin than she would have been in just the flight suit. Peering behind her, she noticed the storm had gotten closer. Electricity surged through the air.

  The heated interior welcomed her as she entered. Removing her coat, she heard the shower running and did her best not to envision Dex standing naked beneath the hot water, soaping himself up or rinsing off.

  Did he jack off in there? Does he think about fucking me while he does, if he does? Against the wall, or does he prefer it in bed? Nawh, he looks like a man who is all for pushing a woman against the wall and fucking her until she doesn’t know her own name. Gods, I need help. She tossed her coat on the hook and headed for her bedroom.

  Aminta opened her dresser drawers to locate a clean pair of pajamas. All she truly craved was a solid few hours of sleep—uninterrupted would be best.

  “I’m all ears.”

  She whirled around at his voice and promptly dropped her gathered clothing to the floor. Good Lord. Why at this moment the sight of his half naked body rendered her immobile, she hadn’t a clue. They’d met as he’d departed the shower previously and she’d managed to survive those encounters. Perhaps it was the kiss he’d planted on her, but at this moment in time, she would’ve had more mobility if she were encased in cement.

  A few water droplets rolled down his bronzed, lightly haired chest. I want to follow them with my tongue. Yearning bloomed within her much like flowers did once the sun shines on them following a good rain. His one article of clothing—dark blue sweats—rode low on his lean hips.

  “I…uh…just need a quick shower.” And a lot of mental help.

  Wetness darkened the ends of his hair. “Sure.”

  She ripped her gaze away from his hard flesh and fumbled for her clothes. “Ten minutes, tops.”

  “Sure thing.” He didn’t move and she had to squeeze by.

  Right before she made it clear of her room, he blocked her in with one muscular arm.

  “Frost.” He spoke her name in a purely sexual way and she trembled.

  “Yes?”

  “Ten minutes and one second and I’m coming in after you.”

  Such a decadent promise. Not even her toys would be able to take away the visceral, pulsating demand her body had for this man.

  “Got it,” she managed to mumble. Instead of lingering until Dex decided to lower his arm, she ducked below and scampered off. Pretty confident her heart rate never decelerated, she rushed through the grime, sweat and fuel stench removal.

  After towel-drying her hair, she ran a brush through the damp strands then drew on her Portland Timbers green flannel pajama bottoms. Then she tugged on the gray and green three-quarter length tee. One final glance in the mirror
and she opened the door. Dex wasn’t standing right there but his words filtered back to her.

  Immediately she went on alert. Are we going back out?

  She made her way up the short hall. He spoke near the window. Lightning flashes occasionally outlined his silhouette. It struck with more frequency now and she knew they were in for an impressive storm.

  He captured her gaze in the window’s reflection. At her questioning look, he gave a thumbs up. She strolled to the kitchen and poured herself a glass of juice, aware it was in her best interests to avoid caffeine right now if she planned on sleeping.

  He joined her when she had half a glass remaining. He grabbed a kitchen chair, spun it around then sat. Placing his phone on the table, he drummed his fingers along the brown wood.

  “That was Teague, wanting to make sure we were okay.”

  “Didn’t we see him when we landed?”

  “He worries. It makes him good at his job. ‘Kiss my Grass’? Who’s slogan is that?”

  “Portland Timbers.”

  “Didn’t know you enjoyed soccer.” Dex reached out and snagged her juice. “Talk.”

  The sight of him drinking had her mesmerized. Words escaped her. He placed the now empty glass down and poked her with one finger.

  “Still waiting, Frost.”

  She rested her arm on the table, palm up. She held his stare then focused on her hand. One moment it was empty then next, one of her spikes rested in it. Aside from the thunder booming outside, there was silence between them.

  “Holy fuck.” He reached out to pick up the spike. “How did you do that?”

  “Asked for it.”

  He rotated the smooth metal in his fingers. “Just like that? You can ask and it comes?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ve never seen metal like this, what is the material that crafted it?” He lowered the weapon and searched her gaze. “Aminta?”

  The fact he’d used her first name shocked her a bit. In his eyes, she didn’t see disgust or loathing. She witnessed intrigue, curiosity and a hint of excitement. “We have someone who makes our weapons.”