His thoughts drifted back to Bronco Bills, and the sight of her riding Bully Boy. Shed looked wild and free, with her hair flying and her body gyrating to and fro. Watching her had turned him on, and hed forgotten all about his friends. His concentration had been on Angel and what it would feel like having her ride his c.o.c.k with that kind of abandon.

Shaking his head, Bishop knew he had it bad. Now that hed had a taste of something decent in his life he couldnt see going back. Maybe too many years of s.h.i.t were enough. He began to unb.u.t.ton his shirt, driven by his intensive need for Angel, and the hard-on throbbing behind his zipper.

Meow!

Barnie was lying curled up on the pillow next to Angel, and opened one eye to look up at him. Too bad he was going to have to give up his soft bed. Bishop pulled the snap to his jeans and lowered the zipper, his gaze feasting on the seductive Angel and the gentle rise and fall of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. As if sensing he was there she moved slightly until she was on her back. Then he saw the glimmer of her eyes against the darkness.

Bishop? Her tone was low and raspy with sleep.

I hope you werent expecting someone else. He gently lowered himself over her. Youve been on my mind all d.a.m.ned day.

A sound of pleasure escaped her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Oh, she moaned again, arching her lower body into his. You brought me home a present.

Bishop could feel her smile on his lips, smiling in turn. The hint of mint laced her breath, telling him shed brushed her teeth before going to bed. He ran his hands up her sides, thumbing her nipples when he reached them. Then his hands cupped her cheeks and he kissed her, opening her mouth with the pressure of his so their tongues could mesh.

As their kiss continued the pa.s.sion grew between them. Angels movements indicated she was turned on as she twisted beneath him. Her hands caressed over his shoulders and down his back, cupping his b.u.t.tocks before moving up his back again. Bishop thrust his c.o.c.k between her legs, over the soft material covering her mound. But it wasnt enough. He wanted, needed to feel her naked flesh, her wet p.u.s.s.y, against him.

Whimpers, groans and moans echoed around them, filling the room with their intimate sounds of pleasure. Bishops hands roamed all over Angel, before pulling her shorts down and off. He kissed his way back up her body, making love to her feet, legs, knees, and thighs until reaching his destination, and heaven. He kissed, tongued, and nipped at her plump p.u.s.s.y lips, l.a.b.i.a, and c.l.i.t, before burying his tongue deep inside her c.u.n.t.

Bishop! Angel squirmed wildly, clenching her hands into his shoulders. That feels so good!

G.o.d you taste sweet, Bishop said, slowly moving up her body. He quickly pulled her camisole over her head, and then moved on to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. While kissing and sucking at her nipples he reached for the condom hed slipped from his pocket earlier. Ripping it open with his teeth he yanked it out and gave it to Angel.

She reached between them and rolled it over his c.o.c.k.

Aaaaaaargh! he groaned roughly, sinking deep inside her welcoming body. Then, pulling her legs up his chest, and over his shoulders, he began to thrust, fast and furious, bringing them both sweet, violent release.

Hey, Rip, hows it going man?

Bishop cringed inwardly at his abbreviated nickname and acknowledged Wizards welcome with a nod in his direction. Enjoying the time off, you?

Wizard nodded. Yeah, me too. Hope this one lasts a little longer. His gaze switched to Angel, and there was a little more than interest in his brown eyes. Whos the pretty lady?

Angel, this is Wizard.

Nice to meet you, she smiled, offering him her hand. Wizard had sun-bleached hair, a little longer than Bishops. He was tall and lanky, and though his tee-shirt indicated he wasnt overly muscled, Angel could see the strength and power in his bare, tattooed arms and hands.

Likewise, maam.

Angels been staying at my sisters place while she and her husband are away on a cruise, Bishop explained, laying his arm casually over the back of Angels shoulders.

A friend of the family, Wizard commented. His hand engulfed Angels. So, shes like a sister, he teased with a wink.

Bishop chuckled, knowing exactly where Wizard was going. His friend had yet to release Angels hand, so Bishop reached forward and gently broke their contact. h.e.l.l no. Not in any way. She might be like a sister to Diana, but that doesnt apply to me.

Wizards bellow of laughter followed them as they walked off. I like him, Angel said as they walked toward a group lingering by the pool.

Ripper! An enthusiastic voice welcomed as they neared the group.

Ripper? Angel asked, looking up at Bishop. As in Jack the Ripper? she teased.

Bishop shook his head with a grim look. Maybe he should have said yes to Jack the Ripper. He supposed hed eventually have to tell Angel how he came by his nickname, but if it were left up to him shed never find out. He could only hope none of his friends thought they were doing him a favor by telling her. As much as he didnt want her to find out that Ripper came from his deadly use of a knife, he did want to be the one to tell her.

You never did tell me what your team calls you, or why.

Christhad she read his mind? Bishop only smiled down at her, thankful theyd finally reached his friends. Everyone Id like you to meet Angel. Angel, this is Herc, he nodded, Razor, he raised his beer, and John.

John? she said in a surprised tone. Bishop told me you all came by your names because of something you were a.s.sociated with.

John laughed. I know where this is going. But John is my real name. Im the only one here who isnt in the Navy.

And hes the only one here smart enough to be married, said a pretty woman slipping out the back door of their house. She set a tray down on the table next to the grill and then turned and offered Angel her hand. Hi Angel, Im Misty.

Nice to meet you. Do you need any help?

Misty exchanged an amused look with Bishop. I like her already. Its about time you showed up here with someone as smart as she is pretty. As she turned to go back into the house she grabbed Angel by the arm.

Bishops gaze followed Angel, taking in the s.e.xy swing of her b.u.t.t beneath the shorts she was wearing. If he squinted hard enough he could just about make out the line of her lacy panties. He swallowed hard, struggling to control his reaction to watching her move. It seemed that everything she did turned him on and made him feel good. Every time he possessed her, instead of being sated, he wanted her even more. That realization p.i.s.sed him off, because he knew better than to let himself get involved to the extent that it could compromise his actions and decisions later.

He had to have a clear head when he was on an a.s.signment. That meant he was under control at all times, and the only thing on his mind was that mission. They could get a call to return to base at any time, and for the first time in his career he began to wonder if hed be able to flip the switch. He had to know he could turn his emotions off when he went into battle.

Hey, man, you look like youre having a fight with yourself.

John and Bishop had been friends since middle school, and had planned on joining the service together when the time came. What John hadnt planned on was being in a life-altering car accident that left him with a permanent limp. In spite of the separation theyd remained good friends, and had kept in contact by various means of communication.

Bishop accepted the cold beer John handed him. He took a long swallow, his gaze going to the pool where Herc and Razor had joined their female friends. It was obvious by their barely there bikinis and s.l.u.tty actions what they wanted from his friends. h.e.l.l, they were exactly the kind of women he needed to keep things in perspective.

He met Johns eyes, shrugging. I think I might have made a mistake.

John wasnt dense, and even though Bishop hadnt been around much in the last decade, their emails and phone calls to each other had kept them abreast of what was going on in each others lives. They were as close as brothers. You mean with Angel? Bishop nodded reluctantly. She seems like a nice girl, man.

She is nice. Thats the problem. Ive had so much s.h.i.t in my life that I s.n.a.t.c.hed up the first good thing I could get my hands on when I came home. He let out a humorous laugh. h.e.l.l, she didnt stand a chance. As soon as I looked into her eyes I wanted her.

So? Whats the problem? John moved to the grill and picked up the tray of steaks. You deserve good things in your life.

Bishop let out a deep breath. Shes not an object, and she sure as h.e.l.l isnt like he nodded toward the giggling, half-nude girls in the pool, the women I usually get involved with.

You mean Bambi and Fawn? Smoke bellowed up toward Johns face as he added the meat onto the grill. He jumped back.

Bishop almost spit out his beer. Are you kidding? John nodded. Well, if that isnt obvious. Im surprised Misty allows them here, knowing what they are.

Misty is the perfect female, my friend.

Did I hear my name and perfect in the same sentence? A teasing female voice asked as Misty and Angel reappeared from inside the house. Smiling, Misty sat a large bowl of chilled shrimp and c.o.c.ktail sauce on the table.

You did, honey. He flipped a steak over.

Angel placed a stack of paper plates, napkins, and silverware next to the shrimp. Bishop reached for a shrimp, dipped it into the sauce, and offered the first bite to her. Their gazes met as her mouth closed over the offering, and like the strike of a match, desire flared between them, just like that. Bishop clenched his teeth, struggling to ignore the punch of awareness in his gut.

f.u.c.k it, he groaned low, giving Angel a hard kiss. He meant to keep it brief but the instant their lips meshed it was as if something was keeping them fused together. After a couple of comments, and someone clearing their voice, he pulled away.

I hope you dont expect me to do anything like that with you while were here.

Because she was looking past him toward the others, Bishop turned his head to see what she was talking about. Herc had picked up his girlfriend and was tickling her belly with his tongue. Razor was nuzzling his face in the overlarge b.r.e.a.s.t.s of his date, and twitching enough to tell him what her movements beneath the surface of the water meant. That was me not long ago.

Angel opened her mouth when he offered her the rest of the shrimp. You mean you dont want me nuzzling your b.r.e.a.s.t.s? He asked in a low tone, for her ears only. You dont want my tongue on you? He found the flare of awareness in her eyes mesmerizing. Id like nothing more right now than to be kissing every square inch of your naked body.

You dont play fair, Angel complained in barely a whisper.

Thats all part of the fun, honey. He winked at her.

Oh? I dont know if I like this kind of fun, honey, she said. The thought of you kissing me all over just made me soak my panties. If youre a good boy maybe Ill let you have a taste when we get home. She turned and walked away.

The little witch! Bishop took a sip of his beer, a smile hovering over his face as Angel had managed to turn the tables on him without half-trying. He should remember she wasnt just a pretty piece of a.s.s. She had a brain, unlike the bimbos his friends had brought with them. The sound of a woman screaming drew his attention to the pool. Busty had removed her top and was playing the frightened virgin scene. Herc was all over her, and Wizard was filming the whole d.a.m.n thing. He shook his head.

Steaks are ready! John plopped the platter down in the middle of the table.

Bishop swung around and reached for a piece of celery in the salad bowl. In no time everyone was making their way to the table. He hoped Angel hurried up and sat down next to him, because he didnt like the way Busty was suddenly eyeing him. She had the look of a hungry shark.

Well, h.e.l.lo. Another handsome Navy SEAL. She slithered next to him to make room for Herc on the other side of her. My name is Candy. Looks like Tawny and I are going to have to share you, honey.

Didnt John say their names were Bambi and Fawn? Bishop glanced questioningly at John when hearing the name Tawny. John was reaching for a steak, and shrugged it off as if to say, doesnt really matter.

You are a SEAL, arent you, honey?

The woman was older than hed first thought, and was wearing enough makeup to cover the entire cast of a burlesque show. Yes, maam. Where the h.e.l.l is Angel? He fixed a baked potato, trying to ignore Candy, who was either a club dancer, barfly, or prost.i.tute, politely. He glanced at Wizard. Wheres your date?

He spoke around a mouthful. Couldnt get her out of bed, man. Wore her out.

Laughter erupted around the table. Yeah, right! John said in a disbelieving tone.

Razor waved Wizard away. Youre full of it! His lady friend decided to sit on his lap.

The patio door opened, and Angel and Misty walked out. It appeared the two had become fast friends. And why wouldnt they? He already knew Angel was easy-going, and Misty was the kind of woman who liked everyone until given a reason not to. Angel squeezed in next to him, giving him an innocent look.

She leaned in and whispered in his ear, I see youve made a new friend.

Used to be my type, he said, plopping a whole shrimp into his mouth. The kind of woman I can walk away from.

Thats sad. Bishop stopped chewing, and stared into Angels eyes for a moment. Whats your type now? There was a sparkle of humor simmering in her eyes.

She was serious. Bishop thought about it for a moment. He couldnt ever remember wanting to f.u.c.k a woman as much as he wanted to f.u.c.k Angel at that very moment. He wanted to erase the teasing amus.e.m.e.nt in her pretty eyes, and see it replaced with smoky desire. He wanted her lips to part with pleasure, to hear her whimpers as he loved her with his mouth and hands. The urge to taste her pa.s.sion ran strongly in his blood, heating it to the boiling point.

When we get home Ill show you what my type is. He paused for effect. If we make it home.

That sounds like a threat, Angel joked, plopping a piece of cuc.u.mber into her mouth. So, wheres the ocean?

See those palms over there? He indicated the palms on the other side of the pool. She nodded. Theres a path there that leads to the beach. Well take a walk after we eat if you want.

Id like that. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

d.a.m.n! Her impulsive kiss caught him by surprise. He went back to eating his meal. How the h.e.l.l am I ever going to say goodbye to her? She was digging her way toward his heart so fast it was scaring the h.e.l.l out of him. Somewhere between Africa and home, the walls hed built-up over the years to protect him had tumbled down, leaving him exposedweak.

Diana had warned him that someday hed meet the right person and then everything would change. Shed said that he might not recognize it at first, that he might even confuse it for something else, like l.u.s.t. h.e.l.l, l.u.s.t was easy to recognize. l.u.s.t was easy to accept, and Bishop wasnt ready to believe it was anything else. Diana had told him thered be no running away from it, only he was stronger than that. Wasnt he?

Deep down in his gut he unwillingly acknowledged the answer to that, and he knew that he needed to get in control of his emotions again, and soon. To do that he needed to distance himself from Angel.

My salvation. Do I really need salvation? Bishop thought about it for a moment. What did he have to show for the last ten years besides a scarred up body and a fat bank account? Yeah, I do need rescuing. But he wasnt going to hurt Angel by using her and just walking away. The more involved they got, the harder it was going to be.

His gut clenched with dread, because Bishop knew that they were already too involved.

Chapter 8.

Something was different. Angel had sensed the change in Bishop before they even left John and Mistys home the day before. He had become aloof, almost indifferent towards her. Cold. The hardened Navy SEAL Diana had described to her was apparently back and had replaced the considerate, giving man shed come to know in the days before. Had she done something to trigger the change? She thought about the women his friends had brought with them to the cookout. Maybe I dont have what Bishop needs.

A man on a dangerous mission, gone for months at a time, the conditions and sacrifices hed had to make, all had eventually taken a toll. Hadnt Bishop told her that he wanted something good in his life? It seemed that all he really wanted was a good girl to f.u.c.k, and shed been so willing because Diana, d.a.m.n her, had filled Angels head with stories and pictures of him, and Angel had fallen for him before she even realized it.

That wasnt fair, Angel thought to herself. Diana couldnt possibly have known shed fall for her brother. Blinking back the tears, Angel finished washing Barnies dishes, and then refilled them with fresh water and food. He was right there at her feet, waiting for her to put them on his mat. Once that was done she poured herself a cup of coffee and decided to take it out back. There was a hammock chair underneath the huge oak tree.

Making sure Barnie didnt slip out behind her, she made her way there. Diana and Alex had turned their backyard into a beautiful, lush jungle of palms, flowering plants, and trees. There was a huge Koi fishpond in the middle, and bird houses and feeders were everywhere. Everything looked so green and full this time of year. The nylon hammock swallowed her up as she sank into it, gently rocking back and forth.

Barnie was watching her from the window, no doubt wishing he could join her. Then she saw movement behind him and realized Bishop was up. Hed gone out the night before and Angel woke to find him sleeping on the couch. What did I do? Then she shook her head, already knowing the answer. Nothing, thats what. He was the one pulling away.

Her phone began to ring, and she dug into her front pocket for it. h.e.l.lo?

Miss Davenport? asked a male voice.

Yes?

This is Tom with Pesky Pests. Im just calling to let you know your house has been cleared for re-entry.

Maybe this was her solution. Okay, Tom, great. Is there anything I need to know?

Nope, all looks good, theres no sign of any termites, and the gas has cleared. Well be back in a couple months to check just to make sure we got them all, and you have a two-year warranty. So if you have any concerns or problems during that time just give us a call and well be right out. Once you get the repairs done, your house will be good as new.

That was Angels next big expense. Thank you. She flipped her cell closed and considered whether or not she should go home now or just wait another couple of days for Diana and Alex to return. That had been her original plan. Would Bishop care if she left?

As if just thinking about him could conjure him up, he surprised her by opening the door. Their gazes met. Good morning.