Pledging to Die (An FBI/Romance Thriller Book 11) (23 page)

And it gave him hope.

“Okay. I understand,” she said, wishing he wanted to come up because they had once had something before she had pushed him away.

Johanna Madden was an idiot.

Everyone saw it in him. Even the sorority girls thought he was one hell of a catch. Why did she have to have so much emotional baggage?

Why couldn’t she just let herself feel?

In the elevator, he moved close to her side. The scent of lilacs filled the air around him, and it gave Brody peace. It was something he’d missed over the last few months.

“Sorry about the mess in my room. I’m trying to look like a college kid,” she stated, before leading him out. When she opened the door, her room wasn’t that messy.

“I like it. Was this what you were like in college the first time?” he asked, heading to the pink sheeted bed.

“No. I was a neat freak. This is making me insane. Have a seat,” she said, grabbing two iced teas from the mini fridge.

When he sat, it was on something lumpy. Pulling the comforter back, he stared in disbelief.

There was the pink teddy bear he’d bought her, and obviously, she was sleeping with it.

“You kept it?” he asked, glancing over. It was hard not to notice she had that ‘deer in headlight’ look in her eyes. Obviously, she didn't want him to see that bear.

“Yes. I did.”

“Why, Joey? Why did you keep it? You pushed me away, but you kept this?” He ran his fingers over the pink fur.

“Because it’s the first thing you ever gave me.”

The emotion in her voice gave everything away. Instead of pressing her, like she was a suspect in an interrogation, Brody offered her something.

“I have a confession.”

She handed him the bottle of tea and sat beside him. “What?”

“I broke into your house.”

She stared at him like he was insane as the glass bottle paused halfway to her mouth. “What? I’m sorry, but did you just admit to B&E?”

“When you pushed me away, I broke into your house, trying to find you. You left, and I wasn’t in my right mind. Ever since you’ve been gone, I’ve been losing this mental battle.”

Johanna didn't know what to say.

“I thought maybe there was someone else, so I had to see for myself.”

“So you illegally entered my home?”

“Actually, I didn't really break in because you told me where the spare key was hidden, so I really just dropped in for a visit.” Yeah, and had he found another man there, he would have been under arrest, but it was best to leave that out.

“Um…you need to stop doing that.”

“I also rifled through your panty drawer. Kinky, Joey…just kinky.”

Her eyes went big until he began laughing. “You’re an ass,” she said, finally getting that it was a joke.

He picked up the bear. “It’s your turn to confess. Why did you really keep it?”

“I couldn’t throw it out, Brody.”

“Why?” he needed to know if he really had a shot. Until that moment, it was sketchy. Now, there was that belief that she might not push him away again. His ego already took one hell of a shot, and now he needed reassurance.

“It smells like you.”

That said it all.

Her simple words touched his heart.

“I’ve been sleeping with it because I can’t function without you. I’ve missed you.”

He took her bottle of iced tea and placed it on the shelf before pulling her into his arms. As they came together, they tumbled back onto the bed.

“Joey,” he whispered as his lips claimed hers in a hot mating of mouths.

She didn't fight, but instead let him pull her under. She’d missed this. Along with everything else they had shared, Joey truly mourned his touch.

His hands found the mass of fluffy straw colored hair and buried themselves in it. Brody couldn’t breathe while she was pressed against his body. Already, he was coming awake beneath her, and Joey wasn’t freaking out or fighting to get away.

It was progress.

Instead, her hands wandered under his shirt.

This was absolute heaven. She tasted like tea and the woman he loved, and Broderick never wanted to let her go.

Not now, not ever.

Johanna moaned into the kiss, the emotion, sensation, and feelings carrying her under the heated bliss of it all.

This was perfect.

It was just as she remembered.

Only this time, she had no intention of leaving. Brody wanted her, flawed and all, and she was going to stick by his side, doing what her heart told her to do.

She was going to love him.

As his hand began snaking its way up her torso, Brody’s heart was pounding in his chest. It had been so long since he’d felt her flesh beneath his fingers.

Now, it looked like he was going to get what he wanted—
Johanna Madden.

Just as he made contact with the material of her bra, there was a knock on the door right before it swung open.

“Johanna,” called Garland, right before she realized what she’d just interrupted. “Oh! Crap! I am so sorry! I just came to see if you’re ready for math, but it looks like you’re more into biology right now!”

She began backing out, giggling like crazy.

Brody closed his eyes. Well, it looked like duty called. He knew she was supposed to tag along with the sorority girls, and this was just more of the job interfering with their life.

When Garland was gone, a flushed Johanna stared down into Brody’s eyes. “I think we should… maybe…you know.”

He kissed her on the tip of the nose. “Yeah, I think you’re right,” he offered. “You have to follow them, and I have to follow the sick bastards at the frat house.”

She went to move off his body, but he stopped her. “Wait.”

“What?”

“Can I see you tonight? There’s no party, and I’d really like to seduce you.”

She understood. “For the job?”

He touched her cheek. “No. For us.”

Johanna’s heart thumped in her chest. “I’d like that very much, Brody.”

When she got off his body, he grabbed his backpack before lifting her chin. “Be safe today, and call me if you need me.”

With that, he left a kiss on her lips.

“I’ll walk you out,” she offered, switching out her books. When they rode down in the elevator, they didn't speak or touch, but that feeling of intimacy was there.

They were almost back to normal.

Brody was so close to getting Joey back that he could taste it. Well, maybe it was Joey that was overwhelming his taste buds.

Either way, it was a damn good day.

Outside the dorm, he turned toward her. “I’ll pick you up around eight. I have a few things to take care of before then. If you’re scared, nervous, or need me, I’ll come running, Joey. I’ll always come if you call.”

She didn't doubt it.

He wanted to touch her in the worst way, but he knew outside, they were likely being studied. He began walking away, and then stopped.

“Joey?”

She glanced up. “Yes?”

“Thank you for keeping the bear. That saved my heart so much pain.”

As he headed across the quad, her pulse pounded in her ears. She was so grateful she did just that. Who knew that pink ball of fluff might actually be the key back into Brody’s heart?

Finally, she did something right.

       
      
* * *
  B l a c k h a w k - W h i t e f o x   * * *

When Ethan got the call, he was just leaving the president’s office. It had been unproductive, and he was irritated. Basically, the man called him out there to bitch and moan about the attention they were getting.

When he left, Ethan wanted to twist the man’s head off.

As his brother’s number came up on his phone, he figured it was about lunch.

Only, it hadn’t been.

Callen, needed help.

Immediately, his heart began pounding in his chest, until he heard what the problem was.

Then he laughed.

He couldn’t help himself. Sometimes being a big brother was a scary thing, as he was always forced to worry and protect his younger sibling. Now, he was able to just relax and bust his ass.

And that’s what he planned on doing.

After picking up some gear for his wife at their rented place, he arrived at the motel. This was going to be fun.

Knocking on the door, he teased them more. “Housekeeping. I hear you need some panties.”

Callen opened the door grinning at his brother. “Don’t even go there. This wasn’t my fault. In fact, I blame both of you.”

“I don’t see how I’m even remotely involved with this sex fest. I was working.”

“You could have warned me about the glasses and attire, but you didn't, and this is what happens.”

Ethan entered the room and looked around. “Wow, you went classy all the way, Cal. Here, I take her to really nice places, and you jump her in a roach coach.”

He sucker punched his brother as he grabbed Elizabeth’s clothing.

“She’s showering. As for the location, I was trying not to get us arrested as her head was in my lap, and I was driving. This was the best option.”

Ethan could sympathize. “I’ve been there, so you have my utmost understanding.”

When the bathroom door opened, there stood their woman, and she looked smug. “Lookee here. My cowboy has come to the rescue. The savage Native took me hostage.”

Callen snorted. “Yeah, yeah, I’m the perp here. I still blame the glasses.”

Callen tossed her the clothes Ethan had brought. “I’d come over there, but your sexy after a shower, and I don’t need to push my luck.”

Elizabeth quickly got dressed.

When Ethan crossed to his wife, he gave her a kiss. “I’m with Callen. You’re hot as hell.”

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, and you two wild men had your trip there and back. We’re on the clock,” she stated.

Before he could focus, he noticed her throat. “Hey! Who put this mark on your neck?” Ethan asked, running his fingers over the bruised flesh.

“Callen bit me.”

Blackhawk laughed even more. “This is priceless. You two end up in a sleazy motel, with a hickey on her neck, and me having to bring her clothes. Way to do it up.”

She gave him the look.

Callen wasn’t amused anymore. He sucked up the good natured teasing, but now it was crossing the line. “Yeah, well, I’m fucked up, so what do you expect? Of course I’m going to do this in a place like this. It’s the story of my damn life.”

They both turned to see him head for the door.

“Callen,” she called.

He cut her off. “There’s a café across the street. I’ll see you there.”

When the door slammed, Ethan didn't know what to think. “What did I do?”

Elizabeth started getting dressed. “He’s having a rough one,” she stated. She’d been to his therapy sessions and knew that Callen was having a difficult time adjusting to his preference for rough, kinkier sex. He was still relating it to his abuse as a kid. “He thinks it’s because of his past.”

“I didn't mean to hurt him,” Ethan said, as Elizabeth slipped into her boots.

“He’s doing battle against himself,” she offered. “The sex was exuberant, like he was trying to get lost in it.”

Ethan let out a sigh. “Shit.”

“We better find him, and fast.”

She agreed. With Callen, once he began slipping, it could get way out of hand.

They’d been there before, and the key was to swoop in and do the right thing.

Save him from drowning in the pain.

He was ashamed of himself.

Not because of what he’d done with Elizabeth, but because he let the teasing get to him. Then there was the fact he’d just walked away from them.

Callen didn't know what was wrong with him.

Most of the time, he was perfectly fine, but then that shame would rear its ugly head, and he’d feel the need to bolt.

Like right now.

It took everything he had not to climb into his vehicle and head out of town. Running was easy.

Staying was hard.

But, he’d made Elizabeth a promise, and he wasn’t going to ever make her hurt again by running away. So, he’d suck it up and wait for the humiliation to hit.

It shouldn’t be long now.

He’d ordered them lunch and was waiting for them to arrive. Callen didn't know what to say. How did he explain to them that there was this deep dark pit in him, and no matter how much he tried, he wasn’t able to fill it back in? Facing his past had left him raw and empty. It was months later, and he wasn’t getting better.