Blackstone's Heart (Blackout Security Inc. Book 1) Page 7

  "Good morning Ms. James." The reporter greeted.

  Krista plastered on a smile. "Morning Mr. Kolinski."

  "Please, call me Stan."

  "Alright Stan." Krista grinned. "So, how are we doing this?"

  Stan pulled out a notepad and a digital recorder. "Well, if you don't mind Kris, um may I call you Kris?" She giggled and nodded. "I will be writing down your responses, but also recording the whole interview. I will admit, I don't exactly have the most pretty handwriting."

  Krista laughed. "I know what you mean there. I have a few friends that are in law enforcement and they have to do the same thing when talking to witnesses."

  As she and Stan talked a little more while he set up, Krista could feel Ethan's penetrating gaze on her. It was unnerving, yet the feminine part in her relished it. The feel of him visually claiming her. She had to fight to keep her face from showing that or to keep from glancing his way. No, if he wanted her he would have to make that move. She made her position clear. Now Ethan had to make his.

  "Alrighty, I think we're all set. You ready?" Stan grinned.

  "Stan, I was born ready." She winked.

  "Ha, ha me too. Okay, you have a new book slated for release in a little over a month and a half. This one is part of your series, Midnight correct?"

  "That's right Stan. This will be the fifth book in Midnight."

  "Midnight is your third series over the last seven years. Your first series was four books called Devil Dogs. They were military romance and all the heroes were Marines."

  Krista smiled a little. "Yeah. I've always had a soft spot for the military. My father was military, several of my friends joined up and through my career I've had the opportunity to meet service men and women. Devil Dogs came about after a very close friend enlisted in the Marines after he graduated. The story was bouncing around my head for nearly a year before my agent Jerry encouraged me to start writing it. Of course, he wasn’t my agent then. We were college roommates in a small off-campus apartment when we attended Hamilton."

  Stan laughed. "I've often heard authors and music writers say their heads can get just a bit crowded with ideas."

  "That's no joke." Krista nodded. "At any given time there's so many ideas spinning in my head it's a wonder there's any room for me in there."

  ***

  Across the room Ethan and Jerry stood watching the interview. If Ethan thought she looked good as Krista, seeing her decked out in her Kris James persona was just as hot. She was dressed in a fun and sexy little red dress, that hugged every delicious curve. Her blue eyes hidden behind green contacts, giving them a sea green look. Those sunshine locks he always loved were hidden under a long mahogany colored wig.

  He would have to be dead to deny that even in her disguise she looked hot as hell. He shifted his stance a bit when she crossed and uncrossed her legs once more, his tactical pants suddenly feeling just a tad too tight. Next to him Jerry snickered.

  "What?" Ethan hissed.

  "You, that's what." Jerry replied with a lopsided grin.

  Ethan gave a snort and turned his eyes back to Krista. "So, how many more interviews has she got today?"

  "Just one more with Channel 8. After that, we're heading to the VA Hospital in Temple." Jerry rattled off.

  "What?" Ethan asked in shock at hearing that.

  "Yeah. She didn't tell you?"

  "No, I mean she mentioned a stop at a hospital but not that one."

  Jerry shook his head. "Krista is very active in helping the veterans. In fact, proceeds from the sales of her Devil Dogs series goes to different military charities."

  "I didn't know that." Ethan breathed as he looked at Krista once more.

  "There's a lot you don't know about her Ethan." Jerry sighed.

  "What the hell does that mean? If you got something to say, then just say it."

  "Alright you big bad hunky Marine, I'll tell ya. If Krista finds out though I'll kick your ass. She still hung up on you. Which breaks my heart, but there you go. She told me what happened last week at Kirby Lane, and let me tell you something, you don't protect a woman like her Ethan. Even her brothers know that."

  Ethan frowned. "I'm not the Ethan she remembers."

  "Well no shit Sherlock. She's not the Krista you remember either." Jerry chuckled. "Look, you both need to just stop pussy footing around. There's obviously something between you. I can feel the sexual tension. For the next few weeks you two will be working together and you, as head of security, can't do that with a clear head until you two clear the air."

  "She deserves better than me." Ethan said.

  "And now you're being a dumb fuck." Jerry stated seriously.

  "Excuse me?" Ethan demanded.

  "You heard me. Krista doesn't do men who shelter her. A few tried in college and she tore them to shreds. That woman over there," Jerry paused pointing to where Krista and Stan were both standing, their interview done. "That woman eats weak ass men up for breakfast. Nick and Debbie raised a bad ass daughter with killer looks, brains and the strength to match. I'll tell you right now Ethan Blackstone, whatever darkness you think makes you unworthy of her this go around, don't hide it. You do, you'll lose any chance with her." Jerry elaborated.

  “Jerry, I need her to be one hundred percent sure that I’m what she wants. The Ethan that she remembers isn’t the Ethan I am now.” Ethan spoke, but his eyes were locked on Krista.

  Jerry’s brows furrowed. “I think you lost me somewhere.”

  Ethan finally looked away from Krista and faced Jerry. “I’m sure she’s mentioned our past as lovers?” When Jerry nodded, Ethan continued. “I’m not that sweet guy anymore. I need her to really grasp what being with me would mean. I also have never screwed around with a client, none of us have. If I’m going to cross that profession line, I need her fully committed to it. If I get even a taste of her again, I’m not letting her go.”

  Jerry stared at Ethan in shock. The other man’s words finally sinking in. Jerry looked from Ethan to Krista, then back at Ethan. “Good lord above. You’re serious about this aren’t you?”

  “Dead serious.” Ethan nodded.

  “Does Krista know that this?” Jerry asked.

  “No.” Ethan answered.

  Both men looked over just as Krista shook hands with the reporter. “Then You better tell her. If you want her, she need to know what you want from her.”

  Ethan watched as Jerry hurried to Krista with a big shit eating grin. He smirked a little as the two friends hugged. He knew Jerry and Grant were right. Right there in that moment, watching Krista and Jerry walking toward him, he made up his mind that he would tell her tonight when he dropped her off.

  ***

  Krista sighed as she, Jerry and Ethan entered the VA hospital. A sense of purpose settled over her. During her first book tour in the fall of 2009, she had been in Houston and heard about a young soldier brought in. The man had no family and had lost his left leg in an IED attack in Iraq. She had immediately gone to see him.

  After spending three hours visiting the hospital and talking to the men and women there, she made it her mission to share their stories, to help however she could. She had heard some people say visiting these facilities left them sad, but not her. She felt giddy, felt happy. Like she made just a small difference in their lives just by saying hello and giving them a few minutes of her time.

  "Ms. James, welcome back." A nurse in her mid-fifties greeted, her arms open wide.

  "Hi Louise." Krista beamed hugging the nurse. "How's the family?"

  "Oh they're good. My son, Phillip, he told me once he graduated high school next year he wants to be a medic in the Navy. Me and John are so proud. Rachel will be starting her last year at John's Hopkins in the fall and says she wants to be a cardiac surgeon." Louise reported.

  "The Navy can always use good medics." Ethan spoke up.

  Krista gave him a small smile. "Louise, meet Ethan Blackstone. He's my new head of security. He was also a Marine until two years ago. Of c
ourse Once a Marine, Always a Marine right?"

  "I have taught you well honey.” Louise winked before facing Ethan. “Hello Mr. Blackstone, and thank you for your service. My brother was a Devil Dog back in 'Nam and so was my husband." Louise nodded.

  Ethan, still a little weirded out at being thanked for his time, simply returned his nod. Krista seemed to sense his discomfort, because she slipped her arm through Louise's and led them through the hospital. Places like this always left Ethan with a feeling of sadness. He himself had spent nearly six months in a VA facility in Richmond after his last mission. It had been a humbling experience and he was thankful that he had been lucky. He had suffered minor injuries compared to some of the men and women that were there with him.

  Their first stop were the more serious patients. He watched Krista follow the protocols for entering this section with a skilled precision. Her hair swept up and away from her face, surgical scrubs covered her clothes. As much as he wanted to stay at her side, he couldn't bring himself to follow.

  "It's heartbreaking I know, but these patients look forward to seeing Kris." Louise spoke up.

  "Ma'am?" Ethan startled, having not heard her step up to his side.

  "These patients are our long term ones. They are those who may never walk again or may never leave this hospital." The nurse sighed. "Kris tries to visit us at least once a month. Since her first few visits these men and women look forward to those. She gives them a sense of hope. That they still matter. She’s a woman who genuinely cares about them even though they are total strangers."

  "And Kris loves coming here." Jerry added moving to Ethan’s other side.

  "We love having her, not just the patients but the staff too." Louise chuckled. "She's so giving with her time. Sometimes, that's better than any monetary contribution for our patients. Knowing that there is still one person who genuinely appreciates what they and their families have sacrificed."

  "Yes, that does mean more." Ethan said softly, looking through the window of the double doors in front of him to see Krista walk into a room.

  Louise studied him. "What facility were you at Mr. Blackstone?"

  "Um, Richmond, ma'am."

  "These places aren't comfortable for you are they son?"

  "No not really."

  Louise nodded. "Understandable. However, you have nothing to be ashamed of for feeling that way." Ethan lifted a brow, causing the nurse to laugh. "Boy, I've been nursing at VA hospitals since you were in diapers. There is a lot of pain yes, but there's a brotherhood and sisterhood here too. All of these men and women form an exclusive family that not everyone can or wants to join, but there you have it."

  Ethan understood where Louise was going with her speech. Maybe it was time he let the past go. He couldn’t save all of his squad that day, but he was still here. His guys were still here and he thanked God everyday they weren't on his squad that day. He looked up as Krista approached them. He was seeing her with fresh eyes, as if seeing her for the first time.

  ***

  Krista removed the scrubs and other protective gear she had, but kept her wig pinned back. “PFC Fallows seemed in better spirits this trip.”

  “Yes, he has made significant progress since you were here last month. I even hear him tell his mom to pick up one of your books for him. He’s nearly finished with Semper Fi.” Louise chuckled, leading the group down another hall.

  Krista laughed. “Semper Fi, was a fun one to write. You know, Fallows kind of reminds me of the character Skip, you know the hero’s best friend.”

  “Yes, I thought that myself when he came here.” Louise agreed.

  As they walked into the activities room a chorus of hello’s came at Krista. She could feel the huge smile that she wore. Making her rounds around the room, she caught sight of Ethan sitting down at a table with two Marines in wheelchairs. The two men where a few years older than she and Ethan, and they had arrived her about six months ago.

  ***

  Ethan looked around the room. A chess table caught his attention. He saw two men in wheelchairs playing. On both their wheelchairs were USMC stickers. Not knowing why, he made his way over, snagging a chair from a nearby table. “Mind if I join you?”

  “Not at all son. I saw you come in with Kris. I’m Chris. This here is my gunner, Ryan.” Chris introduced.

  “Nice to meet you. I’m Ethan.” Ethan nodded shaking the men’s hands before sitting down.

  “Were you in the service?” Ryan inquired as he moved his bishop.

  “Yes sir, twelve years in the Corps.” Ethan replied.

  “Ooh ra.” Chris grinned a little. “Ry and I were both in Motor T. More specifically EOD.” Chris said. “That’s how we ended up here. We were checking out a suspicious rode side device outside. Got maybe two steps away from the fucker when it went off.”

  “Talk about a fucked up day at the office.” Ethan stated.

  “Ain’t that the truth.” Ryan snorted. “When the serge here, and I woke up it was at the hospital in Germany. The docs there told us were banged up good, me more so. Three surgeries later and I got moved here. Had a metal rod put in, lots of steel pin in my hips and shit. About a week after I get here, I find out this SOB would be recovering here too.”

  Ethan couldn’t help but laugh at the antics of the two friends. The two reminded him of the comradery of her and his men. Especially the way Chris flipped off Ryan. The longer Ethan sat there, the more relaxed her began feelings.

  ***

  Ethan glanced over at the passenger seat of his truck where Krista sat. They had just dropped Jerry off and he was now taking Krista home. After their visit at the VA, Ethan had felt lighter than he had felt in a long time. He had enjoyed swapping boot-camp stories and combat tales with Chris and Ryan. Something he had never felt compelled to do before, but there you have it, he had. And it was all because of Krista. The obvious compassion and sense of ease she presented had sucked him in.

  'Guess it’s now or never.' He thought as he pulled into her drive.

  "Hmmmm, we there yet?" Krista moaned as she stretched.

  "Home sweet home." Ethan grinned, then barely bit back a groan.

  Her full breasts stretched beneath the t-shirt. As hot as he found her in the red dress, the shirt and jeans she had changed into after the hospital was even hotter. He felt his cock twitch and his mouth water as he imagined that they would still fit his hands perfectly. Were her nipples still overly sensitive if he sucked them? Would she whimper or would she now cry out for more? When his eyes lifted to hers, he saw something that made him even harder. Her blue eyes flashed in the fading sunlight.

  "You're staring Blackstone."

  "Yeah I am."

  Shifting, she licked her lips and undid her seatbelt. Before she reached the handle, Ethan reached out and hauled her up against him, eliciting a gasp from her. His mouth came crashing down against hers. Plundering her mouth. His tongue sweeping over her teeth, her tongue, exploring her sweetness. He groaned as her fingers slid around his neck to run through his short hair.

  He wanted more. More of her taste, more of her pressing against him. He nipped her bottom lip before his tongue soothed the sting. She purred into his mouth, moving to straddle him in the cramped space. It was Krista who deepened the kiss. He hissed when she bit his lower lips before sucking on it.

  "Fuck Krista." He moaned, pulling away for air.

  "Ethan." She sighed, her breath teasing the side of his neck.

  Ethan shivered when her tongue slid over his throbbing pulse at his neck. His fingers dug into her hips as she tasted him. His hips rocked pressing his erection against her, making her moan his name. Her voice calling his name was pure music to his ears.

  "Ethan...Please..."

  "Please what Krista?" He demanded, tangling his fingers in her hair, lifting her head so she could look at him. "Tell me. And you better say it loud and clear."

  "I want you Ethan. I want you inside me." She pleaded.

  That was all he needed to h
ear from her. Oh he knew there was a lot they still needed to hash out, but right now he didn't give a flying fuck. All he wanted was to get her on a bed and take what she was offering. What they both wanted.

  Stumbling, he climbed from the truck with Krista wrapped tightly around him. Her long endless legs locked around his waist, keeping his dick trapped against her heat. His steps faltered when he reached her front door as she tilted her hips, sliding against his ridged length.

  "Keys. Now." He ordered.

  Giggling, Krista pulled her keys from her jeans pocket and reaching behind her slipped it into the lock. Once the door gave way, Ethan was inside. He spun and using their combined weight to push the door closed. Grabbing her wrists, he pinned them above her head, his mouth on hers once more. His hips rotated, his cock throbbing and pressing against her.