Page 8 of Dustin (Thunder Elites Special Ops #4)

(Madison)

______

“I don’t think we have ever spoken personally, Mr. Vierra,” I say, batting my eyelashes.

The man smiles. He’s short, shorter than me, with brown hair and the smile of a man who knows he can get whatever he wants.

I didn’t plan on approaching him this way when I took the device from Dustin.

I just figured I had a better chance of mingling with him and somehow getting the device attached to his phone.

But then he smiled at me from across the room, all I had to do was smile back, and he was beckoning for me to come closer.

He led me outside the ballroom for some fresh air.

We had been standing too far apart, though.

“How about we go up to my hotel room? I’ll make sure it is worth your while,” Vierra says with a devious smile.

His gaze hasn’t even left my cleavage long enough for him to see the grimace on my face. I know I shouldn’t even be considering his offer. But then I think about the look on Dustin’s face. This might be my only chance to make it up to him.

“I’m not sure if I should leave though. I came with a date,” I state unsurely.

Vierra smiles.

“Don’t worry. I am a gentleman. I would not hurt you.”

Like I actually believe that.

But I really want to help. I look at Vierra again. His phone is nowhere in sight. I’m guessing it’s in his suit jacket or pants. I can only get him to let down his guard if we’re completely alone. I’m sure I can handle him. If he tries anything, I’ll kick his ass.

*****

I’ve made my share of stupid, reckless decisions over the years. But this one takes the cake.

I’m in the hotel room now. There’s no one around, and Vierra has removed his suit jacket and rolled up his sleeves, the picture of ease.

“You are very beautiful,” he starts.

“Thank you,” I tell him with a small smile.

Deep inside me, my stomach is a flurry of nerves. I shouldn’t have come here on my own, and I’m not liking the look in Vierra’s eyes. Not one bit.

He moves closer and sits beside me on the couch. He trails his finger down my arm, leaving goosebumps in its wake—and not the good kind.

“Who did you come to the party with?” he asks quietly.

“My boyfriend,” I answer.

Who I really should be getting back to.

His phone is on a table next to the bed. I just need to get close enough, and then I can run like hell. But I have no idea how I’m going to do that.

“He must be missing you, right?” Vierra asks as he continues moving closer.

I move back until my back meets the edge of the couch. He grins, and I force myself not to cringe. His face is not exactly what I would call handsome, plus he’s old enough to be my father.

How did I find myself in this situation?

“Relax,” Vierra says before placing his hand on my neck.

Yeah. No. I am done.

I abruptly stand and step away from him.

“You know what? You’re right. My boyfriend will be missing me, and I need to get back to the party. It was nice to meet you.”

Vierra’s eyes narrow.

“You’re not going anywhere.”

I don’t waste a second before turning around and making for the door, but when I try to open it, I find it locked.

Fucking hell.

“Like I said, darling. You’re not going anywhere,” he states, his lips curled evilly.

He advances on me and pulls me roughly toward the bed before flinging me onto it. He climbs onto the bed, and I respond with a swift kick to his stomach.

He groans, clutching it on the ground. He’s lucky I didn’t target his balls.

He swears in Portuguese, glaring at me. He quickly recovers from the kick and advances on me, his hand raised in the air like he’s ready to slap me. I close my eyes, waiting for the slap, but it never lands. I feel Vierra being pulled off me, and then I hear a loud crack and a punch.

When I open my eyes again, Vierra’s unconscious on the ground, and Dustin’s standing over him with a furious expression on his face.

I exhale in relief. I hurriedly climb off the bed and re-arrange my dress before turning to the fuming man watching me.

“I’m sorry,” I start, but he cuts me off by pulling me into his arms and wrapping me in a hug.

“Don’t ever do that again!” Dustin says, hugging me tighter.

“I’m sorry,” I say again, as the adrenaline dissipates and the last hour’s events finally hit me.

“It’s okay as long as you’re safe,” he tells me, pulling me towards the door. I notice there’s a slumped bodyguard on the floor as well.

“Wait,” I say. I head toward Vierra’s phone and attach the tracking device.

“Almost forgot about that,” Dustin whispers.

After we’re done setting up the device, he leads me out of the hotel.

“How did you find me?” I ask him.

“Sam. Thankfully, your phone was turned on this time. But he told me specifically that he’ll murder me if I lose you again.”

We head into the limo and begin driving back to our hotel. I place my head on his chest, and he continues running his hand through my hair.

“Why aren’t you yelling at me?” I ask

“Because I’m still fucking terrified,” he states.

I smile softly before lifting my head to look him in the eye.

He doesn’t waste a second before bringing his lips to mine.

His mouth moves over mine. The kiss is desperate, like he’s seeking reassurance.

He tangles a hand in my hair as his tongue makes me feel magical things and drives me wild.

He sweeps my hair to the side to expose my throat.

I climb into his lap as he continues kissing me.

He buries his face in my exposed cleavage, and suddenly the dress I love so much becomes an annoyance.

Dustin must feel my frustration because he chuckles.

Then he reaches down and pulls my dress up to my waist. I’m wearing a black thong, and I watch as his eyes darken with lust. His hands shove aside my thong, and he thrusts two of his fingers inside me.

Air whistles between my teeth as I inhale sharply.

He withdraws and uses his wet fingers to lightly circle my clit.

My entire body strains and clenches, screaming for more.

His fingers draw my thong tight, the fabric cutting into my swollen lips.

Then he suddenly slams three fingers in.

The sensation becomes too much, and I come immediately, breathing heavily.

I rest my head against his chest, sated and utterly calm.

“You’re safe now,” he says softly.

We don’t speak until we get back to our hotel room. My clothes come off as soon as we get there, and I head into the shower. Dustin joins me there, and two orgasms later, we finally collapse onto our bed. I’m not in the least bit sleepy, and neither is Dustin.

“Okay, I think now’s a great time to talk about what you did tonight,” he starts.

I raise my head from his chest and look at him.

“In my defense….” I start, then stop because I’ve got nothing to say.

“I’m listening,” he prompts with a smile. At least he doesn’t seem angry now.

“I’ve got nothing. I fucked up. I should never have gone after Vierra on my own.”

“No, you shouldn’t. It was dumb and dangerous.”

“You just didn’t seem to have a plan, and I knew I could get him alone easily. Plus, you seemed busy with those two girls,” I state, feeling my cheeks turn red.

“Let me get this straight. You got jealous and decided that putting yourself in harm’s way was the next logical step?”

“No?” I say in question. “I won’t do it again,” I assure him.

“No, you won’t,” Dustin says firmly. “Now that that’s settled. We have other things to discuss.”

I raise an eyebrow.

“What?” I ask warily.

“Tonight, I almost lost my mind when you went missing - again. I kept thinking about all the things left unsaid between us. I realized how much it would break me if something happened to you.”

He swallows before continuing.

“The thing is, Madison, my feelings have never really changed. I’m the consistent one here.

You’re the one that tore my heart out. We were together, and then you broke up with me out of the blue.

I thought for a long time that you wanted to spare us from making do with a long-distance relationship.

But that doesn’t make sense. We had a conversation as soon as I learned you were moving to Portugal, and I supported it.

I was okay with you being gone. Then you ended things. Why?”

I let out a breath. He deserves to know.

“Dustin, believe me when I say I never wanted to break up with you. But I didn’t have a choice.”

His body tenses.

“What does that mean?”

“My dad threatened to demote you if I didn’t break things off.

He didn’t like the idea of me dating an agent in the organization.

According to him, the work is too dangerous, and he didn’t want me getting hurt if anything ever happened to you.

I tried to tell him I could handle it, but he wouldn’t listen.

But then he took you out of the field. You remember when you were suddenly assigned to administration? ”

Dustin nods slowly.

“Yeah, I thought that was weird.”

“I know how much you love your job. I wouldn't have been able to forgive myself if I was the reason you lost it. I thought about it, and despite his horrible way of handling it, my dad’s heart was in the right place. He thought taking you off field work would ensure your safety, thereby protecting me, but he was wrong.”

“So you decided to break up with me. Without telling me what was going on?” he asks.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him, tears filling my eyes. “I just thought it would be better that way, especially since I was moving away. Long distance relationships never work.”

He snorts.

“Tell that to Lucas, Sam, and Ethan. You don’t know anything, baby,” he says softly, thumbing a tear from my cheek. “I can’t believe your dad did that though. I never knew he had a problem with me or my work. He’s military too. I didn’t think he’d be such a hypocrite.”

“I didn’t speak to him for months after I moved here. But eventually, I had to forgive him. He’s the only family I have left.”

Dustin nods. “Yeah, I get it. So what’s changed?”

I take a deep breath before making my other confession.

“I’m moving back to D.C. I made the decision because of my dad.

He’s getting older, and I think it would be better to be closer to him.

I already sold my house, and I’ve taken care of relocating my business.

It’s why I was relieved the agency decided we should stay in the same hotel, though they did mess up the room booking.

It’s also why I don’t have a home to go to and am always in the hotel room.

Sorry for lying. This trip to Portugal was meant to be my last. I haven't told my dad yet though.”

Dustin’s face is expressionless. I can’t tell what he’s thinking.

“Aren’t you going to say anything?” I ask.

“Chill, I’m still comprehending everything you just told me. You’re moving back to D.C?” he asks, and I nod.

“Your dad broke us up five years ago?”

Again I nod.

“You want to be with me?”

I’m already nodding before the question truly sinks in. When it does, my eyes widen.

“What?!”

Dustin chuckles, pulling me into his arms.

“I love you, Madison. Even when I hated you, I still loved you.”

I pull away from his chest to look at him. I almost can’t believe he said those words.

“You love me?” I asked, disbelief coloring my tone.

“Of course I loved you. I was going to propose to you the day before you broke up with me. The ring’s still in my bedside drawer, waiting for its rightful owner.”

I let out a gasp. For five whole minutes, I can’t do anything but continue to stare at him.

“Well?” he prompts.

“I don’t know what to say,” I whisper.

“I love you too would be a nice place to start.”

I finally unfreeze and throw myself into his arms.

“I love you too,” I say, kissing his cheek, his mouth, his head, his throat.

Dustin chuckles as I continue my onslaught of kisses.

“What are we going to do about your dad though?” he asks me.

“I’ll handle him. He’s not breaking us up this time. I won’t allow it,” I say fiercely.

“That’s my girl,” Dustin says before placing a soft kiss on my mouth.

A small shudder goes through me when our mouths meet. Electricity fills me as he cups my face with one hand and curls the other hand around the back of my neck. I sink into the familiar glide of his tongue against mine—the warmth of his hand against the back of my neck.

It took five years for us to get here. The journey was hard and lonely, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

“I love you,” Dustin whispers against my mouth.

“I love you too, always.”