Part 12 (1/2)

Raina's eyes light up, and Kas shakes his head, loving how she is so easily pleased. They take a long stroll through the quiet woods. Kas allows her to take the lead. Warmth spreads through him at how she excitedly takes him down the different paths, pointing out her favorite spots. He laces her slender fingers through his long, powerful ones, pulling her closely into him, ”I love you, Raina Pierce.”

Her response is a heated kiss, and her fingers slip underneath his jacket and sweater, sliding up his back. She presses her body into him, deepening the kiss. Her green eyes blaze with desire when she pulls away, and Kas wishes they weren't in the middle of freezing woods so he could strip her down, exploring every inch of her. He sees the mischievous glint in her eyes before he feels the cold shower of snow falling on top of his head from the branch she just pulled. She covers her mouth before laughing and turning to run.

”You better run,” he calls out after her, laughing as he shakes the snow out of his hair. He gives her a good head start before taking off after her, reaching her at the edge of the woods. He grabs her waist, swinging her around as she squeals. ”You're going to pay for that.”

Raina grabs a handful of snow, throwing it at him as her beautiful giggles fill the air.

”Are you asking for a fight, Mrs. Pierce?”

A s...o...b..ll smacking him square in the chest proves that she is, and he lightly packs one, tossing it at her as she darts away from him.

”Can't you do any better than that?” she taunts, biting her lower lip as she peeks at him innocently through her lashes.

”I'm going to take you down, darlin'. Don't say I didn't warn you,” Kas reb.u.t.tals, grabbing for more snow as she takes off through the field, her beautiful laughter echoing in the wind.

Raina dodges and throws better than he expected as they continue their s...o...b..ll fight, and he ups his game. He races after her, catching her, and she pulls a move she has learned from Si fu Shang, side stepping his advance, and he arches his eyebrow. ”Well, done, darlin', but you're forgetting one thing,” he smirks, ”I already know all those moves.” He lunges at her, playfully wrestling her onto the snowy ground. The heat of his kiss sears her lips. ”I won, you're mine now. I'm going to take you inside and have my way with you.”

Raina squeals as Kas hauls her over his shoulder, making his way back through the snow to the cabin. Once inside, he lays her down next to the roaring fire, stripping her of her snow covered clothing, fulfilling his promise.

They spend the rest of his birthday making love, taking breaks only to eat and snuggle as they talk, lying on a blanket next to the fire. It's late by the time Raina falls asleep, exhausted from his talented body delivering ecstasy, repeatedly, to her. He watches her as she sleeps next to him, and he brushes a strand of auburn hair off her cheek as he watches the light of the flames from the flickering fire kissing her skin. Softly, he runs his hands up and down the creamy ivory skin of her bare back, amazed by the immense depth of his love for this woman.

Chris stares at the photo of Raina, touching every inch of it after not being able to see it for the three days he was in solitary confinement. He thinks of ways to punish Raina for her betrayal, knowing the experience will be extremely unpleasant for her, but he will hold her afterwards, soothe her while she cries, letting her know that he is there for her, proving that he is the one who really loves her. He is sure that she will forget all about Pierce once he has taken her to Colorado. Caressing Raina's face on the photo, his thoughts are absorbed with her and how he will take her away, making her his. He thinks of how happy they will be while they spend the rest of their lives together. He marks off another day on his calendar. ”One more day closer,” he whispers to the picture, smiling.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

Birds chirping happily outside the bedroom window cause Raina to stir and smile as she listens to them, their song proclaiming the arrival of spring. Raina glances at Kas, admiring his muscular chest, rising and lowering slowly with each slumber-filled breath. She traces a finger down the outlines of his muscles, feeling so safe next to him and his raw power. It's hard for her to believe that she has already been married over three months. Quietly, she slips out of bed, taking out the needed materials to make Kas his favorite breakfast, glazed orange rolls and a western omelet.

Kas yawns as he makes his way into the kitchen, giving Raina a mock stern look, ”I'm supposed to be making you breakfast, it's your birthday.”

Raina takes the juice he pours her, slowly taking a sip as she gazes hungrily at her husband. She muses at how they may never eat the breakfast she's cooking if he doesn't throw a s.h.i.+rt on over his masculine, toned torso that is begging to be touched. Her gaze lowers to his bare feet, and a grin spreads across her lips at how it still does funny things to her seeing him barefoot and only in his checkered pajama bottoms.

He rakes a hand through his s.e.xy, disheveled hair before grabbing her, pulling her into him, ”Let me give you a proper happy birthday kiss, then.”

She forgets everything else as she melts into his lips, her body awakening at lightning speed. Pressing her body tightly against his, she deepens the kiss, pa.s.sion radiating off of her like a wild fire. He wraps his arms around her, pulling her even closer into him as he plunges his tongue, exploring and teasing her until she feels she is going to come undone. Feeling her need, he grabs her by the waist, effortlessly picking her up and setting her on the counter top. Roughly, he grabs the skillet, pus.h.i.+ng it off of the stove top eye before turning his full attention back to her, placing his hands on her knees, spreading them apart. He settles himself in between her thighs and grabs her backside, firmly pus.h.i.+ng her against him as he keeps his hands in place. His mouth moves lower down her neck, stopping at her chest to take his time delivering sweet torture.

When she feels she can't possibly take anymore without him making her his, he wraps her legs around his waist, pulling her intimacy hard against his solid length. She gasps, needing him so desperately she physically aches. ”Please, Kas, please!”

She doesn't have to beg any further, he lays her down on the kitchen floor and tears the clothing off of her, his need for her burning as hot and furious as hers for him. Knowing she is already ready for him, he takes her hard, being sure to gauge her reaction, not wanting to be too rough. Her response is full of need, her body begging for more, so he obliges. He thrusts harder. She loudly gasps with shocked pleasure. Her hips arch, meeting his boisterous thrusts hungrily, greedily. He wraps his hands tightly around her waist, his fingers dig into her as he gives her everything she wants, needs, and then some, slamming into her as she cries out, her gratification making him lose himself with her.

Her head is resting on his arm, the cool wood floor feeling heavenly against her heated, flushed skin. Kas' breathing is slowly returning to normal, his body recovering from the blissful satisfaction Raina always magnificently provides. He is addicted to her. He needs her heart, her love, her touch, like a drug. He runs the back of his fingers across her cheek, ”You are the most amazing woman, Raina.”

”Well, you're not so bad yourself, Pierce. That was so much more than just a happy birthday kiss,” she breathes, her body still recovering from the exertion that has left her nearly breathless and completely sated.

He rolls over, hovering above her, his hands on either side of her head as he lowers his mouth, giving her a long, sweet kiss. ”I'm starving,” he whispers, his eyes telling her that he is not talking about food.

”Me too,” she replies softly, her teeth tugging at her bottom lip, causing him to groan.

Kas takes her hands, pulls her up and sweeps her into his arms, carrying her into their bedroom. His eyes stay locked on hers as he gently lowers her to the bed, taking his time loving her, feeling every inch of her before he takes her back into the happiest place she's ever been.

Reluctantly, they tear away from each other's arms. They shower quickly so they can make it to work in time. Kas gives her another hot, head-spinning kiss as the doors to the elevator ding. Raina tries to tame the flaming flush on her creamy cheeks, her gaze dropping to the floor in embarra.s.sment as Scott snickers when he enters the elevator as they exit.

”I will see you at lunch,” Kas calls out to her.

”Hey, Erik,” Raina greets her yawning friend when he walks through the door. ”The coffee's brewing,” she laughs when he yawns again.

”You're a life saver,” he plants a kiss on the top of her head.

Raina flips the switch, bringing the machine in front of her to life. Their search to narrow down the Evan Parkers has been tedious, but they have successfully ruled out over seventeen thousand. Their time has been divided, mostly letting the system they set up monitor and weed out the Parkers they don't need while they work on the equipment continually being brought in from other raids.

The morning drags by until it's finally lunch, and Raina jumps up from her chair, excited about her date with Kas. She glances at Erik, not wanting to leave him out, ”You wanna come?”

Erik winks, ”I've got a lunch date of my own. I might be back a little late.”

Raina blushes, knowing that the reason he came in so tired this morning is the same person he is meeting for lunch, ”Tell Susanna h.e.l.lo.”

The working day is finally done, and Raina is excited about the quiet evening she has planned with Kas, smiling when he walks through the door.

”Ready, birthday girl?”

Erik's eyes dart to Raina, ”It's your birthday, and you didn't tell me.” He ruffles her hair, ”Happy birthday, girl.” He grabs his jacket, then turns back to them, realizing it's a coming of age birthday for her, ”What are you doing to celebrate?”

”Just hanging out at home.”

Erik gives her a look of horror, and Kas laughs as Erik grabs his chest, ”It's your twenty-first birthday, and it's a Friday night.” Erik grabs her hand, ”I would be the worst best friend in history if I let you go home tonight. No way, I have a reputation to uphold here. We're taking you out to celebrate.”

Raina gives Kas a pleading look, and he winks, shrugging his shoulders.

Erik calls Susanna, informing her of the change in plans as Jake steps into the room, handing Kas a file. Jake overhears Erik saying it's Raina's birthday. ”Happy birthday, Rain.”

”Thank you.”

”We're taking her to the bar on East St., you've gotta go, tell the rest of the team,” Erik informs him, hanging up his cell.

”That's really not necessary. I mean, thank you, but I'm a little tired-” Raina begins, but is cut-off.

”No excuses, you only turn twenty-one once.”

Jake agrees, asking if they mind if he brings his new girlfriend, Maya.

”Bring her, the more the merrier,” Erik answers for Raina, and Kas laughs at the overwhelmed expression on his wife's beautiful face.

”Catch Michael before he leaves,” Erik calls out to Jake, wanting to be sure to invite the visiting agent they have all befriended over the raids they have joined forces on. Michael has been a.s.sisting Kas and Derrick's teams to plan the raid at the abandoned apartment building where they took out a group of traffickers with ties ranging from D.C. to Boston.

”We'll meet you there in an hour,” Erik states, grabbing his laptop before heading out the door to pick up Susanna.

Kas grabs his cell and is dialing when Raina looks at him quizzically, ”What are you doing?”