Special Ops Shifters: Dallas Force: The Complete Series Collection (Shifter Nation) Read online

  Sabrina, back in her human body, felt exhausted. She leaned heavily against Max where they sat in the shade, wondering if she would ever catch her breath again. Everyone who’d attended the trial had been kept at the clearing while President Whiteside sorted everything out and passed his official conviction on Ian Saunders. He was dead now, but everyone agreed that Ian’s actions had proven his involvement in Isaac’s death.

  Now, President Whiteside walked over to them. “Dr. Barrett, you’re free to go. I appreciate your coming here today, and I particularly appreciate everything you did to find the true criminal. It would’ve been most unfortunate if we’d punished an innocent man.”

  She gave a weak smile of relief. “I had some help.”

  Whether he knew what she meant or not, the president turned to Max. “I have to thank you and your team as well. I felt better knowing our star witness was under the care of a neutral party. Not that I didn’t trust Russell. In fact, I plan to put in a word with his clan that he’d make a good candidate for their next Alpha. But I still think this was the best option, and I’ll be keeping your contact information should we need you in the future.”

  Max stood, helping Sabrina to her feet before he shook the president’s hand. “I appreciate the opportunity.”

  “I think everything should be under control. You should be safe on your way out. Contact me if you need anything. And Dr. Barrett, I look forward to talking with you further about the possibility of a new hospital.”

  She’d just been through a terrifying day, but she had to smile. That was the most promising thing she’d heard yet about the specialized medical center. “Thank you, Mr. President.”

  Sabrina was very aware of Max at her side as they headed through the woods. “Thank you for what you did today,” she said quietly. “You saved my life. Again.”

  “And I’d do it a thousand times more.” He put his hand on the small of her back as they stepped through a narrow passage between two trees. “I’m proud of you, you know. Just a few nights ago, you hardly remembered your inner animal. Today, you tapped into her so quickly, I could hardly keep track of your shift. And you held your own against Ian for longer than most would have. I was trying to get to you sooner, but there was so much disorder as soon as the fight broke out.”

  She caught his hand in her own. “I hope that’s not any sort of apology, especially since I owe you one. I was horrible to you this morning.”

  “You already apologized for that,” he reminded her.

  “Yes, but I feel like I need to again. And also to say I’m sorry for not wanting to listen to you about the other shifters involved in the trial. I didn’t think it was relevant at the time, and I lashed out. But it was all the information you told me on the ride here that made me realize exactly what had happened. Ian just happened to confirm it.”

  His fingers tightened around hers. “At least it’s all over now.”

  The helicopter was in sight now. Max would drop her off at her apartment, and then his job was officially over. There was no telling what life would bring them, and it filled her with a sense of longing.

  Max must’ve been feeling it, too. He halted in his tracks and tugged on her hand to swing her around against him. “Sabrina, I meant what I said the other night. I really do love you. I loved you when we were together, and I didn’t stop even after I left. I thought I could get over you, but I absolutely can’t.”

  Warmth flooded her body as she sank against his chest. “I love you too, Max. I don’t know why we’ve both tried to fight it so much, but I think it’s time we stopped.”

  “Sounds good to me.” He captured her mouth in his and pulled her close. His hands were possessive as they wrapped around her body and skimmed her backside.

  Their rendezvous on that lonely nighttime hillside was still fresh on her mind, and her body remembered it as well. She felt her core ignite at the mere thought, and his hardness pressing against her didn’t do anything to deter it. “I don’t know if I can wait until we get back to the city,” she whispered against his lips.

  A low growl emitted from his throat as he brought her down to the grassy ground behind the helicopter. They peeled off their clothing, desperately trying to get enough of each other. In another lifetime, Sabrina was vaguely aware of how she would’ve felt being out there in the wild, stripped naked and tangled up with a man where anyone who might come through could see them. Now, she didn’t care. No, it was more than that. It was what she wanted. Her skin soaked up the warmth of the sun and of Max’s body, yet the cool breeze filtered it away. She was untamed and free, no longer held down by the constrictions of society and her career.

  She ran her hands from the dark stubble on Max’s jaw and down into the thick hair on his chest, feeling his heart thunder beneath her palms. She moved her explorations further down to find his rippling abs and strong waist, then skimmed down his thighs as they pressed against her. She closed her hand around his hardness that was waiting for her, feeling the velvety skin and his pulse throbbing underneath it.

  He closed his eyes as his hands wrapped around her hips. “Sabrina…” he breathed.

  She moved back, pulling herself away from his grip until she could dip her head and take him into her mouth. Sabrina felt tentative at first, knowing this was something she wanted to do, yet uncertain of exactly what he wanted. But he responded with his hands tangling in her hair, his hips pulsing against her, and deep, growling moans issuing from his throat. Knowing he was turned on made heat ripple through her core, exciting her even more.

  “Come here.” His hands were strong as they pulled her up, moving her around as though she weighed nothing. Sabrina expected him to settle her onto his shaft, ready for the two of them to join once again, but he flung her further so that she straddled his lips.

  She braced herself on the grassy ground beneath them as he gripped her backside and held her against him, working his tongue thoroughly over her most sensitive areas. Over the last week, she’d found so many reasons to miss what the two of them used to have together, but she’d forgotten just how much she missed what he could do to her body. Her legs and arms trembled as he worked her over, the wet heat of his tongue shooting through her nervous system and constricting her lungs.

  Finally, when she couldn’t take any more, she pushed herself back toward his eager cock, breathing a sigh of bliss and ecstasy as his member sank into her. Sabrina felt her inner tiger rumbling with pleasure as his thrusts picked up speed, bringing them both to their peaks. As the intense pleasure coiled in her belly, her walls clenched around his thickness, making him cry out with his release.

  There was no doubt in her mind that they belonged together, not just physically, but in every other way, too. They were fated to each other, both mentally and emotionally.

  And she knew she couldn’t be complete without him.

  11

  The threat to her life was over, but Sabrina was happy she still got to ride to work with Max every day. She glanced over at the pilot with a smile. “What do you think of the new job?”

  He smiled, something that happened a lot more often these days. “It’s fucking great. I can’t believe I never thought to work for an air ambulance company before. It’s so much more satisfying than schlepping douchebags around all day. I’m still getting used to the uniform, though. It’s a bit bright.”

  Sabrina looked appreciatively at the red and white jumpsuit he’d exchanged his t-shirt and jeans for. “I happen to like it.”

  “Good. Then I’ll let you take it off of me later.” He hesitated for a moment. “I also have to admit this job has been good for my PTSD.”

  It was something that had always hung over him, something she was still learning to be more understanding about. It was difficult to do when he didn’t like talking about it, and she lifted a brow in surprise now. “How’s that?”

  He lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “There’s something about saving people’s lives with my skills that makes me feel like I’m
making up for everything that happened overseas. I like it.”

  “I’m glad.” Sabrina smiled. She wouldn’t push him any further on the subject unless he wanted to talk about it. They were a couple again, and communication was important, but she’d promised herself she’d be more understanding of exactly who he was and what he needed.

  Max seemed to have taken on the same ideas when it came to her. He never complained when she had to work late due to various meetings or a surgery that went long. But he was always waiting to hear about her day or just relax with her on the couch when they both finally got home.

  “Are you ready for your big day?”

  Sabrina smoothed down the skirt of her dress. She wanted to look both professional and stylish. “I think so. I’m excited, but I’m incredibly nervous.”

  “You don’t have anything to worry about. They love you.” Max landed expertly on the roof of the hospital. “You go on ahead while I get this shut down. I’ll be there soon.”

  Half an hour later, Sabrina stood in front of a new set of double doors. A piece of fabric had been draped over the sign for the new ward, and the scent of fresh paint lingered in the air. Dr. Corton and the rest of the board were in attendance, as well as several other doctors and administrators. Even the local news media had shown up. Sabrina didn’t have to put on a fake smile for the cameras. This was one of the moments she’d been waiting for.

  Dr. Corton cleared his throat, and the small crowd that’d gathered fell into silence. “Ladies and gentlemen, today we’re opening a new wing of the hospital. Not only does it boast the most advanced equipment and the most highly trained surgeons, capable of delivering reconstruction surgery for some of the most complicated cases in the world, but also the heart and soul of a caring team. I’m proud to say that this will not be a place where patients have to rely on expensive insurance or draining their savings accounts.”

  Appreciative applause came from the crowd.

  Sabrina scanned the assembly, easily finding Max in the back of the crowd. He didn’t want to be standing next to her, beaming for the cameras, but he had his own way of being there for her. Her cheeks warmed as he winked at her.

  “And now, I’d like to give the honor of the ribbon-cutting to the person responsible for making this all happen, Dr. Sabrina Barrett.” Dr. Corton handed Sabrina a ridiculously huge pair of scissors.

  It was silly, but there was no greater honor than taking the shiny gold scissors and snipping the ribbon that’d been stretched across the doors. She was even further surprised, however, when Dr. Corton tugged on the fabric covering the sign. The covering rippled to the floor, revealing her name right there on the wall.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” Dr. Corton intoned, “I give you the Barrett Reconstructive Center!”

  Sabrina stared at the sign, pressing one hand to her mouth as she fought back tears.

  “You deserve it,” Dr. Corton said with a wink.

  The rest of the day flew by. She not only had the new surgery wing that she so desperately wanted, but Sabrina had officially made her mark in the medical field. When she headed up to the roof at the end of the night, ready to head home, she slowed when she noticed she didn’t hear the sound of rotors. She furrowed her brow as she clutched the doorknob, hoping everything was all right.

  When she stepped outside, Max was indeed waiting there for her, but he’d changed out of his uniform and into a suit. The air ambulance was there behind him, but he hadn’t yet started it up. He leaned against it, but he straightened and came toward her. “There’s the woman of the hour.”

  She beamed. “I’m glad you were there. You strengthen me, even from across a room.”

  Max pulled her into his arms and pressed a slow kiss to her forehead. “I’m proud of you, Sabrina. You’ve worked hard for this. Not only did you get the new unit opened, but they broke ground for the shifter hospital yesterday. You’re amazing.”

  Her eyes could focus only on his handsome face and her own galloping heart. “Thank you.”

  He took her by the hand. “You deserve a nice dinner. Come on.” Max led her around the other side of the helicopter, where a table for two waited for them. Gleaming china dishes held lobster and steak, and a bottle of champagne sat in an ice bucket near the taper candles.

  “Oh, Max! This is incredible!”

  He put an arm around her. “I wanted to take you out someplace nice to celebrate, but I decided there weren’t any restaurants around that were good enough for you. Besides, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about, and it’s sort of a private matter.”

  She whipped her head to look up at him, but she saw nothing but warmth in his soft brown eyes. “What’s that?”

  He stepped back and knelt in front of her, producing a small black box from his pocket. His fingers shook ever so slightly as he opened it to reveal a blue diamond solitaire. “Kitten, will you marry me?”

  It was a beautiful scene with the table set, a gorgeous hunk of a tiger asking for her hand, and even a scattering of bright stars that the city lights couldn’t drown out, but tears blurred her eyes. They really did have a chance to start all over again. “There’s nothing I’d like more.”

  The ring was cool as he slipped it over her finger, and as they celebrated the beginning of their new life together, he pulled her into a long kiss that made them both forget about the dinner waiting for them.

  THE END

  Fated To The Soldier Fox

  Special Ops Shifters: Dallas Force

  1

  Jack Denton’s motorcycle rumbled to a halt beneath him as he pulled through the alley and parked. He ran a hand through his dark hair as he took off his helmet and shook his head. Leave it up to Winston to pick someplace like this to meet up. The Basement was one of the seediest bars in Dallas, although that hadn’t stopped people from showing up, even on a Wednesday night. Jack watched as two women dressed in short dresses and tall boots held onto each other and giggled on their way down the damp concrete stairs toward the bar’s door. Two men followed them, waggling their eyebrows at each other and exchanging a few friendly punches. Jack sighed. It was going to be an interesting night, for sure. His inner fox was on alert, ready for trouble should it arise.

  The interior of the bar was just as dim as the alley he’d parked in, with only enough lights over the counter to make sure the drinks were mixed correctly—mostly. The tables were battered high-tops with mismatched wood, illuminated by old beer signs. Sawdust littered the dark floor, and a flatscreen on the back wall broadcasted a college game, even though no one was paying attention.

  Jack paused at the bar. “Guinness, please.”

  “I’ve only got that in a bottle, mac.” The dim light emphasized the deep scar that ran down the bartender’s cheek, and he had an odd hunch to his back that made his shrug look more like a spasm.

  “That’s fine.” He’d trust a bottle over a draft in a shithole like that anyway. Taking the last stool at the bar, where he could keep his back to the wall, Jack surveyed the room. The guys he’d followed inside had found the girls they were after, and the four of them now sat at a table near the back, talking and laughing. A scraggly man swayed drunkenly as he attempted a game of darts, but he only succeeded in adding more holes to the walls. Two old men drank in silence off to the right, killing time until The Basement closed and they’d have to find some other place to tie one on. Nowhere did he see the man he was looking for, but that didn’t surprise him.

  “You waitin’ for someone?”

  Jack turned to find the bartender watching him, and he quickly looked away again to avoid staring at that grisly scar. “Nah. Just having a beer.” He raised his bottle in the air and took a sip.

  “I don’t think so.” The man folded his arms on the dingy oak surface in front of him. “I see all sorts of people come in and out of here. They’re all looking for something. Maybe it’s sex, maybe it’s just a chance to forget the hard times. But you, you’re looking for someone.”

  Sq
uinting, Jack dared to study the man’s face more closely. His eyes were the wrong color, as dim and dark as the bar itself, but there was a light behind them he should’ve recognized right away. All the prosthetics and makeup skills in the world couldn’t quite change him completely, though he’d done a damn good job. “Winston?”

  “The name’s Buzz,” he replied with a wink.

  “You son of a bitch!” Jack extended his hand to greet his old friend. “When you said you wanted to meet up, I somehow thought I’d get to see your real face. I should’ve known better.”

  “I like to make sure I stay in practice.” Winston allowed his true voice to come through, an even tenor that befitted the Shakespearean theater more than that dive bar. He was what the movie industry might call a master of disguise. He’d spied on more royalty and government officials than anyone could imagine, and he always got away with it. Winston was remarkably good with prosthetics and optical illusions to make himself look like someone else entirely, and he’d mastered the art of charm and appeal. He was the sort of man that everyone loved, yet no one really knew.

  “But you’re still working, aren’t you? I’d heard you still had some sort of gig after you left the Army.” Jack and Winston had worked together closely on the Grey Fox team, gathering intelligence by any means necessary. Those were the good old days, in many respects.

  “That’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. Hang on.” Winston—or rather, Buzz—made his way to the other end of the bar to serve a couple of cranberry spritzers to the two women, who were waving flirtatiously over their shoulders to the men. He’d slipped right back into the character of the bartender, with his gruff voice and odd stature.

  “Only you could go from playing a prince to the Hunchback of Notre Dame in a matter of milliseconds,” Jack remarked when his friend returned. “I don’t think you have to worry about losing your touch anytime soon.”