Read Bull (Red, Hot, & Blue) for Free Online Page A

“I’m sorry. I know you’re not guilty now. The terrorists have taken hostages but they don’t know we’re here. We’re safe for now, but we have to be quiet and stay hidden. Do you understand?”
    She nodded and her hair tickled his cheek.
    “I’m going to untie you. You cannot make even a sound. Understand?”
    She nodded again. He untied the gag but kept his hand close to her mouth. Once he was sure she wasn’t going to try and scream again, he was free to start working on her bindings.
    He’d tied them well. Too well. In the dark it was taking some time to feel the knots and undo them.
    His head was bent low in concentration over one particularly tough knot when she raised her mouth to his ear. “Who are you?”
    “Jesus, Bull. Who the hell was that? Her voice just gave me the shivers all the way out here in the van.”
    Bull didn’t answer Matt’s nosy question. The warm air from her mouth had sent a tremor down his spine too. That combined with the fact she was pressed tightly between his legs, drove him wild, along with the scent of her… It seemed part perfume and part her.
    He put his mouth to her ear and resisted the urge to let his tongue run over it. “I’m…” What could he tell her? I’m a member of a secret elite anti-terrorist task force? Nope, couldn’t tell her the truth, that’s for sure. Just minutes before he’d thought she was a terrorist herself.
    “Homeland Security.” Matt’s solution filtered through Bull’s earpiece. He was as annoying as he was helpful at times.
    “Homeland Security,” Bull repeated softly in her ear. It was a good cover. Everyone knew of the department, but no one really understood all that they did.
    She nodded and he forced his concentration back to freeing her. Not an easy thing to do when all the blood was in his cock.
    Finally, the extension cord slipped free. She rubbed her wrists as if they hurt. Feeling bad, he searched for her feet under the hem of her skirt. Gun still out and held at the ready in his right hand, he began rubbing her ankle where she’d been bound with his left hand.
    He heard her breathing change and felt her start to shake. Even before he touched the dampness on her face, he knew she was crying.
    “Shh.” He abandoned the foot rub and pulled her closer against him. “Don’t cry.”
    “I’m scared.”
    “I know. I’ll protect you.” He tightened his hold around her waist.
    Damn, she was tiny. He could wrap his arm all the way around her with room to spare on the other side. He’d always dated big girls, Lana included, figuring they’d make him look smaller. After years of teasing that started way back in middle school, he’d done anything he could to look smaller. His first nickname had been Lurch. He hated that fucking name.
    He didn’t mind Bull so much. Maybe because his first commanding officer when he became an Army Ranger had given it to him. The name stuck through his time on the Delta Force, right into his days with Zeta.
    She quieted and he realized he didn’t even know her name. He was about to ask when yelling followed by another burst of gunfire filled the air. The girl between his legs yelped. He slapped his hand over her mouth and tightened his grip on his weapon.
    “I’m going to look. Stay here.” He slid out from behind her and made his way silently to the door. He peered through the keyhole. No blood, good sign. The hostages were sitting on the floor now, but no one was lying down or looking dead. The tangos weren’t in such good shape though. They seemed to be arguing among themselves. He couldn’t hear them, but they were animated enough he could tell there was dissonance in the ranks. Bull crept back to the girl.
    “The hostages are all still alive.” He’d said it more for Matt’s benefit than for hers. The announcement set off another round of shuddering from his companion.
    Shit, he probably should have used a better word than alive. It reminded her that the alternative was dead.