Wanted by the Warrant Officer

Piper whipped around at the sound of my voice and almost knocked over her chair when she jumped up and ran to me. She threw herself into my arms, and I held her tightly, assuring myself she was really there.

“I’m so glad you’re back,” she whispered and hugged me a little harder.

“Me too, baby.” I slipped a hand into her hair and pulled her head back to take her mouth in a deep, desperate kiss.

The sound of a throat clearing broke the spell wrapped around us. Piper jumped, but I held her still, taking my time to finish the kiss. I finally lifted my head and stared down into her beautiful face. The sight of her swollen lips and her flushed skin with the slightly darker color on her cheeks had my dick standing at attention.

The conversation with Merrick had kept me from hardening at the thought of Piper as I normally would have. But now that she was in my arms, it was impossible to keep my cock from reacting.

“If you’re done mauling that sweet girl,” I heard my mother pipe up, “come and have dinner with us.”

“Piper and I have more important things to do than eat dinner,” I growled, annoyed that we weren't already alone so I could rip her clothes off and bury myself inside her hot pussy.

Piper smacked my shoulder and tried to turn around in my arms, giving me a death glare until I reluctantly loosened my hold enough for her to move. “Don’t be rude,” she hissed. “Your mom and dad have been amazing to me, and I don’t want to hurt her feelings after she went through the trouble of making us dinner.”

I chuckled, some of my worries ebbing from having her close and seeing her fire. “Trust me, baby, they understand.”

“We’ll just be going,” my dad announced.

“See?” I winked smugly at Piper.

“Can I at least say hello to my son?” my mom protested.

“Be quick about it, doll,” my dad responded, then he leaned in and said something that had her blushing. I kept an arm around Piper as I walked to meet my mom in the middle of the room.

I gave her a one-armed hug, but before I could straighten up, she grabbed the shell of my ear. “Ouch! Son of a bitch. What the hell, Mom?”

“Watch your language,” my dad growled, and I immediately felt contrite. My dad worshipped my mom and didn’t put up with anyone’s shit when it came to her. I couldn't fault him since I knew I would be the same way with Piper.

“Sorry,” I grumbled. “Think you could let go now?”

My mom ignored my request and went up on her tiptoes so our faces were close together. “I love her. She’s a keeper. So you better get that ring on her finger right away.”

“That’s the plan,” I grunted, wincing when I tried to nod and remembered the painful hold she had on my ear.

She released me and smiled lovingly. “Excellent. Welcome home, sweetheart.” Then she turned to Piper, who looked a little overwhelmed. “Welcome to the family.” She kissed Piper’s cheek, then swiftly made her way to the back door, where my father escorted her out.

I glanced down at Piper, taking in her dazed expression. We’d talked about this before I left, so I was surprised at her reaction. But I mentally shrugged. It would all soak in eventually, but we had more important things to discuss at the moment. And then I needed to be inside her before I lost my fucking mind.

“We need to talk.” I guided her over to the couch and sat. Then I pulled her onto my lap and delved a hand into her soft hair, cupping her neck to keep her eyes on me. “First, I don’t want to come home to an unlocked door ever again, is that clear?”

“Your dad—” she began, but I gently squeezed her neck, and she closed her mouth.

“I need to know you are as safe as possible whenever I can’t be with you.”

She searched my face for a minute and seemed to find what she was looking for because her expression softened before she nodded.

“Now, tell me about the stalker.”

A fuck of a lot more had happened than I had expected. By the time she finished, I was filled with so much rage my body was shaking.

“Are you okay?” she asked, her pretty blue eyes filled with concern.

I didn’t want to scare her, so I did my best to keep a lid on my fury. No one came after my woman. No one. But my desire to hunt this man down and dole out my own brand of justice needed to wait just a little bit. Her needs came first.

“Yeah, baby,” I grunted. I released her neck and glided my hand down her arm to thread our fingers together. “But I need you to promise me you’ll stay here until I’ve taken care of the situation. I won’t be able to function unless I know you’re safe.”