Page 27 of Redeeming Violet

“I won’t coach her what to say to him,” I told Zane. Mainly because I didn’t think she needed me too. If Violet could make me understand why she’d leaked information, she could change President Anderson’s opinion without my help.

“You sure that’s smart?”

I hated that we were talking about Violet as if she wasn’t in the room. Had she not been blindsided with the knowledge President Anderson would be making an appearance, I’m sure she would’ve already voiced her opinion.

“I could bullshit you and tell you I’m not tracking, but I think I am. And the correct answer is, I will not tell her what to say to Tom Anderson to make him see past her transgressions. If, and it’s a big if, he grants her clemency, it will be because Violet convinced him. First, Tom can smell bullshit from five hundred meters out. If one answer sounds rehearsed, he’ll throw her ass in the hole. We both know it. Second, Violet needs to know she’s taken responsibility for what she’s done. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself knowing we got her out of the shit sandwich she’s put herself in. The Violet I know would rather live in the hole.”

“Copy that. See you tonight.”

Zane closed the door and I watched on the monitor as he walked up the stairs, out of the building and got into a company-issued SUV. Smug prick would never drive one of his sports cars down a dirt lane.

“Thank you,” Violet said from behind me.

“I told you once, there is nothing to thank me for.”

“I’m scared to meet with the President, but I’m honored to have the chance to look him in the face and explain. If for no other reason than to apologize. I let him down, too.”

Damn, this woman was brave or crazy. The jury was still out. Fuck, maybe we were both crazy. I understood full and well what Zane was trying to tell me. If I wanted to guarantee Violet was a free woman after this mission was over, I needed to tell her what to say so the President would pardon her. Or, as it were, let us bury the information we had so no one ever found out she had any involvement. Tex, Wolf, and the rest of the platoon were the only people outside of us that knew she was the mole. None of us were worried Tex and the guys would say anything. But the painful truth was as much as I wanted to protect her I couldn’t. For both of us she needed to be honest with Tom. What kind of man would I be if I put my personal feelings and wants over the security of the nation I’ve vowed to honor, serve, and protect?

I guess her and I were a lot alike in that regard. We’d both martyr ourselves for what we believed was the greater good. Not that I had any intention on keeping her, but if I had, I’d need to claim her with a clean conscience.

“There’s nothing to be scared of. You’ll be fine. Would you mind putting away the rest of the food Zane brought in the mini-fridge while I take the other bags into the room?”

“Sure.”

I picked up the two new duffels, carried them into the bedroom, and dropped them on the floor. I unzipped the first one and it was full of extra towels and bathroom supplies. Jasmin had definitely packed that bag; there was girly shampoo and conditioner. I’d be surprised if Zane even realized women used such products.

I started to rummage through the second pack when I felt a paper bag inside. I pulled out the non-descript bag and held it up to read. Zane’s handwriting looked like chicken scratch, but I could make out a few of the words: Before you tap it, cap it. Cover your stump before you hump. Don’t be silly, protect your willy.

Ass wipe.

I opened the bag and there were several different boxes of condoms. Ribbed for her pleasure. Ultra-sensitive. And my favorite, extra-large.

I wanted to be irritated at his idea of a joke, but the ache in my balls made me grateful. We had hours before Eric came to bring us dinner and longer still until the President was due. The thought of having her under me made my dick twitch. But the nagging in the back of my mind stopped me from rushing out into the other room and throwing her over my shoulder like a caveman.

I thought back to what she’d said while we were lying in bed. She wished she’d met me a year ago. What the fuck was I doing? It wouldn’t have mattered if she’d met me a year ago, or would it have? I’d kept all of my relationships casual. No emotional attachments, no commitments. I couldn’t make promises to a woman when I knew I’d never be able to keep them. I didn’t know when I was going or coming. And the big thing was, I couldn’t promise a woman I’d come home from a mission in one piece or at all. Violet would deny it and say she didn’t mean anything by her dating comment. But by her making the statement in the first place meant she didn’t do casual. I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do with that. It wasn’t fair to lead her on when I didn’t know if I was willing to offer her anything after these next couple of days. The treason notwithstanding, Violet Meyers was pretty damn close to the woman I’d want as a partner. She was strong and independent, and as crazy as it seemed, she was brave and loyal to those she cared about.

I was screwed, and not in the good kind of way. I couldn’t deny there was something that endeared me to her. But it wasn’t enough to make me want to jump into a relationship. One day I wanted what my parents had; they loved and respected each other deeply. My mom still looked at my dad like he was the sun in her universe. I wanted a woman to look at me like that, someday. I just didn’t think I was ready for that someday to be today. Besides the little fact that Violet might be heading to prison for the rest of her life was still hanging over our heads. Fuck. I was beginning to adopt Violet’s way of thinking – the universe sucked.

“What’s that?” Violet asked.

I guess one way to gauge her reaction was to hand the bag over to her and see what she thought. So, I did just that.

It took her a minute to scan the paper bag and read some of the one-liners Zane had written.

“Oh my God,” she started laughing. “Sex is cleaner with a packaged wiener. If you think she’s spunky, cover your monkey.” The more she read the less I could understand what she was saying until finally she was laughing so hard tears were forming in her eyes and she couldn’t get the words out. Zane had written dozens of stupid condom jokes all over the bag. “I should be… embarrassed… but I’m not… that is so funny… I can’t.”

Jesus, she was beautiful when she laughed. I’d hadn’t seen her so carefree since I’d met her. The simple act had transformed her, not only her features but her entire being. This side of Violet was more dangerous than the lust-fueled woman that had woken me up this morning.

Fuck it.

Screw my good intentions, and the promises I couldn’t make. Fuck it all; I wanted her. I wanted what we could have at this moment, not tomorrow, not next week, now. I couldn’t give the first two fucks about love and relationships. I needed her right this very second with a deep-seated thirst I’d never felt. I wanted her joy and light, and I was going to steal it like a thief and not feel a damn bit of remorse.

I yanked the bag from her hand, tossed it on the bed, and pulled her to me. Her laughter immediately died, and her smile faded.

“Stop this now if you don’t want it,” I told her and pushed my hips toward her. Her eyes widened when she felt my erection and she swallowed but remained quiet. “Do you want me to stop?”

She shook her head and that was all the answer I needed. My hands found the hem of her shirt and I ripped it over her head, throwing it to the side. I went to work divesting her of the rest of her clothes. In record time she was standing in front of me, gloriously naked. My clothes quickly joined the pile and by the time I reached to touch her my hands shook with need. My plan had been to toss her on the bed and fuck the hell out of her, but now I wanted to savor every part of her, starting with her pretty lips.