Free Bronco's Rough Ride (Bad Boys of Beta Squad, 0.5) by Siobhan Muir Page A

hallway.
    Straightening her dress, she reached the bed and studied John’s still form. He’d closed his eyes and looked just like an exhausted businessman collapsed on the bed. Guilt and sorrow stole some of her contentment at the bags under his eyes, but they’d needed to wait for the nullifier to work enough for him to move.
    “John?”
    He opened his eyes and all exhaustion left his face, replaced by a determined intensity. He might lie prone, but every inch of him screamed warrior. Wide awake and aware, he scanned her body and she hoped she measured up to whatever standard he held.
    “Time to go. If I help you up, can you stay upright?”
    “Don’t know.”
    “Let’s try it.” She stood between his knees and reached for his arms, wrapping her hands around his wrists. Lindsey leaned back, using her knees to give her leverage to pull him upright.
    The process took longer than she liked, but her strength finally overcame his inertia and he leaned forward onto her chest.
    “Nice…breasts…Soft.”
    Lindsey laughed. “And real, too. Now, can you sit up on your own?”
    “No, don’t…think so.”
    When she stepped back, he flopped forward with her and she grunted with impact. “No, I guess not yet. How the heck am I gonna get you to the door?”
    She didn’t think she could do a fireman’s carry with him. He’s too big and heavy for that . And he didn’t have the strength or control for staggering beside her yet. She could drag him, but she’d never get him to his feet at the door.
    Lindsey glanced down at his lovely golden eyes and swore he raised a curious eyebrow at her. How else could she move him? Too bad I don’t have a luggage cart. Luggage…lugging…
    “Okay, this is going to be weird.” Lindsey turned her back to John and knelt on the floor. “I’m going to wear you to the door.”
    “Mmmpf?” His question puffed into the hair at her nape.
    “Yeah, like a cloak.” She draped his arms over her shoulders. “You ready?”
    “Uhhhh.”
    “Come on, s ailor. Time to take a ride.”
    “Liked…the…earlier one …better.”
    Lindsey huffed a laugh as she settled his chest against her back. “Me too, but this isn’t going to be like that.” She groaned as she leaned forward on her hands and knees. “This is going to be more like the first time I touched you. Professional. Kinda.”
    “Would…have…given permission…then, too.”
    She ignored the pleasure slipping through her body with his words. Damn, she’d missed an opportunity there. But her superiors would see the video and she couldn’t afford to be fired for fucking on the job.
    When his weight settled onto her back, she grunted and her knees protested, but none of her joints buckled. Score one for me. Despite the small victory, carrying John, even the few feet to the door of the room proved difficult. Lifting each limb became an exercise in stable placement. If she didn’t get the balance right, she’d end up flat on the floor with him holding her down.
    Lindsey paused at the bedroom door and leaned against the jamb, catching her breath. Holy shit, how the hell am I going to make it across the whole suite?
    “ Man, you’re heavy, Bronco. Let me just catch my breath.”
    “Take…your…time. Getting…stronger.”
    “Good.”
    Crawling to the door t ook every bit of strength she had and her slinky dress didn’t make the best man-hauling clothes. John gathered control with every passing minute and she had to get them out of here before the orderlies came back to administer another dose of the drug. The sense of urgency gave her the extra endurance to make it to the entryway.
    When she reached the doorjam b, she thanked her lucky stars she hadn’t worn stockings. John turned his head to look over her right shoulder and hope sparked. If he could move that much, maybe he could stand on his own.
    “Okay. Are you ready to stand now?”
    “Ready…as I’ll…ever be.”
    Lindsey shifted closer to the wall and he raised