He scooted closer, and my heart thumped. I hoped he would kiss me finally. “And you want to be honored, I imagine.”
“Yeah, that too.” I ignored the tremble in my body and asked, “What about you?”
He traced down the side of my body with his fingers and said, “I’m learning about you, Mary.”
My eyes fluttered closed, and this time, his lips met mine.
Fireworks exploded in my cells, and I sighed when he ended it. His brown eyes made me all soft and tingly. “What else?”
He picked up my wine, gave it to me, and took his own. We clinked our glasses together, and then he said, “Well, I left the service a few weeks ago, but I’ve debated going back in for another term.”
“Not that long ago.” We both took a sip. “Why did you leave?”
He took another gulp, finishing his off, then said, “Cole Securities informed me of what was happening at my brother’s company, which I own majority shares in.”
I sipped more slowly, and moments passed before I asked, “You mean where Wanda and Arthur work?”
“Clearly your ex had no idea who I was.” He put the empty glasses back down and said, “I’d never met him before and never heard his name, really. I took the meeting with Cole Securities thinking it was about some job they had for me. My brother died, and they were with him when he was killed. But they convinced me fast to start a legal battle.”
Oh no. I would be a wreck without my own brother. I rested my head on his shoulder and said, “Oh, wow. That’s so hard about your brother.”
He turned toward me again, and I sat up. Our bodies touching felt good. “So now I have all these people looking over my shoulder to help me, but I’m in a waiting pattern to actually do anything.”
I curled my fingers around my head and scrunched my hair then asked, “How much longer are you stuck?”
Our noses touched as I climbed on his lap. He didn’t stop me. “Hopefully not long. Now, tell me something funny about you.”
I let myself go and curled around him, letting out a sigh. “Funny?”
His gaze seemed darker, and his cock was clearly stiff underneath me, but still, he said, “Yeah.”
Nothing funny about me came to mind immediately. I stalled as I tried to come up with something. “Hmm, I sing the princess songs from animated movies when they play.”
His dimples appeared. “Cute.”
His hand went to my ass, and he pulled me closer to him. Goose bumps grew all over me, making me warm and fuzzy, and I wrapped my arms around his neck and asked, “And you?”
He pressed his forehead to mine and then said, “My call sign in the SEALs was Thunder Thighs, and my brother’s friend Mark thinks that’s hilarious.”
The man under me was nothing but hard muscles everywhere, but I raised my eyebrows. “Thunder Thighs?”
“Yeah.” His hands played with my spine and sent warm sparks through me. “When I joined, my legs and ass were thicker than the other guys.”
I curled my hand on his abs and patted him. “You’re all muscle, Dwayne.”
He lifted his shirt up to let me touch his six-pack as he asked, “You like what you see?”
“Yeah,” I said and helped him take his shirt off. Finally. My breathing became more intense as he showed himself.
Once he tossed his shirt on the floor, I pulled him closer so he would hold me again and said, “Good, then come here.”
“Finally.” His lips claimed mine.
I let out a warm sigh and kissed him like he was the last man I would ever need. His hands went up and down my body, cupping my ass fully.
I traced his back, and he fully picked me up and carried me into the other bedroom.
When he let me down, I slid my body against his, and he cradled my breasts for a moment then caressed my sides.
I had too many clothes on, so I pulled off my shirt and tossed it. He helped me, tentatively brushing my boobs a little more.
I laughed, and his fingers curled behind me and snapped off my bra like he’d been waiting for a dessert.
I arched my back to help him take it off.
The moment I was free, he leaned down and sucked my nipples, which had hardened for him.
My toes curled as I was holding him and hugging him while he feasted on the second one.
Heat rushed through me as he returned for more kisses.
I would never have enough of him. As he tasted me, his fingers flicked my nipples.
Damn, I was ready for him. I gripped his pants and belt buckle, tugging his hard shaft toward me. We were both still wearing too many layers.
I needed to be with him. His lips met mine, but I needed more.
He kneaded my breasts, and I unbuckled his pants.
He didn’t stop me. His kisses were so deep it was like we were already one.
Yet the spark inside me strummed; there was so much more. I reached into his boxer briefs, and his hard dick was there, ready and waiting like a pole staff.
He flicked my nipples with his tongue, and I went down on my knees, pulling off his pants.
He stalled me, but I needed to see him, lick him, touch him.
So I slid his clothes off and tasted him.
I tried to go deep, but he gently nudged me off him, prodding me to stand.
I did as he wanted, and he sucked my nubs again and helped me remove my own pants and panties.
His fingers brushed against my apex that needed him, but clearly, he enjoyed my breasts as he never let them go except to try the other.
I turned and rubbed my girlie parts to his hard cock. I placed my hands on the edge of the bed for support, but he understood what I wanted.
And when he pressed open my folds and entered me, I arched my back for him.
I don’t remember ever moaning in my life, but it was all I could do now. I needed him inside me, and this felt deeper.
He sighed, too, as he pumped in and out of me as he found a rhythm.
I moved and he went deeper. To keep me close, he held onto my hips.
Damn, I’d never been this hot. I held on to the edge of the bed harder, as it was all I had to not lose myself entirely.
I reached behind me to feel him, but he had no part of him that was still.
So I curled my fingers around the edge of the bed and enjoyed the ride.
He took me fully, deeper than I thought possible with that huge rifle of his.
I swear I almost lost consciousness.
Once he moved my leg, he somehow found a way to go deeper, and my entire body melted. He edged even farther inside me, and now as he drilled into me, it was like we were one, and he’d found my soul, which I hadn’t even known existed.
Suddenly, he pulled out, and I was already seeing stars. I knew he wasn’t done, as he was still hard and long, but I couldn’t breathe.
I was so hot for him, but he guided me to lie on the bed.
I was his, anyway he wanted me. I swear I lost consciousness and died a little for a moment as total bliss enveloped me, but I managed to hold on long enough to know he joined me in this state.
We were together, and it was like we had found each other and joined in a way I couldn’t explain. Part of me wished we could be more than just temporary when I was in his arms.
Chapter Nine
Dwayne
Mary’s place was small, much like the apartment I grew up in with my parents and brother when I was little. We’d moved to a house when I was six or seven, but Mary’s place, with her sheer white drapes, reminded me of long ago.
My brother leaving me his shares of the company had grown my bank account astronomically, and while in the service, out of the country, I’d thought Wanda running things provided me with more money than I ever dreamed possible. I’d taken care of our mom.
I used to think Devon had it all, but now, in Mary’s arms, I realized maybe his life wasn’t perfect. He’d skipped giving everything right to Wanda, probably because he understood she might be sketchy.
&
nbsp; And while snuggling in Mary’s bed was nice, the light streaming in meant it was morning. The woman next to me was sweet, and I’d not done my workout, but I ignored that and slid out of our bed.
Luckily, I had my toothbrush, but as I came out, I heard her son.
Mary hadn’t. I peeked my head in her bedroom, and he stilled. I backed out fast and checked. She was still sleeping, so I went to her refrigerator and took out a bottle.
I returned, and he reached out for the bottle. I handed it to him, and he grabbed my hand too.
Bruce looked like his mom. I decided to pick him up and bring him with me. I held him as I gathered everything to make coffee, eggs, and bacon, but when it was time to cook, I set him down.
I found toys and a mat, so I set it up, and he seemed fine.
I washed my hands and cooked.
Soon, the bacon was fried, eggs were on plates, and coffee poured, when she came out. She scratched her head then hugged her son and kissed my cheek. “Good morning. This is lovely.”
She took the diaper and wipes and picked up her son, who’d been standing by a table designed for him. I brought the plates to the table and said, “You were sleeping, and Bruce was up, so I had him help me.”
She changed his diaper fast as she asked, “He didn’t scream?”
Once she finished, she stood up, tossed the old diaper away, and cleaned herself up. I brought the coffees to the table and said, “No. I showed him a bottle right away.”
She came toward me, and her eyes were full of wonder. “And you made breakfast. I’m impressed. This looks delicious.”
I held her chair, and she smelled the coffee as I joined her. I closed my eyes and folded my hands to pray, and she did the same thing. Once we were done, I said, “We both have a few things to do today, but I want to come back here to be with you two.”
“We’re just temporary.” She wrapped her hand around her coffee mug, and her phone jingled on other end of the room.
“I want more.”
She ignored the ring and met my gaze. “Maybe one more night.”
“One day at a time.”
She sipped her coffee, and when she finished, she said, “Right. Work. I guess I have to go to that.”
We both ate and drank a little of our breakfast as Bruce played with his toys. A minute later, her phone beeped, but we both ignored it until she had finished her plate. I stood up and retrieved it for her, and once I returned, I said, “You have a message.”
She wrapped her hands around the plates and took the phone between her fingers while she cleaned up. I took over to wash everything fast and she let the plates go and said, “Oh. Thanks.”
I added soap to the sponge, wet all the dishes, and as I scrubbed, I saw her scowl and how she then massaged her temples. I turned the water on to wash the few dishes and asked, “What’s wrong?”
She walked over to me and dried everything with a towel while she said, “Day care. It’s closed. I hate taking him to the shelter as sometimes the women start comparing their own children to him, and Bruce is doing well. I don’t want to make women just finding their strength sad.”
We finished the chore, and I bumped into her side playfully. “I can take him with me if you want.”
Her eyes widened like she was in shock. “Really? I can call my cousins and try to find someone.”
I smiled and said, “Don’t worry about it. I am meeting my brother’s ex for coffee to finalize the tour times and going for a run in the park. My mother will then want a full report, but other than that, my day is pretty empty.”
“Where for coffee?”
“Same place I met you.”
“That’s public enough.” Her blush extended all over her body as she asked, “You’re sure?”
I leaned against the kitchen counter. “Yes. I’ll protect him with my life.”
She shook her head, and she didn’t meet my gaze as she said, “I’m nervous about leaving Bruce.”
I took her hands and kissed her knuckles. “Up to you. No pressure. Just wanted to offer.”
She swallowed and pressed her tiny hands into mine. “I… trust you. Will you keep your phone on and message me every hour?”
If she let me, it would be like I had won a small victory into her heart. “Absolutely, but twelve thirty to one thirty is lunch with Wanda.”
“Okay, I’ll pack you a diaper bag.” She went on her tiptoes, squeezed me, and let me go. I watched from the door as she put diapers, wipes, an extra change of clothes, his jacket, shoes, and fresh clothes out. Then she placed her items in the living room and marched past me in the kitchen to the refrigerator and poured more milk into bottles. Once she finished, she put them on a shelf and showed me the ice pack and a bag that kept cold. I nodded, and she said, “Well, I can get off early. Say, three?”
Lugging all her items might double the workout routine, but I ignored that and said, “Amazing. We can do something as a group then.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip and returned to Bruce as she said, “Like what?”
Mary and Bruce needed fun, and I could handle that. “I’ll surprise you.”
Her lips pinched together. “I never liked surprises much,” she said.
From what I’d heard so far, she had only received bad ones. “You’ll enjoy mine,” I said.
She kissed her son’s cheek. “Since it includes Bruce, I will.”
I helped her stand up, and I ran my fingers along her side. “So, your trusting me is a step in the right direction for what I want.”
“Don’t read more into it.” She went on her tiptoes and hugged me. “I let you in the door, but don’t push me.”
I cupped her sexy ass to keep her pressed against me and said, “I won’t let you down.”
She lowered her lashes. “Then okay. We have a three o’clock date.”
Our lips met, and she tasted sweeter than ice cream on a warm day. As our kiss ended, I said, “You’ll see soon that you want more.”
“You don’t give up.” She let me go and then pointed to a hook on the wall. “There is a key.” She then opened a closet door and tugged out a heavy-looking seat. “Do you know how to use a car seat?”
I crouched, inspecting it, and saw the strap and hook. I stood up. “I’m handy even with a rental. He’ll be safe with me.”
“Okay,” she said. She glanced at her phone, scrolled through, and then texted me an instructional video.
My lips curved into a smile, and I kissed her fast.
She didn’t mind. After the second our kiss ended, she darted into her room to change. I went to sit with Bruce on the floor until she came back out.
Later, I jumped up to walk her out and say goodbye. Her lips on mine set me off course as I watched her head to her car.
I went to the closet and found a stroller. Perfect. I packed what she had left me, tried to feed Bruce some bananas in a glass jar I found, and marveled at how smiley he was with those two teeth of his.
Once I cleaned him up and checked his diaper, it was time to go. I needed a run. So I grabbed one bottle, the stroller, and the car seat.
Outside, the air was fresh, and I drove us to a park on the way home.
Bruce passed out in the stroller as I raced around. Near the end of our park visit, I let him play in the sand a bit, and then we headed back to her home.
Children were more work than I had thought. I changed his clothes so he would be fresh and clean and grabbed another few bottles of milk.
Luckily for me, Bruce passed out on the drive easily.
We arrived a few minutes before our meeting, and I carried Bruce in with one of his bottles. As I stepped through the door, my eyes widened. She was early. I passed the line and joined her at the table. “Wanda.”
Her eyes widened. “Who’s this?” she asked.
I held him closer and said, “Mary’s son. He needed to come along.” I slid back as the line lulled. “We’ll be right back.”
She waved me off, and we were fast in line. I or
dered a black coffee and steamed milk for Bruce as a treat. I poured it in one of his empty bottles and handed it to him.
“You’re dating a single mom?” Wanda asked as I sat back down.
“Yes,” I said, bouncing him on my lap.
She sat back and sipped her latte. She set down her cup and said, “That’s responsible. Your brother and mom never thought you’d be.”
“I grew up. Are you ready to talk about the schedule?”
“You never complained all those years I put money in your accounts.”
“I should have asked more questions.” I showed her my dimples and hoped she was ready to let go with a whimper more than a fight. “Years as a SEAL taught me how to handle myself, and your lawyers must have said I have the right claim.”
She smiled and made goo-goo sounds at Bruce for a moment. Then she said, “I hope on the tour, you see I run a tight ship and that you’ll drop your suit so we can go back to what’s worked well for both of us.”
Cole Securities intended to stop her and all her illegal deals. The board was about to see negative press until I stood up and took what was mine. Her time was done. I gulped down some of my coffee and rocked Bruce, who was curled up in my arms like he wanted to sleep, and I said, “Look, let’s just set the schedule.”
Her eyes went glassy as she watched us. “You might be coming in at a perfect time. I’ve been wanting to retire, and if you take over, maybe I can enjoy my life… maybe find a guy who can give me my own baby.”
If that was how she saved face, she would walk away fast. I put my cup down and dropped my wall around her, talking to her like she was still family. “Maybe you’ll find a single dad so you don’t have to bear the pain. We both know you don’t get your hands dirty, directly.”
The glimmer in eyes dulled. “Dwayne, come to the factory tomorrow at ten. But it’s no place for little ones.”
Right. Gun manufacturers had too much potential for accidents. I snuggled his body to my chest. “Done. Thanks.”
The idea that something about Wanda’s company was related to my family did gymnastic circles in my mind. Once Wanda left, I put Bruce back in his car seat to take him home.
Treasured Page 6
