ACE (The Trident Series Book 1)

by Jaime Lewis

  His gaze lifted to hers, “That which doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger.” He repeated the words inked on her skin. “That holds a deep meaning.”

  “Yeah, it does. I wanted something to remind myself that I was a survivor and that I will continue to fight no matter what obstacles are put in front of me.”

  He cupped her face, “It’s perfect,” he said, then kissed her on the lips. “You are perfect.”

  She pulled back a little with a slight grin and blushed, knowing she wasn’t perfect. She had plenty of hang-ups about herself. “I wouldn’t go to that extreme. You just haven’t noticed any of my flaws.”

  He grinned, “We all have flaws, baby, but you’re perfect for me.” He released her and stood up, taking her hand and helping her up. “We need to get going. We need to go over a few details before we head out.”

  As he turned his back to her, that was when it registered; he had changed into his uniform for tonight’s mission. She never understood why some women lusted over a man in uniform until now. She never really took the opportunity to stare at a man in uniform because it never appealed to her. But studying Ace as he stood before her dressed for battle, she could see why. It wasn’t just about a sexy, macho guy dressed in battle fatigues; it was the man beneath the layers of fabric and armor and what he represented in a relationship: security, safety, stability, honor, and discipline. He looked over his shoulder, and she was caught red-handed, staring at his nice firm butt.

  “Like what you see?” He asked sarcastically with a sexy grin.

  She sucked her bottom lip in between her teeth and bobbed her head up and down enthusiastically. She wasn’t going to lie. He was sculpted like a masterpiece from head to toe. When he laughed, she just shrugged her shoulders. “I guess we can call it even. You were caught staring at my ass the other day, and now I was just returning the favor.” She winked.

  “Come on, before you make us late.” He chuckled again, leading her out of the building.

  “How would I make us late?”

  “Because if you were still looking at me like you were going to eat me up, it would be your fault that I made good use of those cots inside,” he stated before a slow smile spread across his face, and she felt the blush spread across her cheeks. He just laughed, then ushered her along.

  Dammit, how in the hell was she going to get through the mission tonight after he says something like that?

  Chapter Fourteen

  Alex laid in bed wide awake, just as she had done for the last six nights. She glanced at the clock, 3:56 a.m. Sleeping had become very problematic for her. She chalked it up to stress, considering how things were unfolding. As the days passed, they all knew time was running out. Yesterday, another video was intercepted, revealing the person speaking was indeed Yaseen Fayed, Ashraf’s oldest son. Other than threats, nothing significant had been revealed. It was almost as if the video was sent just to taunt them. The only difference between the second video from the first was the location. The more recent one was shot inside a rather large building.

  When the team headed out six nights ago, she honestly believed something positive would prevail. But night after night, scouring hidden caves on treacherous hillsides and abandoned villages, all they were left with was more questions. A couple of the nights, the team had been met by enemy forces, adding more mayhem to the situation.

  Back at the base, frustration was mounting because it seemed as if Ashraf was always one step ahead of them. With help from Mason’s team back home, she’d done a background check on everyone she had on the list to investigate, and everyone came up clean. That left her scratching her head because somehow, Ashraf was aware of their plans.

  Each time the guys left the confines of the base, her stomach would ache with worry until they returned. It didn’t matter that she was in constant contact with them throughout the mission. The anxious feeling was almost too much to bear. In such a short period of time in knowing the guys, they had all come to mean a great deal to her, and it would devastate her if anything happened to any one of them.

  The only positive information she had gathered through intelligence was that some of the explosives that the team had run into had been at the hands of the mysterious Reynolds character. It was mind-boggling because, with all the technology the government utilizes, they couldn’t seem to find anything on the guy; no pictures, no personal data, no nothing, except for what they had to go on from witnesses. It was as if the guy operated as a ghost, one who had extensive military and/or operative training. The guy definitely knew how to play the game, but so did she, and sooner or later, she would expose him.

  Since getting his ass chewed out by Derek, and the Colonel, Bert had stayed in the shadows and only offered his services when asked. According to the Colonel, the agency had Bert working on other assignments within the region that had taken him off base at times, which hadn’t upset her in the least. His two colleagues had stayed behind and sat in on the mission meetings. They were both knowledgeable, and they seemed to be more personable and forthcoming without Bert hovering over them. They even offered suggestions. Although on a few occasions during the missions, Mical looked nervous or anxious as if he wanted to say something. At one point during the latest mission, when Potter and Diego disarmed the explosive device with just seconds to spare, the poor kid looked like he was going to pass out, but when she asked him if he was all right, he seemed to bounce right back.

  Last night, Bert had made a rare appearance in the war room while the team had been conducting a raid. His presence had made it a little uncomfortable. However, she was grateful for the Colonel’s ability to run interference when it was needed, like when Bert tried to override her decision to have the team move back when enemy forces had been spotted about a mile in the direction they were heading. He had wanted them to continue with the plan, but it wasn’t safe, not to mention it was a stupid idea. After waiting a few hours, they were able to move ahead with no resistance. After that dust-up, all Bert did was stare at her. It was a cold, hard stare, one that would’ve frightened others. She wasn’t scared per se, just more creeped out by it, and the Colonel sensed it, drawing Bert’s attention away from her.

  With a silent sigh, she turned onto her side, being careful not to wake Ace, who was sound asleep as if going by his low snores. She propped herself up on her elbow and watched him as he slept. He had one arm thrown across his ripped abdomen while the other was stretched out above his head. His chest rose and fell with every deep breath he took.

  Her heart and feelings for him grew with each passing day. She wanted so bad to wake him, so they could talk but knew he needed his rest. In his line of work, sleep was a hot commodity, as those soldiers never knew when their time for rest would come.

  In between mission planning, prep work, and executing, she and Ace took time to learn more about each other. She loved listening to him talk about his family and his childhood. As an only child, she was excited to learn he had three younger sisters who she couldn’t wait to meet, along with his mom Charlotte. Two of his sisters, Maxie and Mikayla, were married with children of their own. The youngest of the Chambers clan at age twenty-seven was Mia, who was currently enrolled in veterinarian school in New York. She was surprised when Ace revealed to her that when his father had unexpectedly passed away a few years ago, he had come very close to leaving the team to go back home to help take care of his family. Alex would have to thank his mom because if it weren’t for her intervention and convincing him to keep his course in the SEALs, she wouldn’t be lying here with him now.

  Her past relationships held no comparison over Ace, which was odd, considering the little time they had known each other. The attraction was mutual and powerful. He made her feel complete. That sounded strange even to herself, but what she was experiencing with Ace was utterly unique. It was definitely uncharted territory for her. Was it love? She wasn’t certain, but something in her gut told her it was pretty darn close.

  Ace stirred next to her, then s
urprised her, “How long are you going to lay there and stare at me?” He asked, never opening his eyes.

  When she didn’t answer, he opened his eyes and looked up at her, then frowned. “You okay? What time is it?”

  She leaned over him a little to check the clock. “Almost a quarter to five.”

  “You’ve been tossing and turning all night. How long have you been awake?”

  Great, now she felt bad for disturbing him when she knew he needed the rest. He must have realized what she was thinking because when she rolled over and left her back facing him, he curled his big body around hers and kissed her bare shoulder.

  “What are you thinking right now, babe?”

  “I feel bad for keeping you up. You and the guys have been working your asses off. I should’ve been more aware.”

  He rolled her onto her back and maneuvered himself between her legs. Using his forearms, he kept most of his weight off her. He shifted again, and she widened her legs, creating more room for him to nestle in. As soon as she felt his hard length press against her belly, she sucked in a breath as her libido came roaring to life.

  He stared down into her eyes. “You’ve got a lot on your mind. Your restlessness didn’t faze me, so don’t think it did.”

  He kissed her forehead, and she wrapped her arms around his torso. Dragging her nails ever so lightly over the skin of his back, she felt his muscles jump beneath her fingertips. She heard him suck in a deep breath before he dropped his head and kissed her neck. She tilted her head to the side, giving him better access. His lips moved down her neck, leaving a trail of wetness behind until he reached her collarbone and nipped the sensitive skin there, causing her to gasp and her pussy to clench. She felt his smile against her skin before he soothed the love bite with his tongue.

  Her body felt so alive and on fire. She wanted him to take her now. All the nights and mornings they’d spent sleeping together never went beyond kissing and maybe an occasional touch here and there. But right now, her body was primed and ready.

  She rocked her hips upwards into his cock, and when he lifted his head, she saw the hunger in those magnificent blue eyes. Oh yeah, he wanted her just as much as she wanted him. He started to move his hips in sync with her movements. Both were rubbing against one another but never breaking eye contact. The friction caused them both to moan. She yearned to feel his naked body pressed against hers. Her hands slid down his ribcage moving to the waistband of his shorts when suddenly Ace pulled back. What the hell?

  She was ready to combust, and judging from Ace’s exceptionally large and erect cock; he was all but ready for a game of Pole Position. And, she wasn’t referring to the race car game. That wasn’t even a close comparison. She was thinking of Ace’s man pole as he positioned it to slide inside her wet heat and send her into a satiated bliss of pleasure. So, what the hell was the problem?

  Just as she was about to protest, he dropped his head against her shoulder and nuzzled his face in the crook of her neck. The warm puffs of air against her skin sent a warm sensation through her body, adding to her already aroused state.

  She wasn’t sure what happened, but obviously, his thoughts had drifted somewhere other than getting down and dirty. She gave him a moment as her body was trapped under his weight.

  “Just give me a minute, sweetheart, please,” he uttered in a tone that sounded strained.

  Gently, she caressed his arms up to his shoulders. “Ace, please talk to me.”

  Raising his head, he rested his forehead against hers, then took a deep breath and exhaled.

  “I can’t believe I’m saying this, and trust me, baby, there is nothing more that I want right now than to bury myself so deep in you and make you mine, but damn if our first time together is going to be in a cold, dreary, concrete room in Afghanistan.” He brushed a loose hair from her face. “You deserve so much better. This delectable, sweet body of yours should be laid out on a huge fluffy bed surrounded by candles and flowers.” He softly kissed her lips. “I want our first time to be special and meaningful - for both of us. I want to take you out, let the desire build through dinner before I take you home, strip you bare, and make love to you all night with no distractions or interruptions.” He dipped his head and gave her a passionate kiss that left her feeling like a limp noodle. As if he had nowhere else to be, he took his time as he made love to her mouth. She could feel the emotions he poured into the steamy kiss. It was as if the two tongues were dancing in a rhythm like no other, and, when he ended the kiss, he gazed into her now watery eyes before he kissed the tip of her nose.

  “Happy Birthday, baby.”

  Her heart felt like it was going to burst with joy. The uncertainties she thought she might have had just minutes ago were just thrown out the window because she fell in love with him at that moment. Between his words of promise for the future and not to mention he remembered her birthday, she knew deep down this amazing man had captured her heart. She couldn’t stop the big, fat, lone tear that leaked out the corner of her eye before plopping on the pillow.

  With a sappy smile and a frustrated groan, she asked him, “Got any ideas on how we can fast forward this mission, so we can go home and get to that date?”

  His laughter bounced off the bare walls, sending a warmth of love through her. He rolled off her, and she cuddled against his warm body, draping her arm over his chest. They laid there, embraced in one another arms. She felt loved and protected.

  “Ace?”

  “Yeah, sweetheart.”

  She smiled to herself, loving when he used that endearment. “How is it that a guy like you isn’t in a committed relationship?”

  He scrunched his eyebrows together. “What do you mean?” His voice was rough and raspy. She snuggled closer to him. She didn’t want to imagine him with any other woman, but she was curious. Ace was a great guy.

  “You’re kind, caring, smart, strong, confident, not to mention very handsome, among other things. Any woman would be crazy not to try and snatch you up. I’m sure you have women dropping their panties at your feet all the time. Hell, that probably goes for your whole team as well. You know, now that I think about it, I’ve never heard any of them mention a girlfriend, wife or fiancé.”

  He laughed. “Nope, none of us are tied down. Wait, let me rephrase that. None of them are tied down. As of a week ago, I’m officially off the market.” He placed a kiss on the top of her head. It warmed her to hear the happiness in his voice, and it made her wonder just how long it had been since his last serious relationship. “I tried the dating scene, but it never evolved.”

  She sympathized with him. She could relate and understood it was hard for a woman to commit not only to a man, but they had to commit to his job as well. It took a unique woman to accept the challenges of being involved in a relationship with a SEAL. Her own mother walked away from her dad for the very same reasons. She was also familiar with the infamous frog hogs, the women who frequented SEAL hangouts, looking to score a night in a team member’s bed. Although she’d rather not think about Ace hooking up with one, she wasn’t naïve either.

  She ran her palm up and down his chest. “You know I’m not like others you’ve dated, right?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I grew up in this life. I fully get the demands of your career. I know when to mind my own business, but if there’s something you feel I need to know, then I trust that you’d talk to me, and if I do happen to step over the line, just tell me so. Just remember in my line of work, I like to ask questions.” She grinned at him. “I really won’t take it personally. I also know there will be times when you just want some space. I watched for years as my uncles came back from missions and went through their issues. It was all explained to me at an early age, and I get it. Again, I just ask that you be honest with me. I’m good at a lot of things, but a mind reader, I’m not. I can promise you that I’ll always be there for you and support you. I learned growing up that open communication and support are the keys to a lasting rel
ationship.”

  She took hold of his large hand and linked her fingers with his. “The only issue is going to be the distance between where we live and our jobs.” She placed a kiss on his bare chest just above his heart.

  ◆◆◆

  Ace laid there in awe. Listening to her talk about home had him visualizing what it could be like sharing a home with her. She could be that someone who he had always dreamed of waiting for him when he returned stateside from missions. A partner to talk to and lean on when needed. A real future to look forward to. Jesus, he was a lucky bastard, but as she mentioned, they needed to work out the long-distance issue. Four hours between them wasn’t acceptable. He wanted to see her every chance he could.

  He stroked her shoulder as she lay curled up next to him, running her little fingers along his chest. “Baby, I know I’ve probably said this a lot in the past week, but do you know how amazing you are?”

  “I think I’m beginning to get the picture,” she said, laughing.

  As the sun started to rise, Ace knew he only had minutes before Alex got up and would start getting ready for the day. But he wasn’t ready for her to leave him, just yet. He was content tangled up in the sheet with her. She sat up and started to make her way over him, but he placed his hands on her hips, stilling her as she straddled his waist. He had to hold back the groan that was threatening to escape his mouth as he looked up at her and imagined how she would look naked in this exact position as she threw her head back in pleasure while riding him. Tamping down his desire, he filed that thought away for the time being. Until then, he would take pleasure in waking up next to her with her rumpled hair and cute pajamas with the penguins and polar bears on them.

  “Where are you going?” He asked her.

  “To start getting ready. Mason sent me a file on another case he wanted me to look at for him.”

  “But it’s your birthday.”