Not Another Soldier

by Holt, Samantha

  Hell, I’m not getting any younger and I’ve wanted her for so long. I know her so well, why would I want anyone else? Spending time with her these past few days, exploring that insanely gorgeous body, has only confirmed what I’ve known for a long time. Sienna was meant for me. I have to make her mine, for once and for all, and make up for the fucking idiotic mistake of ever letting Rob have her.

  Glancing down, I note she’s still wearing that blood-soaked shirt. Stupid, selfless woman hasn’t even thought to get changed. I’m willing to bet she’s been pacing and debating calling for an ambulance for me.

  “You could do with a change of clothes, babe.”

  Sienna blinks and looks down. “Oh yeah, I forgot.”

  “Well don’t let me stop you.” I let a big smile spread across my face as I lie back and prepare to enjoy the sight.

  One sassy eyebrow raised, she shakes her head. “You’re terrible.”

  “Yep, but you love me for it.” The words are out of my mouth before I even think about it.

  Her cheeks go instantly red and she jumps up and starts rummaging for a clean top in the wooden dresser. I’m probably smirking but I love that she doesn’t deny it. Her discomfort must mean something, right?

  She fumbles with her shirt while I force myself up to sitting and swing my legs over the bed.

  “What are you do—”

  I’m on her quickly before I can think twice or succumb to the way my skull feels like it’s going to explode. No way am I missing this opportunity. I snatch her wrist and pull it away, leaving her shirt open. Turning her toward me, I spread either side of her top and admire the soft swells peeking over a cute pink bra. Her nipples are already hard through the cotton and her breasts rise and fall in an incredibly enticing way. She gapes up at me as I splay my hands around her waist, her smooth skin beneath my hands making me harder than ever.

  “Do you?” I ask, my voice gruff.

  “Do I what?” she breathes.

  So that’s how she’s going to play it. I can tell she knows exactly what I mean. She just needs a little persuasion. Well, the pain in my head is almost gone and I relish a challenge. With one finger, I brush aside her hair and bring my lips down on her ear with a feather-light touch. Sienna is so responsive and I’ve quickly learned her neck and ear are the place to go for. She quivers and I trail my lips down her neck and back up.

  Nipping at her lobe, I pause to whisper. “Do you love me?”

  “I…”

  She whimpers as I rake my teeth over her neck and bring a hand up to caress one breast. I love the sexy little noises she makes. If only she knew how hot she makes me. It doesn’t seem to matter what I say or how I say it, she can never understand how much I want her. Like all the time. I feel like a teenager again around Sienna.

  “Just say it.” I skim my mouth over her chin and up to her lips, pausing to lick at the corner. She tastes so good it takes all my willpower not to press her mouth apart and taste every inch of her. “I. Love. You. Three words, babe, it isn’t hard.”

  “Nick…” she moans my name.

  Now I’m tense all over. It’s ridiculous how quickly she can drive me to the edge. But she isn’t going to give in. Damned stubborn woman.

  I pull back and rest my forehead on hers, stroke my fingers across her cheeks. “I love you, Sienna. Probably always have. You’re sweet and sexy, and clever and funny. I want to make you mine, sweetheart. For good.”

  When I pull back, I still see doubt in her eyes. I don’t know if she doubts me or herself or what, but I’m going to have to erase it. With both hands, I peel off her shirt and fling it aside. She doesn’t resist. She’s putty in my hands. Is there anything hotter than having a beautiful woman silently begging for your touch? Then I reach around and unclasp her bra. I take just a moment to admire her breasts, her pale nipples tight and ready for my mouth, before unsnapping her jeans and yanking them down.

  I kneel in front of her and tug off her jeans and socks. Sienna must be the only woman in the world who can turn me on with only a glimpse of her feet. Her little painted toenails remind me of her so much. A splash of brightness in a dark world. They’re purple right now. It’s one of those little things I always noticed about her. No matter what was going on in her life she always had these perfect, brightly colored toenails.

  I stand slowly and enjoy the way she trembles as I pull myself to my full height and press my thumbs into her hips above her pink panties. I love how she acts all meek and mild, and then so open and unashamedly hot when I start to make love to her. It’s like unwrapping a present.

  She lets out a small sigh when I strip her panties down her long legs. There’s color in her cheeks as I take in the sight of all that smooth skin and sleek curves, but she doesn’t flinch. I wish she’d realize how brave she is.

  “Well, don’t just stand there!” she declares suddenly.

  With a spluttered laugh, I step forward and scoop her in my arms, making her squeal. She catches on quickly and hooks her arms around my neck as I take her into the bathroom and place her in the shower.

  “Wait there.” I hurriedly strip off my clothing, almost tripping over my jeans in my haste, and get in beside her.

  She’s on me instantly. The shy woman is gone and there’s a hot, willing one in her place. God, I love all the sides of her. Silky skin presses against me and she’s practically wrapped around me. My body tenses all over, blood pounding through me. I fumble to turn the shower on and she shrieks as the water hits her back. I spin her around and grimace as icy cold water pummels my back, but I’m not going to let Sienna suffer it. Standing in front of me, all cold and pale, she looks so fragile, but I know she’s not. The kind of woman with inner strength this one.

  Mercifully, the water warms and I relax into her. Fingernails dig into my neck as she urges me toward her for a kiss. Her mouth is hot and delicious. Just her kisses make me hard. Hell, just looking at her makes me hard. That feminine little mouth opens under mine and I kiss her forcefully. Maybe if I kiss her enough, I’ll get her to confess. My hands roam her body, over her ass and back. She moves with my caresses as if my touch scalds her, or perhaps she can’t get enough of them and she wants more.

  I need to know. I pull back and kiss her neck. “What do you want, babe?”

  “You,” she says breathily as she leans into my kisses.

  “Why?”

  I reach behind me and grab some of her shower gel, drawing far enough away from her so she misses me. She glares as I pour some of it into my palm. I’m going to smell like flowers or something but I don’t really care if I get to soap up that gorgeous body.

  “I used to fantasize about you, Sienna. Used to dream of doing things like this to you. I have a lot of things I want to do to you. Are you going to let me?”

  She nods, mouth open but silent.

  “Why?” I try again. I’m still looking for those words.

  Lathering the gel in my hands, I begin to spread it over her breasts, loving the feel of the warm weight and hard nipples before working it over her stomach, just stopping before the juncture of her thighs.

  “Well?”

  Sienna tucks her lip between her teeth and releases it, making it even more swollen than it already was from my kisses. “I…” Her throat works. “I love you.”

  Yes! My heart leaps at the whispered words and I want to punch the air in triumph. We’ve got a way to go. I’ve still got a whole host of problems to conquer with this woman, but now she’s admitted as much, things are going to be easier. Bundling her into me, I clasp her face and kiss her until she gasps.

  “Was that so hard?” I ask as I draw back, still holding her face.

  Her lips tilt and she shakes her head. “You’re mean.”

  “Hey, you can’t blame me for wanting to nudge you in the right direction. You have no idea how torturous it is to watch your best buddy be with the woman you want. I couldn’t wait much longer to hear that.”

  “I’m still worried. What if I
can’t do it again? All the uncertainty of being with a soldier… I don’t know if I can take it again.”

  I squeeze her. “Trust me, being with me will be nothing like being with Rob, I swear it. I won’t ever give you a chance to doubt me. I will do everything I can to make you happy. Damn, honestly, I’d even leave the Marines.”

  She gasps and tries to pull back but I hold her tight. “I won’t let you do that,” she declares. “You love being a Marine.”

  “I love you more.”

  Sienna shakes her head in disbelief and touches the back of my head. “You must have knocked your head harder than I thought. Are you sure you should be doing this?”

  “I’m no weakling, woman. I need you so bad right now, nothing can stop me from taking you.”

  “Maybe you should re—“

  “Enough talking,” I say as I claim her mouth and work the rest of the soap across her back and ass, slipping my fingers briefly down to feel her hot and ready for me. I swallow her moan as I prop one of her legs on my hip, allowing me access to her sensitive folds.

  I let my fingers explore her down there for a while until she’s trembling and begging for more. Teeth sinking into the delicate flesh between her neck and shoulder, I play out her pleasure a little longer before pressing her back against the tiles, framing her with my arms.

  Sienna tilts her head up and her spiky wet lashes and big grey eyes make me a little breathless. Dribbles of water trail down her cheeks and her hair hangs in damp tendrils. I push back one from her face and let my fingers linger on her lips.

  “I love you.”

  There they are again. Those words I’ve been dying to hear. My heart feels like it’s being squeezed. I reach down and clasp her rear, scoop her into my hold and sink into her swiftly. I hear her sharp inhale and her heat encloses me, makes me feel slightly dizzy.

  “I love you, Sienna.” I start to move within her and her instant response sucks the breath from me. “You’re all mine now, babe.”

  “Yes,” she breathes and I bury my head against her neck as she clutches my shoulders.

  We move easily, rapidly, like old lovers with all the excitement of the first time. Making love to Sienna is so unlike anything I’ve ever known. The way she responds... I feel it in her body. She doesn’t try to smother the noises she makes or hide her expressions. It’s all there, in her face. I read every nuance and it makes me harder than ever to know I’m making her feel those things.

  Pleasure, acute and sharp quickly takes hold of me as I thrust into her. She’s calling my name. Repeating it. And I echo it with words of my own though I’m not sure what. Her name. Words of love. Christ, I’m probably spilling out my heart but I have no control over it right now. All I can think of is her heat and the sensation of her on the cusp of climax in my arms.

  Sienna spreads kisses over my shoulder as she shakes and stiffens. Her orgasm seems to hit hard and quick as she cries out and her body pulses around me. I kind of want to squeeze my eyes shut as I grit my teeth to keep control but seeing her come is the most incredible sight. A blush seeps up her cheeks and her eyes are slightly glazed, her mouth ajar. It only takes a few more thrusts and I follow her over the edge, the release searing. If I wasn’t in the shower, I’d be slick with sweat and the exertion.

  We take a moment to gather our breath. Her breasts press against me and I remain inside her. I’m not sure I want to let her go. The pain in my head is pretty much gone. Today has been incredible. If I release her, will it all be over? Okay so knocking myself out wasn’t so great, but being looked after by a sexy nurse has certainly made up for it. And now she’s admitted she loves me.

  Reluctantly, I reach to the side and turn off the shower. I step out and help her before wrapping her in a hot pink towel and slinging one around my hip. She giggles and I raise a brow at her.

  “What? Don’t tell me I don’t look great in pink?”

  She considers me. “You look good in everything.” Her cute little tongue darts out to lick her bottom lip. “But pink is not your best color.”

  “Maybe I should bring some more of my own stuff over.” I watch carefully for her reaction. Though I plan to stay until this hell with these drug guys is over, I’m still living out of a bag. Only my toothbrush and razor are any sign that I’m staying here.

  “Maybe,” she says with a shrug of one shoulder and a mischievous smile. She slips past me and pauses in the doorway to speak to me over her shoulder. “You should come back to bed. You need some rest.”

  “I’m coming to bed. But I’m not planning on getting any rest.”

  Sienna simply laughs and dashes out the doorway. Damn, I’ve created a monster.

  ***

  I wake with a headache. Not surprising really. I never did get much rest in the end. Thankfully, there are still painkillers on the bedside so I sit up enough to chuck a couple back with the glass of water Sienna left out for me. I slide back into the sheets for a moment to watch Sienna sleep. She’s not the kind to wrap herself around you at night, but that’s fine, I’m a sprawler. She seems to curl up into this tiny ball. I find it insanely cute. God, she’d kill me if she knew I was always thinking of her as cute. The damned woman is so determined to prove herself sometimes. But if it’s about give and take, is it so bad for a man to want to take care of a woman? Maybe I’m old fashioned but she does stuff for me, why shouldn’t I do the same for her?

  On that thought, I drag myself out of bed to make a coffee. My leg is stiff so it takes me a couple of attempts. That fall yesterday cost me and I haven’t worked out in a few days. If it hadn’t meant Sienna admitting to loving me, I’d be cursing myself a lot more for looking like a weak idiot.

  I make a mental note to take Sienna to the gym with me. I’m not letting her out of my sight but I need a workout. Besides she enjoys swimming and I wouldn’t complain about seeing her all wet and sleek in a swimsuit. She could swim while I hit the gym. Damn, I’m good. I’ve totally got this relationship stuff down.

  I smirk to myself and slip my briefs on before carefully opening the door and padding into the kitchen. As I flick the coffee pot on, I consider the problem that is Sienna. I want to ask her to marry me but the sensible part of me—the one that’s usually overtaken by my cock or my impatience—knows it’s too soon. We’ve only been together like—what?—a day? But I’ve known her for years and nothing’s going to make me change my mind. I’m just going to have to tread cautiously and somehow curb my impatience. Convince her things will be different with me.

  While I’m waiting for the coffee, I chop her up a big bowl of fruit. I’m not the best cook. Hell, what soldier is? But even I can’t screw up fruit salad. Strawberries, banana, berries and whatever other fruit she’s got. Some weird green thing. Avocado maybe. Then I pour the coffee and take them both through to Sienna. I sit on the bed and she grumbles as she stirs. I have to bite back a grin. She’s is definitely not a morning person. But I’ll work on that. I’m willing to bet that if I can get her hot and naked in my arms, she’ll begin to enjoy mornings.

  But today, I really need to stop thinking with my cock. Things are too dangerous right now and I need to focus. Not only on getting her to agree to marry me, but figuring out how to get her away from these criminals. I’ve got to admit, I am out of my depth here. Give me IEDs or the Taliban and I’m your man, but drug dealing…

  A slow smile curves across Sienna’s face when her eyes open. Damn, that’s got me turned on again already. She looks ready to eat me up. The woman is insatiable. We made love so many times yesterday, I’m surprised she’s not as stiff and as sore as I am. Stiff. Geez, wrong word choice. I glance down at my tented underwear and place the bowl and coffee on the bedside table.

  “Thanks,” she mumbles sleepily as she takes a strawberry and bites into it.

  Okay, this is not helping. I glance away from her strawberry-stained lips and concentrate on breathing and trying to think of something to turn me off. I picture my Great Aunt Aggie, bless her soul. She’s
a darlin’ but ever since I was a kid she’s insisted on kissing me on the lips. I shudder and my libido seems to be under control again.

  She picks up a little of that green stuff and eyes it with a bemused look. But she still eats it so I guess I didn’t do too bad.

  “I think you should call that detective and insist on getting some help.” I sit on the edge of the bed.

  She blows out a breath. “You might be right.”

  “We’re not getting anywhere and we still don’t know what these guys are capable of. I’m scared for you, Sienna.”

  “I know. I’m scared too really. And you can’t hang around forever.”

  She’s right. As much as I want her by my side, I have to go back to work eventually and so does she. I can’t watch her constantly. It galls me to admit it, but I need help. “I’ll do what I can to protect you… I’ll do everything I can to protect you, but we can’t just wait around to see what they’ll do next. This is bigger than both of us, this drug shit. Who knows how powerful these guys are?”

  “I know, I know. Let me eat this… uh… fruit salad and I’ll give him a call.”

  Satisfied that we’re at least doing something, I drop a kiss to her forehead and head to the shower. I make it quick, keen to listen in on the call. By the time I’m done, she’s up and I can hear her in the kitchen. I dig a shirt out of my bag, shake it out a little and put on some clean briefs. I debate wearing yesterday’s jeans but they’re covered in dust from my fall so I dig out another pair and bundle up my dirty clothes. I need to prove I’m a little housetrained at least.

  When I go into the kitchen to throw my clothes in the washer, I notice she’s standing by the window, coffee cup in hand. She’s wearing that silk slip thing again. It’s peachy and makes her pale skin luminous. Fuck, I have to persuade her to marry me. Waking up to that sight every morning would be amazing.