“I love how you respond to me,” he murmured.
A rapturous sigh escaped her. “I want you.”
Replacing his fingers with his hardness, he teased them both as he rubbed between her slick folds. She writhed beneath him, hot and ready. His body heated with desire. Damn, he was desperate to be inside her, but not before he tasted her.
He kissed and licked down her skin with light strokes until he reached the apex of her thighs. The sound of her raspy breaths and the irresistible scent of her arousal surrounded him. Unable to wait any longer, he licked her. So fuckin’ good, the sweetest ambrosia he’d ever tasted. She quivered with a shaky sigh under his tongue.
As he pleasured her with his fingers and mouth, she moved beneath him. She fisted his hair and then the white cotton sheets, appearing to grasp onto anything to keep her tethered.
With the relentless pressure of his tongue, he pushed her over the edge. She shattered beneath him with a cry and called out his name.
He pulled back, letting her ride the waves of pleasure and then he reached for his jeans to find a condom. Time dragged as he searched, but he finally unearthed the packet and covered himself.
By the time he slid the tip into her welcoming body, she was drenched. She clutched at him.
“Please.” Her voice was a low, desperate plea.
He bent down and kissed her, the taste of her still on his tongue, as he slid in.
“You’re so hot, Jenna. So wet.”
The initial resistance in her tight channel soon gave way as her body adjusted to his invasion. He penetrated her with long, deep strokes, each one raising the tension. He stroked that sweet spot between her legs, coaxing her to rise with him once more. She raised her hips, bucking against him with each thrust as the pressure rose and rose and rose.
And then she shuddered beneath him, clutching onto his shoulder blades as she cried out once more.
“Oh Matty!”
The tight pulse of her squeezing around him made his eyes roll back in the blinding, overpowering pleasure. Her climax broke him, and he detonated, falling apart in her gentle arms.
All the tension and fear flowed out of him. She was safe and here in his arms. She was his.
And he was hers.
Spent, he fell forward and rested his body on hers, careful not to crush her. Her heart beat against his and her soft breaths filled his ears. It didn’t matter that they were far from Newport in this rented cabin. With Jenna, he had found his home.
“I love you,” he whispered.
He’d fight whoever tried to keep them apart. He wasn’t letting her go again.
“Oh Matty.” She traced her fingers down his back. “I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember.”
Chapter 21
Matty
Back in Jenna’s apartment the next day, Matty manned up for the next task.
“Who’s going to say it?” Jenna asked.
“We both need to,” Matty said. They’d talked about how they’d have to tell Derek before they returned to her place.
“Ok, let’s get it over with.” She sat on the couch and Lola and Trixie jumped up beside her. They’d both been scared by the shots yesterday so he would make sure he’d give them extra affection today. He moved Trixie onto his lap and pet her and moved closer to Jenna.
After pulling out his phone, he Facetimed Derek. Matty’s heart pounded as the rings sounded. Maybe it would go to voice mail, buying them more time.
On the third ring, Derek answered. “What’s up, bro?” When he saw his sister as well, he added, “Jenna.”
“We have a lot to tell you, Derek,” Jenna began.
She led in with what had happened with Roberto, leaving out the parts that involved sleeping with Matty.
He leaned forward, eyes wide. “You shot him?”
“She had to,” Matty replied.
“Matty got the gun out of Roberto’s hands and—I—” her voice trembled. “I just had to.”
Matty squeezed her thigh, a solid reminder he was there for her.
Derek blinked a few times. “Jenna, thank God you’re okay.” Derek swore and rubbed his jaw, visibly agitated. “I wish I was there to deal with this. Matty, I owe you one. A big one. Thanks, man.”
Matty swallowed. “You can pay it back now.”
“What?” Derek’s brows furrowed.
“I want to call on that favor now by asking that you have an open mind.”
“About what?” Derek’s tone turned cautious as his eyes traveled from Matty to Jenna and back again.
“We’re together,” Jenna announced.
Derek’s mouth fell open. He narrowed his eyes at Matty.
“I care about Jenna,” Matty admitted. “I want to be with her. And I get why you don’t want me getting involved with her, but it’s not like that. I’d never do anything to hurt her. In fact, I’d do anything to keep her safe and make her happy.”
Derek exhaled and raised his hands to his temples. “Jenna, what’s going on?”
“I know it might take time getting used to, but I hope you get it,” she replied. “Matty risked his life to save me. Otherwise, I’d be trapped and miserable as Roberto’s captive down in Aruba. This is the best possible outcome from the situation. If you want me to be happy, please don’t try to stop this.”
“Shit.” Derek shook his head and glanced away. “I can’t say I’m surprised—but—shit…” He fixed his eyes on them both. “Are you just hooking up? Or is it something more serious?”
Matty turned to Jenna and didn’t feel the need to put up any shield with his typical grin. “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life.”
* * *
Three weeks later, Matty sat across from Jenna at the Mexican restaurant they’d gone to before, this time for Taco Tuesday. The scents of spices hung in the air.
“I think this might be one of our usual choices.” Matty raised his glass and toasted with it before drinking some beer.
“No complaints from me.” Jenna sipped her sangria.
He’d spent almost every night at her place since the conversation with Derek. Although Derek wasn’t crazy about the idea, he said he’d come around to it.
Jenna put down her glass. “I know this seems quick, but since you’ve been pretty much living at my apartment, I wanted to ask you—do you want to officially move in?”
Matty arched a brow and grinned at her from across the table. “Do you want me to be in your hair all the time?”
She tilted her head. “Only if spoiling me with food and orgasms continue.”
He laughed. “Oh, I can promise that.”
The server arrived with their tacos and fixings and then departed. Mariachi guitar played in the background.
“Damn, I’m hungry. Everything smells so good.”
“So your answer is?” Jenna’s eyes widened.
“Hmm, let’s see.” He scratched his chin and teased, “It is convenient to get around. It wouldn’t be a bad place to settle down for a while.”
“A convenient place to settle down for a while?” she repeated.
“It’s also convenient to something else I’m interested in.”
“And what’s that?”
“You.” He reached under the table and squeezed her thigh. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m like gum stuck on the bottom of your shoe. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“I have no intention of wiping my foot.” She steepled her fingers.
He chuckled. “You sure know how to talk sexy.”
She turned over her shoulder, giving him a mock innocent look. “Guess I need more practice.”
“Oh yeah.” He yearned to reach over and run his hands over her body. “We will definitely practice more dirty talk.” He paused. “But I want to tell you about something else first.”
She faced him. “What is it?”
He glanced around the restaurant and fixed on a painting of a chihuahua that reminded him of Trixie. He exhaled and returne
d his gaze to Jenna. “I looked into the canine rescue organization you told me about. It sounds like a great place.”
Her eyes brightened. “Oh, good. I’m glad you looked into it.”
He ran his hand over the cool condensation on his beer glass and shifted in his seat. “We talked for a while. I told them about my background—and well—I have an appointment to visit them on Sunday, just to take a tour. I’m hoping you’ll go with me.
Her eyes widened. “Of course I will.”
“Angelo and Catherine invited us to stop by for dinner afterwards, if you’re up for it.”
She beamed. “Sounds perfect.”
After they volunteered at the cat shelter on Sunday morning, they drove north to the site. A woman in her fifties with honey blonde hair came out of an office and greeted them.
“You must be Matty. I’m Linda.”
“Right. We spoke on the phone.” He motioned at Jenna. “This is—” he paused and then finished “—my girlfriend, Jenna.” He’d never introduced her as such before. She squeezed his hand and smiled before greeting Linda.
As they followed her on a tour of the space, Matty’s ribs tightened and his pulse raced. Many of the dogs peered out from their enclosures. He thought of Gunther and waited for the survivor guilt and grief to suffocate him.
It didn’t. Matty had grown used to shoving those emotions into a safe little box that he tried not to think about, but different experience took form this time.
“Hey there.” He reached his hand out to let a German Shepherd that was wagging its tail sniff him.
“Her name is Sally,” Linda said.
“Hi, Sally,” Matty said. “Aren’t you a pretty girl.”
Sally shuffled from one foot to the other, as if ready to get out and play. If he had a ball, he’d love to take her out and throw it for her.
When he turned back, Linda smiled at him. “If you’d like to volunteer, we have many tasks to choose from and we just ask for a six-month commitment.”
A lightness filled Matty’s chest. He could do something for them. A sense of purpose returned that he hadn’t felt in a long time. He’d been so lost, floundering, and searching for ways to distract him as Jenna’s bodyguard, that he hadn’t really understood until now.
“Take your time looking around and spending time with the dogs,” Linda said. “I’ll be in the office.”
They spent several minutes interacting with the dogs. Matty rubbed their heads and chin the way Gunther had liked. Gunther was irreplaceable, but that didn’t mean Matty couldn’t work with other dogs. The best thing that he could do to honor Gunther’s memory was to help other K-9s that had served in a similar role. Matty could help these dogs find a good home, reward them for their service and sacrifices. Not only would he be helping the K-9s, but he’d be helping to heal himself.
Yes, he could do this. He turned to Jenna. “I want to get involved.”
She smiled and the warmth reached her eyes. “I think that’s great. I’m happy that you’re doing this.”
“What about you?”
“If this is your thing, I totally get it.” She motioned at him. “And if it’s something you want to do together, I’d be honored to do that too. You know how much I love animals.”
“Yes, and that’s one of the things I love about you.” He pulled her into a hug.
“Love?” She gave him a sassy grin.
“Yes, I love you, Jenna. I fall in love with you a little more every day.”
He lowered his head and kissed her. The urge to deepen the kiss and touch every inch of her followed, but it could wait until they got home.
Home.
“Come on. Let’s go tell Linda that she has a couple of more volunteers.”
Epilogue
Jenna
On Christmas morning, Matty woke Jenna while wearing a Santa hat. “Santa came, Santa came!” He nudged her and covered her face with kisses.
She laughed and sat up. “You’re a nut.”
“Don’t you want to see what he brought?”
“Okay, okay, I’m getting up.”
After he gave her a mug of steaming hot French vanilla coffee, they moved into the living room.
He touched Trixie’s stocking. “Looks like someone is a lucky girl. Santa brought her something.”
“Oh, I wonder what it is,” Jenna played along. “A snack? A toy? What would Santa bring a chihuahua?”
He pulled both of those out, presents they had picked up together. Turning to Jenna with a surprised expression, he said, “There’s something else in there.” He squished the stocking. “Feel it.”
She did and sure enough there was a small hard package at the bottom.
“Why don’t you see what it is?”
“Okay.” Why was Matty being weird and playful about Trixie’s toys? They always spoiled the pets, so this was nothing new.
When she pulled out a black velvet box, her fingers trembled with excitement. She didn’t want to assume anything, though. She glanced at him.
He beamed with his characteristic Matty smile that turned her liquid. Waiting expectantly.
“Open it, open it,” he prodded. “I’m dying to see what Santa brought.”
She returned her attention to the box and opened it. Inside was a round, dazzling diamond in a white gold setting.
“Oh my God!” She covered her mouth with the other hand.
“What is it? What did Santa bring Trixie?”
He moved over to her as if still waiting to discover the contents. He slapped his cheeks and screamed like Macauley Culkin in Home Alone.
“As if you didn’t know.” Joyful tears formed in the corner of her eyes and she wiped them away. She took a deep heaving breath. “I’ve a feeling you conspired with Santa on this gift.”
“Maybe,” he admitted with a grin. “It depends. Do you like it?”
“I love it.”
“In that case, I better do something according to tradition here.” He lowered himself onto one knee, and took her hand. “Jenna, I love you and want to be with you for the rest of my life. Will you marry me?”
Her heart pounded. Her breath came quicker. All the colors seemed to be moving around her living room, yet everything remained strangely still. Could she? Could she marry again? Had she learned her mistake with Roberto?
But he wasn’t Roberto. Matty was an amazing, considerate man and it wasn’t fair to compare them.
“Yes.” She jumped up.
“Yes?” he repeated with a surprised expression. “No ‘I have to think about it?’”
“Yes!” she repeated.
“That was easier than I thought.” He laughed, put on the Santa hat, and then kissed her.
* * *
Jenna glanced out of the window of the dressing room that overlooked the quiet beach in Newport. It was the perfect summer day with blue skies and a mild breeze to offset the heat. She couldn’t see the friends and relatives from her angle, but the open ocean rolled out before her.
Sophia entered the room. “Oh you look stunning! What a beautiful bride.”
Jenna glanced in the mirror. “Thanks.”
She felt more beautiful than she ever had. She wore a simple, but elegant sleeveless silk dress. Far less formal than the princess gown she’d wore last time. Everything about this wedding was different. More relaxed. Much like a relationship with Matty. They didn’t spend the months of careful planning with guest lists and seating charts to put on an event designed to impress. They’d just invited closest family and friends for a casual ceremony on the beach. Nobody had to deal with stressful decisions for this occasion.
“Are you ready?”
Jenna smiled. “I am.”
Matty
“Stop biting your lip like that,” Angelo teased. “You’re going to draw blood. I don’t have any supplies to patch you up.”
“It would look great on a white shirt. Give the wedding a horror movie vibe,” Vince quipped
Matty stopped and exhaled.
“All right.”
“Don’t be nervous,” Angelo added. “If Vince and I can do it in front of a much larger crowd, you can do it here.” He motioned around him. “It’s so you with your sunny personality, Matty. Life’s a beach.”
Matty released a grunting sort of laugh. “Not always.” He glanced at Vince. “I’m glad you made it.”
“I wouldn’t miss it for anything, man.” He gave Matty a hug. “You know that, right.”
“I do. And I appreciate it.”
Vince had flown in with his wife, Emma, from Okinawa, Japan, where he was stationed on a Marine base. A couple of nights ago, Matty had caught up with Vince over a few beers.
“Damn, Matty. It’s good to see you in one piece,” Vince greeted hi.
“It’s messed up, isn’t it?” Matty grinned. “You’re the EOD tech, and I’m the one who almost gets himself blown up.”
Vince nodded and he ran his hand over his high-and-tight. “Shit happens and you never see it coming.” He stared at Matty and put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m sorry about Gunther, man. That must be tough.”
Matty swallowed. Tough didn’t begin to describe the loss. “I miss him.”
“I bet,” Vince said. “We don’t always know or understand why things happen. You need to focus on the good rather than dwell on the bad to move forward.”
Now on his wedding day, he believed in Vince’s words. Matty had found more good than he ever would have expected since they’d been together. Jenna was freaking amazing, so willing to face whatever challenge with such optimism. Even after a horrible first marriage, she was brave enough to try again with him. He was so grateful and knew what a lucky son of a bitch he was.
And her encouraging him to volunteer at the canine organization, had been the best thing to help him adjust and find his place in the civilian world. He now had a job in a private canine security company.
“Hey, don’t leave me out of this bro fest,” Angelo teased and joined Vince and Matty in the embrace.
Matty: A Navy SEAL Romance Page 18
