Be Mine Forever: A Valentine (Single Father Romance)

by Lexy Parker

  “No, no, I’ll be there tonight after my dinner,” I told her.

  “Me and Uncle Clay are going to watch The Little Mermaid and eat popcorn,” she announced.

  “Don’t stay up too late,” I warned.

  “I won’t. Good night, Daddy,” she said in the sweetest voice I ever heard.

  “Good night, sweetie. I will see you in a couple hours,” I told her.

  I ended the call and slid the phone into my pocket.

  “I’m sorry,” I said, looking at Jamie.

  “It’s fine.”

  “I just—whenever I’m away from her and I get a phone call, I panic,” I told her.

  She nodded. “It’s understandable.”

  “The counselor I saw after everything happened diagnosed me with PTSD. I’d been to war twice and had been fine, but the loss of Tara left me traumatized.”

  She offered an understanding smile. “It makes sense.”

  I pushed away the sadness. “No more about that. How’s your steak?” I asked her.

  “It’s perfect. There’s one thing about a southern man that you can’t find up North,” she said with a cheesy grin.

  “And what’s that?”

  “Southern men know how to cook a damn good steak without all the frills. It’s meat and nothing more. The meat is the star of the show,” she said with a laughter.

  I laughed. “I agree with you. I’ve had some steaks that could have been great but were butchered by some overaiming chef who thought dumping a spice cabinet on top of it would make it better.”

  She burst into laughter, the sound washing over me, filling me up with hope. “Salt and pepper. That’s what my dad always said. No need to go tearing up a good piece of meat with a bunch of nonsense.”

  “Is your dad still around?” I asked, wanting to know more about her.

  She shook her head. “No, he passed away ten years ago, cancer.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you. My mom, well, their story is one of those that is one for the books. She had cancer the whole time my dad was sick. She kept it a secret. She took care of him every day, never letting on she was suffering herself. We thought the weight loss and exhaustion was a product of her taking care of my dad. He died and two months later, she died,” she explained.

  “Wow. I’m sorry,” I said, realizing I wasn’t the only one with a sad tale.

  “It was hard, but in so many ways, I know it was for the best. My parents were the type of people who couldn’t have lived without each other. I was glad she didn’t have to endure the pain of grief for very long,” she said with a smile.

  I nodded. “I can definitely understand that sentiment.”

  “Well, we’ve had a very light and upbeat conversation,” she said with a laugh.

  “I’m sorry. I have to confess. This is the first time I’ve been out with a woman since before I was married. I’m clearly out of practice,” I mumbled.

  “No, it’s our stories. I’m glad you told me about her. It’s who we are. We can’t expect to get to know each other if we don’t talk about our pasts and what has helped shape us into the people we are,” she said, shrugging a shoulder.

  I nodded. “True. I did have a nice time and I would like to do this again,” I told her.

  “Good. I think I’d like to as well. Now that we have all the past stuff out of the way, we can learn more about each other,” she said with a smile that made my heart jump in my chest.

  We finished our meals before I drove her home. I parked the truck and quickly jumped out to open the passenger door. I walked her to the front door, then, as if I were sixteen and on my first date ever, I froze up.

  “I had a good time tonight,” I told her.

  “I did too. I don’t want to sound forward, but I do hope we can go out again,” she said, staring at me with those big beautiful eyes.

  “We will,” I said with a smile, taking a step away from her.

  “Philip?” she said in a soft voice.

  I turned to look at her. “Yes?”

  “Is that it?”

  I laughed and stepped toward her, wrapping one arm around her waist and pulling her against me before pressing my lips to hers. The contact was electrifying. My heart started beating faster as I pushed against her.

  I heard the front door open and the next thing I knew she was tugging me inside her house. With my mouth still pressed against hers, I followed her inside, kicking the door shut behind me.

  Chapter 16

  Jamie

  I didn’t think about what I was doing. I didn’t want to think about it, I just wanted to do it. No, do him. I wanted him and if he was game, I wasn’t going to talk him out of it. His body was hard in all the right places as he pushed me against the wall in the entryway. I repositioned my head to avoid the picture hanging on the wall as he ground his hips against me.

  I reached up and ran my hands through his short brown hair, messing it up as he pulled his face closer to mine. His hands skimmed up both sides of my rib cage side before sliding back down and yanking my hips against his, holding them in place while he gave me a preview of what was to come. What was between his legs matched the rest of him—big and hard.

  I gasped, thrilled to have the man so passionate for me. I moved my hands down, tugging the hem of his shirt from his slacks, wanting to feel his hot skin under my palms. He got the drift and before I knew what he was going to do, he pulled his mouth away from mine and spun me around. My cheek rested against the wall where my head had just been. His fingers went to the back of my dress, unzipping it before his rough hands pushed the fabric off my shoulders.

  I let it fall over my hips, sidestepping out of it and turning back around to face him. His eyes were practically eating me alive as they roamed over my body. I was happy as hell I’d worn my good, matching black panties and bra. I certainly hadn’t anticipated the night ending so well, but just in case, I wanted to make sure I was ready for anything.

  “Fuck me, you’re fucking sexy as hell.” He groaned, his hand reaching out to caress my breast.

  “You’re still dressed,” I reminded him.

  In a flurry of movement, his shirt was unbuttoned enough to allow him to heave it over his head and his slacks were lost with a speed that was nearly imperceptible to the human eye. He stood before me all hard man. It was then I caught a glimpse of his tats. The eagle, anchor, and globe were the telltale Marine logo, I knew it well.

  I reached out, running my fingers over the tattoo on his left pec, feeling his hard strength under my touch. He didn’t give me a chance to explore the other tats I saw on his upper arms. His mouth was on mine once again and my back was against the wall in the best way possible.

  I could feel his hard length pressed against my belly. I shuddered with excitement and nervousness. I never slept with a man on the first date, but Philip was different. I wanted him and I was damn sure going to have him.

  His hands reached down my hips, grabbing my ass and squeezing hard as his tongue plunged in and out of my mouth. I moaned, my body reaching a crescendo under his aggressive attack of tongue and hard body. I was going to fucking orgasm while I was still half dressed. I squirmed under him, wanting him to do something that would warrant me climaxing to save myself the embarrassment.

  “Oh God.” I groaned out the words when he undid my bra, yanked it off, and dropped his mouth to one nipple.

  I was so close. I reached forward, wanting to feel exactly what the man was hiding in the tight boxer briefs he had on. When I felt the girth and wrapped my hand over the full length, I was lost. I knew a climax was inevitable and thanked my lucky stars I was a woman.

  “Shh, slow down,” he whispered while I slid my hand up and down his heavy cock, whimpering as he sucked my nipple between his teeth.

  I shook my head. “I can’t! Oh God, please,” I cried out, half begging him to give me a touch to release me from the clenches of being on the edge of an orgasm to half begging my body to slow the fuck down. />
  “I’ve got you,” he whispered against my neck.

  One hand swept over my belly, then hooked the strap of my thong on his thumb and pushed it down. My panties were hanging just above my knees, keeping me from spreading my legs and crawling up the man and taking exactly what I wanted.

  “I’m ready, please.” I gasped out the words.

  “Shh.” He breathed out the silent reassurance as his lips brushed over my ear, sliding over my jaw as his hand moved between my legs.

  I was desperate to open my legs wider, but the damn panties were stuck—and with him pressing me against the wall—I couldn’t move to shake them off.

  One finger swiped over me. I could feel how wet I was. The moment his finger made contact with the part of me that was throbbing and aching, I stopped moving, stopped breathing altogether. My body went stiff as he parted my folds and pushed in his long index finger.

  “Oh God.” I moaned, letting it all go, helpless to stop my body’s very exuberant reaction to being penetrated by his finger.

  “Oh shit.” He gasped as my body flooded his finger.

  My back arched, driving my head against the wall as my hips reached for him, wanting him deeper inside me. He gave me what I needed, plunging his finger high inside me as his mouth closed over mine, sucking my tongue as my body convulsed against him.

  I didn’t have time to be embarrassed by my early climax. He was clearly ready for his own. He stepped away looking around the house. I knew what he was looking for. I quickly shimmied out of my panties and took his hand, walking in only my heels toward my bedroom.

  I stopped beside my bed and forced his briefs down his hips, my eyes going wide when I saw what he was packing. Oh, he was going to be very good. I pushed him onto the bed, ready to crawl on top of him and take him all the way home.

  He sat on the edge of the bed, staring at me, heat in those eyes that were making me quiver all over again. I was glad for the nightlight I kept on in the room. I wanted to watch him while I rode him. I wanted to see his face while I filled myself with all of him.

  I used my hand on his shoulder to force him onto his back. He did so, slithering himself into the middle of the bed. I kicked off my heels and climbed over his body, wrapping my hand around his generous size and guiding him to where I was still wet from my earlier orgasm.

  The head of his cock was at my entrance. I released him from my grip and slowly slid down, letting my body adjust to his size. His hands were on my thighs, his fingers digging into my flesh as I slowly lowered myself over him. I could feel him stretching me as I continued my descent onto his body. I closed my eyes, relishing in the millions of electric jolts racing through my body as we joined together. When I had finally seated myself against him, taking every last centimeter of his long, hard length inside me, I opened my eyes to look at him.

  His jaw was clenched tight and his face twisted in what looked like pain. I didn’t move. I couldn’t move. I could feel the tension coiled within him, knew he was on the edge. I was selfish. I wanted another orgasm and knew I could get one if I could make him hold out a little longer.

  I moved my hips forward, touching new nerve endings and sending new sensations coursing through my body. He groaned, his body jumping off the bed and pushing higher inside me.

  “Oh God,” I cried out, feeling the power and strength of him under me and buried deep inside me was heady, the best aphrodisiac in the world.

  “You feel so good,” he rasped out the words.

  I couldn’t speak coherently. I nodded. “Mmm.” I moaned.

  “I want to fuck you.” He growled, rising up and flipping me onto my back.

  He pushed back inside me with one long, fluid thrust. I cried out as he loomed over me all hard, masculine, and suddenly, very primal. I looked up, meeting his eyes as they stared into mine.

  “I’m ready,” I whispered.

  He growled low in his throat, his head going back as his body moved in and out of mine in the oldest dance of mankind. I heard myself whimpering, groaning, and gasping as he pleasured me.

  “Holy fuck, I can’t hold back any longer.” He ground out the words as if he were in pain.

  “Go!” I screamed, feeling my body on the verge.

  A few more thrusts, it was all I needed. Just. A. Little. More.

  He pumped into me, his body heavy against mine, each thrust pushing me higher. I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled him into me.

  “Fuck!” he shouted, his body jerking into me.

  I was already ahead of him, on my way to another mind-blowing orgasm, as stars erupted before my eyes. I felt as if I were drifting away in a sea of total bliss. He dropped on top of me, his body spasming as he released himself inside me. His orgasm stretched on and on, prolonging mine to the point I was convinced I was going to pass out from too much ecstasy.

  He collapsed beside me, half of his body still draped on mine, his face buried against my neck. I could feel his hot, heavy breathing against me as he struggled to catch his breath. I was suffering the same affliction. My heart was pounding as if I had just sprinted a marathon.

  “Wow,” I whispered, turning to face him, our noses touching.

  He grinned. “Yes, wow.”

  I reached up, running my hand up and down his muscular arm. I could have fallen asleep as we were. I was spent, sated, and oh so satisfied.

  “I should go,” he whispered.

  I looked into his eyes, so close to mine. “You don’t have to.”

  He smiled. “I do. I have to pick up Sadie and get her home.”

  I smiled, a little disappointed but understood why. “Okay.”

  “I hope we can do this again sometime,” he said, his voice a deep rumble.

  I grinned. “This? Or dinner?” I teased.

  He chuckled. “Both.”

  “Good, because I would really like to do this again,” I told him.

  He pursed his lips and gave me a quick kiss before rolling off me. I shifted to my side and caught a glimpse of his sexy backside, admiring the way his back tapered into a nice V just above his perfectly tight ass. His legs weren’t huge, but they were muscular. I had a feeling he had probably been a bit of a gym rat in the past. His responsibilities likely kept him from spending a lot of time in the gym now, but he clearly still did something to stay in shape.

  He pulled on his underwear and walked out of the room. I sighed, realizing I had to get up as well—or did I? When he came back into the room, I was still naked and lying on the bed. I didn’t want to move. I felt too good, too relaxed, and was enjoying the little aftershocks still zinging through my body.

  He grinned as he walked toward the bed, his shirt hanging open. I nearly creamed myself again watching him.

  “You look very relaxed,” he said with a grin, sitting down on the edge of the bed and leaning over me.

  “I am. I don’t want to move,” I told him.

  He bent down and kissed me on the lips. “Don’t. Stay right there. I’ll lock the door on my way out.”

  I smiled under his kiss. “I’ll freeze if I don’t get under the covers.”

  “Are you going to sleep nude?” he asked, his voice thick and low.

  I nodded. “I think so.”

  He closed his eyes, inhaling through his nose. “That’s all I’m going to be thinking about when I’m home in my own bed.”

  I flashed a grin. “That’s all you’re going to be thinking about? I think I’m going to be thinking about a lot more than just being naked.”

  He stared at me for several long seconds. I could see the war he was fighting within. I leaned forward and gave him a kiss.

  “I have to go,” he whispered.

  “I know. I’ll see you later,” I told him.

  He got off the bed and looked down at me. “Yes, you will,” he said, his voice full of promise as he walked out of the room.

  I heard the front door open and shut, followed by the sound of his truck engine pulling away. The night had gone far bette
r than I could have imagined.

  Chapter 17

  Philip

  I couldn’t remember the last time I had slept so soundly. I had gotten home and barely had the strength to change into my pajama bottoms. I had to, knowing Sadie would wake me up early, peppering me with questions about my night out. I had fallen into bed and been asleep the second my face hit the pillow. I was ever so grateful Clay had worn her out. She’d barely moved a muscle when I carried her inside and tucked her into bed. I had grand visions of the two of us sleeping late on a Sunday morning.

  Unfortunately, my lovely little ray of sunshine did not share my same excitement at sleeping in. The girl was a bundle of energy requiring very little sleep. I was usually the same way, but the idea of sleeping late was appealing. Too bad it wasn’t a reality. I woke up to what felt like a small earthquake in my bed. It was my lovely daughter following through with her promise to wake me up by bouncing on the bed. She had done exactly that. I felt like I was on a malfunctioning vibrating bed on steroids.

  “Sadie.” I groaned, pulling the pillow over my head.

  “Daddy! Daddy! Wake up!” she shouted, bouncing up and down again.

  I knew I should tell her not to jump on the bed. There was a long list of reasons why it was bad, but it gave her so much joy. I couldn’t bring myself to stop her.

  I grabbed her and tugged her down beside me. “What are you doing, you little heathen,” I said, holding her close.

  “I’m waking you up,” she said with a giggle.

  “You did that, now can I go back to sleep?” I asked.

  “No! It’s time to get up,” she squealed.

  “I’m tired. I’ll pay you five dollars to go back to bed for an hour,” I offered.

  She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t need money.”

  “Sure, you do. One day you’re going to want a car and a house and pretty dresses,” I told her.

  She rolled her eyes. “You’ll buy it for me,” she said as if it was the most practical thing in the world.

  “I don’t think so, little lady. You’ll have to get a job. I’m not a rich man,” I reminded her.