“Don’t worry, I’ll go easy on you,” she said. “Maybe we need a friendly little wager or something.”
Jacob chuckled, rubbing his hands together. “Now that sounds promising. How about this—if I win, I get to stay over tonight.”
Jessica laughed. “And that’s supposed to get me to throw the game so you’ll win? I don’t know, buddy. I don’t like to lose. What about if I win?”
He winked at her. “Just let me know what you want, angel.” He chuckled as he saw her cheeks pinkening. “Interesting,” he said huskily. “Maybe if you win, I’ll just surprise you with your reward.”
He slung his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. Jessica’s sexy little red bikini was doing him in. She might’ve been sweet and a little bit shy, but she’d certainly enjoyed their make-out session.
They walked back over to their group a few minutes later. “You guys were gone a while,” Michelle teased.
“Did you miss us?” Jessica asked, sinking back down into her chair. “My beer’s totally warm now, yuck.”
“I’ll grab you another,” Jacob said, opening up the cooler.
“You’re so screwed, man,” Mason said with a chuckle.
“Says the guy with a woman draped all over him,” Jacob said with a laugh. Taylor and Mason were both sitting on a towel together in the sand, looking totally content as she leaned back against him.
Jacob grabbed two beers and popped the caps off, handing one over to Jessica. “What time did Noah leave?”
“Just before you got here,” Ryker said, tossing the football up in the air and catching it. “They should be back with the food soon.”
“How long do you guys want to stay down here?” Amy asked.
Michelle shrugged. “Another hour or so? We can all grab dinner later on if you want.”
“How about I grill some burgers at your place?” Ryker asked. “The guys and I can pick up some food later when you ladies are changing.”
Jessica glanced over at Jacob. “What do you say? We could do dinner out another night.”
Jacob shrugged. “I’m cool with whatever you want. We can grill out tonight at your place. There’s always time for a game of putt-putt afterwards if you’re up for it.”
She laughed, taking a long pull of her beer, and he tried to ignore the slight swelling in his chest. Hell, she was beautiful. Even without doing anything at all, she had him under her spell. The funny thing was, she didn’t even seem to realize it.
Chapter 16
THE SCENT OF CHARCOAL wafted through the air on the deck, and Jacob wrapped his muscular arms around Jessica from behind as she watched their group of friends. She relaxed into his embrace, inhaling the fresh scent of his soap as he pulled her close.
It was crazy how he could send shivers racing down her spine every time he touched her. They’d spent most of the day together, and it still felt like she couldn’t get enough of him.
“It feels crazy that everyone gets along so well,” she mused, watching as their friends laughed and joked around together.
Jacob nuzzled the top of her head before resting his chin atop it. “Why’s it crazy?” he asked.
“I don’t know—we all just met, sort of, and it feels like we’ve known each other for years.”
“Well, I have known my buddies for years,” he said with a chuckle. “And it’s the same with you and your friends.”
She watched as a seagull swooped through the air, eventually landing on the sand twenty yards away. She’d enjoyed plenty of nights on the deck since they’d rented the beach house, but tonight it really felt like home with a group of friends there.
It was crazy to think that since it was just a vacation. She felt like she could see herself living here though—good friends, the beach. Jacob. Having him at her side all day long felt totally natural. They didn’t even have to be talking, she was simply content to be with him.
“I think Amy wishes she had a date tonight, too,” she said. “I don’t want her to feel left out.”
“Hmmm,” Jacob said. “Maybe I can round up someone from base next time we all get together. There’s plenty of single guys who’d love to meet someone like her.”
“Too bad Bailey had to work tonight,” Michelle said, carrying out a pitcher of margaritas. “She makes killer drinks.”
“That she does,” Noah agreed from his seat at the table, adjusting his aviators. “I’m going to head over later on tonight and see her.”
“Aww, that’s sweet,” Taylor said. “I was lucky to get a Saturday night off from Anchors. But I’d requested it a while ago—you guys all know how crazy it is on the weekends.”
“You’re welcome to come hang out with us here on your days off,” Jessica said. “Your apartment is close by, right?”
“Yeah, not too far. Nowhere near as nice as this place though.”
Jessica pulled out of Jacob’s embrace and walked over to the table to pour herself a margarita. “We’re just renting it for the summer. It’s not like I could afford this rent year-round. We’ve got Michelle’s parents to thank, really.”
Ryker flipped the burgers on the grill, grabbing his beer from the railing of the deck and taking a long pull. “It sounds like you have some cool parents,” he said with a low chuckle. “I can’t say mine ever rented me a beach house for summer—not that the Navy would give me a few months off.”
Michelle tossed her hair over her shoulder, taking a sip of her margarita. “They’re both doctors and can afford it. I think they were disappointed I became a high school teacher. They seemed to think I’d follow right in their footsteps.”
“What do you teach?” Jacob asked, grabbing another beer as he stood next to Jessica. He’d showered and changed after their afternoon at the beach, and she detected the faint hint of cologne mixed in with his soap.
Briefly, she remembered their little bet from earlier. Would they even make it to play putt-putt tonight? She wanted him to stay over, she realized. Even if nothing happened between them, she wanted his arms around her tonight and to wake up beside him in the morning.
She was never one to rush into things in relationships, but she was comfortable with Jacob.
Like any red-blooded male, she was sure he wouldn’t turn down sex, but she was also confident that he’d be content to go at her pace. And wasn’t that quite a change from the types of men she usually dated.
Maybe it was because he was older than her? At twenty-five, she usually dated guys around her own age. Jacob happened to be nearly a decade older, but he didn’t act it. He was playful and fun yet serious about his career. Dedicated to the Navy. And he seemed more than happy to let her set the pace—and to tell her exactly how he felt about her.
There were no games with Jacob. He was interested in her, and it showed. She flushed, recalling his attention from earlier. She couldn’t believe he’d made her come as her lifted her up and down his cock in the middle of the ocean. There was something thrilling and exciting about being with him—yet he always made her also feel safe. Secure.
“No kidding, you teach art?” Jacob asked, and she realized she’d missed part of the conversation.
“Yeah. I’m the opposite of my parents in that way I guess,” Michelle said. “They’re very rigid in their schedules and dedicated to their careers. I’m a total free-spirit.” She shrugged, walking across the deck to stand beside Ryker. He slung his arm around her shoulders and took another swig of his beer.
“The burgers are just about ready,” he said.
“I’ll go grab the sides,” Jessica offered. “Amy, want to come with?”
“Sure thing,” Amy said, following her inside. “So what’s up?” she asked after they’d closed the sliding glass door, leaving the rest of the group out on the deck. “You seemed deep in thought there for a minute.”
Jessica pulled open the fridge and began pulling things out. “I like him,” she admitted.
Amy laughed, grabbing plates from the cupboard. “Yeah, I figured that. H
e likes you, too. I noticed he can’t keep his hands off of you. Not in a bad way,” she hastily added. “He just always seems to want to have his arms around you and hold you close.”
“That’s just the problem,” Jessica said. “I shouldn’t start developing any feelings for him. We’re leaving at the end of the summer. I mean, I figured we’d go out on a few dates and have fun. See each other while I’m here. I wasn’t planning to fall for the guy.”
“He doesn’t look too upset about it either,” Amy said. “Have you guys talked?”
“What? About us? No way. I mean we barely just started dating. Yeah, I guess we’ve had a couple of super long dates—we spent all afternoon together earlier this week, you know with the carnival and dinner. And today we’ve constantly been together. But....”
“But what? Enjoy. I’d love to meet an amazing guy. And the fact that he’s smoking hot doesn’t exactly hurt either.”
“Yeah. It’s just that Michelle wanted to have a fun little summer romance. She and Ryker are totally on the same page. I’m not really like that, you know? I can’t sleep with a guy and have it mean nothing.”
“Who said it has to be a fling?” Amy asked, carrying her stack of plates across the kitchen. “You can have it be whatever you want it to.”
“Me. I did. Because I live five hours away from here.”
“So. You have a car. Jacob does, too. Drive to see each other on weekends. Meet in the middle. Talk to him on the phone every night. I don’t know. If you want to make it work out, you can.”
Jessica blew out a sigh, following Amy back toward the doors. “It’s too early to even think about that sort of thing. I mean, we could get tired of each other next month or something. Have a big fight next week. And then I’ve been worrying about nothing.”
“You only live once,” Amy countered. “If you see something you want, go for it.”
JACOB HELPED CLEAR the rest of the things off the deck a few hours later, following the others inside to the kitchen. It had been a hell of a night—grilled burgers, drinks, and an attempt to teach the ladies how to play poker.
Noah had snuck off to see Bailey, Mason and Taylor had just left, and Amy had excused herself to go read.
“Night, guys!” Michelle said. “We’re going to go for a walk on the beach.”
Jacob nodded at Ryker, who followed Michelle to the front door with a flashlight in his hand.
“All right, I’m leaving the rest of this for tomorrow,” Jessica declared, setting the stack of dishes in the sink. The dishwasher hummed beside her, and the extra food had all been put away. She clasped her hands together, looking cute as hell yet slightly nervous at the same time.
Jacob cocked his head, glancing down at her. She seemed worried all of a sudden now that they were standing here in the kitchen alone, and he knew she was thinking about him spending the night. “I can head out,” he assured her. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable by assuming it’s cool for me to stay.”
“I want you to stay,” she said shyly.
He raised his eyebrows. “Are you sure? There’s plenty of other weekends I can spend the night. You’re here all summer, and I’m not trying to rush you into anything.”
“I’m sure, it’s just—I might just want to sleep together. I mean just sleep,” she continued hurriedly. “Not have sex. I’m sorry, I’m totally rambling, it’s just—”
“Jess,” he said, taking a step closer and brushing a strand of her hair back. “You don’t have to explain anything to me. I’m happy to do whatever you want. You want me to hold you all night? I’ll hold you. If you want me to make love to you one night when you’re ready? Then I’ll do that. I’d never rush you into something.”
“Okay, it’s just—I want you to stay.”
“And I want to stay,” he assured her. He ducked down, gently kissing her. “I’m not in a hurry, angel. I already told you that. I mean, hell. Of course, whenever you’re ready I wouldn’t turn you down, but there’s no pressure here.”
“Okay,” she said, flushing.
“It’s cute as hell when you get embarrassed around me,” he said gruffly, lightly running his knuckles over her cheek.
“No, it’s not,” she disagreed.
“We’ll agree to disagree on that,” he said with a wink. “Why don’t you go get ready or do whatever you need to do. I’m good with just sleeping in boxer shorts.”
“Are you sure?”
“Hell yeah, I’m sure. I’ve pitched tents in the desert when I was deployed. Camped out in one-hundred-degree heat. Sleeping in your bed with you in my arms is no hardship. Trust me, sweetheart.”
Her eyes brightened, and he felt a funny little pull in his chest. It was crazy how one small look from her could make him feel ten-feet tall. Normally he’d be into getting a woman naked as quickly as possible, getting her to cry out his name, and then slaking his own need.
But with Jess?
He wanted her happy. Sure, he’d love to strip her bare and make her come apart in his arms, and then sink into her so deeply he didn’t know where he stopped and she began.
But right now?
The look she was giving him slayed him. Like he could do no wrong in her eyes. And it was fucking sweet as hell.
“All right. I’ll just go change, and....” She didn’t finish her sentence, just turned and went down the hallway. Jacob shut off the kitchen light and checked the lock on the front door, hoping Ryker and Michelle had taken a key with them.
He had his phone if they ended up being locked out.
Using the guest bathroom in the hallway, he walked further down looking for Jessica’s room. Amy’s door was obviously closed, and Michelle was out with Ryker. One door was slightly cracked with light coming through, and he peeked inside, nearly choking in surprise.
Jessica was lying on her bed in some skimpy black lingerie. Her brown waves were tousled around her, and she looked nervous but excited as she met his gaze.
He shut the door after he’d stepped in, unable to let his eyes stop wandering all over her. “Wow.” That was it. He couldn’t have said another thing if he wanted. He was truly at a loss for words.
Jessica had on some sort of black lace bodysuit that fit her like a glove. It almost looked like a scandalous swimsuit, with flimsy little straps holding it up. Her full breasts were on display through the transparent material, and his gaze swept down her flat stomach to where the material ended, covering her pussy. Her long legs were stretched out before her, and Jacob could see her chest rising and falling.
“Hell, angel. You look amazing.” He cleared his throat. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get this image out of my head.”
“I just got it this week,” she said shyly, her cheeks pinkening.
“I’m a lucky man,” he said, walking closer as his cock hardened. He gazed down at her, unable to resist reaching out to touch her. “Did you change your mind?”
“Yes. I want you, Jacob.”
“You have me,” he said, stripping off his shirt. Her eyes widened as they swept over his muscular chest, but then he was ducking down. Kissing her. His erection strained against his boxers and shorts, but he didn’t stop to free himself yet.
He palmed one full breast, kneading and caressing it as she whimpered.
“I want to taste you, angel. Everywhere.” He slowly nipped at her neck as he kissed his way down, then slid his thick fingers under one of the delicate straps. Sliding it down her shoulder, he exposed one breast, ducking down to lick and suck on her pink nipple.
Jessica squirmed beneath him, gasping, and he could smell her arousal. “You’re so gorgeous,” he murmured, exposing her other breast the same way and then kissing his way down her body. His fingers slid to her pussy, and he discovered a slit in the fabric there.
He groaned in approval, muttering to himself as his fingers slid through her arousal, feeling her silken folds. She was soaked for him, her sex swollen and ready. He gently spread her thighs, gazing down at her pi
nk folds. The black lace fabric exposed her perfectly, and his balls tightened as he just stared at her sex.
She let out a shaky breath as he touched her again, and then, ducking lower, he licked her from her core right to her clit. She cried out in surprise, clutching onto his head, and then he simply devoured her. His broad shoulders spread her gorgeous legs, and then he was licking and sucking and tasting until Jessica was bucking her hips up in the air, desperate for more.
Jacob slid one thick finger into her core, feeling her inner walls clamp down around him. She was so tight, he couldn’t imagine fitting his throbbing cock into her.
He’d always have to go slowly with her—to let her get used to every inch of his manhood.
God, it would be like heaven to be inside of Jessica.
He slid a second finger in, gently crooking his fingers to hit her g-spot as she moaned. He gazed at her for just a moment, partially bared and spread out before him.
God, she was beautiful. He’d been shocked as hell to see her in this sexy little lingerie, but damn if the image of her in it wasn’t burned into his brain forever.
He ducked down and resumed trailing his tongue through her folds as she cried out. She tasted so fucking sweet, he knew he could never get enough. Jessica was his to pleasure and care for. And as he worshiped her gorgeous body, he knew a summer, an entire lifetime with her wouldn’t be enough.
“Jacob, oh God,” she whimpered. “Please, please,” she begged.
He flickered his tongue over her clit, feeling her sex fluttering against his face. Gently nibbling on the tender bud, his cock hardened even more as she screamed, crying out his name as he continued suckling at her, enjoying every last drop of her pleasure.
He slid his fingers in and out, feeling her pussy clamp down around him, and gently eased her down from her orgasm, giving her soft kisses against her sex.
Finally, she lay gasping on the bed, and Jacob sat back up, grinning in approval. Her cheeks were flushed, her breasts bared to him, and her legs still spread wide. With her brown waves tousled around her head, she looked like some sort of goddess spread out on the bed for him to enjoy and pleasure.
Summer with a SEAL Page 10
