Alexa leaned into him, her lips coming to rest upon his, their breath moist and mingling.
“I love you, Gage Hunter,” she said as she opened her eyes, drowning in his glittering blue gaze. Weakly, she raised her hand, her fingers trailing against his cheek. “I love you . . .”
He caught her hand, placing a kiss in her palm. “You’re mine,” he growled, pinning her with a dark look. “You always were. Now we just made it official.” He gave her the hungry look of a wolf claiming his mate—her.
How much younger Gage looked at that moment. Her body hummed with heat and ongoing sweet contractions of pleasure because he was still embedded within her, a part of her. And she didn’t ever want him to leave her. He was a heavy, warm blanket of the most wonderful kind. Even now, he was potent, and she could feel him growing once more within her as he twisted his hips, teasing her.
“I was flying,” she confided, smiling against his mouth.
“So was I. You are incredible. One of a kind.” He lifted away, propping himself up on one elbow, leaning over her, studying her with a sniper’s intensity. Smoothing strands of hair sticking to her temple and cheek, he leaned down, nibbling on her earlobe, nipping it, lavishing her velvet skin as she moaned.
“I love you, Alexa Culver. You’re the only woman I ever want in my arms.” His low, gruff words flowed through her like sunlight piercing the dark storm clouds that remained within her. She barely opened her eyes, engulfed in the love shining for her alone.
“When didn’t we love one another, I wonder,” she asked, meeting his liquid gaze, consumed and surrounded by the love she could feel embracing her within. She was in his arms, nestled next to his body, well loved physically and even more so emotionally. This man knew how to show his love without fear, without any thought other than filling her wounded soul with his own body, mind, and heart.
Easing out of her, he rasped, “Stay put. I’ll be back in a moment.”
Alexa nodded, missing him already, her body glowing, still throbbing with satiation. She closed her eyes, sinking back onto the bed. She must have dozed, because she awakened when the bed dipped. Gage came over and sat facing her, a warm cloth in his hand and a small towel. Her heart turned with love for him as he gently cleaned her up. It brought tears to her eyes as she lay there watching him care for her. Never had a man done this for her.
“You have to be sore,” he murmured. “A year and a half without a partner . . . and we went at it pretty hard.”
Her lips pulled upward. “Hard? Is that a pun, Hunter?”
His mouth moved into a boyish smile as he gently wiped the inside of each of her thighs. “Guess it could be, couldn’t it?”
“You’re unbelievable.” Alexa reached out, her fingers grazing his shoulder. “You didn’t have to do this . . .”
He gave her a warm look. “You need a little TLC.”
Wasn’t that the truth? She lay back, closing her eyes, absorbing his tender ministrations. “I think you’re a figment of my imagination come to life,” she murmured, reaching down, her fingers brushing his hard thigh.
“Oh? Were you dreaming of bedding a sniper before I met you?”
Alexa managed a choked laugh. “I like your dry sense of humor after making love. Don’t stop. I love it.” And then she lost her smile, meeting and melting beneath his smoldering look. “I love you, Gage.”
“I know you do.” He moved the soft towel between her thighs. “I saw it often in your eyes. I wanted to believe in what I saw, Alexa, but I talked myself into thinking I was imagining it. Pretty dumb, huh?”
“Why?”
He patted the insides of her thighs and stood up, placing the towel and cloth on a nearby chair. Coming back to bed, he put a couple of pillows against the headboard and then sat down, his back against them. “Come here,” he rasped, pulling her up to her knees. “Close to me . . .”
She loved being pulled across his long, muscular thighs, cosseted beneath his right arm, her head coming to rest on his broad, capable shoulder. Sighing, she said, “I could get used to this. I like how you hold me after we make love.”
“Best time is always afterward,” Gage agreed, easing her hair away from her cheek, leaning down, his mouth tenderly moving against her lips, loving her all over again.
“Mmmm,” she managed to say, that happy sound in her throat as she responded eagerly to his slow, molten kiss. She glided her hand across his chest, feeling the dampness of his skin, the silkiness of his hair sprinkled across it. His kiss was intimate, slowly drugging her mind, bringing her satisfied body back to life, encouraging the flames that had been reduced to glowing embers to reignite. And as he cupped her breast, her flesh prickled, her nipples tightening, wanting his attention once more.
Already, Alexa could feel his erection lengthening, thickening against her hip as she lay across him. Gage was a thorough lover, but then, he was a sniper, wasn’t he? Snipers were into the details, and she moaned as he lavished her nipple with his thumb, sending bolts of heat downward through her, stoking those coals to burning life once more. She swore she could feel him saturating all his senses with her, and it made her smile beneath his mouth as it lazily explored hers.
“What are you smiling about?” he asked, pulling away just enough to engage her half-closed eyes.
“You . . . how you don’t miss one inch of me, anywhere. That’s the sniper in you. You’re into all the details.”
His mouth curved and he chuckled. “It’s who I am.”
“Oh,” Alexa sighed, “don’t ever change. I love how you just loved me. I feel so very, very spoiled.”
He studied her in the darkness, a small night-light shedding just enough illumination so that he could see the soft curve of her face, the radiance in her eyes, the joy surrounding her. “I intend to spoil you every day in large and small ways. Wait and see.”
“You touched my heart so deeply when you brought me that bouquet of roses when I was at Bagram. Do you remember?”
He grimaced and gave a short laugh. “Yeah, I remember hunting all over the base to find you red roses. And the only ones on that damned base were two days from wilting.”
“I loved them,” she said softly, holding his amused expression. “They meant so much to me, Gage. I knew it was January, and I don’t know how you even found them. It blew my mind.”
“Your eyes are about to close,” he rasped, kissing her cheek, sliding his hand down the curve of her back. “Go to sleep. I’ll hold you safe . . . forever, if you’ll let me.”
CHAPTER 22
Alexa didn’t want to leave their cabin and go back to Alexandria. Gage had gone into a small nearby town as she packed her luggage. Her body glowed from their lovemaking just before lunch, and she had to admit, she couldn’t get enough of what he gave her. She knew it was love—real love. Before, when she’d thought she’d fallen in love, it hadn’t been even close.
Outside, the June sky was clearing, turning a light blue and cloudless. The scent of pine, of fresh, clean air, gently moved through the cabin’s opened windows. It was nearly two P.M., and she heard Gage drive into the parking area in front of the cabin. She folded the last of her clothes, tucking them into her luggage, and smiled softly, looking at Gage’s black nylon bag. His was one-third the size of her luggage.
“Hey,” Gage greeted her, standing in the doorway.
She turned, startled. He knew how to walk without ever being heard. Standing there in those jeans outlining his powerful lower body, that dark green T-shirt that showed off his deep chest and broad shoulders, she smiled. In his hand was a bouquet of red roses, gold foil wrapped with a bright emerald-green ribbon surrounding them.
“Oh, Gage!” Her heart turned to mush as she ran over to him. “Gage . . . you shouldn’t have . . .” She saw him give her the smoldering look of a man who loved her with his life.
“This is to make up for those old bedraggled ones from Bagram,” he said, sliding the dozen red roses into her opening hands. Leaning over, he kissed her.
“For you, sweetheart.”
Deeply touched, she sank her face into the healthy red roses. “Mmmm, they smell wonderful, Gage!” She lifted her face, smiling into his darkening blue eyes. Alexa knew that look. He wanted to love her one more time before they left the cabin, and so did she.
“Come sit with me on the porch swing for a moment?” he said. “I have something I need to share with you.”
“Sure,” she said, taking his hand. “Let me put these in a vase in the kitchen first, okay?”
“For sure,” he chortled. “We don’t want any more wimpy red roses for you, do we?”
She laughed with him. In no time, she’d found a glass vase and placed the roses in it. “I love the gold foil and green ribbon,” she offered, turning to him as he waited for her.
“It’s the color of your eyes when I hold you in my arms.”
He was so romantic. Alexa melted beneath the hungry look in his smiling eyes. “It’s so thoughtful of you, though,” she whispered, walking with him out to the porch. A robin sang nearby, the sun peering through the trees surrounding the cabin.
Today, she wore a set of loose white shorts, a sleeveless magenta tee, and her sandals. Gage brought her to the swing and they sat down, rocking it slowly back and forth. This was her favorite place to be with him—besides the bed.
Gage sat nearby, his knee touching hers. The sunlight was scattered and danced silently across the area. “I’m going to miss this place,” he told her. “The quiet. The solitude.”
“Me too,” she sighed. Reaching out, she slid her hand into his. “But we can come up here any weekend, Gage. The whole family uses it, and we can check with Wyatt and Tal and Matt and Dara to make sure they aren’t reserving it first.”
“We’ll work something out,” he assured her. “We always do.”
She leaned back, tipping her head against the cushions. “We do, don’t we? No matter what, we made it this far together.”
“Do you like what we have, Alexa?”
She became somber, her hand tightening around his. “I love it. I love you, Gage. I don’t want life without you in it.”
“Me either,” he rasped. He pulled a small box from his jeans pocket, released her hand, and offered it to her. “I want what we have to be permanent when you’re ready, Alexa. Open it, please?”
She sat up. It was a small black velvet box, a little worn and old. “What’s this, Gage?”
“Gotta open it to find out.” He sat there, watching the confusion in her expression. And then, when she opened the lid, a gasp flew out of her. Instantly, her eyes widened and she stared at him.
“Gage!”
He held on to his trip-hammering heart and slid his hand beneath hers as she held the two rings encased in the box. “This is my mother’s wedding set that my dad bought for her when he proposed to her, Alexa. It’s one of the few things I have left to remember them by.” His voice deepened with emotion. “I love you. I know it’s too soon to marry, but I need you to know that’s how I see us growing and what I see us moving toward. I wanted to give you this set as a promise from me to you that I’m serious about you, about us. That I want, more than anything, a lifetime with you, not just living together.”
She blinked back tears as she delicately touched the simple ring set. There was a small solitaire diamond engagement ring and a plain gold band with it. She saw some scratches on it, and it made her heart swell with love for Gage. Words stuck in her throat, and she closed the box, holding it in one hand, and turned, cupping his recently shaven face. Looking deep into his vulnerable eyes, she whispered, “I want the very same thing, Gage. I love you, now and forever,” and she leaned forward, seeking and finding his mouth.
The moment turned heated and filled with promise as he groaned, sweeping her into his arms and putting all the fierce love he felt for Alexa into a deep, long kiss. He tasted the salt of her tears as they fell, but this time, Gage knew they were tears of joy.
Sliding his fingers through her loose, thick hair, he eased gradually from her mouth, holding her gaze.
“I’m not rich, Alexa, but money can’t buy the love I have for you. I can only offer you myself and my heart, and hope that it’s enough.”
Totaled by his humility, Alexa whispered brokenly, “You have something money could never buy, darling. Your love for me, and all the times over the past six months you proved that you loved me. You risked your own life to save me and those women. If that isn’t love, I don’t know what is. Do you?”
He caressed her damp cheek, kissing her eyes, with that incredible warmth burning in their depths for him alone. “No, I don’t. And I’d do it again if I had to.” He smiled a little. “But that’s not going to happen. We’re here in the States, and you’re safe. My job is make you feel protected, loved, so you can heal from the past.” He threaded his fingers through her hair, the strands clean and strong, reminding Gage of Alexa’s inner strength. “What I’d like to do is to go see Tal tomorrow and tell her I’m taking the job to head up the sniper department at Artemis. Then I’d like us to find a place, a house maybe, out in the farm country near where we work. I don’t like the city, and you don’t either. You can have any house you want, because I’ll be making enough money to handle the mortgage. I want you happy, Alexa.”
“That sounds perfect, Gage. It doesn’t have to be a fancy house. I’m not fancy by nature.”
He chuckled. “Well, that hotel of a house your parents have is huge.”
“That’s because my mom’s global family comes for a visit at least two or three times a year,” she laughed. “No, I’d love to find a small farmhouse with a little bit of land where we can go for walks—maybe even a hike every now and then.”
“Sounds perfect to me.” Gage closed his hand over hers, which held his ring box. “Keep these. I don’t want to pressure you about marriage, Alexa. We’re still learning a lot about one another. We have time now. And I’m fine with whatever you need. I just want to be there to support you, help you work through what happened.”
Sniffing, she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and then opened up the ring box. She pulled out the engagement ring. Something caught her eye and she saw there was an inscription on the inside of it: I’ll love you until I die, and beyond.
Gage nodded, his voice deep with emotion. “My dad had that inscribed for my mom.”
Holding the engagement ring, Alexa felt fresh tears rush to her eyes. “He loved her so much . . . just like you love me—and I love you.”
*
Tal and Wyatt were at their condo when a knock came to their door Sunday evening. Tal was sitting on the couch and Wyatt was at the kitchen table, his laptop open, working on a software program.
“I’ll get it,” he told her.
“Are you expecting anyone, Wyatt?”
“Nope,” he said, rising from the chair. They had just eaten dinner and he’d put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
Opening the door, Wyatt grinned. “Well, well, look what the cat drug in,” he drawled, standing aside and gesturing for Alexa and Gage to come in.
Tal twisted around. “Alexa! You two back from the cabin? Come and sit down!” She rose, dropping her magazine on the sofa and walking toward them.
Alexa hugged her big sister and then Wyatt. “We wanted you to be the first to know,” she said, breathless. Gage shook Wyatt’s hand and nodded hello toward Tal. He came up, sliding his arm around Alexa’s waist. “Look, Tal.” She held up her left hand, the engagement ring sparkling.
Gasping, Tal held her hand and then looked over at them. “This is wonderful! And not exactly unexpected by someone in this room.” She grinned at Wyatt.
Her fiancé chuckled and came over, patting Gage’s shoulder as he came around to look at Alexa’s engagement ring. He arched an eyebrow, giving Tal an amused look. “I did tell you so, didn’t I?”
Tal wrinkled her nose. “Yes, you did, cowboy.” She laughed and turned to Alexa and Gage. “Last Friday, Wyatt came into my office
and said that Gage was going to marry you, Alexa.”
Wyatt grinned broadly, his hands on his hips.
Gasping, Alexa turned to the tall ex-SEAL. “Truly?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he confirmed. Giving Gage a merry look, he added, “It was pretty obvious to everyone except our CEO here,” and gestured in Tal’s direction.
“He’s psychic as hell,” Tal muttered, giving Wyatt a dark look. “The ring’s beautiful, Alexa.” She hugged her sister. “I’m so happy for you!” And then Tal released her and hugged Gage. “You’re going to be my brother-in-law. I hope like hell that means you’re taking that job we offered you?” she asked, releasing him.
Gage had the good grace to smile. “Of course I’ll take the job, Tal. It’s a great opportunity, and thanks for offering it to me.”
Wyatt clapped him on the shoulder. “Good man. I knew you would!” He gave Tal a smug I-told-you-so look.
“Smartass,” Tal muttered, giving him a sour grin.
“Hey, SEALs are pretty locked into the energy around them,” Wyatt said, gesturing for the couple to come into their living room. “Come on in, boys and girls. This calls for a celebration. Beer or wine?”
“I’ll take a beer,” Gage called.
“White wine for me, Wyatt,” Alexa said.
“You want a shot of whiskey?” Wyatt drawled, giving Tal a triumphant look.
“No,” she muttered. “You’re really rubbing salt into my wounds, Lockwood.”
He chuckled as he opened the fridge door. “It isn’t often I get to one-up you. Want some white wine, too?”
“Yes,” Tal said, sitting down opposite Alexa and Gage. “Please.”
“Okay, two beers for the men and two glasses of white wine for the ladies,” he murmured, grinning like a wolf that had caught his prey.
Broken Dreams (Delos Series Book 4) Page 29
