by Aliyah Burke
With a wave she left Heather's condo and headed to the elevator. Her cell phone was in her hand when she left the building into the early evening. Taking a deep breath, Delaney scrolled through her numbers until she reached Garrick's. A moment's hesitation then she pressed call.
"Where are you, sugar?” his thick voice poured over the line and her skin like warmed caramel.
"Hello to you, too,” she said.
"Delaney, please let me explain this to you.” He paused. “Where are you?"
"I'm walking home from Heather's."
"I'll be right there."
"Garrick, you don't know where I am.” She heard hushed voices and slamming doors. Delaney shook her head when she heard the rumble of his diesel engine. “Which apparently doesn't matter."
"Sugar, you can hang up on me. I need to see you. Now, directions."
Looking up the street, she spotted a fast food restaurant and said, “I'll meet you at McDonald's. I'm at the one on Fifth and Coral."
"I'll be right there."
"Okay. I'll see you then."
She ended the call and walked herself there. Inside, Delaney ordered a sweet tea before going back outside to wait. She didn't wait long before she looked up to the sound and sight of Garrick's dark granite truck pulling in. While he parked, she moved toward him, smiling at the obvious Marine pride he had displayed on his vehicle. He jumped out when she was by the back wheels and before she could blink, he had her in his arms.
"Delaney,” he groaned, pressing her close.
One arm around him, she returned the hug, her other hand holding her drink. “Garrick,” she whispered.
"I didn't know and I didn't take her out. Well, I showed her around the base, but I refused to take her to dinner."
But did you want to? “I don't want to keep you from doing things you want to, Garrick."
His black brows furrowed. “What are you talking about? What things do you think you're keeping me from?"
"She is a beautiful woman."
His eyes narrowed. “Get in the truck."
"I thought you wanted to talk."
"Now, Delaney."
He took her drink from her and held the door for her. She slid across the seat until she was in the middle, the gearshift between her legs. Garrick gave her back her tea and was beside her in seconds. Moments later they were driving through Pensacola. Delaney sat in silence, watching him.
His eyes were stormy and there was that damn tic in his jaw. When they left the city limits, she worried her bottom lip. There was no sound other than the engine in the cab of the truck as he pushed the powerful motor along the interstate. Five minutes turned to ten and ten turned to sixty. Delaney had no clue where they were; this was some small ass dirt road that had more potholes and ruts than anything in it.
He stopped his truck beside a rustic looking cabin and shut off the engine. Delaney glanced at the cabin and the woods all around them. She focused on the straw in her now empty cup and moved it around.
"Let's go."
She snapped her gaze to where Garrick stood in the door of his truck, hand outstretched, eyes still angry.
"Good idea. Let's go. Back to civilization."
"This is not that bad, Delaney. There's even indoor plumbing and a phone inside. Come on."
Unbuckling her belt, she slid along the leather seat towards Garrick and let him help her down. His hand refused to release hers and that was how they entered the cabin. Delaney hadn't been sure what she was expecting, but this wasn't it. It was beautiful.
"Wow,” she whispered.
"Told you."
"Who's is this?"
"Jazz's.” Garrick took the empty cup from her hand and gripped her chin, halting the movement of her head while she looked around. “Now, what the fuck did you mean by she's a beautiful woman?"
Lightning reappeared in his sapphire gaze. Running a hand through her hair, Delaney arched a brow. “Really? You drive me an hour to ask that? Couldn't you have asked that in the parking lot of McDonalds?"
"Answer me, Delaney.” His tone was low and forced out from behind clenched teeth.
"What is there to say about it? She is."
"And why the fuck would that matter to me? Are you trying to push me away?"
"I don't want to assume anything with you, Garrick. I know things are different this time around, but look at you, you're a marine pilot."
"I'm sure something in that sentence should make sense to me.” He crossed his arms and glared at her. “But it doesn't. How many different ways do you need to hear it, Delaney Byrd? I want you. You!"
Garrick put his arms by his side and began to stalk her. His face set in a line of fierce determination and her belly clenched with longing. Lifting her chin, Delaney held her ground despite the butterflies in her stomach.
"I don't want a blonde, brunette, or redhead unless that hair is attached to you. One woman, Delaney. One is for me. Stop doubting what we have."
"Garrick...I..."
He silenced her with a kiss. Closing her eyes against the wave of emotions, Delaney gave herself completely to the kiss. Nothing else mattered. Wrapping her arms around his lean waist, she leaned into him. It turned dominating in seconds and she grunted with desire when he cupped her ass and lifted her off the ground. The front door at her back, Delaney hooked her legs and rubbed against him.
"Are we going to have this conversation again, sugar?"
She couldn't focus. And it didn't help when his hand found its way inside her shorts and flicked over her clit. “Damn you,” she hissed, lifting her hips to encourage more contact.
"See now, sugar,” he drawled, his fingertip stroking lazily along the sensitive nub. “That's not very nice. Answer my question. Have we cleared this all up?"
"Um...oh...yes...cleared...all...up."
"Good girl, now you get a treat."
Her eyes rolled back in her head with the two fingers he slid into her. “Garrick,” she panted as the flames within her flared.
"Say it, Delaney. I need to hear it."
She bit her lower lip and struggled not to scream at the pleasure washing over her. “Say what?” How the hell am I supposed to think straight?
"Tell me,” he commanded with his mouth by her ear.
"Tell you what?” Her fingers dug into his arms as he added another finger to her pussy. Delaney bit down upon her lower lip and ground against his thrusting digits. She needed more, needed him buried deep inside her. “Give me..."
He withdrew his fingers and held them to her mouth. “Taste yourself,” he muttered low and seductive.
She couldn't refuse. His tongue slipped along hers as she did as commanded and her taste mingled with his. “I need you, Garrick."
Their gazes burned into one another and she whimpered when the head of his cock settled at the entrance of her pussy.
"Mine,” he growled. “Tell me."
Tightening her legs, she slowly impaled herself upon his thick hard shaft, her eyes fluttering as he filled her. “Yours, Garrick. Only yours."
One thrust and he was deep within her.
"Never forget that,” he dictated before covering her mouth with his.
Never.
He powered into her hard and fast, shoving her against the door with each stroke. Her toes curled inside her shoes as she felt the orgasm bearing down upon her. Delaney screamed her release into his mouth and disintegrated around his cock. Moments later his cock pulsed and he coated her womb, the force of his ejaculation triggering another orgasm of her own.
Small tremors rocked her body and he gentled the kiss until ending it. His eyes burned as he stared down at her. She felt them almost like a brand being pressed into her skin. There was only one man for her and this was him. I am in love with this man.
Garrick looked at the woman between him and the door. Her light brown skin flushed with passion, her pale green eyes deepened by desire, lips parted, the pulse at her neck pounding hard and fast. He remained buried within her pussy and
he had the urge to crawl deep within her skin and never leave.
He carried her to the bathroom and soon they were cleaned up and once again dressed. They stood outside against the railing of the porch. “I'm sorry your homecoming was like this, Delaney."
Her sigh filled the air. “While it wasn't quite what I had wished for, I'd say it worked out just fine.” She looked at him, her eyes alive with sparkles of amusement and blatant hunger. “Just fine."
Garrick's cock stiffened beneath her perusal. “I had plans to wine and dine you tonight."
Delaney stepped closer to him and ran her hands up his torso. “Take me home, Garrick and hold me until I fall asleep."
"Is that what you want?"
"Yes. I want the outside world to stay away and I want to be safe in your embrace."
The words he longed to tell her were at the tip of his tongue. But instead of speaking, Garrick reached out and tucked some hair behind her ear. She's so beautiful. “Let's get you home, sugar."
Although the drive back was quiet, Garrick didn't mind. Delaney sat next to him, her head on his shoulder while she slept. Low strands of country music filled the cab. Each breath he took brought the pure scent of waterfalls to his nose. He had no idea how she managed to smell like that. I've showered in her home and used her soap. I don't smell like that.
At her apartment, he carried her to the door and inside, having swiped the keys from her purse. She barely made a sound when he lay her down upon her bed. It didn't take him to long to wake her to brush her teeth and climb into bed. While she did that he locked up and shut off the lights. Then he slipped beneath the soft sheet and gathered her warm body close to his. It didn't matter that it wasn't even nine at night.
This is where you belong, Delaney. It still staggered him how stupid he'd been the first time around with her. How could I not have gone after more? He closed his eyes and buried his nose into her hair. Garrick drifted off to sleep only to wake later to Delaney lowering herself upon his rigid length. After they exhausted themselves again, they drifted back to sleep.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Garrick sat up in alarm, Delaney right beside him, confusion on her face as she clicked on a light. She went to get out of bed and he grabbed her wrist.
"What?” she asked.
"It's three in the morning, sugar.” He held her gaze.
"I know. I'll be careful.” She bent down and slid on his shirt.
"Lucky shirt,” he muttered, smiling at the “Once a Marine, Always a Marine” saying on her chest.
Delaney winked at him and moved to the bedroom door. The second she disappeared, he got up and pulled on his jeans. The fact he heard a female voice didn't make him feel any better. Garrick moved up the hall and paused before stepping from the shadows. His sugar stood toe to toe with a woman who looked a bit like her. Only a bit, for she was older and looked rundown. Whoever it was, Delaney didn't look at all pleased to see her.
"I don't give a damn, Liz, it's three o'clock in the fuckin’ morning. I just got back from Japan and I have to be at work in less than five hours."
"I need a place to crash."
"Go to a hotel. You're not staying here."
An ugly sneer filled the other woman's face. “Yes I am.” She tossed her bag to the couch and said, “You going to throw me out?"
"I will,” Garrick said stepping forward.
Delaney didn't look at him, just stepped to the couch and lifted the bag before tossing it back at the woman's feet.
"Who the fuck are you?"
Garrick stood behind Delaney, arms crossed over his bare chest and held the angry gaze. “Go find somewhere else, Liz,” Delaney said in an extremely tired voice, stepping back so there was connection between their bodies.
This was more than just jet lag exhaustion. This was emotional exhaustion and he didn't like hearing it in her voice. Adjusting his stance, he smoothed his hands up and down her upper arms.
"Who's this, Delaney?” Liz demanded.
"This is my place, Liz. You don't get to come here and demand to know my visitors. Take your bag and get out.” She sighed. “Or I'll have him remove you."
"You bitch."
"That's it,” Garrick said, stepping around Delaney and hefting the bag. “You need to go now.” He opened the door and put her bag in the hall. “With or without my help."
Angry eyes glared at him but he merely arched a brow. He had been raised to respect women but he wasn't about to stand by and let his woman be insulted or hurt. Garrick drummed his fingers on the door and looked pointedly between Liz and the door.
The woman huffed. “We need to talk."
"Fine,” Delaney said pacing her to the door. “You want to talk, we can meet and talk. But don't come back here."
"You really are such a bitch. Think you're so damn good.” She stepped through the door and shot daggers with her gaze.
His heart sank when he saw Delaney nod. “I know. I've heard it all. Goodnight Liz.” Delaney's voice was soft and defeated.
Garrick pushed the door shut with an easy motion, effectively stopping whatever else may be coming from the other woman. Locking it, he stared at Delaney. Her head was down and slight shudders racked her body.
"Come here, sugar.” She moved willingly into his embrace. “Who was that?” Her head shook and he sighed. “No, Delaney. Who was that?"
"You know you asked me about my family?"
"Yes and you hemmed and hawed about them."
"Now you know why. That was my sister, Elizabeth. Drug addict and drama queen extraordinaire."
"And she's here for what? Money?"
"Possibly. With her I never know. She could be looking for things to steal to sell. Or seeing how willing I am to give her money. My guess is mom and dad are here too."
He frowned. “Wait a second. Your parents condone this kind of thing?"
She snorted and stepped out of his embrace before heading to the kitchen. Garrick followed and leaned against the counter while she turned on the stovetop and put the kettle on to heat.
"Delaney?"
"They taught her to do it."
He shook his head. “I'm not following."
"Sure you are. You just don't want to believe it. My parents had Liz and used her to support their habits. When I came along I was more trouble than I was worth and I guess they were going to sell me for some drugs when my uncle interfered. He's the one who raised me."
"Your uncle?"
"My uncle, Wes Byrd."
"Rear Admiral Wes Byrd."
She looked at him with a grin on her face. “I suppose so. Scared?"
"I'm a marine, sugar. I don't do scared.” Good thing I can lie with a straight face.
"Really?” she asked, moving toward him, her hips swaying seductively under his shirt.
He gulped. “Really."
"I'm really glad to hear that. He wants to meet you."
She stared up at him, her lower lip caught in her teeth. “Yep. I told him about you."
Damn, I think I'm sweating. “You told the man who raised you about me? What'd you say?"
"Not much. Just that you really like fucking me."
"Delaney!"
Her laughter filled the air. She covered his heart with her hands. “Yeah, good thing you don't do scared."
"Woman,” he growled, pulling her tight to him.
"He does want to meet you though.” She kissed him and made herself a mug of tea.
Wrapping his arms around her, he nuzzled along her neck. “Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I will say Japan was really nice for the mere reason I didn't have to see any of them or hear from them."
"Do you want me to come with you tomorrow to meet them?"
"I'm a big girl, Garrick. I can handle the deadbeats in my life. But thank you."
"You know all you have to do is ask and I'll be right there at your side."
"I know."
After she drank her tea, they went back to bed. In the morning, Garrick wasn't happy
with about leaving her alone to face them but she assured him again that she'd be just fine. So they went their separate ways.
In the briefing room, listening to Snake talk, Garrick was anxious about getting out and calling her. After they had finished and the men had stood to leave, the door opened and in walked a man that had everyone coming to attention.
"At ease,” the commanded fell.
Garrick exchanged glances with Jazz. What the hell?
"I'm looking for Captain Stark."
Stepping forward, Garrick said, “Here sir."
"Everyone else is dismissed."
Garrick watched everyone leave, including his squadron leader. Alone with the imposing man, he met his gaze and waited for him to speak.
"Do you know who I am?"
"I believe so, sir.” I did tell her I don't do scared, right? He felt like he was sweating buckets.
"Well, sit down, Captain. If you know who I am I'm sure you know why I'm here. I'm very protective of my niece and I'd love to hear why you think you're the man for my Delaney.” He crossed his arms and if possible became even more daunting.
Swallowing, Garrick followed the directive and stared at Rear Admiral Wes Byrd, Delaney's uncle. This is a man who's busted his ass for everything he's gotten. “I know I am, sir."
Admiral Byrd lifted a brow. Garrick took a deep breath and started talking.
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Chapter Seven
* * * *
Delaney swirled her coffee around in the disposable cup while she stared at the liquid. There was bickering going on around her and she had tuned it out. Pulling her attention from the vortex of java, Delaney looked at her watch and sighed.
"Are you going to say anything to me? Because I have a job to get to."
Silence fell and three pairs of eyes bored into her. She met each of them unflinchingly.
"Ask her about the man she had sleeping with her last night in her place,” Liz snapped with a sniff and wiped the back of her hand under her nose.
"Man? You had a man in your place but wouldn't let your sister stay?"
Gazing at the woman who gave her life, Delaney arched a brow. “Yes. I had a man there. And had he not been there, I still wouldn't have let Liz stay."
