by DahliaRose
“You can’t call me sweetheart when I’m at work,” Tasha whispered conspiratorially.
“But you are my sweetheart, my Schmooey,” Ian teased.
“Are you kidding me?” Tasha laughed. “Is that supposed to be a pet name?”
“Hey, I’m testing it out,” Ian explained. “I thought all women liked their men to do that. I can be one of those sensitive types.”
Tasha took the time to run her hand appreciatively over his chiseled chest. “Ian, please stay exactly as you are, my rough-and-tumble major.”
“You keep that up, and I’ll have to show you rough and tumble on the massage table,” Ian said. He pulled her closer, and she could feel the bulge of arousal in his pants.
“All the more reason you should never use the word Schmooey again.” Tasha took the time to kiss him, even though she was in the professional atmosphere of her workplace.
“Oh, thank God you are not a woman who likes all that cutesy name stuff. I couldn’t do it.” Ian grinned as she helped him off the exercise bike and over to the treadmill. “Seriously, though, Tasha, I really appreciate all that you are doing for me. I mean, my leg feels so much better already. It’s stronger. It really is.”
“I see that.” Tasha tried to keep her voice light. “I am still a bit concerned about the numbness, though. If that and the pain does not let up soon…”
He laughed it off, cutting off her words. “Don’t worry. That will go away too. I will be back to normal in no time.”
She saw the trust and happiness in his eyes and did not want that to fade. She would work with him as long as necessary to help him regain as much use of his leg as possible. She would make the final decision only when the time came.
“So you want to go out tonight?” Ian asked.
“Where are we going?” Tasha looked up at him. He was in a really good mood, and she couldn’t help but smile.
“Let’s just say I hope you aren’t seasick,” Ian hinted.
“A boat? We’re going out on a boat?” Tasha asked excitedly. “I have to say that, since I have been stationed here, I never have been out on the water.”
“Well since your man has connections like that, I hope to be compensated well later.”
Tasha raised an eyebrow at him. “Oh, baby, I think I have built up some credits with you.”
“Yes, you have,” Ian agreed and gave her wink.
The rest of the day was spent with pleasant quips and sexy banter. His therapy was over, but instead of taking a cab back to her house, he chose to hang out in her office and lounge on her leather sofa. If he wasn’t doing that, he was talking to soldiers who came in, listening to their stories and sharing some of his own. Tasha looked at him more than once and felt something surge in her chest. She had fallen madly in love with Major Ian Scott, and now her life would be changed forever.
They left at six and headed to her house. There they showered together, which took longer than necessary, but Tasha didn’t care. She was blissfully happy. They walked out of her house holding hands and got into her SUV to head to the pier. There, instead of seeing a small little schooner where they would head out for a quick sail, she saw a twenty-foot white yacht. It was pristine and beautiful, and it took Tasha’s breath away.
“Oh, wow, this is amazing,” Tasha breathed. “How did you get this thing? Did you rent it?”
“Nope, a buddy of mine keeps it here for his family, who comes down in the summer,” Ian explained. “His family is very wealthy, but he joined up after 9/11. So, he let me borrow it for the night.”
“You mean we get to sleep out on the water?” Tasha asked dubiously. “I don’t know if I can do that. Suppose we sink or something. I’m not the best swimmer.”
Ian pressed a kiss to her temple as they walked up the gangplank to the boat. “We won’t go out too far, and I’m here to protect you.”
“I feel safer already.” Tasha smiled up at him.
As they boarded, deckhands released the ropes that tethered the yacht to the pier. Soon Ian had them settled with a smooth hand that guided them out on to the water. The wind blew through her hair as she stood beside him, and a thrill filled her heart. He looked at her with such emotions in his eyes. She wondered if he felt the same way as she did. Does he see love when he looks at me? she thought to herself.
“What are you thinking?” he asked as he steered the big silver wheel.
“That there is no place that I would rather be right now than out here with you,” Tasha said in a gentle voice.
The look he gave her was one of boyish delight. She saw it on his face—he loved being able to surprise her like he did. “I feel exactly the same way, but there’s more.”
Tasha looked at him curiously while he released the lever to drop the anchor that would secure them to the river floor. He took her hand and led her to the doors that would take them below deck. She saw the wide bedroom and the bed with a white coverlet sprinkled with rose petals. A silver bucket stood next to the bed, and a bottle of champagne rested inside. A fruit platter sat on the bedside table, and when Ian pressed a small button on the wall, the lights dimmed low and music filled the air.
“I think your friend built a boudoir, not a boat,” Tasha teased. “This is even more than I imagined. Ian, it’s perfect.”
“Then let’s make the best of every moment this night has to offer,” Ian suggested softly.
Tasha took off her belt and shimmied out of her full black skirt. She pulled the scrunchy out of her hair, and her thick black hair fell down to her shoulders.
“What are you doing?” he asked, desire lacing his voice.
She unbuttoned her shirt very slowly and threw it gently to the floor before freeing her breasts from the confines of her bra. “I’m getting ready to enjoy everything in this room. Are you going to join me?”
Ian took off his clothes in haste. “You read my mind.”
Their bodies met in a heated rush, and their lips fused in a devouring kiss. Ian’s hands clung and caressed each inch of skin exposed as if it was his first time touching her. Tasha pulled away, knowing before she went any further she had to say what was in her heart. It was her way. It was always her way. It usually got her into a situation where she was hurt and torn apart on the inside—by family, friends, and the only man she had ever loved. But she trusted Ian, and she knew she could not keep it inside any longer.
“Ian, I have to tell you something,” she said while he kissed his way down her neck. She pulled away to stand in front of him. “Please listen to me.”
“Honey, I have a hard time listening with you standing there looking so damn delectable.”
“I have to say this before this goes any further,” Tasha said and rubbed her hands together. “Um… I’m just going to have to say it. I love you, Ian. I fell in love with you, and I don’t know what you want, or if it’s me, or if this is just a good time while you recuperate. But I have these strong feelings of love for you that won’t go away and…and…”
Ian cupped her chin and brought her gaze to his. “Stop talking.”
“But I want you to know that I love you and that if you don’t want this, you need to tell me…”
“Stop talking, Tasha, so I can tell you I love you too.” A smile spread across his face when he said the words. “Baby, I love you so damn much.”
“Really?” she asked with joy bursting in her heart.
“Most definitely.” He kissed her with sweet sensuality. “I came to you to be healed, and you did it in more ways than one.”
This time, when the kiss was ignited again, it was filled with love and the promise of tomorrow.
“You said you love me.” She giggled in between their kisses.
“And I do,” Ian responded. “You have the best of me always.”
No more words were spoken. Ian’s hands slid down her thighs and back up to cup her ass, and he slowly ground his hips against her. Tasha’s body shuddered in delight.
“Do you like how I feel against y
ou?” Ian asked fiercely. “Tell me you’re mine.”
“I’m yours, only yours,” she whispered.
Ian’s eyes flashed with pride. Tasha was breathless. Now each touch she felt something new unleashed in Ian. His demeanor had changed, and now it was possessive, fierce, and exciting. There was no build to intensity now, just immediate burn. His fingers dragged through her hair before he grabbed fistfuls of the thick locks to hold her still while he devoured her mouth. Tasha couldn’t think. All she could do is feel his tongue taste and take from her. Her body felt like it was a candle melting under the flame. Ian’s hands moved to cup her breasts and bring them together. He buried his face in both mounds before taking the hard nipple of one in his mouth and sucking deeply as if he was starving for her taste.
Tasha cried out as pleasure shot through her like a lightning bolt. Her neck arched, she pulled him closer, offering him more of herself.
“You taste so good, Tasha. I can’t get enough of you,” he murmured against her skin between licking and nipping her.
He worked his way back up her body to her lips once again, and while his mouth plundered hers, she took the shaft of his cock in her hands. His breath hissed through his teeth, and he closed his eyes as if asking for heavenly help to hold on. Ian lifted her from on the floor and placed her on the bed. Tasha was amazed he had that much strength to lift her, even with his injury. Maybe he was turning the corner to recovery sooner than she thought. She stared at him as he stood proud and virile before her, his cock jutting out proudly to take her to the heights of pleasure. He got to his knees slowly. Tasha wanted to tell him to stop, but she had learned quickly not to tell Ian he couldn’t do something. It made him all the more stubborn to prove her wrong.
His hand at her waist, she lifted her body slightly and spread her legs to expose the wet core of her that she longed for him to satisfy. He touched her pussy with a gentle finger, and Tasha bit her lip in anticipation. His fingers traveled down the slit, and his eyes never left hers. Her breath slowly exhaled from her body when he worked his finger between the folds and touched the sensitive nub of her clit.
“I’m going to taste you, Tasha,” he said. “I wanted to taste you from the moment I kissed you, and I’m going to make you come and scream and beg me to fuck you.”
“Oh, Jesus, Ian,” Tasha moaned, and her head went back when Ian’s mouth went to her core.
Her hips bucked at the first lick, and her body writhed when she felt his tongue between the secret folds. Ian’s hand held her hips tight as he explored her with his mouth. She dug her hands into his hair, pushing him away, but yet pulling him closer while he took her to the edge. With one hand he spread the lips of her pussy and gently sucked at her clit. She moaned, and begged for release, and then with a final flick of his tongue, Tasha came hard, and Ian reaped the rewards her body had to offer.
Tasha fell back against the bed. She opened her eyes and swore she could see colored lights swirling against the ceiling. She tried to catch her breath from the explosive orgasm, but Ian was not done. She raised her head to look at him, and his smile was wicked. Tasha knew then he was going to have it all from her. He slipped one finger inside her pussy while she lay there and wrung a moan from her lips. He added another finger, and Tasha spread her legs a little wider to accept what he was giving. Her back arched off the bed in response to his touch.
“Do you like how this feels?” Ian asked.
“Yes,” she whispered. How could she deny she was burning from the inside out?
“Say it’s only me that can make you feel this way,” Ian ordered. He plunged his fingers deep inside her.
“Only you, oh, God, only you,” she cried out and clutched at the sheets on the bed. Her head thrashed wildly as passion overtook her and she felt an orgasm build once more.
“Say my name, Tasha. I want to hear my name on your lips while you come.”
“Ian, only you, please don’t stop, please!”
“God, baby, you are so damn hot. Come for me. I want to see you come again,” Ian commanded.
Her body obeyed his order and erupted again. She tensed for what seemed like eternity as sensation after sensation rolled through her. It took every inhibition from her thoughts, and she begged him to take her on every breath that passed her lips.
“Take me, Ian, now.” She shifted restlessly on the bed, every nerve ending in her body abuzz with wanting him.
She moved farther up the bed and brought her knees up to expose her pussy to him in invitation. He got off his knees and slipped inside of her. His groan matched hers as she took him in.
“I want to ride you,” she whispered in his ear after nibbling the sensitive lobe.
Ian shuddered and nodded. He slipped from her wet body and lay on the bed watching her through heavy lids as she straddled him. She took his hard length, moist with her juice, in her hand and took him inside her, inch by slow, torturous inch. His hands were not the ones that clenched the sheets as she rode him. Tasha used her dancer’s body to arch until her hair touched his legs. His hands slid up her body to cup her breasts. She increased her pace and took him deeper with every downward thrust. Tasha was past the point of reason. She was going by that primal instinct to mate and to give and take pleasure.
“I need you, Ian. I love you,” she cried out.
“I love you too,” Ian groaned.
“I’m going to come,” she panted.
Tasha could feel tears run down her cheeks. She felt the tightening of his cock inside her pussy and knew he was going to go over that edge. Tasha let go, and they both fell into that abyss that lovers find in each other. Time seemed to stand still, and they caressed each other and whispered soft words of love while their bodies came down from the dizzying heights of pleasure. They spent the rest of the night immersed in each other, drinking champagne and eating the decadent food he had brought on board. As they fell asleep, Tasha knew that everything would be okay. She had found the love of her life, and nothing could come between them.
Chapter Five
Just like his first meeting of Lieutenant Tasha Lovell, Ian stood in the doorway of her dance room and watched her move with such grace it took his breath away. This time there was more than just an attraction. There was love in his heart. He could see the pleasure she got from dancing on her face. Each time she jumped or rolled or did a precise turn in her contemporary dance her delight was evident. The music turned to a hip-hop beat, her hips now began to sway seductively. With this new turn in her dance, Ian couldn’t help but get hard watching her. He knew how those hips could move in the throes of lovemaking. She used her body like a master to make her pussy take him and let him go until he was mad with the pleasure of it.
He had found much more than rehabilitation in Virginia. He had found this woman who smiled at the world and gave so much back. Today he was here for his final evaluation. She had given him back the strength in his leg and his career. He still had some numbness and pain, and that caused her worry. But that was because she loved him. He was sure this would pass as well. He waited until the final strums of her music ended and walked over to her. Instead of a greeting handshake, he pulled her into his arms for an adoring kiss.
“You look amazing when you dance.” They stood forehead to forehead, and her arms twined around his neck.
“You ready for today?” She had a smile on her face, and love shined in her eyes.
“Yup. I’m rearing to go. Let’s get started.” Ian smacked her on the ass quickly.
“Go stretch and get limber. I’m going to go change,” Tasha said.
Ian nodded as she walked away. By the time she came back dressed in her army physical training sweat suit, he had gone through the various stretching exercises she had given him. She carried a clipboard and wore a whistle around her neck.
“You look very official and sexy,” Ian murmured and tried to pull her close.
Tasha pulled away. “That’s for later, Ian. Now this is for real.”
He looked
at her quizzically, wondering about the change in her demeanor, but he nodded. “Let’s get to it then.”
She put him through the paces, and each exercise he knew well. He had to pass them all to get out of boot camp and for yearly evaluation. Ian started out well, but by the time they came down to exercise four, his leg had begun to ache. He pushed past it, ignoring the pain and the worry in her eyes. By the time it came to the run, his leg was burning and throbbing with pain. He couldn’t understand what was wrong. He had done these exercises all throughout his therapy at one point or the other. But it dawned on him—he had never done them all together to stress his body out like he was now. He ran while Tasha ran behind him at a slow pace. He looked back to see her looking calm and cool while he was sweating bullets and struggling to get done. He finished the run in pride and watched her catch up to him.
“There, all done,” he panted out and tried to give her a grin.
“How much pain are you in?” she asked in a subdued tone.
“No pain…”
“Don’t lie. I was running right behind you, Ian,” Tasha warned.
“It’s mild, okay?” Ian felt his irritation begin to rise.
“Get cleaned up. We’ll go over your evaluation in the office,” Tasha said and signaled one of the golf cart drivers over. “Take him back to the center, please.” She gave Ian a smile, but he could see the worry in her eyes. “I have one more run to evaluate, and I’ll see you back there.”
She ran off in another direction, and Ian watched her go. By the time he got back to the center, the ache in his leg was almost unbearable. In the weeks that had gone by, he was doing so well that he almost never took his medication. This time he had to pull the pills from his duffel bag and take them to relieve the pain. He waited in her office and lay across her sofa, stacking pillows up under his leg, hoping it would help. It would get better, he said to himself.
Tasha walked in fifteen minutes later and sat on the floor next to him. “Hey.”
