A Second Past Midnight (The Sentinels)

by Melinda Hunter

The last ten minutes of her life had been the best that she could ever remember and they hadn’t even had sex yet. He had not only showed interest in her, but taken the time to care about her thoughts and that alone was worth more than anything in the world to her.

  Arrigo grabbed the soap and began to lather the loofah.

  “Is it all right if I wash you?” he asked.

  “Yes.” Sana wanted to say hell yes, but she could only muster up the one syllable as her voice stuck in her throat.

  His hands moved over her, the scent of his soap filled her nostrils, and she breathed it in deeply. The memory of this would be forever etched in her mind, as she had never bathed with a man.

  Once Arrigo had taken care to wash her entire body, she took the loofah from him and began to return the gesture. Gently, she slid the soapy loofah over his chest and arms. She savored the few moments that it took, but when she moved it lower, Arrigo grasped her wrist.

  “Would you mind using your hand for the rest?”

  Sana smiled at his request even though she knew he couldn’t see it. She gladly, soaped her hands and placed them on his stomach. Arrigo sighed as she moved them lower, she massaged the soap in until she found his cock. Once there, she grasped him in one hand and stroked him. Arrigo sucked in a sharp breath that she felt happy to have inflicted on him. She could only assume she was doing it right.

  As she continued to slowly explore his body with her hands, she dipped one hand down and cupped his sac. Arrigo let out another profound breath and abruptly, with a firm grip, he grasped her wrist and stopped her.

  “You have to stop or there’ll be no enjoyment for you.” Arrigo dipped his head to kiss her as they stood under the stinging streams of water. Sana reached up to place her hands on his bare chest and almost melted. Her fingers found the hairs that lightly spattered his massive pectorals and she loved how they tickled her palm. Arrigo wrapped his arms around her until she was pressed so tightly against him that his erection stabbed her in the stomach. She reveled in the moment and felt the long forgotten fire again between her legs.

  This had been the longest any man had ever spent with her before sex and she loved the attention, but she needed him inside her.

  “Please fuck me,” she whispered. Arrigo abruptly stopped by jerking his head back. He must have heard the pleading voice that she had tried to mask, but she wanted him so bad it hurt.

  Arrigo leaned his head down so that it rested against hers.

  “I’m going to do much more than fuck you.” His lips trailed across her forehead and even with the water spraying them, she still felt the distinct heat that came from him. Sana relaxed at his words. Arrigo loosened his grip on her and she immediately reached both hands up to touch his face.

  Wanting him even more now, she tiptoed up to meet his lips. He responded to her needy kisses with his own, but abruptly, the water stopped.

  Arrigo pushed the shower stall open until the door slammed against the wall with a loud bang. She was surprised that it didn’t break.

  Stepping out ahead of her, Arrigo grabbed a towel from the shelf and flipped it open. Taking it and wrapping it around her first, she was again astounded by his actions. Even something as simple as letting her dry first, amazed her. None of the men on her team had ever offered her anything first and since this was the only life she knew, it took her breath away.

  Once Arrigo had wrapped a towel around his waist, he led her to the main room and back to the bed. Sitting on the edge of the bed, Arrigo pulled Sana toward him so that she stood between his legs.

  Arrigo pulled her towel open, dropped it, pressed his face against her bare skin and clutched his hands around her breasts.

  Sana’s head dropped back as his hands touched and manipulated her. She let out a moan as he took one of her nipples into his mouth. First, he suckled at one and then switched to the other. Sana’s breathing became shallow and she started to feel a bit light-headed. All the while, she knew moisture pooled between her legs and she desperately wanted him to touch her there.

  As if he heard her silent wish, Arrigo moved one hand down between her thighs and brushed one finger over her cleft. Sana cried out as the sensation rippled through her. Arrigo growled and it pushed her control away.

  Sana wanted him inside of her. Pushing Arrigo back as she climbed on him, Sana tried to find the edge of his towel, but it appeared to be beneath him.

  Arrigo smiled up at her and let out a low laugh. Sana couldn’t help but frown at her disappointment and slapped him on the chest. With his fast reflexes, Arrigo grabbed her wrist before she could draw it back. Quickly, he sat back up with Sana on his lap, and then flipped her to her back. With Arrigo on top, he released his towel and Sana glanced down to see his erection. It was so big and she had such little knowledge that she didn’t know if it would hurt. But surely, a little pain would be worth the pleasure.

  Biting her lip, she waited for him to enter her as he scooted up further between her legs.

  Arrigo leaned down so that his erection rubbed against her stomach and his mouth was inches from her ear.

  “Is this what you want?” He pressed his body harder against hers. His cock dug into her flesh.

  Sana nodded.

  Arrigo moved his hand down between them and she mentally prepared for him to enter her. Instead of his cock though, he inserted one long finger.

  Sana felt him press against the wall of her vagina and she arched her back in response. The sensation was indescribable.

  “I’m going to make you come until you scream.” Arrigo’s words were stern and she could tell he meant them. None of the other men she had been with had been so brazen with her. She liked this from him. Not only was he going to have sex with her, but also was going to try to make her come. There was only one problem with that. Sana had never had an orgasm that she knew of.

  Those few times she’d had sex, she had been excited, but never knew for sure how it was supposed to work. She had seen enough movies to know the noises that went along with it, so she faked it and lied, telling the two men that actually inquired that she had indeed achieved an orgasm.

  Suddenly, she felt the need to tell Arrigo the truth. She didn’t know if she could fulfill her part of what he had in store.

  “I don’t know how.” Sana turned away from him as her eyes filled with tears.

  “How long has it been since you’ve been with a man?” Arrigo asked. Sana didn’t know what difference it would make.

  “Four years, give or take.” Sana suddenly feared his rejection again and pushed against him.

  “You aren’t going anywhere,” he growled. Arrigo forced his arms underneath her and held her tightly against him. Leaning to her ear, he whispered. “When was the last time that you touched yourself?”

  Sana shook her head. She had never touched herself. She always kept her energies focused on her work and since no man took interest in her, she suppressed those urges so deeply that she felt embarrassed even thinking about a pleasure so intimate.

  “You don’t have to do anything special for me. I just want to feel you inside me for a few minutes.”

  She felt Arrigo stiffen.

  “I don’t know what kind of worthless men you’ve been with, but two things with me are certain. I will make you scream and baby, it will take far longer than a few minutes.” His words were angrier now.

  Sana sucked in a sharp breath as he delved another finger inside her.

  Chapter 2.

  Sure, he had read her file, but nothing on those pages prepared him for her beauty. He had conditioned himself years ago to bury his urges to the point that even now after seeing this woman, he was surprised by how his body had instantly hardened. Arrigo knew from the moment he had seen her try to hide behind her tough facade that he wanted her wrapped around him. Never in his life had he felt this way and it scared him, but Arrigo wasn’t a coward. He ran into everything head on and Sana would be no different.

  Now that he had her in his arms, he wanted noth
ing more than to pleasure her. What kind of an asshole takes a woman to bed and doesn’t please her?

  The idea of another man with her infuriated him and he shook the thought away. Seizing the moment at hand, he slowly lowered himself down so that he could fulfill his promise to make her scream.

  Nudging her legs apart, Arrigo dipped his head down to breath in her scent. Her faint smell was sweet and he knew she would taste even better. While he hadn’t been with a woman in two years, he hadn’t forgotten how to please one and he wasn’t going to wait any longer to get started.

  With one long stroke, Arrigo ran his tongue up her cleft. Sana cried out and Arrigo knew it wouldn’t take much to have her screaming. With a smile on his face, he looked up through hooded eyes to see her fisting the sheets in her hands. With a quick lick, he teased her again and she arched her back.

  Delving into her deeply, he thrust his tongue inside her causing her to writhe against him. Arrigo savored her taste and continued. Only a few more moments and Sana’s breathing became rapid. He knew she was close and he was going to make sure she came hard. Arrigo thrust two fingers inside of her and ran his tongue over her again. Sana reached down and grabbed his arm, digging her nails into his skin.

  Bucking against him, she cried out. Sana came against Arrigo’s mouth, feeling her spasms, he waited a few moments as she calmed. Arrigo crawled up the bed so that he hovered over her. Sana lay with her eyes closed, panting. He watched as her chest heaved up and down. He wanted to take one of her nipples in his mouth, but her body would still be reeling so he would wait.

  Slowly, a smile crossed her face and she laughed, her eyes still shut.

  “Are you all right?” he whispered.

  Sana opened her eyes.

  “I know I’ve never done that before.” Sana smiled and reached up and cradled Arrigo’s face in her hands. His ego got a boost from her admission.

  Arrigo leaned down and she met his lips with her own. She moaned as he probed her mouth with his tongue. The moment had him rock hard and he couldn’t wait any longer to be inside of her.

  Reaching between them, he guided his cock to her and entered her. Slowly, he pushed into her. Arrigo knew he stretched her body and that the sensation might be foreign to her at first so he kept her distracted by continuing to ravage her mouth.

  She moaned against his lips as he slid himself inside of her, all the way to the hilt. She felt so tight around him and he realized that he actually wouldn’t last long. It had been too long since he had been with a woman. Trying to distract himself with his thoughts, Arrigo pulled his mouth away from hers.

  “Are you all right?” he asked.

  Sana nodded and slid her hands to his shoulders. She dug her fingers into his skin as he began to rock against her. He watched her expressions change as he fucked her. Her eyes tightened as he drove into her and he could see her orgasm building again. He would have to take more time with her next time. Yes, next time, he thought.

  He thrust into her harder until she cried out again and when her body tightened around him, he couldn’t wait any longer and followed with his own release. Arrigo growled as his cock pulsed inside of her. Their encounter was perfect, he thought. Now, he felt every ounce of energy drain from his body and couldn’t help but collapse on her.

  “Oh. My. God.” Sana panted.

  Arrigo felt the same as he rolled to lie next to her so that he didn’t smash her. “I hope I didn’t hurt you.”

  “Are you kidding? I want to do it again.” Sana rubbed one hand across his chest.

  “I think we’ll have to wait a little while, but I definitely want to go again.” Arrigo rolled off the bed and walked to the bathroom.

  Sana watched as he returned to the bed. When Arrigo used the warm washcloth he had gotten to clean up his mess, Sana's face turned crimson red.

  “Don’t be embarrassed. I made a mess and I’m just cleaning it up.” Arrigo finished wiping his seed from her body and then dropped the cloth on the floor.

  He seized the opportunity to keep Sana in bed with him, by ensnaring her in his arms.

  “Is this okay?” he asked quietly.

  “Mmm,” she mumbled. Arrigo smiled inside knowing that he had exhausted her.

  ****

  Arrigo woke to the sound of a voice shouting. For a moment, he thought it was another battle nightmare, and then as he heard it again he realized it wasn’t a dream.

  Startled and confused, it took him a moment to orientate himself. Light filtered between the tiny slits of the closed window blinds and he could see Sana still lying next to him. Then he clearly heard the voice again calling Sana’s name.

  Quickly, Arrigo got out of bed and pulled on a pair of shorts. Scurrying to the door, he opened it and peeked out. Berk Williams was heading his way. Feeling like a teenager about to get caught with his girlfriend in his room, Arrigo had to think quick.

  “Kane have you seen Sana? I can’t find her and she’s not answering her phone.” Williams stopped at his door, but Arrigo wasn’t about to let him in. He didn’t want Sana to be embarrassed by the situation.

  “Not since yesterday, but I think she said she was going to get up and run this morning. She’s probably just not back yet.” Damn he was good. Arrigo couldn’t ever think of a decent story like that one when he was a kid.

  “Well, that must be where she is.” Williams sounded relieved at Arrigo’s statement. “I’ll see you at the briefing at zero-eight-hundred.” Arrigo nodded.

  He started to close the door, but heard Williams mumbling as he walked away.

  “I swear she’ll put me in an early grave.”

  Arrigo smirked at the knowledge. She was a trouble making, rule breaking, bad girl. Just his type, he thought.

  “Hey sleepy. You’re going to have to get up. Williams is looking for you.” Arrigo sat on the edge of the bed and gently rubbed Sana’s back. The contact with her soft skin had him hard instantly.

  “Tell him I’m dead.” Sana mumbled against her pillow.

  Arrigo laughed at her child-like behavior. “I’m afraid he might be a tad pissed if I told him I screwed you to death. But if you’re willing to give it a go—” Arrigo leaned closer to her as she stirred in the bed.

  Sana looked up at him and smiled.

  “I told him you went running this morning, so you’re going to have to go fake it.”

  “I’m not faking anything.” Sana reached over to cup him. Arrigo sucked in a sharp breath at her touch. “But I think we could substitute another activity for running if you’re up for it.”

  Sana’s eyes darted toward his already hard cock. Arrigo couldn’t believe she’d woken up and wanted more of him. They had spent more time screwing than they had sleeping, but he wouldn’t have changed a moment and that thought brought him back to the present. Whispering in Sana’s ear, he spoke.

  “I think I’m up for it, but we’re going to have to be quick, which is generally something that I try to avoid.”

  “Whatever you say.” Sana rubbed her hand on his cock and Arrigo couldn’t stand it. He wanted her, now.

  Standing, he pushed his shorts off and then crawled on top of her.

  “You can’t scream,” Arrigo whispered. He remembered her cries of joy from the night as he slid himself inside of her. Sana bit her lip and let out a low moan.

  Minutes later, they lay on the bed together, panting. Arrigo had to muffle Sana’s cries with his mouth crushed against hers. The fact that she had come so quickly, gave his ego another needed boost. He knew what she needed.

  “I’m going to make a run for it and head to my room to shower,” Sana said. Rolling out of the bed, she went to the bathroom. When she returned moments later, she had her hair pulled back into a ponytail and wore the workout clothes from the night before.

  Arrigo propped himself up on his elbow as he watched her pull on her shoes. He liked watching her, but strangely, he hated the idea of her leaving. Come on, he had only just met her. It must be the fact that he hadn’t
been with a woman in two years.

  Sana stood up after tying her shoes and propped her hands on her hips. “Well, I feel like I just ran a couple miles.” She smiled at him and started toward the door.

  “That’s how you’re going to leave me?” Arrigo asked. He couldn’t believe he had said those desperate words, and worse, before he could stop himself he beckoned her to come back to him. With a smile on her face, she walked over. Arrigo sat up and stared up at her.

  “Can I see you again tonight?” he asked. Sliding his hands up her thighs, he held her there and stared into her brown eyes.

  Her smile spread wider and she covered his hands with her own and squeezed. “Are you sure about that?” she asked.

  How could she think that he wouldn’t? She had been incredible and he hoped to top the night before.

  “I really would like to see you again.”

  Sana stooped down to his ear. “I’ll see you later then and thank you,” she whispered.

  Pulling his hands back, Sana turned to leave, but before she got out of reach, Arrigo slapped her on the butt.

  “Ow!” She rubbed the spot and continued to the door.

  With a final look back at him, Sana left.

  Arrigo dropped back to the bed. “Fuck. What am I doing?” Something about her had drawn them together and he didn’t understand it at all. This was not going to be a good way to start a new job. What if she hates him in two days? Suddenly, Arrigo realized how stupid he was being. Sana was a lethally trained woman and he knew from her file that she had killed more than her share of men during her career. She wouldn’t have time for him. In fact, she was probably just being nice to him so she didn’t bruise his ego.

  Shaking away his rampant thoughts, Arrigo readied for his first official day as a Sentinel. Williams had recruited him while he was in the Marine hospital recovering from his injuries. Arrigo had spent two months in the infirmary having skin grafts and nerve repair surgery to his back and neck. Luckily, he had regained most motion and feeling, but there wasn’t much they could do for the muscle that had been all but destroyed in his left leg. Arrigo had undergone two surgeries to try to reconstruct and stretch the existing muscles, but it wasn’t quite right. It left him with ongoing pain and problems with cramps that temporarily crippled him. He was discharged with disability.