Intimate Honor

by D. C. Stone

  The area between her legs convulsed at the image that shot to mind, but her anger was so much more. An anger she relished in, because despite the fact that she was going back and forth with Chris in what was clearly a heated argument, despite him being visibly angry, she didn’t fear him. With Manuel, she would have cowered and waited for the beating to begin. A newfound confidence rolled through her. “How dare you?” she yelled.

  DA barked a low warning, bringing her back into focus. It seemed to snap Chris out of it, too, for he immediately hunched down to speak in low tones to his dog. She spun on her heel, done with the conversation and done with Chris. Soaked to the bone, she wanted to get out of her clothes.

  Without explaining herself, she left the clinic and dashed up the stairs to change. She ripped off the soggy clothing, right on down to her underwear, then slipped on a pair of black, fleece-lined track pants, ignoring how the waistline felt a little snug, a bra, and a long-sleeved white t-shirt. On her way back out of the apartment, she grabbed the matching jacket to the pants and slipped it on as well. Her feet were still cold, seeing as she’d gone outside without shoes on, but the pants were long enough to cover the tops of her feet, and the rest of this conversation with Chris wouldn’t take long.

  He could take his brooding, bad attitude and go back to sleep. Maybe tomorrow, he’d wake up and rethink his approach toward her.

  Yeah, he’d riled her up, and she wasn’t thinking straight about how to handle him.

  She hit the bottom of the stairs, rounded the hutch again, and came to a stop as Chris walked out from where she kept DA’s kennel with his dog following at his side. At the sight of the muzzle now strapped to DA, she saw red.

  “Seriously?” she snapped.

  “What part of him being a military working dog do you not get?”

  “But he’s better now.”

  Lightning and thunder struck on the heels of that statement, causing DA to cower close to Chris’s side. Chris raised a brow, and despite the darkness of the room, she saw his expression clearly.

  “Chris,” she said on a sigh. “I don’t like muzzling him. It can’t be comfortable, and once the storm passes, he’ll be better.”

  He matched her sigh. “Look, I don’t like it any more than you do, but I don’t want to take a chance that he will bite you. You wouldn’t believe the fear I felt when I walked outside, how…” He clenched his hands at his sides and looked away.

  And she got it. All at once, her anger rushed out and, in its place rose a more tender emotion. All this time, she’d been trying to keep him at arm’s length, when he’d been trying to open the line of friendship. And without her even realizing it, he’d burrowed right in, just like DA had done. That Chris had to experience something being out of his control, a man who thrived on controlling everything around him from his dog, to his mission, to how he trained his own body, must feel like he was completely losing it, seeing he couldn’t really control anything.

  That was just life.

  She took a step toward him, hunched down, and reached for DA. “Come here, boy.”

  “Red,” Chris started, but she raised a hand.

  “Delta Alpha, come,” she said again, voice gentle but holding a command.

  DA dropped his head and lumbered over, kicking his head under her hand once he reached her. His tiny doggy tongue came out in the small space and licked her palm. “I know you’re sorry for being scared, big guy. But the three of us will get through this together. You have to learn to trust me. And stop growling.”

  She leaned down to whisper in his ear. “And we both know you’d do nothing to hurt me. I thank you for protecting us from whatever was outside.” Something was out there, and as much as Chris wanted to dismiss it, she was sure of it.

  DA’s tail thumped behind him as she gave him a rubdown, taking care to not go near his still-recovering injuries. Once she had DA rolling over to his belly, she finished petting him before she stood and faced his handler.

  “The same goes for you.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest, causing the material of his long-sleeve white shirt to stretch.

  “You need to trust me,” she said. “And stop growling, too. The three of us will get through this together.”

  He stepped closer and kicked up the side of his mouth. “Are you going to give me a rubdown, too?”

  She laughed, the sound startled out of her, then asked, “You want your belly rubbed, big guy?”

  He waggled his brows. This man was entirely too handsome for his own good. Especially since he’d started letting his facial hair grow in. The soft covering made him look more rustic, as if he belonged in the great outdoors with his dog at his side. “Maybe not my belly, but I got something else in mind.”

  She laughed again, and his smile grew.

  He cupped her cheek, stopping only inches away. There, he dropped his face until he hovered even closer. “All jokes aside, Red. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”

  With the mood twisting suddenly to something serious, she took a moment to catch up. They’d known each other for a few weeks, but somehow, she knew she wouldn’t be able to dismiss his words with a joke. The set of his jaw and what he also communicated with his eyes told her he’d never been more serious in his life. “I’ll take care next time when dealing with him,” she promised.

  He moved closer, bringing his other hand up to thread through the hair at her nape. “I’m not just talking about with DA. I see that hand you’ve been holding out, keeping me at a distance, Red, and I meant it when I said I want to be here for you. I know you have secrets. We all do. When I tell you I’d do everything in my power to keep you happy and safe, I mean that.”

  She couldn’t help it. She leaned forward until her body met his, chest to chest. He supported most of her, seeing as she’d given him her weight. And she had to admit, it felt good. Better than good. It’d been a long time since she’d felt so warm, so comfortable this close to a man. “I believe you,” she said, and she did. That much she was sure of.

  His gaze dropped to her mouth before lifting again to meet her eyes. “You going to drop that hand?”

  She bit the inside of her bottom lip. With everything that had happened before, with her history, with the baby, and even how busy she was now, this request surprised her, both coming from him as well as the fact that she considered it. “Can you be patient?”

  He made a low sound, almost a growl. “Baby, I’m one of the most patient men you’ll ever meet. In everything I do.”

  That caused a shiver. He felt it, too, for his eyes, so close, heated with hunger.

  His gaze dropped to her mouth again. “I’m going to kiss you, Red.”

  Her stomach clenched. She wanted that, too. “O-okay.”

  “You get what I’m saying?”

  Huh? Did she…? “You’re going to kiss me.”

  “Yeah.” This time, he growled.

  “Okay, then do it.”

  “I will.”

  “I’m waiting.”

  “Now who is impatient?”

  “Chris—” she said, but he cut her off and covered her mouth with his. His lips brushed against hers once, twice, before his tongue came out and traced the seam, requesting entry. She parted her lips, thinking he wanted inside, but he moved so painstakingly slow, tracing along the edges before moving in and sucking her top, then bottom lip into his mouth.

  Her stomach flipped, and the area between her legs tingled. Good Lord in heaven, this man could kiss. And he’d been right. He was so patient. He hadn’t even put his tongue inside her mouth yet!

  His hands tightened in her hair, drawing her closer as one left her face and wrapped in a band around her waist, lining their bodies up from crotch to chest. He pulled her up, plastering her along the length of him, tilted her head back more, and then plunged inside.

  And goodness, all she could do was hold on for the ride of her life.

  He thrust deep, encouraging her participation by
wrapping his tongue around hers, then sucking hers into his mouth. She whimpered and pulled at his shoulders, wanting to be closer, as if it were possible.

  Instead, he ravaged her mouth, drew out her pleasure, and surrounded her in every way.

  And even though it was only a kiss, it felt so much more intimate than anything she’d ever done. She could grow addicted to his touch, his taste, could see herself acting like a junkie just for a hit of him.

  That last thought should scare her, but all she could think was she never wanted the kiss to end. Hell, she kind of wanted more. Like a between-the-sheets, whispers-in-the-night, moaning more. The problem was she still had yet to tell him about the baby.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chris’s heart thundered in his chest so hard it was a wonder she couldn’t feel it against hers. And the poor organ was definitely getting its share of adrenaline today, with the scene he’d walked in on between Samantha and DA earlier, and now this kiss.

  But could it really be described just as a kiss?

  It felt like so much more. She tasted of so much more. Of warmth and sunshine, of attitude and laughter, of caring and vulnerability. Hidden sensuality all wrapped into one curvy package called Samantha.

  Her breasts pillowed against his chest and despite the layers of clothing, her nipples poked against him, demanding attention.

  Her body was plastered along the length of his until every divot, every curve, and angle of hers became his own. His cock pulsed between his legs and against her stomach, begging for more, wanting to get inside the sweet space between her thighs. She clutched and pulled at his shoulders, so he tensed and prepared to catch her as she hopped up and wrapped her legs around his waist.

  Then it was go, go, go. He kept kissing her, walking toward the stairs, breaking off from her mouth only to give DA a command to stay. He half-walked, half-stumbled his way up the stairs with her in his arms. She nipped and sucked at his neck. Around him, she felt like a soft, satin pillow he wanted to bury inside of. His hunger for her became wild and consuming.

  His hunger. Hers. He didn’t know which was which anymore.

  They fell to the bed, yanking at each other’s clothing. He licked and bit exposed skin, the slope of her neck, her collarbone, where the curve of her waist met her hip. He couldn’t get enough, and from the sounds she made, low groaning and soft gasps, neither could she.

  “Chris,” she breathed.

  “Right here, Red.”

  “There’s something … oh, my God, that feels so good.”

  He practically ripped off her simple, white laced bra, making a note to apologize later before he fell on her tits like a starving male. Full, big enough to overfill his palms, her breasts rose in the air like a man’s biggest temptation. And they were. Soft and perfectly shaped, they were what many men would write sonnets about. Become poets just to capture their beauty with words.

  He was no poet, though. He was very much a breast man, however.

  In between the lightning strikes, rose-colored nipples no larger than a quarter made his mouth water. Answering the demand Samantha gave with her hands in his hair and his own body’s hunger, he dipped and took a tempting bud into his mouth.

  Beneath him, she cried out, tossing her head back and arching her spine while tightening her fingers against his scalp. She smelled of woman and comfort, but more than anything, her essence gave him every feeling of contentment. Something he’d never had before.

  Needing more contact, he palmed her other breast and tweaked the ignored nipple before he pushed up on his knees, drawing and spreading her legs with him, and began to replicate what he wanted to do without clothes.

  His cock pulsed painfully within the confines of his pants and boxers. The heat between her legs saturated through their pants. He wanted more, needed more, craved every bit she would give. But he didn’t want to rush this. Not this first time with her.

  “Chris,” she moaned, and Christ, the sound of his name from her mouth caused his cock to weep. “I need to tell you something. We need to slow down for a second … oh my, do that again.”

  She ran her nails along his back, and he switched attention, covering her other breast with his mouth and sucking deep. Her hands fisted at the back of his pants. She wanted his pants off. He was all too happy to help.

  Ripping his mouth away, he leaned up and pushed his pants down while she scooted back to do the same. She hesitated and damn if his heart didn’t stop on a dime. Her indecisive eyes looked up at him.

  “What is it?” he asked and squeezed the base of his cock to try to calm down. He was ready to blow, and he hadn’t even been inside her yet.

  She took a quick, wide-eyed glance at what his hand did, and yeah, it made him shallow, but his chest puffed out a bit at her look. His dick jumped again and damn, but he really needed to be inside her before he embarrassed himself.

  “There’s something I need to tell you.”

  He wanted to groan, his need driving through his veins. But whatever she wanted to say must be important as her facial expression turned serious. He tried to calm his rapidly beating heart. He leaned back, ass to the back of his calves under him and focused on her face, showing her she had his entire attention, not that she didn’t have it before.

  “What, Red?”

  “I-I…” She bit her lip, which had the unfortunate effect—for him—of making her look sexier. Her kiss-swollen lips, hair mused from his hands, and being half-naked called to him like nothing had before.

  She moved surprisingly quickly with a shake of her head, then whipped off her pants and panties, tossing them across the room before lying back on the bed, spread eagle.

  Christ!

  He fumbled with his pants, trying to kick off his shoes and getting tangled.

  “Chris, please,” she whispered, a hand between her legs, watching him from beneath heavily hooded eyes.

  “Hold on, sweetheart. My pants are caught on my shoes.” He flipped over, pushing at one shoe.

  “It’s coming. Please, Chris.” Her body bowed up, the hand between her legs moving quicker. Eyes closed, she looked like a sexual goddess put on the planet to tempt any man.

  “Samantha,” he said, arrested by the sight.

  She opened her eyes and focused dazedly on his face. “It’s been too long. Please,” she urged.

  He cursed, forgot about his pants, grabbed his wallet, slipped on a condom in record time, and then, with no finesse or another way to describe it, fell between her thighs.

  Her limbs wrapped around him, the hand between her legs coming up to clutch in his hair, and he sank deep between her thighs with one powerful thrust.

  They both moaned at the feeling. She wrapped around his cock with such a silken heat his eyes crossed. His toes curled. She was a vise around him, her walls holding him tight, almost too tight.

  “Red,” he said on a breath, stilling, “I don’t want to hurt you, sweetheart. Let’s slow down.”

  In response, she wrapped her legs around his, rotated her hips up, and kissed him, urging against his mouth, “Move.”

  Unable to hold back after that demand, but keeping in mind about the possibility of hurting her, he did. He set a rhythm that punished them both for waiting so long. She met him thrust for thrust, her hands clutching at any part of him she could get ahold of. He wanted to spread his legs and change his stance to get closer, but his pants were still locked around the bottom half of him.

  Instead, he wrapped one arm around the top of her head, the other around the slat in her headboard, and gave her everything she asked for.

  She stared up at him, her eyes full of hungry desire, her face a mask of decadent delight. Her nails bit into his ass cheeks, urging him to give more. So, he did. He fucked her until it felt like he’d burrow deep inside and never come out.

  Her walls tightened around him, telling him she was close.

  “Give it to me,” he demanded, and her eyes grew hazy.

  He dipped his head, touched his tong
ue behind her ear, and then told her again, “Come for me, Red.”

  She did. Her walls gripped him with such strength he wouldn’t have been able to hold back even if he tried, which he did not. One thrust, two, and he shouted out his release, hearing her call out at the same time.

  In the back of his mind, he wondered at the beauty of coming with his partner, something he’d never experienced before. He also wondered at the glorious mark of a woman who could come with just his cock.

  He pushed in and stayed rooted inside, his cock twitching in its release before he lifted his head and kissed her. She matched his mouth, kiss for kiss. This one differed from before, slow, lazy, almost as if in gratitude for what they’d just experienced.

  And he was thankful, at least. Thankful that she’d finally given him a piece of her, though her gift had been more than he’d ever hoped for.

  ****

  After dealing with the condom, Chris rejoined Samantha in bed, taking her within his arms. He liked that she hadn’t hesitated to curl right into him, and it wasn’t because of the chill in the air. Sure, despite them knowing each other, and meeting each other under an extremely stressful situation, there was something about her that made him want to hold on and never let go.

  A surprising discovery, since he’d never been one to want such a commitment. He had married teammates, or those in long-term, but what he did, what they all did, would never be used as a poster-board for how to make relationships last. They were deployed too much, gone for weeks at a time without any contact with home. The stress of knowing someone was waiting on you, questioning your every move, couldn’t be risked based on the areas they went to and the level of classification they dealt with.

  He’d heard horror stories regarding broken relationships, the trust questioned, and the families who all suffered. It hadn’t given him hope or even a wish to move into the same boat. The extra stress wasn’t worth it.

  But then he’d come home, and he’d see his parents and their relationship, and even more recent was Charlie and that FBI agent, Rossi. Those relationships gave him pause and caused him to wonder if he could actually do it. If he could make something worth it work.