Guilt starts to smother me. Looking at him now, the worry etched on his face, the dimness of his eyes, I feel like a total bitch.
“Bryce, it wasn’t that I was upset, I was concerned and hated not being able to talk to you. It was completely ridiculous and juvenile.”
He closes his eyes and then turns to face me. “If the situation was reversed, and I couldn’t find you for three days, I’d have been a lot more than ridiculous. There’s a good chance my crazy ass would have been beating down doors to get to you.”
A giggle bubbles up, and I try unsuccessfully to hide it. His eyes soften.
“Okay, so we’ve determined we’re both out of our minds. Can you tell me exactly what’s kept you so busy?”
“You mind if I take a shower first?”
“You got it. I’ll meet you in the living room with a cold beer when you’re ready.” I roll off the bed and lean down to kiss his cheek.
He lets me go, and the sound of the shower starts when I get to the kitchen. I take two beers to the living room to wait. He joins me a few minutes later in sweatpants and nothing else. My mouth starts to water at the sight. He notices, and heat flashes in his eyes.
“Devon, pretty sure Quinn wouldn’t appreciate opening the door to find me fucking you on the sofa. That’s what’s going to happen if you don’t stop looking at me like that.”
I look away, take a sip of my beer, and stay quiet, the thought of him fucking me on the sofa completely on my mind.
He sits next to me and situates me half on his lap. I hand him a beer and wait for him to talk.
“It’s a long story, but Shawn’s situation took a lot longer than I expected. He fully admitted to having a hard time coping with his wife leaving. He was using alcohol as a crutch. Liza and I talked to our superiors and came up with a plan to get him help. He was receptive to all our suggestions and agreed to get help.”
He stops talking, and I wait for more. He drinks his beer quietly, not saying anything. “Um, Bryce, that sounds really cut and dry. Maybe I missed something, but that took all of five seconds to tell me.”
“Well, that’s the story the public knows. Here’s the true story. He was mad as hell. He’s bitter and angry at the world. His wife leaving was icing on the cake. He suspected she was having an affair, and it started during his last deployment.”
“Oh no!”
“Yeah, he convinced himself of this. But we actually got a hold of her, and she willingly spoke to us. There was no affair, only loneliness. She said she tried to talk to him several times, but he wouldn’t listen. So she left as a sign of seriousness, trying to get through to him.
“When he learned this, it all came crashing down. He hit bottom. We gave him a few options. He did agree to get help and speak with an alcohol counselor. Liza and I both worked around the clock to research protocol and standard practices. We reached out to the wife and had her sit down with Shawn to explain their marriage could be saved. Then we got him set up with leave and into an alcohol center. He was admitted this morning. But the three days leading up to it have been pure hell.”
“What would have happened if he didn’t agree to your options?”
Bryce gives me a look, and I know exactly what would have happened. I put my beer down and twist into him, straddling his waist and wrapping my arms around his shoulders. “You saved that man’s career, didn’t you?”
He shrugs. “I guess you could say that.”
“You saved his marriage, too.”
He shrugs again.
“You’re amazing, absolutely amazing.” I kiss along his neck, whispering against his skin, “I’m so incredibly proud of you. He’s lucky to have someone like you on his side.”
He sets his beer down and puts his hands on my hips. “It’s my job. He had an excellent service record before this. I had to do everything in my power to help him.”
Pride and love stream through me, and I lean back, cupping his face in my hands. “Bryce, it’s fine to be noble with your team and crew, but I know how much you impacted this man forever. In the future, if your job takes you away from me with little communication for days, but you’re busy being awesome, don’t worry. I’ll be waiting patiently when you’re done to hear all about it.”
His face finally loses the earlier apprehension, and he gives me a wide smile, his eyes shining. “Being awesome, huh?”
“Oh yeah.” I nod and rest my forehead against his, never losing eye contact. “And I’m pretty sure being awesome deserves a reward.”
“Does this reward include you naked?”
He doesn’t give me a chance to answer but stands with me in his arms and walks us back to my room. With the way his eyes are practically eating me alive, I’m pretty sure I’ll owe Quinn an apology tomorrow morning.
The sound of a soft buzzing wakes me, and I reach over to hit my alarm clock.
Buzz, Buzz, Buzz
What the hell? I twist and notice Bryce’s side of the bed is empty, but the buzzing is coming from that direction. The sound stops, but immediately starts again, and I wake up enough to know it’s the sound of his phone.
I search until I find it on the floor beside his pants from last night. Without looking, I swipe to answer.
“Hello?” I croak.
“Hello?” Liza’s voice wakes me up fully.
“Liza?”
“Who’s this?”
“Devon.” Who does she think it is?
“I’m looking for Bryce.”
My alarm clock glows into the dark room, reading six-forty five. “Isn’t it a little early?” I ask annoyed.
“Not when we start work in half an hour. Now, can I talk to Bryce?”
“Currently, he’s unavailable.”
“Devon, we’ve got a lot of shit going on right now that you don’t know about. Can you get him for me?”
“Actually, I do know about it, and no, I can’t get him. But I can relay a message.”
She gets quiet, but her breathing picks up. “Actually, that’s fine. Tell him I have his watch from the other night, and I’ll bring it to work.” Her tone is condescending. I don’t let her know he’s not going to be at work today.
“I’ll relay the message.” I hang up without another word. Bitch.
I climb out of bed and throw on a sweatshirt then go searching for Bryce.
The smell of coffee hits me as soon as my door opens. I follow the aroma to the kitchen where Bryce is sitting with my computer at the table.
“Hey.” He motions for me to sit on his lap. “What are you doing up so early?”
“Liza called,” I tell him. “She said she has your watch from the other night and she’ll bring it to work.” Irritation drips from my words.
His face twists, and he looks at me with sympathy. “I’m sorry she woke you up. It’s a little early to call.”
“Early to call? She was happy to let me know you two have to be at work soon. Apparently, she doesn’t know you’re here.”
“Why the hell would she know I’m here? It’s none of her business where I am.”
“Maybe you should tell her that.” I take a deep breath, trying to calm my annoyance.
“Devon, we work together. That’s it. The other night, before we convinced Shawn to go to rehab, he went on a bender. We found him practically comatose in his place. We stayed until he sobered up. In the process of that, he threw up, mostly on me, several times. I handed her my watch when I was scared he would puke on it.”
Now I feel like an idiot. My anger dissolves instantly. Why do I continuously let her get to me, always thinking the worst? “I’m sorry,” I murmur, lowering my eyes.
He threads his fingers through my hair and pulls me to him, kissing me quickly. “She’s nothing to me. Strictly a peer.”
“I know, but it’s the way she portrays your relationship, like she’s goading me.” I think about telling him more about the conversation in my kitchen that morning but decide against it because he’s already said she means nothing to
him.
He watches me a few more seconds before talking. “Want to go back to bed for a few hours before you have class?”
“Sure, but why are you up anyway?”
“I’m trying to figure out our holiday plans. I’ll have seven days off but not both Christmas and New Year’s. I assume you’ll be cheering in a bowl game, so I’m trying to see what is best for both of us.”
“I’d really like to have Christmas together with our families. Can you swing that?”
“If that’s what you want then absolutely. Mom will be thrilled.”
“Okay, I have three weeks off between semesters. Quinn is going to spend some time in Atlanta. I promised my mom we’d finish some wedding stuff, but otherwise, I can stay in Norfolk if you’d like.”
His face brightens at the news, and he kisses me softly. “I’d love that.”
“Really?!? It’s barely daylight, and you two are at it already. I’m declaring the kitchen a safe zone! No more!” Quinn mutters, grabbing a bottle of water and looking barely awake.
“No worries, Quinn. I’m taking her back to bed for at least three hours. Then I’ll drive you both to class. It’s fucking cold outside.”
“You’re on… but I’d like to go back to sleep. Think you can keep it down?”
“Not on your life,” he responds.
She gives me the evil eye, but I see right through her. She’s happy he’s here and things are fine.
Chapter 24
Quinn bitches constantly while refreshing her phone and iPad. I’m reminded of last year in the airport while we waited to fly our different ways for Christmas. Some things never change; she’s still neurotic about her grades.
We’re on the way to drop her at the airport, then I’m driving to Norfolk. She’s going to Atlanta for the week before Christmas, and she’s a nervous wreck. This will be the first time she meets Dean’s whole extended family. And to top it off, she’s scheduled for an interview with Bill for the internship position—which we all know she’ll get. Most of us were accepted back with our summer mentors. The interview is only a formality.
“I give up! I swear, they do this on purpose. What’s so hard about punching in a few grades and uploading?” She drops her phone in her purse and slams her head back in frustration.
“You know you aced every class and project. Why do you do this to yourself?”
“Because I’m an idiot. Aren’t you worried at all?”
“Hell yeah, pretty sure that Theories final dropped my grade. But what can I do?”
“Are you high? Look at me.”
I turn to her, and she inspects my face closely.
“Why would I be high?”
“Because you’re so calm… very Zen.”
“I guess I’m trying to keep you calm. This is a big trip for you.”
“Tell me about it. I need a distraction. Tell me your final schedule.”
She’s referring to my whirlwind travel for the next three weeks. I’ll be in Norfolk with the guys until we travel home together for Christmas. Ironically, Virginia was chosen for the Music City Bowl in Nashville, so I have to stay behind while they return. Due to flight schedules, Bryce thinks I’m flying back to him on New Year’s Day, but actually, I plan to surprise him on New Year’s Eve. It’s a top-secret plan. The only person besides Quinn who knows is my mom. I’ll tell Nate closer to time.
I go over the details with Quinn once more, confirming my final flight information.
“What exactly are you going to do this week while the guys work?”
“One day will be shopping with Nicole. Otherwise, I’ll probably be wrapping the gifts that have been shipped to their place. Tuesday afternoon, we have an appointment at Bryce’s bank to get my name on his account. Nate has a few gifts for me to pick up as well. I’m sure it’ll fly by.”
“Okay, so what’s the plan if you see Liza?”
“There is no plan. I’ll be cordial and friendly. No matter how much she gets under my skin, she’s still a member of their team. And Nate said she was a major part of helping with the Shawn situation. For that, I have respect for her.”
“You need me, you call. I don’t care if it’s day or night.”
I go on alert at the tone of her statement. “Is there something on your mind?”
“Yeah, I still don’t trust her. Keep your guard up. She seems sneaky. It’s a gut feeling, nothing more, because we know Bryce is a straight arrow.”
“Oh yeah, she has a long way to go before I trust her. There’s a really good chance I won’t see her. Bryce made it clear that we have no social obligations with her.”
I park in the departure lane and turn to Quinn, grabbing her hand. “You are gonna rock this shit. Dean’s family is going to love you as much as he does. Be yourself, don’t get nervous, and YOU call me anytime. Day or night.”
Her earlier nervousness returns, and she gets slightly pale. “I love you, Dev. See you on Christmas Day.”
“You too, babe. Now, get out before we both start crying like girls.”
This earns a grin and a quick hug. She gets out and drags her suitcase from the trunk. I wave until she disappears in the crowd.
I’m not even on the interstate before my phone dings with a text.
Quinn- Booya, Bitch! Straight A’s. BTW- you too! Theories didn’t kick your ass! Call you later!
I smile to myself with a sense of relief, glad she has my student login. Maybe we can both relax and have a well-deserved break with little stress. Nothing can beat last year in Aspen, but I’m going to try.
Bryce’s nakedness taunts me as I quietly climb back in bed. There’s a sliver of moonlight coming through his blinds that allows me to see his body spread out on the bed. His chest rises and falls with each breath, and I refrain from running my fingers over each ripple of muscle. My mouth waters, thinking about different ways to wake him.
For the last few days I’ve been here, we’ve been respectful of Nate. But behind closed doors, Bryce is insatiable. Every morning before he leaves me sleeping, he’s woken me up with gentle kisses that turned heated. My body craved his touch, and he’d slide into me, making love until we both moaned, trying to be quiet.
The nights were a lot less restrained. Thank God Nate had the late shift because we had sex on almost every surface and every room. Bryce said each time he looked at his kitchen counter, his front door, or even his vanity, he wanted to think about being inside me. I had absolutely no problem with this because I thought it was extremely hot.
His cock starts to twitch and grow as I gaze over his body. He’s either waking up or dreaming, which are both total turn-ons. I make a quick decision and scoot quickly between his legs. I blow lightly on the tip and then circle his head with my tongue. He hardens completely against my mouth, and his fingers fist in my hair.
I suck him all the way in and stop when he hits the back of my throat, waiting to see if he’s fully awake. When I don’t move, he thrusts up once, and I know he’s silently begging me to continue. Instead, I retreat, licking him generously, and then nip the sensitive skin on the underside.
Without speaking, I crawl up and position myself on top and glide down slowly, feeling him fill me. When I’m all the way seated, my hands slide to his chest to brace.
“Why are you stopping?” His voice is rough with sleep, and his fingers flex on my hips.
“Shhh.” I put a finger to his lips. He sucks it into his mouth and nibbles.
I swivel my hips a few times and clench, trying to slow the burning desire that’s building inside. A few more movements, and he loses patience, tearing his shirt over my head and cupping my breasts, rolling my nipples with his fingertips. I try to pull away, but my body betrays me by leaning into his touch, losing my control.
I rotate slightly, and he hisses, gripping me harder. My head drops forward as a tingling starts in my spine. My hair falls, covering my view of his hands on me. He sweeps it over a shoulder then tugs me down. Our mouths crash, and I whimper as he takes
control. I match his every thrust, slide, and stroke until I have to break our kiss and bury my face in his neck. The orgasm blasts through me, and I bite down on his neck to quiet my cries. He thickens inside of me and then starts to pulse with his own release. There’s no doubt I’ve left a mark on his skin.
We lie together, his hands stroking my back lazily as we both catch our breaths.
“What was that for?” He breaks the silence. “Not that I’m complaining.”
“I couldn’t help it. You were sleeping so peacefully, and your body was shining in the light. I wanted to taste you. Then I wanted to do other things.”
He chuckles and runs his tongue along my jaw line.
“Why is that funny?”
“Because I wasn’t asleep, beautiful. The minute you left the bed for the bathroom, I woke up.”
“You were pretending? Why?”
“I felt the heat of your stare and wanted to see how far you’d take it. Gotta say, I’m happy you went the direction you did.”
“You were testing me?”
“No, I was hoping my hot as shit, sexy as fuck, and unbelievably incredible fiancée would try to seduce me. Which is what happened. Now, all morning at breakfast and the hellacious ten hour drive home, I’ll have the image burned in my brain of you coming hard.”
“Me too,” I agree.
“We’ve got two hours before we need to get up. You think you can sleep?”
“Oh yeah.” I wiggle where we’re still connected and feel him jerk.
“Jesus Christ. Keep doing that and there’s not going to be any sleep.”
“Okay, I’ll be good. Can we stay like this?”
“Yeah.” He reaches down and covers us with the comforter, and my eyes grow heavy.
The last thing I hear is his whispered declaration, “I love you.”
A few hours later, there’s a crowd of us sitting at a local diner eating breakfast. It’s mostly guys, except for Nicole and her sister. Besides Rick and Tommy, there are three other men from Bryce and Nate’s ship.
Finding Our Course: Collision Course Duet Page 29
