“Definitely,” said Maura. “The camaraderie is hard to explain, but once you’ve experienced it, you will never be alone again.”
“I meant to tell you, your house is lovely. Do you like living in the Coronado Cays?” Kerry said as she reached for a toy. She picked up the items within reach and dumped them into a large open trunk. The control freak in her sighed with relief.
“Bless you, Kerry,” Maura said. “I appreciate the help. By the by, visit the small cabinet by the kitchen sink for our drinks. We’ve got every kind of liquor imaginable, or the fridge has about twenty kinds of iced teas and juices. Declan made the pink and green ones from scratch.” Maura eased herself onto a stool and sighed. “Leaper, he loves that gift. How did you know?”
“It was a given. What do you purchase a man who is 50 percent health nut and 50 percent gearhead? A juicer.” Leaper laughed as he took two waters out of the fridge and placed one aside for Kerry. He took a long drink, placed it on the countertop next to hers, and then helped Kerry rectify the toy explosion. Just as they were finishing, Declan walked in.
“Now that’s service. I still read three bedtime stories every night.” Declan shook hands with Leaper. “And you must be…”
“Kerry. Nice to meet you,” she said as she shook the hand of the giant, bearlike man. Next to Leaper, who was all muscle and lean height, they were an odd pair.
Leaper smacked Declan on the back, and the two hugged each other.
Watching them banter made Kerry laugh. “You’re a monkey.” “Fine. Watch me scratch my ass.” “That’s my ass, not yours.” Their verbal play was so close to that of Abbott and Costello that she couldn’t stop several giggles from escaping.
“They are a pair, aren’t they?” Maura nodded at the men. “It’s like having two more toddlers running around. I wouldn’t trade it for the world, but don’t tell them that.”
“Let’s sit on the deck,” Declan announced. He leaned down and adjusted something on his prosthetic leg, then pointed outside. Taking control, he pushed a prepared giant cart of food and drink toward the large open deck on the water. It was charming the way Leaper was right by his side, quietly lifting one end so it glided seamlessly over the threshold of the sliding door. Kerry could tell these two were close. They didn’t even seem to need words.
The outside deck extended the beautiful medley of Southwestern colors and charm. There were two couches and a fire pit next to the gate leading down to the water and a dock. Closer to the door was a giant professional-looking grill and a cream wrought-iron table.
“Please sit,” said Maura. “Tell me about yourself. What do you do?”
“I work for the Marine Mammal Program as a vet. That’s about it. I heard that you own a gym in Imperial Beach and you have some wonderful programs that help kids.” Kerry scooted her chair closer and took a sip of water.
“Yes, I love it. There’s no end to the number of kids coming through the gym, so I can bring the little one to work. We’ve set up several parkour programs, and our membership has skyrocketed in the past two and a half years. Time flies by quickly.” Maura fanned herself with her hand. “Can you please pour me some iced tea? Being pregnant and having hot flashes does not lend itself to easy movement.”
“Absolutely,” said Kerry as she reached across the table and poured a glass for Maura, then one for herself, Leaper, and Declan.
“Take my advice,” Maura said, “and travel while you can. Once you have babies, it’s harder to get away. The amount of support they need…it’s almost mind-blowing. Are you planning any trips overseas? I’ll live vicariously.”
Kerry opened her mouth and closed it. There were a few opportunities on the table that she hadn’t told Leaper about yet.
Maura took a long sip. “It’s unsweetened. If you’d like sugar or the fake stuff, check the small bowl next to the salt and pepper.”
“I prefer it this way,” said Kerry, taking a small sip and then another. “Is that mint combined with black tea? It’s delicious.”
“Yes, I like brewing all sorts of concoctions.” Maura looked at Kerry, her gaze shrewd. “I hit a nerve with that travel question. You’re tea talk is deflective, a serious giveaway,”
Kerry eyed the two men at the grill. She leaned forward and said softly, “I was offered a job in Japan. But…it just doesn’t feel like the right position for me. I’m too attached to my dolphins, and it’s too far from… I have another offer to work with a Russian group, and that doesn’t feel right either. Also—”
“Leaper,” said Maura knowingly. “I get it. He’s in your life now. You know, you are the first female he’s ever brought over. Sure, he’s dated plenty, but he never gets close to them. There’s something unique about you, or you wouldn’t be here.” She took a sip and put down her glass. “Declan was like that for a time, sort of a playboy. Work and women. For a long time, the only thing that really mattered was his work.”
“I want to travel. I have a ton of dreams, places I want to go and species of dolphin that I’d like to meet. But how could I ask that of Leaper?” Kerry shook her head sadly.
“You might be surprised at what Leaper decides to do. When he’s all-in, he jumps in with both feet. He’s that kind of spirited soul.” Kerry looked over at her husband and smiled. “They have that quality in common.”
Declan came over and placed a plate of grilled shrimp and lobster tails on the table, along with a giant grilled salmon with large wedges of lemon and lots of fresh dill doused in butter. “Help yourselves,” he said. He must have caught the last of their conversation, because he added, “When you meet the right woman, the whole world changes.” He kissed Maura on the top of her head.
“Japan, huh? Russia too,” added Leaper between mouthfuls. “First I’m hearing of those offers.”
“Boy, you have good ears.” Kerry shrugged. “Doesn’t matter, though. I’m not taking the jobs. For me to leave here, it has to be…ideal. The ultimate excursion.” She laid her hand on his and squeezed it. “And I don’t want to cut ties with the Marine Mammal Program here.”
Leaper smiled at her. “Good to hear. But if it is something you want, I hope you’ll share it. I want to support your dreams.”
“Ditto.”
They dug into the food. Silence surrounded the group as they devoured the meal.
Leaper sighed. “Excellent grub, Declan. Five stars. Beats those tarantulas we roasted on the deck of that carrier. Ugh, that was awful.”
Declan chuckled, a deep rumble. “Even I had to convince my stomach to keep that meal down. But when you’re starved—”
“Everything tastes like survival,” finished Leaper. “Yeah, I know. I still can’t look at rats and squirrels the same way.” His eyes met Kerry’s. “Don’t ask.”
“Daddy! Daddy! Wet! Wet!” yelled a tiny voice from inside the house.
“I knew I shouldn’t have given her a second glass of water. My bad.” Declan exchanged a long look with his wife and set his napkin on the table beside his plate, sighing. He’d obviously lost whatever nonverbal discussion they’d had. He pushed his chair back, hoisted himself onto his feet, and headed inside to deal with the crisis.
Kerry was impressed. “Now, that’s a man.”
“Here, here,” said Maura, toasting her husband and taking a long sip of her iced tea before she went back to fanning herself with her hand. “Good Lord, soon there were will be more of them too.”
“Reinforcements are right in front of you, if you need ’em.” Leaper picked up the empty plates and stood. “Ladies, if you’ll excuse me, I’m on KP—kitchen patrol, a.k.a. dish duty—where I’ll be making some extra suds.”
“Do you need help?” asked Kerry. She smiled at his suds reference. It reminded her of their showers together.
“Nah, I’m good. You enjoy yourself.” He disappeared inside. After several more trips, the table was cleared and it
was impossible not to appreciate the silence.
God, Leaper was good. That man was changing her life in more ways than she could list, and it was only for the better. Looking up, Kerry felt oddly at peace as she studied the sky. The sun was setting, painting streaks of red, pink, and orange above them.
“I’ll never get used to the view,” said Maura. “The beauty of Southern California is astonishing.”
Kerry nodded her head. “It is lovely. You must spend every evening out here.”
“Most of them,” confirmed Maura. She shifted uncomfortably in her chair. “While we’re alone, I want you to know that we’ve enjoyed meeting you. Leaper means a great deal to us. He’s more than a friend; he’s a precious part of our lives. Don’t, uh…” Maura faltered, as if she couldn’t bring herself to say the words.
“I won’t. It would hurt me if I hurt him,” Kerry assured her. “Leaper, he’s special. I’ve never met anyone like him. When we’re together, we fit so well. It sort of freaks me out. And when we’re apart, I can hardly wait until I set eyes on him—until I can hold him in my arms and smell his essence mixed with that crazy sandalwood soap,” Kerry blurted out. She covered her mouth, trying to stem the flow of her blathering. She opened her fingers and said, “Sorry for the overshare.”
Maura grinned. “It’s perfect. You said it exactly the way I hoped you would. If your lover doesn’t ring that fantasy bell to the hundredth degree, then it’s not the right soul. Girl, we’re going to have fun talking. Let me tell you about my first naked experience with Declan. I was on this paddleboard when the current caught me, dragging me to sea. Long story short, he was stripping me naked and putting me in a tub of water. Boy, did that get my juices going.”
Chapter 6
Sexy, sensual, and romantic scenes—the stuff of dreams and stories—bloom in organically bounteous moments. Tonight was a time like that, where the moon slid behind a bank of thick clouds, drawing away all remnants of light and leaving the couple shrouded in darkness. The air was just cool enough for them to sit close together as even the shadows suited intimacy, cloaking them in privacy.
“What a great night,” said Kerry with a contented sigh.
“Uh-huh,” replied Leaper, whose home was just behind them. The ocean was before them, lapping languorously on the shore, and the rock and sand were just beneath them. The night with its dark mantle wrapped them in seductive seclusion.
Birds skirted the water mere feet away, scooping up their midnight catches. The last of the moonbeams had drawn those fish to the surface, and the absence of light disoriented them now, making them easy prey.
Nature was so primal. Want and need. Fulfillment and satisfaction.
Kerry snuggled closer to Leaper. “Thank you for an amazing day and a wonderful evening. I like Maura and Declan. It’d be great to spend more time with them.” Kerry sighed. “That meal was delicious too. I’m stuffed.”
“Glad you like them. Declan’s one helluva good cook.” Leaper wasn’t prepared to tell her that his swim buddy had given his agreement during kitchen duty—a thumbs-up in terms of Kerry being in his life, that is. Not that Leaper needed the confirmation, but hearing from his best friend reinforced what he already knew. Leaper hadn’t even realized he wanted to know what other people thought. Then again, Declan and Maura were special.
Leaper nuzzled her neck, and she leaned into his caress. He knew Kerry was one of a kind, and he wanted to spend more time with her. His friends’ validation just made him more sure.
Wind blew in soft gusts as the lapping of the ocean waves soothed him like a lullaby, yet nothing could cool his desire. In his arms was a rare beauty. A tiny honey blond with a lush and lovely body. Ah.
“Leaper, are you thinking up mischief?” Kerry asked as her fingers rubbed along his shoulders. Her voice was sensual and sweet, even when she was roaring with emotion, and he liked it.
“Maybe.” He grinned as he buried his nose in her hair and breathed in the scent of the salty ocean and Kerry’s sweet honey scent, as if she bathed in it. Oh, he definitely loved that idea. He was putting it on the top of his to-do list.
He felt her hands slide down his chest and toy with his bellybutton. He liked her boldness. Passion could draw a man the way a flower does a bee.
“Leaper,” she sighed as she stretched her body along the length of his.
He sat down on a rock—an outcropping that reached into the ocean—and softly kissed along the pulse of her neck until he reached her lips. Slowly, oh, so slowly, he kissed her with a teasing passion. The touch made her lean in for more. Nothing could make him rush this moment.
Holding her close made all of his senses sing; being with her made him feel alive. That observation shocked him. She affected him the way an Op with his SEAL brothers did, with one exception—he didn’t want to get naked with them. But her… She was a flesh-and-blood siren who lured him, sang to his soul, and made him want to drown in her body.
She had a gorgeous smile and an air of freedom, as if she lived the life she was always meant to, and everyone in her presence should do the same. It was irresistible.
“Kerry.” He murmured her name against her lips, a breathy caress.
Her tongue darted out, as if she couldn’t bear his leaving her lips. “Leaper,” she sighed as her hands dug into his back. “Please…don’t make me wait. I want you. Now.”
“Say my name again. I like the way you say it.”
“Leaper.” She drew the syllables out as if each one was a succulent, saucy caress.
He smiled against her lips, his grin wicked and hungry, and then slanted his head slightly and gave her exactly what she craved, kissing her with a passion he’d held in check for most of his life. The floodgates opened, and waves of sensuality poured over him as he gently lowered her onto his lap. She was a treasure, a fragile creature who must be worshipped with tenderness.
She shifted in his lap and straddled him boldly, and it was obvious she had other plans. Who was kidding—he adored it! He craved a woman who was his equal in bravery, pluck, and passion. Was Kerry the one? From all he’d learned about her, she was smart, courageous, and lived life with gusto. She was an incredible soul who wreaked havoc on his senses in a way no else ever had.
A wicked grin played on her lips. Her body vibrated with need as she moved deliberately over him. Her hands stroked his face.
For a moment, he almost lost control like a love-struck teenager. Then the self-discipline that made him a superb operator in combat kicked in, and he was in command of his body and emotions again. He stroked his fingers along her back, her hips, reaching in front and brushing his fingertips over her breasts.
“Yes,” she sighed as she pushed into his touch.
His hands cupped her breasts. He sighed. Her skin was so tender, so soft, like silk. “Luscious.”
“More.” She pulled her shirt over her head and pushed up his own shirt. “I don’t want anything between us.”
Leaper nodded. He set her on her feet.
“Keep your eyes on me.” She turned slowly around on a low, flat rock and then stood still as she disrobed.
He watched with an eager gaze as she stripped off her clothing. Her every movement made his blood boil until he was pulling his own clothes off in a rush, trying to alleviate the heat building inside him. He tossed the clothes behind him, heedless of where they landed.
Water splashed their feet as she crawled onto his lap. She put his hands on her hips and slowly lowered herself onto him.
His cock could feel each glorious pulse of her vagina as he moved farther into her achingly slowly. When her muscles gripped him hard with a climax, he had to struggle not to come immediately. God, she’s incredible!
His eyes locked with hers. When she began to move, he lost all capacity for speech. He had to gulp in air so he could hold his ground. With his pulse racing and his heart hammering, pleasure
laced through every part of him until nothing else remained.
Moving together in a rhythm as ancient as time, they became a solitary being. They were living, breathing, shuddering, beating, reaching, arching, and making love as one unit.
In that moment, the moon revealed itself, leaving behind the thick clouds and bathing the couple in moonlight. Beams of light danced across Kerry’s hair and naked body as Leaper’s gaze took in the vision of her glorious form and the riveting place where their bodies were joined.
As his gaze shifted back to her face, he could see her eyes were alight with delight, those twin glints of enchanting mischief, and it pushed him over the edge. He struggled to speak. “I…”
“Me too,” she said, her voice strained. Her back arched as she cried out in pleasure.
His body had climbed as high as it could, and he came with a mighty roar as his body plunged with hers to completion.
Their bodies shook, spent.
They held each other, arms entwined.
His forehead touched hers, and they kissed intermittently. Neither wanted to let go, and they clung until they both began to shiver.
Leaper reluctantly lifted her up and placed her on her feet. He bent down and grabbed her clothes, wet from the water on the low, flat rock.
Grabbing his shirt, which had actually landed on a higher, dry rock, he held it so she could slip it over her head and put her arms inside. The hem hung to her knees. She looked adorable.
She laughed. “It smells like you.”
“Great. Sweat,” he said critically.
“No,” she said with an equally serious tone. “Like a warrior. A lover. Like a man who is mine.”
“Our scents smell good, mingled together.” Standing naked before her, he kissed her tenderly and said, “What is mine is yours. My body. My heart.”
Her breath caught. “Leaper…”
“Kerry.” His body was hard, needing her and aching for her. His lips found hers. Passion swept through his body.
The Power of a SEAL Page 16
