by Hart, Lea
“I’m not sure. If I get called back into active duty, then all bets are off. They get to keep me as long as they need me. I had my unit drill weekend two weeks ago, and I enjoyed the hell out of it. I miss being out there sometimes, and being on the reserve Team feeds that need in me to still be of service.”
“Do they still let you blow things up? I know that was one of your favorite things to do.”
“Not nearly enough,” he replied. “I get to use C4 every now and again, but it’s not like the old days.”
Patting his arm, she gave him a sympathetic look. “Poor you. I don’t think much has changed since I met you. I remember your welcome to the neighborhood gesture when you let off a homemade rocket under my window the week I moved in.”
“I was just trying to impress the pretty blond girl who came to live next door. In my twelve-year old mind, that was the way to do it.”
“Well, I guess it worked. Look at us now.”
“I will only be satisfied when I know that you are mine to keep. Only then will I know that it worked. I’d do it again if I thought I could get away with it. I don’t think anyone sees homemade explosives in quite the same light anymore. Even I would have a hard time explaining it to the cops.”
“You’re probably right. I don’t think your box of medals would get you out of it.” Flipping open the donut box, she took out a sprinkle donut and took a huge bite. Crumbs and sprinkles fell all over her robe, so she tried to wipe them into the sink. “I’m a disaster.”
David leaned over and handed her a napkin. “Not a disaster exactly. Just an enthusiastic eater.”
She kissed him as she sat down next to him. “How do you like working at SAI? Is it everything you hoped for?”
“It definitely is. It was hard to separate from the navy, and this has allowed me the gradual transition that I’ve needed. Working with Max and the guys has been my saving grace, because I get to do a lot of the same things I’ve always done, just in a different environment.”
“You are so lucky. I don’t think everyone gets to come off of active duty and have such a great company to work for.”
“I agree. Maybe I’ll take you over to the office tomorrow and introduce you around. It will also give me an opportunity to make sure that your GPS locator is still working.”
Rubbing her arm, she felt the tiny ridge of the locator that David insisted she get almost two years ago. “I forget about it most of the time.”
“Not me. It’s the only thing that keeps me sane. If you get in trouble, then I can find you and save you. It allows me to sleep at night.”
“Jeez, David. Don’t be so paranoid. I’ve been out of the country for a long time, and nothing has happened. It’s not like the last two months in Honduras is going to change anything. Before you know it, I will be back here driving you crazy.”
Scooting his chair closer, he took her hands. “God, I hope you’re right. I hate the fact that you are living in the murder capital of the world.”
“Don’t call it that. Yes, the crime rate is high, but I’m way outside of the city. I’m in a rural area at a school that is very secure. Nobody much cares about us out there.”
“I’m praying it stays that way.”
“No praying necessary.” She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek and rested her head against his. “What are we going to do today to celebrate our birthdays?”
“I have lunch reservations at a restaurant that Travis recommended, and then I thought we could go over to Balboa Park and wander around.”
“Sounds perfect. I want to be home by two or three, so I can make our birthday cake and celebration dinner.”
“You don’t have to do that. Let’s order in.”
“David, I want to bake our cake and birthday dinner.”
“Then maybe after we blow out the candles, we can have another celebration. In bed. Naked.”
She watched a hopeful smile play across his handsome face and couldn’t help but grin in response. “A naked, sexy birthday celebration?”
“Yes!”
“Sounds good to me.” Before she knew what was happening, he had lifted her in his arms and held her tightly. “Oh, my God…I’m going to have sex with my best friend!” Throwing her head back, she let out a loud laugh. “I want to call him up and tell him about what’s happening, but it’s you. So I don’t know what to do.”
“You just tell me, Jane. Tell me whatever you’re feeling and thinking.”
“Okay…maybe at some point this won’t feel weird.”
“Baby, it’s going to feel amazing. I’m going to give you every pleasure I can.”
Pulling his face toward hers, she pressed her mouth to his in agreement.
********
“My very famous chocolate cake.” She set the cake down on the table and stepped back. “Maybe I should take a picture of it before we light it on fire.”
“Do you want me to grab your phone?”
“No. I just have a cheap throwaway. You take a picture and save it for me.”
Leaning over to the counter, he grabbed his phone and took a picture of the beautiful cake that Jane had made them. They hadn’t shared a cake since college, and this moment felt special for a lot of reasons. He took a couple of photos and then insisted that they take one together. “Get your face in here. We are definitely going to want to remember this birthday.”
“Why? Because this is the birthday that we’re going to have sex together?”
Snapping his head around, he snorted. “Yes, Jane. I want this picture so that we can commemorate the first time I put it in you.” Shaking his head, he made her smile into the phone. “I guess…I’m going to be the poet in our relationship.”
“I’m nervous. You know that I say stupid things when I’m feeling this way. My brain disconnects, and I don’t have a filter. It’s probably going to be a lot worse before the night is over. So prepare yourself.” She started sticking candles into the cake with a little more force than was necessary. His hand covered hers, and she stopped attacking the cake. “I’m fine, David.”
“Then be nice to the delicious cake you made us. Let’s just assume that it’s going to be awkward, weird, funny, and amazing. Let’s not set ourselves up for disappointment. Maybe we can have fun and hope for the best.”
“You’re right. I need to just relax.” Pulling the matches out, she got ready to light the candles. “Are you ready?”
“Wait…let me open the champagne.” He grabbed the bottle out of the fridge and popped the cork with little effort. Jane held up two glasses, and he filled them up. Leaning forward, he kissed her before tipping his glass against hers. “Happy birthday, baby.”
“Happy birthday. Let’s sing.” She carefully lit every single one of the thirty-two candles that covered the cake. They both stared at it for a moment and then started singing to one another. Once they were done, they leaned down and simultaneously blew out the candles. Smoke filled the small kitchen as the candles were extinguished. “I hope we don’t set off the fire alarm.”
“This may be our last year of putting a candle for every year. We may have to go with those cheater candles that have the two numbers.”
Pulling out a knife, she sliced two big pieces and then handed him one. “We may have one more year before we have to resort to that.” She refilled their glasses and then took a bite of cake. “It turned out pretty good.” Before she ate another bite, she noticed that David had demolished his piece and was putting another one on his plate.
“What?” Taking a healthy bite, he went still when he noticed her eyes were locked on his mouth. He hoped like hell it was desire that he saw and not disgust with how much cake he was eating. Under his façade of cool confidence lay a heap of worry. “Thank you for the amazing cake. I’ll try not to eat the whole thing tonight.”
“Eat as much as you want, because you are going to need all the energy you can get for later on.” She winked at him and got up and put her plate in the sink. Turning slowly,
she tried to paste a sexy smile on her face. She had a feeling it wasn’t working because of the look he was giving her.
“Are you feeling okay? Your mouth is doing a weird thing at the corner.”
Flapping her arms up and down, she let out a big huff. “I was trying to give you a seductive smile.” Wrapping her arms around her middle, she started to feel a little sick. “It’s not going to work. I’m still that awkward girl that moved in next door to the cute boy. I can’t take my clothes off in front of you.”
Standing, he stepped over and pressed his mouth to hers. “That awkward girl that moved next door has been turning me on for over twenty years. So I don’t want to hear any more nonsense.” He tugged her closer and feasted on her mouth as he ran his hands down the contours of her back. When she opened her mouth to him, he felt like letting out a hooyah. “No patience, Jane,” he murmured against her lips as he lowered the zipper on her dress in one quick motion.
Before long, she was lost in the kiss and the feel of his big rough hands against her skin. “Bedroom.”
Lifting his head, he stared at her with glassy eyes. “What?”
“Bedroom,” she repeated.
In a split second, he lifted her and carried her down the hall. “Good idea.” He lowered her onto the bed, ridding her of her dress and panties in the process. His shorts came off seconds later, and he stood before her fully erect. “I’m pretty excited to be here with you.” He gazed down at her breasts and grinned. “You’re so beautiful.”
“Why didn’t you tell me, David?” She lifted herself up on her elbow and stretched out her hand and stroked him. His hiss of pleasure was the only sound in the room. How had she missed the fact that her best friend was…big? My God.
“Tell you what?” he asked, as he lay down next to her.
“That you are so well-endowed. You’re huge.”
He cut her off when he covered her mouth with his. “I’m a big man all over. It’s totally normal.” Pressing her into the mattress, he rose above her and kissed her again. “The first time will be quick, and I apologize in advance.” Sliding his hand down her belly to command central, he touched her warm flesh and felt her hips buck as she gave a soft gasp of pleasure. “It’s been a long time for me, and what in reality may only take minutes…”
“If we’re lucky.” Her body flooded with pleasure just from what his hands were doing.
“…will seem like years to me.” His breathing became ragged. “After I’ve released the first burst of…excitement…” His words came fast and choppy as her knees fell open. “I’ll have all the time in the world. I will make you a very happy woman for the rest of the night.” Nudging her thighs wider, he entered her with a groan, and even though she was slick and ready, it wasn’t an easy fit. He lifted her knees up and felt her arch into him. He closed his mouth over hers, took her hips in his hands, and tilted her into the angle that allowed him to go deeper. “Perfect.”
She dug her fingers into his slick back and felt him go rigid beneath her palms. He plunged into her slowly and completely and owned her body and soul the moment he was fully inside. When their gazes met, he reached for her hair and brushed it away from her face. The gesture was so brutally intimate that her heart clenched.
“This is better than I imagined.” He began moving in and out of her body and too quickly lost control as his thrusts became heavy and demanding. Sliding his hand between their bodies, he pressed his finger into her bud and hoped like hell she was close. When her legs wrapped around his waist and she stilled, he drove into her and groaned as he emptied himself. He collapsed on top of her and dragged a breath in. “Sorry it was so fast. Give me a couple of minutes, and I will be ready to rock your world.” Her face was buried in his neck, and she laughed quietly.
“It was quick, but it was amazing, David. I can’t believe we never tried that before.”
“Trust me. I thought about it a lot. But I could never come to you unless I felt worthy of you. It took a while for that to happen. So here I am before you, offering you my heart and asking for yours in return. I promise to take excellent care of it and you.” Gathering her in his arms, he rolled off and held her tightly against him.
“I would be honored, David.” She leaned up and kissed his cheek, feeling happier than she ever thought possible. It turned out that having sex with her best friend was a good idea. The fact that he seemed to love her didn’t hurt, either.
“I almost forgot. I have your present.” Rolling over, he opened the drawer and pulled out a small black box. “I wanted to get you something to signify our commitment to one another. It seems that you’re willing to take me on, so I was wondering if you would wear this promise ring. It’s very simple, so you can wear it when you return to Honduras.” He opened the box and pulled out a thin gold band. Pulling her left hand up, he slipped it on her third finger. Kissing her hand, he looked up into her wet eyes. “It was supposed to make you happy.”
“I am happy. More than I’ve ever been.” Holding her hand up, she admired the simple ring. It was perfect. She could wear it when she returned, and it wouldn’t grab anyone’s attention. David knew she couldn’t wear anything flashy when she was there, and his thoughtfulness was just another reason to love him.
“It’s a placeholder for the ring I will get you when you get back. We can go together, and you can show me what you like. I have a couple picked out, so you can choose your favorite one.”
“You’re serious about all of this?”
“Yes, I love you, and we are going to make a life together. I know everything about you, and I don’t see any reason to wait.” Running his hands up and down her body, he leaned over and kissed her fiercely. “This is the best birthday. Thanks, baby.”
“I have your present in the other room. I’ll get up in a little bit and get it.” She rolled on top of him and ran her hands over his muscles. “I don’t feel like I know everything about you. I’m going to take a little time and educate myself.” Kissing his neck, she ran her mouth across his skin and enjoyed the salty taste of him. Sliding down further, she explored his massive chest and ran her tongue over his flat brown nipple. When he shuddered under her mouth, she did it again.
“Jane, let me…”
“I’m a teacher, and I need to fully understand the landscape, so lie back and be quiet.” She glided farther down his body and kissed his hip as her hand skated against his hard length. “There is a lot to understand, and I like to be thorough.” She slid her mouth over him and heard a strangled moan.
“Jane, you’re going to kill me.”
She released him for a moment and looked up with a sly smile. “But what a way to go…”
When she slid him back into her mouth, he slumped into the bed and decided that he’d already died and had arrived in heaven.
********
Jane checked the clock as David walked in with a plate of cake and two glasses of champagne. “I can’t sit up. You’ve worn me out. I’m limp with exhaustion.”
He set everything down and lay next to her. Lifting her into his arms, he kissed her. “Let’s have cake and do it again. I still have some ideas that I want to try.”
“David, three times is enough in one night.”
“Are you sure?” He scooped up a fork full of cake and held it at her lips. “Maybe a little chocolate with energize you.”
Moving her face away from the cake, she laughed. “I can’t.” Rolling out of his arms, she pulled the covers up and closed her eyes. “Happy birthday.”
“Fine. I’ll eat the cake all by myself.” He devoured it and then finished his champagne. When he heard Jane start to snore, he laughed. Maybe he had worn her out. Well, they had four more days together, so he figured that would give them plenty of time to try out some of his ideas. He turned off the light, lifted the covers, and lay as close as he could to Jane. Once he was satisfied that their bodies were fitted together, he draped his arm over her waist and smiled. “Happy birthday. I love you.”
CH
APTER FOUR
Jane sat on the bed with a gift wrapped package in her hand, staring at David. She bounced a little to see if he would wake up. When he didn’t move, she ran her hand down his back, tracing the tribal tattoo that covered his skin. How am I so lucky to have a man like this in my life and what did I do to deserve someone who makes me a better person?
Studying his sleeping profile, she thought about all of the times that he’d encouraged her and pushed her to pursue her dreams and goals. Without him in her corner, there were a lot of things she might never have tried. Including transforming their friendship into this. It took a lot of courage to risk what they had, and she knew she never would have if he hadn’t asked her to try. Laying her head against his warm skin, she felt an overwhelming sense of happiness and serenity. He had given her what she wanted most in the world…someone to love and care for. He began to stir, so she lifted her head up and waited for him to become fully awake. “Good morning.”
He rolled over, opened one eye, and frowned. “Why do you have clothes on?”
“I’m wearing a robe, not clothes. I put something on because I made coffee. I decided not to give the neighbors a show, but if you think they would enjoy it, I could walk around naked.”
Growling, he grabbed her and flipped her over so she was underneath him. The crinkling sound of paper made him his lift his head. “What do you have there?”
“It’s your birthday present. I didn’t give it to you yesterday.”
Running his mouth down her neck, he kissed her slowly. “Yes, you did. Three times.”
Pushing his shoulder didn’t make him shift, so she resorted to tickling. He released her as he moved away from her hands. “Present, David. Please open it.”
“Okay. But no more tickling.” He watched her put her hands up in surrender. “I mean it.”
“For someone who is so brave, strong, and courageous, you sure are a wimp when it comes to being tickled.”
“There are not many people who know that, so I would appreciate it if you would keep that to yourself.” She mimed zipping her mouth shut. “See that you keep that way.”
