by Lea Hart
“I could kiss you all night,” he whispered.
Her entire body was liquid heat as she pulled his mouth back to hers. “Please,” she wailed.
He made a male primal sound of gratification and propelled her closer to the edge. Finally, he pushed a second finger inside and found the spot that had sounds of pleasure streaming from her lips. An orgasm swelled deep inside, building and clawing for release. Digging her fingers into his waist, she shouted, “Don’t stop.”
His hold tightened as she felt a rush of pleasure; it spilled through her body and spiraled outward as her core tingled. The sensation enveloped every bit of her body as she cried out.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he said right before his mouth crashed over hers, urgent and relentless.
Her body crested the wave and surrendered. He was right there, giving her what she needed. His fingers slowed, moving in and out, stroking her bud with lethal precision. Taking her up and over the edge, letting her spiral again. “Oh, God, Blake.”
Her heightened state seemed to last forever, but it might’ve been only a couple of minutes. Slowly, her climax eased and he kissed her tenderly, staying with her as the last pulse left her body. Tightening his hold, he held her against his chest. “I’ve got you, baby.”
“Blake, you’ve ruined me.”
As he held her tightly, he whispered against her cheek, “Just remember, I’m the only man who will ever make you feel that way.”
***
Looking down, he saw a combination of innocence and sensuality that had his chest tightening. Running his finger over her swollen lips, he realized that he had kissed her too hard. “I marked you,” he said quietly. “I’ll be more careful.”
Lifting her head, she looked at him. “God, I hope not. The last thing I want is a tentative and careful lover. I want it all.”
Lifting on an elbow, he looked down and grinned. “You’d better not be playing with me.”
“No playing.” Running her hand down his body, she blazed a path toward his erection. Sliding her hand between his legs, she gently cupped his balls. “Maybe a little playing.”
“Fuck,” he hissed.
“Soon.” Laughter erupted as she released him.
Rolling on top, he braced himself on his forearms. “Lie down and stay still.”
Her eyes grew big and she tried to suppress a smile. “Yes, sir.”
After dropping a quick kiss on her lips, he tried to give her a lethal gaze. Apparently, it wasn’t his best because she started to laugh again. “Time to feed your man.” Sliding down her body, he trailed kisses and stopped when he hit her hip. “Beautiful,” he said right before he lowered his mouth between her legs and took his first taste. Slicking his tongue slowly along the seam of her folds, he heard her moan. He stroked his tongue up her center again, loving the way her hips rocked.
Kissing her cleanly waxed skin, he moved over and around her center. Her intoxicating scent filled his lungs and drove his desire.
“Blake…”
Lifting his head, he grinned. “Feel that need coursing through you? That will only happen with me.” He placed a string of kisses along her thighs and tightened his grip. Sliding his mouth over her mound, he began devouring her. He whisked his tongue against her bud and drove her into a writhing mass of pleas and moans. When he sucked her clit and slid two fingers into her tight heat, he felt her hips buck off the bed. The power of owning her pleasure swirled over his body as he held her at the peak and tasted the honey that coated his tongue. Again and again, he lashed his tongue over her dripping center and then hooked his fingers and felt her convulse. He stayed with her, thrusting, sucking, and stroking until she fell limply against the bed.
Lifting himself up, he crawled up her body and trailed kisses along her skin. When they were face-to-face, he saw her sweet smile. “Now I own you.”
Her hand lifted slowly and patted his chest. “Sure, why not?”
Collapsing next to her, he laughed. “I’ve got you satisfied enough to agree with anything I say.”
“Probably.” She threw her hand over her face and laughed. “Definitely.”
Lifting her hand, he gently traced her breast. “No hiding.” He came over her and lifted her arm off her face. He took a greedy kiss and then another one. “Stay with me, honey. We’re just getting started.” Jumping off the bed, he dug into his pants and pulled a condom out of his wallet. He returned to the bed and ripped one open with his teeth. As he slid it onto his length, he crawled on top of her and started singing, “Happy Birthday.”
“Yes, it is.”
A smile lit up her face as he kissed her. “Ready?” Not waiting for an answer, he poised himself at her entrance and then thrust into her tight, hot center. They both moaned at the exquisite pleasure. “You feel perfect.” He looked between their bodies and felt her accepting every inch of him. “Told you we’d fit.” He rocked himself until he hit her cervix, and gritted his teeth as he held himself under control.
“Oh, Blake.”
“Shh. If you say anything, then I’m going to come.” The desire in her voice had him riding the edge, so he smothered her lips with kisses, slid himself out slowly, and then entered her in one long push. That was his last controlled movement because her legs wrapped around his waist and he took himself off the leash. Their bodies moved together urgently. Their skin was slick as they thrust and slid against one another. The room filled with their moans and pleas and the harsh sound of flesh against flesh.
Blake reared up, angling his hips and thrusting deeper. “Take all of me, Paige. Let me in.” He ground his hips in slow circles, rubbing against the sensitive places he had found earlier. Dropping his mouth, he dragged his tongue along her neck and then gave her a little nip. Hearing her moan, he watched her bow off the bed as an orgasm gripped her body.
“That’s it. Let go.” He was on the verge of coming, but he wanted to see her riding him. In one move, he gathered her in his arms and rolled to his back, never breaking the connection.
She was a goddess, with her hair falling around her shoulders. “Ride me, honey.”
Looking down with half-closed eyes, she smiled. “My pleasure.” Sliding up and down his length, she took him hard and fast, then slow. Maddeningly slow.
“More,” he growled. He took hold of her hips, moved her up and down his length, and felt his release roaring down his spine. The moment she leaned over and pressed her mouth to his chest, he drove himself in and out of her heat and surrendered to his own explosive orgasm.
Paige collapsed on top of him and he held her tightly as electricity flashed through his body. Pushing his hips into her, he emptied himself. Once. Twice and then a third time. Her body milked him and he didn’t stop until he had nothing left.
They were sweaty and sticky, and he was as happy as he’d ever been.
When she lifted her face, it was covered by her hair, so he gently brushed it aside and held her gently. “Now you own me.” He kissed her gently and saw a sweet smile light up her face.
“Now I own you,” she repeated. Falling over, she snuggled into his side and closed her eyes.
Lying still for a couple of moments, he drank in the pleasure that radiated through his body. What an intense experience. Connection. They had it and he had no idea what to do about it.
He scraped his hand down his face and reluctantly he got up and disposed of the condom. Catching sight of himself in the mirror, he didn’t recognize the look on his face. He leaned forward and studied his reflection. Happiness, that’s what he saw.
It had been a long time since he felt this relaxed, satisfied, and happy. It was a fucking tragedy that it was going to last only one night.
Returning to the bed, he crawled in next to her and curled his body around hers. This was their single night together, and his greedy body wanted more.
Spooning her, he felt her sweet body safe and warm against his. If this was all he got, then he was going to enjoy every moment he could.
&nbs
p; The faint sound of his phone buzzing woke him. He looked around the room and tried to get his bearings. Glancing down, he grinned and remembered how their bodies fit together. Sliding out of the bed slowly, he grabbed his pants, dug out his phone, and read the message: “Wheels up.”
“Fuck.” Looking over at the bed, he’d never regretted the call to duty like he did in this moment. Somehow, he’d hoped they might have a couple more hours together.
After tapping a reply into the phone, he collected his clothes and shoved them on. Looking around the room, he searched for a pad of paper. Taking a moment, he left her a note with his cell phone number. They might never end up in the same time zone again, but if they did, he wanted a chance to spend more time together. He placed the note on the bedside table and then leaned over and whispered, “Happy birthday.”
Reluctantly, he walked out of the room and back into his life. He’d meant what he said earlier and hoped like hell that he would have a chance to prove it to her. No matter where they ended up, she would have a piece of him, and he realized it was a piece of his heart.
CHAPTER SIX
Wednesday, March 1
Coronado, California
The sun beat down on Naval Amphibious Base Coronado as waves of shimmering heat rolled over the Grinder. Blake observed the group of men as they pounded out their seven hundredth flutter kick and felt a stream of jealousy course through his veins. These kids had no idea how lucky they were to be at the beginning of their careers and not the end. The small number that secured Hell Week were in for the ride of their lives.
Lifting the hose, he doused the group closest to him and shouted an encouragement that was heavily cloaked in obscenities. That’s what BUD/S instructors did—tried to get rid of anyone who wasn’t absolutely meant to be there. The Teams had interest in only the best of the best, which he’d been before the last op. God damn ISIS and the terrorist that got a lucky shot.
The brace on his shoulder was a constant reminder that he had a long way to go before he would be fit to return to duty. If ever. The bullet that could change his career finally happened.
None of the doctors would give him a clear answer and kept repeating the phrase that he’d come to hate: wait and see. Being on the Teams was his whole life, and if he wasn’t a SEAL, then he didn’t know what he was. And, truth be told, he had no interest in finding out.
Looking across the yard, he saw Mark signal and shut off the hose. He checked his watch and saw that it was time for lunch. That was one thing they didn’t fool around with here in Coronado. Men had to eat and if they didn’t, they could be pulled. It was one thing to drop on request because you couldn’t take it anymore. It was quite another to be kicked out because you didn’t put enough fuel in your body.
Mark blew his whistle, calling a halt to this latest round of PT, and told everyone to get into the cafeteria and eat. After Blake was done coiling the hose, he walked over to his friend and slapped him on the back. “How many have rung out?”
“About fifty percent of the class,” Mark responded. “We have two more weeks before the real fun begins, so I expect the numbers to be right on when we hit Hell Week.”
Blake studied his buddy and shook his head. “I never would’ve guessed that you would end up in charge of Phase One. I figured you do it for six months and then join SAI.”
“I knew after the first couple of months that I would stay if they’d have me. Turns out, I love this shit, and finding the right tadpoles is more satisfying than I ever would’ve guessed.” Shrugging, he let out a laugh. “Plus, I get to go home to my family every night and sleep next to my beautiful wife. Can’t ask for more than that.”
“Speaking of your beautiful wife…has she delivered any cookies yet?”
Mark turned toward his office and snorted. “No cookies this week. She’s taken on a big project for Max. One of his clients has an accounting mess, and he asked Birdie to see what she could do.”
Blake followed Mark down the corridor. “Want to grab some lunch?”
“Sure. I have a stack of forms to fill out, and I’d like to put it off for as long as I can. Are you coming back this afternoon for the O-course?”
“I’ll try. Depends on how long my appointment takes at the medical center. I have an evaluation today, and I’m hoping for good news.”
Mark walked into his office and grabbed his phone and keys. “I hope you get it, man. Shoulders are a bitch because you can’t do much other than wait. If you get some news you don’t like, give me a call. I’ve been where you are, and it’s not a lot of fun.” Shutting off his computer, he studied Blake. “The only thing that saved me when I got the news was that I was marrying Birdie. I had a new life in front of me that allowed me to let go of the old one. Not sure what I would’ve done if I didn’t have her at my side.”
Blake gazed at Mark’s desk and saw the picture that sat next to his computer. It was a photo from their wedding, and the way they looked at one another would make any man want to stay home. He had nothing close, so if he wasn’t cleared, then he was facing retirement on his own.
An unbidden image floated up, and he saw Paige’s face. They had spent less than twenty-four hours together, but somehow, he couldn’t get her out of his mind. There was no way to know where she’d ended up. For all he knew, she’d stayed in diplomatic service and was stationed somewhere on the other side of the world. Not conducive to dating.
***
Blake and Mark sat in Leroy’s Kitchen and waited for their food. “How many men have made it to Phase Two this year?” Blake inquired.
Rubbing his face, Mark stared at the table. “Let’s see…this is the third class that I’ve had, and we’ve sent around one hundred sixty men to the next phase. There may be forty men who make it through this class—we’ll see who ends up having the heart on the first day of Hell Week.”
The waitress approached with their meals, and Blake thanked her after she set their plates down. “I envied those kids this morning. They have no idea how lucky they are to be at the beginning of this journey.” Lifting his sandwich, he took a big bite and narrowed his eyes when Mark started laughing.
“You need to expand your horizons, my friend,” Mark stated firmly. “You’re thirty-three years old and you’re acting like this shoulder injury is the end for you.” Mark lifted his fork and pointed at him. “You need a hobby or something.”
Blake set down his sandwich, then wiped his mouth. “Fuck you. You didn’t have any hobbies before you met Birdie.”
“You’re right. Maybe it’s time you found yourself a nice girl to date. It might improve your attitude, which will speed up your recovery. Everyone knows a happy patient is a healthy patient.”
“Who told you that?” Blake huffed.
“Birdie. When I came home from the hospital, she made sure that I was happy, and I know it helped.”
He noticed the self-satisfied smile Mark was wearing and had an urge to wipe it off his face. The last thing he needed to hear was how happy Mark was. It was damn annoying. Blake picked up his sandwich again and ate. As far as he could tell, his capacity for happiness had been wiped out on the op in Daraa. It was as bloody and brutal as he’d ever experienced, and there was probably some part of him that was still out in the Syrian desert.
“You need something in your life that balances the experiences you have when you’re downrange,” Mark added.
“Shut up. I’m fine and don’t need a woman in my life.” Unless she has long mahogany hair and navy eyes. “I like my life just the way it is.”
Throwing his head back, Mark let out a bark of laughter. “You just screwed yourself. Now a woman is coming and she’s going to stay, and there’s nothing you can do.” As he ate his potato salad, he continued to chuckle. “Any time you say you don’t need something, that’s the minute it’s handed to you. I can’t wait to see what you’re in for.”
“I’m not in for anything.” As Blake ate a fry, he wondered if there was a small possibility that Mark w
as right. Looking out the window, he noticed a group of women having lunch and laughing. When was the last time he’d laughed? Shaking his head, he knew the exact moment…three months ago, in Amman, Jordan, with a woman he couldn’t get off his mind.
The sound of Mark’s phone buzzing pulled him out of his thoughts, and he turned to see him smiling and texting. There was only one reason for that smile, and it was his wife. “Is she on her way over?”
Mark looked up and grinned. “She’s out on a walk with Maddy and said she would stop by. They’re leaving the park and should be here in ten minutes.” Lifting his thumb, he motioned to the group of women on the patio. “Why don’t you just go over there and introduce yourself instead of staring?” Shrugging, he turned back to his food. “Just saying.”
Blake turned away from the window and picked up a fry. “You sure are full of a lot of advice today. Suddenly you know what I need and how to get it. When in the hell did you become the expert?”
“I’m older than you, and I’ve experienced what you’re going through. I also happen to be happily married with an amazing kid. All of that makes me a freaking authority on the subject.”
Blake flipped Mark off, looked out the window, and saw Birdie walking down the street, pushing a stroller. She wore a radiant smile as she moved toward the restaurant, and when she saw them in the window, she waved. Blake saw the moment Birdie’s eyes met Mark’s, and there was so much love in her face that he had to turn away. That wasn’t anything he needed to see.
Mark popped out of his seat, moved toward the front door, and kissed his wife. “Hi, baby. I’m happy to see that sexy ass of yours.” Lifting his daughter out of the stroller, he raised her over his head and laughed. “Are you being nice to Mommy today?”
“Mark, don’t say things like that in front of Maddy. What if she repeats it someday?”
