Vi looked around the comfortable room. There was a large television at one end with a couch and chairs. Other chairs sat around the room in different areas. Hawke’s sound system played soft music.
“I like it.”
“Good. See how you feel about the kitchen.”
“You know I said I don’t like to cook, but at least I can cook a decent meal. Emma loves cooking and has always fixed the meals for us when she visited.”
Hawke nuzzled her neck. “Cooking isn’t the main reason I want you.”
“I wonder what the real reason is?”
“Come into my bedroom, and I’ll show you.”
“Ah, I think I know.” Laughing and with their arms around each other, they continued the tour and ended in the master bedroom.
“I’ve missed you this week.”
“Same here, but I had to make sure Emma felt comfortable being on her own. She’s adapting quickly and seems to be happy. She’s already got an interview for a teaching job.”
“Do you think she can find places all right driving your car?”
“Yes. I let her drive around and get familiar with the roads where she’d most likely need to go. She also has my number if she gets lost.”
Hawke tipped her chin up. “I don’t want to talk anymore.”
“Do you have an idea of what you might like to do, instead of talking?” Vi asked, arching her eyebrows.
“I do. It involves getting all those clothes off your body.”
Vi spread her arms. “Go to work.”
As soon as he nuzzled her neck, a gentle, glowing fire began to heat her body. His touch sent licks of flame through her. His blue eyes slowly and seductively traveling along her body sent desire and warmth sizzling up her spine.
He removed her clothes with slow care. The air conditioning and her arousal made her shiver.
“I’ll have you warm from my body heat in a moment,” he whispered in her ear and ran the edge of his teeth along her earlobe.
Once she was naked, he stepped back and looked deep into her eyes as he quickly removed his own clothes.
Vi ran her hand over his warm skin. “You are beautiful.” She laughed when he blushed. “You are,” she insisted. She trailed her palm from the side of his face, down his neck and across his chest. “You’re tanned, toned, and unforgettable.”
He swung her into his arms and settled her gently on the bed. “Wait.” He grabbed a condom out of his drawer and put it on the bedside table.
“I’m on the pill.”
“I’m not taking any chances until we’re married. Then we can decide about starting a family.”
“You said you wanted to wait.”
“I do, but you might change my mind and want a child sooner.”
“I want you to myself first.”
“That’s how I feel about you, but this might be too soon to have this conversation. We aren’t even engaged yet.” She pulled him down on the bed. “Let’s cut the chatter and get to work.”
Hawke smiled, tore open the wrapper and rolled the condom into place. He held her close and Vi wrapped her legs around his. They stayed in that position for several minutes, hearts beating against each other as they shared deep, lush kisses.
In slow motion, he moved his legs and rolled her completely under him. Starting at her forehead, Hawke kissed his way down her body. He nipped at her earlobe, kissed the spot where her pulse pounded in her throat and held her breasts in his hands as he tongued and teased her nipples.
Vi shook with desire. They stared into each other’s eyes and the world swirled around her.
Hawke shifted lower, kissing her soft stomach, around her sweet womanly heat, and down her legs. At her feet, he rubbed her instep, caressed her calf, and kissed the back of her knee.
He moved faster on the return trip up her body, pausing only to taste her essence before sliding into the heat of her center.
Vi trembled with the need to match his movements and get closer and closer. When it all exploded into stars, she rode the waves of joy to the end.
Hawke held her tight and watched the changing expressions as they moved over her face. Then with one more push, his body found relief and shook as though a strong wave had brought him to the shore.
He cupped her face. “I don’t want to wait. We’ve wasted enough time. Will you marry me, now, soon, before I have to leave again?”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
A slow grin came over her face. “I thought you’d never ask. It’s only been thirteen years.”
“I’m a little slow sometimes.”
She threw her arms around his neck. “Yes, yes, yes. I will marry you.”
He lifted her left hand. “We need to get you a ring. Once it’s on your finger, we can tell everyone.” He got out of bed. “I’ll shower and dress. Then I can make some phone calls about where to look for a ring, while you get ready.”
She stopped him on the way to the shower. “You mean right this instant, You’re that certain? I mean, this isn’t just a thing of the moment, and you’ll change your mind later? We were going to wait.”
He stalked back toward the side of the bed and stared down at her. “Are you having second thoughts, Vi?”
“No. Absolutely not. But I’m concerned about you.”
Hawke grinned. “Don’t be.” He placed his hand over his heart. “I know when it’s right for me.”
“Then hurry up.” She pointed imperiously at the bathroom and the shower within. “I can’t wait to have your ring on my finger.”
“You shower first, while I check with my friend to see where he and his wife got their rings.”
Vi turned on the shower, and then looked at herself in the mirror. She had a rosy glow on her face and felt almost bursting with happiness, but part of her was very worried they were moving too fast. She brushed her long, black hair back and stared into her reflected eyes.
I love him, and I believe he loves me. It isn’t as though we just met and fell in love. I’ve loved him since high school.
She held her hand under the shower spray to check the water. It was just the right temperature. She got in. While the water flowed down over her, she made a final resolve.
Neither fear nor any doubts will stop me from having what I’ve wanted for years. And we will have a good marriage. We’ve both waited long enough.
Hawke opened the door and gave her a good-natured leer as he watched the water sluicing over her naked body. “Hurry up. I’ll fix us some lunch. I have the address of a jeweler. But we could always wait till later—”
“Out!”
Laughing, he closed the door.
Vi got out of the shower, dried off and put on casual black slacks with a pink and white blouse. She brushed her damp hair and left it hanging down on her shoulders.
She was surprised to see Hawke’s wet hair and that he’d dressed. Seeing her questioning look, he said, “I used the other shower. Is cereal with a banana and toast enough?”
“Plenty. I’m nervous and not hungry.”
After putting the food on the table, Hawke sat across from her. “Why the nerves?”
Vi took a deep breath and let it out. “We’re moving faster than I expected.” She touched his hand. “I’m happy about it, but a little surprised that you did such an about-face so quickly. I’ve known how I felt about you for a long time.”
Hawke nodded and started to eat his cereal. Vi nibbled on her toast while she waited nervously for his response. Why isn’t he saying anything?
Finally, he started to speak. “I convinced myself I was over you—until we both landed in our hometown at the same time.” He smiled at her. “When my team rescued you, I told myself you were someone who looked a lot like Vivian Seaborn, but you weren’t my Vi. After all, in high school you wore your hair short, had braces and you were thinner.” He raised his hand. “You’ve only grown more beautiful. I fell hard for you then, but that’s nothing compared to how far I’ve fallen for you no
w.”
Her heart melted, but she still felt she had to explain. “I was thin because I didn’t eat much. Mom used dinner time as a chance to lecture me. It took my appetite away.”
“We’re marrying and putting all those sad thoughts behind us. I know you’re worried I might change my mind later. All I can say is I’d never get married unless I thought it would last like my mother and father’s relationship has for all these years.”
She felt the smile spread across her face. “Then let’s go get the ring you’ve promised me.”
“Grab your purse, and I’ll move the car out of the garage.” He took one last swallow of coffee.
They parked in front of a quaint-looking jewelry store. “Heath said the owner is a bit different, but he has wonderful rings for a decent price.”
“I love little shops like this. They always carry jewelry you don’t see at the big stores.”
Hawke took her hand, and they walked in together. An old gentleman stood at the counter.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” he said.
“Did Heath Kenyon call and tell you we were on our way?” Hawke asked.
“No, I knew in here.” The old man touched his chest. “I always have a certain feeling when a special couple is to arrive.”
“We’re not special,” Vi said. “Just an ordinary couple wanting a wedding ring.”
“Ah, but you both have been in danger and handled yourselves in a good way. The danger brought you back together, and now you will marry. The time is right. It wasn’t before.”
Hawke frowned. “Someone had to have told you about us.”
“No, it comes to me in pictures and then soon after I see the couple entering my shop.”
“This is spooky,” Vi whispered to Hawke.
His voice low, he asked, “Do you want to go somewhere else?”
She shook her head, though her fingers tightened on his hand. “No. I like this gentleman, and I want to see what ring he thinks will be the best for us.”
“Good.” The old man turned and opened a drawer. He lifted out a black box. “Open it. There is a ring for both of you here.”
Vi gasped when she pried up the lid. “Oh! That is the most beautiful glowing orange stone I’ve ever seen.” She turned the ring around, watching it catch the light from the window. Small diamonds surrounded the round stone, and below that ring was a wedding band with small diamonds across the top. On the other side of the box was a larger ring for a man. Three smaller orange stones were set in the top of the gold ring.
“The main stone is garnet. It’s said to protect travelers visiting foreign lands. I believe it will be most valuable to your husband, but you will enjoy the beauty of the stone.”
“I want her protected more than me,” Hawke said.
“But it does protect her by keeping you safer.”
“Hmmm. I don’t know about the story of the stone, but do you like it, Vi?”
Vi stared at the old man. “Have you always been a jeweler?”
He smiled. “I am ninety-one. My ancestors have a history of long, healthy lives. Working with gems and special pieces is a calling that has run in my family from generation to generation.”
“I like the rings and the story. It will help lessen the concern in my heart when Hawke travels far from me.”
“At least one of you must believe. You will keep your new husband safe with your belief.”
Hawke turned to Vi. “Do you truly like your ring? If not, we can look further.”
“Don’t you like the rings? They are gorgeous and different.”
“They may be more money than we’d want to spend.”
“Not at all,” the jeweler said. He wrote a number on a piece of paper and pushed it across the counter to Hawke.
He glanced at it, then at the older man, frowning. “This is too little. I can tell the rings are valuable.”
“Yes, but I have certain rings I only sell to the customers they are especially for, and I price them accordingly. These have been passed down through many generations. I only have two stipulations. The rings are for you as a pair. When the last one of you dies, I want the rings back. I will return half of your money to the person who brings them to me. If your marriage does not last, which is doubtful, I expect the return of all the rings.”
“That seems fair to me. What do you think?” Vi asked Hawke.
“If you’re happy, I am.”
Vi smiled at the jeweler. “I’ll believe for both of us.”
The old man took her hand and held it for a moment. “You have found your warrior spirit. It will serve you well. You have a strong belief, and that will follow you both through any darkness. Go and be happy.”
Hawke paid the elderly jeweler and shook his hand. “May you have many more prosperous years.”
The jeweler placed his hands together and bowed. “Go in peace.”
They didn’t talk when they got in the car. Hawke drove toward the beach and parked. “Shall we walk?”
“I’d like that very much.” She took off her shoes, and they strolled to the edge of the water. A breeze blew around them.
“We’ll head for the Shack straight ahead. I’m hungry, and they have the best burgers on the beach. But before we walk, I have something to ask you.”
He took out the box and opened it. Then he slid the engagement ring out and put the box safely back into his pocket. “Will you marry me, Vivian, for better or worse, forever and ever?”
His greenish-blue eyes were greener today than blue, but it didn’t matter. His love for her shone in them. Her throat tightened. His words echoed in her heart.
“For better or worse, Hawke, I will always love you, support you, and be there to greet you when you return to me from the sea.”
Hawke wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. His voice a velvet murmur, he said, “We will marry among our friends, but this will always be our true dedication to each other.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her lips, and then he slid the ring on her finger.
They walked down the beach hand in hand. “Do we need a formal wedding after this?” Hawke asked.
Vi gave him a playful hug. “Yes. You made me wait long enough, and now I want all the trimmings.”
“I knew you’d say that.” He leaned down and kissed her again.
Epilogue
Three months later, Vivian waited with the other wives as the plane door opened and their husbands jogged down the steps. When she saw Hawke, she ran toward him as the other wives raced to meet their husbands.
Hawke grabbed her in a tight hold and spun her around. Then he put her feet on the ground, pulled her close, and kissed her hard. “I can’t wait to get you home,” he whispered.
“Same here.” She pointed to the car. “Let’s go.”
He waved at his buddies. “See you all tomorrow night at Aces.” He slung his arm around Vi and headed toward their car.
“I thought you all went to Aces the first night back?”
“We did, but since most of us are married now, we agreed we prefer to spend the first night back at home.”
“That’s much better. I was not looking forward to sharing you with anyone today or tonight.”
“We’re on the same wavelength. That was a long six weeks knowing I had you to come home to.”
“Did it go all right?”
“Yes, but I have something to tell you—later, over wine and snacks after I kiss your sweet body all over.”
“Don’t talk about it. I’m already about to explode.” She put her head on his shoulder.
Once Hawke parked in the garage, they laughingly ran into the house, pulling off clothes as they hurried toward the bedroom. Hawke picked her up and tossed her on the bed she’d left unmade on purpose.
He threw off his last piece of clothing and lay on top of her body. “Damn, you feel … it’s indescribable. Holding her face in his hands, he stared down at her.
“This is the best homecoming I’ve ever had.” He kisse
d her forehead, her cheeks, and her chin. Then he brushed his lips across her eyelashes.
“I love you,” he said with a solemn look. “It scares me sometimes to realize how important you are in my life. But I’m also glad we found each other again and thankful you’ll be waiting for me from now on whenever I come home.”
“You’ve never said as much at one time that I can remember.”
He grinned. “I had a lot of time to think up what to say. Don’t expect this all the time.”
She nodded. Vi had discovered neither of them were by nature big talkers. Their favorite evenings, they exchanged a bit about their day and retired to the family room to read or watch the shows they liked. The best part was when they made love and fell asleep snuggled together.
“I’ve missed you, especially at bedtime.”
Hawke moved down and kissed her neck and then cupped her breasts in his hands. “I also missed these beauties.” He sucked on one nipple and then the other.
Vi’s insides clenched with the desire to have him deep inside her. When he slid farther down, he pulled her legs open and tasted her sweetness.
She groaned when he moved again and continued to kiss her body all the way to her feet. “I want you hot inside of me.”
“There’s no need to skip the preliminaries. It’ll make our coming together more intense.”
She growled. “If you get any more intense, I’ll explode.”
Hawke’s eyes twinkled. “We don’t want that to happen without me.” He slid quickly upward and plunged into her hot tightness.
Her blood rushed through her veins. Hawke dropped kisses on her lips, her cheeks, her eyelids. Every cell in her body shivered with delight. Their climax was powerful. They held each other tight as their bodies shook with pleasure. Their eyes locked as the explosive euphoria hit them at the same time.
Hawke rolled off her, but held her close against his side. “For a minute, I thought I might be having a heart attack.”
“Me, too. I expected us to explode into a million pieces.”
He chuckled, “I thought we did. Wow, that was some homecoming.”
“Our first, but not the last.”
The SEAL’s Surprise Mission (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Rache) Page 14
