“I don’t think he belongs to anyone, Adele. But thank you for saying so.” Ginger searched the gathering, looking for Jake and found him staring back at her, and then he winked and gave her a smile that nearly had her melt.
Adele had followed his gesture and her blush. “See what I mean?”
She enjoyed the feeling of the flushed face, and that her former mother-in-law was reveling in it.
“I’m not sure I like the new haircut, though.”
“It’s for their mission. The beard too.”
“I see. Well, if it’s necessary.”
Then Ginger remembered what she’d wanted to ask Adele earlier. “You didn’t tell me your news about LA. You said you had news?”
“Yes. Gerud and I went to visit Rob Peterson, his father. The two of them hit it off very well. Rob’s going to help Gerud. I never thought it would work out this way. Really kind of a miracle.”
“That must be a huge burden off your shoulders, with the way Burt’s will reading went.”
“Oh God, that was a terrible day. Poor Gerud. I guess we must be the family of second chances, though. Somehow, we just always come out okay.”
“So happy for you. How was it seeing him? It’s been many years, right?”
“Nearly thirty.”
“Wow. So, how did you feel?”
“I think Rob was always the level-headed one. We could have had a nice life together. I say that now with no regrets for being with Burt all those years. The poor man did the best he could, but his demons got in the way.”
“That’s a good lesson for Jake.”
“I agree.”
“So are you going to see him again?”
“I suppose so. We set it up to talk. And I know he and Gerud will talk. I think Gerud would like to see much more of him. But sadly, Rob has not very long to live.”
“How long?”
“About a month. And the last part of that won’t be pretty, Ginger. I’m thinking he won’t want anyone to see him then. But who knows? We’ll just see what comes. I am glad he invited us over and we got to talk, finally.”
Ginger was impressed with Adele’s strength. “You deserve your happily ever after.”
Adele examined her carefully. “Yes, but for me, it’s enough that my child has one. I’ve lived my life. I’ve made all my choices. I do live for this.” Her hand swept in front of her as they watched the crowd of families enjoying themselves on this sunny day in San Diego. Both women knew that there would be storm clouds ahead, but for today, it was perfect. “I only wish Burt were healthy and alive to see it. I really do. That’s my only regret, but nothing I can do.”
Christy Lansdowne came running over, her blonde hair tied up in a big clip. Adele left to join a group under one of the umbrellas.
“Ginger! So great to see you. Brandon was so looking forward to the girls coming.”
“I didn’t know you guys would be here. But what a great party, especially for the kids.”
“How’s Chelsea Fiona doing?”
“Oh, she thinks she belongs to Jake, the way he’s spoiled her. She even started following him into the bedroom like she could sleep with us instead of the girls, which was a non-starter. We didn’t bring her today.”
Christy also watched Monica laughing as one of the SEALs was bouncing the baby Samantha. Karlene was nearby, talking to one of the SEAL wives. Aaron was crawling at her feet.
“You know, I’m glad you’re comfortable with all this.”
“It’s part of being with Jake, isn’t it?”
Christy’s pretty face was serious. “You’re doing a great job, Ginger. This will help Jake come to terms with everything.”
“I get along with the other gals, and the kids will be better friends the older they get. Wouldn’t be fair for me to demand he stay away from a family he created. I have to embrace it. Like I said, it’s part of Jake.”
“You’re a better woman than most. I’ve seen a lot of jealousy and insecurity on the teams with the wives. It can be rough. But if you’re solid with your man, that’s the main thing. And they need the support. Poor Lucas’ wife Connie went nearly crazy. Those kids are way better off with him.”
“Well, thanks for the encouragement. I’m hoping we can make this permanent. I really want to make it work.”
“You will.” Christy hugged her.
“Jake says he has a speech, can you believe that?”
Christy beamed. “He’s a character, all right. I’m glad he’s lightened up considerably since his father’s passing. That had to have been hard on him.”
“Especially since it happened when he was away. But yes, things are more settled.”
The rest of the afternoon went smoothly. More people arrived, and a few left early. Ginger enjoyed the play she and Jake made with their eyes. She also saw Jake speaking with Karlene and Monica on one occasion, together. He held Aaron, walking him around to introduce him to other partygoers, then for a time had Samantha as well, carrying the both of them and appearing to enjoy his brood.
Adele announced that there would be a special desert served. Jake was in the shade with all four of his children, kneeling, especially to speak with Jasmine and Jennifer. Jennifer listened to her daddy and then slapped her hands across her mouth, jumping with exuberance. Everyone else faced Adele and waited.
Jake and the kids made it in the circle formed around Adele. Ginger walked closer to the edge to see what the plan had been, sure this was his speech. Her girls were holding onto Jake’s leg and Ginger could see they were excited. Jake handed the baby to his mother and let Aaron crawl on the grass at his feet.
“Ginger, come on down here for a sec,” he said.
The crowd parted, making room for her to stand with Jake in the semicircle. Her girls ran to her and each grabbed a hand, dragging her over to their daddy. Aaron sat up and attempted to eat some grass, but Adele stooped down and removed it from the toddler’s mouth. Samantha was squirming in her arms.
The girls presented their mom to Jake. He cleared his throat, glanced around the circle of Team guys, friends and relatives, and began.
“Ginger, I’ve made almost every mistake a man could make, and still you’re here, and you still love me. I’m not nearly worthy, but if you’ll have me,” he kneeled down and both girls giggled and looked up at their mother’s face.
Ginger could feel the flush of her hot cheeks, but also the warm tears running down her face, dripping onto her new pink dress.
“If you’ll have me, I’d be honored if you’d marry me, and this time it will be forever.”
The crowd started to whoop and clap. Kyle shouted out, “Hold on folks. We haven’t heard her answer!”
“Say yes, Mommy,” whispered Jennifer as the crowd tittered.
Ginger ran to Jake, threw her arms around him, threw her legs up around his hips and whispered to his ear, “Yes, sweetheart. You didn’t even have to ask.”
“Oh yes, I did. And I had to get permission from our daughters, too.”
Chapter 10
JAKE WAS GLAD the caterers had been hired by his mother. The girls had had too much sun and the water added to their fatigue. They snored all the way home. He and Ginger let them forgo their baths, book time and prayers. Over sleepy protests they got the girls into their nighties and let Chelsea Fiona choose Jennifer for the first part of her night. Before their door was closed, both girls were asleep again.
He took Ginger’s hand and they walked to the back, after locking up the house and turning on the night lights. He could tell she was nervous.
He turned on the radio to some light jazz music.
“That’s nice.” She lit a vanilla candle in the bathroom and let the golden glow create flickering shadows throughout the bedroom. She slipped off her pink dress and hung it up, but left her new peach satin underwear on for Jake’s benefit.
He was naked, propped with pillows up against the metal headboard, tucked beneath the covers, waiting for her. “Ah, my investment. I’m ve
ry pleased with how it fits.”
“I love it,” she said as she fingered the circular outline of the stitching on the bra. “I think the cleavage is nice too, don’t you think, Jake?” She leaned slightly forward.
“It’s perfect. Why don’t you turn around so I can see it from all angles?”
“Like this?” Ginger angled her hips, swiveling them back and forth and then bent over, showing him the smooth texture of the peach satin covering her rear.
“Just like that. You are so beautiful. I can’t believe you said yes.”
“I told you, I was yours a long time ago.”
“Come here. Are you ready for your punishment?”
“Punishment?”
“Remember, for giving me a hard on I had to endure all afternoon and evening? I told you I’d get even. A promise is a promise.”
“Oh yes. Now I remember. Will I like it?”
“I think you will. So get your little self over here so I can show you.”
She crawled the width of the bed. Before she reached him, Jake removed the sheets and showed her his erection.
“That’s my punishment?”
“No. It’s your first test.”
She straddled him, sitting back on his thighs, and with both hands, massaged his member, pulled on his ball sac and fingered his velvet tip. She licked her lips and her eyes smiled at him while her tongue curled around his cock as she sucked and then took him in deep. He loved to watch her consume him, caress him and kiss his sensitive member, her little pink tongue flicking the divot at his tip. She placed him between her breasts and squeezed, letting him root between her two delicious orbs. His precum presented a drop and she was careful to lick it off slowly like a popsicle.
He sat up and drew her to his lap, spreading her knees and moving her hips back and forth, pressing against the ridge of his cock with her pubic bone. His finger found the elastic on her right side, opened a space and he raised her up so he could press himself inside. His finger guided the way as she bent down and watched, and then covered his hand with her hand, her fingers forcing his inside her, and then assisting his cock so it could gently slide inside her wet channel. Fully seated, she pressed his thumb against her bud and she arched back with a mournful moan.
Jake raised his hips and she responded with an undulation, pulling him further deep inside her as she rocked from side to side, raised and lowered herself to feel every inch of him slowly.
He held her hips again and thrust upward. Each time their coming together deeper than the last. He could feel her insides begin to pulse.
He quickly flipped her over on her back, removed her panties but left the bra on, creating lovely pockets of flesh where it restricted her breasts. He bit her nipples with his teeth through the fabric. His fingers found the lips of her sex and he opened her to him, and then bent down and tasted her creamy arousal.
She jumped, her fingers pulling his head deeper, pinching his ears and feeling the connection his lips made on her core. He sucked her fingers and then sucked her bud. Her shuddering continued and it heightened his arousal that she was coming to a huge climax he wanted to ride with her until the very end.
He kissed her belly button, and then crawled further to slip his fingers under the tight band of the bra, squeezing and pinching her. He finally slipped an arm under her and released the bond of the bra, letting her breasts fall into his hands, letting his lips and tongue taste her.
He moved first her right and then her left forearm up and formed her fingers around the iron bars of the headboard. Sliding to the left, he opened the side table and removed two red satin ribbons, holding them up to her so she could see. Her eyes got full and round.
“My punishment?”
“What do you think?”
“Getting even.”
“Oh no, not getting even. I’m getting way more.” He smiled down at her sweet face. “Tell me you want it.”
“I want it, Jake.”
“Tell me what you want.”
“I want you to use those.”
“Where?”
“I want you to tie me to the headboard.”
“And then what?”
“I want you to make love to me, Jake.”
“Really?” He began to wrap her right wrist and then tied it to the metal rod going across the headboard. “Like this?”
“Just like that.”
He lay gentle kisses from her belly button, over her right breast, up under her arm and then kissed from the inside of her elbow to her fingers. Her lips were full and wet and begging to be plundered. Her pressed his groin against the juncture between her thighs and kissed her deep as she wrapped her leg around his waist.
Then he wrapped her other wrist with the ribbon and secured it with the headboard. Her head was held with two pillows and with her arms secured above her head and to the sides, he mounted her.
“Tell me what you like.”
“I like this, Jake. I like being tied to you. I like being helpless underneath you, as you fuck me.”
“Like this?”
He smoothly undulated his hips, digging deep into her, placing his hands beneath her rear and lifting her slightly for deeper penetration.
“Yes, Jake. Don’t stop.”
“Not to worry, Ginger.” He increased the rhythm feeling her losing control. When he kissed her, she sucked his tongue inside her as her internal muscles pulled his cock deep. She struggled against the ribbons, her head thrashing from side to side. She pushed her pelvis against his, holding his hips with her powerful thighs.
Finally she turned to putty beneath him. With sweat dripping from her chest, she moaned and then held her breath as a series of undulations took over her insides, pulsing against him until at last, he exploded deep inside her.
He laid his head over one of her breasts, reveling in the scent of her body, cradled in the rise and fall of her chest.
With one hand, he untied both wrists, kissed the slightly pink skin where the friction had caused some discoloration, kissed her palms and buried his head next to hers, whispering, “You. Are. Mine.”
“Always, Jake.”
Her arms hugged him. Her legs entangled with his and held his right leg between her thighs.
Chapter 11
THE TEAM WAS briefed and took positions on the transport to Puerto Cortes on Isla Santa Margarita in Baja. Jake was relieved there was no presence of anyone official from the Mexican military, especially General Cortez.
They were again transported by commercial fishermen from the island to the gathering point for tours and charters at the port at Nuevo Vista, where their rented vans were waiting.
The rental agent was a skinny kid not more than about eighteen. Kyle used the credit card that had been issued to the Team for this mission.
“You will sign here and here, and Mr. Lansdowne, I am supposed to inform you that if you return the van dirty, you will be charged an extra five hundred US. It is necessary you must clean it first. No fish blood please.”
Jake stiffened at the kid’s words. This was the van used to transport the girl to the Emergency clinic—the one who did not make it.
“Sorry, but we had good hunting. We’ll be sure we clean up better this time,” answered Kyle. Jake felt several pairs of eyes on him.
After the agent left, Coop asked him about the comment. “You think that’s a problem, LT?”
“I doubt it. I think he just was following instructions. Even his boss doesn’t know he’s rented to the Navy. Don’t worry about it. Get your things aboard and let’s stop by a market and get our stores.”
Everyone piled in to the three vans, along with their fishing poles and ice chests and gear. The chests had been taped shut so no prying eyes could see the ammo and other explosive material they’d brought just in case.
The Super Mercado was brightly lit, so much so that it hurt Jake’s eyes. The store attendant was watching soccer on a big screen mounted in the corner next to a huge swamp cooler.
They
’d been told the kitchen in their house was first class, so the Team stocked up on frozen dinners, and local fruits, cereal, milk, yogurt and eggs. The meat the market sold was of unknown origin, so no one took a chance on it. They bought several cases of beer and large bottled waters originating from California even though they’d been told the local tap water was clean.
They were once again posing as a group of sport fisherman down for a week vacation, but the real mission was to find contacts to the gun buyers. Kyle had been told to watch for an ex-Navy man who helped put the buyers together with the men who had guns and ammo to sell after discharge. After deployments, a large amount of equipment had been consistently missing from the San Diego area, and it was suspected this man, who had fled to Mexico rather than be subject to US law enforcement, was responsible for its disappearance.
Since he was a US citizen, they were supposed to bring him home to face charges. It was a task too delicate to give to local Mexican authorities.
Fredo asked the attendant as they were checking out if there was a gun range nearby and the boy frowned and told him that guns were not allowed in Baja Nuevo. Fredo acted disappointed, but knew the seed had been planted, and somehow the right people would be told, and that would spread quickly.
A Columbian drug gang, who also did their share of gun running, owned the Baja Nuevo resort. The last time, the team discovered they also had involved themselves in kidnapping underage girls from the local village school to send them up North as sex slaves.
Jake knew the combination was a lethal one. Baja was a favorite place to party, to get over a nasty divorce, or to just generally get into trouble. Though the resort looked well manicured and serene with its golf course and lush grounds, the dark underbelly of crime was lurking throughout. He could just feel it.
This trip they rented a two story eight bedroom house near the beach. It was considerably nicer than the lodge type dwellings they had rented before.
“Hey Kyle, who did you have to blow to score this place?” asked Alex as they pulled up to the huge structure that dwarfed some of the big beautiful homes in the San Diego area.
Band of Bachelors: Jake2: Book 4 (SEAL Brotherhood) Page 7
