by Tawny Weber
“I can strip later,” he said, his words husky as he reached out one finger and slid it between her legs before lifting the wet proof of his handiwork to his lips. “I’m hungry now.”
Genna’s knees almost gave out. She had to take a couple of deep breaths to clear the haze from her eyes, then she forced herself to shake her head.
“Strip,” she repeated, pushing the fabric of his shirt off his shoulders. And oh, baby, what shoulders they were. Pure muscle beneath silken flesh. Leaving him to deal with the buttons at his cuffs, she smoothed her hands over those shoulders. He was so warm, so hard.
She shifted forward, her lips brushing against that flesh.
She breathed in deeply, inhaling his scent, filling herself with his essence. Forgetting her orders, forgetting everything but exploring his chest with her mouth, she kissed her way over the delicious range of muscles, pausing to flick her tongue over one nipple before continuing her exploration.
She heard a thud, followed by another. But it was the weight of his slacks and belt hitting her toes that got her attention. Because that meant he’d gotten down to the good stuff. The stuff she wanted to play with most.
Unable to resist one last kiss, she then leaned back to check him out.
And almost came again, right then and there.
“Oh. My.”
It was like she’d died and gone to heaven.
He was even bigger than she’d dreamed.
Her eyes locked on his penis as he stepped out of his pants, his toes pushing his socks off one foot, then the other. The move made that very, very large erection bounce.
Before she could look her fill, he dropped to his knees.
“What are you doing?” she objected.
“I stripped.”
With no further explanation, his hands cupped her butt cheeks and pulled her closer. His tongue pressed between her damp curls, flicking and sucking.
Genna felt herself drowning again as desire washed over her.
“No,” she gasped desperately. “Not yet.”
His tongue paused. She moved fast, before he could overrule her. Or put that tongue back to work. One more lick and she was going to explode.
She fell to her knees, pressing him backward so fast he was too surprised to protest. As soon as he was on his back, she leaned down and took him into her mouth.
“Hey, now,” he growled.
Still bent low, her hair trailing along his thighs, she shot him a mischievous smile.
“But I’m hungry, too.”
He arched one brow, then shifted. Grabbing her by the hips, he lifted and turned her as if she weighed nothing. Now her knees straddled his chest and she was flashing him everything else. Before she could be embarrassed or self-conscious, actually before she could even blink, his tongue was back at work.
What’s a girl to do, she thought, letting the sensations take over and bending low to slide her lips over the long, hard length of his arousal. Her head moved up and down, her mouth sucking and tongue swirling in time with his. His fingers gripped her thighs. Hers were braced flat on the floor. He pulled back just a little, blowing cool air over her wet flesh.
Genna’s breath was coming in whimpering gasps now. She was so close, her body tight, the climax coiled low and intense. She lifted her head so her tongue danced around the velvet tip of his penis, then she sucked it into her mouth like a lollipop.
He growled.
His fingers gripped tighter and his mouth stilled for a moment, as if he were focusing on keeping control. Then, with a breath that gusted over her thighs, he sucked her clitoris into his mouth one more time, then thrust his tongue deep into her throbbing passage.
With a cry of shock, Genna exploded.
Her entire body shook with the power of her orgasm. She rode the waves, panting and oblivious to everything except the sensations, bigger, stronger than anything she’d ever felt in her life. More intense than anything she’d even fantasized about.
She didn’t know how long it lasted. She didn’t even realize that Brody had moved until she finally floated back to earth and realized she was lying on the floor now, wrapped in Brody’s arms.
“Bed?”
“Here,” she demanded, still panting from the power of her climax. She felt as if she’d climbed a very tall, very hard mountain. But she still had one more peak to scale. She slid her hand up and down the rock-hard velvet of his erection, then knowing how fast she could get distracted if she started touching him again, she quickly shifted away, grabbing her purse off the floor.
She didn’t have a clue how he was going to top that incredible orgasm. Or even if he could.
But oh, baby, she was more than willing to let him try.
* * *
BRODY GROANED, NOT sure what he missed more. The warmth of her slender body against his. Or the feel of her talented fingers working their magic. He started to grab her back, then realized she was already on there, a condom held between two fingers like a trophy.
It was as if she’d read his mind. His grin was fast and just a little tight as need pounded through his system.
He reached for the foil wrapper. Quick as a cat, she pulled it away. Wiggling her brows, she tore it open herself, the move slow and deliberate. After a quick glance for placement, she locked her eyes on his, forcing him to meet her wicked gaze as she slid the latex over his throbbing cock.
The effect of her eyes watching his reaction, and the way she slid her fingers around the base of his dick, made him groan.
“Now,” he growled, reaching for her. It had to be now. He’d never wanted anyone, anything, as much as he wanted her right this second. He was terrified he might even need her. But since most of the blood in his body was currently partying down south, his brain couldn’t muster enough energy to worry about that.
He’d have plenty of time to worry later.
Now, he had to have her.
Since relinquishing control wasn’t something he did long or well, he jackknifed into a sitting position, taking her mouth. Her eyes widened with surprise, then blurred with passion. He grabbed her waist and shifted their positions so she was beneath him. Her fingers clutching his shoulders, she wrapped her legs around his hips.
Mouths still locked together, he slid into her in a single smooth move that felt more natural than breathing. Buried deep, Brody had only a second to wonder at the sense of coming home before his body demanded more.
Eager to get past the strange emotions buffeting him, he slowly pulled away, sliding almost out. Then he plunged.
Pulling her mouth free of his, Genna gasped.
He plunged again. And again.
He arched his back, shifting higher on his knees so her hips were off the floor. Her feet anchored to the small of his back, she met his every thrust with a panting moan and a tiny undulating move of her own.
Those tiny moves were killing his control.
Brody’s breath came faster.
His body tightened.
He thrust faster. Harder. Deeper.
More.
He had to have more of her.
He wanted all of her.
Genna’s moans turned to whimpers, higher and higher. Her thighs locked tight around hips, her fingers trembling as she dug her nails into his biceps.
He slid back out, leaving just the tip of his dick in her warmth. Her eyes flew open and she gave him an urgent look.
Staring into those blue depths, Brody plunged again, burying himself as deep as he could get.
And watched her explode.
Her cry echoing in his head, her climax pulsating and clenching his cock, Brody followed her right over the edge. The orgasm was so seriously mind-blowing, he didn’t know when he’d be able to think again. Instead, he collapsed against her, twisting just before they came together so they were on their sides.
And he held tight.
* * *
GENNA’S BODY FELT like it’d been used, and used well.
She throbbed in places she’d
never been aware she had.
Her skin tingled.
Her lips were too swollen to talk.
Her muscles too lax to move.
Thankfully, Brody had still been sporting the manly mojo. Somewhere between minutes and hours after they’d guaranteed she’d get turned on every time she walked through her front door, he’d swept her into his arms and carried her up the stairs.
When they’d fallen into bed together, she’d thought they’d sleep. She’d been almost there when he’d started the whole amazing experience over again. He’d claimed he wanted to see how it compared on a mattress.
Snuggled close, her face buried in the crook of his shoulder and his arms tight around her, Genna had to say it had compared pretty darned well.
“I’m thinking you had a lot more fun this evening than if we’d gone to dinner,” she said quietly, her tone teasing as she swirled her fingers through the light dusting of hair on his chest.
“I’m sorry about that,” he murmured against her hair.
“I’m not,” she said with a little laugh. “This was much, much better.”
“I had to go by barracks today to get something to wear,” he finally said, sounding as though he’d just confessed to wearing her undies. Maybe someone had given him a bad time about dressing up for a date?
Still floating on a cloud of sexual delight, Genna sighed at the memory of how hot he’d looked all dressed up. “And I tore your buttons off. I’ll sew them back so you don’t have to go get another shirt.”
It was sweet, though, that he’d thought a dinner that was just two friends hanging out necessitated a trip home to get special clothes.
“I haven’t been back since the accident. Since before we shipped off on that last mission.” Brody’s words were quiet, just a hint above a whisper. But Genna’s heart clenched at the pain in them. Her smile fell away, her breath knotting in her throat. She wanted to shift up onto her elbow so she could see his face in the moonlight, to try to figure out why he was hurting so badly. But knowing he’d hate that, she kept her head on his shoulder instead. And waited.
“We lost a guy on that mission. Seeing his empty bunk was a reminder, you know?”
It was only a few words. But there was so much pain in them, Genna could barely control her sob. She swallowed hard, blinking to clear the burning from her eyes and trying to get control. She knew the only thing Brody would hate more than sharing his emotions was her dumping hers all over him.
“I wanted to let you know,” he said, his words a whisper in the night. “You asked why I was such an ass when I got here. It wasn’t you. It was that.”
Her teeth clenched tight to keep the hot torrent of tears from falling, Genna had to take a couple of breaths through her nose before she could find enough control to respond.
“Hey, now,” she finally said softly, proud that her laugh was only a little shaky. “I never called you an ass.”
“I was acting like one.”
“I’m not denying that,” she said, finally in control enough of her expression to shift to her elbow and look at him. “I’m just saying that I didn’t call you that.”
His smile was more a twitch than a grin, but she’d take what she could get. The moonlight softened his features, casting a warm glow over the bed. It didn’t blunt the impact of his vivid eyes, though. Genna was pretty sure nothing could.
“So that means you’re not going to hold a grudge over dinner?” he teased.
“Well...”
“I knew it.” This time his smile was real.
“You can make it up to me, though.”
“Yeah?” he asked, his eyes blurring with desire and one hand cupping her breast. “Did you have something in mind?”
“Actually, I was hoping we could try it with me on top this time,” she said, wriggling her brows suggestively. “Now that I’ve had my way with you, it’s your turn. Show me what you’ve got, big boy.”
That made him laugh. And thankfully, to lean down to kiss her. Genna was grateful. She needed something to distract her from the tight ache in her heart.
The first two times, their lovemaking had been a wild ride, fast and furious with shades of desperation.
This time, Brody was calling the shots.
His moves were smooth, gentle. Pure confidence and delicious control. His lips never left hers as he shifted their positions so she was flat on her back. Fingers entwined, he trailed kisses over her cheek, along her jaw and down her throat.
Genna moaned when he reached that spot at the base of her neck, right where it met her collarbone. Desire coiled again, low in her belly. But this time it was mixed with a tenderness, a gentle sort of emotion she wasn’t sure what to do with.
So she ignored it and focused on the rising passion.
His hand swept down her side, cupping her waist before sliding down to her thigh. Fingers gentle, he trailed his hand along her leg in a teasing move until he’d reached her aching core. Soft as a whisper, he worked her until she begged.
Then, finally, he shifted, looming large and hard over her before he slid, smooth as silk, into her welcoming warmth.
The minute he plunged, she exploded.
It was like floating on a sea of sensations. The orgasm just kept pounding, washing over her in wave after wave. His moves were slower, as if he wanted to prolong her delight.
By the time he gave over to his own body’s demands, Genna had lost count of her orgasms. It wasn’t until he slid out and moved away, then lay back down to pull her tight into his arms, that the sexual aftershocks started to abate.
Well. Nothing like incredible sex to clarify a few things.
Not that Genna had had incredible sex before tonight. Mediocre, okay. Decent sex, yes. But tonight, Brody had shown her the difference between a nice orgasm and a mind-blowing, ongoing, multiclimaxing meltdown.
Her fingers tangled in the soft hair of his chest, she snuggled in closer and sighed. His scent wrapped around her as tightly as his arms, keeping her close, making her feel special.
Tonight had shown her what great sex was, yes. But it’d also made her realize that she’d been fooling herself that this thing she had for Brody was just a fun, easy thing to enjoy while he was home. Something she’d be able to look back on with a smile as a fond memory.
It’d been one thing to nurture a decade-old schoolgirl crush. To see him as a hero on a white horse who’d someday ride in to sweep her into his arms. As someone who’d magically transform her life from blah to amazing with just a kiss.
That’d been a little silly, a lot sentimental.
So she had plenty of experience with what a crush felt like.
But now?
She’d had incredible sex, yes.
But she’d seen the real Brody. The man beneath the hero. The one who had fought hard to overcome an ugly beginning. Who had a sense of honor, of loyalty that was beyond her understanding of the words. A man who had made himself a real hero in the truest meaning of the word, but didn’t see himself that way.
A man who could withstand all manner of pain, except the pain of feeling like he’d failed.
Finally, she felt as if she knew the real Brody.
And she was sure, absolutely and without any doubt, that she was 100 percent, head over heels in love with him.
And that—unlike the crush—was going to end up breaking her heart.
Genna snuggled in closer, trying to get as close to him as she could. As sexually fueled exhaustion pulled her down, her last thought was that whatever heartache she experienced, Brody was worth it.
11
WHO KNEW THAT a steady diet of cookies and mind-blowing sex could change a girl’s life?
Three days of lovemaking, of sharing secrets and cuddling up with Brody, and she was a new woman.
A sexy, powerful, confident woman who could turn her big, bad SEAL into a panting puddle of lust with just the brush of her lips. Depending on where she brushed her lips, of course.
A strong woman who
could handle anything. Including gossip, teasing and no shortage of envious looks from the women around town when they saw her with Brody.
A confident woman who knew what she wanted. Who was getting all kinds of brave and making the changes she’d dreamed of for years.
“You’re sure of this?” Mayor Tucker asked, gesturing with the resignation letter in his hand. Standing in front of her table—her position didn’t merit an actual desk―Genna followed his glance and took a deep breath.
But there were no nerves to chase away.
She felt incredible.
“I am. I’ve enjoyed working here and I’m grateful for the contacts I’ve made.” Especially as they’d be such a big help to her starting her own business. “But I think it’s time to move on.”
“I’ll wish you all the best in your new venture, then. As someone who’s enjoyed your baking over the years, I have no doubt you’ll be successful.” Refolding the letter into a tidy rectangle, Tucker gave her a considering look. Then, using the same direct diplomacy that’d gotten him elected twice, he asked, “Have you thought through all of the ramifications of leaving, though? While I wish you the best and am sure most people will as well, some might be a bit concerned.”
Genna’s stomach clenched as the image of her father’s furious face flashed through her imagination. Concern? Talk about an understatement. When her parents found out, they were going to have their own version of an all-out kicking and screaming tantrum.
She wasn’t looking forward to it.
But neither was she going to let that kind of thing run her life. Not anymore.
“I know I’ll have a few issues to overcome, but I’m sure I can handle them,” she said, pretty much lying since she wasn’t sure at all. But she wanted to be. And that was good enough for now. Especially since her father wasn’t due back for another couple of days. Plenty of time to shore up her nerve and strengthen her spine.
Looking as though he wanted to say more, Tucker sighed, then nodded. Then, with a grimace, he offered, “If you need anything, just let me know. Business advice, a recommendation, a mediator.”
