by Morgan Fox
“I can see that and so can everyone else.” Jason reached forward, his hand opened to her. After a quick inhalation of breath, she leaned forward and placed her hand in his. “I want you to go home. I’m going to take over for you tonight. But I want you to come by my house in the morning. I’d like to continue talking about this—outside the workplace.”
She shook her head and pulled her hand away. “Not a chance. He’ll be there.”
“He has an appointment.”
“Oh.” She scooted back in the chair and stood. Nodding, she turned to leave. “You’d’ better not be messing around with me, Jason.”
He smiled. “Now why would I do that? He’s pissed me off, too, Sam. You and I—we share a lot.”
They did. They worked together, had the same passion for business and the same circle of friends, and they cared for Daniel. With the weight of the world resting on her shoulders, she reminded him, “Don’t leave Brynn out there too long unsupervised. She’s likely to smack someone in the face for staring at her tits too long.”
Chapter Three
Daniel shot up from the bed, his body covered in sweat. His chest ached, as if an elephant sat upon it. Gasp after gasp of breath, he tried to fill his lungs with air. Again, he’d relived the nightmare, watching as a crowd of people swallowed him, smothering him as he was shot repeatedly. The moment eerily like the fatal day that had taken the life of a few of his brothers-in-arms.
When a knock came from the door, he shook, preparing to launch himself to the floor for cover. The knock came again as the fog in his mind lifted.
Someone’s at the door. Pull it together.
He tossed the soaked sheet off his body, slid from the bed, and moved to open the front door. It wasn’t until Sam slammed him with a fierce, startled look that he remembered he was only wearing his boxer briefs.
His tongue thickened in his mouth as he tried to swallow the sudden wave of unease. “Hey,” he managed.
“H—hey,” Sam stammered, her eyes shifting in every direction, but at him. “Please tell Jason that I’m here to kill him.”
He frowned. “Why would you want to do that?”
She grumbled something under her breath. “Never mind. Just tell him I stopped by and I don’t appreciate what he did.”
As she turned to leave, panic churned in Daniel’s stomach and before he thought better of it, he begged, “Don’t go.”
Furrowing her brow, she glanced back at him. For a moment, he thought she would tell him to go to hell, shout at him for all the things he’d done to hurt her. But she didn’t. Her gaze drifted over him, inspecting him closely.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
He chuckled nervously, running a hand through his damp hair, realizing that he looked like shit. He shook his head. “No. I’m not.”
She stepped closer. “What’s wrong?”
Hearing the brief moment of compassion and concern in her voice had his eyes tearing up. He studied the ground at her feet. “I’m—screwed up, Sammy.” He raised his eyes to lock with hers. “I’m so screwed up.”
She rolled her eyes and momentarily turned her back on him, scraping her boot over the front porch. Growling, she faced him. “Let me in,” she told him, shoving her way into the house.
Surprised by her actions, he closed the door behind them and watched as she moved into the kitchen. He followed her. She started making coffee, knowing where everything in the room was located. Once she pushed the brew button on the coffee pot, she looked at him.
“Talk,” she said sharply.
Sweet and sensitive was not Sam’s approach and he couldn’t blame her, but he also couldn’t ignore the need to share the pain he felt. He didn’t know where to begin, so he started back the day he was sent to Afghanistan.
“Seven months ago I was shot and almost killed while on a protection detail with my unit. A source we trusted betrayed us.” Sam’s expression was blank as he continued. “I was the only survivor.”
“Are you all right now?” Sam asked softly.
He pulled out the chair at the kitchen table and sat down. He could still feel the phantom pains of his gunshot wounds and hear the screams of his dying friends. Leaning his elbows on the table, he covered his face with his hands and simply said, “No.”
He sucked in a sharp breath when Sam’s hands covered his, lowering them so she could see his face. She was kneeling in front of him. “I’m sorry that happened to you, Daniel.”
He clenched his jaw tight. He didn’t want to shed a tear in front of her, didn’t want her to see his weakness. But looking into her eyes, feeling the peace he craved lingering inside her, he let it go. The floodgates of his pain were unleashed and rather than flee from him, she wrapped her arms around him, pulling him up against her as he let it out.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” she repeated against his ear, her words somehow calming him.
Reeling in his emotions, he told her, “I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m the one who’s made a complete mess of my life. I’m the one who can’t sleep without having nightmares. I’m the one who lost it all.”
“You’re strong, Daniel. You’ve always been strong. You’ll find a way to recover. You’ll find peace again. I know you will.” She pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead, cupping his face. “I wish you could see what your brother and I have always seen.”
Listening to her words, feeling her lips on his skin shocked him. There was no anger coming from her. There was no hatred, only sympathy. His heart beat fast, his breath quickening. The world around him seemed to slow, almost stop as he studied her eyes, the green of them darkening as she looked at him. Her gaze shifted to his mouth.
Was he reading her the way he wanted to? Or was she looking at him with the same needs ravaging him?
Her hands slipped from his face and down his arms, not letting go. The nightmare was over, his dream awakening. His body tensed as he prepared to do something he was desperate to do and he prayed she wouldn’t resist him, wouldn’t leave him as he had done to her.
“Daniel,” she whispered, her warm breath on his face.
The breathy sound of her voice was his undoing, and the only thing he needed to hear to cause rational thought to slip from his mind and force his mouth to hers.
* * * *
Sam quivered as the warm press of Daniel’s lips robbed her of breath. Instantly, her arms wrapped around him, holding him close. The taste of his kiss, flooded her mind with the memories of their time together. Seven years had flown by in a blip, her feelings for him still as powerful as they had been back then.
Her fingers weaved through his hair, the soft strands teasing her flesh. His hand pressed against the small of her back, keeping her hips snug with his, while his other hand danced over the skin of her arm, neck and face. The passion that sparked between them left her gasping and overcome with need. This was not what she had expected. A kiss was a kiss. This was something else. This was primal, raw, and demanding.
The desire swelling inside her rattled her. Holding him in her arms, feeling his kiss, wasn’t supposed to feel this good. She wasn’t supposed to want him this badly. He had left her, abandoned her without a word. She was angry with good reason.
As he kissed her, touched her, she couldn’t seem to remember exactly why she was so upset. He was back and he wanted her. He needed her. That should be enough.
But it wasn’t, and before they could take things too far, she had to find the strength to end it. “Stop,” she gasped, pressing firm hands to his chest. “We have to stop.”
She couldn’t seem to catch her breath.
He said nothing as she eased back, putting much needed space between them. He cocked his head to the side, looking down at the floor. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
She wiped at her mouth, the wet kiss lingering on her lips. He tasted better than she remembered. She shook the thought away. “It was my fault, too. It would seem that I can’t clear my head around you.”
Why did he have to go and say that? She wasn’t ready to face those thoughts. Didn’t want to admit just how much she still cared for him. Clenching her teeth, she shot for the door. There was no point in staying. He’d win if she did.
* * * *
“Please don’t leave.” He couldn’t watch her walk out the door. Not now. Not when he needed her so much. “I know I don’t deserve you. I know I’m asking a lot, but please don’t go.”
Her fingers clasped the doorknob and she froze. A spark of hope grew inside him.
“I’m not sorry that I kissed you. I’ll never be sorry for that. I’ve never stopped caring about you—wanting you.” She hung her head and he stepped closer. “Say something. Anything. Damn it, yell at me.”
She faced him. “No.”
“No, what?” he asked, frowning. “No you won’t say anything or no you won’t yell at me? I know I deserve both, but selfishly I hope you pick something else.”
She stared up at the ceiling and let the air that stalled out in her lungs escape. Once fresh air replaced it and she calmed, she looked at him. “I wish I could say that your kiss was horrible, that I feel nothing for you. But that would be a lie. I’ve never been able to resist you. And that’s not fair.” She stepped closer and poked him in the chest. “I should be able to move on with my life. I should be able to forget you.”
“Samantha,” he whispered, but she raised her hand to stop his words.
“Every time you speak, you cut me so deep. You remind me of all the time we’ve lost and I don’t want that reminder.”
He reached for her but dropped his hand, knowing she’d shove him away.
“So,” she started. “I want you to do something for me.”
His eyes rounded, his heart racing. He would do anything she asked. Anything, but forget her. “Name it.”
She licked her lips. “I want you to keep your mouth shut every time we’re together. I want you to be selfless with me.”
He furrowed his brow, not understanding what she was talking about. Why didn’t she again demand that he stay away from her? He was already trying to do that. He could try again.
Then she moved closer, her chest less than an inch from his. The muscles in his body tightened as she slowly tugged her shirt free of her jeans and pulled it up over her head, dropping it to the floor beside them. “If you can keep from speaking, then I won’t leave.”
His mouth went dry as realization hit him. Surely, he was dreaming. How else could he believe what was happening between them? With all his dreams over the last several months being nothing more than nightmares, he’d gladly welcome a dream like this with Sam. He nodded.
“Good,” she said in a husky tone, stepping around him and heading straight into his bedroom.
* * * *
This was her need and she wouldn’t deny it any longer. It killed her to see Daniel hurting. It killed her that she wanted him as if no time had passed between them. But more so, it killed her that her body recognized a need and she wasn’t about to ignore it.
She’d had lovers, fucked a few different men over the years. Shit, she hadn’t been a saint. But, she also hadn’t found the desire to forget Daniel. She didn’t want to forget him, but she also didn’t want to get hurt again. And as long as he followed her one rule, they could enjoy the pleasures of the flesh and she could still find a way to move on.
If he spoke, he’d say things to confuse her. He was good at that. He caused her to second-guess herself when she should be steadfast. That had to stop. But she wasn’t about to brush off the desire to have him once again. After seven years, maybe he’d become a lousy fuck and she’d have another reason to resist him.
She reached behind her back and unhooked her bra, letting it slip from her arms and straight to the floor. Then she kicked off her boots, unfastened her belt, unbuttoned her jeans and faced him. Eyeing her with hungry intent, he closed his bedroom door and locked it. He lowered his boxers, his erection fierce. She swallowed hard and her pussy throbbed.
In an instant, her nipples beaded and she was consumed with lust-filled thoughts. She wanted his mouth on her breasts, licking her nipples. She wanted his tongue swiping feverishly over her aching clit, finger-fucking her as he ravaged her. Damn, how she craved the feel of his cock as it slid inside her pussy. This was a reaction that only Daniel had ever brought out of her.
As she moved to shimmy out her jeans, he clasped her hands and shook his head. She understood as he guided her to sit down and helped her out of her clothing. He arched his chin to encourage her to move to the center of the bed. She did and he then crawled over top of her, coming up between her spread legs. Staring down at her, he gently lowered himself to kiss her, taking her mouth in a sensual kiss. She thought he would take her hard, ravage her. She’d been wrong.
He brushed his lips over her cheek and jaw, gliding over the smooth skin of her neck until his mouth fastened to her nipple, tenderly sucking at the sensitive bead. He massaged her other breasts, taking his time to thoroughly explore her. The touch of his skin sent her blood boiling.
His strong hands caressed her body, cradling her ribs and waist as he continued his descent down her body. He spread her legs a little wider with his shoulders as he pressed delicate kisses to her pubic bone and thighs. She gasped as his whiskered chin brushed over her pussy, moving from one leg to the other.
She ached everywhere as he torturously pleasured her, tasting and kissing her. She wanted more, needed more. When she thought the torment would never end, he licked her, sending a jolt of electricity racing through her veins. She glanced down at him, his eyes locked with hers. Then he licked her again, his tongue teasing her clit.
He never looked away as he suckled her pussy. The sight of him between her legs pleasuring her made her body hot and needy. Her eyes rolled back in her head as he inserted one, then two fingers into her damp pussy. She was on the cusp of going straight over the edge.
Chapter Four
The taste of Samantha on his tongue was maddening. Daniel’s heart pounded fiercely against his ribs, stealing the breath that had once filled his lungs. Her tight sheath squeezed his fingers as he pulsed them in and out of her. He could feel the heat from her stare as she watched him pleasure her. An ache throbbed at the back of his balls as he heard her breathy cries of release. The flood of flavor that filled his mouth left him sucking and licking for more.
He growled, wanting to tell her just how good she tasted, how much he’d missed being with her.
Before he could finish his thought, she gripped his hair, pulling him up. Wide eyed, she begged him to fuck her, but he didn’t want to just get it over with. Damn it, he’d missed her more than anything in the world and he owed her more than just a fuck. He wanted to cherish her, make her see just how wild he was about her, and how much she still meant to him.
He wrapped his fingers around her hands, drawing them away from him.
“What are you doing?” she asked, her beautiful breasts rising and falling with her deep breaths.
He arched a brow in question. She’d told him not to speak. The last thing he was going to do was give her a reason to run away from him. He’d had so much shit in his life over the years, he wanted this moment with her, a moment that would have him lost in heaven rather than trapped in hell.
With a tender caress, he encouraged her to roll to her belly. When she did, he crawled up over her, spreading her legs with his. Then, he laid kisses upon the flesh of her body, massaging her and touching her as he had dreamed of doing for so long. He swept her long hair to the side and pressed his lips to the back of her neck. She arched her back and he knew he’d found the spot that would have her melting in his hands.
She rolled her hips, bucking gently against his hard cock. He groaned, wanting to feel the tight grip of her pussy. He moved from the bed and grabbed a condom from hi
s nightstand. She inclined her head to look at him as he rolled the latex over his shaft. Then, he climbed back onto the bed, spread her legs just enough so that he could slide his cock into her tight sheath. She hissed as he filled her. He buried his face in her hair, kissing the side of her neck as he took her from behind, slowly.
He closed his eyes, relishing the connection that sparked between them. He’d wanted this for so long, needed her more than the blood that raced through his veins. Tears welled in his eyes as he loved her, knowing that once the moment was over, she’d run from him.
He could offer her nothing. He had less than before he joined the military, and he was foolish to think that loving her would be enough. He’d given her his heart seven years ago and that hadn’t changed a thing. Why would it now?
“Wait?” she begged and he froze, hoping he wasn’t hurting her. “I want to—let me roll over.”
He swallowed hard, wiping the tears from his face. He didn’t want her to see the emotions ripping him apart. He didn’t want her to see him weak. Gently, he eased off her and let her turn over. Her fingers trialed up his arm, coaxing him back to her. He came up between her legs and sank into the depths of her body. But this time was different. This time he stared into her green eyes, dying a little as he did.
Samantha was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen and feeling her body pressed against his was like finding his own peace of heaven. She was the sanctuary he needed to survive, the spark of life he craved. He prayed she wouldn’t be too quick to part from him. He needed this one moment to be perfect, even if it was only an illusion.
* * * *
As the thickness of his cock filled her, she gasped, her nails digging into the flesh of his biceps. She arched her neck, welcoming the building pressure in her womb. He’d already made her come once. Surely, he hadn’t forgotten the location of her magic spot, the ball of nerves that would have her screaming at the top of her lungs as she came.
