His words sparked heat low in her belly, shocking her that she could recover so soon. In a fluid motion, he rose to his feet and scooped her up, then carried her across the hall to the bathroom where he set her on the counter.
She squeaked as the cold surface met her bare bottom. He dipped down to fish a condom out of his pants on the floor. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him there were some in his nightstand, then she remembered that would’ve proven she’d been snooping. He didn’t need to know, and she didn’t want to break their newfound rapport. Selfish, maybe, but she intended to ride the incredible wave all the way to shore.
The play of light on his muscles and ridges had her itching to touch him again. But when her gaze dropped to his powerful thighs and…hot damn…the biggest erection she’d ever seen, she lost all coherent thought. A proud grin twitched his lips, and with efficient, precise movements, he was sheathed and in front of her within seconds.
Chapter Six
Fuck.
If Gina didn’t stop looking at him like that, he was going to lose it before they even started.
God, she had a hot body. Even more beautiful than Gabriel had ever imagined. And so damn responsive to him he could barely stand not touching her. He ran a hand up her thigh and let out an appreciative groan when he slipped a finger easily inside. “So wet.”
And her taste was so sweet, much sweeter than expected. He was definitely going down on her again. But not now. He had to have her. Claim her for his own.
He tugged her to the end of the counter and stood between her legs. “I swear I’m going to die if I don’t get inside you, Gina.”
“Here?” She blinked up at him. “T-there’s mirrors…” Her gaze grew uncertain as she shifted in front of him. “Wouldn’t you rather me be on the bed?”
Christ. This had to do with her burns and that fucker ex-boyfriend.
“No. Right here. In the light, with your back and my face in full view.” He held her gaze as he reached around and trailed his hand down her spine. “No more hiding.”
She straightened, and emotions flashed through her eyes too fast for him to name, but there was heat. Hell yeah, her gaze smoldered as she brushed her thumb over a scar by his eye.
“No hiding,” she breathed, and reached out her other hand to grasp his erection, testing his control when she stroked. “I need you in me, too.”
He cupped her head and kissed her hot and frantic, dipping his tongue inside as he settled between her legs and nudged her opening with his throbbing tip.
As if acting on instinct, Gina wrapped her legs around him, giving him further entry. “Take me, Hawk. Now,” she pleaded against his lips.
He pushed all the way in, and their twin gasps of pleasure echoed off the tile in the room. He always knew their coupling would be incredible, but fuck…the feel of her tight walls wrapping around him, sucking him in…had his eyes rolling back in his head.
She clutched his shoulders and drew in a ragged breath. “God, Hawk…”
He opened his eyes and set his forehead to hers. “I know.”
Then he began to move. Need hit fast and furious, and heat spread out and consumed every cell. She rocked up to meet his thrusts, somehow knowing his rhythm. He’d never experienced anything like it. So in tune. So perfect.
“You feel good, Gina,” he whispered, gripping her hips as he drove inside her. “So damn good.”
He could stay in her warm, wet heat forever.
She let out a sexy little mewl, and he captured her parted lips, kissing her deep, sliding his tongue inside her mouth with the same spine-bending pace as his thrusts.
Her body hummed. Her fingers clutched, gripping his shoulders. “Hawk…”
She was close, again. He could tell. He could feel it as she bucked. Determined to shatter her world—make it better than any fucking idiot who’d only ever put her on her back—he drew on the last bit of restraint he had and slowed their pace.
“Look at me, Gina.”
Her eyes fluttered open, her pupils so big her gaze appeared black.
God, she was beautiful. Face flushed. Lower lip pulled between her teeth. He was the luckiest bastard in the world.
“Hold onto the counter and arch back.”
She blinked at him then released his shoulders and obeyed. He trailed his hand up her back, stroking her scarred flesh, over her shoulders then down her breasts to skim her belly, lingering above their connection.
“Hawk…” Her voice was a breathless plea he felt straight through his thrusting groin.
He watched as he shoved in and pulled nearly all the way out.
So damn hot.
“Please…I need…”
“What?” he urged, lifting his head to hold her smoldering gaze.
“You. Just you.”
His heart rocked in his chest. “You have me, Gina.”
She’d always fucking had him.
He slid his thumb down to press her center as he drove inside.
She cried out his name in a long, hoarse whisper as she burst around him.
Ah, hell. That was it. He was done. He grasped her hips and changed the angle, pumping deeper inside. His release came with an intensity that stole his breath and robbed him of his strength.
Gabriel slumped against her, his face buried in her neck as they both worked to catch their breath. Damn, she was intoxicating. He remained there, eyes closed, dragging in air, cradling her close, still rocking his hips, prolonging their pleasure. Warm breath hit his skin in spurts as she nuzzled his neck and clutched his waist.
So intoxicating. He’d wanted to shatter her world, but he’d been just as blown away. The woman took him out of himself to a higher plane of pleasure. She was still gasping for breath when he pulled out and set his forehead to hers.
“You okay?” he asked, lightly tracing her jaw.
She blinked at him. “My bones seemed to have disappeared from my body.”
Pride puffed out his chest and tugged his lips into a grin. “I’ll take that as an affirmative.”
“You would.” She snickered, smacking his shoulder. “What the hell just happened? Is that normal for you?”
Hell no. He shook his head. “No, and I have no idea what happened. My mind sort of blanked once I sank inside you.”
She cleared her throat while running a hand down his hot, damp chest. “Hawk?”
“Yeah?”
“My bones are starting to return. Are yours?”
Awareness skittered down his spine, and his erection thickened against her leg. “Yes.” Especially his favorite one. He brushed her nipple back and forth with his thumb, loving the way it puckered beneath.
Breath hitched in her throat. “And your mind? Has it returned?”
She’d blown his mind. He was never going to be the same again.
“Because…” She trailed a finger down his torso and stroked his abs while a wicked gleam entered her eyes. “Someone seems to have gotten me all hot and sticky. Do you happen to have a solution?”
Heat spread through his limbs, resurrecting the fire and hunger that burned only for her.
“Yes, ma’am. As a matter of fact, I think I do.” Grinning, Gabriel lifted Gina up and carried her to the shower, more than happy to take care of all her needs.
***
All it had taken was one day in bed with Gina Daye to bring Gabriel to his knees.
He always knew she had that ability. It’s the reason he’d kept her at arm’s length all these years. Forced proximity shot that to hell. The beautiful, kind, giving woman stripped away decades of self-preservation that had started in his youth and had grown into a thick layer over time.
When that damn building had come down in Ramadi, killing his friend and nearly taking Gabriel’s sight, he’d built a thick wall around his heart. But overexposure to Gina’s sweet nature and caring touch chipped away every last piece until she not only burrowed into his heart, she reunited him with his soul.
Christ. He hadn’t even re
alized he’d had one. Thought he’d lost it five years ago with his ejection from the teams. Another casualty of war.
His soul? Oh, hell yeah, it existed. Gina breathed life into his soul and he’d gladly sell it to keep her from harm.
He glanced down at the soft, naked woman draped over his chest, spent and panting. They’d had another round of incredible sex after he’d returned from outside where he’d taken a call from Cam, under the pretense of checking the perimeter.
He hated lying to Gina, but he had been given an order, one made in her best interest.
A stiff breeze blew today as gray clouds had approached from the sea.
A storm was brewing.
Gabriel hoped it wasn’t an omen. Cam was meeting with Prince Ahmad tonight, but hadn’t disclosed where or why.
Warm breath burst over his heated skin while a soft fingertip brushed over the hawk gripping a trident tattoo on his right bicep. She had no idea what she did to him. Or how, even though he was scarred inside and out, she made him feel flawless…clean.
Reborn.
“Mmm…” Her warm mouth brushed his skin. “You are amazing.”
A smile tugged his lips.
“No, that would be you.” He ran a hand up her back while the other cupped her sweet ass. He wished to God he could keep her here like this forever. Keep her safe.
She lifted her head off his chest to smile in his face. “I always knew we’d be good together. But you wouldn’t give me the time of day.”
He tightened his hold. “Because you’re Cam’s sister. I couldn’t cross that line.”
“That teams thing.”
“Yeah.” He nodded.
Cam had entrusted him with his sister and he’d betrayed that trust. But, as the minutes had turned into hours this weekend, Gabriel realized that invisible line should never have included him. It was set to keep guys from indulging in one-nighters with their buddy’s sisters. Whatever was going on between him and Gina was a hell of a lot stronger than a dalliance.
It was deep and real. The most real he’d ever been with a woman, or wanted to be.
“I’m happy when I’m with you.” She dipped to press a kiss to his jaw. “I don’t think my brother would have a problem with that.”
He lifted his hand to brush the soft, silky hair from her temple. “Me either.”
And frankly, he didn’t care. Not anymore. That concern had disappeared the same time as their clothes. Once he’d jumped off the brother ship, his views changed, along with his priorities.
“I know Cam would want me to be happy, even if it was with one of his buddies.” Her smile faded into a frown. “I hope he’s okay. I feel guilty enjoying myself when he could be in danger.”
“I’m sure he’s fine.”
“You think so?”
Guilt clawed at his gut with sharp talons. Damn, he wished he could tell her the truth and put her fears to rest. He was so fucking tired of secret agendas. When he’d left the SEALs, he’d thought he’d seen the last of them. But freelancing for his old commander, and now GAPS, seemed to toss him back into that mix.
He pushed his guilt aside and concentrated on answering as truthfully as possible. “Yes, I do. It’s Cam. He can take care of himself.”
“You really think he’s off on some island with a woman?”
Another smile tugged his lips as he heard Turbo’s voice in his head. “Or man.”
She snorted. “Yeah, I don’t think so. We’re talking about Cam here. Mr. Ladies Man of the year five years running.” Her gaze grew serious again. “Before you left the teams, for a while there, I thought you owned that title.”
For a while there, he had. Before his discharge, he’d sought solace in a woman’s arms as a means of physical release to dispel the adrenaline rush after a mission. Never with the same woman twice. “It was important not to form attachments.”
She nodded. “Is that why you avoided me?”
“Yes.”
His easy admission seemed to shock her. Her gaze grew round and unblinking.
“My very survival depended on it. You always got under my skin, Gina. Always,” he repeated, tracing a line from her temple down to her jaw. “I couldn’t afford to have thoughts of you running through my head while I swept a building for insurgents, engaged in firefights, or slipped into a camp to rescue hostages undetected.”
Back then? Hell no. He’d had no intention of forming an attachment. There’d only been one woman who’d ever interested him and she’d been off limits. But now, things had changed. Now, that smart, sweet, wonderful woman was in his arms, and he was willing to swim in the uncharted waters of a relationship to keep her there.
“You’ve been out of the…hospital nearly five years.”
He knew what she’d really meant was out of the teams.
“Why did you wait so long to change your mind?”
His lip twitched. “Because I was an idiot.”
She gave a brilliant smile that lit her eyes and warmed his soul. “Was?”
“Hey!” He slapped her soft ass, and the decadent sound echoed through the room. So he did it again. “Are you implying I am still an idiot?”
“Well…” She slipped off him and pointed to his crotch. “If the used condom fits…” Her voice trailed away as her grin grew.
“Okay.” He shot to his feet, holding things in place as he headed for the bathroom. “I’ll take care of it, and grab another packet.”
Whoever made sure there was a bulk box of condoms in his bedroom nightstand deserved a medal. Probably Turbo. Gabriel had only had one in his wallet. He and Gina were into double digits now.
“Better make that two,” she called after him.
Heat shot down his spine and fisted his groin. The woman was going to be the death of him.
But what a way to go.
***
The following afternoon, Gina kicked Hawk out of the kitchen so she could cook. He’d taken care of their hunger, both kinds, the past two days. So while he was in the shower, alone, she was determined to pull her weight.
After perusing the refrigerator and freezer, she decided on garlic chicken with baked potatoes. Five minutes later, she had the chicken in the oven, potatoes washed, poked, and ready to go into the microwave in ten minutes, and place settings in her hands.
It would be nice to eat fully clothed and at the table for once. They hadn’t since breakfast that first day. Hawk had been bringing food upstairs and they’d been eating in bed, too content to do more than sleep and fool around.
Other than his security checks two, sometimes three times a day, and a call to someone while he was doing those sweep/check things, Hawk seemed more than happy to get naked and remain naked with her.
Damn, it was a sin to cover that man’s body with clothes.
Heat sliced through her middle and flooded all her good parts. Parts he knew well. Parts he treated even better. Parts that tingled for him now.
Jeez, she was such a Hawk whore.
Gina snickered, and as she set the dishes and silverware on the table, her foot kicked something across the floor.
Hawk’s phone. It skidded to a stop against the wall.
Her pulse hiccupped. It must’ve fallen out of his coat when he’d slung it over the back of the chair.
She picked it up and glanced toward the living room. Did she have enough time to make a quick call to Paige? Maybe a quick text. She hated worrying her friend. It didn’t seem right. She hit the button. Nothing. Her gaze shot back to the doorway. Still clear. She held the on button…and the screen lit up.
Her heart was beating in her throat as she rushed to the doorway to listen for movement upstairs. It was quiet. The phone was on.
She prayed she wasn’t making a mistake. After all, Hawk used it every day. It should be okay. Besides, if she didn’t get a hold of Paige soon, Gina had no doubt her friend would file a missing person’s report. So, she had to do this. Hawk couldn’t get mad at her.
And if she was quick, he
didn’t have to know.
Grateful the phone was the same as hers, just a newer version, she quickly started a new text and typed in Paige’s number.
It’s Gina. I’m fine, but stuck with Hawk in a safehouse for a few days.
Two seconds later, she got a reply.
OMG. I was ready to call the police if I didn’t hear from you by tonight. Wait. You’re stuck with who? Hawk? lol
What’s so funny? She typed back.
Paige replied. How long did it take until you two fell into bed?
Gina sucked in a breath. So much for keeping it from her friend. She chewed on her smiling lower lip and typed, Less than twenty-four hours.
So…was it worth waiting for? You’ve had a thing for Hawk ever since we met in college.
Yes. He’d ruined her for other men. Sex with him was everything she’d always fantasized and better. A hell of a lot better.
Just thinking about what he’d done to her while he had her draped over the couch last night made her insides quiver. Within minutes, he’d had her panting and begging for more. Heat rushed to her face. She could still hear her throaty moans echoing through the cottage.
I’m so envious, Paige typed. Think I can get stuck in a cabin with Cam?
She laughed. Her friend suffered the same secretly-in-lust fate with her brother. Who knows? I never expected to be with Hawk. Or find him receptive after all those years I yearned from a distance.
She opened the oven to check on the chicken. Five more minutes. She really hated to waste time eating. Who knew how long their time would last?
As soon as this…issue with Corcoran was resolved, Hawk would eventually come face to face with Cam, and she didn’t expect things to go her way. Sure, he’d agreed her brother would want her to be happy, but once they were back to reality, his old life, old ways of thinking would come into play.
The guys had a history. One that involved saving each other’s hides, seeing and experiencing horrors she couldn’t even imagine. No doubt that would win out over a few days of sharing her bed. He never promised more and she never asked.
So are you two a thing?
Hot SEALs: A Daye with A SEAL (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Dangerous Curves Series Book 3) Page 6
