by Bianca D'Arc
“Don’t worry, it’s all arranged. Commander Sykes is going to square things. You’re off duty for the next three days at least. More if you need it. All we have to do is let him know.”
“I’m impressed. It must be nice to have friends in high places.” She gave him a teasing smile as he took her hand and helped her rise to her feet.
“You’ve earned a rest after what you’ve been through the past few days. Matt Sykes agreed. He also wanted me to thank you for pitching in on my mission.” He walked her toward the bathroom door, ushering her through into the white wonderland of porcelain and steel.
“Oh, this looks like heaven.” She ran her hand over the gleaming countertop as they passed on their way to the tub. Simon reached down to start the taps then returned to help her undress.
“My version of heaven is right here.” He cupped her shoulders and looked down into her sleepy eyes. His words came out in a rough whisper, clogged with emotion. He knew he shouldn’t speak of his feelings, but found he couldn’t help himself.
“Do you really mean that, Simon?” She looked so hopeful as she stared up at him, searching his gaze.
“More than anything, Mari. You’ve always been it for me. Since the moment I first met you, I haven’t wanted anyone but you in my life.” She looked responsive so he dared a little more. “For always.”
“Always?” Her whisper sounded full of anxious hope, sparking the same feeling in him.
He nodded. “I know I don’t have any right to ask…” He trailed off, uncertain, then started again. “I want to be with you, Mari. I want to try again, and I promise I won’t leave this time. You’ll have to kick me out of your life if you want me gone, because I don’t think I can give you up. It nearly killed me the first time and I’m not strong enough to put myself through that again. Even though I’m asking you to deal with the uncertainty I’m facing. I mean, they don’t really know what the contagion did to me. I could have complications later—”
She stilled his tumbling words by placing one of her fingers over his lips, but the beatific smile on her lovely face reassured him.
“I want you in my life, too, Simon.” Her voice was laced with tears. They looked like happy tears, judging by the delicate smile on her face. “Your condition doesn’t bother me. I’ll take you any way I can get you. Remember, I’m a doctor, and not a bad researcher. If you’re willing, I’d be happy to see what I can discover about what happened to you and what could happen in the future. I want to help in any way I can, Simon. You mean a lot to me.”
“You mean a lot to me, too, Mari.”
It wasn’t a declaration of love but it would do for now, Simon thought. He had to work his way up to saying the words. He wanted to hear her say them again first. He didn’t want to be the only one out there on that most fragile of limbs. He had gone pretty far up the tree already. That final gamble would be better saved for another time when they were both rested and able to think more clearly.
The Jacuzzi really was heaven. Mariana felt boneless between the warm, gushing water and Simon’s hands stroking over her. The tub was big enough for them both and Simon had brought in the wine and two glasses shortly after he’d helped her into the full tub. Then he’d undressed and climbed in behind her, spooning her from behind.
The combination of the wine, the warm water, and the hot man behind her had her in a state of relaxation she hadn’t felt in a long time. In fact, she didn’t think she had ever felt so good. At least not in recent memory. Probably not since the last time she and Simon had been together.
“This is nice,” she said, trailing her fingers through the water.
“More than nice,” Simon agreed from behind her.
“Someday I’m going to get one of these tubs for my house.”
“In that little cabin? I don’t think it’d fit. You’d have to add on a room.”
“No, the cabin is a rental. I mean, when I buy a house. I’ll probably be moving out of the area once I’m out of the Navy, depending on what job I take next, and…where you’ll be.”
She felt his muscles tense behind her and waited with held breath for his response.
“Would you come live with me if I promised to put in a Jacuzzi?” The words were teasing, but she thought the sentiment was very real. It made her warm all over. He was asking her to live with him. Hopefully that was a first step toward a lifetime together and she would take it—she would take him—any way she could get him.
“With an enticement like that, how could I refuse?” She reached behind her, twisting to pull his head down for a tender kiss. The warm water and his strong arms combined to make her forget all her troubles, all the fear and worry that had gone before.
“I think you’ll like my place in the country. How do you feel about chickens?”
“We had chickens when I was a kid. And a couple of geese. I could never eat the ones we raised and wouldn’t let anybody near them if butchering had been mentioned. My family used to laugh at me, but those birds were like pets.”
“Duly noted.” He chuckled at her, as she’d known he would. “How about if we get a few hens for eggs and let them live out their lives on the farm? No hen stew.”
“You’d do that for me?”
“For you, I’d move mountains.”
He sounded so calm about them living together and she could picture his little farm in her mind. It was like a fairy tale. A dream come true. She hugged the image to her heart, daring to hope for the first time that it might really come to pass.
They languished in the tub for a few more minutes. She would have loved to make love to him, but she just didn’t have the energy. The steam made her sleepy and the feeling of security and happiness that only Simon gave her lulled her into a dreamlike state.
She was half asleep when he coaxed her out of the bath, dried her off, and ushered her toward the bed. He had been so good to her. She’d been able to banish the horrors of the past few days almost completely from her mind while he pampered her. She would have loved to do the same for him but she was too tired, too drained after the trip here and the night they’d just passed. She would make it up to him later. When they woke up. For now, she reveled in the feel of him lying next to her as he tucked them both into the huge, fluffy bed. She hugged the thought of living with him close to her heart. It was a start. He wasn’t pushing her out of his life. He wasn’t pushing her away anymore. They’d live together, and wherever life took them, they’d face it as a team.
He spooned with her, tucking her close against his warm body, making her feel safe. For the first time in days, she felt truly safe. She could let down the guard she’d developed and let go, trusting to Simon to protect her. For always. That’s what he’d said.
She hugged the memory of their conversation to her heart. Simon wasn’t the most eloquent of men at the best of times, but he had come closer than he ever had to expressing some pretty powerful feelings. Feelings she returned fully.
“I love you, Simon,” she whispered as she drifted to sleep in his arms.
CHAPTER TEN
Mariana woke shivering in reaction to a nightmare she couldn’t really remember. It wasn’t hard to guess what she had been dreaming about. Her life for the past few days had been the stuff of horror movies.
“You okay?” Simon’s gravelly voice came to her in the dim room. She turned to find him watching her, concern in his expression.
“Man, that was a doozy. Sorry I woke you.” She wiped her face, not surprised to find tears on her cheeks. Her hand was shaking as faint tremors wracked her body. Adrenaline still coursed through her veins making her long to flee…somewhere. It made no sense, but nightmares never really did.
Simon tugged her into his arms, letting her nestle her head below his chin. One strong hand circled her waist while the other stroked gently over her hair in soothing motions. She felt cocooned in his warmth, in his protection.
“Listen to my heartbeat, Mari. Let it steady you. Breathe deep and let the adrenaline dissipate. You’ll
crash in a few minutes if you let go of the fear.”
“Have some experience with this, do you?” She tried for calm despite the way her heart still raced. It was embarrassing to be so vulnerable, so afraid and trembling in his presence.
Simon was a modern-day warrior of iron will who didn’t show fear. He probably didn’t even feel it anymore. Not after all he’d been through. He had faced down zombies for the past few months as a matter of course. She felt like a fool for the unreasonable fear that had snuck up on her when she was most vulnerable. In her sleep. When all her defenses were down.
“I’ve learned to deal with the ups and downs of the adrenaline fog.” Simon’s husky voice touched her, drawing her away from the fright that still rode her body.
“You?” She moved back a few inches to look up at him. “I seriously doubt you ever feel fear.”
“Oh, I feel it.” His hand cupped her cheek, his thumb stroking her skin with a light touch. “Maybe not as easily as I used to after all I’ve seen, but believe me, it’s there. I just don’t show it like most people. I’ve learned to channel the adrenaline rush, to use it to make me stronger instead of giving me the shakes.” His hand trailed down, over her shoulder to her arm, and then his fingers twined with hers, bringing their joined hands to his chest. “Your muscles still feel like overdone spaghetti?”
A laugh burst from her lips. “How’d you know?”
“I’ve been there.” He flattened her hand on his chest, right over his heart. The rhythm was strong and steady, just like Simon himself. He was her rock in a sea of uncertainty. “Just concentrate on the rhythm of my heart, Mari. Breathe deep and slow. You’ll get there in time.”
She followed his instructions. Breathing in and out, focusing on his heartbeat, his comforting presence. After a few minutes, it started to work. She began to feel her heartbeat matching pace with his. Her breathing slowed and steadied as her body tuned itself to his.
“God, Simon, I feel like such a fool.” Her voice still shook, but her breathing was leveling out, steadier now.
“Never that, sweetheart,” he whispered, stroking her back. “You’re the bravest, smartest, most beautiful woman I’ve ever known.”
When he said it like that, she almost believed him. Simon had always had the ability to make her feel really good—emotionally and physically—with both his confidence in her, and his skills as a lover. Maybe a little of the latter was what she really needed to get her mind off the nightmare.
She rose above him on one elbow. “And you’re the sexiest man I’ve ever had the good fortune to have in my bed.” She gave him a temptress’s smile. At least she hoped that’s how he would interpret it. Beneath it all, she still felt a little desperate to forget all the scary things that had happened in the past few days.
“You think I’m sexy, eh?” His teasing grin told her he was willing to humor her whims. He knew her too well not to realize what she was doing, and he played along, the rogue.
“Oh, I know you’re sexy. Sexy Simon. That’s what my friend Claire used to call you behind your back. Do you remember her?” She trailed her fingers over his chest.
“Dark hair, kept in a bun all the time? Glasses? She was studying neurology, wasn’t she?” She nodded, surprised he remembered such small details. That was a fair physical description of Claire, though she had a scintillating sense of humor under that sometimes severe exterior. They’d gone to happy hour a few times after work and on one or two memorable occasions, Simon and some of his friends had joined them at the local watering hole. “I didn’t think she had it in her. Looked like an uptight librarian to me.”
Mariana burst out laughing. “Yeah, I guess she does, but you know, librarians get a really bad rap. They’re not all disapproving matron types. You’d like my sister, Ella. She’s a librarian and she’s nothing like the stereotype. She’s boisterous and fun loving. She always has a smile and laughs easily. She was a real clown growing up.”
“Sister, eh? Well, if she’s your sister, I like her already.”
She liked the way he teased her but she knew there was some kernel of truth in his words. He had always made an effort to be nice to her friends from work on the rare occasions they’d mingled. Like those happy hour gatherings. He had been polite and encouraging to Claire, who was surprisingly shy around Simon and his military buddies.
“I think she’ll like you, too.”
“You thinking about introducing me to your family? This sounds serious.” His blue gaze glittered with an intense light and she was afraid maybe she’d assumed too much, too soon.
She forced herself to shrug noncommittally. “You’ll meet them eventually, I’m sure. No doubt you’ll be dragged to one of the family gatherings at some point. There are a few each year where we all get together on the farm, and pick on one another for old time’s sake.”
He took a minute before answering, which didn’t do much to reassure her. “Sounds like fun.”
It was time to change the subject. Lifting one knee, she straddled him, leaning forward over his muscular torso.
“So now that we’re both awake, what do you think we should do to keep ourselves occupied?” She sent him a daring smile, hoping he’d take her up on her blatant offer. She had confidence he would, judging by his state of arousal. She could feel him stir against her bottom. Oh yeah, he’d play along.
“How about a little game?” The teasing tone of his voice warmed her once more.
“What kind of game?” She was willing to try just about anything with him and she had no doubt he knew it.
“What else? My favorite game. Simon Says.”
“Oh, I like the way your mind works, sexy Simon.”
One of his hands moved to her breast, cupping her with warmth and exploring fingers. “Sexy Simon then,” he agreed. “Sexy Simon says to lean closer so I can kiss these nipples that both seem to want my attention.” Their eyes met and fire leaped between them. “Do they, Mari? Do they want my attention?”
“Yes, Simon.” Her voice was shaky already and he hadn’t done much more than touch her.
“Well come on down here then, woman. Simon says.”
She felt wanton as she leaned over him, following his orders. She had always enjoyed making love with him when he exercised his dominant streak, but this new, teasing, sexy Simon was something very exciting indeed.
He latched on to her nipple with his tongue, swirling it around the eager peak with just the right pressure. He used his teeth gently, never hurting, always enticing, and the suction of his mouth felt oh so good. Then he switched to the other side, letting his fingers take up where his mouth had left off, sliding in the wetness left by his lips to pinch and tease.
She moaned with pleasure and he drew back, releasing her nipple with a little pop.
“You like that?”
“You know I do.” There was a breathless quality to her voice she couldn’t control.
He grinned at her with pure male satisfaction. “Are you ready for more?”
She liked the new playfulness between them. “Bring it on, big boy.”
His grin only widened. “Simon says bring that pussy up here.”
She gave him a questioning look. “You want me to—”
He cut her off by the simple expedient of grabbing her hips and lifting her over his chest. Damn, that man was strong.
“Lean up on your knees, baby. Give me your pussy. Right over my mouth.”
“You’re serious?” They’d never done this before. In fact, she’d never done it in this position with anyone, ever.
“Oh yeah.” He gave her a mischievous wink. “I want a taste of you, baby. I want to fuck you with my tongue and have your cream dribble down my chin.”
Her abdomen clenched at his earthy words and she responded to the urging of his hands, rising above him into the position he desired. She wasn’t sure about this, but the hidden temptress within wanted—no, needed—to do anything he asked. His dirty talk affected her more than she would have belie
ved possible. If any other man had used such language with her, she wasn’t sure she could have responded. Coming from Simon’s lips? Those words were thrilling in a forbidden, very naughty way. He made her feel sexy, desired, and almost…wanton. Only for him.
A moment later, his mouth rose to her core, his tongue exploring, licking through her folds and right up into her. He set a rhythm that made her groan, stabbing into her over and over again with his tongue in an imitation of what he would do later with his cock, if she had her way.
She couldn’t hold it. Not one second longer. She shattered with a shaking moan as she came against his tongue. He made a sound that vibrated against her most sensitive parts, drawing out her hasty orgasm. After a minute or two, it plateaued, but didn’t fully dissipate. If their past history was anything to go by, she was in for one hell of a ride. He’d done this to her a few times before—brought her multiple orgasms, each one building on the last until she flew right up to the stars.
Simon was, by far, the most talented lover she had ever had the good fortune to be with. This was especially true when he took his time…and they had the day all to themselves. She shuddered just thinking of what he could do in that time.
When he came up for air, she was finally able to move away. He wouldn’t let her go far. He parked her over his chest, sitting lightly on her haunches, her legs spread for him, her core displayed for him to look at. And play with.
His hands stroked from her hips to her pussy with tantalizing slowness. He watched her face, searching her reaction, then slid his gaze to her spread folds with heated intensity. That look alone was enough to make her cream.
“Spread your legs a little farther for me, baby, and lean back. I want to see all of you.”
She felt very vulnerable, spread out and open to him. She wouldn’t have done this for just anyone. This was Simon. He could have anything he asked of her. He was her savior, her protector, the only man she had ever loved. If she could bear to make herself vulnerable to any man, it was him. She complied, the straining muscles of her thighs shaking as she moved into the position he wanted.
