by Hart, Lea
He thought about Max and Mark and wondered what advice they would give him about getting Cary attached to him. It had been interesting to observe two of the toughest men he knew fall completely in love. He’d seen the transformation of both of them up close and at times questioned their sanity. They both fell fast, then scrabbled hard to make their dreams come true with the women they loved. He watched both of them use everything they could think of to bind the women to them. Hell, Max knocked Rory up as quickly as he could and freely admitted it to anyone who asked him. He was proud of it, too! At the time, he felt like both men were slightly cracked and doubted anything like that would ever happen to him. Yet here he sat in his truck driving back to San Diego with a woman that that he would do anything for….and that was after only two days. What was going to happen in a week?
********
They walked through the doors of the Mexican restaurant and waited in front of the hostess desk. Cary was assaulted with the smell of sizzling meat and vegetables as she saw a waiter walk past with a heavy tray. All of a sudden, her stomach rumbled, and she wanted to dive into a basket of chips and guacamole face first.
Max watched her track the waiter, leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Want me to grab the chips off his tray?”
“Was I that obvious?”
“I’ve never seen you look at something with so much concentration.”
“I guess I’m a little hungry.”
“I would have stopped earlier. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t realize it until we walked in and I smelled the food.” They were quickly led to a table, and a big basket of chips was deposited on it almost immediately. Travis spoke with the waiter in Spanish and ordered guacamole and two fajita platters.
“Where did you learn to speak Spanish?” Cary asked.
“During the first year on the Teams, everyone was given the opportunity to go after a specialty. Every man has strengths, and the first year of training is used to determine what those are. I learn languages quickly, and I was sent to Monterey to the naval language school. I picked up about five by the time I was done.”
“That’s impressive. I have a tin ear, and I’ve never become proficient at a second language.”
“I was surprised by how much I liked it, and I ended up using most of them during my time in the service. The hardest ones to pick up were all of the dialects that they speak in Iraq and Afghanistan. We ended up using a translator most of the time when we were in country. The best I could do was figure out if he was lying to us, and that seemed to help.”
“I know that SEALs can do everything in all environments, but what was your specialty on the Teams?”
“I was one of the heavy gunners. I loved all that big fire-power and blowing stuff up. It was the ultimate boy adventure, and I valued every moment of it. I also liked jumping out of airplanes. There is no better feeling than standing on the tail of the plane with all of your brothers waiting to jump into the dark night sky.”
“I thought you couldn’t jump out of planes anymore?”
“I’m not able to perform at the level required for SEALs, but I can still jump.”
“I’ve always wanted to jump out of an airplane, but I’m scared out of my mind to do it. I need to face my fear and just do it.”
A huge smile creased his face. “I’ll take you this week. After we figure out your house, we can go and jump.”
“I thought you couldn’t jump out of planes anymore?”
“I’m not able to perform at the level required for SEALs, but I can still jump.”
“Wow. Just like that? I just say it and you make it happen?”
He squeezed her shoulder and kissed her head. “Just like that. You’ll soon discover that I’m pretty good at making adventures happen.”
She looked up into his dark brown eyes and started to feel the line of connection that seemed to happen when their eyes met. She felt herself tremble involuntarily and quickly looked away. It was too much. She didn’t want to feel this much. She was going to be adventure girl, and you couldn’t be that if you were in a relationship. She didn’t want to end up on the couch again, trying to decide what to watch on Netflix. “I would love to try it. Thank you.”
“I think you’ll love it. Who knows? You may like it so much that you want to keep doing it.”
“I don’t know about that, but I want to try it at least once.” The waiter came up and stated depositing huge sizzling plates of food. Cary watched as their table quickly filled up with all of the fixings for their fajitas. “I’m pretty hungry, so you may have to fight me for some of this.”
“Good thing we can order more if things get ugly. Have at it honey, because I like to watch you eat.” She took a huge bite, and her eyes closed as she chewed. He heard a small moan escape her mouth. A little juice dripped down her chin, and he wiped it off with his napkin. “You’re pretty damn sexy when you eat.” She took another bite and gave him a strange look and shrugged. She finished her first fajita and was about to start making another one when Travis realized that she wasn’t kidding about eating everything. He quit staring at her and started to eat. This was a woman you had to be careful around, if you were not paying attention, you might not get anything to eat.
By the time they were done, most of the bowls and plates were empty. Cary leaned back against the booth and put her hand on her stomach. “I don’t feel very good…I think I ate too much. Why didn’t you stop me?”
“I didn’t want to get stabbed with a fork. I wasn’t willing to put myself between you and the food. I’ve got to tell you that was pretty impressive. I’ve think you could give a SEAL a run for his money.”
“I don’t think you’re giving me a compliment, but I’m too full to argue. Can you roll me out to the truck and lay me down in the back-seat? I think that’s the only way I’m going to make it home.”
“Sure baby.” He felt her lean against him as his heart gave a thump and a warm feeling spread across his chest. He slipped her hand into his and enjoyed this small moment in the middle of nowhere with a woman who was turning his world upside down.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Cary woke up, looked around and finally realized she was in Travis’s condo in San Diego with him dead asleep next to her. She leaned up and took a moment to admire him, he slept on his back with his big arms thrown above his head. This might be the perfect opportunity to take advantage of him. She slowly moved over him and felt him shift as he started to wake up.
“…Shhhhh, just go back to sleep. You don’t need to wake up.” She took a tender nip at the hard muscle that ran across his stomach and let her finger trail up his inner thigh. She moved down a little and nuzzled the hollow by his groin, and just as she lowered her mouth against him, she felt herself flipped over on her back. She looked up at the ceiling…stunned. “I didn’t see that coming.”
“If I let you get your mouth on me, then it would be over before it got started.” He kissed her throat as his fingers opened her swollen folds. He slowly inserted one finger deeply inside and heard her breath catch. Sliding his finger out and then back in, he felt her muscles pull against his hand and a rush of liquid coat his fingers. “Now we’re ready.” He rolled her on her side, fitted himself against her back and lifted her leg so it rested on top of his. His arm dropped over her waist as his fingers stroked her. “Are you ready, baby? Because I want bury myself inside you.”
She nodded as he clutched her tightly and moved his hips forward. Welcoming every inch of him, her entire body opened for him. He plunged himself inside with one strong thrust, and the most exquisite pleasure took over her body. She felt him move inside her. “Oh…..yes…more.”
With those words, he took possession of her body and mind as he thrust heavily in and out while keeping her firmly against him. Desire hit him with a force he’d never experienced before. He felt a stabbing pain and ferocious, chilling need to own her. He continued to slip in and out of her tight, silky heat as his mind splinter
ed away and pleasure poured through his body. Above the roar in his head, he heard his name being called and felt Cary arch against him as she peaked. He felt her hard pulls as she climaxed and he let himself go, groaning loudly as he spilled everything inside her. He continued to pump gently against her and felt another spasm pass through her body. He ran his hand up her stomach and held her against him as he tried to hold on to the incredible intimacy they now shared. He gently kissed her and felt her hand cover his. They lay there together in the milky light of early morning as their sweat soaked bodies remained joined.
“I knew I was going to have to tie you up. There’s no way you’re ever going to let me be on top unless I do.”
Travis let out a laugh. “Baby, you can tie me up tonight. I promise to behave.”
She looked over her shoulder and smiled. “As long as you promise.”
He ran his hand up and down her back and admired her creamy skin. This was the view he wanted….this was the privilege he wanted….this was the woman he wanted to love. He wanted to possess her as his mind kept repeating … mine…mine….mine.
She wiggled around a little until he released his grasp, and she rolled over to study him. His eyes were filled with pure, unadulterated heat as their gazes locked. The connection flared up again and left her breathless. She began sitting up, and he pulled her down and laid his mouth against hers. Her breath caught as his soft lips caressed her mouth. She broke the connection and rolled over. “I’m hungry-where are we going to eat?”
Travis watched her roll off the bed and understood that she was battling what was happening between them. He was going to have to figure out how to deal with it, because he didn’t want her so spooked that she fled. “I’ll take you to breakfast, since we don’t have any groceries yet. How does that sound?”
She looked at him with soft eyes. “Perfect.”
“I’ll make coffee while you shower, and then I’ll jump in. He got up, pulled on his boxers and noticed she stood there with a dazed look on her face. “Get in the shower woman, if you want to be fed.” That seemed to bring her out her stupor, because she smiled and turned toward the bathroom.
He walked into the kitchen and made the coffee. While it was brewing, he checked his phone and was relieved that nothing needed his attention right away. He was waiting to hear from his mom about the results of his sister’s board exams. It was the last step in her long journey to achieving her dream, and he couldn’t wait to hear the good news.
He poured two cups and added sugar to one and took them into the bedroom. He heard the water shut off and knocked on the door. Opening it slowly, he watched her step out of the shower and felt another wave of longing wash over his body. This was how it was going to be between them, desire sitting on the edge of consciousness, waiting to claim them. He decided the hungry wolf look wasn’t going to win him points, so he smiled and put her coffee on the counter. “I’m going to get in the other shower. See you in a few.”
She watched him close the door and let out a big breath. The man was a walking advertisement for sex. He was tall, well-built and commanding and for the first time in her life she was dealing with an alpha male and had no idea what to do. Her first instinct was to run away. Her second instinct was to run toward it….Her instincts sucked. She took a sip of coffee and sighed. It was perfect. Of course he makes great coffee.
********
Cary sat on the couch, waited for Travis to get dressed and decided to catch up on her life. She read her e-mails and her horoscope, checked the weather and then made sure that she had her files for the house on her iPad. She heard Max walk in and turned around. He wore a Henley that stretched lovingly across his massive chest and blue jeans that were taut across his thighs. She swallowed and took a quick sip of coffee to help her dry throat. Dressed or naked, the man was hard to resist, and she wasn’t sure why she was trying to in the first place.
He gave her a quick smile and gathered his keys and phone. “Are you ready to go?”
She stood up, gathered her stuff and shoved it into her bag. “Absolutely-I’m hungry.” She watched a frown appear on his face and followed his gaze as it met with her suitcase.
“Why is your suitcase by the door?”
“Because I’m going to get my car today. Once I speak with Adam, I’ll decide what kind of arrangements I need to make for the rest of the summer.”
“There are no arrangements. You’re staying here.”
“I’m not staying here, because that would be imposing.”
“That’s not imposing. That’s you staying with me…here you should be….with me.”
She saw his stubborn mulish look and tried not to laugh. “Travis, if I stay with you, that would be like the one-night stand from hell. People might want to write a book about it or make a movie of the week. I think it’s lovely of you to offer, but I could never consider it.”
“You don’t need to consider it. It’s already done. You’re staying with me.”
She could see that he was going to put up a big fight, and she didn’t feel like having one before breakfast. “Thank you. That’s very generous of you. I’ll spend one more night and then make other arrangements.”
“No other arrangements necessary. How are you going to have your way with me if you’re not staying here? It’s going to be hard to tie me up if we are not living together.”
“Are you using sex to try to get me to stay with you?”
“Yes, I am. Is it working?”
“It might be. Let’s go eat, and I will leave my suitcase here for now.”
“Why don’t you just unpack it and put your stuff away? It might be easier.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Have you ever asked a woman to do this before?”
“No.”
“OK.”
“OK, you put your clothes away, or OK you understand?”
“OK, now we go to breakfast.”
“I like your lack of commitment. It reflects well on your character.”
“I agree.”
She grabbed his hand and headed toward the door. Her suitcase remained by the door, and neither one of them felt very good about it. She looked at him as she got into the truck and wondered how he expected her to make any decisions before she ate. “What time are we meeting Adam at the house?”
“We’re meeting him at ten and have plenty of time. What made you decide on Ocean Beach?”
“I found a house that I liked near the beach that was affordable. The small town feel appealed to me as well. Did you know that they have a Christmas parade?”
“Are you going to participate in the parade?”
“I guess, if they let me.” They parked in front of Clayton’s Coffee Shop, and as Cary got out of the truck she noticed Travis checking his phone. She realized that she knew very little about his life and figured it was probably best. The more you knew about someone, the more invested you became and the less freedom you had.
Travis grabbed her hand as they headed into the restaurant. “I could probably figure how to build you a float for the parade.”
“I was thinking more along the lines of helping out with kids, but a float might not be a bad idea.” She looked up at him and felt like she was starting to get attached. She didn’t want that to happen, because she wanted to remain free.
Last week she was on a road trip by herself, hoping for great adventure, and this week she was having breakfast with a man who was trying to get her to unpack her suitcase. If she unpacked her suitcase she was giving up on the idea of adventure, and she didn’t want to do that. No matter how sexy Travis was and how willing he was to share his hash browns, that couldn’t distract her from her plan.
********
They sat on the front porch of Cary’s house and waited for Adam. “It’s better than I thought.”
“It doesn’t look like you were ripped off. It just looks like he wanted a bigger project.”
“I think you’re right.
Does Adam take on small houses like this?
“I think he does. Don’t worry, baby. Adam is a good guy and if he doesn’t have time, he’ll recommend someone we can work with.” He looked down the sidewalk and saw Adam walk up with Chad.
Cary stood up and smiled as she greeted the men. “Hello. Thank you for coming out this morning.”
Adam walked up and shook hands with Travis, then took Cary’s hand gently and shook it. “No problem. If you know this guy, then you’re practically part of the family. I want you to meet my partner, Chad. He’ll be your lead on this project if we decide to work with each other.”
Cary looked up at Chad and felt like she was looking at a surfing god. He was almost as tall as Travis and had long, wavy blond hair. His broad chest and big biceps were shown off nicely by the tank top he wore. Cary smiled widely at him and offered her hand as she stared; it was hard to act nonchalant in the presence of such male perfection.
Chad smiled back and held her hand a moment longer than was necessary.
Cary felt herself being pulled back into reality as Travis looped a big, brawny arm around her shoulder. She felt him whisper in her ear to take a breath before she hyperventilated. That brought her back to reality, so she shoved her elbow into him and continued to smile at Chad.
They were interrupted by Adam. “Give us a tour, Cary, and let us know what you had in mind.”
“I would love to show you around. I took a quick tour before you got here, and I think the former contractor fulfilled his obligation with the amount of money he was paid. I’m glad he got the floors redone and the bathrooms completed. The kitchen needs to be finished, and the rest is cosmetic. This old house had good bones. She just needed some love.”
