Waiting... On You (Force Recon Marines)

by S A Monk

  The sensation the position created was beyond description. Hanna felt like she was coming apart at the seams with each forceful thrust of his big body. Every nerve ending screamed with raw wild need. It was so intense, it bordered on pain.

  She watched him move, staring in fascination at his body above her. With his hands gripping the bar, every arm and chest muscle bulged with rippling power and imposing detail. His tanned skin was slick with sweat, and his face intensely set, his dark storm-cloud eyes locked on hers. He made such a striking visual image, it turned her on just to look at him.

  Her own body was glossy with sweat, too, and her glasses slipped lower on her nose. They reminded her of how ridiculous she must look― naked, wearing nothing but them.

  She started to remove them, but Nick stopped her. “Leave them on,” he insisted hoarsely. “I want you to see me clearly when I come inside you.”

  The intensity in his expression and the raw desire in his voice vibrated inside her, swirling around her in a maelstrom of passion. The rise of her impending climax had been delayed so long by him, she was going crazy, ready to die for even a partial release.

  Seeing her distress, he reached down with his hand and rubbed the tight little bud that triggered her deliverance from the storm. She cried out with abandoned delight, and he joined her within seconds as her inner muscles contracted and throbbed around him. His satiny skin broke out in goose bumps, and his whole body stiffened, actually getting longer and harder inside of her as he exploded into her with a loud groan that was more like a triumphant shout.

  At the conclusion, depleted and thoroughly sated, Hanna fell back onto the mattress in a series of aftershocks that quivered through her sweat-damp body. A slight breeze through the open porthole windows made her shiver. Nick collapsed over her, in a fall he caught with both arms braced on either side of her. With a great sigh, he sank into her softness, burying his face in her neck, resting there until his ragged breathing stilled. As a blanket, his big body was all she needed to chase away the chill.

  With her arms around him, Hanna pressed her lips to the center of his chest, which was wet with perspiration. His heart was beating thunderously. She could feel hers beating just as hard. Making love truly was taxing on the heart, she thought with a secret smile.

  Eventually, he shifted his weight off her, so that he was only partially lying on her. He was still inside her, though, and Hanna hooked her arm around his hips to keep him buried there a little longer.

  “Aw, Hanna, that was more than I remembered— much, much more!”

  His gray eyes were locked with her green ones as he lifted her hand and kissed each small knuckle. Turning it over, he kissed her palm, marking it with the tip of his tongue in a mixture of heat and tenderness that unraveled her all over again.

  Thrilled by his admission, she lifted her face to stare into his eyes. Eventually, he slipped out of her, limp and drained.

  Lying side by side, staring at one another, they planted little kisses here and there, while their hands were busy idly stroking the varied contours of each other’s bodies.

  Hanna knew she was lost. Nick Kelly could pop into her life once every three years until she was old and gray, and she’d still want him like this. She was his, body and soul. Whatever he gave her, she’d take. She was so crazy about him. Time and distance weren’t going to diminish her feelings for him. She could never put him from her heart. Just be as kind as possible, she prayed silently.

  He threaded his long fingers through the damp hair at her temple, smoothing it back from her face. Her glasses fell, and he pushed them gently back up onto the bridge of her nose.

  “Stupid, dumb glasses!” she grumbled. “I wish I wasn’t so blind without them!” She hated wearing them naked! She still thought she must look ridiculous.

  Nick couldn’t seem to stop grinning. “You wouldn’t be my Hanna without them.”

  Her green eyes widened. He had just called her his! Her heart skipped several beats.

  He ruffled her hair and laughed. “You just have no idea how beautiful you are, do you?” He planted a kiss on the tip of her nose. “What am I going to have to do to convince you? Tell you every single day?”

  While she lay there absorbing that, he rolled onto his back and sat up, then looked over his shoulder at her. “I’ll be right back. Gotta dispose of this and get a new one.” He winked at her. “We’re not done— unless you’re too sore.”

  “No, no,” Hanna retorted quickly. “I’m fine.”

  He laughed, a deep rumbling, masculine laugh that she heard all the way into the head where he went to dispose of his used condom.

  THE SUN HAD PROBABLY BEEN UP FOR A FEW HOURS by the time Hanna and Nick opened their eyes the next morning. They were laying in the big triangular bed, buried beneath the covers, front to back, Nick’s big body curved to fit behind Hanna’s smaller, rounder one.

  The porthole windows on either side of the bed were open, letting in the cool salty air from the bay. The smells and sounds of the harbor filled the little room. Nick’s body was warm and hard behind Hanna’s. His arm was thrown over her waist, his fingers covering one breast. Her buttocks were nestled against his groin, and she knew he was awake when he started playing with her.

  They had made love several times last night. Hanna was indeed sore this morning, but it was nothing very painful, nothing she’d wish away. It had been a glorious night, just the kind she’d been waiting forever for with Nick Kelly. He’d certainly been a great instructor, keeping to his promise to teach her whatever she wanted to learn, although she imagined there was still much to discover.

  “Are you awake, pretty doctor?” he murmured against her neck, nuzzling aside her hair. “I think I need another examination.”

  Laughing, she rolled onto her back, then onto her side toward him, to give him a whimsical smile. “I don’t give free examinations, you know.” With her fingertip, she tracked the planes and contours of his marvelous body.

  “I don’t make a lot of money,” he replied. “I’m just a soldier.”

  “Umm....” She thought about that for a moment. “What could I charge you for another examination?”

  “Breakfast and a shower?” he tried.

  “That sounds like a good trade.” Her hand stroked his whiskered cheek. He was so desirable, lying naked beside her like this.

  Her attention became ensnared with the details of his body. It was beautiful, but he had scars all over it. Most of them were faded, whitened tracings, evidence of a violent life and multiple injuries. She traced them with her fingertips, then angled her body to give each a tender kiss. The realization that they represented twenty years of close calls with death made her shudder.

  “I don’t want to know how you got each one of these, do I?”

  “Probably not.”

  She wound her arms around him and squeezed him tight. “Oh, Nick, sometimes I lie awake at night, thinking about what you’re doing in all those faraway places, and it scares me to death!”

  He let her hold him, certain there was nothing better in the whole world than having her care that much about him. He had never felt as whole as he had last night, in her arms, inside her body. This morning, he felt reborn, realigned. Life seemed to have a new focus, a different perspective. It was one hell of a revelation, more than he had ever expected to feel, and he knew he had expected to feel great after making love to her again. But this.... Could he be falling in love with this woman who had always been his closest friend and was rapidly becoming much more?

  They lay that way, holding one another, each lost in their own thoughts for a while, then eased into one another one last time before finally deciding to get up, shower, and eat.

  The shower in the head was barely big enough for one, let alone two. But on a sloop this size, there wasn’t that much hot water, so they had to share it. Front to back, they had to squeeze into the narrow stall together. But it was fun to soap and rinse and caress each other until the water ran cold and ch
ased them out.

  Nick was toweling himself dry when he heard his name being called out from up on deck. Recognizing Kurt’s voice, he wrapped the towel around his waist, and climbed the stairs to stick his head out through the cabin door.

  “Hey, buddy,” he greeted the FBI agent. “What’s up?”

  “I’ve got a big file here for you— copies of the photos Hanna and I took the other night, a copy of the one Seth Haru got of Li Chen, and his notes on what he’s found out about all the parties involved. I‘ve also included the name of the freighter’s owners. When seen as a whole, it’s really interesting.”

  Nick stuck his arm out and took the large thick envelope from his friend. “Thanks, Kurt. When I get home, I’ll look over all this and see if my bugs have picked up anything else while I’ve been gone. If there’s anything interesting on the recordings, I’ll call you. Otherwise, I’ll be in touch as soon as I have any new info.”

  “You and Hanna managing okay?” Kurt glanced down at Nick’s partially clad body.

  He grinned. “We’re going to spend the day sailing the Sound before we head home.” He ducked inside the cabin, then popped back out with the pair of sandals Hanna had handed him. “Return these to Trisha, will you? Hanna says thanks.”

  Kurt gave Nick a salute, and grinned broadly. “Have fun, bud. ‘Bout time you found a great woman. Call me.”

  Nick laughed and waved to his friend. “Will do.”

  CHAPTER 17

  AFTER KURT LEFT, Nick went to the galley and started breakfast. By the time Hanna finished in the bathroom Nick had reassembled the dining table. They sat across from one another for breakfast in nothing but their bath towels.

  “I didn’t know you were such a good cook,” she complimented him after the final bite.

  “Hey, as long as it can be cooked in a fry pan, I can manage it.”

  “So, shall we get underway? “They had all day to themselves, but Hanna wondered if he had something else in mind.

  Nick turned to her and hooked two fingers into the place between her breasts where her towel was tucked. “Sure, we can set sail, if you like,” he said, then winked. “We can always drop anchor if we want a break.”

  “A break, huh?” Hanna inhaled as his fingertip traced the upper swell of her breasts.

  He slid his hand to the back of her neck. “I didn’t bring a bathing suit or even shorts.” He drew her close to meet his lips. They feathered across hers hungrily.

  Hanna managed a crooked smile. “I can remedy that.”

  When he finally let her come up for air, she gave him a last kiss, then went into her bedroom. On her return, she handed him a pair of thigh-length swim trunks. “I think this will fit you. It belongs to Lance, but you’re both built pretty much alike.”

  Nick took the trunks from her with a frown. “Why does Lance keep a bathing suit on your boat?”

  Hanna gave him a shrug. “He goes sailing with me sometimes. He loves this boat, too.”

  “And how do you know he’s built pretty much like me?”

  “I have eyes, and I’ve known both of you since we were kids. Geez, Nick what’s the problem?”

  “I’m just curious about you and Lance, that’s all.”

  Bemused, she stared at him. “He’s my friend, just like you are.”

  “Just like I am?”

  “Well, maybe not just like you anymore.” Wondering about his comments, she headed back to the bedroom to change into her own swimsuit.

  Nick was up on deck, getting the boat ready to depart when she emerged from the cabin. He had put on his brother’s swim trunks, and was shirtless. His back was to her as he bent to untie the anchor rope from the cleats on the pier. The play of muscles across his shoulders and arms was totally mesmerizing. She had trouble dragging her eyes away from him. Then she realized that she didn’t have to. He was hers all day long.

  When he saw her, he jumped down into the cockpit to join her. Like her, he was wearing sunglasses, but she could tell he was giving her scantily clad figure a thorough once over. She was wearing a tiny little yellow bikini, with a sheer chiffon sarong knotted around her hips.

  She’d bought the bathing suit last summer on a whim, but she’d never worn it. It covered so little. Except Nick had seen all of her last night, so she’d thought she’d feel comfortable wearing it in front of him. Beneath his prolonged assessment, though, she felt very…well... hot and bothered!

  He pushed his sunglasses up, and, to her surprise, he was glaring at her. “Have you worn that for Lance?”

  He sounded jealous. How silly! She gave him a little disbelieving laugh. “No, I’ve never worn it at all, until today. It’s a little daring for me.”

  To her relief, his handsome face eased into a smile. “You can wear it for me— but only for me.”

  “Okay.”

  “So?” he proceeded. “Who’s sailing her today— you or me?”

  “You.” Smiling, she motioned to the big wheel in front of her. “I want you to see how she handles and tell me what you think of her.” His opinion of her sailboat was important to her.

  He took the wheel, started the engine, and steered the sloop out of the marina at a ‘no wake’ speed. They followed the shoreline past Magnolia Park, the area where Kurt and Trisha lived, then up towards West Point and the Coast Guard lighthouse.

  At that point, Hanna took over the navigation, while Nick went to the single mast and raised the fore and aft sails. Once he adjusted the rigging to his satisfaction, he came back to the cockpit and took back the wheel. Hanna moved to the padded seat that wrapped around the low interior wall of the cockpit. He looked really good at the helm of her boat. Like all of them, he was a natural sailor, thoroughly at home on and in the water.

  Between Bainbridge Island and Shilshole Bay, the wind caught their sails and sent the sloop into a run. The sails became giant pockets filled with the afternoon breeze. This was one of Hanna’s favorite positions on the water— running, racing with the wind, propelled at a breakneck speed into a vast, blue, white-capped vista. Her Emerald Mermaid cut through the water like a knife through butter.

  Her delighted laughter captured Nick’s attention. The wind was blowing her blonde hair back from her upturned face, and she was breathtaking. He felt his heartbeat quicken.

  “Come stand in front of me,” he called out to her over the sound of the flapping sails and rushing water. When she did, he hooked an arm around her bare midriff and tucked her close. Once she was settled, he put both hands back on the steering wheel, enclosing her in the open circle of his arms.

  The wind stayed with them up through the Puget Sound passage. Since it was the weekend, there were lots of other sailboats on the water. They also passed several large ferries traveling back and forth between Seattle and Victoria, British Columbia. All of them were loaded with people and vehicles.

  At the lower end of Whidbey Island, they turned to head west, so the sails had to be adjusted and angled to accord with the wind. Once again, Nick climbed out of the cockpit, while Hanna took over the steering. Sure-footed, he made his way to the sail to trim it.

  In order to catch the wind in their new direction, he had to do a maneuver called jibing. The process involved trimming the sail until the wind was just about ready to catch the leech and swing the boom around. As the boat was turned, so that its stern passed through the wind’s eye, the sail snapped over to the desired side.

  Jibing was a maneuver to be mastered carefully and slowly, so that the boom didn’t come around too quickly and swing out of control. It had to be attempted with caution, and it took an experienced sailor to do it properly. Nick handled it expertly and efficiently.

  By the time he came back to her, they were into Admiralty Inlet, and coming up on Useless Bay. Eventually, the wind subsided and their sail was more leisurely, more peaceful as they threaded their way through the inlet, toward Port George.

  Having resumed their previous positions at the wheel, Hanna leaned back into Nick’s muscled
body, letting her head fall back onto the pad of his shoulder. His tall, hard body fit her shorter, curvier one perfectly at the hips, and he hooked an arm around her bare waist to pull her even more closely against him so that her butt was snuggled right up against his groin. With a quick tug, he untied the lower string to her bikini top.

  His large sun-warmed hand slipped beneath her loosened bra. Long fingers molded her soft round flesh, making her shiver. Against her bottom, she felt his very male reaction.

  With one hand still firmly on the steering wheel, he let the other slide lower until it encountered its new goal; the expanse of bare skin just below her navel. Nuzzling her neck, he deftly slipped his hand inside the panties of her swimsuit. His teeth raked lightly over her skin, then took a gentle growling bite.

  “Nick…” Her voice was laced with drugging desire.

  “Shall we drop anchor?” His breathing was husky and as breathless as hers had been. He was also extremely aroused.

  She loved the feel of his sun-warmed body against hers. “We’re almost home.”

  Nick chuckled. “You’re right. We’ll wait. Here, take the wheel.”

  When she moved into position, he stepped behind her to retie the strings of her top.

  By the time they reached Mynard Harbor Marina, where Hanna rented a year round slip for her sailboat, it was late afternoon.

  “It was such a nice weekend,” Hanna told him as he maneuvered the sloop into its slot.

  Before she could climb out of the cockpit, Nick pulled her into his arms. “It was a great weekend,” he corrected her with a kiss. “I love your Emerald Mermaid. You’re right. She sails like a dream. Part of me is glad Lance restored her for you.”

  “Part of you?”

  “The other part wishes I had given this to you instead. It’s obvious you love her.”

  She smiled up at him, touched, wishing she had the courage to tell him she loved him even more than her sailboat. “I’m going below to change. Would you mind tying her up?”