He shook his head. “That was a lie.” He pointed behind him where Tony stood in the driveway.
Darcy was somehow already in his arms.
Arianna returned her gaze to Justus. “Wait, Darcy knew you two were coming today and no one told me?” She swatted at his chest.
“I wanted to surprise you.” He smiled huge. “I missed you so much.” He backed her into the apartment.
“Mmm.” She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tight. “How long are you here for?”
“In theory, five days.”
She swallowed back emotion. Five days. It was half the total length of time she’d spent with him three months ago. It would have to suffice. She smiled. “And five nights…”
He returned the smile. “You still have that red, lacy thing?”
She giggled. “I have more than that. I’ve had nothing to do for the last month but wander around in the mall.”
His brows shot higher. “Pack a bag.”
“Where are we going?”
“My place.”
“Now?”
“Yes. Unless you want me to make love to you in your brother’s apartment.”
She grabbed his hand and dragged him down the hallway to the guest room she’d been staying in. When they entered, she shut the door, locked it, and pushed him down on her bed. As she climbed over him, straddling his body, his hands ran up and down her butt and the small of her back.
His cock was hard. His eyes were glazed. His gaze was on her. “You really want to do this here?” he asked, smirking.
“I’m confident no one will notice or care. What do you think Tony and Darcy are probably doing? Besides, after twelve weeks of phone sex and vibrators, I need you inside me. Flesh and blood. Thick, hard flesh and blood that is nothing like any toy I own.” She went to work on his belt. “This will be fast. Afterward, you can take me to your place and we can make it last longer.”
He shoved her hands out of the way and released his cock by himself while she watched. “If you have an attachment to whatever panties you’re wearing, I suggest you remove them now before I tear them off.”
She wiggled off him, reached under her skirt to slide the silk down her legs, and then she climbed back over him.
He grabbed her hips and held her aloft just when she would have slammed down, taking him all the way inside.
“What?” she asked, frantic need consuming her.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.” Warmth spread across her face.
He slid one hand around to drag a finger through her folds, spreading her arousal and using it to toy with her clit.
“Please,” she begged.
“When you slide down my cock, I’m going to come in an instant. So, I’m not going to enter you until you come first.” His fingers picked up the pace. She couldn’t argue with that logic. Instead, she tipped her head back and let the feelings consume her. He had her on edge in moments.
She came against his fingers, her entire body jerking with the waves of pleasure. When he was apparently satisfied with her response, he eased her channel downward until he was lodged at her entrance.
“Now,” he commanded.
She thrust downward, gasping at the intrusion after months of celibacy.
“Holy shit,” he exclaimed, his hands everywhere.
She watched as his expression switched from awe to a tight, almost-pained look. Seconds later, he came. He kept her pinned down on his cock while the pulsing filled her.
When his breathing returned to some semblance of normal, he lifted her off him, flipped her onto her back, and hovered over her. His gaze roamed her face, her hair, her chest. “You let your hair go natural.” He played with a lock of it.
“You said you liked it this way.”
He met her gaze. “I’m so fucking lucky.”
“I could say the same.” She bit her lip. “Though to be fair, I’ve been a difficult person to live with lately. It’s not easy. I’m lost and confused and uncertain about so many things.”
“Are you uncertain about me?” he asked tentatively, his fingers coming around to stroke her cheek.
“No. Not even close. Not for a second.”
“Good. We’ll figure the rest out. I promise. I’m here to help.”
“Now I understand why I rarely saw my relatives when they were home on leave.” She squirmed next to him. “Let’s get out of here before we end up staying here for five days.”
Justus pushed to standing, righting his pants. He grabbed her hand and pulled her next to him. His lips landed on hers for a brief kiss. “Pack quickly. You won’t need much. I intend to keep you mostly naked for the next five days.”
Her heart swelled as she rushed around the room, packing a small suitcase with random things that probably made little sense. She did manage to include several nighties and even a vibrator in case they decided to get creative. After a quick trip to the bathroom, she returned with her toiletries bag. “Ready.”
He took her bag from her hand and grabbed her around the waist again. His gaze was intense. “This is real for me. I wouldn’t dare drag you into this world if it weren’t.”
She lifted onto her tiptoes and held his face. “And I wouldn’t follow you if it weren’t real for me.”
For a moment, he simply held her, and then he rushed her out of the apartment.
It was going to be hard. The hardest thing she’d ever endure. But she could do this. She had to. She loved him.
Epilogue
One year later…
Arianna glanced at her watch and closed her eyes. She took a deep breath and blew it back out slowly. He’ll be here.
Except there was always the possibility he wouldn’t. It happened sometimes. She’d gotten used to it. She’d learned to roll with the punches. She had a lot of friends and family who were in the same boat and had helped her adjust and adapt over the past year.
Today though… Please, God. Just give me today.
As she stared into the full-length mirror, she caught her mother’s reflection coming toward her. She was smiling. “You look so beautiful, honey.”
Arianna nodded. There was no need to ask the most important question. If Justus were in the building, her mother would have told her. “Where’s Pop?”
“Waiting for me to tell him it’s okay for him to come in. I wanted to make sure you were dressed.”
Arianna nodded as she let her gaze wander up and down her body in the mirror. Her dress was a simple off-white silk with lace edging that hugged her body. It was strapless because she knew how much Justus admired her neck and shoulders. Her heels were dainty with tiny stones along the straps.
She wore nothing underneath it, again because she knew Justus would find that far sexier than any bra and panty set.
Her father came up behind her. “Oh, honey, you look so amazing.”
“Thanks, Pop.” She smiled at him as he leaned in to kiss her forehead. “Now, all we need is a groom.” She took another deep breath and held it before releasing it.
“He’ll be here,” her mother reassured her.
Her dad looked at his watch. “He’s still got seven minutes. No problem,” he teased.
Arianna closed her eyes. She hadn’t seen him for a week. He’d left for a training mission somewhere outside California last Saturday. She’d spoken to him last night, though, and he’d assured her he would be there on time.
The door behind her suddenly flew open and Tony rushed in. “We’re here,” he said, breathing heavily while simultaneously fixing his tie.
Arianna finally breathed normally. Thank God.
Tony stepped in front of her and squared his shoulders. “Give him five minutes to breathe, and then we’ll meet you at the altar.”
She nodded. “Is he…?” She wasn’t even sure what she was asking.
Tony smiled. “He’s nervous like any groom, but with the added stress of knowing you were freaking out.”
“I’m fine. I’m more than f
ine.”
“Now,” Tony joked. “I’m sure you were in a panic until about thirty seconds ago.”
“Yeah, well…”
Tony kissed her forehead and cleared his throat. “I know it’s an incredible commitment, marrying a SEAL. We all know it. Justus more than anyone. I promise he loves you more than life itself, and he will do everything in his power to move mountains to get back to you for the rest of his life.”
“I know,” she murmured. Sometimes her brother could be more like a father, especially since he was also a SEAL. He understood.
He started to walk away, but she grabbed his hand to stop him. “This is all your fault. You’re the one who hooked us up in Australia.”
He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, don’t remind me. What was I thinking sending my best friend off to vacation with my sister? If I had realized you had a crush on him for all those years, I would have warned him to keep his hands to himself,” he teased.
She lifted onto her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “I’m glad you’re so dense. He’s my everything. Thank you.”
Tony smiled. “Well, I have to admit, you two are perfect for each other. I’ve never seen a man as crazy for a woman as Justus is for you. Except maybe myself with Darcy, of course. I love you, Sis. See you at the altar.”
She was beaming as she watched him leave the room. She had the best family in the world. They might be overwhelming at times, but they were also amazing.
Justus had never been more nervous in his life. He was getting married. Until that day when Arianna had lifted her gaze to him in the lobby of that Sydney hotel, he’d never once imagined he would marry. In fact, he’d been determined to never let any woman even close enough to call her a girlfriend.
But fate had other plans. For both of them. And denying her wasn’t a choice. He was madly in love with Arianna. Even though this was not a life she’d wanted for herself, she’d gone above and beyond to step up to the plate and be his everything.
She never complained. She never faltered in her convictions. From the moment she’d admitted she was in love with him, she’d changed the course of her life and been all in.
Not that life was always roses for her. He knew she cried. Sometimes she did so in his arms. He also knew she wiped those tears away and pulled it back together every time, never losing sight of the fact that she was his.
He asked the world of her, and she freely gave it to him. Every day of his life. And now, she would be his wife.
As he stood at the altar, watching the woman of his dreams walk toward him on her father’s arm, he counted his blessings. His heart beat fast, and he rocked forward on the balls of his feet, anxious to have her in his arms.
She was so damn gorgeous in that dress. A princess. She deserved everything, and he would work hard to ensure she had it for as long as he lived.
As soon as Enzo passed her off to him, Justus squeezed her hand and pulled her in close, leaning down to whisper in her ear. He didn’t give a damn that everyone was waiting on them to approach the altar. He needed to take her pulse. “You look so beautiful, baby. I’m sorry I was late. I love you so much.”
She tipped her face up to him and smiled the smile he loved waking up to every morning she was in his bed. “I love you too,” she mouthed. Her face was lit up with excitement, her eyes dancing with the love he knew she felt. Her cheeks were rosy. Her hand was shaking.
He set his forehead against hers, ignoring the chuckles coming from the audience and the fact that the minister had cleared his throat. “Will you marry me?” he asked her unnecessarily.
“Yes,” she breathed. “I’d be honored.”
As he led her up the steps to the altar, he breathed easier than he had in his entire life. The woman on his arm was his everything, and he was the luckiest man alive.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this latest release in the SEALs in Paradise series. If you haven’t read Hot SEAL, Red Wine, I’m including an excerpt here.
Ellie was late. So very late. The flight had been delayed, and she’d almost missed the last shuttle to the cruise ship. She had texted Karla several times to let her know she was late, but she hadn’t had a chance to check her phone in the past hour since she’d gotten to the ship.
She was one of the last passengers to board before they closed the door. Frazzled and tired and relieved at the same time, she rushed through the ship toward the lido deck where Karla had said to meet her at the bar.
Ellie didn’t bother heading for their room first. Her luggage would be delivered to the room, which left Ellie with nothing but her travel bag where she’d stuffed her purse. She needed a drink. She needed sun. She needed to take a deep breath and start relaxing.
The ship was bustling with activity as she made her way through the throng of people wandering around, familiarizing themselves with the amenities. Her phone was buried somewhere in her bag, but she figured she would easily find Karla at the bar and let the fun begin.
When she stepped out into the sunshine, she immediately relaxed, letting her shoulders drop. Hopefully, after a few drinks, she would loosen up enough to wrap her mind around everything that had happened to upend her world in the last three days.
She still couldn’t believe the decisions she’d made, and she couldn’t wait to see the look on Karla’s face when she told her.
She hitched her floral bag high onto her shoulder, smoothed her hands down her sundress, and closed her eyes for a moment. The thin dress had seemed ridiculous as she left her apartment that morning. She was used to wearing business suits every day to work. Professional pencil skirts and matching jackets. Blouses. Pumps.
Not this week. She’d gone shopping over the weekend and bought seven outfits. Summer clothes fitting for a cruise. Two new bikinis, even though she couldn’t remember the last time she’d worn a two-piece. Sandals. Flowy skirts. Tank tops. Shorts. She’d probably gone overboard, but as long as she was taking her first real vacation in five years, she wanted to make the most of it.
The pale pink sundress she’d worn to board the ship made her feel younger than normal. It was a bit short, but she intended to be carefree this week. The spaghetti straps would have left her freezing on the plane, but she’d brought a light white sweater which was now stuffed in her bag.
A glance down at the bodice made her smile again. She liked the look. Maybe she could reinvent herself. Become a new woman. Her breasts looked amazing under the fitted cotton that dipped low enough to show more cleavage than she was used to.
Maybe she would lighten up and let Karla help her find a man. It couldn’t hurt to at least have a vacation fling. Right? Who was she kidding? She’d never had a fling in her life.
With another deep breath, she forged ahead once more.
The bar was easy to find. It was also crowded. Several people were already lounging in the pool. Laughter and squeals of delight filled her ears. The grill was open. The scent of burgers and hotdogs hit her from the right. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had junk food, but she intended to indulge in it for seven days. Every day. Maybe even in the middle of the night.
She giggled out loud as she squinted into the sun and worked her way through the crowd.
Karla’s bright red hair would stand out. She had the most gorgeous curls that framed her round face. Ellie had always been envious of her friend’s hair. Ellie’s own brown locks hung in long waves down her back. She’d hardly changed it since high school, and she hadn’t had a chance to get it cut before she headed out of town.
When she finally reached the bar, she leaned against it with both hands, trying not to let her bag bang into anyone. She scanned the entire area. No red hair.
The bartender caught her eye and leaned toward her to be heard over the crowd. He smiled. “Hi. Welcome aboard. What can I start you off with?” He pointed at a red-and-yellow swirly frozen drink behind him and told her it was the special of the day. She had no idea what he called it, but she nodded.
As he turned back around to fill the
blender with rum and whatever else was going to start this trip off perfectly, she scanned the area again. Still no Karla. Perhaps she’d given up and headed for the room. She was probably in a panic.
Ellie realized she needed to find her phone and check her messages. As she tipped her head down to dig around in her bag, she heard her name and froze. “Ellie?” The voice was familiar. So familiar she would never forget it if she lived two hundred years. But it wasn’t Karla’s.
She slowly lifted her gaze to find her ears had not deceived her.
Noah Seager. In the flesh. He had closed the distance and was now leaning against the bar two inches from her. She could feel his breath as she tipped her head back to meet his gaze.
She swallowed, unable to speak.
Holy shit.
He looked so damn good. Taller. Broader. Tan. His hair was still the same deep brown, but it was cut shorter than it had been in high school. There were a few new lines around his eyes, which were currently narrowed in surprise. One corner of his mouth was lifted in a half-smile. The left corner. Same as she remembered.
He looked carefree in a white, button-up, short-sleeved shirt with several buttons undone, exposing his fantastic chest. He also wore khaki pants and loafers. His clothes all looked new as if he’d done the same as her and shopped recently for a new wardrobe.
“I can’t believe it,” he said. “Is it really you?”
She nodded slowly, though she wasn’t certain it was her. Or him for that matter. It seemed surreal. What were the chances he would be on the same cruise as her? “Noah…” She let his name slide from her lips like an ocean wave.
“Ma’am?” The bartender interrupted her stunned shock, but she couldn’t bring herself to glance away from Noah. Standing so close she could feel his warmth.
He apparently had more brain cells than her, however, because he took the drink from the bartender and signed a slip of paper.
She jerked her attention to the receipt when she realized what he was doing. “You don’t have to do that.”
He handed her the drink, frowning. “It’s a drink. I think I can manage to buy you a drink.”
Hot SEAL, Australian Nights Page 16
