Jack: A Second Chance Marine Romance

by Carlisle, Lisa

  The worst was over. She exhaled and released the remaining tension that had held her muscles hostage.

  The uncertainty of his response was no longer a factor. He hadn’t recoil with revulsion. She allowed herself to let go and enjoy the experience she’d yearned for.

  He continued to explore up her legs, focusing on her inner thighs until she was squirming and panting under his feather-light kisses, her senses turning haywire.

  When he finally moved between her legs, where she desperately needed him to be, a strangled sound escaped her. He licked her with a long, languid stroke that made her shudder with a heaving sigh.

  His slow strokes grew more intense as he gripped her hips more tightly. She didn’t care about anything except what he was doing, and how right this felt. If this was the reward for all that time of waiting, she’d gladly wait for five times that amount.

  Hell no, she wouldn’t. Now that she’d had a taste of how good this was, she wasn’t going to let him go any time soon.

  She moaned. He knew how to play her body just right. Either he was a skillful lover or an intuitive one, because he appeared to know want she wanted before she did. He alternated using the broad part of his tongue and the tip, circling her sensitive flesh or applying greater pressure on her clit. Whenever she rose, he’d pull back before pushing her higher again.

  He had her on the edge, to a point where she’d go delirious if he pulled back this time. “Don’t stop,” she begged. “Please.”

  This time, he didn’t tease her. He increased the pressure until she was soaring. She raised her hips and clutched at his shoulders and then the sheets, seeking to hold on to something as she slipped, lost into a whirlwind of pleasure. She cried out as she reached the peak and hovered as the tremendous force gripped her—and then she crashed over the edge.

  Wave after wave of pleasure soared through her. He relaxed the pressure as they ebbed, but didn’t pull away.

  After a few more seconds, he revved her up again. This time, she shot up so quickly and shattered with such an explosive impact, she thought she’d never recover. He remained between her legs, unrelenting. Like he couldn’t get enough of her.

  “Jack, please.” She reached for his shoulders. “I need you.”

  “Need me how?” he murmured.

  “You know how.” He was going to torture her, wasn’t he? “Inside me.”

  He tore off his clothes. The sudden absence of his body almost made her whimper until she took in the sight—broad chest, carved abs, muscular thighs, and a very impressive erection.

  In between rough pants, she asked, “Condom?”

  “Right,” he replied with a low groan.

  He reached inside his pants pocket. She waited with breathless anticipation as he covered himself with one.

  Jack crawled over her and repositioned himself, grinding against her.

  “You’re so wet,” he murmured.

  “I want you.” This was it, the moment she’d yearned for.

  Jack kissed her and she tasted herself on his tongue. He pulled back and locked his eyes on her as he slid the tip in. She moaned as he entered, clinging to his back as he stretched her. He gradually pushed in, a welcome and mind-blowing invasion.

  He paused. “You okay?”

  “Don’t stop,” she begged.

  He pushed slowly, letting her adjust to his girth. And then he was in, filling her with a delicious sensation.

  He paused. “Fuck, you feel so good, Vivi.”

  She relished the sensation of having him there, holding him tight, unwilling to let him go. When he moved, she loosened her death grip. As he filled her, the sensual pain turned into pleasure. She moved against him, increasing the friction with each deep thrust. He’d started out gentle, but then drove into her deeper and harder, and her panting escalated to low squeals.

  How long had it been since she’d felt like this?

  Never. Because it had never been with Jack. It felt—right. It was silly to think that way, but her body told her otherwise. She wanted to scream in exhilaration. This wasn’t another damn fantasy, but the real thing. She’d wanted this for so long and her dreams had become reality at last, more satisfying than any fantasy.

  Sex was enjoyable, most of the time, but this was on a different level. Beyond a physical response. She was brimming with happiness—delirious happiness.

  How could sex bring out such jubilance?

  When he shoved into her so hard that she dug her nails into him with a desperate cry, she couldn’t think anymore, couldn’t argue with herself. All she could do was hold on as he drove her higher, pushing her into a primal state where thoughts melted away.

  Vivi raised her hips, loving the increased friction at this angle as he drove into her. The stirrings of an orgasm teased her from a distance. She grabbed him tighter, clinging to him as the pressure rose and rose.

  “Let me on top,” she suggested. She hadn’t done that position that often, but he brought something out in her that made her want to claim her desires.

  His eyes glimmered with dark excitement. “Hold on.” He held on to her as he rolled them over, keeping her on top of him, yet he slipped out of her at the very end.

  His sudden absence left her aching with need, but he drove himself back inside her within a heartbeat. The heat in his stare appeared more intense by candlelight. His lust fueled hers, killing any remaining inhibitions.

  She glided down on him, savoring how his shaft stroked every sensitive nerve. While she circled and ground against him, he gripped her hips and plunged into her from below, hitting her just right.

  Nothing else mattered but this moment that drowned out the world. Overpowering. Leaving her spellbound.

  The rising climax rushed through her with such force she cried out. She dropped her head back, closed her eyes, and whimpered as the intensity splintered her.

  “Yeah, come for me, baby,” Jack encouraged with a low, velvety rumble.

  Pleasure rocked through her, stilling the outside world. Thoughts didn’t exist any longer, only physical needs and the pure pleasure of release.

  Jack continued to drive into her with a wild, frantic pace. She opened her eyes and rejoined him in rhythm, sensing he was right on the edge with her.

  He gripped her hips tightly as he hammered into her with greater force. His expression was fierce and determined, and it excited her on some deep, primal level. He slammed into her with a furious thrust and dropped his head back onto her pillow, letting out a low groan. His cock throbbed into her as he pumped out his release.

  He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her on top of him. She nestled in the damp space near his neck, breathing in his heated masculine scent. Their hearts continued to beat against each other in a wild, frantic dance.

  Vivi couldn’t speak, didn’t think she ever could again. One thought bubbled up amid the haze of lust. She couldn’t just potentially fall in love with Jack.

  She already was halfway there.

  Chapter 9

  Jack

  After the night with Vivi, Jack woke eager for a repeat the next morning. How could he not want to touch her again? She slept on her side, facing him. Sunlight fell across her face and her back rose as if in deep sleep. She looked like an angel and appeared so at peace, he didn’t dare disturb her.

  He glanced around her room, something he hadn’t paid much attention to last night when all his focus was on her. A few books on her nightstand and framed photos on the dresser were lined up evenly. A handful of frog trinkets and photos caught his eye. Interesting. He’d never met anyone who had a thing for frogs. He’d have to ask her about it.

  Several minutes later, she stirred and opened her eyes, and he forgot about the frogs.

  “Good morning, beautiful.” He kissed her cheek.

  He couldn’t stop himself from touching her again. Everywhere. She was all gentle curves and soft skin. The softest of all was between her legs. Shit, she felt like hot, wet silk. And she tasted so fucking good, he
wanted to feast on her once more.

  So he did. Kissing and licking from her neck down. Over her breasts. Her belly. Down.

  As he lowered his head between her legs, she relaxed onto her bed. “Oh, what a way to wake up,” she murmured.

  Indeed. He’d be happy to start the day with Vivi like this every morning. Although she’d been tense at first last night, this morning, she was relaxed and let him know exactly what she liked. Soon she was moaning and clutching at the sheets. When he brought her to a climax, she cried out his name.

  After she recovered, she said. “Jack, you’re killing me. If a woman can die from a multitude of orgasms in one night, that is.”

  He loved being the one to bring her to that state. “It’s a new day so we start over. And I’m so hard, I don’t want to climb out of this bed without being with you once more.”

  Her eyelids lowered as she gave him a suggestive glance. “I’m yours all morning.”

  Jack didn’t need to hear that invitation twice. After sheathing himself with a condom, he lowered his body onto hers, sliding against her warm, wet flesh. He nestled against her neck, inhaling the scent of her damp skin, and then slid inside her welcoming channel. She felt incredible, and he knew he wouldn’t last long this morning. But he wanted to make her come once more.

  He drove into her, pinning her against the bed, and she wrapped her arms and legs around him. He lifted her off the mattress and this new angle made her wild. She gripped onto him with a tighter hold as she rose higher and higher and then climaxed with a gasp on her lips.

  He soon followed, emptying himself into her with a guttural moan.

  They lay panting, damp limbs draped over each other, as their heart rates slowed. He trailed his fingers over her soft skin, savoring the moment. Being with her felt right.

  Since he’d returned home, something had seemed off, but that feeling vanished when he was with Vivi. He didn’t feel so unsteady, so lost.

  She’d told him he had her all morning, but that wasn’t long enough. He didn’t want to let her go anytime soon. Maybe he could convince her to cancel her plans.

  Bad idea. He wasn’t doing it again, trying to control the situation. Time to redirect on to something else.

  His gaze fell on one of her frog trinkets.

  “What’s with all the frogs?”

  “I bought a few in my travels. Not sure why…something about them I liked. It became a running thing with my family getting me a frog every Christmas and birthday. It’s out of control now. I have a shoebox full of them in my closet.”

  The personal connection with her family made him look at her in a new light. There was much to be discovered. “Shows they care about you, right?”

  “True.”

  A closing door outside her room made him jerk his head.

  “Just my roommate leaving for work,” Vivi said. “Hungry?”

  He could eat. “Ravenous. Sustenance, woman. I need sustenance,” he teased. “You’ve taken all my energy.”

  “Likewise.” She smiled.

  When they went into the small, bright kitchen with white cabinets and a round table, she nodded at him. “There are eggs in the fridge. Can you make yourself useful while I scrounge up some other food?”

  He grinned and nodded. “Scrambled eggs, coming up.”

  They pulled together breakfast with eggs, toast, cantaloupe, and some coffee. As they ate, they talked about their day ahead. She had coursework and had to walk a couple of dogs. She had a few gigs taking care of other people’s pets while they were at work.

  “Can I see you again tonight?” he asked.

  She arched a brow. “After last night and this morning, I think you can convince me to do just about anything.”

  * * *

  Jack spent much of the next week at Vivi’s place. While she had classes and her pet gigs during the day, he kept himself busy. He browsed online for job and housing options. Since he’d saved up money for a down payment, he looked at both real estate sales and rentals, but it didn’t make sense to buy if he wasn’t staying in Boston for long. In the evenings, they got together, eating out or in, depending on her roommate situation.

  One night, they ate at a café on the Boston Harbor with a view of the twinkling waters. They then walked off their meal walking along the waterfront, stopping by to visit the harbor seals at the outdoor tank at the New England Aquarium. They then meandered over to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market and stopped for a drink at one of the pubs.

  Another night, they went a movie house for an X-Files marathon. After they left the theater and wandered through the streets of Cambridge, he turned to her.

  He glanced at their surroundings near MIT in the bustle of Kendall Square and then lowered his voice just above a whisper. “I never told this to anyone before—but when I was seven, I saw a strange light outside my bedroom window. When I looked out to observe what it was, I saw this egg-shaped orb in the distance. It looked like it was hovering, flames at the base—”

  Vivi waved her arms and shook her head. “Nope, nope, nope. Don’t even start.”

  “Start what?” he declared with mock innocence.

  “You’re going to spin some tale about a UFO.” She wagged her finger. “I know you, Jack Conroy. I haven’t forgotten about the Sasquatch story. I’m not falling for this.”

  He laughed, caught before he could even finish his tale, and pulled her close to him. “Yes, you do.” Then he kissed her.

  The next day, he tried a gym that wasn’t far from Vivi’s. He wasn’t ready to join any with long-term commitments, since he didn’t know where he’d end up living, but staying in shape was one of his priorities. Just as he’d finished an upper-body workout and had showered off, he had a call from an old buddy in the Marines.

  After they caught up briefly, Stevens said, “I heard you might be looking for a job.”

  “Yeah, I’m back in Boston, exploring my options,” Jack replied.

  “I might have something you’d be interested in.”

  After days of lackluster findings in the job listings, Jack was keen to hear more. “What’s that?”

  “I need a project manager down here in DC,” Stevens said. “We want someone with military experience and leadership skills for some training initiatives we’re putting together. You’d be perfect for the job. But you’d need to relocate.”

  Damn, that offer was unexpected. They spent the next several minutes going over the details. It had an educational component that appealed to him and with his recent military experience, it was a perfect fit. On paper, at least.

  DC was an exciting city. It would be a great place to start the next phase in his career.

  A twinge at the back of his neck made him rub at the tension. What was with the discomfort?

  He took a deep breath and exhaled. It would mean moving again. Away from his family. Away from home.

  Away from Vivi.

  “Think about it,” Stevens said. “Can you get back to me by the end of next week?”

  “Will do. Thanks for thinking of me, man.”

  All afternoon, he debated the pros and cons of the move. Career-wise, it was a great offer. He could picture himself excelling in that role. But…

  His shoulders sagged. A big con was leaving Boston and three women he cared about. One he’d only reconnected with less than two weeks ago.

  Was that long enough to have an impact on a major life decision? Probably not.

  That evening, Jack brought Chinese takeout to Vivi’s apartment. After he greeted her with a deep kiss, she poured them each a glass of Chardonnay and they took their usual chairs at the small kitchen table.

  A bright yellow headband pushed her shiny brown hair behind her shoulders and down her back. It was a shade brighter than the soft yellow sweater that looked like cashmere. So pretty. With the jeans and black boots, she looked like a typical college student. Although with her military background, there was nothing average about her.

  They sat across the small ki
tchen table tucked against the wall and ate. As they caught up about their days, he told her about the call. While he spoke, she’d stopped eating her lo mein.

  “What do you think?” he asked her.

  She took a sip of wine. Once she placed the glass down, she shifted in the kitchen chair. “Do you want to take the job?”

  He tried to read into her reaction. Her tone didn’t reveal much. She’d kept it neutral. She attempted to do so with her expression, but he detected a flash of disappointment.

  Would she want him to stay?

  “I’m not sure. A part of me does. It would be a good opportunity.” He stabbed some noodles, spinning them around his fork. “The other part doesn’t.”

  Vivi leaned forward. “Why not?”

  He chewed and swallowed before replying. “I’ve been gone for years, and now I’m home.” He dropped his fork. The indecision killed his appetite. “I thought I’d settle down here. Not run off again, like this is just another leave.”

  She gave him a gentle look. “I can understand that.”

  “Plus,” he added. “There’s you.”

  “Oh.” She covered her heart and shook her head. “Jack, you can’t give up a great opportunity because of me. We’ve only just started dating.”

  He knew that, but she’d already become a big part of his life. “I understand that. What do you think I should do?”

  Vivi averted his gaze, gazing beyond him. She shook her head. “I can’t answer that question. Only you know what’s right for you.”

  In her bed that night, Jack sensed a different tone between them. The playful, magical time together of getting to know each other better and exploring each other’s bodies had shifted, reminding him of how moments in the Marines could turn from lighthearted to serious in a flash. That discussion had made him consider the significance of their relationship. Did it for Vivi as well?

  If he took the job in DC, their relationship would change, maybe even end. They could try to make a long-distance relationship work—if she’d even go for that.