by Susan Stoker
“Marshall,” Kenna whispered.
“But if you’re not ready for regular sleepovers, that’s okay,” Aleck tried to reassure her. “I’ll do what I can to see you as much as possible some other way. I don’t want to go back to the way we were before I left though. Seeing you once a week just isn’t going to be enough.” He finally took a breath, realizing how fast he’d been talking, as if that would help convince her.
“You done?” Kenna asked with a small smile.
“I’m done,” he confirmed a little sheepishly.
“I would love it if you came over tonight. My place is nothing like this one, but anytime you want to come over, you’re welcome to. There aren’t any kick-ass security guards like Robert, and there’s no beach to lie on, but I do have a pretty amazing beanbag,” she said.
“I love you,” Aleck blurted. He refused to feel bad for saying the words so early in their relationship.
“I love you too,” she returned a little shyly.
“You think you love me or you know you love me?” he prodded.
She smiled confidently. “I know I do. I’ve known it for a while. But last night I was feeling off-kilter, I think. I was blown away that you could actually love me back.”
Aleck leaned down and kissed her gently. As much as he wanted to push her back on the couch and show her physically how much he cared about her, they didn’t have time. So he kept his kiss light. “If you text me a bit before you’re done working, I can head out there and meet you at your apartment.”
“I’ll make a copy of my key this afternoon before I go to work,” Kenna said. “So you can come and go as you want. I also don’t have a nifty biometric lock. You’re going to have to deal with a regular ol’ key.”
Aleck closed his eyes and let the warm feeling from her words flow through him for a moment.
“Marshall?”
“I’m good,” he said without opening his eyes. “I’m just memorizing this moment.”
He felt her shift next to him and then straddle his thighs. He opened his eyes and found himself face-to-face with Kenna. She used one hand to grip his nape, the other on his cheek. He felt surrounded by her, and immediately wrapped her in his arms, holding her close. If this was how she felt with his hand on her nape, it was no wonder she liked it. It was an intimate hold, and he loved how it felt.
“I am independent,” she said. “I’ve been on my own a long time. I pay my own rent, buy my own groceries, make my own decisions about where to work, who my friends are, and what to do in my spare time. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t want you in my life as much as possible. Sometimes it’s lonely being independent. I didn’t realize how much until I met you. I’ve been driving in the dark for years, and no one has ever said a word about it. I like that you’re worried about me. I like that you want to make things as easy as possible for me. But I feel that way about you too. You work damn hard, and I never want to add to the stress in your life.”
“You don’t,” Aleck told her without thinking twice about it.
“Well, things are still new with us,” she said with a smile, running her thumb over his clean-shaven cheek. It felt a little odd after having a beard for so long, but he wasn’t sorry he’d shaved it off. He liked being able to feel her touch against his skin.
“You are not an added stress in my life,” he insisted. “And I have a feeling you never will be. I don’t care if we’ve been together a month or forty years. I know how damn lucky I am to have you, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to not fuck it up…and to spoil you as well. Driving an extra twenty to thirty minutes to go to work is completely worth it if it means I get to say goodnight in person and wake up next to you in the morning.”
“You’re too good to me,” Kenna whispered.
“No such thing,” Aleck said.
Her fingers flexed on his neck, and he leaned forward and kissed her forehead gently.
After a moment, she said, “Feel free to bring some stuff over so you don’t have to worry about bringing a bag all the time.”
“I will,” he said with satisfaction. He couldn’t think of anything better than seeing his clothes and toiletries mixed in with hers at her apartment.
Actually, yes, he could—having all her things here, in his condo.
But if she lived here, that meant she’d have to make the drive in the dark after work all the time. He frowned as he thought about the logistics of moving their relationship forward.
“What are you frowning about?” she asked.
“Logistics,” he answered honestly.
“Of what?”
“Us. And we can talk about that stuff later. For now, I’m excited that I’ll get to see you tonight,” he said. But he was already thinking about the future. Maybe he could sell his place here and find a condo down in Waikiki. There were plenty of luxury condos closer to her work.
“Me too,” she agreed.
Sighing, Aleck knew he needed to go if he was going to be on time for the AAR.
“You need to go,” Kenna said, as if she could read his mind. She caressed his cheek once more, then climbed off his lap. She held out her hand as if to help him up.
It made Aleck grin. He took her hand and stood. Then he hugged her. “Thank you.”
“For what?” she asked into his neck as they embraced.
“For being so amazing. For loving me. For letting me love you. For being so supportive of what I do.”
She didn’t answer, but tightened her hold on him. “You’re welcome,” she said softly. He felt her take a deep breath, then she pulled back. “I’ll head out with you.”
“Sounds good.”
Within a few minutes, they were holding hands as they headed down the hall toward the elevator. They exited in the lobby, and Aleck was somewhat amused when Kenna dropped his hand and went around the security desk to give Robert a hug. “Thank you so much for the treat this morning. It was such a great surprise! You totally didn’t have to do that, but we’re both so appreciative.”
“It was my pleasure, Ms. Madigan,” Robert said with a grin.
“Do you think you’ll ever call me Kenna?” she teased.
“Probably not. Company rules, you know,” Robert told her.
Kenna just shook her head. “Well, I don’t care what you call me, I’m just glad to call you a friend.”
Robert looked taken aback for a moment, but then he smiled so big, Aleck thought he was going to dance a jig of happiness right there in the lobby.
“Drive safe, both of you,” he said as Kenna took Aleck’s hand once more and they headed for the front doors.
“We will!” Kenna called back.
Aleck gave the man a chin lift.
When they arrived at Kenna’s Malibu, Aleck took her face in his hands, studying her silently.
“What? Why are you looking so intense all of a sudden?” she asked as she held onto his wrists.
“I want to take you back inside, tear off your clothes, and bury my face in your pussy again,” Aleck blurted.
Kenna blushed, and her grip on his wrists tightened. “Yeah, well, we have to be adults and do adulty things,” she said.
“Fucking you until we both explode is an adult thing,” he quipped.
“True,” she said. “But I meant things like work, shop, take care of responsibilities…those kinds of adult activities.”
“All kidding aside, last night was the most amazing night of my life,” Aleck said seriously.
“Well, you were basically a virgin,” she said with a straight face.
“Everything seemed like it was the first time…because it was with you.” Aleck didn’t know where this sappiness was coming from, but he didn’t give a shit. He was well aware Kenna was talking about the fact that he hadn’t ever made love to a woman without a condom before, but everything they’d done had seemed…bigger…more intense.
“Okay, where’s my big bad SEAL?” she asked.
“Right here, babe,” Aleck said. “I’ll
fucking kill anyone who dares to hurt one hair on your head. Or I’ll get my friend Baker to track them down and make them wish they’d never touched you.”
“Wow, all right then. There he is,” Kenna said. She leaned forward and kissed his chin lightly. Then his cheek. Then his lips. “I like your sappy side as much as I respect and admire your SEAL side,” she reassured him. “And while I suppose I should protest the killing thing, it’s kinda hot.”
“You aren’t helping me control my urge to throw you over my shoulder and haul you back up to our bed,” he told her.
She laughed, then put her hands on his chest and gave him a push. It wasn’t a small shove either. Aleck dropped his hands from her face and took a step back so he didn’t fall on his ass.
“How’s that?” she asked with a grin.
“It sucks,” Aleck said. “But…thank you. I was on the verge of saying to hell with the Navy and damn the consequences.”
“I’m sure they wouldn’t have fired you,” Kenna said breezily. “Your team would’ve just come looking for you and made fun of your hairy ass for the rest of your life if they caught us in the act.”
“My ass isn’t hairy,” Aleck complained.
Kenna’s lips twitched.
“It isn’t!” he insisted.
Kenna burst out laughing. “Okay, okay, it’s not. But you should’ve seen your face!”
Aleck realized he’d smiled and laughed more in the last day than he had in ages. His cheeks almost hurt.
“Go on, get to work,” she said when she’d controlled herself. “I’ll talk to you later and see you tonight.”
“Yes, you will,” he confirmed.
He snagged her behind her neck and pulled her close for one more long, deep kiss. They were both breathing hard when he stepped away. “Drive safe,” he said.
“You too.”
“Love you, babe.”
“Love you too.”
Aleck followed Kenna’s Malibu out of the parking lot, honking once when she turned right and he turned left. It wasn’t until he was almost to the front gate at the base that Aleck realized he was still smiling. Life was good. Very good.
Chapter Nineteen
The next week was one of the best of Kenna’s life. She’d spent every night with Marshall, either at her place or his. And she wasn’t ashamed to admit that she much preferred his condo than her small apartment. His bed was bigger, for one, and Marshall was a man who liked to have his space, both while sleeping and when making love to her. Not to mention, his shower and bathroom were much more conducive to hanky-panky. And she loved his heated floors and having a warm towel when she finally got out of the shower.
And then there was Robert. And Marshall’s balcony. And his amazing kitchen.
Shit. She loved every single thing about Coral Springs. It was hard to believe she’d been so upset when she’d learned that Marshall lived there. She’d more than gotten used to the small luxuries at his place.
And Marshall himself was all she’d ever dreamed a boyfriend could be. He was definitely doing what he could to spoil her…and it was working. The only thing that worried Kenna about their relationship was wondering when he’d have to leave again. Now that she was seeing him every day, it would be that much harder when he had to go on a mission. Because she’d both worry about him and miss him all the more.
But…she’d manage. Because that was what military girlfriends and spouses did.
It was Friday, and she’d spent the previous evening at Marshall’s condo. He’d had the last few days off work and they’d spent them together. His team, and Elodie and Lexie, had come over for a barbeque down at the condo plaza, and Kenna couldn’t remember ever laughing so much. Elodie had bossed the guys around as they’d attempted to grill burgers, and it was obviously a familiar routine. After they ate, everyone went upstairs to Marshall’s condo and Kenna had fun getting tipsy with Elodie and Lexie.
The second the door closed behind their friends, Marshall had ravished her. They hadn’t even made it back to his room; he’d taken her right there on the dining room table, fucking her with a primal ferocity Kenna had never experienced.
She was a little sore this morning, but wouldn’t have traded last night’s erotic experience for anything in the world.
Now she was heading to work, and Marshall, Jag, and Pid were coming to Duke’s later that evening. Marshall promised they’d stay out of her way, hang out at the bar for a drink or two, then he’d follow her back to her place. Saturday night, after her shift, they’d go back to his condo. The plan was to spend Sunday up at the North Shore. Marshall had a friend who lived up there that he wanted to introduce her to.
Kenna had heard all about the mysterious Baker, and was almost as excited about finally getting to meet him as she was when she’d thought she and Marshall were sneaking onto the Coral Springs private beach.
So she was in a great mood—how could she not be, after the last week with Marshall—and smiled cheerfully at everyone on her way through the shops at the Outrigger, heading to Duke’s.
Things were crazy from the second she walked into the kitchen. The restaurant was crowded and there was almost a hyper vibe from the customers. Everyone seemed happy to be out with friends or family, eating good food and toasting the start of the weekend.
It wasn’t until an hour into her shift when Kenna had a chance to take a short breather. She was in the kitchen trying to relax for ten minutes or so when Carly entered.
The good mood Kenna had been in all evening faded when she saw her friend.
“You look like hell,” she blurted.
“Gee, thanks,” Carly said with a slight chuckle. The laugh turned into a dry, hacking cough almost immediately.
“Go home,” Kenna ordered.
Carly shook her head. “I don’t have a fever. Promise. I’m good.”
“Yeah, but that cough sounds horrible and you have a killer headache.”
Carly winced. “How can you tell?”
“Because you’re squinting. And instead of turning your head, you turn your whole body. Besides that, you’re pale. Go home,” she repeated.
“I’d feel horrible if I did. It’s Friday night. And there was that marathon today. We’re packed,” Carly protested.
“Charlotte and I can cover your tables until Alani calls someone. You know Justin will probably be happy to come in, especially on a Friday when he knows the tips will be good. Besides, it’s supposed to storm like hell later. Like, crazy high winds and apocalyptic rain. The last thing you need is to be out in that when you feel like crap. You’re allowed to take a day off,” Kenna finished gently.
Carly sighed and looked at the floor. “But Jag’s coming,” she said in a soft voice.
Kenna wanted to do a fist pump and yell, “I knew it!” Instead, she kept her triumph at her friend’s obvious interest in the SEAL to herself. “Yeah, but how do you think he’ll feel if he sees you looking so miserable? He won’t like it,” Kenna continued, answering her own question before Carly could.
She sighed. “I know you’re right. But I haven’t seen him since they got back, and I was looking forward to tonight.”
Kenna had a feeling if her friend didn’t feel so crappy, she never would’ve admitted that out loud. “But you’ve talked to him, right?” she asked.
“Yeah, we’ve been texting. And he called me the other night,” Carly admitted.
“You can text him and let him know that you’re sick and heading home. He’ll understand.”
Carly’s shoulders slumped, but she nodded. “I really do feel like shit,” she said.
“Talk to Alani. Text Jag. Go home. The last thing you want is for this to get worse. Trust me. I had a fever once for ten days and thought I wanted to die. I couldn’t stand up without being dizzy. Being cold one second and hot the next sucked too. You definitely don’t want to get a fever on top of whatever you already have.”
“All right, I’m going. Will you…” Carly’s voice faded.
&
nbsp; But Kenna knew what she was going to ask. “I’ll talk to Jag. Tell him that you hated to go without seeing him.”
“Thanks. But don’t make me sound as if I’m on death’s door. The man would probably show up on my doorstep with a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a truckload of medicine.”
“And that would be a bad thing?” Kenna asked, not being sarcastic in the least.
“Yes,” Carly mumbled. “I can’t fall for someone right now. I just can’t.”
Kenna wanted to protest. Convince her friend that Jag was a good guy and nothing like her ex. But she had a feeling she could talk herself blue in the face and Carly would still dig in her heels. She was stubborn like that. She honestly couldn’t blame her, not after the hell Shawn had put her through.
Carly turned to go find Alani before abruptly turning back to Kenna. “Oh, I wanted to mention…I think I saw Luke earlier.”
“Who?” Kenna asked, confused.
“Luke. Shawn’s son. He was out on the beach in front of the restaurant again.”
“What was he doing?”
“Nothing. He was just standing there. He wasn’t watching Duke’s at all. He was staring out at the water. I got distracted by a table and when I looked back, he was gone. I don’t think it means anything, and you know my protection order is for Shawn, not his son, but I’ve been on the lookout for my ex, so it kind of surprised me to see Luke here again.”
“So you think that means Shawn is here too?” Kenna asked. “Or that he’s spying on you for his dad?”
“I don’t know. But I wanted to mention it just in case you see Shawn. He’s not supposed to be anywhere near Duke’s, so if you see him, call the police.”
Kenna was glad Carly was being so diligent, and relieved that she was more than all right with getting the authorities involved if Shawn broke the protection order. Kenna had been half afraid that, after all this time, Carly would just want to forget about the entire drama. “Okay, I will. Be extra careful going home.”