The minute she crossed his threshold, he had her against the wall, their mouths on each other like starving animals. Hands ran up and down. Clothes were flung to the floor as they made their way to his bedroom.
“Fuck, you’re hot,” he said.
“More action. Less talking,” she said, wrapping her fingers around his stiff cock.
He arched his hips backwards and out of her reach. “Not yet, peaches.” He knelt and nuzzled his nose to her sex. “I’ve been dying for you all day.” He used his thumbs to separate her folds and lick. “Spread your legs for me. Let me taste all of you.”
She did as he asked, widening her stance.
He put one leg over his shoulder to open her up wider for him. He breathed in and blew warm air across her opening.
“I can’t stand here,” she said with a whimper. “My knees are going to give out.”
He stood, flipped her over his shoulder, and raced to his bedroom. He sat her on the edge of the mattress and draped both legs over his shoulders. He tongued her opening while rubbing her hardening nub. On either side of his head, her thighs began to quake and he knew she was close. A hard suck on her pussy sent her over, her hips jerking in response.
“Have you ever done it from behind?” he asked as he covered his erection. Without waiting for her answer, he turned her onto her stomach. “Put your feet on the floor and lift your hips,” he ordered.
As soon as she did, he pushed inside her. She moaned and pushed back against his groin.
He began pounding inside her, her canal squeezing him like a velvet-covered hand. At this rate, he wasn’t going to last long and he wanted it to go all night.
Sweeping her long hair off to the side, he pressed his chest into her back. “Want to see something unbelievably sexy? Turn your head the other way.”
She did, and he couldn’t miss the way her eyes opened wide as she realized there was a mirror, and she was watching him fuck her.
“Have you ever watched yourself be fucked, princess?”
She bit her lip and shook her head.
His fingers dug into her flesh as he held her in place and drove into her over and over, his balls hitting her ass with every stroke. He thought she might turn away, might decide watching wasn’t her thing, but her gaze was fixed on the vision on him taking her in long, hard thrusts.
Her eyes finally closed as she called out his name. He felt her climax as it overtook her. Her walls squeezed his cock as she rode out her orgasm. As it ebbed, he increased his in and out movement until he found his release. Their gazes met and held in their mirrored reflection. He laid his sweat-slick body on her and nuzzled into her hair.
“Thank god for your mother and sister-in-law.”
* * *
He whistled while watching the pancake batter bubble. A long run. Some hot pancakes. A sexy woman in his bed. Did life get any better than this?
“Argh. Tell me you aren’t a morning person.”
He turned around with a grin.
Perched on a stool, her head in her hands, Holly glared up at him.
“Oh God,” she said. “You’re a morning person. I hate morning people. Why can’t you be like normal people and sleep in?” She frowned. “Why are you all sweaty?”
Leaning over the bar, he kissed the tip of her nose. “Good morning. I’m sweaty because I did a seven-mile jog already.” He set a cup of coffee in front of her. “This should help.”
Her hands wrapped around the mug like a drowning victim with a life preserver. She lifted the cup to her nose and inhaled with a sigh. After a long sip, the corners of her full lips twisted up. “Thank you. You may live another five minutes.”
He laughed and set a plate of fresh pancakes slathered with butter in front of her. “Here. Eat.”
She poured about half a bottle of syrup over them and dug in. “Mmm,” she said around a mouthful. “So good.”
He cut a bite out of her stack and ate.
“Hey,” she protested. “Get your own. These are mine.”
With a snort, he took another bite. “These were mine until you showed up.”
“Such a gentleman,” she said as she lifted another pancake wedge to her mouth. “And a seven-mile jog? What time did you get up? Better still, what time is it?”
“A little before six.”
She groaned. “I need to get moving soon.”
“What time do you have to be on duty?”
“Seven. We’re all-hands-on-deck being that it’s Memorial Day and the last day for surfing there until fall.”
He shook his head. “Every fool and his cousin will be trying to get in the last ride today.”
“Yep. I dread it. You not going to come out today to catch some waves, are you?”
“I may take risks as a SEAL, but I’m not stupid. No, ma’am. You won’t find me within ten miles of a beach on Memorial Day.”
She sighed. “I hate to admit it, but I’m tired of this job. I love teaching the rest of the year, but taking this on in the summer has become more of a drag than it once was.”
“Last summer, then?”
With a shrug, she said, “Probably. Maybe. Depends.”
“Wow. Way to be decisive.”
She laughed. “I know. But Katie’s getting older and maybe I need to be around more. I’d like to teach her to surf. I mean, shouldn’t every California youth know how to surf?”
“I didn’t realize you could surf.”
“Probably because we never talked about it.” She took a long drink of coffee. “I admit, it’s been a while. My board hasn’t left storage in years. Heck, I’m sure I’d dunk the first time after so long. I guess you’ve been on the board since you could walk, right?”
“Hard to surf in Louisiana.” The words had left his mouth before he realized what he said. Why had he told her that? He was pretty sure no one, not even his team, realized he hadn’t grown up in California.
Her eyes opened with surprise. “I just assumed…”
He shrugged. “Been here so long that it’s the only place I call home.”
“Where in Louisiana?”
He turned away from her. “Someplace so small that no one has ever heard of it. Doesn’t matter really.” He turned back around and picked up the now empty plate. “More pancakes?”
“Gosh, no. I’m stuffed. They were great.” She drained her cup. “Okay, I have to get moving.”
He snagged her arm before she could stand. “I wish you could come back tonight.”
“Me, too.” She smiled and leaned forward to kiss him. “I enjoyed last night. Thanks.”
He smirked. “Which time?”
She slapped his wrist with a laugh and went back to the bedroom to dress.
His house felt empty and quiet after she’d gone. Holly wasn’t that much of a talker, but she had a presence that seemed to fill a room.
And no, he wasn’t falling for her. She would just be one in a long line of women who’d left a mark on him.
* * *
He parked his motorcycle at the curb of his CO’s house. A quick glance around confirmed that Holly hadn’t arrived yet, or at least he didn’t see her car, but then there were quite a few cars and trucks lining the street. When the CO held his annual Memorial Day party, smart SEALs—and that meant all SEALs under his command—knew to attend.
Instead of ringing the doorbell, Benjamin made his way to the wooden gate in the fence that surrounded the back yard. He’d attended this event every year and knew the activity was always outside. Newbies rang the bell. Old heads like him didn’t bother.
He spied his team and their dates as soon as he entered. It was hard to believe that four of his team had settled down with only one woman. Man, that wasn’t happening to him.
The Viking was there with one of his usual barely-legal-to-drink dates. That boy was trouble looking for a place to happen.
He acknowledged Ringer’s shout with a nod. “Getting a beer. Be right there.”
Ringer, Banger, and Viking all
had young, thin, blonde dates, as though they’d called Rent-A-Blonde. Now, those ladies were certainly attractive, and there was nothing wrong with Benjamin’s eyesight and equipment, but he’d bet that talking with those ladies would produce narcolepsy within minutes. They were too young to have much of a life story…and when the hell had he started caring about a woman’s life story?
Get a grip, man. Love ’em and leave ’em before they can leave you. That was his motto, and it’d served him well his entire life.
He grabbed a beer from the cooler and stepped over to his CO to make nice. Plus, it would mark his attendance.
After a few exchanged greetings, and a reminder from his CO that he was still waiting for Benjamin’s decision regarding leaving teams, he made his way across the expansive yard to where his team had collected.
“What happened, C-Note?” Jacob asked. “Couldn’t get a date?”
Benjamin chuckled and lifted his beer to his lips for a draw. “She’ll be here. Probably running a little late.”
“More like she smartened up and ain’t coming,” Cowboy said.
He narrowed his gaze. “So, why don’t you all introduce me to these ladies who obviously have failing eyesight and poor taste in men.”
The ladies laughed.
One by one, each team member introduced his date, or in a couple of cases, fiancées. He tried to remember the names. Casey. Dani. Presley. Those were the ones in for the long ride with a team member. Beth, Suzi, and Ashley were tonight’s dates for Ringer, Banger and Viking. Knowing his guys, he figured he’d never see those three women again.
“Hey, Benjamin. Isn’t that your woman?” Viking said, pointing toward the French doors that led from the patio to the house.
He turned in the direction Viking had pointed. Standing in the open doors was Holly, dressed in a red, white, and blue sundress that was held up by two thin straps across her shoulders. The material fit snuggly across her breasts and flared out from there to end just above her knees. Her long hair hung down her back, and he wanted nothing more than to wrap his hands into her hair while at the same time, stripping that dress off her. Of course, that would take more hands that he had, but he was sure he could find some way to make it happen.
She was worrying her bottom lip with her teeth as her gaze swept the yard. When she saw him and their gazes meet, her face bloomed into a smile that made his heart explode.
“That’s her,” he said to Viking. “Excuse me.”
He strode across the yard toward Holly, his stride a little longer than usual. She stepped out and started toward him, meeting him a few feet off the rock terrace.
“Hey,” he said. “You look awesome. Love the dress.”
“I wasn’t sure what to wear.” She looked at his cargo shorts and polo shirt and then glanced around.
“Looking at what everyone’s wearing?” he asked.
“Yes. I didn’t want to embarrass you by over or underdressing.”
He slung an arm around her shoulders. “Honey, you could be wearing cut-off jeans and a halter top, and you’d still be the best dressed person here.”
She laughed. “In your humble opinion.”
He waggled his eyebrows. “The only opinion that matters.”
“God, that ego of yours is on full display today.”
“I always have the Maxwell ladies to keep it in check.”
She chuckled. “I’ll make a note.”
“I want to introduce you to the team, but first, I have to make nice with my CO.”
“No problem. I promise not to tell him you use his name as a cuss word and that you think he’s a Russian spy.”
He laughed and patted her head. “Good girl.”
She slipped her arm through his, and they head toward his CO. Introductions were made and Holly charmed the dragon with her smile and quick wit. And then they were off to meet his team.
Giving them all a steely glare, he said, “Okay, men. This is Holly Maxwell. There will be no stories about me shared, got that? Unless, of course, you enjoy wake-up calls at three a.m. followed by a nice, relaxing five-mile swim.”
The guys laughed and gave a round of “Yes, Chief,” replies.
The women welcomed Holly and before long, he found himself separated from her as she joined the women talking about whatever women talk about.
“What do you think they’re talking about?” he asked his number two guy.
“I have no idea,” Jacob said. “Hair? Clothes?”
“You’re both wrong,” Cowboy said. “They’re talking about how studly this team is.”
That comment produced some hearty laughs.
Jacob tipped his head toward the female group. “Holly doesn’t seem like your usual type.”
“Agreed,” said Cowboy.
Benjamin frowned. “What do you mean?”
“She’s mature, logical, and not an airhead,” Jacob replied.
Benjamin smirked. “Seriously? Are you saying she’s old?”
“God, no,” Jacob hurriedly replied. “I mean, well, take Eric’s date for example. Pretty, rockin’ bod, but couldn’t tell you who the president was if you asked.”
“Hey,” Viking replied. “She knows who the president is…probably.”
Benjamin laughed along with the rest of the guys.
“No,” he acknowledged. “Holly isn’t my usual date.”
“So, what’s the deal? Don’t tell me that the confirmed bachelor has fallen,” Cowboy said.
Benjamin scoffed. “Don’t be ridiculous. She’s fun. We’re having fun. That’s it. You know I’m not the settling down type.”
“Yeah,” Cowboy said. “That’s what we all say until…whoops. We find ourselves settled down and not minding it a bit.”
Three heads nodded. Banger, Ringer, and Viking all shook their heads.
“Nope. Not me,” Ringer said. “Ain’t no woman gonna tie me down.”
“Ditto,” Viking said and the three guys clinked their beer bottles in agreement.
“You wait,” Nick added. “I thought the same thing but…” He shrugged. “I’m not giving up Dani for nothing.”
“Enough.” Benjamin’s voice took on the tone he used during missions. “My life is my business and nothing for you busybodies to be concerned with. You can keep your quilting circle opinions to yourselves. I’m going to grab a beer. Anyone else?”
He walked away, Jacob behind him in step.
“So, I’m hearing rumors,” Jacob said.
“Yeah? About what?”
“You. Your future.”
Benjamin slowed long enough to glare at Jacob and then started walking again. “Yeah, well, don’t believe everything you hear.”
“I hear you’re considering leaving teams.”
He slowed again and then stopped. Jacob paused.
“Where’d you hear that?”
“Here and around. Is it true? Are you putting in your papers? I know you mentioned it some time back, but then the subject dropped, and I figured you changed your mind.”
Benjamin rubbed his neck. “The whole damn base is like a little gossip circle. I’m not ready to bring it up with the guys, but I’m giving it some thought. To be honest, I didn’t figure I’d live this long.” He shook his head. “Seriously, I figured I would die as a SEAL. Instead, I found myself in charge.” He snorted. “Not what I foresaw.”
“Have you decided what you want to do?”
“I’ve got a couple of options. I want to make my twenty before looking too far down the road. But let’s be honest, Rooster. I’m getting a little up there in age for an active SEAL.”
“Oh, man, that’s bullshit. Other than Nick, you can still run the O course in record times. I’ve seen you run rings around guys younger than you.”
“Maybe, but I don’t want the day to come where I slow down the team or put my guys at an increased risk because I’m not pulling my weight.”
“That’s ridiculous. You haven’t slowed at all.”
“I’m thir
ty-five. Not far from thirty-six. It’s time, Jacob.”
“Fuck.”
“Agreed.”
“What are you two girls gossiping about?” Cowboy said. “Hairdos for prom?”
“Shut up,” Jacob said with a laugh. “We were talking about all the cute boys in our class.”
With that, the three of them headed for the beer laughing the entire way.
Chapter Eight
Holly had barely stopped her car when Katie flung open the back door and raced up the sidewalk to meet Hillary. Holly hadn’t had the luxury of a close first cousin when she’d been Katie’s age, so she was glad her daughter had Hillary in her life. Not that Katie really needed a babysitter, but it was nice to have her brother and his wife so amenable to Katie staying over so often.
She pulled three bottles of wine from the floorboard and headed into the house. It was close to six, and she was surprised to not see Benjamin’s truck already there. Today had been the great Long-Blackwell shoot-off. She’d wanted to go, but she’d been informed by her brothers that this was a penis-only event.
Of course, she’d put twenty on Ben to win because she thought he would. Still, she felt like a Long traitor to not back her dad or one of her brothers. It wasn’t until her mother put twenty on Ben that she felt okay with her bet. Heck, if her mother could bet on Ben, so could she.
The guys had ended up moving their meeting time to two. That was four hours ago Surely, they’d finished by now. How long did it take to shoot a few bullets at a target?
“Mom?” she called as she entered. “Diana? Bethany? Anyone here?”
“In the kitchen,” her mother replied.
She made her way back and found the three women sitting at the family banquette, glasses of wine in front of each of them.
Bethany patted the seat beside her. “We saved you a seat.”
Holly put the wine on the table and sat. “Where are the guys? It’s getting late.”
Her mother shrugged. “No clue. We heard from Patrick about an hour ago. Danny was out in the first round. Lawrence was up and Robert was next. Your SEAL is kicking their asses.”
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