The Marine's Holiday Harbor

by Kirsten Lynn

  After leaning forward until she lies back and opens her legs, I settle between them and brush my lips over hers. “I’m really going to miss naked weekends.”

  Her laughter holds her heart and brings mine to life just like her hands did on the battlefield. “We never actually had them.”

  “Oh, I did, at least in my dreams. I dreamed of naked weekends every night.”

  Rubbing my nose against hers, I moan when her knuckles skates against my abs. My stomach muscles flex as she works the opening of my jeans. “I’m so sorry your dreams can’t come true.”

  “I’m a man of many dreams, and you are very close to another one.”

  “Today was a dream for me.”

  “Except for breakfast.”

  She chuckles. “Affirmative.”

  “And Ella’s meltdown.”

  “Affirmative. Now stop and sit up—let me give you a dream that’s always top on your list.” As I start to shift off of her, she nips my chin. “I want you to come in my mouth this time.”

  There is one part of sex with me Brynn never got into, and that was swallowing. “You don’t have to, Angel, I like…”

  She nips my chin again. “I want to.”

  Sitting up, I watch, entranced as Brynn steps between my legs and tugs off her sweater, then unhooks her bra. In the shimmer of the fire and Christmas tree, her skin glows. Her mouth curves in the smile only I get to see as she raises her arms and unhooks the messy bun, letting the chestnut waves tumble. The soft lights pick up the hints of red and gold in the thick locks.

  She sinks to her knees and my erection strains against my jeans. I lift my hips as she tugs down my jeans and skivvies. I cannot take my eyes from her mouth as she edges closer and her pink tongue peeks between her lips.

  “Holy shit!” My hip jerks when she touches her tongue to my cockhead and licks.

  Her gaze shoots to the stairs. “Shhh, love, we don’t want interruptions.”

  Cupping the back of her head, I bring her lips back to my cock. “I’ll be good.”

  Locking her stare with mine, she opens her mouth and sucks my cockhead between her lips with gentle tugs and plenty of tongue right where it’s needed. I lift my hips and she accepts more and then a little more as she pumps the root with her hand. I rock my hips and she closes her mouth tighter around my length.

  Her response is a feast for all the senses. The soft moans and whimpers mix with the erotic sucks and deep draws. The way her eyes glaze over in lust and shift to a deep green with sparks of light. In those depths is what I want to see most—pleasure. As she provides out-of-this-world pleasure to me, she’s contributing to her own bliss. Getting sucked off is always a fantasy. Getting sucked off and watching your woman’s skin flush, nostrils flair, and eyes turn to fire is nirvana.

  Brynn takes me deeper and I clench my jaw against the raw primal bellow. “You sure? ’Cause if I need to pull out, it needs to be now.”

  She frowns and anchors her fingernails into my thighs to keep me down. I dig my fingers in the soft silk of her hair and hold her steady as I flex my hips, driving deep and releasing as she keeps her lips sealed tight. Her throat works my cockhead as she swallows. It is by far one of the most sensual moments in all my experiences with Brynn. I push just a little deeper as I shudder through my climax and final stream of release. She pinches my thigh. Pulling her slowly off my cock, I unlock my fingers from her hair and flop back.

  I open my eyelids with the sound of rustling clothes. Brynn, naked, straddles my lap. Her lips are swollen and red and her hair is a mess. She reminds me of an archangel, all fire and redemption. Her eyes are so hot the gold flecks consume the orbs. “Caleb, please.”

  I slide a finger between her pussy lips; she is soaking wet and trembles in pre-orgasm with just that touch. Massaging her clit with my thumb, I ease three fingers inside her. Her head falls back as her sex clenches around my fingers and her leg muscles shudder. Watching her orgasm, makes me hard.

  “Shit, Angel, let me make you fly again.”

  She lowers her head and her fiery gaze collides with mine, and she runs the tip of her tongue over her lips. “Mmmm…Yes, please.”

  After a quick, hard kiss, I take my fingers from her and guide my cock inside her. Gripping her hips, I slide her down until I am buried fully inside her.

  Her eyelids flutter and then open, and she presses her lips to mine. Her lips part and I slide my fingers inside, and she licks her essence from them. I smile, and ease them from her mouth, before stroking my tongue with hers so we both savor just how perfect we are together.

  She grinds against me as we deepen the kiss, never loosing either connection. I cup and mold her breasts as she explores my back, chest, and abs when her hands. Her kiss turns hard and desperate and her skin turns to fire under my hands as she whimpers into my mouth while she edges closer and closer to her orgasm. When she screams into my mouth, I flip her on her back and stroke deep as her sex grows even tighter while her inner muscles work my cock. With a jolt, I bury my head in the space between her shoulder and neck, roaring her name.

  Her body vibrates under mine and I lift my head, expecting tears, but she’s smiling and…laughing.

  I’m helpless not to smile. She wraps her arms around my neck. “That was fun! Again!”

  My smile turns to full-blown laughter at her echo of Ella’s words earlier that day. “Oh, you’re gonna get it again.” Hiding my face between her shoulder and neck, I blow raspberries and nip her while tickling her sides.

  “Caleb! Caaa-leb!” My name is shrieked on hysterical laughter. My stomach burns with laughter as she struggles under me.

  Her head falls back and her joy explodes in a loud burst of laughter. She slaps my shoulders. “Shhhh…shhhh…”

  I drop a kiss on her neck. “You’re the one being loud, sweetheart.” I tickle her again and she pushes against me, still busting a gut and telling me to be quiet.

  “Uncle Caleb!”

  Brynn’s arms are ramrod straight, pushing me, her eyes round.

  “She’s such a little cockblock.” I press my lips to Brynn’s, then holler back to Ella, “Yes, Little Bit?”

  “Can I come downstairs with you?”

  “No, it’s past your bedtime. You need to go back to bed.”

  “Okay.”

  Brynn lifts to kiss me, but I shake my head. “She’s not done.”

  “Uncle Caleb!”

  “Yeah?”

  “Will you come up here and sleep with me?”

  “No, but I’ll come up and tuck you in.”

  “Hmmm…okay.”

  I capture Brynn’s mouth in a hard, hot kiss. “Do not get dressed, we’re not done. I’ll be right back.” Rolling from her, I yank on my jeans and glance back. “No dressing.”

  “Roger. Will Comply.”

  Taking the stairs two at a time, I head to Ella’s room. Walking by Michael’s room, I glance in to find him still conked out, but I step inside and tug the blanket up over his shoulders.

  “Thank you,” he mumbles.

  “You got it, bud.” I drop a kiss to the top of his head before turning toward Ella’s room.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Brynn

  Bending my knees, I wrap my arms around them and rest my chin on the blanket. The only sounds in the house are the occasional floorboard creaking above me, and the crackle of the fire across the room. The Christmas tree lights cast a soft white glow. I second Ella’s thoughts, Oh, that’s bootiful.

  I angle my head over my shoulder at the padding of feet jogging down the stairs. When Caleb stands next to the couch, I smile at his frown.

  “What happened to you staying naked?”

  “I am naked.” He lifts a brow. I roll my eyes. “It’s a blanket, Caleb. You ditched me for another girl for a long time. I got cold.”

  Once he has his jeans off, I open the blanket and he settles between my legs. Closing the wrap over both of us, I nuzzle my nose with his.

  “Sorry about that.”<
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  For his sweetness, I pepper kisses over his face. “I love that you did that.”

  He grips my hips and tugs me more securely under him. “What’s the plan for tomorrow?”

  Lifting my hips, I rub against him. “You really want to work the whiteboard right now, Staff Sergeant?”

  His grip tightens. “Brynn, come on, you know I like a plan.”

  With an exaggerated sigh, I stop. “Michael has class starting at eight thirty. I’ll get him started and Elle usually works on her ‘school’ which is learning letters and some basic ‘Matt the Rat’ type reading.” I curl my arms around his neck and drag my fingernails over the back of his head. “Do you want to keep your Little Bit occupied from two to three when I help Michael with his spelling, or do you want to work with spelling and I’ll have tea?”

  “If we want him to pass spelling, you better work with him. I’ll help with math. Is the tea good?”

  “Oh, it’s the finest invisible British blend.”

  When he lowers his head, I meet him halfway for a kiss. “Do you still think this is a test, Angel?”

  “I think this is more real than anything we’ve ever done before.” With a sigh, I rest my forehead against his. “We should go to bed.”

  “I think we’re doing damn fine on the couch.”

  I trace his lips with a fingertip. “Better than fine. But eventually you’re going to let me sleep and I don’t want Michael and Ella finding us tangled up under your poncho liner in the living room.”

  “My poncho—” He tugs the liner I’d been using as a blanket. “You stole my poncho liner?”

  The betrayal in his voice makes me chuckle. That the outrage isn’t all a joke, makes me laugh more. A Marine and their poncho liner, like a child and their woobie. I hold tight to the cover, there is a reason the bond with a liner is strong. They’re the best in all weather and used as a bed, pillow, shelter—a lifeline in desert or jungle. “Yes. You should have known I would. It’s not hurt, don’t worry.” I close the distance until my lips brush his when I talk. “There just might be some stains we’ll have to get out.”

  He tugs my hair bringing my gaze to his. “God, Brynn, you are by far the most beautiful fucking thing I’ve seen in this world.”

  Stunned at the vehemence in his tone, my throat aches with emotion. Instead of drowning in it, I smile. “So you forgive me for the poncho liner?”

  He frowns, not liking my avoiding his words, but then returns the smile. “Maybe not that beautiful.”

  I punch his arm and shake my head. “Come on. Tuck me into bed.”

  In a swift move, he gathers me and the liner in his arms and starts up the stairs. “Our clothes.”

  “We’ll get them tomorrow. The kids know we wear clothes.”

  I give up, but smooth my palm over his cheek. “Wipe off that victory smile.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  He tosses me on the bed, but grabs his poncho liner and shoves it near his gear. I laugh until it hits me… “Caleb, why haven’t you unpacked?”

  “Am I staying forever?” He spoons behind me and tugs me flush against him.

  “I thought you said you were.”

  “I am as long as you say.”

  “Then I say forever.”

  “I’ll unpack tomorrow.”

  “And the rest of your things?”

  “In storage.”

  Twisting in his arms, I tuck my head under his chin. “Bring it all.”

  “This place won’t fit all my things on top of what’s here, but I’ll get what I can.”

  “Bring it all. We’ll make room. I don’t want a single button of yours out there where I can’t touch it if I want.” I place my hand over the scar on his chest. “I should have been on that last deployment with you, too.”

  “Negative.”

  “Why?” I whisper.

  “Manelli thought I was trying to kill myself. Maybe I was.”

  My heart stops beating for what feels like eternity as the world around me moves in slow motion. When I can breathe again, I don’t make eye contact for fear of seeing the truth. “Why would he think that? Why would you?”

  “I’d lost my brother. I’d lost too many brothers in arms. I’d lost you.”

  “Don’t say that, you never lost me.”

  “For a bit there, after the funeral, I did. You’ve always been a candle guiding me over rough waters. I couldn’t find your light. When you were gone. I was gone.”

  I brush at the tears, so he won’t feel the moisture on his chest. “And you tried to—” I can’t even say it.

  “I don’t know. I took a lot of what was thought to be suicide missions. Threw myself into some positions I probably shouldn’t have, but that was to keep Marines alive. Manelli believed I was either after a Medal of Honor, or a body bag.” He drops a kiss on the top of my head. “Sorry, I brought up that shit, Brynn, let’s forget it.”

  “I can’t. I was furious with you, Caleb, but my love for you never dimmed. If you couldn’t see the light or feel my warmth it was because the storm inside you was too dark.”

  “It was. And whatever I did brought me through it and I found you again.”

  “It’s a good thing Manelli’s the top corpsman he is, or he’d have answered to me.”

  “Believe me, he knew it.”

  “Do you still feel that way?”

  “Never. Haven’t since those first months after the funeral. Don’t worry about me, Angel.”

  “I will always worry about you. And don’t hesitate to call ‘Doc’ if you need me.”

  He exhales a ragged breath. “Roger that.”

  Snuggling closer I keep my hand over his heart, my cheek close to where his pulse throbs under his neck. It picks up when the window seems to shake with the force of a gust of wind. Joining him in a moan, we roll from each other and I tug on a T-shirt and panties and he yanks on a pair of skivvies. We come together again in the same position, each knowing we don’t have long before our bed is invaded. At least nature was generous and held the storm at bay until we’d enjoyed each other a few times. After his confession, I admit I won’t mind the distraction I can hear padding down the hall.

  “Aunt Brynn.”

  I turn as Caleb flips back the covers and Ella snuggles against me. My smile returns when he doesn’t drop the covers as a greater gust shakes the house. “Aunt Brynn?”

  I wave Michael under and he joins the family. Caleb drops the blanket and then a kiss on the top of my head. “Go to sleep.” He grumps his command. He presses his mouth close to my ear. “Thank you for tonight, Angel.”

  I angle my head and accept his kiss. “Repeat tomorrow.”

  “You’re on.” He winks and squeezes me closer.

  “Only one misspelled. Great job, Michael!”

  He doesn’t look up from the math he was just assigned by his online teacher. “Thank you.”

  “Do you need help?”

  “No, math is my best subject.”

  Like someone else I know, who’s upstairs keeping Ella from bothering her brother. “I’m going to go let Ella and Caleb know snacks in fifteen minutes.”

  “Okay.” The little man ducks his head and works through the figures. He works so hard to make sure he’s good and does what’s right. In him I see another boy doing everything he could to be accepted.

  “I love you, Michael.”

  He lifts his head and red tinges his cheeks, but he smiles. “I love you, too, Aunt Brynn.”

  When he drops his head back down, I leave him to his work and jog up the stairs and stop short just outside Ella’s room.

  “More tea?”

  “Please. It’s divine.”

  I slap my hand over my mouth to silence the guffaw at Caleb’s falsetto voice.

  “Thank you.”

  “No, thank you, dear.”

  Biting my lip, I take a step and peek into the room where Ella and Caleb are sitting at her tiny pink table. His knees are practically to his chin. I take him i
n, stopping at the pink fascinator hooked to the very little hair he has. I press my lips together and pray I don’t explode with laughter. I dig in my back pocket for my phone.

  “Don’t do it, dear, or I will have to seek vengeance and it will be terrible and swift.”

  My gaze snaps to his and his furrowed brow confirms he was talking to me. Despite the ridiculous pink hat on his head and falsetto voice, it’s Staff Sergeant Quinlin in all his lethal Marine role issuing an order. “Sorry, I had to try. Caleb…”

  “Uh-uh-uh, sweetie, the name’s Eugenie Phillapot…Mrs. Eugenie Phillapot.”

  My ability not to dissolve into hysterics has never faced such a test. I tip my head to the side, as a different emotion pushes away the humor and starts in the heart.

  “Aunt Brynn, to play you have to have a hat.”

  Ella’s irritated tone interrupts my thoughts. I don’t break eye contact with Caleb, but respond to Ella. “Sorry, I just came to tell you snacks in fifteen minutes.”

  “Yay.”

  “Yes, very good.” Then he tests me again lifting a tiny china teacup and sipping at invisible tea, pinky out.

  I take the three steps necessary to put me in his space. “Marry me, Caleb.”

  “Wh-at?” His voice remains high until he coughs and clears his throat. “What?”

  “Marry me, please.”

  Slipping off the fascinator, he pushes to his full six foot three and I lift on the balls of my feet and wrap my arms around his neck. He rests his hands on my hips, but still doesn’t answer. “Why don’t you take Ella down for snacks and I’ll be down in a minute?”

  “Caleb, I just asked you to—”

  “Affirmative, I heard. Give me a minute.”

  I drop my arms and step back. Did I misread this whole situation? I hold out my hand for Ella and when her hand slips into mine I start downstairs. He’d asked me to marry him by New Year’s. Is he having second thoughts? I’m sinking into a portal of déjà vu.

  I help Ella into her seat and help Michael clean up. Neither of them say anything but thank you when I give them apple slices. I need to pull myself out of my funk, but my mind is clouded with the pain of rejection.