The Marine's Holiday Harbor

by Kirsten Lynn

  “I need to potty.”

  I start to push my chair back, but my mom waves me down. “I’ll take her.”

  She has Ella up and moving before either of us can respond. I glance at Michael and his forehead is scrunched. I hope he’s pleased with how the party he wanted for Caleb is going.

  “Gramps, did you bring it?”

  “Sure did.”

  Michael slides from his chair and takes something from my dad. He walks around to Caleb and pushes his glasses up on his nose. “This isn’t a great present, but…” He shrugs his small shoulders.

  “Thank you, Michael.”

  Caleb tears open the wrapping and frowns at the box with a picture of a MV-22, Osprey on the front. “This is the model your mom gave you years ago.”

  “My other dad didn’t have time to put it together with me. I was hoping you would.”

  Caleb hugs Michael close. “Absolutely, bud, absolutely.”

  “Sorry it’s not a new present.”

  “It’s the best.” He bends to Michael’s level.

  Michael’s blue eyes shift left than right in time with his feet. “I love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  Despite a couple awkward moments, this has been the welcome home Caleb needed. Helping Ella with her ghetti, as she calls it, and receiving a gift straight from a seven-year-old boy’s heart made the evening perfect.

  Mom returns to the table with Ella. “Oh, you gave him the gift. Wonderful.”

  Caleb continues to study the picture on the box. “It is.”

  She turns to me as she helps Ella back into her chair. “It’s getting windy out there. Do you all want to stay at the house?”

  Audrey shifts her stare from Caleb to Mom and me. “I was hoping the kids would want to stay with me and I’d treat Caleb and Brynn with a room as my welcome home gift.”

  “Oh, Audrey—”

  “Come on, Angel, it’ll be fun. We accept, Mom, thank you.” He ruffles Michael’s hair. “That okay with you?”

  “Can we go to the pool, Gramma?”

  “Sure can.”

  “Yeah.”

  Caleb turns to Ella. “You want to stay with Gramma?” Her head bobs in agreement with her brother. “Brynn?”

  In his gaze I read every decadent thing he has planned for me. I’m tempted to say no just to see his reaction, but with the kids around I’m better not poking the bear. “Thank you, Audrey. And Mom and Dad.”

  Dad chuckles. “Sure thing. There’s no winning over a pool. You mind if we head over with you and watch the kids swim?”

  “Not at all.”

  After a fight over who’s paying the bill that my parents win, we step into the cool air and I lace my fingers with Caleb’s. We fall back and let the grandparents and children lead the way the few blocks to the Harbor Inn.

  A few boats in the harbor have Christmas lights around the lines or outlining the hull. I’ve thought of stringing lights on the lobster boat, but maybe next year. The wind has picked up and the waves slapping in the inlet lull me to a sense of peace.

  Caleb’s keeps his voice low so only I hear him. “For a second, I saw my Marines’ faces as they asked me to reenlist one more time. But when do the one-more-times stop?”

  “I know. There are still times when on the wind I hear a Marine yelling Doc, and I think I should be there, there are Marines I could be saving.”

  “Now you’re busy saving just one Marine.”

  “My favorite Marine.”

  “Or the one who got injured the most.”

  I hip check him. “That, too.”

  “You realize that dress is going to be ripped from you the second we’re in the room?”

  “I don’t have to be psychic to know that. But may I suggest unzipping the dress and stripping me. You seem to like this dress and I’d hate to have it ruined.”

  “I accept that compromise. Lace underwear?”

  “It is your welcome home party.”

  He groans. “You’re killing me.”

  I hug his arm. “Did you really have a nice time tonight?”

  “I did. They’re amazing kids.” He holds up the box with the still unassembled model. “I can’t believe Mark didn’t help him.”

  “Probably thought he would someday. We all tend to put things off thinking there’s always one more day.”

  “Like getting married.”

  “Caleb.”

  He shrugs. “I don’t care if it’s Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, but if you’re hesitating about the day, I wonder if you’re ready.”

  “I’ve been ready since we were fifteen. You’re the one who didn’t want to make that commitment while we were both serving.”

  “So let’s tell the manager we’re good for Christmas Eve.”

  We follow the family into the hotel, and Caleb starts to the desk, but I grip his arm. “Don’t say anything tonight about the wedding.”

  He takes his arm from me. “You got it.”

  Ella pats my leg. “Momma, we don’t have suits.”

  Before I can answer Audrey steps in. “I don’t mean to overstep, but I brought their extra suits from the house when I packed.”

  I sit on my heels in front of the children. “There you go. I know you’ll both be good tonight.” I hold Michael’s gaze, then encompass them both. “If your grandparents want to get you a treat, you can accept since we didn’t have dessert.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  I wrap Michael in a hug and then drop a kiss on his cheek, before hugging and kissing Ella. “If you need us, you call.”

  Caleb steps behind me and then takes my place, dropping a kiss on Michael’s forehead before sweeping Ella into his arms for a quick hug and then her slobbery kiss on his cheek. “Like your mom said, call if you need us.” He turns to his mom. “And you call if you need us.”

  “We’ll be fine.”

  “Thank you all for the dinner.”

  After a round of handshakes, hugs and goodnights, Caleb and I step on the elevator up to our room. “You pissed we’re not renting the space?”

  “You know when I’m pissed, Brynn.”

  “True.” It was not a sight anyone could forget. “Okay, angry?”

  We step off the elevator. “I just don’t get the hesitation. Fuck me, we’ve been talking about adopting the children. They call us Mom and Dad. You can’t think I’m walking away from that?”

  “It’s not you, and I don’t doubt you. Stop asking me that. I don’t want someone else’s wedding or reception. I don’t want their flowers and decorations. Like I said, I’ve waited a long time for this, Caleb. I want my wedding; how I plan it.

  He swipes the key card and opens the door. He steps in just before me, flipping on the lights, and his gaze sweeps the room as the door closes. “That I understand. Why didn’t you just say so when Mom brought it up? He starts loosening his tie. “Start stripping, Angel.”

  I comply, but return to his statement. “Because I was a tiny bit ticked off. Did you see Audrey and Mom, they had the whole day planned? And it wasn’t even on the day we told them we wanted to get married on. I spent ten years with someone else planning the next step. I don’t want that with our family.”

  “I thought the dress turned me on, but it’s you Brynn. Yeah, the dress is nice icing, but you are what makes it beautiful. So, a few people out to the lighthouse for a quick ceremony and ringing in the New Year?”

  I let the dress fall to the floor. He traces every curve with his eyes. He drags the back of his fingers over the seams of the red lace bra. Then his hand drops and he outlines the V of my sex.

  My voice is rough when I speak. “I like that idea.”

  His mouth flickers in a smile. “What idea?”

  “The quick ceremony and ringing in the New Year.”.

  “Then that’s what we’ll do.” He traces my pussy again over the red lace.

  I run the tip of my tongue over my suddenly dry lips and take my time letting my gaze wander over him.
When I make it to his groin, I do a bit of tracing of my own running my fingertip over the ridge of his erection stretching his slacks. He’s big already and not even fully erect. My lips part in a gasp when he drags his fingertip from the top of my thigh-high stocking up my inner thigh and under my panties.

  He nips my lower lip. “Climb on the bed, ass in air.”

  “Is that an order, Staff Sergeant?”

  “Affirmative.”

  “And you expect me to comply?”

  My legs tremble as he slides two fingers into my soaking wet sex. “One hundred percent, if you want this ache to end.”

  I wrap my arms around him and press close. “Caleb.”

  He slides his fingers from me and into his mouth. “Like the finest Christmas candy. Taste.” He captures my mouth and fills it with his tongue, forcing me to taste myself mixed with him. When he breaks the kiss, he nips my bottom lip, again. “On the edge of the bed, ass in air, Angel.”

  This time I don’t tease, but climb on the plush bed and rest my head on the comforter, stretching my arms in front of me and wiggling until my ass over the edge of the bed. My fingers curl around hunks of the bedspread when he moves my panties aside and circles my clit with his thumb until my inner muscles contract around nothing.

  A low guttural groan escapes from a primal place inside me. I feel his cockhead at my entrance. I know what’s coming. I know it will be rough, and tonight it’s exactly what I need. He rams his cock deep while gripping my hips. I whimper at the feel of him filling me, seated heavy and hot inside and throbbing as my inner muscles pulse around him. His strokes are hard, almost leaving me completely before ramming balls deep as I hold onto the bedding for purchase. The pounding seems to last forever and my body screams for release, but he’s not going to let me go yet, and I’d be devastated if he did. He changes it up, burying himself deep and staying inside, caressing me as I work him with my inner muscles.

  He reaches under me, molding my breasts and then smoothing his hand down my belly and pressing where his cockhead can be felt.

  I slam my fist on the bed. “Enough! Let me come, Caleb, please.” There’s a cry of intense frustration in my voice.

  Just when I think my mind will break from reality, he changes his strokes so each one blessedly hits my g-spot—and every other spot. With a deep push, he roars my name and I cry out at the feel of his heat filling me. He continues to ride me and reaches around, stroking my clit until at last I join him in the stars.

  When he eases from me, he turns me on my back and settles between my legs. I open my lips for him when he presses his mouth to mine in a kiss that seals his claim. He lowers his body and the weight of him is like the warmest shelter in the harshest storm. Wrapping my leg over his, I run my hands over ever part of him I can reach and melt into his kiss.

  He brushes kisses over my face and then down my neck before continuing down my torso. “You know my body better than I do.”

  He raises himself back over me, and his mouth curves in a wicked smile promising wicked good times. “That’s because I’ve made it my course of study since we were seventeen.”

  “You’ve definitely earned your PhD.”

  He nips my chin and wags his eyebrows. “I’m going for a double major.”

  “Seriously, can I ask you something between rounds?”

  “I was trying to get round two going, but shoot.”

  “How do you feel when Michael and Ella call you Dad?”

  “There’s still a punch of this isn’t right, but then it’s the sweetest sound I’ve heard next to you saying my name.”

  “Caleb.”

  “Yeah, just like that.”

  “That’s how I feel, too, like a fraud, but they’re so much a part of me sometimes it feels like they came from me, if that makes sense.”

  “I get it.”

  “And when I see you settle Ella in her chair and help with her ghetti, it’s the sexiest picture in the world.”

  His forehead wrinkles. “You don’t find Mrs. Phillapot sexy?”

  I try to keep from laughing, but fail. “Mrs. Phillapot is hot as hell.”

  “It’s the hat, right?”

  “Definitely the hat.” My laughter turns hysterical and I push against him when he digs his fingers into my sides, tickling me. Pressing my palms against his chest, I try to force a scowl even though I can’t get rid of my smile. “Halt, Marine!”

  Caleb rolls to his back, taking me with him, and cups the back of my head, and I bend to meet him for a decadent kiss. He breaks the kiss, but keeps me close enough his lips brush mine as he speaks. “Bring me home tonight, Angel.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Caleb

  Brynn’s body is heavy as she sleeps on me, but I wouldn’t move her for the world. I inhale not for air, but to savor the scent of our bodies entwined. When we were younger, she used to wear the most arousing perfume, like the sea and lavender. She stopped after enlisting, even off duty. The first time I smelled her skin without it, I wondered why I ever thought the other scent was delicious. Brynn, just herself, encompasses the sexiest, spiciest scent. And she smells even better with me blended in.

  I stroke my fingertips up and down her back, and then curl a silken strand of hair around my finger, before rubbing it between my finger and thumb.

  “What time is it?”

  “Nine.”

  “Just nine?” Her voice is raw from sleep, screaming, and taking me with her mouth. It’s enough to get me ready for more.

  “That’s what happens when you go to dinner with two little ones so you’re done eating by six. But it does make a longer night for fucking, so I’m not complaining”

  She chuckles and snuggles closer. “I love you calling them little ones. It’s sweet.”

  “Yeah, well, my thoughts aren’t very sweet at the moment.”

  She lifts her head and her mouth curves in a smile that defines sexy. “I bet they’re not. I can feel things are rising, or one very big thing.”

  My phone rings and I glare at the interruption. She nods to it. “Better look, could be the kids.”

  Grabbing the phone from the bedside table, I swipe answer when Mom’s name appears. I frown when all I hear is screeching. “Mom?”

  “I want Daddy!” It sounds kind of like Ella and kind of like a death wail.

  “Mom?”

  “Caleb, you and Brynn need to come quick. There’s been an accident.”

  I shift from under Brynn and start yanking on clothes while talking. Brynn is tugging on her underwear and dress, too, either hearing my mom or taking her cue from me.

  “Where?”

  “By the pool.”

  “Why are you still by the pool? It’s nine fucking o’clock.” I lift the phone. “She hung up on me.”

  She scowls and tugs her hair into a ponytail and steps into her shoes. I shrug into my jacket and start toward the door, both of us grabbing our coats. “Is it Ella?”

  We jog down the stairs. “She’s the one screaming.”

  When we get to the pool, I sweep my gaze over the area, gathering information. While Ella is the one screaming, it’s Michael who’s hurt. No whining, screaming, or even a whimper. He’s just sitting on a lounge chair with tears streaming down his cheeks. And I wish the kid wouldn’t be trying so hard to look so brave. Brynn and I get to him at the same time, and she kneels in front of him, instant corpsman mode.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He sniffs and his voice is a whisper. “My arm’s broken.”

  She conducts a quick examination with as gentle a touch as possible, but when he inhales a sharp breath, she flinches. “I don’t think it broke through.”

  Mom steps forward. “I’m so sorry. He slipped on the wet floor.” She hands a howling Ella to me, who tucks her head under my chin and settles.

  Brynn glances over her shoulder to me. “I need a first aid kit.”

  Frank jumps to before I can move. “Got it.”

  “Make sure it’s one with
something for a splint.”

  None of us move toward Brynn and Michael, understanding her knowledge and skills are greater than ours. Frank hustles back and hands her the kit, then steps back.”

  “Caleb, could I get an assist?”

  “On it.”

  I hand Ella off to Frank and kneel by Brynn, passing her the stiff plastic splint and tape to hold it on. I give Michael and encouraging smile. “You’re going to be good to go, Michael. Your mom’s fixed me up many times.”

  “She has?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Brynn finishes the splint. “There we go.” She stands and I straighten next to her. “We better get to the hospital.” She turns her attention to her mother, who’s face is ashen. “We’ll need your car.”

  Rose nods, but doesn’t take her eyes from Michael. “Of course. Frank already went to get it from the garage. He should be out front.”

  Thankfully, the children finished swimming and already put their sweats on. Lifting Michael, I start carrying him out with Brynn on my heels, carrying Ella. I’m barking orders and acting like I’m not shattering inside every time Michael sniffs and flinches.

  “Sorry, Dad.”

  “Nothing to be sorry about. You hurting bad?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Just hold your arm steady like your mom showed you.”

  “Okay.”

  Frank pulls up the SUV as we step out and Brynn slides in front with Ella, while I step into the back with Michael. Frank doesn’t say anything, but the poor man looks like he might puke.

  The twelve-minute drive from Camden to the Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport feels more like twelve days. When he pulls up to the emergency room door, I fight against the instinct to launch out and step out with care for the precious cargo I’m carrying. “I’ll go find a parking space.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “Thanks, Frank.”

  With long strides, we step into the emergency waiting room. Walking up to the receptionist, I lift Michael slightly. “Our son broke his arm.”

  The nurse doesn’t look up until she gathers some forms together. “Okay, we just need you to fill out these forms. We should be able to get him right in.” Her smile is quick and drops when she sees Michael. “Poor guy.”