“You’re playing hard to get,” was the greeting he received. “I don’t know how I feel about that.”
He grinned at the petulant note to her voice. “I’m doing no such thing.”
“I don’t like games, Superman.”
“Neither do I.” He paused. “Except Scrabble. I’m pretty good at that one.”
A heavy sigh echoed in his ear. “Are you waiting for me to beg, is that it? Because I don’t like begging. I’ve always thought I’d be a terrible beggar, sitting there on the sidewalk, holding out a tin can. I think eventually I’d get bored and go look for a job.”
Laughter rolled out of his chest. “I’m not sure, but that comment might have been politically incorrect.”
“I don’t like politics either,” she said breezily. “Now, what’ll it take to get you to come over?”
“Who says I want to? Maybe I’ve grown bored of having sex with you.” He smiled to himself, proud that he was finally back on track. All the charm he’d perfected over the years had dissolved during those first few encounters with Savannah, but he was slowly regaining ground, and the outrage in her voice confirmed it.
“You have not. I am unbelievably good at sex.”
“You’re okay.”
“Uh-uh, no way. I’m awesome. So level with me, what do I have to do to get you to see me again?”
“For sex?” he clarified.
“Well, duh.”
He pretended to think it over, then said, “A date.”
She balked. “I told you how I feel about that.”
“Those are my terms, take them or leave them. One date for every round of sex.”
“You’re an awful person.”
“Is that a no?”
There was a long pause, followed by a soft curse. “No, it’s not a no.”
“Then it’s a yes?” he prompted in amusement.
“Yes, it’s a yes.” Another pause. “Where are you now? The store’s pretty empty so I can leave Chad in charge for the rest of the day.”
“I’m in Coronado. We were doing a training demo at the base.” An idea entered his mind. “Why don’t we go to the beach? You mind driving over here?”
He expected another protest, but to his surprise, she sounded enthused. “Sure, I’ll head over to you.”
They arranged to meet in an hour, and Matt was smiling as he hung up the phone and wandered back to the table. Of course, his friends immediately noticed the smile and proceeded to harass him.
“Was that Georgia?”
“Is her ass as nice as her boobs? Annabelle didn’t mention.”
“Wanna babysit Penny to prepare for the baby you’ll have with your future bride?”
“Ha ha,” he said, rolling his eyes as he reached for his coffee. It had grown cold, but he still swallowed a mouthful of the lukewarm liquid so he wouldn’t have to dignify any of their stupid questions with a response.
* * *
Savannah’s heart skipped a beat when she got out of her car and found Matt sitting on the hood of his SUV. They’d arranged to meet in a gravel lot near the beach, and the entire drive over she’d tried convincing herself she was pissed off at Matt for sex-blackmailing her into a date.
But the moment she laid eyes on him, she realized just how glad she was to see him, and how un-pissed she was.
He wore a pair of camo pants, a tight green T-shirt and aviator sunglasses, looking like the hot military man he was. She’d been thinking about him nonstop since he’d strolled out of her shop the other day. She wasn’t sure if there was an equivalent for blue balls when it came to women, but after he’d teased her into oblivion and then left her in the lurch, her body had ached so badly she’d had to go upstairs to her apartment and make herself come to stop the throbbing pain.
“Where are your swim trunks?” she asked as she headed over to him.
He jumped off the hood. “Got some in the back.” He planted a quick kiss on her lips and then popped the trunk of his car and bent forward.
Savannah couldn’t help but check out his sinewy back and firm ass. Heat seeped into her cheeks when she heard him pull down his zipper. “You’re getting changed out here?” she said in surprise.
“There’s no one around. I’ll only be a sec.”
He kept his back to her, and her gaze was glued to him as he dropped his pants and boxers in one swift motion. And then there he was, in all his bare-assed glory. Cotton lodged into every corner of her mouth. She could barely swallow as she stared at his taut behind. How was he this sexy?
She forced herself to look away. She couldn’t jump the guy in public, no matter how badly she wanted to.
He turned a moment later, a pair of sky-blue swim trunks hugging his trim hips. Two beach towels were tucked under his arm and a smile graced his sensual mouth. “Ready?”
She gulped. “Uh-huh.”
They descended the concrete staircase and made their way to the beach. Savannah instantly kicked off her flip-flops and dug her bare toes into the warm, white sand. In the distance, she spotted the commanding shape of Coronado’s Naval Base. “What kind of demo were you doing over there today?” she asked curiously.
“Obstacle course.” He cast her a cocky smile. “We were showing some of the new recruits what we’ve got.”
“Your arrogance makes my heart go a-flutter,” she said sweetly.
“What about my ass? Does that make your heart flutter too?”
“No,” she lied.
He just laughed.
The beach was completely deserted, so they had their pick of spots to spread out their towels. Once they were settled, Savannah peeled off her green sundress and shoved it inside the oversized beach bag she’d brought. She pulled out a tube of sunblock and innocently held it out. “Do my back?”
“No.”
“What do you mean, no?” She couldn’t help but feel a little insulted.
“I’m not putting my hands on you,” Matt said cheerfully, plopping down on his towel. “I know exactly what you’re trying to do. You’re tempting me with your goddess body in the hopes that I’ll be so overwhelmed with lust that I’ll cut the date short so we can fuck like bunnies.”
“I am not.”
Okay, so maybe she was trying to tempt him. Truth was, she hadn’t hung out with a guy in ages. A dinner or two before getting naked, sure, but once sex entered the equation, she made sure to keep it that way. For some reason, though, Matt was determined to spend time with her.
What was wrong with him?
She unscrewed the cap and squirted a glop of sunblock into her palms, proceeding to slap it across her skin in frustration. Really, what was the matter with him? Here she was, offering him wild, no-strings sex, something most men dreamed of, and he wanted to get to know her. Didn’t he realize—she sucked in a breath. Oh Lord, he’d taken off his shirt.
Her body went into sexual overdrive at the sight of his sleek, golden muscles.
“So tell me about your parents.”
The awareness sizzling through her veins fizzled with a pop. “Why do you want to know about them?” she demanded.
He chuckled. “Relax, darlin’, I’m not going to track them down and murder them. I just want to know what they’re like.”
“Okay, you want to know what they’re like? They’re perfect,” she said with a sigh. “And boring.”
“With you as a daughter, I doubt they’re boring.”
Savannah fixed her gaze on the calm waves lapping against the shoreline. She breathed in the clean scent of salt, suddenly wishing she’d tried harder to seduce him right out of this “date”.
“They’re just so predictable,” she finally admitted. “They finish each other’s sentences, laugh at all the same jokes, do all the same things. It’s…well, like I said, boring.”
She felt Matt’s gaze burning into her skin. When she glanced over, his green eyes revealed a perceptive glint. “What’s the real reason?”
She swallowed. “What real reason?”
“Why you�
��re so bothered by their relationship.”
“I’m not…I’m not bothered by it.”
“Sure you are. So why?”
Uneasiness swirled in the pit of her stomach. “I don’t know.”
“Of course you know.” He tilted his head. “What is it about them that bugs you so badly?”
She grew silent.
“Come on, tell me. I’ll even make you a deal. If you tell me, I’ll tell why I’m bothered by my family.”
His offer sparked her interest. Despite her reluctance, she found herself trying to put her feelings into words. “I guess it’s… They’re just…still so in love. After twenty years, they still act like newlyweds. Their relationship is so solid I can’t make sense of it.”
Matt’s forehead creased. “Why not?”
“Because every relationship I’ve ever had has died a fiery death. I just don’t get how they’re still together. How they made it work.” She was momentarily puzzled, despite the fact that she’d wondered about this for years. “Seeing them just makes me glaringly aware that I’m different.”
“Why did your previous relationships fail?” he asked curiously.
She shook her head in confusion. “I honestly don’t know. One minute everything was great, and the next they just ended. First with my high school boyfriend Rick, then in college with this guy Kevin, then Greg. Either I get bored, or they get bored, or both of us do—no matter what, it always ends.”
“So you’ve decided to prematurely end things instead?”
She shrugged. “Why not? Obviously I’m not cut out for relationships. Which I’m totally fine with.” She changed the subject before he could question her again. “Okay, your turn. Tell me why your family bugs you.”
“They express their emotions so easily,” he said without hesitation. “I don’t get it.”
Savannah had to laugh. “Uh, you express your feelings pretty easily too. You’ve made it more than clear you’re interested in me.”
Now he seemed to falter. “That’s different. I’m talking about…love, I guess. They’re so quick to gush about how much they love each other. For me, it’s always been more difficult, telling people how I feel about them.”
A short silence stretched between them. Discomfort roiled inside her. This was the most honest, disturbing conversation she’d ever had with a man, and the need to flee rose in her chest, tingled in her legs. Abruptly, she jumped to her feet and said, “I’m going to take a quick dip.”
Without waiting for a reply, she nearly sprinted across the flour-soft sand. The water that swirled around her ankles was warm, soothing. Taking a breath, she dove in, submerging herself in the ocean and swimming out a dozen yards. When she finally came up for air, she glanced at the beach and saw Matt still lying on the towel, propped up on his elbows. She couldn’t see his expression but she imagined he looked as confused as she felt. What on earth was she thinking, telling him about her parents’ marriage, her past relationships?
She was treading in dangerous territory here. Having honest heart-to-hearts with a guy? She hadn’t done that in years, not since she’d decided to focus on the thrill of firsts and avoid the pain and heartache that came from messy break-ups. Evidently she needed to regain her footing, remind herself that her time with Matt was temporary, the way it always was in her life.
Collecting her composure, she took another deep breath, then smoothed her wet hair away from her forehead. She kicked off in a leisurely stroke, and by the time she emerged on shore, she felt calm and centered and determined to lead this affair with Matt back in the direction it belonged.
To the bedroom.
6
Matt groaned softly as Savannah’s head bobbed up and down his hard length, her tongue gliding across the sensitive underside of his shaft. Savannah’s blowjobs continued to amaze him. She gave them a hundred and ten percent, focusing all her delicious attention on the task at hand. She used her hands and tongue and mouth and even teeth, until he could barely remember his own name.
She sucked his tip gently before taking him nearly to the back of her throat. Groaning again, he cupped her head and gave an upward thrust. She moaned, the sound vibrating through his cock. She’d had his clothes off the second they’d stepped into her apartment, and as irritated as he’d been then, he felt none of that irritation now. Instead, he leaned his head against the headboard of her bed and closed his eyes, losing himself in the mind-blowing sensations she produced in his body.
His eyelids popped open when her mouth disappeared, but she didn’t leave him in the lurch. She just shimmied up his naked body, rolled a condom on his stiff shaft, and lowered herself onto him. The moment her wet heat clamped over him, he wrapped his arms around her slender form and pulled her toward him.
“I need to taste you,” he muttered hoarsely.
Savannah cupped her tits and brought them to his mouth. He devoured one, then the other, licking and sucking her pearly-pink nipples while she rode him in a slow, lazy rhythm. Her skin tasted like saltwater, and the still-damp hair streaming down her shoulders had a slight curl to it. She was the most beautiful fucking woman he’d ever seen, and a fresh dose of arousal flooded his groin.
“See how much better this is,” she murmured, bending down to kiss him. “Who needs dating?”
If he weren’t on the verge of losing control, he would’ve been annoyed with the throaty remark, but as it was, he couldn’t concentrate on anything but the feel of her tight pussy squeezing the hell out of his dick.
“Faster, darlin’,” he said, gripping her hips. “Make yourself come before I explode.”
With a sexy little smile, she did what he asked, grinding her lower body against his in a reckless pace. His breathing became labored, a tense knot of impending release coiling in his body. Savannah rode him hard and fast, but still he held back, watching the hazy desire swimming in her gray eyes, waiting for the moment her lips parted to let out a wild cry. Her inner muscles gripped his cock as she lost herself in orgasm, and the knot of tension inside him snapped apart. His climax seared into him, the incredible burn spreading through his body until every muscle, every limb was infused with pleasure.
Savannah collapsed on top of him. Her hair tickled his chin. He could feel her heartbeat hammering against his chest.
“Why does it just seem to get better?” Her breath moistened his shoulder.
He was wondering the same damn thing. As much as he didn’t like Savannah’s “first thrills” mentality, he understood it. After half a dozen times, he got bored of the woman in his bed. The sex just lost some of its passionate appeal after a while. But not with this woman. With Savannah, each time felt like the first time.
“Maybe it’s a sign,” he said gruffly.
She lifted her head to peek up at him. “A sign of what?”
“That you should be more open-minded to this dating thing.”
Her hand slid between their sweat-coated bodies to squeeze his condom-covered dick. “I’m more open-minded to this thing.”
Making a disapproving sound with his tongue, he reached down and firmly moved her hand. “No way. You don’t get the little soldier again until after the next date.”
She burst out in gales of laughter. “You have a nickname for your penis?”
“No,” he lied.
Her laughter died, replaced by a groan of frustration. “You’re seriously sticking to this ridiculous plan?”
“Yep. One round of sex for every date.”
“You’re a sadist.”
“Yeah, but you still like me.”
She sat up with a thoughtful look. Pink splotches covered her breasts, chafed from his stubble. He liked the sight, liked knowing he’d marked her this way.
“If we order Chinese food, does that count as a date?” she inquired.
He mulled it over. “Sure.”
“And then afterwards we can do this again?”
“That’s the rule.”
“Fine.” Her arm shot out to the phone
on the bedside table. “Let’s have some dinner so I can play with the little soldier.”
* * *
“This is perfect,” Annabelle exclaimed, marveling over the sample centerpiece Savannah had created. They’d agreed for Annabelle to come by the shop at ten in the morning in order to approve or ask for a redo of Savannah’s work. Approval seemed to be the conclusion. So far, Annabelle loved everything, including the sketches Savannah had done of the orchids twining around the delicate white birch archway that would serve as the altar.
Annabelle pulled out her phone and snapped a few photos of the centerpiece. “I’m sending these to Jeannine. She was happy with the description I gave her, but I’d like to give her a visual so she can suggest changes if she wants.”
Luckily, the bride agreed with Annabelle’s assessment, quickly texting back PERFECT.
Savannah experienced a burst of pride. She’d worked hard on the arrangement, and she was glad her efforts had been successful. She’d dreaded having to redo the centerpiece, particularly because of the vague details the bride had described. Now she wouldn’t have to.
“Did you order the silk for the head table panels?” Annabelle asked.
She nodded. “I’m holding on to all the receipts and invoices like you asked.”
“Thanks.” With a faint smile, Annabelle leaned against the counter. “So how are things with Matt?”
Her guard instantly shot up. She knew Annabelle was dating Matt’s best friend, so a part of her wondered if Matt had put Annabelle up to this. Was he fishing for information? After his whole date-for-sex trade, she wouldn’t put it past him.
But although she wouldn’t admit it to him, she really was starting to enjoy their dates. Yesterday they’d gone for lunch at a fish and chips place near the harbor, and when he picked her up after work that evening, they’d seen a new horror movie playing at the Royal, an old-style cinema house near San Diego’s East Village.
The talking wasn’t bad either. She loved hearing about his family and he never ran out of stories to tell about his four older sisters. Apparently they fussed over their baby brother like mother hens. His mother and grandmother sounded sweet as hell, though she could understand why he felt smothered by them sometimes. Who wouldn’t, when your mother insisted on sewing nametags with bright red fabric hearts into every piece of clothing you owned?
Out of Uniform Box Set: Books 1-3 Page 42