“Anytime you want me to stop, say so.”
Kayla nodded her head. She watched as he pulled off his shirt. He grinned.
“We’ll start slow.” He sat beside her and started to undo the buttons on her blouse. As he did, he kissed her skin leaving a trail of fire behind him. Soon, he flung her shirt to the side and reached around her to unfasten her lacey bra.
“Very pretty,” he said as he tossed the bra the way of her blouse. “And I’m not talking about your frilly bra.” He cupped her full breasts in his hands and kissed each one.
Jackson raised his head. “Are you sure you want to continue? Anytime you want me to stop, just say so. I can take you home now, and we’ll go slower in getting to know each other.”
“Please make love to me.”
His eyes darkened as a smile curved his sensuous lips. “I will.” He stood, undressed, and got a condom out of the bedside table drawer.
Kayla gulped. He was so beautiful even with the scars on his hip and shoulder. Noticing the condom, she said, “We’ve haven’t talked much, but I can’t have children.”
He glanced at her. “It’s still something I always do. I’m clean, but how would you know for sure? I’d love to leave it off, but not yet.”
“I’m all right, too, but I agree. We hardly know each other.”
“But there is something between us.” He wrinkled his brow.
“You did save my life.” No need to tell him how she’d felt when they looked at each other earlier in the moonlight. Being a man, he’d probably think I’m crazy.
“No more talking. I’m going to undress you and kiss you all over.”
He knelt at her feet where she sat on the bed. His hands were gentle. Jackson kissed her neck and shoulders and followed with kisses all the way down until her clothes were gone. Her whole body trembled, and her blood sizzled with heat. Then he stood and quickly removed all his clothes.
“You didn’t let me help undress you.”
“This time’s especially for my lady.”
Kayla reached for him as he laid on the bed. She put her body against his, where she proceeded to kiss his wide chest and rub his nipples. His breathing increased, and when she placed her head on his chest, his heart pounded against her ear. Kayla tipped her chin up and looked at him. “This is not going to be just for me. I’m taking charge, now.”
Surprisingly, he let her. She bit the edge of his strong jaw and nibbled at his earlobe, but when she moved down and kissed his rock-hard belly, he stopped her.
Jackson pulled her up and rolled her under him. “I said this time was for you. I meant it.” He entered her slowly, watching her face the whole time. “You’re tight. I’ll take it easy.”
And he did, all the times they made love. She was sore but had never felt such warmth and caring from anyone. Her thoughts roused her. She’d been half-asleep. She saw light creeping around the edges of the drapes. When she started to creep out of bed, his hand caught hold of her.
“No sneaking off. I’ll cook breakfast, and then take you home. Later, one of my friends will drive my car and follow me as I drive yours to your house. But for now, how about one more time for luck?”
She smiled and moved closer. “All right, once more and then breakfast. I’m starving.”
“I am too, for you.”
****
Bear parked her car in the drive and walked to his car where Wolf was waiting. “I’ll give her the keys and be right out.”
“You’d better be, or Caroline will be mad at us both. I’ll blame you.”
Chuckling, Bear crossed the lawn and knocked on the door. Kayla opened it immediately.
“I saw you drive up. Can you come in? Whoever is helping you can join us. I have a fresh pot of coffee.”
“I’d like to, but Wolf wants to get back home. How about we plan on having dinner together tomorrow night? I know it might seem like I’m rushing you. I am. We never know when we might be called to leave on a mission.”
“Then tomorrow night sounds just right.”
Bear leaned forward and wrapped his hand around her neck then he pulled her toward him. He kissed her thoroughly before stepping back. “I’ll pick you up around six. Is that a good time?”
“Make it six-thirty. I don’t get off until five.”
He stepped back and waved. “See you then.”
Wolf got out and went around to the passenger seat. “Thought you might like to drive your own car,” he said as Bear got in the driver’s seat. “It appears you’ve found yourself a lady.”
“Maybe, it’s early on yet. We all show our best side when we first meet.”
“I heard how you rescued her.”
“Yeah, she’s the one who refused to dance with me.” Bear had backed out and headed toward Wolf’s home.
“Really? What a coincidence. I gather you forgave her for the rejection.”
“Right.”
“We’re planning on having a barbecue next Saturday for all the guys, wives, and friends. Why don’t you ask her to come with you? We’d like to meet her.”
“I might. We’ll see how things go. I’ll let you know if Kayla accepts my invitation.”
When he stopped to let Wolf off, Caroline came outside and hollered, “Come on in.”
“Thanks, but I have to clean my house.”
“On Sunday?” she asked.
“I have a lady coming to dinner tomorrow.”
“Ah, I knew there must be a reason, although you are generally neater than most of the single guys. Invite her to the picnic next Saturday.”
“Thanks, Wolf already asked us. We’ll see. Bye.” He waved and hurried to leave before Caroline had more questions. Most of the guys called her by her nickname, Ice, but since she called him Jackson, he called her by her real name from the start. Sweet lady, she and Wolf were lucky. They seemed like the perfect couple. Hopefully, I’ll be as lucky when I settle down.
At home, he straightened up the living room and went into the bedroom. When he pulled the sheets off the bed, he breathed in her scent. Once he had finished putting the sheets and pillowcases in the washer, he walked back into the bedroom and opened the curtains facing his backyard garden.
Damn, it’s good to be home and not laying low in a swamp fighting off mosquitos waiting for some sorry ass drug lord to appear. Last night had been a pleasant surprise. Hell, I almost yanked Kayla back into my arms, again before he’d joined Wolf. Weird, that’s not like me. I’m usually ready to see the door close and be free to do as I please.
Shaking his head, Bear walked into the kitchen. Earlier yesterday, he’d rinsed his few dishes and put them in the dishwasher. He got busy straightening up the rest of the kitchen and pushed his strange thoughts away. I’ll call a couple of buddies and ask them to join me at the shooting range this evening.
Chapter Two
Glancing at the time, Kayla rushed to finish dressing and fill her thermos with coffee on the way out the door. With little sleep last night, she’d need it. She’d gotten a call from the police. They wanted her to come in sometime today and tell them exactly what happened Saturday night. Now she’d be late and also have to ask off early for her appointment. Kayla liked her job as a computer specialist, and she didn’t want to do anything to put it in jeopardy.
Kayla tapped her fingers on the steering wheel. Traffic was heavy, and this was her third red light.
At work, Kayla tried to get busy and forget about her appointment with the police and her dinner with Jackson. He’d been in her thoughts since she’d left his house.
She’d dreamed about him all last night when she wasn’t awake and restless. How would she handle it when he left, and it was over? He had a wonderful smile and gorgeous blue eyes. He had winked at her when he’d started to walk away on Sunday. When he called later, his sexy voice made her toes curl. She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes.
“Did you have a late night,” her boss asked.
She straightened and hit her elbow on t
he edge of her desk. Kayla held back the cuss word she’d started to say.
“I wanted you to meet a friend of mind. We’re going out to lunch. Come out with us and have something to eat.”
Her boss was older and tended to want to look after Kayla like a mother. She’d introduced her to several men in the hopes Kayla would find the right one. After working for Mrs. Terrell for eight years, she knew her boss had the best of intentions. Kayla grabbed her purse and followed Mrs. Terrell to her office.
“Kayla Townsend meet Jackson Langley.”
She had to be dreaming. It was her dream man with the laughing blue eyes.
“I promise I didn’t plan this, but obviously we were destined to meet sooner than tonight.”
Mrs. Terrell looked confused. “You know each other?”
“We met this weekend,” Bear said with a grin and a wink. “And we have plans for tonight.”
Kyla could almost see the wheels turning in her boss’s head. She’d be thinking of a way to get them together more.
“Well Kayla,” Mrs. Terrell said. “Jackson is my surrogate son. You know when my son, Bill, died I was crushed. As SEALs, Bill and Jackson were good friends in spite of being on different teams. Jackson has looked after my husband and me these last two years.”
Kayla glanced at Jackson and was surprised to see a flush across his cheeks. He put his arm around Mrs. Terrell. “We both lost someone we loved. Her son, and then I lost my mother a year later of cancer. We help each other.” He kissed the top of Mrs. Terrell’s head. “Let’s go eat. I’m starving.”
“I’d better stay here and let you have your time together.”
“Nonsense.” Mrs. Terrell took hold of Kayla’s arm. “You’ve become a hermit and need to get out more.”
Over her head, Jackson grinned at Kayla.
“Fine, if you insist.”
“I do.”
At the restaurant, Kayla watched as Jackson teased Mrs. Terrell about the menu and what she might order. He’d suggested food Kayla knew her boss didn’t like, and she suspected Jackson was also aware of her preferences. But Mrs. Terrell would pretend to consider his suggestions and then laughed before ordering what she really wanted. Obviously, they’d been friends for a while.
Then he turned his attention to her. Her heart raced every time he looked at her.
“What appeals to you?”
“I’m not very hungry.” Except for you. Damn, there goes my face getting hot.
“They have good salads, Kayla. You’ve lost too much weight.”
“I’ll order a small salad and half-chicken sandwich,” Kayla said in a hurry. She didn’t want to continue to be the focus of attention.
After they ordered, she listened to her boss and Jackson talk about a variety of topics. They tried to pull her into the conversation, but mostly she listened. It helped her get to know Jackson better.
“I’m certain you spent your first day home at your house,” Mrs. Terrell said. “You need to find a nice lady to come home to instead of books, music, and solitude.”
“I need the solitude. You understand.”
“I do, but I’d love for you to give me some grandchildren to spoil.” She glanced at Kayla.
Kayla wanted to slide quietly under the table and disappear.
Jackson smiled. “Don’t be embarrassed. She does this to anyone under the age of forty whenever we’re together.”
“I don’t.”
Jackson stared at Mrs. Terrell and raised his eyebrows.
“Well, maybe, perhaps, sometimes.”
They laughed at her answer. “When I ask a lady out, I want to get to know her better. If I decide on marriage, the choice will be my mine.” Jackson winked at Kayla and kissed the side of Mrs. Terrell’s face.
“He sounds so much like Bill at times.” Mrs. Terrell patted his leg.
Kayla could barely eat. She was mesmerized by the two and their relationship.
“Does your family live nearby?” Jackson asked. “I’ve been told the blonde lady who comes with you to Aces is your friend.”
“I occasionally go to Aces with a group of friends. My family lives in Washington, DC.”
“I’ve seen your friends there often. Why don’t you go with them all the time?” Jackson asked.
Kayla shrugged. “I was dating someone, but we broke it off. Then I decided to stay away from Aces for a while.”
“Well, I’m glad you went the other night. But sorry the ending was so bad.”
“What happened?” Mrs. Terrell asked, and looked at them.
“I left before my friends, and a man attacked me. Jackson was my rescuer.”
“Oh, my goodness. You should have called and stayed home today.”
“I have to go to the police station later to give a statement. I’d planned to ask to leave early.”
“Of course, take the rest of the day.”
“No, I have a lot of work. But I’ll leave at four.” Kayla looked at Jackson. “Can we move dinner to seven?”
“Of course. How about I meet you at your house. You can call when you leave the office. Then I’ll drive you to the police station, and we can go on to my place for dinner.”
Damn, him. He’s too smart, too good-looking, and nice on top of it. But do I dare trust another man? My father let the family down when I was fifteen, and since then every man I’ve considered might be different, has disillusioned me. And he’s already said when he has to leave, it’s over. But I can’t resist one more try to find a man who loves me.
“All right. I’d rather not go there by myself.”
Mrs. Terrell beamed at them and frequently smiled as they finished their meal.
Back at the office, Kayla worked on the file that was most demanding. When Mrs. Terrell came out of her office, she stopped briefly at Kayla’s desk.
She touched Kayla’s chin and raised her face upward. “There is no man you can trust more than Jackson. If you are interested, I wish you’d give him a chance.”
“I don’t think he’s looking for a wife.”
“Perhaps not, but I think he really likes you.”
Kayla forced a smile and went back to work. No man as good-looking as Jackson would consider a woman like me for his wife. I’m not bad looking, but he’s gorgeous. And I hate to cook.
At four, Kayla left for home. She called Jackson after she got there. “I want to take a quick shower and wear something besides my business clothes. I’ll try and be ready when you get here.”
“If not, I’ll wait patiently. It’s a skill I had to learn for work.”
“Good. See you soon.”
****
After a long session of questions, Jackson put his arm around Kayla as they headed out the police station’s door. “I wish they’d have let me go in with you. But I understand why the police want a separate report from you and me. It makes sense they’d prefer to question us one at a time.” He guided her to his car. “You don’t look good.”
“Getting anxious brought on one of my bad headaches.”
“You can lie down when we get to my house. I’ll be barbecuing while you rest.”
“Please take me home. My medicine is there, and right now I wouldn’t be good company.”
Jackson turned his car around and headed toward her house. “How about I drop you off, you take your medicine and rest. Then just before it’s all ready, I’ll call. If you feel better, I’ll come get you. If not all that good food will be wasted on my buddies.”
“Such a tragedy. I’ll try my best to feel well by the time you call.”
When they arrived, he took her key and unlocked the front door. “Are you certain you’ll be all right if I leave you?
“I am. Go. Call later.” Kayla took her keys and playfully pushed him out the door and locked it. Stepping into her kitchen, she opened the cabinet and took two of the pills her doctor had prescribed for her severe headaches. The air-conditioner kicked in, and she sighed with relief when she stripped and laid on her bed’s co
ol sheets.
Kayla had no idea how long she’d slept when the phone rang. “Hello,” she said groggily.
“You sound sleepy.”
“I was sleeping until the phone rang.”
“Sorry, but I’m ready to barbecue some steaks, and I thought you might like a quiet evening getting to know each other more. I promise to be on my best behavior. Are you feeling better?”
Even on the phone, his husky voice made her whole body come to attention. Part of her wanted to go back to sleep, and part wanted to accept his invitation.
“If you still have a headache, we can make it tomorrow night.”
“Why are you so insistent on us getting to know each other? You know you might get called at any time, and that’s when it all ends.”
“Let’s just say you interest me in a way a woman hasn’t in several years. I can’t make any promises yet, but am I worth the risk?”
Kayla wanted to say yes. Thoughts whirled around in her head.
“Are you still there?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, you’re there, or yes, you’ll take a risk, and I can come get you in thirty minutes?”
“I’ll be ready.”
“Good. See you soon.”
****
He turned on his sound system to the oldies that he liked. His team teased him about his choice in music. But his mother loved the old tunes, and when he got home on leave, they often enjoyed them together. He missed her. His clock chirped out the hour. He’d better hurry. Being late would not be a good way to start with this lady.
Kayla was ready. Jackson gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll improve on that later, but you must be hungry.” He led her to his car and held the door for her.
When they arrived at Jackson’s house, he unlocked the door and gestured to Kayla to step inside. “Come with me. I’ve got the food ready to go on the grill.” He walked briskly to the left, through his family room, and into the large kitchen.
“You have a lovely home, but it is rather big for one person.”
“I like the space. After a mission where you spend so much time close together to accomplish your goal, coming home to a large, quiet house is good for the soul. That’s why the guys call me Bear. We all have nicknames. They found out in a hurry if I was disturbed before I reached out and called one of them, I could be grumpy.”
Special Forces: Operation Alpha: The SEAL’s Surprise Baby (Kindle Worlds Novella) Page 2