by Cat Johnson
By the time her cries slowed, he was in a frenzy. He needed to be inside this woman before he came on her sheets like a teen. He released his hold on her.
All it took was one glance at her flushed face and glazed eyes and he was standing.
His shorts were in the living room. The condoms he’d been bold enough to buy on the way over were in the leg pocket of those cargo shorts.
The five-yard dash from her bedroom to the living room would have been faster if not for his knee brace, but he managed it fine and was back to her before her flushed skin had a chance to cool.
Then he was rolling on protection and rolling back over her.
That’s when it really hit him, as he poised at her entrance, overcome with the enormity of what they were about to do.
Eyes locked on hers, he breathed, "Dani."
He had wanted this for so long and now that it was actually happening, he had no more words than that. But the single word—her name—had carried all the emotions he felt.
She nodded. "I know."
Amazingly, she heard and understood all the unspoken words between them.
He loved this woman.
Nick had never let himself think those words before, even if they had been there, banging around in the background of his mind.
But now, so close to making her his, he could admit it to himself, if not to her.
He fucking loved this girl. He had for a while even if he hadn’t been able to admit it.
That, more than his most recent deployment, was why he was coming off a nine-month dry spell. And that was why none of the women who came on to him—at the beach house, at the bar—held any appeal for him.
Dani. It was her or nothing for him.
And he’d waited long enough for her already.
The waiting was over.
Nick tipped his hips forward and nudged against her.
She pressed her head back into the pillow, mouth open, eyes closed.
He slid inside her slick wet heat, ready for him. She gasped in a breath through her open mouth, then her eyes opened and caught his gaze that had never left her face.
Yes. He wanted her eyes open.
Wanted this annoying contrary woman who fought him at every turn to fully absorb who was loving her. Who was making her body react to his like they’d been born to be together.
Maybe they had been. Fate had put them together from birth. Neighbors growing up only steps from each other. And God—and the state of California—had bound them together when his brother married her sister.
Now, finally, they were both ready to accept it. They were supposed to be together.
Maybe that hadn’t been true until now. Now, when they were both mature and settled enough to do the work it took to be together. Who knows what would have happened if they’d done this when she was nineteen and engrossed in college and he was twenty and diving into his Navy career headfirst.
No, this was perfect. Now, like this, was what was meant to be.
He knew it, and he was going to show her, just in case she didn’t.
Stroking in and out, each time he went deeper until he bottomed out and could go no farther. But then she lifted her hips and he reached all new depths.
He wanted it fast and hard. He wanted it slow and long. But all he could seem to do right now was hold himself ball’s deep and absorb how it felt to be surrounded by Dani.
That, and try not to come too soon, because it had been a long time since he’d done this. And he swore it had never felt anything like it did with her now.
Her tight walls surrounded him, squeezing him to distraction, but then she clenched her muscles and damned if that little vixen didn’t find a way to drive him more insane.
That was it. He couldn’t stay still inside her. If he came, then so be it. They had all night and an eight-pack of condoms.
He lifted her one leg and pressed a kiss to the inside of her calf, before he rested her ankle on his shoulder and thrust, hard and fast.
He’d been right to be concerned. He came almost immediately. But through the fireworks shooting off in him as he drove himself home, he heard Dani’s rhythmic cries begin, then felt her body clenching his as she came around his cock.
That was it. He was a goner. He could happily be with no one but her ever again. And if she didn’t agree, he was going to have to convince her, because he was spoiled for all other women.
Now and forever.
TWENTY-FOUR
Morning came much too soon for Nick.
Before he knew it, the sun creeping through the bedroom blinds lit the room enough for him to see Dani’s beautiful face and those gorgeous eyes he’d stared into while making love to her last night.
He reached out one arm, looped it around her waist and hauled her closer.
She laced her fingers with those on his free hand. "I hate to tell you this, but even with as much as I'd like to spend the morning in bed with you, it's close to seven and we're supposed to be on set by eight."
Even with the bad news they’d slept late and needed to get to set, he couldn't control his smile as he imagined a whole day spent in bed with her.
The possibilities were endless of what they could do if he had countless hours.
As it was, he could still do amazing things to her body in a surprisingly short amount of time. He was definitely up for the challenge.
Then again, he didn’t want to rush it. Every moment with her should be savored. He’d waited too damn long to have her to not take his time now.
Besides, there was still a small chip on his shoulder about all those wasted years. He had every intention of taking the next year or so to prove to her how much she'd missed over the decade she'd hated him.
But if he lingered in bed any longer, they'd be all over each other. Then they'd both be late for work. Maybe he’d better get up.
"Can I get a rain check for that morning in bed?" he asked.
She bit her lip and looked adorable as she nodded. "Yeah."
"Good. But I think we have time for this." There was always time for a good morning kiss.
He pressed his lips to hers. He wanted that kiss, even if it was going to be too brief.
At least, he’d intended for it to be brief.
He'd intended it to be just a hint of a promise of things to come. He really had planned on pulling back so they could both get ready and go to work.
Somehow it didn't work out that way.
The kiss intensified. His tongue against hers sent a twisting of desire straight down to his hardening cock.
With one hand tangled in her hair and the other planted firmly on her ass, he hauled her against him. While kissing her deep, he pressed as close as he could get, enjoying the feel of her against him even through the damn sheets.
The frenzy built until he had a panting Dani on her back on the bed and he was over her.
Fuck the job. He wasn't leaving until he made her as crazed to have him as he was to have her.
Sneaking one hand between them, he connected with the warm bare skin of her thigh beneath the oversized T-shirt. Fair game, he figured, since she had yet to dress for work.
He continued up until he reached the juncture between her thighs and growled when she spread her legs farther apart for him.
God, he wanted this woman. He had for years. And having her last night, three times, hadn’t helped the craving at all.
He’d have to wait for what he really wanted to do to her, but he wasn't stopping until he got to see, live and in person one more time, the one thing he'd fantasized about more times than was healthy over the years. He was going to make Dani come. Make her cry out his name. Make her not be able to think of anything else except him and this for the rest of the damn day.
Then, maybe, he'd let her go to work, just so they could get this workday over with and get back here later tonight, because he was not going to let another sun rise before he sunk himself deep into this woman.
Now that he’d finally clai
med what he'd wanted for so long, he only wanted her more than ever.
He slipped a finger beneath the fabric of her underwear and groaned when he found her wet heat.
She gasped as he set to work, circling her with a fingertip, slow at first. Then faster. Harder. Until her breath came in gasps and her eyelids slammed shut.
When her hips rose off the bed, he knew she was close. When her muscles began to shake, he couldn't control his own breathing as it sped faster.
As she let out the first cry when the orgasm broke over her, it took all his willpower not to pull down his shorts and plunge inside her.
It was tempting to forget about the time and the job. This was a need that overrode all common sense.
He pushed her further until she clutched at him and flailed her head on the pillow.
"Nick." Finally, she gasped his name and all his dreams came true. She reached down and pulled his hand away. "Too much."
He couldn't disagree more.
This was not nearly enough. He could watch her come again and again and never tire of it. Although next time, he'd like to be inside when she did.
Easing off her, he drew in a deep breath and tried to get himself together.
"To be continued," he said.
"Yes." Her answer was soft as she looked suddenly shy.
Dani Garcia, big mouthed smart ass, was now quiet and shy. That must have been one hell of a powerful orgasm.
"I gotta jump in your shower quick, then we can go." He always kept a change of clothes in his vehicle. He could change quick and not do the walk of shame back to work in the same shorts and shirt he’d left in last night, not that he cared.
"All right," she agreed.
The room was brighter as the sun moved higher to stream between the curtains. He could see the pink in her cheeks. The brightness in her eyes. He’d put that look on her face.
That knowledge was enough to make him want to crawl back on top of her.
His cock definitely liked that idea, but the time was getting later by the minute.
Once they were at work, he'd have to be near Dani for the usual twelve to fifteen-hour workday and not touch her. Even if he was sporting an erection hard enough to hammer nails now.
Maybe this shower wouldn't be so quick after all.
He pressed one short kiss to her mouth as she lay, still catching her breath. Her eyes remained on him and now, finally, he saw what he hadn't before, but apparently the guys on set had. She didn't hate him.
In fact, there was a good chance they had been right and she liked him very much. And had for a while.
Last night was certainly proof that she liked him well enough now. And knowing that could get him through even the longest days on that crazy set, until he could get back here to be alone with her again.
He headed to the shower before he gave in to the urge to taste her all over and show her he knew oh so many tantalizing ways to please her. He'd have to wait until later, after work.
Today was going to be one long-ass day.
TWENTY-FIVE
It didn’t matter that Dani had spent the night before—and part of this morning—doing everything she’d ever dreamed with Nick. Life—and work—went on.
She was tired. Her muscles were sore. And she couldn’t stop smiling every damn time she saw him.
So much for that one-night stand getting him out of her system so they could both move on when he went back to active duty.
All their night together had done was plant him more firmly in her heart and in her soul. That had not been the plan.
But whatever happened, she was going to have to deal with it. She had weeks before that happened and there was, as usual, a fuck ton of work to do today.
Today’s fun and games were a joint bachelor/bachelorette party for Katia and Carl, featuring a bridesmaid/groomsman strip off. Because why not? They were all almost naked most days anyway.
In fact, looking at the costumes, they had more clothes on than usual.
The full stereotypical cast of stripper characters were in attendance—cowboy, construction worker, cop. Of course, these costumes could double for the Village People too. It all depended on the dance you did while wearing them.
The girls and guys were practicing their dance moves separately in preparation for the big showdown. Dani stood and watched the action through her sunglasses during what had turned out to be a glaringly bright afternoon.
Of course, maybe she was extra sensitive to the light because she’d gotten, oh, about one hour of sleep between bouts with Nick.
Other parts of her were extra sensitive today too, thanks to Nick. Not that she was complaining.
She spotted him across the pool now, making his way over to her. Trying to skirt around Katia and the cameras, he made a beeline in her direction.
“Hi,” she said when he got close enough. She was doing her best to control that damned grin that appeared whenever he was near.
“Hi.” He glanced around and then tipped his head closer to hers.
“No. No kissing at work.” She sounded an awful lot like a kindergarten teacher, but she had to keep a professional face on at her job.
His gaze dropped to her lips and he sighed.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"If I don't get to be alone with you again soon . . ." He shook his head, leaving the words unspoken.
Her imagination enjoyed filling in the blanks. She felt the same way.
Years of pent up hate were nothing compared to the years of lust she'd also felt when it came to Nick.
She hated to let him go even long enough to do his job. She didn't want to share him with the world again so soon. And she really didn't want to share him with Katia.
But this was going to be yet another long hard workday on set and it wouldn’t be over for her for many more hours. And he'd been staying extra late every night this week, even past the time she had.
Worse, today stupid Maria had been sending him off on bullshit errands every chance she got. Half of them to do with Katia.
Dani barely got to see him, let alone spend time with him.
He reached up and touched her face. "You're frowning."
"I'm wondering what fun things Maria will have you doing with Katia today . . . or tonight when she makes you stay late."
He grinned. "You’re jealous."
"Am not." She frowned deeper.
Nick leaned in and pressed a kiss to her mouth, quick and hard before he stepped back. "I like you being jealous."
"Then I'm going to have to stop." She narrowed her eyes at him. “And no kissing.”
He laughed, a full out belly-deep chuckle. "I like you best when you're contrary."
"I'm not contrary. And what does that even mean anyway?" She scowled.
He turned away, but then spun back. “You know . . . I could pick the lock on the master suite that the owners have off limits and we could have a little private time.” He waggled his eyebrows.
"You really would have made a great thief. You've got all the skills," she joked.
He smiled. "There's a fine line between what it takes to be a good guy and a bad guy."
“Apparently,” she agreed.
“Since you’ve already decided, wrongly, that I’m of questionable character, I guess I should give you this back.”
He pulled a piece of folded paper out of his pocket and handed it to her.
“What’s this?”
“Your list of all the reasons you shouldn’t be with me. I swiped it this morning. I particularly liked number one.” He grinned.
Uh, oh. She remembered that list, but she unfolded the paper anyway and read reason number one. It said too handsome. Of course, he liked that one best.
Then her eyes shifted down to number four. Katia.
There was the reason for his cocky grin and attitude about her being jealous. Written in black and white. Or actually purple and white because her favorite pen had purple ink.
There was no denying it, but t
hat didn’t mean she had to like it. She glanced up and delivered a searing glare at him—which he proceeded to laugh at.
Lifting one arm in a wave and looking much too pleased with himself, Nick said, "Gotta get to work. But I’ll try not to be too SEALy while I’m doing it. See you later, sweet pea."
"Sweet pea?" She drew back at the endearment. The shock of which had managed to knock her out of her bad mood.
He glanced back, his dimples making her want to bite his cheeks. "Eh, I was trying it out. I'll keep searching."
For a pet name for her? He'd given her one hell of a good time, not to mention a couple of mind-blowing orgasms, but it didn't feel like they were in the pet name stage.
He had to be messing with her and—mind blowing orgasms or not—she was going to call him on it.
"Are you being a smart ass and teasing me?" she asked.
He glanced back, looking sincere. Not a smirk in sight. "No. Of course not. I'll see you later, baby cakes.
He was serious. And seriously goofy. And as much as she suspected he was somehow doing it to mess with her, she hated to admit that she liked it.
She couldn't help the smile that bowed her lips. "Nope, not that one either," she called after him as he walked away.
"I'll get it eventually." He lifted an arm in a wave and disappeared into the house.
Jock. Pretty boy. Mr. Popular. The boy who'd ignored her all through school. The man she'd outwardly hated while secretly crushing on him for years . . . was brainstorming pet names for her like they were two goofballs in love.
The Nick she'd thought she'd known all these years wasn't the man walking away from her now trying out cute names for her.
Maybe she hadn't really known him at all.
She did know one thing. They might end up being late again in the morning. She could only hope.
TWENTY-SIX
Halfway through her dance, which consisted mostly of fist pumping the sky and gyrating her hips about an inch from Carl’s crotch, Tiffany jumped and started to hop on one leg.
“Ow!” She leaned down to inspect her ankle. “Something just bit me.”