by Susan Stoker
Alabama grasped his wrist with her hands and said, “For what?”
“Thank you for coming with me today. It means more to me than I can say that you like my family.”
“They’re good people, Christopher. I’m just glad they didn’t hate me.”
“There’s no chance they would’ve hated you, baby. They loved you. They would’ve moved you into my place today if you’d given them half a chance.”
She laughed. “I’m not sure about that, but I loved seeing you guys together. You have no idea how lucky you are.”
“I know, Alabama. Believe me, I know. I spend too much time in crappy countries and see way too many examples of horrible things people do to one another to take advantage of my family…or you.”
Alabama caressed the back of his neck with one of her hands. “I know you do, Christopher. You deserve your family.”
“You deserve my family too, sweet.”
They sat in the car for another moment before Abe closed his eyes and touched his lips to hers. The kiss was light and sweet, but wasn’t short.
They pulled back and sat for a few seconds looking into each other’s eyes.
“You ready to head home?” Abe asked with an intense look in his eyes.
Alabama knew exactly what was on his mind, and it was on hers too. She nodded.
Abe kissed her one more time, then let go and turned the key in the ignition. “Let’s go home, sweet. I’ll show you how much I ‘like’ you.” He smirked.
Alabama couldn’t wait.
Chapter Thirteen
The next night after cleaning the offices, Alabama entered Christopher’s quarters on the base. He’d told her to come to his place because he wanted to make her dinner. She much preferred it when he made dinner because she sucked at it. She could make packaged noodles or stew, but that was about the extent of her culinary skills.
The moment she opened his door she smelled the delicious scent of garlic and other spices. He was making spaghetti and it smelled heavenly.
Abe couldn’t wait for Alabama to get off work and get home. He’d started thinking about anyplace they were sleeping each night as “home.” He wanted to spoil her tonight because he’d gotten the news he’d been dreading for a while. He knew it was going to come sooner or later, and today their commanding officer told them they were slated for a mission.
They were leaving the next morning, which wasn’t surprising. Most of the time when they got called away, it was with little-to-no notice.
Now Abe had to tell Alabama he was leaving. He was nervous. It was the first time the team had been called away on a mission since he and Alabama had gotten together.
Abe wasn’t stupid. He knew the statistics of relationships of Navy SEALs. They were abysmally low. But if Caroline and Wolf would make it work, Abe had hope that he and Alabama could as well.
This first time he had to leave Alabama would be tough, he knew it. For the first time in a long time, Abe wasn’t looking forward to leaving. Usually he was the first person on the plane and was the most enthusiastic about completing the mission successfully.
This would be the first time Abe didn’t spend the night before they left going over the intelligence they’d received. He wanted to spend every second with Alabama, not thinking about work. Abe wanted to answer any questions Alabama had, that he was allowed to answer, and he wanted to spend his last hours with her wrapped in his arms.
“Hey, sweet, did you have a good day?” Abe went to meet Alabama as she came into the room.
“Yeah, same ol’, same ol’. You?”
“I missed you.”
“Well, duh,” Alabama returned with a smirk.
Abe laughed and grabbed her. He bent her over his arm and leaned her backwards until her head was below her shoulders.
Alabama shrieked and grabbed his biceps tightly. Abe put his mouth on her neck and nipped. “You missed me?” He asked between bites.
“Yes, yes, you know I did! Let me up!”
Abe chuckled and brought her upright, not letting go.
Alabama could feel how happy he was to see her. His hard length pressed against her as he held her close.
“Kiss me, sweet. It’s been almost eight hours since I’ve tasted you.”
“With pleasure.”
After a few moments Abe reluctantly pulled away. “If I don’t stop now, we don’t get to eat.”
“That’s okay with me,” Alabama murmured before pulling his earlobe into her mouth and sucking, hard.
Abe shuddered and thought about saying the hell with dinner before remembering he had to tell her he was leaving in the morning.
He set Alabama away firmly and laughed as she pouted. “Come on, let me feed you, woman.”
Dinner was delicious, as usual. Christopher was a wonderful cook and Alabama always enjoyed whatever he made. The sauce for the noodles was spicy, but not overwhelmingly so.
When they’d finished, they both cleared the table and Christopher washed the dishes while Alabama dried them.
“Want to watch television for a while?” Abe asked, knowing she’d decline.
“No, I want you.”
Alabama had come out of her shell and Abe loved it. She didn’t seem shy with him anymore and she was confident in bed. He loved that she let him be as bossy as he needed to be. She’d do whatever he told her to with no questions asked. He’d told her one night that if there was ever anything he asked of her in the bedroom that she didn’t feel comfortable doing, she should tell him and he’d back off. Abe had been surprised by her response. Alabama told him that she trusted him. That she loved when he took charge and she’d loved everything they’d done together. Abe knew they were meant to be together.
Abe grabbed Alabama and slung her over his shoulder in a fireman’s hold. At her surprised shriek, he laughed.
“Put me down, Christopher, I’m too heavy!”
“Are you kidding me? Baby, you know I’m a SEAL right? The equipment I have to carry weighs more than you do!”
She laughed with him. He stopped laughing when he felt her hands gripping his butt. He walked faster toward his bed. He had to be inside her. Now.
He stalked into his bedroom and dumped Alabama in the middle of his bed. Abe loved the sound of her laughter, loved being the one to give that to her. He knew she hadn’t laughed enough in her life.
“I love seeing you here.”
“Where?”
“In my bed.”
Alabama smiled up at Christopher and sat up. Without a word she lifted both arms above her head.
Abe reached for Alabama and slowly tugged her shirt over her head. Without looking to see where it landed, he threw it behind him. He reached for her breasts and caressed them. “God, Alabama, you are so fucking sexy.”
Alabama just smiled up at Christopher. She could see the evidence of how sexy he thought she looked, by the hard ridge in his pants. She laid back, dislodging his hands. Resting on her elbows on the bed, she told him playfully, “These pants are awfully uncomfortable. Care to help me with them?”
Abe loved when Alabama got playful. “Of course, sweet. Wouldn’t want you to be uncomfortable...” Running his hands over her stomach he took his time in getting to the button on her jeans. He released it and slowly eased the zipper down. “Lift up,” he ordered hoarsely and swallowed hard when Alabama lifted her hips up at him.
Abe put his hands inside her jeans at either side of her hips and eased the material down, taking her undies with them at the same time. “Whoops, looks like your panties accidentally came off with your jeans.”
Alabama just laughed and reached behind her back and unclipped her bra. She quickly removed it and laid back, hands over her head, and arched her back. “One of us is overdressed.”
Without a word Abe pulled Alabama’s hips to the side of the bed. She shrieked in surprise, but he didn’t hesitate. He looked up and caught her eyes with his and lowered his head.
“Christopher,” Alabama moaned in ecstasy.
Finally taking his eyes from hers, Abe looked down at the perfection that was Alabama’s sex. “You’re so wet.” He took one hand from her hips and ran his finger lightly through her wetness and up to her clit, then he lowered his head. While his finger caressed over and around her hot spot, his tongue explored every inch of her folds.
Alabama moaned. She never dreamed oral sex could feel this good. She and Christopher had played and explored each other’s bodies, but this was different somehow. He was still completely dressed and she loved it. She felt wanton and sexy and she loved every second of his mouth on her. “God, that feels so good.”
Abe moved his mouth up to her clit, and lightly sucked. He eased his finger inside her at the same time and searched for the soft spot on the front wall of her sex. When Alabama jumped in his grasp, he knew he’d found it. He eased another finger inside to join the first while his other hand gripped her hip tightly. Abe lifted his head long enough to murmur, “Let go, sweet. I want to feel you come around my fingers. Give me all you got, don’t hold back.” He lowered his head and set about driving her crazy.
Alabama writhed in Christopher’s grasp. She put one hand on the back of his head and gripped what little hair he had. Her other hand gripped the sheet at her side tightly. She’d orgasmed with Christopher inside her before, but this was different somehow. It seemed more intimate, more intense...just more.
Abe could feel Alabama was close. He stroked her inner wall and sucked hard on her clit at the same time. With one last twist of his hand and a little hum under his breath, Alabama was coming for him.
He didn’t let up as she thrashed under him, but kept going until she shuddered again. Finally when she moaned, “God, please, Christopher,” he eased up. He licked her one more time and slowly removed his fingers. Waiting until she looked down at him, he brought his fingers to his mouth and slowly cleaned off her juices. “Beautiful and delicious,” he told her with a gleam in his eye.
“I want you.”
“You have me, sweet.”
“No, inside. I want you inside me. Now.”
Abe slowly backed away from the side of the bed where he’d been kneeling and stood up. “Scoot back, sweet. Give me some room.”
Alabama did as he asked, and moved to the center of the bed, not taking her eyes off of Christopher. As she moved, he whipped his shirt up and over his head, then removed his pants and underwear without taking his eyes off of her. Within moments he was moving over her on the bed.
She looked up at his as he came over her. His eyes were intense and dilated with lust. Without a word he finally broke eye contact and leaned down and captured one breast in his hand and the other with his mouth. He alternated sucking and pinching her nipples. Finally when Alabama was ready to attack him, he said, “I can’t wait anymore.”
“Then don’t. Jesus, Christopher. Take me already.”
“Guide me in.”
Alabama moaned. Everything out of his mouth was sexy as hell and turned her on even more. She reached down and caressed Christopher’s impressive hard on. When he growled at her, she just smiled.
“Do it.”
Alabama would’ve teased him further, but she wanted him inside her as much as he apparently wanted to be there. She guided his length to her opening and they moved at the same time. She thrust her hips up just as he pushed into her with one quick movement.
“Oh yeah,” he moaned at the same time Alabama said, “God, yes!”
Abe held himself still over Alabama for a moment. She felt amazing. Every time they made love felt like the first time all over again. She gripped him tight and she was soaking wet. He pulled out to the tip, then thrust in to the hilt. He wanted to lose himself in her, to somehow make them one. He pulled out again, slowly, then slammed inside once more.
“Yeah, Christopher. Again. Harder.”
Abe did as Alabama asked, and repeated his movement. Over and over, he slowly pulled out, then slammed back inside her. When her hips started thrusting up to meet his on each down stroke, he flipped them. Alabama faltered at the change in position and leaned up to look down at him. Her hands rested on his chest and he could feel them flex into little claws.
“Ride me, Alabama. Take me.”
Without a word she moved. She pulled herself up, then back down. It look her a few strokes to get into a rhythm, but once she did, they both groaned.
“You are beautiful. Look at you.” Abe couldn’t believe how lucky he was. Alabama was beautiful. Her breasts bounced with her movements and her head was thrown back. He ran his hands down over her chest and gripped her hips tightly in his. “Harder, Alabama. I’m yours. Take me.”
When Abe knew he was on the verge, he reached down and ran his thumb over Alabama’s clit as she rode him. Three strokes was all it took before she exploded. He took over and held her hips tight as she shook above him and slammed himself into her. After five strokes, he too was coming. Abe held Alabama to him as they rode out their orgasms. Finally Alabama collapsed on top of him.
“I’m too heavy,” Alabama murmured and tried to slide off to the side of his body.
“No, you’re perfect. Stay. I don’t want to lose you yet.” That too was a new experience for Abe. In the past he couldn’t wait to retreat from a woman’s bed and clean himself up. He couldn’t take a shower soon enough after he left the bed. But with Alabama, he reveled in their combined scent, her touch, the feel of himself softening inside of her. He was going to miss this. He was going to miss her. Fuck, he didn’t want to leave her.
They lay in bed entwined and sated. Every time they’d made love it seemed to get better and better. Alabama had finally slid to the side and her head was now resting on his shoulder and she had one leg thrown over his. Her arm was tight around his abdomen and she was snuggled into his side as if she was attached.
Abe knew it was time. He couldn’t put off the news of his leaving any longer. He hated to do it when they were both so relaxed, but it had to be done.
“Sweet, our commanding officer called the team in today with news. I have to leave tomorrow on a mission. I can’t tell you where we’re going or how long we’ll be gone, but I swear to you, I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
Tears immediately sprung to Alabama’s eyes. She knew this day was coming. They’d been lucky so far, the team hadn’t been called out in a long time. She didn’t let go of Christopher, but tilted her head back so she could see his face.
“Don’t cry sweet, I’ll be back soon,” Abe begged.
“That’s not why I’m upset,” Alabama choked out.
“Talk to me.”
“You’ll be careful, won’t you?”
“Oh, baby.” Abe knew immediately what she was scared of. “Of course. You know my team is the best of the best. Besides, I have you to come back home to. I won’t be taking any chances. I want to come home to you.”
“Promise?”
Abe smiled. She’d made him promise all sorts of things since they’d been dating, and he hadn’t hesitated to promise whatever she needed to hear. He’d lasso the moon if he could for her.
“I promise, sweet.”
She sniffed loudly and tried to bring herself under control. “Maybe I’ll call Caroline and hang out with her while you guys are gone.”
Abe tilted her chin up and kissed her passionately. He loved how sensitive Alabama was. She went from being upset he’d be gone, to immediately thinking about her friend and how she’d need some support as well.
“That’s a great idea. I know she’d love to have some company while we’re gone. You know you could also call Susie or Alicia too. I’m sure they’d love to get to know you better.”
Alabama nodded and cuddled deeper into Christopher’s arms. She wasn’t ready to meet with his sisters by herself. She knew it’d take a few more visits with Christopher with her before she’d be ready to go out with them on her own.
They were silent for a while, lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Abe turned Alabama until she was o
n her back and he loomed over her. He smiled. Yeah, he didn’t want to leave, but the sooner he left, the sooner he could get back and have out-of-this-world “welcome home” sex. In the meantime he meant to leave his woman so satiated they’d be able to make it through their separation.
Chapter Fourteen
Alabama sat at her small kitchen table twirling a fork around her fingers while she waited for her microwave dinner to finish. It’d been ten days since Christopher had left and she felt bereft. She and Caroline had gotten together several nights and talked. Alabama got a better idea what it meant to be with a SEAL. Many times the SEAL team had to leave at a moment’s notice. Caroline never knew where Matthew was or when he’d be back.
But Caroline had explained while it was tough, very tough, she also knew it was what Matthew was meant to do. Because of her experiences with the team, she knew they were competent at what they did. Caroline had told Alabama the entire story about how she’d been kidnapped and thrown overboard in the ocean. The SEAL team had come together and not only saved her life, but brought down the bad guys at the same time.
Alabama had been horrified at what Caroline had been through, but understood what Caroline was trying to tell her. Caroline trusted the team to take care of each other—she’d seen them first hand in action.
Caroline loved the other men on the team like brothers. There was no one she’d rather have at Matthew’s back then the men on the team. Alabama figured if Caroline could trust them to keep Matthew safe, then she could do the same with Christopher.
Alabama came back to the present. Work that night had been weird. She’d shown up as usual at the Realty building, but Adelaide had been there with another agent, Joni. Alabama didn’t really know Joni that well. She’d joined the company after the fire. Alabama had seen Adelaide and Joni hanging out, so she hadn’t bothered to try to get to know her. She figured if Joni was hanging out with Adelaide, she had no desire to get to know her. Maybe that wasn’t fair, but it was what it was.