by Ali Parker
Then his body covered me and his lips were on mine. I could taste myself there and it turned me on in a way I’d never experienced. I clutched him like he was a life raft and I was adrift on the stormy seas of ecstasy.
I could feel him rubbing his swollen shaft against my core and I opened to him, wanting nothing more than for him to bury himself deep inside me. He soon obliged, and we both let out simultaneous moans of relief. He was so large, I could feel him throbbing, and I couldn’t help myself. I squeezed my inner muscles, causing him to let out a groan and bite his lip.
He was so handsome, so strong. So goddamn sexy. I wanted every bit of him. His body. His soul. His heart.
Jack moved slowly at first, pressing into me and pulling almost all the way back out, before driving back in to the hilt. His motions were driving me crazy, forcing me to pull him in tighter and trying to force his movement with my own hip gyrations.
He let out a chuckle. “Be patient, little girl,” he growled, nipping at my neck. “I want to savor you.”
“Savor me quickly,” I replied, causing him to laugh again. No matter how hard I tried to get him to increase the pace, he held steady, slowly pushing all the way in, then back out, then in again, until my head was thrashing against the pillow.
I was going to lose my mind if he didn’t stop teasing me. I pulled his head in close and bit his neck. Then I breathed into his ear, telling him exactly what I wanted from him.
“Take me,” I whispered. “Claim me, make me yours. Bury yourself deep inside me and don’t stop until we both die from pleasure.”
He pulled back, the look in his eyes was fierce. I could tell my words had done their damage. He thrust in, hard, and then again, faster. “You little temptress,” he growled. “I can’t resist you, no matter how hard I try.”
I smiled, pulling his head down and pressing my lips to his. It was my turn to tease him, and as I licked his lips and pushed my tongue between them, I could feel him start to lose it. His strokes became wild, urgent, and I reveled in the power I had over him.
Then, as he plunged in faster, I realized he had the same power over me. I lost myself in the moment, loving the feel of him above me, inside me, a part of me. I never wanted it to end, this joining between us.
I could feel myself getting close again, but I held on, wanting to climax with him this time. I clutched him, biting his shoulder as he thrust into me over and over again. He groaned, then redoubled his efforts, my own passion pushing his to even higher heights.
I needed to come with him, or I was going to expire from the decadence of our joining. My entire being was focused on reaching my peak with Jack. The man I loved.
Chapter 19
Jack
Jesus, but she’s perfect for me.
It was the only thought I could hold in my head as I plunged into Emma’s perfection. Nothing had ever felt like this before. I needed to possess her, to make her mine, to own every ounce of her. Her pleasure. Her pain. Her body. Her being.
I could feel her starting to shake around me, and I knew she was close. So was I, so close that I was barely managing to hold on. But I was driven to make this the best she’d ever experienced. She deserved it.
“Please, Jack,” she cried. “Please!”
I knew what she was asking. She needed release, and so did I. She looked at me with those gorgeous golden eyes and the world stopped.
“I love you,” I said, unable to help myself. “I fucking love you, Emma.”
Her eyes widened, and then she smiled a smile of such sweetness that my heart melted in my chest. “I love you too, Jack.”
Her words set me free, gave me everything I’d ever wanted in five perfect syllables. It was time to give her the pleasure I’d promised. With every fiber of my being, I pressed into her, kissing her deeply while joining us together in the first of what I hoped would be many, many intimate moments.
Her muscles squeezed against me and I couldn’t hold back any longer. “Come with me,” I begged, thrusting hard, again and again. I could feel her surrender, could feel the rush of moisture, could hear her cries as she reached her peak.
I exploded inside her, letting out a cry that echoed around the room and probably woke the neighbors. It was the single most intense moment of my life.
Afterwards, I held her tight, loving the feel of her in my arms. She smiled up at me and I brushed her hair off her forehead.
I felt suddenly lighter than I had in a long time. Sharing my past with Emma had made me realize that I’d been carrying around the guilt of the desert woman’s death with me, wrapping my grief around me like a cocoon. Emma’s words made the difference, absolving me.
Although I might not have been able to save the woman in black, I could work my hardest to keep Emma safe. At the same time, I had to let her be an equal partner. She was smart, good at noticing things others didn’t. Those were valuable skills, and they shouldn’t be ignored just because I was worried about her.
All my life, I’d relied on myself. Coming from a broken home in a bad neighborhood, I’d had a hard time trusting others. I’d finally come to believe that Matt had my back, and then my Delta Force comrades. But after that day in the desert, I’d retreated into myself again. I’d thought then that it was myself I couldn’t trust. I was the one who’d let everyone down.
Now I realized that sometimes things happen in life that you couldn’t change. All you could try to do was rebuild and try to prevent more pain in the future. I wanted to rebuild now, wanted to learn to trust again.
Emma would provide the perfect opportunity to come back out of my shell. She would push me, challenge me, but also depend on me. I could build my confidence again while she worked at my side. I would value her like I valued my fellow warriors. I would watch her back like I watched theirs. And she would watch mine.
My phone rang, and I dug it out of my pants pocket. “Hello?”
“Walsh? It’s Douglas.”
I sat up, feeing suddenly guilty. Did he know Emma was here? How had I forgotten that Emma was the boss’s daughter?
“I was just down to the station, and I thought I’d fill you in on what was going on with Dexter Jansen.”
As I listened, Smith explained the whole sordid affair. It seemed that Jansen hadn’t been waiting for a product rollout, and there was no corporate espionage afoot, just as Emma had suggested. Jansen had been hiding out from organized crime figures.
The businessman had somehow gotten his hands on proof of the city councilman taking bribes, and he’d promptly tried to turn around and blackmail Drake. Drake had, of course, turned to his crime family buddies, and they’d turned their attention to Jansen.
Apparently, they’d made the assumption that Jack and Emma were in on the blackmail. When Emma had followed the man from the photo to the deli, she’d been fairly obvious in her pursuit.
I didn’t blame her. Tailing a guy without getting caught was an art form and she’d never trained for it. He’d watched her from inside the deli, and when she’d started to leave, he’d tailed her with two of his friends in one of their cars. She hadn’t even noticed she was being followed.
I thanked Smith for calling, and told him I planned to take it easy for the rest of the day, but that I’d be back in the office Monday morning. Then I hung up.
Emma was watching me, and I pulled her tight to me so that her head was resting on my shoulder. I related the bits that she hadn’t overheard, and I saw her start to blush.
“I’m such an idiot,” she groaned. “I led the bad guys right back to us.”
I leaned over to kiss her on the tip of her nose. “You couldn’t have known.”
“You would have seen them following you.”
I shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not. And I did have training. You were doing this on the fly.”
Emma laughed. “Right. Well, then, I’m going to declare that I cracked the case.”
I laughed. “Is that so?”
“Yes.” She nodded, then continued, matter
-of-factly. “I figured out about the councilman, and where their home base was. And I even got them to follow me back and led them into our trap.”
“Our trap?” She was ridiculous. And adorable.
“Yes. I set them up, you knock them down.”
I laughed, and she joined me. Then I turned to her, holding her steady while I gazed into her eyes. “It might have worked this time, but if you ever put yourself in danger like that again—”
“I know, I know,” she said, covering my mouth. “From now on, I’ll leave the really dangerous stuff to you.”
I nodded. “I can’t have the woman I love luring dangerous criminals into traps every day.”
She smiled. “Say it again.”
“What exactly do you want me to say?”
“That you love me.”
I smiled, looking deep into those glowing golden eyes. “I love you, Emma, and I always will.”
The kiss she gave me was so sweet that I thought I’d died and gone to heaven. But it was even better than that because we were still here on Earth, with a whole lifetime to spend together.
Epilogue
Emma
I couldn’t remember a happier Christmas Day. I’d spent the last several hours in the kitchen, baking and slicing and preparing a wonderful family dinner. My guys had spent the day enjoying each other’s company and staying out of my way, which was much appreciated.
I’d snuck out of Jack’s bed in the wee hours of the morning to get back before Dad noticed me being gone. We hadn’t told my father and brother about our relationship yet. It had only been a week or so, and we hadn’t wanted anything to puncture the perfect bubble we’d built around ourselves.
Loving Jack was so effortless. He was kind, strong, and funny. He knew how to make me smile, and when he touched me, I thought I would burst into flames. The way he looked at me, with such longing, could make me wet. Jack was extraordinary, and I was overjoyed that he was all mine.
I pulled the turkey out of the oven and then concentrated on the sides. Jack snuck into the kitchen and came up behind me, kissing my neck. “Need any help, sweetheart?” he asked. I told him that it was time to set the table, and if he was willing to help, I’d appreciate it.
We carried out the plates and silverware, setting the dining room table, then returned to the kitchen for the food. Matt wandered in, and I slapped his hand away before he could plunge it into the mashed potatoes. “Get out of her, you animal,” I yelled. “And on your way out, put the green beans on the table.”
“Yes boss,” he grumbled, then picked up the green beans, stopping to grab one and pop it into his mouth.
I rolled my eyes, then caught Jack’s glance. He was smiling, and I couldn’t help but laugh. I was so filled with joy, to be spending the holiday with my family and the man I loved. Even if our relationship was a secret, I was still blessed to have him at the same table as my guys.
When we’d all settled in, Dad led us in grace. Then Matt started digging in, filling his plate to overflowing. Dad asked if he was planning on going on a hunger strike or something, and I laughed. Matt always ate like it was his last meal.
We talked about the day, my brother complaining because I’d made them watch the same Christmas movies I made them watch every year. Jack jumped to my defense, saying that Christmas traditions come in all shapes and sizes.
Matt laughed, then told a story of the tradition Delta Force had on Christmas when Jack and he were still in the service. It had involved a camel spider in someone’s stocking, and it sounded like a horrible way to wake up on Christmas morning to me.
Then Dad had chimed in about the Christmas he’d spent in South America and how half of his unit had had the beginning stages of jungle rot due to inferior footwear. They’d re-written the lyrics to ‘Jingle Bells’ for the occasion.
Dad sang it now, his deep voice croaking and out of tune. “Jingle bells, your foot smells, it might rot off today! If we don’t get new boots then Santa brings new foots!”
“Dad, that’s a terrible song,” I said, making a face. The guys started to laugh and I joined them, enjoying the feeling of closeness, of having all the people I loved around me on a special day.
The conversation continued until we’d all had our fill of the food. I received many compliments on my cooking and I appreciated each one, although I wasn’t looking forward to the mountain of dishes I would have to clean up after dinner.
In the quiet lull, Jack tapped his glass with his knife. We all turned and he stood up, holding out his glass.
“I can’t thank you all enough for welcoming me into your home. You’ve always been kind to me, and I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.”
Jack’s gaze met mine and I stiffened, anxious about what he might say. He was looking at me with such love in his eyes that I was worried he’d give us away. I didn’t want my Dad and brother to drive him away like every other boyfriend I’d had. I wouldn’t be able to stand it if they didn’t approve of our being together.
“I hope that you will continue to show me such acceptance after I say my piece today.” Jack took a deep breath, then turned his attention to my father. “You have raised two wonderful children. Matt is my best friend, and we’ve been to Hell and back together. He’s always had my back, and I’ll always have his.”
Dad smiled, nodding his head. So far, so good, I thought.
“Your daughter Emma is the kindest, gentlest, sweetest woman I’ve ever met. She’s smart, capable, and really a wonderful woman.”
My eyes started to fill with unshed tears. Jack was really too sweet. I expected him to stop then, but he didn’t sit down. Instead, he continued.
“In the time I’ve spent with your daughter, we’ve grown closer. I know it’s bad form to fall for the boss’s daughter, and to make a move on your best friend’s sister, but I couldn’t help myself. Emma is just too beautiful, too perfect to resist.”
My eyes widened, and my glance shot to Dad and Matt. They wore twin expressions of stony astonishment.
“I promise to treat her with respect and to keep her safe. I will try my best to fulfil her every wish, and to cherish her forever. I hope that you will give us your blessing.”
I held my breath, my eyes fastened on my father’s face. Dad looked stern for a moment, and I was worried that he wouldn’t accept Jack. It would be every other boyfriend all over again. I couldn’t take that, not with Jack. I loved him more than I’d ever loved anyone, and if Dad and Matt couldn’t accept it, then they could go climb a Christmas tree.
Suddenly Dad’s face split into a smile. “Son, I’d be honored to give you my blessing.” I felt a weight leave my chest as my father continued. “You’re a good man, and I know you want the best for her. Just keep her out of any crazy investigations in the future, and I’ll be forever grateful. I know you’ll be able to protect her, and to put up with her.”
Matt laughed. “You’ll be the only one in history who could put up with her,” he said, and I reached across the table to smack his arm. “She’s a handful.”
“She’s my handful,” Jack corrected, then came around the table to plant a kiss on my forehead. “I’d like to make a toast to the Smith family. Thank you for all that you’ve done for me.”
Dad raised his glass, and so did Matt. My asshole brother couldn’t resist adding, “And thank you, Jack, for taking Emma off our hands.”
We all laughed, and I thought my heart would explode in my chest from happiness. As we did every Christmas, after dinner we headed into the living room to enjoy the Christmas tree lights and to watch cheesy movies.
This year was the best ever, though, because I got to snuggle up close to Jack on the couch. He laughed at the same parts that I did, and when things got a little too heavy, he wiped my tears. I’d never felt so cared for, so cherished. It was really the greatest Christmas present anyone could ask for.
During a break between movies, Jack stood, getting close to the tree. “I think there’s still one prese
nt under here,” he said, leaning down and pulling out a box.
“Oh yeah,” Matt said. “Who’s it for?”
“Emma,” Jack said, coming closer to me. He held a small box out to me. It was white and had a big red bow on it. I’d put most of the presents under the tree myself, and had handed them out this morning when me and Dad and Matt had been opening them. I didn’t remember seeing any box like this.
I took the box, and Jack went down to one knee. A sudden jolt went through me, and everything slowed down. My hands were shaking when they opened the box.
Inside I found a perfect diamond ring. Jack took the ring from my hand, then slid it onto the third finger on my left hand.
“Emma,” he said, his voice somber. “I never knew what love was until I met you. I promise to make your every day as happy as this one, if you agree to be my wife. Emma Smith, will you marry me?”
I couldn’t stop the tears from spilling down my cheeks. I smiled so wide I thought my face would crack. “Yes,” I managed to bleat, “I’ll marry you!”
I tumbled off the couch and into his arms. He caught me, and I knew then that he would always catch me. I kissed him, unable to help myself, not even caring that Dad and Matt were in the room and would be staring at us.
He kissed me back and I felt the love he had for me in the kiss. It was the feeling of being a kid and coming down on Christmas morning to find all your presents waiting for you. Except this feeling was even better, because I knew it would last a lifetime.
“I love you, Jack Walsh,” I said, crying openly. “You’re the best Christmas present a girl could ever hope for.”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” he whispered into my ear. “I love you.”
“Ewww,” Matt said, then made a barfing noise. “Could you guys get a room already? You’re grossing me out.”
I heard my dad smack Matt on the back of his head and I started to laugh. “Are you sure you want to marry into this family?” I asked.