“Would you trust me to go tandem?”
“Not sure what that means.”
“I strap on behind you, I tell you what to do, and we fly together. You’d love it.”
“Damon, you’re crazy. I’d never do that.”
“Sure you would. I know you have it in you. Don’t you want to find out?” He held her hand. “I’d be right there with you the whole way, strapped to your back.”
She knew that if he waited until tomorrow or the next day she’d chicken out. Before she knew it, they were at the glider center, watching one plane after another load up, take off and then allow their passengers to slowly float back down to the ground. Except for the idea of seeing houses that appeared one-half inch wide, the process didn’t look scary at all.
They were fitted with tandem chutes. A short instruction class began, telling her how her chute would open, what she would see, how to land, and how to position her arms and angle her body for the maximum good experience.
And then they were off in the airplane that didn’t have a door on the large opening she watched in front of her as they climbed to over thirteen thousand feet. The cars and trucks were the size of chocolate sprinkles on the doughnut she ate this morning. Panic was setting in. She considered asking Damon to take her back to the base.
“Stand up, sweetheart,” he whispered and kissed the side of her cheek.
She did so, and he hooked himself to her harness, and they walked to the opening like one crab-like being. “When do we…”
Damon nudged her into the opening and over the edge. The freefall she experienced wasn’t what she expected. Instead of falling, she was being pushed up by air coming from the earth.
He reminded her to keep her mouth closed because she’d been screaming. He touched her arms and she assumed the “W” position she’d been shown.
“Lean forward, legs back. Now pull this.”
All of a sudden, the chute unfurled into a beautiful red and yellow kite flying overhead. Objects on the ground were still very small, but the closer they got to earth, the warmer the air got. They could talk because the wind had stopped screaming all around her.
“See? Not so bad now, right?”
“It’s beautiful.”
“There’s Mexico over there.” He started pointing out ships and buildings they’d passed, including the harbor and the Convention Center. “There’s my Hummer, see it?”
Now his truck looked the size of her little fingernail.
He showed her how to pull on the weighted steering, making them turn, first to the right, and then to the left, hitting thermals which sent them back up small distances. It was peaceful and kissed with glorious sunlight. And she was with him.
She held his hand as he steered the glider expertly, prolonging their descent. And as they got close to the ground, he asked her to shoot her feet out in front, while they landed on his, and then they tumbled in the grasses and stopped.
On her back, tethered in the straps of her chute, her arms out to the sides, she looked up at the sky, blue and overwhelming, and felt the magic and the power of being alive.
He was there, watching her, kissing her gently, and witnessing the miracle together. She trusted him. She trusted herself not to let fear hold her back.
She embraced her future, whatever that was to be.
The next morning, she received the call from Gran Karmody. The Newbergs wanted to meet with her and discuss her request.
Martel knew that her past had finally come back to greet her. Would she be risking this beautiful love story for the chance to meet her daughter? She felt like she was stepping through another doorway to the freefall, except this time, she wasn’t strapped into safety.
It would be completely uncharted waters.
And it would be worth it.
Chapter 17
Damon watched Martel chatting with several of the SEAL wives at the Team 3 Christmas party, held at the Brownlee home. As was usual, the Brownlee’s tree filled the nearly two-story Spanish Renaissance home in one of the most exclusive areas of Coronado. Many of the SEAL children, if they were old enough to remember, were excited to find their little gifts the Brownlees placed under the tree. A crowd of nearly a dozen, including some toddlers who were shoved aside by the older children, had to be reminded to be careful not to disturb the tree or the ornaments.
Martel laughed at their antics, trying to follow the action while turning back to stay involved in the conversation with the wives and girlfriends.
Dr. and Mrs. Brownlee were Libby’s parents, Coop’s in-laws. A noted psychiatrist and frequent talk show guest as well as bestselling author, Dr. Brownlee had become the Team unofficial shrink, in all ways but legally. His own brother, Will, had been a Navy SEAL medic who perished in Grenada. As was tradition, his name was engraved on the ceremonial KA-BAR knife presented to Coop when he got his Trident. Kyle had ordered him to find out about the family of this fallen Bonefrog, since Coop had just lost all of his in a tornado in his home state of Nebraska.
And that’s where he’d met his wife, Libby, who was Will Brownlee’s niece.
The party was packed this year. Sometimes, the Team was deployed overseas, and only the wives and children were present. Or some of them would be on temporary assignments or extra training duties. But this year, it was nearly a full house. Luckily, the weather was nice enough that tables were spread outside around the huge Brownlee pool and patio area.
“That sure didn’t take you long,” whispered Cooper. He was joined by T.J. in admiring his choice.
Damon didn’t mind the implied dig. His divorce had just been finalized since he hadn’t contested anything and let Charlene keep the house.
“Funny how the right woman comes along at just the right time,” he said as he smiled in her direction. Then he faced Coop and T.J. “We were sweethearts ten years ago, just before I got out of Dodge and signed up. I’m lucky she seems to like having me back,” he said.
“I’ll bet. Night and day between her and the other one,” T.J. mumbled.
“She who will remain unnamed,” added Coop.
“May she rot in Hell and choke on the house payments,” said Damon.
“Glad that’s all settled then.” Coop sipped on his mineral water. “So, have you asked her yet?”
Damon squinted and sucked in air through his teeth. “We’re not quite there. Close. But not quite there. Lots of implied consent, if you know what I mean.”
“Oh, sweetheart, I love you. I never want to be without you!” T.J. mimicked, pumping his hips.
Damon still didn’t take offense. “Not like that at all,” he shook his head. “We’re taking it slow and steady. We’re exploring all sorts of options. Just getting to know each other again after such a long time apart.”
“I myself like it slow and hard,” mumbled T.J.
“The exploring part sounds kind of fun to me. You use handcuffs and strawberry gel and the titty cream?” asked Coop.
Damon did begin to get rattled at that comment. “How come you fellas never talked about this before with me?”
“Because you were a married man. Miserable, but married, Damon,” answered T.J.
“We live vicariously through all of you divorced or single guys. We like hearing about new love and wicked sex. Sometimes being long-term married with a couple of kids running around begins to get a bit routine, if you know what I mean,” added Coop.
“But that’s what I want.”
The two SEALs stared at Damon incredulously.
Damon couldn’t hold it more than ten seconds. His smile cracked, and soon they all were laughing. As they wandered off in search of another victim, T.J. punched him in the arm. “Good one. You’re all right. I was worried about you for a while.”
On the way back to Damon’s place, he asked her how she felt being at the party.
“Lovely ladies. And those kids, they’re bright, mostly polite, but Danny’s got a little hellion.”
“Oh, that’s Ali. He re
scued him from Iraq and adopted him. I think he was about three or four and had been living in a war zone. All his family was killed. His father died trying to save him.”
“That’s an amazing story.”
“He’s deadly accurate with a slingshot. Danny taught him and usually, his little brother, Griffin, has a bruise on his forehead. Griffin is his favorite target.”
“That’s terrible.”
“He’s been sent home from school dozens of times. They’ve got their hands full.”
“Luci is lovely. She’s got the patience of Job with three boys.”
“So you didn’t really answer my question.”
“I can see why you love working with these guys and their families. I understand now. I never did before. But you all are a big family.”
“Something goes wrong, we’re there for each other. The wives too. Only thing we aren’t supposed to do is gossip, but it happens sometimes. Sometimes the wives don’t get it, start moving out of the circle, and that just does not work here. We stick together.”
“I can see that.” Martel continued to stare through the windshield, and sighed.
Damon wondered if he’d come on too strong. But he needed to know there was no resistance on her part. His goal was to get her to commit, agree to move out to California as soon as she could arrange it. He was ready to lay down roots and make up for lost time.
But she was being a little elusive.
“What’s wrong?”
She turned. “Nothing. Why would you think that?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. You just seem…preoccupied.”
“Well, it’s all new, Damon. I grew up in California, but I spent most of that up north, as you know. A world apart from Southern California. And nothing like Florida.”
“I didn’t have to spend much time getting adjusted there,” he chuckled.
“It’s really not the same thing, Damon. In Florida, things are slower. You take off your uniform, your big boots, put on your shorts and flip flops. You hang out on the patio and watch the sun set every night. You eat seafood and dance at moonlight.”
She meant it. Life was harder for her in San Diego.
“Would you miss it?” He focused on his driving so she didn’t feel pressured.
“I’m learning to adjust. I could probably learn to adjust anywhere if you were there, Damon. And I like the Damon I fool around with here. I like his shower, his bed, his aftershave. I even like the way he drives his new truck.”
“Hummer.”
“It’s a truck.”
“No, it’s a Hummer. Big difference.” He pulled over and turned off the engine. They weren’t home, but near a little park overlooking the ocean. A large gray cruiser glided past them on its way back to the base. “Come on,” he said as he pulled her over the gear shift and out through the driver’s door.
Martel was laughing, pretending to try to get away. With her hair blowing in the gentle breeze and the water as a backdrop behind her, Damon fell to his knees.
“I’m crazy about you. I don’t need any more time trying to figure it out. I want you here. I’m all done with my search. You’re the one, Martel. Please tell me you’ll marry me.”
He could see a cloud form in her eyes. It wasn’t the pure love and acceptance he’d expected. Was she going to say no?
She slowly knelt down in front of him and took his hands in hers. “Just give me a little time. I want the same thing, Damon. I move a little slower. Remember, I’m working on Florida time.”
He tried not to show his disappointment. He’d been totally convinced she would be delighted, and they’d be making their rounds tonight, telling everyone they were engaged. What had happened?
“Damon,” she started, “Think of it this way. A good couple who are going to spend the rest of their lives together is a blending of two people. They are not the same. You’re the guy who loves doing things that are wild and active. I read, and yes, I enjoy learning about all the things you do, but my world is one of books—and teaching children to read. And maybe it takes longer for my brain and my heart to get in sync. It’s not a bad thing that we approach life differently. We can’t all be heroes and save the day. And you wouldn’t want that, either.”
He could see she’d spent a lot of time thinking about it, which bothered him further. He was torn between asking for explanation and considering that it would be best to let her figure it out on her own. He wouldn’t be able to convince her. She had to get there on her own. And that’s why she was here.
She wouldn’t have come if she wasn’t considering spending the rest of her life with me.
Their hands were still clutched together. She reached over and touched his cheek. “Damon, sweetheart, I want this to work. I really do. I’m sorting, processing, letting pieces fall into place. That’s what works for me.”
“You’re right.” He had to cut off the discussion. Perhaps he’d scared her or started out wrong.
They held hands back to the truck, and he helped her in again. Before he closed her door, he leaned in. “You just let me know if you have questions I need to answer. I’m going to let you do the sorting out, like you said. I trust you, Martel. We have no secrets, right? There isn’t anything or anyone standing in the way? I just want to be sure.”
Her eyes watered. She touched his cheek again. “No.”
But she was still crying when he pulled up to his place. And she couldn’t tell him what movie she wanted to go to tonight, since that had been the plan. He suggested they rent one, and she was agreeable, but didn’t have any preferences.
He knew he could make love to her, perhaps brighten her mood, caress, and work out all the second thoughts or worry she must be harboring. But he sort of didn’t want to do that tonight.
“It’s a lot to take in here, I know. Why don’t you take a shower and go to bed early? I’m going to stay up and watch a little T.V. Then I’ll come and join you,” he said, giving her a short kiss.
She didn’t pull him to her. She didn’t do anything at all except nod, look at her feet, and slip away into the bedroom, closing the door behind her.
He sat for several minutes in the dark and stared at that door. He didn’t know what was on the other side, but it wasn’t anything he could fight or manipulate. He had to wait. That was the most fucked up thing in the world right now.
Past midnight, Damon awoke with a kink in his neck from falling asleep upright on the couch. He’d been tired. Kind of a nervous energy, he thought.
Opening the door slowly to stop any noise, he tiptoed inside the bedroom, removed his shoes and clothes, and slipped into the sheets in his boxers. Her warm body had heated up the bed, and he became aroused, in spite of his decision to pull back a bit on his expectation and emotions.
But he felt her hand travel over his chest and up his neck. He accepted the gift of her soft body as it touched his, her thigh over his, her breasts rubbing against him, and the moan she gave him as their lips touched. She pulled her hair back and continued to kiss his neck and down the center of his chest. Her right hand smoothed over his thigh, lacing her fingers up and then down as they traveled toward his package. She arched up and placed him between her breasts and squeezed their flesh together.
His hardness was instantaneous as she undulated over him, gently riding his thigh, letting him feel her mound pressed firmly against him. She spread her legs wide, held onto him with both hands, massaged him up and down, and then touched his tip with her tongue, rubbing and probing. She gently sucked as he breached her lips, her tongue wrapping around him.
She kissed him from stem to his tip—then squeezed and fondled his balls. Her breathing became deep, the pressure increased until he couldn’t be still any longer. He sat up, partially, framing her face with his hands.
“That’s so nice, sweetheart.”
She drew him in deep, all the way to the back of her throat and held him.
He was about to burst. He needed to get inside her, but she was insistent, wor
king up and down on his shaft, increasing his size, turning him into a Grecian column.
He slid up the bed and she followed. Leaning against the padded headboard, he watched as her long hair framed her face, as she climbed up first one thigh and then the other. She gently rubbed him back and forth against her pulsing sex. She braced herself, holding on to the headboard with both hands while she angled her hips and let him seat completely inside her.
Damon gasped when her muscles enclosed him, as he felt the warm friction of the insides of her channel. He brought his hands to her breasts. Moving his hips, he forced himself deep inside her. She leaned over, presenting her nipples to his mouth and he sucked them into peaks. He pushed up and inside, back and forth until the movement became faster and faster. His thighs slapped against hers, his cock gliding quickly through the gateway of her sex. Until she arched up and moaned. Her insides fluttered.
He grabbed her ass, gripped her hips, and quickly flipped her over to fuck her deep from behind as she came. The satisfying constriction of his balls, responding to the new position, sent him spurting inside her. He held her tight against him, pushing as she pressed back against him. She found his hands and added pressure, followed his fingers as they tweaked her bud.
And then they stopped, breathing, waiting for the pulsing to stop, prolonging the moment for as long as they could.
The next morning, she was back. She matched every advance he made. She walked around in her robe untied, teasing him with her nakedness. They spent the next two days in bed. All the things they needed to do were put onto the backburner as he explored how deep and long he could feel consumed by this woman. He was going to give her every ounce she demanded. He’d be relentless. The two of them together would not be like Coop and T.J. Their only routine was feeling more, getting deeper and making the addiction last forever.
This was the way he was supposed to live.
She was to return home in three days. She told him she’d extended her stay by two because she’d run across an old friend from Oregon, who was now living in the Bay Area.
Second Chance SEAL: The Girl He Left Behind (Sunset SEALs Book 2) Page 13