Maybe it was a terrible idea, but Vince couldn’t stay away. Spending the evening with Emma was better than strutting around the damn puzzle declaring his victory and having his parents pry about Emma.
Would she let him stay the night again?
A man could hope.
She met him at a Mexican restaurant downtown. When she walked in, wearing a light blue sweater that clung to her with just enough tightness, he inhaled a sharp breath.
When she spotted him, she smiled and walked over.
“You look beautiful. But that’s nothing new.” He stepped closer, ready to greet her with a kiss on the lips, but he held back.
“Thanks, Vince.” Her eyes twinkled. “You’re looking pretty good yourself.” She rubbed his stubble. “Soon you’ll have a full-grown beard.”
He laughed. “Which I’ll have to shave as soon as I report back to duty.”
Her smiled vanished and so did his. Why did he have to bring that up?
He didn’t mention his impending departure again while they shared a massive plate of nachos and drinks, yet it hung over them like a storm cloud heavy with rain as though it could come down on them at any moment. What he knew was that he wanted to spend as much time as he could here with Emma.
After they finished up and headed outside, he tried not to sound too eager to head home with her. “It got cold out.” The temperature had dropped to the twenties after sundown and the ocean breeze didn’t help. “We should go someplace warm.”
“Yes.” She faced him and their eyes locked.
So much was communicated through that silent connection yet neither of them spoke. She wanted him as he ached for her. The space between them pulsing with a vibrant, palpable strumming convinced him of it. His temperature rose, palms turned hot, and blood stirred through his veins. Had he ever wanted anyone this badly?
Her pupils dilated and her eyelids lowered, framed by her dark lashes. When her lips parted, his heartbeat lurched.
As he stepped closer to her, his movements seemed sluggish and his vision narrowed. All his focus homed in on Emma—her face, her lips, her body. How much he needed her. Now.
He reached for the back of her neck and lowered his head as he pulled them together. When their lips met, the simmering heat turned combustible.
She tasted so good with the hint of the fruity margarita still on her lips. She moaned against his mouth and wrapped her arms around him. He pulled her closer and pressed himself against her, his growing erection straining against his jeans. The urge to be with her again grew agonizing.
She pulled back a breath. “My place?” Her voice was low and throaty.
“Yes.”
He hailed a cab to get them there as quickly as possible. While in the back seat, their thighs touched. All he wanted to do was kiss her again, press his body on hers, but it would have to wait. It took all his restraint not to touch her body. Rather than sitting on one of his damn hands, he held one of hers. At least he comforted himself with the heat of her skin.
Stealing hungry glances at each other amplified the sensual tension. The few minute drive stretched out to decades. He forced himself to take slow breaths while staring at the passing scenery outside. The more crowded commercial area shifted into a residential one. Finally, they turned onto Emma’s street.
He practically threw the money at the driver when he stopped, leaving a generous tip so he wouldn’t have to wait for change.
Emma held his hand as she led the way to the front door, and he followed her, eager to pounce. When she opened the front door, she barely pushed it behind her before his need for her took over. He took her face in his hands and kissed her again, practically plundering her mouth with his aching desire.
He kicked the door closed behind him and fumbled to lock it before he had his hands all over her, touching all the curves that were off-limits to him in public. He could caress her breasts all night, but it wasn’t enough—he needed to touch all of her, feel her soft skin. He trailed his fingers down her sides, cupping her round ass. With the way she grabbed at his shirt, pulling it up before she covered his chest with her hands, she was just as desperate for skin-on-skin contact.
They kissed and clutched each other as they tried to move from her living room to her bedroom. He removed his shirt and stripped off hers as they stumbled around an end table. She kicked off her shoes and slid down her pants and kicked them off just after they entered her bedroom.
He stared at her, now only in a lace-trimmed black satin bra and panties, as he removed his shoes, socks, and pants. Her hair was tousled over her shoulders, and a few strands draping on her breasts, which rose and fell with her quickened breaths. Her pouty lips were parted and swollen from his rough kisses. The hottest part of all was the way she looked at him with unmasked desire in her darkened eyes.
“You’re so hot, Emma.” He rubbed his mouth. “You don’t know what you’re doing to me.”
“Oh?” She quirked a brow.
He took her hand and slid it down over his aching shaft. “Look how hard I am for you.”
She gave him a naughty smile as she stroked him with a light touch that drove his need to atmospheric levels.
“Did I do that?” She feigned innocence and surprise. “That’s so wrong of me.” She then slowly lowered herself to her knees.
He watched in what seemed like slow motion as his heartbeat leaped to the next level. Not only was he back in her room, what he’d been hoping and fantasizing about all day, but Emma was as hot for him as he was for her. She pulled down his boxers, staring up at him with a decadent glance. He braced his hands at the side of his head before his brain exploded as well as the rest of him.
“Emma…” His voice caught, strangled somewhere in his throat.
“I’m right here.”
She ran her fingers down the length and leaned forward, warming him with her breath. His body went as rigid as his erection. He sucked in a breath and then released it with a low whoosh.
She glanced up at him with those dark eyes. He’d never forget this sight. She leaned forward and licked the tip. His head instinctively dropped back. Then she glided her tongue down his shaft and back up again. He clenched his jaw as she captured him with a sensual spell. When she took him in her mouth, his knees almost buckled. It felt so good.
Emma added her hand, stroking up and down, as she sucked harder. Shit. He shuddered, captivated by desire that threatened to overwhelm him. He trailed his fingers over her head and moaned. Such incredible sensations.
It was too good. Too much. With reluctance, he pulled her away before he detonated and cut the night short.
“Emma, stop.”
“Why?” Her clipped voice was edged with frustration. “I was enjoying that.”
“I want to fuck you.” Desperation edged his tone.
Her eyes sparkled with lust. “I’m on board with that plan.
He unhooked her bra as he led her to the bed. When she leaned onto it, he pulled her panties down and off. Her naked body was a vision he’d never forget—all that soft skin and luscious curves he yearned to touch. He had to pause as he was already ready to explode. He ran his hand over his mouth and exhaled. He counted to five.
“What’s wrong, Vince?” Her brows furrowed.
“Nothing. You’re so hot. I just need a moment to regroup.” He counted again, making it to three before he couldn’t hold off any longer.
He climbed on top of her and kissed her everywhere he could. Her face, her neck, her breasts. He ran his fingers over her silky skin, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair. He touched the delicate skin on her breasts, using his thumb and forefinger to draw her nipples into tight hard peaks that he then licked and sucked while she panted and writhed beneath him.
He’d been desperate to bury himself inside her, but now that he had a taste, he wanted more. He continued kissing down her body, circling her belly button and then shifting lower. The scent of her arousal made him even harder than he’d ever been in his life.
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Vince dragged a finger through her slit. He moaned in pleasure. “So wet.”
“I want you.” Her voice came out breathy and demanding.
He explored her with his fingers as he lowered his head and drank in her scent. When he licked her, she trembled and sighed. So good. He’d never get enough of this. Never wanted to forget it after he left.
After he left…
No, he wouldn’t think of that now.
He buried his face between her legs, using both his mouth and hands to draw out her pleasure. Although his cock throbbed, he could play with her this way all night. When he sensed her getting close, he pulled back, driving her closer to the edge each time. The way she responded to his touch with shudders and pleasurable sounds was so satisfying. He wanted to learn a thousand new ways to please her.
Her fingers tangled through his hair. “Vince…” His name was a plea on her lips.
She was bucking off the bed. He had her right there. He couldn’t pull back this time, he needed her to come as much as she craved it.
He increased the pressure pushing her the final distance.
She cried out and shattered, clamping tight around his fingers. Her sweet honey covered his tongue, such an addictive taste. He wanted more of it.
“Can’t.” Her breath came out in audible pants. “Too much.” She pulled him up. “Fuck me, Vince.”
Hell yes. He moved up over her delicious body, sliding his tip between her folds.
“Condom?”
“Shit.” He pulled back. “In my jeans.”
“I might have some here.” She rolled over to her nightstand and fumbled inside the drawer.
A sudden stab of jealousy impaled him.
Why? It shouldn’t matter to him who they were for.
But it did.
She pulled out a foil packet. “It might be old. How long do these last?”
He shrugged. “How old do you think it is?”
She glanced at him with a sheepish expression. “Since well before that time with you in the hotel.”
Did that mean she hadn’t used them since then? He’d been the one to have a condom then. Had she been with another guy since then? He bit the words in, not wanting to picture that.
“You’re the only one I’ve been with since my divorce,” she admitted.
He exhaled, relief flooding him in satisfying waves.
But why should he care? They hadn’t talked about what last night had meant. For all he knew, it hadn’t changed anything for Emma and she still just wanted to be friends with benefits.
He gritted his teeth. That wasn’t enough for him. He wanted more.
He wanted her.
Vince shoved that thought aside. It was simply lust talking.
He took the condom packet and read the expiration date. “We’re good.”
Why was he wasting any more time? He tore open the packet and rolled it down over his shaft. Once sheathed, he crawled back on top of Emma and into her waiting arms.
He kissed her, rubbing the head in between her folds. “Ready for me?”
Her body tensed and then relaxed beneath him. “Yes.”
Vince pushed in an inch and then two before she relaxed. With delicious, agonizing slowness he pushed himself deeper until he was fully inside her.
“Ah, sweet fuck.” She felt so good. So damn right.
Whatever he’s just thought about it just being sex dissipated as one big laughable farce. He wanted Emma now even more than last night. Tomorrow he’d want her even more. It wasn’t just sex, wasn’t just friendship…
Shut the fuck up.
With his reprimand, he forced himself not to think and just feel. Emma was in his arms again and that’s all he needed.
“Yes, Vince.”
With slow, gentle movements he moved out and back in. Emma clutched at him. Once they established a rhythm, he lifted her hips off the bed, thrusting deeper. She panted and arched her body against his. He brought his hand down to touch her clit, and she cried out.
“Too sensitive right now.” She panted heavily. “From behind?”
He moaned just picturing it. Flipping her onto her hands and knees, he entered her again from this position. He caressed her luscious ass and gave her a quick slap. She yelped and then glanced over her shoulder, her surprised expression turning to desire.
Their pace resumed with him slamming into her from behind. She moaned and pushed her ass back. Their slick, heated bodies meeting again and again with a slapping sound.
He reached forward and stroked Emma. This time she didn’t stop him, but melted into his touch, moving with him. He circled her nub and applied more pressure. Her sighs grew louder, moans heightened to soft cries.
“Oh God, Vince, I’m right there!” She trembled and then squeezed around him with hot, tight pulses.
It was too much. Ecstasy thundered through him with uncontrollable force. Vince grabbed her hips as his fiery hot release detonated deep inside her. Quake after quake rushed through him and then subsided.
He lowered his forehead against her shoulder blade.
After several deep, shuddering breaths, he pulled out and removed the condom, tossing it into a trash can. He then lay on his back beside her, rolling her onto him. Her heated naked body pressed against his. Sweet and utter bliss.
Shit.
Sleeping with her was a terrible idea. It just made Vince want her a thousand times more.
If Emma didn’t feel the same way about him, where could his feelings lead? Only one outcome—an epic, explosive disaster.
Chapter Fifteen
Emma
Emma had a day of errands planned with tidying up her apartment and doing laundry. She also planned to go to a spin class.
After she put her first load of laundry in the dryer, she received a text. She pulled it out of her pocket with a smile, picturing a flirty message from Vince. They’d lingered in bed until late morning when hunger drove them to the kitchen for brunch. At noon, they finally separated and promised to get together that evening.
It wasn’t Vince.
Hope you had a good Christmas, Emma.
The text was from her ex, Peter. They rarely communicated after the divorce, so this was odd.
I did. You?
Yes. I know you don’t want to hear from me, but I thought it was best that you heard the news from me. We had a surprise.
The next text was a photo of a birth announcement with a festive Christmas theme.
A birth announcement!
Emma stared at it and her skin felt hot. She stared at the proud, excited smile on Peter’s face. The exhausted but exhilarated one on his wife. And the tiny, squishy baby nestled in her arms.
Their baby girl was born on Christmas day.
The perfect little Christmas gift for a far-from-perfect man.
Emma’s stomach clenched, everything inside her turned taut and churned. She dropped her phone onto the table and started to pace.
He was the one who wronged her. Hurt her. He cheated and got another woman pregnant.
And then what—he gets rewarded for it? What kind of cruel bullshit karma was that?
Her heart quickened and her breath turned ragged.
Not only had he destroyed their marriage, but so much more. Her dreams. Her hopes. Her trust. How could she ever trust someone again when the man she had loved—the one she had thought she’d spend the rest of her life with and start a family with—had started a family with somebody else?
Apparently, she wasn’t as special to him as he’d once said. After all, he’d replaced her so fucking easily.
She glanced around the living room, desperate to throw something, break anything!
No, she’d done enough of that when she’d discovered his betrayal. She couldn’t let him instigate her like this again.
She had to reply—and not with all the thoughts that churned through her head.
She gritted her teeth and wrote, Congrats to you all.
Thanks. You oka
y?
Need to run. Bye.
Okay, bye.
A few seconds later, he added. Sorry.
Again, he was sorry. How many times had he said it? Had he ever truly meant it?
What good was sorry when it didn’t take away any of the pain? Sure, it might make him feel better and alleviate some of his guilt.
Did it undo the betrayal?
Nope.
Heal her broken heart?
Nope.
Restore her capacity to trust again?
Absolutely not.
What good was an apology? His words didn’t fix anything.
The walls in her apartment were stifling. She had to get out of there. Out of her head.
She had to do something before she let his happiness unravel her. Burn the energy that would eat her from the inside out. Run away from all these suffocating emotions that would drag her back to depths she’d never, ever want to sink to again.
Swim. Yes, that was it. She’d swim.
That was one of the ways she’d dealt with the brutality of her heart being broken. When she swam, she could push herself to a point where she could drown the thoughts, and what she desperately wanted to avoid right now was to think or feel.
Emma changed into her swimsuit and covered up with warmer pants and a hoodie. As she drove to the base, she played her angry woman playlist, one she’d created after discovering Peter’s betrayal. Plenty of raw, emotional, heart-pumping songs to choose from, but she skipped right to Alanis Morrissette’s You Oughta Know.
Once she arrived on base and climbed into the pool, she attempted to soothe her wild, pained thoughts while sluicing through the water. She increased her pace, all too familiar with this chase to disengage from the turbulence in her head.
Her heart pounded faster, and her lungs burned for oxygen.
What was wrong with her for even considering any sort of relationship with Vince? Trust led to heartache. Heartache led to pain. Pain led to the emotional gutting of seeing your ex proudly announcing his new family on Christmas-fucking-day!
Emma swam faster and harder. Her lungs and muscles kicked into hyper drive, almost on the verge of exploding. She almost hoped they would. Then she wouldn’t have to feel like this anymore.
Vince: One Night with a Marine: A Second Chance Military Romance (Anchor Me Book 2) Page 13