Santa's Naughty Helpers

by Elizabeth Knox

  “What does that mean?”

  “I don’t do one-night stands well. I don’t like them. And when I date someone, I’m all in and I expect the same respect.”

  She tilted her head. “Care to tone that down a tad?”

  “Sorry.” He took a slight step back, pulling off his shirt, he covered her breasts with it. “Before we go any further. I got burned.”

  “Is that man speak for I had my heart broken?”

  He swallowed and then gave a short nod.

  Clutching the fabric with one hand, she palmed his cheek with the other. “I don’t date more than one man at a time and I don’t share. I also don’t jump into bed with men on the first date.”

  He took a piece of her hair and brushed it behind her shoulders. “So, I guess I’m an exception to the rule.”

  “You’re the guy who got me to break all my rules.” She dropped the shirt. “But something tells me you’re going to be worth it.”

  They fell to the bed as she grappled with the rest of his clothes, needing to feel his warm skin. Never in her life had she felt so desperate to be with a man.

  And he shared her desire as he took her fast and hard. Gripping her wrists tight over her head, his tongue probed the inside of her mouth as he plunged inside her, making her entire body quiver in delight.

  Wanting a little more control, she pushed him to his back and pressed her hands on his chest, rocking back and forth, taking him shamelessly.

  He lapped at her nipple, grazing it with his teeth.

  She arched her back. The buildup started at her toes, crawled up the back of her legs, and stirred inside her belly like boiling water. “Yes. Yes.”

  Pulling her to his chest, he kissed her, hard, thrusting himself up into her with the same decisive passion.

  Her orgasm hit her body with the force of a hurricane. She dug her fingernails into his chest and sucked in a breath. Her lungs burned and another wave rolled across her body. “Corey,” she whispered. His name rolled off her tongue like melting butter.

  He tugged her closer, kissing her neck. His hands rubbed up and down her back in long tender strokes.

  She shivered.

  “Are you cold?” He tugged at the sheets.

  “No.” She snuggled up into his welcoming arms. “Please don’t tell me you’re going to go running off before the sun comes out.”

  “I have no intention of going anywhere until after I serve you a proper breakfast.” He kissed her forehead. “And maybe do this again.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “Speaking of that. Do you have anything to do tomorrow?”

  “Not really, why?”

  “Care to spend the day with me?” he asked with his hand tangled in her hair.

  “I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.” She propped her head up on his chest. “You’re an unexpected complication.”

  “Right back at you,” he said. “You’re like no woman I’ve ever met before and I look forward to finding out everything about you.”

  “That might scare you away.” She rolled to her side, tucking her hands up under her cheek.

  He wrapped his arms around her. “Only thing that scares me is how easy this is and how quickly I’m going to fall for you.”

  Chapter Two

  Five years later

  Orlando, Florida . . .

  Corey knew without a doubt he’d made the right move by not re-enlisting with the Marine Corps. No matter how much he loved serving his country.

  He loved his future wife and unborn child more.

  And, he could serve just as well with the Aegis Network, an elite group of men and women, mostly ex-military, founded by two of Corey’s buddies who’d been forced out of the Marines a few years ago because of life changing injuries. Corey couldn’t think of two men he’d be prouder to call his bosses.

  Besides, they’d saved his ass more than once.

  Including the mission that had stolen Brian Asher and Decker Griggs’s career while they were still in their prime.

  He adjusted his towel over his waist and ran a hand over his freshly buzzed head. “Hey babe, is there coffee made?” He opened the bathroom door as he wiped his hand over the mirror.

  Ruby handed him his favorite mug filled with a steaming brew of the perfect blend of—he had no idea and every time he tried to make her coffee, he fucked it up. “I really hate it when you do that.”

  He blinked and inhaled sharply. “Just thought I’d give you something to miss me over.” He blew on the dark liquid before taking a decent size gulp.

  “I wish you didn’t have to go.” She rubbed her rounded belly, which protruded out from under a shirt that was definitely not maternity and had to be at least three sizes too small at this point.

  Not that he cared.

  He found her growing stomach to be the sexiest thing he’d ever seen.

  “It’s my last deployment. I’ll be home before you know it.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek before lathering up his scruffy face. It had been a full three days since he took a razor to the stubble. He looked forward to the day when he could let it go a little longer, along with his hair.

  “But you’re going to miss Christmas.”

  “But I’m not going to miss New Year’s or the birth of this one.” He patted Ruby’s stomach. “I’m so glad you agreed to let me move you here before this mission.”

  “I am too, sort of.” She folded her arms over her mid-section. Her long brown hair twisted in a braid over her shoulder. She fiddled with the ends, she often did when she was nervous, or unsure about a situation. “Brian and Decker have been great, and they’ve introduced me to a couple of the wives of their team members, but I really don’t know my way around yet. What if something happens? Who do I call in the middle of the night?” She let out a puff of air. “I know. I’m projecting because of my father.”

  “I understand. I do.” Corey finished the last stroke with his razor. He tapped it against the sink and splashed cool water on his face. “If it’s an emergency, you’re to call Brian or Decker before anyone. But what about Luna? You two seem to have hit it off.”

  Ruby nodded.

  He could tell she bit back tears and that broke his heart. If he could have gotten out of this, he would have, but the United States Government didn’t work the same as other careers.

  Quickly, he dried his face and pulled her into his arms. “I know this is hard, babe. But it’s just six weeks.”

  “The longest month and a half of my life.” She rested her hands on his shoulders. “I know I’m being silly. It’s not like I haven’t been living this life with you for the last five years. And really, I grew up with it. I know what I signed on for.”

  He rubbed his thumbs over her cheeks, wiping away the few tears that escaped her sweet blue eyes. “Our life will be different when I get back.”

  “I’m sorry. I don’t want to make this any harder on you than it already is and I know this mission could be dangerous. The last thing you need is a blubbering idiot.”

  “Ruby, I understand. I really do.” He pulled her in for a tender kiss, slipping his tongue between her rosy lips. He would burn this moment into his brain, making sure he didn’t forget every sensation, every sweet taste and exotic scent. This single kiss would get him through some dark nights. “I’m going to miss you so much.” That was the understatement of the century. His heart hurt and he hadn’t even left the state, much less the country. “And this little one.” He smoothed his hand over her stomach and was rewarded with a couple of swift kicks.

  “He’s going to miss his daddy singing to him every night.”

  “And what if he’s a she?”

  Ruby laughed. “I’m almost positive it’s a boy, which is why I want to settle on a name before you walk out that door.”

  Corey arched a brow. “Only if we pick a girl’s name too.” He winked. “And you know which one I like.”

  “I love the name Sienna, so we’re good with that,” Ruby
said. “But you were torn between Shane and Edward.”

  “How about Shane Edward, after both our fathers.”

  “Wouldn’t your father prefer Edward Shane?” he asked with an arched brow. This wasn’t the first time they had this discussion. Honestly, he didn’t care which combination they used. They were both strong, honorable names. “And your dad is still alive. Mine isn’t. It would be more meaningful to name our son Edward.”

  Ruby shook her head. “My father totally disagrees. And so do I. Your father won’t ever get to meet his grandson, so I think this little one should have his other granddaddy’s name.”

  “Shane Edward it is.” He kissed her nose, fighting the thick emotion squeezing his heart. It had only been two years since his father lost his battle with cancer, but it still sucker punched Corey every day. “I love you,” he whispered, nuzzling his face in Ruby’s neck. He ran his hands up and down her back while his child kicked inside her, landing on his abs with quick little jabs. It amazed him that it didn’t hurt Ruby. “You’re going to be as big as a house when I get back.”

  “We’ll have only a month to get the baby’s room ready.”

  “I can have Brian and Decker come over and paint and do all that if you want.”

  Ruby laughed. “Every time you put their names together all I can think about is Black and Decker.”

  He palmed her cheeks. “You’re not the only one. I was in the office the other day and one of the guys shut off the breakers and went running through the halls with a flashlight yelling Black and Decker party wrecker.”

  “That’s stupid and makes no sense.”

  “If you knew what went on in that office after some work assignments, you wouldn’t think so.”

  She grabbed his face and pinched his cheeks. “Do I need to be worried about you taking this new job.”

  “No. But I’m standing here with the world’s sexiest woman and I’m about to leave for a long time. This towel is about to fall to the floor and I won’t be responsible for what will happen next.”

  She smiled. “We don’t have time and we already had our sexual good-bye last night.”

  “I always have time for you.” He lifted her into his arms and tried not to grunt but wasn’t successful.

  She slapped his shoulder. “Really? I’m not that heavy. And you’re a strapping Marine.”

  “Not my fault that my family has extra-large babies.”

  Ruby rolled her eyes. “Don’t remind me. I’m the one that’s going to have to—”

  He covered her mouth with a hot kiss as he laid her gently on the bed. He didn’t want to think about the physical part of having a baby.

  Not at this moment.

  Corey tossed his towel to the side. He tugged down the boxers covering her sexy rump, that she’d made into her pajama bottoms, and lifted her shirt over her head. He stared at her naked body, taking a mental picture of her beauty.

  She stole his breath every day.

  He reached out and traced a path from the center of her chest, across her midriff, and down the dark line that had developed just below her belly button. Her ever changing body had been a wondrous event and he dreaded missing the next six weeks. “You better send me naked selfies.”

  “You better keep them private.” Shamelessly she opened herself to him.

  He licked his fingers and entered her slowly, enjoying her soft moans and the way she arched into him, cupping her swollen, heavy breasts. She pinched and twisted at her nipples, driving him mad with need.

  Ever since he’d met Ruby, leaving her had been a test in his dedication to his career in the military. Ever since he’d been a little boy, he’d wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. Being a Marine had been in his blood before that moment he slipped on the uniform at the ripe old age of eighteen.

  And even though he was about to embark on a new chapter, one where he wouldn’t be wearing the uniform, he’d still be serving his nation and working side by side with many of his fellow servicemen and women, just in a different capacity.

  Allowing him to fulfill his true calling.

  Loving Ruby.

  And protecting his family.

  She shifted to her side and inhaled sharply.

  “To much pressure on your back?” Lately, the baby had made it difficult for her to lay in certain positions for any length in time.

  She nodded, rolling to all fours. “Looks like you, once again, get your favorite position.” She glanced over her shoulder and smiled. “Which is becoming mine.”

  Smoothing his hands around her stomach, he lifted her to him as he knelt on the bed. He cupped her breasts, kissing her neck, as she took him deep inside, grinding against him, and repeating the motion.

  He sucked on her earlobe, desperately trying to maintain control, holding onto her belly as he felt it tighten.

  “Yes,” she said with a throaty groan. She grabbed his hand and brought it between her legs.

  He found her hard nub and rubbed gently, slowly at first as she wiggled over him, begging for release. “Corey,” she whispered. “I love you, Corey.” Her orgasm gripped him tightly.

  She fell over on her hands and pushed against him as his own spilled out into her like a volcano.

  “I love you, Ruby.” He lay next to her, stroking her soft skin, wondering how he’d ever found such an amazing woman to love his sorry ass. He took her hand and kissed her palm. “I’ll call every chance I get.”

  “I know the drill.” She rolled to her side and tucked her hands under her cheek. “I don’t want to wait until after the baby is born to get married.”

  Corey arched a brow. “I thought you didn’t want to be all ‘big like a house’ to quote you.” He placed his hand over her stomach.

  “I don’t care about that anymore. Your mom and my folks will be here on Christmas and they plan on staying for your return, so why not do it on New Year’s.”

  He kissed her nose. “I told you when I proposed that I would have married you that day.”

  “Can I make the arrangements?”

  “Of course, you can.”

  Ding. Dong.

  “Shit. My ride is here. I think I better get dressed.” He jumped from the bed, snagging his phone from the nightstand. He held it up, finding the camera option.

  “Wait.” She held up her hand before grabbing the towel and covering her private parts. “Okay. Snap away.”

  He chuckled. “After all these years, you really think I’m going to show my buddies a naked picture of you?”

  “No. But I do know you like to show them how you’ve got the sexiest woman ever.”

  He held up his phone and tapped the image. He shook his head. “Nope. I’m not showing them that one. Now. I really need to put some clothes on and get dressed before someone sends a search party.”

  The next few weeks would be the longest of his life.

  But when he came home, he’d have forever to look forward to.

  Chapter Three

  Christmas Eve

  Corey wiped the mud from his eyes, but it didn’t really help. The rain continued to pelt down sideways from the sky. The dense fog made it impossible to see more than a few inches in front of his face. He and his team had been marching through this mess for five days. They should have been at their checkpoint two days ago; however, they’d been sidetracked by the enemy.

  All he wanted to do was see Ruby’s face and hear her voice.

  Extraction was scheduled for today. He should be stateside by the twenty-seventh. And home by the end of the month at the very latest.

  “Hey, Captain,” his comms man shouted. “All I have is static. I can’t get anything on any approved channel.”

  “Keep trying.” Corey tapped his earpiece. “Matteo. Talk to me.”

  Matteo was his navigations expert and point man. Currently, he was about a quarter of a mile ahead with a small team, trying to figure out where the fuck they’d ended up after their last short battle with the enemy.

  A fight t
hey hadn’t been prepared for since all their intel had been that the terrorist group had packed up and gone home.

  Unfortunately, the battle had separated them from team two and pulled them from the path to their ride home.

  Well, it wasn’t the first time Corey had found himself in a worst-case situation.

  But thankfully, it would be his last.

  He adjusted his weapon over his shoulder. “Matteo?”

  Nothing but the sound of rain.

  Fuck.

  He glanced over his shoulder. His comms man, Hans, and three others sat on a rock, huddled together, awaiting his orders. “Matteo. Either double time your ass back here or answer me.”

  Radio silence.

  Not good.

  “Hans. We need to—”

  Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

  “Take cover!” Corey hit the muddy ground and crawled toward his men as gunfire from the air continued to pelt the earth.

  “I’m hit,” Hans voice came over the radio. He leaned against the rock, his chest heaving up and down. Blood trickled out of his mouth. His arms slack at his sides.

  “Stay with me, man.” Corey pressed his hands over one of his wounds, but it was too late.

  Hans had already taken his last breath.

  He scrambled, slipping and sliding over the wet jungle only to find two more of his men—good men—dead.

  And under his watch.

  He glanced up and fumbled with his weapon, ready to fire, until the enemy shoved Matteo, and the rest of his men at his feet.

  Face down.

  Dead.

  He swallowed. He had a couple of options. He could fire a few rounds, killing a couple, knowing he didn’t die without a fight.

  Or, he could buy his time and pray for a miracle.

  He blinked. He was a third-generation marine, a fact he was proud of and legacy he’d be honored to leave his child.