The tingling I’d grown accustomed to started, and I wanted to yell at him for turning me on when I knew there was nothing he’d do to help with the ache.
“You play dirty.”
“I do. Dirty is fun.”
“Ugh. Colin. Stop.”
Standing in the garage he kissed me. Tongues tangled, and moans mingled. By the time he pulled back I was dazed.
“Come on, sunshine, let’s get you inside.”
I wordlessly followed, surprised when he passed the kitchen and led me to the master bedroom. He left me standing next to the unmade bed and went into the bathroom. I heard the water turn on and he reappeared shirtless. It took him no time to have me fully undressed. His pants and boxer briefs were the last to be tossed in the pile. This was not my first time seeing Colin nude, but it might as well have been the way my eyes roamed over his chiseled form. His chest was devoid of any hair, giving me an unobstructed view of his pecs. His well-defined six-pack was so damn hot I wanted to lick every individual valley. Below his bellybutton was a trail of light hair leading to a patch of trimmed pubic hair.
“Are you done?” Colin chuckled.
“Not yet. I haven’t gotten to the good part yet. My eyes got stuck on your six-pack.”
The laughter that filled the room was magical. I loved hearing him happy, liked it even more when I was the source. His muscles jumped and twitched, and I found it fascinating to watch.
He led me into the shower, testing the water before he had me step in before him.
Colin held me close as the warm water sluiced around us. “You’re so beautiful, Erin.”
“Thank you.”
We stood in companionable silence for a time, simply enjoying the feel of each other. When he stepped back to adjust the water, I picked up a bar of soap and lathered my hands before placing them on his chest.
“Do these still hurt?” I roamed over the bruises on his chest and lower to his stomach, avoiding his ribs.
“No. I’m sorry you have to see them. They’ll be gone soon.”
“I don’t like that you were hurt, but I know you received every one of these marks protecting me. I will forever be grateful.”
He lifted his hand and traced the tiny cut on my forehead. There was barely a bruise. Not like Colin, his face still looked like he’d gone twenty rounds in a boxing ring. It was a miracle he hadn’t been hurt worse.
“I should’ve—” he started.
“Done exactly what you did. It’s over. That’s what you said. We can’t go back and change anything. We’re both here and alive. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters, right?”
“Right.”
He was humoring me by agreeing, but I’d take it. I needed all the reassurances he’d offer. I knew there was something else going on, and it scared me, but if Colin said I was safe, I’d believe him. I had to, his protection was the only thing keeping me sane. I couldn’t fall apart, not when we weren’t out of the woods yet. And if I thought about everything that had happened or looked too long at the marks on his face, or allowed the what-ifs to creep in, I’d lose it.
“You’re thinking too hard.” He kissed my temple. “Stop that and wash me, woman.”
“Is this how our marriage is going to be? We shower, and you stand like a king while the lowly peasant girl bathes his royal highness?”
“Hmm, I like the way you think. Role play could be fun.”
“Then I want you to be a medieval warrior and I’ll be the fair maiden waiting for you to come home after a mighty battle. I can tend to your aching muscles before you ravish me.” I could feel his body shaking under my palms as he tried to hold in his amusement. “Oh, wait, I know. You’ll be the Spartan King Leonidas and I’ll be Queen Gorgo, waiting for you to return with your shield and sword . . .” Colin’s body stiffened, and he tilted his head. “What’s wrong?”
“Queen Gorgo?”
“Surely you know who that is. The wife of Leonidas, the fiercest woman in Sparta’s history.”
“Yes, sunshine, I am well aware of who she is. I’m just surprised you do.”
I loved history and once upon a time I wanted to be a history teacher, ancient Egypt and Greece were my favorites. My fondness of the subject fizzed once the 1800s came about.
“I studied ancient and medieval history in college.”
He turned around, showing me his back. He had several tattoos. One was his family name across his shoulder blades and another was a shield, above it was the word “IF.” I’d already seen them, so I wasn’t sure why he was showing me now.
“Do you know what that means?”
I could only assume he meant the word “IF,” his last name being obvious. “Of course. The word, “IF” is one of the single most important words in Spartan history. King Philip was invading Greece and he sent a letter to the Spartans saying ‘If I win this war, you’ll be slaves forever’ the Spartans sent back a single word, ‘IF.’”
He slowly turned back around and stared down at me. “You have no idea how much it turns me on that you know the meaning of my tattoo.”
“You’re weird.”
“And you, sunshine, are my Spartan Queen.”
“Does that mean I can only give you sons, since Spartan women are said to have been the only women of their time that produce real men?”
“Goddamn, it’s so sexy you know that. Boys, girls, I don’t care. As long as there are little ones running around our house the gender doesn’t matter to me.”
I locked eyes with my future husband and as crazy as it was he thought knowing random facts about history was sexy, I was happy he did. Though I was concentrating more on his statement about children. He wanted them, and I wanted to give them to him. Suddenly his mom’s request for a million grandchildren didn’t seem so silly.
Chapter 22
“How many kids do you want?” Erin asked.
“As many as you’ll give me.”
There’d been a reason I’d brought her into the shower, but the moment I pulled her naked body against mine all thoughts about today’s meeting and what she needed to know flew out the window.
“What if I want to be like those people on TV and have nineteen and homeschool them all in a Texas compound?”
“Good thing you’re young then. That’s a lot of baby making.”
Her small hands moved over my stomach, the soap had long washed away but her palms still glided easily over my wet skin. Before I could stop her, she gripped my dick with one hand, giving it a firm tug.
“I want to start the baby making tonight.”
“Not until the doctor gives you the all clear.”
“It’s already been two days.”
“It’s only been two days.”
I could hear the frustration in her voice, and I felt it, too. We’d gone to bed each night wrapped in each other’s arms, limbs tangled together, and my throbbing cock trapped between us. However I’d rather cut my own arm off than hurt her. There was no way we were making love until she received a clean bill of health.
“Colin, I’m dying. I want you so badly.”
“Turn around. Put your hands on the wall.”
Her eyes flared in excitement. There wasn’t a chance I was going to fuck her, and her first time certainly wouldn’t be in a shower bent over but I could give her some relief. I molded my body to hers and let my hands roam the way they’d been dying to over the last few days. Starting with her full breasts and down her soft belly. My mouth latched onto her shoulder blade and nipped and licked while one hand made its way between her legs.
“Spread ’em,” I murmured against her skin.
I circled her slit with two fingers, toying with the opening before I pushed them in.
“Goddamn, you’re wet.”
Erin’s hips bucked, causing my cock to slide over her ass. The friction was enough to make me pause and try to stop my need to come. Why was it that every time we touched, I was on the verge of coming?
“Stay still, suns
hine.”
“That’s not going to be possible.”
I pinched her nipple and rolled it between my fingers before I told her, “You’re gonna have to try. Let me do all the work. All you need to do is let go.”
With two fingers moving deep inside of her, I lowered my other hand to her clit and trapped her against me. In a coordinated assault, I worked Erin into a frenzy.
“That’s it, sunshine. You’re so slick and tight I can’t wait to make love to you.” My hips moved in time with my fingers. With my cock trapped between us, gliding over her slippery backside, my own orgasm built.
“Colin!”
“Come on, let go.”
Her head hung forward, and her body locked, and her pussy clamped around my fingers as she moaned long and loud. Just the sound of her chanting my name as she came around my fingers was enough to detonate my orgasm. Come shot out of the head of my cock, and I hoped I could keep us upright. Every encounter with Erin was the same—explosive.
When her orgasm waned, she sagged in my arms, I steadied her on her feet before I turned her back to the spray.
“You okay?” She nodded and smiled. “Your head?”
“Fine.”
“Lean back.”
She did as I asked, wetting her long, brown hair. I picked up a bottle of shampoo and squirted some in my hand. I’d never washed a woman’s hair before, I’d never had the desire to. Actually, I’d never showered with a woman period. The act was more intimate than I’d allowed in the past. And showering now, with Erin, I knew I’d been right. There was something oddly personal about bathing with her I felt vulnerable and exposed. I was comfortable in my nudity, but standing before her, caring for her, and she for me, made me feel cherished. Which was an emotion I’d never felt and never believed I would ever feel. However, as we stood under the spray, taking turns washing each other, that was exactly what I felt.
“All done,” I announced when I finished rinsing the last of the conditioner out of her hair.
“Thank you, that was wonderful.”
“I like taking care of you.”
She opened her eyes, and I quickly wiped the leftover suds off her brow before they could drip any lower.
“I like taking care of you, too. Thank you for letting me.”
“Why are you thanking me, sunshine? It is no hardship having you touch me.”
“Touching and taking care of are two different things. You’re the type of man who takes care of others. But I don’t think you allow anyone to take care of you.”
It was amazing how well she could read me. There were plenty of things we’d never talked about, my desire to feel needed being one of them. Lots of little things I was looking forward to discovering and sharing. Tidbits of information we’d spend years weeding through. I couldn’t remember a time in my life I’d ever been excited to see what the future held.
“You’d be correct.” I leaned forward for a quick peck to her lips. “Before we get out, there’s something we need to discuss.”
“And it needs to take place in the shower?”
“Yep. Earlier you asked about my meeting.” Erin’s smile faded, and she was instantly on alert. I hated worrying her, but she needed to know the facts. “I’m sorry I blew you off in the car, but it wasn’t safe to talk about it there. Your dad further explained what the Angel program is and what it’s being used for. There’s a lot I can’t tell you. Not because I don’t trust you or want you to know, but because I’m sworn not to tell anyone. All you need to know and understand is nothing of importance is to be discussed anywhere but here in the shower, and never with any electronic device nearby. Expect any email or telephone conversations you have to be monitored.”
“Holy shit. That bad?”
“Worse than I’d thought. We need to be careful. As a matter of fact, let’s not even talk about your dad at all, or anything that has happened. Don’t mention Fletch and his team or Tex. For the next little while let’s pretend we are Mr. and Mrs. Jones. You are not the president’s daughter, and I’m not a mercenary.”
“So we pretend to be normal?”
I was grateful her smile was back. I was fast learning that Erin’s moods could and would change with the second hand on a clock. But, mostly, I’d figured out she doesn’t like the unknown. Once she has the facts and feels secure, she could handle anything. Just like the Spartan Queen we were talking about earlier.
“I thought you wanted normal?” I reminded her.
“But so soon into our relationship? I mean who wants normal this early? I’d always heard that once a groom says I do, it really means I do not take my wife on dates or woo her anymore but who knew it could happen before the nuptials.”
“I believe the saying goes when a wife says I do, it really means I do not give blow jobs anymore.”
“Huh? That would be a shame, personally, I quite enjoy you in my mouth.”
Erin’s face lit, and I laughed at her quick comeback. All those months with her, how had I missed how witty and funny she was? I wanted to go back in time and kick my own ass for being so blind.
Chapter 23
“Mom, I’m fine. I swear. The MRI even proved it. Clear bill of health. I may resume all activities except those that could cause a head injury. Lucky for us, I have no plans to learn how to box, so I’m fine.”
I was sitting next to my mom in the private residence. On the very couch I’d cuddled to her side and bawled my eyes out after Lisa Howell told me no one was going to ask me to my senior prom because everyone thought I had a stick up my ass. The same couch I used to lay on when I had the flu, and my mom would sit beside me on the chair next to the sofa and watch me sleep. I would have known if she’d left the room, because sometimes I wasn’t asleep. I’d close my eyes and pretend, just to see if she’d stay—she always did.
“What about another MRI? When is your follow-up appointment?”
“There are no more. Today was the follow-up.”
I was done talking about my concussion. Colin had already grilled the poor doctor at Walter Reed this morning. We’d stayed almost a full hour in the man’s office after the results came back, discussing every possible scenario. I was so over people talking about my head. I felt fine and hadn’t even had any headaches or dizziness after the initial impact.
“I owe you an apology, Mom.”
“Why on earth would you owe me an apology?”
“For starters, I’ve been a pain in the ass to you and Dad over the last year.” I smiled when my mother’s lips flattened. A lady doesn’t curse, after all.
“Erin, sweetheart—”
“Mom, you know it’s true. I just want you to know I’m embarrassed over how I behaved. I also need to acknowledge I’ve been rather selfish.”
“Selfish? There is not a selfish bone in your body, dear. You give of yourself more than anyone I know. We are very proud of you.”
“No, Mama. Selfish in the way I felt about you and Dad and the time you both spent working.”
My mother’s face fell, and she looked at her lap. Damn this was not going the way I’d hoped.
“What I mean to say is, you and Dad have set an example that I could not be more grateful for. Mama, please look at me.” She lifted her tear-filled eyes to mine. “I’m blessed to have a mother who has taught me the importance of family, community, working hard, and service to others. Through your actions you’ve taught me all I need to know about being a wife and mom one day. How to be a strong person. I am so proud to call you my mama. I’m proud of you, for all you’ve accomplished. But most of all, I’m honored to have you as a friend. I won’t squander our time together ever again.”
My mother carefully patted her cheeks, brushing away her tears. I couldn’t help but to giggle. Always the lady, even in private. There would be no streaks on my mother’s face—ever.
“Maybe I should have—”
“Done nothing differently. This is on me, Mom. Me behaving like a spoiled brat.”
“Sweethea
rt, every daughter needs her mama.”
“And, thankfully, I had you. You were there for me every time I needed you. Any time it mattered. You have a tough job, tougher than Dad does. You’re the one that holds this family together. You support Dad in every way and give him the strength he needs to run this country. You’re a wife, a mom, and a Halloween costume designer.” I smiled, remembering all the dress-up clothes she’d made for me. “You’re a cook, a party planner, and a homework checker. I can’t even list all your jobs. And I haven’t even touched on your duties as the first lady.”
“Thank you for saying that.”
“It’s the truth.” She opened her arms, and I gladly leaned into her embrace—Clarissa Anderson gave the best hugs. They were warm and heartfelt. She’d never withheld her affection. Not from me or my father. They were demonstrative when we were in private. There was no doubt my parents loved each other deeply, and me as well.
“I love you to the moon, little rabbit,” my mom whispered and kissed my head.
I sighed at the old, familiar nickname and cuddled in closer. My parents had called me, little rabbit until I’d become an obnoxious teenager and deemed myself too old for the name. I think my dad started it after I asked him to read me Guess How Much I Love You for the five hundredth time.
“And all the way back,” I finished.
There was a knock on the door, and my mom slowly pulled back, straightening her skirt before she turned in the direction of the sound.
“Yes?”
“Excuse me, ma’am. Miss Anderson,” the secret service agent started. “Mrs. Parker, Mrs. Cain, Mrs. Lewis, and Mrs. Gillonardo are here to see you. They were not on your schedule but they are on your approved list. Would you like me to send them up?”
“Yes, of course. And would you please ask Betty to send up some refreshments. Oh, and make sure there is a can of Dr. Pepper included.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Dr. Pepper?” I laughed. “You don’t drink soda.”
“No, but I know poor Olivia would like one. You know when I was pregnant with you, I still drank coffee and had iced tea everyday. I don’t buy into this whole no caffeine thing. Look at you, you came out perfect.”
Rescuing Erin (Special Forces: Operation Alpha) (Red Team Book 5) Page 16