Way of the Warrior

by Suzanne Brockmann

  “Julie sent me to find you. She needed help with her dress; something about the maid of honor has a bathroom duty or something like that. When I heard what you said, I didn’t know what to think or how to react.” Jonah wavered between anger and sadness. He knew what he’d wanted to happen that night, but none of it had been possible after those words.

  Alisha stood up. “So you decided to screw me and leave me, was that it?”

  His nostrils flared. “I made love to you, and I hope you never forget it, lady.” He stood up to leave. He didn’t have to take this. Having no idea what her game plan was, he didn’t feel up for any more conversation. This emotion was very real to him. He took a step toward the door.

  “I didn’t.” Her words were very soft.

  “What?” He turned back.

  Her eyes were filled with tears. “I didn’t forget. You are the measuring stick that all men have to live up to, Jonah Melo. There’s never been anyone else.” She wiped her sleeve over her eyes. “I didn’t mean to hurt you that night. For that, I will always be sorry.” Grabbing a clean napkin off the makeshift table, she blew her nose. “I said those words to appease Julie’s mother, because she was upset that her daughter married a Marine and she was scared about the kind of life her daughter would have. Those words were for her…no one else.”

  Standing up, she walked toward him. Her hand touched his arm tenderly. “I respect the military. I wish…I wish you had told me your reason. I thought…it was me. That was the reason you left. Maybe I was bad in bed, or you decided you didn’t like me or something like that.”

  He looked up, beckoning strength, because the hurt in her voice was crushing him. “Never. Ali, I could only see you.” Drawing her into his arms, he kissed her. It was like drinking from a heavenly spring, and he didn’t want to stop.

  “Jonah…” Her hands drew him closer, pulling at his clothes.

  He wanted nothing more than to get naked with her, but not if it meant either one of them ran away afterward. “Wait. Let’s promise. We both stick past tonight. We work this out, a way to be together.”

  “I agree,” she said, eagerly undoing the straps of her overalls and pulling her T-shirt over her head.

  His shirt and pants hit the floor just as quickly. He hadn’t worn underwear since the third grade, so he didn’t have to worry about that. Seeing Alisha in her underthings was a treat, and his admiration was making itself very evident.

  • • •

  Her fingers ran over his taut frame. She loved watching the muscles dance. If someone had told her an hour ago that she’d be getting naked with Jonah again, she would have laughed in his face and made a snide comment. Now that she knew the truth, nothing was going to keep her from being with him again. Only a man who a woman loved could make her that angry, and this was definitely the case for her.

  She knew in her heart of hearts that she loved Jonah Melo, and she wanted to be his girlfriend and someday his wife. Would that scare him off? If he were the man she thought he was, probably not. Her guess was…that he loved her, too.

  Regardless, she was going to live in the moment and enjoy being alive. Hadn’t Kevin and Julie been telling her for years that she needed to be spontaneous? Well, here goes.

  Alisha did a risqué striptease with her bra and panties and then launched herself at him.

  Jonah put on a condom, caught her to him, wrapping her legs around his waist, and walked them to the wall. He balanced them against the deep red backdrop with the bright blue crown molding and kissed her.

  Alisha had never felt a kiss like his. It transported her. Filling her with such intense need and passion that she clawed at him until he was there, pushing himself gently inside her.

  Her wetness and heat beckoned him, and with one thrust he was seated to the hilt.

  Spasms of pleasure washed through her senses. She could climax from his size alone—he filled her completely. She held on to him for dear life as her body drew on his for satiation.

  But he wasn’t done, and neither was she.

  Jonah tilted her head toward his, so they were looking at each other as they made love. Slowly, deliberately, and passionately, they moved as one until the intensity was too much for either of them, and they came together, crying out each other’s name.

  CHAPTER 5

  Being carried to the master bath was right out of a fantasy. Alisha felt like a newlywed as Jonah perched her on the edge of the bamboo bathing seat, closed the door to the tub, and flipped on the taps. “Don’t you think we’re going too far?” asked Alisha, uncomfortable with the practice of trying out Kevin and Julie’s specialty step-in tub. “What if we break it?”

  “Hey, we need to make sure this thing doesn’t leak,” Jonah said with a grin. “Besides, I’m curious about the inner workings. I’d like to be able to tell Kevin that he’s ‘good to go’ with some hanky-panky in here with Julie. He’d thank me for this.”

  “You wouldn’t dare tell him!” She was incredulous. “Kevin’s like a brother to me.”

  “Good. Glad you feel that way about him. But, I don’t feel that way about you.”

  Alisha kicked her feet, splashing water at him. “I’m getting out.”

  “No way,” he said, catching her to him. “You promised to stick this night out. Now, before we have to get back to work and finish your checklist, let’s get clean and then…talk.”

  “Your smirk is much too smug, Mr. Melo.”

  He handed her the bar of soap, and they made quick work of washing up. The tub really was superb. Julie and Kevin were going to love it.

  Jonah helped her out of the tub and onto a pile of paint tarps and brand-new towels. Jonah slid underneath her and balanced her on top of him. “Unless you want to, ah, do other things now.”

  His tongue snaked out and licked a large drop of water off her neck, and he watched her eyes mirror her delight as her body leaned toward his for more attention. When he pulled back, she followed his lead.

  She kissed the top of his nose. “You’re right. We need to talk, to clear the air. So, you go first. I’d like to know how you feel about me.”

  “Okay.” He took a deep breath. “Me first. Honestly, I’ve never felt this way with anyone.” His statement made his face scrunch up, like it pained him.

  She elbowed him. “That bad.”

  “No, your knee is pushing on a delicate spot.”

  She shifted her weight. “Sorry about that. Thanks for being honest. I like you, too.”

  “Only like?” he asked. There was mirth in his eyes.

  “I’m not feeding your ego. I’m attempting to be honest, you jerk!”

  He gathered her closer. “I know. I’m sorry. I agree. You’ve…always been the ideal, my wish for a mate. I just…always thought there would be more time. And, that we’d be able to date and court and move our relationship along in a normal way. Now that I know you like military men and are not opposed to moving forward, I’d like to. But, we still might need to make it a bit accelerated.”

  She made a derisive noise. “As if…anything about you is normal.” She shrugged. “You know, normal is overrated.” Turning her face toward his, she reached forward for his lips.

  He leaned in and kissed her. “Sweet, succulent kisses. No one kisses like you.”

  “Thanks.” She leaned back. “Wait! Why would it need to be accelerated?”

  “I’m back on duty in a couple weeks. I have a new assignment, and since the base is secure, only wives can accompany.” Jonah said this very nonchalantly.

  “Duty? Where?”

  “Well, I can’t give out all the details. But, I’m competing to go into space.”

  “No way! Haven’t you seen Gravity? I don’t want you out there, now that I finally have you.” She wasn’t cool with this. Space! Really?

  “Alisha, do you like being an interior designer? If I ask
ed you never to do it again…”

  She held up her hands. “Okay. I get it. Point almost taken. It’s not like I can get stranded and suffocate in a fabric warehouse, or get shot to death with a glue gun. It’s not exactly an equivalent situation we’re talking about here.”

  He kissed her, a long, deep, languorous kiss. “None of us knows what is on the next horizon. Look at Kevin and Julie. Would they have tied the knot if they had been afraid of the future? No. What changed it for them? Facing it together.”

  His hands stroked over her flesh. He distracted her from the conversation. But, she was tuned in enough to finally, really see the truth.

  A blush rose in her cheeks. “I understand. Life is full of stolen moments, times that you value like pearls to tuck in the treasure box of your heart.” Her hand patted his chest. “I think I was angry with you. I wanted something that wasn’t real, a fantasy in my brain; when in reality, true life is better than anything I could ever imagine.”

  “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?” He was hopeful. He didn’t want to let his heart go there, but nothing could rescue his spirit from feeling connected to hers. From the moment they had met, he’d known she was perfect for him. He was an idiot to have waited for the ideal time to be with her. That moment was now. If he didn’t embrace the moment and put his heart on the line, then he knew he would regret it.

  Her smile was a ray of sunshine, a light that made his own smile grow. “Yes.”

  “I need to hear…the words.”

  She put her chin on his chest, grinning up at him. “I love you, Jonah. It’s always been you.”

  The vise that had been gripping his heart released. He tumbled her gently onto her back and then kissed her—a long, slow, tender, languorous kiss. Against her lips, he murmured, “I love you, Alisha. I love you.”

  He could feel her smile against his lips as her fingers sank into his hair.

  She rubbed her breasts against his chest, the luscious tips of her nipples teasing his flesh.

  A growl climbed up his throat, possessive and hungry. She was his.

  “It’s my turn,” she stated, her eyes flashing with emotion.

  He released his hold on her. He wasn’t going to argue, even though every fiber in his being wanted to take her now.

  Alisha rolled him onto his back. This was a woman who knew what she wanted. She pushed his arms over his head. Her fingers stroking the tender flesh around his wrist, down his forearm, and up his bicep. Then, she grabbed his jaw and slowly lowered her face to his. All the while her eyes were teasing him, asking him how long he could relinquish control.

  For this kind of torture, he was all game. She didn’t know that he’d go to the very edge of want and then even further to make her happy. But, she would learn what a giving soul he was.

  When her lips touched his, he wanted to wrap his arms around her…lose himself in the kiss. Her soft lips were the stuff of sirens and legends, and they were undoing his mighty hold on control. “No fair,” he murmured.

  “Every move is fair on the game board of love.” Her voice was thick with want. He knew that sound, and he could feel her body rubbing on his.

  His body responded, craving her, needing her. He gritted his teeth, trying to deny the effect she had on him.

  Her fingernails trailed over his nipples, gently teasing and inciting.

  Her hips lifted, and she rubbed that most tender part of herself over him.

  He stopped her and put on a condom.

  She smiled at him and then went back to her toying.

  His body tightened, hardened further until she could guide him to the exact place she wanted him.

  How could he deny the pleasure of that inner sanctum? For anyone else, he could keep his control intact, but not with her. Alisha had always been his undoing. Maybe that was why he hadn’t pushed a relationship with her so long ago. She was the kind of woman who could suck his focus away if he wasn’t careful.

  Did women know they had that kind of power? The right person for the right person was a game changer for an entire lifetime. He hoped not! Otherwise, his little vixen was going to be on the winning end of all arguments in their home.

  As he slid inside her, every thought in his brain ceased. This was heaven, the absolute peacefulness of pure bliss, and as she lifted his arms and placed them on her hips, her eyes caught his. She rocked gently back and forth until they were moving in rhythm together. The passion grew with every movement and each stroke, until he was holding on by a mere thread of control.

  Her fingernails scraped gently over his stomach as she tormented him. Her hands moved up her own body to cup her breasts.

  He licked his lips, wanting so badly to touch her.

  She lifted his hands, placed them over her breasts, and wrapped her hands around his.

  His thumbs stroked in unison, gently over her nipples.

  Her eyes widened as she quickened her pace.

  “Yes,” he murmured as her back arched and she came. Again and again, her body tightened over his until his precious waiting was over, and he gave himself completely to her.

  He cried out. “Alisha.” It was a plea, a thank-you, and a rallying cry that released his need and brought him even closer to her, the woman he loved. The feeling of being connected at the physical root of each other along with the spiritual connection was so palpable that he felt he could reach out and touch her soul. Could she feel his?

  He lifted himself up to her. They kissed, a loving lock of lips that had him feeling like they were wrapped in a cocoon together. Alone. And that no one else in the world existed.

  When they pulled apart, he could see tears in her eyes. “Hey, what’s this about?”

  She shook her head. “I…I’ve never felt so connected with anyone but you.” Her hands fluttered between them. “I was prepared to make this into a contest or game, so that I wouldn’t get hurt. But, when you’re here, I cannot stop my heart from connecting with yours. I’m naked in front of you.”

  “What’s wrong with that? Both figuratively and literally,” he asked. “I could change the tone and mood of the conversation. Do you want me to punctuate it with…this is how it is and you can take it or leave it?”

  Alisha sat up. Her back was ramrod straight. “That turns this discussion into a power struggle. After that incredible moment, is this what you want?”

  “Maybe. Make-up sex is a great way to go.”

  Her hand slapped at his chest. “Jonah! Be serious.”

  “No, my love, this isn’t what I want. I’d prefer laying all the cards on the table and finding the best medium. We both need to bend, and we both need to lead. Right now, I’m following your lead. Tell me…what you want.”

  She laughed. Her outburst turned into a fit of giggles. When she finally stopped and laid her head on his chest, he nuzzled his chin against her head. To an outsider, it might appear that Alisha was unhinged, but he knew her better. This was her process. She was a creative person, an artist, and thus had a lot of emotional depth.

  “I get it. You’re right.” Her voice was resigned but not unhappy. Instead, it sounded like she had come to terms with something important inside of herself. “This is the way it’s going to be, toe-to-toe on every issue in our lives. Equals, who will occasionally have to duke it out before we reach a compromise. True?”

  “Isn’t that what you want?” He raised an eyebrow. How could she want anything else, anything less than a man who was her match?

  She pursed her lips, considering his words. “Certainly, I want a man who rocks my world with passion and excitement, and then steadies it again with his love and compassion. Yes, it is what I want.” Her words were firm. He liked that definitiveness. “It explains a lot. Why I usually went for either simpering men or ones who were overly domineering to the point of possession. Neither worked out.”

  “Good, be
cause that’s what I’m offering, a lifetime of this…of me.”

  Her head snapped up. “Are you proposing to me now? Here?”

  He chortled. “Of course! We’ve christened a good part of our best friends’ house, why not have the most important memory here, too?” It did seem right, oddly perfect. Could the Tomses have arranged it? Seemed unlikely. No one knew he was coming up here today…or did they?

  Alisha groaned. “Jonah! Julie’s practically my shadow! How am I going to tell her about the proposal? When a story starts with…hey, so we were lying naked on the floor of your new house… Oh, God!” She laughed. “Help me think up a better story, quick!”

  He joined in on the laughter, until there were tears streaming down both of their faces. “Tell you what. I will propose to you in a bunch of places, and you can pick your favorite one.”

  Her face was suddenly serious. “Jonah, this will always be ‘the’ spot. If it weren’t for this house and the whole project, how would we have come back into each other’s life?”

  He gathered her close and hugged her. “I would have found a way. Alisha, you’ve always been the ideal, the person I measure every woman against, and all of them were lacking, because they weren’t you.”

  “Jonah,” she sighed as her fingers caressed his chest. “I’m sorry I ever let you go.”

  “For the record, you demanded I leave.”

  “I remember.” She looked up at him. “I’m sorry I hurt you. I thought…I was going to be another notch on your belt.”

  “You could never be that.” He could feel her breathing change. Her heart rate sped up.

  Her lips flattened and then slowly pulled into a smile. He smiled right back and couldn’t resist a little teasing. “Are you going to be happy with a man who makes you—what are your words—more angry than you thought possible?”

  She nodded her head. “Only if we can make time to become more happy than we deserve to be.”

  “Roger that. Priority One,” he breathed as he kissed her. The touch of their mouths was like a wildfire, igniting passion that ran hot instantly and consumed all of his attention. He wanted her again. How would he ever be able to get enough of her and get this house finished?