by Aliyah Burke
"Did you think of me after you left?” He stepped closer and rubbed his erection against her. “Did you ever relive what we shared with one another in Japan?"
Her pupils dilated and her nose flared. “That was the past."
"I never forgot, sugar. Never."
"Are you stationed here?” she asked.
"Yes. I've just got assigned here to Pensacola. MATSG Pensacola if you want to be specific.” Garrick lowered his head and licked the outer shell of her ear, delighting in her shiver.
"Answer me, Delaney. Did you think of me?"
"Yes, Garrick. I did. Are you happy now?” Delaney ducked her head and crossed her arms over her midsection.
"Happier,” he said. “Look at me, Delaney.” Garrick waited until she did, her gaze wary now. “I don't know why you ran. We had something special. Rare. I want it again. I'm telling you now. Lord knows I want to take you home with me and show you what your outfit does to me. Hell, better yet, take you right here against my truck.” He nuzzled the side of her neck. “I want you so bad, Delaney. Will you come home with me?” I am more than willing to sneak her into my room on base.
"I...I..."
"Say yes, sugar. It's been six months since I got back, eight since I've seen you.” He cupped her face.
"Is that what this is about? A booty call? Because we both know there are sluts that hang out around the bars near base for that very reason. Go get one of them."
Garrick could hear the anger lining her tone. “No. Sugar, I hear your voice and I want you. I smell your scent, the smell of waterfalls all pure and fresh, and I want you. It's more than sex. I want you, Delaney Kiojah Byrd."
"Have you thought that I might be in a relationship?"
His gaze narrowed. “No way."
"And what's so wrong with me?” she snapped.
Garrick raked his gaze over her attire. “Nothing, sugar. Not a damn thing. But that outfit you're wearing, and you being here alone. There's no man.” And I'd kill him for you belong to me.
"You always were cocky."
"Yes, I can't argue that."
"I need to get some sleep, Garrick. I wasn't even planning on coming out tonight. I had a hellish day."
"Why did you come out then?"
"Heather. She won a big lawsuit today and was out celebrating. She called me from her office party and said she was coming here, so I came to spend time with her."
"I didn't see her with you. Is she still in there?” Garrick asked, remembering her speaking about her friend, Heather Trells, and he'd seen some photos of her. Beautiful woman. Not the one he wanted though.
"No, she left me for some guy she met on the dance floor."
"She sure that was wise?"
"Heather's a lot more dangerous than she lets on. She's careful and he knows I'm expecting to hear from her in the morning."
He frowned but kept his mouth shut. “Will you call me tomorrow, Delaney? So we can meet and talk?"
"And if I say no?"
"I'm takin’ you home with me tonight."
"You still get up early for your run?” Her hands settled back upon his chest, her movements so automatic, he wasn't sure she realized she was doing it.
"I'm a creature of habit.” He inhaled sharply and closed his eyes against the lust in his veins.
"You're a Marine."
"I'm your Marine,” Garrick corrected.
"That assumes I want one.” Staring into her eyes, he lifted a brow. With a sigh, Delaney gave him her address. “I'll have breakfast ready by six. But this time, Garrick. I want the truth of what you're after. This isn't Japan anymore; I'm done with fucking for the sake of fucking."
Good. So am I. Brushing his lips over hers he waited until they parted. Garrick backed off and drawled, “You'd better strap your boots on, sugar, I want it all."
He watched her walk away and step up into a GMC Denali. Garrick licked his lips as her firm ass disappeared from view. Without moving, he stared until she left the parking lot. Resting his arms along the back of his dark Chevy Silverado, he sighed.
"This time will be different, Delaney. I'll be damned if I let you go again."
"You a marine?” a disturbingly highly pitched female voice asked beside him.
Turning his head, Garrick saw a slender blonde with whose clothes were more gone than there leaning against his tailgate. He looked her up and down, not even remotely turned on by the breasts which were barely contained in her skimpy halter top or the skirt which should have been a pocket for all it covered.
"What gave it away,” he said slowly, “the words ‘Semper Fi’ written in red on the tailgate? Or the big thing in the back window that says ‘United States Marine Corps’ on top of the American flag?"
A slight smile lifted her mouth, as if she were unsure whether or not he joked. “Looking for some company?” she asked.
"Nope.” Not from you anyway.
Digging for his keys, he unlocked his truck and started it. The woman had barely moved from the back before he pulled out of the parking lot and headed back to his apartment, after driving by the address Delaney had given him. In his room on NAS Pensacola, Garrick kicked off his boots and rubbed the short hair on his head. He'd arrived in Pensacola eight days ago. It had taken him that long to run into someone he'd known from when he'd been with Delaney in Japan. That man had grinned and asked him if he'd hooked back up with Delaney since she was in town.
The news she was close by had nearly floored him. Getting the name of the clubs she'd been seen at, he went out and as luck would have it, he'd found her. The second one he'd stopped at. No one knew how much she'd affected him. Least of all her. But this time around he had to change all that. This time it would be different. This time it would be forever.
"Delaney,” he whispered as he stood in the shower. Curving his hand around his rigid erection, he stroked himself to release, her image in his mind.
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Chapter Two
* * * *
You'd better strap your boots on, sugar, I want it all.
That phrase ran a litany through her head all night long. What the hell is that supposed to mean?
Delaney stood by the clock on her wall and watched the second hand tick up toward the twelve. Even though she was expecting the knock, she still jumped when three sharp raps were delivered to her door. It was exactly at 0600. The knowledge of the man on the other side had her body buzzing. Worrying her lower lip, she rubbed her bare arms and padded to the door. Once there, she pulled it open and her heart rate sped up and her pussy creamed. Damn it all, why does he have to be so hot!
Garrick stood there wearing a stone colored shirt like a football jersey, arms tight around his biceps and pectorals. It hung untucked over the top of his jeans which were a dark blue and highlighted his powerful thighs. And of course he wore cowboy boots on his feet.
"Aren't you going to ask who it is?” he demanded, glaring at her. “You don't open a door without asking who it is first. I could be some deranged psycho."
"Could be?” she snipped seconds before she slammed the door in his face and walked away. Delaney barely made it to her couch before it swung open. She didn't turn around. There was no point. She knew exactly who it was.
"Are you looking to start somethin', sugar?"
Delaney's fingers clenched into the navy material of her couch. That drawl! “Don't push it, Garrick."
He was behind her in the blink of an eye. The length of his hard, strong body pressed tightly to hers, trapping her between the back of the couch and his chest. It was hard ignoring the erection she felt digging into her. His mouth sent warm air along the sensitive skin of her neck and cheek with every breath. And if that weren't bad enough, she could smell the accumulation of scents which combined to make his smell. A smokiness of dark wood and a hint of leather combined with pure masculinity. It was one man's. Garrick Stark.
"Delaney,” he rolled her name off his tongue in that slow unhurried way.
; Just like he used to make love to me. Slow. Unhurried. Her body throbbed and reminded her just how much of a hussy she was when it came to this man. Only him. No other man could bring her to an orgasm with just his voice, or a simple look.
"Breakfast is on the table, Garrick. I have to leave by seven-thirty.” Swallowing hard, she maneuvered herself out from his touch and walked to the table. He was there to hold her chair for her but Delaney made sure she kept her face composed.
Why is he after this kind of thing now? I can count on two hands the number of times we did breakfast together.
He lowered his body down across from her and smiled at her. “Looks delicious."
"What do you want, Garrick?” she asked after they had eaten for a time in complete silence.
"You,” he stated bluntly as he bit into a piece of toast.
"Why? Because your male ego got hurt over in Japan? You didn't get a chance to end it?"
His sapphire gaze narrowed. “I didn't want to end it. I didn't want it to end."
Those words made her belly clench. “That doesn't make sense, what we had was sex...granted, damn good sex, but still. There was nothing else there. Did you really think I'd be okay with that for the rest of my life? Hell, would you?"
"It could have gone to more,” he said.
Pushing her fruit around with her fork, Delaney shook her head. “Look, Garrick. Part of the reason I didn't say anything was because it was just sex. We both knew that. It was an extended one night stand. I didn't go to things with you that your friends put on. You didn't go with me to my stuff. You barely said boo to me when you saw me at the USO, which was okay. We had a good thing; basically we scratched each other's itch. But I don't want that anymore."
The sliver of blue she could see of his eyes seemed to shoot lightning at her. Why is he mad about this? Delaney stared at her plate. “I am sure we'll run into each other on base. That's just a given, I'm at the USO again. But I'm not going to be anyone's booty call...” she trailed off as her mind drifted to Rafe. Although he was a candidate.
"That bartender touches you, Delaney, and it'll take them over a year to find all the pieces of his body,” Garrick snarled. “If they ever do recover them all."
Glancing at him, she saw the anger in his expression. How the hell did he know I was thinking about Rafe? “Who I date isn't any of your business,” she snapped.
"The hell it isn't.” He shoved back from the table and was at her side in a flash. Before she could breathe, he'd pulled her up from the table and tossed her over his shoulder.
"Garrick!” she yelled. “Damn you, put me down!"
He dropped her on her bed, his large body covering hers before she even stopped bouncing. Fury radiated from his expression and she licked her lips, unsure of what had sent him over the edge. During the entire year in Japan, she'd never seen the slightest hint of jealousy from him. Seconds ticked by and the stare-off continued. Neither of them moved and the room was filled with the sounds of their breathing. Harsh and deep. Her heart pounded so hard, Delaney wondered if he could hear it. There was a tic in his jaw and she knew he barely held onto his control. Not that she was worried he would physically hurt her, for she knew he would never do that.
"Tell me you still want me."
"Me wanting you has never been an issue, Garrick."
"Tell me, Delaney,” he rumbled, tilting his head to nibble along her jaw line.
Her iron will turned to mush. She bit her lower lip and moved her head, giving him more access to her face and neck. Her blood boiled just from the memory of what he had made her feel in the past. The memories combined with the feel of his lips on her skin...Delaney was surprised she'd not gone up in flames. She dug her fingers into her bedspread to keep from touching him. If I give in and touch him, I'll have him naked in less time than it takes to say his name.
He sucked her earlobe into the haven of his warm, tempting mouth. Her pussy creamed even more and her breasts ached with the need for his callused hands upon them. Delaney whimpered and shifted on the bed, allowing his pelvis to press more intimately against her core. She could feel the desire for him nearly drown her. His lips moved down toward one breast and Delaney dropped her head back and bit her lip, waiting for his touch. The heat of his breath warmed her tight nipple through both shirt and bra and her own breathing came in short fast pants.
Ding dong. Her doorbell rang through the apartment. She responded as if someone had tossed a bucket of ice water over her.
Shit! What the hell was I about to do? Scrambling back she got to the floor and swallowed hard at the heat burning in Garrick's eyes. She dropped her gaze to the blatant ridge in his jeans and licked her lips before spinning on her heels and heading to the door.
The clock by the door said seven-fifteen. With a deep breath she pulled open the door. A pair of dark brown eyes met hers and she smiled at her friend. “Troy, what are you doing here?"
"Can you give me a ride? My car is three tires into the ground."
"Of course. Just let me grab my bag and I'll drop you off on my way."
"Thanks."
Turning around, her breath caught at the sight of Garrick leaning against the wall leading to her bedroom, staring at the two of them. Possessiveness spilled out from his gaze and she could see the tic in his jaw. His powerful arms flexed and she knew he was struggling to remain in control.
"Delaney,” Garrick purred in a tone which set her body into high alert all over again.
"I have to get going, Garrick. Lock the door on your way out, will you?” She barely looked at him when she lifted her backpack.
"Delaney.” This time it was rumble of danger.
Lifting her head she held his gaze. Giving him a falsely sweet smile, for she knew he was pissed, she said, “Great to see you again, Garrick. Goodbye.” She faced Troy and gave him a look he understood, for he turned away to the stairs. Delaney pulled the door shut behind her.
"Who was that?” Troy asked while they walked down the stairs to the first floor.
"A guy I knew over in Japan. I ran into him last night at Cullen's and he came over for breakfast.” Delaney unlocked her Denali and jumped in with Troy getting in on the other side.
"He looked ready to kill me,” Troy observed.
"He's a marine. They have that look a lot."
Troy shrugged. “Thanks for the lift, Delaney."
"No problem,” she told him even though her mind was on the marine she'd left back in her apartment. Garrick hadn't been pleased at all to see her with Troy, much less leave with the man. Dropping Troy off, she waved and headed for the gate so she could get to work on time.
Garrick fumed. One second he lay between her legs and the next she was walking out of the apartment with an entirely different man. His hands clenched into fists as he sank to the kitchen table and glared at the door she had vanished through. From the second he'd entered her place he wanted to remove her peach tee-shirt and black capris, and take her while she wore nothing but her heels.
Just sex before. He admitted it she was right about that, but damn it, he thought she'd felt like he did. Even if he couldn't stop thinking about sex while around her. Emotions weren't something he expressed well. If at all. With a groan he pushed to his feet and cleaned up her kitchen. Once all the dishes were loaded in the dishwasher and food put away, he turned it on before heading to the door.
"Oh, Delaney. Sugar, you've got another thing coming if you really think it's going to be that easy."
Opening her door, he slipped through, double-checked to make sure it was locked and headed down to his truck. In Japan he had seen her with other men, talking and having a good time. While it bothered him and made him jealous, at least then he knew she would at least be coming to him for sex. Now, he didn't even have that assurance. His jealousy quickly segued into rage.
Delaney is mine! Forcing himself to calm down, Garrick drove to the base. I have to prove to her there's more between us than sex. The last time he'd had sex was with Delaney rig
ht before his last deployment. Since he found her gone on his return he'd not gone with anyone. And I won't. Especially not now, knowing she was here in Florida with him.
"What if she'd...” he trailed off, not wishing to complete that statement.
Once on base he changed and went up for the flight. It was late afternoon when they were done for the day. He changed out of his flight suit and a slow grin crossed his face while he tugged on his jeans and boots. He knew exactly where he was headed.
"Where you off to, Paladin?” Hollywood, a fellow pilot, asked.
"USO."
The blond man smirked. “Yeah, I'd heard that Delaney Byrd was here. You two shackin’ up again?"
The urge to smash Hollywood in the face roared to the surface. Is that how everyone viewed us? “We're not shackin’ up, Hollywood,” he growled. “In fact, you make sure if you hear people sayin’ that, you correct them. Delaney and I are dating."
"Since when?"
"Since I had breakfast at her apartment this morning."
"Just breakfast? Or that and more?"
"Breakfast. I mean it, Hollywood. I will rip anyone who is disrespectful to her a new one. And I'm not talkin’ from officer to whomever. I'm talkin’ from one pissed off Texas marine to the one whose ass is going to be kicked."
Hollywood held up his hands. “Okay, man, okay. You've made your point."
Lifting his bag, Hollywood walked to the door and paused. Garrick held his gaze and waited for him to speak. Hollywood shook his head and strode through the door without a word. Keys in hand, Garrick hurried to his truck and drove to a closer parking lot. Entering the building he stopped at the desk.
"Can I help you, sir?” a blonde woman asked, looking up at him.
"I'm looking for Ms. Byrd."
"She's out in hangar 16F. They're packing care packages to go overseas."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"No problem.” She smiled and focused her attention back on the papers before her.
Outside the building, he pulled out his cell and placed some calls. Before long, Garrick walked through the open doors of the hangar and following behind him four other single pilots he'd called upon to help. Lines of tables were packed with items and people were working in a kind of assembly line fashion. A radio blared throughout and he saw several women singing along. From his position, he scanned the area until he found the object of his desire. Delaney stood off to one side, speaking with another woman, her back to him. Striding across the cement with his hands in pockets, Garrick smiled and nodded at the people gathered there. Most were women and children but there some men.