“I’m upgrading my security system within the next week or two, so I think between Shane and Rider Security Systems I’m good to go.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself. I just hope you’re thinking with your head and not something else right now. Hope you know who to trust;” and on that final thought he turned and walked out of her shop, leaving her standing there fuming.
“There are so many things I could have said to him, but I didn’t because none of them would have been ladylike.” She rolled her eyes and shook her head. The eye rolling thing had been contagious after all, she mused. Clearly Eve had rubbed off on her there.
“I told you the man wants you.”
“Insulting me is not the way to my heart,” she said in a low, nearly lethal tone. How dare he imply that she was too dumb to think clearly just because of a man?
Chapter Eight
“Are you comfortable?” Shane had laid out several blankets in the cab of his truck so that they could recline and watch the sky whenever they wanted to. He made sure he tossed in a couple pillows too. He wanted her to be comfortable because he didn’t want her to want to leave too quickly. He didn’t want her to leave at all.
“Yes,” she whispered as she rolled over onto her side, propped up on her elbow and looked down onto his face. Her smile could set a man’s soul on fire. She was so sweet, so beautiful, and in the midnight light her eyes looked an even deeper shade of blue. She was, in his opinion, one of the most beautiful women he had ever laid eyes on. She had kicked off her shoes and left them in the truck before tiptoeing around to the cab and crawling in. They had sat with their backs against the side, watching the sky and talking until she had shifted in a manner that made him think she was uncomfortable. That’s when he suggested they recline, and now he was glad he had made that suggestion because she was closer now than she had been when they were sitting next to each other just talking about life in general.
“Would you like to stop skirting around the personal issues and talk to me about your friends?” She had a voice that made him want to lie on her couch and tell her about his history—maybe even lie in her bed and tell her. Although if he were in her bed he wouldn’t be doing much talking unless he was telling her what he was going to do with her body while they were in there.
“I can’t tell you very much.”
“Military secrets,” she nodded. “I know. And I’m not asking you to tell me anything you can’t talk about. I’m asking you to talk to me about anything that might help you cope with the loss of two of your friends. The way I see it, you haven’t done much talking to anybody about it.”
She was perceptive, he could tell that from the first day he met her, but he was getting an up close and personal view of that perceptive side of her now. She was right; he hadn’t talked to anybody about it. He didn’t have anybody he could talk to. “Our team started off with just four of us. We were all told we would be on an elite team. None of us knew each other before that day, but there we were, sitting there and being given a chance to do something great for our country. We even got to pick the name.” He laughed. “I can tell you we came up with a lot of crazy things, but then Vicki Sky, the lone female on the team, said since we were keeping peace maybe we should come up with something that resembled that peace instead of something that was a frat boy’s dream.” He laughed hard. “Jeeze, we were all so young when our team started. We all had experience for sure, but we were young and cocky and mostly SEALs. Vicki was an Army soldier—the only person on the team not in the Navy at the time. She suggested the name Dove Team, because doves represented peace.” They had all laughed at the name, but their commanding officer loved it and went with it. “My little girl loves doves,” he had said, and so they had adapted the name and it stuck. “Our numbers grew. We gained some, lost some. Vicki was killed on a mission. Sweet woman, skilled, funny, you would have liked her,” he smiled. “She could make any situation seem like a walk in the park. When she died it hit us all hard—especially the original team members because we knew her the longest; the deepest. Anyway, the Dove Team numbers had risen and we were being broken up into smaller teams. We went from four to forty, and then they—our superiors—decided to break us all up and put us in small groups. Four to a team, except my team. We stayed with our original commander and there was about eight of us by that point on our team. Guess they didn’t want to break up their best covert ops. A couple of us retired, and the rest have stayed in—some because they’re not at their twenty years plus one day yet, and others are still in because they love the job. They wear it as if it were a second skin for them.”
“And you; why did you leave?”
“I was just ready,” he said. “I went into the military right after high school. The ink hadn’t even dried on my diploma, at least that’s what my mother had said, before I hit the road. I didn’t even stay to walk in the ceremony. I just wanted out of there. And since I didn’t really have much to go back to New Mexico for I didn’t see a reason to get out of service once my first tour was up. Then, I was in so long. I felt like I was making a difference and I wanted to keep making sure the home I would come back to would still be safe. I wanted to keep my country safe. My last mission took me to Hawaii. I can’t tell you about it.”
“I know.”
“Anyway, after that I just wanted out. I wanted normal. I’m still available should a situation arise, but for the most part, I’m out. That’s what I wanted. I made some good friends,” he sighed as he looked up at the stars twinkling high above. “Some great friends,” he rephrased his words. “Lucky Leo’s one of them. He’s going to be out here in a couple weeks. Something about the Mainland having some beautiful women.” He laughed. “I think the man is ready to settle down and get married. I’ll introduce you when he gets here; just don’t let him try to take you away from me.” He saw the smile on her lips. Whether she knew it or not, this was serious for him—it wasn’t just a fling. He wanted a relationship, and he wanted that relationship to be long-term.
“Wait…Lucky Leo…Valencia Dugan-Mishoto’s brother?”
“Yeah. You know him?”
“No. I’ve never met him, but I’ve heard Thomas mention him before. You…” she laughed. “Valencia asked you to help me; didn’t she?”
He chuckled. “Good Lord you are quick,” he said. “I figured you would probably figure out exactly who was behind it. Valencia asked if I knew somebody. I’m the one who decided that I should be that somebody. Make no mistake about it, Alyssa; I’m here because I want to be here.” He looked into her eyes, beseeching her to hear his words.
“So Thomas is behind this. I knew he was; I just hadn’t figured out exactly how. I should have known he wouldn’t keep his nose out of it after our discussion at his wedding.”
“He shouldn’t have kept his nose out of it,” he told her. “This is serious. I’m guessing you didn’t tell him how serious that third attack was or he probably would have been on a plane out here that same day.”
She nodded. “He would have skipped his honeymoon and I didn’t want that. Besides, I didn’t want him to come out here.”
“Playing it close to the vest?”
“It’s not that,” she looked up to the sky before looking back down at him. “It doesn’t really matter I guess. I got a chance to meet you.” She placed her hand softly on his chest and he immediately covered her hand with his.
“You’re beautiful.” He said breathlessly. She smiled.
“Oh, you just want me because I’m a pretty face,” she laughed. “And here I was thinking you were attracted to my mind.”
He laughed. “Trust me, Alyssa; you’re a lot more than just a pretty face.” He lifted his hand and cupped the back of her head, pulling her in for a kiss. His lips met hers softly at first, exploring the soft plump lips that was the doorway to tasting her mouth before he slid his tongue over her lips, prompting her to open her mouth and let him have full access—and when she did he took it. Tasting her, teasing her, kiss
ing her fully and swallowing every delicious moan that escaped her.
He rolled her onto her back, bringing his body to fit between her legs and he kissed her more; longer, harder, deeper than before. He enjoyed her taste, her sounds, her smell of arousal and he wanted more. He wanted it all. He caressed her gently with one last kiss before rolling onto his back and pulling her into his arms. They looked at the sky, watching the show from above. “Will you come out here with me again tomorrow night?”
“Yes,” she said without hesitation. “I’ll bring a picnic basket and we can dine under the stars.”
“I like that idea,” he agreed as he held her tight. “I like knowing I can be with you.” And in that moment the night became a thousand times better, knowing what he felt for her, she was feeling for him too—a connection deeper than any other. This was something they would explore, not just because they wanted to, but because they had to. He loved her. That thought alone scared him because it felt like it was too soon, but it was right. He felt it in his gut that it was right.
Chapter Nine
A week of nightly picnics in the back of Shane’s truck and Alyssa felt like she was in the most heavenly relationship ever. He was a gentleman, and gracious. Their conversations ranged from frivolous facts about why she didn’t like certain fashion trends, to deep seated political, religious, ethical and moral topics. She was surprised to find they were on the same page with a lot of the topics. There were some disagreements, but as she had said, no two people would ever be one hundred percent the same—not even on beliefs. They were on the same page where it counted, and able to agree to disagree on the ones that they weren’t. She liked this man, maybe even loved him, and something about that scared her.
She was taking it slow—as slow as possible, because she didn’t want to get hurt, not like she had the last time. She couldn’t risk her heart like that, but somewhere in that line of thinking she realized if Shane walked away today she would still feel the pain.
“These are the best dates ever,” she looked up at the star filled sky. They had sat out there and watched sunset; had their dinner and then Shane put the basket in the truck. Instead of going back to the main house they stayed out in the open field and sat in the back of the truck watching the sky and talking.
“I thought most women like to go out to eat, or go to some jazzy club or something.”
She looked at him, “I’m not most women. I like the simple things. A good home cooked meal, great conversation, and a relaxed atmosphere goes a long way with me.”
“I see that,” he smiled. “You’re a good cook too. Those Panini sandwiches you brought yesterday were delicious.”
“Thanks. I do like to cook when I can. You’re pretty good yourself,” she nudged his shoulder with her shoulder. “When did you find time to learn to cook?”
He laughed. “I wasn’t always military,” he took her hand in his and intertwined their fingers. “I learned young. I learned some more from friends and the rest I just picked up on my own. If you know how to follow directions you can learn how to cook anything.”
“True,” she nodded. “My mother taught all of us; even the boys. She said there was no way her boys were going to grow up not knowing how to cook and feeling obligated to marry the first woman who came along just because she could. She made sure we all learned enough to prepare breakfast, lunch, dinner and deserts. Thomas is probably the better dinner cook. I have lunch down to a science. Gavin’s more of your breakfast guy, and Eve beats all of us. That woman could have been a chef. I don’t think there’s anything she can’t cook or bake.”
“The two of you are close.”
“Yes we are. We’re the only girls so I guess maybe we latched on to each other for that reason, but maybe it was more than that. She’s so easy to love. There’s no malice in her anywhere and that innocence is just something that draws everybody to her.”
“I don’t have any siblings,” he confided in her. “I always wondered what it would be like if I did.”
“Hmm,” she smiled. “Pillow fights. Building snow castles, arguing over who gets the bathroom first in the morning,” she laughed. “Knowing no matter what happens in the world you have good people who have your back…and family dinners that were a riot to be at.” She laughed. “Although not all families are that lucky. Some siblings aren’t ever going to get along. Having the same blood doesn’t equate to liking or loving each other.”
“Don’t I know it,” he said in a tone that told her he was speaking from experience.
“Tell me about your family, Shane.”
“I’d rather hear more about yours and those pillow fights,” he swiftly changed the subject and started tickling her. She squirmed and hooted with laughter. She tried to get away from his roaming hands. He was relentless in his fun loving attack.
“Stop, stop,” she cried with laughter. “Don’t change the subject,” she said when he finally stopped tickling her long enough for her to catch her breath.
“But I’d much rather do this,” he leaned down to kiss her. One kiss took them from zero to one thousand in less than thirty seconds. He removed her blouse, then her bra before unbuttoning her pants. And what pleased him most was that she hadn’t stopped him, that she hadn’t pushed his hand away from her body. He had wanted to touch her for so long, and now he was going to touch his fill.
“Are you going to continue to tease me all night, Shane?” Alyssa’s voice started off with a playful teasing of her own until Shane’s fingers traced a feather line down her stomach, causing her to moan with satisfaction. “Oh yes, please don’t stop there,” she moaned as his hands eased lower, playing with her navel before disappearing between her legs.
He was drawing it out and torturing her. She wanted him so much she thought she might go mad waiting for the moment his touch seemed to promise awaited her. Instead of giving her what she craved he just kept kissing her, stroking her gently with his fingers against her. “Please,” she clutched his hand, trying to get him to take her all the way.
“Uh, uh,” he shook his head, removed his fingers from where they played and then gathered her wrists into his big hands before pinning them above her head with one hand. She saw the twinkle in his eyes; that glint of sheer, unadulterated appreciation. He liked what he saw and she could see that.
He ran his free hand over her breast letting his index finger circle the delicate skin. “You’re perfect everywhere.” His voice was low and laced with sexual embers that sent shivers up her spine. Perfect and smooth,” he growled as he lowered his head and slid his tongue along her breast before closing his mouth over it and sucking gently. She screamed his name; her hips arching off the bed of the truck with need. He chuckled low in his throat. “Like that did you?”
“You know I did,” she said stubbornly. She was wound so tight right now that she thought she might break if he didn’t get inside of her soon.
“Good to know,” he slid his tongue over her nipple before repeating the action that had made her scream his name. She withered beneath him. Her body wanted his touch, wanted him, but he was drawing it out, drawing her out.
He slid his hand lower, slipping it between her legs and playing with her some more as he kissed and sucked on her body in all the right places. He slipped one finger inside of her and growled with satisfaction. “You are so hot and wet for me, baby.” He looked up into her eyes and smiled. His eyes were deeper in color, laced with his sexual desire for her and yet he was still fully clothed while she lay naked in the cab of his truck underneath the stars.
“Stop teasing me and take me,” she said.
“I would, baby, but I didn’t bring any condoms with me. I didn’t think we were going to get this far tonight,” he licked her stomach before letting his tongue play with her belly button. “But just because I have to wait, doesn’t mean you have to.” He slipped another finger inside of her, stroking her, playing with her slow then fast, soft, then hard. She arched beneath him, her eyes glued to the sky above
as he masterfully played with her body. She watched the twinkle of lights in the sky as he took her to the heights of pleasure and pushed her beyond. She remembered begging for more; pleading for release and then when he gave it to her she called out his name, over and over again, wishing it was more than his fingers inside of her. She knew he had done the responsible thing, waiting since they didn’t have protection. It spoke volumes for his character that he hadn’t assumed she would let him go there tonight. He hadn’t come prepared for sex. It also told her a lot about the man. He was restrained enough to wait.
Betrayal of the Dove (Men of Action) Page 11