Love Unexpected (Navy Love Series Book 2)

by Santo, JC

  “I don’t know about that, Ma.”

  “Hush, you are. And you and Tegan are lucky to have found each other. How was it having her there?”

  “I don’t think I could have done it without her, Ma,” After a moment, I confess, “She said she loves me at the graveside.”

  “Well of course she loves you. Reed, anyone can see that. Have you admitted to yourself that you’re in love with her?”

  “Yeah, I have. I was going to say it back to her, but she stopped me and quickly changed the subject. She’s been acting odd ever since to where I don’t know how to say it now. I don’t want to just blurt it out, you know?”

  “Well that makes sense, she probably feels rejected, so she’s avoiding talking about it. Give it some time, the perfect moment will come and you’ll know when it’s right to say it.”

  We make arrangements to meet up tomorrow for lunch before Tegan and I head back to Virginia tomorrow evening. As much I’d like to stay longer, I know we need to get back; I have work next week, and I’m sure she’s itching to get back to her new niece and nephew. Marshall has sent her a ton of pictures the past few days of him with them.

  The competition between those two is hilarious. It was bad when they fought for just Sawyer’s attention, who now has both of them wrapped around her finger, but now with the twins, their rivalry is unreal. I’m surprised the two of them can even remain friendly to one another.

  Tegan has already mentioned she’s babysitting next week and has volunteered me to help her.

  And I’m willing to bet two of our closest friends need us back home. From the few text messages I’ve gotten from J.C., he and Jo both are having a hard time working through his upcoming deployment.

  Shortly after my mom and I end our conversation, Tegan emerges from the bathroom wrapped in a towel with her wet, messy, blonde hair hanging down.

  Out of respect for my mother, and against my wishes, we haven’t had sex since being in Michigan. Seeing her in a towel, in this hotel room where we’re alone and have the privacy she desires, it’s hard to fight the temptation to go to her and pull her into the bed.

  Fuck going out for New Year’s Eve, I can make plenty of fireworks right here.

  Tegan, however, has other plans. She’s skittish as she quickly and discreetly dresses for this evening. I don’t understand what’s gotten into her, but I plan to figure it out.

  I offered to take Tegan out to Sinbad’s, this fancy, well-known restaurant near downtown, but she claimed that something cheap and fast was her preference. So we caught a cab to Greektown and hit up Five Guys and then walked the few blocks to Campus Martius.

  Campus Martius is packed when we arrive. This place has everything tonight; it’s in the middle of the big Motown Winter fest. Local vendors and restaurants set up large tents; there is ice skating and warming stations where people make s’mores.

  It’s a huge ordeal. There is a huge Christmas tree that is still lit up and it has an overall festive holiday vibe to it. The place is always packed, people come from all around for this.

  The first thing we do is ice skating. Tegan mentioned wanting to try it out on the flight here the other day, so it only makes sense to do it tonight.

  It doesn’t take her long to find her groove skating. Honestly, it’s the same as rollerblading for most people.

  I’m not a huge fan of ice skating, but I’m easily persuaded to get out there with her.

  Although she really doesn’t need my help, I can’t help but to hold onto her waist or a hand at every opportunity I see.

  We probably look like a storybook couple—if people only knew all of the hell we’ve gone through and the number of times I fucked up in order to get to this moment.

  She looks beautiful out here. Wearing one of those crochet headbands, an emerald-green color, with charcoal-gray NorthFace jacket, jeans, crocheted boot socks and ice skates, she’s easily the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. The pink color of her cheeks and nose from the wind and the small snowflakes in her hair just add to her beauty.

  She doesn’t have makeup caked on her face, and she isn’t out here in below freezing temperatures in some tiny skirt, trying to be cute despite the frigid conditions. And yet, she’s stunning.

  I’m not blind, I’ve seen a few men’s eyes linger up and down her slender body, and I’ve never felt the need to claim what’s mine. Her deflecting being in love with me isn’t going to last much longer. I’ll make damn sure of that.

  We still have an hour until the countdown starts, so we grab a beer and spend the time walking around and seeing all of the small pop-up shops that have set up for this occasion.

  It’s been years since I’ve been home to celebrate the new year at home, and I can honestly say that I’m glad my first time back is with her at my side.

  It isn’t long until the big display shows the minutes trickling down to that beloved midnight.

  Tegan and I push our way up into the crowd, waiting. It dawns on me then.

  “I’ve never had a New Year’s Eve kiss,” I confess.

  “What? Are you serious?” Tegan isn’t alone in her shock. I rack my brain trying to recollect, but nothing comes to mind. No one-night stand, no casual fling; I’ve never shared this night with a woman before.

  “Yeah, I haven’t ever celebrated it with anyone before this.”

  I pull Tegan’s back against my chest and wrap my arms around her waist. She smiles shyly and links her fingers in with mine.

  “I haven’t either,” she quietly claims.

  When our eyes lock again, I know. She may hide and try to avoid the topic, but it’s there in her eyes. She loves me.

  “I’m glad,” I say before kissing her gently. “I’m really glad.”

  We pull our lips away from each other and focus our attention on the host on stage. He’s currently rambling, passing the time until the countdown starts, talking about upcoming events in the Detroit area and shit like that.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen! We are a minute away from saying Goodbye to 2015! Grab your partners and your drinks and get ready to ring in the New Year!”

  Using Tegan’s waist, I spin her around to face me and snuggle her as close as possible to my chest.

  Are you ready?

  20…

  I gaze from the large clock back to Tegan.

  15…

  She smiles shyly at me.

  10…

  Everyone else fades away.

  8…

  It’s just the two of us now.

  6…

  “Say it again.”

  “What?” she asks confused.

  4…

  “Say it, now’s the right time.”

  3…

  2…

  “I love you, Charlie.”

  1… Happy New Year!

  I slam my lips to hers.

  This kiss should be reserved for the bedroom or at least some sort of privacy, but I don’t fucking care. Tegan just said she loves me again.

  Tegan

  I’m lost as he kisses me.

  Thrown into a haze of what’s happening.

  People all around us are celebrating, fireworks have started going off, confetti is whipping through the wind, and yet, none of it matters in this moment.

  I admitted it again, and I have no regrets, even if he doesn’t say it back now. I’m in love with him, there’s no denying it.

  His tongue devours mine, giving just the right amount of push and pull. His teeth gently nip my bottom lip. One of his hands is planted firmly at the middle of my back, holding me to his sculpted chest, while the other has found its way to my ass.

  He pulls back slightly, his eyes trained on me, never venturing away to see all of the excitement around us.

  “Tegan, I am so fucking in love with you it’s unreal.”

  The smile that breaks out across my face is pure happiness.

  “Now can we go back to the hotel? I’d rather be there celebrating with you in private than here.”r />
  “Absolutely, let’s get out of here.”

  Charlie leads us to the curb where a line of cabs sit waiting to chauffeur people home.

  The cab ride back to the hotel is filled with desire-laced looks, the packed elevator ride charged with sexual tension.

  As soon as the door to our room is shut, and the outside world locked away, Charlie is on me.

  Our hands work quickly to remove the layers of clothing we both have on. I pull my hands away from him just as he does the same.

  “Clothes off, Tegan. I need to be inside you, babe. It’s been way too long,” His voice is harsh as if he’s fighting to keep control over himself. He pulls his hoodie and shirt off.

  I sit on the bed and pull my boots and long socks off as he stands looming over me. I scoot myself back to the pillows, lift my hips and slowly work my jeans down my thighs. It’s then that I feel Charlie’s hands on my body.

  He grips my jeans in each and as he pulls them down, he trails small kisses down my legs.

  As he brings his face up to mine, I feel the occasional kiss and he pulls my sweater and undershirt up with him in his path to my lips. The shirts are pulled over my head and as soon as they clear it, his lips are on mine.

  My hands make their way down his naked torso until they find the button of his jeans; never breaking the kiss, I unclasp them and begin shoving them down as far as I can reach. Charlie takes over, his lips trailing down to my chest as he wrangles his pants and briefs off.

  I hear him mumble around my breasts.

  “I love your tits, babe.”

  I grind my pussy against his thigh, needing—no, craving—some kind of friction there. This man makes me like a horny teenager, I can’t get enough of him.

  Charlie lifts his head to my neck and proceeds to kiss from my collar bone to my ear lobe, not acknowledging my current grinding against him. Whispering seductive bits along the way.

  “I love your neck.”

  He brings his face to my lips and places a gentle kiss there.

  “I love these lips.”

  His eyes move up to my eyes next.

  “And your eyes, I love them too. I love everything about you, Tegan.”

  I can’t help the few tears that spill out. I’ve wanted Charlie to feel something more than just sexual desire for me for so long, and now it’s finally happening. He loves me.

  “I love you too, Charlie.”

  Without pulling his eyes away from mine, he finally gives me exactly what I’ve been longing for. The head of his cock slowly pushes into me, it’s the most intimate thing I’ve ever experienced in my life. The tension, the emotions, the feelings, all of it so much deeper than anything we’ve ever faced in all of our times together.

  This time feels incredibly different than any other. It’s about more than just the impending climax at the end. Sex is so much more than that. We’ve never experienced this level of intimacy during sex. We’ve said the words, now it’s time to show them with our bodies.

  We aren’t rushed; Charlie’s thrusts are slow, steady and deep. My pants and moans aren’t loud. Instead, they’re hushed, almost silent. My hands stay firmly locked around his neck or attached to his broad shoulders; his stay on either side of my head. And unless our eyes shut for a kiss, we don’t break eye contact.

  It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s beautiful.

  “Charlie, Charlie…” I can feel my knees start to tremble and my body start to tense up.

  “I know, Tegan, I’m there, baby, I’m there.”

  We both let go at the same time, clasping onto each other, basking in the connection we’ve formed. We didn’t just have sex or fuck, for the first time in both of our lives, we made love.

  Lying in the bed afterwards, curled up together, my fingers mindlessly trace along the intricate tattoos on his arms, enjoying the peace that seems to have settled around us.

  “You know, I almost don’t want to go back tomorrow night,” I say quietly.

  “Why’s that?” Charlie looks over at me with sleepy eyes.

  “I like it here, we’ve gotten so much closer, there’s no drama, it’s almost like we’re in a bubble. And tomorrow, we go back to the real world.”

  “Yeah, I know what you mean, but we have to go back. I have to work and you have classes next week. Plus, you know you miss Madison and Parker.”

  I sigh. “Yeah I do.”

  “Hey.” He turns my chin to where I’m looking at him. “Things aren’t changing. We’re still us when we walk out of this room tomorrow. And we’re still us when we get off the plane in Virginia. I’m still going to be in love with you, nothing is changing, just the location.”

  “Okay.”

  “Now’s the part where you say it back to me.”

  “Say what back?”

  “That you’re still going to be madly in love with me. That no matter the place, your heart will still beat for me. That you’d be lost without me.”

  “Where exactly did you get all that from?”

  “I don’t know; isn’t that some shit you read in your romance books?”

  I break into a full-blown laugh.

  “Are you kidding?”

  His face has a fake wounded look due to my outburst.

  “Oh, Charlie, you’ve got a lot to learn about romance, babe. That was terrible, but everything before that, that’s the stuff my books are full of.”

  He kisses me softly.

  “There’s plenty more of that then. You bring out the best in me, Tegan.”

  “I love you, Charlie.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Charlie tucks me into his side, and we both fall asleep.

  Reed

  I’m sad to leave today, but ready to get back to Virginia to our friends and our lives. This was a great little escape for us, one that I plan on taking advantage of more often. Ma and Dad love Tegan, not that I had any doubts about that.

  Marshall, the gossip whore that he is, has already texted me multiple times wanting to know when we land and fishing for details of the trip.

  We meet my parents and brother for a late lunch at Coney Island, of course, near the airport. I don't know when I'll get back to indulge. It’s bittersweet to say goodbye to them. Luckily since Mom and Tegan like each other so much, the two of them are already making plans for my parents to come visit Norfolk soon.

  “So, how was your night?” My dad asks.

  Tegan looks at me with a shy smile before answering, “It was really good, Jake.”

  “That means they got it on,” Tanner chimes in.

  The whole table whips their heads in his direction and before anyone can say anything, my mom smacks him on the back of the head.

  While we’re all stunned silent, it’s Tegan who breaks up the tension. I feel her arm shaking, when I glance over, I see that she’s trying to hold in her laughter. One good look at her state and I can’t help but to succumb to the humor too.

  Before long, all five of us are laughing hysterically.

  Looking at him now, those slight resemblances I noticed before stand out even more. Although Tanner doesn’t know, I feel closer to him today. I’ve finally let go of every grudge I’ve held against Carmen. She did wise up a little, and thanks to my Ma’s influence, she did what was best for Tanner.

  “So—” my mom waits for everyone’s laughter to die down “—other than that aspect, did you two have a good time?”

  “We did, Ma.” I put my arm on the back of Tegan’s chair and she leans into me, looking up at me with that beautiful smile. “We had an amazing time.”

  “How were the fireworks?”

  “Uh, they were, um good,” Tegan states unassured.

  When the fuck were there fireworks last night?

  “Good, I’m glad you two had a nice night.”

  We sit and chat the rest of lunch. Mainly everyone asks more about Tegan’s childhood in Texas. I know most of it already thanks to my friendship with Tessa and some from what Tegan has told me, but I s
till soak up everything she has to say.

  I’m mesmerized by her today. I think I always have been, but now I’m finally comfortable openly admitting it. She’s beautiful, sincere, and a genuinely good person who loves me.

  Before I know it, lunch is over and it’s time for us to head to the airport. Dad was gracious enough to bring our suitcases, which we’d already packed up before we left their house the other night, with him so we could go straight to the airport.

  We’re parting ways with Mom and Tanner here, it’s always been a thing with Mom; she doesn’t ever go to the airport when I leave. She gets too emotional.

  I give Tanner a hug and threaten bodily harm if he doesn’t behave for our parents.

  He moves over to hug Tegan and I watch their exchange. My younger brother has already called my woman hot. If his hands linger too long, I’ll put him in his place right now.

  Fortunately for him, it’s a quick hug and goodbye.

  Mom pulls me into a tight hug.

  “I’m so proud of you, sweetie.” She lets go of my neck and smiles up at me. “You did a good thing this trip, I’m glad you went and made peace, now you can focus on more important things.” With that, she gives a slight nod in Tegan’s direction.

  “Way ahead of you, Ma.” I lean down and whisper in her ear, “That perfect moment came last night.”

  I pull back and wink at her jaw-dropped expression. It’s not every day I get to be the one who makes my mom speechless.

  She quickly shakes off her shock and turns to Tegan.

  “And you, my dear.” She and Tegan wrap their arms around each other. “I’m so glad you came out here, I just adore you.” She pulls away and holds Tegan at arm's length. “If my son knows what’s good for him, he’ll hold onto you for a long time.”

  She gives me a stern look in warning.

  “Ma, if I have anything to do with it, Tegan will be around for a long while.”

  It’s meant as a reassurance to my mom, however, I feel Tegan’s head jerk to face me. I simply smile and keep my eyes trained on my mom. Tegan and I have plenty of time to discuss it later if she needs more than what I just gave her.