by Susan Stoker
Bubba went around to the passenger side of his car and gently shook Zoey awake. He wrapped an arm around her to guide her inside as she was still mostly out of it. He helped her up the stairs and she collapsed onto his bed, immediately turning on her side and pulling the covers up to her face.
“Everything smells like you,” she mumbled. “So good…”
Bubba stood at the side of his bed for a good five minutes and watched Zoey sleep. He wanted her. Bad. His cock stood at attention, and he knew without a doubt it wouldn’t take more than a couple pumps to make him lose it.
He liked everything about Zoey. She was kind to everyone she met, and that was so refreshing. She didn’t talk bad about anyone, no matter what they looked like or what they did.
It was all he could do to not lean down, wake her up with a kiss, then strip her naked and make love to her until neither of them could move.
But it was too soon.
Honestly, it didn’t feel too soon to him. Even though not much time had gone by since they’d been stranded, because of their experiences and knowing each other from high school, he felt as if he’d known her forever.
But he was supposed to wait.
Society said that jumping into bed with someone so soon after they’d started dating wasn’t good for the outcome of a long-term relationship.
Even his teammates had advised him to wait.
He didn’t want to.
But he would.
And the only way he’d be able to control himself was if he put some distance between them. It would kill, but he’d do it if it meant solidifying his connection with Zoey.
He forced himself to turn and head out of the bedroom and down the stairs. All he really wanted to do was change and climb under the sheets with Zoey, but he couldn’t while still behaving himself. Not right this second.
He grabbed a beer out of the fridge and turned on the television. He clicked the channels until he stopped on a show he’d seen before. It was boring as hell, but he needed the distraction. He’d distance himself just a bit…enough to give Zoey a chance to acclimate to Riverton and her new situation. But he wasn’t giving up his nights. He needed to hold her. To reassure himself that she was there and safe, and to give him a glimpse of what he had to look forward to in the future.
He’d have to cut that down a little, though. He’d stay up later, make sure she fell asleep before he came up. Then he could hold her as close as he needed to without her feeling pressure to move their relationship faster than she was comfortable doing. It might kill him, but for Zoey, he’d do it.
Chapter Sixteen
Two weeks later, Zoey was more confused than ever. Things had been going so well with Mark, and she’d been ready to try to let him know, subtly of course, that she was ready to move their physical relationship along. But ever since the barbeque at his friend’s house, he’d seemed distracted.
He left early in the morning for PT and didn’t come home for breakfast afterward, deciding to stay at the base and shower instead of returning to the house. He’d come home at night and they’d eat dinner together, then they’d settle in front of the TV and talk. That was all nice, but he’d been encouraging her to head up to bed early, and she’d been falling asleep before he came up.
She knew he eventually did come upstairs, because she woke up when his alarm went off in the mornings and was always in his arms, but the second the beeping of his watch sounded, he’d roll over and get on with his day.
It was depressing as hell.
She knew Mark was stressed. He told her he’d gotten at least one phone call every day from both his brother and Sean about the business. They always needed his signature on this or that form, or they requested he Skype into one meeting or another. Or they needed to discuss some change they wanted to make.
Mark had never been interested in his dad’s business before, but now that he’d been forced into making decisions about it, Zoey could tell he had even less interest. But he was stuck. His brother and his dad’s business partner needed him, or at least they said they did.
On top of that, Tex hadn’t located Eva Dawkins yet. The night before, Mark told her that his friend was closing in on her location, and that it was only a matter of time, but she knew he was still frustrated it was taking so long. He needed to know who had tried to kill him so he could move on.
She had the thought that he was waiting for that mystery to be solved, so he could tell her that she was safe and could get on with her life. Maybe that’s why he’d put distance between them. The idea hurt. A lot. But Zoey did what she always did when adversity came her way, she lifted her chin and got on with her life. She did her best not to stress over things that she couldn’t control, and right now, she didn’t have any control over the investigation into their attempted murder, Colin’s business, the pressure being put on Mark because of it, or his job as a SEAL.
But she did have control over her relationship with Mark. She couldn’t go on like this anymore. She needed answers. She still felt as deep a connection with him as she always had, but if he’d changed his mind about them, she had to know. She’d ask Jess if she could move in with her until she could find an apartment of her own.
The money she’d received from Colin’s estate, along with the money Jess was paying her, was enough to start fresh somewhere. Zoey liked Riverton. The weather was perfect and there were a ton of things to do. She didn’t feel stifled as she had back in Juneau, and she loved not running into a million people she knew when she was out doing errands. There was something to be said for being anonymous while going about your business.
It was late and, as usual, Mark had stayed downstairs while she’d come up to bed. But instead of climbing under the sheets and falling asleep, Zoey was determined to get some answers. If Mark was done with her, she needed to know. Tonight.
She left the lights off and snuggled into the armchair in the corner of the room. She pulled a blanket around her and curled up her legs, turning on her tablet to play solitaire until Mark came to bed. She knew she might have a while to wait, but that was okay. She wasn’t tired. Not when her heart was beating so fast and adrenaline was coursing through her veins. She wasn’t a confrontational person, so this was kinda scary for her.
She could’ve gone downstairs and asked Mark what his deal was, but she wanted to see how long it would take him to come to bed.
Two hours later—the longest two hours of Zoey’s life—she finally heard footsteps on the stairs. She put the tablet aside and waited. She watched as Mark eased into the room, being careful to stay quiet. Normally, that would’ve made her appreciate him all the more, but now, all it did was irritate her.
He went into the bathroom, closing the door all the way before turning on the light. Once more being considerate. When he exited, Zoey couldn’t keep quiet anymore.
“It’s late,” she said softly.
He jerked in surprise, then turned to the chair she was sitting in.
“Zoey?”
“Yeah, who else would it be?”
“Are you all right? Are you feeling okay?”
“I’m fine. Mark, we need to talk.” She winced as soon as the words left her mouth. All guys hated to hear those four words, but they’d popped out without her thinking.
In response, Mark clicked on the lamp by the side of the bed and walked over to her. He was wearing a pair of boxers and that was it. His body was absolutely beautiful, and it actually made Zoey’s heart hurt looking at him. He was sleek and toned and the V muscles near his hips that pointed downward made her swallow hard. She wanted to put her hands all over him. To feel him under her and over her as they made love.
Knowing she had to concentrate, Zoey forced her eyes up to his face.
He was looking down at her in concern, seemingly not worried that he was practically naked. “What’s wrong?”
“Us. This,” she blurted. “This isn’t working anymore.”
Kneeling down in front of the chair, Mark put his hands on h
er calves. “You want to leave?” he asked softly.
Zoey shook her head. “No. Not at all. But you’ve made it more than obvious over the last couple of weeks that you don’t want me here.”
He frowned. “What?”
“Don’t deny it, Mark. You’ve spent as little time here in the house as possible, and I can’t help but think it’s obviously because of me. You get up at the ass-crack of dawn and don’t come back until right before dinner. Then we spend a few hours together, and I come up to bed and you purposely stay away until I’m asleep. If you want me to leave, all you have to do is tell me. I’m a big girl, I can handle it.”
Mark sighed and looked down at the floor. Zoey’s heart sank even further.
“I know Tex hasn’t figured out who was behind everything that happened up in Alaska, but I promise I’ll be fine. Nothing’s happened since the reading of Colin’s will, so I’m guessing that whoever arranged that shit is resigned to the fact that Colin gave us what he gave us. I’ve got enough money to rent an apartment. I’ll keep helping Jess, because I love it. I love her. I’ve been looking online, and I can get a certificate in Gerontology. You’ve helped me realize that I can make a career out of something I love doing. I’ll always be thankful for that.”
Mark’s head came up, and he pinned her in place with a look so intense, she froze.
“I’ve fucked this up,” he said.
When he didn’t say anything else, Zoey didn’t know if she should agree with him or deny his words. So she said nothing. Just waited.
“It’s true that I’ve been avoiding you, but not for the reasons you think.”
Zoey could hardly breathe. Her heart hurt. She didn’t like hearing confirmation of her fears.
“Zo, the last thing I wanted to do was rush you into a relationship you weren’t ready for. Things happened very fast between us. They were very intense. And I didn’t want you to feel beholden to me, or like you had to start a physical relationship with me because you were thankful.”
“I’m grateful that you were the one stranded with me, but the last thing I’d do is go out with you, or have sex with you, as a result,” she said softly.
Mark winced. “I’ve been staying away from you as much as possible because it’s literally the only way I can keep my hands off of you.”
Zoey’s eyes widened in surprise. He kept talking.
“I knew I needed to give you time. To let you make friends and acclimate to your new situation without pressure from me. So I left early in the mornings because if I had to sit across from you and watch you eat breakfast with a smile, and talk about all the fun things you had planned with Jess, I wouldn’t have been able to keep from taking you right there on the kitchen table. I’ve been waiting until you’re asleep to come to bed because if you were awake when I got up here, I would’ve taken advantage of you and seduced you before you were ready. I wasn’t strong enough to sleep in the guest room, otherwise I would’ve done that too.
“The best part of my day is when I can come up to bed and climb under my sheets with you. Hold you against me. Hear your heart beat and feel your warm breaths on my chest. Not want you here? Zoey, I’ve never wanted anything more in my life.”
His words took a moment to sink in, and then every muscle in Zoey’s body sagged in relief. He hadn’t been putting distance between them so it would be easier to let her down when he told her she should move out. He’d done it because he didn’t want to rush her.
Jess had been right. She should’ve done more to make sure he knew she was ready for a physical relationship. Both of them had suffered needlessly over the last two weeks.
Her heart beating out of her chest, she uncurled her legs and scooted to the edge of the chair. She reached out and put her hands on either side of Mark’s neck and leaned into him. “I’m ready, Mark. More than. Touch me. Make me yours. I want it. I need it. I need you.”
One second he was crouched in front of her, and the next, she was in his arms and he was dropping her on the bed behind them.
The urgency in his actions was echoed in her own. Their mouths met, and she moaned deep in her throat. He speared his tongue into her mouth and devoured her. He kissed her as if he’d never kissed anyone before and never would again. As their tongues dueled, his hands reached for the T-shirt she was wearing. He backed away just long enough to tear the cotton over her head, then his mouth was once more on hers. Urgent desire drumming through them both.
Zoey’s hands slid down his muscular back and slipped under his boxers to clutch at his ass cheeks.
It was Mark’s turn to moan, and he picked his head up just enough to stare down at her. His pupils were dilated with lust, and she could feel puffs of warm air from his rapid breathing against her face.
Instead of leaning down to kiss her again, Mark inched his way down her body.
Zoey tried to grab his shoulders to keep him where he was, but he was too strong, and he ignored her nonverbal pleas. He settled on his stomach over her, and his lips latched onto one of her nipples so strongly, she gave a little cry and arched her back, pressing herself up and into him even harder.
His mouth felt so good. He licked and sucked at her as if he’d never get enough. His hands weren’t still as he feasted on her. They plumped her breasts and, at one point, he even pushed them together and alternated sucking on one nipple then the other.
How long he played with her chest, Zoey had no idea, but it was long enough that she was desperate for more.
“Mark,” she moaned, not sure if she was begging for him to stop or to continue.
Instead of moving upward, he slid even farther down the bed.
Zoey shifted uncertainly. She hadn’t lied when she’d told him that no one had ever gone down on her before. She wasn’t sure about this, was feeling a bit self-conscious about the act.
He gently eased her panties down her legs and licked his lips when she was finally naked underneath him.
“Relax,” Mark murmured. “You’re gonna love this. As am I. I’ve dreamed about this. About tasting you. About feeling you come apart around my fingers and mouth.” Then he used both hands to shove her thighs as far apart as they’d go…and he merely stared down at her soaking-wet folds.
“Oh, shit,” Zoey said, and closed her eyes. She was embarrassed beyond belief. The only person who’d looked at that part of her as closely as Mark was right this second was her gynecologist. And it wasn’t the same thing. Not even close.
“Fuck, you’re gorgeous,” Mark said reverently. She felt one of his fingers glide slowly over her folds, smearing the wetness he’d found there. When she started to close her legs, he shifted slightly so his shoulder and elbow were holding her open.
“Don’t hide from me,” he growled. “I love this tuft of hair.” He stroked the hair on her mons that she’d trimmed the other day. “And the fact that you’re bare down here,” his finger moved to once again glide over her smooth pussy lips, “makes me almost insane with lust.”
Zoey didn’t answer. Didn’t think Mark really was waiting for a response anyway. She didn’t know what to do with her hands. Didn’t know what to expect. Was this normal? Did men usually examine their partners’ sex before they went down on them? She had no idea, and that made her even more nervous.
But before she could ask what she was supposed to be doing, Mark’s head lowered.
Zoey felt him lick her. His tongue was warm and soft between her pussy lips. It felt good, but not earth-shattering.
But then his mouth clamped over her clit and he sucked. Hard.
Her hips shot up from the mattress and she shrieked in delight, but Mark’s mouth didn’t let go. He latched on as if he’d found nirvana and nothing would tear him away. He went at her with unrelenting passion, and Zoey could only hang on for the ride. One hand gripped his head and the fingernails on her other hand dug into his shoulder as her hips undulated under his skillful mouth and lips. She couldn’t stay still, wasn’t sure if she was supposed to try or what. But t
he way he was sucking and licking at her clit made it impossible anyway.
At one point, she looked down and saw Mark’s eyes were closed and he had the most blissful look on his face. His chin moved back and forth as he ate her out, and it was sensual as hell.
“Mark,” she said again as she felt a monster orgasm rise closer and closer to the surface. She’d gotten herself off more times than she could count, but nothing had ever felt like this. Usually when she got close, she eased her vibrator off her clit a bit or slowed down the strokes of her fingers.
But as if Mark could tell she was getting close, he did the opposite. He sucked harder and his tongue lashed against her sensitive bud even faster instead of backing away.
It almost hurt, but not really. Zoey didn’t have time to warn him that she was about to come. One second every muscle in her body was tense and her ass was a few inches off the bed, and the next, she went hurtling over the edge. Her entire body shook, and she vaguely felt Mark ease a finger into her body, stroking her from the inside as she came.
Even then, he didn’t let up. His mouth stayed latched onto her clit as if he was a cowboy riding a bucking bronco and had to stay on for the entire ride. Finally, when she felt her orgasm waning, Mark lifted his head and looked right into her eyes. Licking his lips, he didn’t speak, but his satisfaction was easy to see. She could see her juices on his chin and glistening in his facial hair, and instead of being repulsed, it turned her on even more.
His finger continued to push in and out of her body, making shivers go through Zoey at the intensity of the feelings he was evoking within her.
“You’re tight,” he growled softly. “You’re gripping my finger so hard, I can’t wait until it’s my cock in here.”
Swallowing hard, Zoey nodded. She’d felt his erection against her and knew he was bigger than either of the two men she’d been with in the past. She was nervous, but she wanted him so fucking badly.