Twenty Times Tempted: A Sexy Contemporary Romance Collection

by Petrova, Em

  He rolled off and pulled the condom off, laying it carefully next to his jeans to dispose of later.

  She followed him, sand clinging to her skin where it had been damp. But after a while, she dried off and he brushed the grains away.

  “I like this place,” she said against his chest.

  “So do I. My friend has a cabin here and we’re all welcome anytime we want to use it. The pond has felt more like home to me than anything else these past years I’ve been enlisted.”

  She turned her lips against his chest, sending new sparks through him. “Really?”

  “Yes.” It was on the tip of his tongue to ask if she’d want to share a house here with him, but it was far too soon. He needed to take it slow with Abigail even if his head and heart screamed otherwise.

  He tugged her close, warming her with his body so the breeze didn’t cool her too much. Her goosebumps might be due to his touch, though. He couldn’t keep his hands from wandering all over her naked flesh.

  In a second, he was hard again and she was restless.

  He gently lay her back into the bed of sand and began kissing down her neck to her breasts. The curved mounds fueled his desire but the rigid peaks made him rock-hard and ready again. He sucked her nipples into his mouth, right then left, drawing harsh gasps from her. Then he kissed down her body to her taut belly.

  She wiggled against him, small sounds escaping her. Damn, she sounded hot as hell. If she never let him touch her again, he’d remember her this way always.

  No, she belongs with me. I won’t entertain anything else.

  When he nuzzled a path over her fragrant, bare mound to the seam of her pussy, she cried out. Clutched his head and positioned him right where she wanted him.

  With a rumble of a laugh, he parted his lips wide over her pussy, engulfing all of her. Sweet heaven hit his senses as her flavors burst on his tongue. Her aroused state had her swollen and as ripe as a peach. He sucked on her pussy, drawing all of her against his lips and tongue.

  As he sank his tongue into her channel, juices soaked it. He moaned. She screamed.

  Then he ran his tongue back up through her sensitive folds to her hard nub. When he looked up her body, he was met by her gaze. Solidly pinning him where he was—as if he could ever walk away now. As if she couldn’t look away.

  Holding her gaze, he sucked her clit and slowly sank two fingers into her pussy. She clamped around his invasion immediately.

  “That’s it, baby. Milk my fingers and think of my cock buried inside you.”

  “Mmmmm.” She lifted her hips and ground her pussy against his mouth and hand. He could see her coming apart—cheeks red and eyes glazed. Her lips opened on a silent scream as her orgasm struck.

  He bent to his feast, eating, licking, nibbling and sucking her pussy until the final waves left her. Then he dug through his wallet to find another condom.

  ***

  The instant Gunner joined their bodies, something warm and beautiful blossomed inside her. From the start, she’d known there was something different about this soldier, and her body seemed to be confirming her suspicions.

  She latched onto him with her arms and legs as he shoved deep and hard. Pushing her up the sand, taking her with the wildness she felt right to the marrow of her bones.

  His long cock pushing in and out sent her body through several shudders. Her inner walls clenched around him rhythmically.

  His features blazed with want. This was the reason she felt so beautiful and safe in his arms. The way he looked at her was unlike any other.

  As he withdrew, he stared deep into her eyes. “Kiss me,” she begged.

  Bending to claim her lips again, he groaned. She parted her lips for him and tangled their tongues as she bucked madly against his cock. Taking him to the root, wanting more, more, more.

  When she started to rise, he stiffened. His body was so in sync with hers, she had no idea where he started and she ended. They just simply were.

  Small waves lapped on the beach and insects hummed pleasantly. The sun warmed the skin of his back beneath her hands.

  And then she was coming in long screaming waves. Her cream drenching his cock. He jerked harder and lifted her all the way off the sand, pulling her pussy right over his cock as he came.

  The cords in his neck stood out and his eyes darkened as he shot for what seemed like a solid minute.

  When they collapsed together, he rolled slightly to the side to keep from crushing her. After his breathing slowed and she caught her breath, she brushed her lips over his shoulder. “I’m always going to think of this place as ours.”

  His throat worked, and he turned his gaze on her. There she saw all the things she’d been feeling. How was it possible? Had fate brought them together?

  As he tugged her flush against him, she stopped caring about the whys and started wondering about the hows. How were they going to make this work if he was rumored to be heading back to Syria again?

  “I swear I can hear you thinking, Abigail,” he rasped quietly.

  “I…” She stopped, feeling she shouldn’t ruin the moment. Besides, she was thinking long-term and he hadn’t suggested anything like that.

  “You can tell me anything, ask me anything.” He turned her face toward his using his fingers under her chin.

  “It was something Knox said.”

  He stiffened, and not in the good way. Every muscle in his body seemed to go rigid. “What did he say?”

  “That they were sending him back to Syria in the next few months. And since you’re in the same unit…”

  He pushed out a sigh. “He needs to keep his fucking mouth shut.”

  “Then you weren’t going to tell me?”

  “I would have told you, just not at this minute when I’ve just felt you come apart in my arms several times.”

  She felt her face grow warm—and her lower parts warmer. But her heart had fallen into her stomach. “So you are going?”

  “We’re never certain. They’re talking about it, but until a command comes down, we don’t know. We could scramble tomorrow or in a year. Until then…”

  She met his gaze, seeing uncertainty there too. “What?”

  “I want you. This. You and me, Abigail. I knew it would be perfect, and I was right. You fit me like a glove in every way.”

  She was silent, ingesting his words and letting them sweep her away on a wind of hope again.

  After a minute, he said, “Does it scare you to be with a soldier who might be leaving you soon?”

  She nodded, unable to lie.

  “But you know there are ways we could stay in touch, right?”

  “Of course, Gunner.”

  “I’d do everything in my power to keep you remembering me. Starting with this.” He swept his hand down her body again, right between her legs. Her pussy was still hot and swollen and needy—and he knew exactly where to stroke her to bring her off quick and hard. When she was lying in the wreath of his arms again, he kissed her with so much tenderness that she forgot all about the what-ifs.

  “When do you have to be at work?” he asked between kisses.

  “O-seven-hundred.”

  “Then I’ll have you standing at the door at six-fifty-nine. I’m not letting you out of my sight for a single minute more than I have to. Besides, I have four more condoms.”

  She laughed. “How did you fit them all in your wallet?”

  “I dumped the contents on my cot before I left. I only had my card to pay for the meal and condoms.”

  She laughed again, and he covered her mouth with his, taking all her sounds for himself. Then he probed her clit with his forefinger again, and she forgot all about laughing and more about moaning.

  Chapter Eight

  A bouquet appeared before Abigail’s eyes, and she gasped. Whirling to see Gunner standing there, looking slightly more tanned from the last few days of burning sun. He grinned crookedly and held the flowers out to her.

  She took them and buried her nose
in them just as she had a week ago on their date. “You’d better watch it—I could get used to being spoiled this way.”

  “Good, because I want to spoil you.” He glanced around.

  “What are you looking for?” She set the flowers aside to put in water later.

  “Is there a broom closet or something where we can be alone?”

  She laughed and then covered her mouth. The triage unit was hopping today. “I’m sorry, but no. You shouldn’t be here at all. I’m really busy.”

  “Okay, but I had to see you to ask you something.” He looked like a kid hiding a big secret.

  “I’m ready for it.”

  “I know you have two days off, and well, I’ve managed to swing two days off too. My buddy who owns the house on Harper’s Pond is away for the week, which leaves it open.”

  She blinked at him, not daring to hope what he was saying was the same route her brain had taken.

  He nodded and caught her hands in his big, warm ones. “Will you spend your days off with me, Abigail?”

  She felt herself nod before words even formulated in her brain. He yanked her off her feet and crushed her to him, half-swinging her. When he set her down again and looked into her eyes, they shared an excited smile.

  “Be ready right after your shift.”

  “I’ll have to go to my place and pack a few things.”

  “Yes, I’d planned to stop off there for a minute before we head to the pond. Abigail,” his tone grew serious, “thank you for saying yes. For giving me a chance.”

  All day long she thought of the look in his eyes when he’d spoken those words. She didn’t want to admit it to herself, but she was in love with Gunner. After her bad experiences with soldiers, she’d found one who was her equal, her soul mate.

  She feared she’d blurt all these things out and ruin their relationship. She’d have to guard her words for the next two days or risk sounding like a sappy, obsessed woman.

  After her shift, she could barely control her excitement. She grabbed her stuff and met him on the sidewalk in front of the hospital. He took her hand and they started walking.

  “I’m embarrassed that you’ll see my place. It isn’t that tidy since I was in a rush to get to work this morning.”

  “So?”

  “So I know you soldiers have everything in its place and can bounce quarters off your bedcovers.”

  He nodded and scuffed his knuckles along his jaw, creating a rasping noise that speared her with lust. “That’s true but only because we’re forced to. If given the choice, I’d be a little laxer than I’m allowed to.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. I’ll show you how sloppy I can be the next two days. Leave my socks lying around, make a mess shaving…”

  “Don’t you dare!” She socked him in the arm, and wished she hadn’t. His muscles were pure steel.

  He laughed and brought her knuckles to his lips. A shiver ran through her at the promising heat in his kiss.

  Gathering her things took a mere minute and he insisted on carrying her bag, though it was only filled with a couple sundresses and a pair of flip-flops, along with a few toiletries.

  All the way to the pond, they talked about their days and what they were going to do with their getaway.

  “I’m going to strip off your nurse’s scrubs and put you in the shower, where I’ll go down on my knees and eat your pussy before I fuck you.” His dark tone lit her on fire.

  She arched a brow. “And I’ll return the favor, sucking your cock until you explode.”

  “Oh God, Abigail. Walk faster.”

  Her laughter followed them through the quaint streets until they reached one of the most adorable cabins she’d ever seen. It looked as if it had grown up here among the foliage surrounding the pond, a fairy house.

  He stretched one long arm overhead and felt along the molding at the top of the door. A silver key glinted in the sun as he fitted it into the lock and opened the door.

  They stepped into a cool, air-conditioned space with modern, beachy furnishings. A few photos stood on the tables, showing the family who lived here. A young officer and his wife with three little kids that looked like they’d just come off the beach, pails swinging and sand clinging to their wet feet.

  She smiled and met Gunner’s eyes, unable to shake the feeling this could be them someday.

  “C’mere.” He took her in his arms. Kissed her deeply. When he pulled away, his eyes twinkled. “We’re using one of the guest rooms. This way.”

  She shed her shoes to keep the carpet clean and followed him through the rambling spaces to a room perfect for a getaway for two. The bed was made up with whites and blues, and an American flag made out of rustic wood hung over the bed.

  She barely had a second to look at her surroundings before she found herself naked and underneath Gunner, screaming his name. When they came up for air, she panted, “I thought we were going to shower first.”

  “Change of plans.” He slapped her lightly on the butt, and she tingled at the sensation.

  He pushed onto his elbow to stare down at her. “You liked that, didn’t you?”

  “What?” She was blushing again—her ears were hot.

  “Me slapping your ass.”

  She cut her eyes away from his heavy gaze. “Maybe.” She bit her lip.

  A rough rumble sounded, and she looked at him again. He rolled out of bed and yanked her to her feet. “To the shower.”

  As soon as they slipped under the hot spray, she was fulfilling her promise to suck his cock. His eyes rolled back in his head as she drew his length right into the back of her throat. She’d never loved sucking cock before, but she couldn’t deny that having control over Gunner this way turned her on. She was soaking wet, a bead of her juices sliding down her inner thigh.

  He cupped her face and lovingly looked into her eyes as she pleasured him.

  It was over too soon, though, because he yanked her to her feet again, whirled her to face the shower wall, and smacked her ass.

  She cried out as the vibration rippled through her and the noise echoed off the shower walls. He kissed her throat as he caressed away the sting he’d delivered. Then he ran his fingers down between her buttocks, over her pucker.

  “Have you ever been touched here?” he rumbled next to her ear.

  “No, never,” she panted, loving how he ran his index finger around and around her opening. He eased his fingertip in a fraction and then it was gone.

  He spanked her again.

  Juices flooded her pussy, and her nipples hardened to the sharpest points.

  “Fuck, you do like that. Do you want more?”

  “Yes!” She braced her hands on the wall to keep from falling over, but he pinned her, his erection poking into her lower back. When he delivered another slap, her clit swelled. Another and she was shaking for release.

  He moved his fingers back to her netherhole and stroked an orgasm from her she didn’t know was even possible. “God, I want into this tight ass, baby. Someday soon. For now, I’ll just love every minute I can make you cum there.” He slid his finger over her still-pulsating pucker once more.

  “Spread for me.” He nudged her thighs apart. When she didn’t react quickly enough, he spanked her again.

  “Gunner, take me! I need you.”

  “I’m not finished with you yet.” He dropped to his knees and she was stunned to feel his tongue replace his fingers on her ass. She spread wide and arched her back to give him all the access she could. Then he swirled his tongue around her opening, poking gently inside. She quivered.

  As he thrust two fingers into her aching pussy, she came again. His scorching hot tongue played over her backside while he finger-fucked her depths. When she didn’t think she could stand anymore, he stood and gently turned her into his arms.

  The water switched off, and she barely noted anything but his strong, steely body against hers. They made it to the bed and the tearing noise of a condom pulled her to the surface of reali
ty.

  She spread her legs wide and drew them upward as he did a pushup over her. As his thick length sank into her quivering pussy, they shared a sound of abandon. She didn’t know how it was possible for her to come again, but she did just as Gunner peaked, threw his head back, and roared her name.

  ***

  Gunner didn’t want to break the spell between him and Abigail. As he watched her sleep in the early light of dawn streaming through the gauzy curtains of their room, he had no idea how to break it to her that he was leaving.

  Being deployed at week’s end.

  It had all come too soon, and he’d been irate when they’d been told. His knuckles still hurt from punching the row of lockers. Strangely enough, it had been Knox who’d pulled him away and made him see he couldn’t do a thing about the order, and the sooner he came to terms with it, the better.

  He bit back a grunt of irritation so as not to wake Abigail. Dammit, why now? They were too early in their relationship. Would she even wait for him? The idea of coming home to find her with another soldier made him want to start pulling pins on grenades.

  She made a noise in her sleep, shifting in his hold. He realized he’d been holding her too tight and relaxed his hold.

  As soon as she woke up, he’d tell her. He couldn’t wait another minute. They would return to their posts today, their vacation at an end. They’d made the most of it—swimming by day, skinny-dipping by night. Making love in between. And he’d discovered just how much she loved ass-play. He wouldn’t even get a chance to claim her there before he shipped out.

  “Fuck,” he murmured.

  Her voice startled him. “Again? We just finished before dawn.”

  A smile spread on his face, though it felt sad. When she opened her eyes, he was stunned again by their beauty. He’d carry this with him to Syria and pray the rest fell into place.

  “I have to tell you something, baby.”

  Her eyes cleared, the sleep fleeing, and she was on high alert. Probably from the tone of his voice. He pushed out a sigh, and she settled her hand on his chest, right over his thumping heart.

  “What is it, Gunner?”