She slid the bra down her arms very slowly, watching him, seducing him. When she finally dropped it onto the floor, his will was broken. He fell to his knees in front of her, sliding his hands up her back as he took one of her breasts into his mouth. Her fingernails dug into his shoulders, and she arched her back, offering her beautiful body to him.
And he wanted to touch and taste every inch of her.
Watching Hunter’s hungry lips feeding on her breasts had her writhing, yearning for relief from the building torment. He cupped them and then gave each nipple a slow lick, looking up at her from under his lashes. He rose up to kiss her, his thumbs teasing the sensitive tips.
She ran her hands over his chest, exploring every muscle, every scar. Needing him. Desperate to get closer. He eased her back onto the bed, growling against her lips. “You’re overdressed.”
His mouth drifted lower, down her neck, using his lips, tongue, and teeth to toy with her until she was on the edge of oblivion. He unfastened her slacks and pulled them down her hips, taking her lace panties with them. He knelt on the floor before her, his gaze on her face as his fingers traveled up the inside of her leg, higher and higher. Then he stopped, a fingertip tracing the juncture of her thighs.
Her hips bucked, aching for release. “Stop teasing me…”
“Just making sure you’re ready for me.” He slipped two fingers inside her and she almost lost it, her body rocking into his hand. He retracted them slowly. “No more teasing.”
And then his mouth was on her, his tongue flicked over her core, luring her closer to surrender while his fingers entered her again. Her hands balled into fists, gripping the comforter as she worked her hips. He groaned against her, the vibrations sending her even higher.
“Gods, don’t stop.”
His breath was hot on her skin. “Not until you come.”
And that was all it took. He dove back into her and her entire body tightened up until she was trembling, lost in the pleasure he offered. As the aftershocks sent tremors through her, Hunter kissed his way down her inner thigh. He stood up, his jeans so tight his desire was plain for her to see.
He unzipped his pants and stepped out of them. When he straightened up, his erection throbbed, and she wet her lips. He came closer and slid his arm under her, taking her higher up on the bed with him. He settled over her, rubbing her core without entering her as he claimed her with hot kisses up her neck.
His teeth grazed her ear. “I don’t have a condom.”
She ran her fingernails down his back. “Are you worried about anything other than pregnancy?”
“I’m clean.” He lifted his head. “But we can wait, if you want. I’ll buy a pack tomorrow.”
A breathy chuckle escaped her lips. “I’m on the pill.” She gripped his ass. “And there’s no way I can wait until tomorrow.”
That fire was in Callie’s dark eyes again, the wildness that Hunter couldn’t resist no matter how hard she tried to push him away.
He rocked his hips back as his lips caressed hers. “Me neither.”
He slid inside her, shuddering as he moaned into her mouth. She was tight and slick around him, made for him. He held her tighter, struggling to keep his thrusts slow and controlled. He wanted to savor her.
He broke the kiss and stared down at her. Words couldn’t do justice for how right this felt, their bodies united, the pleasure smoldering, tempting him to race for release. God, he was aching to pound into her until he couldn’t move.
Instead, he rolled them over so she was on top. Callie grinned. Sexiest damned smile he’d ever seen. She rose up over him, letting him feast on the image of her naked body riding him. He ran his hands up her sides to her perfect breasts, cupping their weight in his palms. He circled her taut nipples, enjoying the way her hips writhed against him.
She caught one of his hands, bringing it to her lips. He traced her mouth with his index finger before she took it inside. Her tongue circled it, sucking gently.
Fuck…
He dropped his other hand to her thigh and slammed up into her. He couldn’t get close enough. When she moaned his name, he almost lost it. He slid his hand between them, finding her sweet spot. “I can’t hold on much longer,” he growled.
She nodded, gasping. “Feels so good…”
So much better than good. She worked her hips into him, her inner muscles clenching as she peaked, until he exploded deep inside her. Callie collapsed onto his chest, breathless. He wrapped his arms around her and breathed her into his lungs.
“Your heart is racing,” she whispered.
He chuckled. “Yeah, that was… I don’t have words.”
She lifted her head just enough to meet his eyes. “I need to tell you something.”
“Okay.” He prayed she wasn’t already going to start distancing herself again.
“I’ve never met anyone like you before, either.”
“’Course not.” The corner of his lips kicked up. “I’m one of a kind.”
Her laughter warmed him all over. She rested against his chest again, and he stared at the ceiling. Protecting and rescuing others were all in a day’s work, but the threat surrounding Callie was a whole new animal. Because every second he spent with her, he cared about her even more. The danger he faced as a SEAL had never been this personal.
He wouldn’t be awaiting orders or thinking about consequences this time. If anyone tried to hurt her, his response would be swift and deadly.
CHAPTER 11
Callie woke to a cell phone alarm. She winced and pried an eye open to find darkness outside her French door. The noise ended abruptly, but she hardly noticed once Hunter’s naked body moved beside her.
It hadn’t been a dream.
His deep voice purred against her ear. “Let’s catch some waves together.”
He had no idea how surreal his words were. In her carefully regimented world, there was a shower, breakfast, business casual clothes, and then off to work. The only adventures were the ones recounted to her by soldiers in her office. Straying from her schedule was risky, an opening to the muse inside her to take the lead.
It was on the tip of her tongue to agree, but she managed to force out a more responsible answer. “I have to work.”
He nibbled at the back of her neck, sending tingles all the way to her toes. “I’ll get you back here in plenty of time for work.” He rolled her over to face him, his bright eyes full of life. “You were getting the hang of it yesterday. Say yes.”
He had her flashing back to the night before when he’d inspired her to cry out yes many times.
A smile spread across her face. “You’re a very bad influence.”
“Nah.” He shook his head. “I just have no problem with living an epic life.”
He kissed her forehead and got out of bed. Hunter and his perfectly sculpted backside walked into her bathroom and closed the door. She rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling.
An epic life.
She ached for it and feared it at the same time. If she surrendered to that part of herself, there would be no turning back.
Before she could psychoanalyze herself fully, Hunter came back into the room. Just the sight of his naked body had hers warming up, hungering to be near him. He picked up his pants and tugged them on commando.
“I’ve got my trunks and the wetsuits in the back of the SUV.” He added with a smirk. “I’m hoping I also have a toothbrush in my bag someplace.”
He strode over to the bed and took her hand. “And don’t be fooled by these pants. If Reed wasn’t planning on meeting me at the beach, I’d be rolling around naked in this bed with you in a heartbeat. I love surfing, but—” his gaze wandered over the thin sheet covering her body before he met her eyes again “—no wave could ever compete with you.”
Callie’s heart melted as he turned and walked out. She blew out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. What the hell was she doing? Thinking with the wrong body parts, that was for certain.
> She headed for the bathroom. Her bikini was hanging over the shower rod, and she snatched it and put it on. She brushed her hair and teeth, and then stared into the mirror.
Last night was…amazing, terrifying, and dangerous. And she couldn’t let it happen again. Yes, she hadn’t been in bed with a man in a long time, and true, she’d only had a few short-term flings after Mark, but what she shared with Hunter, the kiss at his mother’s place, and the sex…
Nothing in her past even held a candle to the desire Hunter kindled in her. She had loved Mark. Deeply. But she realized now, there had never been a spark or a surrender. He never overwhelmed her with breathless passion. She settled. He was safe, stable, and kind.
All good qualities.
But she’d showed Hunter the darkest parts of herself, the deepest of secrets that she’d never told anyone before. And instead of judgment or trying to “fix” her, he’d accepted her. All of her. Except she hadn’t meant to let him in.
“Hey, Doc.” His voice came through the door. “I grabbed us a couple towels from the other bathroom if that’s okay. You’re not in there having second thoughts, are you?”
Oh Gods, was she ever. How was it possible he understood her so well already?
She rolled her eyes and opened the door. “No.” She snagged a towel from him. “Did you have a toothbrush?”
He held it up, brandishing it like Excalibur. In spite of her mood, he still cracked her up.
“You should laugh more often.” Hunter grinned. “It’s a great look on you.”
He scooted past her into the bathroom while she pulled a pair of sweats over her swimsuit. She was definitely overthinking all this. There were bigger things to consider, like the Order of the Titans and the theater…and Mel’s surprise Disneyland bachelorette party.
Shit. She’d forgotten again. One night with a hot Navy SEAL and she was already losing her focus. This was why the no-dating pact was important.
She gasped as big hands caught her waist and spun her around. Hunter’s lips claimed hers, and just like that, all her worries, fears, and regrets melted away. Her body molded into his, completely oblivious to her mind’s earlier warnings. When he rested his forehead against hers, his gaze reached all the way into her soul.
“I know there’s a lot of chaos around us. The therapist in you is probably drafting a list of all the reasons this is a bad idea, but when we kiss…” He shook his head, his eyes never straying from hers. “It’s the most ‘right’ I’ve ever felt.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat and took a step back. “I can’t go there right now.”
He didn’t look happy about it, but he didn’t push. “Then let’s go to the beach.”
Hunter tried not to look at Callie on the drive. Now that he’d slept with her, something new had opened inside him. He’d been in relationships before. He’d even said I love you before. But last night… The intensity, the connection—dammit—he’d never realized it could be like that, and now that he did, he didn’t want to give it up. To give her up.
He had no one to blame but himself, though. She’d been firm, pushing him away at every turn, but he kept pressing, kept pursuing, and now… He glanced over. She was staring out the window. A total mystery.
He parked next to Reed’s pickup. Callie met him at the back of the SUV, and he handed her one surfboard, then grabbed his. “There’s Reed,” he said.
His friend walked up the sand, his wetsuit hanging off his waist. Reed grinned and took Callie’s board. “You must be the psychologist I’ve been hearing so much about.”
She glanced at Hunter and back to Reed. “I’m Dr. Callie O’Connor.” She offered her hand.
“Lieutenant Reed McIntosh.” Reed shook her hand. “Hunter told me you rode a wave your first time out.”
Callie laughed. “Did he tell you I fell off a hundred times before that?”
Reed set her board down beside Hunter’s. “Happens to all of us. Most people give up.”
“Callie is definitely not ‘most people.’” Hunter smiled, watching her slide her arms into the wetsuit.
Her face flushed with a hint of color as she reached for her board. “If I can stay up today, keep in mind I have no clue how to turn, so…”
Hunter came up next to her. “We’ll watch out for you.” He glanced over his shoulder at Reed, needling him. “Dude, the sun’s going to be in our eyes soon.”
Reed shook his head, chuckling. “I’m coming.”
Hunter walked beside Callie, resisting the urge to touch her. They hadn’t discussed the status of their relationship, so he had no clue if she was ready to go public. Probably not. Either way, he didn’t risk giving her another excuse to run.
The saltwater rolled up the sand, covering their feet. She gasped. “Damn, it’s cold.”
He nodded. “Wakes you up, right?”
“Definitely.” She finally lifted her head to meet his eyes. “Reed seems nice.”
“He’s a good guy.” Once they were out far enough, he held the board steady so she could climb on.
She started paddling out. “Is he a SEAL, too?”
“Nope.” He hopped on his board and stroked hard. One duck dive under a wave and he came up to grab her board before she got pulled back to shore. “He’s in Federal Fire. He works the station on the base here in Crystal City. They’re the real heroes. If we come in hot, they’re always on the tarmac, hoses ready. We know we’ll be all right when we see their trucks waiting below.”
She glanced his way, her hair slicked back, her skin wet, the suit molded to every curve. Damned distracting. “I didn’t know Federal Fire existed and I work on the base every day.”
He chuckled. “They don’t get movies and books written about them, but they save lives and keep us all safe.”
Speak of the devil.
Reed came up next to him. “You ready, Hunt?”
He grinned. “More ready than you’ll ever be.”
“Big talk from a guy who’s been practicing in secret.” Reed laughed.
Hunter watched a swell rising fifty feet away. His heart hammered with anticipation. He pointed his board toward shore and shouted, “Callie, start paddling, we’re riding this one.”
She stroked faster as the wave built. He waited for the swell to catch his board, instinct taking over. As it crested, he popped up to his feet, his attention focused on Callie up ahead of him. She was up. Wobbly, but up.
Come on, baby, keep those arms out. You got this.
He rode down the line of the wave until he was close enough to see her smile. She was fucking gorgeous when she let that fire loose inside her. He wrapped his board back into the pocket, getting behind her again as they got closer to shore.
Callie finally toppled over, and he dove off his board, shooting through the water to find her and pull her to the surface. She clasped her hands around the back of his neck, her eyes sparkling like the morning sun on the ocean.
“Let’s do it again,” she said.
“Definitely.” He grinned and reeled in her leash, tugging her board back to her.
Reed came up beside them. “Not bad, Doc. I’m impressed.”
“I have a great teacher.” Her eyes were on Hunter’s, and something inside him, that new part he’d never known existed before, warmed.
Reed clasped Hunter’s shoulder. “Great to see you out there again, dude.”
“Good to be back.”
And finally, being home felt right.
A man of his word, Hunter hauled Callie out of the ocean, got her home, in the shower, toast in her mouth, and her butt in her office five minutes early. She read over the case file in front of her, an uncharacteristic smile curving her lips.
Marty poked her head in the door and froze. “Is everything okay?”
Callie lifted her head and nodded, her smile brightening. “Yeah. Everything’s great. Why?”
“You look…” Marty grinned, shaking her head. “You’re glowing. Did you win the lottery?”
A vision of Hunter naked in her bedroom filled her head as she shrugged. “Not exactly.”
“Well, whatever it is, it’s working.” She cleared her throat. “Your first appointment is here.”
“Okay, I’ll be just a second.”
Marty closed the door, and Callie relaxed back in her chair. The surfing this morning had taken the edge off her mental panic. She didn’t have to solve everything today. Taming the ocean, working in harmony with the waves, made all her problems seem small somehow.
And seeing Hunter and Reed together, happy and laughing, had done her heart good. She wasn’t Hunter’s doctor, but it was obvious that the camaraderie they shared helped lift the weight he refused to share off his shoulders.
Her phone buzzed as she stood up. She swiped the screen to find a text from Hunter.
I’m outside, eyes on the building. If anything seems off, let me know.
Somehow, he’d even made her forget all about the Kronos worshippers. Until now.
It buzzed again.
You looked hot on that board this morning.
She laughed, the sound surprising her. Her fingers flew across her screen.
Meet you at my bench for lunch. I’ll bring sandwiches.
Callie’s first three appointments went well. Two of her patients had made huge steps forward in their healing processes during the week. The soldiers inspired her with their efforts, finding new coping mechanisms for the stress of the job. Instead of turning to alcohol to numb their emotions, they were learning to recognize their triggers, and use exercise and healthier alternatives to cope.
One even took his wife out for a date.
Days like this reminded her why she became a therapist in the first place. Callie checked the time and grabbed her purse. Flying out the door, she waved at Marty. “See you in an hour.”
Hunter was waiting for her at the door. Her smile faltered. “I thought we were meeting at the bench by the beach,” she said.
He kept scanning the area as they walked. “If you’re alone, they can make their move. I’m not going to let that happen.”
Legend of Love Page 9