by Tessa Layne
Cash regarded her steadily, a muscle in his neck ticking. After a long moment, he spoke. “You don’t pull your punches, do you?”
“You can pass,” she offered quietly.
He shook his head and rubbed his cheek. “What keeps me awake? Depends on the night. Most nights, it’s the face of my friend Hamm. We were ambushed in a building we’d hunkered down in for the night. Bullet hit his neck instead of mine.”
Kate thought she would be sick. She reached for Cash’s hand. “I’m so very sorry.” But her comment hadn’t registered. He was clearly lost in a sea of memories.
He dropped his head with a sigh. “We lost three guys that night, but I was closest to Hamm. He was an only child like me, and he was like a brother.”
Tears prickled behind Kate’s eyes. Hamm’s poor family. She couldn’t imagine losing a child. But your only child? How did his parents manage? “How are his parents?”
“Helping to raise Hamm’s son. Never made me so glad I didn’t have kids.”
“I don’t understand.”
Cash raised his head, puffing his cheeks as he blew out a breath. “I was married at the time. It didn’t work out. I got a Dear Johnny letter not long after the ambush.”
Married?!?
Kate reeled. He’d been married? And dumped while he was on a mission? What kind of a person would do that? Especially to someone like Cash? A million new questions popped into her head. “Do you miss her?” she whispered, bracing for the answer. Oh God, what if he did? What would she do then? The realization she’d developed feelings for this gentle giant pummeled her.
“Nope,” he said flatly.
She exhaled the breath she’d been holding. “Did you love her?”
“Not like…” He shook his head. “I was devastated at the time, but we were young. Too young. Miranda liked the idea of being married to a SEAL far more than the reality. We made it just over a year, and half that time I was gone. I visited Hamm’s family as soon as I got the chance. Seeing the grief on their faces every time they looked at Hamm’s son made me glad I’d made different choices.”
Miranda. A wave of jealousy roiled through Kate, fierce and hot, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth.
“What about you? Has your heart been broken?”
How to explain without giving away one of her biggest secrets? But the second she disclosed her identity, this fragile thing blossoming between them would evaporate. As soon as Kaycee Starr came between them, he’d stop seeing her, Kate. Her indecision must have shown on her face, because he reached out and tipped her chin, forcing her to look right at him.
“Is that why you were crying last night? Did someone break your heart?” She was heartbroken, but not for the reason he thought. “I… it’s complicated.” His face fell. Shit. To keep one secret, she’d have to disclose the other, embarrassing as it was. She took a deep breath. “I’ve never had a boyfriend. I… tonight… I guess you could call this my first date.” She twisted out of his grip, shutting her eyes, unable to bear looking at him a second longer. Her cheeks flamed. Her skin crawled from the shame of it. She stood. “I should go.” She looked around the room, anywhere but at him. “Thank you for a nice evening.”
He stood too, catching her shoulder and turning her back. “Wait. Please don’t go? I don’t want you to go.”
She pressed her cold hands to her cheeks. They were still on fire.
He took her hands, encasing them with his enormous ones. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about, Kate.”
“I have plenty.” She shook her head, dropping her gaze. “I’m pathetic.”
“Look at me, Kate,” he commanded gently.
Reluctantly, she forced her eyes up, unable to breathe.
“Just so I’m clear, you’ve never…”
Another wave of shame rippled through her as she shook her head. This was not how she’d ever imagined their conversation going. How could she ever look at him again after tonight? But he lowered his head, so his mouth was a whisper from hers. If she shifted her weight to her toes, they’d be touching. His breath was warm and soft on her cheek, and she breathed him in. His masculine scent underneath the soapy clean went straight to her head like moonshine. Her nerve endings fired in anticipation, sending violent ripples all the way to her toes.
“You have no idea how that turns me on,” he whispered.
She pulled her head back a fraction to study him. He gazed down at her through hooded eyes, a fire there that made her ache with want. She wanted his mouth on her, his hands. Her nipples were tight peaks, straining against her bra, and she was pretty sure there was nothing left of her panties.
“I promise. We can do whatever you want. Go as slow as you like, or do nothing at all. Just say the word.” His mouth brushed hers in the barest of kisses. She vibrated from the intensity of it all. There was something so deeply erotic in his touch. The sureness of it, the question in it, the promise of it.
“I–” She leaned in, pressing her mouth to his, surprised by her boldness, shocked by how natural it felt. “I want you to make me come.”
CHAPTER 14
“I want you to make me come.”
Cash’s throat went dry, his cock instantly rock hard. A wave of possessiveness like he’d never experienced, rolled through him. He wanted this woman more than he’d wanted anyone.
But what happened when she learned who he was?
Would she feel he’d betrayed her? The truth was bound to come out, and he didn’t feel right keeping something so important from her. But he’d confessed enough tonight, and his emotions were running high. For one blissful moment, he wanted to lose himself in her. Wanted her to see him as he was right now, without the shame of the past hanging around his neck like a millstone. And he desperately wanted to make her come. A thousand different ways, with his fingers, his mouth, and yes, with his cock. His cock jerked, pressing painfully against his jeans, wanting in on the action. And God, but she would be sweet. So hot and tight. The ache in his balls tightened. If this had truly been a first date of sorts, then the likelihood of her having never fooled around with someone was fairly high.
With a growl, he swept her into his arms and carried her the four steps to his bedroom, setting her on the edge of the bed. He dropped down next to her, angling his body so he faced her. “I’ll be gentle. But if it’s too much, or you get scared, just tell me to stop.”
“I would never be scared with you, Cash.”
“I want this to be good for you.”
The smile she gave him arrowed straight into his heart. “I know it will be.” She cupped the back of his neck, pulling him close and offering her mouth. She was entirely without guile. So innocent and so fucking hot. He took her mouth, starting slow, letting her set the pace, but in seconds it was clear she wanted more, and he deepened the kiss, following her lead. With a groan, he swept his tongue into her sweet mouth. She tasted even better than the night before. Her hands fluttered across his shoulders, down his chest, back up to the top button on his shirt.
Keeping his mouth on hers because he wasn’t going to let it go for a second, he helped her with the buttons on his shirt, pulling the tail out of his jeans and shrugging out of it. A little moan came from her throat as she explored him with a light touch that drove him nearly out of his mind. She slipped a finger inside the front of his waistband. He would die to have her hand wrapped around his cock, but not yet. If they carried on like this, he’d leave her high and dry, and that was not happening.
He trailed kisses down her neck, nuzzling the sensitive skin at her collarbone. He caught the faintest hint of hay on her skin. “Can I take off your shirt?”
She dropped her head, giving him more access to the creamy column of her throat. “Oh God, yes. Please.”
Her hands flew to the buttons, but he pushed them away. “Let me.”
He kissed the hollow at her throat, sweeping his tongue out to taste her while he released the first button. He trailed kisses down her center, licking and nipp
ing as he gently pushed her back on the bed, exposing more of her skin. Her flesh came alive under his mouth, pebbling and flushing the palest shade of pink. When the last button came undone, he brushed the shirt away. Her nipples strained against her bra, and he could just make out their dusky pink color underneath the white lace. He couldn’t wait to take one in his mouth. Would her nipples be sensitive? Would she let out another throaty moan when he gently bit? “You’re perfection,” he murmured, tracing a finger from her throat to her belly button.
She lifted her head, eyes filled with doubt. “I’m broken,” she whispered.
“We’re all broken,” he whispered back, catching his breath at the wave of emotion that engulfed him. “Let me show you how amazing you are.” He lowered his head, wetting the swell of her breast with his tongue, reveling in its satiny smoothness. Then, licking down, he worked over the tip, wetting the fabric, while he took the other nipple between thumb and forefinger. He pinched gently as he took the other into his mouth, sucking.
“Yessss,” she hissed, head dropping back, lost in the sensation.
“More?” he murmured into her flesh.
“Yes,” she said more forcefully.
“Take off your bra, sweetheart.”
She dropped to an elbow, freeing the clasp, then shrugged off the straps. He hooked a finger under one and pulled, helping her slip it off. His blood thrummed as he gazed down at her. Regardless of her protests, she was perfection. Creamy round flesh, perfectly able to fit in his hand. And in the center, dusky beads, waiting for his mouth.
“Lie back.”
She looked at him, cheeks turning pink. “Where do I put my hands?”
“Anywhere you like. No rules except your pleasure.”
Her eyes gleamed. “Can I put them there?” Her eyes darted to the bulge in his jeans.
He laughed and grinned. “Patience, grasshopper. You touch me, and I won’t last.”
Her eyes grew big. “Really?”
He took her hand, and placed it over his erection, gritting his teeth from the added friction. “Feel that?” he asked tightly. “How hard I am for you? How much you turn me on?”
“Ooooooh,” she breathed, running her hand down his length and giving a little squeeze.
His vision spotted, and he laced his fingers with hers, bringing it over her head, cock protesting with a jerk. He claimed her mouth again, tracing her hairline then her cheeks. She kissed him back like a woman possessed, dragging her fingers through his hair. Returning to her breasts, he pulled a bud into his mouth, flicking the tip with his tongue and sucking until she arched into him, crying out.
“Do you like that?”
“More,” she answered hoarsely.
With a chuckle, he complied, moving between the two until she writhed beneath him and her breath came in harsh gasps. Shifting up, he took her mouth and rolled onto his back, bringing her to rest on top of him. As he slowed their kiss, he filled his hands with her luscious ass as she rocked into him. His cock was in the most incredible agony, feeling her move against him. How much better would it be when he was finally inside her? He’d wait for that bliss as long as she needed. “Do you want me to take off your pants?”
She raised her head, eyes dark and filled with lust. “Do you have to ask?”
“Yes. Always,” he murmured.
“Then yes, I want them off now.” She rolled off him, hands working her zipper.
He moved over her, pulling off her boots as she pushed her jeans over her hips. When her pants joined the pile of clothing on the floor, he pushed open her knees, sliding a hand up the silky length of her thigh. “So beautiful,” he murmured.
His gut pulled tight at the sight of her. He recognized the blush pink panties from the laundry, modest in shape but made from gauzy lace so he could see her triangle of curls. So much more beautiful on her than he’d imagined. Bracing his arms on either side of her hips, he lowered his head, nuzzling the soaked fabric, and inhaling her essence deeply. The sweet, musky scent shot straight to his soul. He’d never been hungry like this for a woman in his life, or so hard. He placed a kiss on her mound, relishing her gasp and the way her legs tensed. He hooked a finger underneath her panties and twisted, tugging one side over her hip bone. “Yes?”
“Yeeess.” She moaned, helping him remove the last barrier to her body.
He paused, his own breathing ragged. He raked his gaze over her. Fucking incredible. Her body was flushed from head to toe, and when she raised her head, her eyes glittered brightly with anticipation. But it was her pussy that captivated him. Sweet pink lips peeked out from a thatch of deep blonde curls, swollen and glistening with her arousal. He grazed her seam with the back of a finger, coating it with her desire.
Kate’s mouth dropped open with a gasp, and she opened herself to his touch. He swept a finger back and forth until she let out a little cry. Heart pounding, he dipped inside her seam, sweeping up to circle her clit. Her hips bucked and she collapsed backward. “Ohh, Cash. That feels so good.”
“I’m just getting started, babe.” He continued to stroke back and forth. “If you don’t like something, tell me.”
Her face was the picture of lust. “I fucking love this, Cash. I don’t want you to stop,” she muttered fiercely.
A laugh rumbled low in his belly. “Just checking, sweetheart.” He slipped a finger inside her, moving slowly, and quickly she picked up on the rhythm, moving her hips in time. She was tight, and he moved gently, gradually going deeper. Dropping to an elbow, he returned to her breast, taking a nipple, moving his tongue in the same rhythm. Her breath came in pants now, and he touched a thumb to her clit, feeling the moment she exploded around him as her walls gripped his finger and she shattered with a cry. He kept moving, letting her ride out the sensation, then moved to kiss her.
“That was, that was… wow,” she said when they broke apart.
“Not done yet.”
“You mean there’s more?” Her eyes lit eagerly.
He raised his eyebrows, smiling, and kissing a trail to her mound. “Second course,” he spoke into her damp skin, surrounded by the scent of her arousal. “I can’t get enough of your gorgeous pussy.” He pressed a kiss to her inner thigh, licking a path to the object of his desire. Then he licked through her folds, lapping up her sweet essence and moving back and forth over her sensitized clit.
Kate clutched his head and arched into him with a cry. “Ohmygod I Love that.”
He smiled against her, redoubling his efforts, licking and sucking as her legs trembled beneath him. She was so wet, so aroused, he was covered in her, and he fucking loved it. Loved the way her hips moved against his face, her little cries, the way she thrashed her head back and forth as she gasped for air. Leaving her clit, he speared his tongue into the heart of her, teasing and tasting, driving her higher and higher. Then he pressed two fingers into her, pausing to give her time to adjust, then slowly moving deeper when her hips began to push forward. As he thrust, he sealed his mouth around her clit, lapping her tight bud over and over as he curled his fingers against her G-spot. When she came a second time, her cry was long and loud, and she pulled his hair as her body shook from the release. Only superhuman effort stopped him from joining her. He held her as she came back to earth.
“But what about you, Cash?” she asked when her breathing had returned to normal. She placed a tentative hand against him.
“Don’t worry about me, babe.” In spite of himself, he rolled into her hand, loving the feel of it. “This was about you.”
“But I- I…” She flushed bright pink and raised her eyes to meet his. “I want to touch you.”
Cash forgot to breathe. “Oh, fuck, hon. I want that too, but we don’t have to.”
“Stop trying to protect me,” she hissed, hurt flashing in her eyes. “Do you not want me?”
“Oh baby, I want you so bad it hurts.”
She ran her hand against his length again. “Then please? Please let me make you feel good too?”
His resolve vanished. How could he say no to her? Not when he wanted it as much as she did. He rolled off the bed, and stood, dropping his pants and shorts in one move and stepping out. Baring himself to her with his heart in his throat. He felt as vulnerable with her as he had in the ring earlier that morning. He heated under her slow inspection, and she rose to her knees, moving to the edge of the bed, reaching out a finger to trace a jagged scar along his left side.
“You got hurt,” she murmured.
“I survived.”
Her face softened. “I’m so glad.”
“Kate.” His voice came out strangled. The emotions coursing through him nearly overwhelmed him. “Sweetheart, I know you wanna make this good for me, and I love that.” He dragged in a breath, feeling like he was about to fall off a cliff. “But it’s already been good for me. Amazing. You’ve burned me up, and fair warning, I won’t last long.”
“I don’t care,” she breathed as she leaned back, looking down between their bodies.
His cock bobbed eagerly, fully engorged, and jutting proudly in front of him. Her mouth made a perfect O as she stared first at it, then dragged her eyes up to meet his, then back down. His cock throbbed painfully as he imagined that perfect O wrapped around him, taking him all the way in. She looked up again, eyes hungry, and she dropped a hand to his hip, fingers skating down until they hit the base of his cock. Electricity raced up the back of his legs, pulling his belly tight. He was so fucking close.
She slid a finger along his shaft, smiling with approval as she smeared the pre-come over his engorged head. “Jesus, Kate,” he groaned through a clenched jaw. “Put your hand around me.”
“Like this?” she asked breathlessly. Her hand didn’t quite make it around his base, but it didn’t matter, because when she gently pulled upward, his eyes rolled into his skull. “Oh, yeah. Like that. Fuck that’s amazing.”