by Lea Hart
His family hadn’t been able to make it, and he wanted her to do the honors. His CO was his sponsor and had placed the khaki combination cover on his head. Which she now knew meant a hat. A very sexy hat if she was being honest.
After the ceremony, they were “bonged aboard” to the CPO mess and had enjoyed cake and coffee. The bonging was the traditional ringing of four bells signifying the new chief’s arrival, and she thought it was terrific.
Her man was a leader and going through the ceremony today allowed her to see him in a whole new light.
Intellectually, she knew he was a respected member of the Special Operations community but seeing him among his peers really drove the point home. “Thank you for allowing me to be part of the ceremony.”
“Babe, there was no one else I wanted to pin those anchors to my collar.” He looped his arm over her shoulder as they walked toward the parking lot and headed toward the car. “My CO pulled me aside at the reception and told me I’d be a fool not to marry you at the first chance.”
Feeling her face heat, she looked up and noticed he was giving her an expectant smile. “That was very sweet of him. I hope you told him that we haven’t been together long enough to be thinking about that.”
Letting out a snort, he shook his head. “I’ve told you a bunch that time has nothing to do with what’s going on between us.”
“I’m not going to squabble with you today since you’re a newly-minted CPO. I have no need to see you get all chief on me and make your point.”
“You’re lying now because you liked it this morning.”
Looking around, she saw that no one was near enough to hear his comments. “You be quiet.”
“For now,” he responded.
“Maybe I should’ve taken you out to dinner instead of planning our celebration dinner at home.”
“Willa, I told you that I wanted it to be just the two of us tonight. We’ll be getting together with my team tomorrow, so we’ll have plenty of time to party like idiots.”
“I hope you end up likin’ Cajun food because I made you jambalaya and have bread pudding with whiskey sauce for dessert.”
“I was thinking you were my dessert, but we can start with the bread pudding.”
“Maybe I’ll pour a little whiskey sauce on you and lick it up very slowly.”
Hearing him expel a big breath made her laugh, and she glanced over and saw him take his hat off. “I thought you were supposed to keep your hat on.”
“My khakis are no match for your naughty mouth, so I’m making sure I don’t advertise to whoever passes by that I’m no better than a fourteen-year-old boy.”
Snickering, she saw a group of men walk past. “I’ll try and behave until we get in the car.”
“No trying, woman, only doing.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Now, that’s not a phrase I’m ever going to tire of hearing from your lips.”
“I’m here to serve and obey, Chief Petty Officer Dawson.”
Groaning, he picked up his pace and tugged her along. “Have mercy, babe.”
“Fine, if you insist.” Looking out at the sparkling bay in the distance, she felt herself fill with gratitude. The man in her life was not only the finest one there was, but also managed to help her face some of the lingering trauma of her childhood.
The therapy she had been in since May had been some of the most effective of her life, and she wasn’t sure if it was just timing or her desire to get herself as healthy as she could, so she could be a decent partner for Chad.
His impending deployment no longer sent her into a panic attack, and she was grateful for the tools she now had to manage his absence. Not that she was “cured” or anything, but she was in a hell of a lot better place and planned on staying there.
Sometimes, life gave you exactly what you needed whether you were ready or not, and she prayed she could keep heading in the right direction, so she could take full advantage of what the good Lord had put in her path.
Blessings like the man walking next to her didn’t come along twice, and there was no way she was letting him go.
***
Sometimes, need got in the way and Chad figured that’s why they ended up on the floor. His king-sized bed was not a foot away, but they hadn’t managed to make it. Celebrating like a fucking king, he was taking his girl sixty-nine and trying not to lose his nut. “Oh, jeez, that’s it, babe, take it to the back of your throat.” Feeling her suck his cock down made him bury his face back in her pussy. Her sticky sweetness coated his mouth and face, driving his need higher.
The love of his life was on top, and he had a hell of a time controlling himself because truth be told, he was at her mercy. He was completely off balance and not sure how much longer he could last.
He decided to focus on eating her pussy and sucking on her clit because that was the only way he was going to survive what she was doing to him. Sticking his tongue deep inside her, he pressed a finger to her tight ring and was rewarded with her coming long and hard.
When her moans finally subsided, he felt her mouth pop off his cock and move down to his balls, giving them some damn sweet attention. Sucking them into her mouth one at a time, she slowly licked them and nuzzled them.
No way was he going to survive the intimate feeling.
Too intense and too perfect.
He dragged his mouth away from her pussy and pushed her hips down his chest. “Can’t take it, babe, so you better ride me.”
Hearing her whine like he took her favorite toy away made him chuckle. “Get on it, Willa, and I swear I’ll give you what you want.”
“I guess a Naval Chief wouldn’t lie to me.”
She sat up and he helped her squat down over his cock in reverse cowgirl position. Gritting his teeth, he tried to keep himself under control as she slowly lowered herself down. When she got herself fully situated, he thrust up and was rewarded with a moan. “Told you.”
Grabbing her hips, he helped her bounce up and down and watched her ass shake with each thrust. He leaked his seed into her as her tight pussy gripped him on every stroke. “Lean forward, babe, so I can watch.”
“Always giving me orders,” she huffed as she did as he asked. She braced her hands on his quads and groaned.
He stared at where they were connected and watched his cock move in and out of her tight channel. Every stroke in and out left a coating of her cream on his dick and her pussy was dripping their combined fluids.
The smacking sound filled the room as she rubbed his balls. Her gentle touch had him about going off, and there was no way he was going without her. “Rub, yourself babe ‘cause I’m close and want you with me.”
She did as he asked, and he watched himself disappear and reappear inside her body. Her tight channel pulsed around him and he went nearly cross-eyed as he pumped his cum into her. Riding him slowly, she shouted his name as her orgasm squeezed his body.
He dragged in gulps of air and held her hips and she rode it out. Before too long, she collapsed against him in a sweaty heap, and he wrapped his arms around her. “Now, that’s what I call a celebration.”
“Congratulations, CPO Dawson. Your celebration has concluded.”
Laughing, he kissed her neck and tightened his hold. “You say that now, but I bet you let me take you again before morning.”
When she didn’t respond, he lifted his head and saw a big ass smile on her face. “I’m going to take your silence as agreement.” He watched her hand wave and let out a laugh and knew there hadn’t been a better day in his life.
Willa was his happiness, and he was never going to let her go.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Saturday, July 21st
Chad waited for Willa to get dressed as he flipped through the channels. He was looking forward to getting together with his friends and teammates and giving them a chance to meet his girl.
They were celebrating at Danny’s Bar & Grill, and he knew the place was going to be packed with the usual Saturday
night crowd, and he didn’t expect they’d last much past eleven.
He had at least four months of deployment ahead of him, and he was going to have plenty of time with his brothers when they were downrange.
What he wasn’t going to have was time with Willa. And that tore a part of his gut out when he thought about it too long. The four months they’d spent together had been the best of his life, and he wasn’t exactly sure how he was going to sleep without her.
And he wasn’t just talking about the sex, though that was phenomenal. It was having her in his arms and knowing they were entwined.
Some seriously sappy shit, to be sure. But that’s where his head was at from the moment he laid eyes on her. He couldn’t get her close enough, bottom line, and there wasn’t any amount of separation that was acceptable.
Which meant his deployment was going to be a type of hell he was going to have to get used to. He was excited to fulfill his new responsibilities, to be sure, and was ready to lead his teammates on the boats. But, he was going to be leaving a big part of himself with Willa.
But he’d have to figure it out because he’d spent over fourteen years in the Navy and wanted to advance as far as he could and, God willing, make his twenty. After that, he could move into the private sector and make enough to take care of Willa and their family.
And he wanted one with Willa, no doubt about it.
Thinking about her being round with his kid always gut punched him even though it wasn’t going to happen for a couple of years. He knew they had to spend their first year of marriage alone, so they could be solid. After that, he’d be ready to put as many babies in her as she let him.
But, first things first, they had to get through this deployment and then move onto their next step. And for him, that was putting a ring on her finger and bonding them irrevocably.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up and whistled. “Damn, honey.”
Twirling, she gave him a sassy smile and then slid her hand on her hip. “You like?”
“I sure as hell do and I’m afraid you’re not going to be allowed to leave my side for a minute.” Her laughter filled the room, and he loved hearing it. They’d had a pretty good rough patch back when her anxiety was at its worst, and he was grateful they’d made it through, and she was doing the things she needed to manage it.
Between the therapy and the meds, she was in good shape and had told him more times than he could count that she was going to be fine when he was deployed. He’d checked in with Tia several times to make sure she was being honest with him and had dragged a promise out of her to keep in the loop when he was downrange.
Holding out his hand, he waited for her to take it and pulled her into his lap. “How did a sailor get so damn lucky to have a woman like you?”
“Oh, Chad, I’m the lucky one. You’ve been incredibly supportive and accepting, and there are not many people who’d be willing to put up with me and my baggage.”
“Babe, I’m not putting up with anything; we’re partners and navigating our lives as best we can. Some days you lean on me, and other days I lean on you.”
He took her hand and played with the ring on her finger. “You may not be as excited about me when you’re sixty days into this deployment, and I’m praying the flame we’ve lit is going to be strong enough to withstand the separation.”
“We’ve got a lot more than a flame and something closer to a bonfire, so I’ve got no doubts we’re going to be just fine.”
“I like your confidence.” He pulled her in for a smooch and then let her go. “I’ve got something for you.”
“Oh, yeah?”
He leaned over and grabbed a red box and handed it to her. “I hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I’ll love it.”
Nodding, he watched her open it and pull away the tissue paper. Seeing her smile when she lifted it out of the box made him feel like a million bucks.
“It’s beautiful.” She lay the necklace in her hand and ran her finger over the small gold anchor and their initials.
“I’m your anchor and, no matter where we are in the world, we are tethered together. A mile or a thousand doesn’t mean a thing because we’re firm and secure in what we have with one another.”
Tears slipped down her cheek, and she nodded. “I don’t want you to worry when you’re downrange. I’m going to be here holding the faith and waiting for your return.”
“Can’t tell you how much your words mean to me and they’re going to be the fire in my belly when I’m out there.”
She handed him the necklace and pulled up her hair. “Put it on.”
Taking it, he fumbled with the latch and then finally got it open and fastened. Sitting back, he ran his finger over the anchor and their initials and grinned. “It’s perfect.”
Putting her hands on his face, she ran her finger over his cheek and nodded. “Yeah, you sure are.”
He responded by digging his hands into her hair and sliding his tongue along hers. Her scent, taste, and heart were imprinted on his soul, and he thanked God and whoever was responsible for putting Willa in his life.
Releasing her mouth, he licked his lips and nodded. “I do any more of that and we won’t make it to Danny’s.”
Moving off his lap, she stood and straightened her dress, sliding her hair over her shoulder. “Then let’s get the heck out of here before I can’t control myself.”
He stood and adjusted himself as best he could and flattened his T-shirt. “We’ll save our naughty shenanigans for later.” Taking her hand, he led her to the door and waited while she grabbed her purse. “We’re not staying long.”
“Whatever you want, Chad.”
“Now, just keep those words on the tip of your tongue because they’ll come in handy later on.”
“Got it, Chief.”
“Knew the promotion was going to work in my favor.”
They walked out of the apartment and he looked at the door to his place and knew he wasn’t going to need it for very much longer. When he returned, the first thing he was going to do was get them moved in together.
And then he was going to propose.
Looking down, he saw her smile and prayed she’d go along with his plans.
No matter how crazy they seemed.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Saturday, October 6th
Chad walked up to Willa’s door, running his hands over his wet hair. It was seven in the morning, and he wasn’t expected for several hours. They’d been able to catch an earlier flight out of Germany, and he was about to surprise his girl.
The last sixty days had been unbelievably satisfying in terms of his career, but shit for his personal life. Turns out, he missed Willa in a way that had his gut churning most days. Not that he let it interfere with his duties, but it sure had been hell keeping it compartmentalized.
Pulling his key out, he unlocked her door quietly and was immediately hit with her familiar scent. A wave of emotion washed over him, and his knees buckled for a second. The box he’d stuffed all his feelings into burst wide open.
Looking around, he saw it was as tidy as it always was with a plate of oatmeal cookies on the counter.
His favorite.
A sign was propped against the bookcase, and he quietly walked over and read it. Willa had painted a big heart with his name on it, and a grin spread across his face. He would’ve loved seeing her waving it over at North Island if his return had gone off as scheduled.
He took off his jacket and shoes and set them next to the table and noticed a pad of paper with one of Willa’s lists and let out a silent laugh.
Everything was checked off, and he knew it meant that she was ready to spend their week off together doing nothing but getting reacquainted. Sixty days apart wasn’t all that long in Navy life, but they were still a new couple, and he knew they were going to have an adjustment period.
One he intended to start with a day spent in bed.
He grabbed the box out of his jacket pocket and walke
d into the bedroom.
His heart beat mercilessly in his chest, and he put his hand against the wall as he took in the sight of his girl asleep. Her wild curls were spread over the pillow, and she wore one of his T-shirts, and he’d never seen a more welcome sight in his life.
“Willa, I’m home,” he called out softly. When there was no movement, he did it again and saw her roll over. “Wake up, babe, I’m home.”
That did it.
Her eyes flew open, and she stared at him. “Hi, babe.”
Sitting up, she shoved her hair out of her face and then covered her mouth as tears slipped down her face.
Striding to the bed, he sat down and gathered her in his arms and held her tightly. He pressed a bunch of kisses to her hair and felt his own tears, and they clung to one another. Her small hands were digging into his side as if she was afraid he’d get away.
Not fucking possible because he planned on never letting her go.
Once he felt his emotions were under control, he pulled back and lifted her face in his hands and felt the same burst of excitement as when she opened her door the first time.
“Hi.”
“You’re early.”
“Yeah, we caught an earlier flight and got in around five.”
She buried her face in his chest and started pressing kisses to his heart. “I need to make sure you’re real and not the dream I’ve been having for two months.”
He slid his hand up her T-shirt and spread his hand across her back and grinned. “In about thirty seconds, I’m going to show you just how real I am.”
Letting him go, she scrambled away and shook her head. “I’m brushing my teeth first.” She climbed off the bed and ran into the bathroom and shut the door.
Laughing, he set the box down on the bedside table and then got rid of his clothes. He laid down on the bed and was immediately surrounded by the smell of her flowery shampoo. His body reacted immediately, and he decided to roll on his side, so Willa wouldn’t be shocked when she came out of the bathroom.