by Lea Hart
“Oh, God. Yes!” she shouted. As she crumbled from the intensity, he stood and lifted her up, kissing her at the same time. Tasting herself on him was turning her on all over again. The man was gifted beyond anything she thought possible.
“Now you’re ready,” he whispered into her ear as he laid her down on the bed.
“I bought a box of condoms; they’re in the bathroom.”
“I hope you got the big box.” Laughing, he went into the bathroom and grabbed the box. Noting the size, he smiled in satisfaction. She must have had some idea that he was a big man all over, because she bought the right ones. He opened the box, grabbed three and threw the box on the floor next to the bed. Studying the woman who was laid out on the bed made his breath hitch. Her hair fanned out around the pillow that she was resting against. She stared at him with hungry eyes as she tracked his movements in her direction. That’s a look that he was never going to get tired of seeing. “Are you ready?” He was as hard as a club as he covered himself. “Because I sure am.”
“Yes.” She moaned.
“I’ll slide in nice and easy.” Spreading her legs with his knees, he leaned over her and plunged into her tight wetness. Watching her eyes roll back, he glided in another inch and gritted his teeth. It was going to take everything he had to hold himself back and not lose control. She rocked against him and accepted another inch as she slowly adjusted to his size. Her tight heat welcomed most of him as he eased himself the rest of the way in. Stilling, he repeated hockey stats in his head. Anything to distract himself from the mind blowing pleasure of being fully enveloped in Lexi’s heat. Everything about this felt incredibly good. Slowly opening his eyes, he stared into hers. “How are you doing?”
“This is the most intense pleasure I’ve ever experienced in my life. I may pass out from just having you inside of me.”
Laughing, he grabbed her hips and started to move. “I think I can give you a whole lot more.” Following her cues, he used lingering thrusts until she relaxed. Her knees fell open, and he sunk into her completely and set a rhythm that had her hips meeting his. She answered him with her own as he lifted her legs up higher. “Wrap your legs around me, sweetie.” When her legs griped his waist, it almost set him off. Driving hard into her, he hit the spot that tripped a switch. Her gasps filled his ears as he moved heavily against her. Crying out loudly, she clutched his neck and yelled his name as she came. Not able to hold back a second longer, he thrust with an intensity that had her name falling from his lips. Again and again. Until the world stopped and he was slowly able to come back from the most intense experience of his life.
Collapsing into her, he gathered her in his arms and buried his face in her hair. Nothing in his life would ever be better than this very moment.
“I’m so happy that I decided to seduce you.” Lexi laughed. She watched him raise his head and grin at her. Running her hand down his face, she lifted her head and kissed him hard.
“I’m going to let you do it again in about fifteen minutes. I need to recover, and then I’ll be ready.” The moment that his eyes met hers, he knew they were going to be incredibly happy together. Whatever happened outside of this room could be fixed by what happened in it. His heart was completely hers, and now he just needed to make sure that she felt the same way about him. Closing his eyes, he drifted off with a picture of them five years from now surrounded by their children.
CHAPTER SIX
One Month Later
November
Standing in the doorway of the kitchen, Laird enjoyed the view before him. Bella sat in her high chair with snack puffs on her tray, babbling at her signing times video. Lexi was sitting next to her staring at her laptop. He filled his coffee cup, kissed Bella’s head, and then sat next to Lexi and looked over her shoulder. She turned her face and kissed him on the cheek. “Good morning, sweetie.”
“I think you already said that this morning.”
“I said it with my body. Now I’m saying it with my mouth.” Placing his hand on her leg, he gave her his best boy scout smile. “Why are you looking at houses?”
“My lease is going to be up after the first of the year, and I want to see what’s available. I don’t want to stay on Coronado, so I’m seeing what else is out there.”
“Do you like Ocean Beach, where I live?”
Closing her computer, she turned to him and put her hand on his. “I guess so. I’ve only been there with you a couple of times.”
“They have a Christmas Parade every year, and I asked around about the schools. People seem to say good things. I’m not sure about their special education program, but we still have two years before Bella goes to pre-school to figure it out.”
“What are you saying, Laird?”
“I love you, and you love me, and I think we should move into together and be a family.” Watching her stunned expression made him realize that he might have finessed the message a little before delivering it. “I’ve been working on the house, and I think it’s almost ready for you and Bella to move in. I painted a room the same color as her room here, and I had a built-in closet made for you. I even installed a big tub in our bathroom. Also, I finished landscaping the backyard, so Bella is going to love playing out there when she starts crawling.”
“Wow!”
“I know,” Laird responded. “When you finally told me that you loved me last month, I jump-started getting the house ready. The guys have been helping me, and Adam just finished the update on the kitchen last week.”
“Just like that?”
“Yeah. I don’t believe in wasting time. When you admitted your feelings, it was the green light I needed to make sure that you would like living in my house. Which, once you move in, will be our house.”
“Wow!”
“You already said that. I’m talking my head off, and you’re responding with one-word answers.”
“I’m trying to process it. You’ve had lots of time to think about all of this, but it’s a surprise to me.”
“A good one or a bad one?”
Staring at him, she didn’t respond right away. “Well…a good one. I guess.”
“So you and Bella will move in with me?” He took her hands in his and hoped like hell she was going to say yes.
“Do you know what you’re asking? Do you know what living with us involves?”
“Yes.”
“Laird, Bella is going to live with me for the rest of her life, most likely. I’m never going to put her in a group home. I hope she goes to college and gets married, but she’s going to be with me forever.”
“I know, sweetie. I’ve read at least four books on Down syndrome, so I feel like I’m prepared to handle whatever comes our way. I’m not asking you girls to shack up with me with no long-term plan in mind. We’re going to be a family, and you and I are going to get married and make some kids together.”
“Married?”
“Yes, of course. I know I can’t ask you yet, because we’ve only know one another for two months. Even I know that’s crazy.”
“And re-doing your house and painting a room for Bella isn’t?”
“No! That’s just the next logical step in the overall plan.” Sitting back in his chair, he drank his coffee and gave her a sympathetic look. “I’m surprised you can’t see that.”
“Oh, please. Don’t act like asking us to move in with you after two months isn’t crazy.”
“Okay. I won’t.”
“And I’m not having any children until Bella has her heart surgery. Also, I’m not sure about marriage.”
“I understand about waiting to have more kids. Do you object to marriage in general or to me?”
“In general. If I was going to do it, then I couldn’t find a better man than you to do it with.”
“That’s all I need to know.” Leaning over, he kissed her head. “I love you, and it’s all going to work out.”
“I love you, too.” Bella looked over at the two of them and her eyes turned into half-moons
as she grinned. “It seems like we’re stuck with him for a while, Bella.”
Slapping the top of her tray, several snack puffs flew up in the air, and she laughed. “See, she likes me,” Laird stated.
Lexi stood, went over to the toaster, and put some bread in. Standing with her hip against the counter, she studied the big handsome man sitting at the table. He was practicing signs with Bella as they both watched the video. Not only was he a real life hero, he was a good man and seemed to love both of them. If having Drew in her life was the price she had to pay to meet Laird, then it was worth it. She made him a plate of toast and pulled the omelet she had kept warm out of the oven. Placing both in front of him, she kissed him and then went back for more coffee and filled their cups.
“Thanks, sweetie.” He dug into the food and cleaned his plate in record time. Since he was putting it all out on the table, he decided to ask her the really hard question. “Sweetie, have you heard from Drew since Bella was born? A card, letter, or phone call?”
“No, I told you he never came to the hospital. Why?”
“I was wondering if you would mind if I went over to North Island and had a little chat with him?”
“A chat…what for?”
“I want him to sign the papers that relieve him of his parental rights. Because when we get married, I want to adopt Bella.”
“You really have been thinking about this. I don’t know if that is a good idea. I know he isn’t interested in having either of us in his life, but he may become interested if someone else is.”
“I think that I can convince him that signing away his rights is in his best interest.”
“How are you going to do that?”
“Trust me, I have some persuasive arguments.”
“All right. I guess it wouldn’t hurt. My lawyer’s done everything he can do, and I would love nothing more than to know that I never have to worry about him making a claim on my daughter.” Opening her laptop, she looked for the folder that had the documents. “I can print a copy of what he needs to sign. He was served with papers months ago, but I’m not sure if he still has them.”
“Perfect. Maybe David and I can take a run over there this afternoon and catch up with him. His squad is home for another couple of weeks.”
“I see you’ve done your homework.”
“Of course I did.” He stood up and walked over to the sink to rinse his plate. She didn’t need to know that the guy lived not far from him in navy housing. The less she thought about him the better. If he could get the guy to sign, then they would all be free of him.
***
David rode with Laird over to North Island. “Did you talk to your friend today? Are you sure that they’re on the ground?” Laird inquired.
Glancing over, David tried to remain patient. “I’ve told you three times that the squadron is on the ground today. If the guy doesn’t agree to sign the papers, then there are other options. Today is just the opening move. Start thinking like a SEAL and not a desperate man.”
“I know, man. Believe it or not, I’m trying.”
“I know.” They drove onto the base, made their way through security, and headed down to the hangar that was home to the Chargers.
Parking the truck next to the offices, Laird climbed out and tucked the packet of papers in his back pocket. “Should I wait out here while you go in and see where they are? You told your buddy this was a friendly visit, right?”
“Yeah, I told him I wanted to catch up and talk to him about what he’s going to do when he’s done flying.” The door opened, and a bunch of guys came out. David saw his friend and called out to him. Walking over, he shook hands and was introduced to the men. Luck was on their side because Drew was part of the group. David signaled for Laird to join them, and he introduced him around. They invited themselves along to lunch with the men and followed them down the road toward the burger place.
David mouthed to Laird to be cool. Pointing to his ears, he gave him the signal to listen and gather some Intel. He watched Laird acknowledge the instructions and hoped like hell he would follow them. In combat, Laird always had the coolest head and could see three different solutions to any one problem. But walking along the street, that man was noticeably absent. In his place was a man who had his future hanging in the balance of getting a signature.
Laird sat at the table and tried not to choke on his food. He couldn’t believe that that Bella’s father was such an asshole. When someone told a story, he one upped them. He constantly interrupted people and then harangued them. Apparently becoming a naval pilot attracted a different sort of animal. Sitting back, he realized that wasn’t fair, because the rest of the men seemed like solid guys. The meal was coming to a close, and Laird was going to ask Drew to hang back so he could talk to him. After watching him for a half-hour, he knew how to approach him.
As they left the restaurant, Laird approached Drew and asked him some stupid question about flying patrols. The guy was a blow hard, so he knew he had at least a ten-minute speech in front of him. The rest of the group walked ahead, and the situation couldn’t be more perfect. Waiting for the guy to wind down, he crossed his arms over his chest and tried to be patient. “That’s real interesting. But I want to talk to you about my girlfriend.” Waiting a beat, he watched the guy’s face pale as he stood perfectly still. Good to know: an asshole and a cheat. This could go better than he hoped.
“I knew something was up. There’s no way a SEAL is going to be interested in what I do.”
“I’m here to give you an opportunity to do the right thing. I have some papers that will allow you to accomplish it in less than a minute.” Staring down at the weasel, he tried to determine if the guy could come up with which particular sin he was going to get out of. “You fathered a child and abandoned the mother and your daughter. It’s my understanding that you’ve never acknowledged the birth and haven’t show any interest in doing so. I know you’ve received documents allowing you to sign away your parental rights, and I have an extra set with me in case you misplaced the one you signed for over ten months ago.”
“Why the hell you do you care about Lexi and the kid?”
“I care about Lexi because she’s my girlfriend and I will do whatever it takes to protect her and Isabella. That is the name of the girl you fathered.” Observing the asshat squirm, he was confident that the guy wanted nothing to do with any of them. “If you sign the documents, then you’re off the hook. None of your superiors hear about your conduct. You will not have to pay child support for the rest of your life. Plus, when it’s time for Bella’s heart surgery, you won’t be responsible for half of the $250,000 price tag.” Pulling the papers out of his pocket, he slapped them across Drew’s flight suit and waited until he grabbed them. “You’re an officer and I can’t imagine any of this is going to go down well will your CO. Abandoning a woman after you knock her up is pretty crappy, but deserting a child with special needs…they have a special place in hell just for guys like you.”
The emotions that played across Drew’s face were enlightening. Laird could see him deny the facts, mentally come up with an argument, and then finally resign himself to the inevitable. “You can sign them today. If you don’t, then I’m giving you two weeks to get it done until I start raining holy terror down on your head. I will do everything within my power to let everyone know what you’ve done. I will also pursue every legal avenue to accomplish this. And after all of that, I’ll probably want to beat the shit out of you.” Grinning like the maniac he felt like, he pulled a pen out of his pocket. “What do you say, Drew? Sign your name and be a free man. I will take full responsibility for both of them, and you get your reputation and career.”
“I’ll show these to a lawyer and then get back to you.”
“You don’t have to get back to me. Sign them and send them to the attorney’s office that’s listed on the front of the documents. Like I said, you have two weeks to get your shit together and do the right thing. If you want to keep those
shiny wings on your uniform, then I suggest you sign the papers. There can’t be much to think about, because you made your decision the moment you didn’t show up at the hospital. This just makes it formal.”
“How is the baby?”
Giving him a get real look, he waited to answer. “Her name is Isabella, and if you ever cared about her, you would’ve checked in eleven months ago when she was born. Or any time since then.” He started to walk away, but stopped and studied the man that stood between him and adopting Bella. “Sign the papers, Drew. It’s in everyone’s best interest.”
Walking toward his truck, he spotted David leaning up against it. Giving him a nod, he unlocked the doors, and they both climbed in. Turning the engine on, he leaned back and buckled his seatbelt. “Mission accomplished. I’ll bet that he signs the papers and sends them before the end of the week. The idea of everyone knowing what he did scared the shit out of him. Also, the fact that he would be paying child support didn’t make him real happy, either.”
Slapping his friend’s arm in congratulations, David let out a Hooyah. “Damn good day. Do you think the guy has any idea that Lexi is stinking rich because of Instagram?”
“No. I really don’t. I’m not sure if he ever took the time to ask her anything about herself. They were only together for a week, and I have a feeling that he never planned on staying in touch after he left.”
“That’s good luck all around. Let’s hope he remains the asshole that he is and signs and never thinks about them again.”
“Shit, that would be the best outcome to all of this.” Pulling away from the hangar, Laird drove off of North Island. “Thanks for your help, brother. Couldn’t have done it without you.”
Scoffing, David grinned at his friend. “That’s what we do.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
One Week Later
December