by Lynn Cooper
A knock at the door startled her as she threw another clump of clothing into the suitcase. It was him. Standing in the doorway of her cabin, looking good enough to eat.
“All packed?” he asked.
She could see his eyes were wet, and he was trying not to react to her standing around in her undergarments.
“Almost.”
He stepped toward her and lifted her chin. “Have you been crying?”
She sniffed. “Maybe a little.”
“Me, too,” he whispered. “I don’t want you to go.”
“I can’t stay here and interfere with your work, Sean. It’s too important. Plus, this was only meant to be temporary. Your permanent counselor will be arriving soon. You and the campers won’t need me anymore.”
He took her by the shoulders. “Won’t need you? The campers adore you. They trust you. Our beautiful butterfly, Skyler, has finally spread her wings under your guidance and counseling. The others are coming into themselves as well. I think switching up counselors will do them more harm than good. Don’t you?”
She smiled sadly. He had talked a lot about how her leaving would affect the campers, but nothing about what it would do to him. Nothing outside a few obligatory tears. She was crazy to think a big girl like her could land Prince Charming. Yes, he had taken pleasure in her body. But when it came to settling down, he probably wanted a wife with a perfect size-four figure, not a woman four sizes bigger than that. “With you at the helm, these kids can adjust to anything.”
“Maybe they could. But, damn it, I can’t! I want you to stay, Blythe.”
“For the rest of the summer as your camp counselor?”
“No. For the rest of your life as my wife,” he said, dropping to one knee.
Her hands flew to her mouth. “Are you asking me to marry you, Sergeant Warrington?”
He shook his head, jumping to his feet. “Hell no. I’m telling you. Blythe Dalton, you will marry me. We will be happy and run Camp Semper Fi together. Is that understood, woman?”
“Sir, yes, sir!” she yelled, laughing and throwing her arms around his neck.
He kissed her passionately and then stepped back, putting a little distance between them. With a stern look on his face, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a shiny, one-carrot princess-cut diamond ring.
Blythe nearly fainted. It was the most gorgeous ring she had ever seen. She loved it! When she didn’t immediately reach for it, he frowned. She didn’t want to ruin the moment, but she was afraid it wouldn’t fit. Most rings were sized for women with slender fingers. Even though her hands were delicate, her fingers were kind of short and chubby like the rest of her.
Holding the ring out to her, in a sure, steady commanding voice, he said, “Put it on now.”
Her hand trembled when she took it from his. She dared to ask, “Wouldn’t it be more romantic if you put it on me?”
“For most women it might. But you want me to be forceful. You want to be told. Just like you want me to order you to spread those pretty legs when I eat your pussy. Now put that ring on your gorgeous finger. I won’t tell you again.”
Taking a deep breath, she held the diamond to the tip of the ring finger of her left hand. Shaking, she slid it down to the first knuckle. Then slowly, painstakingly to the second. Unbelievably, it slipped smoothly and easily down to the base of her finger. It was a perfect fit!
Sean took her hand and studied the lovely diamond he had gotten for the woman who was and would forever be his heart. He whispered, “It’s beautiful, like its owner. The ring fits your finger as perfectly as my cock fits your cunt,” he said hoarsely, palming her mound.
“Oh, Sean,” she moaned, grinding herself against him.
He looked deeply into her eyes. They were glazed over with desire and a longing he couldn’t wait to satisfy. “I love you, Blythe.”
“I love you with all my heart, Sergeant Warrington.”
Weaving his fingers through the hair at the nape of her neck, he held her possessively. His voice was husky with love and lust. “Do you know what Semper Fi means?”
“No. Tell me.”
“It’s Latin for always faithful. That’s me, Blythe. I am and will always be faithful to you.”
“And I you,” she said, offering him her warmest smile.
He kissed her lips softly. “When it comes to the wedding, you may have things anyway you want them. But I have one non-negotiable request.”
“What’s that, my love?” she asked breathlessly.
“Semper Fi has to be engraved on the inside of our wedding bands. I want every man and every marine on this planet to know you’re always faithful. Always mine.”
“Your wish is my command, sir.”
“Good. Now lie down across the bed.”
“Face up or face down, sir?”
“Up.”
She obeyed.
He covered her with his body. His kiss was slow like the long incline of a warm beach. With a languid caress of his mouth on hers, his tongue nudged her lips, and she opened for him.
He didn’t ask her if she was ready to take him inside her body. He didn’t reach between her legs and stroke her sex to make sure it was wet. He simply gazed into her eyes and plunged himself deep into her hot tightness.
She didn’t refuse him. Couldn’t refuse him. Their bodies fused in a timeless finality of hearts and souls, riding on the wind of eternity. His breath became hers. Her heart beat only for him as he filled her with his seed.
LATER THAT AFTERNOON BLYTHE walked arm in arm across the meadow with her bestie. Shelly had a very self-satisfied grin on her face. “So, Blythe, what do you think of Sergeant Warrington now?”
It was the same question she had asked on their first day at camp.
Blythe beamed, feeling happier than she had in her entire life. “I think he’s going to be the best husband a woman could ever hope for.”
Shelly squealed. “I guess you know you’re going to owe me big time for this one.”
Blythe sighed in mock frustration. “And just when we got square for you saving my life.”
Both women giggled.
Cocking her head to the side, Blythe asked, “What about you and Potato Peeler?”
“Oh, don’t you worry. Private Kean and I are making delicious meals and sweet love. In fact, he’s talking to Sean right now. It seems my marine isn’t quite cut out for the military.”
“You don’t say? He seemed rather intent on his duties the first day we met him out at the entrance.”
“Well, after spending two weeks with me, he realized he wants to be a chef. Remember the new Thai restaurant that opened up on the eastside of Langston?”
“I do. The food’s amazing.”
“Well, the head cook just got fired for tossing the salad girl onto the meat counter and pounding her butt good.”
“Shut the door!”
“They certainly should have,” Shelly said, winking. “Anyway, I made a call to my friend Donna who waitresses there on the weekend. She has put in a good word for my man. He has an interview next week. If he gets it, he’s moving in with me. Who knows? We might be headed down the aisle shortly after you and Sean.”
“Or,” Blythe squealed, “we could have a double wedding!”
“Oh, yes! Let’s do that!”
“Do what?”
They hadn’t heard him walk up, but that deep, panty-melting baritone could only belong to one man.
“Nothing, Sergeant,” both women said in unison, giggling like a couple of school girls.
He shook his head. “I know better than that, but I suppose a woman is entitled to one secret.”
“Or two, big guy,” Shelly said, playfully punching him in the arm.
Sean grabbed Shelly before she could dodge him and gave her head a serious Dutch Rub. Then he released her just as quickly and placed his hand possessively on the small of Blythe’s back.
Shelly made a half-hearted attempt at smoothing her hair before hugging her best
ie.
“Okay, I’m out of here. I’ve got a million things to do before school starts back.” She looked down at her feet, fighting back tears. “Bly, I sure am going to miss having lunch with you every day next year.”
Blythe starting misting up seconds before Sean’s two-way radio squeaked.
“Are you there, Sarge?”
“Go ahead, Falk.”
“The fax you were waiting on came through, sir.”
“Wonderful. Read it aloud, Private.”
Shelly and Blythe gave each other a questioning look.
“We are pleased to inform you Camp Semper Fi has been approved for both a state and federal grant. The amount of one million dollars has been deposited into an operational non-profit account. Feel free to use these funds to hire full-time, year-round staff to assist in the running of your program. Should I read the fine print at the bottom of the letter, sir?”
“No, Private Falk. That’ll be all.”
Sean looked at the two most important women in his life—his sister from another mother and his fiancée.
“Well, Shelly Bellybutton, what do you say? Camp Semper Fi sure could use a good arts and crafts coordinator. And, I have a sneaky suspicion my bride-to-be would love having her bestie living two cabins down.”
Shelly beamed. “I’d love to accept your offer, big guy, but I kind of have a prior commitment.”
He huffed in exasperation. “You mean Potato Peeler and his Thai gig?”
“As a matter of fact, yes.”
“When Private Kean came to me a few minutes ago, saying he no longer wanted to be a marine, I knew that was bullshit. He’s a little green yet, but he’s a damn fine soldier. The only reason he wanted to leave his post here was to be with you.”
Shelly’s eyes bulged in disbelief. “He was giving up his military career for little old me?”
“I sure was.” Kean’s high-pitched voice broke in on the two-way radio. “Sorry to interrupt, Sarge.”
“No problem.”
“Sir, can you please send my woman to the mess hall? We have a shit load of potatoes to peel.”
“Sure thing, Private.”
Sean and Blythe burst out laughing. Shelly broke into a run, yelling back over her shoulder, “KP duty never felt so good!”
BLYTHE LOOKED ADORINGLY AT Sean. “Thank you for finding a way to keep us all together. You truly are the best man I’ve ever known,” she said, caressing his face.
She watched him slowly take a pair of silk scarves from his right pants pocket. They were identical to the ones on the cover of her romance novel. Without having to be told, she held out her hands.
He bound her wrists together.
Her pulse jumped and her cunt clenched.
From the left pocket he pulled out a blindfold and slipped it over her eyes. Then he scooped her up in his arms and whispered in her ear, “And the best damn marine, too. Are you ready to play, Miss Dalton?”
“Copy that, Sergeant Warrington. Copy that.”
OTHER BOOKS BY LYNN COOPER
A Perfect Match
Jaslyn Scarpa is chronically cheerful. She believes in hope and happiness and brighter tomorrows. Along with being a talented, versatile, hardworking temp, Jaslyn is also a self-proclaimed “grouch whisperer.” Winning over the grumpy people in this world is her forté. Or, at least, she thinks it is until she meets the tall, dark—so dangerously dark—moody and sexy Rhein Birkner. The excruciating emotional pain reflected in his intensely piercing eyes tears at her heart. No matter how volatile he is, she makes it her mission to turn his hurt into joy.
Rhein Birkner is a ruthless businessman, notorious for hostile takeovers and forced mergers. He has a hard exterior, a powerful, domineering façade he presents to the world. But on the inside, he is a little boy who’s terrified of losing the woman who means everything to him. No amount of money can buy what she needs most. While he tries to figure out a way to save her, he is forced to contend with an infuriatingly sunshiny temp. Jaslyn Scarpa is outspoken, bubbly and unbelievably beautiful. She is the last thing Rhein wants at the moment. Ironically, she might also be the key to his happiness.
A Perfect Match is part of the Raining Romance Series. Each book is a standalone where unexpected storms of passion rage and love strikes faster than lightning.
Taking the Mobster’s Woman
In this fast-paced, heart-pumping tale of danger, love and lust, Dante Roman—an undercover FBI agent—finds himself in a surprising, perilous and sensuously-charged predicament. After two-and-a-half years of deep undercover work, he is only one week away from the biggest mafia takedown in history. The last thing he needs is the leggy, blond bombshell, Diamond Cross, distracting him.
Diamond’s no-good brother, Glen, has offered her up to an evil, murderous mobster as payment for his gambling debt. Dante knows all too well what could happen to her should she fall into his boss’s cruel clutches. It’s up to him to figure out a way to protect her while completing his mission and keeping them both alive.
Dominant Seduction: The Complete Series
Brett and Karen have been married for sixteen wonderful years. They are good together in every way. But Karen believes they can be great together, especially in the bedroom. She is tired of sex by the numbers and living vicariously through her erotic romance novels. She longs for adventure and figures the best way to get it is to unleash her husband’s inner beast. If she can keep her courage up, Karen is certain she can dismantle Brett’s deep-rooted need for self-discipline in the bedroom. She is determined to do whatever it takes to convince him to explore the enticing, seductive side of domination and submission. Come join them on a heart-stopping ride to carnal bliss.
Cupcake Cutie (Plus Size Romance Series)
Ella Skye is looking for a fresh start in the town of Pleasant View—a place where she can concentrate on her career as a graphic designer. She isn’t looking for love or passion. She doesn’t need the raging flames of desire that always flicker into heartbreak. She also doesn’t need a nosey neighbor with a temperamental cat, a hot cowboy who moonlights as a fireman or a stubborn friend who insists on dragging her into awkward social situations. Ella doesn’t need any of it but, in time, she just might realize she desperately wants all of it and more.
Decker Wyman spends all of his time working on his family’s ranch. When he isn’t there, he’s fighting fires and rescuing those in distress. For him, romance has been fleeting at best. In fact, he has all but given up on lasting love—the kind his parents shared. When the new woman in town finds herself in a precarious situation, Decker is there to give her a hand. He wants to give her a lot more than that, but things in his personal life are rather complicated and prove to be a hindrance. The question begs: is he willing to do whatever it takes to simplify them? Especially if it means he might have a chance with the smart, sweet and sexy Ella Skye?
Soft Serve Sweetie (Plus Size Romance Series)
Cherry Mercer has a degree in biology, but due to the crappy economy, she finds herself working at Pete’s Ice Cream Parlor. As far as jobs go, it isn’t that bad. It enables her to pay back her student loans while indulging her love of soft serve. In her wildest dreams, she never imagines the decadent chocolate and vanilla swirl can get her into so much trouble with the law. When she runs into Officer Zane Barrett, her whole world is turned upside down. He’s as hot as the day is long. And even though a gal can’t be arrested for what she’s thinking, Cherry still finds herself being hauled downtown.
Zane Barrett—a seventeen-year veteran of the police force—spends his days serving and protecting his community. He lives in a nice house, loves his job and spends his spare time with his partner, Knox, and his wife Sadie. Despite Knox’s badgering, Zane insists he isn’t lonely and doesn’t feel the need to actively look for “Miss Right.” In fact, his philosophy is: Not everyone’s meant for love and marriage. But once he crosses paths with Cherry Mercer, he quickly realizes his philosophy has more holes than a firing range target.
Unfortunately, Cherry has erected some emotional walls that could prove to be impenetrable. Zane offers her an irresistible proposition intended to tear down those carefully constructed barriers. The question is, will Cherry take the bait and give both of them a chance for a happily ever after?
Bon Bon Beauty (Plus Size Romance Series)
Saffron Butler came up hard and fast on the poor side of town. Now a strong, independent woman and owner of the Bon Bon Beauty Parlor, she is determined to live her life alone. Having spent years constructing a steel cage around her heart, she vows to never let any man get too close. Her mama made that mistake, and it ended in tragedy. Saffron isn’t about to let the same thing happen to her. She is content to bury herself in romance novels, dreaming of the swaggering, shirtless heroes on the covers. That is enough for her until the morning her eyes flutter open to find the sexiest man she has ever seen hovering over her. He is tending to her, protecting her and, before she can blink, he is trying to steal her heart.
Parker Sloan grew up in the lap of luxury. He has every advantage but little freedom. From the day he was born, his parents have had his entire life mapped out. His domineering father—Dr. Nate Sloan—insists his son attend medical school, pursue a career in cardiology and get engaged to a self-centered socialite. But, Parker has other plans. Against his parents’ wishes, he becomes a paramedic. One fateful morning he takes an emergency call that lands him smack in the middle of a beauty parlor. It is there he meets the sweet and beautiful Saffron Butler. From the moment he looks into her big brown eyes, he is a goner. In their dark, chocolatey depths, he can clearly see their future—a lifetime of love and happiness spent in each other’s arms. Wooing Saffron won’t be an easy task. But it is one he is determined to accomplish. Failure isn’t an option. He will do whatever it takes to gain her trust and win her affections.
Doughnut Darlin’
Running from danger, Raven Shore ends up at The Little Doughnut Shop in the small, quiet town of Erman. She spends her days helping its sweet, elderly owners during peak business hours. With trouble hot on her heels, Raven certainly isn’t looking for more. But she gets plenty when bad boy biker Ronan Dark pops in for a pastry. Everything from the five o’clock shadow peppering his strong jaw to his piercing blue eyes to his black, leather biker boots screams sexy loud enough to burst her eardrums. But any thoughts of romance will have to wait. Raven needs to stay focused to stay safe.