Lying down beside her, he stuck his hands under his head and stared at the ceiling.
In the glow of a night light, he could see that she lay on her side, facing him. “How’d you hurt your leg?” she asked quietly.
Mac slowly inhaled. He hadn’t liked talking about it before, but something about the quiet room with the rain pattering on the roof over his head kept the anger at bay. “My unit was making a sweep of a neighborhood, looking for insurgents. We were on foot patrol and I was on point…at the front of the formation. It was getting dark, and we’d been at it for a while. We were all hot, dirty, and sweaty…ready to meet up with the trucks and convoy back to our barracks.”
He drew a deep breath and continued as unemotionally as he could manage. “Just one last street to go… I saw a grocery bag. A white, plastic grocery bag lying in the gutter, the ties fluttering in the breeze. It caught my eye. The breeze didn’t move the bag. Something told me it wasn’t right. I held up my hand to give the signal to halt, but didn’t get a chance to do anything more before it exploded. It was an IED. Guess whoever was watching figured he wasn’t gonna get a better target and set it off.”
Mac may have stared at the dark ceiling, but memories rolled past in quick, painful bursts. “All hell broke loose, but I hardly noticed. My leg burned like it was on fire. My guys were all around me, shouting into the radio. I don’t remember much after that. Don’t remember them getting me medevacked or the trip to Germany. I woke up in Walter Reed after surgery.” He turned his head toward her. “That’s it.”
“You say that so calmly.”
His lips curved ruefully. “I’ve had months to get used to it.”
“Anyone else hit?”
“Thank God, no.”
Her lips pursed. “Does it hurt much?”
He nodded and turned to stare at the ceiling again, not wanting to read sympathy in her features. “But it gets better every day,” he said, realizing it was true. A month ago, a walk through the woods wouldn’t have been possible.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
Mac smiled and reached across the mattress, enfolding her hand in his. “Me, too. You should go to sleep.”
Her breaths evened almost immediately.
Mac pulled her hand over his belly, laced his fingers with hers, and resigned himself to the fact he wouldn’t get another wink of sleep for the rest of the night.
No way, would he let anything disturb her dreams.
Being this close was just enough to fill his senses with woman. Pulling in her scent with every breath, listening to the sound of her soft, sighing exhalations—sure, he was harder than a fencepost, but he’d never felt more like a man. She needed him.
When she snuggled closer and rested her head on his shoulder, he felt as though he’d been given a gift. Her thick hair tickled his nose and fanned around the corner of his shoulder. Such a little thing. Not sexual in the least, still his body hardened further.
When her breath feathered the side of his neck, he gritted his teeth.
He was in for one helluva long night.
*
Suki became aware of water falling. At first, she thought it was the rain, but the sound was closer.
The shower was running.
She reached across the bed and confirmed she was alone. Mac, her surly protector, must be taking a shower.
Feeling rested for the first time in weeks, she stretched, enjoying the quiet sounds. Enjoying the scent of him permeating her sheets. Soap, a light tang of tobacco, his own brand of masculine musk.
So intimate. His scent, his sounds. A man in her shower. A man she’d shared a bed with. One who hadn’t done more than offer his company so that she could feel safe while she slept.
Not wanting to dwell on the warmth that filled her at the thought, she decided the least she could do was offer him a home-cooked breakfast. She tossed back the sheets, climbed out of bed, and began to dress.
In the hallway, she paused outside the bathroom. The door was cracked open. She remembered his admonition about not locking doors against him and guessed it went both ways.
The temptation to peek inside was overwhelming. She touched the door, but then quickly pulled back. What was she thinking?
Then she heard the unmistakable sounds. Like wet slaps, increasing in speed. Suki pressed her lips together, trying not to smile.
Was this his morning routine or had he been inspired?
She hurried down the hallway, giving him privacy.
As she pulled out pans and ingredients, and began to cook, she couldn’t help thinking about him and what he’d told her last night. Fresh from the Middle East and treatment in a hospital, was she the first woman he’d been alone with?
The thought left her feeling guilty about teasing him, however innocent her intentions, and leaving him without any other recourse but relieving himself alone in the shower.
Still, regret didn’t explain the excitement which thrummed throughout her body, pricking at her nipples and lending a slight tremor to her hands.
What kind of deviant was she, anyway? Running from one abusive man, then lusting after another caveman archetype? And why did she still feel an overwhelming urge to slip into the bathroom and see what Mac McDonough had to offer?
“Good morning.”
The egg she’d raised came slamming down on the edge of the bowl, the shell collapsing and instantly scrambling the yolk that spilled onto the countertop.
“Didn’t mean to startle you,” Mac said, reaching around her for a paper towel. With his arm enclosing her, and his belly near enough to warm her back, she grew stiff.
“Fuck.” Mac stepped away immediately. “Didn’t mean to crowd you.”
Suki knew he thought she’d freaked at being close to a man. “Are you going to be apologizing for the rest of the day?” She glanced over her shoulder with a wry grin. “You don’t have to walk on eggshells around me.”
Mac’s eyes blinked, then a slow, sexy grin curved his lips. “Unless you’re doing the cooking, hmmm?”
She smiled in apology. “I was deep in thought when you came in. Anyone would have made me jump out of my skin.”
“Sure,” he said, although his expression remained doubtful.
“I’m not afraid of you. I swear it.”
“Well, that’s progress.”
From the corner of her eye, her gaze swept his body. Another T-shirt, this time blue, and faded jeans hugged his formidable torso and thighs. And he was barefooted.
She swallowed at the strong pull of his sensual appeal. “Plates are in the cupboard,” she said, lifting her spatula to point at the cabinet beside her.
Again, he approached, careful this time not to touch.
Oddly disappointed, she cooked eggs, slid them onto the plates, and bent to pull out a plate of bacon warming in the oven. When she straightened, his glance slid quickly back to her face.
Suki couldn’t help her lop-sided smile and decided not to pretend to ignore his interest. “Were you checking out my ass?”
Mac snorted. “Guess I’ll be apologizing all day long.”
Suki walked to the table and slid the dish to the center beside a basket of biscuits. “I really didn’t mind,” she murmured.
Mac held out a chair for her then took his own, quickly lifting his fork and changing the subject. “Anyone we need to check in with today?”
“Let’s not talk about it. The rain stopped. It looks like it’s going to be a nice day.”
His nod said he was ready to follow her lead. “Too bad we don’t have a boat. We could go fishing.”
“You like to fish?”
“Haven’t been in a long time, but all that water right outside the door…it’s tempting.”
Suki stuck her fork into her eggs and pushed them around her plate. “Maybe we could go for a swim,” she said, her voice a little breathless.
He chewed slowly, his expression growing alert. “I didn’t bring a suit.”
She swallowed to wet
her dry mouth. “Neither did I.”
“Not a problem for me. I can wear my boxers.”
The evenness of his voice didn’t tell her whether he was getting the hint or not. She decided to go for blunt. “Why bother with anything? It’s just you and me.”
“Suki…” A deep breath expanded his chest. “I haven’t been alone with a woman in a long time. I’m not sure I can go skinny-dipping without embarrassing myself.”
Suki bit her lip to keep from smiling. “Somehow, I don’t think you’ll have a thing to be embarrassed about.”
Mac lifted a forkful of eggs to his mouth, his gaze narrowing on her face.
She met his gaze and miraculously, her cheeks didn’t heat with a single blush. She smiled and bit into a piece of crisp bacon. Maybe Mac was just the antidote she needed for the tension that had gripped her for weeks. Didn’t hurt he was the sexiest man she’d ever shared air with.
“Just so you know,” he said, seeming to struggle with words. “I don’t expect anything to happen…between us.”
Was he playing at being a gentleman because he thought she might change her mind or because he wasn’t interested? “Why don’t we just have a good time? No expectations.”
His nod was slow, but already she detected subtle changes as arousal gripped him. His jaw tightened, and his narrowed gaze flickered over her. He shifted in his seat and attacked his breakfast like he thought he might need sustenance.
Suki suppressed a smile and ate slowly, enjoying the sensual awareness warming her own body. Enjoying the power she seemed to wield over such a dark and dangerous man.
Power he ceded easily, as though it was natural for him to let her take the lead. Perhaps he’d sensed she needed that to soothe her fears. Or maybe, at his core, he truly was a gentle man despite his appearance and gruff manners.
Whichever was the case, her appreciation for him grew…as did her desire. And who could blame her? Tall, well-muscled—good Lord, Tara had to have known she’d be attracted.
When she’d finally finished eating, she gathered their plates and set them in the sink. “Why don’t you find us some towels?”
Knowing he would have to head to the bathroom again, she rushed to the bedroom and pulled open the top drawer of the nightstand, gathering several foil packets and cramming them into her jeans pocket.
When she heard his feet padding down the hall, she met him at the door.
After his polite nod for her to proceed, she sauntered down the corridor, Mac on her heels.
Out the door, down the path through the woods, the scent of wet vegetation and pure, fresh air lightened her mood and her steps, which she kept slow, so he didn’t have to fight to keep up. With excitement escalating her heartbeats, the walk to the end of the pier seemed endless.
At the covered end of the dock, he tossed the towels onto the plank floor and stood with his hands on his hips, his gaze cutting across the lake then around the woods that edged the water.
While he checked the area for bad guys, she took her courage into her hands and thumbed open the button at the top of her jeans, and then pushed them down her legs. However bold that move had been, she turned away to slip off her tank top, nervous about having him find her a little “less” than he might prefer.
Standing in her underwear, she gave him a glance over her shoulder, satisfied she had his attention, and then reached behind her to unclip her bra.
As the small cups fell away, she took a deep breath, gathering her courage around her and turned. Slowly, she slid down the straps, dangled the garment over the growing pile of her clothing, inviting him to examine her.
His gaze held hers for only a moment, and then slid over her breasts. Air hissed softly between his teeth.
When she dropped the bra beside her feet, she reached quickly for the thin straps at each side of her hips and pulled down the silky underwear.
She straightened and found it hard to suck in a deep breath, a little shocked at her own behavior. Had she really just shucked all her clothing in front of a man she’d only met yesterday?
The urge had come so fast, so strong, she hadn’t paused even once to question where it came from.
With his expression growing more taut and dangerous by the second, she thought she might know. He appeared every bit as desperate as she felt.
“Do you need any help?” she asked softly.
“I can manage,” he growled in a voice that matched the fierce, predatory expression darkening his face.
“I mean, I know you don’t bend very well,” she said, licking her lips nervously. “I could manage your pants.”
“That’s kind of you,” he bit out, “but I’ve been undressing myself for weeks now.” His head canted to the side. “That is…unless you really want to?”
Chapter Four
‡
Suki managed a rueful smile. “Did I look disappointed?”
“Like I just stole your candy,” he drawled.
They shared smiles, and Suki relaxed and stepped closer. Her hands pushed up his T-shirt, but he was so tall he had to take over to get it past his shoulders and head.
As he bared his abdomen and chest, Suki’s breaths shortened. Hard and tanned as polished oak, his body had her reaching out to follow the swells of his defined musculature, gliding over skin as smooth as oiled leather. Crisp brown curls stretched between flat nipples then arrowed down his belly to disappear into his jeans.
Looking downward, her gaze snagged on the fullness swelling inside his jeans. She licked her lips again and raised her glance, finding his green eyes glittering, his nostrils flaring. The feral hunger tightening his features filled her with elation.
She opened his pants and dragged down his zipper, all the while holding his gaze until she reached the bottom.
“Better let me take care of the rest,” he ground out.
Instead of conceding, she could scarcely believe her own temerity. She slid her hand inside his snug pants and cupped his thick erection.
His cock heated her palm, expanding as she gently squeezed.
“Seems a waste,” she whispered.
“What does?”
“The water’s going to be cool.”
His eyes narrowed. “Uh…maybe I should just ease into it, now.”
She bit her lower lip to trap the grin tugging her mouth wide. “Let me help you with this.” She knelt on one knee and pulled down his pants, eager now to see what she’d held inside her hand.
She pushed the pants all the way down and forced her gaze to follow. The white zipper-like scars of his incisions and the shallow circles dotting his leg were in stark contrast to his deeply tanned skin.
Afraid to touch them unless she caused him pain, she waited while he stepped out of his jeans. Only then did she raise her face level with his cock.
The proud, straight thrust of him made her mouth water.
She spared a glance at his tense face and noted the lean hunger sharpening his features to a razor’s edge.
Then closing her eyes, she rubbed her cheek along his length, savoring the satiny feel of the skin that stretched around his shaft while dragging in his masculine scent.
Her hands came up between his legs, smoothing over the sparse hairs on his inner thighs, rising steadily until she turned them to cup his balls.
They filled her small palms, and she closed her fingers around them.
Mac’s fingers wrapped around the back of her head, not guiding, not pressuring her to do more than she wanted—just lightly caressing her scalp, threading through her hair as she worked up the courage to take him.
Her mouth opened, and she skimmed her lips along his shaft until she reached the curved ridge at the underside of the crown. Turning her head sideways, she stuck out her tongue and licked beneath his glans, opening her eyes to check his reaction and finding his gaze boring into hers. She stroked him again with her tongue.
His chest lifted on a ragged inhalation. His cock rocked forward, gliding along her lips.
&
nbsp; She wrapped the fingers of both hands around his shaft, capturing him with a firm grasp, and pulled his cock toward her mouth, rounding her lips to take just the cap inside her mouth. She suctioned against the soft skin, swirling her tongue over it, sinking the tip into the narrow slit, then fluttering inside it, until his hands tugged her hair harder to urge her closer.
She opened her jaws, taking a little more of his length inside. Then she shielded her teeth with her lips to gobble at the crown as she drew off.
“Sweet…fuck!” He pulled one of his hands from her hair and moved hers from his shaft, grasping himself just below the crown.
Then pointing himself straight between her lips, he painted her mouth with the moisture she’d left behind as she pursed her lips to accept his “kiss.”
Watching him while he watched her lips got her hot as hell. Color glazed his cheeks while his lips peeled away from his teeth. He looked like a man on the verge of having every dream come true.
He punched his cock gently between her lips, forcing her to take exactly as much as he desired.
As he gave her more of his cock, he eased his hand back, his fingers acting as a guard, preventing her from taking more.
Which she was surprisingly greedy and eager to do. Suki glided her hands over his hips, reaching around him to clasp his hard ass and give her better balance as she began to bob her head forward and back. Her breaths deepened as she herself grew more aroused.
But he controlled the depth of her pulses, and suddenly Suki wanted to push him past control.
At the end of her forward pulse, she drew hard, suctioning as she came off him then releasing as he sank inside her mouth again.
“Jesus! Again,” he groaned.
If she hadn’t been so aroused, she might have smiled at the edge of desperation straining his voice.
She bobbed deeper, sucking him as she drew backward, then repeating the motions—suctioning, releasing, suctioning—until his thick thighs trembled against her, and his breaths grew jagged.
When her jaws began to ache, she came off him, and leaned her head against his thigh while she gasped for breath.
His fingers curled around her head, urging her upward.
Soldier Boy Page 3