by Tawny Weber
Of course, with her breaking some bones was always a possibility. Or, given her track record, she might send them both tumbling over the cliff into the ocean.
Then again, who better to take that dive with than a navy SEAL, she laughed to herself.
Lust and amusement shushed the little voice, shooing it back to the quiet corner where it belonged. She wanted Cade and this was her shot. She wasn’t going to be scared away from it by silly little fears.
“Not too many people come this way anymore,” she told him as they stepped carefully, the moonlight their only guide along the overgrown path. Her words weren’t quiet, but they were still almost drowned out by the pounding crash of the ocean beyond. “The view is better up the coast, the hike a little easier. But I like it here.”
“Me too,” he said, giving her a cautious smile. Not like he was afraid of her, or worried, really. But like he knew she was up to something and just wasn’t sure what trap she was about to spring. Eden didn’t mind. His knowing that she was playing the game made it that much more interesting.
“So why do you like it here better?” he asked. “The lack of tourists? Because it’s closer to home? Or does the less manicured, more wild nature appeal to you?”
“Sure. But really I like it here because it’s makeout point,” she told him with a wicked laugh, her fingers curling into his as he helped her over the log separating the parking area and the tall grasses leading west.
His fingers tensed around hers for a second, as if he was going to yank her against him. Then he released her hand and, with a charmingly distant smile, gestured that she take the lead.
Well, well. Wasn’t he Mr. Military Control?
No problem. She had more weapons in her arsenal. She’d just have to play through them until she found the one that worked. That pushed him over the edge and broke that control.
As if testing her resolve, or her balance, Eden’s shoe twisted on the dirt path, her ankle going in the opposite direction. She grimaced. Falling at his feet wasn’t quite what she’d had in mind.
“Maybe we should head back,” he suggested. “Come back in the daylight, to check out the cliffs. Maybe in tennis shoes.”
“I’m good,” Eden told him with a stubborn shake of her head. No way. It wasn’t that she thought tonight was her only chance with Cade. But she wasn’t positive how long she could make that worrisome, cautioning voice stay quiet. She’d learned a long time ago that if she wanted to have any fun, to do anything exciting, she had to stay one step ahead of that voice.
So she took the next curve more carefully, determined not to ruin her chance to be seen as something other than one of Cade’s rescue projects.
Then her toes caught an exposed root. Her breath wooshed and her stomach spun as she stumbled. Cade’s arm shot out, catching her before she lost her balance.
“Oops.” She laughed, righting herself. “Maybe I should just try this barefoot.”
“Here,” he said with a rueful shake of his head. He reached out to pull her against him, his arm steadying her wobbling gait. “Hang on to me.”
Her stomach was doing the tripping now, falling all over itself as her body shifted closer to his. She caught her breath, the salty brine air mixed with the scent of Cade’s cologne. Ocean meets forest, all wrapped up in the heady possibilities of nighttime.
She leaned closer, shivering a little as her body aligned with his. Mmm, mmm, Eden hummed. Chalk one up for klutziness.
His legs were so long, reaching almost to her waist, even in her heels. The muscled strength of his arm was comforting, but steady around her shoulders. Her mind flooded with visions of his body, just as strong and steady, guiding her into all sorts of tricky sexual positions. Wasn’t that going to be handy?
For a second, that little voice peeked out of the corner to warn Eden that she was crazy, and quite possibly morally questionable to be chasing after a guy simply for sex.
It wasn’t just sex, she argued with herself. It was her only chance to live out the fantasy. To have this one last shot at Cade before she likely had to move and say goodbye for good.
The voice, probably stocking up its energy for I told you so’s, scooted back into the quiet corner.
Leaving Eden to figure out how to go about her poorly planned seduction.
“Do you spend a lot of time at the ocean?” she asked, wondering what he did when he was living his real life. Besides all the hero stuff, of course. “I mean, navy, ocean. I know you probably see your fair share of water.”
Cade’s shrug was a lesson in delight, since it meant his chest did a subtle shift against the side of her breast. Eden’s nipples perked up while desire stretched, like a waking cat, in her belly.
“Not so much anymore,” he said. “I used to. A couple buddies and I spent a lot of time at the beach. Phil was from the Midwest, so being by the water was his idea of hanging out at a candy shop.”
There was something in his words she’d never heard before. A heaviness. Her heart ached, though she didn’t know why.
“Did he get tired of candy?” she teased as they reached the cliffs. The ocean, pounding power in the night, was a study of black noise. “Or did you just get tired of all the bikini-wearing babes throwing themselves at you?”
She felt his silent laugh against her shoulder.
“Does that ever get old?” he asked, sounding amused. But that...something. Pain? She wasn’t sure what it was in his tone. But she wanted to fix it. To make it—and him—feel better.
Since he hadn’t actually answered either of her questions, Eden waited. Even though they were still now, she didn’t step out of his arms.
“Other than work, I don’t go to the beach much these days,” he finally admitted, his words so low they were almost carried away by the ocean breeze. Tension radiated from him, tight and edgy. Like he wanted to explode, but knew the damage would be catastrophic. Eden wondered what it was like, having that kind of control.
She didn’t say anything. She just waited. But she did tighten her arm around his waist. It wasn’t like she thought he needed her support. But she didn’t mind offering it, just in case.
“We lost Phil last year,” Cade finally said, his gaze locked on the churning waves. “I guess you’d call it a routine mission, although they never really are. He was taken out by shrapnel to the head. Never felt a thing.”
No! Horrified, Eden’s fingers tightened on his waist. She knew Phil was one of his best friends. Phil, a guy named Blake and Cade were in so many of the pictures Catherine loved to share. Once, about five years back, Cade had brought the two men home with him for the holidays. Eden hadn’t met them, but had heard they were great guys. And in the few, rare times Cade ever spoke of his SEAL work, he always mentioned Blake and Phil.
To lose one of his best friends? He must be devastated.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered.
Beyond hurting for his loss, wondering how he was dealing with it, a fear she’d never felt took hold in Eden’s gut. Cade was a hero. A SEAL. He went out and did the impossible, like Superman. To her, he’d always been invincible.
The sudden realization that he wasn’t was terrifying.
“Hey, it’s a risk of the job. We all face it,” he said, shrugging and giving her that charming smile he’d perfected. A smile that pushed people away, she realized, her eyes widening in the dark. That smile put up a wall so solid, most people wouldn’t even realize it was there.
He acted like it was no big deal. But she knew better. She couldn’t imagine losing a best friend. A comrade in arms. One of Catherine’s favorite photos was of a young Cade just out of boot camp. Eden was pretty sure one of the guys in that sterling framed picture was Phil. To lose that?
She took a deep breath. And here she’d been worrying about getting a little fantasy nookie before her life fell apart. What did that say about her?
“You’re not gonna get all girly on me, are you?” he asked, looking down and giving her a laughing sort of shoulder
nudge. Then he frowned and shifted, so he was standing in front of her instead of at her side.
She didn’t realize she was crying until he reached out, sliding his index finger over her cheek to wipe away a tear.
“You’re sweet,” he said, his smile shifting. It was still charming. After all, was that gorgeous face capable of anything less? But there was a warmth there Eden hadn’t seen before. Something beyond charm, that touched her heart. That scared the hell out of her.
“And you’re a hero,” she told him, trying for a teasing smile. It was a little shaky at the corners, but it was the best she could do.
“You ever think about setting aside those rose colored glasses?” he asked, a hint of cynicism shining through for a second before he pulled the charm back around him like a cozy blanket. “You’re gonna get taken advantage of if you aren’t careful.”
She’d rather just be taken.
But for the first time since she’d hurled herself into this crazy plan to seduce Cade, she wondered if she really knew him.
Realizing she was on the verge of talking herself out of making a move, she figured it was now or never.
She wet her lips, then, before good sense could warn her to stop, she stood on tiptoe, her fingers pressed to his chest for balance, and brushed her lips over his.
Much like his goodbye peck the day before, it wasn’t threatening. Instead it was soft. Gentle. Almost sweet, except for the needy aching heat it inspired low in her belly. For just a second, his lips moved against hers, welcoming. Warming.
She’d never wanted anything, anyone, like she did Cade Sullivan. Never needed anything more than for him to want her, too.
Eden slowly pulled back, her eyes searching his.
“Is that a belated thank-you for getting you out of the tree? Or a payment in advance for helping you walk back to the car without breaking a leg?” he teased, his expression more avuncular than hot and bothered.
She dropped back to her heels, working hard to keep from letting the pout take hold. That’s it? She worked up all her nerve, finally made her first move and he brushed her off? Eden glared past Cade’s shoulder, staring at the water while she tried to gather a little composure.
Give it up, she decided, wanting to cry again but for a very different reason this time. She forced herself to plaster a little fake cheer on her face and tried to smile as she looked up at him.
And saw something.
Maybe?
She peered closer.
He had that same chilly, distant smile going on. His expression was as neutral as Switzerland. But his eyes had a glow. Maybe it was the moonlight reflecting off the water, but she’d swear she saw heat there. Passion. Desire.
Her stomach tightened. Her breath caught and excitement swirled through her entire body.
He wanted her.
Oh, he clearly didn’t want to want her.
But he did.
She should focus on the message in his smile, the coolness in his tone.
But it was so much more fun to see what she could do to encourage the passion in his gaze.
“Last week was my birthday,” she said impulsively.
“Yeah?” Looking delighted at the safe subject, he gave her a playful shoulder pat. The kind you’d offer a puppy who’d finally mastered a clever trick. “Happy belated birthday, then. I hope you have a great year.”
Eden knew he wanted her to stick with her friendly girl-next-door role. It was safer—he didn’t have to worry about complicating things with sex. Or brushing her off, she reminded herself, trying to swallow past the imagined nasty taste rejection would leave. That was probably complicated, too. And not nearly as fun. She tilted her head to the side, grateful for the salty ocean breeze cooling her warm cheeks.
Safe route?
Or dive in with both feet.
“I think I will. You see, I made a birthday wish. It’s the same wish I’ve made for the last handful of years.”
“What’s your wish?” he asked in a slow, cautious tone. Well, he wasn’t a well-trained special ops guy for nothing.
“To have sex with you.”
* * *
CADE WAS PRETTY SURE Eden could have kicked him in the balls at that moment and he wouldn’t have felt a damned thing. Nope, his brain was frozen in shock, while his body was inflamed with need.
He gave a quick, contemplative glance at the cliffs. How far was the jump? He’d gone deeper—he’d probably survive. And it’d be less risky than what he faced at this moment.
Because right now, the threat wasn’t the cute little brunette standing in front of him. Nope, it was his own desires. Desires he shouldn’t feel, knew better than to entertain and usually pretended didn’t exist.
Cade had rules. Strict ones that he lived his relationships by. The first being that there were no strings involved. Past, present or future. And with Eden, Cade had lifelong relationship ties that went all the way back to hauling her off her trike when she’d run it into the bushes at the base of his driveway.
They had a history.
They had a friendship. The closest he’d ever had with a woman.
What they shouldn’t have was heat. Passion. Sexual needs that arced between them like a live electric current, threatening to burn down anything it touched.
“Look...”
What?
How did he explain his rules? Ask her to promise not to get ugly when he walked away? To accept that once he walked, they wouldn’t be playing again the next time he was home? To other women, it was easy. But to Eden? He’d sound like a prick. And while he might laugh off her always calling him her hero, he wasn’t excited about the idea of destroying that myth and hurting her feelings all at the same time.
“Poor Cade,” she laughed, like she thought it was funny that she’d tied him in knots then forced him to choose between his morals and his body’s pounding needs. “It’s hard, isn’t it?”
Oh, baby, she had no idea.
Then her gaze changed. Went from amused to smoldering. She leaned back a little and made a show of giving him a long look. Down. Then up. Then back down again.
His dick throbbed. Her actions were probably some kind of sexual Morse Code for do me and do me now.
“Hmm,” she murmured, those luscious full lips smiling now. Not the friendly smile he was used to, either. This one was pure sexual challenge. It was like she could read his mind. Which only added to the needy ache pressing against his zipper.
“All you have to do is tell me you don’t want me,” she said, giving him a look of sweet challenge through her lashes. As if testing his resolve, and daring him to lie straight to her face, she stepped closer.
Close enough that the tips of her breasts brushed his chest. That her breath was warm on his face. That he could see the sparkling humor in her dark eyes.
That was the thing that slayed him about Eden. No matter what was going on, what current disaster she’d dropped herself into, she always found a way to laugh. To enjoy herself.
Why the hell was that so sexy?
Why was she so damned irresistible?
“Look,” he tried again. What had she said he could do to make her back off? He couldn’t remember.
“Haven’t you ever been a birthday wish before?” she asked when he couldn’t find any words—or thoughts—to stop her. “Something you really, really wanted and knew you couldn’t get yourself. Something that was going to take a little bit of magic.”
“There’s no such thing as magic,” he managed to grind out as he tried to keep from moving too much. Every breath was a lesson in torture, pressing his chest closer against those soft, gloriously full breasts. He wanted to touch them. To feel them. To weigh them in his palms while running his thumbs over her nipples.
Oh, God. Her nipples. Nothing turned Cade on more than a set of gorgeous breasts.
“You don’t believe in magic?” Upping the torture, she traced the fingertips of one hand up his arm, a whisper-soft journey toward his shoulder. Then she chan
ged the angle, so her nails scraped ever-so-gently down his chest. “I think it’s very real. Some might call it luck. That special something that brings everything and everyone into the right place at the right time so something special can happen.”
“We make things happen,” he said, barely aware of his words since the few drops of blood that weren’t pounding their way south were totally focused on her fingers, now winding a path of torture around his hardening nipple.
“Of course we do,” she agreed, her eyes molten now. So hot, so filled with passion and power that he was surprised they weren’t shooting flames. Talk about magic. All she had to do was give him that look and he was done. All of the rules, all good sense, gone.
“But since I did build up a lot of years of birthday candle wishes, don’t you think it’s about time we made some very good...”
Pressing closer, close enough that he could feel her nipples through her bra, she stood on tiptoe.
“Things.”
She scattered whisper-soft kisses along his jaw, her warm breath a vivid contrast to the cool ocean breeze.
“Happen.”
Her teeth scraped along his throat. Cade growled. Sweet he could resist. But this sexy side of naughty?
He had no more willpower.
It was like she’d found the key to the part of him he kept locked tight. The part he mostly denied. The part that wanted her, wanted a future, believed he could actually have a relationship. The part that pretended the statistics regarding military relationships didn’t apply to him. That he could beat the odds. That he wanted to try.
Or, more likely, she’d hit his horny button and he was about to explode.
Either way, there was no holding back any longer.
6
GRABBING EDEN BY THE WAIST, Cade pulled her tight against his hips, grinding his hard, throbbing dick against her soft warmth. He took her mouth. His lips slanted, finding the right angle, pressing and sliding against hers. Why did she fit so perfectly? Her mouth opened to his, inviting him in with a soft moan.