Breathless now, she let her feet fall deeper into the water. “Let’s swim back, but this time, let’s not race. I don’t want you to let me win again.”
He chuckled. “I only held back a little.”
Deciding she liked how this felt, flirting outrageously, she bit her lower lip. “Well, I’m hoping your willingness to let me be first extends beyond races,” she said, her voice growing huskier.
This time, he grinned and shook his head. “You’re something else.”
“Just figuring that out?” She dove beneath the water and swam for shore.
When they reached the beach, Snake preceded her stepping onto the white sand, hot enough to instantly warm his feet. He heard a bark of laughter, which was followed by more deep laughs. He didn’t like not being in on the joke. He slowly turned.
Cat was bent at the waist, her arms crossed over her belly. When he arched an eyebrow, she snickered, lifted a hand, and pointed at him. “Your back!”
He cleared his throat and gave his thousand-yard stare, which only made her laugh harder. And because he knew she wouldn’t wind down unless he stopped giving her reasons to chuckle, he glanced upward at the clear blue sky.
She finally quieted and walked over to him, circling to stand behind him. She traced a shape on his back, her fingertips gliding on his skin. “This tattoo answers a question I was afraid to ask.” Again, she circled, stopping right in front of him, and grinned upward. “I wondered why you were called Snake.” Then her gaze dropped to his too-snug swimming briefs. “I’m relieved you were named for the cobra tattoo.” Then she sauntered away, her shoulders still shaking every now and then.
Still relishing how her fingers had felt, lightly stroking his back, Snake followed, smiling.
For Snake, dinner was a surprisingly intimate occasion, given they ate at a table that would easily seat more than a dozen people. Margie and Elena Feinstein were an animated, well-preserved middle-aged couple who liked to touch…everything. They stroked the table cloth, the flowers, his shoulders and biceps when they were introduced, and each other. That they were deeply in love was apparent in the soft glances they gave one another. They were celebrating a year of marriage after nearly twenty years of coupledom, and Virgil claimed the weekend was in their honor. Together, they ran a fashion magazine, which was why he’d invited the Fosters, who owned a modeling agency, and Cat, whose products were getting a lot of buzz.
By the end of the dinner, Cat had promised to send them next year’s handbags for one of their “What to Buy” spreads.
Cat was thrilled. Snake could tell by the way her nails bit into his thigh when Elena made the request, but the smile she shared was contained, like a queen’s. He loved that she was politely pleased in public but saved her exuberant outbursts for when she was with people she could be herself around. Like him. Which made him feel special. He hoped it meant she trusted him. Why that mattered, he wasn’t ready to admit.
After finishing their lightly buttered lobster tails served with sides of spicy Caribbean rice and sweet potatoes, they strolled outside to the patio in back of the house to admire the stars.
Tiki torches flared on the outskirts of the wide flagstone area. Soft sofas and chairs had been set out, inviting guests to linger in conversation.
The other couples peeled away to take their seats.
Virgil disappeared to take a phone call, giving them a wave and telling them to make themselves at home. “Ask for whatever you need,” he said, the phone already at his ear.
Cat reached for Snake’s hand and leaned against his shoulder. “See the wall of shrubbery?” She tilted her head toward a manicured row at the back of the patio. “He has a maze. I’ve heard there’s a small swimming pool in the center.”
Snake liked the way she tucked herself against him. Her cheek rested against his shoulder, and he thought about leaning toward her to brush a kiss against her forehead. “Our suits are in our room.”
She raised an eyebrow. “We don’t need them, do we?”
Inhaling deeply, he breathed in her light floral scent, which was mixed with a teasing hint of feminine musk. His dick began to thicken. Thoughts of keeping their relationship platonic for the sake of the mission completely flew out of his mind. “We may get lost.”
She laughed. “Can’t you navigate by the stars?”
He chuckled. “I’m a SEAL. I’m not a Viking. We have great tech.”
Tugging on his hand, she walked backward toward the hedgerow. “Maybe we’ll have to drop breadcrumbs, or pieces of clothing, so we can find our way out again.”
Done arguing with his better intentions, he only pretended reluctance, letting her pull him onward. Within a few steps, they found the entrance to the maze. She let go of his hand and raced forward to the first turn, him on her heels. He let her get ahead of him and followed the sound of her light, bell-like laughter as she moved deeper into the maze. At last, he arrived at the center.
A small pool sat in the clearing, artfully surrounded by large flat boulders. A waterfall at one side burbled. She was already pulling off the short red dress she’d worn at dinner. Beneath it, she wore a miniscule pair of panties and a bra. She stood in the moonlight, smiling, and slipped her thumbs under the elastic bands at the sides of her hips. “Shall I?”
Unable to keep his gaze from skimming her toned body, he swallowed hard and nodded.
She pushed them downward then straightened.
While he fought to regulate his breaths, she reached behind her back and unfastened the bra. As she shed that last garment, Snake stood frozen in place, pulse beating rapid-fire. Cat Mikkelson had been a knockout clothed, but nude she was exquisite.
“No fair,” she whispered.
He shouldered off his jacket, while at the same time, toeing off his shoes and socks. He ripped the tie from his neck and tossed it to the side. His shirt lost a few buttons as he peeled it off. He nearly tripped, trying to free himself from his trousers. But at last, he stood naked.
If he’d worried even for a second that she’d be disappointed, the tightening of her nipples was a welcome clue displaying her pleasure at the sight of his physique.
At last dragging her gaze from his body, she turned and descended the recessed stone steps into the pool and moved toward the waterfall. She stood under it, wetting her hair and upper body, her eyes closed.
Without her stare keeping him riveted in place, he joined her, reaching for her slender form as he stepped beneath the stream. Their bodies moved together, chests and hips aligning.
With water falling over their heads and shoulders, they explored with their hands. Her touch electrified him as she smoothed her palms over his shoulders and around his back, moving downward to slide over his ass. His muscles tensed.
Snake rubbed his cheek against hers while he smoothed over her soft skin, loving the way she shivered as he glided both hands over her back then moved forward to cup her heavy round breasts. He stepped out to the spray, bringing her with him, and opened his eyes.
Droplets of water clung to her long lashes, looking like tiny stars. Her mouth was pouting, lifting toward his.
The invitation was irresistible. With his cock rubbing against her belly, he drew her into his embrace and bent his head, groaning as his mouth covered hers. Their kiss was deep. Tongues stroking, mouths molding and suctioning together.
She gripped his shoulders and hopped, and he caught her ass in his hands to steady her and hold her against his erection. Blood pounded in his ears. Slowly, he rocked her hips up and down, gliding his thick column between her folds as she dug her fingernails into his shoulders.
Her breaths grew ragged. A moan entered his mouth.
More than anything, he wanted to lift her just high enough to prod her entrance and float her down his cock. Instead, he ended the kiss and released a deep sigh. “I don’t have a condom.”
“I don’t care,” she said, nipping his chin. “I’ll trust you if you say you’re safe. I’m on the pill.”
Shaking his head, he began to walk toward a rock ledge, the water parting against his thighs. “This is happening too fast.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Seriously? I won’t believe you if you say you’ve never fucked a girl you met in a bar…”
Flashing a frown, he set her bottom on the ledge. “Our pasts are our own business. But I want something else for us, Cat. Beginning now.” He paused, and his jaws tightened. Too fast, he repeated the warning in his head. He didn’t want to scare her, but dammit, she was different. With her, he was different. “You’re not some girl I met in a bar. I want more.”
Her expression—her eyes widening, her mouth softening—killed the anger. He bent to press his forehead against hers. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this.”
She gave a little shrug. “Just say it…”
He cleared his throat. “We’re not making love tonight.”
Chapter Four
Snake narrowed his eyes to make sure Cat knew he was serious. The fact they were both nude, with him standing to in water to his thighs and her seated on boulder in as compromising a position as a they could get, wasn’t lost on him.
She snorted and lifted her chin. “Well, wasn’t that just a little presumptuous on your part? I haven’t asked, and you haven’t—”
He tapped her nose. “You’ve been giving me flirty looks all night. And I didn’t lift a finger to get you like this,” he said eyeing her breasts.
“I’ve been giving you flirty looks?”
“Yeah, ones that say you want me to make a move.”
She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I do not give those kinds of looks.”
Because she was getting worked up with her brows pulling into a ferocious frown, he knew he’d better set her straight…and fast. “Listen, I’m not making love to you…tonight.”
She sucked in a breath. “Then can we fuck?”
Surprised at her bluntness, he let out a short laugh. “No, we’re not going to fuck.”
Her hands balled at her sides. “Is it because you’re tired? I can understand—”
Just to shut her up, he kissed her hard and ignored the resulting pounding of his blood. Then he linked his hands behind the small of her back and drew away his head, wanting to look into her eyes when he gave his reason. “We’re not ready.”
“You’re plenty ready,” she said, rubbing against his erection and giving him a half-lidded gaze.
Fuck, her hot skin pressing against his dick felt good. Snake grimaced. “He’s ready, yeah. But we barely know each other, Cat.”
“Then what better way…?”
He shook his head. “I know that sex with you will be stellar. But, sweetheart, I want more.”
The corners of her mouth turned downward. “We live very different lives. How are we supposed to have more than this weekend?”
He’d wondered the same damn thing, but the fact that fate had put them together had to mean something. They shouldn’t be here in the first place together. Two ships sailing in two completely different oceans should never have passed. “Baby, you want me bad enough, you’ll figure it out.”
Her hands rose to cover her breasts, and she scoffed. “Who the hell do you think you are?”
Snake hated that she felt the need to hide herself and hoped her anger wouldn’t cause her to say something she’d find hard to take back, or more importantly, he couldn’t overlook. But he waited, stiffening, his expression set.
“Don’t do that,” she whispered.
“Do what?”
“Give me that stare. All my bodyguards have done that. Is it something they train you to do alongside making your bodies into lethal weapons?”
He heard the hurt in her voice and knew she was only acting out of pride and pain. Grimacing because his balls and his dick were so hard he ached, he settled his hands on her shoulders and dragged in a deep breath. “Don’t think I don’t want you—or that I don’t know how good sex will be between us. But I want more. Cat, I wouldn’t know how to walk in your circles, and frankly, I don’t want to learn. I have a life. A job I love.” Fuck, don’t be a coward now. If this is meant to be… “I don’t know what tomorrow’ll bring, but I do know this—I want to know you. Not just your body. If I take you tonight, you’ll wonder if all I wanted was a fuck with some famous chick.”
She started to shrug, but he gave her a little shake to stop her. “Let me please you, sweetheart.” Hell, he was already giving her endearments, and if she nudged his cock even a little bit, he wouldn’t hold onto his resolve.
He thought maybe the “sweetheart” did the trick, because she sighed her surrender. She dropped her hands from her chest and gave him a wary glance, but didn’t try to draw any farther away.
Cradling her shoulders with one arm, he lowered her to lie on the boulder. “Baby, relax. Give yourself to me. I won’t disappoint. I promise.” After pressing a quick kiss against her pout, he glided his mouth and tongue over her wet skin, sipping at her corners and curves.
The second his lips latched onto a tight nipple, she gasped. Her fingertips sank into his hair, and her nails raked his scalp as he sucked and flicked a hardened tip.
He loved the shape of that tiny tip—blunt and round, and extending from a velvety circle, perfect for suckling. The areolas were pale in the moonlight, and he hated not knowing their exact color. Tomorrow, he’d look. If she gave him the chance.
Hell, he’d better make this good. He had one shot to be selfless and give her the mother of all orgasms. Prove to her that while he might not be pedigreed or leash trained, he was the man for her. He wanted many more chances to explore this firestorm exploding between them.
Cat had nearly wailed when he’d said they were moving too fast. The feel of his thick, hard column dragging along her slit when they’d been in the pool had her nearly ready to climb his shoulders. And now, he wanted to pleasure her when she was dying for him to plunge inside her. She wanted this encounter to be a mutual taking. Wanted to go wild inside his embrace as he eased all that thickness deep inside her.
Somehow, she knew the second they connected, she’d be his.
But maybe he was right. They barely knew each other. Had only just met that morning. The day hadn’t dragged so much as every moment felt bigger, more important, so she’d savored the emotions building inside—intense awareness, growing attraction, and now, near obsession. Lord, she wanted him bad. And he wasn’t making it any easier for her to protect herself from falling.
All throughout dinner, he’d been her anchor. That something she hadn’t known she’d needed until he was there, sitting quietly beside her. He only spoke when asked a direct question. Instead, his attention had been focused on her. When she’d dug her nails into his thighs at hearing the offer to promote her handbags, he’d helped her remain cool and professional, sliding his hand atop hers and giving it a squeeze. No man had ever done that for her—given his quiet support and let her shine. Sitting beside him, she’d fought against shifting in her chair because she’d been so aroused.
And now? Sweet Jesus, his mouth and palms were trailing downward. Her pulse raced. She shot out her hand and gripped his hair to stop him.
He glanced up her body to lock with her gaze. “Baby, do you want me to stop?”
Her throat tightened. He thought she was this together girl—someone who’d been around the block at least a time or two.
He pressed a kiss against her belly. “Tell me, Cat,” he whispered as he caressed her thigh.
“I’ve never…” She cleared her throat and looked toward the waterfall, gathering her courage. “No man’s ever…”
His gaze hardened, and his shoulders tensed. “No man’s ever gone down on you?” he asked quietly, anger in his taut hushed voice.
Heat flushed her skin. She shook her head, feeling at once foolish and relieved.
“Come up on your elbows, baby. Watch.”
Her pussy clenched, and warm liquid pooled at her entrance. Slowly, she positioned her elbows be
neath her. The better to see him as he rested his palms against her inner thighs and dipped his head to slide his tongue slowly through her folds.
“Snake…” Pleasure filled her, and she was eager now to feel and see more. She widened her thighs and braced her heels against the edge of the boulder to bring herself closer to his wicked tongue.
Snake continued trailing his tongue, from the bottom of her slit upward, each sensuous lap ending with a flick against her hardening clit.
Her breaths grew more ragged, shorter and sharper. Her thighs and belly quivered. Watching him sink between her legs, noting the way his own breaths rasped, satisfied any doubts he enjoyed doing this.
He brought his thumbs into play, using them to open her outer lips. His mouth sucked on her delicate inner lips, and then one thumb slipped upward and gently pulled back the thin membrane cloaking her clitoris.
Just his breath against the sensitive knot was too much. She hissed.
“Easy,” he whispered. He relaxed his tongue, softening it, then caressed her clit, sliding softly over the swollen knot.
His diligence earned her trust, and she relaxed, letting herself enjoy the feel of his warm tongue rubbing it, over and over.
Reggie had fingered it once, and she’d forced away his hand, because she’d nearly come out of her skin and hadn’t liked the feeling. This experience was…beautiful. Lush. Her eyelids dipped. Her breasts hardened. And still she watched, entranced as he dragged his tongue over her most sensitive spot.
But then he withdrew.
She nearly groaned with disappointment, and her hands drew into fists.
His glance flickered up to her face. “Will you be okay if I put my fingers inside you?”
“If you do that again—yes.”
His smile was quick. His gaze soft. Again, his very wet tongue descended, and she gave up watching, dropping backward to stare up at the stars above, and just letting herself savor this gentle build. Before this night, she’d always thought herself somehow…flawed. The only orgasms she’d ever enjoyed were ones she’d managed to give herself—with a vibrator.
The Omega Team: SEAL Escort (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Uncharted SEALs Book 12) Page 3