Degree of Risk

by Lindsay McKenna

  That sent a heat wave of desire through him. “I love you, too, angel.” Ethan brought her close to him, kissing her slowly, drinking in her yielding mouth, which tasted of champagne and honey.

  He lifted her into his arms, walked around to the other side of the bed, deposited her there and then lay down beside her. Sarah’s black hair was like a dark, shining halo around her soft features. He propped himself up on his elbow, leaned over and looked deeply into her eyes.

  “Remember what I said, Sarah.” Ethan lifted several strands of hair away from her flushed cheek. “You’re in control here. If you don’t like something or if you’re worried about our baby, ask me to stop.”

  Her eyes grew misty as he framed her cheek. “I will,” Sarah promised, her voice husky with emotion. Ethan was so male, so powerful in repose, the hard angles of his body so different from the softer, curved ones of hers.

  “Love me,” she whispered, gliding her hand over his shoulder and then across his massive chest. “I know it will be all right. You’ll never hurt me, Ethan. I know you won’t.” And she saw his face become vulnerable, the emotions he always kept behind his SEAL game face were revealed. She felt heat collect in her womb, and her crazy hormones focused like a laser on him, her protector, her lover, her everything.

  As Ethan’s hand fell away from her cheek, Sarah closed her eyes. Ethan was so tender with her, as if she were some exquisite, priceless, beautiful object that had to be handled very carefully or she would shatter. He accurately read where she was at emotionally as his mouth adored her lips and his tongue moved slowly into her mouth, inviting her to come and play with him. His body tensed, his erection pressing insistently against her belly as she touched his tongue, moving and sliding against it. Her worries and concerns melted beneath his onslaught, as if he had a plan and he was going to follow it through with her.

  His roughened fingers trailed tiny paths of fire from her shoulder, traced her collarbone, her flesh leaping and tightening beneath his investigation of her. As his mouth left hers, he pressed soft kisses against her eyelids and her brow and then he moved his mouth along her slender throat.

  Sarah felt her lower body tighten with hunger. Ethan’s long, powerful leg moved over her left leg, holding her in a certain position so that she was open and available and could not move away. Not that she wanted to. A fiery urgency built within her and she wanted to press up against him. He held her a willing captive on her back. He was going to explore and kiss every inch of her.

  Sarah moaned softly in anticipation as he lightly nipped her neck near her ear and then moved his tongue across it, kissing the area and moving on. Her flesh skittered and leaped with pleasure as he moved to her throat. Sarah’s breath hitched. He licked and kissed her, his moist breath ragged, his tongue like a roughened cat’s tongue against her so-sensitive flesh. She strained to move, to draw her body up against his. His hand beneath her nape tensed, his fingers against her shoulder, holding her exactly where she was.

  “Ethan,” she cried out softly, “I want to touch you, too.”

  He lifted his head, his eyes glittering. “My turn, angel. Just lie here and enjoy it for a little bit.”

  His voice was guttural, more animal than human and it sent a bolt of heat twisting down through her. Breath caught in her throat as Ethan’s head dipped toward her right breast. A little cry of expectancy escaped her lips and she strained against him, wanting him to draw her hardened nipple into his mouth. She was going crazy with sensations. His fingers moved slowly, cupping the curve of her, feeling the fullness of her breast, but not touching the nipple.

  Giving a cry, Sarah felt her entire body go rigid with need. His beard rasped across that sensitive nipple and she whimpered. The pleasure was unexpected, arousing. Her core spasmed in response. His lips captured her, suckling lightly and every conscious thought in her mind vaporized beneath the scalding sensations lancing down through her.

  She wanted to wrest her shoulder from his hand, but it was impossible. And when Ethan captured the other nipple, teeth rasping it gently, Sarah came apart on him, her entire body shimmering and clenching, her cry wild and needy.

  “Just enjoy it,” he rasped against her full breast, cupping it, feeling her flesh respond. Ethan traced his lips down the center of her torso, hearing her uttered gasps and pleading, soft mewling sounds caught in her throat.

  He controlled himself, wanting her more than ready for him, wanting her so damned hot and slick that there would be no need to worry about stressing her or their baby. Hell, he was stressed in another way, to the max. Her flesh was velvet, responsive beneath his exploring lips, which followed her supple expanse, feeling the dampness of her flesh reacting to his exploration.

  Ethan’s lips moved tenderly across her belly, as if not only kissing her, but kissing the child she carried deep within her. Tears came to her eyes as he splayed his large, calloused fingers across her abdomen, claiming her and their child in one exquisite gesture. Ethan skimmed her flesh slowly, almost torturously moving toward her soft, curled hair. His palm rested upon her, his long fingers curving down the inside of her right thigh, easing her open, making her available to him. His fingers lingered, following her moisture. A wild pulsation began and she arched against his fingers, moaning his name.

  Her heart hammered with anticipation, her breathing becoming broken, her entire lower body tense, hungry and so very, very wet. Blood roared through her as she felt his fingers lightly caress her core. A cry jammed in her throat as he explored her, sliding, teasing.

  “You are so hot,” Ethan told her in a roughened tone, leaning down, kissing her belly, moving his tongue down into the cleft, opening her folds with his finger, inhaling the sweet scent that drove him to madness.

  The moment Ethan eased one finger into her, testing her, Sarah arched and cried out, her voice hoarse. Her breath exploded from her and she gripped his shoulders, digging her nails into his thickly bunched muscles.

  “You like that, don’t you, sweet Sarah?” he rasped against her, her hips arching against his mouth, wanting more, wanting him. Ethan smiled a very male smile, moving his finger deeper into her, feeling her muscles contract violently around him, felt the sweetness of her fluids saturating him. She was more than ready. Removing his finger, he heard her moan out his name.

  He gave her a sensual smile and slowly covered her with his long, lean body, taking her hands, moving them to above her head, pinning them there. Seeing the absolute hunger in her wild-looking blue eyes, her lips parted, panting beneath him, he used his knee to open her thighs even more to him. Beautiful, curved, creamy thighs.

  “Ethan…please…God, please…I need you…”

  “I know you do, angel, I know you do,” he crooned against her ear, kissing her cheek, her nose and then capturing her mouth powerfully beneath his own. Sarah cried into his mouth, lifting her hips demandingly against his. Ethan inhaled her cry and moved his tongue into her mouth, stroking hers, feeling her hips twist and turn wildly beneath him. She was so ready…so was he….

  Sarah groaned as she felt him slide into her, widening her, filling her. She gave an utter cry of relief, wanting more of Ethan. He held himself, waited. She could feel him grow quiet, his body hard, tense. She bucked her hips into his and he went deep. Instantly, she heard him growl, a shudder working through his taut body.

  “I want you,” she gasped. Sarah looked up, saw his jaw clenched, a muscle leap, his eyes tightly shut. Ethan groaned as she rocked into his hips again. His lips pulled away from his teeth and he tried to control himself during her sweet assault. She rolled her hips hard against his, drinking him deeper into her, feeling the pleasure as he moved forward.

  Gradually, she realized Ethan was afraid of hurting her. Sarah knew in her heart this wasn’t going to hurt her at all. With powerful movements of her hips, she shattered his control, heard him gasp her name, his fingers loosening around her wrists. He bowed his head against her brow, fighting to control himself, his hands curling into fists on
either side her head.

  Sarah gripped his hips, lifting herself, wanting more of the pleasure she knew Ethan could give her. Her womb clenched, the fire spreading and she knew how close she was. And so did he. She felt him shift, keeping most of his weight off her, sliding his hand down across her body, his fingers curving beneath her hips and drawing her roughly to him. A cry of pleasure tore out of her.

  He began a slow, steady assault that stoked the fiery, melting pleasure radiating between them. He plunged deeply into her and a soft groan lodged in her throat as she arched helplessly against his hard, sweaty body. Yes! This is what she needed, wanted from him!

  There was no more hesitation on his part; she surrendering to Ethan, moving with him, feeling the exquisite torture now ramping up, ready to surge and explode through her. Sarah’s breath became broken. She gripped Ethan’s powerful shoulders, felt him push deeply into her, quickening her, inflaming her until her entire core erupted in a cauldron of powerful, rippling fire. Ethan milked her willing body, not allowing her to rest, but pushed her beyond her own sense of fulfillment. Sarah felt transported, her body taut, sliding slickly against Ethan, feeling his rasping breath, feeling his growl of satisfaction as he stiffened and gripped her hard against him. He flooded her, mingling with her sweet fluids of life.

  Sarah collapsed beneath Ethan, her breath coming in pants, rippling fire continuing to shimmer through her, pleasuring her. Only vaguely aware of his groan, his body collapsing against hers, she instantly felt him lift away from her, not wanting to crush her beneath his weight. She moaned, gliding her hands over his narrow waist, coming to rest on his hips. “Don’t go,” she pleaded softly. “Don’t…”

  Ethan raised his head and kissed her nose. “I won’t leave you Sarah.”

  Closing her eyes, her lashes sweeping downward, Sarah wanted Ethan closer, trailing her fingers down along his powerful back. “I want to feel your heart against mine,” she whispered. “For just for a little while?”

  Ethan allowed some of his weight to rest upon her like a warm, heavy blanket. A tremulous smile pulled at Sarah’s lips as he settled against her full breasts, feeling the hardness of her nipples against the hair of his chest. Their hearts pounded in unison.

  Her hands settled on his shoulders and he saw contentment on her glowing face, the way the corners of her mouth curved softly upward. Ethan’s heart nearly tore out of his chest, his love for Sarah was so intense. She was his wife. His best friend. His warrior lover. And most of all, the mother of the child that had been created out of their love for one another. He brushed her wet mouth, reveling in their lush fullness, their sweetness and her ardor.

  Lifting his hand, Ethan eased his fingers through Sarah’s silky black hair, wanting to endlessly please her. Forever. He felt her body tremble as his fingers massaged her scalp and he smiled against her lips.

  “You are so easy to please,” Ethan rasped, resting his brow against hers.

  “Mmm, that’s because you know what you’re doing.” Sarah laughed a little, opening her eyes, holding his hooded gaze, those blue eyes of hers burning with turbulent heat.

  “You’re catching on fast,” Ethan managed, feeling her laugh again, her fingers softly stroking him from his shoulders down to his hips.

  “I am a fast learner.” Sarah sighed. “I’m going to miss you so much, Ethan.”

  Hearing the tears in her voice, he slowly eased out of her, lay on his side and brought Sarah into his arms. Ethan snagged the edge of the sheet and drew it up to their waists. She snuggled deep into his arms, her head on his chest, her hand over his thudding heart. Her rounded hips molded against his. Her long, beautiful legs tangled within his. She was like a sponge, absorbing his heat, his maleness, his heart, into her softer, curved body. Skating his hand down her spine, his fingers splayed out against her lower back, Ethan felt her belly against his growing erection. Sarah had that effect on him. He couldn’t get enough of her. She unveiled her heart and soul to him every time they made love to one another. She was artless, natural, and Ethan felt her fierce love for him. As he lay there, eyes closed, he wondered for the thousandth time, how the hell did he get so lucky? They lay quietly in one another’s arms for a long time before he spoke again.

  “Listen,” Ethan said, his voice gravelly, his lips against Sarah’s temple, “we’ll stay in touch. Sometimes, I’ll be out on long-range patrols. I won’t be able to tell you that, Sarah. And when you don’t hear from me, you’ll know that’s what is happening. All right?” Ethan was worried she’d drive herself crazy if she didn’t hear from him on Skype for a week or more. And he didn’t want her stressed any more than necessary. If he could share some of these quirks in his life as a SEAL with her, she wouldn’t become anxious.

  “Okay,” Sarah whispered, her voice sated.

  Ethan felt her exhaustion. It had been a long, happy day, but stressful nonetheless. “Do you feel any pain in your abdomen?”

  “No. I just feel good, Ethan…we’re so good together….”

  Relief flowed through him. He captured her fingers against his heart, his larger, roughened hand covering hers. “Angel, you wring me dry.”

  “Oh,” Sarah said, barely opening her eyes, “I don’t think so, Ethan.” She moved her hips just enough to emphasize his hardness. She felt him laugh, the sound rolling through his chest. “Maybe for five minutes?”

  “It’s your fault,” Ethan teased, pressing a kiss to Sarah’s hair.

  “Thank you,” she purred. “It’s nice to know the influence I have over you.”

  Ethan tangled his long fingers with hers. “You know what I want.” He grinned.

  “Just because you’re stronger than I am physically,” she muttered defiantly, “doesn’t mean you can hold me in place and torture me endlessly while I’m going out of my mind with need of you.”

  “It’s called foreplay.”

  “Well,” Sarah growled, “you let me decide when I’ve had enough foreplay, okay?”

  Ethan chuckled and squeezed her against him. “You are such a little wildcat. Who knew? I think I’m creating a sex-hungry wife.”

  Sarah smiled with him. She loved hearing Ethan’s laughter rumble through his chest. “You’ve got so much more experience than I do. I’m making up for lost time.”

  “Well,” Ethan teased, kissing her hair, “we’ll have lots of fun learning and sharing, won’t we? At this point, I really want no stress on you, Sarah. When I get home, you’re going to be absolutely adored, you will not want for anything. All you’ll be is happy and in my bed and my arms at night.”

  Tears filled her eyes. His voice was raspy, his emotions very close to the surface. “I’m going to love being spoiled by you….”

  Ethan stared down at Sarah, her eyes luminous with love for him alone. “You deserve to be spoiled.” He groaned inwardly, seeing the sadness in them over their coming separation. Leaning over, he kissed her lips, feeling the warmth of a woman sharing her love with him.

  “I don’t want you to worry about me, Sarah. I know what I’m doing. Master Chief Hunter is one of the best in the business of mission planning and so are our officers. They’re not going to send any of us out in harm’s way stupidly or foolishly. You know how much you respect him. The platoon does, too.” He kissed her wrinkled brow and then smoothed away the lines with his thumb. “Hunter will bring all of us home, angel. Alive.”

  *

  Sarah stirred, feeling the urgency to love Ethan again, before he left in six hours. She would be heading home on a C-5 flight to Rota, Spain, where she’d pick up another C-5 flight heading to Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, D.C., and then a commercial flight to Fort Rucker, Alabama. She’d pick up her duties and orders there and then take another commercial flight to San Diego. Gabe Gifford was home for a week and he was going to pick her up at San Diego International Airport and take her to their newly rented condo in his building on Coronado Island. He’d promised Ethan to make sure she had help, got to know where everything was, befo
re he had to leave for training duty again. SEALs and SEAL families took care of one another.

  “I’m in good hands,” Sarah said, sliding her fingers over her husband’s beard. He had trimmed it before the wedding and it made him look so ruggedly handsome. “I’ll be okay,” she assured him. Because the last thing Sarah wanted was for Ethan to be distracted by worry about her. She kept her anxiety to herself.

  Ethan nuzzled her ear, nibbling at the lobe, feeling and hearing her gasp with pleasure, her hips automatically moving suggestively against his. She was so easily aroused, so soft, warm and willing in his arms. Her dark, silky hair tickled his face. He kissed her temple and whispered huskily, “I love you Sarah Quinn. You’re my life, my heart, my soul. You’ve made me happier than I ever thought I could be in my life.” Ethan lifted his face just enough so that their noses barely touched. “And I’m going to spend the rest of my life loving you, letting that wild warrior woman run loose and watching you be an incredibly loving mother to our child.”

  Chapter 17

  Ethan’s heart pounded with anticipation as he stepped out of the rental car. The January San Diego sky was a pale blue, the wind inconstant, the smell of the ocean surrounding him as he shut the door. He looked toward the three-story condo building. He’d asked Sarah not to meet him at the North Island Naval Air Station on Coronado Island. Every SEAL’s wife or girlfriend and extended family would be crowded into Operations, waiting for their man to disembark and come through those glass doors. He didn’t want Sarah, at seven months pregnant, caught in the crowds or crush.

  The red door to the condo opened and Sarah appeared. She had the biggest welcoming smile on her face he’d ever seen. And God, she was truly pregnant, her hands on her rounded belly. She wore an oversize red cable-knit sweater with a cowl neck, black slacks and simple black leather shoes. Sarah had allowed her hair to grow and it shone like a raven’s wing beneath the sun. Ethan lifted his hand, hefting his heavy duffel bag over his shoulder, swiftly walking up the sidewalk toward her.