There was some kind of talking on the other side of the phone.
“Of course, not now, Leo. It’s all about you, the sex god of my dreams.”
Bran was amused and disgusted at the same time. MJ and Leo had a relationship most people would call just about perfect, but then those people didn’t have to hear them be disgusting.
“Could you two not talk about sex while I am on the phone?”
“Better than us having it on the phone while you listen.”
“Ugh, I don’t know how you turned out the way you did.”
“Anyway, back to your living arrangements.”
“I’ve been here a few days. I looked at houses and apartments one day. We hit the beach another day. And, Tess has been working like crazy hours since then.”
“Maybe you drove her away.”
“I didn’t drive her away. Oh my God, you are such a pain in the ass. Stomach flu hit the hospital staff, so she’s helping out.”
The door to the garage opened in the kitchen and he looked over. All of a sudden, he felt the air leave his lungs, and he felt a little off center. Tess was smiling and she looked like she hadn’t had much sleep since he’d seen her that morning, but…damn, she was beautiful.
Every ounce of good sense drained from his head…along with the blood. His body reacted even if his mind hadn’t caught up yet. Heat surged through is his veins and everything he had been fearing seemed to fade away. There was only one thing that mattered now and that was touching Tess.
“I gotta go now, MJ.”
“Wait, I’m not done with you—“
But he hung up the phone. “Hey. You look beat.”
She sighed. “I am. I think I’ll strip down, crawl into bed, and go into a coma sleep.”
His brain sputtered to a stop. Right there, right then, he wanted her. There was no denying it now. His body ached, his head spun. Never in his life had he wanted a particular woman this much. It left him slightly dizzy and confused. Over the last few days, he had denied his need for her so many times, but right then, at that moment, he couldn’t. There was something about Tess that tugged at his heart. It was probably a mistake, but he didn’t think he could stop himself from taking action. He walked over to her and slipped his arm around her waist. In that instant, it just felt right.
She frowned. “Bran?”
“I’ve been thinking about this all day.”
He had been. Since he stopped by for breakfast that morning, he’d been thinking about it. He wanted a taste. Her mouth. Her flesh. Bran wanted to savor every bit of her body.
The moment his mouth touched hers, she shivered. He was enough of a man to admit that it turned him on to know she was vulnerable to him. She moaned against him as he pressed his body to hers.
Before he knew what was happening, she pulled back shaking her head at him. It took him a second to realize she was trying to disengage from him. There was a split second where he thought about denying her that. Not allowing her to go. Then, his common sense hit him. With much reluctance, he allowed her to step back.
“What’s wrong?”
She looked at him strangely, and he didn’t blame her. Even Bran heard the arousal in his voice. It vibrated just beneath the surface and pounded through his veins.
She took another step back. “This isn’t smart.”
“I never said it was.” He stepped towards her, closing the distance.
Tess held out her hand as if to ward him off, but he took it in his and pulled it up to his mouth.
“Bran, you’re not interested in me. You never have been.”
“You’re wrong there.”
She rolled those expressive green eyes of hers, and he hid a smile as he nibbled on her fingers.
“I’m not wrong, Bran. I’ve never been your kind of woman.”
He heard the doubt in her voice and was stunned. This woman had always seemed so confident, so sure of herself. But in this, she seemed…at a loss. She apparently didn’t know how stunning her found her. That she was gorgeous inside and out.
He guessed it was time to reveal that little secret of his.
“Do you remember graduation?”
“Yes, it rained, we had it inside. It was hot as hell.”
“Not high school. Annapolis.”
She frowned in thought, then nodded.
“You were so excited that you came running up to me and hugged me. Do you remember that?”
She sighed. “Of course I do. It wasn’t that long ago. I don’t know what this has to do with the fact that you’re gnawing on my fingers.”
“Then you kissed me. On the mouth. You’d never done that before.”
Anyone watching would have seen a calm woman, but Bran knew better. He was holding her hand and his fingers skimmed over her pulse. It sped up a beat or two. Bran was enough of a competitor to admit he enjoyed that.
She cleared her throat apparently trying to compose herself. “And?”
He nibbled a little longer, taking his time. He knew it was small of him, but he was enjoying her discomfort. “There’s a reason I avoided you for a few months. For a second there, I almost lost it.”
Now she looked very wary. “Bran if you want me to believe—”
Irritated with her, and the fact that he was dying to touch more than just her hand, he interrupted her.
“I am not lying. You kissed me. It lasted a second and the only thing I could think was that I wanted more.”
Her eyes widened and she shook her head.
He nodded. “Thoughts of tearing off your clothes and kissing every inch of your body took over. Then, all the family came up and well, I felt perverted because the rest of the night I wondered what you looked like under your uniform.”
“You ran off with Jimmy and the rest of those idiots that night.”
“And I came back to the hotel without them. I couldn’t get you out of my mind. Then, you were gone and we were both busy. It all hit me when I saw you the other day.”
“Bran.”
“It’s true. I want you. And I could tell from that kiss, you want me. Why does it have to be any harder than that?”
“Our families, our…careers.”
“And you date other Marines. Unless there is something wrong with me.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you.”
The way she said it was as if she was irritated with him for it.
“Hey, I won’t push you, but tell me…can you really say you don’t want this?”
He pulled her closer and kissed her again, this time thrusting his tongue inside her mouth. She tasted of minty toothpaste and lust. It was an odd combination, but need poured through him. Then, slowly, she slipped her hands up his arms and behind his neck. It was Tess who pressed her body against his this time, and it was him who shook. She tilted her head to the side and slid her tongue against his.
When he pulled back, they were both breathing heavily.
“So, what do you say, Tess?”
He left it up to her. He knew that for her, it was the right way to go. Tess always had to think things over and if she said she wanted to wait, he would wait. He’d have to take a cold shower for an hour, but he would do it. She lifted her fingers to her lips and touched her mouth. She looked stunned.
Damn, she was going to say to wait. Or, worse, no. That would be ten times worse. But then, in a blink of an eye, she dropped her hand and her lips curved.
“Tess?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “Have you ever known me to not say what I mean?”
Then, he let out an oorah as he bent to pick her up. He caught her unawares and she squealed.
“Bran, put me down,” she said wiggling against him.
“I will, when I can put you under me.”
Then he marched into her bedroom.
If you enjoy Melissa Schroeder’s Santinis, try out her military romances set in the world of Harmless.
To prove her love
and save her man, she has to go above and beyond the call of duty.
Infatuation: A Little Military Harmless Romance #1
To prove her love and save her man, she has to go above and beyond the call of duty.
SEAL Francis McKade never acted on his feelings for his best friend's sister. All that changes at a wedding in Hawaii, but the next morning, he’s called for a mission-one that leaves his world in shambles.
Months later, Kade shows up in her bar a changed man. When he pushes her to her limits in the bedroom, Shannon refuses to back down. One way or another, he’ll learn there is no walking away from love—not while she still has breath in her body.
Warning: This book contains two infatuated lovers, a hardheaded military man, a determined woman, some old friends, and a little taste of New Orleans. As always, ice water is suggested while reading. It might be the first military Harmless book, but the only thing that has changed is how hot our hero looks in his uniform—not to mention out of it.
Enjoy this excerpt from Infatuation!
Kade’s heart jumped into his throat when he saw Shannon walking determinedly in his direction. She wore her hair up to show off her slender neck and the diamond earrings he knew Mal had bought her. God, she was gorgeous. He liked strong women, and that was definitely Shannon. All the feminine strength in that sexy package, he was having a hard time resisting her. Everything in his body, especially one particular body part, told him to go after her. But his brain wouldn’t let him. He couldn’t act on his attraction. Mal was his best friend, and one of the things he’d always believed in was you didn’t fuck around with your buddy’s sister. Since Kade knew he wasn’t cut out to be involved for the long haul, he had to ignore the lust that was circling his gut right now.
Damn, as she neared, he saw she was coming after him for something. What had he done? With Shannon, you never knew what would happen. The woman ran a tight ship at work, and no one, not even her trained-to-kill Navy Seal brother, got away with jack shit with her.
“Hey, Kade,” she said just as the band started up with a slow country song. Even with the music playing, he could hear her accent. "Do you think you could dance a little two-step with me? I know you have to be one of the only guys here who knows how to do it right.”
The way she said it made him think of sex. Who was he fooling? Everything she said made him think of sex. But now, she was smiling, those green eyes sparkling up at him, and he couldn’t think again.
“What?”
She laughed. The sound of it sunk into his blood and made his pulse do its own two-step. "Dance. You, me. Two-step. You haven’t forgotten how to do it, have you?”
The memory of her teaching him to two-step filtered through his mind. It had felt like purgatory, stuck between heaven and hell. Her body had moved against his, her soft breasts pressed against his chest…he’d almost lost it. The only thing that had saved him was that Mal was on that very same dance floor and probably would have beaten the hell out of him if he had known what Kade was thinking.
“Uh...yeah, I remember.”
She didn’t wait for a yes or no. She just grabbed his hand and dragged him behind her to the dance floor. She stopped then waited for him to step closer. Kade hesitated, trying to get his brain back into the game. Of course, his little brain wanted to do most of the thinking. His cock twitched as he drew her into his arms. They started to dance, and he tried to keep her further away. She slipped closer.
Oh, shit. Just the little brush of her body against his had his cock hardening. He just hoped she didn’t notice.
“I thought you and Mal would be off having a good old time.”
He glanced down at her, wondering about the tone. There was a thread of irritation in it. She was smiling up at him as if there was nothing wrong, but he knew there was something she wasn’t telling him.
“Apparently your brother had a woman picked out already.”
She nodded. "He’s a slut.”
Kade couldn’t help it. He threw back his head and laughed. Shannon had a way of talking about her brothers, especially Mal, that Kade knew was to remind them they were still just her brothers.
“What about you?” she asked.
“I’m not a slut.”
She chuckled. “The jury’s still out on that one.”
“Your brother needs to learn how to be a little more picky.”
Her lips curved up at that comment, and he felt the moisture dry up in his mouth. God, he wanted to kiss that smile off her face—then move down her body, exploring every delicious inch of her. He knew her flesh would be sweet.
“I noticed you’re pretty picky.”
He nodded as he worked her around the dance floor. "I don’t fall for every pretty face that comes along.”
She said nothing. Instead she laid her head on his shoulder. The gesture was so natural it was as if she did it every day. He knew he should tell her not to. His brain said he should do it. But he couldn’t. It was too close to what he wanted, what he yearned for. For five long years he had wanted her, wanted to feel this way with her, her head on his shoulder, her soft, warm body in his arms. He had wanted that for so long, he just couldn’t bring himself to stop her.
It was bad enough he would probably have to take a five-hour cold shower when he got back to the room. Sweat slid down his back, and he had to fight the urge to lean down and brush his lips over her forehead.
He had talked himself into not doing more when she sighed and relaxed even more against him. Her breasts were pressed against his chest, and with every breath he drew in that sultry scent that was so unique to her. His head started to spin. His body started to duel with his mind. His brain was starting to lose when the music ended. The band swung into a fast-paced Hawaiian tune. His body protested when he had to pull back.
“Shannon?”
Even to his own ears, his voice sounded gruff. She raised her head and blinked as if coming out of some kind of daze. Her breathing hitched, and her breasts rose above the neckline of her dress. His gaze slipped down, he could see her hardened nipples through the delicate red fabric. He curled his fingers into his palms and counted backwards from ten. If he didn’t get away from her soon, he would definitely lose control. There would be nothing to stop him from tearing off her clothes and bending her over a banquet table.
The wind shifted, pulling a few strands of her hair loose from the complicated style.
He cleared his throat. "Well, that was...nice.”
Fuck. How lame could he get? She studied him for a second, her expression serious, thoughtful. Then in the next moment, her lips curved.
“You know where my room is, doncha?”
Lust soared. His body reacted at the direct question. Any doubts he had about her interest in him vaporized. She apparently thought there was no reason to hide her attraction to him anymore.
He nodded, unable to form a word.
“Well, then you know where to find me later.”
Other Books by Melissa Schroeder
The Santinis
Leonardo
Marco
Gianni
Vicente
A Santini Christmas
A Santini in Love
Falling for a Santini
The Santini Bundles
The Santini Collection (Books 1-4)
The Ultimate Santini Novella Collection (Books 1-5)
Harmless
A Little Harmless Sex
A Little Harmless Pleasure
A Little Harmless Obsession
A Little Harmless Lie
A Little Harmless Addiction
A Little Harmless Submission
A Little Harmless Fascination
A Little Harmless Fantasy
A Little Harmless Ride
A Little Harmless Secret
A Little Harmless Military Romance
Infatuation
Possession
Surrender
Semper Fi Marines
Tease Me
&nb
sp; Tempt Me
Touch Me
The Cursed Clan
Callum
Angus
Logan
By Blood
Desire by Blood
Once Upon an Accident
The Spy Who Loved Her
Texas Temptations
Conquering India
Delilah’s Downfall
Hawaiian Holidays
Mele Kalikimaka
Sex on the Beach
Getting Lei’d
Single Titles
The Last Detail
Exclusive to Amazon titles
All are available in Kindle Unlimited
The Harmless Shorts
Max and Anna
Harmless Preludes
Prelude to a Fantasy
Prelude to a Secret
The Sweet Shoppe
Cowboy Up
Tempting Prudence
Connected Books
The Hired Hand
Hands on Training
A Calculated Seduction
Going for Eight
For Love or Honor
Sinner’s Delight
Single Titles
Grace Under Pressure
Telepathic Cravings
Her Mother’s Killer
Chasing Luck
Coming Soon
Seduction by Blood –exclusive to Amazon
One Night with a Santini
Reissues Returning Soon
The Accidental Countess
Lessons in Seduction
The Seduction of Widow McEwan
Falling for a Santini Page 14