by Aliyah Burke
He chuckled, a warm, dark, melted chocolate kind of sound. “She’s recruiting.”
“Recruiting, okay.” Kassidy nodded while snagging the final cracker topped with chicken salad from her recently moved plate. She swallowed and moaned. “That was so good. Did you make this?”
“I did,” he said with pride. “Mama always said I needed to know how to cook.”
“Well, I can’t speak for your other dishes, but you did wonderfully with this one.” He smiled, flashing that charismatic grin. Kassidy swallowed hard and dropped her gaze. “So, how long are you visiting your sister for?”
“Missing me already, Kassidy?” His question was low and intimate.
Words fled. Her body temperature shot sky high. Kassidy could feel the flush heat her cheeks. Since she still stared down, her breath hitched when his strong hand settled beside her leg. His touch was gentle when he lifted her chin. He was close. So close. His dark gaze stared at her while his thumb gently teased the corner of her mouth.
“I hope so. Because I’m already missing you.”
Ah-choo!
“Excuse me,” she said around another impending sneeze.
Justice waited until she finished sneezing then that hand, that strong, callused hand, settled back along her jaw. His fingers moved slightly.
“I hope you’re not telling me you’re allergic to me, Kassidy.”
Sweet merciful heaven. She could hardly remember her own name.
“Not allergic,” she stammered.
He slid closer, enveloping her with the scent of the ocean. Her belly clenched with desires long forgotten.
“Now that,” he drawled in a decadently dark tone, “is very good news.”
Justice leaned in slow as if giving her the chance to stop him, his gaze unwavering while he neared. She inhaled sharply at the touch of his lips on hers. They were firm, warm, and she wanted more. Justice kept it light and it seemed before she had a chance to relish in the kiss, it was over. Kassidy blinked and met his gaze. His eyes were molten heat, the passion in them so intense she shuddered all over again.
“Wow,” she breathed.
“You got that right.” He brushed some curls behind her ear and kissed her again. Just as quick and just as potent. “Let’s take a walk.”
“Yes.”
They stood and seconds after she’d snapped Libby’s leash on, he captured her hand in his, intertwining their fingers. After walking in companionable silence for a while, Kassidy slanted her gaze at him.
“What’s your question, Kassidy?”
“You said your great-grandfather was part of your reason for joining the Coast Guard. What was the rest?”
“Hmm. Well, I guess it would be the rest of the men in my family. He was such an inspiration to me, doing what they did, going through what they went through. I’ve always been in awe. Guess it was my way of emulating him. I’m proud of them all.” Justice looked at her. “You seem to know a bit about Pea Island; did an ancestor of yours serve there?”
“No.” Kassidy shrugged. “Bottom line, I love history.”
“Your dad teach history?”
“No. He’s an Astronomer. Most of our conversations are done with a telescope between us.” She gestured with the hand holding Libby’s leash. “But, I’ve no doubt I could navigate by the stars.”
“Well, I’m impressed.”
Kassidy laughed. “Yeah? Don’t be. I can’t sail a boat to save my life, so it’s highly unlikely that’s a scenario which would arise.”
Justice tugged her hand and drew her in close. He wrapped his free arm around her waist, pressing her all up against his rock hard chest. His lips danced close to hers when he murmured, “I’ll teach you how to sail. And if we get lost, you bring us home.”
That offer went so much deeper than sailing. Kassidy swallowed and licked her lips, loving how his eyes flared with masculine longing and followed the motion of her tongue. “You have a boat?”
“I do. Will you let me take you sailing, Kassidy?”
You can take me anywhere. “Thought you were leaving for South Dakota.”
“That’s not permanent, baby.”
Her thoughts were a jumbled mess. He smelled so virile. So male. So tasty. “How about we talk about it when you come…get back.”
Justice’s eyes adopted a hooded sensuality that made her body react intensely and immediately. “Wonderful idea. Kinda like, I want to kiss you again.”
She stared at his lips then back to his eyes. “Yes.” Kassidy almost forgot to breathe.
He nibbled along her lower lip, unfurling spirals of heat within her belly. Then he did the same to her top lip. Kassidy felt her legs tremble.
“Open for me, Kassidy.”
She sighed in pleasure when he slid his tongue into her mouth. Justice didn’t slam through. No, he explored her. Savored her. Kassidy closed her eyes in pleasure. With the hand holding hers, he swept his thumb in tiny circles, while he moved the one against her back, brushing it along the waistband of her shorts. She could feel his hard length pressing into her. Kassidy dropped Libby’s leash and gripped his side, her hunger exploding almost out of control. Their tongues stroked along one another.
She whimpered when he ended the kiss. His smoky gaze burned her.
“You, Kassidy, almost killed me.”
“I know the feeling,” she murmured trying to calm her pulse. Kassidy frowned and looked down.
“What’s wrong?”
“I dropped her leash.”
He chuckled and shrugged shamelessly when she glared at him. “What? I like knowing my kisses make you discombobulated.”
That’s putting it mildly. Kassidy bent to get the leash, doing her best to ignore how close his crotch was. Mind out of the gutter and above the waist, Kas, she reprimanded herself. Standing straight, thankful Libby remained right there, Kassidy lifted her brows.
“Discombobulated?”
Sparkling white teeth flashed against his dark skin. “My sister thought I should learn bigger words. Gave me one of those word-a-day calendars.”
“That was nice of her. How do you like it?”
Justice obtained a sheepish look. “Well, I learned discombobulated.”
She erupted with laughter. “Haven’t gotten past the first one?”
He tugged on his shirt. “I’m making it last,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Oh, is that what we’re calling it?”
“Better that than ‘paperweight.’” He winked.
“Good point,” Kassidy agreed.
They began walking again. Together they watched the sun begin to set and that was the only thing that let her know how long she’d been in the park. Justice still held her hand.
“Thank you for a wonderful day, Justice. Unfortunately I have to get going.”
“Thank you for giving me a second chance. Let me walk you to your car.”
They gathered everything in moments and Kassidy couldn’t help but smile all over again when he reached for her hand. She continued to watch him out of the corner of her eye while they walked. At her car, Kassidy loaded up Libby and faced him.
Justice trapped her between himself and the side of her car, one hand on either side of her. “Give me your number.”
“Want to write it down?”
His gaze dropped to her mouth briefly. “I’ll remember.”
She rattled off her cell number, painfully aware of how his body felt against hers.
“I have to tell you, Kassidy,” he pressed closer, and his lips skimmed along her jaw before he met her gaze again, “I can’t remember a more pleasurable day. Thank you.”
Her brain wasn’t working. It took her a few moments to find the words. “I had a wonderful time, too.”
He pulled out his phone and entered what she presumed to be her number. When her phone vibrated seconds later, she jumped. Flipping it open, she stared at him. “Do you want me to answer it?”
He winked. “I bet you have one hell of a pho
ne voice.”
Kassidy snorted, then saved his number. “Have a safe trip and a fun one.”
“I look forward to seeing you when I get home.”
“Guess I better study up on my navigation skills.”
Lips a hair’s breadth from hers he uttered, “I wouldn’t mind too terribly getting lost with you.” He kissed her until she melted into him. “Nope, not a’tall. Good night, my sweet Kassidy. Call me when you get home so I know you made it.”
Electricity poured through her and was more than slightly distracting. So it took a minute for his low command to sink in. “What? Why am I calling you?”
His eyes glinted with determination. “I’m a man, sweets. I want to make sure you make it home safe. So either your word you’ll call or I follow you and make sure for myself.”
Kassidy swallowed at the possessive look he gave her, as well as the quality to his tone. “Okay, I’ll call. Drive carefully.”
Justice held her door for her and brushed her cheek with his knuckles. He didn’t say a word, but he didn’t have to. Kassidy felt branded by the heat in his stare. Even when she and Libby entered the house her body still felt hypersensitive. Her phone was in her hand as she let Libby outside.
Justice answered on the first ring. “Hello, my beautiful Kassidy.”
Warmth flowed throughout her and she sighed contentedly at his words.
* * * *
“Uh oh, this isn’t good. I know that look. Who is she?”
Justice turned from the baggage carousel and grinned when he spotted the person the voice belonged to.
“Runt!” he exclaimed affectionately and hauled her in close for a hug. “God, it’s so good to see you.”
Jasira hugged him back just as fiercely. He was very close to his twin and had missed her immensely.
“You, too.” She looked at him and smiled, her eyes sparkling with more than a hint of mischief. “Now dish. Who is she?”
“Can’t a brother get his luggage first?”
Jasira sighed loudly and dramatically. “That’s right. See I forgot, I thought I was being visited by my brother who actually has the ability to multitask. Apparently I am getting the officer, who can’t.” Another overdramatic sigh. “Fine, I’ll carry your bag. Wouldn’t want you to strain your brain.”
He kicked her lightly in the ass. “Watch it, runt.”
“Ohhh, see they have rules against abusing your power. Stop hitting a noncom.” She hefted the duffle effortlessly from the conveyor belt and shook it. “Did you bring me some of mama’s cookin’?”
“Yeah,” he retorted drily. “I forewent clothing, packed yah a roast instead.” He grunted when she hit him square in the chest with the bag. Justice laughed, tossed it over his shoulder and dropped his other arm around her. “I’ve missed you.”
“Missed you, too, big bro.”
They walked out into the South Dakota morning.
* * * *
Justice had a great visit with his sister, but when his plane landed he was more than ready to be back home. One thing was on his mind. Well not thing, but object. A person. Ms. Kassidy. His Kassidy.
He closed the door to his apartment and headed for the shower. Once he was clean, Justice walked through his kitchen in a pair of sweats and leaned against the counter. His cell phone sat on the clean Formica top. Taunting him. Mocking him. He wasn’t sure. Suddenly he was not as confident as he wanted to believe. Justice reached out and bit his lip while pressing the send button once he found the number he wanted.
“Hello?” a tiny hushed female voice said.
He frowned. “May I speak to Kassidy, please?”
“No.”
“Is she busy?”
“Talking to Arlen.”
Arlen. A man’s name. Justice scowled. “Could you tell her Justice called?”
A deep sigh. “No. Then she’d know I was playing with her phone.”
Young logic at its best. Justice had to smile at that one. “I can see your dilemma.”
Another large sigh. “Yes. See, I should be sleepin’. But it started moving and I had to touch it.” The voice rose with excitement. “Shhh!”
He lifted onto the counter, totally enchanted. “Right. Shhh, sorry.”
“Can you see me? I’m hiding.”
“Sorry, I can’t. Where are you hiding?”
“Under the desk. Uh oh.”
“What happened?”
“Busted.” Her voice was so dejected.
“Give me that phone, young lady, and get out from there.” Kassidy’s voice could be heard in the background.
“I had fun hiding with you. Bye,” the child said.
The “Who are you talking to?” overrode his own farewell.
“Hello?” Kassidy’s sweet Southern tone slid like honey over him.
“Hello, my beautiful Kassidy.”
“Justice.”
The way she purred his name made him think about another shower. Ice cold this time.
“Did you miss me?”
“Tell me Sari didn’t call you, did she?”
“You’re not answering my question.”
“Neither are you.”
He chuckled. “No, she didn’t call. She just answered. Sari is it?”
“Good. Yes, very cute and very disquisitive.”
“Disquisitive?”
“I’m sure it’s in your calendar.”
Justice laughed and ran his hand over his short hair. “Probably is.” He paused. “Kassidy?”
“I missed you,” she informed him.
He smiled. “Glad to hear it. Who’s Arlen?”
“Sari’s father.”
Justice wanted more information than that, but he kept his mouth shut on the subject. “Are you free for supper?”
“I am.”
“Can I pick you up… say about five then?”
“I’d like that. Casual?”
“Casual. Unless, you’d like to dress up.”
“Ohh, tempting, but I love my jeans.”
After getting her address, Justice hung up, a huge smile on his face. At a few minutes before five he drove up the driveway to her house. It was beautiful. Justice immediately thought of his mother and how much she’d love the landscaping. Getting out, he jogged easily up the steps to the door and pressed the doorbell. He didn’t have to wait long before Kassidy opened it with a smile.
“Hey, come on in. I’m almost ready.”
He stepped in and swept his gaze around her house. Libby walked up to him, tail wagging, and he scratched her head. “No rush,” he said.
Kassidy had on a pair of hip hugger jeans and a pale pink one-shouldered shirt. Her feet were bare and he saw pale pink polish on her toes as she walked past.
“Can I get you anything to drink?”
Justice looked over the piano and the pictures on it. “Please. Anything is fine.” He looked at pictures of Kassidy throughout various stages of her life.
“Here you go.” She handed him a glass of tea a few moments later.
“Thank you. Who do we have here?” He gestured to the photos. Justice drank his tea as she pointed out parents, grandparents, friends, and more family. Before long they were on their way to dinner along the beach, and the talk continued to center around their families. He enjoyed watching the joy in her face when she spoke of hers.
“How is your sister?” she asked him once they’d been seated at their table.
“Doing great. We had a wonderful visit. Tell me about you, Kassidy. What have you been doing?”
“Working and that’s it. Helping out at the museum when I can. My mom has been under the weather, so they’re shorthanded.”
“Nothing serious, I hope.”
“Not sure. They don’t seem fit to tell me.”
He could hear the strain in her voice. Reaching for her hand he gave it a slight squeeze. “Would you like to leave?”
“I’m good,” she said with a small shake of her head. “Besides, it’s not fair to let me smel
l this food and take me away.”
He smiled. “Well, I’m nothing if not fair.”
“That’s good to know.” Her eyes sparkled.
They had a wonderful dinner and shared a Bananas Foster for dessert before strolling down the boardwalk, hand in hand. Justice loved her hand in his; it brought him a wonderful sense of completion.
“Justice! Hey, Justice!” a voice hollered.
Looking over his shoulder, he spotted Teak. Lifting his free hand in a wave, he said, “Hey, Teak. How’s it going?”
“Good. Good.” She stopped beside them.
Kassidy stiffened slightly at his side. He looked at Kassidy and hated the tenseness at the corner of her mouth.
“Wonderful. Teak, I’d like you to meet, Ms. Kassidy Barrow. Kassidy, this is Lieutenant Terra Acre, better known as Teak. She’s my first mate.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Barrow,” Teak said with a smile.
“And you.”
Justice watched as the women continued to talk. Kassidy relaxed and his heart caught each and every time she smiled, even though it wasn’t at him.
“Well,” Teak stated, “I don’t want to keep y’all. Kassidy, it was a pleasure meeting you. Justice, I’ll see you at work.”
With a wave Teak walked off.
“She’s nice,” Kassidy commented as they began walking again.
“Yeah,” he agreed. Teak was great but she wasn’t the woman he wanted to be thinking about right now.
They continued on for a while, more sightseeing and people watching than anything. He kept his hand securely around hers as they progressed along the boardwalk. Snatches of conversation and childish laughter blew by on the wind.
She tugged him toward the rail and leaned against it. Resting along it himself, he stared down into her eyes. The setting sun brought a golden hue to her smooth skin and made the green flecks in her gray eyes shine brighter. His heart caught and it took a few seconds before he remembered to breathe.
The breeze brought the intoxicating scent that he’d come to associate as Kassidy’samber with a hint of gentle vanilla. Big guileless eyes stared back at him and he knew he was lost.
“Kassidy,” he murmured, leaning close and covering her mouth with his. The kiss was tender and thorough. He explored the depths of her warmth using long strokes. Her taste embedded itself further and further into his soul.