Once a SEAL

by Anne Elizabeth

  Commander Charles Gich added, “To the Teams. We are all one.” He downed the whiskey in one gulp, then smoothed his thick chevron mustache back into place and scratched his long sideburns. He was known as one of the best instructors in the Teams and was a legend in his own right. Gich was always there to support Teammates. Meeting him through Roaker had been a solid gift.

  “Hear, hear!” echoed the sailors as they slammed their shot glasses on the table.

  A couple at the table across the room frowned at them. Their displeasure wasn’t going to stop the wedding celebration.

  Mark stood and then held his water glass and tapped a knife on the rim. He waited until everyone had quieted down. “I’ve been Aria’s best friend through college. We’ve faced tough times, we’ve celebrated good ones, and throughout it all, I know how loyal and dedicated she can be… You’re a lucky man, Dan. She’s quite a catch, and I hope you’ll be very happy together. Congratulations!”

  This time the women joined in, too. “Congratulations!”

  “On that note…” said Dan, who was receiving some rather overt body language from the wives. He looked at his wife and she nodded. “Perhaps we should…”

  “Yes,” said Aria, catching the same wave and joining in. “I think it’s time to say good night. I’d like to spend some quality time with my husband.”

  Hannah grabbed her husband’s hand and practically dragged Hammer from the table. “Thanks for a wonderful dinner. Congratulations! Good night, everyone.” He went willingly, though his grumbling voice was heard until they exited the restaurant.

  A round of “Sleep tight” and “Score one for the Team” rained down on them as the partygoers departed. Dan had enjoyed having his closest friends feast with them. The men at this table would go to the mat for him, and it felt good to know it. Besides, if the smiles on their faces were any indication, most of them had had a good time, he decided.

  Aria tugged his sleeve. She seemed to be studying her husband, running her eyes up and down his body and then locking onto his. He didn’t have to be a mind reader to guess what she wanted.

  Grabbing her hand, he turned to lead his new bride away for some wedding-night fun and games and bumped straight into a busboy carrying a tray, which crashed noisily to the floor. He tried to help the young guy, but was waved off. Dan was relieved that the havoc was only silverware and not dishes; otherwise he’d have felt obligated to pay for anything damaged.

  “Dan?” asked Aria with raised eyebrows.

  “I’m not drunk. I only had one shot. I dumped the rest into the planter behind me. Don’t give me that look. I didn’t commit planticide, I checked—they’re silk.” Dan signaled the waiter for the bill. Reaching into his pocket, he withdrew his wallet and laid several bills inside of the leather folio. He’d already slated a certain amount for the pricey dinner and knew what the tally would be. “Keep the tip.”

  “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir,” replied the waiter as he took the folio full of money away.

  Dan smiled. “I want to remember every detail of tonight. I wouldn’t have gotten drunk and disrespected you that way. Give me a little credit.”

  “I give you a lot. Really!”

  As they stepped through the double doors, cool night air hit their skins. The sting was invigorating, clearing away the cloying heat of the restaurant. The choice was…head straight back to the room or enjoy the cool evening first.

  Music drifted up, coming in on the ocean breeze, down from on the beach. Someone was playing a guitar and another person was singing. Dan could hear the ocean like a siren’s song, calling to him.

  He wanted to feel the sand and see the waves, to hold Aria in his arms and connect with the rhythms of the world. If he could live on the beach with her, it would be ideal. A little hut or a house somewhere, a hammock, and each other was all they needed.

  “Shall we take the long way to our room?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. Either way, they’d have to walk outside for a bit to get to it. The Del was designed that way…like a giant plantation house.

  “Yes.” She laughed suddenly, acting giddy and seeming a little nervous about being alone with him. “Let’s go explore. Maybe we can dance.” She tugged on his arm, encouraging him to hurry as they made their way down the path and toward the beach. Aria looked as if she belonged in another era, with her old-style wedding dress and her buoyant curls.

  A woman’s soulful voice made the melody haunting as she sang “The Very Thought of You.”

  Several people were already dancing to the ballad.

  Aria pulled off her shoes and spun away from Dan, turning in a circle with her arms wide and her head tilted toward the stars. She looked like a little girl dancing under the glittering stars, and he fell in love with her a little bit more in that moment for embracing that freedom and living that happiness out loud. He wholeheartedly reveled in her sense of release and joy.

  “Dan, come dance with me.”

  His hands caught her and brought her body against his. He held her tightly against him as he rained kisses down her neck. He would do anything to protect the life that fluttered through those veins. Then he laid his cheek against hers and waltzed her around as if they were in a fancy ballroom.

  When the song ended, several people clapped.

  Aria blushed, realizing so many eyes watched them.

  His lips nuzzled her ear. Softly, he said, “You look beautiful, Aria. Don’t worry. I’ll always help you shine. Enjoy this time, this moment. Us. Let the rest of the world disappear.”

  She looked up at him. “When I’m with you, it does. And I do.” Her green eyes twinkled and tears welled up in her eyes. “You make me feel brave. Capable. And better at things than I am, like I’m living up to what I want for myself and for us.” Blinking her eyes quickly, the extra wetness moved away. “I love you, Dan.”

  “I love you, Aria. How did I get so lucky to find you?” She often challenged him. This woman intrigued him like no other. That’s what it took to be with him. Her mind could change in a blink of an eye, and yet she was in command of her emotions.

  “The same way I was blessed to find you?” She wrapped her arms around his neck and brought his head closer for a kiss. Then she murmured, “I’m ready for bed.”

  “Aye, aye, ma’am.” Dan scooped her up in his arms and carried her off the beach and toward their room. “Your wish is my command.”

  “Then you better prepare, because I have a lot of commands to give.”

  “Try the word…orders,” he suggested.

  “Wow, I get to order you around. Priceless. I think I’m going to like marriage,” she said with a wicked grin.

  “What have I gotten myself into?” He laughed.

  She smiled up at him and then laid her head against his shoulder. “Hey. Thank you…for my perfect day.” Her hands stroked the side of his neck and then his jaw.

  Lightning streaked across the sky. The storm was finally coming. A series of bright flashes showed the anticipation and eagerness in her eyes. That openness was a quality he admired. Aria was his fierce adventuress. Even better, he adored the way she fit into his arms as if she was meant to be there. She was a multifaceted creature, and he looked forward to spending the rest of his life discovering new things about her.

  “My pleasure,” he murmured against her hair as he laid a kiss on the top of her head. She was all his, and his body ached to lay claim to her. “There’s so much more to come, my sweet Aria. Just you wait and see.”

  ***

  It had been a real trick, getting the door open using the card key and keeping her right where he wanted her, snug in his grasp. The lighting was subdued and the maid had turned down the bed, leaving mints on the pillow. He gently laid her down in the center of the bed. Her hair was downright messy from the dancing, the wind, and the trip from the beach, as if he’d already bedded her. He liked that look on her.

  “You are so gorgeous.” His compliment made the color on her cheeks darken. Her silk dress was radi
ant and oh, so beautiful on her. His eyes ate their way over her and he was eager for both of them to be naked.

  “Do you need help?” He didn’t know where to begin.

  “Yes.” She rolled onto her stomach. There were at least a hundred tiny little buttons with small loops.

  He swore under his breath, and then asked, “How did you get into this thing?”

  “One foot at a time, and then I wiggled.”

  “Ha, ha!”

  “Seriously, Jimmy spent an hour buttoning it.” She shimmied, obviously ready to be out of the silk cocoon. “I told him it was his duty as my brother. Did he do a good job? I tried to check using a hand mirror, but it wasn’t that great a view.”

  “I beg to differ on that. From where I sit, the view is awesome.” His hands swept down the back of the dress, caressing the flawless silk. “He deserves a gold star.” Then his fingers moved to the top of the dress. “Are you sure you want to take it off using the buttons? There’s a lot we could do that…”

  “Danny! Don’t you dare! Our daughter or daughter-in-law might want to wear it one day.” She swatted the mattress for emphasis.

  Oh, yes, I married a very fiery vixen! He grinned broadly. “Okay. But I’m taking off my uniform first. Then, I’ll help you. I want to be comfortable, so I can enjoy my work.”

  “Okay. Thanks.” She arched her neck toward him. The scowl that had been on her lips melted away as her eyes became transfixed to his movements. He made a show of disrobing using his very best sexy manner, bending and flexing appropriately. He wasn’t shy about showing her how turned on he was. That’s just the kind of guy he was.

  “My…we are excited about our wedding night.” A pleasant blush reddened her cheeks.

  “I would hope so,” he teased back. Standing naked before her, he grabbed first one of her feet and then the other, pulling off her shoes. Then he reached underneath the dress and ran his hands along her stockings.

  “Wait, I want to show you my underthings. Please.”

  His hands stilled. How could he deny her? He had been planning to strip her from the waist down and begin their lovemaking. Plan A was if Aria hadn’t wanted to keep the dress, he would have ripped the silk off her and made it a thrilling part of the night. Understanding her wish to keep it, though, he acquiesced. Plan B was sex with the dress on, playing with the silk to both of their advantages. Plan C was…get the dress off. She was adamant. “Fine, I’ll begin at your tailbone and work my way up. But you might have to get me inspired when I finish this task—just letting you know.”

  Her voice sounded incredulous. “If me standing before you in my sexy underwear doesn’t get your motor started, I don’t know who you are or what you’ve done with my other half.”

  He laughed. “A challenge. Well, let’s see how fast my fingers can work.” True to his statement, he released the tiny loops in record time, helping her ease out of the silk dress, with its lacy highlights.

  As he was about to place his arms around her, Aria’s phone started buzzing.

  She picked it up and started reading. “Just Mark.” She turned the phone off and tossed it to the side. “Now, where were we?”

  She stood before him in a white demi bra with her nipples peeking through the sheer fabric. They were begging for his touch. Her panties were made up of tiny bits of sheer white silk mesh in the front and back. The white satin garters holding her stockings showed a teasing, tantalizing glimpse of her creamy thighs. His cock hardened.

  A guttural sound came from his throat, part agreement and the rest pure need. He laid her on the bed and rubbed his face between her breasts. His head moved to the side and he sucked her nipples through the sheer fabric before releasing them fully from the bra’s captivity. He took his time as he kissed his way down her stomach, running his tongue along the lines of smooth muscle on either side and into her belly button before going all the way down.

  Reaching her panty line, he used his teeth and tongue to toy with the silky mesh fabric, making her buck and move as she urged him lower. He adored the panties, with its little hidey-hole just for him, and it fit his mouth and tongue perfectly.

  Her hands gripped his hair as he tongued her clit. Soft moans came from her throat as he brought her again and again until she was panting and glazed with sweat. Only then did he strip the panties and stockings from her.

  Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her long and deep. Waves of passion rolled over her senses as she ran her fingers down the muscles of his neck, shoulders, and back. His lean, hard body drove away every thought until she became primal, a wild woman, and their love was on some kind of prehistoric dimensional plane.

  “Aria, open your eyes. See me.”

  It took a few minutes…to come back to him.

  Responding to the request, she slowly opened her eyes. She shared her hunger…for him, for them. This want…to be together and make their two souls into one being…was the force that drew them back to each other’s arms again and again.

  “Dan…” His name was a whispered plea.

  “I can take it. Give me all of you. Your love. Your fears. Your wants and desires. I’m yours, and I’ll never judge you.” He sat upright, pulled her over him and held her poised.

  Need beckoned. “I need to see you, to watch you…as we make love for the first time as husband and wife.” His words were a lure, whispering into the ache.

  “Yes,” Aria replied. She shivered with anticipation. She was so small against his body.

  Slowly he lowered her until their skin connected. When he was fully sheathed, her body convulsed over his. She couldn’t stop the waves of pleasure, and he was glad. It fed him. “Danny!” she cried out as she came, throwing her head back in pure abandon.

  As the climaxes squeezed his cock, she lowered her head and sought his eyes again. Connected as they were, and with the edge off, it was evident what was on her mind. She wanted to take control…to feed him.

  He nodded and watched her place her hands on the back of the headboard for balance, and then she raised herself up and down, riding him. His eyes rolled back and then focused in on her again. It was sheer nirvana as his cock slid in and out of her silken hold. He wanted to close his eyes and just enjoy the sensation, but her green gaze sparkled with fire and he wouldn’t look away. “Give me your best, my mermaid.”

  She threw back her head and laughed, which made her sheath contract and his breath catch. He basked in the intense pleasure-pain. This chemistry, the way their minds and bodies linked and so much more, drove him…to make her his.

  “Dan.” She wiggled, getting his attention again.

  He struggled to get words out. “What was that?”

  “Just the beginning.” She smiled slyly as she set yet another rhythm, making small circles with every pulse up and down.

  “Aria. Damn… I’m not sure I can take much more.” The strain was tightening the features of his face. Finally, his hands caught her hips.

  She brushed them away. “No. No. No. It’s my turn. To inspire you.”

  He nodded. Reaching behind him, he grabbed the top of the bed frame. He needed to do something with his hands.

  “No fair,” she said as her hands moved to his muscles. Her fingers ran up and down the taut six-pack. She became distracted…and lost her rhythm.

  He was dying here… “Aria.”

  “Touch me, Dan, like I’m touching you.”

  That was all he needed. He was a doer. Cupping her breasts, he teased her nipples with the pads of his fingers, sending her to the brink but not over the edge.

  She was watching him again, her back arching slightly with every move upward. “Please. Come with me.”

  His hands settled on her hips, setting the pace and bringing her over the edge right along with him.

  “Danny!” she shouted. His wife was never quiet. That was another thing that he liked about her.

  She collapsed against him. “It’s official.”

  His hands rubbed up and down the smooth s
kin of her back. “It was official when we signed the marriage license. What we just did…was consummate it.”

  “Want to do it again?” she said against his chest as she nuzzled his pectoral muscles and her nails swirled a design into his dark chest hair.

  “Can you give me ten minutes? Maybe twenty?” He chuckled. He felt as if he’d just run a marathon.

  “If I must.” She sighed melodramatically. Then she ran her fingers down his chest and toyed with the muscles of his stomach…making the six-pack dance now and then.

  He unseated her and rolled her onto the bed, laying himself alongside her. “I can think of many ways to keep you occupied while my body recovers its strength, my dear,” he said, putting his most wicked intentions into his wagging eyebrows.

  She giggled at him. “Do your best.” Pointing to the basket of goodies on the table near the door, he spied champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and what looked like different types of oil.

  “Who gave us that?”

  “I did.” She smiled up at him. “It’s not every day we have a luxurious hotel room, and I wanted to have some…fun. Isn’t that what honeymoons are for?”

  “Yes, and the obvious, of course, to make my honey moan.” Rolling off the bed in one motion, he freed the champagne, popped the cork, and drizzled the bubbles and liquid over her body, which had her squealing with delight. “Mmmm, I’m ready for a little bubbly. Want to help me quench my thirst?”

  “Only if I get to do the same. We’re married. Equals. And you, my SEAL man, are fair game.” She grabbed the bottle and sprayed him. Then she launched herself at him, and they rolled and played until each of them melted into the other…captivated by the pressing matters at hand.

  Chapter 3

  At dawn the next morning, Aria found herself wide awake. Their room at the Hotel del Coronado was lovely, and lying next to Dan was pure bliss. She didn’t want to miss one minute of it. His body radiated warmth, and he smelled so good, as if he’d been rubbed in spice and vanilla. Of course, she’d been the one to rub oil all over him and relish the experience. They’d made love until just before dawn, and overnight the oil had soaked into the sheets. All that remained was the scent and the luscious memory.