by Aliyah Burke
“Bye, Sam, bye, Aunt Roxi!”
Together they walked out of the house and back across to where his truck sat, idling in the next drive. He’d pressed the automatic start on his way over to pick up his date for the excursion. Like a gentleman, he held the door for her. Unlike one, he thought all kinds of thoughts which involved things not fit for public eyes. Tearing his gaze from her perfection of an ass, he went to the driver’s side and hopped up.
“Thanks for taking me with you,” she said quietly.
“I’m glad you could come along.” After he’d spoken the words he realised just how true they were.
He watched her in his periphery. She pressed close to the door, almost like she was willing it to suck her up. Or as if she couldn’t wait to get away from him. Neither was a happy thought for him.
Roxi wore blue jeans and a light blue jacket. He knew below it lay a deep red, long-sleeved T-shirt. And beneath that? His brain taunted him with recollections of her naked body, spread out under his. Over his.
Christ, he had it bad.
Her hair was clasped at her neck with a simple barrette and she had black boots on. Simple. Sexy as all get-out. His woman. The truck swerved a bit as those words sank in.
His woman? When the hell had that thought settled into his head?
He sliced his gaze to the woman in his truck. If she noticed the motion she never said so. In fact, she stared out of the side window as he drove.
“Roxi?”
She glanced at him, brown eyes wide and gentle. “Yes?”
Shit! He just couldn’t say it. He gave her a smile and turned back to the road. She kept her attention on him for a few moments, he could feel it. The sigh which left him was one of frustration. He didn’t know what to do. He knew what he wanted to do, but didn’t know what to do.
Pulling into the Christmas tree farm, he parked next to a minivan and another truck. The place was surprisingly busy this early. They climbed out and he locked up behind him. Waiting for her at the front of the truck, he had offered her his arm before he’d realised what he’d done. Thankfully, she took it. Slid her hand right into the crook of his arm and walked beside him, the leather of her glove on his jacket.
“Ideas?” he asked as they walked among the rows of conifer trees. He’d never had a tree before. He usually wasn’t around for the holiday, and if he was, he just didn’t celebrate. The farm was huge, boasting both pre-cut and those you could pick from and cut down yourself. Right now they were out in the back area where the live trees grew.
“Blue spruce? Those are always nice.”
He paused and looked around, lost in the woodland of Christmas trees. “We’re in the what…pine? Where the hell are we?”
She laughed and he glanced at her, brows raised in confusion. “It’s just funny to me. Two Marines lost at a tree farm. I can see the headlines now.”
Her joy was infectious and he laughed with her. She stepped away from him, shoulders still shaking, and looked at the nearest tree. Then she shook her head. “I have no clue. I’d say yes, we’re in pine but I didn’t get a map, did you?”
“Nope.”
“So even if we are in pine, it still really doesn’t help us at all, does it?”
She had a point there. “Well, we could always just walk back the way we came.”
“And admit defeat? Never. We’re Marines, damn it. We can do this.”
“Do you want one of these?”
Roxi shook her head. “I want a spruce.” She turned to the left. “Let’s go that way.”
“Lead on, Marine.”
She glanced at him, eyes alight with humour. “Oh I see, send in the lower rank first.”
He flashed a grin. “Yep. Get a move on.”
“Damn Gunnies.”
He heard the affection in her tone and shook his head as he set off after her. She moved with a fluid gait and he could easily picture her dressed in combat gear. The blue parka and jeans exchanged for camouflage and a helmet. Purse for an M-16.
“You’re supposed to let me know if it’s safe.”
“I thought you were supposed to lead by example.”
“I do. But then, my Marines don’t have an ass like yours, so I have no need for them to be in front of me.”
She froze mid-step and turned. “Is that why you wanted me taking point? So you could stare at my ass?”
He could lie about it. But he didn’t.
“Yep.”
She snorted, rolling her eyes. “At least you’re honest.”
The amusement in her eyes morphed into desire and she stepped closer to him. He groaned when the tip of her tongue peeked out and dampened her plump lips. She smoothed her hands up the leather of his jacket, to the top of his shoulders, and tugged. He couldn’t ignore her any more than he could stop breathing and live. He allowed her to do what she wished.
“So am I,” she whispered, a hairsbreadth away from his lips. “I want to kiss you.”
Oh, he wanted that too. Desperately. “You’re in control here, Marine. You want a kiss, you have to take it.”
“I plan on it.” Her words were a promise. One he personally couldn’t wait for her to make good on.
She slid a hand around the back of his neck, grazing his skin with the tips of her fingers, setting up goose bumps in their wake. Her other hand continued to hold his jacket. As if he’d be going anywhere. She rose up slightly and brushed her lips against his. He willed his limbs to remain still—hard to do when every inch of him demanded he take control and dominate. Somehow, he managed to do nothing.
Roxi nibbled along his lower lip before he felt her tongue begin to slip through the seam of his mouth. He opened for her and bit back his groan when she entered. Her tongue dipped and swept along his, coaxing it out to play.
She released his coat and wrapped her other arm around his neck too, then arched into him, pressing her full breasts along his chest. Her moan was almost his undoing. His cock went from hard to marble-hard.
“Let’s try down this row, Daddy!” a young voice ripped through the bubble they’d made around one another.
Roxi stepped back and stared at him. Her eyes were smoky with passion, her lips parted as her air left her in short little pants. He watched her chest rise and fall with the breaths she struggled to take. Not that he was any better. Grateful his longer coat kept his erection hidden, he reached out and stroked a knuckle down the side of her face, even as he looked up to see a family of three coming around the corner.
Roxi couldn’t stop the flutters in her belly. What had started as an innocent kiss had quickly changed into something more. Much more. She licked her lips to retain as much of his taste as she could then turned to see the people who had interrupted what surely would have been a heated exchange, with her being taken at a tree farm.
The parents gave them a nod and a brief hello before continuing on after their yelling child. Neither of them spoke but Sam did wrap an arm around her and draw her close to him.
“Let’s go,” he said, urging her to continue in the same direction the family had gone.
They found a sign which read “Spruce” and he looked up the row then back at her. “Here?”
She nodded and followed him in. She took her time, appreciating her view. One which had nothing to do with the trees around them and everything to do with the man before her dressed in solid black. He wore his jeans so nicely it truly wasn’t fair to others. He also had on this black mid-length leather jacket which—in her humble and horny opinion—went so well with the black jeans, gloves and boots. He also wore a black turtleneck. Can we say yum?
He swung back around and pinned her with those incredible blue eyes. “You coming?”
Just about. Crap, she’d been so close during the kiss, especially after all her unfulfilling dreams. So near to splintering apart beneath his touch. “Right behind you.”
He waited for her and when she reached him, he captured her chin before he brushed their lips together and whispered, “We’l
l have to pick that up later.”
His voice was like warm melted chocolate. It invited her to jump in and commit all kinds of sin. Ignoring the part of her heart that told her to keep him at a distance, she took his arm and rested against it before she continued on again.
They walked all through the tree farm not talking, but she didn’t mind. She thought over his question this morning, did it bother her that he didn’t talk so much with her? No. She loved this, just spending time with him, knowing he was there with her. What did bother her was the way he tried keeping his heart from her. She caught glimpses of it from time to time, but for the most part she couldn’t help but see the big wall he had erected around it.
A wall she wanted to breach. She understood. He’d not had it easy, but surely it was time to give someone a shot at getting close. A deep breath. Not the time to worry about that.
“Well?” he asked.
“Well what?”
“Which one?”
“Oh, um, well I’m fine with a pre-cut.” She grinned at him. “Would you believe I just wanted to walk around?”
“I’d believe it.” A fast, hard kiss. “Let’s get your tree, then.”
They headed back the way they’d come, just not going up each row this time. Back at the main part they purchased some hot cocoa and drank it while taking a short break as their selected trees were placed in his truck. Again, this was done in silence but she still didn’t mind.
Her phone rang and she pulled it from her pocket. “What’s up, Ritchie?”
During her short call with her brother, she kept her sights on Sam. He watched her right back. Not hiding it, just staring at her. His eyes were full of emotion that made her belly tighten.
“Everything okay?” he asked when she’d hung up.
“Yes. He just needed to know where some decorations were.”
Sam quirked his lips. “More like he wanted to make sure you weren’t off fucking.”
“That too.” She grinned. “Joke’s on him. I can still hold a conversation when doing that, so he wouldn’t have stopped anything.”
Sam’s eyes narrowed. “Really?”
Shit. More of the cussing, why can’t I stop doing that? “Well…yeah…I mean…you know…um…”
“Seems to me that if you’re able to carry on a conversation with someone else while a man is in between your thighs, he’s not doing it right. No, ma’am, not at all.”
She felt a bit flushed. “Maybe I’m just good at multitasking.”
The predatory gleam in his eyes told her he wasn’t buying it. “Is this with every man you’ve been with?”
She didn’t even get upset he had asked about other men. Roxi knew exactly what this referred to. Their time together.
“Roxi?”
“Huh? Oh, um, no?”
“Why are you asking me? I asked you.”
“If I say not with you, will that make you happy?”
“Only if it’s true.”
“No one called while we were together.” His eyes flashed dangerously and she knew she was flirting with trouble. And yet, she couldn’t help herself. “But I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have been able to talk on the phone.”
His jaw ticked. “Pretty sure?”
“Well, yes. I mean, come on, Sam. This is like someone saying they can fuck me until all I can do is sleep. It’s an expression. Just like my comment was just a comment.”
Okay. Not the right thing to say.
“You know you should really stop while you can,” he warned.
She realised that, just couldn’t quite get her mouth to shut up. “Life is full of expressions like that. Doesn’t make the—”
“Roxi!”
That did it. Her mouth snapped shut. “Hmm?”
“I’m pretty laid back. But this…”
“Really? You seem a bit tense to me.” She squeaked when he shoved to his feet, his empty cup crushed in his hand. True, it was paper but still, it hadn’t taken much.
“I’m beginning to think you like trying to make me crazy.” He moved around the table to her side and used his arms to block her in. Nose to nose he waited, poised to strike. Like a panther.
“Not really. It’s nothing against you, Sam.”
His eyes narrowed. “So you’re telling me I’m one you could talk on the phone during. Okay, Roxi. I accept.”
That sounded menacing. “Accept what?”
“Your challenge.”
She shook her head. “I didn’t challenge.”
“Oh, I think you did. One, that you can actually hold a conversation while I’m fucking you and two, that I can’t fuck you into exhaustion.” That last word fell from his lips in a dark and decadent promise.
“You’re…putting words into my mouth.” Cripes. When had she begun to sweat so much? It wasn’t far from Christmas but she was so hot she could be wearing a bikini and it would still be too much.
“Scared?” he purred.
Her belly was in knots. Gulping, she shook her head. He leant forward, brushing her cheek with his. The stubble on it was like an electrical pulse through her system.
“I think you are. I wonder how well you’ll talk on the phone when my scruff is abrading the insides of your silken thighs.” He whispered the words into her ear before standing up and taking both their empty cups to the trash.
Her womb clenched and she felt a shaft of longing spear her. Clit throbbing, she tried to control the racing of her heart. It was to no avail. He reappeared before her and reached out his hand.
“Trees are loaded,” he said, as if he’d not just said what he had to her. “Let’s go. I need to stop and pick up another string of lights for Laila. One of hers is dead.”
Girding herself, she placed her hand in his. Fuck! It was as if neither of them wore gloves. She could feel his touch so clear, so intimately, she didn’t know if her legs would hold her up on her way back to his truck. Somehow they did and she sighed in relief as she sank into the leather seat.
She had slightly more control when they stopped at a store for lights. They walked together, not touching, yet that did nothing to calm any of the storm within her. She kept replaying his words in her mind.
Stop it. Cripes, I can’t walk around with a river flowing from me. What is he doing to me?
“What’s between Ritchie and Laila?” Sam looked at icicle lights.
A shrug. “I’m not sure. I know they always try to see one another when he comes but honestly, I thought it was just because she was always at the house so they’d become friends.”
“They’re more than friends.”
“How do you know for sure?”
“He was mad when he learnt I was staying at Laila’s. More so than the idea of me staying at your house.”
She wasn’t quite sure what to make of that so she left it alone for now. “They’re both grown.”
“As are we.”
She clenched the finger she’d been using to trace along a box of lights into her fist. “Yes.”
Sam put three boxes in the basket he held. “What?”
“What what?”
“Your expression says something is wrong. Is this about us?”
Yes. “Nope. I’m aware of what’s between us, Sam. And I am not going to try to make more of it than there is.”
He became very still. There was a storm in his eyes but he seemed oh so still. Like he’d spotted his target and was waiting for the right moment to make his move. “What’s that?” The words were low and threaded with danger.
“Between us? I’m not a fool, Sam. I can see you don’t do long-term entanglements. You’re going with the moment. That’s fine. I am, too. Like you said, we’re both grown, same as Ritchie and Laila.”
“How do you know what I ‘do’, Roxi?”
Really? He wanted to have this conversation here? Now? “I see glimpses of your heart, Sam. But I also see a lot of distance you keep me at. Like you’re scared of me seeing the true Sam. You share it with Laila, but she’s ear
ned the right to have your trust. And I don’t mean you trust me enough to sleep in my house. I’m talking more permanent. It scares you. That’s fine. We’ve not known each other all that long. I’m not expecting talk of future or a ring from you. Let’s just keep it simple.”
A tic appeared in his jaw. “Kiss.”
She took a deep breath. “Yes. KISS, keep it simple, Sam. I’d never call you stupid.”
“No. Kiss. Kiss me. Right here, right now.” He put the basket at his feet.
His gaze remained on her but she knew he was aware of their surroundings. The numerous people out shopping, all the noise, and he held her stare. She stepped up to him and placed her hands on the smooth, black leather of his jacket. On tiptoes she brushed her lips along his in a gentle, tender kiss.
“Not everyone will hurt you, Sam.” Her words were whispered against his mouth before she stepped back. “Let’s go,” she said with more cheer than she felt. Almost everything she’d just said to him was a lie. She wanted a future with him—she’d already lost her heart to this quiet Marine who’d taken over her life.
She picked up the basket and continued on. Sam fell into step beside her and they crossed to the checkout in silence. Okay, maybe she had overstepped her bounds but to be fair to her, he had been the one asking.
Sam paid and slipped his arm around her as they trod to his truck. He held the door for her and soon he was behind the wheel.
“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Roxi,” he began.
She bit the inside of her lip. “No, Sam. Don’t. Like I said, I’m not expecting anything. Let’s just keep this light and fun.” It would be hard for her but she’d find a way to pull it off. She wouldn’t ask anything from him he wasn’t ready to give. And it was obvious he was in no way ready to give her what she wanted.
“Let me explain.”
Roxi shifted on the seat so she could see him better. “It’s not necessary, Sam. Truly it isn’t.” Then she faced forward and glanced out of the passenger window.
The silence remained until they got to the houses. She jumped out immediately and went to the back of the truck. Her brother stepped outside and she breathed a bit easier knowing he could help her.