by Marie Harte
Going against every instinct that demanded she glue herself to her man’s side, Maria shook her head. “How about later tonight, Mike? I want to visit with Mom for a while.”
“No problem. I can pick you up at seven.”
“Where’s the movie?”
“Emerald Isle.”
Nearer his place. “Why don’t I drive to your house and we can go from there?”
His eyes gleamed, and his grin widened—she could just imagine what he had planned after the movie. “Sure thing. See you soon.” He turned to her mother. “Great seeing you again, Mrs. T.” He waved and left.
Maria stared after him, wanting him with every fiber of her being.
“So.” Her mom cleared her throat. Maria turned to see the woman’s brow arched in question. “You and Mike, eh?”
Then, because she’d always been able to tell her mother everything, Maria filled her mother in on her plan to nab Mike. The G-rated version, of course.
“Hmm. Playing it close, keeping him somewhat at a distance.” Her mother nodded. “Not jumping when he says jump.”
Except in bed.
“Not a bad plan,” her mother said. “I like it. Are you sure this is what you want? A future with a Marine?”
They’d had this conversation too many times to count. “Yes, Mom. It’s Mike. He’s it for me. I’ve known it for years.”
“I know.” Her mother sighed. “I just worry about you. That boy has a hard head. He’s a good man, but he’s never seen you for you. Don’t mess it up with sex, Maria.”
“Mom.” She felt her cheeks heat. Despite her close ties and frank discussions with her mom, some things were too personal to share.
“You know what I’m saying.” Her mother shook a finger at her. “Hormones can cloud judgment. If Mike likes you now only because you’re sleeping together, then he’s not the man for you.”
“I know that. But this is the first time in my life he’s not seeing me as Olivia’s best friend. He’s finally seeing me as a woman. Besides, you know Mike. He’s not the type to use me.”
“No, he’s not. His parents raised him better than that.”
Another plus to being with Mike. Her mom loved his folks. She’d known Mike as long as Maria had.
“I just worry. I know how much you care for him. Watch yourself, Maria. Sometimes you can be too clever for your own good.”
“True,” Maria agreed. “But for once I’m the prize and he’s the one working to nab me. I have to say, it feels pretty good.”
“You have a point.” Laura admitted. “That’s how I hooked Ryan. After four dates and no moves from him, I made it look like I was going to go out with someone else since Ryan and I were just friends. And bam, that man was all over himself to impress me. Of course, he’s also quite a keeper. But it helps to remind them that they’re not the only fish in the sea.”
“That’s why I bow at your feet, Mom. All that wisdom. That and you bring me magnets.”
They laughed together. Maria filled her mother in on the customers they’d had while she’d been gone. Before she knew it, six-thirty had rolled around. “Shoot, I’ve got to go.”
“Have fun, sweetie. We’ll do lunch on Friday. Bring Olivia.”
“I will.” Maria left in a hurry and raced home on her bicycle. Another plus to working for her mother—she didn’t need a car to get to work. After hustling into a quick shower then dressing in a casual cotton skirt and tank, she slipped on her sandals and realized she’d misplaced her purse. It took her ten minutes to find it, and by that time she heard her phone buzzing from inside the bag. But still no keys.
She cringed when she saw the caller and answered, “Oh, hey, Mike. Yeah, I’m running a little late.”
“Figured.” He sounded amused.
“I can’t find my keys. Do you think you could come get me?”
“Sure.” He paused. “What are you wearing?”
She huffed. “Clothes.”
“Ha ha. Tell you what, you make sure you’re wearing a thong and a bra, and I’ll be there in ten.”
“A thong and a bra? That’s it?”
“No, blondie. A thong and bra under your clothes. The thong because it will tempt me all night, and the bra because if you don’t wear one, I’ll be focused on your breasts and end up embarrassing myself with a hard-on out in public. We’re not going to one of those movie theaters, you know.”
She smiled, loving the fact she could arouse him like that. “Fine. Since you’re being so picky and all.”
“Then after the movie, we could get a bite to eat at my place—I mean, my parents’ house. You get the idea.”
“Hmm. Will this involve ingesting vast amounts of protein on my part?”
His low chuckle gave her shivers. “It might. It also might involve you bringing a toy or two, so pack an overnight bag.”
“Oh.” She wanted to swoon and would have if she was a swoony kind of girl. Too bad she was too practical for that.
“Do me a favor, Ms. Kiss and Tell. Don’t share tonight with my sister. She’s already giving me weird looks when I see her.”
“I told her nothing!”
Silence.
“Well, mostly nothing. She just knows we kind of hooked up a little. But come on, she’s my BFF. Even if I don’t tell her, she can read me.”
“I know, I know.” He groaned. “But if she knew half the things I plan on doing to you, she might report me.”
“To the police? What the hell are we going to do? Will it involve farm animals? Because I am so not into that.”
“Jesus, reel it in.” He laughed. “Not to the police, to my parents. I cannot get the safe sex lecture from my father again. Trust me, it’s killer. And they love you, so them thinking I’m dogging on you like I want to will be such a cockblocker. Just…less is more, so keep mostly quiet.”
“Less is more?” She glanced at her top. “Mostly from where you’re standing, I’m sure. But most women will tell you more is better. And, honey, you’ve got plenty more. I’m not complaining.”
He laughed. A lot. “You crack me up. See you soon.”
She kept on the thong she’d been wearing and scrounged up a bra. Her tank top was thick enough that not wearing one wouldn’t have mattered, but if Mike wanted her covered up, she would. Besides, they could have fun taking it off later. Then she exchanged her sandals for sexier shoes.
She grabbed her small overnight bag after texting Olivia that she’d found another place to stay for the night, not wanting her friend to worry if she didn’t come home. She received a YGG—You go girl—text in response.
Mike arrived looking amazing, as he always did. He wore khaki trousers and a short-sleeved polo that clung to his upper body. The aqua blue shirt complemented his dark skin tone, making his hair look that much blacker. His eyes seemed impossibly dark as he stared at her. She’d always had a thing for chocolate, and Mike’s eyes were nothing if not her favorite eye candy of all time.
He gave her a thorough onceover and grunted at her top.
“Oh, is that Marine-speak for you look nice?” she asked drily. The time for letting him get away with anything he wanted, in order to impress him, had come and gone.
He grinned, and she knew she’d handled him the right way. “You look hot. Fuckable, if you want the truth.”
“Why, Mike, you say the nicest things.”
He chuckled. “Fine. You’re without a doubt going to be a huge pain in my ass all night. I’ve already got a hard-on, and I’ve had it since getting in my truck to come get you. Wondering exactly what’s under your clothes is going to kill me. A pink thong? A black lace bra? What treasures are waiting for me tonight?” He pulled her close for a quick kiss that turned carnal in a heartbeat. “Fuck me, I’m going to be hard all night. I know it.”
She reached down and cupped him through his pants. “All for little old me?”
He stared into her eyes, his smile fading.
“Mike?”
He cupped her chin a
nd stroked her cheek. “Yeah, all for you.”
Odd, but then he kissed her again. This time the kiss was less arousing and more tender. His low moan added fuel to the fire warming her heart.
Mike broke from her mouth, swearing under his breath. “Now let’s get moving. The movie starts at seven forty-five.”
She glanced at his large watch and pulled it close to check the time. “But you told me to be ready at seven.”
He raised a brow, looking conceited and way too handsome for her peace of mind. “And it’s nearly seven-thirty. Do I know you or what?”
“Fine. Let’s go.” She thrust her bag into his gut and heard a satisfying oof. Then she strutted to the truck in her heels, having foregone her sandals, and heard his strangled groan.
“Oh man. I want those heels on either side of my head in the worst way.”
“What?”
He wiggled his brows at her, and she had a visual of Mike pounding into her while her ankles were up around his head. So sexy, and so embarrassing that she couldn’t stop blushing.
“You’ll pay for that, Cava.”
“Oh, I hope so.” He chuckled and started the truck. “Now let’s go before we’re really late.”
Chapter Seven
Mike had picked a chick-flick he thought she’d like, but Maria—God bless her—had vetoed him in favor of an action movie he’d been dying to see. To his surprise, they seemed to like a lot of the same things. Pizza, ice cream, a good beer, sun and the sand, action movies, and family.
As they watched the movie, he dragged her hand into his lap, bemused by how right she felt when he held her. He liked being a romantic guy, and though a few of his exes had called him thick-skulled and a typical “man,” as if the title were a curse, he could do the hearts and flowers bit when called to. Some handholding, whispering sweet crap, being thoughtful. Growing up with his mother and father as examples had taught him how a woman should be treated. Usually though, it felt like a chore because expectations ran too high.
With Maria, holding her felt comfortable. Right. She didn’t ask for anything. To his bemusement, after their huge love fest on Tuesday, she hadn’t bugged him to go out again or even see him. He would have thought she’d be all over him for some reassurance at least, but nothing. He’d been the one to text her hello. He’d been the one to seek her out at the store.
He didn’t know how to feel about being the pursuer. Despite being a dominant personality, he didn’t have to work hard for female companionship. They came to him easily enough. Maria had too…for a while, back when she’d been cute but much too young.
She sure the hell didn’t seem too young now. She crossed her legs, and he saw that short skirt ride up, showing some real definition. Which reminded him of that thong he’d been trying hard to forget. At least she’d worn a bra to hide those pert nipples that even now stood out from behind her clothing. He could blame the air conditioning on that, he supposed.
He shifted in his seat, once again aroused and unable to control it. Fortunately, they sat in the way back with the nearest couple two rows down.
“You okay?” she whispered.
“Fine.” Just hard as hell. Their joined hands on his lap didn’t help, especially when she moved and rubbed against his crotch.
“I see.”
He caught the shadow of a smile, muttered under his breath about blondes who should wear pants, and tried to focus on the movie. Every time he inhaled he smelled more than the popcorn. It was a light floral scent that was all Maria.
By the time the movie ended, he’d mostly gotten a handle on his erection. The notion any of his Marines might see him walking around with wood cured him of his evident arousal. Maria seemed oblivious since teasing him at the beginning. They stood, and she stretched, showing off a flat belly he couldn’t wait to flip down on his sheets again.
“Time to go,” he murmured and leaned close to kiss her neck.
She shivered, glared at him, then walked away.
He grinned, glad to not be the only one affected by their unique connection. It still floored him that the girl who’d been under his nose for so many years had turned into a woman he couldn’t stop thinking about. Hell, he’d seen her hook her first worm, heard her giggle with his sister about going to her first dance.
But making love with her had been a true first for him. The wealth of emotion had knocked him sideways. He’d had a lot of sex, but he hadn’t made too much love. With Maria, their coupling had definitely been fraught with “feeling.”
“Hello? Are you going to feed me, or are we staying for a double-feature?” Maria tapped one wickedly high heel on the theater steps while she waited for him.
“Bitch and moan,” he said with a sigh, wanting to feed her something long and thick, for sure. “What are you hungry for?”
They walked down the steps together. “Wouldn’t you like to know,” she teased.
“Stop that.” He really needed to be with her someplace private, or he’d never live down his cock’s appetite.
He took charge and drove them to his parents’ without a word. She seemed happy enough to listen to the radio on their way back. Once inside, he courteously led her to the kitchen then opened the refrigerator and waved to the contents.
“Anything interesting?” He leaned over her back, looking over her shoulder. “I’ve got steaks, some chicken, stuff for a salad.” Running a hand up her leg, he grinned at her short gasp. “Something tasty. Maybe some…sausage.”
She snickered, but another gasp told him she was far from unaffected.
He ran both hands up her thighs, lingering over her exposed flank in that short skirt. When he pressed his thick erection against her ass, knowing only a thin string and his clothing stood between them, he knew he couldn’t wait much longer.
“How about some sausage, Maria? I’ve got a nice big one for you.”
She groaned on a laugh. “That was just bad.”
“Yeah? How bad?” He ran a hand between her legs, happy as shit when she soaked his fingers. “Seems like you’re pretty excited about my meat.”
“I am pretty hungry.” She ground her ass against his cock and trapped his hand between her legs.
He pulled his hand away, backed them from the fridge, and closed it. “We’ll eat after.”
“Yeah, after.” She turned in his arms and kissed him, and he lost his train of thought. She fiddled with something while he ate her up, deepened the kiss, and backed her against the fridge.
He broke free for a breath and noticed a blue lace bra on the ground. “You’re good.”
“I know.” She wiggled her brows. “Want the thong off too? You have to do it yourself.”
“Now who’s become a little bossy?” He ran a hand over her tank top and cupped a firm breast, pleased at the hard nipple under his palm. Not erect because of any A/C now. Overhead ceiling fans pushed ocean air around the place, but no artificial air conditioning. “I think you forget that I’m in charge.”
“I didn’t forget,” she rasped when he tightened his grip on her breast. “I’m waiting for you to do something about it. You’re a little slow for my taste. Maybe I should find someone else—”
The thought of her going to anyone but him aroused more than passion—it aroused an anger too. He jerked back and glared down at her. “Fuck that. You want me to speed things up? Fine. How’s this for you?” He turned her around, yanked off her thong, and tossed it aside. Then he ran his hands up the inside of her legs. He slid a finger through her arousal then rimmed her anus with it while with his other hand he shoved two fingers in her pussy.
“Mike,” she moaned and widened her stance.
“This what you want, sexy?” He gave a dark chuckle. “Think you can tell me what to do and you won’t get punished for it?”
Her heavy breathing was like music, and he wanted to hear more.
He fucked her with his fingers and eased a tiny bit of his thumb into her virgin ass. “Oh yeah. We’re going to be a tight fit. I�
�ll come hard up your ass, baby.”
She thrust back against his fingers, pushing him deeper inside her.
“So fucking wet. You gonna come?”
“Yeah,” she breathed. “All over you.”
“Not yet.” He withdrew his hand, gratified by her moan of denial. “Time to remind you who’s in charge. And, baby, it ain’t you.”
Maria had a hard time catching her breath, so excited to be with a man who could take charge and not fake his dominance. And hell, it wasn’t just any man. It was Mike—that fact made all the difference. Nothing she’d ever fantasized about or wanted to try meant anything if it wasn’t with him.
He dragged her down the hallway into his bedroom and barked at her to stay. She didn’t have the heart to remind him she wasn’t a dog, not until she could speak without panting. So she composed herself while he shrugged out of his shirt and shoes and lit a few candles. He left and returned to the room with a few condoms and her bag. After digging through it, he found the toys she’d brought. A vibrator, a dildo, and lube.
“Lube?” He smiled. “Nice.”
She hated that she continued to blush around him, but she couldn’t help it. “I heard this stuff is pretty good. You don’t need much to get…slick.” She wished she could focus better, but that candlelight made his muscles look more pronounced. Dear God, but she’d never been with a man so built before. He was like a statue come to life, and the blasted man knew it.
“Like what you see?”
“Don’t get cocky. Bobby is pretty built too.” Nowhere near on Mike’s scale, but that wiped the grin off his face. She wanted him a little mean, to realize she wasn’t just another woman, but The woman for him. And to see that, he had to loosen up, at least a little.
Except this man before her seemed to have no intention of easing up. At. All.
“Come here.” He crooked his finger.
She took a step and stopped.
“If you make me come get you, you’re going to be sorry.” He sounded excited at the idea.