The Marine's Secret Daughter

by Carrie Nichols

  “Oh... I...well...” She wiped her hands on her sleepshirt and ignored the puddle at her feet. “I better just...and—”

  “Lie down with me.” He stood close and danced his fingertips over the back of her neck. Leaning down, he whispered, “I want to feel you next to me. Please.”

  His breath caressed her cheek and blew the hair around her ear, melting her defenses. “I don’t want to hurt your ribs or your wrist.”

  “You won’t.” He placed a light kiss on her temple. “My left side is the worst. You can sleep on the right.”

  She sighed and he urged her closer, cajoling, “You know you want to.”

  She did. God help her, she did. He pulled the covers back and slipped into the bed, patting the empty spot next to him. She called herself all kinds of a fool, but followed him into the bed. He put his arm around her and she snuggled up against his side, enjoying the solid warmth next to her. She luxuriated in the feeling of belonging, of feeling secure. Watch out. Don’t get used to it. Riley was returning to Afghanistan. Meg McBride wasn’t enough to hold a man like Riley Cooper in a Podunk little town like Loon Lake.

  He rested his cheek against her hair and she snuggled closer. “I shouldn’t have disappeared on you, but I needed to clear my head before the funeral.”

  “You could’ve said something. I would have understood.” She splayed her fingers over his heart. “I can’t begin to imagine what it must be like trying to make that transition, but I can respect your need for space.”

  “Can you forgive me?”

  “Always.” She ran her fingers through the fine hairs on his chest.

  He yawned and she struggled to sit up, but he held her tight.

  “You need to rest.”

  “I can do that better with you here...beside me.” His hand caressed her neck and shoulder, where he had placed his arm around her.

  The callus on his thumb sent shivers of awareness shooting through her. “Are the painkillers working?”

  “Mmm, they’ve taken the edge off. The abrasions aren’t anything compared to shrapnel.”

  “The scars on your legs?”

  “And other places.”

  “What happened?”

  She waited, but when he remained silent, she sighed and figured he didn’t want to talk about it. She needed to respect that. Laying her hand against his side, she said, “You don’t have to tell me.”

  “I want to but it’s...it’s not easy. There’s a lot I don’t even remember. Those are the parts I have nightmares about.”

  She remained silent, ready to listen to whatever he had to tell her. Maybe if she knew what had happened to him over there, she’d have a better understanding of him, who he was now.

  He blew out his breath. “I learned that even the most insignificant decisions could have deadly consequences.”

  She shifted closer to him. “I know you, Riley Cooper. I’m sure you always did the best you could.”

  He gave a mirthless laugh. “Tell that to PFC Alex Trejo’s parents. Their only child came home in a flag-draped coffin.”

  “Tell me what happened. Sometimes it helps to get things out in the open.” She had no right to say something like that. No right at all. She was holding on to one of the biggest secrets ever. But right now this was about Riley and if talking about something would help him, she needed to listen.

  “We were ordered to clear a village of insurgents. That meant going from building to building and checking. We went into a school... There...there were still children inside.” He swallowed hard. “We thought we’d gotten them all, when one of them told us there were still three children on the third floor. I ordered Trejo to come with me and we went up but couldn’t find anyone. We were egressing. The others had already moved on... I was first to reach the stairs but the stench was bad in that place and it was hot... The sweat was getting in my eyes and I paused to wipe them... He got ahead of me...made some smart-ass comment...”

  She dropped featherlight kisses on his shoulder and waited for him to continue.

  “I don’t even remember what he said or what I said in return...it was just trash talk...a coping mechanism. God, why can’t I remember the last thing I said to him...?”

  He drew in a breath and continued, “I didn’t know it at the time but learned later someone lobbed an M-67 Frag at us—that’s a fragmentation grenade.”

  “The shrapnel scars on your legs?”

  His chin brushed her temple when he nodded and he swallowed before continuing. “Trejo, a kid with his whole life ahead of him, shoved me back and slammed the door in my face. I remember being pissed...then nothing.”

  “What happened?” she whispered, afraid to break the spell and have him shut her out again.

  “He spotted it first and dove onto the damn thing.” He sighed, his breath disturbing her hair. “He had the presence of mind to slam the door or I would have died, too.”

  She clamped her mouth over the words that wanted to come out. He wouldn’t want to hear them. And she didn’t want them to sound like pity. He wouldn’t appreciate that coming from her. And she didn’t pity him. She was sorry for what he’d had to go through but not for the man that he was.

  “He...he sacrificed himself to save my sorry ass... I shouldn’t have let anything stop me from leading the way. Trejo had a family to go home to...a family he was homesick for...a real family that wanted him.” He sucked in a shaky breath. “I was in charge. I should have gone down those stairs first. That’s what a leader does.”

  His words about family shredded her heart like confetti. I want you... I’ve always wanted you, she screamed inside her head. The expression on his face told her he wasn’t in a place to hear that from her. And she didn’t want to stop him. He needed to get his story out so he could begin to heal.

  Still, she needed to comfort him, so she did the only thing she knew. She held him and listened.

  “Christ, Meggie, I can hear him screaming.” He made a strangled, choking sound. “They told me he was killed instantly, but I can hear him in my head...you know?”

  She didn’t say anything, but hugged him tighter, rained kisses on his chest and shoulder.

  “I should have gone down those stairs first,” he repeated and made another choking sound.

  “Why?” When he didn’t respond she continued, “Don’t diminish his act by feeling responsible or by not thinking you deserve to survive as much as the next man.”

  “You sound like that counselor they sent me to.”

  “Doctor Meg, that’s me.” She’d tried for a light tone but knew she’d failed.

  She kissed his cheek and would have pulled away but his arms clamped around her, crushing her to him. He buried his face in her hair, whispering her name over and over. His lips found hers and pressed. His kiss was desperate, as if he was searching for salvation. And she’d give it to him. Tonight was all that mattered. This night. This man. She kissed him back with her own hungry need. She didn’t realize how close she and Fiona had come to losing him forever. She knew that once she told him about Fiona she might still lose him. He might not ever forgive her. But she needed this, needed one more night, one that might have to last her the rest of her life. She knew now that she would never love any man the way she loved Riley. Her mom had claimed the women in her family loved but once and neither time nor distance extinguished it.

  He ran his fingers over her thighs and around her hip. “You have a lot more curves now. So sexy. So beautiful.”

  She arched her head back as he nibbled on her earlobe, and ran his tongue along the spot under her ear.

  When she moaned, he smiled against her damp skin. “I remember how much you liked that.”

  “Yes,” she murmured, lost in the sensations he was creating.

  “I’ve never wanted another woman like I’ve wanted you,” he said hoarsely. “Do you want me,
Meggie?”

  “Yes...only you...only you.”

  He groaned and his leg pushed her thighs open. His tongue pressed against the seam of her lips, demanding entry. She opened her mouth and his tongue thrust in, dueling with hers. All thoughts flew out of her head. Sensation ruled.

  His hand slid between her legs and found the spot begging for attention, but only skimmed it and instead pushed into her folds.

  “Riley...” she groaned.

  He slid his finger out to tease her, then increased the pressure, finding a rhythm that had her heels digging into the soft cotton sheets. The tension coiled low in her stomach, making her feet scrape against the mattress.

  Just when she thought she couldn’t take any more, she unraveled as if Riley had pulled a knot that she hadn’t even realized was so tight.

  Chapter Eight

  She lay pressed against his chest, feeling his rapidly beating heart beneath her. When she started to sit up, he put his hand behind her head and brought her face down and kissed her.

  “Sweet, sweet, Meggie,” he whispered against her lips.

  “It’s been so long,” he told her.

  “Too long. Please, I... I...”

  “Tell me what you want,” he murmured.

  “You. I want you.”

  “Baby, you’ll have to get on top.”

  “I don’t want to hurt your ribs,” she panted.

  “You won’t... God, Meggie, I need you.” He nipped the crook of her neck, then trailed his tongue across the spot.

  She climbed on top of him, and his hands guided her knees closer to his waist.

  His arousal pressed against her stomach. She reached down to touch it and his hips bucked toward her. He pushed her nightshirt up. She let go of him so she could lift her arms to get the garment over her head. She leaned over him, and his mouth traced a path down her throat to her breasts, his tongue leaving a moist trail and delicious goose bumps on her sensitive skin. His mouth found her nipple. First, he licked, and then blew on the crested peak, driving her mad with need. When she whispered a plea, he drew it into his mouth and sucked on it. Her body flamed with yearning. She couldn’t imagine allowing any other man to touch her the way Riley did.

  His mouth left that nipple and his tongue drew a path across the valley of her breasts to the other one. He latched on and she cried out in pleasure. Riley was making love to her. She had longed for this moment, for him.

  His hand found her panties and slipped inside. His palm cupped her, then he slipped a finger inside her while his thumb stroked her nub. All her nerve endings hummed and sizzled as his callused finger and thumb drove her to the edge.

  She cried out in frustration when he pulled his hand away.

  “Riley, please,” she sobbed and arched herself toward him.

  He tugged on her purple bikinis. “I used to dream of this while I was over there...night after night.”

  She helped him get her panties off and tossed them aside; he urged her higher up his chest, whispering, “I want to taste you.”

  Spreading her legs, he licked the sensitive flesh on her inner thighs. She shook her head and cried in frustration. She grabbed his head between her hands and tried to guide his head to the part of her that ached for his touch. When his mouth finally found that spot, she cried out and dug her fingers into his scalp.

  “Riley, please,” she begged again.

  But he had other ideas and he controlled the pace, bringing her to the edge, then easing up.

  When he pulled away, she whimpered. “Riley?”

  “I need my wallet,” he muttered and glanced around the dimly lit room.

  “Wallet? Now? Why?”

  “Condoms...unless you’re on the pill?”

  She shook her head. “No pill. No need. There hasn’t been anyone since...since I had Fiona.”

  He cupped her face with his good hand and kissed her. “Sweet, sweet, Meggie.”

  “I remember seeing it on the dresser.” She untangled herself from him, careful not to hurt his injuries, and darted across the cool wooden floor. Grabbing the wallet, she brought it back and handed it to him. He reached in and pulled out a condom.

  He held out the small square packet. “I’m at a disadvantage with only one good hand.”

  She took it and tried to rip the foil. It wouldn’t budge. She tried again but her fingers were slick and wouldn’t cooperate.

  “Meggie?”

  “I can’t get it open.” She shook her head and bit her lower lip.

  “We’ll figure something out.” He pulled her close to his side and kissed her temple. “How about if you hold it and I’ll give it a tug with my good hand?”

  She lifted on her elbow. “But...won’t that...hurt?”

  “I meant the condom wrapper,” he said.

  “I... I knew that,” she sputtered, and even after all they’d done, she knew her face was red.

  “Liar.” He brushed the hair away from her face and rubbed his thumb along her lower lip.

  Working together, they got the stubborn wrapper open.

  “Careful, or this won’t last very long,” he cautioned and handed her the condom.

  She rolled it down his impressive length. “I want you inside me.”

  He huffed out a laugh. “That’s the plan.”

  She scooted onto the bed. He dipped his fingers into her and brought her back to the peak in a few short strokes. She positioned herself over him and lowered herself so the head was inside.

  “So tight,” he said through gritted teeth as if he was using all his willpower not to pull her completely down on top of him.

  “Like I said, it’s been a while.” She brought him close to her, teasing and testing.

  “Oh, God, Meggie,” he groaned. “It feels so good.”

  “That’s the plan.” She parroted his earlier words and laughed, warmth radiating through her entire body.

  His groans made her heart rate jump and her breathing increase. Last time they made love he’d been in charge and she’d enjoyed it...but now she loved being in charge.

  He urged her down with his hand on her hip. He filled her up but then she lifted to draw him back out. She wasn’t ready for this to end yet and increased the pace only to slow it down again.

  “Such a tease,” he muttered through clenched teeth and teased her by gently squeezing first one nipple, then the other.

  The sensations began to build past the point where she could continue teasing. She writhed as the pressure built, her blood pounded and her heart raced. “Riley, I...”

  “Show me, Meggie—show me what you want.”

  Her fingers dug into the sprinkling of hairs on his chest. Her hips gyrated as she reached for it but couldn’t quite reach it. She sobbed in frustration. “Please...”

  “Here, baby...let me help you.” He used his finger to bring her over the edge.

  Her world exploded for the second time that night, but she realized she hadn’t taken Riley with her. She began riding him again, intent upon making their night as unforgettable for him as it would be for her.

  “Yes...like that,” he groaned and cupped his hands around her bottom.

  His hips rose to meet and guide her movements until he shouted, finding his own release.

  Sated and spent she lay on top of him for a few moments. When she started to sit up, he put his hand behind her head and brought her face down and kissed her.

  “Sweet, sweet, Meggie,” he whispered against her lips. “I need to take care of the condom.”

  “Of course.” She would’ve left the bed but he stopped her with a hand on her arm.

  “Stay,” he growled.

  “Woof,” she said and he bared his teeth at her before going into the bathroom, sending her into a fit of the giggles.

  She was still grinning when he r
eturned and slipped into bed beside her and pulled the covers around them. He tucked her close and she snuggled against him.

  “That was—” A yawn cut her off.

  She felt him smile against her hair.

  “It was,” he agreed and rested his cheek against the top of her head.

  She drifted off, but woke when he stirred, probably seeking a more comfortable position.

  Raising herself onto an elbow, she asked, “Do you need more painkillers?”

  “Nah, I’m okay.”

  “Are you sure? You don’t have to be all macho on my account.”

  He laughed and his warm breath disturbed the hair over her ear. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  “I promise I won’t think less of you. I already know you’re a badass marine and all.” She’d done her best to keep her tone light, but she heard the catch in her voice at the end.

  “Is that what you think?”

  “It’s what I know.” She shrugged one shoulder, even though she knew he couldn’t see her motion in the dark. “Why does it mean so much to you?”

  He was silent for so long, she assumed he wasn’t going to answer. Sighing, she started to move away so he could get comfortable, but he pulled her back.

  “Careful. Don’t hurt yourself,” she said.

  “Please, Meggie, don’t pull away.”

  She settled back against him, but kept silent.

  “I like the structure, the stability.”

  “I’m not sure I understand,” she whispered.

  “You knew about my parents’ divorce?”

  “Yes.”

  He sighed. “I thought once they separated, things would get better. They’d go their separate ways and the constant fighting would stop.”

  “It didn’t?”

  “Hell, their marriage was contentious, but the divorce was worse. And I was stuck in the middle...expected to be a tattletale. And used as a weapon against the other when I wasn’t ignored.”

  Meg’s eyes burned and her throat clogged, but she managed to say, “I’m sorry. I had no idea.”