A SEAL Always Wins

by Holly Castillo

  His hand slid into her silky curls and he tugged, angling her head back. She submitted to him with another shuddering breath, her lips parting, beckoning for him to taste her as deeply as he wanted. She rested her arms on his shoulders, opening her body to him, letting him feel the weight of her breasts pressed against his chest. His jeans were almost instantly uncomfortable.

  His tongue swept inside her mouth and he could taste cherries, sweet and oh so delicious. His heart began to beat faster and his mouth moved against hers, demanding more. She moaned and her tongue slid along his, teasing, tempting, tormenting. He felt her nipples pebble under her thin shirt, stabbing against his chest.

  Her lack of a bra had been at his request. He had cornered her by herself in the women’s restroom after they’d left the horse show and had locked the door. She had been just about to change out of her show attire and had looked at him with a raised eyebrow as he had advanced on her. But his request had been simple—for her to wear his thin undershirt, and once they were on the road, she would get rid of the bra. To his delight, she had also chosen to wear a simple jean skirt.

  As they drove home, he had been shocked that she was able to remove her bra without taking the shirt off to do it. He had been anticipating getting to watch the gentle sway of her naked breasts while she changed, if only for a few seconds. But she had kept him from enjoying the show.

  She hadn’t completely disappointed him. She had delicately reminded him that she wasn’t a fan of underwear, and when they had stopped to gas up the truck, she had wiggled her sweet ass down in the seat and allowed him to get a glimpse of the heaven between her thighs.

  Now he grew full and heavy with need. His hand tightened in her hair, tilting her head further back to arch her chest against him. His other hand slid up underneath the thin shirt, and her round breast filled his palm, the weight heavy and…perfect.

  “Oh.” She drew in a breath against his lips and arched more fully into his hand all on her own.

  Memories of the B and B swirled through his mind. Her body reacted so perfectly to him, to his every desire. The way she’d given herself to him so completely was one of the greatest aphrodisiacs he had ever known.

  His hand gently massaged her breast, caressing and teasing, and she began to move restlessly, her fingernails pressing into his scalp. Breathing was becoming harder. “Don’t leave,” he murmured against her ear. “Stay with me tonight.”

  He hadn’t expected to ask her, but the words had poured from him on their own. He suddenly wanted it as much as he wanted air. Her eyes opened and she studied him with a hungry gaze. “I don’t care what Anya thinks. But your friends…what will they say?”

  “I don’t care. I just want you with me.”

  “Yes. I want to be with you too.”

  Chapter 15

  Elena felt a little breathless standing in Phantom’s room. He had grabbed her overnight bag and brought it inside, and they had stumbled their way through the door and into his room between kisses. She doubted she’d be able to find her way back out since she had been so distracted by his warm mouth on her neck, her cheeks, her lips.

  She stood in the center of the room as he locked his door, tossing her bag to the side. She didn’t want to take her eyes off him even to look around at his bedroom. She didn’t think she would ever grow tired of watching the way his muscles bunched with each movement.

  He turned to face her and gave her a warm smile. With a couple of quick steps, he stood in front of her and pulled her against him, sliding his arms around her waist. She slid her hands up into his hair, pulling his head down to hers.

  She pressed kisses along his jawline, enjoying the rasp of his light stubble against her lips. His hand slid up her back and into her hair, gently tilting her head back further. He pressed his lips against the pulse beating rapidly in her neck. She sighed heavily, her fingers tightening in his hair.

  “Elena,” he whispered, “I never should have pushed you away. I’ve been about to lose my mind with the desire to touch you since that day in the barn.”

  “I never knew a kiss could be as amazing as the one we shared that day. I’ve dreamed about it ever since.”

  “You and me both,” he groaned. Then he kissed her with the same intense passion they had shared the night before, his lips moving sensuously, teasing her lips to part. She moaned when his tongue touched hers, and she copied his motions. She had never been kissed in such a consuming manner until Phantom.

  He pulled her tighter against him, and she could feel his erection pressing into her lower belly. She moved her hands down slowly, caressing his chest as she went. She grabbed handfuls of his shirt and began to tug it free from his jeans, eager to feel his flesh.

  He pulled back from her slightly, giving her room to pull his shirt up and over his head. He stayed still as her gaze roamed over his muscular form, drinking in the sight of him. He didn’t restrain her hands as he had at the B and B, and she took full advantage of the opportunity to touch and explore him.

  Her fingers danced across his shoulders and down his biceps, then back up to place her palms on his chest. She could feel the tension in him and knew he wanted to touch her too. She took her time, though, savoring the feeling of his warm skin over hard muscle. She traced the contours of his chest before her hands slid lower, caressing his taut abdomen.

  When her fingers dipped slightly within the waistband of his jeans, he drew in a sharp breath and tightened his hold on her once again. In one smooth motion, he pulled her thin shirt over her head. He gazed upon her with gray eyes that seemed to sparkle in the faint moonlight spilling into the room.

  Her body, already sensitized to his touch from their heavy petting out at the truck, felt flushed all over, her nipples tightening under his intense gaze. He brought one hand up to her collarbone and ran his fingers along it with a featherlight touch that caused her to shiver in anticipation. He lowered his head to place his lips where his fingers had been, his lips and tongue tasting her skin.

  His hand dropped to her side, rubbing along her ribs, then sliding back up slowly. She drew in a shuddering breath as he cupped her breast, lifting it and gently squeezing it. When his lips began to kiss a trail down her chest, she thought she would scream in anticipation.

  He looked up at her for a moment, his mouth hovering over her pouting nipple, and his breath was its own caress. Then he focused on her breast again and laved his tongue against her aching flesh.

  “Oh!” She drew in a sharp breath and swallowed hard, her gaze fixated on his dark head.

  He kept one arm wrapped around her waist as he wrapped his lips around the nipple and began to suckle. Gentle at first, he pulled harder and harder until her eyes rolled back and her head lolled over on her shoulder.

  Her fingers flexed between them, caught between their bodies against his abdomen. She attempted to reach the button of his jeans, but he pulled back, releasing her nipple in the process. He straightened and pressed a fierce kiss to her lips. “Tonight we’re going to take our time,” he said hoarsely.

  She gasped when he swung her up into his arms and carried her to his bed, placing her gently on the mattress and following her down. He lay at her side, and it felt as if his hands and lips were everywhere, teasing and tormenting her. He placed kisses down her neck and across her collarbone as his hands ran down her sides slowly, caressing every inch of her flesh as he went.

  She reached for him, her hands exploring his body. They roamed over his chest to his back, pressing against his muscles. She lifted her head and pressed kisses against his chest when he was close enough, and he drew in a sharp breath when her tongue lashed across one of his nipples. Knowing she could tease him just as much as he teased her increased her pleasure.

  He moved down her body, looking up at her as he took her nipple in his mouth again. She slid her hands into his hair and pulled gently, asking for more. He began to suckle agai
n, and the tug pulled at her all the way to her core.

  His warm breath traveled across her skin to her other breast, and still watching her, he pulled the other nipple into his mouth. She couldn’t look away. She was too mesmerized by the heat in his eyes and the beauty of his body against hers. Her fingernails pressed against his scalp as he sucked harder, and her body moved restlessly, needing more.

  His mouth released her and began to travel down her stomach, his hands moving up to cup and caress her breasts. “Phantom!” she gasped when he ran his tongue under the button of her jean skirt. Her entire body hummed with excitement.

  Her hands tugged on his head, pulling him back up to her face, and they both met in a passionate kiss, breathing heavily. Her hands slid down his stomach to the button of his jeans, and he moaned against her mouth as she unfastened them and pulled down. She freed him from his jeans and boxer briefs, and her hand reached out tentatively to touch him.

  He broke free of the kiss, sucking in a deep breath as her fingers wrapped around him, caressing as she explored. “Elena,” he groaned, pressing his face against her neck, his body trembling with need.

  Her hand stroked him slowly, driven by his murmured words of pleasure in her ear. His hands continued caressing her breasts, his fingers flicking over her hard nipples. She writhed against him, her hand tightening around him. “Phantom, I need you,” she whispered.

  His hands moved quickly to remove her jean skirt, whisking it down her legs. His palms traveled back up her thighs, then slid between her legs, gently parting them. He pulled away from her to completely shed his jeans and pull a condom from his wallet. His eyes stayed focused on her body as he rolled the condom on.

  He lay back down with her, this time on top of her, settling between her thighs. She reached down and guided him forward, and he sealed his lips over hers as he pressed toward her center. He moved slowly, easing his way through her slick folds. She moaned against his lips and arched her hips, drawing him further inside her.

  They both gasped in pleasure as he surged forward, seating himself fully inside her. He pressed kisses along her jawline to her ear, breathing heavily as he began to move. She moved with him, her hips meeting his with each thrust.

  Her hands grasped his back, clinging to him as their movements became faster. Pleasure built within her with every motion, the sensation of his hard chest rubbing against her sensitive breasts only driving her excitement higher. “Phantom!” she gasped, feeling as if she were about to explode into a thousand pieces.

  His movements became faster and harder, and she knew he was on the edge. Knowing his pleasure matched hers caused ecstasy to explode within her, and she cried out as she fractured, her body grasping his tightly. He groaned deeply, his voice raw with pleasure as he found his own bliss.

  They were both breathing heavily, slowly coming back from the exquisite high they had experienced. He rolled to his side, taking her with him, his face still buried against her neck. “That,” he said softly, “is what I consider making love.”

  She smiled into the darkness, her hands stroking his back. “I think I could get used to that.”

  * * *

  Elena awoke slowly and lifted her lips in a lazy smile before she even opened her eyes. She stretched languidly, feeling rested and satisfied in ways she could never explain. There was also a tender ache between her thighs, her breasts heavy and sensitive.

  “Quit trying to look so sexy.”

  His warm voice washed over her, tinged with humor and a hint of desire. She smiled fully as she opened her eyes. He lay on his side, propped up on one elbow, cradling his head with his hand. She took him in, from his sleep-mussed hair to the shadow of a beard covering his jawline, to the impressive torso that tapered down to his trim waist and narrow hips. The sheet covered him just below his hip bone, allowing her to see the dark strip of hair leading to his sex. She was suddenly wide awake.

  “If you keep looking at me like that, you’ll never get out of this bed.”

  She rolled onto her side and assumed a position similar to his. “What makes you think I want to?” She drew in a deep breath as his eyes darkened with desire. How could the slightest change in his features cause such an intense craving in her for him? She doubted she could ever have enough.

  His lips twitched slightly, then his arm snaked out and wrapped around her waist. He hauled her against him, lowering his head and pressing his lips to hers. She felt his arousal against her hip and sighed with delight. His hand rubbed up and down her back, his kiss staying gentle. The previous night, he had taught her, in exquisite detail, his definition of making love, and she had never felt so treasured in her entire life.

  He sighed against her lips and sat up slowly. “I can smell breakfast. We have one of two options. We go out there and mingle with the guys—and you’ll get to see Anya—or I keep you locked in here all day and all night and explore your body like I’ve been fantasizing.”

  Her eyes widened slightly. “I think I may want to hear more about your fantasies.”

  “You have no idea how sexy you are without even trying. I can’t believe I’m able to have you, to hold you, to experience how incredibly sensual you are.”

  Elena smiled up at him, her heart squeezing with excitement and unwanted anxiety. She knew what she had experienced with him had been incredibly special. He stirred emotions in her, and she knew she wanted him to be her one and only.

  She had realized it after they were together at the B and B, and she knew sex would never be as good with any other man. No one would be able to make her feel the things he did. The sex hadn’t been the only thing to shape her feelings. With Phantom, she felt safe and happy and had never felt so treasured and valued.

  “You carry just a little bit of appeal yourself, you know,” she said in response to his comment.

  “All smoke and mirrors.” He smiled at her, then kissed her quickly on the mouth. “As much as I would love keeping you as my prisoner, I don’t like the idea of doing it with everyone knowing exactly how terrible a host I am.”

  Elena chuckled and rolled onto her back, stretching. “And what makes you think I would consider you a terrible host for keeping me here?”

  He nuzzled her neck, then rolled away from her. “You are far too much of a temptation.”

  He left her alone for some privacy as she showered in his personal bath. The warm water washed over her skin, still sensitive from their lovemaking, and she leaned against the cool tile.

  How would she be received by his fellow ranchers? She knew Anya would be thrilled. She could almost see the smug look on her best friend’s face.

  Phantom showered quickly while Elena dressed, and together they left the sanctuary of his room and walked out into the main living area of the home. Her hands trembled slightly when she heard the sound of men’s voices. Phantom’s arm slid around her waist, pulling her back against him before they rounded the corner to the dining room.

  “Remember that I don’t care about what anyone else thinks. I only care about you. If you feel uncomfortable at any point, I’ll walk you to your truck—or to my room, whichever you would prefer.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder and looked up at him. “Now who’s being too much of a temptation?” How is it possible he can make me feel so good with just a look, a touch, a smile?

  He kissed her forehead and then lightly smacked her on her ass, propelling her forward into the dining room. Just as she did, Phantom’s cell phone began to ring. She saw the men in the room jerk their eyes toward them, glancing at her briefly before settling on Phantom. He fished the phone out of his back pocket and glanced at the screen, cursing softly.

  “I’ll be right back,” he said to her softly, turning and walking back toward his room as he answered the call.

  She turned to face the men and drew a deep breath. They looked uneasy, exchanging glances with one another before l
ooking back at her. “Good morning,” she said, forcing cheerfulness into her voice.

  “Good morning,” Stryker said, standing up from where he had been seated at the dining room table and ignoring the plate of food that sat in front of him. “Elena…it’s nice to see you.”

  Self-consciously, Elena ran her hand through her damp curls. “It’s nice to see you too.”

  Slowly, the rest of the men said good morning to her and gave her half-hearted smiles. She wasn’t feeling an overly warm welcome. “Is Anya here?” she asked finally.

  “There was an emergency with a patient, and she had to go in to the clinic,” Stryker replied.

  Elena realized Lobo wasn’t there, which made sense given that he always went in to the clinic with Anya. She was struggling to think of something else to say when Phantom came walking back into the room. Instantly, she noticed he held her overnight bag.

  “I’m sorry, Elena, but an urgent issue has come up with the ranch. A colleague of ours just called me to give me the heads-up, and we all need to jump on it quickly. I hate to end our morning like this…”

  “No. No, it’s fine. Not a problem at all.” She turned her back on the group in the kitchen. She had worried she would get an odd response from them, but had never expected such a cool greeting to her being there. She certainly hadn’t expected Phantom to ask her to leave. She began to head for the door, but Phantom quickly caught her hand and held her close to him as they walked out of the house, preventing her from fleeing like she wanted to.

  Once outside he looped his arm around her waist again, holding her to his side as they walked to her truck. They were silent as they went, and Elena had to fight against the tears that burned at the back of her eyes. She was angry and frustrated and, more than anything, extremely disappointed.