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Olivia could hardly believe what had transpired since coming home from work. In less than an hour, Jake had shown up unexpectedly, and they’d hashed out their issues—well, the most immediate ones, anyway.
She’d also learned that, without a doubt, all of the men responsible for what had happened to her were either dead or locked up for good.
She started to thank him again, but when she tried, the only thing that came out was a yawn. She covered her mouth until it was over. “Sorry,” she said, embarrassed.
Jake smiled, and her heart did a complete somersault. “Don’t apologize. Why don’t you go get some rest?” She felt a sliver of panic until he said, “I’ll be here when you wake up. Assuming you’re okay with that.”
Olivia knew they still had a lot to work through, but she couldn’t bring herself to worry about that now.
“You’d better be,” she said, giving him her first real smile in months. “I’m going to take a quick shower, first.” She leaned up and gave him a sweet, chaste kiss. “Make yourself at home.”
Not waiting for a response, she turned and headed toward the bathroom, her steps feeling much lighter than before. Olivia used her time in the shower to try to wrap her mind around everything she’d learned.
She understood now why things had happened the way they did. Jake had been out there fighting. For her, and for all of the women those bastards had hurt before her. For the ones they would have kept hurting, had he and his team not stopped them.
She knew enough from when Mikey and Jake served together to understand that, oftentimes, military men and women weren’t allowed to share anything with their families about where they went or what they did. A mission like the one Jake’s team had been on wasn’t much different than that.
He and the others had left to take down some very bad men, and ensure her safety. How could she stay mad at him for that?
As she rinsed the conditioner from her hair, Olivia wondered how long he’d be able to stay before having to leave again. An uneasy feeling began to creep in at the thought, but she quickly shot it down. Jake was here now, and she was going to make the most of whatever time they had together.
After her shower, Olivia quickly dried off. Looking around her small bathroom, she realized the clothes she’d planned to change into were still lying on her bed. Right where she’d left them when the doorbell had rang. Damn.
She felt silly for worrying about it. The man had already seen every inch of her body. Still, she didn’t want to push things too far too fast.
You are everything to me.
Those precious words kept rolling through her mind. It wasn’t exactly a declaration of love, but she’d take it...for now, anyway.
With a smile on her face and her towel wrapped around her body, Olivia opened the door and peaked down the hall toward the living room.
She didn’t see Jake on the couch, and assumed he was probably in the kitchen or had gone outside to look around. Either way, the coast appeared to be clear.
In just three quick steps, she was at her bedroom door. Once inside, she shut the door, turned around, and ran straight into a solid wall of muscle.
Olivia let out a little squeak as Jake’s hands grabbed her shoulders and pushed her flush against the door. The wood shook from the force of the impact.
He looked like he wanted to eat her alive. In the next second, she was surrounded by his warmth. With his forearms caging her in, Jake pressed the length of his hard body against hers. She almost forgot to breathe.
“Tell me to stop.”
Oh, God. Jake’s voice became so deep and rugged when he was turned on. It was as if he opened his mouth and sex came pouring out.
Olivia could feel her own arousal pooling between her thighs, and he wanted her to stop him? The man was insane.
“I wasn’t going to do this,” he continued before she could respond. “The whole way here, I promised myself I wouldn’t touch you. I know we still need to talk about things, but...Christ, woman, what you do to me. It’s like I can’t think straight when you’re around.”
Jake brought one of his hands down and swept a strand of wet hair from her cheek. His touch was gentle, a complete contrast to the fierce emotions Olivia saw burning in his eyes.
“If you don’t want this, I’ll stop. But, you’ve got to tell me right fucking now, because honest to God, Liv. I don’t know how much longer I can hold back.”
“Don’t stop, Jake.” Her order was barely a whisper. “Don’t you dare stop.”
His control snapped then, and in an instant, his mouth was back on hers. He kissed and licked and nipped as if he was starved for her. Like he couldn’t get enough.
His mouth moved frantically from her lips to her chin before leaving a wet trail down her neck. Electricity sparked everywhere his mouth touched her, his lips starting tiny little fires all across her sensitive skin.
Not wasting any time, Jake’s hands moved down to where she’d knotted the towel between her breasts. With a quick flick of his fingers, the knot came loose.
He pulled back a step and the white terrycloth fell to the floor, pooling around her bare feet.
Jake stood there, drinking her in as if she were the most beautiful woman in the world. She was far from perfect, but when he Jake looked at her like that, Olivia couldn’t help but feel as though she was.
“I’d almost forgotten how beautiful you are.”
Unable to speak for the emotions running through her, Olivia continued to let him take his fill. Slowly—almost as if he were afraid she would break—Jake reached out and took her breasts into his hands.
Olivia’s breath hitched from the contact. Continuing to knead the soft flesh, he bent down and gently took one of her nipples into his mouth. The warm, wet heat from his tongue sent shockwaves of pleasure through her system.
“Jake,” she whispered his name.
While he sucked and licked, Olivia’s fingers became entangled in his hair. Eventually, he moved to the other breast where he repeated the same, exquisite torture.
With his mouth busy, Jake’s free hand slid between her legs, his fingers playing her body like a finely-tuned instrument.
Gathering her own arousal, he began drawing lazy circles across her swollen clit. It was too much and not enough, all at the same time.
He continued teasing her with his gentle caresses as their tongues kept up with their erotic dual. Jake moved his hand lower, and Olivia cried out when he speared her sex with two, strong fingers. He began to thrust hard and fast, but it still wasn’t enough.
“God, Jake! Please...I need you!”
Things were moving much faster than their first night together, two months ago. Not that she was complaining.
All at once, Jake pulled his mouth away and slid his fingers from her body. He placed his hands at each of her hips, lifting her as if she weighed nothing. And Holy God, if that wasn’t hot as hell!
Olivia wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck. His jean-clad erection rubbed against her soaked core, but the friction wasn’t enough to relieve the near-painful pressure there.
With his mouth back on hers, Jake spun them around and carried her to the bed. He laid her across it. Then, almost desperately, he stood and shed his own clothes.
Removing the protection from his jeans pocket, he held it up between the same two fingers that had just been inside her. Giving her a boyish grin, he wiggled them and said, “Boy Scout, right?”
Olivia chuckled, knowing he was referring to when they’d been in the jungle, and she’d teased him about being prepared for anything.
Jake’s smile faded as he rolled the condom onto his swollen cock. “I know I should take this slow, but—”
“I don’t want slow,” Olivia interrupted him. Her eyes wandered down to the object of her desire. “I just want you. Inside me.” She looked back up into his eyes and added, “Now.”
She knew she sounded bossy, but from the way Jake was looking down at her, he liked it.
With that damn sexy smile, he gave her a salute with what were quickly becoming her two favorite fingers. “Yes, ma’am.”
He covered her body with his. Propped on his elbows to keep from crushing her, Jake used one knee to spread her legs further apart.
Eyes locked on hers, he eased into her in one, fluid motion. And just like that, all was right in her world.
****
Home. It was the first thought Jake had as he slid his body into Olivia’s slick heat. Nothing had ever felt so good...or so right.
He moved his hips forward, burying himself as deeply as he could go. It still didn’t feel like enough. With her, it never was enough.
Moving together, Olivia met him thrust for unbelievable thrust. Jake knew this first time was going to be quick, and sensed her urgency, too.
As their pace increased, her body began to quiver beneath his. Jake was already close, but he was determined to take care of her first.
Sliding one hand between them, he gathered some moisture onto his fingertips from where their bodies were connected. Pressing onto her swollen clit with just the right amount of pressure, Jake began moving his fingers in fast, tight circles.
He watched as Olivia threw her head back onto the mattress and squeezed her eyes shut. She moaned loudly, her nails digging into his back. God, he loved how uninhibited she was with him.
Jake clenched his teeth together. His lower back tingled, and his balls grew tight. Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he knew he couldn’t hold out much longer. Thankfully, he didn’t think he’d have to.
Olivia’s breathing increased. Her entire body vibrated against his, and when her thighs squeezed his hips and her heels dug into his ass, he knew she was right on the edge.
“That’s it, baby,” he panted the words between thrusts. “Come for me.”
Olivia cried out, her back arching off the mattress. Her inner walls clamped down on his cock, sending him straight into his own release. Jake grunted out her name as his own climax hit.
He continued thrusting wildly, as he came, determined to draw out every ounce of pleasure for them both.
Eventually, his movements slowed and he collapsed in a heap on top of her. After a few minutes—or hell, it could have been hours—he heard her sweet, muffled voice from below him.
“Um, Jake?”
“Hmm?” was all he could manage.
“I can’t breathe.”
“Shit. Sorry.” With what little energy he had left, Jake lifted up, pulled himself out, and rolled onto his back beside her.
“So,” Olivia spoke between heaving breaths. “Why exactly...did you promise...to keep...your hands to yourself?”
Jake turned onto his side, facing her. Apparently, she was still too tired to do the same, because Olivia only moved her head so she could see him better.
She was flushed, her eyelids heavy with pure satisfaction. Jake felt like the king of the fucking world, knowing he was the one to put that look on her face.
Lazily, he ran a fingertip down her arm, leaving goose bumps in its wake.
“I didn’t want you thinking I was only here for a booty call.” He raised one eyebrow and looked at her pointedly.
“Really?”
“Really.”
Looking chagrined, she bit her bottom lip. “Oh.”
“Yeah...oh.” He leaned over and kissed her slowly. “You have to know I would never do that to you. This thing with us, it’s not casual, Liv. Not for me.”
She smiled, her relief obvious, and he felt like an ass for making her think for even one second that he felt otherwise.
“Me, neither.”
“Good. And just so we’re clear, there’ll be no one else. Not for me,” he kissed her again, just because he could, “and not for you.” With a hard stare, he let her know under no uncertain terms, “I won’t share what’s mine.”
Not waiting for a response—because nothing she could say would ever change his feelings about that—Jake stood up and started to walk out of the room.
“Where are you going?”
Without turning around, he spoke over his shoulder. “I’ll be right back.”
He went into the bathroom, found a washcloth, and put it under some hot water. After taking care of the condom and cleaning himself up, he rinsed the cloth out again and walked back into the bedroom.
She was still lying in the same spot. Her eyes were closed, and she hadn’t moved an inch. Jake smiled, taking a second to appreciate the pure beauty that was his Olivia.
He hadn’t lied about his reasons for trying to stay hands-off, but there was more to it. He hadn’t wanted to take her again until he’d told her the truth about her brother’s death.
That was before she walked into her bedroom wearing nothing but that damn towel. The second she did, he’d lost every ounce of self-control. With her, it seemed he had none.
Jake’s original plan had been to show up, confess it all, and beg for her forgiveness. Then, he saw that damn gun in her waistband, immediately turning his entire focus to her safety.
The sex traffickers were no longer a threat. He knew that with absolute certainty. But knowing some other sick fuck could be out there, toying with her, put a knot in his gut.
Even if it was just some harmless fan, Jake still wanted to find the guy and pound his face in.
And he was still going to tell her about what really happened to Mike, but first, he needed to make sure she truly was safe. Once he was certain of that, he’d tell her everything.
For now, it could wait. She had enough to worry about, without adding his betrayal on top of it all. So, he’d keep his secret a little longer. For her sake.
Jake ignored the tiny voice in his head, calling him a spineless bastard and set about taking care of her.
“Spread your legs.” His command was low, sensual.
Olivia’s sleepy eyes opened half-way. “Again? Already?”
He chuckled and held up the washcloth. “I’m just going to clean you up.”
“Oh, you don’t have to...” she started to say. She actually looked embarrassed, which Jake found absolutely adorable.
When he placed the warm rag against her swollen mound, she closed her eyes again and moaned, all traces of embarrassment lost.
“I like taking care of you,” he said softly.
She surprised him when she admitted sleepily, “I like it when you take care of me.”
When Jake was done, he walked over to the clothes hamper in the corner of the room and tossed the washcloth in. He went back to the bed and slid his arms beneath Olivia’s back and knees. She startled when she felt him picking her up.
“What are you doing?” Exhaustion had her words slurring together.
“You need sleep.”
With her in his arms, Jake pulled back the top cover and sheet, positioning her so her head was on the pillow. He walked around the foot of the bed laid down beside her.
Already half-asleep, Olivia rolled over onto her side, facing away from him. He promptly reached over and pulled her back to his chest, spooning her. His cock twitched from the contact, but he ignored it.
Jake kissed the back of her head. “Rest now, sweetheart.”
“Okay.” After a few beats, he heard her soft voice again. “Jake?”
“Yeah, baby?”
“I’m really glad you’re here.”
He kissed her head again and gave her midsection a little squeeze. “Me, too, sweetheart. Me, too.”
With his entire world wrapped up in his arms, Jake closed his eyes and fell asleep.
****
Olivia woke to a delicious aroma. She smiled, knowing Jake had taken over her small kitchen.
He’d cooked for her at her apartment a few times after Pops died. Each time, the food had tasted amazing. There really wasn’t anything the man couldn’t do.
She stretched. Muscles that hadn’t been used in two months were deliciously sore. A wonderful reminder of Jake’s other talents.
Flashes of their lovemaking played through her mind, and her smile grew even more. Talented, indeed.
Glancing at her bedside clock, Olivia did a double-take. Holy crap! She’d slept for ten straight hours.
Even more surprising was that she hadn’t had a single nightmare. What a difference a day—or maybe she should say, Jake—could make.
Still wearing her stupid grin, Olivia quickly showered and dressed before making her way into her kitchen. She stopped when she came to the room’s entrance.
Without a word, she crossed her arms at her chest and leaned against the wood trim. For the next few minutes, she stayed just like that, admiring the view.
Jake was standing at the stove, stirring something in a steaming pot. Dressed in the same jeans he’d worn earlier, he’d left the top button undone, and hadn’t bothered with a shirt. Thank God for small miracles.
She took advantage of the moment, soaking in the site.
Slowly, her eyes worked their way down over his strong thighs. The denim was stretched tightly there, reminding her of the way those muscles had moved between her own legs just a few hours ago.
Olivia glanced lower and saw that his feet were bare. Her pulse quickened. She should not be so turned on, but cripes...even his freaking feet were sexy.
“Like what you see?”
When she met his eyes, she found them lit with smug amusement. Playing off her embarrassment from having been caught ogling, Olivia stood straight and started toward him.
“You shouldn’t have let me sleep so long.”
“I figured you needed it.”
His bare shoulder lifted in a shrug, drawing her attention to the sexy-as-sin Delta Force tattoo on his left bicep. Cool your jets, Bradshaw.
“I must have.”
She walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. The act felt so natural, as if they’d been together like this for years.
“What smells so good?”
“Spaghetti and meatballs. There’s also garlic bread in the oven. Here,”—he turned around, and she loosened her grip without completely breaking her hold—“tell me what you think.”
Jake lifted the wooden spoon to her lips, and Olivia opened her mouth to taste the red sauce.
“Mmm.” She licked her lips. “Where did you learn to cook like this?”
Turning back around to keep an eye on the bubbling liquid, he said, “In the military, it was either MRE’s or whatever the chow hall had to offer. Sometimes not even that. Even now, when my team takes a job, a decent meal isn’t always an option. I like good-tasting food, and since there was no one else around to do it for me, I figured I’d better learn.”
Olivia wanted to tell him he had to do all of the cooking from now on, but held back. That line was loaded with an assumed future and expectations he may not be ready for just yet.
“Well, since you’re cooking, I’ll set the table.”
Forcing herself to move away from his delectable body, Olivia got their plates and silverware ready. She’d just opened a cabinet and was reaching up for two wine glasses when she felt his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest.
Jake’s warm lips kissed the sensitive area just behind her ear. Smiling, Olivia closed her eyes and tilted her head to the side to give him better access.
“Better not start something you can’t finish,” she teased.
“Oh, there’s no doubt I’ll finish”—his stubble brushed her skin, sending waves of goose bumps spreading from head to toe—“but I’ll make sure you go first.”
Jake spun her around quickly, his words and the sudden movement causing her breath to catch. Her hands flew up to his shoulders, but the strong arms encircling her waist kept her steady.
Jake leaned in but didn’t kiss her. Instead, he spoke in that panty-dropping voice again.
“You burn me alive with your touch, Liv.” His lips brushed along her jawline. “You start a fire in me that I never want to put out.”
Oh. My. God. Olivia was starting to wonder if too much pleasure could be lethal.
She tilted her head again, moaning as his open mouth landed on the place where her neck and shoulder met. His tongue darted out, and he licked her there before gently nibbling the delicate skin.
Olivia gasped, and felt his lips curve against her soft skin. Damn him. He knew he was teasing her, and she was incapable of hiding just how much she was enjoying it.
Reaching up, her fingers pulled on his hair. Even from behind the denim barrier of his jeans, Olivia could feel his cock twitch against her belly. His body’s reaction to her was intoxicating, causing her sex to clench with anticipation.
“W-what about the food?” she murmured, eyeing the stove. She smiled when she saw the burners already turned off.
Jake lifted his head, his lips barely brushing her ear as he spoke.
“The food can wait, baby.” He took her small lobe gently between his teeth. “I can’t.”
His words demolished her control. Olivia attacked with vigor, her mouth slamming roughly into his. Their tongues collided, twisting and thrusting violently.
Olivia was wild and crazy, and within seconds, they were in her living room, a trail of clothing scattered on the floor behind them. Thank God, she didn’t have neighbors.
Standing in front of Jake, his back to her couch, Olivia used both hands to push against him. He could have easily stood his ground, but he let her take the lead and allowed his body to fall back.
A naked woman on a mission, Olivia quickly straddled him, lifting herself up just enough to be able to wrap her hands around his throbbing shaft. She started to position him at her entrance and then...
“Wait!”
That one word stopped her cold. Olivia looked down Jake, wondering why he was putting a halt to things.
“Condom,” he ground out.
Oh. That.
“I’m on the pill,” she blurted, more than ready to get the show on the road. “I, uh, got on it shortly after we got back. I was thinking that if we...well, anyway. I’ve been on it for almost two months, and I haven’t been with anyone besides you in over two years. We all had to be tested before we left for Toamasina, so I know I’m clean.”
His cock got impossibly harder in her hands. Excitement filled his eyes, and Jake looked up at her like a kid who’d just been offered his favorite toy.
“Homeland makes us test every six months. I hadn’t been with anyone else for a long time before you, and there’s been no one since. I swear on my life, I’m clean Olivia.”
Smiling back at him, Olivia repositioned the head and sank down slowly. Very. Slowly.
****
“Ah, fuck,” Jake croaked out as his dick slid into Olivia’s tight sheath.
He knew his voice sounded strangled but shit. It was a wonder he could talk at all. He was just damn lucky he didn’t lose it the second she filled herself with him.
Jake had never been this quick on the draw, but like everything else with her, sex with Liv was different. He’d also never ridden bareback, and holy fuck, it felt amazing.
She was hot and wet, her slick inner muscles squeezing him like a goddamn vice. He’d never been so turned on in his life. Even now, after having just gotten inside her, he was having a hell of a time not coming.
Then...she moved.
Determined to avoid complete and total embarrassment, Jake squeezed her hips, holding her still.
“Don’t.”
The order was gruff, his grip tight enough he’d probably leave bruises. His heart rate picked up.
He’d been so outraged at the ones that bastard, Cetro, had left on her before, but the thought of his hands marking Olivia as reminder of their shared passion...as wrong as it was, the thought filled Jake with a primal, male satisfaction that was better than any adrenaline rush he’d ever had.
What could he say? When it came to Liv, he was a total Neanderthal. And she was his vixen.
Ignoring his warning, Olivia shifted her hips again. His grip on her bare skin tightened and—thank Christ—she stopped.
“Sweetheart, if you move so much as a centimeter, I’m done for.”
Olivia smiled in a way he’d never seen before, yet he knew exactly what that smile meant. Power. Right now, she held it all, and the little wench knew it.
She was on his lap, completely naked, with his bare, aching cock snuggled tightly inside her. Her hair was wild, her cheeks flushed, and her hard-as-nails nipples were right there for the taking.
Jake wanted nothing more than to lean forward and take one into his mouth. To flick it with his tongue while rolling the other between his thumb and forefinger, but he didn’t dare. If he gave in to that urge, she would start moving again, and it would be game over.
The only parts moving now were their chests as air travelled in and out of their lungs. Jake’s eyes never left hers. They were frozen, connected not only physically, but also on an emotional level deeper than Jake even knew existed.
It was the most intimate experience of his life. Jake’s lips parted, and he was on the verge of confessing how he truly felt about her when Olivia broke the ribbon of intensity.
“What’s the matter, Boss Man,” she teased. “Can’t handle me?”
Slowly and deliberately, Olivia rolled her hips forward. All thoughts of talking ceased.
Jake squeezed his eyes shut as that familiar tingling hit his lower back. His balls became so tight, he wouldn’t have been surprised if they crawled right back up inside him. He groaned and dug his fingers a little deeper.
When he opened his eyes again, that smug smile was still there. He needed to take control of the situation...now, before it was too late.
Hold on, sweetheart. Two can play at that game.
Without warning, Jake lifted her up and off him, breaking their connection completely. She let out a little yelp as he flung her around so that she was now lying on her stomach across his lap.
Olivia’s wide eyes looked up at him, all traces of smugness gone. Jake looked down at her, his smile just as arrogant as the one she’d given him just seconds before.
“You wanna play like that, Bradshaw? You’d better be prepared for the consequences.”
She smiled back, clearly enjoying his playful attitude. “I’m not scared of you, McQueen.”
One if his eyebrows rose. “Oh, really?”
Jake ran the palm of his right hand across the smooth skin of her bare ass.
Her mouth dropped open. “You wouldn’t dare.” Olivia’s words were a warning, but the heat in her eyes said differently.
It was the same heat he’d seen earlier when he’d threatened to spank her for trying to tell him she was fine. He had to admit, he’d fantasized about having her in this exact position. On several occasions.
As he continued to massage the perfect, heart-shaped ass just begging to be spanked, Jake decided it was time to put fantasy to reality.
In the same, teasing voice she’d used on him, Jake asked, “What’s the matter? Scared you can’t handle it?”
He knew she’d never back down from the challenge. What he didn’t expect, was how hard he was praying she wouldn’t.
Excitement flared behind her eyes and her cheeks became flushed. “I already told you. I’m not scared.”
She wants it. “Oh, baby”—he squeezed one of her firm cheeks—“that was your first mistake.”
Unable to wait any longer, Jake lifted his hand. He brought it back down with just enough force to make his palm sting.
Olivia gasped, and Jake watched her reaction closely. He’d rather cut off his own dick than actually hurt her.
She looked at him and smiled. Her face was flush, her eyes heavy with arousal. Jesus, she was so fucking turned on. So am I.
“More?” he asked, already knowing what her answer would be.
When Olivia nodded, Jake smacked her ass again. She cried out, the sounds of her pleasure echoing off the living room walls.
After a few more swats, he knew he needed to move things along, or he was going to come all over her belly. Soothing the rosy skin beneath his palm, Jake slid his hand between her crease, and lower.
Understanding flashed across her face, and Olivia lifted her ass slightly to give him access. His fingers found her entrance dripping with excitement.
“Jesus, baby. You’re so wet.”
Olivia simply nodded again.
Jake grinned. “You liked that, didn’t you?”
Another nod.
“Well, let’s see if you like this.”
Jake easily slid two fingers inside her. Olivia’s eyes rolled shut, and she inhaled sharply. He moved slowly at first, then faster. Harder.
God, he loved how soaked she was. The sounds her arousal made as he continued to thrust his fingers in and out of her body was erotic as fuck.
Olivia began moving her hips against his hand even harder. She cried out again, and Jake could feel her inner muscles beginning to twitch against fingers. She was close.
Removing one of his fingers, Jake used the other to rub against her swollen clit. That was all it took.
With her head thrown back and her ass in the air, Olivia came harder than he’d ever seen her. She was still coming when he slid from the couch and re-positioned himself behind her.
With one knee on the cushion and a foot on the carpet beside the couch, Jake lifted her hips until she was on her knees. They’d have more room if he moved them to the bedroom, but he couldn’t wait that long.
Olivia’s hands gripped the arm of the couch as he slammed into her from behind. The sounds of skin slapping against skin filled the air, and after only a few more grunts and thrusts, Jake exploded, spilling himself inside her.
In that moment, he realized. It didn’t matter how many times he had her, it would never be enough.
