FOR THE FIRST few minutes in the air, Mari was a nervous wreck. Her stomach churned and her hands gripped the sides of the seat. Then they flew out over the ocean and her heart slowed as the aircraft turned and hung in the air. She could see downtown Corpus clearly.
“You doing okay?” Brody asked.
She nodded and then remembered she needed to speak. “Yes,” she replied. “It’s so beautiful. I love it. As long as I don’t look down, that is.”
He chuckled. “You’re doing great. Want to fly over your house, see what it looks like from up here?”
“That would be cool. But I’m also happy for you to do whatever it is you have to for the hours you have to get in.”
“No worries. I mapped out our flight plan earlier. We’re good.”
He banked to the left and she soon recognized some of the larger homes in the neighborhood before they reached their street. Everything appeared so organized and smaller down there. Unbelievable how much chaos was going on inside the house.
“It looks so peaceful,” she said.
“That’s one of the reasons I chose to live in the neighborhood. It was quiet. And I noticed when I stopped by for my interview that one of the neighbors was hot.”
She turned to look at him. “What?”
He grinned, but kept his eyes straight ahead. “You were wearing a dark blue dress with cream-colored heels. I was sitting in the living room of the rental talking to the owner when I spotted you. I thought, dang, there is a woman.”
He’d noticed her even then? “You’re making that up.”
“It was a Tuesday afternoon. You had your laptop bag, and that green tote thing you carry everywhere. You got out of the car, glanced at your phone and then you threw it across the yard. You had your eyes closed and your mouth went into a tight little line like it does when you’re mad. You took off your shoes, traipsed across the yard to pick up your phone. Right then and there I wanted to know exactly what you were thinking. You seemed so prim and proper and I was curious about what made you angry.”
He had seen her. She remembered that day and shook her head. “The ex texted and informed me he needed to pick up a few things from the house. He asked me to be gone during a certain time and I just lost it.”
“Please tell me you didn’t make it convenient for him.”
She grinned. Now he would know she was crazy. “Well, I texted him back and told him he could basically forget it. That I’d gotten rid of his things the night he left me. I was lying through my teeth. The next weekend his things ended up at Goodwill. He had some pretty expensive suits in the pile and all these ties that he was so fussy about. Oh, and his stupid socks. He wore socks to bed because he didn’t like touching feet. That should have been another big clue. That was when I found his other phone. And why did he need two? I’ll tell you why, because he was a cheating jerk. Then I called his mom and told her what he did. Honestly, that’s probably the most horrible thing I’ve ever done. It ruined her image of her perfect son. Later, he tried to tell her I was lying, but she knew. He’d brought whatever that woman’s name is over for dinner. You met his mom, she’s a lot smarter than he gives her credit for.”
“I kind of love that you have a mean streak in you. Do you still have feelings for him?”
Wow. That had come out of the blue.
Brody still had a smile on his face, but it was strained. “Fact is, it’s only been a few months.”
“True. Let me think. Gosh...” She tapped her finger on her chin for a second. “Um, nope. I meant what I said the other night. If it wasn’t for him breaking up with me, I would have never known what I was missing. You’ve taught me so much about everything. I feel freer. When I was with that jerk, I was always a disappointment. I could never do anything right. I don’t know why I put up with him. I guess I’m always a little too worried about what people think of me.”
“Well, you’re intelligent and sexy and...”
She sighed happily. “I feel the same way about you. I so want to strip you naked.”
He laughed. “You can’t say stuff like that while I’m flying. I have to concentrate.”
He glanced over and she winked at him.
“Anything else you want to see from up here?”
“Oh, well, maybe where I have my office. I love that neighborhood, too. That’s where I would have bought if my ex hadn’t talked me into the fixer-upper that I knew I didn’t have time for.”
“Can you give me an idea of what part of town that is?”
That’s right, they were in a helicopter. A giant one. She gave him a couple of landmarks to go by and a few minutes later they were hanging over the quaint little street that housed her office. She was proud of the place. It was a tiny craftsman that she and Abbott had overhauled. And it was paid for. It was one of the only reasons she hadn’t gone under financially when she was stuck with the Victorian. They didn’t have much overhead other than the utilities.
“I haven’t been by there. That’s really cute,” he said.
“Thanks, Abbott and I are pretty proud of it.”
“Time to head back to base. I have another surprise for you tonight.”
“This has already been more than anyone could have wished for,” she said. “Thank you again.”
“Oh, we aren’t done yet.”
* * *
AN HOUR LATER Brody drove her to his favorite restaurant. The place was called Hildie’s and it served German food. He’d reserved his favorite private table in the back, and they shared platters of perogies, spaetzle and schnitzel.
Her phone rang for the fifth time that night, but as usual she clicked it off.
“I don’t mean to be nosy, but can I ask who’s calling this late on a Sunday night?” From the wariness in his eyes, he was thinking it was a guy.
She didn’t want to admit it, but she also didn’t want him to think the worst. “My parents. It’s the landline at their house. I love them, but they’re a little overprotective sometimes. I keep texting them that I’m fine. Better than fine, actually, but they call anyway. They are not big on boundaries. I needed a little space after everything with Gary, but they don’t seem to understand. And they’re always coming at me with advice. If I tell them what’s going on with the house, they’ll want to step in and help.”
“Would that be such a bad thing? You had it pretty rough there for a bit.”
“Yeah, but it was my mess and I wanted to get myself out of it. Although, you did help me. But it was my idea to ask you for it. I still can’t believe I did that.”
“Honestly, it turned out pretty well for both of us.”
Oh yeah, it did. When he smiled at her like he was right now, it did wonderful things to her body. And that was only his smile.
Since he seemed to be in the mood to talk, she thought he’d be willing to answer a few questions. She wanted to find out more about him. “I know your relationship with your dad is strained, but do you remember your mom?”
He nodded. “She smelled like roses, and she played games with me all the time. Every night after homework was done, we’d do hide-and-go-seek or a board game. My dad was different then. Like your parents, they were really happy together. When she died, I was just eleven and Dad and I were both lost. She’d been the biggest part of our lives. It was awful. It happened so fast. She found out she had a brain tumor and two weeks later she was dead.”
“That’s so sad. As much as my parents pester me, I can’t imagine not having them in my life. And I have to admit, I haven’t been the best of daughters lately. But they were kind of all up in my business about Gary, and then when he left I could feel their ‘I told you so.’ And there I’ve gone and made your sweet story about me again. Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I like hearing about your family. Are you and your sister close?”
“I thought we were. She’s just as busy with work as I am. Always about to walk into a meeting. Maybe that’s my karma. You know, I want to throw this big Valentine’s Day party to sort of celebrate finishing the house. How would you feel if I invited your family and mine to the event? That way I can talk to them all at once, and show them how well I’m doing. I mean, I understand if you don’t want to. Is that kind of strange, asking if you want to meet my parents?”
Why couldn’t she just shut up?
“Nope, I’m already looking forward to it. I’m really curious about the people who raised you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, you’re a sweetheart. They have to be good people.”
That made her feel guilty. “They are.”
Brody stared at his plate. The silence was broken when he told her, “We can invite my dad, but I can’t promise he’ll show up. I’d rather wait to introduce you to the stepsiblings. They can be a bit much, especially when they’re all together at family gatherings.”
“How do you feel about asking your boss?”
“We can do whatever you want. He asked about your house the other day, so that might be a good idea. He knows a lot of people in town, he could maybe get you some clients.”
Brody was always so thoughtful.
She took a bite of one of the perogies.
“These new jeans are not going to fit for very long if you keep feeding me like this,” she said.
“Those jeans have been a part of a fantasy of mine since you opened the front door tonight.”
The man was going to make her melt right in the middle of Hildie’s. She wasn’t sure what she’d done right to bring him into her life, but she was grateful it had happened.
* * *
HE LOVED HOW her cheeks turned pink when he complimented her. She really had no idea how attractive she was.
“Brody,” she said and squeezed his arm. “Saying stuff like that makes me—”
“Hot?”
“Yes,” she whispered. She blinked and her eyes looked a little out of focus. He kind of liked this game. That he could arouse her so quickly. He wondered if she had a clue as to how turned on he was. Even talking about family and parents hadn’t doused the flames. He’d wanted her all night.
“Would you like to know what I’m going to do to you when we get home?”
She shook her head, but then she smiled.
“We’re going to start in the kitchen. I have this fun little thing I want to do to you with ice cream.”
She raised her hand at the waiter. “Check, please.”
Brody chuckled and slid his fingers along her thigh. “Don’t you want dessert?”
“I thought I was dessert,” she said. That twinkle of mischief in her eyes pulled at him. His body tensed with need.
“We have to add some whipped cream to that kitchen fantasy,” he said, teasing her.
“And champagne. I want to pour it all over you and lick it off,” she whispered and then nibbled his ear.
His jeans were way too tight, and his hand squeezed her thigh. “We may have to start by christening the truck,” he said. “I’m not sure I’m going to make it to the house.”
He paid the check and they were out of there in a matter of minutes.
If the parking lot hadn’t been so well lit directly in front of the restaurant, he would have taken her right then. But he’d held it together until they were inside her front door.
Just as he promised, he led her toward the kitchen. “Finally. I’ve wanted to do this all day,” he said as he leaned in and kissed her. His fingers tightened in her hair as he teased her mouth open. Something had changed between them. This felt new. Stronger. More potent. At his very core, he needed her and had to have her.
She captured his tongue with her own. Stroked it. He loved it when she did that. It reminded him of her mouth on his cock. A minute passed, maybe two before she stepped back and tugged him over to the oak table. “You promised we’d start here, Marine.” She posed sexy for a moment, and then began clearing a space on the brand-new table. “Jeans off or on?” she asked when she turned to face him.
His eyebrows shot up. She had no idea of the extent of her powers. He was impressed by her boldness. In the last few weeks, she’d begun to trust herself and it was one of the sexiest things about her. That and her luscious body and that cute smile. That smile did him in every time.
“Off,” he said. He put his hands on his waist as he waited for the show to begin.
She unzipped the jeans, but stopped. “I’m not sure you’re ready for what you’re about to see,” she warned. She pulled back one side of the zipper to show a flash of red silk. “I was planning to wear these on Valentine’s Day, but I thought, since Brody has a surprise or two in store for me, maybe I’ll give him one in return.” She kicked off her sneakers and then slid the jeans down.
He hissed in a breath and started toward her, but she held out a hand. “Wait, you haven’t seen the best part.” The room was almost dark, so she switched on the makeshift lamp in the corner. The soft light bathed her in gold.
Slowly, she turned and bent over the table, and the breath he’d been holding came out in a whoosh.
His name was tattooed across her panties. “Brody” was stitched on the red silk covering her ass.
Something dark and possessive rose up in him.
“When did you buy those?”
“Today. The lingerie shop does it as a novelty. I was kind of hoping you’d like it. I didn’t want you to take it the wrong way.”
“I love it,” he said.
He was already unbuttoning his jeans as he crossed the floor. Pressing into her, his hands caressed her butt. And then he pulled the silk down to her ankles. She stepped out of the panties, and he stuffed them in his pocket. “I’m keeping these,” he growled.
She glanced behind her and winked at him. “It’s okay, I had seven pairs made. So six more days to go.” The image of her wearing his name across her backside every day pushed him to the edge. That happened a lot with her, his losing control.
It made him laugh to realize how tightly wound he’d been when he’d met her. In fact, he didn’t think he’d ever been this relaxed or open with anyone. It only made him want her more.
“Bend over.”
“Bossy,” she said cheekily, but did so.
He ran his hand over her and sucked in a quick breath. “You’re wet for me.”
She chuckled. “I have been since I watched you fly that helicopter. Seeing you so determined, so raw, Brody, it almost made me come while we were in the air.”
She was trying to kill him. Seriously trying to kill him. No way would he have been able to keep his focus on flying if that had happened. But the fantasy of it made him even harder.
He teased her clit again and her back arched. He wanted to please her; he would please her. In mere seconds she was breathing hard, calling out his name. “Tell me what you want, Mari,” he asked. He would do it, he’d do anything she wanted.
“You, please. Inside me. I need you, Brody.”
Sweeter words had never been spoken he thought.
After sliding on a condom, he tested her opening. She was still so tight. In some way—all right, in many ways—it was as if this gorgeous woman had been made for him. In every way, she was what he needed—and what he desired.
“Brody, please.” She pressed back against his erection.
Having vowed to please her, he could wait no longer.
He eased himself into her and then let her set the tempo. His hand curved along her hip. Keeping the rhythm going with his cock, he reached around and touched her slick heat. Her breath hitched and she did that little humming thing that told him she was almost there. Good thing, since he wasn’t far behind.
She mewled and increased the pace. He quickly went to hold onto her hips, whispering every bit of encouragement he could think of. “Is this what you wanted when you were flying with me?” He thrust into her, whispering into her ear, “What we’re doing right now? Come for me, Mari.”
“Yes,” she cried. “Oh, yes.” She arched her back, gripping the table hard as she climaxed.
“Babe,” he murmured, surrendering himself to the same sensation, to the staggering emotions he felt for her. This was what it meant to be consumed by someone. That’s what Mari had done to him.
It scared him, and yet at the same time he realized he was pleased.
Really pleased.
* * *
MARI STOOD STARING at herself in the bathroom mirror. She felt branded by Brody. There wasn’t an inch of her body he hadn’t kissed, stroked or known intimately in the last few hours, and she loved it. He’d made an ice cream sundae out of her in the kitchen. Now every time she was in the kitchen she’d remember his mouth on her, teasing her, making love to her.
It was magical. And scary. She might have thought she was in love with her ex, but now she knew what it really meant to be in love. What she had with Brody went far beyond the sex. This connection they had, it was what her parents had. And while he didn’t seem in any hurry to end their arrangement, she felt as if she needed to put some kind of locked cage around her heart.
It had to be coming. She didn’t get to be this happy. And she was. For the first time in a long time, she was well and truly happy. A few days ago she’d promised herself that she’d enjoy every moment she had with him. Fear would not be a part of this equation.
But that didn’t keep her from speculating about the end of whatever this glorious thing was between them.
She walked from the bathroom back into the bedroom and pulled one of his clean T-shirts over her head. He’d left a few in her dresser for when they finished work and showered or bathed together. Almost every night they spent it here. Another place where the memories would be strong.
He was sound asleep. She had to confess she was a little nervous. They were having an actual sleepover. It had also been his first flight in the big helicopter since his accident. Would he have one of his nightmares?
Before they’d gone upstairs to clean off after their sundae making, she’d seen him chug a couple of pills along with a bottle of water. She was worried he was getting one of his headaches, so in the shower she’d shampooed him, washed him and then shooed him out, telling him that she needed time to recuperate.
Now what do I do.
After the awful stories that he’d shared with her, she was worried for him. She tried not to be afraid that he’d lash out while he slept, but they’d flown for some time in the same kind of helicopter he’d been shot down in.
Did she join him in the bed and risk waking him? Or go downstairs and sleep on the couch, and risk offending him? He was trying so hard to make this work.
“Are you going to stand there and stare at me all night, or are you coming to bed?”
She squeaked and then laughed. He pulled the comforter down for her to slide in beside him. “I just had this dream about the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen, climbing into bed with me. Is that my T-shirt?”
“Yes.”
“It looks way better on you.”
She wasn’t so sure about that.
He pulled her in close to him and she draped one leg over his thigh. “I’m nervous about falling asleep,” he said. “But you’ve worn me out. I don’t think I could move even if I wanted to.”
She kissed his jaw. It was rough with stubble but she loved it.
“If I hear you make a noise, I promise to get out of bed as fast as I can. I’m nervous for you, too. I don’t want you to feel bad if you can’t go to sleep. It won’t hurt my feelings if you need to go home. I mean it.”
“I was serious. I don’t want to move an inch right now,” he said against her hair. “I love smelling you as I close my eyes.” He yawned.
“Go to sleep.” She snuggled into him. “We have a lot more rooms to christen tomorrow. You need your beauty rest.”
“You’re beautiful enough for the both of us,” he whispered.
When he said things like that, her pulse raced and her heart beat triple time in her chest. It was all she could do not to climb back on top of him and make love to him for another couple of hours. But she resisted. The guy deserved a break after the phenomenal memories they’d created tonight.
His loving her was honestly one of the highlights of her life.
It wasn’t long before his breathing evened out and his muscles relaxed. She allowed herself to close her eyes.
Yes, this is what she wanted. A man who believed in her and thought she was beautiful, one who was consumed with bringing her pleasure. A man who was everything she ever dreamed of for a partner and then some.
No, she wouldn’t let fear steal whatever time she had left with him. At least not yet. She’d keep him for as long as he wanted to be here. Maybe that wouldn’t be forever, but for now they were in a good place.
“Mari?” She smiled. She thought he’d gone to sleep.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Tonight was one of the best nights of my life. I just wanted you to know that. And there’s no place I’d rather be right now. No place.”
Her heart soared. “Me, too.”