Gina sat on the edge of her bed and tugged the shirttails out of Reece’s jeans. With one swift movement, she opened all the snaps of his chambray shirt, buttery soft with age against her fingers. She yanked it off his incredibly sexy body before allowing her palms to take a slow journey over the ridges of his hardened abs. She pressed kisses to the path of hair she decided to nickname Paradise Road.
In response, his hands opened and closed on her shoulders, his breathing jagged as his groans emerged more frequently. Circling her tongue around his nipple, she inhaled his familiar scent. The tawny nipple beaded when the tip of her tongue flicked it, drew it into her mouth, and gently bit the nib.
His eyes closed. “More.”
She kissed a path to his other nipple and bit it harder.
He hissed through his teeth. “God, yes.”
Her fingers dropped to the waistband of his jeans and traced the outline of his erection through the denim. His head fell back on a silent request. She unbuttoned the pants and the rasp of his opening zipper filled the room before she tugged the back of his jeans over his delightful ass. With a quick sliding motion, she pushed down his black briefs and his swollen cock sprung free and heavy in her hand.
Although it had been many years, she figured giving head was like eating a sucker—run your tongue around it for a quick sense of flavor and then slowly slide the whole thing into your mouth. He tasted salty and musky, a heady combination as her tongue and lips enveloped his head.
“Fuck, Gina.” He spoke it like a prayer or a heartfelt request.
She slid the entire length of him into her mouth, a slow sensual journey to the moon and back.
“Fuckin’ A.”
She pulled back to the launching pad. “You’ve got a pottie mouth.”
“I do. I’m sorry, baby. Sex and dirty talk go hand in hand for me. If you don’t like it, tape my mouth shut and just listen to me moan.”
She chuckled and opened her lips over his cock again. “Bring it, Tool Belt.” Her tongue dipped into the little pleasure slit and he muttered a string of curses. Her tongue lapped across his head and slowly circled around it several times.
“Fuck me blind. God help me, I’m drowning in you, sweetheart.”
She slowly sucked him in until he bumped the back of her throat. Her tongue swirled back and forth on the underside of his cock while her fingertips lightly scratched his balls. They drew tight to his body and he began to tremble.
“Stop, woman. Stop while I have some damn fucking control left. You don’t know how long I’ve wanted you. There’s so much pent up—”
Having made her decision, she clasped his ass cheeks and worked faster. She wanted him to have this in case she couldn’t handle straight sex. Who knew when old demons would surface? Tonight was a test for her, for them. There was so much emotion in her for this rough, yet tender guy. She wanted to please him on her terms.
His hips began to move in and out. His hands shifted from her shoulders to her hair. “Blondie, have some fucking mercy.” For an instant he stilled and then his climax must have struck every nerve in his body, the way he shook. “Ho-o-ol-ly Fu-u-uck!”
She took all he had to give and held him to her as she rested her face against his muscled thigh. Reece may have gotten physical pleasure, but she’d received the emotional enjoyment of her power over him. In a strange way, they were both satisfied.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?”
She smiled against the soft hairs of his leg. “Yes, very. You?”
He cupped her face in his hands, bent, and kissed her gently. “I’m blown away.” He smiled that slow sexy smile of his. “No pun intended.” His cheek rubbed against hers. “How about I undress and lie on the bed. You undress yourself and give me a little strip show. Take your time. Talk for a while if you want. This is your night and I feel guilty my pleasure came before yours.” He brushed his thumb across her lips. “Anytime you want to stop, stop. There will be other nights. There won’t ever be another you.”
His lips captured hers again. A slow, deep kiss of passion, branding, and ownership. “You and little blondie across the hall are my precious ones. Don’t ever doubt that. Don’t think I wouldn’t give my life to protect you both. As far as I’m concerned, you two belong to me. Is that clear?”
Tears pricked at the backs of her eyes and she blinked to banish them. Tonight was for healing and affection—deep, unshakable affection.
He took off his cowboy boots and clothes before shifting back on the bed, pointing a finger at her. “Not a word to my nosy, smart-ass SEAL brothers about my lying on a bed of rose petals. They were meant for your pretty ass, not mine.”
She stood and batted her eyes at him. “Why, Tool Belt, I would nevah!” A giggle burst forth. She was about to have sex and she was experiencing freedom, not fear.
She slowly removed her red sweater and dropped it in her laundry basket.
“Holy hell, a red lace bra. Leave it on for a bit. Let me touch and drool.”
She reached behind her to unzip her skirt. On a pivot, she slowly shimmied out of it, giving him a show, bending to step free of the black material.
“Aw fuck, baby. A red thong? You’re killing me here.” She slipped a thumb under the elastic at her hipline. His hand extended like a stop sign. “No! Not yet. I wanna drool over those, too.”
“That’s all I can take off? Do you want me to go get you a drool towel?”
“Don’t you dare walk out of this room. Get on this bed.” He pointed to her rose-petal-covered sheet with his finger.
Oh, she did love a commanding man, especially when he was naked and his pecker was flying high like a weather balloon checking for wind currents. She straddled his thighs still wearing her red lacy bra and matching thong, thigh-highs, and red stilettos. What former lovers she’d had, wanted her naked in a hurry, so starting out partially dressed was a little unusual.
He reached for her and then drew back. “We need to discuss protection.” His prosthetic hand pointed to the condoms lying on the nightstand. “I’ve always worn condoms when having sex. Always. Even so, I get tested once a year. My last test was before I left for Syria. I don’t have written proof that I’m clean, so I’ll wear these until I can get tested again and show you the results.”
“I haven’t had sex since the rapes. Thanks to my fears, I’ve been tested three times since then.” She brushed the condoms onto the floor. “We won’t need these. I want to be the first woman you make love to without a barrier.”
“Your decision. I want tonight to be all about you.”
“Then why won’t you touch me?” He’d tried once, then placed his hands behind his head.
“Baby, don’t think I’m not craving the feel of you. I am, believe me.”
She unhooked the front clasp of her bra, baring her breasts. “Then touch me! Damn, Reece, a woman shouldn’t have to beg.” She shot her bra across the room like a slingshot.
While his prosthetic hand settled on her waist, warm fingers trailed up her midriff raising gooseflesh, skimmed the underside of her breasts, and circled her nipples, plucking their protruding points until her desire had her thong soaking wet.
His gaze remained intent on where he touched. “So beautiful. So damn fucking beautiful.”
She slithered up his thighs until her moist heat settled over his erection and leaned toward him. He took a breast into his mouth and sucked as a kaleidoscope of joy sparkled in her vision. Her hips moved slowly, making her slide up and down his erection. Sweet Lord, the sensations.
Rolling over to her side, she removed her thong and extended her arms. He shook his head. “You on top, baby.”
Climbing on him again, she kissed his chest and abdomen as awareness surfaced. This generous man was giving her total control. He didn’t want her to feel helpless. She glanced at him, saw the beads of sweat on his forehead as he struggled to restrain himself for her benefit—and she toppled the rest of the way into love.
This selfless man would never hurt her.
She sat back, took his swollen cock in her hand, and slowly slid onto it. Her body took its sweet time adjusting to his girth as she and Reece smiled at each other. “You’re so good to me.”
“Baby, I haven’t even started yet.”
She slowly rose off him. “Oh, Tool Belt, neither have I,” she purred. Her hips slammed into him forcing him to go deeper.
“Fuck, baby!”
“Oh, we most definitely are.” Together they moved and touched and kissed. His hand slipped between them and his thumb circled her clit. The tension that had been building like a coiled spring in her abdomen wound tighter before it exploded. Her thighs quivered as her climax detonated within, causing waves of pure, yet painful pleasure to whip through her. She opened her mouth over his shoulder to muffle her scream. He wrapped his arms tightly around her to secure her trembling body. A few more strokes with his cock and he reached the pinnacle, too, burying his face in the crook of her neck as he whispered her name over and over like a lover’s chant.
They rolled to their sides clinging to each other, their hands making slight circles now and then. He pulled back, his eyebrows furrowed in concern. “You okay?”
“Can’t…can’t talk.”
He kissed her, shaking with laughter. “Oh my perfect woman, that’ll be the day when you can’t talk.”
She slapped his back in silent admonition and burrowed further against him, if that was possible. Thanks to his patience and care, she’d had sex without hesitation or fear. Frankly, she didn’t think this day would ever come. A smile of exhilaration swept through her like a fragrant spring breeze. She almost laughed at the irony of it: Her job had been to help him heal—and she was doing that—but he’d helped her heal, too.
Reece supposed telling Gina immediately after mind-blowing sex that he loved her would be lame. She deserved better. Dear God, the woman was phenomenal in every possible way. Now he understood how his pop had adored his mother so much. Similar feelings were taking root and sprouting in Reece’s heart. Don’t I sound like a lovesick pup? Do I give a rat’s ass? Hell no! I’m not giving this woman up.
“Do you think we can do that again? This time with you on top?” Her brown bedroom eyes searched his, the corners of her luscious mouth swept upward in the most charming request.
He rolled over, tucking her under him. “We can. Until you feel uncomfortable in any way, then we’ll roll over. You handle top quite well.” He winked and she blessed him with a full-blown dazzling smile. “You can take advantage of this body one more time and then I need to head for Eagle Ridge.” Her smile disappeared. “I can’t stay all night, baby. I’ll need to get to the ranch before you and Piper.”
She pushed her hair back. “Why?”
“To get her surprise ready.” He held her breast, his thumb lazily stroking her nipple. “She planted magic jelly beans, you know.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Magic beans you won’t tell me about. I don’t think we should have secrets, Tool Belt.”
He kissed the nipple and glanced at her. “It’s just an Easter surprise I found on Pinterest.”
A look of disbelief crossed her beautiful face. “Pin…Pinterest? What is a guy like you doing on Pinterest?”
“I emailed Jada Beth, my sister-in-law, and asked her what special surprise I could give Piper. Something simple to make a memory. She suggested searching on Pinterest. So I did. I’ve got my own account now and everything.”
Her mouth hung open and she blinked a couple of times as if to digest what he’d said. “You—big, bad SEAL…have a Pinterest page?”
“Sure. You can ‘pal’ me or ‘like’ me, whatever they call it.” He kissed her palm. “Search for Browning’s Blondes.”
“It’s ‘friend’ me.” Her lips twitched. “Browning’s Blondes? You are a man just chock-full of surprises.”
His fingers plied open her folds. “Oh, baby, if you only knew.” He’d bring her to climax before he’d enter her. If she was recovering in afterglow, maybe she could handle his weight on her without the accompanying horrific memories of a long-ago night. This would be her last obstacle to conquer—having a man love her from the top. He’d make it as easy on her as he could. She was his to protect and that meant from both her past demons and present dangers.
He leaned on his prosthetic forearm, taking his weight off her. His fingertip slowly circled her clit while his lips nibbled at hers. Their tongues touched and played. She moaned. He bit her bottom lip and deepened the kiss. His finger slipped into her wetness and she writhed in response. After pumping it a few times, he inserted another while tapping her button with his thumb. He dragged his teeth across her jawline and down her neck. She moaned his name, her body tensing. Her climax was near.
“I…I want you in me. Now!”
He moved on top and slowly entered her, his palms planted on either side of her head. “You’re mine. Tell me you’re mine.” He drove into her as her internal walls spasmed around him, milking him, and sending him on a trip through mindless pleasure.
“I’m yours!” she breathed as her climax seemed to suck the air from her lungs.
A surge of heat flooded down his spine and heated his balls before hot semen burst forth and fried his nerves, his brain, his damn cock. He was melted against her and, fuck, it was glorious.
Many sweet moments later, Reece glanced over his shoulder as he shoved his foot into a boot. His woman was smiling in her sleep, her hand curled like a rosebud beneath her chin. God, she was turning him into a poetic chump. He brushed the golden hair from her face and kissed her forehead. She murmured his name and a sexy request he’d love to grant her. His pecker that ought to be bone tired from three trips to the blessed well of mindless orgasms twitched at the idea.
He stood and snapped his shirt closed. A black-and-white paw shoved its way under the bedroom door followed by a dejected meow. The cat had sounding pitiful down to an art form. Reece opened the door and a furry blur streaked by, landing on the bed, sniffing the bedclothes and his mistress. “Get used to the smell of it, puffball. The odors of sex will be part of this house from now on.”
He closed the door most of the way and checked in on Piper. The purple tulip she clasped had one petal left on it. He shook his head and smiled, trying his best to be quiet as he strode for the front door. He had magic suckers to stick in the ground in a few hours. Any sooner and Junebug’s pygmy goats would eat them. Nothing would ruin Piper’s magic surprise. He opened Gina’s front door, studied the green plastic grass, and pulled off a few strands.
By the time Gina’s SUV eased toward the house at Eagle Ridge Ranch, the whole gang was waiting around the fire pit. ZQ, Junebug, Ashley, who looked more feminine today for some reason, JJ holding Nance in his lap loving on her the way he did, and Reece, camera in hand and eager for Piper to see what her magic jelly beans had produced. Small flames burned in the stone-lined circle to keep warm the old aluminum coffeepot Junebug had dragged out for the occasion.
Reece was on his third cup. He’d been up to the wee hours gluing “requisitioned” plastic grass from Gina’s front door to the ends of the sucker sticks to look like roots. Puny, to be sure, but hey, they were magical roots.
Gina, wearing red scrubs, got out of her vehicle a little slower than normal and Reece smiled. He could only imagine how sore some of her muscles were this morning. She yawned as she opened the back door for Piper, who bounded to the ground, her mouth already in gear. “Did my magic jelly beans sprout yet?” She ran like the wind toward them. “I couldn’t sleep last night, I was so excited.” As she whizzed past, Reece held up his camera, snapping a few shots of her and her beautiful mother.
“Holy shit!” Piper’s little arms shot heavenward like a cheerleader’s.
“Piper Morgan!” Gina admonished.
Three SEALs nearly fell out of their chairs laughing at a six-year-old’s use of language, which, come to think of it, wasn’t so damn funny. Reece would have to talk to her about good and bad words…which meant—dammit to hell—he’d have to clean up his own act.
Piper was too excited to care about her irritated mother. “I’ve got suckers! With cute faces on them!” Her little hands were clasped together at her chest when she aimed her cherub face toward him, her smile so wide you couldn’t have pried it off with a crowbar. ZQ was always bragging about the beauty of a Hill Country sunrise—and his former commander was right, they were stunning. But this child…this child he loved as if she were from his sperm, had a smile damn near as breathtaking.
“Daddy, you were right, those purple jelly beans were magical. How…how do I pick them?”
“According to the directions, you pull one out of the dirt at a time. Gently and straight up.” He hoped his glue job held.
She stooped and gently removed a sucker, her little tongue tucked between her teeth. Once out of the ground, she held it up for all to see. “Look! It’s got a little root from the sucker stick to the jelly bean I planted.” She started jumping up and down with excitement. “Holy shit!”
Gina glared at Reece over her shoulder. That was his cue to do something. Hell, he was no dumbass. He unhinged from the chair and ambled over to one excited little girl. He held his open hands together. “Lay your harvest here, Precious. Listen to me while I talk.”
“Okay.” She gently laid the sucker, plastic root, and soiled jelly bean on his hands.
“There are some things children can’t say. Things adults say.”
She pulled out another sucker. “If kids can’t say it, then adults shouldn’t, either.”
He glanced at Gina and she rolled her eyes.
“Well, you’ve got a point there, but that’s not how the world works.” Think, man, think! This kid is no gullible child. “Ah…children can’t drive cars, but adults can.” He frantically thought of another difference. “Children can’t buy houses, but adults can. It’s against the law for children to drink alcohol, but not adults. And children can’t use bad words, even though some adults often do.”
Brown eyes pierced his as she placed another sucker on his outstretched hands. “So you’re telling me I can’t say ‘holy shit’?”
“That’s right. It upsets your momma and me.”
“Aw hell, Daddy, I don’t want to do that!”