Chapter fifteen

JAMESON WILCOX

I stare up at the ceiling as my conscience pesters me relentlessly.

Grace is sleeping peacefully beside me but slumber evades me. The muted light creeping in from the windows tells me that it’s nearly sunrise and I haven’t slept a wink.

Stirring at my side draws my attention back to the woman sleeping there.

I shift and prop myself up on one elbow to stare down at her.

She’s perfection and the thought alone increases my guilt tenfold.

As a SEAL I’d been trained to put integrity above all else. To protect what outside forces or others were trying to destruct.

Yet, here I am knee deep in a deal with the devil.

My chosen profession never really bothered me before. Most cases passed me in a blur of indifference.

Except Grace wasn’t most cases.

I’ve fallen hard for her against all intentions and better judgment. I’m not sure when it happened and I sure as hell don’t have the time to figure it out.

What I need is to figure out a way to disentangle myself from Brick and come clean to Grace without losing her.

But how?

I’m lying to the woman who has become everything, her presence filling a void that was left gaping for too long.

She’s the only thing I look forward to these days. Her defiant attitude and cheeky conversation, her laugh, her scent.

Just her.

“Why aren’t you sleeping, handsome?” Grace asks, breaking me out of my reverie as she comes awake.

Stretching is followed by a moan, and even in her sleep-induced haze I can tell the exact moment she picks up on my pensive mood.

“What’s wrong?”

I know there’s no point in lying but I try anyway. “Nothing.”

Unconvinced, she props herself up on her elbow mirroring my position. “Tell me.”

“I was just thinking about how strong you are… after everything.”

It isn’t a total lie. My respect for her has grown tremendously after learning the truth about her past.

Disbelieving eyes continue to bore into my own and I feel the need to elaborate.

“You’re one of the strongest people I know,” I carry on. “And I’m damn lucky to have you in my life.”

Her eyes soften at this before she reaches out to trail a finger down my chest.

I’m instantly alive under her touch, earlier grogginess forgotten.

But I need to give her a break. I know her body must be exhausted from the constant exertion. Between our private training sessions and the endless sex, her body has to be fatigued.

“Let me draw you a bath,” I offer leaning forward to kiss her soft lips.

She groans against my lips before deepening the kiss.

“I’d rather kiss you,” she says against my lips.

This woman will be the death of me. I’ve never been so insatiable in my life.

Giving in, I roll over on top of her.

Trapped between my body and the mattress, she squirms. The movements stimulate my needy cock.

Trailing kisses down her jawline, I nip at her collarbone before massaging the afflicted area with my indulgent tongue.

The room is filled with the soundtrack of her lustful moans and I want to stay there all day, doing whatever it takes to prolong the music.

I lift my head to take in the sheer pleasure on her face. Then I look down, admiring the way her full breasts fill out my T-shirt. She always sleeps in one of my shirts. Thin cotton panties are the only material covering her bottom half.

Grabbing her hands, I pin them above her head with one of mine as my desire for total control overwhelms me.

With her hands restrained, I lift the hem of the T-shirt and mark her flesh with my hot tongue.

Grace whimpers at the sensation.

Inching down, my tongue roves over her belly button before reaching the waistband of her panties.

Ravenous, I begin kissing her through the thin fabric.

“God… yes, Jameson.”

My cock is engorged by this point, enjoying her panting words.

“Just like that,” she sighs as I continue to lap at her sex through the damp barrier.

“I guess the bath can wait,” I murmur against her center, knowing the vibrations will drive her insane.

I’m rewarded with another moan as her back arches off the bed to increase the pressure of my licks.

* * *

“Are you kidding me?” Grace asks, shooting me an incredulous look across the table.

We’ve just finished a leisurely breakfast and instead of clearing the dishes we’re staring at each other as Grace takes in my request.

Impulsively, I’ve asked her to accompany me to the Veterans Ball this weekend.

“Jameson, you don’t ask a girl to go to a ball three days before the event!” she shouts, exasperated.

I tilt my head and study her. “Why not?”

Did she not want to go with me?

The possibility sends a crushing blow to my ego.

“I’ll never find anything to wear in time,” she gushes as her cheeks take on a pink tint.

She’s flustered.

“Gosh, what do people even wear to balls?” she ponders aloud and I can’t help the smile that breaks out across my face.

She’s fucking adorable.

“If you think it’ll be too much trouble, we don’t have to go. I usually stay home,” I explain. “But I figured I’d give it a shot since I have you now.”

Grace shakes her head at me. “It’s not too much trouble,” she speaks.

Relief overpowers my earlier insecurities.

“It’s still going to take a small miracle to pull off. I have to get a dress, shoes, new make-up…” she rattles off a long list.

As she speaks, I lift off the chair enough to reach into my back pocket and retrieve my wallet.

Fishing out the desired credit card, I lay it on the table between us effectively bringing her rambling to a halt.

“Get whatever you need.”

Grace eyes the card without reaching out to grab it.

“Jameson…”

“Don’t fight me on this one, Grace. I take care of what’s mine. Remember?”

Her mouth moves, as if she’s trying to find the right words.

Silently, I raise my brow, daring her to challenge me.

Thankfully, she concedes peacefully and collects the credit card from the table.

“I’ll send a car to pick you up on Saturday night,” I inform her.

She nods in agreement.

“That is unless you want to get ready here,” I add hopefully.

I never want her to leave. My home felt so much warmer when she was here, a feeling I never wanted to end.

Even the thought of dropping her off at work later has me irritable.

But she shakes her head, dowsing my dreams.

“No, I’ll need Stephania’s help getting ready,” she reasons and I can’t object.

I’d be no help when it came to getting ready. In fact, I’d probably delay the process quite a bit, trying to fit in a quickie or two before we left.

The visuals have me heated in an instant and I shake my head.

Getting ready in separate places is a good idea.

“Whatever you want,” I say easily.

Luckily for me, the guess work of finding something to wear had been eliminated. All I had to do was throw on my uniform and show up.

I can’t believe it, but I’m actually looking forward to it.

With Grace on my arm, I know for sure that I’ll be the envy of every man there.

The thought makes me grin.