CHAPTER SIX
Saturday, April 7th
Willa stared at the sleeping man next lying next to her and wondered why fate decided he was the one. Never before had she become so quickly entwined with another, and it made her believe there was something predestined.
As though she’d been waiting…
Five days had passed since he knocked on her door, and her world was officially tipped upside down. Her list of chores had been long forgotten, and she was living in the moment, absorbing everything he had to give.
Something she probably hadn’t done since her mom passed.
The sun slipped through the curtains, falling across his face, and his silky dark hair and scruff appeared to be highlighted with a thousand lights. Was the man a damn angel or simply the owner of her heart?
Which begged the question: how could she handle being in love with a man in the military?
No matter how much she moved forward, her parents’ deaths had marked her, and the idea of losing Chad was mind-numbing.
And a week hadn’t passed.
How was she going to feel in a month or a year?
Lifting her hand, she lightly traced his massive shoulders and ran her finger down his muscled arm. His appearance suggested he could take on whatever evil came his way and come out the victor. But she understood the human body and knew how little it took to destroy it. The right amount of force properly applied could end a life within in seconds. Closing her eyes, she tried to shake the morose thoughts.
Why was she thinking of all the horrible possibilities instead of the beautiful ones? She had just spent an amazing night with a man who was an inventive, creative, and ferocious lover. The last thing she should be thinking about was death.
Closing her eyes, she gave herself a stern lecture and decided the best course of action was to give him a bit of the pleasure he gave her. She smiled and rested her hand on his back and thought about how carnal he was.
God, the pleasure of being with a man who wanted her the way he did was mind-blowing. The savage, merciless way that he consumed her was what she had dreamed about, and she needed to appreciate it like the gift that it was.
So, the best thing she could do was grab ahold of what was right in front of her and enjoy it.
Moving the covers off his body, she glided her hands up and down his velvety length. When he moved against her grip, she eased down his body until she was facing his massive erection. Swiping her tongue over the head, she heard a rough groan.
“Babe, you don’t have to…”
Ignoring him, she pulled him into her mouth and tasted his musky flavor and hummed. He thrust his hips, and she took him deeper.
“Your mouth feels fucking amazing.”
He tangled his hands into her hair, and she licked him slowly and steadily. She slid her mouth up and down his shaft, taking time to tease the sensitive spot beneath the tip. Adding her hands as he pumped his hips up and down, she tightened her grip around his length and added suction.
His groans filled the room, and she felt moisture trickle down her thighs as she brought him closer and closer to completion.
She moaned, and before she knew what was happening, she was pulled away and swept under him as he ravaged her mouth.
“But…”
He kneed her legs open and pressed himself against her entrance. “Together.”
Laughing, she let her legs open. “You didn’t like it?”
Tilting his hips, he pressed the head of his cock to her opening. “I loved it, but I want to come inside you.”
Her hips involuntarily pushed forward, and she laughed. “I can’t argue with that.”
“You’re so wet; did sucking me off do that to you?”
“It did.”
Letting out a loud groan, he threw his head back. “God damn, I’m one lucky man.” He thrust fully and seated himself against her core.
Holding as still as she could, she tried to adjust to his size. Taking a gulp of air, she breathed in through her nose. “Honey, you’ve got to warn me before you do that. You’re a lot to take in one stroke.”
Pressing kisses to her face, he held himself still. “I’m sorry; you feel so perfect, and I lost my mind for a minute.” Resting his head against hers, he breathed in and out slowly.
Her eyes flew open and she pressed against his chest. “Condom!”
You have a patch; we’re okay. I’ve never been inside a woman without protection. You’ve seen my medical file and know I’m clean.”
“I didn’t read through the whole report.” She felt him slide out and then back in as her eyes rolled back into her head at the pleasure he was giving her. “But, I will.” He cradled her head in his hands, and she was overwhelmed by the feeling that filled her heart.
How was it possible to fall so deeply for a man within a matter of days?
Knowing there wasn’t an answer, she focused on the rhythm he set that had pleasure radiating through her body. Slowly she rose to the crest of the wave, and when he reached beneath her and angled her hips, her heart cracked open. Closing her eyes, she tried not to think of what it meant as waves of ecstasy rolled through her and he followed her over.
***
Walking into the kitchen, Chad felt his heart explode. Willa was standing at the counter in his sweatshirt and cutting up strawberries, and he was fucking floored. No one had made him so much as a cup of coffee since he left for the Navy, and here she was humming as she prepared their breakfast.
He had no clue how to navigate the future, but he was damn sure he wanted Willa included in every chapter. “Hi, babe. What are you making?”
Turning, she gave him a smile. “Waffles and bacon. Any man who gives me as many orgasms as you did deserves a big breakfast.”
Taking a couple of steps, he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. “I’m the only man who will ever make you feel that way.”
Patting his hand, she leaned against him. “If you say so.”
A streak of possessiveness flashed along his spine. “I know so.” Tightening his hold, he rocked into her back. “Should I show you again?”
“No.” Pushing against him, she tried to loosen his grip. “Scooch. I have cooking to do. Grab a cup of coffee and sit down.”
Lifting her hair, he ran his nose along her neck and then kissed behind her ear. “Yes, dear.” He stepped over to the coffee pot and filled the mug, then took a seat at the bar. Drinking his coffee, he watched her pour batter into a waffle maker. “Thank you for making breakfast. I haven’t had homemade waffles in years.”
Looking over her shoulder, she gave him a sad face. “That’s a tragedy. Waffles hot off the griddle are one of life’s pleasures.” Tipping her head toward the counter, she asked, “Can you put the fruit, syrup, and butter on the bar? We’ll be ready to eat in a minute.”
“Sure.” He did as instructed and then sat down again. “What would you like to do today?”
“I have chores to catch up on, and I figured you’d be going home after breakfast.”
“Why?” he almost shouted. “I mean—can’t we spend the day together?”
Turning, she gave him an incredulous look. “Spend the day together?”
Shaking his head, he let out a snort. “I didn’t suggest poking a needle in your eye.”
“I know; it’s just that I have stuff to do.”
“Let’s do something fun. Lunch, a movie, whatever you want.”
“Oh…”
“There’s always something going on over at Balboa Park; we could head over there and wander around.”
“Okay.” The waffle maker chirped, and she turned back around. “I guess we could hang out.”
“Honey, that’s what couples do. Spend time doing things that they enjoy in one another’s company.”
“I’m aware of that, Chad.” She slid the waffles onto a plate and then added more batter for another batch. “I didn’t know you were an expert on relationships. Exactly how many girlfriends have you had?”
Scratching his chin, he wondered if the one he had in kindergarten counted. Remembering they had a meaningful relationship that involved peanut butter crackers, he decided to count it. “Three.”
Looking over her shoulder, she smirked. “How many in the last five years?”
“None.”
Twirling around, she handed him the plate with waffles. “Really, not one?”
“Really.”
“That’s hard to believe. You’re so handsome, smart, and sexy. Not to mention you’re a good man and a hero. It’s hard to believe that you were not snatched up.”
Damn, that was a hell of a way to describe him. Completely inaccurate, but if that’s how she saw him then he wasn’t going to argue. “Babe, I was just waiting for you.” A loud snort came out of the small woman who was making him breakfast, and he felt like taking her back to bed. “It’s true.”
She walked over and placed her hands on his shoulders and then gave him a kiss that showed him how much she liked his words. “You keep that up and we’re not going to leave the house today. I’ll just drag you back to bed and never let you go.”
He slid his hands up her thigh and pulled her forward. “Also a good plan.”
The waffle iron chirped again, and she moved away. “I’ll feed you first.”
Grinning like an idiot, he drank his coffee and knew this was one of the best days of his life.
***
Willa stood in front of the Natural History Museum in Balboa Park and watched a juggler entertain the crowd. Chad wrapped his arms around her waist and placed a kiss on her head. Raising her eyes, she saw he was smiling down. “Can you juggle?”
Laughing, he shook his head. “No, never had a reason to learn.”
“Me either.”
“What would you like to learn how to do in the next year?” he asked as he tightened his hold.
“I’d like to learn how to snorkel or scuba dive.” Turning, she kissed his chest. “It goes along with my whole mermaid fantasy.”
“I’ll teach you how to do both. Maybe we can find a wetsuit that resembles a mermaid.”
Taking his hand, she pulled him in the direction of the museum. “There are companies that make mermaid costumes. They’re really elaborate and quite beautiful.”
“You’ll have to send me the link, so I can see what they look like.”
They moved around a big group of tourists and walked up the steps that led to the Natural History Museum. “There are also mermaid schools. You get to spend the day in the pool with your mermaid costume, and then they take you out the ocean and do a photo shoot. It’s the whole Ariel fantasy on crack. It’s crazy how much people are willing to spend on being a mermaid for a day.”
Walking through the doors, they waited in line for tickets. “Is that something you would like to do?”
Opening her purse, she pulled out her wallet. “I don’t think so. Seems a little extreme.”
He put his hand on her wallet and shook his head, no. “Put your wallet away because you’ll never need it when I’m around.”
“That’s silly. I can buy you a ticket to see a bunch of dinosaurs.”
“Not up for discussion.” They stepped up to the desk and he stood in front of her as he purchased the tickets. Once he had them, along with a map, he took her hand. “Let’s go find the dinosaurs.”
“You’re a dinosaur with your old-fashioned ideas about who should pay for stuff.”
“I know you think you’re insulting me, but you’re not. It’s called being a gentleman and taking care of your woman. Not ever going to change.”
They walked through the busy halls in the direction of the exhibit he was interested in seeing. How had she fallen for a man who was domineering? Shaking her head, she followed behind him and realized that people were moving out of his way. Not because of anything he said or did, but because of who he was. Looking up, she saw a man who put his life on the line when he went to work, and a wave of love filled her heart. Good Lord, what was she going to do?
“I think we should stop by the display with cavemen, so we can see if your name is listed.”
He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and shrugged. “I’m sure it’s there somewhere.”
“Not something you should be proud of.”
He kissed her head and then pulled her tighter. “Not something I’m ashamed of either.”
Laughing, she put her arm around his waist and decided to enjoy her big caveman.
Standing in front of the flesh-eating beetle display, Willa studied the tiny bugs and shivered. “I wonder why the female beetles are larger than the males.”
Chad snorted and took her hand. “Because they’re being good providers and making sure their mates want for nothing.”
“Pretty sure that’s not why.” Turning away from the display, she looked around. “What would you like to see next?”
“It’s all you, babe, whatever you want.”
Leaning into him, she looked up and batted her eyelashes. “Such a prince.”
“As long as you think so.”
They wandered out of the room and walked down the corridor, glancing into rooms. “Has anything like this ever happened to you before?”
“You mean the crazy connection we’ve got after only four or five days together?”
“Yes.” Looking up, she waited. “I’m not sure what to make of it, and there’s a big part of me that wants to run away like my hair is on fire.”
“That good, huh?”
“Yeah, pretty much.” Guiding her down the hall, he led them into the room that featured fossil mysteries, and it was almost empty. They stood in front of the Sea Cow and he pulled her close.
“Would you like to tell me what has you most scared?”
Staring up at the enormous animal, she shrugged. “I guess part of it is how fast it’s happened, and also the intensity of the feelings I have already.”
“The time thing makes a certain amount of sense, but the other not so much. I think we’re lucky as shit and should be celebrating the fact that we found one another.”
Turning, she took his hand. “I’m not real excited about falling for a man in the military.”
“Any particular reason?”
Seeing his worried expression, she tightened her hold. “My mama was killed by a drunk driver when I was eight. We were living in Lafayette, and Daddy came home briefly, and then left right after the funeral.”
“Shit, Willa, I’m so sorry. That had to be horrible.”
“It wasn’t a lot of fun; I can tell you that.” She ran her finger over his and shrugged. “I was lucky because my aunts took me in and raised me with a ton of love.”
“Your dad didn’t want you to come and live with him?”
“I’m not sure. It was never discussed in my presence, and I assume it would have been close to impossible because he didn’t have a desk job.”
“I guess that makes sense.”
“I saw him once a year until he was killed in action. My aunts were both widows, and they were happy to have me, but I always felt the loss.” Feeling a tear track her cheek, she wiped it away. “The idea of falling in love with you and then losing you is not something I’d likely survive.”
“So, you think falling in love with me is possible?”
“Yes, and it’s horrible.”
Leaning down, he pressed his mouth to hers and grinned. “Babe, we’re both probably more than halfway there, so we’re going to have to figure it out.” He kissed her gently and then pulled away. “Falling in love isn’t something we can stop, and the best thing we can do is spend our energy on making it work.”
“But…”
“I’m not taking your concerns lightly and understand why you wouldn’t want to get involved with me. But I can’t stop the feelings I have, so we just have to come up with something that works for us both. I don’t have an answer except to say that I’m not going away.”
A group came into the hall, and she knew they’d said all that they could. “Where to next?”
“Let’s go look at the birds.”
“Sounds great.”
Following him out of the hall, she decided to focus on the amazing man who was holding her hand and not her fears. It wasn’t going to be easy, but maybe it was time she went after something she really wanted. No matter the risk.