CHAPTER SIX
Ace had always hated when a mission got canceled, with the exception of the one that just got scrubbed. It was a long shot at best, and everyone knew it, so the usual sour mood in the team room was absent. In fact, everyone was damn near jubilant since the combat tempo they’d kept up since arriving in Yemen had been brutal.
Sliding his phone out, he shot off a quick text to Lisa and hoped she’d be feeling up to a visit, so he could give her a goodnight kiss. When she responded with a thumbs-up, he felt his gut kick with excitement. “Going to see my lady,” he said to himself with a smile.
Standing at her door in record time, he knocked and then pushed the door open. “Hey, honey, I’m home.”
“Hey, devil boy, what brings you by?”
“I need to give you a goodnight kiss and see how you’re doing.”
“I’m cozy in my bed and about to fall asleep.”
“Can I join you?” Feeling her eyes crawl over his body, he hoped she’d been serious about needing some therapeutic sex because he’d love to be the one to give it to her.
“I suppose.”
“Not as enthusiastic a response as I’d hoped for, but I’ll take it.”
“Take your boots off; I don’t want the dirt in my bed.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Seeing her smile, he laughed. “I can take off a lot more than that if you like.”
“Just the boots for now.” She turned off her computer and slid it on the stack of crates next to the bed. “If I like your kisses, then maybe I’ll ask for more.”
Smirking, he hit the lock on the door and got rid of his boots and sweatshirt. “You liked ‘em earlier, so I’m feeling nothing but optimistic.”
A careless shrug was all he got in response.
Which didn’t bother him a bit since he had a feeling that the spark they had could be ignited if they had a little uninterrupted time.
Sliding into the bed, he leaned against the wall. “How’s the arm?”
“Good. Went by medical earlier and they put a new dressing on and applied a numbing cream. Right now, I don’t feel a thing.”
Running his hand over her hip, he pulled her closer. “Maybe, I can change that.”
“I’m sure you can if you put a little effort into it.”
Feeling her hand slide under his T-shirt, he welcomed her touch as she glided her fingers across his stomach. “Feels good.”
“Haven’t done anything yet.”
“I like your hands on me.”
“I like my hands on you too since you feel like you were born in a gym.”
“I have to be in good shape to do what I do.”
“I guess being a super-hero does require a certain level of fitness.”
“I’m no super-hero, just a guy lucky enough to be doing something I love alongside the best men in the world.”
“Speaking of doing what you love, I thought you were going on an op.”
“Got scrubbed.”
“Any chance of telling me why?”
“Not really, but feel free to try and change my mind.” When she rolled her eyes, he let out a laugh. “Or I could just kiss you like I’ve been wanting to since I left you eight hours ago.”
“I probably won’t hate it.”
Before she could tell him more lies, he had his mouth on hers and kissed her tenderly, knowing he’d like nothing more than hours to memorize every inch of her body. Her tongue was smooth against his, and a dizzying sensation the likes of which he’d never experienced washed over him.
Holding onto his control, he bunched his muscles and dug his fingers into her hips as he kissed her mindlessly, feeling her respond in kind.
A blessing if ever there was one.
Feeling her hands push against his chest, he let go of her mouth, taking in a breath. “Sorry.”
“God, don’t say that.”
“It wasn’t too much?”
“A little, but I loved it. The last twenty-four hours were a little rough, and I didn’t enjoy running the gauntlet as we maneuvered away from the fighting.” Kissing him gently, she smiled against his mouth. “This is the very best medicine.”
“Fuck,” he groaned. “I hated having you out there without me.”
She shook her head and kissed him again. “We’re not talking about it anymore. I’m fine, so let’s keep kissing.”
“You know I have a lot to say on the subject.”
“Yes, and I’m not really interested in hearing it.” Trailing her hand down his stomach, she moved her finger along the waistband of his pants. “I think we can find something else to do that would be much more enjoyable.”
“Like what?”
“I have a couple of ideas, and I’m not sure which one we should start with.”
“Pinch me.”
“What?”
“You heard me; I need to make sure I’m not dreaming.”
She moved her fingers into his pants and grinned. “Can you be this hard if you’re dreaming?”
“God damn, woman, I’ve been burning for you and hope you’re ready for what I’m about to give you.”
“Only one way to find out.”
He watched her stand and frowned. “Where are you going?”
“Condoms and light.”
“I want to see you.”
“Those blinds on the window are jacked, and I don’t want anyone catching a glimpse of us.” She dug into her bag and pulled out a condom and then hit a small nightlight as she turned off the overhead light.
“You travel with a night light.”
“Don’t make fun of me, Ace.”
“I’m not.” Sitting up, he pulled her between his knees and slid his hand into her sweatpants. “I have an undeniable animal attraction for you that makes me want to earn your heart and never let go.”
“God, Ace. That’s so…overwhelming, terrifying and…”
“Amazing?”
“A little.”
He helped her get rid of her clothes and then his own and lifted her into bed. When she was laid out before him like a feast, he licked his lips and watched her eyes dilate. “Maybe it’s time to show you how I feel and leave the talking for later.”
She pulled him down and kissed him roughly. “Good idea.”
Leaning up, he grinned. “You are so fucking beautiful; I feel too damn lucky for words.”
“Show me, then.”
“My pleasure,” he murmured as he pulled her closer, hearing a soft gasp fall from her lips.
***
No, she thought, it’s going to be my pleasure as he plundered her mouth. Not sure if she’d ever been as turned on, she gripped his shoulders and couldn’t decide what she wanted first. It was like she’d been on some sort of starvation diet and was suddenly offered a seat at a banquet.
And what a banquet Ace was, with his combined courtesy and dark intent. His touch was both gentle and implacable, and it made her wonder if heaven was any better. Letting her eyes drift shut, she felt his mouth move to the sensitive spot below her ear and shivered under the strokes his talented tongue was making.
“So soft,” he murmured as he cupped her head.
Feeling him move down, he ran his lips across her collarbone, shoulders, and then rested gently against her chest.
Could he hear her heartbeat trying to bang its way out of her chest?
If he could, then there would be no way to hide.
Something she very much wanted to do as her lustful feelings tried to transform themselves into more. Shoving the idea down, she concentrated on how good his mouth felt as he licked her breast slowly.
Surprised by his patience, she didn’t know what to do with his controlled moves. There was no running from point A to point B with this man, and it was both amazing and slightly unnerving. Feeling both his heat and weight, she settled a little and let his clean male scent fill her lungs.
Moving her hands over his back, she opened her eyes and saw the top of his silky dark hair in the shadows and sighed.
“Stay out of your head and let me make you feel good.”
“I’m trying,” she whispered.
“Look at me.”
She dropped her eyes and saw his intense gaze and felt like there was nothing else in the world but the two of them. “What?”
“You can trust me; I promise.”
Before she could respond, he dropped his face between her cleavage and nipped one of her nipples with his teeth. “Don’t take a bite out of me.”
He chuckled and then stroked his tongue gently, shooting a hot pulse between her legs. He continued his torture by pinching and licking, and before she could bite back the sound, a moan escaped as he gave her one particularly good nip. “Ace.”
Seeing him rise on his knees, she watched as his muscles rippled and flexed. A work of art if ever there was one.
“I like your hungry eyes.”
“I’ve never seen a man as beautiful as you.”
“I’m just a beat-up soldier,” he mumbled as he lowered himself into the cradle of her spread thighs.
Feeling his hard muscles under his soft skin, she smiled to herself as he got between her legs and nuzzled her panties. She took in a breath and felt his mouth press a kiss to her mound before he slid them off and sighed audibly.
“Been thinkin’ about this,” he murmured.
“Yeah?”
“I bet you’re sweet,” he said as his breath teased over her mound.
Holding her breath, she was almost knocked back when he started at her opening and pushed his tongue deep inside. She fell back as he dragged it slowly up and parted her folds until his wicked tongue bumped her clit.
“Fuck, you taste like candy,” he growled before swirling his tongue over her clit.
Gasping, she closed her eyes and felt herself float away as he tongued her pussy and tasted all of her. Stars exploded behind her eyes, and she dug her fingers into his hair and moaned.
Hearing the wind pick up outside, she felt a gust push against the walls as she called out his name. Ace seemed to be as feral a lover as a warrior, and she didn’t know if he’d leave more than her bones when all was said and done.
Arching into his face, she felt his finger slide inside as his tongue did impossible things. How was he this good with his mouth? Feeling herself stiffen, she knew she was close.
“Don’t you hold back, Lisa.”
“Ace, it’s too much.” Lifting her head, she saw him gorging himself on her flesh and closed her eyes as she came, calling his name over and over as she fell into a thousand pieces.
Feeling the rough scrape of his beard against her thighs, she let out a strangled laugh until he started all over again. Moving her hands to his shoulders, she tried to move him away from her overly sensitive flesh. “I can’t.”
“You taste too fucking good. Let me eat you again; just lay back and enjoy.”
Squirming, she shuddered and thrashed as his clever tongue took her up one more time until she had nothing left and came in a violent wave.
Panting, sweating and twitching at odd intervals, she lay against the bed and flung her arm over her face. “I’m ruined.”
“Not yet, but if you give me another twenty minutes, I’ll guarantee it.”
She lifted her arm and saw his jaunty satisfied smile and groaned as he stood and took off his jockeys, letting his erection spring free. “Lord have mercy.”
He stroked himself a couple of times and grinned. “See what you to do me.”
She licked her lips and watched his eyes flash.
“Be careful, Lisa.”
Sitting up, she moved to the edge of the bed and crooked her finger. “Come here and make me.” He let out a husky laugh and stepped closer, allowing her to take him in her mouth. Licking his pulsing heat, she heard him gasp as he settled his hands on either side of her head.
Feeling the thrill of having him under her power, she moved her hand to his shaft and stroked him as she let her mouth run over the head of his cock. Take that; she thought to herself as he sucked him deeply, wanting him to feel as out of control as she had.
Only she didn’t get the chance because he moved away and did some sort of ninja move that put her flat against the bed with him on top. “What?”
“I’m too damn close.”
“But…”
“Next time,” he replied as he grabbed the condom and slid it on quickly.
“This could be our only time, though.”
“No, it’s not.” He dropped his head and kissed her thoroughly. “This is going to happen thousands of times.”
“I don’t think that…” Then he kissed her again to stop the words. Something she was coming to expect when he didn’t like what he heard.
“Let me show you why this is just the beginning.”
She looked up and nodded and felt him thrust deep inside her body. Accepting him and his wild statements, she let her legs fall open. Driving himself in and out slowly, she kept her eyes on his and felt invisible threads binding them together.
“You fit me perfectly, so tight and slick.”
“More, Ace. Don’t you hold back.”
“You sure you can handle it?” he asked as he ground his hips.
“I can take whatever you have to give.”
Throwing his head back, he laughed. “Doubt it.”
Feeling frustrated, she flexed her hips trying to get him to move, and he did the unthinkable and pulled out slightly. “Ace…”
“Hush, woman.” He thrust into her as he dropped his full weight and pulled her legs around his waist. “You ready?”
“Absolutely,” she replied as he thrust deeply, hitting the spot that had stars dancing across her eyes. “More,” she cried, feeling his hips flex as she was smashed against his chest, allowing their slick bodies to slide together.
He took her roughly and their hearts pounded in tandem as electricity crackled around them violently. Kissing him, she bit his lip as her desperation for release shimmered just out of touch. His hand moved between their bodies, and with one touch to her bud, she exploded as her back bowed off the bed.
“Fuck, yes,” Ace roared as he joined her.
Thoughts and feelings flying wildly, she wondered if she’d ever be the same as the almost unbearable pleasure sliced through her body.
Feeling him collapse against her, she closed her eyes and decided he was the sort of man who could brighten her life in a way that would make it impossible to let go.
“Just the beginning,” Ace murmured. “We’re starting this thing for real when we get home.”
“If we keep doing that, then I’d love nothing more.”
Lifting his head, he grinned and then kissed her. “We’re going to do everything, and no matter what, I got you.”
Pulling him closer, she hugged him and wondered if he was the real deal.
If he was, then she was going to hold on with everything she had.