A Million Wishes (16 page)

He chuckled and tugged a lock of her hair “The military doesn’t allow goldilocks so it’s been buzzed like this ever since I joined up. But hearing you say that makes me want to grow it out again since I don’t have to keep it short anymore.” She smiled and pressed her kiss swollen lips to his again. He tasted so good and seemed so relaxed, allowing her to find her way and explore him. Her heart was full with love for him. He was trying to show her how patient he could be. It made her love him even more.

This time when she pulled back, he decided to tell her some of the demons he had as well. “Miki, I want you to know that I understand the scars you have inside will never go away. I have scars of my own, both physical and mental. Things I saw and done in war, the injuries that make me feel less than a man since I couldn’t return to duty.” His voice caught again and he cleared his throat, looking away for a moment and she wondered, wondered if he’d ever tell her what he carried on his shoulders that gave him that faraway look in his eyes.

“
Noah, you aren’t less of a man because of that. You are more of a man because you fought for your country for so long. You survived; there is nothing to be ashamed for being honorably discharged. You’re a hero baby. I know you haven’t showed me all of your scars. I’ve saw some but if anything they make you even more beautiful and sexy to me.” Her cheeks flushed pink but she wanted him to know the truth. He was a gorgeous man, scars and all.

“
Then listen to yourself Miki. If you can love me even though I have scars and my own demons to battle, you should be able to believe I can feel those same things for you despite the scars you have and the demons you battle.”

She started to deny it but the honest look in his eyes warmed her soul and she nodded whispering softly. “I never believed anyone would still care for me Noah. Would care enough that he didn’t care about what I couldn’t give. You…you make me want to believe it.”

“
Well, that’s a start babydoll. Each and every day I want to show you more and more. I’m not backing down Miki. I’m not letting you go. I haven’t felt like this before and I don’t want it to stop. You bring me out of the dark Miki. Let me bring you out of the dark too.”

Miki cupped his cheeks in her hands and kissed him full on the lips. The blanket falling to her waist now that she wasn’t clasping it to her, pressing against his chest she wrapped her arms around his neck and took her time learning the shape of his mouth. Cataloging in her mind what motion made him make that deep sexy sound that was part animal. That sound thrilled her. She’d never kissed a guy this much in her entire life as much as she had this big, strong, sexy hunk of a man. It was intoxicating. Not scary at all. Not yet. Something about that growl made her tingle and ache to make him do it again. He made her feel safe, wanted, loved and accepted and most of all, desired.

Noah had noticed when the blanket slipped from her delicate shoulders and pooled at her waist and across his lap. Warm hands rubbed from her fingers to her shoulders and down her back, gently pulling her closer. He groaned when her tight nipples scraped his chest through their clothing. He clenched her waist tighter and bit her bottom lip, sucking it harder and she answered him by rubbing her bottom in his lap. He forced himself to pull his mouth from hers because his control snapped. He lifted her and plopped her on the couch, hopping up, and taking off for the kitchen grumbling something about coffee. Stunned she just sat there a moment. Her body tingling and lips were aching from the bites and wild kisses. She wondered if she’d done something wrong. Worried, she stood up on shaky legs and walked towards the kitchen, stopping for a moment when she passed the mirror in the hallway, seeing her hair in disarray, her puffy kiss swollen lips and dazed look in her eyes. She smiled and giggled a bit, her hand on her mouth so he wouldn’t hear. She looked like the ladies in the movies when they had been mauled by the man that they loved. It made her feel beautiful.

He stood there, furiously stirring the drinks. He was making her favorite. Strong black coffee with a packet of hot cocoa stirred in, a splash of milk and teaspoon of sugar. Of course, she had never beaten it until it was sloshing over the sides but still, he was endearing in doing so. Her hand slid down the arm he was stirring with and her other arm slid round his waist to hug him from behind. His hard stomach rippled under her touch and she smiled, kissing his back and rubbing her face against his shirt nuzzling.

“
Are you trying to whip the cocoa to death Noah?” She laughed and smiled up at him when he turned in her arms to face her and gave her that cute lopsided grin.

“
Maybe, it’s a wonder we didn’t just burn the house down in there a minute ago so I’m surprised it’s not boiling over out of the cups.” He laughed and hugged her to him.

Miki traced her delicate fingers over his cheek and tilted her face to his. Lips met and slid in a wondrous way that had her tiptoeing up to meet his mouth more firmly, intensely. Noah’s thick fingers slipped through her silky soft waves of fiery red hair and gripped tight at the base of her slender neck. The low husky growl he made was one of total possession and her mewling whimper was meant to set fire through his veins because in that moment, he knew she was his. He was successful. She softened to him and relaxed against him giving him her trust. The most precious gift he’d ever been given. His other hand slowly snaked around her lower back and gripped down on her soft feminine behind and squeezed it tight, lifting her to him as he bit and sucked her tender lips.

Even though they were fully clothed she could feel the heat radiating off his muscular frame and warming her, drawing her to him like a moth to a flame. The taste and feel of him was addicting. She was drunk with passion. Something she never dreamed she could or would feel. He was lifting her off her feet by her bottom. She didn’t know whether to blush and tell him to put her down or twine her legs around his waist and slither against him. God she wanted to do that. But she couldn’t. Instead she slid her hands down his chest and dug her nails in, just for a moment, then pulled back gasping for breath. Lowering her eyes she gulped in deep breaths and tried to steady her nerves. He wouldn’t let her look away. His fingers tipped up her chin again and he kissed the tip of her nose, smiling.

“
Are you ready for a chocolate coffee break?”

He gave her that grin again and she couldn’t help but smile, nodding and picking up her cup, sipping the hot, sweet mixture.

“
Mmm, nothing better than hot chocolaty goodness.” She said, innocently licking chocolate from her lips.

“
Oh I can think of a few things darlin’.” She blushed at him and shook her head giggling.

Reaching for her hand he walked back to the living room with her. Going to the stereo he set it on some slow R&B and took the blanket she’d been snuggled in and spread it out in front of the fire, crooking his finger at her and sitting down sipping his drink. She settled next to him and he easily slid his arm around her and pulled her close and kissed her cheek, nuzzling his nose against her neck.

“
Mmm you always smell so good babydoll. Like coconut and honey, delicious and sweet. Mine all mine. You realize that now don’t you love? That you are mine.” His voice was thick with love and desire. It made her ache low in her tummy.

“
You smell like pure, sexy, mmm
man
.” She blushed and lowered her eyes.

Noah laughed and nipped her lips, licking the chocolate taste from them and grinning.

“
Glad you approve babydoll. You’re stuck with me, so if you would have said I smelled like a horse’s ass I’d almost feel sorry for you that you would have to endure that the rest of our lives.”

She laughed and playfully punched his arm and rolled her eyes. “You are such a pain in the rear Noah Cane. You’re lucky you’re so damn sexy I’ve kept you around all these years.”

He feigned a shocked look and she burst into giggles, feeling better than she had, ever. All because of him, her sexy Romeo, that’s how she was beginning to think of him, as hers. It felt so good too.

Chapter 13

Miki woke up slowly, starting to stretch when she realized she couldn’t, because she was held tight by a muscular arm wrapping her waist and she blushed, smiling and turning in his arms. The last thing she remembered was finishing their chocolate, eating the dinner Vivi had brought them and he asked if he could hold her a while. So they had snuggled in front of the fire softly talking, sharing tender kisses and eventually had fallen asleep. His blue eyes opened and the sleepy grin that he gave her made her heart thump erratically. Mouths met in a warm kiss, her arms wrapping around him as they pulled each other closer. Miki purred into his mouth while one strong hand affectionately caressed her bottom, their legs twining together losing themselves in the heated embrace.

Rolling to his back he pulled her on top of him and let his hand roam up and down her back, loving on her. Her body softened against his while she lay on top of him, her thighs parted to straddle his waist. Heavenly, that was the only way she could think of to describe it. It was pure heaven to be against him, kissing him, feeling his hand lovingly caress her. She wanted to move against him, but her shyness wouldn’t let her. She was afraid too. Still too many ghosts in her mind to feel free. Then he squeezed her bottom and rubbed his hips up against her and she felt how thick and hard he was. He growled and rubbed again, harder this time, pulling her hips against him this time and she froze, pulling her head back away from the kiss and whimpered, a look of fear in her eyes. It took a second for his thoughts of why she would pull back hit him, and he immediately released his groping hands and looked stricken when he realized what he’d been doing, after he had promised her he would wait and take things slow.

“
God Miki I’m so sorry babydoll.” Quickly he sat up and hugged her, kissing her cheek. “I lost myself a minute there baby, it was so good, you felt so…and I … damn honey I’m so sorry.”

She reached for him and hugged him tight, kissing him. “No baby, don’t be sorry… it’s not you, I just, I’ve never…never even kissed anyone like I’ve kissed you. I’ve never let anyone touch me. I’m…I’m not used to it and…”

“
Babydoll, my sweet Miki girl.” He kissed her again, he didn’t know what else to do but hold her and pepper her face with tiny little kisses. “You honor me with your trust and your love. I’ll do my best not to take it so far, so fast, until you’re ready, until you tell me you want to. Ok babydoll?”

She nodded, embarrassed now for ruining the most intimate and loving moment she’d ever experience. Her entire body was tender and aching. She knew that if she’d just let her walls down, that Noah could soothe that ache inside her that he’d brought to life. If only he knew how badly she wanted to be normal. How badly she wanted to be right for him. Sitting there with her hands twisting in her lap and head lowered, she suddenly stood and headed for the kitchen. “I’ll make us some coffee and whip up some breakfast with the stuff your mom brought yesterday.”

When she dashed off like a scared kitten he could have punched himself. He felt like an ass now that he had her scurrying off just because he had started thinking with the wrong head. Damn. He had been alone for so long now. Military life did that to you. Always moving here and there, hell he’d been overseas for years now and unwilling to start a relationship with anyone doing the work he’d been doing. So when he had woken up with her softness nestled against him and they started kissing, well damn, she had settled against his aching sex and he lost his fucking mind.

He sighed and shook his head. Time to do some damage control, but first he needed some ice cold water on his face so he stood and went into the bathroom and turned the water on cold and stuck his head under the faucet, cussing himself and then drying off before heading for the kitchen. Soon as he rounded the counter, he was greeted with her bending over and rummaging through pots and pans, he groaned when his entire body went rigid and throbbed. “You know, you are really making it hard for me to think of anything but kissing you and touching that gorgeous curvy ass of yours Miki. Have mercy on me babydoll, you’re killing me.”

She jumped at his voice and cracked her head on the cabinet, cursing and rubbing her head she rose and turned to face him, laughing when she saw the look of misery on his face. Dropping the pan on the stove she strode towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hard, pulling back and grinning. “I love you Noah.”

“
Well, hell…” He pulled her up against him, off her feet, and sat her on the counter and kissed her tenderly, leaving her panting as he walked to the stove. “I’ll make you breakfast and tonight; you can make me dinner, deal?”

“
Wait a minute; I won’t be here tonight to make you dinner Romeo. I have to head back to Atlanta today remember? Finals this week, which I haven’t studied for since I’ve been here, thanks to you.” She gave him a mischievous grin and he walked over to her, slid his fingers in her hair and pulled her mouth to his kissing her firmly, deeply, until both were shaking.