Once a SEAL (4 page)

Her voice sounded incredulous. “If me standing before you in my sexy underwear doesn’t get your motor started, I don’t know who you are or what you’ve done with my other half.”

He laughed. “A challenge. Well, let’s see how fast my fingers can work.” True to his statement, he released the tiny loops in record time, helping her ease out of the silk dress, with its lacy highlights.

As he was about to place his arms around her, Aria’s phone started buzzing.

She picked it up and started reading. “Just Mark.” She turned the phone off and tossed it to the side. “Now, where were we?”

She stood before him in a white demi bra with her nipples peeking through the sheer fabric. They were begging for his touch. Her panties were made up of tiny bits of sheer white silk mesh in the front and back. The white satin garters holding her stockings showed a teasing, tantalizing glimpse of her creamy thighs. His cock hardened.

A guttural sound came from his throat, part agreement and the rest pure need. He laid her on the bed and rubbed his face between her breasts. His head moved to the side and he sucked her nipples through the sheer fabric before releasing them fully from the bra’s captivity. He took his time as he kissed his way down her stomach, running his tongue along the lines of smooth muscle on either side and into her belly button before going all the way down.

Reaching her panty line, he used his teeth and tongue to toy with the silky mesh fabric, making her buck and move as she urged him lower. He adored the panties, with its little hidey-hole just for him, and it fit his mouth and tongue perfectly.

Her hands gripped his hair as he tongued her clit. Soft moans came from her throat as he brought her again and again until she was panting and glazed with sweat. Only then did he strip the panties and stockings from her.

Pulling her into his arms, he kissed her long and deep. Waves of passion rolled over her senses as she ran her fingers down the muscles of his neck, shoulders, and back. His lean, hard body drove away every thought until she became primal, a wild woman, and their love was on some kind of prehistoric dimensional plane.

“Aria, open your eyes. See me.”

It took a few minutes…to come back to him.

Responding to the request, she slowly opened her eyes. She shared her hunger…for him, for them. This want…to be together and make their two souls into one being…was the force that drew them back to each other’s arms again and again.

“Dan…” His name was a whispered plea.

“I can take it. Give me all of you. Your love. Your fears. Your wants and desires. I’m yours, and I’ll never judge you.” He sat upright, pulled her over him and held her poised.

Need beckoned. “I need to see you, to watch you…as we make love for the first time as husband and wife.” His words were a lure, whispering into the ache.

“Yes,” Aria replied. She shivered with anticipation. She was so small against his body.

Slowly he lowered her until their skin connected. When he was fully sheathed, her body convulsed over his. She couldn’t stop the waves of pleasure, and he was glad. It fed him. “Danny!” she cried out as she came, throwing her head back in pure abandon.

As the climaxes squeezed his cock, she lowered her head and sought his eyes again. Connected as they were, and with the edge off, it was evident what was on her mind. She wanted to take control…to feed him.

He nodded and watched her place her hands on the back of the headboard for balance, and then she raised herself up and down, riding him. His eyes rolled back and then focused in on her again. It was sheer nirvana as his cock slid in and out of her silken hold. He wanted to close his eyes and just enjoy the sensation, but her green gaze sparkled with fire and he wouldn’t look away. “Give me your best, my mermaid.”

She threw back her head and laughed, which made her sheath contract and his breath catch. He basked in the intense pleasure-pain. This chemistry, the way their minds and bodies linked and so much more, drove him…to make her his.

“Dan.” She wiggled, getting his attention again.

He struggled to get words out. “What was that?”

“Just the beginning.” She smiled slyly as she set yet another rhythm, making small circles with every pulse up and down.

“Aria. Damn… I’m not sure I can take much more.” The strain was tightening the features of his face. Finally, his hands caught her hips.

She brushed them away. “No. No. No. It’s my turn. To inspire you.”

He nodded. Reaching behind him, he grabbed the top of the bed frame. He needed to do something with his hands.

“No fair,” she said as her hands moved to his muscles. Her fingers ran up and down the taut six-pack. She became distracted…and lost her rhythm.

He was dying here… “Aria.”

“Touch me, Dan, like I’m touching you.”

That was all he needed. He was a doer. Cupping her breasts, he teased her nipples with the pads of his fingers, sending her to the brink but not over the edge.

She was watching him again, her back arching slightly with every move upward. “Please. Come with me.”

His hands settled on her hips, setting the pace and bringing her over the edge right along with him.

“Danny!” she shouted. His wife was never quiet. That was another thing that he liked about her.

She collapsed against him. “It’s official.”

His hands rubbed up and down the smooth skin of her back. “It was official when we signed the marriage license. What we just did…was consummate it.”

“Want to do it again?” she said against his chest as she nuzzled his pectoral muscles and her nails swirled a design into his dark chest hair.

“Can you give me ten minutes? Maybe twenty?” He chuckled. He felt as if he’d just run a marathon.

“If I must.” She sighed melodramatically. Then she ran her fingers down his chest and toyed with the muscles of his stomach…making the six-pack dance now and then.

He unseated her and rolled her onto the bed, laying himself alongside her. “I can think of many ways to keep you occupied while my body recovers its strength, my dear,” he said, putting his most wicked intentions into his wagging eyebrows.

She giggled at him. “Do your best.” Pointing to the basket of goodies on the table near the door, he spied champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and what looked like different types of oil.

“Who gave us that?”

“I did.” She smiled up at him. “It’s not every day we have a luxurious hotel room, and I wanted to have some…fun. Isn’t that what honeymoons are for?”

“Yes, and the obvious, of course, to make my honey moan.” Rolling off the bed in one motion, he freed the champagne, popped the cork, and drizzled the bubbles and liquid over her body, which had her squealing with delight. “Mmmm, I’m ready for a little bubbly. Want to help me quench my thirst?”

“Only if I get to do the same. We’re married. Equals. And you, my SEAL man, are fair game.” She grabbed the bottle and sprayed him. Then she launched herself at him, and they rolled and played until each of them melted into the other…captivated by the pressing matters at hand.

At dawn the next morning, Aria found herself wide awake. Their room at the Hotel del Coronado was lovely, and lying next to Dan was pure bliss. She didn’t want to miss one minute of it. His body radiated warmth, and he smelled so good, as if he’d been rubbed in spice and vanilla. Of course, she’d been the one to rub oil all over him and relish the experience. They’d made love until just before dawn, and overnight the oil had soaked into the sheets. All that remained was the scent and the luscious memory.

Placing tiny kisses over his back, she wiggled against his backside. She was pleasantly sore in all sorts of places, and yet she still craved him, wanted him inside of her. Every time they made love, it was as if the connection deepened and made each of them a greater part of each other.

The sunrise streamed in through an open window, bathing the wall and a glass-framed picture of a seascape with stripes of yellow and pinky orange. The springtime air was rich with a blend of tree blossoms and flowers, and the sea breeze was mild and light.

Her fingernails scraped along his back. This time, she felt his whole body tense. He held his breath. Aria knew she needed to speak so he could orient himself. Sudden movements were akin to attacks, for SEALs. Her lips moved along his skin. “Good morning, handsome.”

He exhaled slowly. His body relaxed in stages.

Her hand caressed his back with small round circles. He would know that touch.

“Ah, the sexy woman who is now my wife.” His hands stroked hers as it moved to his chest. “Aria, right?”

She smacked her other hand on his back. “You’d better believe it.”

Turning over, Dan pulled her into his arms and kissed her. She was eager to hold him closer, to join together as one.

Slowly he rolled her onto her back. His eyes held hers captive even as her arms wrapped possessively around his neck. “Good morning, Mrs. McCullum.”

She laughed outright. “It sounds strange, doesn’t it? Mrs. McCullum. I wonder if I’ll ever get used to it.”

“Probably by our fiftieth anniversary.” Lowering his mouth to hers, he kissed her slowly, seductively, exploring all of the sweet succulent nooks of her mouth until their tongues began to dance the very primal war of hunger.

“Danny…” She sighed. Her hands wrapped intimately around him.

“You could call me John-Boy, and it’d sound great to me right now.” He laughed. “Just kidding. What do you want, my love?”

“You.” Aria laughed and then caught his lower lip in her mouth.

“Dare I move?” he slurred out.

She relinquished her prize. “You better. Your wife is in need of your attention.”

Trailing his fingers along her skin, he stroked the center of her hand with small circles and then moved upward to the sensitive crook of her elbow. He kissed her there and at her shoulder before he stroked his way along her neck. Teasing the tips of his fingers over the slim column of throat, he caught her gaze and held it. Those green eyes, so full of passion and fire—she was one of a kind. He would protect this precious soul with his life.

He kissed her lips and then trailed his fingers lower to capture one of her taut nipples. Gently he squeezed, making her squirm and push her body against him. Torturing the plum-colored jewel, he kissed his way to it, wrapped his lips around it, and drew.

“Danny, please…”

Lifting his head, he looked at her. Holding the worried piece of flesh oh, so tenderly with his teeth, he said, “Please, what?”

Aria’s fingers laced into his hair and tugged him away from his sweet treasure, bringing their faces level. “Make love to me, Dan.”

He kissed her. “Your wish is my pleasure, Aria. But perhaps it’s time for you to take charge. Wives are always a rank above their husbands in the military. We’re a logical bunch. So consider this your opening gambit.”

“I don’t believe in logic. I believe in instinct.” A wicked spark gleamed in her eyes as she wrapped her legs around him and rocked to the side.

More than happy to acquiesce to his bride, he helped her flip them over and settled her on top. From this position, she looked like a temptress leading him astray. Wherever she wanted to go, he would follow.

His body was rock hard beneath her. He was rapt as Aria’s fingers traced along the six-pack of his abs down to his manhood, where she wrapped her fingers tight. The breath caught in his throat as she slid her fingers slowly up and down.

He watched her until the sensation was so consuming he had to close his eyes and just revel in the pleasure coursing through his body. That’s when he felt her shift, and he had to see her lower her body onto his. One of the most erotic moments of his life was feeling his cock enveloped by her heavenly warmth.

“Yes,” he growled, pulling her down to his chest and rolling her beneath him. “Showing off your horseback-riding experience, huh? Well, I do not need to be tamed. It’s my turn.” Her legs squeezed tightly, making other parts of her clench. Sensation battered through his brain as his body claimed his bride. He’d wanted to go slow, to play and enjoy the bliss of their wedding morning. But the need to feel her body convulse around his, to climax as many times as possible, had him taking control and driving her to the brink of exhaustion. When she begged for release, he finally gave in and came, planting his seed deep within her.

Sweat glistened on his skin as he rolled her back on top of him. His cock slid out of her and lay pleasantly spent as she clung to him.

He could feel her heart beating and the rapid in and out of her breathing.

“I have to admit, when you give someone your total concentration, you give one hundred percent.” Aria sighed. The compliment was meant to stick, and she liked the look on his face her praise brought. If only she could freeze this moment in time and that expression, she’d bottle it.

“Yes, ma’am. That’s my job.” He pushed the hair off her forehead and kissed it. “Let me know when you’d like my focus again.”

Lifting her head, she placed her elbow on his chest. It dug in pleasantly, as if his 120-pound wife could really physically hurt him. Fixing her gaze on him, she gave him a weighty stare. “Give me an hour and a decent breakfast, and perhaps I’ll rally.”

“Smart-ass,” he said, slapping her bottom playfully. “If that’s your way of saying ‘Feed me now,’ then the point has been made.”

She laughed as she propped up the other elbow. “Yes, it is. I’ll have the eggs Benedict and fresh-squeezed orange juice, or whatever they have that’s close to that.” Rolling off of him, she slid off the bed and walked slowly to the bathroom. Before she went in, she turned. “I knew you’d be watching. If you’d like, I could always use someone to wash my back.”

He was out of bed and by her side before she’d finished her statement. “I’ve got your six, Mrs. McCullum.”

“Good to know, Mr. McCullum. I have a few places that, uh, could use your special attention. A couple of…hard-to-reach places.” She threw him a wicked look before sashaying into the bathroom.

***

The shower was short-lived. A ringing cell phone sent Dan dashing out of the shower and into the bedroom. He had ears like a bat! If it had been her choice, she would have let that work phone ring all day long. But she wasn’t “on call” to the Navy, and that, of course, changed things in terms of his availability.

Rinsing the soap off her body, she contemplated washing her hair, when Dan shouted from the bedroom. “Aria, come here. It’s important!”

Shutting off the water, she grabbed a towel, blotted her skin dry quickly, and then wrapped it around her body.

“Aria, are you coming?”

“Yes, I’m on my way.”

Her bare feet padded from the tile to the soft bedroom carpet. The spring breeze from the open window made the room chilly, and she shivered.

“Great news! That was the housing office. There’s a house on Silver Strand! Granted, it’s not guarded—open to the public to drive through anytime they want—but it’s less than two minutes from the Amphibious Base. I have to go the housing office right now to secure it, but other than that, we are set. Damn, I love the Navy!” He picked her up and spun her around. Placing her on her feet, he kissed her lustily and then said, “Can you handle packing everything up in here, and I’ll meet you in the lobby in an hour?”

“It’s our honeymoon.” Her stomach tightened. She wanted more time—to talk, to be together, and to just relax without rushing off somewhere. This wasn’t how she pictured their romantic getaway.

She sighed. She was fighting her own expectations and fantasies. It wasn’t him. Mentally, she agreed this was a great opportunity. The best thing she could do was join in the excitement and let go of her wish for control.

“Please don’t look at me like that. Aria, this is about our new home.” The expression in his eyes was candid and earnest. “We’re being given a great opportunity. Call this a gift. The best one we could ever receive. There are sailors who would move the pillars of hell for an opportunity to be in this housing area.”

My
apartment
is
uber-small. It would be nice to have a bigger place.

“Aria, what do you say…can you handle it? I promise to make it up to you, the honeymoon part.”

She looked away, taking in the clutter and chaos of the room. There was stuff everywhere: her wedding gown, his uniform, and all their discarded accessories. She supposed it could be worse. Pasting a smile on her face, she said, “Absolutely.” Besides, she liked the idea of a new home, particularly when it made him this happy. Perhaps it would make him more excited to come home every night, not that he’d ever needed prodding to visit her apartment before.

“Thanks. You’re a great wife. I promise, you’ll love it.” His hands squeezed her arms affectionately, and then he practically sprinted to his overnight bag and dug out a pair of faded jeans and a navy blue Tommy Bahama short-sleeve shirt. He pulled them on quickly, slid his feet into deck shoes, and walked around as he buttoned the shirt. Grabbing his watch, cell phone, and wallet off the nightstand, he was out the door with a wave. “See you in sixty with our new keys.”

The door slammed shut with a bang. She stared at it for a few seconds. “Ah, married life.” The words rang hollow in the room.

Now, where to begin? She pulled out a polka-dot sundress, a matching peach-colored bra-and-panty set, and sandals. After getting dressed, she wound her long hair into a bun and then began packing.

She found a granola bar in his bag and ate it as she worked. “For the record, I would have liked breakfast in bed.”

Finding the phone, she thumbed through the messages. There were thirty-seven from Mark. Nothing important…just chitchat. She deleted most of them, laughed at a couple, and then stuffed the phone into her purse so she didn’t forget it.

Catching sight of the clock, she rushed around the room, gathering their stuff.

Laying the last wrinkled article of clothing into her bag, she sat on it, trying to squish all of the air out and squeeze the sides of the L.L. Bean duffel closed. She wrinkled her nose as she looked at the piles on the bed.
How
did
we
get
so
much
stuff
already?

His uniform and her wedding dress had to be hung up, and they needed to be in protective bags. She contemplated calling Dan, asking him to stop at her apartment and pick up something to help her cause. Yet she didn’t want to give in to the temptation. She was a SEAL wife; she could handle this…come up with a creative solution. She could be just as ingenious or resourceful as Dan bragged about the Team guys being.

Grabbing the card key, she headed down to the gift shop and found exactly what she needed: one long and one short garment bag with brightly colored beach umbrellas decorating them. They weren’t the exact item she would have preferred, but the selection was limited. Regardless, it would be a memory of their honeymoon, even if this jaunt felt somewhat brief.

Too bad they hadn’t sat together on the balcony. Or made love on the beach in front of the Del—not that it would have been private. Or swum in the pool. Or gone to the spa. Dozens of wonderful options to make them both feel pampered, relaxed, and refreshed. Instead their world was go, go, go! “God, I hope we can slow down and enjoy each other at some point.”

***

True to his word, Dan pulled his Mustang up to the front door of the Hotel del Coronado precisely one hour from the time he left. She was waiting exactly where he’d asked her to be.

He easily hauled the bags into the trunk before he came around, kissed her cheek, and opened the car door for her.

“I noticed you added to our luggage collection. Those beach umbrellas are just my style,” he said with a wink.

She adored his smile. “I think all our bags should be decked out in rainbow colors.”

“Very chic.” He opened his car door and slid behind the wheel. Putting the car in drive, he sped out of the semicircle, down the drive, and across Orange Avenue. “By the way, a few things I forgot about. The first is about…your ID. We need to do that now, and then go back to the housing office. I went to your apartment and picked up your passport and social-security card. I think between that, your driver’s license, and our marriage certificate, we should be able to get the job done.”

“Does that require a picture?” She bit her lip, hoping that wouldn’t be the case. Between buying the garment bags and doing the packing, she hadn’t been able to put on any makeup.

“Yes. Why?” He didn’t get it. Men never did.

Flipping the visor down, she studied her face in the mirror. “I wish I had more time. I look sixteen.”

“Are you kidding me?” He seemed shocked. “Aria, you’re gorgeous.”

“I have freckles. There are lines around my mouth and eyes, and my lips are too pale.” She had more criticisms, a laundry list of them actually, but she kept those to herself. She wasn’t prepared to take the bloom off the rose quite yet. Dan would see her faults soon enough, and there was little she could do about them physically, other than work out more. On the other hand, if she felt herself perfect, wouldn’t that be an issue, too? Letting out a long slow sigh, she decided it really didn’t matter. Who wanted to look like a magazine ad?