Her Adoring SEAL (Midnight Delta Book 3) Page 10

  “Really? What?”

  “First you have to get all of your daily vitamins and nutrients from the mega dose of sugar known as Froot Loops and I’ll tell you.” He grinned, as he got her a new bowl and spoon.

  He sat back across from her and dived in to the cereal with relish, matching her spoonful to spoonful. Okay, he had to admit, he had Fruity Pebbles at his condo. Who didn’t like morning crack sometimes? As soon as her last bite was eaten she rested her spoon in the empty bowl, and looked at him expectantly.

  “Tell me my surprise.”

  “Better yet, I’ll show you. Go and put on your oldest pair of jeans and I’ll give you one of my T-Shirts to wear.”

  “So this is a fancy date,” she said as she rushed down the hall brimming with excitement. He pulled a clean T-Shirt out of his duffle and knocked on her door.

  “Come in.” He hesitated. Seeing her in any sort of undress was going to kill him. She turned around, and he saw her in a tank top with hip hugger jeans. Yep, death by Beth.

  “I brought the T-Shirt.”

  “Tell me my surprise, and I’ll give you the plastic spoon I got out of the box of Froot Loops,” she coaxed. Jack watched transfixed as she pulled on the T-Shirt. Beth had a great body, and his body approved. Damn, keep it together Preston.

  “If it was the blue spoon I would’ve have told you, but since you fished out the pink spoon you’ll just have to wait. Let’s head to the car.”

  Jack already called Mrs. Marsh, and by the time they got to the little co-op garden in San Diego, she was waiting for them.

  “Jack!” she called out. “I’m over here.”

  “What is this place?” Beth asked, as they walked down the paths towards the senior citizen.

  “This is a shared garden. For those of us who live in apartments and condos, and don’t have yards, we can garden and grow food in a collective piece of land. I thought you might enjoy working in Mrs. Marsh’s garden with her. You’ll love her. She’s the one who keeps my plants alive whenever I’m overseas.”

  “Jack, who is this beautiful girl you’ve brought today? Is she your girlfriend?”

  “Yes she is. I done good, didn’t I Mrs. M?”

  “Well if she can use gardening tools, then I’ll approve. I’m Sarah Marsh, what’s your name?”

  “I’m Beth.” Jack knew it was easier at this point for her to stick with a first name than try to remember the new last name she’d been given.

  “Well Beth, do you know the difference between weeds, and actual cabbage, carrots, and beans?”

  “I do.”

  “Excellent! I have an extra set of knee pads and gloves. Let’s get you started.” After Mrs. Marsh got Beth situated she turned to Jack.

  “You know what you need to do.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” He grinned. He went to the parking lot and helped all the different people—mostly strangers—unload their cars, and bring their supplies into the fenced in garden. Mrs. Marsh told him early on when he’d come to work in her garden that first he had to put his back to work helping all the tired old people. She’d winked when she’d said it. But when he saw all the loads people carried, he definitely saw her point.

  By the time he got back to work Mrs. Marsh’s row of tomatoes, he saw they were fast friends and Beth was back to her old self. He’d hit a home run.

  One of the other women from the co-op came over to Beth and started speaking in Spanish. Soon they were involved in an intense conversation about different types of peppers for cooking.

  “Even though you haven’t asked, yes, all of your plants are doing fine. Now tell me about Beth, she’s lovely.”

  “She is isn’t she?”

  “Inside and out. I’d always hoped you were smart enough to look for substance as well as flash. I see you were.” He looked at Mrs. Marsh and smiled.

  “We’re going to have to be going soon. I needed to give her some time to wind down. I appreciate you meeting us out here.”

  “It wasn’t a problem at all.” The older woman smiled. Beth came over.

  “I think it’s about time I got you some lunch. We can go by my place and get cleaned up first. Mrs. Marsh, would you like to come with us?”

  “I have a date, honey. You two run along. Beth, thanks for all of your help. Jack, thanks for only pulling up two of my tomato plants this time.”

  “Hey wait a minute.”

  “I’m teasing, I’m teasing.” Beth and Mrs. Marsh exchanged a significant glance and Jack sighed. He’d really tried, but he probably pulled up two of her tomato plants.

  ****

  Jack amazed her. He seemed to always find the right things for her to do. But wasn’t it getting old? Everything being about her? They got back to Santa Monica at four o’clock. She’d gotten a call from her sister letting her know they were all going to have dinner near the water, and what time to join them.

  “Lydia, I think I’m going to bow out tonight.” There was a long pause on the phone. Beth could practically hear her sister’s mental gears turning.

  “You want some time alone with Jack. I get it.”

  “I’ll call you tomorrow. You three have fun.”

  “Call me if you need anything. I do mean anything.”

  “I won’t. I’m covered.” Beth hung up the phone.

  Jack closed the blinds after watching the trade-off of shifts between Mike, Lou, Chris, and Terry.

  “We’re not going out with Lydia and your folks?”

  “Nope, we’re going to do what you want to do tonight. Watch sports, a movie, go to a bar. Something you would do if I wasn’t around.” He looked at her like she’d grown a second head.

  “Going out with you and your family sounded nice.”

  “I’m sick of everything revolving around me. You haven’t done one thing that’s made you happy since we’ve met. It’s been all about Beth Hidalgo and her needs.”

  “Uhhhm. Where is this coming from?”

  “Even today, you took me to the garden so I could relax after yesterday. Once again putting me first. Well now we put you first.” He stalked across the room, and suddenly she had a big blonde man towering over her.

  “Are you out of your mind? Where is this coming from?”

  “It’s true. Everything is about me. I want something to be about you.”

  “Think this through. The reason I knew to take you to the co-op garden is because I go there sometimes with Mrs. Marsh. When we were on the ranch, I took you horseback riding because I like to ride horses. We sat around and read books because that’s something I like to do.” He looked totally frustrated.

  “But still, since knowing me, you’ve been glued to my hip. You haven’t had any alone time. You haven’t had a chance to go out with any of your friends.”

  “My friends are my team mates. Most of them have been either on maneuvers or deployed. When all of this is over with, yes, I want you to meet them. I want you to spend time getting to know them. They are a great bunch of guys. What about you? Your life’s been on hold.”

  She looked at him with dawning comprehension. Her life had been on hold for seven years. Ever since the moment in the file room her life had been on hold. Before then she’d wanted so much more. It wasn’t just that she wanted to be a wife and mother. She wanted to work with children too. Really work with them on a professional level.

  Beth thought about what she left behind in Mexico and it really wasn’t all that much. Except for her time volunteering at the school she was damn near a shut-in. All of her drive and ambition had stopped in one dusty room in fifteen horrifying minutes.

  “I used to want to be a teacher.”

  “I wondered why you hadn’t pursued college like Lydia.”

  “I think I’ve been in stasis.”

  “That makes total sense.”

  “It’s stupid,” she said bitterly. All those wasted years.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “I’m disgusted with myself. I look at all Lydia has accomplishe
d, and it seems all I’ve done is cooked and cleaned.”

  “The way Lydia tells it, you’ve made a hell of a difference to those children in the community center.” That brought her up short.

  “Jack, it’s the other way around. They saved me. Those kids are so special, and so loving. I don’t think I could have kept it together if it weren’t for them.” He folded her in his arms, and she breathed him in. His cheek lightly rested on the top of her head.

  “When it’s done right, it’s what happens in a relationship. You end up saving one another.” She stood for long moments, her arms wrapped around the warm, gentle giant.

  “I still want us to do a Jack thing. Movie? Sports? Football—your American kind?”

  “It’s not football season, otherwise yes. But sure let’s see what’s on Netflix. I vote for showers first.” Beth jumped back.

  “Oh, I must stink!”

  “Not even on your ripest day do I think you could stink.” Jack smiled. She grimaced and headed towards the bedroom to get a change of clothes for after her shower.

  As she smoothed the vanilla scented soap over her body, Beth noticed something. She liked the feel of her skin under her hands. She’d never really thought about it before, bathing had always been a chore. Actually, sometimes her body made her uncomfortable, a little unclean, like something needed to be washed a little more vigorously. Not today, today it felt like her skin needed to be pampered with the foamy suds.

  She got out of the shower, and slathered on the matching vanilla lotion. She hardly ever put lotion on her skin, but today she thought of Jack noticing the softness and the scent and she shivered. She caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed, and her hair was full and wavy. She almost looked pretty.

  Maybe she’d been in stasis in all aspects of her life because of what the bastard had done to her. Well, he wasn’t going to win anymore. This was her life. She was going to take it back, dammit.

  Beth got dressed and went into the living room. Jack still wasn’t there. She rummaged around until she found some caramel corn, and put it into the microwave. Her fingers trembled as she punched in the numbers.

  “It’s just Jack,” she murmured to herself.

  “What about me?” he said from behind her. She whirled around.

  “I was thinking about you.” She blushed.

  “I got that.” He had a killer grin.

  “Look, you...you...”

  “Smart-ass, the term you’re looking for is smart-ass.”

  The buzzer rang, and as she was about to grab the bag of popcorn he stopped her.

  “It’s hot baby, let me.” He pulled out the bag by the corner and put it onto the counter.

  “So why were you talking about me?”

  “I was telling myself why it would be okay if we tried to do more than just kiss. I was reminding myself it was you.” She enjoyed the way he froze in place. It served the smart-ass right.

  “How much more?” he asked hoarsely. “I mean, only as much as you’re comfortable with, of course.”

  Beth grasped one of his hands, and nuzzled her cheek against his palm. With the other, she touched the dark blonde stubble on his face and traced his dimple. His eyes were solemn as they looked down at her.

  She slipped her hand around the back of his neck and tugged slightly, loving the way his eyes warmed, and he bent towards her. She’d ached to kiss him again, and prayed she could handle more this time.

  “No expectations, sweetheart. I’ll be happy with a kiss.” Once again he’d read her mind. Beth melted against him, and he picked her up as if she weighed nothing. It was like something out of a girlish dream and she reveled in it.

  He sat on the couch, and nestled her in his lap. She’d kept her arm around his neck, and then stroked it into his hair. It had gotten a little longer since their stay on the ranch, and felt like warm silk.

  “For the moment, just a kiss. I need a kiss. Your kiss.” He tilted her chin, and brushed her lower lip down with his thumb. She swiped her tongue against it, and he groaned.

  “You’re going to burn me up before we even get started.” He feathered a gentle kiss on her temple, gliding ever closer to her lips. She held her breath in anticipation, until he finally rested his lips on the side of her mouth. She turned her head and captured his mouth.

  He groaned, and soon his tongue was curled around hers, and she heard a whimper rise from her that wasn’t fear, it was need. Jack must have realized because he pressed closer. His fingers tangled in her hair as his hand coaxed her closer, slanting her so their mouths met at the perfect angle. Their noses brushed, just another caress, another connection making Beth melt into the moment with this man.

  Her blood heated, and she squirmed on his lap. When she felt his need, she paused and Jack broke the kiss.

  “No, don’t stop.”

  “Sweetheart, I told you ‘just a kiss’.”

  “I want to make a goal.” He looked perplexed, and then laughed out loud.

  “You mean you want to go to second base?”

  Now she didn’t know what he was talking about, but one way or another she needed his hands on her breasts. She unbuttoned the top two buttons of her blouse. He stayed her hand.

  “Beth, are you sure?” Her fingers touched the opal necklace at her throat, and she smiled.

  “I’m positive.”

  “Then let me.”

  His knuckles brushed her skin as he unbuttoned the rest of her blouse, his hands slipped the cotton off her shoulders and he trailed kisses on her collarbone. She reached to unfasten the front clasp of her bra, but again, he stopped her.

  “Please, Beth, this is my fantasy.” It wasn’t possible, but when she looked at him, he gave a solemn nod. “I love you Beth, I’ve dreamed of seeing you, touching you, pleasing you.” She blinked fast, fighting back tears.

  Then his hands cupped her bare breasts and thought was beyond her. There was only sensation.

  “Ahhh.” He softly molded her flesh, and she watched. His strong hands holding her tender flesh was mesmerizing. When his thumbs brushed her nipples she arched up, her gaze flashing to his face, needing reassurance as every cell in her body lit up.

  “Too much?”

  “I’m not sure.” He stopped. “No, don’t stop. I like it. A lot.” She put her hands over his and looked down. She gave a choked laugh. They were so small in comparison.

  His lips pressed against the side of her neck and her laugh changed to a sigh. “More please.” This time he laughed.

  “So polite.” He lightly suckled her throat and his thumbs rasped. Beth’s eyes drifted closed as she started to float.

  “Beth? Beth, are you with me?” She jerked at the feel of his teeth on her neck, and she moaned as he scraped them downwards to her shoulder.

  “Do I have your attention?”

  “Yes, Jack.” It was a puff of air.

  “Any fear?”

  She searched, and if she was honest his erection did scare her. But then again it didn’t because it was Jack, and he would never force her. But then it did because she would never be able to please him. It was all mixed up in her head. His teeth nipped her again.

  “Beth, stay with me. Remember, you’re in charge. We’re only making as many goals as you want to.”

  “Bases. We’re making bases,” she corrected him.

  His tongue laved over where he’d bitten and she shivered.

  He moved his hands, and brought his head down. She cried out as his tongue touched her nipple. So warm and soft, her head swirled with delight as she realized this was yet another form of loving.

  ****

  Beth caught fire in his arms. Jack hadn’t expected she would burn so bright and so fast. He looked up at her face, and saw her biting her lip her face suffused with passion. He was scared, but it had never stopped him before, and it wasn’t going to stop him now. This was the most important mission of his life.

  Her brow furrowed as she began to rock back and forth in h
is lap. It was clear to him what she needed. He continued to taste the sublime texture of her nipple, licking, savoring, and then he took the brown rose nub into his mouth. She arched into him with a sigh. He continued to hold her breast to his lips, while his other hand began a languid journey down her torso.

  He knew Beth was unaware of her rocking, the way her legs had shifted and were now slightly spread apart. Her soft buttocks tortured his erection, and her legs attempted to clamp around his knee. He stroked further downwards, easing over the waistband of her Capri pants. She jerked.

  Her hands were suddenly there, and he couldn’t help a second of disappointment he immediately tamped down. But her hands slid underneath his, and she was unbuttoning her trousers and lowering the zipper.

  He considered, and knew he needed to take this opportunity to show her she could. She made a frustrated sound as the zipper caught.

  “Shhhh, I’ve got it. They train us in complicated machinery.” She gave a little giggle. Just what he wanted. Her hands stayed on her zipper, as if not sure where to go.

  “I love it when you touch my hair,” he coaxed.

  “You do?” He looked at her and smiled. “Don’t you like it when I touch yours?”

  “Yes.” She reached up put and her arms around his neck, her hands playing in his hair.

  He kissed her, once again luxuriating in the taste of Beth Hidalgo.

  She relaxed, and he unzipped her pants, easing his hand inside the front of her silky panties. Her curls were damp. He dipped down further, nudging her tender folds apart, finding her drenched. He brought some of that moisture upwards, and began to gently circle her engorged bud.

  She broke off the kiss, and buried her head in the crook of his neck, panting. He continued his ministrations. She pushed against him, hard. Understanding her wordless command he increased his speed and pressure.

  She sobbed into his neck. “I can’t.”

  “You can. You were meant to fly in my arms.”

  “I can’t, it won’t work.”

  Jack heard the frustration in her voice, how she was working herself into a self-fulfilling prophecy. With his free hand he tilted her head up, and gave her a reassuring smile. He kissed her, plunging his tongue into her mouth. She sucked him inside. At the same moment he slid one finger inside her sheath. Her head arched backwards, the tendons in her neck rigid, and she let loose a silent scream.