THE KISS OF A SEAL (2 page)

He cried out, burying his head next to her hair. “You’ve changed my world, Jessa. I don’t recognize it anymore without you in it.”

The words tantalized her senses.

She could feel his smile against her skin. His mouth was still toying with her flesh as his hands moved lower down her flesh. She didn’t know if she had anything left in her, but a part of her was willing to try. It reminded her of a childhood dare, if someone asked you to jump off a cliff would you? If Link were holding her, she just might take the dare. She trusted him with her heart and her body, knowing he would protect her and keep her safe.

“Am I doing it right, Trainer Grainger?” he asked mockingly.

Her laugh was low and throaty. “Perhaps a little lower next time with more attention to detail.” She delighted in teasing him, even when her body was mostly spent. She knew she could find it in herself to rally if he inspired her to do so. But, could he?

“Aye, aye, Ma’am,” he said as he shifted his position. His thumb found a rather unique spot, the A spot.

She could have swooned right then and there at his intimate touch.

A noise outside alerted her.

Jessa batted away his hand.

Her green eyes cut to the entrance of the building. Everything looked clear.

Being a Nutritionist and Strength Trainer for Spec Ops was a dream position; made even more prestigious by its location in Coronado, CA on the Amphibious in the heart of frog-ville. Sure there were other places that were prime SEAL Team spots, but this place had warm sand, decent surf, balmy temperatures, and a dedication to physical fittest—her favorite. Most people would consider being single here was like working in a candy store, but she wasn’t like that. None of these men held allure for her; none except for Lincoln. And, she had been looking long and hard at him, their relationship, and the entire situation.

“Do you really want me to stop?” he asked as his hands cupped her hips and tipped her onto her side. Pushing his leg between hers, he positioned himself at an optimal angle.

“Again? Really?”

“I’m just getting started. I’m still a young man, you know.” He gave his ‘
Me, Tarzan. You, Jane.’
look, and she laughed.

She sighed. How could she say ‘no’ to this man? He was her greatest weakness; and had become it from the moment they met. One month to the day–when Executive Officer Warren Kare of SEAL Team SEVEN (ST-7) had introduced them to each other–every hormone in her body had stood up and saluted. It was embarrassing how attracted she’d felt to him. Never before had a chemical attraction overrode her logical life approach.

The job assigned to her was to prep Lincoln for a temporary, though possibly permanent switch, to Development Group. She’d successfully completed the task several times before with other candidates and could size a SEAL up pretty quickly to know whether or not the individual was hungry for the assignment. The ones that washed out of BUD/S rolled into other facets of the Navy. The Teams weren’t for everyone. It took a certain mindset and specific type of physical endurance.

Some Team guys had referred to Dev Group as the NFL and the rest of the Teams as Collegiate level. Jessa knew that was a rogue statement. Every Team had assignments that put them in danger; no one was out of the thick of battle except those who stayed home.

Link’s mouth found its target, taking her brain and body to a whole new realm.

Her fingers dug into the muscles of his shoulders as she pushed away the thought that he could be gone in just a few short weeks. Every second with him mattered.

She reached for him. Her lips found the corner of his ear lobe and she used her teeth to toy with the sensitive flesh.

His response was immediate. Ah, how men loved having their ears played with.

She rolled herself on top of him, pushing his shoulders against the ground.

He growled, a very masculine sound as she used her strength to pin him right where she wanted him. Jessa knew she was significantly stronger than she looked.
You didn’t get to be a Strength Trainer, because you looked good in tiny shorts.
Her fingers toyed with his shaft, pleased to find that he had the good sense to slide a fresh condom on, protection for both of them. Neither of them was of a mind to give up their live-style…or in this case, their current position…for one moment of distinctly incredible pleasure. She was glad he had brought multiple little packs with him; for them, one was never enough.

Holding him with one hand, she positioned herself over him. Slowly she lowered her body onto his. The feel of his python-sized cock pushed her wide, the stretch igniting another layer of hunger and heat inside of him.

When he was seated to the hilt, she moved slowly…wantonly, knowing that his eyes were trained on her. Even in the semi-darkness, he could see her move and her actions were part of the enticement.

She changed her rhythm, gauging his reaction. Seeing his fists open and close, she knew she had found the perfect pace—just slow enough to intrigue him and just fast enough to torment him. She couldn’t help herself; toying with him was a powerful aphrodisiac and one she’d never felt before Lincoln.

In the blink of an eye, he flipped their positions. It was his turn to pin her and to take what he wanted.

Her teeth sank into his shoulder and his body rocketed them forward. Higher and higher her body climbed until her desire spilled over the edge draining him of every ounce of his essence. Thank goodness for condoms, she thought as he rolled to the side.

He kissed her forehead. “I’m falling for you, Jessa.”

“No,” she said breaking his embrace and sitting up abruptly. “Don’t. You know how complicated it is.”

“No,” he said, pulling her back into his arms. “It’s not.” He held her tight, unwilling to let go. “You are everything I’ve ever hoped for in my other half. Think about it.”

The problem was…she couldn’t stop thinking about it. She knew she needed to face the other part of her life; the engagement to a man she barely knew anymore, a man who was more of a stranger than anything else.

She wiggled out of his hold. “I…I can’t do this. I’m…thinking too much. You…need to leave. Now.” She pushed the hair out of her eyes, and then wound the length into a simple bun, tucking the ends into the center to hold it tight.

He looked at her. His gray steely gaze was steady, and then he leaned over and kissed her. That kiss, a simple laying of lips on hers, and yet it undid every bit of her restraint. “I know that you’re engaged. You’re making a mistake with him. I’m the one you want, the one you need. Let me be yours forever. You’ll never regret it.”

Tears welled in her eyes. How could she go back on her promise? The agreement she had given to a man who was never home and when he was his mind and heart were a million miles away engaged in a constant battle elsewhere. Wasn’t it dishonest, unfaithful even, to be with someone else?

Her mind screamed ‘yes’ and her body and heart said ‘no,’ because Lincoln was the first person to ever bring her this much joy and completion; not just physically but emotionally, too. And, Scotty was the friend she got engaged to on a whim. What a mess!

“The heart wants what it needs most,” he whispered as he cupped her face with the palm of her hand. He drew her forward and kissed her again.

Falling into his arms, the embrace that melted away all worldly issues and concerns, took her to magical places. She wanted those journeys in real life, too, not just hiding in the shadows together.

“I love you, and only you,” he said, and the iron core of his statement was strong enough to fell any battlement.

Words tumbled from her lips unbidden. “I love you, too, Lincoln, with every fiber of my being.”

This man held her heart captive, not just with his body but with his will. She was helpless; absolutely and completely his when he wrapped himself around her. If only she could figure out a way to move forward with him, her Lincoln, and to get out of her current mess.

She was pretty sure that the break-up with Scott “Goody” Goodman promised to be very, very problematic. Was she overthinking it? Perhaps ending a relationship with a Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen (SWCC) guy would be easy. She tried to ignore the knowledge rambling facts spinning in her brain; the biggest of which was that Scott was a testosterone-loaded Spec Ops man, too. Was it wishful thinking to consider the idea that perhaps Scott might realize their engagement was a mistake, too?

Her stomach rolled. What a mess! And it was up to her to clean it up.

‡

L
ink watched as
Jessa got into her car and drove off the base. He didn’t like the frown on her face as she drove away. He knew her well enough to assess that his lady was stressing about something.

From his position on top of the sand dune, he had a great vantage point of the base. The guards were tucked into their respective break-houses, and he knew he should go back to his rack, but he was too amped. If someone had told him a month ago that he was going to fall for Athletic Trainer Jessa Grainger, nicknamed The Leopardess, by the Teams for her fierce attitude toward fitness, her natural mane of multi-colored strands, and for the way she fought off men; he would never have believed his luck.

He knew men that had made Jessa their sole ‘booty’ goal; they all wanted to ‘hit that’ before they transferred somewhere else. Now, the mere mention of a Teammate saying that statement made him want to hit them.

It wasn’t very politically correct for him to choose a woman over one of his brethren, but he didn’t care anymore. Jessa Grainger was special. She was The One he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.

Rolling over the sand dune, he stripped off his shirt, t-shirt, belt, socks, and shoes and in his pants walked toward the ocean. Just thinking of her was making him hot again, and he had no interest in going back to Quarters with a hard-on. Of course, if he did, his roommate would just give him a ton of crap.

The water was cold as it played around his toes. He took several steps forward and then dove into an on-coming wave.

The cool depth embraced him like an old-friend and he welcomed the sweet chill as it woke his senses. Damn, it felt good to be this aware and awake. He swam out to sea reveling in the embrace.

The first time he met Jessa, that initial intro, seemed ages ago. He’d been drawn in by the sadness in her eyes. Something missing, that connected to her heart, and in that moment he wanted to be the one to bring her happiness.

His brain rolled back to her. Jessa. Touching her skin, shaking hands, as the Executive Officer jabbered on, Link couldn’t let go of the electric spark. Chemistry was outstanding, but it was never enough. He knew that. There had to be more. And, Jessa was like a rosebud. Underneath those layers of petals was a lovely lady who adored being outdoors, had the same faith, the same type of goals, and lived the way he preferred. The beauty was there with every opening petal. So, hell, yes! He was willing to risk opening up to her. And those thoughts took him right back there.

“Tyler, right?” she said, looking him up and down like a piece of meat. He didn’t know what rating she was giving him, but he hoped she was seeing him as a filet mignon; the best cut there is in his opinion.

The Executive Officer had left them to their conversation, without even a backward glance. Link knew that a chance to make Dev Group meant more than anything else and that all his focus would be on that. But, he underestimated the power of Jessa Grainger.

“Most people call me, Link.” His gray gaze held hers, those green eyes of hers sparkling like emeralds, only brighter and more hypnotic. He wanted to spend time peering into the depths of those precious gems.

“You’ve got a lot of work to do, to pass muster. Are you willing to do it?” She was looking at her clipboard. “You’re going to be working with me and with Jim. I’m going to push you on specific muscle groups and overall training, while Jim does problem areas only. If you
don’t
have any problems then you’ll stick with me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She looked up and smiled then. “I’m a Civilian Consultant. You can call me, Jessa or Grainger.”

“I like Jessa.” He smiled back at her.

“Oh, you’re one of those. A guy who wants to get in my sweats.” She looked amused as her grin widened. “Most of the SEALS who call me that have a certain motive in mind.”

“No, ma’am. Trust me. If I decide to pursue you, it’s not to put a notch on my belt. You’re a lifetime pleasure, not a meal.” The minute the words were out of his mouth, he’d known that in his gut he was right. Jessa was something special. Pursuing her, meant going all the way to the altar and he wouldn’t take those steps unless it was his soul-truth.

“I’m not looking for a hook-up or a life-partner, Sailor. I’m engaged.” Her smile had faded and he could see sadness in her eyes. Something tugging at her heart that she didn’t want to admit about her current relationship. She was definitely not happy.