Brain cells detonating, I buck at the brink of heaven, but I’m too wound up to jump off the edge. A sudden slap to my butt blasts me into oblivion.
“Yessss.” Fireworks go off behind my eyelids and my legs buckle, but his magic hand never stops.
He continues to pleasure me as he slides his full length into my hot dripping core. Slow at first, water splashes, my boobs bounce, and our bodies slap. Soon, he jackhammers inside me. Then, his thigh muscles tighten and he pistons so deep, I gasp.
“Fuuuuck.” Mount Vesuvius explodes.
After emptying inside me, Dean presses me flat against the tiles under the shower head, and time stands still. If not for the water running cold, we’d probably never leave. Shivering, I turn and meet his gaze. His expression mirrors my own, a mix of shock, tenderness, and a feeling that heretofore, shall not be named.
Neither of us able to speak, we finish cleaning ourselves, dress, and hop in the car.
How can everything stay the same and yet be so incredibly different?
Chapter 17
Dean
On the thruway, Ophelia flips through radio stations until she finds Once in a Lifetime by Talking Heads.
Mostly out of tune, she sings along, and I smile. “So, I’m guessing you like the eighties.”
“Yeah. My father was a fan. Not disco, though. Never disco.” Her twinkling laugh reminds me of Dad’s old jukebox at The Train Station.
“Same with my father.” Picturing him behind the bar, giving me and my brothers shit, I ignore the stab in my chest.
Dad, sure wish you were here.
“When did he pass?” Eyes soft, she squeezes my knee, and as she kisses my cheek, a strange ball of heat forms around my heart and grows.
No woman has ever made me feel so fucking vulnerable. It’s damn disconcerting.
I shrug off the memory of the day he died and bury the touchy-feely bullshit. “He had a brain hemorrhage twelve years ago last December. He was there one day and gone the next.”
Lips pursed, she nods. “Mine died in Afghanistan. SEALs was his whole life. It was how he wanted to go.”
Her bitterness surprises me. For all her bravado, Sky clearly wished to be higher up in his priorities. While I admire the man for his dedication and courage, a part of me hurts for the little girl, who by gender alone, could never measure up.
“He did his best and gave his all.” Someday I’ll say more, but for now, a simple platitude will need to suffice.
Eyes shiny, the military kid juts out her chin. “Agreed. What about your mom?”
“Died giving me birth. My brothers brought me up.” Giving a voice to the taboo subject feels traitorous, like I’d aired a dirty family secret.
Sky catches my gaze and lifts her hand to caress my chin. “I’m so sorry. I’m sure she would’ve adored you, unlike mine, who didn’t bother to stick around. My father’s parents raised me. They were very strict, but sweet. However, when my dad was on leave, the entire world stopped so we could be together. He took me everywhere, from West Virginia to Yellowstone. I know it sounds weird, but he taught me how to be a SEAL. I wanted so badly to carry on his legacy, but it wasn’t meant to be.”
“You would’ve made an excellent addition to their team.” I glance away from the white dotted line long enough to catch her sad smile.
“Except for the ADD.”
“Even with. Your super-focus makes you extraordinary, especially in bed.” Trying to lighten the moment, I wink, and her cheeks burn bright red.
“Speaking of… I umm… enjoyed last night.”
I snicker. “Enjoyed? People enjoy a movie or a chocolate chip cookie.”
“Okay, smartass, how would you describe our foray under the sheets?” Her eyebrows raise in challenge.
“Fucktacular?”
