“Okay, that tells me about your grandparents, but what about your parents?” She took another sip of wine, now completely involved in his story.
“So, my four grandparents knew each other and occasionally got together even though they didn’t live in the same area. Therefore, my mom and dad knew each other growing up. Dad was a couple of years older, and they both admit that they fell in love when they were teenagers. But Dad was tired of living his parents’ life and went in the opposite direction. He joined the Marines.”
Eyes bugging, Jeannie shook her head. “Oh, my! If your grandparents were peace-loving hippies during the Vietnam War, I can’t imagine what they thought of your dad joining the Marines!”
Carson leaned forward, his hand reaching across the table, gently caressing hers. “From what I was told, it almost ruined their relationship. Strangely, though, it was my mom that healed the breach. She’d gone to college, became a teacher, and my parents got married when Dad left the Marines. He loved building and working on cars, so he opened his own shop. Mom was determined that everyone would get along, so she invited all four grandparents over to tell them they were pregnant with me. When Dad’s parents showed up and were grumbling, she reminded them that the hippie life was all about doing what you wanted to do and choosing your own path. She pointed out that’s what my dad had done, and even if it wasn’t their path, they should be proud.”
She flipped her hand around, linking fingers with him, her heart warm. “I think that’s so sweet.”
He smiled, his fingers holding hers close. “I have memories of my grandparents, but both grandfathers died when I was young, and one grandmother died when I was in college. My mom’s mom is still alive and lives with my parents now. I have a younger brother that joined the Marines and is still serving, and a younger sister owns a shop not too far from my parents.” Holding her gaze, he added, “And that probably gave a lot more information than you ever wanted to know about me.”
“Not at all. I’m interested in you, so I want to know everything.” Giving their connected hands a shake, she grinned. “Now, tell me more about you.”
“Not much to tell. I went to college but had no idea what I wanted to major in, so business sounded good. But, by the time I graduated, I wanted adventure. So, I joined the Army. Went through officer school, but then, you know all about that having done that yourself.”
She nodded, then laughed. “Yeah, but being a military officer was never my goal.”
“Don’t knock your accomplishment, Jeannie. That might not have been your end goal, but you still made it through.”
She felt the heat of blush touch her cheeks at the compliment, then waited for him to keep talking.
“I went through Special Forces training—”
“Oh, the coveted Green Beret.”
Grinning, he nodded. “No doubt about it, I was fuckin’ proud of that. Ran special ops for the Army. Got hurt, as you know, but recuperated and went right back out into the field. Then, I was recruited to run special ops for the CIA. Eventually, decided to get out.”
“Have I told you that I’m so glad we met years ago, even if it was only briefly? I’m not sure I believe in fate, but it sure seems like it.”
He leaned closer, his gaze never leaving hers, and she reciprocated, their lips meeting in a light kiss. His tongue darted out to barely graze her lips before he pulled back. “Damn, Jeannie.”
With her free hand, she touched her fingers to her lips, not believing how they tingled. “I don’t suppose I could talk you into coming back to my place tonight, could I?”
“I don’t know that you could talk me out of coming back to your place tonight,” he quipped, his lips curving upward.
They’d driven separately to meet at the restaurant, so he followed her car back to her apartment. They’d barely made it inside when he kicked the door shut, slammed his lips on hers, and lifted while whirling around, pressing her back against the door. She wrapped her legs around his waist, grinding her crotch against his erection. Hungry with need, they managed to get undressed just enough that his cock was free, and her panties pushed to the side with her skirt around her waist, and her bra cups pushed down underneath her breasts.
His thrusts were hard and fast, his pelvis rubbed against her clit, and when his lips closed around her nipple, she banged the back of her head on the door as she cried out her release. His orgasm followed quickly, and they stayed with her pressed against the door, dragging in ragged breaths until, finally, he slid out of her tender sex and her feet were once again on the floor.
He rested his forehead on hers, then whispered, “Shit.” Her fingers gripped his shoulders tighter in silent question, and he responded, “I forgot the fuckin’ condom. Christ, I’ve never done that before.”
He lifted his head and held her gaze, but she quickly assured, “I’m on the pill and I’m clean. To be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve been with anyone, but being a nurse, I have to get checked often.”
“I’m clean, too, and can show you the results.”
She lifted a hand and dragged her finger along his stubbled jaw. “I trust you.”
His eyes held her gaze, searching, then he smiled. With linked fingers, he led her into her small bathroom where they showered, lovingly exploring each other’s bodies. Once in bed, he proved he was up to the task again before they lay underneath the sheets, legs tangled, his arms around her, and her face resting on his chest. Her hand traced some of his tattoos, lingering on the lighthouse tattoo on his shoulder. “Tell me about this.”
He was quiet for a moment, and she wasn’t sure he was going to speak. Finally, he shifted slightly, her cheek now resting on his upper arm as his eyes roved over her face, his hand gently smoothing the hair off her shoulder.
“Both in the Special Forces and then running CIA special ops, I met some great people, one of them who organized special ops from all the branches. Rangers, Special Forces, SEALs, Deltas, Air Force. He was a master at taking everyone’s strengths and utilizing them to get the job done. When he got out, he went back to Maine and started his business. He grew up on the coast near an old, decommissioned lighthouse and bought it along with many acres all around. Lighthouse Security Investigations.”
“A lighthouse,” she said softly, her fingertip still tracing the tattoo.
“I had come back and started a basic security business that was no more than providing bodyguards in the Los Angeles area.”
Her gaze moved from his tattoo up to his face. “That would seem pretty lucrative.”
“Yep. Lucrative and a pain in my ass. Bodyguards that spent more time flirting and primping and clients that had ridiculous demands. I got back in touch with my friend in Maine, we connected, talked, met, planned, and finally contracted to be partners, with me in charge of the west coast.”
“And now, you have what you deserve.” She smiled, seeing the pride evident on his face. “So, no more divas.”
Chuckling, he glided his fingers through her hair, his thumb brushing over her cheek, and she felt the tingles from his touch move throughout her.
“Our set up is like his, right down to the decommissioned lighthouse. We can set up security, surveillance, and investigate private or government missions. Like Mace, I hired the best from special ops.”