“Again,” he ordered gruffly.
Startled, Avery shook her head as she tried to squirm away from him. “I can’t.”
His hand tightened on her hip, keeping her in place on top of him. “You can. I want to feel that again.”
Even though Avery didn’t think she’d be able to come a third time so soon, she was still so sensitive it wasn’t long before she was writhing against Cole. She leaned back and held herself up by putting her hands on his thighs behind her. She was arched and open to him and had never felt more exposed, or as safe, as she did right that moment.
The orgasm, when it came, wasn’t as intense or as strong as the first two, but it was no less earth-shattering. Cole’s fingers forced her over the edge and her inner muscles gripped his dick once more.
They both groaned.
“Fuck, you have no idea how amazing that feels,” he told her as he eased his thumb off her nub and gripped her hips instead.
When Avery relaxed and leaned forward to collapse on Cole’s chest, she felt his cock slip out of her body. They both made a sound of disappointment, but neither moved.
“Are we dead?” Avery asked after a moment.
“Nope,” Cole said, the humor easy to hear in his tone.
Avery lifted her head. “I love you.”
Instead of returning the sentiment, Cole said, “We’ll go and get a marriage license tomorrow. You’re marrying me as soon as I can arrange it.”
Avery should’ve been upset with him. At the very least, highly annoyed. But instead, she simply lay her head back on his shoulder and nodded. “Okay.” Hadn’t she been the one to tell him that tomorrow wasn’t guaranteed? She loved him, and he loved her. It was enough.
Her family would totally understand. Especially her mom. She’d talk Cole into having some sort of reception later so her mom, dad, and sister could be there to celebrate with her. And his teammates, their women, and Cole’s parents. They’d have a huge party. Maybe on the beach.
“That’s it?” Cole asked. “That’s all you’re gonna say?”
“Yup. Now shhhhh, you’re ruining my three-orgasm post-bliss high,” she complained sleepily.
“I love you, Avery Nelson. So damn much,” Cole whispered.
She didn’t have the strength to answer, so Avery merely turned her head a fraction of an inch and kissed his shoulder instead.
She fell asleep like that, draped bonelessly over her new fiancé. She didn’t even take notice of the fact that it was dark outside, and the only light in the bedroom was from a small lamp next to the bed. She was with Cole, he’d keep her safe. There was no need to be scared of the dark anymore.
Epilogue
Mona Saterfield smiled as she tacked the newest pictures she’d taken onto her wall.
Forest “Phantom” Dalton was as hot now as he’d been when he’d taken her to dinner a few months ago. He was everything she’d ever wanted in a man. Chivalrous, protective, and gentle.
He’d been upset when the waitress had flirted with him in front of her, and when he’d dropped her off at her apartment, he’d been so concerned about her state of mind. He’d broken up with her because he didn’t want her to worry about him when he was off on his dangerous missions.
She did worry. Especially when he’d returned this last time and had been injured. Mona had cried herself sick when she’d first found out.
She’d been so excited when the GPS tracking device she’d put on his car before his last mission had pinged, indicating that he’d returned from wherever he’d been this time…but when she’d realized one of his irritating team members was driving instead of him, she’d almost freaked out, thinking her man had been hurt or killed.
She’d followed the car through Riverton, confused when Forest’s friend had stopped at a house near the coast.
When she’d parked her car around the corner and snuck back to the beach to spy on the house, she saw Forest being helped into the house. She’d been relieved to see him—until she’d seen the bandage on his leg, and realized he was using crutches as well. She lowered the binoculars she used to keep track of him, and nearly lost it.
She quickly realized that whatever had happened couldn’t have been too bad, since he was walking around, laughing, and talking.
Although she hated that she wasn’t the one nursing him back to health. Once they were married, and he quit his horrid, dangerous job, she’d make sure he had everything he needed.
The binoculars with the built-in digital camera had been one of the best purchases Mona had ever made. She could keep tabs on him and take pictures at the same time. Now, she could look at the love of her life anytime she wanted. All she had to do was glance at the wall of her living room. It was covered from floor to ceiling with pictures of her man.
Just looking at him made her happy.
Although she’d be even more thrilled when he asked her to marry him, and they were living together as husband and wife.
Backing up, Mona sat on her couch and lay down on her back. She slid a hand under the elastic of her shorts and began to stroke herself. Forest wouldn’t be happy she was touching what was his, but she couldn’t help herself. He was so good-looking…and he’d be with her soon. Their love was too strong and too deep to be ignored.
Forest Dalton was hers. Period. He just needed a bit more time to realize she was the woman of his dreams, then he’d be back, begging for her forgiveness. He’d quit the navy and take a safe office job and they’d live happily ever after.
As she stroked herself, Mona smiled dreamily. Forest would come to her any day now, and she’d take him back with open arms.
And if anyone else thought they could try to steal him away from her, they’d learn just how protective Mona could be of her man.
Phantom stood at attention in front of Commander North and Rear Admiral Creasy.
“Relax, Phantom. Have a seat,” his commander ordered.
Phantom pulled out the chair in front of the commander’s desk and sat. He’d received a call twenty minutes ago and been ordered to come to his office. He knew this had something to do with Kalee, but wasn’t sure if it was going to be good news or bad.
He was leaning toward bad, especially since the rest of his team wasn’t included in this meeting. If Kalee was alive, wouldn’t they need to make a plan to go get her? The fact that Rocco and the others weren’t there wasn’t a good sign.
“I’m not going to beat around the bush. I got a call from Tex last night. It’s his professional opinion that Kalee Solberg is alive,” Commander North said.
Phantom’s heart immediately began to pound in excitement.
The commander held up a hand. “Hang on, sailor, things aren’t as cut and dry as they might seem.”
Phantom had no idea what that meant. “She’s alive, so that means we need to go in and get her.”
“Tex has intel that says she’s working with the rebels.”
The words took a second to sink in, then Phantom shook his head. “No. I don’t believe it.”
“Word on the streets is that there’s a red-haired American working with one of the most vicious and ruthless group of rebels. She’s been seen fighting alongside them. Killing people. Participating in kidnappings and torture.”