Chains of Command Page 3

  “Thank fuck for that.” He came with her, spurting into her pussy and releasing a string of unholy praises to the Lord. The tempo picked up a notch as he seemed to get deeper, higher, more and more inside her, part of her.

  The delicious, deeply satisfying spasms in her pussy went on and on. She rolled with each tightening of her internal muscles, happy not to think of anything else, not even staying upright. He had such a hold on her.

  “Oh, God, that was good,” he said, finally slowing and resting his chest on her back. He kissed her neck, his fast breaths warming her skin.

  “Yes…” she managed. “It was.” He’d placed a lot of his weight on her, breathing was a little hampered, but she didn’t mind. While he was still lodged deep it felt right.

  “Did you handle that okay?”

  “What do … you think?”

  “Sounded and felt like you did.” He rose up a fraction and his cock slipped out. His breathing was rapidly coming back under control. “I’m impressed.”

  “I might have blonde hair and curves, but that doesn’t make me weak.”

  “I didn’t say it did.” He flipped her over, so she was on her back looking up at his face. The move appeared to be effortless to him, and he placed his hands either side of her head, his chest touching hers. “But for the record, that was the best fuck I’ve had in a long time … maybe ever.”

  She liked the way he’d said fuck in his well-educated voice, and the way he’d said ever even more. But she couldn’t help a twang of regret. Seb was something else. He ticked every box on her must-have list for a man and then a few more. Throw in the fact he was bloody sensational in bed and he would definitely be food for thought in the dead of the night over the next few months when she was tired and alone.

  If only it could be more.

  Which, of course, it couldn’t be. That wasn’t the life she’d signed up for. She had a duty to her country to perform and lives to help save.

  He slipped onto his side, and rested his leg over hers, as if wanting to keep her close. She was happy to be snuggled up and enjoyed the length of his body against hers and the heat of his skin.

  The sound of her heartbeat quieted and her breathing returned to normal. Seb reached for the covers and dragged them up, keeping her cocooned at his side.

  “For the record,” she said, intertwining her hand with his, “I’m not usually a one-night stand girl.”

  “So what made you say yes to me?”

  She hesitated, not wanting to reveal the truth—the last night before a posting was a time to seize the moment, live life, no regrets. “Maybe you’re different.”

  “You’re beautiful, Jenna, smart, too, you must have plenty of offers. How come you haven’t got a husband?” He paused. “Maybe you have.”

  She laughed. “No husband, no boyfriend, I’m not the sort of girl to cheat either.”

  “My kind of woman. One relationship at a time, eh.”

  “Absolutely.”

  He kissed her cheek. “Seriously, how come you haven’t been snapped up by some lucky fella? A hunky doctor or a grateful patient.”

  “Apart from being busy with work, no one has come along who’s made me feel like I want to spend time with them, give up my freedom.”

  “If it’s the right person then it’s not giving up freedom, it’s gaining a life partner.”

  “You sound like you’re speaking from experience.”

  He sighed. “I was in a long-term relationship.”

  “Was?”

  “Yes, it’s been over for a few years now.”

  “Why did it end?”

  “I guess I’m like you, work keeps me busy, too busy. I’m away for long periods of time, it’s all consuming. She couldn’t handle that.”

  “And you didn’t think about slowing down? Changing jobs?”

  He ran his hand over her cheek, caught a stray strand of hair and tucked it behind her ear. “Wasn’t possible.”

  “So you’ve been a one-night stand kind of guy ever since.”

  He smiled. “I’m not a saint, Jenna, I’m a man, I like sex.”

  “I can tell.”

  “You complaining?”

  Now it was her turn to laugh. “Hell, no.”

  “Good.” He squeezed her a little closer.

  “So what happened this evening?” she asked. “You were drinking alone because you had nowhere else to be?”

  “Kind of … well, I did have another offer, but to tell you the truth, I wasn’t up for a night out with mates. Sometimes it’s nice to be alone.”

  She understood exactly where he was coming from. It was the reason she’d planned a quiet evening, too. The madness and mayhem on the last night before deployment hadn’t appealed. She’d been there, done it too many times. “I get you.”

  “And then I saw you,” he said, running his finger to the hollow of her throat. “And there was some kind of magnetic pull that dragged me over to you. Of course, if you’d told me to piss off I would have, but you didn’t.” His touch traveled lower and he settled his palm over her left breast. “Thank goodness.”

  “And will you come here again, to The Dog and Duck, looking for a one-night stand?” She didn’t want the answer to that, but had to ask.

  “Are you kidding?” He kissed her cheek. “You’ve ruined me for all other women, Jenna, you must know that.”

  She laughed and shoved at him.

  He snuggled back in, even closer, and tucked her head beneath his chin.

  There was something about Seb’s embrace, even though she didn’t know him well, that made her feel safe. He was tough, but also gentle, his kindness shone through and she sensed there was a fierce protective streak in him. Heaven help anyone who hurt someone he cared for.

  She closed her eyes and allowed sleep to steal her thoughts. Tonight instead of dreaming of the desert and war and being disturbed by the sound of guns and helicopters from her memories, she’d think of her flesh being brought to life by Seb’s hands, the way he kissed her, the low murmur of his voice and the scent of his skin.

  Chapter Four

  When Jenna woke she sensed it was early morning. The lamppost had gone off, but the sunlight was weak, and the birds’ dawn chorus in full song.

  Seb still had her encased in his arms.

  Enjoying his embrace and the novelty of waking up with company, she lay quiet and listened to his steady breathing. But then the need to pee overtook her and she sneaked into the en suite.

  When she returned, she slipped back into the bed and into his arms. In sleep his dark eyelashes almost rested on his cheek, and his lips were slightly parted. His stubble appeared even denser than the previous evening and his hair was tousled.

  She ran her fingertip over his collarbone then down to his tattoo. The sheet had moved exposing over half of it. She’d guessed correctly, it was a feather. But not a traditional one, each frond was the image of a soldier, the figures getting smaller as the feather drew to a point. Running alongside it, in swirling writing were the words Lest We Forget.

  He caught her wrist. “Hey, gorgeous.”

  “Morning.” She looked up and smiled. “Sleep well?”

  “Like a baby.” He grinned. “Guess you’re good for keeping bad dreams away.”

  “You have bad dreams?”

  “Don’t we all?”

  “I guess.” She stroked over his tattoo. “Has this got a story behind it?”

  He paused, then, “I’ve lost people in conflict.” A shadow crossed over his eyes.

  “Family?”

  “It started with my grandfather, yes.”

  “I’m sorry.” Started with?

  “Thanks, but it was a long time ago.”

  “Never to be forgotten though.”

  “Never.” He pushed her to her back and hovered his mouth over hers. “Just like I won’t forget last night in a hurry.”

  She bit on her bottom lip and looked at his handsome face. Did it have to be one night only?

&nbs
p; Yes, of course it did. She was flying out to the Middle East in only a matter of hours.

  “You’re damn sexy in the morning,” he murmured, running his hand down her sternum to her belly. “Soft and warm, too.”

  “As opposed to being hot and hard like you.”

  He chuckled. “You know me so well.”

  “Yes, and, oh—” He’d slipped his fingertips between her legs and pressed on her clit. “Seb.”

  “Shh, let me touch you.” He swirled over her nub, gently but with insistent pressure.

  She cupped his cheek and held his face close, bowed her back a little. A morning orgasm would suit her very well.

  “You’re so reactive,” he said against her lips.

  “I am with you doing that.” She fluttered her eyelids closed.

  “Open your legs,” he murmured, nudging her right ankle with his foot. “Let me in.”

  She did as he’d asked and was aware of heated need flooding her pussy. His fingers were there seconds later, pushing in, his way eased by her arousal.

  “So fucking tight,” he whispered. “You’re incredible to touch.”

  She didn’t answer, instead a long low groan gurgled up from her chest as the heel of his palm caught her clit. He hooked his fingers forward, catching the G-spot he was so damn good at locating.

  He began to work her with his hand, building the pressure in her pelvis and making her tingle with need.

  “Please,” she murmured. “I want your cock.”

  “No, I want to watch you, like this.”

  She opened her mouth to complain but he kissed her, all the time bringing her closer to orgasm.

  Eventually she could concentrate on the kiss no longer and tore her mouth away. She stared up into his face. “Ah… Seb … I’m…”

  “Come for me.” Excitement laced his tone and his eyes flashed. “Come beautiful woman, now.”

  “Ah, yes…” She spiraled into ecstasy, bucking against his hand and gripping his shoulder. She maintained eye contact with him, letting him see her pleasure … letting him see her soul.

  He didn’t let up, he pushed her through a hard, consuming climax that radiated to every nerve and muscle in her body.

  Eventually he slowed, then stilled. His pupils were wide and desire shone from them. She felt as though she was seeing into his soul, too.

  Breathing hard, she stroked her fingertip over his lips, committing to memory the shape of his mouth.

  A self-satisfied grin grew against her finger. “Did I hit the spot?”

  “You know … you did.”

  His smile widened. “I could stay here all day, in bed with you.”

  “It would be nice, but I’ve got things to do.”

  “Me, too.” He withdrew and shoved at the sheet. “But not until we’ve done this.”

  He straddled her chest, his erection settling against her sternum. “Hold yourself together.” He set his palms on the outer-sides of her breasts and lifted them so the flesh surrounded his cock. “Like this.”

  “Yes.” Anticipation gripped her as she took over holding herself against him.

  “That’s it.” He grasped the headboard and stared down at her chest. “Fuck, you have the best tits ever.”

  “Not a very sophisticated compliment, Seb, but I’ll take it.”

  “You think I can do sophisticated when my cock is nestled between your breasts?” He moved his hips, back then forward, slowly fucking the channel she’d created for him.

  A long groan rumbled from his chest, to his throat and into the room. The bed creaked again, the way it had the night before. She bent her knees and dug her heels onto the mattress to hold steady as his pleasure grew.

  The tip of his cock peeked from between her flesh on each upward thrust. The feel of him there, doing that, was so erotic.

  She tipped her head forward and swiped her tongue over his slit.

  “Oh, God,” he moaned, upping the pace.

  “I want you to come now, like this,” she said, tightening her breasts around him. Her nipples were hard, and her belly clenched with excitement. “Seb…”

  His big body jostled hers. He gritted his teeth and his eyebrows pulled low.

  “More,” she said. “More.”

  “It’s here.” He tipped his head back and closed his eyes. The tendons in his neck were defined and strained.

  A shot of pearly cum shot from his cock, filling the hollow of her throat, then another, and another as he pumped his hips.

  “So fucking good.” He groaned long and low.

  His movements stopped and he looked down at her. “You okay?”

  “Of course.” She released her breasts and feathered her fingers through the hair just beneath his navel. It was thick and soft. “I told you, I’m not a china doll.”

  “If you were mine, that’s how I’d treat you.”

  “What? You’d wrap me up in cottonwool?”

  “Or silk sheets.” He grinned and moved off her. The weight of his long body collapsing on the bed rattled the headboard against the wall again.

  “I don’t need a man to protect me from the big bad world.” After grabbing a tissue from the bedside table and wiping away the cum on her chest and neck, she rested her hand on his chest and propped the other beneath her cheek so she could study him.

  “It’s a big bad world,” he said, his expression turning serious as he stared into her eyes.

  “I agree, there’s a lot of shit that goes on. But women are not helpless creatures.”

  “Feminist, huh?”

  “If being a feminist means I’m a champion of equality then yes.”

  “Okay, I’ll give you that, equality is something the world should be striving for, not just in gender, but in all aspects of people’s lives.” He paused and stroked the back of his index finger down her cheek. “What I’m saying, Jenna, as a guy, I’d always protect my woman. Look after her, make sure she’s happy and satisfied. What’s wrong with that?”

  “There’s nothing wrong with that, Seb, in fact it’s sweet.”

  “Sweet!” He laughed. “Not often anyone calls me that.”

  “Well, you are.” She set her lips over his, savoring a kiss, then lifted from the bed. “But I really do have to get going.”

  He set his hands behind his head, his elbows sticking out to the sides. He clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth. “I wish we’d met last week.”

  “You do?” She began to gather her clothes from the floor. “Why?”

  “Because then I could have stayed in bed with you all day, and then the next and the next if we’d wanted to.” He ran his hand down his flat belly and took hold of his cock. “We could have had so much fun.”

  “We did have so much fun.” She held her clothes to her chest. “I’m going to take a shower.”

  “Sure.” He grinned. “Lock the door though or I’ll be in there with you.”

  “Like I said, I’ve got things to do.” She nodded at the clock, it was just gone seven.

  “Yeah, me, too.” He sighed and closed his eyes, lazily stroking his shaft. “In a minute, there’s something hard going on again.”

  She laughed. “You’re insatiable, you know that, Mr Sebastian…” She hesitated, realizing she didn’t even know his last name.

  He didn’t offer it.

  What the hell. It wasn’t as if she was going to see him again anyway. He’d been a hot hunk of muscle to spend the night with and damn it he knew his way around the female form. But that was it. They were ships that had passed in the night, two bodies coming together in the darkness and finding pleasure.

  Soon it would be time to say goodbye.

  Jenna showered quickly. Enjoying how her limbs were a little achy and she was tender between her legs. Her senses were heightened, the complimentary lavender soap smelling extra strong and the water spray like hot needles on her flesh.

  When she emerged from the en suite, dressed in the same clothes she’d headed out in the evening before, Seb was s
tanding by the window tapping his phone and wearing only his boxers.

  “You done?” he asked, turning.

  “Yes.”

  He reached for his pile of clothes on the bed then strode past her, his movements swift and efficient.

  For a moment she stared at the closed bathroom door and wondered about slipping out of The Dog and Duck. Leaving without a trace. But something stopped her. She liked Seb, a lot. Plus she was an adult, they both were. It was only courteous to say goodbye.

  He soon emerged fully dressed and with his hair damp. “I should…” He nodded at the door and shoved his phone into his back jeans pocket.

  “Me, too. I have to get to work.”

  “You’re off to heal the sick?”

  “Something like that.” She stepped up to him. “I had fun last night.”

  “Me, too.” He swallowed and a frown creased his brow.

  Her heart stuttered. Was he going to suggest they see each other again? He didn’t know she was heading out of the country that day. Nor did he know she was in the army. For all intents and purposes, she worked in the local hospital and would be available for dates.

  Surely a night like they’d had warranted a date. They’d been connected. She’d felt that. He must have, too. Of course if he asked she’d say no, but it would be nice to be asked.

  The silence stretched on.

  Maybe he was waiting for her to ask him. Was it a test for the feminist in her? Well, if so he’d be disappointed. What was the point in asking to see him again when she couldn’t? Well, not for a few months anyway.

  He scrubbed his hand over his jawline and pressed his lips together.

  “Seb?”

  “I… I have to go.” He stepped away, looking at the ground, and jabbed his thumb toward the door. “I’ve paid for the room, so it’s all square, and if you want breakfast, that’s included.”

  “Oh, okay. And no, I don’t want breakfast.”

  “Me neither.” He opened the door. “I’ll maybe see you around.”

  Her belly clenched and she sucked in a breath. That was it. He really had just been in it for the sex. Nothing more that that. “Yes, see you around.”

  He clenched his fists and the frown marring his brow deepened. “I know you said you can look out for yourself, but be careful okay? No walking home late in the dark on your own.”