Page 46 of Luck Be Mine (The Defenders #3)

The “I’m Never Going Camping with You Again” Honeymoon ?

Pleasantly tired, Cait leaned against the passenger door of Hunt’s truck, tapping her foot with anticipation.

The party was over, the radio off, and his hand warm in hers.

A beautiful day, wonderful friends, memories for life.

Except Saturday traffic had other ideas.

Ten days before Christmas, cars clogged the roads and delayed her single-minded goal: to get her husband in private.

“Not far now, honey.” His grin carried secrets. He’d insisted on planning this mini honeymoon himself. She’d only been allowed to pack casual clothes and trust him with the rest. Hunt loved surprises. She loved the way his eyes lit when he sprung them.

The truck turned off the main road, tires crunching gravel. Darkness hid the scenery, but she caught woodsy scents in the cool air. “Where are we?”

“You’ll see.” He slowed, voice amused. “Rain may spoil the plan, but we’ll roll with it.”

“It’ll be good no matter where.” For the first time, duty and doctors weren’t first. Marriage was.

The truck stopped. “Wait for me, Mrs. Hunter.” Hunt came around to her door before she could move. He lifted her out, his mouth skimming hers in a particularly unsatisfying kiss. “I hope this isn’t a mistake.”

“Show me already.”

He spun her toward the glow of the headlights. Trees framed a small white camper on a cement pad, a rock wall sheltering it from the next site.

Her jaw dropped. “We’re…camping?” The squeak in her voice said it all.

“I thought we could try this. Camper’s got a bed, kitchen, bathroom. Fridge might even have a turkey sandwich, and I can vouch for the coffee. We can take hikes, or we can stay in bed. If you hate it, we’ll check into a hotel in the morning.” The man was nervous. Aww!

Intrigued, Cait slipped from his arms and walked toward the trailer. He remembered everything she’d begged for on their mountain trek in Afghanistan. Overwhelmed, she cleared her throat. “Where did you get the camper?”

“Rented it. It’s the newest version. The company hooked it up, and Elizabeth did the furnishings. I think it’ll fit the two of us nicely.” Pride radiated from him, and it was such a spectacular compromise she couldn’t leave him floundering.

She smiled, letting mischief out. “I said I’d never go camping with you again.”

“Case in point, last time we weren’t camping.” He relaxed. “This time, your comfort is all I care about, and time alone.”

Fresh mulch, ocean scents, the shelter of trees – relaxation spread through her one layer at a time. She twirled like Julie Andrews, taking in the space, then grabbed his hand. “This is marvelous. Can we check it out?”

Rain spit as Hunt opened the trailer door. Inside: white-tiled kitchen, roses on the counter, bed dressed in a white comforter, gray sofa with pillows, TV tucked above the bathroom. Compact but complete.

The rain switched from drizzle to hard fall. Hunt ran to turn off the truck and bring in their bags.

“You tested this first,” she accused, when he returned.

He grinned. “Might have.”

“Are we going to buy this?”

“It’s on the retirement list.”

“Food?”

Hunt opened the fridge. “Turkey sandwich. Told you.”

Two sandwiches, cold drinks, chocolate dessert.

“Eat now? Or explore?”

“Not hungry. I grazed off your plate. Show me.” She kicked off her shoes and took his hand. “I’d go anywhere with you – and I believe I have – but this was inspired. Thank you.”

Hunt blushed. Her cool, controlled SEAL blushed! Adorable. She tugged him toward the bed and backed him onto it. He fell without protest, and she wasted no time easing on top of him.

“Is this what we’re testing first?” The wicked gleam in his eyes suggested he had ideas, too.

She’d been longing for this moment. Taking advantage of his surprise, she claimed his mouth, pouring her aching soul into the kiss, blowing past gentle into seductive.

He kept up with her, his own mouth easily sweeping hers into the storm.

But he slid a gentle hand over her back, the precious touch stirring tears.

Their argument on the beach still lay between them, and even with three visits to McIvers, they still hadn’t sorted it out.

Hunt broke the kiss. “You’re thinking too hard.

She frowned. “We haven’t…”

He put a finger over her mouth. “My fault.”

She straddled Hunt’s lap and pulled her navy flowered shirt over her head. Her blue lace bra brightened his eyes. “Can we change that word? How about reaction instead of fault.”

“Sugar-coat it, you mean. I got lost.” He traced the edge of her plunging bra, his fingers scorching delicate skin.

She gripped his face. “I always have you, and you always have me.”

He swept her hair from her eyes. “I didn’t forget. I’ve had to fight my way through some things. Thanks for pulling me out.”

She leaned in and kissed her way across his jaw, then collapsed against him to tuck her face against his neck. Covering the tears and the lingering fear was a necessity. She wanted him, all of him, to come back to her. No hesitation.

He rubbed her back again, the motion soothing. She bit her lip and sighed when he slipped his hands over her bottom. He teased her hips, brushed the sides of her breasts, and, in one move, unhooked her bra.

“Love this, but…” He coaxed her from the scrap of lace and smiled. “This reminds me of our first time in Afghanistan. You shucked your shirt and left me stunned with the most beautiful view of pale skin and pretty breasts.

She softly chuckled. “I didn’t plan that. It felt right.”

“I didn’t come to your quarters with an intent to get laid.”

He smelled of aftershave and spice, and she had no defense against the rush of tingles and wanted none. “Meant to be.”

“Truth.” His lips swept her throat, hands cupping her breasts. He ran a line of kisses over the scar on her temple, then plundered her mouth, tasting and biting, soothing and claiming.

The delicate thread between them fought to mend.

She broke away, touching his cheeks, brows, and mouth. “You always make me feel wanted and safe.”

He hesitated, vulnerable, too. “You always get me, and it’s damn spooky.”

“Since the beginning.”

“Since the first spark, luck was mine.”

“Ours.”

The rainfall echoed from the ping on the roof, but she focused on removing clothes and kissing every inch of her husband. Each new scar and all the old ones got deliberate attention.

Hunt eased her under him, and she arched, seeking the weight, the warm skin, the love radiating in the moment. His lips touched her nipples with tantalizing licks, exploding heat across her senses.

He read her. She didn’t have to ask.

He slid between her legs and entered in one easy thrust, uniting with her like she was his lifeline. “Cait…”

“Take us there, love,” she whispered.

Words fell away. Hunt found the intense rhythm she needed, and she gave to him in motions transmitted by heart and touch.

Tighter, spiraling higher, she absorbed his moans, each murmured word, every thrust until pure love shivered through her, tumbling them both to bliss.

Hunt collapsed on her, grasping her hand in his.

She slipped an arm around his waist and held him close.

“Never ever letting you go,” she whispered.

He squeezed her hand. “I’ll never forget again.”

The rain had stopped. Hunt pulled a loose blanket from the end of the bed and covered them both.

“Thank you for a wonderful day,” she whispered, wanting to keep their cocoon quiet.

“Let’s finish it.”

“How?”

He grabbed his pants and pulled a small, flat package from his back pocket. “I wanted to be alone when I gave you this.”

“What is it?”

He popped the lid and turned the black box toward her. Nestled in the small velvet box was a heart-shaped locket with a long chain. The gold glowed in the light, catching the scrolling vines and blooming flower etched on the front.

She took the present and blinked away stunned tears. “Oh, frogman!” The intricate engraving looked alive. The back had their wedding date, written in clean lines.

His eyes held nerves again. “Do you like it? If not, it can go back.”

She slid a hand against his cheek and kissed him. “It’s gorgeous.

“Let me.” He lifted the necklace and undid the clasp.

Cait leaned so he could put the chain around her neck. His fingers caressed her bare skin. The necklace settled between her breasts, and she admired the scrollwork in the light.

Popping the small clasp, the locket opened. “Oh, oh, Hunt!” Safe harbor was engraved in swirling script on the left, their picture, faces turned toward each other, on the right. It was more than jewelry – it was a promise, a memory, a vow.

“Yes?” He watched her, love in his eyes.

“Yes, Safe Harbor .” Cait choked, unable to stop the few tears. She swiped at them, not wanting him to misread.

“You can cry.” He stroked her arm, the comfort only added to her bottomless joy.

“I’m thrilled. All I have for you is a new package of rubber wedding bands.”

He settled her against him, putting a hand over the locket. “You can buy me the camper.” His eyes sparkled with glee.

Cait grinned. “Deal.” Her favorite place was being held close in his arms with his skin against hers. “Thank you.”

He kissed her forehead. “I didn’t do anything but show up.”

Cait sighed, contentment easing emotions. “We do have really great friends.”

“We have Elizabeth, Niles, and Bets. Any time those three ask, God says do as you wish.”

Cait giggled, then sobered. “I meant my vows. But I wanted to add we’re together by our definition, not rules, not traditions, but because we live by what we need from each other. I’m not sure what my wording was in front of all our friends.”

He tapped the locket. “I understood. Friends, lovers, partners. Husband and wife. By definition together, in act and in heart. It’s essentially what we vowed. It’s how we live.”

“Yes.”

Hunt cleared his throat. “I don’t say this to you often enough. Thank you for sticking with me.”

“No thanks needed. You stick with me, too.”

“It’s what we do.” Hunt pulled her on top of him again. “What do you think of camping now?”

“Not bad, Hunter. Not bad.”

§§§

CAIT AND HUNT’S MARRIAGE RULES

Talk. Safe Harbor isn’t just a house. We go home. Always.