Page 53 of Lucky Charm

Maybe he slept, maybe he didn’t. He should have been sure, but he wasn’t.

“Hunt.” Cait’s hoarse whisper woke him. Her blue eyes, flush with tears, only reinforced the fear and uncertainty in her expression. She placed a desperate but gentle kiss on his hand. The woman had a way of kissing his body in random spots that left him decimated.

He rapidly moved from the chair to sit on the side of the bed and gently lifted her into his arms. “You’re all right. I’m here.”

She kissed that sacred spot on his neck while burrowing closer. He shuddered and held her tight.

Long moments layered on more long moments. How long they stayed wrapped around each other, he didn’t know. Finally, he pulled back, needing to see her.

Her beautiful face was marred with scratches. That pained him. Bruises and more scratches peeked from beneath her hospital gown, down her arms, and above her breasts. Her arms tightened around his waist. He cupped her chin, brushing his lips over hers.

His control trembled.

He caressed her jaw and cheeks, then sank his fingers into the softness of her hair. She sighed. He dipped in for more, slowly deepening a kiss that encouraged him to explore, taste, own.

“Hunt,” she whispered against his mouth. “We’re all right?”

The question batted against his spinning head and the feel of her sweet breasts pressed againsthis chest. How was it possible to be settled and sure at the same time his nerves felt flayed? He resisted answering because he had to separate his mouth from hers.

“Yes, honey. We’re all right. We’re on base,” he finally whispered back.

“Dream. Bad one.”

Hunt tipped her face so he could see her eyes. “You’re having bad dreams?

“After shock, I’m sure.” She sounded like the doctor he knew, but her expression was still uncertain. “Did you get your ribs and back looked at?”

Confused, he leaned into her for a minute, then he remembered. “Yes, all bruises, baby. Nothing to worry about.” Hopefully, his cracked ribs wouldn’t give the lie away.

She kissed him this time, opening her mouth and sliding her tongue along his lips. He didn’t hesitate. He devoured her. The sensual glide of their tongues mating left him hard and wanting – and teetering on the edge of complete and utter adoration. He tightened his hold, wishing he could rewrite the naked sleeping bag episode to include this soaring addiction to kissing her and some stolen moments of union.

The first time, they’d fucked. Those short minutes defined fiery lust without a care about anything but getting inside her.

This time he wanted to make love – to slow, to worship and enjoy, to watch her eyes and prolong both their pleasure.

Thatwas so far outside his experience with sex that he pulled away from her, gently kissing her nose, her eyes, and her forehead before halting the insanity.

Her breath wasn’t any steadier than his.

To buy time to settle before he did something stupid, he glanced at his watch.

Dammit. 0430 a.m. Time to get his ass back to his quarters.

He stayed close, loathe to move away. “I’m guessing we’re going to get sent out again soon, honey.”

Cait’s hold tightened, jamming him up, but then she straightened back against her pillow. “How long?”

“I don’t know, but I’ll catch up to you. Okay?

She gripped his shirt. “How do I find you, message you? I’m not letting you leave without knowing I can find you.”

“I’ll write down a number where you can text me. I may not be able to answer but you’ll have it. I promise I’ll come back. I’ll find you. Rest, get better. Watch out for gossip. It’s bad.” He lifted her hand, holding fast.

“What gossip?”

“Our rescue of the Army doctor – yeah, it’s making the rounds. I’d recommend taking a Spec Ops attitude.”

“Which is?”