Page 84 of Lucky Charm

“Going out for a bit. I’ll be back.”

“Time?”

“Give me an hour.”

Doog checked his watch. “She might be asleep.”

“She’ll wake. I’m out running if anyone asks. Get some sleep.”

“Copy that. If I can.” Since he understood, he shut the door and moved on.

When had he decided that he was going to see her versus running? The excuse formulated after the decision had been cemented. Never had he had something grab him by the throat and override years of professional habit and commitments. He wasn’t sure he liked it. And yet, he was sure about her.

∞∞∞∞∞

Cait heard the light tapping on her door and looked at the time. One a.m. What now? God, please don’t let Hunt be hurt. So many days of this. How would she stand a lifetime?

She grabbed her heavy sweater and went to the door. “Who is it?”

“It’s Hunt.”

Relief shot through, weakening knees and threatening tears. She would not cry at homecomings. That wasn’t how this was done.

She released the lock and threw open the door, careful not to let it bang. “Get in here.”

He complied, easily moving past her. He swept an arm around her and pulled her farther into the room. He reached to shut the door, turned the lock, and bent to kiss her in a smooth movement that left her reeling.

“What are you doing?” She whispered the words against his lips, not sure why she stayed quiet except the darkness in the room seemed to require it.

He didn’t answer. The chill of his lips dispersed against hers, his mouth compelling a response. Sweet emotion bloomed, a gratefulness that he stood in front of her whole and healthy shattering her worry and leaving behind a pure flame of raw love. He deepened the kiss, tasting her with abandon. His gloved hands swept over her hair, then he broke the kiss to pull off the gloves and toss them over his shoulder. He pushed off her sweater and shed his jacket.

She had no time to find her balance before he pulled her close again and ran his lips over her neck and to the sensitive skin at her collarbone. The skimming contact pebbled her breasts and sent a hot flush to nerve endings that celebrated. She wrapped her arms around him and held tight. “Don’t stop,” she whispered against his chest.

“Not happening.” He backed them to her bed, then dropped down to shed his shoes. “Help me here, hon. Clothes off. Please.”

She shed her sleep pants and pulled her sleep tank over her head, spreading it over her bed lamp, then turning it on. The muted light shot through the darkness and Hunt’s dark hair drew her gaze. “How much time do we have?”

“About forty minutes. No talking. Just doing.” He stood to pull his long-sleeve shirt over his head, and she was struck dumb by the sight of defined muscles and scars peppered over his skin. The reality of him in person would have obliterated any resistance if there had been any to begin with.

Sensation blew her restraint, and its crumble started with knowing he looked at her naked body for the first time since her second tour. The mountain didn’t count. She’d been too cold to recognize sexual attraction in mind, skin, and nerves. Now, heat spread pleasure like an overflowing river.

He shed his pants and pulled back the covers. “Top or bottom, honey.”

“Bottom.” She wanted his skin all over her and to be cherished by his weight.

She lifted the covers and moved into the center of her bed, holding the blankets for him. He came down on top of her with an ease that said he’d thought about the how of doing that. Then he derailed her thoughts by anchoring her hands above her head.

The hot and wet of his kisses stirred a moan. She melted. His tongue coaxed hers to play, starting a throb deep inside. His body against hers warmed every inch of her skin. Tight with anticipation, she wiggled until the hardness of his length nestled in the right place with the head teasing her entrance.

He pulled back. “Not yet.”

She sighed against gathering tears. Months without the ultimate intimacy left her doubtful she hadn’t made the whole thing a fantasy.

Hunt let go of her hands and cupped her face. “I missed you. One time was not enough.”

She could still taste him and wanted more. “Mouth, please. More.”

He took her mouth again with a desperate intent that echoed hers. Rocking against her, he dropped his hands to her breasts, teasing and shaping until she cried out softly. Restless, she wanted to touch him, but he dropped his mouth to her nipple and sucked.