Chapter 9

CHAPTER

NINE

Chad

Her hands, they're fucking magic. Like the kind of hands you want touching you forever. Or maybe that's how I'm looking at them. Perhaps it's wishful thinking, that I'll be lucky enough to always have them on my body.

After we ate pizza, she insisted on finishing her massage. It wasn't necessary, but now that she's straddling my lower back and kneading the knots in my shoulders, I'm damn glad she was so persistent. This is heaven.

Soft music plays from her phone. At first, I thought it was a little cheesy, even though I went along with it, but now that we're in the moment, I definitely think the music is a nice touch. I feel more relaxed than I expected.

She slowly moves down, digging her fingers and the heels of her hands into my flesh. I can't help but moan.

"Is that a good moan or a bad one?"

"Good. Definitely good," I mumble, my face pressed into the mattress.

She spends a good half hour working out the kinks and tight muscles in my back, neck, and shoulders. The massage is great, but just having her hands on me is the icing on the cake. Especially when she's working on my neck and leaning forward, her tits brushing against my bare skin. Sure, she has her shirt on, but still. I can feel the swell of them with each move she makes, and it's not helping the stiffness in my pants.

"What do you think?" she asks, her movements slowing and the pressure from her touch subsiding.

"I think I'm never letting you go."

Her hands stop, and she doesn't say a word. I wonder if I said too much and risk a quick glance back. Her eyes are soft and locked on me as her fingers curl into my flesh. Without thinking about what's happening below the belt, I turn around, a task that's challenging, considering she's sitting on me. But Faith lifts herself enough to allow me to move, and the moment I'm flat on my back, she returns to straddling me.

Only this time, she's straddling my very hard cock.

Those sexy green eyes seem to darken before my own eyes, and her breathing comes out in little pants of excitement. My hands automatically move to her hips, sliding around to rest on the globes of her ass. My grip tightens just a touch as she rocks her hips. I can feel the heat from her pussy right where I want it, even if there are layers of clothes between us.

"Chad?" she asks, her eyes wide with anticipation.

"Yes, love?"

She swallows hard before asking, "Can I kiss you?"

"You never have to ask," I state, my throat dry and scratchy.

Faith leans forward and brushes her lips across mine. I try to keep my hands still, but they itch to touch her smooth, soft skin, and slowly move beneath her top to her lower back. The most satisfying mewl slips from her mouth as her tongue glides against mine. She tastes like pure heaven, all honey sweet and ripe.

She rocks her hips, grinding against my erection and whimpers. I have to stifle the groan, refusing to let my own pleasure take control of the situation. As much as I want to strip us naked and bury myself inside her, I won't push it. Sex will happen if and when she says it can, so I will grapple for every ounce of control I possess until she gives me the green light.

"I…" she murmurs against my lips.

"What?" I ask, sliding one hand into her hair and resting the other on her hip.

She gazes down at me, her hair falling in waves around her beautiful face. "I don't think I'm quite ready for…"

"That's fine," I insist when she's unable to get the words out. "We don't have to. I like kissing you."

A gentle grin spreads across her plump lips. "I like that too. And for the record, we can do… other stuff."

My own smile is wolfish as I gaze up at her. "What kind of other stuff are you thinking?"

There's a faint blush on her cheeks, and I'm not sure if it's from the words she's about to say or the fact she's turned on. "Well, I wouldn't mind getting my mouth on you."

Yes! Best idea ever.

"Funny, I was just thinking the same thing," I insist, running my hand around to her ass and squeezing. Lifting her up, we carefully sit upright and scramble from the bed. "Clothes. Off. Now."

She does as instructed while I do the same. We watch each other move, fingers and hands pulling at clothing until there's not a stitch left on either of us. We're both left naked for the very first time, and all I can do is stare in wonder.

She's breathtaking. Perfect.

Mine.

Her skin is so fucking soft as her arms wrap around my neck. Her tits press firmly against my chest, her nails digging into my scalp as our mouths meet once more. Our tongues battle, and I know I'll never get enough of her. She's everything I didn't even know I needed in my life, and the thought of not having her at my side is like a punch to the chest. The worst kind of torture. I need her.

Now.

And every day that follows.

Pushing thoughts of days not filled with Faith from my mind, I drop to my knees in front of her and lift her left leg. I rest it over my shoulder and grab her ass firmly. "Fuck, I can smell how badly you want this," I murmur, running my nose across the thin strip of hair above her pussy. "I can't wait to taste you."

She mumbles something and drives her fingers into my hair, holding me in place.

I pause long enough to look up and meet her gaze. "You sure?"

Her mouth is open, and she nods insistently. "I'm sure."

That's all I need to hear.

Moving forward, I take one long taste of her pussy, instantly needing more. I swipe my tongue across her clit, feeling her body tense by that one action. She tastes like heaven. Like a cool drink of water on a hot summer day.

And I'm very thirsty.

With my tongue, I draw pleasure from her body. I alternate between flicking her clit and sliding it inside her warm, wet heat. Of course, my body is so taut and tense, my cock begging for a little attention too, but that can wait. Right now, I'm going to savor this moment and having my mouth on her.

When her leg starts to shake, I realize we need a little change in positioning. "I have an idea," I tell her as I look up and meet her lust-drunk gaze.

"Does it involve you sliding your cock in my mouth?" she asks, the corner of her lips curling up in a naughty grin.

Standing up, I press my lips to hers chastely. "As a matter of fact, it does." When she doesn't pull away at the taste of herself on my tongue, I deepen the kiss.

Before we can get too carried away, I pull back and move toward the bed. I lie flat in the middle and give her a big smile. "Come here, love. Come straddle my face."

Her eyes darken even more as she climbs onto the bed and approaches my head. "Are you sure?"

My eyes are hard and insistent as I reply, "Fuck, yes, Faith. Get up here and sit on me."

She scurries, lifting her leg up and over my face. She's too far away for my tongue to reach her, so I gently place my palms against her thighs and pull down. My mouth meets her wet, swollen flesh, and my tongue delves deep inside her pussy.

Faith groans, swirling her hips around and seeking that glorious friction. Then, she leans forward, her tits falling against my stomach as she wraps her hand around my cock. Now it's my turn to moan. She draws my dick between her lips and lets it slide past her tongue into her throat.

"Christ," I grumble, trying to keep my bearings as she continues to suck me deep into her mouth.

"Mmm," she hums, the vibration going straight to my balls.

Refusing to let this end with a happy ending for me and not her, I place my hands on her ass and pull her down tightly against my face. I lick and suck her clit, reveling in how she squirms above me. She grinds down, searching for the sweet relief I dangle in front of her like a carrot.

I try to ignore how amazing her mouth feels, blowing my cock, but it's hard. No pun intended. All I want to do is get lost in the sensation, in the pleasure, and it takes all my strength to keep my focus where it should be—on her. So, when her pussy starts to contract around me, her arousal seeping around my face, I know she's getting close. I thrust my tongue inside her repeatedly, loving the tightness around me. My palms stroke the globes of her ass as I hold her in place. I let my fingers dance between her cheeks and graze across her puckered hole. At the intimate touch, I feel her entire body tense. I'm ready to apologize for touching her there , but there's no time. Faith detonates, coming hard above me.

She rocks her hips as she cries out, grinding her pussy against my face. But it's when she sucks my cock—hard—into her mouth that has me ready to blow right along with her. She moves frantically, her pace determined, as she holds my dick and sucks. When the head of my cock hits the back of her throat, I erupt, not able to give her a warning. She doesn't seem deterred in the slightest, just swallows every last drop I have until we're both boneless and breathless.

I place a kiss against her thigh. "Fuck," I mumble, trying to breathe normally but unable to do so.

"Mmm." She sighs contently, resting her face against my thigh. "I think we should do that again," she says through a yawn.

Chuckling, I roll her to the side and shift so we're face-to-face once more. "I'm not opposed to that, but I might need more than a couple of minutes. I think you sucked the life out of me," I quip, even though it's not far off base.

She gives me the sleepiest, sweetest smile that makes my heart lurch in my chest. "That was my plan."

I lean forward and place a kiss on her forehead. As much as I hate it, I need to head back to base. "I don't want to go," I say, realizing how very true that statement is.

Her eyes crack open as she sighs. "I know."

"What do you want to do about tomorrow night?"

She yawns again and closes her eyes. "I think we should go. It'll be fun."

"I agree," I tell her, slowly climbing from the bed and reaching for my discarded clothes. "How about I pick you up at five?"

"Okay," she mumbles, turning her face into the rumpled bedding.

My eyes are glued to her naked body as I dress, and when I have my shoes on my feet, I make my way to where she lies. "Come on, love, let's get you into bed," I murmur. Carefully, I lift her from the bed and turn her around, crawling onto the bed to place her head on the pillow. When she's in position, I pull the bedding over her body and bend down to kiss her lips. "Night, sweetheart. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Thank you for today, Chad. I had the best day," she whispers, giving me a second kiss.

"You're very welcome," I reply, making sure she's tucked securely beneath the covers.

I head for the door, turning off the lamp as I go and bathing the room in darkness. The last thing I see before slipping out the door is the most beautiful woman in the world. She owns my heart and doesn't even know it.

Maybe someday I'll have the balls to tell her how I really feel. Being with a military man is hard, and I'm too weak and selfish to let her go the way I should. I want to hang on, even if I don't deserve her.

One more week. I have one more week of her here, and then I'll let her go. Back to her life, where we're both tucked safely in the friend-zone. The one I dread but know is the right spot regardless.

Until then, I'll hold her close like the selfish bastard I am.

I'll always love her from afar, wishing things could have been different.

With Faith's hand tucked securely into my right one, I lift my left arm and knock on Erik and Hannah's door.

"Come in," Hannah greets, opening the door to their small house in the middle of the dozens of identical others, which makes up the married housing on base.

"Hey," Erik says, stepping behind his wife and offering a smile. "Welcome."

"We brought wine," Faith announces, giving Hannah the bottle after accepting a friendly hug.

"Oh, thank you. Let's go open it, shall we?" To her husband, she asks, "Can you check the grill?"

Erik leans forward and kisses her forehead. "Of course." When the ladies walk off, he hits me in the stomach and says, "Let's go."

I follow him as we move through the small house and step out onto the back patio. I can see other identical patios around us, some with grills and patio furniture, while others are empty. "So this is the marital housing, huh?"

Erik smiles, lifting the grill and checking the steaks. "Only another minute and these'll be ready. And, yeah, this is it. They're nothing fancy, but it sure beats the hell out of living in the bunkhouses at the base," he states, elbowing me in the gut.

I snort, mostly because he's right. "I have my name on the list, but they say it'll be a while before any open up."

"Too bad you're not married. There are a few of these places available, but I know there are rules."

I nod, understanding them but hating them all the same, mostly because I wish I had a place I could come home to every night. One where Faith is there and doesn't require us to part ways before curfew. "How's it going for you two? You haven't been married too long, right?"

He flips the steaks and closes the lid. "No, not too long, and I'm damn glad I did it. Not just because she's the best part of my life, but also because I know she'll be taken care of if something happens to me."

"What do you mean?" I ask as he grabs the platter to remove the meat.

He pauses, glancing my way. "Well, you know as well as I do that our jobs are dangerous. We could be called out at any time for God knows how long or where, and since we're married, I know she'll be taken care of. If something happens to me."

It's that last part that has me swallowing hard. It's not something military personnel talk about openly, but that doesn't mean it's not something we haven't thought about.

Even me, who has no significant other. I've thought about my parents, my friends and family.

Faith.

What would happen to her if something happened to me? Not that she's not capable of taking care of herself—she's more than capable—but… what if?

"That's part of the reason we got married so quickly," he tells me as he pulls four juicy steaks off the grill and places them on the platter. "Don't get me wrong, I was going to marry her anyway, but when I was sent here, we decided to do it sooner rather than later. I wanted to know my girl was taken care of, receiving all of my military benefits, you know?"

I nod and follow him back into the house where Faith and Hannah are waiting, sipping on wine. "This looks amazing, Hannah," I tell her as we join them at the dinner table.

"Thank you. I'm so glad you two were able to join us. I'm still meeting others around the base and am grateful to get to know you both," she replies with an open smile.

"Faith, I hope you like your steak medium-well," Erik says as he places slabs of beef on each of our plates.

"That's perfect," she replies, taking a helping of mashed potatoes before passing them along.

Everything smells amazing and my stomach starts to growl as my phone rings. I want to ignore it, ready to dive into the delicious food, but know I can't let it go to voicemail. "Hello?" I ask, instantly on alert as I listen to the caller.

I don't even know when I stood up, but by the time the call is over, I have three sets of eyes staring back at me. Erik is on high alert, standing across from me at the table, his entire body tense. "Shit," I mutter, trying to process what I was just told.

"What?" he asks, his gaze intense and focused.

With a deep breath, I look at my teammate and friend and announce, "We're being sent out. We have until Wednesday morning at 0600, and then we ship to an undisclosed location."

I hear Hannah gasp, but my eyes zero in on the woman sitting beside me. Faith's eyes are wide with fear and sadness, and all I want to do is wrap her in my arms and shield her from the pain and worry I know she's experiencing.

The meal is forgotten as Erik consoles his crying wife. Faith stands up and reaches for my hand, and there's no missing the tears swimming in her eyes. Just the feel of her skin against mine brings a sense of calm I wasn't expecting. The world is at war around us—literally, it appears—and as long as I have her by my side, I know I can get through anything.

But can I ask her to wait for me?

While I'm gone to God knows where for God knows how long?

I want to.

Fuck, I want to so badly, I can taste it.

As I wrap my arms around Faith and her body molds perfectly to mine, I think back to what Erik said and an idea takes shape. It might not be the best idea in the world, but now that the seed is planted, I can't stop it from taking root in my mind. I spin the options around, trying to figure out a better way, but I'm not sure there is one.

If I want to protect her, this may be the only way.

I just have to make her see.

We need to get married.

Fast.