Chapter 5

Slate paused for a moment, taking in the intimate scene. The curtains behind the sofa were partially open, and he saw that the snow had already begun falling outside, soft in the twinkling white lights strung from the front porch. He could almost smell the crisp winter air, even from inside the warm, cozy room. Slowly, the tension began to roll off him, and he drew in another breath.

This was where he was supposed to be.

And despite the softly falling snow outside, and the twinkling lights from the Christmas tree, nothing was as pretty as the sight of his fiancée, safe and content on the sofa.

Ashleigh’s bare feet were propped up on the coffee table, and she was furiously typing on her sleek laptop. He’d never met anyone who could write as fast as her—not that he really knew other writers. Her work as an author was a solo gig. Although she had writer friends scattered throughout the country, she wasn’t involved with a constant stream of people like he was on the daily.

Even now, at this late hour, there would be men and women on base working. There were multiple situations around the globe constantly being monitored. The holiday season was a prime opportunity for those intent on doing harm, with large crowds gathered in celebration. A terror attack in a major city would be exactly something terrorist organizations and lone wolves alike wanted. They sought to achieve chaos. Disruption. Fear. Death.

And even now, on vacation with the woman he loved, the constant threat of danger would always linger in the back of his mind.

“You look stressed,” Ashleigh said as she looked up from her laptop, her eyes scanning over him.

“Just some work issues,” he ground out.

“Everything okay?” Ashleigh stood and set her laptop down, then moved toward him, the sweater she wore stretching enticingly across her breasts. Her swaying hips drew his gaze next, and his eyes tracked down her denim-clad legs. Damn, she was beautiful. With the white Christmas tree lights behind her, Ashleigh’s blonde hair practically shimmered. She looked like a damn angel floating toward him—lightness and innocence compared to the darkness of his world.

His breathing slowed as she got closer even as his blood heated. Slate always felt calmer in her presence, soothed by her in a way no one else could ever affect him. She also stirred something else inside him as well—something primal, giving him the urge to kiss and claim and make her his in every way. Slate would never get enough of his woman. He’d gone a hell of a long time without even wanting to date, too busy advancing his Navy career, but when he’d met Ashleigh? He couldn’t stay away, no matter how much restraint he’d thought he had.

She wrapped her arms around him, the gesture more comforting than intimate. Her soft curves pressed against him, her breasts pillowing against his chest as his own arms immediately came up to hold her close. Her head only reached to beneath his chin, making all his protective instincts rise. She was small, sweet, and goddamn gorgeous. His to keep safe and cherish. He brushed his lips over the top of her head, Ashleigh’s tempting vanilla scent making his groin tighten.

“You were working.” It wasn’t a question.

“Of course. Once I get an idea in my head, I just have to go with it,” she said.

Slate smiled against her blonde strands. Of course she did. Sometimes Ashleigh would grab a napkin and scribble down notes or type something into her phone when they were out, sudden inspiration striking. It was cute as hell to see her so excited about her work. And while she loved to write, she was successful, too. A businesswoman in her own right, running her own career. Slate was damn proud of her for all that she’d accomplished.

“Write anything good?” he asked.

“Maybe I’ll tell you more later,” she teased, nuzzling against his flannel shirt.

He palmed the back of her head, holding her to him for a moment, and then his hands roamed, moving down over the soft sweater to cup her ass in the snug-fitting jeans she wore. He gave her a gentle squeeze, and she looked up to meet his gaze, pressing even closer. Slate took her lips in a slow, heated kiss, one of his hands moving to tangle in her hair as he held her. His erection was already growing between them, thick and throbbing, and he heard Ashleigh’s small whimper. She teasingly rubbed herself against him as their kiss deepened, and Slate choked back a groan.

When he finally pulled back, she was gasping for breath, her eyes dilated, her cheeks flushed. He could see her breasts rising and falling, and his erection now pressed painfully against the confines of his jeans. He wanted her.

“I have a present for you to open tonight,” he said, looking at her intently.

“Slate, it’s not even Christmas yet,” she protested, but he didn’t miss the hint of excitement in her eyes.

“Maybe I just like spoiling you,” he said, his voice deep.

Her gaze dropped to his trousers, and he chuckled. “I’ll be okay. I’m always hard around you, Ash, and we can remedy that soon enough.”

She blushed prettily, and Slate led her over to the Christmas tree, thankful that Lena had numbered the presents he’d selected for her to wrap. He had a new surprise for Ashleigh to open every night, leading right up to Christmas Day. And then he’d surprise the hell out of her with the wedding he’d secretly planned.

“Shit. The camera,” he suddenly said.

“There’s a camera in here?” she asked in alarm.

“There wasn’t last year,” he assured her before crossing the space to turn off the hidden device. “Jett added them after our little incident.”

“You’re sure?” she questioned.

Slate’s eyes heated as his gaze raked over her. “I’m damn sure. I wouldn’t let anyone else see what’s mine.” Her lips parted in surprise, but he turned again and picked up the first gift, handing it to her to open.

Ashleigh held the elaborately wrapped gift, and he watched her cheeks turn pink as she unwrapped it and pulled out a white lacy negligee. “I thought we could practice for our wedding night,” he teased, watching her fingers trail over the material. Slate was a simple man, but the idea of his fiancée in white lace was a total turn-on. He didn’t usually pick out presents like this, although he did like to surprise her with flowers or those coffee drinks she loved. But when his sister-in-law had insisted he buy Ashleigh something romantic and sexy before the surprise wedding, he hadn’t hated the idea. Judging from Ashleigh’s reaction, she seemed to enjoy it as well.

“It’s beautiful,” she breathed.

“Let me help you put it on,” he said, his voice gravel.

“I thought you were supposed to help me undress,” she said, flashing him a look.

His voice was low. Husky. “I plan to enjoy doing both.”

The skimpy little negligee was made of silk, with white lace that would cover her breasts and pussy. It was far from modest, but it was for his eyes only. For their enjoyment together. He’d already spent countless hours exploring her thoroughly over the past year, but Slate’s blood heated at the thought of how Ashleigh would look in this, her sexy curves hugged to perfection by the delicate material.

“I should buy you sexy lingerie more often,” he said, noticing the flush on her cheeks and excitement in her eyes.

Slate brushed back some of her long, blonde hair before ducking for a searing kiss. She tasted of the wine she’d enjoyed with dinner and something else sweet and feminine. Her lips parted as he lightly teased her with his tongue, and then he was pushing inside, sliding his tongue against hers as he devoured her. Ashleigh clung to his flannel shirt, whimpering and pressing even closer.

Slate’s hands raked down her sides until he was fisting the bottom of her soft sweater, desperate to have all of her. He lifted the soft garment up and off her, revealing Ashleigh’s gorgeous breasts encased in a satiny bra. Everything she wore turned him on, but the idea of his fiancée in nothing but the skimpy lace negligee had him already growing hard again. He fumbled with the button on her jeans, remembering when he’d first undressed her a year ago. She’d been soaking wet after slipping and falling outside but still had been the most beautiful damn thing he’d ever seen.

Ashleigh looked up at him through her lashes before he helped her out of the denim, her mind clearly on the same thing. “Another roaring fire. Another night alone. Except this time, I get to have all of you,” he murmured.

Slate reached around and unhooked her bra with a flick of his wrist, Ashleigh’s pretty breasts spilling free. His woman was gorgeous. Sexy and curvy and completely his. Her breasts swayed as she moved, heavy and full, with perfect pink nipples that were begging for his touch. His mouth. Her panties were next to go, Slate sliding them down her silky legs as he knelt before her once more, his heart thundering. Her pussy was completely bare, and he knew she’d gotten waxed for him. For them. He loved to feast on her, licking and laving each swollen fold, and she always enjoyed his attentiveness, her cries of pleasure filling their bedroom.

She glanced down at him now, her expression slightly vulnerable as she stood completely nude before him. Slate might be crouched down in front of Ashleigh, but he was fully dressed, practically ready to pounce. Slate was the one in complete control, and they both knew it. He gripped her hips, leaning in to kiss the slight curve of her belly. To inhale her scent and warmth.

She gasped, her hands landing on his head, and he forced himself to pull back. To draw the evening out.

Slate’s heated gaze raked over her. Ashleigh looked like a goddess, the firelight dancing over her smooth skin, her blonde hair silky and tousled. He could see the curved underside of her breasts, soft and plump, and her peaked nipples. He palmed the sexy bodysuit—or teddy, as the description had said—the delicate material looking almost comical against his muscled hand. He held the lingerie up for her, Ashleigh’s feet sliding through the leg holes as he helped her into it. He dragged it up her slender legs, his pulse pounding and cock rock hard. Slate could smell her arousal, Ashleigh’s waxed pussy right in front of him. Before he slid the lacy confection further up her creamy thighs, he kissed her bare lips while she squirmed, his big hands palming her bottom as he held her in place. Ash was soft. Sweet. And so fucking delicious, it was all he could do not to immediately devour her.

“You’re so goddamn pretty,” he growled, unable to resist kissing her bare sex again. She was already trembling with need, and he couldn’t deny her anything.

Slate groaned as he pulled the negligee the rest of the way up her delectable form, eager to see her in it. The end result was even better than he’d imagined. Her pussy was covered in lace, her full breasts pressing against the top portion, displayed to perfection. He could see her pink nipples through the white lace, so pretty and feminine.

Ashleigh gasped, looking down at herself in surprise. The lingerie he’d picked out was sexy but also perfectly hugged her curves, making her look ravishing. A slow smile played about his lips. Usually he was removing her clothing, not putting something on her, but it was sexy and arousing to dress her in lingerie they’d both enjoy. He could almost imagine taking off her gown on their wedding night, discovering what she’d worn beneath. He had no idea what it would look like but knew she’d be achingly beautiful in anything, and his sister-in-law had assured him she’d taken care of the dress and all the necessary accoutrements.

Slate stepped back to admire Ashleigh. The warm light from the fire and twinkling lights on the Christmas tree gave her a glowing, almost ethereal look. Every single bit of her looked absolutely delectable, and Slate’s cock thickened.

“You’re gorgeous,” he said, his voice gravel as his eyes raked over every single inch of her. “Sexy and stunning and all fucking mine.” Her hands fluttered nervously, her eyes wide, and then he was moving, not wanting her to doubt for a second how much he desired her. Slate’s hands tangled in her hair, and he kissed her hard, claiming what was his. Ashleigh whimpered as he took complete control of their kiss, clinging to him desperately.

Slate’s hands roamed everywhere, caressing her tempting curves, squeezing her breasts, and sliding to the tender spot between her thighs.

“Slate,” she pleaded, practically writhing in his arms.

He didn’t make her wait. In the next moment, Slate was lowering Ashleigh to the plush sofa as his cock pressed almost painfully against the confines of his boxers. This moment was about her though. Her needs. Her pleasure.

Slate took her lips, slow and sweet, his big body covering her own. She was small and delicate beneath him, but it was Slate that was at her complete mercy. Ashleigh had a hold on him no other woman ever could. Lust roared through him as he tried to take things slowly, pinning her beneath him, but he wanted all of her. Now.

Slate pushed up, his biceps bunching with the movement, and then he was kissing his way down her body, sucking on her pink nipples through the lace, squeezing and touching the curves that he loved.

“Oh!” she cried out as he licked a nipple through the delicate material before sucking on it, teasing her with his tongue. Ashleigh’s hips bucked up, and he wanted to roar in approval. She was always sensitive and so responsive to his touch, and he thrilled at making her cry out in ecstasy.

Slate moved to her other breast, teasing her nipple the same way through the pretty lingerie. The lace covering her turgid bud no doubt added a new sensation as he laved at her with his tongue. Her chest was rising and falling, her breasts swollen, and nipples peaked. As he slanted his dark gaze upward, he saw her face was flushed and lips parted. She was so fucking beautiful it practically hurt. He’d wanted to do this a year ago when she’d been naked and pressed against him in front of the fire. A torrent of thoughts slammed through his mind—meeting her, desiring her, taking her to his home in San Diego and making her completely his.

It felt like he’d waited an entire lifetime for this woman, and Slate knew he’d never get enough of her.

He cupped one breast, squeezing gently, and then trailed his fingers down her form, enjoying the way she trembled beneath him. Slate’s hand slid to her pussy, and he fingered her plump lips through the material. “You’re soaked, Ash. So wet and ready for me.”

His eyes locked with hers, and he saw the longing and desire in her gaze.

He slid his fingers beneath the lace covering her sex, delving through her slick, hot folds. Ashleigh moaned on the sofa, and Slate doubled his efforts, sucking on one nipple again as his hand worked her pussy. His thumb unerringly found her clit, still covered in lace, even as his fingers slid into her opening. She took him easily, moaning louder as he prepared her to take his thick cock. Ashleigh was so much smaller than him, he always had to be careful, and there was no better feeling than sinking his throbbing dick inside her welcoming body, right where he belonged.

Slate pumped his fingers in and out of her slick channel and rubbed her swollen bud through the material with his thumb, knowing the drag of lace against her clit would add even more sensation.

Ashleigh cried out, her hands gripping his forearm as she tried to both spur him on and pull him away. She was gorgeous in the sexy lingerie, spread out for him on the sofa—feminine and sexy yet innocent in a way that drew out his baser side. Ash always came alive under his touch, and he had a deep-seated need to pleasure and claim her. Slate growled and nipped at her breast, before laving her nipple with the flat of his tongue to soothe the sting. His fingers continued thrusting in and out of her slick pussy, Ashleigh’s mewls and whimpers growing louder.

He looked up, catching the look of pure ecstasy in her expression. “You’re gorgeous,” he murmured huskily. “Sexy. Tempting. Completely mine. Come for me, Ashleigh. Ride my fingers and come on my hand.” Slate twisted his wrist, pumping his fingers faster, and as his thumb rubbed over her clit, teasing her into a frenzy, she gasped and then screamed, her inner walls spasming around him as she writhed beneath him and came and came.

Ashleigh was panting, covered in a fine sheen of sweat, and a feeling of satisfaction rolled over him. He smiled before pinning her with a smug, hot look. “I love watching you come apart for me.” Her cheeks were flushed as she looked at him, her hair disheveled from tossing her head back and forth, and she was the prettiest thing he’d ever seen. “I need all of you,” he said, reluctantly sliding his fingers free from her hot pussy. Slate sucked off her juices as she flushed, then adjusted himself, his aching erection now straining against his pants, hot and hard for his woman.

“Then take me,” she pleaded.

He stripped off his shirt, shoving down his jeans and boxers before prowling over her once more. His jeans weren’t even fully off him, but his cock jumped, erect and ready to slide into her hot, slick sheath. Ashleigh’s small hands gripped his thick length, and he let out a groan, the feel of her holding his cock nearly causing him to explode.

“Fuck. You’re still in the lingerie,” he said, hovering over her. He was practically shaking with restraint, his forearms holding his weight above her, his woman’s hands still gripping his erection. Ashleigh murmured something softly and reached down, pulling the lace covering her sex to the side. He shifted, sliding through her slick folds as he lined himself up. Slate briefly let his gaze rake over her once more before he thrust in to her tight heat, both of them gasping. His thick erection penetrated her, easily sliding in to the hilt as her arousal slickened the way, and he bottomed out, the base of his erection nestled against her clit.

His Ashleigh was hot and wet and perfect. The best damn thing he’d ever felt.

“I don’t know if I can be gentle,” he warned, his chest heaving up and down.

“I’m yours, Slate. Take me,” she told him again.

And then Slate was thrusting into her, fucking her hard on the sofa as she clung to him. He’d take her slowly by the fire later when they made love, cherish every inch of her body, but this moment right now was a claiming.

“Touch yourself,” he ordered. Ashleigh’s slender fingers slid between them, playing with her clit as he stroked in and out. As she moaned and he felt her inner walls tightening, he sped up once more, Ashleigh’s pretty breasts bouncing with his every movement. Finally, with a sweet cry, Ashleigh was coming again, this time on his cock, her pussy squeezing around him like a vice. Slate grunted as his balls tightened, unable to hold back any longer, and then he followed her over, burying his face in her neck as he groaned out his own release, his body shuddering.

He could still feel her walls spasming around him, her breaths coming in tiny gasps, her fingernails digging into him. Slate managed to lift his head, and he kissed her, their bodies still joined.

“I’m going to crush you,” he muttered, starting to pull away, but Ashleigh tightened her arms around him.

“Stay.”

A huff of laughter escaped his lips, but he kissed her again, still half-hard inside her.

“Again?” she asked in surprise.

“Again. And again,” he promised, before kissing her more deeply as his cock swelled inside her, then making his promises come true.