Chapter 6

Six

W hen he'd chosen the flowers for Allison, he'd tried to pick a bouquet that matched her beauty. Now he knew that was impossible. What he held in his hand felt like a bunch of dead stems compared to her radiance.

She had her hair down, long and loose around her shoulders, swirling lightly in the breeze. Wearing a short sundress in a beautiful blue color that matched her eyes perfectly, she stunned the breath from him. His cock ready, hard and dripping for a taste of that pureness.

He increased his pace, but found she'd started walking toward him too.

His heart rocketed with happiness. His message had worked, and she was not only here but obviously eager to see him.

As soon as they could see each other's eyes, they both grinned. The stretch of sidewalk between them seemed infinite, but he kicked it into gear and ran the last few steps to her.

He hovered over her, so close that he could pull her into his arms and kiss her right now. But he hesitated—she might be smiling, but this was also their first date.

"Hi, Allison, baby." He held out the bouquet to her. Her eyes widened, and she gathered the bunch under her nose, inhaling.

"Thank you, Lincoln. They're beautiful. You didn't have to."

"I know." But he'd said he'd show her how different he was, and he meant it. He would bring her flowers every day simply trying to find some that matched her beauty. He wanted to shower her in gifts and love. "You don't know how much I wanted to especially from the look in your eyes. A gift I'll always treasure." He stroked the back of his knuckles down her smooth creamy cheek.

Yeah, the tough soldier had finally fallen—hard. He smiled down at her, and she smiled up at him.

He couldn't help it—he took a step closer. She tipped her head back.

Suddenly, he scooped her against his chest and lowered his head at the moment she went on tiptoe. Their mouths collided in a primal, earth-shattering kiss he felt all the way to his soul. She tasted like heaven and felt as soft as a cloud. Moaning, he angled his head, and she parted her lips.

Taking immediate advantage, he swept his tongue inside. Long, sweeping passes that fueled his desire but made him realize how right he'd been about her. They might have only known each other for a short time, but he'd known from first sight that she was the one for him.

She made a small noise of desire, sending his cock into a rock-hard state in a nanosecond. He clutched her tighter, hips to hips, showing her just how much he wanted her.

God, he wanted to take her right here in broad daylight, but that wasn't showing her how different he was, so he pulled away to the sound of a soft whimper on her lips.

She blinked up at him in a dazed way that only made him hungrier for her. He wanted to see her like this for a solid day and night. No, make that a week. Maybe he could get leave just to take her to bed and give her all the pleasure she deserved.

Need spiraled through him like a missile. Once it struck earth, he'd explode with need, and he couldn't get carried away yet.

"Come on. I have a nice dinner for us planned." He leaned in close until his lips brushed the soft shell of her ear. "Don't get me wrong. I want to take you to bed and have those sweet moans of yours fill my ears, but I have to do this wright." He pulled back. "Treat you like a queen. My queen." He took her by the arm and started in the direction that would take them off base and into the local small town. The walk wasn't far, and it would give them time to talk.

"How was work today, baby?" he asked her.

"Interesting."

He saw her lip caught between her teeth and almost lost his battle for control against taking her. "Why is that?"

"Well I had a patient faking a head injury who was really carrying a message for me."

His brows shot up. "Ah, that is interesting." He gave her a crooked grin, and she returned it with a white-toothed one of her own. "And how did you feel about his message?"

"I'm here, aren't I?"

"Allison, I'm sorry about the other night at Walker's. I saw Ford with you and sort of lost my head."

"Sort of?" Their pace was slow but she stopped and raised her brow at him. He wanted to kiss the space between her brows and smooth away her worries over that event. "Did you get in trouble for it?"

"Yeah." He sighed. "But I deserved it."

"Wait, you're actually admitting you shouldn't have punched Ford?"

Oh he'd wanted to do much more to the man, but lately he'd been seeing that getting what he wanted had more than one path to reach it. And sometimes taking the rougher path was actually the best. He'd need to finesse his way into Allison's heart but she was clearly not a woman who loved the adrenaline rush of him using his fists on her behalf.

"Ford and I served together in Afghanistan. We've had troubles lately, but he's a good man." Just not for you.

She nodded, her lip between her teeth again. "We were only having a drink."

"Does you agreeing to go to dinner with me mean it's more in your mind?"

She opened her mouth to answer, but he realized what he'd asked had put her on the spot. He held up a hand. "Don't answer that. I'm not being fair by asking. I only want to show you a good time and maybe let you know how much this means to me that you're here."

"And get me into bed."

Straight to the point. He liked that.

"I am dying to spread thighs I know are creamy and delicious. But I can wait."

She seemed to relax a bit at his admittance, her shoulders dropping and a smile returning to her pretty face. "I am hungry."

"Good. I hope you like Italian food. This place is rumored to have the best."

"Is it Giseppe's?"

His heart fell. "You've been there?"

"No, but I've heard rumors too." As they walked, he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her in tight. She mirrored his movements and fuck if his dick didn't get the wrong idea the second her hand rest on his abs and her head against his shoulder. Like she wanted to be as close to him as possible even as they walked.

"What else happened in your day?" He wanted to hear all about her.

She launched into a story of one patient coming in unconscious and they finally discovered he'd been stung by a bee and allergic. In time they'd administered the drug to counteract it, but the whole unit had been in a flurry for hours afterward. Lots of cases of heatstroke and one broken wrist.

"Taking care of soldiers isn't easy," she ended.

"Just training and doing our jobs."

"Dangerous jobs. I know I shouldn't ask, and you don't have to answer, but were you hurt at all in Afghanistan?" She eased a tendril of hair behind her ear.

On impulse, he thumbed the small dent at the corner of her lips She kissed the pad and let her lips linger a moment before he dropped his hand. The whisper of her warm lips on his skin, the idea of those same lips on his arousal made his pants that much tighter.

"Shot. A bullet graze to the calf. I'll show you sometime." He waggled his brows, and she laughed at his comical attitude.

"No lasting problems?" That crease was back between her brows, and his heart swelled more for her worry.

"Unless you count an ugly scar, none at all."

"All the tough guys have scars in the movies."

He pulled her arm closer. "Guess I'm a tough guy then. Want me to show you all my scars?"

"Maybe later. Maybe I can kiss each one of them for you. But right now I see the restaurant up ahead."

He tried to focus on the last part of that sentence and not her "maybe later" part. He wanted to skip the pasta and get right to the after. He had a feeling she would like being wined and dined, but his second part of the date would really appeal to a woman like her.

T he pasta was the best Allison had ever had. She'd ordered traditional spaghetti and meatballs, and Lincoln had agreed it was his preference too. When they both reached into the breadbasket at the same time, Allison laughed.

"I feel a little like Lady and the Tramp right now."

He laughed too. "I haven't seen that since I was a kid. One of my favorites."

"What did you like about it?" She took her slice of bread first and slathered it thickly with butter. She didn't often have to watch what she ate—she skipped plenty of meals working the chaos of the triage unit, and when she overdid it with food, she thought it must balance out.

"I liked how the male dog always used his resources to get himself out of trouble." Lincoln arched his brow, giving him a devil-may-care appearance. Her lady parts tightened, and she suddenly wanted to finish eating and go somewhere quiet so they could be alone.

She bit off her bread and chewed. She could see what Lincoln had said about himself was true. When she'd forbidden him from returning to triage, he'd come up with a plan to still get a message to her.

Strangely, she wasn't mad about this. His act had touched her—shown her how important she must be to him for him to go to this length to see her again.

"Are you glad you came out with me, Allison?" His thoughts, so close to hers, made her sit up straighter.

"Yes, I am."

He smiled like the tiger that had just sneaked up on its prey. "Good. When we're done, I have another part of the date for you."

"Oh now I want to shove this entire slice of bread into my mouth."

"I'd like to see that," he said playfully. He rested his hand over hers lying on the table, and the warm and roughness enveloped her entire mind and body. She met his gaze, bread forgotten.

"I'm finished."

"Good, me too."

A minute later after she'd slipped to the restroom and he'd paid the bill, they were walking again. This time the heat of the day had faded a little, and a fresh breeze washed over them. Which was good, because she was feeling a little flushed.

He took her hand and entwined their fingers as they strolled down the sidewalk in an entirely new direction.

"I haven't done much exploring since coming here to work," she admitted. "Where does this lead?"

His eyes glittered as he stared down at her. "It's a surprise."

A shiver of excitement ran up her spine. She hadn't felt so strongly attracted to any man in a long time, and Lincoln's actions only made her like him more.

As they walked, he talked about his usual duties. She was fascinated by everything he did to continue training to protect their country. It may be dangerous for her to feel so smitten, though. She needed to protect herself, but she had vowed to give him one night of herself. Tomorrow she'd decide about her future. For now, she was enjoying his hand in hers and the dark stubble of beard sprouting on his jaw.

His gaze flicked over her, raising an awareness. Her panties dampened, and her nipples pressed hard against her bra cups. "Just about there." Did he sound as eager as she felt?

The foliage was getting thicker and the houses farther apart. They were stately homes in all shades of white and a few pastels. The yards were pristine, and she almost felt as if they were trespassing on a private community.

"Don't worry," he said, picking up her thoughts again, "I know someone who lives here and I have permission to come here anytime I like."

"Where are we?"

"You'll see. Actually, close your eyes, baby and trust me."

"What? Are you serious?" The foliage was getting thicker as they moved away from civilization.

He grinned at her, and she never wanted to look away from him let along close her eyes. "Dead serious. Trust me. Please," he added in a soft husk.

It wasn't much of a leap, she had to admit to herself. She felt safe with him by her side. She let her eyelids slip shut. He took her by the hand again and started to lead her. With her eyes closed, she put her entire trust in this man. This beautiful, fun and amazing soldier who stole her breath away.

She held onto his hand tight as the hard asphalt beneath her feet changed to turf and then something softer. "Sand!" she cried out.

"Open your eyes."

She gasped. They stood before a beautiful pond of an irregular shape with a small beach and all the native plants needed to hide a couple who didn't want to be seen. She pressed her fingers to her lips to hold back those words from popping out. She didn't want to sound like a slut, wanting only sex with a strong soldier. Some women went after that like they were collecting trophies, but not Allison.

He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him. Before he lowered his head, she knew he was going to kiss her. The look in his eyes said it all. How strange to be able to read him so well, and he her.

He bent his head by degrees. By the time their mouths were a scant breath apart, she was burning. By the crooked smile carved on his face, he knew it too.

"Welcome to Willow's Pond." The warm, wet press of his lips outshined the most beautiful sight in the world. She went on tiptoe to kiss him back, harder, more insistently.

When he swiped his tongue over hers, need exploded and she couldn't remain quiet. Every stroke of his tongue felt like he was licking other parts of her body. She pressed her thighs together and gave her all, just as she'd promised herself.

He dipped and caught her under the knees, lifting her off her feet. Sinking to the sand with her in his arms was the most romantic thing she could think of. And it was happening to her.

"I love how you make me feel," she whispered against his mouth and went right back to kissing him.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him with everything she had. The kiss turned hot to carnal and back to light and teasing right before he broke away.

"I take it you like your surprise."

Between them his cock swelled and she craved to slip a hand behind the zipper and pull out the veiny length. Feel the hard, silky steel in her hands. Taste the cum she knew would be wetting the fat crown on her tongue and let her inner vixen out a little bit. He made her want to be wild.

She was curled against his chest, her ass cradled by his cock. She wiggled a little and the sexy groan he gave her made another flood of hot liquid coat her folds.

"I love it. Thank you for bringing me here."

"Be nice to swim. I should have told you to wear a swimsuit under that pretty dress."

She stared into his eyes for a long heartbeat. Then in a flurry, she stood and pulled off her dress. His eyes widened seeing her in her bra and skimpy G-string. As she reached behind herself and undid the clasp of her bra, his throat worked.

"Allison, you don't have to do this for me."

"I know. I'm doing it for me. Now are you going to sit there and watch me strip or join me?"

His eyes darkened with hunger. She let her bra drop, revealing her soft breasts, the tips hard and eager. Beneath his gaze, she felt beautiful and desirable. Hooking her thumbs in the strings holding up her panties, she wiggled them down.

"Jesus H. Christ, you kill me woman," he breathed when he saw her bare pussy. A smile drew across her lips. Her soft folds had to be glistening with her girl cum—she felt soaking wet and the way he licked his lips like a hungry man made her shiver. He drank her in with a hot, hungry gaze like he wanted dessert right now making her even wetter.

She cast her panties to join her dress and stepped toward the water, looking over her shoulder to urge him to come too.

He rocketed to his feet and stripped like a man on fire. When his sculpted chest was revealed, she had to turn around and watch him. Then his boots hit the sand, followed by socks, jeans and boxers.

Lord have mercy. She groaned a throaty sound.

His hard shaft sprang free, thick and veined, the fat head purple with want.

For her. All for her.

She stepped toward the water.

He came after her.

The water was cooler as it touched her bare feet, skimming her ankles. She continued on, hearing the splash of his feet behind her. As she hit her knees, she plowed forward, determined to do this.

Suddenly he scooped her up and rushed into the water with her. She squealed as cold water hit her bare stomach and then breasts. He claimed her mouth and dunked them both. Water filled her nostrils and made her long hair a weight, but she felt more alive than ever before.

He bobbed them both to the surface, and she breathed air. And also the scent of the man in her arms. She slid her arms around his neck, reveling in the feel of his hard muscle against her.

"I wanted to go slow, but I'm battling for my control here," he rasped, eyes heavily lidded with desire. "Can't hold on much longer, baby. I want you too much."

She pulled herself up his body, hitching her thighs around his hips and angling her pussy right at his erection. "Don't go slow. I don't need soft and gentle. I want the hard soldier in you to take the soft nurse in me and make me wild."

His hands cupped the back head and his gaze burned into hers. He bucked his hips enough to have the head of his cock nudge her clit.

She cried out. "Lincoln, God, yes!"

Hand between them he took his shaft and poised the head at her heated entrance. He paused. "Fuck. Dammit, I left a condom on the shore."

"I'm on the pill."

They shared a smile, his a little more devious, when he set her back down to stand on the sandy bottom. Then he held his breath and dived under the surface. When he clutched her by the hips and nudged her legs wide, she gasped. But when he snaked his tongue over her swollen clit, she couldn't hold back her scream.

It echoed off the trees and inside the walls of her soul. She reached under the water and clasped her hands to his head as he circled her clit again and again. She was just wondering how long he could hold his breath when he popped up.

Strong hands on her hips he hoisted her high out of the water and she wrapped her legs back around his thick waist.

A second later he speared her with two fingers, sinking in. Deep. High. She shuddered around his intimate caress.

"Fuck, the water's cold but your pussy is burning hot."

She made a noise of surrender as he pumped his fingers in and out of her. Angled perfectly over the spot that would send her flying highest. Her body clamped down on his fingers as she rode them. He watched her face with an absorption that spoke of how much he felt for her.

She met his gaze and let him hold it as he fucked her with his fingers. In and out slow, and then faster as her breathing grew more erratic. When she shot upward, he groaned along with her. "So fucking beautiful. Cum for me, angel. That's it. Give me everything. Coat my fingers with your beautiful juices."

She threw her head back, crying out quietly as she peaked. She did give him everything as shudder after shudder released from her. He captured her lips at last and sucked her tongue into his mouth. She gave a low moan and collapsed in his hold. Her nipples peddled tight and brushed against his hard chest.

She had no recollection of him dragging her out of the water or laying her down on the bank until she felt his cum-dripping cock poised at her opening.