Brianna's Navy SEAL Read online

  "Her husband's a cop. He gets home late sometimes."

  "Mmm.” She switched from scratching to massaging his shoulders, leaning into him so he could tell she was as naked as he was. His cock twitched. Could he distract her?

  But he was too late. She let her arms dangle over his shoulders and said, “Is someone after you, Cable?"

  "Not really.” He gripped her wrists as his body reacted to her breasts against him. “An old enemy. I was a cop for a little while, and this was a guy I arrested. He's been in jail for a long time, and asked about me when he got out. But he has no clue I was a SEAL or that I'm a teacher now, so there's nothing to worry about."

  Brianna leaned against Cable's back and wondered if she should believe him. Any knowledge she had of this kind of thing came from TV, and the bad guys always came after the good ones. But this wasn't TV, and from the sound of it, this guy was out of touch. He certainly wasn't going to show up tonight.

  Deciding she had more immediate things to think about, she straightened as Cable stood and turned on the hot water. This was the first time she'd seen his body all at once, and it made her breath catch. He looked less massive naked, without the emphasis on his shoulders and chest. Everything was tighter than she'd ever seen on a man. His skin had no slack, and it glided over the muscles beneath as he leaned to adjust the water. His left leg came up to balance him, and her thigh twitched as his clenched.

  She positioned herself so that when he finished with the water, he had no choice but to put his arms around her. She leaned up to kiss him, appreciating his quick smile before their lips met.

  There were advantages to making love with someone like Cable. All Brianna's previous partners had been fairly fit, but not like this. Stamina and strength didn't play into the events of her past. She wrapped her arms around his neck, released the kiss so she didn't bruise his mouth—or her own—and jumped, wrapping her legs around his waist. He caught her easily with his hands under her thighs, without so much as adjusting a step. Brie moaned at this display of power and bent to kiss him again. Their tongues tangled languidly, Cable's a taste that was already so familiar to her. A thought flashed through her head, something about certainty of the future, but was gone before it fully formed.

  She hefted herself a bit higher so her breasts were in front of his face. He leaned in, inhaling deeply, and wrapped his arms around her back to hold her in place. Then he just stood there, his eyes closed, his cheek resting on her chest. She stroked his hair.

  "You smell good,” he murmured.

  She pressed her nose to his hair. “So do you."

  He tilted his head up and smiled at her. “You're getting impatient."

  "I haven't said anything,” she protested, but wondered how he knew she wasn't really in the mood for cuddling.

  "You don't have to. I can feel it.” He took her right nipple between his lips and tugged, and she felt an answering tug in her middle, followed by a quickening of her blood.

  He held her up with one hand and began teasing her left breast with the other, while his mouth did amazing things on the right. Her breathing got quicker, and her grip loosened just enough for her body to slide a few inches down his.

  Now his mouth caught hers again, his hand pinching her nipple harder, and his full erection prodded her. She realized she hadn't planned ahead very well.

  "Condom,” she murmured, biting his earlobe while he attacked her neck.

  "Drawer,” he muttered back, taking her mouth again.

  Brianna was so hot now, she could barely see. Then she realized both could be attributed to the steam billowing through the room from the shower they were ignoring. She looked over her right shoulder to gauge the distance to the vanity drawer. Cable slid his hand up her slick spine and nibbled at her left shoulder. She shuddered.

  "Don't move,” she ordered, leaning back. She tightened her thighs around his hips, trapping his erection between them. It stroked her and she gasped. Cable gripped her hips, still not moving his braced feet, and rubbed harder against her.

  Gritting her teeth, Brianna leaned further away from him and snagged the round knob of the drawer with her fingertips. It slid open easily, but the box of condoms was toward the back, amidst a jumble of tooth stuff, clippers, loose cotton swabs, Band-Aids, and who knew what else. She shook the drawer forward and back, trying to make the box shift toward her. She felt the vibration of Cable's chuckle against her legs and tightened them, making him inhale sharply.

  "I can move closer,” he said.

  "Don't you dare.” She stretched her right arm, making her shoulder pop—that would probably hurt tomorrow—and grabbed the box. Tightening her abs, she pulled herself upright with a triumphant grin.

  "Okay, how are we going to put it on?"

  "We'll manage.” Brianna selected a square package from the box and tossed the box to the counter. She was delighted that Cable was going along with her silliness, knowing without her telling him that she wanted to do this whole thing standing in one place. Okay, with him standing in one place, her climbing all over him.

  Putting the condom on was going to be a challenge. But Cable was showing no signs of weakening. In fact, while she tried to tear the foil packet with her teeth, he let go of her with one hand and used that hand to make sure she stayed prepared for him. Just a few moves with his fingers, and she felt another surge of moisture. The desire that had ebbed during her acrobatics came roaring back. She shifted outward and downward as much as she could, Cable now holding her waist, and managed to roll the condom over him.

  He boosted her back up and looked her in the eyes. “Now?"

  "Now."

  Instead of the thrust she expected, he slid slowly into her, filling her gradually, holding her gaze with his and letting her see his intensity. When he was inside her as far as he could go, he held still and wouldn't let her move.

  "I'm not going anywhere, Brie."

  Her chest tightened. “I believe you.” Now she leaned forward, holding him tightly, and slid up and down, clenching around him as hard as she could. He groaned and took over the movements, thrusting long, hard strokes and somehow managing to position her so her clitoris got stimulation, too.

  Brianna felt the tingle and tried to urge him on. “Cable, I'm close.” Her fingers tightened on his shoulders and she threw her head back. “Oh, God."

  "Not yet, Brie.” He slowed just a little, pulling her to him now instead of thrusting his hips. She arched, trying to get him to press harder against her G-spot. “Slow down, honey."

  "You did this to me,” she panted, lifting her head and narrowing her eyes at him. “It's your fault I'm so pushy.” She knew what would make him give in. She let go of his shoulder and squeezed her own breast, pinching the nipple and crying out.

  "Damn, you're good.” He obliged by picking up the pace, pounding into her, his own approaching orgasm apparent in the jerkiness of his movements and the first sign of breathlessness. “Okay ... Brie ... we'll do it your way. Come, baby.” He moved one hand to press his thumb against her clit. She screamed as she came abruptly, golden light shattering her vision and waves of purest pleasure washing through her. Cable shouted, and a few thrusts later, it was over.

  Brie clung limply to him, saddened as everything changed. Her legs felt locked in permanent cramps. Her back twinged, and she felt slimy now instead of smooth.

  "Think there's any hot water left in that shower?” she asked after a moment.

  "I hope so. Can you get down?"

  She laughed weakly. “I don't know.” Grimacing, she uncurled one leg, then the other, swaying when her feet hit the wet tile. She looked around.

  "Man, look what we've done to your bathroom. It's going to be mildew city.” Water dripped down the walls and beaded on every surface. A folded newspaper in a rack next to the toilet curled at the edges.

  "I'll clear it out. Let's clean up, first.” He checked the water temperature. “Feels good. Go ahead.” He held the curtain so she could climb in, then followed.


  Showering without letting go of each other was difficult, but Brie didn't want to stop holding him, and Cable seemed to feel the same way. They took turns soaping whatever body part they could reach, regardless of whose it was, and paused frequently for kisses. The water started to get cold, but even after they'd rinsed, Brie didn't want to leave. She laid her head on his chest, their arms around each other, and let the water relax her.

  "Thank you,” she said after a few moments.

  "For what?"

  "For catering to my perversity.” She smiled up at him. “I always wanted to have sex standing up without having to be smacked against a wall."

  Cable laughed. “I'll be happy to oblige you any time. You have impressive strength yourself.” He smoothed a hand over her abdomen and down her thigh. “Maybe next time you can hold me up.” He smacked her lightly on the butt. “But first I think we should get some sleep."

  As they crawled into bed and settled into a classic spooning position that felt nothing but natural, Brianna realized that for the first time in years, everything felt like it was just as it should be.

  * * * *

  It took four days for Brianna to catch up enough on her sleep that she didn't have the urge to institute afternoon naptime for her first-grade class. It didn't help that she'd been sleeping at Cable's house on the nights he wasn't sleeping at hers, or that Ken was piling on the work. She suspected he was trying to see her more. Instead of giving her three accounts on Thursday, he called her Thursday, Friday, and Saturday asking her to come pick up the files.

  On Sunday, she decided to put an end to it. She and Cable had still been trying to be discreet in public, and completely professional at school. But Ken wasn't giving up, and Brianna was tired of trying to spare his feelings.

  "I can't come over today, Ken, I'm busy. I'll get that one when I finish these and bring them over."

  "You can bring them as you finish them,” he tried.

  "No, that's wasted time. I'll have them done by the end of the week and will pick up the new one then. Unless you have another reason you need to see me."

  Silence. Silence. She heard him swallow.

  "Ken?"

  "Well, I, you know, I wanted..."

  He trailed off, and Brianna sighed. “I'm seeing someone, Ken. I told you that."

  "I thought maybe it was over. I haven't seen you with anyone."

  "It's Cable Addison. He lives across the street from me. I didn't lie, Ken. I wouldn't lie to you.” She cringed, not sure if that was a lie itself. “I'll see you later this week."

  He sounded subdued when he said goodbye, and she felt bad, but she didn't know what else to do. The phone rang again, and she ground her teeth.

  "Hello."

  "Hey, sweetheart."

  With effort, she set aside her frustration. “I was just talking about you."

  "Oh, yeah? Which part of me?"

  She chuckled. “The whole you, actually. But it's not important. What's up? I just left you half an hour ago."

  "Darcy called. She wanted me to let you know there's another committee meeting Tuesday night."

  "Great.” Brianna closed her eyes. She'd hoped not to see Ken all week, to give him a chance to chill. “Why'd she call you and not me?"

  "I don't know, maybe your phone was busy."

  "I have call waiting.” Which hadn't clicked, so she knew Darcy never had any intention of calling her. Why she hadn't tried to keep her off the committee, Brianna didn't know. The woman was clearly after Cable. Brie would almost think she had a vendetta against her family, if it weren't so logical otherwise. When Darcy first moved here a few years ago, Jake was the most attractive target. He had the power, or soon would, and was the most popular man in town. God knew why she'd come back after her humiliation, but now that she was, Cable had the town abuzz. He may not have Jake's affability and political clout, but he was gorgeous, strong, intriguing, and the center of attention.

  And that was all Darcy really wanted, Brianna realized. To be the center of attention.

  "Brie, you there?"

  "Sorry, got lost in thought."

  "About what?” His voice went seductive. “About me, I hope."

  "Kinda.” She held back a laugh. “I was thinking I should remind you Mom wants you to bring the dessert tonight."

  Cable swore and hurried off the phone. Brianna hung up her cordless and went to the front window just in time to see Cable zooming up the street, no doubt on his way to the grocery store. She shook her head. Her mother could smell store-bought a block down the street. He didn't have a chance.

  * * * *

  "Cable, this peach cobbler is just fabulous.” Her mother forked another bite into her mouth. “Mmmmm. I can't believe you made this."

  "I can't, either,” Brie muttered. Cable nudged her with his knee. She couldn't figure out if her mother was just being nice, or if she really didn't recognize the handiwork of Lilly's Pastries and Such.

  "I need a second helping,” her father said, reaching for the cobbler dish. “Brie, you're closest, be a peach and grab the ice cream, would you?"

  Everyone laughed at his pun except Brianna. Grumbling, she shoved her chair back and stood. “Anything else while I'm in there?"

  Requests rang out for napkins, water, and a Coke, and she rolled her eyes. Her family were experts at ignoring sarcasm. She tried not to stomp into the kitchen, but indulged a yank on the freezer door.

  "I really did make it,” Cable murmured in her ear, reaching around her for the ice cream. “I don't know why you don't believe me."

  "You didn't have time. And I recognize Lilly's dish."

  Cable shook his head while he took down a glass from the cupboard and filled it with water from the cooler. “I was in the bakery aisle, panicking, when she took mercy on me. I didn't have a recipe or any clue what I was doing, and I'm terrified of your mother."

  Brie snorted. “She works for you."

  "With me, not for me, and don't let her fool you about who really runs that classroom. Anyway, Lilly told me what I needed, wrote down how to make it, and waited for me to check out so she could loan me the pan thing. She said using a tin foil pan was tacky and there was no sense me buying a proper dish I'd never use again. She had all this stuff in the back of her car. Why don't you believe me?” he asked again.

  "It's all too convenient, that's all."

  He set the water and a stack of napkins on the island and reached around her to get a can of Coke from the fridge. He set that down next to the water and pulled her tightly folded arms apart.

  "Come on. What's the real problem?"

  She shrugged. “I don't know.” She really didn't. It wasn't like her family hated her own baking or anything. The only thing she could blame it on was Darcy, and the two didn't connect at all. But she felt out of sorts and wasn't sure what to do about it.

  "How long does it take to get a few napkins?” Jake pushed into the kitchen and saw Brie's face and Cable's conciliatory rubbing of her arms, and nodded. “Got it. I'll just grab these.” He picked up the ice cream and napkins and went back to the dining room.

  "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be like this,” Brie finally said, letting go of her grumpy mood and giving him a quick kiss. “Forget about it. The cobbler is good."

  He flashed a quick grin. “Should I bring some to Darcy's on Tuesday?"

  So much for letting it go, Brianna thought, feeling her grumps come back. “Might as well,” she said, heading back into the dining room. Might as well give Darcy yet another reason to want you.

  After dessert Brianna left her sisters and their husbands to the cleanup while she took her nephew to the swing out back. It was chilly, but there was no snow and no wind. Joey kept pushing his hat up to the top of his head so that when he leaned back, it fell on the ground. Then Brie made a great show of trying to get it without getting kicked, and Joey squealed and laughed, banishing her grumpy mood for good.

  "Heya, sport, your mom's looking for you. I think it's time to h
ead home."

  Brie looked up to see her father crossing the yard, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his old corduroy jacket, his breath puffing out in white clouds.

  "Awwwww!” Joey set his jaw and kicked his legs furiously. “More swinging!"

  "Now, Joe,” his father called from the back door, and the boy sullenly started toward the house.

  "Love you, sweetie,” Brianna said, smiling. He gave a halfhearted wave and trudged on, his head down. She would have followed, but it was clear her father wanted to talk to her, so she sat on the flat swing and waited while he leaned on the board fence marking the edge of the property.

  "Things are looking good with Cable,” he said. “You gonna have some news in that regard soon?"

  "Want all your chicks safely tucked up, huh, Pop?” She nudged the ground so the swing swayed gently. “We haven't been going out that long."

  "Naw, but it's not hard to see. Sometimes, it's just there, you know. Like it was for Kira and Jake."

  She hooted. “Yeah, that was an easy match."

  "Doesn't have to be easy to be right."

  Brianna guessed that was true, but since her father had once told her Ken was perfect for her, she didn't exactly trust his judgment.

  "You and Cable are comfortable together, but not like you're settling. He's a good man. Point is, I think you'd be happy with him, and you know that's all I care about."

  "Thanks, Dad.” She glanced toward the house. The sun was setting on the far side, so they were in shadow here in the yard. The overhead kitchen light made it easy to see inside, where Cable seemed to be doing dishes and cracking jokes. He glanced back over his shoulder to say something to someone, and her heart caught in her chest.

  "What if it is easy, Dad? Can it still be right?"

  He shrugged. “Nothin’ stays easy, hon. So I can't say that's a valid question."

  Thinking of Darcy and Ken and the crook with a grudge that Cable hadn't mentioned since their first night together, she figured he had a point.

  * * * *

  Tuesday night, Brianna and Cable ate early at the diner and stopped at his house to pick up his committee folder before they headed to Darcy's.