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  Lips parting, she accepted his fingers into her mouth. Swirling her tongue around them both, she cleaned off her essence. Then, he kissed her again, and she whimpered. Jason lifted her and carried her to the bedroom where he placed her on the bed.

  He took her shorts off, leaving her in the tank and underwear.

  “Shirt,” she rasped.

  His was gone in a second, and he prowled toward her. She put up a hand and sighed when it came in contact with his heated powerful chest. His mouth claimed hers again as he remained over her.

  She closed her eyes and lost herself in the touch. The heightened tactile sensation he provided her. Both on the giving and receiving end. How was it one man could take so much away from her, and yet, at the same time, give even more back?

  His fingers teased her sides as he gripped the shirt and lifted. She observed him watching as he stared at her bra and panties. He stepped off the bed and undid his pants. She licked her lips as the throbbing grew between her legs when his cock sprang free, thick and hard, from his jeans.

  Commando. He climbed back on bed, and she reached for him, curving her fingers around his length. He froze and stared down at her.

  She didn’t stop but inched closer and opened her mouth to flick her tongue over the head. His shaft jumped, and she did it again, smiling at the low rumble that came from him. Etta took him in and bobbed her head up and down along with her hand. He tightened his hold in her hair as she swirled her tongue around. Releasing him, she sought his balls and squeezed them as she sucked and released.

  Scooting nearer still, she dug fingers into the back of his thigh, holding him there. To her. His taste invigorated her, intoxicated her. Eyes closed in bliss, she indulged in him. His growl filled the air as his hips began thrusting his cock deeper. She took in as much of him as she could, and all too soon, he swore and dragged himself free of her mouth.

  Eyes to his, she watched the storm in his gaze as he bent and tossed her farther up on her bed. He dropped between her legs and covered her pussy with his lips. Her protest died with first contact.

  He lapped with swipes of his wide tongue, flicking the sensitive nub on each pass. Fireworks exploded throughout her body as she tried to remain still. Only his hold on her kept her down. She gripped handfuls of her bedspread as he continued. Cries filled the room, and she only barely realized that they came from her mouth.

  He took her to the edge and backed off so many times she didn’t know what to think. Her entire body, drawn tight as a bow, desperate for relief, trembled as he lifted up and slowly crawled up until his mouth was even to hers.

  “Take my cock,” he ordered, nudging the broad head into her. “I want to watch your eyes as I fill you.”

  She whimpered and held his gaze as he entered her, ever so slowly. Inch by inch until all of him lay deep inside her. He put his forehead to hers and kissed her. The comingling of her taste coming from his lips and tongue with his own was an aphrodisiac she couldn’t ignore. Releasing the blankets, she wrapped her arms around him and gripped his shoulders.

  “Jason,” she whispered.

  He held still for another few seconds then began to move. Long and deep strokes catapulted her right back to that edge, and moments later, she tumbled. Tightening her hold on him, she squeezed her eyes shut as her orgasm washed over her. Jason didn’t stop driving into her, continued as she came until her body had built back up, again.

  On and on, it continued until she wasn’t sure she could go anymore. Their sweat-slicked bodies moved in tandem, and she wasn’t sure where she ended and he began. She swore he was everywhere in her.

  He wound a hand in her hair and kissed her, angling her head the direction he wanted it. She shuddered as his release filled her and triggered her own. Body arching into his, fingers clenching on the skin of his shoulders, she screamed into his mouth.

  Jason rolled them to the side, so he didn’t lay on her and kept them together, still connected to each other. Head on his chest, she heard the thundering of his heart and the raggedness of his breathing. Cracking open her eyes, she sought her clock and the time.

  “There’s time,” he rumbled above her.

  So, there was. And if that was more sleep, fine. More sex, even better. She kissed his skin and allowed her eyes to drift back closed as she waited for her heart to slow down.

  Chapter Four

  Jason walked into the restaurant and instantly searched for Etta. He made his way to his typical seat and slid along the booth.

  He’d spent most of the day in her bed with her, sleeping or enjoying her body. They’d not done much actual talking with words, but he hadn’t needed that. He’d needed her touch. Again, to lose himself in her.

  He lifted his head when her gentle laughter reached him. Staring into the kitchen, he saw her standing with her back to him, talking to the cook. Todd. Possessiveness washed over Jason like a freight train. He clenched a fist, doing his best to convince himself that yanking her away from that man was not the wisest idea.

  She walked away and grabbed two plates before taking them to a table. He frowned slightly, wondering why she hadn’t even looked in his direction. Before he could dwell on that, she was at his table, coffee in hand.

  “Good evening, Mr. La Rue.” She turned over the mug and poured him some java. “Need time or will you be having your usual?”

  God help him he wanted to touch her skin, kiss his way up her back to her neck then turn her over and go down.

  “Burger and fries.”

  “Coming up.” She turned to walk away, and he cleared his throat. She faced him again, eyebrow lifted in silent question.

  “Are we okay?”

  “Peachy.” Her fingers flexed on the coffee pot handle. “I’ll get your order in.” She walked off.

  He wasn’t sure what to make of that behavior. The place was remarkably busy, and Jason sat there as he had for the past few months. In the back and alone. Etta treated him how she always had. Polite. Nothing in her demeanor remotely suggested, hours prior, she’d been naked in his arms, screaming his name to the heavens as he fucked her repeatedly.

  She smiled at the families, chatted with the regulars, but left him mostly alone as he’d preferred.

  Before.

  He stared when she came with more coffee. Her response was the same. Smile and “Can I get you anything else or will that be all for you tonight?”

  “You’re avoiding me.”

  She set the coffee pot down and pulled out a handful of tickets that she leafed through. “Not at all. I’m treating you how I always do.” Etta set his bill beside his plate.

  “I want pie.”

  “Pie?” Her eyebrows lifted at his statement.

  He stared into her brown eyes. “Yes. Chocolate, please.”

  “Okay.” She reached for the ticket, and he shifted his hand slightly, bringing his finger along hers. Etta yanked her gaze to his, eyes wide. “Are you staying all night?”

  He shrugged. “Maybe.”

  She swallowed and stepped back, his bill in hand. “I’ll be right back with your pie.”

  Moments later, she returned with a thick slice.

  “Thank you.”

  She muttered, “You’re welcome,” and went to wait on another customer.

  He ate slowly, enjoying the pie. Only locals remained when the door opened to admit the Scandrick brothers. Immediately, he glanced to Etta who wiped down the counter. No expression there.

  They swaggered in. Jason knew they had been drinking some already. Billy grabbed his crotch in Etta’s direction and grunted before the boys sat at the seat they claimed.

  Etta and Marie looked at each other. Etta grabbed two plates and delivered them to Ritchie and his wife, Stella. Marie was at the Scandrick brothers’ table when Etta walked by on her trip back to the kitchen.

  “Tell her to come clean this table,” Billy sneered.

  “Let her alone, Billy Scandrick.” Marie shook her head. “She ain’t bothering you.”

&
nbsp; “You sticking up for her?” Danny snapped.

  “Leave her alone.” Marie went to put their order in with the cook.

  Jason put down his fork and rose the moment Etta walked back from around the counter with the coffee pot in her hand. The senses that had kept him alive over in the Middle East flared to life, and he knew, couldn’t say how, just knew something was about to happen. Belligerent, intoxicated, and racist wasn’t ever a good mix.

  As expected, Billy messed with her as she passed them, tripping her. Jason was there, saving her from hitting the floor. The coffee pot wasn’t as lucky and shattered, spilling java all over.

  “You okay?” His question was rumbled as fury spread like a wildfire throughout his body.

  “Bitch!” Billy screamed. “You burnt me.”

  Danny was too busy laughing to do anything.

  “You’re gonna pay, you stupid n—”

  Jason set Etta from him and grabbed Billy by the shirt, hauling him free of the bench seat and tossing him into the wall. Then, he moved on him, hand over the throat and face close enough he could smell the man’s halitosis and liquor. Danny snapped his mouth shut.

  “You and I haven’t ever gotten along, Billy Scandrick, but that word comes out of your mouth, and you’ll see a side of me you really don’t like.”

  The diner fell silent.

  “Get off me, you fuck,” he stammered.

  Danny rose, and Jason pinned him with a look. “Sit your fucking ass down.” Danny listened, and Jason returned his attention to Billy. “Listen to me, you dumb racist. You leave her alone. Don’t bother her, don’t say anything to her disrespectful. If I hear you did, or your brother did, I’m coming for you. Got that, Billy. I’m coming for you.”

  The man’s eyes widened.

  “I’m not scared,” he began until Jason cut off his air flow.

  “You and your stupid sibling always love to laugh and joke about me being kicked out of the Army. I wasn’t in the Army, you shit. I was a Navy SEAL. I was kicked out for killing one of my own. You gotta ask yourself, if I was willing to do that to a man I served beside for years, what do you think I would be willing to do to you?” His words were low and edged with razor sharp daggers.

  Billy paled beneath his tan skin. Jason’s smile bordered on feral.

  “I see we understand one another. You or your brother mess with her, Billy, and your ass is in for a time you don’t want to contemplate.” He released him and stared down the younger brother. “Etta is mine,” he announced. “Leave her alone.”

  He saw her in his periphery when he made his proclamation. Her full lips parted, and he swore he witnessed a smile flicker along them. He pointed to the floor. “Clean it up. I’m sure someone will give you a rag or two.”

  Marie handed some over, and he stood over them as they cleaned up the broken glass and spilled coffee. When they finished, both men departed once they’d muttered an apology to Etta. The second their truck left the lot, he homed in on Etta. Marie stood beside her, a cheesy grin on her face.

  He neared as she said, “This is where you got the whisker burn? Oh my God. Good for you.” She looked at him and he ignored the fear lingering in her gaze. He knew she still didn’t trust him but she put forth a brave front. “Nice to see you rejoining life, Jason.”

  “Marie,” he replied with a nod. “Come here,” he ordered gently to Etta.

  She tucked some braids, which had come loose from her bun, behind her ear as she stepped closer to him. He ran his gaze over her.

  “Are you okay?” Jason gripped her chin and smoothed his thumb over her lips.

  “I’m fine.”

  He didn’t believe her and latched onto her arm, directing her to the back and the manager’s office. He glared at Todd who watched them. Shutting the door, he turned her so she was against the panel of wood separating them from the rest of the establishment.

  Bracing his arms on either side of her, he sought her gaze, ensnaring it. “Talk to me, Etta.”

  “Just trying to wrap my head around what just happened.”

  “Really?” Damn, he liked having her this close to him. She calmed him, assuaged his demons. “It’s fairly simple. I let everyone in this place know you’re mine. They will spread it to the town.”

  “Why would you do this?”

  He wedged one thigh between hers, pressing closer. “You’re asking me why? You don’t know?”

  Her hands settled on his chest, and he leaned nearer. “Why should I know? It’s not like we’re a couple.”

  “No?” He dipped his head until he could nibble on her ear. “Are you sure?”

  “I didn’t realize we were a couple.”

  He kissed her lightly, slipping his tongue into her mouth until she sighed into him. “What do you think we are?”

  “I didn’t think we were anything.”

  “What do you think happens when people have sex like we did?” He cupped her side and pressed his fingers into her flesh. “There’s something between us. Passion off the charts, but there’s more.”

  She licked her lips. “More?”

  “In all my days, I’ve never had unprotected sex. With you, it’s only been that way. And I’m fine with that. I see you, and I want to hold onto you. Not let go.”

  “Do you really think this is the best time to talk about this? I’m at work.”

  He inched up her shirt, exposing her belly. “You’d rather do something else, right now?”

  “Yes. No. Oh, I don’t know. I have to work.”

  God, her skin is so smooth. “I can put you to work.” Her teeth bit into her lower lip as a whimper escaped. “Come with me.”

  “I…I have to work.”

  “So, you’ve said. You work seven days a week, Etta Swann. I’m sure they can spare you for a few days.” He freed her hair, although she didn’t much seem to notice. Her question confirmed that belief.

  Her eyes widened. “Days?”

  His smile was positively wicked. “You think I’ll be done with you before that?” He flicked his tongue over the whorl of her ear. “Because I’m damn sure I won’t.” Jason could taste her hesitation. “Let me get to know you better, Etta.”

  “Let me go ask if they can let me go.”

  He removed his hands from her. “Let’s go.”

  She turned, and he reached around her to swing the door open. He was mesmerized by the sway of her hips and hair as she moved down the narrow hall. Marie peered out of the kitchen and had a grin on her face he was certain they could see from space.

  “Out already? I would have thought he was more thorough than that.”

  “We didn’t do anything, Marie,” Etta ground out.

  Marie gestured to Etta’s appearance. “Is that so? Hair undone, face flushed, and lips swollen. If that’s your nothing, I’d like some of it, please.”

  Etta whirled back to him. He shrugged without shame. “I like your hair down,” he commented. “Let’s go.”

  The manager popped into view, and Jason had to force himself to stay put as Etta went with him. He didn’t want to let her go alone. Instead, he went out to the door, ignoring the locals who watched him with mixed emotions and checked out the door to ensure the Scandrick boys were no longer on the premises. He wasn’t taking any chances with Etta’s safety, and if they thought they would catch him unawares, they were sorely mistaken.

  αβ

  Etta drummed her fingers on her steering wheel as she followed Jason’s old truck to his house. Shock still flowed through her. Hearing him mention the incident from the military had been a surprise in itself, but the fact he did so to protect her… She didn’t really have the words.

  What was she doing? She didn’t get involved with people. She stayed in a place for a while then moved along. It was her way of seeing the country. She had no ties to keep her at any one place. Sure, she’d stayed a bit longer here in Lindsey and had heard all about the Navy SEAL Jason La Rue, even before he’d come home.

  She’d been instant
ly drawn to him the first time she’d laid eyes on him in the diner. Marie hadn’t wanted to serve him, citing she was scared of him because he’d killed one of his own men. Etta had gone to take his order and had fallen even more for his quiet-spoken demeanor. His pain was right there in front of her, but he was so private, she never pushed. Their conversation was relegated to what he desired to eat.

  Eventually, even that dwindled when she realized he got the same thing every night. His eyes were haunted, and she wanted to hold him close and chase the demons away. Why she felt that way toward him, she couldn’t even begin to say.

  Above her, the sky filled with rolling clouds, hiding the sliver of the moon. In some of the clouds were slashes of lightning. More storms inbound. Were she a suspicious—or was that superstitious—person, she may decide it was an omen of sorts.

  “Lucky for me, I’m not,” she uttered as the first fat rain drop plopped on her windshield.

  Another mile passed. “Why am I going to the house of a man who said he killed one of his own?” Even as the question fell from her lips, she realized the answer. Because he was the same man she’d come to know over the past few months. The man she’d surrendered herself to on the most intimate of levels. The knowledge hadn’t stopped her the first time she’d heard it. So, now that he’d defended her, why would she suddenly change?

  She slowed and followed him up the drive to his large home. The unease in her gut slid away as the building grew closer. Good. He wasn’t to be feared. Parking beside him, she killed the engine and flicked the headlights off, as well.

  Jason opened her door as she was unbuckling her seatbelt. Her fingers fumbled, taking three tries to be successful. He offered a hand and assisted her out.

  “Nervous?”

  His deep voice was reminiscent of the occasional thunder.

  “No.”

  He blocked her between him and the car. “Liar.”

  “I’m trying not to be,” she amended softly.

  He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Are you scared of me?”

  Now, either her sappy, romantic internal self made up the hope she heard in his voice or he truly didn’t want her to be. “No,” she replied almost immediately. “I’m not scared of you, Jason.” At least not for the reason you’re thinking.