Men of Courage II (6 page)

“God almighty, it’s too much.” Eyes closed, he strained his upper body away from her, wedging his lower body closer.

“Ham,” she said on a near wail, her fingers knotted in the coverlet, her head tipping back.

He loved seeing her like this. Hot for him. Nearly out of control. Rocking his hips in a rhythm that complemented her own, he watched her face and reveled in the heightened signs of desire and pleasure. Heat flushed her cheeks, and another moan broke past her parted lips.

He wanted to strip them both naked right now. But if he did, if he saw her bare and open to him, accepting him, he’d be inside her in seconds. She wasn’t ready, no matter how far gone she looked. Their first time deserved special care.

Liv deserved special care.

Coming back down over her, he nibbled on her ear, kissed his way to where her neck met her shoulder. Sucking the delicate skin of her throat in against his teeth, he marked her with satisfaction, primal in his need to lay claim.

Her spicy scent—not perfume, but Liv, all woman and now all his—filled his head.

The storm outside abated, softening to a steady rain.
Jack did indeed crawl beneath the bed and apparently, he slept, because he made no objection to Ham’s presence.

Shifting his hold, Ham slid one arm beneath her, raising her back. With his other hand, he shoved up her sweatshirt. “I want to kiss you everywhere, Liv.”

She held herself still, watching him, her breath suspended.

In the dim room, her pale breasts gleamed opalescent, shimmering with her nervousness and excitement. Seeing her taut nipples made his erection ache and throb. “I’ll start here,” he rasped, and closed his mouth around one small nipple.

The second his tongue touched her, Liv arched up, groaning raggedly. Ham sucked, not hard, but languid and easy, curling his tongue around her, suckling her with gentle deliberation.

Frustrated, she tried to pull off her sweatshirt while panting and gasping. Ham jerked it up and over her head and tossed it to the foot of the bed.

When he started to return to her, she fended him off with both hands flattened to his chest. “Now you.”

Blood thundered through his veins. His testicles were tight, his cock full and heavy. She wanted him. Finally. He nearly ripped his T-shirt getting it off. And still she held him back, her hands now moving over him, exploring him.

“I’ve dreamed of this,” she murmured, her eyes a little dazed, her voice thick with need. “You have the most perfect body, and there’ve been so many nights when I’ve imagined getting to touch you, to kiss you.”

She came up on one elbow, and put her soft, damp mouth to his shoulder. Her tongue came out, tasting his flesh. Her open mouth administered a soft, wet love bite.

“You taste—” her nose brushed up the side of his throat to his ear “—and smell even better than I’d ever imagined. All hot. All man.” She licked his ear, along his jaw to his mouth. “Delicious.”

The sexual connotation of that one word stole his breath. Hamilton prided himself on his control, on his iron resolve to do everything the very best that he could. He
would
make this good for Liv. But in order to ensure that, he had to take charge before she obliterated his already fractured patience.

The flannel pants she wore had a loose elastic waistband that made it easy for his hand to get underneath, onto her silken belly. “Let me enjoy you, honey.”

Her eyes darkened. Stroking her skin, he teased his way lower and lower, and with a deep breath, she settled back onto the mattress.

“Are you wet yet, Liv?”

Her breathing stilled. Eyes wide with shock locked
on his. Ham knew she’d be blushing, but he couldn’t see it in the dim interior of the room.

“I—”

“Let me see.” Touching her, sliding one long finger over her pubic curls, and farther down between her swollen lips, Ham whispered, “Yeah. You are.”

As his finger moved, stroking, sliding, her eyelids grew heavy and she bit her bottom lip. Breathing fast and hard, she watched him, their gazes a connection beyond the physical. Ham felt it deep into his soul, just as he’d always known he would. He was the man who’d have Liv. Period.

“How’s this feel, honey?” He pressed in, not far, just deep enough that her innermost muscles clamped around him.

“Ham…” she said raggedly, trying to lift her hips to take more of him, but he held back.

“Getting wetter, Liv. And hotter.” He kissed her shoulder, her chest, and drew her other nipple into his mouth. Forcing himself to remain slow and steady, he suckled her, fingered her, licked and stroked, alternating his attention from her breasts to the slick, swollen flesh between her thighs, gradually gaining urgency, driving her closer to the edge.

When she cried out in dissatisfaction, Ham pulled out his finger, only to stroke two back in, fast and deep.

Her nails bit into his shoulders. Her head tipped back, her neck straining, her hips lifting.

“That’s it,” he encouraged against her wet nipple, feeling the start of her contractions, and so damn excited he wanted to shout. He found her clitoris with his thumb and carefully manipulated her, pressing, fondling in a steady rhythm, pushing her—and with a deep, raw groan her entire body bowed, damp in sweat and fragrant with lust, she came.

Ham wanted to savor the moment, to hold her and ease her, but he couldn’t. Violent need shook his body. He’d wanted her too long—all his life it seemed. Waiting now would be impossible.

He knotted a hand in her hair, turning her toward him. Her mouth opened under the force of his. When he sank his tongue in, she sucked on it.

He needed out of his jeans—
now.

Thrusting himself away, he went onto his back and raised his hips. Jerking open the snap of his jeans, easing the zipper down the bulge of his hardened cock, he freed himself.

Sated and limp beside him, Liv whispered, “Finally.”

Damn it, she didn’t help with her verbal prodding. It felt like he’d explode if he didn’t get inside her soon. He had enough sense left to grab a condom out of his jeans pocket before tossing the pants, with his underwear, aside.

While he tried to ready himself, she kept touching him, and she said, “I wish the electricity hadn’t gone out.”

Hands shaking, Hamilton rolled on the rubber and turned to her. “Me, too. I want to see you.”

“And I want to see you.”

“We’ve got forever, baby. A million more nights, just like this one. I promise.” He settled over her soft, warm body. She automatically adjusted her legs to allow the closeness, and put her arms around him.

“I love you, Ham.” Her hips undulated under his, the slow, wanton movements firing his blood more, heating his flesh and causing all his muscles to clench.

He reached between their bodies, used his fingertips to spread her delicate vulva. She was very wet now, slick with her own orgasm, still tender and sensitive and he felt ready to shatter when he wedged the head of his cock against her.

Restraining himself, he rasped, “Tell me again.”

“I love you.”

A fine trembling invaded his limbs, making it impossible to ease into her. Through his teeth, he said, “Again.”

She hugged him fiercely. “I love you, Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton Wulf—”

Her words ended on a harsh gasp as he plunged into her, burying himself despite the tightness of her body, clamping his arms around her to keep her immobile.

He could feel her stretching to accommodate him, felt her small shivers as she tried to adjust.

He buried his face in her neck. Raw, unfamiliar emotions rose to the surface, bombarding him. He felt vulnerable. And he felt powerful.

In a voice unrecognizable to his own ears, he rasped, “You’re mine, Liv.”

“Yes.” Her small hands moved over his back, both soothing and inciting him.

He drew back, pushed in again, deeper this time.
“Mine.”

Her warm tears tracked his shoulder; a small kiss seared his skin. She drew a shuddering breath. “I love you, Ham.”

It was enough. It was too much. He began thrusting fast and hard, unmindful of anything but Liv and the fact that she’d finally accepted him, all of him. Their heavy breathing filled the room as they strained together. Her arms hugged him. Her legs hugged him. She gasped, writhed, clasped around him—and Ham felt himself ready to come.

Wanting to see her, he stiffened his arms to rise above her. Her face twisted with her pleasure. Her cries were sharp and throaty and
real.

Looking at her, loving her, Ham let himself go. The turbulent release washed through him, wave after wave, each one stronger, more acute than the other. He
groaned, kept himself pressed deep within her until finally, utterly drained, he lowered himself into her arms.

M
INUTES WENT BY
. His heartbeat slowed. His breathing evened out and his overheated skin began to cool. Ham decided that Liv was far too silent, almost withdrawn.

He didn’t like it, but he felt so replete, so happy with her, so damned in love, he couldn’t work up the energy for more than a smile. Rubbing his nose against her ear, he whispered, “Hey. What’s wrong?”

With a deep sigh, she ran her fingers over his military haircut. “Nothing.”

Why did women always say
nothing
when they meant
something?
“Tell me, Liv.”

Her rounded shoulder lifted, nudged against him. She sighed again. “I just wish this moment could last forever.”

Because he still had to do two years of study for his Ph.D., two years that’d keep him on active duty, which would involve compromise on her end, he didn’t get into his plans yet.

Hoping for some middle ground that wouldn’t spoil the moment or his mellow mood, he promised, “I’ll make you happy, baby.” He rose up to see her face. Her hair was wild, and he smoothed it, tucked it behind her
ears. A slight whisker burn marred her smooth cheek, and he touched it with his thumb. Her breath caught.

Smiling into her smoldering eyes, aware of her nipples stiffening again, Ham continued to touch her softly and asked, “For now, can you just trust in that?”

“But—”

He put a finger to her mouth. “No buts, Liv. You love me. I love you. I’m not about to ruin that by doing anything that’ll make you unhappy.”

Still she hesitated, and Ham gave a partial admission. “I’ve made some plans, changed some things. It’ll be all right, Liv. You have my word.”

She searched his face, her eyes suddenly filled with hope. “I do trust you, Ham.”

Thank God. She didn’t yet know what his plans would be, but he knew she couldn’t possibly get the wrong idea. He’d been too clear on his position in the air force. He wouldn’t give it up. Her acceptance showed her willingness to compromise—just as he’d hoped.

He put a firm kiss on her mouth and left the bed to stand on shaky legs.

Their eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and she visually devoured his naked body with interest. It was a good thing, to please the woman you loved, the woman who would be your partner for life.

Staring at his lap, she asked, “Just where are you going?”

Stifling his grin with an effort, Ham explained, “I have a box of rubbers in my bag upstairs.”

“A whole box, huh?” Looking sassy and sweet, Liv raised herself onto one elbow. “You must have been feeling pretty hopeful when you came here.”

“Honey, I’ve lived off hope since you turned twenty-one.” He put a hand on her bare hip, trailed his fingers down to her knee, relishing her warmth, the silkiness of her bare skin. “Now I have you right where I want you, and I don’t intend to let you sleep anytime soon.”

Since she didn’t object to that plan, Ham left to get the protection. And when he returned, she smiled and opened her arms to him. Finally, he had what he wanted.

He had it all.

S
OMETHING WOKE
L
IV
,
some strange pounding that barely penetrated her subconscious. Lethargy pulled at her, the results of a long, wonderful, sleepless night.

The pounding continued, and finally she stirred. Just as she’d done throughout the long humid night, she automatically smiled. Time and time again, Ham had curled her close, petting her, kissing her. They’d made love three times and each time had been as exciting as the first. After that third time, her mighty warrior had slept. Liv hadn’t. She didn’t want to waste a single second of their time together, so she’d watched him, listened to his breathing, and loved him more with each passing second.

The excess of pleasure threatened to burst her heart. She felt physically languorous and mentally relaxed, peaceful in a way that had eluded her until Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton Wulf had shown her how special lovemaking could be with the man of her heart.

And he had said he was changing things.
For her.

Without opening her eyes, smiling in satisfaction, Liv stretched out an arm to the side of the bed he’d occupied.

Her hand encountered only cool rumpled sheets.

She bolted upright and surveyed the room. No sign of his clothes, but the drapes were open. The gray sky, still dark with storm clouds, gave no indication of the time, but it had stopped raining.

The humming of the house let her know the electricity was back on. Her battery-operated bedside clock told her she’d slept much later than usual. Her class would be on their first recess by now!

When Liv slid her naked legs out of the bed, she became aware of the chill in the air, and of all the places that now suffered a tantalizing ache. Another smile, sappier than the first, curled her mouth.

And then she heard the rapping of a hammer, the very sound that had awakened her.

Taking the sheet off the bed and going to her window, she looked out at the backyard. Jack ran along the side of the house, barking and looking up…at the roof.

It took Liv all of two minutes to pull on another pair of flannel pants and a sweatshirt. The loose, comfortable clothes were her favorite “at home” wear. She gave a brief glance in the mirror at her hair, finger-combed it back and secured it with a cloth-coated rubber band, then headed for the kitchen.

The scent of fresh coffee made her pause to pour a cup. After two fortifying sips, she opened the kitchen door and stepped outside. The soggy ground froze her feet. Jack spotted her right off and came tearing toward her. Since his feet were muddy, she fended him off, and made do with a lot of petting on his scruff.

Going to the edge of the house, she looked up and found Ham on the roof, replacing her lost shingles. The chilly morning air cut through her sweatshirt, but Ham wore only a black T-shirt, jeans and boots. It was gloomy enough that he didn’t need his sunglasses.

His squatting position showed off thick thigh muscles and the obvious strength in his back and upper arms.

She had experienced that strength firsthand.

With a rush of yearning, she called up, “Good morning.”

He paused with his hammer raised, a few nails in his teeth. The moment he spied her, his gaze warmed and grew intimate. After removing the nails and scoot
ing to the edge of the roof, he said, “Good morning yourself, sleepyhead.”

Everything had changed, Liv realized. The way he smiled at her, the way he held himself in her presence. It was as if mammoth barriers had been ripped away. Even with him on the roof and her on the ground, a new closeness existed between them.

Her heart started thudding in fast, hard beats. He’d said she would be happy with him, and since he knew her feelings on the military, that could only mean one thing.

Breathless, filled with hopefulness and expectation, she stared up at him.

“Liv? Yoo-hoo. Did you go into a trance?”

His smile touched her heart, encouraging her own smile. Because the previous night had been so wonderful, she didn’t question the change, just accepted it as her dream coming true.

“You should have awakened me earlier.”

“I thought about it. You looked so damned enticing, all warm and sleepy and…naked.” He cocked one eyebrow, his expression wolfish. “Then the electricity came back on and I heard the weather report. More violent storms predicted.” He indicated the pile of shingles with a tilt of his head. “As tempting as you are, I figured you’d appreciate a dry house.”

Normally, she’d have been resistant to his assis
tance, but that, too, had changed. His promise to her had radically altered her outlook on life, because life now included Hamilton.

She smiled brightly, full of love. Sated with security. Content with their future.

Very softly, she said, “Thank you.” Her gratitude visibly warmed him, made him appear more relaxed and more confident than ever. “How about I make some breakfast?”

“Perfect. I’m starved. I only need another twenty minutes to finish.”

“Pancakes?”

“You know me too well.”

Yes, she did. Better than she knew anyone else, especially after last night. She took great satisfaction in that fact. “You be careful up there. Everything is wet and slick.”

Ham saluted her and returned to work.

Humming to herself, Liv went back inside and, while finishing her coffee and thinking pleasant thoughts, began breakfast preparations. Jack tired of watching the activity on the house and scratched at the door a few minutes later. Liv grabbed up an old towel to dry his feet before letting him in. When she started to fill his dish, she noted that Ham had already taken care of it.

So thoughtful.

He’d be great with kids, too, she mused. His attentiveness extended beyond his military duties; that was clear to her now. The community would love him as much as she did.

A few minutes later when Ham came in, she was at the table, setting out syrup and butter. Ham put his arms around her from behind and kissed the nape of her neck.

“I could just have you for breakfast,” he murmured.

Oh, if only there were time. “I’m sure I’d love it,” Liv admitted, leaning into him and sighing. Sadness intruded, and she pointed out, “But we need to eat, and I still need to shower and put on my makeup before I face the public.”

Saying, “You don’t need makeup,” Hamilton effectively swept away her melancholy.

Liv rolled her eyes. “Don’t overdo it, okay? There are mirrors in the house, and I’ve already seen one.” She turned to kiss his chin.

His hand moved down her back to her bottom. Fingers spread, breath warm in her ear, Ham said, “I think you’re beautiful.”

The compliment, coupled with his touch, nearly took her knees out. “Well, thank you. But we still don’t have much time, and I’m still going to put on my makeup.”

Giving her backside a pat, he said, “Tonight, then.”

Yes, tonight. And then she’d ask him about his intentions, when his obligation to the military ended and when they could marry. But that could wait until they finished the burial arrangements.

While Ham washed up at the sink, she said, “I want to swing by the school to pick up my car while we’re out.”

“Sure.” He knelt down to pet Jack, who lifted his furry head with delight. “I was thinking—will Jack be okay here by himself while we’re gone? If that storm hits again, is he going to be scared?”

“We’re in Ohio. It storms here all the time, remember? I just need to put him in the bathroom with a radio playing. It helps drown out the thunder and with no windows in there, he can’t see the lightning. He’ll probably sleep until we get home.”

Ham continued to stroke the dog, who wallowed in the attention. “I had this awful image of him hiding under the bed, trembling in fear.” Ham shook his head. “Not a pretty picture.”

He never failed to please her with his consideration. “You’re something else, you know that?”

His gaze met hers, warm with insinuation. “As long as I’m yours, that’s all I care about.”

The words were almost too wonderful to believe. “You’re mine all right,” she said with mock warning. “And I’m never letting you go, so don’t get any ideas.”

He’d been teasing, but now he grew solemn, pushing back to his feet, standing close to her. “That’s something we need to talk about, isn’t it? The future, how we’re going to work this all out.”

That sounded too serious by half. Liv bit her bottom lip, and nodded. “Yes.”

He searched her face, glanced at his watch and scowled. “I suppose now isn’t the time.” He wrapped his hands around her upper arms, caressing. “How are you holding up? I know today isn’t going to be easy.”

Liv touched his face. “Actually, I’m fine. Sad, of course. And a little hollow with the knowledge that I’ll never see Dad again, that opportunities are lost. But thanks to you, I have good memories now, too, memories that had been buried beneath resentment. That was wrong of me, but from what you told me, Dad didn’t have any grudges.”

“No. Weston loved you a lot, he just wasn’t a very demonstrative man.”

“Unlike you, Howler?”

His crooked grin looked boyish and reeked of charm. “You’ve never called me that.”

“But everyone else does.” She turned to seat herself at the table, and Hamilton did the same. “I listened last night, you know.”

Swallowing a mouthful of pancakes, Hamilton cocked an eyebrow.

“I kept thinking you’d…well, howl.”

He almost choked on his food, then burst out laughing. “You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope. What else would Howler mean? Howling during sex. Howling out your pleasure. I naturally assumed it was something like that.”

“Well, smart-ass, for your information, I never howl.”

“Not during sex, anyway.” She carefully forked a bite of buttery pancake. “It’s more like a growl. Or a groan.”

He fought a grin. “What I do is roar. And only when I’m really pissed. But guys being guys, and pilots being bigger jackasses than most, they took a perfectly acceptable roar and starting labeling it a howl.” He shrugged. “It stuck.”

Liv let out an exasperated breath. “Well. I’m almost disappointed.” Her lips twitched. “After all, it’s something you and Jack could have had in common.”

Displaying an enormous appetite, Hamilton shoveled down the last of his pancakes, then stood. “You wanna hear me howl, I can howl.” He pulled out her chair and lifted her to her feet. “Let’s shower together. If we hurry, we’ll have enough time before we have to leave. Plenty of time for—”

“Howling?”

He lifted her into his arms. “Exactly.”

I
T TOOK HOURS BEFORE
all the arrangements were complete. Watching Liv, how she dealt with it all while keeping her emotions in check, putting up a brave, proud front, made Hamilton want to bust with pride. He interjected where necessary, supplying information about the air force’s contribution to the service, and by the time they left the funeral home, they had everything in order.

His arm around Liv’s shoulders, his thoughts focused on her and her turmoil, Ham walked her outside to the rental car. As predicted, the storm loomed overhead again. Low-hanging clouds, bloated with rain, scuttled across the sky. Hamilton and Liv got into the car just as the sky opened up and the storm attacked with a vengeance, this time supplying large hail and tree-bending winds. Against the roof of the car, the hail sounded like gunshot. Debris rolled over the ground and already the streets were awash with runoff.

Wide-eyed, Liv snapped on her seat belt. “Talk about Mother Nature’s fury.”

Ham stared out the windshield. He didn’t like the looks of this storm. Something about it, something beyond the obvious, put him on edge. Making up his mind, he said, “I’d wait for it to let up, but I hate the thought of Jack home alone.” He started the car and eased out of the lot into the street. “The sooner we get home, the better.”

Watching the storm through the passenger-door window, she said, “I’m sure Jack will appreciate your concern.” Then she glanced at him and added, “Don’t forget, I want to get my car.”

Incredulous, Ham tightened his hold on the wheel. “In this downpour?” He gave a grunt of disbelief. “No, I don’t think so, babe. Those hailstones are the size of marbles.”

Slowly, her head turned toward him. “I’m not one of your men, Lieutenant Colonel. You don’t dictate to me.”

Uh-oh. Maybe he’d worded that wrong. Ham worked his jaw and tried for an olive branch. “We can go back later and get it.”

“It might rain all day, Hamilton, so don’t go caveman on me. I want to go now while we’re already out, and with the school day over, I don’t have to worry about running into anyone. Not that I don’t appreciate their concern, but…I’d rather not face a lot of sympathy and condolences right now.” Her hands laced together in her lap. “Not after just making the arrangements. I need some time.”

“Liv…”

“I’ve driven in rainstorms before, and I’ll drive in them again. Since I’m usually alone, I don’t have much choice.”

She sounded entirely reasonable—but it grated on
him that she’d ever been alone, without backup or support. He was with her now, and if he had his way, she would spend very little time alone in the future. “I’ll have Doc bring it over tonight.”

“I don’t want to impose on her.”

“She’s a friend. She won’t mind.”

“I mind.”
When Hamilton didn’t reply, she rolled her eyes. “For heaven’s sake, rain hasn’t gotten the best of me yet. Besides, I think we’ve driven out of the worst of it.”

Hamilton didn’t want to, but he had to agree. The sky had suddenly calmed, the rain fading to a mere drizzle.

“All right. But my agreement is under duress.”

Grinning, she quipped, “Duly noted.”

Because it was on the way, they reached the school in a matter of minutes. By the time Ham pulled into the mostly deserted school lot, the rain had completely stopped.

“Look at that,” Liv said, pointing out the sight of the clear, sunlit skies moving in behind the storm. “You were worried about nothing.”

Hamilton narrowed his eyes at the calm, greenish sky. He couldn’t recall ever seeing anything like it.

Since Liv got out of the rental car, he did the same. She circled the hood to reach him and twined her arms around him in a bear hug.