A groan bubbled up from his throat. He wanted her. Under him. He wanted to strip off that blouse and get his hands on those large breasts. He wanted to grasp her hips while he pounded into her tiny body and make her scream his name. Closing his eyes, he tried to will away the image. There was no possible way he could stand up to leave anytime soon. At least not without embarrassing himself.
When he opened his eyes, Beth had the dessert three quarters gone. Finally she looked at him and flushed brightly. She bit that bottom full lip, and her tongue darted out to swipe the tiny bit of chocolate at the corner of her mouth.
"I love chocolate," she whispered.
Sean laughed. "All chocolate or just cake?"
She flushed even brighter. "All. It's my weakness."
At that admission, he was enthralled even more.
5
Like a true gentleman, Sean walked Beth to her door. She fumbled with the keys, slightly nervous of his expectation for the end of their evening. Dinner had been wonderful, in fact, the best first date she'd ever been on. Though, admittedly, she didn't have that many first dates in her past. Afterwards Sean had taken her to The Point, where they strolled around the fountain and enjoyed the warm evening. They watched bicycle riders, women with strollers, and boaters enjoy the three rivers and pleasant weather. She couldn't remember when he took her hand into his and laced their fingers together, but still felt his large, firm grasp linked with hers.
Finally she managed to get the door unlocked and went to step inside. Sean placed his hand on the small of her back. His heat from his body radiated off him, warming her, when he came up behind her extremely close. A quick glance over her shoulder, and he shook his head.
"Let me walk you inside and check to make sure everything is safe," he said.
How much did she wish she could hear his inflection? She bet his military background came through. Strong and confident with a deep tone.
Ignoring him, she took one step inside, opened a box located on the wall next to the door, punched in a code, and turned off the alarm system. "My dad bought me this state of the art system when I moved in."
When she looked back at him, his brows were drawn together.
"I'm still going to do a quick check," he said.
It took him all of two seconds to check her tiny home, while she waited by the open front door for him to return. He nodded. "All's clear."
She laughed. "Okay."
Invading her space, he took a step closer, his large frame towered hers. His masculine scent, a mixture of musk cologne and his own natural fragrance wrapped around her, drawing her into him.
"Can I see you again?" he asked.
Her heart fluttered. He wanted a second date. But was that because she hadn't slept with him? Every date she'd gone on, which was less than a handful, in the past four years ended with the guy trying to maul her at the end of the night. Why, she had no idea? She didn't flirt, didn't bat her eyelashes, or coo at men. Hell, she refused to make eye contact. But it always ended the same, the men storming away angry with her.
"I don't know," she answered. What if he turned out to be just like the others? What if all he wanted was to get her into bed and put another notch on his headboard? Sean and his brother had that reputation.
His mouth became a thin line, but he took another step closer, their bodies brushing against each other, reached up and ran his thumb over her high cheekbone. In seemingly slow motion, his left hand snaked around her waist, and he leaned down, his eyes focused on her lips and descended upon her mouth. His right hand slid to the nape of her neck. Molding his mouth to hers, the taste of apple lingered, mixed with his natural taste. His tongue tested the waters and gently swiped against her lips. Unable to stop herself, she opened up to him. Her entire body quaked; he had to have felt her tremors under his touch. The moan that boiled from his throat vibrated down hers. His hot, moist tongue danced with hers. She melted into him, her body going limp. She lost her breath. Literally, he stole her breath. Her mind went dizzy. Grasping his shirt into fists, she held onto him tightly. They fit well together. Even for her tiny stature and his larger than life physique. His big body surrounded her but didn't crowd her. If that made sense.
All too soon, Sean broke the kiss with a brush of his lips then slightly pulled back. They both fought to get air into their lungs. His forehead rested against hers while her eyes remained closed. He said something to her, she felt his lips move against her nose. That's when she felt his entire body stiffen, his reaction to forgetting she couldn't hear what he said. Her heart sunk. For the first time in years she had felt like her old self. On cloud nine in the strong arms of a man. Her hearing brutally stripped from her hadn't mattered in those few moments with him. Then reality. No man would ever be able to hold her then whisper to her in the dark while they lay in bed together. If her back was turned, no guy would be able to walk into a room without the fear of frightening her.
Taking a step away from him, she tried to keep her disappointment from showing. Sean blinked.
"Beth," he said.
"I had a good time, Sean. Thank you for dinner," she said. Time to end this before it became a second date.
He shook his head, reached out and grasped her hands, then yanked her into his rock solid body. "Don't. Please," he said. "Don't push me away. It's easier for you to do that, isn't it? You have to give me a chance to learn, Beth."
"You don't understand‒"
"You're right, I don't. But give me enough credit to be willing to try and understand," he said. She watched his jaw clench and flex.
"Sean," she tried to argue but didn't feel the urge behind it. Tired of being alone in her silent world, her days ran together. She may have been leading a life, but she wasn't actually living. Sean was obviously a force a nature. Undoubtedly any woman he chose to love he'd bring into that world, and she'd have to keep up. Until now she hadn't realized how much she desired that attribute in a partner.
Without warning, he kissed her hard on the forehead. "I'll see you tomorrow at the hospital."
Before she had a chance to argue, he waltzed out the door. Damn it. Instead of going after him to tell him forget it, she stood, cemented in place, resigned that Sean wouldn't be easy to brush off.
Sean stepped through his home and was immediately assaulted by the sounds of his brother grunting and a woman screaming his name.
Fuuuuck.
He'd already been jacked up earlier watching Beth devour chocolate cake, how the hell was he going to get through a live porn show? And what the hell was his brother doing home? He was supposed to be working. Good lord, if their cousin found out they were home, she'd have both their balls in a sling.
Quietly he closed the door behind him. Using his superb SEAL techniques, he made it up to his bedroom, unnoticed by his brother, who had the blonde nurse from last night against the hallway wall, with his pants around his thighs.
When he slipped into his bedroom, he glanced at the clock. Nine-thirty. He didn't have to be at work until noon tomorrow. Standing in the center of the room, he couldn't spend the next few hours waiting to fall asleep. He wasn't even close to feeling exhausted, and his mind raced with concern over his last moments with Beth. Her willingness to automatically push him away bothered him. What she didn't comprehend was even though she couldn't hear a thing, she wore her emotions and thoughts plainly on her gorgeous face. It wouldn't take a genius to figure out what she planned. How often did she dump those who tried to get close to her?
Sighing, he ran a hand down his face. There was only one person he could talk to about this, but first he was going to have to tolerate her rant.
"Well, nice of you to make an appearance," Courtney spat. "What do I owe the honor?"
"Cute," Sean replied.
"No, seriously, what do I owe the honor, Sean? You and Ryan have made yourselves perfectly unavailable. You don't stop by, you cancel plans, you don't show up when I'm supposed to visit? Is it Derrick?" Her voice wavered.
"Court," he said pacifying her. "We've been busy working long hours. Ryan got called into work today when he was supposed to be off. It has nothing to do with you or Derrick."
They stood in the kitchen, the air between them tight. Derrick stood off to the side, refusing to interfere. Sean noticed when it came to him and Ryan, Courtney's husband tended to take a step back and allow them to work out any issues. Derrick's other henchmen stood quietly in the background sipping on coffee. The two nannies, Jarrett and Russ, sat at the dining room table, silently eating their late dinner, while Mary bustled about as if nothing was happening around her.