"Don't you watch the news? They're starting to pull troops out of here."
"No, I don't watch the news. It's too depressing."
"Still living in your insular world. I'd think with as much as you travel around, you'd be a more well-rounded individual."
"Screw you."
Chad chuckled.
"I had dinner with Mom and Dad night before last and neither of them said anything about the possibility of you coming home soon."
"I don't want anyone to know. I want to show up unannounced and surprise them. So you keep your big mouth shut, got it?"
"Yeah. But I am going to tell Kelly."
Chad rolled his eyes. "That's a given. At least he can keep a secret. Unlike you."
The bathroom door opened and a puff of steam preceded the sexiest woman ever to wear a hotel towel.
"What are you looking at?" Chad asked. "Pick your jaw up off the floor, bro."
Owen switched cameras to the one on the back of his phone to give Chad a glimpse of what he was looking at and then switched back.
"Well, I see why you're not bored." Chad laughed. "I've got to go. I'm over my time limit already. Promise you won't say anything to the folks back home."
"I promise."
"Take care of yourself, Owen."
"Stay safe, Sergeant Mitchell."
Chad saluted with two fingers. The screen went dark. Damn, those calls always went fast.
Caitlyn crossed the room to sit on the arm of the sofa next to him. She propped one foot on the coffee table, and her towel shifted enough that the delights between her legs were barely concealed.
"Is your brother well?"
Owen grinned. "I'm not supposed to tell anyone, but they're sending him home soon." He really couldn't keep a secret.
"That's great," she said. A smile widened across her face and her eyes lit up. "You must be excited. And relieved."
"I won't be completely relieved until he's home safe in his own bed, but yeah, it's the best news I've heard in months."
"I came out here with the intention of showing you my underdeveloped gag reflex, but I know for sure I can't top your brother's good news, so I guess … "
She started to rise from the sofa arm, but he grabbed her and tugged her onto his lap before she could get away.
"How come you haven't mentioned this limited gag reflex before? And please, God, is it what I think it is?"
She smiled coyly. "A lady can't reveal all her secrets in a single night."
"Which is why you'll be staying with me tonight as well."
"I will?"
"But just in case I do something to fuck this up before tonight, you'd better show me what you mean."
"On one condition," she said.
He was pretty sure that no matter what condition she made, he'd agree to it.
"Name it."
"Take out the barbell in your piercing. I wouldn't want it to get stuck in my throat."
He chuckled. "I don't think that'll happen, but if you're concerned, I'll take it out."
She squirmed off his lap, pushed the coffee table away from the sofa, and knelt on the floor before him. Her hands gripped his thighs just above his knees and tugged his legs apart. Then Caitlyn blessed him with the most devious smile he'd ever seen. His heart suddenly thudded a rapid beat Heat and lust flooded his groin. Oh God, he was about to have the treat of his life.
Her hands slid up his thighs to his hips and then moved to unfasten the button of his jeans. She didn't take her eyes off his while she unbuttoned his pants and slowly lowered the zipper.
He'd gone for a workout in the hotel's gym while she'd been sleeping that morning, so his muscles were still tight. He appreciated every crunch he'd forced himself to do when her hands slid up his belly, bumping up over the six-pack he worked so hard to maintain. His chest, shoulders, and arms were treated to the same exploratory touch of her warm, soft hands.
"You're the most beautiful man I've ever touched," she said.
"Thanks," he said lamely.
"But what is really amazing about you is that your soul is even more beautiful than all these tight muscles and bronze skin." She grinned. "And that's saying something."
She lowered her head and kissed his belly. His muscles clenched involuntarily, and his cock began to rise with interest.
"You're beau-"
Her hand shot up and covered his mouth. "No talking. It's your turn to be flattered."
It made him uncomfortable to accept praise without reciprocating, but he nodded slightly and allowed her to continue.
"Even your belly button is sexy," she said.
She traced his navel with her tongue and then nipped the skin just beneath. His breath came out in an excited rush.
"I never really liked tattoos until I saw yours." Her hands slid up his ribs to his chest. She traced the lines of a tattoo. "I would have thought the ink would detract from your gorgeous body, but it actually adds something. They make you even more alluring." She crawled a bit closer and extended her tongue to lick his nipple.