Claiming Holly (Holiday Cove 1)

“That was definitely worth the wait,” Jack said, his voice horse and husky against my ear.

I smiled and nodded against his chest, unable to speak, as I crashed down from the new heights of pleasure and relief.

Eventually, I rolled off of him, and we clung together, neither of us minding the sweat soaked skin of the other, and held tight as we drifted into a deep, cleansing sleep.

39

Jack

Waking up beside Holly was like living all the fantasies I’d had about her during my time away, both on the aircraft carrier, and those nights in the desert. Reality was much sweeter. The morning light was just starting to stream through the vertical blinds on the windows and I didn’t need to roll over and check the clock to know it was still early. I followed the beams of light over Holly’s shoulder and traced my fingertips down her soft skin. As I reached the place where her skin met the edge of the sheets, my cock stirred, wanting to tear them away from her in order to see the full expanse of her wonderful body.

I fought back the urge to wake her to make love, and trailed my fingers back up, letting them get lost in her thick hair that was scattered all over her pillowcase. She stirred as I stroked the long strands, and I watched as her eyes fluttered open.

“Good morning, baby.”

She smiled up at me, a soft, sleepy smile that made my heart ache. “I can’t believe you’re really here,” she whispered, reaching up and stroking a finger along my stubble.

I grabbed her hand and planted a kiss on the center of her palm. “I’m here.”

“How do you feel?” She asked, a flash of concern breaking into her gaze.

I knew she meant the cut in my leg, but I dragged her hand under the sheets and wrapped it around my cock. I chuckled as her eyes went wide. “Jack!” She protested, her tone light and full of giggles. She rolled her eyes at me but couldn’t keep another laugh from bubbling from her pretty mouth. “I meant your leg.”

“It’s fine. However, what ya got your hands on could certainly use some attention,” I growled into her ear. I dragged my lips down her earlobe and smiled against her cheek as her body shivered under my touch. When my lips met hers, she moaned into my mouth, and I rolled my body on top of hers. I loved the way our bodies met and melded together under the sheets. We fit together. I kissed her slowly, stroking her lips and tongue with my own, exploring every sensation and taste as we shifted and moved together.

When she parted her legs, I didn’t hesitate to take her up on the invitation.

“Jack, your phone’s ringing!” Holly called over the spray of water from the shower. After our morning spent in bed, we’d showered off together in Aaron’s upstairs bathroom, and Holly had stepped out moments before as I’d finished rinsing.

“Who is it?” I asked, peeking my head out the curtain.

She handed it to me, and I gripped tightly to keep the slick plastic from sliding out of my wet fingers. I didn’t recognize the number, but it was a government issue phone. I hardly doubted it was some scammer looking to sell me a new car warranty. I pressed the button and held it up to my ear. “Lieutenant McGuire.”

Holly hesitated, shifting her weight from foot to foot, ultimately deciding to step out of the bathroom so I could have some privacy. It wasn’t necessary, but it was easier to concentrate when her slick, wet, and naked body wasn’t feet away, with nothing but a terry cloth towel keeping me from her.

“Good morning, Lieutenant. I apologize for the interruption. This is Captain Louis,” I recognized the name. He was a Captain with our support branch. “We’ve arranged a meeting and need you to attend to do a final debriefing on the situation.”

He didn’t add that you created, but it was heavily implied.

“Sure thing,” I replied. I’d known that my escape would likely stir up trouble. The rebels who had been attacked would probably attempt a counterstrike. It was a topic that had been discussed ad nauseum in my previous meetings. Still, I understood if there were follow-up questions now that an entire day had passed since the events had transpired. “I can be back to base later today.”

We finalized the details and I hung up, finished my shower, and dressed. Holly had left the room, and I followed the sounds downstairs to the kitchen where Aaron was waiting with coffee and pastries from Carly’s coffee shop.

“Back so soon?” I asked, stepping into the kitchen.

“Good morning to you too,” Aaron said, his tone gruff. “Oh, and your welcome for clearing out last night so y’all could get freaky in private.” Apparently, whatever had happened between him and Rachel hadn’t gone as anticipated.