“I shook his hand and told him there was nothing to forgive. He’s a great sailor with a limitless career ahead of him. I appreciated all he did for me and the good times we had. Our paths will always cross if we stay on the ship, and I’d like it if we could continue the amicable professional relationship.”
“Liza did a good job of putting everyone in the line of fire. Tommy really didn’t do anything.”
“The casualty of our friendship may have been because of Liza, but he knew how much I love you. For him to think I’d cheat with Liza was a hit to my character. I like Tommy, but I thought this was the best way to close down any expectations with Nicole.”
“It is.”
I tell him about her phone call, and he stops running his fingers through my hair and moves me up to him. “Are you okay?” His face is full of concern.
“Yes, Bryce. I handled it. You have to stop thinking I’m going to break. No one’s going to make me doubt you ever again. We’ve had more people plotting against us in a few years than most do in a lifetime. That’s over. I promise you that we’re solid.”
“Thank God.”
“Now, if we’re done talking, it’s way past time for me to thank you for the generous gifts the last two weeks.”
He hardens under my thigh, and his eyes start to heat. “What kind of gratitude did you have in mind?”
I slip my hand under his flannel pajamas and run my thumb over the tip of his erection. His lips part slightly, and I lean in. “My plan was to lick my way down your body until I could suck your dick in my mouth. But, now, I think I’ll let you choose. What do you want?”
His breath hitches, and he closes his eyes, moaning as my nails lightly scratch the underside of his cock. “Y-y-yes, dick in mouth sounds good,” he stutters.
“Then what?” I start to go lower and kiss a trail down his neck and jawline. When my tongue circles his nipple, he moans and grips my scalp.
“You, on top of me.”
“Mmm, sounds nice. Then what?” I lower his pants and graze my tongue over his slit and then the crown.
“I want to bury myself in you for the rest of the night.”
“That can be done,” I whisper seductively against his cock and blow a warm breath. “But we need to discuss something first.” I push up and s
traddle his lap, bracing my hands on his abs.
His eyes fly open, and he looks at me in horror. “Now? We need to discuss something now?”
“Yep.” I nod. “It’s done. The situation is over. We don’t need to talk about it again. I could feel your guilt in the email. It still stings, but you’ve done everything possible to heal my wounds, including loving me. I need to know my love is enough to heal you, too.”
He moves his hands under mine and links our fingers then kisses my knuckles. “Knowing you love me heals all wounds. I’ll try to let this go.”
“Don’t try. Let it go. We’re here, and we’re stronger than ever. Promise me.”
He stares at me, searching my face for several long seconds. “Promise,” he finally chokes out.
“Good, now for your real surprise.” I pull the shirt off and reach under my pillow. When I drop his dog tags over my head, he moans.
“Now, when you close your eyes on the ship and think of me, you can think of me naked, on top of you, in nothing but your dog tags.”
His eyes grow wide and then deepen to a dark blue. He massages my thighs gently, and the heat of his gaze sets my body on fire.
“Babe, you have blown every dream I’ve ever had of you out of the water. Men would die to see the perfection I have sitting on top of me.”
My breathing picks up as I watch his reaction.
“But, now, it’s time to start the gratitude portion of the night before I explode.”
I grin and move back down his body. “Gladly.”
*****