Dream of Me (6 page)

From the way he gritted his teeth, she had an idea of what bothered him. Seemed they were both fighting their rampant attraction. The thought sent a flood of warmth through her chest, making her forget all the arguments she’d just had with herself about why an affair with Sam was wrong in so many ways. He was handsome, healthy, and appeared willing—if the thickness pressing against his shorts was any indication. “Bet you can’t catch me,” she said, her voice breathless, and with that, she turned and darted toward the sand.

Sam groaned as
he watched her run away. She’d noticed he was getting a hard-on. What man wouldn’t when she’d stretched and turned, and then bent at the waist to touch the ground? His gaze had dropped right to her small, round ass, and all he could think of was how much he’d love to see it without the short-shorts she wore. And then he’d thought about the sensation of gripping both sides of her hips as he centered his cock and thrust deep.

Ash had quite a head start by the time he’d adjusted his cock and struck out after her. He reminded himself one part of Marc’s arrangement still remained that he had yet to share. Any thoughts of becoming more intimate with her had to be shoved to the darkest recess of his mind. Once he gave the box to her, making love with him would be the last thing she’d want.

His erection waned, and he jogged along the sand, catching up to run alongside her.

Taking measured breaths, she gave him a smile. “I haven’t done this for a while. What’s your excuse for being so slow?”

“Think I’m slow?” he asked, arching a brow. “I was being a gentleman.” With a hand at his waist, he cut a mock bow.

“Don’t hold back on my account.”

And again, he cussed softly. A number of comebacks came to mind, but he gritted his teeth and passed her, turning when he was yards ahead to jog backward. “Eat my dust, Dupree.”

Her eyes widened, for just a second. Maybe he’d said something that might have reminded her of Marc.

Her smile tightened, but she narrowed her gaze and widened her stride. In seconds, she was passing him, her long legs stretching. “I ran track too, Blalock. See if you can keep pace.”

After that, neither had the wind to maintain a conversation. They pushed each other, their shoes kicking up sand in their wake as they raced. They passed the bungalows belonging to his teammates. From the corner of his eye, he saw Deke and Nicky Warrick, who’d only recently purchased a cottage. Nicky’s hands were deep in dirt as she planted a shrub along her fence line. Deke held a beer and gave Sam a two-fingered salute as they passed.

Sam had forgotten about their invitation. “Hey, Dupree,” he called out to Ash as he stepped down his pace to a halt.

She slowed and jogged in place, her gaze going to the couple who walked through their gate to join them. When she stopped, she wiped sweat from her forehead and offered Deke and Nicky a smile.

With quick gestures, Sam made the introductions.

“Nicky’s invited all the Charter folks here to a cookout this evening,” Deke said, as he slipped an arm around her waist. “We’d love it if you both could come.”

Still moving in place, Ash darted a glance his way. “Thanks for the invitation—”

“Is she making her grandma’s potato salad?” Sam said before Ash could refuse outright.

“I am,” Nicky said, her brown eyes brimming with laughter.

Good girl
. Sam knew she didn’t have a family recipe for potato salad, but Nicky was smart and had caught on that Sam was up to something.

Her gaze cut to Ash. “We’d love to have you. We’ll be grilling chicken and fish. Fresh barjacks Deke caught this morning.”

Ash shared a glance with Sam, stopped her jogging steps and laughed. “Guess I can eat them since I didn’t meet them first.”

And with that, Sam relaxed. “I hear you’re getting houseguests.”

Nicky’s smile widened. “Jax and Suri are flying in today. We worked most of the night getting the guest room put to rights.” She angled her body toward Ash. “We’ve been living out of boxes, trying to get unpacked. Just took the threat of those two arriving and having to sleep on the floor to get this one busy,” she said, nudging Deke’s belly with her elbow.

Sam leaned down and kissed Nicky’s cheek. “Thanks for including us. What time should we show?”

“Sunset. And you don’t have to bring a thing. We have everything covered.”

Ash and Sam waved as they began running again, this time at a more leisurely pace.

“Sure I won’t be intruding?” Ash gave him a quick glance. “Sounds like you’re all old friends.”

“I knew Jax and Deke from my old Navy days. We all work for the same outfit now. They both met their wives while on missions. Once you’re a part of the family, you really are family.”

“Sounds nice.” She turned her head to gaze over the ocean.

A hint of wistfulness filtered through her tone that he didn’t like. “You’ll fit in just fine, Ash. Both guys knew Marc.” He slapped a hand to his chest. “And you’ll be with me.”

Her brows drew tight. “Do they know we were more than partners when he died?”

“Deke does. And since he does, no doubt he’s read in Nicky. It won’t be awkward. Just be yourself.”

She drew a deep breath and nodded. “All right. It’s been a while since I was a plus one.”

His
plus one. Almost like a date. He let the thought wash over him. Liked the way it felt and decided to hold onto that feeling a little while longer. “We should head back. You might want to rest up before dinner.”

She gave him sideways look with both eyebrows rising. “Are you saying I look worn out?”

Damn, I’d like to be the reason you’re worn out.
A smile tugged at his mouth. “Maybe I’m worn out.”

“Huh. You’re a SEAL. I don’t believe that for a minute.”

“Then I guess you’re up for another sprint?” Without waiting for an answer, he bounded ahead, smiling as she cursed behind him.

Ash smoothed down
the sides of the only dress she’d packed—a pale, apple-green sundress with thick straps that hugged her figure down to mid-thigh. She’d swiped an iron over it to get out the worst wrinkles because the garment had been crushed in the jumble of her clothing. Thinking she was headed to sleeping, sunning, and swimming, she hadn’t brought many cosmetics. So she made do with lip gloss and a touch of bronzer on her cheeks and lids. After the run, she’d washed and scrunched her hair, leaving her hair to curl naturally around her shoulders.

As she slid her silver flip-flops on her feet, she heard a knock sound in the distance.

“It’s just me,” Sam called out.

“Be out in a minute.” She took a deep breath to steady her pulse as she stared at herself in the mirror.

While she’d bathed, she’d realized a few things. Her grief was no longer at the forefront of every thought. She loved Marc, but he was no longer here and available. She’d carry the loss with her the rest of her days, but her life was far from over. And she wanted Sam. Maybe only for a night—an attitude that should have made her feel a smidgeon of shame, but didn’t. Her stomach fluttered at the thought of being with him. But did he feel the same way about her?

She thought that maybe he did. On a few occasions, she’d noted his body’s response to her—when they swam, just before their run. Maybe he reacted to every reasonably attractive, scantily clad female, but she didn’t think so. His gaze rested on her too often, his expression still, reflective, as he studied her body and her expressions. He was interested. But how was a girl to breach a SEAL’s sense of honor to entice him into bed?

She wished she’d packed perfume, but the citrusy shampoo she’d used would have to do. With one last glance in the mirror, this time over her shoulder and running the length of her body, she left her bedroom and scanned the open living area until she spotted him.

Sam was faced toward the windows, a pensive look on his face. His stillness gave her a chance to study his features. Before, she’d only noted his ruggedness. Now, she noted the bladed cheeks, the strong jaw. The nose with its bump in the center was neither too large or long.
Perfect
.

He wore linen trousers and a short-sleeved, loose linen shirt. Both were slightly baggy, but did nothing to camouflage his impressive build.

For just a second, melancholy swept over her. She’d enjoyed Marc’s body so much and might have a chance to know Sam’s up close and personal. Would she ever have that intimacy again? She felt comforted by their strength and was made vulnerable by their size.

She had to admit, she was spoiled. Her expectations ratcheted up to the stratosphere. She might never find another lover who would make her feel that way. But the mere fact she was thinking about future lovers was definite progress.

His head swung toward her, and he blinked. His gaze swept her body in a second, and his jaw tightened just a fraction. “You look nice.”

“Thank you,” she said, a blush heating her cheeks. “So do you.”

The corners of his mouth curved. “Shall we?” he said, bending his elbow.

She strode toward him and slipped a hand over his warm skin. Did he feel the same spark? Chancing an upward glance, she met his gaze, his head was bent toward hers. His mouth was close. Her pulse raced. Would he kiss her?

She licked her bottom lip, and then gave a little gasp as he straightened and pulled her toward the door.

They made the short walk in silence. She worried she’d misread the signs of his attraction. But then his free hand smoothed over the top of hers still clutching his arm, and she relaxed at the intimate gesture.

Within minutes, she heard the sound of reggae and laughter. At the Warricks’ fence, she slipped her hand from his arm and waited as he opened the gate. Once inside the yard, they followed the sounds to a small, covered patio. Two men stood beside the barbeque holding beers. The women sat on loungers, tall iced drinks on the table between them.

All gazes turned their way as she and Sam approached.

Nicky fanned her fingers in a casual wave. “Welcome. There’s a pitcher of margaritas on the table,” she said, pointing over her shoulder at a small wooden table on the patio.

Deke snorted. “Beer’s in the ice chest, bro.”

Turning, Sam gave her wink. “You’ve got choices. Stick with me or mingle with the hens.”

The curvy blonde beside Nicky threw her straw at Sam. “Hens!”

The men laughed.

The one Ash guessed was her husband Jax grimaced. “I’m not gettin’ in the middle of that one.”

“Not if you expect to get any tonight,” she said with a flip of her hair.

Sam bent toward Ash’s ear. “Be warned. Suri has no filter.”

“I think I can handle it.” She gave him a conspiratorial smirk.

“You’re braver than I am,” he muttered and strode toward the table. He poured her a drink, snagged an icy bottle from the chest, and then returned, handing her a drink.

Ash glanced toward the women. Nicky was beckoning her, and pulling up her legs to make room for Ash on her seat. Mingling with strangers wasn’t an activity she did well, and her stomach clenched. She shot Sam a glance. “We need a signal,” she whispered.

With his mouth beside her ear, he said, “Wink if you need rescuing.”

Another blush suffused her face with heat, but she pasted on a smile and strode toward the women, taking a seat on the edge of the chaise.

“I’m Suri.” The blonde wiggled her fingers in an airy wave.

“Ash Dupree,” she murmured and took a hasty sip of tangy margarita.

“So, Nicky tells me you’re from New Orleans. I love the Big Easy. I’ve been there several times.”

Ash smiled. “It’s muggy as hell this time of year.” She glanced past the wrought iron fence to the beach. “This weather is a really nice change.”

The men erupted in laughter, and all three women glanced their way.

“Mmm-mm-mm,” Suri hummed as a grin spread.

Nicky smacked Suri’s arm. “Don’t be ogling my husband.”

“I may be taken, but my eyesight’s just fine. Have you ever seen a lineup like that?”

Ash grinned as she noted the stellar eye-candy. Each man was unique in appearance and appeal, but all were a study in ripped hotness.

Sam lifted his beer and took a long sip. His gaze slid to the women, and he nudged Jax beside him. She couldn’t hear what was said, but all three men turned to look at their group. Warmth skittered through her insides as his gaze lingered over her.

“He’s a good guy.” Nicky tilted her head toward the barbeque.

“I know it,” Ash said. “He’s been…wonderful. Really kind.”

Nicky slid her hand over Ash’s and squeezed. “I’ll say this just once. I’m really sorry for your loss.”

Ash kept her gaze on Sam, but her vision was blurred with a sudden welling of tears. “Marc was like all of them. Strong, brave. Before I came here, I wanted to crawl into the grave with him.” She turned to Nicky and gave her a sad smile. “I’m glad I came here.”

Nicky’s smile was soft. “I can’t imagine what you’ve been through, but I’m happy you’re here, too.”

Suri swung her legs over her chaise and leaned toward Ash to give her a brief hug. “We’re sisters, you know. We could all be in your shoes.” She pulled back but held onto Ash’s shoulders. “You grab for the gusto, girl.”

Ash’s laugh was a little thick with pent-up tears. She glanced toward the cloudless deep blue sky and blinked away the moisture. “No more sad thoughts. This is a party, isn’t it?”

The three women raised their glasses and clinked them together. “To sexy SEALs.”

“Amen,” Suri said, waggling her eyebrows.

“To SEALs,” Ash said as her gaze once more sought Sam’s.

He stared right at her. His gaze so intense and hot, she felt heat wash over her skin in a luscious wave. How long would they have to stay with these people? Right now, she wished they were alone. And from the look he wore, he was thinking much the same thing. But they’d need sustenance first, wouldn’t they?

Ash gave Sam a quick smile, and then turned back to the women, leaning forward. “So, tell me how you all met. I want all the deets.”

‡