The Navy's Ghost (Bad Boys of Beta Squad) (16 page)

She opened her eyes and looked down her body at him. He grinned rakishly as he licked her cream off his lips, wiping a hand across his dripping chin.

“Damn, you taste mighty good to me, Ghost.”

“Good thing since you taste fucking awesome to me.”

“I’ll have to remember that.”
He rose off the bed and strode to the bureau, opening the top drawer. He pulled out a couple of foil packages and returned to the bed. “No one’s ever told me that before.” He tore open the package and smoothed the condom over his hard flesh.

“No one?” She raised a dubious eyebrow. “Really?”

“Really. They didn’t quite have time to savor the flavor.” He crawled up her body until his raging hard-on hung above her mound.

“Why?”

“’Cause I don’t usually allow blowjobs.”

Chris froze and her gut cramped. “
Why not?” She tried to think back over the last two months of being with him, but she’d never gone down on him. She’d been too distracted by his loving.

“
I refused to stick my cock into anything without a condom. Not many folks like to suck latex. And kissin’ someone after they’ve had a mouthful of latex is just nasty.”

“Oh. I had no idea. I’m sorry
, Todd.” Chris wanted to crawl beneath the covers and hide. So much for showing her fiancé a good time.
Well done, Brickman.

“Hey
, now, don’t apologize.” Todd nuzzled her throat, nipping and licking the cords along her neck. His little caresses pushed some of the tension out of her. “If I thought I could make you come while suckin’ me, I’d require you to be down on your knees, doin’ it again. Your mouth is fuckin’ amazing.”

H
e reinforced the sentiment by kissing her thoroughly, his tongue conquering hers. She tasted herself on his lips and her pussy clenched with arousal as he lowered his hard cock against her nether lips.

“But I have s
omething a little more teamwork-related in mind.” He spread her legs and rubbed her nether lips with the head of his cock. She looked down her body and watched his hard shaft disappear between her thighs as he pressed against her opening. “Permission to come aboard, ma’am.”

“Drive me hard, sailor.”

“Are you sure, LT? ’Cause I can make it sweet and slow for you tonight.” He teased her lips with his head again, rocking his hips seductively as he grinned.

Chris grabbed his tight ass and dug her fingers in. “If you tease me,
Chief, you’ll be on latrine duty for weeks. Now fuck me hard.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Todd slammed his cock into her pussy and Chris screamed with delight at the forceful intrusion.

“Oh, God, yes!”

“Feel good to you, darlin’?”

“Yes. Do it again.”

He plowed into her a second time and groaned with his own pleasure as she clamped her inner muscles around his hot shaft. This time he didn’t seem to need more encouragement to keep up his pounding rhythm. He slammed his hips into hers, the sounds of wet flesh sliding together building her pleasure as much as the slick scrape of his cock against her shuddering walls.

“You gonna come with me,
Chris? You ready to feel me hard in your cunt?”

“Oh, God, yes. Fuck me hard,
Todd!”

“Come with me now!”

He thrust into her with devastating pleasure and Chris shot out among the stars, even higher than she had before. Todd roared his own bliss above her like a lion claiming his mate, his head thrown back and his eyes shut tight. Sweet explosions of pleasure ricocheted through her in ever expanding ripples and Todd’s cock flexed with each jet of cum.

Chris wished she could hold onto this moment for eternity, the pleasure coursing through her and Magic’s body filling hers.
Each time she made love to him, amazement and gratitude hit her in fresh waves. And each time was better than the last.

Oh
, my God, I’m so damn lucky.

Understatement of the year. Chris had never experienced such a strong physical connection bleeding over into the emotional parts of her life. Todd had become the perfect partner in all parts of her life. Well, one of two partners. She shoved the thought away and reveled in the heat and joy she experienced each time she made love to Todd.
She wanted to treasure everything about it forever. She gathered up the memories of his touches and stuffed them into every corner of her heart, hoping to fill the gaps left by Jim’s absence.

The pleasure
ebbed slowly away and Todd braced himself over her, panting like he’d swum the Pacific Ocean. He still had his eyes closed and his belly tightened with each breath, but she took a moment to enjoy the feeling of his hard cock flexing against her sated flesh.

“You’re beautiful, Todd.”

One silver-gray eye opened and a smile curled his lips. “Isn’t that what I’m supposed to tell you?”

“I don’t know who’s supposed to tell whom, but you are and I love you.” She trailed one hand up from where their bodies joined along his ri
dged belly, and he shivered with pleasure.

“I love you, too, darlin’. More than ever.”

He slowly pulled out of her body and rose, retreating to the bathroom. Chris watched his hard, flexing ass and enjoyed every shift of light over the taut muscles. He returned with a warm cloth, his cock still at half-mast. He knelt before her and scanned her person, perusing everything with unnerving thoroughness. Taking his time, he slowly kissed and cleaned her body, his expression tender. He tossed the cloth toward the hamper and crawled into the bed beside her, pulling her into his arms.

“Tonight
was amazing, Magic.”

“Aw, now you’re just sayin’ that.” But he trailed one hand down her belly and tangled his fingers in the
damp curls on her mound. “I’ve been dreaming about makin’ love to you for five long weeks.”

“How did reality hold up to the fantasies?” She tried to slide her leg under the sheet to hide
the disfiguring scars, but he pulled it back.

“No contest. Reality is a thousand time
s better.” He massaged her mons with soothing motions. “I didn’t really enjoy sex until that night you got your tat.”

Chris scoffed. “Come on. You can’t be serious. I’m sure none of those girls went home unsatisfied.”

“Oh, I didn’t say they weren’t satisfied.” He met her gaze with piercing honesty. “They were too busy bein’ grateful to get a SEAL’s cock. I said
I
hadn’t enjoyed it. Not really. None of them held up to my ideal.”

“Which is?”

“You.” Todd stroked her breasts until her nipples peaked then soothed them with his palms. “I love it when they do that.”

“You’re so easily amused, Magic.” Chris smiled and snuggled her shoulders against his chest.

“Hey, darlin’, I’m a guy. We have simple pleasures.”

She laughed and he turned out the bedside light. “Sweet dreams, darlin’. I’m lookin’ forward to seein’ you here in the morning.”

“Not if I see you first,” she joked around a yawn. His warmth surrounded her and she slowly relaxed, letting the scents of sex and sandalwood lull her into slumber.

I just wish Jim had been here, too.
The disquieting thought followed her down into sleep.

****

Jim slammed the door of his apartment harder than necessary, but grief, anger, and disgust disabled his “care” feature and he let the emotions drive him into his bedroom. He managed to gather enough control to remove his dress uniform and hang it carefully in the closet, but he replaced it with only a ratty pair of stained sweats.

The
party had been great and Chris had blown him away with her beauty. The pink coral dress swishing around her ass had hardened his cock every time she turned and he couldn’t touch. It just about killed him to watch Todd wrap his arm around her waist. Jim had never found another woman as sexy or beautiful, and dread filled his heart at the idea that he never would.

He shuffled to the kitchen and searched his cupboards for anything to distract him from his father’s voice calling him a depraved loser and his own conscience echoing the sentiment.

Chris’s voice shouted above the rest.
Man up, Waters. You’re gonna get through this like everything else.

“Sure
I am. I always do.” His words left a sour taste in his mouth and he grabbed the nearest bottle to wash it out.

Drowning your
sorrows will get you nowhere, boy. Man up and move on. Plenty fish in the sea.

“Nobody like her, Dad. No one
even close.”

Jim dropped his body onto his couch, tipped the bottle back, and let the burn take him away.

With his eyes closed, Retro could picture Ghost staring at him with her brilliant smile, her shoulder-length hair pulled back into a French-twist glistening in the lights of Magic’s living room.

Shit,
it’ll be her living room soon.

He took another hit off the bottle. Liquid burn flooded through his system, saturating his guilt and self-flagellation.

If I’d only asked her first. Yeah, then she would’ve asked me if I’d share her with Magic and I’d still be in the same place.

Retro leaned his head back against his couch and settled a cool bottle against his thigh. He didn’t even
know which bottle he’d picked. He only needed it to fulfill his resolution to drown his regrets.

Magic asked Chris and she said yes.
It was for the best, for all of them, but his agony at her agreement only served to illuminate the lack of control over his dark needs.

“Fuck!”

He swigged the booze, trying to ignore the little voice reminding him of her offer to share. Shaking his head tiredly, he drank the liquor until it dragged him under.

Chapter
Eleven

“Are you ready for this?”

Chris glanced over at her mother, who nervously scanned the church from the anteroom. Tory Brickman had never liked the military. She’d been a career hippy, so when her only daughter bucked the system of peace, harmony, and psychedelic drugs to enter the Navy, she’d lost her “mellow”. Consequently, Tory remained suspicious of military men and the idea of Chris’s marriage to one made her sour.

“Yes, Mom. Todd is my best friend and my swim buddy from the SEALs.”

“But do you love him?” Tory chewed her bottom lip.

“Yes, I do.”
I also love Jim, but she doesn’t need to know.

“I
f you’re sure.”

“I’m sure, Mom.
Stop worrying.”

“I just don’t like to be in the same room with so many military people. It’s oppressive.”

Chris sighed. The old argument made her grimace and she preferred not to relive it. “Do you want me to rehash my chosen profession and why I wanted to honor Granddad, or can we skip all that and go straight to being happy for my wedding?”

Tory had the grace to look
chagrinned. “I’m sorry. I know you love the Navy and you feel it’s your duty to serve the country, but violence makes me uncomfortable, and the military deals in violence.”

“Yes, it does, which is why it’s needed, but not here, Mom. This is a wedding.” Chris held her mother’s shoulders and squeezed gently. “These are my friends and colleagues. They are here to celebrate and have fun. They’re actually ‘making love, not war’ for this occasion, so can you relax and try to have a good time? You might meet some peaceful warriors here rather than the ugly monsters you’re
so ready to paint them.”

Tory snorted. “I don’t know if I’d go that far, but I’ll try to be gracious.”

“Thanks.” Not exactly a victory, but Chris would take it. “What time is it? I don’t have a watch in this get up.”

Tory glanced at her own small pocket watch. “Nine fifteen, almost time.” She bit her lip and uncertainty flashed in her blue eyes. “You really love him?”

Chris clenched her jaw on her frustration as she checked her hair one last time in the mirror. The little tiara encrusted with freshwater pearls sparkled against her dark hair. “Yes, Mom, I really love him.”

“And he loves you?”

“Yes.”

“Then that’s all a mother can hope for.
” Tory smiled the first real smile of the day. “I love you, Christiana, and I want the best for you. You have my blessings and I’ll be waiting for you out there.”

“Thanks, Mom.” Chris hugged Tory carefully so she wouldn’t crush the jasmine
and baby’s breath corsage pinned to her mother’s dress. Tory cupped her cheek then left the room.

Her
mother feared sitting amongst the crisp dress uniforms of the Naval officers in the crowd, but she’d do it for her daughter’s wedding, and Chris smiled her gratitude. Tory’s father had been a Frog Man in the Navy of WWII and Tory had blamed him for her mother’s suicide when she couldn’t deal with his “Shell Shock”. Tory had joined the hippy cause the next day.

Thanks again, Mom
.

The door clicked shut and Chris took a deep breath to calm her own misgivings.
It’s going to be fine.
Even if Jim stood like a brooding raincloud on the other side of the Todd. Chris’s heart squeezed with sorrow. Jim had avoided them with determination for the last three months of training and wedding plans.
No, let’s be honest. He avoided
me. His absence hurt most in the moments when the squad had down time. Jim didn’t visit her or call to shoot the shit. He’d just cut her out of his life.

That hurt most of all.

“Hey, are you ready? It’s almost time.”

Chris
blinked out of her introspection and smiled at Jaime, her Maid of Honor.

“Yeah, I think I am.”

“Wow, you look great.” Jaime gave her the once-over. “Todd won’t know what hit him.”

Chris glanced at the door to the church. “I think he knows better than I do. He’s the one who asked me, remember?”

“Yeah, but it was just an idea then. Now it’s reality.” Jaime grinned. “He only looked a little nervous when I last saw him.”

“Todd? Nervous?”

“Only a little. His best buddy looks more nervous than he does.”

“Who?” Chris crowded to the door and peeked out.

“The guy standing next to Todd. Right there. What’s his name again?” Jaime scrunched up her nose in thought, the freckles rippling like shooting stars.

“Lt. Jim Waters.” Sorrow, frustration, and resignation settled into the pit of Chris’s stomach and she turned away. She wished she could punch something, but she’d promised her mother no violence and it would ruin her outfit anyway.

“Yeah. He looks like someone stole his teddy bear.” Jaime raised her eyebrow. “Are you sure he’s not pining over you?”

“Yeah, I’m sure.”
I’m sure he’s just trying not to show what kind of a freak I am and failing miserably.

“Sheesh, I hope he lightens up.” Jaime
shrugged as the organ started to play. “Woop! It’s time. You ready, Chris?”

“Ready a
s I’ll ever be.”

“Okay, I’ll see you next to the handsome guys in the uniforms up there next to the chaplain.” Jaime flipped her auburn tresses over her shoulders, winked, and ducked out the door.

Chris took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. She’d make this day a happy one, come hell or high water.
Man up, Brickman. You made your play for Waters and he said no. Take the love you’ve won from Hunter and be content.
She pasted a smile on her face and followed her friend out.

****

Todd damn near swallowed his tongue and tented his white dress pants. He’d thought Chris lovely when she’d worn the coral dress to the engagement party, but it paled in comparison to the outfit she wore now. The v-necked tunic in white crushed velvet cupped her curves and flared at her waist into flowing skirt. White satin pants covered her legs to her ankles, swirling around them like another skirt. He swore he glimpsed stars in her dark hair as the lights from the church glinted off the tiara on her head.

“Wow.”

Jim’s voice distracted him from the magnificent vision and he nodded.

“She’s fucking gorgeous.” The chaplain cleared his throat and Jim murmured an apology. “You’re a lucky man, Magic.”

Hell yeah, he was. Even while he ached for his friend’s loss at happiness, he still had to hold the excitement down. He’d wanted Chris for nearly two years and now they’d make it official.

Chris’s friend Jaime strode down the aisle with a smug smile pasted on her lips and Todd wondered what
it meant. Jaime winked at a couple of the guys in uniform and Todd noted Chief Petty Officer Kevin Stanton straightened up.
Did he just crack a smile?

Todd forgot his question as Chris walked slowly toward him, trying to disguise any limp in her strides.
Her uneven walk made her hips sway so much, his libido electrified with each step she took.
How the hell has she gotten more beautiful in the last twenty-four hours?

Jim cursed under his breath and Todd glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. The bigger SEAL shifted his body just enough to
tell Todd he fought a hard-on, and Todd couldn’t blame him. Chris made his cock swell while wearing the most utilitarian uniform. Her wedding outfit had him panting and grateful for the black pants of his dinner dress uniform hiding his erection.

Chris took his hand as she stepped up beside him and offered him a brilliant smile. They turned to face the chaplain, but Magic could barely concentrate. Her
cinnamon pine scent flooded his nose, reminding him of their intimate moments with his cock buried in her sweet heat.

“Do you have the ring?”

Magic blinked and nodded. He turned to Retro and tried to ignore the sick feeling he got from reading the other man’s eyes. Jim carried pain and loss in his gaze like a neon sign flashing over his head, but his face remained politely interested as he extended his hand with the triple banded ring.
There’s one for you, man, if you’d just let us give it to you.

Todd tried to offer him a friendly smile, but his own sorrow crowded the corners. “Thanks.”

“Anytime.” Jim tried to smile.

Todd inhaled deeply and faced Chris, meeting her eyes as he slid the beautiful ring onto her elegant finger.

“With this ring, I give you my solemn promise to love, cherish, defend, and protect you with all I am and all I have. You are the other part of my soul, my strength when I’m weak, my lady in battle armor, the vault who holds my dreams, and the safe harbor my heart returns to. I hold these vows sacred, as sacred as I hold my love for you.”

Her brilliant smile made his heart pound and love tightened his chest until he
thought he’d burst with it all. Chris reached behind her and Jaime gave her his matching ring.

“With this ring, I give you my solemn promise to love, cherish, defend, and protect you with all I am and all I have. You are the other part of my soul, my strength when I’m weak, my knight in battle armor, the vault who holds my dreams, and the safe harbor my heart returns to. I hold these vows sacred, as sacred as I hold my love for you.”

For one moment, Chris glanced over Todd’s shoulder and he heard Jim shift as the weight of her gaze hit him.
Ah hell.
He knew the other SEAL hurt. He’d seen it in every motion of his body throughout the wedding prep.
Dammit, all he has to do is take what he wants instead of running from it!
Todd wished he’d come about, but Jim had to face his issues in his own way.
At least until someone makes him face them.

“By the power vested in me by God and the State of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

“You ready for this, LT?” Todd whispered with a smile.

“
Hooyah, Chief.” Chris grinned and tilted her head to take his mouth.

****

Retro swore his guts would turn inside out. The sweetness and eroticism of the kiss Magic shared with Ghost made him ache for the same.

Get over it, already!
I turned her down and Todd is the better man for this job anyway.
Somehow the pep talk did nothing to ease the bone-deep agony of losing the only woman he’d loved since his mother and sister disappeared.

The crowd in the church cheered for the new
Chief and Mrs. Hunter, and Retro tried to find a smile as he clapped his hands together, but his lips wouldn’t move. He linked his arm with Chris’s friend Jaime and followed the bride and groom out of the church as if on a mission.
Just get the job done, Waters. Then you can go home.

As dismal as home alone sounded, it was marginally better than standing in his dress uniform and watching the two people he wanted most celebrate their
joy. Without him.

Fuck, I’m worse than a whiney rookie
.

“Come on, handsome, let’s go celebrate Chris and Todd’s happ
iness.” Jaime smiled up at Jim and he gave her a short nod as she dragged him to the dance floor.

“You don’t say much, do you?”

“Not much to say. I’m happy for them.”

“Yeah, you sound it.” Jaime eyed him thoughtfully. “You got a thing for Chris, don’t you?”

Jim’s guts clenched and panic surged through him. He didn’t want to give away his interest or his needs. Chris and Todd didn’t deserve the derision.

He tried dubious. “What makes you say that?”

“You look like someone shot your dog and stole your girl.” Jaime squeezed his arm. “Why didn’t you ask her first?”

Because I couldn’t give her what she wanted and I’m not good for her.

“Hunter beat me to it.” He shrugged with as much nonchalance as he could muster. “It’s okay, though. I’m not really ready to settle down. Hell, I still live on base. Hunter has a house and they can have some real privacy unlike living in base housing.”

Jaime snorted
and scrunched her freckled nose. “That’s it? That’s your excuse for not asking Chris?” She shook her head. “I don’t buy it, Lieutenant Waters, but I don’t know you well enough to call you on it.”

He agreed with both her statements and simply gave her his best enigmatic smile. “Good to know, ma’am. I’ll have to work on my delivery, then.”

She laughed as he swirled her in the final steps of the dance, grateful the music ended. He wished he could be as carefree as Chris’s best friend in her elegant navy gown, but everything inside remained tight. He danced with the wrong woman, and he had to stay away from the right one. The urge to leave swamped him and he tightened his spine in an effort to keep from taking evasive action.

“Thank you for the dance, Lieutenant.” Jaime squeezed his hand briefly
.