Marrying the Marine-epub (10 page)

“I can’t believe I slept that long. I must’ve been tired.”

He turned his head and captured her gaze. “Well, you look well rested.”

“I am. I hope I’ll be able to sleep tonight.”

He smiled. “Oh, you will,” he said with confidence. Considering how he planned on wearing her out in bed tonight, she needed all the damn sleep she could get.

“I want you to take a look at something.” He curved his fingers into her waist and pulled her down on his lap. Heat gathered in his balls. His dick grew heavy. With his chest pressed to her back, he inhaled the perfumed flowery scent clinging to her flesh. 

Maybe he wouldn’t wait until tonight to fuck her. Maybe he should pick her up and take her to bed right now. His chest tightened.  “I’ve been working on something for you. Something I hinted at earlier today.”

She eyed him sideways then smiled. “You sure stay busy, Mr. Wexler. Do you even remotely know how to relax?”

“Nope. What’s resting? I’ve been told I don’t have a lazy bone in my body. Growing up, my father worked the dog out of me and my brothers.” He chuckled. “Made us get up at six a.m. even on the weekends to take care of the cattle and tend to the farm. Then we had to go clean his law firm at night.”

“That explains your overzealous habits that I find ever so attractive.”

“A hard working man is attractive, huh?” He was glad she didn’t find his take-charge traits irritating.  

“Very.” She turned her eyes back to the computer.

“While you were sleep I did some research on starting an online bakery. I saved all the documents and links for you to take a look at once you have the time. I also went ahead and outlined a business plan for you. When you’re feeling better we can sit down and finish it together.”

Her mouth gaped and she expelled a quick breath. “Other than thank you, I don’t know what to say.”

“Thank you is more than enough.”

“Have you ever thought about starting your own business?”

“No.”

“As smart as you are, and as supportive of me, I’m surprised. Did you always want to be a Marine?”

“Yes. And every time I spoke about joining the service to my father he became angry.”

“Why?”

“My father had his own dreams for his children. He wanted us to someday work in the law firm with him, and become one of the biggest firms in the nation. While Jaxson and Sonny took to the idea, Caroline and I never did. So after getting my Bachelor’s degree I joined the military, and to say he was mad would be an understatement. All my life I’d dreamed of joining the Marines so I followed my own heart instead of his. That’s why I understand so well what you’re going through with your father. At some point your father is going to have to sever the rope, and let you fly.”

She nodded. “Back to me starting a business,” she changed the subject. “I’m horrible at technology. Not to mention, I don’t have any money to start a thing like this.”

“I’m a master when it comes to technology so that’s where I come in. I’ll teach you everything you need to know in order to run a successful business. Once you learn the ins and outs, it’ll be a piece of cake.” He dragged the mouse up to the top of the business plan. “Did you give any thought while I was gone about what you’d like to name it?”

“I tried, but nothing seemed to stick.”

“Hmmm.” His index finger shot up in the air. “How about you name it after your parents?”

“Huh?”

“SugarKanes Bakery & Sweet Shop,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist, stroking the pads of his fingers over the computer’s keypad.

“SugarKanes Bakery & Sweet Shop,” she said. “That’s it! It’s perfect! Just simply perfect!” She clapped her hands in front of her face. She then cupped his jaws. “You’re a genius!”

“I’m far from that. I’m good at designing websites, but we can work on that tomorrow or the day after.”

Suddenly, her eyes misted. “I love the name you came up with. You’re so creative, and I just know my brothers will love it just as much as I do. As soon as I get my first order, I’m going to pay you something for helping me.”

“You don’t have to pay me, Sandella. You deserve—”

She put a finger to his mouth. “Shhhh.” She pressed her tongue into his mouth and started kissing him feverishly.

A groan sounded deep inside his larynx. “I can think of better ways for you to repay me, baby.”
My dick can, too.

She giggled, then nipped his bottom lip. “I’m going to make you so proud of me. SugarKanes is going to be a hit.”

Speaking of hit…if you just let me hit that pussy that’ll be more than enough for me.
He fisted her hair and thrust his tongue inside her mouth. As he savored her tongue, he noticed the inside of her mouth seemed rather hot. His mouth stilled, and he placed a hand to her forehead.

“My sweet baby, you’re hot.”

Hanging on to his gaze, she blinked sexily at him, then twirled the ends of her hair around her finger. “Why, thank you, cowboy,” she teased.

“No, I’m serious.” He touched her reddening cheeks. “Your skin is burning up. It’s time for you to get back in bed.” He grabbed her palm and led her toward the bedroom.

“But I just woke up.” She pouted. “And I’m not sleepy.”

“You don’t have to go back to sleep, but you do need to lie down. If you feel up to it, I’d be more than happy to try and eat that fever right on out of you like I did last night. How does that sound?”

Shit.
He had to do something to get his jollies off. If he didn’t, he was going to burst all over the damn place. Licking her was the only answer from where he stood. Of course, he’d love to fuck her. But the last thing he needed was to make her temperature rise even higher by pounding her into a fulfilling orgasm.

When they reached the room, Sandella lay back on the bed. “I’m all yours,” she cooed, spreading her legs, and sounding better than she really was.

He pushed her panties to the side and drove his tongue into her sweet cherry entrance. The tip of his tongue traced the circle of her hot sex. She squirmed, fisted the sheets. As her aroused whimpering filled his ears her slick wet heat dripped onto his probing flesh, filling his mouth with her powerful orgasm.
Fuck! This is the best tasting pussy in the whole damn world.
He drank the feverish liquid squirting on his tongue like a tall glass of wine.

“Oh, Braylon.” She sang his name like a gentle love song.

B
raylon stood at the mirror inside his bedroom buttoning up his long-sleeve dress shirt, cursing himself for falling so hard for Sandella. He hefted the bottle of cologne and squirted both sides of his neck.
How in the hell did I let this happen?
Wouldn’t it be nice if the reflection staring back at him could figure the question out? 

Over the last few days he’d taken great pleasure in helping nurse Sandella back to health. He’d done his best to take care of her every need. During the time she’d been ill, they’d shared several intimate moments together. But they’d spent majority of the time talking and cuddling. His behavior had surprised him because he damn sure wasn’t the cuddling type. Until he’d met her, he’d never even imagined engaging in such sensual behaviors.

Watching romance movies
,
Lord help me. Talk about boring.
He’d even sat his ass on the sofa with her and watched the freaking soap operas, something he’d only done for the sake of making her happy, and just to spend time with her. This damn woman had made a move on his heart, and after breaking up with the snooty Madison, he’d vowed he’d never be vulnerable to a woman again.

As he raked the comb one last time through his hair, he cursed. Sandella had him hooked. He adjusted his collar. And now it was time for him to hook her, brand her, and take things to the next level. He hoped she liked what he’d planned for her this evening.

Yesterday he’d placed an invitation in the mailbox for her to join him in the backyard of the estate for a romantic dinner. As soon as she’d retrieved and read the invitation, she’d found him in the cottage and had run up to him, kissing all over his face as if he were taking her to an upscale expensive restaurant or flying her somewhere like London. She’d been impressed by his willingness to take time to actually print the invite out on the computer, too.

Simple things excited her, not his wealth or lack thereof, and that’s what he liked about her. So often the women he’d dated in the past had wasted no time to jump on the computer to Google him and the history of his family.  And when they’d found out he was the son of a very wealthy attorney, who along with his brother had established Wexler & Wexler Attorneys at Law—a large firm out in Texas with branches in the southern states as well—they’d seemed to become even more interested. One chick even had the nerve to tell him he was stupid for being a Marine when he could go work for his father. As if his father thinking he was stupid wasn’t enough.

His cell buzzed. “Hello,” he answered, before looking at the screen.

“Oh good. You answered,” Madison said.

“How are you, Madison?”

“Good.”

“And Drayton?”

“He’s not doing too well. And that’s why I’m calling. Ever since he met you and knows you’re his father, he keeps crying for you at night. He misses his daddy. Is there any way you can come see him?”

Trying to keep a level head, he suppressed his raging fury with Madison. She’d known all along that Drayton was his, and should’ve never kept this precious boy from him. And now she expected him to just jump into the boy’s life and start playing daddy? While he’d love nothing more than to engage in a fatherly role, he wasn’t about to until she agreed to a paternity test.

“Have you scheduled the paternity test yet?”

“Yes. It’s slated for three weeks from now.”

“Then I’ll see Drayton when I arrive at that time.”

“Would you like to speak with him? He’s right here.”

“I can’t right now. I was just on my way out the door.”

Madison released an agitated breath. “Fine. Good night,” she said, disconnecting the call.

Shit.
He spied the alarm clock to find it was fifteen minutes before eight. After he slid his black trousers over his hips, he stuffed his shirt inside his pants and zipped them. He gave himself a once-over in the mirror, walked through the living room, then stepped outside into the cool evening air. He’d made every attempt to make sure his first time with Sandella was going to be a memorable night for her.

His eyes scanned the landscape of the backyard. The rental company had done a great job setting up for his personal event. Five torches lined both sides of the concrete and blazed with orange fire. And up under the tent were a small circular table and two chairs overlooking the river.
I can’t believe I did all of this. Shit, she may think I’m about to ask her to marry me. Oh hell no, I ain’t whipped. Can’t be. Ain’t even had any pussy yet.

As Braylon stood beside the garage, Sandella’s rattling  car rolled up the driveway. He walked up to the driver’s side and politely opened the door for her. When she slid out of the car and stepped onto the pavement, his heart thudded in his throat. His dick pulsated.  The sight of her stole his breath.

She wore a thin, ivory sweater dress stopping right above her knees. A strand of pearls draped elegantly around her slender neck. Her long hair was pulled back into a tight low bun with curly bangs falling down on both sides of her delicate face. And a light pink gloss painted her kissable lips.

Inhaling the enticing peachy fragrance of her body, he kissed her cheek. “You look stunning, Sandella.”

Her lips curved up into a blinding white smile. “Thank you. You look nice, too.”

“Thanks.”
Maybe I should’ve said hi to Drayton.

Her gaze roved over the backyard. “Oh my goodness.” Both her hands pressed flat to her chest. “Is all of this for me?” She tilted her head back, looking up at him.

“Yes. I wanted to make this night very special for you.” He took her hand. “One that you’ll never forget.”

SANDELLA’S HEART REJOICED
as Braylon escorted her between the blazing fire torches on either side of the concrete. A white tent beside her favorite oak tree sat close to the river. The cool night air fluffed against her face while the gentle wind swirling from the river prickled her scalp.

God, this is so romantic.
No one has ever done anything like this for me before. What did I ever do to deserve this?
She lifted her gaze to the half-moon radiating in the dark evening sky, then turned to look at Braylon. Appreciating his hard efforts, she smiled inwardly.

After they reached the tent, he pulled the chair draped in ivory fabric and tied with a gold tassel out from beneath the table. She smoothed her hands over the material covering her buttocks, taking a seat. Braylon rounded the table and sat across from her.

A red, burning candle sat centered on top of the white tablecloth, but nothing else. He pulled his cell phone from his pants, tapped the screen, then placed it to his ear. “We’re ready.” He hung up.

“Ready for what?”

“Dinner,” he said, sliding the cell back into its clip. 

“You sure know how to make it hard for a girl to resist you, don’t you?”

“Believe it or not, this is my first time putting together something like this.”

“Well, you’ve done a great job, and I’m flattered. This is absolutely beautiful…just beautiful, Braylon.”

“Since I can’t cook, I hired a chef to do the cooking for me,” he admitted.

She tilted her head. “Ahh. You shouldn’t have gone through all the trouble. I would’ve been fine if you just picked up something.”

A tall Caucasian man wearing a white apron appeared in the back doorway of the main house. Carrying a tray in his opened hand, he walked across the lawn then came to stand in front of them. He lowered a covered dish in front of Sandella first, then he sat one in front of Braylon. After putting the circular serving tray to the side, he took both hands and lifted their lids simultaneously.