Marrying the Marine-epub (15 page)

Her legs were crossed at the knees, her fingers were steepled in her lap, and strands of hair blew across her beautiful face. Being here like this with her made him feel complete.

It’d been weeks now since he’d first bedded her. Yet still, he was just as interested in spending time with her today as he’d been upon first meeting her. He’d never been this way with any other woman. Guess there was a first time for everything. 

Reaching the other side of the river some fifteen minutes later, he steered the boat toward the dock behind a huge white mansion and parked. After he anchored the boat, he stepped onto the dock, then reached for her hand and pulled her to him.

“Where are we?”

“Harbor Island.”

“A lot of rich people live out this way.”

“Yes. You’re right.”

Braylon stepped down onto the flat land. Returning to face her, he extended his arms for her. She hooked an arm around his neck. He captured her into his embrace. “I can walk.”

“I know, but I like holding you.” Carrying her across the wet grass, he pecked her lips, then finally lowered her to her feet.

Colonial columns encircled the back porch of the white two-story building in front of them. A steeply pitched roof irregular shape and covered in textured shingles graced the top. A full-length, asymmetrical porch wrapped around the entire house.

“Wow, this is beautiful.”

His gaze clung to the sign under the oak. He pointed to the sign posted under the tree. “It’s for sale, too.”

“I’ll never own a house like this.”

“Never say never.”

“Working as a caretaker, I think saying never is realistic.”

But if I make you my wife, you wouldn’t have to ever work another day in your life.
“Let’s walk along the boardwalk.” Braylon slipped his hand around hers.

Suddenly, an older gentleman emerged on the rear porch. He waved. “Howdy!” 

Braylon waved in return. “Nice house.”

“I saw you looking at it. Are you interested in buying it?”

“As a matter of fact I am.”

Sandella nudged his side.

“Then why don’t you come and take a look around?”

“Don’t mind if I do.”

Braylon and Sandella walked hand in hand toward the house. “I can’t believe you,” she said through clenched teeth.

“You never know. If the price is right, I may buy this instead of a condo.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

When the kindhearted gentleman, who said his name was Clyde Basil Parker, opened the door, Braylon inhaled the sweet scent of spicy cranberry. “My wife and I were sitting here by the window drinking hot cranberry tea when the two of you came up. We were youngsters just like the two of you when we got married and moved into this house. How long y’all been married?”

“We’re not married,” Sandella said.

The man gave Braylon a look of utter disbelief. With his pants coming up past his navel, he stopped in his tracks. He pulled his glasses from the pocket of his pants that rested higher than his navel, slid the glasses up the bridge of his nose, then pinned Sandella with a scrutinizing stare. “Not marrying a pretty sweet thing like her,” his eyes scrolled over her body, “you must be a risk taker, or just plain old foolish,” he told Braylon. The man snatched off his glasses. “Do you need to borrow these so you can see what I’m talking about?” He let loose a wet sounding laugh.

Braylon chuckled. He draped an arm around her neck. “No thanks, sir. I may be a lot of things, but foolish ain’t one of them. I know I have a good thing.” He squeezed her shoulder for emphasis.

SANDELLA’S CHEEKS BURNED
. Standing in the stranger’s family room she wondered if Braylon was trying to impress the man or if he was serious when he’d implied she was his. Hoping it was the later, she mounted the steps to the top of the staircase. The home she was touring captivated her. It was fit for a princess.

The man handed Braylon a card. “Just call my realtor if you decide you’d like to buy it.”

“Will do. Nice meeting you, Buddy.”

“I think you should buy it for that gal of yours. Oh yeah, rumor has it this house brings couples the best of luck and lots of babies.”

The thought of having lots of babies with Braylon warmed her as they sailed further down the river. Short minutes later, he steered the boat up to a public docking area and parked. If she didn’t know any better, she’d think Braylon had planned the visit to the stranger’s house. But if that were the case, why wouldn’t he have told her? Could it be he was planning to pop the question, marry her, then buy her that house?
Aw shucks,
she was getting in way over her head.

After she warmed their food, they had the pleasure of sitting at the table, devouring pasta smothered in spicy tomato sauce, covered with sharp parmesan cheese.

Braylon tossed their paper plates in the trash. “How about roasted marshmallows for dessert?” he asked, holding up a bag.

Giddy, she clapped her hands in front of her face like a little kid. “Where are we going to roast them?”

“Outdoors. Come.”

Braylon found a nice spot not far from the covered area with picnic tables to enjoy their dessert. Sandella spread a rugged blue blanket on the grass. Free of bugs and humidity, the cool night was perfect for roasting a tasty dessert. She sat.

He reached into the tree above his head for a twig, popped it, then rubbed the halves together starting a fire. “What are you thinking about?”

She bent her legs at the knees and looked up at him. “I’m thinking how talented you are to have started a fire like that.”

“No biggy. Marines are taught many things for survival.”

Smiling, “Well, I’m impressed.”
There’s nothing like a manly man. So strong. So dominating.
And smart.
 

As they sat dangling the melting treats over the fire the sweet aroma permeated her nose. He turned his eyes to capture her gaze, then smiled. She felt herself melting worse than the candy under his drugging trance.

After the marshmallow cooled, he slid it from the stick and fed it to her. Her jaws sucked inwardly as she wrapped her tongue around his finger. Excitement flickered in his eyes. Before she had time to swallow it all the way, he slanted his mouth over hers  and kissed her. As their tongues mated some of the sweet treat slithered from her mouth into his. Groaning, he swallowed it all.

Heat pounded inside her center. Her walls clenched. She wanted him inside her so badly that her entrance ached.

He slid his hand into the top of her dress, pulled out her breast, then plopped the tight nipple in his mouth. “We can’t do it out here,” she protested, looking around to find they were all alone, surrounded in darkness.

“Yes we can. And we are.” He mouthed her swollen flesh.

I don’t think I can resist him
.  Only teenagers did things this risky and inappropriate, she thought, knowing it was only a matter of time before she gave into his strong advances. Unable to stop the madness, she clamped her hands onto his shoulder. Her head lolled backward. Her chest heaved. Her breath came out in short wisps. “What if we get caught?” she asked, her eyes soaking up the sight of the full blue moon.
This man is a beast.

His hands ruffled against her back. “We won’t. Hop on.”

Her gaze fell to his lap to find his bare erection sticking straight up.  She licked her lips then eased over into his lap, putting her back to his chest. While on her knees she hiked up her dress.

With a firm hand on the lower part of her spine, he inserted into her from behind, filling her to the hilt. When she fell down into his lap his shaft seemed to go past her navel. Her stomach felt full.

As she rode him backward he reached around and pinched her nipples. Her whimpering sounds sounded like a small puppy. He felt so good inside her.
I can’t believe I’m doing this.
Circling her hips, she nibbled her bottom lip. She was more certain now than ever that Braylon had her under his spell and there was no turning back, at least not for her.

THE CONSTANT SOUND
of the cell buzzing on the nightstand persuaded Braylon to open his eyes.
What time is it?
The bright red numbers of the alarm clock emblazoned 1:38 a.m. With Sandella spooned up against him, he reached over to answer the phone. “Hello,” he said groggily, his eyes blinking in the darkness.
It better not be Madison.

“They burned down my house!” a woman bellowed in his ears, then followed up with a screeching cry.

Braylon detached Sandella’s hands from his chest and bolted upright. The raspy voice sounded familiar. “Mrs. Jackson. Is that you?”

Sniffling. Crying. “Yes.”

“What happened?”

“Somebody set the house on fire while I was asleep. If it hadn’t been for my neighbor banging on my bedroom window, I would’ve died! I think this has to do with your visit earlier. They’re going to kill me!”

Sandella eased up in bed. “Is everything okay?” she asked, pulling the string on the lamp. The room brightened.

Holding up a finger, Braylon shook his head. “Where are you now?”

“I’m across the street at my neighbor’s house.”

“I’m on my way.” He ended the call, jumped to his feet, shrugged on his shirt, then quickly yanked his jeans over his hips.

A wary expression developed on Sandella’s face. “Where are you going?” she asked, standing.

“A work emergency has come up.”

“This time of night?”

“Detectives are on call twenty-four seven.” There was no doubt in his mind that Theresa Jackson’s home had been purposely set on fire, which meant someone had followed him to her home earlier and had felt the need to silence her...for good.  “Sorry for waking you.”

“You didn’t wake me. I was about to get up to use the bathroom anyway.”

He grabbed his Beretta.
Click. Click.
He slid back the magazine. After counting the ammunition, he slid the heavy piece into the holster looped tightly around his waist. 

Pop! Pop! 
Gunfire crackled the air then shots rained through the window.

His heart caved. “Get down!” He shoved Sandella, causing her to fall to the floor flat on her face with a resounding clunk. He clicked off the light.

“Is that gunfire?” On her hands and knees she scrambled away from the window to the other side of the bed.

“Yes. Stay down.” Using extreme caution, he kept his back pinned to the wall as he made his way to the side of the window. He pushed a small corner of the fabric from the shattered glass of the window to spy outside, and caught the taillights of a car. Screeching tires pierced the air as the car sped off.
Damn, they’re getting away.

“Get dressed and get Royce dressed too,” he demanded, blood boiling in his veins. “Leave the lights off.”

“I’m afraid.” Sandella stood shaking next to the closet.

He wrapped his hands around her shivering body, hoping to calm her. “I know you’re scared, baby,” he quickly pecked her forehead, “but I’m not going to let anyone hurt you.” He could deal with the bastard trying to bring harm to him. But putting Sandella’s and Royce’s lives at stake? They were going to pay for such stupidity.
I’m going to kill the bastard who did this.
He made a promise to himself.
Fucking coward.

“O
h God, Braylon. Why didn’t you tell me this before now?” Sandella sat in the passenger seat of the car stunned that Braylon had reopened her mother’s case.

“I didn’t want you to worry.”

“I appreciate your concern.” She sighed. “This is what my family and I have been praying for.”

He grunted. “I’m going to find the man that killed your mother and put your life in danger tonight.”

“Thanks.” As she caressed the back of his hand, the dark look of anger dulling his eyes worried her.

Now on the other side of town in Beaufort, after descending the bridge, he turned right at the corner.  “Maybe worry is not the right word. I just thought it’d be best if you didn’t know so you could stay focused on running SugarKanes and taking care of Royce.”

“I still wish you’d told me, but I do understand. My dad can never know about this until after the fact. If he knew he’d try to play detective and put himself in danger.”

“The less people who know, including your father, the better.” 

When they reached Theresa’s street, the potent scent of burning wood engulfed her. Taking in the sight of the red and blue lights flashing over the area, she felt the car coming to a slow stop. A cop started toward them, and Braylon reached for his shield.

The middle-aged officer signaled him to roll down his window. He hit the button and the glass lowered. The officer cleared his throat. “There’s been a fire. Turn around and take the alternate route.”

His badge had been there for the officer to see, but apparently he’d overlooked it. “I’m with CID,” he said, bringing the shield up to the man’s eye level.

I can’t believe he’s reinvestigating my mother’s death. Aric, Chandler, and Drew would be so happy if they knew. But I’m not telling them until it’s all over.

Braylon parked on the curb a few houses down from the fire. Lacing her fingers in her lap, Sandella shifted her gaze to the windshield. Theresa emerged from her neighbor’s front door. A few seconds later so did Sandella’s father.

Dread gripped her. “Dear…Lord.”
What’s he doing here?

Braylon was about to get out of the car but stopped short. “What?”

She swallowed the fear. When Theresa pointed toward the Hummer, her father’s head snapped in their direction. “See that man in the wheelchair next to Theresa?”

“Yes. He’s pointing at us.”

Her breathing seemed halted. “That’s my father. I bet he knows.”

“Knows what?”

“That I’m dating a Marine.”
This night just keeps getting uglier.

“It’s going to be fine, Sandella. I’ll handle your father.”

No one handles Kane.

Kane’s resolute gaze was fixed on the Hummer as he wheeled himself toward them. The closer he got, the harder her heart thrummed. He stopped when he reached the driver’s side door. Fire burned in his dark eyes. “Get out so we can talk like two grown men!”