Sand and Sin (8 page)

Before he reached her, she bit her lip and directed a horrified stare at Patrick.

Was the guy hurt? Standing beside his lady, Patrick was probably mid-thirties and a little doughy around the middle, but looking no worse for wear.

Jax lowered his gaze. Patrick’s Speedo swimming trunks were hiked on one hip and nearly falling off the other, leaving his junk dangling. It shouldn’t have been funny, but he gritted his teeth to keep from howling in laughter. The guy had almost drowned.

Jax quickly stepped over, blocking Patrick from a growing crowd. “Ahh buddy, you need some readjustment.”

His woman’s eyes bulged and she let out a shriek.

After he covered himself, Jax patted the man’s shoulder. “Good luck, Patrick.”

He jogged to Peri and guided them down the beach at a rapid clip. He couldn’t risk a glance at her, or he’d double over in hysterics. “Sorry Angel.”

“Sure you are.” She handed him his cell phone. “I called nine-one-one, so we better get out of sight if you don’t want to be on the evening news.” Then she stopped, latched on to his neck and laid a lip-lock on him. “I’m glad you saved him and you’re okay. I was about to get choked up when the angle of his dangle—” She burst into giggles.

His leftover adrenaline and tension vanished in a hoot of laughter. She kept him on the light side of things, and Lord, he needed a woman like her. He wrapped her in his arms.

Her warmth spread through him like the sun.

In all his years, no woman had made him think of a future together with her. It was a little unsettling.

The passion Peri found with Jax would be difficult to replace when he was gone. Would a temporary fix with him be enough? Or would she become an addict needing more? For an addiction, she’d sure picked the hardest to replicate. Love. She studied the glass of dark red Pinot Noir on the table in front of her.

To her right, Jax sipped his whiskey. He’d proven to be a romantic as well as a man who could ring a woman’s bells. She’d lost count during his version of afternoon delight. While she’d lain in a post-orgasmic coma, he must have searched online or through the local beach guide for the elegant restaurant where they dined.

“Thought it was your favorite brand.” His eyes twinkled as he nodded at her wine.

After a long sip, she set her glass down and ran her finger along the rim. “It’s been replaced.”

The subtle glow in his cheeks could have been from the alcohol, or she’d surprised him. Peri hoped the latter.

His broad shoulders fit snugly in the restaurant’s lent sport jacket.

She decided he’d be drop-dead handsome in a tux, but she’d rather see his hot-as-fuck physique in his Navy dress blues.

“I believe I’ve discovered a new favorite brand, too.” He finished his drink and licked his bottom lip. “Trident blonde.”

Heat ignited in her lower belly and flowed south. Her nerve endings remembered the sensual pressure of him inside her while he rained hot kisses over her breasts. Heat flamed her cheeks. “So, has the trip been exciting enough for you? I don’t want you to get bored.”

He chuckled. “It started out as a rescue, but things turned around this afternoon.” He flipped over the small wooden cutting board that was the establishment’s menu. “What did you decide on for dinner?”

The restaurant he’d chosen, The Galleon, had a high-dollar reputation and backed it up with a world-renowned chef and gourmet seafood delicacies. The richly patterned red and black carpeting, dark furnishings, linen tablecloths, and candles didn’t match the replica of a rustic pirate ship serving as the entrance and bar area.

Was Jax used to such fine amenities during his leisure? Or had SEAL training taught him to blend in and seem at ease in any surroundings? “The pepper-crusted tuna. How about you?”

“I’m pretty basic. The prime rib with steamed shrimp.”

With the face of a model, man-of-steel physique, and his ability to provide out-of-body orgasms, he represented the total package. The down side: his career kept him away for large chunks of time. “You just saved someone’s life. You’re beyond basic, Jax.”

He shrugged and displayed a lopsided smile before clasping her hand. “Doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy simple things in life. You know, I really wanted to finish my burger at your place the other night.”

Simple and basic she liked. However, she sensed Jax wasn’t okay with the simple fact he’d been sent back to the States for his injury. Hopefully, his meeting with TJ had helped him put things in perspective again. “Hmm…Speaking of not finishing your burger, you never finished telling me about your visit with TJ this morning?” Would he change the subject again, or had she earned some of his trust?

He drummed his fingers on the table. “The CO of the team here in Little Creek has been checking up on me.”

“Oh. Are you in trouble?” She shifted in her seat.

He let out a long breath. “The opposite. He’s trying to recruit.” He rolled the ice around in his glass and frowned. “TJ had a hand in it.” A storm swirled in his dark gaze.

Peri decided she never wanted to be on the receiving end of that look. “Sorry, I guess he put you in a bad situation.”

“He’s just trying to help my career.” He crunched on a piece of ice.

TJ might want to work with Jax again. SEALS wanted to be among the best and most trusted of their brethren. She laid hand on his arm. “And get you to the East Coast?”

“Possibly.”

“Is he mad you’re taking a trip with a mystery woman and not bromancing with him?” TJ had been in a relationship for a while. She’d even met Amy and didn’t believe TJ would want anything but the best for Jax.

“I won’t say what he said because it was crude. But no, he’s happy I’m enjoying my time here and on the mend.” He took her hand and caressed her fingers with gentle lips. His kiss reminded her how caring he could be. Warrior one second, lover the next.

The contrast drove her to naughtiness. She leaned toward him, reached under the table, and ran her fingers along the hard length of his thigh. “Good to know. And you did look in prime form during your rescue.”

“I still enjoy your kind of physical therapy, Angel.”

She loved hearing those words. “Whatever you need, sailor.”

* * * *

He’d forgotten about his injury while swimming out to save Patrick. Why hadn’t the Navy just released him to his team? Now, instead of a friendly visit with an old friend, he’d begun an affair he couldn’t end without hurting the sexy woman who’d taken him home like a stray.

After dinner, Peri suggested they visit Jeannette’s Pier. Jax gazed over the railing at the ocean, wishing he hadn’t mentioned his disagreement with TJ. He and Peri were friendly and she’d continue to see his friend at the Trident after he left. Looking back, he should have waited for a flight home. He’d have avoided TJ’s commanding officer and the woman making his compass spin like he was in the Bermuda Triangle.

Her light hair contrasted against her little black dress. He’d begged her to forgo the silky panties, but she wouldn’t be pushed to the extreme yet.

“Do you fish?” Jeannette’s Pier reminded him of the smaller piers in California. During his quick study of the Outer Banks during Peri’s nap, he learned it was the only concrete fishing pier on the long chain barrier islands.

“I like to troll.” She bumped her hip against his.

Oh, yeah. She’d hooked him with her wide, dreamy eyes, and then reeled him in with her wit.

A beautiful woman he could stand toe-to-toe with. He clasped her shoulder. “You feeling a tug on your line?”

She softened against him.

“I’m sure it’s a strike, but he’s a smart one. He’ll snag the bait off my line and be lost into the deep before I can reel him in.” She let out a long breath and twirled a curl in her fingers.

“Cast a net and confuse him.”

“Looks like some others might be doing that for me.” She rolled her lips into a sad smile. “Are you going to tell TJ about us?”

Jax drew his head back indignantly. “Angel, I’d never out you. And I know you’re only seeing me because I’m not a regular at the Trident.”

“It’s not the only reason, Chief, and you know it.” She slid her arms around his waist.

One of the older fishermen whistled. “That’s some catch, son.”

“Yes, sir. She’s definitely citation.” In fisherman’s lingo, a beauty of a fish and one you’d get a certificate for reeling in.

The angler laughed and flung his line out into the water again.

Jax tipped her chin with a finger. Pressed his lips to hers. Their slight tremble excited him. The chatter and noise around them faded. Lost in the sensation of her pliant lips and sweet wine taste, he forgot about his injury, his team, and even his future.

After a walk along the pier, they wandered inside to a gift shop. Peri searched the racks for a T-shirt for Haley while he lingered at the ceiling-to-floor aquarium. A large striped angelfish of blue and yellow trailed behind a small school of orange and white clown fish. Not of the local region’s habitat, but they made for a colorful display.

With purchase in hand, Peri stepped next to him and tucked her arm in his.

He liked her claiming gesture and tugged her closer. “Which is your favorite?”

“I like to watch stingrays, but they are only at the main aquarium in Manteo. You can dive with the sharks there.” She shot him a daring look with a raised brow.

“Oh yeah? Would you join me?” He’d love to teach her how.

“You have to be certified to sixty feet.”

He laughed. “Only sixty?”

“Yes, most of us on the planet are mere mortals, SEAL boy.”

“SEAL man.”

“More like SEAL crazy.” She poked his ribs.

He pinned her with a naughty stare. “You’ll regret that.”

In a sugary tone, she drawled, “Oh, I hope so.”

* * * *

Jax drove the beach road for home while Peri seemed lost in the passing scenery.

Her dress hitched higher as she reclined the seat, revealing her tanned thighs.

He was such a horn dog, but after months in a sand box with barely a magazine for inspiration, his imagination had run as dry as the climate. After reaching over the console, he caught the slinky black material and waited for her reaction.

“A pre-show?” A corner of her pink-glossed lips angled up.

“Black is sexy and so are y—”

She hooked her thumbs at the strings of her silky panties and slid them down to her ankles while tauntingly licking her lips.

Lucky for him, the next light changed to red.

Slowly, she inched a finger into her slickness. Her bare pussy glistened with moisture as she started making slow circles, spreading her legs for him to have a view of her clit.

He gripped the wheel tighter, trying to ignore blue balls in his pants.

Next, she slipped the spaghetti straps of her dress down her arms. The swell of her breasts spilled over the top.

Knowing those sweet nipples waited for him made his mouth water. He had considerable driving skills, but would they be enough to maintain control with her in his lap?

“Your turn.” She giggled when the light flicked to green.

“Huh?”

After unbuckling her seatbelt, she knelt on the seat and raised the center console that doubled as an armrest. With a flick of her wrist, she unbuttoned his slacks, and drew down the zipper.

He’d gone commando like he’d wanted her to. His shaft sprang free. “Jesus, baby, don’t make me wreck the rental.”

“You’re a multitasker. I’m sure you can manage.” She grasped his eager dick and began to stroke. Control shifted into the capable hands of Peri, a wildcat bartender. She leaned closer and circled her tongue over his tip, then licked her lips.

It made him insane with need. Good God. The visual made it difficult to focus on the road. Only sheer will kept his foot on the gas. He levered his seat to the furthest position from the wheel, giving her more room, loving her brand of torture.

Her wicked smile shot heat to his balls, making him wonder about her next trick. He didn’t have to wait long.

Her warm lips surrounded him. Sank to the root of his cock.

He flexed his hips, instinctively pushing a deep as possible.

The hot, wet suction of her mouth gripped him without mercy.

When she swallowed, the contraction had him gritting his teeth to stave his release.

Blond curls bobbed over his lap as she pumped faster.

Jax set the cruise control just below the thirty-five miles per hour speed limit. He poised both feet at the brake pedal and let his thighs fall open.

“Slow. Angel.” While he controlled the wheel, his free hand curved over her back and down her ass and smoothed along the seam of her sweet pussy. “So wet.”

Her moan vibrated around his shaft. He rocked against the erotic sensation that drove him deeper into her tight mouth. Heat suffused him in pleasure. He’d had a hand job while driving, but being blown behind the wheel had been a longtime fantasy.

Air rushed through the open windows, chilling his dick, making the moist descent of her mouth even hotter. The truck’s radial tires echoed on the lonely pavement.

Like siting through the scope of his rifle on a target, maintaining complete concentration, this was no different. The road became a target and his cock his gun. Her mouth was the trigger, so sensitive, yet it wielded all the power.

His vision narrowed. His heart rate dropped and he claimed the wheel with both hands.

She stroked him with her exquisite tongue searing his engorged head. The act sent shivers down his spine. Only blocks away from the house, he managed to signal and braked for the turn.

She began to hum.

He clenched his ass as the truck rolled for the driveway, speared deep in her throat and let go. Hot cum erupted in bursts as she drank him dry. He hit the brake at the last second.

After he floated back to earth, he tugged her head from his lap and crushed her mouth against his. “Get ready, Angel.”

Peri couldn’t believe her brazen act, but damn if she wasn’t proud.

From the pale color of his face, she must have shocked him as well. Good thing he had excellent control and driving skills, or they’d be front-page news and not in a good way.