A SEAL's Seduction (Alpha SEALs Book 4) (11 page)

Kenley abruptly woke up when a car door slammed shut.  Groggily, she remembered Mike had driven her home from the ER.  In the streetlight, she watched Mike as he rounded the front of the SUV to come over and assist her, looking as calm and steady as he had all evening.  He’d tucked his coat around her after she’d fallen asleep, and he looked muscular and fit in a thermal knit Henley top and another pair of khaki cargo pants.  No matter what, Mike always looked like he was ready to roll into action.  He could probably sling some gear over his shoulder and take off on a mission, simple as that.

But where were they right now?  Even in her half-awake state, she could see she wasn’t at her parents’ condo.  Her parents.  She should probably call them, let them know about the accident.  Assure them that she was okay.  But how would she even reach them on a cruise ship?  She didn’t even know their itinerary or port of call.

She sighed.  Once again, they weren’t around.  Of course she was a grown woman now, fully capable of taking care of herself.  But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t mind having them in the same country as her every once in a while.  Was that too much to ask?

Mike quietly opened the passenger door.  “Wake up, sleeping beauty,” he gently teased.

“I’m already awake,” she said, but a smile spread across her face.  “Where are we?  Didn’t we make it back?”

“My place,” Mike said, reaching in to help her get out of the SUV.

“Your place?  You can drop me off at my condo.  I’m fine.”

“Not a chance.”

Kenley raised her eyebrows.

“Hell, sweetheart, if you really don’t want to stay here, I’ll take you over to Lexi’s and Christopher’s.  But you shouldn’t be alone.”

“Mike, they checked me out at the hospital.  I’m fine.”

Mike looked pointedly at her wrist.

“Okay, so not
fine
fine.  But taken care of.  My wrist is in a cast.  It’ll heal.”

“And I’ll feel better knowing I can keep an eye on you tonight.”

“Look, that’s nice of you, but all I want to do is take a long hot shower.  And eat something.”

“Done and done.  And hey, there’s even a huge bathtub you can use if you want.”

Kenley sighed.  She was too tired to argue, and a bath sounded pretty spectacular right now.  But spending the night at Mike’s house?  Even if it was under the premise of him watching over her, that didn’t seem like an option she should entertain at the moment.  She had too many unsettled feelings about him.  Physically she was attracted to him, but the fact that he’d rushed to find her warmed her up in an entirely different way.  It was sweet and protective.  Not sides of Mike that she usually saw.

He slipped an arm around her waist, pulling her to him.  She felt safe tucked against his large frame.  He handed her the purse she’d left in his SUV and then shut the door, guiding her up the steps to his townhouse.  “I’ve never brought a woman here before,” he admitted.

Kenley had to remember how to keep her legs moving.

That was…unexpected.  “Never?”

“Nope.  Just rented it a year ago.  I was getting tired of living with roommates all the damn time.  Sometimes a man needs his own space.”

“But you want to bring me here?”

Mike met her gaze.  “There’s nothing I want more.”  Heat flashed in his eyes, quickly replaced by something else.  Tenderness, perhaps.  He’d been worried about her.  That much was obvious with the way he’d rushed to find her and stayed with her in the ER all night.  Not that Mike or any of the guys would’ve left her alone and stranded in a hospital, but her heart melted a little bit at all the concern he’d shown.

She nodded as Mike opened the front door, not ready to share her own thoughts.  It was surreal enough even being here with him.  Every other time they’d been together they’d argued.   And tonight?  The thought hadn’t even crossed her mind.

They stepped inside, and Kenley unwittingly scanned the room.  His place was sparsely furnished, but clean.  Neat.  For a man used to the regimented life of a Navy SEAL, she supposed it made sense.  Suited him, even.  He probably wasn’t even around that much.  She’d only known him for a few weeks, so she couldn’t say for sure.  But Mike and the rest of the guys probably deployed all the time. Which was exactly why she’d never end up with a man like him.

“The bath’s in the master bathroom,” Mike said, nodding to the stairs.  “I’ll get you some towels and stuff—maybe a change of clothes?”

“Uh, yeah.  Okay.”

“Ladies first,” Mike said, nodding to the stairs.  She didn’t relish the idea of Mike walking behind her, staring at her ass the entire way up, but what was she supposed to do?

She started up the stairs, feeling intrusive as she looked around Mike’s home.  But why should that bother her?  He’d all but barged into her parents’ condo and grabbed her.  Certainly she had a right to look around a place he’d invited her to.

A few framed awards hung on the walls leading up the stairs—mostly military stuff she didn’t even know the meaning of.  Obviously he was proud of his work as a SEAL—as he should be.  Mike and all those guys worked hard to get where they were today.  She didn’t know the entire process to become a SEAL, but she knew it was grueling.  More men failed than made it all the way.

Mike placed a hand on the small of her back, guiding her into his bedroom.  She stilled, suddenly feeling hesitant.  “It’s okay,” Mike said, his voice deep.  “The bathroom’s right over here.”

She walked across the room, Mike never leaving her side.  “Let me grab you some clean towels,” he said as they walked into the spacious master bath.

There was a large soaking tub next to a shower stall, and Mike’s razor and toothbrush sat lined up neatly on the counter top.  He turned on the bathtub for her after grabbing some towels, and steam began to fill the room.

“So do you soak in the tub much?” Kenley asked with a smirk.

Mike glanced back at her and winked.  “Not even once.”  His gaze slid to the cast on her wrist.  “Is that waterproof?”

“No.  I’ll have to just rest it on the side of the tub.”

“Do you need any help?” he asked, his eyes gentling.

“I think I’m okay,” she said, suddenly feeling shy.  She was attracted to Mike, yes, but not once had she imagined them bathing together.  Especially after running off the road and spending an evening in the ER.  And all those times she’d imagined his body moving over hers, commanding her into a pleasured frenzy, she’d been relaxed and content, not frazzled and wearing an ugly cast.

She glanced down at the button-down shirt she’d worn to work today.  They’d rolled up the sleeve to put the cast on her wrist, but would she even be able to slip her arm out over the bulkiness?  It would also be difficult fumbling around with the buttons with only one hand, but what was she supposed to do?  It’s not like she was going to ask Mike to undress her.  She glanced up to find him watching her, and her cheeks flamed.

“Let me help you,” he said, stepping closer.  She looked up to meet his gaze, and he gently cupped her cheek in one hand.  Her heart palpitated in her chest, and she couldn’t resist leaning into his touch.  “I want to take care of you,” he said, his voice gravel.

“Mike….”

“Let me take care of you, Kenley.”

She trembled as one hand slid to her waist, but she didn’t pull away like she had the other night at the beach.  He was so close, she could feel his warmth, smell his scent.  He was wordlessly pulling her toward him again, drawing her in until resistance was futile.  Nothing would stop her from being with him tonight.  She was tired of fighting her feelings, of acting like nothing was there.  They were here, together, and she needed him.  Wanted him.

His grip tightened ever so slightly, and Mike dipped his head lower, holding her gaze. As she held her breath, his lips finally brushed against hers.  His kiss was soft, gentle.  Completely at odds with the hardened warrior and aggressive alpha male that was Mike.  He was taking it slow with her, sensing her needs tonight, and that was all she could ask for.

Mike deepened the kiss as she gasped, all the desire and tension that had been working its way through her finally about to explode to the surface.  Her hands came to his chest, and he gently gripped the fingers of her injured one.  “Are you okay?” he asked between kisses.

“Yes,” she said breathlessly.

“Damn, the bath,” he said, rushing over to turn it off before it reached overflow proportions.  “Guess I got a little distracted,” he said with a crooked grin.

“Just a little,” she agreed.

“You’re the best kind of distraction,” he said quietly as his eyes bore into hers.  They were wide with arousal, and she wasn’t imagining the bulge forming in his pants.  He wanted her.

“Is that so?” she teased, suddenly feeling more confident.

“Uh huh,” he said, taking a step toward her.  “I could let you distract me all night.”

Mike prowled back over until he towered above her, and she tilted her head back to meet his searing gaze.  His hands found the top button of her blouse, gently undoing it as she tried to remember how to breathe.  His eyes heated, and he moved lower and lower, his knuckles occasionally brushing against her bare skin, driving her absolutely out of her mind.  What she wouldn’t give to feel them dragging all over her body.

A moment later, her blouse fell completely open, revealing her to him.  Delicate lace covered her breasts, and she was relieved she’d at least put something nice on today.  She certainly wasn’t expecting for Mike to undress her tonight.  That had literally been the very
last
way she’d expected to end her day.

“You’re so gorgeous, Kenley,” he said.  “Even more beautiful now than at the pool.”

His fingertips gently traced over her collarbone, sending shivers down her spine.  He ducked down, kissing her along the same path his fingers had taken.  His lips and hot breath on her skin was almost more than she could bear.  Her chest heaved with every breath she took, and Mike let out a low rumble of approval.

“You smell so sweet.  Like vanilla,” he murmured.  The scruff of his five o’clock shadow rubbed against her sensitive skin, driving her crazy.  She wanted his kisses, his touch, everywhere.  She needed to feel him rasping against her skin, kissing her, claiming her as his own.

Mike slid her blouse over her bare shoulders, his fingers lightly brushing against her skin, and down her arms, the sleeve catching on her cast.

“I don’t think it’s going to come off,” she said.

“I might have to cut it.”

She nodded; then he left the bathroom and came back a moment later.  After gently removing her shirt, Mike pulled his own up over his head.  His bare chest and torso were amazing, all rippling muscles and tanned, smooth skin.  She’d seen him at the pool but hadn’t wanted to gawk or let him know that she was paying any attention.  But right now?  She wanted to run her hands all over that hot, male flesh, laving attention on him, doing a little exploring of her own.

“I want to see all of you,” he said huskily, stepping closer.  Kenley backed against the door, and suddenly Mike was there, kissing her, pressing his hard body against hers.  Her hands trailed over his abdomen, running across his broad pecs.  She could feel his thick erection rubbing against her belly, and her panties dampened.  She ached for him—needed him inside her, filling her completely, making her whole.

Mike’s hands slid behind her back, undoing the clasp of her bra, and he carefully slid it down her arms, over her cast.  Cool air washed over her breasts, startling even in the steamy bathroom.  Her nipples beaded, and Mike ducked his head down, kissing her around one areola and then sucking a nipple into his greedy mouth.  His tongue flicked back and forth over the sensitive bud, and she cried out, the sensation shooting straight to her core.

She gasped as he palmed her other breast, kneading and caressing her.  His large hands on her skin was driving her absolutely crazy.  She felt small and feminine next to him, delicate compared to his broad shoulders and wall of muscles.  But the way he was so attentive to her?  It would practically be her undoing.

“Mike,” she gasped as his knuckles skimmed across her bare stomach.

He unbuttoned her pants with one hand, easing the zipper down, and reached in, palming her sex.  The way his large hand cupped her was sexy and intimate, not to mention possessive as hell.  His lips found her mouth again, and this time his tongue sought entrance, sweeping inside as he claimed her.  His knuckles ran lightly over her clit, and even through her lace panties, she arched back and gasped at his intimate caress.  “Does that feel good, baby?” he asked huskily, tugging her earlobe between his teeth.

“Yes,” she pleaded.

He chuckled and pulled her pants down, slowly peeling her panties down afterward.  “Are you wet for me?” he asked.

“Yes,” she whimpered as his fingers slid through her soft folds, teasing and exploring.

“Fuck, Kenley,” he moaned.  “Later on I want to taste all that sweet flesh.”

He quickly shucked his own pants and boxer briefs, and she watched his erection spring out.  He was thick and hard and so very ready.  A bead of pre-cum appeared on the swollen head, and she felt a surge of wonder knowing he was that aroused because of her.