Attached (Coronado Series Book 3) (22 page)

“You have to make it special,” Max said, “because they want a good story. Take your time and think of something really good.”

He looked at Max with his eyebrows raised. “You proposed in the middle of a department store on a Saturday afternoon. I’m not taking advice from you.”

“I had to work with what I had. I proposed at Neiman Marcus, which is Rory’s happy place. I wanted to ask her before we found out if she was pregnant. It all worked out, because she loves telling people that I proposed next to the Chanel table….it makes her very happy. That’s all that counts.”

“I guess I have to figure out Cary’s happy place and then go from there.”

Mark nodded. “Do what you have to, man. It’s all worth it.”

They were interrupted by David and Chris as they came up to the storage pod. “Let’s get this done, move out of the way.” Chris said.

Cary stood at the front door and directed the guys. All the boxes were labeled, which made the job go quickly. She watched as Travis and Chris brought in the bed and smiled as they made their way upstairs. It took no time at all for the men to get everything inside the house.

Cary went into the kitchen and started pulling out drinks as Travis and Chris walked in. Travis grabbed a water and handed one to Chris. “We’re done unloading everything. This was an easy move because you had everything organized.”

All the guys came in and started washing their hands. “Thank you for helping me everyone,” Cary said.

Travis spoke up. “Yeah, we appreciate the help, guys.”
 

Cary looked around her new home and the people who had gathered to help her move in. It was overwhelming. She’d spent most of her life alone, and having all of these people in her life made her feel like she was part of a family. She looked over at the man who was responsible for all of this and knew she’d chosen a good man to fall in love with.
 

********

They stood together at the foot of the bed and regarded the king-size bedframe that Travis and David had just finished putting together. Cary held on to Travis’s hand. “I guess, I hoped for a tall man. This bed had the option of a footboard, and I decided not to get it. I must have had some idea that I was going to fall for a big man.”

“So you’ve fallen for me?”

“I have…completely. It seems that I like you a lot more than I originally planned.”

“I love you, Cary Simmons. I wasn’t looking for you, but I’m sure glad I found you. I’ve fallen in love with you, and I would like the chance to make you happy.” He saw a tear fall down her face right before she buried her face in his chest. He encircled her in his arms and leaned his head against the top of hers. “I’ll make sure that our adventures never end, and I’ll let you know you are loved every day for the rest of our lives.”

She took a step back and stared at him. “I love you Travis. I’m not sure how it happened, but you broke down every defense I had. You have my heart, and I want you to be careful with it.”

“I promise to take good care of you and your heart.”

“That’s all I ask. Let’s go and try out the tub.”

He watched her turn around and walk toward the bathroom, leaving a trail of clothes behind her. He got rid of all his clothes in less than a minute. He stalked after her like a lion as he took two big steps and caught her up in his arms. He felt her laughter against his chest as she held on to his shoulders and they made their way into the bathroom. After her laughter died down, he felt her mouth run against his neck, and the effect on his body was instant. He released her and set her down slowly. “Let’s see if we can get at each other in this tub.”

She laughed as she turned on the water, and opened a bottle of bubble bath. “I think seeing my big bad spec ops boyfriend in a bubble bath is going to fun.” Putting her hand on his face, she felt the stubble beneath her fingers as she traced the lines on his face. Standing on tippy toes, she kissed his mouth gently, slowly and thoroughly. She threaded her fingers through his hair as their eyes met and felt his fingers stroke her gently. Her hips pushed against them as she tried to relieve the pressure that was starting to build and he slowly let his fingers slip inside. She let her hand play over his hard flesh as she squeezed and stroked him and felt his hips push against her fingers. “Let’s get in the tub and see if we can figure out how to christen this room.”

He stepped into the tub and held his hand out to help her in. He sat down slowly in the water and held her hand and she lowered herself on top of him. “I like your direct approach,” he said.

“I missed you.” She looped her arms around his shoulders as she slowly lifted herself and then slid back down on him. Like a good soldier, he was ready and waiting and standing at attention. She lifted herself slowly and lowered herself again and felt like the queen of the world. He filled her completely, physically and emotionally. She lowered her mouth and kissed his lips as she proceeded to pleasure both of them.

Travis held on to her hips and helped her move up and down as he felt her tight welcome. He knew her slow strokes were going to drive him to madness, but this was her show, and he needed to let her set the pace.
 

Their eyes met as he started to thrust his hips hard against her. As she started to come apart, he moved into her harder and deeper, keeping her on some delicate balance between pleasure and pain. The climax lasted forever as the entire world fell away. When she thought she couldn’t take any more, he swelled inside her and, with a shout, erupted into orgasm, jetting fiercely into her depths. She collapsed against him and he wrapped her up in his arms as he tried to make their bodies’ one.
 

“I think this tub was a good idea,” he said.

She laughed and continued to lie against him. “I agree.”

They finally got up and moved into the shower to rinse off. Travis looked down at the woman who’d stolen his heart and smiled. “I’m glad we both fit in here, because this will be the next spot we try.”

Slipping out of the shower and grabbing a towel, she studied him. “I imagine that you’re going to say that about a lot of places in this house.”
 

She finished drying off, hung up the towel and walked out of the room naked. Travis watched her leave and quickly got out, so he could join her.

They lay together in their new bed as their limbs entwined. “I love you, Cary.”
 

She lifted herself up for a moment and looked at him. “I love you, Travis.” She felt him pull her against his chest, and he wrapped his arm around her and made sure they were flush against one another. “Is this how you want to sleep together,” she asked.

“Absolutely. This is one of the best things about being together. We get to sleep this way together for the rest of our lives. I can’t seem to sleep if we’re not together. I didn’t sleep when I was in the UAE and I’m glad to be home with you.”

She ran her hand down his face. “Go to sleep, because I’m not going anywhere.”

“Good night, sweetheart.” He felt her breath even out, and she was asleep almost instantly. He felt himself being pulled under by exhaustion and his last thought was that he was the luckiest son of bitch in the world.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Travis woke up suddenly and alone and looked around the room as he tried to figure out where he was. He lay back down once he remembered that he was home and Cary had told him that she loved him. He got up and heard some noise from the kitchen and realized that she must be unpacking. He pulled on his shorts and took a couple of minutes in the bathroom to brush his teeth. He looked over at the tub and remembered how much fun they had last night and was grateful to be the recipient of Cary’s new-found interest in trying new things. She was like a kid in a candy store, and he seemed to be her favorite treat. He wanted to make sure that he was the only one to satisfy her cravings. It was his duty and privilege to make sure that all of her desires were satisfied.
 

He made his way downstairs, walked into the kitchen and enjoyed the view of his pretty girlfriend in her shorts and tank top. She looked damned sexy as she unwrapped dishes and set them on the counter. She looked up, and his breath caught when he saw her big smile. “Good morning, sweetheart,” he said. He leaned over and let his mouth press against hers. She responded by putting her hand on his behind as she kissed him back. “I knew you liked my ass.”

“I do like it.” She kissed him quickly and then stepped back to get him a cup of coffee. “I found the coffee maker in the fifth box I opened. I’m going to unpack the kitchen and the bedroom today. What are you doing?”

“Whatever you want me to do. I’m taking the rest of the week off and helping you get the house together.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Wow, I’ m the luckiest girl in the world. My boyfriend is a sex machine, good-looking and handy. I won the boyfriend lottery.”

“I’m also in love with you.”

“Since I’m in love with you too, I’m going to make you breakfast. Actually, all I’m going to do is toast you a bagel, because that’s all we have. We have to go to the grocery store today.”

“Let’s make sure to clean out the fridge at my condo and bring it here.”

“I cleaned it out already. All that’s left are some condiments.”
 

Travis ate his bagel and admired her as she bent over and pulled dishes out of the box. It gave him a couple of ideas for later on. “What do you want me to do first?”

“I think we need curtains, so if you would put up the curtain rods, I would appreciate it. I have a tool box around her somewhere. Give me a second and I’ll find it.”

He kissed her quickly and squeezed her hand, “I’ll just get the one out of my truck.”

“You have one in your truck? What else do you have in there?”

“Just a couple of things, in case of emergency.” He gave her a bland smile and hoped like hell she never asked him exactly what he had in his truck. It wasn’t something that she was likely to understand. He had a M9 pistol with five magazines, body armor with a PASGT helmet, MRE’s, five gallons of water, a GPS receiver, night vision goggles and a tablet with SATCOM transmitters. He also liked to keep a little C4 in the false bottom of his tool kit. He knew how to blow things up and believed in the SEAL philosophy that there were few problems that couldn’t be solved with the right explosive. There were a few other things, but those were the basics that he always kept on hand. “I’ll go grab my tool kit and start on the curtain rods.”

She smiled at him as he walked away and wondered what he kept in his truck. Shaking her head she turned to her boxes and got back to work.

********

Cary pulled out of her driveway and noticed that Travis was looking around. “Are you going to be a bad passenger?”

“No. Why would you ask that?”

“Because your head is swiveling around like it’s going to be disconnected from your head. I’m guessing that giving up control and letting me drive to the market is going to be a little tough for you.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Stick to your story, but I can see the perspiration on your forehead. Let’s think of this as therapy….a way for you to get over your control issues. Actually this is a really effective trust exercise. We may need to drive across the country before we see some positive results, though.”

“I trust you.”

“Just keep repeating that to yourself until you believe it or the enamel on your teeth gives way. I can see your jaw clamping down hard.”

“When did you become such an observant person?”

“Since I started teaching. You keep forgetting that I taught middle school for several years, and there’s very little that gets past me. I just don’t always comment on it, but don’t mistake my silence for lack of attention.” She drove down the street toward the market and turned on the radio, and her car was instantly filled with the sounds of Sam Hunt. She looked over at Travis and noticed that he was looking out the window, and his shoulders were stiff as if he was doing the best he could to remain still. Well, at least it was a start.
 

Travis sat in silence and willed his body to relax. He knew that Cary was a good driver and he had no reason to be worried. He just liked driving. It felt as if he should be the one to take care of her and not the other way around. They pulled into the parking lot, and Cary found a spot, turned off the car, turned to him and smiled.

“See…that wasn’t so bad. We made it here in one piece, and you’re still alive. I appreciate you letting me drive. I could see that it was a real struggle for you.” She leaned over and pressed her mouth against his. “You can drive home.”

He put his big hand on the back of her head, pulled her in and deepened the kiss. He let her go and rested his head against hers. “Love you, baby. I’ve felt this way for a while, and I’m damn happy that I don’t have to keep quiet about it anymore.”

“I love you, too. Just don’t think that you’re going to get your way all the time. I’ll be driving us around every now and then. I think it will provide you the opportunity to grow as a person and prepare you for when we have kids.” She got out of the car and was opening the back to get her bags out when she felt herself lifted off the ground. Travis wrapped his arms around her and twirled her around and gave her a big, happy smile.