Nobody's Hero (51 page)

“Release my arm, Karla. Now.”

She didn’t remove her lips from his throbbing
dick right away, but met his gaze and smiled in the most seductive
way before she hand-fisted him as her mouth let go of him with a
plop. “Yes, Master. I’ll be happy to help you find release.”

“You’re not going to be able to sit for the
drive to Denver when my belt gets finished with your ass.”

She sobered at the mention of his belt. Good.
If she’d release him now, he’d go easy on her.

“No buckles, Sir.”

Damn you, woman!
“You won’t be in a
position to determine which end I use on you, kitten.” Of course,
he’d never use the buckle on her delicate skin. And would only use
enough force to make her bottom pink—maybe add a few temporary
stripes. But she didn’t need to know that. Maybe fear of the buckle
would finally get her to obey him.

Hardly. She tilted her chin up in a
delightful show of defiance. “I’ll take that chance. I’ve missed
you too much, Sir.” Her hand tightened around his shaft as she
stroked the length of him.

Oh, hell. Who was he kidding?
How
could he deny her what they both wanted? Maybe if he didn’t go in
for the rough stuff, he wouldn’t hurt the baby. It was still so
tiny at this point and he had months to go before he’d have to
swear off sex with his little tiger. But, restrained or not, he was
still her Dom.

“Straddle me, kitten.”

She grinned. “I thought you’d never ask,
Sir.”

With his free hand, he reached up to help her
mount him.

Karla parted her skirt, giving him a
tantalizing glimpse of her creamy-white mound, and lowered herself
onto his rod. As her tight, wet warmth enveloped him, inch by
slippery inch, he realized with Karla he’d never know what to
expect. Life would no longer be dull and predictable, as it had
been until she’d shown up on the stage at his club. Thank God.
She’d brought him back to life.

He may not know up from down—or top from
bottom, he thought, as he gripped the veil tying his wrist to her
rack—but with Karla at his side loving him, as long as he lived,
he’d know he loved her, and would make sure she knew it, too.

Now and forever.

* * *

Karla looked down at Adam, smiling up at her.
For the first time since she’d stood in her apartment in New York
and made up her mind to find Adam, she was at peace. Her world
without Ian in it had righted itself. If they had a boy, she was
certain Adam would agree to name him Ian.

Adam’s hips bucked up and she smiled,
realizing she’d lost her focus for a minute, but he commanded her
attention once more. She seated herself on him fully, the bangles
on her bra shimmying as she pumped up and down on his penis. So
full. But something was missing. She needed…

“Remove the bra.”

Her clit zinged. Oh, yes, she needed Adam to
control her again. Succeeding at tying him to the bed was
exhilarating and she loved the sense of power, but the sex wouldn’t
be nearly as powerful as when he was in charge. She reached both
hands behind her and released the hooks and slid the beaded garment
off. Her breasts felt swollen, bigger than they’d been just a month
ago. She enjoyed the size, but they were so damned tender now. The
thought of his putting nipple clamps on her would probably send her
howling like a cat in heat.

With his free hand, he reached up and pinched
her nipple. The exquisite pain sent another zing to her clit. Or
maybe not. Karla reached up and pulled on the loose knot in the
veil until she’d released his wrist. Adam wasted no time reversing
their positions, although she could tell he was holding back as he
thrust his penis inside her, pulled back, then entered her
again.

More. Why didn’t he take her the way he
had before?
“Harder, Master.” She reached up and pulled his
hair, hoping he’d know she needed that, too.

He stopped and looked conflicted for a
moment, but when she thrust her hips up at him, he took her hair in
his fist and pulled her head back, then plunged his tongue into her
open mouth.
Yes!
This was what she needed. Her Adam.

He pulled his mouth and penis from her at the
same time and cupped her breast as he slid down her body to suckle
on her ultra-sensitive nipple and nipping her areola. “Oh, God,
yes! Don’t stop!” Her hands gripped the sides of his head, holding
him in place.

He growled and removed his mouth. “Hands
above your head.”

She obeyed and he trailed tiny bites and
kisses along her abdomen, where he stopped for a moment and placed
a reverent kiss over her lower abdomen, before he continued his
carnal exploration. She opened for him as he reached her mons, no
longer worried he might not like kissing her pussy. She needed his
lips and tongue on her. She needed release.

His thumbs spread open her cleft and his
tongue teased the sides and top of her hood, carefully avoiding her
clit, even when she thrust her hips upward.

“Lie still.”

His command elicited a groan from her, but
she grabbed onto the pillow above her and held on, willing her hips
to remain still, too. Easier said than done. She needed to move.
She needed him moving inside her.

“Take me, Master! Now!

He stopped and she looked down to find him
scowling at her. “I’m on top now, kitten. Don’t forget your place
again.”

Ka-thunk
.

“No, Sir. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be a
bad li’l kitten.” She stuck her lower lip out.

He groaned and abandoned her pussy to stretch
out over her again. “Brace yourself, kitten.”

She held onto the pillow in an iron grip and
he rammed himself into her to the hilt. “Oh, God! Thank you, Sir!”
Again and again, he battered against her pubic bone. She knew she’d
have bruises tomorrow, but didn’t care. She wanted him to take her
and take her roughly. The way they both loved it.

His finger slid between their bodies and
stroked her erect clit. “Come with me, li’l kitten.”

“Yes, Master…oh, yes, Adam!”

Always.

Karla leaned over the banister and saw
several Marines in dress blues, their headgear and gloves tucked
under their arms chatting with Rosa, Teresa, and José. Marc’s foyer
and downstairs was filled to capacity with all those who loved her
and Adam.

Her parents stood nearby talking with Adam’s
mother, and Patrick and Megan Gallagher. She was so happy everyone
had hit it off when they’d gone out to dinner last night. Karla
really liked the Gallaghers and hoped Adam would get a chance to
get to know them better. Daddy looked up and winked at her and she
smiled back. She hadn’t really prepared anyone for what to expect
today, least of all Adam.

She heard the guitar intro of “Your Guardian
Angel” playing, knowing it wouldn’t be long now. They had been
guardians for each other and would continue to do so for the rest
of their lives. Only now they’d have a baby to guard over together,
too. Her hand rested on the sheer fabric covering her lower
abdomen. Unbelievable.

She stepped away from the railing, knowing
that was the second-to-last song on her playlist before she would
go down the stairway and become a part of Adam’s life forever. The
last two weeks had been like a dream and a nightmare combined as
she’d made the whirlwind arrangements for this day that would join
her and Adam together for the rest of their lives.

Don’t puke, Kitty.

Her mom said the nausea had only lasted until
about the third month for both of her pregnancies. That meant she
wasn't even halfway there, but couldn't wait until she could start
enjoying the “glow” and natural high pregnant women were supposed
to experience. Her mom said she’d noticed the glow at the
Thanksgiving table, but Karla couldn’t imagine what she’d been
looking at. Glowing didn’t describe what she’d been feeling that
day.

So far, so good today, though. She’d thrown
up first thing this morning, as usual, but had kept her
yogurt-slathered pancakes down and was now looking forward to
enjoying all the great-smelling food Angie had prepared for the
reception.
And the cake! Oh my God!
While Angie wasn’t a
pastry chef, she had a friend from school who was and he’d made the
most beautiful three-tiered wedding cake for them.

Everything had come together so perfectly,
considering the short a notice they’d given everyone. She turned to
Cassie, dressed in a white Peruvian lace blouse and peasant skirt,
red ribbons streaming from her beautiful brown hair. “You’re sure
about this, Kitty?”

Cassie had arrived last night, too, and
they’d stayed up half the night talking, most of the time with
Karla trying to convince Cassie that Adam was right for her. “Oh,
Cassie, I hope you’ll get to know him better. I’ve never known
anyone better suited for me than Adam. I love him with all my
heart.” Karla stroked her friend’s soft cheek. “I hope you’ll find
your Adam someday, too.”

“I’m not looking for a man. I’m happiest when
I’m alone, up at my cabin.”

Oh, Cassie, I miss all the fun we had in
those early years back in college.
But that Cassie was dead.
She loved her friend, no matter what, and was so happy she’d be
here as her maid of honor today.

Cassie adjusted the Karla’s red rhinestone
necklace. “Wait till he sees you, Kitty. He won’t be able to keep
his eyes off you. You’re sure he’ll be okay with this?”

Karla grinned. “He might as well get used to
it, Cass. He isn’t getting a traditional wife.”

Angie laughed as she came up beside them.
“Keep them on their toes, ladies. It’s what they want secretly.”
She also wore a white peasant skirt and blouse. Karla hadn’t wanted
either of them to go to the expense of buying outfits they may not
wear again and when she realized both had the peasant blouses and
skirts, she thought that would look just fine. Angie’s long tresses
were bound in a hair corset Marc had fashioned for her this
morning. He’d used red ribbon that matched that in Cassie’s hair.
Of course, Cassie wouldn’t let him near her, so she’d left hers
down. But they both were beautiful just as they were.

Angie laughed. “He’ll never be the same—thank
God—but he doesn’t seem to mind a bit that you’ve turned his world
upside down in such a short time. Marc said you’re what’s been
missing from his life for a very long time.” She gave Karla a quick
peck on the cheek. “So, do you want me to call your escorts
upstairs now?”

“I’m ready.” Karla had never been more ready
for anything in her life.

“But first, thanks again Angie, for the
incredible food you prepared. If I lived to be a hundred, I’ll
never be able to cook like you do.”

Angie smiled and hugged her again. “Tell you
what. I’ll leave the singing to you and you can leave the cooking
to me. Now, I’d better get them before Adam wears a hole in Marc’s
hard-wood floors.”

Minutes later, Angie led Karla’s four
uniformed escorts up the stairs. Each was dressed in formal
military attire—Marc, Damián, Grant, and a fourth she didn’t know
but had needed for balance. He wore his sword, so he must be an
active-duty officer. She’s learned a lot about military weddings
lately and had tried to incorporate as many of those traditions
into their day as possible.

Damián looked so handsome in his uniform with
his swarthy good looks. She was so happy he’d been able to fly his
entire family out here, with some flight booking help from her
father. Of course, he’d ridden his Harley. But Karla knew she
wouldn’t have gone through with the wedding without Adam’s adopted
son by his side. She’d have just postponed it, not that Adam would
have been very happy about that. He’d refused to give in on their
biggest disagreement since they’d returned from Chicago. No sex
until after they were married. He’d become an old-fashioned
spoilsport all of a sudden. But she knew he was as ready as she
was.

Adam had contacted some of his buddies from
his twenty-five years of service, including some who had served
under him in Afghanistan and Iraq. She'd been pleased that the
Richardsons, the couple they'd stayed with at Camp Pendleton last
month, were able to attend. She had no idea how the word had spread
so quickly among them but, judging by all the men and women in
uniform she’d glimpsed downstairs, she knew Adam must be surprised
and pleased that so many active-duty members had made the trip.
Some had only arrived home from duty in recent days, she’d learned
from Marc. Such a fitting tribute to the love and respect they had
for the man who gave so much of his life to the Corps and to
serving his country. Her chest swelled with pride at the thought
that she was about to become his wife.

Next up, Marc, dressed in his Navy blues. He
also was a Marine, of course, having served on the ground in Iraq
with one of Adam’s units. He marched over to her and bent to kiss
her on both cheeks in his old-world Italian style. When he stood up
and looked down at her, he grinned. “That man isn’t going to know
what hit him. But I, for one, sure am happy you finally knocked
some sense into him, Karla.”

She smiled up at him. “You’ve been my
champion ever since he was in the hospital, Marc. Thank you—for
everything.”

“You deserve all the thanks. I love that man
like a brother,” his voice choked and Karla felt tears form in her
eyes as she remember the tattoo on Adam’s back memorializing Marc’s
brother, Gino. Marc stepped back and Damián stepped up to give her
a peck on the cheek. His swarthy face looked so handsome and he,
too, filled out his uniform quite nicely.

“Dad’s pacing like a caged panther down
there, you know. I’m just glad it was you who captured his
heart.”

Karla gave him a hug and kissed him on the
cheek. “I’m so glad he has you, too, Damián. You’ll always be his
special son. And I know you’ll be an awesome big brother to our
baby.”