The Navy's Ghost (Bad Boys of Beta Squad) (31 page)

To avoid their
gazes, he dug out the ring box burning a hole in his jeans pocket for hours. When Magic had given it to him, he’d taken it out and stared at it, admiring the three bands of gold woven together. Several hours had passed before he’d realized the bands represented all three of them since the fateful day when he and Magic lamented over having a woman in BUD/S training. None of them had known what it meant at the time. Now he understood.

Jim cleared his throat and opened the box. “Do you t
hink you could, um, put this on my finger for me?” He handed it to Chris.

She launched herself out of the bed into his arms. He dropped the box in an effort to catch her, hoping he wouldn’t pull out her IV. Magic caught the little ring box and winked as
she squeezed Jim, her soft breasts filling his chest with warmth. God, he’d wanted this for so long. His eyes filled with tears and his throat closed up, but he refused to let them fall as he held her.

“I love you, Jim. So much.”

“I love you, too, Christiana. Thank you for being so patient with me.”

She pulled back to look at him with a dry smirk. “I’m a SEAL. I can outwait anyone.”
She leaned forward and brushed her lips against his.

Sweet God in h
eaven!
Her taste shot straight to his head like hard liquor and he damn near passed out from the ecstasy. She was everything he’d fantasized about, and yet the reality overshot his inferior imagination. When she opened her mouth for his tongue, he swore his cock hardened to granite and bliss surged through his mind, making him see stars.

He revel
ed in her closeness and the feel of her tongue sliding on his, but he didn’t want anyone else to see them together like this. It was just for him and Magic. No one else would understand and he’d be damned before he explained it to anyone, even the other members of the squad.

“Let’s get you back into the
bed so the docs can release you,” he said with regret. “Then I’ll cash in on more of those kisses.”

“I want more of them now.” She sounded petulant, but her eyes sparkled with mischief.

“I know, but I’m not really ready to show everyone our commitment yet.” He grimaced. “It’s none of their business and I’m still working through it all.”

“What about the ring, then?” Magic held up the box. “
It’s gonna be mighty obvious to everyone what it means.”

“Yeah, they’ll know something’s up, but then they’ll have to ask, won’t they?” Retro grinned darkly. “You know many people who’d be willing to do that?”

Magic laughed and handed the box to Chris. “Not even I’d brave it.”

Chris took the box and pulled out the pretty ring. “May I have your left hand, Jim?”

Jim’s heart pounded in his chest as he extended his arm. She grasped his palm and slid the ring over the knuckles of his ring finger as she met his gaze.

“With this ring, I give you my solemn promise to love, cherish, defend, and protect you with all I am and all I have. You are the other part of my soul, my strength when I’m weak, my knight in battle armor
, the vault who holds my dreams, and the safe harbor my heart returns to. I hold these vows sacred, as sacred as I hold my love for you.”

Jim’s throat closed again and one rogue tear slid out of his left eye. He refused to acknowledge it. Those had been the vows she’d said to Magic at their wedding and he’d wanted to hear them said to him more than he’d wanted his next breath. Now he had to clear his throat twice before he could repeat them back to her.

When they kissed, he swore he heard someone say, “I now pronounce you husband and wife”, but it must have been some other announcement on the PA system outside Chris’s room. Before they could say anything more, a nurse bustled in and gave them narrow looks as she announced she needed to take Chris’s vitals.

“When will she be released?” Magic asked.

“It’s up to the doctor. Everything has looked good, but he’ll have the final say.” She got out the blood pressure cuff. “I’m sure it will be soon.” Her tone suggested now would be a good time to leave.

Jim squeezed Chris’s hand. “I’m gonna see about getting some food. You want me to bring you anything?”

“Pizza.” Chris grinned at the censuring look from the nurse.

“Done. We’ll see you in a bit.”
He gestured to Magic. “You wanna join me?”

“Yeah.” Magic leaned over Chris and kissed her, stirring Jim’s cock again. Why was it so sexy to see the two people he loved expressing it? “I’ll see you soon. Just rest. You’re gonna need it.” Then he winked.

Hell yeah, she’s gonna need it. We’re gonna love her until she can’t walk.
The idea made him grin like a cat with a belly full of canary.

****

Todd followed Jim from Chris’s room and they headed out of the hospital in silence. Once they hit the parking garage, Magic paused beside his truck and held out his right hand to Jim. He took it warily, closing his rough fingers around Todd’s.

“Thanks.” Todd pulled him closer and wrapped his free arm around Jim in a manly hug. He thumped Jim’s back a couple of times then let him go. “That meant the world to me, Retro. And
to her.”

Retro’s jaw clenched. “It meant a lot to me, too. Letting me into your marriage, and everything. Shit.” He glanced down at his boot toes and kicked at one of the tires. “Does it get any easier to talk about when it’s all settled?”

“You mean love?” Todd grunted. “Yeah, a little. You have to accept it as much as give it. Sometimes acceptin’ is harder than givin’.”

“You’re really okay with this? It doesn’t feel like I’m honing in on your girl?”

Magic kept his smile, but hardened his voice. “She’s never been just my girl, Jim. She’s always asked for both of us, and the moment she suggested we share, I couldn’t have been happier. Watchin’ you walk around like I’d shot your dog just about killed me.” He hitched a shoulder. “I wanted to beat the shit outta you until you came to your senses and showed up at our door, but I figured you had to work through everything on your own. I just didn’t think it’d take you so long.”

“But what about jealousy and stuff like that?” Jim grimaced. “Sorry, I’m starting to sound like a pussy.”

Magic shook his head. “Nah, we’ll all have to work on that part. But here’s the thing I’ve learned just being married to Chris for the last
three months. Communication is the key to everything. That, and honesty. The hard part is talkin’ about what you feel, gettin’ it out in the open. At least, it’s hardest for me.”

“Are you sure you aren’t gay?”

Todd threw back his head to laugh. “Yep. Won’t take you to bed without Chris.”

His laugh coaxed a smile out of Jim. “Yeah, me either. But sharing Chris with you…Shit, I’m getting hard just thinking about it.”

Todd’s own pulse had elevated watching Chris kiss the hell out of Jim in the room. And when she put the ring on his hand, satisfaction had filled Todd. Jim had figured out what meant most to him. Todd had been so happy he thought he’d burst. But he hadn’t wanted to freak Jim out any more than necessary.

“Come on, let’s go get pizza before they release Chris and she calls us liars.”

“Magic.” Todd paused as Jim held out his hand. He took it and Jim pulled him in for another man hug. “Thanks for waiting.”

“You’re welcome, brother.”

They split and got into the truck, and all the pent up tension drained out of him. As they drove out of the garage, Todd thought about the future and wondered how long it’d take Jim make a permanent move into their home.

“So, when do you think you’d move in?”

“What?” Jim’s startled expression didn’t bode well, but Todd refused to be daunted.

“Move in with Chris and me. You are married to her, well, mostly.”

“I hadn’t really considered it.” Retro rubbed a finger across his upper lip. “That okay, me moving into your house and all?”

“Fuck, Jim. How long you gonna question everything?”

“Until I damn sure about it! All this is really sudden.”

“I didn’t as
k you to marry me, just move in.”

“Well, it’s the same damn thing, isn’t it? I mean, shit, it’s not like I can’t afford my rent or
I have a shitty landlord. I live in base housing and I’m comfortable. There’s no real reason to move except I’m with you two now.”

Todd paused, thinking over his words. “You’re worried what other people will think.”

“Hell yeah, I am. Most of all the rest of the squad.” One of his hands squeezed into a tight fist. “I don’t want Chris to catch any shit from them.”

“
Then don’t let them give her shit. She damn well won’t. If they ask, give them your great stone face. You know, the one that says, ‘Fuck off or die, either way I don’t care’.”

“Which face?”

Todd lowered his brows and wiped the smile off his lips as he glared at Jim. “This face.”

Ji
m laughed. “Yeah, right.” He sighed. “I want this to work, Magic.”

“It will if you’re honest with yourself and us. No one can tell us how it should be. We make our own rules.”
He winked at Retro. “We’re SEALs, remember?”

“Yeah, I remember.
”

“Come on, lighten up, man. It’s gonna be fine. Besides, there’s something to look forward to.”

“Oh, yeah? What?”

“Welcoming Chris home.” Magic gave Retro a devious gri
n. “Have any ideas how to do it?”

The rumble of laughter from the other side of the truck sounded positively evil. “Maybe a few. But we’ll have to stop at my place for some toys.”

“You mean, your old place.”

“I’m not moved in yet, Magic.”

“No, but do you have that much stuff?”

“You’re serious about this?”

“Yep.”

Jim sat silently for a few minutes, thinking. Todd hoped he wasn’t contemplating escape. It’d piss Chris off if he’d s
cared Jim away.
Nah, Jim’s a lot of things, but never a liar or a coward.

“How big is your truck bed?”

Magic laughed with relief. “Let’s find out.”

Chapter
Twenty-Two

The sun
dipped toward the horizon when Chris allowed the orderly to wheel her out to the front of the hospital because “those were the rules”, but she gritted her teeth the whole way. The doctor had kept her another night just as a precaution against dehydration and infection. He’d finally released her after prescribing more fluids and an Epsom salts bath each night to cleanse her heel against infection. She would’ve agreed to just about anything to get home to her husband.

Husbands. Holy shit, I have two of them now
.

The idea
transcended crazy straight to exhilarating, but she didn’t regret it. She’d dreamt of them both for so long, she couldn’t remember a time without them. Magic with his slow southern drawl and sultry gray eyes, and Retro with his fierce intensity as if all his energy hummed, just waiting to be let off the leash. She shivered with the thought of what he could do with such energy.

The orderly stopped just outside the doors and Chris inhaled the
mild, wet air. The season had turned while she’d been taken, but the warmth hadn’t banished the cold quite yet. She shivered in the chair.

“You cold, Kookaburra?”

Retro leaned against his truck, all relaxed male beauty, and her mouth went dry. He wore a Navy issue black sweater and faded blue jeans. They molded to his thighs, showing each and every muscle he owned, not to mention the bulge at the crotch.

“Hey, Jim. Where’s Todd?”

“He’s at home getting dinner ready. I figure you’re pretty hungry.” Retro straightened languidly and strolled to her chair, taking her right hand with his left. The ring she’d given him winked in the fading light of the sun.

“Be sure to keep her properly hydrated and
off her foot for a few days,” the orderly said, handing over her new crutches.

“Thank you. I’m sure we’ll be fine. Thanks for the ride.”
As the orderly retreated, Chris growled, “I’m not a baby. I can eat and drink all by myself.”

“Ah, don’t worry about it. It was good to hear the warning about resting.”

Chris raised an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? Why?”

“’Cause you might not get nearly enough this weekend.”
Jim wrapped his arms around her and took her lips with his.

Oh, God, yes!

Each sweep of his tongue against hers sent cream flooding to her nether lips and she wanted to rub her aching clit against his hard thigh. She hadn’t had nearly enough kisses from him and each one made her ache for another.

When they broke apart, his eyes gleamed with chocolate fire. “Damn, I’ve been dying to do that since yesterday.”

“As an equal ranking officer, I order you to do it again and often.”

“Yes, ma’am.” The second kiss made her knees weaken and she damn near melted to the ground. He held her against his chest gently as if he feared to break her, but she didn’t want gentle and bit his lip.

“Ow! What was that for?”

“I’m not made of glass, Lieutenant. I might need to drink more water, but I’m still a SEAL.”

Retro grinned. “Oh, you’re every bit a SEAL, sweetheart, but I’m hoping you’re also a woman.”

“
Oh, yeah? Why?”

“’Cause I’m gonna have my way with you and you’re gonna love it.”

“All by yourself?” she teased as he helped her into the truck.

“Oh, hell, no. I’m a SEAL
. I always work with my team.” He grinned as she settled in the passenger seat. “You ready for that?”

“I’m game. Show me what you got, big boy.”

He laughed and reached for her hand, bringing it to his lips. He kissed her palm, licking her love line, and all the earlier arousal started again. She sighed and her nipples hardened under the NAVY sweatshirt they’d given her as he closed her door and walked around the hood.

“Damn, you’re sexy when you do that. What other things do you do when you’re excited?”

“You’ll just have to find out.” Chris grinned as he groaned. “Didn’t you ask Magic?”

“A gentleman never fucks and tells
.” His smile turned dark and mischievous. “Besides, I’m kinda looking forward to finding out for myself.”

The rumble of his voice sent shivers down her back and her pussy clenched.
Damn, if he did this with just his voice, what will it feel like to have his cock and hands on me?

He winked and threw the truck into drive. “But first, let’s get home to Magic and get you fed. I know you’re gonna need your strength.”

Chris raised her eyebrows. The way he’d said the word ‘home’ suggested he meant for him as well. “Whose home?”

“Ours.”

Excitement and hope swelled in her chest. “Ours? As in you live there, too?”

Jim’s lips tightened
as he made a turn, his eyes focused on the road. “Yeah. You got a problem with that, Ghost?”

The
harsh edge in his voice made her scramble for the right words. “The only problem I have is how far away your room is from mine.”

“Why?”

“Because if I need you in the middle of the night, I wanna know how far I have to limp to get there.” She grinned, but he sobered.

“I’ll be there if you call my name. I’ll come to you.”
He reached out and squeezed her thigh just above her knee. “I promise. I’ll never leave you needing me again, Christiana. At least, not when I’m home.”

“
Good to hear, Jim.” Emotion threatened to spill over, but she clenched her jaw and held it back.
Don’t go girly on him now.
“So,”—she cleared her throat—“what is Todd making for dinner?”

“Don’t change the subject just yet.” He leveled her with a look. “Are you really okay with me moving into your house?”

“Yes.” She sighed. “I won’t tell you it won’t take some getting used to, but I’ve lived with you two in worse situations and conditions than a spacious ranch house in Coronado. Places where being male or female didn’t matter so much. I think I can handle sharing a bathroom.”

“What about sharing a bed?”

“I’ve wanted that from the very beginning.” Chris paused and took his measure. “Are
you
okay with sharing a house and a bed?”

Jim didn’t say anything until he parked the truck beside her car in the driveway. They sat for a few heartbeats in silence as he gathered his words.

“I want to share a home with you and Magic more than I want anything else.” He met her gaze and held it, his expression grim. “But I don’t want to harm your marriage for the sake of my own needs. I need to know I won’t destroy what you two have by being here, living here. I don’t want to be the third wheel, but I also don’t want to get across the breakers with either of you.” He glanced down at his hands and rubbed an old scar on his wrist. “I love you and want to be with you. Both of you. But I don’t want to fuck anything up. That scares the hell outta me.”

Chris took a deep breath and let it out slow. “I can’t promise there won’t be difficult moments. I’ve never lived in a permanent
threesome before.” God, the idea was almost beyond belief. “But I can tell you love usually helps and so does honesty. Keeping communication lines open, as much as possible, is the only way it will work. That, and respect for everyone involved.” She reached out and grasped his arm, squeezing gently. “I want you here and so does Magic. If you want to be here, and believe in it, it will work.”

She bit her lip to keep from saying more. They could talk till they were blue in the face, but belief came from inside. They’d all have to make their own decision. Jim scanned the house in silence.

“Stay here.”

The abrupt subject change threw Chris and she gaped a little as Jim exited the truck.
What the hell?
Her body tightened in preparation for something wrong. She surveyed the house and the grounds as Jim strode around the vehicle, searching for signs of disturbance. Nothing seemed out of place.

When Retro opened the door, her shoulders relaxed a little
. “What is it?”

“Nothing. I just wanted to make sure you didn’t get out on your own.”

Chris huffed with derision. “That’s it? I’m not a baby, Retro.”

“No, but sometimes it’s okay to be a lady.” He winked and a smile crept over his usually stern face. “So I’m going to try to be a gentleman. At least until we get into the house.”

He held out his hand and steadied her as she swung her feet out of the truck. Before she could slide out, Retro scooped her into his arms and hauled her against his chest, grabbing the crutches at the last minute.

“What are you doing?”
She enjoyed the feeling of his arms around her. His strength and heat warmed everything cooled from the chill in the air.

“I figured you married me, I should carry you over the threshold at least once.”

She laughed and shivered with girly delight.

“You cold?”

“No. Wet.”

Jim froze and
met her gaze, his expression wary. “What kind of wet?”

“This kind.” She
pressed her lips against his.

Retro gr
oaned and wrapped her in a bear-hug, taking her kiss like a life-line to freedom. Chris fell into his rich, earthy taste, surrounded by his leather and sweat scent, and she debated whether to come up for air. His tongue tangled with hers in an erotic dance, lighting fires of arousal throughout her body.

“Hot damn.”
Jim’s eyes glowed with his own lust. “Come on, we better get inside before the neighbors start rumors of what I’m doing to Magic’s wife.”

“I’m your wife, too, Jim.”

“And I plan on consummating that promise, but not out in the front drive.” He checked the cab behind her. “You got everything?”

“Yeah, the terrorists didn’t exactly let me pack a bag when they took me.” She
regretted the reminder of her captivity. “Sorry. Sarcasm is still alive and kicking.”

His jaw tightened, but he chuckled darkly. “
No worries, Ghost. It means there’s less to take off you when we get inside.”

Despite his sexy growl, her stomach cramped. He’d finally see her leg and the disfiguring scar marking her otherwise smooth thigh.
Shit, aren’t you over this yet?
She smiled at Jim and allowed him to carry her to the door.

Before they could grasp the knob, the door swung open and Todd grinned at her from beneath smudges of flour on his chin and cheek.

“Welcome home, darlin’.”

“Hey, Magic.” Relief flooded through her and she
blinked back tears. She’d never been so glad to see her husband.

“Hey now, what’s got you all riled up?”
Magic reached out to cup her cheek.

“I didn’t do anything,” Retro said, his voice a mix
ture of indignation and concern as he peered into Chris’s face.

“What’s wrong, Chris?” Todd
wiped away some rogue tears.

“I’m just so glad to see you and to be home.” She
closed her eyes and pressed against his hand, inhaling the scents of oregano and tomato sauce.

“Come in and warm up. There’s pizza cookin’ and I’ve heated up some apple cider.” Todd
gestured them into the house and Jim strode inside, his whole body telegraphing stiff withdrawal. He set her down and handed her the crutches.

“Jim.”

The taller SEAL paused and stared at her with his mission issue stone-face. Chris could almost read his mind and she held out her hand to him.

“I need you.”

He stood still so long she feared he’d already made his decision to walk.
Please, Jim, don’t run away anymore.
No one seemed to breathe in the room and the tension built high enough to make her scream.
It’s not even good tension.

At last, he relented and took her hand. She
dropped the crutches and pulled him close until she stood between him and Todd. Chris shifted her chest against his and tugged Todd behind her until they sandwiched her in their male heat.

“Thank you.” She closed her eyes
and laid her cheek on Jim’s chest. “I love you.”

“I’m here for you, Chris.” Jim brushed a hesitant hand through her hair. “We both are.”

She wanted to ask, “forever?”, but the only thing forever about SEALs was their unswerving determination.

“That’s what I need.”

They stood there until the scent of burning bread hit their noses.

“Shit, t
he pizza!”

Magic bolted for the kitchen, breaking the mood
and Chris laughed as Jim wrapped his arms around her. Banging sounds and swearing came from the other room while Jim kissed the top of her head and gently disengaged from her. When she sent him a questioning glance, he picked up her crutches and helped her into the living room. The plush couch had been arranged into a cozy nest with extra pillows.

“What’s this?” She carefully lowered herself into the cushions as Retro dragged the ottoman to her feet.
“Were you planning another night like when I got my tattoo?”