Hot SEAL, April's Fool by Becca Jameson (smart books to read .txt) 📗

railing, trapping her in his space, making her feel things she’d stuffed to the back of her mind.

If she let him, he would totally destroy her. She almost hadn’t survived the first time he’d left her. She couldn’t do it again. She never should have agreed to lunch with him or even the offer of a ride home. Her heart wouldn’t be on the line if she’d just stuck to her guns and gotten an Uber.

He inhaled slowly and kissed a path from her lips to her ear, nibbling that spot on her neck behind her ear that always made her nipples stiffen. Nothing had changed in that department either. Her panties were wet too.

She let her eyes slide closed as he continued to torment her with memories. If she wasn’t careful, she’d end up in bed with him. They wouldn’t even have to sneak around like they had in high school. She had her own apartment now. Her body trembled at the thought of being with this sexy man again. A man who was much larger and had lost every bit of his boyishness.

Even though they’d been young and floundering when they first had sex after their senior prom, Cole had made sure she enjoyed it. He’d brought her to orgasm with his mouth on her clit, holding her legs open and moaning as if she were the finest feast he’d ever eaten.

They’d both been virgins, but he’d later explained how much porn he’d watched in order to ensure she enjoyed their first time. It had worked. Cole had proven himself to be an amazing lover who always, always took care of her first. They’d only gotten that intimate a few months before he’d left her, but in that time, they’d had fucking hot sex.

More importantly, no other man had ever made her feel like that. No other man had ever brought her to orgasm. Cole had ruined her and left her. At eighteen.

She’d thought he’d loved her. She’d hoped anyway. It had been hard to tell. He’d spent a great deal of time joking around when they were in public. Everything was humorous to him. Too many things sometimes. He could crack up an entire roomful of people. It was his schtick.

Sometimes, he’d taken things too far, and she’d reined him in with a look. The only times she remembered him being serious were when they’d been alone. Those times, he’d been all hers. Attentive and loving…like he was right now.

She’d thought they had something that would last a lifetime. She’d hoped she was right. And then he’d left and never looked back.

“Cole…” His name came out on a moan as he continued to nibble her neck. She grabbed his hips and leaned backward, away from his lips.

He drew in a breath and centered himself, meeting her gaze. “You smell the same.”

“What are we doing?”

“Kissing?”

She shook her head. “No. I mean. Cole… God, don’t be obtuse. You know what I mean.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed. “Spend time with me. At least let me take you to dinner.”

“You think that’s a good idea?”

“Yes.” He didn’t hesitate. His hands slid to her shoulders. “Please, ladybug. Say yes. At least to dinner.”

“We just finished lunch.” She didn’t comment on the nickname he’d used twice now.

He smiled. “So, you’ll have to entertain me until we get hungry again.”

She hesitated. Half of her wanted to be with him more than anything in the world. Half of her was scared out of her mind. This man had the power to destroy her. He’d done it before. He could do it again.

On the other hand, if she didn’t do this—spend time with him—she’d never know what could have been. Maybe he’d changed. Maybe he wouldn’t hurt her this time. “Okay.”

His grin broadened. “Yes?”

She nodded. “One condition.”

“Anything.” He shifted his weight, excitedly.

“Keep your pants on, big guy. We’re not having sex. So, if this is a booty call, the answer is no.”

He gasped dramatically, pretending to be insulted. “I would never.”

She rolled her eyes and slid her hands up his chest. “You’re like two times larger than you were in high school.”

“The military will do that to a guy.” He glanced down at her body and then back up. “Parts of you are larger too.” He winked.

She narrowed her gaze. “You sayin’ I’m fat?”

“God, no, ladybug. You are beyond perfect.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her back across the bridge. “Let’s go back to your apartment.”

She trailed along behind him. “Did you catch the part where I said we’re not having sex?”

“Yep. I promise to keep my lips above the shoulders.”

She shuddered. “Your lips can wreak a great deal of havoc above the shoulders, Cole.”

He smiled at her again as he practically dragged her toward his SUV. “I enjoy kissing you. Always did. Scout’s honor, I won’t try to take your clothes off. I managed to keep my cock in my pants for almost three years when we were dating. I bet I can do it for a week.”

She laughed. “You were never a scout.”

They’d reached the car and he turned to face her, cupping her cheeks again as he pressed her against the passenger door. “True, but I never pressured you then, and I won’t now. You know me at least that well.”

She melted under his gaze. Now she had a new problem. What if he made her want to drag him to her bed? She couldn’t break her own rule. She needed to keep her clothes on. She was smart enough to know that if she let him get her naked, she would never be the same.

Chapter 4

“Do you keep in touch with anyone from high school?” he asked when they were back at her place. He was wandering around her living room, looking at her pictures and trinkets again.

“Not really. Michelle sometimes, but that’s about it.”

“Michelle was your best friend. I’m surprised you don’t see her often. Doesn’t she still live in town?”

“Yeah, but she’s married and pregnant, so