Forged in Steele

CHAPTER 13

MAREN was draped over Steele’s body, warm and lush, her soft breathing signaling she was sound asleep. He made no effort to move her. He liked the feel of her in his arms, covering his body like a blanket.

He toyed with her hair, twining it around his fingers before gently tugging it away from her face so he could see her soft cheek. Her eyelashes rested against her skin, a shade darker than her light blond hair. She moved up and down with the rhythm of his own breathing and her legs were tangled with his.

Gently, so as not to awaken her, he slid the glasses from her face and set them on the nightstand so she’d rest more comfortably.

They’d finished their last bout of sex an hour earlier, and Maren had drifted into sleep after riding him long and hard. He’d loved every minute of having her atop him, head thrown back, hair flowing down her back, her breasts pushed forward so he could touch and taste. As promised, she’d left her glasses on, perched precariously on her cute nose while she fucked him senseless.

God, he was losing it. Thinking about her cuteness. Her nose and glasses for Christ’s sake. He glanced down, watching as she slept deep. Secure. Like she knew she was protected, and she damn well was with him.

He remained awake, though, savoring the still and quiet that had descended. And he liked having Maren in his bed. Or rather her bed. He leaned his head forward to press a kiss to the top of her head and left his lips there a long moment as he inhaled her scent.

He was in deep shit.

He didn’t have time to ponder that particular revelation because his sat phone went off.

Goddamn it. Not now. Anytime but now.

Maren stirred and lifted her head with a frown. “What’s that noise?”

He sighed. “I have to take that. Sorry.”

She started to slide off him but he rolled, gently setting her aside before he reached over her to where he’d put the phone on her nightstand.

“This better be goddamn important,” he growled into the phone.

“Steele, it’s Sam. Sorry, I know you’re taking downtime, but I need you for this. Rio and his team already drew a mission.”

Steele’s lips tightened and he glanced sideways to where Maren was lying on her side, head propped in her hand as she silently watched him.

“Give me the rundown,” Steele said.

“How soon can you be here?” Sam asked. “Don’t have time to get into it now. I have more calls to make. Are you going to contact your team or do you want me to call them in?”

“I’ll call them,” Steele said shortly. “I’ll be there in twelve hours.”

He laid the phone aside and then turned to Maren. “I’m sorry. I have to go. Sam needs me.”

She didn’t quite quell her disappointment. Her eyes dimmed even as she nodded her understanding. He wasn’t any happier about the interruption than she was.

He leaned down, tucking one finger underneath her chin and lifting so her lips were even with his. He kissed her lingeringly, savoring the sensation of her soft mouth against his.

“This isn’t finished,” he said. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. Do you understand?”

“Yeah,” she whispered. “Be careful, Steele. I’d rather you not come back because you need medical attention. I want you to come back because I’m irresistible.”

He grinned. “I think that’s a safe bet, although if I end up hurt, I won’t turn down your medical expertise. You can kiss it and make it better.”

“Deal,” she said.

Though he knew he had to get moving if he was going to make it back to Tennessee when he’d said he would, he was reluctant to leave her bed. He hesitated, watching her, tempted to roll her back over and slide deep inside her.

And then he thought, why not? He had no idea how long he’d be gone—and he had every intention of returning so they could address whatever it was between them—and there was always the chance, on any mission, that he wouldn’t make it back.

He leaned into her, wrapping his arms around her and rolling until he was atop her. He made a grab for a condom, only to not find them where he’d left them.

“It’s okay,” she whispered as she smoothed her hands over his face.

Still, he hesitated. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. “It’s been a long time for both of us. I’m clean. You’re clean.”

“The idea of being inside you without a condom is right up there in my top three fantasies.”

She laughed softly. “Well, since I’m pretty sure we’ve already knocked out the rest of your top five, you may as well take out the third. You’ll have to think of new fantasies while you’re gone so we can work on those when you get back.”

He slid inside her and groaned as she went wet and silky around his cock. His jaw tightened as he fought off his impending release. Two seconds inside her and he was ready to erupt.

He rested his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling. Then he kissed her softly as he held himself still inside her.

“You make me want to do something I’ve never done before,” he admitted. “I’m tempted to call Sam back and tell him I can’t do it.”

She stroked his jaw and then raised her lips to kiss him. “You’ll be back.”

“Yeah. Count on it, Maren.”

He began to move inside her, slow and leisurely. He wanted to prolong the moment, wanted to savor his last minutes with her before the real world intruded again.

Her legs wrapped around him, trapping him against her, and her arms circled his shoulders, her fingers digging into his back.

He kissed her again, their tongues colliding as he deepened the kiss.

“I’m coming back,” he said in a strained voice. “Believe that, okay? I know I never said I’d be back that first time, but this isn’t over. We’re not finished. As soon as I wrap things up, I’m heading back.”

“Okay,” she whispered.

Her eyes flared and her body tightened, suddenly going hot and wet around his cock. Her pussy fluttered and clenched him tighter as her orgasm rolled through her body into his. He thrust deeper, committing to memory just how good she felt without the barrier of latex. And he knew he’d never have her again with a condom. No way in hell he’d go back after experiencing her silky softness against his skin.

He plunged inward again and then began thrusting hard and deep as his release swept over him, colliding with hers. They strained together, moving in rhythm, each reaching and desperate for the same thing.

And then he collapsed on her, covering her completely as he tried to catch his breath.

“Incredible,” he murmured. “I’m so damn sorry we didn’t have more time.”

She kissed his shoulder and smoothed her hands over his back. “We’ll have time later.”

He lifted himself off her and kissed her one last time. “Bet your ass we will. No force on earth is going to keep me from coming back to you.”