Hot SEAL, Red Wine (SEALs in Paradise) Read online

  “I spent the entire week trying to woo you to open up to me, and now you want fast and furious.”

  “Yeah. Save slow for later. After…” Her breath hitched. She was struggling to think straight.

  “After what, baby?” he whispered as he leaned closer to her so that only an inch separated their lips.

  “After we get married,” she murmured before realizing what he’d conned her into saying.

  His grin was huge and infectious. “Now you’re talking.”

  She dug her fingers into his arms. “Noah. Now.”

  He released her clit, lined his cock up with her entrance, and thrust home.

  She sucked in a sharp breath, her body reacting like a virgin. He was thick. It was tight. She drew in breath, waiting for the burn to dissipate.

  When she met his gaze, she found him staring at her intently. His elbows were planted next to her head. His lips were tucked into his teeth.

  Slowly, her body accepted the intrusion, and she was left with ten thousand nerve endings that were demanding friction. She licked her dry lips. “Noah, move.”

  “You okay?” he asked, his thumbs stroking her temples.

  “I will be after you make me come.”

  He smiled again, planted his lips on hers, and pulled partially out.

  She groaned around the intensity of the sensations. She had forgotten how good it felt to have him inside her. Foreplay was nice. Any orgasm was always pleasant. He could do amazing things with his mouth and his fingers, but his cock… Damn.

  Her vision swam as he thrust harder and faster. Deeper even. He kept his lips on hers, but he must have lost the ability to concentrate on the kiss because they remained parted but no longer moving.

  She loved that she did that to him. Made him lose his senses enough that he couldn’t focus on anything but his erection and how to best use it in her. And he was a master at driving her to the edge with nothing but his thrusts.

  There was no doubt he was larger than he’d been when they were eighteen, but he was also more skilled. She wouldn’t even bother concerning herself with thoughts of how he’d developed these skills because from now on, they would be dedicated solely to her benefit.

  So good.

  She lifted her hips into his thrusts, gasping when the base of his cock hit her clit over and over.

  His eyes blinked open, and he met her watery gaze. “God, I love you.”

  “Love you too,” she whispered against his lips. She was so close. She sucked in a breath, dug her nails into his arms, and concentrated on every thrust as it made contact with her clit. So close…

  “Come for me, baby.”

  Those words. The command.

  She tipped over the edge just as he sped up his thrusts and followed right behind her. Still thrusting, he made her orgasm drag out forever. She wouldn’t mind if he never stopped, but he gradually slowed down until he rested inside her. His hand came to her face, cupping the entire right side. “Marry me.”

  “Yes.”

  Ellie was a ball of nerves.

  She’d spent the last two hours showering and pampering herself. Fixing her hair. Getting her makeup just right. Freaking out.

  Her hands shook so badly most of that time that she was afraid she’d get mascara in her eyes.

  Noah spent most of that time coming and going from the room. He insisted he needed ten minutes to shower and shave, so he would take care of everything else.

  Somehow he’d found out that the ship indeed performed weddings and would be happy to do so at six o’clock. Most people tended to get married on the first or second night of the cruise, not the last.

  She jumped in place as she realized he was behind her again, leaning on the frame of the door. He hadn’t stopped smiling since they’d had sex, and she’d said yes. “You got everything done?” she asked.

  “Yep. And then some. All I need is a shower, and we’ll be good to go.”

  She glanced down at herself. She was wearing a white lace bra and panties, but nothing else. “I might need more clothes.”

  He kissed her lips. When she started to pass him, he cupped her biceps and held her gaze. “I love you.”

  “You’ve mentioned that.” Her face hurt from smiling. Ironic since she’d spent the morning crying harder than she’d ever cried in her life. Now she was the happiest woman on earth.

  “I bought you a dress. It’s hanging in the closet.”

  “I’ll put it on while you shower.”

  He lifted a hand and stroked her cheek with his thumb. “You’re going to marry me.”

  “Yes.” She reached for his T-shirt and fisted it in her hand at his chest. “I am.” It seemed like he needed the confirmation, like maybe he feared she would disappear while he was in the shower. “Get moving. We’ll be late.”

  He was still staring at her with a lopsided grin when she shut the door in his face.

  She turned around and opened the closet. And then she gasped. “Holy shit.” She reached out and fingered the delicate white lace of the bodice, her gaze roaming up and down the most gorgeous dress she’d ever seen.

  Most women would have been nervous to let their fiancé choose and purchase a dress for them. But she hadn’t worried a moment. She’d known he would pick something perfect. He’d outdone himself.

  She was giddy as she slid it off the hanger and held it up against her, spinning around to face the mirror on the inside of the closet door. She immediately knew the upper body was going to fit snug against her breasts and not require a bra, so she removed hers and then stepped into the dress and pulled it into place.

  She reached back and tugged the zipper up as far as she could reach, enough to reassure her it was a perfect fit. The fitted silk in front cupped her breasts, lifting them and giving her cleavage.

  The edges of the bodice around the swell of her breasts had a row of tiny lace roses, each individually sewn into the silk. It hugged her waist and then flared out, reaching T-length, a layer of tulle underneath giving it some volume. Every few inches there was another row of tiny lace roses.

  It was by far the most beautiful thing she’d ever worn. When she took another step back to see herself better, she bumped into a box and glanced down to see it was a shoe box. Inside was a pair of delicate white heels with more roses along the straps.

  As she sat on the edge of the bed to fasten them, another surprise caught her eye. A row of tulle lay on the desk. She grinned like a little girl as she rushed over to pick it up. It was a veil, and it was attached to a silver clip for her hair that also had a row of tiny silver roses.

  Don’t cry, she told herself as she turned toward the mirror and fastened the clip in her hair.

  The door opened behind her, and for a moment she stared at Noah’s reflection in the mirror. The look on his face made every moment up to this day worth the wait.

  He wore a towel on his hips, but he came to her back, finished zipping the dress, and then brushed her hair to one side to kiss her shoulder. “You’ve never looked more beautiful, baby.”

  “Thank you.” She tipped her head back. “Is that what you’re wearing?” she teased.

  He winked. “Tonight, on our last night on the ship, I think it’s only fitting that you wait on the balcony for me to get dressed.”

  She giggled and did as he requested, stepping outside, tipping her head back, and closing her eyes. The peaceful moment alone with the cool breeze on her face was welcome. It helped her center herself.

  I’m getting married. To the love of my life. Now. Tonight.

  Hands landed on her waist. Lips on her shoulder. The hands slid up to her neck and something cold touched her skin. She glanced down to see him fastening the necklace he’d given her last night. It was perfect. He was perfect.

  When she turned around, her breath got caught in her lungs.

  He was wearing a black tux with a white shirt and a white bowtie. “You clean up nice,” she stated, setting her hands on his shoulders and lifting onto her tipto
es to kiss him. “You’re the most handsome man I’ve ever seen,” she added.

  He slid his hand into hers and pulled her into the room.

  Surprising her, he turned around, clasped both her hands, and lowered to one knee before her.

  She fought hard not to cry.

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small white box, opening it for her to see. Inside was the most beautiful diamond solitaire set in white gold. “Ellington Gorman, will you marry me?”

  “Yes.” The word was barely audible, but he must have heard her well enough because he picked up the ring, set the box on the bed, and slid it onto her finger. It was an exact fit. Of course.

  When he stood, he cupped her face and kissed her gently on the lips. “Let’s make you mine.”

  Holding her hand, he led them from the room.

  All along the corridor and then the glass elevator people did a double take and smiled. Without the veil, it might not have been as obvious. The dress was amazing, but it didn’t have to be a wedding dress; the length of tulle down her back gave her away.

  She blushed repeatedly, her excitement rising at the looks on the faces of perfect strangers. Some of them she recognized from spending a week on the ship, but she didn’t know their names or anything about them. And yet, they were all playing a small role to make her day better.

  She stepped into a little chapel with Noah at her side, and it seemed like the next half hour moved in fast motion. A chaplain greeted them, said a few kind words, and invited them to repeat the standard wedding vows she’d heard many times in her life but never had the opportunity to speak herself.

  Before she knew it, Noah was holding out a thin white gold band that matched the ring he’d given her less than an hour ago. She couldn’t concentrate on the words he spoke because she was busy watching him slide the ring onto her finger and then studying his face. His expression was all that mattered. So much love.

  He set another band in her hand, and she repeated the same words as the chaplain read them.

  “And now, by the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

  Noah grabbed her waist and lifted her off the floor, kissing her deeply. When he broke away, people were clapping and giggling in the hallway outside the alcove that served as a ship chapel.

  Noah set his forehead against hers and blew out a long breath. “You sure made me work for that this week.” His eyes danced with laughter.

  “The best things in life are worth the effort,” she responded.

  Chapter 16

  No one was waiting for them when they disembarked the next morning. Noah was grateful. He’d half expected to find Karla and Layton standing at the exit, yearning for details.

  The truth was Noah wanted his new wife to himself a while longer. He hadn’t told her, but he’d booked that night in the honeymoon suite on the top floor of one of Houston’s finest hotels.

  “Where do we go first?” she asked as they stepped into the sun, wobbling a bit as they shook off their sea legs. Her brow was furrowed with concern. “You have a plan?”

  He pointed at the limo that was parked in the pick-up line, the man next to it holding a sign that said: Mr. and Mrs. Seager.

  Noah watched Ellie’s face light up. “You got us a limo?”

  “I did more than that. Come on.”

  She nearly skipped beside him, and he hated that he had to release her hand so they could maneuver their luggage to the awaiting car. When the driver realized they were his passengers, he rushed forward and took Ellie’s bags from her.

  He loaded everything in the car and introduced himself, and then he held the back door open so they could climb inside.

  Ellie’s face was lit up. She looked so young and carefree. He imagined she had probably spent the last several years aging. She deserved a break. He knew she was expecting to find a job immediately and go back to work, but he hoped he could convince her to take some time off. Slow down. Live. Smile. Laugh.

  Damn, she looked amazing.

  He sat back in his seat, watching her as she smiled. “Come here, Mrs. Seager.”

  She slid closer, and he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her onto his lap. Her eyes twinkled as she kissed him.

  “I could kiss you for the rest of eternity.”

  She giggled, a sound he loved. A sound she’d made many times in the last twenty-four hours. “I’ll let you do that, but if you don’t mind, I’d also enjoy it if you’d do some of those other things you did to me last night.” She flushed.

  He held her closer. “Oh, baby, I intend to do so many things to you in the next twenty-four hours that you’ll be too tired to get out of bed tomorrow.”

  “I guess that means we aren’t going straight to my mom and dad’s,” she joked.

  “Nope.” He couldn’t wait to see her excitement when she stepped into their suite and found out it was not only ten times bigger than the cabin on the ship, but it had its own hot tub inset in the floor.

  “Whatever you have planned, I already like it.”

  “I figure we’ll leave our phones off, at least for another day. Let Karla and Layton stew over what might have happened to us. Then we’ll face the vultures and let them gloat.”

  “I love it.”

  “We’ll hit your parents’ and mine, but please don’t let either of them talk us into spending the night. We’ll book a hotel nearby. I just got you back. I’m not done making you scream my name several times a day yet. There’s no way in hell I’m sleeping under either of our parents’ roofs.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Thank God. After we’ve given them a few days, I say we fly to New York. I want to see the apartment my wife has been living in.”

  “I’ll warn you, it’s about the size of that ship cabin. It’s in Manhattan, after all.”

  “Does it have a bed?”

  She laughed. “Yes.”

  “That’s all I’ll need.” He kissed her again.

  “I guess we could lock ourselves inside for a few weeks and order takeout.”

  He groaned. “That’s the best idea I’ve heard yet.”

  He soaked in her expression. So much love and excitement. Her eyes twinkled. “You know I don’t care about the size of your apartment. If you want to stay in New York, we will.”

  She winced. “No. God, no. I’m so over that scene.”

  He cocked his head to one side. “I’m still not sure I understand how you ended up detouring so far from teaching. It was all you talked about in high school. You and Karla were going to get your education degrees together and then work at the same school and share supplies.” He laughed, remembering all their excited plans.

  Ellie’s face grew serious. “Honestly, I didn’t think I could face other people’s kids after I lost our baby. I switched from thinking I would have four of my own to believing I would never have a child. I knew that profession would be too painful. So I picked something totally different that I could bury myself in and hide from life.

  “New York was as far away as I could get. There were no reminders of you there. I rarely even went home to visit.”

  “Ellie…” He set his forehead against hers, his throat clogged with emotion. They would have kids. One way or another. He knew she would eventually decide to fill that craving. If she didn’t want to give birth to them, they would adopt. There was no way to go back and change the course of events, but he could make up for lost time.

  For now, he needed to shake them out of this somber path he’d led them down. He forced a huge smile. “At some point I’ll have to pull my tail between my legs and call a few guys from my SEAL team. We’re close. They’re going to freak out when they find out I ran into my childhood sweetheart and married her in a week. I can’t wait for you to meet them.”

  She smiled. “I’ll be honored.” And then her smile switched to a giggle. “Is this wine-drinking habit of yours a SEAL thing? Do they all drink dry red?” she teased.

  He rolled
his eyes. “No. But every one of us does have a particular taste for different alcohols. Except Trevor. He doesn’t drink much alcohol, but he’s glued to his coffee. Our particular tastes are kind of a running joke. Several of them even nicknamed me Red.”

  She laughed. “That’s funny, since you don’t have red hair. What are all these drinks your friends prefer?”

  “Let’s see…” He glanced at the ceiling, recalling several of his SEAL team with a smile. “Nikko drinks beer. Connor drinks some weird-ass thing called a Rusty Nail. Gunner prefers a single malt. Chase is a salty dog guy.”

  “What’s a salty dog?” She giggled.

  “Some shit with grapefruit juice.”

  She curled up her nose.

  He continued. “Carson prefers sex on the beach.”

  She laughed harder. “That’s very girly.”

  “Don’t I know it. Clay drinks a dirty martini. And Asher drinks bourbon neat.”

  When he finished the rundown, she was grinning even wider from ear to ear. “They’re like brothers to you, aren’t they?”

  “Yes.”

  “I can’t wait to meet them.” Her face turned serious. “I’ve never been this happy, Noah. Thank you for forcing me to see the truth. I think so much time went by that my view of what happened got warped.”

  “You own that past, baby. I will never blame you for what happened. In fact, I accept my half of the blame. It’s done. It’s over. We’ll both learn to leave it in the past as we make a life together. I’m not suggesting you bury it yet. I know you’ll still need to talk it out some more. You carried a lot of baggage around alone for fourteen years. I will listen to every single word you have to say about it. Always. But at the same time, we’re stepping into the future with a clean slate.”

  A tear slid from her eye, but she wiped it away quickly and nodded. “I can do that.”

  “We can do that. We’re doing it together.”

  For a long time, they stared at each other in silence, the only sound that of the limo as it cruised down the highway.

  He searched her face and found nothing but love.

  Suddenly she said the most unexpected thing. “My initials are tattooed on your ass.”