Courage runs deep, p.4
Courage Runs Deep, page 4
“Don’t do it, Tavin. Don’t start showing up where she is so she falls for you.”
“Me?” He tipped his head back and laughed. “Brother dear, that woman is all about you. All I am is something similar. She doesn’t give a shit about me. You on the other hand, that’s entirely different.”
“I’m not talking about this.”
He went to his room and changed. Tavin was outside in the yard, grill heating up, as he perched on the railing, beer in hand.
“How was work?” Tavin questioned.
“Who the fuck cares. How do you know she’s into me?” He picked up the second beer and popped the top off before drinking a healthy swig. “Laugh again and I’ll kick you off there.”
“How is it you see things through your scope?” Davin narrowed his eyes. “Right, sorry. I saw it all over her face, how it fell when she realized who I was. Or rather who I wasn’t.”
“Why was she there?”
“I don’t know, she didn’t tell me. I didn’t ask.”
He missed her. Hadn’t seen her for over fourteen days. This was pathetic, he shouldn’t have feelings for her. Adele had kicked his ass in the aspect of thinking of relationships. She’d done a number on him and the thought of going even remotely close to a relationship again gave him a case of hives. But for Neha, he was willing to get back on the horse, so to speak.
But what? Ask her out? He had been adamant about not dipping his dick in that pool. However, again, this woman was making him think about changing that line in the sand. Brushing it away, something like that.
“Why are you telling me this?”
Tavin hopped off the rail. “Because I love seeing the look in your eyes when she’s mentioned. I told you before, she’s not Adele.”
“I know she’s not.”
“Find some courage to go after what you want.” He slapped the chicken on the hot grill.
“Are you about to take your own advice?”
“No, but I don’t have to. I at least talk to my woman.”
So he had a point. “When did you get to be such a pain in my ass?”
Tavin grinned. “Pretty sure as long as you have been one in mine.”
Figures.
Having a rare night off together after they ate, they climbed in Davin’s Jeep and went out. He didn’t want to, but it was Saturday night and he had agreed to be Tavin’s designated driver.
Three bars later and he was more than ready to head home. Tavin, not so much. They were outside and while his brother flirted and laughed, he gazed around.
It was busy and the crowd seemed to grow the later it became. Couples, singles, all out mingling and having a great time. With the exception of him. He wanted to be home.
Or with Neha.
That wasn’t a thought he wanted to expound on. Okay, that was a lie. He wanted to but, given they were out in public, he shouldn’t or he would be walking around with a dick that could smash concrete.
“Uh oh.”
He faced his brother as a tingle snaked up his spine.
“What?”
Tavin pointed behind him.
“Your new woman us approaching and I think you may just lose you your shit.”
The sincerity of his brother’s words sank in as he spun, gaze landing on Neha. Right away, no having to search the crowd of moving bodies, for her. He just lasered in on the woman like she was his next and only breath of air.
Holy fucking shit.
All of his blood rushed south to pool at his dick. His pants grew unpleasantly tight.
Neha in uniform was hot. Neha in jeans was sexy. Neha in this outfit, the tiny painted on, barely there dress was going to be the mother fucking death of him.
It was hot pink and shimmery, mesmerizing him as she moved with grace and ease.
“Fuck,” he breathed out.
For a moment all he could do was stare. Her hair bounced around her, framing her face as he wanted permission to do. Her brilliant smile flashed as she talked and laughed with those around her. Not a care in the world.
I had no idea she looked that good. Hot yes but this is something far surpassing that.
He wasn’t in any place to face her as well as the three with her. Two girls and a guy. All dressed to the nines.
Where had they been?
Jealousy was an ugly motherfucker and he hated it was owning him.
“Neha!” Tavin hollered for her.
Yeah, he was ready to kill the man. His brother didn’t have any trouble getting his voice to arc over the loud crowd.
Davin’s heart skipped a few beats and he realized, he couldn’t keep ignoring whatever this was he felt for her. She may not want anything to do with him, but he had to be honest, because this was killing him.
She turned, as did the ones with her. The blonde with her, in a similar dress but a dark purple, waved excitedly and mentioned something to the other two with them.
He pegged her to be the other friend, her brother had met a few days ago. He stepped up beside his brother as they made their way toward them.
“I’m going to fucking kill you.”
“You’ll thank me and we both know it. We have a table and now you have an excuse to sit with her.”
Davin was grateful for his brother being there because as soon as Neha was close, he lost his ability to speak. Her incredible skin was dusted with diamond dust and he swayed toward her before catching himself.
“Twice in one week, Tavin Bly.”
“My lucky week then, beautiful. Are you four free to sit for a bit? We were just going to order another round.”
Neha angled her head to look around Tavin and gave him a small smile. “Commander.”
Her brown eyes punched him in the gut.
“Davin, please.” Not giving her a chance to refuse, he reached by his brother and took her arm, leading her to a chair next to him. Beside her sat his brother, then it was the blonde woman, the guy, and the other black woman on his other side.
Neha made the introductions and Tavin got up with the one who called herself Renny to get another round of drinks. Chatter was light but he knew the only reason for that was somehow Neha had gotten them to behave.
When his brother got back, he engaged the others in conversation about being a member of SWAT. He looked at the woman beside him.
“What were you four up to?”
“Renny’s birthday.” She angled toward him, allowing him a better view of her breasts as they pushed up against the top of her dress. “Every year we do something crazy. She doesn’t just do a day, she gets the whole week. Before long I think she will claim a month. Anyway, for this year it was music battle down at Rendon Hall.”
“Music battle?”
“Like a competition. But not dancing or shooting. Music.”
He looked over at the woman whose turquoise dress looked like it had been crafted from spider web filament. Stunning but not the woman who’d gathered his attention. “Did she win?”
“She doesn’t play. But as she has the trophy, I’ll say yes.”
He crossed his arms and leaned closer to her, partly to not have to talk so loud, but most to be nearer to her. She smelled like lavender and grapefruit. As she had the night at the range. And the previous times, he’d been near her. Not that it was a lot.
“Who won it for her?”
She lowered her gaze and rolled her lower lip in her teeth.
“You did,” he said, understanding she didn’t want to talk about it.
A tiny bob of her head. Slight action but it moved those enticing curls and the devil was on him to touch them. “I did.”
The others pulled them in to the conversation and he didn’t fight it, even though, he wished it hadn’t had to happen.
“Okay, we’ve all been drinking except for my brother there. He’ll drive us all home.”
Over their heads, he winked at Davin.
Maybe he wouldn’t kill his twin just yet. It took a bit of convincing, but everyone agreed and made their way to his Jeep. They dropped off Renny and Sugar first. Then Cindy. As Tavin hopped out by the street to the house, he waved them on.
“I’ll walk from here. Make sure you get her all the way home, safe, little brother.” Tavin kissed the back of her hand. “Goodnight beautiful. Thank you for a great night.”
“Goodnight, Tavin,” she replied with a brief smile.
He idled as his brother walked off. Neha didn’t move for a short stint then looked at him.
“Are we sitting here all night?”
He grinned. “I don’t know where you live, but if you’d like to crash at my place, I have no problem with that.”
Her eyes darkened in the lamp lights.
Chapter 4
Neha watched Davin from the corner of her eye. The night air was warm, and she knew the goosebumps popping up were from something completely unweather related. And everything to do with the man driving the vehicle.
She wanted to fidget. Okay, she also wanted to jump him but that wasn’t a viable option.
Not until you get him home to your place.
Her brain didn’t need to be encouraging such behavior, in her state, she would most likely take it up on the suggestion.
He didn’t force conversation but at one of the stoplights, he looked at her. “Are you warm enough? I know the wind can be sharp. I have a jacket if you’d like.”
“Please, if it’s not too much trouble.”
His eyes moved over her. “Not at all.”
When he handed it to her, she slid it on, immediately surrounded by his scent of outdoors, the faint hint of gunpowder, and him. She nearly burrowed her face in it to get all she could.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
When they pulled into her parking lot, she looked at him when he killed the engine and removed the keys.
His expression was serious. “To your door.”
There were a few guys out that had been notorious for hitting on her and she was grateful for Davin’s jacket once more.
He was at her side and assisted her from the vehicle. She didn’t argue when he slipped his arm around her back. Together they went to the door, the guys watching but not making any comment.
She got it. Every inch of this man screamed military and one who knew how to handle himself. He let her set the pace as she walked up to the fourth floor. Out of breath most likely from the man beside her instead of the flights.
“You know there was an elevator, right?” he teased as they paused by her door.
“Makes me not forget anything when I leave.” She pulled her key from her chest as well as the case holding her id and cards.
“Lucky key,” he muttered in a voice so low she wasn’t sure she was supposed to have heard it.
Opening the door, she stepped in and turned to invite him in. He yanked his gaze up from her ass and she smiled.
“Would you like to come in?”
“I would love nothing more, but you, have been drinking and I will not take advantage.” He shook his head. “No matter how tempting.”
“In that case, are you doing anything tomorrow morning, Davin Bly?”
“No ma’am.”
She tightened her grip around the jacket she still had over her shoulders. “Come back around seven and get your jacket.”
His eyes smoldered. “Are you sure?”
For once, she wished she knew how to be much flirtier than she was. She didn’t have it in her. “Positive.”
He grabbed the edges of his jacket she still wore and pulled her to him. Their mouths millimeters apart. “I’ll be here.” His gaze raked her, making it as if he’d just physically undressed her then. “Good night, Neha Kirk.”
She thought he would kiss her, they were so close, but he didn’t. Instead he backed off and moved her into her place once more before shutting the door. She locked it and rested her head on the wood, one hand on the door as well, fingers spread as if she could reach through and touch him.
Her night was full of tossing and turning. Eventually, she got up from bed and spent the remainder of the night wrapped in his jacket on the couch, daydreaming of what could be. Up at five, she ran and came back to shower.
She was in the middle of finishing up making their breakfast when her doorbell rang. She stared at her trembling hands and rubbed them on her legs. A brief touch to her hair and she went to answer the door.
He stood there, leaning on one shoulder, arm behind his back. Her mouth went dry as she took in the way his shirt molded to his chest and the jeans hugged his legs. His left arm flexed as she stared and she longed for nothing more than to trace the muscles with her tongue.
“Morning.”
Fuck that voice could tempt the devil from hell.
“Good morning. I hope you’re hungry.”
“I definitely am.” He brought his hand around and she smiled at the mixed bouquet. “Wasn’t sure what your favorite flower was. Something for me to work on.”
“Thank you.” She took the flowers and led him to the kitchen where she put them in a vase of water.
He turned her to him once she’d finished and gripped her sides. “One more thing.”
Her brain was short circuiting from his touch. “What’s that?”
Davin didn’t answer her. Not verbally anyway. He covered her mouth with his and applied gentle pressure until she opened beneath him. His tongue slipped in and she moaned as she stroked along it. His grip on her sides, tightened and she responded in kind by grabbing what she could of his shirt.
He pulled back and looked down at her.
“I tried my fucking hardest to not think about what you do to me, Neha. I’m older than you. I know you aren’t looking to have anything more for people to scrutinize but fuck if I can let you go now. Last night nearly killed me.”
“Thank god I’m not the only one feeling like this. I spent most of the night wrapped in your jacket so I could smell you around me.” She slipped her arms around his neck. “I have a firm rule about not sleeping where I work.”
He kissed her again, robbing her of breath. “Do me a favor then.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t ever get a job at the range. And I promise never to serve on a sub.”
“Promise,” she vowed as he cupped her ass and lifted her up to the counter, so they were face to face.
He cupped her jaw as he deepened the kiss. His calluses played havoc on her. Davin nibbled, sucked, and teased her until she could barely recall her own name. Damn man was playing her like his own personal instrument.
And this is just from a kiss where he’s not touched anything other than my face.
Reaching up with her fingers, she scraped her short nails along the nape of his neck. His deep rumble, spurring her on. She mewled in response and tried to shift her entire body closer to him.
He pulled back and stared at her, eyes stormy and full of heat she’d never had another guy look at her with.
“I’m not rushing this with you, Neha. No matter how fucking hard I am for wanting to sink between your thighs. I need to make sure you’re in this as much as I am.”
“Why do you think I asked you to come back when you wouldn’t stay over?”
He brushed the back of his hand along her skin as he slowly shook his head. “Slowly.”
She licked her lips to capture the last bit of his flavor she could. Sexually frustrated, she appreciated him being how he was. There were far to many men who would be happy for pussy then go and let people know on base what had happened between them. She didn’t get that from him. At all.
She’d done her own digging into this man. While he’d not been a SEAL, he’d had more than his shared time of boots on the ground in countries that may or may not exist anymore. He’d earned every inch of his swagger he had.
Neha bit on her lower lip as their gazes remained locked with one another. She wanted to shift on the counter. Fuck that, she wanted him to take her. Hard and rough. Make her feel it when she walked down to the pier.
The timer went off and she swore. His lips quirked up and she cocked an eyebrow at him.
“What’s so funny?”
“I’m not leaving once the food is finished, Neha. Not unless you tell me to leave.” He gripped her around the waist and lifted her before allowing her to slowly slide down his body until her feet rested on the ground.
She had the quiche on the table in little time. He carried over the platter of fresh fruit and put it down. The small round table shrank further when he lowered his body to his seat, after holding the chair for her. She tucked her head and prayed she could do this without saying something stupid or embarrassing.
“Look at me.”
It took her a moment, but she listened. His blue eyes held hers and sank more into her. She didn’t want him to let her go.
Fuck, a few moments in his presence and she was imagining kids, a white picket fence and that whole nine yards of familial bliss.
“Thank you.”
“For?”
“Trusting me enough to let back in.”
“I told you last night you could have stayed.”
His gaze deepened. “And I told you, I wasn’t going to take advantage.”
“What about now?”
His hand shook as he dished up the food, serving her first then himself. “Ask me after we eat and this looks delicious.”
“Thank you,” she muttered, dragging her gaze from him and refocusing it on her plate.
Talk moved to work and what had gotten them into what they were doing. She loved merely listening to the rich cadence of his voice. That soothing drawl, did things to her that she knew would probably illegal in a good number of states.
He worked beside her to clean up, brushing off her statement that it wasn’t necessary. As she draped the dishcloth over the divider of her ceramic sink, once again spotless, she closed her eyes as he bracketed her in between him and the counter.
His touch was infinitely gentle as he pivoted her around, so they were face to face. She sucked a sharp breath. There was no descriptive word she could come up with that would aptly convey the amount of hunger and desire in his gaze.
