Page 28 of No Going Back

It made him itch to see, touch, and taste those essentials.

Too fast, Falcone. Give the woman a chance to heal first.

He moved into the bathroom, changed into a pair of athletic shorts, and willed his erection to settle the hell down. Back in the bedroom, Branna lay in the middle of the bed under the covers. That possessive feeling returned, and Sean realized that while it was indeed fast, this was the woman he wanted to spend his life with.

He’d do anything to keep her safe. Do anything to keep her happy. Now, he just needed her to fall in love with him, and life would be good.

First, they’d put the asshole in jail where he belonged.

Thinking of Prince helped him calm his body down, and he slid into the bed and sidled over to Branna. She faced the window. Her eyelids were half-closed, and there was a soft smile on her face.

At least she was thinking good thoughts instead of reliving the recordings they’d heard.

Sean wrapped himself around her, and she rested her head on his arm. His other pulled her in tight. “Okay?”

Her smile broadened, and her eyes closed. “Perfect.”

It damn well was.

* * *

Branna woke slowly, with a sense of safety wrapped around her. She was in bed with Sean, and there was no place she’d rather be.

He spooned her, and his heavy erection pressed into her butt, making her smile. It was about time to do something about that.

His arm looped around her, holding her close. His hand curled around her breast and her body was aroused just from sleeping with him. Actually sleeping, not a euphemism.

Was she ready for the next step? Was he?

She searched her mind and emotions for any doubts, but she didn’t find any. Sean had always been her fantasy guy. None of the men she’d dated had held up next to him.

Even though he’d enlisted when she’d been a teen, she’d known him to be the best of the best. He and Charlie had come back to Miami several times before that IED had killed her brother.

Sean had been the one to call them. No impersonal message from a person they’d never known. He’d taken on that hellishly difficult job by himself. Knowing he was going to break their hearts. Knowing his own was broken.

Everything about Sean appealed to her, and she figured Charlie would be okay with them being together. Her brother had always teased her about her crush, but he’d never spilled her secret to his friend. He’s too old for you. For now.

She hadn’t remembered that last part until now, but Charlie had always said that when he teased her. Two years might have been a gap when she’d been fourteen, but it didn’t mean a thing now. You’re right, Charlie. He’s not too old for me anymore.

Branna pushed the thoughts of her brother firmly out of her head and let thoughts of Sean replace them. His kisses. The caring he showed through the ways he touched her. The ways he protected her.

She wanted him.

Deciding it was easier to be bold when she wasn’t facing him, Branna moved her hand to her side. If she reached just a little farther, she could take his erection in her hand.

A ringtone from Sean’s phone shattered the moment and had her flinching.

Sean muttered and kissed her hair. “That’s Troy. Looks like nap time is over.”

But he hugged her to him and rested his head on her shoulders. “Sleep okay?”

“Like a baby.”

“Me too.” The phone sounded again, and Sean rolled away from her. “Ten minutes until they’re here. Guess we have to move.”

Branna sighed heavily, making Sean laugh. “Agreed. But we’ll get more time in the bed soon.”

His wording had her gaze going straight to his. Desire and amusement shone back at her. “I like the sound of that.”

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