Page 33 of Summer Heatwave
“Okay, but I need to have it by Sunday night.”She opened the trunk and pulled out a large backpack.“Let’s go.I’m anxious to see what this bachelor pad of yours looks like.You’ve been in my place several times, but I’ve never seen yours.”
Although Mike had dated often since his last divorce, he’d made it a personal rule to never bring a woman to his home.After transferring from the East Coast nearly three years ago, he’d maintained that rule.As a commander, he rarely left Coronado.His days of jumping out of perfectly good airplanes, flying halfway around the world to rescue some senator who’d gotten himself in trouble, and assassinating bad guys, were over.
He was too old for that shit.
His house was his home.His personal domain.He didn’t like sharing his space.Lately, he hadn’t wanted a woman.
Mike knew he was too jaded for silly bar girls who wanted to sleep with as many SEALs as possible, and too experienced to fall for a woman who wanted nothing more than a base ID card.
Been there, done that.
Perhaps that’s why Kam was so different.She had never asked him for anything.She had little interest in his profession and probably didn’t even know the benefits of a military ID card.
When Mike pulled up to the gate of his exclusive community, he had to insert his card and punch in a six-digit personalized code.The gate rolled open and closed behind him quickly, as it had been designed.The homes were shades of beige and muted accents, with long driveways and large green yards.Everything screamed of wealth.
“Before you get the wrong idea, I don’t own this house.I just rent it.”For pennies on the dollar.The home was actually owned by Guardian Security and used as a safe house.It hadn’t been needed in months when he ran into his BUD/S buddy, Parker “Griffin” Mitchell IV.Although Griff didn’t work at the Los Angeles office, he was the manager of the Miami Center.A quick phone call to the managing owner, Alex Wolf, and Mike was able to move in that day.With the house keys came an offer to join Guardian, whenever he wanted.
Mike wasn’t ready to quit the Navy, not yet.He was climbing the ladder at a steady pace.Next step, eagles on his collars.So far, so good.
He pulled into his driveway and exterior lights immediately came on displaying a large, five-bedroom home.He immediately drove into the garage and shut off his vehicle because the door closed quickly behind him.
“I can grab your bag,” he offered as she stepped out of the car.
“Wow.Is the sports car yours?And the motorcycle?”Kam asked as she came around the front of his SUV.
Mike grinned and wondered if maybe Kam would like to take a ride.“The bike is mine.The Lamborghini belongs to one of the owners of Guardian Security, but Katlin said I could borrow it anytime I wanted.I did promise you a ride up the Pacific Coast Highway.”
Kam’s weary smile said it all.“Maybe.”
One-word sentences.She was winding down fast.He needed to get her into bed very soon.“The master is on the main floor and there is a second en suite across the hall.There are also three more bedrooms upstairs, but I’m not sure they have sheets on the beds.”In the middle of the kitchen, he stopped to face her.“I’d rather have you close to me, but the choice is completely yours.”
“I’m so fucking tired I could fall asleep on that dining table.”She gave him a weak smile.“Across the hall from you will be perfect.”
Actually, perfect would be in the bed beside me.Mike was not about to say that to her.
He opened the door to her bedroom.He knew it was ready.It always was.Part of the Guardian service included a housekeeper twice a week.Consuelo insisted on changing those sheets once a week and assuring there were fresh towels, just in case he had company.When she’d been there on Thursday, he was hoping for a completely different kind of company over the weekend.
“This is beautiful.”Kam put her bag on the padded bench at the end of the bed.“I’m going to take a shower, if it’s all right with you.”She ran her hands up and down her bare arms where goosebumps had started to develop.
Mike knew the sign.“There’s a garden tub in there with jets.Why don’t you take a nice hot bath?”If she could relax, the adrenaline would leave her body quicker.
“That sounds like an excellent idea.”She sat on a nearby chair and started to take her boots off.
Watching Kam strip would be a dream come true, but they were nowhere near that point in their relationship.“Okay, I’m just going to go across the hall.”
Barefoot, she walked up to within an inch of him.“Want to join me?”
Christ, yes.“I would, but not tonight.”He slowly lowered his head, giving her every chance to move away, until his lips met hers.He’d meant the kiss to be soft and gentle, but she took it to hard and fast in a heartbeat.His body instantly responded, his arms coming around her.She opened her mouth and found his tongue with hers, tangling in a dance as old as Adam and Eve.His cock sprang to attention, pressing against his zipper, begging to find her hot, wet center.
He had to stop this.It was purely adrenaline.She’d been through so much today with highs and lows, then she’d killed for the first time.Now that she was away from all the excitement, her body needed to release that hormone.He admitted to himself that he wanted Kam to desire him for who he was, not because her body wanted the release of an adrenaline-filled orgasm.
He fully intended to give her several orgasms before he took his own pleasure, but that might be tomorrow morning.
Mike finally pulled back.“Kam, why don’t you take that hot bath and we’ll talk about picking this up where we left off.I’m sure you feel…”
“Tainted.Dirty.Sinful.”She let out a small giggle.“Catholic guilt for breaking one of God’s Ten Commandments.And I didn’t do it just once, I did it twice.”Her jaw started to shake uncontrollably.Tears filled her eyes then rivered down her cheeks as her whole body shook.
Teeth chattering, her eyes begged as she bit out, “Cold.So fucking cold.”
