Page 22 of Gator

“We decided we’d meet at his house since his parents were traveling. It was ridiculously clumsy and awkward,” she laughed. “But it was also sweet. He was a nice guy, but he wasn’t the guy I wanted to spend my life with. I dated one guy in college for about a year, then another in culinary school. Now, he was an asshole.”

“How so?” asked Gator.

“Sometimes, chefs have huge egos, and he had one super-sized ego. His father is a well-known chef and owns several restaurants, so I think he thought he’d always be safe, even if he didn’t pass the grade.”

“So, you never slept with Mike?” he asked.

“Mike? No. Mike was, is, gay. He and Toban have been together for years. No, he never approached me in that way.” She looked up at her son’s head, laying against Gator’s shoulder. “The truth is, Ian, I never pictured myself a mother or wife. I don’t know why. I can’t imagine not having Joey in my life now.”

“And the wife part?” he asked quietly. She stopped, turning to stare up into his beautiful face.

“I-I’m not sure. I mean, this, me and Joey, and what’s happening with Hanz, that’s a lot for someone to take on.”

“Not everyone,” he said. “Some men are meant for this kind of thing. Men like Hanz are always out there, and we’re always ready for them.”

“Is that the SEAL credo?” she asked.

“No,” he chuckled. “I guess that’s the Voodoo Guardian’s credo. Our name has changed, but nothing else in our lives has. We still chase the worst bad guys on the planet. We help countries stay safe. We fight side-by-side with our enlisted men and women. None of that has changed.”

“But you’ll have to leave soon, right?” she asked. Gator stared at her, then looked toward the cottages. His family lived here. His parents, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends. This was where he belonged, where he should be.

“Actually, I think it’s time I come home for good,” he said, looking down at her.

“So, you’d be here all the time,” she asked, swallowing. He looked at the long, lean neck and the small swell of her breasts. Nodding, he took a step closer to her.

“I’m going to kiss you now, Dylan. Not like last night. This will be different.” She nodded, then gripped his forearm to steady herself.

Bending down, he pried her lips open with his tongue, tasting the sweetness of her body. Dylan gripped the back of his neck, his black knit stocking cap preventing her from threading her hands through his hair.

When he pulled back, she was flushed from head to toe. And wet. Very, very wet.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been kissed like that before,” she whispered, touching her lips.

“You should be kissed like that all day, every fucking day,” he growled, bending down and gripping her around the waist. He pulled her tight against his body, letting her feel his hard, rigid cock. Her eyes went wide, then filled with lust. “I want you, Dylan, but I won’t take you before you’re ready. You’ve been through hell this last year or so, and I won’t add to it. When you’re ready, you come to me, and I’ll know it’s the right time.”

He kissed her again, then laced his fingers with hers, pulling her along toward their cottage. At their front door, he kissed her again.

“We’re a package, Ian. He’s my son.”

“Yep. I know,” he said, nodding his head. “And I’m the man that saved him, and hopefully, he’ll always know that I’m the man who will always save him. I’ll always be there for him if you’ll let me.”

She took Joey and removed his coat, setting him in the playpen in the middle of the living room. When she turned around, Ian was dressed in running gear.

“Are you leaving?” she asked.

“I need to run off some energy before I do something I shouldn’t,” he smiled. “I’ll be back and, hopefully, be cooled off.”

Dylan couldn’t help but look down at his groin, the outline of his thick cock pressing against his running tights. She walked toward him, then placed the palm of her hand against him, feeling the heat and hardness of him. Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him again.

“Don’t let it cool off too much. Joey goes to bed at eight.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

It was mile nine before Gator felt as if he could return to the cottage without embarrassing himself. Slowing, he took in long deep breaths, letting his body cool down naturally. He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Ham jogging toward him. He couldn’t help but notice he was running in an awkward way.

“You hurt?” he frowned.

“Only if you count my dick being so hard it’s ready to break off,” said Ham.

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