Thankful for You Read online

  “I wish.”

  I wish, too. Before he could pounce on her wistful words, she was being hugged by a customer who followed them all the way to the Chamber building, chattering away. Once inside, they were caught in the social whirl and it was time for Sig to earn his keep. He thanked each person he met for contributing to the widows and orphans fund. He answered way too many personal questions and he spent a bit of time chatting with a guy who’d lost his leg in a motorcycle accident. PTSD wasn’t only for soldiers. He gave the younger man as many tips as he could, including the name of a good therapist in the next town. Through the rest of the reception and the dinner that followed, he remained on autopilot, conscious almost entirely of Elsie. She played the role as well as he did—only someone close to either of them would be able to tell how much they both hated being on display.

  Finally, dinner was over—Sig couldn’t even remember what he’d eaten—and it was time for his speech. He limped over to the podium and looked out at the audience, making eye contact with anyone who didn’t shy away. There were ten tables of ten seats, and almost none were empty, so a hundred souls had come out for the cause. That gave him a place to start, as he outlined the organization that would benefit: a non-profit fund to take care of soldiers’ families when the insurance wasn’t enough.

  “I got involved with this group through a dare, as most of you have heard by now. One of my buddies from the VA hospital agreed to model and he challenged me to as well. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” He again worked for eye contact, something that was growing easier since he’d been doing these talks. “And before you ask, yes, way harder than my run-in with the grenade. That was over in seconds. By the time I realized it was happening, it was over, and there I was in a hospital bed. It goes like that, when disaster strikes. The incident is over in a heartbeat, but the ramifications linger—sometimes forever. For someone like me, that means physical scars. It was awful to find the courage to have my photo taken, but it was a big step toward my recovery.” There was a laugh and some feminine hoots as his calendar photo appeared on the screen behind his head, part of the slide show Sig had provided on a flash drive.

  He went on, explaining how the organization worked and how it helped families torn apart by loss. “For someone like Jessica Noble, it means growing up without a father.” A photograph of a little girl on crutches flashed on the screen. “Jessica has special needs, and with four kids, her mom was struggling to pay for food and housing, let alone special shoes, physical therapy, and everything else she needs. They didn’t even have a car to get to and from Jessica’s appointments. Tonight, you’re helping the Nobles and families like them do more than just survive, but to live. Thanks to the Hero Family Fund, Jessica gets to all of her appointments and plays on a handicapped soccer team. Donors like you bought her uniform and equipment, as well as providing the family with a reliable used car. Survival is easy, relatively speaking. It’s the most basic instinct of any animal. But living is a lot more difficult. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for helping children like Jessica and their families to have the wherewithal to live—even if their lives will never be the same.”

  A thunderous wave of applause filled the room, as the audience stood. Glad that he’d touched them, Sig only had eyes for one person. Elsie stood, along with everyone else on the dais, applauding madly. Sig rejoined her and looked down into her tear-filled eyes.

  “Beautiful,” she mouthed. Once they were seated, she clung to his hand again and even leaned in closer. Had he finally broken through her defenses? His breath quickened. The event was nearly over. When he walked her home, would she ask him in? That was probably too much to hope for. Maybe she’d at least agree to another date.

  They sat in silence through a few more speeches and then did the mingling and hand-shaking thing one more time as everyone started to leave. Finally, they were back outside. The autumn sun had set, chilling the soft breeze. Sig tentatively wrapped his arm around Elsie’s waist to draw her in close to the heat of his body. His hopes soared when she leaned easily against him. “You were wonderful tonight. Not only your speech, but even the things you say to random people who come talk to you. You have a gift, Sig.”

  He shrugged. “I wouldn’t call it a gift. I talk to people the way I’d like them to talk to me.”

  “Which is empathy, which not everyone has.”

  Great. Now she was talking about him like a kindly uncle. If she called him sweet, he was liable to puke.

  His reaction must have shown on his face, because she chuckled. “I don’t mean you’re all touchy-feely-girly about it. Talking to you is so easy. You understand that everyone has problems and you don’t judge.”

  “That’s called being a rational and decent human being.” Why did she—hell, why did everyone—insist on making him into some kind of role model? He was a guy like any other. Nothing more, nothing less.

  She snorted a laugh. “Right. Well, you’d be surprised how many people out there aren’t decent, rational human beings—especially ones who’d cover their friend’s body with their own when a grenade was about to go off.”

  “I keep telling everyone that was instinct, not intent. I shouldn’t get credit for something I didn’t even know I was doing until it was over.” Hearing his voice rise, he took a deep breath. “It wasn’t a decision. I saw the grenade and tackled Gomez. There was no heroism about it. I was diving for cover.”

  “But you didn’t just dive.” She turned to face him without dislodging his arm from around her waist. She tapped his nose with her finger. “You covered your friend. Without even thinking about saving your own ass first. That instinct is the difference between being a decent person and being a heroic one.”

  “You sound like my mother.” And wasn’t that a depressing thought? The last damned thing he wanted was her feeling maternal toward him.

  They’d reached the back door to the pet shop, the one that also led to the apartment above. In the glow of her porch light, she gazed at him, not reaching for her door. “I sure as hell hope you don’t think of me as your mother.” Then she blinked, as if she couldn’t believe the words had come out of her own mouth.

  Warmth surged through Sig’s veins. He dropped his voice to a husky growl and leaned closer, still keeping a few inches between their bodies so she didn’t panic. “Not at all.”

  “Oh.” After the breathy gasp, she blinked again. Then her eyes narrowed and she set her shoulders. “Good.” She took both of his lapels in her hands and pulled him down. “Kiss me good night before I chicken out.”

  Sig didn’t wait for a second invitation. He dove in. And damn if kissing Elsie Jordan wasn’t everything he’d been fantasizing about and more. Her lips were soft, supple, and flavored with cheesecake rather than lipstick. She stood on her tiptoes to reach him and moaned softly as his tongue slid inside. When she pressed against his erection, Sig nearly lost it. His knees threatened to buckle, so he leaned back against the wall of the building with Elsie still plastered against him. Taking the kiss deeper, he slid one hand into her hair and the other under her suit jacket to feel the silk of her blouse warm against his hand. Every nook and cranny of her mouth was hot and sweet while her tongue danced along his. Eventually she collapsed against his chest, both of them gasping for breath. To Sig’s delight, she didn’t immediately recoil and step away.

  “Either we take this inside….” He ran his fingers through her silky hair. “Or I need to go home now and take a cold shower.”

  She did step back, then and looked up at him, her expression stark in the lamplight. “I want to. I really do.”

  “Then what’s stopping us? You’re not involved with someone else. We’re both consenting adults.”

  She dragged in a deep breath. “It’s…complicated.”

  “You want to talk about it?” He hoped to hell he wasn’t going to have to walk away. Not tonight. His dick pulsed against his fly, so hard it hurt.

  She firmed her chin and smiled. “Not, b
ut probably should. I need to know we’re on the same page. This has to be a one-time thing. I’m not ready for a relationship. I may not ever be. If you can handle that, I’d love for you to come upstairs.”

  He didn’t pause to think. “Oh, I plan to, sugar. More than once, if possible. I know for a fact that you will.” Even in the dim light, he saw her blush. He kissed her again, hard and deep, then reined himself in,. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter Three

  Elsie only dropped her keys once. There were two locks, one at street level and one on her apartment itself. Both were shiny and new, which gave her enough sense of security to sleep at night. Tonight, though, she didn’t think she’d be getting any rest. Her entire body sang with anticipation as she raced up the stairs. Sig didn’t run, but he caught her hand as she opened the apartment door and let her tug him inside. He elbowed the door shut, and looked around at the kitchen, illuminated by the small light above the sink. A day’s worth of dishes sat on the counter and toast crumbs littered the table, right beside a haphazard pile of junk mail.

  Oh, crap, had she made the bed?

  “Which way?” His voice was rough, huskier than she’d ever heard it. The deep quiver in his tone sent matching tremors through her limbs.

  “Over here.” She led him through the living room—also a bit untidy, into her bedroom, tucked into a front corner of the apartment. She’d left a lamp on in here too, part of her paranoia, but it let her come in at night without being terrified.

  Sig didn’t seem to care that she hadn’t made the bed or that the dirty clothes had spilled over the edge of the hamper. As soon as they were both in the bedroom, he pulled her into his arms and kissed the breath out of her all over again.

  So much for going out with him as a friend. Her conscience tried to rein in her behavior, but it lost out to desire. We are. Friends with benefits, for one night only. That didn’t count as a relationship. Sig shrugged off his jacket, reached for the buttons on hers, and rational thought of any kind went out the window.

  It had been so long Elsie wasn’t sure she’d remember what to do. Sig’s fingers were deft on her buttons, and he pushed off her jacket with a gentle touch, making her tremble as his hands grazed along her shoulders. Wanting him to hurry, she reached back and undid the single button on her silk shell and lifted her arms so he could pull it over her head.

  The shuddering breath Sig sucked in told Elsie he was as affected as she was.

  “Your skin is amazing,” he whispered. “Smooth as satin. You sure you’re okay with seeing my messed-up hide? I can turn the light off.”

  “Leave it.” Now she was the aggressor, yanking off his tie and undoing his shirt. Heady with power, she kissed each bit of skin she revealed button by button. “Any scars you have are part of who you are.” Truthfully, she was glad his body wasn’t perfect. His scars would be a constant reminder of who she was with—a good man, one who wouldn’t turn on her the moment his lust was sated.

  He shrugged out of his shirt and Elsie stepped back to gaze at him. Yes, there were scars. Her heart broke for the pain he must have suffered, probably still did suffer from time to time. Otherwise, though, he was a damn fine-looking man—muscled without being bulky, with a lean waist and a patch of dark hair on his chest that tapered down to a line disappearing into the waistband of his slacks. She licked her lips and squeezed her thighs together to ease the ache in her core.

  “Come here.” His deep growl reverberated in his chest as he pulled her close.

  “I’m not going anywhere else.” She laced her fingers through the short, crisp hair, above his heart, and felt it pounding every bit as hard as her own. Moisture soaked her panties and hose and her breasts ached with need.

  “Good.” He caught her hair in his hands and kissed her while she rubbed her nipples against his washboard abs, seeking relief. His heavy erection pressed against her stomach.

  Elsie wasn’t sure which one of them groaned. It could have been both.

  When they came up for air, she slid her hand down the front of his trousers and cupped him. Sig pulsed into her palm, even though his boxers.

  “Naked,” he gasped. “Now.”

  Elsie nodded. Taking an unsteady step back, she stripped. He dropped his slacks, pushing off a pair of plain white boxers at the same time. Elsie caught her breath. “Beautiful.” She reached out to trace the thick ridge running the length of his cock. The flared tip pointed straight toward his chest, a small bead of pre-cum already gathered at the slit. She’d never seen a man this aroused. Certainly not for her.

  Sig inhaled sharply. “This is going to be over fast if you keep doing that.” He tugged her back into his arms, kissing her until she couldn’t breathe. His tongue plundered her mouth, possessing her with a raw imitation of what was to come next.

  Elsie was on fire. She stood on her tiptoes, trying to get his cock lined up against her pussy, feeling every hair on his arms as they brushed her back. The need overwhelmed her senses. She rubbed against him shamelessly, all but begging him to fuck her. He slid a hand between their bodies and closed it around her breast. Elsie’s knees gave out and she sagged into him. Sig lifted her and laid her down on the bed. He spread her legs wide and knelt between them.

  “I’ve imagined you like this.” His gravelly voice shook. He ran a finger along the seam of her pussy. “All naked and pink and wet, all for me.”

  She nodded and bent her knees to give him more room. “Only for you.” He was so much better than she’d imagined, even on the nights she’d lain in this bed and fingered herself, thinking of Sig.

  He leaned over and brushed kisses around her breast, circling the areola, but never quite touching the nipple. “These are so lovely.”

  “Too small,” she whispered.

  “Dainty.” He licked her nipple. Elsie felt a tug of heat all the way to her womb. “Delicate.” Another lick, this one a little harder, making her wriggle and squirm with need. “Pink and white and perfect.” He switched his attentions to the other breast, tugging that nipple between his lips. “And so responsive. I could spend hours playing with these.” He sucked, and Elsie threw her head back against the pillows and arched into his mouth. The moan that escaped her lips was raw and filled with need, especially when his cock brushed her stomach. She tried to wriggle up the bed, but couldn’t bear to pull away from the hot bliss that was Sig’s mouth. He worked her nipples until she couldn’t breathe. Sig was right; her boobs were small, but they were extremely sensitive. When he increased the suction on one nipple and scissored the other between two thick fingers, a few small fireworks burst behind her eyes and her pussy clenched.

  “You amazing woman.” Sig shifted to lie beside her, kissing her mouth and sliding a finger into her aching cunt. “You came from that, didn’t you?”

  Elsie nodded. Embarrassing, but true.

  Sig hummed. “And I didn’t think you could get more perfect.” He added another finger to her channel, and Elsie bucked into his hand.

  “More.” She didn’t mind begging. She needed his cock.

  “Oh, yes.” He kissed her lips hard, then stepped off the bed and rummaged through the clothes pile on the floor. Elsie kept her eyes on him, admiring every bend and flex of each muscle along with the rugged lines of his face, while he ripped open a condom packet and rolled it on. Watching that made her even wetter; no whining about lost sensation, bitching that she should have protection, Sig matter-of-factly took care of things. If she had that much emotion left in her, she could fall in love with him for that.

  He knelt over her and kissed her lips again. “I want you so badly, Elsie.”

  “Me too.” She dug her fingers into the flesh of his shoulders and tried to pull him closer. “Hurry.”

  “There were so many things I wanted to do to you first.” He positioned himself between her legs and cupped his hands under her ass. “I didn’t even get to taste you yet.”

  “Next time.” She canted her hips. “We’ve got all night.”

 
“That we do, my lovely.” He pressed his cock against her entrance and rubbed the head in her juices. “But I only have one condom.”

  “Damn.” She pressed into him again, managing to get the tip of him inside the lips of her pussy. “We’ll…just…have to…get…crea…. Oh!” Her ragged attempt at speech failed completely as he slid home. Her inner muscles stretched around his girth, pulling him deeper until she was completely filled. Nothing had ever felt more perfect.

  Until he began to move. So slowly it was like a dream, he slid out until only the head was inside her. Bereft, she lifted her legs to wrap them around his hips and pull him back. But Sig would not be hurried. He reentered her in his own sweet time, claiming her lips once he was fully seated. She sucked on his tongue and ground her mound against his pubic bone. Each microscopic motion edged him deeper, until she felt his cock nudge her uterus. A wild moan escaped her, which he caught with his mouth. Then he levered himself above her with his forearms and began to fuck her in earnest, thrusting in and out with speed and precision, hitting her G-spot with every stroke. Her earlier orgasm had been little more than a hint, a preview of coming attractions. Pleasurable tension coiled tighter and tighter in Elsie’s abdomen. She gripped him tightly with her pelvic muscles and her nails dug into his skin.

  “Yes, yes!” she panted or mewled or cried, depending on the moment.

  “Elsie,” he moaned. “Jesus, Elsie.” He tilted his hips and slammed a little deeper.

  Now she couldn’t speak. She held her breath and whimpered, her whole body tightening around his. Higher and higher, her senses spiraled in an unprecedented tower of bliss. She fought the climax. This was her only chance tonight to have him inside her. She could tell he did the same, his torso shuddering, growing slick with sweat.

  Elsie screamed Sig’s name as the world exploded. Flares of light burst beneath her eyelids as her body convulsed. Her mind went blank, and the waves of exhilaration kept coming and coming and coming. She only distantly heard Sig’s shout of completion as he slammed home one last time, his body heaving above her.