“You’re okay, Daddy. I’m sorry.” She let go of her nose and immediately clamped it again as her eyes watered.
“You should have smelled six of us in the transport helicopter. The pilot threatened to drop us in the ocean.”
“He wouldn’t have!” Saylor protested, absolutely appalled.
“No, baby. He wouldn’t do that. He is probably still flying around with the doors open to air it out. Come with me.”
Max led her to the laundry room, and he stripped off his fatigues, T-shirt, and socks. Quickly, he poured a lot of soap into the machine and set it on the hottest, longest cycle. “Me, next.”
Walking into the shower, he turned on the water. When she pulled her shirt over her head, he instructed, “Stay out here for a minute, baby. I don’t want to splash you with dirty water. I’m sorry, I should have showered on base, but I wanted to get home to you.”
“No way,” she said, frowning at him. “Don’t waste a minute that we have together.”
“That was my thought too.” He winked at her as he stepped into the water. As the liquid coated his skin, the dirt and perspiration turned darker and the tiled floor became gray. Max grabbed soap and rubbed it over him, taking the top layer of grime off. He even rubbed the lather through his hair.
Unable to stay away anymore, Saylor reached behind her and unfastened her bra. A primal growl rolled from Max’s throat. His hand squeezed tight around the shower wand as his eyes devoured her.
“Little girl,” he started and his jaw snapped closed as she ran her fingers between her breasts downward to the waistband of her jeans. As she popped open the button, she watched his erection jerk.
“I’m not pleasant company, Saylor,” he warned.
“If I wanted kindness, I’d go to see my grandmother.” Saylor pushed her jeans and panties over her hips. When they dropped to the floor, she stepped out of the last of her garments and kicked them out of the way.
As she walked forward, Max cautioned, “I’m not in total control, baby. I missed you too much. I’ve missed too much sleep.”
She couldn’t imagine what he and his team had survived. Obviously, down time to get cleaned up hadn’t existed. Now he admitted a lack of rest. She’d known his job was tough and dangerous. While he told her only the most superficial level of information, simply spending time with him had opened her eyes to the peril his team survived with each deployment.
“I need you as much as you need me. You’re not going to hurt me.” She stalked forward and ducked around him to wash his back, scratching her fingernails lightly over his skin like a scouring pad.
“Damn, little girl. That feels amazing.”
“Good. Get clean.”
“So bossy,” he smirked over his shoulder at her.
“Mmm-hmm,” she agreed with him as she stroked lather over his body. Scrapes and gouges oozed as she washed the dirt away. She wanted to press kisses to each of them, but didn’t wish to push him too far. For his health, he needed to get cleaned up.
Lowering herself to her knees, she spread the silky bodywash over his legs and feet. Max turned around and found her kneeling in front of him. She saw him look up as if struggling for control, his hands curling into fists at his sides.
Completely unafraid, Saylor rose to her feet. She wrapped an arm over his shoulders and pressed herself against him. Max snapped his head down to stare into her eyes. “Daddy. I need you. Now.”
A roar burst from him as Max lifted her off her feet. He spun around to brace her against the tile wall. He captured her lips and kissed her as if his very life depended on the exchange. Saylor met his mouth, striving to answer his need with her own. Clinging to his powerful form, Saylor pushed away all thoughts other than her focus on Max.
Max stroked his hands down her ribcage. His hands tightened around her waist. Sensing he struggled for control, Saylor tore her mouth from his. “Touch me, Daddy. I’ve missed you so much.”
Immediately, Max raised his hands to cup her breasts. Saylor arched backward, pressing her head against the tile to present herself to him. Max buried his face in the curve of her neck. His kisses and love nips thrilled her as his fingers caressed her.
Abandoning herself to his sensual web, Saylor ground her pelvis against him. She wouldn’t hide her desire from him. “Please,” she said.
“Condom, little girl. We’ve got to get out of here.”
“No, we don’t, Daddy.” She reached to the shelf holding shampoo bottles. Grabbing one of the small packets she’d stashed there earlier, Saylor waved the protection at him.
“Okay, that gets you ice cream after dinner,” he growled, confiscating it. He bit down on the corner as he stroked down her body. “Let’s make sure you’re ready for me, baby.”
“I am,” she rushed to assure him.
Max didn’t take her word for it. He brushed his fingers along the side of one of her breasts before rubbing his thumb over her nipple. She gasped as the sensations zinged to her core, buildingthe heat inside her. He glided his other hand over her smooth mound and traced her cleft. Saylor tilted her hips, trying to guide his touch.
