Page 98 of Beast

She pulled out of my arms and her brows creased. “You do?”

It had just slipped out, but the more that I thought about it; the more I was growing to like the idea. The time without her those first few months had been hell and the more I was around her, the more I wanted to throw caution to the wind.

“I’m serious.” I pushed a lock of hair off her forehead, tucked it behind her ear. “I know I said I didn’t want for us to take this any farther than the boat, but apparently nothing stops you, which I admire more than anything. I do enjoy spending time with you and Gabriel. I want you.” I moved my lips just a hairsbreadth from hers and I felt her deep inhalation at my declaration.

She smiled and her delicate hand drew up to press against my cheek in a soft caress. “I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else. I don’t know how or where this is going to go, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking of you. You’re the only one I feel comfortable with.”

I pressed my lips to hers. I poured every ounce of pent up lust and frustration into the kiss. My hand on her waist crushed her to me, the other tilting her head to the side to take the kiss deeper.

Her hand shifted into my hair to hold me against her and the kiss turned emotional, softer, more loving.

The fabric of the dress she wore billowed out around us, concealing the motion, though the beach was pretty much deserted. I shifted, sliding my hands down the slope and dip of her hips and wrapped around to grab her tight ass. I clenched and gripped to guide her movements, pressing her more firmly against me with each slide.

I wanted to take her then and there, connect with her completely. I hadn’t had sex in a year and even then it was a one-night stand before I left for deployment and met Annie. I didn’t even remember the girl’s name. Jamie? Janie? But I had a feeling a year from now, ten years from now, I would remember this moment, just as I could recall our kiss on the boat. There was something about this girl, the way she focused on me, and saw right through me.

And that’s exactly why I stopped. My hands dropped and my lips detached from hers.

“Don’t stop, Pat. I want you.”

“Hey, I’m right here, babe. I’m dying to be with you, but not like this. I want it to be perfect, romantic. Not on some beach. There’s no rush. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Relax, I’m not a virgin. We don’t have to wait.”

I didn’t laugh. “It’s not just about you. I told you; I was raised by a single mom. I refuse to pop in and out of Gabriel’s life, any more than I have to because of my job. We just started dating. I’m not going to make love to you until I can commit to you and Gabriel. Once I commit, I do it one hundred percent. If we are going to make this work, we need to base this relationship on something other than the fucked up way we met.”

She threw her arms around my neck. “That’s the sweetest thing I ever heard.”

I kissed her again. It was like a relationship in reverse. She’d sucked my dick before I even knew her name. I only had one choice now. Go slow. So slow it would hurt. “Let’s go. Just in case Gabriel wakes up.”

She stood up, dusted the sand off her dress, and we walked back to my truck. It was late and I had to pick up Gabriel and take them both back to her home. And I knew now I wouldn’t be able to put off meeting her parents much longer.

28

Patrick

I’D PROMISED ANNIE I WOULD finally meet her parents now that we were together. I drove my rusted truck up the I-5 North toward Annie’s parents’ home in Encinitas. The damn truck still ran, thanks to my buddies taking care of it. With all the money I’d saved up during deployment, I briefly considered upgrading it to a brand new Ford Raptor. I needed to put down some roots, maybe buy a condo. But in this real estate market, the chances of doing that were slim.

I arrived at Annie’s house, and I flashed back to dropping her off here six months ago. She’d been so scared, so hopeful. She’d already come so far.

The grand gate opened and I pulled into their driveway. It was sad that with all the resources her parents had, they hadn’t been able to find Annie. Just hire former SEALs to bring her back home—real SEALs, not some asshole pretenders. But Dave said he’d seen some guys looking for Annie—who were they? I knew a few security contracting firms filled with former Team guys who could’ve gotten the job done. I’d sell every possession I owned to save my daughter. Give my life.

I glanced in the car mirror. I wore a collared shirt and khaki pants. I’d even shaved. I looked like a preppy asshole—should fit right in.

Annie came around to the side of my truck, carrying Gabriel. I recognized her parents immediately from all the news coverage. Her father had a distinguished white beard and piercing blue eyes. Her mother looked like one of those reality television housewives—long, shiny black hair, almond-shaped chocolate eyes, and porcelain skin.

I removed my sunglasses and stepped out of the truck. Her father observed me coolly, and offered a hand, which I took. “It’s an honor to meet you, Patrick.”

Her mother gave me a quick hug. Tears shone in her eyes as she looked up at me. “Thank you for saving my baby.”

“You’re welcome. I didn’t do it alone.”

“Yes, but you risked your life and career for her.” Her mom hugged me again and I could smell her strong perfume. “You brought our Annie back home.”

“Okay, Mom, can we at least go inside before you start losing it?”

“Of course, baby.”

I followed Annie up to the elegant entry stairs. The view of Moonlight State Beach from the living room blew me away. This home had to be worth at least three million dollars. I felt more at home in the brothel than I felt in this palace.