3. Seth
“Are you planning on talking to her, or just staring at her all night?” Brady slaps me hard on the back before handing me another beer.
“A little of column A and a little of column B,” I retort, causing him to snicker.
I’ve been watching Bristol flitter around the party, running in and out of the house to make sure no one needs anything. At first, I thought she was trying to ignore me, especially after the way she practically ran away after saying hello, but now I’m not so sure. I watch as she throws her head back and laughs at something Vance says, letting out peals of laughter. If I didn’t already know Vance was still head over heels in love with his high school sweetheart, Selina Grimes, I’d be beyond jealous of their interaction with each other.
“You’ve got it bad.” Riggs shakes his head as he grabs a beer from the cooler beside me.
“As if you’re one to talk,” I snap back, motioning toward Leia as she comes through the French doors and strolls past us. Her eyes instantly narrow as she spots Riggs standing next to me before making a beeline toward Bristol and Vance.
“I know.” Riggs sighs, taking a healthy pull from his beer. “But at least I’ve attempted to talk to Leia a few times tonight. It just didn’t go as planned. It never does.”
I nod my head in agreement as I think about both of our predicaments. Riggs and I are gone for girls who refuse to give us the time a day. However, instead of trying to have another conversation with Bristol, I’ve been standing here for over an hour, mesmerized by Bristol’s arms waving in the air while she talks with Leia. No matter where I am in the house, I find myself attuned to her every movement.
“I talked to her, but I can’t figure out how to convince her to let me in. She apparently has an issue with guys in the military, but I have a feeling there’s more to it than that.”
“No matter what her reason is, if you hurt her, we hurt you.” Riggs stares down the length of his bottle before taking another sip. “Bristol is like a little sister to Walker and me, and we protect our own,” he says, and I take a sip of my beer.
“Message received loud and clear, but I need to get her on board first.”
“Are you sure it’s the military thing?” Brady asks, his eyebrows pulling down. “Could it be an age thing? You’re almost five years older than her.”
“Chicks dig older men,” Riggs replies without missing a beat, causing me to chuckle.
“I don’t think our age difference is that big of a deal. She specifically told me she didn’t date people in the military. She wants to be the most important person in someone’s life, and for a Marine, the military always comes first.”
“Once a Marine, always a Marine,” Brady replies, taking another sip of his beer.
“Yeah, that’s true, but it doesn’t have to be my whole life forever. Eventually, I want to get out, settle down, and start a family.”
“With Bristol,” Riggs chimes in, motioning toward Bristol and Leia standing on the other side of the deck.
“What?”
“With Bristol. You want all those things with Bristol, right?”
“Maybe? I barely know her.” I reach back, gripping the back of my neck, knowing I’m full of shit. I’ve been able to see my entire future with Bristol playing out before my eyes since we met a few months ago. I can’t imagine doing any of these things with anyone but her.
“Sure, but that doesn’t mean a damn thing, and you know it. How’s that saying go? The heart wants what it wants, or something like that, right?”
“Something like that, I guess, but no matter how much I want her, she has to want me back for things to go anywhere between us.”
“Now that’s the easy part. Try being charming. Ladies dig that.” Riggs winks as he strides toward Leia and Bristol. I follow behind him, wanting to be closer to Bristol. As I get closer, I hear the tail end of their conversation.
“You know what you need?” Leia says as she notices us approaching. “A one-night stand. A good, hard fuck with an insanely attractive Marine.”
I shake my head at her antics. “What are you, my pimp now?”
“How do you know she was talking about you?” Riggs questions as he flashes the girls another smile, taking the time to wink at Leia for good measure.
“Do you see any other attractive Marines around?”
“Brady isn’t too bad looking,” Leia giggles, motioning toward Brady bending down to grab another beer out of the cooler. “I’m sure he knows how to treat a woman right in bed.”
Riggs throws his arm over Leia’s shoulder, pulls her tightly against him, and whispers, “I doubt Brady has what you’re looking for.”
Leia’s cheeks instantly flush as she licks her bottom lip before she shoves him hard, causing him to stumble backward slightly. “Pig.”
“You’re the one who brought it up, and I aim to please, Leia. Always.” He winks at her before she storms off toward the house.
“She’s probably going to ask Walker if he’ll come kick your ass,” Bristol snickers.
“Probably, but totally worth it,” Riggs replies before he follows Leia, no doubt thinking of some way to push her buttons again, leaving Bristol and me alone.
We stare at the beautiful scenery surrounding the Armstrongs’ home. The sun is setting behind the hills, giving the sky a pink hue. This would be the perfect opportunity to talk to her, to figure out exactly what her hang-up is about exploring things between us, but my mind is completely blank.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” Bristol murmurs, bringing my mind back to the present.
“It is,” My eyes lock on her as I step closer, cupping her cheek and turning her face toward me. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
“Seth.” She whispers my name, sending shock waves of need down my body as I lean toward her.
“Bristol.” I bury my nose into the crook of her neck. My senses are bombarded with the reminder of the first day of spring, a scent that is specific to her. Who could imagine that a simple smell could set my senses on fire? Bristol is the most gorgeous woman I have ever laid eyes on. Now, if I could just convince her how amazing we would be together, everything would be perfect.
“This can’t be normal,” she mumbles as I step further into her personal space.
She takes a step back, bumping into the railing.
“Nowhere to run.” I lick my lips, barely resisting the urge to claim her mouth as I grip the railing, caging her in with my arms, bringing my face within inches of her rose-colored lips. “You feel it, don’t you?”
Her emerald-green eyes flutter closed as my breath fans across her face. I hear her whimper as I grind my cock into her stomach, letting her know just how much I want her. A smile from her is all it takes to send fireworks shooting off in my body and make every cell yearn to bury my cock between her folds.
“You want me, don’t you?” I run my nose down the curve of her neck, nipping at her porcelain flesh.
She doesn’t say a word. She just wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me tighter to her body. I can feel her pebbled nipples through her shirt as they brush against my chest.
“I need to hear the words. Tell me what you want and it’s yours.” I pull her ear between my teeth, nibbling on it softly.
“Kiss me,” she begs.
Fucking finally. I send up a prayer of thanks as I devour her mouth, nipping at her bottom lip until she grants me access. Our tongues connect, and we both moan in pleasure as I slide my hand into her hair, pulling her head back for better access.
When we break apart, both desperate for air, I stare into her eyes, waiting for her to tell me she needs me. That I’m the only person in the world who can quench the burning desire coursing through her body. I can see that she wants me too, but until I hear the words, I won’t touch her. I want her to give herself to me freely and completely, putting us both out of our misery once and for all.
“I have to go,” she murmurs before brushing past me and scurrying back into the house.
I know it would be easier for both of us. Give us both space to get our libido under control, but I can’t. Not this time. There’s something between Bristol and me, and I know she can feel it. I’d give my dying breath to have a shot with her, to show her how amazing we’d be together, even if only for one night. One night together to survive the next year before I get out of the military. But let’s be honest; I’m willing to take whatever she’ll give me. And then I’ll show her how amazing we could be together. That I’d do anything to see her smile and for her to be the last person I see at night and the first person I see in the morning.
Having made up my mind, I follow Bristol into the house, completely ignoring our friends as they call my name. I watch her go through the kitchen, heading toward the back of the house where Leia’s room is. Right before she’s able to slip into the room, I grasp her wrist, pulling her towards me. I wrap my arms tightly around her waist before leaning down and whispering in her ear. “You need to stop running away from me, Bristol.”
“I’m not running from anything,” she growls, wriggling in my arms, trying to get free. “I just needed a minute.”
“A minute for what?” I ask, spinning her around and forcing her to look at me.
“Why does it matter to you so much?” Bristol’s pupils dilate as I inch closer to her, pressing my body into hers while she backs into the door. She wants me. This. Us.
“Why are you resisting this thing between us so hard? And don’t give me a bullshit line about it being because I’m a Marine. There must be something more to it than that.” I lean down, running my nose along her ear. “You want whatever this is between us, Bristol. I know it. Whether it’s just for tonight or forever is up to you. But you can’t deny the connection between us.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Seth. I find you attractive. Who wouldn’t? But that’s it,” she concedes as I step closer to her, grinding my cock into her soft belly.
“I can make you scream,” I whisper, nibbling my way down her neck.
She groans softly and arches her back. “You seem mighty full of yourself, Seth.”
“I’d give you the world if you’d let me.” I lift my head and rest it against her forehead, inhaling her intoxicating scent. “You drive me insane without even trying.”
“The same could be said about you, too,” she taunts, smirking at me.
I can’t take it anymore; I need to have her. I don’t care that we’re standing in front of her friend’s bedroom or that anyone could come down the hallway and see us. I need her like my next breath. The yearning to feel the softness of her skin against my fingers fills my veins. I know she is afraid, but I don’t know why. I should slow down, talk to her more, and find out why she is so hesitant about there being anything more between us, but I don’t think I can. I know in my heart that there’s something here between us, but the need to be near her slowly overwhelms me.
I swipe my thumb across her cheek, her skin feeling like silk beneath my calloused fingers. I stare into her eyes, committing this moment to memory.
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” she mumbles as I thread my fingers into her hair, pulling her closer.
“You’ll never know until you try,” I growl through clenched teeth, barely hanging on to my last bit of control.
“Please,” she breathes before leaning in again and capturing my lips, finally putting an end to the longest game of foreplay I have ever taken part in.
I devour her mouth, nibbling and sucking on her bottom lip until she opens for me, and we both give in to our desire. I get lost in the sensation of her lips and hands touching me.
“Seth,” she moans as we break apart, gasping for air.
I lean forward, nibbling on her earlobe before whispering into her ear. “We can go slow. Get to know each other. All you have to do is say yes.” I grip her leg tightly, wrapping it around my waist. “It will take an enormous amount of effort, but I’ll turn around and walk back down the hallway and leave you be. I’ll say goodbye to our friends and find where to take a freezing cold shower. But if you say yes, we’re going to go back to your place, and you will let me worship your body. I plan to feel your pussy clenching around my cock before the end of the night.”
I punctuate every phrase by thrusting my hard length into her core, rocking back and forth as the tip slides across her clit.
“We shouldn’t,” she moans as she wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me closer to her so I can feel her hardened nipples rubbing against my shirt.
“We should,” I breathe.
Bristol’s head drops back with a soft thump as it hits the door. I lean down and capture her ear between my lips, rubbing the lobe between my teeth. “I want to taste you more than my next breath. To feel your skin beneath my fingers. To wake up next to you in the morning.”
“Yes,” she finally whispers.
I waste no time lifting her in my arms and taking her lips with mine once again. My eyes travel her body, noticing her oversized shirt hanging off one shoulder, her mussed hair from my fingers, and her flushed cheeks. At this moment, she’s the most captivating woman in the world.
I thought I had feelings for Bristol before, but at this moment, looking at her pressed against my body, ready to give herself over to me, I know this is more than just falling. I’m in love with her.
“You’re beautiful,” I say reverently, wanting to say something to convey my feelings toward her, the words I want to say on the tip of my tongue.
“You don’t need to say that,” Bristol brushing her lips against my neck.
“I don’t say things I don’t mean. When I say you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, I mean it.” I slide my hands under her ass, gripping the apple-shaped globes tightly in my hands before grinding my cock into the seam of her pants.
“Fuck,” she moans loudly, grinding herself onto my cock, causing it to harden further.
“Hey, have you seen Bristol? I can’t… Oh.” Leia’s words stop as she stands frozen in place, just a few feet away.
“I knew this was a bad idea,” Bristol mutters as she tries to unwrap herself from around me, but I’m not about to let her go.
I tighten my hold on Bristol before turning towards Leia. “We were just leaving.”
“Okay. I’ll tell Brady to find his own way home.” Leia winks at me as I turn on my heels and stride down the hallway towards the front door.
I send up a silent prayer of thanks that the party has thinned out and there’s no one sitting in the living room to witness our hasty exit. I quickly make my way toward my car as I click the unlock button, then wrench the door open before dropping Bristol into the passenger seat.
“Thank you,” she replies, barely above a whisper, but I hear her.
“Having second thoughts?”
“I can’t promise you anything more than tonight, Seth.”
“I’ll take it.” I grasp her neck and pull her toward me, sealing our lips together in a searing kiss.
She may not be ready to admit her feelings for me, but they’re there, and we both know it. I need to prove to her she means so much more to me than just a quick roll in the sack. I know there is a bigger reason she is so weary of starting something more with me. Maybe she was hurt badly in the past. Maybe it could just be that she isn’t a fan of guys in the military. Either way, I need to figure out how to make her see that being a Marine is not my entire world. That it will be nothing more than a distant memory after this next deployment. Especially now that I have her. Just being near her completes me in a way I didn’t know was possible. Now the only thing I need to do is convince her to take a chance on me. Not a hard task, not at all.