Night Mission

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement (including infringement without monetary gain) is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in, or encourage, the electronic piracy of copyrighted materials. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Night Mission Copyright  2011 by Desiree Holt ISBN: 978-1-61333-003-6 Cover art by Dara England All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work, in whole or in part, in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Published by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC Look for us online at: www.decadentpublishing.com

Night Mission Desiree Holt

A 1 Night Stand Story

~DEDICATION~

To Laura Kubitz. If not for her, this opportunity would never have happened.

Night Mission

Chapter One I have found the perfect match for you. Gabriel Walker lounged back on the couch, feet propped on the coffee table, and stared at the screen on his laptop. And it stared right back at him. Yup, still there. Her name is Maggie Fitzgerald, he read on. All of her specifics are listed in the attached document. I’ve included two photos of her as well, as you requested. All the arrangements are ready, waiting only for your confirmation. If all is acceptable, please reply to this message and I will make the appropriate arrangements at the Castillo San Antonio. Madame Evangeline. Gabe ran a hand over his stubbled jaw. Who’d believe that an alpha SEAL Team leader needed to apply to an online dating service? SEALs were supposed to have their pick of women. Yeah, sure. But my problem is, no matter which woman I pick, my interest fades before I even get my pants off. He looked at the header on the email. 1Night Stand. Well, he’d sure had plenty of those in his lifetime. So why had he felt it necessary to arrange one so formally? He’d stumbled on the site late one night while bored and surfing the Internet, and it had piqued his interest. Oh, what the hell. On extended leave after four back-to-back missions in the Middle East and bored out of his skull with inactivity, playing games the women he knew found so fascinating no longer appealed to him. SEALs weren’t trained to be idle, so a little harmless exploration of the 1NS web site didn’t seem too out of line. He’d even had a good laugh while he filled out the application form, specifying what he wanted in his desired companion. At least forty. Someone with a brain who was also at the peak of her sexual desire.

1

Desiree Holt

Likes inventive sex. A definite must. Prefers bourbon to wine. As he added a few more things, he told himself there was no way in a million years Madame Evangeline could find the woman he wanted. He clicked on the attached document and up came the woman of his dreams. Right on his computer. Maggie Fitzgerald. Five feet four inches, one hundred thirty pounds. Age: forty-two. Exactly ten years older than him. Perfect. For the last couple of years, the star of every one of his erotic fantasies had been a hot cougar. Older was definitely better. Prefers Jack Daniel’s Black Label. Seeking a man who likes creative sex and has great stamina. Creative? Shit, I can do creative with my eyes closed. Not to mention staying power is never in question. Prefers a Texan. His eyes popped at that one. Texas born and bred, he came from a long line of natives of the Lone Star State. Had it been possible to find a woman with everything he’d asked for and one who hailed from Texas? He read on. An architect, head of her own firm. Never married. Good. Probably isn’t looking for it. Next, he pulled up the headshot and his cock hardened to the point of pain, tenting the soft fabric of his sweat pants. Jesus! Talk about hot. Dark red hair tumbled in short curls and framed a face with high cheekbones, emerald green eyes, and thick lashes. Tiny lines at the corners of her eyes and a defined laugh line were the only indications this woman had passed her thirtieth birthday. Wait. Is that a hint of a dimple in one cheek? Damn! Dimples just did it for him. Finally, he opened the full-length photo and his hand automatically grabbed his shaft to ease the sudden, intense throbbing. 2

Night Mission

Holy shit! This is no skinny broad at all! He stared at the picture of a mature woman with a ripe body and lush curves. His mouth went dry and his palms itched to cup her full breasts. Smooth down over those very tempting curves. And he bet her ass would make his mouth water. He could already visualize her naked, writhing beneath him in pleasure, his cock buried deep inside her. His tongue in her hot mouth. Jesus! His balls ached as if gripped in a vise and he’d bet if he looked, he’d see moisture on the head of his dick. Finally, finally a real woman he could let himself go with. Yeah, he could definitely get with the creative sex part. Well, soldier, this is one damn fine one-night stand Madame Eve picked out for you. So what are you waiting for? Tell her it’s a go. Licking his lips, he moved the cursor and clicked on Reply.

*** Maggie hadn’t expected an email back from 1Night Stand so quickly and it stunned her to open her computer and find it waiting for her I have the perfect match for you and am delighted to produce results so quickly. I’m confident Gabriel Walker is exactly what you’re looking for. Like you, he seeks only one night of pleasure and his tastes mesh perfectly with yours. Here are his photos and his profile. If he is acceptable to you, simply reply to this email, confirming the date, and arrangements will be made. It’s a pleasure to serve you. Madame Evangeline. Maggie had heard of 1Night Stand from two of her girlfriends, women fresh from the divorce mill who wanted one night with a man who could help them rebuild their shattered egos. Her ego was fine. She wanted something different. The men she dated were the problem. They were all older than her and had long since lost interest in experimentation in bed. Their major focus turned out to be the eleven o’clock news and the stock market report. But now, in the prime of her

3

Desiree Holt

sexuality, Maggie wanted one night with a man who had a sex drive strong enough to match her own desires. He couldn’t be some young stud, either. She wanted an educated man with a sharp mind who could engage in smart pillow talk. She pulled up the info sheet on Gabriel Walker first and scanned the details on it. She could scarcely believe her luck as she read the specifics. Six feet four inches, two hundred twenty pounds. Age: thirty-two. Excellent. The strength of his sex drive should match hers. Native Texan. Ohmigod! Be still, my heart! College graduate. Ten years in the SEALs, six as a team leader. An additional note said he used the logistics he’d studied for his business degree to plan his team’s missions with precision, a skill that had earned him two promotions in rank. Prefers bourbon, although enjoys an occasional beer. Thrives on imaginative sex. Has incredible staying power. All sounding good. Well, Mags, let’s see what he looks like. She clicked on the head shot first and nearly fainted. Strong face with a square jaw and stormy grey eyes. Full, sensual lips. She wondered for a moment about the thick, jet black hair, longer than the usual military buzz cut, until she recalled SEALs weren’t required to follow the military dress code since they often needed to blend into their surroundings on missions in foreign countries. But the other photo caused every nerve in her body to quiver, her breasts to ache, and cream from her overheated pussy to flood her thong. She picked up a folder from her desk and fanned herself. She could think of only one description for his body—totally ripped. Broad shoulders and a wide chest tapered to a narrow waist and lean hips. Even his muscles had muscles. Maggie had to stop herself from reaching out to run her hand over the computer screen. Imaginative sex! Already she imagined their sweaty bodies tangled on the sheets, satisfying each other in ways the men she dated couldn’t even comprehend.

4

Night Mission

One night. One glorious night. That’s what she wanted. No ties. No strings. Then she could go back to her everyday existence knowing that at least once in her life she’d had her full-bodied younger man experience. Wild sex with a man who could keep up with her desires. And under the absolute best of conditions. She wanted to leap up, pump her fist in the air, and shout Yes! Yes! Yes!

*** Madame Evangeline read the two emails and smiled in satisfaction. She worked diligently to make sure all of the couples she paired together matched the requested specifications and stated needs. And those had covered the full spectrum of human desires. But something about these two struck a chord with her. Maybe because they were both native Texans, a description that spoke as much to the colorful spirit of the people as to their birth. She tapped her pen against the edge of her desk, thoughts swirling in her mind before she picked up the phone. The first call she made, to the Castillo San Antonio resort, didn’t give her the results she wanted. “I’d love to accommodate you,” the manager told her, “but only orders from above could do that.” Orders from above? Alright. No problem. Working from memory, she quickly dialed a direct number that few people had. In moments, a deep male voice answered. Jackson Castillo, the CEO of the vast Castillo Hotels and Resorts, and a walking advertisement for her skills as a matchmaker. “Ah. Madame Eve. Always a pleasure to hear from you.” “Good morning. How are you and that lovely wife of yours?” Jack’s full laugh echoed through the connection. “I’m fine. We’re both fine. But I know when you call me personally, you want something from me. What is it that my staff apparently can’t handle for you?” “You know me so well.” She placed the pen on her desk precisely with the folder in front of her. “Well. I could use your considerable influence with your

5

Desiree Holt

manager at Castillo San Antonio.” The company’s brochures listed the facility as one of the newest jewels in the Castillo crown. “With Marcus?” Eve heard the surprise in his voice. “He’s very good. We brought him in from our facility in Las Vegas because of his expertise with multifaceted resorts. I’ve never had a complaint about him.” “This isn’t a complaint, exactly,” she soothed. “And he handled the call with the utmost courtesy.” “But?” Jackson prodded. “But, I truly need the Republic of Texas suite for a very special night. I have new clients who just confirmed with me, and when I went to finalize the date, he told me, very graciously I might add, that what I need is not available and I would need an alternate selection. Jackson, you of all people should know how important the right surroundings can be.” Besides being the CEO of an international hotel and resort chain, Jackson Castillo had been coaxed into a one-night stand with one of Eve’s clients. He and Leah were now very happily married. “I agree,” he laughed. “So what do you need?” ”One of the clients is a sixth generation Texan and a SEAL just back from an extended deployment in Afghanistan. I want to make this extra special for him. And Marcus seems to have a hold on it per your instructions.” “Oh? For what date?” When she told him, Jack Castillo chuckled. “It’s nice to know my managers stick so closely to my orders, but this is one I can easily fix. Leah and I are coming to San Antonio for a few days to sort of test out the place, it being so new and all. I thought she’d get a kick out of staying in that suite decorated with all the iconic symbols of Texas history” “But—” Eve began. “But,” Jack went on smoothly, “our plans are fluid. I’ll call Marcus and tell him to make it available for you. He’ll call you himself.” “Thank you. I appreciate it.” “Eve.” His voice softened. “I owe you a debt of gratitude I’ll never be able to repay. If not for you, Leah and I wouldn’t be married.” 6

Night Mission

“Jackson, access to your resorts for my clients is payment in itself.” “You know, though, that anything I can do, you just have to ask.” “I know. And thank you.” Smiling to herself, Eve turned back to her computer and prepared the email for Gabe Walker and Maggie Fitzgerald. Yes, this match will definitely be spectacular.

7

Desiree Holt

Chapter Two Gabe entered the lobby of the Castillo San Antonio Hotel and Resort and paused a moment to take in the surroundings. The complete Texas ambience shot a jolt of adrenaline through his system. Not only did the Lone Star flag fly on a pole outside near the curb, but a framed version of it hung behind the reception desk. He noticed the same theme repeated in other furnishings scattered around the lobby, with another large Lone Star embedded in the center of the stone floor. “I think there’s a reservation here in my name,” he told the reservations clerk who came to help him. “Gabriel Walker.” She smiled warmly. “Oh, yes, Mr. Walker. We’re expecting you.” She typed his name into the computer. “You’re registered in the Republic of Texas suite. And your companion has already arrived.” She took a small folder from beneath the desk and handed it to him. “Your key card. Shall I call Miss Fitzgerald and tell her you’ve arrived?” Gabe had absolutely no idea what the accepted protocol would be in a situation like this. All of his previous one-night stands had been far less formal. “Uh, yeah, I guess you could go ahead and do that. Thanks.” She picked up a phone. “Let me get a bellman to take your luggage.” “No. That’s okay.” He lifted the duffle. “I’ve got it. It’s not much to handle.” He had packed light, not expecting to wear clothes very much during his stay. He frowned. “Did Miss Fitzgerald have much with her?” The clerk dipped her head to hide a grin. “Just a small overnight case. Oh, Miss Fitzgerald,” she said into the handset. “Your friend has arrived. He’ll be up shortly.” She hung up and looked at him. “All set. Take the blue elevator to your right and push the top button.” “Thanks for your help.” Should he stop at the florist shop in the lobby and get flowers? What did one bring to a prearranged one-night stand? Okay, I’ll just wing it. But as the elevator rose, smooth and silent, he experienced his first attack of nerves since the age of

8

Night Mission

sixteen. What if I disappoint her? What if it turns out we’re all wrong for each other? Don’t overthink it, dumbass. You’re here for great sex with a smart, older woman. Enjoy it. The word “older” sent messages to his groin that made his dick harden and his balls ache. He’d wanted this for a long time and now it waited for him just a few steps away. He walked down the thickly-carpeted hallway, paused in front of the heavy oak double doors with Republic of Texas Suite on the wall beside them, and forced himself to relax. Here it is, Walker. Your fantasy. Don’t fuck it up. His fantasy. He knocked softly to give Maggie warning before slipping the key card into the lock and pushing the door open. The first thing he noticed was the living room of the suite, decorated like a room from the mid-1800s, only with modern upgrades. The second thing—which should have been the first—almost made his heart stop. A nearly-naked woman lounged on the couch, wearing the shortest, sheerest…whatever the hell it was called, that he’d ever seen. He hoped his jaw didn’t become unhinged when it hit the floor, or that she expected a lot of conversation right off the bat. No question about it. I am definitely locked and loaded. “Hi!” She flashed him an incendiary smile, her low, seductive voice hinting at her Texas heritage. “Come on in. I’ve been waiting for you.” He lifted an eyebrow. “Have you, now. All your life?” “I don’t know. You tell me.” She laughed softly. She rose languidly from the couch and the sunlight pouring in through the sheer curtains left nothing beneath her shortie to anyone’s imagination. If he’d ordered a dream woman, this would be her. Oh, wait. I did. And here she is. Gabe dropped his duffel by the door and strode over to where she stood on ridiculously high, slip-on stiletto heels. “Well. Let’s find out.”

9

Desiree Holt

He grinned down at her, placed his hands on her shoulders, and bent his head. The moment his mouth touched hers, a jolt of electricity sizzled through him. Her mouth tasted every bit as good as it looked, and when his tongue slid inside, she tasted better than finely aged bourbon. She molded herself to him, her full breasts pressing against the hard wall of his chest, her slender fingers rubbing up and down his arms. He let his tongue wander everywhere inside her mouth, licking the slick, inner surfaces, drinking from her as if he’d never be able to get enough. When she glided her tongue over his, he tightened his grip on her and sucked her deep inside his mouth. “Well,” she gasped when he lifted his head, the pulse at her throat hammering wildly. “Hello to you, too.” His gaze raked over her, absorbing every line and curve, every dip and swell. “I hope you don’t think that thing covers you very much.” She smiled, a slow curve of her lips. “It’s not supposed to.” Her low, fullthroated voice caressed his skin. She let her eyes travel over him, from his shoulders down and back up again. “But, I think you have too many clothes on for this party.” Gabe’s groin tightened. A woman who didn’t play coy and still classy about it. Could his luck possibly get any better? “I, uh, think you’re right.” She nodded at the bar set up against one wall. “Why don’t I fix you a drink while you get comfortable?” He laughed even as he began unbuttoning his shirt. “Isn’t that supposed to be my line?” Her smile wavered briefly. “I didn’t mean to—” He cut her off by cupping her cheeks and pressing his mouth to hers, his tongue sliding inside. She tasted just as good the second time as she had the first. He threaded his fingers through the rich, red silk of her curls as he slanted his mouth one way then the other. “Your line is just fine,” he said when he finally came up for air. “In fact, I like it a lot. Come up with as many of those as you want to.” Her smile was pure sin. “You got it, soldier.” 10

Night Mission

“First things first,” he joked, taking a box of condoms from his bag and placing them on the nightstand. Maggie raised an eyebrow. “Confident?” He chuckled. “Optimistic.” By the time he gotten down to his boxer briefs, she had a cut crystal tumbler filled with dark amber liquid over ice cubes ready for him. He inhaled the rich aroma of the Jack Daniel’s blend and touched his glass to hers. “To a great night.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief. “And then some.” She took a slow sip of her drink then ran the fingers of one hand lightly down his chest, pausing to scrape her nails lightly over each flat nipple before halting at the waistband of his briefs. He sucked in his breath. Just her light, feathery touch had him so hot, steam could rise from his skin. “Don’t stop now, darlin’. Go ahead. Touch it all.” She took another sip of bourbon before sliding her open hand over the fabric of his shorts and cupping his cock and his balls. Heat flared in her eyes. “Very impressive. Very impressive.” She looked up at him. “You know, you seem a lot older than thirty two. Are you sure you told the truth on that form?” “I’ve packed a lot of living into my life.” He stifled a moan when her hand left his groin and traveled up his chest again, one fingertip tracing the thin scar above his right nipple where he’d been knifed and then softly touching the scar on his shoulder where a bullet had hit. “It certainly looks that way.” She pressed her lips to each scar. The feathery touch sent a shiver skittering along his spine and his heavy erection flexed. Her fingers continued to trail over his skin as she walked slowly around him, touching the muscles of his back, the curve of his biceps, and the muscles of his ass. If she kept up the light caresses, in a minute he’d grab her and throw her down on the couch. When she stood in front of him again, she gave him another slow smile. “You’ll do, Gabriel Walker. Absolutely.” He let out the breath he’d been holding. “Well, thank the lord for that. But I think now it’s my turn.” 11

Desiree Holt

Taking another deep swallow of the Jack Daniel’s, he put his glass down on the liquor tray and lifted Maggie so she sat on the bar. The color of her eyes had changed from emerald to forest green, her lips slightly parted and her full breasts moving with each rise and fall of her chest. The little item she almost wore only enhanced the shape of the mounds and the taut nipples pointing directly at him. Gabe bent his head to place a soft kiss behind one ear, his hands sliding beneath the transparent fabric to lightly pinch her nipples, rolling and squeezing them. She caught her lower lip between her teeth and sucked in a breath, anticipation radiating from her body. “Gorgeous,” he murmured, bending his head to pull one nipple into his mouth, fabric and all. She moaned, a tiny sound of pleasure that made him harden more, a very slim possibility. He licked and sucked and tugged until the nipple swelled and firmed under his touch and then moved to the other one. As he pleasured her breasts, he slipped his hands beneath her shortie and smoothed them up her legs to the soft flesh of her tummy, finally easing his thumbs to the top of her slit and finding the nub of her clit. Flipping up the hem, he took his fill, drinking in the sight of the sweet mound and the neatly trimmed, dark red curls. She whimpered again as he lightly stroked her hot button, and opened her thighs wider to accommodate him. Damn! A woman who gave him an honest reaction without waiting to be graded on her performance. And obviously, that performance promised to be outstanding. The more he teased her clit, the louder the sounds of pleasure she made, head thrown back and breasts thrust into the tug of his lips. When he pulled his head back, she gave a cry of disappointment and reached for him. He brushed his mouth over hers, his thumbs still playing and teasing at the top of her wet slit. He fought for control. “We’re going to finish this in the other room.” He lifted her as if she weighed nothing and marched into the bedroom with her. Someone had thoughtfully turned back the covers, leaving the silken sheets ready for them. Gabe carefully placed Maggie on them, pulled the sheer red

12

Night Mission

garment over her head, and stared down at the most mouthwatering body he could ever remember seeing.

*** Maggie looked up at him, wishing she had some idea of what his thoughts were. She raked her gaze over him, taking in every tough, sculptured inch of the man studying her. She knew from the first touch that his muscles were hard as concrete, his body honed to a condition that never came from a gym. The scars he carried were a testament to the danger of the life he lived, that of a warrior, with a warrior’s needs and desires. He might have aged a lot in his thirty-two years, but still young enough, with plenty of stamina to keep up with her all night, because she had no intention of ever giving him any rest. She cupped her breasts and lifted them to him, wanting to feel the heat of his firm lips on her nipples again. When she widened her thighs slightly, his eyes narrowed and the slate gray turned the color of a storm-tossed sea. Hooking his thumbs into the waistband of his boxer briefs, he stripped them down his legs and tossed them aside. And Maggie thought she’d died and gone to heaven. Gabe Walker’s stomach was flat and hard, rippling with the same muscles as the rest of his body. The same midnight black hair arrowed down from his chest to a thick nest of curls surrounding a swollen and fully erect shaft, the broad head darkened with desire. A tiny drop of fluid sat on the slit and a very impressive sac hung heavy against his thighs. Touching it through his boxers hadn’t nearly given her the full sense of his size. Her nerves went on full alert and the walls in her pussy quivered and clenched. The thought of that magnificent cock inside her body made her mouth dry and her breath catch in her throat. She let her legs fall loosely apart, reveling in the fire that flamed in his eyes and the way his nostrils flared as he caught her scent. A muscle twitched in his jawline and his cock flexed. “Do I meet with your approval?” he asked.

13

Desiree Holt

Oh, god. On top of everything else he had that trademark Texas drawl, slow like thick sorghum on a hot day. And deep, the timbre of it resonated through her body. If he turned out to be a figment of her imagination, she hoped he didn’t disappear too quickly. Maggie reached out a hand. “Come closer, big guy, and let me touch you.” Gabe moved until his legs touched the edge of the mattress, his erection hovering over her face. She closed her fingers around the wide thickness, extended her tongue and ran it over the head, licking the tiny bead of fluid. A groan rumbled up from his chest and he clenched his fists at his sides. She licked again, sliding her fingers up and down once. Then again. “Jesus, Maggie,” he growled. “Have mercy.” She glanced up at him, her mouth curving into a tiny grin. “Surely you’re not going to tell me you don’t like it.” He chuffed an unsteady laugh. “Darlin’, I like it too much. I love foreplay, but I think at the moment I’m on fast forward.” Maggie licked her lips. “I like a man who gets right down to business. Just as long as that’s not all you’re offering.” His laughed, the sound hoarse with need. “Maggie, darlin’, that’s just the beginning.” She widened her legs even more and arched up to him. “Then let’s get to it.” He knelt between her legs almost before she saw him move. Broad, muscular shoulders spread her legs even more as he positioned himself between them, and his head dipped to the folds of her pussy, tracing a slow path with his tongue. Electricity sizzled through her, arcing to her already taut nipples and her breath trapped in her throat. “Oh, oh, oh,” she sighed, bending her knees to give him greater access. She felt his tongue everywhere–the sensitive lips of her pussy, the soft inner flesh of her thighs, the already swollen nub of her clit. His big hands slid beneath the cheeks of her ass, lifted her to him and he plunged his tongue deep inside her. That quickly, her orgasm began unraveling inside her, like a coil wound too tightly. 14

Night Mission

“Please,” she begged, wanting him to come with her. Gabe nipped her clit lightly then rose to his knees. Grabbing a condom from the box on the nightstand he ripped the foil with his teeth, quickly sheathed himself and drove into her with one swift movement. Holy shit! He filled every soft, sensitive inch of her, thick and hot and hard. Balancing himself on his hands he loomed over her, his stormy eyes locked with hers, his face dark with passion. And for a moment, she saw the wild, yet disciplined jungle animal that he needed to become on a mission. Powerful. Hungry. Focused. And then he began to move, slow in and out strokes that dragged against every nerve in her cunt, his balls slapping against the curve of her ass with every forward thrust. In. Out. In. Out. “Faster,” she pleaded. And he obliged, pumping into her, his breathing raw. She wrapped her legs around his waist and lifted herself to take him deeper, meeting him stroke for stroke. Ohgodohgodohgod. “Get ready, darlin’,” he rumbled, moving one hand to her clit, stroking, stroking, stroking. Then, “Oh, Jesus, Maggie. Now.” “Yes,” she cried. “Yes. Now!” She exploded with him, spinning out of control, Gabe pumping into her as her slick, wet walls clutched at him like a vise, milking him. Her entire body shuddered, her hands gripping his hard shoulders, nothing existing except her, the hard-edged warrior, and the climax thundering through them both. When at last the aftershocks subsided, her legs fell limply to the bed. Gabe rolled to the side, taking her with him, their bodies still connected, breathing still erratic, pounding hearts finally slowing. He brushed the curls back from her damp face, kissed her eyelids, her forehead, her cheeks. His large, calloused hand stroked down the length of her spine to her buttocks and up again. “Jesus, Maggie,” he breathed at last, “you just damn do it for me. Have I died and gone to heaven?” 15

Desiree Holt

She gave a chuckle. “If you did, you took me with you.”

16

Night Mission

Chapter Three They sat side by side in bed, both still naked, each sipping on a fresh glass of bourbon. Between them sat the tray of finger foods they’d ordered from room service. By mutual agreement, they’d skipped a full meal, preferring the assortment of nibbles instead. It hadn’t taken long for Gabe to harden inside her again. He wondered that the first orgasm had even taken the edge off at all, given the hot, delicious woman searing his senses. Not a role player, either. Just honest and open and giving. And hot. Did I say hot? When he first slid into her, he thought for sure she’d scorch his dick. But now they were taking a breather, renewing their energy and indulging in pillow talk. “So you had four missions back to back?” she asked. “Yeah.” He didn’t really like to think about them once they were over. SEALs got the roughest and toughest, mostly because men who could survive Hell Week in BUD/s training could handle anything. After all, the facts stated that eighty percent of the candidates washed out. Those who survived were trained and fit for anything thrown at them. This was the reason he realized he finally, finally wanted and needed a smart, sexy, independent woman. Someone who could provide sanctuary for him when he took his timeouts from the nightmare of warfare. Wait! Sanctuary? What about this being just one night? How could he even think of anything else? “Penny for them,” Maggie said, a hint of laughter in her voice. God, that voice flowed deep inside him, soothing every jangled nerve. “My thoughts?” He put a hand on her thigh and stroked it idly. “They’re all about you, darlin’.” “I hope they’re good ones, then.” He chuckled. “You have no idea.” He sipped at his Jack Daniel’s and changed the subject. “What made you choose architecture for a career?”

17

Desiree Holt

“My grandfather was an architect. On my tenth birthday, he gave me a Tsquare and a book on drawing blueprints. The whole process fascinated me.” “Strange gift for a kid that age.” “Not really. I used to love it when my dad took me to Grandpa’s office. Everything about the place captivated me, from the basic drawings to the final blueprints to the models they often created of large projects.” She delicately licked the chocolate from a strawberry, the movement of lips and tongue nearly sending Gabe into orbit. His willing shaft began to harden into another state of readiness. “I Googled you,” he confessed. “Just wanted to find out a little more about you. Your work is incredible. I can see why you’re so successful.” “And you?” she prompted. “What made you want to become one those fabled, dangerous SEALs?” “I don’t think you really decide,” he said, slowly. “I think it’s something that’s born into you. I always pushed myself physically and when I was in college, my oldest sister dated a SEAL. His courage and patriotism and incredible skills made me realize what I wanted to do. Where I should be.” “Ten years is a long time.” She lifted her glass to her lips. “It toughens you up, that’s for sure. But I can’t see myself doing anything else.” “Never wanted to settle down with one woman?” she asked, almost too casually. “Never found one that made me think about it,” he told her honestly. “It takes a particular breed of woman to live with the tension of a SEALs life and the long separations. Someone who’s both independent and giving, strong and compliant.” He gave himself a mental shake. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to get mushy.” “No, no. I asked you because I wanted to know.” He changed the subject. “So, Maggie Fitzgerald. Why in hell would a woman like you be interested in a one-night stand, anyway? I’d think the men would be lined up six deep at your door.” She sighed and inched her leg closer to him. “Any of the younger men I’ve been with have always been in too much of a hurry and the older ones don’t have the

18

Night Mission

stamina or the imagination any longer. Besides, I think who and what I am scares off a lot of men.” “Scares them?” He frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?” She shrugged. “You know. I don’t mean to toot my own horn, but I’ve built a successful reputation as an architect and I head my own firm. A lot of men feel threatened by that.” “Then a lot of men don’t know what they’re missing.” He glanced sideways at her. “You’re smart and funny and off the charts in bed. In my mind, a true prize.” From the corner of his eye, he saw a blush creep up her face. “Are you always so free with the compliments? I bet women throw themselves at you on a daily basis. Younger than me, too.” He lifted the tray of food and placed it on the bedside table, drained his glass and set it with hers next to the food. Then he reached over and turned her to face him. “Listen to me, Maggie Fitzgerald. You have a hell of a lot to offer. And right now, for whatever reason, you’re offering it to me. I intend to take full advantage of that and appreciate every minute of it. And feel sorry for those poor bastards who don’t know what they’re missing.” Her lips were soft and yielding and when he slipped his tongue into her mouth, he drowned in the welcoming heat of it. He never found kissing as addictive as he did with this woman. His cock brushed against the silken flesh of her thigh and fiery sensation jolted through him. “Come here, Maggie.” He slid down flat on his back and lifted her with his strong arms, positioning her cunt directly over his mouth. Taking her hands one at a time, he lifted them to the headboard, reaching back to curl her fingers over the edge of the wood. “You just hang on there, darlin’. Don’t move, okay?” “Okay.” The word came out on a breath of air. He used his long fingers to open the swollen lips of her pussy and took a long, slow lick of the tempting pink flesh he revealed. In the next few minutes, he tasted every inch of that delicious part of her body, nibbling on the outer lips and the clit and then thrusting his tongue inside her quaking walls. God, she tasted like nine hundred kinds of heaven. Better even than the finest bourbon. He 19

Desiree Holt

wondered fleetingly if one night would be enough to satisfy his hunger, then tried to brush the thought away. He worked her, pushing her to a high plane of arousal before easing her back down and then starting again. Her thighs pressed against him, clenched and released, and tiny whimpers of pleasure floated from her exquisite mouth. They soon turned into moans, and the moans into please as she begged him to give her release. He traced the line where thigh and hip met with the tip of his tongue and brushed his thumbs down past her drenched opening to the beginning of the crevice where the lush cheeks of her ass curved. “Please,” she cried. “Oh, please, Gabe.” Thrusting his tongue deep inside her, he stroked her clit with his thumbs. Rub, rub, rub. And she broke, shaking and shuddering, her pussy gripping his tongue like a wet fist, her body caught up in spasm after spasm. And he rode her through it all, working her clit and lapping her cream. When she collapsed, limp, he moved her body so her face was resting on his shoulder, her breath coming in great, shuddering gulps. Before the last quiver had died away, he lifted her from his body and turned her over, pulling her to her hands and knees. He could barely restrain himself long enough to roll on a condom before kneeling behind her. Wrapping his fingers around his pulsing shaft, he prodded at her opening and on an exhalation of breath, plunged into her. Oh, sweet Jesus! Never before had sex been a near-religious experience for him, but the moment Maggie’s wet flesh closed around him, she transported him into a state almost spiritual. He closed his eyes and gritted his teeth, wanting to enjoy the sensation as long as he could. But his body had other ideas, his hips moving almost without him realizing it. Over and over he pushed into her, his hands in a tight grip on her hips, holding her in place. The release surged up through his body, along his spine, his balls tightening. As he fell over the edge in a free-fall drop, he took Maggie with him. 20

Night Mission

Her pussy clutched at him, drawing every last drop of liquid from him until they both collapsed in exhaustion.

*** He’d coaxed her into the shower and Maggie leaned against the tile wall in the enormous enclosure, letting the warm water sluice over her while Gabe’s strong hands smoothed sudsy lather over every inch of her skin. It surprised her that she could even make her very wilted body stand up. She wouldn’t be surprised to learn she left marks on the headboard from digging her fingernails into it while his mouth worked its magic on her. He’d wrung her out and left her limp as a dishrag then squeezed her again. But she couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so sexually sated. Or so well cared for. He’d ministered her like a treasure to be handled delicately. Strange feelings brewed inside her, emotions she’d never felt before with any other man. Warmth curled around her heart and seeped through her body. How could this happen in just a few hours? She’d asked for a young, virile, sexually knowledgeable, totally masculine man. She’d gotten that and so much more. And now, something in her deepest recesses told her it would be impossible to let him go. So how did she handle that? Let it go, Maggie. Don’t start asking for something he doesn’t want to give. She let out a slow breath and gave herself over to the sensation of his hands stroking over her, rubbing, caressing. His thumbs pressed into the crooks of her elbows, drew soapy lines along the crease where hip and thigh joined, circled her navel. When he turned her to face the wall she pressed her palms against the slick tiles as he worked his magic down the length of her spine and along her shoulders. His palms moved over the curve of her buttocks, gliding over each cheek then down her legs and back up again. When he slid soap-slicked fingers into the hot crevice of her ass, she sucked in a breath and every muscle in her sated body tightened. It took a special man to give a woman pleasure there, to give as much

21

Desiree Holt

as he took. In the past, the few men she’d given that privilege to had fallen woefully short, focused only on their own pleasure and satisfaction. But Gabe? Oh, he obviously knew how to give a woman pleasure in every area of her body. Suddenly infused with energy as the excitement of the possibility coursed through her, she turned around, brushed his hands aside and knelt on the slippery floor. Lifting her face up to the multiple sprays long enough for the soap to be washed away, she wrapped her fingers around his cock—Holy hell! It already felt semi-hard again—and slowly drew it into her mouth. Her nerves crackled as if singed by lightning and the pulse in her well-tended cunt began to beat softly again. She tilted her head slightly so she could slide him deeper into her mouth, toward the back of her throat. Then she slid her lips forward. And back again, slowly, drawing out the sensation. A groan began deep in Gabe’s chest, vibrating through his body as she slid her lips back and forth, moving her fingers in the same, stroking fashion. Her other hand stole between his thighs to cup his balls, brushing the soft, tender skin. With another groan he pushed his fingers through her hair to clutch her head, shifting it slightly to give her the best angle as she drew over him again and again. She could tell the moment his climax began to grab him. His body stiffened, his balls tightened, and his fingers dug into her scalp, but she welcomed the harsh pressure. Because she knew she gave back some of the enormous pleasure he’d given so unselfishly to her. She wouldn’t let him pull free, tightened her fingers around him and sucked more deeply. And then he shouted his release, his satisfaction spurting while she drew every last drop from him and swallowed it. Finally tipped her head back and eased him from the clasp of her lips, freed him from the grip of her fingers. Growling, he lifted her to her feet and kissed her with such hunger it nearly drove her to her knees again. “You’re incredible,” he murmured against her lips. “How did I get so lucky tonight?” “Mmm,” she hummed. “I think I‘m the lucky one.” “Let’s get you dried off and back where you belong.” He brushed his mouth over hers. “In bed.” 22

Night Mission

Chapter Four They were lounging in bed again, Maggie pulled into his side, his arm wrapped around her, sharing a single glass of bourbon. Gabe had so many conflicted emotions swirling inside him, he didn’t know if he’d ever get them sorted out. All he’d asked for? A sexy, mature woman with brains that he could enjoy for one night. Never did he think he’d find one that, in just a few hours, would be firmly implanted in his brain and his heart. His heart! What a joke. His team members often teased him that he didn’t have a heart—that he was cynical—closed off...isolated. Focused. All the things that made him a great team leader and an outstanding SEAL. Nothing ever got in the way of a mission. But he’d seen other SEALs find happiness, and wondered why it eluded him. “You’re an old soul, Walker,” a commanding officer had once told him. Gabe knew it. Knew he needed someone who understood that. Could live with it. And none of the women his age could. But Maggie? Oh, she was definitely a whole different story. He had two friends married to women older than themselves. Cougars, they joked. But they had a quality of satisfaction about them, a light in their eyes, an air of anticipation when each leave approached that Gabe envied. And wanted for himself. “Maybe this time I’ll give a nickel for them,” Maggie joked. “I can almost smell your brain burning.” Gabe trailed his fingers lightly up and down her arm, enjoying the feel of her soft body curled into his, of her breasts pillowed against him. What would she think if he let her in on the ideas whirling around in his brain? Heavy thoughts in such a short time. “Why haven’t you ever married?” he asked. She looked up at him, startled. “That’s what you’re thinking about?” He shrugged. “Just curious.”

23

Desiree Holt

“Well, since it seems so important to you, I’ve never found a man who didn’t want me to change my life for him. Work less, Maggie. Do this for me, Maggie. Be available whenever I want you, Maggie.” She snorted. “As if.” “What if….” He took a deep breath. “What if you found someone who felt differently? Who wanted you to have a fulfilling life and loved your independence?” Her eyes widened. “Why, Mr. Navy SEAL, are you asking me something special? After less than twenty-four hours?” He knew she tried to make a joke out of it, but he heard an unusual note of uncertainty in her voice. Did that mean she was interested, but not sure of how he felt? That it might be the heat of the moment talking? Or was she trying to blow it off because this one night gave her what she wanted? “Think about it,” he said, as he rolled her beneath him and licked the sensitive spot behind her ear. She shivered with pleasure and shifted to give him better access. He spent a long time kissing her neck, her collarbone, and finally her breasts, tugging each plump nipple into his mouth and laving it thoroughly with his tongue. She made little whimpering sounds of pleasure again, the ones that turned him harder than stone. He kissed his way down her body, taking his time, leaving no area of her silken skin unattended to. When his mouth reached her pussy, he lapped at the slit and curled his tongue around her sensitized and swollen clit. Maggie arched and writhed beneath him, her breathing erratic. “Mmm,” she moaned and clutched at his head, pressing it close to her. She cried out in protest when he left her hot, pink cleft to trail the same light kisses down the inside of one leg and up the other, before returning to lick her cream and place gentle nips on her pink labia. By then, she twisted and arched beneath him, begging him without even knowing what she asked for. When she was ready, he gently turned her over and urged her to her hands and knees, plumping two pillows beneath her. For him, what he coaxed her into was the ultimate symbol of possession. Despite his reputation, so gleefully

24

Night Mission

embellished by his team members, he indulged in this intimate act sparingly. Only with a woman he thought might mean more in his life. Up until then, his very few choices had been poor ones. But with Maggie he’d found a different breed altogether. Her age gave her a maturity lacking in the other women, a richness of body and soul that made him think he’d finally, finally found the woman who could make a difference in his life. He hoped the thoughts chasing around in his brain weren’t leading him down yet another wrong path, but he had to try. In the top drawer of the bedside table he found a variety of lubes, choosing a tube with hearts on it. Hearts? What the hell? He shrugged and unscrewed the cap. “I feel something special here, Maggie,” he drawled, his hands cruising over her curves. “I want you to feel it, too. I want us to be really connected.” She tensed beneath his hands, and for a moment he thought she would tell him to stop. Then she relaxed. “I want that, too.” Her voice had a breathy sound. “Just relax, darlin’,” He reached between her thighs to find her clit and stroked it, coaxing her body to unfold for him. He kissed each globe of her buttocks, lavishing kisses while he continued to rub and caress her hot little nub. Slowly, he moved his fingers from her cunt, up to the cleft of her ass. Rub, stroke, caress. Down, up. Down, up, until it was all one smooth, smooth motion, all the while crooning to her, murmuring erotic words, telling her how much she turned him on, how sexy she was, how she took his breath away. By the time he uncapped the lube and squeezed a generous amount onto one finger he had Maggie moaning and crying out, rocking back and forth on her knees. He spread the lube on her tiny puckered opening, rubbing gently, smoothly, softly, placing tender kisses on each curved cheek. Then more lube. More kisses, reaching between her thighs again for her clit. As he gradually eased one finger into her tight channel, he pinched her button of flesh hard and she sobbed with pleasure. Gabe had to force himself to go 25

Desiree Holt

slowly. He had no idea how much experience she had with this and he wanted to make sure he didn’t hurt her. More lube. A second finger. More stroking and rubbing. A third finger. She squirmed and moaned and he wanted to moan himself, he was so damn hot and hard. Squirting a generous amount of the lube onto his palm, he coated his shaft liberally, gritting his teeth to maintain control. He leaned over the luscious body beneath him. “Have you done this before? It’s important for me to know.” She nodded, her body shuddering in anticipation. “Okay, then. We’ll still take it nice and easy but holy shit, Maggie, I’ve never wanted this with another woman as much as I do with you.” “Me, too.” The words came out in a rush. As good as his word, he grasped for the fraying edges of control. “Breathe, darlin’. In now. And let it out.” As she exhaled, he let the head of his cock penetrate her. In, out, again. And a little more. Until at last he was all the way in, gripped by her hot, tight flesh. Oh, Jesus, let me just hang on long enough to give her pleasure. He began the slow, steady glide, one hand creeping past her hip to find her throbbing nub again. He rocked with her, his balls slapping against her thighs. Harder. Faster. More, more, more. He roared. “Now, Maggie.” Pinching her clit, they exploded together. And oh, god, his body shuddered as the spasms of pleasure ripped through him. Nothing existed for him except this woman and the intense satisfaction of making love with her. Yes, not sex. Making love. With one last tremor, he collapsed forward, catching as much of his weight as he could on his arms. He had no breath left. Couldn’t speak. Couldn’t do anything except wrap around this unexpected treasure pressed against him.

***

26

Night Mission

They were in the shower again, wrapped in each other’s arms, ignoring the multiple soft sprays flowing lightly down on them. Maggie couldn’t remember ever feeling such soul-deep satisfaction, or such a sense of rightness being with someone, like this strong, macho, yet tender SEAL. Had he’d gotten what he expected out of tonight? She certainly had. And definitely after this shower they’d have no trouble sleeping. They needed it. But then what? Would it be breaking the rules of 1Night Stand if she told him she’d like to see him again? Would he even want to? “Maggie?” He’d wrapped her curls around his fingers and cradled her head. “Mmm?” She pressed her face against his hard, solid chest. “Close your eyes. I want to ask you something.” “’Kay.” She lowered her eyelids, hoping she wouldn’t fall asleep standing up. “I don’t know what proper procedure is here,” he began, “but tonight turned out to be so much more than I expected. Way more.” “Yeah?” She tightened her arms around him, their wet bodies plastered together. “See, the thing is….” One large hand lightly stroked her spine. “In the life of a SEAL, you don’t really have a lot of time to waste. When you find something that’s right, and you know it’s absolutely right, you have to move forward immediately.” “Immediately?” she repeated. “Uh huh. Because you don’t know what’s coming up for you tomorrow.” He huffed out a long sigh. “I’m not very good at this.” Puzzled, she pushed her head back and looked up at him. “At what?” “At telling you I want more than tonight. Much more. I know it’s quick,” he said in a hurry, “but—” “But, I want more, too.” She smiled. “You do?” He pushed her wet hair away from her face. “I have to tell you, being with a SEAL isn’t that easy.” She laughed. “Neither is being with a smartass cougar.” “I mean, I’m gone for long periods of time—” “I have a firm to run that keeps me very busy.” 27

Desiree Holt

“Sometimes when I come home from a mission I don’t want to talk. I just want to lose myself in someone and—” “You can lose yourself in me.” Her heart thumped so hard, he had to feel it. “But, I’ve never felt a connection to a woman like this before.” “Me, either. A man, I mean.” Thump, thump, thump. He tilted her face up and kissed her, heedless of the water. “Can you get away for a few days?” he asked, his mouth still touching hers. “I have a cabin in the Hill Country. Really isolated.” He ran his tongue over her lips. “Just you and me.” “Yes,” she breathed. “And a chance to make plans for the future. Maggie, I don’t want to rush you, but life moves fast for me and we fit like a glove. We—” She slid her fingers between them and touched his mouth. “Yes, it does, and yes, we do. When do we leave?” “How about we get some sleep in what’s left of the night, then tomorrow I can follow you to your place, leave your car. You can pack some things.” He grinned. “Not too many clothes, though.” “What about you?” “I keep stuff at the cabin. We just have to stop for groceries.” His eyes sparked with mischief. “I plan on using up a lot of your energy.” “Good.” She leaned her head against his chest. “I look forward to it.” They stood for a long moment, locked together. She loved the feel of his body against hers. “I think we should send a thank you note to Madame Evangeline,” she said finally. He chuckled, the sound rumbling in his chest. “Let’s just invite her to the wedding.” She gasped, stunned. “W-Wedding?” He kissed her forehead and tightened his arms around her. “Moving too fast for you, Maggie darlin’?” 28

Night Mission

Was he? Hell, life was too short not to reach for something good and right. Her friends might call her crazy, but she knew this would probably end up being the sanest thing she’d ever done. She laughed joyously. “Don’t worry. I’ll catch up real fast.” “I promise you won’t be sorry.” He tipped her head up to give him access to her mouth and kissed her with so much emotion it nearly made her heart burst. “No,” she said when he lifted his lips. “I don’t believe I will. But maybe, just to seal the deal, you should kiss me again.” After a long time they managed to drag themselves out of the shower, crawled into bed and fell asleep. Locked together in an embrace, they dreamed about their future.

29

~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~

Desiree Holt’s writing is flavored with the rich experiences of her life, including a long stretch in the music business representing every kind of artist from country singer to heavy metal rock bands. For several years she also ran her own public relations agency handling any client that interested her, many of whom might recognize themselves in the pages of her stories. She is twice a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award, a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio as well as twice a CAPA Award for best BDSM book of the year, winner of two Holt Medallion Awards of Merit, and is published by five different houses. Romance Junkies said of her work: “Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last.”

Visit Desiree online at: www.desireeholt.com

www.decadentpublishing.com www.decadent1nightstand.blogspot.com