He hardens under my thigh, and his eyes start to heat. “What kind of gratitude did you have in mind?”
I slip my hand under his flannel pajamas and run my thumb over the tip of his erection. His lips part slightly, and I lean in. “My plan was to lick my way down your body until I could suck your dick in my mouth. But, now, I think I’ll let you choose. What do you want?”
His breath hitches, and he closes his eyes, moaning as my nails lightly scratch the underside of his cock. “Y-y-yes, dick in mouth sounds good,” he stutters.
“Then what?” I start to go lower and kiss a trail down his neck and jawline. When my tongue circles his nipple, he moans and grips my scalp.
“You, on top of me.”
“Mmm, sounds nice. Then what?” I lower his pants and graze my tongue over his slit and then the crown.
“I want to bury myself in you for the rest of the night.”
“That can be done,” I whisper seductively against his cock and blow a warm breath. “But we need to discuss something first.” I push up and straddle his lap, bracing my hands on his abs.
His eyes fly open, and he looks at me in horror. “Now? We need to discuss something now?”
“Yep.” I nod. “It’s done. The situation is over. We don’t need to talk about it again. I could feel your guilt in the email. It still stings, but you’ve done everything possible to heal my wounds, including loving me. I need to know my love is enough to heal you, too.”
He moves his hands under mine and links our fingers then kisses my knuckles. “Knowing you love me heals all wounds. I’ll try to let this go.”
“Don’t try. Let it go. We’re here, and we’re stronger than ever. Promise me.”
He stares at me, searching my face for several long seconds. “Promise,” he finally chokes out.
“Good, now for your real surprise.” I pull the shirt off and reach under my pillow. When I drop his dog tags over my head, he moans.
“Now, when you close your eyes on the ship and think of me, you can think of me naked, on top of you, in nothing but your dog tags.”
His eyes grow wide and then deepen to a dark blue. He massages my thighs gently, and the heat of his gaze sets my body on fire.
“Babe, you have blown every dream I’ve ever had of you out of the water. Men would die to see the perfection I have sitting on top of me.”
My breathing picks up as I watch his reaction.
“But, now, it’s time to start the gratitude portion of the night before I explode.”
I grin and move back down his body. “Gladly.”
The minute I walk into the kitchen, all chatter stops. Quinn bites her lip while Dean whistles low then drops his eyes to the floor.
Nate jerks his chin, tugs Jamie to his side, and murmurs, “Stand back. You’re about to get a show.”
Bryce’s face has turned a deep shade of red. “I send you a thousand dollars and she’s wearing a scrap of fabric?” he hisses at Quinn.
“It’s hardly a scrap! She’s covered everywhere that matters,” she replies casually. “Calm your shit. I didn’t spend it all. Your money went to manicures, pedicures, hair styling, and shoes. Don’t forget about the shoes.”
His eyes drop to my feet, and I start to worry if he’s going to literally blow up. “Devon, baby, you have to change. Please tell me you have something else that will work for tonight.”
“What’s wrong with this?” I ask defensively, looking down at the deep purple halter dress Quinn insisted I buy.
“Nothing. You look hot. Give it a twirl. Let us see the full effect.” Quinn spins her hand in a circle.
As soon as I turn, Bryce growls. “Where’s the back?”
Jamie starts to giggle and comes to my rescue. “I think she looks beautiful. The lace overlay gives the dress a very classy edge. If I had legs like hers, I’d show them off, too.”
Nate whispers something in her ear, and she blushes slightly.