Last Chance: Navy SEAL erotic romance (SEALs Crossfire Novella 1) (2 page)

“Hi,” I said meekly, I wasn’t sure what he wanted.

He held up a tool bag and other supplies, “I’m here to fix the basement window, as promised.”

I suddenly remembered his promise from last night and nodded, moving to the side so he could step in. I wasn’t sure what to say to him so I just stood there quietly, watching as he walked toward my basement door like he’d been here a thousand times. He had mentioned being friendly with the man who lived here before me so I assumed that was why. Although it still seemed strange to me that he would sneak in at night… I pushed the conflicting information aside and followed him to the basement. I was unwilling to leave him alone in my house, not trusting his story completely.

He went to the window farthest from the door, grabbing a ladder I didn’t notice until now from the corner. Climbing up, he took a hammer and nails from his bag.

“Can you hand me that board?” He asked, pointing to a long piece of wood on the floor next to his bag.

I nodded, hefting the heavy board up, my sore shoulders protesting. I almost dropped it the first time, and I watched his eyes widen. So as not to embarrass myself further, I hoisted the board over my head as quickly as possible, ignoring the pain that shot down my arms. To my relief he snatched the board from my arm, with one hand, his bicep bulging from his black t-shirt as he moved. My arms fell limply by my sides, pain radiating from my shoulder to my elbow. I ignored it and watched him, swallowing hard at the way his back muscles rippled under his shirt. My eyes traveled down, landing on his ass and I gulped again, sure that the basement was growing hotter by the minute. His ass was high and round, filling out his light, worn denim jeans in ways that made me grow moist between my legs.

I shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot, looking down at the concrete floor. I heard him clear his throat and I looked up.

“All done,” Jason said, motioning toward the window.

I nodded again, I’m pretty sure I’d only spoken two words since he arrived. I started back toward the stairs, with Jason close behind. He walked close behind me again, so close I could once again feel the heat of his body on the backs of my bare legs. My heart was hammering in my chest. I walked faster, needing to be away from him as soon as possible. We stopped at the front door and I opened it. But instead of exiting through the screen door he moved closer to me. I put my hands up to show him I wanted him to move back but he advanced, coming so close I was pushing against his chest. I was breathing so heavy I was panting. His proximity made me clench down low, my sex throbbing. The feel of his warm, hard chest made me want to lean in, but instead I gave him a feeble push, leaning away.

“Thanks for fixing my window,” I whispered, hoping he would leave.

Something about him frightened me. Not in the way that I thought he would hurt me, but that he was somehow dangerous. As much as I was attracted to him, the word seeming weak in describing what I was feeling, I knew that I shouldn’t become involved with him. The aura of danger surrounded him in such a way that my heart sped up just thinking about it.

He leaned in a bit more, making me drop my hands, “You’re welcome.” He breathed, so close to my face I could feel his breath on my cheek.

I ducked my head, allowing for my curtain of wavy black hair to hide my face. My emotions were conflicting. Part of me wanted to ask him to stay; the other part knew he had to go. Jason lightly touched my chin, tilting my head upwards so we were face to face. His lips were inches from mind and I thought for sure he was going to kiss me. My heart was pounding in my chest, my body heated, especially the area between my legs. The sexual tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife. I didn’t pull away, if he was going to kiss me I wanted it, I couldn’t fool myself any longer.

Then just as suddenly as he was so close to me, he pulled away, putting a noticeable distance between us. I stiffened, my body cooling as quickly as it heated. A flush of embarrassment rose to my face. He was playing with me, and I fell for it.

“Well then,” I said curtly, “I guess you should be going.”

A look of chagrin passed across his face, followed by what looked like regret. I took it as smugness and frowned. Jason walked out the screen door and I slammed the front door with frustration. Being a glutton for punishment, I peeked through the side window, watching him stop and look back. He didn’t appear to notice me but I shrunk back away from the window anyway. I didn’t have time for his games, I had to unpack.

Anger soon replaced my frustration and embarrassment and I fumed as I pulled items from boxes and slammed them into their new homes. I soon settled though when I almost chipped a piece of my mother’s china. What was I doing? I didn’t even know this guy and I was letting him get to me. That cooled my temper and I went about unpacking methodically, turning on my radio and dancing around as I did, feeling my mood lighten.

***

Chance watched McKenzie from her kitchen window as she unpacked. She moved her hips to the music and twirled around. His dick stirred and he grunted, not happy to sport a constant hard on because of the woman next door. Although those shorts she wore should be illegal, they barely contained her curvy ass and fit her so snugly that he almost grabbed her walking up the basement steps and carried her to her room. He didn’t even know the woman’s last name and he wanted to fuck her. There were ways to remedy that however and he pulled his laptop from the bag and settled it on his lap, shifting uncomfortably because of his erection. He was hoping this dance party of hers was through soon or he wouldn’t get anything done.

Chance logged into his laptop, then into his secure internet server, being careful with encryption so as not to be traceable. Blowing his identity right now would be deadly, especially since the intel he had was telling him that those who were after him were getting closer. All he could do was sit and wait for that day. Chance shook his head, unwilling to sully thoughts of his beautiful neighbor with the madmen who would do anything to silence what he knows. He logged into the secure Navy email, bringing up a new message he typed in his contact’s email address. He rattled off a quick message about his new neighbor and needing more information about her so that he could make sure she wasn’t connected to the people who were after him. Chance knew the Navy had vetted her when she put an offer in for the house, they told him as much, but he told his contact he wanted to be sure.

He finished his email and logged off, slipping the laptop back into his bag. When he looked up he noticed that the woman was no longer unpacking and dancing in her kitchen. With something that felt alarmingly like disappointment, Chance stood from the couch and moved to the front door, grabbing his keys. He had a lot to figure out before he could let himself pursue any semblance of a relationship, and he needed to start now.

***

I looked at the last three boxes left to unpack and shook my head, they could wait until tomorrow. I was proud of myself, I unpacked almost everything. Exhaustion gripped me as I lay sprawled on the living room floor. My muscles screamed from lifting boxes again today, at least I was getting a workout. I glanced at my phone for the time, it was almost nine.

Willing myself to get up, I went into the kitchen and opened the fridge absently. I had barely eaten all day and it wasn’t for lack of hunger. There was barely any food in my fridge or pantry and I made the decision to make a grocery run first thing in the morning. I grabbed a cold Coke and closed the fridge opening the pantry next. The only things in there were a half loaf of bread and a small bag of Doritos from the sandwich I ordered yesterday. I had made a point to eat or throw out all of the remaining food in my apartment before I moved and now I regretted at least not having some milk and a box of cereal.

With a shrug, I grabbed the Doritos and headed back to the living room. I switched the TV on, grateful I had the cable turned on yesterday and sunk into my new, brown, micro suede sofa. Aware that I was sweaty but too tired to care, I fidgeted and after gulping down the soda and Doritos I hopped off the couch, ready for a shower and bed. I turned to head into the kitchen to throw away the empty bag and slammed into a hard body. I jumped back gasping, terror gripping me that there was an intruder. A large hand gripped my upper arm, pulling me back against the warm, hard chest. I froze and looked up. It was Jason.

I sagged against him in relief, very aware of our close proximity. Coming down from the adrenaline surge made me feel sleepy and with his scent wrapped around me I felt warm and safe. For a minute I forgot what I was doing and snuggled against him, only snapping out of it when I felt the rumble of a groan from his chest. I pulled away flustered and embarrassed, I wasn’t sure what had come over me. His hands gripped my hips and wouldn’t let me pull away. I felt the bulge of his erection against my belly, indicating that he was not unhappy about my faux pas.

I looked up at him, so close I had to tilt my head back to see his face. Despite my earlier observation, Jason looked anything but happy. I frowned, confused and tried to pull away again. Jason wouldn’t let go of my hips.

“Uh, sorry.” I said weakly, trying to fight out of his grasp.

I suddenly wondered what I was sorry for since he had broken into my house, again. Anger flashed in my eyes and Jason raised an eyebrow, appearing amused by my ire.

“What the fuck, Jason!” I yelled, finally pulling away. Well he let me.

“What?” He asked raising his hands in innocence.

“I thought you fixed the window?” I struggled with maintaining the tone of my voice.

“I did, but the other one may need fixing now.” He moved around me into the living room, and sat down on my sofa.

My mouth hung open in astonishment, he was just making himself at home after breaking into my house. I was fuming and I stood in front of him, anger making my face red.

“Get out!” I screamed, gripping his arm and yanking.

Realizing my futile attempt at making him stand I dropped his arm and stood staring at him, hands on my hips. He smirked, and if he didn’t look so sexy I would have slapped it off of his face.

“You looked bored just sitting on the couch with your soda and Doritos. I thought I’d come entertain you,” He said, patting the sofa cushion for me to sit next to him.

“You were watching me?” I asked, incredulous. Was this guy for real?

He shrugged and patted the sofa again, giving me a wink. My insides turned to mush and it took all of my willpower not to curl up next to him and rub against him like a cat in heat.

I shook my head, more to tell myself I was crazy for considering it, “What do you want, Jason? Can’t you just knock on the door like regular people?”

Jason shook his head and gave me a shit-eating grin, “Nah, too easy.”

That was when I detected a hint of a southern accent.

“Are you from the south?” I asked. My mom was from Georgia so I was curious.

He shook his head quickly, his smiled fading, “Nope, born and raised in PA.”

Suddenly the accent was gone. I wasn’t crazy, I heard it. My mom had a terribly thick accent so I was pretty good at detecting them. But maybe I was wrong.

Suddenly Jason stood, looking agitated. “I have to go anyway, just came to see how you were doing.”

He turned to leave and I felt a sudden, irrational pang of panic at the idea of his absence.

I suppressed the feeling and followed him to the front door, “That’s fine. I was just about to take a shower and go to bed anyway.”

His eyes widened and darkened with lust, “Need any help?”

I vehemently shook my head and practically pushed him out the door. He had me so flustered, and I tried to ignore the little voice that was saying I was protesting because I wanted to take him up on his offer.

His smirk was back as he stepped out the door, my stomach amok with butterflies. I watched him walk back toward his house. This time he didn’t turn back and I didn’t try to pretend I wasn’t watching. My fear was that one day I would finally give in.

***

Chance didn’t know why he snuck into McKenzie’s house again, but he had an uncontrollable urge to see her and to make sure she was okay. He cursed at himself silently for his stupidity. When she caught his accent, because he was dumb enough to let it slip, he knew he had to get out of there. Blowing his cover was out of the question and would bring a shit storm down on his head. He knew it was inevitable that the assholes with a bounty on his would find him; he just wanted to give himself some time to prepare first. And he didn’t want McKenzie, and all of her innocent sweetness, caught in the crossfire.

After another cold shower, Chance pulled on a pair of pajama pants and slid into bed. McKenzie popped into his head and his dick hardened again. The way she looked in those white shorts and low cut red shirt had his fantasies running wild. What he could do to her. With an angry grunt, he yanked his pajama bottoms down, squirted some lotion on his hand and fisted his rock hard cock. He began pumping his dick, imagining his hand was McKenzie’s tight pussy, and found his release. He cleaned himself up with a discarded t-shirt on the floor and rolled over to try to sleep, images of McKenzie dancing behind his eyes when he closed them.

***

Sunday morning dawned with the sound of rain pattering against my window. I could hear the faint rumblings of thunder in the distance and all I wanted to do was turn over and go back to sleep. My sleep was fitful, with erotic dreams about Jason playing over and over. I felt more exhausted than when I laid down the night before and I groaned at the idea of having to do anything today. Though sleep sounded inviting, I forced myself up and showered, prepared to tackle the last three boxes and head out to the grocery store.

Grabbing a cup of coffee in the kitchen, I stared out my back window at the rain coming down in sheets from my roof and decided to save the grocery run for later. Finishing my coffee, I headed to the living room and looked at the last three boxes labeled, ‘books’, ‘office supplies’ and ‘miscellaneous’. Was it so wrong to want to leave those things alone for now since I didn’t need them right away? I elected to leave them for another day, scooted them from the middle of the room into a corner and perched on the edge of the couch to catch the Sunday news.