TRITON: A Navy SEAL Romance (Heroes Ever After Book 2) Read online

  “The bike path is really the best way to see Coronado. It’s probably one of the best bike routes in the country.”

  “I’d prefer to walk.”

  “Okay.” I didn’t want to press, but her reluctance baffled me.

  I wasn’t ready to end this night. I thought of the typical places to take her—moonlit stroll on the beach, cocktails at the Del, or even a ride on the Coronado gondola. But nothing seemed perfect for Aria. I needed to wow her if there was any hope of getting her to help me ensnare my clients in a few weeks.

  Then it hit me. Something unique, powerful, and breathtaking.

  Just like her.

  My hand reached to hers, and I wrapped my fingers around her palm. “I want to show you something.”

  “Where are you taking me?”

  “To the Naval Special Warfare Base.”

  Her mouth widened into a grin but I wasn’t sure why. Maybe she was excited to get on base. I remembered the first time I set foot on the BUD/S compound a desire to be the best overtook me. Maybe her pride as an Olympian compelled her to feel the same. We walked a few more blocks, past the Del and back to base. I flashed my ID at the gate and led her inside.

  Her eyes widened like saucers as a group of BUD/S candidates raced by her. Those sorry fuckers probably hadn’t seen a woman in months. Just her scent alone must’ve driven them insane.

  Their instructor, my buddy Pat, must’ve caught the destination of their gazes. “Do you think you fuckers are worthy to even look at a SEAL’s woman?”

  “No, Instructor Walsh,” they yelled in unison.

  Ha. Control, Pat had complete control over them. Pretty soon, it would be my turn to be their master.

  We walked past the men, and I led her to the beach overlooking the “O” Course. A group of SEAL trainees was practicing their obstacles. We sat on in the sand. The competing sounds of cars whizzing by on the nearby road and the crash of the waves against the shore stirred in my head.

  “Wow. This is so cool! Thank you for taking me here. I’ve read about the course and seen videos, but it’s so awesome to see up close.”

  “Thought you would like it. I became a man on this course. It’s harder than it looks.” I pointed to my nemesis. “That fucking obstacle, Dirty Name, almost cost me my Trident. It doesn’t look that challenging, but if you don’t jump at the right angle, you are screwed.”

  She exhaled. “Well, I’d love to try it.”

  Ha. That would be the day when a woman could master our course. Even an athlete like Aria. “If you’re a good girl, I’ll let you take a crack at it some time.”

  She licked her lips and leaned into me. “But what if I’m a bad girl?”

  “Then I’ll definitely let you try it.” My hand moved slowly through her windblown hair, and her head tilted. I leaned in as the sunset beckoned me to her lips. Claiming her hot sweet mouth, my tongue tangled with hers, and she tasted like pure bliss.

  It was the type of kiss that could get me through a long deployment.

  I’d kissed many women in my life, but something told me that this would be a lip lock that I would remember for the rest of my life.

  8

  Aria

  Everything about this night had been heavenly. From the crunchy taco shells which cradled the perfectly seasoned poke, the tangy punch of my blood orange Cosmo, to this moonlit stroll with my handsome date. But Erik had upped the ante.

  He had granted me access to the place I dreamt about every night—where I would be spending six months of my life.

  The coveted SEAL base. I had been this close to the “O” Course. He had even promised that he would let me try it.

  And that kiss. It was like one of those mythical first kisses that you read about in books or saw in movies. Perfectly choreographed. His lips had been soft, but his grip on my neck had been firm. He was sweet yet rough, loving yet forceful, innocent yet dirty. Oh so dirty.

  But instead of enjoying this blissful moment, my stomach lurched in guilt.

  I hadn’t been honest with him.

  His hand caressed the front of my dress, and he gently thumbed my nipple through the fabric. “Let’s go back to my place. I live in a condo overlooking the base.”

  Every part of me wanted to scream yes. Go home with this sexy hunk. I imagined him throwing me over his back like some caveman and fucking me until I couldn’t stop coming.

  “I can’t. I have to get home, walk my dog, and go to sleep. I teach tomorrow at eight, and I need to wake up early so I can put in a three-hour workout before class.” The second those words left my mouth I realized how ridiculous they sounded.

  “You’re crazy. The only people I know who work out that long are SEALs.”

  And those training to be SEALs. “And Olympians,” I countered. Good save.

  He nodded. “Spend the night with me, and I’ll work out with you.”

  My body posture perked up. That would be great! He could fuck me all night, and then in the morning we could run, do an ocean swim, and maybe he’d let me try the “O” course.

  But that wouldn’t be fair to him. If I was going to hook up with this man, I had to tell him my plans. “I have to decline. But I’ve had a great time tonight. This has been the best date I’ve ever had. But I really do have to go.”

  I stood up and brushed the sand off my dress, the ocean breeze flipping down the strap of my tank top, revealing my bra. Erik grinned as his gaze dropped to my breasts. I pulled up the strap and laughed, grateful that I wasn’t wearing a dress. I remembered the scene in the Marilyn Monroe movie, Seven Year Itch. She had filmed Some Like It Hot on this very beach. I loved being here, surrounded by history.

  Pulling me to him, he gently cradled my cheek in his palm. “Can I see you tomorrow night?”

  Dammit, Aria. This guy was great. Super hot, sexy, smart. “What did you have in mind?”

  “Wonder Woman is playing at the local theater. Let me take you.”

  Wonder Woman? I was dying to see that flick. She was an Amazonian warrior who could fight alongside men.

  And this would be a perfect way to gauge how receptive Erik would be about female Navy SEALs.

  “I’d love to.”

  “Okay. Give me your phone.”

  I reached into my purse and handed him my phone. He entered my number and then called his phone, thus getting my number. “I’ll text you and let you know what time it starts. Let me walk you home.”

  No. I wasn’t ready for that. I couldn’t resist him being that close to my bed. “I’m fine. It’s a beautiful night.”

  He took my hand. “Aria, I insist. You are beautiful. Some guy could grab you.”

  And I could protect myself. “I feel safe in this tourist town.”

  “Fine. But I have to walk you off base.”

  I agreed, and he walked me off base and back in front of the Del.

  He leaned down and gave me another kiss. This one was sweeter than the last one but still laced with urgency. Like a magnet, I fought to separate my body from his, our attraction pulling us together.

  “Good night, Erik.”

  “Good night, Aria.”

  As I walked through the picturesque Coronado Village, I marveled at my luck. So far, Erik had behaved like a perfect gentleman, and I didn’t suspect he has some ulterior motive as my mom believed he had. Maybe he could be the right guy for me after all. “Everything happened for a reason,” my hippy mother used to say when she was pretending that she was so spiritual and kind. Maybe Erik had been sent to me, to guide me through this path. Maybe he would accept my goals and help me reach them.

  Either way, I would know soon. I planned to tell him tomorrow. If he were the right guy for me, he would understand my dreams and support them.

  9

  Erik

  I slept in, appreciating a rare Saturday off. As a SEAL, I worked most weekends. I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast, got a quick workout in, and then hit the shower to get ready for my evening with Aria.

  I m
et Aria outside the Village theater at six o’clock. She was wearing khaki shorts and a violet tank top. Her long hair was loose and wavy. She looked like a goddess.

  I flashed my phone to show the two tickets, and we went inside the theater. We ordered popcorn and drinks and found our seats.

  I put my arm around Aria, and she rested her head on my chest.

  “Thanks for taking me. I can’t wait to see this.”

  The movie started, and I was blown away by the scenery. But nothing impressed me more than Diana Prince’s complete badassery.

  But Aria seemed to love the movie even more than I had. Every time Diana defeated someone, Aria squeezed my hand. When the movie was over, and we walked out of the theater, Aria’s face beamed.

  “Oh my god. That movie was so incredible. Don’t you think? I loved it. Diana was so powerful and strong. She’d make a great SEAL.”

  Ha. “Yeah, she would. Too bad, she doesn’t exist.”

  Aria’s mouth stretched into a wide grin. I’d hadn’t seen her look this happy since I’d met her, even when she was in the water.

  I was about to suggest a stroll on the beach, but Aria turned to me. “Let’s go for a swim.”

  “Where?”

  “In the ocean.”

  I paused. “I didn’t bring my trunks.”

  She gave me a playful glance. “In that case, we will have to go au naturel.”

  Fuck yeah. “Sounds like a plan. I’ll take you on base, and we can swim off our private beach. That way we won’t get arrested.”

  We walked back to base, and I flashed my ID. It crossed my mind that I had swim shorts in my locker, but I decided to keep that to myself.

  We then headed out past the obstacle course to a secluded part of the beach, covered by some rocks.

  I stripped off my clothes, and she pulled off her top and shorts, revealing a matching white lace bra and panty set. Maintaining eye contact with me, she unhooked her bra, revealing her small but pert breasts. Then she slipped off her panties, and I confirmed that she was a natural redhead. I was shocked that she had seemed so shy yesterday, but now she dripped confidence. My eyes danced around her body. It was pure perfection. Her stomach had definition I’d only seen in fitness magazines, and her ass was round and tight. I stared at her beautiful pussy, waxed in a sexy triangle. My cock rose to attention. I had to fuck her.

  “The water’s cold,” I warned.

  “Fine by me.” She ran in front of me on the beach into the water, and I chased after her. Once the waves hit her waist, she began to swim.

  We swam out to the first buoy, and I was impressed at her pace. Her strokes were even, and she didn’t seem to choke on the salt water.

  It was almost as if she had trained in the ocean. Who knew? Maybe open water swims were part of her regimen for the Olympics.

  She was a few strides ahead of me, but I quickly caught up, barreling toward her, until I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her into me.

  I pressed my body into hers and brushed a lock of hair out of her face. “You’re a pretty amazing swimmer.”

  She blinked the salt water out of her eyes. “You’re not bad yourself.”

  I felt her tremble in my arms, and I wasn’t sure if it was from the chill of the water or the closeness of our naked bodies. I wanted to take her right then and there, fuck her in the ocean.

  A wave rippled by and we bobbed in the water, but my arms remained around this beautiful woman who felt so tiny in my grasp.

  I cupped her naked ass, and she wrapped her legs around my waist.

  My cock was pressed hard against her thigh. It had always been a fantasy of mine to fuck in the water.

  We kissed as were treading water. Her pussy was so fucking close to my cock. I lifted her up to take one of her beautiful breasts in my mouth, sucking her nipple until she moaned.

  My lips made their way up to her earlobe. “Babe, I’m clean. The Navy tests me thoroughly after every deployment, and I haven’t been with anyone since my last test.”

  “Well, I’m on the pill, and I haven’t been with anyone since I was last tested.”

  Fuck yeah. She didn’t need to say anything else. I kept my legs in a steady eggbeater motion to stay afloat. I glided her onto my cock as I kissed her mouth. She was even tighter than I imagined. With one arm free to keep balance, my other arm guided her motion as her body rocked with the waves.

  “This is so fucking hot, baby.”

  We were close enough to a place where I could stand on the ocean floor, so I lifted her off of me and swam with her until I could stand. Once my feet were firmly planted in the sand, I went to work on her nipples, kissing, teasing and sucking them. I wrapped her legs around me again and pounded her into my cock.

  I was mesmerized by her body. Even when I was fucking her, she moved so gracefully, as if she was performing just for me.

  The heat from her core kept me warm despite the frigid waters.

  “I could fuck you all night out here. I’m not going to come until you do.”

  She smiled as my hand gripped her ass, and she rubbed her clit against my crotch. Her breath came in spurts as I slammed her into me, kneading her closer to ecstasy. She finally screamed out as I took her mouth with a kiss and I could feel her come undone. I let go inside her and came so hard.

  Fuck, that was so incredible.

  She climbed off of me with a cautious smile on her face.

  “Want to go back to my place and spend the night?” I pointed to the high rise.

  “Oh. I don’t know if I’m ready to spend the night with you,” she teased.

  “Aria, we just fucked in the ocean. And I plan to fuck you all night.”

  “Okay, let’s race. You beat me, and I’ll spend the night at your place.”

  I loved how competitive she was. “You’re on.”

  I gave her another kiss, and we swam back toward the shore.

  I kept my gaze focused on her gorgeous ass as she swam in front of me. But when we were close to shore, I sped up and overtook her, though I had the feeling she let me win. Once we reached the beach, we ran out of the water, used my shirt as a towel, and then dressed.

  I took her hand, and we walked along the shore, exited the base, and then entered my high rise. I loved my condo—it had views of the Del and the Naval Special Warfare base. I could roll out of bed and walk to work.

  I pressed the button for the elevator, and once inside, I pinned her to the wall for another kiss. She tasted salty and hot.

  When the elevator door opened again, an older couple greeted us. My breath hitched—the man resembled my father. But I knew that I would never see him again. Not in this lifetime.

  I opened the door to my place, and Aria took in the view. Her clothes were still damp. “You want to change? I can give you some clothes.”

  “No, I’m good. I’m used to being wet.”

  Fuck yeah. I pulled her into me. “Come here, baby, and let me taste you.”

  I caressed her face and kissed her again. Inhaling her unique, feminine scent, slowly exploring her mouth with my tongue, urging her closer to me. My cock shot to attention. I was dying to part her firm thighs, spread her legs, and eat her pussy. Her hand traced the outline of my biceps, before resting on my chest. My arms closed around her lower back as I blew kisses on her earlobes, tasted her sweet skin, and buried my head in her cleavage.

  She kissed me back and began to relax her body as my cock pressed into her skirt.

  I couldn’t wait to taste her any longer.

  I stripped off her clothes, picked her up and propped her ass on the back of my sofa.

  “Spread your legs, baby.”

  She tossed her hair back and spread her legs so wide I couldn’t believe it. I knelt in front of her with my knees on the couch and inhaled her scent, salty and sweet. Kissing her delicate folds, teasing her with my mouth, I took one long lick down her center, and she gasped.

  “Just what I thought. You taste better than Mermaid’s Red.”
r />   She laughed.

  But one lick wasn’t enough to satisfy me.

  I wrapped her legs around my neck and licked her gold medal pussy, drunk on her sweetness. She moaned when I gripped her thighs and pulled her deeper into my mouth. I couldn’t get enough of her.

  “Come for me, champ. Come all over my face.”

  I sucked on her clit and slid my finger inside her. I could feel her tense and release, and I knew she was so fucking close. She reached down and grasped my hair, urging me into her as I devoured her. She let out a scream as she came so hard her body contracted.

  “That’s my girl.”

  I pulled her to my side, wrapped my arm around her and cuddled with her on the sofa. We gazed out at the ocean, and she leaned into me.

  I felt a twinge of guilt that I had initially pursued her partially because I wanted her to help me with my business. But now, it was more than that. My insides twisted when I was around her, and I sometimes felt nervous in her presence—which had never happened to me before.

  She sighed, gazing at the ocean. “This is the most incredible view. I’ve never seen anything so beautiful in my entire life.”

  I looked right at her. “Neither have I.”

  10

  Aria

  I woke the next morning, and it took me a few minutes to remember where I was. But the Coronado sunrise quickly reminded me that I was in Erik’s bed. But unfortunately, he wasn’t in it.

  My chest constricted as I recalled my previous drunken hookups, waking up alone, filled with regret. I completely owned my choices for having casual sex, but no matter how much I had tried to convince myself that I actually had enjoyed sex with my previous lovers, honestly it had never been that satisfying, physically or emotionally.

  But last night with Erik had been different. The sex had been mind blowing. I’d never came with a lover before. But more than the physical chemistry, I’d felt that we had connected on a deeper level.

  My entire life, I had always figured that people had pretended to like me because of my accomplishments. But Erik seemed to actually be interested in who I was as a person.