Expecting the SEAL’s Baby by Katie Knight

Sixteen

Gina kept her eye on Jeremy as they moved downriver, looking for another place to cross. Everything about him was tense, rigid. Nothing like the sexy companion she’d spent time with last night and earlier in the day. Even his tone when he called Percy to relay what had happened was stiff and stilted. He’d barked out details of the incident in rapid fire.

“This is good,” Jeremy said after a long period of silence when they reached a shallow part of the river where the water was only inches deep. Despite the ease of the crossing, he took hold of her arm as she walked across the rocky bottom. “Careful, the stones could be slippery.”

She only smiled at him and reserved comment. She had plenty to say, but it would wait until they’d stopped for a time. Soon, they came across a small lake where the water was crystal clear and the trees provided shade.

“Let’s take a break. I don’t want you to overdo it,” he said, dropping their packs now that he’d insisted on carrying hers.

“Jeremy.” She was no wilting violet, and he needed to understand that, or he was going to drive them both crazy.

“Sit and have a snack. You’ll need protein and more water.”

“Jeremy, I know what my needs are,” she said in a level voice. “And I don’t need you to fuss over me. Stop blaming yourself for what happened back there.”

“You’re my responsibility. You and the baby. With you being pregnant—”

“Being pregnant doesn’t mean I’m fragile or weak,” she pointed out. “I’m still an adult and can make my own decisions.”

“I know that’s true, and I don’t mean to say you’re not.” He looked away, his frustration obvious. “This is all coming out wrong. I just want to keep you safe. That’s all.”

“How about we both keep ourselves and each other safe? I think that’ll work better. Agreed?” She got a tiny nod from him with that and took that as a sign he was getting over his guilt. “Good. I think I need to wash out my clothes.” Silt from her trip down the river was ground into the clothes she still wore. The clear lake water would be a good place to clean up. She stripped off the light jacket she’d worn before removing her boots and socks.

Jeremy came to join her, reaching for the jacket. “Let me help you.”

“Do a good job now or I’ll make you do it over,” she teased him.

“I think I can manage a little laundry.” He grumbled, but she thought his mood was improving.

“Can you? I heard a rumor that you had a housekeeper as a kid. Is that true?” Gina knew that his upbringing had been very different from hers.

“Rosa.” He smiled. “She was awesome.”

“Because she cleaned up after you?”

“She did that,” he said, “but she was also more…warmer than my own mother. When I got home from school, Rosa was the one who asked me how my day was.”

“I’m glad you had her, then, but I bet she spoiled you rotten. Had you ever washed your own clothes before joining the Navy?”

“Not even once. I had to learn the hard way.” He pulled her jacket from the water and wrung it out, his strong hands twisting the fabric before hanging it from a branch to dry.

“I see you learned well,” she commented. “You’re good.”

“I’m good at a lot of things.” His grin was cocky, his self-assurance coming back.

“I suppose,” she said on a sigh as if not quite believing him. It felt safe to banter with him again. “Are you good at water fights?” Before she even finished the sentence, she smacked her hand down on the water and sent a cascade of droplets over him.

He shook the water from his hair and splashed her back, drenching her already damp clothing. “How was that?”

“Good, but not extraordinary.”

“Do you want me to try again?” He took a step closer to her. “I can’t miss at this range.”

She liked him this way. Relaxed and fun. What could she do to keep him that way? That was an easy question. She stripped her shirt off over her head and pushed her pants down, stepping out of them. “You know, I’m filthy. I think I need a bath.” Her bra and panties joined her clothes on the shore.

She loved that she’d stunned him into speechlessness. His mouth was hanging open, but his eyes were glued to her body. She turned away and walked slowly into the water, giving her butt an extra wiggle. When she was submerged to her waist, she turned and crooked her finger at him to join her.

* * *

Gina never stopped surprising him. When she walked naked into the water, he could no longer remember why he’d been so worried and upset just moments ago. All he could think about was her, having her, being inside her. When she gestured for him to join her, he stripped off his clothes, grabbed a bar of soap from his pack, and went to join her in the cool water.

“Thought you might need some help washing up,” he said as he reached her. He lathered the soap between his hands.

“That’s the kind of help I’m always happy to take.”

“Hold out your hand.” When she did, he dropped the soap onto her palm and began to scrub her body. He took his time starting with her neck and shoulders and slowly working his way to her breasts where he coaxed her nipples to hard points and heard the tiniest moan come from her.

“I’m still dirty there,” she breathed.

“Dirty in other places too, right? Where else do you need me to wash you?” he asked, and her half-closed eyes opened, showing him her desire. “Your back? Your legs? Tell me.”

She took his hand and guided it to her inner thighs. “Here.”

“Just here?” He stroked his fingers over the soft skin.

“Higher,” she whispered as she bent her head to rest on his shoulder. “Touch me.”

He lifted one of her legs and wrapped it around his waist, opening her more fully. And then he slipped his fingers into the core of her, teasing and caressing her wet heat. Her arms tightened around him and she tilted her face up to his.

“Now kiss me, too.”

“So demanding,” he said, but did as she asked. His tongue delved into her mouth in rhythm with his fingers entering her. As the water lapped softly against them, he coaxed her to an orgasm, wanting to please her. When she came, she clung to him and their kiss became deeper and more frenzied. Her other leg came around him, and he thrust into her, wanting more than anything to be joined with her. And he knew, even at the moment he came, that sex with her was unlike any he’d ever experienced.

He couldn’t say what it was, but they were perfectly in tune with one another in a way that made their lovemaking off the charts. After his climax, he held her, just loving the feeling of her body against his. Finally, he retrieved the bar of soap and washed them both before carrying her out of the water.