Flint’s Battle (Team KOA Bravo #3)

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

He was serious.

Emery inhaled as Flint eased out, quickly disposing of the condom before gathering her in his arms — lifting her up. She wasn’t sure how he didn’t just drop her, as he strode purposely toward the hallway. What he’d surmised was the way to her bedroom.

She hadn’t been joking. She was spent. Her limbs felt like they weighed a thousand pounds and if her heart pounded any harder, it might burst right through her chest. Like in the cartoons she used to watch as a kid, leaving a heart-shaped hole. What would become a reality if he decided this really was a one-off. That one night would be enough.

Twenty years’ worth of nights wouldn’t be enough for her. Hell, sixty seemed like the sheer minimum to consider close to anything resembling enough.

Hadn’t Flint said something like that earlier in the night? That enough didn’t exist where she was concerned? She’d brushed it off at the time, but it was hitting home, now. How in the space of an evening he’d become a habit she wasn’t sure she could break. Like some junkie addicted to his taste. His touch.

Not that she hadn’t been crushing on him for the past month. But seeing him in action — having him take two bullets for her, even if one was in his vest — had altered her perception. Made her realize she’d fallen for the man beneath the rugged good looks and muscular frame. That it was the warrior in him that had caught her attention. A sense of honor she’d recognized from the start that went so much deeper than his sexy smile.

Flint moved along the hallway, still carrying her as if it were nothing. No jostling, no repositioning, just her body snugged against his. Her arms wrapped around his neck. And she had to admit, being carried was deliciously intimate. Feeling his heart beat next to hers. How his muscles flexed as he walked. It was definitely something she could get used to.

He paused at the end of the hallway, arching a brow. She pointed to the door on the left, smiling when he kicked it open then continued through, walking directly to the ensuite before sliding her ass onto the counter.

He flicked on the light then scanned the room, easily finding a couple towels before adjusting the water then moving back to her. He stepped between her thighs, taking her in his arms as he rested his chin on top of her head.

She smiled against his skin, kissing his chest when the lump from earlier caught her attention. Though, it wasn’t just a welt, now. More like a smear of death across his flesh.

She hovered her fingers over it, straightening enough to stare up at him. “Damn, Flint, have you seen your chest?”

Though, that wasn’t the only mark. More bruises had blossomed on his shoulder, where he’d gone through that wall, not to mention hints of blood on the bandage circling his arm — from the graze he’d gotten while tackling her to the ground. “And your shoulder. Your arm. You’re a mess.”

He shrugged, acting as if it was nothing. “I’m fine. Gotten worse in training.”

“Don’t belittle what you did tonight. I still can’t believe you busted through a wall. Took two hits meant for me.”

“The first was directed at everyone, not just you. And that’s what backing you up means.” He tucked some hair behind her ear, and his face scrunched up a bit. “You act as if no one’s ever done that. Surely, you’ve had partners before.”

“No one I’ve ever worked with would have done what you did tonight. Talk about setting the bar high.”

“Then, you need better partners. Besides, I’m not the only one colored purple. In all the excitement I forgot this night started with you getting slugged in the cheek. All that running and tumbling hasn’t helped keep the swelling down. Or stopped it from bruising. How much pain are you in?”

“Compared to nearly dying? I’m fine.” She tilted her head to the side when he pursed his lips, creating creases across the bridge of his nose. He obviously didn’t believe her.

She smiled, dancing her fingers across his body. Damn, the guy was built. Thick bands lined his stomach, with bulges on his shoulders and arms. “You’re massive.”

His lips kicked up into a sinful grin. “I know.”

“Wise ass. I meant muscular but yeah, there too. Good thing I’ve been fantasizing about you for a month and was more than ready. Now, are we getting clean so we can get dirty again, or what?”

He braced his hands on the counter beside her legs, making all those muscles ripple along his torso. “Someone’s impatient. Maybe I like the view? You, still vibrating. Your skin all pink. You’re incredible, sweetheart.”

That endearment. It felt more intimate, now. Heating her skin until she was surprised it didn’t burst into flames. She’d never been affected like this before. But then, she’d never been around anyone like Flint.

She smoothed her hand up his chest, behind his neck then into his hair, tugging him down for a soul-searing kiss. All tongues and needy cries until he scooped her up, still kissing, and somehow stumbled them into the shower. Not stopping until her back hit the wall, his sheer size holding her captive.

She ate at his mouth, tilting her head to the side when he moved to her neck, licking and biting. Probably leaving another damn hickey like he’d done earlier. As if they were teenagers. Though, knowing she’d have a visual reminder of tonight shouldn’t excite her the way it did.

Flint made his way back to her mouth, giving her one more devastating kiss before physically pulling himself back. He shook his head as he gently placed her on her feet. “Damn, what you do to me. I want to howl to the moon that you’re mine.”

“Thinking the hickey’s proof enough I’m yours.”

His right eye twitched, just like in the car when she’d talked about hunting murderers and crime lords. As if he was holding something back. “A tattoo of my name wouldn’t be enough proof. It’s like I said earlier. Nothing’s quite enough where you’re concerned.”

She stepped into him. “I’m familiar with that feeling. You…” She wet her lips, wondering if he’d taste as wild as his personality. If she could bring him to his knees the way he had to her.

Flint chuckled. “Emery. Sweetheart I suggest you grab the soap because if you keep looking at me the way you are, right now, we might not make it to the bed for round two.”

She reached down and ran her hand along his length. “Beds are overrated.”

He tsked. “Oh, no. I want you comfortable, this time.”

“I was perfectly comfortable on the counter.”

“Good to know, because I might have to bend you over it tomorrow.”

The thought had her closing her eyes on a low moan. The man was definitely going to kill her.

Flint took that as a sign to grab the soap and start running it across her body. By the time he’d cleaned both of them, she was strung tight. On the verge of climbing on top of him and shoving him insider her — riding him until they were both spent.

She must have moaned his name because he tossed the soap aside and claimed her mouth. Not like before. This was raw. Unbridled. The kind of kiss that shattered doubts. Had her all-in inside a heartbeat.

He reached between her legs, a throaty growl slipping free before he eased back — gave her a tsk. “You’re practically dripping.”

“Then, do something about it because if you leave me like this…” She swore she’d get out her other spare gun and shoot him.

That must have been the sign he’d been waiting for because he twisted off the taps, flung the door open and grabbed those towels. A quick rub across her body, and he was stepping out — tying his around his waist before heaving her up on his shoulder — heading for the room.

She laughed as she bounced on the bed when he tossed her down, his massive form looming over her. She beckoned him down with a nod, wrapping herself completely around him as he went to his elbows, every inch touching.

He nuzzled her neck, then groaned, levering back up. “My wallet’s still on the counter.”

“I might have some in the nightstand, but I haven’t used any since I moved back so…”

Had his eye twitched again? Another rumble from his chest to hers? And had his breathing kicked up? Not so much faster but rougher.

Flint stared down at her. “I’m sorry, but did you just suggest you haven’t brought anyone home since you moved back eighteen months ago?”

“Closer to two years now, but yeah. Why?”

He paused as if working something out. “But you’ve gone to the guy’s house, right?”

She snorted. “That would imply I’ve had a guy to accompany to a house. What? Why are you looking at me as if I’m crazy?”

“Because you’re intelligent, skilled, and so damn beautiful my heart hurts just being in the same room with you. Yet, you haven’t had a lover in nearly two years?”

“I told you I wasn’t really looking for more casual sex.”

“Right. And?”

“And I haven’t found someone that was worth the effort until…”

She didn’t finish, afraid saying it out loud would jinx it. That he’d decide it was all too much, too soon. That going back to the Navy was a much better option. And she wouldn’t blame him. Their first unofficial date and he’d gotten shot in the arm and nearly killed… Twice.

Flint cracked a smile. “Until now. That is what you were going to say, right?”

She swallowed, nearly choked, but shrugged. “I was going to say until you , but now works. But I didn’t because despite not dating anyone for a long ass time, I know how it all works. That you don’t show your cards too early. But thanks for calling me out and burning that to the ground on our first night together.”

“Oh, sweetheart. If you could hear the thoughts racing around inside my head, you’d be the one running for the hills. So don’t assume I’m like those pansy-ass guys who run from a possible fight. I’m a SEAL. We live for the chance at a fight. And this might be our first official night, but we’ve been building this connection for a month. You know more about me than anyone else has in a long time. So, you’d best buckle up because I have no intentions of getting off this rollercoaster anytime soon.”

“Then, either go grab a damn condom, or just make love to me. I think we both know we’re healthy, and I’m on the pill, so… Your move.”

Flint froze. Literally froze above her, staring at her with wide eyes. His lips opened into an O. She waited, wondering if she should snap her fingers in front of his face when he blinked, then moved — crushing his mouth to hers as he shifted his hips.

A few tentative strokes that had her arching up — trying to increase the pressure — then he was pressing inside. Taking her from zero to wrecked in under a second. He stopped balls deep, the sheer size of him stealing her breath.

She threw back her head, palming his shoulders, as he bit at her throat, licking and kissing as he started pumping. In, wait, then out. Over and over until the bed was rocking, The mattress squeaking. She tried to catch her breath. Realizing that was impossible, she did her best to hold on, fully aware she wouldn’t be the same once they were done. That he’d possess a part she’d hidden away.

Her heart, or maybe her soul. Whatever had been waiting for this moment. Like some sort of fate. What felt like a reward for all the near misses that had gotten her to this point.

Flint either sensed she was about to completely shatter, or he was just as close and needed to regain some semblance of control because he stopped. His body rigid above her, hips holding him fully inside before he dipped down. Kissed her so damn softly she thought she’d died right there in his arms. All the overwhelming warmth in her chest bubbling out. Emery managed to wedge her arms between them — palm his face.

He dropped his forehead to hers, a primitive rasp sounding around them. “God, Emery.”

That’s all he said. Two words. And they sounded raw. As if he’d had to dig deep just to get them out. Then his mouth was possessing hers as he picked up the pace, again, shattering her for real.

She shouted his name against his lips, arching back as she broke, a burst of white light flashing behind her closed eyes. Flint kept moving, grunting out his release seconds, hours, maybe days later. She didn’t know. Didn’t care because she was floating. Lost in a haze of lust and love until he kissed her eyelids. Grounded her.

It took several attempts to actually open them and meet his gaze. And damn, it took away what little breath she’d sucked in. Seeing him smiling at her, all the tension he’d had gone. It filled in an empty spot in her chest she hadn’t realized was there until right now. The reason she’d never truly given her heart to anyone else. She’d been waiting for Flint.

He let his forehead rest on hers, his mouth still kicked into a stunning smile. “Christ. You. That.”

She laughed, pulling him even closer, not that he could get any closer. “Definitely Neanderthal.”

“I can’t help it if you’ve completely drained me. Talk about setting a high bar.” He pulled back a bit. Frowned. “You okay?”

“Devastated in the best possible way. Why?”

He shifted so he could brush his thumb along one cheek — wipe at a few tears that must have slipped free when she’d come so damn hard she’d thought she’d died.

She pressed into the touch, not caring that he’d pushed her that far. “What can I say. You. That.”

He laughed, and god, it made the man glow. “You’re hilarious. Now, do we shower, again, or just say fuck it and collapse. I’m edging toward the latter, by the way, because I’m not sure I can move.”

“I can definitely get behind fuck it. Though, is this a good time to tell you I promised the girls I’d go surfing with them in the morning? Way too early? And that all the other guys will be there, and I really want you to join me.” She nodded toward the rest of the house. “I’ve got a spare board with your name on it.”

He snorted, this time. “I realize being a SEAL implies I’m one with the water, but I don’t surf.”

“Correction. You didn’t use to surf. I happen to know from a very reliable source that you’ve been secretly practicing, and that you’re a natural.”

“And now, I have the perfect reason to kick Bowie’s ass. The bastard can’t keep his damn mouth shut.”

“Does that translate into a yes?”

“I’m not a natural. In fact, I suck at it.”

Emery shrugged. “Good. Because it would be nice to be better than you at something.”

“You outshined me tonight.”

“Oh no. You were freaking masterful. Out in the field and in here, so…” She levered up. Kissed him in the hopes she could sway him. “I’ll make you a deal.”

He arched his brow. “This should be interesting.”

“You hold me all night, then come surfing with me in the morning, and I’ll treat you to breakfast. Then we can come back here, and we can spend the rest of the day wrapped up in each other.”

“Right. You’re grounded tomorrow.”

“We can do whatever you want. All day.” She winked. “After I give you the best damn blowjob of your life.”

His eyelids fluttered as his neck bobbed. “You don’t fight fair.”

“Fair’s overrated.” She nipped at his chin. “Well, sailor? We have a deal?”

“You promise not to laugh or dump my ass because I can barely stand up on that board?”

Dump his ass? Had he just implied they were a couple? Because thinking that’s what he’d meant prickled tears in her eyes.

She thumbed his jaw. “Promise. Well, maybe not the laughing part, but I have every intention of keeping you around. Maybe upping those odds to seventy-thirty.”

“Oh, sweetheart. You’ve already pushed them to ninety to ten. And you’ve got a deal. Which means we’re dragging our sorry asses to the shower for a quick rinse so I’m halfway presentable in the morning.”

“I hope you plan on doing all the work, because I’m halfway to fuck it.”

That had him lowered over her. “That sounds like a challenge that has round three written all over it. So, breathe. This is going to get interesting.”