Camouflaged Hearts Anthology Read online

  * * * *

  Michael knew he was moving fast, but for the life of him, he didn't care. Part of him had fallen in love with Ayanna that night in New Mexico, and he'd hoped she'd come looking for him. He'd been disappointed when she hadn't.

  Ayanna Genat Barker had sent him into a tailspin he didn't think he'd ever want to escape. His body come alive again as if shooting through the sky in his F/A-18 or doing a series of night traps out on a carrier. That same rush he got from his job, he got from seeing a smile on Ayanna's face.

  He smiled as he walked back to his house carrying Ayanna's bags. A family would make this place a home. The thought of making love to Ayanna in every room, on every piece of leather furniture, turned his gentle smile to a predatory one. The vision of her dark skinned body draped across his lighter furniture made his cock leap to attention. He adjusted his pants and continued toward his house.

  Pushing open the front door, he momentarily froze at the familiar sight of his bland decorating scheme. As the musical strands of childish laughter floated down the stairs, he relaxed and shut the door with his foot then headed up to the second floor.

  He stopped in the doorway of his old office, now Devon's room and watched Ayanna reading to his son. She sat on the floor, her voice full of expression as she told the story, but the words were meaningless to Michael. All his focus was on her mouth. He couldn't move past the way her lips pursed to form the words. So plump, so luscious, so damn tempting.

  In a flash, he saw her sucking his cock, her gorgeous mouth wrapped around him. Her tongue would run around the head, pulling him further into her web of passion.

  He bit back a groan as his penis jerked adamantly. Squeezing his eyes shut, he shook as more pictures exploded before his mind's eye. Ayanna sprawled across his bed, wet and waiting for him. Her firm body as she rode him, cradling him with her heat. Her full breasts swaying before him, luring him to taste and suckle them.

  Forcing down the unrelenting yearning to possess this woman, he cleared his throat.

  She smiled warily when she looked up.

  "I have to go out and pick up some things,” she said, setting aside the book and standing. “But we'll be back later."

  His gut clenched. The idea of losing her again raced through him. Fear slithered through him. What if she disappeared with Devon? What if he lost her before he'd really even had her? What if?

  "What do you need?” he asked, his voice sharp with suspicion.

  "I have to childproof your house or Devon will be into everything."

  Child-proofing. I didn't even think of that. “Okay, let's go.” His fear vanished, replaced by shame. I should have trusted her.

  "I can do this without you."

  "Ayanna,” Michael growled. “Don't make this a battle. We need to get another car seat anyway, for my vehicle, so we may as well take it and that way we will have more room with whatever you need to get. Besides ... if you keep insisting on arguing with me, I'm gonna insist on making up.” His body tensed even if his voice didn't reflect it. Ayanna understood.

  "Fine,” she agreed immediately. “Let's get going."

  Chapter Three

  Michael opened the door and entered his home. His dark brown eyes took in the scattered toys around the living room, the gate at the bottom of the stairs, the child's beanbag chair and a blow up chair beside a Big Wheel. It had been a month since he'd moved in Ayanna and Devon. His place was totally different, and he loved it. He had a family, even if she didn't want to tell anyone about the marriage and insisted on sleeping in a separate room.

  That was his next hurdle.

  His nose was filled by the smell of food cooking even as he caught sight of Ayanna cleaning up the living room. She wore a purple shirt and a floral skirt, which was knotted up mid-thigh, allowing him to see her beautiful legs as she moved.

  He knew she thought she was fat but he loved her curves. She was a gorgeous woman. Having his child had only enhanced her beauty. He grinned as she muttered to herself while she cleaned.

  "Hey, Ayanna.” A groan slipped from deep in his throat as she turned toward him and she licked those full, tempting, succulent lips of hers.

  "How was work?” she asked as she closed the lid of Devon's toy chest.

  "Wonderful. There isn't much that compares to being a pilot.” His eyes moved with definite purpose over her body. “There are some things though."

  "Right,” she snorted. “Dinner should be ready in a bit."

  He dropped his bag by the door and walked further into the room. “Where's Devon?"

  "Still napping. We went swimming today, and he's really exhausted. I'm letting him sleep until food's ready."

  "Be right back,” Michael said. He took the stairs two at a time and headed to his room to change.

  Ayanna sank onto the couch as he went. It was getting more and more difficult to ignore the attraction between them. Especially when Michael looked so damn good walking through the door in his flight suit. Damn, it made him look good. Everything he wore made him look good, but that suit ... just ... aroused her. She sighed. Not even in the same room with him for three minutes and she had wet panties. I should give up wearing them, yeesh.

  Standing, she went into the kitchen and checked on dinner—spaghetti and meatballs.

  "Damn you, Michael,” she cursed as she ran a hand over her skirt before dipping a spoon into the sauce for a taste. “Why do you make me want you?"

  "Is wanting me really all that horrible?” a deep voice asked from behind her.

  She screamed and jumped, dropping the spoon. The hot sauce splashed onto her hand. Of course he would hear that.

  "Damn, I'm sorry. I didn't want to scare you. Give me your hand,” he ordered, even as he took it himself and put it under cold water. “I'm sorry, baby. Does that feel better?"

  Feel better? Sweet Jesus, I am about to jump you right here and now if you don't let go. Pulling her hand away, she shook off the water. “Fine, it's fine."

  Michael reached around her and turned off the faucet. Grabbing her hand, he pressed his lips to the red mark on her smooth skin. “I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

  You have got to stop touching me, man. “I'm fine. Thanks.” She pulled her hand back.

  "Ayanna,” he murmured as his fingers delved into the curls on her head.

  Give me the strength to keep him away.

  Her palms rose between them. His smouldering eyes tugged at every fibre of her being, crying for her to give in.

  Instead of backing off, he stepped closer so her hands rested against the hard planes of his chest. He caressed her skull as the distance between them was diminished.

  "We can't...” she forced out even as she traced the contours of his chiselled torso.

  "We can,” he whispered back. “Ayanna, we can.” One leg pushed between hers, pressing his full-fledged erection into her belly.

  "No. We shouldn't.” Her senses were swimming.

  He lowered his head so their mouths almost touched. “Ayanna,” he groaned. His tongue traced her lower lip before he sucked it into his mouth.

  Her body clenched with need. She arched her back and moved her hands up his chest to lace them behind his neck.

  "Yes,” she mumbled back as his kiss dominated her very being.

  He put both of his hands on her face as he made love to her mouth. His body pressed hers to the sink as the intensity of the kiss increased one hundred fold. Their hips instinctively mimed the action they craved to share.

  His hands moved down her shoulders and along the contours of her body. When he touched the bare skin of her waist she whimpered into his mouth. Her eyes flew open then closed as waves of pleasure erupted in her.

  "Ayanna. You fit so perfectly in my arms."

  "Michael.” She pulled him closer so they seemed to meld together. He lifted her to sit on the edge of the sink and she wrapped her legs around his lean waist. His mouth nibbled down her neck, following the V in her shirt. His rough tongue swept ove
r the exposed tops of her breasts. She dropped her head back to allow him easier access. One hand rested on the cool countertop while her other remained pressed against the back of his head. Her body shivered with her desire to have his length burrowed deep inside her again. Unconsciously, her legs tightened around him.

  Michael inched up her shirt even as his tongue continued to relearn the subtle taste of her skin. Her breasts were sensitive and she wanted him to suckle on them.

  "Please,” she moaned.

  "Look at your breasts. They're fuller than before. Damn, you're beautiful.” Michael sucked one breast in his mouth, shirt and all, while his hands covered her belly. He took one hand and teased the soft skin of her inner thigh. She trembled as his touch inflamed her. Working feverishly to get some moisture back in her mouth, she mewled with pleasure.

  "Ayanna,” he mumbled, releasing her breast with a pop. His free hand shoved up her top and seconds later his mouth latched onto her other breast. Bra and all.

  He slid one thick finger under the edge of her underwear and ran it up between her pussy lips. Her juices dripped out of her. She pressed his head tighter against her. His finger circled her swollen clit before thrusting inside her.

  "Oh yeah!” she hissed as her hips gyrated down on his digit. He added another. And another. “Oh shit!” she rasped.

  Her body burned and she writhed shamelessly, coming hard on his plunging fingers. Her screams grew louder and louder as the palm of his hand ground against her overly sensitive clit.

  His mouth left her breast and he nibbled her neck near her ear. “I want my cock buried balls deep in your hot pussy."

  His blatant admission combined with the exquisite torture he delivered sent another orgasm crashing through her. Her body contracted around his fingers as her hips rose off the countertop, the evidence of her pleasure running down his hand.

  "Michael!” Her scream couldn't be contained.

  "Right here.” He kissed her. He kept his fingers moving as she gradually came back down from the rapture his touch had elevated her to. Still his touch placed her back on the edge within moments.

  He rotated his thumb over her swollen nub as his fingers continued to plunge deep inside her, her thick cream covering them. Her body shuddered as his expert caress sent her over the edge again.

  "Michael,” she moaned as she bit her lower lip. She was drained, her throat dry and scratchy from her response to him. I have no idea how many times this man just made me orgasm, I can't think straight.

  "This is what it should be like, Ayanna. Why do you continue to deny us pleasure?"

  Reality washed over her, and she shoved him away.

  She jumped from the counter and headed for the door, only to be jerked back against Michael's chest.

  "You can't keep running.” He pressed her hand over his swollen erection. “This ... this is what being around you does to me. I can smell your arousal. We belong together.” He put his coated fingers in his mouth and licked them clean. “You still taste like heaven.” He groaned even as he released her. “Soon, Ayanna. Very soon."

  She bolted from the kitchen, her heart pounding like she'd just completed a marathon. I can't believe I let that happen. Her body still felt electrified from the encounter as she ran upstairs. I was like a goddamn pole dancer and used his hand as the pole.

  In her room, she slumped against the cool wall and tried to sort out her feelings. How long could she truly fight her desire for this man? Sure, she was married to him, but he'd only done it for his son. “What am I doing? I can't get involved with him. Can I?” She shook her head violently. “No. No. No! I can't."

  Why not, her mind taunted.

  "This is just a business arrangement.” The throbbing between her legs told her she was wrong. Then he wouldn't have insisted on getting married. He could have just put Devon on his health plan.

  "Fucking conscience,” she swore. “I don't want to be involved with him. It's better to protect myself now before he finds the woman he really wants to be with. It won't hurt as much that way."

  What was the interaction in the kitchen if he didn't want you?

  "I better figure it out.” The wet panties she wore had her adding, “And fast.” As she changed, she began a mantra of ‘business relationship.'

  She was no fool. She'd sensed him watching her at night, while she put Devon down for bed. His eyes would grow all soft and tender until he met her gaze, then his killer eyes would turn possessive and damn near primal. Flames would lick her skin where his eyes touched her.

  Everyday he'd found more and more reasons to linger with each caress he gave her, be it when he took Devon from her, offered to help her clean, or just walked past her. He seemed to be shirtless a lot more, as well. And as soon as Devon went down for the night, Michael would invariably show up at her door to say goodnight.

  Every night, his wishes for a wonderful night's sleep were echoed by contact. A touch which grew longer, more personal, and more heated every time it occurred. It had started as a stroke on the back of her hand, now he ran his fingers down the side of her face and along the back of her neck, before leaning in close and whispering in her ear. “Have a wonderful night, my wife. My beautiful Ayanna."

  If she was awake when he left for work, he'd make sure to say something similar and leave her longing for more. For the life of her, she wanted to give in and see what it would be like to have a true relationship with him.

  Pasting a smile on her face, a calmer Ayanna opened her door and headed downstairs to finish their meal. Five minutes later, Michael strolled in with Devon who'd just woken. This time her smile was unforced.

  "Mama!” Devon said as he stomped across the floor and latched onto her leg.

  "Hey, baby.” One hand tenderly brushed the top of his head before she returned her attention to putting the final few items on the table. Even so, her eyes kept drifting back to Michael. His eyes were on her and they still blazed with unquenched thirst and a promise. A promise to finish what they'd started.

  Michael watched as she moved. Instinctively she seemed to know where Devon was and always managed to step around him. As they sat down for dinner, Devon played with his spaghetti, eating it one piece at a time.

  "Are you still free this afternoon or did you need to get more studying done?” Michael asked. His voice showed none of the ardour he felt for her. He realised he had to be careful on how he proceeded from here.

  Taking a drink of water, she answered. “I can handle watching him if you have plans. Don't worry about it. I've studied with him around before."

  "No, that's not it at all.” He grabbed Devon's cup before it toppled. “I wanted to take both of you to the base and show him the planes."

  "P'ane, p'ane, p'ane!” Devon chortled.

  "Eat first, sport,” Michael said, keeping his gaze on Ayanna. “What do you think?"

  She smiled and it warmed him to the core. “Sure. I'm game."

  She got up to take care of the dishes.

  Michael frowned. “Just put them in the dishwasher and we can go.” Although just watching you walk around is tempting.

  "I am so used to doing them by hand."

  He walked to her and kissed the back of her neck as Devon ran to the living room. “I know. But you don't need to do them that way anymore.” Spinning her in his arms, he continued to kiss her.

  Ayanna struggled against him for about two seconds before she sighed into his mouth and gave over to the power of his kiss.

  He tucked her in closer to his chest. “Let's go."

  "I'll be changed in a flash.” She pulled back.

  Michael followed, eliminating the distance again. “Need some help?” he purred. He watched her eyes flutter.

  "N ... n ... no."

  "Are you sure?” He slid on hand up her skirt at the knot high on her thigh. Her eyes glossed over with passion.

  "I'm sure,” she panted as his finger slid closer to the juncture of her thighs.

  He looked over her shoulder
before glancing back at her. His hand moved over the front of her panties. “You're wet for me.” His cock pressed insistently against his jeans.

  "I should get changed.” Her words were barely audible.

  "I want to taste you, Ayanna.” He leaned in close to her ear. “Tell me I can.” Light, feathery strokes moved across the increasingly damp underwear. Her mouth moved and he only just heard her faint ‘yes.'

  Michael groaned as he delved his index finger inside her. His hard erection throbbed as he withdrew his finger and sucked it clean.

  "I need you,” he said. His timbre was lower than usual as he let her out of his arms. He watched her leave and swore under his breath as he attempted to find a more comfortable position for his engorged cock.

  * * * *

  The guard at the gate snapped out a salute as they passed and entered the base. Turning into the parking lot, Michael found a spot and parked the SUV. Quickly, he got out. Ayanna was slower to follow.

  "Coming, sweetheart?” he asked from the back door where he was pulling out Devon.

  Smiling at him, she nodded and climbed out. Immediately, she felt nervous. She was swamped with that belief that everyone was watching her and judging her. It was her own personal demon, the belief that everyone wanted to pass judgment on her. Maybe it would be different with Michael beside her. She looked for him. He waited on the other side of his vehicle.

  "Let's go,” she said with more bravado than she felt.

  Devon between them, they walked toward the jets lining the main road into Naval Air Station Oceana. Michael glanced at her. “Everything okay?"

  "Yes, I just haven't been here aside from...” She trailed off.

  "When we got married?” he asked.

  "Yes,” she muttered.

  Michael shook his head. Ayanna was so strong and passionate about some things, but when it came to their relationship, she was still unsure. It was all crystal clear to him. They were a family. He'd happily stay with her for the rest of their lives. He wanted to have another child and be there for the birth. He wanted to see their children grow, get married, and have children of their own.