Page 33 of Protecting Bree
“You ask something of me, if it’s in my power to do it, I will,” Smiley said simply.
Bree stared at him. “Some women would abuse that power.”
“Yeah. But you won’t.”
She wouldn’t. Again, how he seemed to know her so well was almost startling. “You’re kind of scary,” she blurted, saying what she was thinking.
“Not to you,” he retorted calmly. “Now can we stop talking about a fucking washcloth and get some sleep? We’ve had some early mornings, and tomorrow is no exception. We could use an early night to bed.”
Bree took a deep breath and relaxed against Smiley. She was still a little confused about how she’d gotten here, but she was happier than she’d been in a very long time. She felt safe. Which wasn’t a feeling she’d had much in her life.
“Smiley?”
“Lord, woman. What?”
She couldn’t stop the chuckle that escaped. “Just…thank you for being you. For introducing me to your friends. For sharing your world with me. It means…well, it means a lot.”
“You’ll learn in time that they can be annoying. Showing up when you least expect it. Butting into your business. Giving you unsolicited advice.”
“Not to mention having your back, giving you unconditional support and loyalty.”
“Yeah, that too,” Smiley agreed. “Sleep, woman.”
Bree fell asleep with a smile on her face. Her life was anything but settled, Mateo was still a threat, but with Fiona and Julie’s words of encouragement, and seeing how happy and well-adjusted they were, somehow he didn’t seem quite as scary anymore.
She had her SEAL at her back, as well as his entirecircle of badass friends. If the worst happened, she’d fight to get back to Smiley. Because this was the life she wanted. Here in Riverton. With him.
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Wow, I’ve never seen this parking lot so full!” Bree exclaimed, as Smiley pulled into Aces Bar and Grill’s lot a week and a half later.
Truthfully, Smiley hadn’t either. But then again, this wasn’t a usual Friday-night crowd.
Kevlar and Remi, and Josie and Blink were getting married. They’d decided to also have the ceremony here at the bar, rather than just the reception. Because once they’d started writing down the names of the people they wanted to witness the actual ceremony, the list had gotten too big for the courthouse or a simple backyard wedding.
Kelli and Flash had done the courthouse thing a few days ago—without telling anyone—and Remi and Josie had both declared that the party after their own ceremony would be for all of them. To celebrate everyone’s weddings.
It looked like Smiley and Bree were late. Which wasn’t surprising, because after Smiley had seen the dress Juliehad sent over for Bree, he hadn’t been able to resist putting his hands all over her.
He’d done his best not to muss up her hair, makeup, or the beautiful designer dress she was wearing, but after he’d fucked her on his kitchen table, she’d still needed a bit of time to “fix herself,” as she’d called it. To Smiley, she was perfect. Though, after a bit of reflection, he decided Bree’s just-fucked look wasn’t one he wanted to share with the world.
Life with Bree had only gotten better since they’d begun their physical relationship. She didn’t hold back, wasn’t afraid to tell him what she wanted. And the other night, when she’d dropped to the floor when he was sitting at the dining room table and insisted she’d always wanted to give a guy a blowjob while he was eating…Who was he to protest?
He hadn’t meant to come down her throat, but when she’d refused to stop, just clamped her mouth around him tight and sucked like a fucking Hoover, he hadn’t been able to hold back. In retaliation, he’d hoisted her onto the kitchen counter, pulled up a stool, and hadn’t let her back down until she’d come all over his face three times—then he’d fucked her hard and fast right there next to the dirty dishes from the preparation of their meal.
But it wasn’t the sex that had him so wrapped around her little finger. It was Bree herself. She never complained. Did whatever was asked of her with a smile. Didn’t seem to mind sitting in empty conference rooms on the naval base as he worked. And she’d spent the last few days helping Remi and Josie make decorations for the reception tonight.
The smiles that were so few and far between not toolong ago were almost constant now. And Smiley couldn’t get enough.
“I hope the decorations are okay,” she said, biting her lower lip in concern as Smiley parked his truck.
After turning off the engine, he leaned over and wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her across the seat so he could reach her mouth. He kissed her gently. “They’re perfect.”
She chuckled. “You haven’t even seen them yet.”
“Don’t need to. You made them, so I know they’re perfect.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever.”
