"Johnny . . . it feels so good."

"Good," he muttered against her lips. Picking up the speed, John pushed a little deeper and a little faster with each stroke. She moaned, digging her nails into his back. The blood was going straight to his dick, a sizzling sensation taking over his body. He was close to release but he needed Alyssa to finish with him.

Rising up on his elbows, John grabbed both of her wrists and trapped them above her head. He thrust deeper, rolling his hips as he did, hitting her clit at the same time. Alyssa's lips parted, her eyes rolling shut. "More," she begged and he obliged. Leaning down, he drew her nipple into his mouth. Her back arched and she cried out. Seeing her back lift with her breasts in the air got John going even more, so he lapped at each nipple until she was squirming under him.

"Close . . . so close," she groaned. "Don't stop . . ." Alyssa struggled in his hold, but John never loosened his grip. He made love to her body effectively and efficiently until they reached the peak together.

"You ready?" he breathed against her mouth. She nodded. "Open your eyes and look at me. See only me." Alyssa's eyes rolled open, heavy and glossy with arousal. That was all it took for John to know he made her feel good. His hips picked up speed, pushing into her faster. She moaned, back arched, eyes still opened and said, "I'm gonna go . . . I'm right there . . ."

"Go," John kissed her hard. "Go with me." Panting, heavy breathing, and then, the most intense orgasm she had ever experienced rocked through her core, sending her over and bringing her higher than she ever felt before, all while looking Johnny in the eyes and falling madly in love with him.

"And just so you know, when you clenched your pussy-"

Alyssa rolled away from him, holding the sheet to her chest. "Johnny! Stop!"

"What?"

In all seriousness, she said, "You said the p word."

John pondered for a minute. "The p . . . Pussy?"

"Stop!" she yelled playfully.

"What do you expect me to say? Vagina? Alyssa, that's just gross. And not hot."

"Ugh . . . No! I don't know," she laughed.

"Your heat?" he joked, pulling her back to his side.

"Oh, goodness no."

"Oh, okay. You want me to say your sex, right?"

"How about . . . womanhood?"

John made a face like he tasted something sour. "Womanhood? You have got to be joking."

"Well, your penis is also called 'manhood'," she retorted.

"Okay, penis sounds like you're five and manhood sounds like something from the stone ages. No one says that anymore. How about, I don't know, cock? Dick even works. You know, more modern usage for my manhood."

"Cock it is."

John's grin had her heating inside. "Pussy is to cock . . ."

"As womanhood is to manhood. Very funny."

A roar of laughter ripped through John. He couldn't believe she had just said that with the look on her face. Brushing the hair from the curve of her neck, he asked gently, "Did I hurt you?"

"Truthfully, it was a little painful at first. It was more my nerves than anything."

"That's because you were so damn tight. Once you relaxed a bit, it felt like heaven on earth, didn't it? All I could think about was working my cock inside of your pussy."

A blush painted her cheeks. "You're purposely trying to embarrass me, aren't you?"

John smiled and the dimple near his chin showed. He missed her laugh. "You look exhausted. Let's get some sleep."

Alyssa agreed then turned her back to him. John wrapped his arms around her, held onto her all night long. It was a moment like this that made everything in the past okay.

A faint, little cry woke John. His eyes were dry and tired as he turned over and reached for Alyssa, but she wasn't there.

Sitting up, John looked around the dark room but found it empty. Just then, the muffled cry resonated throughout the room again. John looked to his right and saw the monitor light up on Alyssa's dresser. Each time Brooke whimpered, red lights lit up the baby monitor.

"Shhhh, mamas here, baby. Go back to sleep," he heard Alyssa say. Glancing at the clock, it read three am. Damn. They had only gone to bed two hours ago. Did Brooke get up like this every night? Rubbing his eyes, he got up and went to find them.

Peeking into the room, Alyssa's back was to him as she slowly rocked her baby in her arms. She sang to her softly as she tried to lull her back to sleep. Alyssa's blonde hair was an untamed mess, like she'd been tossing and turning all night and the t-shirt she wore was hanging off one shoulder and down to her knees. Squinting his eyes, he realized that was his shirt. She must've put it on when she got up. Watching her rock Brooke sent his heart soaring. Her little arm was wrapped around Alyssa's side where she fisted his shirt in her tiny hand.

Fuck. What was it about Alyssa that got his blood simmering with wanting her so bad, especially while she mothered her daughter? He didn't know, but he did know one thing for sure, she did it for him. Everything about her. Her ways, her views, their friendship, her strength to never give up, her love . . .

And just like that, he knew without a doubt that what he was fighting for was worth it. Every second. He desperately wanted them in his life. He told Alyssa that he would wait for her, and he wasn't lying. He would wait. His mind was made up.

Not wanting to interrupt them, he retreated to her room where he waited for her.

Lying in Alyssa's bed, he folded his arms behind his head and starred at the ceiling. He needed to figure out a plan. John wasn't going to push her, but he wanted to be the one she ran to. Unfortunately, being in the Marines didn't allow him to just leave at the drop of a hat and see her when he wanted to. He was lucky enough to be stationed state side, but what if something happened and she needed him in an instant?

Hell's fucking bells. His chest constricted and a sharp tightness spread like wildfire throughout his body. It hurt like a bitch. The reality of it was he couldn't be there for her. How could he?

Rubbing the raw ache away, he would figure something out. Come hell or high water, he would. John was given one chance at life, and he was going to make the best of it.

Standing on her tiptoes, Alyssa gently placed Brooke back into her crib. She rolled onto her side and sucked her thumb. Yawning, Alyssa left the nursery door cracked open then went back to her room. She was supposed to work a double later and prayed that Brooke wouldn't wake up again. She was exhausted and tired and couldn't afford to miss another day of work.

As she opened the door to her room, the hallway light gave her a chance to see John splayed out on her bed in nothing but his boxers. One leg was bent up while his other one was cocked to the side. His arms were propped behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. Her eyes roamed his body, she couldn't help it. He was solid muscle, his chest a pure work of art that was honed and defined to perfection down to his lean stomach. Stifling a groan, Alyssa felt her body coming to life as she stared at John remembering what happened only a couple hours earlier between them.

Swallowing away her need, Alyssa had to stay focused.

"What are you thinking about?" John asked softly, his voice carrying in the dark room.

Alyssa shook her head as if trying to clear it of her thoughts. "Nothing." John lifted the covers up for her as she climbed into bed.

"Liar. What's on your mind?"

All thoughts were pushed aside at the sight before her. My God, she thought. John had turned on his side. His boxers were much lower than she thought but that wasn't what caught her attention . . . It was the deep v that shaped his hips and dipped into his boxers. His body was in perfect shape. As if on command, her mouth watered just looking at him. Despite the fact that she had just told herself that she wasn't going to let anything else happen between them again, she felt her body coming to life. She wanted John so bad that she ached down below.

John grinned. "Want to try that again?"

"Huh?"

"Up here, babe," John ordered with a snap of his fingers. "Damn, now I kind of know what it feels like when men do that to women, staring at their tits. You just eye-fucked the shit out of me."

Her jaw dropped and heat flamed her cheeks. Thank goodness the room was still partially dark and he couldn't see her blushing. Her face felt like it was on fire.

"I did not just do that."

"Babe, you stopped midway on the bed and zoomed in on me. You most definitely did," he said, chuckling.

A small smile tipped her mouth. John caught her gawking at him and she was embarrassed. How adorable. "Come on, sugar. Get into bed," he said. "Let me hold you."

John scooted behind Alyssa and wrapped an arm around her soft belly. He pulled her tight to him as he spooned her. Her plush little ass was cushioned against his cock and he groaned inwardly. Her body pressed into his . . . fuck yeah . . .

Whispering close to her ear he asked, "What were you thinking about?"

"I wasn't really thinking of anything important . . . Just that I'm supposed to work a double today, that is, if my sitter comes through. I'll be on my feet for eleven hours straight and will need some sleep so I can get through the day. I mean, there have been days when I was running on fumes while working so I'm used to it, I just rather not be if I can help it." The partial lie rolled right off her lips.

"What happens if your sitter doesn't come through again?"

Alyssa sighed. "I pray that doesn't happen, but if it does, then I would have to call out of work again."

Brushing the hair away, he watched goose bumps coat her flesh from his touch. John leaned over and pressed a soft kiss to her neck. He had a crazy idea, but was going to give it a shot. She needed somebody, and he was there.

"How about you call off your sitter for the day and let me stay with Brooke?" Alyssa stiffened in his arms.

"I don't think that's such a good idea."

"Just like that? Alyssa, you didn't even give it a second thought."

"Johnny, but you don't know anything about babies."

"And neither did you when you became a mother but you learned quickly, didn't you? I'm not stupid, I can figure it out," he said, shoving a leg between hers. "If anything, my mother lives only a few hours away. Do you have any idea how happy she would be if I called her to help me? She raised four boys you know."

"Brooke doesn't know you that well to be with her all day."

And didn't that just sting? "Since when? Because last time I checked she reaches for me when she sees me."

He had a point. "It's not that, Johnny . . ."

"Then what is it? And don't tell me that some seventeen year old girl knows more about babies than me. I watched my mother raise my younger twin brothers. I know a thing or two."

Alyssa squeezed her eyes shut. "I can't." Her heart ached just saying it.

John let go of Alyssa and rolled over onto his back, throwing an arm over his eyes. Why wouldn't she give him a shot? Everything he tried, she turned him down and he was getting sick of it. No matter what he did, Alyssa said no. It was never good enough. And here he thought they were making progress.

"Well, I am. So call off your sitter. I want to stay with her today."

Alyssa's heart thumped in her chest as she shot off the bed. "The hell you are," she ground out. "That's my daughter, and you do not make the decisions for her. I do," she finished, jabbing a finger at her chest. "How dare you try to override me?

"This," she gestured with her hands back and forth "was a mistake. I should've never let it happen. Emotions get involved and no one ends up with what they want." Grabbing her fluffy white pillow, she said, "If Brooke stays asleep, that means I'll have four hours of uninterrupted sleep until I have to get up. It will be a miracle if that happens. I'm going to sleep on the couch. I'm sorry, but this isn't going to happen again with us, Johnny. It can't. I won't allow it to."

"Whatever you need to tell yourself," John retorted. Walking over to where Alyssa stood, he yanked the pillow out of her hand. "Sleep in your bed, I'll take the couch. You're trying to fuck this up, Alyssa, but I won't allow it. You can't do it all by yourself. One day you'll see that. I just hope you'll wake up and see soon. A guy can only take so much."

And with that, John walked out of her room and plopped down on her couch, frustrated, horny and exhausted.

A bright light streamed through Alyssa's bedroom window. Rolling over, she opened her swollen sleep deprived eyes and glanced at her clock. 7:12 am.

And then it hit her. Brooke. She didn't wake up again. It wasn't like her daughter to sleep through the night. She usually woke around six to have a bottle and then went back to sleep. She couldn't stop the alarm that traveled through her veins. Even with Ben in jail, she still feared he would somehow find them again.

Alyssa shot out of her bed and raced to her room. Throwing open the door, Brooke wasn't in her crib.

Her heart dropped into her stomach, nausea taking root in her throat. Where was she?

Sprinting into the living room, she stopped dead in her tracks. Chest heaving, her bones rattling from thinking the worst, she spotted her daughter lying on Johnny's bare chest. She was curled up and sucking her thumb, a blanket covering her as she and Johnny slept peacefully with his tags in her hand. An empty baby bottle sat on the coffee table.

What was with her and those tags?

Alyssa was overcome with emotion at the sight before her. John's large hand held Brooke to his chest. Fear had set in immediately and a million thoughts ran through her mind, but now she realized she overreacted for nothing.

Right then, the air kicked on and she saw red lights in the corner of her eye. Her baby monitor. What the . . .

That's why she didn't hear Brooke wake. When had Johnny taken it out of her room and put it next to the couch? She sniffled, and John's eyes cracked opened to meet her pained gaze. He pressed a finger to his lips to silence her.

And her heart cracked again. How much more could she take? How much could she put Johnny through? John took matters into his own hands and helped her while she was defenseless.

Alyssa watched as John carefully sat up. He placed both feet on the carpet then scooted Brooke higher on his shoulder, draping the blanket over her. Pressing a hand to the back of Brooke's head and one to her lower back, he stood wearing only his boxer shorts. Brooke was sound asleep as Johnny carried her to her room and placed her in the crib.

Alyssa sat on her couch and waited. He walked to Brooke's room like it was second nature to him. She leaned forward and grabbed the empty baby bottle, a depressing breath rolling off her lips. She waved it back and forth between her fingers watching the left over breast milk coated the inside.

John's backside wasn't overlooked in the process. In the daylight it was really something, especially with his boxers sitting so low. His back was honed to perfection . . . a golden hue with two dimples right above the lip of his waistband . . . his shoulder blades . . . his strong arms . . . and all while carrying Brooke.

Alyssa sighed and bit her bottom lip. The Marines did his body damn well. And holding a baby wasn't helping his cause.

John thought for sure Alyssa would follow him. He almost wished she had because he had no idea how to get his little cupcake off his shoulder and onto the mattress without waking her. How the hell did she do it?

Ever so carefully, that's how. John felt like he was walking on eggshells. He knew Brooke wouldn't break in his arms, but he was still very careful. With gentleness he didn't know he possessed, John placed her in the crib. He covered her up then left, closing the door behind him.

Walking out to the living room, Alyssa was sitting on the couch waiting for him. Their eyes locked, she was gearing up. He knew she was going to lay into him by the darkening of her eyes. John had a restless night, he was tired as hell. He really didn't want to hear her shit this early in the morning.

Alyssa was still wearing his shirt as he strolled over to her. He woke up wanting Alyssa desperately. He couldn't get her out of his head. Then Brooke woke up and that's when he planned to knock down her stupid walls. Damn. She looked sexy as hell for just waking up. As she stood, Alyssa went to open her mouth to speak but John stopped her.

"Shut up," he ordered. Then he pushed her down onto the couch. "Sit on your hands." When Alyssa's brows furrowed, he said, "Don't make me say it again."

She did as he ordered.

John leaned over and gripped the back of her couch behind her shoulder. Using his other hand, he cupped her cheek, his thumb gently stroking her. He slid his palm up the side of her jaw, their eyes never leaving each other's, and then through her hair. John pulled her hair gently back, her chin lifting to meet his gaze. Her lips parted and her chest began rising. Bending a knee, John straddled her, locking her in with his body.

"John?" she whispered.

Lifting a brow, John cut her off. "I said, shut up, Alyssa." John scooted as close as he could to Alyssa, his knees hitting the back of her couch, his cock nestled between her thighs.

John squeezed her with his thighs, not too tight, but enough for her hands not to move either. As he rested his weight on her, he watched her eyes dilate. His gaze traveled down her face, past her neck he couldn't wait to kiss and to her chest.