The Education of Caraline

“Other than have a lot of sex?”


“My God! That’s exactly the same answer you gave me ten years ago when you were a horny teenager!”

“So? I’m consistent: I thought women liked that in men?”

He had a point.

Lazily, he ran one hand between my breasts, toying with the chain that held my engagement ring.

“You have the most fantastic breasts, Caro. I can’t stand those fake ones, they just feel so…”

He realized what he’d said, or nearly said, and stopped abruptly.

“Hmm, I was thinking, Chief, maybe you should be one of those men who are strong and silent. You know, nice to look at, not so good at the talking.”

He playfully bit my shoulder and twisted around, pushing me into the mattress.

“Is that right?”

“Yes. Hearing you talk about your conquests when I’m in a state of post-coital bliss isn’t going to earn you round two.”

“Huh, so I can’t earn round two – does that mean I can pay for it instead?”

I slapped his ass, hard. “You couldn’t afford me.”

“You sure about that, baby? What’s your price?”

“What have you got to offer, Sebastian?”

He used his hips to pin me down, his chest hovering over mine. “An orgasm?”

“That’s just quid pro quo.”

“Fuck, I love it when you talk dirty. What about two orgasms?”

“Two? Beginning to sound interesting, but do you think you’re up to the job?”

One thing about Sebastian: he was always up for a challenge. Up and up.

Over an hour later, we were collapsed on the bathroom floor, flushed and breathless.

“I’d forgotten you had a thing for bathrooms,” I gasped.

He kissed the back of my neck. “I like the mirrors.”

“You know, that’s a bit kinky, Sebastian.”

“You think? I’d like to get kinky with you, Caro,” he said, tugging on my earlobe with his teeth and running his fingers over my hipbone.

The thought was intriguing.

“What did you have in mind?”

I felt him shrug. “You could tie me up again: that was hot.”

“Hmm, well, I could talk to one of the MPs at Leatherneck – maybe I’ll see if I can borrow a pair of handcuffs, Sebastian.”

He didn’t answer, so I nudged him in the ribs.

“Yeah, if you like, Caro.”

“If I like? What do you like?”

He hesitated. “There’s some stuff we could try.”

“Such as?”

There was a soft tap at the door and I heard Liz’s voice.

“Oh, hell. You’d better get dressed, Sebastian, unless a three-way with Liz was one of your fantasies?”

He shuddered. “Fuck, Caro! I’m going to have that image in my head now.”

I grinned at him. “Better get your pants on then, Chief.”

I pulled on a baggy T-shirt and some pajama bottoms, checked Sebastian was halfway decent, and opened the door.

“Lee, I… oh, is he still here?”

“He’s just leaving, Liz.”

Sebastian was sitting on my bed, tying his shoelaces when Liz marched into the room.

“There’s a curfew on, Hunter,” she said, crossing her arms across her substantial chest.

“Thanks,” he said, shortly.

“You must have heard the car bomb: three dead, multiple injured. Bastards packed the bomb with nails.”

“So evil,” I murmured.

Liz nodded silently, and Sebastian pressed his lips together without speaking.

He stood up, pulled on his jacket and fastened the buckle on his white web belt.

He ignored Liz’s chilly gaze and pulled me into a tight hug, leaning his forehead against mine.

“Remember what I said, Sebastian.”

“I’ll try, baby. And you remember what I said, what I’m thinking about when I look at you.”

He rested his lips gently on mine.

“Never take my ring off, Caro,” he whispered.

“Ti amo tanto, Sebastian.”

He smiled softly. “Sempre e per sempre.”

He glanced briefly at Liz, and then quietly left.

Jane Harvey-Berrick's books