Impossible to ignore, this heart pounding, instinctive urge was stimulated by passions too-long contained.
“You don’t really want to be alone tonight, do you sailor?” Ivana muttered breathlessly.
Valenko answered with another long, electrifying kiss. No more words were spoken as Ivana took his hand and led him to her apartment.
Somehow, they managed to get the door unlocked.
Inside it was warm and dark. Neither bothered with switching on lights. Valenko allowed himself to be led by the hand onto a large mattress that lay against the far wall.
Needless clothing was tossed to the floor as they both scurried for the cover of the bed’s thick, cotton comforter.
Another passionate shock flared as their naked bodies touched and intertwined. Savoring the moment, Valenko allowed his hands to explore those exciting features he had watched all evening. With lips still pressed and tongues probing, his fingers traced the soft yet firm flesh of her breasts. Budlike nipples beckoned to be aroused. With an expert, gentle touch, he did so. Only after leaving them erect and stiff, did he continue his wandering.
A creamy smooth, flat belly led to a pair of tight, squirming hips.
Massaging the inner sides of her thighs, a line of goose bumps urged his exploration ever on. The pressure of her lips intensified as his fingers delicately probed the recesses of her womanhood.
She needed little priming, for he found these depths wet and hot.
Reaching out with her own hands, Ivana traced the hairy, solid surface of her lover’s chest. Her frantic exploration didn’t stop until she found her mate stiff and ready. Knowing full well that she was about to be taken by more man than she had ever encountered before, she trembled inwardly. Valenko felt this vibration and knew that the time was right for fulfillment.
Sliding on top of her, he cupped his hands under her buttocks and, with a single plunge of his hips, found his mark. A passionate moan escaped from Ivana’s lips as he pushed himself forward and gave her his all.
For a fleeting second, neither party moved.
Valenko relished the feel of their initial merger, as the slow grinding of Ivana’s hips led him on.
Deliberately slow, he pulled himself back so that his shaft’s lips hovered outside the folds of her moist channel. This was followed by another plunge downward.
Valenko gradually increased the speed of his rhythm.
Assured by his gentleness, yet clearly awed by his size, Ivana hungrily matched his strokes. Loosened by his penetration, she wrapped her legs around his hips and increased her pumping. All too soon this stroke became a frenzy, and a quivering warmth began rising deep within her.
Again she moaned and found herself begging him to take her deeper. Just as he shoved himself to his limit, a fiery, ecstatic warmth shot upward from the pit of Ivana’s loins.
Aware of his mate’s rousing climax, Valenko abandoned all self-control and joined her. At their moment of climax, their lips again became one. He knew then that their coupling had been most right.
Warm, soothed and satisfied, his new love snuggled up beside him. He was grateful that she didn’t need any words to express her satisfaction. As he lay there with Ivana securely in his arms, Valenko was suddenly aware of the distinct, fierce howl of gusting winds outside. Cognizant that he had made the correct choice, he hugged her gently, and within minutes matched the slow, even breaths of her deep slumber exactly.
Chapter Four
Approximately 3,400 miles to the southeast of the Siberian city of Petropavlovsk is the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Like the Soviet city, Oahu gained its primary importance by being home to a huge naval complex.
The installation at Pearl Harbor was home port to not only dozens of American surface ships, but also served as headquarters for the Third Fleet’s Pacificbased submarines. It was to this spot that the attack sub Triton was called to after completing its patrol in the North Pacific.
The morning dawned hot and clear as Captain Michael Cooksey left his command and climbed into the passenger seat of a waiting jeep, parked at the end of the gangplank. Though the Triton had arrived there almost twenty-four hours ago, this was the first time that Cooksey had been topside. Invigorated by the fresh, tropical air, he greeted his driver, then sat back for the short ride to Admiral Miller’s office.
Cooksey was surprised when the orders inviting him to see the admiral had been received aboard the Triton the previous evening. Usually his superiors waited for his final report to be filed before debriefing him. So far, he had only released his preliminary observations of the patrol just completed. Not knowing what was in store, he yawned and took in the passing scenery.
The port area was alive with activity as they crossed its width and began their way up the long, winding roadway that led to the headquarters complex.
Thankful for the driver’s silence, Cooksey used this time to put the events of the last few days into proper perspective.
Except for the failure to catch up with the suspected Soviet attack sub, the patrol had been a great success.
There were no significant equipment difficulties to speak of. Even their interception of the carrier task force had gone as planned.
On a personal level, all that Cooksey could complain about was his continuing problem in getting some decent shut-eye. Since arriving from Midway, Cooksey doubted he had slept more than an hour or two. As usual, when he tried he just lay stiffly in his bunk, his mind going a mile a minute. He knew that he couldn’t begin to count the cups of coffee that he had consumed on the way in.
Any irritability on his part was apparently not noticeable to the crew.
His conversations with them were brief and to the point, and focused entirely on their immediate duty. As it worked out, the officer he usually had the closest contact with was consumed by worries of his own. For the last few days, his XO had been a bundle of raw nerves.
Concerned with the health of his wife, who was due to deliver their first child any moment now, Richard Craig had but one thing on his mind. Fortunately, for the safety of all of them, the exec had been able to sufficiently carry out his varied duties. Of course, he had been the first one off the Triton, having learned that Susan had been shuttled off to the base hospital that morning.
Covering up another yawn, Cooksey looked on as they passed through a dual column of majestic coconut palms. The sun felt good on his face, and gradually his inner tension dissipated. His eyes were even beginning to nod shut, when the jeep abruptly braked to a halt. Cooksey fumbled for his I.D. card, so that the alert marine guard would allow them into the command complex that he stood before. The captain’s name was noted on a log, and only then were they allowed to proceed.
Headquarters for the Third Fleet was located in a large, three-story, white-brick building. Situated on the summit of a lofty hillside, this location allowed for an excellent view of the port facilities below. As they approached the structure’s entrance, Cooksey noticed a wide assortment of differently shaped antennas jutting forth from the tiled roof. Interspersed between these aerials were a pair of massive satellite dishes.
Since communications are the eyes and ears of command, Cooksey was aware of the importance of these amazingly accurate and powerful relay systems. The jeep came to a halt behind a shiny black limousine, with plates identifying it as belonging to the Defense Department. Politely, the driver informed Cooksey that he would be waiting to convey the captain back to his sub. Cooksey thanked the lad, exited the jeep, and made his way inside.
The office of Admiral Broderick Miller was located on the third floor. Although Cooksey had only been called there a handful of times, he didn’t need to ask directions to get to the proper door. Taking a second to straighten his uniform, the blonde-haired captain sucked in a deep, calming breath, exhaled slowly and entered.