A/N: Huge thank you for the reviews and enjoy!

Chapter 15

Tom walked into the old church hall, the smell of musty space, burnt coffee and old doughnuts availed his senses. He stopped as he looked around, there were about 15 people who milled around picking seats in the large circle. They were all of varying ages and cultural backgrounds but they all had one thing in common. They were all drug addicts.

"Tom, it's good to see you." Georgia said, she was one of the therapists from the rehab clinic. She was tall, lithe African American woman in her 40s. She had the warmest demeanour Tom had ever encountered. She smiled and it made him feel better for coming even though every part of his being wished he didn't need this support. He didn't see the people around as beneath him, he just saw them as different. So different he couldn't imagine where he could find common ground and understanding.

"Well, you suggested and I have a friend who was in a similiar situation. She told me to go to the meetings. It helps with perspective. Right?" he asked her.

"Sometimes, but everyone takes something different from the meeting. But I am glad you're here. I believe that I've found a potential sponsor for you. She's here tonight." She told him.

"Ah,ok."

"Debbie!" Georgia called out, Tom looked at the people in the room and saw a woman with honey blonde hair turn her head. Georgia waved her over, Tom couldn't help but wonder if he knew her as there was something familiar about her. She was dressed in jean, a white t-shirt paired with a grey blazer. Her jacket sleeves rolled to the elbows, her hair was mid length with it pulled back into a hair clip.

"Georgia." Debbie said in greeting and an easy smile as she joined them. Tom looked between Debbie and Georgia uneasy as he wasn't sure how he was supposed to relate to civilian.

"This is Tom, the one I was talking about." Georgia said, Debbie looked to Tom and smile, there was a glint of recognition in her eyes. "I'll leave you two to talk. Meeting starts in five." she told them before walking away.

"Tom, nice to finally meet you." Debbie said holding out her hand.

"You too, have we met?" he asked as he shook her hand.

"Oh no, but my daughter Kara served on your ship. Will that be an issue?" Debbie asked, she spoke in a low voice as she clearly understood that he wanted to pretend he had some anonymity. It was when she said Kara that he realised why she looked so familiar.

"No, I'm retired." Tom told her, it stung to say as much as he'd walked away for a reason but then he had been stolen from his life. He'd lost time and now he was dealing with more baggage than what he'd left the Nathan James with. It just wasn't fair.

"I meant for you, not my daughter." she clarified with a smile, Tom chuckled as he realised his mistake.

"No, but then I'm not sure how all of this works." he told her.

"Well, that's what I'm here for. Come on, we'll grab a seat." Debbie told him with a warm and supportive smile.

"You live in a house." Daniela said sounding surprised, Meylan smiled as he didn't blame her for thinking otherwise. He motioned for her to follow him up the pathway to the front door of his small two bedroom bungalow. It wasn't much but it was perfect for him.

"I do, when you live on a ship for long deployments you appreciate coming home to a place that doesn't have common walls with over two hundred people." He told her, he relished the quiet of his home and if he were honest. He hadn't really thought he'd be bringing her back to his place tonight. But it just felt right in the moment.

"It's lovely." Daniela told him, he smiled as he hadn't even stepped inside but she looked impressed as if she were standing in front of palace. He used his keys and opened the door. He turned on the lights, and held the door for her.

"Come on in." he told her, she stepped in and kicked off her heels at the door before moving into living area which was an open space with kitchen, dining and living room in one large area. The bedrooms and bathroom were off the right side of the house. His decorating skills were minimalist with the only real personal effects being photos of his family and friends, and a few treasured knick knacks from his past. "It's a little messy, I haven't really had time to unpack." Meylan confessed as there were a couple boxes piled up in the corner of the living room. They held his books and some other things he barely remembered.

"I don't mind, you know I could help you unpack." Daniela said, as she walked around taking it all in. She looked incredibly beautiful walking around barefoot like she were home. He wondered if the image would improve if she was wearing only his shirt and her long hair down and mussed after a passionate night with him.

"I can handle it." he assured her, he closed the door and moved into the kitchen area. "Would you like some coffee or a nightcap? I have tequila, Partida Añejo." he clarified as he placed their dessert on the island bench. He knew she would be a connoisseur to know that it was meant for sipping. She placed the photo she had been looking at back to it's place on the bookcase that was by the large 5 seater lounge that took up majority of the space in the living room.

"Tequila, hmm sounds good but I should mention that I promised Sasha I wouldn't get messy in her dress." She told him as she moved around the living room, there was no missing what she was insinuating. He bit his bottom lip and gave a nod enjoying the sizzle between them.

He moved out the kitchen towards her, really taking the time to look her over and admire the dress in question. Daniela quirked an eyebrow at him in amusement as gently placed his hands on her waist and turned her slightly to the left and then to the right like she was wearing some engineering feat in dress technology. There was something incredibly hot about it that was turning Daniela on.

"Quite a problem, but I can most definitely help with, turn around." he told her, Daniela blinked and looked to Meylan's face, a light blush graced her cheeks not from embarrassment but from being so turned on. She shivered in anticipation, as he gave her a grin and he motioned for her to turn. She turned her back to him, part of her wishing the lights were out as she knew how men found scars a turn off.

Meylan moved his hands over her shoulders before trailing them to the zipper of her dress. Her skin was so soft and warm to touch; that he took his time slowly pulling the zipper down. Took his time to enjoy getting acquainted with her curves. The back of the dressed opened revealing more skin and skin tone lace lingerie along with an array of scars.

He felt Daniela tense up and wondered what he'd done but realised in a snap she was waiting for his reaction. Waiting for him to comment, to ask questions. But he didn't because he felt if she wanted to put her traumatic past behind her, then he'd respect her instead of speaking, he slid his hands slowly down her skin, he looked past their ugly truth and admired the woman beneath them and her strength in surviving and not letting it bring her down. That strength was breathtakingly beautiful.

She gave a sigh that was a mix of pleasure and relief, he smiled as he slid his hands further into the dress. Daniela pulled her arms out of the dress; letting the front fall as she leaned back.

"That feels so good." she murmured, melting into him and tilting her head to side giving him more access as he trailed soft kisses up the side of her neck. He was not rushing a thing, which was equal parts intoxicating and frustrating. She couldn't even remember the last time she had been touched like this.

He trailed his hands down to her hips and pushed the dress over it. It pooled to the floor at her feet, forgotten.

She turned around his arms and faced him. Her hands swept up his chest to his neck, Meylan stood still watching her as she undid the buttons of his shirt. She pushed his shirt up and off his shoulders.

"You're so beautiful, much better without the shirt." she murmured, trailing her lips across his chest as she ran her palms down his arms. Relishing the hard yet supple muscles of his form. Unlike other men, his muscles were more than about aesthetic; they had purpose and inherent strength. She couldn't wait to feel it. "You don't know how long I've been wanting to touch you this way." she told him.

"I think that's supposed to be my line." Meylan shook himself free from his shirt, letting it lie where it fell as he pulled her into his arms. Damn, she felt good in his arms. He was trying to remember the last time he held a woman but it had been too long.

The sensation of her hands and mouth caressing him, kissing him, had completely aroused him. He couldn't remember the last time he'd been so aroused. He wanted her now. Hard and fast; right up against the living room wall. He wanted to bury himself in her. He wanted to lose his mind in her fire.

But he couldn't do that. He had to take this slow as he wanted to have to take his time and make it good for them. Hell, it had been a long time since he'd been with a woman and Daniela had been locked up in a Black site. So he really didn't want to mess it up.

He kissed her slowly, forcing himself to set a pace that was laid back and lazy. But then he realized with a shock that she'd already unhooked her bra and sent it flying. He pulled back from the kiss taking a moment to really admire her gusto and how beautiful she was.

There was nothing shy about her as she gave him a moment to admire her naked breasts. She grinned at him. "Like what you see soldier?" she asked him.

"Sailor." He corrected a little distracted as she undid his belt buckle. He knew he should help her with that but his hands had other plans. He pulled her close and touched her, skimming his fingers along the softness of her skin, cupping the delicious fullness of her breasts in the palm of his hand.

She was the perfect mix of lithe muscles and soft curves. All thanks to her Muay Thai and dancing. He kissed her, trying his damnedest not to rush. But she wasn't of the same mind. She opened her mouth to him, inviting him in, kissing him hungrily.

She was a hot mix of scorching passion and ecstasy, and he couldn't resist her. He groaned and kissed her harder, deeper, claiming her mouth with his tongue and her body with his hands. He moved to the lounge and fell back onto it, pulling her on top of him, letting her feel his hard erection against the softness of her belly, as he tried desperately to stay in control.

"I want to touch you," she whispered as she kissed his face, his neck, his chin. She pulled away slightly to look into his eyes. "May I touch you?" she asked with a shyness he hadn't expected.

"Oh, yeah." Meylan said, he didn't hesitate as he took her hand and pressed her palm fully against him.

"Hmm, I don't think I'll be disappointed." She said, her eyes glittering with unadulterated lust.

"Trust me, I won't." Meylan said. He drew in a breath as she grew bolder, as her fingers explored him more completely, encircling him, caressing him through the fabric of his dress slacks.

"I trust you." she said, smiling at him. His heart flip flopped at her words as he believed her. She was in his arms, wearing only her trust and a very small pair of lacy skin tone knickers. He touched the desire-tightened tip of her bare breast with one knuckle, then ran his finger down to the elastic edge of her panties.

She shivered at his touch. "But I do see a problem, I'm more naked than you." she told him. Her hands went to his belt again. She tugged down the zipper of his pants.

He hooked his thumbs in his briefs and pushed both them and his pants down his legs, and damn, it felt good as she was touching him, skin against skin, her fingers curled around his erection.

Her eyes were wide in surprise and joy; he didn't want to be cocky but he wondered if she would where the same expression while unwrapping Christmas presents. He leaned back into the cushions, letting her look and touch to her heart's content while he silently tried not to have a pleasure induced stroke. She licked her lips and was about to move off the lounge but he caught her hips. She wore a frown wondering why he'd deny himself.

"Later," He told her, he then pulled her to him for another scorching kiss, loving the sensation of her breasts soft against his chest. He manoeuvred them until they were laying down on the lounge. Their legs intertwined, her hand still touching him, teasingly exploring, driving him damn near wild. And as much as he loved her touch, he loved this feeling of completeness, this sense of belonging and profound joy.

He took her breast into his mouth, tasting her, kissing and laving her with his tongue, and she arched against him in an explosion of pleasure so intense he nearly lost control.

He drew harder, and she moaned a slow, sexy noise. He dipped his fingers beneath the front edge of her panties, and touched her most intimately as he gazed at her. Gauging her reactions and making mental notes.

"I like that," she whispered. She closed her eyes and arched against him; wanting more.

"If you want, we can do it like this for a while," he told her with a grin as he was definitely enjoying himself. She looked at him, surprised.

"What about your pleasure?" she asked.

"This gives me pleasure. Holding you, touching you like this, watching you..." He said, he took a moment to rid her of her knickers. She was, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. "Believe me, we could do this all afternoon, and I'd do just fine in the pleasure department." He assured her.

She cried out, and her grip on him tightened as his exploring fingers delved a little deeper. Her hips moved upward instinctively, pressing him inside her. She was slick and hot with desire, and he loved knowing that he'd done that to her.

He kissed her possessively, suddenly dizzy from wanting and damn near aching with need, pressing the hard length of his arousal against the sweet softness of her thigh, still touching her.

He continued touching her but harder now, but no less gently. She returned his kisses fiercely, then pulled back to looking at him.

"You sure this is all you want?" She asked him breathlessly.

"What do you want?" he asked, not letting up in his mind numbingly pleasurable ministrations. Daniela's breath hitched and her eyes drifted close for a moment as she was consumed in the sensations of his making.

"You, now, fast and hard." She said, before she gasped in pleasure from Meylan taking a moment to draw one deliciously tempting nipple into his mouth.

"What if I want slow." He teased, he gently grazed her with his teeth, and she gasped, her movement opening herself to him more completely.

"Please," she said. "I want..." She was breathing raggedly as she looked at him.

"What?" he whispered, kissing her breasts, her collarbone, her throat. "Tell me, Daniela. Tell me what you want." He said.

"I want to come with you inside of me." She said through gritted teeth as she tried to not come. He kissed her again, pushing himself off her.

"I'll get a condom." He told her, he sifted through his pants and pulled a condom out of his wallet. He looked to her and found she was watching him as he tore open the foil packet, her eyes heavy lidded with desire. Her hair had come free from her hairstyle, and it hung thickly around her shoulders. Her satin-smooth skin gleamed exquisitely in the lights of the living room. Meylan took his time covering himself, wanting to memorise that picture of her lying there, naked and waiting for him. He wanted to be able to call it up at will at anytime.

She held out her arms for him, and he went to her. He crawled back onto the lounge and he kissed her, his body cradled between her legs. He kissed her again and again. Long, slow, deep kisses that left them both breathless.

"Please," she breathed into his mouth between feverish kisses. "Joseph, please..." she murmured in a feverish pleasure state. Hearing his name breathed on her lips and her hips lifting and rubbed herself against his length, damn near did him in. But he managed to just hold on as he kissed her hard, launching a sensual attack against her, stroking her breasts, knowing she loved that sensation. He touched her mercilessly and kissed her relentlessly as he positioned himself against her, letting her feel his weight.

Meylan shifted his hips and drove himself inside her. She cried out and clung to him tightly, her breath coming fast in his ear. He could barely speak. He made his mouth form words. "Are you all right? Do you want to stop?" he asked, she was tight and he was afraid that he had hurt her. He nearly pulled out but her legs came up and stopped him. She pulled back to look at him, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"Stop? You want to stop? Now?" She sputtered in disbelief. He touched her face in a loving caress.

"Just tell me you're okay-" he gave a groan as it took a lot of self control. "Fuck, you're so tight." He said pressing his forehead to hers, sweat beaded on his body from the strain of holding himself still and trying to deny himself the sensations he felt riding through him.

"I'm okay, but if you don't fuck me right now, I won't be very happy." She assured him, he couldn't help but laugh in relief. He moved. Gently. Experimentally. Holding her gaze, he filled her again, slowly this time.

"Oh, my," Daniela whispered in a mix of wonder and relief. "Keep going Sailor." She told him, he smiled and complied, watching her face.

He knew Daniela was a master at hiding her emotions. But as he made love to her, every sensation, every raw feeling she was experiencing was right there on her face for him to see. Their joining was as intimate emotionally as it was physically for him.

He moved faster, still watching her, feeling her move with him as she joined him, pushing for more, taking and giving pleasure.

His eyes were solid black and locked on hers, intense and fierce. His strokes were strong and steady as he continued thrusting into her as deep as he could go. Her lips trembled beneath his, her fingers curled around his neck, and when she angled her hips so that his cock brushed over her clit each time he withdrew, she gave a wild cry as she came from the overwhelming pleasure.

Her orgasm was too much for him. The way she clamped around his cock, her sexy moans, the sheer bliss in her eyes; he toppled right over the edge with her, coming so hard his balls burned with the agonizing force of the pleasure. His breath came out ragged, his heart pounding so hard he could hear nothing but the sound it made as it thudded against his ribcage.

It took him a few minutes for him to come back to earth, slowly becoming aware that he was on top of her, pinning her down, crushing her. But as he began to move, she held onto him.

"Stay, please?" she whispered, there was a vulnerability in her tone that struck a chord with him. He held her close as he turned onto his back.

"Better?" he asked She was on top of him, but he was still inside her. Probably a bad idea but just like Daniela; he wasn't ready to let go just yet. Daniela nodded. She lifted her head and met his gaze.

"That was fucking perfect." She said with a very satisfied if somewhat exhausted smile. Her hair was a sexy mess and her face glowing. She was stunningly beautiful.

"Yeah, it was." he agreed and he couldn't wait to do it all again. She rested her head on his shoulder, he reached up for the throw blanket that draped over the back of the lounge. He pulled it haphazardly over them, as he felt Daniela's body start to cool down. Daniela gave a satisfied sigh as she snuggled closer to him, he smiled; wrapping his arms around her and closing his eyes; letting everything he felt from exhaustion, satisfaction and contentment sink into his bones.