Loaded

by KB Winters

  “Who’s asking you to?” I cupped his face with a smile and leaned in, softly brushing my lips against him, laughing when he held me tighter, closer and, growling into my mouth hungrily. We kissed like that for what felt like hours and hours, getting lost in the taste and feel of each other.

  Wheeler stood with me in his arms and I let my body slide down the length of his, hitting every hard ridge and plain on the way down. He groaned and took my mouth again, hungry and intense this time as he stripped me out of my clothes.

  “AB,” he said in a sexy hiss when I was fully naked I stood there and let him absorb every detail. “Fuck me, you get more gorgeous every time I see you.”

  His words pleased me, and I stood a little taller, sticking my chest out and enjoying the way his gaze centered on my breasts and the puckered nipples punctuating them.

  “I’m right here, Wheeler. What are you gonna do about it?”

  He smiled and took a step forward, putting one hand on my waist and pulling me forward. “You.”

  His mouth was on mine and this time we didn’t stop. Our lips never parted as we kissed and kissed. All over. Everywhere. I was naked. Wheeler was naked, and we stared at each other for several long, tense moments.

  Then, he pounced.

  Wheeler was on top of me, half on and half off the sofa, one hand sliding up my thigh while the other palmed my breast, my hands found their way to his cock, long and thick and pulsing with need. “Please,” I begged and gave his thick cock a squeeze. He growled and bucked his hips until his cock surged into me, filling me up deliciously.

  “Yes!” Just what I wanted.

  His lips curled into a tight smile and then his hips were moving, fast and deep, and with an intensity that hadn’t existed between us before. He was beautiful, glorious to watch with his handsome face twisted in erotic agony. I couldn’t look away as he pumped into me, pelvis against pelvis, drawing my orgasm closer to the surface.

  “AB,” he growled, gripping my hips and thrusting harder, faster, deeper into my body.

  It felt so good I wasn’t sure if I could take any more pleasure, but oh God, how I wanted it. His body, so slick and hard in my hands, vibrating with the pent up tension of his restraint. “Wheeler.”

  “AB,” he whispered back, moving faster and faster into me, pulling pleasure from me a little at a time until I was close to begging for the orgasm that was just out of reach. “Ah, Annabelle.”

  I closed my eyes at the soft-spoken way he said my name through gritted teeth and arched into him, trying like hell to block out the emotions that were trying to work their way to the surface.

  “Oh yes, Wheeler!” Then it was a sweet explosion of colors and fireworks as pleasure coursed through my veins and filled me completely. “Yes!” The words fell from my mouth like a prayer and I couldn’t stop, not even as he thrust hard and faster through my orgasm, jump starting another one just as the first one died down.

  “AB, oh fuck!” His hips bucked wildly and his hands gripped me so hard I knew there would be bruises later but I didn’t give a damn. Pleasure oozed out of my pores and my veins, maybe even my hair follicles. His big body collapsed against mine was the only thing keeping me from spinning off the surface of the earth and right into the outer space.

  “Fuck. AB.” His words came out on harsh breaths that made me smile. It was nice to see that Wheeler could be so deeply affected.

  “You just did that.” I laughed at the offended look he wore and pulled him down for another kiss. “And it was fantastic.”

  “Fantastic, huh?” He grinned and flexed his hips before collapsing once more and rolling to the back of the sofa and pulling me close. “I can’t think of a better word, so you win.”

  I laughed again and turned to face him, resting my face over his racing heart and my hand low on his belly. “I feel like a winner.”

  “Yeah?” He wore a goofy smile and I nodded, sure my own smile was as goofy as his. “That’s my line, babe.”

  Babe. That word from his lips brought a smile to my face. I don’t think anyone had ever called me babe, at least not in that way. “Well I took it, so you have to get a new one.” And then because I was feeling sexy and like a ‘babe’ who was in charge of her pleasure, her sexuality and her choices, I turned to Wheeler and took what I wanted.

  Again and again.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Wheeler

  “It’s all right if you have to go, Wheeler.” AB’s voice came out small but sure behind me as I sat up, rubbing my leg. My aching leg.

  I didn’t move, but I didn’t say anything either, letting her words linger in the air to see if she wanted me to go or if she just assumed I would. Again. “I’m right where I want to be.”

  She sighed and fell to the bed, rolling around until her legs were tangled up in the sheets. “Okay,” she said simply, though she couldn’t hide her surprise for shit. “Suit yourself.”

  I smiled, knowing she couldn’t see me. She was so damn tough and independent, it was going to be hard to break through her walls. “I think I will, if you don’t mind.” After two rounds of sex and more steak tacos than two people should legally be allowed to eat, even in Texas, we finally made it to the bedroom.

  She gasped when I slid between the sheets and pulled her body flush against mine. “When was the last time you slept with someone?” It wasn’t something I particularly wanted to talk about, but this was part of getting to know her, right?

  Annabelle thought about it, as was her way, and let out a long breath. “Seventeen months.”

  My eyes bugged out. “You’ve gone seventeen months without sex?”

  “I didn’t say that,” she said with a laugh, turning in my arms so we were face to face. I smacked her ass for being so coy and the moan she let out hit me straight in the cock.

  “Okay, smart ass, what side of the bed do you prefer?” I never bothered to stick around long after sex so it wasn’t information I needed. Ever. But I guess in the spirit of healing and all that shit, it was time to move out of the bunkhouse. Maybe get my own place or share a place with Mitch since it looked like he planned to stick around for a while.

  “Wherever I generally fall asleep. Depends on if I’m reading or watching Tv. Or masturbating.” She flashed a saucy grin at my obvious distress and pressed her body against mine.

  “Don’t say that, AB. I’m trying to get to know you, dammit.” The woman would kill me before I found out anything significant.

  She sighed and laid her head on my chest again, something I was growing more addicted to by the second. Her soft hair brushed against my skin as she got comfortable.

  “Okay Wheeler. Get to know me some more.”

  All week I’d been playing a childish game of twenty questions in an effort to learn more about AB. Peaches hadn’t been much help, refusing to answer anything and insisting I ask the woman what I wanted to know. And I had. “Kids?”

  “Yes, eventually. Two, maybe three. You?”

  That was easy, and I should have expected it because AB wasn’t like most women. She didn’t start planning the wedding on the first date, probably waited until the hundredth date. “Maybe. I haven’t really thought about it much since losing my leg.”

  Annabelle’s stare turned serious and she sat up, those big brown eyes focused solely on me as she cupped my face and forced my gaze to hers. “I can attest, personally and professionally, that everything works fine. You’re young and healthy,” she said on a frustrated sigh. “Don’t be stupid, Wheeler. If you want kids, that,” she pointed at my leg, “is no reason not to have them.”

  Her words shocked me, but not more than the vehemence behind them, like she really believed that. Like she didn’t think it was crazy for a one legged man to want to have a kid.

  “My staunch defender now, AB?” It was a nice feeling, to have someone other than my unit or the Reckless Bastards looking after me. Defending me.

  “I like you, Wheeler.” Her words were simple and heartfelt, with
no ulterior motive I could discern. “When you’re not being an insufferable asshole, that is.” Her smile took the sting out of her words, which we both knew to be true.

  How in the hell was a man meant to concentrate when those feather soft fingertips brushed over my skin, specifically the tattoo on the right side of my chest. “And even if you are an asshole, maybe you won’t be an asshole to your kids. You have loyalty and integrity, and I think you might have a few other good traits to pass along to a kid or two.”

  Her words shocked the hell out of me. I’d stopped thinking about kids or even a serious relationship. I wasn’t interested in the hassle of a woman getting used to my leg or learning to live with it. I had no desire to be anyone’s compromise, dammit. “You think that?”

  “Damn right I do.” She nodded firmly and flashed a bittersweet smile I didn’t understand. “My dad. My parents, they had everything and I didn’t want for a thing that could be bought or rented.”

  “Must be nice,” I added with a snort, wondering if I had anything to offer a woman who came from so much.

  “You’d think so, but I didn’t get much of their time or guidance, and no benefit of their intelligence other than genetically. Instead I grew up awkward and reserved, especially compared to my successful parents. In case you haven’t noticed.”

  Her little pout was sexy as hell and cute, but I valued my extremities too much to risk telling her that.

  “Oh I noticed,” I told her and leaned in to kiss the strip of flesh between her neck and shoulder, where one little freckle rested all on its own. “And it turns me on. A lot,” I told her and kissed the same strip of skin on the other side of her body. “In case you haven’t noticed.”

  She laughed and traced a finger along the stubble at my jaw. “You fogged up my glasses so believe me, I noticed.”

  I shrugged. “So, maybe I have a thing for doctor girls in glasses.”

  “Doctor girls?” She arched a grow, looking even more like a sexy teacher or a naughty librarian, even with the mussed hair. Even without the glasses.

  “Yeah, you got a problem with it?”

  She thought about it for a second and smiled, shaking her head. “Nope. I kind of like it, I think.”

  That shit was music to my ears. “Good, because I’m thinking about buying a pair or two, just for the bedroom.”

  She laughed. “So this thing about nerdy girls, it’s a full on fetish?”

  I nodded. “It’s a very specific fetish.”

  “How specific?” The question rolled off her tongue on a teasing purr that had my cock waking up from his hours long slumber.

  “Annabelle specific,” I growled and stole a kiss that she quickly melted into, tangling one hand in my hair and the other on my ass.

  “Good answer,” she purred and sat up to straddle my hips. Her brown eyes stared deep into mind and from this distance, I could see the threads of gold that illuminated every emotion she felt. “So you were serious, about us, I mean?”

  “Hell, yes,” I told her firmly. “I know my mind, AB.”

  She nodded, acknowledging the truth of my words with a respect that made me think I could really love this woman. If I didn’t fuck it up first. Slowly her mouth pulled into an affectionate grin. “Okay, then. I’m in.” She smiled and leaned in to flick a tongue over my nipple.

  “Ah, AB.”

  “I am so, so in,” she purred and then spent more time than I ever allowed a woman to spend with her mouth on my body. Pleasing me. Exploring me.

  Driving me mad with desire.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Annabelle

  The feeling of the sun splashed across my face gently tugged me into consciousness, pulling me from a deep, satisfying sleep. My body ached all over, deliciously so and a smile touched my lips as I arched my back and stretched my muscles until they screamed. The ache brought back the memories of last night, the endless pleasure and the sounds. Good God, the sounds!

  Last night had been different than I imagined it would be. When I pulled into my driveway to find Wheeler on my porch, I expected an edible meal and a few quick orgasms before he disappeared into the night. I couldn’t have imagined the delicious meal he’d whipped up from scratch with his very large, very calloused and very capable hands. Or the way he held me tenderly and kissed me like I meant something to him.

  Of course that thought was quickly doused like icy water when I turned, still smiling, to find the other side of the bed empty. Not just regular, the other person is in the bathroom empty, but ice cold. Wheeler was gone and he had been gone for a while. Typical.

  I let out a sigh and sat up, scanning the room for any sign that I was overreacting and that Wheeler hadn’t, once again, taken off like a fucking thief in the night. I wasn’t and in a way it was comforting. Last night, hell ever since Wheeler called me incredible, I’d been wrestling with my feelings and trying to get my emotions under control. Now though, it looked like I worried for nothing. Wheeler hadn’t meant any of his words and I wasn’t special to him. I was another Saturday night lover.

  Nothing more.

  With that depressing thought, I got out of bed and stopped in the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth, the way I started every morning. Thankfully, it was still fairly early. I had no place to be today, which meant I could take my time getting through the day. Grabbing my robe on the way out, I wrapped it around me and made my way downstairs and headed towards the kitchen. The living room was empty save for my discarded clothes strewn about the room all alone, looking like the world’s saddest party had taken place.

  Coffee. I needed coffee. It was the only thing I needed first thing in the morning. Not Wheeler. Not any man. No matter how disappointed I was to see him gone.

  Or…not gone because there he was, in my kitchen. Cooking breakfast. Shirtless underneath the blue and white heart printed apron, arms bunching deliciously with every move he made. I watched him for several long minutes, soaking up his masculine beauty and the graceful way he moved around my kitchen. He looked up at me, feeling my stare on him, and grinned. “Mornin’.”

  God that smile was a panty soaker. It was damn near irresistible and when combined with that apron and those muscles, well my pussy clenched and leaked just as my body woke up and took note of all the details I could see above the counter.

  “Wheeler,” I breathed, still not quite able to believe he was here. Still here. “Good morning.”

  He grinned but there was a serious glint in his eyes. “Thought I booked it again?” He arched those chestnut brows at me, lips curled slightly in amusement. He wasn’t offended, not at all, but more curious than anything.

  “Yes,” I told him honestly. “I’m glad to see you didn’t.” So glad that I didn’t want to think too hard about why my chest felt lighter. Freer. “Coffee?”

  Wheeler grinned and granted me the out I was seeking with a nod, before he turned to the coffee pot and poured two cups. Still rooted to my spot near the kitchen table, I watched him move and wondered about his uneven gait.

  “Here ya go.” His blue gaze was on fire as his tore through me, taking in every inch of skin he could see behind the short silky robe I wore. Then he leaned across the counter with a smile. Waiting.

  I couldn’t resist this man at all and definitely not when he held a cup of piping hot coffee for me in his hands so I leaned across the counter until my feet were airborne and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” he growled, but before I could pull back, Wheeler’s hand speared through my hair and held me close while his tongue plundered my mouth, exploring every nook and crevice with his tongue until I was soaking wet between my thighs, weak-kneed and ready for my next orgasm. “That’s better,” he said and pulled back, putting some distance between us before I could protest. “Cream and sugar are on the table.”

  Damn this man for affecting me the way he did and damn my stupid hormones for making me too attracted to him. Too damn addicted to the thi
ngs he did to my body. Too intrigued by the way I responded to him, in and out of bed.

  “You cooked breakfast,” I said inanely as I dumped too much sugar and cream in my coffee.

  “I did.” He flashed a proud, boyish smile. “I was bit of a shit in my early days in the Army. Did more than my fair share of kitchen duty, believe me.” He smiled again and I had to have an internal talk with my body and my heart, to stop with all the noise. Even if I did tell him that I was in, I wasn’t ready to be this in. Not yet.

  “Smells good.” The table was already half full of food, yet Wheeler was still behind the counter, flipping something on the stove. There were sliced strawberries in a bowl beside a big plate of scrambled eggs with onions, bell peppers and cheese. Bacon and hash brown cakes rounded out what was on the table. I was stunned. “You didn’t have to do all this, Wheeler.” It made me uneasy as much as it made me feel special, to have him doing so much. It felt like he was trying too hard.

  “I know.” His gaze held mine, and he flipped the last pancake onto a plate, still not looking down, and made his way to the table.

  I gasped when I caught sight of Wheeler and the reason for his uneven gait. “Wheeler,” I whispered, touched and emotional and uncomfortable as hell. His prosthetic leg was nowhere to be seen. Instead he wore a crutch that wrapped around his forearm. “Wheeler.”

  He flashed another of those lazy grins that was somehow teasing and sexy. “I planned to have this off and do a big reveal while we were eating, but I guess I didn’t knock you out as thoroughly as I anticipated.”

  His words knocked me down into a chair. He’d planned this out prior to this morning. What in the hell did that mean? “It’s the coffee. It wakes me up every morning ten minutes before my alarm sounds.”

  “Good to know. Next time I’ll have to love you better than coffee.” His blue eyes seared through me, and I tried to block out the love word he used, because of course he didn’t mean he would love me. It was my body we were talking about. Nothing more.

  “So this is me,” he began with a nervous smile, motioning towards his missing limb once he got rid of the plate. “Scars and missing leg and all, this is me AB. I’m damaged, fucked up beyond repair probably, and I’m not comfortable with it. Not as much as I should be. But I’ll get there.”