Worth the Wait (The Harvest Ridge Series Book 1)

by K. L. Ramsey

  “God, you’re gorgeous.” His praise seemed to be what she needed to get over her uneasiness. She gifted him a shy smile. Tag kissed his way down her neck to her perfect breasts. She arched her back, thrusting her rosy nipples into his mouth. She tasted even better than she looked.

  He licked and sucked one nipple, then the other into his mouth. She bucked against his erection, unable to control her desire. He had her just where he wanted her. She was so lost in her need for him that her fear evaporated. He needed the rest, all of her. He wanted to consume Piper from head to toe.

  He unbuttoned her little cut off shorts and pulled them down her long legs, taking her panties with them. He growled his appreciation as he worked his way back up her body. She smelled so good, he wanted to make a feast of her. He stopped at her sensitive mound, loving the way she writhed against him. So needy, so ready. He ran his fingers through her wet folds and knew that she was just as aroused by this as he was.

  Piper wrapped her arms around Tag as he worked his way up her body, kissing and nipping as he went. “I need to touch you now Tag.”

  He moaned his approval, not quite able to find the words to tell her how much he wanted her hands on his body. He took off his shirt, letting Piper run her greedy hands and mouth all over his upper body. She sat eye level with his chest, completely bare underneath him, desire showing in her eyes. He knew that she was completely lost in the moment with him, like they were the only two people left on earth.

  Piper slipped her hands down into the waistband of his jeans. He needed her to touch him, skin on skin. He wanted that more than he wanted his next breath. He couldn’t wait any longer; he undid his fly, letting Piper’s hands snake into his boxers to find his throbbing erection. She moaned against his chest, sending sensations through to his core. Piper helped him to pull his jeans and boxers off, letting his heavy cock spring free between them. His sharp inhale was the only sound he could hear as she wrapped both of her hands around his dick.

  “Oh my God, Tag. You are so big. This is going to fit inside of me?” Piper rubbed his erection with both hands and he felt like he was going to lose it. He needed to gain some control before he let her start to worry again. He knew that they would fit, she was made for him.

  “Yeah, honey,” he rasped. “We’ll fit.” He rolled to the ground, taking Piper with him. She landed on top of him, giving him the perfect view of her body. She straddled him, rubbing her wet folds over his cock. He couldn’t believe how good she felt, how right. He wanted inside of her; he needed to claim Piper, make her his, but he knew that he couldn’t do that without a condom.

  Tag untangled himself from her sexy body, picked her up and cradled her against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his neck, dipping her head in to take his mouth. Tag couldn’t seem to get into his cabin fast enough. He took her straight to his bed, lay her down, and fumbled through his nightstand to find a condom.

  Piper didn’t take her eyes off him as he rolled the condom onto his throbbing cock. She seemed mesmerized with the process. He liked the way she watched him, it was hot. He slipped two fingers into her drenched opening, stretching her. He wanted to make sure that she was ready to take all of him. Piper gasped and started to move, fucking his wet fingers. It was one of the sexiest things he’d ever seen. She wasn’t that shy, worried woman that he’d held just moments ago. Now, she seemed to blossom, come alive for him, and he loved everything about Piper Flynn. Especially the way that she was completely giving herself to him. She was finally going to be his.

  ***

  Piper couldn’t get enough of Tag’s body as he hovered over her, watching her with his sharp, blue eyes. She was riding his hand, consumed by the sensations that were coursing through her body. She needed more; she was unable to put out the fire that was building between her legs.

  “Tag, I need you,” she moaned. She wasn’t quite sure what she was pleading for until Tag licked her clit and sucked it into his hot mouth. She couldn’t hold back; pleasure ripped through her body and she melted for him. She seemed to pulse around his fingers, her body humming with pleasure. Tag kissed his way up her body, covering it with his. She could feel his dick nudging her entrance and knew that she needed more. She wanted Tag, all of him. She wrapped her legs around him and took him into her body, screaming as he completely filled her. Tag froze, seeming to give her time to adjust to his size.

  “Pipe, you okay?” He kissed her face, framing it with his big hands. “Piper, tell me that I didn’t hurt you.” He was pleading with her, worry showing on his beautiful face.

  She smiled up at him, reaching up between their bodies to cup his jaw with her hand. “I’m good, Tag. I’m better than good. Move, show me how to do this, please.”

  Tag groaned, kissing her mouth while thrusting in and out of her. She couldn’t help her breathy moans as he took her over and over. She felt like her flesh was on fire. Her need was consuming her. She never dreamed that sex could feel this good.

  Tag rolled underneath her, putting her on top. “Piper, move for me. I want to watch you.” Piper could feel her face burn with embarrassment, not sure that she could give Tag what he asked. He grabbed onto her hips and slid her body up and down his shaft. Being on top sent new sensations through her body, making her feel like she could do anything for the man that was bringing her so much pleasure.

  “Tag,” she cried out his name as she once again lost herself in pleasure. She braced her palms on his chest as he took complete control, thrusting into her. She loved the way he shouted her name as he lost himself into her body, his own going limp beneath hers. She collapsed onto his chest, cuddling into his arms as they wrapped around her.

  “That was incredible,” Tag whispered. Piper nodded her agreement against his chest, not trusting her own voice. They laid there, entwined in each other’s arms, until Tag started to move.

  “I need to get rid of the condom, honey. Don’t move.”

  She nodded again, too overcome with the emotions that were making their way to the surface. She didn’t know how to handle everything she was feeling. Usually, she just pushed her own feelings aside and found something to hide them behind. She was pretty sure Tag wasn’t going to let that happen.

  He returned from the bathroom and slipped back into bed. Piper had rolled to her side, as if shielding herself from him. He wrapped his body around hers, pulling her into him. Yeah, there would be no hiding from Tag. He seemed to know what she was thinking at every turn. The way he watched her, studied her—he seemed to be able to see straight into her soul. And that scared the shit out of her.

  ***

  Tag could feel Piper slipping away from him. What they had just shared was, well, it was everything. He’d wanted her for so long now, he couldn’t let her shut him back out. If he didn’t do something, she would put back up her wall and possibly be lost to him forever.

  “Piper, don’t do this.” He could feel her body tense in his arms. He pulled her in closer, not giving her an out.

  “Do what?”

  Her voice wavered; he could hear the raw emotions that were running through her. He knew that she was afraid to let him in, he just didn’t understand why she was trying to shut him back out.

  “Honey, look at me.” He tried to roll her over, to face him, but she wouldn’t budge. “Okay, so we are going to do this the hard way.” He rolled her underneath his body, so that he was practically straddling her small frame. He was careful not to hurt her, but he also didn’t allow her any room to escape. He looked down to see that her eyes were clamped closed. He chuckled—she was going to fight him every step of the way.

  “Piper, I know that you are trying to shut me out. It’s alright, honey. Everything you are feeling right now is okay. I just want you to know that I’m not going anywhere.” Tag dipped down to take her mouth in a soft, wet kiss. She opened her eyes, seeming to be surprised at the gentle contact.

  “I won’t push you to do anything you don’t want to do, honey.” He kissed her mouth again
, this time with a little more force. She wrapped her arms around his neck, running her fingers through his hair. He knew that he wasn’t playing fair, using her arousal to reach her, but she left him no choice. He needed to convince her that he was going to stick around. He couldn’t let her just shut him out. He knew that if he took control, he would leave her no choice but to surrender.

  He gently took her wrists in his hands, and secured them above her head, pinning them into the mattress. “Piper, I need you as much as you need me.” He kissed his way down her jaw line, loving the way she moaned his name. He spent time sucking her taut nipples into his mouth, one at a time, loving the way she squirmed against him.

  “Tell me that you want me, honey.”

  “Yes, Tag. I want you,” she all but shouted. He continued to kiss down her body, parting her thighs, opening her up for him. She was completely vulnerable to whatever he wanted to do to her.

  “Tell me that you need me, Piper.” He looked up her body to find her watching him, waiting for his next move. He ran a finger through her wet fold and she squirmed against him.

  “Piper, tell me that you need me as much as I need you.” He knelt to take her hot pussy into his mouth.

  She sobbed her answer. “Yes Tag, I need you.”

  She was shaking, overcome with need and emotions. He knew that he wasn’t playing fair, but if Piper needed him to play dirty to show her how good they were together, he knew just what to do. He pulled a condom from his nightstand and rolled it onto his length.

  Tag took his time working his way back up her body, thrusting into her greedy opening, taking her with every fiber of his being. She wrapped her arms and legs around him, taking everything that he was offering her.

  “Open your eyes, honey.” She still refused to look at him. “Piper, open your eyes and look at me, now.” She squinted one eye open and he could see her fear. “Piper, I’m not going anywhere. I’m not going to ever hurt you.” He thrust deeper into her, as if willing her to believe him.

  “Tell me that you believe me, honey. Tell me that you aren’t going to hide from me again. Don’t put up your walls; let me in Piper.”

  She opened her eyes, a single tear rolled down her soft cheek, Tag caught it with his lips, kissing her softly.

  “Piper,” he whispered.

  She nodded against his lips, giving him the answer that he hoped for, giving him hope. He thrust into her body a few more times and lost himself and his heart to the woman that he’d dreamed of for more than a year.

  Chapter Ten

  Piper and Tag spent the rest of the day in bed. As far as birthdays went, Piper couldn’t remember a better one. Tag had shown her a whole new world. She couldn’t remember the last time that she’d felt so loved and protected. She knew that letting down her walls wouldn’t be easy, but with Tag, just being herself felt good. Actually, it felt great.

  They showered together just before dinner, then went for a small hike on a trail that circled the cabin. Tag had stocked his fridge with steaks and all the trimmings for a nice meal.

  “So, were you planning on having me stay over this whole time?” Piper found Tag out by the grill. She had just had an interesting phone call with Sunny. Apparently, her best friend had faked her hurt ankle to give Piper some alone time with Tag.

  “I was hoping that you would want to stay the night, but ultimately that was your decision.” Tag shrugged as he threw two steaks on the grill.

  “You weren’t a part of Sunny’s latest diabolical plan then?” She couldn’t help herself, she crossed to where Tag watched the grill. She had this strange need to be near him, touching him. He pulled her into his body and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “What’s Sunny been up to now?” Tag kissed the top of her head as she snuggled closer into his body.

  “She faked her fall. She is completely fine, it was all a trick to throw us together—again. She told me that it was my birthday gift from her. She thought that I needed some time alone with you. I just assumed that you were in on her scheme this time.”

  Tag laughed as Piper told him how Sunny had made Aaron carry her all the way down the mountain, even after Search and Rescue arrived. The poor guy didn’t find out she was faking her injury until they were at the base of the mountain. Sunny didn’t want anyone taking her to the hospital, so she finally had to come clean with Aaron. He was not amused by her little ploy and he’d stormed off in his pick-up truck, leaving her to find her own way back into town.

  “Now that’s funny.” Tag turned the steaks, one arm still around Piper. She loved the way that he seemed to need the physical contact with her, just as much as she wanted him.

  “Sunny is going to go too far one of these times. First, she locked us in the escape room together, and now she fakes an injury to get us up here alone. She is becoming the girl that cried wolf and we all know how that story ends” Piper shook her head, thinking about her best friend’s antics.

  Tag pulled Piper into his body to face him. “I have to say, I’m not really that upset that she planned all of this. I wouldn’t give up one second of today.” He dipped his head to take Piper’s mouth in a hard, passionate kiss. Piper didn’t understand the connection that she felt every time Tag kissed her or even touched her. Her body responded to him in ways that still seemed foreign to her. Her knees went weak, she felt butterflies in her stomach and she turned into a gushy teen girl who couldn’t get enough of him.

  “I wouldn’t change any of it, either,” Piper breathlessly admitted. She knew that letting Tag in was a risk, but she couldn’t imagine going back to the way things were before today.

  “I’ll take that as a yes for us staying the night then?” Tag put the steaks on a plate and grabbed Piper’s hand to lead her back into the cabin.

  “I already called Lorna and she is fine with handling the shop for a bit. So, yes. I’ll stay the night.”

  Tag pulled out a chair for her, at his little kitchen table, so she could sit down.

  “Good, I told Torren that he needed to man the shop until Monday.” Tag started to fill up Piper’s plate with all the yummy food that he’d made.

  “Monday! I can’t stay three days up here; Lorna will need a break.” Piper tried to stand.

  “Piper, I have arranged everything. Your shop will be fine. Lorna said it could be her birthday gift to you.” Tag gently pulled Piper back down into her seat. “Besides, you and I need to come to an agreement.”

  “Agreement?” Piper pushed her plate away, as if protesting the thought of dinner. How could Tag go behind her back and arrange her life without her permission? She wasn’t about to give up her control to a man, just because they’d had sex. She was a strong, self-reliant woman and Tag would just have to accept that.

  “Yeah, we need to figure out how this is going to work, because I’m not willing to let you off this mountain without some type of agreement about us.”

  “An agreement about us?”

  Tag pulled Piper’s chair around the table, so that she was again sitting in front of her plate and closer to him.

  “See, I like the way you’re agreeing with me now, honey. Yep, an agreement about us. We need to make sure that we are on the same page. I want you, and I don’t mean for the night or even the weekend. I’m talking long term, Piper.”

  She chanced a look at Tag’s face and saw his determination, his desire, and even something more—something that gave her hope. She’d forgotten what hope even felt like. Her stomach did a little flip at the prospect of Tag wanting her. She never let herself think much about the future. She tried to live every day in the moment, because tomorrow might not happen. She knew that all too well. How could she promise Tag long-term?

  She shook her head. “Tag, I can’t make you any promises and I already told you that I don’t want you to make me any promises. You can’t know what tomorrow will hold.” Piper felt her defenses going back up.

  Tag pulled her from her chair and into his lap, wrapping his arms around her.r />
  “I can’t promise you that tomorrow will happen, honey. But I can promise you that, if it does, I will be right here with you.” He sealed his mouth over hers, framing her face with his big hands. She loved the way their bodies fit together.

  “Now, we can either eat dinner and talk about what you would like to do tomorrow, or I can take you back to the bedroom and prove that we fit together.”

  Piper shivered as she weighed her options, thinking about all the wicked ways he had already proven that they fit. Tag laughed against her neck, biting and licking his way up to find her mouth again.

  “If you need to have a plan in place…” Her voice sounded breathy, even to her own ears.

  Tag kissed and nipped her lips, giving her no time to catch her breath and regain her senses.

  She pulled away from his lap and sat back down in her own chair.

  “As I was saying, if you need a plan, then how about we eat dinner. After, you can show me anything you’d like, back in your bedroom.” She liked the way Tag’s eyes flared at her suggestion. She reached over and ran her hand up his impressive thigh to his bulging cock. He gently took her hand in his and pulled it up to his mouth to kiss each of her knuckles.

  “If you do that again, honey, I won’t let you finish your dinner.” Tag gently laid her hand on his thigh, patting it into place.

  “Good to know,” Piper laughed. She loved that she could affect Tag that way; the power was heady. She had plans alright. First, she would have dinner, and then she would see just how far Tag would let her ride this new power trip. With any luck, she would convince Tag that their next three days together should be spent in his bed. Piper was sure she wouldn’t get too much of an argument from Tag.

  ***

  They spent the next three days at Tag’s cabin, mostly in bed. That was just fine with Tag; his need for Piper was overwhelming. He knew he was her first—well, everything. He wanted to convince her to let him be her last. Every moment that passed proved to him that the past year of begging her to go out with him had been worth it. He’d do just about anything to prove to Piper that they belonged together, and not just for three days.