Tangled in His Embrace

by Sherri Hayes

  “What did she have to say about that?” Jax asked, trying to keep his tone casual.

  “She thinks we’ve spent the entire time in bed.”

  Jax snorted. “Well, not the entire time.”

  Gabby smacked his arm, turned on her heel, and headed down the hallway. He followed her and watched as she returned the game to the shelf in the closet. When she spun around, Jax was there, a foot away, leaning against the wall.

  He ran his hand down the length of her arm until his fingers tangled together with hers. “Why does she think we’ve spent the entire weekend in bed?”

  The muscles in her neck contracted as she swallowed. “Because.”

  “Because why?” He stepped closer, crowding her. That little vein in her neck pulsed harder—a telltale sign of the effect he had on her.

  Her voice cracked a little when she answered. “Because I told her what happened between us.”

  Jax wrapped his free arm around her waist, pressing her body against his, and she melted against him. “When you came over to my apartment to pick up Taylor?”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t remember you and your sister being that close,” he said, trying to ignore his growing erection. It didn’t matter that it had been less than five hours since he’d been inside her. He wanted her again. He always wanted her. Jax wasn’t sure that would ever change. In fact, he hoped it wouldn’t.

  She rested her hands on his shoulders as if she were steadying herself or about to push him away. “We’ve gotten a lot closer since she moved back.”

  “After her husband was killed.” Taylor had mentioned something about her Aunt Grace’s boyfriend one day and he’d asked his mom if she’d known anything about it. That was when he’d found out that while he’d been gone, Grace’s husband, who’d been serving overseas, had been killed in combat. He’d only met Kurt once, but he liked him. And as far as Jax could tell, Kurt had loved his wife.

  Sadness filled Gabby’s eyes and she nodded. “Grace was a mess for a while. I was really worried about her.”

  He didn’t like seeing her sad. “But she’s better now, right?”

  The tiniest smile pulled at Gabby’s lips. “She is. Thanks to Alexander.”

  “Sounds like he was exactly what she needed.” Jax lowered his hand to cup her ass, unable to resist bringing them closer. The talk of Grace losing her husband reminded Jax of his second chance with Gabby. He wasn’t going to take it for granted.

  “Yes.” By the look in her eyes, Gabby could feel the hard length of him pressing against her abdomen.

  “Maybe the four of us could go out sometime. I’d like to meet him.”

  “Sure.” She seemed distracted.

  Her gaze drifted to his mouth and he cleared his throat. “Gabby.”

  She placed a finger over his lips. “The food is put away and we have the house all to ourselves. I think I’d like to spend a little more time in bed.”

  It was his turn to swallow hard.

  When he didn’t respond, Gabby reached between them and cupped him through his jeans. “I know you want to.”

  There was no sense in denying it. She was holding the evidence in the palm of her hand. “I always want to.”

  A sly grin spread over her face. Gabby gave him a little squeeze and released him. She took a step backward, grabbed both his hands, and led them into the bedroom.

  She wasn’t wasting any time this go around. Gabby kicked off her pants and removed her shirt seconds after they entered the room. She climbed onto the bed, her ass drawing his attention like a moth to a flame.

  His libido took over. Jax practically ripped his sweater in his haste to get it over his head. His jeans and boxers followed his sweater to the floor, and then he joined her on the bed. She opened herself to him, spreading her legs wide. He took a moment to appreciate the sight before him before lowering himself to cover her body with his.

  Gabby circled her legs around his waist, urging him closer. He brought their lips together, dipping his tongue into her mouth, licking and exploring. “I’ve missed kissing you.” He kissed her again, long and slow to drive the point home.

  She hummed and scraped her nails along his scalp. That was new. He must have hesitated for a split second because she stopped doing it and asked, “Something wrong?”

  He shook his head. “No. It’s just you’ve never done that before. With your nails.”

  “Oh.” She looked slightly embarrassed. “I read it in a book and I wanted to try it. If you don’t like it—”

  “No,” he said, wanting to reassure her. “I like it.” In truth, he liked it a lot.

  Gabby grinned.

  “Research?” She’d started writing romance novels when she’d gotten pregnant. On the nights when she couldn’t sleep, she’d read the romance novels she loved so much. Then she’d gotten an idea for one of her own and, after telling him about it, he’d encouraged her to try her hand at writing one. What was the worst that could happen? And no one said she had to publish it.

  She pressed her lips together and nodded.

  A slow smile spread across his face and he leaned in to coax her lips apart again. “What else have you been researching?”

  He ran a hand up her side and palmed her breast, skimming his thumb over her hard nipple. She arched her back, silently begging for more. Who was he to refuse her?

  Sliding down, he captured her nipple in his mouth and sucked.

  This time she wasn’t so silent. The sweetest sound, almost like a purr, escaped her lips. His cock twitched. He did it again and her legs squeezed his middle, securing him to her.

  Not that he had plans to go anywhere anytime soon. He gave the nipple a final lick before switching to give the other one the same attention. “I’m still waiting.”

  “What?” she asked, confused.

  He sucked her nipple into his mouth, licked several times, and released it to gaze up at her beautifully flushed face. “I asked you what else you’ve been researching.”

  Her face got even redder, something he wouldn’t have thought possible.

  Intrigued, Jax pushed himself up until his face was level with hers again. “You’re embarrassed?”

  She didn’t say anything. She wasn’t even looking at him.

  “Do I need to tickle it out of you?” he asked, trying to ease her fears. Was she afraid he’d judge her or something?

  “Roll onto your back.”

  It was his turn to be confused. “What?”

  Gabby pushed at his shoulders. “You said you wanted to know what else I’d researched. Roll over.”

  The idea of changing position didn’t appeal to him, but he was curious what she would do. She unhooked her legs from around his middle and he moved to lie beside her.

  Ever so slowly, Gabby sat up and moved until she was in between his legs. She wrapped her right hand around his cock, pumped it several times, and then took him into her mouth.

  His head fell back and he tangled his fingers in her hair. Fuck, that felt good. It had been too long since he’d felt her lips on him.

  She licked and sucked, circling his head with her tongue. His balls felt heavy. If she kept it up, he was going to come.

  But as great as it was, nothing she was doing was new. The thought crossed his mind moments before he felt her free hand cup his testicles. Her touch was gentle. It was almost as if she were massaging them.

  Jax clenched his fist and she released a low moan. It took him longer than it should have to realize what he’d done to cause such a reaction from her. He did it again, this time deliberately giving her hair a slight pull.

  She released another soft moan that vibrated over his cock as she continued to move up and down along his length.

  He was contemplating doing it again when she shifted her hand lower and began rubbing right behind his balls. Energy shot through him, and before he knew what was happening, he was on the verge of coming.

  “Gabby.”

  She sucked harder and began a
steady hum.

  It was too much. His orgasm shot up his cock with a force he hadn’t experienced in years.

  Gabby didn’t release him from her mouth until he was empty. Then she crawled up his body, grinning like the cat that ate the canary. “So? What did you think?”

  She looked so innocent staring down at him like that. As if she hadn’t just had those lips of hers wrapped around his cock.

  He cupped the side of her face with one hand and pulled her down until her mouth was a breath away from his. “I don’t know. I think I might need another demonstration.”

  Chapter 10

  Taylor had called around seven thirty Saturday night to say good night—first to Jax and then to Gabby. It was kind of an unspoken agreement not to mention they were together. They’d each spent about five minutes talking to their daughter, listening to her tell them about her day at the children’s museum. While she’d sat in bed talking to their daughter, Jax had lain there patiently beside her with a huge grin on his face.

  After saying goodbye to Taylor, Jax and Gabby had lain in bed talking and touching for several hours until she could barely keep her eyes open. She’d finally asked him more about the mass they’d found, how it had been removed, and his recovery. He’d been alone for the most part. His choice, of course, but that didn’t stop her from imagining him lying in a hospital bed with no one there to comfort or support him.

  Gabby woke early the next morning feeling rested and more at peace than she’d felt in a long time. She knew part of it was because she was finally getting answers to the questions that had been plaguing her for the last three years.

  “Good morning.” Jax wrapped his arm around her waist and snuggled against her from behind.

  “Hmm.” She could feel his erection nudging against her backside.

  He ran the tip of his nose along the column of her neck, causing her to shiver. “Sleep well?”

  “Very.” She tilted her head to the side to give him better access. “I liked having you in my bed.”

  “I like being in your bed.”

  Gabby felt teeth scrape against her skin, sending liquid warmth directly to her pussy. He was barely touching her and yet she knew it wouldn’t take much to send her over the edge.

  She reached for his hand and guided it between her legs. He let her direct the movements, caressing her sensitive flesh and driving her closer to orgasm.

  Opening her legs wider, he pushed two fingers inside her. “Do you like that, baby?”

  “Yes.”

  Jax turned them slightly, capturing her lips with his as she thrust his fingers in and out of her. “Do you want to come on my fingers or my cock?”

  It took a moment for her brain to register what he said, but once she did there was no question in her mind. “Your cock. I want to come on your cock. I want you inside me.”

  He kissed her again and removed his fingers so he could reach into the nightstand for a condom.

  Gabby squeezed her thighs together, anticipation gathering in her belly.

  Luckily, he was back in seconds and wasted no time getting into position. She moaned as he entered her, filling her in a way his fingers never could.

  “This what you wanted?” he asked, his voice strained.

  She reached for him, needing to feel his mouth on hers again. “Exactly what I wanted.”

  They moved together, sensations building as she once again came to the top of that peak. She didn’t wait for him this time. Gabby snaked her hand between them and found her clit.

  Her orgasm hit her hard and fast. She gasped, ripping her mouth away from his.

  “I love watching you.” He was breathing hard, pumping into her with purpose. “Seeing your face when you come . . .”

  Jax thrust into her twice more before his orgasm overtook him as well.

  He collapsed on top of her, burying his face in her neck. After a few moments, he propped himself up on his elbow and stared down at her. “Care to join me for a shower?”

  “I don’t know if that’s such a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  She skimmed her fingers over his ass. “Because we might not end up getting clean if we both shower together.”

  A wicked smirk crossed his face. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll make sure every inch of you is clean. Promise.”

  Their shower took about twice as long as Gabby’s usual morning shower. He’d kept his word, though. By the time they turned off the water and dried themselves, every inch of her had been cleaned. More than once.

  Jax stayed for breakfast, polishing off the breakfast casserole he’d made the day before, and then gave her a long kiss goodbye before walking out the door, promising to call her later. Because he hadn’t known he was going to be stuck at Gabby’s, he hadn’t brought his laptop with him, which meant he couldn’t work. From some of the emails he was telling her about, he was going to be very busy for the next day or so trying to catch up.

  Once he was gone, she spent the rest of her morning doing laundry and tidying up. She made sure to empty the trash can in her bedroom. The last thing she wanted was her daughter discovering the used condoms Jax had discarded. That was a conversation she was hoping to put off for several more years.

  They’d talked a little more about Christmas before he left. He wanted them to spend the holiday together, and even though they’d agreed to give things between them another shot, she wasn’t ready to commit to anything else quite yet. A weekend fling was one thing. Spending Christmas together felt like a much bigger step.

  Putting that out of her mind, Gabby concentrated on what she needed to do today. She was due at her mom’s house at one for dinner, but until then she planned to do some writing. Not only did she have a book to finish, but she needed to work out some of her emotions. There was no better way to do that than to sit down and write. Writing had helped her through her pregnancy, being a first-time mom, heartbreak, and everything else life threw at her . . . even a bad day at work.

  Gabby booted up her computer and opened the story she’d been working on. The first thing she did was read over what she’d written in the early hours of Saturday morning. She’d been afraid her anger would have colored her words so much that it would be out of sync with the rest of the narrative, but the exact opposite was true. The scene was full of drama and action, and when she read it, it was almost as if she could see the entire thing happening in her mind.

  Her fingers flew against the keyboard as she picked up the story where she’d left off. It was almost finished. All that was left was the aftermath of the battle and the reunion of the two main characters. It would be emotional and passionate.

  The sound of her cell ringing drew her attention away from the computer. She picked up her phone and answered it. “Hello?”

  “Where are you?” Grace asked.

  “Home.” She didn’t understand why her sister sounded panicked.

  She heard a loud breath being released on the other end of the phone. “You’re okay?”

  “Of course I’m okay. Why? What’s wrong?”

  “What’s wrong? It’s two o’clock and you were supposed to be here at one.”

  For the first time since sitting down at her computer, Gabby looked at the clock. It was in fact two o’clock. She’d been writing for almost three hours. “I’m sorry. I was working on something and lost track of time. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”

  Gabby saved her story and rushed out the door as quickly as possible. Luckily, the roads weren’t too bad. She had to take her time at intersections, but for the most part the salt crews had gotten rid of the ice.

  When she arrived at her mom’s house, the door was unlocked. She stepped inside, removed her coat, and went in search of her sister. On the drive over, Gabby had had time to think about her sister’s phone call. She’d hated the uncertainty and pain in Grace’s voice and she wanted to apologize in person for scaring her.

  “Hey, everyone,” Gabby said when she strolled into the living room
a few seconds later. Her mother was sitting on the couch, while Alexander and Grace were on the smaller love seat.

  Caroline Lewis stood to greet her oldest daughter. “There you are. We were getting worried.”

  “I know.” Gabby frowned. “I lost track of time. I’m sorry I worried you.”

  In an instant, her mother shifted gears, putting Gabby’s absence behind them. “Are you hungry? I made a plate for you before we put everything away.”

  “Starving.” And she was. The breakfast she’d had with Jax had been hours ago.

  Her mom smiled and patted Gabby’s forearms. “I’ll go get it warmed up for you.”

  “Mom, I can get it.”

  But it was too late. Caroline was already walking away.

  Gabby turned to face her sister and Alexander. His face was unreadable, but Grace’s was not. It was a mixture of curiosity and concern. Crossing the room, Gabby lowered herself down onto the edge of the couch, closest to Grace. “I’m sorry.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay? Between the storm and . . .” Grace glanced at the doorway leading to the kitchen, and then back to Gabby. “Jax, I didn’t know if something had happened.”

  The lead-in was there and for once Gabby did want to talk about it, but this wasn’t the time. Their mother could walk in at any minute and she wasn’t ready to open that can of worms. Sure enough, Caroline popped her head into the living room. “Food’s ready. Did you want to eat at the table, or would you rather me bring it in here?”

  Pushing herself off the couch, Gabby headed toward her mom. “I’ll eat at the table.” She looked over her shoulder at her sister.

  No words were spoken, but Grace seemed to get the message. She turned to Alexander. “Mom said she needed help fixing that rod in her closet.”

  Luckily, Alexander quickly picked up what was going on. “That sounds like a great idea.” He stood. “Caroline, why don’t we see if we can get your closet situation taken care of while Gabby eats her lunch?”

  Caroline looked at both her daughters and nodded. “Sure. It’s in the spare bedroom.”

  “Lead the way.”

  The two disappeared down the hall and Gabby and Grace made their way into the kitchen. Gabby grabbed the plate of food her mother had left on the counter and brought it over to the table.