Home Is Where the Heart Is

by Hart, Abigail

  Dylan sat back, looking at her with a concerned but caring look on his face. He reached out and touched her hand, gently rubbing his thumb back and forth over her small hand.

  “First off, I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for my family and me. You’re a good man.” She hesitated a moment and stole a glance at his face, their eyes meeting and locking together. The anxiety that filled her disappeared in a rush. The emotion in his eyes, the look of hunger and lust and… what?, made her breath hitch in surprise. Was that love she saw? Could it be that Dylan felt the same as her?

  She forged ahead, hope lighting the way. “I’ve cared about you for so long, and now that we’ve been together, I just don’t want it to end. When I left Sizzle five years ago, I left because I couldn’t stand the thought of seeing you with Harley. Not just because it was Harley. It could have been anyone and the pain still would have been too much for me. It broke my heart, Dylan. I left to escape the pain of it all.”

  He took her hand in his. His thumb brushed softly over her knuckles. The telltale spark of electricity rushed through her, straight to her heart. She smiled and so did he. “Now I’m here with you, and I... I just can’t go through that feeling again. It hurt too much. I barely survived it the first time. I want to spend time with you. Get to know you again; the man you are now.”

  “I knew you had a crush on me back then, darling,” Dylan said. “I’m so sorry I didn’t see you then the way I see you now. I did notice you, Kyra. How could I not? I’ve loved having you here with me. Honestly, I wish the circumstances were different but I do hope that we can spend more time together, too. You’re an amazing woman. I’d like us to get to know one another again before you leave. I’d like to see where this goes between us.”

  He opened his arms to her and she fell against him, loving the way he wrapped himself around her. It felt so safe and comforting.

  “Come to bed with me, Kyra,” he said. It wasn’t a request. It was a demand. A demand that Kyra couldn’t – wouldn’t – resist. He wanted her there with him. She completed him in a way no other woman had. He stood, pulling her up with him. He leaned forward, closing the distance between them, his lips meeting hers as he kissed her passionately on the mouth. She moaned against his lips as she pressed her body flush against his. Time stood still as their tongues danced to a song only they could hear. As he deepened the kiss, their hands frantically searched each other’s bodies, neither finding the release they were desperately needing. Dylan nipped and lapped at her swollen lips as he palmed her breasts. Kyra whimpered at the contact, silently begging for more as she arched her body into his, needing to feel his body pressed against hers.

  Kyra broke the kiss hesitantly, her fingers brushing her kiss-swollen lips, the hum of desire peaking inside her. She smiled up at Dylan through heavy lashes, want filling her eyes. “Okay, handsome.”

  Dylan swept her up in his arms. She giggled and wrapped her arms around his neck. The scent of him was enveloping her senses, driving her mad with lust and love. He strode down the hallway, each of their hearts beating wildly at what was to come. As Dylan entered the bedroom, he eased the door closed with his foot and eased Kyra to her feet. Cupping her face, he kissed her softly. She moaned.

  “Take off your clothes, darling. I want to see you.” His lips ghosted over hers once more.

  Kyra wasted no time following his command. She wanted to please him. She moved quickly, eager to have skin on skin, eager to join their bodies once again.

  “Slow, baby,” he whispered, his words husky with his need for her.

  Kyra removed her shirt, dropping it to the floor at her feet. Dylan’s eyes darkened, his hunger for her move evident now. Fighting back the shyness that once hindered her, she raised her hands to her breasts, cupping them in her small palms. Her nipples hardened like marbles under his watchful gaze. She licked her lips, inciting a feral growl that only heightened her need to further arouse him. Her eyes dropped to the bulge in his pants. She smiled wickedly, biting her lower lip.

  Kyra slid her hands down her taut stomach to her pants, releasing the snap. Seconds later the zipper lowered, the growl of its teeth music to their ears. Hooking her fingers in her waistband, she slowly worked her pants down over her hips, letting them pool at her feet. She’d never felt so sexy. Dylan’s eyes swept over her flesh, taking in every beautiful inch of her, as if this was the first and last time he’d see her this way. Her thighs trembled.

  Dylan stepped forward, releasing the clasp of her bra. His long fingers palmed her soft breasts. She whimpered. His fingers rolled over her distended nipples, giving them a much-needed squeeze. She gasped at the pleasure-pain, falling under its spell. He eased the lacy straps of her bra over her smooth shoulders and down her arms until it, too, fell to the floor beneath her. Standing before Dylan in nothing but a lacy pair of panties, she felt larger than life.

  She felt wanted for the first time in her life.

  She was beautiful in his eyes.

  And for once, she felt, if only for a little while, that Dylan was hers.

  Only hers as long as this lasted.

  They fell onto the bed in a whirlwind of entangled limbs, the passionate heat driving them wild with an intense wanton need for each other they had never felt before.

  In Dylan’s arms, Kyra finally knew what love felt like, knew without a doubt that her life would never be the same again. This trip home, no matter how painful it had been, had opened her eyes to the possibility of more.

  So much more.

  The feel of his hands slipping over her soft skin had her body quivering. Dylan’s mouth crashed down on hers, claiming her, at first soft and slow, then deep and rough, his need evident as his tongue darted deep inside, tangling with hers. He was fucking her mouth in wild abandon. Their chests heaved.

  Breathless.

  Excited.

  “Please, Dylan. I need you,” she groaned, her voice low and husky.

  Small whimpers fell from her kiss-swollen lips as his mouth left a trail of scorching heat and fire in their wake. He forged on, nipping and kissing the soft sensitive flesh of her neck and across her collarbone, moving languidly teasingly. “Oh God,” she moaned, breathlessly. The only response she received was a heady growl that somehow crashed over her like a wave, infiltrating her heart and soul, connecting them.

  His hand slid slowly, teasingly, from her breasts, down her taut stomach, her body trembling uncontrollably as he made her his in his own way. Desire flared between them like a raging inferno.

  Dylan’s fingers slid between her moist folds, finding her sensitive bundle of nerves. Kyra cried out as his fingers circled her clit, driving her to distraction. Sparks ignited behind her lids, the vibrant colors swirling chaotically. When her orgasm overtook her, it was his name that fell from her lips. But he wasn’t finished with her yet.

  Her body shook, quivering beneath him as she moaned softly against his mouth. Dylan swallowed up her passion, her love, taking it into him, filling himself with her love for him. He broke their kiss, locking eyes with Kyra, no words needing to be spoken. They felt each other, saw into each other’s soul. Every answer they had needed lay before them within the other’s eyes.

  “Dylan!” she purred, her voice hoarse and heady.

  “You like that, baby?” Dylan growled, slipping from the bed to remove his clothes.

  “Mmm. I do very much.”

  Dylan reached across the bed to his nightstand, his muscles rippling beneath his skin. The musky scent of Kyra’s arousal flooded his senses. He grabbed a condom from the drawer, ripped the packet open with his teeth. Seconds later, Dylan knelt between Kyra’s legs, his thick cock aching to be inside her. Leaning over her, he brushed his lips over hers in a teasing kiss as the swollen head of his cock pressed against her. She wrapped her arms around him, trailing her fingertips up and down his back, her nails biting into his skin as he penetrated her liquor-coated core. She met him thrust for thrust, writhing beneath him as they made love. Th
e room was filled with the sound of their love.

  An hour later, she laid in Dylan’s arms, her head resting on his chest. They didn’t speak, not at first. She knew in that moment that she truly loved this man with all that she was and would be. But did he love her back in the same way? Was this just sex for him? Or was it more than that?

  Closing her eyes, she let all of her worries go and whispered, “I love you, Dylan.”

  Her heart raced beneath her ribs as she waited for a response. His breathing was shallow. Maybe he was already asleep. Just as she began to think how thankful she was that he hadn’t heard her, his deep sexy voice broke the silence.

  “I love you, too.” Pulling Kyra closer against his chest, he pressed his lips to the top of her head. “Sleep now, darling.”

  The next morning, Kyra awoke to the sound of voices and laughter coming from the kitchen. She tossed back the covers, smiling as her feet came to rest on the plush carpet. Still naked from her passionate night with Dylan, she padded across the bedroom, grabbing her clothes off of the floor. Dressing quickly, she ran down the hall to the bathroom. After using the restroom and showering, she toweled herself dry, wrapped the damp towel around her, and took a look at herself in the mirror. The smile that was reflected there filled her with a joy like no other. The memory of Dylan saying he loved her played on repeat as she stepped away from the counter and opened the door.

  Kyra dressed in a pair of shorts and tank top, leaving her long damp hair loose down her back. Her stomach grumbled at the smell of bacon frying as she headed for the door. As soon as she opened the bedroom door, she stepped smack dab into the warmest sexiest hunk of man-candy in the entire world.

  “Good morning, darling. Were you that eager to see me?” Dylan asked with a low gravelly tone. He eased his thumb and forefinger under her chin, tipping it up. She licked her lips, reveling in his touch, so many naughty thoughts flickering in her head. She wanted him so badly. She just couldn’t seem to get enough of the man. Was that a good thing or a bad thing? She decided it didn’t matter.

  “Maybe. You should have woken me up.”

  “I have plans for the two of us, darling. It’s going to be a very busy day.”

  “Oh?”

  “Yep. Paula is going to hang out with Jake at the office. We are going to spend the entire day together. It’s about time we had some peace and quiet to get to know each other again. Sound good?” he asked as he kissed her softly.

  “I can deal with that. Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.”

  Dylan popped her on the bottom and smiled as she blushed the most beautiful shade of red he’d ever seen. In the kitchen, Kyra poured a cup of coffee and fixed a heaping plate of bacon and eggs. She took a seat next to Paula. The smile on her face told Kyra she had heard them last night, but for once, her friend didn’t utter a single word. Kyra found that odd, but appreciated the silence.

  “Dylan tells me you’re spending the day with Jake.”

  “Right. Don’t get any ideas about it, either. I’m not looking to get involved.”

  Kyra smiled and nodded. She’d caught her friend checking Jake out last night.

  “He’s cute, honey, but too young,” Paula said.

  “Whatever, Paula. You should take your own advice and see where it could lead. I’ve caught you looking him over.”

  “Hush,” Paula laughed. “He is something. What are you two doing?”

  “Not sure. I guess just get to know each other better.” Looking over her shoulder to see where Dylan was, she leaned towards Paula and whispered, “I told him I loved him last night.”

  “And?”

  “He said it back. I never thought in a million years that I’d ever hear those words from Dylan. I had hoped, but the moment he said those words, I felt like everything in my life fell into place perfectly.”

  “Oh, Kyra, that’s great honey.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  An hour later, Dylan and Kyra had dropped Paula off at the office with Jake. She had seemed a little nervous, which Kyra thought was odd, but as odd as it was, she pushed the thought away, preferring to think about spending the day with Dylan, wondering what he might have planned for them. The anticipation of what he might have in-store for her was thrilling. She loved surprises. It was mid-morning by the time they reached the heart of Sizzle and parked in front of the Mean Bean Coffee shop on the downtown square. He parked the truck and killed the engine, reaching for her hand and threading their fingers together.

  “Today is about us,” Dylan said. “The only conversation that is off limits is Ty and the investigation. He’s handling that now. Okay?” He lifted their joined hands to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her hand.

  “Agreed,” Kyra replied. She needed to separate what had happened to her parents from this moment. She loved and missed them both very much. But her parents wouldn’t want her to hold back from living her life and being happy. She’d honor that today and each day forward.

  “Let’s grab a coffee and decide what we want to do today.” Dylan eased out of the truck, hurried around the front and opened the door for Kyra. Their hands joined together as if they couldn’t stand not touching each other. It warmed her heart. They ordered their drinks and headed for a table in the far back corner. It would allow them some privacy from the constant flow of customers in the busy shop.

  “Why did you want to be a cop?” she asked before they took their seats.

  “I wanted to help people. There’s so much bad in the world, I just wanted to do my part in protecting our little town from it I guess.” He shrugged. “It didn’t work out quite like I had imagined.”

  “Maybe it did. Everything happens for a reason, Dylan.”

  “True enough. How did you meet Paula?”

  “When I left town and settled in Houston, I went for an interview at her bookstore. She was so sweet. She gave me a job and we’ve been besties ever since.”

  “I never pegged you for a reader.”

  “I wasn’t. But there’s something about the magic of helping someone find that perfect book. It’s fun meeting the authors, too. I love working there.”

  “When are you planning to go back?”

  “I… don’t know. At first I was eager to get here and then get back home. Now… now I’m not sure I want to leave. Sizzle has always been my home. I’ve missed it.”

  “So you might stay?”

  “If there was a good reason I might consider it.”

  “Good.”

  They sipped at their coffees and talked about the past. Before long, they realized they had been talking for hours about everything from their favorite colors, food, music, movies, and all matter of minute things about themselves. They realized they enjoyed a lot of the same things. Both wanted to travel the world and visit exotic places. Kyra asked about his family. She learned that his sister had married a man from New York and rarely came home to visit.

  “Where should we go next?” Dylan asked. “What did you miss most about Sizzle?”

  “The lake. Do you remember that summer… the one I lost my top?”

  “How could I forget that? It’s burned into my memory.”

  “Really? I was so embarrassed that day. It’s so beautiful there.”

  “How about we grab something for lunch and picnic at the lake?”

  “Sure. I’d like that.”

  They grabbed lunch from a local sandwich shop and drove to the lake on the outskirts of town. Being it was the middle of the day and school had yet to let out, they would be pretty much alone at the lake. Dylan turned off the highway onto an old dirt road. It wasn’t the main entrance to the lake. It led to a more secluded area. Back in the day, kids would have parties out there late into the night. Kyra had spent time there during the day but never at night. She wasn’t allowed. As much as she had wanted to be included, she’d never go against her parents. The closest she came to being a bad girl back then was fantasizing about Dylan and touching herself. Now thing
s were different. She didn’t have to fantasize anymore. She’d finally lived out her fantasy and it was so much better than she had ever thought it could be.

  They pulled into a clearing and parked near the water. Dylan grabbed the bag of food while Kyra grabbed their drinks. Before Dylan closed his door, he reached behind the seat and retrieved a blanket.

  When he noticed the expression on her face that clearly said ‘we’re so not fooling around out here’ he chuckled. “I haven’t been out here in years so I’m not certain that old wooden picnic table is still here or not. The blanket will work if it’s not.”

  “Gotcha. No funny business, though.”

  “Sure thing, darling.” He winked.

  “Stop that.”

  “Stop what?”

  “You know… making we want to take my words back.”

  “Hmm. That’s not a bad idea.” He stalked towards her, his eyes suddenly dark with hunger. Hunger for her. She stepped backward a few steps, licking her suddenly dry lips. Her ability to resist his charms fleeing as she held her eyes locked on his. She trembled, gripping their drinks tighter, and turned on her heel and ran. She darted into the trees, hearing Dylan’s footfalls not far behind her. She could just make out the old picnic table ahead and darted for it. Breaths coming heavy now, she raced around the table, sitting the drinks on the end and facing Dylan. She watched as he sat their lunch and the blanket down, his eyes never leaving hers.

  She was done for.

  He’d catch her and she’d give him whatever he desired.

  There was no doubt in her mind of that fact.

  “You’re mine.” He licked his lips. His eyes moved over her body like a predator. “If you run, I will catch you. When I do, I won’t stop.”

  A chill slithered down her spine, her thighs trembled, and that heavy fluttering in her stomach returned. She didn’t speak. She couldn’t. What the hell would she have said to that? Damn. If he wanted her, he could damn well have her. And just like that, she decided to play along with whatever game this was. She would enjoy it, that was for sure.