And the truth shall set you free.
Running a cloth under the hot water, she scrubbed away at her face and surveyed the fresh faced look she hadn’t affected in years. Then she headed back to where her case sat and rummaged for a comb and a toothbrush, knowing exactly where this was going. She told herself they were fated, she and Reece, and if it didn’t work out for any reason, she wouldn’t regret giving it a try.
Cleaned up, hair combed into submission, and her mouth feeling less the bitter cavern of earlier, she ran her hands over her clothing. She was going to Reece’s bedroom, fact. If she went fully dressed what might he assume? If she put that silky piece of a nightgown on and knocked on his door there would be no room left for assumption. So, the nightgown it was. Without giving herself time to think any further, she undressed quickly, leaving the clothing in a pile on the floor and drew the nightie over her head. The slide of the fabric made her shiver, but her nipples pebbled in anticipation of Reece’s reaction to her choice of apparel.
With a deep, cleansing breath, she crossed to the door and opened it, stepping out into the dimly lit living area before choosing between the two closed doors—the exit or the one standing between her and the only man she’d ever loved. Apparel aside, there was really only one choice to make. Stopping in front of Reece’s door, she raised her hand to knock. He was a cop after all, and walking into a police officer’s bedroom might be met with something far different than she hoped for. And there was that word again. Hope.
****
He’d heard the faint click of the door handle, followed by the creak of the wooden panels as they swung on their hinges. Reece was lying on his bed, having adjusted his game plan. Candace had been blindsided and overwhelmed by the onslaught of information tonight, and while he’d been desperate to comfort her, he knew she needed some alone time. As did he. That didn’t mean he was letting her go. Not ever, if he had anything to say—or do—about it. All his anger toward her had melted away, although he couldn’t say the same thing about how he felt about her father. Reece had held his end up and believed in another man’s word of honor. Candace had done nothing other than be that man’s child.
The soft pad of bare feet slowed and stopped in front of his door. His body relaxed, and he was relieved he didn’t have to chase her down, although tanning her sweet ass would truly be no hardship. His cock stirred at the thought. He’d been with other women since Candace, reacting when he thought she’d cut him out of her life, and, always a dominant lover even as a younger man, he’d sharpened his skills. What he’d learned about her had considerable appeal, and he looked forward to exploring their interests together. Because he wasn’t letting her go.
Vaulting up, he was at the door and yanking it open, just as Candace brought the knuckles of her hand down. He caught that little bunched appendage in his own, far larger, hand, and redirected it to his mouth, pressing a kiss on her wrist. He felt her pulse kick into a higher gear, and their eyes locked. As in her flat shoes, Candace barely came up to his shoulder, but any sense she wasn’t his match was debunked by the flowing curves of her body, the little scrap of material she wore clinging and accentuating every one. And the scent of her…
“Darlin’?” He relished the faint shiver that ran through her as he drew her close.
“I don’t want to talk. I want…”
He should make her say it, spell out what she wanted, but he couldn’t be that much of a bastard. Dipping his head, he met her raised lips and lost his head.
She tasted fresh and clean, and he worked one hand through her hair to hold her steady for his kiss. When they both had to breathe, he scooped her up and carried her to the bed, depositing her near the center, then stood back to imprint the view on his cortex. Candy belonged there, in his bed, in his life, all the intervening years be damned. Her hair was a golden flame over the dark pillow cases, and her pale limbs shone. Only her nightgown no longer fit the picture, and he knelt on the mattress to slip the narrow straps down and push the fabric to her waist.
Full, round globes were revealed, the rosy pink of her nipples a perfect target for both his fingers and mouth, and as he took one between his lips, cupping the other breast, Candace moaned. Her hands crept up to sift through his hair, fingernails lightly scratching his scalp, and spurred him on. Suckling her, tweaking the opposite nipple, he elongated each one and then gently bit down, enjoying the way she arched into his touch and moaned louder.
“You taste like I remember, darlin’. Your skin smells the same.”
“You remember?” Mouth still swollen from their kiss, she peered up at him with desire-hazed eyes.
“I never forgot, Candace. Even when I never thought to touch you again.”
“I’m heavier … bigger,” she nearly whispered.
“You’re a woman. My woman.” He knew his possessive assertion might be jumping the gun, but he wasn’t backing away again.
Drifting her fingertips down his cheek, she then followed the length of his neck and across one pectoral, before resting the palm of her hand against his heart. “I want to be. Despite everything.”
“Nothing else matters.”
“I’m not the same person—”
“She’s in there, darlin’. We’ve both had some experiences that we’ll no doubt bring to the table, but we’re still us.” He gave her a knowing look. “And I can’t say as I object to some of the changes you’re referencing.”
The light from the small bedside lamp reflected the sudden glow of Candace’s face as she blushed furiously. Her mouth pursed mutinously. “You have me at a disadvantage, Reece. I don’t know what you got up to while away.”
“And I’ll share with you,” he promised. “As much as you care to know. We have a lot of talking ahead, but there’s something more pressing at hand.”
He could scent her arousal, and his cock was a hard, aching bar of need behind his boxers. As she lifted a thigh to press it against him, he knew she understood, and tugged her nightgown over her lower body. Candace obligingly lifted up, and he freed the garment over first one foot then the other, tossing it aside. She wouldn’t require any clothing in his bed ever again.
The sight of her shapely hips and rounded belly leading to the pussy he’d plundered back in high school made him twitch, and he reached for control. Their much younger fumbling in hard-to-find-private places had limited the times they had together and inhibited their loving. Now they had all night and no one to fear interrupting.
Stripping off his underwear, he drew a condom from the nightstand, to sheathe himself with stiff fingers, fearing he wouldn’t have the time or inclination to stop himself later. They’d both get tested and figure out birth control that suited them, but for now he’d eschew skin to skin contact, savor it at a later date. Candace watched him with a sensuous set to her lips, her hands now idly stroking her breasts and teasing at her nipples.
“If you’re clean, Reece, there’s no need. I haven’t done anything without a condom. And I’m protected against pregnancy.”
God. His fantasy come true. He stripped off the latex and turned back without another thought, and was upon her. Parting her full thighs with both hands, he lowered his head to press a kiss on the soft, tender skin on the inside. This was going to be over before it started, so long had he thought about it and waited. Using his tongue and lips, holding her labia apart with fingertips, he tasted her fully, the sweet and tart evidence of her arousal driving him wild. Finding the poking, hard bud of her clit, he sucked at it voraciously, vowing to take that rest of the night exploring in greater detail but for now…
Candace went over, calling out his name, and he scrambled up and over her shaking body, planting both hands by her shoulders to support his weight. His cock, no longer blinded by latex, slipped through her wet folds and fit against the entrance to her sheath.
“Tell me you’re ready,” he gritted. He knew she was soaking, had lapped up the proof, but he needed to hear her ask for him.
“Please. Reec
e, I want you inside of me.” She panted and drew her thighs further apart and upward, setting her feet flat on the mattress.
He drove inside, one hard, full thrust until his pelvis met hers. The silken, pulsing heat brought tears to his eyes as his heart swelled in concert, and he closed against them, dropping his head to her shoulder.
“Reece? Baby?” The oh-so-familiar endearment made him lift his head. “Are you okay?”
“You held me at arm’s length, darlin’. I wondered if I’d ever be this close to you again.”
The sweet, feminine smile curving her mouth was answer—and apology—enough, but she spoke in a husky voice. “I’m so sorry. For everything. I missed you so much.”
Resting his forehead against hers he worked his hips, the clasp and glide of her channel sorely testing his resolve. Somehow their hands found one another and clasped, intertwined, and he held them down beside her head. From the look in her eyes, Candace responded to the implied restraint, as even greater desire clouded the amazing blue to the dark of the early night sky. More urgently, feeling her wrap her legs around his waist, feet pressing against his buttocks, he changed the angle of penetration, searching out a sweet spot, and she whimpered. Grinding against him, hips somehow swiveling beneath his weight, her pussy fluttered in release, then clamped down to nearly strangle the cum from his cock. Taken by surprise, he poured his essence into her, and the roaring in his ears vied with the groan of completion bursting from his throat.
Collapsing, he tried to arch his back and save her from all his weight, but she held him tightly with her strong legs, residual tiny clenches deep inside of her caressing his cock. Releasing her hands, he slipped free on a rush of their combined fluids and lay beside her, tucking her against his side.
“Okay?”
“Mmmm. Nothing coherent to share.”
With a laugh he hadn’t dreamed to ever share with her again, he nuzzled her temple, and she sighed with contentment, snuggling in closer. “Still love you, Candace. Never stopped.”
She didn’t tense or shy away. Peering up at him, she smiled sweetly. “I’ve always loved you, Reece Murdoch. And no one else. Although I’m thinking you’ve improved some on your technique.”
Loving that she could tease him, Reece patted her ass in mock warning. “Told you we’d share later.”
“’Kay.”
As they lay in the quiet of the old house settling around them, he refused to think of anything but the present. Candace shifted and pushed away a little.
“Bathroom.”
He let her go, absorbed by the vision of femininity slipping across the bed to patter toward the bathroom. He’d only scratched the surface of her physical appeal, and the emotional side of her guaranteed a non boring life. He couldn’t wait. His cock agreed, filling and hardening against his abdomen.
****
Candy cleaned up and checked her look in the mirror, totally satisfied with her reflection. She looked well fucked, but also, well loved. There was a definite difference, and she’d never thought to see it again. Their trysts of old had been sweet and wonderful, but now that both were grown there was so much more between them. Their bodies worked well together, and she was going to work harder than she’d ever worked to develop a full relationship with Reece. He was committed, too. She believed it.
As she sauntered back into the bedroom, the way he lay, stretched out full length, long, hard cock reaching to her, caused yet another rush of moisture between her legs. Two orgasms already and she craved more. More of Reece.
Never taking his eyes from hers, he swung his long legs over and sat on the side of the bed, muscled arms swinging back to rest his weight on his hands. She advanced, impossibly drawn.
“On your knees, Candace.”
Wow. A re-enactment of earlier when he’d pushed her too soon, her daddy’s behavior between them and not resolved. Reece’s demand had spoken to her then—in a thigh tightening, belly clenching kind of way—but she felt quite different now. A blaze of desire flowed over her body, cumulating in her sex and making her breasts heavy, the nipples puckering. She dropped onto the little rug by the bed and rested demurely on her heels, fully aware of the picture she was presenting him.
Rewarded by the way his cock beaded pre-cum, the wide head glistening in the muted light, she allowed herself an innocent smile. “Like this?”
“Exactly like that, little miss,” he growled, and her arousal spiked higher with her feminine power.
Leaning forward, his big hands fit around her skull, fingers working through the strands of hair, with both thumbs resting on her cheekbones. She met him look for look, until something within her surrendered and she lowered her eyes with a sigh of relief. Reece would take care of her.
“Open.” There was no mistaking the satisfaction in his tone.
Obediently opening her mouth, she let his hands guide her, pulling her head gently forward until the tip of his cock fit against her lips. She had to stretch wider until he slipped inside, salty and hot. She could taste herself on him, and the thought of them fucking earlier stirred her up, making her close tightly around him and skim her tongue against the notched sweet spot.
“Fuck.” His hands tightened, and he held her immobile. His cock pulsed against her palate, and she sucked lightly to taste, then used her tongue again. Unable to do more, aware not to use her hands, she held him in her mouth as he stroked her face with his eyes. “You’re beautiful, darlin’.”
And then, with no warning, he took over the pace, using her mouth without mercy. Loving his mastery, certain he’d never hurt her, she closed her eyes and took him, breathing through her nose to counteract the depth to which he impaled her throat. This felt so primal, so claiming, but more so, he was hers and she was never giving him back. She was so wet with pleasuring him her thighs were coated, and her clit throbbed. Just a little pressure…
“Touch yourself. Get off.”
Her eyes popped open to lock with his, and her hand flew to her apex at his command. She rubbed her aching clit, spurts of pre-cum warning of his pending release. The sweet agony of climax made her press hard around her fingers to extend the experience as Reece shuddered and came on a distinct shout. She swallowed and milked the head of his cock, giving it a farewell lick as he hissed and withdrew.
“Fuck me, Candace. Bliss.” He touched her cheekbones tenderly. “You okay?”
“Uh-huh. You?”
“Seeing as you emptied my balls, little miss, I’d say so.” Tugging her hand from her sex, he lapped at her fingers, and smiled in obvious contentment.
Accepting his support, she rose from her knees and pushed her hair back, enjoying the way he blatantly approved of her body. He slid back onto his side of the bed—she was already assigning sides, to her secret satisfaction—and she clambered in beside him. She never stayed over with the men she played with, but this was hardly play. Oh, there were some components of that, many of which they’d build on, but she was going to share a bed tonight with Reece. And as many nights as she could manage from here on in.
They’d have some things to face tomorrow and probably in the next several days, but nothing she didn’t believe they couldn’t surmount. There were other places to live besides Barrister, and this time she didn’t think about running away. Nope, she and Reece would be walking, together.
Epilogue
“You and the Sheriff?” Sinclair didn’t sound as surprised as Candace thought she should. She stirred her coffee and regarded the other woman. Sinclair resembled the proverbial cat and a whole pail of cream.
“That’s right.”
“Well, maybe it’s because I’m so darn happy, I want it for people around me, especially somebody who means as much as you do, Candy. And you mentioned him a lot over the past months.”
Had she? She supposed she’d complained about Reece and how he took to his role as Sheriff and didn’t accord her the respect her family name should inspire. What a spoiled twit she’d acted, using anything to keep him at bay.
She didn’t doubt he’d paddle her ass if she acted in such a fashion ever again, and the thought was intriguing. She and Reece were going to explore all those sexual things floating between them, unspoken, yet very tangible.
“I guess I did.” Filling her friend in on what had transpired those years ago elicited a very different reaction.
“He didn’t! I mean, your daddy was always … indifferent, I guess. Who would think he would want to stand in your way with Reece? I don’t get it.”
“Social standing, girlfriend.” Candy couldn’t stand to think about it. “And he was keeping me at arms’ length because I resemble my mom, punishing me to assuage his grief. Some daddy. I’ve had enough of revelations to last me a lifetime.”
“Lord. So that means now—”
“I don’t give a rip about what my father thinks, wants or otherwise. Reece left to protect me and his family, to prove worthy of me. He kept his promise to Daddy. And when it was obvious I wasn’t getting over him, my father decided to continue to interfere. He didn’t hold his end up, that if I was still head over heels, and Reece had measured up to his standards, the jerk, he would back off.”
“Oh, honey. We both got screwed over when it came to the parenting stakes. But look at the end game. Winners.” Sinclair’s voice took on a sultry tone, and her cheeks flushed pink. Definitely cat and cream.
Candy could feel an answering heat in her own face, and as her eyes met her friends, they both burst out laughing. “TMI,” she finally gasped out.
Fated Page 5