I paused running my hands through his hair at his words, a mixture of surprise and a bit of hurt racing through me. So he had dated seriously before me. And they’d obviously taken things further than he and I had. Not that I was bitter or anything. I glanced down when I heard his dry chuckle.
“I don’t even have to look at you to know what’s going through your head,” he said in a dry voice. “It wasn’t what you think.”
I resumed stroking his hair. “And what is it I supposedly think?” I countered. “How do you know what goes on in my head?” I let myself enjoy the soft slide of the strands of his hair through my fingers as I demanded my answers.
What I got was a snort instead.
“Aislinn, baby, if nothing else, I think I’ve proven that I know you pretty damn well.” He sat back with a sigh and pulled me into his lap. He raised a hand and traced my face with his fingers before he wrapped it behind my neck and tugged me closer. My eyes closed as his mouth molded to mine and he kissed me carefully. It was almost as if he were afraid we’d break if he pressed harder.
“I’ve never known anyone the way I know you,” he whispered against my lips.
I opened my eyes and stared into his. They stared back at me, showing me the anxiety and fear he was feeling. I raised a hand and laid it along his jaw and flashed him a small, sad smile. “I love you.”
His smile was equally sad. “I love you too” he replied. “You’re the only one I’ve said that to, you know.” It wasn’t a question; it was a statement of fact.
I still found myself searching his eyes, regardless. The relief I felt at the truth reflected back at me was endless. I wanted to be special, be different, to this man.
“I didn’t love Lauren,” he continued. “It was high school, and she was as wild as I was.” He paused and shook his head. “I had no idea she was pregnant. I’d never have walked away from my kid, baby.” His voice sounded almost pleading.
I nodded. “I know. I couldn’t make myself think anything else.” I leaned forward until my forehead rested against his. “Do you even know if the baby is yours?” I frowned as another thought occurred to me. “And if it is, why did she wait so long?”
He sighed and stroked my hair, gently tugging on the strands.
“Those are all good questions,” he murmured. “Questions I plan on getting the answers to. But for right now,” he said as he pulled me in tight, “right now I really need to just have you close. Okay?”
I nodded against his chest and smiled as he maneuvered me around until we were in his favorite cuddle position, me curled in his lap with my head nestled under his chin. For a man who had been such a big time player, he was a complete snuggle whore. That was all right, though. I wasn’t any better.
***
“Zver, let it go,” I ordered as I tried to wrestle the piece of driftwood from the large dog. “I swear to God…” The stick was beginning to get slimy under my hand, and he showed no sign of letting it go anytime soon. “Fine. You know what? We’re done here.”
I let the stick go, which caused Zver to stumble back a couple of steps. He sat down on the sandy strip of beach and looked at me in doggy confusion. He tilted his head, ears perked, stick hanging out of his mouth. It would have been funny if I weren’t so upset.
With a sigh, I sat down on the steps of the wooden walkway leading to the beach proper and looked around. Teagan had insisted we keep our plans to take Zver to the coast. He said it would take our minds off of things. Which was great and all, but we had been here almost an hour and he hadn’t left the truck yet. He’d been on the phone pretty much since we decided we were still going. I desperately wanted to call Penny, but I hadn’t had a chance yet. I’d have to do it later, because right now Teagan needed me.
I tossed a glance over my shoulder at the vehicle in the parking lot and frowned. I fought the surge of irritation and tried instead for understanding and acceptance. He was going through a lot right now, and he had a lot of planning to do before his court date in a couple of weeks. But still, hadn’t he been the one to suggest we come out to forget about it for a bit?
Zver, sensing my mood, sidled up beside me and sat on his haunches. With a whine to indicate he knew one of his humans was unhappy, he leaned against me and laid his massive head in my lap. Familiar affection for the loveable giant bubbled up and I rubbed a hand through the thick ruff at his neck. Thus, we passed the afternoon, one massive canine and one upset female, comforting each other.
The sky was starting to darken when I heard footsteps behind me. Given that my mountain of a bodyguard only thumped a tail lazily, it was probably Teagan. My suspicions were confirmed when a large, warm male body sat down behind me and wrapped around me. The annoyance began to melt away as his scent surrounded me. I barely noticed Zver get up to investigate something in the sand.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered, nuzzling my neck. “I was on the phone with my dad.”
I shrugged.
“I know you’re probably wondering why I wanted to come out here,” he said. At my derisive sound, he squeezed me tight then gave me a quick tickle in the sides. “Behave,” he warned.
I rolled my eyes at him. It was time to play. It had been too serious all day.
“Aislinn, what are you up to?”
“Nothing.”
“I wonder why I don’t believe you,” he mused aloud. I suddenly felt his arms and legs cage me in. “Probably because I know you.” And with that declaration, he attacked.
I shrieked and laughed as I writhed and tried to wriggle away. Teagan was a Tickle Master, and once he started, there was no escaping. It definitely didn’t stop me from trying, though. But he skillfully dodged knees and elbows to dive into the most sensitive spots. It wasn’t long before I fell limp, helpless from laughter.
Zver was no help either. The mangy mound of fur bounded over at the first scream and joined in on the fun. There I was, helpless and vulnerable, and he was licking me. One swipe landed in my mouth. He and I would discuss his turncoat tendencies over his lack of treats later. In the meantime, I just glared at him, but he wagged his tail, unfazed.
I looked back up at Teagan, and he gazed down at me with soft look in his eyes. That look always got me, always made my breath catch. It was the look of someone who thought they were the luckiest person in the world. I would know. I often saw it reflected back in the mirror.
I knew I had a decision to make. It was a choice that would shape both me and us and was scary. Did I stay and take on the responsibilities Teagan’s life had just produced? Or did I turn now and create a different path? One that allowed me to shape everything myself.
I smiled and gave myself a mental shake. There was never an easier choice to be made. I couldn’t leave. This man was more than my present. He held everything that was my future as well.
Chapter Five
I groaned as I woke up, my head pounding and eyes dry and scratchy. Disoriented, I blinked in the near dark. The clock on the table beside me showed there were still several hours before morning. I sighed as I worked a hand out from under the covers and rubbed my forehead.
“What’s wrong, baby?” was whispered into my neck, and muscled arms pulled me tighter. I smiled as Teagan nuzzled his face into the crook of my neck. He pressed a soft kiss against it that brought me more fully awake.
I rolled over and looked at him. Even in the dim light I could tell by the alertness in his eyes he hadn’t been to sleep yet. That wasn’t a good sign.
“That’s a question I should be asking you,” I murmured. “Have you gotten any sleep tonight?”
A quick shake of his head was his reply. I reached out and laid a hand to his jaw, feeling the rough stubble against my hand. “You need to, baby. You have a big game coming up.”
“I know,” he said with a sigh. “Practice has been brutal lately. But there’s been a lot on my mind.”
I could only imagine. It had been just over a week since the bombshell of his newfound fatherhood had dropped on us.
Teagan was going about his business as usual, but it was obvious his mind was a million miles away. In the past few days I’d had to bring him books he’d left on his desk, his lacrosse gear, and one day he’d walked out and left all of his senior project notes behind.
I’d also taken over the walking and feeding of Zver since it was obvious Teagan just wasn’t with it enough to remember the dog’s schedule. The new duties and unexpected errands were done without complaint. It wasn’t like he’d done any of it on purpose. It didn’t change the fact that I was worried about him.
I traced my fingers along his jawline until I reached his lips. A smile formed when he kissed their tips. “I’m here if you need to talk, you know,” I told him.
His arms pulled me closer. “I know you are, baby. I just don’t even have things straight enough in my head to talk about it yet.” He paused and studied me for a moment. “What about you? How are you doing with all of this?”
I dropped my gaze to his chest as I debated my words carefully. I wanted to be honest with him, but I also didn’t want to add to his stress. I took a deep breath and held it for a moment before I exhaled and started.
“I’m a little overwhelmed, to tell the truth. It’s a lot to take in, you having a kid and all. But at the same time,” I brought my gaze back to his, “I love you so much that it doesn’t matter to me. I’ll stand by you.”
He was silent as he searched my face for a moment. His eyes saddened before he asked me quietly, “Is it too much, Aislinn? I know how it is for me, so I’ll understand if it is.”
“No,” I whispered, my tone firm. “I just need to adjust, that’s all. It’ll be hard, watching you go through this…but I’m not going anywhere, as I promised.”
He breathed a sigh of relief and reached out to smooth my hair. I’d figured out early on that this gesture was not just a sign of his affection, it was also a self-soothing gesture and it worked for both of us. Once completed to his satisfaction, he slipped his hand behind my neck. I watched in fascination as his eyes changed color in the dim light of the room. The gleam I could now see clearly caused my heart to start pounding in my chest, and a responding warmth rushed through my body.
He leaned into me, and my eyes closed and I soon felt his hot breath across my lips. I couldn’t contain the gasp as his tongue ghosted over them before his mouth was suddenly on mine. He moved his lips hungrily over me, his tongue driving deep to explore along mine. I could taste the desperation in his kiss, the need for reassurance, and I wrapped my arms around him tightly. My headache disappeared, replaced with an answering need for the same reassurance and desperation.
With a groan, he rolled so I was on my back while he hovered over me. His leg slipped between mine, and his hand traveled down from my neck, along my side until it reached the hem of my sleep shirt. He broke the kiss suddenly, causing my eyes to open and look at him in confusion.
“Aislinn?” he questioned softly as his fingers played with the fabric. I knew what he was asking and nodded without hesitation. His hand shook slightly as he pulled the shirt up and over my head. As he tossed it over the side of the bed, I couldn’t help but bring an arm up to cover myself. I shivered as the coolness of the night air hit my warmed skin. I turned my head to the side, suddenly shy and embarrassed. I had nothing covering me from the waist up and I felt vulnerable without it. I startled as warm fingers trailed along my cheek to cup my face before gently turning me to him again. My breath caught at the heat and tenderness in his eyes.
He leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss to my lips. Lifting his head, he gave me a gentle smile that had me relaxing slowly. He trailed his fingers along my shoulder, down the arm that crossed over my chest until he reached my hand. Taking it in his, he lifted it to his mouth, his eyes on mine. He brushed a kiss across the back of my fingers.
“Don’t hide,” he whispered to me in the dark. “You’re beautiful, Aislinn.”
I took a shuddering breath and allowed him to move my arm away, baring me completely to his gaze. I held my breath as his eyes flicked and focused on what no one else but a doctor had ever seen. He gazed at me for a long moment before he started to lower his head.
Our eyes met as he placed a warm, open-mouthed kiss upon the valley between my breasts. A shiver worked through me when his tongue flicked out and tasted me. I gasped at the sensation as my skin broke out in goosebumps. He kept his eyes locked on mine and continued to trace designs in an area I’d had no idea was so sensitive.
Lifting his head, he shifted and moved his hand along my side while he studied my face intently. I froze as his fingers made their way to the side of my breast. He paused in his movements as he tilted his head down and gave me a heated kiss.
I moaned into his mouth when his rough palm cupped the weight of my breast in his hand. As his thumb slowly swept over the tip, causing it to pebble in response, I found myself clutching him tightly. I moaned louder when he took my nipple between his thumb and forefinger and gently twisted it between them.
The sensation sent a shock of awareness from the spot he was working with his fingers to the deepest recesses between my legs. I barely had a chance to process the feelings he was generating when he ripped his mouth from mine and started kissing his way down my neck and along my collarbone, leaving no doubt as to his destination.
My breath caught in my throat as his mouth made its way to the swell of my breast. Fascinated, I watched while he traced a pattern on the smooth skin with his tongue. His fingers on my breast were suddenly replaced, and I gasped at the shock of feeling the wet heat of his mouth closing over that hardened peak. My hands flew up to clutch in his hair. It was like nothing I had ever felt before and I let myself sink into it.
Teagan groaned as he flicked his tongue over my beaded nipple. His lips closed tightly around it and he began to suckle strongly on it, causing the sparks to shoot along my body in force. Just when I thought I couldn’t take much more, he switched to the other breast, giving it the same attention.
I moved against him, restless, and felt a hardness pressing against my thigh. A thrill raced through me at the knowledge that he was as affected as I was. His hips pushed firmly against me, and I felt his full length, hard and thick, and I moaned. He raised his head to look at me, his face taut and eyes glittering with passion.
Licking his lips, he took my mouth again. I ran my hands down to his shoulders and over his back, reveling in the feel of the bunch and release of strong muscles as he shifted slightly. He’d gone to bed without a shirt and I had unhindered access to him. His hand moved from my breast to trace lightly over my stomach and abdomen. He pulled back from the kiss, breathing heavily, and studied me closely.
I felt his fingers run along the edge of my panties across to one hipbone and back to the other. I sucked in a deep breath and glanced down to see where he was currently playing before returning my gaze to his. I could see the silent question in his eyes as his finger trailed a path of fire from my hips to the crease along my inner thigh. Wordless, I raised and twisted my hips in silent assent to his unspoken request.
Without hesitation he slipped a finger under the elastic that had hidden me from him. My breath left me in a loud rush as he traced the outer edges of my sex before slipping between the tender folds. I blushed, heat spreading, as he felt how damp I was.
A guttural groan escaped him as he kept his eyes locked on my face. “Fuck, Aislinn! God, baby…you’re already so wet for me.” Before I could react to his words, he claimed my lips again, kissing me hungrily. My head was spinning and everything was sensation, the feel of his mouth on mine and what that one wicked finger was doing to me.
He stroked along my damp cleft, gathering the wetness before he reached the apex and that small bundle of nerves that resided there. The feel of the pad of his finger touching me there ripped a loud gasp from me as my body reacted in surprise. “Teagan!”
Ghosting his lips across my jaw to my lips, he murmured soothingly against them and slowly started circling that
nub of sensitive nerves. Clutching his biceps in a tight grip, my back arched as I parted my legs, searching for…more.
The quiet of the night was only broken by our harsh breathing and soft gasps. Teagan rested his forehead against mine as he worked my delicate area. I felt him twist his hand and his thumb replaced his fingers. Before I could comprehend what he was doing, I felt a single digit slowly begin to enter me. The dual sensations had a tightness building in my abdomen that was both thrilling and frightening at the same time.
“Teagan! I…I…” I was at a loss, swept up in an overwhelming tide of feelings and passion.
Moving his head, he whispered, “I’ve got you, baby. Let it go.”
Almost as if his words were the key, everything suddenly burst over me and the intense sensation of release exploded over my body. I shuddered into it, my body spasming around the finger he used to work me through the orgasm he’d brought me to. His groans fueled the pleasure that swept through me.
I came back to the world finally and focused on Teagan. I found I was clutching him to me and loosened my hold. I blushed when I realized he was studying me closely. “What?” I asked him, feeling shy and vulnerable now that the passion and desire were settling.
“That was probably the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, you coming apart like that.” He nipped the lobe of my ear and continued, “I can’t wait to see it again.”
I could feel my face flush scarlet and turned to bury it into his chest. With a chuckle, he wrapped his arms around me and held me close. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” I mumbled into his chest. His fingers tangled into my hair and tugged my head away to look into my eyes. I found I couldn’t meet his gaze, as everything felt so bare, so exposed.
He searched my face before flashing a tender smile. “That’s just a taste of what it’s going to be like between us, Aislinn. It’s going to be amazing.” He placed a soft kiss on my lips before rubbing his nose against mine. “But right now, it’s late and we have an early morning. Let’s get some sleep, beautiful.”
Decisive Moments (In Time Series Book 2) Page 5