AMAZING HEART (Broken Bottles Series Book 4)

by Pamela Taeuffer

  "Just lying here makes me dizzy. Your chest knocks me for a loop." I stretched and brought my leg over his belly and accidentally brushed his stiff penis. "Sorry." From the way his body flinched, I wondered if I'd hurt him. His laugh soon answered my question. My senses were waking up in ways I had never experienced.

  "Oh, Nicky, don't ever apologize for touching me . . . anywhere." He rubbed my back.

  We stayed in our heaven a little longer, our chests rising and falling, our hands loving and silently talking as they played. When he rolled on top of me, his legs surrounded my hips and his arms held me inside them. I wiggled, but it was impossible to move. I was "forced" to stare at his deliciously crooked smile.

  I know I won't make it out of here alive . . . I wonder if my blood pressure has gone down at all. I don't see how.

  "Ryan, I can't move." I squirmed beneath him. "You better get the machine so I can . . ."

  I felt vulnerable in every way. My sister told me that was a good thing. I wasn't comfortable with the notion, yet.

  "Uh-huh, I know." His body seemed to move everywhere. "You always have control over me. For once it feels good to have it over you."

  The contented look in his eyes made me feel as if we were in the middle of cotton clouds, fluffed and prepared for our bodies. I quivered at the tenderness of his kiss. His lips were soft and slow as they caressed my cheek.

  "Having you in my arms, looking at your innocent face . . ." He took a deep breath. "I'm having trouble holding back my feelings."

  "I can't imagine how you'd say that. I must look like hell."

  "No, Nicky. You don't understand. Who you are shines through everything. With or without makeup, sleepy or not, at your best or under the weather, having you as my woman . . . you're basic. You ground me. It's an amazing feeling."

  "Basic?" My nose wrinkled. "You mean simple?"

  "No, not simple,” he exhaled softly. " I mean the way you put yourself out there so honestly. People say things they think appeal to an athlete's ego, but not you. Scared as hell, you force yourself to continue forward with your dreams."

  "An athlete's ego? To your ego, you mean," I corrected.

  "I love the way we are with each other," he said with an amused look. "Don’t you think it’s because of our conversations last year in Yountville?"

  I nodded, locked in his love, every part of him saturating and tantalizing me. With edgy, sensual movements, his mouth found my face, my lips and my cheeks as if wanting each dimple and crevice familiar to his senses.

  I couldn't help it—I moaned. Something wild within me was scratching to get out.

  "What was that?" A devastating smile flashed before I could answer. Ryan put his entire mouth on mine while squeezing my hips, stomach, and thighs with his legs. "Stay the night with me?" His words sizzled within the breathless question. "Please stay." I hadn't the chance to answer when he repeated, "Nicky, will you stay with me?" He kissed my ears with a light touch. The delicate glance of his skin on my skin made a deep aching pulse between my legs. "Baby?" he asked coyly.

  "Ryan . . ."

  While his body lay on top of mine, my throat seemed to close. Long, thick fingers stroked my inner cravings. My muscles tightened. I needed air, but not because of his weight. The excitement of his body stole my breath.

  "I think, uh, my mom . . . I think she, she might be worried."

  "I'll call her and tell her the team doctor examined you and wants you to stay here. If she's okay with it, will you spend another day with me?"

  How could I fight his mischievous smile? I had to fight it. Needed to. My individuality had to remain strong. On the other hand weren't those beliefs—the ones that warned of losing love, friends, support—over now? The man to whom I was giving myself was a succulent sex-devil hiding behind an angel's face—and oh how I wanted to see more of his horns!

  "Okay. I'll spend the night. Our home number is—"

  "I know what it is. It's in my phone listed under both you and your mom. Truthfully? I've had it memorized since last year." He kissed my cheek again and lifted the receiver off its base to call my house.

  That's right. Since last year . . . wow . . . last year!

  Still lying on me, his body was an ocean of life and seemed to suggest deeper places to explore. Encouraging me to swim in primal waters, all I wanted was to drift away with him.

  My mother answered Ryan's call. I could hear her asking questions. Among his answers: I was resting, given a thorough exam, and prescribed medication for my headache and elevated blood pressure. While giving me his evil eye, he tattled to Mom that Dr. Welluck had analyzed what had happened was because of stress and poor nutrition.

  "Her blood pressure was elevated when she got here. It was going down when she went to bed," he reported. "She just woke up. No. I haven't yet but I will as soon as we hang up."

  I heard her ask him to bring me home.

  "I would, Mrs. Young, but the doctor gave orders for her to stay here a few days," he responded with a sinister smile. "Right. The doctor ordered her to stay put and relax."

  The snicker of my Evil Twin caught my attention. Great time to tease that man on top of you don't ya think, Nick? I gave in. My new mission was to knock him off his game. I tried silly faces. It didn't faze him. Something more delicious, my Evil Twin hissed. Come on, you can do it. I kissed the entire length of his forearm. He jerked a little. His eyes couldn't lie. They told me he enjoyed it. Still, he wouldn't flinch. Raise your head and lick his thick neck.

  "Oh, that little heart that beats in there," I whispered, keeping my voice low so my mother wouldn’t hear. Wherever I saw a little heartbeat in his neck, I moaned to tease him and make him suffer. "Mmm, Ryan, my sweet baby. Ooooohhhh, my big man." I moved my hips just slightly, still pinned underneath his body. He turned his head away so my lips couldn't reach his . . . but his earlobe hung close. I wanted to take a taste and I flicked it with my tongue. "Mmm . . ." I kept Mom at the forefront of my mind, her hyper-vigilance on the other end of the phone.

  "Hang on a minute, Mrs. Young." He put his phone on mute. "Nicky," his eyes were hooded. "You need to stop teasing me or when I end this call I'll have to take care of you."

  "You're already taking care of me," I flirted mercilessly.

  "Keep playing and you will find out what I mean." The sound that rumbled in his throat was like a warning. He held my head down to keep my tongue and lips under his control, letting him talk without distraction.

  That's what you get for all those sexy laughs, Ryan Tilton—pay back. When he was satisfied I was "captured," my body pinned below him, he took the phone off mute and told my mother he'd make sure I had everything I needed.

  "Two thirty over one twenty," he replied to Mom's question. "Yes." Seconds passed. "Yes." More of Mom. "I know that's high. As I said, Dr. Welluck gave her medicine and last night it was down to one forty over ninety-five." She asked another question. "Not yet." Pause. "I will. I'm going out to get her breakfast in a minute. I promise I'll get a reading and call you if there is any reason for concern. Do you want to talk to her?"

  I was amused he didn't tell her he was next to me—actually, on top of me—and wondered what she would have thought if he'd have said something like, I have your daughter pinned underneath my naked body, do you want to talk with her?

  "Dr. Welluck gave her the okay to sleep." He was all business with Mom. "I made sure she was with—" Interruption. "Yes, Manny's an EMT. He made sure she stayed awake."

  Why doesn't Mom ask him to hand me his phone? She knows we've slept in the same bed before. What is she afraid of hearing?

  I wanted to grab the phone and talk with her, but then reconsidered. She was worried, after all. Hearing from me might have been too much reality for her, perhaps jolting her back to any number of my father's close calls. Although it was an opportune time to make Mom understand my transitioning life, I played nice, like the good girl I was.

  I was . . .

  I was.

  "Come ov
er any time, Mrs. Young. I'll leave your name with the front desk." Mom seemed to take his word for everything. Ryan asked her once again if she wanted to talk with me. When she declined, he gave her his address, landline and cell numbers. I knew he'd reassured her that he had me under control.

  Being in control was important to her—control, calm, and unemotional was how she preferred to move through life. I'd witnessed Ryan's keen ability in keeping the people around him comfortable and relaxed multiple times. That morning, he not only made me feel secure, he also comforted Mom—a woman who wasn't often at ease.

  After he put the phone down, both of his arms framed my face. His kind expression made me smile as he looked into my eyes.

  "Everything's okay with your mom. But you," his hand caressed the side of my head. "You need to pay dearly for what you just did." The way he squeezed me with his legs and arms—he held my body however he wanted. I hadn't expected his dominance to both excite and frighten me. "You shouldn't tease me like that. You really don't understand the fire you've just lit inside of me." He kissed my lips lightly. "Feeling your mouth on my body and hearing your moans . . . I'd love to be inside you right now."

  "But . . ." I warned, "you have to behave yourself. I'll call Dr. Welluck and tell him you're making my blood pressure zoom."

  "Uh . . . no." The vibration of his voice on my body made me tingle. "What he said was that I'd be the one to call him if you weren't behaving. I guess I have a Get Out of Jail Free Card."

  "You just promised my mom," I closed my eyes, imagining those sex-devil horns had sprouted. I giggled at my vision. "If you try anything, I might have a stroke. It'll be your fault I'm in the hospital and my sister will take you down for sure."

  "I can't be a good boy if you're going to moan like that.” He looked in my eyes and I forced myself to stay strong. “Oh, what I could do to you." His constant stare made my body moisten. "I'd better get up, because if I don't . . ."

  "Then what?" I provoked him.

  "Uh-huh." He kissed me again and got out of bed. His naked body showed what I'd already felt when he lay on top of me—he was undeniably ready for sex. He walked out of the bedroom and returned in only moments. "Here's the blood pressure machine, some water, and your medication. Let's see how you're doing."

  He's so comfortable walking around naked . . . of course if I had the body he does I guess I would be, too. I'll bet I could wrap the cuff around his penis as erect as he is. I wonder what kind of reading the machine would give? Ha!

  After downing the pills, I slipped my arm inside the cuff.

  I laughed out loud.

  "What's so funny?"

  "Nothing." I can't tell you.

  "That's not nice," he chastised playfully.

  "Continue with what you're doing," I ordered. "Trust me when I say I can't tell you."

  Ryan fastened the cuff and turned on the machine. He had a smirk on his face, knowing I'd hid something tantalizing from him. The reading came back quickly.

  "Normal. Oh, thank God," he exhaled and then unwrapped my arm. "I'll take my shower and then go to the market and pick up some croissants and fruit. Anything come to mind you'd like me to bring back for you?"

  "No thanks. I'll see you in a few hours."

  "I won't be gone long."

  "Whenever you go out you're surrounded," I reminded.

  "I'll wear my disguise," he teased.

  "The orange janitor jumpsuit?" I giggled.

  "Exactly." He started into the bathroom.

  "Cover everything, then. Especially your chest and arms. You'll cause a riot if you go out showing either of them."

  "We're certainly comfortable with our teases this morning." He whipped around and walked back to the bed. "Someone obviously feels better."Oh damn. Just watching him walk back to me makes me squirm.

  "Won't you join me?" He reached for my hand. His body seemed as if it was oiled.

  "I don't think so. That might be . . . dangerous." I wondered if I could slide down his chest and thighs, enjoying a ride on his slick, shining skin. The way it looked so moist and smooth . . . What would I do when his pointed pole stopped me? I giggled at the thought.

  "Giggling again? What kind of nasty thoughts are running through your mind, baby? You're stepping it up rather quickly, don't you think?"

  "Stepping it up? I haven't a clue of what you mean."

  "Uh-huh," his devil's tail whipped back and forth. "As far as showering together? Woman, I know it would be dangerous. And don't think by holding those covers to your neck you're safe." After filling me up with his suggestive laugh, he walked into his bathroom.

  I watched his legs, beautiful behind, back, and broad shoulders. All of those muscles flexing and retracting—he left me feeling lovely.

  Chapter 31

  Sex Stuff

  While temptation showered, I should have gotten out of bed and dressed. It felt good to stay in the warm covers and I couldn't resist reveling in them. Rolling over to his side, I buried my head in his pillow and inhaled his spicy cologne. I gathered his sheets to my face, rubbed them on my body, and pulled his comforter around me.

  I was a lioness whose lion had shaken his mane and roared for her—proud and filled with love and appreciation. I wanted to roll with him in his den and cover myself in his scent. I found comfort embracing the warmth that lingered, left behind from his body.

  I wonder what he keeps in his nightstand? I bet I'll find his sex stuff. I wonder if he reads Playboy or . . . worse.

  Reaching all the way to the back of the drawer, the only things I could find were a bottle of aspirin, a pair of nail clippers, and an emery board. Before I could look any further, I felt Ryan's naked body on mine.

  "Looking for something in particular?" His legs straddled my hips. He pinned me on the bed face down. His voice poked at every opening in my body.

  "Ryan"—sexual tension flooded me—"let me up, you're smothering me."

  No rush. It's delicious having your legs surround me, your penis brush against my bottom, and your arms and hands all over my body.

  "Let me look at this beautiful feast I have laid out before me." Ripples of desire rushed through me as my inner cavewoman responded to his growl. It was sensual hell knowing he was raking my body from head to toe. Although I was still in my nightgown, I felt naked and excited. "You're so . . . the lush, curvy body you hide . . ."

  His hands lightly traced my behind. I felt my nightgown lift up my legs. It seemed as if little pulses echoed everywhere. I kept still, trying to hide from him the intense sensual ache between my legs. His thighs tensed, my thighs tightened, torturing us both with silent desire. The thickness of his penis touching my body as he moved—I knew he was pleased he had me captured and might be assessing where and how to conquer his lover.

  "Just relax, sweetheart." Leaning over me, my massive masculine man rubbed my shoulders. My muscles clenched. I did my best to relax, but in the end I waited anxiously for him to finish—perhaps finishing me off for good. "How does that feel?" Ryan leaned against my cheek, nuzzled my ear, and lightly kissed me.

  “Nice, although I can't relax when you're sitting on me naked.”

  He pulled my nightgown down and moved off of me so that I was no longer pinned. I turned on my side to face him. Both of us rested on our elbows looking at each other.

  "What did you think you'd find in my nightstand?" he asked coyly.

  "Nothing." I knew by the feel of my heated cheeks I'd blushed. "I was just um . . ."

  "Uh huh." The tone of his voice seared me. "I know what you were looking for. I don't keep condoms or sex stuff at the side of my bed. Do you want to see what I have?"

  "No."

  "No?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.

  "No." Sex stuff is exactly what I'm looking for. I want to see what you like in bed.

  “How kinky do you think I am?”

  “I have no idea,” I replied. "I wouldn't know kinky from normal—well, unless I found a set of handcuffs—that would be obvious
, right? But really, is there is such a thing as normal? I tend to think—you know, I . . . um . . . don't know. I guess I was looking for condoms, magazines, and . . . I don't know all the stuff that goes with sex."

  Why can't I stop talking?

  "Kinky isn't my thing. If you decide it's yours, however . . . I'm happy to be your student."

  "Yeah." I looked away.

  "Come with me." He got up and held out his hand. I took it and we walked in the bathroom together. "Open all of the drawers and look in them."

  "I don't need to—"

  "Look through everything I have," he insisted. "All of my combs, hair products, toothpaste, brushes, shampoo, my shaving cream—go through everything."

  "No, I—"

  "I insist you do it while I'm standing here." My body responded to his command. "I couldn't have had a chance to rush around and put stuff away, right? I was at the game," he continued. "So even though you were in the medical office I wouldn't have known you'd stay the night with me, do you agree?"

  "Yes."

  "And after I left you at the medical station I was with Dr. Welluck. You were already here when I got home. The things I bought for us were after our evening in Half Moon Bay. Now you know what I've been telling you for weeks—that I'm committed only to you—is real. Do you believe that I'm not some jock screwing every woman in sight?"

  "Yes." I looked through all of his drawers and in the bottom one found a box of condoms, some spermicidal foam, and a jar of lubricant—all of them unopened. "These are—"

  "Unopened." He finished my sentence. "They're for you when you're ready." He put his arms around me. "I'm not trying to hide anything or sneak around. Look through my closet, my office, and every drawer . . . anywhere you want. I'm giving you permission to snoop." He took my hand and we walked back to the bed. "You need to rest, so climb up and I'll tuck you in."

  He pulled the covers to my chin and then walked into his bathroom.

  Someone is preparing to be my lover.

  Canopied with a contentment I'd never felt before, I dozed off.