Ty nodded again, not liking the drawn look beginning to cloud his features.
“A lot of that was my fault,” Quay took a seat on the corner of his desk. “But Tyke a lot of it had nothing to do with you.”
“What are you saying?” She wasn’t altogether certain she wanted to know.
“Things began to happen to them. I always felt there was more to it, like it was more than just coincidence.”
“What things?” Ty probed.
“Out of the clear blue, they’d move away, their parents jobs would be phased out and they’d relocate, some just up and disappeared.” Quay shook his head then. “It was all so smooth, no one really questioned it. I began to think I was cursed with girls or something,” he laughed and then sobered the instant his eyes met Tykira’s. “I never had a relationship with Sera. We almost kissed before you and I were ever intimate. After she died, I knew somehow it was all connected to me and there was no way in hell I’d let the same thing happen to you.”
Ty closed her eyes. “Are you trying to tell me that my life was in danger?”
Quay folded his arms across his chest. “I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to upset you but I knew as long as we were together…if Wake ever knew-”
“Wake? Wake Robinson?”
Quay nodded. “We think he killed Sera and I think if he knew how I really felt about you, you wouldn’t be safe.”
Ty felt the pressure in her chest, rising as though she couldn’t breathe. It wasn’t a disturbing feeling, moreover it was exciting, expectant and slowly she proceeded with her next question. “Quay were you only pretending back then? Were you only pretending not to care about me?”
Before he could tell her, ‘yes’. Yes, he’d been pretending and doing a piss-poor job of it since his feelings for her were written all over his face. Before he could tell her he loved her and that it had always been her, the desk phone buzzed. Ty shook her head and turned away when he answered the ring.
“Hey Mick,” Quay greeted after Michaela had called his name.
“Are you alright? What was that fight about? Is Ty up there with you?”
Quay chuckled over his sister-in-law’s inquiries. “I’m fine. The fight was my fault- I lost my temper and yes, she’s right here.”
“Good. Listen, something’s come up and I need you to give Ty a ride home. I have to leave right now. You don’t mind, do you?” Devilment was clear in Mick’s every word.
Quay heard it clearly. “I know what you’re up to and you’re no good at it,” he heard Mick suck her teeth over the line.
“I don’t care how good I am at it. I just want it to work,” she admitted.
Quay ran a hand over his face and groaned.
“Listen, this might put a smile on your face. I got some very interesting news from my contact in Savannah.”
“Talk to me,” Quay turned to study Ty as she stared out the window. He listened while Mick rehashed her conversation with Jillian Red. What Quay heard, removed any chance of him telling Ty how he really felt. Wake Robinson had killed Sera like she was nothing and he was still out there somewhere. Wake also knew that his supposed old friend was helping to fuel an investigation that could put him behind bars.
While confessing all to Tykira was right and necessary, Quay couldn’t shake the feeling that it could be dangerous. Wake was dangerous, so was he for that matter. Wake Robinson, however, was willing to kill and clearly he didn’t care who. Quay did. He cared- loved- who very much. He couldn’t risk it. Overprotective and unwarranted, perhaps but he couldn’t risk it. He wouldn’t chance having Wake turn up and catch him off guard when he least expected it.
His onyx stare narrowed as he watched Ty. Oh yes, his guard would most definitely be way down. He’d have nothing but Tykira Lowery on his mind and in his bed. Hell he’d probably never come into the office and there it would be. Yet another beautiful life for Wake to snuff out and fulfill whatever sickness motivated him.
He tuned into the sound of Mick yelling for him to confirm that he’d give Ty a ride and not to have one of his men do it. They needed to talk, she said.
“I’ll take her home myself Mick. I promise. I’ll call you…Bye.”
“Well Quay?” Ty was saying the instant she saw him set the black cordless phone to the desk stand. “Will you answer me? Were you only pretending not to care?”
“It’s late,” Quay was saying while he rummaged around in his desk drawer until he found what he was looking for, “we can finish this on the way. Mick asked me to take you home.”
***
Ty hated being alone in her mother’s too huge house, but she was glad Bobbie wasn’t there when she and Quay arrived. He was gentleman enough to see her inside and check around for her, but Ty wasn’t about to let him off that easily. She was determined to receive an answer to her question and called herself a fool for wanting to hear his response so desperately after all this time. She tried to dismiss the flutter of her heart which anticipated hearing what she most wanted- that she wasn’t just another toss for him. That what happened was as special for him as it had been for her.
“Well Quay?”
Massaging his heart through his shirt, Quay bowed his head. “Ty what the hell do you want to hear?” he sighed.
“The truth!” she didn’t care anymore how much her emotions were bared to his gaze. Her heart jerked when he turned and fixed her with an incredible smile and look. That look…had the power to make a woman physically ache with expectation of a night in his bed. It held a mix of desire and intensity with just a dash of cocky assurance relaying the notion that once he was done, she’d know what it felt like to experience true pleasure.
In spite of ‘the look’ however, it took Ty a full thirty seconds to realize an answer to her question would not be forthcoming. She heard herself moan before his arm encircled her waist, before his head lowered, before his incredible mouth melded with hers. Answers be damned, she decided. This was what she wanted, to be satisfied by this man and only this man. The low, needy moan ended on a gasp that Quay used to his total advantage. Thrusting hot and deep and thoroughly ravaging, he made love to her mouth and instantly reduced her to a mass of sensitivity.
Feeling her melt against him, Quay knew she was his for the taking and taking was exactly what he intended to do. He lost every coherent thought in his head except one: after that night, she’d want nothing more to do with him, he’d see to that.
The kissing scene continued, growing lustier every moment. Tykira was lost and shameless in expressing how desperately she wanted him. Her fingers sought every exposed area of his molasses skin not covered by his clothes. Breaking the kiss, she let her lips glide across the powerful chords in his neck. Her fingers stroked the back of his head, her nails savoring the feel of his soft, close-cut hair. Wantonly, she rubbed herself across his muscular athletic frame, telling him with every movement how deeply she desired him.
For Quay, it was sheer heaven, the feel of her touching every inch of him in perfect alignment. No other woman came close to feeling the way she did in his arms. Taking a fistful of her thick tresses, he kissed her again. Tortured, helpless moans passed his lips every time he stroked the sweetness of her mouth and felt her suckle his tongue in response. Overcome by a need so powerful, his manhood swelled to the point that his pants felt uncomfortably snug.
“Tell me to leave,” he whispered, breaking the kiss to graze her jaw with his perfect teeth.
“I can’t,” she sobbed, her fingers curled so tightly into the crisp fabric of his shirt that she could have ripped it apart. The next thing she felt was him lifting her and walking in the direction of the spiral stairway.
“Where?” he asked against her cheek, kissing her there.
Softly, Ty delivered the directions. Her hand cupped his jaw as she arched deeper into the embrace. Quay shouldered open the door to her bedroom and the shiver that brushed her body had nothing to do with the temperature of the house. Ty was so affected, so in tune
to his every move, she trembled as much from arousal as she did from anticipation.
Quay’s magnificent features were sharp and focused. He’d imagined her bared to his gaze since he’d seen her two years ago. He prayed nothing would rob him of the treat now. Dexterous fingers unfastened the button fly of her jeans. He only needed to slightly incline his head to kiss her as his hand disappeared below the lacy waistband of her panties.
Ty felt her legs give when his middle finger curled inside her. The pleasure, so desired and so missed left her gasping his name and shifting her leg to take more of the thrusting caress. Her reaction to him was satisfying yes, but there was more. He drew pleasure from her pleasure. His intense dark eyes followed her every reaction to his touch. Smoothly, he added his index finger to the caress and Ty clung to him as her forehead fell upon his shoulder.
“Quay please,” she begged in the smallest voice.
“Tell me,” he moaned at the flood of moisture he felt against his fingers.
“I need more, please,” she responded without shame.
His hormones thundered at her breathless confession and he continued to undress her. The buttons on her crop jacket gave way beneath his manipulations and he shuddered her name at the realization that she wore absolutely nothing else. He weighed her generous breasts, worshipping their firmness and the way they molded to his palm.
Ty’s lashes fluttered when he practically ripped the garment from her back and hoisted her against his muscular frame. She felt faint; scarcely able to breathe she was so overwhelmed by the strength and smell of him. Unable to verbally communicate her need, her fingers went to the fastening of his trousers.
Quay stopped her, gripping her bottom that was barely concealed within her jeans. Lowering her to the center of the beautiful midnight blue comforter atop the queen-sized bed, he quickly relieved her of what remained of her clothing. Her breathing was rapid and he was mesmerized by the loveliness of her dark body. How many times over the years had he awakened hard and aroused- his dreams filled of her? He’d mourned the loss of her sharper image from his memory. It had grown fainter as the years passed. Regardless of that, the incomparable pleasure of that experience of making love with her had not faded. It had gone on to both torture and exhilarate him.
“Quay…” Ty wanted total fulfillment.
“Shh…” he breathed against her thighs. “You’ll have it,” he knew what she yearned for. He yearned for the same.
Ty relaxed upon the coverings which were then a tangled mess thanks to her uncontrollable writhing. Quay held her in place, his tongue plundering her moist sheath with all the devastation he’d used when he treated her mouth to the same pleasure. She couldn’t remain still beneath the slow, sultry lunges but had no choice as he kept her hips immovable on the bed. Eventually, he allowed her to arch herself closer to his mouth, his grip tightening in warning when she moved too much. He wanted complete control and Ty had no strength to refuse him anything.
He alternated, nuzzling his nose within the fragrant walls of her core and exploring the treasure inside. Ty raked her fingers across his hair and cried out into the air. Quay carried her to the edge and beyond. He ravaged her senses whispering words of desire, providing the dual caress of seductive strokes to her sex as his fingers rubbed and squeezed her ever firming nipples. He was relentless in his task of pleasuring her and only gave her respite when she climaxed and trembled to no end.
He gave her but a moment to absorb the deep sensations; removing his clothes as he watched her twist and arch upon the bed in the throes of her orgasm. He intended to claim her before she came down from the high. He took one of the condoms he’d pulled from his desk at the club and put protection in place. Then, mercilessly he drove the stunning length of his desire deep. Ty was caught between twin sensations of pleasure and pain. He gave her no time to grow accustomed to his size and her body began to tremble anew as she felt her inner walls stretched relentlessly. Quay didn’t want to feel anything except the part of her he’d craved far more than he’d ever craved anything. She was so tight, intimately fisting his shaft in a way that promised swift release. He peeled her hands away from his body and pressed them high above her head. With her legs wrapped high around his back, he penetrated deep; branding her with his touch.
Ty flexed her fingers above his grip and drove herself against him in a wild display of desperation. Quay took intense delight in several filling satisfying lunges, groaning as her moisture built and assisted in deepening his penetration. Then, he was breaking contact and pulling her up. He turned her; bringing her back against his chest and burying his gorgeous face in her hair. Ty turned her head and kissed him, jerking in delight when she felt him take her from behind. One forearm provided a muscular shelf for her breasts while his free hand cupped her hip firmly. He pummeled her body with thrusts that made her want to melt into the covers. Slowly, he began to chant her name. The chanting grew more forceful and rapid as he reached his own peak of fulfillment.
They remained locked in position for the longest time. Ty felt him heaving against her back as he struggled to catch his breath. Her hair was a tousled mass that covered her face when she bowed her head. Slowly, he eased her down to lie on her stomach. He covered her completely and she fell asleep surrounded by him.
~~~
Quay studied the beautiful woman who slept so soundly, so trustingly next to him. His fingers played a tune across the flat plane of her stomach. He then moved to toy with one nipple while his lips nibbled on the other. His intention was to awaken Ty and he took as much pleasure in the task as he did regret.
In her gorgeous eyes that night, he’d seen love and devotion in addition to desire and lust. He wanted everything Ty had to give, but knew if his wants cost her life, everything inside him would shut down.
She woke, stretched and smiled lazily in happiness and the stirrings of arousal. Tugging at Quay’s shoulders, Ty snuggled beneath him when he rose to cover her body. Outlining the curve of his mouth with her thumbnail, she leaned close to kiss him lustily.
Reluctantly, Quay acknowledged that the magic would have to end. Breaking the kiss, he looked down at her and smiled. “Must’ve taken quite a few tumbles for you to be as good as you are now,” he said.
Her easy smile wavered, the hint of a furrow beginning to mar her forehead.
“You were so lost in the bedroom back in the day,” he stroked her from hip to thigh. “Don’t get me wrong, you were still a good hit,” a slow smile sharpened his features, “these legs make a brotha hard at first sight.”
Ty could feel her heart sinking to her stomach as she listened. His words, so casually hurtful were things no woman should hear after making love to the man she loved.
Quay’s heart wasn’t sinking, it was breaking. Still, he continued, decided he’d rather have her hate him than to have anything tragic befall her. He could tell his plan was producing the desired effect. The warmth in her enchanting doe eyes, turned cooler with disgust in the wake of every word he uttered.
Tiring of the idle caresses he lavished to her thighs, Quay leaned in for something more substantial. His mouth brushed the smattering of curls shadowing her womanhood. A heavy slap fell across his cheek just then.
“What are you saying?” she whispered, watching him as though he were a stranger. “What are you doing?” she hissed, that time shoving her hands against his shoulders..
“What?” Quay feigned confusion.
Ty shook her head.
“Hey,” he prompted, brushing his knuckles across her jaw. “I’m complimenting you here, girl.”
“Compliment?” she could hardly pronounce the word.
“Oh, I get it,” he nodded slowly, his dark eyes feasting on her breasts which spilled over the sheet she clutched to her chest. “You prefer action to all this talk.”
“Stop,” she shuddered when he whipped away the sheets to cover her with his body. “Quay don’t.”
He didn’t seem to hear her, appearing far more inte
rested in cupping her breasts as he buried his face in the valley between. His tongue began to stroke the lush curves surrounding his face, his fingers began a dual assault on her nipples.
She wanted to argue, but could manage only one last faint ‘stop’. She felt his powerful body shake when he chuckled and settled himself more snuggly against her. Slowly, the fight drained and she was left with an empty feeling. That is, until sadness rushed in. She lay there feeling his mouth glide across her body and cursing herself for reacting to his touch when he’d succeeded yet again in reducing her to less than nothing.
Quay’s long, sleek brows were drawn together in complete concentration as he suckled madly at one nipple. He glanced up in time to see a tear slide from the corner of her eye.
“What the hell’s the matter?” he demanded quietly, bracing his weight on his elbows as he looked down at her.
“Just go,” she asked, her voice lifeless.
“Tyke-”
“Just go, Quay. I don’t want to see you again.”
Again, the dimple-triggering smirk appeared. “That’s gonna be difficult,” he kissed her collarbone and then the swell of her breast, “since you work for me.”
“I work for Quest,” she stiffened beneath him.
Quay finished his teasing nips at her body. “You work for Ramsey. Don’t forget it.”
She rolled her eyes. “Get out.”
Grinning broadly, he nodded agreeing to the order. He lavished one last, wet kiss to her jaw, neck and breasts before leaving the bed.
From the corner of her eye, Ty saw that he was donning his clothes. She looked away when he cast a glance at her across his shoulder. She waited for him to close the bedroom door behind him and then allowed herself to cry.
Outside the door, Quay slammed a fist to his palm and blinked away his own tears.
The Ramseys Boxed Set Page 32