Am I worthy of it?
He didn't ponder the answer. He wasn't a man given to long bouts of introspection. He was a man who lived by his actions. That was the true measure of any man. Words meant nothing. Deeds were what counted.
He pushed her legs farther apart and let his tongue wander through the folds of her pussy. Her legs started to tremble and he'd already learned that meant she was close. He pressed a finger inside her. Tight and wet. He couldn't wait to be buried deep, driving them both to the stars and back. Her hands were clutching the sheets, her chest rising and falling rapidly with each movement of his tongue.
When her head was thrashing back and forth, he gave her mercy. His mouth closed over her clit and lightly sucked. She froze and then he heard the scream he'd promised her. She said his name over and over until she lay on the bed replete from her climax. He went back to kissing and nibbling the sensitive skin of her inner thigh. Soon she was giggling and pushing at his head.
"No fair. Now you know I'm ticklish."
He levered up and grinned. "I can't wait to find all your ticklish spots."
She sighed and came up on her elbows. "I have quite a few. People are supposed to grow out of being ticklish, but I never did." She bit her lip and looked up at him from under her lashes. "Thanks for the scream, by the way."
His lovely Maddie. He'd never been thanked for an orgasm before, but he could get used to it.
"Thanks for screaming. You're good for my ego."
She nodded, suddenly serious. "I've heard the male ego is a fragile thing. Do I need to praise or encourage you more?"
He tried to keep a straight face. "Maybe you could do some cheering? I liked that when I was in high school."
She was too smart for him and shoved at his shoulder with a groan. "I was actually trying to be nice. And I wasn't a cheerleader. Not even close. If you want one of those, you shouldn't be dating me. I saw your picture in the trophy case in high school. You were the big man on campus."
He’d been a stupid teenage boy. "It was a long time ago."
Her brows were drawn down in puzzlement. "You almost sound like it was a bad thing.”
"It was okay." Tanner shrugged. It had been years ago and not something he thought about much, if at all.
Madison shook her head. "I didn't mean to bring the mood down. All because I said I wasn't a cheerleader."
He pulled her on top of him so his cock was snug against her pussy. "You'd make a cute cheerleader." He dipped his head and captured a nipple with his teeth making her back arch and her fingers tighten on his shoulders. "Go ahead, honey. Say what you want. You can do it."
She pulled him closer, her lips mere millimeters from his.
"Give me a cock, cowboy."
Hell, yes.
He leaned far over the side of the bed to snag a condom from his pants pocket. He was going to need to start buying these by the case. Fucking Madison was the most exciting and pleasurable thing he'd ever done by a country mile. He couldn't get enough of her, his appetite endless.
Quickly rolling on the protection, he lifted her hips so she was hovering above him and she was straddling his thighs. She was holding onto his shoulders and biting her lip.
"You okay, honey?"
She nodded. "I've never been much good at being on top."
She kept looking down at his cock and rearranging her legs.
"You'll be fine," he assured her. "You're in charge. Just do what feels good. I'll love it. I promise."
His voice was becoming hoarse because she'd already started to lower herself onto his dick. So fucking tight and hot. Her cunt squeezed and hugged every inch of him until he was into the hilt, their bodies resting together. He tilted her chin up so she was looking into his eyes and their gazes locked.
She started moving, slowly and experimentally. His fingers flexed on her hips as she drew up, then slammed down hard. Hissing his approval, he used every ounce of strength to stay still. He'd given her the control this time. As hard as it was, she needed this to gain confidence.
She swiveled her hips and his eyes rolled back in his head. Sweat broke out across his skin as she tortured him stroke by stroke, thrust by thrust. He forced himself to keep his eyes open. Her eyes had turned a dark emerald shade, the pupils large and unfocused. Feeling her tremble, he knew she was close.
Tanner rolled her nipples between his fingers giving her a bite of pain, but he wasn't prepared for the reaction. Her nails dug into his shoulders and a moan escaped her full lips. She started panting and grinding herself down on him, her back arched, inviting more.
He gave it to her.
She was riding him frantically now, whimpering his name as her forehead fell on his chest. He reached around her and smacked her bottom. Not hard, but enough to leave a pink handprint.
"Yes," she hissed. Her pussy clamped down on his cock and he could feel the flutters of her climax ripple down his shaft. He spanked her again, and again felt the vibrations, but this time they sent him over the edge with her.
His balls pulled up and it felt like his body was being turned inside out from the middle. He cursed as her teeth bit into his bicep, the pain mingling with the pleasure and sending him further into orbit. They finally collapsed together, her on top of him as he stroked her back and ran his fingers through her silky hair.
Making love with Madison was no usual thing. It was an experience he'd never get over and knew wouldn't be repeated with any other woman. She was a once in a lifetime.
They lay there for quite a while but eventually he had to move and deal with the condom. He gently lifted her and put her next to him.
"I'll be right back, honey."
He quickly took care of things then padded back into the bedroom, cuddling up next to her. She turned in his arms, pressing a kiss to his chest.
"You spanked me." Her voice was muffled but he didn't hear any anger. If anything, she sounded amused.
"I told you I would." He chuckled and then pulled her up so they were eye to eye. "Are you mad? I won't do it again if you didn't like it. I was honestly just trying a few things to see if it excited you."
She tilted her head as if she was cogitating on the matter. "I like it," she pronounced. "You can do it again. Just don't tell anyone. I'm not sure a modern woman, a doctor, should enjoy being spanked by her lover."
"First of all, I wouldn't tell a soul. That's our business, and no one else's. Second, this isn't about being a modern woman or an old-fashioned one. It's not unusual for people in general to enjoy mild pain with their pleasure. It intensifies the sensations."
She nodded, apparently satisfied. "I'll look it up later. Do you like being spanked?"
This woman was going to be the death of him. He was starting to sympathize with Seth Reilly. The man had to be completely exhausted all the time.
"No." Tanner shook his head. "No. I like being dominant."
Watching her closely, he wanted to be sure she believed him. He was an ornery cuss in and out of the bedroom, but no one was going to spank him. Ever. His own daddy had given up when Tanner was six and started fighting back.
She lay back down, her head pillowed on his shoulder. "Good. I can't imagine spanking you."
"Let's keep it that way, Maddie. Close your eyes and we'll get some sleep. We've had a big day."
"I see you do like to be dominant. You're bossy, but in this case I agree with you. 'Night, Tanner."
"’Night, Maddie. Sweet dreams."
Tanner fell asleep to the soft rhythm of Madison's breathing, quieting his mind to all the questions left unanswered that were running free in his brain. There would be time enough to answer them.
Tomorrow. With Madison.
Everything should be with Madison, he decided moments before sleep took him. She made everything better.
* * * *
Madison soaped her long hair, letting the hot water run down her body. She was pleasantly sore in a few spots, but her body was humming after a night of lovemaking with Tanner. He'd
woken her after a few hours of sleep and they'd sated themselves after rolling around in the sheets, their bodies tangled together. It was every sexy fantasy she'd ever had brought to life.
She checked her bottom in the mirror this morning and there hadn't been a sign of the baby spanks she'd received from Tanner. If anything, she wanted more. She needed to be fucked hard and fast by him while he spanked her bottom. It was hot and a little raunchy but she was a grown woman. She wouldn't be ashamed or embarrassed. Tanner had taught her that much. He didn't judge her and she wouldn't judge herself.
She was rinsing her hair when the shower curtain opened, the rings scraping loudly on the metal bar.
"Norman Bates, I presume?" She didn't bother to open her eyes. Instead, she tipped her head back so the shampoo slid out of her hair. It took ten minutes to wash, but it was the one thing she didn't want to give up.
Two large hands began massaging her scalp and running through the strands. "Sorry, just me. I don't have a weapon."
His hard cock nudged her belly and she giggled. "Are you sure? Feels like you might be armed and dangerous with that thing."
His hands glided down to her bottom pulling her against him and his lips pressed to hers, his tongue dipping inside. She groaned and wrapped her arms around his neck. He took his time exploring her mouth. His hands squeezed her ass cheeks before sliding up to cup her breasts. He played with them with his fingers and tongue until they were taut and hard.
She kissed her way down his chest, over the ridges of his stomach, until she was on her knees. His cocked bobbed in front of her and she didn't tease or make him wait. She swallowed him down in one gulp, the head of his cock bumping the back of her throat. His fingers went reflexively to the back of her head and his hips canted as he pressed for even deeper entry.
She relaxed her jaw and took him further, fighting her gag reflex. She loved how he felt heavy on her tongue and the way he filled every nook and cranny of her mouth. He let her lick and suck for a few minutes before pulling her to her feet.
"I want to fuck you." His voice was like gravel and broken glass. He positioned her with her back on the tile lifting her hips so her legs could wrap around his waist. She felt him hot and hard at her slit and suddenly a last shred of sanity reared up and cried out in her mind. She pushed at his shoulder. If they'd gone one more minute, it would have been too late.
"Tanner. Condom. We need a condom."
He let go a string of profanity that made her blush, but let his forehead rest against hers.
"Sorry, honey. I got carried away. I put one on the vanity. Give me thirty seconds."
He didn't need all thirty. Within twenty-five he'd lifted her back up and impaled himself in one hard thrust. She clung to his strong shoulders, her head buried in his chest as he pounded her into the decorative tile. Every stroke ran across her G-spot and stimulated her clit until she couldn't take it anymore. He fucked her like a metronome, hot, fast, and steady. She could feel her body starting to fly apart, twisting in the maelstrom of sensations.
Between the spray of the water, his hands, his mouth, and his pounding dick, she was lost to the pleasure. The sounds of their lovemaking echoed off the walls and only served to inflame them further. When her body shattered, she cried out at the intensity. The pleasure twisted her inside and out. She barely registered Tanner's own growl of completion, but she felt his hot seed fill the condom.
He kissed her tenderly as they caught their breath. He lowered her legs until her feet touched the floor of the tub, but held her until she could stand on her own. She was blown away by the power of what they created together. They were exponentially more as a couple than she'd ever imagined.
She looked up into his eyes. "I think I'm going to want to do that. A lot."
Tanner's smile widened. "Maddie, I'm your man."
That was what she was hoping for.
Chapter Thirteen
"Tanner Marks." Tanner gave Madison an apologetic smile as he answered his phone. "Give me a minute, Maddie."
She nodded, engrossed in a book, and he walked to the far side of the airport waiting area. Their plane was on time and should start to board in a few minutes. It was just him and Madison this time. Jim, Karen, Dan, and Sherry were taking a flight about an hour from now with another airline. It was all they'd been able to book at the last minute.
"It's Agent Jason Anderson. Am I interrupting? I could call back later." Tanner could hear clinking dishes in the background. It sounded like Jason was calling from a restaurant or maybe his own kitchen.
"No, it's fine. I'm at the airport waiting for a flight back to Montana."
"Vacation?" Jason sounded surprised. "Shit, I'm interrupting your time off."
"No, it's not like that. My girlfriend's best friend got married in Vegas last night. Madison was the maid of honor. It's okay. Talk to me. What have you found out?"
Jason wouldn't be calling him on a Sunday morning if something wasn't up. Tanner knew deep down that Fenton was dirty. He hoped Jason would be able to tell him just how bad it was.
Jason sighed. "It's not good news. Your friend was right. Fenton Jacks doesn't exist. Thomas Lydell does, and he's one bad motherfucker. Deep into the Warner drug cartel. He's climbed the ladder the old-fashioned way. He killed everyone in his way."
There was a silence on the other end giving Tanner a chance to wrap his mind around what he was being told. He'd known Fenton was a criminal but to hear he was a murderer was still a shock. His fucking kids spent time with this asshole. Shit, Abby might be Tanner’s ex-wife but it didn't mean he wanted any harm to come to her.
"He's in Springwood to take over the route?" Tanner was proud of how calm he sounded despite his churning gut. He was already working out how he would get Fenton away from his family. Fuck that, he wanted Fenton out of his town. Period.
"He is. You've done us a favor, Tanner. We can zero in on him now and watch his every move."
"You're not going to arrest him?" Tanner's voice got a little loud and several heads turned his way, including Madison's. Her brows were knitted but he gave her a reassuring wave.
"He's managed to weasel out of every charge until now. We need to catch him in the act. I know you're concerned about your wife--"
"Ex-wife," Tanner interrupted curtly. "I'm concerned about my kids, too. I don't want them around him or any of his friends. I can't believe you don't have enough to pick this guy up right now."
Frustrated, Tanner paced the small area by the windows overlooking the tarmac. His fucking taxes at work. They knew this guy was a killer but they were going to let him wander around until he killed someone else.
"We'll have someone on him every minute of every day. I’m asking you to keep this to yourself, Tanner. And yes, I know that it sucks. We take him out now, the head of the snake will only grow back meaner and more deadly. They want that drug route and they'll do whatever it takes to get it. We need to bust not just him but the entire organization. We'll have a better chance of getting intel on the big boys. Lydell isn't going to roll over on his boss but the men lower down just might. They have less to lose."
"Only their life," retorted Tanner. He didn't like that Jason Anderson was making sense. He wanted to fly back to Springwood and run this guy out of town on a rail. Straight to the nearest state prison or federal lock up.
"If they're selling or running drugs, their life isn't worth much anyway. One step out of line and the big guys will take them out without a second thought. They're disposable and easily replaced."
Tanner's grip tightened on the phone and he wished his fingers were wrapped around Fenton's neck. "You're asking me to stand by while a killer hangs around my family, my town."
"I know." Jason's voice was low. "Please just give me some time to watch him. If we arrest him, we have to make the charges stick this time. This is our best chance. You're our best chance, Tanner. Listen, I trust your judgment. If there are people you need to tell, well shit, I won’t be happy about it, but I understand.
If you feel like your family or town is in imminent danger, then you need to do what you need to do. All I’m asking for is that you give me some space to do this investigation, and that if you do tell someone, it’s someone you trust. Can you do that for me?"
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
"If one thing…" Tanner snarled. "If one thing happens to my family I'll hold you personally responsible. I swear to God, Jason, there won't be a rock big enough to hide under. Do I make myself clear?"
Tanner jumped when he felt a hand on his back. Whirling around, he looked directly into the troubled gaze of Madison. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the hell down.
"You're clear. I promise we'll have a couple of people on him twenty-four seven."
Tanner held the phone away from his ear. "Are you okay?" asked Madison. "You look upset."
"I am upset, but I'll be fine." He opened his mouth to explain but the airline came over the loudspeaker announcing the flight. "We need to board." He put the phone back to his ear. "Jason, I need to go. I'll call you."
He pressed the End button not wanting to continue the discussion. He was pissed off and frustrated. He shoved the phone in his pocket and hoisted his carry on further up his shoulder. Jason had given him leeway to talk about Jacks, but Tanner wanted the asshole arrested right now.
Madison put her hand on his arm. "You were scaring me a little bit there for a minute. You looked so angry. What's wrong?"
He realized he couldn't tell her the truth, at least at this moment, and he didn't like that one little bit. Tanner wasn't a fan of keeping secrets, especially with someone he was supposed to be in a relationship with.
"Let's just call it bad news. Are you ready to board?"
She nodded, but her expression was shrewd. She knew he wasn't telling her something. He put his hand under her elbow and led her to where they were lining up to board.
Justice Healed Page 12