by Schultz, JT
“You’re going to apologize to Toni then walk your ass out of here.” Richard’s voice was low and rough with anger and ice. “After what I just witnessed, if you so much as look at her the wrong way, I’ll make damn sure she presses assault charges.” Hank frowned.
“That would ruin my career and marriage.” His voice was whiney and childish.
Finally, Toni found her voice and pushed unsteadily away from the wall. “No, Hank. You’re actions are ruining your marriage. Patricia deserves better.”
Hank tossed her a glance and muttered an insincere, almost indifferent “Sorry.” Then he again met Richard’s gaze. “I still don’t get how you ended up with her. She’s nothing like anyone you’ve ever been with.”
Her heart sank. The last thing she needed was someone stating that aloud. She wasn’t a super thin model type. At least she had a brain and wasn’t afraid to eat a cookie every now and then.
“And that’s exactly why I married her.” Richard’s tone revealed his anger that was quickly boiling to the surface. “Get the hell out of my sight before my fist ends up in your face.”
Hank shook his head. “We’ve known each other our whole lives and this is what it’s coming down to? The bitch over a brother and friend?”
Rage flickered over Richard’s handsome face and she stepped in front of him as he lunged at Hank. “He’s not worth it,” she informed her husband, placing her hands on his chest. “Don’t bring yourself down to his level.”
He covered her hands with his, but still glared at Hank. “Get out of here, before I ignore Toni’s advice.”
Hank shook his head and backed out of the room, slamming the door behind him. Toni heaved a relieved sigh and lifted her hands from Richard’s chest. She turned absently to the wall with the blue roller marks. If she was tired before, she was now officially emotionally drained.
“Toni…”
Toni spun and faced him, not sure what to say. She was still shaking from Hank trying to force himself on her. She shook her head. “It wasn’t what it looked like.”
Temper sparked in his blue gaze. “Oh it was definitely what it looked like. Hank was forcing himself on you.” He shook his head and met her gaze. “If I hadn’t shown up…” he shut his eyes and ran his hand through his hair. “I’m terrified to think what could have happened.”
“Me facing assault charges and a high chance of Hank paying a visit to the hospital?” She swallowed back her nerves and a wild urge to giggle. With a shiver she tried to pull herself together and admitted, “It’s my fault for being here late.”
Richard sighed and weighed her words. “Why are you here?”
She studied the man before her. “After fighting with you, I didn’t want to be at the condo. I couldn’t go to Kayla’s because you had shown up there; I didn’t know what to do with myself, except the only thing I’m truly good at, working.”
He blinked at her and sighed. “You’re good at a lot of things.”
She shook her head. “Obviously not, you’re hardly ever around.”
He nodded in agreement. “No, I haven’t been around much.” He darted a glance to the wall with the paint then again rested his gaze on her. “I overacted about the furniture. My condo looks like a show home, it’s remarkable—a big change—but you did an amazing job with it.” He paused then his lips twitched. “The TV is pretty cool.
“Thank you.”
He debated and continued to study her. “I know you started out doing it to get my attention.”
“Ah, Kayla and her need to talk.” Toni couldn’t believe her friend had told him. “It’s true, and then I realized, if you entertained, the living and dining area needed to have more flow and should have some conversation pieces.”
“You’re right, it did—which you accomplished.” He sighed and stared her as if he was looking at her for the first time. “The kittens are cute; I never bothered having a pet because I worked all the time.”
“Me either, but since I’m at home more, due to circumstance, the 4800 sq. ft. got a bit lonely and overwhelming—since you’re never there. I started to feel like I was in a very sleek, black and chrome prison. I can only spend so much time with Kayla and Piper. They have lives.”
He stepped closer to where she stood. Seeing him in jeans and a navy blue Henley surprised her. He rarely dressed casual, but the shirt clung to his well-muscled body. Why did he have to be so attractive? Even with the dark circles under his eyes, indicating he wasn’t sleeping as much as he should. How could he? He was never home. “I admit I was avoiding you as much as possible.”
His words bothered her and a heavy weight settled on her chest. “I gathered that—thank you for confirming my theory.”
Again, he scanned her face as if taking in every detail of her. “The thing is, it’s probably for one of the dumbest reasons ever.”
Her brow crinkled and she wasn’t sure if she had the strength to listen to his reasoning. However, they were only forty-four days into their sentence, which meant they had a lot more to go—like 321 more.
“You know I’m attracted to you. Not that I’ve shown you or told you that lately.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond to the statement and remained quiet.
“I’ve been avoiding you because I’m more attracted to you now than ever and I was afraid I’d do something incredibly stupid if I was around you for any length of time.”
Toni was tired, hungry and confused. “Like what?”
His firm mouth turned into a grin and he reached out a hand and cupped the base of her neck. “Probably something like this.” No sooner did the words leave his mouth, his other arm circled her waist and his head lowered. His lips covered hers and her whole body heated and melted against his solid chest.
Her knees weakened and she laced her arms around his neck. Every nerve in her body went on full alert as his tongue slid across her lower lip. Her mouth parted, he entered and entwined his tongue with hers. Richard’s hold on her tightened, the kiss deepened and her nipples hardened beneath the lace of her bra. The arm holding her against him shifted and his hand caressed her back as his head lifted away from hers.
Her lashes fluttered open and her lungs failed to work since his kiss had left her breathless. She stared into his blue gaze and savored the safety of his hold.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered as his hands slipped away, causing her body to chill where his touch had been.
“I hope not for the kiss, because I’m quite sure it holds a new record of some sort.”
His firm mouth broke into a smile, revealing his dimples. “Definitely not for the kiss.” His fingers toyed with the pink streak in her hair. “I plan on kissing you again—a lot.”
“That might lead us into trouble.” She warned, not even wanting to imagine what that trouble might be after the kiss they’d just shared. Chances were high fireworks would be getting involved.
“I’m never going to survive a year of not holding you or touching you.” His hands slipped to her hips and he held her firmly. “I think about the kiss we shared on the day we got married, probably about a thousand times a day.”
Her lips curled into a weak, but uncontrollable grin. “Me too,” she admitted in a whisper
He tugged her closer to him and held her there. “Let me take you home, order some take out, turn off our phones and just hang out together.”
Toni inhaled her first normal breath in days. “I’d really like that. What about my car?”
“It’ll be fine in the parking garage overnight—unless you want to take it”.
“Depends, did you want to drive it?”
His eyes widened. “Seriously? You’ll let me?”
He reminded her of a little boy. “Yeah, I’m pretty tired and still a bit shaken over the incident with Hank.”
“I wanted to kill him and I’m still thinking about it. You were scared and pale.” He paused a moment. “I also heard what you said about being happily married.”
Toni didn�
�t know what to say. “I am, most days.” The words fell between them a notch above a whisper.
Richard gazed at her intensely and he gently squeezed her hips.. “Would you be happier if we spent more time together?”
She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth and wondered if she would sound needy if she said yes. Instead, she simply nodded her head.
He placed a kiss on her forehead and let his lips linger before he again met her gaze. “I’m such an idiot. An idiot with a beautiful wife.”
“Ready to take me home?”
The expression on his face warmed her and some of the tension over the last few weeks started to ease. “Most definitely.”
Three hours later, Richard still fumed with rage beneath the surface. He couldn’t believe what he’d walked in on, if Hank had gone any further—he would have hurt him. Badly. Walking into the situation he did would bother him for a while, but it was the revelation he needed. There was no doubt; he was fiercely possessive over Toni and absolutely crazy about her. He thought of the things Andrew and Kayla had told him about her and they confirmed something he’d known for a while.
She wasn’t like anyone he’d ever met.
Toni walked back into the room. “The left over sushi is in the fridge and the kittens are eating.”
He took in every detail of her as she drew closer to the sofa where he sat. The worn fabric of her ripped jeans curved over her hips. Her long sleeve shirt had the couple of buttons at the top undone, showing only a hint of cleavage, but the pale pink hugged her full breasts and narrowed down into the waist of her pants.
Her steps paused. “What’s wrong?”
Richard raked his gaze over her. “Nothing.” He grinned. “I still can’t believe you let me drive the Corvette.”
She closed the distance and sat near him on the sofa. Closer than she had been before, close enough to touch him. “Well, I’m glad you liked it.”
“The car is amazing.” He reached out and captured her wrist and wasn’t sure how she’d react. When she didn’t pull away he gently tugged her toward him. “Come here,” he whispered.
Toni shifted and straddled his lap. His arms circled her waist and savored the feel of her. He studied every detail of her face, and though she wasn’t as pale as she had been, he could tell she was tired. To him, though, she looked incredible. He hadn’t slept well in weeks and would lay awake in bed thinking of her sleeping down the hall. Studying her now, he wondered if she wasn’t sleeping either.
Having her close and in the intimate position kicked his libido into high gear. Her gaze met his and her head lowered toward him. Toni’s lips lightly brushed his. His body came to life and his hold on her tightened. Her soft lips nibbled his lower one and his groin stiffened. Richard slid his hands up her back and deepened the kiss by entering her mouth. Her arms laced around his neck and his tongue entwined with hers. His hands caressed her and she readjusted her weight. His groin tightened as her breasts rested against his chest.
Toni’s fingers combed through the strands of his hair. Between the feel of her body beneath his touch and her fingers teasing the skin of his neck while he ravaged her mouth his length hardened further. God he wanted her—truthfully, he had since she’d stood in the kitchen at Kayla and Andrews. He eased out of the kiss and her lashes fluttered open.
“If this keeps going…” His voice was low and ragged.
Toni pulled her puffy lower lip between her bottom teeth and nodded. “I know.” The two words fell out in a whisper.
“It’ll change everything.”
She studied Richard and hesitated. Sitting in the position she was, Toni already knew he wanted her by the bulge in his jeans. “I…” Words failed her as she lowered her hands from around his neck. She leaned in and lightly brushed her lips against his. His arms left her waist and he gently cupped her face and deepened the kiss. Her fingers captured the edge of his navy Henley and she lifted her lips from his, then tugged the shirt over his head.
His body was tanned, muscled and damn near perfect. “So, this is how it’s going to be?” he asked in a low, raspy voice.
Toni wasn’t one to casually fall in bed with anyone. However, they were married and she’d wanted him for so long. She nodded her head in response to his question.
“Agreed,” he breathed. With shaking fingers, he un-tucked her shirt and pulled it up and over her head. He tossed it the floor. “Gorgeous.” The single word fell off his tongue in a whisper as he captured her bottom in his hands and carefully eased her back onto the floor.
He hovered above her, running his gaze down over her lace bra. Richard’s gaze met hers and a grin played across his full mouth. “What do you know; your bra does match the streak in your hair.”
She couldn’t help but giggle as he turned around and grabbed one of the throw pillows off the sofa. “Finally, they serve a practical purpose.” He gently placed it underneath her head and lowered his head to hers. His mouth covered hers in a hungry kiss while his hand caressed the curve of her breasts beneath the lace.
Her fingertips skated across his skin and then she flattened her hands to run them down his chest. Every muscle was tight and defined. Richard lifted his mouth from hers and trailed hot kisses down her collarbone then continued lower to where her breasts were encased in the soft pink lace. He blew hot breath over her and desire grew between her legs. Her back arched slightly as his finger unfastened the clasp at the center of her cleavage. He raked his tongue over one of her nipples, and then gently suckled the other before continuing down over her flat stomach.
Toni squirmed beneath his hot, wet mouth and her thong dampened. Richard quickly undid the button and zipper of her jeans and stripped them off her. Desire and hunger blazed in his gaze as he worked it over her body. He reverently caressed her belly, her thighs and finally, her most intimate woman parts. She gasps over and over as he stroked her. “Magic” she moaned. “You have magic fingers.”
He couldn’t wait any longer. He struggled out of his jeans and boxers and his hard length sprung free. The man was truly built for sex with washboard abs and strong, muscular legs. He eased his body over her and scanned her face.
“Amazing,” he breathed before claiming her mouth.
Richard’s tongue slid gently inside her waiting mouth and his solid chest nearly crushed her breasts. His arousal pressed against her belly and she moaned softly against his lips. She shifted slightly, caressing his leg with hers and repositioning. His kiss continued to ravage her mouth as he braced his elbows on either side of her head. The tip of his burning length teased at her wet folds.
Finally he lifted his head and gazed into her eyes as he gently thrust inside of her. Her walls contracted tightly around him and her back lifted off the soft pile of the area rug.
A feral groan ground against her tongue as he worked in and out of her with slow, deep strokes. She lifted her hips and met his rhythmic movements. Pressure built in her belly as his pace picked up. He shifted his weight to one arm and caressed her breast and over her stomach then captured her hipbone in his grasp.
She wasn’t sure if it was the change in the angle of his thrusts or the increased pressure from his hold that intensified the sensations tightening in her belly. Every rock of his hips became deeper and more penetrating.
She pulled out of the kiss and her head dug into the pillow as she arched her back. Her wet walls clamped tight around his length and her body trembled in pleasure. The tightening and relaxing around him as she climaxed fueled his movements. He plunged deep then groaned as he released inside of her.
Toni struggled to breath in light, ragged gasps. Richards strong torso snuggled against her as he again propped himself on his elbows. His handsome face basked in pleasure from his climax as he regained control over his breathing. He met her gaze and shook his head. “That was intense and long overdue.”
She nodded and smiled. “Uh-huh.”
He let out a full breath and a sexy grin curled his mouth. “I say round two needs
to be on the bed.”
Round two? Love a duck!
If she could walk tomorrow it would be a small miracle. Currently, she didn’t care either way. “I agree.”
“I figured you would.” Richard’s smile broadened before he leaned in and softly brushed his mouth against her lips in a gentle kiss.
Toni glanced at the two kittens playing with a tiny stuffed mouse near the balcony doors. She shifted the phone against her ear and laughed. “No, last night was good—I mean real good; we talked and…well…things heated up.” Her cheeks tinted and she was glad her friend at the other end couldn’t see her blush.
“So, what you’re saying is you finally gave in to my brother’s charms?” Piper asked through the phone.
Toni giggled “I did.” She inhaled deeply and was glad they had become friends. “Actually, I am wondering if maybe this doesn’t have to be a fake marriage.”
Her friend snorted. “Oh the marriage is totally real, but maybe you two will decide not to end the relationship when the time is up.”
Nervous flutters formed in Toni’s stomach. “I’d like to see where this goes, but I admit, I’m terrified of getting hurt.” She shook her head, though Piper couldn’t see. “I haven’t been in a relationship in about three years, since before I got run down and was sick and Kayla was diagnosed.”
“You won’t know, unless you both try,” the other woman sighed. “Seriously, I think you and Richard are great together—when you’re getting along.”
A wicked smile curved across her mouth. “Oh things are better and have surpassed good and onto sinfully sensational—like twice last night.”
“I’d say that’s more than getting along. Both Kayla and I wonder how you two managed to go this long. You may not see it, but the chemistry between the two of you is off the chart.”
True, especially in the bedroom.
“Well, I decided to do something domestic and made dinner for us tonight. Candle light dinner for two. We’re married, have had sex, and are becoming friends, so we might as well move on to dating.”