Whatever It Takes (Second Chances #2)

by L. E. Bross

  I could not remember when going out meant anything other than the dollar menu at a fast-food place.

  “Do they got hot dogs?” Noah asked.

  “Yep. And they’re that long.” Ryan held out his hands about a foot apart.

  “No way,” Noah said, wide-eyed.

  “Way.” He bounced the ball to Noah and sauntered over to me. God he was sexy. His T-shirt hugged his torso and he had on dark gray cargo shorts and sneakers that showed all kinds of tanned skin. Of course, he had on his baseball cap.

  “It’s Saturday night and usually a popular night to go on a date. So what do you say, can I take you guys on an official date?”

  How many guys would include a kid in the invitation? Ryan had without even hesitating. It excited and confused me all at once. This was just a casual thing. Actually, I wasn’t really sure what it was, because aside from some pretty awesome kissing, we hadn’t gone any further because the opportunity just wasn’t there.

  I half expected him to fade off in the distance once it was apparent that he might have to wait longer than he thought. Who goes into a hookup situation when actual hooking up was in question?

  “Stop thinking so much and just say yes.” Ryan had knelt down in front of me and tilted my chin up with a finger. He brushed his thumb over my bottom lip and heat exploded in my gut. I was anxious for the actual hooking up part too.

  His gaze caught and held mine and there was so much promise in it that I wanted to pull him down right there and have my way with him. Maybe tonight. I could get Noah to bed and if Ryan wanted to stay a little late . . .

  “Yes,” I said against his thumb.

  “I told you she’d say yes,” Ryan said over his shoulder. Noah fist-pumped and jumped up and down.

  “Already ganging up on me I see.”

  “Us guys gotta stick together.” He leaned in and brushed his lips over mine, then hopped up and grabbed Noah, lifting him high and spinning him upside down to jam the ball into the net.

  “I’m going to take this stuff inside,” I said, gathering what was left of the brownies and the empty drinks. Really, I needed to go collect myself. Today showed me that what Ryan and I were doing might not be a good thing. Casual for us worked, but what about Noah? He already idolized Ryan, and every day they spent together tightened that bond.

  What was going to happen when Ryan got tired of all this?

  When he got tired of playing house with us and was ready to walk away.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  ryan

  I don’t think I’ve ever met a smarter three-year-old. Well, almost four, since Noah had a birthday coming up soon. Already my mind raced with possibilities for what I could get him.

  The restaurant had coloring pages and crayons, and he was doing a damned good job at staying in the lines. Me on the other hand? Not so much.

  “How about some tic-tac-toe?” I’d about had it with trying to color the farmer and her tractor with blunt crayons.

  “You and Tess play. I’m busy.”

  I quirked an eyebrow at her. “You sure you’re up for it? I’m the reigning champion of Granite Estates, I’ll have you know.”

  She picked up a red crayon. “Bring it.”

  Halfway through the sudden-death match at game five, our food came.

  “This isn’t over,” I fake growled at Tess. She threw back her head and laughed, and it took my breath away. She was so beautiful when she let herself get lost in the moment.

  I didn’t have a fucking clue what I was doing, but I knew without a doubt that I wanted to be around her all the time. And Noah? I felt ten feet tall and bulletproof every time he grinned at me. I wasn’t sure I’d ever be that guy who settled down, but if I was, this was what I’d want.

  “Anyone need anything else?” the waitress asked.

  “I’ve got everything I need, thanks,” I said, not taking my eyes off Tess.

  She ducked her head, but I saw the smile that turned her lips up.

  Noah dug into his hot dog basket and Tess grabbed her burger. The noises coming from her throat as she chewed made my jeans too tight. Did she even know what she was doing to me?

  “God, this burger is good.” She grabbed a couple of fries and dunked them in ketchup. “These fries are hand-cut too. This is officially heaven.”

  “Wait till dessert. They make a triple-chocolate cake that’s freaking amazing.” Her eyes went dreamy and that’s when I remembered Tess used to have a thing for chocolate. I made a note to bring her chocolates from the place near Avery’s condo. The truffles were pretty damned good.

  Noah got a brownie sundae and of course Tess got the triple-chocolate cake, which she shared with me. Every time she lifted her fork to my mouth, I wanted to devour her instead of the cake.

  “My turn,” I said, taking my fork and digging it into the cake. I lifted it to her mouth and her tongue darted out first and I tried not to groan. Then she opened her lips and I slid the cake in, and I swear I felt it in my toes when she closed her lips around the fork. “That was not well-thought-out.” I sat back with a sigh.

  Tess grinned over at me and I knew she knew what she was doing.

  “So there are no rules? Good to know.” I sat with a smirk on my face while she finished her cake. By the time we were finally finished, Noah’s eyelids were drooping like crazy and I ended up carrying him to the truck.

  Several smiles followed us out the door. I knew that people probably thought we were a family. It didn’t bother me as much as it should have. Noah fell asleep on the way home, so I carried him up the steps and into the room he shared with Tess.

  She tucked him in and I waited in the living room. As soon as she came into the room I stalked over to her and backed her up against the wall. Her pupils dilated and her breath grew short.

  “So you like teasing, huh?” I brushed my lips over her collarbone, then up her neck. She shuddered when I bit the soft lobe of her ear. “You were driving me crazy at dinner.” I kissed along her jaw and her arms wound up and around my neck. Her hips moved back and forth and only added to the tightness in my jeans.

  “I want you, Ry,” she whispered.

  So much for my plan to tease her for half the night. I reached down and gripped her thighs and hefted her up, holding her against the wall with my body. She wrapped her legs around me and rolled her hips. Fuck.

  When I took her lips there was no holding back. Our tongues clashed and danced and I could die happy in the hot wetness of her mouth. When I pulled back we were both breathless.

  Her eyes were dark and filled with desire, and I know they mirrored my own.

  “God, you drive me fucking crazy, Tess.”

  “I need you right now.” She tightened her legs, and I groaned.

  Emotion pounded through my veins and there was nothing I could do about it. Every day that I spent with her and Noah was another step toward not wanting to let them go.

  And that terrified me because what if I tried and couldn’t do it? What if I was the one who ended up walking away?

  I leaned my forehead against hers. “You got me, Tess. I’m not going anywhere.”

  But it was a promise I had no idea if I could keep.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  tess

  Ryan had no idea what his words did to my insides. If he knew how much I wanted him, more than just a casual thing, he’d be running for the door. Tonight had given me a glimpse of what it could be like to be a family, and God, I had no idea how badly I wanted that.

  The hard ridge of his cock rubbed between my legs. “There are too many clothes between us,” I gasped out. “Off. Now.”

  “Okay, bossy pants.” He lowered my legs and took my hand and then backed up until we were in front of the couch. He reached down and turned on the small lamp. “You first.”

  I’d watched the girls onstage long e
nough to know how they did it and how much the guys loved it. I never wanted to put myself on display like that, but for Ryan, yeah, I would. And he was going to get one hell of a show.

  “You want me to strip?” I asked with a grin.

  “Hell yes.”

  His eyes widened when I playfully pushed him back and he fell-sat on the couch. I hummed a slow song to myself and started to sway my hips. Ryan’s immediate groan shot my confidence level through the roof. I hadn’t felt this sexy in a long time, not like this. Especially not with a guy.

  I ran my fingertips up my sides and then back down over my chest. The way Ryan was watching me made my nipples hard. Right now, I wouldn’t bet who was more turned on.

  I hooked my fingers under the hem of my top and slowly pulled it upward, revealing inch after inch of skin. I could feel Ryan’s eyes following the shirt’s progress. At the last second, I spun around and pulled it over my head.

  When I threw it at Ryan over my shoulder, he choked out a laugh.

  I reached back and unhooked my bra, then slid the straps down my arms. All the while I was swaying my hips seductively. Now was the fun part. Just as I started to unbutton my shorts, I felt Ryan behind me.

  “Can I help?” His voice was low and rough and goose bumps sprang up all over my skin. “Because you’re driving me insane and I need to touch you.”

  “Okay,” I whispered.

  His finger traced over my shoulder and down my bare arm. I sucked in a breath when I felt his touch on the small of my back. I arched involuntarily. Ryan’s breath hitched.

  “You are so fucking beautiful, Tess.”

  He pressed his hot mouth to the back of my neck and sparks shot through my body. My legs weren’t going to support me for much longer, so I leaned fully back against him. Ryan slid his arms around me from behind before slowly turning me to face him.

  His eyes were burning with desire, and I lost myself in them.

  When he cupped my face, I leaned into his hand. All kinds of feelings were bubbling to the surface, and I swallowed desperately to keep them inside. This was only a casual thing. I couldn’t let myself fall for Ryan again, because I already knew he didn’t do the long-term thing.

  “Take off your shirt,” I said.

  “Help me,” he answered.

  I moved my hands under the bottom edge and slid my hands up and under. His skin was hot and hard under my fingers. His muscles twitched as I moved higher. I loved that my touch affected him as much as his did me.

  I wanted to take my time and tease him, but my own greed won out. I wanted to see him. All of him. I lifted and he reached back and tugged the neck up and over his head. My mouth went dry. I needed to know what his skin tasted like.

  He groaned when my lips met his shoulder. I made my way up his neck to the same spot he liked to kiss on me. “Christ, Tess,” he panted.

  He stepped closer and drove one hand into my hair. The other he slid around my waist and jerked us together, flesh on flesh. His mouth swooped down and took mine in a hot and hungry kiss.

  I arched against him, loving the feel of his muscled chest against the tips of my breasts. Heat filled me, restless tension made my limbs ache. Enough playing around. I wanted him so badly I could almost taste it. I ripped my mouth away and looked up into his dark eyes.

  “If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to rip off your shorts and bend you over the couch and fuck you,” he growled.

  Stars danced in my vision. His words ignited an inferno in my blood. Holy hell, that’s exactly what I wanted. I reached down and popped the button free on his jeans. “Promise?” I asked breathlessly.

  “Actually, I’ve got an even better idea.” He reached for my shorts and had them loosened and off before I could blink. “You are so fucking sexy, Tess.” His gaze raked over every inch of my body just as thoroughly as any touch.

  Ryan toed off his sneakers and pushed his jeans and boxers down. He stood back up without an ounce of self-consciousness, and he had no need to be. Good Lord that boy was perfect. Working construction definitely did a body good. Hard planes of sculpted muscles covered everything, and next time, I wanted to spend an hour tracing the dips and curves of them.

  He hooked his finger under the edge of my panties and tugged me over to the couch. He sat in the middle and pulled me to stand between his legs. Now he had both sides of my underwear in his grip and he slowly pulled them down.

  When I stepped out of them, he leaned forward and pressed a kiss just below my belly button. I gripped his shoulders to keep from falling over. Every nerve in my body was strung so tight that I was ready to implode at any second.

  All he had to do was touch between my legs and I knew it wouldn’t take long. I rocked my hips, begging without words.

  “You want something, baby?” he asked, pressing more kisses along the sensitive flesh of my hips.

  “Yes,” I gasped out. I tangled my fingers in his hair and urged his head closer.

  He ran one hand along the inside of my thigh and lifted it so that I was standing with one leg on the couch. When his hot mouth moved between my legs, I almost fell. He nibbled everywhere except the spot where I needed him the most.

  I whimpered and moaned and moved my hips, but he was playing dirty.

  “Ryan, please.”

  “Is this what you want?” He ran his tongue up and over my clit and my eyes rolled back in my head.

  “God, yes,” I groaned.

  He did it again and everything centered on that spot. I rocked my hips back and forth and it was his turn to moan. His tongue moved faster and I forgot how to breathe. So close. Knew it wasn’t going to take much more.

  I was lost in the urgency building in my body. My legs shook. I gasped for air. Tension wound tighter and tighter and with each breath I was closer to the edge. “Ryan.” I called out his name.

  He dug his fingers into my hip to hold me steady, then moved his other hand up the inside of my thigh until I felt two fingers sliding into me. His tongue pressed against my clit and he moved them slowly in and out as the tension spiraled out of control and light burst brightly behind my eyes.

  All that kept me from collapsing was Ryan’s hold on me. My hips bucked and wave after wave of sweet pleasure rolled over me. Somewhere in the haze I heard Ryan groan. He was moving, shifting back and taking me with him.

  I heard foil tearing and then he was guiding my knees onto the couch on each side of his thighs. I blinked, tried to regain some focus, and looked into his eyes. They were dark and intense and filled with desire.

  “Ride me,” he said hoarsely. “I want to watch you on my cock.”

  I shifted up and forward and he positioned himself right at the spot that was still throbbing. I didn’t need any more coaxing. I wanted to feel him inside me. I sank down over him in one long movement.

  “Fuck,” he hissed. His fingers gripped my hips and he started to guide me back and forth.

  He didn’t need to. Pleasure started building as soon as I moved, and I leaned forward enough to lift my hips until he was almost all the way out before driving myself back down.

  The gasps coming from his mouth only spurred me on. He wanted a ride? I was going to give him the ride of his life. Desperate energy built between us. Every time I lifted up and drove myself back down, the pressure grew more intense.

  I was so close again. Ryan tangled his fingers in my hair and pulled my head down. His tongue was hot and frenzied and matched the rhythm of our hips. A couple more strokes and I teetered on the edge.

  “Fuck,” he growled. “I’m going to come, baby. Let go. I want to feel you explode on me first.”

  He didn’t need to ask twice. Only a couple more thrusts and I tightened around him. He swallowed my muffled cries and his hips lifted in his own frantic climb. Then I was drinking in his cries of release.

  He stiffened under
me and arched up and his whole body shook. I pulled back so that I sat up straight, and zings of pleasure echoed through me when I rocked my hips and rode out his climax.

  Movement slowed. The hands that had been digging into my hips softened and Ryan ran them up and down my back. I fell forward against his sweaty skin and pressed my lips to his neck. I could hear his heart pounding under my ear.

  We sat like that for several long minutes.

  I didn’t want to let him go.

  Not now, not ever.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  ryan

  I was falling for Tess.

  I knew it because casual stopped being casual somewhere along the way and I hadn’t even noticed. Normally, after I was with a woman, that was it. I’d never felt the need to stay, to see if there was something else there besides sex, because that’s all I ever wanted.

  It wasn’t just about the sex with Tess, though, because we’d only officially had it once. There was more to it. All day at work I looked forward to seeing her and Noah. To listen to him tell me every single thing they had done that day. And the nights that Tess worked, I sometimes even stopped by just to see how Noah was doing.

  Tonight was one of Tess’s nights off, so I was on my way there now with a shiny new toolbox I found at the hardware store today. It had real tools, only pint-size. It was an early birthday present I couldn’t resist. Noah was going to freak. I went through the KFC drive-through and got a bucket of fried chicken and some sides before I got there.

  I was balancing everything and trying to get up the steps when I heard an excited voice shout, “Hey, Ryan!”

  Over the bucket of chicken I saw Noah standing on the balcony waving furiously. When I got to the top, he immediately zoomed in on the toolbox.

  “Is that for me?” he asked.

  “Is what for you?” Tess said, appearing in the doorway.

  She had her hair twisted up on the top of her head and had on cutoff jean shorts and a tiny tank top. I didn’t really feel like chicken for dinner anymore. I had something much sweeter in mind.