Until You

by Denise Grover Swank

  Shit.

  He kept his arm around Lanie’s back and turned to face his crazy ex. “Thanks for coming over to say hi, Nina, but we’d like to get back to our date.”

  Tears welled in Nina’s eyes, and she turned and ran out the door. Two women who must have been her friends quickly followed behind her.

  “A restraining order?” Lanie asked. Tyler took it as a good sign that Lanie was still in his embrace and making no effort to get away.

  “We dated. Last spring.” He tilted his head, trying to downplay the incident. “Things got a little intense on her end, and I had to have the court intervene.” He knew he should tell her more, but the truth would probably fuck with her head, and he hadn’t missed her surprise earlier when Britt had announced that he hadn’t dated in five months. After that kiss, he definitely didn’t want to scare her off.

  Brittany be damned.

  She released a soft laugh. “You make it sound like it happens all the time. Does it?”

  “No. And I haven’t seen her since last April.”

  She lifted an eyebrow. “In court, I presume.” She studied him for a moment, then took a step back. “It’s been a long day, and I think I’m ready to call it a night.”

  Shit. Maybe he could still salvage this. “Lanie—”

  “Will you take me home? You can get the jacket and tie you loaned me.”

  That was the last thing he’d expected. A grin spread across his face. “It depends. Do I need to worry about you disfiguring me again?”

  Her eyes danced. “No promises.”

  “Then I guess I’ll take my chances.”

  “Good answer.” She leaned forward and gave him a soft, lingering kiss. “I have to get my purse and tell Stephanie that I’m leaving. I’ll be right back.”

  “Your assistant won’t mind?”

  A knowing grin spread across her face. “In this instance, no.”

  “Okay.”

  He watched the sway of her hips as she walked to a table in the back. He shifted to try to ease the throbbing in his pants.

  “Earth to Norris.”

  Tyler turned to see Matt standing next to him. “Hey. You just saved me a walk to our table to tell you I’m leaving.”

  “With Lanie?”

  Tyler looked at him in surprise.

  “Kevin told me who she was. I also saw Nina.”

  “Yeah, but Nina left without any drama.”

  Matt looked uncomfortable. “Hey, I know this is the first woman you’ve been interested in since the whole Nina thing, but she’s Brittany’s cousin. Maybe you should stop and think that one through. What happens when it all crashes and burns?”

  “Who says it’s going to crash and burn?”

  “It always crashes and burns, Ty,” he said without malice.

  Matt had a point. Matt had seen it all—the good, the bad, and even the ugly last spring.

  “Look,” Tyler said. He wanted this too much to admit there might be a problem. “Lanie’s short term. She made that clear. She’s here for a month and then she’s moving on to the next job. Unencumbered. Her word.”

  “Believe it or not, I’m worried about you.”

  Tyler started to laugh, then realized Matt was serious. “Me? What the hell are you talking about?”

  But Lanie was walking up to them with her purse hanging from her arm.

  “Everything good with your friend?” Tyler asked.

  “She’s summoning an Uber even as we speak.” She smiled up at Matt. “Hi, you must be Tyler’s best friend.”

  “Lanie,” Tyler said as he slapped a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “This is Matt. And he knows we’re leaving.” He stepped away from the bar, wrapped an arm around her lower back, and ushered her toward the door.

  “Bye, Matt,” Lanie called over her shoulder, then glanced up at Tyler with a grin. “What’s the hurry? Worried I’ll change my mind?”

  He stopped on the sidewalk and turned toward her, keeping his hand at the small of her back. Her breasts pressed against his chest, and a jolt of electricity shot straight to his crotch. “Should I be?”

  She grinned, looking mischievous. “What’s life without a little mystery?” She pressed a lingering kiss to his lips, then leaned back and smiled. “Take me home, Tyler.”

  Chapter Twelve

  They’d been silent during the short drive to her apartment, but when he parked in the small lot behind her building, he was dying to touch her—yet he was still determined to let her take the lead.

  By the time he’d gotten out of the car, she was already halfway up the sidewalk to the door. She punched in a key code to enter the building and opened the door.

  He wasn’t sure if she was in a hurry or if she was testing him, but he followed her into the small entry and watched her push the button for the elevator. When the door opened, he snagged her hand and tugged her inside. He pressed her back against the elevator wall and kissed her, his mouth devouring hers. So much for letting her take the lead.

  She clung to him, kissing him back with a raw hunger that excited him more. He tried to put his leg between hers, but her tight skirt kept her legs from spreading far enough apart.

  When he lifted his head, she stared up at him, dazed and breathless.

  It was then that he realized that even though the elevator doors had closed, they were still on the ground floor. “What floor?”

  She blinked. “Fifth.”

  He leaned to the side and pressed the five button, then kissed her again until the door dinged.

  He took a step back, thinking they were on her floor, but the three light was illuminated over the open doors. An elderly woman stood outside the elevator, her mouth parted. Then she grinned and stepped inside. “Don’t stop on my account.”

  A playful look filled Lanie’s eyes, and she buried her face into his chest as she tried to hide her giggles.

  The door closed, and they stood in an awkward silence. Tyler slipped his arm around her back and held her close. While he’d missed holding a woman, Lanie felt different. There was no denying that she was beautiful. But he realized there was more to her appeal than just her physical beauty. She was smart, and witty and driven, and confident. While a lot of men would have found her confidence intimidating, it only turned him on more. He found the whole package irresistible.

  The door opened again, this time on the fifth floor. Tyler practically pushed Lanie out of the elevator and into the hall.

  She grabbed his hand and tugged him to the left. “I’m in 505.” They stopped in front of her door, and she searched her purse. “Oh, shit.”

  He froze. “What’s wrong?”

  Pushing out a sigh, she looked up at him with a hopeful gaze. “How good are you at picking locks?”

  He laughed and ran his hand over his head. “I’m not sure there’s a right way to answer that.”

  She pressed her hand to her temple. “I was running late when I left for the photo shoot—obviously—and I must have left my keys on my kitchen counter.” She dropped her hand and looked up at him. “I can call a locksmith, but I’d rather not wait. If you can unlock my door… you can get your jacket.”

  He considered suggesting they go to his place, which was less than five minutes away, but then she’d still have to deal with unlocking her door. But more important, she might change her mind. And he really didn’t want her to change her mind. He’d kick the door open if he had to. “I’m game.”

  She stepped out of her shoes and squatted to pick them up, then glanced up and saw his amused grin.

  “Is this the part where you threaten bodily harm if I don’t open your door?” He flicked a finger toward the heels dangling from her fingers. “Using intimidation tactics?”

  Laughing, she gave him a saucy grin. “Will that give you more incentive to try?”

  He stepped closer and pressed a kiss to her neck below her ear. His hand rested on her waist and slowly skimmed up her side, stopping just below her breast. He was aching to touch her, but he
wasn’t sure molesting her in the hallway was a great idea. “I usually respond better to positive reinforcement.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind for future reference,” she said in a breathless voice.

  He took the shoes from her hand as he took a step back and tossed them into the corner of the hall. “I feel better if you’re disarmed.”

  She laughed, and he was even more eager to get that damn door open.

  She gestured toward the doorknob. “So you have experience picking locks?”

  “I plead the fifth.” He’d picked a few locks in his youth, not for burglaries, but all for mischievous purposes. “Do you have any hairpins?”

  “Thanks to Britt’s trial hair appointments, you’re in luck.” She dug into her purse and produced several.

  Taking two from her open palm, he knelt in front of her doorknob. “Then let’s give it a try.” It only took a few seconds before he had the door unlocked and open.

  “Wow,” she said with a chuckle. “I’m not sure whether to be impressed or terrified.”

  He got to his feet and handed her the bent pins. “Would it help if I told you that I only use my devious powers for good?”

  She took a step backward and grinned. “I’d rather you use them for wicked.”

  A bolt of lust shot through him as she turned and walked into the dimly lit apartment. He followed her inside, his gaze falling to her ass again. His mind ran wild as he imagined what she might be wearing underneath that tight skirt.

  “Do you want a glass of wine?” she asked as she walked into the small kitchen of the open layout space. Her apartment was small and tastefully decorated. It was open concept, with the living room and tiny kitchen occupying a small space. A short hall looked like it led to a bathroom and bedroom. A lamp sat on an end table in the living room, illuminating the space in a low light.

  Lanie lifted a wine bottle out of the sink, then tossed into a nearby trash can. She opened the refrigerator and looked inside, then quickly closed the door. “I’m out of wine. I have some vodka, but nothing to mix with it.”

  He took several slow steps toward her. “I’m not feeling very thirsty.”

  “Oh?” she asked with a grin. “Are you hungry?”

  “Very.”

  “I don’t have any food.”

  “It’s not food I’m hungry for.”

  * * *

  When he pulled her to his chest, she melted into him as he kissed her with an intensity that weakened her knees. But she was hungry for him too.

  One of his hands grabbed her ass and pulled her even tighter against him. She rested her hands on his shirt, feeling his rippled chest underneath her fingertips. His mouth skimmed down her neck, nipping at the tender skin, while his hand traced the side of her breast, then made slow circles around her nipple over her silky blouse.

  “Is your plan to drive me crazy before you even get my clothes off?” she asked breathlessly. “Because it’s working.”

  He lifted his head and grinned.

  “Don’t look so pleased with yourself,” she teased. “I’m waiting to see how the rest of this goes before I offer a critique.”

  He laughed and then brushed his thumb over her nipple. She arched her back as she squirmed, and his grin spread. “How am I doing so far?”

  “Still reserving judgment.”

  “Tough sell.”

  His mouth covered hers again, his tongue parting her lips and searching her mouth.

  She released a soft moan, and he started to work on the top button of her blouse while he continued to kiss her, but then seconds later, he lifted his head and ripped her shirt open.

  She laughed. “Seriously. Again?”

  “I’ll buy you a new shirt,” he said in a husky voice that made her shiver as he focused on her white lacy bra. “I’ll buy you a truckload of shirts.” He pulled her shirt free from the waistband of her skirt, then rested his hands on her waist.

  The touch of his hands on her bare skin sent a wave of heat through her body. “Patience is a virtue,” she said breathlessly.

  His hands skimmed up her sides. He slowly pushed the blouse off her shoulders, letting the fabric fall down her arms to the floor. He lifted his gaze to hers, his mouth twisting into a seductive smile. “I have to warn you, Lanie. I’m not feeling very virtuous.”

  An ache burned low in her pelvis. “Neither am I.”

  Taking a step back, she grabbed his hand and tugged him to her bedroom. She flipped a switch on the wall, turning on a bedside lamp. She turned toward him, looking up into his lust-filled eyes.

  She started to unknot his tie, but he brushed her hand away and pulled it over his head, then tossed it on the floor.

  She released a soft laugh.

  His jacket was next, and he tossed it onto the chair in the corner, while she started to work on the buttons of his shirt.

  He reached behind her and unfastened her skirt. A quick tug pulled it over her hips, and it fell to the ground at her bare feet.

  His hands slid down her back and over the rise of her ass as she finished with the last button of his shirt and spread it open.

  “You’re too slow,” he said with a grin as he started to undo his pants.

  “I can’t help it if you’re a cheater.”

  He stepped out of his shoes, then let his pants drop to the floor. She barely had time to study the impressive bulge in his briefs before he pushed her onto the bed.

  Holding her arms over her head, he leaned over her, kissing her as though he had all the time in the world. His thumb made lazy brushstrokes across her cheeks and down her neck, tracing her exposed collarbone.

  “I thought you were in a hurry,” she said as his mouth lowered to her neck, nipping and sucking across her collarbone down to the rise of her breast.

  “I changed my mind,” he murmured against her skin. “I want to taste all of you.” His hand cupped her other breast, the weight filling his hand. His mouth made its way to her nipple, licking the tip through the lace as his thumb teased her other breast.

  Lanie gasped, and Tyler murmured his approval as he reached behind her and unhooked her bra, then pulled it free and tossed it to the floor. His lips skimmed across her breast before he sucked her nipple into his mouth. Her pelvis lifted involuntarily, and his hand slipped under the band of her panties, then slid between her folds.

  “God, Lanie. You’re so wet.”

  Her response was a low moan.

  His mouth skimmed down her abdomen, stopping at the edge of her panties. He rose to his knees and pulled her panties over her hips and down her legs. He lowered his mouth to her inner thigh as he spread her legs, then licked and sucked a path higher and higher toward her core. He buried his face between her legs as he pushed them wider, his tongue finding the spot that made her cry out this time.

  A slow, burning ache filled her pelvis, the pressure building until he pushed her over the edge. She cried out and he kissed his way up her body, lingering over her breasts.

  She pushed him up, then leaned to the side and opened her nightstand drawer. She pulled out a condom and ripped it open as he pulled off his briefs. She paused when she saw how large he was, and she flushed with excitement and anticipation.

  A wicked gleam filled his eyes as she pushed him onto his back, and she grinned at him. She rolled the condom over his throbbing erection, then straddled his waist. She let her hands roam his body, studying him as she explored his arms and chest, then his hard abdomen. He watched her, cupping both breasts and brushing her nipples with the pads of his thumbs. The heat was building in her core.

  “I want you, Lanie,” his said in a groan. “Now.”

  She lifted over him then slowly lowered onto his shaft as she stretched to take him in, letting him fill her. When she was fully seated, she leaned her head back and reveled in the sensation. She moaned, then whispered, “You feel so good.”

  She rose then slowly lowered herself again, taking him fully.

  He sat up and pulled her legs ar
ound his back. His hands dug into her hips, and he began to move her, picking up the pace. She took over, mimicking his pace.

  He captured the back of her head in his hand and kissed her hard, his mouth punishing as his tongue coaxed hers.

  The pressure was building again, and she clung to his shoulders.

  Tyler grunted, then still inside her, flipped her to her back.

  She gasped, but it only turned her on more as he pinned her wrists over her head and slowly thrust inside her.

  “God, Lanie,” he forced through gritted teeth.

  “How am I doing?” she teased, but her voice held a desperate sound that brought a satisfied look to his eyes.

  “I’m reserving judgment,” he grunted.

  She wrapped her legs tighter around his waist, and he quickened the pace, leaning on his elbow as he grabbed her hip and pumped into her faster. He took her higher and higher until she reached the top and fell, calling out his name as she tightened around him. His grip on her ass tightened as he gave one last deep thrust, then buried his face in her neck.

  They lay together for several seconds, catching their breath. Grinning, he lightly kissed her. “You are amazing.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  He rolled to his side and draped his arm across her stomach, then leaned over and gave her a long lazy kiss. “You’re beautiful.”

  She lay her head over his heart, feeling the rise and fall of his chest against her cheek. His arm curled around her, pulling her close, and she felt more relaxed than she had in forever. Her eyes drifted closed.

  His lips brushed her forehead, and he shifted from underneath her, and then she realized she’d fallen asleep. She rolled to her side and watched him as he got out of bed and reached for his underwear on the floor.

  “Sorry, I woke you,” he said as he stepped into his briefs, then pulled on his pants. “Go back to sleep, and I’ll let myself out.”

  She almost invited him to stay the night, then stopped herself. She rarely had men spend the night, and certainly not after the first time they’d slept together, but the bed felt strangely empty without him. “Don’t be silly,” she said, sitting up and leaning over to her dresser to pull out a long T-shirt. She pulled it over her head while he slipped his arms into his sleeves and buttoned his shirt.