by Maggie Marr
What had that conversation between Tyler and Ma sounded like? Tyler asking Ma to let Brinn stay at the Christmas Cottage with him for a night?
“Don’t worry, I know all about your mom. I wasn’t specific, I merely told her I had a surprise planned to celebrate your success and was there any way that you could come in around noon tomorrow. She said she’d take care of it and that it wasn’t a problem.”
Brinn nodded. Ma taking care of it meant she’d be doing double duty in the bakery. Ma never asked for help. Guilt fluttered through Brinn. Maybe she’d try to be there a little earlier than noon.
“Tonight is meant to celebrate your success. To forget about all the complications and stress of work. Just for a little bit.”
Tyler pulled her to him, and the heat that smoldered between them grew hot. His lips were on hers, and she pressed her hips forward. Her entire body, every inch of her skin, flamed with his touch. His lips trailed down her neck. He reached behind her and pulled the zipper of her dress down. Brinn’s fingers wove through his mass of thick, wheat-colored hair. He pulled down the sleeves of her red velvet dress. His lips left hers and heat seared across her neck as his mouth trailed over her. He turned her away from him and his hands lifted her mass of curls from the back of her neck. Hot kisses pressed against her skin. She was wet. Desire pooled between her legs as her sex clenched, already wet for him with just his gentle touch and the press of his lips to her neck.
His lips followed the line of her zipper. Her nipples tightened and her breathing shortened. Tyler’s touch, his hands on her, his lips, the anticipation of being with him. His fingers unsnapped her bra and they slid beneath the lace straps. His chin, rough with late- in-the-day stubble, pressed beside her ear.
“You take my breath away.” With those words, her dress dropped to the floor.
Air rushed through Brinn’s body. Tyler’s lips traveled from her neck and down each vertebra. His belt buckle and then his zipper opened as he stripped off his clothes. His cock hard, and ready, bumped against her buttocks. Tiny thrills shivered through her. He reached round and placed two fingers on her nipple and squeezed.
Want unfurled in her belly. Her whole body trembled.
His voice was low and raspy. “Feel good?”
“Yes.”
She was wet for him and she wanted him between her legs. His hand drifted around and his fingers slid through her folds as his lips continued to work her neck. His fingers slid over her clit, and her hips pressed back against him.
“What do you want, Brinn? Tell me what you want.”
She opened her lips to speak, but just as she did, he released her nipple and thrust two fingers into her.
“You’re so wet for me. Do you want me in you? Is that what you want?”
Her tongue flicked over her lips. That was exactly what she wanted. She wasn’t far from him taking her over the edge with just his fingers and his lips on her neck. His hot, silky voice was so close to her ear. The stubble of his chin pressed against the soft flesh of her neck as he spoke to her. In one quick motion, he turned her to him. His cock now pressed against her belly. His lips were on hers and her mouth opened to him. Hot and greedy, his tongue twined with hers. He walked her to the bed and laid her on the wonderful sheets.
She wanted to grasp his cock, to stroke her hands down his hard shaft. He was above her, and his tongued traveled down her body. Her body was his; she’d surrendered to him in every way. His other hand spread her legs, and his finger made soft, tight circles on the soft flesh of her inner thigh. His finger traced up over the flesh between her sex and her thigh and found her tight, engorged clit.
“Tyler, please. Oh my God, please.” Her hips hitched upward, eager for him to fill her and take her over the edge.
He pulled his lips from her nipple, and his lips traveled down over the flesh of her belly. He paused and looked up at her. “I love your pussy. I love how it feels.”
His words and his hands sent her close to edge. She danced on the precipice, and then he pulled his finger away and his lips were on her clit. Tight circles around her nub, pulling her close to the edge. He grasped both of her hips, and she bucked and rolled. She could feel his heavy breathing and knew that he was holding back to give her pleasure.
“Come for me, baby. Come for me, Brinn.”
He pressed his tongue to her clit and sucked harder, pulling the nub into his mouth, his tongue massaging her and his finger pulsing into her. Brinn flew over the edge and deep into her orgasm.
“Tyler, oh my God, Tyler!” Her body shuddered and she moaned and he brought her over the edge again and again.
*
He loved to watch her come. Tyler pulled his mouth from Brinn’s sex. She was wet and slick and hot, and he’d nearly lost everything simply watching her body buck backward with pleasure, her curls wild and mussed on the pillow behind her head, her hips thrashing upward. He loved the taste of her, the feel of her between his lips, the pleasure that flew through her.
He was hard. Harder for her than he’d ever been for any woman. He kneeled and Brinn’s eyes half-lidded eyes, heavy with pleasure, stared at his cock.
“I want you inside me.”
He nearly came at her request. He pressed his palm to the bed beside her, and his fingertip brushed over her still-swollen clit, the nerves so sensitive that her hips thrust up again and her eyes closed with pleasure.
“Ohhh.” Her breathing was shallow, as though she could barely stand the pleasure that he provided.
Tyler pressed the head of his cock to her slick entrance, and Brinn’s eyes widened. Her hips thrust up. She wanted to take all of him.
“Easy, baby. Easy.” The come in his balls was ready to explode. Watching her come over and over, tasting her flesh, he was so close to the edge. The warmth of her walls closed around him, clenching him. He pressed into her. A moan came from her lips. His balls drew up close to his body. He didn’t have much time left. With one hard thrust, he was in her and his lips were on hers. Her body rocked beneath him, and his control was gone. He was thrusting hard and fast, and Brinn’s nails clawed into his back, holding on to him.
“Yes, Tyler, yes. Please, baby, yes.” She held on to him and her legs wrapped around his body. Her pussy, her beautiful hot pussy, convulsed and tightened as he thrust in and out of her. Tingles started in his feet as he thrust deeper and deeper, and then the hot jet of come shot from him and out his cock and deep into her womb. He thrust again and again, getting the last bits of pleasure as Brinn’s pussy continued to milk his cock for every thrust. He collapsed on top of her, and his lips pressed to hers.
He rolled from her, not wanting to crush her, and they panted side by side. Her profile was soft in the darkness, revealed by only the flicker of the fireplace flame. She was beautiful inside and out. Exactly what he wanted, what he’d waited for. She was the person who was meant for him.
“Brinn.” He pressed his fingertips to the side of her face and cupped his palm around her cheek. He moved her gaze toward his.
She was so spent, so beautiful, so full of pleasure. The corner of her mouth hitched upward into a smile.
“Baby, I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Tyler’s heart nearly exploded from his chest. His one wish to have a loving home for Charlotte, filled with family, was coming true for him. It was nearly too much goodness for one man to expect. Plus the love of the right woman. The woman who was meant for him. The woman he truly wanted. He wouldn’t fail her. He’d learned so much through the failure of his first marriage. He would not put off his relationship for his work. Brinn had a career that she loved too. They would work together.
Tyler pressed his lips to Brinn’s, sealing the moment in his soul. Brinn was his and he was hers. There was nothing that could pull them apart—they were meant to be together. Of this, he was certain.
Chapter Twenty-four
While Tyler’s work had slowed down for the Christmas season and the New Year, Brinn’s heated
up. Bea & Barbara’s Bakery was slammed. Some days when he drove by there was a line out the bakery and around the block. The third time he saw the line, he stopped. He managed to squeeze in the front door past the well-mannered mob and to the front counter where Alison was busting her ass to make coffee and take orders.
Tyler walked past the counter, grabbed a pink apron, and slipped it over his head. Brinn rounded the corner with a tray of Santa Claus sugar cookies decorated to frosted perfection. She stopped and a smile curved across her lips.
“I know you miss me, but I didn’t know you missed me this much.”
“I’m here to help. I mean, look at that line. And poor Alison—you keep working her like this and she’ll quit on you.”
“If I had time to quit, I would.” Alison shook open a white paper bag and filled it with two crullers and a cake donut.
“Usually there are two of us up front, but we got a late order and Ma doesn’t refuse any orders the week before Christmas.”
“Nor does she hire any additional help.” Alison gritted her teeth.
“I’m here and I’m willing. Tell me what to do.”
“Tyler, I’m not sure this is such a good id—”
“Get me three cinnamon coffees to go with these donuts,” Alison called.
Tyler spun around and pulled open the display case. Brinn stood with her hands on her hips for about three seconds and then turned and rushed to the kitchen to get another tray of cookies.
This was good. He would see his girlfriend and help her through the busy time. Maybe Ma would even warm up to him. Ma did not seem pleased, though, when she walked out with another tray of cookies—this time sugar cookie wreaths—and spotted him. Regardless, Tyler didn’t stop or sit or breathe for four hours. Finally, around five p.m., there was a lull.
“Coffee?” Alison held out a mug toward Tyler and he took it. “It’ll be quiet now for about half an hour. Unless Barbara took more orders I don’t know about.”
“No more orders.” Brinn pulled her apron, which was covered with chocolate and sugar and flour, over her head. “Alison, go grab something to eat at Around the Block. Stretch your legs. Get some air.”
“I’m all good. I brought a sandwich and a book. I’m gonna curl up in that corner couch over there for about twenty minutes. Don’t let anyone disturb me.” She lifted a paperback from beneath the counter, smiled, and headed toward the spot to which she’d pointed.
“Want to stretch your legs?”
Brinn nodded. They grabbed their coats, told Ma and Dom they’d be back in half an hour, and walked out the back door and into the alley.
The cold air hit Tyler in the face and the chill felt good. A little jolt to the system. He took Brinn’s mittened hand into his. They rounded the corner and walked down Main.
“Hungry?”
“One of the hazards of baking all day is that by the time I’m finished, I’m not hungry for a while, but when I do get hungry it’s usually late, and then I am starved.”
“Makes sense. Want to grab something after the bakery closes?”
“You don’t have to stay that long.”
“I know I don’t have to, but I want to.” He stopped walking in the middle of the sidewalk and turned to face Brinn. He pulled her to him. They were like a sandbar in a river of people as everyone rushed around them with bags and boxes, trying to finish their Christmas shopping. “I like being with you. I’ve missed you.”
“It’s absolutely crazy this last week. Always. Nothing but the bakery for seven days. Glad I got all my shopping done.”
“All?” He leaned closer. The scents of vanilla and butter and oranges filled his nose. God, he loved her scent. His lips were so close to hers. He wanted her, he’d missed waking up next to her, but she needed her rest. Regardless, his cock sprang upward and throbbed due to her nearness, even with all the layers of clothes between them.
“I’ll go home now. Feed and bathe Charlotte. Put her to bed. Pick up Chinese food and then come get you. That work?”
“Mr. Emerson, that sounds perfect.”
“My parents have invited us to the house after Christmas Eve dinner with your family at the Grande.”
Brinn stiffened in his arms, though to her credit she kept her smile on her face. She hadn’t been to his parents’ house since the night she’d dashed out after Kent had been such a complete ass.
“I know that it might be difficult for you, but they really want you to come. We’ll all be there, and it’s really the big event of the season for the Emerson family.”
Brinn nodded. “If you and Charlotte are there, then count me in. The Grande with my family and then your parents’ house after. Okay?”
Tyler nodded. Okay. He had something he couldn’t wait to show her and hoped to do it Christmas Eve, between their dinner at the Grande and the presents at his parents.
“I’ll see you in a couple of hours.” Tyler leaned in and his lips were on hers. Her whole body molded to his and fire flamed in him. God, he wanted her. He wanted her all the damn time. “Maybe we can forget about dinner and just go to bed.”
A slow smile enveloped Brinn’s face. “Maybe.”
She pulled away from his embrace and backed down the sidewalk toward the bakery. When she turned and walked away, he stood there frozen, mesmerized by the woman who had stolen his heart, the woman who had made him feel again and who was, little by little, restoring his trust in love and happily-ever-afters. She flipped those lush curls over her shoulder, did a quick turn, and tossed him a wave and a wicked smile. Then she entered Bea & Barbara’s Bakery.
He was done. He was absolutely, one hundred percent done where love was concerned, and he was thrilled to feel that way.
*
“I’ve been looking for a place.” Tyler opened the box of white rice and set it beside the kung pao scallops.
Brinn walked into the living room carrying two plates and an open bottle of wine. “I thought you and Charlotte would live with your parents.”
Tyler had started a fire in the fireplace and the room was warm. They’d not been together since the Christmas Cottage, and while she desperately wanted to straddle him and let him rock her world, she’d not eaten since nine a.m. and her appetite had finally returned.
“The original project was only supposed to take a year, but this new project will take a minimum of three and possibly five. Especially if they get the other tract of land.”
“Another tract of land?” Brinn shook her head. “Wow, they are really serious about making Thunder Ridge world-class.”
“If they get the second tract, the expansion might double, and if that happens, we’re looking at five or six years. While I love my parents, I really think it’d be best for Charlotte and me to have our own space. Plus, I’d like to have you over to my place too.”
Brinn’s heart somersaulted in her chest. Damn this man; this man made her throw away all caution. Her heart was his now. With every touch, every kiss, every look, every moment spent together, she became more and more his and happier that she was.
“Where are you looking?”
“The Lansing place.”
Brinn clasped her hand over her heart. The old Victorian had a giant wraparound porch and gingerbread paint and was one of the oldest and most gorgeous houses in Powder Springs. Plus it was three houses from his parents. “I love that place.” Brinn shut her eyes. “And it has the creek through the backyard with a gazebo. Oh my goodness, it may be the best-looking house in Powder Springs.”
Tyler smiled and his eyes held a hint of a secret. “The Lansing place needs a lot of work. I drew up a couple of changes for the kitchen and the bathroom, and I think we could get them finished before I begin construction on the Grande.”
Brinn heard the “we.” Had to mean him and Charlotte. He wasn’t asking her to move in with them, was he? Brinn’s heart jumped in her chest. What would she say to such a thing? How would she react? Yes, she was falling desperately in love with him, but living with him? Wo
w, that was a huge step. Especially with Charlotte involved.
“I know you’re busy, but I was hoping maybe after Christmas you’d look at my plans for the kitchen. At the Lansing Place, tell me what you think. What it needs, how it feels to you.”
“To me?”
“Well, kitchens are kind of your specialty, right?”
Brinn nodded. She plucked a scallop up with her chopsticks and popped it into her mouth. Damn, she was hungry. “Have you made an offer?’
“Not yet. I have a few more things I want to finalize, but the realtor knows I’m really interested.”
“Wow, the Lansing house. You’ll be close to your parents.”
“Another reason it’s kind of perfect. Mom is going to help with Charlotte when things really rev up on the Grande project. Having her close will be a big bonus.”
“I think this sounds amazing. I mean, if you like it and it’s what you want, I don’t know how you say no to something that perfect.”
Tyler’s gaze landed on her and her heart fluttered in her chest. He smiled.
“Yeah, I don’t know how you say no to something that perfect either.”
He wasn’t talking about the Lansing house; she knew it in her core. He was talking about her and him and Charlotte and all of them together. Her heart beat faster. How was it that she’d managed to snag and fall in love with Tyler Emerson? The man who had been her first crush and whom she’d thought was way out of her league. Life was good sometimes, amazingly good. She took a long sip of wine. Her eyes brushed over Tyler and the fireplace and the Christmas tree. This holiday season was the best one she could ever remember. She leaned toward Tyler, so close to him. She looked deep into his eyes. “You’ve made me so happy.”
His eyes widened and the pupils dilated. His face took on the hints of lust that were beginning to grow familiar to her.
“You’ve changed my life.” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to him.
She was now on top of him, her legs straddling him, her knees on the couch. Her sex heated with desire. His hands reached up and unbuttoned her sweater. An urgency pulsed between them. A need. He pulled the soft cashmere over her shoulders and slipped it from her body. A flame of want burst through her body. She would never have enough of him. His fingertips on her skin ignited her, made her feel gorgeous and wanted. His passion consumed her.