by Tee O'Fallon
“I pay my debts.” Her brow furrowed, and he had the distinct impression she wasn’t only referring to monetary ones. “I guess this is goodbye.” She gave him a tight smile then picked up her bag.
When she headed to the hall table where her purse was, full-on panic bubbled up inside him. It’s now or never.
He gently clasped her arm, stopping her. If she walked out that door, she’d take that stupid, beating thing in his chest with her. “Don’t leave. Please,” he added, preparing to launch into a full-on beg.
“I have to.” Tears gathered in her eyes, making them sparkle like emeralds. “There’s nothing here for me.”
“There is,” he insisted, rubbing his palms up and down her bare arms. For both of us.
“No.” She valiantly blinked back her tears, reminding him that she was the most courageous person he’d ever met. Strength and grace under pressure. “I once thought there might have been, but I was wrong.”
“You weren’t wrong.” He lifted his hand to cup her face, stroking her smooth skin with his thumb. “There’s been something between us since the very beginning. I just didn’t know what it was until now.”
“Stop. Please, stop,” she whispered, letting her chin drop. “I can’t do this again. When you look at me, you’ll always see Harley. You’ll never see me.”
He clasped her face with both hands now, forcing her to look at him. Watching more of those big tears fall was killing him. Somehow, he had to get through to her.
“You’re wrong,” he said in an unsteady voice. “When I look at you, I see the most amazing, beautiful person I’ve ever known. I’m sorry for what I said to you. I’m sorry for being angry that you kept your past from me, and I’m sorry you felt you had to lie. But I understand. You love your brother, and love makes us do things.” No one knew that better than he did.
“It doesn’t matter.” She shook her head. “We don’t want the same things. I want love, and marriage, and children. You don’t want any of that. You said so yourself.”
“I did,” he admitted. “When I said them, I meant them. At least, I thought I did.” The minute Tess blew back into his life, he’d been in denial. “Things are different now. I’m different.”
She uttered a soft laugh. “People don’t change that quickly.”
“You’re right.” He nodded. “They don’t. I think I’ve been changing for a while and just didn’t know it. My parents weren’t exactly marital role models, so I never imagined I could be happy with someone. Then I met you. I was scared, so I ran.”
“Why?” she asked, her voice barely audible.
“Because deep down I always knew you were the one.” The person he was meant to be with. To love, marry, and have a dozen babies with. Well, maybe not a dozen. He fell to his knees, wrapping his arms around her legs and burying his face against her skirt. “Don’t leave,” he whispered then said those three little words he’d never said to anyone. “I love you. I love you.”
A soft gasp came to his ears, and he looked up. Her lips trembled, and he couldn’t tell if she was angry, or sad, or—
Resting her hands on his shoulders, she pushed at him, forcing him to ease his hold around her legs. A lump formed in his throat, threatening to choke him. He’d just spilled his guts, but she didn’t believe him. So be it. His heart was shattering, but he had to let her go.
Just when he expected her to make a run for the door, she lowered to her knees in front of him. “Say it again.”
Does that mean what I think it does? Thank you, Jesus.
He clasped her fingers and kissed them. “I love you. With everything that I am. You’re the yin to my yang.”
Soft laughter bubbled from her throat, followed by the most beautiful smile he never thought she’d bestow on him again. “I love you.”
Her words filled the cracks in his heart. He buried his face in her thick mass of curls, breathing in her sweet scent, kissing her forehead, her nose, then pressing his lips to hers.
Sighing, she opened to him, allowing him to deepen the kiss and drive his tongue into her mouth, tasting her very essence, or chi, or whatever it was that drew him to her like a supercharged magnet. She was everything he ever dreamed of, and she was his. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was holding his future in his hands.
He eased her down to the carpet, holding his weight on his elbows so he didn’t crush her slender frame. Her arms came around him, clutching at his back, sending shivers up his spine.
More. He wanted it all, and he wanted it right now.
Slipping his hand beneath her shirt, his fingers found her nipples tightened into hard little buds. Her skin was warm and soft, like the rest of her, and he couldn’t wait a moment longer to drive himself into all that softness. To revel in her energy and bask in its life-giving properties.
Christ, he was really buying into all that synergistic stuff. He had to, because it was an intrinsic part of who she was, and he wanted all of her.
“Wait! What about your white carpet? You’re covered in dirt.”
He laughed. “We’ll get new carpet. Pink. Purple. Whatever you want.” They both laughed as he tugged off her shirt and unhooked her bra. He bent his head to suckle on her nipples while she cradled his head to her breasts. Next came her skirt, and his heart about stopped at the sight of her sexy little pink thong.
Lordie, how he hoped she had more of those. If she didn’t, he buy her an entire case of them. Pink. Green. Chartreuse. Whatever.
Latching on to the thin fabric with his teeth, he dragged it down her legs then stood to shed himself of his filthy clothes, dropping them to the carpet and not giving a damn if the dirt never came out. The only thing that mattered was claiming his woman and burying himself inside her warm, pliant body.
When she licked her lips, the sight of her cute little tongue made him harder than a stick of dynamite. Lowering carefully on top of her, he spread her legs and touched her moist core, loving the way she sucked in a tight little breath and how she arched her breasts against his chest. Hell, there was nothing about her he didn’t love.
She locked her legs around his buttocks, urging him to slide inside her. He thrust slow and sure into her heat, groaning as her tight, wet walls clutched at him, squeezing and pulsing all around him. If this wasn’t heaven, he didn’t know what was. The only thing he knew was…
I could stay here forever.
Her hips met his thrusts, her breath coming in soft little gasps. When her breaths came quicker, he thrust harder, taking her cues and not wanting to miss a single moment of her orgasm he was sure was seconds away.
Even as the blood rushed to his balls, he held back, gazing down into the most beautiful face he’d ever seen. Her thrusts became more urgent, her hips slapping against his. Tiny fingernails dug into his back, driving him to the brink, but still he held back.
Knowing how much she liked it, he bent his head and sucked one of her nipples into his mouth, gently fastening his teeth around the hard bud.
Her body arched beneath him, and she cried out his name over, and over, and over again.
“Sweet Jesus,” he growled then let himself go, spilling everything he had inside her until he was completely spent.
As he floated back to earth, the dark skies of his childhood cleared. This was home. Not this house, but Tess. His home was wherever she was.
Epilogue
Six months later
“It’s beautiful up here.” Tess watched in awe as they hung a left off Tweed Boulevard and were quickly surrounded on both sides by thick forest. “It’s the perfect place for the Canine Haven.”
“That’s why Katrina chose this spot,” Jesse said from the back seat. “I love comin’ here.”
She sighed, never imagining things would have worked out as wonderfully as they had.
After Harley’s attempted bombing, the remaining sovereign citizens involved in the conspiracy had been rounded up. Pritchard, Ruffalo, and the other others had already pleaded guilty. Not even Charl
es Fenway—the Excelsior Hotel’s assistant manager—had escaped. He’d been pulled over by a state trooper halfway down the New Jersey Turnpike.
Most importantly, there was Eric. She squeezed his hand, and he sent her a quick wink that never failed to send delicious tingles to all the right places of her body.
She and Jesse had officially moved into Eric’s house. They’d compromised on the new carpet she and Eric had once made love on and settled on a rich cream color. As for the rest of the house, there were flowers and crystals and candles everywhere. It was a work in progress. Baby steps. Lots of baby steps.
He rested his big hand on her thigh. “Are you excited?”
“Very.” Actually, her anticipation was soaring. She was finally going to get a dog. Her own dog. Of course, Tiger had to approve. “Just look at all of them!” She clapped her hands in delight as they drove past fenced-in areas with dozens of dogs.
“Hey, get off me!” Jesse shouted.
She twisted in the seat to look behind her and laughed. Tiger was now partially standing on her brother’s lap, his head erect as he took in all the rescue dogs romping in the newly fallen snow blanketing the ground.
Jesse and Tiger were best buds now. Her brother had fully recovered from his appendectomy, and Eric was helping to lay the groundwork for him to pursue his dream. During the week, Jesse attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice and worked weekends at the Canine Haven, a no-kill rescue dog facility in Rockland County, New York.
The drive to the Haven was over an hour, but Jesse’s boss—Katrina Vandenburg—had graciously given him his own accommodations on weekends. On the one hand, she missed her brother terribly for those two days, but there were some definite perks to having Eric all to herself. In fact, she couldn’t wait to get home and take advantage of one perk in particular. In their massive king-size bed, or in the shower, or on their brand-new living room carpet. Again.
They parked next to Dayne’s K-9 SUV. “What’s Dayne doing here?”
Eric shut off the engine and grabbed a small plastic case from the console. “I need to return a piece of equipment I borrowed from him. He caught a case in this area, so we arranged to meet here.”
By the time she’d zipped up her jacket, Dayne was at the passenger door, opening it for her. The sounds of dogs barking—little dogs, big dogs, and every size in between—came at them from all directions, ratcheting her excitement up another notch.
“Hi, Dayne.” She enveloped him in her own version of a bear hug and gave his waist a good squeeze. In the months since the near-bombing, they’d barely seen him, and she missed having the big lug around. He was still the darkly brooding man she’d first met, but there were also fleeting moments when she’d glimpsed another side of him. The side he kept hidden most of the time.
“Hey, Red,” he said, calling her by the same nickname Nick used, then giving her one of his rare smiles.
Something he should do more often.
Since the night at the ATF office when they’d had their heart-to-heart, she’d known he experienced something mysterious and unpleasant in his past, but he’d never expounded on it. Whatever it was.
He released her to shake hands with Eric. “You’re looking good, my man. Cohabitation agrees with you.”
Eric handed Dayne the plastic case, then looped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. “That it does.” He dropped a quick kiss on her lips, a cute little thing he was doing more and more often, and she loved it.
“Dayne, you wanna help us pick out a girlfriend for Tiger?” Jesse tightened up Tiger’s leash while the dog pranced in place, clearly eager to investigate all the dog smells. “Katrina and I already picked one out, but Tess and Tiger have final say.”
“Sure. Why not?” From his surly tone, Tess was certain he had a hundred reasons why he didn’t want to go inside. Stoic that he was, he didn’t voice them.
“I can’t wait any longer.” She began dragging Eric to the front door, avoiding a giant mud puddle on the dirt walkway. “Let’s do this.”
When Eric opened the door, the first sight that greeted her was entirely not what she expected.
A stunning, willowy woman in a glittery silver strapless evening gown walked—no, glided—toward them. Draped around her neck and dangling from her ears were the most beautiful jewels she’d ever seen. Diamonds. A symbol of inner peace, strength and courage. Not exactly the rose quartz she preferred, but to each her own.
“You must be Tess.” The woman extended her hand. “I’m Katrina Vandenberg. Jesse’s told me so much about you. I feel as if I know you already, but it’s nice to finally meet in person.”
“My pleasure.” Tess couldn’t stop staring at Katrina’s eyes. Are they…amethyst? She had to be wearing colored contacts. No one’s eyes looked that way naturally. “Thank you so much for giving Jesse this incredible opportunity.”
“He’s a doll.” When Katrina smiled at her brother, he blushed.
Beside Jesse, Dayne’s eyes narrowed to slits, and there was no mistaking the disdain in his eyes.
What is that about? Was she missing something?
“Good to see you again.” Eric shook hands with Katrina.
“You as well.” She flipped her long, thick mane of dark hair from her bare shoulders, making the diamond rings on her fingers sparkle.
“This must be the famous Tiger.” She patted Tiger’s head. “I don’t believe we’ve met,” she said to Dayne.
“Dayne,” he practically snarled. “Just Dayne.”
“Well, Mister Just Dayne. Welcome to the Canine Haven.” Katrina’s flawless congeniality didn’t waver, although Tess noticed she didn’t extend her hand to Dayne, as if she’d picked up on his frostiness. “But I know you didn’t come here to see me.” She winked at Tess. “Nancy?” she called out over her shoulder.
A stocky young woman came through one of the doors, leading out the prettiest dog Tess had ever seen. The dog’s fluffy black and white tail wagged, and Tess dropped to her knees, clasping the animal’s smiling, furry face.
“She’s a two-year-old Australian sheepdog-shepherd mix.” Katrina unhooked the leash. “Her name’s Rosie.”
“Rosie. That’s a perfect name.” Tess gazed into Rosie’s eyes—one white, one blue. The dog nuzzled her face, making happy whimpering sounds. That was all it took, and Tess knew.
This is my dog.
Woof. Tiger strained at the leash, his black nostrils flaring as he scented the pretty female.
“You can let him go, Jesse,” Katrina said.
The second Jesse unhooked Tiger’s leash he trotted to Rosie. Tess backed off to give the dogs space.
Aside from the stiff wag of his tail straight in the air, Tiger stood absolutely still while Rosie “inspected” him.
Eric laughed. “She’s trying to decide if he’s the stud for her.”
“I can’t say I blame her.” She winked at Eric. When he winked back, her heart fluttered.
After one particularly close sniff, Rosie let out a sharp yip that Tiger returned in a deeper tone. Both dogs pranced and pirouetted around the vestibule, sniffing each other and making more yipping sounds.
“I’d say we have a winner.” Eric grinned.
“Excellent.” Katrina clasped her hands together. “I apologize, I have to get to an event in Westchester, but Nancy will help you with the paperwork.” She gathered up a white shawl resting on a table by the door.
“Careful out there, it’s muddy,” Dayne said. “You wouldn’t want to get your diamonds dirty.”
Katrina froze.
Having known her for a grand total of five minutes, Tess didn’t know for certain but could swear the other woman’s eyes flashed with genuine hurt.
“Thank you for your concern, Mister Just Dayne.” Katrina whipped the wrap around her shoulders, the fringe of which nearly caught Dayne in the face. “I’ll be certain to tiptoe around the puddles. Lovely to meet you all.” A moment later, she was out the door.
“Dayne!”
Tess swatted his shoulder. “What’s gotten into you? Do you know her?”
“No.” His gaze trailed Katrina as she stepped into a white limousine that had pulled up while they’d been inside. “But I’ve known people like her. I’ve gotta go.” He leaned down to give her a quick hug. “Later, man,” he said to Eric then barreled out the door.
“Happy?” Eric slid his arms around her waist then tipped his head to where Rosie and Tiger were happily nuzzling each other.
“Very.” She smiled up at him. “But, am I missing something? What just happened with Dayne?”
He shrugged. “Dayne’s got…issues. Don’t let it bother you. At least, not today. We have another stop to make on the way home.”
Home. She really did love the sound of that, and now they had a new addition to their family. A beautiful rescue dog of her very own.
…
Eric tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. He adjusted the volume of the radio. Next, he turned the heat down. Anything to keep himself occupied.
He was nervous. More than he’d been disarming his first mock bomb at FLETC or getting his first search warrant signed by a judge.
After filling out the requisite paperwork at the Haven, they’d flipped down the rear seats of the Tahoe to give the dogs more room, then said their goodbyes to Jesse and driven off. The closer they got to Flemington, the faster he tapped his fingers and the more he fidgeted with the radio stations. Luckily, Tess didn’t seem to notice, what with being thoroughly smitten by Rosie, who kept trying to climb over the front seat to sit in her lap.
Finally, he parked in front of the old Victorian on the corner and let out a nervous breath.
“What are we doing here?” Tess gave him a quizzical look.
“C’mon.” He opened his door. “Let’s get the dogs.”
“Ookay.”
His palms were sweating, and his heart raced. He and Tess had gotten closer over the last six months, but there was always the chance he was wrong about where things were going. His gut told him he was on track, but he wouldn’t be the first guy on the planet to get it wrong.