“Hey, let’s at least stop for pumpkin lattes at Ray’s when we leave. Please…”
“Okay. We’ll get a latte.”
“Best freaking coffee in town,” Maci mumbled.
Chapter Thirty-One
Alex
“These lattes are freaking amazing,” Maci said, licking the trail of pumpkin-flavored whipped cream from her lips.
Ray’s was a small, one-person owned establishment only blocks away from the steakhouse. Accidentally stumbling onto the place one afternoon after an amazingly long double shift at work. Maci and I, along with the rest of Richard’s employees, had frequented the small shop ever since. Ray was a large, bald, tattoo-covered man who had been injured in Iraq years before and taken an interest in the coffee business after receiving a medical discharge for losing a leg to a land mine. Limping around on a prosthetic limb, he was the very best at creating coffee masterpieces. I’d become close to the eccentric man and tried to convince him to come eat a good steak at Bryson’s, but he always said he preferred eating at home. His coffee creations far superior to any of the chains in the area, today I could barely get down the latte that I generally drained.
“They’re definitely the best,” I countered, wishing like hell Maci would hurry up and take me back to Tyler’s. I had to work tonight. No way I could afford missing another day, I had to go see if he was back home first. Just like every other fifteen minutes, I glanced at my cellphone. Still no messages from Tyler. Only one missed call from my mom, I’d call her back a little later.
“How are things going with Justin?”
“I’m so glad you asked,” Maci’s lips bent into a huge grin.
“Wow. Your face just lit up like a shooting star. That good, huh?”
“God, Alex. He’s so freaking hot. Plus, he’s sweet. I think we have a good shot at this thing. And the sex is … jeez, Alex.”
He wasn’t as hot as Tyler in my eyes. But Jesus, who was?
“I’m meeting him at Venture tonight. Not sure what he has planned, but I figured I needed to get waxed up just in case.”
“Really? Do you…? You know… Do you mess around at the club? Is he into all that?” The man was the owner. Of course, he was into all that. Duh.
She arched a brow. “Oh, God no. Well, not exactly … I mean, Venture is his job.” Maci’s cheeks turned pink. She didn’t embarrass easily. What was that all about? She was definitely hiding something.
“Not exactly, M?”
“Come on, Alex. Let’s get you out of here and back to the hot doctor’s house.” Maci winked as she laid down some tip money on the table.
“Never seen you at a loss of words, Maci. This is a first, and I’m kind of enjoying it.” We had lots to catch up on. Boy, was there a lot. Just not today.
“Jesus, Tyler’s house is amazing, Alex.” At the edge of the circular drive, I’d almost hoped to at least see the white mini-van his housekeeper drove since I knew he wasn’t here.
“Thanks for everything today, Maci. Sorry I haven’t been the best of company.” We shared a quick hug and said our goodbyes.
I’d left the back French doors unlocked since I had no key. I waved at Maci as she drove off, and headed toward the gate leading to the backyard. Bono jumped on my leg.
“Hi, buddy.” I rubbed his soft head as he placed long wet kisses on my arm before sprinting back off into the grass.
The house was eerily quiet. The kitchen was spotless, other than the glass I’d left in the sink earlier. Mrs. Leonard obviously hadn’t been here today. Neither had Tyler.
Bono squeezed back through the doggie door, stopping at my feet with wet paws from the leftover rain. “I know, precious. I’m worried about him, too.” I rubbed his ears. “Oh, damn! I’m sorry, Bono.” He was hungry. I hadn’t had a dog since I was a kid and had completely forgotten to feed him before I left with Maci this morning. Poor guy had to be starving. “Come on. Let’s get you some dinner, sweet boy.” His tail wagged as I opened the pantry door and lifted the large bag of extra protein dog food. “How much does Tyler give you, sweet Bono?” His head ventured to the side at the unknown words of my question. I lifted the large scoop inside the bag.
“Sweet Bono gets two scoops, angel.” The utensil fell from my hand, a million morsels of food scattering across the beige-colored, travertine floor.
“Tyler! Oh, my God! I’ve been so worried.”
He opened his arms as I headed for his chest, the faint earthy scent of his cologne, along with his own scent and strong touch, instantly soothing my nerves. I hadn’t even realized I was crying as I slung my arms around his neck. Way past caring about my current state of emotion, I only cared that he was safe. Here. With me.
“Baby, please don’t cry. I don’t think I can handle that right now. I’m here. Everything is okay. I’m not a suspect.”
He raised my chin. He looked tired, his lower eyes laced with the same small bags as mine. His hair was messy and his face was covered in what was close to a full-grown beard. God, it grew fast. Even tired and messy, he was still gorgeous. He lowered his lips and took my mouth gently, but thoroughly. His shirt smelled strongly of cigarette smoke. I sniffed.
“I know I reek, angel. I love when you smell me, but I definitely need a long, hot shower. The detective who interrogated the fuck out of me also smoked. Like a goddamn, soot-filled chimney.”
In full-blown tears again, would this travesty ever end? I should have felt relieved. But, I didn’t. I was thankful that Tyler had been cleared, but would they ever find out who was behind my cousin’s overdose?
“Alexa, listen to me. You need to know something. Becca’s parents know who I am now. They know I’m involved in Venture. Apparently, Becca had one of my business cards. Her roommate Mickey found it in a purse she’d recently loaned Becca. I suspect your parents know as well.” I’d been expecting this, but… Oh no. My parents. That was probably why my mom called earlier.
“Baby, if you want, I’ll talk to your parents. Fuck, I’ll talk to Becca’s, too. It almost seems like the right thing to do.” His hand surged through his hair.
“Okay. Maybe. Let’s just get you a warm shower right now. You need some rest. And some food.” Minutes passing since I’d dropped dog food on the floor, I looked down and Bono had already cleaned the mess, still licking at the travertine tile.
“I am pretty fucking tired. I’ve got a full day in the OR tomorrow and a trip to Houston the next day. However, I’m not too tired to want you naked.” He dropped his head on top of mine, his breath creeping down the back of my neck. “Come. Take a shower with me, angel.” The hunger in his eyes brought on my own need as he lifted his hand and ran it across my left cheek, the feel of my saturated panties proving just how deeply I’d missed him after only one day.
“I missed you, baby. And it feels so damn good to come home to you here, waiting for me.” His eyes were large and gray as the look on his face was somewhere between lustful and something else. Maybe just fatigue. I wasn’t sure what I was seeing, but I liked it. He pressed his hand possessively against the lower part of my back and led us toward his bathroom.
Tyler turned on the shower and stripped out of his smoke-laced clothes. The perfect shape of his muscular body fueled my sexual appetite as I watched the muscles flex in his butt with every move he made.
“Take your clothes off, baby.”
With anxious fingers, I stripped out of my clothes and we both stepped underneath the multi-head shower. His eyes explored mine through the cascades of water before turning me toward the marbled wall and sliding my hair to the side, moving his tongue over my neck in slow delicious licks. I moaned softly as he reached for my breasts and tugged at my nipples, the sensation already slipping down through my belly and into my sex. I whimpered, spinning myself around and reaching for his lips. He’d just endured hours of hell. I wanted the rest of this evening to be about him.
The streams of warm water ran down his physique, wetting the hair on his chest, as well as the da
rk patch encircling his beautifully sculpted thick penis. I reached for his body wash and squeezed some in my hand, moving behind him.
“Angel.” I massaged his tightened shoulders and chest, before reaching for his incredibly-shaped muscular butt. My hand slid between his tight cheeks, brazing his asshole for a quick second. He moaned at the small touch. I washed him from his shoulders to his toes, letting the hot water relax him for long minutes as he rinsed off. My fingers sauntered their way downward across his hard, erect bulge, gently massaging him, his head leaning back as he inhaled a sharp gasp of air. Thick and hard, he was firmer than the diamond studs filling my ears. His erection stood high with a vengeance and he made a savage low sound, spinning me around to force me into the wall. His hands both adhered to the marble tile on either side of my head, while he brushed against my belly and kissed me with a desperate pressure that made my sex bellow with desire and need. My God, this was ecstasy.
His hands slid from the marble, catching me around the waist and lifting me. My pulse pounded through my chest as I wound my legs around his hips, my arms around his shoulders.
“I missed you so much,” I whimpered, as he slid his lips toward my neck, covering the delicate skin with sensual deep kisses before gently slipping inside my ear. His growing arousal rubbed at my belly as his tongue mingled with my ear.
“Alexa. I’m so hungry for you. I can never get enough.”
His lips lowered down my throat toward my breasts. He enclosed his thick mouth over my nipple, eagerly sucking as the strength of his arms held me. The nip of his teeth against my delicate skin sent shivers through me.
“Tyler.” My emotions were building, realizing just how deep with worry I’d really been since I watched the two detectives escorting him toward their unmarked car. Nothing had felt right since he was gone. Everything inside me had hurt. Now that he was back, it all felt right again. Complete.
I loved this man.
“There’s never enough. Never, Alexa. Never. Fucking. Enough.”
I blinked up at him, my eyes stinging. His lips were full and red from sucking on my nipples, his expression tight with passion. He leaned into me and slid inside slow and gently, squeezing the cheeks of my butt as I whimpered against his chest.
“Oh, baby,” he murmured. “I’m so damn hot for you.”
“Ahhh,” I pushed against him with pleasure, feeling him swell inside me. His thrusts were gentle. Slow and easy. Easing his long, glorious shaft all the way inside, he slid out and powered right back in, blissfully filling me with every incredible inch, his gaze wrenching with passion.
“God, Tyler, is this real? Are you really here? I’ve never worried like that in my life.”
He squeezed the cheeks of my ass, pressing inside me before going still.
“Does this feel real, baby?” He slid out of me and ran the thick head of his erection over my slit and then drove back inside, uttering my name against my shoulder, his lips grazing my skin. His finger slowly outlined the curve of my butt cheek and down toward the tightly closed opening, rimming me before gently sliding a moistened finger inside. I groaned at the unusual, but welcome invasion.
“Tell me this feels real, Alexa.” The tingle I always got deep down in the very pit of my belly was threatening with every thrust, along with his long finger gently sliding in and out of my ass, igniting the most passionate, intimate gratification I’d ever felt. Our eyes were locked, my head tilted back, the growing connection between us pronounced and unmistakably felt by both of us.
“Tell me,” he said hoarsely. “Let me hear you say the words.” He shifted my body upward, thrusting deep inside me as he gave his finger a deeper push in my ass.
“Yes. It’s real,” I whimpered.
His jaw clenched as I felt the slippery gush of my arousal through my thighs as my body began to spasm around his. Unaware of anything else other than the unrecognizable sounds leaving my mouth and the sensual groans rising up his chest, my emotions were in overload. The most seductive romantic sounds I’d ever heard as he grunted and started coming, I knew for certain that I loved Tyler, though the words I wished to whisper stayed hidden for now. His lips widened, but just as quickly closed again as his chin dropped onto the top of my head as he emptied semen inside me.
“Stay, Alexa. Please stay with me tonight, angel,” he murmured, his voice soft and gentle. Still inside me, his erection began softening as he kissed my face, still holding me tightly against his body.
“I can’t, Tyler. I have to be at work for the evening shift. I’ve already missed too much. I need the money.”
“Fuck,” he hissed into the side of my neck. “You don’t need that job. Quit. Come to Houston with me. There’s no reason for you to work. I’ll take care of you.” His eyes burned into me, the look on his face sincere.
“Tyler, I need my job. I can’t… I…” I pulled him against me tighter, realizing I was shivering. The water had gone cold.
“Jesus. I’m sorry, baby. You’re freezing.”
I stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel while he quickly scrubbed his hair clean.
My heart raced inside my chest. Everything seemed just a little different between us, the sudden change somewhat shocking. His words about being happy I was at his home waiting for him lingered in my head, frightening me just a little at how much the small comment affected me. When we were together, there was simply nothing else. Nothing mattered. Nothing existed outside the four walls we were behind. There was just us.
I slipped my clothes back on and Tyler dressed in only black silk pajama bottoms.
“I have to go, baby. Richard is short-staffed as it is.” Disappointment covered his face, but he didn’t speak. “I’m sorry, but I need to go change and get ready. Please get some rest.” I hugged him, his body tensing up as he sighed into my hair. What was that about?
“Please, angel. Don’t leave me.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Tyler
Her blue eyes were so beautiful and expressive. Every time she was turned on, they coated themselves in a clear glaze that made me want to dive inside her. Not just her pussy, but her head. Her thoughts. I wanted to crawl deep inside her soul and stay there. We had already had amazing shower sex, but it wasn’t enough. It was never enough.
I loved this woman. I never planned on it and didn’t claim to know her all that well, but I think I had probably known something was different the first day I met her. How it happened so quickly, I had no earthly idea. I only knew one thing for sure. She had thrown me for a complete unplanned loop in every way possible.
She was my angel. Beside me was the only logical place she belonged.
“Come here, baby.” I held out my arms. Goddamn, I was tired from the asshole detective grilling me all night long, but I couldn’t let her leave just yet. I rose from the side of the bed, and she walked straight to me, her small arms circling my bare upper back. I pulled her in closer, bringing her forehead against mine. For minutes, that’s all we did. Stand and feel each other.
Major fucking first in my life. I’d never given a damn about holding a woman, but Alexa was so soft. She smelled so good. And the way her hands gently scraped against my back gave me the most sensational feeling. Jesus Christ!
My dick returned to life and even though it screamed to take her and drive back into her tight heat, right now this was what mattered. Holding her. Being close. Smelling. Touching. Connecting. Every single thing about this felt surprisingly good. Goddamn spectacular.
Her heartbeat raced against my raging pulse. I was ready to tell her how I truly felt. I couldn’t understand how it happened, but it did … it just fucking did.
She drew her hand from my back and blinked up at me, her eyes heavy with emotion as she rose on the tips of her toes and brushed her lips across mine. I was struggling like hell to get out the three words I was dying to say. I wanted her to know how I felt. Why was it so damned hard? It was natural. People were loving creatures. Emotional beings. Why was I cl
amming up now? I’d planned on telling her ever since I left the police department, and now the words were lodged in my throat, refusing to budge. My insides were rushing with sentiment, yet I couldn’t speak the words.
God, I love you, Alexa. You’re my angel.
She smiled. A lifetime could pass over and I’d never tire of that.
“Thank God you’re home and safe.” She took my hand, feeling so small and soft against my larger one, and placed it against her chest.
“I have to go. I can’t leave Richard short-handed again. It wouldn’t be right.” She smiled and walked to the dresser to pick up her purse.
I crossed over toward her, cupping her face between my palms. “This is what’s right, angel.” I tilted her head back. “I love you, Alexa. And everything between us is absolutely right.” I loved this woman so damn much that I knew there was nothing I wouldn’t do for her.
“I love you too, Tyler. I love you so much.”
I sealed my lips against her beautiful mouth, kissing her, pulling in her breath. Tasting. Stroking. Hoping she knew just how badly I wanted her. I didn’t want to ever let go. I wanted to stay right here forever. The feeling indescribable, this was what true love felt like. For the first time in my life, everything wasn’t about me and my needs. It was about us. It was all us now.
“Angel,” I whispered against her lips. “I once told you that I not only wanted to care for you, but also protect and cherish you. I meant every word. I want you beside me, Alexa. Every day. Every night. I want you to hand me your complete trust.”
“I want that too, Tyler.”
I leaned over and kissed her.
“I want you to take me to Venture, Tyler. I’m ready to see what a true submissive does.”
What the complete fuck?
Chapter Thirty-Three
Alex
A beautiful new day ahead after admissions of love between Tyler and me, somehow driving into work wasn’t quite as bad as it usually was. I dialed my mom, suddenly wondering if Tyler had arrived at the airport yet.
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