by Lexi Post
He broke the kiss and whispered against her lips. “I love you.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Meghan sipped her chardonnay as she sat on the patio at Tyler’s house. He’d gone back in for cheese and crackers. She really didn’t need food. What she needed was him.
She took another sip, mainly to calm her nerves, as the sunlight off the Gulf sparkled like glitter. Over the last three days, Tyler had been amazing. Calling her sister, who came right away while she was still in the hospital, telling her receptionist to reschedule her appointments until next week, even taking leave so he could cook for her.
His words in the helicopter had seemed almost too good to be true. She knew dangerous, adrenaline-spiking situations could give people a false sense of closeness, which is why she hadn’t mentioned what he said. At the time, his words had warmed her heart, keeping her alert. His kisses hadn’t hurt either.
That’s why she hadn’t been sure if she should believe him. Her mother always said that actions spoke louder than words. After the last three days, she was completely sure he still felt as he had in the helicopter.
Her nerves were more because she expected that he would want to make love tonight. He hadn’t said it. Hadn’t even hinted at it, but her instinct was screaming at her that it was the probable ending to their day.
She took another swallow of wine. She was nervous because before they did that, she needed to tell him how she felt. After her hour in the sea to think about her life and everything she hadn’t done, she had a new perspective.
The sliding glass door opened and Tyler strode out. She sucked in her breath. He’d taken off his shirt and wore only a pair of shorts, not even flip flops. He had swimmer muscles times two—broad shoulders, mounded pectoral muscles and ripped abs that looked harder than a turtle shell. His large biceps tapered to his elbow but then his forearms boasted their own muscle. His entire torso was spattered with light freckles and she suddenly had the urge to lick every one.
“Here you go. Hope you don’t mind extra sharp cheese.” He placed the plate on an end table set in front of their two chairs.
She moved her glasses to the top of her head as he came close and swallowed to get her throat to work again. “That’s fine.” She clamped her mouth shut before she could tell him she felt over dressed in her pale-yellow sundress and white heels.
He pulled his iron chair with the soft pad on it against hers and sat.
At that she couldn’t help but smile. “If you got any closer you’d be in my lap.” She winked.
Tyler grinned. “Excellent idea.”
Before she could take another breath, he’d lifted her from her own chair and settled her on his lap.
“Ack.” Some of the wine spilled on her wrist with his move.
“Here, I’ll take care of that.” He gently turned her wrist to face him, brought it to his mouth and licked.
A shiver of excitement raced across her skin.
When he finished licking far more than where the wine was, he lifted his head to look at her. “Better?”
She nodded, unable to form words while her blood was overheating.
“Good. Now we are set to watch the sunset.” He glanced away to examine the horizon. Then as if he’d calculated the exact time the best colors would show, he picked up a cracker with cheese and held it to her mouth. “Hungry?”
She was, but more for him than the cheese. Still, obediently she opened her mouth and as he slid the cracker and cheese into her mouth, she bit it in half and chewed.
His gaze never left her lips.
Crap, the man was beyond intoxicating. Who needed wine with him around? When she finished with that piece, she opened her lips and he slid the second half of the cracker into her mouth. She closed her lips on his finger and thumb and licked.
His eyes darkened and his nostrils flared. “Meghan.”
Her heart skipped a beat as he gazed at her, and she almost forgot to chew. As soon as she swallowed, she answered him. “Tyler.”
His lip quirked up on the side.
“I never thanked you for saving me. I never expected to be in such a situation and then all you’ve done for me these past three days, well, you’ve gone above and beyond.”
He frowned. “Not even close. I was the one who put you in danger. I can never make that up to you.”
“I think I did that all by myself. I should have known you wouldn’t send me an email like that. I was too anxious to see you, make sure you were safe. I wasn’t thinking straight.”
The hand he had resting on her back moved up and grasped her neck. “If I had lost you….” He pulled her to him and kissed her, his tongue breaching her lips immediately and sweeping inside as if reassuring himself she was still with him.
She’d never felt so wanted…so loved. She held on to him with one arm, reassuring him she was still alive. Maybe even reassuring herself as tingles of desire threaded their way from her breasts to her groin.
He broke the kiss to pull back just far enough to look at her.
It was now or never. She gazed into his dark gray eyes. “I love you.”
He smiled, his face brighter than any sunset. “Thank God, because I could never let you go.”
She returned his smile as warmth spread from her heart to the ends of her finger tips. She wanted to hug him, but she still held her wine glass in one hand. Maybe he sensed her need because he pulled her closer, hugging her with steely strength, but gently as if she were precious. Her heart soared higher than any helicopter.
When he relaxed, allowing them to look at each other again, she felt the need to reassure him. “Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere, especially not back in the ocean. In fact, I’m not going swimming ever again unless it’s in a pool.” She’d meant her statement to be funny, but his brow lowered and his gray eyes grew lighter with intensity.
“You need to face your fear. Trust me, I know. It’s the only way to overcome it and get your life back.”
Her life back? Wait, he wasn’t talking about her. “What do you know about fear? You fell from a helicopter, broke both legs and went right back on board.”
He looked at the sunset, and she glanced that way to see if that truly held his attention, but the colors were muted by gathering clouds.
“Tyler?”
He finally returned his gaze to her. “Fear is what kept me from asking you out sooner. I was afraid that since you were a psychologist, you’d discover my fear. After the accident, I developed a fear of heights.”
She pulled back. “You did?”
He nodded. “Remember the escalator ride in the mall?”
She thought back to that. He’d said he didn’t feel well because of a muscle cramp in his back. A plausible explanation, but all his symptoms, shortness of breath, perspiration, everything, were typical of acrophobia. She should have known if she wasn’t so distracted by him. “Why didn’t you tell me or come see me.”
He looked away again. “I didn’t want to admit it. I’ve never had an issue with heights. My job is to jump from helos. How could I admit I was afraid of heights to anyone? But I knew I needed help because I would have to go up in a bird eventually when I returned to regular duty. I decided to see Dr. Preston.”
“So you weren’t seeing him for anger management issues then?”
“Anger man—no. I have no problem with my anger. I just needed to kick the fear to the curb.”
She stroked his back with her hand, loving the feel of his warm skin. “I guess he was able to help because you came to get me.” She smiled, pleased that he got the help he needed.
He shook his head, and she stilled her hand. “Actually, it was you who got me back in the Dolphin. Dr. Preston gave me a plan of action, to discover why I fell. That helped me stay sane. But it was your danger that had me crawling back into that helo, even though I was about to vomit all over it.”
“Oh my, God. You went up there with that fear? You are even braver than I gave you credit for. I’ve counselled a cou
ple phobias and they are truly debilitating.”
He gave her a weak smile. “I know it was wrong and my chief would have my head if he knew, but I’m glad I never went to see you for professional help. I much prefer a more personal approach.” He wiggled his brows to punctuate his statement.
He was right. She wouldn’t be sitting on his lap right now if he’d come to her like he was supposed to. She never would have believed he’d circumvent the rules, but he had and she was grateful. So grateful, she had to kiss him again.
He kissed her right back, making her feel loved and sexy at the same time. Then he broke the kiss and she pouted. She could sit there all night kissing him.
“Look.” He turned his head to look out at the Gulf.
She meant to glance at the sunset, but found herself enthralled by it. The sun had dipped below the clouds to touch the water, squeezing out a spectacular array of colors from bright orange to pink to red to purple. “That’s amazing.”
Tyler’s husky voice in her ear caught her off guard. “You’re amazing.” His words and breath sent a shiver down her spine that ignited all her passion zones. She wrapped her arms around his neck, wine glass and all, and tipped her head to the side as he kissed his way from her ear to her collar bone.
He lifted his arm, pushing hers upward and causing her wine to spill down the front of her dress. She started, but Tyler didn’t let her go far. He just gazed at her wet dress showing her chemise beneath and the outline of her nipple.
Then his gaze met hers. “I have found a new appreciation for wine. Don’t drop the glass too, or it will shatter on the concrete.” He lowered his face and began to lick his way from her collar bone to her cleavage, following the wet liquid.
She still held the glass in one hand and her other arm was pinned between him and the chair, she had no choice but to let him do as he would. And she had no complaints.
With his teeth, he pulled her cotton neckline below her wet breast and laved the silky chemise over her hard nub. When his teeth latched on to it, she squirmed, wanting to grasp his head to her, but unable to because of the wine glass.
With his hand, he pulled the chemise up from under her dress and bunched it against her neck then blew on her nipple. He glanced up at her for a second before he lowered his head and licked. Tingles started there and went straight to her core.
Tyler’s licks soon became nibbles and her sheath moistened. When he suddenly sucked, she moaned and one of her legs fell off his lap, her foot finding purchase on the patio. His sucking grew harder then softer and harder again, and she pressed her hips upward in response, unable to keep still as her desire built.
When he left her breast, she gasped in much needed air, her breaths having shortened so much she was slightly light headed. As her hips came down, she felt the hard ridge of his erection against her butt.
He moved his talented mouth over her dress to her other breast, which no longer had a chemise protecting it. He sucked the tip, dress and all, into his mouth. When he bit at her nipple, she moaned louder, her foot on the patio now stabilizing her ability to push her hips toward him.
She closed her eyes, unable to focus on anything but the feelings coursing through her.
Tyler’s hand released her chemise, though his mouth did not release her nipple. She wanted to call him back, but before she could, his hand was on her knee and moving her dress upward.
Oh, yes. She moved her leg aside more, allowing him free access to her silk panties. While he feasted on her breast through the dress, his other hand moved between her legs and stroked upward over her opening and clit.
He tugged on her nipple before looking up at her. “You’re wet.”
Panting, she forced a swallow. “You made me that way.”
His grin was downright exhilarating. “I like wet.”
He returned his mouth to her over sensitized nipples, but his fingers were burrowing beneath her panties to play. He explored her as she arched against his arm, anxious to feel him touch her. Instead, he played with each fold, slightly skimming her opening then brushing against her clit to stroke her small patch of hair.
She wanted completion, but he kept her near the edge, promising, teasing, but not delivering. Desperate, she opened her eyes and lowered her hips, rubbing her butt against his cock. The nylon shorts didn’t hide anything, and she heard his quick intake of breath.
Finally, his fingers moved back to her sheath and he pushed one inside her.
“Ahhh.”
At her sound, he looked at her, her nipple between his teeth and he watched her as he sawed back and forth across her nub.
She bucked, and he withdrew his finger only to add another and slide them inside.
He sucked her nipple hard, sending pleasure washing over her like a wave. His fingers started to pump in and out.
She closed her eyes again and lifted her hips, anxious for where he was taking her.
Then he pulled his fingers out and focused on her clit, circling it, rubbing it, stroking it. He played her body like a master and just as she peaked, he slid his fingers inside her and pumped hard, making her body reverberate with pleasure. He grasped her head and gave her a mind shattering kiss.
When she finally opened her eyes, he pulled his mouth away, allowing her to take the deep breaths she needed.
“You’re so beautiful when you come.”
She couldn’t respond to that if she tried, but it definitely made her cheeks warm.
He slowly slid his fingers from between her legs and licked them. “You taste perfect. I want to eat you, but I can’t wait to be inside you.”
Just as her heartbeat was slowing, his words picked it back up. She nodded, not sure if she could stand quite yet, but anxious to have him inside her and give him equal pleasure.
He must have taken the wine glass from her because she no longer had it in her hand and she spied it on the table that he pushed out of the way with his foot. Beneath her butt, she could feel exactly how much he wanted her and her body revved in anticipation.
She moved her other foot to the patio and Tyler helped her stand. She took a step and her knees wobbled. “I don’t think I’ll make it to your bedroom.”
“Who needs a bedroom.” He walked her the four steps around the wicker couch.
Somewhere in the back of her mind, she understood that she was outside making love where anyone on the water might see them in the light from the house that shone on the patio, but she was too excited to care.
She leaned her butt against the back of it as he stripped off his shorts. She grabbed the couch to keep standing. Tyler was thick, long and ready for her. Her breaths suddenly grew short again. He stepped up to her and pulled her dress over her head.
She must look a wreck. Her hair had come out of her ponytail, her chemise was still stuck under one breast and her panties were half off. But when she looked in Tyler’s eyes, she saw only desire and love.
He knelt at her feet and took off her panties, carefully getting them around her wedge sandals. Then he lifted her chemise from her. “How did I get so lucky?” His admiration added to her pleasure.
“I was just thinking the same thing.”
He pulled her against him, his cock pressed between them as her breasts crushed against his chest. He whispered in her ear. “I can’t ever lose you.”
She hugged him to her, titillated and happier than she’d ever been.
He pulled back. “I can’t wait.”
His words sent more wetness to gather in her folds. She nodded mutely.
He turned her, wrapping his arms around her before sliding his hands up her tummy to cup her breasts. His thumbs brushed her already alert nipples. “Bend over.”
Tyler had wanted to make love to Meghan in his bedroom with candles and wine and flowers, but he couldn’t wait. He smirked, at least they had the wine.
As she bent over the back of the wicker couch, he didn’t release her breasts, loving how full they were. Her nipples were so responsive, he could spe
nd a whole day paying homage to them. But not now.
He squeezed her breasts, before releasing them to run his hands along her sides to her perfect ass. She was his. What he’d wanted for months.
She braced her hands on the couch and at his touch to her ass, arched her back, giving him a glimpse of the pussy between her legs.
That was another area he planned to explore later. He squeezed her cheeks then moved his hands to the inside of her thighs, nudging her legs apart further. He couldn’t resist running his fingers over her wet folds to stroke her clit.
When she shuddered, his own control slipped. He couldn’t stay away from her wet sheath any longer. Quickly, he grabbed his shorts and pulled the condom out that he’d slipped in earlier, just in case. In record time, he rolled it on his cock.
Meghan laughed. “I like a man that plays it safe.”
He grinned then took his cock in his hand and slid it along the wetness of her folds. He held her hip with one hand as he guided his tip to her opening. Letting his cock go, he grasped both her hips and slowly pushed inside.
Shit, she was tight and hot. His balls tightened but he held back until he was completed sheathed.
She looked behind her, and he gritted his teeth. “Don’t move.”
Her sly smile warned him a second before she squeezed his cock within her.
“Fuck.” As he pulled his hips back and held hers still, he wasn’t sure past the rushing sound in his ears, but he thought he heard her giggle just before her sudden intake of breath. He thrust forward until his pelvis smacked her ass and she moaned with pleasure.
More than happy to oblige, he pulled out and pumped into her again and again. Her moans turned to little shouts as he pistoned into the hotness that was the woman he loved. The wicker couch started to slide forward, as if she were escaping him.
He was having none of that. He grasped Meghan by her shoulder with one hand to hold her with him and thrust harder, faster.
Her scream of ecstasy sent his control out the window and he came. Satisfaction, simple and sweet suffused his soul. Her tight sheath squeezed the last drop from him, and he bent over her to hug her tight. He kissed the shell of her ear. “I love you.”