Falling Hard

by Tina Wainscott

  “You okay?” he asked, watching her.

  “I’m excellent. You fit perfectly.” She moved back and forth, testing the feel of him.

  He placed his hands on her hips. “And you feel perfect.”

  She moved against him, easing up, then back down, feeling the length of him. Her hands were anchored on his chest, and she felt his heartbeat beneath her palm. Her body stretched to accommodate him, and soon she was moving in a comfortable rhythm. His fingers tightened on her.

  “Take control,” she said on a breath.

  He rolled them over, planting his hands on either side of her shoulders, hovering over her as he maintained their slow, steady thrusts. She wrapped her legs around his waist, deepening their connection. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, yes, yes.” There was nothing “no” about this. And something hit her then, a truth that she held in for now.

  Her hands gripped his shoulders, and as a crazy sensation grew inside her she held on tighter. It was almost overwhelming, spinning her stomach and scrambling her thoughts. Follow your fire. The fire roared inside her, threatening to engulf her. She threw her head back and let out a garbled scream as it did.

  He kept thrusting, feeding the fire until he made his own animalistic sound and drove even deeper into her. His mouth came down on her throat, and his kisses were interspersed with his heavy breathing.

  When she regained control over her body, she brought her head down so she could see him. His face was as flushed as hers probably was. He kissed the tip of her nose. “You okay?”

  “Okay? Okay? Ohmigod, I’m shattered. I now understand what those fairy tales were talking about, what the romance novels I used to read meant. It’s real.”

  He laughed softly. “It gets even better. Different positions, angles, places.” He leaned down and took her nipple in his mouth, sucking gently. “Different ways to play.”

  She gasped. “I want to experience th-them all. With you.”

  “I will be happy”—he moved to her other breast—“to show them to you.”

  Her stomach growled. “Must be my inner tiger.”

  “Or your hungry tummy. Let’s finish cooking those steaks. We have all night….”

  —

  Pax woke in the night, keenly feeling Gemma’s absence. She had been a-mazing, so completely open and trusting. After dinner, they’d tried one of those new positions, her lovely ass in his hands as he drove into her from behind. While he’d been willing to give her body time to rest, she had wanted more. He’d give her anything she wanted.

  Including a few minutes in case she was using the bathroom. His stomach started to sink, though, when those minutes passed and she hadn’t returned. He rolled out of bed and felt around for his pants. Except they were out in the living room. His briefs would have to do.

  His hand connected with Harley’s fur, and the dog jumped to his feet, ever alert. Pax gave him a head rub, realizing it was a good sign that he wasn’t in the living room. But would he find Gemma out there furiously cleaning again, trying to distract herself from her demons? He was relieved to see no frenetic cleaning or any other activity in the living room. But the tightness returned when he spotted her curled up on the bench seat in the front bay window, staring out into the night. Moonlight washed in through the large window that faced the ocean, enough light to see her pensive expression. He was surprised to find that she was naked, the silver light caressing her shoulders and legs.

  “Hey,” he said softly, approaching her from the side so he didn’t startle her.

  She turned. “Oh. Hey.”

  “How long you been out here?” He really had to learn to sleep lighter.

  “ ’Bout a half hour or so.”

  He sat sideways on the padded bench, facing her. “Was I curled around you again?”

  “Like a hot, hard blanket.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. I woke up wrapped in your arms and it felt so…good. Right.”

  He couldn’t help the release of breath. “But you left.”

  She turned toward him, her crossed feet brushing his. “I realized something when we were making love.”

  He held his breath, a bunch of awful things crowding in to taunt him. I don’t really love you. I’m not ready to have a sexual relationship yet. He cleared his throat. “What?”

  “I dressed up sexy for you. I’m sure I was giving out all kinds of signals tonight, right?”

  He was afraid to answer and say the wrong thing, but honesty was all he could do. “Yeah, and I loved it.”

  She smiled. “Because I wanted to have sex with you. I was totally ready to take that step. All those years ago, with Blake, I didn’t want sex. So I know, without a speck of doubt, that I couldn’t possibly have sent him signals.”

  He released a breath. “Told you so.”

  “You did, but I had to see it for myself. The comparison with what I felt then, or even with those other two guys, and you…” She shook her head. “There is no comparison.”

  Her words inflated his chest, but before he could get too happy her shoulders slumped and her smile faded. “And what’s the problem with that?” he asked, as he’d done when she lamented that she’d really enjoyed what they’d done.

  Her lower lip pushed out in a pout, the moonlight shiny where she’d just moistened them. “Because, dammit, I can’t leave. Can’t lose you again. I made that mistake once, and look what happened. But I can’t stay here, either.” The agony in her voice was clear, even as he reveled in the sentiment. “With your father, Blake, all those people who think I’m a liar. This isn’t the city, where I don’t run into the same people all the time. I don’t know what to do.”

  He might have laughed in relief that it wasn’t about her or him, but he knew that would be taken the wrong way. Understandably so. He gathered her in his arms. “We prove that you weren’t a liar, Gemma. That’s what we do.”

  She clung to him. “How?”

  “I don’t know. But I told you, I would fight for us. I would risk bruises. We’ll find a way, I promise.”

  —

  Pax woke to the sounds of banging below them. The construction crew had arrived bright and early. Instantly, he was aware of Gemma’s body, snugly wrapped in the confines of his. Damn, he really did wrap himself around her in his sleep. Holding on to the girl he’d lost so long ago.

  He leaned in to kiss her as her eyes fluttered awake. “Morning, beautiful.”

  She grinned. “I could get used to waking up like this.” That smile faded. “If—”

  “Just hold that thought. I like it just the way it is, no ifs or buts.”

  She traced her finger along his jawline. “We’re talking to Lily today, right?”

  “We’ll stake her out after breakfast. I’m taking you to the Sunshine Café.”

  “Do you think that’s a good idea? Going out, being seen together?”

  “Gemma, you have every right to go out in this town. And I have every right to dine with whomever I want. Come on, let’s get a shower.”

  She arched an eyebrow playfully. “A shower?”

  “Yep. As soon as I let Harley out and feed him.”

  A short while later, he took her hand as he stepped into the shower.

  She stood facing the stream, and he came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her stomach. “May I wash you?”

  She turned into him, her cheek brushing his. “You’d do that?”

  “I’d love to do that.” He slid his hand over her pubic area and down between her legs. Just a gentle stroke.

  “Mmm, I could definitely be persuaded.”

  Damn, he was already hard. “Baby, I would love to introduce you to shower sex, but you must be sore. I just want this to be innocent fun.”

  “Heh. That’s not what your body’s saying.”

  “Forget him. Sex is all he thinks about. I’m a bigger man than that.”

  She laughed. “Now who’s talking about their dual personality aspects?”

&n
bsp; “I believe it’s the norm for boys over thirteen.”

  He lathered her hair, his fingers working her scalp. She made the same kinds of sounds that she’d made the night before, only not as loud. Soap bubbles slid down her back, drawing his attention to its elegant lines, the sensuous curve of her ass. He focused on her hair, leaning close and kissing the back of her neck and tasting shampoo.

  She shuddered. “Mmm.”

  He guided her to the water and used his fingers to rinse out all the shampoo. Then he moistened the sea sponge sitting on the shelf and poured liquid soap on it. He followed the sponge with his other hand, skimming his fingers over her skin in its soapy wake. He couldn’t get enough of her.

  Pax plastered his front to her back and ran the sponge over her breasts and stomach. He smiled as she melted against him. He dropped the sponge and used his soapy fingers to clean those tantalizing parts that made her breathe faster.

  She spread her legs a little more. “You’ve made me into a sex fiend, Paxton.”

  He nibbled her neck as he kept stroking. “It’s amazing what finding the right person can do for your body. And did you know that orgasms are very healthy for you?”

  She tipped her head back against him. “Mmm, no, I didn’t. T-tell me more.”

  “They increase circulation.”

  “And?”

  “Relieve stress.”

  “M-more,” she said, though he didn’t think she was asking for more data.

  “They relieve pain.”

  “M-m-more.”

  So he gave her more, until she arched and let out a breathy gasp. Her body shuddered into his. “Then I should b-be v-very, very healthy right about now,” she uttered at last.

  “Oh, you are, baby. You are.”

  “I think my legs are jelly. I can’t stand.”

  “Let me help you.” He held her tight and walked her into the shower stream, bracing her legs with his. She sucked in a soft breath when he used his fingers to rinse her, from her breasts down to that still sensitive area.

  She wrapped her arms behind her, capturing his neck. “You’re addictive, Paxton Sullivan.” Then she turned around, devouring him with a hungry kiss.

  “Back atcha, baby.”

  She gave him the same sensuous treatment, running her fingers through his soapy hair. “Your hair’s longer than mine.”

  “I don’t get it cut very often, though I have to admit, the lathering part is my favorite.”

  “I know, right? I always want to ask my hair dresser to do it for another few minutes. I’d even pay her extra. But she’d probably think I was weird.”

  “I’ll lather you all you want,” he said, kissing her. “And anywhere you want.”

  “Back atcha, babe,” she said. She worked the lather for several more minutes, and just that was making his knees weak. “All right, rinse.”

  With her hands on his shoulders, she guided him under the shower. Then she started washing him, giving him the exquisite attention he’d given her. Every inch, every dip and crevice, even between his toes. When she came to her feet in front of him, her hands were soapy, her smile heated. Her mouth found his at the same moment that her hands wrapped around his cock. Holy shit. A few minutes later, an orgasm rocked through him. She’d made him into a sex fiend, too.

  He pulled her into his embrace while the now cooling shower washed over them. “I am not letting you go, Gemma. I will find a way to keep you here.”

  She tightened her hold on him. “Just please don’t ruin your life for me.”

  “I’m making my life better. Perfect. And a hell of a lot more fulfilling.”

  She sighed, pressing her face against his chest. “Exactly how I feel.”

  When she shivered, he killed the shower and stepped out to grab a towel for her. Even drying her off was a pleasure, as much as when she did the same to him.

  They had to retrieve their clothes from all over the living room, trading secret smiles as they hunted down each article. Harley had fun with that, probably thinking they were hunting lizards. Once they were dressed, they went downstairs. Two guys were building the framework for the wall between the laundry room and the kitchen. The contractor and his crew had torn down the temporary wall.

  “Hey, Pax,” the boss said, reaching out and shaking his hand. “We should have the structure done today. Then we’ll come back tomorrow and work on the finish.”

  “Excellent. This is the owner’s daughter, Gemma.”

  They shook hands. “Thank you for fixing everything so fast,” she said.

  Pax whistled, and Harley sauntered over. “Let’s get breakfast. Hopefully we can snag an outside table. Otherwise, I’ll have to park Harley under one of the oak trees in the parking lot.” He helped her up into the truck and closed the door, then got in on the driver’s side. Harley sat between them, tongue lolling happily.

  As they drove to the Sunshine Café, they talked about the town and how it had grown. He glanced over at her when he pulled into the busy parking lot. He had no problem being seen in public with Gemma, effectively announcing that they were together. He just didn’t want her to suffer from the fallout. She bit her lower lip as she checked out the patrons she could see at the patio tables. Of course, she was still concerned about seeing someone she knew from high school.

  “A lot of the kids in our high-school classes left town.” He tried to remember whom Blake was hanging with that last year. “Carlos Garcia stayed in Tallahassee after graduating. Mandy Malone moved to Alabama. Stubbs Johnson died in a car accident.”

  She only nodded, probably remembering how awful they’d been to her. Pax had heard Mandy and Stubbs calling Gemma nasty names when she and her father were coming out of the grocery store soon after the allegations. He’d been torn between stepping in and remaining loyal to Blake, who was with him at the time. Before Pax could decide, Wade ordered them to shut up before hustling his daughter into the car.

  “Has Emily given you a hard time lately?” he asked.

  “No, but I’m sure she told Blake I was at the hospital yesterday, because she saw me. Did they ever date?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “That explains it. He never put his moves on her.”

  Pax clipped on Harley’s leash and minutes later they scouted out a table on the patio. He secured the leash to the table, where Harley wandered its full length to check out all the smells.

  “Hey, Pax,” the waitress said, then looked at Gemma. “Morning, hon. Two coffees and a water for Harley?”

  They ordered, and Mary Lou sauntered off.

  “Did you date her?” Gemma asked, watching the woman head to the kitchen.

  “Mary Lou? No, why?”

  “She gave you quite the smile. I did not get a smile like that.” Gemma wore one of those dangerously interesting expressions, smug with a hint of possessiveness. “Watch.”

  He’d rather watch Gemma. He liked this side of her. Mary Lou came back with a pot of coffee and filled their mugs. She flashed Pax a big, warm, gooey smile, then gave Gemma a merely polite one before leaving.

  “See?”

  “Ah, she just knows me better is all. I make it a point not to date local women. Makes it complicated. And I’ve never met one who made me reconsider that rule.”

  Both he and Gemma turned toward a table at the far end of the patio when the buzz of whispering became loud enough for them to hear the words “lyin’ bitch.” And, yep, Buddy Taylor and Morgan Stevens were sitting there looking straight at them. At Gemma, to be precise. They’d been Blake’s good buddies on the football team years ago, and these days they occasionally finagled a night out with him when Tracy was hosting a party and his daughters were at their grandparents’.

  Pax shot them a hard stare, but the two boneheads didn’t have the courtesy to turn away when they’d been caught. No, they shifted their beady-eyed stares to him.

  “Emily said he’d taken up with the whore,” Buddy said, and none too quietly.

  Pax start
ed to stand, but Gemma grabbed his arm and gave him a subtle shake of her head. “Please, don’t. I appreciate your chivalry, I do. But I don’t want you to get into trouble or make a scene.”

  Pax gave her a slow nod, but it was all he could do to relax muscles rigid with anger. If looks could kill, the two men would be piles of steaming meat on the floor. They finally left, but not without shooting him a disgusted look. He thought one muttered, “Traitor.”

  Gemma’s expression was strong, her chin jutted out as she stared them down. The moment they were out of sight, that strength crumbled as she looked at him. “See, Pax, this is what I’m talking about. Our being together is causing you trouble. And it doesn’t feel really good to me, either, hearing that, even if it isn’t true.”

  He reached over and gathered her shaking hands in his across the table. “I don’t care about me. I’m tough.” He brushed his finger across her cheek. But she wasn’t, as much as she tried to be. “Gemma, the truth will come out.”

  His heart broke at seeing the moisture in her eyes when she finally did look at him. “How can you promise that, Paxton?”

  There he was, making promises that, truthfully, he didn’t know that he could keep. “I told you, baby, when I want something I will fight for it. Trust me.”

  She gave him a shaky nod and pulled her hands free, glancing around as though to see if anyone had noticed. “I don’t want your people to hate you, either. Like those guys.”

  “Those two are schmucks, always have been. They’ve never been ‘my people.’ And I’ve never cared what anyone thought…other than my parents when I was young. Even then, I did my own thing. I only gave in to going to college for law enforcement because I was pretty freaked out the night of the crash. And I could have been arrested. My father…the man who raised me took advantage of that.”

  “Wait a minute. You just corrected yourself. Did your father…disown you over me?”

  Damn, he hadn’t meant to get into this, not with everything else on their plates. He wasn’t going to lie, though. And, honestly, he wanted to tell someone. “He’s not my biological father,” he said quietly. “I wondered. I don’t look like him or my mother, really. I certainly don’t fit in to the family. And I always felt as though he was angry with me. I thought it was because I wasn’t like him, but now I know it went deeper than that. My mother had an affair…with Raleigh’s dad.”