by L. Wilder
“I’m not gonna lie … I considered it, especially after that fucking kiss. Hell, you had me all kinds of messed up with that, but the fact is, I came back here because I like you, Kaci. You’re not like other women I’ve met.”
In her best male, Latino voice, she said, “’splain, Lucy,”
“I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. I guess I haven’t come across many women who’d try to teach a kid how to play a sport that they didn’t know anything about.”
“Umm ... Moms do it every day, Tucker.”
“Yeah, they do, but you’re not his mom, Kaci. That’s my point. From what I can see, you love that kid with no boundaries, and you’re willing to do anything for him. There’s not many people in the world like that.”
“You’re like that.”
“No. I don’t think so.” He disagreed.
“You’re helping your brother with his team when ...” I propped myself up on my elbow as I looked over to him. “I just realized that you’ve never told me why you’re even home. Kaden mentioned that you were doing physical therapy, but he never really told me why.”
“It’s a long story.”
“I’d like to hear it if you don’t mind sharing.”
As soon as he started talking, I laid back down and rested my head on his shoulder. He described everything that happened the night that he’d pulled his right quadricep, and the amount of pain it had caused. I hated hearing the disappointment in his voice when he talked about being put on the disabled list and the extra work he’d have to put in to get back to the majors. When he mentioned that he would be playing with the Skyhawks for a while, I found myself relieved. I knew it was unlikely that anything would come of our night together, but I found comfort with the thought of him being close. As he continued to talk, the soothing sound of his voice was making me sleepy. I tried to resist, but I closed my eyes as I listened to him. His body was warm, and the rhythmic beating of his heart made every muscle in my body become completely relaxed. My breathing became shallow, and as much as I tried to open my eyes, my efforts were futile. I was already fast asleep.
When I woke up the next morning, I was relieved to find that Tucker was still laying there next to me. I looked over at him and was surprised to see that he was only wearing his boxer briefs. Apparently, sometime during the night, he’d removed his t-shirt, and for the first time, I was able to see his bare chest. Until then, I hadn’t even realized that he had tattoos. With the tip of my finger, I lightly trailed the fine intricate lines of ink and wondered what each of them meant to him. My attention was drawn over to his face when he inhaled a deep breath, and I found myself smiling at his peaceful expression. It was right then when I knew it had happened. I was supposed to have a one-night stand with Tucker Michaels, the sexy baseball player who drove all the women wild; instead, I fell for him, hard and fast. Damn. I just couldn’t get it right.
Maybe I was being naïve. Maybe I was setting myself up for a heartbreak. Or maybe I was just being plain stupid, but I wanted Tucker—simple as that. My eyes dropped to his perfect, full lips, and I couldn’t stop myself from remembering the way it felt when we kissed the night before. I needed to touch him, feel his body pressed against mine again, and I didn’t care about the risk. In my heart, I knew he was worth it. Thinking he was still asleep, I eased up closer and pressed my lips gingerly against his. His mouth was soft and warm, and even though I wanted more, I held back. Just as I started to move, his hand reached for the nape of my neck, holding me in place as his lips took over.
Suddenly, he rolled us both over so my back was to the mattress, and hovering over me, he said with a sexy smile. “Good morning, beautiful.”
“Good morning, handsome.”
He brought his hands to my face, gently cupping his palms along my jaw as he lowered his lips to mine, kissing me with a passion I’d never even known was possible. Our hunger for each other escalated, causing the kiss to become wild and heated. My hands wound around his neck, and my fingers raked through his thick, dark hair as our lips fused together. We were completely lost in each other.
“God, Kaci. You feel so damn good,” he moaned.
His hands reached for the back of my neck while his fingers tangled tightly in my hair as he claimed me with his mouth. I could feel his erection thicken as he devoured me, making me lose what little control I had. Any inhibitions I might have had completely washed away when he moved his hands to the hem of my tank top, pulling it over my head. Once he’d removed my bra, he tossed it to the floor and let out a deep breath as he took my bare breasts in his hands. I loved the feel of his hands on my body, every touch sent me soaring into a new level of ecstasy.
“Been thinking about having you like this since I saw you standing out on that baseball field. You have no idea what you do to me,” his voice rasped.
A needy moan vibrated through my chest when he gently slid my panties down my legs. My entire body tensed with anticipation as he lowered his mouth between my inner thighs. I could feel the heat of his breath on my skin, and I knew what was coming. I waited for it, longed for it, and when he finally skimmed his tongue across my clit, I nearly came unglued. He teased me back and forth in a gentle rhythm, tormenting me in the most delicious way. My breath became short and strained as he worked his finger deep inside me, twirling against my g-spot with a slow and steady pace. Making love with him was everything I thought it would be and more. A satisfied moan echoed through the room when he added another, making the sensation even more intense. My hips lifted up from the mattress, begging him to give me more, and when he did, my back arched as the muscles in my abdomen tightened with my impending release. My breath caught in my throat as waves of euphoric pleasure rushed through me. I released his hair, and my hands dropped to my sides, digging into the fabric as I started to tremble uncontrollably. Bliss. Pure, unadulterated bliss.
Tucker
“Oh my god, Tucker,” she shouted as her head thrashed from side to side. I continued to curl my fingers inside her, teasing that spot that was driving her to the edge as I licked her clit. She murmured my name over and over as her release took over. While she was still in a haze, I dropped my boxer briefs to the floor and slipped on a condom. I settled between her legs, pulling her closer to the edge of the bed. She looked so fucking beautiful. This woman was getting to me in a way that I’d never expected. Her eyes sparked with need when I leaned over her, brushing my cock across her entrance. She wrapped her legs around my hips, just begging to be taken, and my heart stopped beating in my chest. Fuck! I couldn’t imagine wanting anything more as I began to push inside her. With a devilish grin, she shifted her hips, forcing me deeper. Unable to resist, I thrust further until I filled her completely, and the feeling nearly took my breath away.
“I never knew it could feel this good.”
“Yes,” she moaned as I took her nipple in my mouth, and I felt her breath quicken as my teeth raked across her flesh. I slowly withdrew, then gradually eased back inside her. My pace gradually increased, becoming steady and unforgiving. My eyes roamed over her, taking in every inch of her exquisite body. She was everything I ever wanted and more. Her chest rose and fell as she tried to steady her breath, and I growled with satisfaction when I felt her squirming beneath me. My pace never faltered as I continued to drive inside her, over and over, constantly increasing the rhythm of my movements.
“Fuck!” I growled as my throbbing cock demanded its release too fucking soon. I wanted to take my time with her—memorize every move, every whimper—but she was just too fucking tight, felt too fucking good to stop. I plunged inside of her again and again, feeling her spasm with her release. My hips collided into hers, faster, harder with every breath I took. Kaci’s body jolted as her orgasm riveted through her body. Hearing the soft whimpers of my name echoing through the room sent me over the edge, and I couldn’t hold back any longer.
With a ragged breath, I laid down beside her and panted. “Damn, woman. What are you doing to me?”
She waved her hand in the air as she shook her head. “I need a second.”
We both laid there in a haze of depleted oxygen, and after several minutes, I turned to her and said, “In case you were wondering, that was a perfect way to start the day.”
She giggled. “Yes. I have to agree with you on that one.”
“I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Trust me, neither was I.”
I turned on my side, and my chest tightened as I looked at her. She was positively the most beautiful creature I’d ever seen, inside and out, and there was no doubt in my mind that I was falling for her. “You’re incredible, Kaci.”
Her eyes flickered with emotion as she replied, “I think you’re pretty incredible, too, Tucker.”
Hoping to prolong our time together, I asked, “Do you have plans for the day? Would you like to grab some breakfast?”
A strange look crossed her face as she sat up on the bed and reached for her clothes. As she started to get dressed, she said, “Yes and no.”
“Okay.” Realizing that her mood had quickly changed, I grabbed my boxers and headed for the bathroom. Once I’d cleaned up, I came back out and asked, “Do you want to tell me what that means?”
Her eyes skirted to the ceiling as she let out a deep breath. After a brief pause, she looked over to me and said, “I really like you, Tucker. I like you a lot, and I’d really like to see where this thing between us could go. But I know you have a lot going on. You’re trying to get your leg back where it needs to be. You’re headed for the minors in a few days, and then you’re back to playing with your team. I’m not sure there’s room for me in all that.”
“I was just asking if you wanted to get some breakfast, Kaci. I’m not asking for some big commitment here.”
“I know that, but breakfast is a big deal, Tucker. I know that may sound crazy, but breakfast means waiting on a phone call and wondering if there will be a second date. It means taking a chance on having something more. Right now, we can leave things as they are and say we had a really great night together. You can walk out that door with no strings attached. No hard feelings. We can just end things on a good note, but breakfast … well, like I said, that would be something different all together.”
“I don’t know, but this whole conversation is making me really fucking hungry.”
“I’m being serious, Tucker.”
I knew what she was saying, but I wasn’t sure I had an answer for her. As much as I didn’t want to admit it, I knew she was right. My schedule was all kinds of fucked up and starting a new relationship in the middle of all the chaos probably wasn’t the best idea. But there was something about her, something that pulled at me in a way that I couldn’t begin to comprehend, and I wasn’t sure I would be able to walk away from her. “I know, and I get what you’re saying.”
I didn’t want things to end on a negative note, so I walked over to her and wrapped my arms around her waist. As I pulled her towards me, I said, “You’re amazing, Kaci, and I had a great time with you, especially this morning.”
“I had a great time with you, too, Tucker.”
I leaned into her and pressed my mouth against hers. This woman had consumed my thoughts, my dreams, and my very existence since the moment I laid eyes on her; there was no way in hell I could ever just walk away from her—her scent, her touch, the heat of her body next to mine. Everything about her drove me fucking crazy. I wanted her, and come hell or high water, I was going to breakfast with her.
Kaci
Until a few days ago, Tucker Michaels was a complete stranger to me, and then, after just one night, I wondered how I was ever able to live without him. I never dreamed that I would actually fall for Tucker—especially after such a short time, but the fact was, I did. It was a strange feeling, frightening even, and I was completely overwhelmed by it. When I was with him, I felt like my heart was dancing around in my chest. He was everything I’d ever wanted, and if I hadn’t brought him home for a “one-night stand” I would’ve never known that the way he’d say my name would give me goosebumps or the way he’d pull me into his arms would make my knees go weak.
I felt so stupid. It hurt to watch him walk out that door, especially when I thought he felt the same way about me, but after a long, hot shower and a few shed tears, I realized I’d done it all to myself. I wanted him to tell me that he had the same crazy feelings I’d been having, that he wanted to take a chance regardless of how hard it may be, but he barely even knew me. How could he know if I was worth that kind of risk? I would just have to accept the fact that I’d created my own heartbreak simply by expecting too much.
Becoming more disheartened by the minute, I decided to take a walk, hoping that getting out of the apartment might help clear my head. I pulled my wet hair up into a ponytail, laced up my tennis shoes, and grabbed my phone. Just as I was about to leave, I heard a strange thud at the base of my door. Cautiously, I opened it and found Tucker standing there with his hands full of groceries and different bags of takeout. “What are you doing here?”
As he started inside, he almost dropped one of the bags. “You gonna give me a hand with this?”
I took several bags that were about to fall and set them down on the counter. After he put the rest down on the table, I asked, “Tucker, what in the world is all this?”
“It’s breakfast.” He smiled as he stepped towards me, and with his hands on my hips, he pulled me close. “I want to have breakfast with you, Kaci.”
I bit my bottom lip, trying hold back my smile and asked, “You do?”
“Yeah, I do.” He leaned down and kissed me tenderly before turning his attention back to his groceries. As he started unloading them, he continued, “I figure it will take us a little planning here and there, but if we work together we can make it happen. You know … one of us can make the biscuits while the other is scrambling the eggs. People do it all the time.”
His analogy was absolutely ridiculous, but I understood exactly what he was saying. Neither of us were being naïve. We both knew it would difficult to even date, much less start a new relationship. I smiled as I told him, “We don’t always have to cook, you know. There’s always cereal or oatmeal, and I grab takeout all the time. I don’t see why we couldn’t do it.”
He picked up one of the bags of takeout. “Exactly! I was thinking the same thing. See, we’re on the same page here.”
“You’re crazy. You know that, right?”
“I’m crazy about you,” he told me as he leaned towards me and kissed me once again. “Now, how do you like your eggs. I’m starving.”
“Scrambled with cheese.”
“That’s what I’m talking about, and what about gravy for the biscuits?”
My heart nearly leapt out of my chest as I looked at him standing there with that sexy smile on his face. “Absolutely.”
“We’re about to have ourselves one hell of a breakfast,” he boasted.
“I can’t believe you came back.”
His expression softened as he stopped what he was doing and eased over to me. “I knew before I even left that I was coming right back, Kaci. I never had any intention of leaving, but you wouldn’t stop talking about breakfast and gave me no choice.”
“I thought I’d never see you again.”
“There’s no way that was going to happen. I know there’s no way either of us can know how this thing is going to turn out, but I’d like to try. If you’re up for it, we could start with an actual date, and see where things go from there.”
“I’m definitely up for it.”
“So, where would you like to go on this first date of ours?”
“Dinner and a movie?”
“Dinner and a movie it is, and while I’m still in town, maybe I can talk you into coming to a couple of my games.”
“I’d love that, but you might have to teach me a few of the basics. I really don’t know much about baseball,” I confessed.
“Really? I never would’ve have guessed
that,” he snickered. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Kaden and I can catch you up to speed.”
“I’m sure you can.”
“Maybe you could bring him to a couple of the games, too.”
“He would love that.” I smiled. “And I would, too.”
“Good, because I’d really like to have you there.” He gave me a quick kiss and then turned his attention to my kitchen cabinets. “Now, where’s the skillet? It’s time to get cooking.”
And so it begins.
The End
Do you want to know more about the Michaels’ brother? Seth’s book, My Temptation, is now live on Amazon for only 99 cents! A short excerpt is included after the acknowledgments.
His Promise, Colton’s book, will release in January. All books will be FREE with KU.
Acknowledgments
Natalie Weston- Thank you, my dear friend, for all your hard work. Your friendship and dedication mean the world to us both. You are truly amazing.
Lisa Cullinan- Thank you for helping to make My Temptation the book I knew it could be. You are amazing, and I truly appreciate everything you do to make my books the best they can be.
Tanya Skaggs and Neringa Neringiukas- Thank you for all your help. You both are awesome.
Charolette Smith and Sabra Barowski- Thank you both for your support and advice. Your advice helped me more than you know. I truly appreciate all you do!
Wilder’s Women- You all are amazing. I truly appreciate all of your help and kind words. Your support means more than you could possible know.
My Temptation Excerpt
My Temptation Excerpt
Chapter 1