His expression is strained, his breath coming harder. His eyes are half-lidded as he takes my hand and guides it to circle him and stroke up and down. I watch him closely. He definitely likes that.
“I want to taste you the way you taste me,” I whisper, dropping to my knees in front of him.
He grips my hair. “Kayla.”
I run my tongue along the length of him and then circle the tip. Salty. And then I take him fully into my mouth, moving the way he liked with my hand. His fingers tighten in my hair, and I look up at him. His head’s tipped back, his jaw tight.
I release him. “Am I hurting you?”
He grabs me, pulling me to my feet. “It feels too good.”
I smile widely, thrilled I’m already good at this. “No such thing as too good.”
“I want you.”
“You have—” His mouth silences me with a fierce kiss, hard and demanding, so different from his usual tender kisses. Exciting. My fingers tighten on his shoulders, my world tilting as his tongue thrusts in my mouth, his hands all over me, stroking down my back, my bottom, up my sides, cupping my breasts.
I break the kiss to pull off my shirt, but he’s faster. He strips me in between urgent kisses, pausing only long enough to stroke my exposed skin before going for the next piece of clothing. I’m on fire. Finally, we’re both naked, and I throw my arms around his neck, kissing him passionately.
He backs me up, and the back of my knees bump into the mattress. We come up for air, both of us breathing heavily. He strips the blanket off.
His voice is hoarse. “Lie down and spread your legs for me.”
I crawl over to the center of the bed, hearing his muffled groan. I peek at him over my shoulder. His eyes are heated, taking me in from that angle. “I’m all yours, Adam. Just like I always wanted to be.”
“What you do to me,” he mutters before snagging his jeans from the floor. He retrieves a condom from his wallet.
I’d forgotten about that. I don’t have any with me. I lie in the center of the bed and spread my legs for him.
He covers me a moment later, kissing me tenderly. He lifts his head, pushing my hair back from my face. “I’ll go slow for you.”
“This has been weeks and weeks of slow. I don’t need that anymore. Kiss me like you did before, like you want me desperately.”
“I do want you desperately.”
I grab his ass and pull. It’s no use; he’s strong and stable. He shifts close, but not where I want him, but then he distracts me, his mouth hungry and demanding again. Kiss after kiss, hot and wet and deep. There’s nothing but his heat, his taste, the weight of him covering me. And then his mouth trails along my jaw, the cord of my neck, his teeth scraping against me. A hot shiver races through me.
He lowers himself down, taking his time once again, his hand cupping my breast and lifting it to his mouth. I gasp as he suckles, drawing in sharp tugs that make me throb. I spear my fingers through his hair, holding him to me, needing more, aching to be filled at the same time.
He shifts to the other breast, sucking tightly as his hand slides down to delve between my legs. My breath shudders out, the throbbing need almost unbearable. I’ve waited so long for this.
He kisses his way down my body, dropping kisses on my stomach, the inside of my thigh, all the way down to my toes.
“Adam.” I reach for him, needing him back on top of me, wanting him to join with me.
He crawls back up me. “Not yet.” He brushes his lips over mine. “Roll over for me.”
“Why?”
“For more exploring.” He flips me over before I can ask any more questions. He pushes my hair to the side and kisses the back of my neck, his teeth closing over my nape. Heat flashes through me like lightning, racing down my spine. His palms run over my back, followed by his mouth kissing gently down my spine. I melt into the mattress. He continues down over the curve of my bottom and down one leg, stroking, kissing, tasting. Then the other leg. I wait breathlessly. What’s next?
He rolls me over and nips my lower lip, jolting me. This is a side of Adam he hasn’t shown me before, rougher, more aggressive. This is Adam letting himself feel the sharp edge of need and taking what he wants. I spread my legs, pulling him by the shoulders, but he resists, lowering himself to kiss me right on the throbbing pleasure center only he’s touched.
And then he surprises me, putting my legs over his shoulders and spreading me wide to his gaze. I’m pinned, open to him. My breath comes harder, my heart pounding as his heated eyes meet mine. And then he lowers his head, his mouth coaxing at first as his fingers play with me. I relax under him, my fingers tangling in his hair. The pleasure spirals higher and higher, his mouth hungry, pushing me closer to release. My breath hitches, and he gentles, my release eluding me. I moan, needing it.
And then he brings me back, climbing again, my insides tight and hot, the intensity building. I cry out, shuddering against him, white-hot pleasure spearing through me in a starburst of pleasure all the way up to my scalp and down to my toes.
I pull on his shoulders, needing him close. He crawls up my body and lets me hug him.
“I love you, Kayla,” he murmurs in my ear.
I grab his head and kiss him fiercely. “I love you too.”
He positions himself at my entrance. “You’re so wet, so ready for me.”
I nod as he slowly pushes in, stretching me. He thrusts deep suddenly, and I gasp at the sharp pain followed by deep pressure.
He stills, one hand cradling my jaw as he kisses me. Long, lingering kisses that deepen, opening me further as he consumes me. And then he lifts his head, his gaze locked on mine as he moves slowly in and out. Suddenly I feel the love between us, something raw and real. This is making love.
“I’m so glad I waited for you,” I whisper.
“It’s better this way.” He kisses along my jaw to my ear, taking my earlobe between his teeth and giving it a tug. “With love.”
“Yes,” I say softly. “Now take me like you’re desperate for me.”
He sucks on the cord of my neck, his thrusts slow but deep. I arch my hips, meeting each thrust. He moans against my neck before taking me harder, faster, until we’re both chasing that peak. His breath is harsh by my ear as he rocks into me in just the right place.
“Adam!” I buck helplessly under him as the orgasm crashes over me. He pumps fiercely, rocking into me before letting go with a guttural groan.
He collapses on top of me, his breath coming in short pants.
My lips curve into a satisfied smile. “I finally know what all the fuss is about. That was incredibly good!”
He lifts his head. “It’s not always like that.”
“It’s not?”
“No.” He strokes a lock of hair behind my ear. “It’s us, our chemistry, our love.”
“Oh, Adam!” I squeeze him tight. He presses his lips to my neck, and I feel his smile against my skin.
Then he rolls off me and fixes me with a hard look. “Just us, Kayla. Got that? Just us feels like that.”
He wants me all to himself. I climb on top of him and stretch out, loving this new feeling of skin on skin. I kiss him. “Only you.”
His arms wrap around me in a warm hug. I wish I could stay like this forever. I don’t want to think about the real world, my possible job offers, all of which take me far from him. Here, in this hotel room, is just for us.
Adam
I return home late on Sunday night, tired and on edge. All I can think about is Kayla getting that job out in Indianapolis. I don’t want to stand in her way. At the same time, I’d have to give up a lot to go. I have a reputation here that keeps my business thriving, mostly by word of mouth, and it’s been helped even more by Wyatt’s connections with the wealthy elite in the area. To be with Kayla, I’d have to sell my house, leave the community I love, my family, and start all over again from scratch.
On the other hand, I love her deeply and can’t imagine my life without her.
I turn on the light. Tank’s not in his bed. There’s a note on the coffee table. I hope he’s okay. Maybe Drew had to take him to the vet. Sometimes Tank gets himself into trouble, eating the wrong thing.
I grab the note, my stomach dropping as I recognize the loopy handwriting.
Adam,
I took Tank back. I never meant for you to keep him permanently. Why should you have everything you want, and I have nothing?
Amelia
I crumple the note in my hand. Dammit. It’s one a.m. I’m exhausted, torn up over Kayla, and now Amelia took my beloved Tank.
Okay, think. I pull my phone out and call Amelia. Nope, that’s not her voicemail. She must’ve gotten a new number when she got back to the US. I call Drew, who’s a night owl.
“Hey, just get in?” he asks.
“Yeah, and Tank’s gone. Amelia took him. When did you last see him?”
“Shit. I took him out at ten and locked up afterward. She broke into your house?”
I look around. “She must’ve, or maybe one of the windows was unlocked. I don’t know.”
“Call Eli. He can bring her in for breaking and entering. She can’t just steal your dog.”
“Tank was hers to start. She has his papers.”
Fuck. I was so wrapped up in Kayla, I completely forgot about paying Amelia for Tank and getting her to put something in writing that he’s mine.
I tell him bye, call Eli, and then drive around the lake, looking for her red Corvette. All I know is her family rented a house by the lake. After circling the lake three times, I still don’t see it. It’s dark and there’s no streetlights in this part of town. I’ll have to try again in the morning. But what if she’s already driving to parts unknown?
I rest my forehead on my steering wheel, my gut churning. I swear if she hurt Tank in any way, I’m pressing charges for animal cruelty. Though I suspect she just wants money. This is her way of getting my attention.
Then I remember Kayla put a GPS tracker on Tank after the three dogs ran away at Wyatt’s barbecue. I call her, but it goes to voicemail. She doesn’t respond to my text either. She’s probably asleep. Indianapolis is the same time as here.
Wyatt. He’s the tech whiz. If anyone could figure out where Tank is through a GPS tracker, it’s him. I put the car in gear and make the short drive to Wyatt’s place.
When I get to the front door, I’m relieved to see lights on inside. Hopefully that means they’re up. I ring the doorbell, and the dogs set off the alarm, barking their way to the front of the house.
Wyatt opens the door a moment later, wearing a T-shirt and shorts. Snowball is tucked under his arm, Rexie standing by his side, both dogs barking at me. “Stand down. It’s Adam,” he commands the dogs, who instantly quiet. “Is Kayla okay?”
“She’s great. I’m in love with her. Tank’s missing, and I need your help.”
He just stands there, staring at me.
“Didn’t you hear what I said? I need your help.”
He backs up to let me in. “Okay, I was just surprised. So you and Kayla are serious now?”
“Yeah.”
He grins. “This is great news. Sydney told me the deal with your ex-fiancée, and I was sure you’d break Kayla’s heart in self-defense.” He lets out a breath. “What a relief. Okay, now I have some experience with missing dogs. I’m sure we can find him. How long’s he been gone?”
Sydney appears behind him. “Hey, Adam. How’d it go in Indianapolis?”
Wyatt puts Snowball down and puts an arm around Sydney. “He’s in love with her.”
Sydney grins. “I knew it. When you ran out of The Horseman like a man on a mission—”
“Amelia took Tank,” I say. “I have no idea where she went, and the more time passes, the farther away she can get.”
“Did you search your property?” Wyatt asks. “Snowball always sticks close to the house when she makes an escape.”
“My ex took him,” I say slowly and clearly. “She plans to keep him.” I shove a hand through my hair. “Technically she has the papers from the breeder, so I don’t know how much claim I have. I offered to pay for him, but she wanted five thousand dollars, and I don’t have it.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Sydney exclaims. “You don’t give that woman one cent! She gave Tank to you when she left. I remember that clearly. And we all thought she was gone for good.”
“I know. I’m not sure it matters, but if she can take him from me, I can take him back. I just need to know where he is.” I turn to Wyatt. “Kayla put a GPS tracker on his collar that day when the dogs got loose here. She’s sleeping, so I can’t get help from her, but I was hoping you could figure out how to find him.”
Wyatt grins. “I bought Kayla that tracker. And I got the premium service for unlimited friends and family sharing.”
Sydney gasps. “You track your sister!”
Wyatt smirks. “No, I simply share a GPS tracking service with my sisters. I can help them find their stuff, and they can help me find mine.”
Sydney shakes her head. “You’re totally tracking your sisters.”
Wyatt cocks his head. “Paige’s tracker always says she’s at home. I bet she’s the only one who opened the app and realized the setup.” He frowns. “Now how’s she going to find her keys if she loses them?”
“Wyatt, Tank,” I say.
“Right. Let me get my phone.” He heads back toward the kitchen.
Sydney and I follow him. “I never liked Amelia,” she says.
“Really? You never said anything. I nearly married her.”
“That’s why I never said anything. You loved her and wanted to marry her. Besides, there wasn’t anything I could put my finger on. She just seemed kind of fake.”
I shake my head. “You should’ve said something. Might’ve saved me a lot of pain.”
Sydney squeezes my arm. “I’m sorry, you’re right, even though I doubt you would’ve taken my opinion as a reason to dump her. If it helps, I adore Kayla and think you’re a great match.”
If only it were that easy. “Thanks. I think so too.”
“What’s wrong?”
I don’t want to bring up my doubts about the future, knowing Kayla might choose to live far from me. I need to focus on finding Tank.
“Just worried about Tank,” I say.
Wyatt holds up his phone. “I got him. He’s still in town, and I’ve got the address.”
“Let’s go,” Sydney says.
“I’ll call Eli,” I say.
“Now we’ve got a posse,” Wyatt says, rubbing his hands together.
And that’s how the three of us end up in Wyatt’s silver BMW SUV, speeding toward the rented lake house where Amelia is holding Tank hostage.
A cop car flashes its lights at us as we pull up to the house. “Ah, hell, was I speeding?” Wyatt asks, looking in the rearview.
“Definitely,” Sydney says.
A moment later, my younger brother Eli appears at the driver’s side window, shining a flashlight at Wyatt. Eli’s in uniform and in full cop mode. No messing around. The irony is, he used to be the worst troublemaker. “Do you know why I pulled you over?”
Wyatt groans. “Come on, I’m your brother-in-law.”
Eli flashes the light over the rest of us. “You were speeding, but I understand more important matters are at stake. Adam, you pressing charges against Amelia? Stolen dog, breaking and entering.”
“What if we just steal Tank back?” I ask.
“You can’t,” Sydney says. “She’ll just go for him again. What does she really want? Is she trying to hurt you? Does she honestly love this dog?”
“She wants money,” I say. “I’m sure if I paid for him, I’d never hear from her again.”
&
nbsp; “I’ve got money,” Wyatt says. “You want me to take care of it, done deal.”
“I think you should press charges and file a restraining order,” Eli says.
“I think you should take something she really loves,” Sydney says. “Like that Corvette. I saw her driving by the restaurant with it many times.”
I consider all these angles, and then I think about everything Amelia put me through, how I almost lost Kayla over that past hurt, too defensive to risk opening my heart until it was almost too late. And now the future with Kayla is uncertain, and I only wish I hadn’t held back so long. We wasted precious time.
“Let’s do it all,” I say. “Take Tank, press charges, file a restraining order, and let the air out of her tires.” I check in with Eli. “That’s not illegal, right?”
“Not by me,” he says.
We head over to a small lakeside cottage with a detached garage. The Corvette is inside the garage. Sydney works open a window on the side of the garage, and Wyatt gives her a boost inside. She’ll take care of the tires.
Eli and I go to the front door and ring the bell. We’ll probably wake up Amelia’s parents and her older sisters, if they’re here, but that’s her problem. Tank’s familiar oof, oof, oof bark reaches me, and I relax. My boy. He’s fine. Probably just confused and too tired to do anything but his usual nighttime snooze.
Amelia’s dad, Peter, answers the door, wearing a ratty blue bathrobe. He’s in his sixties with thinning gray hair. The poor guy always seems bewildered by his three daughters. “Yes?”
“Hello, Peter,” I say.
He squints and gets closer. “Adam?”
“That’s right.”
He shakes my hand. “Good to see you again. I always thought you were a steadying influence on Amelia.”
Eli pipes up, “We’re here about Amelia. She’s committed a few crimes she needs to answer for. Breaking and entering at Adam’s place and stealing Tank here.”
Tank is now curled up on a folded blanket on the floor in front of the faded green sofa.
I call him, and he merely lifts his brows and sighs. Too sleepy to realize the custody situation here. I’ll probably have to carry him out.
Dashing: A Friends to Lovers Romantic Comedy (Unleashed Romance, Book 2) Page 15