Chapter Ten
Suds rolled over her hands as she washed out the coffee pot while Tyson wandered around her living room checking out books and DVDs.
“We could watch a movie,” he suggested. “Is this all you have as far as movies go?”
“I usually keep anything that isn’t PG in my room. What kind of movie do you want to watch?” She really did have errands to run, but a movie on a Sunday sounded so tempting.
“What do you have?”
“Go look. They’re on a rack next to the dresser.”
He disappeared down the hall. “You alphabetized your movies?” he shouted from the bedroom.
“Shut up!” She laughed.
He returned holding an action flick and a romantic comedy. “Your room’s pretty. Which one?” He held up two DVDs.
“Thanks.” She considered his movie choices. “Oh, well, that depends. Do I want to be a good hostess and choose the movie with explosions I know my guest would probably prefer, or do I want to be selfish and choose option B, which happens to be one of my all-time favorites?”
“This is one of your favorites?” he asked, holding up the chick flick. “I never saw it.”
“Absolutely. Makes me cry every time.”
“Oh, God.” He rolled his eyes and made a terrified expression.
She laughed. “Surprise me. You choose.”
She put away the mugs, returned the coffee pot to the machine, and filled the filter trap with grounds for the following day while he fiddled with the television. After drying her hands she join him on the couch, fluttery butterflies abuzz in her belly.
He pulled her back against his chest and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. The sensation of being held was so novel and cozy, the guilt of selfishly loafing around set in and she tried to think of something else. She rarely took time like this for herself. As they got comfortable she pulled the blanket off the back of the couch and covered her legs.
“This is soft. Where’d you get it?” His long, dark fingers dragged slowly over the blanket.
“I made it.”
“Really?” He sounded genuinely impressed.
“Yeah. When I was pregnant I taught myself to crochet. I can make you one if you want.”
He kissed her head, and she drew insurmountable pleasure from the simple act. “I’d love that, but you don’t have to. You’re already busy.”
The DVD menu came on the television. She recognized it right away. “My favorite!”
He hit play. “But you’re not allowed to cry.”
“I won’t if you don’t,” she agreed and he snorted.
The steady thud of his heart beating slowly against her ear coupled with the sound of Christmas carols playing from the television filled her with a new yet nostalgic sort of bliss. “I love Christmas,” she sighed.
“Me too.” His fingers idly toyed with her hair, sending an occasional chill down her spine.
She loved how strong and tightly knit the family was in this movie. She always wished that she were a part of a big family like that. It was hard not having any brothers or sisters. It upset her that Mia would probably grow up as an only child as well and someday have the same longing for family.
Tyson was a good cinema buddy. He didn’t chatter the way her usual movie companion did, and he never did egg beaters across the couch when the plot slowed. She’d forgotten how peaceful a little grown up time could be. Two hours later, as the last scene cut away, she sniffled into the blanket and wiped her eyes.
“Hey, you okay?”
“Yeah.” Her struggle not to ugly cry turned her voice into a croak. But wailing into a pillow would be completely unacceptable. So she fought back her tears. They should have watched the action movie. She was more emotional than usual for some reason and this movie put her over the top. She could not cry in front of Tyson.
“Hey, Hey, come here.”
Her face pinched as he tenderly pulled her close. She wasn’t sure if it was the sad ending to the movie or her joy that he’d come into her life that undid her, but either way, she lost the battle.
“Aw, kitten, don’t cry,” he soothed, as he held her tight.
“I’m sorry.” Damn it, she couldn’t stop the snot and tears from leaking from her face. So much for keeping it classy. “I’ll be done in a minute. Just ignore me.” She hiccupped. “Cover your ears and look away.”
A deep chuckle rumbled through his chest. “And this is what your favorite movie does to you? You’re a mess!”
“It’s a great movie! They all love each other so much.” She managed a tear filled laugh. She was making an ass out of herself. Glancing at his shirt, she moaned. “Oh… I got boogies on your shirt.”
“That’s okay. They’re boogies of love.” They both laughed. “Come here.”
Tyson adjusted their position so he could see her face. His eyes were sympathetic, but his mouth pursed, smothering another laugh. She was never a cute, little delicate crier. Nope, she usually broke out in hives, got a red runny nose, and bloodshot eyes the moment the first tear fell.
Tucking her hair behind her ear, he kissed the tip of her red nose. Bunching his shirt around a finger, he wiped her eyes. He was so kind and gentle with her.
Without thinking Kat leaned in and pressed her lips to his. She feathered one slow, soft kiss after another over his mouth and breathed him in. He remained still as she played and experimented, tilting her head to shyly slide her tongue along the seam of his soft, full lips.
“Mmm,” his voice rumbled as he chuckled.
Knees supporting her, her palms pressed into his shoulders. He was so strong and sturdy. Licking over his lower lip, she hummed as his chest expanded as he drew in a deep breath.
The weight of his hand pressed into her ass, sending shock waves of pleasure to her core. His head tilted and he took control of the kiss, her body firing to life. The gentle tug of his fingers sifting through her hair sent chills down her spine.
She pulled his ears between her fingers as her lips worked their way from the corner of his mouth to his strong jaw. The scent of his shaving cream made her sigh. He smelled so good, clean and male.
Since she loved when he kissed her ears and neck she attempted to repay the favor. Her lips closed over his lobe and he moaned, hands tightening on her hips as he settled her more over his lap, dragging her sex across the bulge pressing at his zipper.
She pulled on the skin of his neck, sucking hard. His head tipped back as he groaned again, his fingers tightening another degree. “That feels so good. I love your mouth on me.”
Her lips curved against his skin as she smiled. Who knew she had the ability to arouse him the way he aroused her? It was empowering.
Her hips slowly started to rock. A delicious friction bloomed between her thighs. His mouth found her and she was suddenly being lifted and turned. Her back pressed into the cushions as his weight settled over her.
His hand dragged along the underside of her thigh, lifting her knee as he pressed his erection into the apex of her pants. He squeezed the back of her leg and ground his body into hers. Her hands smoothed down the back of his head as she held him to her, kissing him deeply.
He never tried to undo her pants or slip a hand under her shirt. It was all about kissing, that sweet groping over clothes, grinding into one another that was the essence of true making out.
They twisted and rolled, her nipples straining against her clothing, his hard arousal digging into her thigh. They needed more room.
Breathlessly, she pulled back and nudged him into a sitting position. “Let’s go to my room.” He stared at their clasped hands and hesitated as if weighing his options.
Please don’t reject me now.
Hesitantly, he stood and her gaze remained on the ground as she led him to her room. The short walk dragged out her thoughts and trepidation as if it were a mile. When they reached her room she placed a soft kiss on his jaw.
“What are we doing, Kat?” he whispered.
“I don’t know,” she whispered back, as her mouth made a slow drag down his neck. “Show me what to do.”
“To what point?” His voice was thick, as though she were causing him pain.
Her cheek nuzzled against his chest as their fingers laced to their sides. “As far as it’s safe.” She timidly looked at him, begging him not to throw her request in her face. She trusted him and she hadn’t trusted another person in such a long time. “Show me, Tyson.”
He leaned down and skillfully kissed her, taking complete control. His fingers plucked at the hem of her tank top, slowly lifting it over her head, breaking the kiss. His eyes devoured her body, heating her skin, as she stood before him in white drawstring yoga pants and a cotton bra.
Trying not to shrink from his scrutiny, she met his gaze and forced her hands into fists, refusing to cover herself. This was her. She wasn’t perfect and she wasn’t rail thin, but she was real, and this was the only size she came in.
His thumb trailed over her cheek and down her jaw. Chills skated over her flesh as his forefinger trailed to the valley of her breasts. The backs of his knuckles curved over the slight swell and goose bumps crested her shoulders. “You take my breath away, Kat.”
“I want to touch you too.”
His hand fell away as he pulled his shirt over his head, dropping the garment to the floor. Her palm lifted to his chest. There was such contrast between her lily-white fingers and his dark skin.
His nipples were deep brown and flat, while hers were delicate and pink. Her feminine softness against his strong, hard maleness was perhaps the most erotic contrast of all. He was a beautiful man, so chiseled and hard. She traced the lines of his muscles and noticed that in the deep valleys of each bulge his skin became darker, truly almost black in parts.
“You’re so fit and solid. It makes me want to cover myself and hide.”
Her gaze moved to the bed. Maybe if they just moved to the bed and she could get under the covers—
“Women aren’t supposed to be solid, they’re supposed to be soft, like you, kitten. I love the way you look. Don’t hide yourself from me.” He gently unwound her arms from her belly and pressed his lips to her neck. “You’re beautiful just the way you are.”
Kisses feathered across her shoulder as the strap of her bra slid down her arms. The weight of his fingers closed around her wrist. Lifting her arm, he turned her so her back was against his front and she faced the bed.
Knuckles dragged seductively up and down her spine and the clasp of her bra released. Her head lowered as his lips pressed against the nape of her neck, softly kissing, as the garment fell to the floor.
Crouching low, he kissed the base of her spine and slid his tongue upward, slowly rising. Sweeping her hair off her shoulders, he slid his touch down her arms and gently captured her wrists, lifting her arms. Open mouthed kisses trailed down her arm to the tender inside of her elbow, the pulse at her wrist, and he placed a kiss in the center of her palm. She visibly shook with need as he turned her to face him.
“Lie down.” He eased her on the mattress. The bed dipped as he leaned over her. A touch of fear threatened to interrupt the moment, but she reminded herself that this was Tyson. So long as he continued to look into her eyes she felt safe.
Kissing her deep and slowly, the firm press of his chest, flesh on flesh, dragged over the sharp points of her nipples and she moaned. His lips traveled toward her breasts as he slid lower. Calloused hands cupped her breast, as his warm mouth closed over her nipple. A gasp escaped as his lips pulled tight.
While his mouth did wonderful things to one tight peak, his hand held her other breast, his thumb and forefinger moving back and forth over the pebbled nipple. The scent of their bodies blended. Her hands gripped his arms as he released her and blew cool air over her wet skin.
His fingers tugged at the strings of her pants and her stomach flipped in anticipation as her clothes loosened. Lifting her hips, the worn cotton pulled over her thighs as he gently tugged. Silk lifted as her panties slid away.
His mouth returned to her breasts, his breath softly teasing her skin, adding yet another delicious sensation as his fingers ran over the dewy nest of curls covering her sex. Excitement rolled over her, through her as the press of his work-roughened finger skimmed over her delicate opening. Her heart raced and she swallowed back the taste of fear.
He separated her moist folds and she trembled with building anticipation. The press of his finger was so unfamiliar, so forgotten, her mind needed a moment to adjust to the slow intrusion. He sensually moved it in and out of her as his mouth nipped and pulled at her nipples.
Body tight, she held him to her as he kissed his way down her belly, shifting his position on the bed so he could suck on her hip and lick the crease of her thigh. No one had ever kissed her there.
Liquid heat pooled between her thighs as her skin tingled from the tops of her ears to the tips of her toes. She writhed as he held her hips, pressing her ever so slightly into the soft mattress.
“Open for me, kitten.”
Warm breath fanned over her sensitive folds. Dear God. It was the most intimate position she’d ever been in. She was completely exposed. His soft mouth teased the top of her sex and she was assaulted by indescribable pleasure.
His thumbs separated her slit as he licked at the opening of her sex. Her oversensitive flesh wept as he sipped from her. Her body drew tight like a bow as his thumb nudged her clit.
She let out a hoarse, startled cry at the intense sensation of his tongue softly licking her as his fingers expertly penetrated. Her muscles tightened as his lips closed over the tight bud.
Flashes of the last time he’d touched her there broke into her mind and mingled with images of the present. Pent up energy tightly coiled beneath her skin. The waves built faster and faster. Her lungs struggled to breathe as she swallowed great gulps of air. Fisting the blankets, her muscles drew taut as an orgasm swelled inside of her.
She gasped as her head moved from side to side. Deeper, faster, he worked her over as the waves continued to build. And then he found that magical spot someplace deep inside of her. Fingers firmly pressing upon that secretive place of pleasure, his mouth sucked hard, she shattered.
Her legs tightened as her back bowed, pressing further into his touch. Her body racked with shudders as the sheets clung to her dewy skin. Never had she been so aware of her flesh, her bones, her blood rushing through her veins. The throb of her heartbeat pounded between her thighs. Moans reverberated off the walls as she swelled beneath his tongue. There was nothing better than that moment when every part of her simply let go.
As her quaking muscles trembled into slow quivers, he gently pulled away. He placed kisses on her inner thighs and the most sensitive points of her knees. She lay motionless, aside from a spontaneous spasm every few seconds that came in the aftermath of her climax.
He lay beside her and drew her close. Muscles were too weak to move on their own. Wrapping her naked body in his arms, he kissed the back of her shoulder. She sighed in complete contentment and ignored the distant echo of clamoring concerns.
His chest pressed into her with solid reassurance. The strength of his body was the only reminder that she still existed. His breathing leveled out and, though his hold grew lighter, the cocoon around her seemed to tighten.
Her thoughts slowly swam to the surface of her mind.
“Sleep, kitten,” he whispered as his body nestled more into hers.
Eyes wide, Kat stared at the wall of her bedroom. Her mind counted cracks in the plaster so not to count all the ways she was losing her heart to this man. Never in her life had she experienced such pleasure, but it wasn’t just pleasure. It was conversations. It was common courtesies. It was his soothing company. No one, before Tyson, had ever showed her such tenderness.
She was no virgin, but what she was sharing and building with him was so much more than sex, so much more than anything she’d ever experienced before. The closeness, the opening of her soul and bearing of secrets, it was new territory she hadn’t anticipated crossing.
She’d worried about sex, about consequences, and morning after awkwardness, but her slow, lust-muddled mind never considered there might be bigger things to fear.
She wasn’t ready to bare all, but he was driving her there. There was some unnamable part of her, perhaps her mind, perhaps her heart, perhaps her fears and worries, and doubts that he saw. It was as if he could see into her soul.
She wasn’t ready to trust another person that much. It was disconcerting to know he’d seen her so vulnerable, saw how desperately she needed to be touched, how starved her soul was for the most minimal affection. He cracked her open and exposed the emptiness inside. She defensively wanted her secrets back, didn’t want anyone to know how incomplete she was.
He’d fallen asleep and all she could do was lie there, frantically following one insane thought to another. There would be no meaningless sex between them. He would demand all of her, mind, body, and soul. Sharing her body was a hurdle, but sharing all those other parts seemed like an impossible mountain to climb.