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Melissa’s heart pounded in her chest as Tyler nuzzled against her. As his arms tightened slightly around her. His body behind hers was pure heaven—solid and strong and just right. Warm when she was cold, protective in the way that he held her.
But she wasn’t looking to be with a man.
Not now.
Not him.
His clean, masculine scent filled the air, and the warmth from him seeped into her, even through their clothes and coats. Her body heated at his nearness, at the strength and power of him holding her. He was both gentle and powerful at the same time—an interesting dichotomy.
A man like Tyler could break her in half if he wanted—and he could protect her from anyone and everyone if needed.
She didn’t need a protector though.
And she certainly didn’t need to fall into bed with another man.
“Did you hear me, beautiful?” he asked in a low voice, the deep sound causing her insides to do a funny little flip. “I said I’d never hurt you. I know you were burned by your ex, but I want you to know you’ll be safe with me.”
“I’m not looking for any sort of relationship right now,” she said softly. “It doesn’t matter if I’d be safe or not with you—I’m not looking for that.”
“Neither was I. But I also know that you’re not the type of woman I could take home for a night and then just forget about. You’re not the type of woman I could make love to and then never see again. Not when you’re on my mind every damn minute.”
“Tyler,” she protested, edging away slightly. She shouldn’t be attracted to him. Not even a little bit. She was barely over her breakup with her ex and certainly didn’t need to go from the arms of one Marine to another.
She absolutely didn’t need to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire.
He let her go, and she turned to look up at him, hating even the few inches of distance now between them. She shivered at the loss of his warmth, at the chill in the winter air. His green eyes locked on her, and her gaze briefly ran over his chiseled jaw. Took in the slight blond scruff of his five o’clock shadow. The broadness of his shoulders.
She glanced back up to meet his eyes. Eyes that always seemed to see right through her. How could someone she barely even know seem to penetrate her very soul?
“Tell me I’m just like every other guy you’ve met,” he said, his voice gruff. “That you’ve felt like this before. The chemistry between us is insane.”
“We barely even know one another. We just met the other day. This is crazy!”
“Not crazy. Hell, I’ve been a lot more intimate with women I’ve known a lot less.”
Pain stabbed in her chest as she took a step backward, and hurt and resentment seeped through her. There he was, throwing that in her face again. Reminding her of all the women he’d slept with. She was just another conquest to be claimed. Not that she was looking to settle down and marry the man. Shoot, she wasn’t sure if she ever wanted to get married after the catastrophe of her failed engagement. And she’d certainly had her fair share of boyfriends over the years.
But for Tyler to constantly be mentioning the many, many women he’d been with?
Ugh.
Nothing like making her feel like she was just another warm body for him to have in his bed.
Not that she was planning to sleep with him anyway.
He was her client. She was helping him to buy a house, and they’d barely even started the process. She wasn’t going to let him take her home for a night and then just sit across from him at settlement and act like everything was okay. Act like that was something she did all the time.
And she sure the hell wasn’t going to do it when he kept throwing his casualness with women in her face. Maybe Tyler was used to random hookups and meaningless sex, but she wasn’t built that way.
She wasn’t looking to run off to Vegas and tie the knot, but she sure the hell wasn’t looking for a string of meaningless sex partners either.
She glared at him, trying to ignore the conflicting feelings churning inside of her. One minute she’d felt safe and secure in his arms, like she could relax and be herself with him. And the next? Like just another potential notch on his belt.
One who didn’t mean anything more than every other woman he’d been with.
“I think we should head back,” she said stiffly.
“Head back? We just got here.”
“And then you so sweetly told me yet again about the random women you’ve slept with.”
He looked baffled. “You’re missing the whole point. You’re not like the women I’ve been with in the past. I didn’t take you home from the bar the other night, I walked you to your car. Made sure you were safe to drive home. I didn’t try to get you into bed this afternoon, I brought you out here, someplace I love.”
“Well maybe you should be more careful about what you say. You said you have no interest in talking about my ex? What makes you think I want to hear about yours?”
“You almost married the guy,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s totally different. My past was just—meaningless. Nothing. It doesn’t even compare.”
He paced back and forth, looking agitated.
“How lovely.”
“There you go, shutting me out again,” he said, his mouth pressed in a firm line as he turned to look at her again.
She shivered in her suede jacket, wishing she’d worn something warmer. Wishing she was still back in her office. “Tyler, what exactly did you think was going to happen here? We’d drive out here and—what?”
“I was trying to let you know I understand that you’ve been burned by a guy before. That I won’t hurt you. Do I usually move quickly with a woman I’m interested in? Hell yeah. Do I usually try to take her home right away? Absolutely. I’m trying to do the right thing here with you.”
“With me? I mean—we’re not even together. I’m helping you buy a home. We’re working together. We’re not dating or a couple. We’re not anything!”
“And then when settlement’s over? You’re going to never talk to me again because I’m one of your former clients? Act like you don’t feel the electricity between us every time we get near one another? What if we’re out at the bar with Amy and Jason. Would you seriously be okay with watching me take another woman home while you’re sitting right there?”
“I just—I don’t know!” she said, crossing her arms and glaring at him.
“Why put on a show at all? Just admit what you’re feeling. Tell me there’s nothing between us—that I’m imagining the whole thing. Because it sure as hell didn’t feel that way a few minutes ago.”
Melissa sighed, looking away from him. “Let’s just forget it. Maybe you’re taking the rest of the day off to celebrate, but I really have work to do. I’ve got an open house this weekend, other properties to get listed. I have a career to think about—a life. Coming here together was a mistake.”
“Hell. I’m not trying to peel your clothes off or something—not that I’d mind if you offered. Am I attracted to you? Fuck yes. Do I realize you need to take things slowly? That this might never go anywhere? Also a yes.”
A slight breeze blew off the lake, ruffling her hair. Tears smarted her eyes, and she turned away from him, not willing to let him see her cry.
Not willing to shed any tears on yet another man.
She squeezed her eyes tightly shut as hot tears began to roll down her cheeks. As she tried to block out everything else around here. She couldn’t even turn around and look at him right now.
Couldn’t even go anywhere if she wanted.
She needed to pull herself together and get on with her life. Just like she always had before. Just like she always would.
“Shit,” Tyler muttered, taking a step closer. “Don’t cry,” he said softly, a large hand landing on her shoulder. She trembled as she swiped at her tears, waves of embarrassment washing over her. She was a no-nonsense business woman. Someone who didn’t take shit from anyone.
And now she was standing here outside with tears streaming down her cheeks?
Shaking as she tried to keep her emotions inside?
She swiped at her tears again, her fingers cold. Why was she crying anyway? Just because he was trying to be nice to her? Maybe he was going about everything the absolute wrong way, but goodness. He was just trying to get to know her.
To show her in his own bumbled way that he cared.
“Just forget it,” she whispered.
Before another beat passed, Tyler was pulling her close. Wrapping those muscular arms around her. Holding her against his solid chest.
Her tears wet his jacket, and she gasped, trembling as emotions seemed to just flood from her. Every emotion she’d been feeling for the past few months seemed to just pour out of her finally—her anger at her ex. Her fear of a new relationship. The way Tyler seemed to see right through the façade she built up and into her very soul.
She barely even knew the man, and he could see that she was frightened.
That she kept a level head in her career, perhaps, but her personal life felt like it was falling apart. His arms were the only thing holding her together right now.
His embrace the only thing keeping her from falling further apart.
“Shhh, baby,” he said, his voice deep, a large hand running through her hair. “Shhh. Don’t cry.”
She shuddered against him, and he held her tightly. Protecting her from the world. Saving her from herself.
It was almost like Tyler could somehow could see right through her and tear down the walls she’d built up around her heart. She swore she’d never be with another military man after Michael had walked out on her.
But now?
Somehow, despite everything, she just wanted to nestle even closer to Tyler. To let him shield her from the rest of the world for a while, safe in his arms.
Which was absolutely insane.
As her tears slowed, she blinked up at him, Tyler’s fingertips brushing away the wetness on her cheeks. Before she could question anything or insist again that they leave, he was ducking down, showing her how much he wanted her.
She gasped as his full lips met hers, and then she was clinging to him, desperate. Kissing him like they were always meant to be together.
“You’re cold,” he said in a low voice, pulling back as she shivered again. “Let’s go back to the car.”
She nodded, letting him take her hand as they made their way back to the SUV. His calloused fingers felt rough against hers, and she was reminded at how different their lives and careers were. He was a man who’d been sent off to war. Who’d seen things she could never imagine.
Yet at this very moment?
She had a feeling she’d let him lead her anywhere.
Tyler helped her into his SUV, saying he’d turn on the heat, and then he was rounding the front of the vehicle. Climbing inside and turning on the engine.
The heat blasted from the vents as she trembled in the front seat, both from cold and emotion. “Come here,” he said, pinning her with his green gaze as he held out a hand.
She turned to face him, hesitating for only a moment, and then he was pushing his seat back and lifting her into his arms. She gasped as she straddled him, his erection digging into her core. Even through their layers of clothes she could feel how much he wanted her.
How hot and hard he was.
His muscular hands wrapped around her hips, holding her to him, and she whimpered as he pulled her closer still. Her hands landed on his broad shoulders, and then he was kissing her. Nipping and tasting and devouring her.
His mouth moved over hers like she was his to claim—like she’d never been truly kissed by a man before.
He didn’t hesitantly see what she liked—he consumed her.
The scruff of his whiskers brushed against her tender skin, and then he nipped at her jaw line, forcing her to tilt her head back as she gasped.
Liquid heat pooled within her, and she moaned as she lightly bucked against him. Tyler growled in approval, and then he was gently bucking beneath her, sending desire shooting straight to her clit with every movement.
One hand gripped her waist as the other ran through her hair, holding her to him. His mouth met hers again, commanding and insistent. Demanding she give him more. She parted her lips to his tongue, and then he was tasting her.
Sliding his tongue against hers in a way that let her know exactly what he wanted. That showed her precisely how he’d make love to her, if given the chance.
Melissa shrugged out of her suede jacket, Tyler helping her toss it to the side, and then he was pulling her pale pink sweater up, revealing her to his gaze.
His green eyes heated as he looked at her. As his gaze roamed over her body. “Hell, Melissa, you’re gorgeous. Beautiful and feminine and—amazing. So fucking soft and sweet.”
Her breasts jutted out in her lacy lavender bra, and he let his hands rest on her ribcage, his thumbs trailing over the top of her bra, caressing her breasts. His calloused thumbs on her bare flesh sent a shiver racing down her spine.
Watching his muscular hands touching her lace-clad breasts was arousing as hell. She wanted those hands everywhere. Running over every inch of her skin.
Sending her entire body up in flames.
“Are you cold?” he asked huskily.
“No,” she said, biting her lip as she shook her head. He cupped her breasts, seemingly in awe himself as he looked down at her. She needed his touch everywhere. Running over all the curves of her body. Spreading her legs apart. Parting her lower lips. Touching her swollen folds as he teased and pleasured her.
Tyler brushed her hair back off her shoulder and ducked down, his teeth grazing her neck as she arched against him. “You, speechless?” he asked huskily. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
One large hand palmed her breast through her lacy bra, and he kneaded and caressed her, causing her to whimper against him.
“I could never get enough of you,” he muttered, kissing and sucking at the flesh on her neck. “Never. You smell like flowers and rain. And you have the body of a goddess.”
She whimpered as he nipped at her neck again, his whiskers scratching at her skin. Tyler smelled faintly of aftershave and something else purely male. She felt wanton and reckless sitting astride him in his SUV, wearing her bra, jeans, and heeled boots while he was still fully dressed. There was something masculine and arousing about him wearing a black leather jacket, the contrast of it against her lavender lace bra startling.
He was a powerful man—a Marine.
And she was helpless to his touch.
He tugged the cups of her bra down, growling in approval as her breasts were pushed upward, perfectly on display for him. “You’re gorgeous,” he murmured. “So soft and pink and perfect.” His thumbs trailed back and forth over her nipples, and she gasped, arching her back and inadvertently thrusting her breasts further toward him.
“Can you come if I play with your nipples?” he asked huskily.
The peaked beneath his touch, and she whimpered in delight. “I don’t know, I just, I need—”
He undid the clasp of her bra, tossing it aside with her discarded sweater. With one hand supporting her back, the other at the back of her head, he suddenly leaned her backwards, his face at her breasts. There was barely enough room in his SUV, and she could feel the steering wheel at her back. It was slightly uncomfortable, but being in Tyler’s arms like this was pure heaven.
He flicked his tongue over one nipple, causing her to writhe on his lap, before blowing on it gently. The contrast of his hot mouth and the cool air was nearly too much to bear. He laved his tongue over her nipple again, nipping and sucking as she squirmed atop him.
As she cried out in surprise.
“Come for me, gorgeous.”
Arousal dampened her folds, and she wished she wasn’t wearing jeans today of all days. If she’d had on a skirt, he could’ve easily tugged it up.
Fingered her swollen folds.
Sent her straight to heaven.
But this?
Sitting atop his hard cock, separated by their clothing, was practically too much.
His wicked mouth moved to her other breast, and he lightly traced his tongue around her areola. She cried out, and he began to lightly flicker his tongue over her taut bud, peaks of pure pleasure begin to burst forth within her. He lightly bit down, causing her to gasp in surprise, and then he was tonguing her again.
Faster. Harder.
Every jolt of electricity was shooting straight to her clit, and as she squirmed again in his arms, he bucked up against her. Again. She was helpless to move from atop him, and then she was coming. Crying out his name in surrender, his mouth still hot on her breast.
She lay flushed and sated in his arms, shocked that he could pleasure her without even so much as touching her pussy.
A smug look of satisfaction crossed his face, and he pulled her back upward, his arms locked around her. “I like you topless,” he said, a wicked gleam in his green eyes as he gazed from her flushed face to her full breasts.
“Bastard,” she scoffed softly.
“You weren’t saying that when you were crying out my name a minute ago”
“Are you sure?” she asked, breathless.
He smirked. “You’re so fucking perfect for me, beautiful. I want you any and every way imaginable. All day and all night.”
“Perfect for you? We’re not even together,” she protested.
“We’re together in my car. I’ve got you sitting in my lap—on top of my cock. The only thing better would be if I were inside you. If your hot pussy was clamped down around my rock-hard cock.”
She gasped in surprise, and he chuckled. “I want to feel your walls clamping down around me, beautiful. I want to be inside you when you cry out my name in surrender.” He lightly ran one hand over a bare breast, watching as she trembled at his touch. “I meant what I said, beautiful. I won’t hurt you.”
He palmed both breasts, kneading and caressing as he ducked down and kissed her. “I like you like this,” he said. “Flushed and sated—and at my complete mercy.”
He held his forehead to hers for a brief moment, and then she glanced around the secluded lake before once again meeting his heated gaze. “We should get going. What if someone sees us here? I’m sitting on your lap topless.”
“No one’s around, beautiful. And I fucking love you topless. But we can go. I want you all to myself.” He ducked lower, his lips brushing against her ear. “And I sure as hell don’t want anyone seeing what’s mine.”
“Who says I’m yours?” she taunted.
“You’re half naked on my lap, beautiful,” he murmured, his breath hot against her. “If I had my way, you’d be completely naked, writhing beneath me.”
She squirmed atop him, and he chuckled. “Now you get the picture,” he said, his voice gruff. He reached over and grabbed her sweater. “Leave the bra off. I want to see your gorgeous breasts when we’re driving back.”
She lightly smacked his chest. “Then why wear anything at all?” she said, pulling her sweater down over her head. “I could just forget clothes all together.”
He ducked down and kissed her bare shoulder, his fingers trailing over her skin. “Because you’re mine, beautiful. I already told you that. And this skimpy sweater is sexy as fuck. I can see your nipples through the material.”
“Tyler....”
He helped her climb off him, and she settled into the passenger seat, stuffing her bra into her bag as he chuckled. “You weren’t serious about needing to go back into the office, were you?” he asked, raising his eyebrows. “I can think of about a million things more interesting to do together.”
“Dead serious. I’ve got an open house to prep for.”
“Well hell.”
She pulled her suede jacket back on as he frowned. “Let’s get going snookums,” she said sweetly. “I’ve got work to do.”
