Thank God she’d come to her senses, because nothing had ever felt as amazing as cradling Todd with her body as he buried himself inside her. Every thrust was another declaration of love, a reminder of how incredible they were together. She ran her hands over his magnificent body, grabbing his rock-hard butt to urge him on as she wrapped her legs around his hips.
Even if he never tired of this position, she had an unexpected urge to experiment, hungry for new ways to please them both.
Trust was the key. Something she was only now realizing she’d never had in a relationship before. Not like this. She’d never been comfortable enough to get playful in bed or to voice her own desires.
Her heart swelled and she stretched up to kiss him.
He stared down at her, his gorgeous blue eyes full of adoration and desire, filling her heart and body to the brim.
She caressed his jaw and ran her thumb over his lower lip. I love you. She just needed a little more time to be able to say it.
His eyes closed on a groan as he lowered his head to give her a sensuous kiss full of tongue and teeth and fire. They lost their rhythm, and fought for breath as his hips moved in a frenzy, pumping harder, driving her to new heights of ecstasy. She braced one hand against the headboard and held on tight with the other, digging her fingers into his flesh.
Their skin slicked with sweat, the air filled with pants and groans and the slap of bodies. She squeezed her eyes shut to focus on the exquisite slide, in and out, setting every nerve alight. Then, he levered up onto one hand and reached between them, circling her clit with his thumb as he sucked her nipple into the wet heat of his mouth.
Under his sensuous onslaught, she shattered like a wave against the rocks, falling to earth in a thousand shimmering droplets that slowly reassembled into a pool of pure joy.
Todd grunted and slowed his pace, stroking deep several more times before collapsing, his weight pressing her into the mattress.
Releasing a blissed-out sigh, she wrapped herself around him and listened to his breath as it eased and then turned even.
He lifted his head and brushed his lips over hers, turning her heart to mush. Peppering her face with soft kisses, he whispered, “Hey.”
Her shy smile turned to laughter, her skin suddenly sensitive as his lips moved down her chin to her neck and he slid from between her legs with a reluctant groan. Her body ached at the emptiness, still throbbing from their lovemaking.
“Let’s do that again,” she said, rolling with him to maintain full body contact.
He chuckled and kissed her forehead. “I love your enthusiasm, but I’m going to need a few minutes to recover.”
Reaching between them, he removed the condom and dropped it somewhere behind him, then he held her with enough distance between them that he could look at her. Their gazes locked for several moments before he stroked her hair back from her face and asked, “You okay?”
Her pulse skittered but she didn’t play innocent. Not with this. “Yes. Absolutely.” She watched him carefully, heart pounding in her ears. I love you. “I’m not going to freak out, I promise.”
Disappointment skittered across his handsome features.
The teeth of regret sank deep into her flesh. Soon. She’d be able to say the words soon. Maybe once they got to LA and she was in her own home, where she’d feel more comfortable, less overwhelmed.
With a nod, his expression cleared and he nuzzled the spot beneath her ear. “I think I’m mostly recovered.”
She smiled, turning breathless as his kisses grew bolder. Smiled in spite of the fact that she had more to lose now than ever before. That Megan could still take it all away.
But Todd’s touch had set fire to her blood, so she let go of the thoughts. Megan didn’t belong in this bed with them. Right now, Todd deserved all of her attention.
When he reached for a condom, Lindsey gave herself a mental push. “Can we…?” She cleared her throat, emboldened by his eager gaze, and motioned for him to roll onto his back as heat rushed her face. “I’d like to try something.”
She’d read about reverse cowgirl in a magazine once, but had never felt comfortable enough to attempt it before. For most people it probably seemed tame. For her, it had always felt too risky, too…wild, maybe. She honestly couldn’t decide on a word, but it didn’t matter. Here, alone with Todd, secure in his love, the desire to let go and live a little surged in her veins.
He did as asked, swiftly donning the condom. “Sweetheart, I’m up for anything.”
Therein lay the key difference between them, but she wouldn’t let it shut her down this time. Todd was not— No. None of her exes deserved to be in this bed either. Todd was different, better than any of them. And if she was wrong about that, she’d survive.
He was worth the risk.
Feeling shy, but determined, she straddled him, facing his feet, and slowly lowered herself onto his erection, moaning at the luscious sensation of being stretched and filled from a new angle.
“Hell, yes,” he said, running his hands down her back before gripping her hips and urging her to ride.
His knees weren’t the most exciting view, but she’d read that men were turned on by the sight of a woman’s backside during sex. Plus, the position gave her access to caress his balls as she braced one hand on his thigh. He bucked at her touch, letting out a strangled sound of pleasure that gave her the confidence to completely relax, finding her own joy as she continued to give.
“Jesus,” he said, inhaling through his teeth. Grabbing her shoulders, he urged her back, his voice strained. “Lie down.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “On you?”
He half laughed. “Yes. I like to feel your weight too.” His eyes darkened. “And you’re too far away like this. I want to get my hands on you.”
Feeling awkward and exposed, but happy to give her quads a break, she extended her legs and eased onto her back, somehow more vulnerable like this than she’d ever been, but also loving the feel of him beneath her. In her.
He smoothed his hands over the front of her body and began to move again. Reaching up, she pressed against the headboard to help counteract his thrusts and they both groaned as he plunged deeper.
He rolled one nipple between his fingers, his other hand sliding between her thighs to light her up. As he picked up the pace, Lindsey’s breath backed up in her chest. Senses overwhelmed by his touch, heat raced across her skin, raising goosebumps. Her entire body tightened as the pleasure crested.
With a keening cry, she launched into oblivion, raining down over the bed like sparkling confetti.
Todd followed her over the edge with a guttural sound of near anguish, his muscles rigid.
For a moment, they didn’t move, bodies pulsing as they cooled, harsh breaths filling the air. Her limbs were heavy and still tingling when he rolled them both to the side and eased himself free before snuggling her against his hard body.
She flushed thinking about all they’d done in this bed, but felt no embarrassment, only desire. Had she ever been this wanton? This eager for someone’s touch?
Not once before Todd.
Not once.
He kissed the back of her neck and laughed softly against her hot skin. “You sure missionary’s your favorite?”
She flipped over, craving the visual contact and intimate heat. “The jury’s still out.” She trailed her fingers along his collarbone, feeding her constant need to touch him. “I like being face to face with you, but that was…very nice.”
He grinned. “Sounds like someone’s up for more adventure.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
THE FOLLOWING EVENING, Lindsey gripped Todd’s hand as they walked up the asphalt driveway toward a beautiful two-story house in the suburb of Vienna, set atop a small hill of grass and surrounded by trees.
She wore a red, flower-print summer dress and cute ankle boots that hid her beat-up feet, feeling feminine and pretty for the first time since she’d met him. Lip gloss and mascara had als
o helped with that, all courtesy of a quick trip to the mall.
Just this morning, Todd had learned that Steele’s business manager, Tara Fujimoto, and one of its former security specialists, Jeff Patarava, had announced their engagement the previous weekend, and the party was tonight.
“Dan and Alyssa have the best place for parties, so we usually end up here for major events. She’s the heir to a shipping fortune, so they can afford this neighborhood. Probably something much bigger, if they wanted. But they also have a house on St. Isidore, where their oldest daughter Flore is from.”
“Ah.” Lindsey had pretty much forgotten everyone’s backstory already, too distracted to retain the details of the stories he’d told her over the past couple of days. She tried to calm her nerves by focusing on the house. It wasn’t a mansion, but the brick Colonial had a two-car garage, a large front porch, and plenty of distance from the neighbors—at least by LA standards—with added privacy provided by a variety of trees and bushes.
When they reached the door, Todd squeezed her hand and rang the bell. “They’re going to love you.”
She nodded and took a deep breath.
“Hey, guys.” A pretty woman with strawberry-blond hair, a definite baby bump, and a chubby toddler on her hip answered the door with a huge smile.
The little girl with a large bow pinned in her brown hair leaned toward them with both arms out. “Todd!”
He chuckled and gave both the child and the woman a hug. “Hi, Sophie.” He pulled back and gestured to the ribbon. “I like your bow.”
Sophie beamed.
Lindsey’s heart turned to goo.
“Thank God you’re okay,” the woman said, ushering them into the two-story foyer. “Everyone was worried.”
“Yeah.” He nodded, sobering. “Me too.” Turning toward Lindsey, he introduced her to Alyssa and her two-year-old daughter.
“It’s nice to meet you.” The woman motioned them to follow her. “We’re so glad you could come tonight.”
The house had decorative details similar to Todd’s, with crown molding and hardwood floors. The walls sported muted colors, and the rooms had been filled with plush furnishings that looked comfortable and kid-friendly.
They passed through a large kitchen—with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and a farmhouse sink surrounded by miles of white cabinets—and out onto a wide deck to join about ten other people.
On the grass beyond the deck, several young children squealed and ran in circles around a teenaged girl.
Lindsey tried not to feel overwhelmed as she was introduced to the group. Not only was it a lot of people to keep track of, but all the muscles and beauty on display made her a little self-conscious. At least she didn’t have to meet Todd’s friends wearing another of his oversized shirts.
“Jeff.” Todd shook the hand of an even taller, broader man with wavy brown hair. “Congratulations, man.”
“Thanks.” Jeff’s grin nearly overtook his face. “I’m a lucky guy.” He put his arm around the petite woman next to him—introduced as Tara—and squeezed her closer.
At first glance, he and Tara made an odd couple. Even in three-inch wedge heels, her head didn’t reach his shoulder. Lindsey felt like an Amazon in comparison. Also a little shabby if she were honest. Whereas Jeff was dressed casually in jeans and a gray Colorado tee, Tara looked like she’d just stepped out of a photo shoot in a sage green sundress, her shiny black hair hanging past her shoulders. It wasn’t that her clothes were any nicer than Lindsey’s, but they fit her perfectly. Her entire look was polished in a way Lindsey had never mastered. She might be the most beautiful woman Lindsey had ever seen in person.
But, despite their contrasting sartorial choices, the way Tara and Jeff looked at each other made it clear they were very much in love. Yearning for that kind of bond sank its teeth deep into her heart as she congratulated the couple.
Todd turned to Tara and pulled her into a hug. “I’m really happy for you, T.” His voice was warm like sugar. She was clearly someone he cared about.
And Lindsey couldn’t dislike her, no matter how perfect, because she was also incredibly nice. As was everyone at the party. All the new names and friendly faces were enough to make Lindsey’s head spin. Thankfully, Todd held her hand or kept his arm around her waist as they chatted their way through each small cluster of people on the deck.
Cruz would’ve abandoned her immediately.
Stop it. The asshole had done enough damage when they were together. He didn’t deserve space in her head now that she’d moved on.
Todd glanced at her and lifted one brow as if sensing a change. “You good?” he whispered in her ear, punctuating it with a kiss to her neck that made her toes tingle.
How was he so in tune with her? She nodded and smiled. “Yes.” And she meant it one hundred percent.
But as time went on, she was worn down. They spent time talking to Valerie Sanchez-Kramer, who snuggled an adorable baby in a sling. Her husband Scott stood out because he wasn’t tall and broad like the rest of the men, but his “My Chemical Romance” band shirt and cargo shorts revealed that he was ripped as hell.
“Scott was in the Marines, but we don’t hold it against him,” Todd said.
“That’s because he has the biggest gun,” Valerie said, winking.
Lindsey forced a smile at the double entendre. She knew they all carried weapons, but on the heels of her experience in Montana, she found herself a little queasy at the idea, even if it meant they were probably in the safest house this side of the Potomac.
Todd laughed and said to Lindsey, “Literally. He’s a sniper.”
“Oh.” Scott looked more like a laid-back surfer dude than a stone-cold killer. Which was an asinine thought, because what did a killer look like? Case in point: Megan. Except Megan had wanted Lindsey dead for selfish reasons, whereas she assumed Scott’s motive was to protect his teammates and Steele’s clients.
“He’s also the one who hooked us up with Marti.”
“Oh, right,” she said, feeling thickheaded. Apparently, Scott was the one who’d gotten into some kind of trouble as a kid. Her curiosity went into overdrive, but his past was none of her business. “Thank you for getting her involved. She was great.”
“Of course. Happy to help.” Scott looked down at his wife and gestured to the baby, who’d woken and started fussing. “Want me to take Chloe for a minute?”
“Sure.” Valerie loosened the sling and carefully handed the little girl over.
“How old is she?” Lindsey asked.
Valerie smiled. “Seven months. And finally sleeping through the night, thank God.”
“That must be a relief.” Lindsey couldn’t even imagine how much a baby would change a person’s life, but she’d like to find out someday. Todd’s hand tightened around hers. Was he thinking the same thing? “She’s adorable.”
Scott held the dark-haired child so they were nose to nose, his eyes full of love, a huge smile on his face. “Hey there, teacup.”
Chloe squealed and smacked his face.
They all laughed as Scott tucked the baby into the crook of his arm, bouncing her gently.
As the evening passed, Lindsey relaxed, her anxiety over meeting Todd’s friends easing, but by the time they’d corralled the chaos of families for dinner, a headache had formed at the base of her neck. As an introvert—and an only child to boot—she could only handle so much being “on” before her brain and body rebelled.
By the end of dinner, she’d traded her wine for a glass of water, but mostly she needed a break from the noise, and a few minutes out of the spotlight. Not that anyone gawked or purposely overwhelmed her, but she was still the newbie, the odd person out who had no sense of the team’s history, and the one everyone wanted to learn more about.
If she got to see them more regularly, hanging out wouldn’t wear her down so fast.
“Hey,” Todd pushed away his empty plate and slid his arm around her shoulder, leaning close to sp
eak into her ear. “You doing okay?”
She nodded.
His demeanor had changed as the evening progressed, his posture more relaxed, his smiles easier. He was at home here. She wouldn’t ruin that.
“Just a little tired,” she whispered back. “Your friends are great, but there’s a lot of them.”
“Yep.” He looked around the table, a fond look on his face. “But we can go anytime. Just say the word.”
She straightened and rested a hand on his thigh. “I will.” Not a chance. This wasn’t like one of Cruz’s bar-hopping-until-two-in-the-morning nightmares. She could handle another couple hours of chatting with the most important people in Todd’s world. “I’m going to find the restroom.”
He nodded, dropped a quick kiss on her lips, and then turned to join the conversation between Scott and Jason on his right.
Inside the house, Lindsey found Jenna sitting on a sofa in the family room, nursing her baby. The setting sun had painted the room gold and the pair looked like a renaissance painting, serene and shining.
The blonde looked up and smiled. “Thought we’d take a minute away from the chaos.”
Returning the smile, Lindsey said, “It is a little overwhelming.” She felt a pang at the sight of the woman and her baby. Would she ever have children of her own? Could she have a family with Todd?
The notion took root in her heart like a weed in a garden. She’d always wanted a husband and kids in a vague, “someday” kind of way. But now, her vision was sharper, and she could only imagine that future with one man. Except she had no idea how they were going to make this relationship work, let alone build a life together. She’d have to leave LA, leave her family. Because, now that she’d seen Todd with his friends, she couldn’t imagine asking him to give them up.
“You’ll get used to it,” Jenna said, as if it was a foregone conclusion that Lindsey would become a permanent fixture. “Mick and I live in South Carolina, so we’re not with the whole group that much, but Tara’s my best friend, so we come up to NOVA fairly often.”
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