His grip on her hip tightened and he tipped his head toward her to whisper, “Stop thinking so loud. You’re killing me.”
Rylee smiled, warmed from the inside out at how clued in they were to each other. How he’d instinctively known what she’d been thinking. “Never,” she whispered back, deliberately being vague to keep him guessing which of his statements she meant.
Both.
“If you haven’t already, make sure you download our free app from our website or the app store, so you can be aware of all our news, tips, and upcoming classes,” Ross said, stepping next to Julian, waving a hand at a large table set up near the front of the room. “And before you go, don’t forget to check out our videos so you never miss a session with Julian.”
“Oh, I definitely need to take Julian home with me,” Alma gushed. “Do you take credit cards?”
Ross smiled. “Absolutely.”
Rylee exchanged a look with Dex. Could it really be that simple? She tried to recall if the victims had purchased videos but couldn’t remember. She asked Dex in a hushed tone.
“One did,” he replied quietly. “The other didn’t.”
She was a little envious that he had the mental capacity to recall small details. She had it in her notes, but they were on her phone and she didn’t want to risk anyone there catching a glimpse of them.
Dex moved his hand to the small of her back and guided her toward the table. “Come on, I think we should buy one.” Using his free hand, Dex fished his wallet out of his pocket.
Before leaving ESI on Friday, Rylee and Dex had stopped at the gadget room, where Carter had handed Dex two credit cards with his alias on it. He was instructed to use one for the hotel, and the other for incidentals, and Carter would keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. Other than the hotel charge, she had been worried they weren’t going to get a chance to try that avenue.
Maybe this would be the break in the case.
“We have a video for each session you did this weekend,” Ross said, spreading all seven out on the table. “They come in Blu-ray and DVD, too.”
Alma joined them at the table. “Did I hear you say you had each session?”
Ross nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Then load me up.” The smiling woman handed the man a credit card. “And hurry. It was like pulling teeth getting this off George.”
She laughed. Those two were a treat. Always razzing one another, yet Rylee had spotted them holding hands and stealing kisses the whole weekend. She wondered if a similar fun, solid, long relationship was in the cards for her and Dex. Her gaze met his, and her pulse leapt.
They hadn’t really talked about anything like that this weekend. When they were alone, talking hadn’t been a top priority.
Dex ran his hand up her back. “Which session do you think gave you the most relief, babe?” His use of an endearment made her smile.
“The one with the frog position,” she replied, lifting a DVD off the table and flipping it over to read the back of the jacket.
Julian stepped over. “No, it’s session three,” he said, grabbing the correct one to hand to her. “Just remember to do the other positions first. Don’t jump straight to that one. You need to get the proper stretch before attempting it.”
She smiled at him and nodded. “Okay, I will.”
Dex handed his credit card to Ross, while she thanked Julian for a great retreat.
“It’s the only one I’ve ever been to,” she said. “I had a wonderful time.”
The instructor smiled. “Good. I’m glad. Don’t forget to check out our fall schedule. We’ll be back in Harland County at the end of September. The session won’t be as intense, since most of the people who sign up are newbies, but I will add a few intermediate positions for those who need more of a challenge.” He glanced at Dex, who was putting his wallet away. “Perhaps we’ll get you on a mat then, too.”
Dex shook his head. “I’m more the ‘supporter’ type. Not a ‘yogi.’”
Hearing the muscle-clad, tattooed, former D-Force soldier say the word “yogi” hit her funny bone. Hard. So hard, she thought he broke it. She threw her head back and laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Sorry…” She swiped the wetness from her face, dragging in air to try to catch her breath.
Dex patted her back, amusement lighting his gaze. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” She nodded. “As long as you promise me you’ll never say yogi again.”
He chuckled, then turned to Julian and held out his hand. “Thanks for helping Rylee find some relief.”
He meant it. She could tell by his earnest tone. This was Dex Wright talking, not his undercover persona, Dex Harrison. Warmth spread through Rylee’s chest, and she automatically reached for his hand, entwining their fingers together to give him a squeeze.
“She did all the work.” Julian smiled. “All I did was a little advising,” he said, and with a small nod, he turned to Alma and George, who were waiting to bid him farewell.
As they left the retreat, Dex called Mac to give him a SITREP, and she contemplated the events of the weekend. Rylee couldn’t help but feel she was leaving there a changed person. It had nothing to do with her shoulder or the investigation, and everything to do with the man holding her hand…and she feared…her heart.
Not feared, exactly. More like surprised.
It happened so fast and when she wasn’t looking. Somehow, over the weekend, Dex had managed to touch more than her body. He touched her heart. Rylee glanced at the gorgeous man driving them back to Harland County, one hand on the wheel, the other on her leg. It was as if he needed to touch her…needed the connection.
She did, too.
The attention and consideration he bestowed on her the past few days affected her more than she’d realized. It stirred something deep inside. It was both wonderful and scary at the same time.
Scary in the sense he might feel the need to suppress her freedom of choice under the guise of protecting her…for her own good. Which was never the right answer. Not for her, anyway. He’d done it in the past. But, looking back, she could only recall the one time. The Evan mess. He hadn’t interfered since. In fact, according to Abby, he’d actually been an advocate for her freedom.
That thought gave her the warm and fuzzies. She smiled. It was a good feeling. She liked it and welcomed more of them.
More of him.
But they were heading back to reality, leaving the undercover couple persona behind. What role would she play in his reality now? Where did they go from here? Would being around their co-workers, friends—her brother—change things? Make him act and feel differently about her?
She didn’t even know where he was taking her now—ESI, her cottage, his place? She wasn’t ready to end their weekend just yet.
Was he?
The hand on her leg gave a little squeeze. She glanced at Dex.
Mischief sparkled in his eyes. “Ever ride a horse?”
She blinked. Once again, he caught her completely off guard. “No.”
“Would you like to?”
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him she’d rather ride him, and judging by the flash of heat mixing with the mischief in his gaze, he knew it, too.
“Sure…uh…I know you know how to ride a hog, but I didn’t know you knew how to ride a horse,” she said.
His grin broadened. “I learned since moving here. Thought maybe you’d like to, as well.”
Her pulse leapt. That sounded like an invitation to spend time together. Something she definitely wanted to do. She grinned back. “I’d like that.”
She also liked that he invited her to do something that held a small amount of risk for physical injury. Heck, after the accident, her family wouldn’t even let her ride her bike. In fact, they got rid of it before she left the hospital.
The fact Dex that suggested this proved to her he wasn’t going to try to keep her in that bubble and it sent warmth surging through her chest. “Do you own
a horse?”
“No.” He shook his head. “But I’m thinking about it. I do have a stable. For now, I go to the local shelter. They are sometime inundated with rescues and can use help exercising the horses that were surrendered, not abused. They have a separate section for the ones that are skittish.”
The man amazed her. There was a lot more to him than she gave him credit for, and she was ashamed to admit she used to view him as one dimensional.
She was beginning to realize he was anything but, and a half hour later at Shadow Rock Shelter, Rylee was reminded of that fact when she watched him saddle a horse as if he’d done it his whole life.
“Ready?” he asked, leading her and the beautiful mare to a corral outside.
Excitement shook through her and she swallowed. “Yeah. You’re riding with me, right?”
For some reason, she’d pictured the two of them on the same horse. The prospect of riding alone, especially the first time, was a little daunting.
“I can’t. Sorry,” he said. “It’s not like it is in the movies. Horses have to be trained to carry that kind of weight. I’m going to lead her around until you’re comfortable enough to take the reins…if you want.”
She nodded. “Okay. I’d like that.”
The muscles in his arms and back rippled as he patted the horse near its shoulder and talked softly near her ear. His compassion and empathy for the animal made her heart swell. She’d never seen this side of him before. She liked it. A lot. He handled the large horse with an ease that stole her breath.
Not knowing if it was better for the horse if she was in a certain spot, she scratched her temple and stared at Dex. “Where do you want me?”
Heat flashed in his eyes and a wicked smile claimed his lips. “Anywhere.”
Holy cowboys…he was hot.
So was she…in all her good parts. It took her a moment to remember to breathe. “One ride at a time.” She smiled back when her brain started to function again.
He chuckled. “Promise?”
Oh, he was just too delicious. Rylee loved this sexy, sparring side of him. “It’s a fact.” She grinned. “Now, tell me how to get up on this beautiful creature.”
“We’ll use the mounting block,” he said, nodding toward a two-step wooden block she hadn’t noticed by the fence. “You just need to decide when you’re ready.”
She was admittedly touched that he was allowing her to choose. The small gesture was a huge deal to someone not used to the opportunity.
“Okay.” She followed him over, walked up the steps, her heart pounding as he lined up the mare.
“I’ll steady her,” he said, holding the reins. “You just grab the horn, slide one foot in the stirrup then swing your other leg up and over the saddle.” He made it sound easy. Now she just needed to execute his instructions without making a fool of herself.
Surprised she got it on the first try, Rylee smiled then nodded when he asked if she was ready. He spoke softly to the mare again, and a second later, they were moving. For an undetermined amount of time, she rode leisurely around the corral, happy to let him lead. But after she got used to the horse’s rhythm, she decided to try taking the reins, and after Dex gave her a few simple instructions, Rylee was riding the horse all by herself.
“I’m doing it,” she said, unable to keep the smile off her face.
Dex smiled back. “Yes, it’s all you. You’re doing great.”
After her seventh time around the corral, she told Dex she was ready to get off, and the crazy thing was that she meant it literally. The way he looked at her like she was precious and delicious at the same time made her heart race. By the time she dismounted, she wanted to rub her simmering, tingling body against his hot, hard one. It was definitely not what she’d expected to feel after riding a horse, but suspected it had everything to do with the gorgeous man and his smoldering gaze. Rylee decided to add horseback riding to her list of erotic Dex experiences that deserved a repeat.
A half hour later, they were back in the SUV, and some of her euphoria dissipated because she just wasn’t ready for the day to end.
“Would you like to see my place?” he asked. “I could grill us something for diner.”
A sigh of relief rustled through her and she smiled. “I’d like that.”
And she liked the thought that maybe he didn’t want the day to end yet, either.
A few minutes later, he pulled up to a small ranch with a big barn and large, open fields surrounding a well-maintained, one-story house. It was wonderful. The picture one would expect to find in a dictionary if you looked up the word “home.”
She was still gazing around in amazement when he opened her door and helped her out. “What a beautiful place,” she told him.
“Thanks.” He set his hands on her hips and slowly tugged her close. “Can’t wait any longer to kiss you,” he murmured before his mouth covered hers, kissing long, slow, and deep, despite the urgency in his tone.
Rylee slid her hands over his chest and opened up for him, the slow, thorough exploration of his tongue stoking the fires still simmering from their horseback ride. Moaning, she pressed closer, need rushing through her with such force she trembled against him.
Things got a little crazy and intense. His hands left her hips, caressing and stroking, making her rock against him, trying to relieve the ache. A low, sexy sound rumbled in his chest. She ran her hands over his shoulders and up into his hair, holding onto him as he kissed the strength from her legs.
When they broke for air, she clung to him, panting and shaking, amazed at how quickly he’d gotten her to this fierce, ravenous state. It was crazy and wonderful and a little shocking.
Only Dex could make her crave.
His forehead was pressed to hers, and his warm breath hit her in spurts, as he, too, appeared to work to get a handle on control. Empowered by the knowledge she could knock this powerful, tough, capable man off-kilter, she felt like she could take on the world.
“Rylee…” he murmured near her ear as he placed open-mouthed kisses down to her neck.
Moaning, she tipped her head to give him better access, trying to keep the sensuous fog at bay. “Yeah?”
“What do you say we put dinner on hold?”
***
The next morning, Rylee arrived at work with five minutes to spare. Just enough time to get the coffee brewing before the girls arrived for their morning gathering. She filled the carafe with water and fought back a yawn.
She didn’t get much sleep last night. In fact, she never even made it home…until—her gaze moved to the clock on the microwave—twenty minutes ago. Her sigh was long, deep, and low, and sounded full of all the satisfaction overflowing through her veins.
After they had dessert before dinner last night, Dex grilled some mouthwatering chicken, and she told him about her life before the accident and how different things had been. He pulled her onto the hammock stretched between two large oaks, and as she snuggled against him, he surprised her by talking about his childhood and how it had been before his uncle had died. Several funny stories about his late uncle’s cockatoo name Marilyn had Rylee convinced the sassy bird was the female version of Lex.
Content to lay there in Dex’s arms and listen to his voice, she couldn’t recall one, single time she’d ever felt so whole, fulfilled. Complete. Before long, he grew silent, and her eyes had drifted closed. Five hours later, they stirred to a sky full of bright stars.
A few kisses quickly led to several more, and soon clothes were flying, and they fell in a tangled, naked heap on the ground. She’d never had sex outdoors, but she wasn’t surprised to discover it made that erotic Dex experiences list of hers. And by the time he had her writhing beneath him, moaning his name over and over, she’d ripped two fistfuls of grass from his yard.
Inhaling, she refocused on the breakroom, heat rushing through her body at the hot, wicked, wonderful memory, then into her face at the thought of what his lawn must look like with those chunks missing. Rylee tried
to dig up some remorse, but she felt too damn good to care.
“Hello? Rylee? We’re here. Where are you?” Abby called out from in the hall.
“Yeah,” Mel said. “Did you survive the weekend?”
She smiled, watching the empty doorway, waiting for them to appear. “Yes. And I’m in the breakroom. Coffee’s brewing.”
“Smells great.” She heard Stef say. “I brought some chocolate sustenance to go with it.”
“Good. I’m starved.” Her stomach grumbled in agreement. She’d worked up a good appetite that morning, thanks to Dex.
Two seconds later, the girls walked in, Abby leading the way, but her friend took one look at her, then stopped dead. Mel sidestepped, but Stef was unable to avoid the stationary women and plowed into them. None of the girls seemed to care.
“Oh…wow…” Abby blinked at her.
Rylee frowned. “What?”
She glanced down at her blouse to see if she’d missed buttoning a button in her haste to dress for work. To save time this morning, she’d taken a shower at Dex’s, but then he’d slipped in there with her, and in her, which left just enough time for her to drop her suitcase off at her cottage, pull her wet hair up into a messy bun and change into a clean skirt and blouse.
“Well…damn.”
“Yeah.”
Now Mel and Stef stood staring at her with disbelief and amusement on their faces.
“What?” she asked again, pulling out a chair at the round table in the middle of the room.
Abby grinned. “You slept with Dex.”
Rylee almost missed the chair. She grasped the table and shifted her butt on the seat. Knowing better than to even think of denying it with the bloodhound blonde staring at her, she shrugged. “Is it that obvious?”
Dex (HC Heroes Book 3) Page 12
