by Helen Lacey
Her gaze narrowed. “I understand.”
She seemed tense and he remained where he was. “If you’re having second thoughts about this, that’s okay.”
“I’m not,” she whispered. “I want you to make love to me, Tyler. It’s all I want.”
He took three steps and reached for her, holding her close, drawing her against him as he ran his hands down her back and hips. She wound her arms around him, clutching at his back, and then met his lips without hesitation as he kissed her deeply.
They made it to the bed, still wrapped in one another’s arms. He laid her down, kissing her jaw, her throat, the delicate skin near her collarbone. The buttons on her dress came undone easily and he flicked them open as he kissed her. Her tongue met his, dancing and sliding as he pushed the dress off her shoulders. She wore a white lace bra, modest by current trends, but incredibly sexy against her smooth skin. Her nipples pressed hard against the fabric and he groaned low in his throat, teasing the buds through the lace with his thumb. She arched her back, exposing her neck, begging for his mouth against her body. Her skin tasted so good and he craved her more with each kiss, each touch and each stroke.
Her hands were on his back, his shoulders, his chest, hot and demanding through the clothing he wore. She lay on the mattress, wearing only her white lace underwear, and he took a second to admire her curves, from the swell of her generous breasts to her curvy hips and thighs. Womanly, he thought as desire spiked through him, sending all the blood rushing to his groin. She looked exactly how he’d imagined. Exactly what he craved.
“You’re staring at me,” she said self-consciously, flushing.
“Because you’re beautiful,” he said raggedly and traced his knuckles between her breasts and then over her belly. “And I’m just about lost for words right now.”
She smiled as her eyes darkened. “Then stop talking and make love to me.”
Tyler chuckled softly. He liked that about her, that she wasn’t serious and tried to ease the tension. He kissed her again as he pushed the bra strap off one shoulder and then the other. He reached around and flicked the clasp, freeing her breasts to fall into his hands. When he closed his mouth over one hardened nipple he thought he might pass out. She moaned as he caressed her with his tongue, grasping his neck and urging him closer, and Tyler had never been more turned on in his life. He pushed her briefs over her hips in one smooth movement and once she was naked his gaze traveled up and down, lingering over every sexy inch of her.
“You’re staring again,” she whispered, pushing her fingers through his hair.
“I can’t help it,” he admitted in a raspy voice. “Your body is—”
“Too curvy,” she said, cutting him off.
He shook his head. “Perfect. Sexy. Gorgeous.”
She smiled. “Well, I’m glad you think so. Speaking of all things perfectly sexy,” she said and tugged playfully at his collar, “you’re wearing way too many clothes right now.”
His shoes, shirt, jeans and briefs were off in about three seconds flat. Naked, they fit together perfectly. Then they kissed some more, hot, deep kisses that almost drove him off the edge. But he held back, wanting to love her right, wanting to somehow imprint his skin and soul on her, so she’d never forget their time together. Like he knew he’d never forget.
Tyler smoothed his hand over her hips as she arched forward, welcoming his intimate touch. She moaned as he created a steady rhythm, her face flushed, her lips parted slightly as she was drawn deeper into pleasure. Her seductive groan was all the encouragement he needed to take her to the edge and back, and finally when he knew she could stand no more, he gave her the release she craved. As he watched her and saw her beautiful face flush as pleasure pulsed through her, Tyler felt as though two hands had reached inside his chest and squeezed his heart.
He grabbed the condom and she took it from him with a lovely smile. Within seconds he was ready and over her, resting on his elbows. She said his name, meeting his gaze. Her eyes were bright, shining, her emotions on display. He swallowed the lump in his throat and then he kissed her again, capturing her mouth gently, and experienced a strange sensation deep down, as though everything he was feeling was suddenly amplified—his desire for her, the way he liked the sound of her husky voice, the way she made him smile without really trying. That’s what drew him to her. He wanted her. He liked her. He needed her. Suddenly it felt as though he needed her like he needed air to breathe. And the realization knocked him sideways. He’d never needed anyone, never laid himself or his heart on the line. No one had ever got to him. Until now.
* * *
The exact moment she realized she really was in love with Tyler, Brooke had to fight back the tears. She didn’t want to cry in the middle of making love with him, but her nerves, her emotions, every fiber that went soul deep, was heightened by the feelings running riot throughout her body and mind. Love, as bright and incandescent as a star in the heavens, flowed through her. Being with him, feeling him over her and then inside her, was like nothing she’d experienced before. Sure, in the past, making love had often been pleasurable, but it had never felt like this.
“Are you okay?” he asked softly.
Brooke nodded, her belly tied up in knots. “I’m fine. I’m...good. This...feels...good.”
He kissed her cheek, his breath warm against her skin as he nibbled on her earlobe. “It most certainly does.”
Brooke ran her hands along his back. His muscles flexed beneath her touch and the smattering of hair on his chest created a delightful friction against her flesh. His body was perfectly sculpted, smooth and strong. She clung to him, shameless and aroused and so much in love she could barely contain her happiness. Of course, she knew it wouldn’t last. He was leaving soon and taking Cara with him, but for this moment, he was hers, and she could pretend that it was for more than one night.
She pressed her hands into his hips, urging him closer, deeper, needing him like she needed air in her lungs. He moved slowly, watching her with such burning, erotic intensity she was sure she got lost in his gaze. When the pressure built, when they could take it no more, release came to them both and as he shuddered above her, she clung to him, caught up in a vortex of pleasure so intense she could only whisper his name as though it was the only word she knew.
When he eventually rolled off her, Brooke took a few long, steadying breaths, her body still pulsing with tiny aftershocks. He grabbed her hand, kissing her knuckles as he excused himself for a moment. He returned from the bathroom a minute or so later, still naked and aroused, and was about to grab the baby monitor when Brooke pushed back the bedcovers with a smile and invited him to join her between the sheets.
“You’re sure?” he asked.
“That I want you to stay the night in my bed?” She moved the covers some more, showing a considerable amount of skin. “Absolutely.”
He slipped into the bed without any more encouragement and drew her against him. They kissed and touched for a while and then Tyler gently pushed her hair back from her face and told her how beautiful she was. Brooke touched his jaw, felt the soft bristle of five o’clock shadow.
“You didn’t shave today,” she mused. “That’s not like you.”
“No,” he said and kissed her temple. “I had other things on my mind.”
She sighed and stretched. “I like it. It’s sexy.”
They kissed again and then slowly the heat subsided, to be replaced by a gentleness that made her sleepy and longing for the chance to close her eyes. And dream.
It was Cara gurgling through the baby monitor that woke Brooke at dawn. She’d managed a few hours’ sleep after they’d made love again around midnight. She was alone in bed and ignored the tiny stab of disappointment as she stretched, thinking how lovely the night had been, and then pushed the covers back. The floor was cold on her feet so she stepped into
her slippers, grabbed the thick robe at the bottom of the bed and padded out to the hallway and toward Cara’s room.
“I tried not to wake you when I got up,” Tyler said when he saw her.
“You didn’t,” she assured him. “I heard you and Cara talking on the monitor.”
“Talking?” He grinned and rested the baby on his hip. “Not sure I would call it that.”
Brooke came into the room and grasped Cara’s hand. “Looks like dada has become her favorite word.” Cara started mumbling incoherently and it made them both chuckle.
“She’s a birthday girl today,” he reminded her.
“Yes, I know.”
He met her gaze. “And merry Christmas, Brooke.”
“Gosh, I forgot,” she said and shrugged. “It is Christmas. So, how about I quickly go and see to the animals and then make breakfast? After that we can watch Cara tear open the presents we got her and then stand back while she plays with the wrapping paper instead of the toys.”
He laughed and the sound made her so warm and happy that Brooke couldn’t help but move in close and stand on her toes to kiss his cheek. “Looks like it was snowing overnight, but it seems clear now. Maybe later we could go for a walk and build a snowman with Cara? We don’t need to be at Grady’s until after lunch.”
He nodded and curled an arm around her waist. Together, just the three of them, filled Brooke with such a sense of completeness she could barely draw a breath. Cara was chuckling, Tyler was smiling and in that moment Brooke was happier than she’d ever been in her life.
Family...
The word rolled around in her head, making her delirious. Tyler dropped a kiss to her hair and she pressed against him, loving the feel of his hard, strong body against her. And she wanted to take a snapshot of the moment and hold on to it forever.
She took off back to her bedroom and dressed in jeans, sweater and jacket, and pulled her boots on by the back door. She fed the dogs, the chickens, let the horses out of the stables and filled up the hay feeder, and twenty minutes later she was back inside. After she washed up and changed her shirt she headed for the kitchen and Brooke made breakfast and put on a pot of coffee.
“Animals all done?”
Tyler’s voice caught her attention. He was by the door, Cara in his arms as the little girl pulled his hair and called him “Dada.” It was such an endearing picture and her womb rolled over. To share a child with this man would be a dream come true. All she ever wanted. And she mourned the notion that it could never be.
“Yes,” she said and blinked away the heat in her eyes. “I thought you could make pancakes.”
“Sounds good,” he said and grinned. “I’m onto it.”
The pancakes were fabulous and she had to admit he was a much better cook than she was. Once they were done eating, she scooped Cara from the high chair and walked to the living room. Tyler was behind her and within minutes Cara was opening both birthday and Christmas gifts. As expected, the crinkly paper got most of her attention and they laughed when she crawled over the toys to tear the wrapping with her tiny fists.
Tyler disappeared for a minute and returned with a small brown carry bag, which he immediately passed to her.
“What’s this?” she asked, sitting cross-legged on the floor with the baby as she peered inside the bag.
“Take a look.”
She frowned slightly. “You bought me a gift?”
He shrugged. “It’s just something I thought you would like.”
“I didn’t get you anything.”
He shrugged, looking faintly embarrassed. “It’s just a small thing. No big deal.”
Brooke took the flat parcel out of the bag and unwrapped the tissue paper. It was a framed photograph of Cara. The baby’s smiling face stared out from the print and it made Brooke’s insides crunch up. A way to remember Cara once he was gone. Is that why he’d given her the gift? Because he knew he was taking Cara away? He’d said he’d support her custody application, but she knew that could take months. She tried to look grateful, even happy, but her smile faded before it began.
“Everything okay?” he asked, clearly sensing her mood.
She ached in her heart knowing what the gift really meant. Glancing up, she was mesmerized by the look in his green eyes. “Of course. Thank you. It’s perfect. When did you get this done?”
“The other day when I was in town.”
Brooke’s mouth curled. “When you were doing errands?”
He looked sheepish for moment, as though he didn’t want to be reminded of his high-handed interference. “Well, I—”
“It’s okay,” she said softly. “I’ve forgiven you for the whole Pritchard thing. And I’m going to accept the offer,” she said and nodded. “You were right...it was a pride thing. Probably some hangover from when my parents were alive and how Frank was always trying to get his hands on some of the land and my dad was always refusing. But I have a responsibility to this ranch and to its legacy,” she said and looked toward Cara. “I want custody of Cara. I want to make her a home here, one where she is safe and secure. And to do that I need to forget about pride and use good sense.”
He didn’t move. “I’m glad.”
“Do you think I have a chance,” she said and shrugged one shoulder. “Of getting custody, I mean? In your professional opinion.”
“I’ll talk to Ralph,” he replied, giving little away. “Yelena’s wish was always that Cara would be with her father. But Ralph was less than impressed with her relationship with your brother. He knew Matt wasn’t going to hang around, despite what had been said to Yelena. But, you’re her family, too, and I’ll do my best to make him see that Cara belongs here with you.”
“Thank you,” she said, swallowing hard. “It means a lot to me to hear you say that...considering how we had such a rocky start.”
He grinned slightly as his eyes darkened. “Oh, I’d say we were getting along just fine now.”
Now. Because they’d had sex. Even though for Brooke it had been much more than that. Making love with Tyler had cemented the indisputable fact that she was in love with him. Wholly and completely. Knowing she would probably be losing him in twenty-four hours felt like a stab in her lovesick heart.
“It was...nice,” she said softly.
His brows shot up. “Nice?”
Color quickly burned her cheeks. “You know what I mean.”
Tyler smiled and held out his hand. Brooke wound her fingers around his and let him pull her to her feet. He pressed toward her, curving her body to his. “Nice kind of makes me think of walks in the park and puppies. Last night was incredible.”
Before she could respond he kissed her deeply, each slant of his mouth a seductive caress. Brooke gave herself to him, matching the gentle slide of his tongue. Despite their mutual passion, there was something else in the kiss... It was familiar and sweet and had an intensity that made her knees weak. When he lifted his head she saw him smiling.
“See,” he said, his eyes so dark they looked ocean deep. “Incredible.”
She laughed, delighted and so in love in that moment nothing could have possibly dampened her spirits. “Let’s go for a walk?” she suggested.
He nodded and released her reluctantly. “I’ll get Cara’s coat and stroller. We’ll see how we go wheeling it through the snow.”
“Stop whining like a city boy,” she teased. “We’ll drag it if we have to. It will be fun. I promise.”
Ten minutes later they were outside, both wheeling and dragging the stroller with a laughing and delighted Cara warmly tucked inside. Brooke had dressed in jeans and her favorite red sweater, and denim jacket with her winter coat over the top. She left her hair loose and had pulled a colored beanie on her head. Time flew by too fast, she thought as they roamed around the house, tossing snowballs at one another
at regular intervals, which made Cara laugh even harder.
“I’m going to get you back for that one,” Tyler warned playfully as he wiped the remnants of a snowball from his face. “Just so you know.”
Brooke laughed happily and tossed some more snow in his direction. “I’m hoping you do.”
The mood between them was friendly and familiar with just enough of an undercurrent of awareness to keep her remembering how they’d been making love barely hours earlier. As they walked a little farther past the fence perimeter she couldn’t help thinking how it all felt so normal, so real. The dogs were barking in the distance, no doubt where she left them on the porch with instructions to stay, but still not happy they’d been left behind. They were about half a mile from the house when the stroller got lodged deep in a drift and they both dropped to their haunches to scoop snow from around the wheels.
“Told you so,” Tyler said, grinning.
Brooke regarded him leisurely. In jeans and a white shirt, dark blue sweater, boots and a coat he looked ridiculously handsome and yet, right in his element. He’d fit anywhere, she realized. Penthouse or ranch house. And for a few wistful moments she wished he’d stay exactly where he was, frozen in time, indelibly carved in her memory bank for all eternity.
She shoved him playfully and he did the same and within seconds he was lying over her, while Cara squealed and laughed inches away in her snowbound stroller. He kissed her hot and hard, and she pushed her hands into his frosted hair. He held her head and moaned softly against her mouth, one leg pressed intimately between her thighs. Brooke vaguely thought she heard a sound, but was so wrapped up in Tyler’s kisses that all logical thought turned to mush. In that moment he was hers and she was his and nothing could ruin the mood.
Nothing except someone clearing their throat and then a familiar voice speaking.
“Well, this sure isn’t what I expected to come back to.”
Tyler moved instantly and Brooke blinked a few times and then stared at a pair of jean-clad legs and heavy work boots standing in the snow a few feet away. Her breath caught as her gaze traveled up until she met a familiar pair of eyes so blue they were almost violet.
