After the Hurt

by Shana Gray

  She gazed up at him. The passion etched on his face was for her. For them. Pepper was overcome with happiness. They were finally together. He had accepted her coming home. Their life was getting back on track. She sighed with delight. “Now lie back,” Tank instructed.

  “First”—she gasped and fingered the zipper on her jeans—“help me with my pants.”

  He took her hand in his and brushed his lips across her knuckles. She was so blissfully happy. It all seemed to be coming together organically. He said sweeter words. He didn’t love anyone else. He was here with her. And that told her volumes. He’d always said actions speak louder than words.

  “Relax. I’ll take care of it.” His voice, deep and full of emotion, was music to her ears.

  Pepper didn’t fuss when he pressed her back onto the counter. She couldn’t look away from him and didn’t even bother to try to stop the trembling of her body. She flung her arms out and knocked the antique crock full of cooking utensils aside, giving them more room. A multitude of pots and pans on iron hooks hung above their heads. He was so tall, if he wasn’t careful, he’d bang his head on them. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to get lost in the sweet sensations he sent coursing through her.

  “You are so beautiful.” His voice thrilled her and she smiled.

  Pepper kept her eyes squeezed shut. Focusing only on his touch. He seemed to have hands everywhere, while his hot, wet lips tugged at her nipples. Pepper cried out with delight. He nipped gently before pressing kisses along her stomach until his tongue dipped and swirled into her belly button. Her fingers clasped at his head, the smooth skin of his scalp warm under her palms.

  “Now, how about we get these pants off? Lift.”

  She did as she was told again and raised her hips. Breathe. She didn’t realize air was trapped in her lungs and sighed when he pulled her jeans off. A deep satisfied chuckle rumbled in his chest.

  “Still as perfect as I remember you.” His hands caught her calves and held them, sliding slowly up behind her knees to her thighs. He opened her legs and she moaned, knowing he was looking at her most private place still shrouded by her panties. She glanced down at him and found she was right. The intensity on his face as he gazed at her took her breath away. So unbelievably erotic. Her body behaved and responded to him as if he were woven into every fiber of her being. No amount of her trying to control her body’s trembling would work, so she let it go.

  Pepper licked her lips, needing to moisten them. “T-Tank, let’s go to bed—”

  He gazed at her from under his heavy lids, gave her a devilish grin, and touched his tongue to his top lip. Slowly he shook his head and her heart turned over.

  “I’m not about to miss out on this delectable treat.”

  Then he disappeared between her thighs. His fingers swept under the edge of her panties, brushing her sensitive, swollen lips until they found her hard nub. Pepper stilled when he pressed and she closed her eyes in mindless delight.

  “These have to come off too.” Rather than pull them down her legs, he grasped them and with a quick tug, rent the lacy fabric. It didn’t stand a chance against his power.

  Now totally bare to him, she hovered on the edge of an abyss. One she wanted to fall into and ride with tummy-tingling bliss. When his hot mouth found her and lapped, she teetered and let herself go.

  Her lungs wouldn’t work properly. She filled them with quick gasps until she held her breath. She welcomed the build of pressure that had nowhere to go but to crash out of her. The wave of release that charged down her spine and settled in her belly came in a rush. She grasped Tank’s head tighter and hung on as that glorious sweep of exquisite sensation fanned out from her core, radiating to the very tips of her fingers and toes. Her muscles tightened and released in pulsing waves. Lost in a vortex of cascading pleasure, Pepper had no control over her response when he explored deeper inside her. The thrust and curl of his fingers drew out her orgasm until it abated and another rolled over her. Limp, spent, little tremors rippling through her body, she lay weak as a baby before him.

  “W-what are you doing to me?” she murmured. “I can’t walk.” Opening her eyelids was difficult. She almost gave up, but she wanted to see him. See this wonderful man who was back in her life and taking her on ride after ride of ecstasy.

  “I can take care of that.” Tank gathered her up and she cradled in his arms. “Couch or bed?”

  “I’d like the fire, but I want the bed,” she curled up against his chest.

  “Your wish is my command.”

  Pepper lifted her face and placed a kiss on his neck. The heat of his skin warmed her and his vein pulsed thickly next to her lips. The fact that he was maintaining his control was amazing. Pepper couldn’t keep her eyes open and let them droop, enjoying the sway of his body as he carried her into another room.

  Downy softness embraced her as he placed her on the bed. The thick duvet he pulled over her was heaven on earth. She snuggled into the sheets and inhaled their fresh, clean scent. Thankfully the only female scent on these sheets would be hers. Pepper opened her eyes to see what he was doing. The room that greeted her was spectacular. Masculine but with a hominess that wrapped her in soothing arms.

  “Wow, your interior designer thought of everything,” she was still lost in the afterglow of her orgasm.

  “Like I said, I aim to please.”

  “Mm-hm, I know.”

  He glanced at her and winked as he picked up a log. Soon, he had a crackling, cheery fire burning in the corner fireplace. The golden glow and scent of wood smoke filled the room. Pepper could almost believe they were in a secluded mountain cabin, not in the hustle and bustle of a major city.

  She smiled and tears prickled in her eyes when she saw their couch under the windows beside the fireplace. Pepper tucked her nose under the covers and sighed. A deep, contented, all-is-right-with-the-world sigh. He’d kept it after all. She turned her attention to him and watched him tend the fire. For the first time since her mother died she felt truly content. The sense of well-being was a welcome feeling, one she had missed for so long. Pepper curled her toes under the covers.

  “What a well-trained big Boy Scout you are. So good at lighting fires. All kinds of fires.” And she didn’t mean the fireplace.

  “Am I, now?” He gave her a devilish grin and Pepper’s heart flipped over. “Always be prepared. That’s my motto.” He stood and slapped his hand against his thighs. “Now I’m going to fish out that bottle of wine you so carelessly dropped a little while ago and pour us each a glass.” He approached her side of the bed, prowling like an animal hunting his next meal, and oh how she wanted him to hunt and eat her. He gave her a long, deep kiss that sent her lady parts spiraling off into space again.

  She smelled her scent on his lips. A possessive thrill of delight filled her. He’d tasted her most private parts and they’d both loved every second of it.

  “Don’t be long.” Pepper cupped his check with her palm and swept her thumb across his lower lip.

  “And don’t you go anywhere.”

  —

  Tank lingered in the kitchen after retrieving the bottle. He took his time opening it and let it breathe. He placed his hands on the stone counter and drew in a breath. A lot was on his mind. So much. One thing he knew now was he wanted her in his bed tonight and all nights. But that was a problem. He frowned, knowing she wouldn’t be safe until the threats were dealt with. Who knew how long that would take to achieve, so giving her the papers was what he had to do. Her safety was the most important thing.

  She’d be safe with me.

  He shook his head. As much as he’d like to think he could protect her, he knew he couldn’t watch her 24/7. He let out a breath, not liking what he had to do. At all. But it was best for her and the only choice for the time being.

  He pulled down two wineglasses and hooked them between his fingers. Grabbing the bottle, he headed back to the bedroom. He might not be able to watch her night and day, but he certainly coul
d ensure her safety here and now and then help her find another place if she wanted him to, but likely she’d be very upset with him. Here and now she was safe with him in their apartment. He paused and smiled at his slip of the tongue.

  Their apartment.

  They had tonight. Together. He would embrace every moment with her. He wanted to shut out the world for this one last night before he changed everything. He pushed the unpleasant thought aside, but he couldn’t help a feeling of unease from taking root. He shook it off.

  “Here, let me help.” Pepper sat up and his gaze fell to her bare breasts as the sheet dropped to her hips. He handed the glasses to her, mesmerized by the exquisite view in his bed.

  “I’ve been thinking about things.” She smiled and he liked how she watched him.

  Tank nodded. He filled their glasses and took his.

  “Me too. Thinking about a lot of things.”

  He flicked the light off, shucked his clothes, and slid into bed beside her. She snuggled up next to him and rested her head on his shoulder. Her body warm, soft, and alluring.

  “Have you? What’ya been thinking about?” She sat up a little and looked at him, her expression soft and curious. A small smiled curved her lips and he couldn’t bring up her having to leave. Not just yet, anyway. It made his heart break all over again and hurt him too damn much.

  “Ah, time for that later. Right now I want to think about you.”

  Chapter 18

  “Just think?” She lay cuddled against his chest, tracing an arc of ink that ran down his side to disappear behind the waistband of the boxers. His flesh was so warm and alive under her fingertips. She sighed happily and smiled when the satin fabric of his shorts moved as his arousal became evident.

  “Enough talk.” He tipped her chin up to him and shushed her with a kiss, massaging her shoulder. Pepper rolled it, hoping to encourage his hand a little lower to find her breast. Their tongues met and played. It was wonderful being back in his arms. His bed. His life. Her blood heated and slipped along her veins like molten lava, searing her from the inside out. She lifted her head to catch a breath and stared into his eyes.

  “It’s been way too long, Tank.” The prickle of hot tears behind her eyes took her completely by surprise. She blinked, trying to stem them from spilling down her cheeks.

  “I have to agree with you there.” The tenderness in his gaze was more than she could bear and if she didn’t do something he’d see her tears.

  Never one to cry in front of others, she reached for her glass of wine and took a big gulp. She turned her head slightly so she could watch him over the rim of her glass. He relaxed on the pile of pillows, looking at her through half-closed eyes.

  “What’s up, sunshine?” His deep voice slipped around her.

  She shook her head, the threat of tears now gone. “Nothing. Just feeling great to be here with you.”

  The expression on his face was sublime and so very sexy she could eat him up.

  He smiled and her heart tumbled over.

  Pepper set her glass down and shifted to her hands and knees. “Do you really think I can sit here in bed with you and not attack?”

  His chuckle rumbled between them and delicious shivers tickled along her flesh. He clasped his hands behind his head. His corded biceps bulged and his wide chest seemed so much more massive. Pepper inspected him without being shy. Licking her lips as she looked at every inch of him. Man, you could grate cheese on his chiseled abs. How could this perfect specimen of a man be all hers? The angels were smiling down on her, that’s for sure.

  She reached out and touched the pad of her middle finger to the inked swirl on his side, just under his arm, and traced it around his nipple—this time he shivered and she smiled—following its intricate path along his side and over his ridged belly, where it met up with the arc that vanished under his shorts. She curled her fingers around the waistband of his boxers and glanced at him from behind the fall of her hair.

  “Attack away.” His voice was thick with arousal and his ocean blue eyes turned stormy, dark desire shining from them.

  She didn’t need to be told twice. Pepper pounced. She straddled his legs, trapping him between her thighs. Sliding her fingers back and forth on the waistband of his boxers, she thrilled when the tickle of his hair brushed her fingertips. The bulge behind the silky fabric grew. Impressively so. Pepper rested her palm on top, teasing him with a feather-light touch. He lay immobile, watching her hands. A groan deep in his chest seemed like a distant rumble of thunder. Restrained power emanated from him and she couldn’t wait until it was unleashed.

  Pepper focused on the movement beneath the fabric. He froze as she slid her hands up his thighs to rest with her fingertips just under the legs of the shorts. He was still as a statue. His breath hitched and stopped.

  She crept her fingers a little farther under the silky fabric. A shudder rippled through his muscles and Pepper smiled. Tank groaned again.

  “I think I need to investigate the disturbance here.” Desire to touch him raged through her and she didn’t hold back. No inhibitions. She wanted to show him her feelings. To make love to him tonight and bring him the same pleasure he’d bestowed on her just a little while ago. Pepper hadn’t feasted her eyes on Tank’s body in far too long and she was torn between prolonging it a little while longer or ripping his shorts off as he had done with her panties.

  His gaze dipped and she knew her nakedness was exposed for him to see. Goose bumps rippled down the backs of her arms. He licked his lips and she shivered with erotic delight. Every little move he made, no matter how small, was enough to send her passion to a new level.

  Pepper looked at her hands resting on his strong thighs, the muscles now bunched with tension. Her fingertips were still covered by the edge of his shorts. Then she let her gaze trail up to the significant bulge, still concealed from view, over his muscled chest to settle on his heavy-lidded eyes. He watched her with a crooked smile and winked.

  That did it. She couldn’t wait any longer and wiggled higher until she rested against his knee. Tank pulsed his leg and glorious waves radiated from her core sizzling with sweet sensation that nearly had her losing her train of thought. She wasn’t about to fall prey to her body; it was time for him and she steeled herself. Pepper leaned forward and slid her hands under the silk, purposely avoiding his testicles and penis, even though she itched to take him in her palm. She caught the waistband of the shorts, tugging down an inch.

  Tank groaned and thrust his hips forward. Pepper leaned down and pressed her lips against the fabric, blowing hot breath on him. His cock jumped to life and she ran her lips along his erection to the tip, still sheathed in black satin. Walking her fingers to gather the silk in a fist, slowly he was bared to her. He sprung free.

  “Ahh,” Pepper sighed then sealed her lips around the head.

  Tank jolted and thrust his fingers into her hair, encouraging her up-and-down movement. She gobbled him right to the hilt, relaxing her throat muscles to accommodate his size. Her thighs clenched his leg and she ground her pussy on his knee. He swelled in her mouth, the vein on the underside throbbing on her tongue. Pepper loosened her lips, slid up, tongue flat, until she tightened her mouth on the tip and grasped the base of his penis with both hands. Gently she twisted in opposite directions. He shivered when she dipped her tongue into the sensitive hole.

  How she had missed him. Missed this. Missed Tank and the overpowering sense of completion that filled her. They were back together again and doing one of the many things they did so well. How she managed being without him for so long mystified her, but she did survive and had learned a lot in the process. She had to let him know how good their life together could be and how lucky they were to have each other.

  Tank’s thigh muscles clenched like iron under hers and she rode him, sliding on his flesh with ease, slick from her juices. She felt his coiled power building in him. It was tangible and reverberated around them. Pepper longed for the rising wave of his arousal.
She laved him with her tongue, delighted that he trembled under her touch and that she was able to give him the pleasure he so deserved. Then before she knew what happened, she was under him, his weight pushing her down into the soft mattress. Tank settled into the cradle of her thighs, his cock bumping at her entrance.

  “Can’t control yourself, cowboy?” Pepper murmured and leaned up to capture his lips, loving the thrill of desire that beat like a steady drum inside her. She wrapped her arms around his back and hooked her ankles over his ass, never wanting to let him go. He felt glorious and she welcomed the press of him on top of her. Pepper raised her hips, hoping he would understand her silent message.

  “It’s been too long.” He growled and flexed, pushing into her slowly. Lowering his head, he pulled an aching nipple between his lips.

  “Oh my, my, my,” Pepper mumbled, totally awash with trembling desire as he continued to kill her with bliss, licking her nipple before kissing down the swell to her other breast. Pepper was near mindless in ecstasy.

  “I…want…you inside me.” Barely able to form words, she lifted her hips again. His control was frustrating and she bopped a few times against him. “T-Tank…now.”

  He pushed in a little farther, then paused. The aching tease of him partially buried in her greedy heat was not enough. His groan sparked delicious shivers along her spine that settled in her belly, flaring out to encompass her in raging need. Every part of her hummed for his touch; he was turning her inside out and she couldn’t wait for his next move. Her clitoris ached for attention and her vagina pulsed for him.

  He didn’t move, his breath deep and steady. It seemed like he was holding back for some reason. Maybe to make her crazy with desire for him. Which wasn’t necessary. She was already well oiled and primed for him and always had been.