His Reason to Stay: In the Line of Duty, Book 6

by Cathryn Fox

  Charlotte came skipping up behind them. “We’re gonna share,” she said. “And Ava said I could play in her tree house.”

  Ava set Brandon down and patted him on the head.

  “Looks like the kids are hitting it off,” Gemma said. “Maybe Ava would like to come over for a sleepover sometime.” Her glance went from Rachel, to Kyle, then back to Rachel again. “Give the adults a night off,” she paused, gave her a wink and added, “You know, to do adult things.”

  Rachel cringed against the wave of heat moving up her neck. Oh, God, did Gemma know? She looked around at the group of women, who were grinning at her like they were all in on her secret—at least one of them. Of course they knew. From the energy between her and Kyle, to the way they touched, looked at each other and stayed close spoke volumes. No doubt they could feel the connection between them every bit as much as she felt it between the newly engaged Matt and Sky. But they were smiling, not judging. Her heart swelled even more, and tears pricked her eyes. Sara was right. These people were her friends and had her back, no matter what. Here, in the circle of their friends, she and Kyle were surrounded by love and acceptance. And maybe, just maybe they wouldn’t hate her, or Kyle, when the other truth came out.

  “I…uh…” she began.

  “How about next Saturday night? We’d love to take Ava, wouldn’t we, Cole?”

  “Sure,” Cole said, only half listening as he talked about some football game with Brad.

  Matt turned the burners off on the barbecue. “Food’s ready.”

  Kyle scooped Ava up. “Hey, squirt, you want something to eat?” Rachel’s heart squeezed so hard it hurt to breathe as she watched Kyle with Ava. In her eyes they created the perfect little family. But what about Kyle? Did he really not want kids? If that was the case, then what would he do when he found out the little girl in his arms was his?

  Chapter Eleven

  It was strange how nervous Rachel felt. She fixed her hair in the mirror for the hundredth time, and reapplied her lipstick because she kept eating it off with her teeth. Perhaps her anxiety stemmed from Ava’s first sleepover, or perhaps it had more to do with the fact that she and Kyle had the entire night together, alone, and it would be a good night for them to talk.

  The shower turned off and Kyle’s footsteps sounded on the floor as he walked down the hall to his room. She could only imagine he was wrapped in a towel, his gorgeous body on display. If she hurried maybe she could get a peek at him before he dressed. It wasn’t like she had to worry about Ava catching them. Gemma had insisted Ava have dinner with the family, so they’d dropped her off earlier that day.

  She pushed away from her dressing table and smoothed her hand over her summery dress. She wasn’t sure where they were going. Kyle said it was a surprise, so she had no idea if she was overdressed or underdressed. Her door creaked as she opened it.

  “Kyle,” she called out as she walked the few steps to his door.

  “Yeah.”

  “Am I dressed okay?”

  His door opened and when she found him standing there in a towel, her mouth watered. His gaze dropped to her dress and his nostrils flared. “Jesus, you are so hot.”

  In a move that was becoming very familiar to her, he gripped the back of her neck and pulled her to him. He smelled like soap and ocean and something uniquely Kyle. She pressed against him and could feel his growing erection against her stomach. His warm lips fell over hers and he kissed her. Softly at first, his lips gilding gently over hers, but when she moaned and slipped her hand between their bodies to touch his cock, he deepened the kiss. His tongue slid into her mouth and hungrily slashed against hers. The air grew thick and hot between them.

  Her body turned warm as his cock throbbed in her hands, and in that moment there was nothing she wanted more than to take him into her mouth and taste him, pleasure him. He seemed to have a thing about her pleasing him orally, however. She wasn’t sure what it was, and after that first time, he never let her do it again. It was time to change that. Her finger went to the knot in the towel, but he jerked back, his breathing labored.

  “If we don’t stop this, we’ll never get out of here.” He raked a shaky hand through his hair and moved farther away, severing the intimacy between them.

  Refusing to let him retreat, she stepped back in to him and put her hand on his chest. He briefly closed his eyes, the way he always did when she touched him. “Is there somewhere we have to be?”

  He swallowed. Hard. “Yeah.”

  Her finger trailed over his hard muscles, dipping into the grooves and ridges of his six-pack. His whole body quaked and she smiled. She loved when he shivered like that. “How much time do we have?”

  He looked at the clock, heat and need dancing in his eyes. “Half hour,” he croaked out.

  Poor guy, he was in bad shape. She grinned and released his towel, damn well determined to do something about the state he was in. It fell to the floor and she sank to her knees right along with it “Then maybe there is time for this.”

  “Rach. Jesus, Rach.” He gripped her hair and pushed her away. “You don’t have to do that. Not for me.”

  She wrapped her hands around his cock, and stole a peek at him. “Who says it’s for you?” she challenged.

  “Rach,” he moaned sounding like he was in pure agony. “Come on. I know you don’t like that.”

  She blinked up at him and met with eyes that always turned soft when looking at her. Her gaze moved over his face, assessing him. Why the heck did he think she didn’t like taking him into her mouth? Whatever gave him that idea?

  She lifted her chin in defiance. “Looks like there is one thing you don’t know about me after all.”

  “Rach—” he began, but she cut him off.

  “Kyle, there isn’t a single part of your body that I don’t want to kiss…” She leaned forward and swiped her tongue over his crown. His cock thickened, stretching toward her lips. “Or lick.” She lifted her head and their eyes met and locked. “I told you I wanted you. All of you.”

  He sucked in a quick breath. “You know I can’t…oh, fuck.” His protest died on his lips and was replaced by a moan when she drew him in and sucked hard. They both wanted this and there was nothing he could do or say to stop her. His hands curled through her hair, but this time it wasn’t to push her away; it was to hold her close.

  She whimpered and drew him in as much as she could. He hit the back of her throat, and when she choked a little, he cursed and tried to pull out. Instead of letting him, she cupped his balls and massaged lightly as she took him to the back of her throat again.

  “Christ, that’s so fucking good.”

  Her body quivered, reveling in the hard length of him, the salty taste of his skin. She worked her tongue over his length, and ribbons of need zinged through her veins. He rocked his hips and thrust against her mouth. She swirled her tongue around his crown, then relaxed her throat to take him in even deeper. She fondled his balls gently and used her other hand in tandem with her mouth, sliding it up and down his cock until his heavy breathing echoed in the room. He might not want her to do this, but he liked it. A lot. She pulled out and pressed her tongue against the sensitive underside of his crown until a strangled noise crawled out of his throat.

  His cock pulsed and her body reacted. Her breasts grew heavy, and her nipples tingled, aching to be suckled. But she was taking too much joy in pleasuring him to stop and answer the demands of her body. With an empty house until morning, there would be time for that later.

  “Oh fuck,” he cried out, and tried to pull her away, but she stayed between his legs, wanting him to let go in her mouth. He pulsed against her throat as his veins filled with heated blood. “Rach,” he croaked out. “I need you to stop.”

  Ignoring his plea, she worked him harder, and his fingers tightened in her hair until he was pulling it, hard. Pain and pleasure mingled into one as she licked and sucked until he was past the point of no return.

  “Oh, Christ.” What could o
nly be classified as a primal, animalistic growl rumbled in his throat as he filled her mouth with his release. She drank him in, swallowing every last drop.

  Other than his raspy sounds catching in his throat, they both remained quiet. She stayed nestled between his legs, and he gently stroked her hair as they both struggled to breathe. Silence reined for a minute, then his hands left her hair and moved to her shoulders. A quick tug and she was on her feet. His eyes moved over her face, warm and tender as he studied her. Silence fell over them again as he placed his palm on her cheek, his thumb stroking gently.

  He started to back her up toward the bed, but she shook her head to stop him. “No, Kyle. We don’t have time.”

  He frowned and shook his head. “That’s not my style, Rach.”

  She put her hand on his chest and enjoyed the feel of his strong heart beneath her palm. His muscles quivered and jumped beneath her fingers. “I know, and it’s one of the many things I love about you.”

  As soon as the word love left her lips, he stiffened. The truth was she wanted to talk to him, but as she looked at him now, she didn’t want to let anything come between them and ruin this special night together. There was always tomorrow… She put on a smile, glanced at the clock and tried to lighten the mood. “Well, maybe we do have time. That didn’t take too long.”

  “Hey,” he shot back laughing. “Play nice.” He looked at the clock, and a sheepish grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Uh, okay, yeah, maybe you’re right. But what the hell do you expect?” He fisted his hair. “Jesus, Rachel, that was pretty damn incredible.”

  Pride swelled inside her. “You like my mouth on you.”

  He gave her a look that suggested she was crazy. “You think?”

  She went up on her toes and planted a soft kiss on his lips. “Then let me do it more often.”

  He shrugged. “I guess. I mean, if you insist.”

  Loving this playful side of him, a side she hadn’t seen in so long, she ran her hands over her clothes to smooth them. “Seriously though, we should get going.”

  He grabbed her by the waist. “Fine. But I’m not done with you. Not by a long shot.”

  “That’s what I was hoping for.”

  Kyle hurried into his clothes and she stood in the doorway for a second, watching the play of his muscles. Her sex clenched. While she would like nothing better than for him to have his way with her, there’d be time for that later. He seemed excited about taking her some place and she was anxious to find out where. She wiped her brow to find it damp and dashed into the bathroom to tidy herself up.

  By the time she finished she found Kyle in the hall putting his watch on as he waited for her. “All set?” She nodded and he put his hand on her back to guide her to the stairs. She grabbed her purse and darkness was just beginning to fall over the city as she walked toward her car, but Kyle turned her.

  “Let’s take the truck.” He opened the door and she slid in.

  “Where are we going?”

  “You’ll see.”

  She eyed him. Why was he being so vague? He was clearly up to something. They drove to the outskirts of the city and when he pulled off and down a long road, she sat up straighter, taking in the big outdoor screen.

  “You’re kidding me.”

  He laughed. “Nope.”

  “Kyle, I haven’t been here in so long.” She laughed and shook her head. “Since we were teens.”

  “I know. You need to get out more.”

  “That’s one of the things Sara said to me too.”

  “One of the things?”

  “Yeah.” She wasn’t about to tell him all the other things, like seducing him into staying. He pulled up to the ticket booth and Trent greeted them, a grin on his face like he was up to something.

  “What’s playing?” she asked.

  He exchanged a look with Kyle. “It’s oldies night.”

  “Oldies night?” she laughed. Okay, to him they probably did seem old.

  Kyle paid the entrance fee and drove through the near-empty parking lot. “I guess a lot of teens don’t come out on oldies night.” He parked and unhooked his seat belt. “I’ll be right back.”

  She watched him until he disappeared inside the concession stand. A bubble of excitement welled up inside her to be back at one of their favorite hangout spots. Of course back then while the teens were making out, she and Kyle just talked about their plans, their futures. Never once had he mentioned joining the army. Which was why it had probably thrown her for such a loop when he’d up and left so quickly.

  Kyle returned with a big box of popcorn and two drinks. She rolled her window down and he passed them through. She took a sip and laughed. Root beer. How long had it been since she drank root beer? Honest to God, it took her right back in time.

  Kyle slid in beside her. “Right on time,” he said as the opening advertisements began. He adjusted the old speaker on his window but no sound came. He rolled his window down, popped open the speaker and fiddled with the wires.

  “Let’s move to another spot.”

  “Do you have no faith in me?” he teased as he put the speaker back together again. A second later sound filled the cab of the truck.

  She laughed. “You’re a man of many talents, Kyle.”

  She munched her popcorn and thought about that. Kyle was smart but for as long as she had known him he played down his abilities. Just then the movie came on and she nearly choked on her popcorn.

  When Strangers Met flashed on the screen.

  “Oh. My. God.” She blinked. “How did you…?”

  He grinned. “I have connections.”

  “I can’t believe you did this.” She eyed him. “I thought you hated this movie.”

  The smile fell from his face, and something deeper, more serious flashed in his eyes. His voice was low when he said, “But you don’t.”

  A lump gathered in her throat. He was the toughest guy she knew, yet so sweet and kind when it came to her and Ava.

  She took a drink of her soda and placed it on the dashboard beside his. She put her popcorn on the floor and slid across the cab. A shaky palm went to his cheek and she placed a soft kiss on his mouth. He kissed her back with heat and passion. There was so much more to this man than anyone knew.

  He cupped her head and inched back. Blue eyes stared at her for a long time, then he pressed a kiss to her forehead and turned toward the screen. They watched for a little while, but her mind was too preoccupied with other things to pay attention.

  “Kyle.”

  “Yeah,” he answered his fingers playing in her hair as he stared at the screen.

  She shifted to face him. “Why did you join the army? Especially when your father wanted you to join his firm?”

  His jaw clenched, then he shrugged easily. “Dad and I didn’t get along and I wasn’t as smart as James.”

  He wasn’t as smart as James? That was bullshit and they both knew it.

  “You’re one of the hardest working guys I know, so why did you give up in school, and sports?”

  He looked away, his shoulders stiffening. “I didn’t enjoy those things anymore and I left because I had no reason to stay in Austin.”

  She touched his face, turning him back to her. “You had me,” she said softly.

  “No.” His voice was rough, hurting. “I didn’t.”

  The pain and hurt in his eyes cut deep into her soul. She swallowed, her heart aching for him. Oh. My. God. They’d always been close, but she never knew how much he actually cared for her back then. Or how much her engagement to James had slayed him, or left him feeling alone and lost.

  “Kyle,” she whispered. “You have me now.” Never wanting them to be apart again, she lifted her chin and placed her lips over his, determined to prove they were right together and he needed to stop running.

  His lips were stiff at first, but when she slid her tongue along the seam and teased them open he put his hand around her head and growled. He angled his head, deepening the kis
s until she was left breathless. She moaned, and he nudged her until she fell back on the seat.

  “Is this why you wanted to bring the truck?” she teased, trying to lighten the mood. “More room to maneuver during a make-out session?”

  “Something like that,” he said, the harshness in his voice giving way to softness. His mouth left her neck to go to her breasts. He kissed her nipples through her dress and they hardened from the heat of his mouth.

  He ran his palm along her thigh, going higher and higher. The roughness of his hand glorious against her skin. His fingers found her panties, and he pushed the scrap of material to the side. The second his finger touched her clit, her hips came off the seat. Breathing became harder and in no time at all they’d steamed up the windows. Good thing too. She was an adult and didn’t want to get caught making out with Kyle in the cab of a truck at the drive-in.

  He dipped a finger inside her, and she greedily ripped at his shirt, needing her hands on his body. He shifted and his cock pressed against her leg as he put another finger inside her and stroked her clit with his thumb.

  A moan ripped from her throat, her hands skimming over his strong back as he touched her intimately. He pressed against her. She could feel his desires, needs, and knew they matched her own. Sexual heat arced between them as he brought her higher and higher, his deft fingers swirling inside her, his thumb applying the perfect amount of pressure to her clit.

  She clawed at his back, her breath coming quicker as he worked her body, taking her higher and higher, in the way only he knew how.

  “I’m right there,” she cried out, but suspected he already knew. He changed the pace and pressure and a second later a violent quake moved through her. The love inside her heart rushed over her like a windstorm as her body let go. He kept his fingers insider her until her body stopped trembling.

  He inched back and all she could do was stare as he unzipped his pants and pushed them down just enough to release his cock. He stroked it, and she ran her thumb over his swollen crown.