“I’m proud of her.” Garrett had a faraway look in his eyes. “She didn’t leave sooner because she had no money and she had us two boys to take care of. But once she found out that Butch was beating us, too, she wasn’t about to let that continue to happen.”
He continued, “Butch is in prison in Florence for sexual abuse of a minor.” Garrett seemed not to realize he was squeezing Ricki’s fingers as tightly as he was. His voice was low, coarse, as he said, “Ricki, I’m afraid of what I might do to him if he ever gets out.” His chest heaved against her as he took a big breath. “Maybe I’m my father’s son after all.”
“No.” Ricki took her hand from his and shifted herself in his arms so that her palm was on his chest and she was meeting his gaze. “You’re a good man. You’re nothing like that bastard.”
“I lost control tonight.” Garrett’s throat worked as he swallowed. “I’m not good enough for someone like you, honey.”
She shook her head. “Don’t say that.”
“That’s why I left the night of the softball game.” His voice was hoarse. “I knew I wasn’t the right person for you. But then I got to thinking that I’m nothing like Butch and I never will be.” Garrett looked away. “Losing my self-control like I did tonight proved that I was wrong.”
Ricki reached up with her other hand and cupped the side of his face, his coarse stubble rough against her palm. She forced him to look at her. “You’re a good man and I’ve known that since the first time we met.”
“Damn, Ricki.” He turned his face and kissed her palm then put his hand over hers. “I don’t deserve you.”
“Don’t say that.” She frowned. “You certainly are deserving of all the good things there are in life. And you and I…what we have…we’re good together.”
She didn’t know where the words came from and for a moment she wondered if she should have said something so bold as “…we’re good together.”
He looked serious as he caressed strands of her hair. “I’m making a promise to you. I’ll never lose control like that again. Ever.”
She gave him a soft smile. “I know.”
Something fiery burned in his gaze. He slipped his hand into her hair and pulled her down for a long, slow kiss.
When he broke the kiss, he stroked hair away from her face. “You’re a special woman, you know that?”
She sounded breathy from the kiss. “You need to know you’re a special man.” She put her finger against his lips when he looked like he was going to protest. “Shhh.” She smiled. “I’m glad you came into my life, Garrett McBride.”
He grasped her in his arms and surged to his feet, catching her by surprise and she looped her arms around his neck. He held her to him like a precious treasure and strode for the arcadia doors that led into the house. He walked through the opening with her still in his arms, then with one hand closed the glass door behind them.
“What in the world are you doing?” she said as he carried her out of the kitchen and into the living room.
“I promised to make love to you good and proper.” He gripped her tightly. “I keep my promises.”
Chapter 24
As Garrett carried her down a long dark hallway, Ricki’s body flushed with heated desire as his smoky gaze met hers. He held her to him as he walked into a bedroom and flipped on a light switch. The room filled with warm light as two small lamps came to life on either side of the bed.
He strode to the king-sized bed in the middle of room, the oak headboard against the wall on the right. A red, brown, and green plaid comforter covered the mattress and it was turned down to reveal hunter green sheets and pillowcases.
Her heart beat faster as he set her on her feet beside the bed and he took her by the shoulders. “Is your wrist okay?” His voice was low and concerned. “I’ll be careful.”
“It’s better.” As she smiled, her lips quivered a little from feeling nervous and thrilled all at once. “I’m feeling wonderful.”
He lowered his head and moved his mouth over hers as he cupped her face. The kiss was slow, gentle, yet the passion and chemistry between them was so great she wanted to melt into his arms.
She slid her palms over his torso, careful with her wrist but loving the feel of his solid chest beneath her hands. So much control and restraint was in his kiss as he tasted her and gently nipped at her lower lip.
Every inch of him radiated tension, a barely-reined in power that was in every muscle. His body heat seared her and she pressed herself closer to him as he kissed her.
When he broke the kiss he looked down at her, his thumb caressing her cheek. “You’re such an amazing woman. How could I deserve someone like you?”
“You are an incredible man, Garrett.” She reached up and brushed her lips over his before she moved back. “It’s time you realized that.”
He kissed her gently as he slid one hand to her braid and tugged the band from the end. He let the band drop to the floor then pulled out her braid and fluffed her hair around her face and shoulders before slipping his fingers in and rubbing her scalp with his fingertips.
She closed her eyes, loving the feel of his massage, and sighed as he eased his firm lips down the curve of her neck to the hollow of her throat. He stopped and raised his head long enough to grasp the bottom of her T-shirt and tug it up and over her head, letting it drop beside her feet.
He moved his gaze to her breasts and he cupped them, feeling the weight of them in his palms as he rubbed his thumbs over her lace-covered nipples. She bit her lower lip as erotic sensations traveled through her as he pinched her nipples. He placed his forehead against hers as he gently kneaded her breasts.
“I want to consume every bit of you.” He inhaled deeply as if drinking in her scent. “I want all of you. I need all of you.”
“I need you, too,” she whispered as she felt so much emotion and caring through the contact of their bodies and his forehead pressed to hers.
He drew back and studied her. She didn’t know what he was saying with his gaze, but his eyes were so intense that she felt captivated by them. He didn’t look away as he reached around her and unfastened her bra before slipping it off her and letting it drop to the side.
She caught her breath as he lowered his head and ran his tongue over one of her nipples then sucked it before moving his mouth to her other breast. He moved his hands down her sides to her hips, the roughness of his callused palms erotic against her soft skin.
The pain in her wrist was all but forgotten as she braced her hands on his shoulders, afraid she might fall if she didn’t hold onto something.
She moved her hands down to his belt buckle and grasped his T-shirt, pulling it out of his Wranglers. He raised his head, still watching her, and helped her take the shirt off of him. She sighed as she ran her fingers through the light dusting of hair on his chest and felt the solidness of his muscles beneath her fingertips.
He caught her by the waist and lifted her up then set her down on the edge of the bed and knelt before her. One at a time he removed her shoes then her socks. He caressed and massaged her feet and watched her as he kissed her toes one by one.
Her stomach flip-flopped as he touched her, caressed her, like no one ever had before. He moved his hands up her jean-clad legs, over her knees, to her thighs and hips until he reached the button of her jeans. He unfastened and unzipped them. She braced her hands on the bed as she raised her hips to help him slide her jeans from her body. He moved slowly, touching her, caressing her, as he moved them down.
When he’d set her jeans aside, he slipped his fingers into the waistband of her black lace panties and eased them from her body. He kissed the soft hair of her mound, causing her to gasp then kissed the inside of each knee as he pulled off her panties until they were all the way off, leaving her naked and waiting.
The pounding of her heart grew faster as he moved so that his big shoulders spread her legs wide and he put his palms on the insides of her thighs. He moved his face close to her center and h
e breathed deeply of her scent before using his fingers to widen her folds. He lightly stroked his tongue over her clit and she almost fell back. She braced her hands behind her and watched him as he licked her.
A moan rose up in her as he slid two fingers inside her and moved them in and out while he sucked and licked her harder. With his other hand he reached up and played with one of her nipples, fondling and squeezing it.
Wild sensations twisted and writhed within her as she gripped the comforter in her fists and bit her lower lip as she watched his dark head between her thighs. Seeing him between her legs, feeling his tongue as he tasted her, and hearing the rumble of approval coming from him enhanced everything within her.
An orgasm rushed toward her and her eyes widened as she felt the strength of it coming closer and closer. Her climax hit her hard and fast, the intensity almost more than she could handle. She cried out as her hips bucked against his face. He made another satisfied sound and continued to lick her until tears wet the outside corners of her eyes and she begged him to stop.
He adjusted his position so his hands were at her waist and he moved her up on the bed so she was lying in the center on the soft comforter. She watched as he stripped out of his shoes and socks, then removed his jeans and underwear, before easing onto the bed beside her.
She expected him to move between her thighs and take her, but instead he touched her hair as he looked into her eyes.
“Everything is different with you.” His voice was low and husky. “You’re everything I’ve ever wanted or needed. Everything that I thought I would never have.”
She swallowed and placed her hand on his chest. “Garrett,” she whispered.
He eased between her thighs and pressed them apart with his hips and pressed his cock to the entrance to her core. He linked their fingers and moved her hands over her head so that they were linked in more ways than one.
Carefully he entered her as they gripped hands. Her lips parted, her eyes widening at the feel of him inside her. Slowly he moved his hips, sliding in and out, making love to her in a way that made tears slide from her eyes at the beauty of it.
He kissed her and gently bit her lower lip and ran his tongue along the soft flesh. He moved his mouth along her jawline to her ear.
“I want you in so many ways,” he whispered as he touched her tenderly. “I can’t get enough of you.”
“I’m yours,” she whispered back. “I’m all yours.”
He continued moving in and out of her and she couldn’t have looked away or closed her eyes if she’d wanted to.
She hooked her thighs around his hips and crossed her ankles behind his back, drawing him even more to her, wanting him as close as he could possibly be.
The emotions rolling through her were so intense that she couldn’t control them. More tears leaked from her eyes.
“Why are you crying?” His voice was soft.
Another tear rolled down the side of her face. “I don’t know.”
“Aw, honey.” He moved his mouth to kiss the tears away as he continued to move in and out of her.
Emotions were building inside her, so many that she thought she might lose herself to them. In that moment she realized she loved him more than she could ever have imagined. When it had happened, she wasn’t sure. All she knew was that she’d fallen for him hard.
“I love you, Garrett.” The words came out without her meaning to say them.
The moment the four words left her, he kissed her with so much caring her heart twisted. Maybe to keep her from saying anything more, or just because he wanted to, she wasn’t sure.
He reached between them and stroked her clit. She didn’t even know she was so close to orgasm until he touched her.
Everything exploded inside her. For a moment she couldn’t even think as he continued to rock inside her. His cock filled her, long and thick, and her core contracted around it. The feel of him deep inside her and the way he was making love to her set her heart, soul, and body on fire.
Spasms continued inside her as she kept her eyes on him. Sweat beaded his forehead, his hair damp as he watched her climax. “You’re beautiful when you come,” he said. “You’re always beautiful.”
His jaw tightened and his whole body rocked as he groaned and climaxed. She felt his cock pulsing inside her, causing her core to contract around him even more.
He shuddered as he reached completion. For a long moment, he pressed his groin tightly to hers as if not wanting to be parted from her. He seemed to be catching his breath.
When his breathing quieted, he rolled them so that he was on his side and she was tucked in his embrace.
She snuggled against him and he said something softly before kissing her forehead. “What?” she whispered as he drew away and met her gaze.
He gave her a tender look that caused warmth to spread throughout her. “I love you, Ricki.” He stroked her hair from her cheek as her lips parted in wonder, surprise, and an overwhelming feeling of being right where she belonged.
She swallowed. “I already told you, but I want to say it again. I love you so much.”
He kissed her and tucked her head under his chin. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I thank God you’re here.”
Chapter 25
The TV news droned on in the background while Deena stood in her new living room. The news was white noise as she tried to get her emotions under control.
She clenched and unclenched her hands as she thought of Ricki and Garrett. For the past two weeks, since Ricki had started fucking Garrett, she had been friendly, but it was Garrett who’d obviously been on her mind, Garrett who she couldn’t stop talking about.
Deena ground her teeth, her head aching from the pressure. She closed her eyes and forced herself to relax, using what she could remember of the stress-relief exercise class she’d taken with Celia. Dear Celia had noticed when Deena had needed something to help her relax, and she had cared enough to look into it and take Deena to a class. After that, on Deena’s bad days, Celia would tell her to take a deep breath and picture something that made her happy.
Celia had made her happy. Deena had been so sure that Celia loved her in return. But when Deena had finally taken that step that should have sealed their love, Celia rejected her. She’d said that Deena should move out, that they needed to put distance between them.
That was when Deena lost it the first time. That was the night Celia had died.
The pain in Deena’s head increased. She took a deep, cleansing breath through her nose and let it out through her mouth. In and out…in and out… She thought of Maria and how good Deena had thought they’d been together. But like Celia, Maria had refused Deena. Maria tried to break away from Deena gently at first, but Deena had been unable to let her go. If she couldn’t have Maria, no one could.
She closed her eyes for a long moment as pain nearly crippled her. Why hadn’t they loved her?
When she opened her eyes, she took a deep breath and let it out. Things would be different with Ricki.
Today was Deena’s chance. Today they would go to Sedona for their time at the spa and Deena would show Ricki that she was meant to be with Deena, not that bastard, Garrett.
This time Deena visualized Ricki’s smile when Deena told her of her love. She pictured Ricki returning her affection and what it would be like to kiss her. They would be good together.
With that thought in mind, she breathed deeply and let all of her anger and stress out with each breath. When she was finally feeling more relaxed, she walked to her bedroom and pulled out a large trunk with a heavy lock on it, like the lock she had on her treasure chest. She pulled her keys out of her pocket and soon had the lock off of the trunk.
After she raised the lid, she studied the contents. Garters, corsets, stockings, sexy bras, panties, and other lingerie in various sizes were on one side of the trunk. On the other side were strap-on dildos and double-dildos as well as a large selection of vibrators. She had nipple toys, including vibrat
ing nipple clamps, and she also had several butt plugs.
She’d had plenty of one-night stands with women, and had enjoyed the sex, but she hadn’t found what she really wanted, really needed, until she met Celia. Then it had turned into an obsession. Deena had to find the perfect woman for her, a woman who would love her and care for her in return. It would be beautiful.
Things would be okay then, and she wouldn’t have to worry about being on an emotional rollercoaster. No more obsessing or feeling angry. She would be happy when she had someone to love her.
With a sigh of anticipation, Deena looked over everything and she smiled. She couldn’t wait to strap on that dildo, which had to be far bigger than Garrett could possibly be, and take it to Ricki.
Deena closed her eyes for a moment and imagined the scene. Ricki was going to love every minute of it.
The doorbell rang and Deena hurried to shove the trunk back into the closet and lock it. She glanced up at the top shelf and where she’d tucked her precious treasure chest in a corner. She hoped she wasn’t going to be adding to her collection, she really did. Ricki would love her and there would be nothing to be concerned about. If that ever changed, well, she’d worry about it then.
Deena took a look in the mirror and smiled. She liked what she saw and she was sure Ricki, would, too.
She smoothed the white blouse and navy shorts while she walked, her sandals silent as she crossed the living room floor. Before she opened the door, she peered out the window to take a look at Ricki. She looked both sexy and adorable in a short jean skirt, dark pink blouse, and gold leather sandals. Deena imagined peeling off every layer of clothing on Ricki’s body and what it would feel like when they slid their bodies together.
Deena unlocked the door and opened it wide.
Chapter 26
“Hi.” Ricki smiled as she saw her friend in the now open doorway. “You look beautiful, Deena,” she said and Deena’s answering smile was brilliant.
Playing With You Page 15
