“Relax, sweetheart.” Rick tried to soothe her, but Laura was rapidly working herself into a tizzy. “You have to know we’re not leaving you and Melanie here by yourself after your crazy ex-husband called the unlisted office number. No one should have that but the family.”
“I understand your need to protect Melanie, but I can handle Carl on my own.”
“I know you can,” he said, reasonably, making Laura that much more agitated. Rick was only trying to help, but dammit, she didn’t need anyone fighting her battles for her. “But you don’t have to. Let us be there with you. All of us. We’re a family.”
“Yes, you are,” she said, feeling inexplicably near tears. “But I’m not part of it.”
“That’s where you’re wrong,” Mike said softly from across the room. “Any woman who means as much to Rick as you obviously do is family. Like it or not. You’re stuck with this crazy bunch. And we don’t play favorites. If Rick does anything to hurt you, he’ll be taking it up with the rest of us.”
“And he’s more afraid of Mama than he is Steve. And Steve’s a real badass,” Chase said with a grin. “Unfortunately, Mom’s worse. We’re more afraid of her and her displeasure than we are of you, so you’re stuck with us.”
“You all are crazy.” Laura didn’t know whether to be grateful or upset. She hated bringing other people in on her problems. Carl might be a thorn in her side, but she could deal with him.
“Yeah, well, you get used to it.” Melanie grinned. “Actually, you’ll grow to love it. It makes you feel protected.” The expectant mother placed a hand over her belly where her child grew and gave her husband such a loving look, Laura had to look away. The thing was, she envied Melanie and her relationship with Chase. One glance at Rick and the intent look he was currently giving her, and her heart pounded. For the first time since Carl’s betrayal, Laura dared hope there could be such a thing as an everlasting love.
“Come on,” Rick said, holding his hand out to Laura. “Let me follow you home. I have a surprise, and I expect a kiss for it.”
“I’ll kiss you for it,” Steve said, looking a touch disgruntled. “Hell, I’d even b—”
“No! Don’t even go there!” Rick snagged Laura’s hand as he gave his brother a horrified look. “That’s just—”
“Bow down and kiss your feet. I was gonna say, bow down and kiss your feet.”
They left the office with everyone laughing as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened. This family truly believed they could conquer the world. Truth was, Laura was beginning to believe it herself.
The drive home was pleasant enough. Rick held her hand the entire way, chatting lightly. Lara was surprised at how easily she’d accepted the intimacy with him. After the other night, however, she shouldn’t have expected otherwise.
Just thinking about him standing in the doorway, talking her through the most intense orgasm of her life made her want him. Had any man ever truly appealed to her like this? It wasn’t just his sex appeal, either. He was kind. Thoughtful. Not many men she knew would have come to her house at three in the morning. Most would have had her call 911. Maybe even have stayed on the phone with her until help got there. Rick had taken matters into his own hands, even staying with her through the night to make sure nothing else happened. She was so caught up in her thoughts she was startled when he cut the engine, already at her rented home.
“Everything all right?”
“Yes. Just deep in thought.” She looked at him, hesitating a moment before asking, “Why did you come over here the other night instead of just telling me to call 911?”
He looked at her as if he didn’t understand the question. “Why would I have done that?”
“So you didn’t have to go out at three in the morning?”
“Honey, if you need me, it doesn’t matter what time of day or night or what I’m doing. I’ll always come for you.” He looked at her for a moment before swooping in for a peck on her cheek. “Come on. I have something for you.” The excited look on his face charmed her. It was obvious Rick was thrilled at whatever he had in store for her. Truth was, it was hard not to get caught up in the moment as well. Laura was definitely curious.
Once inside, Rick was grinning from ear to ear, hands behind his back, obviously pleased with himself. “Are you ready?”
Laura laughed. “This is big, huh?”
“The biggest. Ready?”
“Good Lord. Yes, Rick. I’m ready. What is it?” She laughed, genuinely amused, anxious to see what was in his possession that had him so excited.
With huge smile, Rick whipped his hand from behind his back, two tickets clutched tightly. Gingerly, Laura took them from him…and gasped.
“Oh, my God! Do you know what these are?” Her voice rose with each word. This man had just presented her with the Holy Grail of Kentucky basketball tickets.
He laughed. “Of course I know what they are!”
Then, as if they’d done the exact same thing a thousand times, like best friends or lovers for years, both of them screamed excitedly. Laura launched herself at Rick, throwing her arms around his neck.
“I can’t believe you got a hold of something like that! How in the world did you manage it?”
“Well, it’s a life-long secret, but I can tell you I’ll owe my first born and my left testicle to a really smart twelve-year-old.”
“Figures.” She grinned. “This is a bit overwhelming. I’d love to say I can’t accept something like that, but I really want to go.”
“What blue-blooded Kentuckian wouldn’t?”
There was a small silence between them before Laura laid her hand on his cheek, smiling softly. “Thank you, Rick. Not so much for this…for everything else.”
He grinned. “I’m glad you trust me enough to let me be there for you.”
Laura looked into those dazzling green eyes and lost herself. If eyes were the window to the soul then Rick Carver was a magical man indeed. Those eyes cast a spell over her, preventing her from doing anything other than leaning into him and finding his lips with hers.
Chapter Nine
Rick knew he should find the strength to push her away. He didn’t want her paying for his gift with sex. But she clung to him so sweetly, pressed that delicious body against him so that his groin tightened to the point of pain. Her lips tantalized his, her tongue brushing his and licking inside his mouth with tentative but insistent strokes. There was nothing he could do but kiss her back, molding her luscious curves with his hands.
Kissing her was intoxicating. Rick quickly lost all his good intentions and knew he’d have Laura tonight unless she was the one to stop. For all his training, all his self discipline, there was no way he could deny himself this woman.
Holding her tightly, wrapping his arms around her as if someone were trying to steal her away, Rick kissed Laura as thoroughly as he knew how. She was already pliant in his arms, but within moments, she seemed to melt. He wanted to thump his chest with pride. She wanted him. Maybe not as much as he wanted her—that would be nearly impossible—but she definitely wanted him.
Her taste was addictive. He remembered the first time he’d kissed her he’d thought there was nothing sweeter. Now, wanting so desperately to make love to her, he knew there was. The way Laura surrendered as he held her was infinitely better.
Scooping her up in his arms, Rick carried her to her bedroom. He wanted to make love to her, but it had to be in her bed. It just seemed…right. Perfect.
Laying her on the bed, Rick followed her down, covering her body with his, loving the feel of her soft curves beneath him. It was a heady, erotic sensation, knowing he had her where he’d wanted her for so very long.
Looking into those lovely eyes, Rick claimed her mouth once again. She whimpered as her eyelids fluttered closed, her arms going around his neck to thread her fingers through his hair.
If there had ever been a time when Rick had been more content, he couldn’t remember when it might have been. This woman. This ti
me. Nothing he could remember had ever felt so right. Wrapping his arms around Laura, he ground himself against her, his cock a throbbing, living thing with a mind of its own.
Laura bunched her hands in his shirt, pulling it over his head in a rush. Her breath rushed out as she ran her hands over his skin as if she couldn’t help herself. Rick arched into her touch, needing that exquisite contact with every breath he took.
Hot kisses drugged him as he took her mouth over and over again, his hands shaping her curves through her clothes until he found bare skin at her waist. Once that happened, Rick was helpless not to strip her naked, needing to see all of her.
He sat back on his knees, pulling her with him so he could rid her easily of her top and bra. The beauty of her nude upper body had him gasping for breath, reaching out to cup the weight of one breast before he could stop himself.
“You are so…beautiful,” he managed, though his voice was ragged. Needy. “I have to taste.”
Instead of merely dipping his head to capture the dark nipple between his lips, Rick wrapped his arms around her again, pulling her tightly to him. Laura gasped, holding his head to her chest. She wanted this as much as he did by the sound and feel of it. Any hesitation Rick might have had evaporated at the realization.
With a groan, he released her, pushing her back to the bed so he could rid her of her jeans. His own soon followed, leaving them completely naked before each other.
Laura’s eyes devoured him as surely as if her mouth were on him. From the look of it, she liked what she saw. Rick barely resisted the urge to flex his muscles in a display of masculine pride in his body. He knew he looked good. Long hours on the training field ensured he was well-developed physically, hard muscle and sinew perfected into a fighting machine. Even if he hadn’t used his body to proudly serve his country—and now his community—every ounce of effort and hard work he’d put into his workouts would have been worth it just to see the appreciation he saw now in her eyes.
She lay back, her hands over her head, stretching like a cat. Her body was sleek, lightly muscled yet curvy in all the right places. Hips flared from a tiny waist. Her breasts were full and heavy, just enough to play with until she begged him for more. All that soft skin beckoned Rick. Like a moth to a flame, he was helpless to resist her call.
Carefully, Rick urged her thighs apart, giving her time to change her mind if she chose. All she did was part them wide for him, inviting him to play with the charms he’d uncovered.
He lay between her spread legs, his arms wrapping around her silky thighs. With soft, exploring kisses, he inched his way from her knee to her inner thigh. And higher. When she gasped, her lips parting, sweat slickening her skin, he nuzzled her mound, finding the bare skin there moist, ready for him.
“Tell me you want me, Laura,” he demanded, hoping like hell she would.
“I do. So damned much—AH!” She arched into his touch at the first swipe of his tongue. Instantly, the exquisite taste of her burst across his lips. Rick’s eyes nearly rolled back in his head and he groaned before covering her pussy with his mouth. With long licks, he devoured her, stabbing deep only to find her clit and flick it several times before returning to her opening.
Laura’s fingers slid through his hair, holding him to her, clutching him eagerly. She seemed unafraid to let him know what she wanted, as if she were determined to get everything she needed from the encounter. Only happy to oblige, Rick followed her lead, making sure he gave her everything he had to give her. He drew on every bit of sexual knowledge he possessed, needing to please her, needing her pleasure before he took his own. She smelled like clean sweat and sin, honeysuckle and her own unique spice. The combination was drugging. Addictive. Rick knew he’d forever crave her, forever need her.
Finally, when he could stand the temptation no longer, Rick pulled away, crawling up her body to lay on top of her once more. His cock found the folds of her cunt and nestled there, sliding up and down, rubbing her clit with every slow glide as he helplessly thrust against her.
Thankfully, he’d remembered the condom in his pants pocket when he’d shed them. The little packet lay on her nightstand and he reached for it now. Ripping it open, he sheathed himself before guiding his cock to her entrance. He didn’t get to savor the feel of a slow, prolonged entrance because Laura thrust her hips at him, impaling herself on his thick length. They both cried out, and Rick slid from reality into the most sensual, dreamlike pleasure he’d ever known.
***
Had sex ever been like this? Had anything ever felt so damned good? Laura could never remember having a lover who was so intent on her before. Rick seemed to be unable to get enough of her. His touch was masterful as he stroked her body to a fevered pitch before he readied himself to enter her. By that time, Laura was helpless to do anything but force him into her body. She needed this so badly!
Rick filled her completely. The pleasure bordered on pain, and he hadn’t even moved yet. Arms wrapped tightly around her, he gripped her ass in one hand, her shoulder in the other. His embrace was so tight, she could barely breathe, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. He held her like she belonged to him. Like she was the most important person in his world.
The feel of his lips on her neck and ear sent shivers coursing through her body straight to her cunt. She knew she gripped his shaft, her body out of control with pleasure, trying to see to his in the only way she could. Laura wrapped her legs around him securely, holding him to her as tightly as he held her. The need—both emotional and physical—consumed Laura. In that moment, she knew she’d lost herself completely in this wonderful man. She’d vowed never to put herself in a position where another man could hurt her again, but it was too late. Laura was completely in love with Rick Carver.
As the realization vibrated throughout her consciousness, the spasms of her impending orgasm began to pulse just as ruthlessly throughout her body. Too far gone to fight, too stunned to try, Laura let the pleasure overtake her. As she cried his name, she clung to Rick, needing his strength like she needed to breathe.
“That’s it, baby,” he whispered. “Come for me.”
“Oh, God! Rick!” Her cry was nearly a sob as she came around him, clinging, needing…loving. The words "I love you," nearly slipped from her lips, but she held them back, determined to hold something of herself apart from him as self-preservation demanded.
His pace quickened with her orgasm, as if he’d been holding himself back, denying his own pleasure until he saw to hers. Tears threatened, but she held them back. Laura had never felt this cherished. There had been times she’d never come during sex, times she’d been on the verge only to be left wanting and frustrated. Not so with Rick. He’d made sure she’d been satisfied. Thoroughly.
“Please, Rick,” she whispered when the wave began to crest again. “Come with me this time.”
His hoarse groans and frantic thrusting was her only response. Hips pumping, breaths coming in ragged pants, Rick did as she asked. When she screamed her pleasure, Rick followed with his own shout of completion. But that was all Laura registered as spasms seized her from the middle, making her entire body tingle down to her toes. Her vision narrowed to focus only on Rick, blackness tingeing the edges, little pinpoints of light surrounding them both as she pushed through her orgasm.
For long moments, neither of them moved, their breath coming in ragged pants. Rick covered her body with his completely, still imbedded snugly inside her even though his cock had softened slightly with his release. When he made to move, Laura tightened her arms and legs around him, letting him know she liked the feel of him on top of her.
“I’m too heavy for you, baby.”
“No,” she whimpered. “Stay.”
He hesitated, tensed as if he would roll off her anyway. Then he settled himself so that he took at least some of his weight on his arms, obviously still seeking her comfort.
As a post-orgasmic lethargy settled in, Laura’s eyelids grew heavy. She kissed his shoulder as sh
e felt herself drifting off to sleep. “Never let me go…” She wasn’t sure if she’d actually spoken the words or not, but just before she let sleep have her, his words echoed in her mind.
“Just try and make me.”
Chapter Ten
The flight to Arlington, Texas was uneventful. Well, almost. Somehow, Rick had managed to induct Laura into the “Mile High” Club. Laura was still not quite sure how she’d managed to look the stewardess in the eye after they’d come out of the tiny bathroom, but, thankfully, the woman didn’t let on like she’d known anything was amiss.
Rick held her hand the entire time they were on the plane, grinning like a loon at anyone who acknowledged their intimacy. Laura was surprised at how good it felt. In all the years of her marriage, had Carl ever made any kind of public display of affection? She’d expected to feel uncomfortable, especially around his family, but the rowdy bunch had treated her like she had been a part of them for years. Rick’s mother, Vivian, had given her a big hug, sharing her excitement about the game.
The entire family, including the very pregnant Melanie, her husband, Chase, and their adopted daughter, Abigail, filed into the stadium. All of them were decked out on Kentucky blue. Rick’s brothers had loaded up little Abigail with more Wildcat memorabilia than any four people needed, including the mandatory foam finger, but the little girl was bouncing up and down in her excitement.
“Who’s got the popcorn?” Abigail’s question was asked around a mouth full of hotdog.
“You’ve got more junk food than you’re allowed in a whole week. Don’t push it,” Melanie said, grinning.
“But I’ve gotta have popcorn!”
“I’ve got it,” Leland, Rick’s dad, gamely offered. “And don’t worry about the junk food. This is a special occasion.” The older man winked at Abigail, who tried to return his wink only to close both eyes while scrunching up one side of her face.
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