“Tess!” When her hands went to the top button of his shirt, he knew she was going to drive him absolutely crazy. The only good thing was that they weren’t far from the house now. At least he wouldn’t be completely undone before they got there.
Maybe…
“I can’t help it, Paris,” she murmured, running her lips over his ear and neck. The scent of his cologne was making her absolutely nuts.
The need for him was growing.
“It would be nice to get home alive, Tessie,” he replied, groaning as her lips did incredibly wicked things with his earlobe. The woman beside him had a magic mouth.
“Mmmm hmmmm,” was her only reply, as her hands began wandering next.
“Baby, you’re driving me crazy,” he admitted, as he finally pulled the FBI vehicle into their driveway. Thank God that they made it in one piece. With her mouth running rampant all over his neck, he had very little ability to focus on not getting them killed.
“Let’s get inside,” she stated, pushing her door open.
Tessa didn't have to tell him twice. He was at her side incredibly fast, dragging her toward their home. At the door, he dug for the key, only to have her hands circle his waist and find the top button to his dress pants.
“Baby!” he practically shouted, as her fingers did wicked things to his already tight body. “The people next door!”
It was too late. Tessa was already focused on the man before her. The last thing she was worried about, were the nosey neighbors watching her molest her sexy boyfriend. “Let them watch,” she replied, going back to the task at hand. Now, her one and only priority was getting her sexy FBI partner out of his suit and onto the couch.
Once inside, he slammed the door and pulled her against his body. Their mouths crashed together in a frenzy as hands began tearing clothes out of the way.
This was how it always was with Tessa. She made him crazy, pulling the lust from his body. When she touched him, all he wanted to do was spend hours buried in her.
“I want you,” she muttered, finally getting him out of his pants. Now, the prize was within reach. When her hand found him, Paris shook at her touch.
It added fuel to her fire. Now, she wanted more and more.
“Tessa,” he whispered, as he yanked her shirt off her body, revealing his treasure beneath. She was soft, silky, and his. Running his hands over the soft swells of her breasts, he wanted to dive in and never surface again. When she dropped to her knees in front of him and took him in her eager mouth, he had to lean back against the door to not collapse on the floor.
She focused on the task at hand, and how much she loved doing it. Tasting and feeling him between her lips was an amazing sensation. His moans, groans, and shaking made her wild and insanely hot.
She had it bad, and hoped it never stopped.
When his hands found her hair, he held on. Tessa was in her glory, ready to take them for an out of control ride. As she worked him fast and furiously, his body vibrated in sync to the motion of her mouth.
There were times that Tessa couldn’t believe Paris was all hers. When they came together, their hearts became one as he became imprinted on her soul. So, this was what it felt like to be totally whole and complete.
Before him, she never loved like this.
She couldn’t fathom it.
As she continued her frenetic feasting, Paris moaned in absolute bliss. He would give her anything that she asked for in that moment.
Want his soul? She could have it.
His heart? It was already hers.
“If you don’t stop, I’m done,” he muttered, knowing he was super close to the precipice. The night was just beginning, and what he wanted was to roll around with the woman he adored.
Cherished.
Loved.
Holy shit! He was lost forever. Here was his other half.
Tessa was yanked to her feet, and she stared into his passion filled eyes. They told the tale, and she was enthralled.
“It’s my turn, Tessie,” he whispered, slowing it down. He moved around her body, slowly caressing her skin with gentle fingertips, as she shook.
Here’s where they were different. Tessa was a flame, burning hot, and he was the calm breeze. He liked to slide gently across her curves.
Together, they offered balance.
“Paris,” she murmured, as he led her to the couch. When he touched her, it felt like her heart would overfill, spilling all around her.
“I love how you taste, Tess,” he said, running his lips over her shoulders and across her back. “You’re so silky and smooth, it’s like touching heaven.”
His words had the same effect as always.
They undid her.
“Paris,” she purred, as he touched her in all the right places. With him, there could only be perfection. “I never want this to end,” she admitted, offering him the rest of her heart.
When he kissed her, she fell into it.
“It won’t end, Tess,” he promised, breaking away.
Before she could speak, his hands were once more tracing her flesh, down her belly, and to the button of her pants. When he had it opened, they fell away, revealing the rest of her body.
“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, running his hands over his girlfriend as he took his glasses off and tossed them onto the table.
“Paris,” she began, her heart stolen by his words.
“I want to make love to you,” he added, lowering her down to the couch. When he placed his larger body over hers, she shook in need. Part of her believed he did it on purpose, to make her want him that much more. The words untied all the knots and doubts in life and bound her to him even more.
If that was possible.
Tugging her panties down her body, he began exploring with eager lips. The trail he traced down her torso was only leading him to the ultimate prize.
“Paris,” she gasped, as his fingers found her first and gently sent shivers through her body.
“I want all of you, Tessie,” he stated, kissing her intimately. At the contact, she arched into his body, needing so much more. Paris forced himself to go slow. Achingly slow, in fact. For the next few minutes, he wanted her to feel everything that lived inside him for her.
With tongue and teeth, he teased her to release.
When she shook and shattered, his heart was lost even more.
Slipping up her body, he gave her time to refocus on him. When her eerie green eyes opened and stared into his, he wanted to hand her his soul.
“More, Paris,” she murmured, pushing him back to straddle his lap. “I want to feel you buried deep in me,” Tessa stated.
The words drove him insane. “Yes,” he hissed, as she took him into her body. The hot, silky slide nearly caused him to tumble from the edge. He was so close, and release called to him.
She called to him and always would.
Tessa focused on his pleasure and began the ride. His hands went to her hips as he lovingly stared into her face.
“I love the way you feel in me,” she admitted.
“Tessa,” he began, so very close to falling. He could feel her gripping his body and knew she was close too.
As she continued the ride, she knew it was time. “Paris,” she murmured, never looking away. “I love you.”
He heard it, and it caused his heart to stutter in his chest.
“Oh God, Tessa,” he said, as she slid down his erection one last time. It shoved him over the edge, and they both tumbled together. Colors collided, and they slipped into perfection as one.
Slowly, he began to surface. Before he could open his eyes, he needed to know. “Did you mean it, Tessie?” he whispered, praying that she didn't just say it in the heat of the moment.
His heart wouldn’t be able to take it if she took it back.
“Yes, Paris. I love you with my whole heart. I’ll love you for the rest of my life,” she whispered.
He didn't speak.
Tessa was a little nervous, since she
didn't know if what she felt would be reciprocated. After all, here was a man who took forever to decide on glasses or contacts.
Opening his eyes, he stared into hers. “I love you too, Tessie. I can’t live a day without you.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“You’re the one I've searched for to complete me. You’re my future.”
Fat wet tears slid down her face. In a life filled with so much hurt, she’d finally found her reward.
“Paris,” she murmured, bringing her lips to his, as he wiped tears from her cheeks with his thumbs.
“Forever, Tessa. I promise that no matter what, you’re the only woman who will ever own my heart.”
For the first time in her life, she believed in someone.
And it was worth all the struggles to get there.
* * *
He knocked on the door, not quite sure what he’d encounter. All he knew was that his partner was off his game. Greyson Croft didn't get to be a director by chance. Years in the military and FBI, had made him really good at reading people. He could tell that Curtis Briggs was not himself.
Now, it was his job to figure out why and fix it.
It was the least he could do.
“Who is it?” came the voice.
“It’s a Girl Scout. I’m selling cookies and wanted you to buy some. Who do you think it is, Curtis?”
The door opened, and there stood a man swathed in misery and a jacket, as he planned his escape. Yeah, this was worse than he thought.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“Yeah, why?” He hated the icy snap of betrayal in his voice, especially since he knew it wasn’t anyone’s fault. He was born without a family, and now he was being dumped again.
Croft lifted his eyebrow. Generally, his partner wasn’t hostile. There wasn’t a mean bone in the man’s body. In fact, he was the kindest person he knew, besides Emma.
“Can I talk to you?” he asked, waiting to be invited in.
“Sure, it’s your place,” he answered, heading into the room. Well, if he wanted to sneak out, now that wasn’t happening. Who knew the boss man would show up at his door as he was packing up his things?
Croft took it all in, from the open suitcase and closet to his comic books lovingly being stored in a box. Yeah, a frontal attack wasn’t going to work, so he went a different route. Hitting this head on wouldn’t be the best option.
“I wanted to talk to you about today.”
“Okay, so shoot,” he said, sitting on the bed.
There was no eye contact, and that said a lot. “Do you know what I was feeling today, when I felt that bullet tear by my throat?” he asked, placing his hand over the bandage?
“Afraid?” Curtis guessed.
“No.”
He glanced up. “No?”
Croft shook his head. “I wasn’t afraid because of one reason, and you’re it.”
Briggs didn't get it at all. This was one hell of a confusing conversation. “What did I have to do with it?”
Croft sat not far away from him, dropping his elbows to his knees. “I’ve see a lot, Curtis. I’ve fought in wars, killed, and done things I’m not proud of in my life. Then, I came home and found love. Today, if I would have lost my life, I wasn’t afraid. I knew if it was my time, you would have stepped in for me and picked up where I left off. I knew that if I died, Emma would be safe with you. I don’t trust many people, but in that one minute, I was at peace. You gave that to me, and I’ll never be able to repay it.”
Briggs glanced over at him.
“I’ve seen the worst side of humanity, and it’s damaged me. Yet, just when I believed that humanity isn't redeemable, you came into my life. When you became my partner, I was irritated. I didn't want some bright-eyed optimist driving me bat shit insane every day at work. I wanted to work, die on the job, and call it a day. Instead, you gave me hope.”
He stared at him, because Greyson was opening up to him, and that never happened.
Ever!
“You’re a good, kind man, Curtis, and one who I’m grateful to have in my life. Today, if I went down, I could meet my maker knowing that Emma would be kept safe, loved, and helped through this. I didn't pick Dante for the job, or my parents. I picked you. So, while you may not be related to me by blood, born into my family, you’re even more special.”
Curtis didn't have words.
“I picked you, son, and that means more than being handed something. While Dante looks like me and heaven help us, behaves like I used to, you’re still my family, and I’m proud to call you my brother.”
Emotion filled him.
“I don’t want you to leave our home, but if you feel that’s what you need to do in order to be happy, then I support you. I want you to know that we’ll miss you, but the offer stands. You can always come home and have a place here, if you want it.”
With that, Croft headed to the door. “Now, I’m going to go smoke on the balcony.” He pulled the two cigars out of his pocket and tossed one to the man sitting on the bed. “Thank you for today, Curtis. I’ll never forget it as long as I live.”
With that, he was gone.
Briggs sat there, staring at the cigar in his hand, and his heart pounded in his chest.
He didn't know what to think, since all he could do was feel.
Greyson Croft stood outside, overlooking all the lights of the city. It was one hell of a view, and he didn't take nearly enough time to enjoy it. As he clipped his cigar and lit it, he heard the telltale footsteps approaching. Holding out the clippers and Zippo, he stared ahead into the night.
“Thanks, boss man,” stated Curtis.
He didn't look over. “The men I consider my brothers call me Grey. Use it.”
It touched his heart. Together, they stood with their arms braced on the balcony as they smoked Cuban cigars. It didn't take long for more footsteps to be heard, along with the clanking of ice.
“Here you go,” Emma said, taking her place between both men as she handed them each a glass of bourbon. Her hand went to each of their backs, connecting them.
No one spoke.
Instead, they simply enjoyed the night.
And the camaraderie of family.
~ Chapter Five ~
Wednesday Morning
Morning came way too fast, or maybe that was because the previous day was so damn long. After having bourbon and cigars on the balcony, they all retired to their rooms and fell heavily into sleep.
You know it was a rough day, when Greyson couldn’t muster enough energy to roll around with his wife. The events had worn him down, and from how fast Emma had fallen asleep, he wasn’t the only one.
Now, it was another day, and as usual, crime and death in Vegas had their full attention. In fact, the looming poker game wasn’t exactly cheering him up. Was it so wrong to just have a normal night at home for a change?
Yeah, he knew that answer to that.
Standing in the kitchen, Emma pulled a pan of muffins out of the oven and carefully placed them on a plate.
“I don’t know how you do it,” her husband stated, sipping his coffee.
She glanced over at him. “What?”
“We had four hours of sleep, and you’re wide awake, making us breakfast. I’d be tossing a box of cereal at everyone, all while scowling.”
She placed a fresh muffin on a plate for him. “I like making my husband breakfast.” Placing a kiss on his cheek, she headed back into the kitchen to dig around in the refrigerator. Pulling out a butter dish, she held it in her hand. “Under no circumstance are you to grab this, take a bite out of it, or rub it all over you,” she stated in warning.
He stared at her, finally getting it and breaking out into laughter. “Am I that far gone, Emma, that I need a butter warning?”
She snorted just as Curtis wandered into the kitchen. “Hot damn! Muffins!”
“And here’s your butter babysitter now,” she added, handing the younger man the dish. “Guard that with your lif
e,” she ordered, accepting the kiss to the top her head from the agent.
“On it, Mom.”
Croft snorted. “This is like taking candy from a baby, Emma my sweet,” he said, staring at Curtis. “This isn't even a challenge, but I give you credit for trying.”
“No way, Grey. She makes me muffins,” he replied, holding the dish behind his back. “I have to have allegiance to the woman who offers me home cooked food.”
“Do you want to work in the field today, or behind a desk running numbers, Agent Briggs?” he asked, lifting a brow.
Within seconds, the butter dish slid across the table and stopped right in front of his boss.
“CURTIS!”
The man shrugged. “He’s mean. You’ll forgive, me and he won’t. What’s a little cholesterol between family?”
What could she do but laugh? It was better to have her husband eating butter, than everyone being tense and unhappy. She was just glad the men in her life were at peace once more.
Dante wandered in, yawning. As he stood there in his boxers, Croft stared at him.
“What?” the younger Croft asked, looking around.
“Uh, we dress for breakfast in this house,” he stated, pointing out that his brother wasn’t exactly clothed. “At least jeans.”
He winked at Emma, snagging a muffin she tossed to him. Taking a seat, he shrugged. “If she’s seen one Croft naked, she’s seen ‘em all.”
Briggs began choking.
Emma slapped him on the back, and couldn’t help but giggle herself.
Greyson stared at his brother. “Can you get a few more tattoos on your body?” he asked, ignoring his comment. “Are you trying to prove a point, or be a pincushion?”
Dante stared down as he ran his hand over the large one on his arm. It was tribal and it reminded him of his time served in hell, also known as war. “I like them, and what are you, my mom?”
Emma slid a dish and the butter over to him. When he was close enough, she left a kiss on his cheek. “Don’t worry, Dante. Babes dig tattoos. Well, at least this one does,” she offered.
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