The Surprise

by Alice Ward

  “You like it?” I asked, finally breaking the silence that was growing awkward.

  “I love it,” he corrected and shoveled in another mouthful. “It’s delicious.”

  “Thank you.”

  Then the silence stretched again, and I didn’t know how to break it in a way that didn’t seem forced or unnatural. I tried to keep the conversation going, but Talen seemed far away. He would answer me, but then the conversation would fade again. Part of me wondered if he was mad at me, but he didn’t seem angry. If anything, he seemed sad. He looked to be thinking about something the entire night. I wanted to ask him about it, but I didn’t think he would tell me.

  “Excuse me,” I said and stood, preparing to use the bathroom.

  “Where are you going?” The words shot out of him like a bullet, his eyes frantic as he stood too.

  He cared.

  Even if I couldn’t believe it before, I believed it then. It was clearly written on his face. He was afraid I was leaving him.

  I gave him a gentle smile, touched beyond measure. “I’ll be right back. Promise.”

  Looking embarrassed, he began to gather our dirty dishes and take them into the kitchen. I finished in the bathroom and stood in the kitchen’s doorway, just watching him as he did the simple domestic chore. He was so beautiful and moved with a purposeful grace that was so attractive.

  Before I could stop myself, I stepped toward him. I moved right behind him and kissed the back of his neck lightly. His entire body went rigid, and his hands froze in the sink. I couldn’t tell if I’d made a mistake, but I kept going. I slid my hands under his shirt, rubbing my fingers up the skin on his back. He shivered at my touch, and I could hear his breathing become unsteady.

  When he turned to face me, his eyes were dark as they searched my face. When he kissed me, it was fierce and full of desire. I’d spent days wanting him inside of me. We groped at each other’s bodies while we kissed, our tongues twining together in a sensual dance. I moved my hands under his shirt, explored the muscles of his chest again. He felt so good that I moaned against his mouth. The sound seemed to awaken him even more.

  Talen groaned and pulled me closer to him. He gripped my ass in a vice-like grip, moving his lips down to kiss my neck. I gasped for breath, my entire body alive with desire. His tongue tasted the skin on my neck, and I trembled uncontrollably. Every inch of my skin was on fire as he touched me.

  I grabbed at his body, desperate to touch every inch of him that I could. His scent filled my brain, overwhelming me as he kissed my lips again. I tangled my fingers in his hair, kissing him back harder than ever.

  His hands were still on my ass as we kissed. He slid them down until he lifted me off my feet. I wrapped my legs around his waist and held onto his neck. His hands rested beneath me, holding me up. Our kiss deepened even more, our tongues fighting against each other. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t feel anything other than Talen’s body pressed tightly against my own. I wanted him more than I’d ever wanted anyone in my entire life.

  When he sat me down on the kitchen island, I was no longer confused about my feelings. This was what I’d been waiting for. The chance to be with Talen again, the chance to feel his skin and kiss his lips. In that moment, everything became clear.

  CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

  Talen

  I never wanted to stop kissing Dani. My wife. The woman who had chipped away the ice surrounding my heart. The woman I’d be forced to let go after tomorrow.

  The very thought caused me to hold her tighter, kiss her harder so that my mouth was too busy to beg her to stay.

  With her legs wrapped around me as she sat on the enormous slab of granite, I wanted her. Craved her. Worse… I needed her in a way I wasn’t prepared to examine.

  I felt her in every inch of my body. She had awakened a hunger inside of me that I didn’t know was there. Her absence in the past few days had been torturous, and now that she was back, I wanted her… now.

  Dani broke our kiss just long enough to pull my shirt over my head. She threw it to the floor and then removed her own. I slid my hand around her back and unhooked her bra, needing to feel her skin. When her breasts were finally exposed, I growled a sound that revealed my desperation and kissed her neck, breathing in her scent. I licked my way down to her breasts, teasing each nipple with my tongue. Dani leaned back on the counter, giving me more access. Her legs clenched around me, and I knew she craved me too. I licked, bit, and kissed her skin, trying to cover and memorize every inch. I couldn’t get enough of the way she tasted. My erection pressed against my sweats, and I hated the barrier between us.

  Like she’d read my mind, Dani reached between us and pushed my pants down to my ankles, my boxers sliding down with them. I kicked them away, and her eyes trailed down my naked body, her nostrils flaring with desire. I watched her while she looked at me, and I never felt sexier in my life. When our eyes met again, she grinned mischievously and pulled me against her. Our chests were pressed together while she kissed me in that way that made me forget everything.

  Her hand slid down to my cock, and she took it in her fist, slowly stroking me from tip to root. Her hand moved up and down, and I grew unbelievably harder with each stroke.

  “I need you,” I said, breaking my lips away only long enough to say the words.

  From her reaction, she needed me too.

  In a flurry of movement, Dani’s jeans were unbuttoned and down her legs, the white silk panties following quickly behind them. And there she was, fully exposed to me, her glistening sex opening like a flower as I pushed her legs apart.

  “God, you’re gorgeous,” I breathed as I opened her farther and stood back to drink her in, memorizing every glorious curve of her body. The jut of her hipbones, her swollen breasts and the dusky nipples pulled tight in arousal. The creamy expanse of her belly, all the way down to her pink pussy lips. She was beautiful. She was mine.

  “Please. I want you,” she said as I pulled her to the edge of the counter.

  She arched up, whimpering, waiting as I kissed a circle around her navel before trailing my tongue down to her hip, her thigh, then… there. With the flat of my tongue, I licked her, opening her in one long stroke.

  She cried out my name, her hands clutching my hair as I circled her clit before stroking back down. Her scent, her taste drove me to the brink of insanity as I plunged my tongue inside of her, stroking as deep as I could reach.

  I wanted her to feel me for days, always remember this moment. Always remember me.

  I blew on her sex and she arched again as the cool burst of breath was followed by my hot tongue. “Is this what you want, Dani?” I said, letting her feel the vibration of my words on her sweet pussy lips. “You want me to eat you all night long? Feast on your flesh?” I raked my teeth over her clit. “Or do you want me to fuck you hard? Maybe slow.” I slid two fingers inside her, twisting my fingers until I found the rough patch inside her. “Make you explode with my fingers?”

  “Yes,” she gasped, her internal muscles squeezing my fingers as I worked on her clit with my tongue.

  “Tell me, Dani.” I stroked that spot, watched her face contort with the agony of pleasure. “Tell me what you want.”

  “You,” she gasped, the word shooting from her like a bullet. “All. Everything.”

  I gave her all. I gave her everything. Stroking and licking and sucking until she exploded, trembling so violently I wrapped an arm around her leg to hold her down.

  I wanted more. I wanted to feel her shatter again. I wanted… damn, I wanted everything too.

  Her skin was feverishly hot as I ran my fingertips up and down her side, cupping the underside of her breast and squeezing while my mouth brought her to a second climax. Then I could wait no more. I stood and pulled her up until she was sitting, her hands in my hair as I kissed her mouth, felt her lick her taste from my lips.

  I needed her.

  With a desperation I rarely felt for anything, I pulled her t
o the edge, felt her legs wrap around my waist and then my cock was inside her, enveloped in her hot heat. Being inside her calmed me, and my frantic movements slowed and became more deliberate. This was what I wanted.

  Dani.

  Wrapped around me, her lips on mine, her fingers in my hair, her breasts heaving against my chest.

  Home.

  I withdrew slowly, feeling her pussy grasp and cling to my cock.

  I tasted her tears before I even knew she was crying, and then I was nearly crying too. Me, the iceman, was filled with so much emotion I wasn’t sure where it came from or how to let it go.

  It was terrifying. It was freeing. Maybe I was human after all. Maybe I could feel after all. Maybe…

  As we moved together, my body rocking in and out of hers, I memorized everything about this moment. Tucked it deep inside me where no one else could see.

  “Talen…”

  She was close again. I felt the tightening of her body, the mask of agony on her face, and pumped harder, wanting to give her everything she needed.

  She whimpered. The little sound I loved.

  Her eyes were locked on my face, her mouth open in pleasure. She whimpered while I took her harder and harder, driving her toward the edge, then watched her fly as she wailed and trembled through another orgasm.

  Going slower now, I rocked my hips, moving in and out of her. My fingers were still working on her clit, and she moaned desperately for me. I could have lived in this moment forever. My physical pleasure was matched only by how glad I was to be with her. She was amazing in every way.

  Just when I thought I might need to be gentler, she wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me to her.

  “Harder,” she demanded in my ear, her breath coming out in hot pants. “Harder, Talen. Harder.”

  I obeyed. My body was on fire. She was so wet, and I slid in and out of her with just the right amount of friction to increase the sensation. My thrusts grew harder, more urgent.

  “God yes,” she moaned against my lips, my cheek, my neck. “Oh god. Please don’t stop.”

  I pushed her hair back from her face and looked into her eyes. “Trust me, baby, I won’t.”

  She came, her internal muscles milking my cock, like she was urging me to release. And fuck it all. I did.

  I came with a roar, my body shaking with the force of it, and it was all I could do to hold myself upright as I unloaded into her. It was so intense, nothing like I’d ever felt before. She held me tighter, sobbing, our bodies slick with sweat as we held each other. I took in a deep gulp of air. Somewhere along the line, I’d forgotten to breathe.

  When I finally slid out of her, she stayed pressed against me, her fingers gripping and ungripping my back. She smiled softly and kissed me. The kiss was gentle, filled with so much meaning. My heart ached when she pulled away from me. Eager, I pulled her back against my chest. I kissed her again, just as soft. In that kiss, I tried to pour every emotion I felt for her. I tried to convey all the things I couldn’t say.

  “That was amazing,” she whispered when we broke the kiss.

  “It really was,” I agreed with a soft laugh. “I definitely did not see that coming.”

  She pushed my hair back from my forehead. “Well, tonight was supposed to be special.”

  “Right.” I cleared my throat. “A goodbye of sorts.”

  Her eyes fell away and she sighed. “Yeah.”

  Then those beautiful eyes lifted again, searched mine, and I knew what she was looking for. She wanted me to say assure her that this wasn’t goodbye. She wanted me to say we would still see each other after the annulment was finalized. She was hoping I would admit to being in love with her and make all her dreams come true. I could feel it. Feel the hope. The desperation.

  Part of me wanted to say all those things. I wanted to give her exactly what she wanted, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t promise her anything when I didn’t know what the future held. Didn’t understand the person I was becoming. Didn’t know if it would last.

  We gazed at each other for what felt like hours. For the first time, I didn’t have the desire to look at her body. My eyes were fixated on hers, and I couldn’t bear the thought of looking away. Everything she felt was hidden behind those eyes, and I was desperate to find out the truth. As much as she wanted me to admit my feelings for her, I wanted her to do the same for me. I would have given anything for her to wrap her arms around me and tell me she loved me.

  I knew that wouldn’t happen. Dani broke our stare and turned to search for her clothes. I watched as she got dressed, not at all driven by sexual desire any longer. Dani still looked gorgeous, and my body would always react to hers, but I didn’t want her that way right then. I didn’t want to have sex with her again. Not then. Not yet. All I wanted to do was watch her closely and memorize her every move. Soon, she would be gone, and I would be left with nothing but my memories of her.

  Once Dani was dressed, I felt awkward being naked. I grabbed my sweats and quickly pulled them back on. We were both dressed now, and there was no longer any reason for us to linger in the kitchen. I cleared my throat and glanced at her nervously. It was late, and we had a big day coming up. The meeting tomorrow morning meant everything. We couldn’t afford to mess it up. I knew we both needed sleep, but I wasn’t ready to be away from her. The thought of her once again disappearing into the guest room made my skin crawl with discomfort. I needed her with me. Just a little longer.

  “Well,” Dani said. Her voice was soft, nervous. “I guess we should get to bed. We have a big day tomorrow.”

  “Yeah.” I nodded. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

  Dani licked her lips, her eyes meeting mine again. It was like she was waiting for me to say something, but I didn’t know what she wanted to hear. I could tell from the way her eyes searched my face that she was trying to read me. There wasn’t anything to read. The only thing I felt was a desperate desire to stay near her and a confusion I could not work through.

  “Okay,” she said, finally looking away from me. “Well, I guess I’ll see you in the morning?”

  “Yeah,” I said because no other words would come. “Yeah, sure. See you in the morning.”

  A flash of disappointment crossed her features as she turned to walk away. I watched her cross the living room, her hips swaying side to side. She wasn’t moving quickly, but it felt like she was running. With each step she took, my heart ached that much more. The idea of her leaving my sight was heartbreaking in a torturous way. I couldn’t stand it.

  “Dani,” I said suddenly. She was just about to reach the hallway. At the sound of my voice, she turned around slowly and frowned. It was a minute before I could find my voice again. “Why don’t you sleep with me tonight?”

  She licked her lips again. “What?”

  “It’s just…” I blew out a breath. “Our last night together and all. You should spend the night with me, not in the guest room.”

  Her fingers twisted together. “Are you sure?”

  “If you want to,” I said softly. I watched her closely, scared to tear my eyes away from her face. Part of me was convinced that she would disappear if I couldn’t see her clearly.

  “Sure,” Dani said with a shy smile. “I can do that.”

  I sighed with relief as Dani walked back toward me. I took her hand in mine and led her to my bedroom. Her hand felt soft and comforting, and I never wanted to let it go. I remembered the way it felt on the helicopter, and I smiled to myself.

  We stepped into my bedroom, and I didn’t bother turning on the light. It was late, and we both just wanted to sleep. Dani climbed under the covers, and I followed behind her. We settled against each other, my arm wrapping tightly around Dani’s body. She held my hand and rested her head on the pillow.

  She fit perfectly against me, like a puzzle piece I’d been searching for to complete the picture of my life. For weeks, I hadn’t been able to sleep well. All the stress of my father’s demands and of my situation with Dan
i was killing me. That night though, I fell asleep quickly and easily.

  As darkness claimed me, I knew I didn’t want her to leave. But she would. I knew that too.

  My mother loved me, and she always left. Why would Dani be any different?

  CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

  Dani

  Morning came too soon. I woke up with Talen’s arms wrapped protectively around me. I held his hand in one of mine, our fingers interlaced perfectly. This was the exact position we were in when we fell asleep. I smiled to myself and closed my eyes. I wasn’t ready for the day to begin. It was Monday. The day we were scheduled to meet with the dreaded investors. The second we crawled out of bed, everything would change, and I wasn’t ready for that to happen. After last night, I wanted just a few more minutes with Talen.

  I squeezed his hand tighter in mine and nestled myself against him. He stirred in his sleep, and I immediately regretted my movement. I froze, silently praying that he wouldn’t wake up. The alarm on his phone hadn’t yet gone off, so I knew we had time. He moved again, but I could tell he wasn’t quite awake. His motions were slow and lazy as he gripped me tighter. I felt him bury his face in my hair, and I smiled again. Everything about our embrace felt right. Safe.

  As I laid in his arms, I remembered similar mornings with Perry. Even in the beginning of our relationship, Perry and I never snuggled all night. He would hold me sometimes, right after sex, but as he fell asleep, he always rolled away from me. When I was finally brave enough to ask him why, he just said he slept better unencumbered. At the time, I thought it made sense, but looking back, I realized he was just making an excuse. There was so much wrong with our relationship from day one, and I never realized it. With Talen, things were different. Better. And so much worse.

  The knowledge that we wouldn’t have another moment like this made my heart ache painfully. As much as I went along with the idea that last night was truly our last, I’d been hoping it wouldn’t be. I secretly wished that Talen would admit his feelings for me, and we would stay together for a while longer. I never imagined we would stay married, that would have been crazy, but I hoped we could at least date. Getting to know him had been life-altering, and I wasn’t ready to stop. There was so much we still didn’t know about each other, so many secrets left untold. I wanted to know everything about Talen.