Then He Came Back (Love From Austin Book 2)

by Chris Campillo

  Chapter 31

  Sue stared out the window, gazing at the snow-covered trees. Thank God, they were so calming. It was eleven in the morning, and she was tempted to start drinking. She probably would have if she wasn’t concerned that Patty and Noah would come home early from Patty’s mother-in-law’s.

  At least she was finally alone. She’d handled all kinds of crap in her life, could put on a face that wouldn’t crack no matter what the big dogs did, but this morning, when everyone had gathered around the breakfast table, she’d almost snapped.

  She couldn’t face anyone. Even when talking to Wes, she barely made eye contact, worried that he’d notice something was up. Good Lord, what if he’d gotten up last night? You stupid, stupid girl.

  And Patty? That woman needed to work for Homeland Security. Sue had no doubt Trey’s sister sensed something. She caught the woman studying Trey, then she turned to her before she could look away. Patty smiled at her, then winked. Sue couldn’t even pretend to eat at that point.

  Trey was the worst. He didn’t seem the least bit troubled by their reckless actions the night before. All morning, he repeatedly tried to engage her in conversation, asking all kinds of meaningless questions. She was polite and responded, not wanting to bring attention to them, but she stared at his forehead the entire time. The one time she made eye contact, his dark eyes sent her pulse racing. She wasn’t sure if it was from anger, embarrassment, or desire. Maybe all three.

  And it didn’t help that every time she turned around he had his hands on her. Oh, he was sly about it. Nothing anyone would notice—well, maybe Agent Patty. To everyone else, it probably looked like a friendly squeeze on the shoulder, a light touch to the back when passing one another in the kitchen. No one knew his touch lingered longer than necessary, that it sizzled.

  She shook the memories from her body and turned her attention back to the trees. She’d begged out of skiing, telling everyone she had to work. That was the truth; she had an extensive proposal for the Hensen project due next week, but she’d known she wouldn’t be able to work. Hell, she didn’t even trust herself to send an email to the staff. Her mind was screwed and her body wanted to be.

  What the hell had happened last night? How had she gone from heartbroken to horny in the flip of a dime? Trey Harrison. Damn. She flushed just thinking about the feel of his body on hers.

  But it had been more than the chemistry they’d always shared. When he’d told her he was grateful for all she’d done in raising Wes, recognized what it had taken, acknowledged the mistake he’d made, her heart had cracked, letting in feelings for the man. Dangerous feelings she shouldn’t have.

  She rolled her head from shoulder to shoulder, trying to work out the kinks. The stupidity. The whole idea was ridiculous. She wouldn’t waste another minute going down that path. It was easier to blame it on her body. It’d been a long time since she’d been with a man.

  Maybe she should reconsider Richard Tyler. Their one date had been pleasant. Nothing special enough to make her want to kiss the man. But he had invited her to a fundraiser next week. Maybe the second date would go better. Maybe she’d find him undeniably appealing and kiss him. Maybe there’d be blistering heat. Like with Trey. She groaned and threw herself on the couch.

  She jumped when the front door opened. Patty wasn’t supposed to be back until three. Shit. Being alone with the princess of inquiring minds was the last thing she needed. Maybe she could run into Emma’s room, before Patty saw her, and pretend to be taking a nap. She tiptoed across the great room only to find Trey standing in the foyer. Oh, shit.

  His gaze burned, and despite all logic, she stayed put, letting his heat wash over her. Those dark eyes made it clear why he was back. They moved over her body, and damn if she didn’t respond, letting out a soft moan.

  “You’re supposed to be skiing with Wes.” She crossed her arms and tried to put on an indifferent face.

  He headed toward her. “I forgot my boots.”

  “No, you didn’t.” She had to stop this. She wasn’t some animal. “I saw you carrying them when you left.” She fought the urge to back away as he advanced.

  He took off his coat and threw it on the couch, never taking his eyes off her. “I forgot my boots.”

  “Whatever.” She stiffened her shaky legs and headed back to her laptop on the kitchen bar. “Get them and go. I have work to do.” She sat down and stared at the screen, not seeing a thing, but desperately trying to get her brain out of her panties.

  “You’re going to take a break.” He flipped down the screen and spun her around, then stepped so close, her legs were trapped between his powerful thighs. Her breath caught, but she quickly recovered. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but I can tell you right now—”

  “We’re finishing what we started.”

  Who is this man, coming in here all Neanderthal? No man treated Sue Brinkley this way. Maybe that’s why her pulse was racing and every special part of her body was swollen and hot.

  But she wouldn’t let her body’s needs mess with her intentions of keeping the man at a distance. She could handle him. Eyeing him up and down, she settled her gaze on the bulge in his pants. The very impressive bulge. “Looks like you’re close enough. I bet you can finish on your own.”

  “I wouldn’t want you to miss out on the fun.” He took her hand and lightly brushed it against his stiff length. His eyes grew darker, her heart rate rapid.

  She hesitated longer than necessary before she pulled her hand away. Damn, if her breath didn’t rattle. “You’re presumptuous as hell.”

  “Yeah.” He eased back just enough so he could open her thighs wide and settle in between them. “But you like that.”

  Hell, yes! “Please. I barely like you.” She gave him a haughty look as her pulse rushed fire through her body.

  He cupped her face and stared into her eyes. Had she hit her mark? Would he stop now? And why did she hate that idea? He pulled her close and whispered into her lips, “You don’t have to.” With that, he took her mouth.

  If kissing could be compared to making love, this was hot and heavy sex. She couldn’t even pretend a lack of interest. He didn’t give her a chance. All sense flew out the door, and she kicked her brain out as well.

  He worked her lips, licking, pressing, biting, sucking. So. Damn. Good. This was not Trey Harrison’s high school kiss. She felt a flash of jealousy thinking of all the women he’d kissed to become such an expert. What else had he learned?

  She finally broke the kiss but kept her eyes locked on his. It took her a moment to catch her breath. “If I agree to this, it’s only out of curiosity. To see if you’ve learned anything in the last eighteen years.”

  He winked and gave her a sexy grin. “Whatever works for you, but you’re going to be naked on my bed in one minute.”

  She hated that he was so sure of himself, but more than that, she hated that his alpha-male shit was making her hotter than hell. “You need to get down off your high horse, Buck, and—Hey!”

  He hoisted her over his shoulder and headed to Noah’s room. His audacity was beyond anything she’d ever witnessed, but Lord have mercy, it made her want him more. Of course, she couldn’t let him have the satisfaction of feeling like the conqueror.

  “So, you have to physically drag women to your bed?” she asked, bouncing upside down as he headed to Noah’s room. “Does this really work for the ladies in Iraq?”

  “Doesn’t matter.” Leaning over the bed, he dropped her on her back. He shut the door, locked it, then moved to the bed, towering over her. “Does it work for you?”

  She propped herself up on her elbows, studying the man. Loving this moment, the anticipation of where it would lead.

  He checked his watch. “Patty and the baby will be back in a few hours. That’s not near enough time for all the things I want to do to you. You’d better decide now.”

  She gasped. Literally gasped. The man needed more than three hours? In her experience, most men coul
d play out their entire repertoire in thirty minutes.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.” With that, he grabbed her ankles and yanked her to the edge of the bed. This man—this aggressive male—knew what he wanted, and that was working for her. Forget logic, forget the past, she let go to divine pleasure.

  He reached for the hem of her sweater but stopped. His eyes pierced into hers, intoxicating her. “No turning back?”

  She shook her head.

  He cupped the back of her head, pulling her in for a hungry kiss. She wanted to be naked with him, but she wasn’t willing to break the charge that was flowing between them. She wrapped her arms around his neck and tried to pull him down on her.

  “Hang on tight,” he said, carrying her up the bed, keeping her just where she wanted to be. When they were in the middle, he kissed her again, lowering his body over hers. He was heavy, but he supported most of his weight on his forearms. The rest of him felt fabulous along her body.

  Her legs parted, and Trey took full advantage of the access it provided. He pressed against her, moving to give her just the right amount of stimulation. Yes! Sue wanted to cry, it felt so good, and they weren’t even naked.

  His hands roamed over her body, touching, stroking, making her crazy. A moan escaped as naturally as breathing.

  “I want you now.”

  She nodded, past the point of talk.

  “We’ll go slow next time.” He pulled back, his eyes hungry.

  Nodding again, she gasped, “Next time.”

  “Come here.” He leaned up, pulling her with him. She felt limp as he pulled off her sweater. He hesitated when he saw her bra; a deep breath bellowed from his lungs. She was glad she indulged in silky underwear. He cupped her breasts and stroked her nipples through the sheer material with his thumbs. He tugged down the cups, exposing her rosy buds. The act abrupt but so thrilling, she trembled.

  He bent his head and took a nipple in his mouth, tracing with his tongue, lightly nipping, driving her insane.

  “Trey!” She couldn’t even open her eyes, the pleasure was so overwhelming. When he finally sucked on her flesh, she cried out, losing all control and letting him take her back onto the bed. He continued to love her breasts, which only caused the throbbing between her legs to grow. “Now. Please, now.”

  He was off the bed in a flash, pulling off her shoes, and then her pants. When he went for her panties, he hesitated, running his fingers along the lace edges, and then over her most sensitive spot, where he stayed, circling his finger ever so masterfully, ever so maddeningly. Sue started to push her panties off, but he grabbed her hands. “No.” His breath was fast against her lips. He slid his fingers under the silky fabric and touched her where she needed him. Where he could feel how much she wanted him. He sucked in a deep breath and cursed, yanking off her panties.

  He jumped up and pulled off his sweater. She ran her eyes over his strong chest and those tight abs. Oh, sweet Momma. She clenched her hands, eager to run them over his fine form.

  But when he kicked off his ski pants and the other hindrances, all thoughts of his upper body ceased, along with her breathing. She’d almost forgotten how big he was. His size had been a nightmare when he’d taken her virginity. But that was then. Now she saw the beauty of the man and all the pleasure he offered.

  “It’s going to be so damn good,” he whispered in a husky voice as he lowered himself over her. He took her mouth, showing her what he was about to do with his body. When he lifted his head, he searched her face, as if asking permission. She nodded, and he slowly entered her in one, steady push.

  A lightning bolt shot through her body, releasing a cry that matched his groan. Oh, hell yes! The sensation was overwhelming, and they hadn’t even started to move. She had to regain her bearings if she didn’t want to pass out before it was over.

  When she finally opened her eyes, he was just inches from her face. His eyes dark, his breath rough. “Okay?” He kissed her before she could respond, but she answered with her lips, matching his hunger with her own.

  His thrusts were slow and long at first, but no matter how delicious, she wanted more and told him, raising her hips to match his. He lifted her leg up, resting it on his shoulder, going even deeper. “Damn, Sue.”

  “So. Damn. Good,” she panted, grabbing onto his back.

  He clutched her hip, changing the angle of their union, and she discovered a wondrous place she was never going to leave. “That . . . yes. Harder!”

  He pounded into her with fast, deep thrusts, and that’s all it took. She cried out as she shattered. He continued to take her while the aftershocks eventually eased into little tremors. She was still floating when he stiffened and moaned her name again.

  He eased down on top of her, burying his face next to hers. She didn’t care. She sighed between ragged breaths, the pleasure rippling through her where their bodies beat together. Her knee was still draped over his shoulder, but she had no desire to move.

  A chuckle tickled her neck, followed by a kiss. Somehow, he was able to move and lifted his head. “Wow.”

  She still couldn’t open her eyes, but she knew a satisfied smile covered her face. “No shit.”

  His chest vibrated with a deep laugh, and she forced her eyes open to see him. He looked so handsome, so satisfied, so tender. This moment felt more intimate than what they’d just shared. She reached up to caress his face but caught herself before she took off on that train. Instead, she pushed back the damp hair on her forehead.

  “You sure you need three hours, Mister? That took, what . . . five minutes?”

  “True.” He kissed her, confident in his talents. “But I’d still give it a ten.”

  She pretended to think it over. “I’ll give you that. But there is something to say about endurance.”

  “Don’t worry. Next time, you’ll beg for mercy.” He winked and gave her a cocky-ass smile.

  Could a woman ever have too much of Trey Harrison?

  He pulled away and settled beside her, propping up on one elbow. He ran his fingertips over her stomach, his touch generating sparks that she thought had been extinguished. Good thing they had more time. She smiled up at him but found the tough rogue gone. The tenderness in his eyes reminded her of the boy she’d loved. “I always wanted it to be this way.”

  Her stomach clenched. She didn’t want sweet thoughts and memories. This was just sex. She couldn’t handle anything more.

  She pushed his hand away. “That tickles.”

  “Sorry, I forgot.” He traced her cheekbone, then gently kissed it. “You’re still so beautiful. Even more so.”

  The crack in her heart grew a little wider. He was slipping in. She felt more vulnerable than she had at that God-awful motel. This couldn’t happen. Not with Trey. Panic made her turn her head, breaking his spell. “I’m getting in the shower before Patty gets back.” She was already out of the bed, gathering her clothes, when he stood.

  “Sounds good.” He pulled her around and started to drug her with another kiss, but she clung to her survival instinct and broke away.

  “Alone.”

  He didn’t let go. “No need to waste hot water.”

  “I’m sure we won’t drain the lake today.” She looked down at his growing interest. “Besides, cold water might do you some good.”

  His smile slowly disappeared. “You’re serious.”

  She lifted her clothes in front of her. “Yes, Trey. I don’t want your sister walking in on us.” She tried to sound light. Tried to hide the fact that she was ready to flee and take the first flight home, naked or not. If she could just get away from him, she’d be okay. “You don’t know how temperamental babies can be. For all we know, Noah had a meltdown and they’re headed home as we speak.”

  He searched her eyes, and she thought she saw a flash of pain. After a bit, he mumbled, “You’re right.”

  Hopefully, he didn’t notice the relief pouring over her. “I’ll be out in a bit.” With that, she peeked outside to make sure the
coast was clear, then ran to Emma’s room and locked the door.

  Thank God for tankless water heaters. The hot water kept up as she stood in the shower long after washing her hair and body. She hoped the steam would remove the shakiness that had replaced the lethargy she’d experienced moments earlier. Her whole body was off, as if some odd current was racing through it. And it wasn’t the good kind. This was too stressful, as if small electrodes were strapped over her body, sending erratic shocks.

  The worst was her chest. It was tight, and her heart had the same erratic pulses shooting through it. She considered crying but didn’t know if she could let anything out, or if she did, if she’d be able to stop. A nap would offer escape and provide an excuse to avoid Trey, but she was too edgy to sleep, which meant she’d lie there and think about the two of them together. Another pulse shot through her heart. How could something be so wonderful and immediately turn to crap? It didn’t matter. Right now, the horrible far outweighed the ecstasy.

  After another ten gallons of water, she made a decision. They’d have to move past this and continue on as before. They were adults, after all. People could have consensual sex without turning it into something monumental. Besides, they’d satisfied their cravings, their curiosity. The temptation was gone.

  You’re so full of shit.

  She was putting on her robe when she heard a knock on the bedroom door.

  “I’m going back to the slopes. I’ll see you later.” His voice was sharp, the playful caveman long gone.

  This was good. What they needed. So why did she feel so miserable? Before she could respond, she heard the front door slam.

  She lay on her bed, staring at the slats of the bunk overheard. Trey was leaving Austin in six weeks. Forty-two more days. She had the Hensen project to eat up her time. She’d encourage Wes to go to Trey’s place some nights. She could keep it together for forty-two days. Surely.