Just Breathe

by Anna Leigh Keaton

  The margarine tub thudded on the table when she dropped it. “Damn it,” she whispered. “Get a grip!”

  Oh, yeah. She wanted to grip. Him. She’d felt him...long and hard...ready for lovemaking. When he held her and let her cry on his shoulder, soaking his shirt with her tears, ran those big warm hands over her head, down her back, she’d felt all the evidence she needed to know that he—

  “Did you know she gave up her apartment?” Charlie said, his voice cutting into thoughts she should not be having about her employer.

  Crystal groaned. Why couldn’t the man keep his mouth shut?

  “No,” Dex answered. “I didn’t know that. I guess I never really thought about it. But she doesn’t need an apartment if she’s living with me.”

  Her face heated. Living with me. She wished it meant what it sounded like. She wanted him so bad.

  Uncle Charlie grunted. “Put her entire life in storage, is what she did. And paid a moving company too damn much money to do it.”

  Shut up! she wanted to scream. Her finances were none of Dex’s business. They weren’t Charlie’s business either, for that matter.

  Gripping the top of a ladder-back kitchen chair, she closed her eyes and pretended she was somewhere else. Somewhere... Damn! She couldn’t even escape to her happy place anymore because Dex was there waiting for her. The alpine meadow she went to in meditation now had one tall, dark, sexy man sitting on a blanket with a glass of champagne and a basket of strawberries, waiting for her.

  “Not that she has much. Some secondhand furniture and her books. The apartment was too small, anyway. Your house suits her much better.”

  So, Crystal thought, not only did the medicine make him grumpy, it made him talk too much! She pulled the bowl of chili from the microwave, stirred it, then put it back, slamming the door hard, hoping Charlie got the hint.

  “She’s welcome in my house as long as she wants to stay,” Dex said, his voice low and sexy, as it always was. Like liquid sex, it washed over her, igniting her senses. She remembered vividly how his chest vibrated against her ear when he’d held her. Tingles exploded low in her belly, and she almost moaned.

  “As long as she wants, huh?” Charlie said in a tone that had Crystal snapping to attention. He was fishing. She could hear it.

  “Mmm hmm,” Dex said. “She’s great with the babies, and I enjoy her company.”

  “How well do you enjoy her company?”

  “Uncle Charlie,” she warned as she stepped into the doorway separating the kitchen from living room.

  “What?” Uncle gave her a look of wide-eyed innocence. “It’s my right as your only living relative to check out the men you’re sleeping with.”

  “Charlie!” Her face heated to a broil, and she fisted her hands.

  Dex choked on a laugh.

  “Well? What do we know about him? He might not be good enough for you.”

  “I assure you, Uncle Charlie,” Dex said, “I will always treat her right.”

  “I am not sleeping with him!” Crystal turned to go back into the kitchen, only to bump into Gus. “You,” she growled. “Shut him up before I remove his tongue.”

  “Well, you should be,” Charlie piped up. “Sleeping with him, I mean. You haven’t even been out on a date since that good-for-nothing bastard walked out on you.”

  She spun around and glared at Charlie. “Enough,” she growled.

  “It’s time you stop mourning him. He isn’t worth your time or energy.”

  “I’m not mourning Randy,” she said through gritted teeth. “I’ve been...” She glanced at Dex, who looked way too amused at the conversation for her liking. “...a bit preoccupied the last couple of years to worry about something as stupid as dating. And I am not going to sleep with Dexter. He’s my boss. Now would you please shut up?”

  Dex chuckled, and she sent him a vicious glare. Gus and Jerald sat down on the couch, one on each side of Dex.

  “She’s shy sometimes,” Jerald said to Dex. “You’ll probably have to make the first move.”

  Dex nodded then sent her a wink. “I’ll remember that.”

  Gus took Ruby from Dex’s arms. “She has some issues with her body, too.”

  He wouldn’t.

  “Thinks she’s too scrawny,” Charlie said, rocking his easy chair and staring down at Ruby as she slept in his arms.

  “Hmm,” Dex said thoughtfully. “You’ve mentioned that before.”

  “It’s time somebody showed her otherwise.”

  She’d heard enough. First, she went to Gus and lifted Ruby, then she went to Charlie and took Amber.

  “Hey,” Charlie protested. “I’m not done—”

  “Well, I am.” She narrowed her eyes at Dex. “Enjoy dinner with them. It’s in the microwave and should be done in about ten minutes.”

  Without another word, she headed for the door, a baby cradled in each arm.

  Dex sprang from the couch, met her at the door, and opened it for her. “They’re just looking out for your best interests,” he said under his breath. “Give them a break.”

  She brushed past him. “I mean it. You better stay for dinner because you’re not going to get any at your house.”

  Dex chuckled. “Do you have any idea how sexy you are when you’re all riled up?”

  She growled again and stomped across the street without looking back.

  * * * * *

  Dex pushed open the front door of his house a little after ten that night. Dinner with the uncles had been very enjoyable. He’d never had a real father figure in his life, but he could imagine that these men had been great dads. He was a little old to be daydreaming of playing catch with Dad, but they accepted him. He hadn’t realized what that would mean to him, especially at this stage in his life.

  The house was silent. He locked the front door then checked the glass slider to the backyard, shut off the kitchen light, and headed upstairs. The nursery door was open, as it usually was, and he peered in to see Crystal sitting in the rocking chair holding one of the babies.

  “Have a nice time?” she asked.

  Was that a hint of sarcasm he detected? He nodded. “Very nice time. We played a couple games of hearts after dinner.”

  Her nose wrinkled, which he found very cute. “J got out his cigars.”

  He grinned.

  She stood up and put Ruby into her crib next to Amber. “Goodnight, then.”

  He caught her arm. “Wait.” Her skin was so soft under his fingers. Slightly cool. She smelled of sweet wildflowers. The pale yellow sundress she wore today was enough to send him right over the edge.

  “What?” She tugged her arm out of his grasp.

  He motioned her into the hallway, afraid the babies would wake up. “The uncles wouldn’t answer any of my questions after you left. They knew they’d pissed you off.”

  “How very astute of them.” She crossed her arms and cocked one hip out in a stance of pure attitude.

  He bit back his smile. Damn, she was cute when she was ticked. He hadn’t been lying when he told her that. “Tell me about your ex.”

  Her lip curled, she dropped her arms to her sides, then turned and opened her bedroom door. “Randy is none of your business.”

  When she would have shut the door, he caught it and leaned against the doorjamb. She glared.

  His foot planted to keep the door open, he raised his hands in surrender. “I’m not coming in, invading your space. I’m just standing here in the doorway.” He flashed her a grin that normally turned women into putty.

  Crystal glared. “I’m not mourning him, if that’s what you’re asking.” She backed further into the room, putting distance between them. “I don’t talk about him with the uncles because they want to take him out hunting.”

  His expression must have shown his confusion because she said, “You know...have a little hunting accident in the woods? No witnesses?”

  Dex chuckled.

  “It’s not funny! They’d do it if they got the chance.” S
he turned away and looked out the window. “I’m their personal project, I think.”

  It took all of Dex’s willpower to keep him there in the doorway. He wanted to go to her, take her in his arms. “They want you happy.”

  “I know.”

  “What would make you happy, Crys? Why is there always a little sadness behind your smiles? Why won’t you let me close?”

  Chapter Eleven

  She turned on him, her brow pulled into a frown. Her cheeks were flushed pink, and she was more beautiful than any woman he’d ever known.

  “You’re my boss. The rest is none of your business because you are my boss. I’m here to help take care of your babies, nothing more.”

  He shook his head. They had moved beyond employer/employee distance when they’d kissed. When he started falling in love with her.

  Huh. That thought didn’t terrify him the way he was sure it should. He’d have to think more on it later.

  “Don’t shake your head at me. I work for you and nothing more.”

  She was getting riled again. Her big blue eyes sparkled. Her lovely lips pressed tight. Her hands fisted at her sides.

  “I think,” he said as he stepped into the room toward her, “that you are trying really hard to convince yourself of that. But...” He moved right up in front of her, until she backed up two steps and bumped the windowsill with her butt. “...I don’t think you really believe that there’s nothing more between us.”

  “Don’t,” she said, but the protest sounded more like a sigh than a plea.

  He lifted his hand and cupped her cheek. “I think your uncles have the right idea. I think we should sleep together.”

  She gasped and jerked away from him, but all that succeeded in doing was smacking the back of her head against the window. He winced. She reached up to rub her head. “My uncles are nosey old men. I’m not going to start taking advice on my sex life from them.”

  She had ample room to slip by him, to get away, but she didn’t. He was sure that had to mean something. “Good advice is good advice, no matter who it comes from.”

  She scowled up at him, and he desperately needed to kiss her.

  “Why are you doing this? You should...go away.” She flapped her hand as if warding off a fly.

  He grinned and moved closer to her, until her little breasts nearly brushed his chest. “Funny thing, though, I don’t feel that you really mean that.”

  “Dex.” She huffed out a breath, and her gaze dropped to around the level of his collar. “I’m not sleeping with you. End of discussion.”

  “Okay,” he said, his heart setting up a hard thud as he made a decision. “Let’s just do it then.”

  Her gaze flicked up to his face, her mouth opened on a dumbfounded gasp.

  Before her brain kicked in, he leaned down and captured her luscious, juicy lips with his.

  A startled moan slipped out of her, and he was lost. He thought he might just fall down and die if she honestly didn’t want him. If she told him to stop again and made him leave her alone. He’d never needed a woman the way he needed her.

  Crystal’s hands came up to his shoulders. He wrapped his arms around her, praying she wasn’t about to shove him away. Her little fists tightened in his shirt.

  She ripped her mouth away from his. “Dex,” she panted. “Oh...God...” Her big blue eyes were so dark, so beautiful.

  He went lightheaded. All the blood left his brain. He pressed his erection against her belly, letting her know exactly what he wanted and how badly he needed it. “Sweetheart. I’m about ready to unman myself and beg.”

  A smile flitted over her dark, moist lips. “Yeah?”

  He nodded. Her heartbeat thudded against his chest. He lowered his hands to her butt and lifted her slightly. She gripped his shoulders.

  “Dex...”

  He lifted her a bit more. Until he could feel her heat against his erection.

  She whimpered, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled his head down. This time she kissed him, sank her tongue into his mouth, and wrapped her legs around his waist.

  He groaned with the pleasure of her small, soft body plastered to his, and leaned her against the window as she ate at his lips. She tasted so damn good. Sweet and warm.

  Jerking her mouth from his, she sucked on the skin of his neck, tugged at his buttons until his shirt opened. “It’s been so long,” she said between heavy, urgent pants. “I forgot...” She pushed his hand away and placed it back on her butt when he reached for her breast. “I forgot how good this feels.”

  Nothing had ever felt this good. He pressed against her, her softness cradling him, and he couldn’t wait to get inside her. He tugged at her skirt, pulling it up until he held her soft, round bottom in his hands, only a thin layer of satin separating him from her flesh.

  “Yes,” she hissed when he kneaded her butt cheeks.

  He raised her up a bit more and nipped at her neck. She giggled and tightened her legs around him, which made him grunt and grind into her. “More,” he whispered.

  “Uh huh.” She reached between them and opened his belt. “More. Now.”

  Gripping her tight, he turned toward the bed, practically collapsing when his legs gave out on him. Crystal laughed as they bounced on the mattress, and the sound warmed his heart and made him want to wrap her up and keep her tucked away forever. Just for himself. He kissed her hard. There’d never been anyone in his life who made him feel the way she did. Happy, protective, tender, and hornier than he knew was possible.

  She shoved his jeans open and purred when she reached inside and cupped him.

  “Sweetheart,” he groaned, catching her hand as she ran her smooth fingers up his length. “Don’t do... I can’t—ahh...”

  She stroked him with gentle pressure, and he closed his eyes for an instant to fall into the sensation of her. He felt her hard pants, her breath sweet as it puffed against his chest.

  He let go of her behind and reached for her right breast. She jerked away from his groin and grabbed his hand, then laced her fingers with his. “I want you,” she said. “Now.”

  He nodded, licked the shell of her ear. “Me, too. I mean...” He sucked her earlobe into his mouth. “You. I want you. Have wanted you since the night you came through my door.”

  She nodded and shoved his pants down.

  He jerked his hand from hers, grabbed his wallet out of his back pocket, and flipped it open on the bed. While he kissed her, he felt for the condom. She took the opportunity to use her free hand to wiggle out of her underwear.

  Finding his prize, he leaned up, ripped it open with his teeth, and rolled it on. He couldn’t breathe, was lightheaded. Had any woman ever made him feel this way? This incredibly...powerful...vulnerable... He liked it. Loved it. Loved her. He licked the soft, sensitive skin of her long, delicate neck. Nuzzled lower, trying to push the top of her dress to the side so he could bare her breasts while he reached between her legs.

  Crystal shoved her hands up under his shirt, her nails digging into his shoulders as she pulled him down on top of her and spread her legs. Lust shot through him as he sank his fingers into her slick heat. “Sweetheart...”

  “Now, Dex. Now. Please...” She raised her hips, pressing herself against his hand. “I need you.”

  He couldn’t wait any longer. She was ready. So ready. As needy as he was. He moved between her legs, holding himself up from squishing her. Her legs tightened around him, her fingernails dug into his sides, and he slid into her heat.

  “Ohh...” Her breath caught, and her eyelids fluttered. “That feels so...”

  “Good,” he finished for her on a groan.

  She rose up to meet his second thrust, her movements jerky, unpracticed, and it spiked his blood to a fever pitch.

  On his third stroke, she cried out and arched against him, her inner muscles tightening around him. Holy Christ, he’d never had a woman come so fast. He sped his movements within her and lowered his head, honing in on those little breasts he de
sperately wanted to get his mouth on.

  She grabbed his face between her hands and clamped her lips over his. “More,” she said against his mouth. “Harder.”

  He shoved his hands under her, tilted her hips, and sped his movements as she captured his bottom lip between her teeth and whimpered with every thrust. He wasn’t going to last long.

  He didn’t need to. Crystal’s entire body tightened, every muscle clenching, inside and out. Her fingernails bit into his back, her neck arched, and her inner muscles throbbed around him.

  He climaxed with a shout as Crystal screamed.

  * * * * *

  Crystal’s brain floated somewhere between the clouds.

  Dex’s weight on her body was heaven. His hair tickled her jaw, his heavy breaths heated her neck. He smelled like uncle J’s cigar smoke, but... She sighed and tightened her hold around him. Who cares? She hadn’t felt this good in...forever.

  When Dex tried to move, she locked her ankles together and held him still. “Not yet,” she whispered. “Just...a couple more minutes. Please.”

  Warm, damp lips brushed over her neck. “You’re incredible,” he said, his voice low and gravelly. “Damn, you’re sexy.”

  She grinned and reveled in the exquisite sensation of him still within her body. His big, hard body pressed against her, his hands still cradling her bottom. She never, ever wanted to move from this spot.

  “Did I kill you?” he asked with a smirk as he raised his head and smiled down at her.

  She gave an unladylike snort. “Almost, but not quite.”

  “God, Crys.” He shook his head. “You are so beautiful.”

  And then he kissed her. Slow and deep and hot and wet. She slipped her fingers into his silky hair and moaned into his mouth as his tongue gently explored her.