by Ginna Gray
With a low growl, he turned and braced her back against the tiled inner wall of the shower. He buried his face in the wet strands of hair at the side of her neck. "I'll never get enough of you," he declared in a guttural voice. "Never."
He surged into her with urgent, powerful strokes. The shower spray continued to pound down on them. The radio on the counter played a soft tune. In the other room the telephone shrilled twice before the answering machine clicked on and a disembodied voice chattered away. Neither noticed. On fire, they clung to one another, unaware of anything beyond the burning desire that drove them.
With each breath, Ryan's movements grew stronger, faster. Clutching his wet head with both hands, Tess whimpered and tightened her legs around him, her body undulating to meet each thrust.
The frenzied loving quickly drove them to the edge. The taut pleasure coiled tighter. Tighter. Then it broke free.
"Ryan! Oh, my darling!"
Ryan gritted his teeth against the exquisite pleasure as he felt her tense, felt her body contract around him as the first pulsing spasms overtook her. "Oh! Oh! Ry-an!"
"Yes. Yes!"
The explosion rocked them, and they clung to each other, their hoarse cries blending together as the world shattered in a burst of white hot pleasure.
Ryan sagged against Tess. Leaning his forehead against the cool tile, he gasped for breath and fought to regain his senses and deny what his heart was telling him, but it was too late.
He loved her. Dammit, he loved her!
It was a hell of a time and place to face the truth, but he had no choice. He had tried for months to pretend otherwise. He had tried last night, taking her over and over, sure that once his desire for her was slaked the feeling would be gone. The trouble was—if he lived to be a hundred, his desire for her would never be satisfied. He knew that now.
Ryan rolled his forehead against the tile and squeezed his eyes shut. Damn. Damn. Damn. What was he going to do? He didn't want to love her. He had sworn he would never again give any woman the power to hurt him. Oh, Lord. What would he do if she left him?
The thought was so painful, Ryan's hands tightened re-flexively at Tess's waist, digging into her soft flesh. She moaned and stirred.
She was draped around him, boneless and limp as a wet dishrag, her head on his shoulders, arms hanging loose, her looped legs sliding slowly down his thighs.
She was utterly spent, the picture of a well-loved woman. Ryan thought about the passionate way she responded to him, and a warm feeling expanded in his chest. Shifting again, she released a shuddering breath. He smiled wryly when he felt the slight puff of air eddy against his neck.
After reaching back and shutting off the water, he adjusted his hold on her and stepped from the shower. He placed her on the bath mat and she swayed on her feet, clutching his forearms for support. Forcing her heavy eyelids open partway, she looked at him pleadingly. "Ry-an. Please. I want to go to sleep," she moaned.
"In a second." He ran the towel over her, giving her a cursory drying, then did the same for himself. When done, he swung her up in his arms.
Within seconds they were snuggled together in the bed. Tess lay with her head on Ryan's shoulder, her hand curled on his chest, sound asleep. Holding her close, his jaw resting against the top of her head, Ryan stared at the ceiling.
❧
"If I had known that Ryan was going back to work so soon I would have been over days ago. And I still say a one-day honeymoon stinks."
"Oh, I don't know." Tess handed Amanda a cup of tea and gave her a sly look. ''It depends on how you spend it."
"Ooh! Now that sounds interesting. Tell me all about it."
"I'll do no such thing."
Joining her friend on the sofa, Tess curled into the corner with one foot tucked beneath her, cradling her mug of tea in both hands. Over the rim, she gave her friend a censuring look.
Amanda ignored it. Turning sideways as well, she pursed her lips and studied Tess with a speculative gleam in her eyes.
"The man must be a real tiger in bed. He just looks so... so virile and masculine. And so damned sexy. Not to mention the fact that youVe got a glow I haven't seen on you in over a year." She leaned forward and her voice dropped. "Tell me. Is he a lusty lover? Or is he one of those take-his-time-and-make-it-last types? Mmm, I get the shivers just thinking about it."
"Amanda! Behave yourself."
"All right. All right, spoilsport," she grumbled, but her voice was tinged with laughter.
Amanda was a terrible tease. Tess knew she didn't expect her to answer the outrageous questions and comments. Even if she had, her one-day honeymoon with Ryan had been too special and private to share with anyone else. A dreamy smile tilted the comers of Tess's mouth at the memory of it. Their lovemaking had been spectacular, breathtaking. And the quiet time they had spent with Molly had, in its own way, been just as wonderful. Both had sent her hopes for their future soaring.
Amanda groaned. "Oh pul-leeze. If you're not going to tell all the juicy stuff, at least have the decency to wipe that lovesick look off your face. It's nauseating. You look positively besotted."
Tess stuck out her tongue and grinned. "You brought it up."
"Yeah, yeah. Well let's talk about something else. Like my godchild."
"Molly's fine. She's growing like a weed and in perfect health. You'll see for yourself as soon as she wakes up from her nap."
"How about Mike? When is he coming home?"
"Ryan is going to Crockett tomorrow to get him."
Amanda looked around. "You've done wonders with this place, honey, but isn't it a little small for the four of you?"
"I know. We're looking for a three-bedroom apartment. We thought we could get one in this complex but they're all rented. For the past four days since Ryan went back to work I've been looking at other units, but no luck yet. We want to stay in this area because of Mike's school. Plus, Wild-wood is only a few miles from here. Until we find a place, we'll keep both apartments. It's not ideal but it's the best we can do for the moment. And there's no sense in moving twice."
A sound drew their attention. Amanda and Tess looked at each other and grinned, and as one they rose and headed for the nursery.
❧
An hour later, when Ryan and Reilly walked in, Molly was lying on the sofa between the two women, squealing and cooing at Amanda, who was playing peekaboo with her.
"Well, well. Look who's here," Reilly said, grinning.
Amanda spared him only the briefest glance, then pointedly ignored him.
Ryan paused just long enough to say hi to Amanda before going to Tess. She looked up to greet him, and he bent from the waist and cupped her chin. Searching her face, he murmured a husky, "Hi."
"Hi," she whispered back, smiling shyly. Before she could say more, he kissed her. He made a thorough job of it, taking his time, savoring her soft lips and the delicate shudder that she could not suppress.
"Uh...hey, Hoss. Come up for air, willya. Newlyweds," Reilly added with a derisive snort. "Disgusting, isn't it?"
"Personally, I think it's sweet," Amanda said in her haughtiest tone.
Breaking off the kiss, Ryan straightened and sent his brother a challenging look. "Can't a man kiss his wife in his own home without being heckled?"
"Sure. I just didn't want you to get carried away and forget you had an audience." He flashed a wicked grin. "I embarrass easy."
"Oh, brother." Amanda rolled her eyes.
Ryan snorted.
Tess turned the color of a ripe tomato.
"I'll get those plans you wanted," Ryan said, and headed for the bedroom. He returned in less than a minute with a long cardboard tube.
"Thanks, Hoss." Tapping the cylinder against the side of his work boot, Reilly looked at Amanda. "So... how's it going in the news business?"
"Fine." Amanda handed Molly to Tess and stood up. "I'd better be going. Thanks for the tea. Nice seeing you again, Ryan." Bending, she placed a light kiss on the baby's head then h
eaded for the door at a brisk pace. "I'll call you tomorrow, Tess," she called over her shoulder.
"Uh... I've got to go, too. See ya," Reilly said in a rush and hurried after her. "Hey. Wait up, Amanda. I'll walk with you to your car."
"No, thank you. I am perfectly capable of getting to my car on my own."
"Yeah, but I'd feel better if-"
The door closed behind them, and Ryan and Tess exchanged an amused look.
"What a pair. The woman practically bares her teeth every time she sees him and he still won't give up. Not that he's stupid, mind you. It's just that Amanda intrigues him. Reilly's never before run across a woman who didn't like him."
"Oh, I think she likes him, all right. That's what's bothering her."
"What? You're kidding?" Ryan looked at Tess's smug smile and narrowed his eyes. "Wait a second. You're not thinking of doing any matchmaking, are you?"
"No, of course not. I'm just going to let them work things out for themselves."
Ryan lifted Molly from her arms and kissed the baby's chubby cheek. "Hello, sweetheart. How ya doing today, hmm?" He glanced back at Tess, his face serious. "For Amanda's sake, you'd better hope you're wrong. Reilly is not known for his constancy. And he's definitely not the marrying kind."
Her face pensive, Tess watched him stroll away into the kitchen, tickling Molly's belly and murmuring nonsense to the gurgling baby. Neither were you, she thought.
❧
"Sure you won't come with me?" Ryan nibbled Tess's neck and lightly nipped her earlobe while his hand made a slow foray across her tummy. She smiled. They lay together, spoon fashion, and she could feel his heat all along her back.
"We can't. Molly won't wake up from her nap for a couple of hours yet. Besides, I think the trip up there and back in one day would be too hard on her." And after the vigorous bout of lovemaking she and Ryan had just shared, Tess wasn't sure she had the energy for the trip herself.
"I guess you're right." Ryan gave her neck one last nibble and climbed out of bed. "I'd better get a move on. though. Mom will have my hide if I don't get there in time for lunch."
He disappeared into the bathroom, and after a quick shower he emerged and dressed in jeans and a sweater. When he was ready to go, Tess pulled on her robe and walked with him to the door.
"Tell everyone I said hi, and that I'll see them at Easter."
"I will."
"And be careful on the highway."
"Don't fret. Mike and I will be back before you know it." He tucked a loose strand of hair back into her sleek pageboy. "What're you going to do while I'm gone?"
"I guess I'll call around some more about an apartment, although I think I've checked out every one in this area."
"I've been giving that some thought. Probably the best solution would be for me to build us a house."
"A house?" Tess's eyes lit up. "Oh, Ryan, do you mean it? That would be wonderful! I love that idea!"
Ryan's eyes grew cold and his mouth twisted in a hard sneer. "Yeah. I sorta thought you would."
The hateful tone took her by surprise. "Ryan? What's wrong? Look, if you don't want to build us a house—"
"Don't worry. I said I'd build you a house and I will. I know how much store you women put in those kinds of things."
You women? What did that mean? Then Tess recalled what Ryan had told her about Julia's reaction when he had been forced to sell the home he had built for her and his comment that every woman had her price.
Pain stabbed at Tess. He was lumping her into the same category as his first wife.
He opened the door, but Tess put her hand on his arm. "Ryan, please listen to me. A house would be nice, it's true. But it certainly isn't necessary. Really. I'm sure I'll find us a nice apartment eventually."
''Yeah, sure!" He crammed his Stetson on his head and walked out.
"Ryan!" Tess cried. She stepped out onto the landing but he was already loping down the stairs. She watched him go, her shoulders sagging. "Oh, Ryan. When are you going to realize that I'm not Julia?"
Chapter 12
When Ryan and Mike returned from east Texas that afternoon Ryan's bitter mood had passed. He greeted Tess with a warm kiss and cuddled Molly, all trace of anger gone from his expression and manner. If anything, he was in an exceptionally lighthearted mood and bantered good-naturedly with his son for most of the evening.
Mike was his usual exuberant self. He was happy to see Molly and Tess again and excited about the four of them being a family now, and he thought it was "coor' that he would be sleeping next door alone for the time being. All evening he cracked jokes and chattered happily about his visit with his grandparents.
Not wanting to spoil his homecoming, Tess did not bring up the subject of the house until later, when the children were asleep and she and Ryan were alone in their bedroom. However, no matter how much she protested that a house was not essential to her, Ryan would not budge on the issue.
"We need the space, and this is the logical answer."
"But-"
"Give it up, Tess," he said, pulling her into his arms. He had already stripped down to his navy blue briefs, and her hands came up automatically to rest against his hair-covered chest. He held her loosely against him, his fingers laced at the small of her back, and smiled down into her worried face. "C'mon, honey. Admit it. Given a choice, you know you'd prefer to have a house. Now wouldn't you?"
"Well... yes. Almost any woman would, but—"
"And I want you to have one. I want to build one for you."
Tess searched his face. She wanted desperately to believe that he had put aside the old hurt and anger. "Do you? Do you really?"
Ryan's expression altered subtly. His eyes took on a smoldering gleam and his smile changed from coaxing to sensual. He freed one hand and traced the low neckline of her nightgown. "Hmm. There are a lot of things I'd like to do for you," he murmured. Bending, he buried his face against the side of her neck, nuzzling his nose into the silken fall of hair. He nipped at her earlobe then licked the tender skin behind it. "And to you."
Tess shivered and clutched his upper arms. "Oh, Ryan." Her head went back and she closed her eyes as his marauding mouth moved over her neck and shoulder, the tender I skin beneath her jaw. A heavy hotness began to seep [through her body. "Ry... Ryan, we ... we have to talk." ' "To hell with that." Bending, he swept her up in his arms jand crossed the room in three long strides. I His knee dented the mattress. Tess felt the cool sheet against her back, and a second later Ryan's warm body blanketed hers. She struggled to hang on to her purpose and ignore the exquisite sensations buffeting her.
"But Ryan... about... about the house "
"Later," he ground out. He cupped her breast and captured her mouth in a long, sizzling, wet kiss. In only seconds Tess's resistance crumbled and her arms tightened around him as her ardor rose to match his.
❧
"Later" never came. Tess tried several times to talk to Ryan but he always brushed aside her protests. He was immovable on the subject of the house, and finally she gave in. One Sunday afternoon a few weeks later, they left a napping Molly in Mike's care and Ryan took her to Wildwood to pick out a lot.
"Oh, Ryan, it's beautiful," she exclaimed as they climbed from the truck. It was a sunny day, but cold and blustery. Tess shivered and pulled her heavy sweater-coat tighter around her, but not even the frigid wind could dim her appreciation of her surroundings. The huge oaks were bare in mid-January, but that did not detract from the beauty of the area.
The development was laid out around a spring-fed lake, whose overflow formed the small creek that meandered through the property. Newly poured, winding streets followed the natural curve of the land. Ryan and Reilly had taken pains to preserve as many trees as possible on the twelve hundred acre plot, leaving each lot dotted with stately oaks and towering pines. A fifty-foot wide strip of natural forest separated each half-acre homesite on three sides, providing a maximum of privacy and a preserve for the forest creatures.
&nbs
p; "There will be nature paths through the woods and biking and jogging paths along the roads. The clubhouse and golf course will be over there," Ryan said, pointing to the structure going up on the far side of the lake. "That side is less wooded so we won't lose as many trees to the fairways and greens. Around the remaining two-thirds of the lake are homesites. They're the premium locations. I thought we would take one of them."
"But you'll lose profits if we take one of the most desirable lots. Really, Ryan, I'd be just as happy with one of the less expensive ones."
"Don't worry about that."
"But-"
"Tess, liking the spot we choose is more important than its market value." Slipping his arms around her from behind, Ryan propped his chin on top of her head. Blissfully content, Tess leaned back against him and rested her arms on top of his. "I plan on this being our home for a lot of years," he continued. "I want Molly and Mike and whatever children we may have in the future to grow up here."
Tess's heart skipped a beat. She and Ryan had never discussed the possibility of more children, but he had obviously given the matter some thought. The idea thrilled her, but more than that, it boded well for their future. With his history, Ryan would not consider bringing children into a marriage that he was not committed to.
"I wouldn't even mind living here when we retire. Right on this spot, looking out over the lake and the trees. How does that sound to you?"
Tess's eyes grew misty and her chin wobbled. Her heart was so full she could barely speak. "It ... it sounds wonderful," she managed to choke out. "Simply wonderful."
Ryan wasn't just building a house; he was building dreams.
❧
The next few weeks were a whirlwind of activity for Tess.
At Ryan's insistence, she met numerous times with Bob Carlson, the architect that R & R Construction used. Together, after many changes and alterations, they came up with a basic floor plan that suited both her and Ryan. Then she began the task of making selections of carpeting, hardware, stain, paint, light fixtures and a thousand and one other things.
