Tony laughed. “I think it’s a piggy front ride at this point.” He shifted his grip and squeezed her butt with both hands. They both gasped as Randa shifted closer, tighter against him. “And this may be my reward.”
He took two steps toward the bedroom and Randa whispered, “God, Tony, put me down. If you break your back being all macho, I’ll have to kill you before I die of unrequited lust.”
“Skinny girl like you? I can handle it.” Randa’s laugh was husky and he felt it all the way to his toes. His need was almost explosive at this point. He wanted to slow down, but that was impossible.
“I’m starting to think you know exactly what I like to hear.” She sighed. “You wouldn’t use that against me, would you?”
Tony cleared the doorway to his small bedroom and did his best not to drop her. He had to think for a second to understand just exactly what was going on in his brain. He was happy. Not content. So happy he wanted to laugh and punch his fist in the air like a lovesick asshole. Instead of celebrating like he’d just scored the winning touchdown, he squeezed her butt again and locked eyes with her. He shook his head very slowly. “C’mon, you know me. Serious Tony. Would I do that?”
Randa’s laugh was low as she reached for the first button on his shirt. “Every chance you get maybe.”
Tony nodded and bent one knee against the edge of the mattress before he leaned over to drop her on top of his neatly made bed. “I find something that works, I stick with it.”
Randa rolled her head on his pillow. The golden spread of her hair on the plain white cotton pillowcase made him desperate to touch it. He knelt over her and threaded his fingers through her hair while he watched her face. It slipped across his fingers like silk. He wanted her over him, her hair a curtain that hid them from the world while she rode him to paradise. The pretty pink blush was back but her eyes were hot. She wet her lips. “Maybe we should see what else works.”
Tony had to remind himself to keep breathing as she unbuttoned his Hawaiian shirt. More than once. He concentrated his attention on her slow progress. And when she trailed her hand down his chest in a hot, fast sweep to fiddle with the button of his khakis, Tony was afraid for the first time. Afraid he was going to mess this up big time, lose control and rush something that should be savored. He eased back and looked down at his clenched fists propped on his thighs while he counted and tried to even out his breathing.
“What’s the matter?” Randa leaned up on her elbows and Tony could see the doubt creeping into her face. “Did you change your mind?”
He shook his head as he gave himself the mental pep talk of a lifetime. Then he straightened his shoulders and said, “Nope, just catching my breath.”
Randa tried to smile. She watched her finger trace the edge of his tattoo and then looked at him. “Take off the shirt.” She shrugged a shoulder. “Please.”
Tony laughed and shook his head. “I think it’s okay to drop ‘please’ in bed, Miz Whitmore.” He shrugged out of the shirt and tossed it on the floor.
He was happy to see her smile slip as she watched the muscles in his chest move. She sounded a little far away when she said, “Wouldn’t want you to think I’m some kind of diva.”
Tony said, “If you’re going to be a diva, let’s try it here.” At this point, he’d be happy to meet every demand she made. Her hands were warm as she rubbed the muscles in his abdomen and across his chest. When she ran a thumb down the center of his abdomen to slide under the waist of his pants, he sucked in a deep breath and she smiled.
“Whatever you do, it looks good on you, Tony.” Randa sighed.
“It’s called killing yourself on a treadmill so maybe you can get some sleep.”
Randa said, “I’m sorry then…” Her words trailed off like she couldn’t figure out how to say how awful it was without saying it was awful. On her face, he could see concern, like she wanted to hug him and hear his problems. He’d never had a connection like that. He wanted it, but he could almost hear the ticking of their limited time passing.
He leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers. This close to her, he could smell shampoo and detergent and something floral that fit her perfectly. Her lips parted under his and he eased his way in, his tongue dancing easily with hers. She was sweet and hot and every sigh turned his lust up a notch. When her fingers teased the hair on his chest, every muscle in his damn body tightened in response. And he was gasping for air.
Randa wrapped her arms around him to pull him closer, to press his chest against hers, and then slid her hands down his back to the waist of his pants again. He leaned back to catch his breath and she whispered, “Hot. Hard. You feel so good against me.”
“Naked’s better.” He leaned back, grabbed the edge of her Elvis T-shirt and pulled it up and over her head. Randa laughed and tried to smooth the mess of her long hair back down. Tony did his best to memorize the sight of her stretched out on the plain navy comforter and white pillow wearing only her bra, a black lace piece that framed her breasts perfectly. He’d guessed lingerie model when she strutted in. Maybe she was no professional but she made lingerie look damn good. He had an idea naked would be out of this world.
She stopped laughing when he reached under her to unfasten her bra. Tony slid the straps down her arms and held the bra in both hands for a second before he tossed it on the floor. Randa kneaded the muscles of his thighs as she watched him. She twitched under him and the small movement caused her breasts to shift. She had smooth pale skin, rosy nipples, and he could hear her breathing roughen. Maybe she was nervous. She should be. He probably looked like he wanted to eat her up right now.
She shifted against him again and when he took one nipple in his mouth, her fingers dug into his thighs. She moaned when he eased back to watch her nipple harden further in the cool room. He turned his attention to the other breast and did his best to ignore his aching erection.
Until she started to fumble restlessly with the button of his pants and he couldn’t ignore it any more.
He didn’t want any air or space between them.
She grumbled when he eased back and stood beside the bed. He toed off his shoes and socks while he enjoyed the way she moved restlessly on the bed, her eyes locked on his hands. As soon as the pants came off, it would all be over. He’d be on her, in her. This was his last chance to make sure she was with him. He wanted to take his time here. No matter what happened between them, he knew she was special. This first time was special. He’d never forget it. He propped his hand on his hips and said, “Unbutton those jeans.”
RANDA ALMOST HAD to ask him to repeat what he’d said. She couldn’t hear so well over the blood pounding in her ears, her ragged breathing, or the voice inside her head that was chanting, “Take it off. Take it off. Take it off.”
He’d said something to her. Maybe it involved nakedness. She certainly hoped so. She kicked off her flip-flops one at a time and then did her best to wiggle out of the jeans until Tony, in one smooth movement, pulled her jeans and panties off. Then he stood next to the bed, his eyes locked on her. He didn’t need seduction. Or maybe she was enough seduction on her own. And that was even better.
She bit her lip as Tony looked up. His face was serious, a little grim, and she could see the muscle twitching in his jaw. She rose up on her knees and reached for the button on his khakis. He let out a long, drawn-out breath and watched her hands closely.
Determined to be flirty, sexy Randa instead of insecure, needy Randa—who she usually beat into submission—she smoothly shoved his pants down.
“Oh, now I know. Boxer briefs.” Tony didn’t look up to acknowledge her teasing so she decided maybe the time for that was over. Besides, one look at the man in soft knit underwear told her this was about to get very serious. And fast from the look of things.
She slid her hands inside the waistband over his hips and savored the feel of warm skin and hard muscles before pulling them down his legs.
And she was speechless. Honestly. There was no
word or combination of words that would do justice to the sight of Tony Ortega naked. His skin was golden, dark curls trickled down his chest, pointing the way to a really impressive erection. Randa wanted to touch him everywhere, all at once, but Tony cursed and turned away.
She wanted to ask what or why or where or maybe how, but he made an equally impressive picture walking away. She could see the muscles shifting in his back and his butt was a masterpiece.
She’d never really understood fascination with a man’s butt.
Now she got it. And she’d never forget it.
He walked into the tiny bathroom, yanked open a drawer, grabbed a box, and then he was on her, his legs tangled with hers, his chest hot and hard against her breasts, and his mouth invading hers. This kiss wasn’t sweet or gentle. It was all-out mastery of her mouth: his tongue thrusting against hers, while one hand wrapped around the nape of her neck to hold her where he needed her and the other swept down her arm. His touch raised goose bumps and her nipples ached for his attention. His control was slipping and she loved it.
When he cupped her breast, she pressed against him. He pulled back and they both gasped for air.
Randa ached for him. She rubbed against his hard thigh and tried to put the words together, but he was either reading her mind or he needed her too. Tony leaned back to watch as his hand tickled a path over the soft curve of her sensitive stomach. Under normal circumstances, his face was hard to read, but now he was an open book. She could see lust in the grim set of his mouth and tenderness in his warm, dark eyes. He made her feel special. This might even be what love felt like.
Afraid she’d lose her mind, Randa wanted to beg him to hurry, but Tony took his time. He traced the sensitive bend of her leg and teased the curls between her thighs before he ran a single finger through the wetness gathering there.
Randa shifted her hips closer, anxious to keep him there and for more. Tony’s eyes were hot as his gaze traveled up from the spot where his finger tormented her over her stomach and breasts to her face, which had to be bright red. She was burning up in the best way, and the look on his face said he was right there with her.
As Tony cupped her and his finger thrust, building the friction and her need, Randa clutched at him, her fingers hard on his arm, his thigh. “God, Tony, what are you waiting for?”
She was happy to see his lips curl in a small smile but she was even happier to see him reach for the box of condoms. Randa watched him open a condom and roll it on, glad he’d remembered.
Then she ran her hand down his abdomen to take a hold of him. Determined to push him over the edge of clear and rational to out of control, she slid her hand up and down twice before Tony grabbed her hand and pulled it up over her head to rest on the pillow. Then he pushed inside her so slowly that Randa wanted to beg him for more.
When Tony finally rested against her, she wrapped her hands around him and did her best to memorize how he felt, the way his muscles trembled with restraint, the crisp hair on his thighs tickling her skin as she wrapped her legs more tightly around him. If she’d liked Tony before and trusted him, now she felt close to him, cared for. She could feel the power of his body, all focused on pleasing her. He had no idea how amazing he was. Tears stung her eyes as she wished this was just the first night of a lifetime.
His retreat was just as slow, just as steady, and he leaned back so they could both see their connection. Randa stretched under his hot gaze and his hips jerked against hers. The look in his eyes was serious, hot. Randa tilted her head back, shoved her hips harder against him, and Tony lost control. He covered her again, his hips shoving in hard jerks against hers, each thrust harder, quicker, harder to resist.
Randa wrapped her arms around him and pulled him closer. She needed him like this, needed to know he was desperate for her. He bent his head and whispered the words he’d never say under normal circumstances into her ear, sex words, curse words, all mixed up with how perfect she was, how hot.
“God, Tony, I’m going to…” Her words ended in a breathless gasp as her orgasm hit. Tony thrust two, three more times and then his whole body tightened. With a strangled groan, he collapsed against her, his head on her collarbone, his uneven breaths sending hot and then cold streaks over her.
She was sweaty, bedhead didn’t even begin to cover the mess of her hair, her lipstick was long gone, but Randa had never felt better. Or more beautiful.
She rubbed her hands up and down Tony’s back and enjoyed the feeling of his muscles softening against her. When he rested against her like this, she felt powerful, protective. She wondered if anyone had ever protected Tony. He’d say he didn’t need it, but she wanted to be the person he could count on. She ran her hands over his slick skin and did her best to tell him without words what he meant to her.
When Tony stirred against her, she tightened her arms. “Don’t go. This is perfect.”
He leaned back to see her face and shifted inside her. They both gasped and Tony shook his head. “You’re perfect, Randa Whitmore.” He pressed a hard kiss against her swollen lips and then eased away from her. Randa managed to rouse herself enough to roll her head on the pillow to watch him cross the bedroom again. He stopped in the bathroom then turned out all the lights and tugged the bed covers out from under her. He slid into bed next to her and said, “Do you have to go somewhere? Be somewhere?”
Randa wasn’t quite sure what to make of that. Did he want the answer to be yes so she’d just get dressed and go? Or no so that they could stay right here?
So, in a new policy, she went with the truth. “I want to stay right here with you.”
It was hard to tell in the shadowy bedroom, but she thought he smiled.
She felt his chest shift against hers as he took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“I mentioned I don’t sleep. Today I feel better than I have in… I’m not sure I’ve ever felt as good as I do right here with you. Even if I don’t sleep, I want to hold you.”
Randa tilted her head up, sorry she couldn’t see his face better. “Is it nightmares?”
The arm around her back tightened before he answered. “Sometimes, but I don’t think you’re in danger of anything except losing sleep. Most of the time, it’s just… memories or regrets and I can’t stop the movie in my head. Sometimes meditation helps. Sometimes books. But sometimes nothing does. I have to run or swim or do something that exhausts me.”
Randa smiled up at him even though he couldn’t see it. “You should be pretty exhausted right now. If not, I’ll try harder.”
His rough chuckle was beautiful. She could feel her heart clench and stupid tears stinging in her eyes. Making him laugh was going to be her new, very short-term goal in life.
“Exhausted, yeah. But I’ve never felt better in my life, Randa.” He kissed her forehead. “So glad you showed up here.”
She wanted to pour out her newfound tenderness and tell him how much he’d given her, but she was determined to be easy to be around today. She was going to act like any normal girl would. That’s what he wanted. Not busy, determined Randa, the one who wanted to hatch a crazy plot involving her, Tony, and a hotel of their own somewhere a little cooler than Memphis but nowhere near Chicago. Not charming, flirty, manipulative Randa, the one who might try teasing or tears to get Tony to make some crazy promise which would make moving to Memphis so easy. If she were certain that was what she wanted, she might even do it. But she wasn’t. So comfortable, easy Randa was going to make sure that when Tony thought of her, he’d smile. He deserved that and she wanted to give it to him.
She rested a hand against his abdomen and did her best to ignore just how badly she wanted to be that regular girl, the one who could look forward to more with Tony.
Chapter Twelve
* * *
THE CRASH WOKE Tony from a heavy sleep. It had been so long since he’d had anything other than a catnap or restless dreams that it took him a minute to figure out where he was and why he felt so good. Then a stupid grin
was impossible to contain. He eased up and rubbed his eyes before he looked around his dark bedroom. The reason for his good mood appeared to have gone missing. Maybe she was the crasher. In a place this small, it wouldn’t be hard to find her. He tossed back the blankets and slid out of the bed with an easy stretch.
He yanked open a drawer and pulled out shorts. As he stepped into them, he caught his reflection in the mirror. And the grin was still there. Possibly, it was permanent now. Tony shook his head as he walked to the doorway. People would not know what to think if he walked around like this all the time.
Somehow, Randa had managed to get out of bed, rummage around in his drawers to find his favorite T-shirt, and make a clean getaway without waking him up once.
Since he’d been back home, he’d been doing his best just to fit in, to adjust to everyday life again. Initially, he’d tried sex as an insomnia cure, but he couldn’t stand the bars or the noise and sometimes even the touch of a woman’s hand was too much. To survive Iraq, he needed to be numb. To survive coming home, he needed peace and quiet. Very few women understood that his need for solitude had nothing to do with them. First he’d felt like the only asshole who’d forgotten the dance steps and he’d been pretty angry about it. Therapy helped. Time did too. And now he understood the steps better but he’d still been afraid to jump in. Somehow that hadn’t mattered with Randa. And today he felt better, surer, more like somebody who could build a life, a family, and deserve it.
It was too bad that the picture that came to mind featured Randa front and center. His dreams were pretty small scale. He couldn’t really imagine her settling for them.
When he saw her dancing around, waving her hand like it was on fire, he wondered if maybe it wasn’t the sex. Maybe it was Randa. Maybe she had some kind of magic that made things better.
“What happened?” Tony wrapped his arms around her to grab her hand. He held it still and saw an ugly broken nail. “I thought you were on fire.” “I dropped the bowl.” Randa turned her head and glared at him out of the corner of her eye. “Look at what it just did to my perfect French manicure.”
Can't Help Falling In Love Page 17
