Pulse (Collide)

by Gail McHugh

  “Do you know how beautiful your body is?” Gavin asked, his voice throbbing with emotion, his eyes glazed over with desire as he hitched his arm under Emily’s back. She shook her head, staring at him. “This beautiful body gave life to our son. I’ll worship it forever. Treasure it like the gift it is. Like the gift it gave to me.”

  His words so powerful, so intense, sent a tremor through Emily’s limbs. Breathless, she licked her lips and watched Gavin slowly kiss his way down her ribs, his biceps, thick and sculpted, flexing as he moved. He stroked his tongue across the middle of her stomach, letting it linger before dipping it over the rigid scar left behind from her Cesarean. Gavin looked up at Emily, her eyes showing a flicker of self-consciousness as he moved his tongue over the gorgeous imprint representing Noah’s life. He trailed his fingers along the raised, pink flesh.

  “Thank you for this permanent scar,” he whispered, cupping her bottom. He lifted the lower half of her body to his face, gently kissing each inch of her stomach. “Thank you.”

  Not only did Emily’s entire body tremble from his touch, but so did her heart. She was overwhelmed by the intense emotions rocking through her. Pleasure radiated, and heavenly zips of electricity curled around every muscle, fiber, and cell as Gavin settled his mouth between her legs. His tongue flicked softly against her swollen clit. Goose bumps raced and tingled across her skin, each stroke sending a ferocious wave of ecstasy tumbling deep within her stomach. It balled, simmering hot like lava. Her hips lurched up, pressing her wet warmth against his devouring mouth.

  Squeezing her ass tighter, Gavin licked through her tender flesh, his tongue feasting in her sweetness. Her moans propelled his senses higher; her trembling legs wrapped tight around his head sent him reeling. Desire needled him as Emily’s long, drawn out cries dissolved into whimpers. Emily clutched his hair, tugging his face into her harder, and hell if it didn’t make Gavin go nuts. She was close. So fucking close. He could feel it, taste it. Pushing two fingers through her slick opening, the excruciating need to bury himself inside her burrowed thick in his balls. Amped up and feeling as though he was about to lose it, Gavin sucked faster and harder at Emily’s swollen bud, her body mind-fucking him for his own release. Her calves and thighs, resting on his back, started to quake as her clenching pussy drew his fingers in.

  “Come for me, baby,” Gavin roughed out, tripping his thumb over her clit. “I need to taste all of you. Give it to me.”

  Emily’s belly dipped in response to the silkiness of his voice, the heated rasp of it melting her to the bones as she let go. Falling, her skin tingled and glistened with sweat. Her nipples hardened like gemstones. Her sex throbbed violently as her orgasm hit, crashing over her body like an angry wave. Before the world could settle back down around her, Gavin slithered up her body and pushed the wide crest of his cock inside her. Emily gasped and spread her legs wide to take all of him. Tangling his hands in her hair, Gavin closed his mouth over hers in a lust-fueled kiss, groaning as he licked into her deeper, harder. Tasting her tanginess on his tongue, Emily moaned, the thick, burning of him spreading her open, nearly hurtled her into another orgasm. But she welcomed the aching soreness, ate it up in all its deliciousness, knowing she’d never get enough. God help her, she knew she’d never be whole without him. He was vital to her being. Her shelter from a storm.

  Losing herself in the sensations and sounds of their bodies becoming one, Emily stared into Gavin’s eyes as his lips abandoned hers. He gazed at her with an intensity she’d never seen, his eyes showing another level of love. A heightened level of passion. Under his siege and under his spell, Emily caught his mouth with hers, their kiss flavored with the saltiness of their sweat. Trembling, Emily gripped his shoulders and her nails left flaming red streaks across his caging biceps as she clutched him tighter. His glorious flesh was taut everywhere, layered with slabs of hard muscle. He was nothing but primal, perfect male. Gavin slowly slid over her, and Emily could feel their bodies slickened with their mingling need for one another.

  With a shaky hand, Gavin brushed an errant piece of damp hair away from her forehead. “I love you, Emily,” he groaned as he circled his thumbs along her temples. “You’re my world. My life. The air I fucking breathe. I can’t believe you’re going to be mine forever.”

  Emily felt his hand drop away from her face, as he brought his mouth down to her breasts, layering his tongue over each swollen, taut peak. With their heartbeats quickening together, Emily was so entranced, so mesmerized, and overcome, tears born of her love for Gavin spilled from her eyes. She sank, melting into him with each slow lick, searing touch, and passionate kiss he worshipped her body with. As Gavin pushed harder, pure fire burned inside her, making the sweltering gash of need grow. With her lips melded to his, licking into his mouth and thrusting her hips in rhythm with his, Emily felt Gavin start to tremble, felt his body stiffening. His muscles tightened, and the tension built in his body. Ecstasy breathed hard against her skin as Gavin’s deep, smooth, guttural groans danced through her ears.

  Clawing at his back, she sucked in rapid breaths as a rising tide of orgasm overtook her, sending her soaring over a cliff. “Don’t stop,” she begged, her body hot, her eyes on his. Her pussy twitched, clamping down around his cock as he thrust into her harder, faster. “Oh my God, Gavin, keep going.”

  Muscles tensing, Gavin tried to breathe through each stroke in an attempt to prolong her pleasure, but hell if he wasn’t making it hard on himself as his gaze fastened on the heavy sway of Emily’s lush breasts. Determination firmed his jaw as he watched Emily fall into a fray of bliss. He pumped deeper into her as her orgasm became another, then a third, until she screamed out in a final rush of release.

  Mentally unraveled, physically turned inside out, and raw from head to toe, Emily clutched at Gavin’s damp hair. She dragged his beautiful mouth down to hers. Kissing her hard and slow, Gavin let out a long, low growl. Emily felt his silky jet of semen spill into her, his warmth filling her again and again. His rigid body jerked above hers, his fingers knotting in her hair. With their hearts thundering, breath mingling, and souls intertwining, for Emily, it felt as if their bodies knew what they meant to one another.

  Spent, Gavin burrowed his face into Emily’s neck, breathing in, and drowning under the scent of their combined mixture. His mouth floated across her cheek, his fingers massaging her hair. “I need to hold and make love to you all night.”

  And, God, he did. Showing her over and over again how much he needed her, Gavin wiped away Emily’s memories of a ruthless past, closing the door to what never should’ve been. As he held her through the night, her breathless future was contained in the expanse of his warm, strong arms, and she knew this magnificent start to what lie ahead would be forever ingrained in her heart.

  Gavin slid his key in the lock and walked into the savory smell of a home-cooked meal. He was impressed by how far Emily had come over the past year with her culinary skills. She’d said she would master cooking, and hell if she didn’t. Though he’d never admit it to his mother, Gavin thought Emily’s lasagna made hers taste like the frozen kind. Without Emily’s knowledge, Gavin stepped into the kitchen and watched with adoration as she pulled a roast from the oven.

  Placing his briefcase on the table, Gavin’s eyes roamed over her black heels, up her shapely legs beneath a skirt that stopped a few inches above her knees, to the gracious contour of her jaw. She was Gavin’s angel. His walking, breathing, amazing for life, mind-blowing, all-consuming angel. Emily stabbed a meat thermometer into the sizzling roast. She must’ve burned herself because Gavin heard her gasp. It was possible his angel’s cooking skills weren’t as great as he thought, but that didn’t matter. She still blew his mind.

  Coming up behind her, he snaked his arms around her waist and buried his face in the crook of her neck. Emily jumped, and Gavin chuckled. “Did I scare you?” he whispered, running his lips along her neck. “And did the roast attack you? If so, I’ll kill him.”

  “Ye
s, you scared me,” Emily answered, facing him. With a smile, she slowly shoved her index finger in Gavin’s mouth. He sucked it lightly, his swirling tongue bringing her burn instant comfort. “And yes, he attacked me. But I’d rather you not kill anything today.” She pulled her finger from his mouth, her brow drawn up seductively.

  Gavin pressed her back against the counter, his hungry blue eyes zeroed in on her plump lips. He untied the Betty Crocker-looking apron from her waist and dropped it to the floor. “Where’s Noah?”

  Emily looped her arms around his neck. “I had your parents pick him up for the night so I can show you a good time on your birthday, old man.”

  Armed with a lazy grin, Gavin bent his head and crushed his mouth to hers. Emily moaned, and Gavin grabbed her thigh, hiking it up around his waist. “Old man?” he questioned between kisses. “I’m thirty. And let’s not forget all the swoon worthy”—he kissed her harder—”intense… satisfying”—he nipped her neck—”mind numbing… hot as hell”—he licked her earlobe—”‘Gavin give it to me harder now, please don’t stop, oh my God, keep going’ moments this old man’s shown you.”

  “Mmm hmm. You have given me quite a few of those,” Emily purred. Sexual need balled low in her belly. Kissing her deeper, Gavin started unbuttoning her blouse. Emily’s eyes fluttered closed as he dragged his lips down her jaw, across her neck, settling them on the swell of her breast. She tangled her fingers in his hair. “Gavin, wait, I want you to open your gift first.”

  He didn’t stop. Hell. No. He slowly pulled the scalloped edge of her black lace bra just below her nipple. With a devious smile, he looked at her as he flicked his tongue across the hardened bud. Emily gasped and bit her lip. “I thought it was obvious I was opening my gift, Mrs. Blake.” He lifted her onto the cool granite counter, pulled her tiny apple ass to the very edge, and shimmied between her legs. Licking into her mouth, he groaned, his body riveted by her tantalizing taste. “I’m the birthday boy, which means I get to call the shots. Sex. Lots of it. Here and now. With my hot wife on the counter.”

  Tilting her head to allow Gavin to devour her neck, Emily released another moan and hooked her legs around his waist. Over her increased breathing, she heard her heels hit the wood floor. Gavin kissed her harder, making it difficult for her to stop. But she knew how to get him. “How about your hot wife incorporates wild sex into the gift she got for you? Sound good?”

  Gavin caught her lip between his teeth and stared into her eyes for a long moment. Eventually, he released it and backed away slightly, his grin wide. “Incorporating wild sex into a gift you’ve already gotten me? Mmm, I can’t say you haven’t piqued my curiosity. Does it require batteries?”

  Emily nodded, her smile salacious. “Oh, yes. It requires a very large battery.” Gavin lifted a curious brow, his grin widening. She hopped off the counter, grabbed Gavin’s hand, and started leading him toward the garage door. “Close your eyes,” she whispered.

  “What are you doing?” Gavin probed, a devilish smirk curling his mouth.

  With a quick hand, Emily pulled him by his necktie down to her mouth. Running her tongue along his irresistible lips, she swung her arm around his waist and squeezed his ass. Tight. “It may be your birthday, Mr. Blake, but I’m the one running the show. No questions. Got it?”

  Yep, his wicked angel knew how to make Gavin’s stone harder. “I’m nothing but a peasant to your demands, sweets.” Smiling, Emily watched him close his eyes, proud of the authority she held. “But I’m definitely pulling the alpha caveman card on your pretty little ass during our sexcapade.”

  Severely loving the authority he stripped from her, she ran over to her discarded apron. Picking it up, she shoved her hand into the pocket and whipped out the very blindfold he’d teased her with when he showed her Noah’s nursery and the house. Oh yes, payback was about to become Gavin’s bitch. Coming up behind him, she slid it over his face, making sure his intoxicating baby blues were covered.

  Gavin tossed his head back, laughing. “Very sneaky. I like.”

  Emily intertwined her fingers in his as she led him through the mudroom and into the garage. “I’ve learned from the best of them.”

  “Can’t say I’d disagree with that statement.” Gavin crossed his arms, a grin lighting up his face. “I’ve taught you every single naughty thing you know.”

  Shaking her head, Emily hit the garage door opener and smiled at not only Gavin’s over-confident remark, but her carefully thought out birthday gift. Sleek, as silver as a shiny bullet, and wrapped in a larger than life Yankees bow, Emily’s eyes scanned Gavin’s new… minivan. She couldn’t bring herself to purchase a forest green one. Nope. And being it wasn’t in the same class as the insanely priced sports cars Gavin was accustomed to driving, the Chrysler Town and Country would be something that would take some getting used to. However, considering the lower end vehicle held more meaning than she could ever imagine, Emily was pretty positive this color and model might fit the bill.

  “Okay. Are you ready?” Emily draped her arms around Gavin’s neck, breathing in his cologne. Kissing his chin, she felt excitement rushing through her veins. “This is a… few gifts wrapped into one. I just want to make sure you’re prepared. I don’t need your old ass having a heart attack on me.”

  Gavin shook his head, his dimpled smile as contagious as ever. “You’re turning into a certified—”

  “Wiseass like you.” Emily ran her hands across his chest and pushed up on her tiptoes. Lips grazing Gavin’s ear, she closed her eyes and huskily dropped her voice. “I have a couple hot, delicious, naughty things to teach you, Mr. Blake.” She slowly slid the blindfold from his eyes. “Class starts in five.” She nipped his ear and backed away. Watching him blink open his eyes, his dimple deepening with his growing smile, Emily clapped as Gavin’s mouth dropped open.

  “You didn’t,” he said, chuckling.

  “Oh yes I did.” Emily wasted no time making her way over to the passenger side. Before opening the door, she reached into a utility closet and snatched the keys to the new ride. She chucked them over the roof and giggled when Gavin caught them. “Get in. We’re taking this bad boy for a spin. Oh, and check out your customized plates. They fit you to a T.”

  Brow drawn up in curiosity, Gavin padded to the front of the vehicle, his eyes landing on the plate his certified wiseass wife had made for him. With a Baltimore Orioles emblem winking at him, Gavin scanned the letters BRDLVR. Belting out a laugh, Gavin tossed the keys in the air and caught them before he hopped into the driver’s seat.

  “Am I good or what?” Emily questioned, a proud smile toying at her mouth. “I mean, you know you had it coming, right?”

  Gavin shook his head and slid the keys into the ignition. “Yes. I had it coming.” Engine started, he leaned over the console and reached for Emily’s seatbelt. He clicked it in place and brought his lips to her ear. “So when does this class begin? I’m an eager student, more than willing to learn new tricks from the teacher.”

  Goose bumps popped over Emily’s flesh as she stared into Gavin’s eyes. “I’m glad you’re an eager student,” she breathed, her body caught in his easy vortex of seduction. Damn. She swore he’d be able to pull this shit on her when they were well into their golden years. Wrinkled, barely able to walk, and sucking on an inhaler, she was convinced he’d never need Viagra. Ever. “But I’m not done giving you your gifts.”

  A smirk formed at the corner of his lips. “I know. I’m trying to coax the others out of you right now.” Emily’s blood coursed violently through her veins as Gavin’s hand crept behind her head, his fingers melting through her hair. He teased his lips to hers, his voice a low whisper. “Am I doing a good job?” He didn’t let her answer. He probed her mouth with his tongue, seeking the sweet taste he could never get enough of, the sweet taste that would forever belong to him.

  Emily’s limbs went pliant, her pulse racing as she gasped into their kiss. Lips locked in wanton indulgence, she breathed in everything that ma
de Gavin. His touch, taste, and the spark of life that continued to light her world on fire time and time again. His presence soothed her. His arms protected her. His soul loved her. He was a cleansing, a purification, and a fresh start at a life she never believed she’d hold. He’d always know how to carefully stalk the fringes of her heart, how to steal her breath, and how to make her worries seep into the nothingness where they belonged. In a blink, he was there. In a flash, she’d almost lost him. But here, and now, he was hers. Leaving behind what once was, and no longer holding visual remnants of chaotic past that’d almost broken them, Emily slowly drew her lips away from his, her need to fill their present with continued happiness growing by the second.

  “I love you, Gavin,” she whispered, her mind burning every precious second, minute, and hour they’d spent together into her memory. “You’ve given me everything I could’ve ever imagined and more. I hope I’ve done the same for you.” She paused and cupped his cheek, her pulse racing. “Your other gift’s waiting for you in the back seat.”

  Gavin dragged his gaze from Emily’s, which had suddenly become teary, his eyes flicking from Noah’s car seat over to a smaller infant seat. The difference in size was so overwhelming, yet the two fit together like pieces to a puzzle. Side by side, an older brother and a younger sibling. Swallowing, Gavin felt his heart start to hammer in his chest, bursting with a mixture of fear, excitement, love, and joy. Each a delicious, vivid component of what it felt like to be a father. A father to a first, and now a second child.

  Gavin’s trembling hand immediately flew to Emily’s stomach, his voice nearly trapped in his throat. “You’re pregnant?” The words rushed from his smiling lips.