It’s got all white walls, a blank canvas in my book, and it has so much potential I have the urge to go shopping immediately. The place is also huge. Blaze told me it’s got four bedrooms, so I assumed it was big, but it’s massive.
The rooms are all huge, HUGE, and the living areas…
I love a good fireplace even though it’s not necessary in Tennessee what with the weather and central heating and all, but it makes the great room look so cozy and…
The things I could do with a little studio tucked away in the room off the back porch. It’s surrounded by windows, three glass walls that let in masses of light and look out over a yard that also has a pool.
“Heaven,” I whisper, as I look around from the back porch and wait for Blaze to bring me a glass of tea.
“Yep. I think so too, Evie.”
“How did you find a house that’s this perfect on this slice of Nirvana?” I ask, sitting in one of the rockers as he grins and tosses something at his ugly ass dog, Batshit.
That little guy is the ugliest thing I have ever seen. Ever. He has zero hair. His skin is a weird pink with mottled black spots, but he is just too damn unique not to adore.
“I didn’t. I built it,” Blaze says, sitting in the rocker beside mine.
“You built this? Seriously?”
“Uh huh. My buddy Storm and his wife Lenny live further down the road, and Jericho and Cleo bought an old place in the middle, so I thought I may as well just settle here since we’re always driving back and forth from the city what with barbecues and Lenny six months along now in her pregnancy.”
I remember the little doctor. I like her a lot, though I like Nick more because the man has a dirty sense of humor and doesn’t give a shit if I’m a woman. He just tells it like it is and watches me laugh myself sick.
“Okay, but I mean, you didn’t hire contractors or anything?”
He shrugs and stares off into the distance, seeming lost in thought before turning to me.
“I didn’t trust anyone when my home had specifications that were meant to be secret, baby.”
Ooooh, I like secrets, I think, leaning in, rapt and ready to hear them all.
“Tell.”
He chuckles and points at the little room I like so much.
“High-grade glass I got from a buddy who works on the base in these parts. He was scrapping a military bunker and sold it to me cheap. An armor-piercing round wouldn’t make it through till the third go around. The kitchen? There’s a trap door hidden in one of the cupboards that leads to the basement where I have a hidden tunnel that leads out back and comes out in the woods. The bedroom closets each have a fake wall that serves as a hidey hole, and I have a hidden weapons storage that took me two weeks to build and set into the wall above the mantle.”
I whistle low and shake my head at that, shocked at the lengths he’s gone to. The man sounds paranoid, and yet I know for a fact Nick and Lenny’s house is the same, and Jericho used some of the men to “fix” his new house when he deemed it unfit for his Cleo.
I guess they should know since they’ve seen the worst the world has to offer. I guess they’re right since Lenny told me just what happened to her when those guys came after her in her home and almost killed her.
“That’s awesome. So you can hide almost anywhere in this place in case of attack?”
“Yes. And no, I don’t think it’s too much since we’ve accumulated a lot of enemies, in the Army and out of it. This house? It’s my home and I love it, but I won’t let it be the death of me if someone manages to get past the gates and the security I set up.”
Huh.
“That why you insisted we come here?”
“Some. Mostly, I decided you and me…we’re going to have hot sex, and I want that to happen in my bed.” He laughs, grinning at my choked giggle and the blush I can’t hide.
“What’s with the change all of a sudden? And don’t you dare mention that.”
“Why not? It’s a vital factor in my thinking, Evie. But seriously? I’m just fucking tired of denying what I want and need when I don’t have to. You want me and I want you, and that’s as plain as anything can be said. Maybe it’s crazy since we only just met—”
“Ahem! I have met you before. Twice! You were drunk that one time and the other you were in a mood and hardly looked my way,” she gripes, pursing her lips. “This is our third meeting, and by the way, you weren’t any better at this one than you were at the others.”
“Because you were wearing nothing!” he accuses, his eyes going to my breasts where the little bandeau top is barely covering them.
“So? That’s no excuse. You were an ass.”
“I was trying not to drool or just faceplant in your chest. Give me a break, woman. I could see your damn nipples, and I haven’t allowed myself near great boobs in going on four years now.”
Okay, now that is a compliment—even if the oaf is charging me with being half-naked in front of him. Which I wasn’t, okay! He’s just a perv who’s fixated on boobs.
My boobs. Good boobs.
I let that go because I feel so good about him right now and lean back as Batshit comes charging up the steps to drop a dead bird at my feet.
“Even he’s obsessed, the little shit. Take it and go!” Blaze yells, chuckling when the dog grabs his offering and slinks away.
I have to laugh at that because this is the most flattering day I have ever had. Two men that want to serve me and think I’m cute. Oh the life.
“I’m a little nervous.”
Blaze glances at me and smirks, his mouth twisting as his eyes lose some of their light.
“About us sleeping together?”
“Yes and no. Look, I am so on board for whatever you want and need because, damn, man, you almost made me explode just telling me what you want… It’s just, I’m new to sex. I’ve been with one guy sexually, and while he wasn’t bad at all, it’s just one experience, ya know? I want everything you have to give me. Don’t even think of holding back because I would not be happy. I guess I just need to know that you won’t be upset or disappointed if I can’t handle some things,” I say quietly, keeping my eyes focused on him even though it’s killing me not to look away.
I’m not this open about sex usually, but I guess I can’t really afford to be a prude since I need to know that this is going to be okay.
“I get that, and I’m more than okay with you being nervous. I’m a little intense in that mode. I get that, too, and I don’t want to scare you. Let’s make a deal, Evie. I’ll promise not to be upset if you call a halt to something if you promise to at least try. Some of the stuff I do may be too much at first, I know. I tend to be a gorger, and I may be worse with you since I haven’t…”
“Done this in a while,” I finish when he looks away and breathes out deeply.
“Yeah. But you should know that I would never hurt you in any way. What I want to do to you is not just about sex, it’s my wanting all of you because I will give you all of me.”
Okay, panties, it was nice knowing you. I snort silently as liquid heat hits my stomach and trickles down below. I’m hot for him that fast, that intensely, and all the man is doing is looking at me as if he wants to devour me and relish every bite.
Oh Lord, have a care or I may just fall headlong into a love that is an obsession.
“I promise.”
His smile is dark and so hot I clench my sex and groan under my breath.
“Tonight.”
***
Blaze
I’ve kept her on a simmer all day as we sat on the porch and just relaxed before cooking lunch together. The woman is like an open book and responded to my every light touch or look as if I was physically caressing her most private places.
I’ve been hard, too, but I managed to keep that in check because I like the anticipation of what’s to come as much as I enjoy the act of taking. With Evie, I have the distinct impression that fear and hope alike…I’ll get it all from her.
; I loved my ex and enjoyed everything we did together, but she was prudish in her own way and balked at some of my touches. It taught me to leash some of my urges and take her with more care.
Evie though, God please let her want it all because the way I’m feeling, I am deathly afraid I won’t be able to hold back once I get started. I’m not a pervert, a master, or a dom, none of the labels people are so intent on putting on sex, but I am not the norm.
One shrink I went to right in the beginning after the divorce told me to liken myself to a berserker. I’m a normal man with normal appetites, they’re just a little stronger than most.
I liked that, but alas, I was not ready to accept myself anymore so I stopped seeing him when he tried to get me to accept it instead of helping me control it.
I feel that way now though, as she flits around the kitchen in her sexy pants, her boobs swaying as she tosses a salad. I want to go berserk on her and just enjoy it all.
The part of me that hopes is just strong enough to overpower the doubts which have been trying to dissuade me all afternoon.
“So, you think she’ll go for it?” Evie asks, making me start as I flip the steak and turn from the stove.
“She looked ready to attack you for suggesting you take the clothes after she wasn’t so enthusiastic about keeping them for a trial period. She’d be a fool not to, even if she’s not into the designs because, like you said, she needs something to bring people into her store again and that may only happen if she stocks something people can afford in this economy. Her clientele may be rich or well off, but even they aren’t flinging cash around so freely these days. Besides, you still have the other two,” I point out.
Her shoulders sag a little and she stops tossing the salad to turn to me.
“Tomorrow’s meeting was cancelled. Kimber called me while you were in your office on the phone. Apparently, they looked at our catalog again and decided not to waste anyone’s time. I knew that one was going to be a bust though, since they’re exclusive and only take exclusive lines, so it’s not too bad. I’m just…Kimber was not happy about that.”
That fucking woman. She may be a good business partner and a nice person, but she’s an ass when it comes to being a good friend. Evie’s busted her ass to make things work even when she doesn’t really want any of this, and this is what she gets for it?
“Baby, she’s being a bitch and you know it, so don’t even bother feeling guilty. You did the Janice Boutique and Asia West is Monday. If they don’t accept, you still have your store. If Kimber doesn’t like it, just get a loan against your online business and buy her out.”
Evie nods at that and seems deep in thought as I plate the steak, fried potatoes, and the salad she made, and then we sit at the table. I talk to her about other things while we eat to draw her out and get her back to where she was before talk of her business killed the mood.
By the time we’re done and everything is cleaned, she’s hopping around like a cat on a hot roof and casting me nervous looks that make me want to laugh.
Just where I want her.
“Why don’t you take your wine upstairs and have a nice hot bath, Evie. I’ll lock up and settle Batshit before I come up.”
She’s so grateful for her little reprieve that she almost runs as she leaves the kitchen and starts up the stairs. I take my time downstairs, checking windows, doors, and the security system before bedding the dog down for the night and turning out the lights.
I don’t run as I take the stairs because this is not something I want to rush.
Chapter Twelve
Evaline
I’m ready to come out of my skin as I recline in the bathtub and try to relax while gulping at my glass of wine. I waxed a little this morning after that comment he made and ensured that everything is hair free and smooth, so now all I really have to do is make sure that I don’t faint when Blaze comes to find me.
I’m not scared as in afraid of what will happen, because after hours of his teasing touches and telling looks, I’m so freaking ready for him I’d slide right over him if he even pointed his shaft my way.
My nerves stem from the things I’ve been feeling all day, things that don’t make sense, but do, and scare me to death. Like how I feel safe with him. How I adore being with him, and how I-I-I may feel more for him than friendship, gratitude, or desire.
The desire part is huge, don’t think it isn’t, but it’s the softness I feel when I look at him that’s making me want to rethink this whole thing. That softness and the way my chest aches tells me that I may be in danger of really falling for him.
Not in the way that I fell for my other boyfriends because, let’s face it, I wasn’t too broken up when they left. No, these feelings are strong and scary, and I think that if I do this with him, I may not be able to walk away from him.
He’ll have to pry me off and toss me as far as he can and then start running to escape me. See, these thought are not helping! Why can’t I just be normal and have meaningless sex with a guy? I freaking want to, without the affection, because I know that with this guy I want so much more and—
“Evie?”
I start when he knocks on the door and sit up in a rush when it opens to reveal him standing there in only cotton bottoms. So sexy. The man is so hard and chiseled all over that all I can think of when I look at him is that I want to lick him all over, front and back.
“Uh, I’ll be out in a minute.”
He shakes his head and walks over, grabbing a towel on the way as he motions for me to rise and get out of the tub.
“I’ll dry you and do what needs doing before we go to bed. Come on now, just breathe and it will be okay. There’s nothing to fear with me.”
I obey and try not to flinch when he starts patting my skin with the towel and drying me so thoroughly I’m moaning by the time he’s done. He says there’s nothing to fear, but when he takes a bottle of oil from the cabinet and pulls me out of the bathroom and over to the bed, I’m pretty sure I’m in terrified territory.
The man is a dream—attentive, sweet, and so gentle—as he lays me down and starts rubbing oil into my skin. I want to cover myself, but he refuses to let me, telling me there will be no modesty in his bed, so I force my muscles to relax and watch his every move as he moisturizes my skin.
“This is very lightly scented, enough just to bring out your natural scent but not remove the taste of your skin.”
He keeps at it, almost clinical in his thoroughness as he covers my breasts and moves lower to cover the skin of my mound, careful not to go near my slit or inner lips.
My hips writhe up of their own accord, and he smiles softly before rising and leaving me alone to stalk into the closet. When he comes back holding four black strips of cloth made of a soft suede, I feel my heart gallop wildly.
“I’m going to tie your wrists to the top of the bed and then secure your legs just above your knees. Don’t tense up or struggle, I won’t do anything you don’t want.”
It’s easier said than done as he ties first one wrist and then the other. I manage not to move or tense as he finishes, but when it comes to my legs it gets harder not to move. I’m vulnerable and feeling completely exposed, as he winds one strip gently around my right thigh, pulling it down almost to the bed and secures it.
That alone is so hard not to protest, but the left is even harder because I know that once he’s done, there won’t be an inch of my sex to hide. I’ll be open and at his mercy, my every flaw his to see and catalog.
“It’s okay. We’re almost done,” he croons, his eyes so dark and stormy as he looks up at me that they appear almost black.
I want to squirm and fight against my bonds because, damn, do I feel trapped, but I check the urge and force myself to stay still even as he steps back and looks at me.
The hand he runs over his mouth as he eats every inch of me with his eyes trembles slightly and that, that one action alone, settles me right down to the point that I melt into the bed.
He wan
ts me badly. I can see it. It’s so palpable that it’s almost physical, and that makes me feel all powerful and in control as strange as that seems.
“Oh, Evie, baby. You are so beautiful.”
I’m not really. I have a decent enough body since God graced me with good skin that escaped growing stretch marks and cellulite, but I’m no goddess. I have soft spots that I do not have the time to work on, and my belly is not exactly flat and toned, but the way he says it is so sincere I see myself through his eyes and it feels good.
“Blaze.”
He snaps out of his trance when I breathe his name and seems to shake himself, swallowing tightly.
“I’ll talk you through it all this first time because I don’t want to scare you, okay baby. I’m going to kiss you. Deep. Hard. For a long time because I love kissing, and that mouth of yours is fucking luscious. When I can pull away from that, I’m going for your skin next. Everything I can stroke my hands down.”
I shiver, wanting his hands on me, and he smiles a slow smile that looks predatory and wild.
“Don’t be alarmed when I get to your breasts. I like them. A lot. This first time will be my mouth only, but I’ve been dying to close those babies around my dick, and that I will have. Later. Then I’m going to eat you for so long it may make you hurt with unfulfilled need. I’ll satisfy that when I take you, but not before. This is about feeling it all, not racing for the finish. Okay?”
I swallow at his words and nod sharply, not trusting my voice because I’m already so turned on I’m afraid I’ll beg him to just take me, and then I’ll never get to feel all the things he needs and wants. Everything I, myself, want.
True to his word, he starts kissing me the minute he stretches out beside me. His lips are soft, firm, and wet as he seals our mouths and nibbles at my lips. He starts slow and stays on the outside no matter how I open my mouth or try to move my head.
He savors and groans and seems lost in this one act alone before I feel him push close just before his mouth opens and his tongue comes out. Lord, I have never been kissed this way. Thoroughly, deeply, with such adoration I go up in flames from this alone.
THE WATCHERS: 6 Military Romance Bundle Page 40
