Love on the Line (Love Beyond Danger Book 3)

by Diane Holiday

  He grabbed the beach bag and followed her back to the car. Nice view that only added to the intensity of his already raging hard-on.

  On the way to the house, a million thoughts spun in his head. For the first time, he found himself nervous before sex. What if he couldn’t control himself long enough for foreplay? A real possibility with as long as it had been and as excited as Anne got him. She wasn’t like any other woman he’d known. He didn’t want to go too fast or intimidate her with his size.

  He winced. Not that size. His overall size. Who had highjacked his brain? He was thinking crazy stuff.

  “What’s wrong?” Anne placed a hand on his thigh.

  A spark shot up his leg, and he jumped at the contact. “Huh?”

  “You’re…so quiet. Are you having second thoughts?”

  Second thoughts? She had to be kidding. He’d been having a billion thoughts of little else for the last month and a half. His chest rumbled with a laugh he couldn’t stop.

  Anne drew her hand back. “Why are you laughing at me?”

  Shit. He shook his head and glanced at her. “I’m not laughing at you. I promise.”

  “Well, then what’s so funny?” She crossed her arms, a small pout on her pretty pink lips.

  He couldn’t tell her that a guy’s second, third, and most every thought was about sex without sounding like a horndog. Which he was at the moment.

  Thanks to her.

  But he wanted to ease her mind. “Honestly, I’m kinda unnerved.”

  “What? You?” Her voice rang with disbelief. “Why?”

  He stole a glance in her direction. “Because you matter. I don’t want to disappoint you.”

  “You disappoint me?” She swallowed and her eyes widened. “I’m so scared of…”

  “Wait.” He pulled the car into a spot against the curb. Turning to face her, he placed a hand over hers, which felt cold to the touch. “What are you scared of?”

  She nibbled her lip and let out a breath before raising her gaze to his. “Measuring up. I don’t have much experience with…well…you know.”

  He blinked. This beautiful woman had no idea what she did to him. Maybe that was his fault for not telling her enough. But he hadn’t wanted to pressure her. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers. “You have nothing to worry about. No one has ever made me feel the way you do.”

  “Yeah?” Her tentative smile inflated his heart.

  “For sure.” He glanced at the GPS. “We’re almost at the house. I’ll prove it to you there.”

  She nodded and squeezed his hand. “House?”

  “Yeah, I wanted some privacy so I rented a beach cottage.” He drove back onto the road.

  Anne sighed. “That is such a relief. I admit I was a little nervous about people snapping shots of us together at a hotel.”

  He patted her leg. “I might be a slow learner, but I’m figuring you out.”

  The GPS announced their arrival, and Wyatt parked the car in the short driveway of a two-story, bright-blue house.

  “This place is so cute.” Anne perked up in the seat next to him. “Look at the shell-lined walkway and the painted, wooden dolphin on the door. I love it.”

  A thrill shot through Wyatt. He’d nailed it. Of course, he could have afforded something bigger and glitzier, but he’d gone with his gut and apparently chosen right.

  He grabbed their bags from the trunk and punched in the access code on the door lock. When they entered, his gaze went to a plate of muffins and a note on the kitchen table that read, “Welcome to the shore.” Nice touch.

  Anne scouted out the rooms while he hauled their bags up the stairs to the master bedroom.

  “Oh my gosh, there’s a rooftop deck with an ocean view,” she called from above.

  Hell yeah, he hoped to make use of it after dark. The excitement in her voice sent a ripple of pride through him. He’d made her happy.

  She came busting into the bedroom, a big grin on her face. “This is amazing. But what if I’d said I wanted to go home? I’d have felt horrible after you’d found such a nice, private place.”

  He smiled and shook his head. “You never would have known.”

  She squeezed her eyes shut and tapped her fingers to her forehead. “Oh, right. I swear, I don’t think straight around you.”

  “I don’t want you to think at all.” He threaded his fingers through her hair and brought his lips closer to hers, a mere breath away. “I want you to feel.”

  She shivered and stilled. Her eyes grew large, and her breath turned shallow. In a husky voice, she said, “Give me a sec to freshen up?”

  “Hurry,” he whispered against her neck, nipping her ear lightly with his teeth.

  She snatched her bag and headed to the bathroom. “Be right back.”

  The image of Anne in the black bikini flashed in his head and kept the blood supply flowing south as he pulled down the sheets of the bed and tossed some condoms on the nightstand.

  Anne cleared her throat, and he glanced up. She stood in the doorway wearing a hot-pink, lacy sheer bra and a tiny black triangle bottom with a small pink bow on the front.

  His mouth went dry, and he sucked in a breath. Sweet Jesus.

  From the swell of her breasts, to the curve of her hips, to the flat plane of her stomach, she screamed sexy. She did a slow, tentative pirouette showing him her firm little ass framed by the thong straps.

  “I wanted something special to wear. Do you like it?” The little hitch in her voice turned him on even more. She’d stepped out of her comfort zone for him.

  Somehow, he managed to cross the room, but his gaze continued to rake up and down her gorgeous figure. When at last he met her eyes, electricity surged between them. Palpable energy that caused his cock to throb.

  “You are so beautiful.” He choked the words out of his parched throat.

  She wet her lips and took a step closer, staring up at him. Her soft, sweet scent filled his head as she splayed her hands across his chest. Not breaking eye contact, she kneaded the muscles, heating his body with her touch.

  He ran his hands down her exposed sides, over the flare of her hips, and back up to rest at her waist. Her muscles trembled under his palms.

  She stood on her tiptoes, and he leaned down to kiss her. Slowly at first, he pressed his lips to hers, barely touching them, teasing until she strained higher for more contact. Her breasts pressed against him, and her hard nipples scraped through the fabric. His blood heated to molten lava, burning through his veins.

  Anne wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself up to deepen the kiss. Her tongue mated with his, twisting and dancing in his mouth as a small moan came from deep inside her. Fisting a hand in his hair, she rocked her hips against his raging hard-on.

  She nipped his lower lip, kissing him with a fierce hunger that took his breath away. Thunder pounded in his ears, and a primal need to be inside of her consumed him. He’d never reacted to a woman like this. It was Anne, all Anne. Time to slow things down before he lost it.

  He scooped her up, carried her to the bed, and gently laid her down. When she reached for him, he eased back and stroked her hair. “Not so fast. I want to worship every inch of your gorgeous body.”

  Her eyes, glazed with desire, followed his finger as he traced it down her neck to the edge of her lacy bra. With the lightest touch, he rubbed the fabric over her breast, causing the nipple to pucker even more. He brought his mouth down to suckle it. Anne arched her back, filling his greedy mouth with her breast.

  Wyatt’s hot tongue did wicked things to torture her through the lace of her bra. He slipped a strap down her arm, then followed it with open-mouthed kisses that set her skin on fire. An ache grew at the delta of her legs, begging for attention.

  She rested her hands on his broad shoulders when he focused on her breasts again, sliding the lace down to suckle her bare nipple. He flicked, then licked it repeatedly until she thought she’d levitate off the bed. Tiny sparks lit in her belly. D
ear God, the man knew how to arouse every cell of her body.

  The stubble of his chin scraped and tickled her ribcage. He blew warm air across her wet peak, and then licked it again. His mouth devoured her. Possessive one second, and gentle the next. His unique, all-Wyatt scent intoxicated her.

  She dug her fingers into the hard muscles of his shoulders and whimpered. A guttural sound of satisfaction that came from somewhere deep inside him vibrated through her. She pressed her hands harder, nudging him down to the source of her longing.

  He moved lower, blazing a path with his tongue until he reached the top of her thong. Sliding a finger under the material, he found her engorged nub and traced small circles around it. Desire coiled tighter and tighter in her belly, causing her to pant and writhe.

  Wyatt nipped at the elastic strap with his teeth, sending a ripple of pleasure to her core. He slid the thong down her legs and positioned his face between them. Licking and teasing the soft flesh of her inner thighs, he slipped a finger inside her.

  Her leg muscles quivered, and she opened farther for him. He withdrew his finger and sucked it. “Mm.”

  The growl in his voice made her toes curl. He gazed up at her, emerald-green eyes raw with lust. The room blurred behind him, filling her vision with nothing but the pure passion in his face. Her heart lurched at the strength of her feelings for him. He cared more about her than himself, making sure he pleased her first. She’d been right to trust him and let go.

  He gave her a sinful smile full of promise, and lowered his head, at last placing that hot, wet mouth on her center, and then she couldn’t think at all. She squeezed her eyes shut as pressure built, each brush of his tongue bringing her closer and closer. Her senses spun, drowning in anticipation.

  She tangled her fingers in his hair, pressing his head harder against her.

  “Wyatt…oh Wyatt.” She held her breath as he took her over the final crest. A kaleidoscope of lights exploded behind her eyes. She cried out in release, her body pulsing, riding each wave of ecstasy. He continued sucking and teasing her, drawing the orgasm out until her bones melted, and she shuddered.

  A sigh escaped as she floated back down to reality.

  The bed sagged beside her, and Wyatt’s warm breath tickled her neck. He nuzzled the top of her collarbone as she blinked several times and the room came back into focus.

  “Oh my God.” She shuddered again. “I’ve never…”

  He brought his lips to hers in a soft kiss, but his erection pressing into her side was anything but soft. “You have me so hot, I’m ready to explode.”

  “We better take care of that.” She eased up on her elbow and tugged at the waistband of his swim suit. It barely budged, and she tugged harder.

  “That’s not going to work with me lying on the bed.” He shook his head and stood up. With a quick yank, the suit hit the floor, and he sprang free.

  She dropped her jaw. His cock was proportionate to the rest of him.

  And he was a very big man.

  He must have noticed her expression, because he placed a finger under her chin and tipped her head up. His eyes gazed down at her, the lines on the edges laced with concern. “I’d never hurt you.”

  “I know.” The last thing she wanted was for him to worry. She had to remember that everything about Wyatt was larger than life, and he’d just proven it in delicious ways that she would relive for a long time.

  She scooted to the side of the bed and closed a hand around his cock. He flinched and sucked in a breath. A thrill ripped her apart, knowing her touch did that to him.

  Lowering her head, she used her tongue to tease him. She started at the base, and licked her way to his tip, sucking the head in and out of her mouth. He made a strangled sound, followed by a guttural moan that only spurred her on.

  Her abdomen tightened as her own need built again, fueled by the excitement of feeling him grow even harder. In a bold move, she grabbed his ass and took him deep into her throat, inch by inch.

  The muscles in his buttocks turned to rock, and he gripped her head and held it steady. “Don’t move. I want this to last.” His chest heaved, and for a long moment he stood stock-still. “I can’t wait. Now.”

  He snagged a condom from the nightstand and unrolled it over his length.

  Taking a short breath, she gazed up at him. The lines on his face taught, his pure arousal made her dizzy with power. She’d never turned on a man like this. The scent of sex swirled in the room, and she fed on the unleashed desire in his eyes.

  She slid back on the bed and he positioned himself above her, braced on his elbows.

  His shaft pressed against her entrance, right below the tight bundle of nerves at her sex.

  He penetrated her slowly, stretching her until he filled her completely. She wrapped her legs around him, and his eyes flashed. Gripping his back, she dug her fingers into the hard muscles as he began to thrust in and out.

  Yes. Wyatt inside of her. Nothing had ever felt more right. She clung to him and matched his rhythm as he increased the pace. Giving all of herself, she held nothing back. Caught up in a whirlwind of pleasure, their moans mixed, and the room spun around her. Pure heat consumed her body, and all that existed was her connection to Wyatt. At one with him.

  Her climax came hard and strong, like when two fronts clashed in a high-powered storm. She clutched him, and he went rigid, threw his head back, and let out a deep groan at his own release. Her insides rhythmically squeezed his fullness as she catapulted into another realm.

  Wyatt hugged her to him and spun over to lie on his back. They both sucked in air, chests thumping against each other.

  Her limp body melded on top of his as she collapsed into a sated puddle. Good God, she never knew sex could be like that. She could spend the rest of her life exploring the options.

  The rest of her life?

  She closed her eyes as Wyatt’s heartbeat blended with hers. Caring, strong, and giving, he was everything she’d ever hoped for in a partner. She hadn’t meant to fall in love, but it had snuck up on her, and now the reality struck her. She was in deep.

  Her body still tingled, and her brain only functioned at half-speed, but the way he’d looked at her when they’d made love gave her hope. If he felt anywhere near the emotions she did, they’d somehow work things out. She snuggled against him as he stroked her hair and rubbed her back.

  “So, you like that rooftop deck, huh?” Wyatt shifted, propping his head on his elbow.

  She gave a quick nod. “I bet you can see a million stars from up there.”

  He nuzzled her neck and tugged at the blanket. “How about we take this up there and I’ll make you see a million stars…with your eyes shut.”

  Like she could say no to that.

  Anne blinked at the sunlight streaming through the crack of the bedroom curtains. With her head on Wyatt’s shoulder and a leg across his stomach, she couldn’t get any closer to him. Heat radiated from his body, all muscles and hard planes. Her thigh tingled against his skin, reminding her that his every touch sent her into orbit.

  “Hey sleepyhead.” He stroked her back and kissed the top of her head. “I didn’t want to wake you, but we have to get going.”

  “Hmm…” She’d rather stay wrapped in his arms. “Does this weekend ever have to end?”

  He squeezed her and laughed. “Not on my account. We can pick this up back at home.”

  “Now that sounds nice.” He might be turning her into a sex fiend. They’d made love multiple times, and she still wanted him again.

  “I have to admit, you surprised me.”

  She gazed up at him. “How?”

  “I thought you might be shy, but you were nothing short of amazing.”

  Her heart expanded, and his words boosted her confidence. “It’s all you, Wyatt. I’ve never felt like this before.”

  “Well it works for me.” He rubbed his thumb along her chin.

  His erection pressed into her leg, and she arched an eyebrow. “Oh? Are we—�
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  “We don’t have time.” Regret laced his voice. He dropped his hand and eased away. “It’s close to checkout. But we will pick this up later.”

  The spark in his eye turned her knees soft. “Well, alrighty then.”

  After they packed up, Wyatt unplugged his phone from the charger and paused, staring down at it.

  “What’s wrong?” Anne asked.

  “I missed a call last night.” A ghost of a frown outlined his mouth.

  “Was it important?”

  He raised his eyes to hers and sucked in a breath. “I’ll know in a minute.”

  Chapter 21

  Holding the phone to his ear, Wyatt played the voicemail message.

  “Hey, Pearson. Callahan here. We need a tight end, and I’m looking for someone who knows the system. I want to talk to you about coming back. Give me a call.”

  A bolt of adrenaline spiked through Wyatt. He hadn’t heard from anyone on the team for over a year and had never expected this.

  “What is it?” Anne stepped closer.

  He shook his head and shrugged. “That was the Ravens’ coach. He wants me to play again.”

  Anne blinked.

  Twice.

  “What?”

  “This is a shock.” Wyatt shut his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. A million thoughts zipped around in his brain. Did he want to play again? He hadn’t considered it because he’d retired. But hell, players came back all the time.

  “What are you thinking?”

  “I don’t know.” He opened his eyes and blew out a breath. “I should at least talk to him. Find out what he’s offering.”

  Anne’s shoulders hitched and her lips drew into a thin line. “You’d have your old life back.”

  His chest tingled as a twinge of excitement laced his ribs. He missed the game, which is why he wanted the USC job. College raised the level of competition to a new height. But even that came nowhere close to playing in the NFL.