After the Hurt (17 page)

“I've only said that to three women: my mom, Meg…and you.”

Pepper stared at him, trying not to whoop with joy at this wonderful piece of news. Instead she kept herself as calm as possible. She nodded and smiled. “And here we are. Enjoying each other, talking, sharing. It's nice,” she whispered and rubbed her cheek on his shoulder.

Tank placed his finger under her chin. She shivered at his gentle touch as he tipped her face to him. The feather-light caress radiated a warmth that rushed down her neck and over her breasts to center low in her belly. It filled the empty spaces in her heart and soul. Oh God, how she loved being back in his arms.

“Yes, it is,” he answered. “Why didn't you ever call?”

She met his gaze completely under his spell. “Yes, why?” Pepper drew in a shaky breath. “Mainly because I was running away, afraid to reach out. The phone charger wouldn't work and by the time I had the nerve and was able to charge the phone, too much time had passed. I was too afraid by then.”

“Afraid of what?”

“You.”

“Me, why?”

“I know it was stupid. But I was afraid you'd be so mad and I couldn't face that.”

“I was mad, hurt—”

“I know!” Pepper placed her hand on his face and gazed at him, falling more in love with him, if that were possible. Fully, deeply, madly. Her gaze roved over his face, taking in the fine lines fanning from the corners of his eyes. Liking how they crinkled a little deeper when he smiled. His lips, perfect, full and so ready to kiss, were temptingly close. She couldn't resist leaning toward him. Pepper reached up and ran her palm over his head, noticing the stubble that was beginning to grow. Their gazes locked and it was like time stood still.

“You're not still shaving?”

He shook his head.

“Why?”

“Pain in the ass.”

She giggled. “You have great hair, you know. Let it grow back. Even if you are devilishly sexy bald.”

The air between them charged with magnetic energy, drawing her closer. The fine hairs on her arms rose with anticipation. Tank leaned down and Pepper couldn't move. Didn't want to move. Everything inside her liquefied to throbbing, aching need. Waiting for his lips to touch hers seemed an eternity. All it would take was a fractional move from either of them to close the distance and yet they didn't. Pepper trembled, her whole body quaking, so attuned to him, the sheer magnitude of his presence made her powerless. She was finally where she'd wanted to be for so long.

A moan whispered from her when his eyelids drooped and he licked his lips. Slowly. Pepper closed her eyes, expectation sheared her like a sharp-edged sword and she stayed put. Waiting for him.

Then they touched. A tremulous union, gently, slowly, deliciously increasing in pressure. Not the raw, raging power of earlier in the office, but deeper. Stronger. Pepper edged her tongue out to touch him and he answered; both opened to receive the other. Pepper could have melted into a puddle of passion right there on the seat. She was glad his arms, securely around her, were tight. She never wanted him to let her go. Pepper relaxed into him. He assumed control. It was the move she'd been waiting for, knowing he had to be the one to initiate it. She submitted to him. The longing for him ended and it catapulted her into a world of mind-numbing awareness.

No longer needing further invitation, Tank took charge. He pressed her back until she was close to an incline on the seat. Pepper's eyelids fluttered and she was thankful the dim lighting and half-closed drapery gave them some privacy. She arched her back when he slipped his hand inside her blouse and cradled her breast. It had been so, so long since he'd touched her in such an intimate way. Pepper tried to bite back a moan. Not wanting to make a move or sound that could interrupt this moment. It had to be a dream. Didn't it? If it was, she never wanted to wake up. Let her die here in exquisite pleasure.

All the nerves in her body hummed to life. Everything around her zoned into lucidity. Her nose quivered with the scent of the restaurant. Liquor, leather, food, perfumes, sex…and Tank, each utterly identifiable. Especially the heady blend of Tank…and sex. They went together flawlessly. She craved both with desperation.

His lips slanted on hers, deepening the kiss. Their tongues danced and played, as if remembering each other from long ago trysts. Pepper opened her eyes. He was watching her. Erotic heat smoldered in the indigo depths. Flickers of gold from the candles on the table sparked with his desire.

I can't get enough of him.

Pepper pulled him closer, if that were possible. His hand, caught between them, teased her sensitive nipple and it laid a line of fire to the sweet aching heat between her thighs. She jolted in his arms, her fingers grasping his shoulder and her cry of delight swallowed by the seal of his mouth.

His shoulders, muscular under her fingers, gave way to work-hardened biceps and she let her palm glide down lower. Over his ridged flank to slip between them. She longed to grasp him and feel how hard he was. It had been oh so long since she'd held him. Too long, and she grieved the slip in time. Tank shifted his hips to give her access. Pepper shivered when his hard length greeted her greedy fingers.

“Ahh, Tank,” she murmured against his lips.

He raised his head, inhaling a powerful breath that filled his chest to an almost impossible span. The second they parted the acute sense of loss stilled her heart. She reached for him, desperate to feel him again. He shushed her, whispering kisses over her mouth and next to her ear.

“I'm captivated by you.” His deep voice, all velvety and intimate, held a yearning that she'd been wanting to hear all these weeks. He pressed kisses along her jawbone. Pepper was powerless, her muscles slack.

He lifted his head and she held her breath at the passion and love reflected in his gaze, the softness around his eyes and mouth, the way his eyelids rested half closed and the gentle curve of his lips. That very special look on his face was just for her. She was so completely overcome, tears filled her eyes.

Pepper raised her hand and placed it on his cheek. She leaned forward and pressed her lips to his again. They lost themselves in each other for a few more moments. Pepper inhaled his wonderful man scent. The ache between her thighs was almost unbearable and she squeezed them together, heightening her need for him.

She whispered in his ear. “Know what I want to do?”

“Tell me.” His voice was low and husky with his desire.

“I want to feel you, hard and stiff in my hands.” His groan spurred her on. “I've missed you so much.”

His hands slipped around her sides. She shivered as his fingers trailed a path up her spine. His touch was so achingly familiar yet brand-new after their time apart. Pepper's nipples hardened. If they hadn't been in this restaurant, she would have whipped off her top and pulled him down to suckle. The thought drove her mad and she didn't think she could wait until they got back to the loft. Her body hummed with throbbing desire for him. She needed him now, wanted to feel his hard length slide into her, filling her.

“I'm back and never leaving without you, ever.”

“Don't worry, I won't let you.”

“Touch me, Tank, touch me.”

“I am.”

“You know what I mean.”

She looked at him and it didn't matter if it appeared as if she was begging. She wanted him more than she'd ever wanted anything before. He glanced around. So did she. They hadn't even noticed the band was onstage. The lights had been dimmed further and the gauzy drapes had been released so they were cocooned in their little sanctuary. Shrouded from prying eyes behind an iridescent, sparkling black veil.

“I'm not going to fuck you here, Pepper. I'll do that sweet and slow later. With no interruptions.” She shivered at the promise he growled. “And it won't be fucking, either. It'll be making love.”

“Keep talking to me like that, baby. You know how much I love your sex talk.” She trembled and he held her loosely. Keeping one arm around her back, he dropped the other to the front of her jeans.

“I know what you want, my fingers in your pussy. On your clit. You want me to make you come.” He nuzzled her ear and continued with the suggestive words only she could hear. “Tell me that's what you want.”

“Y-yes. I do.” But it wasn't just that. Not just the release; she wanted him. He had to understand that.

“I want to hear you say it.” He told her.

“Fuck me with your fingers”—she grasped his chin with her hand and turned his face so she could look at him—“if I can't have your cock right now.” She closed her eyes a moment to gain control of her thoughts when she felt his hand push between her thighs. “Tank, it's important you know. It's you I want, not just…this. You.”

His great body trembled. Had it been because of her words? She was joyous if that were the case. She knew he was just as turned on as she and she was almost incapable of any kind of control. Pepper reclined in a quaking heap. Her muscles weak yet strung taut like elastic being stretched to the limit before snapping. Pepper nearly jumped out of her skin when his fingers curled against the fabric of her jeans, finding her swollen heat.

If only I'd worn a skirt.

Tank wasn't deterred by a piece of fabric and made short work of the snap and zipper. His cock strained against his jeans and he forced himself to ignore the building pressure. This was for Pepper. Just for her. He was glad for the privacy in the booth and silently thanked whoever dropped the curtain. It wasn't the first time they'd had sex or played in public, but no way would he fuck her here. He didn't want to just have sex with her, he wanted to make love to her. Like he'd told her. Only he'd show her later.

Knowing how vocal she could be, he pulled her tight, gently pressing her face into his chest, hoping to muffle her moans. Pepper's satiny flesh quivered as he ran the backs of his fingers over her now bare belly, and lower. She gasped and her breath seared him through his shirt. He bit back a groan as his fingers slipped over her mound, knowing the soft curls of her ginger hair would be trimmed neat. He followed the slender, silky path…and found her stiffened clitoris. It was all he could do not to groan as he pressed gently. Tank smiled when she held her breath, and thrust her hips forward to greet the pressure of his touch.

“You want more of this?” he murmured in her ear. “I know you're hot and ready. Just how I like you.”

She nodded, clutching at his arm, her fingers tightening in rhythmic clasps. He didn't mind the pain; it grounded him and dulled his own need. But only slightly. It wouldn't take much longer until she exploded in his arms with a shuddering orgasm.

He separated his fingers, letting her hard nub slide between them, and she opened, giving him full access. He gently squeezed his fingers together, catching her clit between them. Rubbing and sliding his hand over her hot, wet flesh, he held his breath, near to bursting himself. He needed pain to keep himself under control so he bit down on his lip. Her pleasure was more important than his and when she bucked off the seat, he smiled.

Tank glanced around quickly to see if they had captured any attention. All clear. Even at this awkward angle, he was able to push his fingers inside her, finding her G-spot, and fuck her until she came apart in his arms. Her head fell back, eyes wide, staring at him. He pressed his lips to hers and swallowed her cry of pleasure. It was all he could do to keep himself in check, and he embraced her tightly.

Goddamn! Nothing was better than Pepper coming in his arms. Slowly her body calmed and she sagged beside him, taking quick little gasps of air. He smiled and pushed a strand of hair out of her eyes with his finger. Passion still simmered in the violet depths.

“Wow. Wasn't quite expecting that.” Her voice faltered as she caught her breath.

“I aim to please.” He dipped his head and claimed her lips, enjoying the slight quiver before sitting back and tucking closer next to him.

He reached for his glass and nearly choked when her hand dropped in his lap. “Hey, careful now.”

“Aww, that's not fair.” She rubbed him through the fabric.

“Ah, why don't we hang on a minute?” He removed her hand.

She was insistent and whispered in his ear. “I want you ready for a wild night. And Mr. Hefty here won't last long unless he gets some relief.”

“You do have a point.” Tank had to agree and knew his voice sounded strained. He didn't argue when she freed him and grasped him tightly with both hands. Her fingers were so cool and firm on him. He was swept away by her touch. He grabbed a bunch of napkins off the table, ready to play catcher.

She whispered into his ear and his mind filled with the crooning of her sultry voice. The band faded away and his gaze drifted to the stage. The burlesque dancer began her provocative show. He stared at her seductive peekaboo fan dance while Pepper stroked him, bringing him closer with every squeeze and twist as she continued to murmur to him. He realized having her hands back on him and being in his life was what he'd wanted all along. Closing his eyes, he let images of them making love on the couch at their bar fill his mind. He groaned and his balls tightened.

“I love how big and hard you are. I wish you were inside me right now.”

“Pepper…,” he growled.

“Come for me, baby. I want to see you come.”

He silenced, holding his breath. Everything suspended in time for the briefest moment as release slipped down his spine and settled in his hips. He fumbled with the napkins, getting them in place just as Pepper slid her hands up his cock and squeezed the tip. He was about to explode and she stalled his orgasm with that simple little movement.

He opened his eyes and watched the girl on the stage, her breasts bouncing, the tips covered with golden pasties. Her red hair, just like Pepper's, swayed around her shoulders, and it wasn't the dancer he saw, it was Pepper. It was easy to imagine her dancing for him and that sent him over. He came with a charge and ground his teeth together trying to keep his body from jerking uncontrollably.