Chapter 15
Oakley emerged from the bathroom, brush in hand, wearing lightweight summer pajamas, a white two-piece set that resembled shorts and a shirt more than actual sleepwear. One glance into the living room sent her heart racing and a shiver of fear up her spine.
Tanner sat on the couch with Hercules draped across him.
He looked up at her with a sheepish smile. "I wanted to check on you. The guard dog sat on me so I wouldn't peek into the shower."
Said canine snored loudly.
"Uh-huh." She headed toward the kitchen, grabbed the bag of dog food, and filled the elevated bowl.
Tanner tracked her with his eyes.
Hercules immediately sat up before scurrying off Tanner, hurrying to his afternoon meal. Seconds later, loud crunching rang through the room.
"I thought I locked the door."
"You did."
She shook her head, flicking a glare at Hercules. "Some guard dog you are." The fact that he could get through locked doors with ease didn't really surprise her. Considering what little she knew about his past and present, it made sense that breaking and entering skills came in handy. Still, it rattled her a bit to find him in her living room unannounced.
Tanner patted the vacated spot on the couch. "Come on, I think we need to talk."
The serious tone jerked her attention back to him. Her nerves snapped to high alert as she slowly made her way over to the couch. What was he going to say? That he changed his mind? He found someone else? He really was a serial killer and she was the next victim?
As if sensing her escalating tension, he stood and took her hand in his, lifting it for a soft kiss to her palm. "That's why I came over. You've had questions and been making some comments. I think we need to clear the air and get on the same page."
She nodded, still bewildered. Following his lead, she lowered to the waiting cushions.
He grinned at her before stealing her brush. "Here. Let me."
"No. You don't have to…"
He shook his head. "I want to. Now rotate."
Oakley twisted, placing her back to him. Her stiffness vanished as she felt the first gentle brush strokes down the long length of her deep brunette hair.
* * * *
Tanner moved the brush through her thick strands and felt her begin to relax. He cussed himself for not realizing how frightened she would be when he let himself in. Walking in to find him on her couch would rattle any woman, let alone someone with negative male experiences in her past. What seemed like a good idea earlier now came back to haunt him. At least she seemed to be quieting with his chambermaid duties. For that, he would willingly work her hair into order all night if he had to.
"I should have just waited for you to finish and knocked." He offered up the apology.
She sighed. "It's okay. You just startled me is all." Her words carried truth in their low and quiet tones.
"I know you've been curious about me. I can't tell you everything, but I can explain some things, if you're still interested." He reached up with his left hand, pulling lost strands behind her.
She sat quietly for a long moment before speaking. "I know you're a Marine, but not on active duty, or you would be gone longer periods of time."
He took a deep breath. "I joined right out of high school. No money for college, so figured it was the way to go. I excelled, moving from basic training to Force Recon in a matter of months."
"Force Recon?"
He brushed a couple more strokes, and then sat the brush on a nearby end table. Scooching back a bit, he encouraged her to turn again to face him with a nudge to her shoulders.
Oakley swiveled, bent one leg, and rested it on the cushion between them.
"It's an elite force specializing in deep reconnaissance and pretty much anything else that needs to be done quietly or in secret."
She nodded slowly, her green eyes watching his face intently.
He felt an all-too-familiar constriction in his chest as he waited for the obvious next question. A sigh of relief whooshed out as she took a safer direction in their conversation.
"So you retired from the military?"
"Yeah. Left there and became a Wind Warrior."
"What's that?" She leaned closer, showing interest and curiosity.
"A small group of former special ops guys. We take jobs that need to be done under the radar." He struggled on how much to tell her, for both of their safety.
Oakley chewed her bottom lip. "You go undercover?"
"Not usually. We're more get in, get out, take some bad guys out along the way." He watched her for any sign of rejection or disgust.
Instead, she reached out to rest her hand on his leg. A signal of acceptance in his book.
"That sounds dangerous."
He shrugged. "It's part of the job. And, I do like the job. There are so many more options and perks than working for the military."
For the first time, a hint of a smile appeared. "I can see how much you like it. Spoon, too?"
"Yeah, he's one of the guys. As much of a pain in the ass as he is, he's a good man to watch your back."
Her questions trailed off, as if she had received all the answers she needed or wanted from him. He could tell from her body language more existed, but she tactfully avoided the ones that he couldn't or wouldn't answer.
So far, so good.
Taking his time, he scooted nearer, closing the distance between them. Her hand remained on his leg, though it slid up to his middle thigh. He reached out with both hands, gently kneading the muscles of her shoulders. "I bet you're sore from paintball."
She snorted. "Someone forgot to tell me getting hit hurts. And bruises, too." Oakley pulled up one sleeve and pointed to a small purple area on her deltoid.
"So you hated it?"
Her eyes widened. "Who said that? I loved it. Just wait. I bet I can hit you next time."
He laughed at the bright excitement written on her face, happy they dragged her along with them earlier. They might have created a monster, but what a sexy and entertaining one she made.
"Turn around again. I'll rub your back. After all, you did distract Spoon enough for me to actually get him for once," he offered.
She flipped around quickly, not arguing in the least. "Will you kiss all my boo-boos too?"
Those teasing words hit him square in the gut, churning his belly over in a slow twist while parts lower sat up and took notice. He bit back a moan. "Do you want me to?" The words whispered against her ear, low and seductive.
Oakley shivered even as she leaned back into his hands. "Is that what else you wanted to talk about?"
He rubbed gently over her shoulders, trailing down to her upper arms and shoulder blades. "Yes. It seems we've been dancing around the issue. I need to know what you want and when."
She lowered her head as he flicked her hair to the side for easier access to her spine and lower back. Her breath caught, held, and then released. "I want… you. Tonight."
Though whispered, the words carried easily to his ears, sending a jolt of relief and sexual longing racing through his blood. Leaning forward, he placed a chaste kiss to the nape of her neck. Another tremor coursed through her. "Scared?"
Her hair swung with the shake of her head. "No, just nervous." She reversed position once more, enough to look him in the eyes. "I trust you."
He thought of her past and how much that simple statement meant to them both. Tanner met her gaze, running his hands over her back in less of a massage and more of an exploration.
"This is new to me," she whispered, reaching up to lightly stroke her fingers over his face, pausing when he kissed her fingertips as they lightly rubbed over his lips.
"In a lot of ways, this is new to me too."
Her expressive green eyes clouded in confusion.
He sighed, tracing fingers down her arms all the way to her hands. "Always before it's been… just sex, a means to an end. This time… it's different. So much more."
All other times really had been just an outlet to him. He never considered himself to be a selfish lover; he'd always seen to the needs of his partners. This time, responsibility lay heavy on his shoulders, along with a want and need to go above and beyond, to show his feelings through his actions. He wanted to stoke Oakley's fire, letting her come into her own beneath him. Prove how loving could be with the right man, nothing to fear, only passion and pleasure to embrace.
She considered his words for a moment before a smile appeared. Leaning in, she initiated the kiss, moving her softer lips against his in invitation. Her hands wrapped themselves around his neck to tug him her direction.
Tanner deepened the kiss, once again searching and exploring with his tongue, nearly moaning when she mirrored his actions. That simple motion added fuel to his already blazing fire. Increasing the intensity, he slipped his hands under her shirt, seeking and finding soft bare skin. Realizing she wore no bra, his excitement increased exponentially as he cupped her breast, gently molding and squeezing.
She gasped into his mouth but didn't withdraw. Instead, she reached for his shirt, jerking until he released her long enough to pull it over his head. Her eyes latched onto his chest, taking in every inch before dipping lower. No sooner had he deposited the garment on the floor than she reached out again, running those small fingers through his chest hair before dipping down to his belly.
A deep moan escaped. Tanner shoved her shirt upward, not willing to lose her touch at the moment to take off the top. Instead, he leaned her back on the couch, taking a breast into his mouth, lashing his tongue across the hard nipple, while his cheeks hollowed out in suction.
She writhed under him, her respiration rate speeding as she grabbed his head, pulling him in close.
Tanner used his free hand to cover the other breast, delicately pinching the nipple between fingers, then soothing the tiny sting with caresses of his thumb over the sensitized tip. Changing direction, he angled over, treating the twin to the same attentions, reveling in her body's response to his ministrations.
Her groan was music to his ears.
Leaning back, he took a moment to catch his breath and rein in his control. He looked down at Oakley, his erection twitching at the sight.
The long sable locks mussed under her. Red lips swollen from kisses contrasted with her emerald irises peering out from slitted lids. Her chest rose and fell with deep breaths as if she sprinted for the finish line. She arched against him, pushing her body up, pleading for more.
He intended to give her more, lots more. Taking the invitation, he stood and quickly scooped her up into his arms, cradling her as he strode toward the bedroom. He didn't stop until he laid her in the middle of the bed. With a soft kick, the door clicked shut.
Tanner pulled her shirt over her head, delighted when she sat up to assist. Gauging her reaction, he reached for her pajama bottoms, a bit surprised when she lifted her hips, sliding the item off by herself.
His breath caught as he looked down at the glorious beauty of Oakley. Afternoon sunlight from the window haloed her hair, giving the illusion that the silky strands glowed. Raspberry nipples stood stark against pale skin, ripe and plump, ready for the taking. A scrap of white bikini panties covered her core, enticing rather than distracting. As she shifted, her legs parted, leaving him with a glimpse of wetness soaking through the cotton material.
If he didn't get there soon, he would come in his pants. A dull ache began as he fought to hold off, slow down the pace, to make everything right. "Beautiful." The soft words only hinted at his true thoughts, but it was all his blood-deprived brain could formulate.
Oakley smiled shyly, looking up at him from under those long lashes. She sat up on the bed, curling her legs to the side. "I want to touch you."
Growling low, Tanner edged closer, only to stop when she held her hand up. Confused, he stared at her.
"All of you. Naked."
Just when he thought her a shy, night-blooming bud, she threw down that request. Surprised, he immediately obliged, tearing at the buttons on his jeans before pushing them over his hips to puddle on the floor around his feet. Lifting one foot, he stepped out of them to stand in the nude before her.
Oakley's face stained red, but her eyes raked him from top to bottom and back again.
He clenched his hands, determined to let her get her fill before moving on to the next step. Ignoring the throbbing her appraisal caused, he waited for her to finish and give him some indication she wanted more.
He didn't have to wait long. Oakley lifted up, crawling on hands and knees to the edge of the bed. Sitting back on her heels, she reached for him, tracing every ridge and valley before leaning over to flick her tongue across his nipple.
"Damn, minx." Tanner groaned and wrapped his arms around her. He felt her lips turn up against his chest. The image of her on all fours, making her way across the bed would burn in his mind for nights to come, providing more than enough bounty for dreams and future activities.
Her hands drifted downward, over his belly, before tentatively stroking his engorged cock with the tip of her index finger.
He moaned as his erection jumped from the stimulation.
Her wide green eyes met his.
Too needy and worked up for in-depth explanations, he grabbed her hand, leading her back toward the middle of the bed, encouraging her to recline back. "No more of that or I'll explode."
She arched an eyebrow, still petting his flanks and belly, anything she could reach.
He allowed it for a couple of beats more before going back on the offensive. His mouth revisited her breasts while he leaned to the side, allowing room for his free hand to roam. He traced up a toned thigh, lightly stroking until he reached her other breast. Fussing with it for a moment, he retraced his path, heading down the center of her belly, pausing a second to tickle her bellybutton. Without preamble, he cupped her mound in his hand, using his palm to press, feeling the moisture soaked up by her panties. When she didn't protest, he slipped his fingers under the material, pulling it aside to not only see, but feel the heat of her core. His fingers brushed along the outer lips before delving deeper, seeking more of her slippery essence.