When she broke the kiss, he cupped her face. “I need you,” he said in a guttural voice.
She took his hand and led him upstairs, knowing what it cost him to say it. When she closed the door, she lifted his shirt and tossed it aside. Tracing his chest, she nudged him back to the bed.
“Let me take care of you.”
She undressed while he watched, his chocolate eyes burning black now. Kneeling at his feet, she reached for his belt. Together they took off his pants and boxers. She ran her hands down his calves and pulled off his socks, the soles of his feet warm to her touch.
Tracing her way up his legs, she met his gaze and kissed his arousal. His body jerked in response. When she took him in her mouth, he groaned and threaded his hands in her hair, letting her pleasure him.
“Okay, that’s enough,” he growled finally and tugged her up. “I want to come inside you.”
He pressed his open mouth to her neck and bit gently. She fell on top of him, and he pulled her up higher so that his lips caressed her breast. He sucked softly and then with increasing pressure. Her toes curled as he shifted to the other breast. She cried out with pleasure.
He adjusted her legs so that she was straddling him. His hand slid down and pressed against her core. Her spine arched when he slipped his finger inside her.
Her hands tangled with his. “Come into me,” she whispered.
When he reached for the condom, she rolled it down his hard length. Pulling her hips forward, he let her take him into her slowly. He kept his gaze on her as he pressed into her core. His neck muscles clenched with control as she moved, her hands on his chest. He held her at the waist, his fingers digging in as she increased her speed, her hips rising and falling.
She drew out their passion. His hips lurched, communicating his need. When he pressed his thumb where their bodies joined and rubbed, she threw her head back and cried out. The climax washed over her like a thundering waterfall, taking her down into new depths. He froze underneath her, enhancing her pleasure.
When she curled forward, he flipped her onto her back. “My turn.”
His thrusts drove her back to the headboard, making her hold on. His hands gripped hers on the frame as he surged into her hard. Her body revved up again, every tissue sensitized. As he plunged deeper, she locked her legs around him. When she exploded again, he thrust madly and came with a shout.
She surfaced, realizing they were still holding hands on the headboard. The sight made her heart shimmer like sunlight on a river. Love shot through her, and she turned and kissed his head.
“Sorry,” he muttered. “I’m squishing you.”
“No, it’s fine.” She unlocked her shaking legs from his waist.
He kissed her cheek and then pulled back to stare into her eyes, looking at her with emotion so raw it closed her throat. When he settled his mouth to hers in a light brush, she smoothed back a lock of hair from his sweaty forehead.
“Be right back.” He eased off her and walked to the bathroom.
She heard his phone vibrate while he was gone. Worried it might be Peggy, she dashed over to his pants and pulled it from the pocket. When she read the display, everything went dark for a moment. She saw stars. Shook her head. Blinked. Narrowed her eyes.
It couldn’t be.
Why was Richard’s number on Tanner’s display? Why was he texting him?
She heard a flush from the bathroom. Her heart pounded hard against her tight ribs. She hit the display and gasped.
How was Thanksgiving at the Hale homestead? I want an update.
Her brain turned into scrambled eggs. She fell to her knees, naked, gripping her thighs.
Tanner walked back in and froze. “Did Peg call?” He darted across the room and grabbed the phone clutched in her hand.
“Did she?”
She couldn’t answer.
He stilled when he looked at the display.
She uncurled from the floor like she had arthritis. She staggered once before straightening.
“Meredith,” Tanner said urgently.
The newfound Meredith found the courage to stand before him. “Why is my ex texting you?”
But she knew. Fear and hurt descended like fog, crippling her sight. Oh, God.
“I can explain,” he said in a tight voice.
“You’re working for him, aren’t you?” She shivered. How had it gotten so cold in here? She reached for her clothes and began pulling them on, suddenly excruciatingly aware of her nakedness.
“Yes. I was going to tell you, but then the thing happened with Peg.”
She stared at him, her heart thundering, waiting for an explanation.
“The thing with Peg,” he repeated. His face flinched.
He turned away, clutching the phone. The silence was deafening. He finally spun around. Planted his feet. His throat rippled like a snake, and his breath shuddered out.