Nora Roberts Land(83)

“I’m doing my best to make this last. If you touch me, that’ll be it.”

He pressed slowly inside, drawing up her legs. She was tight. He was gentle. Their groans mixed together as the fire crackled. He didn’t rush. Simply slid forward until he was firmly embedded, letting her adjust to his size.

“God,” he hissed, his breath warm on her face. “Open your eyes, Meredith.”

She struggled to surface, the desire raging so hot she was sure she’d turn to ash. His direct and heated gaze held a thousand promises. He would pleasure her, take care of her, protect her. Her heart shifted in her chest, and she cupped his neck, looking deep into his eyes.

“Take me. Now.”

His jaw clenched. He drew out and thrust back with long, powerful strokes. She met them with equal force. He watched her face, noting her every expression.

She’d never experienced anything so intimate. When she broke his gaze, he called her name, beckoning her back. He moved deeper, keeping those intense chocolate brown eyes fixed on her face, his lower body calling forth more passion from her than she’d ever imagined.

He kept the rhythm steady until he took her mouth in his. The kiss was deeper, wetter, and hotter than any they’d shared before. It snapped his control. He leaned back and thrust harder, faster. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he drove into her, groaning, sweat coating his back. His arms corded with effort as they rested beside her head.

She pressed against him, needing more, wanting him to fill up every space inside her.

“Now,” he cried, shifting his body against her core with a movement so primal her hands clenched his butt to hold him in place.

The pressure was perfect. She surged into him, falling like she was skiing off a mountain. She cried out, locking her legs harder around his waist as everything exploded.

He threw his head back, his whole frame clenching.

Her release raged on and on. Bright spots shone behind her eyes. Her skin burned. Her legs loosened from his waist and fell to the side.

Tanner pressed his face into her neck, his labored breath hot against her skin. Her hands slid off his back. She lay under him stunned, save for the continued pulses where their bodies were joined together. Even passed out against her, he didn’t crush her. He cherished her.

Like she mattered.

She’d never imagined she might have this again.

Her heart warmed, beating hard and fast, melting the blocks of ice she’d erected around it. Old hurt, relief, and a whole mix of messy emotions rushed up from her chest to her throat. She bit her lip at the sudden urge to cry.

He pressed a gentle kiss to her neck, his hot breath melting away more ice.

A horrible sound popped out of her mouth. A tear slid down. Then two. She tried to push her emotions away, but she was as vulnerable to them as she was to him.

A sob erupted. Her chest shook.

He stirred. His hair was mussed and slightly sweaty. “Hey.” He pushed hair back from her forehead.

Her face flushed with heat. “I’m…sorry. Oh, God. I can’t believe…I’m crying. It’s just… I never thought…”

“What, honey?” His gentle voice undid her.

“I never thought…I’d have this again.”

His throat moved as he swallowed. “Well, welcome back.”

He pulled her close and held her while she cried out all the fear, relief, and hurt she’d built up about not being wanted, not being fulfilled.

When she sniffed and wiped her tears with the sheet, she took his face in her hands. “Thank you, Tanner.”

Those intense eyes didn’t blink. “You’re a brave woman, Meredith Hale. I’m glad I could see how much.”

“I didn’t freak you out by crying?”

His mouth twisted. “First time I got back into a convoy after the guy sitting next to me died when we hit an IED was one of the hardest days of my life. The minute I got back to my room, my knees gave out. I could have cried like a baby. It’s not the same, but I get it.”

She had to bite her lip again when more tears rose up in her eyes—this time from his story. She decided they needed some levity “Breaking and entering and making love again. It’s been a record night.”

He smiled, eyes crinkling. “I’m going to have stick you in a trunk more often. If this gets any better, I’m going to have a heart attack.”

“So you were…” She gestured with her hands.

Tanner tilted his head to the side. “You didn’t think your ex cheating on you meant you weren’t good in bed, did you?”

Her breath froze in her chest.

His mouth twisted. “Did he tell you that was the reason?”

“He said…I wasn’t as responsive or adventurous as he’d like.”