Catch of a Lifetime: A Cricket Creek Novel (12 page)

“I know.” And to torture him even more, she scooted away and got up from the bed.

“Where are you . . .” he began, and then swallowed hard. “Oh, my God,” he breathed when she shimmied out of her jeans and stood there in nothing but that mere wisp of cream-colored lace panties. She was toned from kitchen work, but with delicious curves instead of the wafer-thin look that women starved for and he had never found appealing. He’d take soft curves over sharp angles any day of the week. When she looked at him shyly, as if wondering about her sex appeal, he shook his head. “Wow. Forty and fabulous.”

She blushed at his compliment. “Really?”

“Absolutely. Now bring that luscious body back here, and untie me while you’re at it.”

She scooted back onto the bed but made no move to untie him. Instead, she straddled his legs, leaned in, and pressed her soft, moist lips to his. Her bare breasts against his chest had him moaning against her mouth. She threaded her fingers through his hair and kissed him hotly, deeply, and when she rocked her lace-covered mound against his raging erection, he arched his hips, wishing he could reach down and touch her moist heat. When she pulled back, he thought she was finally going to untie him, but instead she shimmied out of her panties and tossed them to the floor.
Oh, God.
Then she leaned down and tugged his sweatpants over his hips and down his legs in one swift, efficient move that had him grinning.

The breeze from the paddle fan felt cool against his warm body. His dick stood at full attention, as if begging for her hand, her mouth . . . her sweet body. “Touch me.”

She placed her palm on his chest, and Ty was about to protest, but she slowly slid her hand downward, and his voice was nowhere to be found. All he could make was useless groaning noises. She continued her sensual assault, caressing him everywhere except where he wanted it most. He could have pounded nails with his dick and was wondering how to politely tell her so when she suddenly curved her delicate hand firmly around his shaft.

Mother of God, have mercy on my soul. . . .

Ty sucked in a sharp breath, drawing her attention.

Her eyes widened. “Am I hurting you?”

He thought she was teasing until he saw real concern in her eyes, reminding him that she was unpracticed and unsure. “Yeah, it hurts so good,” he said with a strained chuckle. When she moved her hand up and back down, Ty was afraid he was going to embarrass himself and lose it. When a pearl of moisture popped out on the head of his dick, she swirled it around with her thumb. This simple movement was so sinfully sexy that he watched with fascination. “Please. I have to touch you. Feel your skin.”

“Okay,” she said, wringing a sigh of relieved joy from him. But she took her sweet time hovering mere inches from his body and yet not touching him. When her breasts grazed his chest, he had to grit his teeth.

And then he was free.

For a second he was stunned like a bird realizing the door to the cage was open, but then lowered his arms and wrapped them around her. With a sigh of pure pleasure, he rubbed his hands up her back, loving the exquisite sensation of her soft, smooth skin, and she seemed to melt into his embrace. “Jessica . . .” He threaded his fingers though her hair and kissed her like he could never get enough. After being denied, it felt so wonderful to have his hands on her body.

With his lips still locked with hers, he rolled her to her back, and needing a little payback, he threaded his fingers through hers and pinned her hands to the bed. For a moment he hovered above her, taking in the beauty of her flushed face. Her hair fanned out onto the navy blue pillows, and she met his gaze with shy determination. She was a study in contradictions . . . confident yet unsure, strong
but vulnerable. After months of trying to get her to open up to him, it was rather surreal to have her naked in his bed. He moved his mouth to her neck and nuzzled her there before taking the soft shell of her ear into his mouth. She moaned, squirmed beneath him, and tugged at his hands, but he chuckled. “Payback,” he told her, and then took a rosy nipple into his mouth. When she gasped, Ty released his grip, and she immediately shoved her hands into his hair. She arched her back, offering her body to him, and he gladly accepted.

In all of her forty years of living, Jessica had never felt this kind of passion. When his teeth nipped and tugged, hot desire chased the last shreds of her inhibitions. She arched her back shamelessly and parted her thighs, giving him access to where she burned for his touch. When his long fingers found her slick heat, a hot shot of shockingly intense pleasure had her clinging to his shoulders and longing for sweet, blessed release. He sucked harder on her nipple, seeming to draw pleasure from within. His finger dipped into her body, and with a throaty cry, she arched up against his hand. He pumped gently and then withdrew, and began small circles that drove her crazy.

“Ty . . .” she pleaded, needing, wanting. Him. That thought drove her over the edge, and she climaxed with deep, aching shudders. He let her ride it out and then kissed her sweetly, tenderly, lovingly. He turned away while she was still reeling with pulsating aftershocks, but by the time she found her voice to call him back, he returned sheathed in a condom. The fact that she hadn’t considered protection gave her pause, but when his mouth met hers, her fear melted and passion took over.

His kiss was a hot tangle of tongues, bringing her sated body back to full-blown arousal in no time flat. He caressed her sensitive breasts, sending a shock right though her, and
her thighs parted in silent invitation for him to make love to her.

He entered her in one sure stroke, and she loved the feeling of him buried deep. He moved slowly at first, and she could tell he was holding back. She smiled, knowing he was trying to please her over his own needs. Her heart thudded, pulse pounded, and she matched his sweet, slow seduction with some heat of her own. He kissed her, stroked her, until she was mindless with need. With a cry, she wrapped her legs around his waist and urged him to go faster, deeper. She clung to him, and when he thrust deep and shuddered, he took her right with him.

He chuckled weakly and pressed his forehead to hers. “Dear God . . .” She noticed that he trembled slightly and was moved by the fact that he was just as blown away as she was.

Jessica put her palms to his cheeks and kissed him softly. “I know it sounds trite, but that was amazing. I don’t know how else to put it.”

He smiled and nodded. “I agree,” he said gruffly, and then rolled to the side, bringing her with him. She snuggled into the crook of his shoulder with her head on his chest. “Will you stay with me tonight?”

Jessica nodded and then sighed. This wasn’t just birthday sex. She wanted him. Needed him. And if she wanted to be honest, she had been falling for him for months now.
Tonight is just the icing on the cake,
she thought with a little contented smile.
Birthday humor. Gotta love it.

But then a cold shot of fear clawed at her heart. As if reading her mind, Ty kissed the top of her head and hugged her closer. Jessica hoped she could learn to trust enough to allow herself to live, to laugh . . . damn, to have fun! And above all else . . .

To finally let her guard down and to love without holding back.

A
s soon as Jessica nodded, Ty dipped his head and sealed the deal with a kiss. But there was nothing simple about his lush, moist mouth locking with hers. Oh no, the man kissed in layers: sweet and tender at first, then coaxing, playfully teasing with a lick across her bottom lip, a gentle nip before sliding into an erotic tangle of tongues.

Jessica found herself pushed back against the kitchen wall, kissing Ty like she had been pouring rain all this time instead of having years of drought. When she wrapped her arms around his neck, he slid his hands beneath her butt and lifted her up. With a groan, she hooked her legs around his waist, shamelessly clinging to him like kudzu on a tall oak. He kissed her deeply, endlessly, and held her up as if she were weightless. With a soft moan, she threaded her fingers through his hair, pressing her soft breasts into his hard chest. He smelled amazing, and she simply couldn’t get enough.

Jessica suddenly felt as if she were floating, and realized he was carrying her through his condo. Thank God for small favors, because she most likely would have had difficulty walking. Guessing his destination, she knew she should protest at least a little, but Jessica couldn’t bring herself to pull her mouth from his.

When he halted and finally ended the knock-you-naked kiss, Jessica raised her heavy eyelids and peered over his shoulder. Light spilled out from a half-open door to the bathroom, casting a soft glow in the spacious, nicely appointed room. A paddle fan suspended from a vaulted ceiling swung in lazy circles above a massive bed.
Gulp.

Oh, boy.

His heated gaze met hers in silent question.

“Um . . .”
Jessica’s heart pounded, and uncertainty reared its ugly head.

“No pressure. We’ll take this only as far as you want to. Okay?” His voice was a low, sexy rumble.

“Yes.” Oh, she knew how far she wanted to take this, all right. She wanted to jump the man’s bones! Jessica swallowed, nodded as she tried to control her breathing. Asking for a paper bag to control hyperventilating might spoil the mood . . .

He set her gently on her feet but kept his arms around her. “Hey, let me ease some tension,” he coaxed while rubbing her shoulders with long, strong fingers. His mouth found the tender, sensitive spot just beneath her earlobe and he showered her with warm, soft kisses, sending a hot tingle down her spine. Her head tilted sideways, feeling too heavy for her neck, giving him better access to wherever he wanted to kiss. He unbuttoned a few buttons and eased her blouse over one shoulder and then continued his sensual trail of kisses on her bare skin. “Just relax.”

“Easy for you to say, Mr. Stud Muffin.”

He chuckled, but then tilted her head to look at her with serious eyes. “Most of that was hype, Jessica. You and I are on a totally different level that doesn’t even begin to compare. I’m not taking this lightly.”

“I believe you,” she replied, and then, making her decision, she reached back and tugged the band from her ponytail.

“Oh . . . wow.” He threaded his fingers through her hair. “It feels even better than I imagined.”

“You think about me?”

“All the time.” He looked up at the ceiling and then back down. “Noah gets ticked off at me when I drift off into Jessica-land. I let him believe I’m thinking about the team roster.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and gazed at her thoughtfully. “But it’s always about you.” He rubbed the pad of his thumb over her bottom lip. “And I love hanging out at the diner. I feel as if I’ve gotten to know you over the past year. Coming to see you is the highlight of my day.”

“Really?”

“Absolutely. And I hope you feel the same way.”

Jessica recognized truth in the depths of his brown eyes and was so moved by his admission that words once again failed her. The fact that she was always on Ty’s mind sent a thrill coursing through her body. Could this really be happening to her? Love? Her heart pounded, but then an unexpected, sharp stab of fear sliced through her joy.
Love equals pain. Run like the wind.

“I’m sorry.” After a quick intake of breath, Ty dropped his hand. “I’m pushing, telling you too much, going too damned fast. What the hell am I thinking? Assuring you I’m not a player, and then I carry you into my bedroom. No wonder you’re looking at me like you want an escape hatch. Wow, talk about sucking . . .” he said, but when he started to turn away, Jessica gave him a swift shove, knocking him onto the bed. He fell so hard that he bounced. “Hey, I said I was sorry,” he protested, but when he made a move to get up, Jessica shook her head, giving him pause. “I guess I deserved that.”

“Yes, I’m pissed at you. And!” She tapped her chest so hard that there would surely be bruises. “At my chickenshit self!” She closed her eyes and blew out an exasperated breath. “Oh, boy.”

“Talk to me, Jessica.”

She opened her eyes and looked at him for a thoughtful moment. “My parents disowned me when I was a scared,
lost teenager. My boyfriend deserted me in my time of need. From that point on, I vowed never to need anyone. Ever. So I devoted myself to raising my daughter. Furthering my career. End of story.”

“You deserve so much more than that.”

“Really?” She inhaled a deep breath. “I was doing just fine! And then you had to come along and make me feel . . . Want. God,
need
things that I thought were long buried.”

“Interesting choice of words.”

She looked down at him accusingly. She wanted to smack him. Kiss him. And then smack him again. “Wait. What?” She angled her head in question.

“Buried?” He came up to his elbows. “Yeah, feelings that were buried alive and wanting to get out. You can be pissed at me all you damned well please, but you know what? I take it back. I’m not sorry. You needed to be pushed. Prodded. And as for going too fast? Damn, I let
you
push me away for nearly a year. Screw that noise. I’ve waited long enough.”

“Really, now?” she sputtered, not even knowing what she meant. She glared at him, wanting to run, but felt as if her feet had developed roots.
Wow, he has a great chest,
she thought in spite of her anger.
Wide shoulders . . .
“Oh, stop!” she muttered out loud.

“No!” He pushed up to a sitting position, making muscles ripple and bulge. “And you don’t own fear, Jessica.”

She looked at him expectantly. He appeared so big and strong and sure of himself. This was a man who played baseball in front of sold-out stadiums. “What are you afraid of, Ty?” she asked softly.

“Hurting someone.” His gaze flicked away. “You want to know why you never saw me with the same woman twice?” He didn’t wait for her to answer. He ran impatient fingers through his hair and said, “Because I didn’t want to crush a woman the way my cheating-ass father did to my loving, loyal mother. Yeah, he was a major-league baseball player,
but also a major-league asshat. All my friends treated him like a damned hero and thought I was the luckiest kid alive to have a superstar baseball player for a father.” He snorted. “I was afraid I had those same genes and would follow in his footsteps.”