Chapter Twenty-Six

Tanner sat in the SUV, considering what to say to Oakley. His hurtful words had torn into her, leaving her with his anger and resentment as he’d left for the assignment. Now, ten days later, he wondered at her reception. Would she turn her back and walk away, giving up on them completely? Could she find it in her soft heart to forgive him and give him another chance? Or somewhere in between? His own anger had receded like flood waters after a heavy storm, allowing him to think rationally and realize his overreaction.

He released a pent-up breath. Blowing up that cocaine lab almost seemed like kid’s play compared to finding a way to make things right with Oakley.

Things had looked bleak then, pinned down with gunfire and nowhere to go. Their limited equipment had demanded they move closer in order to do any damage. He’d made it to the building, set the charges, and watched the west wall and half the south wall crumble. Dozens of armed men had rushed from the newly made hole, shooting as they climbed over debris, using the dust cloud for cover. Just as he’d stared death in the face, the tide had turned in the form of Night and Bugle, two other team members who hadn’t been assigned to this task. Not that he’d cared at that moment. Bugle’s sniper skills had taken down one target after another. Night had carried the bigger weapon, launching heavy artillery into the heart of the building, leveling it within seconds.

Their team, though tired and scuffed, had come away none the worse for wear. The illegal drug ring permanently eliminated from one location, no longer able to pollute the minds and bodies of the nation’s youth. All in all, not a bad day’s work.

Now, he faced another unknown situation—how to repair things with Oakley.

Because somewhere in that ditch, facing certain death, he’d realized a few facts. Life was too short to blow golden opportunities, and a future without Oakley looked pretty damn bleak.

Dozens of potential happenings flew through his mind. He strategically maneuvered through each one, planning what to say and how to respond. He couldn’t screw this up. For the first time, he wanted to make this relationship work, wanted to come home to Oakley, see her light up at his appearance, throw her arms around him, and welcome him with enthusiasm.

Hell, because of her, he’d just left a visit with Dr Miller. He still flinched at the idea of therapy, but sitting down with another Marine, discussing similar issues and experiences, he didn’t think of it as counseling—more like talking to a fellow comrade, gleaning knowledge from someone who had been there, done that. At least he was trying, realizing that he couldn’t go on living balls to the wall like before. He longed for an escape from the nightmares and anxiety that came out of nowhere, jacking him up, and crippling him from being an ordinary man. If Dr Miller could show him the road to healing, he would happily jump on the therapy bandwagon.

Tanner stepped out of the vehicle, automatically beeping it locked. Long strides deposited him at his door, where he let himself in and dropped the heavy duffel bag in the vacant living room. As usual, he scooped up the mail, laying it on the dining room table along with his car keys. No sounds came from the shared wall. Not surprising in the least, since Hercules never barked and the building materials buffered everyday sounds well between the two living areas.

He scrubbed his face and sighed. No time like the present.

Heading out the back door, he glanced around the large backyard. No Oakley. He stepped over to her sliding glass door and softly knocked.

Hercules trotted over, pressing his face to the glass.

“Hi, Herc. Is your owner home?”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Oakley appeared wearing black running shorts with a pink T-shirt advertising a five-k with the proceeds going to support breast cancer research. He searched her face, watched first relief then caution flash through those expressive emerald eyes.

She flicked the lock on the door, opened it wide, and followed her dog out onto the back porch. Both watched as Hercules headed for his favorite shade tree.

“Hi,” he started the conversation, needing to pull her into his arms but refraining until he found out how much damage his careless words had caused.

“Hi,” she echoed, watching him closely. “You’re home.”

He nodded, running fingers through his hair. “Oakley… I shouldn’t have…”

She shook her head, cutting through his words. “No. I’m sorry. I overstepped my bounds.” Her eyes welled up.

The great sadness expressed on her face twisted his gut and pierced his heart. He could see how much he’d hurt her. Feeling lower than a dung beetle, he tried to explain. “I should never have yelled at you like that, said those things. You tried to help me best you could and for that, I treated you like crap.” When she remained silent, he tried again. “I did a lot of thinking these past few days and realized some things. I want this to work between us. I know I was out of line and maybe you were, too. Surely we can put that behind us and see what happens?” He stared intently, looking for the slightest hint of her thoughts.

Oakley sniffed, wiping a tear from her cheek. She met his gaze as she spoke in whispered tones. “I was so afraid that you hated me and I’d never see you again.”

“Oh, minx.” He opened his arms, feeling a flush of relief when she stepped in, allowing him to hold her close. “Never. Never could I hate you. Not when I love you.”

Her breath caught as she pulled back to look up at him, searching his face for a moment before smiling. “I love you, Tanner. I do.”

He hugged her tightly, cradling her against his body. For the first time in nearly two weeks, he felt at peace. Oakley did that for him, soothed his demons, and filled his life with the essence of her happiness.

Hercules wedged his large body between them, thumping away with his tail.

Tanner glanced down and shook his head. “Jealous.” The word came out with an amused chuckle.

Oakley giggled, patting the dog’s head. She lifted her gaze to his face. “Want to come inside?”

He nodded, stepping through the door, and into her living room.

Hercules trotted in, heading straight for his mattress and flopping down with a loud dog sigh.

“It’s such a rough life.” Oakley smiled, watching her pet.

“Yeah.” Tanner reached out, cupping her cheek, drawing her attention back to him. He took a few seconds to simply gaze down into those emerald eyes of hers, committing the moment to memory, replacing the stark image of tears flowing down her face with his harsh accusations. Never again did he want to make her cry. Not only did it hurt her—it lanced his heart as well.

Leaning down, he tilted her chin, lining their mouths for a sultry kiss. Her lips parted beneath his, allowing him entrance to explore. He took full advantage, kissing her deeply and thoroughly as if tomorrow would never come. Only when they both gasped for air did he break the embrace, take her hand, and lead her into the bedroom, shutting the door firmly behind them.

Oakley stood at the end of the bed, facing Tanner, waiting for him to lead. The rollercoaster ride of emotions had left her worn and in need of him, especially after his declaration. Happiness erupted as she replayed his words in her mind. He loved her. As much as she longed to hear those words, she’d never dared bank upon them. His eyes and tone told her of the sincerity and truth in what he said.

“You know, I’m pretty darn lucky. I have this gorgeous hunk who, for some unknown reason, chose to love me.” She purred as he stepped near, grasped her shirt, and jerked it over her head.

Tanner smiled widely, assisting her frantic hands as she hauled upward on the hem of his shirt. “Gorgeous hunk, huh?”

She snorted, tossing the garment to the floor. “Oh, right. I shouldn’t give you a big head. I meant to say lowly troll.”

He threw back his head and laughed. “That would make you what? A trollette?”

“Boy, you sure know how to charm a lady.” She joined in his laughter, shucking him out of his jeans with eagerness. As he stepped out of the last of his clothes, she hurriedly undressed, soon standing naked before him.

The metal necklace caught her attention. She fingered the dog tags as they rested against his chest. “You still wear these from your Marine days?”

He grinned sheepishly. “Old habit.”

Leaning in, she pressed a kiss to the metal then to his sternum. “But you didn’t wear them before.”

“No. I don’t wear them all the time when at home but always on missions.”

“Like a good luck charm?” She continued to brush her lips over his skin.

He shrugged. “I told Spoon if I didn’t make it, to give my tags to you.” The quiet words carried across the room.

Oakley blinked up at him in surprise. “You did?”

He nodded, taking her hand in his, lifting and rotating until he could kiss her palm. “I wanted you to remember me. To know…”

“Yes?” She held her breath.

His eyes closed for a beat before opening once more and staring at her intently, serious and steady. “To know that I love you.” The phrase came easier the second time.

Oakley heard the whispered words. Relief relaxed her tense muscles, easing her shoulders. She smiled while taking his hand and mirrored his caress. “I love you, Tanner.”

“Can you forgive me?”

“I forgave you the next morning. All I could think about was how I screwed up the best thing that ever happened in my life and was so afraid I would never have the chance to tell you how I feel.”

He matched her grin. “I kept thinking the same thing.”

She brushed over a large purple bruise. He carried several cuts and abrasions, but this appeared much worse. “What happened?”

“Took a bullet to my vest.”

The realization nearly floored her. If he hadn’t been wearing his protective vest, he wouldn’t have survived. The close call put things in a new perspective. Time could be short and she didn’t want to waste another single minute. “So what do we do now?” she enquired, glancing up through her eyelashes in a coy flirtation.

His eyes sparkled. “Oh, I’m sure we can figure out something.” He tugged her snugly against his body, leaning down to mesh their mouths in an easy kiss that soon heated.

Pushing against his chest, Oakley forced enough space to wiggle out of his embrace.

Tanner frowned down at her. “What is it?”

She shot him a wicked grin. “I forgot something. Be right back.” She trotted out of the room, heading straight for the kitchen. Opening a cupboard, she found the item she sought, grabbed a couple of kitchen towels then headed back. Walking back in the room, she held up the container for Tanner’s approval.

A slow smile appeared on his face and his brown eyes sparkled.

When he reached for the chocolate syrup, she shook her head. “Nope. I believe we decided I could be the licker and you the lickee.”

He chuckled, holding his arms out to his sides in a gesture of truce. “I’m all yours.”

Her heart sang with the declaration.

“Then you might want to lay down. I’m having a big chocolate craving.” She couldn’t believe the teasing words slipping from her mouth. Two weeks ago she would have been mortified to run around naked in front of a man, jousting with him as she prepared to dribble food over his ripped body and commence eating.

She’d changed. Blossomed. Discovered her womanhood. All thanks to Tanner.

He climbed on the bed, flopped down in the center, spread-eagled for her viewing pleasure.

She stared in admiration, still astounded that such a gorgeous man, a national hero to boot, had chosen her. A dream come true.

She raked his body with her gaze, noting the small wounds and the large bruise that could have been so much worse. His injuries only made him sexier to her. A true warrior, beautiful in a masculine, hardened way.

Speaking of hard… Her gaze landed on his full erection. As she watched, he took himself in hand and began to lightly stroke the length. His eyes sparked with sexual hunger as he took in the sight of her standing there nude.

“Like what you see, minx?”

She nodded, closing the distance between them. “Definitely.” Upon sliding on the bed, she positioned herself facing him, her hips next to his. “I’d tell you how you steal my breath but we already decided your ego can’t handle much more.” She grinned saucily.

He chuckled. “Maybe you should show me instead?”

“Hmmm.” She opened the cap on the chocolate, turned the bottle upside down and made a wavy line across his chest and down over his six-pack abdomen. After setting the container aside for the moment, she lifted to her hands and knees, straddling his supine body, and began to clean him with short licks. She nuzzled his chest, kissed the large bruise, then paid particular attention to his nipples, sucking until they stood at attention.

Tanner cupped her breast, tweaking her peaks in return. “I missed you. Missed this.”

She met his gaze. “No more than I missed you.” Returning to her task, she rediscovered the hills and valleys of his toned stomach, dipping her tongue into the grooves to collect every delectable drop.

He groaned, lightly squeezed the orb in his hand, and used the other to slide through her hair. “Take your hair down. It’s beautiful free.”

The compliment pleased her, although she leaned toward the practical. “It’ll get in the chocolate.”

Not to be deterred, he sat up, grasped the ponytail holder, released her hair, and tossed the small scrunchie aside. He fanned out her hair with his hands. “I’ll wash every bit out in the shower for you. After.” He smiled wickedly.

She bit back a moan at the sensual promise written clearly on his face. Her heart sped as her arousal ratcheted up tenfold. With just a few words and a glance, he made her hot and oh so needy. Mind boggling.

Yet, she didn’t stop to analyze the unique finding. She had other fish to fry, in the name of making Tanner squirm as she lived out one of her latest fantasies.

Scooting back, she found where she’d left off, using her lips to sample the topping over his sternum then back to the ridges of his stomach. Gradually she made her way down his body, savoring every moan, catches in his breathing, and jerk of his body under hers.

He made her feel powerful in her femininity. Beautiful and truly adored.

She licked down to his pubic bone then lifted. His slitted gaze watched her with ripe promise. As much as she wanted to hop on board and go for a ride, she refrained. Not yet. Not until she’d met her goal.

After plucking the bottle from the bed, she tipped it over his body once more, this time right over the swollen mushroom head of his erection.

He arched an eyebrow, a non-verbal challenge, one she couldn’t resist meeting. Carefully, she poured a narrow trail of the sweet treat over the length of his cock. Her stomach flip-flopped at the yummy sight.

She leaned over and ran the tip of her tongue over the top. His breath hitched. She began to lap in earnest, enjoying the taste mixed with the knowledge she was giving him heady pleasure in her little game.

“Oh, yeah.”

She returned to the tip, found a drop of dew at the slit, and eagerly lapped. The tangy taste whetted her appetite for more. She laved, then opened wide and engulfed him in her mouth.

“Damn, minx.” Tanner’s hips jerked as he grasped the back of her head. He didn’t pull or try to take over, simply held her as if he needed the touch.

She sucked then ran her tongue all over his member, learning as she went. Whatever came to mind, she tried, rejoicing when he responded.

“Just like that, baby. Suck me.”

Her cheeks hollowed as she added vacuum, bobbing her head in the process. Balancing on her knees, she wrapped one hand around the base of his cock, and used the other to travel further south, tenderly weighing and caressing his balls.

“Oh, shit. You’re going to make me come.”

She groaned at the thought, wanting to taste his essence more than anything at that very moment. Eagerly, she ran her tongue around his tip in a non-verbal plea.

His grip on her hair tightened, his hips lurched upwards, forcing more of his cock into her mouth.

She tilted her head and shamelessly worked the extra bit with wild abandon.

A second later, the first stream hit the back of her throat. She swallowed, licked, and swallowed some more, hurrying to keep up with the generous bounty.

Just as she caught the last drop on her tongue, Tanner nudged her upwards. “Too sensitive right now.”

With understanding, she focused her attention lower, nuzzling his sac with her nose before sticking out her tongue for a small sample. Deciding she liked the way the tight globes felt, she gave them a few more experimental laps.

“Damn, minx.” Tanner sat up, bracketed her waist then lifted her over his body in a show of superior strength and precision. He lowered her long enough to mesh their mouths before rolling her onto her back. “Your turn.”

He braced himself on one arm, using the other to reacquaint himself with her body, setting off small cherry bombs everywhere he touched. He kissed. He nibbled. He drove her to distraction with just his simple caresses. Finally, he pulled her aching nipple into his mouth while searching between her legs. She immediately widened them, eager for his skillful, knowing touch. He traced her outer lips then slid a finger inside, his thumb bumping her clit in the process.

She whimpered and lifted, the myriad of sensations merging into a fiery ball of erotic need centered on her labia below.

Releasing her breast with a pop, Tanner grinned down at her. “I’m going to drive you crazy, just like you did me.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” she admitted on a sigh that turned into a moan as he plundered her depths and strummed over the silky bundle of nerves, sending sparks raining over her body.

He chuckled, moved down her body and settled between her outstretched thighs.

She grasped the sheets and braced herself. Ever so lightly he licked around her center, his fingers still buried deep.

“Sweet. So sweet.”

The vibration of his voice and breath across her moistness sent another wave of arousal crashing over her. A whimper escaped her lips as she rested her head back on the bed and waited.

Tanner shifted slightly then ran his tongue over her aching clit.

She bucked, needing more, so much more than that teasing glimpse of sensual delight.

He repeated the action over and over. Back and forth. Closer, yet so far away. She arched her lower back and splayed her legs wider in a non-verbal cue for more. “Tanner. Please.”

“Soon.” He covered her clit with his mouth, skimmed his tongue along the small protrusion then sucked gently. His fingers pressed upwards, found a hotspot, then he began a rapid strumming of the area.

She saw stars. Her breath caught then sped as her heart thumped away. All coherent thought fled as her world fixated on Tanner and all the sexual strings he manipulated on her climb to the peak. Tension racked her body as every muscle locked. Her channel tingled, holding onto Tanner’s digits like a life vest in the ocean of rapture.

“Yes. Yes.” She glanced down, met Tanner’s gaze and began to pant. A small cry erupted from her throat as he tenderly lashed the area before drawing on her nub once more.

She slammed into a bright climax, her body contorting in a cascade of strong crests that wrung out each and every iota of pleasure possible.

Tanner worked her tirelessly, pushing her higher each time the contractions began to fade. She grunted. She moaned. She squirmed and writhed. Still, he refused to release her, forcing her to fully ride out the most powerful orgasm yet.

Exhausted, she sank back into the mattress, still rippling with residual pleasure. A shiver coursed through her body.

Sitting up, Tanner watched her with smoky eyes, a satisfied grin on his face. He appeared to be a man well pleased with himself.

After such an event, she didn’t bother to argue. He’d earned every bit of his victory and then some.

He knelt on the bed, his erection hard and leaking. She licked her lips at the sight. Beautiful. Studly. An alpha male in his prime. She couldn’t get enough of him both in and out of bed.

“I need you,” she whispered the words softly and reached for him.

Hot desire appeared on his face. Without a word, he slipped from the bed, rustled around in his clothes then returned with a condom already in place. Settling over her, he joined their bodies in a primal connection so much more meaningful than simply a man taking a woman. No. As he pressed inside, he touched her very soul.

“Better, minx?”

“Much.”

He sealed his mouth over hers and passion overflowed. His tongue found hers as he set a rapid rhythm, surging in her sensitized body at a near frantic pace. Hard, short jabs brushed all the right places as she wrapped her arms and legs around him, holding on for dear life. Tension returned in an almost desperate bid for control of her limbs as she rocketed toward the summit.

Tanner turned his head, locked their gazes, and bore into her with precise intensity. “Come for me.”

The orgasm hit her so suddenly and out of the blue, she yelped. Once more she soared the skies for precious seconds before tumbling back down in steps, still wrapped around Tanner.

Spent, she let her limbs fall back to the mattress as she struggled to bring in enough oxygen to care for her basic needs. Closing her eyes, she felt Tanner exit her body then momentarily leave the bed before returning. The resulting dip drew her eyelids back open.

Tanner lay down beside her and pulled her into his embrace. For a long moment she simply savored the moment, knowing she’d never forget this day for as long as she lived. Tanner had returned to her and admitted his love. A gift she could never repay.

Completely sated and happy, she snuggled in his arms. “I never thought I’d meet a man who could make me wanton like you do.”

Tanner chuckled. “I like you wanton.”

She rolled her eyes. “Spoken like a man.”

“Not just any man. Your man.”

“Does that mean you’re going to stick around?” She peered up to meet his gaze.

“Nothing can keep me away.” His earnest statement warmed her heart.

“I guess I’ve grown on you, huh?” She ran one finger over his flat nipple.

“Like mold.”

She pinched the area smartly.

“Ow. Minx.” He grabbed her hand and smiled softly. “I’m not a man of fancy words or pretty phrases.” Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed each fingertip gently. “But I can say this. I love you, Oakley. More than anything.”

She matched his grin. “I still love you more.”

“No way.”

“Yes way.”

With a nifty move, he flipped her over on her back and covered her body with his. Leaning in, he sealed his lips over hers, effectively ending the discussion, and distracting her with much more pleasurable activities.