As Fate Would Have It (14 page)

Chapter 31

Stepping onto the shovel, Brie pushed, making a chop through the thick grass. Scooting a couple inches to her right, she repeated the process. Flipping the clod of grass to the side, she turned her frustrations to digging the hole, relentlessly knifing in the shovel.

His presence tickled her nerves. Of course, he would sneak up on her in his stealth mode. Just another tidbit added to her overwhelming irritability this morning.

Truth be told, she didn't want this to end. An extra week had been granted to her vacation, time to recover from Gomez's attack. Rye had also remained with her, under the guise of supervising that she didn't overdo it until her wounds had healed. But too soon, this new life of excitement and sexual teasing would come to a grinding halt. She would go back to being an ordinary nurse with a boring life. Because Rye was moving out.

Days had been spent landscaping, gardening, or simply tormenting the other person. Cooking chores were divided evenly and they simply relaxed into a peaceful and happy coexistence. Then the call came revealing renovations were complete to his home on the other side of town. Contractors made record time in cleaning up the flooding mess and rebuilding the gutted interior. His car had also been repaired, given a clean bill of health.

He made her feel desirable, even flirty. Something she hadn't felt before. He supported her through the challenges of dealing emotionally with the attack, providing encouragement, physical affection, and words of wisdom. Never did he allow her to slip into self-pity, instead challenging her to move upward and beyond what transpired. Stepping up, he helped with chores, pampering her while she healed physically and emotionally. Not once did he complain or lose patience. Instead, he battled her worst days with humor. Life became fun again under his presence and guidance. His kisses thrilled her, teasing and hinting at what could be, while his warm embrace soothed, making her feel cherished and protected, wanted and adored.

Somehow, when he moved in with her, he also wriggled himself into her heart. And, now he was leaving.

Pausing, she glanced up. "You don't mind spending eternity with your head between your legs and staring at your own butt, right?"

Rye stood leaning against the big tree, arms folded casually across his chest. Those eyes met hers, gauged, before flicking to the hole in progress. Arching an eyebrow, he remained mute, his expressions enough to convey his intrigue.

Leaning on the now still shovel, Brie looked his body over from head to toe. A small snort followed. Turning her back, she returned to her work, doing her best to ignore the feeling of her rear garnering unwanted attention. "I'm afraid I can't dig a six-feet deep hole. Heck, I can't even dig one six-feet long. So, best as I can figure, I can go for about half that size. Then, I'll just fold you in half, squish you down, and throw a little topsoil on you."

Stepping to the far side of the hole, she paused once more, judging his reaction.

He stood as before, relaxed, and was that amusement that glittered in his eyes?
That's so not fair.
She was beyond annoyed and he simply smirked?

The corner of his mouth hitched up. "And, may I ask, why you are plotting my early demise?"

Shrugging, she recited the short version. "I do have my own sanity to consider." Tossing out another scattering of dirt, she began to dig out a medium sized rock, using the tip of the shovel to pry under a ragged corner.

"I see." His mouth twitched once more. "Mind letting me in on the plan since I'm obviously a key ingredient?"

Taking a deep breath, she tossed the bothersome ponytail back over her shoulder. Wrestling the rock out of way, she considered his request. "I guess. Besides, you weigh a ton. So, I might need your cooperation to stand near the hole while I whap you upside the head with this shovel. Don't want to try to lug your bulk all the way across the yard. You might mess up the grass."

"Dead weight?"

"Literally."

Moving to the other side of the hole, she continued on with her work. Maybe if she found a big enough rock, she could hit him over the head with it? Throw it at him? Explain to the authorities that it was an accident.
Well, it would be.
An accident that she actually hit him square between the eyes. His deep voice broke into her thoughts.

"Why don't you do like everyone else and just toss me in the river?" Shifting, he stood away from the tree, edging a couple steps closer.

Now that she hadn't considered. It might be easier, after all. "I thought you would make good organic material for the plants. You know, like horse poop."

Rye's mouth flashed a full grin. Then he muttered under his breath.

"What did you say?" She paused once more.

He shook a finger in her direction. "Did anyone tell you that you have violent tendencies?"

"Me! Oh, no!" Brie clamped down on her anger, quelling the tirade. After a deep inhalation, she continued in a normal tone, just as if she were reading the menu at a restaurant. "I'm not violent. I'm sorry to report in order to maintain my sanity, you shall have to expire. It's unfortunate. Maybe a bit regrettable. But, I assure you, it's self defense. Nothing personal."

Rye closed the distance between them, stopping just short of their bodies molding from chest to toes. The amused grin remained. "Of course not."

Boy, she hated the "anything to appease the lunatic" voice.

Catching her chin gently, he lifted.

Looking directly into his eyes, Brie felt her belly flop over. Life wasn't fair. He simply grinned and her parts perked right up. Why was he gifted with such a weapon?

He chucked her chin lightly, leaned down a bit, maintaining eye contact as long as possible. Brie found herself closing hers, feeling his lips just centimeters away. Holding her breath, she waited for the meeting of soft flesh, inching up on tiptoe to get a smidgen closer.

"You kill me off, you won't get any more kisses."

Those words whispered just before he meshed their lips, gently molding. His tongue flicked over her bottom lip, asking for entrance.

Brie found her mouth opening of its own accord, her tongue shooting over to count his teeth. Lost in sensation, it took her a moment to realize he held her tongue locked between his teeth.

"Leggo." She opened her eyes, glaring up at him. Attempting to pull back, she earned a sharp nip for her efforts.
Oh, that was it. How dare he?
Quickly lifting a foot, she kicked his shin for all she was worth, earning immediately release.

Touching her tongue, she felt for teeth marks. "Barbarian!"

Chuckling, Rye stepped out of foot range. "Such language."

He tsked at her, jumping back when she picked the shovel up, holding it before her in a mimic of one of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that she had seen in the movies. She could kill him off now, then finish digging the hole
. Simple.
Why hadn't she thought of that before?

Rye grabbed the shovel, pulling it from her fingers, letting it fall to the ground. His arms wrapped around her middle, pulling her flush to his chest. Leaning in, he placed little kisses across her nose, her cheeks.

Brie explored the tight muscles of his chest, pushing gently before rubbing. Beginning locally, she soon instinctively wrapped them around his neck. She stood on tiptoe.

"Well? What did you decide?"

Blinking, she frowned. "What? What decision?" She closed her eyes as he brushed butterfly light caresses over her eyelids. Her voice came out breathy and soft.

He placed a few more kisses before chastely touching his lips to hers. "If you kill me, there will be no more of my special kisses for you."

He deepened the kiss, flicking his tongue over hers, entreating her to do the same. Rye pulled her as close as possible, her breasts plastered against his chest.

Oh, yeah. Good point. Sanity just might be overrated, anyway.

Chapter 32

His kisses deepened while her arms wound tight, preventing him from pulling back, from leaving her when she needed him so much. Her breath panted between lip locks, and she felt those large, strong hands cup her rear. Far from protesting, she leaned into his touch.

Rye relaxed his hold, stepping back a bit to peer down at her. She noticed the sultry flash in his eyes beneath half-mast lids. Her belly flopped over.

"Come on." He took her hand, leading her back to the house, not stopping until they both stood in her bedroom, staring at the queen-sized bed.

Her eyes met his, reading the age old question on his face. With a nod, she pushed back into his arms, lifting up to instigate the meshing of lips.

He met her full force, quickly taking control of their mouths while his hands roamed freely, covering every inch within reach.

Brie nipped his lower lip earning a groan from him as she tugged at his shirt, wanting and needing to feel his bare skin against hers.

Taking the hint, he quickly yanked the material over his head, reaching out to grab hers and repeating the action. His hands wasted no time in exploring the freshly exposed skin, rubbing her back before easing to the front, gently cupping her breast. His mouth caught her gasp.

Fire spread through her, flashing through hot spots, demanding more. After all these years, she wanted nothing more than to have Rye naked before her. Breaking away from his lips, she focused on unbuttoning his jeans, her hands shaking and uncoordinated in her haste.

He reached down, quickly assisting her with a flick of his wrist.

"You…?" Brie looked up at him in astonishment when the edges of his jeans parted, showing off bright pink boxers underneath.

He shrugged and grinned sheepishly. "I didn't have anything else clean."

A wide smile appeared on her face. Feeling more confident, she peeled his jeans down, taking in the sight of his toned and sculpted body before her eyes. Pink might not have been his color, but it took nothing away from that incredible physique.

One hand molded to the front of his skivvies, learning the feel of the large lump underneath. It pulsed under her touch, like a cat arching its back begging for more physical affection. He rewarded her with a groan.

He reached for her bra, quickly snaking behind to work the clasp loose. Pulling the material down and giving it a toss, he looked down at her, appreciation sparkling in his eyes. Once again, he explored; feeling and caressing, then flicking the nipples into hard pebbles.

Brie sighed, rubbing his erection through the boxers a bit harder.

Rye slid one hand lower, finding the catch on her jeans. With quick finesse, he soon had her jeans open and in a pile at her feet. His mouth latched onto one breast while his hand skirted down to her panties, extending to lightly track between her legs.

She shivered from the touch. His tongue laved her nipple as long fingers slid under the edge of her panties, seeking her moist heat. Unconsciously, she parted her legs, allowing him more access to her tender parts.

Hooking her hands on his boxers, she tugged. His mouth left her as he bent to complete the task, standing nude before her, his erection jutting out proudly. Her eyes focused on his endowment, unable to look away.

Rye remained still momentarily before seizing control once more. He quickly disposed of her undies, maneuvering them to the bed, and laid her down.

Brie scooted toward the headboard, watching him intently as he stalked her, the bed dipping beneath his weight. In her eyes, Rye exuded hunk status in clothing, but naked he rose to the level of gorgeous. Muscles flexed and rippled with each movement, hinting at sheer male strength.

His eyes feasted on her exposed body. Feeling vulnerable and self-conscious, she quickly reached for the covers.

"No. I want to see you," Rye whispered, moving against her side.

Face flaming, she nodded, forcing her attentions back to his body.

No sense in trying to hide now, not after he thoroughly checked her stitches each and every day. She had protested, he had insisted, and she had fidgeted under his scrutiny of such a private area for the duration of time it took to heal.

They both watched as his first two fingers followed the quickly fading scar from her wound. Arching over her hip, he gently traced downward, ending between her thighs.

His mouth returned to her breast while his left hand resumed exploration of her nether parts, seeking and rubbing tenderly.

She gasped and arched when his fingers softly brushed across her hard nubbin. Forgetting modesty, she spread her legs wider, eager for more attention. As a long finger entered her channel, she wrapped her fingers around his tumescence, tentatively squeezing and pumping.

He growled in response, doubling his invasion inside her. A few long moments of teasing and he moved away, heading to the side of the bed.

Confused, Brie sat up. "Rye?" She panted.

He dug though his jeans, looking for his wallet. "Condom."

Finding what he wanted, he used his teeth to open the package, quickly slipping it on.

Brie lay back as he rejoined her on the bed, meeting his seeking mouth with earnest. She pulled him close, while her hips shifted beneath him.

She couldn't wait any longer; her whole body throbbed with need, expectation, and desire. Want replaced uncertainty and nervousness. "Please." Reaching out, she squeezed his rear then pulled him closer.

Rye shifted, placed his erection at her entrance. Leaning over, he covered her mouth with his as he thrust for home.

Brie gasped at the sudden sharp pain of his entry, her muscles locking in protest.

Rye froze, lifting to stare down at her face. Surprise and shock registered across his features. "Brie?"

As the pain began to ease, she slowly relaxed under him. "It's okay. I want… this. I want… you." She lifted experimentally against him. "Please, don't stop."

He studied her a long moment, before covering her once more. Soft lips teased her own before making their way down to a breast, sucking the nipple deep into his mouth.

Brie wiggled and groaned beneath him, once again caught up in the pleasure of his attentions.

Slowly and gently, Rye began to move within her once more. His eyes locked on her face even as he continued to learn her body with touch.

She met his thrusts, held him close, and wrapped her legs around his thighs. Anything to get him closer and deeper. Her heart pounded as she began to pant, feeling a tightening below.

Rye lifted enough to dip one hand downward, finding her exposed clit, and rubbed his thumb over the area.

Brie saw stars. With a grunt, she flew headlong into the most intense sensation of her life. He roared above her, ramming quickly before finally stilling.

He collapsed on top of her, breathing hard against her neck as she reached up to trace fingers across his sweaty lower back. She took a moment to savor the closeness, enjoying the feel of her naked skin against his.

Too short a time later, Brie felt Rye stir, slipping his deflating cock from her. She flinched as he pulled across sensitive nerves, before watching him leave the bed.

He took only a moment to dispose of the used condom before returning.

She quickly settled back against him, reclining half on his chest as he rested on his back, his arm looped around her. Nuzzling his neck, she placed little kisses against his ear, slowly making her way to his mouth.

He returned the attention lazily with much less vigor and haste than before.

Uncertainty crept back into her mind. He hadn't said anything. Maybe she didn't compare to the others he had been with. Perhaps he already regretted their actions.

Using the tip of her tongue, she licked up the column of his throat, kissing his chin upon arrival.

His chuckle surprised her. Looking down, she stared at his face, trying desperately to read his thoughts.

"Squirrel, what am I going to do with you?" He guided her leg over, settling her to straddle his body, letting her rest on top of him.

"Do?" She quickly discovered a nice benefit of her current position. Rocking her hips, she earned another groan from him before his large hands clamped down, holding her still.

He kissed her nose and her forehead, a grin covering his face. "An insatiable virgin. Talk about damn lucky."

Her lips pouted at his teasing. "I don't think I qualify any longer." Not that she had any regrets. In fact, she quickly decided it was her best decision in a long time.

Hands massaged her back as he adjusted himself under her. Light kisses rained over her face before he relaxed back against the bed. "You okay?" His eyes bored into hers, searching into her soul.

She nodded, not trusting her voice. A quick fire flashed across her face at the intimate question.

When the pregnant silence continued, she threw away caution and asked, "You aren't disappointed?" She lowered her head, afraid to see and hear her worst fears come to truth.

He pulled her face down to his, plundering her lips, and leaving her breathless. "You are amazing. Beautiful, and definitely worth corrupting."

She smiled against his lips, relieved and hopeful. "Maybe I'll corrupt you."

One dimple popped in his cheek. "We'll see."

Settling into him, Brie soaked up the moment.

"I put my house up for sale today," he whispered against her lips.

She paused, then pushed against his chest, making enough space to watch his face intently. "What did you say?"

He gave her a squeeze, locking his arms around her. "I put my house on the market."

She looked at him, surprised and puzzled. He wouldn't dare tease her like that, would he? "You spent yesterday at your house. I thought you had everything ready to move back in."

He ran his large hand through his hair. "I did. I was." His eyes checked out the view of her cleavage resting against his chest before returning his attention to her. "It was too quiet."

Her heart lifted while a smile appeared. "You missed me?"

"Yeah." The word came out a bit sheepishly, but sincere.

Joy rushed though her body, giving her the energy to wrap her arms tightly around his neck. She peppered kisses across his face as he met her lips in return. Taking a moment to catch her breath, she grinned happily up at him. "You really mean it? You are staying here with me?"

He chuckled and leaned in for a nibble of her earlobe. "If you will have me, Squirrel."

"Oh, I'll have you and keep you, too." She nuzzled his cheek and murmured against his ear. "I think I might love you." A flash of absolute happiness rushed through her mind.

He chuckled, giving her a squeeze. "That's good. Cause I love you, too." He sealed the deal by locking his lips to hers.

Feeling more comfortable with the words, she quickly added. "I think I've loved you since you tied me to that tree when we were kids."

Spontaneous laughter sounded across the room. He continued until his face turned red from lack of air.

Brie sat up, becoming more and more offended by the second
.
What was so funny?
She declared her love and he laughed his butt off?

Just before she climbed out of the bed in annoyance, his tittering quieted. The wide smile remained plastered on his face, as his eyes sparkled with amusement. Pulling her down on his chest, he held her tight. "I knew you were kinky."

She gasped, then lightly smacked his chest. Flames enveloped her face. "I am not."

"We'll see." He promised, sealing the deal with a deep kiss. "I love you, Brie. Closet bondage nut and all."

The End