Tangled Pursuit (38 page)

Gritting his teeth, he arched up into her core area, feeling her heat, dragging her womanly scent deep into his lungs. Wyatt’s desire for her was escalating quickly, but he wanted to be certain she was ready. “Are you sure?” he grunted, sweat appearing on his brow. She was so wet that her scent was driving him to distraction, his control starting to shred as she moved slowly up and down his length.

“Ohhhh,” she sighed, barely opening her eyes, “this feels fantastic.”

“I’m talkin’ about your ankle, darlin’ . . .”

She chortled and opened her eyes, meeting his grin. “It’s fine too . . .”

“Good to know. We’re a go . . .”

His breath grew shallow, and Wyatt gripped her hips more tightly. Her juices flowed, allowing him to slickly ease into her. The glow a woman gets when she pleasures herself on her man was there, and he forced himself to remain restrained. Her sensuous movements were dissolving his control as never before.

Wyatt knew this particular position was one that brought a woman to swift orgasm because she could bear her weight down upon that sensitive, swollen knot just inside her entrance herself. She was in full control.

He, on the other hand, felt damned helpless, being mercilessly teased until he wanted to scream and repeatedly plunge into her.

His nostrils flared and he gritted his teeth as she placed her full weight down upon him, riding him, her small cries ascending, her head thrown back. Tal’s fingers drug deep into his chest as she leaned forward. He took advantage, lifting his head, capturing one of those nipples, drawing it deeply into his mouth.

Instantly, Tal stiffened, a whimper escaping her as he suckled her, leaning toward him, wanting him to continue to ravish her. Her breathing was shallow now, her fingers sliding up his chest, digging in as he pleasured her.

Wyatt groaned, releasing her nipple, his back arching and his fingers flexing against her hips as she slowly slid down upon him, taking him into her fully. The act made him freeze, the white-hot fire so wild and scalding that he felt his cock was swelling even more, her muscles massaging him, making him growl with satisfaction.

Wyatt lifted his hips, bringing Tal down upon him with his hands, pulling her back and forth, establishing a new, swifter rhythm. He saw that soft smile pulling at the corners of her parted lips, felt the frantic movement of her fingers against his chest, telling him how close she was to coming. And Wyatt wanted her to come first. Always. His cock was right there, ready to explode. He had to hold on . . . he had to, and he quickened the pace, hearing her whisper his name, her hands stilling on his chest.

Lifting his head, he captured the other nipple begging for his attention. This time, he gripped it lightly between his teeth and felt her body contract. Tal’s cry tore out of her as she arched into him, gasping.

Wyatt released her nipple, focusing on milking the orgasm that was now rolling through her, hearing her cries of pleasure, seeing a pink flush race up her torso into her slender, exposed neck and then into her face. He could see her radiant, drowsy expression as he felt her swift contractions from her orgasm.

Groaning, his teeth clenched, sweat rolling off him, Wyatt continued to move her hard and fast against his thrusts. He wanted to give Tal everything he could, to keep her floating on that cloud that enveloped her right now, that luminous look something he always wanted to see on her face when they loved one another. And it was love. Wyatt felt such a powerful connection with Tal’s heart, her soul, right now. They were fused together, melting into one another, and he couldn’t tell where one began and the other ended.

He ached, wanting desperately to be released into her burning, tight confines. Wyatt gripped her hips, unable to thrust any longer as the searing heat slammed down his spine and blasted through his frozen, tense body. The release was powerful and he could do nothing but remain paralyzed as the wicked pleasure of it throbbed out of him and into her.

It was then that Tal began to move against him, pulling everything out of him, pulling him into her dark heat and endless pleasure. He was lost in her, the ecstasy flooding him as never before. In those moments, Wyatt’s brain turned off and his body took over. Tal was strong and driving, loving him, and it took him right over the edge of oblivion, where they both melted into a oneness that he would never find words for.

Tal moaned his name, crumpling against him. She slid her arms beneath his neck, gathering Wyatt to her, weakly resting her brow against his sweaty jaw, breathing hard, feeling her body vibrate with such endless, pulsating heat that all she could do was smile. Eyes tightly shut, her chest heaved against his, their perspiration mingling. Tal felt the edgy, scalding contractions continue throughout her. She floated, only vaguely aware of Wyatt’s hands slowly moving from her damp shoulders down the length of her spine, cupping her ass, and then sliding upward again. She relished his tenderness, his callused fingers sending new shards of fire through her sensitive flesh, making her moan his name again. Her voice was barely there, but she whispered against his jaw, “I love you . . . I love you so much, Wyatt . . .”

T
AL HAD SLEPT
deeply. Wyatt lay on his back and she was pressed against his side, his arm curved around her shoulders, his breathing shallow, telling her he was still sleeping. She lay quietly, knowing the least movement would wake him. He was tired, too. She’d seen it in his eyes, the deeper lines around his mouth. Smiling, she inhaled their combined sex scent, and it made her body begin to simmer once more. They were unquestionably good in bed together.

Even her ankle was quiet, no cranky pain shooting like daggers through it. Wyatt had magic hands. He had held her heart gently, and tonight Tal had felt his incredible love for her with every stroke of his fingers across her hungry body. He’d read her need for tenderness and given it to her.

Three years ago, he’d seen her for the first time. Tal couldn’t believe that he’d actually felt she was “the one” when he’d seen her in Ops. How had he known? And yet, he was the perfect mate, the perfect lover. He
had
known! She knew that even if the world exploded around them, he would be there for her, as she would be for him.

Her heart pounded with such rich feelings for this man. She had no doubt now—she knew she wanted a lifetime with Wyatt. On November first, he could leave the SEALs. And she still didn’t know if he’d want to get involved in their business or not. Her father wanted to try to coax him on board Artemis. Tal was all for it, but she didn’t know how Wyatt felt about it. Yet. What did matter were the plans Wyatt was considering for his future.
Because she needed to be a part of them.
Even if he didn’t want to join Artemis, she would deal with that when the time came. She knew she couldn’t live life without him in it.

She nuzzled his chest with her cheek, pressing a soft kiss upon it, wanting more than this month with him.

Wyatt stirred. “You awake?” he asked, his voice gruff with sleep.

“I just woke up. I was going to let you sleep, but I couldn’t resist kissing you.”

He smiled a little. “I’d rather wake up with you kissing me than anything else.”

Tal closed her eyes, sated and feeling completely accepted by Wyatt. “I don’t even know what time it is . . .”

Wyatt lifted his head and stared at the clock on her dresser. “Twenty-one hundred. We really
did
sleep.”

“We were both tired in different ways,” she whispered, rubbing her cheek against his chest, glorying in his warmth and his strength.

“How’s that ankle feeling?” he asked, always the medic.

“Okay. Amazingly okay. This is the first time since I broke it that I’m not in pain.” She rolled her head to his shoulder, looking drowsily up at him. His stormy gray eyes were hooded, and the light from the hall showed the five o’clock shadow of a beard darkening his face. His hair was now short, but she reached up, pushing a few dark strands off his brow. He caught her hand, kissing it and holding her gaze. His fingers tightened a little more around hers.

“Marry me, Tal.”

She was so stunned that it took her a few seconds to digest what he’d just asked. She saw his mouth, that beautiful male mouth of his, draw into a lazy, teasing grin. The man was so sensual, so desirable, and he was telling her he was all hers.

She could only blink, staring at him unbelievingly.

“What? Are you stunned mute by my request? Or that I’d ask you this soon?”

Tal slowly eased up on her elbow, staring down at Wyatt in the dim light. She cupped his cheek, looking deep into his eyes, which were radiating hope that she’d say yes and confidence that she couldn’t say no.

Summoning up all her courage, she said, “Answer me one thing first.”

“Anything,” he rasped, sliding his fingers through her hair.

“How did you know I was right for you the first time we ran into one another at Ops?”

“Yeah, I did know, darlin’. I couldn’t believe my eyes. You were so damned tall, a beautiful woman warrior, and you had confidence to burn. You were a total turn-on to me, Tal. I didn’t know who you were, but you can bet I found out in a helluva hurry.” Wyatt caressed her cheek. “And when I found out you were a Marine, I loved you even more.”

“I know, I’ve heard that SEALs and Marines get along well with one another,” she teased.

“Hey, it was a strong base to build from,” he said defensively. Wyatt sat up, placed his back against the headboard, punched some pillows behind him and then drew Tal into his arms, always watchful of her ankle. She lay across his lap, her head resting on his right shoulder, holding his warm gaze. “The more intel I gathered on you, the more I knew that I wanted to know you,” he told her with a touch of pride.

“But,” Tal protested, “you never came and asked me any questions. That would have been nice.”

“Well”—he shrugged, holding her in his arms, moving his hand slowly across her hip—“I was going to, until I realized Matt was your brother.”

“Oh? Did Matt tell you about me?”

“He loves you, darlin’, and Matt and I had worked a lot together. We trusted one another. I just didn’t know he had this bombshell of an older sister! Believe me, I gave him hell for not telling me about you sooner.”

“That’s because I’d been engaged to Brian.”

He sobered and removed the tiny frown across her brow with his thumb. “Yes, Matt filled me in. And when I found out Brian had just died, I knew it wasn’t a good time to make a serious move on you.”

“Hey, you were a pest from day one, Wyatt.”

Chuckling, he said, “Maybe you saw me as a pest, but I wanted to keep your focus on me, on a possible future for us. I knew you were grieving, Tal. That was easy to see. I wanted to pop into your life every once in a while and maybe make you smile.”

“Well,” she muttered, “you certainly did that.”

“You pretended to be pissed off with me every time you saw me.”

“The first year, yes,” she admitted, kissing his shoulder. “I was grieving. I didn’t feel like engaging with a wild cowboy named Wyatt Lockwood.”

His brows rose, pride in his tone. “But you did laugh for me. I could make you smile even if you were hurting, Tal. I’ve always had that effect on you.”

“That’s true,” she agreed, smiling faintly. “And you did lift my spirits. Matt came to me and said you were interested in dating me, but I just couldn’t handle it, Wyatt.”

He smoothed hair away from her eyes. “Because you weren’t ready yet. I didn’t ask Matt to tell you anything, by the way. He went to you on his own. Matt relayed the message to me and I got that.”

She nuzzled his shoulder with her cheek. “But you were always a bright spot in my life, whether you knew it or not. You were so assertive about wanting me, showing up at least once a month, that I was afraid to let you know I enjoyed your humor and your interest.”

“Why?”

“Because,” Tal sighed, “I was afraid you’d hound and chase me down like a target if you knew I liked you.”

His mouth twisted. “I wouldn’t have done that to you, Tal. You have to know me well enough by now.”

“I know it now, Wyatt. I didn’t then.”

Wyatt studied her closely. “So that’s what was really behind you sending me away?”

She snorted. “I didn’t send you away, Wyatt. I just never let you in.”

“Call it want you want, darlin’, but every time you saw me waltz in your direction, you got this dark look, snarled like the alpha-female Anatolian leopard you are, hissed at me, and slunk away.”

“Oh, poor baby, Lockwood.” Tal managed a choked laugh. “How did we ever transcend all those awful things I did to you and wind up here in my bed?”

“You got me,” Wyatt said smugly, giving her a satisfied look. “Maybe you just couldn’t resist my larger-than-life Texan self and you finally let me wear you down. With you, I knew I had to go big or go home. It was an all-or-nothing deal.”

Tal snuggled into his arms, feeling him hold her more tightly and kiss the top of her head. “You are a very, very tough male to ignore, no question.”

“Why did you finally let me in, Tal?”

“You wore me down!” She looked up, a “gotcha” grin on her face.

It was Wyatt’s turn to snort. “Oh, give me a break!”

She slid her hand across his chest, the soft, dark curls moving between her exploring fingers. “You kissed me. That’s what did it.” Her voice dropped in warning. “And don’t start congratulating yourself again.”

But he was. She could see that male pride alive and well in his gray eyes, in that cocky smile of his. “Why not?” Wyatt goaded, kissing her cheek and nose. “I’m probably the world’s best kisser. You have to admit that.”

“Ohhhh, yes, you are,” Tal agreed, her hand stilling over his magnificent heart.

Wyatt cradled her in his arm, meeting her gaze. “Tal, we’ve known each other for three years now. So maybe your feelings for me were on the back burner of your heart, but they were always there, always simmering . . .”

“Well,” she said grumpily, “with you showing up all the time, how could I ever forget you?”

“You couldn’t, darlin’, and that was part of my long-term strategy with you. I knew you were a cautious, conservative kind of woman. A woman who didn’t just arbitrarily hand out her heart to any passing country bumpkin. Matt told me it took a year for Brian to win you over and that you had very few relationships, because when you did, it was serious and long-term.” He slid his fingers across her cheek. “My plan was to remain in your gunsight, not too far away, but not too close, either. I figured I’d know when you were ready to have that next serious relationship. And when you did? It was going to be with me.”