The Hero Sandwich (7 page)
Authors: Karyn Gerrard,Gayl Taylor
Her hand stilled on his chest. “Run away, I suppose. What happened between us, I couldn’t handle the intensity or the emotions. I didn’t think I was ready.”
Barrett laid his hand on top of hers. “And now? You have doubts, don’t you?”
“Yes. Barrett, I’m fourteen years older than you. What if—”
He lifted two fingers to her lips. “I don’t care. And before you start arguing I will care ten years from now, or twenty, our age difference is not the conversation I want to have, not tonight.”
Moving his fingers away, he took her hand and held it tight.
“I’ve never felt any of this before, it’s all new to me. Didn’t think it could be possible. You see a woman across a crowded bar, and when your eyes meet, you feel like you’d been jolted with an electrical cable. That’s what happened to me when I first looked at you.”
Nicci squeezed his hand. “I felt it too.”
Damn. Exactly what he wanted to hear. Her honesty spurred him onward.
“The three of us in the hotel room…”
Nicci closed her eyes briefly and groaned.
“I don’t want to come between you and Connie. I don’t want to cause awkwardness and uneasiness. What happened—happened. If we are going to be seeing each other…” He paused and gazed into her flushed face. “We are going to be seeing each other, right?”
A soft feminine laugh caused his already semi-hard cock to stiffen further. “Yes, Barrett. We’re seeing each other. I want us to be together, very much. Connie and I are fine, we always will be.”
The words she spoke caused his heart to race as if someone had attached jumper cables to it. “Connie told you I’m out of work. I’m sure I can secure a position as a phys ed teacher. It won’t be the big time, but that won’t matter, will it?”
Nicci didn’t answer right away. Dread curled its insidious tentacles around his heart. Considering the house and neighborhood she lived in, maybe the
big time
was important to her.
“You’d give up your baseball career, your dream?”
Barrett kissed her forehead. “Baby, you’re my dream.”
A soft sob caught in her throat and compassion and damn it,
love,
flooded his soul. He continued,
“I want to know you, inside and out. I want you to tremble when I touch you, moan when I kiss you, cream when I pound my cock inside you. But most of all, I want Sunday brunch with you. For us to share a hot dog at Giants home games. Paint some walls, plant some shrubs, wash the damned cars, and barbecue on the deck. You’ll never be lonely again Nicci, I promise you—and neither will I. I’ve fallen in love with you.”
The words spoken were from his heart, his voice trembled with emotion.
Love? Really?
Nicci sat up, leaned on her elbow, and gazed at the man who just splayed open his soul. She knew what love was, Brad showed her. Did she need time to think this over? Heartache and pain, they were not strangers. In this cold life she lead, why not let love shine once again? Everything Barrett described—the mundane chores, the shared memories, and the nights of passion—were everything she desired. Things she never thought she could have again. Things she dared not look for.
His eyes held hers in a potent gaze. Barrett’s face hid nothing. He was in love with her. She recognized the emotion and her heart stirred to life. Warmth from the touch of his hand cloaked her in a loving security. He would never hurt her, she knew this. A man she met in a bar this very night. How was it possible?
Nicci leaned down and kissed Barrett gently on the lips. He opened for her—trusting, loving, and passionate. Her tongue dove deep and she tasted hot desire, virile male, and a gentle and honorable heart. Yes, this was love. Barrett groaned huskily and returned her kiss with enthusiasm.
Nicci pulled back and framed his face with her hands. “I’ve fallen in love with you too, Barrett. I don’t understand how it happened this fast, I only know I don’t want to live without you. Stay with me tonight? All night?”
Barrett pulled her on top of him and smiled his devastatingly sexy smile. “All my life, baby.”
***
The neon snapped and buzzed outside the all-night coffee shop where Nathan agreed to meet Connie. Nathan Campbell. Detective First Class Burglary. When Connie called him from her office at ten minutes past twelve, she was sure he would refuse, or at the very least, ask for a rain check. “No problem,” he said, and his deep, masculine voice assured her. He’d just got off shift and needed to unwind. After freshening up and adding a few subtle touches of makeup, Connie wasted no time arriving at the Night Owl Coffee Shop.
What an evening this turned out to be. Her nerves sparked under her skin. She hadn’t been this anxious since prom night in high school. On the table sat a torn up paper napkin.
Yep, nervous.
Just when she began to doubt if he would show up, the door opened and Nathan Campbell walked though. He was right on time.
Connie’s gaze drank in the vision heading toward her. The trench coat he’d worn the first time they met did not do him any favors. The man striding confidently toward her wore tight black jeans and a dark brown sweater with a cowl neck. No beer gut that she could ascertain. Just masculine perfection and a lean musculature, which showed he took care in his appearance. Damn, the man
was
handsome. How did she miss out on that revelation? His dark brown hair with the sexy gray wisps at the temple was tousled from the wind. His jaw line was sturdy and firm and his lips full and sensual. Even his glasses added to the sexy aura he exuded. Oh Jesus, she was glad she called him.
Nathan slid into the booth opposite her, took her hand, and kissed it. The brief contact sent a jolt of electricity shivering up her arm. The man had charm and charisma to spare. Oh yes, a revelation indeed. He signaled to the waitress to bring a couple of menus and returned his attention to her. His eyes could melt butter they were so warm. And yet, she could still see that steely, hardened edge she first noticed.
“I’m very pleased you called, Connie. Frankly, I was giving you until the end of the month before coming up with some lame excuse to stop by your office. I’ve been thinking about you day and night since the moment I met you.”
He’d been thinking about me.
The thought made her heart rate increase. This truly was a surprise. “I confess I am a bit—jaded toward men since the divorce. I wasn’t ready to call before now.”
Nathan took her hand again and held it for a long moment. Connie studied his hands. His fingers were long and elegant. They wrapped around her smaller hand, strong and comforting. “I sensed a deep hurt and loneliness in you when I took the report that night in your office. Believe me, I understand the feelings, you could say I’m attuned to it. I’m divorced myself.”
Nathan stood, pulled Connie to her feet, and cupped her face gently. “I’m forty-four years old; I still have plenty of living ahead of me. I’m ready to take that chance Connie, are you?” He leaned in and captured her mouth with his. Slowly, languidly, his lips moved against hers with a tenderness she hadn’t experienced in a long time. Connie closed her eyes and reveled in the moment. Perhaps this was her new beginning.
He tasted of warm desire, hot passion, and the promise of respectful trust and lazy Sunday mornings in bed. She knew instinctively, from this one kiss, he would honor and love her in ways she’d never been before. When the evening started out, she merely wanted meaningless sex, a way to forget, a few hours to numb the never-ending pain. To end up here—with him—meant she’d found something she had nearly given up hope of ever finding. The chance and promise of real love.
When they finally broke the kiss, Nathan nuzzled her cheek. “What do you say, Connie? Are you ready to take that first step? With me?” he said softly.
Her gaze swept upward and she became lost in his warm, whiskey-colored eyes. “Yes, Nathan, I’d like that. Very much. I’m ready.”
A promising future of mutual trust, respect and loving companionship opened before her. Connie had found her own hero.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Gayl Taylor
A native California girl, Gayl Taylor spent much of her youth daydreaming and making up stories. Life in her imaginary world was full of adventure, intrigue, and romance. Temporarily distracted by real life, marriage, three kids, and the necessary paycheck, she found her way back to writing as a hobby and eventually pursued her dream of being a published author.
Although she still has her day job, at night Gayl writes erotic romance. She often uses her surroundings and real life experiences as inspiration. There are pieces of her in all the characters whose stories she tells.
Now a multi published author, Gayl lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her three sons and rock star cat, Ozzy. A coffee addict, closet rock star, and die-hard baseball fan, Gayl is a firm believer there is nothing better than snuggling, dark chocolate, a good book, and the power of romance.
You can find Gayl at the following places:
http://www.facebook.com/gayl.taylor
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5626791.Gayl_Taylor
Karyn Gerrard
Living in a small town in a corner of Ontario, Canada, I wile away my spare time writing, reviewing and reading romance. As long as I can avoid being hit by a runaway moose here in this wilderness paradise, I assume everything is golden. Originally from the east coast of Canada, I love to set some of my stories in the Maritime Provinces. Happily married for a long time to my own hero, a teacher that braves everything that is thrown at him. His encouragement keeps me moving forward.
Multi published with multiple e-publishers, I like to write in different genres and eras, just to keep it interesting.
FACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/KarynGerrardAuthor
GOODREADS:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4848577.Karyn_Gerrard
