Hers to Heal Read online

  She had to laugh. “You’re awfully good with Piper. Want some wine?”

  He folded himself onto the sofa next to her and nodded. “I had good parents to teach me. Besides, the kid is double-damn adorable.” His hand rested on her knee. “But not as adorable as her momma. Did I tell you how fantastic you look tonight?” He gazed at her over the rim of his wineglass, those mesmerizing eyes of his intent on her—and she’d been right, he could wield those long lashes as sexual weapons.

  Right now they seemed set on conquering her.

  She’d planned a bit of seduction herself in the way she’d dressed. Unfortunately, parenthood was laying the guilt trip. What kind of mother would have a man over for a night of wild sex? As if married people don’t have sex, she argued back.

  “Yes, you might have mentioned it.” She rubbed a hand over his shirt, inhaling his male scent of sunshine and leather she’d come to love. “You look mighty fine yourself, handsome. I’m used to seeing you in t-shirts, not in snap-up chambray.” The faded blue shirt fit him just fine, especially with the first three mother-of-pearl snaps open. “You look very sexy in this.”

  She snapped open the fourth and fifth ones, leaned in, and kissed the parts of his pecs now exposed. There was a light dusting of pale brown hair hugging those tattooed bronzed pecs and she wanted to make friends with every last one.

  His hand cupped the back of her head. “Baby.”

  Gina shifted her hips and swung her legs over his. His hand supported her back. Her kisses rained over his chest and up his neck while his hand slowly slid from her raised instep to her calves. “Sweet Jesus,” he murmured.

  She bit his earlobe and mentally pushed the image of a man covering her, rooting inside her, from her mental closet of horrified memories. Someone had opened that door—parental guilt, no doubt, intent on keeping her celibate.

  Yes, this man would lie on top of her tonight, ram himself into her, and get his release from her. This time, though, it would be her choice. She wasn’t going to allow old fears to deny her this sweet and sexy man. She could do this. She could.

  “Thigh-highs, baby. Did you wear these just for me?” The wonder in his voice snapped her back to the enjoyment of the present. His fingertips lightly trailed a path around the lacy tops of her nylons. “Fuckin’ A.”

  He bent his head to kiss her thighs. They quivered and her girly bits got all needy and demanding. Her thong was wet. Oh yeah, I can definitely do this.

  With her neck cradled in his prosthesis, his hand skimmed her body, his gaze watching everywhere he touched. His fingers pushed aside the crotch of her lace thong and wickedly slipped inside her folds. “Are these my love folds, baby? They’re already wet for me.”

  His fingers kept stroking as he brought her face to his and kissed her. Brief, sipping kisses with just the barest hint of tongue as his soft, supple lips consumed hers with a sensual hunger. “Baby, baby,” he moaned every few kisses. His hand reached under her sweater and lightly touched her skin, making her yearn for more. So much more…

  “Before we end up having sex on my sofa, let’s take our wine to the bedroom.” She stood, refilled their glasses, and picked them up, hoping her trembling hands wouldn’t spill all the wine on the journey back through the hallway.

  Hands covered her shoulders. “Are you sure this is what you want? Your hands are shaking.” He took the glasses from her.

  She’d expected him to ask. He was that kind of man—caring, gentle, and yet possessive in his own way. A combination she found desirable and damned sexy. She needed him. Admired him for his struggles to overcome his PTSD and learn to finally use his new arm. “Follow me, Tool Belt. I hope you packed a double dose of stamina.”

  His soft laughter followed her. “Woman, you have no idea.”

  To her surprise, the bed was turned back and red rose petals were sprinkled over the pillows and sheets. A row of lit votive cups lined her dresser, casting a romantic glow on the room. She stopped to take it all in. Her hand flew to her heart before she thought to stop it. “How…how romantic.”

  He set the goblets on the nightstand before his arms curled around her waist and he kissed her neck several times. “I wanted our first time to be special for you. I wanted to help you create good memories.”

  While that was all he said, it was the words left unsaid that carried the most weight. He wanted to erase the pain of the past. To make her feel special and desired.

  “I do have one tiny request for myself.” He turned her around.

  She smiled. “What?” Sweet Lord, at this moment she’d give him anything.

  He reached back to turn the lock on the door. “Keep those sexy-as-hell thigh-highs and fuck-me red heels on.”

  “Okay.”

  He forked his fingers—all of them, the physical therapist part of her noticed—into her hair, his thumbs on her temples. “Someday, when you’re ready, I’m going to kiss you all over. Kiss you and taste you. I will brand you and make you completely mine.” His lips closed over hers with a tender power that made her knees nearly buckle.

  His tongue ran across the seam of her mouth commanding her to open and she did. He swept in and conquered, touching everything he now owned. “Baby, my sweet baby,” he proclaimed on a groan. He backed her to the bed in slow steps while his mouth spoke silent messages to hers. In the rose-scented room, her heart heard his every unspoken word and returned its own hushed reply.

  Chapter 17

  Gina sat on the edge of her bed and tugged the shirttails out of Reece’s jeans. With one swift movement, she opened all the snaps of his chambray shirt, buttery soft with age against her fingers. She yanked it off his incredibly sexy body before allowing her palms to take a slow journey over the ridges of his hardened abs. She pressed kisses to the path of hair she decided to nickname Paradise Road.

  In response, his hands opened and closed on her shoulders, his breathing jagged as his groans emerged more frequently. Circling her tongue around his nipple, she inhaled his familiar scent. The tawny nipple beaded when the tip of her tongue flicked it, drew it into her mouth, and gently bit the nib.

  His eyes closed. “More.”

  She kissed a path to his other nipple and bit it harder.

  He hissed through his teeth. “God, yes.”

  Her fingers dropped to the waistband of his jeans and traced the outline of his erection through the denim. His head fell back on a silent request. She unbuttoned the pants and the rasp of his opening zipper filled the room before she tugged the back of his jeans over his delightful ass. With a quick sliding motion, she pushed down his black briefs and his swollen cock sprung free and heavy in her hand.

  Although it had been many years, she figured giving head was like eating a sucker—run your tongue around it for a quick sense of flavor and then slowly slide the whole thing into your mouth. He tasted salty and musky, a heady combination as her tongue and lips enveloped his head.

  “Fuck, Gina.” He spoke it like a prayer or a heartfelt request.

  She slid the entire length of him into her mouth, a slow sensual journey to the moon and back.

  “Fuckin’ A.”

  She pulled back to the launching pad. “You’ve got a pottie mouth.”

  “I do. I’m sorry, baby. Sex and dirty talk go hand in hand for me. If you don’t like it, tape my mouth shut and just listen to me moan.”

  She chuckled and opened her lips over his cock again. “Bring it, Tool Belt.” Her tongue dipped into the little pleasure slit and he muttered a string of curses. Her tongue lapped across his head and slowly circled around it several times.

  “Fuck me blind. God help me, I’m drowning in you, sweetheart.”

  She slowly sucked him in until he bumped the back of her throat. Her tongue swirled back and forth on the underside of his cock while her fingertips lightly scratched his balls. They drew tight to his body and he began to tremble.

  “Stop, woman. Stop while I have some damn fucking control left. You don’t know how long I�
�ve wanted you. There’s so much pent up—”

  Having made her decision, she clasped his ass cheeks and worked faster. She wanted him to have this in case she couldn’t handle straight sex. Who knew when old demons would surface? Tonight was a test for her, for them. There was so much emotion in her for this rough, yet tender guy. She wanted to please him on her terms.

  His hips began to move in and out. His hands shifted from her shoulders to her hair. “Blondie, have some fucking mercy.” For an instant he stilled and then his climax must have struck every nerve in his body, the way he shook. “Ho-o-ol-ly Fu-u-uck!”

  She took all he had to give and held him to her as she rested her face against his muscled thigh. Reece may have gotten physical pleasure, but she’d received the emotional enjoyment of her power over him. In a strange way, they were both satisfied.

  “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

  She smiled against the soft hairs of his leg. “Yes, very. You?”

  He cupped her face in his hands, bent, and kissed her gently. “I’m blown away.” He smiled that slow sexy smile of his. “No pun intended.” His cheek rubbed against hers. “How about I undress and lie on the bed. You undress yourself and give me a little strip show. Take your time. Talk for a while if you want. This is your night and I feel guilty my pleasure came before yours.” He brushed his thumb across her lips. “Anytime you want to stop, stop. There will be other nights. There won’t ever be another you.”

  His lips captured hers again. A slow, deep kiss of passion, branding, and ownership. “You and little blondie across the hall are my precious ones. Don’t ever doubt that. Don’t think I wouldn’t give my life to protect you both. As far as I’m concerned, you two belong to me. Is that clear?”

  Tears pricked at the backs of her eyes and she blinked to banish them. Tonight was for healing and affection—deep, unshakable affection.

  He took off his cowboy boots and clothes before shifting back on the bed, pointing a finger at her. “Not a word to my nosy, smart-ass SEAL brothers about my lying on a bed of rose petals. They were meant for your pretty ass, not mine.”

  She stood and batted her eyes at him. “Why, Tool Belt, I would nevah!” A giggle burst forth. She was about to have sex and she was experiencing freedom, not fear.

  She slowly removed her red sweater and dropped it in her laundry basket.

  “Holy hell, a red lace bra. Leave it on for a bit. Let me touch and drool.”

  She reached behind her to unzip her skirt. On a pivot, she slowly shimmied out of it, giving him a show, bending to step free of the black material.

  “Aw fuck, baby. A red thong? You’re killing me here.” She slipped a thumb under the elastic at her hipline. His hand extended like a stop sign. “No! Not yet. I wanna drool over those, too.”

  “That’s all I can take off? Do you want me to go get you a drool towel?”

  “Don’t you dare walk out of this room. Get on this bed.” He pointed to her rose-petal-covered sheet with his finger.

  Oh, she did love a commanding man, especially when he was naked and his pecker was flying high like a weather balloon checking for wind currents. She straddled his thighs still wearing her red lacy bra and matching thong, thigh-highs, and red stilettos. What former lovers she’d had, wanted her naked in a hurry, so starting out partially dressed was a little unusual.

  He reached for her and then drew back. “We need to discuss protection.” His prosthetic hand pointed to the condoms lying on the nightstand. “I’ve always worn condoms when having sex. Always. Even so, I get tested once a year. My last test was before I left for Syria. I don’t have written proof that I’m clean, so I’ll wear these until I can get tested again and show you the results.”

  “I haven’t had sex since the rapes. Thanks to my fears, I’ve been tested three times since then.” She brushed the condoms onto the floor. “We won’t need these. I want to be the first woman you make love to without a barrier.”

  “Your decision. I want tonight to be all about you.”

  “Then why won’t you touch me?” He’d tried once, then placed his hands behind his head.

  “Baby, don’t think I’m not craving the feel of you. I am, believe me.”

  She unhooked the front clasp of her bra, baring her breasts. “Then touch me! Damn, Reece, a woman shouldn’t have to beg.” She shot her bra across the room like a slingshot.

  While his prosthetic hand settled on her waist, warm fingers trailed up her midriff raising gooseflesh, skimmed the underside of her breasts, and circled her nipples, plucking their protruding points until her desire had her thong soaking wet.

  His gaze remained intent on where he touched. “So beautiful. So damn fucking beautiful.”

  She slithered up his thighs until her moist heat settled over his erection and leaned toward him. He took a breast into his mouth and sucked as a kaleidoscope of joy sparkled in her vision. Her hips moved slowly, making her slide up and down his erection. Sweet Lord, the sensations.

  Rolling over to her side, she removed her thong and extended her arms. He shook his head. “You on top, baby.”

  Climbing on him again, she kissed his chest and abdomen as awareness surfaced. This generous man was giving her total control. He didn’t want her to feel helpless. She glanced at him, saw the beads of sweat on his forehead as he struggled to restrain himself for her benefit—and she toppled the rest of the way into love.

  This selfless man would never hurt her.

  She sat back, took his swollen cock in her hand, and slowly slid onto it. Her body took its sweet time adjusting to his girth as she and Reece smiled at each other. “You’re so good to me.”

  “Baby, I haven’t even started yet.”

  She slowly rose off him. “Oh, Tool Belt, neither have I,” she purred. Her hips slammed into him forcing him to go deeper.

  “Fuck, baby!”

  “Oh, we most definitely are.” Together they moved and touched and kissed. His hand slipped between them and his thumb circled her clit. The tension that had been building like a coiled spring in her abdomen wound tighter before it exploded. Her thighs quivered as her climax detonated within, causing waves of pure, yet painful pleasure to whip through her. She opened her mouth over his shoulder to muffle her scream. He wrapped his arms tightly around her to secure her trembling body. A few more strokes with his cock and he reached the pinnacle, too, burying his face in the crook of her neck as he whispered her name over and over like a lover’s chant.

  They rolled to their sides clinging to each other, their hands making slight circles now and then. He pulled back, his eyebrows furrowed in concern. “You okay?”

  “Can’t…can’t talk.”

  He kissed her, shaking with laughter. “Oh my perfect woman, that’ll be the day when you can’t talk.”

  She slapped his back in silent admonition and burrowed further against him, if that was possible. Thanks to his patience and care, she’d had sex without hesitation or fear. Frankly, she didn’t think this day would ever come. A smile of exhilaration swept through her like a fragrant spring breeze. She almost laughed at the irony of it: Her job had been to help him heal—and she was doing that—but he’d helped her heal, too.

  —

  Reece supposed telling Gina immediately after mind-blowing sex that he loved her would be lame. She deserved better. Dear God, the woman was phenomenal in every possible way. Now he understood how his pop had adored his mother so much. Similar feelings were taking root and sprouting in Reece’s heart. Don’t I sound like a lovesick pup? Do I give a rat’s ass? Hell no! I’m not giving this woman up.

  “Do you think we can do that again? This time with you on top?” Her brown bedroom eyes searched his, the corners of her luscious mouth swept upward in the most charming request.

  He rolled over, tucking her under him. “We can. Until you feel uncomfortable in any way, then we’ll roll over. You handle top quite well.” He winked and she blessed him with a full-blown dazzling smile. “You can take advantage
of this body one more time and then I need to head for Eagle Ridge.” Her smile disappeared. “I can’t stay all night, baby. I’ll need to get to the ranch before you and Piper.”

  She pushed her hair back. “Why?”

  “To get her surprise ready.” He held her breast, his thumb lazily stroking her nipple. “She planted magic jelly beans, you know.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Magic beans you won’t tell me about. I don’t think we should have secrets, Tool Belt.”

  He kissed the nipple and glanced at her. “It’s just an Easter surprise I found on Pinterest.”

  A look of disbelief crossed her beautiful face. “Pin…Pinterest? What is a guy like you doing on Pinterest?”

  “I emailed Jada Beth, my sister-in-law, and asked her what special surprise I could give Piper. Something simple to make a memory. She suggested searching on Pinterest. So I did. I’ve got my own account now and everything.”

  Her mouth hung open and she blinked a couple of times as if to digest what he’d said. “You—big, bad SEAL…have a Pinterest page?”

  “Sure. You can ‘pal’ me or ‘like’ me, whatever they call it.” He kissed her palm. “Search for Browning’s Blondes.”

  “It’s ‘friend’ me.” Her lips twitched. “Browning’s Blondes? You are a man just chock-full of surprises.”

  His fingers plied open her folds. “Oh, baby, if you only knew.” He’d bring her to climax before he’d enter her. If she was recovering in afterglow, maybe she could handle his weight on her without the accompanying horrific memories of a long-ago night. This would be her last obstacle to conquer—having a man love her from the top. He’d make it as easy on her as he could. She was his to protect and that meant from both her past demons and present dangers.

  He leaned on his prosthetic forearm, taking his weight off her. His fingertip slowly circled her clit while his lips nibbled at hers. Their tongues touched and played. She moaned. He bit her bottom lip and deepened the kiss. His finger slipped into her wetness and she writhed in response. After pumping it a few times, he inserted another while tapping her button with his thumb. He dragged his teeth across her jawline and down her neck. She moaned his name, her body tensing. Her climax was near.