Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Annie nodded, and then added, “Yes sir,” to her response. Evan’s eyes darkened with lust. She couldn’t recall the last time he’d looked at her with so much hunger, so much need. Her heart ached with the beauty of it. And the relief. And the excitement.
Annie wasn’t sure what the hell had gotten into her husband, but she wasn’t going to look this gift horse in the mouth. She’d had a glass of wine earlier in the day, hoping it would relax her because she’d been nervous about tonight. Lately the tension between her and Evan had grown so thick, she feared she’d need a sledgehammer to break through it.
She’d been so scared these past few months. Evan had slipped further and further away from her with each passing day and she hadn’t had a clue how to pull him back. Now he was standing in front of her, bringing all her wildest fantasies to life.
He reached for her and before she realized his intent, he’d lifted her into his arms. She resisted the hold, insisting he put her down. She had gained some weight since they’d married and part of her was embarrassed for him to realize how much.
“Be still.” His voice was gruff, powerful. The timbre sent shivers of excitement through her.
Even so, she tried to escape his grip. “Put me down. I’m too heavy.”
His eyes narrowed, the slightest trace of anger creeping in. “No. You’re not.” He’d been walking toward the car, but he stopped at her protestation. She ceased her struggles when it became apparent he wouldn’t move again until she obeyed him.
“Are you ready to behave?”
She stopped squirming. Then reluctantly nodded, hoping it would encourage him to hurry up and get where he was going.
He raised one eyebrow until she added, “Yes sir.”
Annie wasn’t sure what it was about her that loved it when Evan turned into this commanding alpha male. She certainly didn’t want him trying to call the shots in their daily lives; she enjoyed the true partnership they shared when establishing a budget or dividing the household chores. But in moments like this, there was something about being taken over by a powerful, sexy man that made her panties melt and her heart race.
Evan continued to hold her for several moments longer, letting his lesson sink in, before starting toward her car. He walked to the trunk of the convertible and lowered her slowly to the ground.
Patting the metal, he said, “Hop up there.”
Night had fallen. While the sky was clear and the moon was shining, most of the light it offered was hidden behind the thick overhang of leaves from the trees. She was grateful for the darkness.
Though she was used to walking around in front of her husband naked, it was slightly unnerving to be so revealed outside, regardless of the remoteness of the area.
She reached behind her, using her hands to hoist herself up. Evan stood before her, waiting until she was seated. Then he grasped her knees, pulling them apart.
“Don’t move,” he commanded.
She was startled when he stepped away from her, turning and walking to his car. She wanted to call out, ask him where the hell he was going. He’d left her hanging—literally and figuratively—at the tree. Her body hadn’t forgotten the orgasm he’d denied her. However, she managed to bite her tongue, certain the dominant man her husband had become would add that to her list of punishable offenses. She smiled at the thought, sorely tempted to do it simply for that reason.
Her grin died when Evan reached into his car, turning on spotlights that cast her center stage. She reached up to shield her eyes, unconsciously closing her legs.
“Hold the position I put you in.”
She froze, wariness creeping in. Annie knew there was no one else around. That Evan was the only one who could see her—and he’d seen her naked at least a thousand times in the past. But that didn’t make exposing herself like this any easier.
“Ms. Iser.”
She repressed a shiver at his use of her maiden name. It was all he’d called her tonight and damn, if it didn’t make her a little bit wetter every time he uttered it.
Slowly, she opened her legs. Her cheeks flushed, her skin growing hot. Evan walked to the front of his car and leaned against the hood. She lost sight of his features as the bright lights overwhelmed her vision, making him appear as nothing more than a silhouette.
Less than ten feet separated them, but he felt much farther away. Without a clear view of him or the sound of his breathing, it seemed as if she was completely alone. It was unnerving…and exciting.
It was quiet except for the natural sounds surrounding them—crickets chirping, a slight breeze rustling the leaves, the more distant lapping of the lake against the dock. Evan didn’t speak for several moments, which left her even more in the dark.
What was he doing? Thinking? Typically she could tell from his tone or expression if he was tired, stressed-out, hungry or amused.
Now, he’d hidden from her, leaving her exposed under the lights. It forced her to focus not on him, but on herself, on her own feelings. As the minutes stretched, Annie was lulled into a state of relaxation by the gentle rhythm of the water in the distance. The heat produced by the police car’s lights made her almost sluggish, sleepy. She stopped worrying about her nudity or Evan’s impression of her.
She was pleasantly warm, fuzzy, horny. Her arousal hadn’t waned. In fact, it had grown.
“Touch yourself.”
She jumped slightly when he finally broke the silence. Had she somehow given herself away? Revealed her need?
It took her a moment to process his command. By then, he’d lost patience.
“I’m not going to repeat myself, Ms. Iser.”
Her hands moved to her breasts—seemingly of their own accord—and she cupped them, letting their plumpness fill her palms. The women in her family had a history of being rather well endowed. Most of the time she cursed her large boobs, wishing she didn’t have to lug the ungainly things around all day.
Evan, however, loved her breasts. It wasn’t unusual for the two of them to fall asleep, him spooning her from behind with one of her breasts in the hand he’d wrapped around her.
She squeezed the globes harder, intending to use the action to arouse him. He was still hidden in the shadows.
Was he watching? Was her sexy peepshow working?
Annie moved her fingers to her nipples, sucking in a shallow breath when she stroked the sensitive tips. How long had it been since she’d felt like this—her body on fire, her pussy clenching with a gut-aching need?
She pinched her nipples tightly, pushing the sensation just beyond pleasure to pain. She winced, not because it hurt, but because the rough touch sent shards of electrical currents directly to her clit. She started to close her legs, hoping to find some relief, but she recalled Evan’s order.
He wanted her legs open, wanted her completely exposed. After the magical wickedness of the evening, she couldn’t think of anything she wouldn’t give him right now. She’d fallen in love with the man five years earlier that first night by the lake, and she’d fallen just a bit deeper every single day since then.
Evan didn’t speak as she played with her breasts, didn’t offer commands or try to direct her actions. If not for his silhouette leaning against the car, she could almost forget he was there.
Almost.
Annie moved one hand lower, drawing it over her stomach to her pussy. She wondered if Evan would stop her. He didn’t move, so she took the freedom he offered.
She needed to come. Like yesterday. The need had built up until she’d reached the point of no return. He’d told her to touch herself and that was exactly what she was going to do.
She caressed the firm bud of her clit, going straight for the kill. She was no stranger to masturbation, to finding her own pleasure. She’d spent too many single years before meeting and marrying her hot cop. Too many lonely nights.
As she increased the speed and pressure, she was overcome with gratefulness that she had met Evan. Though her touch was doing the trick, she realized whatever climax she gave herself would be lukewarm compared to the explosive sparks Evan provoked.
Or at least, the ones he used to provoke. Before she became obsessed with getting pregnant and having babies.
Guilt crept in and Annie hesitated, her fingers pausing mid-stroke. She didn’t want to come without him. Didn’t want to keep feeling alone in a house where she wasn’t alone. Annie spent every single night with Evan and yet, she’d missed him.
Now he was there, with her, and she needed this time to make things right between them.
“Don’t stop,” he commanded.
She wanted to submit, wanted to give him what he asked for, but first…
“I’m sorry.”
Evan didn’t reply immediately and she suspected her apology confused him. After all, how was he supposed to know what she was sorry for?
“I’m so sorry, Evan. For everything. I know I haven’t been the easiest person to live with lately, but?—”
She didn’t get another word out of her mouth. Evan was there, crossing the distance between them in three long strides.
“Hush,” he urged, pressing his lips firmly to hers. She clung to him as he deepened the kiss. Their tongues tangled as tears sprung to her eyes.
She’d missed this closeness, this passion. She gripped his hair more tightly when she sensed him trying to pull away. She wasn’t finished yet. She needed more. So much more.
Evan reached behind her, tugging her ass toward him, dragging her to the edge of the trunk of the car. She reached down, drawing his cock from his still-open pants. It occurred to her they’d spent the last couple of hours with her in some state of nakedness while he was fully dressed. They’d address that issue later.
For now…
She directed his cock to her wet opening, groaning as he pressed deep, thrusting inside with one relentless, powerful motion.
Annie wrapped her legs around his waist, trying to pull him even closer. The incredible restraint her husband had shown all night appeared to be lost.
He grasped her hips, keeping her in place as he took her. Neither of them held back anything as he pounded harder, Annie urging him on.
“More! God, more,” she demanded.
Evan pressed on her shoulder, directing her to recline on the trunk, tugging her ass closer to the edge. He slowed his motions, thrusting shallowly, stoking the fire but controlling the blaze. Evan’s gaze traveled along her body, the admiration reflected there making her feel beautiful, cherished.
Then his hands followed the path of his eyes. He ran his fingers along her neck and down her chest. The delicate stroking provoked a strong shiver. She was a woman on the edge.
“I need?—”
“Shhh,” Evan admonished. “I know what you need, Annie.”
He cupped her breasts in his hands as he slowed his thrusting even more. She started to tell him it was clear he didn’t have a damn clue what she needed.
Then he pinched her nipples.
Annie’s back arched, her pussy clenching greedily on his cock. Stars flew behind her closed eyelids.
He pinched again.
She pressed her hands flat against the car, wishing she had something to grab on to. She was in serious danger of flying away.
Evan bent forward to kiss away the little pangs of pain, his mouth gently sucking one of her nipples in. With his tongue, he soothed and stroked. Annie balled her hands into fists as she fought for the strength to hold on.
She’d been on the verge of coming for hours, yet she didn’t want to give into it yet. Something told her that the pressure building would explode white-hot, and it would be magnificent. She wanted Evan with her for that.
So she sucked in some much-needed air then bit her lip, hoping to distract herself with the pain.
Evan rose once more. She instantly missed the heat of his body on her chest, his departure reminding her once again that they were outside.
Though night had fallen, the temperature hadn’t. Instead, the humid July air, the heat produced from the bright spotlights and the fire raging in her body left her in danger of suffocating. And the worst part was she welcomed that intensity.
Evan didn’t seek to increase his pace. Instead, he drew his hand away from her breast, lightly teasing the skin of her stomach before drifting even lower. He found her clit instantly. The man was an expert on her body, though she’d sort of forgotten that fact.
She was ashamed of herself for taking the joy out of their bedroom, for making Evan feel like nothing more than a stud to her broodmare. She’d stopped treating him like a man, like her lover. Instead, she’d become a slave to ovulation charts and optimum body temperatures, snapping her fingers whenever she needed him and turning her back on nights when she didn’t.
Another apology rose, but Evan wiped it away, distracted her from the words when he pressed her clit harder, stroking it faster. He’d begun to move once more, his thick cock traveling deep, touching every hot spot. With his fingers on her clit and his dick inside her, he slowly, steadily drove her to the brink of paradise.
“Come with me, Annie.”
She didn’t need to be told twice. Her head fell back against the car as her climax flashed. For a moment, she panicked it was stronger than she was and she wouldn’t survive the tremors, the sizzling electricity flowing through her veins.
She was overwhelmed, overcome. Undone.
Evan briefly stiffened as her inner muscles clenched his cock, his fingers tightening where they now gripped her hips. “Fuck,” he muttered. “Shit. Yeah. God, baby!”
Annie had only just started to come down, had only found one second of reprieve before Evan’s hard thrusts triggered another climax. Her cries were drowned out when sparks of red, white and blue began to light the darkened sky, a loud explosion—matching the one inside her head—disrupted the quiet night.
Evan joined her, filling her with hot jets of come. He slowly leaned forward, holding himself above her on his elbows. He kissed her as more fireworks flashed. Neither of them sought to separate, too wrapped up in the wonder and magic of the moment.
He kissed her softly, matching her smile. Then he studied her face and the somberness she’d grown too used to returned.
“I’m the one who’s sorry, Annie.”
She shook her head, unwilling to hear him take even the slightest bit of blame. “No.”
He pressed a quick kiss to her lips to silence her. “I love you.”
She swallowed heavily, trying to dislodge the lump in her throat. “I know, Evan. I’ve never doubted it. I hope you realize that. But I’m sure I’ve made you question my feelings for you.”
“No. You haven’t. God, Annie. I’ve failed you in so many ways.”
She scowled. “Don’t say that. Don’t think it. It’s ridiculous and wrong.”
He gave her a crooked grin. “Macie said the same thing to me.”
She didn’t return his smile, too upset by his words. “You’ve never let me down. Never. Not once.”
He lifted one eyebrow and she suddenly understood exactly how he felt like he was failing her. She repeated her previous assertion. “Never, Evan.”
He reached up to cup her cheek. “How did we forget this? How good it was between us?”
She chuckled softly. “I have no idea. Pure insanity.”
“It won’t happen again. You have my word.”
“And you have mine.” No matter what life threw at them, Annie refused to let stress or disappointment or fear drive them apart again. As long as she had him in her life, they could handle all the rest together.
Evan stood slowly, provoking a slight shiver as he withdrew. She pressed her legs together, trying to hold on to the memory of his possession, to trap the heat for as long as she could.
She was surprised when he walked away from her, back toward the tree. She sat up, giving him a questioning look when he returned with her flip-flops.
“Here. Slip these on.”
She did as he asked as Evan went to his car, turning off the spotlights and grabbing a blanket from the trunk. “Grab those beach towels from your bag.”
Annie reached into the backseat, procuring the towels. Then she took the hand he proffered, letting Evan lead her to the trail that meandered to the lake.
As they got closer to the water, she could see the light of a big bonfire in the direction of the public beach. The fireworks display still lit up the sky. If she listened very closely, she could hear faint strains of music. Evan’s cousin, Tyson, had formed a band last winter—the talented group blowing most people in Maris away with their rockabilly sound.
When they reached the dock, Evan released her hand and began to disrobe. She watched him in silence, enjoying the sexy striptease and the way the moonlight and brightly colored flashes of fireworks lit his skin.
Once he was naked, he walked toward the ladder at the end of the dock. “Feel like skinny dipping?”
She giggled. “I’d love to. I’m so hot right now.”
He winked at her. “You’re always hot, Annie. But yeah, I swear the temperature is rising tonight. You gotta love Texas in July.”
Evan climbed down the ladder, sliding into the water with a loud sigh. Annie was right behind him. The cool water felt like heaven against her overheated skin.
Evan was waiting for her a few feet from the dock. She swam straight into his open arms, loving the strength in his hold.
They’d spent countless summer days—and nights—in this lake together, playing or floating or just diving in to cool off before getting right back out again. They had gone swimming that first night he’d pulled her over. The sun had been coming up, adding to the heat that hadn’t waned a bit. She’d been wearing a cover-up over her bathing suit, so she’d suggested they take a morning swim to cool off.
Evan had accepted her invitation, stripping off his uniform until he was left in only boxers. Then he’d joined her in the cool water. And just like now, she’d swum into his arms, the two of them kissing and floating, content to cling to each other, swaying with the water.
The fireworks display ended, allowing them to hear the sounds from the beach more clearly.
“Orange Blossom Special?” Annie asked, picking up on the tune of one of her favorite songs.
Evan smiled, nodding. “Do you want to get dressed and head down to the beach? I suspect the party still has a few more good hours in it.”
She shook her head. “No. I’m happy here. With you.”
They kissed once again. Then a thousand more times. Annie wasn’t sure how long they stayed in the water, but by the time Evan suggested they get out, she noticed the party had quieted and the moon had shifted a bit farther along the sky.
Grasping a towel, Evan dried her, wrapping her in the soft terrycloth before retrieving the other for himself. He spread the blanket over the grass at the edge of the shore. They lay down together, both falling to their backs to stare at the night sky.
Evan reached out, clasping her hand. They didn’t talk for a long time. Annie was lost in her thoughts—reliving the wonder of the night.
Then she recalled his fears. Evan had truly thought he’d been failing her. Just the idea of it caused her heart to break. She’d been so wrapped up in her own sadness and self-pity, she’d let those hurts affect her marriage and upset Evan.
She shifted to her side, facing him. “Evan?—”
He looked at her. The expression on his face told her he knew what she was going to say. “No. Not tonight.”
“But—”
“We need to talk about it, Annie. And we will. I promise. I mean, God only knows what I’d be without you.” He rolled toward her, pulling her beneath him. “But for tonight, can we just focus on Annie and Evan?”
His request required no thought. She understood what he wanted and she knew how important this time was. They had some rebuilding to do. Some trust to reestablish. There was plenty of time for them to talk about the future—about children, conception, adoption. None of that mattered if they didn’t fix what they’d broken in their search for those things.
She reached up to touch his face, careful to school her features. “No. We can’t.”
Evan frowned at her refusal.
“We can’t be Evan and Annie tonight.” She gave him what she hoped was a sultry smile. “But I would like to spend some more time with that sexy lieutenant. Damn if he doesn’t know how to make sparks fly.”
Evan chuckled.
And then, before her very eyes, her dominant, sexy, amazing husband transformed himself into the man of her dirtiest fantasies. He stripped the towel from her body, and then parted her legs with his.
She closed her eyes, sighing when his thick erection parted her sensitive folds, thrusting deep.
“Open your eyes, Ms. Iser. Look at me.”
She obeyed, giving him a sexy smile. “Yes, Lieutenant.”