Chapter 25
Ty pulled up to Scarlett and Sledge’s cabin. He went around his truck and opened the door for Ice as she got out.
“You seem quiet. Do you have something on your mind?” he asked, walking her up to the door.
“I’m thinking about Tyler and his picture. Caleb hugged and thanked me. Lizzy and Michael told me again how grateful they felt. It got me thinking how I miss certain things,” she confessed.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked as they entered the living room. “It’s a bit chilly in here. Do you want me to start a fire?”
“A fire sounds lovely. I love the fall when all the trees change colors. When I served, I counted the days until I returned to see it and never got the chance.”
“I’m sorry, Scarlett. It must be challenging to miss out on such sights,” he said apologetically. “What does it have to do with Tyler?”
“He called me a superhero. I have saved lives on the other side of the world, yet rescuing him feels like my most significant feat,” she murmured.
“Maybe because you did it for Debbie. You didn’t want her to return to the burning building,” Ty suggested.
Scarlett slightly nodded. She felt her eyes grow watery and her chest felt heavy. The grief of all she lost seemed to creep up on her. For the first time in months, she cried for herself.
Ty pulled her into his lap, his hand rubbed her back while she lay her head on his shoulder. Heaving sobs wracked her body, and she seemed unable to stop. Ice whined at her feet.
As the pain lessened, she hiccupped. Ty passed her a tissue from the table beside the sofa.
“I bet you didn’t sign up to have a weeping woman on your hands today,” she quipped, feeling embarrassed by her sudden outburst.
“You have every reason to cry. I can’t imagine how frightened you must’ve felt getting attacked and unable to see,” he soothed. “I understand Rocker and Sledge got you out. They still seem very protective of you from Sledge’s reaction when I picked you up.”
Scarlett snorted. ‘They love giving me a hard time. Before the accident, I devoured books. One of the men didn’t like a woman having his six.
He made fun of my romance books. I enjoyed reading thrillers, dark romance, mafia novels, and mysteries.
Yet, this dude started calling my books smut.
” She shrugged. “It didn’t bother me, but some of the other guys didn’t like his attitude.
When they returned from their mission, one of them asked to borrow one.
I asked my bunkmate to bring them out while I worked.
When I walked out, I found a group of men reading my romances.
I went to the mess tent to see a few more people with my books.
Anyway, it drove my tormentor away. With permission, I set up a small library of sorts and switched out the books every week.
Occasionally, I found a new one on my bed.
No one ever admitted to buying it, but I suspect they enjoyed it as much as I did. ”
“Have you read since your return?” he asked, his thumb gently stroking her cheek.
“No,” she admitted. “I loved the feel of a book in my hand, the smell of paper, and the anticipation of a new story to get lost in after seeing the atrocities of war. Rayne suggested I listen to audiobooks. I’m scared to try because it won’t soothe my soul like the real thing.
I don’t know if I can bear it,” she whispered.
“Have you talked to Claire or Dr. Hill about this?” he asked.
“Yeah. Claire says I have my entire life to live. They can show me how to fold my money and give me tools to succeed, but in the end, it’s my responsibility to discover what makes me truly happy. Otherwise, I’ll remain in the dark forever.”
“I refuse to believe you want to live in the dark corners of your mind. You must crave the adventure, the mystery, and the romance,” Ty said, determined.
“We experienced the worst of human behavior when we watched grown adults dress a small child with a bomb and lead him into an innocent crowd. Men raped school girls and forced people to join them by threatening their families. Young boys were scooped off the streets. They didn’t have a choice, but you do, Scarlett.
You can stay in the dark and miss out, or you can work around it and search for a new way to enjoy your life.
One thing is for certain,” he said softly. “You’re very much alive.”
Scarlett’s heart raced as he leaned in, kissing her.
“You can’t see me,” he said, placing her hand on his chest. “But you can feel me. Do you understand the difference?”
His heartbeat thumped under her fingers. Ty’s chest moved, and her hands brushed against his chest hair. It felt soft and coarse. Her thumb brushed over his nipple, causing him to suck in a breath, and his lap hardened against her thigh.
Scarlett felt his face and smiled when she got to his nose. Leaning in, she kissed the tip and continued with her exploration. “Does it bother you? Me, touching you like this,” she asked tentatively.
“I love the feel of your hands on me. Since you can’t see my expression, I imagine you can feel the effect your touch has on me. Use it to your advantage, Scarlett,” he encouraged.
“Do you mind if we continue this in my bedroom? I don’t want Sledge to return home to find me…exploring you.” She grinned.
Ty moved her to the side, stood, and scooped Scarlett into his arms. “Where’s your room?”
“For once, I’m giving you directions,” she replied cheekily. “Down the hall and to the left. Ice will follow us and lie in his bed. Then you can close the door,” she instructed.
Ty carried her to the bed. He let her body slide against his as he set her on the comforter. Waiting for Ice to make his way to the bed, he went back to secure the room and clicked the lock in place.
He went to the bed and cupped her face. “I don’t do one-night stands. You’ve captivated me since we met. Since you can’t see me, it’s only fair I express how I feel about you. I enjoy spending time together, and we can do whatever you choose. There’s no pressure here. It’s only us, Scarlett.”
Ty captured her mouth with his. Unlike before, his tongue demanded entrance and sought hers eagerly. Scarlett moaned, rising to her knees and unbuttoning his shirt. She slid it from his arms, roaming the tight muscles of his stomach, and made her way upward.
“I want to see you,” she whispered. “What color is your hair?”
“I have dirty blond hair, dark green eyes, and a short beard,” he described, placing kisses along her jawline. With a chuckle, he claimed, “I’m the most handsome man you’ve ever met.”
Scarlett giggled. “Hmmm, I always gravitated toward blond men,” she murmured, tilting her head to give him more access to her neck.
“Don’t talk about other guys right now,” he growled. “I don’t want to think of another man touching you.”
He tugged the blouse from her skirt and slowly unbuttoned it as if opening a present, and was afraid to ruin the wrapping.
“Your skin feels like satin,” he said, slipping off the top and tracing along the outline of her bra.
Scarlett shivered as he moved to her breast. His hands slid to the back, and he unclasped it. She bit her lip when he stopped and turned on the lamp beside the bed. “It’s dark in here, and I want to watch your expression when I please you,” he said seductively.
Scarlett swallowed. Her hands moved to his shoulder and glided down his arms, stopping along the crease of a muscle, as if memorizing it.
Ty waited until she reached his hand before he lifted her by the waist and removed her skirt and panties. Her hand went to her mound to cover it, and he caught her wrist. “You can say no at any time. We won’t do anything you don’t want to do,” he assured her.
“It’s not that,” she faltered. “I haven’t done this in a very long time. You can see me, but I can’t tell what you think.”
“Let me tell you,” he coaxed. “I’m gazing at a beautiful woman.” His hand stroked along the side of her breast. “You have breasts big enough to fit nicely in my hand. Your nipples are a light pink, and they’re begging for me to kiss them.”
Pressing her against the pillows, he lay beside her. His finger circled her areola, making little bumps appear. Ty leaned over and sucked the bud into his mouth while he played with the other.
Scarlett held her breath and gripped his hair, while he lazily took turns making them grow harder beneath his tongue.
Sighing, her hand glided down his side until she found the waistband of his jeans. She tugged at his belt, and he raised slightly, letting her remove it. When she got it unbuckled, he stood, removed his clothing, and then returned.
Scarlett pressed him flat and spread kisses down his neck. She straddled his waist and steadied herself, holding his abs. She grinned when he reached and tugged her nipples. Leaning down, she returned the favor by swirling her tongue around his and sucked.
Ty growled, letting her know how much he enjoyed her efforts.
She licked her way down his taut abs, sliding farther down his body. When she got to his waist, she moved between his legs. Her hand gripped his cock, and she pumped slowly.
“You’re torturing me,” he said, his voice sounded strangled.
“We’ll only do what you want,” she shot back at him. “The food tasted amazing, but I’m still hungry. You didn’t make me any dessert.”
“I guess we’ll have to get creative,” he murmured.
Her tongue swirled around his tip, licking the drop of liquid at the top. Her warm mouth covered him, and she gripped the base, moving in the same motion.
“Scarlett,” he drawled out as she went faster. Ty gripped her hair, refusing to lose himself before pleasuring her. Her tongue glided along the groove of his cock, making him groan.
He tugged her hair, making her come forward. Their mouths met and the kiss turned frenzied as she moved her hot center against the sensitive skin of his dick.
Ty gripped her hips and Scarlett raised. “Ty. I don’t have condoms.”
Running his hand through his hair, he chuckled. “Shit.”
“Kim visited Sledge. He has some in his bathroom,” she said, climbing off him. Ice stood when he noticed Scarlett up.
“I’ll get them,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“I appreciate your chivalry, but it’ll seem kinda weird if you come out of Sledge’s room. I’m blind and lost my way,” she said sarcastically.
“Don’t do that,” he ordered.
“Do what?” she asked.
“Don’t make your blindness sound like a cold.
You make cracks about yourself to keep people from noticing how badly this hurts you,” he said, approaching her.
“It’s all right to feel vulnerable with me.
Kassie has an insulated closet with a cot for the veterans to use when they need a place to hide from the world. I want to be your safe space.”
She held his wrist, turned her head, and kissed his palm. “Thank you. Ice,” she called. The dog went to her side as she slipped into a robe. Ty held the door open, and she went down the hall. A minute later, she returned with three condoms in her hand.
“I see you’re on a mission,” he said, chuckling.
“Some people say I’m like a Boy Scout, I’m always prepared,” she joked, releasing Ice.
“The motto might stick if you didn’t have to raid your battle buddy’s cabinets in search of them,” he said, shaking his head.
“I recalled taking them out of the grocery bag, and he swiped them out of my hand. His voice came out all funny, and I guessed why he insisted on getting the groceries without me. Between the attack and her having the baby, Kim and Sledge haven’t spent much time together,” she explained.
Ty nuzzled her neck as he untied the belt to her robe. Letting it fall to the floor. He led her to the side of the bed, and she scooted to the middle. He nibbled and caressed the fires he started earlier back to life. The warmth of his touch ran through her.
“Come here,” he whispered, sliding his finger inside her slick center.
She closed her eyes and moved her hips to the rhythm he set. A moan escaped her as a second joined in. His thumb pressed against her nub, making tiny circles.
“I’m watching your face,” he said softly. “Your cheeks have a beautiful flush. I love watching your lips part when I press here.” He curled his fingers, and her mouth opened. “Yes, you have no idea what it does to me.”
Her hand reached out and gripped his shaft. “I can feel it,” she said, pumping and squeezing him.
Ty reached over and grabbed the condom packet. He ripped it open and laid the wrapper on the nightstand.
“May I have it?” she asked, sitting up and holding her hand out.
He placed it in her hand and guided her to his penis. She bit her lip, concentrating on rolling it over him.
“You got it on, what do you want to do now?” he said, his voice going low.
“I want to ride,” she admitted, hoping he didn’t consider her demanding.
Ty positioned her over him. He held his shaft at her entrance as she got comfortable. Sliding down on his cock, she let out a sigh. He held her hips and moved slowly, giving her time to adjust to him.
She moved, grinding on him. Ty rolled her nipples with his fingers, making her moan. She increased her pace and leaned down to kiss him.
“Don’t stop,” Ty commanded gruffly.
Scarlett didn’t answer. Her body convulsed over him, and he shifted, giving her more of his length. She threw her head back as the wave hit and went over the edge. Slowing down, letting the last of the orgasm ebb, she smiled at him.
“My turn,” he said. “Will you be comfortable if you’re on your hands and knees?”
“Yes,” she answered, immediately lifting off him.
He kissed her before moving behind her. Intending to enter her slowly, he lined up at her entrance, and Scarlett pushed against him.
Ty took the hint and buried himself inside her heat.
The room seemed to grow warmer as he watched her closely, ensuring he didn’t hurt her.
She clenched the covers and gave as good as she got.
Their bodies slapped against one another in a tug of war.
Ty glanced at her to see the different shades of her red hair in the lamp’s light.
It resembled a flame, with golden hues melding together with orange and red.
Without a doubt, Scarlett sparked something in him he thought he lost a long time ago.
His orgasm rolled over him with his need to claim her as his. As he pulled out to take care of the condom, Scarlett tilted her head and sent him an impish smile. His heart skipped a beat, and he realized it was she who claimed him.