Chapter 24
24
She found Sisco sitting on the sofa, leaning forward with his forearms resting on his knees and his hands clasped before him. She opened her mouth to greet him but stopped. He seemed deep in thought, and she wasn't sure if she should interrupt him. His broad shoulders and chest muscles stretched the long-sleeved T-shirt he wore. She’d read the description of “tree trunk-sized” thighs in the historical romances she’d read years ago and had thought it was a strange phrase. Now, staring at the way his jeans were molded to his thick thighs, she thought the description was apropos.
She continued to stare, trying to note a flaw. Something that would make him seem less perfect. He didn’t have chiseled jaws and angular cheekbones that would be the norm for a male runway model. He had weight on him, not just muscles, but he carried it well. Like a man who knew physical power was needed in his chosen careers. He liked to eat and wasn’t going to diet just to achieve a societal ideal physique.
Evie likened him to a teddy bear once when his beard had tickled her cheek. Lenore could understand that. Sisco could resemble a cuddly teddy bear or a powerful man with a don’t-fuck-with-me-or-the-ones-I-care-about vibe.
After a moment, she realized it was ridiculous to continue to stare. No one was perfect, but for her, he was wonderful just the way he was. She stepped into the room, having no clue what his thoughts were. He looked up.
He stared at her, and then his lips began to curve until he smiled his gorgeous smile straight toward her. Her footsteps stumbled slightly under the onslaught of how absolutely delicious he looked. Wishing she'd spent more time fixing herself up instead of getting more comfortable, she hesitated.
“Come here and sit by me, beautiful,” he said, patting the sofa beside him. She eagerly acquiesced, and as soon as her ass hit the cushions, he curled his arm around her shoulders, and they leaned together against the soft back of the sofa.
“Why were you grinning when you looked at me?” she asked.
“You have no fucking idea how glad I am you didn't spend time in the bathroom getting fixed up or fancy. I was afraid you'd feel the need to do that, and I'm thrilled you didn't. You're always beautiful but fresh-faced with comfortable clothes and letting your natural beauty shine through is perfect.”
She preened but tried to play it cool. “I just wanted to get comfy, and then, as I walked in here, I was afraid maybe I had gotten too casual.”
“You can never get too comfortable around me. And this tells me that you feel relaxed with me and don't feel like you have to be anything except yourself. That right there is sexier than anything.”
“Yes, but you don't know if I'm wearing granny panties.” She laughed then shook her head. “Sorry. Fatigue makes me lose my filter.”
“Don't tempt me to find out what kind of panties you're wearing,” he said, his smile still wide.
Her smile stayed in place, but her mind drifted to just how much she’d like him to find out about her panties. She had slipped on a pair of blue satin ones that had a little lace even knowing they’d never get seen tonight. But I definitely need to order some more!
They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, her head resting on his shoulder as his hands kept her tucked in close.
“Jesus, this shirt is so fuckin' soft,” he said, his fingers playing with the material at her shoulder.
“It's one of my favorites. I found it on sale and knew it was for me when I felt it. It was perfect for Evie.”
“Evie?”
She nodded, her mind drifting to the past. “I wore it to the hospital once when she was having chemo. As she shivered from the cold, I held her, and she stayed curled next to me like a little kitten. She said it was so soft it made her feel better, so I wore it all the time. It's still a favorite even though it's a little worn.”
He remained quiet for a long moment, and she wondered what he was thinking. She twisted around and glanced up to find him staring at her.
“You're amazing. You know that, right?”
“Because I wear a comfortable sweater?”
“No, babe. Because of why you bought it… why you wear it. All because of Evie.”
She snorted, then fell silent. She appreciated what he was saying, but it brought up other memories she'd tried to tamp down. She sighed. “If you asked William, he would say that was why we divorced—according to him, everything I did was for Evie.” She shrugged. “Maybe he was right. But there were only so many hours in a day. Just taking care of her was a twenty-four seven job. There was little left over of me?—”
“Stop right there. If he'd been the kind of father and husband he should have been, he would have also given twenty-four seven so you'd have a break.”
His words washed over her, and she leaned back against his chest. They sat silently for several minutes, her peace now interrupted by the tingling of her skin where his fingers trailed along her shoulder.
She finally shifted and draped her legs over his lap, her palm against his bearded jaw. Their eyes held for a long moment before they slowly erased the space between them and kissed.
She closed her eyes, giving herself over to the feelings coursing through her body and the thoughts drifting through her mind. His body was powerful, and she felt so safe with him. It was an instinctive feeling, knowing that his strength would always be used to try to guard her and Evie from anything that threatened them.
As he pulled her closer, her breasts pressed against his chest, their heaviness making her acutely aware of the connection between her nipples and her core.
His lips, which somehow managed to be strong and soft all at the same time, took charge of the kiss as his tongue teased and tantalized. Her short fingernails dragged over his scalp, and then she cupped the back of his corded, muscular neck, holding on. A groan sounded out, and she couldn't discern if it had come from him or her. She decided it didn't matter.
She felt his thick cock against her thighs and remembered how long it had been since she'd had sex. It was the last time William and she had managed to have sex on an overnight trip to Helena for a conference while her mother stayed with Evie. Two years ago. Looking back, she knew he was a selfish lover then. But when he left her hanging after he orgasmed, leaving her to finish in the bathroom by herself, she desperately didn't want Sisco to do the same thing.
One of his hands slipped under her shirt and glided over the skin of her back before moving to the front and cupping her breast. Another groan sounded, and this one definitely came from her. She shifted to straddle his upper hips, not caring that she was dry-humping him as though her life depended on it.
While she concentrated on what was going on down below, he lifted the front of her shirt, pulled down her bra cups, and closed his mouth around her nipple. Frantic, she needed more… needed everything… needed nothing but him.
“Oh God, don't stop,” she begged.
“Not gonna stop,” he mumbled.
“Don't stop.”
He didn't reply this time but slipped his fingers between them, down the stretchy waistband of her leggings, and found her swollen bundle of nerves. As he pressed gently, she knew she was close. When his mouth moved to the other breast, nipping slightly while his fingers worked their magic, her body shattered in his arms.
Just then, the fireworks from the town sounded, and her fingers tightened. She couldn’t have picked a better moment, considering she was also exploding as her release caused her to cry out.
Panting against his mouth, she rode his fingers until her tremors subsided, leaving her gasping for air. He lifted his head from her chest, and their foreheads rested against each other. As reality crept back in, she jerked slightly. “Oh God, that's embarrassing.”
He cupped the back of her head and banded his arm around her back, not letting her jump up and run away in shame. “Not one thing about what we just did was embarrassing.”
“Sisco, I just… you know… in my living room. In almost no time at all with your talented tongue, mouth, and hands, all while dry-humping you.”
“Yeah, I know. All that while I was learning how to get those little hums you moan when you're about to come. And that wasn't embarrassing. It was hot as fuck. And if you let go like that with just what we did, I can't wait to get you in bed where I have the time to learn all about your body, what makes you hum, what makes you cry out, and to bury myself deep within you.”
Her chest heaved as the air seemed to leave the room with his words. She'd read sentiments like that in romance novels but had no idea anyone ever had the privilege to hear a man growl those amazing words in real life.
Blowing out a breath, she grinned. “I feel like this is one of those moments in life when I should say something witty, lighthearted, or perhaps just very sexy… but I'm blank except for I can't wait to give you what you just described.”
His gorgeous mouth curved, and the smile filled her soul. With his hand still cupping the back of her head, he gently brought her forward and kissed her lightly. Then pulling away before they could go too far, he said, “I had a really good time today, Lenore. The whole day. Being with you and Evie. Helping her have a good and safe day that was full of fun. I haven't done something like this in years… hell, probably not since I was with some nieces and nephews about twelve years ago before I became a SEAL.”
“I'm glad,” she said, lifting her hands to cup his cheeks. “Me, too. It was nice to have you with us. Not just nice… that sounds so lame. It made the day fantastic, and I know Evie felt the same.” She laughed, adding, “Evie said it was the best day ever.” Suddenly, tears filled her eyes, and she swallowed past the lump in her throat. “She's had so many not good days that to have this was a real gift.”
“Good,” he said, standing up with her in his arms.
“Whoa!” She wrapped her legs around his waist as he approached the front door.
Once there, he loosened his grip and let her legs slide down so her feet could touch the floor. “I really hate to do this, but I'm going to go. Not because I want to, but because staying would definitely involve more activity, and after a day like today, you need to rest. And, I also hate to tell you, but I'll be on a trip leaving tomorrow. While we were out today, I got a text from work. Another Keeper and I are heading out of the country for a few days. As soon as I return, I want you and me on a date. This time, just the two of us if it works out.”
“Evie has a sleepover on Friday night.”
His smile widened. “Perfect. I hope to be back on Thursday, but we'll plan on a Friday night date. If you want, you can come to my place, but I understand if you want to be close to where Evie is.”
She nodded. “I really need to stay close. But how about if we have dinner out, and I'll have a dessert here.”
He wiggled his eyebrows, and she felt her cheeks heat. “I mean, a baked dessert and wine. Then we can get to whatever other dessert we want to have.”
“Again… perfect.”
With a final kiss and a warning to set the alarm from him, she closed the door after he walked out. Then she smiled all the way to bed.