CHAPTER TEN
S omething was up with Teddy. He’d been acting weird ever since she’d given him the cuckoo clock. At first, when he didn’t say anything, she was worried she’d overstepped. The memory of his mom’s clock was a personal one that he’d shared with her a long time ago.
She still remembered that night. It was burned into her memory. It must have been only a year after his parents’ car accident. They were thirteen. She’d found him in their spot. Crying. Listing the silly things he missed about them had been her idea. It was supposed to help.
Going by Teddy’s reaction, she hadn’t crossed any boundaries with the gift. Thank God. But he was still acting strange. Every time she looked over at him, he was staring at her. He didn’t even pretend to look away when she caught him, like a normal person. And he had this ridiculously intense expression on his face. It was making her squirm. She didn’t know where to look or what to do. And every time she caught sight of those flaming eyes, she seemed to melt under the heat.
“I talked to my buddy Tyler the other night,” Teddy announced as they continued their ride across Moonrock’s sun-soaked fields. “He wants to meet you.”
“Okay. I have questions. Who is Tyler? Where does he live? What did you tell him about me? And when do I get to meet him?”
Teddy’s hearty laugh warmed her belly. “Navy. We were on the same team together. We were buddies before though, known him almost ten years. Remember I told you I was a POW? Well, Tyler was the other survivor. Only he had worse injuries than me.”
“Oh,” was the only reply Summer could manage as her mouth suddenly went dry.
“Yeah. He had an infection in one of his legs ... they had to amputate. He has a prosthetic now. He’s still in California, so I don’t see him much, but I check in every month, make sure he’s okay. He took the loss ...” Teddy paused to take a deep breath. “Let’s just say he didn’t adjust well. And what with losing two of our teammates as well ...” His words trailed off as he stared into the distance. She realized pretty quickly that she needed to say something other than oh .
“I’m sorry.”
Really? That’s the best you could do?
Teddy pulled on the reigns of his chocolate-colored mare and came to a halt. Summer followed suit and came to a stop next to him. The air was still thick with emotion. As he turned to face her, she could feel herself holding her breath.
“I’ve never really spoken to anyone about what happened over there. Not to anyone who isn’t a Navy-issued psychiatrist anyway. Not even to Tyler.” Teddy’s eyes were boring into her now, and she couldn’t look away if her life depended on it. “But I want you to know. I want to tell you.”
“Whatever you want to tell me, Teddy ... you can. But there’s no rush. I know it’s hard for you. And I know it’s not going to be a pretty story. Whenever you’re ready ... I’ll be here.”
What she really wanted was to hear it all. Now. She had ever since he’d told her he was captured. The bad, the ugly, the damn-right scary. Then she wanted to comfort him. Hold him. Kiss him. Tell him everything was going to be all right. But despite his declaration, deep down she knew he wasn’t ready yet. If he hadn’t even talked to Tyler about what went down, it meant he’d been burying this stuff for a long time. And it was bad. Really bad. Bad enough to make him change his mind about being a SEAL.
“I really wanna kiss you right now.” The corner of his mouth tilted up. “I really didn’t think this whole horse-riding date through, huh?”
“How ’bout we head back? Then ... we can make out in your truck.” She shot him a wink.
That panty-melting smile grew wider. “Let’s go.”
“Race you?” Teddy immediately took off, choosing a non-verbal reply to her challenge. She made sure to shout after him as she kicked Blaze’s side. “Cheater!”
***
T wo weeks after their Moonrock ride and subsequent make-out session, Summer had been on four more dates with Teddy. Their third date had been the typical dinner and a movie. For their fourth date he’d taken her to see some live music in the next town over. On their fifth date they hung out at her place and got takeout. And, finally, their sixth date consisted of another trip to Teddy’s cabin, this time during the day. Things seemed to be going well. Kind of.
There were no problems per se. Every time she saw Teddy, whether it was on a date or at work, they joked, laughed, and they kissed like horny teenagers. But that was it. No groping. No overnight stays. And definitely no hanky-panky. He hadn’t even hinted that he wanted said hanky-panky. She was starting to get a complex.
Stop being paranoid. He just wants to take it slow.
That was probably it. Not every man wanted to jump straight into bed. That sounded possible. Kind of.
“We should get a stripper,” Laney chirped, downing the remnants of her second glass of wine. “Or go to one of those strip shows. We can get Ivy a lap dance!”
Ivy giggled while Summer frowned. This wasn’t a good idea. Laney was a liability. She’d crashed her and Ivy’s bachelorette party planning session about an hour ago, claiming she needed an alcoholic break from her kids. Summer should have known as soon as she waltzed into Mickey’s that things were going to go downhill. Fast. At least Teddy wasn’t working today. Distracting her.
But he’s having a grand old time distracting you in your head.
Shaking away those thoughts, Summer tried her best to concentrate on one disaster at a time. “No strippers, Lanes. I’m under strict orders from her fiancé that no naked males are to go anywhere near her.”
Ivy giggled even harder. “Yeah, Ace would lose his mind. He actually growled at Luke the other day when he came over to check on one of the horses.”
“Hot Luke? The vet?” Laney asked.
“Yup. He thinks Luke is into me. Supposedly he looks at me too long and he flashes too much teeth when he smiles at me. Honestly, the man can be ridiculous sometimes. Poor Luke though. Getting growled at. Even if it was kinda funny to witness.”
Summer’s frown cracked at the image of Ace growling at Luke. Ace was a big softie when it came to Ivy, but to anyone else she could see how he might come across as quite intimidating.
As Ivy and Laney continued to discuss Luke, Summer’s phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out only to see Teddy’s name flash on the screen. What had she been saying about distractions?
Teddy: Dinner tonight at my place?
Summer: What we having?
Teddy: It’s a surprise. How’s the bachelorette planning going?
Summer: Laney suggested strippers. Interested in earning a few extra bucks?
Teddy: Fuck no. Private shows only.
Summer: How does one go about booking a private show? Asking for a friend.
Teddy: It involves asking me nicely. Preferably naked.
Summer almost choked on her tongue. That conversation took a turn. A very interesting one. Maybe he was after some hanky-panky after all.
“Are you blushing?” Laney grinned her way.
“Uh, no, it’s just hot in here. Must be the wine.”
“Oh yeah, who you texting?”
Damn her friend. Damn her to hell. “No one.” She shot Laney a drop it look that she’d perfected over years of friendship.
“Oh my god, you’re texting my brother, aren’t you?” Ivy chimed in.
Fuck my life.
“Anyway ... back to the party. No strippers. How do you guys feel about karaoke?” Summer ignored the phone in her hand, which was currently buzzing.
“Are you gonna get that?” Laney asked, smirking at Summer’s phone.
“Oh, leave her alone,” Ivy beamed, “her and Teddy are still in the early phases of dating. You remember how it was with Max, right? All hot and heavy. Wondering what each other are doing every second of the day. I think it’s cute.”
“So you don’t mind her sexting your brother then?” Laney helpfully added.
“I am not sexting Teddy!” Summer screeched. Just a little too loud. Heads seemed to swivel, and another round of laughter erupted from both her friends.
After attempting her best scowl, she ignored the giggling women and turned her attention back to her messages.
Teddy: Too soon?
Teddy: Summer?
Teddy: I’m sorry. I was joking. All my clothes will be staying firmly in place tonight. Promise.
Shoot. He was panicking because she hadn’t answered. And apparently trying to move their relationship backward.
Summer: Sorry. Planning emergency. I hope you’re joking about your clothes staying on. What happened to my private show?
Teddy: Phew. I thought I scared you off. You really want a private show?
Summer: No, you didn’t, and yes, I do :)
Teddy: You gonna ask nicely?
Summer: I’m always nice!
Teddy: Naked?
Summer: Well, I’ve heard that’s the only way to book.
Teddy: How soon can you come over?
This time she did take a moment to laugh. And squirm. She checked the time. Okay, she needed to wrap up this meeting and go shave. She had a date with a hot man. A naked date.
***
S ummer tried once again to check her unease and knocked on Teddy’s apartment door. She’d already given herself a good talking to on her way over. Shaved, showered, and in her good underwear that matched and everything, she really shouldn’t be nervous. Yet, she was pretty sure she was shaking.
This is Teddy. My Teddy. I’ve wanted this since forever.
Maybe that was the problem though. She’d built this moment up in her head since she was twelve years old. Well, maybe sixteen years old. At twelve, she just wanted to hold his hand. What if it didn’t live up to her expectations? What if she didn’t live up to his?
No pressure then.
Teddy swung open the door and she watched as his face flicked from unadulterated lust to sudden concern. Damnit. She was doing a piss-poor job of hiding her nerves. When did she become so transparent?
“What’s wrong, doll? Jesus, you’re trembling.” He gathered her into his big, strong arms and held her close.
Resting her head against his shoulder, she relaxed into him. This felt better. This felt right. “It’s silly. I feel silly now. I’m fine. Honestly.”
“Talk to me, doll.” He didn’t let her go, just pulled her along with him as he moved them back inside the apartment and shut the door.
Taking in a deep breath, she let the musky scent of his cologne and soap soothe her. “I’m nervous.”
Loosening his arms, he drew back just enough to tilt her face up and aim that green-eyed gaze at her. “Nothing needs to happen tonight. This goes at your pace, okay? I’ve waited a fucking lifetime to be with you, Summer. Another few weeks, months, hell ... even another year doesn’t mean jack. I’ll wait however long you want.”
I’ve waited a lifetime to be with you too.
That was the thing about Teddy. He always knew what to say. How to put her at ease and make her feel safe. Suddenly, she didn’t feel so afraid anymore. So what if tonight wasn’t perfect? If she wasn’t perfect. This was right. He was right. Nothing else mattered.
Summer rose onto her tiptoes and zeroed in on Teddy’s lips. Her heart was thumping its way out of her ribcage, but at least she was no longer shaking. As their mouths met, she nipped at his lower lip and pried him open. Once her tongue swept inside, the kiss turned urgent as they swallowed each other’s moans.
Curling her hands around his neck, she tugged his head down further so she could get deeper. Nerves be damned, she wanted more. She wanted all of him.
Teddy’s hands freely wandered. They gently brushed down her back, one stopping to grip her waist while the other traveled further south and landed on her ass. His strong grip only spurred her on more. Untangling one of her own hands, she let her fingers trail between them all the way down to the hem of his shirt. Taking the hint, Teddy helped her tug the material up and all the way over his head.
“Are you sure?” His breathless voice shot liquid heat right through her.
Her eyes went straight to his bare chest. So this was what a shirtless Teddy looked like. Glorious. Muscles over muscles speckled with a dusting of dark hair. Black ink traveled all the way up his arm, across his collarbone, and came to rest over his heart.
Holy mother of shitballs. He’s a work of art. A sexy-as-hell work of art.
“Doll?” Teddy’s deep rumble sent a shiver down her spine.
She tore her eyes away from that illustrious V-shaped muscle and met his fiery stare. “I’m sure, Teddy. I want you.”
As soon as the last word was out, his mouth crashed back down onto hers. Gasping in shock, he took advantage and plunged his tongue inside. Hungry didn’t even begin to cover the kiss he bestowed on her. Ravenous. Greedy. Starving. Was more like it.
Her top was next to be pushed up, and she lost his lips as it was torn over her head and tossed aside. Lucky for her, he was back on her seconds later, latching onto that sweet spot between her neck and shoulder. Launching a frenzied attack on her senses, he sucked, scraped, and soothed until she was sure her brain cells would never recover.
Both his hands now gripped her ass. “Be sure, doll, ’cause after we do this, there’s no turning back. You’ll be mine, Summer. Mine . And I don’t plan on letting you go.”
“I’ve always been yours, Teddy. Always.” She panted, trying desperately to catch her breath.
The grip on her butt tightened until she was airborne. Getting with the program, she held onto Teddy’s shoulders and wrapped her legs around his hips. It was her turn to let her mouth explore as he walked them to the bedroom. Dragging her lips across his throat, she felt herself smile when a guttural groan ripped right through him and vibrated against her core.
“You know, when you say shit like that to me, doll, it makes me wanna tie you to my goddamn bed and do wicked ... wicked things to you.”
“Fine by me.”
Summer stifled a giggle as her words were met with a thunderous roar. Or was it a growl? Whatever it was, it was hot.
After being unceremoniously dropped onto the bed, she leaned on her elbows and got her first look at the beast she’d unleashed. Teddy stood at the foot of the bed, jaw clenched, chest heaving. He was clearly on the verge of losing all control. And she couldn’t wait to witness what that looked like.
“Clothes off,” was all he said as he unclasped his belt.
Who was she to deny him?