Every Moment Counts
Wyatt needed to show this incredible woman how special she was.
Her touch was driving him out of his mind, but his training allowed him to keep the control needed to let her explore at her pace.
His Esme was extremely sensual. He knew that from the way she reacted to the world around her. Full of delight in sounds and scents, tastes and visuals.
Her life hadn’t lent itself to much joy, and he wouldn’t stifle even a little of that. He’d stand here and let her explore as much as she wanted, even if her delicate touches had him hard as steel and desperate for more.
Esme hadn’t had much control in her life. He would gladly cede it to her.
Her hands drifted to his jeans, and he blew out a breath. She grinned up at him. “Okay?”
He gritted his teeth and nodded. “More than okay. Just be aware, I was in a rush this morning.”
She tilted her head at him in confusion, but didn’t stop her movements. She watched him as her hands opened his jeans and slid down the zipper. Her eyes widened in surprise when she found only him beneath. “You were in a hurry.”
He grinned at her. “I was worried about you. Didn’t have time to waste.”
She took his erection in her hands, and Wyatt had to grip his hands into fists and grind his teeth together. He was going to burst into flames in a minute.
She tightened her grip and his breathing accelerated.
“Thank you for worrying about me. Thank you for taking care of me.”
He lifted a hand and ran it through her hair until he cupped her nape. “It’s my pleasure.”
Then they were kissing again. He could spend days on this woman’s mouth, but today, they had other plans.
He mimicked her earlier motions and put his hands under her sweater, lifting it as he finally touched the silky skin beneath.
When he realized she wasn’t wearing a bra, he grinned at her. “You were in a hurry, too.”
She laughed. “I was. I was worried about you.”
She could bring him to his knees. “Hell, Esme, you’re amazing. Thank you for caring enough to worry.”
She smiled and lifted her arms, inviting him to remove the sweater. “My pleasure.”
He tossed her sweater over his head, making her smile.
When he cupped both breasts in his palms, her breath caught, and she whimpered.
Again, following her earlier lead, he asked. “Okay?”
She repeated his words. “More than okay. Touch me, Wyatt. Touch all of me.”
Hell, yeah.
Esme was a tall woman, so he didn’t have to lean down much to capture one beautiful breast with his mouth. He slid his hands beneath the flannel pants she wore, and growled when he found her bare beneath them. “Fuck, Esme.”
She laughed. “Yes.”
Her sense of humor extended to the bedroom, which was a hell of a turn-on. “You’re killing me, Esme.”
“I hope not. We have fantasies to live out, Wyatt. Lots of them.”
He captured her sassy mouth with his and soon the rest of their clothes littered the floor. For a long moment, they stood and let their gazes roam over each other.
The woman was gorgeous, head-to-toe, inside and out. “Stunning, Esme. You’re stunning.”
Her skin flushed, and her lips quirked up. “I’ll echo that comment. You’re a beautiful man, Wyatt. I know photographers and advertising executives who would literally drool over the thought of getting you in front of the camera.”
He shuddered at the thought, making her laugh.
She ran her hands up his chest and stepped in closer for another kiss. “Let me help you think about something else.”
He growled and captured her lips with his, running his hands up and down her torso, playing with her breasts and her ass.
Her body squirmed under his touch, driving him higher and higher. She purred like a cat as his hands cruised over her body.
Those purrs turned to soft moans and gasps as their kiss became more and more erotic.
He banded one arm around her and hauled her up and even closer, grinding them together as their tongues danced.
Esme broke the kiss with a groan, dropping her head back and exposing that long, lovely throat to his lips. He trailed kisses along her collarbone, up her neck, to her ear.
When he brushed against her scar, she didn’t flinch. He traced it with his tongue and kissed his way along it, wishing he could take away the pain and the memories.
Then she grabbed his erection again, and he nearly finished right there.
When he swore, she laughed, a sultry sound that would bring an entire army to its knees.
“Now, Wyatt. Now.”
“You got it.”
Another laugh changed quickly to a groan of need when he swung her into his arms and brought her to the bed.
He kissed her again as he rolled them over so that she was on top, straddling him like a warrior goddess about to conquer him.
Esme ground their bodies together, and Wyatt groaned. He ran his fingers over that glorious ass and then held her in place, torturing them both.
Esme traced her lips along his jawline. “Tell me you have condoms.”
He nodded. “Bought some last time I was in Phail.”
He reached for the nightstand, but Esme rose above him. “I’ll get it.”
Her throaty voice had his body strung even tighter. How was that possible?
She kept her body squeezed tightly to his as she leaned to the side, her hair swaying over his chest.
“Hurry.”
That sultry laugh slammed into him as she nodded. “Hurrying.”
Then she ripped open the condom and shimmied down his body. He moved to grab it, but she smiled and shook her head.
He’d be an idiot to protest.
It was sweet torture having her hands roll the condom slowly down his erection. She smiled as if she’d been given the best treat, and he ground his teeth to keep it together. He might have to go through checklists for breaking down and reassembling weapons to stop from going off too early.
Esme shoved that thought away as she leaned down to brush soft kisses on his erection, and then up his body until those lips were on his again.
He cupped her face. “Now, Esme.”
Eyes sparkling with all kinds of emotions, she nodded. “Now.”
Then she shifted and lowered herself onto him. He gripped her hips to ground himself and let her adjust to him inside her.
Perfect. She was perfect.
Wanting to let Esme have all the control, he restrained himself from squeezing her to get her to move, but then her eyes popped open, and a slow, sexy smile lit her face.
Without a word, she started to move, and nothing had ever felt better.
The pace started slow, but it wasn’t long before they were moving faster, then faster again, building the friction, chasing their orgasms.
When Esme’s breathing changed, and her eyes closed, he knew she was close. He reached up to tease her breasts.
Her eyes flew open as she gasped and then slammed shut again as her body shattered above his.
He’d never seen anything sexier in his life. Her lips curved, and her entire body shook.
Wyatt kept moving, trying to extend her orgasm. When her eyes fluttered open, they were full of joy and wonder.
He shifted his grip. “Hang on, beautiful.”
He rolled them over without letting their bodies separate.
She grinned up at him, then pulled him down for a kiss.
He started moving again, and Esme purred his name, the sound full of surprise. Her body reacted, tightening around him.
Knowing she wasn’t far from a second orgasm, he changed the angle.
When he found the one that made her cry out with pleasure, he didn’t have a choice. His body refused to wait any longer. He thrust heavily into her, watching her eyes go blind again.
This time, when she shattered, he shouted her name and went with her.
Esme gulped for air and finally opened her eyes. Wyatt’s head was buried in her hair, his breathing as ragged as her own.
His warm weight anchored her to the bed, even though he kept some of it off her by leaning on his arms.
When feeling returned to her body, she lifted one hand to run it through his hair. Soft and silky. He would be in great demand among advertisers looking to sell a wide variety of products.
And he’d hate every minute of it.
Wyatt kissed her shoulder, then lifted his head to drift kisses up and over her face. Over her scar. She noticed because it reacted differently from the rest of her skin. Some nerve endings tingled when they were touched. Others didn’t react at all.
None of it bothered Wyatt. None of it scared him away.
His lips brushed over hers. “You tensed up there. Regrets?”
She managed a chuckle. “After that? Impossible. I’ve never felt so sated or wonderful in my life.”
He leaned up to study her eyes. His lips kicked up. “Me too.”
She brushed her finger over his lips. “Fantasy Number One fulfilled.”
He grinned. “Many more to go.”
Even the suggestion had her body reacting. She’d never been one to orgasm easily, but here was her body revving up for number three.
Wyatt hummed and kissed her again. “Gotta deal with the condom. Don’t move.”
They both groaned again as he separated their bodies. He kissed her. “Be right back.”
She wasn’t an idiot, so she enjoyed the view as he strode naked across the room.
When he returned, he lay on his back and tucked her into his side, then pulled the covers over them.
She cuddled in and rested her head on his chest, let her fingers roam his muscles. “Thanks.”
He barked out a laugh. “For enjoying an unbelievably sexy woman? You’re very welcome. Any time, Esmeralda. Any damn time.”
No one had ever called her Esmeralda before. Her birth name was Esme, and no one had ever lengthened it.
She lifted her head to smile at Wyatt. “Yes. And for not treating me like I’m damaged goods.”
His eyebrows shot up. “What the hell are you talking about? There’s nothing damaged about you.”
Tears filled her eyes. “That’s what I mean. Most people see the scar and focus on it without meaning to. It’s difficult for some to maintain eye contact with me.”
“They’re assholes.”
She laughed. “Some of them. Others are uncomfortable or pity me.”
“Assholes.”
She kissed him. “You’re sweet.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I doubt it.”
“You are, so thank you.”
Wyatt lifted her so that she rested on top of his body and kept his hands on her hips. His face and voice were serious. “You’re beautiful, Esme. A scar can’t change that because beauty is so much more than what’s on the outside. Do you want to talk about it?”
Did she? It only took a moment for her to nod. It was time, and he was a safe person. The right person.
She kissed him lightly. “It was such a shock. I’d become used to being surrounded by paparazzi and people who wanted something from me. Maybe an autograph or a selfie. Some wanted me to bring them onto my team or to help them find a way into the modeling world. Everyone wanted something.”
She shuddered. “I’d become used to people trying to get close, trying to touch me.
I hated it, but it wasn’t unusual. When the man grabbed me, I thought he wanted a picture.
I was more annoyed than scared. Then I noticed his mask and the knife.
It was like being on a movie set of a horror show.
Sometimes, it replays in slow motion in my mind.
The blank eyes behind the mask, the knife coming closer and closer.
The flash of the camera taking pictures. ”
Wyatt ran his hands over her, offering comfort, and she snuggled. “I’m so sorry you experienced that.”
She shrugged. “You’ve been in the military. I’m sure you’ve seen worse.”
He frowned at her. “Personal attacks are the worst. When IEDs go off, it’s horrendous, but it’s also not personal.
You’ve been through a horrific experience, Esme.
Not only have you survived, you’ve thrived.
Having nightmares is expected. Your brain’s trying to deal with the trauma.
Knowing your attacker hasn’t been caught has to make it worse. ”
Her eyes filled again. He understood, and he wasn’t judging her as weak or as a victim. He saw her, all of her.
She was definitely in love with this man who claimed he wasn’t sweet. She wanted to blurt out the words, but this wasn’t the time. He might think it was the endorphins running through her after a spectacular round of sex.
It was more than that. So much more. She would hold the knowledge to herself for a while. Being in love was a first for her, and she wanted to treasure the feelings before telling him. Maybe she could even convince him to feel the same.