Chapter Eight
“I bet you do too,” Piper murmured, her voice low and sexy, sending a shaft of heat down his spine.
Knowing he put that look of satisfaction in her eyes and a hungry tone in her voice made Ty feel ten feet tall. But knowing she wanted to take him into her mouth inflated more than his ego and made it a challenge to roll on his condom.
With extra effort he was sheathed, and a second later, he was climbing onto the bed with her. He glided a hand up her leg, over her still quaking thighs to the sweetest spot on earth. His mouth watered as he brushed her folds before sliding a finger easily inside her.
Her moan mixed with his appreciative groan.
“Mmm…wet.” He swallowed hard, holding on to his control.
Wouldn’t be long now.
After pulling out, he dipped down to drag his mouth up her quivering body. He started at her stomach, over her ribs, and lingered on each breast, being sure to give each of them equal attention. Her skin was warm and soft, and he loved how her body rose off the mattress when he sucked a nipple into his mouth.
The way she shoved her hands into his hair and held on was amazing too.
Ty released her nipple and kissed his way up her neck and then cheek before finally settling on her mouth. Piper opened for him, and when he dipped his tongue inside, she immediately brushed hers against his.
Another round of heat rushed through his body, and as he covered hers, his erection fell between her legs, his tip brushing where he needed to be most.
Ever the intuitive, Piper instinctively angled her hips to give him better entry.
He broke the kiss and drew back. “Piper, open your eyes,” he murmured, needing her to see him when they finally joined. “Look at me.”
Her eyes fluttered open, and her gaze smoldered with the same deep craving eating him alive.
“You with me?”
She nodded, running her hands up his arms. “Yeah…”
Ty repositioned his tip at her entrance, and when he pushed all the way inside on a slow, sure thrust, their twin gasps of pleasure echoed throughout the room.
Ah, hell yeah…
All thought left his mind and his focus narrowed to only Piper. The way she bit her lower lip nearly killed his control. How she clung to his arms, her fingers shaking as they dug into his skin. The amazing way her warm, slick body squeezed him when he began to move inside her.
Need slammed into him fast and fierce when she rocked up to meet his thrusts. A consuming heat blazed down his spine. He wasn’t going to last much longer.
But he needed to savor this moment, this feeling. She was the perfect fit, like she was made for him and he for her.
“Damn…you feel good,” Ty whispered, and still holding her gaze, he cupped her head and dipped down to kiss her, sliding his tongue inside her mouth, adopting the same erotic pace as his thrusts inside her already trembling body.
Piper released his arms to grip his hips before she bucked wildly, deliciously, perfectly. Within moments, she came, crying out his name. The telltale tingling down his spine spread through his groin, and a hard, deep thrust later, Ty followed her over with her name on his lips.
Five Gs had nothing on Piper Monroe. The woman had just taken him higher and faster than any jet ever.
Her spent body still trembled with aftershocks, and he enjoyed every single one as he pressed her to the mattress. He nuzzled her throat and sucked in air while she laid there, eyes closed, dragging in breaths.
She seemed content to stay where she was, enjoying the post-euphoric bliss. He sure as hell was. Her warm breath hit his skin in spurts, and he contemplated the possibility of satisfaction overload being a reality.
If it was, then they just found it.
Worried that he might be crushing her, Ty rolled off her and onto his side. “You okay?”
She blinked and met his gaze. Hers was soft and warm, like her amazing body. “Beyond the wild blue yonder okay.”
He grinned, satisfaction and pride swirling in his chest. God, he loved that he put that look on her face. “I’m glad,” he said, lifting a finger to trace a line from her shoulder down to her breast.
“You should be.” Her smile widened, and she reached up to brush his jaw with her thumb. “Considering you just took me into the stratosphere.”
“Is that all?” He frowned, faking disappointment.
Her brows rose. “What do you mean, is that all? You were amazing. That was amazing. We were amazing.”
“You’re right. It was. You were. And we are.” He grabbed her hand and gently kissed her palm. “But I was shooting for the moon, because you deserve it.”
She blinked and cleared her throat. “Amazingly sweet.”
He smiled.
“As for the moon,” she said, mischief lighting her gaze, “I wouldn’t be opposed to trying again, no matter how many attempts it takes.”
Ty knew they were joking, but at the same time, he also knew the woman would never give up or ever leave. Her perseverance was by far the sexiest thing about her, and damn, she had some amazing attributes.
“I like the way you think,” he said, repeating the phrase he used earlier in her kitchen while he skimmed a hand over her breast and brushed her tight peak slowly back and forth. “Think perhaps we need a different launch pad?”
“I’ll try anything you want.”
And just like that his erection jerked to life.
***
T he next morning, Ty woke up with a warm, soft, naked woman sleeping against him. Her hand was on his chest and one of her legs covered his, as her body curled against him. A soft snore escaped her, summoning a smile to his lips. The urge to kiss her head was strong, but he fought it, not wanting to disturb her much needed slumber. She’d earned it, and he was lucky as hell.
Their night had been full of laughter and heat.
At one point, Piper had explored his body with her hands, lips, and tongue very thoroughly before she straddled him, but just as she was about to “take the pole” her phone alarm went off.
She stilled. “Oh my God. My family Zoom call reminder.”
That had started her mad scramble to get dressed, and she threw his clothes at him to do the same. She put on her bra and dragged her dress over her head while he managed to pull on his jeans and slip on his shirt. Her fingers were shaking as she tried to help him button up.
“It’s okay,” he’d told her, stilling her fingers with his. “I’ve got this. Take a deep breath. We’re good.”
She’d choked out a breath. “I know.” Then her eyes widened. “Lasagna! We have to eat some. Mom knows I was making it and is going to ask if you liked her recipe.”
That was how they ended up shoveling in a few mouthfuls of room-temperature lasagna, but damn, it was delicious, and he told her mother that when she indeed had asked.
The rest of the “meet the parents via Zoom call” had gone great. It wasn’t until afterward, when he had the exquisite pleasure of removing her dress, that he’d realized she’d had it on backward. A grin tugged at his lips. He didn’t have the heart to tell her.
Maybe no one noticed.
Her parents didn’t appear to, but her sister might have since she’d had the biggest smile on her face the entire duration of the call.
Afterward, they’d enjoyed a proper dinner of heated up lasagna, before Piper insisted they pick up where they’d left off. Once they were naked again, she resumed her wicked exploration of his body and rode him wild and hard until they were both shaking with the need for release. Ty had gripped her hips with one hand to hold her in place and used the other to brush his thumb where she needed it between her thighs. Her body burst with a climax that spurred his on, and damn, it’d ripped through him with a furious intensity that decimated his strength.
Being with Piper, their bodies coming together literally and figuratively, was unlike any rush he’d ever experienced on the ground or in the air. She was magic. She was exquisite. She was his. And for as high as she took him, the woman also grounded him.
Piper was his gravity.
Sex with her—which was amazing in and of itself—was hell of a lot more than a physical release. It was raw, honest, real, and it strengthened their already strong connection.
He lifted his hand to lightly trail a finger down her arm. She sighed and snuggled closer. The feel of her soft, warm curves pressing into him sent his pulse into hyperdrive. He was surprised he had any fuel left, but apparently his reserves were kicking in.
Smiling, Ty glanced at the clock on Piper’s nightstand. He was due at work in an hour and knew she was meeting Brandi this morning, but he was unsure when. Perhaps there was enough time if she was willing. Even though she’d given him “the pole”, she would always have control of her participation.
“Morning,” she murmured in a low, sexy voice, as her palm lightly brushed over his chest and ribs. Need spiraled through him.
He kissed the top of her head. “Morning, beautiful. Did you sleep well?”
Sighing, she tipped her head back, and his heart warmed at the sight of her soft, sleepy gaze. “Very well. In fact, I’m pretty sure the correct term is passed out .” She smiled. “You are very demanding and very fulfilling. I’ve never been more satisfied in my life.”
Caught off guard by her words, he stared at her for a beat before satisfaction flooded his chest, bringing a smile to his lips. “And you’re very good for my ego.”
“I didn’t say it to inflate your ego, Ty.” A righteous gleam entered her gaze as she lifted a hand to cup his jaw. “I said it because it’s the truth. You were incredible.”
“ We were incredible,” he corrected, kissing the thumb she brushed across his lower lip. “We are incredible together.”
“I agree. We are.” She released his chin to stroke her way down his body. Her smile was wicked, and her touch grew bold. “Mmm…I see your ego wasn’t the only thing that inflated.”
“It’s your fault.” He laughed then choked on it when her fingers curled around his arousal.
“Since I’m responsible, it’s only right that I take care of it.”
He would never argue with reason.
***
T y made it to work not a minute early or a minute late, but right on time. With only a handful of minutes to take care of their needs, they’d ended up multitasking in the shower. He sipped his coffee and devoured one of the bagels from the bakery RJ had supplied, and when he came up for air there were several grinning gazes on him.
“What?” he asked, wiping his hands on one of the napkins strewn around the boardroom table where Mac held their morning meetings. “I was hungry.”
Famished, but they didn’t need to know.
Carter snickered. “I wonder why?”
“You weren’t here working out.” Cooper lifted a brow in mock wonder. “What could’ve depleted your energy so early in the day?”
“Yeah.” Dean nodded. “I wonder.”
Carter grinned. “It’s not a what but a who , Coop.”
“Ah, I see.” Cooper nodded.
“Yeah,” RJ said. “It’s my guess he was involved in a different type of morning workout.”
Everyone laughed, including Ty. Even Hunter and Sinjin had smirks on their faces, and those two were the more serious guys of the group.
Rylee set her hand on his arm, gaining his attention. “You look happy, so whatever it is you’re doing, keep it up.”
Carter snorted. “That’s what’s making him happy.”
Snickering, Ty balled up his napkin and lobbed it at the jerk. “Shut up.”
Everything was said in good fun, and although Carter was an idiot, he was a brilliant one, and Ty enjoyed working with him the most. The chance to modify and improve the man’s inventions were always the highlight of Ty’s week. He loved the challenge and using that part of his brain.
Mac put an end to the ribbing and started the meeting, and by the end, they’d discussed all the week’s remaining cases.
“RJ, Dean, Cooper—you’re on Houston detail,” Mac said, handing out the day’s assignments.
Some of them would be multiple days. Normally, he wouldn’t care if he was out of town for a few nights, but after what had happened last night with Piper, Ty hoped he landed an assignment nearby.
Their relationship was still budding, and he was treading in unchartered waters. He wanted to cultivate what they had, and it would be easier from the same town.
“Carter, Ty, Hunter, you’ve got maintenance.”
Yes…headquarters, relief, and the possibility of another hot night twitched his lips.
“Rylee and Dex, you’re with me on the San Antonio case,” Mac continued. “And Sinjin and Dante, that leaves you on the Dallas detail. I was going to put you on it, Ty, but we can’t give the senator a smiling bodyguard. You haven’t stopped grinning since you walked in this morning.”
His laughter mixed with the others, and he shrugged. “It’s true.”
“When are you going to see her next?” Cooper asked.
Not soon enough.
Carter’s gaze narrowed on him before he smiled. “You’re meeting her for lunch today, aren’t you?”
He grinned. “Yep.”
The four hours until that meeting dragged on for what felt like days. By the time lunch rolled around, he was beyond eager to leave the building, and he ended up arriving fifteen minutes early.
But it worked out, because he ran into his brother and sister-in-law in the parking lot.
“Hey, bro,” Gabe said, walking toward him with his arm slung around his wife. “Too bad we didn’t know you were having lunch at Rosie’s today. We would’ve waited.”
“Yeah, I would’ve been the talk of the diner, having lunch with the two best looking guys in town.”
He chuckled. “Don’t let Carter hear you say that.”
“Yeah.” Gabe snorted. “He’s under the impression he’s handsome.”
Lyndsey smiled. “Mel seems to think so.”
“She has to,” his brother said. “She’s his wife.”
Lyndsey laughed before kissing Gabe’s cheek. “Got to go, hon. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Roger that,” his brother said, holding the door of her vehicle open. “Stay safe.” He kissed her cheek.
“You too,” she said before Gabe shut the door.
They stood, silently watching as Lyndsey drove away.
“I like her,” he told his brother.
Gabe smiled. “Thanks. I think I’ll keep her.”
He laughed.
“So, how’s work?” his brother asked.
He shrugged. “All right.”
“That good, huh?” Gabe questioned, and Ty shrugged again. “You can always come work with me. You’d make a fine deputy.”
This wasn’t the first time his brother had suggested it.
“Thanks, but it wouldn’t be much different than ESI. No offense, but you guys were all ground pounders, and great at it. That was your training. But mine was in the air, in a cockpit. With my vision, I couldn’t even learn to fly Mac’s chopper.”
Well, he could learn, but he couldn’t take an official test.
“My training isn’t much use at either job. But at least I can use some of my engineering and aerospace knowledge helping Carter build and modify drones.”
Gabe nodded. “Sorry, man.”
“It’s all right,” he said. “It is what it is.”
“What about at the shelter? You seemed to enjoy helping out last Saturday, and they can always use it.”
He did like helping Emily, Lyndsey, and Holden, along with Piper this past weekend. They’d driven a van and helped rescue a dozen dogs from a kill shelter. He and Piper had already decided to make volunteering a regular thing.
“I told Kade to let me know when they’re making the next run,” he said. “But for now, I’ll stick with ESI. At least I caught maintenance duty with Carter and Hunter today.”
Gabe frowned. “How’s Dillan doing? It’s nice of Mac to keep Hunter close to home for his son.”
Dillan had broken his arm. It was a clean break, with no complications expected.
“Better,” he replied. “But the little guy is now too frightened to go up a flight of stairs.”
“Oh, man, that’s rough.”
He rubbed his shoulder. A broken bone was never fun. He knew firsthand and felt bad for the preschooler. “Hunter said they’re making progress, though.”
“Roger that.” His brother cocked his head and regarded him silently for a moment. “You slept with Piper, didn’t you?”
Seriously? How the hell…
He blew out a breath. “Did Rylee text you or something?”
Gabe chuckled. “No, I deduced it all on my own. It’s kind of what I do.”
“How the hell did you come to that conclusion?”
“By the way you’re carrying yourself. Your stiffness is gone, and so are the shadows from your eyes. Besides, you’re smiling, bro. You didn’t arrive in Texas with a smile, and until recently, I wasn’t sure you remembered how. Sex with the right woman changes your world.”
He snorted. “Amen. Thanks to Piper, I’m looking at the world through different lenses.”
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but she looks good on you.”
She felt even better on him, but he kept that to himself and just nodded.
“Welcome to the ‘lucky son-of-a-bitches club’, Ty.” Gabe slapped his shoulder with a big grin on his face.
Before he could respond, his phone started to ring in his pocket. He pulled it out, thinking it was Piper, then frowned at the name on the screen.
“Hi, Dr. Harrison,” he said, and Gabe’s head snapped up.
“Hi, Ty,” she replied, with an undercurrent of excitement evident in her tone. “I’ve been researching, and I’ve found another procedure.”
The woman was a saint, brilliant and persistent. She’d put up with his sour attitude when he first arrived in town. And after she restored most of his sight back in his left eye, she promised him that she wasn’t going to give up, and that he shouldn’t either. New breakthroughs were always happening.
Apparently, she was right.
“Ty, I think I can get you to 20/40.”
His heart skipped a beat. “You do?”
“Yes, the surgery will take about as long as your last two, and recovery is pretty quick like them as well. Why don’t you come in and we’ll talk about it. I can show you the research and you can decide.”
He blew out a breath. “Okay,” he said, and by the time he hung up, he had an appointment for the upcoming Monday.
“What’s up?” Gabe asked, a frown marring his forehead.
Still a little dazed, he blinked and lifted a shoulder. “She thinks she can get me to 20/40.”
“That’s fantastic,” his brother said, slapping his shoulder. “I’m so happy for you, Ty.”
He nodded. “Yeah. But it hasn’t happened yet. I’m going on Monday for a consultation.”
“Well, she hasn’t steered you wrong yet. Emily told us her sister was like a dog with a bone. Once she got her teeth into something, she didn’t let go until she was done.”
He smiled. “Sounds like Doc.”
“What will you do when it’s restored?” Gabe asked, releasing his shoulder. “You going to try to get back into the Navy? Reversing a medical discharge is tough but not impossible. I’ve seen it happen.”
He’d recently come to terms with the fact he was never going to get into a cockpit again. And now…
Ty inhaled and let it out slowly. “I don’t know.”
“And what about Piper?” Gabe lifted a brow. “You going to leave her behind?”
He blinked, his stomach bunching as if hit by an invisible fist. “No. I’m not leaving her.”
She was the best thing to ever happen to him. With her, he felt everything. Happiness, contentment, hunger, need, satisfaction…alive.
No. He wasn’t going to live without Piper.
A smile tugged at his brother’s mouth. “Didn’t think so.”
The urge to share the news with her shook through Ty. She would be here in a few minutes, but he wasn’t sure he could wait.
A second later, his phone started to ring, and when he pulled it from his pocket, he smiled at the screen. It was Piper. It was as if she knew he was eager to talk to her. “Hi,” he said, answering on the first ring. “Do you have sixth sense or something. I was just thinking about calling you.”
Gabe grinned and walked to his Tahoe a few feet away, giving him some privacy.
She laughed. “I don’t know about sixth sense. I wanted to let you know I just left the gallery and I’m on my way. Why, what did you want to talk to me about?”
As he filled her in about his phone call, he glanced down the block and across the street at the gallery in the distance. Warmth washed over him when he caught sight of her.
“Oh, Ty, that’s fantastic. I’m so happy for you,” Piper gushed.
“Thanks,” he said and watched as she neared. “We’ll talk more about it when you get here.”
She waved at him, and he waved back. “Okay, see you soon.”
Everything was lining up. He was about to have it all. He’d gone from desolate to euphoric in the space of nine days.
How had that happened?
He was still contemplating this as she stepped off the curb across the street from him, a smile lighting her beautiful face. The sound of an engine revving echoed in the air a second before a car came out of nowhere and was barreling straight for Piper.
His heart lurched, and the next five seconds happened in a blur.
“Piper! Watch out!” he called as he raced for her, knowing he’d never get there in time, but he had to try.