18. Melanie

18

Melanie

A bevy of emotions grip my throat as he looks at me with a dark intensity that warns he wants nothing more than to lose himself in me for the rest of the night. My heart misses a beat, because yeah, I can get behind that, or underneath that, or even on top of that.

Yeah, definitely on top of that.

I take a couple of fast breaths, my body aching, and wanting just that as I back up until my legs hit the bed. My chest rises and falls rapidly as sexual energy arcs between us. My God, the man is simply breathtaking, but it's not just the sex or his body that draws me to him, it's so much more, and well…that's a thought for another day, when I'm not the sole focus of his attention.

Desire flashes through me as he tugs his T-shirt off. My gaze drops to take in his abs as he pops the button on his pants and kicks them off. A moan catches in my throat as I admire his perfect naked body.

"Your turn," he growls.

I slide my finger into the band of my yoga pants and I wiggle, tugging them down just enough to tease him. He arches a brow, and I blink innocently. "Oh, you want them all the way off?"

"Off," he orders in a commanding voice that sends shivers skittering through me. "How else am I going to get into you."

Into me , right.

I swallow against a suddenly dry throat as I slide my pants lower. My stomach tightens, like it'd just taken an unexpected blow. And why is that, Melanie ? Oh, I don't know, but maybe it's because when he said he was ‘into' me, I thought he meant he was into me, like he wanted me for more than just sex. But as I look at him now, the need swirling in his eyes, it makes me question what's real and what isn't.

God girl, what a mess you're making of your life.

I wasn't supposed to open myself up to anyone or anything. Opening up only leads to getting hurt and I know that firsthand. My insides tighten as past memories come back to haunt me. Maybe it will be a good thing when his NHL season begins and I move out, because I don't know how much longer I can be around this man.

"Something on your mind, Lanie?"

My gaze jerks to his at the hint of seriousness in his voice and the words— I'm falling for you —dance on my tongue. Girl, don't do it . Do not tell Brady that you love him when he's only into you.

Wait, what did I just say?

Oh, just that you were in love with Brady Fisher.

Ohmigod, I'm in love with Brady Fisher!

Dammit, when did that happen and why didn't I better guard my heart? A sound catches in my throat, a half moan, half groan and I get it. There was no way to guard my heart against a guy like Brady. Dammit, I blame him for all this. He's the one who's constantly there for me, helping even when I don't ask for it, proving he wants nothing in return, and then he brings me into this house and shows me what a real family could look like.

"Lanie?" he asks again, a new kind of tenderness in his voice that simply draws me in deeper.

Feeling a little shaky, a little unstable, I swallow against the lump climbing into my throat, and try for playful. "Just thinking about how good your cock is going to feel inside me." I remove my yoga pants and underwear and his growl of appreciation rockets through me as I reach for the hem of my T-shirt.

He steps up to me, puts his hands over mine, and my mind shuts down. "Let's not keep you waiting." With a quick tug upward, he removes my shirt, and with one deft flick of his fingers, my bra slides from my shoulders. The man is talented, that's for sure. I lift my chin, meet his gaze, and the mixture of warmth and hunger I see there wraps around my fragile heart and squeezes tight.

His fingers curl in my hair, and his breath grows shallow as he takes my mouth with his. Heaven. That's what kissing him feels like. He slides his tongue in, and moans as his eyes roll back like it's the first time he's ever tasted me and I'm the best thing he's ever savored on the tip of his tongue. I kiss him, holding nothing back and that's when it occurs to me, the intimacy in what we're doing feels different, like this is the beginning of something special…something profound. Like we're moving past sex and fantasies, into something far more important.

Honestly, I should be afraid, but as he touches me with tender concern, I'm not sure I can muster up my flight instincts. Actually, I kind of want to fight…for what's happening here.

Blistering heat explodes inside me as he slides a hand between our bodies and lightly strokes me. My body ripples and I rock into him, wanting more…everything.

A thick finger slides into my slickness, and my muscles clench around it. He moans against my mouth, and there's a great deal of tenderness in his eyes when he breaks the kiss, his gaze searching my face. "I love how you're always so ready for me."

Ready for him.

Oh, God, he's so wrong. I was never ready for a man like Brady.

He swirls his finger in my core, pressing deep into my body, leaving me aching and wanting, and searching for his cock. I take his thickness into my palm and rub from base to tip, and use the pre-cum spilling from his slit as lubricant.

I run my hand up and down, my mouth watering for a taste as I clench around his finger. As much as I don't want him to stop what he's doing, I need this man in my mouth. I'm almost desperate for it.

I inch back and confusion moves over his face, but it quickly morphs to pleasure as I sink to my knees and open my mouth for him. His moan fills the quiet of the room as he grips his dick and lightly settles it on the hollow of my upper lip.

I put my hands on his thighs and palm his hard muscles. "Are you into it?" I tease blinking up at him.

The need in his eyes hits me like a high voltage jolt, and my breasts grow heavy, aching for his mouth. "I'm into it, Lanie."

Is he talking about sex, or something else?

"Not yet you're not." I lean forward and take him to the back of my throat, reacquainting his cock and my mouth as he grips my hair, his body thrumming with need. His pleasure resonates through me and honestly, it's insane how close I feel to him in this moment.

I take him impossibly deeper and his fingers crush my hair, like he's doing all he can not to erupt in my mouth. While I'd like that, I desperately need his cock inside me. As if reading my thoughts, he inches back and leaves my mouth empty. I glance up at him, mouth still open, and he wobbles on his feet.

"Jesus, Lanie. How did I ever get so fucking lucky?"

My heart jumps, pounds against my chest as his words nearly knock the wind out of me. The last time a man made me feel this cherished this important was…well, the last time Brady touched me. A thrill heats my blood as I take him back into my mouth, and his legs wobble as I suck, his control nearly obliterated.

"Fuck," he curses, and takes my arm to pull me to my feet, only to give me a little push between my breasts. I fall onto the bed, my hair flaring around me, and he simply stands there, hovering, his eyes brimming with lust as he looks his fill.

I'm about to move, center myself in the middle of the bed, when he sinks to his knees before me and wets his lips. "All day," he begins, his breath warming my aching core. "All day, all I could think about was burying my mouth between your legs, and tasting you on my tongue when you come for me."

I wiggle and pitch my hips forward. "Let's not keep you waiting."

A chuckle rumbles in his throat as he grips my thighs, his fingers biting into my flesh as he widens my legs. He runs his nose along my inner thighs, breathing me in before he buries himself between my legs, my body trembling as his hot tongue laps at me.

I run my fingers through his hair and shamelessly move against his face as he eats at me. He growls and my blood ignites to a near boil when he puts a finger back inside me. I cup my breasts, toy with my nipples and fire licks over my body.

With his finger buried inside me, his mouth claiming my clit, the world closes in around me and I tumble into a powerful orgasm that wracks my body. He mumbles something from between my legs, and while I don't know what he said, from the deep growl in his throat, I'm sure it was something about loving the taste of me.

I grip the back of his head, fusing his mouth to my trembling sex as spasms of pleasure overtake me. He stays between my legs as I clench around his finger, and when the quakes stop, he inches back and our eyes meet. The second they do and I spot warm intimacy shining there, a new kind of warmth floods me.

I stand on wobbly feet, knowing exactly how and where I want this man next, and he nearly tumbles backward when our bodies collide. "Whoa," he mumbles, falling on his backside and I chuckle and hold a hand out to him.

"Sorry."

His gaze moves up my body. "It's okay, the view is nice from down here."

"It's nice from up here too." He takes my hand and I'm about to help him up when he tugs me down on top of his body.

I moan and slip my legs around him. "Did you read my mind or something?"

"Nope, you're the head doctor, not me."

"Head doctor?" I laugh. "Is that what you think I am?"

"I think a lot of things, babe, and right now I'm thinking…" He pauses, puts his hands on my hips and easily lifts me. "…that you should fuck me."

I reach down, capture his stiff cock and hold it as he lowers me. "Oh God, Brady." I sink onto him, and he fills me, his crown hitting my cervix in a way that brings on a hard shudder. His hands move to my breasts, and he lifts himself up to take one nipple into his mouth.

"Mmm," he murmurs around my hard bud and sensations vibrate through me. His hands go to the back of my head as my nipple slips from his mouth and he brings my lips to his. There's something different in his kisses, his touch, the way his cock is filling me. It's intimate, tender, poignant. Then again, I just admitted to myself that I'm in love with him so it's possible I'm imagining it—wanting it—although I'm not entirely convinced this isn't real, or one-sided. Maybe that's why I'm offering myself to him openly, honestly.

I move my body, taking every inch of his hard cock, and press my hands to his chest, splaying them to touch as much of him as I can. We rock together, our eyes locked as we fly higher and higher. How the heck did I get here? I chuckle to myself as I sit on this beautiful man's cock—a man who could have anyone, but he's been pursuing me for a long time.

I close my eyes as heat floods my body and Brady groans as my orgasm approaches. He changes the pace, lifting me and pulling me down harder, faster until my muscles clench around his thick, pistoning cock.

"Brady," I cry out, giving myself over to this man in every way possible. The world closes in on me, and my head falls forward as lightheadedness overwhelms me.

"I've got you, babe."

His hands tighten on my hips and my heart thunders. He does ‘got me'. In so many ways and for the first time in my life I feel so safe.

"Look at me."

I lift my head and meet intense eyes as he pulls me down, sealing us as one as he depletes himself in my body.

"Brady," I cry out again as his hot seed fills me and spreads heat, warmth and contentment through my body. I sit on top of him until he finishes spasming inside me, and when he stops, I fall forward and rest my face on his chest. His heartbeat is strong as it pounds against my chest, and there's just something so darn comforting in that.

We stay like that for a long time, until my legs begin to go numb. I roll off him and wince as his cock leaves my body. Suddenly chilled, I grab my discarded T-shirt and cover my upper body. He rolls, pulls me against him and warms me with his hot flesh. I'm not sure if I'm imagining this new closeness between us as we snuggle, but I really like it. I lift my head to see him. "That was a great way to end a long hard day."

"Speaking of long and hard," he teases, and feeling playful, I reach between our bodies.

"Nope, can't find anything long and hard here," I tease.

"Is that right?" He rolls on top of me, and gives me a kiss so soft and tender, I melt under him. "I'm hungry."

I cock my head. I was expecting a sexual comeback following the teasing. "I can make us something."

He pushes my damp hair from my forehead. "No, you had a long hard day."

"And a long hard evening," I add with a laugh.

He nods and glances at the window. "But it's still early. Let's go out and grab a bite to eat." As he eyes me, I wipe a sheen of moisture from my forehead. Am I feverish? "Are you okay?" His eyes narrow. "Headache back?"

"No, not at all." If the man wants to go out and eat, then I'm not going to let anything stand in the way. "I'm hungry too." At least, I think the gurgling in my stomach is from hunger. I didn't eat much at the pub.

"What do you feel like?" he climbs to his feet and holds a hand out to me. I take it and he pulls me up beside him.

"A shower."

He chuckles. "Good idea." Hand in hand, we walk to the bathroom, and we take a luxuriously hot shower together. Once we're done, we head back to the bedroom and I pull on a pair of clean yoga pants, a T-shirt and a loose-knit sweater. He dresses in jeans and a polo shirt.

Ten minutes later, I'm sitting beside him in his car, and he's driving back toward the city. I have no idea where he wants to eat, and I don't much care. I'm just happy we're together.

"Oh hey, when I was doing a little research on Newfoundland." He arches a brow. "I told you I was curious about your strange traditions." I grin and add, "Anyway, I read that the government is going to be expanding and upgrading the fishing plant. Lots of new employment opportunities will be available."

His head rears back, confusion on his face, and something tells me no one in his family mentioned that to him. "Really?"

"Yeah, and isn't that fantastic? That will bring a lot to the communities." He nods and goes quiet, and I change the subject. "Thanks for keeping my end of the semester celebration low key," I tell him as he drives. "It's what I wanted." Honestly, I'm surprised my pants aren't on fire. Jeez, I really have no right to feel sorry for myself, especially after that amazing, intimate sex.

It's true, I told Brady I didn't want anything big, or anything at all. Yet, deep inside me, I kind of hoped he'd do something special. God, haven't past lessons taught me not to set myself up for disappointment? But that's exactly what I did and I have no one to blame but myself for the way I'm currently feeling. A groan catches in my throat and I quickly disguise it with a cough.

"Dry throat," I explain.

"I can stop and get you something to drink."

"No, I can wait."

See, right there. His thoughtfulness. How could I not fall for a man like Brady? Yeah, this is definitely all his fault.

He takes my hand and squeezes it and I lay my head back and let my lids drift shut as he drives. A short while later, he pulls into a parking spot in the downtown core and I sit up and glance around.

"Where are we?"

"You'll see."

He jumps from the car, circles it and opens my door. I take his hand and join him on the sidewalk, glancing up and down the block in search of restaurants. We walk down the sidewalk and he stops outside what looks like a small house, but the bottom level is a business. I glance up and read the sign. The Nook.

"The Nook." I'm pleasantly surprised as I question him. "This is the café that Gina owns? The woman we met on the beach, and I made a virgin daiquiri for her daughter?" He nods and I ask. "This is where you want to eat?"

"Yes, but it's also where I wanted to have your celebration."

He pulls open the door and tears fill my eyes when I see Brighton, Noah, Tania, Trevor and a bunch of the guys on his team, along with their wives and girlfriends.

"Don't be mad," he says quickly.

Mad, how could I be mad? This once again proves he's a man who keeps his word and I can't believe he went through all this trouble. Why would he do that?

Why am I even asking myself that? This is Coddy, and he doesn't ask for things in return. "I'm not mad, but… Brady, I…I…" I shut my mouth. I don't want to lie to him and tell him I didn't want this. It seems like he can see right through me anyway. My gaze goes to Gina as she comes towards me, a huge smile on her face and a beautiful cake in her hands.

Brady leans in and whispers. "She jumped at the chance and went out of her way to help me organize all of this. No catch, Lanie. I think you two are going to be great friends."

Friends…

I warm to that idea as Gina shows me the cake. God, I don't know what is wrong with me. I'm not usually this emotional. But today has just been…so amazing.

"It's beautiful, thank you."

Gina's smile widens. "I'm so happy you like it."

I turn and cup Brady's face. "Thank you."

His grin is mischievous. "Don't thank me yet."

I frown and eye him as a bunch of his teammates cheer behind me. I turn in time to see Conner and Ash coming toward me with a great big… Is that a cod?

Brady wags his eyebrows. "Time to get screeched in, Lanie."