Chapter 19

19

R eagan couldn’t believe how boldly she had spoken to Tucker, but she was becoming a new person because of him. The look in his eyes caused her heart to speed up, and all she wanted was his hands on her. Her hands on him.

A slow smile spread across his face. “I guess shopping is going to have to wait, huh?”

“Yes,” she said quietly, her own smile matching his.

“Hold on a minute,” he said, walking to the door to hang the Do Not Disturb sign on the handle. When he turned and faced her again, the look he gave her brought shivers along her spine.

Suddenly, she was in his arms, his mouth hot and demanding on hers. They had spent many hours kissing, but she knew the end result would be much different this time. Reagan pushed aside her fears of being inadequate and simply went with the roller coaster of emotions rippling through her now.

She had never spent this much time kissing Arch and chastised herself. She couldn’t compare the two men. They were individuals who had come into her life at different times. Her needs had been different when she first met Arch, and they had changed upon meeting Tucker. Reagan vowed to push aside any comparisons and delved deeper into this kiss.

Tucker’s fingers moved to the shirt she wore, slowly unbuttoning each button and then parting it. His mouth left hers, his lips trailing down her throat to her chest. The heat in his fingers as they brushed her bare skin set Reagan afire. She pulled the shirt from her shoulders and quickly slipped from it, letting it fall to the floor.

He never missed a beat, his hands moving to her back, unfastening her bra, freeing her breasts. He cupped them, bringing delicious sensations to her. His tongue traced the curves of her breasts as she held on to him, and then his mouth was on one as he kneaded the other. He licked and teased her nipple with his teeth, his hands now flat on her bare back, holding her to him possessively. He feasted on the breast and then moved to the other, giving it ample attention.

She began unbuttoning his shirt now, slipping her hands inside it, gliding her palms along the hard planes of his chest. A low, growl came from him, letting her know he was pleased. She had never been one to initiate anything intimate, but she pulled his shirt from him and fastened her own mouth to his chest, running her lips along it, feeling him quiver.

Reagan moved to his nipple and imitated what he had done to her. Brushing her tongue back and forth across it, feeling it rise to meet her. She grazed her teeth against it and felt the shudder run through him.

They frantically removed the rest of their clothing, leaving pieces scattered along the floor as they fell onto the bed, laughing.

Then Tucker sat up, pulling her with him off the bed, saying, “If we’re going to dance, let’s dance in the sheets.”

He pulled back the luxurious comforter and sheets. Once more, they tumbled onto the bed.

What happened next was a thorough exploration on both their parts. Tucker played her body as he would his guitar, his mouth and hands touching her all over, finding her sensitive spots, kissing and stroking everywhere. For her part, Reagan did the same, riding the high tide of passion as she touched his magnificent body, hard and lean.

His mouth found hers again, urgent need pouring through her. He realized it instinctively, and his finger slid along the seam of her sex, drawing a soft moan from her.

He broke the kiss, his lips hovering above hers. “You like that, don’t you?”

“Mmm-hmm,” she managed to get out, her head spinning and heart racing.

His finger glided along her again and then pushed inside her, causing Reagan to gasp. Soon, his fingers were stroking her, teasing her, causing her to beg for more.

Then the orgasm erupted violently, spilling from her, sending her soaring to heights unimaginable. She called his name as she rode the wave of pleasure, and he kissed her senseless.

One final shudder left her feeling limp as a noodle. He moved from the bed, and she was so utterly sated, she couldn’t even protest. Tucker bent and shoved a hand into the pocket of his jeans, pulling out a foil packet.

Returning to the bed, he said, “I never was a Boy Scout, but I sure know how to be prepared when it comes to you.”

His mouth moved on hers even as he tore the packet open and sheathed himself with the condom.

He broke the kiss. “Are you sure this is what you want, Caramel?”

“It’s all I’ve ever wanted. You’re all I’ve ever wanted. Bring it home, Cowboy.”

A smile lit up his handsome face, and she felt feminine power flowing through her as he thrust inside her, bringing sheer delight.

Tucker began to move inside her, slowly at first, then desire took over.

“Wrap your legs around me,” he commanded.

When she did so, his thrust went deeper. More filling. More fulfilling. Reagan clung to him as they went to the stars and beyond, both reaching the height of their pleasure at the same time, each calling out the other’s name. He collapsed atop her, kissing her deeply. She was surrounded by the warmth of his body. His musky scent.

She felt like a new woman. The Reagan Bradley which had always lurked within her. The one who had been suppressed by things too numerous to count. Tucker Young had given her a gift.

The gift of herself.

He ended the kiss, resting his forehead against hers. Both of them breathed in spurts, trying to recover from the physical exertion.

“I must be crushing you, Babe,” he said, rolling to his side, taking her with him.

They faced one another, and she knew in this moment one undeniable truth.

She loved Tucker Young.

“You think we can lie here a bit and cuddle?” he asked.

“I can’t think of anything I’d rather do more,” Reagan replied.

He eased out of her, and, using a tissue from the nightstand, removed the condom. Gathering her in his arms, he said, “I think you did me in. Mind if we take a little siesta ?”

“Sounds good to me,” she murmured, her eyelids already heavy.

As Reagan drifted off, she wondered if Tucker loved her.

Reagan awoke to Tucker’s lips against her throat. Her fingers raked through his thick, dark waves. He made love to her again, this time tender and slow. The passion was still present but in a different way. She was just as satisfied as she had been before and wondered what else this man had up his sleeve.

“I don’t know about you, but I’ve worked up an appetite. I could use some fuel.”

“I guess we need to put off shopping until tomorrow,” she said.

His eyes gleamed at her. “Nope. Need to get the shopping tonight.”

“Why?” she asked. “Do you have something else planned for tomorrow?”

His wolfish smile caused her to tremble. “My plan is to keep you in bed all day. I just hope we don’t miss the premiere.”

His brazen words caused her to blush. They also made her feel desired.

“I like what you have planned for tomorrow,” she told him.

They dressed quickly and returned to her SUV. Reagan inhaled the new car smell as they got in, thrilling her.

She had only driven a few blocks when he instructed her to pull over.

“Street tacos,” he said. “Some of the best food you can get in Austin.”

Parking the vehicle, they got tacos and Dr. Peppers, inhaling their food.

“That’s just an appetizer to tide us over,” he told her. “Let’s go find you some jeans.”

Tucker was one of those rare men who knew something about women’s clothing, and he was the one who chose two pairs of jeans for her to try on. One was a dark denim, the other faded, as if she’d owned them for years. Reagan modeled each pair for him, noting the hungry look in his eyes as she did. It gave her a thrill to know he desired her as much as she wanted him.

“I guess we’re ready for dinner now,” she said after paying for her purchases.

“No. You still need a pair of boots. Every good Texan has one. For your first pair, we’re going to go off the shelf. Down the road, we’ll think about getting you a custom pair made.”

“Custom sounds pricey,” she said.

“Maybe they’ll be my Christmas present to you.”

Christmas had been a lonely time for her these past two years. A wave of hope washed over her, hoping she would still be with Tucker. That she could share the holiday with him. Aunt Jean. Their new friends.

Once again, Tucker proved the expert, asking her shoe size and pulling several pairs of boots for her to try on. One felt like coming home as she slid into them and strutted around.

“These are the ones,” she declared.

“They were my choice, too. Come on, Caramel. Let’s get out of here. Austin is hopping on Friday nights. It’ll be harder getting into one of the nicer restaurants.”

“I’m happy with a burger and fries.”

“Then I’ve got a great place for you. We can listen to some music while we eat.”

Tucker took her to a hole in the wall, where he was greeted by name.

“Hey, Tucker. Haven’t seen you in forever and a day.”

“I’ve been traveling a lot,” he told the hostess. “Have finally settled down in Lost Creek now. That’s become home.” He squeezed Reagan’s fingers as he said this.

“A booth just opened. It’s got your name on it,” the hostess said.

Reagan glanced down and saw several names on the waiting list. Apparently, Tucker was well-loved and able to bypass the line.

He ordered a bacon cheeseburger, while she opted for a Swiss mushroom burger. Tucker suggested they share a basket of fries because they were so large. Their food came about the time a singer took to the stage. They enjoyed their burgers while listening to him play. At one point, the singer even gave a shout-out to Tucker, calling him a great songwriter and an even better guy. For the first time, Reagan saw him blush.

They stayed and had a beer after they finished eating, listening to the rest of the singer’s set.

Then he appeared at their booth. “Mind if I join you, Tucker?”

Reagan slid over, and the man sat beside her. “It’s good to see you, man. You just upped and vanished.” The singer paused. “I heard what happened. About Josie. I’m sorry.”

“Thank you,” Tucker said quietly. “I grieved for her for a long time.” He glanced to Reagan. “This little lady has brought me from the dead, back to the living. Hank, this is Reagan.”

Hank turned to her offering his hand. “You’ve got a good one here, Reagan. Tucker’s salt of the earth.”

“I think so, too.’

Turning back to Tucker, Hank said, “I ran into Matt Hardy not long ago. Your name came up. He said he hadn’t heard from you in a long time. You should give him a call.”

“I’ll do that,” Tucker promised.

Hank slid from the booth, tipping his hat to them. “Singing works up a thirst. I’m gonna go wet my whistle. Good seeing you, Tucker. Nice meeting you, Reagan.”

She took Tucker’s hand. “Was that hard for you? Him bringing up Josie?”

“Surprisingly, no,” he said. “I think what you’ve said has come to pass. The grief is gone. It almost swallowed me whole at one point, but I pushed through it. When I heard Josie’s name, I just felt warm and fuzzy. I didn’t think about the accident. That terrified look on her face. All I felt was a calm.”

His gaze pinned hers. “That’s thanks to you, Reagan. I didn’t know if I would ever stop wallowing in my misery, but you’ve been a bright light. It’s as if I moved from the darkness toward your light. You showed me the way.”

Tears misted her eyes. “You didn’t know it, Tucker, but your light was shining all that time, too. I moved toward it. And you.”

He glanced around, clearing his throat. “I didn’t know when I was going to say this to you. I sure didn’t figure it would be in a loud, crowded bar.”

Tucker paused, and she saw the love shining in his eyes before he ever voiced the words. It excited her. Frightened her a bit. Yet Reagan was ready to go on the journey with this man, wherever it would take them.

“I love you, Reagan Bradley. You’ve moved into my heart. Into my soul. I want you to stay there.

“Forever.”