Beneath the Surface (28 page)

“I love you.” Dale wrapped her legs around his waist as her hands cupped his shaved head.

“I want to go slow, to show you how I feel, but I need you so bad right now, baby. I’m a starving man, and you’re my banquet. Upstairs?”

Giggling, Dale hummed in agreement and tightened her hold on him.

They didn’t get very far. Kyran couldn’t wait any longer than she could. He leaned over, pressed her down on the stairs, and pulled her sweater over her head. A rumble racked his chest as he cupped her breasts, stroking her nipple through the lace of her bra.

“I have to touch you,” he said before pulling down her left bra cup and sucking her nipple into his mouth.

“Yes,” she moaned, bumping her head back against an upper step.

Closing her eyes, she focused on his tweaking fingers and swirling tongue.

Kyran pressed his knee against her sex, easing the ache—but just a little, as it was building beyond control.

Desperate, Dale fumbled with his T-shirt and tried to pull it over his head. The difficulty came when Kyran wouldn’t let go of her breasts.

“I want to show you what you mean to me, so lie back, baby. Enjoy the ride.” He winked, the sparkle in his eyes sending a shiver of delight through her body.

It all still felt like a dream, and as his teeth grazed her nipple, she closed her eyes and let herself get carried away on Kyran’s wave.

“Upstairs,” he said, picking her up as though she weighed nothing more than a feather. She whispered quick directions to her bedroom, enjoying the feel of his bulging muscles beneath her fingers.

“Why now? What changed your mind?” She paused as he kissed her hard. “What about Taylor?”

Smiling, he shook his head. “I am not talking about my brother right now. In fact, I’m not talking at all.”

Kyran resumed his kiss. She worried about the cut, concerned he would split it open. When she squirmed and tried to free herself to talk to him he growled, keeping up his assault on her lips. He didn’t put her down until he reached her bedroom, and even then he only broke free to topple them onto the mattress. There was no pause. Hands roamed across her body, lips kissed hers hard, and tongues licked heated flesh as their clothes were discarded on the floor.

Kyran’s kisses intensified, his touch growing more aggressive as he caressed his way over her stomach and down between her legs. He kissed a path down toward her heated sex and licked at her outer lips before dipping in to taste her. Waves of pleasure crashed through her, starting between her legs before rippling over the rest of her body. Every nerve lit up and buzzed with life.

Kyran spread her legs wider and slid his tongue over her clit again and again. He increased the pressure, chuckling when she began to murmur random words that were complete nonsense. Sensations built within her as darkness surrounded them, and the sound of the rain increased along with their gasps and whimpers.

“I love you.” His heated breath floated across her inflamed skin.

Dale didn’t respond. She wasn’t capable. His tongue swept over her clit again, and he slipped his fingers between her folds and pressed them deep into her sex. Her cry filled the air, his name following.

She struggled for breath as arousal seeped between her legs. It made his movements slicker and caused her thighs to tremble. He pulled his fingers away, and she moaned before he pushed them back in again. Flames of ecstasy scorched her skin. Kyran caressed and devoured her. He pressed his tongue hard against her clit, licking at her with increased passion.

Dale’s heart pounded, deafening her, and when his finger swirled, she exploded. Waves of amazing pleasure ripped through her, leaving her shaken and gasping for breath.

Kyran eased down alongside her, stroking hair from her sweat-soaked brow. He kissed the tip of her nose and sighed. Dale could feel his heart thumping against her hand as she rested it on his chest. He was just as affected as she was. Not that she needed that confirmation— it shone from his eyes when he gazed at her.

His skin burned as she snuggled up against him, and when Dale reached for his erection, he held her wrist still.

“That was a bit one-sided, Ky.”

“I don’t care.” He framed her face with his hands. “I had to show you what you mean to me. I’ve fucked up really bad. I tossed your feelings
|

aside and hid mine under the
just sex
label.” His voice was husky. It vibrated deliciously across her skin.

“How do you know they’re real now? You could be confusing it all with sex.”

Kyran toyed with her fingers, kissing the tip of each one before answering. “I’ve slept with many women, Dale, and have never experienced such confusion.”

“I doubt you were
sleeping
,” she added.

“Jealous?”

Pushing Kyran onto his back, she straddled him. “Hardly. I don’t need to be jealous. I have . ..”

“What? Don’t go all coy on me now.”

Dale felt her cheeks heat. She worried that she was about to say the wrong thing, though his response would be the deal breaker for their relationship. Inhaling, she continued, hoping she would get the response she desired. “I don’t need to be jealous because I have you. You’re mine now.”

There was no pause, Kyran answered immediately. “If you want me, I’m yours.”

Letting out a breath, her whole world righted itself. Dale kissed him, as he skimmed his hands along her ribs. “I want you, Mr. Reese, but I think we need to talk.”

Kyran’s expression grew serious. He sat up, bringing her with him and adjusting her in his lap. “We can talk. But you do it naked and sitting right here.”

They’d made their declarations, cemented them by making love, but now they needed to talk, because intimacy was useless without communication.

Dale could have been swept away on Kyran’s wave, forgetting about his brother, his family, her job, and how they were going to move forward. She could have taken him at face value, reveling in each and every word he’d said. It would have been far too easy to let their issues disappear, but Dale refused. Ignoring the world around them would just cause problems further down the road. They had to be clear about what they each expected—what each of them wanted. Without that resolution, they would be back to square one.

Kyran tucked a stray curl behind her ear. He stroked her cheek, the ease of his touch almost bringing her to tears. The walls had crumbled for him, but now she was the one keeping her distance. His openness scared her and made her tense. Dale wasn’t used to it, though she hoped talking it through with him would ease every one of her concerns.

“Talk to me,” he said. “Tell me what’s going on.”

Seeing no point in trying to hide her feelings when she wanted the truth from him, she answered. “I do want you. I’m just a bit shocked.”

“Never expected me to come after you, huh?”

“I never took you as a grand gesture kind of guy,” she said, blushing.

He slipped his hand down her neck, stroking his fingers along her collarbone as she started to speak again. “I want to believe you, Ky. God, I do, but—”

“You need reassurances.”

Dale closed her eyes, enjoying his touch for a short time before meeting his eyes again. “Yes, I do. You were so adamant this was to be just sex. You made the rules, and I broke them. I fell for you.”

“I did, too,” he said. “Though I wasn’t ready. I tried to tell you, to explain what was going on in my head.”

“How?”

Kyran stroked his thumb across her bottom lip. “You really have no idea, do you?”

Frowning, Dale shook her head.

“Then can I ask that we get back to this exact subject once we’ve discussed everything else?” He continued when he saw she was ready to interrupt. “I’m not trying to sidetrack you. I promise I will get back to this point.” He traced his finger over his chest. “Cross my heart.”

Even though Dale didn’t quite believe him, she found herself agreeing.

“Thank you. And as for your reassurances? You’ll have those very soon.”

“You’re still so damn elusive,” she said, shaking her head in exasperation.

Kyran smirked and held his fists up as she’d seen him do so many times. “Got to keep my guard up, baby. Otherwise I end up bruised.”

“Like now?” Dale touched his bruised face with affection. “You’re a mess.”

“I needed to feel something other than the bone-deep longing I felt for you.”

She smiled, happiness warming her body. “You’re saying all the right things today.”

“Good.” Kyran kissed her nose. “Remember that when we return to the earlier topic. Now, what else did you want to clear up?”

“You’re talking like this is a business transaction.”

“It’s not intentional. I just want to go over everything and make this right with you.”

Dale tapped his nose. “Don’t try too hard. I liked the old Kyran. His edge attracted me to him in the first place.”

“Is that so?” His brows rose as he flashed his teeth at her. “Ouch!” He winced and pressed his fingers to his lips.

“I’m not giving you any sympathy. You should have never been in that ring if your intention was to get beaten. You’re better than that.”

Her words were stronger than her resolve because seconds later she began kissing his lip. “Better?”

“Is that what you’ll do to all of my boo-boos? Because I have a real big one just down . . .” He lowered his hand to his dick, about to wrap his fingers around it when she laughed, shoving at his naked chest. “Hey! I was only asking.”

Watching him tease himself until he came would have her wet and wanting in no time. She wanted that easy comfort with him now, but that would ruin her resolve. The diversion would be amazing; however, it was one they couldn’t afford just yet.

“How’s Taylor?” She needed to put something between them before she gave in to him.

“Taylor is . . . well, he’s currently on a ranch in the middle of Hunter’s Hollow.”

Certain she hadn’t heard Kyran right, she asked, “Say that again.”

“You heard me.” He held her hips, slowly moving upward until he reached her breasts. He tickled the sensitive underside of them, causing little shivers to rush through her body. Her nipples hardened, and it grew rather difficult to focus. She did try, though. “Um, why H-Hunter’s Hollow?”

“He’s to be a ranch hand for the next six months. No drugs, drink, or women, otherwise Dad will disown him. After the outburst on the yacht, Taylor believed his threat. Dad surprised me.” He paused. “Things aren’t what they seemed.”

“With?”

“My father. My relationship with him, and his with Clara. I thought I knew what he was about, who he was, but after all of this, I’ve learned I had no clue. He laid down the law when it came to Taylor.”

“What about your relationship with him?”

“Can I say it’s a work in progress? I still don’t think his pride will allow him to admit he failed us, but I have a new understanding.”

She walked her fingers up the deep black ink on his arms, feeling the goose bumps spring to life. Her stomach clenched, coiling tight as desire began to swamp her.

“And why is that?”

“Because now I know how terrible it is to lose something— someone—who means everything to you.”

Dale smiled, her stomach flipping in response. “But that doesn’t explain the way he treated you and Taylor.”

“That’s why it’s a work in progress. I’m trying to get my head around what that loss does to a man with two sons.”

She snuggled closer to him, enjoying his warmth. She decided to alter the topic of conversation a little. “Why was Taylor sent to Hunter’s Hollow of all places?”

“You’ve already asked that.” He smirked. “Dad didn’t always have money or stature. In fact, Dad’s just a cowboy with cash. But don’t tell him I said that. Anyway, his brother still runs the family ranch. Dad shipped Taylor to Uncle Josh.”

Wriggling in his lap, Dale moaned when Kyran skimmed her hard nipples. “Oh God, that feels amazing. . .” She grasped for focus. “So how are things with Clara?”

“Not perfect. Better. Especially after her help with Taylor. We’ve done the very thing I thought we never would. We’ve all come together as a family.”

Dale couldn’t stop smiling at him. Everything was looking up, and for the first time she could see a way through this. “All? What about Taylor?”

“That’s definitely something that has to be fixed. I’ve resented him for so long, hated that I was the one who had to care for him. I see things far too clearly now, and I have a lot of work to do with my brother.” Dale nodded as Kyran continued. “I’m going to visit him. I’m going to set everything straight.”

“Where’s the real Kyran? What have you done with him?”

Kyran laughed, the rumble in his chest causing her to squirm.

“So,” he said, grabbing her waist and flipping her over onto her back.

She protested, squealing and hitting his chest in a feeble attempt to push him off. Not that she wanted to. The way he blanketed her, molded against her body, was perfection—sheer bliss. “So, what else would you like to discuss, Ms. Porter?”

“This.” Dale stroked along his left arm. The code of numbers and letters spiraled around it, from wrist to shoulder, the ink highlighting each and every muscle.

“It’s very simple, and it will need a new addition soon.” Dale frowned as he continued. “It’s nothing more than a series of dates and initials. I just decided not to make it too clear what it was. And the new addition will be you—us.”

“So they’re birthdays and stuff?”

“Kind of. This one? This is my birthday. But this one is the date I took over the corporation. And this one is the date my first child was born.”

Dale froze in shock “What? I don’t—”

Kyran let out a deep belly laugh. Dale was so stunned she couldn’t move, just lay beneath him, mouth gaping.

“Baby, I’m joking.” He kissed her shoulder. “I truly am.”

The pounding of her heart slowed, but it didn’t stop her from giving him the stink eye.

“I really was.”

“Not funny.” She pouted and shoved his chest.

“It was for me.” Still grinning, he rested on his forearms. “Can we go back to the topic we started earlier? You’re killing me here.”