Taking Heart (12 page)

“And you can. Later.” Dylan pressed a kiss against her lips, nipping at the corner of her mouth. “Do you have something?”

Her face fell and she bit her lower lip. “I . . . you don't?”

Dylan dropped his forehead to her chest and groaned. He hadn't planned on this and hadn't been with a woman since he'd last been deployed. He'd assumed she would have some sort of protection in the house. He was certain Gage would have something, but he wouldn't tarnish Julia's reputation that way. “No.”

J
ULIA HEARD THE
disappointment in his voice, felt her heart crash to her toes. This couldn't be happening. Since Evan, she'd closed herself off, unwilling to trust herself to get close to anyone. She'd given up on finding anyone who could face the broken mess she was inside. And then Dylan showed up. Just as broken and messy as she was, but he needed her, allowed her to touch his wounded soul. They were able to give where the other was lacking.

This was the first time she'd wanted to give herself to a man since Evan's attack, and to be stopped by something as stupid as not having protection seemed too far-fetched to be believable. She sighed in disappointment and ran her fingers over his back as he dropped his forehead against her chest. She knew Justin would have something in his wallet, but she didn't dare sneak in to find out. His relationship with Dylan was tenuous at best right now.

She felt Dylan smile against her breast. “It's okay. Just knowing you're that disappointed . . . ” His lips circled her nipple, and fire seared through her again. “There are other ways.”

Dylan's fingers ran over the side of her hip and feathered over her inner thigh. When his fingers found her again, wet and aching, she sucked in a shaky breath, unable to do anything but feel. His body pressed against hers, pinning her down, but without the fear she'd worried she would feel with a man after Evan. Dylan's lips moved over her skin, ravishing her with the rasp of the stubble over his jaw as he headed lower. When his mouth touched her, she bucked against him, the onslaught of pleasure lifting her from the bed.

Dylan caressed her, tasted her, tormented her, and made love to her with his mouth. He explored her body with his hands and lips, as if trying to memorize every dip and arch. When she finally cried out in release, he rolled over, holding her close, as if he couldn't bear to let her go.

“Dylan?” she whispered against his smooth chest as her finger traced the whirls of his tattoo design. “I have an idea.”

He ran his hand over her hair and smiled down at her. “Yeah?”

“Hand me my phone?”

He arched a brow in question but reached for her cell on the nightstand. She quickly sent a text message to Bailey and smiled at the reply, handing the phone back. “Bailey to the rescue.”

“What?”

She didn't bother to enlighten him but rose from the bed and moved to stand at the door. Tango lifted his head to watch her but laid it back down just as quickly when he realized she wasn't leaving. The soft pad of feet sounded in the hallway, and she saw the slip of foil shoot under the door. Holding up her prize between her fingers, she smiled as she walked back toward Dylan still on the bed.

Dylan chuckled, sounding more lighthearted than she'd ever heard him. “Did you seriously text your cousin to bring you a condom?”

“Would you rather I texted my brother?”

She couldn't help but feel slightly self-conscious as she made her way back to where he lay, propped up against one of her pillows and looking oddly delicious on her bed, wearing nothing but a hungry, slightly cocky grin as his eyes slid over every part of her, heating her insides to molten quicksilver.

He plucked the condom from her fingers and pulled her down on top of him. “You surprise me, Julia.”

Her fingers splayed over the massive wall of his chest. She wanted to come up with a witty retort to his comment, something to lighten the mood, but her brain was barely functioning at this point. With his body hard and heated against her, she couldn't do anything but feel—the tingles that tripped down her spine as his hands curled around the cheeks of her butt, the shallow breaths that kept her balanced on the precipice of dizziness, and the exquisite ache between her thighs as she waited for him.

She slid her fingers over the planes of his stomach, over his thighs, and—reaching between them—let her hands find the one place she knew he ached as much as she did. Dylan growled as she touched him, but she wanted him to know the same agonizing pleasure she had. Her lips moved over his chest as she stroked him. He shifted, rolling over and pinning her beneath him. It was mere seconds before he brushed her hands away and tore open the package, sheathing himself and pressing against her.

“Julia?”

She could hear the hesitation in his voice, giving her one last chance to change her mind. And she loved him for it, even if she couldn't admit it aloud. Dylan was again putting her needs above his own desires, her honor above his wants and thinking of her future instead of his own.

“After all we've gone through to get here, don't you dare think of stopping now.” She slid one hand around the back of his head, drawing his mouth to hers and the other to his lower back. Dylan slid into her with painstaking slowness, and they groaned in unison as their bodies joined.

She felt him shake, his hands trembling as he withdrew and repeated the languid ravishment of her body. She clung to his strength as his confident strokes grew more urgent, taking her to the edge of bliss. She couldn't deny herself any longer when he thrust into her, trying to hold back his own release. She cried out and he took her mouth hostage, their tongues dancing, their bodies one as the world shattered around them.

Dylan held his weight over her, balancing himself on an elbow at each side of her head, staring down at her, and he brushed her bangs away from her eyes. “I'll say it again, Julia. You surprise me.”

She returned the smile as her body relaxed beneath him, still recovering from her orgasm. “And you far exceeded my hopes,” she teased. Dylan bent to kiss her lips gently, lingering on the touch. She felt her heart skip with abandon. Maybe their broken places could be meshed together to form one perfect whole.

D
YLAN TRIED TO
stretch out his legs without waking fully, but there was something at his feet that prevented any movement. He pushed against it and chuckled, realizing Tango had climbed onto the bed while they slept with Dylan curled around Julia's back. Not to be outdone, the dog had edged between them and lay sprawled on his back at the foot of the bed, sound asleep. He pushed against the dog slightly and Tango sighed, flapping his big lips and rolling over, curling into a ball closer to Julia's feet.

“His sleeping act didn't fool you, huh?” she whispered and rolled over, curling into his chest like a purring kitten.

“Nope, but I didn't mean to wake you.” His knuckles grazed over the line of her jaw. “I should probably get back to my room before anyone else gets up.”

She twisted her lips to the side. “You don't have to go, Dylan. I'm a big girl.” She looked up at him, innocently.

Contrary to what she claimed, with her long lashes and trusting, dark eyes, she looked young and naive. She had no idea what sort of disaster he brought with him. He traced the line of her cheek, wishing he could make love to her again. Once hadn't been near enough to slake his thirst for her.

“Your brother doesn't particularly trust me already. I don't even want to think what he'd do if he found me in here.”

She grinned at him, and he caught a glimpse of the spitfire in her. “Do you think I care what my brother says?”

He laughed and rolled onto his back, pulling her into the crook of his shoulder. “I'll stay for a few more minutes. But only because it's early and I don't want that dog to think he won.”

She laughed, her breath warming his chest, and he felt himself stir to life. This was going to be a long day if he couldn't get his body under control. He tried to think of anything that might still the reaction—baseball, football, hockey, cleaning the kennel with her as he promised to do today—but with her finger tracing the pattern of his tattoo over his chest, he couldn't think of anything but how those hands had touched him last night.

His laid his hand over hers. “Unless you have another foil packet hidden somewhere in here, I should go.”

Dylan didn't miss the disappointment that flickered in her eyes, and he hated being the reason it was there. Then she smiled at him, and he felt his stomach tighten in knots.

She shrugged and sighed. “Okay, I was just getting up to take a shower anyway.” She flipped back the sheet and walked into her bathroom.

He watched her walk away, appreciating the sight of her backside, certain she was putting a little extra sway in her hips for his benefit. She knew damn well how difficult she was making it for him to leave. He hadn't missed the overconfident smirk on her lips as she headed into the bathroom. He heard the water come on and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Roscoe opened one eye and raised a doggy brow at him.

“What am I supposed to do now?” The dog sighed and shifted position to lie on his side. Dylan nodded at the dog on the floor. “Yeah, no way I'm leaving now.”

He rose from the bed and made his way to the shower, watching her through the clear glass as water rained down over her head, slicking her hair down her back. Steam rose in the stall as he opened the door silently and moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her and cupping her breasts. The water warmed her skin, but he felt feverish hot already.

She jumped in surprise but immediately leaned backward against him, letting his hands move over her body with complete trust, surrendering herself to the whirlwind of emotions that seemed to rise between them. His lips found her neck as the water soaked them, wetting her skin as his hands roamed down her stomach, between her thighs. She gasped, then sputtered as water filled her mouth.

Dylan bit the shell of her ear playfully. “It might be a bit dangerous in here for you. I wouldn't want you to drown yourself.” He pushed open the door, and she turned in his arms as they stumble-walked back into the bedroom, nearly slipping on the tile floor where water pooled under their feet.

“Towels,” she pointed out, reaching for the cabinet.

“Do we need them?” His hands slid over her slick, wet body, and he licked the moisture from her shoulder as he stopped in the doorway leading to her room. “Julia, I'll go to the store today, but for right now, we should probably wait.”

She spun them so the back of his knees bumped against the bed and shot him the same feline smile, filled with confident seduction. “Like you said, there are other ways.” She pushed him lightly so he sat on the bed and stepped between his knees. “Turnabout is only fair.”

“M
ORNING,
B
AILEY
.” J
ULIA
had just started the coffee when Bailey came strolling into the kitchen and reached for a mug.

A gloating smirk spread on Bailey's lips, and her blue eyes twinkled mischievously. “You're awfully chipper this morning. I thought you'd be tired after staying up so late.”

“I thought you went to bed before I did.” Justin cocked a brow at his sister, confused. Julia glared at Bailey before turning toward Justin. She told Dylan she didn't care what Justin said, but she wasn't about to instigate an argument where there didn't need to be one.

“I did, but I couldn't sleep.”

Bailey snorted into her coffee mug as she took a sip, and Julia shot her another shut-up glance. It probably would have worked if it had been anyone but Bailey. As much as she adored her smart-aleck, rocker-glam cousin, Bailey had a way of saying too much at the wrong time.

“Where're your infamous guests? I didn't get to meet them last night.”

There she goes again.
“I think Gage is still sleeping. I heard Dylan up a little while ago.”

Bailey's grin spread even wider, if that was possible. “I'm not surprised.”

Julia sighed, giving up trying to verbally outwit Bailey. Stuffing her with food was the only hope Julia had to shut her cousin's mouth. “Breakfast, Bailey? I've got eggs, toast, and bacon.”

“Get it to go if you're riding to the clinic with me. I'm heading out in five,” Justin informed her.

Bailey rolled her eyes and shrugged, finishing the last of her coffee. “I guess I was lucky to even get this.” She slid the mug into the dishwasher. “You heard the boss man. Can we wrap it up?”

“You bet.”

Justin eyed the two women before heading out to his truck.

Julia turned to her cousin. “Thank you.”

Bailey laughed out loud. “For which part, the loan or keeping quiet?”

“If that was you keeping quiet, I'd hate to see you when you tell all!” Julia shoved her cousin toward the door. “Now go, before your
boss
gets all pissy and comes back looking for you.”

Julia was standing at the sink when Dylan and Gage finally came into the kitchen. “Morning, guys.” Her eyes skimmed over Gage and settled on Dylan. She couldn't help but admire how incredible he looked in his rust-colored T-shirt and jeans. Good enough to eat. She licked her lips and pressed them together, barely able to tear her eyes away from him as Roscoe trotted into the kitchen.

“Good morning, Roscoe. Ready for breakfast?” The dog answered with a quick, cheerful bark before sitting at Dylan's feet. She held the bowl out to Dylan. “I dished up his food, and Tango's already eaten.” Julia poured two cups of coffee as the dog was fed. Gage rose to take them. “Sit and eat,” she ordered.

Gage laughed. “You give me commands like I'm one of the dogs.”

She stopped short, frowning. “I'm sorry, I just—”

“I'm kidding. You made breakfast and you're serving me coffee. You could tell me to go wash your truck and I would.” She smiled and lifted both brows in doubt. “Okay, maybe not that far. Your truck's pretty dirty.”

“Your brother and cousin already left?” Dylan asked, looking back down the hallway.

“Yes, why?” She knew exactly why but wasn't about to miss the opportunity to tease him.

“Gage wanted to meet Bailey.”

“Really?” She flicked her eyes toward his brother, surprised to see him nod and shrug.

“You'd be a hard act to follow, Julia, but if she's anything like you . . . well, I
am
a single guy.”

“Thanks, I think.” She scraped Justin's dish and loaded it into the dishwasher and wondered if she'd ever teach him to use one. She rinsed out his mug and turned to face the brothers.

“So,” Gage began tentatively, “I was hoping we could take a trip into town. What do you think, Julia?”

She turned, glancing at Dylan. He'd mentioned going into town, but she'd assumed he was kidding, especially considering the way their last trip had ended. She leaned one hip against the counter. “Where did you want to go?” Gage shrugged and looked at Dylan for support. “I guess it's really your decision, Dylan. Do you feel ready to try again?”

“You think Roscoe is ready?”

“Roscoe did fine,” she reminded him, quietly. She hoped he realized she understood if he wasn't ready to go through another episode. She didn't want to push him too quickly, but she didn't want to hold him back either.

Dylan held her gaze for a moment before giving her a wink. “I think it's a good idea. There was something I didn't think to pick up the last time we were there.”

G
AGE FOLLOWED THEM
in the Camaro, and Dylan couldn't have been more grateful for the privacy. At least this trip to town gave him a chance to talk with her a bit about last night, and where they could go moving forward.

“Was this trip your idea?” Her voice broke into his thoughts, and he glanced over at her. It had taken a while, but he'd been able to convince her to let him drive, and it felt amazing to be behind the wheel again. He might still have his regular prescriptions, but now that he hadn't been taking medication to sleep at night, he was amazed how alert he felt. Maybe it was just the full nights of uninterrupted sleep, more than he'd had in the past year.

He grinned sheepishly and watched her cheeks flush with color. Dylan reached over Roscoe and twined his fingers with hers. “You're beautiful when you blush.”

The dog looked from one human to the other from his spot curled up between them before giving up on getting attention and dropping his head back onto his front paws. “I think you should try a quick trip in and out first,” she suggested quietly.

“You think I'll have another episode?”

She shrugged. “It's a possibility you should be prepared for.”

“I haven't had any since that last one, not even with what happened the other night,” he pointed out.

“It really just depends on what triggers them. Now we know chasing down crazy ex-boyfriends isn't one of your triggers.”

Dylan shook his head, growing serious. “Don't joke, Julia. I talked to Chase this morning, and they haven't seen that motorcycle yet. Until they know where he is, I don't want you going anywhere alone.”

She sighed and turned to look out the window, seeing Gage in the rearview mirror. “Then it's probably a good thing you need me to help you with Roscoe. I'll have you with me all the time.”

The ride was short but pleasant, and he couldn't help but think how he wanted this life beyond the next two weeks. He wanted more time, but he wouldn't force himself on Julia. The past few days were a great start to his healing and a foundation for a relationship, but he had to do better than this. He had to know he could offer her more than a broken mind and a helpless has-been of a man. If he could prove to his therapist he was getting better, he could lower his medications. Or get off them entirely.

He rubbed his thumb over her hand, feeling the desire burst bright in his chest again just as the Sak 'N Save pulled into view. He parked the truck while his brother pulled in next to them.

Gage pointed at the mail center across the street. “I need to go to the office supply to get this contract notarized. Why don't we meet at the coffee shop in twenty minutes. Is that enough time?” He looked from Dylan to Julia.

“It should be fine. I just have a couple things to get.” Dylan clipped the leash on Roscoe as he jumped down from the seat. “Man, it felt good to drive again.”

“Then hold on to the keys and you can drive back,” Julia said.

Dylan ignored the warning look Gage shot him. He knew the risk, but Julia's confidence in him would be enough to get him through this.

W
ITH EVERY MINUTE
they spent in the store, the pride she felt in both Dylan and Roscoe grew. Both had learned to trust one another quickly, more quickly than she'd even hoped they would. When Roscoe hesitated, Dylan immediately focused on the dog, waiting to see if it was a trigger or simply some reaction the dog was reading from him. They were able to make their purchases and exit the store without any trouble and with five minutes to spare before heading to meet with Gage.

“Crap!”

“What?” Dylan turned to see what happened.

“I forgot I needed butter.” She knew it wasn't dire, but there was no sense driving all the way back another day when they were still here. “Why don't you just wait at the truck, and I'll just run back in.” She didn't want to push their luck. She could see the pride in Dylan's eyes at how well the two of them had done. She didn't want him to be disappointed if he had another episode.

“I'll go with you.”

She bit her lip, nervously, making the decision to keep her concerns to herself and protect him for a change. “I don't want to overload Roscoe, and if we're still going to the coffee shop, that's a lot of new circumstances to throw at him in a given day.”

Dylan arched a dubious brow and looked at the dog. “Are you sure you aren't just worried about me having another episode?”