Page 63 of Keeping Laryn
Now she’d do the same for Tate. He was exhausted, and he needed to be alert and ready for whatever mission he might be sent on as soon as they landed. She’d already made sure his chopper was in tip-top shape, and now she had a chance to make sure his body was ready as well. She could feed him, take away some of the everyday burdens he had, like going through his fridge to get rid of anything that might grow legs and try to walk off while he was gone.
She smiled at the thought as she grabbed the remainder of an open block of cheese and a few bell peppers that definitely wouldn’t survive being in the fridge for a few weeks.
“What’s that smile for?”
Laryn nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of Tate’s voice right behind her.
“Jeez! Don’t do that! You scared the crap out of me! Why are you walking around like Mr. Silent, anyway?”
He chuckled. “I made plenty of noise. You were just too engrossed studying my vegetables to notice.”
The words popped out before she could stop them. “I like inspecting your vegetables,” and her gaze flicked down his body toward his crotch.
He laughed even harder and grabbed her around the waist, spinning her around. Before Laryn knew what was happening,he’d picked her up as if she weighed nothing and plunked her on top of the counter. He crowded closer, between her legs, and rested his hands on her hips. They were eye to eye now, and Laryn could see dark circles that weren’t usually there, and the lines around his eyes were more prominent than they’d been that morning.
His hands started to roam, and as much as she craved him, as much as she wanted him, the clock was ticking and they both needed sleep.
She grabbed his hands and shook her head. She tried to look as stern as possible, all while knowing her heart rate had picked up and her panties were getting damp thinking about all the things he’d done to her already.
“Food,” she said. “Then sleep. We don’t have time for kitchen hanky-panky. Did you finish packing?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said with a small grin. “Duffels are by the door, ready to go.”
“Good.”
Neither moved as they stared at each other. Then Tate spoke. “I want you. But I’m dead on my feet.”
“I know.”
“I know you know, I’m just trying to tell you, badly, thank you for being you. For picking me up, for making dinner. For not letting me do things I want to do so badly, but wouldn’t be smart. Like eating you out right here on my counter. Then turning you around and bending you over my couch and taking you from behind.”
Laryn swallowed hard and couldn’t stop herself from glancing toward his couch. It was way too high for her feet to be on the floor if she was draped over the back of it. And thinking about having no leverage, no control over their lovemaking while he took her from behind, was almost enough to rip off the T-shirt Tate had put on and say to hell with her plans for them both to get as much sleep as possible.
“Damn, I love that look in your eyes,” Tate said. Then he leaned his forehead against hers. “Rain check. I want to make love to you on every surface of this apartment. The shower, here on the counter, the couch, the desk in my spare room, and my bed. Especially my bed. But we have all the time in the world for that. I’m looking forward to simply holding you as we sleep almost as much. Almost.”
Laryn let out a huff of breath. “Yeah.”
He still didn’t move. His eyes were closed as his forehead stayed on hers.
“Tate? Did you fall asleep?” she whispered after a long moment.
“No. Yes. Maybe.”
That made her smile again. “Food. You need to eat.”
“Yeah,” he sighed and reluctantly straightened. “Thank you, Laryn. Seriously.”
“You’re welcome. Scoot back so I can get down.”
Instead of moving, he tightened his hold and lifted her from the counter to the floor.
“Want to give me some room here?” Laryn asked again, as he stayed plastered to her side.
“Nope.”
She rolled her eyes but, deep down, she loved having him so near. She managed to dish up the taco salad she’d prepared for him and, by unspoken agreement, they both stood in his small kitchen while he ate leaning up against the counter. It didn’t take long. He was either hungry or more than ready to go to bed. Probably a little of both.
“Go get ready for bed. I’ll be there in a moment. I just want to wash the dishes and put them away,” Laryn ordered.
