Going Down: Holding Out for a Hero, Book 1 Page 3

  “Red. Do you have an opener?”

  “I do. And I think there’s even some wine glasses around here some place.”

  “There should be. The Bakemans are wine people.”

  Ellie hurried back to the cupboard, swinging it open. She spotted the wine glasses on the top shelf and scowled, stretching on her tiptoes to reach them.

  Tyson watched her for a moment, before he decided to help her.

  “Here let me.” He stepped forward and reached past her, grabbing them easily.

  “Thanks.”

  He watched the flush of pink in her cheeks and his gut twisted with disappointment. She was definitely hiding something.

  Hell, after getting the reports this afternoon, he’d been relieved to discover she’d been telling the truth about who she was.

  Because in a town the size of Wyattville, Ellie was uncharted territory. She was a new body. And damn, what a body it was. She was like a brand new toy. And he couldn’t wait to figure out what wound her up and what got her gears moving.

  Ever since he’d been home, none of the girls in town had managed to catch his interest very long. That wasn’t to say he hadn’t dated a bunch of them in the past—hell, of course he had. He’d been your average horny teen, lusting after any girl with a pretty smile. His brothers had been the same way.

  Fortunately, he and Trevor had grown up a bit. Now Todd, on the other hand, was another story.

  He’d come here tonight hell bent on seduction. Her record was clean—well, almost, but it could’ve been far worse than indecent exposure—and he hadn’t missed the arousal in her eyes earlier today in the bathroom.

  But now, seeing the tension in her sexy little body and the way she averted her gaze, he knew this little bombshell wasn’t telling the whole story. Something just wasn’t right. And his gut told him that her little Chicago/Brooklyn slip up was at the heart of it.

  He located the corkscrew and then opened the bottle, pouring them both a glass of wine while watching her load up their plates with food.

  “Do you like steak sauce?” she asked, a little too brightly.

  “No, thanks. Just a little salt and pepper will do me fine.” He sat down at the table next to one of the settings.

  “Great, because those I have. Steak sauce, not so much.” She leaned over him, setting a plate down.

  For a moment, the smell of steak mingled with roses, and Tyson got a glimpse of the pale curves of her breasts above the neckline of her tank. She wasn’t wearing a bra.

  A breath slid silently from between his clenched teeth as his cock twitched beneath his jeans.

  Damn. He might not trust her fully, but he sure as hell wanted her.

  Ellie had changed out of her denim shorts and tank top, and was now wearing what seemed to be some kind of workout outfit. Though she didn’t seem the least bit concerned by her attire, even if he found it was surprisingly sexy.

  The loose-fitting black bottoms fell over the slight curve of her hips, and the skin-tight tank top with thin straps was almost the exact shade of green as the flecks in her hazel eyes.

  She moved to sit across from him, reaching to take a sip of wine. “So, Sheriff Wyatt, do you make it a habit of inviting yourself to dinner with all the new ladies in town?”

  “I’m out of uniform,” he said with a small smile, and picked up his knife and fork, cutting into the steak. “Feel free to call me Tyson.”

  She set her wine glass down and nodded. “All right. Tyson it is.”

  “And only the pretty single ones.” His smile faded. “Actually, no. To be honest, this is…a first for me.”

  Ellie watched him for a moment and in her gaze he saw a flicker of awareness, watched her breasts rise and fall a bit quicker.

  “So, tell me more about your family. You’ve mentioned them a couple times.” Her request was overly bright and an obvious diversion tactic.

  “My family. Well, I’ve got two brothers.”

  “Older? Younger? Maybe you’re a twin?”

  He laughed and shook his head, spearing a piece of steak. “Not a twin, sorry. I’m the middle.”

  “Ah, you’re the middle? I guess I’m not surprised.” She took a bite of rice and then asked, “What do they do? Police stuff as well?”

  “No. Todd, the youngest, is a firefighter. Trevor, the oldest, has been in the army for fifteen years now.”

  Her fork stilled as she stared at him, her lips parting slightly. “Seriously?”

  He finished chewing his bite of steak and cast her a puzzled glance. “Yeah. Why?”

  “It’s just…” She cleared her throat and dropped her gaze. “Never mind.”

  “No, now you’ve got me curious. What were you going to say?”

  “I…well, just that that you’re all in careers that are notably sexy and attractive to women.” She gave a nonchalant shrug, but the slight pink in her cheeks belied her indifference. “And if they look as sexy as you, I’m guessing the Wyatt brothers are pretty popular in town.”

  Chapter Four

  So she thought he was sexy?

  Tyson’s brows lifted with surprise at the confirmation, even as his blood heated and his desire for Ellie stabbed sudden and sharp.

  His abdomen clenched and he drew in a slow breath, lowering his gaze to her small, berry-colored lips that had just closed around a piece of meat.

  “No more than any of the other guys around, I’m sure,” he replied vaguely, his voice gruff.

  “Hmm.” She rolled her eyes and lifted her glass of wine. “Forget I said anything. I think it was the wine talking.”

  She’d barely drunk a quarter of her glass. And there was no way in hell he was going to let her back down from that comment.

  He turned his attention back to his dinner, eager to have it gone and out of the way. Eager to not have a table between them.

  “How about you, Ellie? Any siblings?” he asked, trying to distract himself.

  She was quiet for a moment, before she said, “Umm. I have a brother.”

  “What does he do?”

  “He’s…a teacher.”

  Funny, but she didn’t sound totally confident on that.

  “And what do you do?” He lifted his gaze to her face again, just in time to watch the emotionless shield slide down over her expression.

  “I’m a waitress.”

  A waitress who could afford to rent a summer home on the Oregon coast?

  “Are you? Where at?”

  “It’s in Brooklyn, I doubt you know the place.”

  “Try me.”

  “Look, I’d rather not,” she finally said, pushing her half-eaten plate away. “We don’t really know each other, and there’re some things I’d just like to keep private.”

  Interesting. She completely shut down when he probed too far into her personal life.

  “Sure, no problem.” To disarm her again, he set down his fork and gave her an easy smile. “Have you seen much of Wyattville? I’d love to show you around.”

  Her mouth tightened as she looked around the room—everywhere but at him.

  Finally, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

  “Why not?”

  She moved away from the table, her chair scraping on the tiled floor as she scrambled to her feet.

  “Listen, I’m just out of a really bad relationship and I’m not really looking for anything right now.”

  Tyson cocked his head and slowly slid his chair back as well. “And you think I’m looking for something?”

  She swallowed hard and gave a sharp laugh. “Well, you did invite yourself to dinner.”

  “Being neighborly.”

  “You said you’d never done it before,” she said, obviously flustered as he approached her. Then she blurted, “And you called me pretty.”

  He backed her up against the sink, until his hips brushed against hers.

  “You called me sexy.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “A tiny confession that I had no intention of admitting aloud
—until you pretty much forced me to.”

  “Define force.”

  “Okay, you need to stop cornering me like this,” she said breathlessly.

  He slid his gaze over her, took in the hardened points of her breasts beneath the tank top, and her uneven breathing.

  “I think you like it when I do, Ellie.”

  Instead of replying, her tongue darted out to trace over the mouth that was tempting the hell out of him.

  His blood pounded harder and he knew he wouldn’t be able to stop himself.

  “You do like it. Don’t you?” his voice dropped an octave as he curled his fingers around the swell of her hips.

  “Tyson.” His name on her lips was a breathy combination of plea and protest.

  But when he lowered his head, there was no protest in her wide eyes. And before his lips could touch hers, her lashes fluttered down in submission as she leaned into him.

  A wave of need washed through him, primal and potent. With a low groan, he closed that last distance, taking her mouth.

  Her lips, pillowy soft and pliant, moved against his. The warmth of her breath teased him, ripped at his self-control.

  He nipped her bottom lip with his teeth, using her gasp of surprise to thrust his tongue inside the hot cavern of her mouth.

  He moved his hands around her hips and grabbed the firm roundness of her ass, squeezing, and then lifting her onto the counter.

  Jesus. He was going to lose it. So much for being professional. But screw it, just like he’d told her earlier, he was off duty. And right now, his only duty was to see how far she’d let him take this.

  And if he played his cards right, maybe all the way to the bedroom.

  You need to stop him.

  Ellie ruthlessly silenced the voice of reason in her head and moaned as Tyson pushed her legs wide to step between them. The only thing that mattered now was pleasure, and following the thread of temptation that Tyson had so carefully laid out for her.

  The edge of the counter bit into her bottom, the angle and pressure adding to the intensity and spontaneity of the moment.

  His tongue danced with hers, rubbing and sucking. Their mouths separated for just a second, giving them both enough time to gasp in air, before once again he claimed her lips.

  His hands, confident and knowing, moved to her waist, gathering the tank top she wore and pushing it upward.

  Cool air brushed her belly and her pulse quickened. If you’re going to stop him, now would be the time.

  Then it was too late, and she really didn’t give a damn as the fabric lifted over her breasts and her nipples tightened.

  His head lifted from hers again, and she refused to open her eyes, because she knew he was looking at her body.

  “Oh, yeah, sweetheart,” he muttered thickly. “You like it.”

  Wet friction rasped over her bare nipple and she groaned, pleasure rocking through her as she finally let her lashes flutter up.

  The vision of Tyson’s head bent over her breast sent heat exploding in her belly and a rush of moisture between her legs.

  His tongue moved against the tip, teasing and exploring her, making her nipple lengthen and tighten for his touch.

  With a soft laugh, he parted his lips and drew her into his mouth, suckling lightly.

  So good. It felt so damn good. How could she possibly stop him when this moment was so exquisite? She was only going to be in Wyattville for a couple months…why not indulge in a little harmless sex?

  Ellie squirmed on the counter, her breath quickening as she tunneled her fingers into his short, blond hair, holding him against her. Wanting him to suck harder, to use his teeth.

  His free hand came up to cover the other breast, squeezing and massaging the flesh. Then he caught the nipple between two fingers and pinched lightly.

  She jerked against him, crying out. More, she wanted so much more. Wanted his fingers buried deep inside her, and then his tongue, before finally, his cock.

  The image of it skittered through her head, robbing her ability to breathe, making her wetter.

  Tyson switched his mouth to the other nipple, sucking fiercely as he eased his hand down her belly. His teeth grazed over the tip over her breast, before he lifted his head.

  “I want to touch you here,” he muttered thickly, just before he cupped between her thighs. “Feel how hot your pussy is right now.”

  “Tyson,” she moaned, her sex clenching at his erotic words. Jesus, it was like he’d known her thoughts.

  “I bet you’re nice and slick, sweetheart.” He licked her nipple, moving his hand back up to her stomach. “Aren’t you?”

  Yes. Her heart pounded and her body wept for release. This man, almost a stranger, had aroused her more than any man she’d ever dated before. And more than anything, she wanted him to follow up and touch her like he’d just said.

  She issued a husky, “Why don’t you check for yourself?”

  He lifted his head, possessiveness and desire flaring in his eyes. “No games. I like that.”

  Without breaking eye contact, he maneuvered his hand beneath the waist of her pants and thong. The brush of his strong fingers at the top of her mound had her biting her lip to hold back a groan.

  “No games,” she repeated and caught his wrist, pushing his hand lower. “No teasing either.”

  “Ah, but teasing is so much fun, Ellie,” he muttered, before his palm cupped her sex completely. A second later, he curled one finger deep inside her sheath and Ellie’s world went spinning.

  With one finger in Ellie’s hot, wet, pussy, Tyson’s throat dried out and his cock jerked against his jeans.

  She was so fucking sexy. With just a small tuft of curls above a satiny smooth mound.

  Shit. He wanted her. Wanted to pull down her pants and the tiny panties she wore and tongue the hell out of her slit. Suck on her clit and bury his tongue in her pussy, tasting the slippery juices that right now coated his finger.

  First though, he wanted to see how fast she’d go over the edge.

  He moved his finger, slick with her arousal, up to her clit and rubbed the firm little button slowly.

  She let out a low groan and clutched his shoulders, her pink-painted nails digging into his skin beneath his T-shirt.

  Tyson lowered his head to her breast again, capturing the tip that was puckered for his mouth. God, she had the sexiest tits. Small and perky, with succulent berry-stained nipples that were the size of half-dollars.

  He pressed harder against her clit, using the pressure of her fingers on his shoulders as a guide to how soft or hard to rub her.

  Her hips rocked against his hand, as her breathing quickened and grew more erratic.

  Tyson caught her nipple with his teeth and tugged gently, while rubbing her clit even faster.

  Ellie let out a choked gasp, and then her thighs tightened around his hips and her head fell back.

  His nostrils flared with triumph and he thrust his finger deep into her channel again to feel her muscles contract and the rush of her orgasm.

  Hell, yeah.

  Her face twisted and her lips parted to let out breathy cries. Ellie’s body trembled and he had to slide his free hand up her back to keep her from falling back against the cupboard.

  Her lashes fluttered up, and her hazel gaze, disoriented from her release, locked on his face.

  “Whoa,” she whispered, dragging in a ragged breath that made her tits lift again. “I…whoa.”

  “My thoughts exactly.” He pulled his finger from her still-shaking body and brought it to his mouth.

  Watching her reaction, he licked the shiny juices clean. A primal rumble escaped his throat at the musky and sweet taste of her.

  Ellie’s gaze darkened and she let out a strangled moan. He wanted to taste her completely. Reaching for the waist of her pants, he started to pull them down when his cell rang.

  “You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me,” he muttered thickly, leaning forward to press his forehead against hers.

&nb
sp; Ellie’s hands smoothed down his back, holding him against her. “Can’t you just let it go?”

  “It’s work. They don’t call when I’m off unless it important.” He sighed and pulled away from her.

  “Seriously? What, did someone forget to return a library book or something?” she mumbled, her expression grouchy.

  Tyson’s gaze narrowed on her as he reached into his pocket to grab his phone.

  “This is Ty.”

  He dealt with the call and hung up a few minutes later, pocketing his phone again. Still standing between Ellie’s spread thighs, he was torn between his irritation with her, and the need to fuck her senseless—or maybe just fuck some sense into her.

  “We may not be a big city, Ellie, but we’re honest, good people who aren’t immune to bad things happening,” he said quietly. “And as sheriff of this town, it’s my job to take care of them when they do.”

  Her cheeks flushed and she lowered her gaze. “You’re right. I’m sorry. That was a really lame thing for me to say.”

  Tyson placed a finger under her chin and lifted her head to look into her eyes again.

  “You just need to get out more. See the town and get to know the people here.”

  She swallowed visibly and the smile she gave him was strained. “I should, yeah.”

  “Great.” He pressed a light kiss against her mouth and then stepped away from her. “So then I’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow.”

  “Okay—wait, what? Pick me up?”

  “I’ve got the day off, so we should get started on that showing you around bit.”

  Ellie trailed after him. “Oh, but I—”

  “No buts.” Tyson grabbed the handle of the door and turned, giving her one last, lazy smile. “You’re getting out of the house, Ellie. And I’m a damn good tour guide, so consider yourself lucky.”

  “Lucky. Right.”

  Because there was unease in her eyes, and her cheeks were still flushed from her orgasm, he couldn’t resist lowering his head for another kiss.

  She gripped his shirt, swaying toward him and parting her lips to accept the demands of his mouth.

  He nibbled and sucked, wanting to leave her weak in the knees and dreaming of nothing but him when she slept tonight.