Page 57 of Tactical Lies

Without her asking, without her even thinking about it.

He was just there.

Could she break down the walls still erected between them and allow herself to believe that he would always be there? That no matter what troubles life threw at them he wouldn't be going anywhere?

Chapter

Fourteen

August 22nd

10:19 A.M.

This wasn't what he’d had in mind when he decided to take Becca out canoeing this morning.

Not that Connor was complaining.

All he’d wanted was to spend time with her and put her at ease like she always used to be when they were together. He’d thought a canoe ride along the peaceful little river that flowed through Cade’s property would be romantic. The sunshine, the soft breeze, the gentle sounds of the water combined with everything nature had to offer. What could be more perfect?

Turned out this could.

Kicking his feet in the water to keep them both afloat, one of his arms locked around Becca’s waist, holding her anchored against his body, water streaming down both of their faces. There was a look in her eyes that he remembered so well. This was happy Becca, relaxed Becca, content Becca.

Even though it wasn't how he’d envisioned it turning out, this was exactly what he’d hoped would happen today. They’d take another step closer toward healing and reuniting.

No longer was Becca fighting against that.

Just because she still hadn't offered him an answer to his question about whether she could give him a second chance, she didn't really need to. He could feel her answer. She was working through her issues, learning to forgive him, learning to trust him again, and he’d know when she was successful because that’s when she’d give him the yes he craved.

All he had to do was show her that he would always put her first.

“Guess we did wind up capsizing,” he said, his gaze drifting to her lips. How badly he wanted to kiss them.

“I think that was inevitable from the moment you decided to tickle me just because I splashed a little water on you,” Becca said wryly.

“If I got wet it was only fair we both did.”

Because he was holding her against his body, her legs wrapped around his hips, he felt the way she shifted at the mention of getting wet.

Was his girl wet for him?

Did she long to feel him inside her as desperately as he longed to shove those cute little, short shorts down her legs, pull her panties off with his teeth, and then plunge inside her tight, wet heat?

Now it was his turn to shift as his body responded to the beautiful woman wrapped around him. This was different than when he offered her the comfort of taking his length into her mouth. That was about soothing her, reassuring her, offering her the power over him to do whatever she wanted, to make sure she knew she was in control when it came to them and their relationship.

This was about need and desire, warring inside him with his brain’s knowledge that Becca wasn't ready yet for this step even if she was thinking about it.

Because he would never do anything to her without her express consent, he started swimming them back toward the pier. That had been their rules after her assault. Two months after she’d decided she was ready to try being intimate, he’d been uncertain if enough time had passed. They’d decided together that so long as Becca clearly articulated what she was and wasn't comfortable with, he gave it to her.

If she wanted his mouth on her, she asked for it, and he gave it to her.

If she wanted his fingers roaming her body, she asked for it, and he gave it to her.

If she wanted sex, she asked for it, and he gave it to her.

So long as she asked with words, he knew she was sure it was what she wanted.

Today she wasn't asking with her words. The look in her eyes said she wanted more than him just holding her. The way her hips rocked ever so slightly against his hardening length also said she wanted more.

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