Tough Love

Stack looked up at her and whispered, “Wider.”

He hadn’t even touched her yet, and already she felt her body warming, softening. She bit her lip and widened her legs.

“Mmm. Perfect.” He cupped his hands low on either side of her hips, his long fingers curling around to her bottom cheeks.

Keeping her eyes closed, she waited—and jumped when he opened her with his thumbs. She felt his breath and heard his smile when he said, “You are so pretty.”

Knowing where he looked at her, her face went hot.

The first touch of his tongue made her lock her knees. Less than three minutes later she gave a soft moan.

Five minutes after that she wasn’t sure she could continue standing. “Stack!”

His hands held her backside more securely, supporting her while his mouth continued to eat at her, licking and sucking until her muscles all clenched in a powerful orgasm. Crying out, she grabbed the doorknob with one hand, and tangled the other in his hair.

He maintained the rhythm, and when the last of the trembling sensation drained out of her, he shot to his feet, hooked one of her legs in his arm, and before she could even catch her breath, he was in her.

Against her cheek, while thrusting hard and fast, he whispered darkly, “You taste so fucking good.”

Vanity held on to him. “I bet you’ll taste good, too.”

He went still for three heartbeats, then gathered her closer with a harsh groan, and she knew he was coming.

She coasted a hand down his damp back, solid with tensed muscled, all the way to that tight, sexy butt.

When he slumped against her, satisfaction kept her smiling. Satisfaction, and love. So much love.

She hugged him tight. “You are so good at this.”

His ragged laugh shook them both.

“Careful,” she said. “I’m barely keeping myself upright. If you drop, we’re both going down.”

He heaved a deep breath, levered back the length of one strong arm, and smiled so tenderly at her, she almost choked up.

He kissed her mouth, her cheek, her neck. “I would love to take you back to bed just to hold you awhile, but I’m already late.”

“I know. It’s okay.”

“Have you ever driven in the snow? I want you to be extra careful today.”

“As a matter of fact, I have, in other countries. And, yes, I will be.”

“If anything happens, if you need me for any reason, call.”

His concern had to count for something, and that buoyed her hope. “I will.” Pretending to pout, she added, “I’ll just have to do a regular old call though. No bat signal for me.”

“I was thinking about that.” When Stack kissed her this time, it wasn’t a kiss to excite, but rather a kiss of affection. “You should have emergency access, just in case. I’ll pick up a phone for you, and we’ll get that taken care of tonight.”

Shocked, she said nothing as he gave her one last, quick kiss, gathered up his clothes, and prepared to go.

Vanity kept it together until she told him goodbye at the front door. Then she danced, twirling through the house and laughing with excitement. Maggie and Norwood joined her. The dogs liked her. Stack’s mother and sister liked her. Soon, hopefully, Stack would more than like her.

She wanted his love. She wanted to be a part of his wonderful family.

And she wanted Stack Hannigan for forever.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

TABBY NOW HAD golden highlights in her dark blond hair, which the stylist trimmed and shaped, making it fuller. Vanity loved the new look, and, given how Tabby continually shook her hair, touched it, smoothed it, she did, too.

“It feels better.”

Vanity grinned. “I love their deep conditioning.” Both women had fresh polish on their nails, and their feet were submerged in bubbling pools of warm water over polished pebbles.

Turning her head to face Vanity, tears in her eyes, Tabby smiled. “Thank you for this. It’s been...well, amazing.”

Gently, Vanity smiled at her. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. Having you here made it so fun. We should set up regular appointments.”

That made Tabby laugh. “This place is awesome, but also high-end. I’ve never even been in here, and I definitely can’t afford to visit. This is a onetime, very special day for me.”

The nail techs returned to the room, so Vanity didn’t say anything more. But if Tabby would agree, well, she’d love to have a regular salon day with her. Stack’s sister emoted with flair, but she was also honest and enthusiastic, and despite the siblings’ continued bickering, Vanity knew Tabby truly loved Stack, and vice versa. While their feet were buffed and massaged, and their toenails painted, she and Tabby indulged in idle chitchat.