Page 16 of Relief Pitcher

COOPER

When my brain processed what my eyes were taking in, my mouth fell open wide enough for a train to drive through. It wasn’t the miles of bare flesh and toned muscle that had my nervous system in overdrive. No, my attention had latched onto the lacy turquoise fabric covering Tyler’s pert ass. The underwear—panties?—were cut high on his long, muscular thighs and a pouch cupped him snugly in the front.

I had no idea how much time had passed. It could’ve been years for as aware I was of anything but that gorgeous man standing there in the sexiest underwear I’d ever seen. He shifted on his feet, which broke me out of my lust-addled haze.

I expected him to make a joke to break the tension. From the little I knew of him, that seemed to be his go-to, but I sure as hell didn’t expect his jaw to clench, the defiant square to his shoulders, or the flash of vulnerability in his eyes. The expression was all wrong. He should stand proudly in his undeniable sex appeal. He held my stare in the mirror like he dared me to make fun of him.

“Expecting a jockstrap?”

The defensiveness in his tone made me wince. My gut said to be careful with my next words—that whatever I said mattered in a way I didn’t fully understand.

“Not at all. I’m just surprised to see turquoise because you seem like more of a green guy, but I gotta admit that might be your color. It’s definitely the right cut.” I gave his body a slow once-over so he could read the truth on my face. “And fabric.” I found his stare in the mirror and held it. I didn’t try to hide my growing erection or walk away and pretend I hadn’t accidentally walked in on him. I should’ve knocked. What the hell had I been thinking?

Tyler let out a shaky breath. “You’re right. Green is my favorite color. I’ve got a green pair that’s solid lace.” He sounded more confident, and the look he gave me could melt steel.

I wanted to see not only the green ones but every pair he owned. It would give me jerk-off fodder for months. I wanted to hook my fingertips into the waistband of the panties and slowly slide them down his thighs, letting the hair catch the lace. I wanted to kiss his neck and lick his nipples until a wet spot marred the silky material from how turned on he was.

Tyler turned and stepped toward me, prowling, clearly falling back into the air of confidence that had surrounded him since we’d met. I let out a breath that was half-relief, half-terror. I glanced at his lips and watched the corner of them tilt.

His hand brushed mine, sending a shock wave through my veins, as he took the towel from my arms and turned to place it on the bathroom counter. I took the opportunity to stare at his ass before finding him smirking at me. The pheromones poured out of him. Every look, every calculated move he made screamed that he wanted to fuck me.

Jesus, I wanted to fuck him. I wanted to push the panties far enough down his thighs to reveal his cock and suck on it until he shook underneath me, in front of me, and on top of me. Anywhere.

I’d wanted to get back out there, and the universe had handed me a present wrapped in lace. The only thing missing was a big red bow on his dick. I chuckled when I noticed the bow on the waistband of his panties right above his growing bulge.

Screw it. I have this gorgeous guy in my house who I’ll probably never see again. It’s time.

I reached out and gripped his hips, pulling him against me.

“Oh, fuck yeah,” Tyler managed before my lips slammed against his, hungry.

I kissed like I was starved. Tyler was a juicy steak dangled in front of a lion that hadn’t eaten in days. Technically, three years. I was fucking famished, and Tyler tasted like a perfectly prepared filet mignon.

He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, slid his fingers into my hair, tugging gently, and angled my head exactly where he wanted. Despite how badly I wanted to manhandle him, I let it happen. I loved the show of power.

My dick was hard enough to pound nails. His earthy scent, the warmth of his body, the bulk of a man in my arms again had all my nerve endings firing.

“Well, that confirms it,” he said as he kissed down my jaw.

“Huh?” I blinked.

“That you’re into men.”

My fingers itched to slide around Tyler’s back and slip beneath the waistband of his panties, but the heat had started to clear. My desperate need scared the hell out of me, so I pulled back, breathing hard.

I’d kissed someone else. I’d touched another man without Aleck watching with his hungry, approving stare. Kissing Tyler hit as right as it did wrong. A dam in me broke. Guilt and freedom crashed in alternating waves.

Tyler’s lips were puffy. “Everything okay?”

I ran my fingers through my hair.What the hell should I tell him?I could be honest and dredge up the death of my husband while killing every boner within a five-mile radius, or I could brush it off. That was a dick move. Or come up with some excuse, but I was a shit liar. The longer I thought about it, the faster I could see Tyler’s expression shuttering. It wasn’t his fault I was a mess.

“My husband’s dead,” I blurted.

He blinked a few times. I could’ve done better with the delivery.

“That really fucking sucks.”

A laugh burst out of me. That wasn’t the usual response I got. “Yeah, it does.” I cleared my throat and pushed on. “And I haven’t been with anyone. In a while.”

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