Playboy (The Trident Series II: BRAVO Team #4)

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

As Gabby drove to the condo with Playboy following her, she kept thinking back to her earlier conversation with Clover and Jocelyn.

The drive from Bear and Jocelyn’s house to the condo seemed longer than usual, each passing minute amplifying her anxiety. She wanted to let her walls down, to be vulnerable and intimate with Playboy in a way she hadn’t been since losing her leg. But the fear of how he might react to her stump still gnawed at her.

When they finally pulled into their parking spots at the condo, she took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

Moments later, Playboy was there opening her door for her.

“Are you okay?” he asked gently.

Gabby nodded, forcing a smile. “Yeah, just…thinking.”

He gave her one last look, but thankfully, he didn’t press her further. Instead, he took her hand and helped her out of the car. As they walked to the condo, Gabby’s mind raced with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Could she really do this?

As soon as the front door was unlocked and they were safely inside, Playboy pulled her into a tight hug. As she wrapped her arms around him, she could feel the tension in his body.

She knew he was worried. And she wanted to take those worries away.

“I’m okay,” Gabby murmured, running her hands soothingly over his back. “And you’re here with me now.”

Playboy sighed, still holding her close. “I know, it’s just unnerving.”

Without giving it any more thought, she tilted her head up and captured his lips in a kiss to silence his worries. The kiss quickly deepened, and she felt his tension begin to melt away as his arms snaked around her waist, pulling her closer to his body.

“Bedroom,” she mumbled, breaking their kiss for just a second before latching back onto his lips.

Playboy’s hands moved down over her hips. Bending slightly, he gripped the back of her thighs and lifted her up. Her legs went around his waist, though her left leg made it a little awkward. But Playboy didn’t seem to care as he carried them down the hall to the bedroom.

Pulling back, Playboy smiled.

“Are you trying to distract me?” he asked.

“Maybe,” Gabby replied, running her fingers through his thick hair, making it stand up. “Is it working?” she asked, a playful smile pulling at her lips.

“Anything pertaining to you is a distraction, but this is a much-welcomed distraction.”

“Good to know,” she said and winked at him, making him laugh.

He set her down on her feet before taking her face into his hands and kissing her again. When they both came up for air, Gabby’s heart was pounding in her chest.

The small lamp on the nightstand provided just enough light for a warm, romantic atmosphere.

Playboy looked at her with a mixture of love and desire. She felt a flutter of nervousness in her stomach, but it was quickly overshadowed by the warmth in his brown eyes.

He stepped closer, his hands gently resting on her hips before sliding up her sides, his touch sending shivers down her spine. His fingers brushed the hem of her tank top, and she knew what was coming next. She held her breath as he slowly lifted it, his movements unhurried and deliberate, as if he wanted to savor every moment.

“Gabby,” he whispered, his voice full of rasp, “You’re so beautiful.”

She blushed, feeling the heat rise to her cheeks, but his words eased the tension in her. She raised her arms, letting him slip the top over her head. As it came off, she felt a rush of cool air against her bare skin, but it was nothing compared to the warmth of his gaze. His eyes roamed over her, taking in the sight of her in just her white lace bra and grey lounge pants. And the way he looked at her made her feel like she was the only woman in the world.

Playboy tossed the top aside, his hands returning to her waist. He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her collarbone, then another just above the edge of her bra. Her breath hitched, and she instinctively arched toward him, craving more of his touch.

He moved slowly, deliberately, his fingers tracing the outline of her bra strap before he slipped it off her shoulder. “Do you know how long I’ve wanted this?” he murmured, his lips brushing her skin as he spoke. “To be with you like this?”

Gabby’s heart swelled at his words, and she reached up to thread her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer. “I’m sure our timeframes are similar,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

As his hands made their way to the waistband of her lounge pants, Gabby froze, her heart rate spiking. It wasn’t that Playboy hadn’t seen her leg. It’s just he’s never seen it during a time like this.

Playboy noticed her worry and paused, his eyes soft and reassuring. He cupped her face in his hands.

“You’re the most amazing person I’ve ever met. Your leg doesn’t change that. You’re beautiful inside and out,” he said quietly. “But if you’re uncomfortable, we can stop.”

Gabby shook her head, her resolve strengthening. “No, I don’t want to stop. I want you. I want this.”

“Good, because I want you too—every inch of you,” he told her as he kissed her neck. She felt him smile against her skin as his fingers slipped into the waistband of her pants. She felt her pulse quicken as he slid them down her legs, his touch lingering on her thighs. When he got to her where her prosthetic was, he looked up at her. “Hold onto my shoulders,” he said softly, and she did as she watched him maneuver the cotton pants off her right leg before moving to the left with the prosthetic. Watching him be so gentle warmed her heart. Once they were off, he tossed them to the side before meeting her eyes and winking, sending her heart into overdrive.

Now, she was left standing in just her bra and matching panties, feeling both exposed and cherished under his gaze.

Kneeling in front of her, Playboy rested his hands on her hips as he looked up at her, his expression full of adoration. “You’re perfect, Gabby,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Every part of you.”

She swallowed hard, feeling a lump in her throat. The sincerity in his voice and the way he looked at her were almost too much to bear. She wanted to say something, to tell him how much this meant to her, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she simply nodded, blinking back the tears.

His gaze shifted to her prosthetic.

Playboy looked up at her, his expression gentle and full of understanding. “May I?” he whispered.

A tear slipped from the corner of her eye, her emotions overwhelming her as she nodded. This would be the first time anyone besides a medical professional touched her leg below the knee.

She placed her hands on his shoulders, gripping them for support as he carefully removed the prosthetic. His touch was so tender, so reverent, that it made her heart ache in the best possible way.

When the prosthetic was finally off, he did something that shocked her. He leaned forward and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to her stump. The gesture was so intimate, so unexpected, that more tears welled up in her eyes.

“Tanner…” she whispered, her voice breaking.

He looked up at her, his expression full of love and admiration. “You’re beautiful, Gabby. Every part of you.”

His words made her heart swell, and when he began to kiss his way back up her body, her need for him grew stronger with each touch. He teased her, his fingers and lips dancing over her skin and through the fabric of her lace panties, leaving her practically panting with desire. The way he touched her, the way he made her feel, was unlike anything she’d ever experienced. She wanted him more than ever, needing the connection, the closeness that only he could give her.

He slowly stood, and as his lips hovered over hers again, she whispered, “I need you now.”

◆◆◆

Gabby had completely caught him off guard. Her unexpected but welcomed kiss had silenced his lingering worries. He hadn’t wanted her to feel rushed into having sex, knowing she had been through so much. But when she allowed him to remove her prosthetic, that in itself was an intimate and sacred moment. It was also his silent promise that he accepted every part of her.

Now, as she pressed her practically naked body against him, he felt a surge of happiness and a determination to worship her like the queen she was. He marveled at the beauty of her body.

Not wanting her to be uncomfortable balancing on one leg, he lifted her up and gently laid her down on the soft bed.

Gabby’s fingers fumbled with his shirt, and he helped her, lifting it over his head and tossing it on the floor.

“You still have too many clothes on,” she stated with a sassy smirk.

“I do, don’t I?” he said, grinning before he got off the bed and quickly removed his jeans and boxer briefs.

Gabby’s eyes widened as she took in the sight of his nakedness, but then the little minx stared at his cock and licked her lips. That small little gesture nearly made him explode as he imagined her plump lips wrapped around his cock.

“Like what you see?” he asked, and she nodded.

She then surprised him when she sat up and unhooked her bra and flung it aside before moving to her panties and slowly shimmied out of them.

“How about you? Do you like what you see?” she asked, her voice low and husky sounding, which drove him crazy.

He swallowed hard as he took a moment to admire her. She was breathtaking, her body a perfect blend of strength and vulnerability.

Slowly, he crawled onto the bed, moving up her body, making sure to touch and kiss every inch he could. Once he was completely covering her, he leaned down and kissed her. It was slow but deep, their tongues dancing together as he savored the connection between them. His hands explored her curves and the softness of her skin.

Gabby responded with equal passion, her fingers threading through his hair, her touch igniting a fire within him.

He wanted to make love to her so badly, but he wanted to make sure their first time was memorable for both of them.

He pulled from her lips and kissed her jaw, then down her neck. He took his time, worshipping her with his mouth and hands. He kissed and licked his way down her body, eliciting soft moans and gasps from her. When he finally reached the apex of her thighs and saw how wet her pretty pussy was, he couldn’t hold back and dove in.

His tongue lapped at her folds, and he could feel her legs start to shake, indicating she was close. As he continued to tease her with his tongue, he applied pressure to her clit with his thumb, and her hips bucked. Her breaths started coming in ragged gasps as her hands gripped the bedding.

“Please, Tanner,” she whimpered, her voice filled with need.

Knowing she was more than ready, he moved back up her body, positioning himself between her legs.

“I’ve got you,” he whispered, kissing her deeply as he slowly entered her.

Playboy pulled away from the kiss, closing his eyes and burying his face in the crook of her neck. The sensation was overwhelming. They moved together in a rhythm that felt both primal and tender. Each thrust brought them closer, their bodies and souls entwined.

Playboy’s hands roamed her body, caressing her breasts, her waist, and her hips. He wanted to memorize every inch of her.

Gabby dug her nails into his back, her legs wrapping around his waist to pull him in deeper.

Their pace quickened, and the room filled with the sounds of their passion. Playboy felt the tension building, a coil tightening within him. He could see the same intensity in Gabby’s eyes.

“I love you, Gabby,” he whispered, the words slipping out naturally.

“I love you too,” Gabby said back, her voice filled with emotion.

The declaration of love for each other pushed them both over the edge. Playboy’s movements became more urgent, each thrust driving them higher. Gabby’s body tightened around him, her climax triggering his own, making them cry out together as their releases mingled in a wave of euphoria.

Spent and sated, Playboy collapsed beside Gabby and pulled her into his arms. They lay there, panting from the intensity of their lovemaking.

Gabby turned toward him and snuggled against him, her fingers tracing patterns on his chest. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice soft and content.

“For what?” he asked, kissing the top of her head.

“For making me feel beautiful and for loving me.”

Playboy tightened his hold on her, his heart full. “You are beautiful. And I’ll always love you, just as you are.”

“I’ll always love you, too,” she said, looking up at him. Her cheeks were flushed, making her look well-loved.

He smiled and kissed her nose before reaching for the blanket and pulling it up over them.

As they drifted off to sleep, Playboy felt complete. He had a career he loved and finally had the woman he loved and who was meant to be his.