Vanished... Without a Trace 17/24 (Adult)
This is a moden day, Young Riders/Without a Trace crossover written by me andshantyrfan. All of your favorite characters (and a few not so favorite) are here, and alive and well. The non familiar characters don't belong to us (with the exception of the resort staff and the name of Tag's youngest daughter), they belong to the creators of Without a Trace. For those that aren't familiar with this story, it was inspired by this clip Kid and the Breakfast of Champions
Chapter 17
By the time they had reached the barn, both were laughing too hard to declare a winner and agreed it was a tie. By the time they reached their room, they were both exhausted and decided a nap would do them both some good.
An hour later, Lou woke up smiling as she felt Tag’s arms wrapped around her in a loving embrace. She was determined to make his birthday special in any way she could think of, and she had several thoughts in mind.
Gently slipping out of bed, she scribbled a quick note in case he woke up, grabbed her wire and a change of clothes and headed into the bathroom. After a quick shower and change of clothing, she gently kissed Tag on the cheek before grabbing her purse and heading out.
Once downstairs, she immediately went to the restaurant and checked out the menu. She wanted something special for his dinner, and after speaking to the maitre’d, she chose a romantic dinner of shrimp fettuccini and since it was his birthday, they offered to make a small cake for him.
Lou left and walked towards the boutiques and gift shops wanting to find that perfect gift. As she passed by one of the shops, an item in the display window caught her eye and she immediately went inside to purchase it.
Afterwards, she continued to the gift shop where she purchased a bag of butterscotch candy and then into a western clothing store where she bought him a shirt that would look perfect with his eyes as well as a pair of cowboy boots. She had his presents gift wrapped and then headed back to the room.
Lou smiled as she entered the room and saw Tag curled up around her pillow. She removed her wire and put his gifts on the table. She hid her other package in the drawer, not wanting him to see it until later. She heard the soft knock on the door and opened it to let the waiter bring in their dinner.
“I didn’t order any champagne,” she said as he set up a bucket filled with ice and placed a bottle of champagne in it.
“Compliments of the hotel for the special occasion,” he said.
Lou debated about having him take it back, knowing Tag wouldn’t have any, but decided against it; she may need the courage it offered later on. Tipping the waiter generously, she watched him leave and then crawled onto the bed kissing Tag lightly on the lips.
“Good morning, sleepy head,” she teased.
Tag smiled as his eyes opened to see Lou smiling down at him. “I could get used to this,” he said lifting his head to kiss her. “What time is it?”
“Time for you to wake up and have dinner,” she said saucily as she tried to stand up.
Tag reached for her and pulled her back down on the bed. “I think I’d rather have desert,” he said kissing her neck.
All of Lou’s plans left her mind as she started getting lost in his kisses. Finally regaining her senses, she pulled back. “Our dinner’s getting cold,” she said getting out of the bed and heading to the table.
Tag nodded and joined her, his jaw dropping as he saw the food and gifts. “When did you do this?” he asked.
“While you were sleeping. I wanted to make tonight special for you.”
“Just being here with you is making it special,” he said reaching out and taking her hand.
Lou blushed at his statement and then uncovered the dishes. “And if you save room, there’s a cake for afterwards. Unfortunately, they only brought up a bottle of champagne, but I can go to the vending machine and grab some sodas.”
Tag shook his head and took the bottle from the bucket. “It’s a special occasion, one or two glasses won’t hurt me,” he said popping the cork.
“Are you sure?” she questioned.
Tag nodded and grinned. “Besides, if I drink too much, you once promised to take advantage of me, remember?”
Lou giggled as she took her glass and took a sip and the bubbles tickled her nose. “Or were you suppose to take advantage of me?”
Tag shook his head. “Never. I care too much about you to let that ever happen to you again,” he said seriously. “A toast,” he said raising his glass. “To a successful undercover operation while enjoying our honeymoon.”
“To birthdays. May your thirtieth be more enjoyable than mine was.”
They clinked glasses and Lou giggled as Tag wrapped his arm around hers and drank.
The rest of the meal was eaten in silence, both stealing shy glances at each other. After the meal, Lou started a pot of coffee and they took their slices of cake and his gifts over to the couch. Tag was amazed at how thoughtful her gifts were, trying not to remember how Naomi would usually just purchase him a tie or sweater that he already had two or three of.
“Thank you,” Tag leaned forward to kiss her. “I was dreading this day.”
“I though only woman dreaded turning thirty,” Lou teased.
“It’s not turning thirty so much as being alone again. Naomi and I had talked about going away on a long weekend to celebrate; of course that was before she met Mr. Perfect.”
“She already had Mr. Perfect if you ask me.” Lou smiled as she kissed him. “But I guess her loss is my gain.”
Tag grinned as she moved to slide into his lap, “Happy birthday, Tag.” She started to kiss him but he stopped her. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want you doing anything just because it’s my birthday.” He looked at her lovingly as he stroked her hair.
“I’m not, I promise. I feel like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders now that you know. I still can’t believe you still want me though.” She lowered her head, the shame of her past getting the best of her again.
“Lou, it wasn’t your fault. He manipulated you and took advantage of you.” With his hand he lifted her chin so that she’d look him in the eyes. “Most girls wouldn’t have been able to survive what you went through. You are the most amazing woman and I thank God for bringing you into my life.”
Desperate to show her what she meant to him, he kissed her tenderly on the lips. To his surprise, Lou immediately responded, deepening the kiss as their tongues entwined. Lou turned her body to straddle him but moaned in pain as she stretched her leg over his.
“What’s wrong?” Tag looked at her with concern.
“It’s nothing, just a bit sore from the riding earlier. It’s been too long since I’ve been on a horse.”
“I know. I’m surprised I can even walk right now.”
A huge grin appeared on Lou’s face. “Well, maybe we should give the Jacuzzi another try, to help relax our muscles.”
“I don’t think it’s such a good idea Lou,” Tag looked at her worriedly. The last thing he wanted was her to experience another flashback, he didn’t think he could handle seeing her that distraught again.
“I’ll be fine.”
“What if you...”
“I promise I’ll let you know if something doesn’t feel right.” Lou looked at him pleadingly. “Tag, I need to do this. I can’t live my whole life avoiding getting into hot tubs with sexy men, now can I?”
Despite his concerns, her playful smile won him over. “Well, when you put it like that, how can a sexy guy refuse?”
Lou kissed him one last time before getting up from his lap. “I’ll be out in just a minute,” she said as she grabbed a bikini out of the dresser drawer and headed into the bathroom to change.
Tag got up and pulled out his own swimsuit, praying that he wasn’t making the biggest mistake of his life by agreeing to this. After learning what Wicks had done to her, he wasn’t about to make the first move and he definitely didn’t want them to start something in the Jacuzzi that she couldn’t handle. As aroused as he was already feeling from just their kisses, he feared he might lose control with her if they continued. No, I won’t. I can’t, he reminded himself. Giving in could end up hurting her in the long run.
After he changed, Tag went into the spa room and started filling the tub. He opted not to dim the lights or turn on any music. He wanted to make the setting as unromantic as possible, hoping to remind both himself and her, that they were in there to relax their aching muscles and not fool around. At least that’s what he tried to tell himself as he stepped into the whirlpool and started the jets. He leaned back against a set of massaging jets finally letting go of his anxiety when Lou walked in wearing a skimpy red bikini. To his dismay the halter-style top had only a thin strap of material connecting the breasts cups, exposing much of her silky flesh.
“Why is it so bright in here?” Lou asked as she dimmed the lights. She then crossed and turned on the stereo system, and quickly finding some soft classical music. “That’s better.”
She eased into the Jacuzzi and saw Tag’s uneasy expression. “What’s wrong?
“Nothing,” he lied, not wanting to sound like a prude. “I guess that champagne just went to my head a little.”
“Hhmm,” she sighed as she leaned back into in a seat across from him. “I still can’t believe you drank some.”
“Well, we were celebrating.”
Lou started to giggle but shrieked in pain instead, “AH!”
“What’s wrong?” Tag quickly moved to sit next to her.
“My right thigh is cramping up something awful.”
“Where?” Tag asked as his hands touched her outer thigh.
“No, over here,” she said as she moved his hand to her inner thigh.
Tag massaged her leg, trying to keep focus on helping her and not where his hands were. “How’s that?”
“Hhhmm.” Lou sighed. “It feels better already.” She tried to slide onto his lap, but he gently pulled away from her. “Tag? What’s wrong?”
“It just doesn’t feel right, is all.”
Lou’s hands guided his to her hips as she attempted to straddle him again, this time with success. She smiled when she felt the beginnings of his arousal. “Sure feels right to me.”
“That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”
“Tag, I’m okay.” She looked him in the eyes, “In fact, I’m much better than okay. Talking to you has really helped me get a lot of it out. It’s like Dr. Annie said, I couldn’t let myself feel comfortable with this until I was honest with you about everything. The guilt about lying was what was causing me to back away.”
“I just don’t want this to be anything like before for you.”
“It’s not, I know that in my heart. I always did, it’s just my secrets got in the way.”
“I’m glad you finally told me.”
“Me too. Now I’m not afraid to do this.” She kissed his mouth persuasively, her tongue penetrating through his lips and hungrily seeking to mate with his. Her hands roamed across his toned body quickly finding their way southward.
Tag moaned as she grasped his manhood through his swimsuit, his own hands exploring the firm flesh of her buttocks. She moaned in response as her right hand slipped under his waistband, while she wrapped her left arm around his neck for support.
Tag thought he was going to explode the minute he felt her bare hand grasp his member. “Oh, Lou!”
She responded by pressing her womanhood against him and he responded by slipping his right hand lower. When he found her sweet folds he was amazed at how moist she was from her own arousal even in the water. His finger found her sweet spot and she gasped slightly. He watched her to make sure she was okay before he began caressing her lovingly.
Lou found herself on a roller coaster ride of pleasure from the gentle rhythm Tag’s finger was creating. With each stroke, she discovered new sensations encompassing her. Though she continued to fondle him, Tag found he was much more interested in pleasing her. He moved his hand slightly, slipping his finger inside her.
“Oh!” She gasped in surprise.
“Lou?” He looked, unsure if he’d gone too far, but keeping his hand in place still. “Do you want me to stop? Just say the word and I will.”
She shook her head, “No, please. I want this.”
She kissed him in reassurance and he responded by gently sliding his finger in and out, while he stroked her swollen clit with his thumb. Lou moaned in ecstasy as waves of pleasure she never knew existed ran through her body. She began to involuntary buck in rhythm with Tag’s stokes.
Tag watched as she lost herself in his touch. Her breathing became deep and when he heard her gasps catch in her throat, he knew she was close to the brink. He suddenly realized between pleasuring her and her own ministrations and bucking against him, he was on the verge of exploding himself. He groaned as he refused to give into his need to let go and continued thrusting his finger in and out of her.
“AH!” Lou cried as she felt a surging wave envelope her body, like an explosion of fireworks erupting as her womanhood pulsated out of control.
Tag felt the spasm in her folds and the sight of her orgasm sent him over the edge as well. He held her close, both still lost in oblivion. Her head rested on his shoulder and she began to sob. The sound of her soft whimpering brought him back to reality.
“Lou, are you okay?”
She looked at him and nodded, unable to speak.
“What is it, sweetheart? You’re acting like that’s never happened to you before.”
Lou lowered her head in shame before the words finished leaving his mouth and he realized the truth. He looked at her with confusion, although he found himself already growing aroused from the idea that he was the first to give her an orgasm. “I don’t understand. I thought you said ...”
“No,” she shook her head and interrupted him before he finished. “He was never concerned with me enjoying it, just making sure I did what he wanted.” She lowered her head again, afraid the tears would start again if she continued looking at him.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize...”
“Don’t be sorry,” she smiled at him. “I’m not.”
“You aren’t?”
“I never imagined it could be like that for me, and you gave me something I’d never had before.” She smiled slyly and nibbled on his ear as she whispered. “Makes me wonder what else I haven’t experienced yet.”
Her hands dropped to his waistband and she began to try coaxing him to stand so she could take off his swimsuit.
Tag groaned, before he grabbed her hands. “Lou, I think we should stop.”
“Why?”
The look of hurt on her face tore at his heart. “Because I don’t want to do this where you two did. I don’t want it to be like it was for you with him.”
“Trust me, Tag. It’s not.” She stood and reached behind her back to undo her top.
“Lou, please.” Tag met her eyes, wanting her to understand. “I don’t want our first time together to be like this. I want us to create our own memory, not trying to replace your bad one.”
“Do you think that’s all I’m doing?”
“No, of course not.” He pulled her back into his lap and kissed her forehead. “I don’t think that at all, I guess it came out wrong. I just want it to be different for you is all.”
Lou nodded, understanding what Tag meant. He kissed her softly as he held her close. She smiled, being in his arms brought her a feeling of love and security that she’d never felt before. Lou yawned against his neck and he chuckled.
“Maybe we should get ready for bed,” he said pulling away from her.
“Sounds good to me,” she said wickedly.
“I mean for sleep. We’ve both had a long day and they’re only gonna get longer.”
Lou nodded and reluctantly moved off him and got out of the tub. Tag watched her and smiled as he realized their fooling around had caused the bottom of her suit to ride up. This is going to be a long night, he told himself as he entered the living area just as Lou shut the door to the bathroom.
But as time passed, Tag paced the room nervously still not believing what had happened in the hot tub or that she had never experienced that before. He’d felt honored at being the one she first shared that with, but the longer it took for her to get ready for bed, the more worried he became something had happened to trigger another flashback causing her to withdraw again.
Tag crossed over to the closet and pulled down the extra blankets and pillows. He knew there was no way he would be able to sleep in the same bed with her now and tried to settle down on the couch. But he just grew more concerned and started pacing the room again.
“Lou,” he called out as he walked by the door. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” her voice squeaked. “I’ll be out in a minute. Do you need in here?”
“No, it’s all right, take your time.”
Lou looked in the mirror one last time and smiled. She couldn’t believe after so long, she was finally ready to give herself heart, mind and body to someone she loved. She was still a bit nervous, but Tag had already proven it would be different with him. And as much as it frightened her, she’d never wanted anything more in her life.
Taking one last deep breath, she opened the bathroom door and emerged, disappointed when she didn’t see him. “Tag?” she called out.
Tag turned over on the couch when he heard Lou’s voice. He was shocked at what he saw, and fell off the couch. She was wearing a simple white, knit eyelet trim chemise that enhanced and showed of her small but perfect breasts with the ribbon trim. He’d never seen anything so simple yet sexy as hell in his life and wondered where she had been hiding it; he would’ve remembered seeing it in her suitcase with the other lingerie she had brought.
Lou’s hand flew to her mouth to cover the giggle she knew was about to escape. “Surprise,” she said lowering her hand and smiling at him.
Tag got up and sat on the couch waiting for her to make the first move; he had no doubt what she had in mind, and he didn’t think he could refuse her this time.
Lou straddled Tag and began to kiss him passionately. Her tongue danced with his in sweeping, swirling motions as she started to unbutton his shirt. Tag grabbed her wrists gently and pulled back.
“Lou, I don’t think I’ll be able to stop this time, if we don’t stop this now. I don’t want to do anything that would hurt or scare you.”
Lou nodded, her heart bursting with love that he cared so much. “You won’t. Please, Tag. I’m ready… I want… no I need to make love to you,” she said as her mouth recaptured his and slid her hand under his pajama bottoms.
Tag groaned and his body jerked in surprise as her fingers wrapped around the hardness of his arousal. She started to pull her hand back but Tag stopped her. “Don’t,” he whispered in her ear before he began nibbling on it.
Lou giggled and began to slide down his body licking and kissing her way down. She reached for his bottoms trying to pull them down over his hips. Tag reluctantly lifted his hips wondering what she was planning as she resumed stroking him.
Lou gasped as she saw the size of him. Even when she had felt his virile masculinity, she never imagined what he had to offer. She stopped her ministrations and began to wonder if she was making a mistake.
“Lou?” Tag asked when he noticed she stopped and had a worried look. “If you don’t want to continue…” Tag moaned as he felt her moist lips surround him. He threw his head back and closed his eyes, knowing he’d lose it right there if he looked down at her.
Each noise Tag made only encouraged Lou more. She loved the feel of him, the taste of him as she took as much as she could into her mouth. Nothing had ever felt so natural; it was like they were made for each other in more ways than she could imagine. Finally, somehow, even with his hips thrusting like mad, she was finally able to take all of him completely.
Without warning, Tag exploded harder than he ever had in his life and he cried her name out over and over in ecstasy as he shuddered and convulsed; his seed flowing out of him in what felt like endless streams.
As his climax subsided and he started to regain control of his senses, Tag couldn’t believe what had just happened. Naomi rarely did that, and never to his fulfillment. He finally opened his eyes to see Lou smiling up at him with a wanton look. “Oh God, Lou,” he moaned.
Lou’s face fell at his words. “I’m sorry,” she stuttered. “Did I do something wrong?”
Tag shook his head, pulled her up next to him and gazed at Lou in bewilderment, his mind still in a daze from the sensations running through his body. "Where did you learn to..." He stopped the minute he saw the look on Lou's face. He remembered what she had told him and then some of the messages he had read on Teresa‘s computer and shook his head. "God, I'm so sorry, Lou." He pulled her back into his lap, wrapping her tightly in his comforting embrace.
"It's okay, I guess that means you liked it." She tried to giggle softly.
"It’s not okay, Lou. I don't want you doing anything he made you..."
She shook her head. "Tag, if we didn't do any of that, there wouldn't be much left to do." She kissed him tenderly on the mouth.
Kid pulled back, still unsure if she was doing this because she wanted to. "I mean, I don't want you doing this just because you think you need to please me. Because you‘ve been trained or taught…"
"I'm not, Tag." Lou cupped his face and looked him in the eyes. “With you, it's nothing like before," she said before growing quiet. "Anything I do with you is because I want to.” A horrible thought entered her mind and she had to know. “Or do you not want me? Do I disgust you because of what happened to me?”
Tag rubbed her shoulders. “God, no. I’ve told you that what happened to you was not your fault. It’s people like Wicks that disgust me,” he cupped her face and made her look him in the eyes. “You must know by now that I’ve wanted you since that first dance. But I want you to be sure about this. I’ve waited this long for you; I can wait as long as it takes.”
“I don’t want to wait anymore. Make love to me, Tag,” she said, her voice pleading. When he didn’t move, Lou wiggled around in her lap, settling herself right over his reawakening shaft.
Tag growled as Lou wiggled around and his arousal slid between the petal soft, moist folds of her womanhood. Wanting to make this special for her, he stood, picking her up in his arms and carried her over to the bed.
Lou shivered in anticipation as Tag laid her on the bed and crawled in next to her, lying on his side. She looked into his blue eyes and blushed at the passion she saw as he stared at her. "What?" she asked nervously.
"Just thinking how beautiful you look right now. Not that I don't think you’re always beautiful," he said stumbling over his words as he trailed his fingers across her exposed skin.
Every place his fingers roamed, Lou's skin felt like it was on fire. She gasped in pleasure as his thumb brushed across her sensitive nipple as he began to gently knead and stroke her aching breast.
Tag untied the strap at her shoulder and lowered the chemise to give him better access to her beautifully formed, burgeoning, creamy breasts. While he teased one nipple with his thumb and forefinger, he took the other in his mouth suckling it as if he were a newborn.
Lou moaned as his other hand began to move down her body. He rubbed one side of her inner thigh and then the other. She arched her body, silently begging for the sensations he caused earlier. “Please, Tag,” she moaned.
Tag released her nipple from his mouth and looked at her; the desire and passion obvious in her eyes. He decided to move down her body, placing tiny kisses in strategic places.
“Tag, what are you… oh!” she squealed in delight as she felt his tongue flick her most sensitive spot.
“You like that?” he asked as he continued teasing her with his tongue.
She could only nod as she felt several of his thick fingers slide into her.
Tag was determined to bring Lou pleasure again, as many times as she would let him. His tongue licked her from inside of her heat to her most sensitive spot and back; her moans only encouraging him as his fingers continued to plunge deep inside her.
Lou’s breath became unsteady as she began sucking in lungful after lungful of air while spasms of delight rocketed through her. “Tag, please,” she begged. “Stop,” she cried.
Tag immediately stopped and looked up at her. “Lou, what’s wrong? Am I hurting you? Are you…”
Lou shook her head. “I need you inside of me, please.”
“Soon, darling,” he said lovingly. “Soon.” He continued with his mission to please her. Before long, she was crying out in pleasure as her rhythmic convulsions took over her body.
Tag soon moved back up her body and soon the tip of his shaft was teasing her in the same way his tongue had. Lou closed her eyes tight waiting for Tag to finally enter her completely. He was going slowly to give her time to adjust, but she knew the pain would soon come; it always had.
“Lou,” Tag said withdrawing. “Am I hurting you?” Lou slowly shook her head. “Open your eyes then.”
“I can’t,” she said quietly.
Tag grew concerned something was wrong. “Can’t or won’t?”
“Can’t,” she replied.
Tag leaned down and gently kissed each eyelid until he felt them flutter open and he smiled. "Look at me, Lou. I want you to see it won't be like before," he said lovingly as he began to enter her again. "If you want me to stop, just say the word."
Lou realized it was different with her eyes open. She saw the love and passion in his eyes as he took his time making sure she was all right. Lou couldn't wait any longer and arched against him, crying out as he filled her completely in one swift motion.
"Lou?" Tag asked scared he'd hurt her. "Are you okay?" he asked as he rubbed her hair soothingly. She was so tight and the thought that she wasn't ready worried him.
"I'm more than all right," she said as she started moving under him, urging him to continue. There was no pain, no discomfort, just a feeling of being whole and complete for the first time in her life.
Tag delved deeper into her with each rhythmic push as she raised her hips, rocking beneath him. His mouth captured her mouth with hungry urgency, his tongue darting in and out of her mouth in rhythm to their thrusts.
Lou wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist, pulling him closer and deeper inside of her. His erotic kisses were making her delirious and it wasn’t long before she felt the welcomed pressure building inside her as he increased the tempo, grinding his body into hers.
Tag knew she was close again as her breath came in urgent gasps. Soon, she cried out as she felt like she was exploding into a thousand pieces and Tag silenced her screams as his mouth savagely attacked hers.
As her spasms subsided, she began twisting and pressing her hips frantically against him, obeying an instinct she hadn't known she possessed. She never could have imagined how he was making her feel; how wonderful it could be. It may have been his birthday, but she was the one receiving a gift.
As their bodies resumed moving together in harmony, Tag felt himself on the edge. He slowed his motions, wanting to prolong it for her.
“Tag, what’s wrong?” she asked as he slowed. “Am I doing something wrong?”
“God, no, Lou. You’re doin’ everything right. I just…” he groaned as she whimpered and lifted her hips from the mattress in voluptuous abandon. He thrust into her once, then twice, and on the third time, he cried out as he abandoned himself, feeling his seed jettison out in the longest and hottest release of his life.
The site of him losing control sent Lou over the edge again as she groaned in blissful agony, her body convulsing around him, stiffening as her explosive climax took over.
Tag collapsed on top of her, still wanting to remain joined with her as long as possible. His hands began running through her hair and he gazed lovingly into her eyes. There was so much he wanted to say, so much he wanted to tell her, but knew no words needed to be spoken. He was almost positive the love he saw in her eyes was mirrored by his own.
Soon, his softened member slowly eased out of her, causing her to groan in disappointment. He gently rolled off her and pulled her into his arms holding her tightly. Before long, both had fallen into a peaceful slumber.
~~ *~* ~~
Tag woke up sometime later and knew he must have died and gone to heaven; nothing he’d ever experienced alive had made him feel this way. He realized now that with Naomi, it had just been sex, but for the first time in his life, he had made love; and it had been the most magical thing in the world. He was about tell Lou this when he heard her silent sobs and he instantly sat up. He looked around the room and saw her standing by the balcony door, wrapped in a blanket and staring out into the ocean.
“You okay, Lou?” he asked slowly approaching her.
“I’m not sure,” she replied, refusing to look at him.
Tag pulled her body against his and he kissed the top of her head while holding her in a tight but loving embrace. “A few hours ago, the most important thing on my mind was finally doing what we've been avoiding for so long.”
“Me too,” she sighed.
“Seems to me, ending that waiting was more important to us than the reason we wanted to end it.”
“Do you think we made a mistake?” she asked turning to face him; looking into his eyes for the true answer.
“God No,” he said kissing her on the forehead. “No... I’m not sure that we could've done anything else anyway.”
Lou nodded and turned back to look outside again. There was so much she wanted to tell him, but she was too scared.
“I love you, Lou,” Tag said.
Lou stiffened at his words. “Don’t say that,” she begged as she turned to look at him.
“Why not? It’s true.”
Lou shook her head. “How can you love me? You don’t even know who I am.”
Tag cupped her face and looked into her sad eyes. “I know all I need to and it doesn’t change the way I feel about you.”
“How can you say that? I‘m the daughter of a criminal mastermind. I had an affair with his partner. I...”
“I don’t care what you are, I care about who you are.”
“Tag, I don’t even know who I am.”
“Maybe I can help you find out. Let me help you find out who you are.” Tag watched as a range of emotions passed over her. Finally he watched as she slowly nodded and he smiled. “I love you, Lou.”
Lou wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled. “I...” As much as Lou wanted to say the words back, she couldn’t.
Tag’s heart fell at her hesitation. Her brown eyes shone with love, but he realized she’d been hurt too badly in the past to trust herself to say those words again. He silenced her with his finger and smiled. “I know you do. You don’t have to say it until you’re ready. Just know that I do love you.”
Tag kissed her and started to lead her back to bed but Lou suddenly stopped. “Oh no! Oh God no…”
“Lou what’s wrong? What happened?” Tag asked suddenly worried she’d changed her mind about what happened.
“I can’t believe I let this happen,” she cried as she sat on the edge of the bed and buried her face in her hands.
More confused than ever, Tag sat down next to her and began rubbing her back. “Can’t believe you let what happen? Are you regretting what we did?” He prayed it wasn’t true; that was his worst nightmare.
Lou shook her head and finally looked at him. “Tag, we didn’t use anything. I just started taking birth control so it might not be as effective, and it’s not a good time for me.”
Tag smiled and tried not to chuckle as she buried her face again. “Is that all?”
“Is that all? Of course it is. My life is a mess, the last thing I need right now is a…”
“Another baby?” Lou nodded as Tag shook his head and pushed back an errant strand of hair.
Lou slowly nodded, amazed that anyone, especially him, could love her as much as she loved him.
"As for getting you pregnant, you don’t have to worry about it,” he said quietly. “As much as I’d love to have a child with you, right now, I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Both of Naomi’s pregnancies were difficult. Then when I almost lost both Emma and Naomi, and I swore I’d never put her through that again and had a vasectomy.”
Lou nodded, relief flooding through her yet also pain at the thought she‘d most likely never carry his child. “You don’t want any more children?”
Tag lifted her chin with his finger and smiled as he looked in her eyes. “I’d get it reversed in a heartbeat if I found the right woman.”
Lou smiled. “Have you?”
“I don’t know,” he teased. “I’ve found someone who’s stubborn and hard headed, but also the most wonderful person I know, despite all she’s been through in her life.”
“Who is she?” Lou asked in mocked disappointment.
Tag pulled her into his lap and kissed her forehead. “Do you really need me to tell you?” Lou nodded. “It’s you,” he said before kissing her tenderly on the lips and lying back down with her on top of him.
Lou smiled as she settled herself on top of his stirring manhood.
Tag howled in pleasure as he entered her tight depths. “I love you, Lou.”
“I know,” she said as she allowed herself to communicate her love the only way she knew how.