Worth the Risk(80)

The sun set through the two windows on either side of the bed as he stroked a palm down her body, starting at her neck. “You feel so good. Everything about you feels so good.” He thought to slow things down, take his time, or try to. But she pushed and rolled and came over him again, centered herself above his erection.

His heart hammered, blood pumped as she unhooked the bra, let it slip from her shoulders. Long hair framed her face, nipples hard and bright red from his mouth peeked through the golden strands. An erotic image and one he wouldn’t forget. His virgin goddess, no longer a virgin. “I want you.” God, he more than wanted her, he needed her. With a force he couldn’t, or more likely didn’t want to, understand.

She leaned forward and braced her hands on his chest. Her hair tumbled about them like a sensual curtain and she put her lips to his. “You have me,” she whispered.

Then with her eyes piercing his, she took him in her hand, lowered herself over him until thick and throbbing, he was pressing inside her.

Still so small and tight, he brought her down while he pushed up. Just as hot as the first time. Every time.

He held there, giving her time to adjust, wanting it to last and knowing it wouldn’t. Not this time. But she rocked her hips forward, showing him she didn’t want time, and began a perfect rhythm. Her breasts swayed above him and he moved with her, driving up and into the endless pleasure that was Hannah’s body.

Her head dropped back, sending loose waves to brush his inner thighs and his breath left his lungs in a rush. But then, it was the look in her eyes, steady on his, that did him in. Hot desire that matched his own.

He hadn’t planned this, her. Hadn’t prepared. It was a risk. He was a risk. But she gripped his heart as sure as she gripped his body. Abruptly he sat up, and with more possession than finesse, he arched her back and took her breast without mercy. Desperately, he kissed her; lips, face, neck. He thought all of these feelings had been thoroughly ripped away, scraped out of him like cleaning a wound. Until Hannah. She found them, or maybe she put them there.

And as he stared deep into her whiskey-colored eyes, he thought he wouldn’t need to drink or drown in work to fight off his demons if he had her. If he had her, that’s all he would need. But hadn’t she fought enough demons?

“Don’t let me hurt you.”

“You’re not.”

Her nails bit into his back, as wild for him as he was for her, but that’s not what he’d meant. Mind reeling, fingers digging into flesh, he drove deeper. And deeper still until she cried out his name, dragging him over with her.





Chapter 35


The McKinneys must know everyone, have contacts everywhere. Hannah couldn’t believe what they’d pulled together in such a short time. Word had spread beyond anything she could have imagined. To their family, which was enormous, and friends, including the kids’ schools. She knew her students had all done the same, but she never expected this. And not just them, her brothers too.

A tempting smoke billowed into the air from the grill where Zach and three of his fellow firefighters were serving up hamburgers. Two of the McKinney men did the same with hot dogs.

The horses were spiffy, Hazel especially, as she’d let Gracie, Lola, and Allie have their way with making her beautiful. She wasn’t sure the other horses appreciated their froufrou appearance, but Hazel seemed pleased with hers, even the ribbons and beads adorning her mane. A line of children stood waiting for a ride.

The city may have taken their stand, but there were more than a hundred people taking theirs today. Standing with her. Playing horseshoes and Cornhole, and eating funnel cake.

Hannah stood between Luke and Nick as the news van drove away. “I’m so glad that’s over.” She thought it had gone well, even if it was seriously nerve-racking.

“Looks like Whiney’s not getting her share of attention,” Luke teased, standing beside her.

“Her name’s Winnie, moron.” The horse stood at the fence by the nearest turnout pasture tossing her pretty head for her adoring fans. “Did you see the sketch Stephen made?” Everyone had stopped and studied the amazing design he’d given her last night. Some offered to make donations, but that’s not what this was about. It was about convincing the city to let her keep it, to abide by the wishes of an elderly couple even if they hadn’t followed the legally recognized course.

“Yep. Very nice,” Luke said.

Nick grunted. “Maybe.”

She glared at him.

“Fine. He’s not all bad.”

She smiled, knowing that admission had to burn his tongue. “You know, you two are a lot alike. You could be friends.”