by Rhian Cahill
“I take it you don’t have any clean underwear either?” Doc pressed her lips to his back and slid her arms around his waist, her hands cool against his skin. “It’s going to be awfully distracting knowing you’ve got nothing on under these things.” She patted his cock through the thick denim.
“If you expect to eat any time soon you need to stop.” Steve clenched his jaw and spoke through gritted teeth.
Gordie laughed and let go. “I need to use the bathroom. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”
He turned his head, watched her walk away in his t-shirt, the sweatpants in her hand, and thought about following her. It wasn’t as if they had to be anywhere. His stomach chose that moment to growl and remind him he hadn’t eaten since yesterday morning. With a mental and physical shake, he cleared his mind of all sexy thoughts and finished getting dressed.
Steve detoured past the living room for a look at the deck. The snow continued to fall, growing heavier with each flake. Drifts collected on the north end and the wind picked up more snow and sent it flying in that direction as he watched. It looked as though the storm had arrived. A strong gust rattled the patio doors and it grew darker with every second.
He turned back to the room and searched for the remote so he could switch on the TV. Reception would be a problem soon but for now he should still be able to access the weather channel. What he saw didn’t please him and he dropped the remote on the couch as he headed for the garage. He pulled out his snow gear and the tool he’d need to lower the snow guards fitted to the outside of each window. He stuck his head into the house and yelled for Gordie.
She came toward him at a run. Her feet were shoved into a pair of his work socks and she slid on the polished floor. “What? What’s wrong?”
“Don’t panic. I just wanted to let you know I’m heading outside to lower the window shutters. The storm is picking up and I don’t want to risk a flying branch smashing any of them.”
“Need help?”
“No, go on into the kitchen and put some coffee on. I’ll only be a few minutes.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll shut this door so the cold doesn’t blow through when I open the roller door.”
He closed the door and went to pull on his gear. With the wrench in his hand, he headed out into the growing storm. There had been no need to batten down the hatches before now so the shutters were still locked in their boxes. The guards were similar to a garage door but for windows, and once they were in place they’d keep out the cold as well as protect the glass.
It didn’t take long and with all the boxes unlocked, he hurried back to the garage and the control pad that would lower all the shutters. Steve stripped out of his snowsuit and hung it up to dry. He double-checked the control panel before heading back inside the house.
Gordie had done more than make coffee. The scent of fried bacon and eggs greeted him when he opened the door between the garage and house. His mouth watered and he picked up the pace, his stomach rumbling with hunger. She was in front of the stove. His shirt covered her almost to her knees and the sweatpants had been rolled up so many times over her socked feet that she had to stand with her legs apart.
She shouldn’t get him hot dressed like that. There was nothing sexy about her clothes or the way they hung off her body but Steve’s cock had other ideas. His erection pressed against his fly, the cold metal zipper doing nothing to restrain its growth. With a moan he walked up behind her and wrapped her in his arms. He nibbled on her neck, licked at the raw marks still visible on her skin and listened to the little whimpers of pleasure she made.
He hated knowing she’d been hurt. Hated being unable to take the pain away. But having her go soft in his arms went a long way to soothing his raw nerves. Steve rocked his hips, ground his throbbing cock against her lower back. She was a full head shorter than him and in this position he’d have to bend his knees to drive his length inside her. The idea made his blood surge, his pelvis buck and his balls ache. He’d like to take her in the kitchen, and every other room in the house, but first they needed to eat.
Steve groaned as he let her go and stepped back. He was gratified to hear a moan of need slip from her mouth. “Hold that thought, we’ll get back to it.” He patted her on the butt and headed for the coffee.
The spatula whacked him on the ass and he spilled coffee all over the counter as he yelped and spun around to face her. She held the utensil up, pointed at his chest.
“That was mean. You’re a tease.”
“A tease? I don’t think so.” He stepped toward her.
“Oh no you don’t.” She wagged the greasy spatula in his face. “The only thing you’re getting now is breakfast.”
He thought he heard her mumble “two can play that game” but he wasn’t sure and when she picked up the frying pan he chose not to question her just in case she hit him on the head with it, eggs and all. “I’ll set the table.”
Making a hasty retreat, Steve grabbed plates and cutlery and took them to the table. He went back for coffee and found Gordie hefting a large platter of bacon, toast and eggs. “Here. Give me that. You grab the coffee.”
Steve took the tray and waited for her to pick up their mugs. She led the way and his gaze dropped to her butt wiggling beneath the baggy layer of clothes.
“Stop looking at my ass.”
Startled, he barely missed tripping over his own feet. “I wasn’t—”
“Yeah, you were. I saw you.”
He brought his gaze up to meet hers. “You did?”
She grinned. “Yep. Now put the plate down and let’s eat. I’m starving.”
Steve kept his hands off her while they ate. Although how he did when she made eating breakfast more erotic than a striptease was beyond him. He managed only the occasional touch as they cleaned up which was a miracle considering she kept offering him a view of that perfect heart-shaped butt each time she bent to put a dirty plate in the dishwasher. He wasn’t at all sure he’d be as successful during the tour of the house. The idea of christening every room with Doc zapped his blood as though he’d shoved his finger in an electric socket.
* * * * *
Gordie listened to Steve, the pride clearly evident in his voice when he talked about the specially designed aspects of his house. They’d started with the upstairs area and she had to admit he’d planned the layout well. The living areas were separate from the bedrooms with no common walls to help cut down on noise transfer. She’d always known he was talented with timber but as she admired the handmade furniture and built-in cupboards in each room, she had to admit he was a genius.
She held the handrail on the stairs as they headed to the lower level. The timber felt smooth as silk under her fingers. Each rung beneath the rail was carved with intricate patterns that required closer inspection. Gordie bent to study them more carefully. When the details started to take shape before her eyes they surprised a delighted laugh out of her.
“What?” He stopped a few steps below her.
“They’re coyotes frolicking in the forest. But they’re so tiny you have to get right up to them to see.” She glanced up at him. “I want you to make something for the clinic.”
He smiled. “Sure. What did you have in mind?”
“I don’t know. I don’t care.” She trailed her fingertips over the tail of a coyote. “I just want something this beautiful there.”
Steve laughed and leaned over to brush her mouth with his. To her disappointment, he pulled away before the kiss could lead anywhere.
“Come on, I want to know what you think about my plans for down here. It’s a work in progress.” He held her hand and walked through the open area. “This will have a pool table and the bar will be over there. I’m waiting on a special piece of timber for the top of that half wall.”
Gordie could imagine the large space lined with comfy chairs and couches while the pool table took up center stage. “You’ll need some plush seating around the edges. And the barstool seats should match the couches.”
“Exactly.” He pulled her over to a doorway on the wall next to the bar. “This will be a movie room. I’ve got one of those big screens in mind for that far wall and rows of seats back here. I figure this room will get a workout on days like today when the kids are snowed in and driving us nuts.”
“Kids?”
“Sure. Don’t you want any?”
“But I’m not—”
“Don’t say it. Forget about leaving, forget yesterday. Think only of tomorrow and it’s wide open. You’re free to go after your heart’s desire.” He cupped her face, his thumbs stroking her cheeks. “What does your heart want, Gordie?”
Gordie’s nose tingled with the tears she refused to shed. She could see a future with him. See their children running through the house, playing in the forest out back. His gaze searched hers and she couldn’t hide what was in her heart from that all-seeing gaze of his.
“You want it, I know you do. It’s yours for the taking, Gordie. All you have to do is stay.”
“I can’t.” The first tear slipped from her lashes. “I couldn’t handle the stares and whispers after Anthony died and I didn’t kill him.”
He rubbed his thumb over the moisture on her face. “I know it hurt before, but Gordie, you were grieving, you’d lost your husband, your baby, everything hurt. It wasn’t the looks or the words that sent you running. It was your broken heart.”
On some level she knew he was right, knew removing herself from her home had been the only way to cope with the loss she’d suffered. She’d distracted herself as best she could, immersed herself in her studies, had no life other than classes and books and then her internship. It took years to find the strength to come home but from the first day she arrived back in Whispering Springs she knew it had been the right time to return. The mountains were her home, had always been home and her coming back had never really been in question. How much of that had to do with this man?
Gordie wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his chest. She cried silently, her tears soaking the front of his shirt, the salty taste coating her lips and tongue. He held her without speaking, let her take the time she needed and right there she knew she’d never be able to leave him and stay whole. No matter where she went or what she did he’d keep a piece of her with him and neither of them would ever find true happiness.
The crying jag slowed and she continued to lean against him, absorbing his warmth and strength. Gordie had no idea what would happen once word got out about Marcus, didn’t want to speculate about the pack’s reaction. Many were still loyal to the Connelly’s, and even with the events over the past year, they had allies. Whether they’d cause trouble was anyone’s guess. She just hoped that now that the last Connelly was gone, the pack could prosper.
She tilted her head back to look at Steve through tear-drenched eyes. “I’m worried about those sympathetic to Marcus.”
He brushed the hair off her forehead. “I doubt any of them will be a problem. Most are old men and caught in a time long gone. Without a reminder they’ll soon forget.”
“God, I hope so.”
“Even if they don’t, Brogan isn’t about to let the pack suffer and I’m certainly not going to let anyone hurt you if I can help it. I can’t stop the talk but I can help you hold your head high and live here in peace.”
“I’m not sure I’ll ever find peace.”
“You will. I’ll make sure of it.” He bent down and brushed her lips with his. “That’s a promise.”
Steve deepened the kiss. His tongue licked across her mouth and pushed inside. He tasted of bacon and coffee, and Gordie moaned as his tongue stroked over hers. She slipped her hands under the hem of his shirt and palmed his warm flesh. They pressed closer, their bodies touching, but the height difference proved awkward and restricted their contact. Frustrated, she pulled her mouth from his.
“More. I need more,” she panted.
He picked her up, carried her out of the unfinished movie room and across to the stairs. With ease, he made the journey up to the main floor. His long strides ate up the distance to his bedroom quickly. In a second, he’d tossed her on the mattress and followed her down. She tore at his clothes, stretched his shirt to get him out of the barrier between her skin and his. Steve did the same to hers. With frenzied actions they stripped each other and were soon rolling naked on the bed.
Gordie ended up on top, straddling his thighs. Her fingers curled around his cock and she pumped her hand up and down in slow, loose strokes. His hips lifted, thrusting his rigid length into her grip.
“Harder.” Steve wrapped his hand around hers and squeezed. “Tighter.”
Guided by him, she dragged her hand over his silky shaft. Liquid beaded on the head and she leaned down to taste it. His scent filled her nostrils, his salty flavor coated her tongue and the need to take all of him gripped her. She opened her mouth, slipped her lips around the bulbous head and sucked. Gordie took him to the back of her throat and swirled her tongue along his shaft.
Steve groaned, the sound ended on a growl and his fingers twisted in her hair. He held her still and plunged his cock between her lips in short, sharp jabs. His hips jerked, his length pulsing against her tongue and more of his musky flavor filled her mouth. Gordie breathed through her nose and increased her suction. She gasped when he yanked her hair, pulled free of her mouth and tugged her up his body.
“Ride me.”
She didn’t need convincing. Gordie wanted to feel his length filling her core. Wanted his heat pounding into her until she saw stars. Steve held her waist and she used her hand to guide his cock to her opening. The crown rubbed over her clit, sending shards of fire into her pussy. Moisture covered her folds and he slid between them with ease, entering her in one smooth stroke.
Gordie tossed her head back and moaned. His flesh branded hers, the heat scorching a trail as it blazed out to invade every nerve, overpower ever sense. She surrendered, body and soul she gave herself up to the sensations of being joined with him. He jerked under her, his hips bucking off the bed to start the delicious friction that would drive them wild.
Time stood still as she rocked into him, slid her body over his in sensuous glides. She rose up, dropped down, rolled her pelvis and ground her clit against him. Each move delivered another blast of fire, turned her core into a molten mass desperate for release. He pulled her down and latched his mouth around her nipple. A jolt of electricity struck her, bowed her body and drove his cock deeper. Gordie cried out, hung on the razor’s edge of orgasm for what seemed like forever.
Steve sucked on her breast, drew on the peak before scraping the puckered bud with his teeth. He bit down. Pain and pleasure clashed and Gordie flew into the abyss. Her breath stalled in her lungs, her mind splintering in a million different directions as pure bliss saturated her senses. The world spun and she found herself beneath him, his body slamming into hers as muscles grasped greedily at his cock.
He rammed into her, pressed on her clit with every plunge and propelled her over a second peak. Her name burst from his lips as he came. His body bucked against hers, the spasms rolling from one to the other as their orgasms joined as effectively as their bodies. Wave after wave of heat and pleasure swamped her. She gasped for air and scratched at his back, desperate for solid ground.
Gordie slowly drifted back to earth. Caught between Steve and the mattress, she savored the feeling of satisfaction, contentment. He made her feel cherished, wanted, loved. And with all those came strength. Determination to have what should be hers. Take what should be theirs. She wouldn’t walk away from him, couldn’t if she were honest.
“I love you.” The words surprised her. She hadn’t even thought them and they’d tripped off her tongue as easily as her breath.
Waiting for a response just about killed her. He’d gone so still and she wasn’t sure he’d taken a breath since she’d spoken. She pushed against his chest but he was as movable as a brick wall.
Gordie sighed and slumped into the bed. “Say
something.”
“I can’t. I’ve waited forever to hear those words. Let me enjoy them a minute more.”
She slapped his arm. “You idiot. It won’t be the only time I say them.”
“No, but this will always be the first time.”
“At least one of us is getting a first today.” Gordie couldn’t believe the pouty voice she used. She sounded like a three-year-old sulking about being denied a cookie.
Steve lifted his head and stared at her. “You’re pouting, Doc. It doesn’t suit you. Besides, it’s not necessary. I love you. I’ve always loved you. I will love you forever.” He leaned down and kissed her.
They took it slow, lips meshing, tongues sliding, they rejoiced in the freedom of acceptance. When the kiss ended, Gordie opened her eyes and stared at the naked need in his gaze. A growl echoed from deep inside and she knew what she had to do. One final step.
“I want to run.”
He reared back. “It’s snowing.”
“I know. But I need to run.”
Rolling to his back, he took her with him. “You’ll have to wait for the run but we could shift now. See what happens.”
Gordie curled into his side. “Would you mind? It’s been months since I changed and I feel her clawing to be free. I’ve never had that before.”
“Want to do it now or later? I’m thinking a nap might be nice about now.”
“It can wait. She’s settled now that I’ve decided to run.” Gordie yawned. “A sleep would be good.”
“Then sleep it is. We don’t have to be anywhere and with the storm blowing like it is even if we did we wouldn’t be going. Look up.”
She glanced up at the skylight. The glass dome was completely covered in snow. “Oh. It’s a bad one then.”