Mowed Over (Sonoma Book 2)

by Mae Harden

  Mine. He's all mine, I think with a little shiver of joy.

  "What are you grinning at, Princess?" he asks as he tosses his pants and boxers into the laundry hamper. His swollen cock bobs against his abdomen, demanding attention. He strokes it once, looking me up and down, blatant hunger in his eyes.

  I shrug but smile harder. "I love you. It feels so good to say it out loud. I can't stop saying it now that we've broken the seal."

  Ben stalks over to me, his hands landing on my hips as he kisses my neck. "I love you too," he says before biting my shoulder gently. His thumbs sneak under the hem of my shirt, his hands skating up my stomach and ribs as he lifts the shirt slowly. He pulls it over my head and throws it aside. His fingers stroke my collarbone and across the swell of my breasts as he steps behind me. His hard length presses into my backside as one hand slips under my bra, finding my nipple and rolling it with expert pressure. His other hand palms my stomach, slipping into the front of my jeans and teasing the edge of my panties.

  I slip a hand up around the back of his neck and let my head rest on his chest as desire saps the tightness from my muscles. He unhooks my bra and flicks my jeans open as his breath whispers over my chest. I shimmy out of my jeans and Ben groans as I bend over in front of him to push them down, my ass pressing against his erection. As good as these skinny jeans look, they are a bitch to get out of.

  It doesn't matter how silly I feel because the second I'm free of my clothes, Ben pulls me into the shower with him. His lips are on mine before I even feel the water. His tongue slides against mine, thick and hot. I moan into his mouth, the muffled sound vibrating through us. His possessive hands move over my body, caressing me like he's reassuring himself that I'm still all here.

  Ben backs me into the tile wall, the cold surface pricks my skin. Goosebumps shiver their way up to my shoulder blades. He dips his head, drawing my nipple into his mouth, the graze of his teeth sending electricity sizzling through my body. My clit throbs, crying out for his attention. His large, rough hands grasp my hips, fingers pressing into my skin as his erection rocks against my belly.

  "More," I gasp, my fingers laced in his hair.

  Ben growls and straightens, hooking his forearms under my thighs and lifting me. I let out a squeak of surprise, wrapping my arms around his neck and clinging to him. I so rarely see him at eye level unless we're in bed, but it never gets old. He pins me to the wall with his body, holding me tight. His shaft presses against my entrance, the broad head stretching me as he slips inside.

  Ben watches me through lust hooded eyes as he lowers me, slowly impaling me on his cock. I gasp as he fills me, sinking to the hilt. The muscle in his jaw ticks as he holds me in place, inching out before filling me again. Our bodies slick against each other, water sluicing between us as Ben thrusts in and out of me. I rock my hips against his hold, something lining up just right to make my eyes roll back in my head. He growls, chest heaving against my breasts as he keeps the pace achingly slow.

  He presses his forehead to mine, his hair dripping water down his face that runs down his neck and chest in rivulets. "Whose girl are you?" he rumbles, his gaze burning into mine.

  "Yours," I gasp. "I'm yours." His cock swells impossibly thicker inside me. He holds me firmly, possessing me with every stroke. My body is his and I fucking love it.

  "That's right, Princess," he grunts, picking up speed. The wet slap of our bodies echoes off the tile as the steam swirls around us. His thumb finds my clit, rubbing it as he pounds into me. "You're my girl and I want to watch you fucking come. I want to feel your tight little pussy come all over my cock," he growls. "Give it to me, Princess. I need it." He ducks, his mouth clamping around my nipple. My vision blurs as the sensations assault me, rolling through me, fighting for attention. I can't hold back the small scream as my body explodes, pleasure gripping me roughly, wringing me out.

  Ben comes, lips parted as every muscle in his body flexes. His throbbing cock pulses, twitching as he empties himself inside me. His head hits my shoulder as our bodies both go slack. He holds me a moment longer before letting my shaky feet find the floor.

  Chapter 35: Ben

  The water washes over us, starting to cool as the hot water runs out. I'm so grateful to have her soft curves pressed against me, I couldn't care less about the rest of the world. The smell of her skin, the feel of her fingertips on my biceps, her tiny frame trembling against me. I'd give anything for her.

  Lilah laughs softly in my arms. "We forgot the condom."

  My head snaps up. Fuck. I can't believe I did that. I was so lost in her; it didn't even cross my mind. I run my hand over my face.

  "Jesus, I'm so sorry," I say to her, searching her face for anger, but for all my concern she's completely relaxed, smiling sweetly.

  "It's fine. Birth control is a wonderful thing."

  "Oh," I reply. That's a relief, right? I should be happy. I mean, I am, but I have the briefest flash of Lilah, carrying a smiling baby on her hip and maybe I'm a complete dick, but I like it. We towel off and for a moment, I try to push the thought out of my head. But then I remember everything that happened today, and I decide; I don’t want to let that thought go. I want little babies with her green eyes. I want to put a ring on her finger. I want to spend every morning waking up with her in my arms… And I don't want to wait. Life is short and I don't want to waste another minute. Still, I know this has been one hell of a day. Maybe this isn’t the best time to walk Lilah though our new life plan.

  I follow Lilah, wrapped in a towel, to my bedroom. I stop short and laugh when I see the mattress on the floor. I completely forgot we broke the bed. We collapse on the mattress, because at this point, it's the best option. Lilah is crashing hard. I can see the exhaustion pulling her eyelids down. The adrenaline and shock have worn off and we both just need to sleep. Lilah curls up in my arms, her back pressed against me as I pull the blanket over us.

  "Love you," she mumbles sleepily.

  She can't see the grin her words bring to my face, but I kiss the top of her head before smoothing her damp hair.

  "I love you too," I whisper as I feel her body relax against me. I fight the drowsiness, listening to her breath and appreciating the feel of her.

  ***

  I wake before Lilah, sneaking out of bed for some water. It's late afternoon and police cars still line the street, though the commotion has finally died down. The neighbors have gone home, now that there aren't any juicy details to witness. My car is still defunct in the driveway and crime scene tape flutters in the breeze.

  "Fuck this," I mutter. No way are we staying here another night. Everything is broken or tainted by that little shit, Terrance. I grab my phone to make a couple calls but quickly realize those are going to have to wait because I have dozens of missed calls and messages from Lilah's family.

  Maybe: Francine Donovan: This is Lilah's grandmother.

  Olive Donovan: Our grandmother is freaking out. I told her Lilah needed to rest. Ignore her calls but have Lilah call when she's up to it. Please and thank you.

  Donovan Automotive: This is Lukas. Can you have Lilah call me?

  Maybe: Francine Donovan: I need to talk to Lilah, is she ok?

  Maybe: Julia Donovan: Is this Ben? Lilah needs to get her ass over here. Gran is freaking out.

  Maybe: Francine Donovan: Olive says Lilah was fine and that I'm being crazy.

  Maybe: Francine Donovan: Fine, just call me when she wakes up.

  Maybe: Francine Donovan: Is she up yet?

  Olive Donovan: Seriously, Gran is fine.

  I text them all back, letting them know Lilah is fine and still sleeping. I promise to have her call as soon as she wakes up.

  Rubbing my hands together, I get to work. I make a few phone calls and call in a couple of favors. Maybe I can't fix everything while Lilah sleeps, but this much I can do.

  ***

  It's nearly sunset by the time everything is in place and I am ready to get the hell out of here with her. They hau
led away my massacred Jaguar an hour ago. In its spot sits our newly purchased Mercedes SUV, my bag and Frankie's stuff in the back. The dealer was all too happy to drop it off on short notice. Money will do that.

  There's a soft knock on the door and when I open it, Olive steps inside with a grin.

  "You're lucky we like you," she says by way of a greeting. "Gran wanted to storm the gates and take Lilah back to her house. We talked her down, but you two better be at the family dinner on time tomorrow night." She hands me a duffle bag. "Sally stocked her up and if I know Sally as well as I think I do, I'll just preemptively say 'you're welcome'."

  I've heard enough Sally stories to be concerned. "Should I search it for illegal moonshine or Bon Jovi CDs?" I ask her with a grin.

  Olive flips me off. "I can't believe Lilah told you about that," she huffs as she turns towards the door. "Have fun," she tosses over her shoulder. "And don't be late tomorrow or I'll send the boys to take Lilah back." I laugh out loud because they can try, but they'll have to pry her from my cold dead hands. "Or maybe we'll just let Gran have at you."

  That's actually enough of a threat to make me stop laughing.

  I open the door for Olive to leave but before she can take more than a couple steps, my curiosity gets the better of me. "Hey, was it you that put that invitation in my mailbox?"

  Olive looks back with a mischievous smirk. "I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about," she says before turning away.

  "Thank you!" I call out after her. She waves a hand over her shoulder and gets in her car.

  I close the door, just in time to see Lilah walk out of the bedroom. She's wearing a t-shirt she must have found in one of my drawers because it comes halfway down her thighs. She rubs some sleep from her eyes and stretches, exposing a tempting amount of smooth leg. The worst part of me wants to drag her back to bed and hide out in there until her family comes busting down my front door looking for her.

  "Was that my sister?" Lilah asks as she steps into me, wrapping her arms around my waist and pressing her warm cheek to my chest. I rub her back, enjoying the feeling of holding her like this.

  "Yeah, she dropped off some clothes for you, but now that I've seen you in my shirt, I might just chuck the bag straight back into the street," I tease.

  "You better not," she says, smacking me in the chest. I feign an injury, sending her into peals of laughter. God, I love it when she laughs like that.

  She snatches the duffle bag and takes it to the bathroom. I follow her and lean on the doorjamb as I watch her dig through the bag.

  "Where on earth did Olive get these?" she asks. It's hard to be sure, but from where I'm standing there seems to be an awful lot of lace in there. I suppress the urge to rub my hands together in glee.

  "Sally," I tell her with a grin.

  "Well that makes sense," she says as she yanks things out, one by one before looking up at me. "Put those dimples away, sir!" She shakes an adorable finger at me, making me smile harder.

  "Why would I do that when I know how much you like them?" I ask her.

  "Shameless," she mutters as she slips a pair of black silky panties up her legs, her hands disappearing under my t-shirt as she gets them situated. Shameless is right. I watch her hungrily, mentally calculating how long it's going to be until I can remove those with my teeth. Lilah is oblivious to her effect on me as she whips the shirt off and slips her arms through the straps of a black lace bra. "We should order you a new bed so we don't have to keep sleeping on the floor," she says as she reaches back to fasten the straps, thrusting her impressive rack my way.

  My mouth goes dry, but I manage to respond. "Nah, it can wait. We're leaving."

  Lilah's head whips up, a dress halfway up her arms. "What do you mean, leaving?" she asks.

  "We are getting the hell out of this neighborhood. I got us a place down the road." I'm getting her away from all the crime scene tape and shitty memories of the last 24 hours. We can take the good ones with us.

  Chapter 36: Lilah

  "We can't just leave," I argue. I mean, we can. It's not like money is an issue, but it seems silly to rent a whole other house when we can just order a new bed. I finish pulling the dress over my head. True to Sally's opinion of how I should dress, it's about half a foot too short but looks amazing. I've been enjoying the way Ben watches me while I get dressed. I swear he almost choked on his own tongue when I stripped out of his shirt. The man is like a constant ego boost between the gawking and little whimper he made when I looked over my shoulder at the mirror, smoothing the dress over my butt.

  He doesn't push back, just smacks me on the butt and leaves the room. "Trust me," he calls over his shoulder as he heads towards the kitchen. I pull my snarled hair into a messy bun. I need a real shower, one with conditioner, and a brush to fix this mess, but Ben seems determined to go. I shrug at my reflection. What the hell? I'm up for a mini vacation. Especially if I get more alone time with Ben. This place better have an amazing shower and a sturdy bed frame. Ooh. Maybe a hot tub...

  When I join him in the kitchen, he hands me his phone. "You need to call your grandma from the road. Olive talked her down, but she's worried about you."

  Oh my god, of course she is! I think, putting my hand over my mouth. "How could I be so self-centered?" I whisper, guilt clutching at my chest.

  "Honestly, Princess," Ben says as he touches my cheek. "I think maybe you were in shock. You were pretty out of it until we got into the shower. And then you were distracted." He wiggles his eyebrows, making me laugh. "She'll understand. She knew where you were and that you were safe. Olive had her under control. Just call her."

  Ben picks up Frankie's cage and my duffle bag full of illicit Sally goodies. If he had any idea how much lingerie was in there, I doubt we'd be leaving the house. When we step outside, I'm hit with a wave of nausea. There are still two police cruisers on the street. A light is on inside my house, the front door propped open. Crime scene tape is fluttering in the breeze and as I stand frozen, looking at my house, I understand why we're leaving. I look back at Ben and smile sadly at him. His check twitches, pulling his mouth to the side in a sympathetic way. He knew it would make me unhappy to see this and that man would do anything to protect me, even if it's just renting us another place to stay for a bit.

  Ben holds a hand out and I take it, turning away from a house that I know I'll never live in again. I only have a second to be sad because as we head towards the driveway, I'm distracted by the huge black monstrosity parked in the Jaguar's spot.

  "Jesus pleasus! Where did that thing come from?" I ask.

  Ben laughs and opens the passenger side door for me. "The dealership," he replies with an adorable smirk. "They dropped it off while you were sleeping." He looks excessively smug about this.

  I hop in, and he kisses me before closing the door. He sets Frankie's cage in the seat behind mine, strapping a seat belt around it, and my heart nearly explodes. My ovaries aren't far behind either.

  We drive south; the sunset casting long shadows over the vineyards as we drive by. Ben holds my hand in his, his thumb drawing little circles over the back of my hand as I talk to Gran. She alternates between chiding me for not taking my brothers seriously and weeping, telling me how grateful she is that I'm ok. She threatens to come get me if we don't make family dinner tomorrow night, and when Ben grins, I'm willing to bet he's already been on the receiving end of these threats.

  I hang up as we pull into a driveway. A wooded lot surrounds a gorgeous green A-frame house. It's lit up from inside and a car is in the driveway. I give Ben a questioning look as a middle-aged woman in a pantsuit steps out of the front door. He grins at me and jumps out of the car. She approaches us, her high heels wobbling in the gravel. She smiles pleasantly at me before holding a set of keys out to Ben.

  "You must be Mr. Clark. Everything you requested is inside and the paperwork is on the counter." She smiles at me. "Have a lovely evening, Mrs. Clark."

  I open my mouth to correct her, but
she's already tottering away on her 4-inch stilettos and I'm afraid to break her concentration, lest she snap an ankle. Ben smirks at me, not at all bothered by the realtor confusing me for his wife.

  "Come inside," he tells me as he grabs our bags. I unbuckle Frankie and follow him to the front door. I know there must be vineyards all around us, but this little house feels like it was plucked out of fairyland. Ben holds the front door open for me and as soon as I cross the threshold, I'm hit by the smell of Pad Thai My stomach rumbles aggressively, reminding me that I've neglected it for far too long. Bags of takeout are perched on a coffee table in front of a giant squishy-looking leather couch. A bottle of champagne in an ice bucket and two glasses sit beside the bag.

  Holy shit, this man gets me.

  I set Frankie down and turn to kiss Ben, but he's on a knee in front of the door, our bags set aside. He has a ring box in his hand and the sight makes my breath catch in my chest. My hand goes to my mouth.

  "Ben," I whisper. "When did you get that?"

  He gives me the sweetest crooked smile I've ever seen and takes my hand in his. "That first morning I made you breakfast. You went to work, and I went ring shopping."

  He clears his throat and straightens his glasses. "Lilah, I've loved you since I first laid eyes on you in that bar. I loved you covered in pickle juice. I loved you when you were drunk and chastising me in the middle of the night."

  I laugh as a tear rolls down my cheek. His gaze is soft as he goes on, "I loved you with every touch, every kiss, and every word you spoke. The truth is, I didn’t know I was living in the dark until you gave me your light. I'll love you for as long as I live. I want to spend my life with you. I want to raise little Ben and Lilah babies with you and let them make us both a little crazy. I want to wake up to your smile every morning for the rest of my life."