Seth stepped out of the driver’s side, glancing over the crowd that filled his front yard and Reese stepped forward, shyly. “Happy Birthday!” Cheers and whistles were heard from the guests.
“You did this?” he asked, sliding the backs of his knuckles along his cheek.
“I can’t take all the credit. Isla and Ledge helped.”
“How in the hell did you manage this without me knowing?”
“I’m pretty good at covert operations. I have my ways.” She smiled.
“I’m beginning to figure that out.” He strolled toward her and bent his face really close to her ear. “You know I’m not into shindigs, right?”
“You weren’t before, but I’m confident that by the time this night is over, you’ll be very grateful.” She lifted her chin and met his warm gaze.
“I like the sound of that.”
He was whisked away by several guests, and Reese watched him disappear into the crowd.
Steaks were thrown on the grill as the banjos started and beers began being passed around. It wasn’t long before people were dancing, eating, and laughing. From her view sitting on a bale of hay outside of the throng, she watched Seth. Although he professed being a loner, he seemed happy here among his friends.
“Amazing, isn’t it?”
She brought her gaze up, shading her eyes from the lowering sun as she met the friendly face of Ledge. “What’s amazing?”
One corner of his mouth tugged. “Seth. We see glimpses of who he was before the incident.”
“Did you know him before?”
“I did. We were Rangers together a long time ago.”
Scooting over, she gave him room to sit. “I didn’t know that.”
The man sat down and crossed his arms. “I want to thank you for being here.”
“Thank me? Why?”
He smoothed his beard. “You gave Seth something to take his mind off the demons. I haven’t seen him smile and be more like the old Seth in years. He deserves to enjoy life. The man would give someone the shirt off his back if they needed it. He certainly did save me and my family.” Ledge’s expression turned sincere.
“I’m finding out that he has helped many people. What did he do for you if you don’t mind?”
“Where do I start?” He sighed. “I came back and had a hard time getting back on my feet, supporting my family, but Seth knew I had more in me than just being a soldier. He gave me a piece of his land here and helped me start my own business. I tried to pay him back, but he wouldn’t take a penny. Me and the wife owe that man a lot, and we do as much for him as he’ll let us. I bring him over casseroles, vegetables from the garden, and a pie on occasion, yet it just doesn’t seem enough.” He scratched his forehead. “I think you might be the kick in the pants he needs to get past the chains that bind him.”
Her stomach twisted. She’d been a lot of things in her life. She’d been a rebellious teenager. A waitress. A college student. Soldier. Patient. Runner. And a lover, but never had she been a savior. Not even while in the military had she saved anyone, not really. The devastation overload had ruined many lives, especially the innocent victims. With Step for Light, she had dreams and wishes of turning lives around for people who needed the services, yet she hadn’t planned on ‘helping’ Seth. Sometimes two flawed souls found each other in a land of chaos. Could she even allow herself to entertain the idea that it was possible she and Seth were good for each other? People have found love in far worse circumstances.
*****
Seth met Reese’s gaze from across the maze of people. She stood and continued to stare at him as he attempted to read her expression. Was she angry? Bewildered? His stomach clenched.
He strolled toward her, and was glad he made it without being stalled by the guests. “What’s up?” he asked.
“You, Seth Knight. You’re what’s wrong.” She took a step closer, the tips of their shoes meeting.
His stomach clenched. “What did I do now?”
“Nothing but being yourself. You have to quit hiding behind the past and the guilt.”
If he didn’t already know that she didn’t drink, he’d have to question her sobriety. She was completely sober, but he wasn’t sure where this sudden question came from. “Note taken.” He smiled.
“I came here expecting to find a muscled ogre that had layer after layer of steel walls, but what I found was something different. A man who helps others. Is kind. Supportive. A leader to his friends.” She sucked in a breath. “And unfortunately, I don’t think you have a clue how people look up to you, care for you. Look around you. These friends are here to show you how appreciative they are for all you’ve done. I’m appreciative of all you’ve done. You’ve listened to my dreams and you’re making them come true.”
What he was appreciative of was how this woman made him feel, how she reached in deep and found a part of him free of guilt that he hadn’t realized still remained. What he also found amazing was the way she looked at him now with wide, accepting eyes and pouty, moist lips. She craved a kiss, he could see it etched in her features. He couldn’t drag his gaze from her. Her scent, her openness, and her desire to help others came at him like a speeding train without brakes. His fantasies overwhelmed him. He imagined kissing her thighs. Sliding his fingers inside of her, tasting her juices. He wanted to fuck her, but it would be more than just a rutting of two bodies. No, she was much more. Hearing her praises were a heady concoction that left him drunk without a drop of alcohol. This all reeked of danger, but he wasn’t a stranger to danger, and indeed always found himself gravitating toward mishap. She mesmerized him. Scintillated his senses. He wondered if he could ever get enough. Coming home and seeing her waiting for him, surrounded by his friends, had touched him. No one had ever done something so sweet for his birthday. This only heightened his need to touch her. Make passionate love to her. Brand her body as his.
The confines snapped and he could no longer deny the craving—could no longer deny the desire lurking in her pale gaze. He grabbed her hand and led her across the grass to the barn. They stepped inside of the dark space, the strong scent of straw didn’t even fade her musk that had embedded in his senses. He gently pushed her against the wall and held her warm gaze as he slowly lowered, closer…he was crossing a line, but he couldn’t pull back. Didn’t want to.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Reese’s heart slammed against her ribcage as Seth slowly led her into the barn and pressed her against the rough wall. He cupped her cheeks, his gaze holding hers for a breath, until their lips met in a joining unlike any other she’d ever experienced.
She would have melted into her boots if his arms hadn’t wrapped around her waist, drawing her closer, bringing her softer lines against his harder ones. Her respect had grown for him, her admiration for him, but this knocked her into another stratosphere. His lips were warm and soft, his tongue seduced her into a quivering mass of pleasure. She wanted—no needed—to touch all of him. To map his body on her palms. Pushing away slightly, she slid her palms up his wide chest to grip his shoulders.
No possible way could she walk out of this barn without knowing his touch—knowing that her body would no longer be tortured.
He lifted his head merely inches from hers, noses brushing as he stared down at her silently, and yet he spoke volumes in that one desperate look. His mouth hovered above her lips, his breath mingled with hers and she breathed him deep into her lungs, tattooing his essence on her heart. His lips touched hers, so gently, yet full of power. This man, so strong, tall, and with coiled ridges, could easily overpower her, but here she only felt protected, desired. His hands pressing her back made her feel womanly, sexy, unlike anything she’d ever experienced with anyone. The chemistry between them was an organic cocktail created in the hands of something they were defenseless to. Her trembling body, puckering nipples, and moist inner thighs melted into him. His tongue dipped inside of her mouth, sampling her, lapping her up as if she was a finely aged wine.
Slowly she understood this moment with him, their time together, would forever be implanted inside of her every cell. Kissing him, being in his arms, intoxicated her. Nothing in life, even her vigorous training in the military, had prepared her for this battle unleashed within her. A fierce, inflexible sensation ravaged her, followed by a familiar current gripping her in its clutch hold.
She wanted him now, wanted the flames licking her insides to be extinguished by his magical touch, but he stayed in control. He concentrated on her lips, delving his tongue slowly in and out, driving her crazy with need. He threaded his fingers in her hair, grasping the tendrils in his grip, using it to tilt her chin so he’d have better access in sweeping his tongue along the roof of her mouth, her lips, all parts of her. This wasn’t a kiss, but a breaching of her soul, connecting her to foreign emotions.
How could one man kiss this good? Feel this good? Be this exotic? He suckled her tongue, feeding off her like a hungry man. The mind-blowing strokes, his teeth scraping her tongue and lips, sent shudders of heat through her, nestling in her core that throbbed to a beat of lust. Each second she spent in his arms was another step toward the point of no return. And yet, she couldn’t help herself. She belonged here. With him. For as long as he’d want her to stay.
His fingers still entwined in her hair, gently tugging as he lowered his forehead to hers. His pants were heavy, his chest rising and falling under her palms. Shifting her hands to his waist, she pressed her chest against his, her nipples turning into beads of sensitivity.
“You’re an aphrodisiac, Reese. What are you doing to me? Have mercy on my soul,” he whispered. He brushed his lips across her temple, her cheek, then on her ear lobe before nibbling the flesh. Darting his tongue out to lick the line of her slender neck, she sucked in heavenly air, grasping the material of his shirt with her trembling fingers to hang on against the crashing of waves that made her weak.
“This is all crazy, I know, but crazier things have happened.” She slid one hand to the back of his neck. “How could something so right be so wrong? Not possible.”
Their gazes met, his darkened with a whirlwind of emotion. She was glad to see that she wasn’t the only one who was caught up in the tornado sweeping over them.
“I can’t fight it. I’m not strong enough,” he confessed.
“Neither am I.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Then let’s not fight it any longer.” He sunk to his knees, his fingers were at the backs of her knees, slowly sliding his knuckles upward along her quivering thighs until his fingers brushed her aching core, so feather light that she wondered if she’d imagined the touch. Need increased in her stomach as she breathed in life while spiraling under his attention. He had her literally in his palms, molding her like putty under his touch. When he slid one finger inside the elastic of her panties, she thought she’d pass out right then and there.
A low, sexy sound rumbled from his chest and she shivered in anticipation, feeling every fine hair on her body rise. She imagined him using his tongue between her legs like he’d kissed her before. Excitement rolled through her and she wasn’t beyond begging for him to put out the fire.
Longing consumed her and she couldn’t stop this, even if her life depended upon it. She was so wrapped up in him, in the seduction of the moment, that she would have him inside her here, in the barn, with partygoers so close. The vibrations of the music and laughter throbbed her head. Anyone could walk in, but there was no stopping. No way would she deny her body the ultimate pleasure.
*****
Tucking his fingers inside the band of her panties, he eased them slowly down her long legs, inhaling the sweet scent of desire. The tantalizing essence curled through him and landed in his cock. His mouth watered and he wanted a sample of the hot woman who’d had him by the balls since she’d walked into his life.
Her thighs trembled under his touch and he gently opened her legs so he could dip his head to the treasure that awaited him. Her pussy fluttered against his lips as he kissed the delicate lips before swirling the tip of his tongue through the swollen, pink folds. The taste of her need created more urgency in him, made him moan in pleasure. A whimper fell from her lips as her knees spread wider, her fingers digging into his hair. He wanted to give her pleasure, and show her how special she was to him.
Sweet Jesus, he’d never been this perplexed, this turned on, not even as a wet behind the ears teen.
Finding her clit, he suckled the flesh until the nub swelled and her juices flowed heavier. Her thighs quivered against his ears and he knew she was close—very, very close to spilling her release all over his lips. He drank her in, revering in how good she tasted. He was so damn ready that the zipper of his jeans pressed against his hard cock. It took every ounce of control not to rip off his jeans and slam himself deep inside of her, but this took proper care, and she deserved it.
He rolled his tongue over the crux, sliding his tongue in and out of her narrow passage, and he couldn’t get enough with just his lips and tongue. He had one mission and that was to bring this beautiful, luscious, desirable woman so much pleasure that she’d never forget—never forget him. No doubt she was forever embedded in his brain.
Common sense wasn’t available when it came to her. He hadn’t been with a woman long enough that he was afraid how fast he’d go if he wasn’t careful. Things could be over way too soon for his liking.
In the back of his mind he heard a noise, but couldn’t quite draw enough logic to think clearly. However, the sudden tightening of Reese’s body and the tug of her fingers on his head told him something wasn’t right.
“Seth?” she whispered in an urgency that wasn’t related to her need for orgasm.
A voice grew louder, within feet of the door to the barn. Seth was quick to respond. He stood, swiped the back of his hand across his mouth just as Gage and his girlfriend stepped into the space. Seth registered that Reese was quickly pulling on her panties, and disappointment slithered through him enough that he wanted to kick his buddy’s ass for bad timing. What was it with everyone around this place? He never had this issue back when he had peace and quiet, and yet he didn’t have Reese then either.
Thankfully, he and Reese were deep enough in the shadows that they could go undetected by his friend.
Gage strolled in, but Vanna stayed near the door, shyly looking at him. “Are you sure about this? Anyone could walk in and see us.”
“I’m sure, baby. You can’t tell me you haven’t fantasized about doing it in a barn like wild animals,” Gage practically cooed the words, holding out his hand for Vanna to take. “Let me show you the animal inside me.”
She finally took his hand, giggling. “I have a few times, fantasized about this and the animal in you.” She kissed him fully on the lips. “But not if I thought we’d be caught. I have to face these people.”
Seth looked over his shoulder and could barely make out Reese’s features. Her hand was on his back and she leaned against him, still quivering from a near orgasm. He’d make sure that would be remedied later when they were alone without chance of interruptions.
“I have an idea,” Gage said.
Seth turned his attention back to the couple and watched as they climbed the ladder into the hay loft, spilling hay over the edge as they settled in. Seth turned to Reese, took her hand, and bent close to her ear. “We better get out of here before we can’t unhear what’s about to happen.”
They quietly exited the barn with Seth still stewing. At least someone was getting lucky at the moment.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Are you going to stand there all day ogling, or are you going to do something about it?” Reese nibbled her bottom lip, watching several expressions flicker across Seth’s features before settling on one of heavy tension. After their stint in the barn, she couldn’t wait to take up where they’d left off.
After most of the guests had left, she’d snuck into his cabin, undressed, and waited for him. And now here he was and she hoped he was s
till as primed and ready as he had been earlier.
“I had wondered where you’d taken off to.” His thick voice spoke of his inner turmoil.
“I’ve been here, lonely. It’s not nice to keep a girl waiting.”
“Well, in my defense, I didn’t know you were here, otherwise I’m sure I would be too.”
Strolling across the short space dividing them, confident in her scanty bra and panties, she took his hand and led him to the overstuffed chair in front of the fireplace. She’d managed to get a nice fire started and the warmth surrounded them as well as a golden glow from the flames. She’d even lit a few candles to add to the ambience. She’d never been much of a romantic, but living here at Landing Knight she found herself motivated by the dreamy atmosphere.
When she nudged him back into the chair, he didn’t resist, but just looked up at her while a grin tugged at the corner of his lips.
She had a strong hunger to taste him.
“What’s up, sweetheart?” The gruffness in his voice was proof he knew exactly what was about to happen.
“I can’t wait to find out.” She lowered her eyes to his zipper and rolled her tongue along the curve of her bottom lip.
Lifting her gaze, she held his as she lowered before him, positioning herself between his knees. He blew a long breath through his tight lips and she smiled, gliding her hands up his steel-hard thighs.
“You’re killing me, woman.”
“Now that would certainly kill the mood.” She busily unsnapped his jeans. “Have I ever mentioned to you that I love alpha men?”
“N-no, I don’t think you have.”
“I’m only telling you this because I’m not one of those women who can’t take the heat in bed, if you know what I mean.” She wagged her brows. “Got it?”
His hand ripped through his hair. “Loud and definitely clear.”
The Darkest Knight (The KNIGHT Brothers Book 3) Page 15