“For a minute, I actually forgot why I was here.”
“Good. I want you to relax.”
Even though she honestly believed there was no real threat, there were constant reminders.
“We’re doing our best to keep the intrusions to a minimum.” He started the vehicle and headed down a narrow dirt road, in the direction of the distant Saddle Mountain.
“So who were you talking to?”
“Lifeguard.”
She waited for him to go on. Instead, he focused on the road in front of him, features inscrutable. “Are you going to tell me anything more?”
“He’s a coordinator, of sorts.”
“Is this part of you trying to keep the intrusions to a minimum?”
After sparing her a quick glance, he nodded. “It’s a balancing act. There’s a lot of activity in the background that you don’t see. And you have a right to the information you want to receive.”
She was more curious than ever. “You said the man on the phone is a coordinator, of sorts. What does that mean?”
“When we’re running ops, he oversees them. No one knows more about the nitty-gritty details of how Hawkeye is organized than he does. He works out of a control center where he monitors everything and provides us with any assistance required.”
As much as the safety belt would allow, she angled her body toward him. “Go on.”
“He has our backs—handles any emergency call from anywhere on the planet and dispatches appropriate resources. Police. Fire. EMT. FBI.” Jacob paused. He appeared to want to go on but didn’t.
“And other people?”
He didn’t respond. Instead, he deftly changed the conversation. “He was injured in combat, and he lost the use of his legs.”
“Is he a friend of yours?”
He kept his gaze trained on the road ahead. “Yeah.”
“And Hawkeye’s?”
“We go way back.”
“To the service? Peru?”
“Astute guess. When you go through something like that, it changes you. Those of us who made it out are still close. Well, except for one guy.”
She remained quiet, studying him. A line furrowed between his eyebrows, and his lips were set. Lost in the past? “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t pry.”
“It was a long time ago.”
“But you still never talk about it.”
“No. I don’t.”
What must it be like to have seen so many horrors and to continue on? Jacob found solace in the land, while Hawkeye still sought refuge in his work. “And you don’t forget.” It was more of an insight than a question.
Just when she thought Jacob might ignore her, he reengaged in the conversation. “I moved on. That’s the best I can hope for. Hawkeye is as loyal as they come, never forgets his men or their capabilities. He believes in people, even when they’ve lost faith in themselves. And Lifeguard? Taking care of us—protecting us—is his purpose. It drives him.”
“What kind of phone is that?”
“Designed by—”
“Bonds?” It was a guess, but no doubt a good one.
“It has a few extra features that are useful in an emergency. He has one that allows him to see holograms.”
“That—what? Like in the movies?”
“Entertaining as hell, but I’m not sure how useful it is. I generally like to keep my discussions more private.”
“From what I’ve read, he’s constantly dreaming up new ideas. Some of them are just for his amusement.”
“Probably accurate.”
A minute later, he stopped the UTV to point out a mule deer. As if realizing she was being watched, the animal froze, staring back with enormous eyes.
When they remained in the vehicle, she eventually looked away and began grazing again.
“Thank you. That was amazing.”
“I thought you might like it.”
A few minutes later, he hit a big bump, tossing her around, and she grinned. “This is fun.”
“Fun? In that case, I’ll let you drive us back.”
“I’d like that.” She took in the endless expanse of sky and a few puffy clouds. Because of their speed, the breeze managed to whip a few errant strands of hair across her cheeks.
Less than half an hour later, he braked to a stop in a small clearing.
After unbuckling, she joined him at the back of the vehicle. The ground was carpeted in green, and a few shrubs sprang from the earth. “This is a wonderful spot. So beautiful, peaceful.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
While he set up the table and chairs, she wandered down to the river. Because it was only a tributary, it wasn’t wide, and it was shallower than she expected. Colorful river rocks adorned the bed, and water burbled along invitingly. She crouched to test the temperature, then pulled her hand back against the bite of the chill. “It’s freezing!”
“When the sun heats you up, you won’t be able to resist the temptation of getting naked,” he called back.
“You are persistent.”
“I haven’t even started turning on the charm yet.”
Shaking her head, she returned to the makeshift campsite. He’d covered the table with a red-and-white-checkered cloth, and the picnic basket sat on top.
“Are you ready to eat?”
“I can wait for a little while.”
“Good. That’s what I was hoping to hear.”
She shivered. “Do you ever stop?”
“Tell me honestly…” He thumbed back the bill of his baseball cap. “Do you want me to?”
The world went silent for a moment, and she found the courage to admit her truth. “No.”
“Then we’re in agreement.” Gently, he captured her chin.
Her heart fluttered like a butterfly’s wings. Even though she’d known him only a short amount of time, she craved him.
The intensity of his kiss shocked her. Rather than relaxed, it was urgent, and she responded to his passion, meeting each thrust of his tongue with a parry of her own.
He made her heart hammer and her thoughts swoon.
When her knees buckled, he caught her and pulled her tight against his chest.
“I’ve got you, Elissa.”
Recognizing the inevitable, she surrendered. “Yes.”
Jacob captured her mouth a second time. He slid his palm against her buttocks, pressing her against his pelvis. His cock was already hard, and the knowledge he wanted her turned her on. Response flooded through her, and she wrapped her arms around his neck, silently giving more than he asked.
He released her momentarily, long enough to search her features and to thread his fingers into her ponytail. His grip firm, he held her in place as he sought her lips once again, devouring her moans and whimpered pleas.
Desperate for more, she wrapped her arms around his neck and lifted her heels so she could move her hips against his.
He needed no other hints. “I’m going to make love to you.”
Shocked that she needed his possession more than her next breath, she nodded and reached for his belt.
Within seconds, he’d taken over, pulling her shirt off over her head and unhooking her bra, seemingly all in the same sweeping move.
In the breeze, her nipples instantly hardened.
“Nice.” He bent his head to suck one into his mouth, and desire plowed through her.
“Tell me you have condoms.” She had to ask before common sense fled entirely.
“Always. I consider that essential equipment now that you’re around, fair Elissa.”
Thank God.
He removed his shirt and draped it around her shoulders, then left her only long enough to spread out the blanket and grab his cell phone. Something else he obviously considered essential.
Then he opened the metal button at her waistband. Looking in her eyes, he lowered the zipper. Instead of pulling her shorts off, he slid his hand inside, then brushed aside the gusset of her panties to stroke her clit.
&
nbsp; At his light touch, she moaned.
“You’re already wet, aren’t you?”
“Mmm.” He coaxed responses from her that she didn’t know she was capable of.
As he continued to work his magic, she clamped her hands on his biceps for support and allowed her eyes to drift closed.
“Come for me, Elissa. No holding back.”
His rough command melded with his masterful touch, lighting a fire deep in her. Within seconds, whimpering and crying, she climaxed, giving him what he demanded, as if it could be any other way.
Finally, when her breathing returned to normal and the brain fog cleared, she looked at him.
Maybe it was a trick of the sunlight, but she read purposeful intent in his dark green eyes.
“I need to be inside you, Elissa.”
She nodded. Rather than satiating her, the orgasm had only made her crave him more.
After he guided her to the blanket, he tossed aside his hat. She reclined onto her elbows to watch as he shrugged off his lightweight jacket to reveal a gun holster.
He’s carrying?
She shook her head. Of course he was. How could she think otherwise?
He covered the handgun with a towel, then tugged his T-shirt up, revealing the honed planes of his stomach. A shiver of arousal chased through her as he finished tugging the material over his head.
“See something you like?”
Elissa blushed. “I’ll be honest, I’ve never been so fascinated by a male body before.”
Showing zero embarrassment beneath her steady gaze, he gave her a quick grin. “And I meet your approval?”
A shiver tracing through her, she met his eyes. “You know you do.” And she ached to explore every part of him with her fingers as well as her mouth.
He toed off his work boots and socks, then unfastened his belt before removing his jeans. His tight gray boxer briefs showcased his enormous erection. “You’re ready for me, aren’t you? Tell me you are.”
“I always want you.”
Jacob removed his underwear before stripping off her remaining garments. Within seconds he’d taken total control. He was lying on his back, and he captured her wrists to guide her on top of him.
“Couldn’t get over the image of you like this, sitting up, wide open.”
Being in nature, naked, straddling him, should have made her shy. Instead, his approval emboldened her.
He toyed with her pussy to ensure she was lubricated, allowing her to set the pace.
Since her insides were a little tender, she took him in small, measured strokes.
When he was all the way inside, he groaned. “My God, woman.” He cradled her breasts, then tweaked her nipples.
The sensation—tenderness and pain in one—caused her to pitch forward. As she’d known he would, he caught her, protectively cradling her against him.
Then he grabbed hold of her ankles and tucked her feet inside his thighs, forcing her knees even farther apart, seating himself even deeper inside her.
“I…” She whimpered.
“You can.” After taking hold of her chin, he kissed her deeply and for so long that her senses were overwhelmed, and she no longer noticed the discomfort of him filling her. “Touch yourself for me.”
With as tight as he was holding her, it took some maneuvering for her to slide a finger across her swollen clit.
“That’s it, Elissa.”
He grasped her waist, steadying her as his powerful hips pistoned and he fucked her hard, seemingly with no restraint—not that she would deny him anything.
She was rising and falling on him, finding her climax when he moaned. How incredible this was, knowing he was on the verge.
Elissa lifted her head enough to watch him in fascination, adoring the way his lips pressed together and his jaw tightened.
His breaths were shallow, and he bit out her name, along with a soft curse.
The forceful way he came in her sent her over the edge, but he was there for her, clasping her again, murmuring reassuring words in her ear.
It wasn’t until long minutes later that she became aware of the sounds around her—the burbling water, the cry of a hawk. She managed to slow her breathing and regain her bearings long enough to press a palm against his chest in order to sit up. She blinked against the sunlight and saw his triumphant smile.
“I think you liked that.”
“More than a little.” The admission was easier than she imagined it might be.
“Then I think you’ll also enjoy my next suggestion.” Using his superior strength, he managed to roll them over, leaving her pinned helplessly beneath him.
“Oh?” Skeptically, she raised her eyebrows.
“Skinny-dipping.”
“I… Uh.” She drew a breath. “We’ve had that discussion before. I don’t do that kind of thing.”
“Until five minutes ago, you didn’t have sex outside either.”
“But…”
“You have to admit, it will feel nice after being hot and sweaty.”
No doubt he was right about that. Because there were no clouds, her skin was warm.
Unabashed, he stood and crossed to the four-wheeler. She sat up and watched as he discarded the condom, then grabbed two towels. He tossed one to her. “You can preserve your modesty with this.”
“It’s a little late for that.”
“That’s not a bad thing.” He strode to the water and stepped in. “Cold, but not frigid.” He crouched to pour a handful of the pure Rocky Mountain water over his chest and half-hard cock. “You’ll love it.”
“I don’t know about that.” Despite her reservations, she was tempted.
“Have I led you astray?”
“Not yet.”
As if conceding her point, he grinned. “Never know when you will get another chance.” He extended a hand toward her. “Live a little. Promise I’ll keep you warm.”
Chapter Seven
Clutching the towel closed, Elissa walked to the water’s edge.
“So very brave.”
She still wasn’t convinced.
“It’s okay once you get used to it.” Eyes dancing with a wicked gleam, he scooped up a handful of water and flicked it in her direction.
That was the motivation she needed.
After dropping the towel, she waded in, gritting her teeth against the temperature shock. “Look, Mister…” She crouched to return the favor, splashing him hard enough to drench him.
He took it like a man, standing there grinning even as droplets raced down his chest and thighs. “Do it again. Only this time come closer.”
Was that a threat? Or an invitation?
Either way, she couldn’t resist him.
After taking two tentative steps toward him, she bent over. His reactions were lightning fast. He swept her up and dragged her against him, holding her close, pressing one palm against her buttocks and the other between her shoulder blades.
“Your nipples are hard.”
“You said you’d warm me up.”
His eyes telegraphed his intent, and she obediently tipped her head back to accept his kiss.
He claimed her, plundered, then silently promised her more. And she wanted everything he offered.
By the time he pulled back, she was shaking from a fresh wave of desire. And even though she expected him to release her, his grip was firm.
“Admit it. I was right. It’s better than you thought it would be.”
Against her, his cock began to harden again.
“Yes.” Everything was. The sex. His kiss. Skinny-dipping. “Much better.”
He brushed his lips across her forehead before letting her go.
Now that they weren’t playing, the chill crept back in. She made her way to the river’s edge to pick up her towel and wrap it around her before finding a large, warm rock to sit on.
“I think we have a bottle of chardonnay in the picnic basket. Shall I pour you a glass?”
“Please.” She should help
, but she was so comfortable that she didn’t want to leave her spot.
A few minutes later, he joined her. He’d pulled on a pair of shorts but hadn’t bothered to dry off. Was he immune to the cold, as well as everything else that bothered mere mortals?
“Scoot over.”
She wiggled over a few inches, enough to give him a little room. Then she accepted the plastic tumbler he offered her. After sitting next to her, he tipped his glass toward hers. “Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.”
They clinked their rims together.
“Actually I can’t think of anything better.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Still feeling like a prisoner?”
There were reminders, constant ones. But they’d faded into the background. “Not as much. I really needed this.”
“Good. I have other ideas on how to keep you occupied.”
So did she.
“Food.”
She blinked. “Food?”
“What did you think I was talking about?” Jacob’s voice held a light tease.
Right now, he was so different from the serious cowboy who’d kidnapped her and the implacable Dom who’d tied her up and sent shockwaves of orgasms through her body.
She liked every side of him and marveled at how much more emotionally revealing he was than any other man she’d ever been with.
“I’ll set out the picnic, and you can join me when you’re ready.”
Once she’d finished her wine, she shimmied back into her clothes. No way would she ever be as comfortable with near nudity as he was.
Deborah had provided everything they might need, including utensils, plates, and napkins. The feast included fresh guacamole and tortilla chips, sandwiches on thick, crusty bread, olives, and a brick of cheese with apple slices as an accompaniment. There was also a delicious-looking assortment of cookies and brownies—not that Elissa needed them after this morning’s doughnut. “This looks amazing.”
After filling their plates, they sat in the chairs to enjoy the meal.
“Are you really going to come up with an idea for Deborah’s ski bunny? Or were you being polite?”
“I already have. But if she wants me to illustrate the children’s book? I’ll need a pseudonym.”
“Because of the work you’re doing on the portrait for me?”
Hold On To Me (Hawkeye Book 4) Page 12