Love's Freedom

by Misty Wright

  No, for Evangeline, she had to be one hundred percent sober and willing. He wanted her to remember everything he was going to do to her when they finally got together. It was too bad she had fallen asleep on the way home, because he had really wanted to taste her again, but as before, he couldn't take advantage of her vulnerability. However, that didn't mean that he couldn't move his gaze down the front of her. She had exquisite breasts and although she let him touch them, it didn't do them justice because he knew having his hands on her bare skin would be phenomenal.

  He had carried her over his shoulder to the house and knocked on the door. Glen had answered, saw the situation and stepped aside without a word. He did follow him down to Evangeline's room while he laid her on the bed and removed her shoes before covering her up. Mark was surprised that her older brother wasn't angry with him, but he just thanked him for bringing her home.

  The best part about last night was that she had had no inhibitions and had no idea how damn sexy she was. She wore a cream dress that fit her snugly, but not snug enough for her to no longer look classy, and hell, did she look classy. Men's jaws had fallen when she had walked into the club with her on his arm, and it made him feel like a prized stallion.

  He may not have taken her home to his house, but he had taken every opportunity to touch her. More than once his hand slid from her back to her ass, and Christ, was it nice! A perfect round form that fit in his large hand flawlessly. Several times he was able to bend down and move his mouth into the crease of her neck to inhale the slight scent of perfume she wore, and she had moved her arms around his middle and returned the embrace.

  Hopefully this helped her loosen up a bit around him, because he was starting to go crazy not being able to touch her like he wanted to, or like he was used to doing with women. He had never wanted to touch a female body as much as he did hers.

  Maybe it had something to do with the fact that no man had ever had his hands on her, or that he was seriously becoming crazy about her. Evangeline was unique. She was sweet, caring and had this passionate, hot temper that kept him guessing. She was nothing like what he was used to. The only problem was that he wanted her so bad he could taste it. Yet, he had to be careful. The last thing he wanted to do was send her running. No one knew how many times he had chastised himself for not taking her home last night, but it would have been so morally wrong to do so. Yet, he was suffering. Every time he closed his eyes, he had images of them breaking his bed with their passion.

  After practice, Mark pulled off his gloves and Janine glanced at his knuckles. "Oh man. You'd better hide that."

  Mark looked down to see what Janine was staring at. It was the obvious bruises and one split knuckle that he'd bandaged early that morning. He glanced up at him and turned his hands palms up when Dutch walked by. He had to refrain from smiling because he had too many close calls already with the GM.

  "Just let me know now, did anyone know who you were when you beat the snot out of him?" Janine didn't even consider that Mark could have lost. He'd always been a fighter, and more than once when they were younger, did they get in scraps with local boys who were jealous of their popularity. One thing he was absolutely sure about was that Mark could fight like hell. Dutch had made sure they took boxing when they were growing up just to be able to compete on the ice when a fight broke out. However, it'd been years since he'd done that because of the unwanted attention being a well-known athlete. He saved the fighting for the ice now. At least, he thought he did.

  Mark shrugged. "I don't know," he said, then grinned. "It was two guys by the way. Give me credit."

  "Jesus," Janine said, not amused. "Dad's going to come unglued if the media gets a hold of that."

  "It was after the club closed and we were all leaving. Some prick made a play for Evangeline. I intercepted."

  "I'm sure it's not as simple as you put it."

  "No." Mark grinned. It had actually been four guys who were drinking, but Mark only had to fight two of them. His buddies had handled the other two. Mark had had the upper hand, along with Johnny Ibsen, one of their best defensemen, and Eric, who felt like he could take on the world.

  The other guys were stupid to even try. Just looking at the size of the four of them should have been a deterrent, but it didn't happen. Liquor made people brave.

  One of them had carried on comments that he'd been using in the club about Evangeline. Mark thought he'd shown a tremendous amount of restraint until one of them grabbed her ass when she was coming off the dance floor with one of the other girlfriends. He could take the chatter, and he was used to worse, but touching her was disrespectful and unacceptable.

  Mark had told him to meet him outside and he did, but he brought three friends with him. Obviously, the guy thought he was alone until three more six-foot-something hockey players showed up behind him, all sober except Mark. It was a brief fight and he was hoping that Evangeline had been too loaded to remember any of it. He had actually put her in his car and went back to take care of the guy. He definitely wouldn't have let his teammates interfere, but he also didn't expect the guy not to be honorable. After all, it was his girlfriend he was pawing, and then he had the balls to bring three more guys. Well, they sure got a surprise, didn't they?

  So he told Janine the truth.

  "Well, we won't tell Dad unless he finds out the hard way. I'm sure you like your nuts."

  Mark laughed. "I'm attached to them, yes."

  Meanwhile, Dutch tapped Eric on the shoulder and indicated with a nod that he wanted to talk to him privately.

  "Ah, hell. Poor bastard," Mark said.

  Eric shot them a look of helplessness before he followed Dutch reluctantly into the other room. Mark knew that he wouldn't say anything about what had happened the night before, and most likely Dutch wouldn't care, but would make him pay for it instead.

  Janine returned his attention to Mark. "Did you tell Evangeline about the pool party?"

  "No, she wouldn't have remembered. She was sloshed."

  Janine grinned. "Well, bring her tonight. My mom wants to meet her."

  "Who all is going?"

  Janine spread his arms. That meant everyone. "Except maybe Eric. I think Dad dragged him back out onto the ice."

  "He looked a little green." Mark laughed, though he really shouldn't have; he'd been there before.

  *

  "A what?" Evangeline said into the phone. Mark had called her at three and told her to be ready by five when he came by. She did hear that part, but what he said next made her do a double take.

  "Pool party. Bring your swimsuit." He paused. "Something that preferably covers your body well, because I don't feel like fighting my friends," he added, his voice deepening.

  Evangeline spun away from Tito, who was sitting at the kitchen table drinking a coffee, because her face went bright red and he was watching her with the eyes of an eagle. "I'm not doing that."

  "Be brave."

  "No," she said.

  "I'll make it worth your while."

  She stopped breathing. Gosh, his deep voice was just heavenly and the promise in that phrase left her speechless. Then he chuckled and her insides pulsed.

  "Speechless?"

  "I'll bring shorts," she said.

  "And a swimsuit."

  "I I don't think I own one."

  "Just a minute," he said before he spoke to someone else. Then he was back on the phone. "Jennifer said she's got one and it's conservative. She said it doesn't fit right now that she's had Shane."

  She still didn't say anything.

  "Evangeline, sweetheart, I swear you'll have fun. Have I ever lied to you?"

  "Not that I know of," she finally said, a little shyly.

  "That's my girl. I'll see you in about an hour." He hung up.

  My girl. She closed her eyes.

  "Where are you going?" Tito asked as she hung up the phone.

  "Janine's."

  "Are you drinking again?" he said, narrowing his gaze disapprovingly.
/>   "No, Tito, and probably not for the rest of my life."

  "He shouldn't have let you do that."

  "He didn't let me do anything. I did it to myself. Mark didn't even drink."

  "Yeah, Glen said that."

  "Why don't you like him?"

  He shrugged. "I don't trust him with you. I like him as an athlete because without him, our team wouldn't be the best in the league, but it's different when it comes to family." He sighed. "Look, Evangeline, I'm a man too, and I know what a man thinks when he looks at a woman. Mark's not naïve when it comes to beautiful women. I worry that he might hurt you."

  If only Tito knew that it wasn't Mark who wanted more out of this relationship. She started dreaming about him and it left her hot and bothered most nights. She liked the way he touched her and kissed her. It sent her senses soaring. If Tito knew that it was her initiating the intimacy, he'd be shocked.

  "He's been a gentleman, Tito," she said truthfully.

  *

  "Evangeline, you're beautiful. No one is going to judge you," Mark said as he stood outside the changing room.

  She looked down at the swimsuit Jennifer gave her and sighed. She was acting like an adolescent. She had seen the suits the other girls were wearing and they weren't nearly as conservative as this was. She silently thanked Jennifer when she gave her the designer one-piece. It was pretty blue and green and it covered her well.

  "Are you dressed?" Mark said.

  "Yes."

  He pulled open the door and stepped in. "Damn!" he said, looking down the length of her as he released a long, slow whistle of appreciation.

  "Mark!" she admonished with eyes as wide as saucers.

  "You have amazing legs." Amazing hips, curves, breasts, he thought, keeping the rest to himself.

  "Get out, Mark," she said while placing her hand on his chest and trying to push him back out the door, which was really pointless. He was too big. It was like pushing on a cement wall. He ignored her and shut the door behind him, staying inside the changing room.

  It wasn't because of her shyness that she wanted him to leave; it was more than just that. He was wearing swimming trunks and every inch of him was evenly tanned and revealing how perfectly muscular he was. He had several tattoos on his upper torso and biceps that she never would have guessed he had. It just made him seem so much more appealing and masculine, something she knew he didn't need more of. She quickly dropped her hand, realizing that she was touching him.

  Her eyes slipped down his chest to his sculpted abdomen. She never thought that men really had those type of washboard abs that you seen on television, but he did. Then there was his thick chest with a spray of dark hair. It picked up again just under his navel and disappeared into the elastic band of his shorts. She turned her head away, but not before she had the image of his body burned into her mind. She realized that he just stood there and allowed her to admire him. Obviously he was proud of his body, as he should be.

  "No way am I leaving when a beautiful woman looks at me like that," he said, stepping up to her and placing his fingers under her chin. "Look at me, honey. There's no shame in it."

  Her eyes went to his. "You, you're, well…" She blushed. He was just plain heavenly.

  "Here," he said, and took one of her hands and placed it on his chest. "You have my permission to touch me as many times as you want. I certainly won't protest."

  She looked up at him. His expression was serious, intense. Yet, she didn't remove her hand; she didn't want to. He was as warm and hard as she thought he would be.

  "I I went to Catholic school," she stuttered.

  "I figured that out already," he said, allowing a smile to tug at the corner of his mouth.

  "I mean, gosh, Mark!" She took a big, unsteady breath and moved her eyes down to his chest where her hand was.

  The look of awe on her face was fascinating. Women had admired him before, but Evangeline was different. She was discovering her own attraction and it was, quite frankly, sexy as hell.

  Mark bent his head slowly until she looked up at him again, and then he kissed her. There was no hesitation from him to allow her to become accustomed to it this time. He had given her enough of that. This time he was going to kiss her like that mouth of hers was built for.

  Evangeline somehow lost track of time, and even place, and perhaps her own name if she was asked to recall it right then. Now both of her hands moved over his chest between them. She kissed him back like she was ravenous and didn't even notice that one of his hands moved up and skillfully slipped the shoulder strap of her swimsuit down her arm.

  Only when his warm, calloused hand came into contact with her breast did she gasp and pull her head back to look at him. That meant nothing to Mark because he had experience, and although the touch was unfamiliar to her, he knew she desired him. Without pausing or hesitating, he caressed her skillfully. Within a fraction of a second, her eyes closed and a moan left her parted lips. He took the opportunity to look down at her. Christ, she was so beautiful! Her head fell back and he did what any man would do: he took advantage.

  Evangeline had to bite her lip to keep from screaming his name when his hot mouth closed over her breast. Her arms moved around his head as he suddenly lifted her up on his hips, took a couple of steps, and laid her down on the chaise lounge within the changing room, bringing his body over hers. Not once did he stop what he was doing with his mouth, and within the next minute, the swimsuit was down to her waist and she was arching toward him. His mouth moved between her breasts, licking and flicking across her soft skin, coupled with small bites.

  Evangeline felt like weeping. Never could she have imagined that two people could share something so tortuously sweet! Her fingers knotted in his thick hair trying to get closer to him.

  Mark growled and reached down, lifting one of her thighs up over his hip to settle intimately against her. She still didn't protest and his need was obvious. Painfully obvious.

  He had to stop. There was no way he could take her in the changing room. He had an incredible amount of stamina and someone would definitely come looking with the amount of time they would be missing. He could take her quickly, but that would be wrong in so many ways. It would destroy what he wanted with her. Most likely she would lose what little trust he built with her. God damn it! He had never wanted a woman as much as her. This was killing him.

  "Evangeline," he said, breathing raggedly, "we can't. Not here." He lifted his head and looked down at her. Her eyes were glazed over as she stared up at him. He groaned. That look of desire could make any man come on the spot.

  "Shit." He took another breath and eased himself off her. It was stupid to seduce her here. Soon people would be wondering what took them so long. He sat back and pulled her to a sitting position and reluctantly slipped her bathing suit back over her shoulders. "Honey, are you all right?"

  Her eyes sought out his and she nodded. "Are you?" He looked like he was in pain.

  He stood up and adjusted his swimming trunks trying to hide the evidence of his erection, but it wasn't easy. "I will be in a few minutes."

  Evangeline watched him with fascination.

  He returned her gaze and shook his head. He wasn't sure who had corrupted whom now. She still had that glazed look and he had the notion to take her home and make love to her.

  "I feel boneless," she said finally.

  He cocked his head. "Boneless?" he asked, staring down at her from his towering height.

  "Mindless hot."

  He grinned slowly, deviously. "Good."

  "Wow."

  He groaned, bent over and took her arms making her stand. "Honey, you have no idea what that sultry look is doing to me, so stop it."

  "I look sultry?"

  "To say the least." His eyes went to her breasts, and he said, "They're perfect." They really were. Not too big or too small. They were pert and well-shaped, with nicely sculpted, rosy-tipped nipples. He couldn't imagine a nicer-shaped woman than her, and he'd had a lot of women
.

  For the first time, she started to blush. "Oh, Mark, I can't believe that it felt so-"

  He kissed her again, cutting off her words before he gripped her hand. "No need to explain, but we may have to if we don't get out of here soon. People are going to wonder what we're doing." He had to shut her up. The newly discovered desire in her was going to have him lose it.

  Evangeline completely forgot about being in her bathing suit after that. In fact, she forgot a great many things. They played volleyball in the pool where the women sat on the men's shoulders, and even though she loved the sport she kept thinking about what Mark did to her earlier and let several good lobs go by. It didn't matter, though; everyone was having fun.

  Mark didn't forget a damn thing. He became fiercely possessive and refused to let Evangeline out of his sight. He kept thinking that everyone was looking at her. Hell, he couldn't get his eyes off her. Her shape was exquisite. Her skin, soft against his, was unforgettable, and as far as he was concerned, she was his.

  "When's your birthday?" he asked out of the blue.

  She gave him a puzzled look. "December fifth. Why?"

  "Does your family have anything planned?"

  "I don't know. Usually I get a cake and a gift from them," she answered, getting more confused at where this was going.

  "No fancy party?"

  "Not since I was 12. What's with the questions?"

  He stared at her for a moment before answering. He wasn't sure how she'd handle what he was going to ask her. He'd been going over it for several weeks on how to get her to agree. He had even put some planning into place already. Yet, he was concerned she'd turn him down because of her morals. Then again, how would he know if he didn't come out and say it?

  "I want to take you to Vegas on your birthday."

  She blinked but didn't say anything.

  "Before you protest, Jennifer and Janine are going along with Eric and whatever girl he brings."