Once Burned

by Suzie O'Connell

  “Jeans and T-shirts are so much easier to get out of,” Lindsay remarked huskily as she unbuttoned his jacket, then his vest, and then his dress shirt. “You are sexy as hell in this tux, but right now, it’s damned inconvenient.”

  He chuckled and assisted her, peeling out of each garment as she finished unbuttoning it. The rest of his fine trappings were shed more quickly, and their undergarments came off even faster. While Lindsay turned back the covers and slid in between the sheets, he yanked a condom out of the nightstand drawer.

  “I’m on birth control,” she murmured, “so if you want to go without that….”

  “I guess we’ll be doubly covered. I’d prefer you to be married the next time you get pregnant—” He kissed her neck, intoxicated by the warm, natural scent of her. “—because you deserve nothing less than that guarantee of commitment from your child’s father.”

  He didn’t say it, but the desire to be that man was powerful. With that thought in mind, he lavished her body with kisses and caresses, determined to make her feel worshipped and cherished. Because she was.

  “Good God, you’re beautiful,” he sighed. “You make me feel so alive, Lindsay, like my life up to this point was just waiting… waiting for you. You know what I want to say, don’t you.”

  “I do, and I want to hear you say it,” she whispered, “but only if you truly mean it. I don’t want to hear empty words.”

  He positioned himself above her, braced on his forearms, and lowered his head to nuzzle her neck. Then he kissed her with all the tenderness he could muster in the storm of raging need, and against her lips, he whispered, “I love you.”

  She curled her arms around him and held him tightly, and a tiny whimper escaped her. He didn’t expect her to say it back and claimed her mouth in a passionate kiss so she couldn’t. He had only his own heart to risk, and so it was easier for him, but she had her son to consider as well, and she needed to know beyond every doubt her heart—abused and burned by callous men—could come up with that he wouldn’t repeat what had happened in her past.

  He stroked her to aching need, determined to drive any thoughts of anything but the moment from her mind, and entered her slowly, pushing deep until she gasped. His body remembered hers, and the feel of her tight around him drove him wild, but he maintained a firm grip on his control, taking her to the edge and bringing her back down time and again until she begged him to take her over. And then his hold slipped, and he raced mindlessly toward that ultimate satisfaction, driven by need and sensation.

  They cried out together, clinging to each other and quivering as the climax broke over them. Henry panted for breath and, derived of the strength to hold his head up, rested his forehead on her chest as his body continued to tremble.

  After a while, his heart rate slowed, and he rolled to the side and gathered Lindsay in his arms. He touched his lips to the nape of her neck and exhaled slowly, skimming his fingertips lovingly over her arm. With her tucked safely in his embrace, he found a peace more complete than he’d ever imagined existed.

  “I used to think I understood what changed my brothers when they fell in love.”

  “How did they change?” Lindsay asked.

  “That restlessness of youth stilled. Nick was always laidback, but when he and Beth got together, he found his focus. Same for Aaron. He didn’t need the wild thrills of our younger days anymore.”

  “Why do you suppose that happened?”

  “They found what they didn’t know their hearts were searching for.”

  She rolled over to face him, searching his eyes as if she could look right into his heart. “And you, Henry? What have you found?”

  “My center of gravity.” He brushed her hair back from her face. Recalling what she’d told him all those weeks ago about what she wanted from their temporary arrangement, his lips lifted. “Tell me, Lindsay. How does it feel to be someone’s woman again… for real this time?”

  “So wonderful that I realize I’ve never been anyone’s woman before.”

  * * *

  Thanks to her mother’s scheming, Lindsay had planned ahead for her overnight stay with Henry and brought a set of clothing over before she’d dressed for the play yesterday. She was in no hurry to put them on, however, content to sit up in bed for a while and watch her lover sleep. The sky outside was gray, but the cloud cover was thin, allowing plenty of light to brighten the room and illuminate Henry’s sleep-gentled face. In slumber, he was devastatingly handsome, but his physical attractiveness—undeniable, sure—played only a small part in her perception of him. It was the slow and steady rhythm of his breathing, the new familiarity with the lines of his body, and the memory of last night that captivated her and stirred a possessiveness she’d never felt before. If it was true that she’d never belonged to any man before Henry, it was also true that no man had ever belonged to her. But Henry did, and he’d made that quite clear.

  Sighing, she combed her fingers lightly back through his hair, and her heart tripped over itself when his eyes fluttered open and a sleepy smile curved his lips.

  “G’morning, gorgeous,” he mumbled. “Sleep all right?”

  “As deeply as I only seem to when I’m with you.” She leaned down to kissed him. “When you call me gorgeous… it’s like you’re saying everything about me is beautiful, inside and out, and I love how that makes me feel. I need to think of a better pet name for you because sexy just doesn’t cut it. It’s about the physical, so it leaves out too much.”

  “You can call me whatever you want,” he replied. “Just so long as you call me.”

  “And so long as I don’t call you late for dinner, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Hungry? I thought I’d make us breakfast, and then we can take a walk on the beach. And after that….” She wiggled her brows suggestively.

  “Sounds like heaven, but how about we take care of the ‘after that’ first.”

  He didn’t have to do much to convince her—not the first time in bed nor the second in the shower—and by the time she dressed and headed downstairs, her body was deliciously tingly and feeling a lot like Jell-O again. They flirted shamelessly while she cooked, and it almost turned into round three for the morning. Only the grumbling of their stomachs prevented them from ascending the stairs again. After breakfast, Henry washed the dishes, and after that, they headed down to the beach for a lazy barefoot walk. They held hands with their shoes dangling in the other, and Lindsay was blissfully relaxed with no room in her mind for worries. The only time since she’d gotten pregnant with Noah that she had been so carefree had been her trip to Montana, but there, her problems had been far away and easier to ignore. Here, they were just around the corner… and yet, she had no trouble holding them off. The effect Henry had on her was extraordinary.

  As they meandered down the beach toward the dock, Lindsay recalled Henry’s first day on the beach. They’d all had such fun, the three of them, and the way Noah had taken to him—not just that day but every day since—amazed her. She hadn’t allowed herself to wonder what she’d do if they didn’t get along, and now that fear seemed silly. Noah adored Henry and had been on his best behavior, wanting to impress him, and while he’d tried to impress Logan, how and why had been different. He’d wanted to get Logan’s attention, but with Henry…. She recalled how he’d let go of his too-cool-for-this attitude about baking cookies and how he’d listened so intently to Henry’s lesson about dancing, and she realized that her son wasn’t trying to garner Henry’s attention; he didn’t need to because he always had it. No, he admired Henry and wanted to emulate him.

  The thought nearly stopped her in her tracks. The one that followed did. I’m okay with that. More than okay, because I’d be pretty damned proud if he turned into a man like Henry. That’d be a helluva lot better than becoming one like Max or Logan.

  Henry frowned at her, and to cover her distraction, she brushed the bottom of one foot against her leg like she’d stepped on something. She flashed him a
smile and started walking again. Satisfied, he matched her strides.

  “This is wonderful, us on the beach together,” he said after a while, “but something is missing without Noah here with us. The beach just isn’t the same without him.”

  She stopped again and stared at him. “Did I say what I was thinking out loud?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Because I was just thinking about how well you and Noah get along.”

  “He’s a great kid, Lindsay. You’ve done a wonderful job with him despite your ex trying to undermine your efforts.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Shall we head to your parents’ house and go get him? Unless you’d rather have me all to yourself for a bit longer.”

  “I would, but….”

  She chewed on her lip, indecisive, and he chuckled.

  “Let’s go, then. Besides, I have something I want to talk to your folks about before they start packing to head back to Arizona.”

  “Oh? And what’s that?”

  “You’re just going to have to wait to find out.”

  “Race ya to the dock?”

  She didn’t give him the chance to decline her challenge. Dropping his hand, she shot forward and sprinted across the cold sand. His reaction was faster today than it had been on their first day at the beach, and he caught her halfway to the dock, but instead of passing her to secure the win, he matched her pace and ran beside her. Still, he had to work to run with her, and she took pride in that. When they reached the tall pilings that supported the long dock, they slowed to a walk, stepping carefully to avoid the sharp, broken shells of the mussels and clams that gathered around the dock in greater numbers than elsewhere on the expansive beach.

  They passed under the dock and turned toward the long stairs to the top of it. As they climbed, Henry took her hand and kissed the back of it. The gesture wasn’t deliberate but habitual, an outward sign that she occupied his thoughts even as his attention was on the tall bluff crowned with evergreens and houses.

  At the top of the stairs, they slipped their shoes on and headed up the short street and then left toward her parents’ house half a block down the road that ran parallel to the beach. Lindsay entered without knocking, and Henry followed half a step behind. Her parents and Noah sat at the dining room table working on the puzzle they’d started yesterday before Henry had arrived to pick her up for their date.

  “You’re back early,” her father remarked. “We weren’t expecting you until this afternoon.”

  “That was the plan,” Henry replied, “but we missed Noah.”

  Lindsay watched her son’s face light up. The sentiment obviously meant a lot more to him coming from Henry than it would have had she said it, further proof of how attached the boy already was to him. Maybe that should worry her, but with the sensations and emotions Henry had wrought from her still firmly in control of her, she wasn’t afraid.

  “Well? How was your date?” Debbie asked.

  “Incredible,” Lindsay replied honestly.

  “Hey, Noah, are you up for a game of catch in the backyard while your mom and grandma talk?” Henry interrupted before Lindsay could go into more detail. Both he and her son looked to her for permission, and the matching, hopeful smiles on their faces melted her heart.

  “Have fun, boys. But don’t be too long because Henry has something he wanted to talk to Grandma and Grandpa about.”

  Henry didn’t take the bait, only winked as he snatched the football off the counter and followed Noah out to the sliding glass door to the backyard. After a moment of indecision, Steve rose from the table and headed outside to join them.

  “Details?” Debbie asked as soon as the door closed behind the menfolk. “Because I get the feeling something happened. Something good.”

  Lindsay nodded. “The play was excellent. Shannon was amazing, and it was great to catch up with Pat and Aelissm and Bill and Mary. Henry and I danced in his living room for a bit when we got home, and finished off our evening with a, uh, spectacular finale.”

  “And?”

  “And he said he loves me. First time he’s said it.”

  Debbie digested the information, searching Lindsay’s face as she asked, “And did you say it back?”

  She shook her head. “He didn’t give me the chance to, and I get the feeling he doesn’t want me to yet, which I don’t entirely understand.”

  “I do. He wants to make sure you trust it so that when you do—when, I say, my daughter, not if—you’ll know for sure that it’s real. And judging by the look in your eyes right now, I’d say he’s right to be patient with you. What’s wrong?”

  “It just seems like it’s too soon. We’ve only been dating for a couple weeks, and yes, Montana was amazing, and yes, we’ve talked on the phone a lot since then, but….”

  “You two have been together the whole time,” her mother commented softly. “Even if you didn’t realize it. So really, it’s not so soon at all. Let me ask you this. Did you believe him when he said it?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, there you go.”

  Her mother started to turn away, making it clear that the conversation was over, but Lindsay wasn’t done. She told Debbie what she’d thought on the beach about Noah wanting to emulate Henry and listed out the examples that had led her to that conclusion.

  “What do you think about that?” she asked her mother.

  “I think Henry is a fine example for your son to follow.”

  “Thank you, Mama. I needed to hear that.”

  “You need to stop worrying and overthinking things, Lindsay. Remember what I told you about expecting this to fail?”

  “I’m trying to, but old habits are hard to break.”

  “I know they are, my sweet girl.” Debbie hugged her. “And I wish to God you’d never had reason to form those habits. But I see Henry starting to break them.”

  Nodding, Lindsay walked over to the back door to call Henry, Noah, and her father inside.

  “Is it time?” Henry asked.

  “Yes, it is. Spill your guts, Mr. Hammond.”

  He set the football on the counter and leaned against the island, waiting until everyone had gathered around him before he spoke. “Christmas. I want you all to come to Northstar for the two weeks Noah has off from school. I’ve already reserved our vacation rental for you, free of charge.”

  Lindsay’s first thought was to reject the idea, but with her mother’s words fresh in her mind, she swallowed that urge, which allowed her to see clearly. “How long have you been planning this?”

  “Since the day I called you to ask if I could come see you.”

  Her mother looked pointedly at her, and she ignored her.

  “Can we, Mom?” Noah asked. “Please?”

  “You’re supposed to spend Christmas with your father, Noah.”

  Disappointment splashed across her son’s face, and his shoulders fell. “I don’t want to go. I’d rather go to Montana and see Henry’s ranch and meet his family. Dad doesn’t want me to come for Christmas anyhow. You know he doesn’t.”

  “Considering how much coercing it took to get him to agree to Christmas,” she said, “I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard to make different arrangements for you to go see him some other time.”

  Instant mood reversal.

  “Really?”

  “Does that mean you’ll all come?” Henry asked with an adorable hopefulness that matched her son’s.

  “I know I’d love to see this place that has stolen my daughter’s heart,” Steve said. “And with our stay already paid for, how can I say no? What do you say, Deb?”

  “I’m there.”

  “Lindsay?” Henry asked.

  “You know I miss your family and Northstar,” she replied. “And since I’ve been living here, I can actually afford to take the time off.”

  “So you’ll come?”

  “Yes, Henry, we’ll come.” She kissed him firmly, and when she stepped back, he was grinning like a fool. “I
can’t wait.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  WHEN LINDSAY WALKED out of Donovan’s three days later on Tuesday, Henry and Noah were waiting for her in his truck. Instead of getting off the bus at her cousin’s like he usually did when Lindsay worked the dinner shift, Noah had gotten off at home and spent the afternoons with Henry. Her parents had left for Arizona early yesterday morning with the plan to meet up in Northstar on the twenty-first, and when they had suggested Sunday night before their departure that Noah might enjoy being at home in the afternoons instead of at his cousin’s and that he might also be more likely to get his homework done immediately instead of drawing it out, Lindsay had surprised herself by agreeing. Henry had liked the idea, and Noah had jumped at the opportunity to spend more time with him. That she was entirely comfortable leaving her son alone with Henry was a monumental step forward because she’d never trusted Logan enough to let him watch Noah, and she hated leaving her son with his own father.

  “You boys have fun together this evening?” she inquired when they climbed out of the truck to greet her.

  “Once I got my homework done, yeah,” Noah replied. “We threw the football on the beach. Actually, even homework was kinda fun. We did our own liquid density experiment like the one I did in class today… only Henry’s actually worked how it’s s’posed to. I’ll probably be the only kid in class with the right answers on the homework.”

  “I’m impressed by you both. Did you thank him?”

  “Yes, he did,” Henry replied, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “How was work?”

  “Long and exhausting as usual.”

  “Hopefully we can help with that a bit. We made spaghetti, and while it isn’t nearly as good as what you make and will have to be reheated since we ate a couple hours ago, we thought you might appreciate not having to cook dinner for yourself after work.”

  Lindsay nearly sighed with relief. “I do indeed. You’re spoiling me.”