by Susan Stoker
Funny how a reminder that her life was in danger made her feel better. It eased some of the burden from her shoulders. “Will do.”
“I’ll text you as soon as I find something,” Lisa promised. “Be careful, and don’t beat yourself up about this. You’re doing your job. Keeping him safe.”
A little more tension released its grasp on her neck. Her throat heated. “Thanks,” she said before ending the call and shoving the phone back in her pocket.
She splashed cool water on her face, brushed her hair, straightened her tank top, then headed back downstairs. Today, things were going to change. She could feel it. Even the air felt different. Thicker.
When she entered the living room, Rook was already there standing in front of the big window, arm raised, braced against the frame as he peered out at the ranch. Her body immediately sprang to life, right down to her nerve endings. She sidled up behind him, slipped her arms around his waist below his holster, and pressed up against his back, resting her cheek on his shoulder blade.
“Everything okay?”
The corded muscles in his forearms brushed over hers as he hugged her arms. “Storm’s coming.”
She lifted her head to peer over his shoulder, finding the sky darkening to a deep purple. And as she stood there with her arms wrapped around him, the clouds reflected the sun in a brilliant yellow display.
Breathtaking.
She glanced to the east. Clear blue skies. When she glance back to the south and the approaching storm, she spotted movement in the pasture.
Her heart stopped.
“Oh my God.” She pulled away from Rook and rushed to the door.
Chapter Ten
‡
“Tarah! Where are you going?” Alarm shook through Rook.
“Outside,” she called over her shoulder. “The kittens are in that pasture.”
How the hell did they get outside?
“Tarah, wait!”
His heart dropped to his gut and whole body went on alert as she tore out of the house. It wasn’t safe for her out there, between the damn threats, and now this approaching storm. He took off after her, gun drawn, gaze scanning the horizon for any dangers.
Jesus, she ran fast. He picked up his pace and caught up to her, grasping her arm to bring her to a halt. Wind whipped around them at an accelerated pace as it started to hail. “Tarah, just stop. It’s not safe for you out here.”
“I’ll be fine.” She lifted an arm to shield her face. “Let’s just get the kittens back into the house. This hail could kill them. How the heck did they get out here, Rook?”
“I don’t know.” He turned to stare at the house, not liking what his gut told him. They certainly hadn’t wandered out on their own.
With his eye on the massive funnel cloud forming about two miles away, he reluctantly let her go. They were closer to the cats than the house now. He holstered his gun and sprinted with her across the field to the kittens, hail pelting their bodies with a painful sting.
“Someone had to have brought them out here.” She echoed his thoughts, scooping Semper into her arms while he grabbed Fi.
“I agree. Must’ve been while I was in the office and you were upstairs.” He grasped her arm and tugged her toward the storm shelter by the barn, hoping they’d make it in time. They’d never make the one by the house where he could see Burly and Remy were headed.
By the time they reached the shelter, the hail stopped, rain picked up…and tornado touched down he estimated two miles away. The trajectory looked as if it might travel west and miss them, but he knew firsthand how a funnel could change direction last minute.
He handed Fi to Tarah, and strained to lift the door against the wind. The last time he’d been caught in a storm of this magnitude, he’d lost someone very dear. That was not going to happen again. Never again.
Digging deep, he found the extra strength to lift the door enough for her to climb in, then followed, pulling with all his might to shut them in and push the slider into the lock to bolt the door.
“You okay?” He felt along the side wall for the flashlight on the shelf and flicked it on.
Bright light illuminated the state-of-the-art bunker, complete with a table, two bunks, shelves, and enough room to pile in ten people comfortably. His brother had it built at the same time as the facility. He grabbed two chem-lights from a box, cracked and shook them, and a green glow filled the room. A good light source without batteries.
He returned the flashlight to the shelf, tossed the light sticks on the table, then twisted to Tarah, and sucked in a breath. Blood streaked down her face and arms. “You’re hurt.”
His heart rolled in his chest as visions of another storm flashed through his mind. He pushed them aside. Tarah was hurt. Unsure if the cuts were from the hail or kittens, he decided both as he stepped close to take the cats from her and set the squirming wet hellions on a bunk.
“It’s just a few scratches.” She shrugged, concern clouding her gaze. “You think Burly and Remy are okay?”
He pulled out his vibrating phone to find a message from his brother. “Yes, they’re in the shelter by the house, and the ranch hands made it into the training center. So they’re all safe.”
“Thank God.” Her sigh filled the air between them while her lips trembled.
“Come here,” he muttered, drawing her close, needing to hold her, to reassure himself she was indeed all right.
“You’re bleeding, too.” She pressed against him, wrapping her arms around him tight.
The storm raged on above them. He could hear the whistle of the wind, and his ears popped. But he shut it all out, focusing on the living, breathing…shaking woman in his arms. He kissed her temple. “You cold? You’re shaking.”
“So are you,” she said into his neck.
And son-of-a-bitch, she was right. He was shaking.
“You’ve been through these storms before.”
It was a statement, not a question.
“Yeah. A few times,” he replied, lulled by the feel of her warm body pressed close, and her hands slowly gliding up and down his back. “When I was ten, my mom and I had been out riding horses and the weather changed out of nowhere. We ran out of time. Couldn’t get to the shelter, so we tried to take refuge in the barn. When it hit, she pushed me down and covered me with her body. I came out without a scratch, but she didn’t make it.”
He remembered that day vividly, and could still see her dead-eyed stare when he’d tried to wake her up, to get out from underneath the debris.
Tarah’s hand stopped gliding and she hugged him tighter. “I’m sorry, Rook. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
His eyes burned, and he could feel the wetness on his face as he gathered Tarah near, soaking up her strength and compassion, letting go of an ache he’d held inside for two decades.
“My mother died when I was fifteen.” Tarah’s voice was thick with emotion a few moments later.
“How?”
She gave a mirthless laugh. “Not doing anything nearly as noble. She got behind the wheel of a car, plastered out of her mind. I tried to stop her, but she punched me in the face and pushed me to the ground. So, I let her go.” She trembled against him. “I swear, had I known she was going to run a red light and take the life of a young mother and daughter with her, I would’ve tried harder. I should’ve tried harder.”
“Hey, it wasn’t your fault.” He drew back to cup her face and stare into her eyes. “You did what you could. That was all on her. Not you. She wasn’t your responsibility, Tarah. You were hers.”
Beautiful blue eyes filled and tears spilled down her cheeks. Something cracked open in his chest and he ached at the sight. Her childhood had been so different compared to his. And that about killed him.
“Thanks.” She turned her head and kissed his palm.
“None needed.” He lowered his mouth to kiss away her tears, then her temple, each eye, slowly making his way to her mouth.
Her trembling incr
eased. He kissed her gently, taking his time. He wasn’t in any hurry, tasting, drinking, showing her how much she’d come to mean to him. And she did. A lot.
So damn much.
She slid her arms around his neck, opened up for him, and melted against him. It was a gift and he took it, slipping his tongue inside to brush against hers. She moaned, and somehow, the kiss changed to a heated, desperate exploration, and before long, he was too far gone to stop.
All the adrenaline from the past half hour amplified into a desperate need to taste her, be inside her, to rejoice at having her near. Warm. Breathing.
Alive.
Every inch of him craved her.
When they drew apart for air, she must’ve been on the same page, because she ripped off her shirt, removed her bra, and unzipped her jeans. His erection throbbed at the sight. Wasting no time, he stripped naked, pulled a condom out of his jeans, and tossed it on the empty bunk, then turned to Tarah as she removed the last of her clothes.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he said, reaching for her to crush her close, taking her mouth in a heated kiss while her rain-drenched, soft curves brushed enticingly against him. He cupped her by the ass and set her on the table, need eating at him from the inside out.
He released her mouth to dip down and lick and kiss his way to her nipple, caressing the other with his hand, rolling the tight bud between his thumb and forefinger then giving a slight tug.
“Rook.” She sucked in a breath when he switched to the other gorgeous peak. “I need you in me now.”
He smiled against her chest. “Soon. I’ve got other plans first.” He gently pressed her down on the table and kissed his way over her belly and hips, loving how her soft skin quivered under his touch. She was intoxicating. While he nipped at her side, he ran his hands down her legs, grabbed her ankles, bending her at the knee as he set her feet flat on the table.
His mouth watered at the sight.
He hit his knees and dragged her closer to the edge before setting his mouth on her upper thigh while he lightly traced her folds with his finger.
“Rook, I—”
“Shh…I know. I got you,” he said against her hot skin, and slipped a finger inside. “So wet.”
A little mewl left her throat, and the sound spurred him on. He wanted to hear it again. Wanted to make her moan and pant and scream his name. He’d never felt that need before. But he felt it now. He was drunk with it. High with it. Need burned through him in a fierce flame. And it was stronger than anything he’d ever experienced. He slipped another finger inside, stroking her in an upward angle he knew she loved.
“Nice…” Her soft moans drove him mad.
He couldn’t wait any longer. He had to taste. Spreading her apart with his fingers, he dipped down and licked. That got him a gasp. So he did it again. And again, watching her grip the sides of the table and hold on as she bucked to meet his strokes. So damn sweet.
“Rook, please.” She lifted up on her elbows and stared down at him through heavy-lidded, smoldering eyes.
She was so close. He could tell. So, he slipped a finger back inside her and watched as her eyes fluttered close and she pulled her lower lip between her teeth. Damn, that was hot. And he was barely holding on himself.
He increased the pace of his finger while he drew her into his mouth and sucked.
She burst with his name on her lips while bucking wildly, nearly taking him with her. She was intoxicating. He continued to suck and drive his finger in and out, prolonging her orgasm until her movements slowed.
A few more slow strokes brought her down, and he lapped at her. He’d never grow tired of her taste. Wild and sweet. He rose to his feet and opened the condom. As he rolled it on, he watched her come back to herself.
She smiled a lazy, satisfied smile. “Damn, Rook. What did you do to me? I don’t think I can move.”
He grinned as he leaned in to skim his mouth near her ear. “I bet I can make you.”
And to prove it, he trailed his fingers around her breasts, circling and circling until he finally brushed her tight peaks.
She moaned and arched up, pushing more of her soft curves into his palms. “You’re magic.”
“No, just addicted to you.” He bit behind her ear, and her hitched breath shook through him. “Put your arms around my neck.”
He hauled her up and carried her to the empty bunk, swallowing a curse when she bit behind his ear. The minx. He set her down, then kissed his way up her delicious curves, lingering on a nipple, enjoying her moans and the nails she dug into his back.
But it wasn’t enough, not nearly enough.
“You ready for me, Tarah?” He spread her legs to kneel between, pressing his aching erection to her wet center.
“Always,” she replied, grasping his hips as he pushed inside.
Heaven.
No other word came close to how he felt surrounded by her. He closed his eyes and strained to hang on to his control. Her thrusting hips didn’t help. But, damn, yeah, they felt good. So good.
He lowered himself down and kissed her, slowly at first, then crazy, wild and frantic, mimicking the storm raging outside.
She made him crazy, made him want and need things he’d never wanted before. He wasn’t going to last long. She was just too exquisite.
Her tongue pressed against his as her hands trailed down his sides then back up to brush her nail over his nipple. Heat fisted in his groin.
She was magic. Not him.
Entwining their fingers, he held her hands by her head and released her mouth as he slowed their pace, enjoying the brush of their bodies as he drove inside her. Flesh to flesh, heart to heart, he could see the emotions he was feeling reflected in her eyes.
She made him whole. Hell, he hadn’t realized he was broken. Not until he touched Tarah and found the piece of himself that had been missing.
A tear streaked down her face. “Rook, I have to tell you—”
“I know.” He cut her off, needing actions, not words. Bending down, he kissed her slow and thorough, reinforcing the inferno blazing inside.
They were so close he could feel her heart thudding against his chest. The connection was strong. Damn strong. She spread her legs, and he groaned as he slid further into her sweet warmth. Lifting his mouth, he trailed kisses to her temple, then drew back so they were face to face. Her gaze was open and honest, and he saw everything he’d stopped her from saying.
He felt the same. There was no way he could leave her. No way he could let her walk away to disappear into the system. She was too special to let go.
As if the emotions and touches were too much, she started to close her eyes.
“No,” he said with a shake of his head. “Don’t close them, Tarah. Stay with me.”
She nodded, and he focused on the desire in her eyes, the need…the love. Her hands squeezed his as she barely held on. As they rocked together, he pulled out nearly all the way, and as he slid back in he increased the pressure of his stroke.
“Rook,” she cried out in a long, drawn-out moan that bounced off the walls of the shelter and pushed him over the edge.
Slumped over her, working to catch his breath, Rook saw things very clear. Tarah was amazing, and what they had couldn’t be duplicated. He knew this, even though their relationship was in its infancy. And it was a relationship. One that he wanted.
He straightened his elbows and stared into her glowing face, momentarily forgetting what he’d wanted to say. She was so damn beautiful. And refreshing. The woman was compassionate and honest. Both rarities in the world, and he felt damn lucky to have found her. No, he wasn’t letting her go, even if that meant following her into the system. It may be stupid, but he was willing to give it all up for her.
A wrapping on the door jolted them apart.
“Rook? You okay?” Remy knocked again. “Unlock this so we can get you out.”
He muttered a curse and rolled off. As much as he enjoyed basking in the afterglow with her, Rook wasn’t keen
to do that with his brother making noise above them. Turning his back to her, so he wouldn’t get distracted by her gorgeous curves, he cleaned up before dragging his clothes back on.
How the hell could he have forgotten where they were?
Because he’d been so damn lost in her; his mind answered without reservation.
“Hang on,” he called out, then turned to find her fully dressed, wrapping the napping kittens in a blanket. “You good?”
“Yes.” She smiled and sauntered closer. “Any chance we can sneak back down here sometime?”
His groin instantly tightened. “Hell yeah.” He set one last kiss on her lips before he slid the bolt out of the lock.
Funny how he hadn’t even thought about the state of the house or other buildings. And yet, it made perfect sense. He had everything he needed, wanted, cared about, right by his side. Rook scooped up the wily kittens and followed Tarah out of the shelter to check on the property.
*
As Tarah climbed out of the shelter, she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket. Probably Lisa getting back to her about that hunch. Dammit. It would have to wait until she got somewhere private.
“Take my hand.” Remy grasped hers and helped her out.
She stepped free of the shelter and gasped at the downed trees and debris scattered across the ranch. The house and buildings were still standing. Thank God. But, while she’d just had the most incredible experience of her life, the outside world had weathered a devastating storm.
Guilt covered her like the wet clothes she’d pulled back on.
She glanced at Remy and Burly for signs of injury. Both men were a little dirty and wet, but otherwise seemed fine. The rain had stopped and sky had lightened up to a smoky gray. It smelled of rain and wet earth, and Tarah marveled at how everything had happened so fast.
“Is everyone alright?” Rook emerged with an arm full of kittens.
Her heart melted at the sight.
“Yes.” Remy nodded. “I just got off the phone with Henry, he said everyone was fine down in the facility. They were coming up to help remove debris.”