Feel the Heat

by Lorie O'Clare

  “Don’t be ridiculous. We can’t just—”

  “You’re wasting time.” He leaned close, pressing his forehead to hers so that all she could see was his mouth. “I want you now.” His hand sliding over her bare butt made her shudder. “I promise we’ll both have fun.”

  “It’s not that.” She closed her eyes and raised her head to give his hot mouth access to her neck, her protest already forgotten.

  She felt him pushing her pants down as he caressed and nibbled. He must be using the toe of his boot.

  Realizing what they were truly about to do caused excitement to puddle between her legs.

  “Step out,” he whispered, his voice hoarse.

  She did so, pushing her shoes off in order to remove her jeans.

  He kissed her mouth and then turned her around.

  She grabbed the edge of the counter. “Lee.”

  He wrapped an arm around her waist and leaned over her. “Just enjoy.”

  Closing her eyes again, she focused on the sensations he produced as he reached under her sweater, caressing her breasts and teasing the nipples. Desire sizzled across her skin. His erection hardened between her thighs, and his abdomen pressed against her butt.

  His hands slid down the front of her belly and into the cleft between her thighs, and he closed his teeth on the side of her shoulder.

  Her spine stiffened at the jolt of pleasure shooting down to her lower back.

  He groaned as if pleased with the result.

  His fingers floated across her labia, exploring the surface with a tender touch, and her knees shook. He dipped into her juices and spread them around, stroking and teasing. Then his fingers slid in deeper, capturing her clit between them, and he squeezed.

  She bit her bottom lip to silence the scream building deep in her throat.

  He let up on her clit and she huffed out a breath.

  As he slid in deeper, he squeezed again and she groaned.

  He kissed the side of her neck and nuzzled her hair. “Raise that sweet ass for me, Hannah.”

  Nearly desperate for more, she did as he asked.

  He held her around the waist and shoved her engorged clit from side to side. His erection nudged against her pussy.

  She couldn’t imagine wanting anything more than she wanted to feel him enter her at that moment.

  He started in slowly, stretching her, then withdrew and pushed in again and again, each time a little deeper as he tortured her clit. She lost awareness of anything except his powerful body behind her, his hot breath on her neck, and his hard dick filling her.

  He moved his hips from one side to the other, touching spots in her pussy she didn’t even know existed.

  Need pumped through her veins.

  Deeper and deeper he went.

  Desire clawed at her belly. Muscles swelled and stiffened.

  She raised her head and shoved herself back against him, taking all of his cock as release shot through her.

  Convulsions started deep in her womb. She gasped as pleasure overtook her in violent waves, jerking her into him and away. And then the waves softened.

  He groaned and thrust deeper.

  Her climax peaked again and she cried out.

  He met each beat with a long, full stroke.

  As the orgasm eased, he slowed until he stopped, buried deep, no longer rock hard but still filling her.

  His forehead dropped to her back between her shoulder blades, and they both panted.

  She’d never realized how amazing sex could be. Undoubtedly due to the fact that she’d never had sex with anyone like Lee.

  Her senses returned a little at a time. Fluorescent lights buzzed and the scent of fresh wood filled the air again. Her legs wobbled, but Lee held her on her feet.

  He raised his head and withdrew, and she straightened. Her muscles jumped when he gently bit her butt as he helped her back into her jeans. Once he had her dressed, he drew her back around to face him and kissed her, wrapping his arms around her as if afraid she would leave.

  She clung to his shoulders, returning his kiss until she finally had to come up for air.

  He hugged her to him, breathing hard against her shoulder.

  She expected him to make a comment to lighten the intensity of the moment, but he didn’t. They stood together in silence.

  Lee released her slowly, staring down into her eyes as he stepped away, and then he smiled. “Maybe you should leave first.”

  She nodded and straightened her hair.

  At the door, she glanced back to find Lee with his hands on the counter, his head down, his chest expanding slowly.

  It took every bit of willpower she had not to rush back to him.

  She stumbled twice as she walked around the house, trying not to question what had just happened. By the time she reached the party she felt steadier but no less confused. Was the sex getting better because she felt more for Lee than just lust?

  One of the younger high school teachers, Terri Nowicki, stopped her. “Ms. Hayward, it’s great to see you.”

  “You too,” Hannah said.

  “I understand the council is voting on the budget tomorrow.”

  “Yes, they—”

  She stopped as she realized who was striding toward her from across the yard.

  Sterling frowned. “I looked all over for you. I thought maybe you’d left early.”

  “No, I, uh—”

  He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. You’re just in time.”

  “Holy shit.” Lee raked his hair back from his face with both hands.

  This was getting dangerous. Every time he held Hannah, had sex with her, it felt closer to making love. His heart pounded from more than just exertion.

  Anger had blossomed in his chest when he’d thought she was avoiding him. He understood why she didn’t want people to know they were seeing each other, but did she really not want to be seen even talking to him? He’d cursed his father, his life, the whole world before she explained the need to appear neutral. That he understood. Funny thing was he knew she’d recommend what was best for Tillman, no matter what passed between the two of them. Couldn’t everyone see that?

  Taking a deep breath and blowing it out, Lee straightened. He needed to return to the party before someone started looking for him. At least now he’d be able to watch Hannah without getting noticeably hard.

  He turned off the light, let the door close behind him, and followed the trail around the house. As he approached the backyard, he realized conversation had dropped to a single voice. He stopped at the corner when he spotted Sterling Mason standing with Charlie on one side and Hannah on the other, addressing the group.

  “I’ve made it official today,” Mason said. “I’m running for a seat in the Colorado state senate.”

  Nearly everyone applauded.

  Mason raised one hand to quite the crowd. “I’d like to make one more thing official today, and announce my engagement to the beautiful woman who has agreed to be my wife, Miss Hannah Hayward.”

  Lee’s heart rose into his throat, blocking his airway.

  Mason took Hannah’s hand and raised it to his mouth as the crowd applauded again.

  Hannah drew her hand away abruptly and scanned the yard. Her gaze stopped on Lee’s, and her eyes widened.

  Had she thought he wouldn’t find out?

  Instinct told him to run, leave the scene, escape the next blow, but he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t let her or anyone else see the wounds she’d just inflicted.

  Damn good thing he’d learned how to hide his pain. Gathering it all up and shoving it into a dark corner, he continued into the yard, smiling at the young woman who glanced back at him.

  “Hi,” she said softly. “Terri Nowicki.”

  “Lee Evans.”

  “I know. Welcome to Tillman, Chief Evans.”

  He tried to focus on her big blue eyes and tight young body. “Call me Lee.”

  She smiled. “I’m Terri.”

  “What are you talk
ing about? I never agreed to marry you.”

  Sterling smiled and nodded at those around them as he spoke to Hannah under his breath. “Of course you did. I told you at dinner that I planned to step up our relationship. You didn’t protest. You knew damn well what I meant.”

  “I didn’t. I—”

  “Congratulations.” Charlie offered his hand to Sterling, and a line of people formed behind him.

  This was absurd. She’d never agreed to marry Sterling, no matter what he thought. She should make a public announcement to that effect, but she couldn’t do it. She’d look ridiculous to the people of the town she was paid to manage.

  And Lee. What could he be thinking? She’d found him watching when Sterling made the announcement, and expected anger or at least some kind of reaction. Instead she saw cool, collected Lee Evans, smiling at Terri and ignoring her.

  Had she been wrong about the growing feelings between them? Was it really just sex?

  Her stomach turned and she fought a wave of nausea.

  “Are you all right?”

  Hannah met Lisa’s gaze. “Not really.”

  Lisa took her by the arm and led her across the yard to one of the picnic tables. “What’s going on?”

  “I don’t know. Sterling just told the world we’re getting married.”

  “Didn’t you accept his proposal?”

  Hannah shook her head. “He never proposed.” She searched the yard and spotted Lee again, still talking to Terri. Another wave of nausea washed over her, and she raised her hand to her mouth.

  “Let me get you something to drink.” Lisa hurried away.

  When she returned with a cold drink, Hannah sipped until her stomach settled a little.

  Lisa sat beside her. “This isn’t just Sterling’s announcement, is it? What’s up?”

  More than anything Hannah wanted a shoulder to cry on, someone to sympathize with her plight, but she couldn’t do it. What she and Lee shared was crazy, wonderful, and intensely personal. She couldn’t tell anyone.

  “I’m just not feeling well,” she said.

  “You didn’t eat a hamburger, did you?” Lisa looked across the yard. “I love Charlie with all my heart, but I wish he’d quit trying to grill burgers.”

  Charlie waved as he carried a platter of blackened patties to the serving table.

  Movement drew Hannah’s gaze back to Lee. He and Terri turned and walked from the yard together. Had he just invited the young teacher back to the firehouse for the same kind of entertainment he’d provided for Hannah?

  The possibility caused the threat of tears to burn her eyes. She felt as helpless as she had the night in high school when Lee had come to her rescue after Sterling abandoned her.

  Except he wasn’t coming to her rescue this time.

  6

  Lee stood in the field of dried grass, searching for something to take the ache out of his chest. He kicked a clump of dirt, and the smell of charred wood rose with the dust. Amazing that after twelve years the earth still held the scent.

  Amazing too that it had been twelve years. In some ways, it felt like yesterday.

  He shoved his hands into his pockets and closed his eyes.

  Fingers of flame gripped the tops of windowsills, and intense heat scorched his face. Burning wood popped and crackled.

  If he hadn’t left the house that night, he could have saved his old man. Unlike his father, Lee had been sober; the smell of smoke would have awakened him.

  “Dammit.” Opening his eyes, he rubbed the top of his right shoulder. Even though it had long since healed, it still throbbed whenever he thought about the fire.

  He suddenly felt hopeless. He’d come back to settle things with the old man. Or at least his ghost. Then, after arriving he’d discovered the woman who haunted his waking hours, living in Tillman and single, and he’d longed to win her over, make her care about him as much as he’d always cared about her. Both goals now seemed out of reach.

  How the hell could Hannah have sex with him when she’d already agreed to marry Mason? He’d believed she had more integrity than that.

  She had when he’d known her years ago. That was one of the things he’s admired about her. Could she really have changed that much?

  It had to be Mason, the bastard. He’d changed her. Did she have any idea what she was getting into with that sleazeball?

  He sighed.

  She couldn’t know, and he had to tell her. Even if seeing her was salting an open wound, he had to.

  Lee marched to his truck, hopped in, and drove a little too fast to Hannah’s house. He pulled to the curb across the street in the same place he’d parked more than a dozen years ago. It wasn’t quite dark this time, but it soon would be.

  He studied the house, looking for movement. A shadow passed by the front window. It must be Hannah.

  Unless she wasn’t alone.

  “Shit.”

  Stepping out of the truck, he slammed the door, marched up the sidewalk to her doorstep, and rang the front doorbell before he could talk himself out of it.

  The door opened and Hannah stood in the doorway in the same jeans and sweater she’d worn earlier, but she’d replaced her shoes with fuzzy red socks.

  He stared down into her green eyes, and the vulnerability he found there knocked the wind right out of him.

  She stepped back. “Come in.”

  He walked into the living room and turned to face her. “Sorry to bother you.”

  “You’re not bothering me.” She glanced toward the street. “Isn’t Terri with you?”

  “Who?”

  “Terri Nowicki, the high school teacher, the woman you left with.”

  He huffed. “You mean, after Mason announced your engagement?”

  She closed the door. “Yes, after that.”

  “You can’t marry him, Hannah.”

  Her gaze jumped to his. “Why not?”

  “He’s a jerk.”

  She laughed. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “Then why did you agree to marry him?”

  Hannah sighed and walked away. “You want some tea?”

  “No.” Lee glanced around the living room, every bit as classy as he’d expected but somehow cozy, too. He followed Hannah’s path to the kitchen.

  She stood at the stove, pouring water into a mug. “I didn’t agree to marry him.”

  “But he said—” Lee closed his mouth and frowned at her. It shouldn’t surprise him that Mason had lied.

  Hannah carried the steaming mug to a table and sat. “One minor detail. He forgot to ask me.”

  Lee took the chair closest to her. “Son of a bitch.”

  She nodded. “Yep.”

  “What are you going to do?” He held his breath as he waited for her to answer.

  She stirred her drink, then lifted the tea bag out and dropped it into a saucer. “I don’t know.”

  “You can’t marry him.”

  “I don’t intend to.”

  “Good.” It was all he could do not to jump up and whoop for joy.

  She frowned at her drink and his excitement waned.

  “What’s the problem?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t really want to embarrass him in public. He’d never forgive me, and Tillman could end up suffering if he gets elected.”

  “How about I just beat the crap out of him?”

  She looked up and laughed. “I don’t see how that would help.”

  “Maybe not, but I’d feel a lot better.”

  “I guess chivalry really isn’t dead.” Hannah sipped her drink and then looked at him. Discovery sparkled in her emerald eyes. “You’ve rescued me more than once.”

  “Have I?” He wondered what she remembered.

  “Yes. There was a party in high school when you drove me home; I don’t know if you remember that. Sterling had abandoned me and left with his old girlfriend, Juli Tucker. You saved me.” Color rose in her cheeks. Was she remembering the kiss they’d shared that night?

>   “And once in the cafeteria,” she continued, “you chased off a kid who was trying to take my lunch money. Who was that? Oh, and then I slipped on the ice one time and really banged my knee, and you helped me up and carried my backpack to the bus for me. Was that in seventh grade?”

  He shrugged. “I just wanted to get in your pants.”

  “Lee.” Her rosy cheeks darkened.

  He leaned forward. “Still do.”

  She laughed. “You’re relentless.”

  “Among other things.”

  With his heart racing, he reached across the table, palm up.

  She looked at his hand and then met his gaze. With her eyes still sparkling, she placed her hand in his.

  He urged her around the table and into his lap, and she wrapped one arm around his shoulders. He buried his fingers in her soft hair, drew her mouth to his, and kissed her.

  It wasn’t a white-hot kiss of desire but one of growing passion, deep and sweet. Her taste satisfied some basic need to be close to her but kicked off the constant hunger for the rest of her body that seemed to ride just below the surface.

  She tightened her grip and drew him farther into her mouth as she caressed his jaw.

  He slid his arm under her legs and stood, and she dropped her head to his shoulder. Nearly desperate, he walked to the living room and stopped.

  “Hannah.”

  She raised her head and looked at him.

  “I have no idea where your bedroom is.”

  She kissed his lips and smiled. “If you put me down, I’ll lead you to it.”

  “Promise?”

  She nodded.

  He took her mouth again and eased her slowly down the front of his body, groaning at the pleasure. Reluctantly, he ended the kiss as she stepped back and took his hand.

  Halfway up the stairs, he drew her back around for another kiss. She met his hunger, opening her mouth to him and holding him. He felt her tits stiffen as she leaned against him.

  Lee slid his hands under her sweater to caress her back and waist, savoring her warm, smooth skin. His fingers knew the feel of her already, and touching her was like coming home to a place filled with joy and peace.

  She tugged on his shirt and he raised his hands to let her pull it off; then he did the same to her sweater. God, she had beautiful tits, and smooth, milky skin.