She backed up the stairs and he followed.
At the top landing, she grabbed the waistband of his jeans and unbuttoned them, and he did the same to hers. They stumbled down the hall stepping out of boots, fuzzy socks, pants, and underwear, touching and kissing. By the time they got to her bedroom, they were both naked and he was way past desperate for her.
She fell across her brass bed with a laugh, and he dropped down on top of her, reclaiming her precious mouth and thrilling to the feel of her heated body under his. She raised her knees on each side of him, and he nearly lost it.
“Wait,” he gasped, raising himself off of her.
She looked up, her lips plump and red and her hair spread wildly around her head. “What’s wrong?”
“Protection is in the hall.”
She laughed and nodded.
“Besides,” he said, standing, “I want this to last a little longer than it did at the barbeque.”
Lee took the opportunity to calm down a notch as he returned to the hall and fished the condom out of his jeans pocket.
“Damn.” Why hadn’t he grabbed a few?
Because he’d had no idea he’d end up in Hannah’s bed, that’s why. The thought made him grin.
“What’s wrong?”
He returned to the bedroom to find Hannah lying on her side in the middle of the bed, one leg drawn seductively up over the other, her head propped on one hand.
“Nothing,” he said, holding up the foil package, “except we’ll have to use this wisely. It’s the only one I’ve got.”
Her eyebrows arched.
He tossed the condom onto the nightstand and sat on the edge of the bed, taking in all of her.
She sat up, drew up her knees, and wrapped her arms around her legs. “You’re staring.”
“You’re beautiful.”
She grinned and shook her head. “You’re crazy.”
He swallowed hard. “About you. I’m crazy about you, Hannah. I always have been.”
Her eyes widened as she studied his face. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
He nodded. His heart raced and his scalp prickled. Never in his life had he opened himself up like this.
She scooted closer and pressed her right palm to his face. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
He chuckled at the thought. “We lived in different worlds.” Amusement left him as he realized this was the time to tell her the truth. He sighed and kissed her hand. “We still do.”
Her brow furrowed. “What are you talking about? You’re in my bed. We’re both here, together.”
Was she really so naive?
He grinned at her. “And I can think of better things to do than talk.”
“That doesn’t surprise me.”
He crawled over her, pushing her to her back, then lay beside her and drew her to him. He kissed her throat as she stroked his arms and shoulders.
Her gentleness with his heart touched him more deeply than he’d expected, and he wanted to sink into her, to hold her and watch passion’s fire burn in her eyes, but he knew he wouldn’t last long enough to do more than embarrass himself.
She wriggled against him, kissing his shoulder.
He eased his right leg between hers and caressed her butt until he’d started her rhythm against his thigh. She wrapped her legs around his.
He took her mouth, matching his tongue to her tempo.
Her juices slicked his skin, and her clit swelled into a hard nub against him.
God, she felt incredible clinging to him, her heated body writhing, small noises of pleasure rising from her throat. If he’d had the rubber on, he’d have given up this torture.
She tore her mouth from his and pressed it to his neck, and her hands curled into fists at his back.
He pulled her up harder.
She came with a cry of surrender, clenching down on his thigh, holding him close.
He kissed her as her movements slowed, enjoying the last of her orgasm. Her uninhibited, honest reactions pierced his heart.
She smiled against his mouth. “Wow.”
He nipped her bottom lip and raised himself up on one elbow to enjoy her look of satisfaction. “ ‘Wow’ what?”
“You know what.” She slapped his shoulder and laughed. “I think I need a drink of water.”
“Sounds good. Need to keep our fluid levels up.” He grabbed a glass from the nightstand and headed toward the bathroom.
Hannah lay with her hand over her heart, feeling it slow. Lee had the most amazing ability to turn her on with a simple touch, and his kisses burned through to her soul every time.
Had he really cared about her for so long?
The more she thought about it, the more she remembered him being around to pick up the pieces when things went wrong. Still, he’d never said much to her, until the night of the party. And even then he hadn’t been much of a conversationalist.
The man was truly an enigma. Granted, he was a gorgeous enigma.
Lee returned carrying the glass of water. She watched him cross the room, surprised again at how incredible he looked. His body was perfect and hinted at wildness—the strength of a bull and the graceful movements of a lion. As her gaze wandered down to his still-engorged erection, the comparison shifted toward the equine arena.
Heat flooded her face at the errant thought.
He was right about the different worlds they’d grown up in, but things had changed. They were adults now, controlling their own lives.
Her father had always told her small towns had the longest memories. Would Tillman accept them being together?
Did it matter?
Concern knotted in her stomach. The two of them were doing good things for the town she loved. What would she do if she had to choose between Tillman and Lee?
She started at the realization that she’d grown close enough to Lee to even be asking such questions. When had that happened?
She took the glass from him and sipped, watching him study her. He looked completely relaxed and happy, wearing the crooked smile she was beginning to understand might be as much for defense as for charm.
He rested a hand on her knee and slid it slowly up to her thigh. His touch left gooseflesh in its wake. When she reached over to place the glass on the nightstand, he took advantage of the situation and kissed her ribs.
“Hey, that tickles.”
“Too bad,” he said against her skin.
She squirmed and pushed him back.
He grinned and his gaze dropped to her mouth. Pulling her forward with one arm around her back, he opened his mouth over hers.
His kisses astounded her. Every time his tongue caressed hers, as it did now, she had to close her eyes to the pleasure. He wrapped his arms around her and held her to him with one hand on her butt and the other in the middle of her back. The strength he kept in check thrilled her as she slid her palms over roping muscles and smooth skin.
His erection pressing against her hip reminded her of how unbelievable it felt when he entered her, and her breath escaped in a rush. He groaned and deepened the kiss, drawing her with him as he rolled onto his back.
Pushing against his chest, Hannah sat up, straddling his hips. His erection rose between them and he looked up at her with hunger glistening in his dark eyes.
She took his hands from her body and raised them to the brass headboard balusters. “Hold on here,” she whispered near his ear.
He groaned in protest but did as she ordered. How long would he be able to relinquish control?
Aroused by the power she wielded, Hannah started down his body, tasting, kissing, licking him. She circled his dark nipples, flicking the buds with her tongue, and then moved down his belly. Muscles jerked under her mouth, and he grunted when she hit tender spots, but he didn’t let go of the headboard.
When she reached his penis, she found it hard and erect. She stroked the velvety skin with her fingertips as she inhaled his musky scent. Holding the base, she ran her tongue around the head, ta
sting him, enjoying exploring, marveling at the salty drop of fluid her attention produced.
His buttocks clenched and released, and muscles in his stomach rippled.
Licking her lips, she slid her mouth over the head and as far down the shaft as she could reach. Even with the head nudging at the back of her throat, she didn’t get very far.
He groaned deep and long as she slid her mouth up and down.
“Please, Hannah,” he breathed, “stop.”
She sat up and found him gripping the brass bars with white knuckles, his jaw clenched, his brow furrowed.
“You don’t like it?” she teased, licking the flavor of him from her lips.
He opened his eyes and narrowed them at her. “You’re about to take me out of the game.”
“Oh? So this is a game to you?” She closed her hand around his shaft and pushed down hard.
His head went back and he growled.
She bit her bottom lip to keep from laughing.
But what she really wanted was to watch his face as he came, to see the moment of release. She straddled his legs and reached for the condom.
Before the encounter in his room, she’d never actually put a condom on a man. She’d marveled at Lee’s reactions, and planned to do so again.
As she rolled the covering slowly down his erection, she watched concentration tighten his face as he obviously worked on not giving in.
Her own body reacted, too, by tightening with desire. Her nipples hardened and ached, and liquid seeped from between her legs.
Once she’d finished the job, she raised herself up and guided him to her, anxious to take him in.
He released the headboard with his right hand and reached for her.
She froze. “Put that hand back.”
He grunted and did as ordered.
Excitement rolled through her like a wave charging up the beach.
She splayed her hands across his chest and eased down onto him, savoring the joy of her flesh surrounding his, of his hardness stretching her soft muscles, of her need devouring his hunger. The farther she went, the more incredible it felt.
He took deep, stuttered breaths as she moved down slowly, and his arms shook. When she’d taken all she could, he groaned.
Her fluids coated them both, providing more lubrication than the condom, and she easily slid up and back down, taking a little more.
He watched her through hooded eyes, his smile gone.
Her body tightened and a spasm shot through her womb.
His expression registered the contraction in pained pleasure, and she felt another rush of power.
She’d never experienced the sensations running through her—the desire to make him tremble, the excitement of controlling their union. She felt the thrill of self-discovery and suddenly realized she could share anything with Lee without fear of ridicule.
Arousal rippled through her entire body.
Unable to hold back, she pushed forward and back, riding his erection to satisfy her own needs, taking him deeper. He grew and hardened.
Pleasure shoved her over a cliff and she lost all the control she’d had.
Her back arched and her eyes closed as release pounded through her muscles.
She rode each burst that clenched her pussy and rolled up her spine.
Such perfect bliss, untamed, irrepressible.
Hot liquid ecstasy.
Perfection.
A measure of awareness finally returned. Lee’s hips rose off the bed and she opened her eyes to watch.
His head was back and his entire body shook as release took hold.
“Yes,” he breathed.
His rigid prick pulsed inside her as he rose up against her, and she worked to match his thrusts, hard and slow. Her own orgasm continued in gentle waves.
Lee collapsed under her, and she rocked with the last of her need as she watched his face and arms relax. With his eyes closed and a smile of satisfaction curling his lips, he was more handsome than ever.
Drained, she lay on top of him, her head to his chest where his heartbeat thundered in her ear.
“You can let go now,” she said, smiling.
His arms came down around her, and he sighed and kissed the top of her head.
Had she ever been this happy? Certainly she’d never been so satisfied, but that was only part of it.
“Hannah.”
“Hmm?”
“I—”
They both jumped at the buzzing in the hallway.
Lee raised his head. “Son a bitch, not again.” He eased her to his side and rolled off the bed. “It’s Dispatch.”
The phone continued its buzzing as Lee stumbled through the hall, muttering curses. Hannah sat up, thankful that the phone hadn’t started five minutes earlier.
“Evans,” he said. He returned to the bedroom, the phone to his ear and carrying their clothes, which he dropped onto the bed. “What’s the address?”
Hannah watched him frown. “Repeat that.” Then his eyes widened. “Got it.” He punched buttons on the phone and snatched his clothes from the pile as he spoke.
“Pierce, get to the station and sound the alarm. We have a house fire at Thirteen Hundred Canyon Road.” He nodded. “Yeah, it’s the mayor’s house. Hurry. I’ll meet you at the scene.”
Hannah jumped up. “Charlie’s house is on fire?”
“Yeah,” Lee said over his shoulder as he dashed to the bathroom.
“Oh my God!” She pulled on her panties and blue jeans and drew on her sweater.
Lee ran from the bathroom dressed and swung around the door frame.
Hannah grabbed her shoes from the closet and hurried after him.
He stopped long enough to pull on his boots and then ran outside.
She lifted her coat from the hook at the door. “Wait! I’m coming with you!”
7
Smoke rose from the fire like some kind of monster, swelling to fill up the night. Hannah slammed the truck door and followed Lee up the driveway.
People rushed toward the house from all directions. Lee ran through the crowd, pulling people aside until he found Lisa.
“Where’s Charlie?”
Lisa pointed frantically at the house where smoke billowed out from under the eaves. “He went in after the girls!”
Lee motioned to Hannah. “Keep Lisa with you and see if you can get everyone back across the street.”
She nodded and took Lisa’s arm, then turned to face the crowd. “Listen! Everyone!”
Voices quieted and she realized just how loudly the fire roared. She glanced back to see Lee charging through the side door.
“The fire department’s on its way!” she yelled. “We need to wait across the street. Please!”
Lisa sobbed but let herself be led, and Hannah herded the crowd to a safe spot. Then she turned to watch.
In the distance, the siren at the firehouse wailed.
Flames chased smoke from the eaves, filling the yard with a terrifying orange glow. Hannah held her breath, waiting for Lee to emerge.
The fire seemed to spread with exponential speed.
Fear took over and she started back across the street, but before she could reach the yard he stepped through the front doorway, holding Charlie and Katie, and the three of them stumbled into the yard, coughing.
“My babies!” Lisa charged past her and fell to the ground beside her older daughter, then turned to Charlie. “Where’s Amy?”
Charlie shook his head but couldn’t speak for coughing.
Lee watched, his hands on his knees. “Where’s her room?”
“It’s the last one in the back,” Lisa said. She turned to face the house. “Oh God, it’s where the fire’s burning! I have to get my baby!”
Lee caught the woman around the waist and drew her back. He pushed her toward Hannah. “Don’t let her go in. Understand?”
She nodded and grabbed her friend’s arms. Lisa struggled as they watched Lee rush back into the house armed with nothing but a fl
ashlight.
Smoke seeped from the front of the house now, and flames shone in the side windows. Lisa screamed and struggled to get away, but stronger hands grabbed her, and Hannah released her to Chief Bertrand.
Fear gripped Hannah around the throat as she thought of Lee in the burning house. He couldn’t possibly see in all that smoke, and the heat was nearly overwhelming where she stood. How could he survive?
Red lights flashed in the yard as the fire engine roared into the driveway. People jumped from it, pulling on coats and helmets.
Dale Pierce ran to Hannah. “Where’s the chief?”
“He’s inside.”
The man turned toward the house. “Shit.” Then he dashed off, yelling orders.
Hannah watched through tears as firefighters dragged hoses across the yard. It seemed to take forever to get water flowing, and then it sprayed out in all directions from holes in the ancient fabric.
At the head of one hose, two firefighters started in the front door, crouching behind a wall of water. Then another one in full gear ran in behind them.
The fire monster screamed as water hit it at the back of the house, and things popped and exploded. It sounded like the house was falling apart.
“Lee!” Hannah knew it did no good to yell, but she couldn’t help it. “Lee!”
Dark figures emerged from the front door, low and bundled, and fell as a group to the ground. Hannah ran to them and laughed when she realized Lee lay in the middle, holding a blanket, coughing but very much alive.
Dale Pierce raised the face shield on his helmet. “You okay?”
Lee nodded and drew back the blanket. Amy looked up with wide eyes.
Hannah grabbed Lee’s arm as he struggled to his feet. “Need to get … to the truck,” he said between coughs.
They walked together across the street, where Lee handed Amy to Hannah, then pulled a small tank out from behind the seat. He took a deep breath from the mouthpiece and placed it over the child’s mouth. “It’s okay,” he whispered.
Lisa crossed the street, crying, and gathered her child from the arms of Hannah, who then relieved Lee of the oxygen tank. “We’ve got it,” she said.
He nodded and, still coughing, trotted back across the street to take charge of the battle.
Feel the Heat Page 27