by Ruby Forrest
Hanna- Gale sat the book down, with its piles of stories and information that filled her body and mind with endless comfort. She sighed, feeling better about life, with the lessons of the stories twisting around in her head.
She rinsed and washed her skin and decided that her hair already looked pretty great. She scrubbed and rubbed and made herself feel gorgeous, polished and pretty and lovely. Then she just soaked in the bath for another half hour, enjoying the warmth and the peace.
She could get used to this- she just hoped that she could get the opportunity to keep this house and really enjoy it. Eventually, Hanna- Gale pulled herself out of the tub and drained it. She dried off her skin with a soft towel and went back to the bedroom, sinking onto the bed and moisturizing her skin. She did the whole works, really wanting to feel good today. She had enough issues, she didn’t want poor grooming to be another one. Once she felt silky smooth had put on a little bit of perfume, she was starting to feel a little better about life.
Hanna- Gale smiled and put on some simple, elegant makeup. Smiling, she brushed her hair and sprayed a little product on it to help it keep its style. Simple stud earrings, a necklace and some pretty lingerie and she felt ready to conquer the world.
She rummaged through her case, looking for something to wear that would help her feel better, more comfortable and ready to really take this all on. She decided on a flattering dress that came just above her knees and looked lovely on her.
It hugged all of the right curves and it made her feel beautiful without leaving her feeling uncomfortable. She paired it with low heels and a neat jacket. Checking herself in the mirror, she decided that she was definitely on track to getting her point across.
She felt and looked good, professional and polished. When she unlocked her door, she felt like she had every right to be in this house again, and like she owned it, just as she did. It was an empowering feeling and Hanna- Gale relished it, enjoying the feeling of being on control. She still felt unsettled from the night before, but she was now confident that she could do this.
Hanna- Gale pushed thoughts of Casey out of her head and decided to go and get some breakfast. She packed her purse and her phone, before heading downstairs. She was struck with a sweeping sense of relief that everything was okay downstairs. There was no evidence of anyone else being in the house while she slept and the thought settled her, leaving her to assume that she had left something unlocked the first time.
Hanna- Gale sighed in satisfaction as she wandered out of the house, making sure to lock it all up behind her. She glanced at her car, relieved to see that it was still okay too, so no damage had been done to any of her possessions. She strolled down the street, relishing the sunshine that beat down on her back. She hunted around for a café and was pleased to find a little one only about ten minutes from the house.
She sat down, ordering breakfast and coffee which she ate in relative peace. She skimmed the newspaper for any mention of gang activity as she ate her breakfast and sipped on her coffee. It was a peaceful interlude and Hanna- Gale was starting to feel better about the whole thing.
Lucas has just been using empty threats and Hanna- Gale was in no mood to believe them, or really pay attention to bullies. Everything was going to be just fine- she just needed to focus on the situation at hand and deal with legalities, payment and work.
It would be fine. Hanna- Gale had just convinced herself of this as she walked back to her house. She was feeling better about the whole thing and she opened her door with confidence. She stepped in, shut it behind her and turned around.
And her heart plummeted to the floor. Casey was sitting in her lounge room.
Chapter 5
“Sleep well, sweetheart?” Casey was smirking, leaning back in the chair like he owned the place. He was surveying her calmly and it sent thrills of anger and fear up Hanna- Gale’s spine.
“What are you doing in my house?” Hanna- Gale was impressed with herself for keeping her voice as level and cool as she was. It was impressive, considering that every part of her was trembling.
He chuckled quietly, low and soft, “I told you I’d be back.” He smirked, “I told you a lot last night. Weren’t you listening?”
Hanna- Gale felt anger tighten her shoulders, “Just because you said this place is your turf, doesn’t mean I’m handing over the keys to my house!”
He shook his head, “Do not need keys, or haven’t you noticed that?” He raised an eyebrow, looking at her curiously. The malice in his eyes rolled off him in waves, mingling with humor to create a bitter combination. Hanna- Gale shuddered.
Gorgeous outside, but she wasn’t so sure about inside. She stared him down, “Get out.”
“Not happening, sweetheart.” He looked so confident, so comfortable in her chair, in her home, that Hanna- Gale wanted to scream.
“I do not need a deadbeat biker in my home.”
His eyes narrowed and Hanna- Gale had a feeling that she was crossing the line, “What?” His voice was soft and careful, like he was giving her a chance to apologize, or grovel. His muscles were tense and Hanna- Gale couldn’t help but admire the tension in his skin, the tight angle of his jaw.
“You have no business here. What would you do with a house like this anyway?” She was sneering and she knew it. She was being degrading and she didn’t care. She just wanted him to leave her alone and let her get on with her life.
“What, you do not think I could live in a house like this?” He rose to his feet, towering and impressive and Hanna- Gale felt a shudder run down her spine, “You think I’m just a deadbeat biker, huh?”
Anger flashed behind his eyes and Hanna- Gale was struck by the oddest feeling, that he wasn’t quite human. For a flash, his teeth seemed too sharp, his eyes almost like slits. He moved with great power and Hanna- Gale realized very quickly that she was playing with fire.
She stepped back, “I think that this is my house and you need to stop harassing me!” Her body tingled with anger and fear, intoxicating and she wanted to grab him until he understood.
“I haven’t even begun to harass you!” He snarled. He was too close and Hanna- Gale grabbed his shirt tightly in her hands, as if to shove him away. But before she could, his lips were on hers and he was kissing her.
Hanna- Gale gasped in surprise, confusion flooding her, feeling like her body was floating, lighter than air as confusion swirled around her mind and made her feel giddy, almost sick. He felt amazing. His lips were hot and his kisses were passionate and Hanna- Gale found that it was oh so easy to get lost in him, to get lost in the feeling of his lips on hers.
She could feel the warmth radiating from his skin and suddenly his arms were around her, strong hands on her back pulling her closer. She held on to his shirt as she was pressed against him, feeling the strong tension of his muscles beneath his skin, his scent making her world spin, her body tremble. She pressed against him, a soft moan in her throat. He felt good, so much better than she ever would have thought.
He smelt almost smoky, like ashes from a fire and Hanna- Gale never thought that could smell so damn good. She melted into him, shivering as his hands went to her hair, tangling in the neat curls and tugging softly. Hanna- Gale moaned in response, clinging to his jacket for dear life. She felt like she was being swept along in a storm, holding on for purchase and finding it impossible to stay grounded.
Casey lifted her up, pulling her towards the couch and Hanna- Gale had no intention of fighting him. They sank into the couch and his hands were on her dress, brushing up her hem and caressing her skin. Hanna- Gale moaned, pushing back, trying to tug off his jacket. He shrugged it off with a chuckle, letting it fall to the pillows behind. Perfect.
She felt his arms, noticed the tattoos that rippled so deeply they seemed to move, to make living patterns on his skin. Her breath rushed out in a deep whoosh as she trembled softly against him. She tugged at his shirt and he broke the kiss to suck at her neck and caress her skin further. Hanna- Gale’s hands crept be
neath the fabric, stroking his skin and making him groan in response.
She thrilled at the feeling of hard abs beneath her hands, the way his muscles tightened and trembled when he moved, the strength and power that lurked behind his good looks. Next, his hands were brushing her body, pulling up the hem of her dress so far that it made Hanna- Gale gasp, a blush rising to her skin.
This was way too fast. She didn’t even like him, wasn’t even sure of his intentions. She didn’t like him, but the magnetism was undeniable and there was something about him that Hanna- Gale found likeable, even if she didn’t want to admit it. He was gorgeous and she shivered softly with pleasure as she pulled him in closer.
He tugged her dress off her skin and Hanna- Gale willingly shimmied out of it. He tossed it to one side and looked her over. Hanna- Gale was blushing, wearing nothing but the skimpy little panties and bra that she had thrown on this morning.
Casey’s hands drifted across her skin, stroking it slowly, down her navel and across the curve of her breasts. She groaned and squirmed and then he was pressed against her again, his shirt on the floor, his skin against hers.
Hanna- Gale moaned and pressed up against him, feeling her nipples rub against the soft lace of her bra. They hardened and she bit her lip with the desire that burnt between her thighs and trembled through her legs.
She was burning up, a flush to her skin that spoke of pleasure and want in all the dirty little ways that she wanted it most. Hanna- Gale held on tightly as Casey’s hands slipped around her back, her hair tumbling between them as he brushed and teased the clasp of her bra.
When he finally undid it, Hanna- Gale felt like she would lose herself to the ecstasy completely. He stroked her skin, he pulled at the bra until it fell off her completely. She gasped and shivered as her breasts hit the cool air, only to be pressed against the warmth of his chest.
She bit her lip and trembled as he held her tightly against him, his lips moving down her neck, to her chest. He grasped her breast in his hands, teasing and flicking the nipple with his thumb. Hanna- Gale trembled, feeling her head swim with desire for him.