“Yes. Often. Perhaps every fifteen minutes if you can manage it.” She wrapped her arms around his back and pulled him down to her. With a nibble on his earlobe that made his whole body shudder, she said, “Maybe every ten.”
She flipped him to his back and raked her fingers from his shoulders down to his waist, making him want to keep her in his bedroom for… oh… an eternity. How could he let her go back to her house ever?
She took his right hand and kissed each fingertip. Watching the way her mouth puckered, the way her tongue caressed each digit, the way one blonde brow arched mischievously made Orion’s body get all revved up again. Her hair fell in loose waves, curtaining her breasts, making him ache to touch them, but she was in control right now.
Taking his left hand, she gave each finger there the same careful, sensual attention. When she got to his shortened pinkie finger, she said, “I don’t know why, but this pinkie drives me wild. It’s so tough and recklessly male.” She dropped another kiss to that finger then pressed his palm to her hip.
He slid his free hand to her other hip, loving the feel of her ultra soft skin beneath his coarse palms. “It was more like clumsy, not-paying-attention male, and no, I’m not willing to cut anything else off to prove how manly I am.”
She chuckled and lowered so her breasts were pressed to his chest and his IQ shot down to a negative number. “No need to prove anything to me, mister. I now know firsthand how manly you are.” She kissed a trail down his stomach then ran her hands over what made him a man.
He let out a shaky breath and closed his eyes. Her hands were magic on him, stroking until he was once again rock hard. God, she was good. Five minutes ago, he was totally spent. Now he was ready to go another round.
Or two.
Her hot, skilled mouth closed around him, and for a moment he forgot how to breathe. He swore his heart stopped beating right before it zoomed to top speed in his chest. Her lips were like velvet against him, and he balled the sheets beneath him into his fists, because he had to hold on to something. He needed some way to keep him in the here and now. Some way to make sure he didn’t float away on blissful clouds and sweet, sweet dreams.
Sage sat up, something like a purr sounding from her throat. “Tell me you have another condom.”
He simply nodded, for his body was rigid with arousal. He was primed and ready. Ready to delve deep into Sage’s hot, wet center.
She found the condoms in his nightstand, thank the good Lord, and rolled one on, touching him possessively. He was hers. All hers.
She rose to her knees, and he reached both his hands up to cup her breasts, running his thumbs over her hardened nipples. He skimmed his palms down her sides and guided her onto him. She let out a breathy sigh that almost had him blowing his load too soon. Everything she did absolutely turned him on. He had a feeling she could be doing something completely mundane, like putting gas in her pumpkin car, and he’d feel the need to tear her clothes off and have her right away. She was like a drug. Addictive and messing with his mind.
For once, he didn’t care either. His mind had been messed with before, but Sage wouldn’t hurt him. She wasn’t capable of it.
With that assurance, he turned himself over to the sensations of having her surround him. He pumped into her while she moved in small, slow circles on him. She’d back off a bit, then press closer when he started to miss the feel of her sweet ass on him.
Gripping his shoulders, she arched her back one final time and sailed over the edge. He followed her a few seconds later, and they shivered in each other’s embrace until the aftershocks wore off.
Orion’s body vibrated with something. Something he couldn’t quite put a finger on.
Sage sighed and cuddled up close to him. “I loved that.”
Loved. Yeah, that’s it.
That thought should have scared the skin right off him, but it didn’t. “Me too.”
He shifted to pull the sheet over them both, and Sage rolled to her side. He came up behind her and slid his arms around her splendidly naked body. He flattened his palm on her belly and she nestled her bottom against his front.
“What if Myah or Ian wake up?” she whispered.
“Ranger will take care of it,” he mumbled into her hair. “He’s a smart dog.”
She giggled and reached a hand back to cup his face.
“Besides, if you think you’re going home now, Miss Stannard, you are sorely mistaken.” He squeezed her tighter.
“You’re a wonderful neighbor.” She puckered her lips and he kissed her.
“I wonder if Cressen thought so.”
Sage elbowed him in the stomach. “If you were that neighborly to her, she wouldn’t have been able to move out of the neighborhood.”
“Yeah?” He was rather proud of himself.
“Oh my God, yeah,” Sage said. “I’ve never been that… that… fulfilled.”
“Never?”
She shook her head and turned around to face him. Putting a hand to his cheek, she stared into his eyes. “Orion, no one has ever made me feel the way you just did. As if I was something important, valuable. As if you couldn’t get enough of me.” A tear dropped from her eye, making a small wet spot on the pillow beneath her head.
Orion ran his fingers over her beautiful lips then along her jaw. “You are important. You are valuable. I can’t get enough of you, Sage.”
He knew it was crazy. He’d only known her a few days, but in that time, she’d done more for him, shown him more kindness and passion than anyone ever had before. Making love to her only convinced him he had to keep her.
He hugged her as close to him as physically possible. Could a man have everything he wanted? Could he have his daughter? Could he have his dog? Could he have a woman who made him feel as if he were invincible?
Could he?
Chapter Twenty
Sage opened her eyes to a beam of sunlight right across her face. Squinting, she reached a hand out, but quickly discovered she was alone in Orion’s bed.
That’s a shame.
Remembering making love to Orion last night had her feeling desperate for him again. She stretched and settled her hands behind her head as she recalled his kiss, his touch, his ability to make her feel like the luckiest woman in the world. Sleeping cradled in his arms had been an experience too. Normally, she was the one to make a hasty exit after the deed was done, knowing full well a true connection had not been made with her partner. Usually she achieved a physical release, but the need to ride the ride a second time was never there.
But with Orion?
Oh, they were connected and she wanted to ride. Often. So often.
Not able to go another minute without seeing him, Sage threw off the sheet and hurried back into her tank top and skirt. She opened his bedroom door slowly, not sure who may still be sleeping. After a moment of standing in the threshold, she saw Myah’s and Ian’s bedroom doors were open. Still trying to be quiet, she crept down the hallway and peeked in each room.
Empty. Except for that cute stuffed bear still lounging in Myah’s bed.
Ranger wasn’t anywhere either.
She made a quick stop into the bathroom to freshen up as best as she could then heard the whir of a chainsaw. Visions of Orion covered in sawdust had her sliding on her flip-flops and stepping out onto the porch. She sat on the last step when Ranger trotted over, his tail wagging in friendship.
“Hey, boy,” she said. “Good morning.”
The dog’s eyes scrunched as she scratched under his chin. When she stopped for a moment to gather her hair into a ponytail, Ranger pushed his nose right into her crotch.
“Okay, okay. More scratching. I get it.” She obliged the dog by standing up and giving him an all-over rubbing that had him letting out happy doggie noises. When she stopped this time, she took a step toward the workshop and Ranger followed beside her. At the sound of the chainsaw, though, the dog veered to the right and galloped into the woods instead.
The barn doors were open and the fir
st sight to greet Sage was Myah and Ian sitting on stools watching Orion. Their heads were tilted at exactly the same angle, their feet propped up on the stool rungs, Myah’s on the upper, Ian’s on the lower. Their backs were hunched as if they were leaning forward with their elbows on their knees. As Sage came deeper into the workshop, she saw that was the case. Neon yellow earplugs filled their ears and they didn’t notice her. The two were totally enraptured by Orion.
Turning to focus on the man in question, she could see why. Woodchips flew like blizzard-level snow all around him as he hacked at the last of his tree trunks with a large chainsaw. He had on his signature T-shirt and cargo shorts uniform with a red bandana covering his head today.
Holy hotness, pirate-style!
His work boots were taped at his ankles again and safety goggles protected his beautiful eyes. Eyes Sage was pretty sure she could spend a lifetime staring into.
Whoa. Where did that come from?
Things were getting serious. Quickly. Sage took a moment to consider this as Orion bent down to remove material from the base of the stump. His shorts molded against his phenomenal ass, his biceps shook impressively as he handled the saw, and she forgot to be concerned over the speed at which she’d fallen for this man. This skilled mega-hottie who was as comfortable reading a bedtime story to his daughter as he was chewing through wood with the mother of all chainsaws.
Definition of sexy right there, folks.
Had she even met a real man before Orion? No. She’d been dating boys before him. Wasting time on Mr. Wrong after Mr. Wrong. It was about time she found her Mr. Right. Her Mr. Oh-So-Right.
Deciding she was going to have an orgasm just watching Orion work, Sage backed out of the workshop and headed into the house. She poked around in his kitchen and found enough ingredients for one of her often-requested breakfast quiches from her brunch catering menu. She sizzled some bacon and toasted a small tower of wheat bread. She set the feast on the dining room table with fruit cups and orange juice then spent a few minutes arranging food on Myah’s plate so it looked like a puppy. Two slices of quiche for ears, grapes for eyes, a banana slice for a nose, and bacon for a lolling tongue. She remembered her mother doing the same for her when she was a girl.
As she walked back into the kitchen to clean up, Myah and Ian came into the house.
“What smells so yummy?” Myah asked, her nose sniffing the air like a hungry wolf pup.
“Breakfast,” Sage said. “Go in the dining room and see if you can figure out which plate is yours.”
With a huge smile, Myah went off running. Ian hung back and turned his blue eyes on Sage. He stood, silently considering her for a few moments.
“There’s a plate for you too, Ian.” Sage turned back to scrub the skillet she’d cooked the bacon in.
“I’m sure there is,” he said. “You know how to take care of people.”
“I’ve had lots of experience,” Sage said. “I’ve taken care of my sister, my cousin, my mother, my catering clients, the folks who come into Rick’s store. I like to make people happy.”
Ian came to the sink and put his hand on hers. “You make Orion happy.”
“That makes me happy.” She flipped her hand over to give Ian’s a little squeeze.
“Me too. He hasn’t had a lot of happy. Adriana took his happy away, but you’re bringing it back.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Thank you.” With that, Ian joined Myah in the dining room.
Sage took a moment to stare out the window at the workshop. “No,” she said softly. “Thank you.”
Humming to herself, she finished washing the pan and put it away. She poked her head into the dining room where Myah and Ian were having a feeding frenzy.
“Gosh, you’re like a couple of wild animals in here.” She tugged on Myah’s hair and rested a hand on Ian’s shoulder.
“Gramps thinks he can eat more than me,” Myah said.
“Is he right?” Sage asked.
“No way.” Myah shoveled another forkful of food into her mouth.
“She forgets she inherited a healthy appetite from me,” Ian said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Myah stopped mid-chew and regarded Sage. She glanced at the rest of the food on the table and the other two place settings. “Aren’t you going to eat?”
“Sure. I was about to call your dad in.” Sage looked to Ian. “Do you think he’d rather not be disturbed?”
Ian wiped his mouth on the napkin he’d placed in his lap. Such a gentleman. “I think he’d like to finish rough cutting that last bear so he can go at the finer details and painting later today.”
“Okay.” Sage sat opposite Myah. “We’ll let him work then.” She made a big show of unfolding her napkin and settling it on her lap.
Myah and Ian giggled and it filled Sage’s heart with something she wasn’t ready to put a name to. Had to be something magical about Orion’s house. Sure, she always felt loved by her family and she loved them all to pieces. But the feelings she experienced with Orion and his family were different. She wanted membership in it.
Like forever.
Shaking her head over this turn of events, she dove into breakfast, tasting that happiness Ian spoke of earlier with each bite. All along, the chainsaw screamed outside, but it wasn’t grating on her nerves as it should have been. Instead, it was a reminder of the talented man hard at work in the barn. The man who had turned something on inside Sage. Something she never wanted turned off.
“Gramps, do adults usually smile like that?” Myah asked.
Sage blinked and focused on the girl.
“You mean all dopey and lost in thought?” Ian asked.
“Yeah.” Myah put her fork down and concentrated on Sage’s face. “She looked like she was dreaming or something.”
“Maybe she was, panda bear. Maybe she was.” Ian brushed a hand over Myah’s hair and smiled at Sage.
Myah squinted. “Were you, Sage?”
“Possibly.” Sage turned her attention to her food and tried to look less daydreamy. No easy feat, by the way. When did she become so ridiculous?
The moment you found Orion at Cressen’s place.
At least she could admit it. That was step one, right? Face the situation and deal with it. Or make love to it until you couldn’t think about anything else. Yeah. That.
The three of them ate quietly until forks scraped against empty plates and bellies were full.
“Can I make a plate for Daddy?” Myah asked.
“That would be great,” Ian said. “We can probably call him in now. He must be hungry.” He made a move to get up, but Sage popped up from her seat.
“I’ll get him!” Realizing she appeared way too eager, she cleared her throat and sat. “I mean, I could go outside and see if he wants to come in.” She fiddled with the end of her hair then tossed it over her shoulder and studied her cuticles.
See. I’m cool. I don’t care if Orion stays outside or comes inside. No big deal either way to me. Nope.
“We’ll wait right here,” Ian said, shooting her a knowing grin.
Maybe it was better when Orion’s father was a little out of it. This guy noticed way too much.
Sighing at her pathetic self, Sage stood and walked—calmly, she hoped—out of the dining room. She cast a quick peek over her shoulder and deeming Myah and Ian engrossed in making up Orion’s plate, she sprinted to the back door and ripped it open. She bounded down the stairs and approached the workshop.
Three things happened, one right after the other.
A weird grinding sound stopped her in her tracks midway between the house and the barn.
Ranger bolted out of the woods, barking like a rabid dog, all teeth and raised hackles.
An explosion vibrated the ground beneath Sage’s feet.
****
Orion’s back hit the far wall of his workshop. His head snapped back and crashed into a sturdy timber beam. Lights flashed before his eyes. He slumped to the ground, vaguely aware of a strange heat
in front of him.
Fire.
His mind registered the word, but his body was having a difficult time doing anything about it. If he didn’t snap into action, though, all his hard work carving those three bears would be reduced to ashes.
Oh, and I might die.
Rubbing his head, he stood, but dizziness instantly brought him to his knees.
Fuck.
He heaved in a deep breath and ended up coughing on… on… smoke.
Double fuck.
He got to all fours and attempted to stand again, but his legs didn’t have the strength to support him. As he contemplated his own death by fire, something came up under his right arm and turned him away from the flames now engulfing a section of the workshop and his bears.
“C’mon, Orion!” a voice said. “This way.”
He was pulled to the open barn doors and guided to the porch steps. Sucking in breaths of fresh air, he sat and coughed a bit more.
“Are you okay?” Sage kneeled before him, her phone in her hand as she tapped on the screen.
He nodded, not quite able to catch his breath yet.
“Sit here. I’m calling 9-1-1.”
He attempted to say okay, but it came out like a dry croak. He listened to Sage give the address and state the emergency.
Fire. His workshop was on fire! With that realization, he popped up to his feet and stumbled toward the barn.
Sage grabbed his arm and tugged him back. She pocketed her phone. “It’ll take them a few to get here. Do you have a fire extinguisher or a hose?”
He had another moment where he heard her, but couldn’t process what she was saying. God, his head hurt and his lungs burned.
“Orion.” She grabbed him by the shoulders now. “A fire extinguisher?”
The porch door opened behind her and she turned around. Ian stood there with the extinguisher. He held it out to Sage.
“I’ll stay with him,” he said. “Go.”
“Daddy!” Myah ran out and wrapped her arms around Orion’s waist.
Sage took the extinguisher and before Orion could stop her, she ran into the barn. Into the fire.
“Are you okay, Daddy?” Myah craned her head back to look up at him.
More Than Cookies (The Maple Leaf Series) Page 20