by Melody Anne
Her eyes widened, and then, even under the dim lights, he could see the change in her expression. She knew what came next. They both did.
He stopped trying to fight himself. This was inevitable from the moment he’d caught her in his arms that first day on the cold front porch of his rental property. He stepped forward, grasped her hands, and pulled her to her feet before kissing her, knowing this time he wasn’t going to be interrupted.
Urgently, almost frantic, Hawk reached for the hem of her sweater and yanked it over her head. He had to see her body, had to feel her naked skin against his as soon as his own clothes came off.
Her moans of pent-up desire encouraged him, and he grabbed her wool slacks and slid the zipper down. Within minutes she was standing before him in nothing but a lacy bra and matching fire-engine-red panties. Whoever had invented women’s underclothing should be thanked profusely, he told himself.
He’d get on that. Well, maybe not right now. He’d get on her instead.
“Let’s go inside,” he said, feeling a sudden urge to take her in his favorite fire engine. Yes, he knew that some of his men, just for the thrill of it, brought women to the fire department for a night of sex, but Hawk hadn’t even thought once about doing such a fantastical thing.
He doubted it was a great idea now—he’d never walk through these doors again without thinking of her—but they were hurtling forward at breakneck speed, and there was no reverse for the ride they were on.
He opened the door to the fire truck, and Natalie wobbled in that direction. She reached the first step on the truck, leaving her bent over with half her body inside the truck while her luscious behind presented itself right in front of his face, hanging outside the door.
Gripping her hips to stop her from going any farther, he ran his fingers along the smooth skin of her thighs, delighting in the panties that barely hid anything from his view. Her pleased gasp encouraged him to continue.
Spreading her thighs, he moved his fingers along the seam of those delectable panties, touching her moist folds and reveling in the slow purr she gave in response.
“So ready,” he whispered, wondering how he’d managed to wait this long to make love to this woman. Passion like this didn’t burn out. No. The only way to extinguish the fire burning within them both was by coming together in a blaze unlike anything he’d ever battled before.
As Natalie arched her back, lifting her derriere higher into the air, her hands clutching at the diamond-patterned floorboard of his truck, Hawk leaned forward and caressed the smooth skin of her behind with his tongue. He took a slight nip at one perfectly round cheek, and she wiggled her hips in return, wanting more. So much more.
He was more than willing to give it to her. Running his tongue down and around toward what he wanted so badly, he pulled on her hips so he could get a taste of her sweet, boiling-hot core.
So wet.
So willing.
The fabric of her panties was no barrier against his tongue or fingers. He slid them effortlessly out of his way so he could pay homage to her womanhood. He built her pleasure higher and higher until they were both ready to explode, and she was writhing beneath his expert tongue.
When he pulled back, she moaned in protest, but after a moment, she slowly climbed the rest of the way into the truck. Without any guidance from Hawk, Natalie bent forward over one of the jump seats and grabbed ahold of a hanging strap.
Hawk took his time. How could he not look his fill at the sweet image of her flushed skin, of her ass in the air, of her moist folds peeking out at him? Tempting him. He could gaze at her curvaceous body all night and be a happy man. Well, maybe gaze at her after he’d satisfied both of them.
Leaning forward, he unhooked her bra, freeing her beautifully round breasts, perfectly proportioned to fit in his hands. Reaching around while the softness of her backside cradled his still-clothed arousal, he squeezed her nipples with expert pressure, making her cry out. When her nipples hardened beneath his touch, he so wanted to flip her around and take the luscious tips inside his mouth.
But he had plenty of time for that. He had all night long to make love to her. Right now he had to feel himself sliding against her core. Pulling back a few inches, he shed his pants, allowing his arousal to spring free, and then he gripped himself before pushing forward toward his goal. He wanted so desperately to sink deep inside her hot body, but he didn’t want this exquisite moment ever to end.
So he ran the tip of his manhood against her wet heat, and he pushed the head against her provocatively. She pushed back against him. Her moans were his primary clue to her desires, and the clue was an unmistakable yes.
Hawk had never received so much pleasure from teasing a woman in this way, but he was throbbing as he ran his erection along the outside of her folds. The more she moaned, the more he wanted to prolong everything that was happening and not happening between the two of them.
But she had other ideas. She wiggled her behind, and he felt his engorged tip sink inside her tight heat. And then he was lost. With a hard thrust, Hawk was finally buried inside her, and he felt his world spin as she gripped him like a vise and pulsed around his staff.
Her groan reminded him to move, and he was soon thrusting in and out of her, clasping her hips as he pushed harder and faster, searching for release.
When she cried out and contracted tightly around him, he nearly let go, but as he slowed his movement to draw out her pleasure, he knew he needed to look into her eyes, needed to see her face when he came.
When her orgasm had run its course he pulled free, then gently turned her over to face him. She sighed in pleasure, her eyes half slits of satisfaction.
Leaning down, he enveloped the pink bud of one luscious nipple in the warmth of his mouth, sucking gently and placing light pressure with his teeth to draw out her afterglow, the taste even more exquisite than he’d imagined.
When he looked up at her face, he could see that she was already anticipating more. He felt her slick folds, and then he was done with foreplay. Neither of them needed it now. He pushed her back against the seat, lifted up one of her legs, rested her foot on the crossbar of the cab door, and spread the other leg to the center console. She was wide open for him, and he drove inside.
After the first thrust, Hawk had to take a second to breathe and regain something like control. But when he looked down and saw her body quivering with the need for another release, he managed to establish a quick rhythm in their holiday dance.
This time, when her body convulsed around him, he let go, filling her with his pleasure while he delighted in watching her eyes as the final shudders passed through both of them. One night wouldn’t be enough. He knew that beyond a shadow of a doubt. He opened his mouth to say something.
And the fire alarm went off.
Natalie’s eyes widened with panic as the lights of the fire station filled the room as if it were midday. She jumped from the truck, then tugged her sweater over those perfect breasts and stuffed her bra into her pocket. They barely had time to finish dressing and scamper out of the fire truck before the first men rushed through the bay doors. And before Hawk could stop her, Natalie slipped out into the night, leaving him standing there with a body that didn’t realize their lovemaking was over.
The two of them needed to talk, and they would, as soon as the fire call was over. But right now, he had a job to focus on . . .
chapter 12
She knew she was a chicken. She didn’t even care. Let Hawk think what he wanted, but when he’d come to her door on Sunday, no, she didn’t answer it and yes, she’d been hiding.
It was now Monday, and today was the day of the fire station field trip. Just her luck. How was she possibly going to avoid Hawk at his place of work? She’d seriously considered calling in sick, but she had too solid a work ethic to give that idea much more than a passing thought. So here she was, entering the same fire hall she’d been in two nights before—naked.
“Ms. Duncan, do we get to hear t
he sirens?”
“Of course you do, Bobby.” She could do this. She’d just focus on the kids.
“Hello, future firefighters!”
Natalie turned to find a larger-than-life Hawk Winchester standing in front of the same fire engine where he’d taken her to the highest reaches of pleasure and passion. His eyes bored into hers for a full three seconds before he turned his attention back to the kids. That look alone nearly had her sagging to the floor. It was more than clear that he had a lot to say to her. She was grateful there were about thirty small chaperones with her to keep her safe.
From the look he was shooting her way, it was apparent that Hawk Winchester didn’t like being ignored.
The tour began and Natalie did her best to not stare at the man of the hour, but their eyes kept meeting over the heads of the kids, and the smoldering look in his deep brown depths was enough to fry her insides. This man would barely have to lift a finger to get her back into the truck that he seemed to be spending so much time showing the kids. Her imagination went wild as she pictured herself leaning back . . .
Nope. Not the place. And really not the time.
When the schedule called for snacks and Natalie turned to follow the other teachers and kids into the break room, a hand caught her arm in a punishing grip.
Uh-oh!
“You’re not hiding from me anymore. Not a chance.”
Natalie felt herself being dragged away from the crowd, and then she found herself alone with Hawk, leaning against the very truck she’d been focusing on all weekend. No one else was in the main garage—the other firemen were helping to entertain the kids inside the lounge—and Natalie felt exposed and raw as she looked up at Hawk.
“This isn’t the place or time,” she whispered, praying that no one wandered in and saw the two of them.
“I agree. Sunday would have been a great time for us to have this conversation, but you wouldn’t answer either your door or your phone.”
His eyebrows rose as he waited for her response.
She gathered her courage and spoke sternly, though it wasn’t her style. “A wise person would have figured out that I had nothing to say to you.”
“I don’t think that’s it at all, Natalie. I think what happened between us was pretty damn spectacular, and now you’re running away scared instead of facing it like an adult.”
Such unmitigated arrogance irritated the hell out of her. It didn’t matter that he was right; what ticked her off was the fact that he knew he was right. No one should be that sure of himself. She certainly wasn’t of herself. How could he know how she felt? He couldn’t.
“You can think whatever you want, Hawk. I don’t care. We had sex. It ended. Get over it, and get over yourself.” She tugged against the hold he had on her.
“Nope. I don’t think so. You know what, Natalie?”
His pause was painful. They stared each other down for several edgy seconds.
“What?” she practically shouted.
“I’ve decided I like being with you. I’ve decided that we make quite a great couple. This weekend we’ll have a real date.”
“I don’t think so, Hawk.” She tugged against his hold but it did her zero good.
“Why?”
His now cold eyes wouldn’t release her from their hold, just as his hand still gripped her tight. How could she continue fighting him while fighting herself as well? Somehow she dug down deep and found the will to resist him.
“Because you’re not what I want, Hawk. You aren’t good enough for me to change my plans,” she said as coldly as she could manage.
That did the trick a little bit better than she wanted it to. Releasing her quickly, he took a step back, his expression blank as he gazed down at her, making her stomach clench with both remorse and hating that she’d just been so cruel. She instantly wanted to take the words back.
“Hawk . . .”
“Save it. I think you’ve said all you need to say.” Hawk turned and left her standing there. Natalie wanted to run, wanted to flee the station as quickly as she could, but she was in the middle of a field trip.
She reminded herself that she’d been through far worse times than this, and she’d most likely go through far worse in the future. Squaring her shoulders, she took a breath and walked to the lounge where she found the other teachers and the students as they asked questions and gobbled down goodies.
She did just fine until they got ready to leave and her eyes met Hawk’s. Trying desperately not to show weakness, she turned away, but feared it was too late. If he’d seen the tears in her eyes, he would know she was a liar. She just hoped he hadn’t, because if he came to her again, she knew she wouldn’t have the strength to turn him down a second time.
chapter 13
Emptying the box of the last tissue, Natalie blew her nose and decided enough was enough. She’d cried for days and it was insane. She wasn’t the kind of girl to lay around crying over a guy.
She barely knew the man for goodness’ sake. A few hot kisses, a couple of visits at his parents’, and the hottest sex known to man did not make for a lasting relationship. Looking down she realized she was holding her little notebook, the evil, ridiculous notebook with her stupid goals.
Suddenly, she was furious with herself, her mother, her life. She threw the notebook across the room, feeling immensely good when it hit the wall. Why was she so determined to hide?
What would be the problem with going out on a real date with Hawk? Hadn’t she decided it would be nice to be with him, even if it was only temporary? Why did she have to analyze the whole thing, map it out, and deny herself what she wanted?
Just because the idea of going out with him on a real date didn’t fit in with her nice little plans didn’t mean it was wrong. Why keep fighting this when she knew it was a losing battle? Besides, this man was the last thing she thought about before falling asleep. He was the one she dreamed of, and he was the first thought on her mind in the morning.
But would she even get a choice to go out with him now? The look he’d shot her after she’d told him he wasn’t good enough hadn’t been too kind. She may have blown her shot with the man. Wouldn’t that make this all so much easier?
She was a chicken! That’s what she was. She wanted him to hate her because then she wouldn’t have to choose between her own happiness and her goals. She was also a fool. With determination, she stood up.
She’d overheard the teachers talk about how Hawk liked to ice-skate with the kids on some Saturdays. Though it had been years since she’d gone ice-skating, and though she hadn’t been good at it back then, she decided she should give it another try.
Before she could change her mind, she washed her face, bundled up, and left her house. Practically shaking because she was so nervous, she made her way down to the outdoor skating rink, and just hoped he was against public humiliation.
Not that she wouldn’t deserve a good tongue lashing from him, but that would really be a bad end to an already bad day. It didn’t take her long to get there, and there was no sign of Hawk, so she rented skates and got ready to go out on the ice.
When she looked up and saw Hawk moving toward her, an odd sense of excitement began to build. This was going to go one way or the other, and from the look in his eyes she really didn’t know which way, but she decided to paste a smile on her lips and hope for the best.
“What are you doing here, Natalie?” Still no expression to give her the slightest hint of what he was thinking or feeling.
“I thought I’d go ice-skating,” she said, glad when her voice didn’t wobble, at least not too badly.
“Alone?”
“I was hoping to not be alone.” His eyes widened at that and then narrowed as he looked down at her.
“What game are you playing?”
“It’s not a game . . .” She trailed off, because if she was in his shoes she’d ask the same thing.
“Isn’t it better to be alone, than to hang around a man who isn’t good enough
for you?” His voice was deadpan, his eyes cold, making her shiver even more than the icy coldness of the Montana weather.
“I was wrong to say that. It’s just that . . . well, it’s just that I mapped out a certain life for myself, and for the longest time I thought I had to stay with that plan. Then you came along, and I didn’t know what to think. Everything became chaotic, but I like it . . . sort of.”
His eyebrows rose at her fumbled explanation, and he didn’t help her out at all with letting her know what he was thinking. She shifted on the bench, wondering if he was going to make her beg. It sure looked as if he was.
“I wrote down goals, and I haven’t achieved hardly any of them,” she said.
“And I don’t fit into those goals?”
“It’s not that you don’t fit into them,” she began, when she decided to be honest. “No. I wanted to have a career established, a house. I don’t want to be like my mother. I want . . .” What did she even want anymore? She didn’t know.
“Ah . . .”
“That’s it? Ah? Really. I’m trying here. I swear I’m not playing with you. It’s not a game. I just . . . like being with you.” She felt her cheeks flush, but with the cold outside, he wouldn’t know that.
Silence greeted her statement and she was about to give up. This was hopeless. She’d insulted his pride, so why should he forgive her? Wouldn’t that make it all easier, anyway? She wouldn’t have this internal struggle because she’d have no choice but to stay away from him.
“I don’t think you’re acting,” he finally said. The two of them faced off for several moments before he shocked her by smiling. What did it mean?
“Um . . .” She wasn’t sure what she wanted to ask.
“Fine. You say you aren’t playing a game. I believe you. Argument over.” Then he sat down and took off his shoes and began putting on his ice skates.
“So . . . We’re okay?” She didn’t know how to define what the two of them had been before their little tiff, so she didn’t know what to ask him about them now.
“Yep. We’re now officially on our first date.”