Something New (Brides of Cedar Bend Book 2)

by Lena Hart

  Inside the closet smelled of him. Fresh and earthy. It felt strange going through his dresser drawers, but there was something intimate about learning where he kept his boxers and socks. Everything was folded and tucked neatly in place. He had a limited wardrobe, and if she had to guess, she would think his favorite colors were gray and navy blue.

  After riffling through a few of his drawers, she found a faded sports jersey and pulled it out. She dropped the towel and pulled the jersey over her head. It came down just above her thighs and was surprisingly soft against her skin.

  Savvy reached down to pick up the damp towel when something shiny caught her attention. It was lodged just beneath the edge of the dresser. She studied it for a moment then reached out and picked it up.

  It was a ring. And not just any ring. It was a beautiful vintage band with a smooth pearl at the center. The sleek gem was surrounded by a cluster of tiny diamonds that only illuminated the antique ring.

  Why would Damian have something like this? Then it dawned on her that this was probably the ring he had given his former fiancée. What woman would give back such a beautiful ring?

  Against her better judgment, Savvy slipped the ring onto her ring finger. She held out her hand, a soft smile tugging at her lips. It really was beautiful. And around her finger, it was striking. She imagined Damian presenting it to her and slipping it onto her finger, while he professed his love…

  Okay, funs over Savannah.

  Shaking her head at herself, Savvy tugged off the ring.

  It wouldn’t budge.

  She tugged at it again. This time it budged, but just barely. It remained firmly around her finger.

  “Oh, no.”

  Her heart thudded in her chest as she tugged viciously at the ring. She used her teeth, which only irritated her skin. Savvy dashed into the bathroom and began lathering her finger, but her finger and knuckle appeared to expand around the thing band.

  Savvy went back into the bedroom and sat down on the edge of the bed. She stared down at her hand, her mind racing with ideas.

  But the damage was done. Her finger was too swollen.

  Damn it.

  How was she going to explain this one to Damian?

  By the time Damian made it back home, it was later than he expected.

  The room was dark and quiet, and Savvy lay curled in the center of the bed. She was asleep. Wearing his old basketball jersey.

  He stood there for a moment, enjoying the sight. Seeing her in his bed did something funny to his heart—and sent desire pulsing through him.

  But it looked like tonight would be put on hold. It was his own fault for keeping her waiting. Had he not made the second stop at the auto shop, he would have been back much sooner.

  With a sigh, Damian made his way to the bed. He placed the box of condoms and shoebox on the nightstand then pulled the covers over her. He stripped down to his boxers then climbed into bed beside her. To his surprised delight, she turned and snuggled up close to him. She released a soft sigh, her firm breasts brushing against his side, and he knew tonight was going to be a long one.

  But Damian ignored his discomfort and gathered her close. She rested her hand on his chest, and he caught the glint around her finger. He frowned as he took a closer look. Damian turned on the bedside lamp and stared down at her hand.

  What the…

  It was one thing to use his body wash or wear his jersey—or any other item of his—but it was quite another to wear his mother’s wedding ring.

  “Savvy, wake up.”

  It took several nudges before she blinked her eyes open then gave him a soft smile. He ignored his body’s reaction to those soft lips. Her eyes began to drift shut again, but he shook her awake.

  “Savvy, where did you find this ring?”

  She frowned up at him, but her eyes were barely alert. “What ring?”

  “This one.” He took her hand and lifted it eye level. “Where did you get it?”

  She stared at her hand until awareness finally came to her. She pulled her hand from his and sat up on the bed. Damian followed her up.

  “I found it in your closet. On the floor.”

  “How did it end up on your finger?”

  Suddenly, her gaze slid away from his. “I tried it on. I know I shouldn’t have, and I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  Damian regarded her closely and decided she was embarrassed enough. There was no need to make a big deal of it.

  “It’s fine. Just get it off.” He softened his abrupt command with an explanation. “So I can put it back in the safe.”

  “I’m sorry,” she said, her eyes clouded with guilt. “But I can’t.”

  He was taken aback by that then glared at her. “What do you mean you can’t? Just get it off, Savvy.”

  Damian took her hand and began tugging at the ring. She let him pull at her finger without protest, but it didn’t budge.

  “It’s stuck.”

  He stared at her, incredulous. He then leaned back against the headboard. “This is not good.”

  “I know,” she said quietly, regret heavy in her voice. “I promise I’ll take it off as soon as the swelling goes down.” Her gaze moved searchingly over his. “Are you mad?”

  Damian sighed at her wary expression then ran his hand across the back of his neck. “No, I’m not mad. It’s just that I’ve been looking for that ring for days. I try to keep it out of sight because it tends to trigger some painful memories for Pops.”

  She stared down at her finger, a slight frown marring her brows and he realized she didn’t understand the significance of what she wore.

  “That’s my mother’s wedding ring.”

  She whipped her head up, her eyes rounded into saucers. “I thought it was… Never mind. I should have never tried it on.”

  “I don’t blame you,” he said trying to ease her distress. “It’s a beautiful ring.”

  “Yes, it is.” Suddenly, her eyes welled with unshed tears. “I’m sorry.”

  He stunned by the display of emotion. He reached out and caught the single tear that rolled down her cheek. “What’s wrong?”

  She shook her head and swiped at her eyes. “Nothing. It’s just… Your dad must have loved her very much.”

  “Yes, he did. But it’s nothing to cry about.”

  She smiled ruefully, her gaze carefully averted. “I know. It’s just beautiful to know that kind of love existed. That’s all.”

  He studied her closely, realizing just how sentimental she was. But he had a feeling she wasn’t being completely forthcoming about her sudden storm of emotions.

  “I should go.”

  She started to climb out of bed, but he grabbed the ends of his jersey and pulled her back.

  “Why? It’s late. If we’re not going to open that box of condoms, you can at least let me hold you.”

  She stared at him, stunned. “You went out to buy condoms?”

  “Yeah. You didn’t think I just had them lying around, did you?”

  Her gaze fell away from his, and he had his answer. He brought his hand under her chin and lifted her face to his.

  “I told you, Savvy, I don’t play games. You’re the only woman I’ve had in this bed. You’re the only one I want.”

  Her face softened, and suddenly she sat up on her knees. “Then we shouldn’t waste any more time tonight.”

  She grabbed the hem of the jersey and peeled it over her head. Damian sucked in a breath as his eyes raked over her nude body.

  She was perfect.

  Her nipples were brown velvet peaks at the center of her plump breasts. His shaft hardened as his gaze moved lower to where a small thatch of hair covered her mound. Her curves were lush, and her creamy brown skin was flawless.

  He was desperate to taste her. All of her.

  Curving his hand around her slender waist, he pulled her closer to him. He moved his hand down until he cupped her round ass, amazed at how soft her skin was under his rough palm.

>   “You’re so damn beautiful, you know that?”

  “I know.”

  Her smile was bashful, despite her boast. Damian tried to smile at her teasing, but his lips wouldn’t cooperate. Instead, he drew her to him until she sat astride his hips. He leaned over and did what he’d been eager to do all night.

  He captured a nipple into his mouth and sucked on it gently. Savvy gasped and gripped the back of his head. He passed his tongue over the hard bud then sucked at it harder. She made a soft mewling sound that drove him crazy and he did it again.

  Her hold on him tightened as she kept him to her until he moved his attention to her next nipple. Her delicate moans intensified as he trailed his lips across the soft valley between her breasts.

  But it wasn’t enough.

  Damian flipped her on her back and moved down between her spread thighs. Her fingernails scraped across his shoulders. He gently sucked at her nub, softly licking the firm flesh before dipping his tongue into the sweet essence of her. With every soft whimper and gasp she released, his own need heightened.

  He continued his tender assault, his lips growing more demanding as she became more vocal in her pleasure. When her legs quivered around his head, Damian slid his fingers into her and began thrusting them into her. He continued to suck strongly at her swollen clit as liquid heat began to pool around his fingers.

  “Damian… I’m coming…”

  He lifted his head and pressed his lips against her thigh as he continued to thrust into her. “Come for me, baby.”

  He watched with fascination as she gasped then shuddered from the power of her release. The muscles of her wet channel pulsed rhythmically around his fingers as her entire body continued to convulse.

  Damian jerked down his boxers and reached for the box of condoms. She stared up at him with hooded eyes, a dreamy satisfied smile on her lips. Knowing he had put that look on her face got him harder.

  In seconds, Damian had himself sheathed and began guiding his rigid length into her. She was so tight and wet, he fought the urge to plunge deep into her. Instead, he eased himself inside her, inch by exquisite inch, until he was buried into her to the hilt.

  They both shuddered from the soft heat of her surrounding him, squeezing him. With a harsh sound, he began thrusting into her with long, deep strokes. He couldn’t stop the rough groans that tore from him as he continued to pump into her. His heart pounded in his chest, and his balls tightened almost unbearably as he came close to his release.

  When he couldn’t wait any longer, he flattened his palm on her navel, and his hips began to hammer into her. She grabbed his wrists and reared off the bed, her knees locking together.

  “Open your legs for me, baby,” Damian rasped on another thrust. “Open them.”

  “I…can’t…” she whimpered, her nails digging into him.

  He grabbed her leg open and spread it wide. With one hard thrust, she released a muffled shriek before convulsing beneath him. The intensity of her release drove him over the edge, and he gave into his orgasm with a deep shudder.

  Ten

  Savvy stretched beneath the covers, her body aching in places they hadn’t before.

  She brushed against something warm and solid and realized her back was pressed against Damian’s hard chest. His arm was thrown over her, and his warm breath brushed softly against the back of her neck.

  It was morning and the day of Quinn’s wedding. Yet, all she wanted was to stay in bed with him and make love all day.

  Last night, she had gotten to experience something she never had before. In his arms, she had come so hard that her whole body shook from it. She wanted to experience that again.

  Unfortunately, a lazy day in bed was out of the question. They both had a wedding to get to.

  Savvy started to pull from the warmth of his embrace only to have his arms tighten around her, and the deep timbre of his voice made her body shiver.

  “Where are you going?”

  “It’s morning. I have to get back to the mansion.”

  He made a sound that was part grunt and part sigh. “The wedding isn’t until this afternoon. We have time.”

  “Time for what?”

  In response, he slid his hand down between her thighs and cupped her. Savvy sucked in a ragged breath then released it as he drew her back to him. He slipped a finger between her folds and began slowly caressing her.

  Savvy turned her head to him, and he captured her lips in an intoxicating kiss. She lightly brushed her tongue across his, reveling in his heady taste. He continued to rub her until she was swollen with need for him.

  Suddenly, he drew back and the rustle of foil behind her broke through her haze of lust. She tried to turn, to look at him, but he held her in place.

  “No, don’t move. Not yet.”

  He slid his palm down her leg then cupped her thigh and lifted it high. She shifted, allowing him better access and when he began to enter her, clutched the sheets beneath her. He slowly stretched her tender flesh, blurring the lines between pleasure and pain.

  She released a rough moan, as he thrust into her repeatedly. With every stroke, he brought her closer to the incredible explosion that awaited. Savvy stuffed her fist into her mouth to muffle her loud, throaty moans.

  Damian tugged her hand away, never losing rhythm as he pounded into her. “No. Let me hear you, baby.”

  His demand sent a tidal wave of pleasure coursing through her. With a hoarse cry, she quivered and dissolved into tiny pieces. Gripping her hips to him, he stifled a shout and also found his release.

  Savvy waited for their breathing to regulate before she attempted to speak again. “We were pretty loud this time.”

  Damian chuckled and pressed a kiss against her shoulder. “Yeah? You think so?”

  “Yeah,” she murmured drowsily, lightly running her palm along his arm. “I hope we didn’t wake Pops.”

  “It’s an old house,” he said, seemingly unconcerned by the thought. “The walls are pretty thick.”

  He turned her on her back and kissed her softly. Looping her arms around him, Savvy drew him close. They indulged in each other for a little longer, taking in the quiet peace of the morning and the warmth of each other’s body.

  Damian trailed his lips down her neck, and she released a soft sigh, unable to get enough of him. She ran her hands down his broad back and shoulders, loving the hard feel of him. She couldn’t remember ever feeling so sated and wanted.

  “We should probably get up now,” she said quietly. “I would hate to do the walk of shame in front of Pops.”

  Damian lifted his head and frowned down at her. “You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

  She smiled softly at him, smoothing away his fierce frown with her fingertips. “I know. I was just teasing. But I do have to go,” she said with some regret.

  He released a heavy sigh then nodded. “I guess I’ll have to wait until tonight then.”

  “Tonight?”

  He regarded her closely. “Yeah, you’re coming back tonight, right?”

  She blinked, uncertain how to respond to that. Frankly, she hadn’t thought that far ahead. Did she dare spend another night with him? It would only make her leaving Cedar Bend, leaving him, that much harder.

  “There’s going to be a lot happening today. And with my family in town…”

  “Will I get to meet your parents at the wedding?”

  She shook her head. “My parents passed when I was ten.”

  Their gazes held for a moment and there was an understanding in his eyes that only someone who had also lost a parent could recognize. He leaned down and pressed his lips lightly over hers. With that one touch, he let her know that he understood her pain.

  “I’m sorry,” he murmured.

  “It was a long time ago. Quinn’s parents took me and my sister in, and they were very supportive. My entire family was. And I have a big family.”

  “So what are you saying? You have a lot of uncles I need to impress?”


  She looped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss on his chin. “I’m saying I have a ton of family that will be keeping me busy tonight.”

  His gaze moved over her affectionately. “Just save some time for me, all right?” Before she could respond, he planted a quick kiss on her lips and rolled out of bed. “I’m going to take a quick shower then I’ll walk you out. Of course, you’re welcome to join me.”

  A quick smile tugged at her lips. “Why do I have a feeling there’s no such thing as a quick shower with you. Besides, I’ll only have to shower again when I get to the mansion.”

  He shrugged. “You’ll be missing out.”

  Damian disappeared into the bathroom, and she enjoyed the view of him from behind. The man was a danger to her senses.

  When the sound of the shower started, Savvy climbed out of bed and scrambled into her clothes. She sat on the edge of the bed and slipped on her shoes just as her eyes landed on a familiar box on the nightstand.

  Her shoes.

  Had he gone out to get them last night?

  Savvy glanced in the direction of the bathroom then back at the shoebox. It was one thing to go out for condoms, but he had really thought enough about her to make the extra trip?

  He was too good to be true, and that scared the hell out of her.

  A man like him, she could easily fall in love with. Hell, he had already managed to possess her body. She couldn’t let him corrupt her heart, too. What if he broke it? She couldn’t let that happen. Not again.

  Jumping up from the bed, Savvy began gathering her things. She needed to get out of here, and away from the spell he was casting over her.

  His mother’s ring winked up at her and tugged at it. It held fast.

  Damn it.

  She would have to deal with it later.

  Grabbing her shoes, she quietly bolted downstairs and out the front door.

  “That’s a gorgeous dress, Savvy, but don’t you think it’s a little…” Lori wrinkled her finely arched brow.

  “A little what?”