Hung Up on Hadley (Red Maple Falls, #5)

by Theresa Paolo

  “What happened to ‘we shouldn’t do this?’”

  “We shouldn’t, but I can’t stay away from you any longer.”

  The hard set of her jaw softened. “Then don’t.”

  His hand moved to her cheek, cupping her against his palm. He rested his head against hers. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You won’t.”

  “How can you say that? You know who I am.”

  “Which is exactly how I know that you won’t hurt me.”

  He turned away from her, frustration running through his veins. He wanted to believe her, but his track record sucked.

  A gentle hand rested on his shoulder. “Look at me.”

  He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before opening them and meeting hers. She didn’t say anything… she didn’t have to. She didn’t care about the risks; all she cared about was this moment. She was asking him to trust her, but she didn’t have to ask. He had and would always trust her.

  His fingers traced the outline of her hair, tucking the blonde strands behind her ear. He took her face in his hands and captured her lips with his. This kiss was different than the others. He wanted to show her how special she was to him and to prove to himself that he was willing to take a leap as long as Hadley was there on the other side.

  Her hands found his, her fingers linking between them and holding on as if he might change his mind and push her away again. He was fool enough to have done that before, and he damn well wasn’t going to do it again.

  “I’m not going anywhere,” he said against her mouth.

  “I wasn’t going to let you go.”

  “Now that we’re on the same page…” He kissed her again and slid his hands out from hers, running them down her body to her ass. He lifted her up, and she let out a surprised laugh as she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck.

  “Before I go into the house, I just want to make sure…”

  “Sam, shut up and kiss me.”

  He kicked the door shut and did exactly as she asked.

  Chapter 15

  Hadley couldn’t believe after all the years of wanting Sam, he was finally here now, kissing her and walking her toward her bedroom. Every fantasy she’d had was coming to fruition, and she didn’t want to open her eyes, scared if she did she would realize it was just another figment of her imagination.

  She needed to make sure, though, needed to know that this man whose lips were on hers, whose waist her legs were wrapped securely around was in fact the real, living, breathing Sam. She grabbed the skin on her arm and squeezed, causing a loud squeak to erupt from her mouth.

  Sam jerked back, and he looked down at her with confusion in his eyes. “What happened? Are you okay?”

  “I pinched myself.”

  His eyebrow furrowed. “On purpose?”

  “I was making sure this wasn’t a dream.”

  With an amused laugh, he bent down and kissed her. “This isn’t a dream. This is as real as it gets.”

  He laid her against the soft plush comforter and came down above her, resting his weight on one elbow. Aquamarine eyes stared down at her, a slight smile playing at the edge of his mouth.

  She lifted her hand, dragging a finger along the upward turn of his lips. He caught her finger between his teeth, giving it a playful yet erotic nip that caused a surprised yelp that faded to a moan.

  “I’ve just waited for so long that…I just never thought this would ever happen and now that it is…”

  “You know, you’re really putting the pressure on here.”

  “You’re assuming that in my dreams you were good.”

  “Wasn’t I?” he asked, dipping his head and nipping at her ear.

  Her words got lost to a moan as his lips trailed down her neck.

  “I asked you a question.” His lips came down on hers, claiming her in mind, body, and soul. The ache between her legs grew as the rest of her became frantic to ease it. He swiped his tongue across the seam of her lips, and she gladly parted, handing over all of her self-control. She grabbed the back of his head and pulled him closer, desperate to deepen the kiss even more, needing to fuel the inextinguishable passion that was burning inside of her.

  He pulled back, and she whimpered. “So?”

  “Huh?”

  “How good was I in your dreams?”

  She sucked in a much needed breath and ran her hands down his neck to his chest, annoyed that there was still a layer of clothes between their skin.

  “So?” he asked again.

  “You were all right,” she joked.

  He grabbed her wrists and pinned them behind her head, his erection pressing against her sex. “Just all right?” he exclaimed as he nipped his way down her neck to the dip in her shirt that had her body arching into him, searching for release. “Really?” His voice was filled with delighted humor as he grabbed both her wrists with one hand and used the other hand to lift her shirt, revealing the fair skin of her stomach. “Then I guess I don’t have to try that hard to live up to your expectations.”

  He looked down at her, eyes bright with hunger, and she shook her head. “You were more than all right. You were a fucking rockstar.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  “I mean, no pressure. I didn’t want to say anything in case you get performers—oh…” His lips moved across the bare flesh just above the waistband of her jeans. His big hand gripped her waist and held her in place as her body lifted from the bed.

  “You were saying?”

  “Nothing,” she breathed. “Continue.”

  He made his way up, pushing the material of her shirt as he went, his lips trailing closely behind. Every nerve ending in her body sparked, igniting tiny explosions throughout. If he could make her feel so much just from the slight press of his lips she could only imagine what else he was capable of.

  His fingers hooked the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. She was grateful she had opted for the pale pink satin bra instead of her usual neutral cotton one. His hand moved behind her, and she arched to give him access.

  With one flick of his fingers, the band came loose and the straps slid down her shoulders. Sam kissed her skin as he pulled one strap off and the cup fell away from her breast. His eyes darkened as he took in the rosy tip of her hardened nipple. He tugged the other strap down and tossed her bra to the floor, leaving her bare.

  His heated gaze swept from one point to the next before he dipped his head and took the pebbled flesh between his teeth.

  She gasped as the wet warmth of his mouth wrapped around her and his tongue circled the sensitive bead. A frenzied yearning stirred inside her as his hand sprawled across her stomach. She pressed up, offering him all that he wanted to give and take.

  For years she had been waiting for this moment, and a battle raged inside her head between wanting fast and hard or taking it slow and savoring every single second of pure bliss.

  The ache between her legs demanded to be touched, so Hadley took Sam’s hand and guided it toward the apex of her thighs.

  “Touch me,” she said as his head lifted and his heated gaze took her in. “Please.” She unzipped her pants, refusing to wait a second more.

  Sam took over, grabbing her jeans and yanking them off. He tossed them to the floor with her shirt and when his eyes looked down, he smiled.

  “Are those paw prints?” he asked as his finger traced over her pink cotton boy shorts and circled the white design.

  “They are. If I knew this was going to happen, I would have put on something lacy or—”

  His finger rested against her mouth. “That’s not you. These”—he brushed his finger lovingly across the spot where her swollen nub hid—“are you, and they’re fucking adorable.”

  “Are you just saying that? Because you can be honest. This is a sure thing no matter what you say.”

  “Can you shut up and kiss me?”

  “Stealing my line?”

  “It’s a good line.”r />
  Her laughter was muffled by his lips, the tip of his tongue sliding past her teeth, thoroughly exploring her mouth with toe-curling strokes. His hand slipped beneath her panties, and a million tiny explosions erupted inside her as his finger grazed across her most sensitive place. He circled the bundle of nerves in a slow, torturous caress, her fingers digging into the soft comforter beneath her.

  A rush of heat surged through her veins as he slipped a single digit into her wetness. Her body arched toward his touch, impatient for more as a wave of sensation washed over her.

  His lips found hers in a hot desperate demand. She kissed him back, giving everything she had, knowing that this kiss, this moment, Sam was completely claiming her, and if any man before even had an inkling of a chance, that thread was now severed forever. The pedestal she had placed him on so long ago was higher, sturdier, and eternally bound.

  She loved him before, but as their mouths moved as one, she was hopelessly in love with him.

  Her hand slipped to his jeans, tugging at the zipper in frantic motions.

  “Where’s the fire?” he asked with that adorable smile, revealing the gap between his teeth.

  “Inside me. I need your hose to put it out.”

  His head fell into the crook of her neck, and his laugh vibrated against her skin. “You really just said that.”

  “I did. Now be a good chief and get the job done.”

  “I’ll have you know, the chief calls the shots, and there’s still more assessment that needs to be done.” He kissed her neck then trailed his lips down until he took a tight bead between his teeth, sending a new wave of desire crashing over her.

  He circled the pebbled flesh before kissing his way down her stomach and stopping just above her panties. Her body ached for more, a craving so strong it fogged her thoughts until all she could focus on was every brush of his finger and every hot touch of his breath against her skin.

  He hooked his fingers into the band and slipped them down her legs, kissing as he went. She was delirious with need, and just when she thought her body couldn’t contain a single ounce of control, his mouth found the pleasure spot between her legs, and her entire body coiled at the intensity before bowing up for more.

  Her thighs trembled, her heart raced, and the sensations filled her almost too much for her body to comprehend. She had never felt this kind of pleasure before—all-consuming, uncontrollable desire that made her dizzy with need.

  The line between reality and fantasy blurred with each lap of his tongue. She clutched his hair, needing to anchor herself to him, afraid if she didn’t she would fall over the edge alone. She didn’t want to go alone, not anymore. She wanted him to fall with her.

  She grabbed his face and pulled him to her, crashing her lips to his and loving her taste on him.

  “I was just getting started,” he said with a smile against her mouth.

  She looked up into his eyes, staring deeper than she ever had before. “I need you. All of you.”

  Her hand found the button of his jeans and slipped the cool metal through the slit.

  “Please,” she said as she unzipped his pants, pushing them down and freeing his impressive erection. “I’ve already waited for so long.” She wrapped her hand around his length, stroking him from base to tip. His breath caught, his head falling back against his shoulders.

  “I want you inside me,” she said, and his eyes darkened with carnal lust.

  He grabbed her wrist and pulled her grip from him, pinning it above her head. With his other hand, he reached into his pocket, grabbed a foiled packet, then kicked his pants completely off.

  Hadley watched as he rolled the condom down his length, a new rush of desire coursing through her. So many nights she’d fantasized about this very moment, and now she didn’t need her imagination to fill in the blanks. If anything, her imagination had been sorely lacking.

  Sam pressed his erection against her opening, swiping the tip against her slick folds. A whimper sprung from her lips in anticipation.

  He positioned himself and held her gaze as he slid deep inside her. He stopped for a moment, allowing her to adjust to his size, and she trembled at the fullness, feeling the stretch of soft tissue.

  Slowly he moved, his fingers finding hers and interlocking, strengthening their connection as he continued with long, sensual thrusts. Her eyes slipped shut, absorbing every wave of pleasure.

  On a growl, his hands left hers, coasting down her body and grasping her hips. His pace quickened, sending her spiraling toward the edge. She was useless to fight against it as the pressure increased. Tiny sparks ignited in her body until they came together in a body shaking explosion that threw her over the edge into a cloud of pure bliss.

  Sam’s hands tightened, and with one final thrust, his body jerked against her as he fell over the edge and met her on the other side.

  He collapsed on the bed beside her, taking her into his arms and holding her tightly against him. “That was…” he said, his breath coming in and out in short shallow gasps.

  “Amazing? Unreal? Mind blowing? Better than you ever imagined?”

  He used his finger to tilt her head toward him and gave her a chaste kiss on her lips that managed to take her breath away. “All of the above.”

  His head fell back against the pillow, and he placed his arm over his eyes. “Was it worth the wait?”

  “You really need an ego stroke, don’t you?”

  “I just…”

  “What is it?”

  “I never want to disappoint you.”

  Hadley laughed, wondering how this amazing man could ever think he’d ever disappoint her. “You blew every one of my fantasies out the window.” She rested her head against his chest, tracing small circles on his heated skin. “We don’t have to tell anyone,” she said, looking up at him and propping her chin on his chest.

  His eyebrows furrowed together. “Is that what you want?”

  “Why don’t we see where this goes first? No reason to let the world in just yet.”

  He flipped her beneath him, his restored desire evident against her thigh. “Are you sure?”

  She nodded, and he kissed her forehead. “I want to keep you to myself as long as I can.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and pushed her hips upward so there was no question about what she wanted.

  “Do you now?” He pressed the hard length of his erection against her sex, and she rocked her hips up and down, rubbing against him.

  “Uh-huh.”

  He lowered his head, giving her a long lingering kiss. “Then I’m all yours.”

  Chapter 16

  It had been so long since Hadley had a girl’s night, and she was looking forward to seeing all of her favorite people without their significant others hogging their attention.

  She walked into Calhoun’s and spotted Kate and Shay over at their usual table in the corner. She gave them a wave and hurried over. Each had a half-finished glass of wine in front of them.

  “Starting without me?” Hadley asked.

  “This is my first night off since Matthew was born, so technically I’m playing catch up,” Shay said, taking a healthy sip from her glass.

  Hadley didn’t want to burst Shay’s bubble, but she couldn’t help herself. “Just remember you can’t sleep it off anymore when you have a baby who wakes up with the roosters.”

  “You always have to ruin my fun, don’t you?”

  Hadley flashed Shay a smile then walked over to the bar and ordered a beer from Declan. He filled up a pint glass with Hippidy Hop, Mason’s now famous IPA, and then slid it across the bar. She reached into her pocket to pay, and Declan held his hand up. “First round is on me.”

  “Thanks, Dec.”

  Hadley turned around just as Sarah and Cassie walked in. Sarah smoothed her hand over her empire waist shirt that flared just above her growing baby bump. Hadley couldn’t believe she was going to be an aunt again and was excited to meet the little nugget. Sarah and Cooper had decided they didn’t
want to know the sex of the baby. Cooper, the globetrotting travel blogger, had always preferred surprises, and everyone was waging bets as to what they would have.

  Hadley was hoping for a girl to balance out the new generation’s male domination. Between baby Matthew and Sarah’s son, Tommy, a girl was needed. Niece or nephew, though, Hadley would love that child with all of her heart.

  Cassie spotted Hadley first, giving her a wave as she made her way through the crowd. Her reddish, brown hair was down, falling in soft waves over her shoulders. She moved freely and with confidence, a far cry from the girl she once was after escaping an abusive relationship and surviving on little to nothing. She had gone from shy and timid to a bright ray of light that overpowered the darkness of her past.

  Hadley greeted them each with a hug. “You guys want a drink?”

  “Club soda for me,” Sarah said, patting her bump. “I’ll be drinking vicariously through you, so make me proud.”

  “I’ll make mine a double.” Cassie laughed. “I’ll meet you guys at the table. I want to ask Declan how the sales have been.”

  “Do you ever take time off?” Hadley asked.

  Cassie started off working behind the bar in the Five Leaf Brewery tasting room, but when her relationship with Mason became more serious, she had taken on a bigger role at the brewery, chipping in wherever she was needed, including production and sales. She was proving to be a force to be reckoned with and Mason’s equal in so many ways.

  She gave a nonchalant shrug. “When you love what you do, who needs time off?”

  Sarah nodded. “Exactly.” She repurposed vintage jewelry into one of a kind pieces, and after Bex Shepard, Hollywood’s newest it girl wore one of Sarah’s pieces on the red carpet, Sarah had become an overnight sensation with her pieces appearing in some of the most prestigious fashion magazines. “It’s not a job when you love it. But it’s still good to take a break every now and again.”