Take You Away

by Kira Hillins

  Zoe glanced down at his pants. “You had to change?”

  “One of the ladies…spilled her drink on me. I was just going to change and come find you. I wanted to apologize for what happened at the reservoir.”

  “I don’t want an apology.” She wrapped her arms around his torso and pressed her cheek to his chest. “I want you to stay in this room with your arms tight around me.”

  He wanted that too. More than anything, he’d love to stay here and hold her. She felt good in his arms. Comforting. Just one touch from her soft, warm body and he was all right.

  No woman had ever made him feel like this—like the weight of the world wasn’t heavy at all, like he didn’t need anyone else in his life. All he needed was her.

  No doubt about it. He was falling for her. And beyond words, that scared him shitless.

  He leaned back. “If I don’t handle this, he’s just going to keep coming back.”

  “He won’t stop. He’ll never—”

  “I know you’re scared.” Ben palmed her cheek. He kissed her trembling lips. “Just stay in the room and lock the door. Call the police. Maybe I can keep him talking until the cops get here.”

  “Please, Ben.” She grabbed his arm as he strode to the door. “Stay with me.”

  He unlocked the door and opened it. “I’ll be right back.” When he pulled it shut, he waited. Once Zoe twisted the lock and hung the chain, he turned around to get rid of the nuisance.

  Ben folded his arms over his chest. He searched his surroundings. The bouncers weren’t at the door. The kissing couple was gone. Loud music echoed around him. Doogen was probably pissed that Ben hadn’t shown up for the last set.

  Whoever had knocked on the door was long gone. Hell, Doogen was the most likely suspect, trying to get Ben’s attention to go back onstage.

  Ben turned to the door. As he did, he saw Zoe in the window—part of her, anyway. Her thumbs showed as she held the curtains slightly open. One of her blonde curls rested against her chest.

  He shook his head. The lock rattled. She opened the door and pulled him in.

  “I didn’t see anyone,” Ben said as she performed her routine of locking the door.

  “Good.” She sat on the bed and covered her face with her hands.

  He sat beside her and leaned his elbows on his knees. “You’ve been through a lot tonight. Stay here. Get some rest.”

  She lowered her hands to her lap and nodded. “Thanks.”

  Zoe didn’t belong with these miscreants. She deserved much more than spending her weekends in bars, getting preyed on by assholes while he was busy onstage. It was a good thing he’d come to the room; otherwise he wouldn’t have been here for her.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Zoe lay on her back, arms folded over her chest. She stared at the door. The ceiling. The walls. The clock had read 2:06 a.m. the last two times she’d looked at it. Either time stood still, or the clock was broken.

  The strip of light between the curtains was bright, which was good. At least the room wasn’t veiled in black.

  She couldn’t sleep. Not in this hotel with a door that only had two locks. Not with all the motorcycles revving their heavy engines. Every time one motor started, it’d scare her and she’d smack her noggin on the headboard.

  She looked at Ben. He slept close beside her, chest pushed up against her shoulder. The man looked so peaceful in his sleep. Handsome.

  If anyone should be mad about the reservoir incident, it should be him. She’d punished him for touching her when she’d asked him to. It wasn’t his fault. It wasn’t hers either.

  It was Nicholas. He’d left scars. They were deep in her body and heart. She never thought she’d trust anyone again. But she found Ben.

  Ben was the most wonderful man in the world. Caring. Patient. More importantly—trustworthy.

  She smiled. The daydream she’d had at the cabin played in her mind. Her husband snored lightly beside her. She’d touch his chest, waking him. He’d kiss her lips as he moved over her body. They’d make love until morning.

  Ben’s eyes slowly opened. “Hey,” he whispered. “Having trouble sleeping?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Are you cold?”

  His warm breath on her ear sent gooseflesh over her skin. “A little.”

  He reached across her middle. He placed his hand on her upper arm and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Snuggle closer.”

  He closed his eyes. Her cheeks and ears burned. Heat spread through her neck to her fingertips. Fantasizing about him had turned into a longing to be touched.

  “Ben.”

  “Yeah.”

  “Will you—” She cleared her throat. The words make love to me were on the tip of her tongue, but she couldn’t get them out. “There’s a barbecue at Holetzer’s next month. Do you think your band could play the event?”

  His eyes remained closed. “Sure. Just let me know when, and I’ll tell Doogen.”

  “Okay.”

  Zoe looked at the ceiling. Chicken. It was so hot under these covers. If she could just take off her bra and the T-shirt Ben lent her to sleep in, she could cool off.

  Then she’d be naked. He’d be touching her skin. His body would join with hers. Air quickly left her lungs. She ached all over. This had to be what she wanted.

  She looked at Ben again. He was so perfect. There wasn’t any doubt. She wanted him to be her first. Her real first. “Ben,” she whispered.

  “Yeah, Zoe.” His voice was just as soft as his breath.

  “Will you—”

  Her throat clenched. Did she want to ask? She had to be really sure this was what she wanted at this moment. She definitely couldn’t allow awful memories to surface. If she changed her mind once the decision was made, Ben might lose faith in her. She’d lose faith in herself.

  She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Will you make love to me?”

  His eyes stayed closed. No more motorcycle engines rumbled. No voices talked in the parking lot or in the room next door. There was just silence. And heat—lots of heat beneath the sheets.

  Heart beating against her ribs, Zoe sat up. With Ben’s arm draped across her lap, she took off her shirt and bra. When she lay back, she repositioned his arm over her belly and pulled the blankets up above her breasts.

  She looked at him. His eyes were open. Stomach in knots, she turned on her side to face him.

  “Zoe. I didn’t bring protection.”

  “It’s okay.” She scooted closer. “I’m on the pill now.”

  He wrapped his arms around her shoulders. “Are you sure you—”

  She silenced him with a kiss. Butterflies danced in her stomach as he tightened his hold on her shoulders. His skin was warm against her chest. Smooth like silk. As he moved, the thin silver chain he always wore tickled her neck. And the dog tags at the end of the chain lay cool in the crevice between her breasts.

  She dragged her fingers down his front. The muscles in his stomach tensed. He shuddered as she slipped her hand inside his boxers.

  His groaning voice tickled her tongue and felt good on her lips and throat. When she wrapped her hand around his cock, he broke from her mouth.

  For a long moment he stared into her eyes. She wondered what he was thinking. Did he like the way she held him?

  His skin tightened as she stroked. His deeper groan sent a shiver down her body. The ache between her thighs became unbearable.

  “I’m afraid to touch you.” His nose glided alongside hers. “I lost your trust once. I don’t want to lose it again.”

  She brushed her lips against his. “You never lost my trust.”

  She placed his hand on her breast. As his thumb massaged her erect nipple, electricity soared through her body. His hands slid down her sides. Her breath quickened as he pushed her panties over her hips and to her knees. As she kicked them the rest of the way down, he took off his boxers.

  He nibbled at her skin, working his way down until his mouth enclosed around her nipple. She l
ost her breath and arched her back, allowing him a better position.

  His palms moved under her breasts and lifted. He licked from one to the other, lashing at them. She shuddered and leaned farther back, wanting more.

  His finger caught her clit. As he massaged, heat resonated from her quaking belly and shot out through her limbs.

  She caught his hand to push him away but couldn’t. His caress felt too good. She pressed his hand tighter against her.

  “Oh.” Her voice was loud in the quiet room.

  He lifted off her nipple. “You like that?”

  “Oh yes,” she replied as his mouth found her other nipple.

  The muscles in his arms tensed as he swirled his finger around her clit. He pushed his finger inside her channel. Another shock spread through her and came out her mouth in a short, breathy ungh.

  He pulled out and slid against her clit again. She was warm and wet between her thighs. Every cell in her body tingled. His finger rammed inside her, and she jolted. Heat raced through her veins.

  She wrapped her palm around his hard dick and stroked. “Please, Ben. I need you.”

  He kissed her. His tongue was warm in her mouth. He tasted like spearmint with a hint of salt. Delectable.

  The groan coming from his throat sent a shiver up her spine and poured over her body. It was inevitable. It didn’t matter how hard she struggled now; she was losing the fight.

  His hand slid to her ass. He pulled her knee to his hip. When his hard tip pressed against her opening, her breath quickened.

  This was it. This was the moment she’d allow someone inside her heart—her body. She’d been okay to this point. But now that she could feel him between her legs, now that he was about to take her to the next step of passion, she was scared.

  He entered her, slow and gentle. Years of abstinence parted. She pursed her lips to muffle her cry, but a whimper escaped. She wrapped her arms tight around his neck as he delved deeper into the part of her she’d protected until now.

  She shut her eyes. Nicholas invaded her mind. That horrible night, he’d stolen her choice to save herself for the right man. He’d taken her safe world and destroyed her dreams of finding love. He’d beaten her to within an inch of her life.

  Zoe leaned back fast. What was she doing? Being touched felt wrong and frightening. She wanted to break free from his hold on her, but she couldn’t.

  Tears crept into her eyes as she gazed at Ben. She studied his lips. His hair. His face. Breathe. Don’t think about the past. This wonderful man wasn’t going to hurt her. This was Ben. Soljer. Her hero who’d saved her so many times. The man she wanted to be with more than anything.

  His smile eased her mind. With him, she didn’t need to be scared. With him, she was safe.

  He touched her cheek and kissed her. As he turned her on her back, more tears streamed down her cheeks.

  It wasn’t from being afraid. It wasn’t from pain, or from the pleasure taking over. The fear she’d held on to for so long was melting away. She’d let Ben in and embraced him. Loved him. And now she wanted to be loved by him.

  BEN BARELY MOVED. He could tell by the whimper she gave that he’d hurt her. He almost pulled out of her tight walls, but she held his shoulders to keep him close.

  He pushed farther inside her. Just that one jab and she let out another whimpering breath, a little louder than the last.

  He gazed down at her. “Want me to stop?”

  “No.” She hugged his neck. “Stay inside me.”

  He gave another thrust. It took all his will not to grind into her until she’d taken him all the way. He didn’t want to hurt her any more than he had.

  Her luscious lips parted. Peppermint from her mouthwash lingered on her breath. He kissed her, tasting it on his tongue.

  He shuddered as she slid her hands down his back to his ass. She lifted her hips and pulled. He plunged deeper inside.

  Holy shit. He was so fucking hot for her. It’d be so easy to slide in and out of her and come in record time, but he wanted to take this slow.

  He moved slowly against her. He kissed her temple, her cheek, her mouth. With her fingers gliding up and down his back, his balls tightened. Adrenaline shot through his veins as he dived harder, faster into her. She lifted her hands above her head. Her breasts bounced closer to his face. Damn if he wasn’t close to erupting from that move alone. Eyes glittering in the low light of the room, she smiled. It was obvious what she wanted.

  Her nipple was soft on his tongue and grew harder as he sucked her sweet flesh. He moved to the other side and sucked her nipple in. Her moan sent sparks deep in his gut and gyrated down through his shaft.

  He lifted from her breast and crushed her beneath his body. He ground his pelvis into hers until he was so deep there was no space between them. Just heat.

  She relaxed her legs. He strained harder against her. Faster. His dick throbbed.

  This was like nothing he’d ever experienced before. This was making love. It felt wonderful and terrifying at the same time.

  He didn’t look away. The eruption was coming. He tried his best to wait, but he couldn’t. His cock pulsed too hard against her walls.

  He panted for breath. “I’m about to come, baby.”

  “Oh, Ben.”

  She held his backside, pulling him in as she moved her hips upward. Tears marked the outer corners of her eyes as she came for him, moaning, crying softly. The feeling of her walls tightening and releasing sent him beyond return.

  Temple against the warm skin of her chest, he groaned as he released his cum inside her. When he lifted his gaze to hers, tears fell over her bottom lashes. They ran down her cheeks to the pillow beneath her head.

  “Why are you crying?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  “Did I hurt you?”

  “No.” She swept her fingers across the skin below her eyes. “I’ve just…never felt this way before.”

  “What way is that?”

  “Safe.” She cupped his cheek. “I never thought being with someone could be so wonderful.”

  “I would never hurt you,” he said against her lips. “I swear you’ll always be safe with me.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Zoe’s moment of peaceful slumber came to a jolting end when a flash of lightning lit the room. Then everything turned black again.

  The roll of thunder reminded her of home, but she was at Ben’s house. After the attack in Goodland last weekend, Ben had invited her to stay with him. Deciding she needed a vacation, she’d turned the bakery over to Millie for a week and bought a plane ticket.

  Ben picked Zoe up from the airport Saturday evening. They’d made love throughout the night. Now it was early morning and a storm had moved in.

  Storms gave her a sense of dread. They reminded her of Nicholas, but only for a moment this time. The moment faded fast. Here, she didn’t need to worry about him showing up on her doorstep. Here, she could sleep soundly beside her protective angel.

  Ben snored lightly. She snuggled closer, resting her cheek against his warm bare back. Rain pounded on the roof as thunder rolled. It’d be okay if she could see. It’d be better if Ben turned over and wrapped his arms around her.

  She shivered once. His snore faded.

  “For someone who lives in Tornado Alley, storms sure frighten you easily,” he muttered.

  “I didn’t mean to wake you,” she whispered.

  “You didn’t.” He turned on the light and rolled over. When he enveloped her in his arms, it felt right. Safe. Comfortable. Perfect. Exactly where she belonged.

  “I love sleeping next to you.” She rested her palm on his shadowed cheek.

  He grinned. “I could definitely get used to this.”

  Her stomach growled. She was sure Ben heard the rumble. The neighbors next door probably heard it too.

  “Would you like some breakfast before we leave for the cabin, or do you want to stop off for a doughnut? I know how much you like those things.
”

  “Blueberry pancakes?” She moaned as she stretched her arms around his neck and pulled him close. “Then you could join me in the shower.”

  “We could get in the tub. If you’re interested.”

  “Hot damn,” she whispered against his lips. “Forget breakfast, then.”

  A sly grin crept across his face. His hand slid over her backside, and then he turned her on her back.

  “Not yet, Mr. Solmer.” She shoved on his chest, forcing him to the side. “Bath first.”

  “While the tub fills?”

  “Oh no.” She rolled off the bed and stood up. “I need to check my messages. Let everyone know we made it here all right.”

  He swung his legs over the side of the bed. Half grin on his face, he leaned back on his palms to show his tented boxers.

  She picked her purse from the floor and set it on the nightstand. She shoved her fingers into the opening and stirred them around to find her cell phone.

  Not wanting to be bothered, she’d put her phone on silent. There were five missed calls and several texts.

  Renji: The owner of the bakery called just now!

  Renji: She said if you’re still interested, she’s decided to sell the bakery. Want to ditch the new jerk and come buy it with me?

  “Oh wow,” she whispered. No problem. Zoe would call the owner later. Right now, she had other things on her mind. Like taking the fourth vacation day she’d ever taken since she’d started working.

  Zoe: Let you know about the bakery later. Fat chance on ditching the guy. Like him too much.

  Renji: Bah! Have fun.

  She deleted Renji’s text and then read Millie’s messages.

  Millie: Zoe, let me know you got there okay.

  Millie: You’re probably sleeping.

  Millie: Let me know when you wake up so I’ll stop pacing a rut in the bakery’s floor, worrying about you!

  Millie: Do I need to call Fred?

  Zoe: We made it to Denver. Stop worrying! Love you.

  Millie: Thank the Lord! Have a wonderful time! When you get home, we’ll celebrate the sale of the bakery.