by Fiona Archer
He removed his pants. From his biking, his calves were chiseled, and his tight boxer shorts showed off his buttocks that were perfectly shaped.
Their gazes locked, he removed his underwear.
Her mouth dried. No matter how many times she saw his naked body, the hard angles and flat planes mesmerized her.
He bent to retrieve the condom, then extended the packet to her. “Will you do that for me?”
“Yes.”
He was hard, and a tiny drop of precum glistened on his cockhead. Shocking herself, she leaned forward to capture it with the tip of her tongue.
“Stop.” With a groan, he cupped her head and eased her away from him. “I won’t last more than a couple of minutes if you keep that up.”
Kara ripped open the packet and rolled the thin latex down his massive girth. As always, she experienced a shiver of apprehension at his size. It never seemed possible that he would fit inside her.
She looked up at him, and he smiled, reassuring her.
“I’ll make sure you enjoy this.”
He captured her shoulders and laid her down before pinning her arms over her head.
She gasped when he licked one of her nipples. As it pebbled, he sucked harder, then gently bit it. Arousal arrowed through her, and she lifted her lips, more in demand than invitation.
“Not yet, my precious Kara.”
“But—”
“I’ll decide when you’re ready.” His voice was implacable, and she knew no amount of arguing would sway him.
He slid his hand between her legs, then stroked her clit.
Desperate to hold on to him, she struggled to free her wrists, but he held her firm. “You’re driving me mad!”
As she helplessly writhed, he brought her to the edge but never let her go over it.
He captured her mouth, and she tasted her earlier orgasm. It was more intoxicating than the wine they’d shared.
As he deepened the kiss, he slid a finger inside her, then he eased in a second, stretching her wide.
Certain she couldn’t take any more of his sweet torment, Kara wrenched her mouth away from his. “Make me yours.”
With a moan, he adjusted their positions, and she parted her legs to welcome him.
He entered her slowly, giving her time to adjust.
“Yes.” In their time apart, she’d fantasized about him, but nothing compared to the reality of inhaling his scent, being branded by his kiss, having her whole body tingle. This was right. More than that, it was perfect.
With calculated restraint, he brought her to orgasm once more.
Their gazes locked, and flames of hunger burned in his eyes.
“I never want to let you go.”
Part of her wanted that too. But the cost of being in a relationship with him was too high. There was no doubt he’d leave her again, and she wasn’t the type of woman who could deal with that. “We’ve got tonight, Brant.”
“It’s not enough.” His words were uneven, broken with emotion.
She gave him a tiny smile, but it couldn’t hide her pain. “It has to be.” She closed her eyes against the tears that scorched her eyes.
Chapter Four
Morning sunlight filtered through the closed blinds, rousing her. She’d slept soundly, and now her body was tender from the intense lovemaking she’d shared with Brant.
After their first session, he’d surprised her by bringing the picnic into her bedroom, and they’d sat in bed, catching up over delectable treats he’d packed.
Hours later, he’d insisted on doing all the cleanup while she rested. Then he’d returned to her and sexily taken her from behind before tucking her against him.
With a smile, she opened her eyes.
Realizing his side of the mattress was vacant, she abruptly sat up, dragging the sheet against her naked body.
Loss knifed her heart. He hadn’t even said goodbye. Just like the last time.
She should have known better.
Shaking, her pulse pounding, Kara fled toward the shower. This time, she was stronger. Or at least that’s what she tried to tell herself. She could survive this. There was a lot of work to do at the lodge.
But even when she was fully dressed and heading for the coffee shop, a knot was lodged in her throat.
“Kara!”
At the sound of Brant’s voice behind her, somewhere in the trees, she froze. He was still here? It wasn’t possible. And part of her wished he had simply left. She was barely holding herself together as it was, without the awfulness of pretending their time together hadn’t mattered.
Determinedly she continued on.
“Kara! Wait!”
Within moments, he overtook her, and he stopped in front of her. Damn him. He was devastating with the sun playing off the highlights in his dark hair. Everything about him reminded her of the way he’d treated her last night, like a goddess.
“We need to talk.”
She gave him her brightest, fakest smile. “Thanks for the orgasms. I’m sure you need to get back to Nevada now.”
“Don’t.” He took her by the shoulders, tight, not hard, but enough to communicate his angst. “Just don’t. What we had was special. Fucking mind-blowing. And you can’t pretend it didn’t matter.”
“It was.” Kara hated how her voice wavered. “But—”
“Hear me out.”
“I’ll be late for work.” But then she shook her head. “I can’t do this.” The man was nothing but heartbreak. “I need—”
“A man who’s there for you, all the time. Someone you can trust.” He loosened his grip, but he didn’t let go. “I realized that last night. When I was cleaning up after our dinner, I saw your pictures. Your rugs. Hell, even your bedding. You brought it all with you from the other place. You created a home, stability. Am I right?”
His insight shocked her.
“I want to wake up next to you every day for the rest of my life.”
She shook her head. “You’re right about everything, which is why this—we—can never work.”
“I love you, Kara.”
“You…?”
“I love you.” His voice was strong, and his words were confident. “I’ve cared about you since the beginning, but I was a damn fool for not realizing it before. I can’t lose you.” His shoulders shook, undoing her. “This morning, I called my boss—Hawkeye—to let him know I’m done going on missions.”
She couldn’t possibly be hearing him right. While she’d been afraid he’d left, he’d been planning their future. “You’re moving fast.” He’d upended her world again, but this time it was to make her dreams come true.
“There will be no more secrets between us. I want to marry you, buy you the house of your dreams, start a family.” He exhaled. “I sound fucking desperate, and I am. I can’t lose you. Hawkeye has a number of field offices, even one here in Jackson, and a transfer is an option. We can live anywhere you choose.” His brow was furrowed with worry. “Damn it, Kara. Put me out of my misery. Tell me you love me.”
“Yes. I love you, Brant. I have from the beginning. That’s why I drew a heart on your latte.”
He swung her from the ground into his arms and cradled her body against his chest. Laughing, joy exploding through her, she wrapped an arm around his neck.
“You’d better let your sister know you won’t be in today.” His eyes were deep green, and his expression was purposeful. “I’ve got plans for you, Mrs. Gibson-to-be.”
“I haven’t agreed to marry you yet.”
“Oh, you will. You most certainly will.”
“You sound pretty confident of that.”
He carried her toward her cabin. “I have massive powers of persuasion.”
“Do you? We’ll see about that.”
“Challenge accepted.” He kissed the top of her head.
Kara curled against him, believing in him and their future together as man and wife.
Copyright 2020 by Sierra Cartwright
About Sie
rra Cartwright
I hope you enjoyed spending time with Kara and Brant. I invite you to explore other ultra-delicious, Dominant Hawkeye heroes.
Protecting people, safeguarding secrets... For the men of Hawkeye, the line of duty between bodyguard and client isn’t meant to be crossed.
Come to Me
Trust in Me
Meant for Me
And get swept away by the Titans, an exclusive society of the world's most powerful gentlemen. Nothing will get between these determined alpha males and the women they want.
Begin the series now with a forbidden, scorchingly hot read featuring a virgin heroine and the world’s most arrogant billionaire. Available free.
Sexiest Billionaire
Billionaire’s Matchmaker
Determined Billionaire
Scandalous Billionaire
Bio:
International best selling author Sierra Cartwright was born in England and spent her early childhood years traipsing through castles while planning to become a princess. Since she ended up moving to America, the princess thing didn’t work out as she expected.
She’s always had a pen in her hand, and she wrote her first book at the age of nine. In middle school, she taught herself to brew a pot of coffee so she could burn the midnight oil to complete a Star Trek fanfic novel. Since then, she has published more than forty titles, all of them romances with happily ever afters.
These days you’ll find her taking pictures of sunrises on Galveston beach before beginning work, but occasionally she still likes to imagine what her life might be like if she really were royalty…
I look forward to getting to know you! XXOO
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Trading My Virginity
by
Terri E. Laine
Acknowledgments
A special thank you to Liz Berry, Jillian Stein, and Melisse Rose for the opportunity to be in this short story for 1001 Dark Nights. I’m thrilled to be apart of this awesome opportunity.
I have to thank my editor Paige for once again being available when I needed her in a pinch. Also thanks to Liz and Kasi for doing some editing as well.
THANK YOU TO my readers. You guys make it all possible.
Chapter One
An adrenaline rush is par for the course when the alarm goes off. Tonight is different. As I gear up, a spike of fear races through my veins and churns my gut as the street name where the fire’s located echoes in my head.
Oakmont.
My bar is on that street. Once we arrive in front of the building I’m all too familiar with, I’m out of the truck, barely listening as the crew chief shouts orders.
I tear through the door that leads into the apartment building, breaking a number of safety protocols on the way. I head for the stairs, taking them two at a time, not hampered by the extra forty-five pounds of gear strapped to me. My crew fans out behind me, taking floors and not stopping my progress to the top.
When I reach the fourth floor, I begin banging on each door, knowing my crew is doing the same on the floors beneath me.
Doors open, and people in various states of dress begin streaming out. I shout instructions and point at the stairs as I move on to the next apartment. The rising smoke answers any of their immediate questions.
Though I want to race to 4F, I do my duty to protect all along the way. It’s when I get to the end of the hallway that my heart stutters. One, two, three brisk knocks go without answer.
Although no flames have reached here, and it’s likely a fire started in a kitchen two flights down, I only give the door one more stiff beat with my fist before I take action.
I take a step back and use my foot next. The door bangs open and my heart sinks when I see a body lying on the floor near a broken piece of furniture.
Nothing in the world matters more than getting to her.
“Tessa,” I say urgently and repeat it several times. She doesn’t stir until I say, “Tessa, baby, please wake up,” as I check for a pulse.
Her eyes flutter open before she croaks out, “What?” as her unfocused eyes dart around until they hold on me.
“Where’s your father?” I ask.
She shakes her head, and I’m not sure if she understands my question or not.
“Is he here?” I can look for him, but I can’t physically make myself leave her.
Anguish fills her pretty face before her eyes roll in the back of her head right after she croaks out, “No.”
I want to immediately scoop her up into my arms, but what I’ve been ignoring is her state of undress. The notion that anyone can see her naked kicks up my protective instincts.
When I hear pounding footsteps heading this way, I bolt to her bedroom and pull free the sheet from her bed. I’m back and wrapping her in it when Paul, another fireman and friend, steps into the doorway.
“Are you all right? We’ve been calling you.”
The chatter from my radio becomes audible. I’d blocked out everything when I’d spotted her prone form on the floor.
“I’m fine. She’s not,” I say as I gather her in my arms.
He steps back as I barrel through the door and down the hall because she is my only mission.
Outside, I sit on the truck stair with Tess in my arms. Though her eyes open a few times, she can’t seem to keep them open.
“They are almost here, baby,” I say, holding her to my chest as the sirens near.
I’m there when the ambulance parks, and I help get her on the stretcher. I give the two EMTs a quick rundown of how I found her. There hadn’t been smoke in the apartment, which meant she hadn’t been unconscious because of that.
One EMT is listening to me while the other begins checking her vitals. I get up to leave but stop when Tess grabs my hand.
“Don’t go,” she whimpers before they place an oxygen mask over her face.
I don’t want to leave, but I also can’t stay. If I see the guy remove the sheet, as he is likely going to do, I might punch him in the face. Then there’s the heavy gear I’m wearing that needs removing, as I have no plans to return to the station.
“I’ll be right back,” I say to her.
She nods, and I walk back to the truck to remove my gear. Then I tell Paul I’m leaving.
His brow lifts, but he doesn’t stop me. Neither does the chief when I pass him. I’m not an employee. I’m only a volunteer. I owe them nothing.
When I get back to the ambulance, Tess is fully awake and not happy about it.
“Hey,” I say to her as she is trying to pull the IV from her arm.
“No hospitals,” she says with a stiff shake of her head.
I look at the female EMT because Tess is sitting up. Though she’s holding the sheet to her chest, her back is exposed. Last thing I need is an aggravated assault charge if the male EMT is ogling her. I know better, but some part of me as ancient as a caveman is taking over my instincts.
“Is she okay?” I ask the female EMT.
“She needs to go to the hospital to be checked out.”
Tess is all but shouting no, and there’s a fear in her eyes that unsettles me.
“Does she have to? I have basic EMT training.”
It’s all a part of the job I signed up for. A firefighter, career or volunteer, needs to be ready for any situation he or she walks into.
“Then no. She doesn’t have to. You know what signs to look out for,” the EMT says.
I nod and Tess leans forward into my arms. I wait for them to remove the IV before I tuck the sheet around her back and scoop her up. I walk down two buildings toward my bar. I’d heard the all clear earlier and knew her building should be fine.
With updated security, I’m able to enter the main bar area without a key. Inside,
I take a door that leads to an apartment above. It’s my crash pad I use when I work late at the bar or at the fire station and don’t want to drive home. Considering I own the building, rent is free.
At that door, I once again key in a code and use my foot to open then close it behind me.
“Where am I?” Tess asks.
I look down into her big hazel eyes and reluctantly set her down on the sofa.
“My place above the bar.”
It takes her a moment to focus on me. “The bar?”
I nod. “What happened?”
Terror fills her face, and she gasps as if remembering. “Some guys came looking for Dad. I told them he wasn’t there, and they pushed their way in anyway.”
She closes her eyes, and my blood begins to boil as she sits there covered only by a sheet.
“What did they do?” I don’t think about the edge in my voice until her eyes widen with fear. I tamp it down. “Tell me.”
She swallows. “They said he owed money and they came to collect.”
I think about the shotgun I keep, wondering if I will need it tonight.
“Collect what?” I hate that I have to ask.
“Money.” Her pause is too long. “When I told them I didn’t have it, they said there were other ways I could pay.” She glances away. “They told me to strip.”
“Did they touch you?”
She shakes her head, but I’m not sure I believe her. I move closer and touch my hand to hers, but she flinches.
“You can tell me,” I say, a lot calmer than I started because she needs me to be.
“No, I swear. They might have but got spooked when the fire alarm went off.”
“Is that it?” I ask, wanting to touch her, but knowing that isn’t what she needs from me right now.
She rubs the corner of her mouth. “One of them hit me and I fell.”
That’s when I see a faint bruise. I’d been so focused on her being alive and not in danger of losing her, I hadn’t noticed.