A Thing Called Love (Pride Oregon Book 8)

by Jill Sanders

  “You keep doing that,” she said as he helped her down out of the truck.

  “Another thing that, if I don’t do it, I’m afraid my mother will find out,” he joked.

  “I had a lovely visit with your mother last Sunday. She hardly seemed like the scary type,” she said, looking up at him.

  He chuckled. “You’re not family,” he warned. He motioned to the full truck. “She told me about your deal.”

  Kara glanced over at the truck. “I think I got the better end of the bargain.”

  He shook his head. “For a few things? You probably charge more for the church group that meets there every week.”

  “And some of this furniture is worth double that. Your mother knows that. You did say she used to own an antique store, correct?” Kara countered.

  He shrugged. “It’s your time,” he admitted. “We’d better get moving.” He nodded to the dark sky. “It feels like it’s going to rain soon.”

  It took them less time to unload the items into the cottage than it had getting them out of the barn and putting them into the truck.

  In the end, she’d picked out a coffee table, two end tables for the living room, a small table and chairs that she put in her sister’s room, along with some outdoor furniture that used to be on their back porch. They had just set it up on the deck off the back of the cottage when the rain started.

  “Thanks again for all your help tonight,” she said over the thunder that shook the small cottage. The lights flashed and she jumped. Then everything went dark.

  “Conner?” she asked as he pulled out her phone and turned the flashlight on.

  “Easy,” he said softly. “I’ll go check the fuse box.”

  “I’ll go with you.” Kara’s tone told him that she was worried and extremely afraid.

  “Sure.” He took her hand in his. She gripped his arm tightly and followed him into the kitchen.

  “Where’s the fuse box?” he asked after realizing he didn’t know where he was going.

  She shook her head. “I don’t know.”

  “Okay, so we look.” He turned the flashlight and looked all around the kitchen. He opened the pantry door and saw the fuse box at the back. “It’s in here.” He flipped the main circuit several times. “It looks like the main power is out.” He glanced towards the windows. “It’s probably out all over town.” Her hand was back in his.

  “What do you say we head in and sit down until the majority of the storm passes?” he suggested.

  He felt her relax slightly. “Oh, okay. How about some tea? The stove is gas. There are candles in the drawer there.” She pointed in the beam of the light to a drawer.

  “I’ll get them, you sit down. I’ll make the tea.” He nudged her into the chair and handed his cell phone to her. “Give me some light?”

  She nodded, but before she had time to respond, he leaned in and kissed her.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kara couldn’t stop the shaking. She knew it was childish to be afraid of a little lightning and thunder. For as long as she could remember, she’d frozen up each time the sky turned dark and angry.

  Still, she tried to hold still while Conner fumbled around her kitchen and made them tea. Each time there was a loud crack, she jumped, sending the flashlight from his cell phone bouncing around the room.

  “I have some cookies in the pantry,” she suggested after he set the cups of tea down in front of her.

  He nodded and then took the phone from her and used the light to hunt through her pantry for the cookies.

  This time when he came back, he sat next to her.

  “Are you doing okay?” he asked softly.

  “Yeah.” She tried to chuckle, but it came out as a nervous giggle instead. She felt her face heat and tried to avoid his eyes at her stupidity. She was thankful for the darkness as they drank their tea and snacked on the Milanos.

  Thankfully, he started asking her about the upcoming events and, the shocker was, he actually listened to her ramble on about the coming parties she was planning.

  She understood that most men would find what she did boring. Men enjoyed a good party, but most didn’t want to hear or think about what went on behind the scenes.

  It was nice when Conner asked her questions and seemed to enjoy hearing about her business. After a few minutes talking about it, she had completely relaxed, her mind off the storm outside and instead focused on just enjoying talking to the man sitting across from her.

  “We finished off the entire bag of cookies,” she said, waving the empty container. “I’ll have to stop off and buy more in the morning before Robin gets back home.”

  For some reason, her comment had Conner standing up quickly and taking their empty mugs to the sink.

  He was standing in the shadows now and it was too dark to see his expression, but she wagered he was uncomfortable leaving her there alone, in the dark.

  Standing, she glanced out the window. The storm had died down, but the rain was still a steady stream outside the windows.

  “I’ll be okay here, by myself,” she told him. “I didn’t mean to keep you so long.” She remembered him saying that he was tired earlier and figured that it was easily past ten o’clock at this point.

  “Will you?” he asked from his spot in front of the sink.

  She moved closer, trying to get a better look at his face so she could assess his mood.

  “Thank you.” She touched his shoulder. “For helping me out again.”

  He turned slightly and, in the candlelight, she could just make out his eyes, which were moving over her face.

  “I really want to kiss you again,” he said softly as he reached up and brushed her hair away from her face.

  Immediately, she felt her knees weaken at the thought of kissing him again. Her body swayed towards his as her hands moved on their own accord to circle around his neck and pull him down until they were a breath away.

  “Kara,” he whispered as he brushed his lips over hers.

  “Please,” she sighed just before he took the kiss deeper.

  She lost herself in the feeling of him as her hands roamed over his arms, his strong shoulders. Then she finally buried them in his thick hair, holding him to her as the kiss turned her entire body to jelly.

  Without her knowing, he’d switched their positions until she was backed up against the countertop. His hands roamed over her body, causing a low moan of appreciation to escape her lips as he kissed her.

  Then he was lifting her by the hips, setting her on the edge of the counter as he settled in between her thighs. She immediately wrapped her legs around him, pulling him closer against her core, where she wanted him.

  She’d forgotten how wonderful it felt to be kissed, touched, pleased. His name escaped her lips as he started trailing his mouth down her neck, raising bumps all over her skin.

  “Kara,” he groaned as he pulled off the sweatshirt she’d put on when she’d walked over to the Jordan’s place. His eyes roamed over the almost see-through white tank top she wore underneath.

  She felt her nipples pucker under his watchful eye and heard his groan of appreciation. Then his hand slowly moved up her ribs until he cupped her.

  “Perfect,” he said softly. The feeling of him touching her had her rolling her head back and closing her eyes on a moan as her legs jerked around him.

  “Conner, I don’t think I can wait,” she said as she reached to remove his shirt.

  He let her tug it over his head and toss it onto the counter next to them.

  A slow smile spread on her lips as she ran her eyes over the lean muscle’s underneath. She had appreciated the view of his bare chest in the moonlight when he’d pulled her from the water, but now, in the glowing light of the candles, she could see even more of him.

  The light danced over his toned, tanned skin like an exotic dance. Reaching up, she trailed her fingertips over his pecs as she bit her bottom lip.

  “Keep looking at me like that and you may get your wish not
to wait too long.” He hoisted her up into his arms as she locked her ankles behind his back. She held onto him as he started walking towards her bedroom door.

  For a split second, she worried how she’d left her room that morning, but then he bent his head down and kissed her and she forgot everything but him.

  Since they’d left the burning candles on the table, when he shut the bedroom door behind them, they were shrouded in darkness.

  “Damn,” he groaned. “Guess I should’ve grabbed a candle.”

  She chuckled nervously. “I could—”

  “No, just point me in the direction of the bed.”

  “It’s straight ahead, about five feet.”

  He moved slowly until his leg hit the edge of the mattress. Then he sighed and shifted to lay her down.

  “I’ll be right back. I want to be able to see you.” Her bedroom door opened and a moment later he returned holding one of the candles and their discarded clothes. “I didn’t think you’d want your sister to find our clothes there, if she comes back early.”

  She smiled, just knowing that he planned on spending the entire night there, with her.

  She nervously waited and watched as he set the candle down on her nightstand and then turned back towards her. His eyes moved over her slowly.

  “I’m thankful the lights went out,” he said softly. “You look amazing in candlelight.” He settled on the edge of her bed and reached for her.

  Getting up on her knees, she moved over to wrap her arms around his shoulders and pull him across the bed to kiss her. When her body bumped up against his, she felt his desire against her stomach and was thankful he was holding her steady.

  “Easy,” he said softly against her lips. “I’ve got you.”

  “Conner, I…” She shook her head. “It’s been… a while,” she admitted, feeling like a fool.

  “For me as well,” he said, running his hands slowly over her. He nudged the tank top higher as his fingertips traced over her lower ribs. “God, I want you.” He bent down to place a kiss on her shoulder.

  She leaned back as he gently pulled off the rest of her clothes, leaving her kneeling on the bed in her cotton bra and the little strip of matching cotton underwear.

  “If I’d known this is how the night would end, I would have worn silk,” she said nervously.

  “It’s perfect. You’re perfect.” He traced the material with a fingertip.

  Once again, her nipples peaked at his slight touch.

  When she reached for the snap of his jeans, he pulled back and quickly kicked his jeans aside, returning to her in only his boxer briefs.

  When he kissed her this time, he nudged her backward until she was tucked under him on the mattress. His hands moving over her had her purring and moving under him, trying to get him to go faster. She wanted him. Needed him.

  “Please,” she cried out when he moved her panties aside and ran a finger over her.

  She heard and felt him chuckle, his chest vibrating against her own.

  She cried out his name when he dipped a finger into her.

  “My god,” he said against her skin. She cried out when his weight disappeared from her. She tried to reach out and hold him to her, but he chuckled again.

  “Easy, I’m right here.” He reappeared lower, trailing his mouth over her belly. He dipped his tongue into her belly button as his fingers continued to please her. When his mouth covered her pussy, she arched up and felt herself explode against his tongue.

  “My god,” he said again as he moved up and covered her. She realized he’d removed the last barriers between them and heard him ripping open a condom package before settling between her legs. “You taste like nectar,” he said, leaning in and running his mouth over her neck.

  Her hands reached around him as she gripped his hips. She felt her entire body pulsing as he shifted over her. How had he built her up again so soon? It was as if he’d just warmed her up and now, now, she needed him beyond everything else.

  “Please, Conner, I…” She dug her fingernails into his hips. “Don’t make me wait.”

  “No.” He smiled down at her. “No more waiting.” He slid slowly into her and started moving, building her up again. She moved with him, running her fingernails over his skin as she held onto him and he pleased her.

  This time, when she felt herself fall, she knew Conner was right there with her. He cried out her name as he tensed inside her.

  When his body went lax over hers, she held onto him as their breathing settled together.

  “I’ll move,” he groaned a moment later.

  “No, don’t,” she begged.

  Just then, they both jumped slightly when her bedroom light flashed on. The room was so bright, she had to blink a few times. She’d been bathed in soft candlelight moments before, but now her naked body was exposed in the bright light, and she reached for the blankets.

  “I’ll shut it off,” Conner said, rolling off her.

  As much as she wanted to cover herself and hide from him, she was thankful he felt confident enough to walk across her bedroom stark naked. As muscular as his chest and arms were, his thighs and ass were just as impressive.

  When he flipped the light switch, she held in a groan and wished instantly for a little longer assessment of him.

  Then he was back in the bed with her and tucking her into his arms.

  “Sleep for a while,” he mumbled. “Then I know I’ll want you again.” He kissed her cheek.

  She shifted in his hold slightly and trailed her mouth over his neck in return.

  “Kara.” His tone was low, like a warning.

  She smiled. “What if I don’t want to wait?” She shifted until she lay over him as she continued to rub her body against his slowly.

  She smiled even more when she felt him grow hard again.

  “You’re going to be the death of me,” he said, then he quickly flipped her and settled between her thighs again.

  Chapter Twelve

  Conner woke with Kara’s hair in his face and her bare breasts pushed against his chest, and he smiled. Her scent had filled his dreams while her softness had been pushed up against his body all night.

  He couldn’t remember having a more wonderful night’s sleep before. His hands started slowly moving over her soft hip as he felt his body waking quickly.

  When she moaned and shifted slightly in his arms, he knew she was just as affected as he was.

  “Conner,” she moaned softly when he slipped into her.

  “Morning,” he chuckled as he snuggled into her hair, trailing his mouth over her neck. “God, I love the smell of you in the morning,” he sighed as he moved with her.

  He loved the feeling of her legs wrapped around him, the way she held onto him. The little sexy sounds she made when she came, which caused him to follow her. Breathing heavily, he collapsed and held on as their heartbeats slowed together.

  “What time will your sister be back?” he asked moments later.

  She shifted and looked over at him. “Around nine.”

  He glanced at his phone and winced. “Guess that means we won’t get to enjoy breakfast together.”

  She rolled over until she rested her head in her hands, propped up on her elbow. “We could head into town and grab something at Sara’s Nook?”

  He smiled. “Now that’s a plan.” He rolled out of bed and started dressing quickly.

  “I’ll meet you there,” she said crawling out of bed. “I need a shower.”

  “I’ll head home and change and then swing by to pick you up.” He leaned over and kissed her as she sat on the edge of the bed, holding the blankets to her naked body. “Half an hour,” he warned and then quickly left after she nodded.

  He stepped outside directly into a shroud of mist and fog. He’d grown up with countless mornings along the Oregon coast that were filled with whiteout conditions such as this. Still, driving back to his place, he used extra caution since he knew school buses and kids walking to school were out and abo
ut at this time of the morning.

  Parking behind his dad’s truck, he let himself in the back door and snuck into his bathroom to shower and change.

  He hoped to avoid running into either of his parents or his brother but knew that the chances were slim.

  When he stepped out of the hallway to head back out, he bumped into Jacob, who was dressed and ready for work.

  “Could use your help today,” Jacob signed. It was an old habit of theirs, signing when they knew their mother could still be asleep.

  “Can’t, have plans,” he signed back, and headed down the stairs. Jacob followed him and, when they reached the kitchen, stopped him again.

  “What kind of plans?” Jacob asked.

  “I’m helping a friend out,” he replied as he put on his shoes by the back door while Jacob grabbed a glass of orange juice.

  “Listen, I don’t ask for much, but Rose has me in a bind. I could use some solidarity.” Jacob glanced over at him.

  Conner shrugged. “You know, you two have never gotten along.” Then he had a thought and a burst of laughter exploded from him. “And to think that I used to believe Rose had a secret crush on you.” He shook his head as he left out the back door. Had he seen his brother’s face pale slightly?

  When he pulled up in front of the cottage, the old truck that Kara shared with her sister was sitting out front. He winced when he realized he hadn’t gotten Kara’s cell number from her yet so he could text her that he was there.

  Just as he was about to climb out of the truck to head up and knock on the door, a dark figure emerged from the home.

  When Kara climbed into the truck, he held out his phone. “Program your number for me?” he asked. “I meant to get it the other day.”

  Her smile doubled and she nodded as she took the phone.

  After she handed it back to him, he shot off a message to her and waited until her phone chimed.

  “There, now we can talk anytime. Day or night.” He sighed and took her hand in his, then kissed it.