by Mia Carson
Reider groaned, and a second later, her body trembled in his arms as he unleashed his lust on her. With only his tongue and the heat of his hands, feeling his desire press against her swollen lips, Johanna couldn’t bear it any longer and let go. Pleasure exploded in small bursts with each stroke of his tongue until she whispered his name in disbelief and sagged in his arms. But they were far from done.
She pulled his t-shirt off, trailing her fingers down his chest, through the soft hairs, and lower. This was far from a simple fire now. The love between them grew into a raging inferno, and Johanna worked at the button on his jeans, the flames of passion licking at her exposed skin.
“I dreamt about this every night,” he whispered as he untied her sweats. “I dreamt about all the ways I would take you again, all the ways I would drive you over that edge into insanity with me.”
Johanna’s breath caught at the intensity of his words. Reider pulled her hands from his jeans and lifted her up to the side, laying her down on her back. Agonizingly slow, he moved to the edge of the bed, and inch by inch, removed her sweats and her thong, leaving her completely naked and open for his gaze. His green eyes devoured every exposed piece of flesh, and he grunted, a deep growl within his chest, standing at the foot of the bed with his jeans unbuttoned, ready to claim her. Johanna wanted him and no longer restrained her desires.
With his eyes fixed on her, Johanna lifted her knees and let her legs fall open, all for him. She was wet, warmth pooling between her legs, and his hands twitched at his sides when her fingers snaked down her stomach towards her clit. Reider’s jaw clenched. She wondered how long he would last as she rolled the bundle of nerves and chewed her lip.
“Damn it, Jo,” he cursed. He kicked out of his jeans, but before he could reach her, she sat up, grabbed his hips hard, and lowered her mouth to his throbbing erection. She sucked hard on his tip, relishing in the pre-cum there, before taking more of him in. “This… You can’t just… Jesus,” he muttered, and his hands dug into her hair.
She pulled back and smirked. “You’re not the only one who had dreams.”
He raised a brow at her and opened his mouth to say something, but she sucked on him again, harder, as her nails dug into his hips. He swelled within the depths of her mouth, and she groaned, knowing he would fill her and take her. One of her hands slipped to her warmth and moved gently against the swollen flesh. Reider watched the movement, and as she was building up momentum, he pulled free and moved to the bed. In a few quick maneuvers, he had her on her side, his fingers thrusting into her wetness until she cried out from the sudden contact. His other hand turned her face gently so his lips could find hers. His tongue delved into her mouth in time with his hand while his thumb pressed hard on that succulent bundle of nerves.
Overcome by the intensity of his moves, Johanna’s hand clenched at the sheet while the other wrapped around, burying itself in his hair. The heat from his chest radiated through her back, scorching her very soul. The hardness of his erection digging into her back spurred her hunger on even more, and she lifted her leg over his, giving him all of her.
Johanna nipped his lip and turned her head. Before he could move, she took one of his fingers into her mouth, nibbling on it before sucking it as she had his throbbing length moments ago. His body trembling, Reider growled in her ear. His hand worked harder between her legs, stretching and twisting as he thrust. The edge loomed ahead suddenly, and Johanna moaned with the building pressure until the sharp shocks of pleasure exploded and she cried out his name. She quivered in his grasp, her hips bucking as they tried to get closer and away at the same time, but Reider continued until she was utterly spent, and sagged to the bed.
Reider kissed her sweetly as his hand moved down her inner thigh, kneading as it went. He moved over her, spreading her legs with his knee, and when he pressed his tip against her, Johanna sighed as a shiver rushed down her spine.
“I want you more than anything in this world,” he whispered, nuzzling her neck.
His hips rocked forward slowly, entering her enough to tease. Reeling from the last orgasm, Johanna’s back arched and her hips lifted to meet his. “I’ll never let you go again,” she swore, looking deep into his eyes.
“And no one will ever take you away from me again,” he promised.
“Swear it,” she whispered and sucked in a breath when he teased her again. “Swear to me, Reider, we’ll always be together. I can’t lose you.”
Reider pulled back again, and when he moved forward, he thrust home, filling her completely, making them both groan and tremble in each other’s arms. “I swear to you, Johanna, I’ll never let anyone come between us, not again,” he said and thrust again. “I want you to marry me. Today.”
Johanna’s head rolled back as he moved hard and desperately within her. “Today? You want to get married?”
“Yes, I want you as my wife,” he growled and held himself barely within her. “Will you?”
“God, yes,” she declared. “Reider.”
She moaned as they made love, all fear of the future lifted from their shoulders. There were no more worries, no more cares of what might happen. This was the here and now, and they were going to get married and stay together for the rest of their lives.
The inferno raged within them and when his body stiffened over hers, filling her with his warmth, Johanna wrapped her legs tightly around his waist, pulling him even closer as they fell together into the flames. Every muscle tensed then released in her body, the insane pleasure beyond anything they’d shared before.
Reider kissed her passionately and gently slid free. He did not move away but held her even closer, safe in his arms. Johanna never wanted to be anywhere else again.
Chapter 17
Johanna struggled to catch her breath after another bout of rolling around in the bed, laughing as they came together fiercely, ignited by their new path in life. He kissed her again, and his hand slithered down her back until she shook her head and pushed herself up.
“What? Don’t tell me I wore you out already,” he teased with a smug smirk.
“No, but if you want us to get married today, we have to get to the courthouse soon,” she said and stretched her arms over her head. Her lips twitched as Reider watched her body closely, admiring every curve, but she turned away, and he groaned, falling back to the bed.
“You are absolutely right, but you need something before we go,” he said and hopped off the bed, laughing with excitement as he scooped up his jeans.
Johanna pulled fresh clothes from the duffel, and when she turned around, Reider was on one knee before her, holding out a beautiful white-gold band with a single emerald on it. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered, tears of joy pricking her eyes.
“Johanna Chadwick, I know I asked you earlier, but I would like to make this official—or more official,” he added quietly, glancing at his naked body and hers. “You fill me with a fire I never thought I’d feel, a fire for life and for love, and you gave me hope in this dreary world that I could find peace and happiness. Will you marry me?” The last words came out rough, and his eye twitched with concern that she would second-guess their decision.
“Yes,” she replied quietly then laughed loudly as he slipped the ring onto her finger. He stood and kissed her, spinning her around the room.
“Johanna? You here?” a voice called from downstairs, and Reider shot a look towards the door.
“I’ll be out in a minute,” she yelled back to her brother. She saw the anger in Reider’s face, but it quickly disappeared. “He helped us, you know.”
“I do. He tried to give me a message before, but my dad was there,” he said and scratched his chin. “What about what he was hiding? Is this his house?”
She nodded but held his hand tightly. “He was hiding his fiancée and his one-year-old son. This is their home. He was never involved in the accident, but he thinks… he thinks Frank might’ve been. Said he was going to talk to Sheriff Princeton about it.”
&nbs
p; Reider nodded and understanding crossed his face. “That’s what they were being so secretive about. That’s why he agreed to help us, then? He hid a love of his own?”
“Yes, and I think it would be nice if Fredrick and his small family could join us for our wedding.”
She waited for him to say no way in hell, but instead, he kissed her sweetly. “If that’s what you want, then it’s what I want. Besides, I need to thank him for helping us get away.”
“He even got the cash from my bag, but… before we run, I want to get my sister out,” she said. “At least bring her here to live with Fredrick and his fiancée. Then we can go to Montana and start our lives.”
He frowned worriedly. “You want to go back? To see them? Do they even know where you are?”
She cringed, remembering she was supposed to be at Melody’s and wondering if that story was holding up. “No, not technically.”
“I’m going to tell you I think this is a bad idea, but if you want to do it, I’ll stand by your side as your husband,” he told her sternly. “We’ll face them together.”
She stood on her toes and kissed him. “Thank you, Reider.”
They dressed quickly, she in jeans and a sweater to wear to her wedding, and tried not to worry about how the night would go afterwards. Leaving Izzy behind with her parents and Frank, who for all they knew was involved in murder, was not something she could live with. Right before she and Reider left the room, she glanced at the ring on her finger and grinned. This was the happiest she’d ever been, and it was only going to keep getting better.
The second she and Reider reached the main floor, Fredrick appeared from the kitchen with Travis in his arms and sighed with relief.
“Thank God. I thought I was going to have to drive to your damn house to tell you,” he muttered. “Reider, I’m sorry for everything that happened.”
“No need,” Reider replied with a smile. “You had your own secrets to deal with, and you’re helping us now. I can’t thank you enough for taking care of her and letting me know.”
Johanna relaxed as the tension faded. She went to her brother and held out her hands for Travis. “And this is my nephew, Travis. Is Rosaleen here?” she asked, laughing when Travis giggled as he played with her curly hair.
“Yeah, she’s getting a bottle of champagne. She came home first, thought she heard some, uh… some noises,” Fredrick muttered, his face turning three shades of red. “Said we should celebrate.”
“Well, you might want to wait on opening that,” Johanna said. “We’re going to the courthouse, and we would like you to come with us—to witness our wedding.”
Fredrick glanced from her to Reider and smiled.
“Did someone say wedding?” Rosaleen called and rushed out of the kitchen. “You’re getting married! Oh, that’s great! Of course we’ll come.” She rushed forward to hug Johanna and then Reider. “I’m Rosaleen, by the way, the secret fiancée, and you must be Reider.”
He nodded and hugged the enthusiastic woman back. “Pleasure to meet you, too.”
“Welcome to the family,” Rosaleen announced. “Well, are going or what?”
Reider held out his hand for Johanna’s. “If the bride-to-be is ready?”
Johanna gave Travis back to her brother and took Reider’s hand. “I’ve never been more ready for an adventure in my life.”
***
They ran down the steps of the courthouse, laughing loudly, and only stopped long enough for him to kiss her hotly when they neared the car. He’d bought a cheap, run-down truck while they were in town with some of the cash Johanna had on her, leaving James’s car at the house until they had a chance to return it. Fredrick promised he’d find a way to get her the rest of her money soon so they would have enough to start their lives properly. They were married—officially married—and all he wanted was to hold his wife close for the rest of his life. But they had one last piece of business to take care of.
As he set Johanna back on her feet, she turned to her brother. “Are you sure you want to come with us?”
Reider enjoyed knowing the softer side of Fredrick. According to Johanna, he used to be this way until Frank and her dad messed him up with their insane goals for the family business. The man hid away the love of his life and his son because his family was that awful. If that wasn’t a wake-up call, then Reider didn’t believe there was hope of any of them seeing their families again.
Fredrick kissed Rosaleen and held his son close. “It’s time they learn the truth, and Johanna’s right. We can’t leave Izzy with them. We’ll get her packed, and she can live with us for a while, and go to art school like she wanted.”
“But we have to swing by the house first,” Rosaleen said and cooed at Travis. “Someone made a mess in his diaper, and if this is the only time he meets his grandparents, I’d prefer him not to smell.”
Johanna hugged Rosaleen, and Fredrick shook Reider’s hand. “I’m happy for you both, really, and sorry Frank attacked you.”
“Eh, it’s all in the past now,” Reider said, touching his face gently where the bruises had mostly faded. “You’ll have to come visit us in Montana.”
“Visit? Hell, we might join you and move out there, too, depending on how tonight goes.” He clapped him on the shoulder and said he would see them soon.
Reider opened the door for Johanna, and she climbed into the truck, waving at her brother and future sister-in-law. Once Reider was in, he turned the key and the truck rumbled to life loudly, sputtering a bit, but there was enough life left in it to get them where they needed to go.
“Ready for this? Jo, you alright?” he asked, frowning at her suddenly pale face. “We don’t have to.”
“No, it’s not that. I feel nauseated all of a sudden,” she said. After a few deep breaths, she shook her head and smiled. “I’m fine, really. We haven’t eaten much today…” She trailed off and held up her hand, counting quietly on her fingers.
“Jo? You’re freaking me out here,” he asked.
Her face blanked, and her hands went to her stomach. When she turned to meet his confused gaze, she smiled and whispered. “I’m pregnant.”
Reider’s eyes shot to her stomach. “You’re… you’re pregnant? We’re going to have a baby?”
She nodded. “I don’t know… I mean, maybe. I missed my last period and have been feeling sick lately, but I thought it was because I missed you. But… Reider… I think I am.”
He laughed with her, filled with joy, and kissed her. “I love you. God, I love you,” he whispered as she held his face and kissed him back. They rested their foreheads together, staring into each other’s eyes. “We’re going to start our own family now, with no more divided lines.”
“No more pointless hate,” she added and held her stomach in amazement.
Reider leaned back in his seat and pulled away from the curb. As he drove, he worried about the stress this night could bring to Jo and the baby she might be carrying. He considered telling her they should wait, or to let him go with Fredrick, but he knew she would never allow him to face her family without her by his side.
He held her hand the whole way back to Lincoln, the silence in the truck soothing as he contemplated their future together. They made it into town as night fell. Everything was going to turn out—
Reider gasped a second before the truck was struck, sending it rolling across the pavement. Jo screamed, but it cut off as metal and squealing tires filled his ears. Reider coughed and gagged, blood filling his mouth as the truck came to rest upside-down. Glass shards covered his arms and face, but he couldn’t see Johanna.
“Jo,” he gasped as people outside the truck yelled. “Jo!”
Smoke filled his eyes and choked him. Someone yelled to get them out, and his door was pried open. “Man? Can you hear me?”
“Get… get her out,” he sputtered and tried to push away the hands helping him. “No. Get her!”
“They are, let me get you out,” the gruff voice said. He called over his
shoulder for a knife after tugging at the seatbelt. Reider’s vision blurred, but he focused on the pain to stay conscious. Jo coughed beside him and moaned in pain, but she didn’t speak.
“Can’t see her,” he muttered. “Is… is she alright?”
The man’s face came into view, and the furrow of his brow told Reider it wasn’t good. “Hold on, let me cut your belt off,” he said. It came free after a few minutes, and Reider tumbled painfully to the hood of the truck. More hands reached in and pulled him out gently, laying him on the pavement. “Ambulance is here,” the guy told Reider. “You should lay still.”
Reider shook his head until his vision blurred and he vomited. A man told him to sit back down, but Reider pushed past him, staggering around the truck that was flipped over in the middle of the intersection. Lights flashed all around them, and he saw the driver of the other vehicle staring in horror at what he had done. Reider ignored him and made it to the other side, but what he saw sent him to his knees.
“No… Jo!” he cried out, and a paramedic rushed to his side, trying to pull him away. “No, get off me, that’s my wife!”
Tears streamed down his face as he howled as if a beast struggled to tear free of his body. It took two more cops to hold him back, and all he could do was watch as Johanna’s motionless body was placed on a board and the paramedics lifted her up to a gurney. They tried to wake her, but she didn’t respond. Her breath rattled loud enough for Reider to hear.
“Sir, we need to get you to a hospital,” the woman said sternly.
“My wife… I’m not leaving her,” Reider sobbed, watching as Jo’s body was wheeled towards the ambulance. There was so much blood covering her clothes and her face, and her hair was matted with it. Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he mumbled repeatedly, “Pregnant.”
The paramedic froze. “What did you say?”
“She might be pregnant,” he repeated. “The baby—oh God!”
