by Rue Allyn
• • •
The feel of her ripe full breasts against his chest and the sweet moist softness of her mouth made him painfully hard. Slipping his hands down her back, he cupped her bottom and pressed her closer to his arousal. The drive to bury himself deeply in her was overwhelming his promise to go slowly with her.
He pulled back from the heady kiss. Looking at her face, flush with passion, her eyes heavy-lidded and sweet lips swollen and reddened from his kisses, he knew if he continued there would be no stopping. He would bury himself in her heat, claim her as his. Her passion was already inflamed and spiraling out of control and he was barely containing his own.
He drew a deep ragged breath to calm himself, and put his hand under her chin tilting her head, making her open her eyes to look at him.
“Kara, lass.” His tongue was thick, his throat tight with passion. “If we continue, lass, there’ll be no stopping. We are alone, with no one to interrupt us. I’ll make love to you. Do you understand?”
Her eyes were soft, luminous, filled with innocent passion. An involuntary groan escaped from him. “I burn for you, lass. All I want is to taste you, feel you tremble in my arms while I show you all the ways a man can love a woman.” His head lowered, his lips captured hers, telling her with his mouth what he was unable to convey with words.
“I am already yours,” she sighed breathlessly against his lips, “completely. Love me Hawke. Only you can ease this ache.”
He was lost.
Savage hunger and need flared hotter than before. Caressing her waist, Hawke slid his hands up, pushed her robe from her shoulders, and rubbed his palms slowly along the smooth contours of her collarbones to the straps of her nightgown. She gasped against his mouth as the gown slid down her arms and over her breasts to puddle at her feet. He stepped back to drink in the loveliness of her naked body.
“You are so beautiful,” he said. “So golden all over.”
His eyes took in the dusky rose tips of her large, firm breasts, the slender waist flaring to softly rounded hips and long smoothly muscled legs. He reached out caressing her skin with just his fingertips, watching her quiver and her skin flush at his lightest touch, marveling anew at how responsive she was.
Moving forward he lifted her in his arms, his lips to hers, carried her to the bed and followed her down on to the white sheets. Her hair spread out across the pillow just as he had seen so many nights in his dreams. Lying beside her he slid his hand slowly over her heated skin to gently cup her breast. He watched the dusky bud of her nipple tighten as his thumb circled and softly flicked over her sensitive skin. Leaning over, he kissed her deeply.
He felt her gasp against his mouth and her body arch into his hand. Clutching at his shoulders, she deepened the kiss, pleading with her lips and tongue for him to ease the ache.
“Slowly sweet,” he whispered, his lips trailed along her neck, as his tongue licked the hollow at the base of her throat. “Ah, God, but you’re so soft, your skin so sweet. I want to make your body sing for me, love.”
He flicked his tongue on her nipple, teasing the already sensitive tip, making it taut and hard. His mouth slid slowly across to the other aching peak. Kara grabbed his head, pulling him back to her lips. Kissing her deeply, he felt her grind her hips against his thigh in a silent plea. Groaning, trying to go slowly, to see to her pleasure, Hawke slid his hand up her leg until his palm rested warmly against the curls between her thighs. He felt his body tighten as he grew thicker and harder.
“Tell me, Kara,” he whispered against her ear. “Tell me now, lass.” His tongue flicked in and out drawing a moan from her.
Running her hands across his smoothly muscled back, she slid her hands down to waist of his pants, pushed her hands underneath the fabric to grasp at his buttocks.
Hawke tensed in surprise at her uninhibited response. Running his hand over her firm stomach, he could only think of how this woman was made for loving, made for him. Looking at her face, he saw sapphire eyes half-closed in passion and cherry lips parted, waiting for his kiss. Leaning over her, he ran his hand along her silky inner thigh, lightly tickling her there.
“Tell me, love,” he whispered again. “Tell me. What do you want?”
“You,” she breathed against his lips. “I want you.” Her eyes opened, capturing his in a heated gaze of desire and knowledge as old as time. “All of you.”
He slid his hand into the dark moist curls between her thighs. Slowly he stroked her. She was slick and ready for him. He almost spent himself then, so enticing was her body. His thumb circled the sensitive tip of her womanhood. Kara bucked against his hand, a small cry escaping from her lips. He gentled her with kisses. “It’s all right, love,” he murmured against her lips, “Let me take you to the heights … trust me. I won’t let you fall.”
• • •
Hot. He was so hot! His heat drew Kara like a moth to a flame. She caressed his chest, marveling in the differences between their bodies. A thrill ran through her body. The heat in her body, the ache in her soul, drove all thought from her; never had she felt such a connection to another person. His breath hers, his heartbeat hers, his desire hers. The exquisite torture was driving her to the edge. She ached … for him.
Kara instinctively pushed against his palm, caught in the whirlwind of passion threatening to overwhelm her. She closed her eyes as Hawke’s mouth left her lips and burned a path across her body. She felt him take one nipple in his mouth, suckling, sending lightning bolts of sensation coursing to her womb. Her breath caught in her chest as he nuzzled the underside of her breast. Kissing the sensitive flesh, his mouth began moving down towards her belly. It was exquisite torture. She didn’t think she could handle any more. She felt she would shatter into a million pieces at any second.
The light from the bedside lamp cast soft shadows across their bodies. She squirmed beneath his lips and hands as he moved down. He positioned himself between her thighs, raining light kisses on her belly. He laid his cheek at the juncture of her thighs.
Not understanding what he was doing, she grabbed at his hair, trying to pull him up. He reached up stroking his hand down her forearm, then, threading his fingers through hers, pressed her hand into the mattress.
“Nay, lass,” His hot breath against her mound sent pulsing waves of heat skating across her nerves. “Let me taste you.” She stiffened, feeling his tongue flick over her sensitive skin. Heat rippled through her as he slowly stroked the moist folds driving her ever closer to the precipice.
“You’re so sweet. I could taste you forever and never tire.”
Kara came apart in exquisite agony. Her body throbbed, lights danced behind her closed eyelids as she flew on the arrow of sensual release. She could feel Hawke throbbing inside her, filling her with his very essence. His breath was hers, his heartbeat hers, his desire hers.
• • •
Kissing her and laving her sensitive taut nub with his tongue, he slid a finger slowly into her as he continued driving her desire with his tongue. She tightened around him. He inserted another finger, stretching her. She was so tight. So hot. He could feel her body pulsating stronger and faster around his finger, her climax near. Sliding his fingers from her, he pulled down his pants, releasing his turgid flesh. He molded his body to hers, settling his hips between her thighs, bracing his upper body on his arms, looking into her passion-filled eyes.
“Slowly, love,” he murmured against her neck. He was fighting his need to drive into her until he was buried to the hilt, determined to cause as little pain as possible, but the restless motion of her body, the rhythmic pumping of her hips and her legs wrapped tightly around his waist was driving him wild. Grasping at his hips, she arched into him. Hawke tried to pull back, slow down, but he could no longer think, only feel. She arched and pushed against him. He felt her barrier give way and he sank deeply into her heat.
Holding still, he felt her pulsating muscles envelop him in the tightest heat he had ever known. He leaned down, kissed her
eyes, her cheeks, her mouth, soothing her with his voice trying to gain control of his own raging need.
“It won’t hurt anymore, love,” he said tenderly as he looked into tear-glistened eyes. “It will only get better, I promise.”
He could feel her tightening around him as he pulled out, then slowly thrust into her again and again. He kissed her hard and deep, his own release imminent, his tongue matching the motion of his body.
“Now my love,” he said, moving faster against her. “Come with me now. Let yourself fly.”
He felt her climax, closed his mouth over hers, and gave into his own release. They melted into one being of heat and pulsing sensation.
Hawke wrapped his arms around her and rolled to his back keeping her body close to his. He smiled as she burrowed her face into his neck and sighed contentedly.
Chapter 20
“Fire!”
Kara smiled sleepily. What an incredible dream she’d been having.
Fire.
That was a good description. She had been engulfed in a flame of passion ignited by Hawke. Her body hummed with sensual need from her dream. Not wanting to wake, she snuggled deeper into the incredibly warm blankets of her bed and tried to pull the pillow closer. The pillow was so warm. She woke abruptly when the blankets hugged her back. Memory came flooding back to her. It hadn’t been a dream and the strong arm holding her close to a very large very warm very, very male body proved it. She groaned.
“Fire! The mine’s on fire!”
Realizing the shout had come from outside, she sat up, looking over as Hawke stood and walked over to the window. He’s beautiful, she thought, admiring the strong legs and firm buttocks. He raised the window sash to hear what was happening in the streets below.
He turned back towards the bed, a half smile on his face.
“What’s going on?” she asked softly, tearing her gaze away from him and towards the window.
• • •
Her voice brought him back to the present. “It sounds like there is trouble at one of the mines.” Knowing people would be responding to the alarm, he pulled his gaze from the sensual lines of her body. “We better get you back to your room before the entire hotel is roused and we are in a position neither of us will be able to explain.”
Kara quickly scooted off the bed, still clutching the sheet around her, and looked for her gown and robe.
“The Old Abe is on fire and men are trapped below! Everyone come help!” The shouts from outside were louder as people surged into the street. Hawke grabbed his trousers and strode to the window to assess the situation. Dressing, he watched people pour out of the casinos and saloons. Lights flared in the houses nearby, and wagons full of people barreled down the street in the early morning light as mine employees and citizens hurried towards the fire.
“Hawke? Wake up!” It was Alec pounding on the door. “Case is gathering everyone in the lobby to help out at the mine.”
Hawke walked calmly over to the door and cracked it open. “I’ll be down shortly,” he said.
Alec shoved the door open and stepped into the room. He started at the sound of a feminine gasp.
“Bloody hell!”
Kara was sitting on the bed, in a gown and a robe, looking thoroughly compromised.
Looking back at Hawke, he shook his head. “Do you have any idea what a muck you’re in now? Her father and Mr. Roberts are going to all of our rooms waking everyone to assist at this mine fire. How the hell do you plan on explaining your way out of this? He will expect you to stand by your honor and marry her.”
He watched as she flushed in embarrassment.
“Look,” Kara said grimly. “I certainly don’t expect you to marry me, because of some antiquated belief you men have about women and their purity.”
“Well, you might not,” Alec replied sharply. “But I can assure you your father and Hawke will both tell you they believe firmly in that antiquated credo.”
Kara looked to Hawke.
“You can’t possibly believe … .” she sputtered. “I have no intention of marrying you, just because we … we.”
“We?”
“We, well, we had sexual relations,” she huffed, and crossed her arms, staring obstinately at the two men in front of her.
The clanging of alarm bells drew Hawke to the window. Then he strode over to the wardrobe to grab a shirt and his shoes.
“I think we had best postpone this discussion. Kara, I will escort you to your room so you can dress and then meet us downstairs. Alec,” he commanded, “go make sure no one is in the hallway. It wouldn’t do to have Case or Mr. Roberts see her come out of my room. What happened will have to be dealt with, but right now I believe there is a greater emergency.”
Alec stepped outside, poking his head in a moment later to indicate the way was clear. Hawke took her by the elbow and strode swiftly down the hall to her room.
Reaching for the doorknob, she turned to look at him. Before she could say anything, he leaned over and gave her a quick hard kiss.
Drawing back, he smiled. “Be assured we will discuss what happened and what is to be done. Now hurry up.” He gave her a quick pat on the bottom as she opened the door, then turned to head down to the lobby.
• • •
The lobby was a frenzy of activity. In the center of the maelstrom, Case was trying to organize those who would go out to the mine and those who would stay behind and help the town doctor as the injured were brought down.
He signaled Hawke and Alec to his side when he saw them enter the lobby.
“This is what I have heard,” he explained in between directing others where to go. “Apparently the trammer was returning the ore car to the main shaft and saw the fire. They think one of the large kerosene lamps they keep lit at the top of the mine gallows in the hoist house set the structure on fire.”
He looked grimly at the two men. “It’s bad. All the timber is bone dry and the flames are spreading fast. If they can’t get the men out of that deep shaft they won’t have any air left.”
“How many men are in the shaft?” Hawke asked.
There had been mine fires in England and the results had been devastating. The cost in lives was always terrible. It was one reason he hesitated to invest in mining.
“The foreman said twenty men were in the shaft. It’s eight hundred feet to the bottom.” Concern tinged the older man’s voice. “Even if they had warning when it first started,” he said gravely, “the climb out will not be easy.”
• • •
Austin walked over as Kara stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking at the swirl of activity.
“If you don’t want your father to kill a certain Scotsman,” he growled low so only she could hear, “you’d best cover up those marks on your neck.”
She could feel a furious blush race up her neck to her face. Her hand flew to the open collar of her dress, as if by touch she could see what Austin was staring at.
“Hell, I think I’ll kill him myself.” He turned but was stopped by Kara.
“Austin, please,” she pleaded. “Don’t do or say anything. It’s not your place, and it would destroy our friendship if you interfere.”
A man entered the lobby, shouting that a wagon had returned to take more volunteers out to the mine.
Austin looked deeply into her eyes. “We are not done with this … understand? He’s not getting away with it.” He turned and strode towards the front door.
Closing the button on her collar, Kara crossed the crowded lobby to her father.
“Honey.” Case pulled her aside. “You help Sarah, Alicia, and the others. We’re heading out to do what we can.” He quickly kissed her on the cheek. “Don’t worry about us, just pray we can help those poor men.”
He and the other men hurried out of the hotel.
“Where in blazes have you been?” Alicia came up beside her, whispering frantically in her ear. “I was forced to lie to your father!” She nailed Kara with an irate glare, “Lie to yo
ur father! Do you have any idea how hard it was? I was so anxious; I don’t know why he believed me. Then I saw Austin come up to you. He looked furious.”
Alicia leaned back and looked, really looked at her. “Oh my gosh!” she gasped. “You were with Hawke,” she said, her voice rising. “You were in his room … alone — in your nightgown.”
Kara grabbed her by the arm and dragged her over by the staircase, out of earshot.
“Look, if you don’t quiet down everyone in this blasted hotel is going to know. I’m not prepared to deal with your mother, my father, or anyone else right now.” Kara felt her patience wearing thin. “I think we need to concentrate on helping. I will tell you everything later.” She raised her hand to stop any further questions. “I promise.”
Alicia’s mother was talking to a soot-covered man when they returned to the lobby. He was outlining plans to erect tents out at the mine for the injured, and for the people fighting the fire to rest and to get a meal.
Sarah began coordinating with the other women to collect the supplies and arrange for wagons to take them to the mine.
The women walked out into the early dawn. The sky was a mass of white, boiling smoke; a hellish red-orange light glowed close to the ground in the direction of the mine.
The land around the mine was full of people. Bucket brigades were passing pail after pail of water up the hill to the opening of the shaft attempting to beat back the flames roaring from the opening.
This must be what hell looks like, thought Kara.
The scarred land around the blazing hoist house was black with soot as fine ash rained down around the frantic rescuers. The gallows over the hoist house where the fire began was a blaze of bright orange flames rising from skeletal red and black burning timbers. Smoke bellowed out of the mine shaft opening and many a person was seen crossing themselves to ward off the feeling of damnation.
Chapter 21
For two days everyone fought the blaze. Case and the ranchers who lived close enough to the town sent riders to bring in more men and equipment. Kara, Alicia, and the other women worked tirelessly treating the wounded and trying to feed the many tired souls working to free the miners … their friends.
