by Beth Mikell
Stunned, he forgot to breathe. Dare he believe in hope? Dare he trust? Slowly, he released a breath, his hand came up to cup either side of her face, “Where were you two years ago, princess?” The question directed more to himself than to her and then he leaned down to brush his lips over hers.
A cataclysmic force stole her breath, welcoming his mouth upon hers in a slide of heat. There was something deeper…stronger with each glide of his lips and tongue over hers. It was almost as if he spoke a humbled apology through his kiss…breathing into her very soul. She drank in the hot, musky scent of his body, urging him closer to her until it liquefies every part of her…into every part of him. Release. Sigh. Abandon. And most certainly, never, never enough until every nerve ending began and ended straight through to the core of her body. She wanted more.
Inside his soul, the well cracked, allowing a strange, yet stirring power to flood through his body. For just a moment, Hex forgot everything but Savannah. He drowned in her spring scent. The velvety taste upon her tongue with an essence of fruity mango enticed him closer, which bled out into sweet sensations and overshadowed every past nightmare. Nothing haunted him in this moment…no bad memories, no distrust…just total, unadulterated bliss in its purest form. And he sought more…crazed by the freedom.
Without breaking the spell of their meshed lips, Hex’s hand slid down her neck…over the swell of her breast, he cupped her. No bra…just the thin barrier of her dress greeted him as he palmed her. She moaned softly in her throat as his reward and he reshaped the underside of her breast and stroked the sensitive tip jutting out for his attention.
But, he wasn’t satisfied.
His other hand reached up to pull the straps of her dress down her shoulder, baring her breasts and he sought her flesh, ‘oh so’ eager. As a man possessed by passion, Hex pulled back to look at Savannah’s face, humbled by her flushed face and still he wanted…more. His azure gaze skimmed over her swollen lips so recently suckled by his…down to her pink-tipped nipples—beaded and calling, his mouth watered.
One thumb grazed her and she gasped and her eyes flew opened to stare at him, her heart pounding so hard she thought she might fly apart, her skin the only anchor keeping her in place.
“Beautiful…” he whispered, his thumb stroked over her nipple again and the heat of her breath caressed over his cheek in a scorched rush.
She simmered. “Hex…”
The ripe fullness beckoned him and in turn such visual temptation stole, maligned and hooked him with pleasure. Begging him. “Just a taste, princess…just a taste.” He lowered his dark head towards her until his tongue lapped over her nipple, savoring.
Savannah cried out, jolting at his searing touch…tethered only by the heat of his mouth…and he pulled her deeper, while his other hand thumbed, cupped and fanned a higher flame over her. She arched into Hex, floating over the edge of delectation by his twin assaults…enfolded in utter rapture. She was seized by him until no thought but pleasure sang through her veins. Her love for him flew out her soul, enfolding him…if only for a sweet moment—he was hers—mind body and soul.
She purred deep in her throat, “Hexon…more.”
He groaned—to shaken. He wanted her…open and laid out before him. He wanted her wet and wrapped around his waist. He wanted to be buried and swallowed by her heat. He wanted her by every aching degree and so much more. And all he had to do…take her ever sweet offering.
He cursed himself.
Hex trailed slow, feathery kisses up her breast until he reached her lips. He rested his forehead against hers, “Savannah…I want you so much, princess. I want…I…” He couldn’t finish, choking on desire he never thought to feel again. The real kind of desire for man to woman he never thought to have. His sweet princess deserved more than just a quickie and he was such an ass. “I’m sorry to say good-bye. Dominic is waiting at the airport for me.” Pulling back to look at her, he adjusted the straps of her dress back on her shoulders, without looking down.
She understood—she wanted him but the timing couldn’t be more wrong. Good-byes totally sucked, but she smiled. “I’ll be waiting.”
Surprise lit his face, “No tears? No anger? No pleading for me to stay?” He asked with humor, but he really wanted to know.
Savannah lifted her chin, determination lighting her eyes, “I am not that woman. I want your trust. And I will have it.”
The corners of his mouth lifted in a smile, “I believe you shall,” he whispered, leaning forward to brush his lips over hers one last time before standing up and grabbing his bag. “I’ll call you every day, princess.”
She licked her lips, tasting him on herself, “Make it two or three times a day. I want to be sure you aren’t having too much fun.”
He laughed, “With Dominic at my side? I’ll be lucky not to go insane.” Savannah reached up to lightly sock him in the leg, “Is that the only reason?” Hex raised a dark brow, “Are you jealous, princess?”
High crimson stained her cheeks, “Of course not—”
He cupped her face, “Don’t be.” He sealed his words with another kiss. Frankly, he couldn’t imagine another woman in the world affecting him like his sarcasm princess. Before she could really say good-bye, he left.
~~~
Hex was confused and he felt like some caveman. Well, wasn’t he? He may not have dragged a woman off by the roots of her hair to his dank cave, but he had installed her in his home, his life—pregnant with his child. Might as well be the same.
By Sunday afternoon, Hex's mental state lacked clear and orderly thought. He kept drifting. Dammit! He should just commit himself to a mental hospital and hope for the best. He thought about Savannah every minute of every day. He called her by telephone more than was probably normal…a total stalker, but he couldn’t help himself. Her voice slipped over his ears to his heart, like a healing balm—so soothing—so healing. What had she done to him inside a month? And a baby? Dear God…it was…amazing. The last two damn years sloughed off his shoulders more and more everyday, feeling lighter than a cloud in the sky. He couldn’t wait to be a father and hold his child in his arms, but it was more than that.
He missed Savannah. His sarcasm princess.
Mystery enveloped her, but he loved that. He loved her strength, her understanding…her sexiness. She was…remarkable in every sense of the word—so unusual and striking he never would have believed her possible—never could have dreamed her into existence even on his best or worse day. He once thought he saw forever stamped over her. But, could he? Could he really?
Just as quick as hope bloomed, a defecating seed of doubt leached into his mind. His fears choked him and the pound of his heart met with insurmountable force—dogging him down inside hell. Pain forced him to slow down his turbulent thoughts and reign in his wishes…of impossible dreams. Again, mental hospital would clearly be suited for him right about now. What did he expect to gain by this swinging gate of pessimism? Clarity--jackass. Time…time is what he needed. Breathe. Just breathe.
Hex walked along Rodeo Drive and stopped, looking around as if finally aware of his surroundings for the first time. He was in front of a jewelry store.
Fuck you, Montgomery his mind protested…he most certainly was not going in. With a deep breath, he went inside. While his fear expressed fathomless opposition—bordering on hate looping through his mind in protest, his hope laughed with glee. For the first time in years, he followed his heart and damned his fears.
~~~
“Guess who came to see you?”
Savannah looked up from her laptop to find Laura and Devon standing in the doorway. A smile broke over her face, radiating her pleasure at seeing her sister and niece. “Get over here!” she exclaimed with true delight…but her insides burned from anything resembling happiness. The determined set of Laura’s face indicated a brewing storm and she dug deep to find strength to hold her sister at bay.
“I never received my SOS,” Laura said with a strange twist of her
mouth. Savannah’s smile never wavered, “No need. I’m holding my own.”
Laura’s lips moved into a mulish line, “We’ll see about that. Now, what’s going on?”
Chapter Twelve
Pure love and suspicion cannot dwell together: at the door where the latter enters, the former makes its exit. ~ Alexandre Dumas
Savannah peered out the window of the SUV, a deafening silence filled every air particle between here to the Montgomery sci-fi mansion. She didn’t understand mount-Hex-rock who drove with indifference next to her. He barely said hello after arriving early in the morning after his week absence, though his phone calls had been very sweet. He then shuttled her off to a general medical doctor for her ankle and then to the baby MD, but remained silent. Fine, whatever. She didn’t have the wherewithal to soothe his fears when her own clamored after a dry throat without a drop of spit to wash it down. She wasn’t exactly leaping for joy at her current state of affairs by the way—pregnant, distrusting baby dad and hobbled invalid all at once. Perfect. She’d rather shove a hot needle in her eye or accept a date with Tony—both were about the same on her scale of easier at the moment. But, her phone rang and interrupted her mid-cruise inquisition attempt. With a sigh, she fished her cellphone out of her purse and glanced at the caller id…Angelo. Good, at least it wasn’t lapdog assistant.
“Hey, baby. What’s up?” She used sexiest voice and she ventured a sideways glance at stone-Hex and a muscle jumped in his cheek from grinding his teeth together. Good. Suffer a little.
“Shit, SD! Did you even look at your caller id? Damn chica!”
She laughed, “What’s up, Angelo?”
“Marissa knew you had your doctor’s appointment and asked me to call you.”
She lifted a brow, “Oh? And why didn’t she call herself the hussy?”
He chuckled. “She left with Maria to visit her family in Mexico yesterday.”
“Hello! Why are you still here, moron? The project is finished and we have a couple weeks off. You should have gone with them.”
There was hesitation in his voice, “Well…I took a consulting job to fill the time.”
She frowned. “Consulting?”
Angelo sighed at the other end, “Yeah, MK Steele offered me a temp job to help them wrap a big project down at Steeple. Don’t worry, I’m not…as you say…jumping ship, chica. I just wanted to give you a heads up.”
Savannah made an ‘uh-huh’ in her throat and glanced over at a possible inside-traitor trying to steal her employees. “Okay, Angelo. Sounds good, but if they try anything, I know the owner and I will so kick his ass if tries to snatch you away.” She threw Hex an unflinching death glare. And she was rewarded with a smile? Could the man be anymore confusing? Please…someone…an answer?
Her foreman laughed, “Forget it! You’re stuck with me, SD. I’ll see you in a couple of weeks, but call if you need anything, chica. Family, know what I mean?”
“Oh, sure! You say that now until I send you a Bluetooth hands-free and bug your ass every second of every freakin’ day, amigo. New York is coming, just you wait!”
“Ah! Your calls sure beat the hell out of Tony's any day!”
Savanna pffted, “You did not just compare my calls with Tony, did you?”
“Uh…no, no, no! I no speak English!”
“You’re toast! Talk to you later, amigo.” Shaking her head, she tossed her phone back in her purse and turned to the silent wonder of the world—irritation in place, “So, stealing my employees, Hexon? Bold move, but don’t even think about offering a deal to keep him. Angelo’s my foremen…feel me?”
Hex threw her a grin, “It’s just a temp job, princess. Angelo is great at what he does and he knows his way around a construction site better than anyone I’ve ever seen. No need to get your panties in a wad.”
Her inky eyes sparkled and the corners of her mouth lifted in a sexy smile, “Good because I’m not wearing panties.”
Damn! He gulped and tried to focus on the road, but the mental image of her naked swarmed his mind and he tried not to choke. Hell, he knew he’d taken a mega dose of bastard since arriving back in town and no excuse. The event of the baby doctor left a bitter taste in his mouth and he wasn’t looking for a repeat performance. Trust came at a price after all. Instead of his piss-poor attitude, she didn’t deserve his backlash—ethically or otherwise.
“Look, I’m sorry, princess. I should have asked you first before I offered the job to Angelo. But, I figured that he had nothing lined up for a couple of weeks, you wouldn’t mind. I can fire him if it bothers you.”
Death glare in place, she faced him, “No. But, if you burn me, I’ll rip you apart, Montgomery and scatter the pieces.”
“So noted.” He chuckled. “Are you hungry? Want to grab some lunch?”
Thrown off balance again by her biker god of sin, his mood swings gave her whiplash. “Well, I…guess. What did you have in mind?”
“Up for some BBQ at Gimpy’s?”
Savannah couldn’t help but smile at her previous experience there. “Sure. Will we also play cards later?” Crap, why had she asked? Less mouth, Deason. The last thing she wanted was to ask more of him than he was ready to give. Dammit, when had she allowed herself to accept scraps? Any he’d throw, she’d take? God…she was definitely screwed and her inner hussy flexed her red painted vamp nails in anticipation.
Hex flashed a wide grin, “Enjoyed losing, huh? I’m not opposed. Game on, baby.”
They enjoyed their lunch together…more than either expected, but their card game slid off the table as they returned to Montgomery sci-fi. X-million department store bags filled the living room in various sizes overflowing in every space imaginable…a baby crib dead center of the room.
“Oh my god…” Savannah whispered and flipped her gaze over to an equally shocked Hex. “Did you…?”
His lips drew into a flat line, “No, I didn’t. But, I think I know—”
“Hey you two!”
A tall amazingly, gorgeous woman entered from the back of the house wearing jeans and a figure hugging t-shirt that said, ‘Diva…and all that baby’ and threw herself into Hex’s arms.
She pulled back, “Hexon! I hope you don’t mind my showing up like this. I wanted to spend my last few days of spring break with you.” The young woman flipped her long, black hair behind her back with a wide smile. Not waiting for an answer from the surprised couple, she soldiered on and offered her hand to Savannah. “Hi, I’m Katie Montgomery, Hexon’s sister. You must be Savannah. I’ve heard so much about you from Jagger and I hope you don’t mind my coming,” she finished and peered up at her big brother and batted her baby blues with a bit of duck face for good measure.
Savannah took the proffered hand, “Hi, nice to meet you.”
Hex ignored the pleasantries—too annoyed. “Katie, what is all this?” He eyed the crib, his heart hammering. He so wasn’t ready for the reality of…of what was coming. But, would he ever be?
Katie bit her lower lip, “Well, I…you know how much I love shopping and my friends owed me a few favors. Anyway…you can change anything you don’t like, but please accept it. I really wanted to do something special for you.” With a smile, she moved around and linked her arm through Savannah’s. “I also picked up several gifts for you. I know you aren’t showing yet, but I found some beautiful maternity dresses—hip and streamlined without the sack factor! God...nothing worse than wearing a gown made by Omar-the-tentmaker!”
Not sure if he would resort to puking or murder, Hexon glared at his sister. “Katie, may I have a word?”
The young woman was familiar with his moods and knew an atmospheric phenomenon was about to hit Hex-style, “Sure. Kitchen okay? Or do I need deep coverage for your incoming missile?”
Still glaring, his voice deepened. “Katie.”
She stepped away from Savannah, duck face back in place. “He’s really a gentle giant, though his bark can be pretty snarky.”
Hex sighed and help
ed Savannah over to the sofa before flipping his cool gaze back to his sister.
“Kitchen, now.”
Savannah smiled as the two strode away. It was so obvious her biker god wasn’t ready for the impact of the baby. Neither was she, but at least she wasn’t fighting it so damn hard. Poor Hexon looked as if he had swallowed a live grenade and still she sought patience to continue on, but it was the hardest thing she ever had to do. She just wanted to shake him and say ‘Trust me, dammit’!
Her phone rang interrupting her mid-baby crisis thoughts and she fished her phone out of her purse. Sean. Well, okay then—it was either work related or fallout from Laura’s protestations on her living at Montgomery sci-fi.
She hit the receive button, “Hello handsome.”
~~~
Katie leaned up against the stove as Hex folded his arms in defensive mode and angled against the counter with a dark scowl upon his face.
He jumped right in. “What were you thinking, Katie?”
She winced, “Sorry?”
Damn! He sighed and plowed a hand through his inky hair, “I know I know…it’s kind of exciting,” he admitted resisting the urge to jump with joy.
“Kind of?” Her high-pitched squeal echoed off the tiles. “More like fun-fan-freaking-tastic! You’re going to be a daddy, Hexon! And I’m going to be an aunt! What can be more exciting?”
