Hard Ride

by Opal Carew

“Good. You do that. And you don’t need to worry about me. I want you to concentrate on that sexy man of yours.”

  * * *

  When Liv got back to Shock’s country house, the others were very solicitous about her sister. Shock had kept them updated about her sister’s recovery, so they knew the basics, but they all made Liv feel very special and cared for.

  She might not be used to having friends, but she understood that her relationship with Julia had helped her to accept comfort from Tempest and Raven. But she was surprised at how she was also comfortable with the men’s attention. Usually, she found it difficult to accept the attention of men, always being a little fearful they just wanted something from her. But these men—Shock’s friends—actually made her feel that they really cared about her and what she was going through.

  It was a strange feeling.

  Finally, Shock took her hand and explained to them all that she was tired from the trip, then led her upstairs. As soon as the door closed on their bedroom, she slipped into his embrace and hugged him. His arms came around her and they stayed like that for several long moments, Liv just soaking in the loving, protective feel of his body enveloping her.

  When they parted, she walked to the love seat by the window and sat down. He sat down beside her.

  “We haven’t talked about this,” she said. “I haven’t wanted to talk about this…”

  Shock took her hand. The feel of his big fingers enveloping hers filled her with warmth.

  “You’re responsible for my sister’s recovery,” she continued, “and I really want to thank you.”

  “I was happy to help,” he said gently.

  “It must have been expensive.” Her stomach knotted at the thought.

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “But I need to pay you back.”

  “No you don’t. I couldn’t just watch while someone you cared about died. I didn’t do it expecting you or anyone else to pay me back.” He stroked her hair from her face. “You know, you don’t have to take on the responsibilities of the world.”

  Her throat tightened. She’d always thought he believed she was irresponsible and flighty, so those words meant the world to her.

  She rested her hand on his arm. “You saved my sister’s life. I don’t know how to thank you for that.”

  He drew her close. “I would have done anything to help.”

  Her heart ached. “How do I ever repay you?”

  “You don’t.”

  She just gazed at him. How had she been so lucky to have found Shock again?

  Her heart clenched. If only it could be more than just a month.

  She reached out and stroked his cheek. “Thank you for being here for me. And for helping me so much.”

  * * *

  Shock couldn’t drag his gaze from hers. The feel of her soft hand on his cheek sent need rushing through him. He wanted to protect this woman. To fold her into his arms and hold her close, keeping everything bad in the world at bay.

  He’d stayed by her side at the hospital and done everything he could to help her through her ordeal. And he’d put no demands on her. But as she stroked his cheek now, his body tightened and his longing for her became almost overwhelming.

  She tipped up her face, her full lips a temptation he could barely resist. But he didn’t have to because she leaned closer and kissed him.

  He tightened his arms around her, pulling her close.

  Her lips moved on his, her arms sliding around his neck, then her tongue pressed into his mouth and he nearly groaned. The velvety feel of it gliding against his own sent his heartbeat racing. He loved the sweet taste of her and the feel of her soft body against him.

  Then she drew back and stared at him with wide eyes.

  “Oh, God, I want you, Shock. Please make love to me.”

  His heart pounded at the need in her voice and heat rushed through him.

  “I want you, too, baby.”

  He captured her lips, plunging his tongue inside her mouth. She sucked on it and he groaned.

  It had been too long since he’d been with her like this, and he was overwhelmed by his incredible desire for her.

  But he’d go slowly.

  Her delicate lips nuzzled against his neck and she glided her hand down his chest. When her hand reached the growing bulge in his pants, he sucked in a breath.

  Her fingers wrapped around him and she squeezed.

  He couldn’t stand it anymore. He had to feel flesh on flesh. He stood up and stripped off his jeans, then tugged his T-shirt over his head. As she watched him with wide eyes, he pushed down his boxers, then kicked them away. She stroked his stomach, then wrapped her hand around him again.

  She locked gazes with him as she leaned in and nuzzled the tip of his cock with her lips. Then she opened and swallowed his shaft.

  “Oh, God, Liv, that feels so good.” He rested his hand on her head and tangled his fingers in her long, silky hair.

  She glided forward, still gazing at him with heated blue eyes. As she took him deeper, her fingertips slid under his balls, and she cupped them in her hand.

  She drew back and glided forward again, taking him impossibly deep.

  His insides quivered at the sensations blasting through him. He had to stop himself from thrusting forward into her mouth. He guided her head lightly as she moved back and forth. He wanted her so badly. His cock ached with the need to release.

  It wouldn’t take long before he would erupt in her mouth. But that wasn’t what he wanted. Right now he wanted her cradled against his body, naked and trembling in his arms, as he drove into her warm, welcoming body.

  “Liv, stop,” he said, as he gently guided her head back.

  His cock slipped from her mouth, but she still held it in her delicate hands.

  “I want to see you. To make love to you,” he explained.

  She nodded and stood up, then pulled off her shirt. He watched in anticipation as she unfastened her bra and drew it from her body, then let it drop to the floor.

  His gaze settled on her round, full breasts, the nipples swollen with need. He brushed one with his fingers as she unfastened her jeans. She pushed them down, along with her panties, then stepped out of them.

  Now she stood before him naked and the sight took his breath away. She was so perfect in every way.

  Shock cupped her breasts, feeling the weight of them in his hands, lifting them gently. Then he leaned forward and tasted one sweet nipple. It hardened in his mouth, the areola pebbling as he drew it inside. He ran his tongue over it, then suckled, delighting in her soft moan.

  He swept her up in his arms and carried her to the big, king-size bed and laid her down gently in the center. Then he knelt on the bed, between her knees and pressed her legs wide. He gazed at her bare pussy and smiled.

  “You are so beautiful.” He stroked it, loving the feel of her soft skin beneath his fingertips.

  He opened the folds, gazing at her glistening opening.

  “You’re ready for me, aren’t you, sweetheart?”

  “So ready,” she said with longing in her eyes.

  His heart swelled. She wanted him.

  He stroked her slick inner folds, the feel of her desire sending him careening off balance. His pulse pounded in his ears as he leaned forward, breathing in the musky feminine scent of her. Then he lapped his tongue over her damp flesh and she moaned, arching beneath him. He dragged his thumbs along her folds, then drew them apart to reveal her clit.

  What a beautiful sight. The key to her pleasure.

  He pressed his tongue to her damp flesh, then circled the little bud. Round and round with the tip of his tongue.

  She moaned, tossing her head back and forth on the pillow.

  He could bring her to orgasm like this quickly. He knew that. All he had to do was suckle her sweet button, and maybe glide his fingers in and out of her clenching passage.

  And he should. He should give her that pleasure.

  But right now he wanted t
o be inside her. He wanted them to find their pleasure together.

  He lifted his head and gazed at her, his thumb lightly teasing her clit. She whimpered softly.

  “Baby, I’m going to make love to you now.”

  “Yes,” she murmured, and opened her arms to him.

  He smiled, his heart swelling at her tender welcome. He wrapped his hand around his cock, aching to be inside her, and pressed the tip to her slick opening.

  He pressed forward a little, mesmerized by the warmth of her against him. As he moved, oh, so slowly, he delighted in the feel of her opening around him. A little more and his cockhead was fully immersed and gliding deeper into her yielding flesh.

  Her eyes closed and she murmured softly.

  He moved slowly, savoring every inch.

  “Oh, yes,” she murmured. “You feel so good inside me.”

  Her words shimmered through him, driving his need higher. He pushed the last inch into her, now fully inside her hot, welcoming channel.

  He stayed like that, his body pressed tightly to hers, his cock throbbing inside her.

  She opened her eyes and they were filled with longing. “Please, Shock. I need you.”

  He drew back, his cock squeezed tight by her intimate flesh, then glided forward again. She grasped his shoulders, her eyes wide and locked on his.

  “Do you like that, sweetheart?” he asked.

  He drew back and plunged deep again.

  “Ohhhh, yes.”

  The sound of her desire drove him wild. As her murmurs of pleasure increased, he thrust faster. Filling her deeper. Harder.

  She clutched his shoulders more tightly. “Shock … I’m so close.”

  Fuck, he was, too. But he’d wait for her pleasure first.

  He drove into her, again and again, his groin tightening as he held back his release.

  Then she threw her head back and moaned. He watched in awe as he thrust into her, pleasure shining in her eyes, glowing from her like a golden sun. She gasped, then wailed. Long and loud. He pumped into her, driving her pleasure on and on.

  Then his own pleasure swelled and burst, surging through him like hot lava erupting from the earth’s core. He shuddered at the intensity of it, holding her warm body tightly to him, her soft moans echoing in his ears.

  Still floating on a cloud of delight, he slumped on the bed, then rolled back, keeping her body snug against his, both of them still breathing heavily. He kissed the top of her head as he held it to his chest, close to his heart, then stroked her hair.

  He couldn’t believe how much he wanted to be with this woman. He’d never wanted anyone more. And that meant he had to make some decisions. Tomorrow, he’d go into town and set things in motion.

  * * *

  Liv woke up in Shock’s arms, snuggled against his chest. She opened her eyes and breathed in his musky male scent, loving the feel of being cocooned in his embrace.

  She felt so close to him.

  Last night had been special. His lovemaking had been poignant and tender, and the look in his eyes had been loving. Maybe he’d started this whole thing because he wanted to enjoy a short-term physical relationship with her, but was it possible that he was actually falling in love with her?

  She nuzzled his chest.

  Shock kissed the top of her head. “Hey, sleepyhead. You ready to get up?”

  “Mmm. I guess so.” She tilted her face up and smiled.

  He leaned down and captured her lips in a sweet, loving kiss. Then he rolled to a sitting position and stood up. “How about we do breakfast, then go for a walk? There’s a nice path around the lake. Or we could just go out in the canoe.”

  She and Shock used to go for walks sometimes when they were back in college. Usually after they’d spent a while poring over homework and needed a break. He’d always seemed to know when she’d had enough. Even though she would keep pushing through, he’d suggest they take a breather, insisting the break would revive them. And he was always right. Afterward, solutions that had been stumping her seemed to pop right into her brain.

  If they had gotten involved back then, it would have been like this. Waking up in each other’s arms, going for walks. Making love whenever they wanted.

  She sighed and got out of bed. “A walk sounds nice.”

  It was warm and sunny out and they enjoyed the morning. Walking by the lake, a light breeze rustling through the trees. The loons calling over the water.

  They walked hand in hand and she felt safe and protected with him. She wanted to feel like this always.

  After lunch, Shock told her he had to go into town to finish up some business and asked her to join him. Once they got into town, he dropped her off near the crafts market, where she wandered around admiring the handiwork in the delightful shops.

  When she tired of that, she decided to go to the same little ice cream parlor where she’d gone with Amy.

  The young woman behind the counter smiled. “Back again?”

  She was the same woman who had served her and Amy last time. Her name tag said her name was Jan.

  “That’s right. I want to try one of those,” Liv said, pointing at the orange and chocolate swirl ice cream Amy had had last time. “It looks so good.”

  She took the bowl the woman handed her and carried it to one of the tables by the window, then enjoyed the view as she ate.

  She glanced up as the bell over the door rang. Amy walked into the shop and glanced toward her. She smiled and waved at Liv, but didn’t seem surprised to see her. She exchanged some words with Jan, then a few minutes later walked toward Liv’s table with a bowl of ice cream in her hand.

  “Mind if I join you?” she asked.

  “No. Please do.”

  Amy set her bowl on the table and sat down. “So, how are things going?”

  Liv shrugged. “Fine.”

  She wasn’t really sure what to say to this woman, who had been one of Shock’s previous lovers. Especially now that Liv thought maybe there was a chance for Shock and her to be together. After last night …

  “You look different,” Amy said. “Happier.” Her lips pursed. “Does this mean you’re falling for the guy?”

  Liv pushed the tip of her spoon into the ice cream, then toyed with it. She didn’t really know what to say.

  “Look, I know you don’t know me,” Amy said. “And there’s no reason for you to talk to me. But I’ve been thinking about you. I remember how painful it was for me when he broke it off, and how much of a fool I felt when I realized that there had never been a chance for us.” She placed her hand on Liv’s. “I know how easy it is to fall in love with him. And I see it in your eyes. You have fallen for him, haven’t you?”

  “Amy, I appreciate that you want to help, but what you don’t know is that I’ve known Shock for a long time. We went to college together and”—Liv adjusted the cloth napkin on her lap—“I believe he does have feelings for me.”

  Amy stared at her, her mouth pinched in anxiety. “Oh, no, honey. Don’t fool yourself.”

  Liv frowned. “I don’t know why you think you know him better than I do.”

  Amy leaned forward, her face serious. “Because I do.”

  The woman was making Liv nervous. The tension and intensity emanating from her were quite different from the easygoing attitude she’d had last time.

  “The man has secrets,” Amy said. “Believe me, there’s a lot you don’t know about him. Things he’ll never tell you.” She rested her hand on the table. It was clenched into a fist. “Things that will shatter this cozy little dream you’re wrapping yourself in.”

  Liv’s stomach clenched. “You make it sound like he’s some kind of criminal or something.”

  Was that it? Did Amy know about Shock’s father and brother embezzling from the family business? Did she think Shock had been a part of that? He’d told Liv he hadn’t been, and he hadn’t had to tell her about it at all. But could he have been involved?

  Even if he had been, would Liv feel any differently a
bout him? With everything he’d done for her, she knew she wouldn’t. Even if he had been involved, which she really didn’t believe, he was a changed person now.

  She put down her spoon and locked gazes with the woman. “What are these secrets?”

  Amy glanced around nervously. “I could lose my job if I tell you.”

  Anger flowed through Liv. “Look, you’re the one who came to me and claimed he has all these secrets. So tell me, what secrets does Shock have that will make a difference to me?”

  Amy leaned in closer. “Well, for starters, did he tell you he’s married?”

  Liv felt as if the ground had dropped out from under her, and she could only stare at Amy in disbelief.

  “I don’t expect you to believe me,” Amy said, pulling out her phone and scrolling through it. “But I’m sure you’ll believe your own eyes.”

  A moment later, Amy handed Liv her phone, which displayed a picture of Shock in a tuxedo, his arm wrapped possessively around a beautiful bride, and his wedding ring impossible to miss.

  * * *

  A half hour later, Liv watched as Shock roared down Main Street on his bike and stopped at the corner where he’d said he’d pick her up. Stiffly, she walked toward him, trying to hide the raw emotions tearing her apart inside. She tried to paste on a fake smile and failed miserably, but he didn’t seem to notice as he turned to grab her helmet, then handed it to her.

  “Have a good time?” he asked as she mounted the bike.

  “Yes,” she said, as she pulled on the helmet.

  She wrapped her arms around his waist, her hands resting on his hard, flat stomach as the engine roared and he took off down the street.

  As they passed the law firm, she saw Amy sitting on the steps, smoking a cigarette with some other women. Amy watched her as they passed by, looking somber.

  Sadness gripped her and she rested her head against Shock’s back. The supple leather was soft against her cheek and she breathed in the musky scent of it.

  Any hope she’d had of having a real relationship with Shock had been dashed by those two words Amy had uttered. He’s married.

  She wanted to be mad. To hate him for leading her on.

  But he wasn’t. He’d never said he wanted anything more than one month of physical intimacy with her. He’d even laid out a contract.