Saving Hanna (Romantic Suspense)

by A. L Long

  I wasn’t sure where he was taking me since he hadn’t set me down when we reached the top of the stairs. I had faith that he would be a gentleman about this situation and he was. When he opened a door at the end of the hall, I knew that he was taking me to the guest bedroom that he had shown me earlier. Of all the rooms that were on this floor this had been my favorite. It was decorated with light colors of blues and greens and it was the most feminine of all the rooms on the floor.

  Pulling back the covers, he placed me gently on the bed. For a moment I wanted him to stay, but knew that it would be a mistake. Settling in, the last thing I remembered before closing my eyes was a tender kiss he placed on my cheek.

  ~*~*~*~

  My head had never hurt so bad. It was like firecrackers were going off with a big boom. All I wanted was for the pounding to stop. Using what little energy I had, I pushed myself from the bed and stumbled to the bathroom. Now I knew what it meant to have a hangover because I had one and mine was in full force. Making it to the faucet, I splashed cold water on my face. Already I was beginning to feel better, but I knew that I couldn’t spend the day throwing cold water on my face.

  Looking in the mirror, I was a sight. Even though I wasn’t much on using make-up, what little mascara I had on ran down my cheek in a black streak. I looked as though I was a stand in for one of those low budget horror movies where the girl is running through the woods trying to escape the killer.

  Stripping off my very wrinkled uniform, I decided that maybe a hot shower would make me feel better. It certainly couldn’t make me feel any worse. As the stream of water descended on my body, I thought back to what happened last night. The last thing I remembered was Aiden kissing me on the cheek. Since I was still fully dressed when I woke, I was pretty sure that nothing happened beyond that.

  Now I knew why I tended to stay away from drinking. Not remembering what you did the night before was not a good thing. And after hearing about the parties that my classmates would go to: getting completely sloshed, not remembering anything, I vowed never to drink.

  Wishing that I had something else to put on instead of my wrinkled uniform, I went ahead and got dressed. There wasn’t anything that I could do about my clothes, but at least I looked a lot better. Pulling my wet hair back, I took the spare hair tie I kept around my wrist and put my hair up in a messy bun. Even though I wasn’t one hundred percent, I needed to find Aiden to take me home. Luckily, it was my day off and I didn’t have to do anything except nurse myself back to health. It was going to be a wasted day, but it really didn’t matter since I had nothing of importance to do, anyway.

  Looking a better than I felt, I opened the door and headed down the hall to the stairs All I wanted to do was find Aiden and get back to my home. Reaching the last step, it was strange to find that Albert was waiting at the bottom standing sideways with his hands resting against his backside.

  Feeling the need to be polite, I said, “Good morning.”

  His eyes remained fixated on the wall in front of him as he responded, “Good morning, Ms. Marsh. Mr. Drake is already in the dining room and awaiting your arrival.”

  Everything about him was so formal. This was something that I would never be able to get used to. Following behind him, he led me into the dining room where Aiden was settled and reading what appeared to be the morning paper. I felt out of place in my wrinkled diner uniform dress when he was in another designer suit, looking like he was a Wall Street tycoon. There was no way I could ever meet his expectations. A simple country girl didn’t belong here and she certainly would never be able to live up to his standards.

  Staring at the plate before me, my stomach began to protest. There was no way I would be able to take a bite without spilling it in the end. Settling for just a cup of coffee, I added a small amount of cream and bypassed the sugar.

  The minute the rim of the cup hit my lips, he lowered his paper and said, “I hope you slept well.”

  “I did, thank you,” I wasn’t sure what else to say. The last thing I wanted him to know was that I had more than enough wine last night and I felt like shit.

  Gazing down at my plate, he lifted his brow. “Is there something wrong with your breakfast?”

  Looking down to my plate, unable to look him in the eye, I answered. “I’m not much for breakfast. Coffee is just fine for me.”

  When he called Albert over and told him something that wasn’t loud enough to hear, he must have known I hadn’t been totally honest with him. Watching Albert leave the room, Aiden eyes were on me with an expression of concern, or so I thought, until he said, “Maybe two aspirin would help with your appetite.”

  When Albert came back with a glass of water and two white pills on a small silver plate, I knew that must have been what Aiden had said to him. Taking the two pills from the plate, I put them in my mouth and jerked my head back before taking a large drink of the ice water. Hopefully Aiden was correct and soon I would be feeling better.

  Chapter Nine

  AIDEN

  I had no idea when I offered to take Hanna home that I would be driving in the worst residential area of Houston. I was afraid to let her out of the car. I knew exactly what kind of neighborhood she lived in. The only people that lived in this area were either crackheads or drug dealers. I didn’t know what her financial situation was, but given the history of how she lost home in Danbury, which by all accounts was no better than this place, but at least safer, this was the responsibility of her low-life brother.

  Pulling up to a shit pile of a house, I made a note to myself to find out more about Carter Marsh. No one should live in these conditions. After I shifted the car into park, I looked over to her and said, “I wasn’t expecting this.”

  “I know, it looks pretty bad, but by the end of the week I will be out of here,” Hanna said confidently.

  There was no way I was going to let her get out of the car. Taking hold of her arm as she unbuckled her seat belt, I got her attention and said, “I’m coming with you, but only to get what you need until you move. You’re staying with me, Hanna.”

  I might have insulted her as an expression of annoyance was plastered all over her face. She pulled her arm away and said, “It may not be up to your standards, but it is where I live.”

  “It’s not safe, Hanna.”

  “It’s not for you to decide where I live.”

  I knew that this argument was going nowhere. She was as stubborn as an old mule. If she wasn’t going to listen to me, then it was up to me to make sure she was safe. Pulling away from her house, I kept my eye on the road and said, “Put your seatbelt on.” She was just about to protest when I stopped her. “Now! Hanna.”

  I may have been a little stern with her, but I would have a clear conscience knowing that I wouldn’t have to worry about finding her dead. Without another word, she buckled her seatbelt. I hid my smile, but I was pleased that she did as I wished.

  The further we got away from her neighborhood, the more I got the feeling that different thoughts were going through her mind. Trying my best not to show my authoritarian side, I asked delicately, “What is it, Hanna?”

  “I don’t know what just happened. I don’t have anything with me and tomorrow I need to work and have nothing to wear.” There was an uncertainty in her tone and she was genuinely concerned about what to do.

  I almost laughed at her comment, but seeing the worry on her face, I knew that it would make her more agitated. Giving her a sympathetic smile, I reassured her, “Hanna, don’t worry, everything will be taken care of.”

  ~*~*~*~

  Entering the house, Albert was waiting at the door. At first look, he seemed confused, but something must have changed that when he took a look at Hanna. Whatever confidence she had when we left was replaced with defeat. There really wasn’t any need for it, especially since everything had already been taken care of. Requesting that she rest before lunch, I waited until she was out of earshot. When she disappeared out of sight, I looked to Albert and said, �
��I need you to find out everything you can about Carter Marsh.”

  Albert was like family, so he asked, “May I ask why, Aiden?”

  “If you had seen where she lives, you would understand. Her brother is responsible and I believe that it is only fair that he pay for what he did,” I said, trying to hold back the anger I had for him. “I’m having Hanna stay here at the house until she has someplace safe to move to. Make sure she has everything that you think a woman needs.”

  “I understand. Everything you requested will be provided. Ms. Marsh should be very comfortable here.”

  “Thank you, Albert.”

  I was happy that Albert knew enough about women to get all the essentials that Hanna needed in order to spend a few days with me. When I told him Hanna was staying at the house and to make every effort to make her comfortable, I was glad to see that he knew exactly what I meant.

  Taking my leave, I headed to my study to do a little research of my own on Mr. Carter Marsh. If nothing else, maybe I could at least find out where he lived. And if I got lucky, I might be able to pay him a visit before Hanna woke up. Pouring myself a brandy, I took a seat at my desk and began my search. Plugging in his name, I thought how funny it was that things managed to pan out when you did a little research. I knew this man. Not by his real name, but by the one he gave me over a year ago. Eli Elms. I should have known his name was just as bogus as his credentials. “A consultant on foreign trade, my ass,” I said, having a conversation with myself. He was no more a consultant than I was the King of Egypt.

  I never cared much for the guy and didn’t even know why I had done business with him. I could have kicked myself in the ass for falling for his con. The worst part was that theoretically, I was the one who took Hanna’s dreams away from her. I should have done my research and dug into where the funds came from for his venture. It should have been a red flag when he came up with the money to invest so quickly. Little did he know that he had been played.

  Downing the rest of my drink, it was getting late and I knew that I didn’t have much time before Hanna would be awake. I searched for Albert to let him know that I was going out. Carter Marsh was going to get a rude awakening. I was going to show him once and for all: it was one thing to take from others to get what you wanted, but to take from your own family was just wrong and against everything I stood for.

  My quest for revenge was stopped before I could open the front door. Her voice rang behind me, “Where are you going?”

  Taking a moment to think of a good excuse, I turned to her to find that she was no longer in her wrinkled uniform, but instead, she was wearing a silk robe that had been slightly opened, exposing the nightgown she was wearing beneath it. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her. She was like an angel standing there. I had never seen anything more beautiful.

  Releasing the handle to the door, Mr. Marsh would have to wait. Moving toward her and stopping at the foot of the steps, I was completely speechless as I continued to focus on only her. I could feel her become uncomfortable. When her arms crossed over her chest, I began walking up the steps. When I finally reached her, she was still shorter than me even though she was a step above me. There was only one thing that I wanted to do.

  Placing my hand on her cheek, I lowered my head and confessed, “You are breathtaking,” before lowering my mouth to hers.

  Everything about this moment was perfect. I had never invited a woman to stay at my home. Come to think of it, I never invited a woman to my home, period. With Hanna it was easy. And more than that, kissing her was real. She didn’t want anything from me.

  I pulled her closer and deepened the kiss which put her slightly off balance. Wrapping my arms around her, I lifted her from the step and headed upward. I needed this. I needed her. I wanted nothing more than to take her. Fuck the one night. Pushing the door open with my foot, I entered my room. I couldn’t wait to be deep inside her.

  Placing her gently on the floor, I could only stare down at her beauty. Lowering my mouth, once again, I captured her lips. Her lips were soft and slightly reddened as I dipped inside, exploring the recesses of her mouth. There was no resistance, only passion, as I continued to press my lips to hers. Leaving her mouth burning with desire, I moved slowly down her neck to the ivory flesh of her breasts, which were heaving with desire. Her scent was inviting and something that I could get addicted to. Lowering the silk robe from her shoulders, it slid down her arms, revealing her softness. Even the tiny freckles that lined the round curve of her shoulder were amazingly sexy as I placed a kiss upon each one.

  Continuing my assault, the strap of her nightgown fell away, exposing the soft, creamy swell of her breast. It was perfect and fit perfectly in my hand as I caressed and kneaded the delicious mound. There was only one thought in my mind as our eyes met. Focusing only on her, I kissed her tenderly on the cheek before whispering, “Beautiful.”

  No other word could describe her. All I wanted was to have a piece of it to savor and worship. Kissing my way to the other shoulder, I lifted the strap from her skin and pushed it away. Her nightgown slid down her body, leaving her bare for me to consume. Not even the lacy panties that were left would stop me from consuming every inch of her.

  When I raised her arms, her nightgown skated to the floor. Walking a few steps to the bed, I gently placed her on the dark satin comforter. The contrast of her ivory skin against the dark comforter made her look even more heavenly. Unable to take my eyes off her, I quickly got undressed, blind to how desperate I must have seemed. My body began to heat knowing that soon I would have her. Positioning my legs between hers, I climbed onto the bed using my arms to balance my body above hers.

  Nothing could please me more than to taste every inch of her. Lowering my head, I enveloped her breast, sucking and kissing the ample peak of her rosy nipple. Her breasts pushed against my mouth, begging me to take more of her. Pinching the diamond hard bud between my teeth, a soft whimper escaped. I thought that it might have been too much, but then her cry for more sounded, “Aiden.”

  Even though she had only said my name, it was enough to know that she didn’t want me to stop. There was so much that I wanted to show her, but I knew that if I did, she would neither understand nor accept me or my selfish desires. So, for now this was more than enough to feed my hunger.

  Working my way down her body, just as I promised, I worshiped every inch of her body by placing wet kisses in the most sensitive of places. I could feel her body quiver the lower I moved. Reaching the sweetest part of every woman’s body, I slid my hand beneath the silky material of her panties and let the warmth penetrate it. I could feel the damp curls that gathered around her cleft and they were as soft as the silkiness of her skin. Pushing further down, I found her folds to be slick with her juices, giving me the access that I needed to slip a finger between them. Using my thumb, I parted the wet folds of her labia and dipped a finger inside her channel. Curving my finger, I began stroking her deep and slow. As her milky nectar coated my finger, I knew that it had been a while since a man took advantage of her womanhood. She was tight, but mostly hungry for more of what she was getting as her hips began moving with me.

  Enjoying the feel of her body beneath mine and the attention I was giving to her breasts, I lifted my head and said, “Your body has waited for this for a long time and now you are going to receive what it has been longing for.”

  I could hear the intake of air as she confessed, “I had no idea that it would feel like this.”

  I was confused by her statement, but now was not the time to question her about it. All I wanted to do was to consume her. She was heaven, and as of right now it was the only place that I wanted to be.

  She had no idea what she was in store for. Placing my lips near her ear, I responded with a whisper, “You have no idea how good it is going to feel.”

  I was ready to dip deep inside her and she was just as ready. Reaching above her head, I pulled open the drawer of the nightstand and got what I needed. Even though I could h
ave entered her bare, I knew that I had to be safe, for her if not for myself. Sheathing myself, I positioned myself between her legs before I slowly entered her. There was always something wonderful about having my cock enveloped in the warmth of a woman, but with Hanna it was more. She was tight, like it was her first time. Pulling me deeper inside, I could feel the strength of her walls, like a vise pulling me deeper inside.

  Her legs locked around me, holding me captive as I drove deeper inside her. There was no mercy. She had me where she wanted me and I was a prisoner to her desire. Locking hands with her, our eyes locked together and there was an understanding with no words that we wanted the same thing. With relentless thrusts, I pushed deeper until I heard the sound of her surrender as her moans of pleasure filled the room. There was a shared pleasure, perfectly taken, perfectly given. It was an ecstasy I had never felt before.