Shiver
Page 22
Jayne’s hands leaped forward and smoothed up along his wool jacket until she found his lapels. In quick succession, she grabbed hold, pulled, and pressed her mouth against his. When he gasped in surprise, she forced her tongue inside. Swirling, sizzling, tasting.
This is heaven. This is what I’ve missed.
She tasted single malt whisky, reminiscent of smoky peat and aged oak. The flavor was mellow and mature, like the man.
His hands found her in the dark in a frenzy of touches, caresses, and heat. He backed her against the wall and something hard…and furry…pressed into her.
“What the…” Her fingers dove south and found rabbit’s fur.
“My sporran.”
“Hmm. It’s trimmed in cold metal and soft leather. Nice.” Delving further south, she felt the evidence of his desire as he moaned into her mouth.
“I want you.” They’d spoken their desire at the same time.
“I can’t. I mustn’t,” Jayne said. Circumstances dictated her life ever since Chris had disappeared. She couldn’t chance an unwanted pregnancy. That outcome ranked right up there with a troubled marriage.
“You love him?”
Chris had backed away just enough that his breath danced across her shuttered eyelashes. It took Jayne a few moments to understand he’d asked a question.
“Love who?” she asked. With her dress feeling too tight against her swollen breasts and her thighs dampened by want, she had trouble zeroing in on the subject.
“Your husband.”
“Johnny? What about him?”
He froze.
CHAPTER 5
He could almost see her eyes sparkle in the dim light. Her golden hair had come undone, and he sensed it float about her silken shoulders. His fingers smoothed along the ridge of her collarbones to her forearms as he stepped back. He’d asked an important question, yet she’d sounded so glib. As if being married to a guy while kissing another was nothing.
What had turned the lovable sixteen-year-old virgin into a blatant hussy? What happened to her loving smile, sweet disposition, and truthfulness? She’d admitted to him when they had first kissed that she’d never been with a boy.
One part of his adolescent brain had whooped with joy. The feverish blood pounding in his young heart had prayed with thanks to God. He wanted to be her first and had done his best to pleasure her before he’d filled a condom with his gush of…
“Shit!”
“Don’t yell at me. You’re the one that broke the mood by bringing up my dead husband.”
What? Here he stood wondering where he put his never-go-anywhere-without condom when the words sunk in.
“Let me get this straight.” Chris stepped closer. Her womanly arousal wafted up. His cock sprung to attention. Again.
“Your husband is dead.” He watched her shadow-filled face nod then placed both hands at her waist.
“You are technically a single woman.”
“Yes. So?”
She really was naïve.
“Chris?”
“My sporran!” With a jerk, his hands flew from her waist to his rabbit fur purse. Holiday music drifted in from the end of the hall. The smell of cinnamon and pine also seeped in through the slightly open door. With one backward step, he shut the door, found the latch, and locked it. By touch alone, his fingers found the wrapped package. It crinkled when he tore it open, and he barely saw her eyes widen in alarm just before she melted flat against the wall.
“I can’t get you out of my head, witch.”
“Same here.” Her words, like a whisper on the wind of a lonely Scottish moor, spoke to his heart. She slowly lifted the hem of her dress and widened her stance.
Chris coughed. Nearly dropped the damn thing. He raised the hem of his plaid, gripped her once more about her waist, and lifted. “I’m sorry. I apologize in advance for…not waiting…to do this.” In one swift jerk, he plunged inside, sinking between her silken folds. Damp, hot inner muscles pulled him deeper. He shifted his stance, gathered strength, and shoved her legs upward. She crossed her ankles behind his back while her hands clasped tightly behind his neck. Straining muscles melded with low moans that grew to a crescendo of groans and cries of delight.
Without warning, Jayne’s pleasure exploded all around him and her shudders sucked him deeper, still.
“Oh, God, I can’t stop…I…”
“Don’t stop,” Jayne insisted.
Her never-ending climax accompanied her raspy demand and sent him over a high precipice. With the sound of Christmas carols from the other room amid voices raised in pure joy, he found his gratification while roaring his pleasure.
Moments passed. He willed his legs to stay strong since they had turned to rubber as soon as his orgasm shot straight to his toes.
“Sweet Jesus,” she crooned. Jayne nuzzled the skin below his right ear. Devilish heat tempered to sweet warmth where her lips met his skin.
“Amen.” He released a pent-up sigh. She disengaged her legs and slid her feet to the floor. The moment of truth had arrived. Could he give her his heart this time around? Had he found the woman he’d searched for…or had run from? Other more timely questions popped into his head as he adjusted his kilt, straightened his sporran, and buttoned his jacket.
Jayne ran her hand down his sleeve, brushing the wool nap as if making sure he looked presentable. Then she spoke words that shocked him to his core.
“We should not have done that.”
Her words, barely a whisper, had the opposite effect. He would not run away this time, and he certainly wouldn’t let her push him away.
“I was wrong, back then. I should never have left without—”
“What’s done is done. I cried, but got over it.”
“Jayne, believe me. I was a kid. We both were. I meant to have you, but when I took your innocence, I panicked. Then I ran, with no thought of repercussions.”
“I figured that. It still hurt.”
“I swear I will never hurt you again.”
“Sounds like you plan to…what?”
Chris ran his hands over her shoulders and down her silky arms before resting them on the curve of her hips. The scent of cinnamon and vanilla—her fragrance—filled him, granting him the courage to win her over. Like I should have the first time.
“I want you.”
“Obviously.” She giggled.
“I’m serious. When I saw you leaning over me—”
“After I ran you down with my car?”
He smiled. “Yes. When I saw you, an image filled my head, clear as a bell. I pictured a couple of blonde-headed girls running around our yard and a redheaded little boy in your arms. It scared me.”
She stood close and absolutely quiet. As if she held her breath. Not the reaction he had foreseen. Of course, what he planned to do now had never existed before last week.
“What I mean, is I pictured you in my life surrounded by our children. Please tell me this is possible. Please make this Christmas the best I’ve ever had?”
“Oh, I don’t…”
His breath hitched as the doorknob jiggled.
“Christopher? You in there?”
“Shit,” he whispered. His friend, the brand new bridegroom, intruded at the most important moment in his life.
“Chris?” Jayne whispered.
“Yes, my love?”
“Do you?”
“Love you? I wasn’t sure what I felt when I saw you that day, while I lay on my aching back. I’ve spent a few sleepless nights contemplating my life ever since. I didn’t like what I saw. I want you in it. I love you.”
“What are you saying?”
“Will you, Jayne MacTavish…wait. I don’t even know your last name.”
Looking sheepish, she replied, “Rockwell. I swear…I wear my wedding ring only out of respect for a man who gave his life to defend our country.”
Chris understood, and nodded. He’d been lucky during his two tours in the Middle East.
“But
, my life was less than Rockwellian. Johnny and I had problems. Only now do I realize I never really loved the man.”
Her words tore through him. Regret made him gather her into his embrace before finishing the most important question of his life.
“Will you, Jayne MacTavish Rockwell, do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Her silence proved deafening, causing the blood to rush past his ears. Clenching his hands into fists, he turned from her and walked to the door. Chris unlocked the latch and peered out into a now-empty hall. Several cheers arose from the reception area at the end of the hall. A clock on the wall chimed midnight.
“It’s officially Christmas morning,” he said, turning to Jayne.
“Let’s remember this day. I’ll marry you. There’s just one thing.”
Happiness flooded him. He grabbed her in a hug before she could say another word. Chris whooped as he swung her in a great circle. Cool air whooshed past his thighs as his kilt flared outward. “Whatever it is, consider it done.”
“Since I already have two little blonde girls, it’s up to you to gift me with a little boy.” Jayne’s face sparkled under the hall lights while she smiled. With her lovely eyes glistening with tears, Chris pulled her into a deep embrace and kissed her.
Hard.
He reluctantly broke their merging when he remembered his duties.
“Who needs mistletoe?” she said and then giggled.
“Shall we return to the party? And let’s share our good news,” Chris said. Jayne nodded and they strode away…together, and he knew the future would take care of itself.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
For my book SHIVER, the terminology and medical knowledge shared in these pages are purely from memory, from my time served on a rescue squad and ambulance, and as a volunteer firefighter in a small town. Procedures and equipment most likely have changed, so do not quibble. This is fiction!
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In Unwrapping Chris, a little military knowledge and visits to a real army base or two helped flesh out my characters and location. To my son, Eric Badger, an army veteran and former drill sergeant, who helped me use the correct terminology, I thank you.
My family, friends, and readers who have followed my career from the first book, through headaches with publishers, who pushed me to make my own covers, who helped edit, and who just enjoy my stories, I thank you. You know who you are!
Dear Reader;
I hope you have enjoyed reading SHIVER, the first book in my White Mountains Thriller series and I hope you will look into purchasing my other books. An author loves to hear that her work is appreciated, and other readers rely on reviews. Your opinion counts, so please take a moment to leave a review where you purchased the book.
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AUTHOR BIO
After growing up in Huntington, New York, Award-winning author Nancy Lee Badger attended A New Hampshire college, married, and raised two sons in a small town in the shadow of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. She volunteers at Scottish Highland Games, and was an EMT and volunteer firefighter for a small NH town.
After nearly a decade as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher for the State of NH 9-1-1 service, Nancy moved to North Carolina where she writes full-time. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, the Celtic Heart Romance Writers, and the Triangle Association of Freelancers.
Books by Nancy Lee Badger
Clan of Dragons
Spark
Smoke
Smolder
Kilted Athletes Through Time
My Lady Highlander
My Dark Highlander
My Hunted Highlander
White Mountains Thrillers
Shiver
Ignite
Highland Games Through Time
My Honorable Highlander
My Banished Highlander
My Reluctant Highlander
Highland Games Through Time-boxed set
Dragons
Dragon Bites
Southern Fried Dragon
Dragon in the Mist
Dragon’s Curse
Military
Unwrapping Chris
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