It's Only Love

by Marie Force

  God, did she have any idea how incredibly sexy she looked sitting on top of him with her long hair nearly covering her breasts, her nipples hard and tight and almost begging him to sit up and suck on them, her legs spread, revealing the dark hair between them.

  Unable to be entirely passive, he ran his hands over the soft, silky skin of her legs and up her waist to cup her breasts, temporarily distracting her from whatever she had planned and buying himself a little time to get himself under control.

  “Mmm,” she said. “I love when you touch me.”

  “That’s good, because I love to touch you. You’re so soft. Your skin is like silk.”

  She began to move on top of him, bringing the heat between her legs into direct contact with his cock.

  “Ella . . .” He grasped her hips and tried to take over, but she wouldn’t let him.

  “Stop.”

  Groaning, he dropped his hands to his sides.

  “You don’t always have to be in control of everything.”

  Funny statement when you consider he’d felt so out of control lately. But this, with her, was the best kind of out of control. He was more than happy to cede to her, especially since he was allowed to watch.

  She continued to move on top of him, driving them both crazy if the hitches in her breathing were any indication.

  He was on the verge of begging her, flat-out pleading, when she took him in hand and came down on him, enveloping him in her tight, wet heat.

  Ella bit her lip, her face a study in concentration as she moved slowly to take him into her body.

  Gavin hated the wince of pain he witnessed in her expression before pain became pleasure and she began to move her hips.

  She was so fucking hot that there was no way he could keep his hands to himself, so he raised them to her breasts, rolling and teasing her nipples until she gasped from the pleasure and tightened around him. That nearly finished him off.

  He sat up, wrapped an arm around her and drew one of those tight nipples into his mouth.

  Gripping handfuls of his hair, she let out a sharp cry of pleasure that was followed by a flood of heat below. He sent his free hand down to where they were joined, teasing and coaxing until her orgasm crashed down over both of them, taking him right along with her.

  Her nipple popped free of his mouth, wet and red from the attention he had given it. He soothed it with soft strokes of his tongue that had her shuddering in his arms.

  “You took over my show,” she said, her voice hoarse and sexy.

  “I helped it along. Am I forgiven?”

  “I’ll let it slide this time, but don’t make a habit out of it.”

  “I could very easily make a habit out of this. Out of you.”

  Her arms encircled his neck, and she held on tight. “Me, too.”

  * * *

  They used all four condoms and never did sleep. Ella was a wreck the next day. All the coffee in the world couldn’t undo a sleepless night or the aches in her muscles from the workout she’d put them through. As tender as her muscles were, the sting of soreness between her legs had her full attention.

  At eight o’clock, an hour after the time Gavin usually started work, they dragged themselves out of bed and into the shower, which became about much more than getting clean when he started kissing her under the hot water. He declined breakfast, telling her he’d grab something later as he pulled on his leather jacket.

  Dazed and confused and zonked from not sleeping, Ella followed him to the door, wearing only the silk robe she’d greeted him in the night before.

  “Don’t let a tree fall on you or anything today,” she said, suppressing another yawn. She was far, far too old to be up all night having sex. And she was far, far too old to have only just now experienced all-night sex.

  “I won’t,” he said with a chuckle. “Don’t worry about me.” He hooked an arm around her waist and looked down at her, seeming to catalog her every feature. “What a great night.”

  “Best night ever.”

  “Mmm,” he said, kissing her. “For me, too.”

  Because she couldn’t resist touching him, she buried her fingers in his hair and kissed him like she hadn’t spent all night kissing him, like his tongue hadn’t spent nearly as much time in her mouth as his own. It wasn’t enough. It would never be enough.

  Groaning, he pulled back from her. “Witch, let me go to work before I get fired.”

  “You own the company. Call in sick.”

  “I can’t,” he said, groaning again. “And neither can you with your big event on Friday.”

  Ella would never admit to having forgotten all about one of the biggest events of the year for her at work. She was the lead on the staff retreat, and it needed her full attention this week.

  “My parents invited us for dinner tonight,” he said.

  “Us?”

  “I asked if I could bring a friend, but I didn’t tell them who. My mom said I was torturing her. Do you want to come? Mom is making ribs. They’re so good.”

  Ella smiled up at him, enjoying the lightness she saw in his eyes this morning. “I’d love to.”

  He kissed her again, lingering long enough that she wondered if he was considering calling in sick. “See you later?”

  “Yes, you will.”

  “I’ll miss you today.”

  Hearing those words from this man . . . “I’ll miss you, too.”

  After one last tongue-twisting kiss, he tore himself free with another tortured groan, grabbed his helmet and backpack and was out the door before Ella knew what hit her.

  For long moments after he left, after she heard the motorcycle start up and drive away, she stood by the door, stunned and exhausted and exhilarated and happy. God, she was so damned happy. More than once during the difficult months since that kiss on the beach, she’d contemplated the possibility that the reality of Gavin might not live up to the man she’d built him up to be.

  But he’d more than lived up to her expectations. In fact, he’d surpassed them in every possible way. She could still feel his hands on her, the scratch of his whiskers, the stroke of his tongue, the almost painful stretch required to accept him into her body. She shivered, reliving the incredible pleasure.

  And that they got to do it all again tonight . . . She’d never survive until then. How was she supposed to get through eight long hours in the office when she’d so much rather be with him?

  Somehow she managed to dry her hair, get herself dressed and fed and filled with as much coffee as she could handle. Her eyes were gritty and her body buzzed from the need for sleep as well as the caffeine. Licking her lips, she discovered they, too, were sore. She’d put them through a hell of a workout the night before. Thinking about the workout caused her nipples to tighten—painfully. They’d also been through a hell of an ordeal.

  Ella giggled to herself as she pulled into the parking lot at the store and turned off the engine. She was close enough to walk to work, and she did most days, but today was not most days. Today was . . . Well, today was already the best day she’d ever had, and she was saving all her strength and energy for more of the same tonight.

  CHAPTER 10

  There is no medicine like hope, no incentive

  so great, and no tonic so powerful as

  expectation of something tomorrow.

  —Orison Swett Marden

  Every muscle in Ella’s body protested the journey up the stairs and into the office, where she greeted Mary, their administrative assistant, and her brothers Will and Hunter before heading into her own office. Sitting behind her desk, she winced at the bite of pain from between her legs but tried to ignore the insistent throb as she powered up her computer. Maybe if she was able to get through her long to-do list by early afternoon she could take a half day and go home to nap before dinner with Gavin’s parents. She feared what she mig
ht look like by dinnertime if she didn’t get some sleep.

  With her goal of a nap in mind, she finalized the plans for Friday night with a company-wide e-mail that reminded everyone that the festivities began at five with presentations from Ella and Lincoln, followed by dinner and dancing with a DJ until midnight. She had a phone call with the management of the Grange Hall to make sure everything was set for Friday, and then she called the caterer to check in.

  All her meticulous attention to detail was paying off. Everything was ready to ensure a good time for the employees and their families before the holiday shopping crush began.

  Next up was a check of inventory to make sure everything Charley had ordered for the store was in place and ready to replenish supplies as needed. The holidays were their second most profitable time of year, following leaf-peeping season, during which people came from all over the world to view the spectacular Vermont foliage.

  They no sooner completed that season than the holidays were upon them. By mid-December they’d be living for January. They got a small break during mud season before the new batch of maple syrup began to arrive in the store, bringing with it hordes of customers looking to stock up. It was the same thing every year, and Ella enjoyed the rhythms and cycles of the seasons outside and in the store. She loved the predictable nature of what they did, ensuring that customers received the same welcoming experience every time they set foot into the store.

  She checked her watch. Almost eleven. Thank goodness she was busy and the time was going by quickly. She got up to stretch and was heading downstairs to work the floor for a while when Charley came into her office, shutting the door behind her.

  “Good morning to you, too.”

  “You look like hell, and is that razor burn on your face?”

  Ella’s hand covered her cheek.

  “Other side.”

  “Stop. Leave me alone.”

  “Not until you tell me everything.”

  “I’m not telling you anything.”

  “I was good enough to unload on when things had gone to shit with him. I think I deserve some of the dirty details.”

  Ella laughed, because how could she not? Charley was as outrageous as ever.

  “Besides, it’s obvious you’ve been thoroughly ravished, so don’t try to deny it.”

  “It is?” She pulled a mirror out of her purse and studied the patch of razor burn at her jawline, as well as her swollen lips and red eyes.

  “Told you. Now spill the beans.”

  “You seem to already have all the beans figured out. Why do I need to spill them?”

  “Was it good? Worth the long, agonizing wait?”

  “Yes.”

  “To which?”

  “Both.”

  Charley smiled. “Excellent. I was hoping it wouldn’t be a giant letdown after all the buildup.”

  “Still could be. Who knows? We’re taking it a day at a time, but he’s trying. I’ll give him that.”

  “Judging by the look of you today, he’s putting forth one hell of an effort.”

  Ella couldn’t help but laugh at that. “Indeed he is.”

  “I’m happy for you, Ella. You’ve been into him a long time, and you never gave up on him even when it would’ve been easier for you.”

  “I couldn’t give up on him. I love him. I’ve always loved him.”

  “Sigh,” Charley said, dropping into a chair. “What’s that like? I’ve never met any guy that didn’t drive me bonkers. I can’t imagine falling in love with one of them.”

  “It’ll happen someday. When it’s meant to.”

  “I don’t know about that. I might be too cynical for love.”

  “Somewhere out there is a guy who will love the challenge of defrosting your frigid, cynical heart.”

  Charley snorted with laughter. “If you say so. I pity the fool, whoever he is.”

  “We all do, Charley.”

  “Ha. Ha. Ha. Are you going to Hannah’s to watch The Bachelor tonight?”

  “I don’t think so. We’re having dinner with Gavin’s parents, and I’m kinda tired. I’ll be back next week.”

  “We’ll give you a pass this one time.”

  “Gee, thanks. And you know, thanks for listening during the tough times. It really helped me to unload on you.”

  “I was happy to be there for you. I hated seeing you unhappy. Ravished and glowing is a big improvement.”

  Ella touched the rash on her cheek again. “You don’t think Dad will be able to tell, will he?”

  “Um, am I to say what you want to hear or the truth?”

  “Oh God. I’ll be avoiding him today then.”

  “Good luck with that.”

  “Maybe I’ll also skip my daily walk through the store, too. I don’t want people talking about us until we’re ready for that.”

  “I’d say you let that cat out of the bag by bringing him to dinner yesterday.”

  “I don’t care if the family knows.”

  “If the family knows, the town knows.”

  A niggle of unease settled in Ella’s belly at the thought of people in town talking about her and Gavin. They weren’t ready to be the subject of gossip. Not yet anyway. “I’ve got to get back to work. I’m trying to get out of here a little early today.”

  Charley dragged herself out of the chair where she’d made herself nice and comfortable. “I won’t keep you.”

  “I meant to tell you—congrats on the training and everything. I think it’s awesome—and amazing—that you’re going to run a marathon.”

  “We’ll see if it happens. The run on Saturday about killed me. My legs were on fire yesterday.”

  “It’ll get better the more you do it.”

  “Hope so. The old gray mare ain’t as young as she used to be.”

  “Oh please, you’re thirty, not eighty.”

  “I felt eighty yesterday. Oh, and guess who’s in the running group?” Charley asked with a scowl.

  “Who?”

  “Tyler Westcott.”

  “The one man under thirty-five in Butler that you haven’t dated?” Ella asked.

  Charley rolled her eyes. “I never dated Gavin Guthrie, and he’s under thirty-five.”

  “You better not have dated Gavin. And P.S., I like Tyler. He’s a nice guy, and he’s totally into you.”

  “He is not. Why would you even say that? He’s so boring I fall asleep the second he opens his mouth.”

  “He’s not boring. He’s quiet. There’s a difference, and I know he’s into you because he always watches you at the Grange dances.”

  “He does not. Don’t make shit up.”

  “If that’s what you have to tell yourself. Personally, I think he’s super cute.”

  “Why don’t you date him then?”

  “Sorry, I’m very busy with the guy I have. I’ll leave Tyler to you.”

  “Don’t do me any favors. I’m out of here.”

  Watching her sister jet out of the room like her ass was on fire, Ella smiled. She couldn’t wait to see Charley fall hard for her Mr. Right, even if Ella pitied the fool who took her on.

  She got back to work, drafting some remarks for her father to share with the sales team, and then she sent them to him in an e-mail rather than walking them into his office the way she normally would. The last thing she needed today was Lincoln Abbott’s shrewd eyes taking in her disheveled state. It was more than enough that Charley had seen right through her.

  A knock on her door had her saying a silent prayer for anyone other than her dad. “Come in.”

  Hunter ducked his head in. “Can I have a minute?”

  “Sure,” she said, hoping he wouldn’t notice the razor burn. Why hadn’t she seen that and done something about it before she left the house? Because she’d been too sex-drunk to take
the time to look in the mirror this morning. “What’s up?” she asked when Hunter came in, closed the door behind him and took a seat.

  “I wanted to talk to you.”

  “About?” Ella asked, though she suspected she already knew.

  “Gavin.”

  “I’ve already been warned by Mom and Hannah, so you can save your breath.”

  “Could I just say one thing?”

  “Can I stop you?” Ella asked with a sigh, crossing her arms and settling in to be big-brothered. That was something Hunter was exceptionally good at.

  “I know you don’t want to hear it, El. I didn’t want to hear it when I first got together with Megan and people were telling me to watch out for her. Hell, she carried a torch for my brother for years before she went out with me. Nothing and no one could talk me out of being with her.” He looked down at the floor before returning his gaze to her. “That said, I need you to know . . . I love Gavin. He’s been my friend since I was a little kid, and he’s a good guy. But—”

  “Why did I know there was a but coming?”

  “He’s messed up on the inside, Ella. Messed up bad. He’s not the same as he was before.”

  Hunter didn’t need to tell her what he meant by “before.”

  “I know that,” Ella said. “What you saw at Mom and Dad’s didn’t just start yesterday. It’s been happening for a while now, and I’ve got my eyes wide open. Gavin told me himself that he’s a ‘fixer-upper.’”

  “Are you sure you want to invest that kind of energy in something that might not be fixable?”

  “If I recall correctly, you took on a bit of a fixer-upper yourself in Megan, and look at how that worked out.”

  “Fair enough. I hope you know . . . I only say this because I don’t want you to get hurt.”

  “And I appreciate the concern. I really do. But there’s no warning or concern or anything that anyone could say that will keep me from giving him an honest, legitimate chance.”

  “I’ll hope it works out the way you want it to.”

  “Could I ask you something?”

  “Sure.”

  “Are you going to Dylan’s wedding?”