Reckless River: Men of Mercy, Book 3

by Cross, Lindsay

  “I know what you think I did… Why did you save me? Why didn’t you just leave me there?”

  “I honestly don’t know.” He pushed a stray strand of hair from her cheek, the feeling of his fingers sending delicious tingles along her jaw.

  “What do you know?” Her heart raced faster.

  “That I’m glad you’re alive.”

  Her breath hitched under the intensity of his stare. There was no hatred in his gaze this time.

  “I know I want to kiss you so bad it hurts.” His roughly whispered words set her body on fire. She wanted his lips on hers too. She realized with the shock that didn’t matter to her if he hated her, if he blamed her for the horrible thing she had not done, she wanted this. She wanted it right here. Right now. “What are you waiting for?”

  Before she had time to suck in a breath, he pressed his mouth to hers. The touch was different this time, and her whole being was swayed by the way his lips felt so soft and yet firm against hers. And it was over much too fast.

  “Is that it?”

  He chuckled, “Not even close.”

  And then his lips sealed over hers once more, only this time there was no quick brush. He was forceful, commanding. He tugged on her lower lip and white-hot heat shot straight through her.

  Sparrow gasped, and he took the opportunity to thrust his tongue inside her mouth, the sensation unlike anything she could have imagined. Jared’s hands tangled in her hair, tilting her head and deepening the kiss. He explored her mouth and she mimicked his moves, learning the dance. Her hands found his shoulders and then his hair, yanking him to her, wanting to make this harder, bring it deeper. And he obliged. By the time they broke apart, they are both panting.

  She didn’t want him to stop. Never one to sit idly by and wait, she pressed her lips to his this time. Jared wound his arms around her, smashing her body to his. He broke the kiss, trailed his lips down her neck, and nibbled her throat, sending wave after wave of sensation through her body.

  “I’ve been dreaming about those pretty breasts of yours. About how good they taste.” Jared rolled her over onto her back and settled between her legs. His hardness made contact with her core through the material of his briefs. It seemed as if all her desire was centered right there between her legs.

  Jared took her breasts in his hands and her body arched in response to his touch. “Your nipples are beautiful. Perfect for my mouth.” He sucked one between his lips, and Sparrow cried out at the pleasure bordering on pain.

  While he lavished attention with his lips, his fingers stroked her other nipple. The sensation was sweet torture. She tossed her head back and closed her eyes, her body overwhelmed with carnal need. “That’s it, baby.” Jared moved to her other nipple, this time drawing circles and flicking her tip before sucking it into his mouth. Her entire body arched off the floor as if he had some string tied around her, and with each tug, he lifted her higher.

  His other hand trailed down her waist, skimming her hip, and then back up her thigh. She was needy and wanting.

  And then she felt his fingers moving against her most private area.

  “God, baby you’re so wet.” Jared took her lips in a possessive kiss. He began rubbing circles against her sex, and she was helpless to do anything but arch into his hand. Sparrow cried out in his mouth, but instead of releasing her, he rubbed faster. The tension inside her coiled and built, climbing to unexplored heights. Until suddenly her world exploded, and her body clenched and shattered in intense pleasure. Jared swallowed her cries, but she was lost to the sensation.

  “That was it?” she said when she caught her breath a few minutes later. Jared lay atop her, kissing and licking and nibbling along her jaw and neck.

  “That was just a taste honey.”

  Her eyes widened, “It gets better?”

  “A thousand times better.”

  A thousand times better? She couldn’t even imagine. Jared trailed kisses lower, moving between the valley of her breasts, circling her navel and kissing right below it. Alarm bells went off and she pushed at him. “What are you doing?”

  “Kissing you.” He grabbed her thighs and spread her legs wide. She gasped when she realized his intention and grabbed his hair, trying to pull him away. He ignored her protest. And then she felt his tongue on her, right there where his fingers had been only moments before. Her sensitive flesh screamed at the contact. “Jared!”

  He didn’t answer, simply continued the sweet torture, causing the tension in her belly to rise again. When she was on the verge of losing control, he stopped, and this time she tried to push him back down. “Please.”

  His chuckle was deep, dark. “Not yet.”

  She gave a frustrated sound, arching her hips up as he slid up her body. Jared took her lips in another fierce kiss and she was shocked to taste herself on him. The thought was so incredibly erotic. Before she knew it, her arms were around his neck and she was pulling him in for more.

  *

  Sparrow was a wildcat in his arms, just like he had known she’d be, and his cock was screaming to get inside her. But he knew he had to take his time, he had to prepare her. Because even though he couldn’t sort all the lies he’d been told from the truth, he knew without a doubt that she had never been touched like this.

  Her innocent, inexperienced kisses were making him so hurt for her, not turning him off as he might have imaged they would. Without breaking contact with her lips, he reached between them and teased her clit until he had her hips bucking to his rhythm. Then he slipped a finger inside. Sparrow dug her nails into his shoulder and cried out in his mouth and…fuck, he loved it. Loved her fierce, uninhibited response. Loved how tight and wet she was around his finger.

  He eased his finger out and pushed it back inside, slow at first, letting her body get used to the intrusion. When she was ready, he slid in another finger, trying to stretch and prepare her. As he worked her with his fingers, he circled her clit with this thumb, wanting her to be wild with need.

  He could feel her clenching around his fingers, so he knew she was close. He pulled out, yanked his briefs down, and settled between her legs before taking her mouth in another languid kiss.

  Nudging her entrance with the tip of his cock was nearly intense enough to make him come right then and there. Careful to go slow, Jared called upon every single ounce of control he possessed and eased inside her as gently as he could. He worked like that, making shallow thrusts until his head was finally all the way in. Sweat poured from his head; his teeth clenched. Her mouth was open, her eyes wide, and she gasped and arched up to take him deeper.

  “Hold still, I’m trying to make this easy.” She felt so good. He was so close. The need to just bury himself deep inside her nearly overpowered him. Instead, he rose up on his elbows and clenched his jaw. Then he slowly eased out and pushed back in, a little bit deeper each time until he felt her resistance.

  He had never taken a virgin before, but he knew he was big, and he’d heard it was painful the first time. Sparrow dug her heels into his butt, urging him onward. With a cry, Jared thrust forward, tearing through her resistance and burying himself to the hilt.

  Sparrow cried out and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him to her. Every instinct inside Jared was screaming for him to move, but he forced himself to hold still. She was so tight she was strangling his cock.

  Jared lifted up enough to see her face, scared she would be crying, but he saw no tears. Still, her eyes were closed, her lips pressed together in a tight line. She needed to relax or he would hurt her. He leaned down and nibbled her lips until she opened her mouth to let him explore her sensually. He reached between them and massaged her clit in small circles. When her hips arched against his, he knew she was ready again. As gentle as he could, he eased out and thrust back in with one long slow stroke, never breaking contact with her mouth.

  Again and again he repeated this movement, controlling himself until he couldn’t breathe, he couldn’t think. He tore his mouth from he
rs, nearly coming undone at the sight of her heavy-lidded eyes filled with pleasure. She was the sexiest sight he’d ever seen.

  Unable to take it slow any longer, Jared thrust hard and fast. She was so tight, so fucking tight, he didn’t know how much longer he could hold back. He circled her clit again and again, until her eyes went wide and she screamed his name. She spasmed around his cock. Her response pulled his own orgasm free and he yanked out, spilling his seed on her belly.

  All his strength gone, he collapsed and rolled to the side. There was no way in hell he could separate from her now. He’d known it would be good with her, but that had been mind-numbingly incredible. Possessive need overtook him and he knew he could never harm her. Knew she had to be innocent.

  20

  “That was incredible.” Sparrow stretched and rolled over, throwing an arm and a leg across his chest and thighs.

  Jared lay on his back, his hands propping up his head, his eyes closed and a small smile twitching on his lips. “Absolutely.”

  “Is it always like that?” She wasn’t dumb enough to think she was his only one. Frankly, she didn’t care. But she was curious to know, because she couldn’t honestly conceive of feeling this way with someone else.

  “No, it’s not.” His words were soft and gentle. His big calloused hand covered her much smaller hand and pulled it to his lips for a kiss. Even that simple touch was enough to send a little spark of electricity all the way to her toes.

  A contentment that she’d never before experienced filled her body, making her muscles as loose as a weeping willow blowing in the breeze. He’d opened her eyes to a whole different side of life, and she looked forward to more.

  Dreamed of more with him.

  “Let’s do it again.”

  He cracked his eyes open and turned to face her. “Now? You’re not too sore?”

  She moved and felt a twinge between her thighs. The ache from him filling her, stretching her, was still fresh. “Not so bad. I can do it.” She leaned down and nibbled on his bottom lip, finding that to be one of her favorite parts of his body. Along with his chest, his stomach, his shoulders, and his arms… Okay all of him. All of him was perfect.

  Her words drew out a chuckle and he flashed his teeth at her in a big grin. “You might not be too sore, but I’m worn out.” He made a dramatic sigh and lay back on the ground.

  Sparrow slapped his chest and immediately kissed the red handprint she’d left. When his arm wrapped around her and pulled her hard against him, she felt full of emotion. He was holding her like he cherished her. And he’d loved her like he wanted to possess her.

  Last night and this morning had changed everything. He’d showed her so much and she’d given so much to him in return. And that small flicker of hope had reignited inside her soul. A part of him had to know she was innocent—otherwise he could never touch her that way.

  Maybe they really could have a life together, set up a place for Squirrel. And she could leave Crowe Mountain for this man. She knew it with every fiber of her body. “You must be old then. Do you need a nap?”

  Jared cracked open one eye and glared at her. “You think I can’t keep up with you?”

  Sparrow made her eyes wide and innocent looking. “I’d never say that. You just reminded me of how Squirrel has to stop and catch his breath after he walks too long. I assumed it was like that for all older people.”

  Jared let out a growl, flipped her back onto her back, and nudged her legs apart. When she felt his hardness nudging her entrance, her eyes went wide.

  “Does this feel like an old man?” Jared grabbed her hands and stretched them above her head. His other hand explored her body.

  “I can’t tell,” Sparrow gasped. She knew she was poking the bear, but he was being so cuddly and lovable and easy to rile.

  Jared traced down her collarbone, passed her breast, and rested his fingers at her ribs. Then they dug into her flesh, tickling her until she cried out for him to stop.

  “Take it back,” he demanded, continuing the torture.

  She was laughing so hard tears ran from her eyes. “I take it back. I take it back. Stop.”

  He stopped and then his mouth crashed down over hers, making her dizzy with desire. Without warning, he thrust inside her with one long stroke, filling her so much she couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t do anything but exist in this moment.

  Jared leaned back and this time his gaze was intense. Something inside her heart cracked and reached out to him. She cupped his cheek, wanting to ease whatever burden was hidden behind those dark eyes.

  And then he pulled out slammed home again, driving all conscious thoughts from her mind. Jared let go of her hands, grabbed her legs, and wrapped them around his waist. “You better hold on little girl, I’m about to show you what this old man can do.”

  *

  “Here, I’m afraid these are the only things that survived last night. I had to cut most of your clothes off.” Jared held out the white and black panties.

  Sparrow took them from him, a slight blush staining her cheeks. “Still can’t believe you undressed me.”

  “Believe me, I would rather have undressed you under different circumstances. Something I plan on doing in the near future, actually.”

  Sparrow ducked her head and yanked on the panties, but not before Jared saw her blush deepen to bright red.

  Damn that made him happy. Something he hadn’t really felt since…since he didn’t remember. He was so confused. Twenty-four hours ago, he had been almost one hundred percent certain Sparrow had been the one to torture his brother. But her reactions, her words, and his gut instinct all screamed that she was innocent.

  He had no doubt that Jimbo was a liar through and through. But how could he refute his own brother’s accusations?

  Sparrow slid on the panties and damn him if he didn’t want to rip them off and make love to her all over again. Especially considering the small arrow pointing straight down to her pussy with the words “Insert Slot B.”

  Obviously, whomever she’d borrowed the outfit from either had a sense of humor or thought their lover was dense enough to need the instructions.

  Sparrow stood, her arms crossed in front of her, vulnerable and unsure” Why don’t you go dig in my bag, there’s a shirt of mine you could wear?”

  “Thanks.” She crossed to his duffel and bent over. Instant lust slapped him in the face. The back of her panties read “Insert Slot C.” All sorts of new images flooded his mind. Images of him bending her over, possessing every single part of her. Shit, he had to do something or he would take her again.

  “Toss me that phone, will you? I want to check on my brother.” Thank God for sat phones. Sparrow came up with his shirt clutched in one hand and the phone in the other.

  “I really hope he’s okay.”

  Not knowing how to respond to that, Jared took the phone and walked out of the cave.

  Merc was the one who picked up. “You’re late checking in.”

  Jared blew out a deep breath, noticing the morning chill, and swept a hand over his head. Mist surrounded them, sunlight creating an otherworldly glow in the heavy haze. “Hit a few complications.”

  “Did you secure the package?”

  The package? Jared turned to see Sparrow struggling into her boots. He had placed her panties and boots next to the fire last night to dry. “Roger.”

  “Good, I’ll notify the boys to get the chopper ready. What’s your ETA for extraction?”

  “Two hours.”

  “Roger that.”

  Fear gripped him suddenly, and he steeled himself to ask the question he’d been avoiding. The real reason he’d called. “Did he make it?”

  He heard the rough pain in his voice, but he couldn’t do a damn thing about it.

  “Yes. I think he’s going to be okay. Doc got him stabilized, dumped a shitload of antibiotics into him, and cleaned up his back as best she could.” Merc paused and Jared knew he wasn’t through.

  “And?”

>   “She did the best she could with his back and chest. But there’s going to be scarring.”

  Jared’s gut tightened instantly. Pretty boy Hoyt Crowe was going to wake up a fucked up mess.

  “You there man?” Merc asked.

  A huge knot had formed in his throat and Jared had to fight to get words past it. “Yeah. Just bring the chopper, I need to see him.”

  “Already done.”

  He turned to see her packing up camp in his long T-shirt, those provocative panties, visible only when she bent over, and her knee-high snake boots. So small and innocent looking. “Thanks.”

  “Chopper’s on its way. I’ll call if there’s a change.” Merc disconnected the call. Jared slid the phone into his pants pocket, unable to take his gaze off the girl in the cave.

  His instincts screamed that she couldn’t have harmed Hoyt. But how could he trust his instincts when she made him hard as a rock and he was fucking panting after her like a dog in heat? He couldn’t trust himself.

  He had to get her home. Hoyt would wake up and tell him that Sparrow had not been involved. He had to. And then they could all proceed with their lives.

  Sparrow approached, bag in hand, looking for all the world like a lost little girl in that huge army green T-shirt. He took the duffle, set it on the ground beside him, and gave into the urge to pull her into his arms. She curved into his body, like she’d been crafted just for him.

  “Everything okay?”

  Unbidden, he felt tears prick his eyes. He squeezed her tighter to him so she couldn’t see and pulled in a shuddering breath. No, nothing was okay. His brother had almost died and he didn’t fucking know if she’d taken part in torturing him. “Yes, he’s stable.”

  “That’s great news, isn’t it?” She tried to pull away, but he wouldn’t let her. He squeezed her to him, unwilling and unable to let her go just yet.

  How fucked up was he that he was drawing comfort from a woman who could be responsible for his brother pain?

  Jared cleared his throat. This wasn’t him; he wasn’t indecisive. He didn’t question himself. He made a plan and he stuck to it. And now he needed to get to his brother and find out the truth.