by Cora Seton
By then they could have a child.
He knew that when Hannah confessed the deal she’d made with Holt, he should have done the same. He should have told her everything. The truth was he’d known he was seconds away from losing her—losing everything he wanted. When he’d tried to tell her, the words hadn’t come. What difference did it make anyhow? He wasn’t getting married because his father wanted him to. Not anymore. He would stand up in church and make his vows today if he could, even if his deal with his father had never happened.
Upstairs, he shut the guest bedroom door behind them and led her to the bed. But instead of pushing her down on top of it, he paused beside it and took her into his arms. He began with a simple kiss. Light and feathery at first, he quickly deepened it, showing her his need. She answered him hungrily and he wondered if she wanted it to be a night to remember, too. He’d do his best to make it so.
He undressed her as they kissed, fumbling with his fingers at her shirt buttons and at the clasp of her bra. She helped him without pulling back, entering into his unspoken game to get naked without breaking contact. Once their clothes were gone, he moved his lips to her chin, her neck and down to her breasts. He laved first one nipple then the other, spending time worshipping both before moving lower still.
Hannah gasped as he worked his way down to her navel, beneath it and farther down still. When he parted her folds and kissed her in a more intimate way, her breath quickened and she made a little sound. Jake backed her up until she leaned against the desk, and spread her legs to get better access to her. His ministrations soon had her moving against his mouth and he moaned against her, turned on by the way she responded to him.
Some minutes later, he rose up and she cried out in disappointment, but when he wrapped his arms around her and lifted her onto the desk she slid her arms around him in turn and drew him close.
He sheathed himself in a condom quickly, lifted her legs to open her wide and settled himself against her core. She was wet and hot and ready to take him, so he didn’t hesitate. Instead, he pushed forward, burying himself in her. Hannah arched back, her hands fumbling for purchase on the top of the desk. Gripping its edges she pushed back toward him, sinking him deeper still.
Jake bit his lip, fighting for control. This position allowed such deep access into her, spread her so wide for him it was hard to hold back. He pulled out and pressed in, and nearly came undone.
Figuring he’d better get to it or lose himself altogether, he started to rock his hips, moving inside her. Hannah moved with him, riding him up and down with little cries of desire that urged him on. He increased his pace, holding nothing back until she bounced in his arms, her breasts bouncing, too. They mesmerized him.
Jake gripped her hips and pulled her toward him as he thrust against her. He couldn’t stop himself now if wanted to, and he didn’t want to. Hannah clutched the desk, arched her back and met him stroke for stroke. He could tell from her cries she was close… close…
With a final moan she threw back her head and shuddered against him, her release overtaking her. Jake went over the edge with her, his thrusts slow and deep. When they were done, he lifted her up, carried her to the bed and climbed on with her, still joined together. Lying side by side, Jake stroked her hair gently. “I’m glad you didn’t give up on me, Hannah.”
“Me, too.” She snuggled in close.
“Don’t think we’re done here, either,” he whispered into her ear. “Because we’re just getting started.”
She kissed him on the chin. “I’m counting on that.”
When Hannah woke up the next morning, she found Jake propped up on one elbow, watching her.
“Morning,” she said softly, all too aware of everything they’d gotten up to the night before. She sat up, and a delicious ache between her legs reminded her all too well of every position they’d tried out during the night. She’d never been in a relationship like this, where nothing was off the table. When Jake suggested something—usually with his body, not his words—her body couldn’t wait to meet him halfway. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up, knowing she was giving Jake an eyeful. Hoping she was. “Jake…”
“Do you have to get up already?”
“Don’t you?”
“We have time for one more round. A quickie. Please?”
How could she resist a handsome man when he begged? A handsome, naked man who was climbing off the bed to come after her and take her in his arms? When he pulled her close for a kiss she couldn’t resist kissing him back. When they parted she looked over his shoulder at the diamond winking on her finger. Engaged. She was engaged to Jake.
“Please?” He nuzzled her neck.
“Okay. One more round,” she said against her better judgment. Soon Holt would turn up for their daily showdown. She didn’t want Jake here to see that, so she’d have to make this quick.
But they weren’t quick and by the time they were showered and dressed, Holt was overdue. Hannah dreaded Jake running into his father now that he knew what Holt had done. That confrontation was bound to get out of hand.
She followed Jake downstairs. “You better get going.” She glanced toward the door nervously.
“I’m going.” But he didn’t go. He popped a couple of pieces of bread in the toaster and found a plate.
“But if you don’t hurry you’ll—” She bit off the end of her sentence.
“I’ll what?” When she didn’t answer, Jake came to stand close to her. He tipped her chin up, traced his thumb over her lips, and a shiver of desire rippled through her from stem to stern. “I’ll what, sweetheart?” He dipped his head to kiss her and Hannah rose on her tip-toes to meet him. She figured sooner or later Jake’s kisses would become old hat, but for now each one was special, a new exploration of his mouth, of him.
“Well, well. This is sweet.” Holt opened the door without preamble.
Jake jerked back in surprise. “Dad? What are you doing here?”
“Running late?” Holt made a show of looking at his watch.
“Just seeing my girl off to work.” Jake’s voice had a hard edge. He dropped a kiss on Hannah’s forehead and steered her toward the door. Maybe he didn’t want her present for their showdown, either. Hannah went to collect her purse and coat.
“Hold up there,” Holt said when she tried to slip past him toward the door. “Don’t you have something to tell me before you go?”
That ought to do it, she thought.
She was right.
Jake stepped before him, his hands on his hips. “I’ll do the talking for her, Dad. Yes, we slept together last night. Made love three or four times, didn’t we, Hannah?”
Hannah closed her eyes. Was she really supposed to answer that?
“I know all about your threats and the way you forced Hannah to be with me. You ought to be ashamed of yourself,” Jake went on.
“You ought to be ashamed of yourself for the way you’ve dragged your feet this long instead of settling down. Not my fault you needed some prodding.”
“It is definitely your fault,” Jake said. “Maybe the reason I’ve dragged my feet so long is I’m afraid to bring a wife to live near my pain in the ass father!”
“You saying you want to leave? Because if you do there’s more where you come from. Ned would be happy to manage the place.”
“Well, maybe he should!” Jake exploded. “Maybe I’m sick and tired of you pushing me around! Maybe it’s time for you to back the hell off!”
Hannah slipped between them and bolted out the door.
Jake watched her go. So did his father.
“Maybe you better think hard about what you really want,” Holt said when she was gone. “I’m not interested in threats or tantrums. You know the deadline. Get married or get out.”
He strode from the house and slammed the door behind him. Jake swore and pulled on his outer gear. No matter how angry he was, there were still horses and cattle to feed and jobs to attend to and if he stuck around
inside these four walls he’d explode. He found Ned in the barn some minutes later mucking out the horses’ stalls. He wasn’t Jake’s first choice of people to talk to—not by a long shot—but he had to talk to someone, and Ned would have to do.
“You won’t believe what Dad did.”
“I bet I will.” Ned flung a forkful of muck into a wheelbarrow.
Jake hesitated. Ned was right—they all knew Holt was capable of just about anything. “He forced Hannah to sleep with me.”
Ned chuckled. “Did he now?”
“He did! The old man is a lunatic.”
Ned stopped shoveling. “Know what I’ve seen every day this week?”
“What?”
“You and Hannah cuddling and kissing every minute you think you’re alone.”
Jake frowned. “You’ve been spying on us?”
“I didn’t have to spy. You’re out on your front porch smooching every damn morning.”
“Well, still…”
“Still what? Maybe Dad pressured her into something, but it ain’t sleeping with you.”
Jake blew out a breath. “It still isn’t right; the way he interferes with us.”
“Kind of like the way you interfered with me? Forcing me to rent a room to Mia?”
Ned had him again. Damn, this wasn’t going the way he wanted it to. “That’s different.”
“Really? How?” Ned leaned on the end of the pitchfork and waited for an answer.
“All right, maybe it isn’t different. But what the hell am I supposed to do now?”
“About what?”
“About everything! Take Hannah, for instance. She’s going to marry me and then leave me high and dry for four years.” At Ned’s puzzled expression Jake gave him a rundown of the situation. “So I get a wife and I get to stay in control of the ranch, but I end up alone for the next four years. What’s the good of that?”
“Seriously? You’re asking me? If you keep control of the ranch, I get shafted again.”
“You’ve always known that’s the way it would be.” Jake didn’t need one of Ned’s sulks right now, even though his brother was right. Ned couldn’t help being born second any more than Jake could help being first. It was pure luck. Good luck for him, bad for Ned. Wouldn’t he be as sour as Ned was if the tables were turned?
“Fine. You’re right—I always have known I’d get the shaft in this family. So let’s talk about you.” Ned’s voice was thick with sarcasm. “You know what your problem is? You’ve got to turn around your thinking. Stop looking at Hannah’s four-year absence as an obstacle.”
“How else can I look at it?”
“As an opportunity.”
Jake found his temper fraying. “What kind of opportunity could it possibly be?” For once couldn’t someone just answer his questions directly? Did everyone in his family have to play games?
“It’s an opportunity for me to run the ranch if you go with her.” Ned’s quick grin didn’t reach his eyes.
“Perfect. That’s just perfect. Thanks for the help.” Jake knew he should never have brought this subject up with Ned. It wasn’t fair of him to complain in front of him, anyway.
“If staying here is your goal, I guess you’re right; you’re in a tough place.” Ned resumed his work.
Jake’s hands itched to grab his brother and shake him. Of course that was his goal. It had always been his goal. Instead, he grabbed the pitchfork from Ned, overcome with an anger that demanded immediate action. “Go on. Get out of here. I need to think.”
“Sure thing.” Ned disappeared swiftly.
Jake didn’t notice the wooden handle of the pitchfork in his hands, or the smell of the old hay and horse dung he scooped out of the stalls. When he ran the wheelbarrow outside and dumped the manure to age in a pile, he didn’t notice the cold air biting his cheeks. If that was his goal. He could see Hannah going to Colorado as an opportunity. Just like Ned had said—an opportunity for his brother to win.
Still, Ned’s words stuck with him while he worked. Could he choose another goal? One served by moving to Colorado with Hannah?
Jake trudged forward with his wheelbarrow load. What the hell would that be?
‡
Chapter Fifteen
All day the glittery diamond on her ring caught Hannah’s attention and each time it did, her stomach gave a little twist of hope and anticipation.
Mixed with fear.
What had happened between Holt and Jake after she left? Had they come to blows? Would Jake still want to marry her?
It was too good to be true, the way Jake had capitulated to her demands. Could he make good on those promises?
What if he didn’t?
Jake finally texted her at noon to let her know he’d handled Holt and she didn’t have to worry about him anymore. He sent her a picture of Gladys, too, which made her smile. Maybe Jake did understand what was important to her. Maybe this would all work out.
Maybe.
By the time she made it home she was all pins and needles. She couldn’t wait to be with Jake again. Couldn’t wait to talk to him more about their plans for the future. Couldn’t wait for a repeat of their previous night, either.
She knew the talking should come first. They needed to make sure they were really on the same page as far as plans went, but all thoughts of that went out the window when she walked in the door and found the table lit with candles. She’d planned an easy dinner, but Jake was there before her. She recognized the logo of a local Chinese restaurant on a bag on the counter. He’d placed the food in serving bowls and set the table for two.
“Wash up and have a seat.” He met her at the door with a soul-searing kiss. Tingles of desire swept through her, but she did as she was told and met him at the table a few minutes later. They took their time eating, but kept their conversation light. Jake held her hand through most of the meal and she could barely taste her food when his blue-eyed gaze held hers. She knew the night ahead of them would be one to remember. How would they make love tonight? Where would they make love?
The possibilities were endless.
After they’d cleaned up the meal, Jake led her to the couch and pulled her down onto his lap. She met his kisses eagerly, relishing the slow pace he was setting tonight. For once there was no question about the outcome of their relationship. They would be married. They would spend their lives together.
Starting with tonight.
Jake was on fire. He hadn’t thought he could want Hannah more than he already did, but tonight was different. Tonight he knew without a doubt he’d be sleeping with her, so he could anticipate it all day. After working outside all morning, he’d come to a single conclusion; there was no way around the years that Hannah would be gone. He’d have to suck it up like a man and endure them until they were over. Then he’d have Hannah beside him for good.
Once that was settled, he’d let his thoughts wander to happier subjects. He’d imagined countless ways they could be together as he accomplished his chores. Her body was his playground and he loved every curve of it. He meant to play hard tonight. All night. If Hannah’s ardor was any indication, so did she.
As her fingers slipped to the buttons of his shirt Jake knew there were matters they should talk about, but he couldn’t remember what they were. Soon she had tugged the shirt off of his shoulders and smoothed her hands over his chest.
“You are so… yummy,” she said, trailing kisses over his chin, down his neck and across his shoulder. Jake decided two could play this game and found the hem of her shirt, tugging it up over her head. As she straddled his lap, her bra displayed her breasts to perfection and he bent forward to trace some kisses of his own down her creamy skin to the cleft between them. Hannah moaned and thrust them forward. Jake’s groin jumped.
He swept his hands up to cup them, relishing the lacy fabric of her bra under his fingers. He kneaded them until he felt the points of her nipples pushing hard against the layer of cloth.
Hannah rocked her hips against h
im, grinding against his hardness. There were too many layers between them still. Jake wanted them gone. He slipped his fingers under the band of the bra and snapped it with one jerk. When Hannah gasped, he cupped both breasts and sucked first one nipple then the other into his mouth. Laving them almost roughly with his tongue, he was rewarded when Hannah arched back and held onto him for dear life. He wanted to be inside her, now. Her bra was gone, but both their pants remained.
Jake surged to his feet with Hannah still wrapped around him. Reaching under her ass—pausing only to give it a good, two handed squeeze—he unbuckled his belt, unzipped his fly and dropped his jeans to the ground, kicking them away. He supported Hannah while she undid hers, then turned around, dumped her unceremoniously on the couch and pulled them off by their cuffs.
Hannah laughed, but didn’t hesitate to shimmy her panties off and throw them across the living room. Bared to his view, she lay back and stretched. As her breasts lifted, Jake heard an animal sound come from deep within his throat but he was already reaching for her, pulling her back onto his lap as he sat down on the couch once more.
“Like this?” Hannah got up and straddled him again. When she pressed up against him she was hot and ready.
“Exactly like this.” He pulled her close and wrapped his arms around her. He wanted to feel every inch of her against him. Her breasts against his chest set him on fire, the peaks of her nipples tantalizing. He slid his fingers under her ass and lifted her into place.
As she slid onto him, slick with need, he groaned, trying not to spill inside her like some untried schoolboy. She was so hot, so sexy. So everything that he’d ever wanted. He flexed into her and pulled back, loving the position but frustrated at not having more control. Hannah pushed up with her thighs then sank back onto him and he thought he’d go over the edge again. It took all his control to hold back as Hannah found her pace, lifting and falling, lifting and falling, her tempo increasing as her body responded to him. She ground down against him and then lifted again, ground down as if hungry for every inch of his hardness.
