Blood Ties a Broken Heart

by Cassandra Hawke

  “I was so afraid for you, my love.”

  She peered up at him. “I thought I was going to drown in the flood. It came so quickly, without warning. I couldn’t breathe and only those roots were stopping me being washed away. I thought of you and Lilli and I cried because I thought I might never see you again.” She tucked her arms around his neck and pressed closer to him. “Make love to me.”

  He didn’t need to be told twice, already struggling with his arousal. She swept up some foam and lathered his chest, caressing sensuously down his muscular torso and over his hardened shaft. At her soft stroking, rampant need roared through him, making his cock stand out. His balls had relaxed in the warmth and when she cupped them and gently squeezed, the sensation was so exquisite it was almost unbearable. All he wanted to do was sink into her and have her body envelop him. He caressed her body and rubbed his hand between her thighs. Immediately she parted her legs to allow him access. The pubic hairs were a soft springy cushion on her mound and he cradled the soft swell with his hand before dipping in under the hooded flesh to find her clit. He eased his fingers into the wet, hot folds between her legs, gliding them up and down, caressing, exploring and finally halting at her opening. Boldly he inserted several digits into her tight, warm pussy. She shivered as he plunged in deeply then pulled out and thrust again. She clamped her muscles over his digits and whimpered her pleasure at his ministrations while he enjoyed the sensation of penetrating her body and feeling the walls of her vagina clutch at his movements. She moaned.

  “I want more,” she whimpered.

  With her still held tightly against his chest, he eased her back against the maroon tiles where the water ran in glistening streams. He leaned against her, pressing her to the wall. She eased her legs apart and guided his cock to her opening. He almost exploded right then. He pushed into her, reveling in the feel of her heated flesh stretching to accommodate and enclose him. He sank deeper. She let out a muffled sob and brought her hips to his. He sank all the way and grunted at the magnitude of his pleasure. He sank into her again and again and she moved in unison with him. Her body was warm under his fingers, and she clung to him as she kneaded the muscles in his shoulders, whimpering her ecstasy with each movement. Her pussy quivered, so he picked up the pace and the quiver turned to undulating waves that tugged and pulled along his shaft. His own orgasm built fast and when she cried out, her head thrown back and her body arched, her muscles clenched around him then released. In the midst of her climax exploding around his cock, he slipped over the point of inevitability and throbbed with his own release, his hot fluid spilling into her. He groaned at the intensity of sensation that washed over him and he stilled, enjoying the warmth and closeness of their union.

  “My love. My beautiful Rylee. So long wasted,” he murmured and wrapped his arms around her, supporting her in the weakness of satiation. He pulled out of her, turned the water off and scooped her into his arms.

  “Put me down. I can walk.”

  He ignored her protest, snatched up a towel then draped it around her. He laid her on the bed with tender care. With exquisite tenderness he dried her now-glowing skin. He did it slowly, inspecting every inch of her body, patting her scratches gently with antiseptic wipes then, with the lightest of touches, he massaged some bruise ointment into the sore bits already starting to color purple. He handed her some knickers and a bra then assisted her to put on several layers of clothing. He knelt and helped her put her slippers on. When he looked up, tears glistened on her cheeks.

  “Don’t cry, my love. There is nothing to fear anymore from the past.”

  She nodded. “I know.”

  With gentle fingers, he cleaned the gash on her forehead. “I don’t think it needs stitches. It’s more a scrape than anything.” He placed a dressing over it. “Now turn around sideways and I’ll dry your hair.”

  She didn’t argue and after he had run the comb carefully through her curls, he turned the dryer on and slipped his fingers lightly through the silken tresses. He scooped up handfuls and blew the strands from his tender hold then he caressed her scalp, tussling the curls as he went. He felt the movement of Rylee’s body as she sighed. He smiled. She was enjoying this as much as he. The hardness already returning in his groin was a sensation he enjoyed, knowing he could satisfy his desire soon enough and the anticipation was delightful.

  When her hair was dry, he turned the blower off. “I’m going down to organize dinner and light the fire. You come down when you’re ready. Regan should be in soon. And I’ll let Lilli know all is okay.”

  * * * *

  With Lilli back to school, Ash was spending a lot of time at the stables. He helped her work the horses, especially getting Boomerang fit for his next endurance competition.

  There was something very special about working the horses together side by side in the stables. Today they had had a breakthrough with Alsia, and Rylee was excited.

  As she groomed the mare, she became aware of silence in the next stall. She sensed Ash wanted to say something important when he cleared his throat noisily. She stopped brushing Alsia and waited.

  “I’ve been giving things some thought lately. I don’t like the traveling involved in my business. I feel I’m letting Lilli down by not being here and I want to have a real family when we get married.”

  “But you haven’t asked me yet, Ash,” Rylee reminded him with a chuckle.

  Ash sighed from the other side of the wooden divide. “I know, and I will. But first tell me what you think about me selling up and buying the place next door and me getting back into riding—both of us. Together we could be one of the best outfits in Australia.”

  Ash popped his head above the wall. Rylee stared at him over the back of the mare. She didn’t know what to say.

  Ash frowned. “Well, say something, anything.”

  As he stared at her, a plethora of emotions played across his face—anxiety, excitement, fear, uncertainty.

  “Yes,” she said.

  His mouth sagged open, then he smiled before he disappeared. With a clatter and a bang, he was beside her. Alsia shuffled away from his hurried entrance and snorted. Ash ignored the horse and swept Rylee into his embrace.

  “You and me, living our dream. You do remember, ten years ago, what we planned.”

  “Yes, I remember.”

  “Well, it’s not too late, my love—a bit different perhaps, but not less.”

  She nodded. He leaned closer and took command of her mouth. His kiss was hard and long, only ending when they were both gasping for air.

  He pulled back from her. “It’s agreed then. Now let’s get these horses settled. I have other things on my mind.”

  Rylee giggled as he left the stall.

  * * * *

  The house was empty and silent when they returned.

  “Can I stay over?” Ash asked. “I want to love you all night long.”

  She swung around into his embrace “You can stay the night, my love.”

  “Just the night?” he asked, tightening his hold on her.

  “Forever, if you like,” she murmured.

  He leaned down and kissed her—a delicate kiss, full of promise. He embraced her in a tight clasp, and she wriggled her hips against his groin, thrilled at the instant response from his body before she took his hand and led him down the passage to her room. With the door barely shut behind them, Rylee fell into his arms, hungry to satisfy the fiery passion sparking inside her. Ash pushed Rylee’s jumper and shirt up over her head, ignoring the buttons down the front and, moments later, she stood clad only in her lacy panties and bra. He scooped her up in his arms and walked her to the bed, his mouth clamped firmly onto hers. He laid her gently on mattress then stood back just out of reach. He gave her a lazy, seductive smile and flicked his hips slightly so they angled enticingly at her. She smiled back, knowing she would enjoy his little display.

  He slowly undid the buttons on his shirt, revealing his broad chest with exquisite but frustrating slownes
s. She watched in fascination. Her body hummed with awareness as his masculinity was deliberately displayed in front of her. She licked her lips, flicking her tongue out the tiniest bit. His gaze was riveted on her face. She poked her tongue out more and slid it teasingly across her lips from one corner to the other. She saw him swallow in response, but he stayed in place. She breathed deeply, overwhelmed with the craving to touch his firm, warm skin. He turned suddenly, lowered his shirt off his shoulders and let it drop down his back as he wriggled his shapely backside at her. The firm mounds of his butt encased firmly in the imprisoning denim. His shirt dropped to the floor, and she watched him undo his belt and drag it slowly out of the belt loops. This, he cracked lightly in the air before he discarded it with a soft jingle. He wriggled his hips again to loosen his jeans from around his waist, and moments later, he pushed them slowly down over slim hips and the curve of his butt to reveal the waistband of white clinging Lycra pressed so close to his body. He let the jeans slide down his muscular thighs and land with a quiet plop on the floor. With a small side step, he untangled his ankles and kicked the jeans nonchalantly aside. As he turned to face her, she could see every outline of his genitals and studied his body—all of it—until finally she brought her gaze back to his rapidly swelling and stiffening cock. The white material hid nothing. He tucked his thumbs under his waistband but instead of exposing his throbbing penis, he turned his back to her once again and revealed the firm rounded flesh of his buttocks and the deep indentation between. Then he turned back and, with a flick of his finger, he uncovered his cock. It immediately jumped upright when he freed himself.

  Rylee swallowed, trying to hold her need to jump him under control. He came to her then, naked and aroused. She undid her bra and slipped out of her panties before he joined her on the bed. Her skin sizzled with heat as it connected with his. She slid her palm over the hair on his chest and reveled in the sense of control as he lay back and let her explore. With bold strokes she trailed her hand down over his abdomen until she could cup the smooth softness of his balls. She massaged them gently before moving to the hot silken smoothness of his pulsating shaft. She wanted to suck him—to taste the saltiness of his pre-cum. She leaned in over him and licked the head of his cock with the tip of her tongue, then suddenly devoured the whole of his throbbing penis right to the base of the shaft. A deep grumble vibrated in his throat as he pressed himself into her. She slid her mouth up and down the hard, hot shaft before she concentrated on the head, curling her tongue around the base and dipping into the eye.

  He pushed her away. “Stop, my love. I can’t take any more.”

  As she reclined back against the pillows and parted her legs he lowered his head and proceeded to suck and lick every inch of flesh. When he finally came to her entrance of her pussy he probed inside with the tip of his tongue. She moaned in response to the pleasure that flooded through her in small, undulating ripples. Her heart thudded and her breath came in short little gasps. He eased himself on top of her and took command of her mouth, and she could taste herself on him as he thrust deeply inside her. She groaned at the pulsing ache sparked by him sliding his cock into her, stretching her, filling her. God, how I want his loving, now and forever. They moved in unison. Moments later, her body sizzled and hummed, the waves of her climax radiated through her body from where his cock was embedded in her. His rhythm matched hers. And the sensation built each time he dipped into her.

  “Come for me, Rylee. My beautiful love.” He moved faster, and she sensed his need to give in to his release. Her legs trembled as she sank into the undulations of her climax—hot, explosive and spiraling through her body. Even her hair ends tingled. She arched her back and moaned, clenching tightly around his stiffened shaft as it rammed into her. He thrust deeper, and grunted loudly before he stilled letting his release soar through him until she felt the heat of his cum deep inside. He collapsed on her, and she took his weight, feeling comforted by his closeness. When he finally did move, he rolled her with him then wrapped the quilt around them both.

  His breathing slowly returned to a steady rhythm before he looked directly at her. “God, I’ve been such a blind fool.”

  “Don’t beat yourself up about it. Arden is your baby sister after all. You wanted to believe the best of her, to support her in reaching her dreams, and there is nothing wrong with that. Deep down you’re a good man, my love.”

  “But she lied…”

  “Yes and you loved her. No one wants to face the fact that the person they care about is underhanded or off the rails.”

  He tucked his arms tighter around her. “Can you trust me, Rylee?”

  “I want so much to trust you completely, but I’m still just a little afraid you will buckle under pressure from Arden.”

  “I’ve taken off the blinkers. I will not buckle. And now you have to do the same.”

  “What do you mean?”

  Ash held out his hand toward her. “Stop seeing yourself as a failure in the mothering department. I’ve seen how you are with Lilli and I’ve talked to Regan. He loves and admires you so much. He says the family wouldn’t have survived intact for those six years if it hadn’t been for your sacrifice. He says all of them always believed they were loved and safe. Home to them was you.”

  She studied his hand, but made no attempt to take it. “It didn’t feel like it at the time. I would hate to make a mistake with Lilli. She’s not my child.”

  He moved closer to her and cupped her face before he kissed her lingeringly. “Shhh. I have seen you with my child and I have no doubts. A child needs to feel loved and safe then they will be fine, and I am sure you can do that and more, my love. Will you marry me? Will you make me and Lilli into a family?”

  She hesitated for a short moment as terror washed over at the responsibility that came with the question, but she pushed it aside. She loved him and nothing else really mattered.

  “Yes, Ash, I’ll marry you, and yes, we will be a family—you, me and Lilli.”

  “Just, Lilli?” Ash asked with a cheeky grin.

  A warm glow spread through her like rich red wine, and her face flushed with a mixture of pleasure and shyness. This man she loved so much wanted to have a child with her.

  “Maybe not just Lilli, but I am not having twelve like my ma.”

  Ash chuckled as he buried his head between her breasts. She stroked his hair tenderly and stared up at the ceiling.

  Even with Ash’s expression of confidence in her mothering skills, she knew it would take time for her to feel truly comfortable being responsible for Lilli. At least with her fears and doubts out in the open she had nothing to fear if Roisin or her father said anything when—if—they came for the wedding. And she suspected mothering would get easier with practice. Her body began to hum and her thoughts scattered as she felt Ash’s hand stroking between her legs.

  * * * *

  She stood at the door of the church, her heart fluttering erratically as she studied the people gathered there—their family and friends, even Arden. She lightly touched Lilli’s shoulder and the child began her walk down the aisle, delicately casting pink rose petals on the floor. Regan grasped her arm in a firm grip and they stepped off together. The long silk train of her mother’s wedding gown trailed out behind her as she walked toward her groom.

  Ash stood tall and distinguished in a gray tuxedo. He smiled and her heart melted into a warm puddle. This was the man she loved, and tonight he would make love to her again and again until they were so sexually sated they couldn’t move. Then she would tell him her secret—whisper in his ear about the child growing safely in her womb.

  Also available from Totally Bound Publishing:

  Demolition of the Heart

  Cassandra Hawke

  Excerpt

  Chapter One

  Kayla slipped on her new gown, feeling the sensual swish of the satin lining slide over her freshly washed skin. The tight bodice clung to the fullness of her breasts and the delicate green chiffon drapes swirl
ed around her knees in featherlight caresses. With the current heat wave, she was glad she had chosen a short dress with a low neckline and little beaded cap sleeves. She pulled her long auburn tresses up into a neat chignon, attached her sassy little fascinator with its sparkling peacock feathers to the side of her head, and slipped on her strappy slides. There. All done.

  Despite the remnants of jet lag that still clung to her mind, she was determined to enjoy herself today. Her early return from Scotland and attendance today at the annual Melbourne Cup Luncheon meant a lot to her dearest friend, Jessica. She wanted to express support for her as she struggled to find a positive outcome in her younger brother’s cancer diagnosis. While her parents dedicated their lives to supporting Robbie, Jessica worked tirelessly to raise funds to support the organization that had supported her family during their crisis.

  When they arrived, the function room was buzzing and Jessica held her arm tightly as they made their way through the swirling crowd. They were barely seated when a short, matronly woman rushed up and hugged Jessica.

  “Oh, my dear, it is so nice to see you here today. How’s our darling, Robbie?”

  “He’s doing okay, Mrs Lindsay-Jones,” Jessica replied.

  “And this is your friend…” Mrs Lindsay-Jones waved her hand slightly to indicate Kayla.