Then with her eyes piercing his, she took him in her hand, lowered herself over him until thick and throbbing, he was pressing inside her.
Still so small and tight, he brought her down while he pushed up. Just as hot as the first time. Every time.
He held there, giving her time to adjust, wanting it to last and knowing it wouldn’t. Not this time. But she rocked her hips forward, showing him she didn’t want time, and began a perfect rhythm. Her breasts swayed above him and he moved with her, driving up and into the endless pleasure that was Hannah’s body.
Her head dropped back, sending loose waves to brush his inner thighs and his breath left his lungs in a rush. But then, it was the look in her eyes, steady on his, that did him in. Hot desire that matched his own.
He hadn’t planned this, her. Hadn’t prepared. It was a risk. He was a risk. But she gripped his heart as sure as she gripped his body. Abruptly he sat up, and with more possession than finesse, he arched her back and took her breast without mercy. Desperately, he kissed her; lips, face, neck. He thought all of these feelings had been thoroughly ripped away, scraped out of him like cleaning a wound. Until Hannah. She found them, or maybe she put them there.
And as he stared deep into her whiskey-colored eyes, he thought he wouldn’t need to drink or drown in work to fight off his demons if he had her. If he had her, that’s all he would need. But hadn’t she fought enough demons?
“Don’t let me hurt you.”
“You’re not.”
Her nails bit into his back, as wild for him as he was for her, but that’s not what he’d meant. Mind reeling, fingers digging into flesh, he drove deeper. And deeper still until she cried out his name, dragging him over with her.
Chapter 35
The McKinneys must know everyone, have contacts everywhere. Hannah couldn’t believe what they’d pulled together in such a short time. Word had spread beyond anything she could have imagined. To their family, which was enormous, and friends, including the kids’ schools. She knew her students had all done the same, but she never expected this. And not just them, her brothers too.
A tempting smoke billowed into the air from the grill where Zach and three of his fellow firefighters were serving up hamburgers. Two of the McKinney men did the same with hot dogs.
The horses were spiffy, Hazel especially, as she’d let Gracie, Lola, and Allie have their way with making her beautiful. She wasn’t sure the other horses appreciated their froufrou appearance, but Hazel seemed pleased with hers, even the ribbons and beads adorning her mane. A line of children stood waiting for a ride.
The city may have taken their stand, but there were more than a hundred people taking theirs today. Standing with her. Playing horseshoes and Cornhole, and eating funnel cake.
Hannah stood between Luke and Nick as the news van drove away. “I’m so glad that’s over.” She thought it had gone well, even if it was seriously nerve-racking.
“Looks like Whiney’s not getting her share of attention,” Luke teased, standing beside her.
“Her name’s Winnie, moron.” The horse stood at the fence by the nearest turnout pasture tossing her pretty head for her adoring fans. “Did you see the sketch Stephen made?” Everyone had stopped and studied the amazing design he’d given her last night. Some offered to make donations, but that’s not what this was about. It was about convincing the city to let her keep it, to abide by the wishes of an elderly couple even if they hadn’t followed the legally recognized course.
“Yep. Very nice,” Luke said.
Nick grunted. “Maybe.”
She glared at him.
“Fine. He’s not all bad.”
She smiled, knowing that admission had to burn his tongue. “You know, you two are a lot alike. You could be friends.”
“Don’t make me ill.”
Luke smirked, took a drink of the soda in his hand. “He’s just moody because the good doctor’s walking around in tight shorts.”
Hannah followed the men’s gaze to Mia, who was currently working a face-painting station with Abby and Lizzy.
“You going to talk to her or just shoot daggers across the grass?” Luke went on. “If you want her, why aren’t you doing something about it?”
Hannah had noticed her brother watching Mia. Wondered if they’d talked, if maybe Nick was thinking about taking her advice and making things right.
Nick’s gaze never wavered. “I don’t need your input.”
“Oh, I think you do. Unless you want to stand here looking like a damn stalker.”
“Shut the hell up,” Nick said, and headed off in the opposite direction.
“Maybe you shouldn’t give him such a rough time,” she said.
Luke made a sound under his breath. “And why the hell not?”
“Because…” She’d started to say because she was afraid it was her fault they’d broken up in the first place. But the cycle of blame had to stop somewhere. “Never mind.”
“Here comes the object of your affection now.” Luke pointed at Stephen, ambling across the clearing, a little girl on each arm.
“Hey.” Stephen gave her a sheepish smile.
She smiled back. “Looks like you’ve got your hands full.”
“We do,” Lola answered, assuming Hannah was speaking to her, which made them all laugh.
“He’s our chariot,” Allie added.
She tried to fake disappointment, when really she couldn’t have been more proud.