Page 25 of Hidden Harbor (Evergreen Rescue #1)

“ O ne hundred percent sure.”

After all the emotional turmoil, one thing remained steady: Drew. He hadn’t flinched or faltered. He was loyal in a way that called to my soul, demanding equal faith in return.

Whatever happened with my family, with Owen didn’t matter, not now that I’d told Drew.

The last barrier between us fell away, leaving me free to do what I really wanted to: make him mine.

There were no more secrets between us. Nothing to fear.

Every muscle eased at once, leaving me near boneless.

A gentle euphoria rushed in, filling the crevices with a liquid warmth.

Hungry for him, I pounced, climbing across his lap, my thighs bracketing his as I rocked against the growing bulge at the front of his jeans.

I kissed him with all the pent-up desire and fear that had been churning inside me since my ex first texted me, exorcising his demon by immersing myself wholly in Drew.

Our kiss grew more passionate as I let go, giving myself over to his gentle domination. I arched, exposing my throat and chest, unaware that I was leaning perilously close to the open flame behind me.

“Anya.” Drew’s voice was rough but urgent as he tugged me back, smoothing a hand over my hair. “I’m burning for you, but you are already hot. Let’s not singe your beautiful hair.”

I chuckled, feeling sheepish that I’d forgotten the danger behind me.

“Shall we take this inside? To my place?” he asked.

“Yes, but I’m not sure I can walk. You’ve turned my knees to Jello.”

“Not a problem,” he said confidently. He turned off the firepit with a flick of his wrist, his dark eyes glittering in the moonlight. In one smooth move, he scooped me up into his arms, cradling me close to his chest. “I am a full-service boyfriend.”

He carried me easily past my car and across the street. I dropped kisses along his strong jaw, laughing when he jiggled me threateningly. “Stop that. I’ve got to focus, woman.” He paused at his front door.

“You could set me down.”

His eyes gleamed. “What would be the fun in that?” His smirk was my only warning. I couldn’t explain how he did it, but he tossed me in the air, scooping me onto his shoulder in a fireman’s carry that sent blood rushing to my head.

“Drew!”

He smacked my ass playfully. “Quiet. We can’t wake the guests.” He dug in his pocket, and I heard the jingle of keys behind me. In three big strides, he crossed what I assumed to be a small living area and ducked into a room dominated by a queen bed.

I tensed, anticipating that he’d unceremoniously drop me onto the mattress. What he did instead was much worse.

He stood by the bed, his hands stroking my ass, kneading gently. The pressure ground my groin into his shoulder. Gravity sent blood rushing to my head, making me dizzy, even as his touch sent my circulatory system into war with itself, calling heat to my center.

I half expected him to split me on his shoulder, holding me at his mercy while he peeled my jeans off and delved between my thighs.

But even Drew couldn’t quite manage those logistics.

Instead, he pulled my thighs across his chest, letting me slip down until my legs wrapped around his waist, my arms around his neck, bringing us face-to-face.

“Hello.” His deep voice rumbled, ricocheting through my chest. I squirmed against him, pressing closer.

“Hi.” My breathless greeting would have embarrassed me on the street. But in private, it became a gentle welcome.

“Honey, I need your help.”

“Anything,” I promised, clenching my thighs tighter.

Fire flickered in his dark eyes.

“I told you I’d take things slow, but I’m not sure I can keep that promise.”

“I don’t mind,” I said guilelessly.

“But I do. That’s why I need you to talk to me.”

“About what?”

“Tell me what feels good for you.”

He gazed at me with such intensity, it was clear he was serious. He helped me stand on the bed. The extra height put my waist within easy reach. He flicked open my fly, drawing my zipper down tooth by tooth. The soft zip echoed in the sensation already drawing my muscles tight.

My jeans lost the battle with gravity, slowly pooling at my ankles, and I stepped out of them, kicking them off the bed. Drew’s admiring gaze traced the curves of my thighs and calves.

“Do you want an itemized list?” I asked.

“Complete with debits and credits.”

I chuckled, the sound low and raw. “Strip me, touch me, and make me yours.”

He tugged me forward, a promise in his dark gaze that sent tendrils of heat snaking through me. His hands stroked me from hip to calves, a slow, dragging caress that snagged my socks. His next pass took my shirt, leaving me in a bra and underwear.

“You’re overdressed,” I challenged.

Three quick motions, and he stood before me, nearly naked, erection barely hidden behind flimsy cotton.

“Now I’m the one with too many clothes.”

His prowling advance sent a rush of moisture between my thighs.

His nostrils flared, as if he could scent my desire.

I perched on the bed, tall thanks to the mattress beneath my feet.

Drew gripped my thighs, urging me to widen my stance as he nuzzled at the crease at my hip, sliding his nose along the delicate skin.

Unable to hide my shiver, I let my head fall back, spearing my fingers through his hair.

“You smell like sin and sunshine.”

His words reverberated against my pussy as he mouthed them against the soft cotton that covered my center, dampening it with his tongue. I arched, offering myself silently.

I expected him to strip my underwear off.

Leave me bare. Instead, he toyed with the fabric, alternately nuzzling and using his fingers to tease.

Slipping beneath the cotton, sliding close to where I wanted, then fading away until I whimpered, gripping his head and holding him where I needed him.

My knees melted as he slipped my panties aside, tonguing my clit in a delicious swirl.

He let me fold, following me down onto the bed until he hovered over me, his wicked smile my only warning.

His mouth was hot, his tongue persistent.

I squirmed beneath him, offering silent assistance, helping him find the right spot.

His hold on my underwear drew the fabric taut, making it cut into my hip, but I didn’t care.

It gave him the access I wanted. Needed.

His strokes dipped and thrust until I clenched beneath him, bowing off the bed, eager for more of the sweet torture he offered.

“Damn,” he murmured, his muttered words, the soft puff from his breath nearly sending me over the edge. “I forgot your original instructions. Got too eager. Sorry, my Sunny Girl.” He pulled away, dropping his hold on my underwear, and I cried out, balanced on the edge of orgasm.

Roughly, he yanked the scrap of cotton over my thighs, scraping it down and tugging it off my ankles, leaving me bare. His eyes glittered. “I was supposed to strip you first.”

He army-crawled up my body, his erection nudging my center as he let his hips settle over mine, his forearms to either side of my head as he held my gaze. I arched beneath him, more than ready to feel him inside me, rubbing against his still-hidden erection.

His jaw drew taut. “Honey,” he gritted out. “Don’t go skipping steps now. I don’t even have you fully naked yet.”

Rocking my hips forward made him clench his teeth, and I smirked. “Then get naked, Fenwick.”

I rocked again, enjoying the way his dark eyes nearly crossed. He played like he was having no trouble holding back, but he was rock-hard between my thighs. He flexed, every muscle clenching. He kept the movement measured, deliberate, but the heat in his gaze made a liar of him.

“No latex allergies we need to worry about?”

“The only thing making me itchy right now is not having you inside me. Come scratch my itch, Fenwick.” My words came out in between panting breaths, but I didn’t care how much they betrayed me. I wanted him. Letting him know was part of the game.

“Ah-ah-ah, honey. I’m still working on step one here. I warned you I like to take things slow.”

His gentle threat had me retorting, “Much slower, and I’m finishing without you.”

His nostrils flared. His next moves were slow.

Deliberate. Taunting me. He sat back on his heels, his weight holding me down.

His eyes glittered, and I considered how I must look.

Spread wantonly beneath him, bare except for a lacy little bra.

Nothing to hide behind. But with Drew? I didn’t need to hide.

As if he sensed my capitulation, he reached for the clasp of my bra, drawing it away. I took ruthless advantage of his interest in my breasts, arching my chest and sliding my hands across the bed in my best imitation of a sexy snow angel.

Hastily, he dropped my bra to the floor, stripping his underwear away and scooping a condom from the bedside table.

Sure I was about to get my way, I relaxed against his comforter, letting the bubbles of anticipation build. I wanted to be full to bursting with Drew. Have him deep inside me until I couldn’t think. Couldn’t do anything but feel.

He dropped to perch over me again, his erection nudging my slick opening. I let my thighs fall open, arching up to meet him. He was going to give me what I wanted. What I needed.

He kissed me, the slow slide of our mouths, the dip of his tongue a parody of what I really wanted from him.

The scrape of his beard was deliciously soft.

He nuzzled the delicate spot behind my right ear, sending a cascade of sensation shivering down my spine.

I thrust against him again, nearly senseless with my need to be impaled, to grip him between my thighs.

Instead, he traced a path down my chest, cupping my breasts and sipping at the delicate peaks. It was delicious, but not what I wanted.

“More,” I demanded breathily.

His clever fingers found my slit, exploring delicately, slicking my moisture around my clit. Still, it wasn’t enough.