Page 29 of Unyielding (Poplar Springs #3)

TWENTY-NINE

SHANNON

I grabbed Declan’s hand and ran for the barn, dragging him behind me and listening as he chuckled at my enthusiasm.

There was a spot in the loft where we used to store hay long before we built the second barn.

It was empty, private and close, and even though it was probably dusty, it would have to do.

“Are you kidding me?” Declan asked when I came to a stop in front of the rickety ladder that led to a hole in the ceiling.

“Nope. Follow me.” There was no way I was going to risk getting caught if someone happened to enter the barn. I wanted a bit of privacy and I wanted Declan now.

I started to climb the ladder but froze when I felt his hand slide up my thigh.

He moved it higher until he reached the heat between my legs that I was sure he could feel pulsing through my jeans.

My breath went ragged as he cupped his hand against me.

I closed my eyes, shocked that his touch could get to me even while my pants were still on.

“Keep moving,” he urged, still teasing me between my legs.

“Stop doing that ,” I scolded, leaning into his touch. I was not going to be able to climb those rungs with the heat of his hand pressing against my core.

“Oh, I promise you it’ll be so much better once I get you naked. Keep going, Cafferty.”

It was a command that I was eager to follow.

I finally found the strength to move away from his warm hand and finished climbing up to the loft.

I turned to wait for him and the second he was off the ladder, he was on me, pawing at my clothing and kissing anything that his mouth landed on.

He leaned down, then hitched me up onto his waist, drawing my legs around him.

I wasn’t petite, but the way Declan manhandled me made me feel like I was.

It was as if I couldn’t get enough oxygen in my lungs as we kissed, leaving me lightheaded. There was no way to kiss him fast enough or hard enough. I wanted to devour Declan.

He carried me across the loft, then pinned me against the wall, still holding my legs up around his waist.

“Too… many… clothes ,” he growled against my neck, giving me a little nip that made me tremble.

Declan finally let me down to the ground, but only for long enough to pull my boots and jeans off in a frenzy.

I reached for his belt buckle, but he ripped it open before I could get to it, yanking his jeans and briefs down until his cock sprang free.

Fishing in his pocket, he quickly pulled out a condom and had himself prepared in a flash.

“Where should we…” I managed to get out.

Declan didn’t answer with words. He picked me up again, steadied me against the wall, and plunged himself inside of me. I closed my eyes as the waves of pleasure unfurled.

He gripped my hips, holding me in place as he thrust in and out.

I clenched around him each time he’d start to pull out, groaning as he had to force his way back in.

I tilted my pelvis ever so slightly and suddenly, with each push, he was hitting my g-spot.

My head went back, bumping against the wall and I tightened my grip on his shoulders.

He kept driving my arousal up higher and higher and I was sure I would combust. “I…”

“Not yet. Hold on a little longer,” he practically growled as he pressed his lips to my neck, sucking and nipping. I dug my fingers into his shoulders.

“Declan.” I drew his name out on a moan as the tendrils of pleasure threatened to explode out of me. “ Please. ”

“Now, Shannon. Come, now,” he ordered, and my body obeyed his command.

With a cry, my orgasm slammed into me as his hips snapped against me and held me in place.

I dug my heels in to his backside, my body threatening to come apart with the intensity of it all.

As if sensing it, he held me tight, acting like the glue I needed him to be while we shuddered and shook through our climaxes.

My forehead was pressed against his shoulder and I turned slightly to press a kiss to his cheek. “That was… amazing.”

“It was,” he agreed.

We stayed like that for a few moments, but I could feel his arms starting to shake.

Reluctantly, he pulled out and I almost cried at the sudden loss of him inside me.

It was as if he was taking a part of me with him.

He slowly set me back on my feet and I stayed leaning against the wall, certain that my legs would give out if I attempted to stand unsupported.

He stepped back and carefully removed the condom, tying it off.

He looked around and then chuckled, realizing that there wasn’t a trash can up here.

Below us, Ford let out a quiet woof as if to ask if we were finished yet, and we both laughed.

We got dressed, making sure to pluck any errant hay from each other before heading to the ladder.

Declan went first, testing the rungs with each step and I followed him down.

Before I reached the bottom, his hands were on my hips and he lifted me the rest of the way down, making me feel both feminine and cherished.

Ford was sitting next to the abandoned picnic basket as if he were guarding it. Suddenly, my stomach let out the most godawful growl. I slapped both hands over it, feeling heat creep across my cheeks. Declan laughed and reached for the basket, holding it up in front of him.

“So, how about some of that fried chicken and pie?” he asked and we both laughed.

I nodded and reached for his hand. Together, we walked up to the house. My face hurt with how hard I was smiling. I knew that nothing was fully resolved, but we were both still willing to try—and maybe that was good enough for tonight.