Bring Me Home (5 page)

His gaze cut her way and she could see the pulse jump at his throat. “Dirty mouth for such a pretty gal.”

“I introduced him to Chloe today when we got here.” She shrugged. “What else would two gorgeous people be doing?”

“Great.” He slashed his hat off and ran a hand through his hair. “We've got this delivery and two others and he's off getting a piece.”

Absolutely refusing the image that tried to surface in her mind, she tied her shirt at her waist and walked to the end of the truck. It took a moment to climb up, but when she met his questioning glance, she shrugged. “It's my farm too. Guess you'll have to settle for me.”

The slow, simple perusal of his gaze over her body should have lit the hay around them on fire. She was burning from the inside out. Then, with a grin, he nodded. “Least I can stare at your ass instead of Nick's.”

“You do that often?” She laughed.

He tossed a bale over the side. “Do what?”

“Stare at Nick's ass?”

He threw a handful of hay in her direction.

Several small pieces went down her shirt and tangled in her hair. With an oh-no-you-didn't glare, she threw a huge handful back. Before she knew what was happening, they were in a full-fledged hay fight. Her arms and torso itched, but she wasn't about to give in. She laughed so hard her sides hurt, and she sank to her knees. His laughter matched her own and for a brief moment, she forgot everything else. New York filtered away, so did the past. For that span of time they were teenagers again. They'd done this a million times, it seemed. Playing, carefree.

She still remembered every detail of the time they'd wrestled while harvesting apples. They'd bathed in the river and made love afterward on the soft grassy embankment. The memory shocked her back to the moment, and she dropped the hay clutched tight in her fist. “I have to go.”

“Wait.” Shawn grabbed her wrist, kneeling before her, stopping her before she could scramble to her feet. “Please. I didn't mean to scare you off. I don't want you to run.”

“I'm not running,” she insisted weakly. The well of emotion his nearness caused scared her. He made her want what they'd had. Before… But what good did wanting do? All she experienced with Shawn was incredible sex, or painful memories. There was no in-between. No gray. “I'm being smart.”

Shawn shook his head. “I don't know what happened inside of two seconds, but I'm not about to let you crawl back inside your shell. I've got a limited amount of time to work some major magic here, and I'm not wasting a moment. If I learned one thing from last night, it's that you want me as much as I want you.”

She shook her head on an empty denial.

“Don't,” he whispered and tugged her down to the hay-covered truck bed with him. “Don't run.”

And just like years ago, she was lost. He controlled her without even trying. It had scared her then, and it scared her now. No one should have that kind of power over someone. It's why she'd dreamed of escaping. Of seeing the world and becoming someone other than her mother, a love-locked prisoner of a small town and its old ways.

She'd thought she'd beaten her weakness. This moment proved distance was a Band-Aid. All it took was Shawn's touch, and even in the bright light of day, with her friend and Nick nearby, her parents in the house, she couldn't deny him anything.

“I need you, Mi. I've needed you every day of my life.”

Then he kissed her. Hard. Leaving no room for argument or indecision. She stiffened for a fraction of a second before her hands curled over his shoulders and she opened to his demands.

Yes. She wanted this too.

He broke away, nipping at the turn of her jaw and lower. Her senses reeled, every soft moan and sigh exaggerated in their quiet surroundings. Hay rustled beneath her back as his calloused hands worked over her body, brushing her stomach to inch toward the under curve of her breast.

“I want to taste you,” he breathed against her neck. Unbuttoning the top of her shirt, he glanced around. “Nobody's coming.”

His warm hand slid inside her shirt to move her bra aside. With gentle pressure, he tweaked the nipple, sending shards of icy fire through her chest and belly before taking her into his mouth. His tongue played over the sensitized bud, wringing a damp response between her thighs and building on the ache already threatening to send her past reason or decency.

Each breath rushed out to match his, and when he raised his mouth, his eyes dark and focused on her exposed flesh, she wanted to scream with the need racing through her veins. Her body was throbbing, wet, ready, and she sucked in a slow, tortured breath, squeezing her legs together to ease the ache.

He traced a finger down her stomach and popped the button to her shorts with little effort. “Are you wet?”

She nodded, complacent and unable to do more. When his hand slid into her shorts, a single long finger gliding along her slick folds to find her opening, she bit his shoulder to stifle her cry. He kept watch on the house and slid his finger over her clit with long, sure strokes. “Don't hold back. Let me feel it.”

He quickened the pace, and the world started a slow spiral into oblivion. Her heart raced as he deepened his touch, adding another finger and pushing for more. Each rock and thrust of his hand cinched the knot forming inside her even tighter until it unfurled with brutal pulses.

“That's it. That's what I want.” His soft moan creased her lips and he took her cry of release into his mouth.

She wanted to find pleasure in what had transpired, wanted to curl into his strong arms and enjoy the sensations still pulsing deep in her body. Her damp response clung to his fingers as he withdrew and straightened her clothes. After a deep, lingering kiss that should have dispelled the demons racing through her mind, he sat up. Pulling her to her feet, he groaned. “I'd love to continue down this path, but we've got company.”

She didn't have to look. Chloe and Nick were coming. Their easy laughter reached across the distance, and for an awkward moment, Miya envied them. They didn't have a past or old hurts to dampen what they enjoyed together. They just had new and exciting.

She straightened her clothes and brushed the hay away mechanically. She was weak. Pathetic, really. She'd decided to stay away from the temptation Shawn proved to be, and she'd lasted less than twenty minutes before lying down under his touch.

His control over her had always been this way. She'd never been able to resist. Not from the start, when she'd been fifteen and he'd asked her to the movies. Not when he'd wanted to make love to her the first time, or when he'd given her a promise ring and told her he wanted forever. If it hadn't been for finding him with Susan, she would have stayed in this small town, lived their life as he'd planned and had the baby they'd made. The baby he didn't know she'd carried for five weeks and lost in a dingy gas station bathroom somewhere between Arkansas and Kentucky two nights after she'd left him. All he'd known was that she'd left him standing on his porch with her declaration that she no longer loved him.

Tears pricked at her eyes, but she forced them away. She needed to get the hell out of there. Without a word to Shawn, she jumped down from the truck and grabbed Chloe's arm. “We need to go.”

Chloe shot Nick an apologetic glance but didn't say a word. Thankfully.

Chapter Five

“Here, sweetie, have as many as you like.”

Shawn smiled at Dora-Lee Jackson. He'd always liked her, but the fact that she kept piling more and more homemade pancakes on his plate… Well, it made her that much more endearing. “Thank you, ma'am.”

“Shawn, I think you've known Momma long enough not to call her that.” Miya's little sister, Casey, newlywed glow firmly in place, sat across from him at the huge kitchen table.

“I know. Old habits.” He shrugged, wondering again when Miya would wake up. She'd walked away from their encounter yesterday without a backward glance. It had taken every ounce of his willpower to stay away for the rest of the day, but he'd given in to his need to see her this morning. A morning she seemed determined to spend in bed.

For now, he had to push his impatience aside. With a smile at Casey, he asked, “Shouldn't you be on your honeymoon?”

Casey fiddled with her breakfast. “We plan to leave after the harvest.”

He nodded, feeling somewhat guilty for not really paying attention. But he had to make some sort of conversation. “Where ya going?”

“Aruba, though I can't imagine my husband in Bermuda shorts. His legs will blind the other tourists.” She squeaked. “I love being able to say that.”

Shawn was lost.

“My husband,” she offered. “Now that I'm married.”

“Right. Of course.” Shawn laughed halfheartedly and glanced at the hallway. “You sure she's okay?”

Casey sat back and gave him an assessing look. “She's fine. Why don't you go on up and wake her? I'm sure she's dying to see you.”

Dora-Lee turned from the stove. “Oh, Miya would be so surprised. She'll probably screech at ya in that city-folk talk she's been hurlin' at everyone else, but if ya ain't scared, I think it'd do her some good. A taste of the old days.”

Shawn pushed back from the table. He didn't need a second invitation, and he sure wasn't about to tell them he and Miya had already had a taste of the old days. In a way he wanted again and again. Just the thought of their reconnection made his mouth water more than any pancake ever could.

With a wink to Casey, he headed for the hallway. “I'll do just that.”

He took the steps two at a time, thankful that George and Casey's new husband were out with the horses. He didn't want anything to interrupt this opportunity.

Shawn knew the way to her room by heart and he stopped outside her door. He'd woken her numerous mornings for school. Though her parents had trusted him to do nothing more than wake her, he'd usually brought her out of her sleep in a way that would have made her daddy reach for a shotgun. He licked his lips at the thought. Leaning his head against the door, he sent up a silent prayer that she wouldn't toss him from the house when she woke.

She'd run yesterday like the hounds of hell were at her heels. He wasn't sure what had spooked her so badly, but he hoped he could make things right again and get her to open up a bit.

“Whatcha doin', sexy?”

Shawn turned at the soft voice. Chloe stood across the hall. She leaned against the door to the guest bedroom with her arms crossed over her chest. Or rather, under her breasts. The stance pushed the firm mounds up against the thin lace of her nearly see-through negligee. There wasn't an inch of her body left to his imagination, and he smiled. He didn't know her, but he'd liked her immediately. “Wakin' her up.”

She pouted, a tiny frown to her perfect lips. Most women couldn't pull off such an expression. Not so for Miya's friend. It was drop-dead sexy on her. “I'm awake. Why don't we see if we can find something to do until she gets up?”

“Ma'am, as tempting as you are…” Shawn shook his head, liking her more every second. “And I think you know how tempting a man would find you, I have to decline. You see, four years didn't change the way I feel about your friend, and I don't intend on letting her leave again.”

For a moment, she stood there, unmoving. Then she smiled. A really wicked, beautiful smile. No wonder Nick hadn't been able to shut his trap about the woman all night.

“From her side,” she murmured, “I'd say you have a lot of explaining to do before that will happen.”

Shawn was certain she could get anything she wanted with that sexy turn of her lips. But she was a smart one too. She had a solid grip on what he was up against. He'd handled that night four years ago badly. Miya had every right to be mad. He blamed himself for making the wrong choice. If he'd just told her what Susan had done, maybe she would have believed in him enough, and his willingness to make her dreams come true, to stay.

Now things were different. Miya coming home and the connection they still shared gave him hope. “The only thing I have to be sorry for is handling things badly.” He grinned and nodded toward Miya's door. “And I plan on rectifying that.”

“It'll take some doing, but I think you've got a chance. I'd say whatever happened the last day and a half was a good start, but you'll have to be smart.” Miya's friend considered him for a moment. She ran a finger over her bottom lip then closed her teeth around the tip. “Nothing better than some quality time between the sheets to convince a woman to do what you want. Name's Chloe, by the way. Since you forgot to ask at the bar.”

With that, she slipped back into her room, her tight little ass swaying in blatant invitation. That girl would be a firecracker in the sack, and he considered introducing her to his buddy Cash. His friend would love to tackle the challenge of breakin' her in. He shoved the thought aside. Nick had already staked a claim on the hottie from the City.

He shook his head. There were other issues needing his attention, and he was stalling. What else could he label the matchmaking daydream from hell he'd just had?

Taking a deep breath, he turned the knob to Miya's room and entered, closing the door quietly behind him. The curtains only allowed a hint of sunlight into the room.

Miya slept peacefully, her arm draped up and over the top of her head. She looked the same as she had all those mornings years ago, tucked beneath her baby-blue comforter. Her light brown hair flowing over the pillow, her lips slightly parted. He'd wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life waking her up every morning. Walking to the bed, he dropped to his knees.

He still couldn't believe he'd let her walk away. He'd been so hurt when she'd told him she didn't love him and was leaving. There had always been a fire in Miya, a need to get away and see the world. She'd worried about stagnating in a small town like her parents. Her dream had been to see the world. A dream he'd never shared but would have given her if it meant being by her side.

If only he'd known what had really sent her packing. If only he'd taken the chance of following her to find out…

But
if only
s didn't do squat.

She was here now. And here was where she needed to stay.

The deep cut of her nightshirt revealed the gentle swell of her breast and he couldn't resist running a finger over the exposed skin. Her nipple puckered and he stifled a groan. She stirred under the slight caress but didn't wake. A sigh whispered past her lips, and whether it was his imagination or not, he swore he heard her breathe his name.

“Good mornin', baby.”

A slight smile curved her lips and she kicked at the sheets covering her legs with a cat-like stretch. The covers fell away revealing long, trim legs. He reached down, taking her silent invitation to slide his fingers slowly up her calf, over her knee and farther up the soft skin of her inner thigh. She wiggled against his touch with a tiny sigh, and opened her legs to his hand.

She wore no underwear, and her beautiful body tempted him. He was invading her space. Before he went further, he needed to make sure she was completely awake. Leaning forward, he brushed a light kiss over her lips.

To his utter relief, she responded immediately, whispering against his mouth, “I need you.”

She reached down and slid his hand higher, lacing her fingers through his as she guided his touch over her damp, welcoming folds. He let her set the pace, but it was hard. He wanted to dip his finger into her, slide his tongue over her heat, eat her until she cried out and begged him to fuck her. But not yet. She had to decide.

“Your game, baby. I screwed up yesterday somehow, so I'm following your rules from here on out.”

Her smile was little more than a sensual curve of her lips, and her eyes opened a fraction. “Does that mean you'll do whatever I say?”

Shawn couldn't keep his smile in check. “Damn right.” Sliding his finger deep inside her, he sucked her nipple into his mouth. After a long moment, he let it go. “Anything you want.”

Miya stretched, luxuriating in the power he'd given over to her. His finger was inside her and he moved with hot strokes, rubbing his palm over her clit with every movement. It was exciting, a turn-on that had her trembling for more. Her night of recrimination paled under his touch. She could beat herself up until she was black and blue but she'd still want him. “I want you to eat me.”

She'd barely finished the words when he grasped her hips and pulled her sideways on the bed, spreading her legs. Then he was licking at her and the world spun dizzily around on incredible sensations. She reached down to draw her fingers through his hair, encouraging him, wondering if he'd stepped out of the heated dream she'd been having. “Yes, Shawn. Oh, that feels so good.”

The deep penetration of his finger sent waves of heat coursing through her to match the shocks of pleasure that pulsed deep in her core. His hot breath covered her, his tongue licked and played with her until she swelled.

“You taste delicious.”

She didn't know what to say. Really couldn't say anything, not with his mouth creating such intense need and his finger driving her closer to release. His harsh breathing matched her own and the scent of arousal filled the dark room. The smooth skin of his freshly shaven chin brushed her thighs. Heat from his body leached into her from every pore.

She looked down, watching as he pleasured her. He was so handsome, so sexy. His dark hair, usually covered by his hat, curved in waves over his eyebrows and around his ears. A sharp contrast to her pale skin.

In the old days, they would have settled for this. He would have brought her to climax and she would have returned the favor. But not today. She wanted him. Had wanted him desperately when she'd run away the day before. That he was here now should have brought back her pledge to stay away. It didn't. Not in the least. Her willpower was nonexistent. Gripping his hair, she pulled his head back and sat up. He knelt between her legs, looking up in silent question.

She licked her lips. “Did you think of me last night?”

“I could barely sleep.” His thumb found her clit again and rubbed rhythmically. “What about you? Did you have to get yourself off to sleep?”

She nodded, knowing she couldn't tell him differently. “I wanted more.”

“And what do you want now?” His eyes never left hers.

“I want you inside me. I don't want to want you, but I do.”

He slipped the belt buckle free from his pants, and the sound of his zipper echoed in the room. Then he sat up on his knees and pushed the jeans down. He was ready, his cock standing rigid in invitation.

“Condom,” she breathed.

He grabbed his wallet, his gaze hooded. The crinkle of the foil wrapper was loud in the silence. Goose bumps crawled up her arms, and she watched, her body quivering as he rolled the thin barrier over his rigid, swollen flesh. “Hurry.”

He stroked himself, looking up to meet her gaze. “I like it when you're squirming for me.”

She couldn't resist and slid off the bed, taking him into her body in a long, slow glide.

He half chuckled, half groaned. She didn't care which. He filled her perfectly and she rocked against him, not wanting to play or be teased. Clasping his shoulders, she pushed him back onto the carpet to straddle his hips. “You feel so good inside me.”

“Jesus, baby.” His fingers dug into her skin, grasping her ass and dragging her up and down the entire length of his cock, faster and faster until she was certain she would explode. The room disappeared. So did the past. For a brief, heated moment, there was nothing but what was always between them. A deep connection that still simmered after all these years.

“That's it, baby,” he moaned.

“I'm going to come, Shawn.”

He smiled, a strained expression, as if at any moment he'd lose control. His cock swelled within her, and she rode harder, rubbing her body against his. Each deep thrust created more intense pleasure, filling her belly with heat. Then the spiral began somewhere deep inside. She tightened, and when he reached between them to rub his thumb over her clit, she bit her lip to stifle the scream she wanted to let go.

He rolled her to her back and covered her mouth gently, reminding her to be quiet while he pounded into her body with steady, harsh strokes. His mouth fastened over her nipple and he leaned in close, balancing on one elbow as he rocked his hips against her. It was too much and not enough at the same time. “Harder, Shawn. Please.”

He responded, slamming his body to hers until the hard muscles at the base of his cock rubbed against her with each penetration and the filling sensation reached her womb. She panted, mad with desire, the slick heat and texture of his cock building the heights of her pleasure. Then, with a spiral of heat that ricocheted through her entire frame, it burst. Wave after pulsing wave racked her core. She clamped around him, drenching his cock as he continued to slide in and out with long, sure strokes.

His movements carried her orgasm further until it ripped up through her belly and pounded in her veins. Every inch of her body shuddered with the violence of pleasure-pain and she barely recognized his swell of response.