Chapter Eleven
Hank held Jeannie in his arms as the elevator climbed to their floor. She snuggled closer to his chest, hands wrapped tight in his shirt. Her blonde hair was in disarray, but she’d never looked so beautiful. Only a few hours ago, he’d finally tasted her lips. Now they were all he could think about.
Luckily, she’d not been exposed to the same quantity of toxin as her friend. The antidote quickly dispatched any of the toxins. Although the doctors had wanted to keep watch over her tonight, Jeannie’d fought them and demanded Hank take her back to the hotel.
He chuckled at the scene she’d caused at the hospital when this feisty woman unhooked herself from the beeping machines and walked out. Remind me never to get on her bad side. She’d fallen asleep in the car on the way back to the hotel and rather than wake her, he’d let her sleep. She’d been through so much in the last twenty-four hours.
Arriving at their room, Hank tugged the keycard from his pocket and swiped it. At the click, he opened the door and brought his fierce woman inside. Mine? When did I begin to think of her as mine? Before he could argue with himself, he carried her into one of the bedrooms and laid her on the bed. She lay breathing deeply as he gently relaxed her tight grip from his shirt. He quickly took off her shoes and socks then pulled the covers around her. Leaving her in the bed and walking away was the hardest thing he’d ever done, but he needed to check in with Kane.
Hank ambled to the couch and plopped down then picked up the phone. He dialed down to the desk and alerted them that neither he nor Miss Hall wanted to be disturbed. Then he called his friend. Kane filled him in on Cherri’s improving condition. The doctors were hopeful she’d be able to leave the hospital next week, if there were no setbacks. Frustrated with the lack of evidence, Hank hung up the phone. How can I keep her safe from a ghost? The only thing he was sure of was that Jeannie remained a target.
Slipping out of his boots and clothes, Hank marched back into the bedroom and snuggled up next to Jeannie. He pulled her into his arms and let sleep overtake him.
***
Jeannie stretched out slowly, her body slightly aching. A strange weight held her down. Cranking open one eye, she examined the tanned arm across her body. She felt the warmth of Hank’s body next to her and sighed. Images of the two of them locked together on the couch, entwined in each other’s arms flashed across her memory. Gently, she raised her finger to her lips. Who knew Deputy Dan had such passion? Heat pooled between her legs, and she tenderly turned to face him.
As her gaze roamed over his face, she memorized his features. The strong set of his jaw, the rough stubble on his cheeks and chin, his long dark lashes, his full lips… As he shifted, the blanket slid down his chest, exposing a sprinkling of dark hair which skimmed across his muscles and had her looking lower. Were they both naked? Her face heated as she glanced down at her own clothed body. She couldn’t recall how she got into bed with him. The last thing she remembered from the previous night was yelling at the doctors and demanding to go home.
When she raised her head again, Hank’s piercing brown eyes stared back at her. “Are you feeling okay?”
She shook her head, unable to speak.
He propped up on one elbow. She felt his scrutiny lingering on her body as he looked her up and down. “Jeannie, answer me. Are you in pain?”
“No.” Her voice came out breathless. She’d never had a man worry about her as he was. “I’m a little sore but fine. Thank you for bringing me back here from the hospital.”
He tucked a stand of her hair behind her ear. “Deputy Dan at your service, ma’am.” He gave her a mock salute, but it was the brightness of his smile, which had her heart beating faster. “We aim to please.”
Hank stood, answering her question about being naked. Wearing only his jeans and with his hair messed up, he didn’t look like the starched deputy she’d met two months ago. Jeannie watched as he tugged his shirt off the chair and slid it over his arms.
“Do you want me to order some food? Hungry?”
Hunger tore at her but not for food. She tugged the covers back and stood. His contemplation burned her skin. Slowly, she approached him. Placing her hands on his shoulders, she pushed the shirt off his body. “I’m hungry.” Stretching on her tiptoes, she placed her lips on his. Her chaste kiss quickly turned passionate as Hank’s hands skimmed over her back and down her spine. He pulled her close.
He looked down into her eyes. “What do you want?”
Taking a leap of faith, she whispered her command. “You…all of you.”
Hank scooped her up into his arms and laid her back down on the bed. As he climbed on next to her, he began kissing her once again. Lost in a haze of passion, all Jeannie could do was feel. His hand on her thigh, pushing her dress higher, he exposed her light-blue underwear then cupped her pubic bone and rubbed a finger along the outer edge of her panties.
She arched her body, seeking more. Jeannie moaned as Hank withdrew his hand from under her dress and slid it along her arm. Breaking off the kiss, he pulled back and looked into her eyes. “Are you sure? Because once we take that step, I won’t walk away. I’m not that kind of guy.”
“Hank, I vowed I wouldn’t jump into bed with my perfect match, but here I am in bed with you.” She glided a fingertip over his jaw. How could she get him to see the truth—what she believed in her heart?
“Why, me? I need to hear it.”
She cupped his face. “I don’t know why or how…but I have feelings for you. You were like a burr I couldn’t get off my jeans. You challenged me, exasperated me, and I couldn’t keep you off my mind. So many nights I lay in bed, wishing we were where we are now.” She took a deep breath then continued. “And I don’t want you to walk away.” Tugging his face closer, she placed a soft kiss on his mouth then slid her tongue out and over his bottom lip before gently sucking on it. “Hank. Make me yours.”
Jeannie felt the tug on her zipper as the pink dress slid off her shoulders. Hank pushed her dress down over her waist, his gaze lingering on her uncovered breasts. He took her nipple into his mouth, teasing it with his tongue and gently nibbling on it. Moisture pooled between her legs as she gripped the bedsheets.
His mouth moved to her other breast, softly teasing it to a peak. Unable to keep still, Jeannie wanted more. Lifting her hips, she pulled her dress off and kicked it off the bed. Clad in only her light-blue panties, she reached for the waistband of Hank’s jeans.
“No fair. You have more clothes on than I do.” She smirked.
Hank stood and tugged the buttons of his fly free. As he slid his jeans down over his hips, Jeannie’s gaze fastened on his rigid erection. She longed to caress it.
Tossing his jeans on the chair, he smirked at her. “Now who has too much on?” Hank bent over the bed and placed a kiss on her belly as he slowly pulled her underwear off. “Finally, the prize I wanted.” Hank trailed kisses down over her mound then he slid his tongue up her slit.
Jeannie nearly shot off the bed as his mouth touched her clit. The sensations his mouth made against her pussy nearly sent her over the edge. Gripping his hair tightly in her fingers, she rocked her hips along with his mouth’s motion. Her breath coming in gasps, Jeannie’s body felt like a live wire, electricity arcing throughout.
“Please, Hank…I need you.” She panted as she released her death grip on the sheets.
Hank crawled up her body like a jungle cat and lifted her legs, laying them across his shoulders. Holding his cock at her entrance, he slowly leaned over, pushing it inside her an inch at a time.
Jeannie tossed her head back and forth on the bed. The pleasure building inside her left her incoherent. All she desired was him filling her completely. Mewling sounds escaped her lips. “Faster. Harder.”
Hank lifted her hands over her head and, with one motion, filled her. “Oh God,” he moaned. Unable to wait, Hank moved, pulling his erection in and out, harder and faster with each stroke.
“Yes. Hank. Yes.” Jeannie’s body arched once more, tumbling over the edge into her orgasm as a scream erupted from her lips.
One more thrust, and Hank collapsed on top of her. He kissed her passionately on the mouth then brushed the hair back from her face. “I could hold you all night.”
“I think you did, last night. Maybe we can do a little more than just cuddling tonight.” Jeannie teased him.
“Anything for you.” Rising up off her, he rolled to the side and pulled her in close. “Just give me a moment to catch my breath. I don’t want to wear you out after the hospital visit.” He tugged the sheets over their bodies.
Jeannie laid her head on his chest and listened to his heart beating then closed her eyes and slept.