Chirp(59)

He reached into the backseat, found a blanket, and handed it to her. “Come on. Let’s look at the stars.”

“No. Take me home, please.”

He reached over and unsnapped her seat belt. “Oh, come on. Let’s go back in time. Remember how we gazed at the stars that summer?”

Of course she remembered. That’s why she needed to get away from him. She drew a staggering breath and closed her eyes. “Why are you doing this?”

“What?”

“You know what. Please, just take me home.”

“Not until I find out.”





Seth


He cupped her face and crushed his lips down on hers. She clutched his shirt to bring him closer. God help him. Nothing had changed. He remembered how her sweet, warm mouth had welcomed his kisses so many times. Every time. This time.

Suddenly she jerked away, and her words came in a whisper full of pain. “Don’t do that. You’re getting married.”

“No, I’m not.” And in that moment, everything became clear. This is why he couldn’t marry Heather. He’d never gotten over Hanna.

She looked up at him. “What?”

“I’m not getting married. The wedding is off. I don’t love her. Hell, I don’t even like her. I love you. I always have.”

She covered her face and sobbed.

He gathered her in his arms and spoke into her hair. “And you love me. I wasn’t sure until that kiss, but I am now.”

She drew one ragged breath after another, then stared up at him. “You can’t say that unless you mean it. I won’t survive losing you again.”

“You’ll never lose me. I swear.” Seth’s fingers speared into her hair, holding her face just right for him to devour her mouth again. God, he loved her mouth and everything else.

She planted her hands on his chest and worked the buttons of his shirt. Fast and frenzied, she undid them all, then grasped the zipper of his jeans. “I want you, Seth. I want you so much.”

He pulled away. “Come on. I want to make love in the moonlight.”

This time she didn’t hesitate. She slid across the seat, out the door, and into his waiting arms. While she spread the blanket, he shucked all his clothes. Then jumped into the bed of his truck next to her.

He placed his hand low on her belly and slipped his fingertips back and forth around the band of her pants. “Take these off.”

She did and knelt before him. He fisted the hem of her shirt, then tore it off in one motion, slid his hand between her legs, and stroked her through her panties. “I remember the first time we did this. My cock got so hard I thought it might rip. Damn, I want you as much now as I did then.”

She removed her bikinis and straddled him.

“Christ, Hanna.” He slid into her so easily his head spun. She moved against him—then stopped.

“What’s wrong?”

“Condom. You have to wear a condom.”

“I don’t have one. But I’m safe. I haven’t had unprotected sex since you.”

“Not even with Heather?”

“No. She can’t take the pill.”

“I’m not on the pill either, so we can’t do it.”

“Shit. No. I don’t want to stop. I’ll pull out. I promise.”

“No. It’s too big of a risk.”

He pulled down the cups of her bra, forcing her breasts to spill over the top, then rubbed his thumb back and forth across one stiff nipple. “I swear I won’t come inside you. Please don’t make me stop.” He sucked the sweet peak into his hot mouth, and Hanna shivered, then rocked against him.

“You’re not playing fair,” she said. “You know my secrets.”

She was right. He knew how to make her climax. He’d spent that summer perfecting the formula. He moved back and forth between her breasts, sucking each nipple into his mouth. She was already close. He could tell by the way her nails dug into his shoulders. How she angled to get in the right position. Then she stiffened, threw her head back, and repeated his name as if it were a prayer. God, he loved watching her come. That dark hair flying in the moonlight. Her body quaking with satisfaction.

She collapsed onto this chest. “Oh my God.”

He rolled over, trapping her beneath him, then thrust into her again. “I want to come inside you, Hanna. I’m willing to risk it. Please let me. You feel so fucking good. Please.”

She gripped his hips to stop his motion. “No. You can’t. You promised.”

“Okay. Okay. Just a little more. Yeah. Like that. Damn. Damn.” He jerked out of her and spewed onto her stomach. “Sweet Jesus.” Then he rolled to lie next to her and stared toward heaven. He’d just gone there. “Come with me tomorrow.”

She took the corner of the blanket and wiped away his pleasure. “Where?”

“Houston. I’ve got to break the news to Heather that the wedding is off.”

Hanna bolted up straight and screamed at him. “What? You haven’t told her? Oh my God! I’ve had sex with you, and you’re still engaged!”

“No, I’m not. I decided to end it days ago. I just haven’t made it official. That isn’t something to text. I need to face her.”

She covered her face with her hands and cried. “Oh my God. Oh my God. I’m the other woman.”