Keeping Her Warm(9)

The town’s golden boy. The town practically had a parade when he’d come back and it wasn’t long after he took over as sheriff. Which scared the heck out of me.

The last sheriff didn’t give me much mind, but I had a feeling Bannon wouldn’t be the same way. He followed the rules and was strait-laced. Or so I’d heard.

You hear a lot of things when you don’t do a lot of talking. After a while people pretty much don’t even notice you anymore. You’re almost invisible, which was what I wanted to be. Slide under the radar. No one to catch on that I was a sixteen-year-old girl living on her own. Stealing her father’s checks to make ends meet.

I let his warm, earthy smell fill my lungs. He smells like a man, and I want to be even closer to him. Keeping my eyes closed I slide over him a little more, even though I’ve already got one leg thrown over him. When my chest rubs against the hairs on his I realize that I’m naked, which wakes me up more.

Bannon grunts. His hands go to my hips. His rough fingers dig into my hips and a muttered “fuck” leaves his lips. I keep my eyes closed, pretending to sleep, but I can’t get my breathing to even out. I rock my hips a little and feel his hardness rub between my legs. A delicious chill runs through my body.

I freeze for a moment. I can’t believe I’m doing this. Maybe that’s because part of me thinks this really can’t be happening. There is no way I’m naked on top of Sheriff Cole Bannon. It doesn't seem possible. Maybe I died out in the snow storm and this is my heaven. It’s too good to be true and I want to steal this moment.

I rock myself again, wanting that sweet chill to roll through my body, and it does.

“Catherine, baby. You’re killing me.” My breath hitches when he calls me that. Once again the night before flutters through my mind. He called me that then, too. Maybe he calls everyone baby? I thought baby was a term of endearment for a lover.

I let my eyes open and brush my nose against the stubble on his neck, before I place a soft kiss there. It isn't enough. I need to know what he tastes like. I kiss him there again, only this time I let my tongue dart out a little. His cock jerks against me and I have to fight back a moan.

I’ve turned him on. It makes me feel like a woman that I’ve gotten this rise out of him. Almost powerful. I’m not used to feeling that way.

“You’re going to kill me,” he growls. The sound vibrates through his chest and against mine. I have to hold back a giggle.

I let my hand slide up the side of his chest, feeling the hairs there against my fingertips. His chest is hard like the rest of him. I run my fingers up but stop when rough scars greet the tips. I want to pull back to see what is marking his skin, but before I can move I’m flipped. My back hits the soft blankets, and Bannon looms over me with a look I’ve never seen on his face.

No, every time I’ve seen him in town he’s had soft smiles and warmth to him. The things people said about him rang true. I only got quick glances of him before I slipped away, trying to stay off his radar. I didn’t want to draw his attention to me because Bannon tries to know everyone in town. He takes his job as sheriff seriously. I wonder if he’ll arrest me when he finds out what I’ve been doing.

I stare into his deep gray eyes. I never knew what color his eyes were. I’ve never been close enough to get a look. I didn’t think eyes this color were real. It’s hard to focus on the hard look on his face when all I can do is get lost in his eyes.

“Hi.” It’s all I can think to say. His face doesn't change and he still doesn't say a word. His eyes are still locked on mine. He shifts a little and my legs open a little more, letting him slide deeper into me. His eyes closed as if he’s in pain.

I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck, scared he’s going to pull away from me. I don’t know how I’m so bold. Maybe because this feels right. Or maybe because so much has been taken from me I don’t want this taken, too. I’m latching on and not letting go.

I’m worried of what he’s going to say or what he might ask me, and that fear of him pushes me away. I just want to lie back down, fall asleep on him and not think about anything.

He opens his eyes and he looks a little more in control. He takes a deep breath and his face softens. “How are you feeling?” he asks. His words come out gruff, and I don’t know why, but my cheeks pinken.

“I’m naked,” pops out of my mouth, and my cheeks heat even more.

“Yeah, sorry about that. I needed to get you warm, and the hospital was too far away, so I brought you home.” He delves a hand into my hair. He softly brushes some of it away from my face and strokes it. “You look like a little doll. Your cheeks are still pink. Are you cold still?”

I shake my head. My cheeks aren’t pink from the cold. In fact, I’m quite warm at the moment. I don’t know if it's because of his body heat or the feelings that are coursing through me in this moment. I’ve never felt like this before.

“Hungry?” At the mention of food, my stomach growls and Bannon smiles.

I close my eyes in embarrassment. Of everything—my nakedness, our closeness, my pawing at him... I feel him chuckle against me.

“How about you take a nice warm shower and I’ll make us something to eat?” I nod my head in agreement. “Open your eyes, baby. I like seeing them.”

I do as he commands. Something inside me wants to please him. “You’re safe here with me. I’m the sheriff,” he tells me.