Page 45 of Embracing Hope

“I won’t do that, but I’ll need a trajectory, some kind of game plan on what the future of Sagebrush Rose looks like.”

“I like you, Isaac Marcum.”

“I really like you too, Hope Rose. I’d love to show you how much, but tonight, though, is not the right time. I’m here to keep you safe and not think with my dick.”

“Fine.” She bounced over and backed her bottom against the scoop of his hips. His growl echoed off the walls. “Sorry, not sorry.”

“You always a smartass as well as Chatty Cathy?”

“Yes and yes. But something tells me you like it.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” He laid his hand on the indention of her waist. “Let’s get some sleep.

*****

The gun blast rang out through the small village.

Screams reverberated through the thick, warm air.

Isaac dug through the embers, burning his hands, feeling the hot ashes singing his skin.

The smoke cleared, and a young boy stood watching Isaac. He walked forward, but the boy kept getting further away. “Why?” Isaac asked. “I shouldn’t have made it out alive.”

“It wasn’t your time.”

“Isaac?”

He heard Hope’s voice. What was she doing there?

He searched through the smoke. His lungs ached but he kept going.

“Isaac. It’s okay,” her soft voice broke through his haze.

He came awake, realizing he was still in Hope’s bed and her arms were wrapped around him.

“You’re safe,” she said to him, holding him close.

He clung to her, holding her close. His ear was pressed against her chest and he could hear the comforting sound of her heart beating. “I was back over there.”

“You’re here, with me.”

He lifted his chin. “Hope…” his voice trailed off.

She cupped his cheek, planting a kiss on his forehead, his temples and each cheek. “You did everything you could to save them.”

He threaded his fingers through her hair. Their faces were close. “I feel like I failed.”

“Let me help you, Isaac. Let me love you.” She caressed her way down his neck to the neckline of his shirt. He sucked in a gasp.

A lump formed in his throat. He’d done his best to stay a gentleman. To keep his hands to himself but the last thread of reserve frayed. And when she peeled her pajama top off her body, he knew there was no longer any way he could refuse the temptation.

She shifted against him, making him achingly aware that her breasts were firm against his chest. He’d been racked with wanting her, images replayed in his mind of their naked bodies united.

She brought her hips up in a grinding movement and rocked the apex of her thighs against him. His cock was so hard he thought he might burst.

Remembering how she’d wrapped her mouth around him, sliding her lips and tongue over him like an ice cream cone made him groan deep into his chest. She’d taken him deeper until he’d felt the entrance of her throat.

He had a thought that if he didn’t have her soon, he’d wither away.

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