Page 55 of Sean

She reached for him, gripping his shirt in her fist and yanking him toward her. He came willingly, and she felt a rush of relief. He wasn’t going to make her talk now. Instead, she could show him how much he meant to her. She pulled his shirt free of his pants and her fingers worked the buttons loose.

She was shoving the shirt from his shoulders when he caught her mouth in a slow kiss. At the same time, his hands moved down her sides, skimming the edge of her breasts gently. She couldn’t hold back a moan of pleasure. She felt cherished, loved, and she let herself sink into that for a moment.

But something in her needed to be in control of this lovemaking, so she batted his hands away and got the shirt off him. She took charge of the kiss, increasing the tempo and letting her tongue delve more deeply into his mouth. She wanted to taste him everywhere. Moving her lips from his, she kissed and nibbled her way down his neck to his shoulders. She licked over the scars on his chest and nipped at his flat nipples, making him groan.

She knew something else he liked. Her fingers went to his pants, quickly unbuckling his belt and undoing the fly. She gripped his erection through his boxer shorts, running her fingers from the base to the tip. His eyes squeezed shut in enjoyment before he captured her hand.

“Bed,” he whispered, backing her toward it. “I want to feel every inch of you against me. I want to love every part of you.” His lips dropped to her neck, placing soft kisses on her skin.

With an effort, she broke from him and climbed onto the bed, where she knelt, waiting for him. “Undress,” she ordered. “Now.” He complied but took his time shoving his pants and boxers down. In the glow from the bedside lamp, she could see the muscles and contours of his body. He was beautiful, and for now, for tonight, he was hers. “On your back, mister.”

He was barely settled on the bed when she straddled him, pushing his shoulders down to the mattress. She lowered herself over him, letting her kisses and licks follow the line of hair that went down his flat stomach to his hard dick. She took him in her mouth, plunging down on him while her fingers played with his balls.

“Damn,” he gasped out when she did it again. She lifted up enough to circle her tongue over his tip before taking all of him in. His fingers were in her hair, tugging slightly to urge her to pull back, but she didn’t want to stop. She wanted to make him come for her, wanted to drive him wild with need.

“I’m begging you, slow down.” He sat up and reached for her, making her stop.

“Don’t you like…?” she asked when he’d brought them face-to-face.

“Love it.” He kissed her gently. “So sexy watching you go down on me. Turns my brain to mush.”

“Then, let me.” She was feeling frustrated and frantic.

“When I come tonight, I want it to be inside you,” he said, touching his lips to hers, “with you.”

His sweet words almost brought tears to her eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck and let him lay her back. Their loving slowed as he touched and tasted his way down her body, setting her body on fire each time his lips grazed her skin.

Once he’d gotten a condom and finally joined their bodies, they moved together in perfect rhythm. She was close, so close, when he changed the angle between them, going onto his knees and raising her hips up to take more of him inside. He thrust deep—once, twice—and then her whole world came undone. She clung to him as the pleasure unfurled in her body, digging her fingers into his muscles as he shuddered in his own release.

He stayed inside her, his face against her shoulder, as their bodies cooled. She’d never felt so close to anyone, never felt this kind of connection before. When he pulled out and left the bed to dispose of the condom, she nearly whimpered. He returned in a moment, though, stretching out on his back and pulling her toward him. She went willingly.

She should be exhausted after the party and the lovemaking, but her mind was whirling. She wiggled even closer to Sean until she was half-laying on top of him. His fingers trailed over her back in a soothing pattern. She knew she should be content with what they had and accept that it would soon be over. That’s what they’d agreed on.

But what had he meant by what if we do? Did he think that they could have a future of some sort? After Wilson was caught, she’d planned to leave the ranch with the kids. From the beginning of this mess, she’d been looking forward to having the freedom to make her own choices based on what was best for the kids and her.

Sean’s four-word question had her considering a very different option. What if Sean was part of that new life? What if all of them built a life together? Would it be here on the ranch where she’d felt secure and safe for the first time in months? Would Sean want to return to his home and pick up his life? She couldn’t really see herself there. As hospitable as Sean had been, his cabin had felt too bare, too lifeless. Here, though, surrounded by his family, finding a space where she fit felt like a possibility.

She could feign sleep and ignore the questions inside her or she could be brave. Since going on the run, she’d had to be brave or, at least, try to be. Maybe now was another moment to tap into that.

She put her hand flat against his chest and pushed up enough to see his face. His eyes were open. He watched her, waiting for her to speak. She almost chickened out and said good night, but she owed herself more than that, so she found a way to approach the subject from an angle. Just like in photography—the right angle was everything.

“Sean, what will you do after Wilson’s captured?”

“Celebrate.” He grinned at her.

“Me, too, but I meant will you go back to your home in the woods and focus on your consulting work? Is that something you want to continue?”

His grin faded. “I’m not sure. I have some contracts left to fulfill. Then, I’ll see. I’m considering staying at the ranch a little longer. I’ve been happier here than I thought possible.” His fingers on her back had stilled.

“I’m glad for that,” she said and rested her head against him again. That question was all she had courage for tonight, but his answer gave her a sense of hope. He’d admitted to wanting to be here with his family despite the fact that that hadn’t been his plan before. That was something—a step toward him creating a different life for himself.

Was there any place for her and two children in that version of his future?

She closed her eyes, hoping that there was.

TWENTY-EIGHT

Sean woke to the sounds of kids in the hall outside his room. Daylight already filtered in, throwing a shaft of light over Julia’s sleeping form. Apparently, she’d slept too hard to get up at dawn and sneak into her room, like usual.

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