To Forgive & Hold Safe (The Broken Men Chronicles Book 4) (19 page)

“You’ll tell me how much you love me.” I pulled back slowly.

Her lips parted, her breathing growing heavier.  “I do that a lot, don’t I?”

“Well, since we’ve been saying it, yes, you do.” I smirked down at her, sliding back into her again.  “And now you’ll roll… Ah, there it is.”  She rolled her eyes as I said it and threw in a head shake to boot.

“Baby?” she said.

“Yes, sweet-cheeks?”

“Shut up and kiss me.”  She pulled my head down to hers as I laughed, crushing my lips to hers hard before pulling away.  “And Ben?”  My eyes glued themselves to hers.  “If you ever doubt me again, I’ll literally paint you that picture and bash you over the head with the canvas.”

My slow thrusts halted, then I pecked her lips.  “So there is a violent streak in you.”

“Very.” She gave me a mischievous smile before going serious again. “But if you ever doubt, promise you’ll talk to me, and I’ll promise to listen, and make sure you’re smiling again.”

“I like the sound of that.” I ground my pelvis into hers, her breath catching.  “Now, where were we?”

Over the next month, Hannah and I fell into a routine of sleeping at each other’s homes – mine more often than hers – and spending most of our free time together, enjoying each other’s company.

I didn’t think I could love anyone so damn much – it surpassed the love I had for Candace by miles.  Hannah made me happier than I’d ever been, and those battles of wits we got into always ended with a tumble between the sheets.

On another note, Chris became a thorn in my side.  The man was now using
Fairfax
as his new turf to conduct his business.

I managed to avoid the man by having someone else serve him, while I disappeared into my office.  Suffice to say, if the man wasn’t aware of my hostility toward him, I’d have to say he was blind.

Although I’ve spoken to my parents during this time, I hadn’t made the time to go over and visit them.  It took Hannah overhearing one of my mother’s messages to finally light a fire under my ass to set something up with them.  I suppose the fear of hearing their speech about us moving too quickly was why I’d distanced myself.  To be honest, Hannah was doing the same with her parents, seeing as every time I asked her how her folks were doing, she’d give me the runaround.  I, for one, knew how they were since I had made a point to keep in touch, but she didn’t know this.

I was bringing in the last case of beer, and had set it behind the bar, when Adam walked into the pub.  I knew it was only a matter of time before he tracked me down.  His showing up confirmed my suspicions.  Hannah was still avoiding them.

I greeted the man with a handshake.  “How are you guys holding up?”

“Anne’s worried,” Adam said.

“And so are you.” I gave him an all-knowing look.

“What’s going on with her?”

I sighed.  “Same old.  She seems perfectly fine.  I mean, we’ve been busy.”

The man’s eyebrows rose.  “
We
?”

Damn those loose lips.

My stomach twisted in knots with what I was about to let the man know.  I took a deep breath in an attempt to settle my nerves.  “Adam…”

Adam’s lips formed a thin line, but the twinkle in his eyes was more prominent.  “You’re falling for her.”

I nodded.  “It’s more than that.”

“Can I just say something?”  I nodded.  “This isn’t just for Hannah, but it’s for you too.  You’ve both been hurt before and-”

Oh no!  Here we go!
  My annoyance got the better of me and I cut the man off.  “I know, don’t rush things,” I finished for him.  “Look-”

“That wasn’t what I was going to say.” Adam looked at me pointedly.  At that moment, I regretted letting my mouth run away with me.  “I’ve been there since the night of the accident.  I know your parents, the kind of family you’re from.  Most importantly, I know
you
.  I knew that this day would come.”

My eyes widened.  “What do you mean?”

“You think it’s too soon?” he asked.

“Some would say that.” 
My parents sure as hell had their concerns.

“You’ve known each other for a couple of months now,” he began and I nodded.  “A lot has happened between now and then, big things that have brought you both closer.”  I gave him another nod.  “The way I see it, my daughter was already moving on before that accident, and you’ve been lonely for far too long.”  The man’s eyes held some sadness, but he shook it off and grinned like a loon.  “Frankly, Anne bet me that you two were going to announce that you were dating within weeks of Hannah being back on her feet.”

I laughed.  “What did you bet?”

“I told her that it’d be a few months.”

I guffawed.  “Tell your wife she was right.”

Having Adam’s support and Anne’s obvious blessing, what with that bet of hers, I knew that I owed them so much for having blessed me with someone like Hannah.  So, I put in a call.  One that could possibly land me in the dog-house later, but if Hannah could run interference, why couldn’t I?

Hannah took my hand as I led us to Mom and Dad’s front door.

“Honey, I’m home!” I called out.

Hannah looked confused by the ruckus coming from the back of the house.

Before she could ask questions, I escorted her down the hallway toward the kitchen, only to find ourselves swarmed by parents.  Mine and hers.

“Mom.” I hugged the woman tight, then shook my father’s hand.

“What’s going on here?” Hannah asked as she greeted my parents.

“We figured that with you two being together, that we could all celebrate,” Mom said.

“Mom… Dad,” she said and walked over to her parents for quick hugs and pecks on the cheek.  “You know?”

“You’re doing a poor job at keeping in touch,” Adam said.  “If it weren’t for-”

“Weren’t for who?” My girlfriend’s eyes narrowed on me.  “What did you do?”

“I may or may not have kept in touch with them, but-”

When I expected her to be mad, she surprised me by giving me an endearing smile.

“We would have gone crazy had Ben not called us every week,” Anne said, “but I’m so glad that you guys are official now.”

“I’m sorry, Mom.” Hannah came to stand at my side, where I wrapped an arm around her shoulders.  “I just didn’t know how everyone would take knowing Ben and I were together so soon after… I thought I didn’t care what everyone would think, but I did.”

The ladies were busy talking and, despite my protest, Mom was showing Hannah some old photos of my childhood.  It was like reliving my high school days all over again.

The men, on the other hand, were discussing the latest sport statistics, while indulging in a glass of brandy.

My eyes snagged on Hannah who was looking my way with a beaming smile, which I returned with one of my own, and winked.  It was nice seeing her so relaxed around her parents, not to mention mine.  It looked like my meddling had worked.

“So how’s it going with you two?” Adam asked.

My eyes snapped from my girlfriend to her father.  His eyes were humored and his smile widened at the sight of the grin that spread across my face.  “Great,” I said.

“Why do I sense that there’s more you’re not saying?” Dad asked.

My gaze fused to Adam’s.  “I love her.”

“Can’t say I didn’t notice with the way you look at her.” Hannah’s father patted me on the back.  “You could have told me earlier, you know.”

“That’s it?” I asked.  “No warnings, no threats, no-?”

“Ben, what’s there to say?  You’re two adults.  You know what’s at stake here.” Dad nodded in agreement.  “You were a stranger that chose to look after our little girl.  If we trusted you then, we sure as hell will trust you now.”

“Thank you, sir.” I cleared the ball of nerves from my throat.  “Dad, what do you think?”

“I couldn’t be happier,” he said with conviction.  “That woman brought you back to us.  If anything, I’d propose on your behalf right now.”

“Well let’s not get carried away.” I chuckled.  “But don’t be surprised if it happens.”

“Oh, it’ll happen.” Adam crossed his arms, wearing a sure expression.  “And I want grandchildren before I can’t move.”

“I’m with you on that one,” Dad said, tipping the rest of his drink back.

I smirked.  “You two sound more like old maids than grown men.  Does old age make you go soft over the years?”

The men looked at each other, then burst out laughing.

The three women lifted their heads at the commotion, and as our eyes met and locked, I mouthed those three little words to Hannah without thinking.

“You what?” Anne got up to her feet and looked about ten years younger with the beaming smile on her face.

“Mom!” Hannah got up to stand beside her mother.

She looked at her daughter.  “He just said he loves you.”

“Well, I didn’t say it as so much as mouth it, Anne, but I guess the secret’s out now.  I love Hannah.”

“You’re not going to start yelling it from the rooftops are you?” Hannah asked, walking over to me.

I pulled her onto my lap, my arms surrounding her waist, and she wrapped hers around my neck.

“I could if it would make things even better, but they’re pretty damn perfect enough as they are.”  My lips met her temple.

“Hot damn!” Mom said.  “Did you hear that, Doug?”

“Hear it?  I can’t believe we knew about it a whole two minutes before you two hens,” he said, and I laughed along with Adam.  Hannah shook her head at our fathers.

“Thank you,” Hannah said after a moment.

“For what?”  Our surroundings had grown quiet.

“For having my parents be here tonight.”

“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”

She pulled my head down for a soft kiss, our fathers snickering about young love, the mothers giggling like school girls.

At that point, everything felt right.  Everyone who needed to know about us knew.

Everyone but Candace’s parents, but something told me that they’d be fine, what with them already having warmed to Hannah.

By the time we’d reached Hannah’s house, I was bursting at the seams and trying hard not to curse the woman that sat next to me.

Getting head while driving hadn’t been what I’d imagined it to be.  Talk about the mother of all driving distractions!

I rushed around the car, grabbed Hannah, and set her over my shoulder in a fireman’s hold. Giving that firm ass of hers a good smack, I hurried us to the door and made sure the damn thing was locked before I took us up to her bedroom.

“Baby, you’re evil,” I said to which she giggled.

“What’d I do?”

Lifting the hem of her dress up to her waist, I made sure nothing would come between my hand and those cheeks of hers.  I smacked her ass for good measure.  Her legs tightened together, and she squirmed over my shoulder.

I growled.  “You know very well what you were doing.”

“It was only a little sexy gratitude.” I let her slide down the front of my body.  “Can I make it up to you?”

Sexy gratitude?
  I liked the sound of that.  Hannah’s eyes glittered in the dim lighting, pleased as punch that I was considering her latest pitch.  “What do you have in mind?”

“Well,” she grinned lasciviously, “I have me a fireman here, and his hose still needs clearing since I was interrupted earlier.”

Her hands made haste at divesting me of my pants rather quickly before her silky fingers grabbed hold of my length and pumped it once.

She nipped my chin before dropping to her knees, my jaw dropping along with her.

“Han-na-nah,” was all I managed as her tongue traced the rim of my head. And then those sensuous lips wrapped themselves around me, taking me to the hilt.  “Fuck!”  The woman had clearly held out in the car.  If she kept this up, she’d render me to my knees.

My hand fisted her hair and pulled back.  “Baby, you have to stop.”

The slight shake of her head and her refusing moan around me sent tremors down my spine.  She continued to slide my length in and out of that criminal mouth of hers.

Overwhelmed by the sensations, I couldn’t bring myself to release her tresses.  Hannah’s throat muscles worked around my length, my release imminent.  Blood pounded in my ears, white spots filled my vision, and my hips jerked forward as she broke me, swallowing all I had to offer.

When Hannah released me from her mouth and stood up, I pulled her against me, my hand tightening around her hair to tilt her head back. Her eyes widened with lust.

“I’m going to make you come so many times you’ll be climbing the walls backwards in an attempt to get away from me for that stunt, baby.” I growled and captured her mouth with mine in an aggressive kiss.

Pulling away, much to Hannah’s protest, I retreated enough to remove my shirt, as well as to kick away my pants, which were pooled at my ankles.

“Take off your clothes,” I commanded.  She started as if it was a race.  “Slowly. And stop after each item so I can admire you.” 
This is going to be good.

I sat down in the armless lounge chair that took up a corner of her bedroom and proceeded to enjoy the show.

To my delight, Hannah twirled after she removed her dress, exposing her thong and the pink mark of my hand on her left cheek.

Her bra and underwear were next.

Hannah reached to remove her shoes.  “The heels stay.” Her posture straightened.  I held out my hand to her.  “Come here.”

When Hannah’s fingers laced with mine, I pulled her closer so she stood in front of me in naked perfection, her hands connecting with my chest.  I ran mine over her back, up to her shoulders, barely touching her heated skin.

“You’re beautiful, sweetheart.” She blushed at my heated appraisal.  “Now, I need you to sit on my face.”

Getting up, I positioned myself so I straddled the back of the chair and laid back, my head at its foot.  Without argument, Hannah straddled my head, facing my feet, her feet tucked under my armpits as I pulled her closer to my mouth.

“Have I ever told you that your pussy was the best I’ve ever had?”  My tongue traced the length of Hannah’s lower lips, where she graced me with a whimper.

My mouth worked her, as I nipped with my teeth, sucked with my lips, and probed her with my tongue.  Her moans turned guttural and mixed with the occasional shriek as my fingers joined the mix.

Hannah was so into it that she hadn’t even realized that she was attempting to ride my face.

At some point, her body began to shift forward and she gripped my shaft.  My hand connected hard with her ass, making her hiss.  The clenching of her hot channel on my inserted fingers told me she loved it.

“You don’t touch until I tell you to.  You got me once already, this is my time.”

“B-but…”  I slapped her again and this time, she moaned and pressed her bottom closer to my face in a submissive offering.

Hannah came twice before I allowed her sweet pussy away from my face.

“Get on your knees on the lounge,” I told her.

She moved into position, gasping loud when I breached her entrance hard and without warning, from behind.

“Play with yourself while I fuck you, baby.  I want to hear you scream.”

Boy did she indulge me!  Lowering a leg to the floor for added leverage, Hannah pistoned backward onto my shaft.  My hands gripped her hips and pulled her into me until she came again, her screams making my ears ring.

Her body was a limp mass, but my cock sure wasn’t.

Pulling out, I picked her up and set her down on the bed where I opened her legs, lifted her hips and plunged right back in, eliciting a grunt from her.

My thumb tweaked her clit as I thrust balls deep into her and after a few hard flicks over her nub, I could feel her hips and legs start to work as she tried to get away from me.

“Ben, I can’t… I can’t come anymore.”

“Just one more, baby, one more.”  I gritted my teeth, picked up the tempo and added more pressure to her already hyper-sensitive jewel.

A vice-like contraction took hold of my cock and that was my undoing.

Hannah’s screams became silent, her breathing remained heavy and her eyes were closed.

“Baby?” I asked.

“Hmm?”

I lay back and pulled Hannah’s limp form into me.  It took a minute for her to respond, but she eventually wrapped her arms around me, while I rubbed her back.

“Baby, are you okay?”

“You’re a maniac,” she mumbled. “Call me crazy, but I want to do that again some time.”

The tremendous relief I felt at her words surprised me.  For once, I didn’t have to hide that part of me that loved control with an aggression that all of my partners over the years had gone running from.  It only solidified the fact that Hannah was made for me.

I chuckled and kissed her forehead.  “Sleep, sweetheart.” I pulled the covers over us, kissing her forehead.  “I love you.”