Chapter 10
ten
Sierra
I wake to my man’s soft breaths puffing over the bare skin of my chest. His head rests on my shoulder and he’s got one arm wrapped over my waist and a leg tucked between mine. The length of his morning wood pokes my hip.
After a night of making love my body is a delightful combination of gentle aches and the physical euphoria of amazing orgasms. Just as powerful were the quiet moments we spent in conversation, sharing our pasts and hopes for the future.
Carefully lifting my hand, I stroke Luke’s hair. The past hours confirmed and solidified my emotions. Without any doubt, I love this man. I want to scream that love into the sky, much like he made me scream in release, but I don’t think he’s ready to accept my love. There are times when he’s open and easy to read, and other moments when he’s closed off so tightly, not even light can get in.
Now that we’ve added sex to our growing relationship our dynamics might change. Since my attack, I prefer having the power of control in my sexual encounters. While it’s a psychological trauma response, I know for me it’s also a kink I enjoy. Last night when he ceded control to me it might have been because he hasn’t had any experience. But the way his pupils dilated nearly obscuring his light blue irises and his heated responses when I made my demands, lead me to believe he’s my perfect match.
Then those times when he took control? Oh my, I’ve never felt so cherished. So wanted.
I hope we’ll have a long life together exploring every aspect of our relationship.
I love you, Luke.
“About time you woke up,” he mumbles against my breast. My nipples firm in response and I sigh when his hand moves to cup my mound.
“I thought you were asleep.”
“You were thinking too loud. Good morning, my sweet Sierra.”
“Morning, honey.” Spreading my thighs in invitation, I ask, “What are your plans for today?”
“Hmm.” His lips vibrate against the hollow at the base of my throat. “Seeing if you’re ready.”
“For?”
He parts me with his fingers and unerringly brushes over my clit. Then his hand dips lower to discover that, yes, I’m wet and more than ready. His lips move to tease mine as he settles in the cradle of my thighs, his cock trapped between us.
The ringing of a phone freeze his undulations and he lifts his head to frown down on me. “That’s my Sat phone.”
“You can call them back later.” I wrap one leg over his ass and press him tighter against me.
He shakes his head. “Only a few people have the number for emergencies. I can’t…”
With a pout, I push against his chest. “Answer it. I’m not going anywhere.”
“Sorry,” he mumbles as he slips from the bed. After a quick kiss and another apology, he rushes from the bedroom. I enjoy watching the play of his ass and thigh muscles. I wouldn’t mind keeping this man naked for a long, long time.
The low rumble of his voice changes in tone, drawing me from my sensual plans for the day. There is something wrong. Heavy worry settles in my chest and I roll off the mattress, wrapping myself in a rumpled sheet.
“I’ll let you know as soon as I have details,” Luke says as I enter the living room. He leans on his elbows on the island staring at the disconnected phone in his hand.
“Honey?”
He lifts his pain-tortured gaze to me. “I have to get to Portland as soon as possible.”
“What happened?” While I wait for him to answer, the organizational part of my mind is already making tentative plans.
“That was my lawyer. Kyle’s father is relinquishing his parental rights. I’m his only living relative and if I don’t get to Portland, Kyle will be placed in a foster home. With my history, that could make it more difficult for me to gain custody.”
He circles the island and grabs water from the fridge. “How am I supposed to take care of a child here? Anywhere? Sierra, I can’t let Kyle go. Not when there’s something I can do. I just don’t know what that something is.”
I join him and grab my own water. “One thing’s for damn sure, we won’t let him get placed in the system. Not when there’s viable and… you do love him, don’t you?”
At Luke’s nod, I continue. “When there’s a viable and loving option. We can figure out how to take care of him as we go. From what I’ve seen, that’s what most parents have to do anyway.”
“Parents? Am I ready to be a father?” He visibly fights the panic racing through him. Eyes closed, he presses his palm against the island’s stone top. “I can do this. Cross a failure off my list and honor my sister’s dying wish. I can do this.”
He needs to know he’s not going to be dealing with this alone. I cover his hand with mine and give a squeeze. “We can do this, Luke. First we’ll rescue your nephew. And go from there.”
The tension eases from his shoulders. “Thank you. I need your calm right now. Your thoughts and opinions. You. Hell, I just need you. What’s first. Portland. Get to Portland. Would you use my laptop to find flights?”
I let the sheet drop as I wrap my arms around his shoulders. He shivers when the cold water bottle in my hand touches his back then clutches me close for a kiss. Skin to skin I easily sense his desperation. I need to take charge again. This emergency feels like a test the universe has tossed our way. If we make it through, we’ll be a stronger team.
Determined to build that trust and strength, I step back. “No need to search flights. My company jet is at the local airstrip. I’ll give Marie, my pilot, a call and have her file the flight plan. How long will it take us to get to town?”
“Twenty minutes. Another ten to get to the airfield. Wait, you have a jet?”
I chuckle. “Belongs to the company. Marie has never been to Alaska so I arranged for her to keep the plane here rather than make an unnecessary trip by sending it home only to have her come back when I was ready. Once we know our arrival time, I’ll have a car waiting in Portland.”
“You can do all that? You want to?”
Pausing for a long moment, I weigh the options of what I’m about to say. He deserves the truth and it doesn’t matter if it makes the situation better, or worse, I’m in this rescue mission until Kyle is successfully and safely home with his uncle.
“Luke, yes, I can and I want to. Because I love you. No, don’t say anything right now. I know for only three words that’s a lot to throw at you when you’re so stressed. I’m telling you so you know my actions are honest. I’ll help you bring Kyle home. Then, maybe, someday, this can be my home, too.”
“Sierra.”
“No, no time for discussion right now. You go take a shower and pack. I’ll make arrangements for the flight. If there’s no time for me to shower here, I can take one on the jet. We can talk there, too. If I remember, it’s around a four hour flight. Now go. Get ready. Don’t worry.”
“Don’t worry? That’s impossible.”
When I give him a narrow-eyed glare, he lifts his hand in a placating gesture. “Okay, I’ll leave the logistics up to you. I’ll shower. I’m sorry about this morning. I’d planned a much better way to wake up.”
Easing into his embrace I press a kiss to his chest. “I know. Me, too. We’ll have more days to wake up that way.”
Forty-five minutes later we’re in his UTV bouncing through the forest. He claims this mostly invisible and barely wide enough track is the quickest way to town. Gripping the edge of my seat, I laugh as we go airborne for a couple seconds.
“You okay?” he asks with a quick glance in my direction.
“I’m great. You should know I’m a little bit addicted to the rush of adrenaline. Speed, risk, it’s all good for me. Just keep us right side up.”
He nods and focuses forward. The intensity in his stiff posture could cause him harm if we land too hard. And his claw keeps slipping off the wheel. I need to help him find some calm. “You remember when we talked about how there’s a variety of grips available in prosthetics.”
He doesn’t answer but I know he’s listening. “Like for driving. To help hold the wheel securely.”
His shoulder twitches as he adjusts his claw on the wheel. “There’s merit in that.”
“And the one that changes position to hold things like a kayak paddle, or in your life, an axe handle.”
“That I could use. Sierra, what if Kyle is frightened of my prosthesis?”
“I haven’t been around kids other than those who we’ve fitted with devices. Unless they’ve had an unpleasant experience, they’re usually more curious than anything. About how a joint works, how the materials feel. How it moves.”
“What if he doesn’t remember me? If I’m a stranger to him? How can I overcome that?”
“That I don’t know. Kids usually have great memories though. I’m going to be the wild card there. He won’t know me at all, and we don’t know what kind of interactions he’s had with women since…” I let the thought fade. I don’t want to add any more sadness and recriminations to this difficult situation.
He remains lost in his thoughts until we reach town. As we roll along the streets, Luke points out stores, a café, the school. At the airstrip, he parks behind the single, reinforced Quonset hut. A variety of planes are tied down in a long row near a shelter break of pine trees. On the single runway, my company jet is waiting.
Grabbing our packs, we jog to the jet. After boarding, I point Luke toward the passenger area and spend a few moments confirming plans with Marie. Once I’m belted in, we lift into the air and with a roar of engines, speed toward Portland.
An hour into the flight, Luke’s gaze is unfocused, his fingers drumming against the arm of his seat. His frown grows deeper but even when I ask, he doesn’t share his thoughts with me. He hasn’t exactly shut me out but he’s definitely not letting me in.
It’s time for a little distraction.
I rise from my seat then ease to my knees in front of him. He blinks and cocks his head to one side. “What are you doing?”
“You tasted me last night. We got interrupted this morning. I’m starving and need to feast on you.”
“This isn’t the time.” He waves his hand around the passenger cabin. “Not the place.”
“You’re wrong, honey. You need to relax. Pleasantly passing the time until we land is going to do you a world of good.”
There’s a rise behind his zipper and I lick my lips. His body betrays what he wants despite his verbal denials.
“What about the pilot?”
“She’s busy flying the jet.” Spreading his thighs with my hands, I move closer.
“Sierra. You don’t have to.”
“That’s true. I want to. Relax, honey. Let me make you feel good.” I slip my hands toward his groin, encircling the bulge with my hands. When he gives no further objection, I give him a firm rub then unfasten the button and lower his zipper.
“Lift your ass, Luke.” With a soft groan, he does and I tug down his jeans and briefs. Thick and exquisitely veined, his cock rises from its nest of hair. “You are sculpture worthy.”
His rough chuckle makes his cock bounce. Not waiting any longer, I let his length rest against my palm and hold his gaze while I draw my tongue up the thick vein on the underside. His eyes squeeze shut and his breath stalls. After a second slow lick, I wrap my lips around the head and with gentle sucking lower my mouth down his shaft.
“Fucking hell, Sierra.”
Pulling my mouth away creates a soft pop. “First time for this, too?”
A hint of panic tightens his lips before he slowly nods as though afraid I’ll think less of him. Or maybe it’s because he’s afraid I’m going to stop. That’s not going to happen. Not until we’re both satisfied.
“I am so going to enjoy sharing all these firsts with you, honey. Enjoy it so much.” Taking him into my mouth, I set a rhythm with my hand and mouth, licking, sucking, stroking until he’s writhing.
Spearing his fingers through my hair he tugs. I keep my tongue swirling around the head and look up into his face.
“I don’t want to come like this,” he pants.
“I don’t mind at all,” I say, my words slurred and muffled around him.
“Not this time. Please, Sierra. Not this time.”
I ease my sliding grip from him and lift my head. “Another time?”
“Hell, yeah, baby. Just not now. Please?”
This is the first time he’s called me anything but my name. I’m taking that as a win. “How can I say no when you beg so prettily?”
I lean back but when he moves like he’s going to stand, I press my palm against his chest and shake my head. “Don’t move.”
“But—”
Arching my eyebrows, I shake my head. “Do. Not. Move.”
He collapses against the seat back, his cock hard and twitching against his belly. I strip off my jeans. Thankful that the executive seats are wide, I straddle his lap. The meeting of our lips is fierce and I know he’s pouring his fear, uncertainty, and confusion into me. I’ll gladly take what I can and return pleasure, joy and hopefully peace to his soul.
Rising up, I position his cock at my entrance and slowly sink onto him. We groan together, a harmony only the two of us will ever find. I plan to go slow until his hips drive him up and deeper. We come together harder. Faster. The angle is perfect, stroking my g-spot with each thrust.
I nip his earlobe. “Not long, honey.”
“Me too, baby. Me too.”
The jet engines barely cover our moans and gasps. He senses the moment and seals our mouths together to capture my cries of release. A few seconds later I return the favor.
Once our breathing calms, he eases from my body while I remain straddling him. After a few leisurely kisses I say, “The jet doesn’t carry a huge water supply. Share the shower with me? It’ll be a tight fit, but I’m sure we can figure it out.”
At his nod I stand and gather my jeans. “So, honey, now I can welcome you to the mile high club.”
He pulls up his pants enough to follow me to the bedroom at the rear of the passenger compartment. “Does that come with a membership card? After last night I have an empty slot in my wallet.”