Chapter 24
Viper
“I love your furry butts, but you need to leave us alone just for a little while.” With Grace in my arms, her legs wrapped around mine, I still managed to climb the stairs, the dogs dutifully following.
Not only were they barking up a storm, but they were also nipping at my heels, determined to get some attention. Once inside the room, we both peered down at the two of them, laughing together.
The sun would soon be peeking over the horizon, the horrors of the night already a distant memory. And by God, as much as I adored the dogs, I needed time with my woman.
Mine.
After the harrowing experience, I felt it was my right to claim her.
Especially after what I’d been told by more than a dozen people the moment I walked onto the University of Montana’s campus.
I’d been bombarded with cameras in my face, people rushing around not only me, but all the other smokejumpers who’d walked down that mountain together.
We were a team and when something happened to one of us, it happened to all.
I’d been shocked at the reception, the well wishes and cheers something I wouldn’t soon forget. But goddamn it, when I hadn’t seen Grace right there in the front of the line, I’d been devastated.
Until her friend had popped over to me, guiding me through the crowd and pointing me in the right direction.
I’d had to fight off reporters, questions coming from every direction.
I hadn’t cared. When I’d seen Grace huddled on the bench, I knew I couldn’t hold back my heart any longer.
How could any man in their goddamn right mind?
“Shoo, babies. We’ll be out… shortly,” Grace cooed and used her foot to close the door. Her laugh was something I could never get enough of.
We didn’t waste any time removing our clothes, managing to do so at the same time. When I thumped her down on the bed, she immediately wrapped one leg around mine as she rubbed my arms.
“I can’t believe you’re here and in one piece. You saved your teammate. You’ll have to tell me more, maybe tomorrow. Although it is tomorrow, isn’t it? Happy Fourth of July.”
I cupped her face with one hand while placing the index finger of the other across her lips. “Shush.”
“But I have—”
“I said shush,” I interrupted, grinning as I did. “You definitely talk too much. Maybe I’ll stuff your mouth with something to keep you from talking.” In response, she licked her lips.
The little brat. Did she not feel my thick cock pressing between her legs? Could she not tell by the wild look in my eyes I planned on ravaging her?
“Baby, we have months, maybe years to go over the details of what happened on that mountain. Not now. I have other things in mind. Okay? No, do not answer.”
Maybe I just needed to explain things a little differently, showing her who was boss.
I captured her mouth to start, immediately thrusting my tongue inside. She rolled her arms over my shoulders, moaning into the kiss. I wasn’t gentle, owning her mouth like I owned everything else on her luscious body.
Thinking of her had kept me under the protective shield even as the fire had roared over us, the sound like a tornado. I’d never experienced anything like it and never wanted to again.
I slid my hand away and onto the bed, pulling some weight off her, but she wanted me close. She rubbed her hands down my back as I explored her mouth as if tasting her for the first time. The passion was explosive, perhaps more so than before.
But there was more of her I needed to taste all over again.
The moment I broke the kiss, I pressed my lips against her heated skin while sliding between her legs.
She didn’t stop me, her moans fueling the hunger that I couldn’t seem to satisfy.
I kept my eyes on her since I’d feared I’d never seen her again while moving lower.
As soon as I gathered her legs into my arms, her body stiffened.
Watching her reaction was a sheer joy. As she slipped her hand through her hair, arching her back just a few inches, I could do nothing more than watch her. Yet her sweet scent called to me, urging me to dip my tongue into her wetness.
As I pressed her knees to the comforter, she fisted the bedding with one hand, even pointing her toes. Still so nervous around me. She didn’t understand just how beautiful she was.
I planned on spending days, months, hell, years showing her.
The thought was everything I needed.
I swirled my tongue around her clit several times, savoring the way she twisted her mouth and her eyelids flitted open and closed. She was every man’s dream and the woman belonged to me.
As I sucked on her tender nub, she undulated, her breath skipping.
Even her sounds were something I couldn’t seem to get enough of.
I took my time even though my dick was in agony.
She was wet, even more so than before. I was beyond excited, my balls aching.
But I continued the feast, enjoying the hell out of myself.
When I dragged my tongue down the length of her pussy, she jerked all the way up, staring down at me with a wicked smile. I didn’t dare blink for fear of missing something as I thrust my tongue inside, adding a finger almost immediately.
She dug her heels into the bed, gasping for air.
When we both heard the dogs whining, she slapped her hand across her mouth, suppressing her giggle.
I loved it, hoping I could always make her laugh.
But not now. Now I wanted her moaning my name several times. I grabbed her full attention once again, plunging several fingers inside. I could do this for hours. With the combination, she was soon writhing, ripping at the bedding as she did.
I’d been right. The taste of her was sweeter than before, driving my actions until I was rough.
I was even digging my fingers into her soft skin, refusing to let up as her soft cries picked up in intensity.
In less than a minute, I could tell she was close, so close.
There was no command needed. The moment I buried my face into her wetness, she issued a wild cry.
And the shriek of my name was everything I’d hoped for.
“Viper. Oh, God. Viper!”
I licked her furiously while she climaxed, savoring every drop until her body fell back against the bed.
One arm fell to the side, her head lolled, and the look on her face was serene.
As I climbed over her, using my knee to nudge her legs apart, she finally opened her eyes. Her smile was everything I needed.
With no delay, I pressed the tip of my cock into her pussy. Her muscles clamped around my shaft, refusing to let me go. As if that was going to happen. With some control I slipped inside, holding still while she exhaled.
But there was no way I could hold back. I was too hot, my need bordering on desperate. I pulled out, plunging into her again. She remained unblinking, staring up at me with soulful eyes. I could see so many emotions, every one of them touching me.
I rocked against her and she wrapped both legs around me, interlocking her feet. Longing to see her gorgeous face, I pushed up from the bed, grinning as I swiveled my hips.
“You’re so… hard.”
She giggled again, her face shimmering in the most incredible shade of rose. I prayed she’d always react this way. I fucked her long and hard, enjoying every moment, but given all we’d both been through, I couldn’t hold back for long.
As my body stiffened, she gripped my arms in a possessive hold that could keep a man warm at night.
When I finally erupted, filling her with my seed, I reminded myself that I was one lucky man.
I collapsed over her, our heaving breathing matching the wild thudding of my heart. Being alone with her was special, a moment no one could take away.
This was what home felt like.
“Oh, my God,” she managed, her hot breath still cascading across me.
“I’m not finished.” I lifted my head, staring into her eyes. Hers were filled with tears. “Don’t cry.”
“I was so worried.”
“I’m pretty tough.”
She laughed, although the sound was strangled. “I’m so glad.”
Our alone time didn’t last for long. The door hadn’t latched and a few seconds later, the dogs bounded in, jumping on the bed.
All we could do was laugh as they jumped and barked in happiness, providing licks as their tails wagged.
I finally rolled off, staring up at the ceiling as the melee continued.
And once again, I thought about the motherfucker who was stalking her. If he dared bother her again, he wouldn’t like what he had to deal with.
After the dogs calmed down, absconding with the pillows, she sat up, peering down at me with a challenging look.
“I’ll be right back. Do not go anywhere. I’ll steal your clothes if you try.” She eased from under me, pinching my arm in the process.
Her threat caused a grin. Only after she went to the bathroom did I sit up, noticing she’d cleaned up the room, putting a bunch of items in boxes. She was finally ready to let go of the past.
To a point.
Maybe I was as well. It was about time. Past time. I grabbed the remote, flicking on the television. She had something on her dresser. I moved closer, realizing it was an old yearbook. Unable to help myself, I flipped the already open pages, finding her high school picture.
Oh, my God. She was so adorable. I continued flipping, hoping to find other pictures.
I noticed a photograph that seemed familiar. When I pulled the yearbook closer, I shook my head, unable to be certain. How many people did I know in this town?
There were a couple of familiar faces, including Raptor. Shit. Now I had something to tease him with.
Her presence over my shoulder brought another smile. “Snooping? Don’t you dare look at my picture. I have goofy hair.”
As I pulled the book away, she tried to grab it. “You look sweet and innocent.”
When she snorted, her eyes opened wide as she laughed. “You would have said something entirely different back then.” She pointed to another picture.
“And who is that?”