Chapter Fifteen
“Well, from now on, I’ll have more respect for these killer heels,” Don teased, picking up the shoe Hannah had brought down on White’s head.
Hannah inhaled sharply. “I didn’t kill him.”
“I know.” Don smiled and patted her back. “I’m just teasing. You’re part of a clan of strong women,” he said, putting his arm around his wife.
David pulled Dana closer. “I’m proud to say I’m also married to one of those, even if she isn’t a Sutherland. You should have seen my wife when her life was in danger.”
“Yeah, yeah, you’ve told that story so many times we all know about the flower pot she was going to use to clobber him with,” Dale teased.
“Is the guy who tried to attack her still in jail?” Don asked.
Darryn pulled Hannah close to him, tuning out the rest of the voices.
After White had been taken into custody, he’d brought Hannah back to his house.
Everyone else followed them here, and the story had to be told over and over again.
And as much as he loved his family, he would have loved it even more if they all left right now.
He wanted, no, he needed to be alone with Hannah.
“So it’s really over?” Hannah’s mother asked and sat down next to them on the couch.
“It’s really over.” Hannah smiled and leaned forward to hug her mom. “Stephen is in custody; there will probably be a trial at some point, but I’m not going to think about that now.”
Her mother clutched her hand even tighter. “He obviously went completely off the rails at the end. I’m just so happy nothing happened to you. Are you sure you’re okay? Don’t you think you should talk to someone about this whole thing?”
Hannah shook her head. “I’m trying not to dwell on what happened, but rather be thankful I’m here and I’m safe.
And, you’re right, I don’t think Stephen was thinking rationally toward the end.
According to the police, he’s had psychiatric problems since his teens, that whole thing of wanting to be like Darryn, for instance.
The fact that I got him fired fueled whatever anger he has been carrying inside him all along.
I was the final ‘thing’ he didn’t want Darryn to have. ”
“I suppose one should feel sorry for him, but he wanted to hurt my little girl,” her mother said, hugging her close.
“I’m fine now, Mom. I know you can’t wait to go back to your writing again, so don’t worry about me. I really am all right. When are you starting a new story?” Hannah asked, hoping to get her mother’s attention focused on something else.
Her mother’s eyes twinkled as she got up. “Well, I’ll have to adjust my usual love story to include a villain this time, it seems.”
“Mom, please don’t tell me you are going to be writing about this?” Hannah asked exasperated.
“Who, me?” her mother asked with a poker face. “I wouldn’t dream of it,” she said and bent down to kiss Hannah on the cheek.
“She is so going to write about this,” Hannah grumbled. “She’s written stories about all her other daughters’ and Dana’s love lives. You would think she has enough material without adding me to the lot.”
“It’s high time you get a turn,” Caitlin said.
“But Hannah’s story isn’t finished yet,” her mother said serenely.
Hannah jumped up. “I’ve had enough excitement to last me a lifetime, Mom—this is my story, the end!” She hugged her mother. It was impossible to stay irritated with her mother for long. “Are you leaving with Caitlin and Don?”
“No, my car is outside.” She touched Hannah’s face. “Now that I know you’re not in danger any more, I’ll gladly go back to Hermanus.”
“Let me walk you out,” Hannah said.
“Wait, we’re all leaving,” Caitlin said with a wink in Darryn’s direction. “I can feel when I’m not wanted.”
Darryn grinned. “I’m not going to apologize for wanting to be alone with Hannah.”
“So, you’re finally admitting you’ve had a thing for Hannah all along?” David asked and slapped him on the back. “And that despite everything you said to the contrary.”
Darryn got up. “Well, it took me a while.” Grinning, he looked at his brothers. “Like it took all of you a while to figure out you want these women in your lives,” he said and waved his hand in the direction of his sisters-in-law.
His mother stepped closer and cupped his face. “You still have a long way to go,” she smiled.
“What do you mean?” he asked, but Hannah was clearing her throat, and everybody turned to look at her.
Darryn looked at her, and his heart dipped. What he felt for Hannah was so much more than a “thing” as his brothers so eloquently put it. He was crazy about her.
“I…I don’t know how to thank all of you for what you’ve done. You’ve put your lives on hold, flown across continents, disrupted your daily routines—and all to help watch over me. I won’t ever forget it,” she ended in a whisper.
“Group hug!” Caitlin shouted in a wobbly voice, and everyone huddled together for a hug.
Darryn moved so he was behind Hannah. As he put his arms around her body, she folded her hands around his. She fit beautifully in his arms.
“Okay, enough crying for one day.” Hannah’s mom sniffled and everyone stepped back. “I want to be back home before dark.”
*
Hannah closed her mother’s car door. “Drive safely and let us know when you’re home,” she said and bent down to kiss her mom.
Her mom touched her face and beamed. “I’m so glad you and Darryn have finally sorted out your differences. You two belong together; it’s so obvious. So, what happens now?”
Hannah stepped back from the car. “We’re together, Mom, nothing else is going to happen. My schedule is full. I’ll probably be around for another day or two before I have to fly to New York. I don’t know whether I’ve told you, but I’ll be part of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show again this year.”
“That’s wonderful, my dear!” her mom gushed. “This will be what? The third time you’re one of the angels?”
Hannah nodded. “Yes, it is. I’m looking forward to it. It’s always so much fun.”
Her mother cocked her head. “How do you really feel about going away, being so busy, being away from Darryn? And what does he say?”
“Drive safely, Mom.” Hannah smiled and waved.
Her mom laughed. “You don’t have to answer me, but do think about the questions, my dear.” She reversed the car out of the driveway.
Hannah waved and watched her mom’s car until it disappeared around the corner. Behind her, the rest of their family were also getting into cars while talking and laughing. Things were finally back to normal.
She would have to talk to Darryn about her schedule. Her life had always been so busy, and she never had anyone else to consider besides herself. But at this point, she wasn’t sure what she and Darryn were.
She turned around and looked at Darryn. He was talking to his dad and laughed at something he’d said. Her heart did its usual silly little dance when he was around and she sighed.
Damn, she loved this man, always had and always would.
Even if he only wanted her for a little while, that was also fine; she had no pride left when it came to Darryn Cavallo.
She wanted him something fierce, and if a few days, a few months were all they’d have, then she’d be happy.
At this point, she would take what she could get.
Last goodbyes were called out and finally the last car drove away.
Darryn turned to her with a smile.
“I love my family, but damn, I’m glad they’re all gone now.” He put his arm around her as they moved toward the front door.
“How are you feeling?” Hannah asked as he closed the door behind them. “Headache better?”
“I’m fine,” he said with a light in his eyes that left her dry-mouthed. “Why do you ask?”
Her hands moved without any direction from her brain and lifted her top over her head.
Her own brazenness startled her, but her body knew no shame.
She wanted Darryn, and after all the fear and worry of the past two years, she was done overthinking this.
She wanted him and she had been waiting long enough.
“I wanted to make sure you can handle this,” she teased as she unzipped her jeans and shimmied out of them. She took a deep breath. All she was wearing was a blue G-string and a matching lace bra.
Darryn stepped closer, his eyes molten chocolate. He had his hands in his pockets, and the only movement was the flaring of his nostrils. His whole body was tense, the muscles on his arms flexed. The temperature in the room increased rapidly, but he didn’t touch her.
His heated gaze traveled slowly over her, scorching her skin as his gaze moved downward.
Immediately, her body reacted to his bold stare. And he hadn’t even touched her yet.
His gaze lingered on her breasts, and her nipples hardened. When he looked up again, his eyes were black with desire.
He exhaled slowly. “You are so beautiful, I can’t believe you’re here, with me, like this.”
She moved forward, stepped boldly between his legs. “Believe it,” she whispered and unbuckled his belt.
He dropped his forehead against hers. “I’m scared to take my hands out of my pockets, scared that I might hurt you. I’ve wanted you so desperately for so long, I…”
But she had stopped listening. She unzipped his pants, pushed them down. He faltered, and she slowly began unbuttoning his shirt, concentrating on her task.
With each movement of her hands, another part of his rock-hard muscles was revealed, a part she had no choice but to touch, to caress, to kiss until he was shuddering under her hands.
Against her tummy, his desire was growing, making her light-headed. By the time she finally unbuttoned the last button, pushed away the sides of his shirt, and spread her hands over his muscled, gorgeous body, she was shivering with need.
Her fingers trailed over his shoulder where Stephen had hit him. It was black and blue and had to be so sore. But before she could ask, he picked her up and caught her lips with his. He tripped over his pants, cussed against her lips before he deepened the kiss, and pinned her against the wall.
*
She was killing him. Desperate to touch as much of her as quickly as possible, Darryn’s hands streaked down her sides.
She was rose petals and satin, velvet and heat.
He could spend days touching her skin, investigating every smooth line, every soft curve of her gorgeous body, but she had unleashed something inside of him and, although he was trying to hold on to his sanity, he was losing his grip fast.
With deft movements, he got rid of the last pieces of clothing.
Lifting his head, he cupped her breasts, watching in wonder how perfectly they fit in his hands.
He bent down, caught one nipple in his mouth, and lost a little bit of his reason as her scent surrounded him.
The whole of the outside world ceased to exist. All that mattered was loving this woman, showing her exactly how much he wanted her.
“Darryn,” she whispered, her head moving restlessly against the wall.
“Yeah?” he asked, making sure her other breast got the same treatment.
“I…I need you. Now,” she demanded, her hands moving restlessly over him.
Claiming her mouth again, his hands moved down so he could cup her. She was ready for him. The need to be one with her roared through his blood, and with her name on his lips, he lifted her higher against the wall and pushed into her.
Sobbing, she folded her legs around his body.
“Look at me?” he asked through clenched teeth while trying to focus on her face.
Her blue eyes were dark with passion, her lips swollen with his kisses. Without taking his eyes off of her, he began to move. She bit her lip and trembled against him and he lost the last vestiges of his control.
*
Hannah tried to keep her gaze on Darryn.
Passion had darkened his eyes. His teeth were clamped together as he began to move inside her. Her body instinctively followed his rhythm, she tried to concentrate on every single detail. She wanted to remember this moment forever.
But Darryn threw back his head, gathered her close to him, and she let the gale force of sensation pick her up and fling her far away.
When she next opened her eyes, they were lying entangled on the floor. She had landed on top of him, his arms protectively folded around her.
“Wow.” Hannah breathed without lifting her head. “Yep—you are definitely fine.” She moved her head so she could look at Darryn.
His eyes were still closed, a smile hovered around his mouth, and he looked more relaxed than she’d seen him in a long time.
His hand was trailing up and down her back, igniting the flames that were still simmering just below the surface.
She bent down, intending to simply press her lips against his hurt shoulder, but his warm skin invited her to linger.
Under her hand, the beating of his heart stopped for a second before it picked up the pace. Smiling, she slid lower down his body, her lips trailing kisses over his torso, down over his muscled tummy until his skin quivered beneath her lips.
“Hannah,” he said through clenched teeth and tried to grab her arms.
But she moved down his body all the way, shaking her head. “My turn to love you,” she said and bent her head.
*
Darryn barked out a short laugh and tried to grab her shoulders again so he could stop her. There was no way in hell he was going to last and he wanted to be inside her. But she lowered her head, and he forgot what he wanted to do, forgot what he wanted to say, and fell back on the floor.
Passion was a red haze that was blurring his vision, and he tried to fight it back, but it was too overwhelming, too devastating—he couldn’t do anything else but ride the wave until he crested triumphantly, shouting out her name.