Chapter 14 – Hannah
Chapter Fourteen
HANNAH
M y heart slams against my rib cage, so fast I wouldn’t be able to count the beats if I tried.
Michael is coming over to my house.
My house. With me.
And though I didn’t say it explicitly, I think he knows that I don’t want him over to watch a movie.
Cutting through the empty lot behind the grocery store, we dip down Cedar Lane, a dirt pathway that’s been on the island since the town was established and that runs between two rows of buildings. It’s a charming shortcut to my house, and I usually take it to work unless I’m running late and need to drive.
We don’t speak as we walk, but the air vibrates—and not just between us. The whole island feels charged, the clouds above us churning as dark slips across downtown. Michael’s hand finds mine, and peace washes through me.
This is right. So right.
I haven’t been with a man since Paul. There hasn’t even been anyone I’ve wanted to be with. Until now.
“Hey, Hannah!”
I jump at the cheery voice, and Michael and I grind to a halt in the middle of the path. Estelle, my elderly neighbor, emerges from behind her giant metal chicken—one of many flamboyant pieces of art in her yard.
“Looks like rain.” She wipes her face with the back of her gardening glove.
“Sure does.”
She smiles at Michael. “How are you, Michael?”
“Great. I hope you are.”
I wait for his hand to tighten on mine, for the indication that he’s uncomfortable, thinking about how tomorrow the whole town will be saying that Estelle saw him going into my house. But it never comes. His gentle hold remains steady.
He’s proud to be seen with me.
A smile pulls at my lips. Even though I’m still nervous, I suddenly can’t wait another minute to get inside my house.
“Well, see you later.” I wave at Estelle and practically pull Michael into my yard and through my back door.
I’m shaking with need, my legs weak and my head spinning. A terrible ache fills my core, and there’s only one person who can satisfy it.
Shutting the door, I spin to face him. “This is my house.”
“It’s cute.” His eyes never leave my face.
“There’s no dirty laundry on the floor today, so that’s a win. I figured I wouldn’t die of embarrassment if you came over.” I’m babbling from nerves, and the more I talk, the faster the words just spit out. “Would you like some tea? Or anything else? It’s a little dark in here, isn’t it?”
“I think it’s perfect,” he growls.
He advances on me, head ducked, and the instant his lips meet mine, all anxiety washes away. I’m back in that sacred realm his touch always brings me to, back in a place where nothing could ever be wrong.
The kiss intensifies, and we walk into the living room, lips still locked, arms around each other. I kick my shoes off, and he follows suit. The need that before was a burning ember in my lower belly is now a roaring fire in my every cell.
“I need you,” I gasp against his mouth, truer words having never been said.
He growls in response and, in one swift move, picks me up and carries me down the short hallway and into my bedroom.
“Is this the right room?” he asks, not even looking.
I laugh against his jaw. “Bingo.”
He sets me gently on the bed and lowers his firm, large body over mine, being careful not to put too much weight on me. Too careful, maybe.
I want him inside me now, want it fast and furious till I can’t think straight. Even if that’s not what’s best for my sensitive body.
He takes his time, though, kissing down my neck and pulling off my shirt. His large hands are gentle and careful as they unhook my bra and toss it on the floor.
I don’t even consider feeling exposed, don’t even take a moment to fear that he doesn’t like what he sees. I can’t. The way Michael looks at me, it’s like he’s kneeling at the altar of his favorite goddess. Like every part of me was made divinely perfect, and no one sees this more than him.
Softly…achingly slowly… he drags his lips down my chest and belly. Unbuttoning my jeans, he pushes them down my hips and calves. I’m on fire, responding to his every touch with sighs and gasps.
How have I gone through life without this? How have I ever known happiness without this man’s touch?
Pulling my panties off, he kisses the sensitive skin on the inside of my thigh. My legs open to him, my body and heart silently begging him to do as he pleases.
His tongue is slow and cautious, testing the waters. My hand finds his wind-tossed hair, fingers twisting through the soft locks as he licks and teases. Waves of pleasure lift me up…up…each one taking me a little higher than the last.
I buck my hips against his face, dig my nails into his scalp. I’m tossed into the very sky, the tsunami of pleasure bringing me down with a deafening crash. I’m dimly aware of someone crying out his name—I guess it must be me?—and then I’m blinking my eyes back into focus, trying to make sense of the reality-shattering experience.
There’s no logic here, though. No explanation. There’s only me, and there’s him—me and him together, joined into one perfect rhythm.
Michael’s lips find mine again, but I need more. I claw at his shirt, and he chuckles at my desperation, the throaty laugh only making me more eager to explore his body.
Pulling back, he helps me with his clothes. With each layer that falls on the floor, my jaw drops a little lower.
I knew he was fit and he was sexy… But, damn. I’m shocked I’m not blinded by the tight lines of muscles running all over his torso, arms, and legs.
Climbing back onto the bed, he pulls me to him so that I’m right on his lap. We’re both naked, his dick pulsing against my inner thigh.
“I’ve been dreaming of this.” He rakes his fingers through my hair.
“Me too,” I whisper, enjoying the heat gathering between us.
“I…have condoms.” He licks his lips. “And I got them for this, for whenever we found ourselves here. I didn’t get them for anyone else,” he hurries to explain.
“Okay.” I laugh a little bit, though I’m secretly thrilled to hear that because it means he hasn’t been with another woman lately. And it’s not like that would cheapen our experience, but of course it’s nice to hear.
That makes me feel special. It makes us special.
“Yeah.” His warm breath tickles my cheek. “I just wanted you to know that.”
“So…” I bite my lip and reach between us, my hand finding his throbbing length like a moth to a flame. “Are you going to get one?”
He groans in delight and nips my neck. “Yes,” he rasps.
Gently setting me on the bed, he digs in his wallet. My heart picks up, and a bit of anxiety returns. It’s been so long, maybe I’m out of practice…
But, no. That’s not what’s scaring me. It’s the vulnerability of this moment. The step that means that, from now on, there are greater heights to fall from.
There’s more to lose.
Once we do this, my heart will be in this game on a whole new level.
But then Michael sits on the edge of the bed, cups my face, and looks deep into my eyes. Nothing is said, but there doesn’t need to be a single word. He knows how special this moment is, and we have each other to hold on to.
No one will be tumbling away, crashing to the ground.
His lips collide with mine, and this kiss is hungry and electric. He climbs over me like a lazy wave, and we sink into the mattress. Our fingers laced, he enters slowly.
Pleasure ripples through me as he stretches me open. Even in the dimly lit room, everything seems vibrant. The shadows dance, and the air is sweeter than it’s ever been.
Michael kisses my lips. My chin. My throat. We rock together slowly but surely, not in a rush to get anywhere. No one has ever been this gentle with me, and it makes me open up even more.
Pressing my hands flat against his back, I draw him tighter to me. There’s no such thing as close enough, and I long for his every inch to be pressed to mine. Sweat collects between us, a cocktail of our heat and lust. Pulling his lower lip into my mouth, I gently suck it between my lips, then bite down lightly with my teeth while running my nails up and down his back.
Pleasure spins up my core in a spiral. Still, he goes slowly, taking his time—so much that I might go mad. Desperate gasps slip from my lips, and he swallows them with each kiss.
Suddenly, I explode, my soul bursting from my body to be reconstructed in the ether. Michael groans into my ear, the most primal, ecstatic sound I’ve ever heard, and—together—we reach a new bliss.
Closing my eyes, I breathe him in. He’s still above me, one hand cradling my ass and his face buried in my hair. It’s the most perfect moment; if only I could bottle it up to sip from whenever I feel anything close to sad.
“You okay?” Lifting his face, he gazes at me.
The question makes me laugh. “I’m so much better than okay.”
He unleashes that lopsided grin that’s both boyish and masculine at the same time. “I was worried about hurting you. I didn’t know if you were…having any symptoms, you know.”
“No.” I shake my head, touched by his concern. “You didn’t hurt me.”
He adjusts so that he’s lying next to me on his side, the two of us face-to-face. “Good.” He trails a finger down my arm.
I sigh happily. “I feel like I should say something, but… I’m at a loss for words right now.”
“Me too,” he chuckles.
And so we just stay where we are, the minutes ticking by, the outside world not mattering one bit.
“You know…” He runs his palm up my leg. “Katie is going straight to school from her sleepover tomorrow, so I don’t need to go anywhere. Technically, I don’t need to go until you kick me out.”
My stomach dances with excitement. His staying over is exactly what I want, but I was trying not to make any assumptions. “You mean you can sleep over here?”
He studies me. “As long as you’d like that. I don’t want to impose?—”
I shake my head. “Michael. I…” Screw it. Why am I beating around the bush? “I want you to stay.”
“Good.” He tugs me closer. “Because, guess what?”
“What?” I breathe as I sink into him.
“I’m crazy about you,” he whispers into my ear.
And there it is. The happiest moment of my life so far.