Wilderness Girl Read online

  His grasp engulfed hers as he shook it, then shook his head, his mouth open in a smile. “Deal,” he murmured, then snapped his gaze to hers. “Come on, let’s get you to bed.”

  Pushing open the door, all traces of sleepiness left her. He pulled her close and walked. On the landing, he pinned her with a kiss. “Good night.”

  “Aren’t you coming inside?” she whispered.

  “You won’t get any sleep if I do.”

  She snuggled into his chest. “I wish you’d stay.”

  “Some other night.” He kissed her nose. “Get your rest.”

  He said it so easily, with such tenderness, she had no problem releasing him from her embrace. She knew he’d be back.

  ****

  Mondays had never been good for Dana. Especially after such an amazing weekend. Even while driving to work, her brain refused to function the way it should – and she needed it to. The deadline for their state contract loomed only weeks away. She’d considered working all weekend to get ahead. Imagine if she had! In two days, her life had completely turned around, from dull to brilliant. From boring to astounding.

  “What’s with the happy face?” Hugh leaned on her desk. “Must’ve had a good weekend, huh?”

  She blanked her expression. He didn’t need to know details, though he usually shared his own all too willingly. “I’m stuck on these pages and need to cross-reference your notes. This redesign is the most complicated we’ve ever done.”

  “We’re meeting this afternoon anyway.” He peered at her monitor as if it held some secret.

  Always looking for something to point out as a flaw so he could spout off some shortcut or trick he’d learned. Or maybe he’d hoped to read an open message. She didn’t even know if Hank had an email address.

  “We are? Why?” Meetings sucked away precious time, threw off her momentum. She was having a hard enough time gaining any today.

  “Doug wants an update.” He flipped a pen between his fingers.

  “Great.” No lunch today. She’d have to stay late to make up the time spent sitting around talking about the work she should be actually doing. Guess she wouldn’t be running into Hank tonight. She hadn’t even thought to give him her number. Now how was she supposed to get hold of him? Or he get in touch with her? Not being in touch wouldn’t do.

  “There’s that smile again.” Hugh gave her a look like he was seeing her, really seeing her, for the first time. If he’d been a computer, she’d have likened it to refreshing the screen, like he’d only seen the shapeless blob of her outline before, but now could suddenly see her in fine detail.

  Hugh reminded her too much of Sean – slick on the outside, hollow within. She erased the smile from her face. “Just imagining this project ending.”

  “Right. I’ll let you get back to your imaginings.” He strolled away. Somehow he always managed to finish his work ahead of schedule, though he never appeared to put much effort into it. If only she could learn that trick, she’d be able to leave on time, go find Hank.

  As it was, the clock read seven ten before she powered down. When she stood, her sore muscles reminded her of the exercise they’d recently endured. Muscles she hadn’t known existed. She grinned. Hopefully she’d use them again soon. She shouldered her laptop case and headed for her car.

  When she rounded the corner onto Garden Street, a motorcycle zoomed behind her. Her heart leaped to her throat. The helmet made it impossible to tell if it was Hank, though he appeared about the same build. She pulled into a parking space and the bike roared past with an SUV following close. It disappeared at the intersection. Her heart sank.

  By the time she inserted her key in the door, the motorcycle rumbled slowly toward her down the sidewalk.

  “Hey.” He pulled off the helmet. Hank grinned. “Where’ve you been?”

  The twist in her stomach unfurled. “Hey. I was hoping that was you.” Had he been waiting for her?

  He climbed off and pushed it to the side of the porch. “Okay if I leave this here?”

  “It should be safe there, yeah.”

  With two strides up the steps, he stood at her side, his arm around her waist, mouth reaching for hers. “You might not be, in that skirt.”

  His kiss swept the day’s tension away, brought every sense vividly to life. Forcing herself to pull back, she pushed open the door. If she kept kissing him now, her neighbors would have plenty to gossip about later. “Come upstairs.”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” He slipped the laptop strap from her shoulder. “I hope you weren’t planning on working tonight.”

  At the top of the stairs, she unlocked her apartment door. “Not now.”

  He bent to set the case against the wall. She closed the door, and he caught her in his arms, his lips warm and soft on hers. His mouth moved down her neck and he murmured, “I couldn’t stop thinking about you all day. I almost ran my bike into the back of a bus, remembering how sexy you looked in your wet clothes.”

  She nipped his ear lobe, and his embrace tightened. Her tongue circled his ear, and his fingers dug into her ass, his erection straining against his jeans. She loved how easily she could make him respond, escalate his passion – and her own – with each touch.

  Her lips brushed his ear whispering, “I’m wet now.”

  A deep noise rumbled in his throat and he clutched her, hands roaming down her thigh, up her skirt. When his fingers slid past her panties, she moaned too. His breaths came faster as he ripped her panties away, unzipped her skirt and pushed it over her hips.

  He leaned back against the wall, pulling her against him in a straddle so she stood eye to eye, chest to chest, crotch to crotch. The bulge in his jeans felt aflame. She couldn’t wait to let it loose. She pressed her naked hips against his. She could feel his urgency as he held her hips, but he was holding back, taking it slow. Damn him. She’d show him slow. Leaning back, she arched her back, unbuttoned her blouse and let it fall past her shoulders. Her pushup bra did its magic in boosting her meager breasts.

  He inhaled deeply and traced her collarbone to the center of her chest down to her cleavage. “Mmm. Nice.” He ran his finger across her bra.

  Her nipple jumped to attention, and burned for more.

  Two could play this tantalizing game. She shifted back to allow room for her fingers to graze down his zipper, enough for him to feel her touch. It had the effect she hoped for. His eyes blazed with heat. With her thumb and forefinger, she lightly squeezed a trail along his length.

  His grin was wickedly delicious, and his nostrils flared. He cupped the back of her head and engulfed her lips with his, tongue probing.

  Her mind blanked with white static. Her hands reached for his zipper of their own accord and carefully freed him. Like a whisper, her fingers followed its length. His mouth still on hers, his sigh sounded like a hiss, like pent-up steam releasing as she fondled his balls. His breaths came faster and she wrapped her hand gently around the base and squeezed up to its head. He clutched her ass, his fingers deep in her skin.

  “Please tell me you have a condom in your pocket.” She didn’t know if she could stop long enough to dig the backpack from her bedroom closet.

  “Mm hm.”

  She delved greedily into his back pockets and found nothing. “Where?”

  With a wide smile, he slipped it from his front pocket.

  She tore it from his hands and opened it. “Enough teasing. You need to fuck me. Now.” It nearly slipped from her grasp as she fumbled it onto the tip of his penis and unfurled it. Its stubbly texture made her gasp, flick her gaze to his.

  He bared his teeth. “I intend to. Long and hard.”

  Any other time, the phrase might have sent her into hysterics. Right now she couldn’t wait to feel him inside her. Before she’d finished unrolling it, he braced further down the wall and pulled her legs atop his.

  Her mind flashed: This can’t be a good thing. An image of them in a contorted heap on the floor appeared, but disappeared as quickly as
he grasped her ass. Her knees instinctively clenched his waist. She guided him into her. The textured condom pricked her senses to high alert. She hooked her arms around his neck and took measured breaths. Rocking her hips higher, he seemed to fill every available space.

  He arched his brows, lightly biting his lip. “You all right?”

  Her throaty giggle surprised her. “Oh yeah.” She rocked higher, taking him deeper.

  “Oh Dana.” His chest heaved. “That’s my girl. Nice and easy.”

  She eased down his length and up again, forcing herself to go steady and easy, the slow rhythm mesmerizing her like a trance. His thickness felt more alive, the bubbled texture of the condom like effervescence moving against her, between her legs, climbing inside her. Trying to sustain the slow pace, a moan escaped.

  He blew a long breath through his lips, his wide hands guiding her back and forth, letting her move at her own pace. When his breath hitched faster, she sensed him getting closer to coming. She wasn’t about to let him come by himself. Her leg muscles strained to hold herself up, thrusting her hips against his, the effort forcing her breath out in shallow pants. With a sharp inhale, his body stiffened and shuddered. His legs trembled and he slid down the wall. With a laugh, he dropped to his knees, pulling her with him, under him, holding her to cushion her slow fall to the wooden floor. He nuzzled into her with a contented sigh.

  She sifted his damp hair in her fingers and closed her eyes, wanting to stay in this moment. Just before he rescued her from the snake, he’d said he loved to play. Now she knew what he meant, and she was beginning to love it too. She’d have to be careful – he might even become an addiction. Maybe he already was.

  He lifted his head, drowsily brushing his lips against hers, then pulling away. “What’s wrong?”

  Had she been so transparent? “Nothing.”

  He searched her face. His eyes narrowed as he peered into hers.

  Should she tell him the only thing wrong was that everything felt too right? No, she didn’t want to frighten him – again.

  She wrinkled her nose. “My spine’s a little numb, that’s all.”

  He scrambled up on his knees. “Sorry, you should have said something sooner.”

  “I would have, but I was enjoying it too much.”

  He helped her to her feet. “A crushed spine can’t be much fun. We don’t want you paralyzed, now do we?”

  “Oh no. I have to be in top shape if I’m going to keep up with you. My muscles ache after this weekend.”

  He gave a sympathetic groan and massaged her lower back.

  She kissed him. “And don’t apologize. It was well worth it.”

  His mouth opened in a smile. “Yes it was.” He chuckled. “But I might not be able to ride home. My legs are shot.”

  “So stay here.” The words escaped before she could think.

  He froze, his gaze boring into her. “Are you sure?”

  “Of course. I can’t be responsible for you having an accident.” The awkward moment broke when sudden pain pinched her leg, making her cry out and grab it.

  “Is it a cramp?” He knelt, his strong fingers working deep into the knot.

  “Ah! Yes!” Wincing, she leaned against his shoulders, embarrassed to be so pathetic.

  He chuckled. “Looks like we both need a little work.” His thumbs circled the cramped muscle. “Better?”

  She nodded and attempted a smile.

  He rose and encircled his arm around her waist. “Here, sit down until it passes.” He helped her to the sofa.

  “Thanks.”

  “My pleasure.” He sank beside her. “Can I get you anything?”

  “No. Just sit here with me a minute. Keep me warm.” The flimsy excuse would be enough to keep any more awkwardness at bay.

  He pulled her onto his lap. “As long as you want.”

  The warmth of his skin against hers relaxed her. Dusk cast a blue-grey haze over the apartment. At some point, she’d have to get up and turn a light on, but not yet.

  “Are you hungry?” she asked.

  “No. You?”

  She shifted, straddling him. “No.” Not for food. Her fingers in his hair, she touched her lips to his.

  His hand splayed across her neck, he drew her close for a longer kiss. “How’s your leg?” His erection moved against her ass, his fingers circling her breast.

  Something twinged inside her belly. “Much better.” She inched down his legs.

  He shifted lower on the sofa. “You know, I’ve heard that muscles are less likely to cramp if you exercise them regularly.”

  She slowly swirled her hips to move along his length. “I heard that too. I wonder if it’s true.”

  His erection thickened beneath her. “There’s one way to find out.”

  She eased away. “What did you have in mind?” One hand circled the head of his penis, the other teased its length along her stomach.

  He groaned. “I think you have the general idea.”

  “Did you have something more specific in mind?” she whispered.

  He gripped her legs and rose. Giggling, she grasped his neck and tightened her legs around his waist, feeling him pulse against her belly as he walked. “Bedroom.”

  “Straight ahead.”

  He released her atop the bed. “Damn. I forgot my jeans.”

  She laughed. “Do you do that often?”

  “Only when very distracted.”

  “Open the closet. The backpack’s on the floor to the right.”

  In two strides, he threw open the doors, bent and carried the bag to the bed.

  With her feet at the edge of the bed, she lifted her hips and swayed.

  He cocked his jaw in a quirky smile, guided himself slowly into her.

  “You are such a tease.” In one upward thrust, she took in his length.

  His eyes widened and he plunged deeper. No waiting this time. She hooked her feet behind his legs and held his waist and he moved her to the center of the bed and pounded into her. The sheer force of his powerful movements, being locked in his strong embrace, thrilled her. She knew he’d stop in an instant if she asked. She wasn’t about to. When he gasped and clutched her, she thrust again, and traced her fingers around his balls to the base of his shaft. His sharp intake of air told her she’d surprised him again. His body relaxed atop her.

  He leaned away to look at her, his eyelids heavy, his hair falling across his cheek. He stole her mouth in a long, steady kiss. “You’re incredible.”

  “You too.” The dream-like feeling returned, and she hugged him to her.

  He rolled onto his side, pulling her next to him. “You sure you don’t mind if I stay?”

  She eased away. “Is that a trick question?”

  He kissed her cheek and rested his head on the bed, his eyes closed. In the dim glow cast by the streetlight, his full lashes and mouth gave him a babyish innocence, a beauty that stabbed her heart. Her heart felt too open, too raw, to even think of him leaving her. It was bound to happen. Eventually, everyone split up. Didn’t they?

  Her next conscious thought startled her awake. Sunlight in her eyes meant she’d overslept. She gasped, “The alarm.” She pushed herself up and reached for it. Her grasp fell short of the night stand. Pushing the hair from her face, she blinked.

  Hank squinted and smiled. “Morning.”

  She froze. There he lay, in her bed. They’d slept together, sideways in her bed. He’d held her all night.

  He nuzzled into her side, his arm heavy on her legs. “What time is it?”

  “Late. It’s almost eight. I have to get going.”

  He groaned and pulled her to him. “Not yet.”

  “I have to get to work.” Her tone didn’t sound very convincing, even to herself. Maybe she could stay a few minutes.

  “You will.” His mouth curled into a lopsided smile before touching hers.

  She tilted her head away. “I can’t be late.”

  He touched his nose to hers. “Will I see you tonigh
t?”

  “I hope so.” The apartment would seem so big and empty without him in it.

  ****

  By Thursday, when they were falling asleep after the sixth night in a row of intensely crazy sex, she began to wonder if her muscles could take much more. Or if her relationship with Hank was more like friends with benefits. Maybe that’s all he wanted from her, to fuck her slow and easy, every night. Not that she was complaining, really. If he wanted her to be his sex slave, she’d probably agree. She loved the feel of him inside her. Needed it as much as him. But she also needed to see something other than the inside of her apartment – and not just her office. She ping-ponged between work and home just to mark time, to get back to Hank. But life couldn’t stay so insular, so isolated. Their relationship couldn’t only work within the confines of her apartment, or a tent. Could it?

  Maybe her restless sigh gave her away.

  He leaned up on his elbow. “Hey. Why don’t we go out to dinner tomorrow night?”

  “That’d be great.”

  “Yeah, we should celebrate. It’s been a great week.”

  She stopped herself from asking Seriously? She didn’t know any guy who made up occasions like one-week anniversaries. “Really great.”

  “I also had some potentially good news today. Someone’s interested in my work, asked to see some designs.”

  “That’s great. I’m so happy for you.”

  “Me too. Everything’s looking up.” He touched his lips to hers and pressed into her, his erection thick between her legs. When he said everything, he hadn’t been kidding.

  ****

  By four o’clock Friday afternoon, Dana could have danced around her desk. Tonight she’d have an actual date with Hank. Maybe she could even talk him into a movie. One they both wanted to see.

  At four-thirty, her cell phone rang. Hank’s name showed in the display.

  “Hey, I was just thinking about you.”

  “Dana, I’m sorry, but something’s come up.”

  She tensed. “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. It’s something very right – potentially. If I can convince them to buy, it’ll be a big order. Maybe more than I can handle.”