Page 28 of Sworn to Defend
“Thanks,” Hunter called, but Silver’s face was glued to his phone.
“I’m going to get Collin settled,” Hannah said. “Goodnight, Iron. It was nice to meet you.”
“Night, sweetheart. Try not to worry.”
Once the door had shut, Hunter turned to Iron. “Silver been talking to a woman?”
“His phone was blowing up the whole twenty-hour-and-ten-minute drive. Each time he got a text, he swerved into a gas station and hopped out like his pants were on fire.”
“We’re all dropping like flies. Better watch out. You might be next.” Silver had been the one to bitch that he’d always be alone.
“I’ve got one leg that says differently, brother,” he said, turning toward the stairs.
“Bullshit. It’s that attitude that’s gonna stand in your way. Not the leg.” Iron stopped on the top step and stiffened. Shit. He’d struck a nerve.
He didn’t bother to turn and face him. Hunter didn’t need to see his expression to know what came next was going to be heavy. “It’s not feeling sorry for myself. Not feeling like less, but if I fell for a woman, the last thing I’d want for her is me, and that shit’s got nothing do to with me having one leg, but how it happened,” Iron said gruffly. “I wouldn’t saddle someone with my regrets. I could’ve stopped a young man from losing his life, but I hesitated. My leg was the most insignificant thing I lost that day.”
Hunter didn’t try to stop him or apologize when he started down the stairs. Ransom was Iron’s teammate. Had tried to save a younger SEAL who sacrificed himself for the mission. It was pretty clear Iron felt responsible. He’d always found it strange Iron didn’t hang around more. From what Ransom told him, they’d been close once. If guilt was eating at the man, it made sense that he’d create distance.
He raked his hand through his hair. He’d say goodnight to Collin and convince Hannah to come to bed. The door opened as soon as he started to turn the knob.
Hannah put a hand to her chest. “You scared the life out of me,” she whispered. “Collin was out cold the moment his head hit the pillow.”
“Come here, beautiful.” He pulled her into his arms and just held on.
“I can’t believe Rochelle canceled the rooms, but I’m so relieved your friends are here,” she mumbled against his shirt.
“I’m glad they’re here, too. And that your family doesn’t know where we’re staying, because the room is under Silver’s name. They have no way to get to you, and if Vivienne reaches out and needs a place to stay until this blows over she can come here. She could always drive back to Virginia Beach with Iron and Silver while she figures out the next steps.”
“I know you hate when I say this, but Hunter, thank you.” Her fingers skimmed his jawline, tracing the stubble he’d failed to shave in the past few days. “For being you. For giving me support and time to work through what happened on my shift. I don’t think you’ll ever truly understand what you’ve given me.” Her amber eyes were locked on his, and the connection between them was so strong, he would’ve sworn he could reach out and grab it. He could stare at her face forever and never get used to the way the light in her eyes streamed into the fractured places in his soul. Filling them, brightening them. Stirring up so many emotions he couldn’t even place them all.
“Let’s get you some sleep.” He kissed her and even though soft and sweet was on his mind, the touch of her lips shot through him, building tension in his lower stomach.
“I want to go to my parents’ estate first thing in the morning and talk to Vivienne in person. I’m nervous that she hasn’t contacted me yet.” She slid her hand into his. Nothing had ever made him feel stronger than her touch.
“I get it, baby. I do. We’ll leave as early as you want tomorrow. Silver and Iron have already promised to watch over Collin and support us with any resources we need.” He brushed his thumb over the back of her hand, leading her down the hall to the last room, then opened the door.
The space was dominated by a giant king-size bed. There was a stacked stone fireplace in the corner and more fresh flowers on a credenza. The door clicked closed behind them and Hannah turned toward him. The expression in her eyes made his heart pound as the air thickened between them. She took a step forward, closing the gap, and placed her hands on his chest. An ache flooded him as she involuntarily swiped her tongue over her lower lip.
Anticipation was fluttering in his chest and stomach as Hannah had moved against him, standing on her tippy toes. He leaned down, capturing her mouth. So goddamn sweet. This woman. She nearly brought him to his knees the way she was teasing his mouth. Her hands were everywhere, desperate even through her exhaustion. They were both drained, but one kiss was all it took to for him to grow feverish.
He backed them up to the bed. “You sure about this?” he asked as he kissed a trail up her neck. Inhaled her scent, only this time it wasn’t the scent of her pretty soap in his nostrils, it was his. A groan escaped his lips and goose bumps popped up over her skin beneath his fingertips. “Love catching the scent of my soap on you, Hannah.” Images of their earlier lovemaking in his shower flashed through his head. “It’s been a long night and it’s gonna be an even longer day tomorrow. I should be giving you time to rest, but fuck, I’m selfish.”
Hannah gave him a wicked smile. “I guess I’m selfish, too, because all I’ve been able to think of is having you inside me. I don’t know what you’ve done to me.”
His shoulders shook as he laughed. “Okay, serious question here. Do you think you can keep quiet?”
Her lips turned down into a pout. “No. Probably not.”
“Bathroom.” He grabbed her hand and dragged her toward the en suite. He glanced back at her with a grin on his face. Her eyes were shining with mischief, and he couldn’t recall being happier. He loved this woman. He wanted to spend every day in her presence. Every night with her warm body wrapped up against his. The feelings flooding his chest didn’t scare him in the least. This was right. She was right.
The bathroom was bigger than his whole bedroom with a soaking tub and separate rain shower. He homed in on the granite countertop, though, and gripping her hips, popped her up onto the stone surface. He tugged the elastic from her hair and watched all of that auburn fire rain down her back in the mirror behind her. She put her arms up, and he easily pulled off her shirt.
“Help me,” she said, grabbing the waistband of her jeans, trying to push them over her hips.
“Arms around my neck. Hold on.” She hadn’t removed her bra, but his mouth was already watering at the sight of those full, plump breasts. When she clung to him, he lifted her, dragging off her jeans before setting her back on the countertop. He loved the reflection of her hair sliding down her spine. Loved all the freckles that speckled her back. He pulled down the cup of her bra and sucked one hard bud into his mouth. She arched against him. Fingernails biting his scalp. He unclasped her bra, ripping the fabric out of his way.
“Goddamn, Hannah, so fucking beautiful.” His voice was winded. She truly stole his breath. He kissed her and she rocked her hips against him. She was completely bare while his clothes were still on. Desire spiraled through him as he slipped his fingers between her legs. She wiggled closer, trying to increase the friction. Her hands were grazing below the waistline of his jeans, but instead of shoving them down, she went straight to the zipper, releasing him from the denim.