Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 318(@250wpm)___ 265(@300wpm)
“There’s another band at Zeke’s tonight,” Dom said. “You up for some music?”
“Oh, I’d love that,” Cherry replied.
I glanced at Hannah. She’d been quiet the past couple of days. In her head a lot. I knew I had to give her breathing room and let her work things through herself, even if it killed me to do so. She met my eyes with a slight shake of her head.
“We’ll sit tonight out. I’m pretty tired, and my hand aches.”
“Okay,” Dom hummed. “I’ll have Cherry back at a decent time.” He paused. “Tomorrow.”
I tried not to laugh at her outraged expression. The two of them were constantly at odds, yet their attraction was evident. Dom took it all in stride, grinning and teasing her about the stubbornness of the Gallagher women.
I stood. “I’m going to go take a shower.” I held out my good hand and awkwardly shook Dom’s. “Thanks for today. For everything.”
He grinned. “Anytime, kid.”
I stood under the hot water, the heat easing my muscles. I was surprised when Hannah slipped in behind me a few moments later, wrapping her arms around me.
“They left?” I asked.
“Dom said he wanted a shower and to change. Mom said she’d go with him to save him a trip back. They were going to eat dinner before the band started again.” She grinned up at me, amusement filling her eyes. “I think she planned on doing exactly what I’m doing right now.”
I bent and kissed her, our lips moving together. I slid my tongue into her mouth, deepening the kiss. I wrapped my good arm around her, pulling her closer, and I groaned when she dropped her hand, wrapping her fist around me. I loved it when she touched me. She stroked me, her fingers teasing and light.
“Jesus, Hannah, that feels good,” I breathed into her ear.
“I need you,” she replied. “I’ve missed you. Missed us.”
We’d been affectionate and close since the Dan incident and the trauma Hannah had experienced, but we hadn’t made love. I was waiting for my cues from her that she was ready.
It appeared I just got a big one.
“Take me to bed, Chase. I need this. I need you.”
I turned off the water and backed her out of the shower, our lips once again locked together. We fell onto the bed, our wet bodies molded to each other. I rolled so she was on top of me. My left hand proved useful for once as I stroked and teased her until she was panting and pleading with me for release.
“Ride me, Hannah. Take everything you need.”
She was beautiful as she sank down on me. She tossed her hair, placing a hand on my chest as she began to move. She rolled her hips, taking me deeper, making me arch my back. Her hand felt good before. Inside her was perfection.
I slid my hand along her thigh, anchoring her to me. The fingers on my right hand flexed and bent of their own volition, and I ignored the pain. It was worth it.
Her head fell back, and I felt her tightening around me. She was so stunning when she let go. Her cries were music to my ears. The way her muscles fluttered and her heat held me tight set off my own orgasm, and I thrust upward, shouting her name, gasping as I came hard. We moved and loved until we were exhausted. Sated.
Then she fell forward into my chest, and I held her close. I kissed her head, dove my hand into her thick hair, and lifted her face to mine, pressing kisses to her cheeks, forehead, nose, and lips. “I love you, Cinnamon. So fucking much.”
She laughed softly, leaning into my lips pressed to hers. She loved affection. Being held. Kissed. Stroked and caressed. “I love you too. Equally as much.”
“Good.”
Hannah slipped into her role at the station easily. OD was gone, so that stress disappeared. I met with Jim Albright, and after a long, deep conversation, we agreed to leave the past behind us. He apologized to me for his actions, and I accepted his handshake. He also spoke with Charly and Maxx, and his business stayed with the garage. I had coffee with the chief, and he had some interesting stories to tell me. Some were about my dad and brother, some were his observations about the town in general, and a few included me—things I had no recollection of but were amusing when I heard them. He could recall a younger, not so troubled version of Chase. It was nice to know someone did. I had a good relationship with him and Jim now, and it helped heal me a little.
My hand began to get better, and life became somewhat normal for us. I loved coming home to Hannah. Filling our evenings with puttering around the house and the yard, spending time with friends and her mom on the weekends. The days seemed to pass quickly, and before I knew it, August had come.