Hearts in Darkness

  He crowded right up into her space, pressed his body against hers—trapping her against the glass of the door behind her, plunged his hands into her hair until he was cupping the nape of her neck, and devoured her lips with his.

  He groaned at the goodness of touching her again, like this. It was the first time anything had felt right since he'd held her on his lap in the elevator.

  Anticipation stole Makenna's breath—and then Caden did with his forceful kiss. Oh my God oh my God oh my God he came back! He came back!

  His demanding tongue tasted so damn good, and his piercing bit deliciously against her lip from the aggressive way he pursued her over and over. His hands tugged and massaged at her hair and neck. He just surrounded her. The difference in their height made Caden lean down over her. The way he forced her head back commanded her to open up to him. With the metal handle of the door pressing into her back, she felt completely enveloped in him, in his ardor, his scent. The world dropped away. There was just Caden.

  Her hand fisted in his black shirt. He stepped closer. They panted. Their bodies heaved against one another. She moaned at the possessiveness of his grip. There was nothing shy or tentative or questioning about the way he was handling her. She felt claimed. She felt euphoric.

  A tantalizing sound somewhere between a purr and a growl erupted from low in his throat. His hands continued to grip her, but he leaned his forehead against hers and pulled his lips away. “I'm sorry. I couldn't let you go."

  "Don't be sorry for that,” she rasped and swallowed. “Never be sorry for that."

  "Makenna—"

  "Caden, I—"

  He clamped his lips over her mouth, their noses smashing. This time his sound was very clearly a growl. “Woman,” he said against her lips, “would you let me talk already?"

  The longing and frustration in his voice made her smile. She nodded. His lips quirked against hers, and he kissed her again, a series of quick pecks against her full mouth.

  By the time he finally started to talk, Makenna felt a little dizzy. His breath was sweet against her face. His stubble chafed at her cheek. He bored those deep brown eyes into her, pinning her against him in every possible way.

  "I've never...you're just...” He heaved a sigh. “Aw, hell. I like you, Red. I want to be with you. I want you to argue with me some more. I want to lie in your arms again. I want to touch you. I...I just..."

  Hope and happiness filled and warmed her chest. He'd come back for her. He wanted her.

  Smiling, Makenna reached a hand up behind her neck and grabbed one of his. He hesitated to release her, but finally let her pull his hand around to her mouth, where she pressed a big open-mouthed kiss onto the head of his dragon. She grinned up at him. “Come upstairs,” she breathed. “I make a mean omelet. And I'm starving."

  Her smile finally returned to brighten his face. He squeezed her hand and kissed her forehead. “Okay. I could definitely eat."

  When Caden stepped away to allow her to turn back into the lobby, Makenna immediately missed the hard heat of his body all against hers. She squeaked when he grabbed at her bags, jerking her back a half step.

  "Let me,” he said as he pulled the straps away and slung them over his shoulder.

  My Good Sam.

  Out of habit, she stepped to the bank of elevators and pressed the button. This late at night, the door dinged and opened immediately. She turned to assess Caden's reaction before stepping in.

  He rolled his eyes and motioned her forward, grumbling under his breath.

  She was giddy things were turning out so differently than she'd feared just fifteen minutes before. Her joy bubbled over. She burst out laughing, then grasped his hand and pulled him into their second elevator of the night. “Come on. Lightning doesn't strike twice. Usually."

  She hit the button for the fourth floor and stepped against him and nuzzled his chest. He stroked her hair and she melted.

  The elevator reached her floor and opened up onto a rectangular space with halls running in opposite directions. She led Caden out and to the left, down to the fifth door on the right. “This is me."

  She reached into her open purse still on his shoulder and found her key ring, then turned and opened the door. Smiling over her shoulder at him, she pushed into her apartment and flicked on the hall light, which illuminated her small tidy kitchen as well. She walked to the kitchen counter and dropped her keys, then turned and unburdened Caden of her bags, and plopped those onto the counter, too.

  Sliding his hand around her neck, he kissed her again. Gently, adoringly. “Do you mind if I use your bathroom?"

  "Of course not.” She pointed behind him. “Just down that hall. I'm going to change out of my work clothes."

  "Okay.” He brushed her cheek with his big fingers. She leaned into the touch. Then he turned away.

  Makenna floated across her small apartment to her bedroom. She stumbled into her walk-in closet, kicking off her heels as she went, and stripped off her rumpled and grimy clothes. She breathed a deep sigh of relief when she was finally naked. The idea of a cool shower took root in her mind and sounded so delicious she finally gave in. She piled her hair on top her head to keep it dry and just stood for a moment as the water streamed over her. Finally, she grabbed the bar of Ivory and ran it quickly over her skin. Minutes later, she was back in her closet and feeling a lot more like a human being.

  She grabbed a pretty lavender lace bra and panty set, hoping against hope he'd actually see it, then slid into a pair of gray yoga pants and a soft lavender V-neck shirt. In her bathroom, she brushed her teeth and reworked her hair into a ponytail. She stretched her arms up over her head and luxuriated in feeling more comfortable than she'd been in hours.

  When she strolled back out into the adjoining living room, she found Caden perusing her display of family photographs. She paused and leaned against the corner of the wall for a moment, just enjoying the look of him wandering around her apartment. He'd taken off his socks and shoes and now padded around barefoot, the frayed hem of his blue jeans just dragging on the floor. She was truly pleased he'd made himself at home in her space.

  "Liking what you see?"

  The blush roared up her cheeks. She chuckled and debated how to answer. It was late, she was tired, and she was interested. So she threw caution to the wind—he had come back for her, after all. “Yes, very much."

  He looked over his shoulder and offered a lopsided grin that beckoned her to come stand next to him. She glanced up at the collection of photos he'd been admiring. “Those are my brothers.” She pointed each of them out as she said their names. “That one's Patrick. Ian. And that's Collin. And me, of course."

  "You're not the only Red in your family, I see."

  Makenna laughed. “Uh, definitely not. Though, Patrick and Ian's hair looks more brownish than mine. Collin, though, had to deal with ‘Carrot Top’ comments all through school.” She pointed to another frame. “The red was my mom's fault, as you can see.” She watched Caden as he studied the picture of her mother holding Makenna on her lap just a few months before she'd died. It was her favorite because the family resemblance was so obvious. Her father told her all the time she looked just like her mother.

  Lost in the image for a moment, she was surprised when Caden's hand tugged on her ponytail. She was even more surprised when her hair spilled down around her shoulders.

  "Sorry,” he murmured as he ran his fingers through her freed locks. “I spent all night imagining touching your hair."

  Her blush returned, softer this time. His directness was one of her favorite things about him. She wasn't sure what to say in response, though, so she closed her eyes and just enjoyed the feeling of his strong fingers. After a few moments, she opened her eyes and found him staring intently at her. She smiled. “That feels nice. You're going to put me to sleep, though."

  His smile made his eyes crinkle and shine. “That wouldn't be so bad, if you fell asleep with me again."

  Makenna pressed her hands against her
cheeks when she felt them heat again. Her pale skin tone showed everything. She grabbed his hand and pressed a kiss into his palm. “Come on, I promised to feed you."

  Caden was ecstatic he'd read her right, that she'd wanted him to come back for her. He'd had to pull back from kissing her down in the lobby, because his imagination already had him buried inside of her against the windows. And he didn't want her to get it in her head he'd only come back for sex.

  He wanted sex. That was true. The clingy form-fitting pants and the shirt that emphasized the firmness and roundness of her luscious breasts didn't help those desires. But he also wanted a chance.

  Standing there in her apartment, feeling so welcomed and wanted, he was almost ready to believe she would give him one.

  Still holding his hand, she walked them into the kitchen. “You can sit at the bar if you like. Want something to drink?"

  "I'd love something to drink,” he said, “but I don't need to sit. I can help.” He watched Makenna move around her kitchen and admired the way her casual outfit highlighted her feminine curves.

  She turned and smiled at his offer, then sat a cutting board and sharp knife in front of him. “You can help me chop, then. What do you like in your omelets?” She listed what she had. They settled on ham and cheese. The cold fizzy Coke she gave him relieved his parched throat.

  Caden diced the ham while Makenna cracked the eggs into a glass bowl and beat them. He really liked working with her in the kitchen. It felt normal.

  Makenna peeked over at him. They both smiled. He chopped. She stirred. Then he stole a glance at her. They both chuckled.

  He was having fun with her, liked their flirting and the now-comfortable quiet between them. But it was hard not to touch her. His fingers itched to tuck her hair behind her ear. Her bottom looked so pat-able in her snug cotton pants. When she blushed, his lips yearned to taste the heat of it on her cheeks. Though, he knew if he touched her, he wouldn't be able to stop. So he busied his hands with his contribution to their meal.

  Makenna wiped her hands on a towel and bent over. The sound of metal clanging made it clear she was looking for a pan. But all Caden could focus on was the way her backside pushed out toward him from how she'd bent at the waist. He took another long drink of Coke, but kept his eyes glued on her.

  She grumbled and stood up, then placed her hands on her hips. “Oh, there it is,” she said. She walked over to the sink and turned the water on. “Crap!” Something pinged against the floor.

  Caden chuckled at the little show she didn't even realize she was putting on for him. His humor died in his throat, however, when she bent over again, retrieving the ring she'd apparently taken off and dropped.

  He couldn't help it. All his focus on her rear had made him hard again. Their night together had turned out to be one long delicious tease, but now they were safe and cozy and alone in her apartment, so comfortably and intimately preparing a meal together. And he was going crazy wanting her.

  Setting the little silver ring back on the counter, Makenna squirted some dish soap into the frying pan and quickly scrubbed it clean. Caden picked the towel up off the counter and walked up tight behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and plucked the pan out of her hands, then dried it quickly and set it aside on the counter. Makenna turned off the water.

  Caden braced his hands against the edge of the sink on either side of her body and leaned the full press of him against her. Bending himself around her, he nipped and kissed her neck and jaw. She moaned and pushed her little body back against his.

  He hadn't been so forward as to grind his erection into her, but she clearly felt it when she pressed herself back, because she gasped and clutched the edge of the sink in front of her.

  Caden couldn't stop. The heat of her body against him, there, made it impossible for him to want anything other than all of her. He had to have her.

  He had to have her, now.

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Eight

  The suddenly electric atmosphere in the kitchen rippled across Makenna's skin.

  "Makenna,” Caden whispered against her neck as he wrapped his arms around her.

  She couldn't hold back the whimper that spilled from her open lips. His embrace felt so good, especially when he slid one arm up until it tucked under her breasts and the other down until his hand gripped one of her hips. She loved the way he used the leverage he gained from his firm hold to control the movement of their bodies.

  The feel of him hard and needful behind her drove her insane with want. Her body readied itself immediately. She rubbed her thighs together as wetness settled against her panties.

  With one hand, Caden cupped her jaw and drew her head to the right. Then he claimed her mouth, sucking on her lips and exploring her with his tongue. She let him lead, loving how commanding he was. He wasn't rough at all, but he took what he wanted. And she was willing to give him everything.

  Makenna reached a hand back and grabbed his hip, her fingers extending further around to rest on the clenching muscle of his rear. Then, just to make sure her intentions were clear, she grasped his ass and pulled him against her. She swallowed his groan as their kisses grew more urgent, more desperate.

  When he bent his knees and rolled his hips into her ass, she cried out—a sound he elongated by kneading her breast and rubbing her nipple over and over with the heel of his thumb.

  Minutes passed as they writhed against each other within the firm embrace of Caden's strong arms. His warm wet kisses were languorous and dizzying. His quick breaths and throaty groans sounded out a language her body understood, responded to, and needed to hear again and again.

  Her hands shook with the need to touch him. Finally, she reached her free hand up and wrapped it around the back of his head so she could stroke him encouragingly. He read her movements correctly. His kisses came faster, harder.

  When his lips moved to her jaw, then her ear, then her throat, her chest heaved and her body ached with want. “Please,” Makenna finally begged.

  She tried to turn in his arms but he gripped her tighter, for just a moment. Then he relented, releasing his hold long enough for her to move. She moaned in relief when she could wrap her arms fully around his neck and hold him to her. He kept her trapped against the counter, but she reveled in the tight press because it allowed her to torment his obvious arousal with her thrusting hips and writhing abdomen.

  His hands blazed a teasing trail from her breasts to the sides of her stomach to her hips, and back again. She squirmed under his touch and needed more of it. Needed it on her skin.

  She withdrew her arms and found the hem of her shirt. He pulled his body off hers just enough to allow them to work together to remove it. She dropped it to the floor, relieved to feel his big hands exploring her skin with such enthusiasm.

  Caden's eyes raked over what she'd revealed to him. Makenna blushed at the intensity of his observation. “Aw, Red, you're so very pretty."

  Makenna's heart exploded at the affirmation his words provided. Whatever insecurity about her ordinariness she might've still harbored in the back of her mind disappeared completely at his exclamation.

  He dropped his head to her chest and licked and nibbled and kissed all along the lacy edge of her bra. As he flicked at her covered nipple with his rigid tongue, his arms reached around behind her. Her bra fell loose into their arms and soon it joined her shirt somewhere on the floor.

  Makenna's moan was loud and needy when he cupped her breasts and alternated sucking on one nipple, then the other. Her hands flew to his head. She held him to her as she arched her back to offer him better access. His mouth was driving her insane. She'd never had someone lavish such attention to her breasts, and she'd certainly never felt so weak and wanton from it. She snaked one hand down his back and fisted his black shirt between his shoulder blades. “Off,” she demanded as she tugged at it.

  He reached down, his lips still greedily devouring a nipple, and wrenched his shirt off, only dropping
his mouth from her when he absolutely had to.

  "Oh God,” she murmured appreciatively as her eyes surveyed his broad chest.

  There was so much more to him than she'd seen in the elevator. The large tribal tattoo that curled around the left side of his abdomen accompanied a beautiful open-faced yellow rose on his upper left pectoral muscle. The dragon roared up his right forearm, then the skin was unmarked until her eyes reached the very top of his bicep, where a red four-pronged badge sat with a tiny fire hydrant, hook, and ladder surrounding a gold number seven. His browned skin revealed the amount of time he must've spent without a shirt under the summer sun, and made the vibrant colors of his tattoos stand out even more.

  Her original impression was so right—he was freaking gorgeous. She wanted to explore every inch of him, to trace every ridged muscle and every tattoo with her fingers and tongue.

  Makenna's mouth went right to the rose. Her hands clutched the firm muscles of his sides. Caden threaded his fingers into her hair and held her to him. Her tongue ran around the edge of one of the lower yellow petals before trailing down and finding his nipple, which was right at the natural height of her mouth.

  "So good,” he rasped. He pressed a kiss onto her hair.

  She flicked her thumb back and forth over the skin she'd made wet, so she could pay attention to his other nipple as well. He groaned at her teasing touch. She smiled at getting him back for how deliciously he'd tormented her earlier.

  His skin felt so good under her fingers, and tasted better—just a little salty from how hot they'd been in the elevator. She imagined them in the shower together, using her own bare, soapy hands to wash the day off him. A smile formed where her lips were still pressed against his chest. Another time, she mused. Please let there be another time.

  All this slow exploration made her ache. The cleft between her legs was wet and throbbing. Her body begged for the relief of his touch. And she hoped and prayed his body was making the very same pleas.

  She sucked his right nipple into her mouth and flicked her tongue against it until he fisted his hand in her hair. She couldn't tell if he was holding her in place or trying to pull her away. Maybe both. But she could tell, either way, he liked it, because he grunted and rocked his hips into her.