Chapter Twenty-Four

Dusty found himself in the middle of the desert, bullets flying like a strong hailstorm all around. Men shouted as the roar of helicopters drowned out everything but the loudest cry. His rifle spat out ammo like a furious dragon breathing fire. Every minute movement in the rocky trenches, he’d aim for, hoping to eradicate the tango threat long enough to secure the area and rescue the small Army regiment presently under direct fire. He shoved clip after clip into his rifle, then scurried for higher ground. No sooner had he left his position than a grenade exploded, sending him flying through the air. Pain lanced his side as a fiery trail creased his upper arm.

Jerking awake, he raked the room with his gaze and drew in gulps of air. Ben whined and licked his face. He instinctively reached out and ran his hands through the dog’s fur. The familiar activity soothing him by great measures. A movement to his left caught his attention. April scooched closer in a sitting position, watching him with a concentrated expression full of concern.

“Are you okay?”

He rubbed a hand over his face. “Just a bad dream.” One of hundreds he’d had since the war. Nothing new.

“About the war?”

Her baby blues reflected worry and gentle caring. At least he didn’t find pity in their depths. That was one thing he refused to accept. “Yeah.”

“Not surprising, considering what you did yesterday.” She reached out and laid a hand on his shoulder, her fingers lightly caressing the flesh.

Ben, obviously deciding the worst had passed, hopped off the bed and flopped down on his fluffy pillow nearby.

She trailed her fingers over his bare chest, the action both soothing and stimulating.

“I’m sorry. I wish I could make them go away.”

“Me too. But it’s all part of the package.” He shrugged, reaching out to plant his hands on her thighs, noticing how her nipples pebbled in the chill of pre-dawn. He recalled their taste and licked his lips. Slow down, SEAL. Remembering her nearly untried state, he doused his morning libido with good, old-fashioned common sense. After all, she would be sore this morning and penetration would only add to her discomfort. Best to wait a day or two, when she could accept him in her body again comfortably.

“How are you feeling?”

She smiled contentedly.

He recognized the expression of a woman well-pleased with her man. His heart thumped.

“Good. Very good.” The words dripped like honey.

Dusty grinned in return. “No aches and pains?”

April shrugged. “Nothing to worry about.” Leaning over, she flicked her tongue over his nipple, giggling when he jumped.

Happy beyond measure, he shook his finger at her. “None of that, now. I’m trying to be good.”

Her head tilted. “Why?”

“Because I refuse to give you a moment’s more pain,” he answered seriously, truth filling his voice. “Never again do I want to hurt you.”

She sat quiet for a long moment, water collecting in her eyes. A tear slid free.

He collected the drop on his finger. Worry broke into his morning bliss. “What’s this?”

“I’d given up hope of ever finding a man who could care for me more than he cared for himself. You can’t imagine how special you are.” She sniffed and a ghost of a smile appeared on her lips despite the emotional response.

His heart broke. Sitting up beside her, he pulled her up against him, holding her tight. “You’re the special one, April. Kind. Generous. So beautiful.” He nuzzled her cheek, baring his very soul for the first time. “You gave me a second chance when anyone else would have turned their back and stormed away. Always giving, you’ve shown me what love can be between a man and a woman.”

She pulled back to look into his eyes. Another drop fell. “I love you, Dusty. I know it’s soon, but you’ve been a blessing.”

Humbled and proud, he brushed his lips over her cheek, supping away the trickling tear. “No more than I love you, baby.”

She sucked in a breath. “But I have baggage.”

He grinned. “Baby, as you’ve already seen, I have more than enough baggage for the both of us. Yet I don’t see you running for the door.”

“And I never will. That’s a promise.” She leaned down and pressed her lips against his. “You’re a keeper, Dusty Delaney.” Lifting just enough to meet his gaze, she grinned at him. “Besides, we’ve already decided you’ve grown on me.”

“Like algae.”

“Or fungus. One of the two.”

He groaned then chuckled. Reaching out, he wrapped her tight in his arms, cherishing her like a rare treasure. Sharing a kiss rife with promise, he proceeded to put their words into action by taking her mouth as he wished to take her body. Slowly. Thoroughly. Leaving no part untouched. Meshing their mouths as they joined their souls.

Love made everything better and brighter—a lesson Dusty couldn’t wait to explore further.

Unfortunately, duty called in the form of hungry animals waiting impatiently for their breakfast, and April’s body needed time to recover. Reluctantly, he broke their lip-lock. “As much as I’d like to spend the day in bed with you, I think the horses might object.”

She grinned. “Probably so. They tend to be needy creatures.”

“Uh-huh.” He brushed his lips over hers once more. “I’d better go tend to them.”

“I’ll help.” April climbed out of bed and started pulling on clothes.

Dusty took the opportunity to watch, his arousal increasing when she bent over to retrieve her pants, giving him a perfect view of her heart-shaped ass. Images of her maintaining that position while he sank balls-deep flashed through his mind. His randy dick jumped in reaction. Later. Work first, play later, he promised himself, then, ignoring his morning wood, he pulled on comfortable jeans and a shirt. By the time he had dressed, April had disappeared and he smelled coffee brewing.

Fortunately his parents slept in, not emerging from their RV until well after breakfast had been eaten, the stock cared for and put out to pasture for the day. That allowed ample time for his erection to subside, more from the awkward concept of his parents noting his tented jeans than from anything else. If they weren’t present, he’d probably have walked around with a boner most of the day until he could cajole April back into his bed for another round of hot, gritty sex.

Ben barked excitedly, announcing their visitors. Dusty glanced up to find his parents emerging from their house on wheels.

“Good morning, Dusty.” His mother hurried over to hug him. Her shorts and T-shirt combo was bright, although reasonable for the summer season.

His father followed at a more sedate pace, his gaze flickering to Delia’s rear now and again. Dusty ignored the obvious gesture, unwilling to tread into the waters of his parents’ personal relationship.

April walked up, two lead ropes in hand, returning from taking Miracle and Mischief to the pasture. “Oh, hello.” She smiled at their guests.

John stared at her for a long moment, then turned his eyes on Dusty. He arched an eyebrow as if in need of verification of what he saw.

Dusty remained mute on the topic, but hitched a small smile and shrugged in response to the unspoken question.

“How are you this morning, dear?” Delia strode over to meet April, then walked her in.

“I’m doing fine. Thank you.” April appraised the older woman. “If you’re hungry, I can throw something together for an early lunch.”

“Actually, we’re going to town today. Do some sightseeing. Get a few more groceries,” John announced.

Delia turned and pinned him with a curious expression. “We are?”

“Yep. About time we toured the sights of Hollow, don’t you think?” He waggled his eyebrows.

Without missing a beat, Delia beamed. “Oh, yes. That’s right. Drove all this way just to visit Holman—”

“Hollow,” Dusty supplied, biting back a grin.

“Yes, that’s right. Hollow.” Delia patted April’s arm. “We’ll be back later.”

“Actually, I think we’ll spend the night there. Heard the café has the best flapjacks around.” John wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist. “Let’s get a move on before it gets too hot.”

April stood there blinking, but waved when they started up the engine on the large vehicle, then pulled out of the drive. “Is it just me or did it seem like they couldn’t get out of here fast enough?”

Dusty took a cue from his father. Lightly placing a hand at her back, he nudged her toward the stable. “I think you’re right.”

“Wonder why? They seemed happy enough with the visit last night.” April frowned as he took the lead ropes from her hands and replaced them on a waiting peg.

“They probably needed some alone time.” Just like we do. He didn’t want to confess his theory for fear of embarrassing her, but he could easily discern the reason. His father’s look had said it all. He had read between the lines, noted the changes in April this morning and put two and two together. Dusty would thank him later for his discretion and fast thinking to afford him and April the day together. Alone.

“What’s to see in Hollow?”

He bit back a laugh. “A post office and lots of dirt roads between there and the interstate.”

“Oh, boy. Guess they did need some alone time. Lots of it.”

“Yeah, I think so.” He blew out a breath. “I’m hungry. Let’s go inside.”

“I’ll fix you something. What sounds good?” April walked through the stable and toward the house section.

Opening the door to the house, he ushered Ben then April in before shutting and locking it behind him. Only then did he spin April to face him and answer. “You.”

She blinked.

He cupped her cheek and leaned in to brush his lips over hers. “I crave you.”

A softness appeared on her face along with a spark in her eyes. “I think I like you hungry.” The resulting smile lit up her face, stealing his breath. “Goodness knows I can’t seem to get enough of you.”

With a groan, he swung her up in his arms, sealed his lips over hers and strode to the bedroom. Once there, he set her on her feet, reluctantly ending the kiss for a moment in order to allow them a much-needed breath of air.

Seizing the hem of her shirt, he tugged it over her head to toss to the floor. She returned the favor, adding his shirt to the pile, then started working on his jeans, unbuttoning them with trembling fingers that only ramped up his desire all the more. He gritted his teeth and bore the small torture, letting April take the lead for once. Her enthusiasm amused him while her brief touches left burning pleasure in her wake.

He assisted her by toeing off his boots, stepping out of his jeans and boxers, and finally standing nude for her appraisal.

“You’re gorgeous.” April slowly circled him, trailing her hands over his chest, shoulders and back. She pressed kisses to his nape and squeezed his ass as if checking for resiliency before finishing the short tour.

Her heavy-lidded eyes and increased respiration told the story. His heart thudded against his ribs even as his cock surged to greater hardness.

Unable to wait a moment longer, he ran his hands down her sides, caught her waistband and shoved the material down, snagging her panties along the way. She stepped out of the puddle and bent over to untie and remove her shoes, giving him a heady glimpse of her soft pink folds. He found the clasp on her bra, undid it, then pushed the garment aside in order to mold one breast in his hand while he leaned down to suck the tip of the other.

April’s breath hitched as she grabbed the back of his head, holding him in place. He worried the tip until it tautened under his ministrations before switching to the other side.

“Oh, Dusty.” Her whispered voice spurred him for more.

Dropping his free hand, he traced up her inner thigh, delved through her labia, discovered her ample dampness and inserted a finger into her channel. The muscles gripped him like a vise.

She gasped.

He lifted his head and peered down at her. “Sore?”

April shook her head, then clarified. “Just a bit tender. Nothing to fuss about.”

She’d gifted him with her virginity less than twenty-four hours before. The fact drew in his raging needs to a decidedly calmer level. As much as he’d love to bend her over the bed and fuck her like there was no tomorrow, such rowdiness would have to wait. Because, by damn, he’d never hurt her again during sex. Quickly, he switched to Plan B.

“Can you take me comfortably?” He doubled his presence inside her and widened his fingers to ease the tension and pave the way for his cock.

Her grin could only be called playful and mischievous. “Oh, yeah. Besides, I expect you to finish what you started.”

He chuckled. “You think I’d leave you hanging?”

Her features morphed into a halfhearted frown. “You do and I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.”

The image that statement brought forth set his libido into overdrive.

A moan left his lips as he stared down at the woman who had captured his heart.

She wrapped her hand around his bobbing dick and began to stroke. “So big. I still can’t believe we fit together.”

The sweet torture became too much to bear. He shackled her wrist and backed her up against the bed. “Lay down, April. Let me show you again how well we fit.”

She complied, flattening out on her back, her head on the pillows at the top of his bed.

He paused a moment to savor the sight of her naked, aroused and waiting for him to sink his aching cock into her core, sending them both to heaven in the process. As he watched, a blush appeared on her cheeks. She lifted a leg to try to shield her femininity from his view.

Not happening.

After quickly digging a condom out of the bedside table, he rolled it on with practiced ease, his gaze still glued to April.

He climbed on the end of the bed, encouraging her thighs to part with a firm, guiding hand. “Open for me, baby. Let me see.”

Her face brightened all the more. He smiled at the reminder of her innocence. “Feeling shy?”

“Yes.”

His gaze locked on hers. “You’re beautiful, April. Just perfect.” He nudged her thighs once more. “Give me room, sweetheart.”

When she did, he stretched out in the open space, his face against her swollen folds.

“Dusty…” Uncertainty carried heavily in her voice.

“Shhhh. It’s okay. Relax. Feel.” He intertwined his fingers with hers, hoping to provide a reassuring force as he introduced her to another aspect of sex. He dipped two fingers of his other hand back into her slit, and ran his tongue along the seam between her folds.

She jumped.

He repeated the motion, lapped up some of the copious, tasty moisture, then centered his attention on her clit. “Delicious. Addictive.” He blew on the small nub. “I’m going to love watching you come as I eat you out.”

Her grip tightened on his hand. He flicked his tongue around her clit and licked directly over it in a slow, sensual rub. She lifted her hips as if pleading for more.

He gave it to her. Clamping his teeth ever so carefully around the sensitive area, he suckled gently, then worried her clit with a few tender lashes before sucking once more.

She cried out and bucked, her body tensing tighter with each additional caress.

Over and over he worked the area, pushing her level of arousal constantly upward while savoring every sweet cry along the way. After her initial hesitation she responded openly, her body showering his fingers as he drew out every ounce of passion she could give.

Dusty feasted, strummed and licked, all the time denying the pounding need in his cock, the tightening of his balls and the urge to take her before she reached her climax. Intent upon giving her pleasure, he refused to stop short. April deserved this and so much more.

He lipped her clit and groaned as he felt the resulting tremor zip through her. Persistently, he pressed her further.

Her body tightened more, the muscles of her inner core clinging to his fingers as if they were a buoy in the vast ocean. Adding more vacuum, he gave her everything he had, needing to send her over the edge more than he needed his next breath.

She cried out his name and lurched before the first rhythmic contractions clamped down on his fingers. Still he continued, not about to withdraw until the very last ripple left her body. He moved with her near-frantic gyrations, determined to stay the course.

After a minute her body relaxed, sinking back into the mattress as if in exhaustion. Her breath still came in near-desperate gasps, but began to slow, and her core eased, releasing his digits held captive during her moments of ecstasy.

Withdrawing, he sat up, noting the flush to her skin, the scrunched-up expression on her face, the look of hot passion plundered and released. He lifted up and crawled over her in order to kiss her swollen lips.

April met him after the first brush, pouring sweetness into the affection. Her receptiveness right after climax turned him on all the more.

“April?”

Her eyes opened, revealing a banked fire rife for the taking. He’d pleased her, but she was up for another round. The look on her face combined with the way she rubbed her hands over his back told him she had just gotten warmed up.

Good thing, since he couldn’t wait another minute to join their bodies.

Instinctively, he knew she needed intimacy provided by him covering her. That was okay by him since he preferred the top position, which allowed him to take command and run the show. Not that he didn’t care for trading off. Just the opposite. He’d take April any way he could. Just at this moment, he needed to make love to her, not just settle for a quick fuck. The difference didn’t go unnoticed by him.

Too distracted and overcome with hunger, he pushed the thoughts to the backburner. Right now he had more important things to attend to. Like making April go crazy under him.

He settled into the vee of her thighs, lowered his body and slid his arms under hers. Unable to wait a second more, he lined up the angle and began a slow, determined penetration.

Her eyes widened as he sank home.

“Okay?”

“Oh, Dusty…” She bit his shoulder and tilted her pelvis. “More. I need more.”

He chuckled, pleased with her immediate response. “Wrap your legs around me, baby. Hold on tight. We’re going on one hell of a ride.”

As she did so, he edged deeper.

Her whimper went straight to his cock. Languidly he rocked, a slow, easy motion meant to touch every inch of her snug core and wring every drop of erotic rapture from her once more. Taking advantage of their closeness, he rained kisses on her neck, licked up to her earlobe and nibbled the delicate feature.

She lifted to meet his thrusts, digging her heels into his back along with her short nails. He might carry marks tomorrow, but he didn’t care. Not when she writhed under him in pure bliss.

“That’s it. Take me. Deep. Just like that.” He groaned as he reached the very depths of her channel, lightly bumping into her cervix.

She jumped and mewled, but didn’t appear to suffer any discomfort from his actions. Going with the flow, he kept up the leisurely pace, let their chests rub together and soaked up the thrill of one intense round. The closeness felt right, as did the way she wrapped herself around him and clung as if he were the rock in a steadily shattering world. The electrical current between them seared him so deeply he knew he’d never be the same.

Still he stroked in and out. Over and over again. Building the fire between them to a white-hot, raging level.

Her back arched as she latched onto him in a near desperate hold. A yelp followed.

He peered down at her, read the expression on her face and kept up the tempo with steely determination. Tingling and tightening warned of his impending climax. Stubbornly, he pushed himself further, needing her to topple before shooting his load. “You have me ready to come, baby. So fucking hot I can’t last.” He growled and nipped at her collarbone. “Let go, already. Fly with me.” The last words came out on a low, drawn-out moan as he slammed into the peak of rapture and began a freefall.

Absently, he realized she hit the same pinnacle, as her core clamped down so tight when he plunged balls-deep he couldn’t have moved another inch if he’d tried. The hard contractions milked his cock, demanding every drop from his balls and then some. Eagerly, he complied.

A soft roar was lost between her lips as she kissed him with authority. He aggressively took control, shoved his tongue inside and played with hers as wave after hard wave washed over him. His dick pulsed in a sharp rhythm that then began to fade as he glided back to earth on a cloud of sexual satisfaction.

April blew out a breath and lightened her hold on his body, her fierce grip lessening to tender touches. “Wow.”

He lifted up enough to stare down at her, pride coursing through him at the happiness he saw clearly written across her face. “Liked that?”

“Uh-huh.” She licked his chin with the tip of her tongue.

He felt good. Damn good. Tired. Sated. And very satisfied too. Not just physically, but somewhere down deep as well.

Never would he have believed the first day she’d walked into his stable that she would steal his heart and offer hers in return. Despite their ups and downs, she’d stayed the course and stood by his side, her belief in him intact.

That meant a lot.

He locked their lips once more, softly, thoroughly, before breaking them apart again. “You taste so good.”

“I have a confession to make.” She stared up at him with a mischievous grin.

“What’s that?” Curious, he kissed her chest and waited.

“I used your toothpaste. But not your toothbrush. I just used my finger instead.”

He chuckled. “You’re welcome to use my toothbrush and toothpaste any time you like.”

“Good thing you love me. I have a feeling if anyone else stole your toothpaste, you might shoot them in the foot.”

He laughed. “I just might.” He sobered and kissed her gently. “Come to think of it, you should bring a few clothes over too. You probably don’t care to run around in the same scrubs day after day. Or the buff. As much as I might like it.”

Her mouth fell open. “You mean it?”

“Yeah. I think I can spare some closet space.” He nuzzled her cheek.

“Does that mean you’re gonna keep me?”

He met her gaze steadily, saw the hope, and grinned. “Yeah. I’m going to keep you.” For now and always. The words lodged in his throat, but he knew she got the gist by the beaming smile that lit up her face.

“I love you, Dusty. You make my life full and happy.”

He matched her joyful expression. “I love you too, April.” He smiled ruefully. “I’ll try to keep you…full.” Pulling back, he thrust lazily forward.

Her eyes flashed with burning desire. “I’ll hold you to your word.”

“You do that, because I’ll always keep my promises to you.” He sealed his lips over hers, meshing them together as one as he started up with the sweet lovemaking again. Promises were never taken lightly. This one especially. April provided comfort, acceptance and a balm to his raw moods and nightmares. More than that, she showed him how wonderful love could be.

Dusty intended to hang on to the best thing in his life, for he understood one thing well—he couldn’t live without a soul and April shared his.