Sand Angel (18 page)

Zoë held up a hand, shushing him, before leveling her steely gaze on Kari. When she spoke her voice dropped several octaves. “I’ll say this once and only once.”

Kari haughtily raised a brow. Her palms went straight to her hips.

Zoë’s jaws clenched. The slightest flare of her nostrils told Drew the shit was about to hit the fan. He tensed, ready to grab her if she flew into the bitch staring her down. He wasn’t prepared when the tightness in Zoë’s face vanished and an eerie smirk appeared. Her chin dipped as her eyes darkened. “Unless you want your ass kicked from here to China, you won’t ever lay a hand on my man again.” It wasn’t a threat—her menacing tone said she meant every word.

Kari’s face turned scarlet red. She huffed, opened her mouth to speak, but must have thought better, snapping her lips together. Instead, she spun on her toes and disappeared into the crowd.

Without a word, Zoë slowly turned to face Drew. Shit. This was the last thing he needed right now. He was completely caught off guard when her hand jutted out, catching his jersey, fingers curling in the fabric as she jerked him forward. His eyes widened. Before he could speak, explain he was innocent, she pressed her lips to his. It was a mark of ownership, firm and demanding. For all to see, she staked her claim on him.

Drew’s pulse sped. His soul soared. This was the sign he had been waiting for—she still cared. He held her tightly, giving as much as he received.

When their kiss ended, they were both breathless.

“Trailer. Now.” Her command was short and decisive, leaving no room for discussion.

What man in his right mind would pass up an invitation like that?

Not Drew.

He grabbed her hand and with quick steps headed for her trailer. As she pushed the door open and yanked him inside, it slammed against the wall, closing on its return.

“Damn. These boots,” he muttered, stumbling. Before he could steady himself, Zoë’s hands were everywhere, pulling at his clothes. Her lips frantically sought his. There was no tenderness in her touch as she jerked his jersey loose from his pants. She ravaged his mouth, her tongue caressing every inch. When he countered, thrusting his tongue to meet hers, she released a desperate cry that tore them apart. Her eyes were dark with desire as she tugged his shirt off and tossed it over her shoulder.

Her feverish desire was a fucking turn on. Drew’s cock hardened instantly. Blood rushed his sac, drawing it close to his body. He couldn’t move fast enough to disrobe her, dragging her jersey over her head to throw it aside. With nimble fingers, he unfastened her pants, worked them and her thong down her long legs, meeting resistance. “Damn boots,” he grumbled.

As he started to unsnap her boots, she breathed, “Can’t wait. Need you now.”

“Woman, you’re going to be the death of me.” Drew whirled her around so that her back faced him. She wiggled out of her exercise bra as he unfastened his pants and jerked them down around his knees. “Hold on to the counter,” he said before grabbing her hips. With one thrust, he parted her folds and entered her.

“Drew.” She arched her back and groaned deep and long.

“So wet.” He sucked in a choking breath. “Tight.” His toes clenched in his boots as he attempted to keep his climax at bay. The strong pull in his erection was somewhere between pleasure and pain. Even as a teenage boy he had never ejaculated before satisfying his partner. This time would not be the first—at least he prayed it wouldn’t. Desperate to draw his attention off the firming between his legs, he grasped her breasts, kneading, before latching on to her engorged nipples with his fingers. One pinch and she threw back her head and screamed his name again.

The second her womb squeezed his aching shaft, he exploded. Stars burst behind his eyelids. His pulse sped. He moaned as her body flexed around him. He had never felt anything so earth-shattering. There was nothing to do but feel, savor the moment.

Drew draped her body with his. Both were covered in a light sheen of perspiration. He dreaded leaving her warmth, but the door wasn’t locked, not to mention the back of the trailer was open. The only thing that hid them from others’ sight was the plastic curtain that had fallen to cover the entrance.

Before he broke their connection, he leaned in close and whispered, “I’m not through with you.” Soft laughter met his ears. “I’ll close and lock the trailer up.” He jerked his pants over his hips and fastened them before heading for the back of the trailer. “Take those damn clothes off. I want you naked and in bed when I return.”

Chapter Sixteen

A sensation of tranquility wrapped around Zoë’s heart as she gazed at Drew sleeping beside her. Damn the man for being so good looking. She brushed a tendril from his forehead, noticing he was perspiring even though the room felt cool to her. She had switched on the air conditioner while Drew closed the back of the trailer. Even now there was a breeze blowing over their naked bodies. The scent of dust was gone. Instead the smell of rain filtered through the vents.

Their afternoon delight had turned into another tumble in bed, and then they had drifted asleep in each other’s arms. Her chest rose and fell on a blissful sigh. No matter how hard she tried to deny it, she loved him. Her earlier outburst proved it. She chuckled silently. Kari’s reaction to her threat was as she expected. The woman was all talk, no guts. Yet the expression on Drew’s face was priceless.

Not only had Zoë’s calm exterior surprised him, it had been a revelation to her. She would never get over Drew. When the realization set in, the rest was intuitive. No one took what belonged to her—including her man.

Emotion tightened her throat. Did she dare believe that all of this was actually happening? That Drew had truly returned, wanting to rekindle what they had?

Before she could ponder those questions, Drew cried out. He mumbled. His words incoherent as his fingers curled into fists and his face twisted in anguish. What the hell had he gone through?

“Zoë.” The panic in his voice made her reach out and touch him. “Where are you?” he murmured, moisture seeping from behind his closed eyelids.

He was crying in his sleep.

Tears misted Zoë’s eyes. The sorrowful moans he made were breaking her heart. She folded her arms around him, holding him to her. “I’m here…” She paused, swallowing hard to keep her emotions restrained. “I’ve always been here.”

It was true. Although she had put up a good exterior front, on the inside she had yearned, dreamed and she had waited—waited for his return. Lonely days, sleepless nights, they had been for him and him alone. She had become an empty shell with a void in her life that no man could fill, except for the one she held.

She buried her face against his chest. “I love you,” she whispered, unable to silence the tenderness that made her entire body tremble. “Damn you,” she choked. “I’ll always love you.”

Zoë startled when Drew’s warm palm smoothed across her back. She tensed, squeezing her eyes closed, praying that he hadn’t heard her confession. What would he say? Would he run again?

Her shoulders squared, her arms falling to her sides, as she prepared herself for his response. He was quiet for longer than felt comfortable. Every muscle inside her body tensed. If only she had kept her mouth shut.

When he spoke, his voice was shaky. “I-I love you too.” He drew her closer, pressing his lips against her forehead. “Let me in, Zoë. Let me love you.”

Her pulse sped. “I’m scared,” she blurted, then clenched her jaws tight.
Oh God, did I admit that?

Drew rolled her gently upon her back. Her nipples tightened, not from arousal, but fear. She didn’t want to meet his gaze but she did. His eyes were rimmed red with emotion, from his dream or the current moment, she didn’t know. He propped himself on an elbow. “I made a mistake. We’ve both suffered. Let me make it right.”

Zoë wanted to believe him. “You hurt me.” She hated the childish tone in her voice. To add to her mortification, her chin began to tremble. Painful memories threatened to surface.

“Oh, baby.” He caressed his knuckles across her cheek. “I know. I’m sorry. But I’m back now and I’m not leaving.” She couldn’t help leaning into his hand. She hungered for his touch. “Please let me back into your life.”

Mentally, she heard her hard-as-nail exterior begin to crack.
Be strong. Breathe.
Yet when his lips met hers, she crumbled like a day-old cookie. Her arms flung around him. She held on tight, speechless, while her mind cried,
Yes. I’ve missed you so much.

Their naked bodies came together, chest to chest, hip to hip. His kiss magically washed the anguish of the last three years away. Instead, a happiness Zoë hadn’t felt in a long time embraced her. Within seconds, she found herself trapped beneath him. His firm cock pressed to her belly. His mouth ravished hers as she surrendered body and soul.

When their lips parted, he said, “Say you’re mine.” Zoë was still trying to catch her breath, her mind whirling with what was happening. He dragged her hands above her head, pinning them against the bed. “Mine,” he repeated.

Raindrops began to pelt the trailer, making tinny sounds. She could hear the rustle and voices of people rushing around the campsite outside. Doors opened and slammed shut. There was a brisk knock against the side of the trailer.

“Drew. Zoë.” There was urgency in Josh’s muffled tone as he stood at the door. “Wake up. Damn rain.” The awning wasn’t out. That meant he was standing in the pouring rain.

“Your brother has impeccable timing,” Drew grumbled. When the banging continued, he growled, moving from atop her. He climbed off the bed and then paused. “I should let him drown out there.” Zoë laughed, her breath catching as Drew swept his hot gaze up and down her naked body. “You’re so beautiful. Stay here. Don’t move.” He turned, padding down the steps and across the room to the door. From where she lay naked, Zoë could see Drew as he opened the door and peered out. “What the hell do you want?”

“Get dressed. We’re going to town for dinner,” Josh said.

Zoë groaned, bringing her arms to her side. She didn’t want to share Drew with anyone. No, she had other things in mind, like having Drew thrusting deep inside her.

“Not interested.” Drew’s quick response put a smile on Zoë’s face. Perhaps he was thinking the same thing.

Zoë heard her brother’s carefree laughter. “You sure?”

“Absolutely.” Drew shut the door and locked it. He pivoted, catching her ogling his masculine form. Dark hair, sensual eyes, broad shoulders, six-pack abs and a narrow waist. He was so sexy, handsome, standing before the doorway.

Drew grinned. “Now, where were we?” The stairs creaked as he approached.

Zoë’s heart pounded with joy. She opened her arms invitingly. There was nothing she would prefer than to spend the rest of the day and evening locked in Drew’s embrace, savoring his kisses and devouring his body. Just the thought firmed her nipples into taut beads. Moisture released between her thighs. She was ready—more than ready. The tingles tightening her womb grew stronger.

Just out of her reach, he stopped. “I think you owe me an answer.” His eyes twinkled when her gaze shot to his cock. She licked her lips.

Mmmm… He looked good enough to eat.

Her blood pressure soared as he took himself in hand, his finger squeezing as he stroked from base to tip. “Answer?” she squeaked. What was he talking about? Her mind felt hazy, her attention focused on the prominent veins in his arm and hand, his palm sliding up and down his shaft squeezing a clear drop of liquid from the small slit in his crown.

He stepped closer. His erection lengthened, reddened as he continued to tempt her. “Tell me you’re mine.”

There was no hesitation. She scrambled to her knees, licked her lips again. “I’m yours,” Zoë breathed.
Yours. Yours. Yours.

“Forever?” he asked.

Insecurity was a black cloud crashing down around her. “Forever?” she whispered as a shiver raked her spine. Did she have “forever” inside her?

Drew’s brows tugged together. He frowned. “You said that almost as if the word left a bad taste in your mouth.”

“What? Uh… No. It’s just—” She eased back on her haunches. How could she explain that she’d quit thinking of a future? She lived her life one day at a time with no worries about tomorrow. He was asking, or at least she believed he was asking, for the ’til death do us part, the little picket fence. Those girlish dreams had vanished along with him three years ago. Zoë’s heart sputtered. What if he wanted children?

“You’re trembling.” He released himself, drew closer to embrace her. “You’re cold as ice.” He began to rub his warm palms briskly up and down her arms.

“I’m—”
Speechless? Dumbfounded?
Or maybe scared shitless was a more appropriate response from her.

“Baby, I want you in my life forever.” He speared his hand through her hair, cupping the nape of her neck. “Can you promise me that, Zoë?”

Could she? Her skin felt like it had shrunk two sizes too small as panic set in. A home, a man who loved her, children, everything she had ever wanted stood before her, offering, waiting for an answer. Did she have the courage to grasp it with both hands, or would she fail?

Zoë mentally pushed away her insecurities. She was a woman of action, not words. Yeah. That’s who she was. “Make love to me, Drew,” Zoë blurted. She didn’t want to think about the future. Most of all she didn’t want to think about disappointing him—of not being the woman he thought she was.