Laura Kaye - Hard As You Can

His words loosened the band of fear holding her in place, and she slid down farther, and a little farther, until she was fully seated in his lap, his cock deep inside her. And then something amazing happened. Her brain, her body, and her heart all connected the dots and realized she had chosen everything about this sexual experience. The man. The moment. Even the position.

The revelation drained the fear-borne tension from her body and allowed her, for the first time in years, maybe for the first time ever, to give herself over with abandon to the pursuit of ecstasy.

She had to move. Hands on his shoulders, she rode his cock, alternating between fast ups and downs and grinding rocks that dragged her clit against his hard belly. Shane drew up his knees behind her and met her thrust for thrust, moan for moan. Her body felt almost frenzied in its freedom. Nothing forcing her. Nothing restraining her. Nothing controlling her.

Except, in that moment, she craved more of Shane’s affectionate touches. One of his hands braced against the bed behind him, and his other wrapped loosely around her hip as if to steady her. Love flooded through her as she realized he was probably keeping his hands off to avoid scaring her. She reached for his arm, and he gave her his hand. Sara brought it to her breast, and said, “I need your touch.”

Shane instantly complied, like he’d been desperate to touch her. He cupped her breast and stroked at her nipple, then drew the peaked flesh into his mouth. Pleasure ripped through her as he sucked and flicked, as his hands caressed and gripped with urgency.

“Oh, God,” she rasped, as Shane stroked and cradled her while she took him in deep again and again.

“So pretty, Sara. Make me so fucking happy,” he said in a low voice. The words made her heart expand in her chest. He groaned and grasped her hips, urging her to slow. “You’re so good. I’m going to come too fast,” he said, panting.

“It’s okay. Come,” she said. “I want to see it, feel it.”

Shane’s eyes flashed hotter still. And then they were racing together toward a steep cliff. With a restrained groan, Shane threw his head back, his orgasm jerking and pulsing inside her. The man’s face, always handsome, was exquisite when he came, full of raw, open passion that she’d caused.

Watching him fall apart shoved her body toward her own orgasm. “Oh, my God, I think I’m going to come again,” she rasped.

“Fuck, yeah,” he said, satisfaction rolling into his eyes. He gripped her hips and rocked her back and forth, creating incredible friction between her clit and his stomach. “Come on me, Sara,” he said.

For a long moment, she dangled right on the edge, then she was falling, flying, soaring through space. And when she fell to earth again, Shane caught her in his arms. Even as their chests heaved and their blood raced, Sara’s heart filled with peace and love and acceptance. “I love you, Shane.”

Still deep within her, he pressed a warm kiss over her heart and looked up, his expression full of adoration and contentment. “That’s good, darlin’, because you’re stuck with me now.” He collapsed back on the bed, bringing her down on top of him.

She yelped in surprise and laughed until her eyes watered. “Well, that doesn’t sound like such a hardship,” she said, grinning. Sara lifted off his lap and allowed him to dispose of the condom, then they fell back in bed together, tangled in one another’s arms.

Guilt threatened to wind its way into her little bubble of happiness, but this one time, she refused to let it. She believed in Shane, and he’d saved Charlie. They would bring Jenna home, too. Knowing Shane loved her made Sara that much more hopeful that they would succeed.

What happened after that, Sara didn’t know. For so long, she’d been convinced that the only way she could escape Bruno and Church was to leave Baltimore and never look back. But she never expected to find a reason to want to stay.

And not just any old reason. She’d fallen in love with a man who loved her back. A good man. A sweet man. The only man she’d ever want to have.

But once they got Jenna back from Confessions, Sara wasn’t sure she could do anything to place her in harm’s way again. And that meant leaving. Didn’t it?

Sara blew out a long breath, her thoughts whirling.

“You okay?” Shane whispered.

“Yeah,” she said.

“We probably have a little time. Wanna sleep some more? It’s gonna be a long day.”

Between the amazing orgasms, the incredible sex, and conquering of her fear, Sara did feel worn-out. Add the warm comfort of Shane’s strong body, and Sara really didn’t want to move. “That’d be nice,” she said. Even if she couldn’t fall asleep, she’d rather lie here with him than do anything else.

Shane tugged the covers back over them. “Then sleep, pretty girl. I’ll be right here with you.”

The words squeezed Sara’s heart with love and loss. Every part of her believed he’d stay by her side, which was miraculous and amazing and more than she’d ever hoped for. But that didn’t mean she could stay by his.

If it was in Jenna’s best interest—and if Jenna wanted to go—Sara wouldn’t talk her out of it a second time. And then Sara would have to be the one to do the leaving behind.

A FEW HOURS of sleep later, Shane talked Sara into a shower together. It had been filled with wet kisses and soft caresses under a stream of warm water. Fucking perfect. Another first for her, she’d told him, streaming a deep sense of male satisfaction through his blood. But as much as he’d enjoyed learning that, he’d find even more pleasure knowing he’d be her last—for everything.

When they were clean and dressed—Sara in clothes Becca had loaned her—Shane guided Sara to the gym so they could touch base with the team and plan for the day. They found everyone there—the whole team, Jeremy, Miguel, Becca, and even Charlie had made it over.

“What’s up, everyone?” Shane asked as he pulled up some chairs and gestured for Sara to sit. Murmured greetings rose up all around.

“Busy morning over here, ” Marz said with a wink.

Shane knew the warning he’d shot from his gaze had been effective when Marz held up his hands. Still laughed, though. Fucker.

Sara sat forward in her chair. “Um, can I say something everyone?” She smiled at all the encouragement she received. “I really need to thank you for what you’re going to be doing tonight for me and Jenna. None of you really know me, so it’s kinda . . . um . . .” Sara shook her head and glanced to the ceiling. She rubbed her hands on her thighs and took a deep breath. “It really means a lot that you would help us.”

Pride roared through Shane at her words, and he rubbed her neck, just a small connection to remind her he was there.

“We’re glad to help,” Nick said from his seat next to Becca. “Consider yourself and Jenna part of the Hard Ink family.” Where he leaned against the wall, Easy crossed his arms and nodded. Agreeing voices rose up around the group.

Charlie sat forward in his chair, a frown on his face. “I’m sorry, but you look familiar to me. Do I know you?”

Sara smiled. “We met in passing.”

Becca put a hand on Charlie’s knee. “Crystal helped the guys get you out of Confessions, Charlie.”

The man’s eyes went wide, and he tucked longish strands of blond behind his ears. “I . . .” He nodded. “Thank you. And now your sister’s there?”

Sara nodded, her gaze dropping, and Shane put his arm around her. “Not for long.”

“Uh,” she said, glancing back up again and shrugging. “If you all wouldn’t mind calling me by my real name, Sara? Crystal was my name in the club, and I . . .” She shook her head.