“Let’s see who will win.” Pirouetting, I took off. My ballet flats flew, hurtling me away from Jethro.
The intoxication of being able to play and laugh bubbled in my blood. The moment he caught me, he’d take me. And once he’d claimed what was rightfully his—what wouldalwaysbe his—I’d tell him my news.
Leaping over a fallen log, I darted through the undergrowth, not caring I crunched twigs or crashed through large leaves. He would find me. And I wanted him to.
True to his word, he gave me a few minutes head start before Squirrel’s howl sounded on the night sky, signalling his chase.
I ducked and parried around trees and roots, doing my best to get far. But instead of fear, I sparked with laughter and love.
“Are you running? Because I’m chasing.” Jethro’s baritone whipped through bracken.
I ran faster, my hair tie coming loose and ebony strands cascading down my back as I tore through a small everglade and into dense woodland.
I hoped I’d get farther. But Squirrel found me first.
His paws thundered behind me, reminding me he’d ruined my hiding place up the tree that fateful day. Puffing, I ruffled the dog as he ran beside me. His tongue lolling and black eyes bright with excitement. “Even when you were being a traitor, you had my back, didn’t you?”
Squirrel yipped. I’d never get used to calling him Bolly. That wasn’t his name—not with the bristly tail he had.
Breathing hard, I entered another small clearing. This one had a few saplings straining for the sky. I went to dash forward, but a hand lassoed aroundmy wrist, yanking me back.
“Caught you, little Weaver.”
I shivered, my core clenching with need. “Unhand me, Mr. Hawk. Otherwise, I promise I’ll make your life a living hell.”
“Never.” He backed me swiftly against a tree, slamming my wrists above my head and biting his way along my collarbone. “I’ve wanted to do this all day.”
My breath turned into moans as his tongue licked its way down my throat, over my collar, to the dip between my breasts. “Do what?”
“This.” Spinning me around, he pressed my front against the tree and bent to gather my summery skirt. My skin goosebumped as the sound of his zipper coming undone sent wetness pooling.
“All day I’ve stared at you. I grew hard for you while you hugged our son. My mouth watered to lick you as you sipped wine at dinner.”
My throat tightened as Jethro’s hands skated down my body, following my contours, latching onto my hips.
“You’re so fucking perfect.”
My back arched in his hold. The hot steel of his erection nudged between my legs. “Open wider, pretty Weaver. I need you, and I need you hard.”
I jolted with the thickest, quickest desire I’d ever felt. My feet spread as Jethro tugged my skirt up.
“Jethro...”
“Let me do this.”
“I’d let you do anything.”
“Christ.”
Lifting one foot, I allowed him to yank down my knickers and stepped out of them, moaning as he wedged me against the tree again, thrusting his hips against my arse.
I struggled to get my hands free, reaching behind me to stroke his side. “I need...I need to touch you.”
“No, you need to let me fuck you.”
“Do it, then. Take me. I’m all yours.”
“Shit, Nila.” His hands shook as his fingers dug into my skin. “I’m going to take you. Right. Fucking. Now.” Grabbing my hips, he slammed inside me.
