Ben relaxed, patting the man on the back. Charlie was not the man he remembered as a child. He used to be hard and emotionless. Hannah even mentioned how uptight her parents were before she left. Loosing one’s kid and having them brought home gave a person a new perspective on life.
Charlie released him, taking several deep breathes getting himself back under control. “You have my deepest gratitude.”
Ben nodded. “It was a fortunate accident.”
“Don’t be so modest.”
“On the contrary. I had no way of knowing she was there. After I left when I turned eighteen I never knew what happened to her. I kept in contact with Adam over the years, but he never mentioned anything about Hannah.”
“Did he know you had a crush on Hannah too?” Charlie asked with a knowing look.
Ben opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Know too? Did that mean…?
“Oh yes,” Charlie answered his unspoken question. “I knew all about your crush on my daughter.”
“I didn’t. I mean,” Ben sputtered.
“It’s alright, Ben.” Charlie held up a hand. “I know Margaret always had plans for Hannah to marry one her country club attendees, I’m glad it’s you.” Charlie smiled at him proudly.
“No offense, sir, but I thought you always hated me. That you didn’t think I was good enough for her.” Ben didn’t want to pull the tiger by its tail, but this was a side of Charlie O’Connell he never thought he would ever see.
Charlie looked away, shaking his head in shame. “I admit, when you kids were younger I didn’t think you were good enough. Hannah was raised in a different lifestyle than yourself.” She was rich, and he was poor. Ben already knew that. “But I watched you kids as you got older and how you two looked at each other and the way you treated her, I knew she would never love another, and I couldn’t think of another man that would treat her the way you did. And they definitely wouldn’t have rescued her.”
Ben kept his features blank while inside he was overjoyed. Hannah’s father approved of him. He didn’t say the words, but he didn’t have to. Ben could feel it. It was true the men that went to Margaret’s country club would never have rescued Hannah. They might have hired PI’s like her brothers had, but he had been the one to save her. Future didn’t look to bleak now with her family. Eventually he’d ask her father’s permission to marry her. She wouldn’t feel isolated from her family again.
“It may not mean much to you, Ben, but you have my blessing and permission to be with my daughter.”
Margaret walked up to them before Ben could respond. “What is taking you two so long? Everyone is waiting on you.”
“Sorry, Mrs. O’Connell. Were coming right now.” Ben apologized and hurried inside to take a seat next to Hannah. She smiled warmly at him, clasping his hand when he took a seat. Things were finally looking up for them.
Chapter Thirteen
After lunch with her family, Hannah rushed Ben out the door with a promise to call soon. She opted to drive to get them to the hotel faster. All of lunch all sorts of scenarios went through her head about the phone call Ben had received. Did it have something to do with Alejandro? Commander Brady? The suspense was killing. As much as she was enjoying the time getting to know her family again she was ready to have some alone time with Ben.
“In a hurry much?” Ben asked as she drove through an intersection as the light was turning red.
“You promised me answers.”
“Answers you’ll have but killing us in traffic won’t get them for you.”
Hannah ground her molars, easing off the gas. She really didn’t need to go 20 miles over the speed limit. Adam was the newly appointed Sheriff, but she didn’t think his first day should be spent giving her a ticket.
As soon as the reached the motel, because there was no way she was staying the cabin Sheriff Little had attacked her in, Hannah pushed Ben into their room, slamming the door behind them.
“Okay, talk,” she commanded shrugging out of her coat discarding it on the desk chair before taking a seat on the bed. It wasn’t as nice looking at the cabin hotel, with only just the bed, desk and chair, but it would do for their short visit.
“Hannah, we don’t need to rush into this conversation.” Ben leaned her over trying to kiss her, she leaned back avoiding his lips, but it must have been what he expected her to do because she laid all the way back with Ben hovering over her. He balanced himself on his hands, only his lower body touching hers. She wanted answers, but with Ben so close and his spicy scent surrounding her, her body and mind warred. She wanted answers, but she also wanted to make love.
“Fuck it,” she whispered, her hormones winning out. She pulled Ben on top of her, sealing her mouth over his. They both groaned, clinging to each other. It was no gentle coming together. This was passion at its heights. They had sat at her parents’ house unable to do more than hold hands out of respect, but now they were alone, and neither was holding anything back.
Hannah gripped the bottom of his shirt and tore it over his head. Her hands glided down his sculpted muscles, gracing his puckered nipples. Her hand dipped lower, to his waistband. Ben caught her hand, placing it above her head.
“Not so fast, Goldilocks,” Ben released her hands, trusting she would leave them there, and pulled her shirt and bra off. His hands slide down her chest, caressing her supple breasts. He brought them together, licking, and sucking each nipple into his mouth.
“Ben,” she moaned, sliding her hands through his hair.
“I’m just getting started,” His kisses continued down her stomach, never releasing her breasts. Hannah spread her legs wide as Ben’s kisses continued down. His lips latched over her clip and sucked.
