Southern Exposure (Southern Desires Series Book 2) (23 page)

His body sprung to attention as her fingers wrapped around him. When he tried to tip her head up to his, she pulled away with a sly grin and inched her way lower, kissing him all the way.
Oh damn.

Mark knew all his resistance was shot as soon as her tongue touched the tip of his hard cock.

“Hannah.”

“Mark, I’ve never. . . I want to. . . taste you.”

Her tongue darted out and licked the tip of his cock again. Mark almost exploded knowing she’d never been like this with another man. He brushed her blond curl away from her face, and he watched her open her mouth and take him inside. He groaned as she twirled her tongue around his cock before hungrily taking him deep into her throat.

“Oh, God, Hannah, that feels so good.” Another groan rumbled through him. His body tensed as her tongue pressed firmly against his cock, licking the length of him and back to the tip again and again.

This wasn’t his first, but no one ever had his blood pounding with such raw need before. She knew how to please him and bring him to the brink of no control. Mark wanted to roll her over and plunge deep within her, but he was in sweet heaven and didn’t want it to cease.

Her rhythm became more aggressive with each stroke. She took his large cock deeper than he thought she could and as she did her moans vibrated against him.

“If you don’t stop now, I won’t be able to hold back.”

“I know.” Sucking faster, she brought him to the brink, and with her other hand, she was cupping his balls.

“Fuck,” he growled and pulled her up off him. “You might be ready for this to end baby, but not me.”

Rolling her over so she lay beneath him he said, “I could hold you every day and never grow tired of seeing your beautiful face.”

“Promise?”

Mark looked down into her gorgeous green eyes. She’d stolen his heart and exposed what he never knew was there: a man capable of love. He would promise her anything and deliver always.

“Hannah. I promise to love and cherish you always.”

“I can’t think of a better time to start than now.”

“Now and till the end of time,” he whispered against her lips.

“I love you so much.”

No words would ever touch him as those did. They gave him immense power, yet could drop him to his knees. “I love you too baby.”

He needed to touch her, give her the pleasure she’d given to him. That and so much more. As his hands caressed her breast; her moans grew deep. He wanted her to tremble in his arms. He rolled one nipple between his fingers while he sucked the other, teasingly flicking it with his tongue. His body wanted to release, but not before she was satisfied fully.

Reaching one hand between her legs, he found her clit with his thumb and slowly circled it.
God, you’re wet.
Mark loved the feel of her body trembling at his touch. She quivered as he slipped one finger inside her and pulled it back out.

Breathlessly, she begged, “Mark I need you inside me. I can’t wait . . .”

He entered her again. He circled her clit, and she cried out in pleasure.

“Please . . . I—”

Her body jerked violently as he felt her powerful release gripping his finger inside of her. He continued to stroke her with his fingers slowly until her body began to settle.

His hard throbbing cock ached, and needed to feel her wrapped around him. He reached for his pants, which lay on the floor near the bed. He opened his wallet and realized he hadn’t brought a condom.
Fuck.

“What’s the matter?”

“I don’t have any protection with me.”

“Do we need it? I mean do we want it?”

He looked down at her. She was serious. He’d never thought about a family. But he wanted a child with Hannah.
There wouldn’t ever be a better mother on this planet than you.

“No we don’t,” he answered.

She smiled up at him as she pulled him down to her.

Pressing his throbbing cock at her opening, he paused and looked her in the eyes. He saw his own desire matched in her. He could wait no longer.

Never taking their eyes off each other, he buried himself deep inside her. He captured her lips with his, blending their moans of pleasure together. He slowly began to move inside her. In all his years, this was his first time not sheathed.
Sweet heavens, this feels fucking amazing.

As their bodies came together, again and again, he felt like he was making love to her soul as well as her body. He began moving faster and deeper; her moans grew louder with each thrust. He gripped her hips and met her again and again. Her body rocked with a second release, and he felt her clench around him, causing him to lose control. Plunging deeper into her, he shuddered with his release sending his seed spilling into her in a release more powerful than he’d ever experienced before.

As they lay holding each other, still panting, he held her tenderly.
If we don’t make a baby today, then I know we will one day Hannah. Whenever it happens, the timing will perfect, just like you my love.

I
t had been three weeks since Bailey had her surgery, and she seemed to be healing well. Mark didn’t understand the emotional impact this was all having on her, so he stepped back and let Hannah handle that. He tried to be there as a kind, supportive friend, but mostly he let the women do their thing while he monitored things with his team.

Progress was being made, but it was evident this was going to be a long-term assignment. He had waited for the right time to discuss the re-enlistment papers with Hannah. Things had settled down, and tonight was going to be the night. He needed to make the decision one way or the other. Since he’d asked her to marry him, this was something they needed to decide together.

His days of living on his own routine were over, changed forever. He thought that change was going to take away his freedom, and he’d feel a restraint he wasn’t accustomed to. However Hannah was more of a loving, giving woman than he’d imagined. She respected his need for privacy yet was there to offer her support before he even knew he needed it. In a short time, she’d learned to read him better than his own team, who had served under him for many years.

Even though he’d asked her to marry him, he hadn’t yet informed his family or Don. The only person who knew was Bailey and that was because she was staying with them. Hannah had so much going on, and if his family knew they would hover over her, trying to get to know her better. Right now he wanted her to himself. It may be selfish, but he was only willing to share her with Bailey, for obvious reasons. But he knew that would need to change soon.

Derrick and Casey had called and wanted him to come for a visit. His parents were now back in Buffalo and wanted the same. Kevin was the only one in the loop with what he’d found and what he was working on, so they spoke frequently, but mostly business. He added discussing the wedding to his to-do list. He didn’t want a long engagement, and he hoped she didn’t either, but they hadn’t discussed it since he’d asked her to marry him. Talking was long overdue. He would give her the moon if she asked. All he wanted was for her to be his wife.

She came and sat with him in the living room.

“Are you planning on sitting here all day looking at that laptop, or would you be interested in taking a ride with me into town to get a few things for dinner?”

“Depends on what’s on the menu for tonight?” Mark teased. He loved everything she made and she knew it.

“Baked mac & cheese.”

He closed the laptop and put it on the coffee table. “You know what I like.”

Bailey came into the room to join them. “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

Mark smiled at her. She was pale from the surgery, but she had a positive attitude about beating the disease. He was sure Hannah’s endless encouragement and tender loving care contributed to that. From what the doctors said, once she was healed enough, she would need to return back to Rhode Island to start chemotherapy. Bailey was far from out of the woods and he would do everything in his power to make her as comfortable as he could, while loving Hannah and caring for her as she needed him desperately at this trying time as well.

“Plenty of room for you.” Mark replied and scooted over, sliding Hannah closer to him.

Once she was sitting, she grabbed the remote control and flipped on the television. “There’s supposed to be a college playoff game today I don’t want to miss. It’s supposed to start right after the local news. You guys want to watch it with me?”

Mark shot Hannah a look. “Sure, sounds great.”

Bailey flipped the channels until she came upon the news anchor. He’d just finished a story about a local barn burning due to a lightning strike.
I don’t watch the news. I have enough doses of reality as it is. I don’t need to watch them feed me whatever made-up bullshit they decide I deserve.

The anchor went on to the next story. This one caught his attention as well as the ladies in the room. He wanted to snatch the remote from Bailey and change the channel but that would be too obvious.

“The US Navy has uncovered a local terrorist cell here in Georgia. Thanks to their continuous efforts and bravery this cell was removed before any attacks could be made on American citizens. Although the Navy wouldn’t provide the names of these heroes, we here in Georgia thank you. No details where the terrorists had been hiding out, or what their plans were, but we were able to obtain photos of the two men who were killed during the raid.”

Mark saw both men’s photos appear on the TV.
Fuck. Who leaked that shit? Their ass is mine if I find out.

Hannah let out a high pitched screech then leaped off the couch and ran out of the room toward their bedroom. Mark started to get up but Bailey’s words halted him.

“It really happened to her. She wasn’t dreaming. Oh my God. Poor Hannah. We have to help her.” Bailey reached out and grabbed Mark’s arm desperately.

“What happen Bailey. Tell me so I know what we need to do to help her.”

Bailey’s hand was shaking as she moved to sit closer to Mark. She told him exactly what Hannah had told her. Mark thought he would be sick. As Bailey was explaining what Hannah had told her he knew exactly what the fucking assholes had used the Ketamine for. They’d drugged Hannah so their movements wouldn’t be noticed. That also explained why she had looked so tired when he’d first arrived but now her energy level was almost equal to his.

“Did she say that he ra . . . raped her?” Mark’s voice never shook, but it did this time. This was the woman he loved more than his life, and what they had done to her physically hurt his heart as nothing in his life ever had.

“She blacked out or can’t remember it, but from what she said he was doing that she could remember, I would say yes. No man would stop when he was that close to—”

Mark had heard enough. He needed to be with Hannah. Right now he wished he hadn’t blown a hole in the back of his head because he wished he was alive so he could look him in the eyes and tell him exactly why he was going to fucking die.
And it wouldn’t be such a quick and painless death either.

When he entered the bedroom, Hannah was lying down on her stomach crying. She needed so much more than he could give her. She’d been hurt, violated in the most disgusting way and he could try to comfort her, but he knew she would need to speak to someone who could help her through this in a way he couldn’t.
Damn, I hate not being able to make this go away. This is something where all I can do is love you and listen.

Slowly as not to startle her, he laid down beside her and stroked her back. “I’m here, sweetheart. No one is going to ever hurt you again. I’ll never let them.”

She didn’t look up at him, keeping her face buried in the pillow as she spoke. “Mark. It wasn’t a dream. He really—”

“I know. I know. I’m sorry. I wish I could take it all away. But I can’t. He’s gone and he will never hurt you again.”

“I don’t understand. How come I couldn’t stop him? How come I couldn’t remember?” Hannah sobbed.

“Ketamine put you in a drugged state that you slept through. Somehow you were awake enough to remember, but not be able to do anything about it. It put you in a dream state.”

He could feel the tension within her yet there was no way no matter how he tried, could he truly understand what she was going through. Mark had seen so much cruelty and violence over the years, but this one was affecting him physically in a way he’s never experienced. He needed to remind himself that what he was feeling was nothing compared to what Hannah was. At some point he was going to need to deal with and process what happened himself, but this was not the time or place for that. All it would accomplish today was causing more pain to the woman he loved and he wasn’t about to do that.

“I’m trying to remember, but it’s like slow motion pictures. I can’t tell what is real and what isn’t. The more I try the more confused I get.”

Don’t ask her questions. Just listen and be supportive. Pushing her can break her.

“I know my love. We will get someone who can help you through this. You’re not going to have to go through this alone. You have me and Bailey and there are people who are trained to help you sort this out.”

“I don’t want to talk to anyone, Mark. This is too embarrassing. I can’t—”

“Hannah. Do you think I’m weak?”

She shook her head.

“I need help processing this. Let’s find the right person who can help us both.” He knew he’d never be able to share things within him that he should, but he would do anything for Hannah. If that meant meeting with someone once a week to talk about feelings, he would. He’d never be able to say what was truly in his heart, not to anyone except for Hannah.

She nodded in agreement. “I know. It’s going to take time but I need to know what really happened. Otherwise I think it will haunt me forever. I don’t want him to have any power over me, to hinder my life in any way. I refuse to let him take my future from me.”

God, you’re such a strong woman. What happened to you was horrendous. I hate to share you, but you have so much to offer this world. There are so many women out there that need to hear your voice, your message. And I’ll be by your side all the way.

He wanted to hold her tight so she would feel safe. If only his love could heal her pain. No matter what it took, he would be there, and give up anything to ensure she was okay. Hannah had somehow become his whole life, his whole world. Nothing mattered to him if she wasn’t okay.

“I love you Hannah.” Mark whispered. He felt the tension ease and she relaxed slightly against him.

“Mark, do you know why? Why me?”

Because they are evil and wanted to hurt you.
“I don’t think that had been their first intention. I think the guy that hurt you did that on his own.”

“So the others, what happened to them?”

“Both men were killed that day.”

Hannah sat up, her cheeks still tear streaked as she said, “I mean the others.”

“There were two here.”

She shook her head in confusion. He knew something wasn’t right. She closed her eyes as though trying to focus.

“In my dream I didn’t see Jason, my tenant. There were only strangers. That’s why I thought it was a dream. They spoke in a language I didn’t understand, and I didn’t know any of them.”

Them? Shit.
“Hannah, I hate to ask you to do this, but can you tell me who was in your dream? Do you know what they look like?”

She nodded. “The man with the scar. He’s the one that—”

Mark nodded. “And you said there were others with him? And you’re sure none of them were the tenant?”

“Yes, three others that I had seen.”

Fuck. We need this information, and my love, you’re the only one who can give it to us. God I hate asking you to do this. But I need this to protect you.

“I could describe them for you. I know what they look like. Every detail is burned into my memory. I had wanted it out of my mind, but if it means I can help you catch those bastards, I’m glad it’s still there.”

My sweet brave girl. You never cease to amaze me. Here I am worried if you’re strong enough to be the wife of someone like me, and I’m blown away; your strength is greater than many men I’ve served with.

“I can take you with me to a place where they will help you identify them.”

“Yes. I want to help. It’s not like what you do, but if I can help in this small way, I want to.” Her voice was so adamant and strong.

And that led right into what he knew he needed to talk to her about. After what he’d just learned, he knew he could never leave her again. A deployment overseas could leave her unprotected for months. He’d never risk that.

“Hannah, I wanted to talk to you about that. I have my re-enlistment papers. I’ve decided not to sign them.”

“No, you can’t do that.” Her voice rose.

He didn’t understand her resistance to this news. If anything he’d thought she’d be elated about the decision. It was one he’d never had imagined making until Hannah came into his life. “I don’t want to leave you. How can I protect you if I’m not here?”

Hannah reached her hand out and touched his check. “I love you, Mark Collins, and that love cannot be broken. Not through distance or time. But what I have learned through this entire ordeal is that what you do is desperately needed. I need you, this country needs you, and this world needs you to sign those papers and find those bastards before they can hurt more people.”