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“Just you and me?” He would never begrudge Penta’s focus on her family. It was one of the things he lov...liked about her. He’d hoped to have her all to himself someday, but hadn’t expected her to suggest it.
“Yes. Felix and Cyril will be fine. It’ll be good practice for when they move out.” Her voice cracked a little on the last words, yet her grin never wavered. “Besides, we’ll still be in cell range. If they need anything, they can call.”
Overwhelmed with tenderness, he dismounted, cupped her face in his palms and kissed her. She leaned into the caress, her mouth opening, tongue tangling. Pride swelled that she’d chosen him to be her lover, her friend.
She broke the connection, sinking back onto her heels and lifting the carrier bags still twisted round her fingers. “Help me with these?”
He brushed her lips with his thumb and her eyes darkened. “Of course.” He spied soft drinks, a bottle of wine, bagels, hot dogs, and several bell peppers among other items as he loaded the saddlebags.
“I thought we could stop and pick up a couple steaks on our way out of town. Or anything else you might want that we can fit onto the bike. The cabin has the basic condiments, and there’s a small store on-site.” Penta strapped on her helmet and tucked the curly strands of her shiny brown hair underneath. She hadn’t cut it since he’d known her, and ringlets bounced on the back of her neck.
“Steak sounds great.” It did, but that wasn’t what had his juices flowing. The thought of being alone with Penta for three nights and two days, without the distraction of children or old enemies or ex-partners was what set his appetite roaring. He settled into the driver’s position and she swung a leg over the pillion seat, shuffling into place, her familiar softness amping up his heightened senses. “Ready?”
She nodded, her helmet bumping his gently. “I am. Let’s ride!”
Her attempts at biker slang never failed to amuse him, and he laughed out loud as he rolled onto the street.
An entire weekend. Just him and Penta. He gunned the engine and sent them flying.
PENTA WOKE TO THE WHISPER of a calloused hand caressing her body. The faint scent of pine drifted in the open window, mingling with Cash’s earthy aroma. She hummed in contentment.
Her eyes drifted open as she shifted toward his warm naked bulk, her feet tangling in the sheets crumpled at the bottom of the bed. The tiny one-room cabin was stifling, even though the sun had gone down hours ago, the heated air heavy as a blanket.
His jutting brows shadowed his eyes, while light from the almost full moon glinted off the silvery strands in his beard. Her breath caught as his fingers sought her breast, thumb straying over her rising nipple.
“What time is it?” she murmured. They’d barely made it in the door before falling into bed and had climbed out only long enough to share a supper of pre-made grocery-store salad, the high temperatures discouraging them from lighting the barbeque.
“Not quite two.” He lowered his head to nip her collarbone, beard rough against her skin.
A stirring near her hip enticed her to wriggle closer. “Again?”
“Always.” His roving hand stilled an instant before floating lower. “Besides, I might never get you all to myself like this ever again.”
Blunt fingertips stroked her core and rational thought fled. Blindly, she reached between them and grasped his cock, working him up and down, matching the rhythm of his pulsing invasion. His breath hissed in and out. Her heart rate soared. He leaned over and took her mouth, pressing kiss upon kiss on her lips, muttering words of encouragement, praise, and lust, driving her closer to the edge...
His cellphone rang.
They froze like teenagers caught in the act. Penta stared, panting and wide-eyed. Cash’s face went blank.
It rang again. He flung himself off the bed and scrambled for his pants.
Nightmare scenarios raced through her mind. Nothing good ever came from a phone call in the wee hours. She’d written Cash’s number on the instructions she’d left for the boys. If something had happened to one of them, the other might call him to avoid telling her the bad news. The world was a dangerous place. How could she have left them to fend for themselves?
Shaky with panic, she couldn’t move. Could barely breathe.
After what seemed an eon, each shrill chime piercing her soul, Cash finally found the phone. It took him three swipes and several curses to connect the call. “Elle? What’s wrong?”
Not her boys. Her children were safe. Her cheeks prickled with goosebumps as the adrenaline subsided from her system.
“Calm down, sweetheart. I can’t understand you.” The knobs on Cash’s spine stood out sharp and taut under his skin as he hunched over, the phone clenched in his fist. In the darkness, the colourful design on his left shoulder blade was nothing but black swirls. “Where are you now? Okay, good. Have you called your mother?”
Remorse engulfed her. Her children might be okay, but Cash’s only daughter obviously wasn’t. Inaudible, agitated squawks leaked from the speaker, but she couldn’t decipher any words.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can, all right? But I’m not at home. It will take me about forty-five minutes.” Another pause, more desperate sounds from the phone. “I’m sorry. I’m leaving right away. I’ll call you once I’m on my bike. We’ll stay in touch the entire time. I promise. Just give me two minutes to get dressed.”
By now, Penta was out of bed and wriggling into her leggings. After a few more hurried, placating words to Elle, Cash tossed the phone aside and dragged on his jeans and T-shirt.
“What happened?” Penta gave up the search for her bra and tugged her sweatshirt on. “Is she okay?”
