Dare to Hold (Dare to Love 4)

“You were asleep when I came in last night.”

“I told you I probably would be.”

He pinched her nipple tighter, and the current caused a trickle of dampness to settle between her thighs. “I’m making up for it this morning,” he said, the head of his erection nudging at her opening.

“I can tell,” she murmured, the last word falling off as he slid inside her body, which opened and eagerly accepted him. He was hot and hard, filling her up slowly and completely. “Ahh,” she whispered, the sheer thickness of him pulsing inside her.

He rocked his hips back and forth, sheathing himself deeper, only to pull out and glide back in. “God, you feel good, Meg.”

She closed her eyes, unable to fight the truth. “So do you.”

He dipped his finger lower, moving from her breast to her clit, lubricating her with her own juices, his deft touch masterful. He always knew just how to play her to bring her to orgasm, but this wasn’t the fast, furious sexual connection they normally shared.

His cock glided in and out of her almost reverently, his breathing growing ever rougher against her neck. Even the occasional talk was more intense and less dirty than usual, and she fell headlong into a glorious climax that was even more beautiful for the way he coaxed her through. Words like so fucking beautiful, keep coming, baby, and it’s my turn echoing in her ears as his thrusts grew harder, his grip on her tighter as he came hard and fast inside her.

By the time their breathing had returned to normal, a big old lump had risen in her throat, and getting up to go to work hadn’t been easy. Maybe Scott had recognized the intensity because he, too, had rolled away and said they should get ready for work.

For the rest of the week, they fell into a too-comfortable routine. Most times, Scott would leave first, knowing his brother made it a habit of getting into work early. Meg would leave soon after for school. When she left Scott’s house, Rick would be waiting in his car and followed her. She was comforted knowing he was around and could handle Mike if he tried something or got violent. And with her thoughts and life in turmoil, she appreciated this little peace of mind.

Meg would get back to the house first, and because she was a guest, she wanted to help out. She’d had Rick accompany her to the grocery store so she could fill Scott’s cabinets and fridge with food she could cook, and she had dinner waiting when he came home. Although she kept her mental dialogue going strong, reminding herself this situation was temporary, she couldn’t deny how much she enjoyed being with him. It seemed like they fit into each other’s lives well, from what they ate and when, to televisions shows and bedtime.

Unlike Mike and past boyfriends, Scott had no issues with the time she spent in the evenings, preparing her lessons for the kids. He was surprised that kindergarten wasn’t just painting and crayons and seemed interested in what she planned for her class.

She couldn’t deny that they not lived only together easily but that sex got better each time. She didn’t understand it. Her prior relationships had been about making sure he got off or a quickie before bed. Scott’s focus was solely on Meg’s pleasure. If nothing else, he would be a hard act to follow when things ended.

He’d said as much himself, that fateful night on the patio. If he’d been thinking with his brain, he’d have recognized his relationship with his ex wouldn’t last. Instead, he’d thought with his … libido. And Scott had a healthy sex drive, as he’d proven over and over. What if Scott was thinking that way now, with Meg? What would happen when she started to show? She’d be popping soon, if the What to Expect When You’re Expecting book was right. In fact, she could see the swell in her belly, even if he hadn’t said a word. She’d only be getting bigger. No way would she be able to hold his interest sexually then.

Another depressing thought. But reality was her new friend, she reminded herself as she strode into school on Friday morning. After a morning teaching the letter K, Meg took her little charges to the art teacher, where they’d stay for the next forty minutes.

Before heading to the break room for coffee, she stopped at the office to check her mailbox and talk to Allie.

Meg hadn’t had time with her friend since their girls’ night, which felt like a lifetime ago, and she wanted to rectify that. She paused at the wall of small mailboxes and pulled out a few colored papers, notices, and othe

r items before turning to her friend.

“Hi.”

“Hi, yourself.” Allie sat behind a metal desk and always greeted everyone with a warm smile.

“How are you feeling?” Allie gestured to Meg’s stomach.

Meg blushed and grinned. “Pretty good, thanks. You?”

Allie shrugged. “Not bad. Listen, I need to talk to you,” she said, lowering her voice.

“And I’d love to grab lunch sometime soon,” Meg said. Allie was aware of the situation with Mike but not that she was living with Scott. They definitely had catching up to do.

“Great! I’ll text you. I’m going to visit my parents this weekend, so maybe the next. But that’s not what I wanted to talk about…”

“What is it?” Meg asked, concerned.

“Parents have been calling about a sedan in the parking lot with a driver sitting behind the wheel. Mr. Hansen went out to speak to the driver.” Allie glanced over her shoulder at the partially open door, as if assuring they wouldn’t be caught talking.

Meg’s stomach cramped. “What happened?”

“The guy showed him an ID card from a protection agency and explained he was on the job for someone inside the school. He didn’t mention names but…” Because Mr. Hansen, as well as Allie, knew Meg no longer wanted Mike allowed into the school…

“He put two and two together and came up with me as the person who needed protection,” Meg said.