Millie's Second Chance (The Town of Pearl 4)

She felt good in his arms, all feminine and curvy. He was a big man and would love the feel of a solid, voluptuous woman like Millie in his arms whenever he wanted.

She seemed to be lessening her hold on him and slowly pulled her head back from his shoulder.

They locked gazes as they both breathed heavily, his body covering hers as she lay flat on the mat.

He had no control over his next move and lowered his head, touching his lips to her soft full ones.

* * * *

Millie didn’t know what had come over her or them, for that matter. One minute she was annoyed and angry at Dalton’s words and actions and the next she was absorbed with his scent and his muscles surrounding her. He obviously felt the same attraction and now he was kissing her. He was thorough with his tongue, exploring her mouth as his hands explored her body. She relaxed her legs and he pressed his groin firmly against her mound. Millie moaned as she realized just how big Dalton was and how hard and long his cock felt against her.

She ran her fingers through his hair, kissing him back with as much vigor as he was kissing her. It was intense and then she realized how irrational their behavior was and she tensed up.

Slowly, he released her lips and she just stared at him.

“I…” she began and Dalton remained above her with his hands on either side of her as he raised his chest up, causing her legs to fall awkwardly open and away from his hips. His thick body remained wedged between them.

She tried to scoot back so she could sit up, but he grabbed her thighs, keeping them open and against his rock-solid ones.

He seemed to be breathing just as heavy as she was.

“You’re a beautiful woman who should be pampered and protected. You shouldn’t have to be trained to fight for your life, Millie. It’s wrong.” She felt his indignation against her choice to seek such training. She was past her shock of kissing him and now her determination to fight her fear led her to her response.

“In a perfect world I wouldn’t have to do this, but you don’t know him, Dalton. He beat me and tried to kill me. I’m ashamed of what I allowed him to do for so long. I should have died then.” Tears filled her eyes. For some strange reason, she felt emotional about telling him and Hank.

Oh God, Hank.

She turned toward the side and Hank stared at her. He looked…hungry.

Dalton placed his hand against her cheek. She closed her eyes and absorbed the masculine show of affection.

“Come on. Enough for today,” Dalton said then scooted back, took her hand, and pulled her up. The significant difference between her height and theirs struck her momentarily until Hank took her hand and pulled her to him. Before she knew what he was going to do, she felt his hand against her neck and head and his arm around her waist.

“We can protect you, Millie. My brothers and I want to take care of you.” Hank lowered his mouth to hers and kissed her.

She had just kissed Dalton and now his brother Hank was kissing her, and instead of feeling cheap or guilty, she felt aroused. Did she want this? Was she ready to jump into something so crazy when her track record showed nothing but grief and failure with her choice of men?

She began to pull away from Hank’s kiss and he pulled her tightly against him, kissing her more fully until he was ready to release her. By the time their lips mutually drifted apart, her eyes were closed and she was lost in the moment.

“You taste incredible, baby. Better than I imagined.” Hank caressed her cheek with his thumb.

The sound of someone knocking on the front door to the dojo interrupted them and Millie pulled away.

* * * *

Hank walked out of the room to go answer the door and Millie gathered up her belongings. A quick glance at the clock and she saw it was nearly nine o’clock. Had they really been rolling around on the mat for two hours? She swallowed hard then lifted the water bottle to her lips, hoping it would ease some of the heat she felt throughout her entire body.

“You feel okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?” Dalton asked, and she was startled by his deep voice. He stood inches behind her. She could sense his bulk and it just made her heat up all over again.

“I’m good, Dalton.”

He touched her arm and turned her toward him. She looked up, her head tilting back, and locked gazes with his firm expression. He gave her a look that challenged her initial response to his question. He was quite intimidating and she was achy from their workout, especially from him initially landing on top of her. Truth was, she didn’t care at all. The way he had claimed her mouth and controlled her body in such a way wiped all pain from her thoughts. If she could wrap him or his brothers around her like a blanket, she was certain she would feel safer and more content than ever in her lifetime. That was frightening.

“You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?” he asked, and she couldn’t help but feel guilty and also a bit worried. He looked so darn dangerous with his cocky expression, perfect body, and that scar from neck to shoulder. She had to remind herself that he had shown compassion and gentleness, too.

“I’m a big girl, Dalton. The extra padding helps, so don’t worry.” She tried to joke around by making fun of herself, but Dalton’s expression changed.

He stepped closer and placed the palm of his hand against her cheek and his other against her waist.