To Claim Her (14 page)
Authors: Renee Burke
“Whew. That’s probably what drove Nora over the edge.”
He huffed out a breath. “Yep. And made her hate for me so intense.”
“And me.” She shook her head. “Thanks for taking good care of Eddie.” He held her hand again, and she didn’t pull away.
“Wouldn’t dream of doing anything else.”
She smiled and laid her head back on the pillow, eyes drowsy in the dim light.
“Sleep, sweatheart.” He rubbed his stubbled jaw gently on her hand and put a soft kiss on her fingers. Then he watched as she drifted off to sleep.
Morning brought sunshine, clarity, and visitors. One by one, Mark’s nearest and dearest showed up.
It was early when a soft tap sounded at the door.
“Come in.”
Blane eased his head around the cracked door and made his way inside.
“Have a seat.”
He gave his head a quick shake and looked at Gretchen. “Can’t stay long. Just came by to check on you.” His gaze shifted to the chair. “On Mark.” He gave his scruffy jaw a scratch. He really did look like the perfect game warden. He was the ultimate mountain man. “How are things going?”
“Better. I’ll be out of here this afternoon.”
He nodded. “And you?” He glanced at Mark.
“Good brother.” He reached for Gretchen’s hand and stroked it between his own. “Glad she’s okay. Don’t know what I’d do without her.”
Blane took in the gesture and looked closely back and forth between the couple. He nodded.
The door swung open again. Sebastian brought Eddie to see her. While Eddie was a little unsure about seeing his mom with an IV and a hospital gown, his day quickly got better when Jack entered with flowers for Gretchen and balloons for Eddie. And sucked helium to make him laugh.
To be a big tough guy, he was able to cut up in a pinch.
Sebastian teared up and told her she was the daughter he’d never had, and Gretchen felt her heart swell.
Then Derek showed up with contraband cheesecake.
“I wasn’t sure what they were feeding you in this place. My wife used to say cheesecake could solve any problem.”
“Thank you!” She gave him a genuine smile. Cheesecake was one of her favorites.
Everyone had a bite before leaving her alone with Mark so she could get some rest.
“Your friends are nice.”
“Yeah.” He grinned at her and flicked one of the remaining balloons into a jaunty bounce.
“Nicer today than at the restaurant.”
“I can see why you’d think that. They’re just the protective type. Now that you’re mine, they’ll protect you and Eddie, too.”
“I’m glad. I want Eddie to have a big warm loving family. But Mark that doesn’t mean you have to take on me, too.”
He sighed and leaned closer. “I know it won’t be perfect right away. We both have some making up to do. I have to tell you though I’m
really
looking forward to that, the making up. I’ve missed you the last few days, and I’ve got a lot of good ideas about how to start.”
Gretchen’s face turned pink and she smiled. “I’d be willing to try. If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. Give me a chance and I’ll show you. Will you let me?”
She leaned in and kissed him. She had a feeling he was worth the effort, so she would give him every chance in the world.
###
Read on for an excerpt from Jack’s story,
To Command Her.
About the Author
Renee Burke is an up and coming author of romantic suspense and contemporary romance. She lives in Missouri with her husband and family. Connect with Renee:
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To Claim Her
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Read on for an excerpt from Jack’s story,
To Command Her.
You can buy other books from Renee Burke here:
http://www.amazon.com/Renee-Burke/e/B00BIPAXQM
Excerpt from
To Command Her
Coming April, 2014
“Doing a little socializing?” That smooth, deep voice whispered across my shoulder.
I turned to see Jack’s dark eyes surveying my appearance.
“Just a little. Brandt thought I needed a night of fun.” I took my glass from the bartender.
“This party going better than the last?”
I smiled, remembering his rescue at the firm’s event. I tipped my glass toward him before taking a sip. “Yes, the company is much better.”
His eyes squinted a bit but he withheld the smile I was expecting. “He seems to enjoy making the rounds with you.” If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was jealous of Brandt.
I glanced around. “Did you just arrive?”
“A while ago. Dinner is soon.” He took my hand. “Sit with me.”
I hated to admit that I wasn’t sure how it worked. “Can I do that?” I glanced toward my friend from work who nodded at me from his position with a group nearby. “Just pick a chair?”
Now, Jack was smiling.
Could we? It was a bad idea, but I want to nonetheless. He pulled my hand and urged me to follow. I was too captivated to say no.
We slipped through a set of mahogany doors to a large room with elegant, round tables and romantic lighting. Jack spoke to a woman dressed in red. She reminded me of a general with her stiff spine and take charge attitude. It only took a moment for her face to soften as she fell under the spell I suspected most women were afflicted by, as I surely was, when Jack caught me unaware.
She consulted her clipboard before leading us to a table on the far right. “Follow me right this way, sir.” She led us to the front of the room and discreetly rearranged place cards before leaving us alone.
Jack pulled out my chair, and I eyed him suspiciously. “I was already sitting at your table?”
“Where else?” He smoothly scooted his chair closer.
I looked around the large room. It seemed unlikely that Brandt would have managed tickets to this party on par with the wealthy man sitting beside me.
“How is that exactly?”
“You don’t believe me?” He reached around the table to show me another place card with Brandt’s name. He dropped it back on the table to his left.
I thinned my lips rather than responding with more questions.
“I thought I was making myself clear the first time we met but perhaps not.” His eyes scanned down my dress. “You look lovely, Anna.” His hand stroked over the skin of my shoulder and down my arm. “I want to unwrap this dress and get inside you.”
My breathing was faster. My skin was hot and flushed, and my heart beat harder inside my chest.
Jack’s jaw tensed as he ran his hands up and down my arms and brushed through the hair around my face. He leaned in, running his lips over the surface of my skin from my cheek to my neck and back, not kissing but possessing in a way that was somehow more intimate. I was frozen in the moment.
I wanted him. Right there, in the opulent room with candles and flowers and the occasional waiter. Even with hundreds of people looming on the other side of the doors. My clothes were tight, breasts were sensitive against the fabric, and I had to fight the urge to pull it off. His lips found my mouth, but he didn’t give the deep kiss I longed for. Instead it was a slow descent with me watching every moment he came closer for a gentle tap. Once. Twice.
The tension was palpable, the knowledge that we were on the edge of something that was sexy and erotic flooded my senses with images of where this could go. I closed my eyes, waiting for his lips to touch mine again but blinked them wide when his hands touched me first. He brushed the skirt of my dress to the side taking advantage of the long split to expose the stretch of thigh that was nearly illegal. I watched his dark hands smooth up my legs and ease the gown wider.
I opened my mouth to speak, but he chose that moment to kiss me, harder this time and it was delicious. His slid a hand into my hair and adjusted me as he pleased to deepen the kiss. His tongue licked in my mouth, and I responded with a groan. The hand on my thigh slid higher, touching the scalloped edge of my lace panties but no further. He ran his finger up and down along the bend of my leg as his mouth continued tasting mine.
I was no longer frozen. I clutched his arms, trying to move close enough to push his hand where I wanted it. Instead of following my lead, his hand tightened in my hair keeping me positioned on the chair.
“Mmmm. You want more?”
Oh did I ever, but my breath froze in my throat.
“Tell me.” His mouth skimmed my throat, and I fought to force air into my lungs.
“Anna.” His voice was no longer soft and seductive but quiet and commanding.
He wanted my capitulation, was demanding it. And he wanted me to admit it. I slid my tongue out to wet my dry lips, hoping the movement would loosen my throat to ease just one word past. I dropped my head onto his shoulder, hiding my face in the notch of his neck where I could smell his skin, raise my lips and touch him. He pulled me from the safety of his embrace, pulling me back to meet him face to face.
“Tell me yes.” His lips were no longer on me but his hands were. The one in my hair meant business, holding me still right where he could watch every nuance of my reaction. The other, though, was waiting, stroking my thigh in little circles.
The organizer worked across the room. The crowd grew louder in the hallway. A waiter skirted past a few tables away. I knew I should say no, but Jack had me in such a sensual stronghold that I couldn’t resist. “Please.”
You can buy other books from Renee Burke here:
http://www.amazon.com/Renee-Burke/e/B00BIPAXQM
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