“Joshua?”
Her voice broke my trance and I lunged forward, my chaotic emotions propelling me. Rabbit stepped back at the suddenness of my approach, but I reached out and dragged her to me. Immediately, my lips found her skin, kissing and caressing her cheeks, forehead, nose, anywhere I could reach, finally covering her mouth forcefully as my hands tore off the parka and pulled her to me. I groaned as I felt the coolness of her form against mine and I lifted her to the top of the freezer, kissing her deeply, my hands grasping at her. I could feel her hands on my back, stroking me, and I knew she was trying to understand my sudden behavior, but I couldn’t stop. She gasped into my mouth as I tore away the shirt she was wearing, but I only deepened the kiss, my tongue refusing to leave her mouth. I pulled her forward, tearing away her shoes then her pants, pulling mine down. Her legs wrapped around me and I thrust forward, burying myself in her.
Powerfully, I claimed her again and again, my body surging forward in desire and relief, needing to feel her around me. Needing that emotional and physical connection. Her legs were locked around my hips urging me forward with every stroke and her hands had crept up into my hair, holding me closely as I took her until I was spent. I released her mouth and growled her name in a long low, groan as my orgasm thundered through me. I felt her own release follow as she wrapped herself tightly around me, whimpering softly. Burying my head into her neck, I breathed her in as I slowly came back to reality, holding her closely.
She was here. She was safe.
She was mine.
Rabbit shivered in my arms and my head snapped up.
What had I just done?
Taken her without so much as a warning. I hadn’t spoken a word.
In the mudroom no less.
I groaned quietly.
My eyes found hers, not sure what to expect. The soft gaze of warmth that met mine eased my mind instantly.
“So, hello …” she whispered.
I leaned forward, my forehead resting on hers.
“Feel better now?” her sweet voice murmured.
I opened my eyes back up and gazed at her. “You were gone. I thought it was a dream. I thought I was alone again.” My voice was raspy and still filled with emotion.
“Oh, Joshua,” she stroked my cheek. “Bear was restless and I couldn’t settle either, even after you got me a snack.”
I looked at her, blinking. I had gotten up. I had put on my pants when I’d gotten up to get her some crackers and milk. I remember watching her nibble on them as I fell asleep, secure in the knowledge she was beside me again.
I shook my head. “I did get you a snack then? I thought I did … but I woke up and the room was cold. You weren’t beside me and the house was dark and quiet ... and it felt so empty.” My voice caught. “It was as if I had dreamed it all. That I hadn’t gotten you back.”
“You did get me a snack, Joshua. You took care of me. Like you always do. You fell asleep, sweetheart,” she whispered. “You were so tired and you were so deep into sleep that I didn’t want to disturb you. I got up and tidied the kitchen and then took Bear outside for some air and a run. I thought it would do us both some good. I thought I would be back before you even woke up and missed me. I’m sorry you woke up so disoriented and I wasn’t there.”
I looked down to where we were still joined and looked back up sheepishly. “Sorry about the … jumping on you with no warning.”
She laughed affectionately and cupped my face, kissing me sweetly. “It was quite the impressive greeting.” Leaning forward, she nibbled my ear. “And extremely hot, Joshua.”
Grinning, I flexed my hips and we both groaned at the sensation. “Good to know, Rabbit,” I moaned huskily as I felt myself growing hard inside her again.
I looked down at her, arching an eyebrow. “Shall we go from one extreme to another?”
She looked at me, unsure.
Grinning and giddy, I kissed her and spoke lowly into her ear. “Freezer to hot tub, Rabbit? I’ll warm you up and take my time.”
She shivered and her arms wrapped around my neck.
“Hot tub,” she murmured into my ear.
I held her tightly all the way downstairs.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Joshua
The bright light of mid-morning woke me. I lay blinking, staring at the pillow beside me and then smiled. Rabbit made sure I knew she was there. Even though we had been wrapped around each other in the night on my side of the large bed, she had obviously mussed up her side purposely. And, sitting on her pillow were the two tiny rabbits I had given her. I picked up one of the rabbits, feeling its softness.
“Hi.”
I looked up and felt my heart stutter at the sight. Rabbit stood in the doorway, holding a mug of coffee, smiling shyly at me.