The Mighty Quinns: Teague

How many times had she fantasized about this? And it had always been the same, the two of them, here in this place, lying naked in each other’s arms. Now that her fantasy had come true, she didn’t want it to end. Was it possible for the scene to play out again and again, not in her head, but in a brand-new reality?

THE SENSATION OF Hayley’s skin meeting his set Teague’s desire ablaze. Though he’d often thought back to their times together, he hadn’t remembered feeling this incredible. Her skin was silk, her scent like an exotic aphrodisiac. And her body was made to be slowly explored.

Making love with her now would be different from when they were teenagers. They’d both had other partners, and experience was always the best teacher. He stretched out above her, bracing his weight on his hands as he kissed her. But he was like a man parched with thirst. There had been no other women for him, not like Hayley. Desire had been fleeting, something easily satisfied by a one-night stand. But this was much more. As their mouths met again and again, teasing, tasting, he challenged her to surrender.

Her hands smoothed over his face, and every time he drew back, her eyes met his. There was no doubt about what she wanted. Desire suffused her expression, from her damp mouth to her half-closed eyes.

Teague slowly moved his hips and the friction of his cock against her belly sent currents of pleasure shooting through his body. He was hard and ready and longing for the moment when he’d bury himself inside her. But there was no telling how he might react. It felt like the first time, as if every sensation were multiplied a thousand times over. And if he responded as he had that night so long ago, it would be over before it really began.

Her hands drifted down his chest, then grasped his hips, pulling him into each stroke. She moved beneath him, twisting and arching, deliberately taunting him with what she offered. He wanted to take it, right then and there. But Teague fought the impulse and slowly slid down over her body.

The bed was narrow, not made for full-scale seduction. In the end, he knelt beside it, his lips trailing kisses from her belly to her thighs. Everything about her was perfect. This was his Hayley, the girl who had owned his heart for all those years. And yet, she was something more now. She was a woman who had the capacity to break that heart all over again.

Teague didn’t care. He didn’t care if she disappeared from his life tomorrow. Tonight was all he needed. It was a perfect ending, a way to close the book on all the questions. He would be satisfied and he’d sure as hell make certain she was, too.

Hayley’s fingers tangled in his hair as he continued to explore her body with his lips and his tongue. He waited, wanting her to guide him. And when she did, when she drew him to the spot between her legs, Teague didn’t hesitate.

He knew exactly how to make a woman writhe with pleasure, how to bring her close to release and then draw her away from the edge. She moaned and whimpered as he took her there, controlling her pleasure with each flick of his tongue.

But Hayley was impatient with the teasing, and every time he slowed his pace, she tightened her grip on his hair. The pain only added to his need to possess her. Teague brought her close one more time, then slid up along her body.

He was breathless now, his need driving him to seek her warmth. She reached down between them to stroke his cock and Teague held his breath, determined to maintain control. He knew he’d have to retrieve a condom, but her touch felt so good that he didn’t want her to stop.

She rolled on top of him, her fingers still firmly wrapped around his shaft, then straddled his thighs. Teague watched her as she bent over and placed a kiss on his belly. As she moved up his chest, his fingers tangled in her hair and he relaxed, grateful for the respite.

Yet Hayley wasn’t about to stop. She was damp from his tongue and when she shifted above him, he found himself suddenly buried inside her. A tiny gasp slipped from her lips and Teague clutched at her hips, determined to stop her.

He should have known better. When Hayley wanted something, anything, there was nothing that could stand in her way, safety be damned. And it was obvious what she wanted. “Should we stop?” he whispered. “I brought condoms.”

“It’s all right,” she said. “I’m on the pill. And you’re the only person I’ve ever had unprotected sex with.”

He smiled. “So are you. We’re safe, then.”

She didn’t answer. Instead, she began to move above him. Hayley braced her hands on his chest, her hair tumbling around her face as she focused on her need. Her eyes were closed and a tiny smile curled the corners of her mouth. Teague watched her, taking in the sheer beauty of her face and body. It was as if she’d been made purely for his eyes. Everything about her was perfect.

Hayley slowed her rhythm, then rose on her knees, until the connection between them was nearly broken. Then she opened her eyes and moaned as she slowly, exquisitely impaled herself once again. The sensation was more than he could handle and Teague felt himself nearing the edge.

She bent down and kissed him as she repeated the motion. He tried to stop her, holding tight to her hips, but she brushed his hands away, grabbing his wrists and pinning them above his head.

It was no use, Teague mused. She was in control and he had no choice but to enjoy it completely. Her breasts brushed against his chest and he found himself lost in the feeling. He refused to close his eyes, to shut himself off from her beauty.

As Hayley began to increase her rhythm, he knew she was close. He knew her body, her reactions, probably better than she knew herself. He’d taught her how to surrender, how to let go of her inhibitions and fears and experience her first orgasm. The signs were still there—her brow knitted and her bottom lip caught between her teeth.

Teague concentrated on her face, allowing himself to move as she did, closer and closer to the edge. He wanted to share in her release and when the first spasm hit her, he was ready.

She came down on him hard, arching her back as the shudders rocked her body and crying out in pleasure. It came just as quickly to Teague and he grasped her hips as he exploded inside her. He tried to maintain a grip on reality, but the sensation was too overwhelming.

He’d made love to a lot of women since Hayley, but there was something about being with her that seemed to go beyond mere physical gratification. When he was inside her, he felt a connection deeper than shared pleasure and mutual passion. It was like a silent promise between them, that this intensity, this release, bound them together forever.

It had been nearly ten years since they’d made love, with almost as many lovers in between, but here with her again, time seemed to drop away. He pulled her down beside him and ran his fingers through her hair. Hayley kissed him, still breathless, her face flushed and her lips pliant.

“I guess it’s true what they say,” she whispered. “It’s just like riding a bike. You never forget how to do it.”

3

HAYLEY SNUGGLED into the warmth, floating between sleep and consciousness. She opened her eyes, waiting for her vision to clear before completely comprehending where she was.

It all returned to her in a rush, his body, his touch, the feel of Teague moving inside her. And then the overwhelming pleasure of her release. She had wondered what it might be like between them, now that they were both more experienced. But she’d never anticipated the earth-shattering encounter that they’d shared tonight.

How had she ever believed it would just be sex between them? She’d known her desire for Teague was undeniable, something so powerful it had to be satisfied. But she’d been so sure that, once sated, she’d be able to walk away. After all, they no longer loved each other. And without an emotional attachment, sex should be sex and nothing more. That’s how she’d approached all the men in her life since Teague—they were useful for physical gratification, but she wasn’t interested in emotional attachments.

Yet now that she was here, all she wanted to do was stay safe in Teague’s arms and in his bed. Hayley drew a shaky breath. This was not the smart choice, she reminded herself. It had taken her years to forget him, or at least put him out of her day-to-day thoughts. And now she’d be forced to fight that battle all over again.

It would be so easy to depend upon Teague, to believe that he’d always be there for her. But they lived completely separate lives now, with miles between them, both physically and emotionally. And the only person she could truly depend upon was herself.

Hayley pushed up on her elbow and stared down into his face in the dim light from the lantern. If she concentrated hard enough, she could push aside her memories of the boy she’d loved and see the man capable of breaking her heart. She was stronger now, independent and in charge of her own life. She had a career and plenty of money to assure her security. Everyone told her she had a future in films. There would be no time for a man in her life.

But all the money and fame in the world could never feel like this, Hayley thought—the pure exhilaration and freedom of being herself, the Hayley she’d been before her role on Castle Cove had made her a celebrity. She picked up the edge of the blanket and, holding her breath, slipped out of bed.

The early-morning air was chilly against her naked skin as she tiptoed around the shack retrieving her clothes. The sun was already brightening the eastern horizon and if she wasn’t back at the house by the time her grandfather got up, he’d come looking for her.

Hayley dressed quietly, watching Teague as she pulled on her clothes and stepped into her boots. She fought the urge to wake him and kiss him goodbye before she left. But she wasn’t sure what to say to him. Perhaps it was better to let this settle in before trying to explain it all.

Shrugging into her jacket, she turned for the door. Molly was tied to the rail next to Teague’s horse. She unwrapped the reins, then swung up into the saddle, gently wheeling Molly around and pointing her toward Wallaroo.

Hayley drew a deep breath. Though she enjoyed living in Sydney, there were times when she missed the solitude of the outback. The air smelled sweeter and the sun shone brighter on Wallaroo. Though she’d run away from this place, she still considered the station home.

Hayley glanced over her shoulder, taking one last look at the shack, then prodded Molly into a slow gallop. The horse’s step was quick and energetic and Hayley was amazed at how Molly’s circumstances had changed from the day before. Once again, Teague had been there to save her from certain disaster, to set things right and to make her happy.