Chapter One
“Alfonzo, she’s worth the ten million,” Baxter Cummings’s voice purred dangerously. The sound buzzed in Hope’s ears as she eavesdropped from the hidden passage that connected her father’s office to the stairway. She mentally prayed that he’d say “hell no,” especially at that price, but who really knew criminals?
After taking a drink from his glass, the buyer answered, “I’ll take her.”
“No!” Hope shouted from her hiding place as fear shot up her spine. She clasped her hand to her mouth, but she’d been too late. The men turned to the sound; their eyes trained on the tiny crack in the hidden wall panel. She was busted.
Hope spun around and attempted to leave through the other door before they could find her, but when she pushed on the handle to her only escape, it wouldn’t budge.I can’t get out!Panic set in as they quickly opened the hidden panel. She continued to tug violently on the handle as the entrance behind her opened up.
Her father grabbed her by the arm, dragging her out of the room. She clawed at the floor, looking for purchase, but he was too strong for her. She gave her best fight, banging on his chest, but he trapped her arms. “No! You can’t! I love Gage. Let me go!”
“Hope, Hope. Babe. Hope, wake up.” Gage’s voice finally pierced her dreamlike state. Holding her close to his chest, he whispered, “I’m here. I’m here. No one is taking you from me.” Before her brain could process his words, she elbowed him in the gut and slapped him in the face. Moments passed before she finally realized where she was and what she had done.
Her hands went up to his face, attempting to caress him. “Oh my goodness, Gage. I’m sorry. Are you okay?” She broke down, shaking and sobbing against Gage’s shoulder. “I love you so much. I’d never intentionally do that.” He nodded and brushed his lips against the crown of her head.
Her father had tried to sell her off to be a mistress. The day they had that conversation had been only a little over a year ago, but it would be forever etched in her mind. Of course, it hadn’t ended the way her dream did, but it could have if she hadn’t escaped. A shiver of unadulterated fear rushed through her. Just the nightmare of her past sent her into a fresh stream of tears. The trial was looming near, and she was certain that it would trigger more bad dreams.
“I know. I know. I’ve got you, Hope. I’ll always protect you.” He placed another kiss on her head, holding her close. Slowly, the tension left her body. They stayed that way until she calmed down. The steady beat of his heart had always made her feel whole, safe, and secure.
“Thank you, Gage.”
“You never have to thank me for loving you, Hope. It’s like breathing. You’re my existence, and I’ll do anything to keep you safe.” Hope leaned into her husband as they slid back into a comfortable position under the covers. Soon, the heat and protection morphed into something more. Gone was the fear, and it was replaced by the lust and desire she felt for her protector.
“How are you feeling now? Ready for bed?” Gage asked as he tipped her chin to meet his eyes.
“Not yet.” She looked into his eyes, seeing the same recognition. It was the peak of summer, so they were both barely clothed. Her large, soft breasts covered by a thin nightie pressedagainst his bare chest, taking her out of the sudden panic and into a much different, friendlier mood.
Searching for security, Hope parted her lips, moaning as she slid her hand into his thick brown hair and then brushed her mouth against his jaw, skimming her way to his lips. He slipped his tongue inside, entangling it with hers until she rolled her hips over his shaft. Then he let out a deep moan.
“Damn, are you sure you’re feeling up to it?”
“I need you, babe.” Hope pawed lightly at his chest, rubbing him all the way down until she reached the most sensitive spot right above his thick length.
A low rumble in his chest marked the night air before he flipped her onto her back and slid her light nightgown off. He draped kisses over her lips, skimming his mouth down her body until he captured her pert nipple, sucking like his hungry baby who was sleeping in the other room.
Unable to contain her moans, she cried out, “Gage.”
She knew that when his name fell from her lips in moments of passion, he’d lose his mind, and he did. He grabbed her hip and dragged her down to the center of the bed.
“Wife,” he growled out, slipping his boxers down, freeing his stiff cock.
“Please, I need you, Gage.” Hope’s plea was heard.
Gage lifted her leg over his hip and then dipped two fingers into her, testing how ready she was. A smile crept over his face as he lifted his soaked fingers to his mouth, tasting her heat without taking his eyes off hers. “I know.” The visual sent her body reeling.
He lined up his cock with Hope’s entrance, rubbing it over her slit, grazing her bundle of nerves. She arched up with hereyes pleading for more. With his hands flat on the mattress, he drove in with his thick shaft. She gasped from the fullness.
“I love you, Gage.”
“I love you.” He rocked his hips, sending their heavy bed off its feet and his dick deep inside Hope. “I’d move mountains for you.”
“The bed seems like a great start,” she giggled out, sliding her hands over his shoulders and down his back. She wrapped her legs around his strong body, running her heels up and down his calf muscles. He was so strong and muscular from all the hard work he does on the ranch.
“Fuck, I love when you cling to me, baby.” He growled, pumping harder until they were both panting out their orgasms. His come filled her depths, marking her womb.
They cuddled together a little longer before he brought up the nightmare that had startled them both awake. “It’s been a long time since you dreamed about that day.”
“Maybe it’s that I saw Ignacio Navarro at the store,” she blurted out nervously, forgetting that she hadn’t planned on telling him at all.