It took hours to get things arranged according to Angela’s new layout, but by mealtime, Safe Haven was up and running, and many people were already noticing the difference. Three bathroom stations, two parking areas, and the garden near the livestock made things easier, but each area now having water and supply trucks would also reduce time spent on chores. People assumed it was for conservation of energy and it was. Angela wanted her herd to pick up a little weight, while it might be possible. Once inside those caves, they would ration everything, down to the last seed.
No one noticed there was no space slotted for games like football and baseball, and Angela had counted on the evening meal to help with that. Who wanted to run around and shed calories after a giant steak? Tomorrow, everyone would be too busy and tired for games.
By nightfall, the bright center fire was surrounded by the usual group, and the mess was crowded with laughter and relief. They were home, at least for a while.
On a cliff much smaller and more isolated than he had planned on, Adrian observed his peaceful herd without the clear view he’d first had. Marc was erecting the walls around Safe Haven, sweating and joking with the other men as if he’d been born for it. Adrian wanted him dead.
The banished leader spun for his tent, ignoring David’s shadow and Conner’s concerned questions. Everyone would have to fend for themselves for a bit longer. He had plans to finish.
Conner got up and made their fire. At some point, Adrian would come out fighting, right?
David studied the father and son, awed to be with the infamous Adrian, but also disappointed as well. He had clearly missed out on the best of the Mitchel family ride.
Deleted Scene #2
“Can you help me?”
Kyle rolled over to ask what she needed help with and found Jennifer holding her top up so that he could reach her bra clasp.
Kyle swallowed nervously as his big fingers slid over her ribs and gently unhook the soft material. Blue silk against creamy skin.
Kyle breathed as his vision blurred, forgetting he needed oxygen.
“Will you rub right where it meets?” Jennifer asked. “I can’t reach it to do that.”
Kyle knew what she was doing. They’d made camp in the lobby of the lodge, wanting daylight to explore a cabin, and Autumn was with Whitney. Jennifer had sworn she was tired and suggested a nap together and now here they were, about to get…intimate.
Kyle realized she planned to push the issue and groaned, “Whatever you want.”
Jennifer waited until Kyle sat down to pick up a stack of gear and then dove at him.
He fell backwards onto the air mattress and had no time to brace as she slid her body up his in full, delicious contact.
Jennifer didn’t stop when she got to his waist. She leaned down and pushed her lips to his, nervous and excited at her own bravery.
Kyle wouldn’t have pushed her away in that moment for any reason. He groaned, kissing her as he always wanted to. He tasted her as he slid his arms around her waist.
Jennifer reveled in her success and shoved the fear down when his hand slipped to the small of her back and pressed their hips together. His hardness was a steel rod against her thigh and she followed through with her plan. She bucked against him.
“Oh, yeah,” he moaned against her cheek. “Whatever you want, baby!”
Emboldened, Jennifer adjusted their position until hard and heat were lined up. When she bucked, they moaned together, exactly like in his dream.
Damn.
I’m dreaming again, Kyle realized, and snapped awake.
Jennifer was facing him on the bed, curiosity and nervousness on her face.
Kyle flushed. “Mornin’”
Jennifer slowly reached out and cupped his neck, tugging.
Kyle surrendered without a fight, wanting her.
Jennifer mashed their lips together, trying not to freeze or panic, and felt his hands come up to tangle in her unbound hair.
Drawing on her courage, she took his hand and wrapped it around hers. The she put it on the bulge she’d been fascinated by while he dreamed.
Kyle bucked as she touched him, lost in sharp, involuntary spasms of pleasure.
He obviously liked it, and Jennifer molded her hand to him and waited.
Kyle struggled to think and breath. When he figured out what she wanted, he groaned, “I gotta stop now. I–”
Jennifer kissed him, letting her lips remain parted a bit.
Kyle was lost. He hadn’t had his tongue in her mouth yet and he wasn’t passing up this opportunity.
Jennifer felt the tension grow and then he took over, moving her hand in short, hard jerks that ripped guttural groans from his lips that she caught with her own. His pleasure wasn’t scary like she’d expected, but it was a turn-on. Her body was throbbing in time to his.
Kyle stopped as the line between frustration and pain was reached, and she knew what had to happen next. Her hand went to the button of his jeans and popped it.
Kyle’s hand covered hers, stopping the fingers on his zipper. “I’m not ready yet.”
Jennifer ignored him and tugged the zipper down. She pressed her lips to his as her hand curled around him and Kyle’s hips rose in time.
Jennifer knocked him out quickly, as she always had when Cesar wanted a hand-job, but with Kyle, she wasn’t scared of anything coming next. He would be perfectly happy with this.
Jennifer increased the pace, listening to his tortured breathing and his sexy groans telling her how sweet she was, how he liked her being sweet. It made her nipples harden against his chest.
His free hand slid up her hip and brushed her breast. Timing it, Jennifer switched into those brutally vicious, short jerks.
Kyle groaned loudly as his climax came.
Jennifer rode the waves, almost wishing it wasn’t over yet. She’d enjoyed doing this for him.
Kyle was gasping and groaning, unable to believe how fast he’d lost control of the situation.
Jennifer rested on his chest, listening to his wildly thumping heart. Before, she’d cowered by her pole. Now, she snuggled against Kyle’s chest and felt the world become right again as he hugged her and whispered how much he loved her. She fell into a light doze quickly, leaving Kyle to question if he was actually awake.
The uncomfortable position of his arm convinced Kyle that it had happened and he vowed to be stronger. She wasn’t ready for this, wasn’t old enough, and he couldn’t let it happen again. If he did, he would crave it every time they were alone together and she deserved to be treated better than that.
Full of guilt he had no room for, Kyle drifted into an uneasy slumber.