Alaskan Heat by Pam Champagne Page A

Her back tapered to a slim waist before the slight flare of her hips. Long muscled legs hinted at strength, complimenting her femininity. Why a man would prefer a pencil thin woman, no matter how humungous her breasts, was beyond his comprehension. Sophie was perfect. She yanked an overlarge T-shirt over her head, ending the show.
    After placing her weapon on a shelf above the pillow within easy reach, Sophie climbed into bed. Hawk’s heart took a nosedive. If she put any more distance between them, she’d fall on the floor. She’d brought a chill to the warmth under the covers that had nothing to do with the night air. He’d give his eyeteeth to know what rattled around in her mind. If she didn’t want to share, he’d stay in the dark. He waited a good fifteen minutes to see if she’d relax before he took the matter into his own hands.
    He drew her rigid body into his arms. “Relax. I just want to hold you.”
    “We need to rest,” she mumbled.
    Were those tears he heard in her voice? “You’re too tense to sleep.” He kneaded her shoulders and massaged her unyielding muscles, until she caved to his ministrations.
    “Feel better?” For once in his pathetic life, his intentions had nothing to do with sex. Tell that to his errant cock poking her buttocks.
    Sophie flipped to face him. “I want you.”
    He drank in her tear drenched face. Tonight he’d put his own needs and desires aside and make love to her like she deserved. Sophie was a lady and it was time he treated her as such. He kissed her forehead, brushed a curl from her cheek, ran his finger across her lips and trailed it to her breasts. She thrust forward, filling his hands with her soft mounds.
    Hawk clenched his jaw to stop himself from ravaging her. Go slow. Show some respect. He captured her open lips and savored her sweet mouth. Despite the fire raging inside, he kept the kiss low key. Her tongue flicked his, and he almost shot through the roof. Tearing his mouth from hers, he burrowed his face in her neck’s hollow. He hoped to God she was ready for him, because he couldn’t stand much more torture.
    Her fingers curled around his erection. He groaned loud enough that Rueger growled. “You’re so sweet,” he gasped. Sweet? She was so fucking hot, he feared going up in flames.
    “Sweet?” Sophie questioned. He felt her smile against his throat. “Am I in bed with a stranger? Where’s Joe Hawkins?”
    He pumped his hips because he couldn’t help it. “I’m right here, sweetheart.” Okay. It was now or never or he’d come in her hands. He thrust his knee between her thighs and covered her body with his. Like a homing pigeon, his cock found her moist opening, and he entered her with gentleness totally out of character.
    Sophie was having none of it. Bracing her feet on the mattress, she lifted her hips and thrust upward until their pelvic bones met. Fully embedded, he grabbed her hips, preventing further action on her part. Damn. She wasn’t making this easy.
    “Hawk? What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing. Just let me bring you pleasure.” He moved in and out with slow precision, stifling the urge to pound into her core until they both screamed their release. The kitten-like noises coming from Sophie’s throat didn’t sound like the beginnings of a climax, whereas he was ready to blow a gasket. Not sure if this was part of making love to a lady, he took a chance and pushed his hand between their bodies, finding her clit. His thumb worried the nub. Sophie moaned. Her body stiffened, and he knew she’d climax soon. Somehow he managed to hold back until he felt her spasms. He let go and sank onto her softness.
    “That was…umm…different.”
    Huh? Not “Oh, Hawk, that was wonderful. You made me feel so special.” What the fuck was going on? Not knowing the appropriate reply, he rolled off and snaked an arm under her body, bringing her close. “Good night, Sophie.”

Chapter Ten
    On top of Stan’s horrific announcement last night and