He cupped my chin, rubbing his finger along my cheek. “I failed you. I let Strickland get close to you.”
“Is that why you sent Denver to protect me?”
He let me go, growling out, “Yes, but the asshole betrayed me.”
“He didn’t do anything.” I had to straighten it out, and I most certainly owed Denver an apology. He called it, and I refused to listen. Hell, I instigated it, hoping Tate would prove me wrong, and he did.
“He took you on a date.”
“No, he tried to talk me out of going out for my birthday. Since I refused, he agreed to take me even though he had a feeling you’d show up.”
“Did he?”
“Yep. I was just laughing at how he was afraid of you when you showed up.”
“I’m sorry, baby. Happy Birthday, Blake.”
“What happens now?”
“I’m not letting you out of my sight.”
“What about your trips?”
”I trained my replacement the last two times I went out. I hated leaving you, especially knowing Strickland was out there.”
“You certainly took a lot of trips.”
“Hardly. You didn’t see me because I took different shifts to protect you. Every night, I watched your apartment from a parked car, switching with Denver at seven every morning to get some sleep. Mark and Bailey took turns when I traveled or there was a lot of work on my plate, but I’m tired of waiting for Strickland to attack. He’s hiding behind his daddy’s wealth, but not after our engagement is announced.”
Motherfucker! Did he? I couldn’t believe this was a ruse, but I had to know. “Is that why you asked me to marry you?”
“God, no.” He ground his hips into me. “You’re mine. How often do I have to remind you of that?” After every push and pull we had, I wasn’t sure when I would be confident that I belonged to him and vice-versa.
“Every single day and night,” I purred out, reaching for his cock between us.
“Insatiable.”
“I let out the beast, but you created a monster.”
“Good. Work is going to be fun.” Suddenly thoughts of him taking me on my desk or on the sofa in my office ran through my head.
“The sofa in my office,” I offered.
His eyes darkened, and a smirk crossed his handsome face. “Monday,” he growled, picking up the pace, pounding into me until we both came again.
He pulled out of me with a groan. Both our bodies were sore and could use the hot water. The bathroom was lightly stocked in all white towels like it was a hotel room. Everything was new and unopened.
“I need a shower and then some food. Please tell me you have food here.”
With a sheepish frown, he said, “I don’t, but we can head out, go to our apartments and grab some clothes and then get something to eat and pick up some groceries.”
“So you don’t even live in this place?”
“No. I didn’t want to come here until we were here together. It just has the basics in the house. Most of it I wanted you to pick out, but I knew that once I had you here, the bedroom was where we’re going to be.” He knew how to win me over. Damn, the man. I’d missed out on a year of this. Never again. I didn’t care if Strickland came. I’d put a bullet between his eyes myself. There was no way I ever wanted to lose Tate. He had my heart when I wasn’t free to give it.
“Smart man.” I winked and turned on the shower.
He spun me around, pulled me against his chest, and kissed me hard. “A horny, lonely, in-love man willing to do whatever it takes to get you to trust and never fear me.”
I ran my hand over his chest, looking into his eyes. “I’ve never been afraid of you. Only afraid of what could happen to you if I caved to my desire for you.”
Bringing my hands to his lips, he placed a kiss on each and stared into my eyes. Letting one hand go, he pushed a strand of hair back behind my ear. “Losing you is the only thing that could hurt me. Now, get your sexy ass in the shower so we can go.”
I hopped in, and he followed behind. “Hey, Mr. Masters, I don’t believe we’ll get clean like this.”
“I’m doing my best to control myself, so be a good girl and wash up. I have to feed you and our baby.” He pressed his hand to my belly, and I felt it flutter with excitement. My pussy clenched, thinking of having his baby.
“Then you need to stop saying things like that because I find it sexy when you talk about me having your baby.”
“I’m going to keep you pregnant. Just so you know.” We took turns under the spray, washing and rinsing between kisses.
“I don’t think Sean and Macy will appreciate that.” I moaned when his hand found its way between my legs.
He pumped faster. “I don’t give a fuck. Macy’s already pregnant again, and Spencer’s only nine months old.”
I cried out, coming on his hand. “True. We’re going to need a nursery at the facilities if that’s the case.”
“I think that’s something to talk to Sean about.” He turned off the water, ignoring his own needs.
After we got out of the shower, he ran to his truck that thankfully was in the garage, or I’d be jealous of him walking around naked. When he came back in, he brought a duffle bag. “Here. These are clean.” He handed me a pair of boxers and a button-up dress shirt that I slipped on easily. The shirt fit me like a dress so at least I’d be able to go outside.
Once we were in the truck, we stopped at a drive-thru because we were both starving. “Baby, you have some cheese right here.” I leaned over and swiped my tongue over his lips, stealing the tiny drop of melted cheese. With a growl, he cupped the back of my head and brought me in for a deep kiss.
“We need to get a move on. I want as much as we can pack out of your apartment before we go to work tomorrow.” He tossed his wrappers into the bag and then started driving again. We could throw it out when we got to the apartment.
“What about you?” Was he planning to keep both places? Should I keep my apartment?
“I’m going to grab my clothes, but I won’t have time to pack up all my tech supplies. We’ll have a moving truck brought in for both our things, but for now I just want my clothes and whatever you need. I’m sure you need a lot more to get ready for work than I do.”
“Are you trying to say I need a lot to look good?” I teased. He blushed and then paled until he saw my smile.
“You know I think you’re sexy as fuck even when you’re trying to burn down the place cooking.”
“It was one time.” I rolled my eyes.
“It’s the only time you invited me over.”
“I was so nervous.” He had me there. I made other meals, but they weren’t anything special.
“I can teach you to cook. I’m not an expert, but we can’t always have takeout.”
“True. It’s not good for kids.”
“Neither is charcoal briquettes, so we might need to hire a chef.”
“I make good money, but I don’t make that kind of money. Speaking of, I know you make a lot more because of your field, but your home is practically a mansion.”
“Our home. And I don’t know what constitutes a mansion. Besides, I got a discount on the building materials, so I saved at least ten percent on the new build. I have some connections that worked with me and helped restore Sean’s actual mansion. I’ve done very well on my investments over the years. Plus, I’ve created a high-tech surveillance camera that Sean uses as well as a dozen other buyers.”
“Oh, we’re here.” He pulled in front of my apartment. “Don’t get out.”
“Okay.” I waited, and he opened the door for me. Thankfully, the coast had been clear, but he still did an interior check before he let me in the place. I loved how protective he was. I found it so damn sexy.
I went into my bedroom and immediately switched from the boxers to a pair of panties and black leggings. I’d no intention of taking off his shirt unless he did it for me. I loved having his scent all over me. Breathing it in, I
sat on my bed and sighed. The man wore me out in all the right ways. Smiling, I cradled my flat stomach. How soon would I be able to know?
Stopping myself from daydreaming all day, I pulled out my suitcases to pack. Even after a year, I hadn’t truly made this place my home. A part of me lived with the fear that I’d be on the run, but another huge part hoped that Tate and I would make it together. The latter was finally here.
“It shouldn’t take much to get you packed up,” Tate remarked, stepping into my small bedroom. I had a full-sized bed in the middle of the room with a nightstand on each side.
“Yeah, I left my life behind in Ohio. Less is more for me. Well, except I’d love a library.”
“Then I should have given you a tour of the house instead of only the bedroom. We have one that you can fill up to your heart’s desire.”
“You’re too good to be true,” I sighed, walking into the kitchen to get a drink, my mouth suddenly parched.
“Hardly. I think I’m the jackpot winner in this relationship.”
“You built a house for us.”
“And you’ll make me a family.” He gently kissed my lips, causing tremors of need to run through me.
“Do you want something to drink?”
“Water’s good.” I pulled out another bottle and realized I had to handle all of the electricity and other issues before I moved in completely with Tate. “Shit. I just renewed my lease.”
“That’s okay. We can break it, but there are some of the new employees looking for a place. Apartments for rent have been scarce.”
“Okay. We can check with them tomorrow.”
“Works for me. That’s two apartments to become available. I’m sure the guys will be fucking thrilled.”
“So I’m ready.”
“Good. Let’s get out of here. We have so much to do.” He carried my suitcases down the stairs and loaded his truck while he made me wait in the hallway. Once he was done, he came back in and scooped me up in his arms.
“Put me down, Tate.”
“Not yet,” he growled, kissing my lips, and then settled me in the passenger seat. “Uh oh, you’re not going to try that again right here in public,” I screeched, feeling his hardness pressed on my mound.
“God, no. The thought of someone hearing your cries or seeing your delectable body would send me into a murderous rage.”
“Fuck, you’re sexy when you get possessive.”
“Later I’m going to fuck you so hard, you’ll understand that I’m insanely obsessed with you.”
“Tease.” He kept looking around, wondering if there was someone lurking.
“Stay here.” He closed the truck door and then walked down about ten feet. Looking through the side mirror, I saw Denver. I nearly got out of the car, but then the guys shook hands. Denver nodded, and then Tate rushed back to me.
“What’s going on? What happened?” I caused the friction between the two of them, and I felt awful about it.
“I apologized. We’re good,” he grunted out, which made me smile.
“What was he doing here?”
“Your phone is still being tracked, and then your motion sensors went off in the apartment. He’s just looking after you, not sure if I was with you.”
“Oh. Well, that’s good. I’m glad you’re not fighting. Denver has spoken no more than a dozen sentences to me on any given day.”
“That’s because he’s smart. I’m crazy about you, Blake, if you haven’t noticed.”
“I’ve noticed…we better go so we can get your things and then go to the grocery store.” He held my hand all the way to his apartment, which only was about half a mile from mine. This entire time I had no idea he lived so close to me.
We walked inside his building, which was ten times more secure than mine, and into his place, which dwarfed mine. “Wow, your place is nice.”
“Thanks. It’s not as neat as yours, but I’ve been traveling a lot or not at home.”
“Oh my. Is this… ?” I looked through a couple of photos of my old place in Ohio that Strickland came out of.
“Those are old. I got them from the Ohio police department. They’re not new or anything.”
“You were really trying to find him.”
“Most of the time, but I got careless. That’s why Denver and the others took it to another level.”
“I’m sorry you have to even deal with this in the first place.”
“We all have stalkers, sometimes more than others. People scope out social media posts of people they don’t like or have a crush on all the time. I had my own stalker. Luckily, about six months ago he took a long plea deal that’ll keep his ass in prison until he’s old and grey. If he lives that long.”
“You never mentioned that.”
“It’s not something I wanted you to worry about. After all, you had your own stalker, and it would add extra stress causing you to think about Strickland.”
“I used to be jealous of Macy because she had Sean always out there protecting her when I had no one. Little did I know that you were out there protecting me.” We fell onto the sofa where he proceeded to make love to me for the next hour.
By the time we made it to the store, I was beat, but I loved spending time with him. It reminded me of the first time we met here. After loading the groceries, we hopped in his truck and headed home. Home. What a beautiful word.
Chapter 15
Tate
Yesterday had been fantastic, but we both had to go into the office. As I watched her get ready while wearing my ring, my dick hardened. Shit, when wasn’t it hard when I was around her, but this was the first time I’d get to see her before she sauntered in to work and drove me mad.
“I love what you did with your hair. I loved the old look, but this is sexy too.”
“Thanks. Somehow I thought it would make Rick run away.”
I slid up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist, gently placing a kiss on her neck. “The bastard isn’t that dumb. Persistent and crazy, but not dumb. Your beauty is too radiant, but I won’t let him get to you.”
She spun around in my arms and stared up into my eyes. “I love you, Tate.”
“God, I love you so much.” I bent my head to take her mouth when my phone rang, interrupting our moment, which was good because the temptation to take her invaded my soul when she told me she loved me.
I pulled away and grabbed the damn thing while Blake stepped into the bathroom, answering it gruffly. “Masters.”
“He’s in Houston.” He’d been able to avoid getting in trouble because he was allowed to leave the state, and the letter was tossed out by a judge because it didn’t have his fingerprints on it; at least his daddy’s money saw to its dismissal. She’d been the only one he wanted that didn’t want to sleep with him.
“Where?” I asked, walking out of the bedroom so Blake couldn’t hear.
“Downtown.”
“Good, find him and keep tabs. If he heads this way, I’ll put a bullet in his head.”
The soft gasp behind me told me I fucked up. “He’s nearby?”
I turned around and stared into the watery gaze that broke my fucking heart. “In Houston. Baby, I won’t let him come close to you.”
“Don’t get yourself in trouble.”
“I won’t. You’re too important to me. We have a restraining order out against him, but it seems we’re working from home today.”
“What? Why?”
“Because if he does come for you, Sean doesn’t want Macy or Spencer to be in the way.”
“Oh, that’s right. Excuse me. I need a moment alone.”
“No, you don’t. You’ve had enough of that. Shout, cry, hit me, but don’t shut me out.”
“I’m sorry, Tate.”
“Don’t be sorry. You’ve done nothing wrong. Come on. I wanted to seduce you anyway. Now I have my excuse.”
“I have payroll to do.”
“It can wait.” I flipped her over my shoulder and took the stairs t
wo at a time to get her in our bed. We collapsed onto the mattress, our clothes flying off at a frenzied pace. The second I sunk deep into her heat I was able to calm down, bringing her with me. Slowly, lazily we made love until both of us, covered in sweat, panting, came hard. I collapsed, flopping onto my back. We lay there in silence for several minutes. My mind moved to all the ways I could get rid of Strickland forever. I had to wait for him to act first, but when he did, I wouldn’t hold back.
“Thank you. I needed that,” Blake said, snuggling with her pillow, and yawned.
Bending down, I kissed her forehead. “Rest. I’ll wake you in an hour and then we can go from there.” I slid out of bed and got dressed. There was a lot to do, and most of it I didn’t want Blake involved in.
I entered my study where I had some computers set up and brought in my laptop. Once it was set up, I pulled up the tracking information that Denver had on Strickland. We had his cards under surveillance even if it wasn’t entirely legal. Since we weren’t the police, we didn’t need warrants but we had to be careful.
I called Denver, and he picked up on the first ring. “Bailey’s got eyes on him. He’s rented a work van from Enterprise.”
“Okay. Keep it up, but don’t let the police in on it unless he looks for a new target. I want him to make his play.”
“We know. I’m going to do a sweep of the area. I think we should rent the apartment to Benson or Jones. They could use it while we wait for Strickland to attack.” I knew exactly what he had in mind, but I wanted to be the one to kill Strickland, and I didn’t want them to be brought in on questioning for shooting the bastard.
“They can move in, but we’ll be there this weekend to move her things out. I’m only concerned that they might be caught off guard and killed by Strickland.”
“Those guys don’t get caught off guard.” My phone beeped while I was still talking to Denver, so I tilted the phone and saw I had a text message from Bailey.
Cops scooped up Strickland
“Motherfucker,” I roared.
“What?”
“He’s been picked up by the cops.”
Securing Blake: Cavanaugh Security Series Page 9
