“Yes, Jilly, I want you.”
“Name s’not Jilly.” She wagged a finger at him.
He stood, and her eyes followed him up…way up. He was so tall. She bent backward and almost overbalanced in the chair but straightened at the last moment. He bent down and swooped her up. She may have squealed a little bit.
“Yes, you did squeal. Just a little bit.”
Jillian wrapped her arms around his neck, bit her lower lip, and snorted. “Whoopsie… did I say that?” He was so close. His sexy mouth was right in front of her. “Brace yourself, Mr. Simmons. I’m going to kiss you.” Jillian leaned in and pressed her lips against his. Even through the haze of alcohol, she felt an unmistakable jolt of desire split every atom in her body, scramble it into a frenzy and then zap her with lust. She moaned as his tongue licked her lips. She opened for him and reveled in the kiss. “Oh…god…I just knew it’d be epic.”
He smiled against her mouth and lowered her onto the bed before reaching behind his neck to unlace her fingers. “When we make love, Jilly, you won’t be drunk. I want you to remember everything we did together.” He kissed her nose and pulled the comforter over her. “Go to sleep, sweetheart.”
“Drake, don’t leave me.” She watched him turn his chair and sit down beside her.
“I won’t leave you. I promise.”
Jillian curled into the pillow and hummed contentedly. “If this isn’t real, I’m going to be so fucking disappointed in the morning.”
Chapter 11
Drake waited until he knew she was asleep before he cleaned up the dinner containers and poured her very expensive alcohol back into the fancy decanter. He lifted the bottle and chuckled. She hadn’t really had that much, but it was enough to do the trick. She was a funny drunk, trying to be logical and follow his justification for the lengthy detour. What he didn’t tell her was the longer she was completely off the grid, the longer Guardian had to figure out who was after her and why. Tomorrow, when she was sober, they’d discuss taking her invention with them. They could leave it in the safety deposit box and slip away or wait until Monday morning and take it with them. Either way, the likelihood of anyone knowing where she was would be slight at best.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. He glanced at his watch and frowned. It wasn’t time for the PSO to check in for the night. He palmed it and blinked at the screen before he smiled. Jade rarely reached out, but when she did, it was always a surprise. Her text read:
>I don’t like rules. D checked in. He’s okay.
God, he loved that rule-breaking woman. Jade was a twin, granted not an identical twin, but she got Dixon and Drake. The fact that she bucked Archangel’s and Guardian’s protocols to let him know Dixon had made contact and he was all right said a lot about the woman. She was a rebel and was using her position to cherry pick information for him. Damn, she had balls the size of Texas.
Drake grabbed the remote and turned on the television, keeping the sound down low. He stretched out next to Jillian in the king bed and drew a deep breath. He’d started something tonight. Something that could blow up in his face. Jill was the first woman in ages who interested him. He liked her, loved the way her brain worked, and the sexual attraction he felt? Fuck, the entire situation was a volatile cocktail. One wrong move and he’d lose everything. His mind drifted to Dixon as he flipped through the channels. Dixon would need him after this mission. Jillian would have to be okay with that dynamic. It was nonnegotiable.
His phone vibrated again. He answered it, heading into the bathroom so he could talk without waking Jillian. “Go.”
“That any way to answer a phone, son?”
Drake smiled and shook his head. “No sir, but it was the way I was taught by Guardian.”
Frank Marshall grunted at the other end. “Checking in on you.” Frank knew how much dropping Dixon off in the middle of a fucking mess would cost Drake. He knew it without Drake saying a fucking word. "You were pretty riled at him when y’all left. Did you make your peace before he went his way?"
"I don't know. I tried, but I don't understand why he needs to do this." Drake shook his head as he spoke. "That bastard almost destroyed him."
Frank grunted before he growled, "So, of all the people in the world that you know, physically know, who is the smartest?"
"Dixon," Drake replied without thought. Then he smiled as he thought of Jillian. It was nip and tuck.
"When you are in a firefight, who is the one person you want at your six?" Again, Frank asked in that direct, no-shit way he possessed.
"Dixon." The answer was immediate and finite.
"So why do you think he isn't capable of doing what Jason's asked of him?" He could hear Frank unwrap a piece of candy. He was addicted to that taffy.
Drake considered the question before he answered it. "He's more than capable of doing the mission, Frank, but that man scarred him. Hurt him in ways you can't imagine. I'm not afraid Dixon can't do what he needs to do. I'm afraid of what will happen to him when he does."
Frank cleared his throat before he spoke. "He will do what he needs to do to protect himself. Trust your brother, Drake. You two survived in this world this long by doing that. Keep doing that."
"Yes, sir." That was an automatic response, too. Frank Marshall was many things to many people. But to Dixon and Drake, he was the positive father figure they'd never had.
Frank sighed. "Listen, you and Dixon are my boys. Don't care about no damn genetics. If you need to talk, about anything, I'll be here."
“I know that. You know how much Dixon and I care about you and Miss Amanda, right?” Drake wanted him to know, needed him to know it.
“I do. When you coming back?”
With Frank this conversation was easy. He knew the nature of the job, and although he didn’t know the specifics, he knew if Drake wasn’t back it was because Guardian had him busy.
“Could be up to two, maybe three weeks. Need to keep someone off the grid and away from people.”
“Then bring ‘em here.” The growled voice added the “dumbshit” even though his words didn’t.
“Ah…well…” Drake rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m being selfish on this one, sir. Going to take some time to get to know her better.”
There was silence for a long moment. Frank snorted and then said, “Well, it’s about damn time. Bring her home when it’s right for you. Can’t wait to meet the filly who chased you down.”
“Don’t know if it’s just wishful thinking or if it’s actually something, but I want to find out.”
“Good. You call me every now and again so I can stop Amanda from worrying. Can’t have both of my boys out of communication.”
“I know Dixon checked in today.” Drake didn’t want Frank and Amanda to worry, so he’d share his ill-gotten update.
“I can lay odds on which one of the kids broke protocol and told you.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about, sir.”
“You’re a horrible liar. Take care of yourself and your filly.”
“Yes, sir.” Drake laughed as the phone disconnected. He had another hour to wait until his back up arrived. He checked on Jillian, who hadn’t moved since she’d fallen asleep. The remote in his hand again, he started flipping through the channels. Even with Dixon gone and the stress of that operation bearing down on him, Drake felt light. Lighter than he’d ever felt, and it was all down to the woman sleeping beside him. Now he just needed to ensure he didn’t fuck it all up.
Chapter 12
Jillian dropped her head under the shower. All things considered, her hangover wasn’t as bad as it could have been if Drake had let her slam the cognac the way she wanted. He left a note for her telling her not to leave the room; there was a person from Guardian watching the hotel; she was safe; and he’d be back with breakfast. Her stomach rolled at that thought.
She needed to talk to him, to make sure what she remembered of the events of last night were actual memories, and not dreams her overwrough
t imagination had manufactured. She was ninety-nine percent positive the kiss had been real. Then there was the admission he wanted to spend time with her and get to know her. She remembered the words, the way his eyes looked and the desire she felt when they kissed. God, when they kissed. Jillian shivered under the hot water. A visceral reaction to his long-awaited touch.
“Jilly, I’m back. I have coffee.”
She’d left the bathroom door open a crack so the steam wouldn’t fog the mirror and it was evident by the volume of Drake’s voice he was standing in the bathroom. She gathered the shower curtain in front of her body and peeked out. Oh damn. A tight black t-shirt, black jeans, a tooled leather belt with silver, platter-sized belt buckle and boots. Gah. Her sexy cowboy. Who’d have thought she’d find "home on the range” so appealing. No, she wouldn’t change the way he dressed for the world. Her eyes drifted back up his tight, ripped body, to a knowing smirk. The hunger in his eyes cleared any doubt the events of last night were as she remembered. They’d really happened. She let the shower curtain fall a little, and Drake’s eyes chased the expanse of her exposed skin.
“We need to talk when you get done.” Drake leaned against the vanity, not three feet away from her.
“Talk?” Jillian pulled her bottom lip into her mouth and cocked her head. “I don’t want to talk right now.”
She dropped the shower curtain as she turned and presented the expanse of her backside to him. A low rumbling growl brought her head around. The black t-shirt landed on the floor, and his boots flew off, ending up somewhere on the floor. Jillian placed a hand on the back wall of the shower, steadying herself. Drake’s eyes met hers as he unbuckled the belt and unzipped his jeans. She lifted an eyebrow in a silent dare. The corner of his mouth ticked up. He slid the zipper down, exposing skin instead of underwear. “Naughty boy.” Jillian turned to face him exposing herself completely to his view.
“Fucking hell, you’re beautiful.” Drake pushed down his jeans.
She swallowed hard, pushing back her nerves, which made an unscheduled and unwanted appearance when she took in the size of Drake’s cock. He was erect and larger than any man she’d ever been with. Her eyes lingered on his member as he reached down and stroked it. She ran her eyes up his body, stopping when she met his stare. “Ummm…wow.” Laughter burst from Drake, and she chuckled as well. “Eloquent as always, Dr. Law.” Drake stepped into the shower and pulled the curtain closed behind him. He reached for her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and pulled her into him. She tilted her head up. He smiled slowly and bent down to kiss her. Jillian shivered as his lips ghosted over hers. “Breathe.”
A whoosh of air expelled from her lungs. She hadn’t even realized she was holding her breath.
He kissed her again before he murmured. “I’ve got you. Just relax.”
Drake seduced her with long, languid, sensual kisses, punctuated by the wandering of his calloused hands against her hypersensitive skin. Her hands slid down his arms, learning the bulk and movement of his muscles, the feel of the ridges and valleys that defined his masculine beauty. She chased his lips as they luxuriated in each other.
He maneuvered her against the wall and lowered to his knees. She dropped her hands to his shoulders. He leaned forward and kissed her stomach while his hands framed her hips. With excruciating slowness, he made his way lower until he lifted one of her legs and placed it over his shoulder. She gripped the hair at the back of his neck with one hand and braced against his shoulder with the other. He interspersed kisses of her inner thigh with small, tantalizing bites he would then lick and soothe. The tease was excruciating. Her greed consumed her, and she used the hand at the back of his neck to let him know where she wanted him. A low rumble of laughter rose through the steam.
“Oh, my God!” she gasped, and her head hit the wall of the shower when his lips finally met her sex. “Drake!” She was at a loss as to what to do. She wanted more, needed it, but she didn’t want to climax because she didn't want this moment to end. His tongue swirled around her clit, driving her insane as his hands cupped her breasts and teased her sensitive nipples. When he pinched them, she lost her mind. The combination of sensations pulled wanton sounds from her she couldn’t deny or stop. She used both hands to grip his shoulders and thrust against his mouth, lust-filled and driven. She clenched her eyes shut, focusing on nothing but reaching the peak of the mountain he was pushing her up. He added his fingers to his efforts, and she shattered. Reds and whites burst against the black of her tightly closed eyes. The second the wave of her orgasm released, and she melted into a somnolent state, aware Drake had risen and now held her, but unaware of how that happened. She slid her hands up his arms and linked them behind his neck before she opened her eyes. The dark passion she found in his eyes made her heart pound. He wanted her. She could see his need. She could see his desire. “I’m on the pill.” Drake reached down and cupped her ass, lifting her as if she weighed nothing. He pinned her back against the wall. She scrambled to lock her arms around his neck, realizing what he wanted. “You can’t hold me up that long!”
Laughter filled the shower. “I could hold you like this all day. You weigh next to nothing.” He kissed the junction between her shoulder and neck. She tipped her head to give him access. The tip of his cock met her sex, and she moaned against the lips that sealed hers. He loosened his grip, and she felt him enter her. She tightened her grip on him, his size taking her breath away. “Relax, sweetheart. I won’t hurt you. I promise.”
Jillian nodded and dropped her head against his shoulder. Her arms and legs wrapped around him. He controlled everything and freed her to just…feel. Feel his body as he worked his way into her. Feel as he held her bottom, lifted her and pushed in. Feel her insides ripple and clench around him as he slowly started to stroke in and out. Feel as he trembled and tightened his grip. Feel as her body shattered again and he lost control; his sure, measured strokes morphing into a chase for his own release. Jillian trembled in his arms as she felt everything, including emotions that were far too early to acknowledge.
Drake carefully lowered her, severing their connection, but not their hold on each other. She leaned against his chest and hummed when his hands roamed over her back. “That was…amazing.”
He dropped a kiss to the top of her head. “You are amazing.” She lifted her head so she could see him. His blue eyes held hers. The intensity of his gaze held emotions that she pretended not to see or acknowledge. It was too soon. She had to be projecting her feelings into his actions.
She reached up and cupped his cheek with her hand. “I want to get to know you, too, Drake. I want to know the man you are now.”
A devastatingly handsome smile split his face. “So you do remember last night?”
She crossed her eyes at him. “I do, I may have had a bit too much—"
“A bit?” He teased before he dropped a kiss on her, silencing her objection before it began. The way the man kissed consumed her, fogged her brain. She loved the way he took possession of her very being with each kiss. Drake was all consuming. Her teenage anticipation was nothing compared to reality.
He pulled away, slowly, dropping kisses against her cheeks, her nose, and her eyelids before he reached behind him and turned off the water. He helped her out and wrapped a towel around his waist before carefully and meticulously drying her from head to toe.
“What did you want to talk about?” Jillian asked as he wrapped a towel around her.
“I need to find out what you want to do about your invention.” Drake took her hand and led her back into the hotel room. There were two cups of what she assumed was coffee and a white bag on the table. Drake popped the top of the cardboard cup. Steam still wafted off the drink. He passed it to her when she sat down.
“What do you mean? I thought we were going to get it and take it back with us.”
“We can do that, or we can leave town now and keep your invention in the safety deposit box.” He took a sip of his coffee before he opened the
bag. “Blueberry, banana or chocolate?”
“Too hard to choose. Can we share?”
He smiled and winked at her, pulling six muffins out, one at a time. “You eat what you can.”
She grabbed a plastic knife from the bag and sliced three muffins into quarters. Picking up a small portion of the banana, she leaned back in her chair and considered her options as far as Delbert, as she was now thinking of her invention, was concerned.
“Would it be a bad thing if I wanted Delbert to come with us?” She ate a bite of the muffin as she waited for him to respond.
Drake swallowed the food he had in his mouth and took a sip of coffee. “No. Bank safety deposit boxes are not secured in the same way by all banks. Some place the boxes in vaults, others have secured rooms. There have been several instances where thieves have broken into safe deposit storage rooms through unreinforced ceilings.”
Jillian froze with her coffee halfway to her mouth. “You mean someone could have my work now?”
Drake shook his head and took another sip of coffee. “If there had been any break-ins, we would know about it.”
“How?”
“Guardian. We have the best computer hackers in the world. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jewell, the woman on the call we made, has a live video feed of the bank’s security camera system.”
“She can do that? Is that legal?” Jillian doubted it was. It just didn’t seem legit.
“Guardian has federal law enforcement status, and as such we must abide by the law. If she has it, it is done within the general context of the law.”
“General context, huh? That sounds like it has wiggle room.” Jillian liked gray areas because they allowed her to think, create and invent. She wouldn’t be surprised if the woman at Guardian used her gray areas for the same thing.
Drake smiled and winked at her. “I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of wiggle room in our operations.”
Drake (The Kings of Guardian Book 11) Page 10
