Sworn to Protect

by Katie Reus

  “Meeting on the security floor with Iris and Margot—she’s part of their web security team. White’s unaccounted for in Miami and I’m concerned he might be in Vegas. I needed all the facts before I came to you because I didn’t want to worry you unnecessarily.”

  Athena felt a rush of relief that he hadn’t been out having drinks with another woman. She knew she should be more concerned about what Quinn said regarding White, but her initial response was one of such pure relief. She’d go back to the White situation later. “Oh.”

  “Oh?” Still not actually touching her with his hands, he leaned down, nipped her earlobe between his teeth. “You were mad at me,” he murmured.

  Feeling the freedom to touch him now, she slid her hands up his chest. “Maybe a little annoyed.”

  He pressed down a little harder on her earlobe before oh-so-gently raking his teeth against her neck. God, the sensation of him teasing her like that made her instantly wet. She dug her fingers into his shoulders, shuddered when he started kissing along her jaw.

  “I should have told you about the potential threat,” he murmured, his mouth just above hers now, his breath warm as it feathered over her. “I should have told you that I’m not going to be seeing anyone else, that I don’t want you to either. This thing between us is rare. I want to give us a shot.”

  She melted at his words and arched a little, instinctively. She wanted to jump the man, wrap her arms and legs around him and feel him push into her right against the wall. She wanted his mouth and hands on her, everywhere. “I want to be exclusive too. I felt so…” Athena almost said annoyed again, but decided to go with the truth. “Mad at you. And really hurt.” Because Quinn hadn’t seemed like a liar, thankfully wasn’t.

  For a moment, Quinn looked as if he’d say something more but then his eyes got that heavy-lidded lustful look and she knew they’d be talking much later.

  “I’m on the Pill,” she blurted the instant before his mouth would have descended on hers.

  His big body went impossibly still, his nostrils flaring ever so slightly as he looked at her. They were so close now she could swear she heard his heartbeat—though she knew that was just the thump of hers pounding erratically. “Have you been on it long enough to go without a condom?”

  “Couple months.” She’d gone on it the first week they’d gone on a date because deep down she’d known that she planned to sleep with him. Because the thought of not doing so felt almost criminal.

  “I’m clean.” The two words were said so matter-of-factly she knew he’d been tested.

  If it had been anyone else she wouldn’t have taken him at face value but this was Quinn. She trusted him. She simply nodded.

  He crushed his mouth to hers. Which was just as well because there was nothing left to say. His kisses were hard, demanding. She savored the commanding way he dominated her mouth, leaving her breathless and wanting more.

  Clutching onto his shoulders, she arched into him. She wanted to wrap her legs around him but her knee-length dress was too fitted. As if he read her mind he tugged the zipper down the back. Instead of letting it pool around her waist, he shoved it all the way off.

  Cool air rushed over her as she stepped out of her dress wearing a black matching bra and panty set and heels. She knew that was supposed to be a man’s fantasy. If the hungry look on Quinn’s face was any indication then yep, it definitely was.

  Taking her by surprise, he fell to his knees, his intent clear. She’d thought—well, she’d thought since she’d made it obvious she wanted to have sex that he’d have gone straight for that. She didn’t mind skipping a little foreplay, she desperately wanted to experience all of him and she was already wet. So wet she trembled for him.

  “Gotta taste you.” The words seemed to be torn from him as he tugged her underwear off.

  Those words made her melt just a little more. The need and hunger that emanated from him mirrored what she was feeling. When she stepped out of the panties, he grasped her ankle, kissed her inner calf as he lifted her foot over his shoulder. Familiar with this position by now, her inner walls tightened in anticipation of what was to come. Even the feel of his lips feathering over her leg made her shudder.

  “You make me fucking crazy,” he murmured, glancing up at her.

  The look in his eyes was electric, scorching. She was thankful for the wall holding her up.

  With his gaze on hers, he slid a hand up her leg, stopping only when he reached her inner thigh. Gently, he trailed a finger along the crease of her skin where her thigh and pussy met. He was barely touching her, but it was as if she could feel his hands on her everywhere.

  She wanted to tell him to hurry up, to ease the ache between her legs, but couldn’t make her throat work.

  When he finally teased a finger along her slick opening, he closed his eyes for a long moment. He didn’t stop what he was doing though, but pushed his finger fully inside her.

  She tightened around him, automatically rolling her hips, wanting way more than just this. She couldn’t ever remember being so turned on, wanting something so much.

  He groaned, the sound so tortured and sensual before he leaned forward and placed his mouth on her clit. There had been moments last night when she’d felt a little insecure, especially when he’d joined her under the bright lights of the shower and could see all her flaws, but right now all of that fell away.

  Quinn liked and wanted all of her. When he slid another finger inside her, she sucked in a breath and tightened her grip on his shoulders.

  He groaned against her clit as he teased her, flicking and massaging her mercilessly with his tongue. When he started moving his fingers in and out of her, curving them at just the right angle, she let go completely, her orgasm punching through her fast and sharp.

  It should have been a shock how fast she climaxed, but she’d been aching for him since…well, when wasn’t she aching for him? It seemed that when they were in the same room, her body just flared to life.

  Even when she’d been angry at him, when he’d placed his hand on her back down in Cloud 9, then again when they’d stepped out of the elevator, she’d felt that light touch all the way to her toes. And had wanted more of it.

  Now she felt his touch deep inside her, craved more than just his fingers as she came apart against his mouth. She’d fallen hard for him all those months ago and when he’d pretty much run from her, it had sliced her deep. But now she knew she hadn’t made a mistake wanting, needing this man so much. “Quinn,” she rasped out, unable to say anything else. It was difficult to think much less speak.

  He made a satisfied rumbling sound against her clit. The vibration against her sensitive bundle of nerves nearly made her collapse. When he withdrew his fingers, another shudder of pleasure spooled through her, the after effects of her orgasm lingering.

  Moving with the speed of a lethal predator, he was on his feet in seconds, his mouth over hers once again.

  Not for the first time had she thought it was a sensual experience to taste herself on his lips. She held onto him, hooked her legs around his waist. She knew exactly what she wanted, knew he did too. She wondered if maybe she should be more nervous about her first time but all she felt was excitement.

  In seconds he had her bra off, tossed somewhere behind them. His big palms smoothed down her ass, clutched her hard as he started walking them somewhere. Her room or his, she didn’t care. Hell, she didn’t care if they went right down to the floor as long as he was inside her soon.

  Moments later she was aware they’d entered her room as she found herself flat on her back, the glittering lights of Vegas in the background. The bed was soft, cool under her skin. The heat surging through her now was a direct contrast.

  When he paused over her, his gorgeous body covering hers—and covered by too many clothes, she practically ripped his shirt off. Luckily he seemed to be more in control than her, just barely, and managed to get it off in seconds. After he did, he pushed off her, removing all that warmth and s
trength.

  She must have made a protesting sound because he let out a low chuckle as he slid off the edge of the bed.

  “I’m not going anywhere, sweetheart.” There was a dark promise in those words as he started stripping off the rest of his clothes with economic movements.

  When he was naked at the foot of the bed, he looked like a perfectly sculpted statue, all defined lines and striations. And he was hers. That thought sent another one of those waves of heat through her.

  She started to push up so that she was on her knees, but he moved atop her with a speed that continued to surprise her given his size. She spread her thighs for him, loved the feel of him settling between her legs with no barrier. His cock pressed against her abdomen. Just the feel of it on her skin made her smile.

  She slid one hand to the back of his neck, held onto him as he looked down at her. The man was absolute perfection. She was so glad he was going to be her first, was glad now that she’d waited. No matter how things played out between them, she trusted Quinn with her body and her heart.

  Lazily he cupped one of her breasts and slowly, torturously rubbed his thumb over her aching nipple in little circles. This was different from the frantic energy she’d been feeling out in the hall. She still wanted him with a wildness that terrified her a little, but she was pretty certain he’d slowed things down just a bit. For her benefit or his, she wasn’t certain. But she knew that he’d given her an orgasm to get her ready for him.

  “This might hurt a little,” he murmured, the regret in his dark eyes warming her from the inside out. She loved how much he cared.

  “I know.” And she didn’t care. Not when this was Quinn. The pain, if there was any, wouldn’t last. And she was so physically active she doubted it would hurt much. At least that’s what her cousins had told her.

  Leaning down, he took her mouth in a tender kiss as his hand moved from her breast to her mound. She arched into his hold, her hands going around his back as he tested her slickness.

  In and out, he stroked her inner walls with a sweet slowness now. She let out a groan of frustration, wanting so much more. She was tired of waiting. Trailing her fingers down his back, she grasped onto his ass.

  He understood what she wanted and when he withdrew his fingers, her entire body trembled with so much pent up need she felt as if she might go into sensory overload.

  She wanted to see him entering her but was too shy to ask him to shift positions. It didn’t matter though, the feel of his tongue dancing with hers, his hard body covering her, was heaven. His thick cock nudged her entrance and she let her head fall back from his mouth, sucked in a breath as he pushed inside her.

  He didn’t pump hard, but he also didn’t pause, just slid into her with one smooth thrust. She met his gaze as he filled her completely. There was a moment of discomfort that she should have expected, but it was over so quickly. All she could focus on was this beautiful man inside her, on top of her. She felt so full, so possessed by him.

  She dug her fingers into his backside. “More.” It was all she could manage to get out, but he knew what she wanted.

  He held himself up on his forearms so that she was caged in and his gaze was pinned to hers. The look in his eyes was territorial and possessive. The sight took her breath away. He pulled his hips back and began thrusting in a slow, steady rhythm.

  Her hips met his, stroke for stroke, the sensation of being filled by him too incredible for words. She could feel another release building even as she wanted this to go on and on.

  His breathing grew more erratic as he pumped into her, his eyes blazing with a raw heat. Part of her wanted to look away, but there was no way she could.

  “Touch your clit. Come around my cock.” The words were a growl. A demand. And his expression was primal.

  She didn’t even pause, didn’t want to. Reaching between their bodies, she began rubbing herself in that very familiar way. She knew how to get herself off. It never took long, but to have someone as sexy as Quinn thrusting into her while she stroked herself put things on a whole other level.

  Her inner walls began clenching around him tighter and tighter. “Faster.” The word came out as a plea. She hadn’t expected to come again, but felt a climax building the faster he moved. Each stroke inside her stoked that greedy fire.

  She couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer, let her head fall back as the sensations of another orgasm rushed through her. Pleasure poured out to all her nerve endings as she savored the sensation of him moving inside her, filling her. She’d never felt so connected to anyone. And not just anyone, but this was Quinn. She arched into him, wanting to rub her breasts against his chest, to experience more stimulation.

  Suddenly she felt his mouth clamp over the tip of her breast, suck her nipple hard. The action was so unexpected, so erotic, it pushed her over the edge.

  “Quinn!” His name sounded like another plea as it tore from her throat. She slid her fingers through his short hair, clasped his head with her free hand. He flicked and teased her nipple as her orgasm continued to punch through her. The sensations of his wicked mouth seemed to prolong it.

  Finally she pulled her hand free from her clit, the stimulation almost too much. As she did, Quinn seemed to let go of whatever had been restraining him.

  Shouting her name, his thrusts became unsteady, rough and when he buried his face against her neck, she felt him come inside her in hot strokes. The muscles in his arms and shoulders were corded tight, his back damp with sweat. It seemed to go on forever and at the same time, not long enough.

  She trailed her fingers down his back in lazy strokes. His muscles tightened under her soft touch, twitched slightly as he relaxed.

  “I’m too heavy,” he murmured against her neck a few moments later.

  She grinned though he couldn’t see her. “I like the feel of you on top of me.”

  He pulled back, his dark eyes gentle as he looked down at her. “You okay?”

  “That was amazing.”

  Relief immediately bled into his eyes before he dropped a sweet, almost chaste kiss on her lips. “Give me a sec.” He pulled out of her and she immediately felt a difference.

  Just a slight soreness she hadn’t been aware of. When he’d been inside her it had been all pleasure, but yep, she was going to feel this tomorrow. Totally worth it though.

  He slid off the bed and strode into the bathroom. Seconds later she heard water running. For a moment she wondered if he was just taking a shower without her, but that seemed weird.

  He popped his head through the doorframe. “I’m running you a bath. Do you like it warm, hot or scorching?”

  She was touched by his thoughtfulness, but didn’t feel much like moving. “I don’t need a bath.”

  Quinn stepped fully into the doorframe now and gave her one sharp headshake. “You’re getting one.”

  She blinked in surprise at his authoritative tone. “What?”

  “This was your first time, I’m not fucking this up for you.” Now he strode toward her with purpose.

  An unexpected laugh broke free. The man was too sweet. “Such poetry.”

  He froze in place and tensed. He rubbed a hand over the back of his neck—and showed off delicious muscles she wanted to trace with her tongue. “Shit, Athena—”

  “I’m messing with you. And thank you. I think a soak probably wouldn’t hurt.” She liked that he was actually cursing in front of her now. Which was maybe a little weird, but she liked that he was being himself. It had been sweet how he’d held back before, but this thing between them felt so real. She wanted to keep it that way, didn’t want any barriers between them.

  “Good.” He strode to the bed then scooped her up in his arms. He brushed his lips over hers, and this time his kiss was a bit more heated than the last. She clutched onto him, deepening it until he pulled back.

  He groaned, simmering heat in his gaze. “Let’s get you in the bath before I lose my head.”

  “Maybe after the bath you can
lose it.” She grinned at him, loved seeing the easy relaxation on his face. They still needed to talk about the potential threat but for right now she didn’t want to think about anything else but this.

  Chapter 11

  Three days later

  Quinn stood by the huge window of the suite, staring out at the city below. The lights twinkled like jewels under the breaking dawn sky. It was the last official day of the tradeshow, but he’d asked Athena if she wanted to stay on an extra day so they could enjoy themselves afterward. After the call he’d just received he felt a thousand times lighter. He and Athena could actually have a good time without worrying about that fuckhead White.

  At a soft rustling sound he turned. Athena stepped out of her room—their room now—dressed in fitted black pants and a red wraparound top. When he realized she wore the gold necklace he’d given to her yesterday, that possessive flare he was getting used to jumped inside him. She’d protested when he’d given it to her, but he liked seeing her wear something from him. It made him feel like he was staking a claim.

  “Necklace looks good,” he murmured, stepping away from the window, eyeing the three tiered chains looped around her delicate neck.

  She flushed pink and gently touched one of the links. “I still think it’s too much,” she muttered.

  They’d managed to sneak away last night for a dinner outside the casino and had gotten to walk, see some of the city. He’d seen her admiring it at one of the shops so he’d gone back later and bought it. He didn’t care that they hadn’t been together long, he already knew he was in this for the long haul. Seeing the pleasure on her face when she’d opened the box had made him feel a hundred feet tall. Not just the pleasure though, the pure surprise. She’d admitted that no one outside her family had ever given her jewelry before and that knowledge made the caveman inside him irrationally pleased.

  Not commenting, he just wrapped his hands around her hips as he reached her and pulled her close. The slightly tropical scent rolling off her wrapped around him. He couldn’t keep his hands off the woman. Just being in the same room and he wanted to hold her, kiss her. “I’ve got good news.”