His to Protect: A Brook Brothers Novel

by Delaney, Tracie

  “Y’know, Calum told me a few weeks ago he’d figured out how I felt about you, and that’s why he broke it off. I gave him holy hell at the time for treating you like shit, and all the while he was praying I’d step up—which I clearly didn’t.”

  Her eyes widened. “That’s why he broke up with me?”

  “So it seems.”

  “Wow. Calum has a heart.” She chuckled, hoping to bring a little levity to the atmosphere between them which, in an instant, had switched from light flirting to something much heavier. Cole, though, didn’t join in.

  “And then because I still didn’t tell you that I liked you, Tanner got there first.”

  Guilt swarmed his features, and she understood why. Oh no. She wasn’t having that. The blame for who she chose to marry lay solely at her door. The treatment she’d received while in that marriage was Tanner’s cross to bear, none of it had anything to do with Cole.

  She brought his palm to her face and held it to her cheek.

  “It is not your fault that I ended up with Tanner.”

  His chin lowered to his chest. “Isn’t it?”

  “No,” she said firmly. “It is not. I didn’t know Tanner would turn into an evil, nasty little prick, so how could you? And you are not an idiot, Cole Brook. You are utterly wonderful. But, God, I wish you’d told me.”

  “What would you have done if I had? Because if you’re being honest, you never really noticed me. I was the invisible twin, the one that blended into the background.”

  She wouldn’t disrespect him by lying, not when he’d been truthful with her. She owed him the same honesty in return.

  “You’re right. I didn’t think of you in that way. I always saw you as a friend rather than anything else. I guess we’ll never know what I would have done if you’d told me how you felt back then.”

  She exhaled slowly. This was a lot to take in, but at the same time, a quiver of excitement stole over her, caused by the man sitting opposite.

  “I do know one thing, though. I may not have noticed you then, but I sure as hell see you now. There’s no point looking back, wishing things had been different. They are what they are. All we can do is focus on the future. I don’t know what it holds for us, Cole, but I really want to find out. Do you?”

  He gently grazed his lip with his teeth, but his intense eyes burned with desire when he fixed his gaze on hers. “I definitely do.”

  “Great. Then we’re all set.” She held her hand up to the server, letting him know they were ready. “Now, let’s eat. I’m starved.”

  Cole chuckled. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Chapter 16

  Cole and Millie stumbled out of the club, still laughing at something the last comedian had said. Cole had some reservations about his choice of date, especially as some of the comics could be downright lewd—and they had been—but he needn’t have worried. Millie had laughed so hard, tears had poured down her face. And hell, if he couldn’t listen to her laugh for years and still crave more.

  “How about a quick drink before we head back?” Cole asked.

  Millie wavered. She put her hand on his shoulder to help with her balance. “I think I may have had enough. My head is starting to spin.”

  “Doesn’t have to be alcoholic,” Cole said, slipping an arm around her waist. “I know it’s late, but I don’t want tonight to end.”

  She squinted up at him, then rested her head on his shoulder. His heart jolted, and his belly flipped.

  “Neither do I,” she said.

  They crossed the street and entered a packed bar that had a live band playing. He held her hand tightly as he made his way over to the bar and ordered a couple of sodas.

  He managed to find some space toward the back, the farthest point from where the band were rocking it out on a small, raised platform. Millie leaned against the wall and swayed back and forth. He wasn’t sure whether her movement was in reaction to the music or the wine. It didn’t matter, though. Watching Millie with her eyes closed and a look of pure contentment on her face, he couldn’t stop smiling.

  She opened her eyes lazily, gazing at him beneath hooded lids. Reaching out, she took the drinks out of his hands and put them on a nearby table where a couple were sitting, too engrossed in the band to notice or care.

  She hooked a finger into the waistband of his jeans. “Dance with me?”

  She didn’t need to ask twice. Excitement raced through him. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. She reciprocated by curling her hands up around his neck, her fingertips lightly teasing his hair. She glanced up at him, her mocha eyes shining, even in the dim lighting, and began to circle her hips.

  Oh, sweet Jesus. Every shimmy brought the lower halves of their bodies into contact with each other—and he reacted the same way as any other red-blooded male would when faced with a seriously hot woman rubbing against their body. Blood rushed to his groin, and he groaned. Not that she’d be able to hear him over the beat of the music, but she could definitely feel him if he correctly read the flare in her eyes.

  She pressed herself even closer, so close that nothing could fit into the space between them. Then she stood on tiptoes, eased his head down toward hers, and kissed him. Not a testing-the-waters kind of kiss, but a full-on, open-mouthed affair that had his head spinning.

  He took control, moving her until her back was flat to the wall. He ground his hips into hers. Her heart pounded against his chest. Surely she must be able to feel his, too. When his tongue touched hers, he knew he’d found home because he could do this for the rest of his life and never experience a moment of boredom.

  “Fuck,” he panted as he drew back, but only because he desperately needed to take a deep breath. Then he was kissing her again, harder this time. Earlier she’d said she saw him. Well, he wanted her to feel him, too. Everywhere.

  She dragged her mouth from his. “Cole…” Her chest heaved. “God.”

  Her hands roved feverishly over his back. He bent his head and kissed her neck. She tasted of sweet peaches, soft, succulent, fucking delicious. She tasted like Heaven. His dreams and fantasies hadn’t done her justice. The real thing was so much better.

  He kissed her again. Now she’d finally opened the door, he couldn’t get enough. This time felt very different to the soft, gentle kiss they’d shared on the boat, or the tentative meeting of lips when he’d asked her out. And if the way she was rubbing herself against him was anything to go by, she was as starved for him as he was for her.

  She gazed up at him. “I-I want…”

  Her voice trailed off, and she bit her lip, then fixed her gaze on the floor. He eased up her chin. Eventually, she looked at him. Her eyes were huge in her face, two dark chocolate pools that he wanted to dive into and never resurface. Oxygen was overrated anyway.

  “What do you want?” he coaxed.

  Her lips trembled. “You.”

  His cock jerked at the same time as his pulse jolted with an electric shock that sent tingles up his arms. Words could be misconstrued. He’d need more than a “you”. The excitement of the bar, the stirring beat of the music, coupled with the drinks she’d had, he needed reassurance.

  “You’ve got me.”

  She shook her head. “I want you.” Her hands curved around his face. “Do you hear what I’m saying?”

  Yep. He heard. Loud and thunder-clappingly clear, despite the noise surrounding them.

  Without saying a word, he clasped her hand and weaved through the crowds. Once outside, he crossed the street toward the subway, then hesitated. He didn’t want to take her to his place. Sure, he part-owned a hotel, but every room was full, and while the soundproofing between their rooms downstairs was pretty good—just as well—he wanted their first time to be private, not played out in front of his entire family for their titillation. If Calum spotted them and guessed what was going on, he wouldn’t be able to keep his big mouth shut.

  One good thing about living in Manhattan? There were plenty of other options.
/>   He spun on his heel and began to walk in the opposite direction.

  “Where are we going?” Millie asked, jogging to keep up with his long strides.

  He slowed his pace. “Not home.”

  Her brow furrowed. “Why?”

  He stopped. Pulled her into his arms. Kissed her soft, full lips.

  “Because tonight is for us. Just us.”

  “Oh.” Realization crossed her face, and she smiled. “I like your thinking.”

  He stopped by a pharmacy and picked up a box of condoms. Millie stood next to him, her face burning with embarrassment, but the cashier didn’t bat an eyelid. Outside, he tossed the box in the trash and stuffed the silver packets into the back pocket of his jeans.

  Cole led Millie into a nearby hotel he’d heard good things about. Small, discreet, and contemporary, it was special without being over-the-top pretentious. The latter would only make her feel uncomfortable.

  He went over to the front desk. “We need a room.”

  The clerk gave them a welcoming smile. “Of course, sir. For how long?”

  “One night.”

  She tapped away on her keyboard as Cole slid his credit card across the desk. She picked it up and gave it a cursory glance.

  “I have a nice room on the third floor. That’ll be three twenty-five, sir.”

  “Fine.”

  Millie tugged on his hand to get his attention. “That’s ridiculous,” she hissed. “Let’s go back home. We can sleep for free.”

  He bent his head and whispered, “We won’t be sleeping.”

  Her cheeks reddened, and he had to repress a chuckle as he indicated for the front desk clerk to continue. Millie increased the pressure on his hand, trying to attract his attention. She obviously didn’t want to make a scene, and he was going to play that to his advantage. He didn’t give a shit about the money. He’d never had anyone to splash out on before, and she was worth it. So worth it.

  “How many keys, sir?”

  “Just the one.”

  Millie was now squeezing his hand so hard, he was losing feeling in the damn thing. Jesus, she had one hell of a grip. A shiver of excitement ran through him. That could come in very useful.

  “Okay, you’re all set.” The clerk passed him the key card and his credit card. “Do you have luggage?”

  “No.”

  Her eyebrows raised slightly, but her professionalism took over, and she nodded. “The elevators are right around the corner, sir. Enjoy your stay.”

  “We will.”

  Cole knitted his fingers through Millie’s. The elevator doors opened immediately, and he pressed his hand into the small of her back, ushering her inside. The second the doors closed, she let loose.

  “Cole, what the hell are you doing? Over three hundred dollars? For one night.”

  He pushed the button for their floor. “Stop talking.” He put his mouth on hers.

  She made this noise at the back of her throat that almost made him come in his pants like a teenager having their first sexual experience. Except he was far from that. He may have given his heart to Millie all those years ago, but he wasn’t short on experience. And those skills he’d mastered with women he liked but knew there’d never be a future with? Yeah, he was about to put them to good use.

  The elevator pinged, and the doors opened. Their room was about halfway down the hallway. Cole inserted the key card.

  You’d better goddamn work.

  The lock clicked, and the light flashed green. He opened the door and flicked on the lights. They cast the room in a warm, buttery glow. He indicated for Millie to go on in. He discreetly slipped the Do Not Disturb sign on the handle and locked the door. Anxiety flooded his abdomen—the sight of the king-size bed with Millie standing next to it brought home the realization that the moment he’d longed for his whole life was finally here. Shit. What if he fucked it up? What if she thought he was crap in the sack? What if, after tonight, she realized she’d made a huge mistake?

  Jesus. I’m getting on my own nerves!

  Millie set her purse on the nightstand. Right-hand side of the bed. Noted. She turned to face him with short, jerky movements, and she was biting at her bottom lip. Looked like he wasn’t the only one feeling nervous.

  He beckoned to her. “Come here.”

  She did as he asked. The moment he put his arms around her, all his fears evaporated. This was where he was supposed to be. Right here, in this moment, with her. But the way her body trembled against his meant she wasn’t quite in the same place.

  “Are you sure?” he asked, hoping like hell she said yes, but prepared to take her home if she answered in the negative.

  She leaned back slightly so she could look up at him. “Very sure. Just scared and a little nervous.”

  He gave her a crooked grin, loving her honesty. “That’s understandable. First times are hard.”

  She pulled in her lips. “That’s just it. I’ve only had one first, and that was Tanner.”

  Jealousy licked at his insides. He couldn’t change her past, but he could damned well make sure all her future firsts were with him.

  Cole curved his hands around the back of her neck and angled her head. His eyes burned through hers as he bent down. The minute he captured her mouth, he was lost.

  A low groan eased from his throat when their tongues met. He slid his hands slowly down her waist, over her hips. He gripped the material of her dress and tugged it upward. His fingers captured the hem, and he broke off their kiss so he could pull the dress over her head. His breath snagged in his throat, his eyes roving over her like a starving man who’d been given the rarest, most delicious thing in the world to eat.

  She shifted from one foot to the other, her gaze sliding away from his. He cupped her chin, encouraging her eyes back to his.

  “You’re every dream I ever had, wrapped up into one package that’s mine to savor.”

  Her mocha eyes darkened, and she let out a shuddering breath. He went to unbutton his shirt, but her trembling hand closed over his, stopping him.

  “Can I? I need to be… active.”

  Desire punched hard in his gut, even though her comment confused him. She unfastened the first button, her delicate fingers skimming the bare skin underneath, and his thoughts scattered. He shuddered as she worked her way down until the two pieces of material separated. Her gaze was firmly on his chest when she slipped the shirt from his shoulders and let it fall to the floor. With the flat of her palms, she touched his pecs, and then her hands began to roam.

  He let out a heavy breath and closed his eyes. The warmth from her skin mingled with the heat from his body until he couldn’t tell where he ended and she began.

  She loosened his belt, unfastened the top button on his jeans, and then inched down his zipper. Time seemed to pass in slow motion, and he wavered slightly on his feet. He watched her intently as she peeled his jeans down his legs. She untied his sneakers, and he kicked them off which allowed her to remove his jeans. Easing to her feet, her gaze eventually lifted to his, but not before she’d flicked her gaze over his erection, clearly visible through his boxers. And the way her eyes flared with need… Sexy. As. Fuck.

  He gathered her hair into a ponytail and tugged downward. It brought her face up to his, allowing him to kiss her.

  She drew back, gasping for breath, and turned her head to the side, the invitation obvious. He pressed open-mouthed kisses to her neck, drawing a moan low from her throat. Fuck, if she was going to make sounds like that, he was done for.

  He leaned into her, slowly walking her back to the bed, watching out for any little signs she was uncomfortable or having second thoughts. There were none, and as he guided her onto the bed, the sexy look on her face almost made him come without his cock getting anywhere near her. He didn’t think he could get any harder. Turned out he was wrong, because his skin was stretched so tightly he thought it might split.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” he said, softening his words with a smile. Millie
was skittish, and he never knew how she’d take a comment, or a glance, or a touch.

  The answering curve to her lips released the momentary tension bunching his shoulders. “Like what?” she asked, feigning innocence.

  He chuckled. “You know.” He moved over her and she automatically parted her legs, allowing him to settle between them. “Not nearly as innocent as you make out, Ms. Frayser.”

  She batted her eyelids again. “I’m not sure what you’re trying to insinuate, Mr. Brook.”

  As much as he was loving the banter between them, and he sensed the lighthearted exchange had calmed Millie, making her less anxious and nervous, when she stopped grinning and grazed her teeth over her bottom lip and her gaze slid down his body, his instincts took over.

  He peeled down her bra straps, freeing her breasts from the padded cups. When he flicked his tongue over one nipple, it elongated under his attention. He sucked it into his mouth, kneading her other breast with his hand.

  “Oh fuck,” Millie breathed, her back bowing off the bed as she arched into him.

  If he hadn’t been so lost in her and how finally being able to touch her was making him feel, he’d have laughed. Millie rarely cussed.

  He kissed down her body, stopping to dip his tongue inside her navel. She chuckled at that and twisted her body.

  “That tickles.”

  He slipped a hand inside her panties and circled his middle finger around her clit. “Does that tickle?”

  She gasped, her back bowing. “God, no.”

  “Good.” He closed his mouth over hers once more and slipped two fingers inside her, curving them until he found what he was looking for.

  She made a sound of pleasure, deep in her throat, but he swallowed her moans as he moved his fingers inside her.

  He didn’t sense her shift, didn’t know what she was about to do, but when her hand dipped inside his underwear, and she wrapped it around him, gripping him hard, he could swear his cock got thicker, longer, heavier. He was gonna burst if she carried on stroking him like that, but if she stopped…