Broken Rules: A Rescuer Romance

by Gunn, Jenna

  Butterflies dance around in my stomach.

  Brandon is going to force me to talk to him. And he’s being tricky about it. Figures the persistent man would not only force me into a conversation, but plans on making it so that conversation takes an overnight.

  For a second I had a mind to call him and say it’s too much. But instead I pack a bag. It seems I’m a sucker for steady and strong. And for two dozen blood red roses. And days of lunches hand delivered to my work.

  Seven o‘clock takes forever to come, like I’m watching a pot, waiting on it to boil. What kind of car is he sending?”

  Bishop approaches me from behind. Takes up a spot where he can see out the door over my shoulder.

  “I told you that it’s fine for you to go home. Carlos is in jail.”

  “I’m on direct orders.”

  I crane my neck and look up at him. “Orders to do what?”

  “Make sure you get in that car.”

  I roll my eyes. “Great. Now it’s two against one.”

  “We come as a family.”

  Those words sink in hard and fast.

  It’s a little overwhelming to think about being caught up in the middle of the Archer clan when all I’ve known is being a small dysfunctional unit.

  But as scary as it is, it feels magnetic too.

  “Was he afraid I wouldn’t come?”

  Bishop’s eyes turn serious, “It means a lot to him that you two talk.”

  “I see.”

  “He’s a good man, Anya. Hear him out.”

  I nod. “I will try.”

  “What makes you hesitant?”

  I sigh. “Trust comes hard for me. I guess I was feeling okay, then the thing with Samantha… Then everything happened so fast with Cam’s arrest. It just stole my happiness. And I’m having a hard time finding my balance.”

  “That’s understandable. Just hear him out. I think you’ll find he’s the most honorable, dependable man you will ever meet.”

  The timer on my phone goes off. Seven o’clock. A long sleek black limo pulls up at the curb. Bishop reaches around me and pushes the door open and he rests a hand on my shoulder. “Go on.” He says gently.

  Everything feels a little weird as I walk to the car, like I’m in some kind of dream. The driver smiles, “Good evening, Miss.” He takes my bag and opens the door. I duck into the dark space. Before I’m inside, I know Brandon is here. His scent calls to me in a way no other man ever could.

  He takes up a whole corner of the curved couch on the far side of the limo. His eyes, dark and serious, watch me as I slide into the seat opposite of him.

  “I’m glad you came.”

  I quirk a brow at him. “Rumor is that I didn’t have a choice.”

  “Bishop’s got my back.”

  I watch him, trying to read his expression as I say, “He does.”

  The driver’s door closes, the car is shifted into gear, and we pull away from the curb. “You didn’t want to drive?”

  ‘Nope. I wanted to have all of my focus where it needs to be.”

  A shiver courses over my body. “And where is that?’

  “On you.”

  My knees press together instinctively. He hasn’t even said anything sexual, and it’s all my brain wants to do with his every word, twist it into an invitation, an innuendo, a suggestion.

  I scold myself for the rush of arousal I feel just from his proximity. This isn’t about sex. This is about something much bigger.

  “You make it hard to think when you look at me like that.”

  He moves suddenly, like a big panther, all elegant grace and power. And he’s in my seat, wrapping me up in his arms in the next second. He tucks my head under his chin. “There, this way you won’t have to be subjected to my eyes.”

  “But—“

  “Just listen to me. That’s all you have to do. Just listen with your heart, not your head.”

  I hold perfectly still except for the uncontrolled throbbing, twitching, and twisting of my heart. It threatens to rip right out of my chest.

  The urge to push away, to preserve myself is strong. But he’s holding me so carefully, so perfectly, I can’t move. “Where are we going?”

  “I’ll tell you soon, but for now. I have other, more important things to say.”

  “God, I’ve missed you so much.” He breathes me in and kisses the curls on my forehead.

  My fingers want to curl into his shirt, but I force them to remain open.

  “I know you’re hurting. And you deserve to be mad at me. But I can’t just let you go. Since I met you, all I’ve wanted to do was to make you mine. You and no one else. Do you understand that? Samantha is nothing to me. And if I can do anything to help Cam, I’ll do it. ”

  I blink back the emotion and my throat is far too tight to speak.

  He swallows roughly, his arms tighten on me. “I can’t explain it. Reason is pointless for matters like this. It sounds so caveman, but the need to protect you and provide for you is overwhelming.”

  My body suddenly stiffens as I feel a sting that I always get when someone doubts I can do something on my own. “I don’t need…”

  He sets me away, and those beautiful blue eyes of his pierce right into me again. “I know you can do anything on your own. I love that about you, and I completely respect that. But I know that I love you, and I want to be your partner. I want to give you everything I can.”

  My heart flies and melts all at once.

  Every last bit of resistance I had to him disappears. As the days have gone by I’ve fought the fact that my heart knows he’s the only man I want by my side. .

  “Oh, Brandon. I don’t know what to say.”

  He grips both my hands in his big warm palms. “Just say you’ll give me a chance.”

  Tears leak from my eyes, “How is a girl supposed to say no to that?”

  He smiles too damned softly.

  I grin through the sudden torrent of water coming down my cheeks. “You’re killing me here.”

  Brandon wipes away the tears on my cheeks with the rough pads of his thumbs. “You’re so beautiful, Anya. I love you.”

  “I love you, too” I whisper.

  He pulls me to him, and I flow into his arms. He lifts me with those big hands of his, sets me astride his lap. Everything in me melts as the heat of him touches me from the vee in my legs to the tips of my toes.

  It feels like heaven to be in his arms again. I was so stupid to hold him away when I really just want to be right here, in his strong embrace.

  Our breath is ragged and hot against each other as our mouths meet. Tears keep squeezing out of my closed eyes as he thoroughly owns the kiss.

  The car rocks us gently as it whisks us away.

  My body turns molten and skin smolders under his commanding touch.

  He pulls me flush against him. Through the denim of his jeans I feel every inch of his big erection.

  I need him. And he needs me.

  I want him so deep inside me that our souls merge to one hot burning flame.

  “Mmmm…” I moan. I rip off my shirt, and fumble to drop my lace bra. Like a wanton lunatic I offer my nipples to his amazing mouth. “Touch me,” I growl.

  He laughs that deep laugh of his. “God, I know I told you this, but I have to say again, I love a woman that knows what she wants. It’s so fucking hot.” His hands tip me back and my hair spills across his arm as he nips and sucks, and laps at my painfully hard nipples.

  I’m lost and the only thought in my brain is MORE. I want Brandon Archer with everything inside of me.

  I’ve never felt this physical need for someone before. Something about him drives a raw, unending hunger in my body. The pulsing in my wet core wants only one thing—him deep, pounding into me. Stretching me until I scream.

  I’m off his lap, shimmying out my yoga tights in the next instant. Turns out it’s hard to do in a limo.

  The smile on his face is sweet and so seductive that my heart starts to surge
all over again. “Brandon—“

  “I know, babe. You don’t have to tell me.” He unleashes his erection, pushing his jeans down to his thighs just before he drags me back on top of him.

  His big hands position me over his long, hard, pulsing thickness. He breathes my name as he slides his steel hard penis between my wet folds.

  Oh yes. Hallelujah! It’s so glorious I want to sing.

  He’s so big, so hard, that my body contracts and burns around him.

  Brandon shudders.

  My eyes roll back. “Oh. Yes. That feels so amazing.”

  He pulls me down on him, and freezes.

  I move, and he stops me with his iron grip. He grits out his next words, “No. Condom. Shit!”

  I go stiff in his arms. My eyes flash to his.

  Our chests rise and fall like we’ve been racing. I can’t believe I’m about to say what I’m about to say. “I forgot the morning after pill after last time.”

  He swallows hard. His brows crease together. “Goddamn. So did I.”

  I press my lips tight. “It’s been too long now…there’s a window of time.”

  He nods, his eyes more serious than I’ve ever seen them before.

  I shift a little and he slides deeper inside of me, I groan, once from pleasure and once from concern, “This is a terrible time to have this conversation.”

  He pulls me to him, brushes his lips over mine. “Is it? I think this is a beautiful time to tell you that I want you to be the mother of my children.”

  I blink hard.

  He’s serious.

  I was melting before, but now I’m done, my heart spills right out of me.

  I wrap my hands around his beautiful strong face. “Oh, Brandon. I’ve never thought about a family…”

  He presses his hand between my breasts. “What does your heart say?”

  “Yes. I want to.”

  He wraps me up in his arms and moves deep inside of me. “Come for me, beautiful.”

  I begin to move slowly, my eyes locked on his. He’s so gorgeous, so genuine, so perfect. And he’s mine.

  Hot shivers course over my skin. I gasp as he hits every deep, aching spot within me. Our bodies find their perfect rhythm. I can’t even feel the car moving beneath us. All that I feel is the power of him so deep inside of me, his hands moving over me, and his mouth on mine as he owns me.

  I whimper as my body starts to shake.

  He grunts, shifts his hips, driving himself deeper, and I gasp. My release grips him so hard I can’t even move against him. Black spots fill my vision, my head flops down, my muscles no longer able to hold up the weight. ‘Brandon, yes…” I breathe.

  He’s all primitive sounds and heavy breathing as he buries his face hard in my neck, his fingers dig into my hips, locking me against him.

  His thick shaft grinds into me over and over.

  “Yes. Anya. Yes. Yes.” He bites out in a throaty growl.

  The cords of his muscles go tight beneath my fingers. His body hammers wildly beneath me with a force so hard it dumps us onto the floor of the limo.

  He continues to thrust into me, wedging me into the corner until he finishes a few strokes later on a shuddering moan.

  We both burst into laughter. He collapses on top of me.

  When I can finally talk I say, “That was an orgasm to remember.”

  “Mmmm, it was.” He curls me against him and his body pulses deep inside of me. It feels incredibly right.

  He brushes the damp hair away from my face.

  I push a finger into his chest. “Okay, spill it. You’re killing me. Where are we going?”

  He grins proudly. ’You’ll see.”

  I trace my finger over the curl of his lips. ‘Thank you.”

  “For the orgasm?”

  I wrap my arm across his chest, “For everything.”

  29

  I tug Anya’s hand to help her climb from the limo. I take our two bags from the driver and tip him well.

  Anya’s spinning in a circle, looking wide-eyed at the entrance of the Bed & Breakfast, “It’s so beautiful.”

  “Come on, let’s go get settled.” I offer her the crook of my arm.

  The host welcomes us and guides us to the Aloha Suite. It’s plush and decorated in a simple, warm style. A big window forms one wall of the suite. “There’s an incredible view. But since it’s dark, you’ll have to take my word for it until tomorrow. I attended a wedding here a few years ago and always wanted to come back.”

  “It’s so lovely, you did this for me?”

  I nod. “But the real reason that we’re here is because of that.” I point to a handwritten paper lying on the desk.

  Anya slowly walks over and picks it up. It’s the itinerary for the weekend, for her weekend. A private art teacher will give her two full days of plein air painting lessons in the hillsides surrounding the inn.

  Her breath catches, “What is this?”

  “Your schedule for the weekend.”

  Her voice is choked? “Plein air painting lessons? For me?”

  I nod. “Yes.”

  She runs to me, her arms wrap around me so fiercely I laugh.

  “I can’t believe it.”

  “I want you to do something that makes you happy.”

  Her arms drop away suddenly, “But I’m supposed to work…”

  “I took care of that.”

  A gigantic smile lights her eyes. “You.”

  She’s back in my arms again. “No one’s ever done something like this for me.”

  I kiss her. Should I tell her the rest? I really wanted to wait, to show her in person, but I don’t know if I can.

  “Anya…”

  “Hm?”

  I decide against it. “Let’s go down to dinner. The host has been waiting on us.”

  She bounces on her toes. “I feel like a princess.”

  “That’s the point.”

  * * *

  I thought I’d seen Anya glowing before, but now I know that was dim compared to what I’m seeing right now.

  “Was it a good day?”

  “Oh, my god. Good? That’s such a measly word for what I got to do today. It was SPECTACULAR!”

  I brush at the green paint on her cheek. “You’ve got some on you.”

  “That’s what happens when you go crazy painting.”

  I chuckle. “I know you’ve wanted to study art for a long time.”

  She pushes her red curls back into her haphazard ponytail. “Forever.”

  "I guess we’re starting a new chapter then.”

  She stills and her deep liquid blue eyes hold mine. “Yes. We are.”

  “How would you feel about an art studio at home?”

  Her eyes dance, her smile is so big it hurts my heart. “I’d love, love, love that.”

  “Good, because that’s what you’re getting.”

  Her mouth forms a little ‘o’, “Wait, what? Where?”

  I pull her down onto my lap. “You’re cute when you’re confused.”

  She touches her lips to mine for a split second. “Start explaining, please.”

  I can’t stop the smile that’s been on my face all day. “I’m putting a studio in the spare bedroom at our house.”

  She bounces up and down on me, kicking her feet. “Oh, my god. Really?” Then her brow furrows. “Our house?”

  “Anya, I’m not exactly doing this in the traditional way, but here goes nothing. Will you move in with me?”

  She bursts out laughing. “God, I knew you were trouble when you grabbed my hand and dragged me through that bar.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “Of course it is a yes. And not just because of the art studio.” She winks.

  “Alright, well we’re doing pretty good here.”

  She said she’d have a baby with me. She said she’d move in…

  I might as well go for broke.

  I slide the little ring box from my pocket. I wasn’t sure I would ask this weekend, but I w
anted to be ready. “Well, since I’m on a run here, I might as well go for broke.”

  She gapes.

  “Anya O’Reilly will you marry me?”

  Her fingers shake as she takes the box from my hand. I pull the one and a half carat solitaire ring free and slip it on her finger. She grabs me and kisses me so fast and hard we bump teeth.

  “Is that a yes?”

  She nods against my mouth. I lift her up and carry her to the bed. I spread her out below me. For several long moments I just look at every beautiful, perfect inch of her. “You just made me the happiest man in the world.”

  Epilogue

  “I’ll drive you, tonight.” Brandon calls from the laundry room.

  I pick up my oversized tote bag and water bottle from the kitchen table. “Are you sure?”

  Brandon strolls into the kitchen, basket of folded laundry under his arm, and cuts a look at me.

  He hardly ever misses an evening of driving me to class at the Lynn’s Cove fine arts center.

  ‘What are you working on tonight?”

  “Figure drawing, nudes.”

  He takes my bag as we walk down the steps in front of our duplex. “As in naked men?”

  “And women.”

  “That sounds entertaining. I could model for you at home.”

  I laugh, “No you can’t. I wouldn’t get any painting done.”

  His big arm wraps around my shoulder and he pulls me against him. “Now that sounds like fun.”

  Bishop sticks his head out from the garage bay where his vintage car is taking shape, “Where are you two lovebirds going?”

  “Taking her to class.”

  “Jeez, Anya, did you get pregnant and forget how to drive?” Bishop teases.

  “I know, right. Actually, I like it. It’s nice to have him waiting when I’m finished with class. But shh… don’t tell him it’s the ice cream he brings sometimes that really does it for me.”

  Bishop shakes his head. “He’s spoiling you.”

  I glance up at my handsome fiancé, “Yes, he is.”

  Brandon guides me to his truck. He’s closing the door when Cameron pulls up.

  My brother looks good, better than he’s looked in years. His smile is bright and his eyes are clear. My heart squeezes with happiness. “Hey, what are you doing here?”