An Opportunity Seized

by Donna Gallagher

  “Be careful, little lady. Don’t rile the sleeping beast.”

  She burst out laughing. “Sleeping beast… That’s funny. Didn’t feel all that beastly to me. In fact it felt pretty damn good, if you ask me. What’s the opposite of beast?” she asked as she traced her fingers up and down his cock.

  “I don’t know and if you keep touching me like that, I don’t really care,” Jason replied as he climbed back onto the bed.

  She giggled again. For the life of her, Toni couldn’t remember being the giggly type but it seemed that she was where Jason was concerned.

  They lay in each other’s arms for a while, caressing and stroking, each familiarizing themselves with the other’s body. Toni was euphoric. She had never felt so bold, so confident about her own sexuality. So close to someone.

  “You okay, luv?”

  “More than okay, Jason,” she replied, once again stroking her hand over Jason’s chin, enjoying the prickle of beard stubble under her fingertips.

  “I’ve never felt better than I do at this moment.” The sigh escaping her lips was testament to the way she was feeling. “I’m glad you came to my rescue. Truth is, while I really was enjoying being on my own—or thinking I was—I was lonely. Today and tonight, sharing the sights, dinner and now this…” She waved her arm over the two of them. “It’s just so much better sharing.”

  Toni was doing her best not to seem too desperate, keep things on the light side between her and Jason, but she was just so happy. She wanted to explain how much being with him meant to her. But how far should she go?

  “I’ve had a pretty good day too, luv. You’re good company. I’m used to doing things solo—comes with the job—but why are you over here alone? I thought someone in your position would have plenty of friends who would jump at the chance of a holiday. Yet here you are, halfway across the world alone. If you were my woman, there’s no way I’d let you travel without me. It’s not safe.”

  Just the thought of being Jason’s ‘woman’, as he put it, sent a tingle up her spine. Oh how she wished she could find someone like him to share her life with, but it was the ‘someone in your position’ that brought her crashing back down from her fantasy world.

  What had he meant by that? Did he think just because her family had money that she was popular, spent her days floating from one social event to another? It was so far from her reality it was laughable. He obviously didn’t know her very well, hadn’t done a thorough background check on her very boring life—a life she had created for herself, since she had refused so many invitations that they’d stopped coming.

  In reality, Toni had very little to do with the rich, young socialites her family had hoped she would join ranks with. There was no way she wanted her picture splashed across the gossip pages, especially with her looks. She didn’t fit in. She didn’t want to live in that world and the ‘normal’ world never let her forget the other. She was a misfit.

  “Will you stay the night with me?” Jason asked her “Let me hold you while we grab some shut-eye. We have a busy day of sightseeing tomorrow. I need my beauty sleep.” Jason kissed her on the tip of her nose and she sighed.

  Toni didn’t want to go to sleep. She wanted to enjoy this feeling for as long as she could. Having his arms wrapped around her made her feel safe, content. Eventually, her new-found lucky break would end and Jason would come to his senses. Someone as gorgeous as Jason should be partnered with a tall, leggy blonde—some model or actress. Toni could almost imagine the woman that was meant to be with him. It was certainly not her. If it hadn’t been for her father’s money, she probably wouldn’t have even registered on his radar, and soon this job would be over for him.

  But for now, she was going to enjoy every second she had with her hero-turned-bodyguard. If he was hired to protect her for the length of her holiday, she had another glorious week to enjoy herself.

  Chapter Seven

  Jason had been watching Toni sleep for twenty minutes. He needed to take a piss, but was reluctant to disturb her by moving. She looked so beautiful lying next to him. Her breasts pushed up against his side, the softness and swell of her tempting cleavage not helping the morning wood he was sporting. Her curly hair was splayed out on the pillow, and Jason was playing with one of the springy locks as he took in her delicate features. Her eyelashes were long, her lips full and inviting, so kissable. She was small against his frame, her stomach and hips lush and curvy, just right for a man to cuddle into. His other arm was numb from having it wrapped around her body but he didn’t care. He wanted to hold onto this moment for as long as he could. Jason wasn’t sure what sort of reaction he was going to receive when Toni awoke. Will she be embarrassed from the previous night’s activities? Maybe regretful? Sorry that she’s slept with the hired help, even if it isn’t her that’s paying my wage?

  He didn’t think she was the type for a one-night stand but really, how could he know for sure? He’d only known her for a short time. He didn’t really know Toni at all.

  Why am I even thinking about this kinda shit? What does it matter how many blokes she’s fucked or how often she does it? You’re sounding like a lovestruck teenager, a fucking sensitive new age guy and you’re no SNAG, there is nothing sensitive about you, bucko. Fuck ’em and leave ’em. That’s the motto. Right? There’s no real future for us. Shit, I’ve never wanted a future before. Why the hell would I want to worry about one now? ’Cause she’s different, dickhead, the voice inside his head added helpfully.

  But what did that matter? Different, bloody perfect or sexy as all get out didn’t change the fact that she was the daughter of one of the richest, most powerful men in Australia. Like her father was going to let her hook up with an ex-soldier who came from nowhere and had very little to offer his only daughter.

  “What’s got you all scowly, Mr. Security Man? I bet you’ve got a case of numb arm from me lying on it all night.”

  The sound of Toni’s voice snapped him back to the real world. She was looking up at him, her big brown eyes still holding a hint of sleepiness. He didn’t know how long Toni had been awake or even how long he’d been lost in thought. What he did know was that Toni was moving her arm down his body, and that any moment now her hand would make contact with his dick and find it rock-hard. He really needed to take a piss before he could concentrate on anything else.

  “Morning, luv. How’d you sleep?” Jason asked as he stalled her arm from its expedition with his own. “I need to take a leak. Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.”

  Jason dragged his body away from hers, feeling the immediate loss of her warmth as he stood, already trying to decide what part of Toni’s body he’d feast on after his trip to the bathroom. Maybe I could spend some time sucking on her tits, get her to straddle my cock and take a ride at the same time. Yeah, I could definitely see the promise in that. His fantasy was interrupted by the sound of her voice.

  “…me too, and I am in desperate need of a shower and coffee. I just don’t function well without caffeine, lots of it… I didn’t think I’d fall asleep last night or this morning, whatever time it was. I planned to get up before you woke, go back to my own room and get ready for the day ahead.”

  Okay, so that pulled him up short—he hadn’t caught all of what she’d said to him but from the bits he had registered, it sounded like Toni wasn’t interested in them going for another round this morning, and while that idea disappointed Jason, it was Toni admitting she’d wanted to escape before he awoke that really knocked his ego around. After all, that was usually his forte… The irony was not lost on him. Putting a cheery smile on his face or hoping he was, Jason turned back toward her.

  The sight of her stretching out on the bed gloriously naked nearly floored him. Her arms were stretched toward the ceiling, her back arched and raised off the bed, pushing her breasts up. Her nipples were hard and pointing up to the heavens. It was the hottest thing he’d ever seen. If he wasn’t already sporting a hard-on—one that was now causing him a huge amou
nt of discomfort—it would have given him another. Fuck me, gotta get a grip… Stop drooling and say something, dickhead.

  “Okay, game plan is. I’ll use the bathroom and then you can freshen up while I organize some coffee. White with one. Right?” he managed to stammer out as he spun away from the erotic view before him, then staggered into the bathroom before slamming the door shut behind him for good measure so he wouldn’t be tempted to go back to the bed and take Toni again.

  Waking to see the scowl on Jason’s face had certainly shaken Toni’s bravado. She hadn’t meant to fall asleep and had been disorientated for a moment when her eyes had opened. When she’d seen his body next to hers, the memories had flooded back quickly. Remembering the night’s activities, it was no wonder she was feeling a little stiff. It was a glorious feeling and Toni had been enjoying the reminiscing, until she’d noticed his scowl.

  He didn’t waste a second escaping from the bed either. She’d decided that as soon as Jason went into his bathroom she would jump up, grab her robe and go back to her room. She really didn’t want to face any excuses or regrets from him until after she was clean and full of coffee. When she heard the sound of the door bang shut, it startled her into action. Toni swung her legs over the edge of the mattress and got out of bed. Trying to be as quiet as she could, she put on her robe and crept from the room, the click of the door as it latched closed behind her a somber sign that her fantasy night was over. Safely back in the sanctuary of her own room, Toni took time to evaluate the situation. She boiled the little kettle the hotel supplied and made a coffee as she tried to decide how she would play it.

  It was obvious that Jason had been annoyed that she was still in his bed—his actions had confirmed that when he’d stopped her from touching him and fled. Of course he probably wouldn’t say anything to her about it, given that he still had the job of shadowing her. Maybe he’ll ask someone else to take over? The thought put her into a panic. No, he’d need a good reason and it would take at least a day for someone to get here to replace him. Guess old Ma and Pa wouldn’t want me traipsing around without their spies. If I can convince him I meant to go back to my room… That I’m not looking for a repeat performance… Maybe he’ll hang around. I wonder if he really wants to do the whole sightseeing, touristy thing with me or retreat back to following me, hiding in the shadows?

  She was working herself into a frenzy trying to decide what to do. One-night stands or even relationships were not her field. She was flying blind and had no one to turn to for advice. Deciding that a shower was at least the first step needed, Toni quickly washed and dressed. Just as she was putting on her sandals, there was a knock at her door.

  Hopping, one shoe on and the other dangling from her grasp, Toni opened the door.

  “You didn’t even look through the peephole,” Jason growled at her. “Don’t you have any kind of self-preservation instincts? You never think of your own safety. I know, I’ve seen it first-hand over the last few days. For God’s sake, Toni, it’s written on the back of your door not to open without checking first who it is. And that is advice for everyday folk, not just bloody heiresses.” Jason pushed past her and stormed into her room.

  He was so angry with her that Toni unconsciously took a step back, putting more space between them. She’d never been yelled at like that before and Jason was frightening her. All she’d done was open the door. Anyone would think, the way he was carrying on, that she’d walked into some gangster’s house with a loaded weapon and demanded their drug money. When he’d pointed out the heiress part, it was as if a barb had struck her heart. She didn’t want him to see her that way—ridiculous really, given that he was hired to protect her and all. Not that it really mattered what he thought anymore. It was clear her luck of the previous day had run out.

  “Don’t yell at me,” she finally managed to blurt out. “I can open the door or shut the door however I like. I can do and go anywhere I decide too—without your permission or advice. You do not get to lecture me. I get lectured enough by my parents. I do not need to hear it from the person that was hired to follow me and, might I add, without my knowledge or my approval. And not counting the attentions of the low flying goose with a significant bowel condition yesterday, I’ve managed to remain free from the clutches of evil and chaos all on my own accord.”

  The instant the words had spilled from her mouth, Toni wanted to capture them all and reel them back in, but it had been too late. She didn’t know what had got into her. She never argued or caused a scene. Hated confrontation. But for some reason Jason had caused her to erupt.

  The change in Jason was immediate. Her words had scored a direct hit. It was obvious by the way he straightened to his full height, the way his eyes became cold. Eyes that Toni had gazed into, taken comfort and joy from the warmth they had shown her, were now looking like icy glaciers. There was no emotion apparent on his face. It was even scarier than him shouting at her, the change in him. Toni could almost feel the wave of cold indifference hit her as he stared her down.

  “I’m sorry, Jason… I didn’t mean to—” she began to apologize.

  “No, you’re right. This is why I should not have made contact with you. It’s crucial with the work I do not to get personally involved with a client. It can cloud your focus, your judgment. Be a distraction. I overstepped the boundaries. It’s my responsibility to see to your safety. I had no right to speak to you that way. In fact, I have no right to converse with you at all. It won’t happen again.” Jason’s reply was delivered without emotion, his voice flat and to the point.

  Toni wanted to cry. This was not the way she had wanted today to go. She had been hoping that they could at least be friends, travel companions—that he could share in her excitement as they visited the many historical landmarks still on her itinerary.

  Yes, she would have gladly fallen into his bed again but understood she had blown that opportunity. The idea that she had ruined any chance of their continued friendship was more than she could bear. Try as she might, Toni could not stop the flow of tears that were now rolling down her cheeks.

  As he wrapped his arms around her shoulders, Jason guided her head to his chest, but still she could not stop blubbering.

  “Shush, luv, don’t cry. I’m sorry, so sorry. Please stop the tears,” Jason pleaded as he rubbed the back of her neck. “I overreacted. I didn’t mean to upset you or come on so strong. It’s just when you’ve seen what I’ve seen, know what people can do, what sick sons of bitches roam this world… It makes you jumpy. I just don’t want to see you get hurt… Not doing so great with that so far…huh?”

  Between the sensation of Jason’s fingers gently kneading her neck and the words he was whispering to her, Toni started to regain control. Her tears stopped, the joy of being held in this man’s arms taking hold of her emotions. It felt so good to lean against him. Her nose buried into his chest, she could smell his scent, strong, masculine. Toni wasn’t sure if it was Jason’s cologne or just him, but she liked it. He was so strong yet, at that very moment, tender toward her.

  “I don’t regret for a minute that I let it get personal with you, luv. I really want to get the chance to know you, spend more time with you. The problem will be that it’s a new experience for me. I’ve never felt this way before. I might become a little overbearing. Can you handle that, Toni? Will you forgive me? Give me another chance? Last night was amazing, waking up and seeing you lying next to me, holding you in my arms… I want that again.” Jason paused for a moment.

  Toni lifted her head from his chest, looked up. She saw the truth of his words reflected in the warmth of his eyes as he gazed down on her.

  “Do you want that too, Toni? Can you see us spending time together? Or have I blown my chance? Am I relegated back to following you around in the background again?”

  Toni’s head was spinning. She was so confused. She’d thought she’d driven him away, yet here he was begging her to give them another chance. She’d been prepared to work to retain Jason�
��s friendship. He was offering her more than that, talking about getting to know her and waking up with her in his arms. It was more than she could have wished for. But still a tiny voice in her head was telling her to slow down. Will he feel the same way when it’s time to go home or is this just a holiday fling for him? How will you cope when he says goodbye? You’re already head over heels for him. What will your parents think if they find out?

  She didn’t care. Ignoring the voices forecasting doom inside her head, she reached for him, pulling his head down toward her so her lips could reach his. Toni kissed Jason for all she was worth, hoping her actions were answer enough to his questions.

  Jason cupped her face with his large hands and a shiver went up her spine.

  “Judging by the heat of that kiss, you want to spend more time with me too, luv.”

  That was exactly what Toni wanted—more time with Jason in and out of his bed. She popped open the first button on his shirt.

  “Let me show you just how much,” she said, as she pressed her palms against Jason’s chest, rubbing circles around his flattened, dark nipples with her finger.

  “Mmm, I’m liking where this is headed,” he replied.

  Toni loved the firm contours of Jason’s chest, the slight covering of hair that narrowed toward his hips leading a path to his cock. She wanted to get him naked, see his body in all its glory and worship it. He had other ideas, though.

  Jason gripped the bottom of her T-shirt. “Let me help you with this, luv. You won’t be needing any clothes on for what I have in mind for you today,” he said, grinning wickedly.

  Standing naked in front of Jason in the stark light of day was making Toni feel uncomfortable. Her hands involuntarily sought to cover her body from his view.

  “Don’t hide from me. You are beautiful. I want you, need you,” Jason said, his voice gravelly as he pulled her hands away from her breasts. “Look at my cock if you need any proof. I’m as hard as a rock.”