Rescue Me: A Novel

by Christy Reece

  Henry shook his head. “I doubt that Devon maintains any illusions that Alise cares for her, but I can't bear to tell her that's the reason I want her to leave. If she doesn't get out, though, Alise will destroy her. I've no doubt about that.”

  “I'm sorry, Henry.”

  “It's not all bad. I married Alise, not seeing what she was, but I can't regret the marriage. Even though Alise will never agree to let me adopt Devon legally, she's been everything I could have wanted in a daughter.”

  “When we're together tomorrow, I'll see what I can do to ease her fear.”

  “Thank you, Jordan.”

  “She's like a little sister to me.” His mouth lifted in a grin. “I'm just glad as hell Alise isn't my mother.”

  Henry's dry chuckle was filled with understanding. “I don't blame you.”

  Leaving Henry in his office, Jordan strode through the foyer, then out the door. He had no intention of getting caught by Alise. Hopefully when he came to see Devon tomorrow, he could escape her attentions.

  Poor kid had a tough life ahead of her. Learning that she was being sent away to school had crushed her tender feelings. Tomorrow he would concentrate on boosting her ego and getting her excited about her new adventure.

  As for him, Jordan already knew the answer to his own quest for adventure. He would take on this new challenge. Making the world safer for kids like Devon was a more than worthy goal.

  one

  Eight Years Later

  With world-weary cynicism, Jordan's sleep-deprived eyes roamed over the crowded ballroom. The young and not so innocent of Washington, D.C., society milled about, pretending to be all they could be and less than they were. They looked like kids. Or did he just feel so damned old? After the hell he'd just returned from, his twenty-nine years felt ancient and jaded.

  A long swallow of his third Glenlivet on ice eased him, dimming the horrific memories of grown men screaming and body parts soaring through the air. He shouldn't have come, but he couldn't face the emptiness of his home. At least here there were people and some kind of normalcy. The music wasn't bad, the liquor was good, and the scenery downright delicious.

  A vision in white caught his attention. Time suspended into endless moments of breathless anticipation as their eyes locked. A strong surge of lust swept through him, heating his blood and surprising the hell out of him. Immediate lust wasn't his usual style. Long past the days of admiring a woman just for her beauty, he valued intelligence, a quick wit, and honor even more.

  So what made this woman different?

  Gorgeous, yes. Above-average height, maybe five-eight. Slender, but curved in just the right places. Shiny, lustrous mahogany hair pulled back into a sophisticated twist framed a breathtakingly lovely face, worthy of a poet's dreams. The severe hairstyle emphasized her high cheekbones, long, slender neck, and gently sloping shoulders. Creamy skin gleamed under the bright chandelier lights, giving her an almost ethereal glow.

  Elegance, sensuality, and beauty combined into a mesmerizing temptation. His eyes riveted, Jordan made his way slowly toward her, almost afraid she'd disintegrate if he took his eyes off her or moved too fast.

  She met him halfway, her gaze so bold and smoldering he briefly wondered if she was a hooker. These kinds of events usually drew several of the high-dollar ladies. This woman definitely possessed the beauty for it and made no secret she only had eyes for him.

  Drawing closer, he changed his mind. No. There was nothing jaded or worldly about her. She was an intriguing mixture of sensuality and freshness, scorching desire and excited wonder.

  They were within inches of each other, and the room sizzled with their combined heat. Though surrounded by hundreds of people, Jordan paid little attention to them, his eyes fixed on the beauty before him. His groin tightened and a surprising tempo set up in his chest. Damned if he'd ever felt such instantaneous attraction.

  “I've been watching you,” Jordan murmured.

  A cool smile lifted her full lips. “So I've noticed.”

  “You've been watching me, too.”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “I would imagine the same reason you've been staring at me.” Her confident tone and words washed over him like thick, warm honey, heating everything in its path.

  “I've been staring at you because …”

  She raised an elegant brow. “Because?”

  “You remind me of someone.”

  A tiny wrinkle developed on her smooth forehead as an odd expression flickered across her beautiful face. “Who?”

  “A goddess.”

  Startled, ocean-blue eyes blinked up at him and he got the strange sensation that he knew her. “Have we met?”

  She backed away slightly and shook her head. “No … I … no, we've never met.”

  Grabbing her hand, he held it against his chest to keep her where she was. “You okay? You look a little pale.”

  “Yes.”

  His hand played with soft, slender fingers pressed against his chest. “Would you like to go outside … get some fresh air?”

  “Yes.”

  “Is ‘yes’ all you can say?”

  Another smile lifted her perfect mouth. “Do you require more?”

  Desire, hot and potent, pounded through him. “No, not at this time.” A sudden need to hold her in his arms had him growling, “Let's dance first.” Ignoring her startled gasp, he drew her out onto the dance floor and wrapped his arms around her.

  Jordan had been attracted to many women over the years, but none who had hit him as hard as this. His erection pressed against the zipper of his tuxedo trousers. The woman in his arms would soon feel that solid bulge against her. As they swayed to the music, he stared down at her. Would she draw away? His mind snarled no, but he wouldn't try to keep her if he'd frightened her. If she didn't want him, if this was just a light flirtation on her part, he would back away and say good night. To stay would be foolish because he would only try to change her mind.

  Her eyes widened as she brushed up against him. There. She felt him. There was no mistaking the meaning. A slight flush darkened her face as a flicker of uncertainty entered her expression. Seconds later, passion flared, hot and intense, in the depths of her lovely eyes and Jordan hardened even more. Giving him her answer in a more direct way, she moved closer and pressed against him.

  The relief was astonishing, the fierceness of his arousal staggering. He held her closer still, allowing himself the pleasure of having a beautiful woman in his arms. It had been too long … months since he'd held a woman or felt the hot pleasure of release inside a soft, giving body. The anticipation leading up to the culmination would only make it sweeter.

  Her soft sigh washed over him as she nestled into his embrace. When she placed her head against his shoulder, it was all he could do not to lift her and fit himself against the warm, soft center of her sex. Muffled spurts of laughter and the distant sound of conversation barely penetrated the roar of lust and need in Jordan's head. They'd almost completely stopped dancing, holding each other tight, their bodies rubbing and caressing to the rhythm of sensual music only they could hear.

  A distant cessation of sound told him the music had momentarily stopped. The beauty in his arms pulled away from him and visibly shivered as if dragging herself down from their lustful cloud. Damned if he wanted to come down.

  She peeked up at him through thick, dark lashes. “Are you from D.C.?”

  Hell. She wanted to make small talk and all he wanted was her under him. Talk could come later, everything could come later except one thing. He wanted to ease himself inside her beautiful, lush body and forget reality for a few hours. “Shall we go somewhere else?”

  Her head tilted back as her eyes searched his. Jordan hid nothing. She needed to see what he wanted. He needed to see if she felt the same way.

  Small white teeth worried her luscious lower lip. Jordan held back a groan, wanting to sweep down and join his mouth to hers, bite gently on that plump lip that
glistened with moisture. When she whispered “Yes,” he almost shuddered with relief.

  Taking her hand, he led her through the crowded ballroom, unknowing and uncaring of the people surrounding them. Many of them he knew, but none of them mattered at the moment. The only person he cared about right now trembled with desire beside him. He had to find a place to ease both of them and soon.

  She stopped suddenly, tugging loose of his hand. “Where are we going?”

  “My house.”

  “Wait.”

  His heart thundered. Had she changed her mind? “Why?”

  He was surprised at the quick look of unease that flashed across her expressive face. Was she reconsidering? Had he rushed her? Dammit. She'd seemed just as anxious as he had.

  “I … just.”

  “What?”

  Her eyes flickered strangely and then, surprising him, she reached up and kissed him softly on the cheek. “Okay.”

  At her whispered answer, relief made him careless, reckless. He grabbed her hand again. “This way.”

  She followed him down a flight of stairs, then out the door. Jordan handed the doorman a hefty tip to get a cab as soon as possible. Within seconds a taxi pulled up, and Jordan ushered her into the vehicle. He lived only a few blocks away, so the waiting wasn't as agonizing as it could have been. He glanced over to see if she was as anxious as he was to be alone and caught her biting that luscious lower lip again.

  “You keep doing that and I'll have to kiss you right here.”

  She jerked as though startled. “What?”

  Jordan lifted a finger to her bottom lip and rubbed the soft, moist spot with a fingertip. “Here. I'm going to have to kiss you right …” He leaned down and sipped lightly. “Here.”

  “Oh.” The soft sigh went straight to his groin.

  Dipping his head again, he traced her lips with his mouth, barely touching… A tingling, like electricity, sparked in the scant space between their mouths. Her breath, sweet and moist, heated him and Jordan was surprised to find himself sweating. When was the last time he'd wanted a woman this bad?

  “That'll be seven-fifty, buddy.”

  His head jerked up. Hell, he hadn't even been aware of where they were. He shoved a twenty at the driver, took the soft hand beside him, and helped her out of the car. Pulling her along with him, he walked up the short flight of steps and unlocked the door. With a slight nudge, he pushed her inside and slammed the door.

  “You want a drink?” Jordan grimaced at the rough edge to his voice.

  She shook her head as her gaze took in the foyer of his home. She seemed younger here, slightly awkward.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes.” She swallowed and cleared her throat. “Yes, I'm fine.”

  “Good.” He held out his hand again, a little amused at how she kept twisting her head around to look at his house as he led her upstairs to the bedroom. He'd give her a grand tour tomorrow. Right now, he had other priorities.

  As he reached for the light switch to turn it on, her hand stopped him. “It's more romantic this way. Don't you think?”

  Moonlight from the double window beside the bed cast the room in a soft, warm glow, giving them just enough light to see each other. At this point, she could have blindfolded him and he would have agreed. He slid his jacket off, undid his tie, and pulled her hands to his chest. “Undress me.”

  Her fingers fumbled at the first two buttons and then worked quickly to unbutton his shirt. Jordan pulled on his cuffs and almost ripped the shirt off. Warm, soft hands spread across his chest, moving delicately, slowly. Hot blood raced to his erection, surging toward explosion.

  Teeth clenched for control, his hands dropped to her waist, caressing the soft curves as they moved up to her breasts. “Your nipples show through your dress. Did you know?”

  “Only if I'm cold or excited.”

  “Which are you now?”

  She gave a nervous half laugh, half gasp. “I'm certainly not cold.”

  “No. You're hot, flushed … burning.”

  He lowered his head and heard a soft hitch of breath as his mouth neared hers. Just before he touched her lips, he moved, whispering a soft kiss against the curve of her jaw. She smelled sweet, delicious, the scent so light he couldn't place it but knew he'd never forget it.

  A quiver swept through her body and surged into his as he kissed, nibbled, and licked down her neck, to her shoulder. When his mouth reached the barrier of her dress, he flipped the button at the back of her neck, and the dress slid down her body, pooling at her feet. Jordan uttered an explosive, appreciative curse as his eyes roamed down her slender curves.

  “Damn, you're beautiful.” He took a step back. “Turn around.”

  “What?”

  Her eyes widened like a startled, frightened doe. And why shouldn't she be afraid? Even to his own ears, his voice sounded deep and rumbling like a wild animal within seconds of taking down its prey. Desire throbbing and insistent, Jordan forced a smile, hoping it didn't look as feral as he felt. “I want to see all of you… Will you turn around for me?”

  There she went with those white teeth tugging at her lower lip. Before he could lean down and capture her mouth, she made a halting little turn and presented her back to him.

  Breath caught in his throat. She was a beauty from any angle. A soft, slender back flowed down to the most delectable ass he'd ever seen. Unable to stop himself, his hands cupped the perfect cheeks.

  He laughed softly at her surprised gasp. “You're beautiful everywhere…” He licked at the small hummingbird tattoo on her right shoulder, tracing it with his tongue. “I like this, too.”

  “Thank you.” Her answer, soft and low, sounded like a polite child thanking an adult for a gift, but there was nothing childlike about the soft, lovely curves before him.

  Stifling the growl building in his chest, Jordan pulled her around to face him and lowered his head. Latching on to a perfect nipple, his mouth sucked hard, her soft cry of arousal shooting electric currents straight to his engorged penis. When her hands cupped his head, pressing him against her, he suckled harder, taking her nipple even deeper into his mouth, relishing her taste, sweet but spicy.

  Oh dear God, what am I doing?

  Her body quivered, inside and out. She needed to stop him … had to stop him. She needed to say the words I'm Devon Winters. But she didn't want him to stop … she wanted him to hold her forever. How many times had she lain awake in her bed, dreaming of this? Wanting this without really understanding what she wanted? This need, this overwhelming urgency went far beyond her fanciful imaginings.

  If she said the words, he would stop. Everything would stop.

  When she'd overheard Henry telling her mother that Jordan was back home and planned to attend this ball, she'd cooked up this plan. Finally, after years of waiting, she was going to see Jordan again. She'd gone into the charade with only one purpose … hoping, praying he would see her as an attractive, mature woman. Then, after a light, teasing flirtation, she would tell him the truth. They would have a good laugh and then he'd accept her as she was now and never look at her as the child she'd once been. Not in her wildest imaginings had she considered they'd end up in his bedroom.

  Yes, she'd dreamed about him, fantasized about making love to him. But nothing had prepared her for the incredible intensity or rightness. Jordan Montgomery wanted her … Devon Winters. It was almost too good to be true.

  For years, she had loved him … the prince charming of her childhood fantasies, the hero who rescued her from her nightmares. The love of her life. So many things in her life had changed, but the one thing that had remained constant was her love for Jordan. Not seeing him for years hadn't lessened her adoration. If anything, her love had only grown stronger.

  He was still the most handsome man she'd ever met. Maturity and character had sharpened the once-smooth edges of his face. Dark velvet brown eyes held mystery and substance, as if he knew secrets the average person could never fathom. What ever
Jordan had been doing all these years, the experience had given him a sexy aloofness she found wildly attractive.

  Warm breath caressed her as he moved away and then latched on to her other nipple. Hard calloused hands slid over her, fingers hooked the edge of her pan ties and pulled them down. She barely felt the silk land around her feet as Jordan's hands cupped her butt and pressed her against his body. Devon held back a cry, partly of fear, mostly of the absolute beauty of the moment.

  Hot clouds of desire washed over her, obliterating good sense and coherent thought. Nothing mattered. The truth could wait, everything could wait except the here and now. Devon closed her eyes on a sigh and surrendered to the glorious sensation of having her dreams come true. This was Jordan, and she loved him. Giving herself to him was natural and beautiful.

  Consequences and reality vanished. With a small sob of need, Devon grasped his head and held him to her breast. The feel of him drawing her nipple deeper into the hot moist cavern of his mouth created a scorching heat. This was so much more than she anticipated. Her fantasies could never come close to the reality.

  Pulling his mouth away from her breasts, he pressed soft kisses down her torso. Everything inside her was winding up and unraveling at the same time.

  “Jordan,” she groaned a tortured whisper.

  He straightened and stared down at her. “How'd you know my name?”

  Lost in the moment, it took Devon several seconds before she could come up with a reply. “I … I asked someone.”

  His sensuous mouth moved up into the beautiful smile she so loved. “You have me at a disadvantage then. You know my name, but I don't know yours.”

  “Mary.” The name popped into her head and out of her mouth.

  His smile dimmed. “I see.” Brown eyes searched hers for several heart-pounding seconds. Had he somehow guessed her identity? Was he just playing a cruel game with her?

  “You don't look like a Mary, but I can't call you Goddess all night long, can I?”

  “No,” she whispered, relieved he hadn't guessed the truth, but suddenly wanting to come clean and tell him everything. He might hate her for lying, but how much more would he hate her if they made love? As wonderful as this felt, she'd never intended to take her deception this far. “Jordan, I—”