Guarding Valentina [Paladin Protection Agency 3] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Susan Hayes

  “From what I’ve seen, you’re all worth your weight in gold. Anyone brave enough to go up against the supernatural as a career choice is a rare sort indeed. Most people don’t even want to consider the possibility there’s more evil in this world than just what we human beings can create.” He took the glasses from her and poured them each a healthy portion. “If you’re looking for me to judge you, Val, it won’t happen. Glass houses and stones and all that.”

  He handed her back one of the glasses, letting his fingers slide over hers in a brief caress. Then he raised his own glass in toast. “Here’s to those of us mad enough to try to save the world from ghoulies and ghosties and long-leggedy beasties and things that go bump in the night.”

  She touched her glass to his, and he watched as she sipped the contents, a look of pure rapture crossing her face as she savored the liquor. His own drink might as well have been swamp water for all he enjoyed it because he was completely distracted by Val’s sensuous expression. He wanted to be the one to put that look in her eyes. Before he even realized he was moving, he had her back in his arms and his mouth was crushed against hers. Now he could taste the whisky, smoky and rich as it blended with the subtle sweetness that was all her own. His tongue teased against her lips, and she opened her mouth for him with a low groan that had his cock rock hard in seconds. He wanted her so badly it was a physical ache.

  His free hand landed firmly on her ass, and he pulled her tight against his cock, needing something to ease the throbbing need that filled him. She straddled his thigh and ground herself against it, her tongue dueling with his. With his last few functioning brain cells, he managed to remember the drink in his hand, and he set it down on the nearest flat surface before turning all his attention to the woman in his arms. He shifted his body just enough to wrap both hands around the tight curve of her ass and lifted her off the ground, ignoring her squeal of surprise as her feet dangled. He couldn’t get enough of her. He needed her wrapped around him as he buried himself inside her. He had never wanted anything as much as he wanted her right now.

  He carried Val to the nearest counter and settled her butt on the edge, groaning in encouragement as she wrapped her legs around his waist and squeezed. Her pussy ground over the hard ridge of his dick, and they both moaned in unison. Her fingers traced over his ear, and he couldn’t stop the shudder that raced through him. Two kisses and she’d already found his weak spot. He was in a world of trouble. His cock twitched in his jeans, and he knew that if any more blood headed south, he was going to end up light-headed.

  She broke their kiss to nuzzle her way to his ear, blowing a soft puff of air across it as he bit back another groan. He heard her laugh very softly as she leaned in and ran her tongue along his ear’s outer curve, and all the breath left his lungs in one explosive burst.

  “You like this?” she asked, her voice so soft and breathy that he knew she was teasing him on purpose.

  Instead of answering, Aedan reached between them and pressed his thumb to the seam of her jeans where it lay over her pussy. He moved it in firm, tight circles and was rewarded by a moan of pleasure as he found her clit beneath the fabric.

  She sucked his earlobe into his mouth in retaliation, and her low moans as he toyed with her clitoris made for a pleasurable buzzing that filled his head and made it hard to think.

  “Dinner,” she murmured in a muffled voice, her tongue flicking over his flesh as she tried to talk.

  “We’re going to burn dinner.”

  “Forget dinner. The only thing I want to eat right now is you.”

  She groaned in frustration and bucked her hips against his hand. “We should eat. It’s going to be a long night.”

  “Yes, it will be, because if Christoph’s a good boy and stay’s clear of us, I intend to keep you awake most of it, making you scream my name.”

  She nipped at his earlobe then leaned back so he could see her face. Her eyes were glowing with barely controlled desire, and her cheeks were flushed. Her arms went around his shoulders, and she grinned at him.

  “If you intend to keep up with me, you’re going to need to eat.” She slid off the counter and let her full weight press into his groin as she held herself to his body by the strength of her legs alone. His hand was still pinned between them, and she arched her hips to grind her pussy against his fingers one last time.

  “I don’t cook for just anyone.” She kissed him, giving him another taste of whisky and woman before pulling away again. “But since I made dinner, I will agree to letting you decide what’s for dessert.”

  “Deal,” he growled and kissed her hard before finally lifting her off of him. She released her legs from around his hips and let her body ride his all the way down. She was teasing him so badly it was all he could do not to put her over his shoulder and carry her off to her bedroom. Fortunately for her, he still wasn’t sure where her bedroom was. Otherwise they’d already be heading for bed. He suspected he wasn’t going to be able to enjoy the home-cooked meal she’d made for him, not when all he could think about was making her moan while he explored every inch of her sweet body.

  He shook his head to clear it of the dirty thoughts dancing around in there and looked around for his nearly untouched glass of whisky. Finding it back on the table, he grabbed it and took a long swallow. “I may be ruined now,” he muttered into his glass. “Every time I drink whisky, I’m going to remember that kiss and the way you tasted.”

  “That might be the sexiest thing anyone has ever said to me.” She was already back at the stove, taking their dinner off the heat and adding the last few seasonings.

  “If that’s the sexiest thing anyone has ever said to you, the men in your life have a lot to answer for.”

  “I’ll be sure to tell them that, the next time I run into one of them.” Her tone was light, but he could sense something had changed. She’d distanced herself from him again, and gone back into hiding behind the armor she wore. He tried to touch her thoughts, but her shields were rock-solid. He couldn’t sense even a glimmer of what she was thinking. I’ll just have to do this the hard way.

  He sat back at the table and watched as she finished preparing dinner, his drink in his hand and the taste of her still on his tongue. He’d spent his life on the hunt. Val was one target he had no intention of letting get away from him.

  Chapter 6

  She should have ordered them a pizza, Val thought to herself as she watched him enjoying the meal she’d cooked for them. She never cooked for anyone but herself or her adopted family at Paladin. She didn’t want to be seen as a homebody or wife material. She was a soldier, not a homemaker. So why did I cook for Aedan? Val wasn’t sure what the answer to that was. It hadn’t been a conscious decision. She’d just started cooking.

  To Aedan’s credit, he’d been nothing but appreciative. He’d complimented her cooking several times, and when he’d asked for a third serving, she’d felt ridiculously pleased. She could have sworn that watching her cook had actually relaxed him. And then when he’d kissed her that second time…Holy shit, that man can kiss. Her toes curled at the memory, and she wondered if he’d meant what he said about making her scream his name all night. If he fucked the way he kissed, she sure hoped so.

  And when this is over and he goes away, what are you going to do then? You already like him too much. You’re going to get hurt. As the nagging voices of doubt tried to chime in, she firmly shoved them into a box and stuffed it into a quiet corner of her mind. She’d been hurt before and survived just fine. This time she’d just be sure to guard her heart.

  Val nibbled on the last morsel of her cheese toast and then deliberately licked her fingers as she realized Aedan was watching her from across the table. Heat flared in his eyes, and she winked at him, letting him know she’d caught him staring.

  “Dinner was amazing. Thank you.” He winked back at her and set down his fork. “But now I think I really, really want dessert.”

  She didn’t even see him move. One second he was
sitting down, and the next he was behind her, his hands on her shoulders. “That is still really damned freaky,” she told him as his hands moved down to the collar of her shirt.

  “You’ll get used to it.” His fingers tangled into the fabric, and she heard the sound of cloth tearing. Cool air wafted over her skin and she realized he’d torn her shirt down to her navel, leaving her dressed in nothing but a bra.

  “Aedan!” She tried to turn around to glower at him, but his hands were back on her shoulders and he wouldn’t let her move that far.

  “I’ll buy you a new one.” He chuckled as his lips traced a pathway from her ear to her shoulder.

  “This isn’t what I had in mind as dessert!”

  “We’ll get to dessert in a minute.” His hands slid down her body, pausing to cup her breasts through the thin cotton bra she was wearing. His fingers teased the already hardening buds of her nipples, and her pussy instantly reacted, soaking her panties. He tweaked each nub gently before letting go of her to tear away the last bit of her shirt. His hands smoothed back up to her shoulders, easing the torn fabric back so she could shrug out of it.

  “Take off your bra for me, sweetheart. I want to see you.”

  “What are you planning?” Val wasn’t sure when she’d lost control of the situation, but sitting in her kitchen with the tattered remains of her T-shirt in Aedan’s hand, she had no doubt she was not calling the shots right now.

  “That’s for me to know and you to find out.” His breath fanned over the back of her neck and made thrill bumps chase down her spine. “Now, are you going to take off that bra, or am I going to have to buy you a new one of those, too?”

  “Are you enjoying yourself?” she grumbled, twisting her head back over her shoulder to give him a dirty look. “If you’re going to go all alpha male on me, then you’re definitely going to be sleeping on the couch tonight!”

  “Nuh-uh.” He reached around again and snapped the clasp on her bra with a twitch of his fingers. “Not unless you’re sleeping there with me.”

  “Aedan, this isn’t going to work.” She tried another tactic just as his warm hands curved around her breasts. He drew his fingertips around her areolas in slow circles, and her body betrayed her in an instant. Her nipples hardened to points under his touch, and she felt her pussy grow slicker as he played her body like an instrument.

  “I’m not going to tie you up, or hurt you.” His voice was a soft, sultry whisper by her ear. “This isn’t about control, Val. It’s about pleasure, yours and mine.” He flicked lightly at her breasts, and she bit back a gasp at the exquisite sensation. “It’s going to be a long, dangerous night. Let’s play while we still have time.”

  “Play?”

  She heard him grumble something under his breath, and he came around to face her, one hand on either side of her, caging her in as he leaned down to brace his weight on her chair. “What sort of lovers have you been choosing for yourself, luv? Yes, I meant play. If sex isn’t fun, you’re not doing it right.” He lowered his head until his mouth was just a fraction of an inch from hers. “You’re beautiful, and sexy as hell, and I want to enjoy the time we have together. Now, will you please stop worrying and just say yes?”

  “Yes to what?” It was hard to think when he was so close. He smelled good, and she couldn’t stop thinking about the way her body reacted when he kissed her.

  “Yes to everything I want to do to you.” He grinned and brushed a kiss to her lips. “I promise you won’t regret it.”

  Her heart slammed against her ribs, and her brain stuttered. Caught in a tug-of-war between doubt and concern, it was her libido who finally won out. “Yes!”

  “Good choice.” His mouth sealed over hers before she could utter another word. His kiss was hot, hard, and demanding, his arms caging her in, keeping her in the chair. Not that she wanted to move. Not when his tongue darted between her lips to tangle with hers and she couldn’t think past the need to have him keep touching her. She reached out and snagged his shirt, and then tugged it out of his jeans. Her fingers slid underneath the cloth to stroke over his bare skin, and she heard him groan low in his throat.

  She dragged her nails lightly over his flanks, and he groaned again. His kiss deepened, claiming every inch of her mouth as he nipped and suckled at her lips. He leaned into her, and the chair creaked in warning, bringing her back to her senses. She broke their kiss with reluctance. “I’m not sure the furniture is going to hold up to this abuse.”

  “The table looks sturdy enough.” He flashed her a wicked grin and kissed the tip of her nose before standing up and skinning his shirt over his head. As he dropped it onto the floor, she couldn’t help but appreciate the view. She worked with some of the fittest, sexiest men in Seattle, but Aedan made her mouth water just looking at him. He was lean, but what she’d taken for thinness was actually a streamlined torso of solid muscle. He caught her staring and flexed for her, grinning like a schoolboy.

  “Like what you see?”

  “How do you eat like you do and look like that?” She reached out to brush her fingertips over the ridged line of his stomach.

  “You’re not going to like the answer.” He winked at her and then started clearing the table with more speed than care.

  “I’ll not like it if you break my dishes either.” She rose to help and met with his waggling finger.

  “You sit right there and don’t move. I haven’t finished with you yet. And I won’t break your dishes.”

  “You’re pushy tonight.” She sat back down and crossed her arms over her chest.

  “I have plans for us, luv. And the sun sets in an hour. I’m a man on a schedule.” He flashed her that grin that made her insides heat. “And to answer your other question, it doesn’t matter what I eat. It’s one of those dhampir traits I mentioned earlier. Workouts help, but even if I ate nothing but ice cream and cakes for a month, I’d still have this body.”

  “You’re right.” She stuck her tongue out at him. “I don’t like that answer at all. That’s totally unfair!”

  “Life’s unfair, sweetheart. Anyone that says differently is selling something.”

  “Did you just paraphrase Wesley’s speech from The Princess Bride?”

  He finished with the table and crossed the room to crouch in front of her. “I may have.” He had her in his arms and cradled against his bare chest before she could so much as argue.

  “Aedan!” She kicked her dangling feet and glowered up at him. “Put me down!”

  She caught the gleam of mischief in his hazel eyes as he laid her down on the newly cleared table. “As you wish.”

  “This is not what I meant.” She squirmed, trying to get to the edge of the table.

  “You said I was in charge of dessert.” His hand stroked over a breast, pressing her back down. “Trust me.”

  She looked up into his handsome face and saw nothing there but playful desire. “All right.” Val tucked her arms behind her head so they acted as a pillow and tried not to think about the fact she was sprawled half-naked on her kitchen table. “So, what happens now?”

  “Now you stay still, and I go on a quest.” He leaned down to kiss her, his fingers stroking her cheek. “You’re so beautiful.”

  She felt a pang of regret as he moved away from her, heading for her fridge. She watched in amusement as he started rifling through the contents, setting a handful of items onto the counter where she couldn’t see them. He lifted up a glass jar full of bright red fruit. “How many jars of maraschino cherries does one woman need?”

  “Those are special. They’re soaked in whisky.”

  “Gods above, woman. I didn’t know you could do that to cherries!” He cracked open the jar and groaned as he took a deep breath of the fumes. “If I were the marrying kind, this might just have inspired a proposal.”

  He set the jar on the counter and closed the fridge door, giving her a wink as he checked to make sure she was still where he’d put her. “Now, what have we got in the freezer?”


  “There’s no way in hell you’re putting anything near me that’s been in the freezer!”

  She caught the smirk on his face as he glanced over his shoulder. “I’d not be making a bet on that, luv.”

  “You’re enjoying this way too much,” she grumbled and closed her eyes in resignation.

  “Not nearly as much as I’m going to enjoy what comes next.” She didn’t even hear him move this time, but the next thing she knew, there was a soft cloth lying over her eyes. “I don’t want you peeking.” Aedan’s voice was a sexy whisper by her ear as he adjusted what could only be the tattered remains of her shirt over her face. “I’ll only be another minute. Don’t go anywhere.”

  Val just waved him away, not trusting her voice any longer. Despite her complaining, she had never felt this turned on in her life. Her pussy was wet, and her clit was already swollen and aching to be touched. Anticipation was making her crazy and not being able to see what he was up to was only making it worse. She could hear him as he opened drawers and cupboards, and when the freezer door opened she growled low in her throat. “No.”

  “You, shush. I’m creating a masterpiece here.”

  She heard the sound of an ice cream lid being pried open, and she knew he’d found her secret stash of Chunky Monkey ice cream. What the hell is he doing over there? She’d run out of patience and was about to pull off her blindfold and peek when she sensed movement. He was too fast and too quiet to hear, but she was starting to get familiar with the odd way the air shifted when he was moving at preternatural speed. His mouth grazed over hers, and she could taste the potent flavor of whisky and cherry juice on his lips. “You started without me,” she protested.

  “I’ll make it up to you.”

  Goose bumps chased down her body as something cold and wet touched the peak of one breast and trickled down her skin. She tried to lift her head to see what he’d done, but he kissed her again, pushing her head back down to the table.