Celebrating Love: Saints Protection & Investigations

by Maryann Jordan

  27

  “So, are you going to move in?”

  Bayley was sitting in one of Nick’s comfortable chairs turned to face the wide window, her feet propped up and her computer in her lap, the sunset providing the perfect view. Her fingers stilled their pecking, halting over the keyboard. Looking over, she stared at Nick, lounging on the sofa, Mr. Lickers curled up at his side. Her gaze dropped to the cat, whose fur he was rubbing. Grinning, she asked, “Are you talking to me or Mr. Lickers?”

  Matching her smile, he replied, “I kinda figured you two were a package deal.”

  Nodding, she agreed, “Yeah, we are.” Sobering, she sucked in her lips. “Are you asking for real?”

  “Sweetheart, we may have only known each other a short while, but have you ever known me to not be serious, especially about something that matters so much?”

  Setting her computer onto the floor, she stood and walked to him, sliding onto his lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck, he enveloped her waist with his hands. Peering into his eyes, she said softly, “I know you said we could live anywhere, but I’ve got another two months on my apartment’s lease. Why don’t we just stay like we are for now and make up our minds when all the craziness surrounding our lives settles down.”

  He said nothing for a moment, his eyes not leaving hers. “What you’re saying makes sense but I get the feeling there’s more behind those words. Come on, Bayley. Give it all to me.”

  “I know how I feel about you, Nick, but you’ve seen my apartment. What if I move in and our styles clash?”

  “You know how you feel about me?”

  Huffing, she replied, “Yes, but that’s not the point.”

  “It’s exactly the point.” He slid one of his hands over her shoulder, cupping her jaw. His thumb caressed her smooth cheek. “Tell me…because, Bayley, it’s everything.”

  Heart pounding as the momentous thoughts slammed into her, she whispered, “I’m falling in love with you, Nicholas Stone…or more accurately, I’ve already fallen. I think I might have fallen in love with you the moment I saw you sitting at Neon’s bar, all stiff and out of place. And then when you walked me to my car and I looked up at you, the light from the streetlight beaming down on you, I felt struck by lightning. And I’ve never said this to anyone before.” Having spoken her thoughts, her breath left in a whoosh of exertion. Swallowing deeply, she felt the heat of blush on her face as she waited to see his response.

  The edges of his lips curved slowly upward until his smile reached his eyes and was all she could see.

  “I love you, too, Bayley Hanssen. I think I fell in love with you the moment you told me you named your car Prissy. And not even the streetlight could compete with the illumination from your smile shining up at me.”

  Her sob caught in her throat as he pulled her in, his lips crashing into hers. She heard moaning but was unable to tell if it came from her or him. He deepened the kiss and she reveled in the feel of his tongue plunging inside, swirling with hers. Drinking him in, his distinctive taste filled her senses. Barely aware of being lifted, she wound her arms tighter as he carried her down the hall, hearing the click of the door, keeping Mr. Lickers at bay.

  Setting her feet gently on the floor, Nick peered into her lust-filled eyes. “Tell me again.”

  Smiling, she whispered, “I love you.”

  Matching her grin, he kissed her nose before sliding his lips close to her ear and whispering back, “And I love you.” With those words, he took her mouth once more, pressing her tightly to his chest. He felt her nipples pebble and the desire to taste them was overwhelming as he snaked his hands to the bottom of her shirt. Pulling it over her head, he admired her breasts, pushed up in a black, lacy bra. His lips moved from hers, trailing kisses down her neck to the top of her breasts. Moving from one to the other, he sucked her nipples through the lace until he thought he would go mad with want. As though she had read his mind, she slid her hands from his shoulders to her chest, where she pulled the cups down, exposing the perfect, rosy-tipped mounds.

  Unsnapping and tossing her bra, he greedily sucked as he backed her against the mattress, gently laying her down. Settling beside her, he filled his hands, molding the fleshy orbs, taking one nipple deeply into his mouth before giving it a gentle bite.

  Writhing against his jean-clad knee, she sought the friction to relieve the need building inside her core. Pushing on his shoulders, she flipped him onto his back, straddling his hips, feeling the distinct bulge in his pants.

  “I need you.” She pulled his face in for a kiss, plunging her tongue in, tasting all that was him. “Now,” she mumbled against his lips.

  Moaning, he flipped her back over, standing quickly. She moved to unzip her jeans, but he took over, sliding them down her legs, taking her black, lace panties with them.

  “Perfection,” he said. His hands reached for her feet and he lifted them in his hands. Sliding up her legs, he pulled them apart, exposing her pink folds. Kneeling on the floor between her legs he kissed from her knees upward until his mouth covered her folds. Sucking hard, he licked, lapping her juices until he pulled her clit into his mouth. His cock swelled painfully in his jeans, but growling against her quaking body, he was determined to ignore his own needs until she came.

  She arched off the bed, the tantalizing sensations creating the urge to move, but he reached one large hand up and placed it on her pelvis, holding her still. She began to writhe more, her hips undulating upwards, seeking sweet relief. Slipping a finger into her core while still sucking on her clit, he watched her fall apart.

  Moans escaped her as she climbed higher, finally crying out his name as the tremors overtook, shattering her into a million pieces.

  He licked her juices and then rose up from the floor, placing his finger in his mouth, not wanting to miss a single taste. Jerking his t-shirt up and over his head, his hands then went to his jeans, unbuttoning them as quickly as he could.

  As he shucked his jeans, her eyes traveled down from his wide shoulders to his naked chest. He was defined, with chiseled abs and a tight stomach that ended in a perfect V that traveled downwards. By the time her eyes had moved to the end of the V, his jeans and boxers were off and her eyes feasted on his cock.

  He saw her expression go from sated to excited. Leaning over, he crawled up her body until his eyes peered directly into hers. “Baby, I want you to know,” he said, “I’ve never once been in love. I’ve never loved any woman. You are my one and only.” He looked deeply into her crystalline blue eyes, seeing the light that was her shining out on him.

  Bayley stared into his eyes, seeing sincerity blazing from them. “I love you,” she whispered. “I’ve never lived with someone before. I’ve only had a few boyfriends, but I’ve never been in love either. I write about it all the time, but began to wonder if love was only in my books and wouldn’t ever be in my life.” Sighing, she added, “I’ve seen my parents’ love and how Blaise is with Grace. But until you, I had never experienced it.”

  Laying on his side with her next to him, he began to explore every delicious curve. Bayley felt the electric shock from her nipples to her womb and down to her sex once again. As he moved his finger through her slick folds, he lifted himself over her, placing his engorged cock at her entrance.

  He gently entered her, slowly, wanting to feel each delicious inch. She moaned at the fullness and the pressure that immediately began to build. With a final push, he was in all the way, pumping slowly.

  “More, I need more,” she said in a whisper and that was all it took for him to begin moving faster. The friction was soon sending her over the edge again as the shock waves pulsated from her inner core outwards.

  Flipping her again, she was once more on top. “Ride me, baby,” he begged.

  Bayley placed her hands on his shoulders and as her orgasm flooded her senses, she raised up and down, riding his cock. He felt her inner walls grab his dick and her natural juices made the movement easier. Her breasts bounced in rhythm to her r
ocking and he palmed the full flesh, tweaking her nipples.

  She lowered her face, whispering, “I love you,” as he took over, thrusting upward. Nick captured her lips once more, imitating the motion of his thrusting with his tongue. He could feel his balls tightening and knew that he was close. Throwing his head back, he powered through his orgasm, pulsating deep inside as her channel tightened around him again.

  She crashed on top of his sweaty body, both still shaking with the intensity of the moment. Neither spoke for several minutes, the emotions of the act too overwhelming. Too important.

  As they slowly recovered, the cool of the night finally penetrating the heat they had generated, Nick tucked her in tightly to his body as he jerked the covers over them. Pushing her sweaty tendrils away from her face, he grinned. “So…about moving in?”

  Laughing, she said, “All right, all right. You know, Daphne said she needs a change…maybe she’d move into my place. She could have the stuff I won’t bring here. I just need to make sure I find the right spots for what I will bring so that nothing gets out of place.”

  “Already told you, but I’ll keep saying it until you believe it. All I care about is you. So, bring your stuff, your clothes, your makeup and hair stuff. Bring pillows, lamps, pictures, rugs…whatever.” He kissed her, this time sweet and soulful. “I’m serious, Bayley, all I want is you and I want all of you.”

  “I love it! Are you sure?”

  “Absolutely.”

  Bayley and Daphne walked around Bayley’s small apartment the next day, looking at the furniture. “I’ll leave all the big furniture,” Bayley said, eyeing what she would like to take and what to leave. “Nick’s got a few lamps but, honestly, after the sun goes down, I think his living room is kind of dark. I’ll take the two lamps from here and you can bring in your own. I’ll get my pictures down and anything that’s personal.” Turning to look at her friend, she said, “I’m so glad you are moving in!”

  “Are you kidding?” Daphne replied, throwing her arms around Bayley. “My roommate is getting married and I need a place to live. Not to mention, considering Lazlo went ballistic when I said I didn’t want to see him anymore, this comes at a perfect time…it keeps him from showing up at my front door.”

  “Good, well, why don’t you just plan on staying here from now on. It’s Sunday, the store’s closed, and I’m grabbing my toiletries and the rest of my clothes, stuffing them in Prissy and taking them over to Nick’s.”

  “I’ll go home and get some of my things to bring over and I’ll take you up on the offer,” Daphne enthused.

  Sitting in his car across the street, Lazlo watched as Daphne walked to her car and drove away. Having watched both women go into Bayley’s apartment, he knew she was now there alone. With a smile on his face, he started his car and drove away after sending a text.

  Tonight.

  Bayley Hanssen would be his…tonight.

  28

  Daphne stepped out of the bubble bath, reveling in the sweet scent in the room. Grinning, she peered into the mirror, stunned at how her rotten day had morphed into a good one. Her old apartment did not have a bathtub and, as soon as she viewed the large tub in Bayley’s apartment, she knew exactly how she would be spending the evening. “Out with the old and in with the new,” she told herself, as she toweled off. In the bedroom, she quickly donned her pajamas, not concerned at the early hour. She was determined to spend the evening relaxing.

  Standing in front of the bedroom window, she looked out, realizing Bayley had been right when she complained that her apartment did not have much of a view. But, Daphne did not care. The place felt perfect—her own fresh start. With a deep, cleansing breath, she walked toward the kitchen to get a glass of wine before settling in front of the TV.

  A moving shadow in her peripheral vision caught her eye and she gasped as she turned, seeing a hulking figure stepping close.

  “Come with me quietly,” he ordered, grabbing her arm.

  A scream froze on her lips for an instant until, breaking free, the screech filled the air. The man clamped his huge hand over her mouth, stopping the noise. As she struggled, another figure stepped into the room, hustling over and quickly pricking her neck. She felt her body slump against her will before blackness overtook everything.

  Nick, dressed in the same dark clothing as the other Saints going on the mission, stepped into the equipment room. He had been given a cursory tour when he joined, but the wealth of devices at his fingertips added to his appreciation of Jack’s business. Weapons, kevlar, night vision goggles were just a few of the items he grabbed.

  With the mission planned, the Saints stepped back into the main conference room, going over the fine points of details one more time. Jack, Luke, and Charlie would remain in the compound, monitoring the mission. Marc and Chad would drive the vans to the hotel, staying with the vehicles while the others did the searching. Nick, Monty, Cam, and Bart would be the first into the building, searching the basement. Patrick, Jude, and Blaise would monitor the outside of the back alley of the hotel.

  Final plans in place, the Saints made their way up the back stairs, to the oversized garage and into the waiting vans. Looking out the window as they pulled out onto the road, Nick watched the scenery go by, a smile sliding across his face as the thrill of the hunt ensued.

  I didn’t expect to be back so soon. Bayley, in Prissy, was driving back into her neighborhood to grab a few more things from her old apartment to take to Nick’s place. She had not planned to return so soon, but when he had called to let her know he would be late, she thought she’d be proactive. Determined to put her stamp on his apartment, she made the decision to run back to her apartment and grab a few more things. Daphne had not answered her phone, but Bayley hoped she was home. If not, she still had her key.

  Pulling into the parking space next to Daphne’s car, she sat for a moment, soaking in the reality that this would no longer be her home. I’m moving to Nick’s…in with Nick. A man I’ve only known for a few weeks. The enormity of her decision gave her pause and she leaned her head back against the headrest, closing her eyes, waiting to see if panic or indecision would overtake her. Nothing. Nothing but excitement and a sense of rightness.

  Smiling, she reached forward to open her door, when movement to her far left caught her eye. Two large, suited men were walking out the side door generally used by residents going to the laundry room, and they appeared to be supporting a woman in between them. Bayley leaned forward even more, wondering if the woman was intoxicated. When she realized the woman was dressed in what appeared to be pajamas she started to get suspicious. As the men opened a black sedan with dark windows and maneuvered the woman into the back seat, her head flopped back. Bayley’s heart leaped as she recognized Daphne. They’ve got Daphne!

  Shutting down the instinct to run after them, she forced her breathing to steady as she started Prissy, pulling out just after the sedan. Reaching inside her purse, she dialed Nick. No answer. Dialing Blaise, she received no answer from him either. Remembering Nick said he would be late, she wondered if he was with Blaise. Trying Nick again, she left a message.

  “Nick, I just saw two men carrying Daphne from my old apartment to a dark car. I think they drugged her. I’m following. Don’t worry, I’m not stupid enough to do anything but I just want to see where they’re taking her, so I’m following.”

  Hanging up, she continued to track them, from a distance, as they left town. Several minutes later, she thought of the Saints’ compound. Jack had said to call if there was something happening and Nick was unavailable. Fiddling with her phone, she pulled up the number he had provided.

  “Bayley,” Jack’s deep voice answered.

  Momentarily stunned that he knew who was calling, she quickly recovered. “Jack?”

  “Yes.”

  “I tried calling Nick. I went back to my apartment and saw two men take a friend who is staying at my place. I’m following them, but don’t know what else to do. I can’t get hold of
Nick or Blaise—”

  “Bayley.”

  The one word from Jack calmed her, while at the same time she recognized it was a gentle command. “I’m sorry,” her shaky voice squeaked out.

  “Don’t apologize,” he said, offering assurances. “I’m putting you on speaker phone—”

  “Oh, is Nick there?” she interrupted.

  “No, he’s not. But I need you to listen and follow my directions. Can you do that?”

  Sucking in a deep breath before letting it out slowly, she noticed the dark sedan taking the exit leading to the highway. Nodding, she realized Jack couldn’t see her so she verbally affirmed, “Yes, I can do that.”

  “Good. Luke and Charlie are here with me. We’re monitoring a mission Nick and Blaise are on. But, I promise, you are not alone, Bayley. I need you to succinctly, but accurately, tell us what you saw and where you are.”

  “Okay…I have a friend who is taking over my apartment. She moved in earlier today. I know Nick was going to be gone most of the evening, so I drove back over to my old place to grab a few more things. When I got there, I saw two men in suits carrying a woman in her pajamas to a car. As they got closer, I saw it was my friend.”

  She halted her speech as she changed lanes, careful to stay in the distance of the sedan, yet close enough to make sure she could follow. Once sure, she continued, “I have no idea what’s going on or who they are, but I’m on the highway following them.”

  Charlie asked, “Bayley, who else knew that your friend was staying at your place?”

  “No one, not even Nick. It was kind of spur-of-the-moment. She needed to move and Nick had asked me to move in with him. Which I know is soon, but we both felt like it was right…augh, I’m babbling!”