by Violet Paige
“When I signed on for another tour with the Rangers, there was a clause in my contract that said if I started a family, I could leave and stop touring.” I swallowed hard.
“Liv, I didn’t put that clause in there...Elliot did. Elliot was my Commander. He was promoted two months before the explosion.”
“Holy shit,” she whispered. Her eyes darted back and forth across my face. Her grip on my shoulders tightened.
Yeah. Exactly. Holy shit.
“I didn’t know about the clause until he died. He knew I didn’t have much of a family growing up and always talked about how his childhood and how happy he was growing up coming to this house in the summer.”
Her eyes began to mist over and I powered on.
“I was with him when he passed and in his last breath he made me promise to take care of you. To fix the house. To make you safe. I didn’t expect…I didn’t expect this.”
I waited for a question. A comment. A slap. But she stared at me.
I had faced burning buildings. Gunfire. Kidnapping. But nothing scared the shit out of me like the silence I was holding in my arms.
20
Olivia
I wished I had been drunk or could pinch myself into an awakened state. Clearly, I was delusional. I had just had the most fucking amazing sex of my life. The man of my dreams had walked out of nowhere, declaring his love for me, but the perfect dream was an illusion. Some kind of psychosis I had conjured in my loneliness.
Maybe if I held my hand over the frying pan I would wake up. I stood from Jake’s lap and walked toward the stove.
“What are you doing?” He rushed over, drawing me back from the frying pan.
I looked into his eyes. Those deep pools of blue that mesmerized me.
“I have to wake myself up,” I replied.
“You’re awake. I promise.” He gripped my shoulders.
“I can’t be. You just told me that the only reason you’re here is because Elliot’s dying wish was for you to make me safe. And you told the Rangers I was pregnant and that’s the only way you can stay. Which was also orchestrated by my brother.” I blinked.
“We were meant to be together. I want you forever. That would have been true regardless of any terms or promises.” He placed my palms flat against his chest. I felt the smooth planes, warm under my hands.
A million questions swam in my head. But I almost didn’t need his answers. The pieces began to fall in place.
“Ok,” I whispered.
I wanted to take a step back. I needed to take a breath and process it, but my hands were against his chest and I didn’t want to break the connection we had. I could feel the steady beats of his heart.
All I could think about was for the past month how I felt without him. The emptiness almost swallowed me whole. I cried at night, wondering if was alive. I moaned for him in my sleep. I buried his memory, trying to protect myself.
If I took a step back all that pain would come back. Instead I pressed my palms firmly, reveling in the feel of his flesh. He was here. Alive. Hot. And mine.
It didn’t matter who he was. I didn’t care that there was another side to him. The only thing I knew was that I didn’t want to live without Jake Crane.
Instead I reached for the zipper on his jeans, sliding the tab down. His eyes shot to mine. I raked my teeth over my lip.
“Take me,” I whispered. I pushed herself on the kitchen island, dragging my T-shirt over my head. I threw it on the floor.
Jake stood between my legs. His head lowering to my breast. He pinched my nipple between his fingers until I groaned, then he pulled it into his mouth, soothing the pain with his warm tongue.
My head reeled back as I pushed his head tighter to my chest. He had to know I would give him everything. My body was his. My breasts were his to suck. My nipples hardened under his touch and I whimpered when he moved to the other side.
He clamped over the hard peak, sucking forcefully. I felt the rush between my legs. He could make me come like this. The tightening in my core was relentless with each flick of his tongue.
My hands fisted against the back of his head. He drew a long, slow lick over my nipple, before he reached for my panties. Why did I even bother to put these on when I wandered downstairs?
“You want me to fuck you right here?” He dragged them over my hips, then pushed my knees wide, so I was on display for him. He growled, his chest vibrating. He licked his lips, staring at my exposed heat.
“Yes, right here. Right now,” I whimpered. “I need this to be real. I want to feel how alive we are together.” It felt right to offer myself to him this way. To show him my body was his. It had been. There was no denying it.
Jake’s jeans fell to the floor and he stepped out of them, kicking them to the side.
I saw his cock bulging with want. But there wasn’t anything he wanted me to do other than invite him in. My hands braced against the counter. My knees spread wide as he nestled the tip of his rigid cock at my entrance.
“You’re so fucking sexy, Liv,” he groaned as he thrust only a centimeter. “My perfect match.”
“Ohh, I need more than that,” I begged. “Damn it, Jake. It hurts so good when you’re in my pussy.”
It was exquisite torture. He hovered there, the head of his cock barely covered by swollen heat. I wanted him to drive deep inside.
His palm landed on my breasts. “I pictured you like this. Your perfect tits. Your hips. How hot and wet you were for me. How tight you were,” he groaned. His fingers dug into my flesh as they traveled lower.
“I can’t wait anymore,” I urged.
His hands landed at my knees, firm against my soft skin. He pushed them slightly, sinking his shaft only another inch. Now the thickest part of his cock stretched me.
“Ohh.” My tongue traveled over my lips, thirsty for him to give me more.
“See how we fit together?” His teeth pressed on his lower lip. I could tell he was holding back. “You were made for me.”
“Ohh,” I screamed. My head thrashed to the side. I felt so full, the ache tearing at me to suck him inside me.
My bud was pulsing, my juices hot, ready to coat his entire shaft, but he wouldn’t give it to me.
His hands slid from my knees along my thighs, until his fingers were sliding between my folds, massaging and rubbing. I tried to thrust forward and draw him inside, but Jake was strong and held his cock exactly where he wanted it, while his fingers tortured me. The need was consuming me. I was going up in flames.
“I’m yours, Olivia,” he moaned, his eyes glowing with lust. Blue lighting with sapphire embers.
I nodded. “I know,” I mouthed, unable to speak.
“Say it,” he commanded. His fingers began to pry against me, rubbing my wetness against his steel rod.
“You’re mine,” I moaned, again.
He flicked over my nub and I clenched at him, grasping for him to fill me, bury himself inside me.
“What do you want from me?”
“I want your cock,” I cried.
“What else?” His fingers pried wider and I knew I was dripping wet. The ache was so sweet and desperate. He had taken me so far, but there was somewhere else we could go. A place where our bodies became one.
“I want your seed.” It was sudden instinct taking hold. I knew it was what he needed to hear. I needed to say the words out loud. It sealed our bodies. Our commitment. I wasn’t going to send him away. I never would. I was his. “I want your baby, Jake. Please.”
His sigh filled the kitchen as he plunged deep inside my pussy, pulling my ass to the edge of the counter with his strong hands.
“Oh fuck, Liv,” he roared sliding over my slit before his shaft thrust into me again.
I screamed his name, unable to control the shuddering that immediately gripped my body. He pumped against me, wrapping my legs around his waist. My hands searched for something to cling to, but they flattened against the counter, arching my breasts toward the ceiling.
He pinched and squeezed my nipples, while I rocked into him, trying to ride the fullness of him. I loved how he touched me, forcing shocks of pleasure straight to my core. Nothing had felt like this. My body was made for his body. This Brave man. This Ranger.
He was possessive and powerful, taking what he wanted. I surrendered to him, knowing he was giving me his body too. He slid in and out, the friction heating as our sweat mingled.
Jake began to pulse and vibrate deep inside, giving me his essence in powerful jolts. “Come, Liv, come.” His mouth crushed mine as our bodies hummed and quivered. I clawed at his back, riding the pleasure as high as it would take me.
“Oh, baby,” he grunted, collapsing on top of my breasts. He nuzzled against my pink flesh, kissing me gently. “I love making you come.”
I sighed. I could feel the warmth washing through my body. His love was like lava hot and tingly.
“I love it too.” I kissed the top of his head.
His skin was damp against mine. He rose, his hardness sliding from me. I frowned at him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“I wish you had told me sooner.” I sat forward on the counter, but Jake stood between my legs. His hands playing with my hair. “Told me you wanted to have a baby with me. That you wanted me to be pregnant.”
He chuckled. “When was there time?”
I shook my head. “I don’t mean when you got back. I mean before you left.”
He cupped my face, brushing his lips against my mouth. “I wanted you to know. But if I had to finish the mission and if I didn’t come back it would have ruined your life. I couldn’t do that to you. I didn’t want to leave you behind with our baby.”
I hooked my heels against his back, drawing him to my center. “I love that you wanted to protect me, but you should have told me, Jake. I had a right to know.”
“You make it sound simple. It wasn’t an easy decision.” His eyes were dark. And I realized the pain he must have gone through leaving me behind. It was the same pain I felt without him.
“Is this is where you want to be?” My body was tired and my muscles limp with exhaustion, but each kiss he planted lit a fire against my skin.
“The kitchen?” He waggled his eyebrows. Oh God, he couldn’t possibly think I could do that again.
“No.” I shook my head. “I meant longer than that. Oregon? This house?”
His tongue rolled over my collarbone, sliding along my breast. I looked down at him in disbelief when my nipple perked against his hot breath.
“I couldn’t think of a better place for our kids.” He pulled it into his mouth.
The terms of him staying were starting to sink in. I would be pregnant in no time at the rate they were going.
His tongue lashed against me, and I groped at his head pulling him to me. How could he have me on fire again? I was spent. Too many orgasms to count. Yet here I was craving him again. He was unreal.
He pulled away from me and grinned. “Yes, kids. Our children. Our family.”
“Oh.”I looked into his eyes.
“And now that I’m here, it means I only have one mission,” he growled scooping me in his arms.
He carried me to the stairs.
“What’s that?” I squealed, pretending to kick my legs in protest.
His eyes blazed with desire. “I’m taking you upstairs. We’re going to have a baby.”
21
Olivia
“I think that’s everything.” I stood back to admire the bookcase.
Jake walked up behind me, his forehead furrowed. “Where are my Army pictures?”
I giggled. “You have a man cave in the barn. This is the living room.” I stood with my hands on my hips.
He planted a kiss on my neck, sending shivers down my spine. “I see how it is. You throw all my guy stuff outside.”
“It’s not outside,” I huffed. “You have an entire barn. And an apartment. With a new bar.” I turned my back to him to make sure the bookcase was how I wanted it.
For a man who only a few months ago could fit everything he owned in a few duffle bags, he had gone all-in on the house. He had been excited about buying furniture, and making this our home.
I rested my hands on my belly, feeling the swell under my flannel shirt and smiled. I wasn’t sure which time it was that made the magic happen, but I thought it had to be the sex on the kitchen island.
It was when all the secrets were gone. I knew who Jake really was. And why he had really shown up in my driveway all those months ago. I more than accepted him. I wanted him. More than anything I wanted his babies.
We were going to raise our family here at my family home. Together we would make new memories. We would fill the walls with love. We would canvas the yard with happiness. We would make the beach a place for fun again.
I felt his arms slide around my waist, his palms cupping my belly.
“I love you, Liv,” he growled into my neck.
“I love you, too.” I leaned into his chest.
“Thank you for giving me all of this. For giving me these babies.”
Some days I would see him look toward the ocean and I wondered what he was thinking about. Did he have memories that haunted him? Did he have regrets? Did he wish he could be out there doing more than this? Did I have enough to keep him here? Could I keep him?
“Do you miss it?” I turned, circling his neck with my arms.
“Miss what?” I could tell he was trying to muster a confused look. He knew exactly what I was talking about.
“You know what.” I eyed him. “Being a Ranger. Saving lives. Keeping the entire country safe.” I had gotten good at reading his expression the last few months.
“I have my own army here to keep safe.” He smiled.
I sighed. “I’m being serious.”
“I am serious. This family is my focus now. You and our babies. Our home. It’s all I need.”
“And what if they call you back? What if they renege on the contract” I stepped back from his arms.
It was the question that had plagued me for months. He wasn’t like other men. The Rangers weren’t like any other branch of the military. There was something that drove Jake to protect and serve. He had left once before.
“They aren’t going to call me back. I’m out for good. I promise you, Liv.” He walked over to one of the shelves, picking up a picture of him with Elliot. “Where did you find this?” He held it toward me.
“It was in that box of Elliot’s things. I had never seen it before. I finally went through the rest of his closet.”
They had their arms slung over each other’s shoulders. “I love that picture. I just wish he was here with us so he could see this.”
We walked through the kitchen to the foyer. Me first, I felt his eyes on me. It gave me a flashback to that first day together.
I turned and saw the fire in his eyes as they started trailing over my breasts. I sighed.
I took a step backward, inching my way to the staircase. Jake followed me like he was eyeing his prey.
My breath hitched in the back of my throat. I met him halfway and slowly pulled him up the stairs. The windows in the bedroom were open as we fell together on the bed. The sound of the waves below crashed as a summer storm rolled in and darkened the sky.
Thank you so much for reading!
I have some awesome surprises for you in this book. First, my book Slow Burn has never been released independently or in KU. This is the ONLY place you can read it.
Second piece of news, my friend Katerina Cole has written a new book, Second Chance Doctor that is completely exclusive to this book! She’s amazing!
I’ve also included some classics of mine and the beginning of my latest duet, available now.
Thanks for being such incredible readers!
XOXO,
Violet
Slow Burn
A Bodyguard Second Chance Romance
By Violet Paige
Copyright © 2017 b
y Violet Paige
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
1
Reid
The coffee was hot. Too damn hot. I abandoned it on the counter. I pulled up my itinerary, scrolling through today’s meetings.
There wasn’t room to fucking breathe today.
It was my own creation. My own triumph. And days like today, my own prison.
My dark hair was still damp from the shower. I’d already run five miles on the treadmill before sunup.
The first meeting on the schedule was with acquisitions. I was in buying mode. Snatching up as many of the small security companies that I could get my hands on. It was the quickest way to expand without spending a fortune on infrastructure development. I had thirty minutes to read the team’s report on the ten companies we were targeting. I’d choose the top three and hope we landed one.
My phone beeped. It was my assistant Eileen. She called at 7:30 every morning, like clockwork. She was punctual and meticulous. I trusted her about as much as I trusted anyone. She was the first person I hired when I started Taylor Securities.
“Yes?”
“Good morning, Mr. Taylor.”
“Eileen.”
“I synched today’s schedule. Are there any changes? Should I add anything for you?” she asked.
“No. Nothing was missed.” It never was.
“Ok. I’ll confirm all your meetings.”
“Thank you.”
I sat on the couch. The TV ran in the background. The chatter of the broadcasters made my penthouse feel a little less sterile. A little less isolated.
