Romancing the Alpha: An Action-Adventure Romance Boxed Set

by Zoe York

  Dex grimaced. “You got it. Taylor pays generously and Rick and I always come up with the goods.”

  Katy shifted position and stared at him intently. “But Rick couldn’t simply decide he wanted to explore the Lusitania, right? How did he get permission?”

  “He applied for a permit from the Irish government and got written consent from the American who’s claimed ownership of the wreck since the 1960s. That’s why he needed a legit-looking team working on the dives. Rick and I play fast and loose with the rules at times, but we are qualified underwater archaeologists, even if we’ve sidelined into treasure hunting.”

  “And the rest of the team?” Katy asked. “Do they know about the jewels?”

  Dex shrugged and took another swig from his beer bottle. “As far as I’m aware, the others assume this is a regular wreck exploration.”

  “I don’t think so. Unless either you or Rick sent me this—” Katy pulled a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to Dex, “—then one of them knows.”

  Blinking, he took the note and scanned it. “Watch your back? What the hell? Who gave this to you?”

  “That’s what I want to know.” A line appeared between her brows. “I also need to know if it’s a threat or a warning.”

  The pulse at the base of Dex’s throat throbbed. “I don’t like this, Katy. I don’t like this one bit. Be honest with me. Why are you here? It’s not purely out of academic interest. You’ve admitted as much to me. So who sent you after the jewels?”

  A reluctant smile tugged at the sides of her mouth. “Supposedly a British collector called Trevor Masterson. He sent a middleman to hire me. The guy introduced himself as Mr. Devon, but I doubt that’s his real name.”

  Dex drummed his fingers against his wrist. This story was all types of wrong. “Okay, spit it out. Why did you agree to work for some dubious man using a pseudonym? More importantly, why did you take the job if you’d decided you were through with treasure hunting?”

  She opened her mouth as if to protest, then shut it again, her lips forming a hard line. The clock on the mantelpiece ticked. One…two…three…four…five. Finally, she spoke. “My mom is sick. She has early onset Alzheimer’s.”

  Shock hit Dex in the solar plexus. He grabbed her hand. “Jaysus, Katy. That’s awful. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “We weren’t on speaking terms, remember?” she said with a wobbly smile. “When Mom was first diagnosed, she took part in a clinical trial for a new medicine that’s supposed to slow the progress of the disease. She responded extremely well to the treatment, but now that the trial is over, her insurance company won’t cover the cost of the drug.”

  “I’m guessing paying for it out of pocket isn’t an option.”

  Katy shook her head. “The pills cost nearly a hundred bucks a day. Mom doesn’t have three thousand dollars a month to spend on meds. Hell, she doesn’t have three thousand dollars a month, period. Liam is helping her pay for the pills at the moment but he can’t afford to do that indefinitely. It’s partly why he’s looking to get out of the Navy and become a contractor. I want to do my part to help. When I agreed to take this job on the expedition team, I was paid a basic fee and it covered the cost of my mother’s meds for the next four months. If I find the jewels, I’ll pocket enough to cover her treatment for the next few years.”

  Dex moved to the sofa and put an arm around her shoulders. “If I find the jewels, I’ll help you pay for her treatment.”

  She sat up, her eyes wet with unshed tears. “I can’t ask you to do that.”

  “You’re not asking. I’m offering.” He squeezed her hand and stroked the skin between her thumb and index finger. “I like your mother, and she always made me feel welcome in her home.”

  That made her laugh. “Her home isn’t exactly the Ritz.”

  No, it wasn’t. The tiny apartment Katy and her brother had grown up in was shabby and cramped, yet there was more warmth in that home than Dex had experienced growing up, especially after his parents had died and he’d been sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Dublin. “I don’t care where she lives. Deanne is a good person.” He coughed and looked at his scuffed deck shoes. “Plus you care about her, and I care about you, so it’s a no-brainer.”

  “You’re a good man, Dex.” She bit her lip. “I’m sorry I overreacted about those photos Moira posted on Facebook. I saw how my father’s affairs chipped away at my mother’s self-confidence and I didn’t want the same to happen to me. It was probably my subconscious providing me with another excuse to push you away because I was hurting after the miscarriage.”

  “I hope you know I’d never cheat on you. I never have and I never will. I’m no saint and I’d never claim to be, but cheating isn’t on my flaw sheet.” He drew her close and wound a strand of honey-colored hair around his finger. “Besides, I…I love you. Being apart all these months was hell.”

  She pushed back and stared at him, her eyes wet with unshed tears. “How can you still love me after I freaked out in such a dramatic fashion? And if you do love me, why didn’t you stay?”

  He scratched the back of his neck and sighed. “I don’t know, Katy. I was upset. I loved you so much, yet nothing I did could convince you I hadn’t proposed just because you were pregnant. When you lost the baby and decided this was synonymous with the end of our engagement, it hurt. A lot.”

  “I thought you’d be relieved not to have to marry me,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper. “I thought I was beating you to the punch by calling off the wedding.”

  He reached for her hand and stilled her trembling fingers. His heart slammed in his chest. “Until you got pregnant, we’d never discussed marriage and kids. Doesn’t mean the idea hadn’t crossed my mind. But I gotta be honest. If you’re going to push me away whenever the going gets tough, it’s not going to work between us. We’ve got to be able to communicate during the bad times as well as the good.”

  “I’ve had time to think these last months,” she said, her voice croaky with emotion, “and I did what I said I’d never do.”

  “Which was?”

  She pulled a face, then gave a rueful smile. “Counseling. I have trust issues, apparently.”

  “You don’t say,” he said, deadpan.

  Katy grabbed a cushion and whacked him with it. “I’m being serious. This is a serious conversation about serious issues.”

  “Okay, I’m listening.” She was so damn cute when she got mad. But she was right. This was no joke and he appreciated the guts it took for her to own her flaw and deal with it. “I admire you for taking that step. Counseling isn’t for everyone, but it helped me deal with my parents’ deaths.”

  “I don’t know if trusting people is ever going to come naturally to me, and I suspect that’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it made me realize how much I’d screwed up our relationship.” She leaned her head against his shoulder, and he inhaled the fresh scent of her shampoo. “I’m sorry, Dex.”

  He put his arm around her shoulders, relishing in the warmth of her body next to his. “It’s okay. I screwed up, too. I shouldn’t have given up so easily. I should have stayed in Dublin and worked on our relationship.” He cupped her chin and brought her lips to his. “I love you, Katy. I know we said no-strings yesterday, but can we take a rain check at the end of the expedition? I’ve never met anyone who gets me like you do. Now that fate—”

  “In the form of jewels which may or may not exist,” she interjected with a wicked grin.

  “—has brought us back in the same orbit, I don’t want to fuck this up. But if we’re to make this work, you’ll have to learn to trust me.”

  “I do trust you. That’s what counseling taught me. What I distrusted was men in general. You bore the brunt of my childhood issues. I guess my subconscious was looking for a reason to justify my feelings, hence my willingness to read too much into those stupid Facebook photos. I apologize.”

  “Forgiven. I’m an idiot, too. We both good with being eejits?”
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  She nodded, smiling.

  Dex took her hand and stroked her soft skin. “On a more serious note, until we know who is behind the note and why they wrote it, I do not want to leave you alone for a second.”

  Her eyes twinkled. “I spent eight years in the US Navy. I can look after myself.”

  That made him smile. Katy, little though she was, could probably kick his arse in a fight. “All the same. Please promise me you won’t take any unnecessary risks.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Yes, Dex. I promise not to do anything stupid. Now for the important question: What are we going to do about the search for the jewels?”

  “Pool our resources?” he suggested, deadpan.

  She threw her head back in laughter. “Where’s the fun in that? What was it you said the other evening? May the best diver win?”

  Ha! He knew it. She had a hunch where to look next. “I think tomorrow’s dive will be entertaining.”

  Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “I think so, too. Come on.” Tugging on his hand, she pulled him off the sofa. “I’m done talking about what I feel for you. I want to show you.”

  Holy mother…Dex’s heart pounded against his ribs. Katy’s lips curved into an impish grin. “Your brother’s shower has a bench. Did you notice?

  His cheeks burned. “Uh, yeah. I might have noticed that.”

  “Uh huh.” Her tongue darted between her lips. “What did you think about when you saw the bench?”

  His breath caught in his throat. Leaning down, he whispered into her ear. “I thought about getting you naked and wet and making you come.”

  She trailed a fingertip from the base of his neck down to his navel, making him shiver in anticipation. “And I thought about you fucking me senseless. Good to know we’re on the same page.”

  “Sounds like we are.” His erection strained against his trousers and his breath came in short staccato bursts. “Let’s work on the getting naked part first.”

  Laughing, she pulled him into the bathroom and kicked the door shut. In one fluid movement, she took the hem of her T-shirt and pulled it over her head.

  Dex blinked. “Whoa.” Instead of the simple black sports bra he’d been expecting, she wore a lacy pink push-up bra that made the most of her creamy cleavage.

  “I had time to spare today and went shopping.” She fiddled with the strap and a flush stained her cheeks. “Ballybeg doesn’t boast a sex shop but I found this in a little boutique off the main street. I know it’s not usually what I wear, but—”

  “You look gorgeous, Katy,” he said in a voice hoarse with desire. “A total sex bomb.”

  That brought a smile to her lips. “The sex bomb part is one I’m confident I can rock.”

  Dex ran a hand over her denim-clad hips and slid a finger beneath her waistband. “Dare I hope that bra comes with matching knickers.”

  “Why don’t you take off my jeans and find out?”

  “With pleasure, cupcake.” He popped the buttons and eased the denim over her slim hips, letting his fingers skim over her bare buttocks. Taking in the lacy pink thong, he groaned. “I am a lost man.”

  “You were always trying to get me into sexy underwear when we were together,” she said, running her hands through his hair. “I thought I’d surprise you.”

  “What can I say? I’m a fan of sexy lingerie. I’m also a fan of you. I hope you don’t feel weird wearing them.”

  “Oddly enough, it’s kind of a turn on. I don’t see myself trotting around in satin and lace on an everyday basis, but I like what the bra does to my boobs.”

  “You have fabulous breasts. The bra draws attention to them.”

  She drew one strap over her shoulder, drawing attention to the light dusting of freckles on her pale skin. “I’ve always wanted bigger boobs. Having a push-up bra is kinda fun.”

  “The bra looks amazing, but then so do your breasts. They suit your frame. Mother Nature was good to you, Katy.”

  “The bra opens at the front.” She bit her lip and her hands cupped her breasts. “Want me to open it or leave it on?”

  “Leave it on. I’m enjoying the novelty of seeing you in a bright color. Pink bra, pink vibrator…there’s a girly girl hidden inside of you, Miss Katy.”

  “What about the thong?” she teased. “Want me to leave that on as well?”

  “Hell no.” Dex hooked his thumbs in the sides of her knickers and eased them over her hips. “They’d only get in my way.”

  Kneeling, he slid the garment down her legs and growled in appreciation and her exposed privates. Leaning forward, Dex trailed kisses from her knees to her groin. When he put his mouth to her clit, she emitted a hiss of pleasure.

  “You need to get your clothes off, Dex. I want you naked.”

  He laughed and pulled back. “Your wish is my command.”

  Katy’s nimble fingers found the zipper of his pants. While she worked on his trousers, Dex shed his shirt.

  “Come on,” he murmured against her neck, “let’s switch on the shower.”

  After he’d grabbed a condom package from his toiletry bag, he set the shower dials to medium warmth and maximum pressure. He held open the glass door. “Ladies first.”

  A smile curved her lips. “You just want to get me on that bench.”

  He quirked an eyebrow. “Of course I do.”

  She put a hand on her hip and jutted her fabulous pushed-up breasts. “Tough luck, big guy. You’re going first.”

  “Is that so?” Butterflies fluttered in his stomach. “What are you planning on doing to me?”

  “Get your ass in there and you’ll find out.”

  Okay…Katy in bossy mode was a serious turn on. Hell, Katy in any mode had the power to turn him into a horny teenager.

  Dex sat on the bench and Katy kneeled before him. While the sharp needles from the shower beat down on his back, the lace from her bra rubbed against his thigh. He sucked in his bottom lip. Jaysus, this woman slayed him. Football…He needed to think of something other than her mouth around his dick. Oh, man.

  He groaned as she slid her tongue along the length of his erection and all thoughts of the offside rule receded. Running his hands through her silky hair, he skimmed her shoulders with his palms and toyed with the straps of her bra.

  She took him deeper into her mouth, danced her tongue over his shaft in darting, circular motions. Dex pressed his back against the tiled wall and emitted a low growl. It felt so damn good. Gently maneuvering her shoulders, he controlled the pace of her movements, careful not to push too far down her throat. “Oh, yeah,” he gasped when she sucked on the tip. “That feels good.”

  Actually, it felt amazing. No amount of self-pleasuring in the shower could beat the sensation of Katy giving him a blow job.

  The pressure built inside him and his breathing developed an uneven pattern. “Okay, baby,” he said after a few minutes. “Time to stop.”

  She complied but laughed. “We haven’t finished yet.”

  “I know.” He urged her to her feet and pulled her onto his lap. “That’s why I stopped you.”

  Katy straddled him and massaged her groin with his erection. Dex fondled her breasts through her bra and she arched her back in pleasure. He slid his hand between her legs. She felt soft and slick beneath his fingertips. “You’re wet.”

  “Very,” she murmured and claimed his mouth with hers.

  Unlike the kisses they’d shared the other night, this was rough and frantic. She tasted of peppermint and coffee. Pulling her closer, he deepened the kiss, and rubbed his tip against her clit. She pulled back and nipped his earlobe, eliciting a growl.

  “Want me to wash you?” he asked between kisses. “Whatever shower gel you’re wearing smells damn fine.”

  “Definitely.” She reached for her strawberry shower gel and squeezed some onto her palm. Then she rubbed it over his chest and abdomen, massaging it into a lather.

  “Time for you to lose the bra,” he gasped and undid the front clasp. When her breasts s
pilled out, he captured one of her nipples with his mouth and suckled. Her deep little growl was almost a purr.

  Removing the shower gel from her grasp, he squeezed the red liquid on her breasts and rubbed it in. Her nipples pebbled under his caress and her skin grew flushed.

  “Oh, Dex,” she whispered. “I’ve missed this.”

  “So have I, cupcake.” He reached for the foil package beside him. “Want to put this on for me?”

  She grinned. “With pleasure.”

  When she slid the condom over him, he shivered and tickled her back. When she tickled his balls in return, he laughed and pulled her into position. As she lowered herself onto his tip, Dex exhaled in a hiss. Her sexy little moan when he began to thrust almost undid him. She was hot, wet, and tight. A million sensations hit him all at once. The memory of having sex with Katy didn’t do the reality justice. They’d always had a great sex life but this…this was fucking awesome.

  She ground against him, pulling him deeper inside her. Dex’s breathing slowed as his heart rate quickened. He thrust faster and faster, feeling the pressure build. His balls ached and his skin was on fire.

  Katy came first, gasping and arching her back when her orgasm hit. Dex kept the pace up, kneading her buttocks and letting her ride wave after wave of pleasure. Her soft moans and the nipple rubbing against his cheek pushed him over the edge. He cried out when he came, seeing starbursts before his eyes. Katy rode him hard until he was totally spent.

  Afterward, he kissed her softly, felt her rapid heartbeat against his chest, her uneven breathing matching his. “I’ve missed you so much, Katy.”

  She nuzzled his neck. “And I’ve missed you.”

  “When the expedition is over, I have a couple of weeks free before I start my next job. I was planning to work on my novel but I’d rather spend them with you. Can we give our relationship another go?”

  Katy tugged on his hair and kissed him passionately. When she broke the kiss, she leaned in close. “Assuming we haven’t killed one another over the Vanderbilt jewels in the meantime, you can come stay at my place for a few days. Sound good?”