Protect Me - A Steamy Bodyguard Romance (You Can't Resist a Bad Boy Book 5)

by Layla Valentine

  “I like it.”

  “You said that.”

  I take my own mug of coffee and sit down next to him. Despite his apology, this whole interaction still feels like a careful dance. Obviously he came here to do more than simply apologize, and obviously I’m okay with that, or else I would have kicked him out already.

  “You’re not suspended. I’m sorry about that too.”

  I wince. Just hearing the word hurts. “So there’s going to be no record of this, right?”

  “Right.”

  I nod and set my coffee back down. The mug is too hot, and I didn’t want it anyway. I just felt like I needed to offer him something. He’s barely looked at his own coffee, though. Instead, he’s staring straight at me.

  “I behaved rashly, Noelle, because this issue is dear to my heart. I suppose that’s the best way to put it.”

  I nod, hoping he’ll explain more.

  “Just assigning you to do this interview without telling you what was going on was a dick move.”

  I laugh.

  “Did my boss just call himself a dick?”

  “He said he pulled a dick move. Let’s be clear.” His tone is firm, but he can’t suppress the grin that’s forming.

  “Okay, okay. Continue on, please.”

  Mr. Ford licks his lips, making heat rise in my stomach. I look away, focusing instead on the fascinating weave of the cushion next to me.

  “I didn’t understand the full implications of it all.”

  “Thank you.” I look up. “But…why did you do this? What is it about you and Zach Garner? Are you guys business rivals or something? I read up on him—as in, I read everything that’s ever been written about him online, and I didn’t see your name mentioned anywhere.”

  Mr. Ford tilts his head back as he takes in a long breath. “Our relationship is of a personal nature. Or at least it used to be.”

  What’s the right thing to say to that? I just sit still, waiting for whatever happens next.

  He picks up his coffee. Takes a slow sip. Sets it back down. The rush of traffic from below enters through the cracked window. I hope he isn’t about to leave.

  Wrong thought, Noelle. Bad thought.

  But what can I do? Mr. Ford is showing a side of himself that I thought a man like him would never have… To put it frankly: a heart. It’s kind of awesome.

  “Zach and I were friends in college.” He looks at his clasped hands. “Best friends. When the girl I loved chose Zach over me on graduation night, well…you can imagine what happened next.” His eyes turn up to mine, still and quiet, but painful.

  My inhale hurts.

  “God, Ethan. I mean…” My eyes seal shut in embarrassment. “Mr. Ford.”

  “Ethan is fine—we’re not at work. Anyway, it’s kind of hard to say who started throwing the punches after that… I was probably the first one, actually.”

  “He stole your girlfriend.” I repeat the words once more in my head, trying to figure out if this image of a girlfriend thief meshes with the guy I spent last night with. Maybe it does. Who am I to say? I really don’t know Zach.

  “The girl doesn’t even matter anymore,” he says. “I haven’t seen her in years.”

  “But the betrayal matters.”

  Our gaze holds.

  “Yeah,” he softly answers.

  Heat rushes through me. For the first time, I notice how close we’re sitting on the couch. Our knees are only mere inches away.

  Mr. Ford clears his throat and stands.

  “You’ll come back to work tomorrow?”

  “Of course.” I stand as well, my heart sinking. I don’t want him to go. Not just yet.

  “Good. Take today off if you like. It can be a sick day. By the way, Noelle, I read the links in your application.”

  “Really?” I apprehensively question. “I wouldn’t think you had time to do that.”

  “Your writing is impressive. I didn’t just pick you for this article because Zach has a weakness for pretty girls. You’re a damn good writer too.”

  “Thank you.”

  He has no clue how good it feels to hear that. I’m not exactly getting patted on the back as I make my way down the Franciscan Tribune’s halls.

  He takes the short walk to the door, but pauses when his hand hits the knob.

  “You know…”

  “Uh-huh?”

  Mr. Ford turns to look at me, and, God, we’re close. So close I can see the different streaks of brown in his eyes. So close I can feel his breath hitting my forehead. So close I swear I’m absorbing his body heat.

  “It was really impressive when you stood up to me in my office. No one ever talks to me that way.”

  “That’s because you’re the boss,” I guffaw. “They’re afraid.”

  “You’re not.”

  But I am. A lot. Swallowing hard, I keep looking back at him. “Bravery means doing what you know you have to do, even when you’re scared.”

  “How did you get so wise?”

  “Not having a social life in college is probably part of it.”

  “Hm.” His eyes briefly flick across my face. “A bookworm, huh?”

  “Maybe.”

  “I hope this isn’t speaking out of turn, but when you stood up to me, put me in my place—and this is completely off-record—but it was incredibly sexy.”

  The desire that’s been tickling me since he got here hits full force, rushing through my body like a hurricane. I’m burning, my skin screaming to be touched.

  Mr. Ford gazes back, his pupils dilating fast.

  He felt it too.

  Yesterday, in the boardroom. He must have been as drawn to me as I was to him.

  “Noelle,” he whispers.

  “Yeah?” I ask.

  But I don’t wait for a response. I’m falling forward, my lips crashing into his.

  Chapter 7

  His kiss is fire, his hands moving so fast across my body that I can’t keep track of them. They’re in my hair. Against my neck. My back. I press against Mr. Ford—Ethan—and kiss him harder. His mouth opens, his lips sucking my tongue in.

  Animal need beats inside of me. I didn’t know I wanted this man this badly, but now that he’s in my hands I can’t contain myself. I tear at his shirt, popping a button off.

  He doesn’t seem to mind. He’s walking me back, taking me to my waiting bed.

  We collapse against the mattress, a mess of limbs. Warm lips press against my ear, sucking there before trailing down and nipping at the base of my neck.

  I can’t check my gasp of pleasure—and don’t want to. I lay flush against the bed, watching as he rolls my shirt up and kisses my stomach. The pleated skirt that once felt so comfy now feels so tight. I need to get rid of it.

  Ethan has his own plan, though. He takes his time kissing back up my stomach. I help him pull my shirt off, and he places his mouth against my bra cup. Tenderly, he takes my nipple through the fabric and sucks. A groan rips from my throat.

  “You’re in charge,” he says gently, looking up at me. “What do you want?”

  My breath catches in my throat. It’s not something I’ve been asked much. The few times I’ve been presented with choices in bed, I haven’t known what to do. But today is different. There’s something about this guy. He might be a hard-ass in the boardroom, but here in my bed he’s mine.

  “I want to be in charge,” I whisper.

  Ethan growls in excitement. “That’s exactly what I hoped you were gonna say.”

  Pushing my bra up and letting my breasts spill forth, he buries his face in them. Sucks and twists make my mind spin. I dig my fingers into his hair, push my chest up against him.

  He works fast, unhooking my bra and sliding off my skirt and panties. I’m laid bare in front of him, totally exposed while he’s still dressed. It doesn’t feel weird, though. In fact, it feels empowering. The look on Ethan’s face tells me I’m having a strong effect on him.

  I’m in charge. I’m powerful. I’m the one c
alling the shots.

  As awful as I felt earlier, now, it’s like I can do no wrong.

  Trailing my fingers down my chest, I take one nipple between them and squeeze lightly. Ethan is sitting back on the bed, his eyes transfixed on me. I take my time, rolling the bud between my fingers, squeezing, tugging. It’s more for him than it is for me, and he obviously appreciates it.

  “God, Noelle,” he groans.

  Licking his lips, he stands and unbuttons his shirt. Hard muscles appear, each one seemingly more defined than the last. My hand stills against my chest as I hold my breath and wait for his pants to drop.

  His dick is rock hard, ready to go. I shimmy toward the edge of the bed, wrapping my fingers around its base. It twitches against my palm, warm and soft. It’s perfectly thick, with a slight curve. Just looking at it makes the muscles between my legs painfully squeeze together.

  Dipping my head, I take the length of it into my mouth. I suck hard, then stop to rapidly flick my tongue against the tip. I’ve never been too good at this, but today I’m running on pure lust. Ethan has made this hidden, wild part of me come to life. I want to suck on him till he’s dry, to gulp his pleasure down and make it my own.

  He sighs with contentment, his hands traveling through my hair. Faster and faster I bob my head on his length. Each time I speed up the pace he groans louder. It’s beautiful music, something I could listen to all day.

  “Fuck,” he hisses.

  Knowing he must be close, I back off and resume a sitting position on the bed. Ethan shakes his head slowly, a smile on his lips.

  “You temptress.”

  “Obviously you like it.”

  He chuckles and retrieves a condom from his discarded pants. Watching him put it on has my aches doubling. He leans forward, getting onto the bed, but instead of putting his weight on me, he grabs me and rolls over.

  I’m on top of him, legs straddling his thighs. Ethan looks up at me from hooded lids.

  “Ride me.”

  I gulp. If I were standing up, my legs would be shaking now, but Ethan is gripping my hips, keeping me pressed tight to him. The nerves are back, but the excitement is still there. I want to give this man what he’s asking for, want to show him that I’m even more than he wants.

  Falling forward, I cover his mouth with mine. My breasts are pressed between us, and his dick slides along my inner thigh, catching some of the wetness that’s escaped from me. As we kiss, he lifts my hips up and guides me carefully back down. My hand finds his dick, holding it as it slips between my folds.

  I cry out as he enters me, and Ethan kisses me with new voraciousness. I press down, down, until his whole length is buried in me. The slightest shift forward and pleasure flies up and into my core.

  Our faces close together, Ethan’s palms on my lower back and hips, I rock against him. Jabs of ecstasy strike. His tongue wraps around mine, and I’m trembling, barely able to control myself. All I can do is ride him.

  Breaking the kiss, I sit up, arching my back. Ethan growls in pleasure, running his fingers over my stomach and hips. His thumb presses against my clit, giving it a little massage, and I tremble in a new way.

  He’s still looking at me in that lip-parted, slack-jawed, heavy-eyed way. The man whose reputation precedes him, who people fear. Right now, he’s mine, a victim to skills I didn’t know I had.

  Pushing my chest forward, my butt back, I rock with smooth motions.

  “Fuck,” Ethan hisses, tossing his head back and shutting his eyes. He’s not looking away for long, though. His lashes flutter, and his dilating pupils are back on me, watching my every move.

  I pick it up, swaying with more force. Ethan’s breathing quickens, matching my growing pleasure. This is no longer for him. It’s for me. I’m the one who needs this, the one who deserves it. And, God, I want it so bad.

  “Come for me,” Ethan whispers in that low, syrupy voice. “Do it right on me.”

  I can’t respond. Pleasure is destroying me, bursting from my core into the rest of my body. I bounce faster, crying out.

  The pleasure subsides, but I’m still rocking, struggling with my inhales. I collapse against Ethan’s chest, my face against his strong shoulder. He wraps his arms around me, flipping us over once more, never pulling out.

  I gulp in sweet air as Ethan leans back, taking my legs and holding them up high. His jaw sets tight with determination, and all I can do is succumb as he drives into me, taking me with tremendous speed.

  The bed shakes under us, and I have to press my palms against the headboard behind me to stop myself from hitting it. Ethan drops one of my legs, his fingers finding my clit. He strokes with perfect precision, the pace of his fingers matching the pace of his hips.

  The good feelings build fast, brought on by the double stimulation. My mouth falls open, but I can’t make any noise. The pleasure Ethan’s giving me has stolen my ability to even moan.

  For the second time, I burst, my toes curling and my hands pounding against the headboard for dear life. Ethan cries out, jack-hammering into me with a glorious ending.

  Sucking in a breath, he pulls out and falls down next to me. Thick, humid air surrounds us, oxygen full of sweat and passion. I’m crazily aware of my body, its tingles and pulses abnormally loud.

  Inches away, Ethan sighs.

  “Noelle…” he whispers.

  “Yeah?” I look over at him.

  He chuckles, turns his head to face me. We don’t say anything, just look at each other.

  From somewhere on the floor, his phone rings.

  “I know you need to get that,” I quietly say. “It’s all right.”

  “They can wait a minute.” He reaches over and smooths my hair. I inhale the muskiness surrounding us. I just had sex with my boss. I should feel appalled with myself. Shocked, like I was when I discovered I hooked up with Zach Garner himself.

  But…I’m not.

  Because, as crazy as this is, it also feels right.

  “Where did you learn to ride like that?” he asks.

  I laugh. “From you, I think.”

  A primitive rumble emerges from his throat. “Say that again, and you’ll have me hard in no time.”

  Sore as my body is, it tingles in excitement.

  Ethan turns on his side, propping his head on his hand and continuing to run his other hand over the length of my torso.

  His phone rings again, and he sighs and sits up.

  “This is going to make me look shitty, but—”

  “You’re busy,” I interrupt, quickly sitting up next to him.

  “I have a meeting in twenty minutes. And now I’m going to smell like sex in it.”

  “Sorry.”

  He grins.

  “That’s a good thing.”

  Ethan rubs my shoulder, and the sweet attention makes me suddenly feel shy. I tuck my chin, glancing up at him from under my eyelashes.

  “We’re not done here,” he says.

  “Are you saying you want me to wait here in bed for you?” I tease.

  He chuckles.

  “As tempting as that sounds, I’m afraid I won’t be able to get back here that soon. But…let’s just say I’m going to be counting down the minutes until we can make this happen again.”

  “I’d like that.”

  His eyes dance.

  “Don’t worry. I’m not going to tell anyone at work about this.”

  “I won’t either. I promise.”

  “Sorry I have to go.”

  “Really. Don’t worry about it.”

  Hard as it is, I make myself get out of bed. I can feel Ethan’s eyes on me as I dress.

  “You’ll be at work tomorrow?” he asks.

  I turn to face him. He’s finishing buckling up his pants, but he’s still shirtless, that perfect torso on full display. I step forward and touch his chest.

  “Yes. I’ll be there.”

  “I wouldn’t be able to stand it if I chased you away,” he says with an intense gaze.

 
; “You’re not. That job is important to me.”

  “Good.” With a blink, his serious face turns into a playful one. “God, you’re sexy.”

  Drawing me into him, he nips my neck, and I shout with glee.

  We finish getting dressed, and as I walk Ethan to the door, he turns to me one last time.

  “About the article…”

  “Uh-huh?”

  He swallows. “Let’s keep it going. And write it any way you want. You pick the angle.”

  My jaw drops.

  “Are you sure? But I thought… You and Zach…”

  “I know, but it’s a good break for you. I want you to have this opportunity.”

  “I don’t know what I’m going to write about. I mean, he’s so secretive…”

  Ethan nods.

  “Just think about it, all right? If you want to scratch the project, we’ll do that, and I’ll assign you something else. But it’s your choice, Noelle. See you at work.”

  With a peck on my lips, he leaves.

  Chapter 8

  “And that’s the situation in a nutshell,” I finish up. “Can you top me off?”

  I nod at the bottle of red wine on the coffee table, but Claire doesn’t move. She’s still sitting cross-legged next to me on the couch, her mouth hanging open.

  “Claire. I need more wine. ASAP.”

  She slowly shakes her head.

  “I… I’m speechless.”

  “Then how come you’re talking?” I reach around her, grab the bottle myself, and fill my glass to the very brim.

  She holds her palms up.

  “Okay, so just to summarize: you had sex with a man who you thought was the assistant of your subject, found out he was actually the subject himself, then had sex with your boss. And all within twenty-four hours.”

  “There’s a little bit more to it than that.”

  “Like what?”

  “Um… Okay, there’s not more to it than that.”

  “These guys must both be super-hot, because you’ve never—”

  “I know,” I interrupt, taking a big sip of wine. “I’m usually so…I don’t know. About one guy at once. I never even want to look at another guy when I’m sleeping with one.”