by Lexi Blake
“Or early. Depends on your perspective,” Steph said quietly. “He’s still on African time. He’s also very young. He sleeps most of the day. The fact that he was awake at the club and had attention and affection won’t hurt him. It means he might sleep a little later in the day. Kids are quite resilient at this age. As long as they have loving human contact they can get through almost anything.”
There was something about the set of her shoulders that worried him. She wasn’t relaxed and she hadn’t been for hours. He strode over to her, wishing they were back in the training room when everything had seemed perfect and possible.
“Do you want to talk about it, luv? We could go to the kitchen and I’ll fix us some tea.”
She shook her head. “I just made a pot of coffee for Declan and Shane. I got Tucker some, too. I honestly don’t want any tea.”
He wanted to talk, but maybe they needed sleep more. In the morning, she might be willing to tell him what she was afraid of. “All right. Let’s go to bed, but you need to understand that I’m going to take care of you.”
She glanced at the clock. “I wonder why you didn’t go to that meeting. I get why I’m not there, but I would think if Big Tag and Anya’s brother wanted to talk about how they’re going to take down de Vries, you should be in on that.”
He sat down on the bed in front of her. It was oddly comfortable to share a room with her, like something had finally drifted into place and he was where he should have been all along. “My place is here with you and Nate. Big Tag can take care of Fedor. It’s his job and why we’re here in the first place.”
“I thought we were here because Li and Avery are my only friends.”
There was something up with her and he couldn’t put his finger on it. He unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it aside while he considered the problem. “You have more friends than you know. And if you had come to England and this was all going down at The Garden, I would still be going to bed with you. I would let Damon handle the big stuff because my main job in life now is to make sure you and Nate are safe and happy.”
She moved closer, placing herself squarely between his legs, her hands on his shoulders. “I believe you.”
His hands found her hips, eager to recapture the intimacy they’d lost earlier. “Good, because I mean it. I was a blind fool, Steph. I never should have left you much less allowed so much time to go by. You need to know that every single day we were apart, I thought about you. I never stopped.” He picked her up and rolled her over on to the bed, putting her on her back. It was exactly where he liked her to be. On her back with her legs spread, welcoming him home. “I have a lot to make up for. I wonder how I can do that.”
She frowned. “Brody…”
Damn it. He was being a selfish git. She was probably sore and tired and he was forcing himself on her. He started to roll off her, but her hands came up, holding him in place.
“Don’t go.” She looked up at him with clear eyes. Such innocent eyes. “I wasn’t trying to stop you. I wanted to switch things up a little. I know we have our places in the bedroom, but I want to look at you this time. I couldn’t see you tonight except in the mirror and while that was hot as hell, I want to be the top. Is that okay?”
She wanted a bit of control, did she? He leaned over, kissing her nose before easing off the bed. “I think I can handle that. What do you want from me?”
She sat up, a gleam in her eyes that satisfied him immensely. “You, naked on this bed.”
That he could definitely do. There was something about the way she ate him up with her eyes that made him feel like he was ten feet tall. He kicked out of his slacks and tossed them aside gently. Every move he made required patience because Nate was sleeping mere feet away.
When he got her back to The Garden, Nate would have his own room and his parents could have some freedom. Well, as much freedom as an infant allowed. He loved the idea of moving her into his flat, waking up with her every morning. If they decided they needed more room or more privacy, they could look around at the pretty walk-ups in Chelsea. Somewhere close, so even when he was out in the field, she would have people she could rely on.
She would get used to having family around. That was something he could offer her, too.
He eased back on the bed, taking up most of the space. Another good thing they would have when they got back to England. His bed was huge. He spread himself out for her as she got up on her knees. She’d shed her jeans and blouse and gotten into one of his T-shirts after she’d showered. Her face was scrubbed clean and she looked even younger than usual. How could he let her know how precious she was to him? How much he regretted the last year? “Do you know how gorgeous you are?”
Her skin flushed and her lips curved in a half smile. “You tell me often enough. Do you know how gorgeous you are?”
“I’m a big dude with a lot of scars, Stephanie. I’m not sure gorgeous is the right word.”
Her eyes widened and she swung a leg over his hips, straddling him. Her hands came down on his chest and she gently pinched his nipple between her thumb and forefinger. “I said you’re gorgeous and you should thank me for my compliment. Isn’t that what the big bad Dom would do?”
He grinned because she hadn’t managed to even send him a tweak of pain. “That’s right. You tell me, luv. You put me in my place when I need it.”
She sat up, her eyes closing as she shifted on top of him. He bit back a groan because her pussy was right on top of his cock and he realized she wasn’t wearing knickers. She rolled her hips, rubbing him to a full erection. How was she wet when he hadn’t even touched her?
“What the hell were you thinking of in the shower?” He whispered the question, rolling his hips in time with hers.
Her eyes opened, seduction plain in her gaze. “I was thinking about you. I was thinking about how much I loved what we did earlier tonight. I loved being completely under your control, but I also wanted to have time where I got to touch you to my heart’s content. Do you know what I felt when you put me in the spreader bar and I couldn’t do anything but accept what you gave me?”
He hoped she’d felt his desire, his overwhelming love for her. “What did you feel?”
“I felt like I was the center of the universe, like I mattered, and often I feel like I don’t.” She leaned over again, brushing her palms against the muscles of his chest. “I felt sexy and beautiful. I want to make sure you feel that way, too. If there’s one thing I can give you…well, I want to make sure you know how I feel.”
He reached up, gripping her left hand and bringing it to his lips. They seemed to have made a real breakthrough this evening despite the fact that the Ukrainians had almost wrecked it all. Taking her into that training room and lavishing her with sex and affection had done wonders for his girl. “You make me feel like I’ve never felt before. Anything you want, all you have to do is ask.”
“All I want is you.” She straightened up and pulled the T-shirt over her head, unveiling the beauty of her breasts, how graceful her curves were.
The words felt like a balm to his soul. They didn’t feel like something she meant only in the moment. They felt like words that promised a future. He knew what he’d told her, but he was already thinking about marrying her. He couldn’t help it.
“All I want is you,” he whispered back. His cock was so close. All it would take was the right angle and he would be inside her. And then he would make the same mistake he’d made before. Not that he could be unhappy about it. Nate was the best mistake he’d ever made. No. Nate hadn’t been a mistake. He’d been fate. That tiny bundle of humanity was the reason two people were going to be together.
Still, as much as he wished he could have been there for her while she was pregnant, he couldn’t do that to her again without careful planning.
“We should get a condom.” He couldn’t let things get out of control.
She stopped, frowning as though shocked she’d been the one to forget. Then she shook her head. “Yes, you
’re right.”
She rolled off him and the bed, going to the kit he’d carried with them to Sanctum. She was back in seconds, but she didn’t pass the foil packet to him. “Spread your legs for me, Brody. I want to do this.”
He might not survive, but he wanted her to have some time. She’d given him everything earlier in the evening and he was intent on paying her back. He spread his legs and watched as she crawled on the bed, kneeling between his thighs.
She reached out, skimming over his cock with her fingers.
He bit back a groan.
“Did you know that many men don’t have live sperm in their pre-ejaculate?” Her words were low, and somehow she managed to make the question sexy.
As if she’d called it out, a drop pulsed from the tip of his dick. She swiped it off with her finger and brought it to her lips. “That’s why it’s difficult to get pregnant from pre-come. Unless you’re Brody Carter, of course. That’s how it happened, you know.”
He could barely breathe. How did she do this to him? He’d had her already tonight, but he wanted her so badly he couldn’t see straight. “I won’t apologize. I know it makes me a bastard, but I’m glad it happened. I’m glad we have Nate.”
I’m damn glad I have another chance with you.
She sucked her finger into her mouth and smiled a mysterious smile. “I wouldn’t take it back. Not for anything in the world. That night was the best night of my life and you should know that.”
“Best night of mine, too.” When he thought about it, it was the start of his life, at least the part that had true meaning. He’d rambled through life, drifted through his childhood allowing one day to flow into the next. The only reason he’d joined the Army had been because his brother had and he tended to follow Harry. He’d stumbled into his job, but Steph was different. Steph and Nate were precious. Some men found their passion in their jobs or in hobbies.
He would find his true calling in taking care of his family, the family he would have with Stephanie.
“I didn’t get to look at you enough that night.” She ran her hands across his chest and down his abs, following the neat line of hair that led to his cock.
He forced himself to focus because her hands felt too good on his body. He wanted her to touch him everywhere. “That’s because I went too fast. I wanted you so badly I couldn’t stop myself.”
She wrapped her hand around his cock, starting to pump up and down in a methodical fashion. “You should know I lied to you that night.”
He thought he knew what she was talking about. “You were never going to look for Fain.”
She sighed, a resigned sound. “Well, I tried to look like it didn’t matter. Guess I did a poor job. No, I wasn’t going after Fain. If you had turned me down, I would have gone to my cabin and cried. And I really would cry now, Brody, because now I know what I would be missing.”
This woman knew how to make him feel good. “I don’t think I would have walked away. I don’t think I could have, but it saved us an hour or two. God, that feels good.”
“This should feel even better.” She leaned over and took the head of his cock in her mouth.
It was hard not to scream out. He held on to the sheets as she worked his cock. This was sweet torture and she would find herself on the other side of it soon. He would take everything she had to give and return it all back to her once Nate had a proper nursery. He would tie her up and not let her go until she begged him. He would give her so many orgasms she wouldn’t be able to remember a time when she wasn’t coming for him.
She cupped his balls, gently rolling them in her soft palm. She sucked him, and just when he thought he would come against her tongue, she sat up. Yes, this was definitely torture.
“I’ll get you back for this, luv. You wait. I’ll spend the next few days planning all the ways to make you as desperate as you’re making me.”
A cloud passed over her face, but she seemed to shake it off. If she was afraid, then he would show her there was nothing to be afraid of. He would take care of her in every way possible.
“Why don’t we worry about tonight first,” she said and tore open the condom wrapper. She started to roll it on his cock, taking care with the tip. “Do you have any idea how wet I am? You make me crazy. All you have to do is walk in a room and I want you.”
“That’s good because I want you all the time.”
She moved over him, mounting him. “It’s not a good thing, Brody.”
He held her hips, her heat starting to surround his cock. “What’s bad about it?”
She groaned softly as she slid down. “My panties are always wet.”
He had a good solution. “Stop wearing panties.”
She grinned down at him and then the expression morphed to something full of complex emotion. She leaned over, never losing his cock, and kissed him. “I’m crazy about you. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like I wasn’t. Even when I was so angry with you that I couldn’t see straight, I was crazy about you, Brody Carter.”
This was what he’d been waiting for. For her to give over and see what they could be. One day he’d get an I love you out of her because that was what she meant. But he could be patient as long as she was here and trying. As long as she stayed with him and toughed it out, she would find him the most patient of partners.
And if she needed to go back to Africa, he would go with her. He would give it all up for her if she needed him to. All she had to do was trust him.
He watched as she started to ride him. Her head fell back and he let her set the rhythm. He held her hips, keeping the motion with her. In too short a time, he felt himself tightening up, ready to go off.
He found her clit and started to rub.
She clenched around his cock, her orgasm forcing his own. He dragged her close so he could drink down her cries. He kissed her while the orgasm coursed through him.
She slumped down on his chest. “I can’t believe we didn’t wake the baby.”
He smiled. “We’re getting the parenting thing down, luv.”
And they were getting the couple thing right, too.
* * * *
Steph rolled out of bed, trying to move as quietly as possible. Trying not to make a sound that might wake the people sleeping close to her. Brody slept on the side closest to the door and Nate’s crib was near her. She glanced at the digital clock. She couldn’t put this off a second longer or her chance would be lost.
“You all right?”
She closed her eyes briefly and wished Brody wasn’t such a light sleeper. She hadn’t wanted to lie to him. Not that sneaking out in the middle of the night wouldn’t upset him enough. Somehow, she’d hoped to get away without the blatant lie. “I’m fine. Just need a glass of water. My throat’s dry.”
“I’ll get it for you,” he whispered and started to stretch.
She couldn’t let that happen. She leaned over and planted her lips on his, putting her hands on either side of his handsome face. “It’s okay. I’m going to the bathroom anyway. You go back to sleep. We have a long day tomorrow.”
In the low light she saw his lips curl up in the sexiest, sweetest grin. “I need it. You’re a tireless woman.”
When they’d climbed into bed, she’d known she couldn’t leave without being with him one last time. She’d kissed her way down his chest, trying to memorize every inch of his skin. She’d worshipped him the way he worshipped her. And when he’d rolled her over and pulled her into his arms, she’d known she would never love anyone the way she did this man.
He was the one for her. If only she’d been the one for him.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She didn’t want to leave him. She wanted to climb back into bed and tell him everything that had happened. She wanted to hand it all over to him and let him deal with it. That was what she’d promised him she would do. Not a few hours before, she’d let him hold her and told him she trusted him with this problem. He would take care of it.
And then a bunch of Ukr
ainian assassins would come after him. Yes, he was trained to handle things like this, but she couldn’t risk his life. Or Nate’s.
She slipped into the bathroom. She’d stashed a pair of jeans and a T-shirt she hurriedly dressed in. Her purse was out on the bar in the kitchen, and that was where she needed to go next.
Calm. She had to stay calm. This was stupid. It was stupid but she couldn’t think of another thing to do.
You could trust him. You could have a little faith.
She eased the bathroom door shut and was confronted with the reason she couldn’t take the chance. Nate was lying in his borrowed crib, his face peaceful as he slept.
Her baby. Her own sweet boy, and he deserved the best she could give him. The best world she could give him didn’t include his young, fragile life ending far too soon.
Steph took a deep breath. She didn’t want to leave them. Her boys.
What would her life have been like if she’d stayed home that night? If she’d decided to study instead of going to that party? Would she have still found these two? Her lover and her baby boy. Would she have found herself in Africa?
Probably not. She would have followed her father’s advice and gone into plastic surgery where she could make bank and live a beautiful life. She wouldn’t have known Brody Carter or any of the people she’d met along the way. Avery’s daughter would be halfway through high school.
But her son would never have been born.
Liam would never have met Avery and never have changed.
Brody rolled over and Steph froze. He seemed to sigh in his sleep and she knew the time had come. No more waiting. Besides, she’d put this plan into motion an hour ago when she’d been kind enough to deliver coffee to the bodyguards on duty. She doubted Brody would forgive her for that. Hell, Liam wouldn’t forgive her for that. He would be angry that she’d put his employees in that position.
Maybe they hadn’t drank the coffee that she’d laced with the strong sedative Fedor had slipped into her purse along with instructions on how and when he would pick her up.
What the hell was she doing?
