by Dee J. Adams
Then she smiled. A sweet curl of her lips as she looked up at him and the words fuck it ran through his head again. He stepped in close, wrapped his hand around her nape and pulled her against him. If she wanted him to stop, she had time to say something. But instead, she just stared at him with excitement in her eyes and a blush staining her cheeks. Damn, but she was so beautiful.
Without another second’s hesitation, Troy bent his head and kissed her. He didn’t just kiss her, kiss her. He fucking kissed the hell out of her. He sealed his mouth over hers and stepped in at the same time he pulled her flush against his chest.
She had no problem with the idea. No problem at all. She wrapped her arms around his neck, opened for his tongue and stood on tiptoe to get closer. Troy walked them in a few more feet and kicked the door closed behind him. He spun her around and backed her up against the front door as his mouth continued to own hers. He hadn’t started off slow or sweet. He’d started with a hunger that went deep into his bones. For the first time in his life, he threw away the rights and wrongs of what he was doing. He scrapped his ideals and simply took exactly what he wanted.
God, she tasted like chocolate, smelled like Julie, and his brain nearly short-circuited. His tongue dueled with hers in a slick, sinful dance of give and take, a war of supremacy where no one came out a loser.
In less than a minute they were both breathing hard. Her fingers dug into his scalp as she angled her mouth against his. He couldn’t kiss her deeply enough. Couldn’t touch enough of her. He didn’t even care about the clothes. The fact that he had her in his arms, that his tongue slid against hers in the most mind-bending kiss known to man was enough. She couldn’t seem to get close enough as she moaned and kissed him just as desperately as he kissed her. With every passing second, Troy’s control spiraled out of reach.
She gasped when he lifted the edge of her shirt and put his hands on her soft skin, caressing both sides, up and down. Though she didn’t stop or pull away, the surprise in the sound knocked some sense into his fried brain.
He pulled back before he did the stupidest thing in the world and fucked her at her front door.
She looked up at him, her face flushed, her eyes heavy lidded and loaded with desire. She licked her lips, and the temptation to go back for more nearly got the best of him.
“What?” she said, her voice husky and sexy as hell. “What’s wrong?”
“This,” Troy said, searching for sanity. “This is crazy. I can’t just walk in here and...” He glanced around the big entryway before meeting her gaze. “Strip you naked and fuck you.”
A smile curved her lips and she lifted one arched eyebrow. “Um...it’s possible that you can,” she hedged.
What? Shit, this was more than he could handle. Troy took a step back, needed the cool air to clear the crazy thoughts running rampant in his brain.
Julie ran her hand through her mussed hair. Damn, she looked even more beautiful with her lips swollen from his kiss and her eyes bright with passion. Those eyes narrowed though and Troy knew—without a doubt—what was coming next.
“Where were you before you rang the doorbell?” she asked.
Yep. The million-dollar question. There was simply no way to lie about the answer either. “Sitting in my car on the other side of the street.”
His answer sobered her passion. A bucket of cold ice water couldn’t have done a better job. Her back stiffened and her head cocked to the side.
“Why?” Her tone sounded more leery than angry.
“Probably for the same reason you called me.”
She thought about his answer. Her shoulders relaxed.
Though Troy couldn’t be completely honest with her, he wanted to, so he shot for the truth of the moment. “Look, I’ve been thinking a lot about today too. What does it mean that I’ve been there for you the last few times when you needed somebody?” He shook his head. “I don’t know the answer to that. I only know...” He ran his hands through his hair and turned away, stepped farther into her house and created more distance between them. He knew only one thing. That he wanted Julie Fraser with every beat of his sorry heart. He wanted to feel her under him as he pushed deep inside her. Wanted to hear her call his name as he touched and tasted every last inch of her.
“You only know what?” Julie followed him into the house, both her tone and steps hesitant.
Shit. He shouldn’t have started this. He walked around her, kept a large distance before he lost all sense of reason and lunged for her. Again. “I know that I can’t get you out of my mind. Ever since the shooting at the house, I’ve been thinking that someone could take a shot at you anytime and it’d all be over.” He shook his head, pissed that he sounded like some overprotective gorilla. He took the last few steps for the door, needing the space before he did something he’d regret.
“Wait a minute.” Her voice rose with an edge of anger. “What are you doing? Where are you going? You’re leaving?”
Troy turned. The mix of anger and uncertainty in her eyes made him sick inside. He didn’t want to upset her or hurt her in any way, and getting involved with her on any level would mean more trouble than he could handle.
“I shouldn’t have come over.” He shook his head. “Shouldn’t have rang the doorbell in the first place.”
Staring at him, she crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her gaze. “What is the problem?” She shook her head. “You’re going to need to spell it out for me because as far as I can tell, we’re two consenting adults and—” She stopped suddenly. “Are you married? Because if you’re married then you’re right, you can haul yourself out of my house right now. I never saw a ring on your finger, but if you think I sleep with married men, then you’d be categorically wrong.”
Troy closed his eyes and dropped his chin to his chest. He believed her. Everything he’d seen between her and Ari until now made perfect sense. Her body language had told the story, but he’d become so damn cynical that he wouldn’t believe his own eyes.
It didn’t change the fact that he still worked for Ari. It didn’t change the fact that he’d been watching her for weeks, months with the sole intention of nailing her to the wall when it came to wrecking a marriage.
He’d been wrong. His relief didn’t temper his frustration with the whole situation.
“Well, are you?” Her voice sounded razor sharp, and America would have been hard pressed to find their Sweetheart anywhere in the vicinity.
He met her gaze. “No.”
She huffed and shook her head. “Then what is the issue?” When he didn’t immediately answer, she paced in front of him. “Let me ask you something. Do you think I kiss a lot of guys the way I just kissed you? Do you think I—” She let out a frustrated groan that mirrored his exact aggravation. “I just don’t get it.” She stared at him and waited.
He couldn’t tell her he’d been hired to watch her, not while Sophia remained a client. He had strict confidentiality issues. His reputation demanded it. “I like you. A lot. Too much,” he said. “This is just—” Talking had never been his strong suit. This conversation was killing him.
“Just?” she prompted. “What? Just bad timing? Just plain crazy? Just not what you wanted?” She shook her head. “Maybe I’m not what you thought I’d be? I have no idea. People think one thing of me, and when they get the real me it’s a completely different story. I’m not glamorous or exciting or lead a wild life. Well, fine.” She gestured behind him. “Walk out the door. But don’t think you’ll get another chance to come back in.” Turning, she faced the slider doors that led out to the narrow backyard.
Troy’s heart felt like a twenty-pound medicine ball. It sunk hard and fast. He wanted her more than anything he’d ever wanted in his life. He wanted her with a powerful need that shot from his chest clear down to his toes. He craved the taste of her, the feel of her in his arms. His pulse thudded hard and fast as he stood frozen on the spot. He wanted her because of all the things she wasn’t. Who needed glamorous when you
had down-to-earth and real? Who cared about wild when you craved steadfast and solid?
He’d never jeopardized his work before, had never had the inclination. How could he start now? Until he talked to Sophia and quit, he couldn’t act on his impulse. It would be unethical. Completely wrong. And once he walked out the door, his chance at spending time with this woman disappeared like one of Copperfield’s illusions. Ultimately, he knew what he had to do. Knew it with a certainty that crushed him like the weight of an avalanche. He turned, put his hand on the knob and opened the front door.
Chapter Ten
Julie refused to cry. She stared out the giant picture window overlooking the backyard and absolutely refused to cry over a guy she barely knew. At least not until he’d left her house, at which point, there did exist a chance she’d break down like a teenager after her first heartbreak. Which was disturbingly ridiculous.
She was old-fashioned. With the exception of work, she dated a guy before kissing him. Yet a few minutes ago she’d had no qualms kissing this man like her life depended on it. What the hell was that all about? Just because he’d saved her life—on multiple occasions—didn’t mean she had to take him bed.
She just wanted to take him to bed.
He was such a contradiction. Tonight, dressed in all-black, he struck her as the ultimate bad boy, but every one of his actions had painted him as a good guy.
The door closed, and in spite of her anger, tears stung her eyes before slipping down her cheeks. She bowed her head and let them fall.
What was wrong with her? She was a twenty-seven-year-old Hollywood A-list movie star, and she didn’t have a boyfriend and couldn’t get the guy she liked to sleep with her. Sure, she’d made the choice years ago to be particular about who she wanted to be with. She wanted a regular guy. Someone who—preferably—knew nothing about show business. Someone who had his own money and didn’t care about hers. Somebody strong enough and with enough confidence to deal with her fame without letting it affect the way he treated her.
Was that too much to ask?
Apparently so.
A sob broke free and she turned to get a tissue from the corner end table.
Troy still stood by the front door and she nearly jumped a mile at his looming presence. He hadn’t left. Her heart skipped a couple of beats, then pounded triple time. Blood rushed to her cheeks. He didn’t try to hide the combination of confusion and wonder on his face. As if the sight of tears had rendered him deaf, dumb and blind.
Julie felt sliced open wide for the whole world to see. But the only person watching moved toward her steadily, a look of determination taking over his features as she stood rooted in place. She didn’t know what to say or where to go.
“Goddammit,” he swore softly as he stepped in close. He cupped her face in his hands. Wiped her tears with his thumbs, then bent his head and kissed her. This kiss couldn’t have been more different than the first. The first kiss had rocked her. This kiss scared the hell out of her. He took his time, brushed his mouth tenderly across hers, coaxed her lips apart with a gentle tongue and teased her with soft licks and little nibbles. She breathed in his faint spicy aftershave and let him take her mouth.
Her knees went weak. Her insides turned to mush.
She set her hands on his forearms, intending to push him away. She shouldn’t let him kiss her. Shouldn’t let him think he could play push me/pull me with her emotions and get away with it, but instead she hung on as her heart warred with the joy of having him kiss her versus her pitiful lack of dignity.
Why had he stayed after all?
More important, did she care?
She’d liked him from the beginning. From the moment he skidded next to her on the red carpet while bullets were flying. He’d risked his life for her on more than one occasion. That had to count for something in a moment like this when she very nearly shoved him back.
He felt her tension. She knew it when he pulled away a fraction and studied her face. She hadn’t put her arms around him or kissed back. Allowing the kiss hadn’t made her a partner in it and he clearly realized it.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I don’t ever want to be the cause of your tears. Not ever.” He leaned in again and kissed her just as softly, his lips smoothing over hers with gentle insistence, the tip of his tongue teasing the crease of her mouth. He wanted cooperation. He wanted in.
Julie pulled back, let his breath glide over her tingling lips. “So, what is this? Are you staying or going? I honestly don’t know.” Her lids stayed almost totally closed as she waited for his answer. She couldn’t bear to look at his gorgeous deep brown eyes and didn’t want him to see the effect he had on her.
“Julie.” He whispered her name and this time she did look at him. His gaze bore into hers, searching, seeking, needing something from her, but she had no idea what. The more time she spent with this man, the more she realized she had no idea who he was. He shook his head the tiniest bit. “Don’t look at me like that. Like you’re ready to run. I was about to run myself three minutes ago and changed my mind.”
“Why?” The word barely came out, but she deserved an answer. “What’s wrong with me?”
He drew back sharply, his brows creased together. “What?” In the next instant he pulled her close and she felt the strong beat of his heart against her cheek. “You’ve got it all wrong. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you.” She shifted and he lowered his head. His lips grazed her ear, sent a riot of tingles down her back and arms. “I was running because of me.”
She looked into his eyes. She needed more than that. Did he think she’d fall for the It’s not you, it’s me line?
“Give a guy a break, okay.” He must have seen the skepticism in her eyes. “You’re Julie Fraser. I have to wrap my head around the fact that Julie Fraser gave me a booty call.”
Her jaw dropped open and a wave of heat spread across her whole face. She couldn’t argue, because he was right. She’d called him late at night and had basically invited him over because she was lonely. She’d wanted companionship. Someone to talk to and laugh with. And maybe, tonight, someone to sleep with. She’d gone through three near-death experiences in the last two months, and everything combined made her realize how quickly it could all end. Maybe it was the way they’d been entwined on the stairs. The way she’d felt his physical reaction to her. Or maybe she’d just gone too long without a man and simply needed the connection.
A handsome grin curved his lips. “I think I’ve wrapped my brain around the idea,” he murmured. He brushed his lips gently across hers and sent all the hair on her arms and nape at attention. He flattened his palm at the base of her spine and halfway over her ass and a surprising zing of lust shot through her. “Yeah.” He nodded. “Definitely wrapped.”
He set his mouth to hers and this time Julie participated. Oh, Lord, how she participated. She not only participated, she might have taken over. But it was hard to tell because they both fumbled with buttons and zippers as Troy walked her backward to her bedroom. He knew exactly where to go since he’d been through her house already. By the time they got there, her top and jeans lay somewhere down the hallway along with his shirt.
His hands smoothed over her skin as if he couldn’t touch enough of her, as if he’d waited his whole life to touch her. She wasn’t especially shy either. She loved the play of muscles on his chest, the dusting of dark hair that arrowed down to the waistband of his jeans and straight to the straining erection beneath.
Now, standing next to her giant bed, he pulled back and took a long look at her. Moonlight shining in from the window illuminated his hungry gaze. Wearing just her bra and thong, she never felt more appreciated in her whole life. As if all the hours she spent in the gym were for this moment and none other. Not a film or a photo shoot. But just for Troy.
He grazed his thumb across the scar on her arm from the bullet. He had a similar one on his shoulder. In that one way they were very connected, and it helped her get more comfortable in th
e nerve-wracking moment. Their matching scars marked their first meeting, gave them a unique starting place. They both had an appreciation for life that maybe hadn’t been there before. Maybe that’s what tonight was all about. Appreciation. It was about living life and living in the moment, giving and taking. Sharing the sweetness of a first kiss and first touch and not worrying about what it meant.
Troy fingered the front clasp of her bra and she held her breath, waited for the first illusion to disappear. The only thing that would make her barely there Bs beautiful would be surgery and she refused to cross that line.
His knuckles scraped the bottom of the bra and his gaze fastened on her eyes. He unsnapped the hook, but his look didn’t waver. “You don’t need this,” he whispered roughly.
Did he mean the push-up part or the bra as a whole? Push-ups were all she owned. “That’s a matter of opinion.” Her voice had a strange husky edge to it.
“My opinion,” he said very succinctly, “is that you don’t need this.” He eased the straps off her shoulders and let the bra fall to the floor, leaving her bare breasted. When his gaze moved from her eyes to her chest, her nipples puckered. He cupped her breasts, rubbed his thumb over the stiff peaks and made her gasp when his short thumbnail flicked each tip. Fiery shocks of lightning zipped through her nerves.
When he bent his head and took her in his mouth, she had to grasp his shoulders to stay on her feet. His teeth pulled gently on her nipple as his tongue stroked. The combined sensations had her struggling to breathe. She tipped her head back, loving the way the alternate glide and suction washed through her, sending fresh waves of pulsing need between her thighs.
Troy bent lower, wrapped his arms around her middle and stood up, lifting her in his arms as he continued to suck at her breast. In seconds, he had both of them on the bed and rolled her beneath him. He worked his way up her throat, across her jaw until he reached her mouth, where she very clearly thanked him for all the attention by driving her tongue past his teeth.
