by Marie Harte
I need you.
He liked her saying that. He liked the way she touched him too. How she squeezed his cock, pumping slowly up and down, steadily increasing the pressure and speed.
Alex breathed into her mouth, “Soon,” he promised, clenching his jaw as she tightened her grip. “You need this first.” Covering her mouth with his own, he slid a second finger in to join the first. He drew her breath into his lungs, as he tasted the sweetness of her mouth, his tongue exploring every corner. God above, she tasted good. Her mouth was as soft and as satiny as the rest of her.
He kissed her deeply one last time, then nibbled on her chin, making his way to her neck. He made small circles with his hand, his palm rubbing and teasing her clit as his fingers continued to slide in and out of her wet folds. He sampled the skin under her ear, her flowery scent filling his head when he licked at the pulse pounding in her neck. The combination of all three sensations proved too much, her shallow breaths stopped and she sucked in a breath as the orgasm shook her body.
Alex used her dazed condition to move her further onto the bed. “Condoms?” He asked, moving over her.
“What?”
Grabbing her legs, he chuckled at her dreamy tone, the shaft of his cock parted her slick lips as he moved up and down between the folds. “Do you have condoms?”
She gazed up at him, her eyes heavy and inciting, a silent invitation.
“We’re not done yet.”
A sly smile tugged at her swollen mouth. “I hope not. Top drawer.” She pointed to the bedside table.
Alex felt the muscles in his groin flex as he pulled away. He quickly found what he needed, throwing the remainder of the box on the bed.
Climbing back to join her, he moved over her as she framed his face pulling him down. Grinning, he kissed her lush pink lips. He thought he might have to spark up the heat again but it wasn't necessary, because there was no desire lost between them. God that made him hard, she made him hard.
Eve pulled on his neck wanting more, then raised her hips. Her body called to him the same way her voice did, smooth and seductive and full of promise.
He couldn’t wait any longer. She was just too tempting. He bent his knees, spreading her legs apart and slowly entered her, closing his eyes as he sank into her luscious depths.
He kissed her, then sucked in her breath when she raised her hips. Her body clamped around him, silken muscles holding him in place. He pulled out and slowly entered her. Her moist heat welcomed him, gripped him like a wet, slick fist.
“Alex,” Eve called out, her breathing coming in fast choppy bursts. He liked hearing that desperate edge to her voice. “Faster, Alex.” And she proceeded to wrap her legs around his waist, locking her feet.
He lost a little control after that and drove into her harder, faster, deeper. He kissed her hard, sweeping his tongue in her mouth searching for that heavenly touch. Her breasts skimmed against his chest as she clawed at his shoulders, while she licked and nipped at his at his earlobe. Every time their bodies joined, everywhere she touched, his skin began to tingle and come to life.
“I need to…make me come.” It was a whispered command, and one he could do nothing but follow.
Those simple words were his trigger point. He licked two fingers and moved them down between their joined bodies. Moving deeper inside her, he stroked her clit until he felt her dripping core clamp around his cock. She pressed her face into his shoulder crying out as her strong muscles gripped and pulsed around him. Grunting, he held her down and did precisely what he said he would…he fucked her brains out, rammed into her convulsing body over and over, until her cries were overshadowed by his own, until he felt his limbs shake and a savage pulse-pounding sensation had him coming hard and deep.
Chapter Eighteen
It was one thing to find out that the cop who had been hit by the truck had come out of his coma. Shit, who was he kidding? It was great. The cop was never his intended target. But things became entirely different when he saw the cop appear out of nowhere and enter Eve’s house.
Crossing his arms, Miles relaxed against the side of the house across the street from Eve Sinclair’s house. Until the cop had shown up he was going to leave her be. She was what she appeared to be, a single mom with an eight year old daughter and a physiotherapist that worked with members of the military. A quick tour of her house had proven it to be true.
He had also found out, while researching her background, that she had no prior offences or convictions, she’d been born in England and had moved to Canada when she was young. Although he was unsure how accurate that data was because it stated 1968 as the year of entry into the country. It was probably a typo and should have been entered as 1986 based on her age. It was odd however. He had never run across any problems when dealing with Immigration. This one flag had made him question every other aspect of her life, which was why he was standing across the street in the dark watching her house.
He had also found it curious how she had ran out of the hospital a few days before. When he’d learnt that the cop had awakened from his coma, he’d been surprised to hear that Eve was the only person in the room when he’d woken up. He’d spoken with her patient, Master-Corporal Le Blanc who’d shared the room with Detective Taylor. Le Blanc confirmed that she had stayed behind to finish her notes.
It was interesting how Eve seemed to be in places she shouldn’t be. First in Ace’s hospital room, then she was in the same room where a man, who was thought to be a vegetable, suddenly woke from a coma. Both of which he was directly connected to and now, the cop showed up at her house. Although, he didn't appear to be invited by the way he had gained entry to the house. Yet, no 911 call had been made because the police hadn’t shown up and he knew she wasn’t dead because he was picking up movement from two different individuals in her room and they were close, about as close as two people could get.
He lowered the new Refractor scope. A long-range, portable x-ray unit capable of detecting movement through walls and it fit in his hand.
He grinned to himself. Nice toy.
* * * *
Eve was still in the same position on the bed when Alex came out of the bathroom. Grinning, he climbed onto the bed and fell on his back next to her, staring at the ceiling.
After a few minutes he noticed her shiver and, sitting up, pulled back the duvet on her bed. “Get in,” he ordered lightly.
She rolled towards him and pushed up onto her knees with the intent of following his order. He stopped her when he saw it. He traced his fingers over the tattoo on the front of her hip. It wasn’t big, maybe the size of a two dollar coin. How did he miss this?
Slapping his hand away, Eve reached for the covers. He allowed her to slide into the bed but held the duvet in place when she tried to cover herself. He splayed his hand over her abdomen and touched her painted skin. “What is it?”
She shrugged. “It’s just a copy of an old medallion my family owns.” She pushed up on her elbows. He didn’t miss the uncertainty before she answered him.
Naturally cautious, he studied it closely, knowing Eve wouldn’t share the whole truth with him. It was odd looking, like bits of black string woven together forming a complex shape or shapes. There was also strange writing, which formed a circle around it. “What does this writing say?” He traced the words with his finger.
She didn’t answer him right away.
“Eve?” he pressed.
“It’s my family motto.” She was staring at him with a worried expression.
“What does it say?” he asked again.
“It’s Scottish Gaelic. It means Commit thy work to God.”
Interesting. He glanced at her and back to the tattoo studying the pattern, almost certain there was more to it than just a family heirloom. He bent his head and brushed his lips over it. “It’s different. I like it.”
“Really? You don’t think it’s weird?”
“It doesn’t matter what I think.” He met her eyes. “Tattoos are personal
. It only matters that you like it.” He ran his hand back and forth over her belly. “Do you like it?”
“I need it.” She nodded sincerely. “It’s very important to me.”
Now that was an odd answer. He continued gently touching her body as he studied her expression. He wasn’t expecting need it. That was a very telling answer. There was something more to this tattoo and he didn’t like that she was hiding it from him.
He stroked her belly again, dropped his hand lower, and stopped when he felt a long thin scar resting just above her pelvic bone. He ran his finger along its uneven path. “This was done in a hurry. Noelle?”
“Yes.”—she paused, then explained—“I didn’t take my mom’s death too well and fainted.” Her admission caught him off guard, but she was being honest with him, he could tell and he liked that. He pressed his mouth to her skin, realising that Eve had more secrets than he did. He also realised that he wanted to know each one of them.
Eve felt the muscles in her stomach clench when Alex kissed her scar. His mouth lingered against her for a second or two—it was incredibly sensual. Almost as erotic as when she felt his warm breath tickle her stomach. He broke the contact and moved up the bed next to her pulling the covers over both of them. Placing his hand on her hip he rolled her onto her side so she was facing him. He studied her for a long time, a hard, brooding look appearing every so often. That was not a look she wanted to see after they had just made love. So she closed her eyes against his stare and relaxed against the pillow.
“Eve?” he began quietly.
Keeping her eyes closed she answered with a simple, “Mmm.”
“Noelle’s father isn’t in the picture at all is he?”
Okay, she would open her eyes for that question. “No, he isn’t. Why?”
“I don’t think the father of Jillian’s baby is in the picture either.” He pulled her close.
His statement confused her. “Okay. What does it matter?”
“I don’t think Jillian has anyone to help her with her baby. And even if she did, I couldn’t take them to her or her to them, because Miles is hunting her. I can’t even risk taking her to the hospital if she delivers early.”
“What are you going to do? You must have medical training.”
“Not like you.” He lowered his head, his gaze burning into hers.
Oh no! She knew what he wanted. When she shook her head, Alex slowly nodded his. “I need your help, Evening.”
She groaned as she rolled onto her back. No! This was none of her business, she couldn’t help. It was too dangerous. This could affect Noelle, her baby. Her train of thought stopped.
Baby.
Damn it! “How far along is she?” She left her hand on her forehead as she waited for his answer.
“Close to seven months now, would be my guess. She looks pretty big though.”
She turned back to face him. “Are you sure?”
Alex shrugged. “That’s what she told me. She’s petite, about five foot nothing, with blonde hair and brown eyes…” he trailed off with a puzzled scowl on his face.
“What’s the matter?”
He shook his head then flung the covers off and searched the floor until he found his jeans. With two wallets in hand, he got back in bed, throwing the covers back over them. Sitting up, he began pulling the contents from one of the black leather wallets.
“Alex?”
He ignored her, flinging money and credit cards on her bed. She picked up one credit card. “Oh, platinum!” Alex glanced up at her, she nodded her head. “Nice!”
He chuckled, threw the wallet aside and continued searching through the mess on the bed. Eve picked up the second black wallet and flipped it open. A police picture ID card with Cade’s face was on one side and a silver badge was on the other. She looked at the photo. It was Cade as she had seen him in the hospital. With brown eyes and sandy blond hair. He had an easy-going look about him, a friendly smile, nice eyes, he was relaxed. She turned to Alex. Same face, same hair, same body. He turned to look at her. But that was where the similarities ended. He narrowed his blue eyes. She doubted if Alex was ever relaxed.
She handed him the badge. “What are you looking for?”
“The one thing I can’t find.” He reached for the cards and began sliding them back in the wallet.
“And that’s…?”
“I have to go,” he said suddenly, facing her.
Her heart sank into her stomach almost as fast as he said the words. Already! She fought to keep the words inside. She wasn’t the type of woman who begged her lover to stay. Besides, she shouldn’t really be surprised, Alex flat out said he didn’t want to be attracted to her and that he didn’t date women with families. Shit, she should be ecstatic, he hadn’t killed her and they’d had really hot sex, the hottest.
She inhaled slowly keeping her disappointment to herself, “Okay.”
He glared at her, throwing both wallets on the end of the bed. “I can’t take you with me.”
“Okay.” Leaning back she pulled the covers up to her shoulders. Closing her eyes, she automatically lifted her arm above her head and began toying with a strand of her damp hair.
The room was quiet for some time before the bed moved and Alex suddenly pinned her other arm above her head. His heat spread through her while his fingers threaded with hers. “You didn’t answer my question.” His voice was low.
She blinked up at him. “What question?”
There was a low groan when she licked her suddenly dry lips. His nostrils flared. “I need your help, Evening.” He looked at her lips. “Will you help me?” He lowered his mouth, hovering just above hers. His breath warm on her face.
“Why?” she asked, why would he need her help? There was no soul to be called and she had no idea how to fight off a trained killer. The only thing that made sense was her medical background but she hadn’t worked as a nurse in a long time.
Not wanting to take any chances, she altered the pitch of her voice lightly—“Why do you need me? What can I do to help besides get in the way?”
He relaxed the full weight of his body onto hers while his face turned dark. “Do not, do that.”
His quiet tone startled her enough so that the only thing she could do was stare up at him.
“You don’t have to use your voice tricks to get the answers you want.” He squeezed her fingers to emphasise his point. “Do you understand me?”
“But you’ve already lied to me once. I only wanted the truth.”
“I was going to give you the truth.” His golden brows pushed together, drawing attention to his scar. “I can’t promise it will always be that way, but believe me when I say, my intention is only to protect you.”
Eve wasn’t sure what to believe, but her heart lifted a little in hope when he said that.
“I wasn’t trained to deal with pregnancies. It’s not something you run across on a battlefield. You’ve been pregnant and have the basic knowledge to help Jillian if need be. That is why I need your help. Plus—” he paused, but didn’t continue.
“Plus what?”
His face went blank when he answered, “I can keep you safe.”
Eve couldn’t help but gaze around the room. “I’m not safe?”
“You were no longer safe the second Miles saw you in my hospital room.” Alex gripped her hands tightly. She wasn’t going to like what she was about to hear. “He has already found your house, seen you and Noelle, and watched your daily activities.” He threw a leg over hers as she tried to get up. He felt her large breasts graze against him.
“He knows where I live? How do you know that?” Her voice was high.
“Because I saw him watching your house.” He saw the panic in her eyes, felt her grip nervously at his hands.
“Noelle,” she gasped. “Will he hurt Noelle?”
“No.” He gave her a straight-faced lie as he stroked his thumb along the side of her hand. He couldn’t stand seeing fear in those lovely eyes—besides, he ne
eded her calm. “He’s just curious right now. He wants to know how you know me.” The fear was still there. He needed to say something to ease it. “He wouldn’t do anything to harm you during the day. Too many people come in and out of here. And I’ve been here at night, just in case. So, there’s no reason to panic.”
“That’s why you’re here? Just in case Miles tried to hurt us?”
This time he told her the truth. “Yes.”
She released a breath slowly, the tension along with it. “Thank you.” She blinked, adding, “Of course I will help you. I’m a little rusty though, I haven’t worked in obstetrical since before I had Noelle.”
He gazed into her pretty face, watching as her pupils grew large. “I’m sure you will do fine.”
Her hands weren’t gripping his any longer, they just sat inside his palms. Lying on his side next to her, Alex felt her full breasts move against his chest when she drew in a shaky breath. The plump skin teased his nipple, causing it to harden. He wanted to kiss her again, wanted to see her shiver. But he needed to head over to Cade’s house. “I need to get going. It’s better if I go while it’s dark.”
She ran her tongue along the seam of her mouth. It was as though she knew he couldn’t resist her when she did that. “So no one sees you?”
He nodded and tried to block out how the slide of her flesh against his could stir such need deep within him. She paused briefly before moving again, but he didn’t like the idea of her not touching him. Don’t. “Stop moving,” he mumbled, closing his eyes. Her body, the temptation, was becoming too much.
When she became still, his eyes snapped open. “What are you doing?”
“You asked me to stop moving.” She stared up at him confused.
“Don’t. I meant don’t stop moving.” He covered her mouth with a hard kiss. He didn’t wait for her to open her mouth. He did that for her and slid his tongue along the sweet length of hers. She groaned when he covered her and pushed between her legs. Both ripe breasts pushed at his chest when she arched her back, both of them begging to be tasted. He pulled his mouth and hands away from hers and, grasping both, he took his time licking and sucking until they were pink and swollen. She dug her fingers into his shoulder and moaned when he stopped.
