Guarding Mr. Fine (Tough Love #2)

by HelenKay Dimon

  Forget their pasts and the information that, if Seth knew, would tear them apart. That pounding inside him had developed so fast. He saw Seth, heard his voice and wanted him naked.

  Watching Seth come in and out of the office all day had nearly killed Rick. By the late afternoon he’d waited, actually sat at his desk answering calls and reviewing documents, all while hoping Seth would peek his head in for a quick hello.

  The sudden interdependence threw off his balance. It both scared and excited him. He knew he should put up a wall and establish boundaries, but he could not force the words out. Would not tolerate another night without Seth’s hands all over him.

  “I love the way your body reacts to my touch.” Seth’s warm breath caressed the side of Rick’s face.

  Sitting there, not moving, tested him. The idea of dragging Seth to bed called to him. “Yes.”

  “You need to say it.”

  “Seth…” Rick jumped when Seth’s mouth went to his neck and bit down in a quick nip.

  “Not good enough.”

  Through the sting and the haze and the incredible feel of Seth’s hand rubbing over his erection, Rick couldn’t come up with one reason to fight this. “Fuck me.”

  Seth lifted his head and stared at Rick. “Nice.”

  He pressed a quick kiss on Rick’s mouth then stood up, pulling him along. Not that Rick needed convincing. Hands slipped over shoulders. Seth opened the buttons on Rick’s shirt then practically peeled it off him. They walked backward, bumped into furniture, all while fingers tore at clothing and lips covered lips.

  A minute passed before they made it to the bedroom. Seth wore only jeans, and the zipper on Rick’s pants had been ripped down. He was about to shove them off when his back hit the wall. Seth’s hands moved all over him, soothing and learning every inch until Rick’s skin caught fire.

  Air trapped in his chest. He struggled to kick off his shoes but stilled when Seth’s hand slipped into his open pants and skin touched skin.

  “I see you’re prepared.” Seth warm laugh filled the room. “No underwear.”

  Thank God. Rick didn’t want anything between them. “I couldn’t find them.”

  “I’m not complaining.”

  Seth stepped over to the end of the bed, tugging Rick along with him. He sat on the edge and dragged Rick to stand between his legs. Rick let it happen, enjoyed Seth taking the lead.

  He rested his hands on either side of Rick’s hips. That small touch set off a firestorm. Rick slid his fingers into Seth’s hair and pulled him in closer. He wanted to watch every move but his eyes drifted shut as Seth worked the dress pants the rest of the way off and lowered his head. That hot, wet mouth slipped over his dick. His length disappeared inside.

  It was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen. So intimate and perfect.

  Rick put his palm against the back of Seth’s neck and guided him forward. Watched Seth take every inch. The in and out hypnotized him. Feeling Seth’s hand squeeze around his dick had Rick’s head spinning.

  He eased back just enough to get Seth’s attention. He glanced up with lips that were all red and puffy. With clouded eyes.

  No, that was the sexiest thing ever.

  Rick pushed his body forward and tumbled them both down to the bed. They rolled over the mattress until Seth landed on top. The weight anchored them as Rick trailed a hand down his back and slipped it over Seth’s ass. They’d stripped off their clothes. Nothing stood between them. Nothing blocked the heat or slowed the friction.

  Seth broke off the kiss to stare down at Rick. “Condoms?”

  The urge to run his finger over those swollen lips hit Rick but he forced the runaway need back. “Drawer.”

  “Excellent.” Seth stretched his body across Rick’s and tugged on the knob. The small drawer thudded as he pulled. He had it all the way out, teetering until it almost fell out of the stand.

  “Nice save.” Rick tried to keep his voice light but he felt anything but. Need churned inside him. He hands roamed as he opened his legs and let Seth slide his body in between.

  “I’d punch through the wall to get a condom on and get inside you.” Seth dumped the tube of lube on the bed and ripped the condom wrapper open with his teeth.

  “Hot.”

  “Yes, you are.” Seth stopped moving and smiled down. He took off Rick’s glasses and set them on the nightstand. “I hate to lose these but I don’t want to break them. Not when you look so fucking good in them.”

  “The glasses used to get me beat up.”

  “Now they’re going to get you laid.”

  Rick slid both hands down Seth’s back this time. Kept going until his hands landed on that hard ass. His fingers slipped over him. One dipped into the crease between his cheeks. “I love being an adult.”

  “We’re about to be very grown-up.”

  “Show me. Explain each step.” Just the sound of Seth’s voice had Rick’s nerve endings firing and his body aching for more.

  Seth ducked his head and took Rick’s mouth in a mind-blowing kiss. The kind that took the world and sent it spinning the wrong way. Everything blurred until all Rick could see and feel was Seth. His heat, his muscles…the way they fit together.

  The kiss deepened, grew bolder. It was bruising in intensity. So genuine and raw as their mouths studied and learned about each other.

  Seth lifted his head again, but not before returning a few more times for one kiss then another. “I remember where we were.”

  He slipped his fingers through Rick’s and pulled his arms up high. With the back of his hands braced against the bed and his arms stretched, Rick acquiesced the last of his control. Seth had him trapped. He held the power. And Rick loved it.

  He squeezed his thighs together, pulling Seth in closer. “Give me your mouth.”

  Heat flared in Seth’s eyes but he shook his head.

  “Next time.” He made a low groaning sound. “Definitely next time.”

  He leaned back and balanced his weight on his knees. With his palms under the back of Rick’s thighs, Seth pushed. Rick’s knees pressed close to his chest as Seth opened the lube. The cap popped off and a second later Rick felt the wet coolness against him. Then the press of Seth’s body as he entered him.

  Seth arched his hips forward. Every muscle inside Rick groaned as Seth pushed inside. Inch by inch, not slowing down. Rick shifted as the feeling of fullness overcame him. His legs shook as Seth started pumping inside him. A steady rhythm. An in and out that had Rick’s heart slamming against his chest.

  Rick pressed his knees closer to his chest, opened his body to the thrust. Seth pushed and retreated until sweat glistened across his shoulders and dotted his chest. Those dark eyes, so intense, highlighted the determination written on his face.

  Heavy breathing echoed through the room as the mattress shifted back and forth. Seth’s fingers wrapped around Rick’s cock and starting moving in time with the plunging. At the touch, Rick grabbed for the comforter, then for Seth’s arm. He needed to hold on and bring Seth closer, but he wouldn’t be deterred. He pushed until they both groaned from the impact.

  This—God, this—was what Rick waited for all day. Desperation clawed at him now. The tightening inside him as the need to explode ratcheted up. Another plunge and his hips started to lift.

  His palm slipped down Seth’s chest and landed on his perfectly flat stomach. Muscles clenched under his fingertips. Rick was about to beg Seth to end it when the orgasm punched through him. His body started to shake and heat swept through the room.

  His head fell back as he came. His whole body rocked from the force of it. He could feel Seth over him, in him. Smell him and hear him. And when he leaned down with his body closer to Rick’s stomach, Rick knew Seth’s control had given out. He huffed and a tremor ran through him. When he fell heavy and boneless, Rick caught him.

  His vision blurred. He almost reached for his glasses but gave in and wrapped an arm around Seth’s back instead. Tucked Seth’s head under his ch
in. Soaked up the warmth of his body and steadied his weight.

  “Imagine how good that would have been if we’d eaten first.” Seth’s voice vibrated against Rick’s chest.

  Rick smiled in the dark room. “I prefer this to scrambled eggs.”

  “I prefer this to anything.”

  Chapter 11

  Seth had no interest in moving. For ten long minutes he didn’t. He lay there, on top of Rick, still lodged inside him.

  Regret circled in his head. He never fucked on the job. Well, not unless fucking was the job. That happened now and then. He’d have to lure someone or break down his or her defenses. Not his favorite part of his work and not something he’d done in years. But he’d never done this. Never sacrificed a potential target’s safety so he could have sex. Doing it now felt…part great and part shitty.

  He rolled off Rick, hating the coolness that seeped into his bones the minute skin left skin. Refusing to break off all contact, he shifted to his back but let his arm linger over Rick’s chest. Rubbed the back of his hand over Rick’s nipple and ignored the way his stomach flipped over when Rick skimmed his fingers up and down his arm.

  The room smelled of sex. He’d been lost in a grip of adrenaline and unleashed it on Rick. Gave in to the need to taste and touch him. He should have thrown his body in an ice-cold shower and used his own hand rather than get in deeper with Rick, but he didn’t.

  Attraction kicked his ass. Seth couldn’t deny that but he might be able to deal with it. The problem was he liked Rick. Liked how he skipped all the stupid games. He didn’t pull rank or pretend the energy jumping between them only moved in one direction.

  It was both refreshing and scary as hell.

  Rick liked sex and was damn good at it. Didn’t seem to have hang-ups about it or the fact Seth was bi. Rick dove in. They verbally sparred, which with anyone else might be annoying but with Rick, Seth came out energized. He was smart and sexy.

  Being with Rick was easy. Maybe too easy. Seth had never experienced easy. He’d been difficult his whole life, using sarcasm as a shield and a sword. He might joke but not many people stood up to him because behind the bullshit was a guy who could kill on demand. A sick skill, but Seth possessed it. It kept him sharp and careful.

  He traveled and lied about where he went. He justified his actions to anyone he was dating at the time, saying the job demanded it, but truth was running came naturally to him. His uncomfortable childhood, being the kid his parents got stuck with after their favorite died, made him get out fast. He’d been on the move for a long time and none of that matched up with Rick, who seemed to be a decent guy.

  “I guess we need to talk about what just happened.” Seth hated the sound of his voice, so unsure. He prided himself on his confidence and it seemed to be faltering.

  He should pump his fist in the air celebrating the great sex, roll over and go to sleep. He didn’t dwell on emotions and romance and all that shit. Didn’t have time and certainly didn’t have the patience for it. Experience told him he wasn’t particularly adept at it either.

  “About how good it was?” Rick turned on his side and faced Seth. “Seems to me we can just agree and get some sleep.”

  He sounded so rational. Seth kind of hated that right now. His thoughts bounced all over the place. Part of him wanted another round. The bigger part wanted to smash every thought in his head with a giant hammer.

  He should lay back and shut the fuck up. But…“I didn’t—”

  “I should go to the bathroom.” Rick sat up. He started to throw off the covers.

  “I know that can’t happen again.”

  Rick froze before his feet hit the floor. He spun around again and leaned back against the headboard. “Huh?”

  His voice sounded weird. Like disappointed, maybe? Seth glanced over, still unable to leave it alone. “That’s your response? Just huh?”

  “Well, I was going to say the opposite of what you did. I think that should happen a lot. Like, daily so long as I can still walk.”

  The kicking in Seth’s gut picked up. He almost rubbed a hand over his middle to calm it down. “You don’t think that was a mistake?”

  Rick snorted. “Am I being unclear here? No.”

  “It put you in danger.” Seth said the words but that wasn’t really what made him twitchy. It was that he wanted it so much that had him rethinking and potentially bolting.

  “You seemed on top of your game to me.” Rick shifted until he faced Seth head-on. “I don’t know what kind of sex you usually have, and maybe I should be jealous that I’m not having it, but that totally worked for me.”

  Seth didn’t know how to explain it. Hell, he didn’t want to say the words out loud but truth was he got inside Rick and his mind blanked. He could barely breathe. That was the point. Something about this guy pulled and tugged at him, had him putting aside his doubts and his training. And they hadn’t even spent two full days together. Really, what the hell was that about?

  “The sex—us—was fucking awesome. I’m not debating that.” Seth scooted up and leaned on his elbow. “My point isn’t about the quality.”

  “Then what are we talking about?” Rick sounded amused.

  Seth wished he felt any lightness on this topic. He didn’t. Doubts battered him. The need to regain his equilibrium and focus on the job slammed into him.

  “I’m your bodyguard.” That was supposed to be his only job. The side benefits proved more tempting than Seth thought possible, but he did have an assignment.

  “Then you’re okay because I feel covered.”

  “Rick, come on.” Seth sat up and hovered just inches away from him. Close enough to reach out and run a finger over that beard. “We both know this isn’t what Helena had in mind.”

  “Are you sure?”

  Seth’s mind went blank. “What?”

  Rick pressed his hand against Seth’s chest. Swept it across his shoulders, hesitated on his collarbone, before traveling down. “Your body is a road map.” Fingertips brushed over every visible scar.

  “Exactly. Look at this.” Seth grabbed Rick’s hand and traced a finger over the pockmark by his shoulder. “Gunshot. Knife wound.” Slipped Rick’s palm along the crooked line under his rib cage. Then down farther until his hand closed on the hard, scarred ridge on his stomach. The one that trailed around to his back. “This is from a clusterfuck that nearly killed me.”

  Seth refused to close his eyes or let the memories in. If he did, he’d see that woman fall. Watch the rebels sacrifice two aid workers in their race to escape. See the knife slice and the blood spread over her chest, drop down into the dirt.

  When the smoke cleared one of his men lay on the ground in a crumpled heap. Two aid workers, people dedicated to peace and bringing food and medicine to war-torn areas, had been ripped apart. Literally shredded in front of him.

  He’d been too cocky and they’d paid. He read the intel and followed it instead of going with his gut. Something that never happened again.

  “I’m sorry.” Rick cupped Seth’s cheek. Brushed his thumb over Seth’s bottom lip.

  It felt too good. The comfort didn’t match the horror of the memory.

  Seth put his hand over Rick’s and lowered it. “Not your fault.”

  Rick visibly let out a shaky breath. “Seth, I think we need—”

  “What’s the plan here?” Because this felt too easy. Seth sensed his mind and body falling into this pattern where he accepted Rick and lost his edge.

  It had never happened before and it couldn’t happen now. Not ever, really.

  When he realized Rick kept staring at him without moving, Seth rushed to explain. “I mean I know I’m the one who talked about ringing your bell, but is that what we’re going to do? Work all day, fuck all night?”

  “I’ll need to sleep now and then.”

  Jokes. No, he couldn’t get sucked into that either. “Okay.”

  Seth slipped out of bed. His knees shook when his feet hit the floor but he managed
to stay up. He had no idea what was happening or why his body was abandoning him. Nothing about this moment, all serious and adult, fit with how he walked through life. He purposely acted disconnected on a personal level and stayed enmeshed with his work.

  His brain refused to work, but his feet started moving. He grabbed his briefs off the floor but didn’t bother to put them on.

  “Seth, stop.” Rick was sitting up straight now. The comforter was tucked around him, but he sat there naked and not a bit self-conscious.

  “No, you’re right. This is…weird.” What the fuck was he doing? He barely knew this guy. On some level, yeah, but not as a friend or as anything deeper than an attraction that had him naked.

  “Meaning?”

  Seth realized he sounded a bit like Elizabeth. Right at the end of the relationship she’d started these arguments. She wanted more and couldn’t trust him and every minute had been hard. That’s what he was doing now, twisting it all up. Taking sex—pure and simple—and mashing it up with something else.

  “We’ve had sex twice and I’m launching into this stupid…argh.” One time had been in a club, nameless and faceless. Even after that Seth wanted more.

  This attraction had him spinning and he needed to stop.

  Rick’s eyes narrowed. “Is getting to know each other, really know each other, so scary to you?”

  Sweet Jesus. “Yes.”

  “Wow.”

  Rick didn’t sound amused now. Seth couldn’t get a handle on the emotion. “You get what I do for a living, right? People try to kill me every week, and sometimes those people are on my own team.”

  “Helena told me you were difficult.”

  “She’s not wrong.” He was brash and determined and got in trouble at work on a near-weekly basis. He’d taken on more responsibility and that meant more arguments with his bosses. It was a cycle Seth assumed would repeat until he retired or went out in a body bag.

  “I can see that.”

  “And look at you.” Seth couldn’t stop staring. Spent way too much time thinking about Rick today. Even planned stupid reasons to go in and check on him, as if the marines standing at his door couldn’t handle that part of the job.