by Pamela Clare
“Hey you fucking jarheads,” he said as he neared them.
They looked like sentries standing guard. Roman didn’t crack a smile, but Logan did. “Whatever squid.” He glanced at the closed door then back at Jay, his expression turning as serious as his brother’s. “What’s going on? Are you and Ellie in some kind of trouble?”
He ignored the questions because he couldn’t answer them. “Have you talked to her?”
Logan nodded. “Briefly when she said goodbye to Sierra. She told us she was going to bed and she looked…I don’t know, not like her normal self. Just wanted to make sure everything’s cool.”
“I can’t talk about what’s going on just yet, but I’ll fill you in as soon as I can. It goes without saying that us staying here under guard isn’t common knowledge and isn’t to be shared.” Jay figured Iris had already told them that, but wanted to reiterate it. Anything for Ellie’s safety.
Roman snorted, his first reaction since Jay had arrived. He pinned him with that odd stare. It was easy to tell the twins apart because of Roman’s different colored eyes. One brown and one blue-green that reminded Jay of the Pacific. “You know us better than that.”
“Yeah, I do. Thanks for looking out.” After another minute of bullshitting, he headed inside and nearly sagged against the front door before locking it.
Out of habit, he checked the entire suite before he made his way to the bedroom. The thick drapes had been opened about a foot, letting in some of the colorful nightlife. A thick ribbon of outside light streamed through, bathing the big bed and illuminating the top half of Ellie’s very naked breasts.
Jay’s body tightened with undeniable need. Damn it, he wanted her to make up her mind about them, to choose him, to trust him, before he buried himself inside her yet again. But it was impossible to show control around Ellie. The woman was his only drug of choice. Right now, he needed another fix.
Chapter Ten
Jay watched the steady rise and fall of Ellie’s chest, wanting nothing more than to wake her up in one of the many erotic ways he’d done over the past year and some odd months they’d been together. His body ached to have her, to hold her, but…she needed sleep.
He stripped off everything but his slacks before slipping into bed next to her. Normally he slept naked too, but right now he didn’t trust himself. Despite his size, the bed barely depressed underneath him as he moved in behind her.
Wrapping his arm around her compact body, he pulled her back tight against his chest, savoring the feel of her skin on his. She sighed in her sleep, softly murmuring his name and he fought a groan when she wiggled her backside against his hardening length. Was she trying to kill him?
Closing his eyes, he tried to force everything out of his mind so he could sleep. He’d had to do that too many times to count in the past. It was one of the many things that had been drilled into him as a SEAL. Eat whenever you could because you never knew when your next meal was coming. And catch Zs when you could because you never knew when you’d get to rest again. Normally his body listened to all his instructions. Throw Ellie into the mix, however, and he was screwed.
When she rolled over, mumbling something under her breath, and she slid her arm around his waist, burying her face against his neck and pressing her breasts against his chest, he knew that yes, she was definitely trying to kill him. He inhaled her sweet vanilla scent and found himself reminiscing about the first time they’d finally made love.
It had happened over a year ago and he still couldn’t get enough of her…
He knocked on the hotel room door, tense and edgy as he waited for Ellie to answer. He’d wanted to surprise her, but now he was wondering why she wasn’t answering the door. There was a snowstorm brewing so he didn’t think she’d gone out.
The whole team had arrived in New York the night before for a deal Wyatt was working on. Wyatt, Iris and Ellie had been in meetings all day and Roman and Logan had been their personal detail because Wyatt had wanted Jay to take care of some personal things he didn’t trust anyone else with. Supposedly.
Jay had only been back at work for a couple weeks and he wondered if Wyatt was still worried about him. Or worse, didn’t think he was up to the job. He’d passed all his physicals and he was fine. His fractured ribs had taken a solid six weeks to heal because of the severity of his injury, but Wyatt had made him take another two weeks of bed rest. Which was just ridiculous. Then he’d made him take another two weeks off—just in case. Jay had been hurt worse than that in the Teams, something Wyatt knew. But his boss had been insane over Jay’s injuries. Jay figured it was partially guilt since that bomb had been meant for him, but hell, that was Jay’s damn job—protecting Wyatt.
Ellie had been just as bad. They’d started dating basically from the moment she’d walked into his hospital room back in Miami, but she’d been taking care of him and worrying over him worse than he’d imagined. He didn’t want to be someone she took care of. And even though he’d been fine for weeks she was still putting the brakes on in the bedroom. Not because she didn’t want him—because he could see the truth in her eyes when she looked at him—but because she thought of him as…hell if he knew. All he knew was that he wasn’t an invalid and things were about to change.
Tonight.
He was going to take care of her in every way he’d been fantasizing about. He banged on the door again, frustration welling up inside him with each second that ticked by.
“Hold on,” Ellie snapped. A moment later the door flew open and the angry expression on her face melted away. “Why are you banging on the door like a maniac? Is everything okay? Did you put a strain on yourself today?” She glanced down at his mid-section, assessing him as she bit down on her bottom lip in clear concern.
“I’m fine,” he gritted out. “Why didn’t you ask who it was? And why aren’t you answering your phone?” He growled out the words, but immediately wanted to take them back. He hadn’t come here to snap at her and he’d just let loose on her like a jackass.
“I…” She seemed stunned by his tone for a moment, but then she scowled at him. “This is a safe hotel, Jay. I don’t need a lecture on security precautions. And I turned my phone to silent during our last meeting and forgot to turn it back on. It’s been a long day.” She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. She was wearing one of the plush white hotel robes. Normally she secured her hair into a twist at her nape, but now it fell around her face in soft, messy waves, making him want to run his hands through it as he claimed her mouth. Without heels on and no makeup, she looked adorable. And all his. Tonight he planned to show her just how much he wanted her.
He scrubbed a hand over his face. “I didn’t mean to snap, sorry. I just missed you.”
All the steam left her as she let her arms drop. She reached for him, then paused, as if afraid to hurt him. He nearly snorted at the thought. He outweighed her by God only knew how much and she was barely a couple inches over five feet. “I missed you too.”
Her tentativeness drove him crazy. Especially when he was fine. More than fine. “Can I come in?”
“Of course.” She nodded, her dark eyes flaring with heat as she stepped back. But then it disappeared as she eyed him in that critical way he was coming to loathe. “How are you feeling?” she asked as he shut the door behind them. “I can’t believe Wyatt had you running errands.”
The slight tether he had on his emotions slipped. “Take off your robe.”
Her eyes widened, confusion and lust mixing together. “What?”
“Robe. Off. I want to see you.” Did he ever. So bad he ached for just a look, just a touch.
She twined her fingers around the securely tied belt. “Jay… Are you sure?”
“It’s been twelve weeks, Ellie. Twelve. Weeks.” He was barely hanging onto his control at this point. “I was healed six weeks ago. I understand and appreciate everyone’s concern, but it’s not necessary. Do you not want me? Is that the issue?” He knew it wasn’t, or he hoped it wasn
’t. A small thread of fear slid through him after he asked the question.
She rolled her eyes, easing that fear immediately. “Of course I want you, it’s just—”
“Then I want to see you. Now.” He knew he was being highhanded, but in the bedroom, he liked to dominate. Not with ropes or anything—though the thought of binding Ellie was hot—but he needed to be in control.
Ellie’s cheeks flushed pink, her eyes glittering with a raw hunger he hadn’t seen since before the explosion. Her fingers shook as she pulled the tie free, letting the oversized robe fall open.
It parted, just exposing the expanse of skin between the soft swell of her breasts. His gaze raked down the rest of her body, taking in the barest flash of her flat stomach. Unfortunately lacy black underwear covered what he wanted to see most.
“All the way off,” he managed to rasp out.
“Sure you can handle that?” she asked, pure seduction in her voice.
His gaze snapped to hers and relief flooded him to see a hunger so potent it matched his own glittering there. Oh yeah, they weren’t making it to the bed. He had a better idea.
Before he could respond, she shrugged out of the robe, letting it pool around her feet. For a moment, she clenched her hands at her sides, as if restraining from covering herself.
Though he couldn’t fathom why she’d ever want to. Her perfect pink nipples tightened under his scrutiny and it took restraint not to suck one into his mouth. Not yet. He wanted to drink his fill of her. Compact and curvy, he wanted to trace his fingers and mouth over every soft inch of her body. Starting now.
Without further thought, he went down on his knees in front of her. Grasping the delicate material, he tugged her panties down her legs then lightly pushed on her stomach moving them until her back hit the wall. She made a little gasping sound, but didn’t protest.
He looked up at her, pinning her gaze with his. “Put your leg over my shoulder.”
Her mouth parted, her breathing coming in ragged as she did what he said.
As he looked at her parted, wet folds, his cock pushed even harder against his pants. He wanted to push deep inside her, but needed to taste her more. “Are you already wet for me?” he whispered, blowing softly against her.
She let out a nonsensical sound. Her heel dug into his back as she rolled her hips once, barely coming in contact with his face.
He flicked his tongue out, teasing her clit with the barest hint of pressure.
“I was thinking about you before you showed up at my door.” The words came out in a rush, as if it was a confession.
Her words shattered through him as he imagined her elegant fingers pushing into her tight sheath. Swallowing hard, he looked up at her. She slid her fingers through his short hair, gripping his scalp.
“Did you touch yourself?” he demanded, hoping she had.
Breathing ragged, she shook her head. “Not yet.”
His cock pulsed even harder, wanting to be freed. “Have you touched yourself before while thinking about me?”
Her face flamed crimson, but she nodded. His throat tightened, making it impossible for him to speak. She’d been so tentative around him the past twelve weeks, but to know she’d stroked herself while thinking of him… He buried his face between her legs. The need to have her on his tongue was overwhelming.
She groaned, her fingers digging into his head as she rolled her hips against his face. The little moans and sounds she made as he tasted and teased her drove him insane. Wanting to push her over the edge so he could bury himself inside her, he tested her slickness with one finger.
Though tight, her body welcomed him, her back arching away from the wall. Oh yeah, she was like an explosive, ready to go off at any moment. God, how he wanted to taste her release when she did.
Knowing how wet she was for him, that she wanted this as much as he wanted her, he groaned against her swollen clit and increased his pressure. The harder he stroked her, the harsher her breathing grew, the more her body shook and the tighter she gripped his head. As if she was afraid he’d stop. No way in hell was that happening.
He pushed a second finger in her and felt her inner walls tighten convulsively. She was so damn close he could feel it. Dragging his fingers in and out of her, he smiled against her slick folds when he realized he’d hit the perfect rhythm. Not too fast, not too slow, and he slightly curved his fingers each time he hit that sensitive spot that made her jerk against him.
“Jay…” Faster than he’d expected, she surged into climax, her body bowing tight as her heel dug into his back even harder. Her slickness covered his fingers as her orgasm flowed, seeming to go on forever until she lessened her grip on his head and let her leg go lax.
With his two fingers still buried deep inside her, he savored the way her inner walls continued to clench around him in sporadic little bursts. Looking up at Ellie, he saw that her eyes were closed and a small smile played against her slightly parted lips.
She looked satisfied. Sated. And definitely all his.
Claiming her was a need growing inside him. As he stood, he withdrew his fingers but cupped her mound.
Her eyes opened as he moved, but they remained heavy-lidded as she placed her palms on his bare chest. “That was amazing.” Her voice was raspy, unsteady and so very un-Ellie like.
“We’re just getting started,” he murmured before capturing her mouth with his.
She immediately wrapped her arms around him, linking her fingers behind his neck as she pressed her breasts to his chest. He could feel the outline of her hardened nipples, but he wanted that skin to skin contact. Wanted to feel every inch of her against him.
Grabbing her hips, he jerked her to him before hoisting her up. She let out a yelp of surprise, but wrapped her legs around him and continued teasing her tongue against his. Each flick of her tongue had him wondering what it would feel like to have her lips wrapped around his cock.
But not yet. Not until he’d had his fill of her. Some days he wondered if that was even possible.
He walked them into the dimly lit bathroom, grateful the counter was uncluttered as he set her on the edge of it. Keeping his gaze locked on hers, he started stripping. First his tie, then his jacket and next his shirt. Dark eyes glinting with fire, she went to undo his belt, but he stopped her. He felt like a randy teenager and wanted to be inside her when he came. Not her damn hand. Weeks ago they’d been tested and she was already on the Pill so there was nothing holding him back from feeling every sweet inch of her.
Once he was completely naked Ellie’s eyes widened when they landed on his erection. Pure pleasure punched through him as she smiled and stroked him once. When she squeezed ever so lightly, he thought he might have a heart attack.
“Ellie.” All he could get out was her name. Anything else was too much effort.
Her gaze met his, the fire burning there scorching him. Without a word he clasped her hips and slid her off the counter. She was pliant as she let him turn her around to face the mirror. Taking him by surprise, she lifted her ass slightly and spread her legs a little farther apart.
Slowly, he ran a hand over her soft backside, loving the feel of her smooth skin.
“Don’t make me wait,” she whispered.
Not trusting his voice, he nodded and guided himself to her slick entrance. The second he pushed deep inside her, his entire body pulled taut, all his muscles straining under the raw sensation of having her molded around his hard length. It was heaven and hell.
“Jay,” Ellie murmured. Her body shifted against his and his eyes flew open.
He’d started thinking about their first time and must have dozed as he fantasized. Blinking, he looked down to find her still sleeping. She mumbled his name again as her fingers tightened against his chest and she burrowed closer to him. Even though she didn’t say much, a tremble snaked through her, making him think she was scared or having a bad dream.
“I’m right here, baby,” he whispered, thankful when she immediately stilled
against him. He was right where he wanted to be and he wasn’t going anywhere. Not unless she told him to.
Chapter Eleven
Ellie opened her eyes with a start but immediately relaxed as she realized she was in the secure hotel suite at the Serafina. But Jay wasn’t in bed with her. A low grade panic hummed through her as she glanced around the room to find it empty. The door to the adjoining bathroom was open and the light was off so Jay wasn’t in there. But the spot next to her on the bed was depressed, as was the pillow so Jay had been here. She’d been so wiped out she didn’t even remember him coming in last night.
Sliding out of bed, she snagged one of the room robes Jay must have left out for her and slipped it on. As she tightened the belt, she stepped out into the main room to find Roman MacNeil rolling in a room service tray. The only reason she knew it was Roman was because of his different colored eyes.
He half-smiled as he pushed it into the living room area. “Hey, Ellie. Jay had this sent up, said you’d be waking up soon.”
Ellie smiled to herself. Jay definitely knew her. It didn’t seem to matter that she’d had the most emotionally taxing day yesterday, her car had been blown up and she’d had more wine than she should have with Sierra, she still woke up at five-thirty in the morning like clockwork. “Thanks. Where’s Jay?”
“He dipped out of here about twenty minutes ago. Didn’t say why, just that me and Logan better take care of you or lose some very important body parts.” The normally stoic former-Marine cracked another smile, taking her by surprise. “Do you want me to open the drapes for you?”
She blinked at the question and shook her head. “No, but thank you. You don’t need to do anything else. I appreciate the breakfast.” If she had to guess there was a bowl of fruit under the silver dome and possibly some Greek yogurt. Her favorite breakfast. Something Jay knew because she had it practically every morning. Next to the plate-covered dome was an elegant silver coffee carafe. Her mouth watered at the thought of the steaming hot liquid of beauty. Whoever had discovered coffee was a genius.
