by Pamela Clare
“No touching until I say.”
He blinked and she could see that dominant streak of his flare to life. She ignored it. Tonight she just wanted to take care of him. He was always so giving in and out of the bedroom and after the way he’d stepped up to protect her, not caring about the danger he was putting himself in, she wanted to show him how much he meant to her. Words would only get her so far. Actions were better. At least he listened and kept his hands at his sides.
With her heels, she had more of a height advantage than usual. Reaching up, she slid her fingers under the shoulders of his jacket and pulled it off.
“What are you doing?” Jay murmured.
As if he didn’t know. “Exactly what I want and what you need,” she said as she tossed the jacket onto the nearest chair. Next she worked his tie off, then his button-down shirt until all that expanse of gorgeous, taut muscular skin was bared to her. Her mouth practically watered as she drank him in.
When he reached for her again, once more she swatted at his hands. He blinked in surprise, making her grin.
“I told you no touching. Now lay back there.” She pointed to the lounge chair she’d been on when he arrived.
The tendons in his arms tightened and flexed and she knew he was fighting that dominant urge he always displayed in the bedroom. She loved everything about his need to possess her between the sheets—or on the floor and in the shower—but she wanted to show him how much she cared for him. Something told her he wouldn’t let her do this for long so she was taking advantage of his compliance.
When he sat on the edge of the lounge chair, she pointed. “Back farther. Stretch out.”
“You’re very demanding tonight.” His tone was a mix of heat and a little confusion.
He rarely let her take charge in the bedroom and that worked wonderfully for their relationship, but this role reversal was fun. She knew he wasn’t completely comfortable giving up control, so she hoped he trusted her enough to give him what he needed. Thankfully he did what she said and stretched out so that he was reclining.
Slowly she approached him, loving the hunger in his eyes, loving that it was all for her. First she took off her glasses, grinning when he swallowed audibly. Then she reached around her back and slowly tugged down the zipper of her skirt. His eyes went molten as he watched her. Moving intentionally slow, she pushed the skirt over her hips, letting it pool around her feet soundlessly. Tracking every movement, he made a strangled sound when she was bared to him.
Straddling him, she scooted down until she slid over his covered erection. He shuddered and this time he ignored her rules, touching her as he put his hands on her hips. His fingers clenched possessively. “You’re a wet dream come to life,” he rasped out as he rolled his hips once, his hard length rubbing against her already pulsing clit.
Having Jay like this was making her impossibly turned on. It didn’t matter how many times she’d seen him naked, having him stretched out like this and all for her…her inner walls clenched, empty and needing to be filled by him. But first she wanted to taste him, to savor him. “Hands behind your head.”
He swallowed hard, his green eyes glittering against the colorful Vegas backdrop. Still he did what she said. It surprised her, so she didn’t waste any time. Moving down the length of his toned body, she worked his belt off and tugged his pants and boxer briefs down until they were at his knees. She didn’t want to give him too much mobility. For a moment all she could do was stare at his cock. It curved up beautifully, thick and long. She knew exactly how it would feel inside her. Even thinking about him filling her made her ache, but right now wasn’t about her. It was about him.
She slid off her jacket so that she was just in her heels now. Jay sucked in a breath. “Are you trying to torture me?”
The corner of her mouth turned up. “Maybe a little.” She let her jacket drop next to them before shimmying back up his body until she hovered above him on all fours, her mouth right over his pulsing cock.
Looking up the length of his body, she smiled at the way he was completely tense, every single muscle pulled taut in anticipation. Leaning down, she flicked her tongue over the tip of his cock as she fisted it with one hand.
“Ellie,” he groaned.
She took him fully in her mouth, not holding back as she teased and licked him. He shuddered under her stroking, saying her name like a prayer each time she took him as deep as she could. And he was still keeping his hands behind his head, something that surprised her immensely. His body started to shake and tremble the faster she worked him. Using her hands and mouth, she pleasured him until she knew he was close. The sounds he made turned her on more than she thought possible and she could feel her slickness against her inner thighs.
“I’m…wait, Ellie.” Jay’s strong hands landed on her shoulders, tugging her upward.
Pressing her hands against the cushion beneath them, she blinked, unsure why he was stopping her. She froze when she saw the raw need in his expression. Moving faster than she thought possible, he switched positions so that she was on her back. In a flurry of impossibly fast movements he stripped off the rest of his clothes.
Before she had a chance to enjoy the sight of all of him, of his deliciously muscular thighs, he grabbed her hips and roughly turned her over onto her stomach. It reminded her so much of their first time together that a shiver rolled down her spine. Her inner walls clenched again, desperate to be filled by him.
She’d meant this to be all about him tonight, but she should have known Jay would take over. Not that she was complaining.
His hand shook as he tugged her back to him, his cock pressing insistently between her thighs. But he didn’t make a move to enter her, just slid his hard length along her slit until the head pushed against her clit. She jerked at the pleasurable sensation, her sensitive bundle of nerves tingling each time he stroked against her. He wasn’t talking—he was past that point. When Jay got like this, there were no words between them. Just a raw, hot state of pleasure.
One of his big, callused hands slid down her spine, continuing until he smoothed his palm over the curve of her ass. He reached around and cupped her mound with his other. He pulled his hips back, sliding his erection back along her slickness as he began rubbing her clit. She loved the feel of skin on skin, of his body pressed to hers in the most intimate dance possible. How could she have ever thought she could leave this man? Even for his own protection? Jay was hers.
Back arching, she gasped and moved into his rhythm. He played her body perfectly, knowing exactly what she needed.
“Gonna come once I’m inside you, baby. Need…you to come first.” His voice was as ragged as she’d ever heard it, telling her he was walking a razor’s edge of control now.
“Inside me now.” She knew it would push her over the edge. The only thing that would. Even the thought of him stretching her, pleasuring her, was making her wetter. And she couldn’t find any more words than that. Just like him she was trembling, her body primed for him.
Not needing more than that, he thrust into her, his hardness filling her in one smooth stroke. Her back arched again as his fingers clasped around one of her hips. His other hand remained over her clit, his fingers teasing and stroking her as he continued to slam into her, all sense of control gone.
His movements were jerky, unsteady and each time he filled her he let out a ragged groan.
“I’m coming,” she managed to rasp out, the only two words that would matter. She knew once she said them he’d let go of his own control. Which was exactly what she wanted.
He was barely hanging onto it and sure enough as soon as her own orgasm ricocheted through her in sharp, out-of-control waves, he grabbed both her hips, pumping into her as he shouted her name. She loved the feel of his fingers digging into her flesh, and hoped they’d leave a mark.
She lost all sense of time and her surroundings as he continued thrusting, releasing himself inside her in loud, unsteady shouts of pleasure until she finally collapsed a
gainst the lounge chair.
Or she would have if he hadn’t caught her around the stomach with his big hand. Withdrawing from her, but holding her close, he nuzzled her neck as he dragged her upright, her back pressed against his muscular stomach.
“Sorry I didn’t let you finish, I needed to come inside you,” he murmured, his teeth grazing her ear.
She shivered, partially from the feel of his teeth and partially from the remnants of the climax still making her knees weak. “I’m surprised you let me get as far as I did.”
“Next time, I promise.”
She chuckled under her breath. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Taking her by surprise, he slid his hands up her ribs and only stopped when he cupped both her breasts. “And I can’t believe I haven’t paid any attention to these.” He nipped her ear again as he slowly rolled her hard nipples between his fingers.
“Tonight…is supposed to be…about you.” She struggled to get the words out as he continued pleasuring her. Already sensitive from the climax, his teasing felt even more intense.
“It’s about both of us and we’re just getting started.” The dark edge to his voice sent a thrill down her spine, making her entire body tremble.
When she felt his cock start to harden against her back again she knew they were in for a long night. “I love you, Jay.” She hadn’t said the words since she’d attempted to run except for one heated conversation—and texting ‘xo’ didn’t count. She needed him to know.
He froze for just a moment before kissing the side of her neck, raking his teeth and lips over her sensitive skin. “I love you too, baby. That’s never been in question.”
Chapter Fifteen
“You sure you’re okay with everything?” Jay asked Ellie, pinning her with that intense stare as they sat in the back of the SUV.
She squirmed under his gaze. She’d called Kevin two minutes ago instead of texting him and told him where to meet her. She hated even hearing his voice, but it was unavoidable if she wanted to end this nightmare. They were at a small outside shopping center with two main exits and plenty of places for Jay’s team to blend in and keep tabs on her. Just in case there was a problem, however, they’d tagged one of her shoes and her bracelet with a tracker.
She’d given Kevin as little time as possible to meet her so he couldn’t bring in backup. And if he didn’t show in fifteen minutes, she was leaving. Or that was what she’d told him. She’d wait an extra five because she wanted this over with. “Jeez, yes. Are you trying to freak me out?”
“Right,” Iris murmured from the front passenger seat of the SUV. “You’re supposed to be easing her fears.”
“She’s never done anything like this before, Iris,” Jay snapped, his angry tone so out of character that Iris and Hayden, who was in the driver’s seat, both froze for a moment.
Finally Iris turned around to look at him. “You’re right, and I’d be worried if this was Wyatt. But you’ve got to ease up. We’ve gone over this plan two dozen times.”
Literally.
“And Ellie is smart. I’ve seen her handle those media vultures without breaking a sweat. She can do this.”
Iris’s words and her faith in Ellie were like a shock of adrenaline to her system. She could do this because it needed to be done. Because people she cared about were in danger. “I’m ready, Jay.” Her statement dragged his gaze back around to her. “Now I have to go. I need to distance myself from you guys.”
Jay nodded, his jaw tense before he dropped a fierce, demanding kiss on her lips that was a stark reminder of how he’d claimed her last night—multiple times. Then again this morning. Feeling a little dazed, she got out of the SUV, the slight tenderness between her legs another reminder of the night they’d shared. As soon as she stepped up onto the sidewalk, she heard the SUV’s engine start. She knew they were just parking out of the way and that they’d have a visual on her the entire time, but she still couldn’t help the nerves racing across her skin.
The only thing easing her fears was that this was a very public place and Kevin needed her alive. He wouldn’t risk hurting her here or making a scene. She’d simply give him what he wanted, then they’d both go their separate ways. She’d leave in the rental car she’d gotten this morning, courtesy of her insurance company and if Kevin wanted to know how she’d lost her guards, she had an explanation ready.
Forcing herself not to look around too much, she went over the plan in her head. Wyatt and V were already in the shopping center near two different kiosks. They’d arrived an hour ago to get in place. They were both in disguise and had assured her she wouldn’t recognize them. Wyatt would be drinking coffee and reading a paper and V would be drinking tea while working on a laptop. Roman and Logan were also there, pretending to be shoppers at two stores nearest the bench where she’d be waiting at. Hayden and Iris wouldn’t be static though, they’d be moving around the entire time, staying close to the two exit areas. When Ellie left, she’d have one of them following her back to the casino.
Since Wyatt owned two of the businesses in this small shopping center—which was the reason they’d chosen it as a meeting place—Jay had access to the roof of one of the three-story buildings and was using his elevated position as a lookout. Completely hidden from view, he was keeping tabs on everything and everyone. The entire team had earpieces provided by V and they were all staying in communication.
They wouldn’t talk unless necessary since they wanted to keep the channel silent. Ellie was the only one who wouldn’t have an earpiece but she did have a signal. If anything went wrong or she felt threatened, all she had to do was tug her hair out of the ponytail she’d pulled it into, and the team would act.
She walked to where five benches formed a circle around a fountain and sat at the one nearest the sunglasses kiosk. Just like she’d told Kevin. Not that he wouldn’t recognize her. She certainly wasn’t in disguise.
Directly across from her she saw a man with gray hair, a ball cap, jeans and a garish button-down flowered shirt reading a newspaper. A cup of coffee sat next to him on the bench. Was that Wyatt? She hoped so. Not wanting to stare, she glanced around, not for the rest of the team, but for signs of Kevin.
The minutes seemed to tick by slowly, endlessly, but after she looked at her cell phone she realized only five had passed. Taking a deep breath and steeling herself for this confrontation, she leaned back against the bench and tried to exude the attitude of someone in complete control. Of someone not afraid. Unfortunately, her quaking insides weren’t listening to reason.
*
Jay didn’t have to glance at his watch again to know that Murrell’s time was almost up. If he didn’t show, they were getting Ellie the hell out of here. He hated this plan even if it made the most sense. He also hated being so far away from her. But Iris and his brother had convinced him being the farthest away was the smartest place for him.
If he was in Wyatt or Vadim’s position, he’d be too close to her and more likely to react if Kevin pulled anything. Which would blow her cover and ruin everything.
Jay had no doubt this asshole would try to see if Ellie had a backup team, if she was setting him up. It would be standard procedure for anyone with half a brain. Even though this guy was scum, he wasn’t stupid. Jay had read up on his file early that morning before Ellie had woken up. The guy had gotten a bachelor’s in engineering while in prison. It was a good degree and his grades had been decent enough. Either way it showed that he hadn’t squandered his time. He’d also gotten out of prison far too early for his sentence. Which told Jay he’d likely snitched on someone higher up the food chain and cut a deal for a reduced sentence. That was just a guess since V hadn’t been able to find out more.
“He’s here,” Iris said over their secure channel.
“Alone?” Jay immediately tensed, but didn’t move from the shadows of his hiding spot. He’d chosen to use one of the four bell towers of the shopping center. Right now the sun was at his back so he’d have n
o distractions. From his angle he had a perfect visual of Ellie and the two exits. And the other three towers—which were just for show anyway—had been locked down so no one could gain access.
“No, Bejar’s with him. Not sure if they brought more backup yet, but they’re walking through the east side entrance. Doesn’t look like they’re carrying any weapons.”
“I see them.” Jay looked at the two men through binoculars, both casually dressed in jeans and plain, long-sleeved T-shirts. Nothing about them stood out. He couldn’t see the outline of a weapon on either of them. Considering they’d just gotten out of prison, it was unlikely they’d be carrying anything. Too risky.
Without speaking to each other they split up, Bejar heading to one of the juice kiosks. He stood in line while Kevin looped around the entire place, not entering any stores. He just casually scanned people and the surroundings as he strolled. Yeah, he was looking to see if Ellie had backup.
Jay quickly glanced at Ellie. She was stiff against the bench, her gaze on Kevin as he loitered outside a shoe store. So she’d seen him. God, Jay hated that he couldn’t be there with her. Even with just audible support.
“It’s okay, baby,” he murmured even though there was no way in hell she’d be able to hear him. After last night he was a hell of a lot more secure in what they had together. She’d made it clear she wasn’t letting him go. He loved every second of how she’d shown him what he meant to her last night. And he wasn’t letting her go either.
After a full loop of the place, Kevin made his way to the benches and sat two feet from Ellie. Her entire body went even more rigid. Neither of them looked at each other, but Jay could see Kevin saying something.
“I think it’s just Bejar as his backup, but can’t be sure,” Iris murmured.
“You guys ready for this?” V asked before anyone could respond. “I wasn’t sure if it would work so didn’t say anything before.”
Jay frowned, not sure what he was referring to when the sound of Ellie’s voice came over the channel. Her words were tinny and distant, as if they were listening to a recording. V must have a recorder under the bench which explained the low quality.
