by Katie Reus
Roman’s expression softened so much, it nearly shredded her. “Honey,” he murmured, taking her laptop and putting it on the coffee table before pulling her into his lap.
She went willingly, savoring his comforting embrace as she laid her head on his shoulder. “I hated her for a long time, hated that she wasn’t strong enough to leave him, that I wasn’t enough of a reason for her to get away. I eventually realized that it had nothing to do with me. The aftermath of everything that happened, the way the cops acted as if his murderous rampage was a big shock to the community enraged me. To say it left a bad taste in my mouth where law enforcement is concerned is an understatement. I get that the majority of people in law enforcement are good and care about the people in their community—intellectually. But some days, like this Monday, all those buried feelings clawed their way to the surface, terrifying me.”
His eyebrows drew together and he reached up with his hand, cupping her cheek and jaw, stroking over her skin with his thumb. The roughness of his thumb sent a shiver rolling through her. “No wonder you ran straight to Vadim’s.”
She shrugged. “In hindsight I probably could have handled things better but…it was like that sixteen year old just took over and escaping was all I could focus on.”
“A sixteen year old with the ability to steal cars.” His voice was wryly amused.
She laughed at the statement, the light humor taking her off guard and exactly what she needed. She didn’t want to throw a pity party for herself or take a long trip down memory lane. She’d just wanted Roman to understand why she wasn’t letting this go, why she wouldn’t just sit back and let the cops take over. Obviously she wouldn’t get in anyone’s way but if she could find something for them to use, she would do it. “When I moved in with my aunt, one of the neighborhood boys taught me how to pick locks and steal cars among other things. I think he wanted to impress me.”
“Such a bad girl,” he murmured, the sudden drop in his voice sending a rush of heat between her legs. His tone and the heat in his eyes were so blatant she felt it all the way to her toes.
“And you were probably a boy scout.”
His lips twitched up, but he didn’t respond as his hand left her cheek and dipped between the lapels of her robe. She sucked in a breath as his big palm settled over one of her breasts, cupping it gently.
He kept his gaze pinned to hers as he oh-so-slowly rubbed this thumb over her already hardening nipple, sending shards of sensation cascading through her. “You wearing those Wonder Woman panties?”
She nodded, her eyes going heavy-lidded as he tweaked the nipple between his thumb and forefinger. “Want to see?” Surprised she’d even been able to find her voice, she grinned when his eyes went molten.
Wordlessly he slid her off his lap so that she was sitting on the couch. She spread her legs when he knelt in front of her, wondering what he planned. He’d told her exactly what he wanted earlier but she wasn’t sure if he’d been serious. She really, desperately hoped he was.
He tugged the soft belt free before pushing the robe off her shoulders. It pooled down around her waist as her breasts and torso were exposed. When he fully parted the bottom part of it, spreading it open so that all of her was bared to him, she felt the strongest sense of power as he raked a hungry gaze over her. His lips twitched again in that adorable way of his when they landed on her undergarments. She had a lot of lace and silk but she preferred her boy-short style panties and was glad he liked them too.
He hooked his fingers under the elastic of them. “Lift up,” he ordered softly.
Not needing to be told twice, she did. He slowly pulled them down her legs, tossing them behind him. If she’d thought he looked hungry before, it was a whole different story when she was fully bared to him.
He lifted one of her already spread legs by the ankle and kissed her inner calf. She felt incredibly exposed, heat flooding between her thighs and her nipples tightening to almost painful points at the sensation of being so exposed to him. Her lower abdomen tightened as he held her leg like that, kissing her and watching her intermittently. As if he wanted to see her every reaction.
Slowly, he made his way up her leg, raking his teeth over her skin then following up with little nibbles and kisses.
She slid her fingers through his short, buzzed hair. It wasn’t long enough to grab onto so she just clutched his head. When he reached her upper inner thigh, he leaned into the juncture of her thighs and inhaled deeply.
Her face flamed at what he was doing. It was such a raw, sexual act. Then he shuddered, his big body just trembling in a way that turned her on even more. As he’d been kissing his way up her body she’d felt nervous, almost weird about being so exposed like this, but at his reaction something shifted inside her.
She might be naked and in a vulnerable position, but something told her she had all the power right now.
Shifting slightly, he kept one hand pressing her thigh open then leaned down and peppered kisses over her lower abdomen, right above her mound. Teasing her. His breath was warm against her skin as he blazed a hot path just over her most sensitive area.
Her inner walls clenched and she tightened her fingers against his head. “Are you seeing how long you can tease me?” she whispered, her voice raspy, and really wishing he was just as naked as she was. She wanted to see every inch of him right now.
He chuckled against her, but didn’t look up as he turned his head and grazed his teeth over the section of skin where her inner thigh met her—oh! He moved suddenly, sucking on her clit and she nearly vaulted off the couch.
“Roman,” she cried out.
In response, he dipped his tongue inside her and she lost any semblance of controlling herself that she might have had. He held onto one of her ankles and lifted it up to the couch so that her heel was on the edge. The position kept her wide open for him.
She didn’t need him to keep her leg in place, but she liked the feel of him holding her there as his tongue dipped inside her again.
Stroking, stroking, stroking, and making her insane as she writhed against him. He shifted positions again and moved back to her clit, the pulsing bundle of nerves begging for his kisses. It was too much and not enough as he zeroed in on her, his rhythmic pressure just shy of pushing her over the edge.
She needed something else, something—
He slid a finger inside her and she clamped around him, rolling her hips against him. Oh yeah, that was exactly what she needed.
Taking his cues from her body’s response, he slid a second finger in and pushed deep inside her. Curling his fingers, he curved them up so they brushed against that oh-so sensitive spot she usually only found on her own. Instead of withdrawing and pushing back in her, he started stroking inside her right against that sensitive section of her body.
Her senses went into overload.
She slammed her hands against the couch, digging her fingers into the soft material so she wouldn’t hurt his head as he continued his beautiful assault. The wicked way he continued caressing her combined with the constant pressure of his tongue was too much.
Without warning she surged into orgasm, her hips jolting off the couch and against his face as it slammed into her. Pleasure singed all her nerve endings from the onslaught. She arched back against the couch, loving the little growl of approval he made against her spread lips.
She wasn’t sure how long the orgasm lasted but it seemed to go on forever until finally she fell back against the couch, breathing hard, feeling completely boneless and sated.
When he looked up at her, his expression was primal as he grabbed her hips and shifted her so that she fell back flat against the couch.
Moving like a predator, he covered her body with his, capturing her mouth in a hungry, dominating kiss that left her breathless. She moaned into him, tasting her release, something that was much more erotic than she’d ever imagined.
She reached between them and cupped his covered erection. Soon she was going to strip him down
to nothing and give him just as much pleasure as he’d given her.
When he encircled her wrist, stopping her, she jerked back in surprise. “What?” she asked.
He lifted her arm above her head, pinning it against the couch. Just as quickly he did the same to the other, rendering her completely helpless. She loved feeling that way underneath him, knowing he could give her exactly the kind of pleasure she’d fantasized about.
“I told you what I was going to do to you,” he murmured, a dark edge to his voice that made her nipples stand up, begging for attention.
Not trusting her voice, she nodded. He’d told her he was going to go down on her until she passed out from sheer exhaustion. But he couldn’t have meant that, right?
He captured her mouth again, holding her arms in place as she writhed against him. Her hard nipples brushed against his shirt, the sensation wildly stimulating as she fantasized about what it would be like to have skin on skin contact.
When he shifted slightly so he could hold her wrists in place with one hand only to cup her mound and start teasing her with his other, she realized he’d been serious about his intentions.
At the thought, another orgasm almost tore from her.
The more time she spent with him, the more it hurt to realize he wasn’t looking for anything serious. But he was so giving and sweet and the fact that he was solely focusing on her pleasure was kind of insane. She knew things between them would be over soon, and it hurt more than she wanted to admit, so she was going to enjoy every second of time with this man.
Chapter 11
“What?” Neal snarled, answering his burner phone on the first ring. He’d received a text from his contact a couple hours ago telling him that Taylor was on her way to the office. His contact had found that out from one of the security team members. So Neal had headed there, ready to follow her after she left. He knew where she lived but doubted she’d be returning to her home. Following her should have been easy enough.
But the incompetent moron he’d hired had fucked everything up by opening fire on Taylor and her security team. He said he’d just wanted to scare them. The company vehicles were all bullet resistant, something his contact knew but Neal hadn’t ordered him to scare Taylor. He’d told the man he’d be taking care of that portion of his plan personally. Neal didn’t want anyone going after her but him at this point and he thought he’d made himself perfectly clear.
Apparently not.
He needed to personally take her so he could get his damn money back, not scare her into fucking hiding.
Now thanks to massive stupidity, Neal was terrified he wouldn’t be able to hunt her down and get his money. He’d have to go on the run if that happened. He didn’t want to flee from the Russians but it would be his only option. Because he wasn’t letting Alexei get his hands on him.
Though he wanted to shout at his contact for his stupidity, Neal took a deep breath and forced himself to hide his anger as he continued. “Were you able to track her or find out anything about where she’s gone?”
There was a long pause. “No. The team has closed ranks. Anyone on this security detail has strict instructions not to talk to anyone about it, per Escobar’s orders.”
Damn it. “Does anyone suspect you’re helping me?”
“No. I only know by chance. I called to talk to one of the guys, supposedly about something else, and asked what the deal was with her and Hugh and the whole situation. He clammed up and said if I had questions to talk to Escobar. He was all apologetic about it, but I’m getting nothing from anyone. I can’t be too eager asking either or they might suspect. And where’s my fucking thank you for the risk I took tonight? I barely got away before the cops showed up.”
Neal’s jaw clenched once. The guy wanted a thank you? He wanted to lash out, but he couldn’t. Not yet. He didn’t respond fast enough because the man continued.
“And where’s my money? I haven’t been paid since before Vegas.” His voice was heated, not that Neal cared.
So that’s what the stupid shooting was about. Neal bet the man wanted more money for his ‘help’. Moron. “I can meet at our regular place soon but it has to be before sunrise. I can’t take the risk of being seen by anyone.” They met at a park on the beach for all their cash drop-offs. It was public enough during the daytime, but at night it was perfect because it was empty of people. And there weren’t any CCTVs anywhere in the direct vicinity. Ideal for what he planned to do next.
“I can be there in an hour. After this I’m done. I can’t keep taking risks for you.” His contact’s voice had lost some of its heat.
“I understand. I’ll be leaving town soon anyway.” Which was true. Neal would be leaving town as soon as he killed this moron and got what he needed from Taylor. If anyone else got in the way he’d kill them too. He hoped it didn’t come to that though because more dead bodies was a hassle.
As soon as they disconnected Neal grabbed a suppressor from his bag. He could attempt to kill the man with a knife, but a gun would be easier. The guy might be security personnel but he wasn’t fucking bulletproof. He didn’t think Neal had a reason to kill him so he wouldn’t be ready for an attack. Even if the guy was wearing a Kevlar vest, Neal wasn’t taking any chances. He’d shoot him right in the head.
He would just hide in the trees and kill him when he got close enough. The body would be found once the park opened, probably when an early morning jogger stumbled on him. Not that he cared now. He was going to be out of the country soon, leaving everything behind. After this, he’d get his money from Taylor then kill her. If he couldn’t get the money, he was gone, dropping off the radar for good.
Alexei might be a scary bastard, but Neal was only one man. Surely they wouldn’t spend years of resources on him. If he could just stay on the move for a while, never settling anywhere, maybe he could really outrun everyone.
Chapter 12
Wearing a towel, Roman exited the bathroom to find the bed he’d shared with Taylor empty. He started to frown when the scent of coffee hit him. Waking up next to an incredibly sexy woman—who wore Wonder Woman panties, something he was still laughing about—and now coffee was already made, felt almost perfect. Especially since he didn’t have to worry about his brother stealing his coffee.
Despite all the crap going on, being with Taylor was right where Roman wanted to be. He loved his job and his life, but right now he didn’t want to be anywhere else but with her. The rightness of it, especially so soon after meeting her, floored him. What terrified him more; he couldn’t see going back to his life without her in it. It would be like going from living in color to black and white. The thought was extreme but…she’d gotten under his skin. He shook that thought off and dressed. He didn’t have time to analyze whatever was going on between them.
Minutes later he found Taylor lounging on the couch he’d made her climax on multiple times last night, her laptop in her lap and a purely evil grin on her face. She might deny it, but she did evil genius well. She had on jeans and a T-shirt with a storm trooper wearing earphones and DJing. He laughed out loud at the picture, causing her to look up.
Evil genius smile morphed into a sensual one as she looked him over from head to toe. Then she blushed adorably. “Morning,” she murmured, her cheeks turning even redder.
Which was damn cute. She’d tried to go down on him last night, multiple times, but he’d needed everything to be about her. And…he wouldn’t have been in control if he’d let her do what she wanted to him. Right now he felt as if he was walking a razor’s edge and she had the ability to push him over it. Especially if she’d wrapped those pretty lips around his hard length. Even thinking about it and his dick woke up.
It was a primal thing, the only way he’d known how to take care of her in this fucked up situation. He couldn’t even describe it to himself how much he’d liked bringing her so much pleasure.
Over and over.
From the pink in her cheeks, clearly she was remembering everything. Good. He
wanted everything they’d done stamped into her memory bank.
“Morning. Sleep well?” he asked.
She snorted and slid her computer off her lap. “What do you think?” Blush gone, she stood and crossed the distance to him, wrapping her arms around his waist.
He pulled her into a tight hug, dropping a light kiss on her mouth, loving how open she was with affection. He resisted the urge to deepen it because he had a feeling they’d end up naked and on the floor if he did. “If you didn’t then I clearly did something wrong. Which means I need to practice more.” He dropped his voice as he said it, which earned him another blush.
She seemed to forget how to speak for a moment then slightly shook her head. “There’s coffee in the kitchen and uh, I think I might have found something on Neal’s whereabouts.”
There was something in her tone that made him pause. As he headed for the kitchen, she followed and he could practically sense the nervousness rolling off her. “Well?”
She took a deep breath. “Hear me out before you say no.”
Oh yeah, that didn’t bode well for him. He nodded as he started to pour himself a mug. “Okay.”
