“It might be a little anticlimactic after everything that happened last night,” he murmured, “but I couldn’t wait another minute to ask you. I need you, Charlotte. I need you to be my wife.”
“I can’t believe it,” I whispered with a little laugh.
“You can’t? You don’t know how much I love you? I must not be doing my job,” he smiled.
“No, I know that,” I replied. “I just didn’t expect this. I wanted it, but I didn’t expect it.”
“So you will? You’ll marry me?”
“Of course, you idiot.” I burst out laughing as I slid my arms around his neck, not even bothering to slide the ring on. I didn’t need a ring. Just the feeling of him in my arms, with his arms around me. That was all I would ever need—no award would ever come close to him, and what we had together.
He stood me beside the bed, then positioned himself in front of me. He just sat there like that for a long time, looking up at me. I looked down at him, in awe of everything that had happened between us. Of the life we were building together. And he was mine, forever.
“Take this off,” he whispered, running his hands over the satin. “You’re wearing too much clothing right now.”
I giggled softly. “You’ll have to help me,” I murmured, turning so he could lower the zipper. He took his time, teasing me and himself at once, exposing my bare back one inch at a time. Once I was able, I slid the satin over my body and to the floor, my back still to him. I turned around, wearing only my thong, and the bulge in his pants told me how much he appreciated what he saw. No matter that we’d been together for over a year—he always went wild over my body, just like I did over his.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered, reaching for me. His fingers grazed my skin as he explored with just as much passion as he had the first time we were together. It never seemed to change. He never got tired of me. I shivered as he took his time touching every bit of me.
I wound my arms around his neck to hold myself up as he kissed my hips, my stomach, my thighs. “You know,” I whispered breathlessly, “you’re wearing a lot of clothing, too.”
He chuckled against my skin and helped me ease unbutton his shirt, then slide it over his broad shoulders. I closed my eyes to really absorb the sensation of him under my hands as I touched him. His hands, meanwhile, found my backside. He stroked me softly but firmly, making me cry out the longer he went. He knew how crazy that drove me and took his time making sure I was half-delirious before he stopped.
I opened my thighs a little, welcoming him, silently asking for more as his lips and tongue worked on my hardened nipples. I was so hot, so wet. He dipped his fingers under the lace of my thong, sliding them through my wetness. I dug my fingers into his shoulders as he found my clit, crying out in relief when he gave me what I wanted so badly. My whole body was on fire, nerve endings sizzling thanks to him.
“Yes, baby,” I moaned, grinding against his hand to take more of what I needed. He pressed harder, then let me take the lead as I worked myself on him. He loved watching me get off—if only made him harder, hotter. I focused on the deep, sweet pleasure radiating from my swollen bud, letting it take over me, letting it control my movements.
I cried out when I came, my whole body shaking in relief as release swept over me. My legs clamped tight around his hand as I rode out the delicious waves of bliss. He kissed me softly again, all over my body, easing me down from the peak he’d driven me to.
“Thank you for that,” I whispered.
“You all tired out yet?” he murmured with a wise smirk.
“Have we met?” I took him by the shoulders and pushed him until he was on his back, then worked his tux pants down his legs. His shorts came right after—I wasn’t in the mood to play and tease. I needed him inside me, and fast. I needed that connection, body and soul. He reached over for a condom from the nightstand while I positioned myself over him, one leg on either side. When he was ready, I took my time lowering myself down his length until I reached the base. We both groaned.
“You feel so good,” I whispered, running my hands over his chest and abs. I touched his face, and he kissed the tips of my fingers before sucking them gently. I sighed, watching him, reveling in the little shockwaves he sent through me.
Then, he took me by the hips. His fingers dug into my flesh, possessing me. I started rolling my hips in circles, moving up and down as I did, grinding my clit against the base. I writhed and moaned, swinging my hair back and forth as sensation took over for thought and I let my body take over.
“I love you,” he whispered, looking up at me. He breathed hard and fast through his mouth, grunting in time with my sensual thrusts.
“I love you, I gasped, then moaned, as he ran his hands ran over my body. He stopped at my breasts, massaging them, playing with my tight nipples until I cried out one more time. My muscles clenched tight around him as the tightening in my core exploded, sweet shivers running through me as I came again.
He rolled over, pinning me to the bed before I even finished. It was time for him to take what he needed. I wrapped my legs around him, sighing in satisfaction as I handed control over to him.His strong, deep thrusts made me grunt in time. I swept my hands over his back, gripping his butt as it flexed. “Mm, yes,” I moaned, groaning, panting like an animal as he began to lose control. I felt that familiar tightening again, so soon after the last time, and I welcomed it. I moved with him, jerking my hips upward, taking what I needed.
“That’s right, baby. Make me scream.” When it came, it was like an explosion. His thrusts became faster, more erratic as he gave over to the animal need inside him. He grunted one more time, going stiff on top of me before collapsing a little into my arms.
“I love you,” I whispered again and again as I stroked his neck and back. I was still holding onto him with my arms and legs, holding him tight, feeling the sheen of sweat on his skin and loving it, too. I loved all of him, especially what happened when we were together like that. We made something that wasn’t him or me. It was us. The explosion our connection created. I could only imagine what else we would create together as time went on. I couldn’t wait.
He rolled over with a smile, and once he was settled on his back I snuggled up against him.
“I guess I had a pretty good night,” I whispered, resting my head against his chest.
“Yeah, I guess you did.” He took my hand in his and held it up, then slid the ring over my finger. I had almost forgotten about it, lying on the bed in its little box. “I did, too.”
BOOK 2: BRETT
Prologue – Pax
The sound of a knock at my office door pulled me from the stupor I had already sunk into while looking over the previous month’s expense reports.
“Isn’t that a little heavy for a Monday morning?” Christa gave me a wink as she handed me a cup of steaming coffee. “I mean, Mondays are bad enough without sitting at your desk before eight o’clock with the financials.”
She was a welcome sight, for sure, with her sexy smirk and the red hair I had done more than my share of thinking about. What would it feel like under my hands? How would it feel splayed across my chest as she worked her way down my body? I was a healthy guy who lived alone. Sometimes I needed to think about something other than the agency.
She tucked one foot underneath her as she sat across from me. “How was your weekend?”
I snorted. “You know the answer to that question. It’s always the same.”
“Of course, of course. If Mother Hubbard—or, rather, Father Hubbard—isn’t checking on his little children every minute of the day, something might fall between the cracks and the entire agency will crumble.”
The coffee soured in my mouth. “Not cute,” I muttered.
“You know what I’m getting at.”
“You’re always getting at the same thing,” I reminded her.
“Yeah, and you never listen.”
“So maybe you’d better stop wasting your time. Besides, it�
�s not like you’re out living it up. You just spend the weekend at the Hightowers’, right?”
She nodded. “Because I’m a lowly underling, but you’re the big boss. You ought to get out and live a little, is all. What’s the point of owning your own business if you spend all your time working on the business? I thought once something like this took off—and I’ve seen those financials, and we’ve definitely taken off—the owner could sit back a little and let nature take its course.”
“If I let nature take its course, who the hell knows what would happen around here.”
“I didn’t know you were in the habit of hiring people you don’t trust,” she murmured, glancing up from her coffee to shoot me a look.
“I hate it when you talk me in circles like that,” I grumbled as I ran a hand over my head. I felt warm, probably because the Irish beauty sitting across from me always knew how to get me worked up. She knew my weaknesses inside and out and knew just which buttons to push to get at them.
When she stood, it was with a smile. “I’m just saying, the world wouldn’t stop spinning if the great Paxton Lewis decided to go out and see a movie.”
“A movie? Do they still make those?” She shook her head with a chuckle as she walked out into the reception area to greet our office manager. Lydia’s loud, strident voice was better than coffee when it came to waking a person up. She had to be an office manager—it was either that or a waitress in a crowded diner. That sort of voice would’ve carried through the busiest Sunday morning crowd.
Thinking about her reminded me how she’d left the mail on the corner of my desk on Saturday morning but I hadn’t checked it. I flipped through before going out to greet the troops. Bills, bills—Lydia should’ve known by then to keep them for herself, since she was the one who paid them—and a single hand-address envelope. Mr. Paxton Lewis, it said on the front, with Lewis Security printed beneath my name. I wondered who would bother to send a letter in that day and age, and why they’d send it.
Just reading the first line told me who sent it and why they had.
Hello, old friend.
Jonathan Smythe.
I didn’t dare read another word until I got myself under control. I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to do it without something exploding inside. I knew that writing, and I knew the games he liked to play. Old friend. His idea of a joke. He liked to joke, didn’t he? He liked to play games.
I had to know what he wanted to tell me. I forced myself to keep reading.
Well, it’s been a long time, but cheer up. While I know you’ve missed me—just like I’ve missed you—you’ll be happy to know that our time apart will soon be coming to an end if there’s truly any justice in the justice system.
The paper crumpled a little in my hands as my hands tightened into fists. No. It was impossible. The piece of scum was in for kidnapping and murder. It had been less than ten years since they put him in. Since I had helped them put him in.
As it turns out, he continued, being a good boy has its perks. And I’ve been a very good boy—so good, they think I can go home sooner than expected. Well, if the parole board agrees. Fingers crossed!
I could just imagine the sick sneer on his face as he wrote those words. A normal person would’ve written them with hope and genuine feeling, but he wasn’t capable of that. He would have to be human to feel things, and he wasn’t. He wasn’t even an animal, at least not one with reason.
I would love it if you could be here for my big day, since you had so much to do with arranging my stay here. Granted, it will take some time—probably a year, maybe more. There are lots of people in front of me and I do have to serve my minimum sentence before they’ll seriously consider it.
Why am I telling you this when there’s so much time between then and now? Let’s just say I’m a big believer in anticipation. I’ve been anticipating being together again, and I wanted you to have the same fun while you anticipate the same thing. We’re going to have such a good time together! And you’ll get to think about it every day, just like I’ve been. Lucky you.
I picked up the envelope and checked out the postmark. It wasn’t sent from inside the prison—he must’ve slipped it to one of the guards he’d cozied up to and gotten them to send it for him. He was just the sort who would make friends with a guard over time, chipping away, knowing that one day it would pay off and he would get to send a letter like that.
There was no way I could let him get out. I knew what he was capable of—hell, the jury at his trial knew, and all the witnesses, too. There wasn’t a chance he could make parole if they testified against him. I would never forget the way the parents of the girl he’d killed cried on the stand, and again when he was sentenced. The way the medical examiner described that poor kid’s body after that monster finished with it. No. There was no chance they would let him go.
But he was right, the bastard. The thought hung over my head like a cloud and weighed on me like a ton of bricks. I could hardly stand the thought of leaving my office and facing the team. Not just then. How could I talk about ongoing business and new assignments when there was a monster like him waiting to go free?
That was what he wanted, though. To get inside my head and ruin my life from behind those thick walls. It was all part of his plan, and I couldn’t let him get to me.
I did save the letter, as much as I wanted to throw it away. No, I wanted to burn it. Anything to erase its presence from my life. But the thought that I might be able to show it to someone in the prison system stopped me. There were obvious threats in the language. Maybe that would be enough to make the board reconsider a possible parole.
“Yo, General!” Brett knocked at the open door. “We’re ready and waiting for you in here.”
I nodded absently and he went back to the conference room. General. I didn’t know who first started calling me that or if they were being sarcastic when they did, but I didn’t take it as a compliment. Especially not then, when I was just about as ready to blow a gasket as I had ever been. And I was a SEAL, for Christ’s sake.
I reminded myself of how I couldn’t let Jonathan get to me as I walked out to the conference room. It was all a matter of compartmentalizing. He had a compartment in my psyche, one that was always there. Just waiting for me to turn my attention in its direction. The time was coming when I couldn’t ignore him anymore. But that wasn’t the day. I just had to keep that in mind.
Chapter One – Brett
Anybody with eyes could tell Pax wasn’t in a great mood when he stalked into the conference room. Even on a Monday, he didn’t normally let his personal life or feelings seep into business.
Dylan noticed, too. “What’s with him today, man?”
I kept my eyes on my post-case paperwork as I shrugged. It was better not to let the boss know we were talking about him. “Got me. Maybe his razor was dull this morning.” Dylan tried to hide a snort of laughter behind a cough.
“Anything going on with you two?” Pax asked in a sharp, shut-the-hell-up-or-I’ll-assign-pushups kind of voice.
“Nope.” Just like that, no more laughs from my pal. He was probably my closest friend in the agency, but that wasn’t saying too much since we were all close in one way or another. You didn’t do the kind of work we did, everybody relying on everybody else, without bonding.
I glanced up, across the long table we sat around, and noticed the confusion on Christa’s face. It was sort of an open secret that she had a thing for Pax, and it was just as obvious that he had a thing for her, too. But damned if either of them would get up the balls to admit it to the other. I was sure that when Spence fell for his actress client a year before that, it would be the sort of motivation those two would need to look at each other and remember life was short. Not that I was Mr. Romantic—far from it—but they were acting like a couple of high school kids who clammed up whenever they were around each other. It was pathetic.
Pax looked down the table at us. “Okay. Let’s talk over current business. Dylan?”
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br /> He cleared his throat—even though he acted like he didn’t care, Dylan was the biggest teacher’s pet I knew. He craved gold stars. “Things are going well with Mr. Nelson. I just spoke to the detective on his case this morning before coming in and he said they should have an arrest warrant for his partner by the end of the day.” Vernon Nelson had discovered the embezzlement his business partner had engaged in for a decade—and his partner had hired a hitman to get him out of the way.
When Spencer’s turn came, he said, “I’m still babysitting Charlotte’s friend, Sophia. The stalker sent their fingernail clippings last week, so forensics is looking into who they belong to.”
“Wait.” Christa turned to him. “Did you say they sent their fingernail clippings?”
He nodded, and I noticed for the first time how green he looked. “Yeah. You don’t think of nail clippings as being inherently gross, but trust me. When you look into an envelope full of them…”
“Oh, dude. Stop.” I was starting to regret the bagel I polished off before the meeting.
His smirk told me he was glad he didn’t have to suffer alone anymore. “Anyway, things are pretty slow, otherwise. Anybody who feels like getting some rest is more than welcome to babysit the actress while I get a little excitement in my life for once.”
“Hey, I’m coming off my last case,” I reminded him. “I’m looking for something new.”
“Don’t tempt me,” he warned with a smile.
“The last time I checked, I’m the one who assigns cases around here.” Pax glared at us like we had pissed in his cereal.
“Sorry. We were just kidding around.” I did what I could to keep things light.
“Yeah, well, we’re all busy. There’s not a lot of time to kid around.”
Spencer met my eye and grimaced. I wondered if the boss needed to get laid. Just then, I was pretty sure we would’ve all chipped up to get him a hooker. Money was no object.
Lewis Security Page 16
