by Cali MacKay
His eyes narrowed as if trying to read her, her mood, what she was up for—and then he was undoing her wrists. “Let’s get you warmed up then. We’ve got all night to tackle the rest.”
Getting to his feet, he pulled back the covers on his bed, before scooping her into his arms, and setting her down against a pile of plush down pillows. He sidled up next to her and pulled the covers over them, his body warm and comforting as he nestled himself between her legs, covering her body with his so the chill receded. “A little better?”
She shimmied deeper in his arms, loving the feel of being surrounded by his muscular form. “Yeah…much better.”
And then he started covering her in kisses, sweet and soft—her forehead, her cheeks, her neck, her shoulders—as her body arched up under him, offering herself to him. Her hips rocked against his hard length as she wrapped her legs around his, pulling him to her, desperate for some relief.
He bit her shoulder and then pulled back just enough to look at her. “Babe…you’re being bad—though I think you’ve warmed up quite nicely.”
Tossing back the covers, he knelt back as she ran her hands down his ripped abs to his hard length. She looked him over, her heart hitching at the sight of him, stroking his cock, the skin silky soft over hard steel. And fuck…but he had an amazing cock, both the girth and length generous—a cock perfect for her romance novels, just like the rest of him. He was just so gorgeous…the ink, the broad shoulders, the ripped abs, and those amazing blue eyes. “Keane…please.”
He grabbed her hand and removed it from his erection, though it looked like it took every bit of willpower for him to do so. “On your hands and knees, facing the headboard—not my cock. At least not yet.”
The mere implication of his words had her sex going wet as she did what he asked. She felt him shift behind her, his hand running down her spine, applying pressure as he got to her shoulders so that she’d lower her chest to the mattress, forcing her ass high up in the air. Turning her head to the side, she rested her cheek on the pillow while trying to catch a glimpse of him, anticipating what would come next, even as she felt her wetness slip onto her thighs.
He leaned forward so that his mouth was at her ear, his warm breath sending a shiver of need through her. “Tell me, Lilly…is this what you want…what you’ve been craving all the years that we’ve been apart? And please don’t lie to me. You’re already in enough trouble as is.”
She couldn’t help but let out a groan, but because he was so right. How many times had she played through memories just like this? How many times had she gotten herself off thinking about Keane doing this—this very thing…taking control, dominating her, giving her pleasure like no other person was capable of? And yet admitting it always felt so difficult. “Why are you asking when you know it’s true, Keane?”
Her cry escaped her lips before she could hold it back, his hand falling fast and hard against her ass, while his lips, his words, drifted over her, tickling her ear, yet another sensation to the pleasure and blossoming pain. “You’re so cheeky, babe. Do you really think it a wise idea?”
The next slap fell on the other cheek, flaming hot pain that melted into pleasure, and had her clit aching for release. This…this was what she needed…for him to take control, to push her limits, to overwhelm her so she could finally let go of years of pent-up, overwrought emotions in a blissful release—and she needed it to be him. No one else could soothe her pain. But she needed more. “Is that it? After seven years, I was thinking you’d make up for lost time.”
He shook his head with a laugh, while running his hand over her ass and slipping it down between her legs. Plunging his fingers deep inside her, he pulled a lusty moan from her lips, though she was still desperate for so much more. “Rest assured, Lil, I’m only just getting started.”
Leaving her empty once more, his hand fell against her ass repeatedly, the pain and pleasure from one slap building upon the one before it, until she was crying out, her eyes watering as she teetered on the verge of coming. And then he was behind her, thrusting into her so he was buried deep inside her, the feel of it overwhelming—and exactly what she so desperately needed.
He pounded each thrust into her so she felt it deep in her bones and the far reaches of her soul, until there was nothing else between them but the joining of their hearts. And just like that, all the hurt, all the heartache, was healed over—the pain she’d held onto all those years now gone. It left her feeling completely overwhelmed by her emotions, by what was between them, her tears slipping down her cheek.
Sliding his hand along her back, he gathered up her hair and wrapped it around his fist, pulling her onto her knees and back to him, as he wrapped her in his embrace, her back against his chest. With one hand across her chest to pinch her nipples, his other dipped between her legs to tease her swollen clit, his thrusts continuing to drive into her, his pace quickening, as he kissed the tears from her cheeks. “I love you, Lilly…I’ll always love you. Now, come for me…I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
And just like that, he pushed her over the edge, her orgasm crashing through her as she shattered in his arms, his name on her lips as he came with a final thrust, their bodies still but for their heavy breathing and his cock pulsing deep inside her.
“Fuck…I love you, Keane. I don’t want to, but I do.” The realization of just how true her statement was had her tears spilling over uncontrollably, even as she cursed herself for being an emotional wreck.
Cradling her against him, he kissed her tears away, solidifying his hold on her heart. “No tears, baby girl… Being in love with me isn’t that bad, is it?”
She couldn’t help but laugh a little, even as she swiped at her tears. “It better not be, this time around. Or I swear, I’ll cut out your spleen and feed it to Juno.”
“Well, lucky for me, Juno’s on a strict diet of kibble and pizza crusts.”
***
Lilly sat at the breakfast bar in Keane’s kitchen, her hands wrapped around her mug of hot coffee as she watched him cook her breakfast wearing little more than a pair of sweats, the muscles in his back shifting under his skin and ink with each movement. “I didn’t realize that you could now cook. You should have led with that. Might have worked to your advantage.”
“Now you tell me.” He gave her a crooked smile over his shoulder and got back to whisking something in a bowl. “Jake got his culinary degree, so with a chef in the family, I was bound to pick up some pointers.”
Lilly remembered Jake, one of Keane’s older brothers, and yet another gorgeous Foley man. The entire family had been blessed with striking good looks. But holed up with Keane in his house, especially now that things were better between them, it was easy to forget that there was still a world out there chugging along. “I’ll need to spend a good part of the day working once I get my laptop set up, so if you have any place you need to be, or if there’s stuff you need to do, don’t worry about me. I have plenty to keep me busy.”
“You’re my only priority, Lil. Everything else can wait until we’ve found Sirius and know he’s no longer a threat.” He turned away from what he was doing and leaned across the counter to kiss her, his lips lingering as his kiss turned into a smile. “Until then, I promise to do everything I can to keep you from getting bored.”
“Keane…I can’t just stay here indefinitely. I’ve got to head back to my place, eventually, and I’ve got a convention coming up that I can’t miss.” She’d committed to the book signing over a year and a half ago, and had promised her readers she’d be there. She couldn’t just back out of it now.
He came around the counter to her side, as his brow furrowed and his eyes darkened, giving her a look she was all too familiar with. “Then you better hope we’ve found Sirius by then, or you’re not going. It’s not up for debate.”
“I’m not trying to be stubborn about this, Keane. I know it’s dangerous and that Sirius will be able to find me, but…I can’t live my life being scared. That’s something I
refuse to do.” It wasn’t a conversation she was ready to have with Keane. Needing a distraction for both of them, she shifted in her seat to face him and wrapped her legs around his to pull him in close, loving the feel of his body against hers, especially when she could feel him going hard against her aching clit. “Besides, this signing’s overseas. I doubt he’d go to such lengths.”
“He’s obsessed with you, Lilly. So if you think something as simple as a plane ticket is going to keep him away from you, you can guess again. And you might be willing to take chances with your life, but I’m not.” His fierce intensity, especially when she was the focus of it and he was concerned for her and her safety, made her realize why she’d never gotten over him. “Tell your readers you have some personal stuff you’re dealing with and need to stay low-key for a short while. I’m sure they’d understand.”
“They would—these ladies are nothing short of amazing. It’s just that I don’t want to disappoint anyone.” She then had a thought, her smile kicking up as she pressed a kiss to his muscular chest, his skin warm below her lips. “I just had the best idea. What if I get a few bodyguards for the event? Young, sexy, built…preferably shirtless. My readers would love that.”
“No way, Lilly.” But he was laughing and shaking his head. “But I’ll tell you what... If you don’t give me a hard time about this, and Sirius is locked up by then, I promise to personally escort you to the event, and even go shirtless for you and your readers. But only if it’s safe.”
“Get Wyatt to join you, and you’ve got a deal.” Two sexy Foley brothers? Her readers would be crazy happy—if it happened.
Keane gave her an apologetic look and stole a kiss. “I’d do it in a heartbeat, but you know Wyatt’s in Ireland, love.”
“Which is why it’s a perfect scenario. It’s the Romance Readers Bash—and it’s in Dublin.” Better yet… “What if we head over to Dublin anyway? I haven’t seen Wyatt in ages, and if Sirius doesn’t know where I currently am, it’s another safeguard against him finding me. Besides, the event is still a month away, so it’s not like anyone would automatically think I’ve headed over there.”
“Yeah…maybe. Getting away for a bit might be a good thing.” He looked like he was mulling over all the pros and cons, and though she’d usually be stubborn about letting anyone have any say in what she wanted to do, she knew he was just trying to keep her safe, and so far, he’d gone above and beyond. “Let’s check with Hadley to see how things are coming along. Then we can see where we stand and what our options are.”
It then occurred to her that it might be asking a lot of him to just drop everything and leave the country with her indefinitely. “I feel like I’ve hijacked your life, Keane.”
She was sure this was not what he had in mind when he first showed up on her front lawn. Most guys would have bailed at the first sign of any sort of complication. Instead, Keane was bending over backward and going completely out of his way to make sure she was safe and taken care of.
She just hoped he didn’t suddenly find himself in too deep, since the last thing she needed was for him to suddenly panic and bail on her, especially now that she’d fallen for him again—not that she’d ever gotten over him.
“You’re my everything, Lil. You haven’t hijacked my life—you’ve made it worth living.”
Chapter 14
Keane cursed under his breath, though he was grateful Hadley had come in person to give him the news. “If he’s some sort of computer genius who’s able to mask his identity and location, then you’d think he’d be known to the authorities. Right?”
“I’m working my FBI connections, but they don’t see this as an imminent threat, which means that this is low on their priority list, especially since tracking him is going to be difficult. But I’m pulling strings and working with my own specialists.” Hadley let out a frustrated sigh. “I’m sorry this is taking so long. But…every time we manage to track him, to uncover some info on him, it turns out to be just another cover. I’ve just never seen anything so elaborate. Every email, every account and profile we’ve been able to track leads nowhere in the end. Fake addresses, fake Socials, fake bank accounts. He’s like a chameleon—or a ghost.”
Keane knew Hadley and her team were doing all they could, and at least Lilly was safe for now. They’d find Sirius before he got to her, and that was all that mattered. “I understand it hasn’t been easy, but spare no expense, Hadley. Do whatever it takes to bring this to an end.”
“I know. But it’s not a matter of money, or this would be done.” Hadley looked around. “Where’s Lilly? Is she here?”
“Yeah… She’s been holed up in my office for the last few days, trying to catch up on her writing.” Luckily, she’d been too busy with her work to give in to her worries about what was going on. And when she wasn’t working, he was happy to distract her in his own way.
Hadley got to her feet and Keane escorted her to the door. “I’ll lean on a few more people to try to get some answers, but in the meantime, just keep doing what you’re doing—stay low-key, and stay safe.”
“I’m trying—but if he’s as smart as you say, it’s just a matter of time before he finds us, which means we need him behind bars.” Luckily, he’d never been officially arrested or processed for his drunken visit to Lilly’s, since she hadn’t wanted to press charges. And since he didn’t have any sort of record, they’d been happy to just let him sober up in the cell without putting him into their system, especially since he and his family were always doing charitable work in the area.
Also, since he’d been drunk, he’d taken a taxi and paid cash, so there wasn’t any record there, nor would Sirius be able to track his license plate. Granted, there was a chance Sirius had been watching Lilly the day after and may have seen Keane’s car, but given the sort of emails Lilly had received afterwards, it was doubtful Sirius had been there.
Keane could tell Hadley was just as frustrated as he was that Sirius was still evading capture. “You have my word, we’re doing all we can. I’ll be in touch.”
Locking the door behind Hadley, Keane mulled over their situation on his way to the office where Lilly was working. He knocked quietly and then let himself in, though she barely looked up from her laptop, other than to hold up her finger for a quick moment, asking him to wait. And then her fingers were back to flying over the keys as he sat down on the other side of the sofa where she was lounging sideways, pulling her feet into his lap.
He couldn’t help but look at her as she worked, her brow furrowed in concentration and her lips moving ever so slightly as if finding the words that would breathe life into her story. He’d never imagined her as a writer, given her technical background, and yet having read several of her books by now, he couldn’t see her as anything else, her words pulling him in and painting a vivid picture filled with passion and emotion.
“Sorry about that.” Lilly set aside her laptop on the end table, and gave him a smile, sitting forward to steal a kiss. “I just had to get the rest of that down. If I don’t, there’s a good chance the details will escape me, and it ends up making me crazy.”
“Hadley stopped by.” Keane hadn’t wanted to interrupt Lilly’s work—nor worry her, for that matter, if there was bad news. And though he didn’t have any good news, it could be a lot worse. “They’re still trying to find Sirius, but he hasn’t made it easy, though I don’t think he’s found us yet.”
“No…I don’t think he has, if his latest emails are anything to go by. He’s crazy, Keane.” She shifted her legs around and snuggled against his side, as he wrapped his arms protectively around her shoulders. “He thinks he’s Jax and I’m Erin, and that we’re fated to be together like in my story.”
“Damn fucking right he’s crazy, since we all know that I’m Jax to your Erin.” He gave her a crooked smile, hoping his joke would help lighten the mood. They were already wound pretty tight about Sirius, and he didn’t want it to get any worse.
“I suppose I should be glad that
we can still laugh about this.” She shook her head, returning his smile with a weary exhale. “So if you’re my Jax, does that mean you’ve got some sort of sex playroom tucked away in this massive home of yours?”
“Would you like me to have one?” He had some stuff in his bedroom, but nothing so formal as a playroom, since he never brought women back to his house. “It wouldn’t be a stretch, given that I work for one of the premier sex toy manufacturers.”
That got her attention, her eyes going wide. “Your brother—Marshall, no less—started a sex toy company? There’s no way…I can’t believe it. Which one?”
“Marshall’s not as innocent or straitlaced as you might think, love. He started Clio. Have you heard of them?” He suspected she probably had if she used sex toys.
“Are you kidding?” She shook her head with a grin. “My Clio practically changed my life. And afterwards, nothing else would do—well, except for you, I suppose.”
“You suppose?” He laughed, loving that she was now comfortable enough with him to be busting his chops. “Maybe we need to take this back to the bedroom so I can eliminate any traces of doubt.”
Wrapping her arms around his neck, she slipped her leg over his thighs and straddled his lap, his cock immediately going hard as she rocked her hips along his length. Fucking hell, he’d never stop wanting her.
He gripped her hips, kissing her with a hunger that’d never be satisfied, his tongue dancing over hers as she knotted her fingers in his hair. He loved the feel of her in his arms, the weight of her against his cock as her full breasts pressed against him—and loved that he finally had her back in his life.
Lilly pulled away just enough to bite his lip with a mischievous smile, her gaze taking him in. “I still can’t believe you somehow managed to finagle your way back into my good graces.”
