His To Keep

by Stephanie Julian

  She lifted her hands and pulled his boxers down, until she’d exposed him. Then she traced a fingertip from the tip of his cock to his balls, drawn up tight. He clamped down hard on the urge to grab her hand and grind it against him, to curl her fingers around him and gain immediate satisfaction. Instead, he let her touch him, let her tease her fingernail along the throbbing vein then slip that same finger between his legs to flick at the sensitive skin of his sac.

  He knew she was watching him and he forced his eyes open so she could see exactly what she did to him. When her breath started to drag through her lips, he reached for her underwear, tearing it down her legs, moving to the side so he could slip them off her legs. He turned for a second to get a condom from the bedside table drawer and get rid of his boxers. When he turned back, she was propped up on her elbows, watching him.

  Her mouth curved in a hot, sweet smile.

  With the condom in place, he couldn’t wait any longer. He settled between her legs and covered her with his body, propped on his elbows to hold as much of his weight off of her as he could. She seemed so small now that he had her exactly where he wanted her. But her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist held him with strength.

  Easing his hips forward, he swallowed hard as the sensitive head of his cock nestled against the liquid heat of her entrance. Damn, he wished he didn’t have to wear the condom but he refused to take chances with her. They’d have a frank conversation later but right now… Right now, he only wanted to make her happy. And make her his.

  He eased forward, each inch she enveloped ratcheting up his desire to thrust wildly. Which he refused to do.

  But then she arched to meet him, taking him deeper. Her fingers clutched at his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin. He loved it. He loved how tight she was, how she widened her legs to take even more of him.

  Locking her ankles at his back, she shimmied closer, making his balls draw up tight as he drew closer to orgasm.

  “God, sweetheart, you feel so good.”

  “Nic, please.” Her breath sent sensation skating through him. “Move.”

  “Whatever you want.”

  Wrapping his arms around her, he sank closer as he began a rhythm designed to drive them both over the edge. With each push, she closed around him, tight and wet. And with each retreat, she clung to him.

  Christ, he wasn’t going to last long. And by the sounds she was making, he knew she was nearly there as well.

  Feeling the pressure build, he deliberately slowed, slipped one hand beneath her ass to tilt her hips even more deeply then ground himself against her, thrusting as far as he could go.

  Her head fell back and she gasped before leaning forward to open her mouth over his skin, her teeth nipping, egging him on.

  He began to thrust harder, faster, losing himself in her until he felt her clasp him tightly then pulse in orgasm.

  Gritting his teeth, he froze and rode out her climax, holding himself deep inside her until she went limp.

  He wanted to drag it out, wasn’t ready for this to end. But her expression of complete satisfaction pushed him closer to the edge. And when she opened her eyes to stare into his and smiled, he couldn’t help himself.

  He lost it. Lost his ability to think, lost his control, felt the wall he’d built to keep her at arm’s length crumble into ash. Annie wound her arms around his neck and lifted her body into his, as if to make them one

  “I love you, Nic.”

  The tone of her voice, more than the words themselves, sent his emotions into overdrive and he came in a rush of pure sensation that left him drained and so in love, it scared the hell out of him.

  *

  Annie knew the exact moment Nic realized what she’d said.

  They were trying to catch their breath when Nic rolled, carrying her with him so he was on his back and she lay on her side, curled into him.

  He stilled then and his arm tightened around her. His heartbeat continued to race and his breathing remained unsteady but she could practically hear his mind working.

  She wasn’t about to take the words back because they were exactly what she was feeling. But maybe she should’ve waiting at least a few days. Had she scared him off? They’d just fulfilled her most precious fantasy and he was so quiet.

  Well, Nic was always quiet. She knew that. But just this once she wished he’d be chatty, or at the very least, tell her what he was thinking.

  He sighed. “Annie…”

  Then again, maybe she didn’t want to know. She bit into her bottom lip, stopping the words from escaping, waiting for him to continue.

  “Honey, we’ve got to be at your mother’s in less than an hour.”

  Okay, that was so totally not what she’d been thinking about. But, damn if he was right.

  She didn’t want to leave. She wanted to spend all night with him, wanted to make love with him again and he was letting common sense get in the way.

  She wanted him to go caveman on her, to demand she stay right here with him, naked and willing.

  Instead, she said, “You’re right. And Mother hates when I’m late.” She forced herself to sit up, tearing herself away from the warmth of his side, and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Nic didn’t move. She turned and found him watching her, his eyes stormy.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said. “I don’t know how I’m going to get through tonight without touching you.”

  Annie felt her insides melt at his raw tone. She watched him stand and come around the bed, naked and unashamed and with good reason.

  He made her want…well, he made her want him.

  He stood before her and carefully adjusted her bra then ran his fingers through her hair. He kissed her, took his time doing it and, when he pulled back, he smiled.

  “Get dressed. I’ll grab a quick shower here before I take you home for one.”

  Then he walked away and she watched his perfect rear end until he disappeared out the door.

  *

  “Hello, sweetheart. I’m so glad you could make it.” Beatrice Reed opened the front door and brushed a kiss across her daughter’s cheek as she ushered them in.

  Dressed in a dove gray dress that matched her eyes, her blond hair a shade darker than Annie’s, Beatrice did not remind Nic of a society matron. She looked too young.

  “Hello, Mom.” Nic heard the slight stiffness that came into Annie’s tone. “Thank you for inviting us tonight.”

  Beatrice turned her gaze to him and he stiffened, not sure what to expect. He didn’t know what to make of her genuine smile.

  “Dominic, I didn’t realize you would be accompanying Andrea. She didn’t say who she was bringing. It’s so nice to see you again.”

  “Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Reed.”

  As Beatrice led them through the Reed family’s Main Line mansion, Nic tried to remember the last time he’d seen Annie’s mom. Had to be at least a year. She’d been invited to a reception his parents had thrown for an old friend, apparently an old friend of Beatrice’s, as well. At the time, he hadn’t paid her much attention since that was in his keep-Annie-at-a-distance phase. Looks like he’d shot that all to hell.

  Now, he watched the dynamic between mother and daughter. Watched Annie’s every move as her mother introduced her to Vanessa, Beatrice’s second cousin, once removed, a sixty-something woman with a Queen Elizabeth accent, and the woman’s son, Nigel, a man pretty close to Nic’s own thirty-six, who was dressed in an expensive suit and had an accent that probably drew women like flies.

  “It’s very nice to meet you, Andrea.” Nigel didn’t release her hand right away. “Your mother’s been telling us all about you.”

  Yeah, Nic bet she had been. This is probably exactly the type of man Beatrice hoped her daughter would marry. Certainly not Nic, who didn’t have a designer suit in his closet that his mother or sister hadn’t forced him to buy. Hell, he’d let Annie pick his clothes tonight. Black slacks and a royal blue shirt.

  B
eatrice turned to Nic with that same welcoming smile and introduced him as Annie’s—sorry, Andrea’s work colleague.

  “And what type of business are you in, Mr. DeMarco?”

  “Private investigation.”

  Nigel’s eyebrows raised. “Really? That sounds fascinating. How long have you been in the business?”

  “The firm has been in Philadelphia for more than twenty years.” Annie placed her hand on Nic’s arm. “Nic’s parents are former military intelligence officers and Nic is a former Army Ranger. His brother and sister also work in the firm. I’ve recently taken over as office manager.”

  “Why don’t you and Dominic sit down, dear, and I’ll get you drinks.” Beatrice waved at the couch. “We’re planning to eat around eight. I hope you can stay until then?”

  “I don’t—”

  “Sure, that shouldn’t be a problem.” Nic interrupted before Annie could finish. He recognized the look on Beatrice’s face. She wanted them to stay for dinner but she was too polite to ask. And even though he wasn’t typically a coward, Nic thought staying here for dinner tonight might just give him and Annie a little breathing room. “We didn’t have confirmed plans for tonight.”

  Beatrice’s control was nearly as good as his mother’s, but at his words, her expression turned hopeful. “Would you like to stay then?” Her gaze flashed to Annie’s for a brief second before returning to Nic. “I’d certainly love for you to join us.”

  He stole a glance at Annie, whose expression was a mix of disappointment and resignation, before answering. “Thanks. If you’re sure it’s not a problem.”

  Beatrice’s smile beamed. “Actually, it’s no problem at all. I was hoping I could convince you to stay. I had the cook prepare in case.”

  With Beatrice at the helm, conversation flowed smoothly for an hour. For a woman Nic was sure wanted to set her daughter up with another man, she was a gracious host.

  But then, Beatrice Reed had been born and raised on the Main Line, the widow of a millionaire adventurer who’d been the sole heir to one of the largest and oldest steel fortunes on the East Coast. Her own parents had been wealthy business owners who could trace their lineage through English royalty.

  She kept the conversation rolling, never let anyone flounder. Actually, she reminded Nic of his mother. His mom could make the most awkward conversation and the most diverse group of people flow with one well-placed comment.

  And Annie… Annie simply dazzled. When she and Nigel started debating the usefulness of the English peerage, Annie knew exactly what she was talking about and argued so well, Nigel started nodding his head in agreement. Another conquest for his beauty. Jealousy flared but he squelched it by remembering her voice as she told him she loved him.

  Just the thought brought with it a rush of feelings he forced back only with an effort.

  “Oh, Andrea, you are so much like your father.” Vanessa laughed. “He could charm the birds out the trees, couldn’t he, Beatrice?”

  Nic’s gaze shot to Annie, who smiled but he could tell she had to force herself to maintain it. He checked out Beatrice and found her smiling, as well, though Nic was pretty sure hers was genuine.

  “Theo was a force of nature,” Beatrice said. “If he wanted to do it and everyone told him it couldn’t be done, he would find a way. He was an adventurer through and through. I never doubted that, with him, I would never be bored. My Andrea gets her zest for living from him. Without Theo, I would have led a very boring life.”

  “Do you remember Bangkok? That bar where you danced on the table and the man who wanted to buy us for the night? For a bit, I thought Theo would sell us to him.”

  Beatrice laughed outright, a surprisingly strong laugh that left Annie gaping.

  “And the night in Egypt, when he paid that man to take us into the pyramids. I must have been nearly six months pregnant then. It was his anniversary gift to me. He knew how much I enjoyed the pyramids.”

  As Vanessa and Beatrice continued to reminisce, Nic watched Annie. She was fascinated by her mother’s stories, her expression rapt.

  “And there was nothing he wouldn’t do for you or Andrea, for that matter.”

  Beatrice nodded. “No, there wasn’t. My parents came to realize that, finally.”

  “Nanny and Granddad didn’t like Daddy?” Annie’s voice was hesitant. “I didn’t know that.”

  “Oh, they weren’t at all pleased that Bea married your father.” Vanessa waved a hand in the air. “They thought he was reckless and would ruin her standing in society. But I’d never seen two people more in love. Even as young as they were, they knew what they wanted and they convinced everyone else that it was the best for them. And after you came along, they simply packed you up and took you along. You were the most well-traveled child I’d ever met. You spoke Portuguese like a pro when you were four. Do you remember?”

  Annie nodded, the ghost of a smile on her lips. “I still speak some, enough to get along.”

  “Andrea, you’re selling yourself short,” her mother cut in. “She also speaks Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and French.”

  Annie huffed, but the look she gave her mother was amused. “I know enough French to find a restroom in Paris.”

  Nic hadn’t known she could speak other languages. His sister Janey had inherited that gift from their mother. He’d had trouble learning a few key Spanish phrases for cases in Mexico but he did know enough Italian to get him around.

  Beatrice surprised him by turning to him. “And I know you speak Italian, Dominic. Your mother told me you spent some time with your uncle at the vineyards.”

  Nic nodded slowly. He’d retreated there—okay, hidden there for five months after he’d left the army. “Yeah. I’m not fluent, but I can get the jist of things.”

  He was saved from answering any more questions by the arrival of the maid, announcing that dinner would be served in five minutes.

  “Speaking of the vineyards, I thought you could choose the wine for us tonight.” Beatrice turned to him. “Your parents sent an assorted case as a Christmas present last year and I was hoping you would help me select one for tonight’s meal.”

  Well, the night was just full of surprises. He hadn’t known his parents were so friendly with Beatrice.

  With a quick glance at Annie, who looked as surprised as he felt, he followed Beatrice out of the room and into the basement where five full racks of wine stood in a small climate-controlled room.

  After a short discussion of the menu, Beatrice stepped back so Nic could examine the wine.

  “You do know my daughter is in love with you, so I’m not going to waste time with that,” Beatrice said and Nic nearly dropped bottle in his hand. “I also know you broke her heart in college and, at the time, I was thankful.” Beatrice stopped, her smile poignant. “She seemed so young but, in reality, she was the same age I had been when I’d met her father. Do you love my daughter, Dominic?”

  He didn’t answer right away. What the hell did she want him to say? He didn’t have a clue as she stared at him with no condemnation in her eyes. So he told the truth.

  “Yeah, I do. I’ve been in love with her for years.”

  Beatrice’s smile returned, shocking the hell out of him. “Then I’d just like to say how very highly I think of you. Your parents have been two of the best friends I’ve ever had. Andrea and I haven’t always been as close as I’d have liked, and that’s mostly my fault.” She frowned then tried to shake it off. “When I lost my husband, I was inconsolable for months. Some could argue it was years. We were inseparable, the three of us, and losing Theo cut out a part of our hearts. Andrea took it as hard as I did and, for a while, I’m sure she felt she’d lost both parents. I literally couldn’t function. Luckily, my parents were here to care for us and shortly after Theo’s death, Andrea met your sister.”

  His mind flashed back to the first time he’d met Annie. She’d been twelve and so polite, so stiff, he hadn’t understood why Janey had made friends with her. Until he’d
looked into Annie’s eyes and seen the despair. He’d been twenty-two, already a Ranger for three years and cynical as hell, but he’d wanted to comfort the girl and make everything better. For years, he’d come home on leave and there’d be Annie, always underfoot in his parents’ home. He knew she’d had a crush on him, but he’d never encouraged her, never treated her as anything other than another sister.

  “I want you to know, I never took advantage of Annie. I never thought—”

  Beatrice laughed at that. “I have no doubt you were a perfect gentleman. If you hadn’t been, if you had taken advantage of my daughter, I would have known. And your father would have taken you to task for it. But she’s no longer a teenager. And now, I think we’d better return or Andrea will come looking for us. Did you decide on a bottle?”

  He nodded and gave the wines a cursory look before pulling out one of his favorites. Then he followed Beatrice back up the stairs, shaking his head.

  *

  “Andrea, could you help me with dessert, please, dear?”

  Okay, here it comes. The inquisition.

  As she followed her mother to the kitchen, Annie straightened her spine. She’d been waiting for this all night. She refused to cave to her mother’s subtle yet persistent meddling, though she was dying to know what her mom had said to Nic. Then again, maybe she didn’t want to know. He’d said nothing when they’d returned and he hadn’t seemed to be in a bad mood. But they’d been gone so long…

  The swinging door to the kitchen closed behind them and Beatrice moved to the counter and the cake sitting there.

  “Mother, what did you and Nic talk about?”

  “I hope no one’s allergic to chocolate. Does Dominic like chocolate?”

  “Yes, he does, but, Mom—”

  Beatrice looked straight into her eyes. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  Annie frowned. “What? Chocolate cake?” A split second later, she realized that wasn’t what her mother was asking. “Oh. Mom, I don’t—”