Protected by Shadows

by Aliyah Burke

  “Good evening and welcome.”

  “I have a reservation.”

  “Name?”

  “Dr Lexy Camden.”

  He nearly interrupted and said her name was Cassano. But he managed to hold his tongue.

  The man typed on the computer before him. “Yes, ma’am. Your room is ready. Room five-two-eight. How many?”

  “Two. My husband decided to join me.”

  The concierge barely glanced up. “Very good. A key for each of y’all.” He slid them across the counter. “The Continental breakfast begins at six. Elevator bay is to the left.” He put a sheet of paper before her. “Enjoy your stay.”

  She signed the receipt. “Thank you.” Hefting her bag, she walked away. Valentino smiled at the man then went after the woman who wanted nothing to do with him. As had happened in the car, this ride was silent.

  Lexy opened the door to their room and the first thing he noticed was the king-sized bed. He slanted his gaze to her—she wasn’t paying him any mind. In fact, she was hanging up an outfit he presumed was for tomorrow. Then she vanished into the bathroom and the shower kicked on. His phone rang as she was in there.

  “Cassano.” He stared at the door separating him from the soapy, naked body of his wife. He wanted to be in there with her, not out here on the phone.

  “Have you heard from Ethan?”

  Masters. Valentino sobered and focused totally on the call. “Not a word. Any news on where he may be?”

  “Not a fucking thing. It’s like he’s vanished into thin air.”

  Valentino tossed his bag onto the chair next to Lexy’s and went to the window overlooking Blacksburg. He slid the curtain to the side and peered out. People walked the street below and he moved his gaze by them, taking it all in.

  “He’s not contacted Anabelle Lee, or Beau even?”

  “Just got off the phone with them, they’ve heard nothing. Tell him to call me ASAP if you do hear from him.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “What are you doing in Blacksburg?” Masters asked, tone curious.

  “This habit you have of spying on me is truly unnerving, Masters. I accompanied Lexy up here. She’s giving a speech to the veterinary class on something tomorrow.”

  “Married a smart woman, Cassano. She’s good for you. Makes you more human. I’m approving of that.”

  “I live for your approval, sir,” Valentino said dryly.

  Masters laughed. “As you should.” He was gone in the next instant.

  Valentino put his phone down on the bed after he stepped away from the window. Lexy walked from the bathroom and he nearly lost the breath he’d just taken. Innocence. Sexy. His. Three words that rotated through his mind like a pinwheel.

  Tonight is going to be hell.

  Tonight is going to be hell.

  Lexy barely paused to look at the man—her husband—who stood near the only bed in the room. When she’d booked the hotel before all this had happened, she had been fine getting the king-sized bed. Now that she knew Valentino would be in it with her, it looked more like a twin to her.

  She walked to her bag and dug for her hair wrap. Still seething from his remarks in the car, she did not intend to talk to him. She was an expert at giving someone the silent treatment and she could do it to him just as easy as she could anyone.

  Or that was the lie she was telling herself. He went to the bathroom and she hastened to the bed, slipping beneath the blanket and sheet. Lord, she was exhausted. Today she’d had her own work then helped at the equine barn. Hector was up here today giving his speech. Or rather he had been—he was on his way home now. Tracy would take over for her tomorrow and handle things.

  She yawned and rolled onto her side, facing the window. The light near Valentino’s side of the bed she left on, but she had to get some rest. She would have been here two hours ago if she hadn’t had to go home and wait for him. Ignoring her hunger, she closed her eyes just as she heard the bathroom door open again.

  The bed dipped as he lay down beside her. The light clicked off and the room plunged into darkness.

  “Night, Lexy.”

  “Night.”

  She burrowed into the comfortable mattress and cursed herself as she realized how much she’d rather be lying against him, using him as the pillow.

  * * * *

  When she woke later on, that was what she was doing. Her body lay flush against his. She had one arm around him and her leg was wedged between his as her head rested against his strong chest. The familiar and soothing beat of his heart sounded beneath her ear.

  His arms were locked around her, holding her tight. Close. As if she meant the world to him. Right now, she’d take it. She nearly moved away but as if he knew what she was thinking, he tightened his grip.

  “Don’t,” he murmured. “Stay.”

  She relaxed a bit more and his fingers moved along her back, gentle and soothing. This was what she’d missed, just being with him. Even when they’d meet for a quick fuck—well, with Valentino it wasn’t ever quick—at night they would sleep this way. Him holding her as he was doing now. Making her feel like so much more than a booty call.

  She burrowed closer to him and inhaled deeply, his scent sinking into her and bringing with it the comfort only this man could bring to her. Her exhaustion overtook her again and she gave in, determined to accept what she could from him at the moment.

  * * * *

  The next time she woke, need was driving her. His hand was beneath her tank top and curled around her breast. The tip was drawn taut and rubbed against his callused palm. His thick erection pressed into her belly and she whimpered, canting her hips, trying to bring it closer.

  “Lexy,” he muttered, nuzzling her neck, nipping the skin and sucking slightly on it.

  In the back of her mind, she knew she should stop him. She was supposed to be so strong when it came to him, not allowing herself to be swept back up into the craziness that came with being involved with this man. Regardless of what she knew, her body didn’t care and only wanted the intense pleasure only this man had ever been able to deliver.

  “Please,” she moaned, rubbing against him.

  His rumble echoed through her and he rolled her over to lie beneath him. She had her legs wide to accept his weight and bring his shaft closer. His hair tickled her face as he lowered his head to suckle her breast. Through the shirt, he drew it into the heat of his mouth.

  “Shit!” Her back bowed, placing more of her flesh into his mouth.

  He shoved up the material of her shirt and latched onto her breast. He nipped the tip and she shuddered. He tugged and pulled on her other nipple in time with his mouth.

  He didn’t talk, just swapped his attention from breast to breast until she was writhing beneath him. Her nails dug into his shoulders as he pushed her closer to the precipice she longed to be launched over. Needed it. Craved it more than she would ever admit.

  Valentino slipped down her body, laving and licking. He paused at her waistband for barely a second before his hands drew her underwear down and he continued on his way. She kicked one leg free and he positioned her knees on his shoulders and covered her pussy with his mouth.

  “Oh fuck!” she cried, hips kicking up from the bed, grinding herself against his searching tongue.

  She twined her fingers into his hair and tugged. Her hips ground against him, she was unwilling to let him go. Tenseness spread out from her middle and overtook her. Another cry exploded from her throat as she came hard.

  Valentino was relentless and he didn’t move, just continued to thrust his tongue deep inside her, lapping her cream and asking for more. She trembled and whimpered as he moved to her clit and slipped two fingers inside her.

  “Val…more…give…please…”

  He didn’t give her a break and she knew all she could do was hang on for the ride. It wasn’t long until she came again. Before she could recover, he had risen over her and kissed her, tongue slashing through her mouth, combining their taste
s.

  She moaned as his thick length slid into her with a single stroke. Wrapping her legs around him, she took him in as far as she could. He ended the kiss, drawing out her bottom lip until it popped free.

  “You know this is where you belong, Lexy,” he muttered. “In bed with me. My cock buried deep in this hot, tight pussy of yours.”

  She couldn’t find words to say. Not even her typical snarky remarks found their way free. She couldn’t argue with him, not when she was in complete agreement.

  He withdrew until just the head of his cock remained inside her. “Tell me, Lexy. Tell me I’m right.”

  “Fuck me, Val.”

  “I plan on it, wife. But I want you to tell me this is where you belong. Tell me and I’ll fuck you until you have a hard time walking tomorrow. So all those college students will wonder why you’re moving so stiffly up there on stage. And you will know I’m smirking from the back of the room, knowing it’s because of me having fucked you.”

  She shifted beneath him, trying to pull him back inside her. His chuckle wasn’t all that comforting.

  “No way, baby. Tell me and I’ll give you what you want.” He pulled back more.

  She whimpered and latched her legs tight. “Inside,” she said.

  “Give me what I want and I promise I’ll do the same to you.”

  “This is where I belong.” She dug her nails into his upper arms. “Now hold up your end.”

  He thrust forward with a powerful stroke. Everything within her splintered as his cock filled her again. She came hard, her scream leaving her throat and body arching.

  “That what you want?” he rumbled in her ear.

  “More,” she begged. “Oh, God, more.”

  And he did. He drove in and out of her with strong movements of his hips. She tightened her internal muscles around him and he groaned. Words in Italian fell from his lips as he moved.

  Sliding her arms beneath his shoulders, she angled her hips to allow him deeper and buried her face into his neck. She flicked her tongue out and tasted the sweat on his skin.

  Harder. Faster. Deeper.

  That was all she wanted. To be fucked until she couldn’t remember her own name. And Valentino was well on his way to accomplishing that. She stopped thinking and just allowed him to take her away.

  Something he achieved. Over and over. When her alarm went off, she’d been asleep for maybe twenty minutes. Valentino reached over her for the phone and shut off the light noise set to wake her.

  “Come on,” he murmured in her ear. “Let’s shower.”

  She sat up and bit back her groan. Her clothes were scattered and she just ignored them. When he scooped her up she didn’t fight him on it. The warm water he turned on soothed and rejuvenated her sore body.

  “You okay?” he asked as he poured some of her body wash into the loofa.

  “Sore,” she said, voice hoarse and graveled.

  “Told you,” he replied. He turned her so her back was in the stream of water and began washing her front.

  Shit. Even as sore as I am, I’m still getting turned on by him touching me. She bit back her moan and shifted her position, allowing him easier access. His touch was gentle and firm yet all together arousing.

  “Turn around,” he ordered.

  She did and waited as he washed her back. She closed her eyes and enjoyed it. There was more waiting while he took the showerhead to rinse off the soap on her.

  When the stream hit her clit, she whimpered. He stood behind her, cock thick and hard, pressing against her. “Widen your legs.”

  She did and he rewarded her with another stream to her oversensitive clit. His arms were around her, his body holding her up. He used his right hand to glide over her pussy and sink two fingers inside her.

  “Val,” she gasped.

  He nipped the side of her neck and put the water back on her. She trembled and shook as he worked his wrist, driving his fingers deep into her. The combined stimulation had her coming with a loud cry. Her back bowed and her legs nearly gave out on her.

  “Please.”

  He replaced the showerhead and turned her, covering her mouth with his as he filled her once more with his thickness. No words were spoken as he showed her the way to another huge orgasm.

  She was shaky as they eventually finished the shower, dried off then dressed. He had his arm around her as they went down to grab some breakfast. Every inch of her was sore, her muscles unused to being held in those positions for so long. She wouldn’t complain though. It was what she’d needed and she’d very much take a night like he’d delivered her over one alone.

  They ate quickly then when they were back at the room, she stood before her outfit and tried to work out the nerves rapidly gathering in her gut. She hated giving speeches and it was extremely hard for her to do so.

  “Get it together, Camden. You have to do this.”

  She pulled the outfit to her and dressed. Valentino watched her but kept his comments to himself, for which she was grateful. After giving in to him again last night, she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what he had to say. Seated on the foot of the bed they’d made extremely good use of the previous night, she bent to buckle her shoes.

  Taking a moment after she’d finished, she sighed heavily and looked up. Valentino stood there in another of his custom suits. And Bond is back. She truly couldn’t fault him there—the man wore the hell out of his suits and made her think things that would only get her back in the bed with him on her. Under her. Beside her.

  Heat flashed and she shoved those thoughts away. Now wasn’t the time for thinking like that. After shoving her belongings in her bag, she shouldered it and saw him do the same. At the door, he took her bag from her and the look he gave her told her it wasn’t even in her interest to argue with him.

  They checked out then walked into the early morning. Familiarity sank into her as she made her way to her car. She remembered this time of the day up here from when she’d attended the university. Back when I was optimistic and full of hope. When anything was possible.

  Bags in the back, she slipped behind the wheel and headed to the building she needed to get to. Already, more than a few students were milling about. They parked and got out. At the trunk of her car, she withdrew her wheeled cart—it was actually a flat dog crate holder for dog shows. But she’d picked it up after she’d seen how handy it worked and it was just what she needed to carry all her things.

  Again, Valentino didn’t speak, but he did take the cart handle and level that look at her, telling her to just keep it zipped and let him do this. So she gave in, not wanting to fight with him, not this morning. She slammed the trunk shut and began walking to the doors.

  The auditorium was packed and as she stood before the gathered group of students who were doing their damnedest to become veterinarians, she constantly looked for Valentino. It didn’t make sense to her, but she was suddenly increasingly nervous and suspicious. This group had listened to Hector yesterday and tomorrow another vet would show up to talk exotics with them—it was supposed to have been Eugene’s talk. All three of them had gone to vet school here and often came back to do talks to upcoming grads.

  Was the bastard who’d been calling her in the crowd? He didn’t seem to have a problem getting close to her any other time. Why wouldn’t he know I was going to be here? Perhaps he’s doing something to my car right now. She nearly faltered but recovered. In the back, she saw Valentino take a step toward her and she shook her head. He got the message, but she noticed he became even more alert, which for that man was one hell of a feat.

  Drawing deep on the strength she knew she possessed, Lexy refocused her attention. These students didn’t deserve a half-assed lecture because she was thinking about other things. Besides, Val was there and she knew he would protect her.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Lexy was nervous. He could see that even from where he stood at the back. Valentino didn’t like being this far from her, but he didn’t need to be on the
stage with her. And here he could watch everything. Which he did. Vigilantly.

  She stumbled once but made a smooth recovery. In fact he didn’t think any of those gathered would have noticed, but he did, easily. He stood where he could watch both the doors and the entire gathered group. More often than not, however, his attention returned to the woman up in front of them all.

  Lexy was a sight to behold. She utilized the entire front. Her voice carried well and was crisp. Personally, he was more attuned to her outfit than what she was talking about, but he didn’t understand the terms she was using. He wasn’t a vet and had no desire to become one, though it was evident she was good at what she did.

  Her skirt wasn’t overly short—it stopped at her knees—but to him, it was material for a walking wet dream. He put his hands in his pockets and tried to refocus his concentration. It wasn’t easy and simply put, he failed.

  Those shoes, skirt and shirt did a number on him and he had many more ideas for that podium she used occasionally than what she got out of it. When they took a break, he walked down to where she was pacing and muttering to herself.

  “Lexy?”

  She lifted her head and stared at him. “What? Something wrong?”

  “You tell me.” He moved closer and stood in front of her.

  “I just hate talking in front of crowds. That’s all. I’m okay.”

  “Would it help to picture everyone naked?” he asked deadpan.

  As he’d hoped, a smile cracked the seriousness of her expression. Then her gaze narrowed and she crossed her arms.

  “Did you just make a joke?”

  “Nope,” he replied instantly. “Just a question.” He winked. “That’s what I’m doing to you from up there. Well, in my fantasy, you’re still wearing those shoes.”

  Her pupils dilated and he saw the pulse jump in her neck. Good, she wasn’t thinking about whatever had her worried before. Capturing her chin with one hand, he bent in close and kissed her gently.

  “Doing great, Dr Cassano.” He gave her a bottle of water from the stuff she’d brought in then walked back up to where he’d continue to watch.