“You say it and I still don’t believe it.” Brock hit the L.E.D. light on his wrist watch. “Ten minutes until show time.”
“I got your six.”
He’d damn well better have Brock’s back since this stupid plan was all Garen’s idea. Another sweep through the sensitive glasses assured Brock nothing had changed. Emma’s neighbourhood had tucked in for the night and all stood secure.
The sound of the passenger door closing had Brock shifting quickly in his seat. His nine-millimetre out and pointed straight at his intruder’s lovely head. His hand was rock steady even as his finger lightly stroked the trigger. It would take less than four pounds of pressure to cause the round to explode from the chamber.
“Hello, Brock, fancy meeting you here.” Emma’s scary, neatly dressed blonde friend smiled, despite having a loaded weapon aimed at her.
Brock let out a deep breath. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he demanded, keeping his voice low, but knowing Garen would pick up on their conversation. Damn it, did all Emma’s friends have some super freaky super powers? How the hell had she snuck up on him? No one ever got through his guard and what about Garen? His buddy should have been covering his six, but not a word of warning had come through the earbud.
“I figured you’d try this step next, being a military he-man and all.” She lifted her shoulders in a small shrug. “And since I’m the only one of Emma’s friends on your side, I knew you’d need my help.” She stuck her hand out. “I’m Briley Evans, by the way.” He opened his mouth, but she cut him off. “Yeah, yeah, I know who you are.” She waved a hand to dismiss his words.
A naturally suspicious man given his line of work, Brock tried and failed to calculate Briley’s angle. “What’s in it for you?”
A small secret smile tilted her lovely lips. “A very good friend, and one of the last genuinely nice people on this planet, gets her happily ever after.”
“How did you know I’d be here?”
“I saw the way you looked at her tonight. I knew you weren’t about to give up, no matter what lame excuses Emma threw at you.”
Impressed in spite of himself, Brock nodded. “So you, what…followed me?”
“Don’t flatter yourself, he-man. I merely waited for you to show up where Emma was. It’s not rocket science.”
True, their plan hadn’t taken a lot of thought, but Brock at least like to think of himself as original. “And you intend to help me win Emma over?”
“Maybe, I haven’t made up my mind completely about you yet.” She tapped her index finger against her bottom lip. “Tell me something, he-man. If Emma walked up to you right this minute and said she loved you, what would you do?”
“Get down on my knees and thank God.” The response came out without thought, but he didn’t need to think it over to recognise the truth. “She’s everything to me, and if she ever gives me the chance, I’ll spend the rest of my life to making it up to her.”
He didn’t know what word or phrase he used reached her, but something he’d said set Briley Evans in motion. “Time to saddle up. Tell Tonto to get out of Emma’s tree before he falls out.” Then she slipped from the truck as quietly as she’d slipped in and sauntered her way to the white fence surrounding her friend’s house.
His mouth dropped open. No one had ever been able to track Garen Swifthorse when the other man entered the zone. To have a luscious, curvy blonde pick his partner out from over two hundred feet away blew his mind.
“Tell me the hot chick did not just make me,” Garen demanded, his voice low and angry.
“I’ll be damned, but she did,” Brock admitted as he let himself out of the SUV and followed Emma’s strange friend to the white gate guarding her flower-filled yard. “What’s your next bright idea, chief?” he asked, stepping up to her. “Use a diamond blade to cut through the glass doors, sneak inside and gas her bedroom?”
“You men really do think too much with your toys and not enough with your head.” She pulled a small shiny object out of her red coat pocket. It flashed in the light. He let out of sigh of relief as he followed her.
“That’s your big break-in plan. Use a key?” With all the planning and all the equipment they’d brought, the use of an ordinary house key had never occurred to them.
“Lacking the theatrics you love, I’m sure, but it’s quicker, quieter and less likely to attract the neighbours’ attention. Not to mention waking Emma.” With ease of practice, Briley slipped the key into Emma’s deadbolt and slowly turned the lock.
They both heard the barely audible click before sharing a smile of triumph. Briley stepped through the doorway first with Brock bringing up the rear. She turned in the entrance to face him.
“I’m guessing you have some place to take her?”
He nodded, not wanting to reveal his hiding place in case Briley changed her mind about helping him.
“Fine, don’t tell me. I just need three promises from you. If you can’t give me those promises, I’ll bring the police down on your head and hide Emma so well and so deep you’ll be eighty before you even get a clue what continent she’s on.”
The narrowed eyes, pursed lips and furrowed brow told him without words how serious Briley felt about this. “Ask.”
“Number one, you’ll tell her you love her, even if she doesn’t believe you. Don’t ever give up. Number two, she’s to call me within twenty-four hours, then every day after that. I want to hear from her mouth she’s where she wants to be. If not, I’ll be coming after her and let me warn you now, he-man, I’m not a puff-ball female you can charm your way around.”
After everything he’d seen tonight, Brock believed every word from Briley’s mouth. “Number three?”
“Marry Emma before you come back.”
Since it meshed with the plans he’d already made, it was easy to give the woman his assurances. “I promise,” he said, and stuck his hand out.
“I hope you don’t make me regret this.” She slipped her much softer hand into his. “You concentrate on getting Emma while I grab a bag and some things she’ll need. Should I pack for the beach or mountains?”
“Both,” he said, then quietly moved down the long hallway
Chapter Four
A rough hand sliding over her mouth jerked Emma awake. Fear had her blood pounding as she clawed at the limb holding her partially trapped.
“Ouch, damn it, Emma, that hurt.” Brock’s angry voice cut through the fear. “Settle down a damn minute and I’ll let you go.”
She nodded, and with cautious movements, he slowly removed his hand.
Emma smacked the side of his head with all her might. It felt so good she continued to use her fists on him.“You stupid, arrogant…man. You scared me to death.”
“Em, if you don’t quit hitting me, I’ll find some other way to keep you still. And I’m not talking about my hand over your mouth,” he warned, leaning closer until his clean scent washed over her.
She froze as his meaning became clear, along with the hard press of his erection heating her thigh. “Fine. Why the hell are you here?”
With her fight-or-flight response fading, another equally dangerous feeling spread through her body. While she silently cursed her wayward hormones, Brock inched his big body deeper into her personal space.
“We need to talk, Em.” He nuzzled her ear through the thick curtain of her hair. “There are things I need to say, and I can’t do that here when your friends might stop by any minute.”
Arousal flared as each word sent a whisper of heat against her sensitive skin. It took a few precious seconds for his words to sink in her muddled mind.
She jerked against him. “What do you mean you can’t talk here?”
He sighed in resignation as he gracefully lifted his weight from the bed. “I’m taking you out of here and going someplace no one can interrupt us.”
Shaking with a mixture of desire and fear, Emma looked at the man she’d once promised to spend the rest of her life with. How coul
d she have not seen that layer of steel behind his affable manner?
“And if I don’t want to go with you?” she whispered, pulling her flowered sheets closer to her chest.
The sides of his mouth turned down in a slight frown. “I won’t hurt you, but you will be leaving this house with me, make no mistake about that.”
Summoning up her pathetic store of courage, Emma lifted her chin and straightened her shoulders. “Then you’re going to have to hurt me, because I’m not leaving here without a fight.”
Brock turned his head and swore softly—some words weren’t even in English. He used both hands to grab his short hair and yank. “Please don’t do this, Emma. I promise I just want a chance to talk.”
“Then we can talk here.” Where she could get to a phone and call M. If anyone could make Brock see reason, it would be the tall, dark and lethal former marine.
“Oh no. I know you, baby. I’ll turn my back for two seconds, and you’ll be on the phone calling those friends of yours.”
Damn it, how did he know her so well?
“Are you going to promise to come nicely and not try to escape?” he asked, his tone low and urgent.
“Oh sure, I always offer to cooperate with the criminals kidnapping me,” she scoffed and scooted closer to the opposite side of the bed. If she could grab her phone from the night table, it would only take one finger to press M’s number on her speed dial.
“Whatever you’re thinking of, Emma, stop it. You know I won’t hurt you and I’ll die before I let someone else touch you. What more do you want for me?” Brock’s voice came out frustrated and on edge.
Well, too damn bad if things weren’t going his way. He’d had his chance six years ago. She didn’t owe him anything, not anymore.
“Put yourself in my shoes, Brock. How would you react if I came traipsing back into your life after all this time, trying to start up where we left off?” If threats didn’t sway him, maybe good old logic would. She had to try because Emma had a sinking feeling Brock had reached the end of his tether with her.
“I’d at least have the intelligence to give you the opportunity to have your say before throwing you out on your sweet ass.”
His words—angry and harsh, but with a deep layer of truth—resonated with her. Could it be that easy? Just go with him, hear what he had to say then get back to her life, such as it was?
“If,” she made sure to stress the word, “if I go with you, listen to everything you have to say, you’ll let me come back home afterwards?”
She watched in fascination as his fist clenched and unclenched. “If, after you’ve heard everything I need to say, you still want to leave me, then I’ll bring you back here myself. I give you my word.”
Emma wouldn’t get a better promise than that. One thing she’d always admired about her former fiancé was the strength of his promise. “Fine, let me get dressed and I’ll go with you.”
A flash of relief crossed his face before he buried it under his normal stoic mask. “Oh no, baby, I’m not letting you out of my sight for a second. You might change your mind and call in the troops.”
Frustrated, Emma slid out of the bed, not even glancing at her phone. “I’m supposed to take your word, but you won’t take mine?”
“I’ve got more on the line than you, Em. Come with me now. You’re dressed perfect for where we’re going.” Suddenly, his head tilted to the side as if he listened to something only he could hear. “Great, we’re all set. There’s a bag packed and waiting for you in the hallway.”
In spite her numerous protests and dragging feet, ten minutes later, Emma sat in the front seat of Brock’s massive SUV, wearing her oversized t-shirt, a pair of tiger slippers and nothing else.
The humiliation of being treated like a child burned her pride, and she swore before she sent the smiling man beside her packing, she’d find a way to pay him back.
* * * *
Several hours after leaving Avalon, Brock closed the door on his friend’s cabin, grateful beyond words for Tag Kayton’s no-questions-asked agreement. It felt good to have a friend at his back without worrying about shrapnel taking them out.
He glanced down at the curvy package in his arms and said a quick prayer of thanks. Most men would assume the hard part was over, but Brock knew his woman better than that. She’d fight him tooth and nail for every inch he’d gain. The easiest, quickest, and not to mention most pleasant way to re-establish their bond would be with sex.
Yeah, some people would call him a bastard for even thinking of taking advantage of Emma asleep, but he’d waited six damn years to have this woman in his arms again. Six years of jacking off to memories of her sweet flavour flooding his tongue and the tight grip of her pussy as she milked him hard.
“There are no rules in love and war.” He kept his arms around the precious bundle, holding her tightly to his chest. Then he locked the front door, reset Tag’s state of the art security and climbed the narrow wooden steps leading to the large master bedroom.
Carefully, Brock set Emma down on the bed, a smile curving his lips when she complained over the loss of his heat. “Be right back, lover.” He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and headed to the bath to clean up before he thoroughly took advantage of the sleeping beauty in his bed.
He didn’t worry about her escaping in the small amount of time it took him to shower and shave. The Emma he’d known generally slept like the dead. If, by some slim chance, she did wake, the door alarms would alert him before she could step one tiny foot out of the house.
Chapter Five
Delicious pleasure teased her clit as Emma fought through layers of sleep to consciousness. Deep, masculine groans had her eyes popping wide open. Shock at the sight that filled her sleep-blurred vision had her mouth dropping open as well.
Brock lay on his stomach between her naked spread thighs. His head tucked deep into the vee of her legs. Three fingers speared deep inside her wet passage.
“Brock.” The pleasure refused to allow her to keep silent.
Desire-darkened blue eyes lifted, scorching her with the depth of his need and desire. “Don’t mind me, baby, I just needed a little before bed snack.” Then he raised her hips closer to his devilish mouth, put his lips around her sensitive clit and pulled, hard.
Emma thrashed on the sheets, her body beyond her control, every move and cry orchestrated by the man making a feast out of her pussy. The feel of him, his familiar scent mingling with the scent of her desire flooded her mind with memories and needs she’d long forgotten.
“Please, Brock,” she pleaded, reaching down to clasp his head in her shaking hands.
“Please what, baby?” His breath teased her heated flesh while her internal muscles clenched down tight on his busy fingers.
“Let me come, please…oh…” Her voice trailed off as he added a fourth finger to the trio already plundering her needy flesh.
“You’re so tight, Em. I have to make sure you can take me.” His voice came out tense and strained with the same need crashing through her.
“I can,” she promised, not caring if her words were true or not. “I need to feel you, all of you inside me.”
Sharp teeth scraped across her bundle of nerves and sent Emma’s back bowing off the bed. Everything else in her body shut down to focus on the mind-melting pleasure spreading from her vagina to the rest of her body in shock waves. Her hips rose and fell in a desperate attempt to fuck herself harder on the fingers teasing her with light, shallow thrusts. Emma arched up, seeking her release as heat raced through her like a wild forest fire.
Just when she didn’t think her body could take anymore stimulation, Brock twisted his fingers and sent her soaring, tossed up amid the stars, exploding in an orgasm that left her breathless and weak.
“Oh baby, that was sweet. I love drinking your come, knowing I’m the one who pushed you over the edge.” His tongue swirled around her quivering clit before he removed his fingers from her body’s tight hold.
Brock held his wet hand up for her to see. “I could eat you out for hours, if you’d let me.” Keeping his gaze on her, he licked her juices from his fingers. “But you could never wait, could you, baby? You were always begging me to fuck you before I’d even make you come twice. You were desperate for my cock back then.” He rose to his knees like the wild predator he was, his hard erection already covered in protection and thrusting away from his flat tanned stomach.
In teasing motions, Brock used one hand to push back the folds of her slit then rubbed his cock over the throbbing bundle of nerves. “Still want me, baby? Still need me inside you, fucking you as hard and deep as I can?”
“Yes,” she cried out, wanting his cock to pierce her hard and fast. “Please, fuck me, Brock.”
“Anything you want.” He pressed a quick kiss to her lips, and positioned his eager head at the sopping entrance to her body. “First time hard and deep, okay, baby? After that, I’ll be able to take my time with you. Eat you out some more, maybe play with that sweet, tight anus.”
“Now, now, now,” she screamed as his words painted an erotic picture too much for her needy body to handle.
“Now, Emma,” he agreed, and with one thrust—as deep and hard as he’d promised—buried his full length inside her welcoming depths. “You feel so good. Even better than I remembered,” he panted, a muscle flexing in his cheek. “I don’t want to move. I want to stay inside you forever.”
The draw of pleasure proved too much for even Brock’s iron self-control. He took her in the manner of a man close to the edge, using all his considerable strength to bury himself inside her over and over again.
Neither cared for sweet words or gentle caresses. They were lovers long denied the pleasure of each other, dying for their first taste of long-remembered pleasure.
Emma lost herself in her body’s needs and desires. The feel of Brock’s balls slapping against her ass as he took her with desperation only made her more frantic for him. She lifted her legs and locked them around his waist. While she gripped his wide biceps, her short nails scored his skin as she fought to reach her peak.
Enticing Emma Page 3
