Protection

by Shelley Munro

  “Don’t worry. We have a dedicated team.” She was mentioning money again. James reminded himself he intended to complete his contract because Alicia had asked him to and not for any other reason.

  The tables were close together, making it difficult to talk in specifics. The elderly woman and her companion from the doctor’s surgery came in and sat at the table next to them. They whispered a lot and Alice became so self-conscious he took pity on her and confined their discussions to the mundane.

  After a quick lunch, they left the cafe and walked down the main street of Sloan, their reflections displayed in the windows. When they passed the Children of Nature shop, several robed women poured outside and shouted anti-condom slogans.

  “Just ignore them. That’s what I do.” He slipped his arm around Alice’s waist and drew her against his side.

  She stiffened then relaxed when the women ceased their commotion and returned inside their shop. “Apart from the cult, this is a nice town. Did you grow up here?”

  “Yeah. My parents and grandparents grew up in Sloan. The family business is here.” James didn’t want to talk about his childhood and how out of place he felt—a round peg in a square hole. “I’d better get started on those budgets. Rita and I need to finish them today.”

  Alice nodded, a sense of anticipation bubbling through her. Dinner at James’ house. She’d be on his territory. A grown-up date with sex as dessert. Yum. She sure liked dessert. The eagerness spiked into a physical reaction, her nipples tight and lower, moisture flooded her sex. Alice’s gaze drifted to his butt. Tight. Muscular. Very attractive. She sighed and followed him into his office.

  James stepped behind his desk and pivoted, catching her stare. He winked. “Wanna help me with the budgets for the bank?”

  “Sure.” Untrue. What she had in mind didn’t come close to banking, not unless deposits in the sperm bank counted. “I’m a trained accountant. Budgets are my thing.”

  “Let’s get to work then,” he said. “The sooner the budgets are completed, the quicker we’ll get to the tests of Rodney’s latest invention.”

  As incentives went, Alice thought it was an excellent one.

  Chapter Seven

  Alice refused James’ offer to pick her up from the bed and breakfast. She preferred to walk and wanted to explore her new hometown. It wasn’t a long walk to the house he rented on the outskirts of the town—half an hour according to James.

  Dressed in a black and white floral skirt, a baggy black blouse and a black cardigan, Alice wandered down the main street, past the cafe where they’d eaten lunch. They did an evening meal and diners occupied most of the outside tables.

  She checked out the mannequins in the window of Kellie Anne’s Ladies Wear. Lots of fashionable dresses in pastel pink, turquoise and white. A longing to purchase new clothes crept into her mind—a foreign concept. Something in this season’s colors to enliven her predominantly black and white wardrobe. But the expense… She glanced at her scruffy black sandals, old, in need of replacement. Maybe not. She couldn’t afford to dip into her savings, not when things were shaky at Fancy Free.

  After checking her watch, Alice hustled, past the hall where the lawyer had read the will. The town clock struck six as she turned onto River Road. The water appeared more of a stream than a river. A group of boys fished from the bridge that crossed the stream. They didn’t have any fish, but their youthful laughter made her grin.

  The startled quack of ducks filled the air. Alice slowed to watch the argumentative water birds, took the time to appreciate the musical tinkle of the rushing water and the rustle of the breeze through the totara trees that edged the stream. Aware of the passage of time, she continued to walk. The road curled around the base of a hill gradually rising until Alice could see across the valley. Winded by the unaccustomed exertion, she paused at the top to study the view. Wheat and corn grew in the paddocks, the gold and green colors of the crops like a patchwork quilt on the hillside.

  An out-of-place metallic grinding interrupted the peace. She whirled around, her hand pressed to her heart. A bright lime green van chugged up the hill and pulled up beside her with a screech of brakes. The window wound down on the passenger side.

  “You’re the condom heiress.” It sounded like an accusation.

  Alice gaped at the van occupants. The passenger wore full clown makeup while the driver sported a tan and white dog suit.

  Just like the business cards she’d received. Talk about peculiar.

  Instinct had her backing away. She glanced left and right, praying for other traffic. The hairs at the back of her neck prickled. Why were they in disguise? Had they followed her?

  “Are you lost? Do you need directions?” Alice regretted the tremor of her voice, but despite the red painted smile on the clown’s face, she sensed a swirl of anger.

  “Stop this madness. Condoms are the modern man’s plague. Man should beget children. The woman who founded Fancy Free has brainwashed the public.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.” Alice backed farther away and prepared to run. Condoms promoted the safe sex message—a good thing for everyone concerned given the modern crop of sexual diseases—but she didn’t intend to argue the point.

  “That’s right.” The driver’s voice emerged low and whispery. Alice couldn’t decide on the dog’s gender, but the clown sounded masculine. She shuddered at the creepy tone, her skin breaking out in goose bumps.

  When the clown opened the door, Alice’s self-preservation kicked into gear, and she broke into a lope.

  “You can run, but you can’t hide,” the clown shouted.

  To Alice’s relief, the van didn’t follow. She didn’t care what anyone said. The cult members were peculiar, and she wouldn’t be surprised if they had something to do with the sabotage at Fancy Free. She hastened her footsteps until she sprinted, aware of her vulnerability on the quiet road.

  Over the crest of the hill, the road forked to the right. A group of four houses sat halfway along a gravel track. She searched for the red mailbox James had mentioned and found it a few meters past a yellow weatherboard bungalow, the last in the cluster of houses. At the red mailbox, she darted past and ran up the dirt road, each breath a gasp that sounded like the set of bellows her father used to blow the fire to life.

  James’ one-level house was white. After another glance over her shoulder, she saw the van hadn’t followed and her steps slowed. The paint peeled and flaked in places but it had potential. It was the type of home she’d pictured in her mind a thousand times, the sort she hoped to own one day. She walked up the cobblestone path and paused to catch her breath before knocking on the bright blue door.

  James opened the door almost straight away, a grin on his lips that brought his dimple into prominence. “Hi.”

  “Hi,” Alice parroted, and a sense of shyness struck her. With his dark hair damp from a shower, he stole her breath. The faded blue denims and the white T-shirt set off his body, attracted attention and let her know that here was indeed a bad boy who knew about sex. His sensual grin reinforced the impression.

  He studied her closely, his smile slowly fading. “Are you all right? You look flushed.”

  “I saw a dog and a clown in a lime-green van,” she blurted. “They stopped and lectured me about condoms.” A tremble racked her body. “They gave me a heck of a fright.”

  “I can’t see anyone.” James leaned down and kissed her lightly, nibbling at her lips with his teeth before tasting her more fully. When he pulled away, all she could think about was having dessert before the main course. Talk about flustered. “Nope, you haven’t had too many drinks.”

  Indignant, she opened her mouth to hotly dispute the claim, but he forestalled her piqued words with another kiss. This time he used tongue. Alice stood passively, allowing him to seduce her. He probed the seam of her lips, right at the corner of her mouth, entering and withdrawing in slow, steady moves that left her breathless. When they drew apart, her knees shook.

 
; “Who drove the van? The dog or the clown?” James stroked her cheek with his forefinger. “Any flying saucers or little green men?”

  Alice drew up, her eyes narrowing on him. “The dog, and you’re right. I haven’t had a single alcoholic beverage.”

  “Shh, I’m teasing.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “According to Luke Morgan—he’s one of the local cops and a close friend—several Sloan residents have seen the dog and clown but from a distance. With the rest of the locals I would have called it a bad batch of beer at the pub, but I know you haven’t had time to drink anything stronger than coffee today.” His eyes gleamed with laughter and lazy sexual heat. “It’s probably nothing to worry about. A publicity stunt or for kids’ birthday parties. Come inside.”

  “I don’t think they had anything to do with children’s parties. They mentioned condoms.”

  James frowned. “They did? Tell Richard when you see him.”

  “I will.” They’d scared her more than she’d acknowledged, especially with the business cards and her surprise package. She definitely intended to speak with Richard.

  After kicking off her sandals, she followed James down a tiled passage into the kitchen. That clown and dog… She made a mental note to pay attention to local gossip and to read Ms. Knowall’s column for more information. James might consider them harmless, but he hadn’t encountered them yet. They’d acted creepy, and she hoped to avoid them in the future.

  The rich scent of a tomato sauce filled the kitchen. Curiosity made her scan the room, eager to learn more about James. She hadn’t known what to expect. Maybe clothes tossed around the room and lots of clutter. Sort of like her parents’ house. James’ tidy home with everything in its place took her by surprise.

  The kitchen wasn’t huge, but the breakfast bar would receive the morning sun. Modern stainless-steel appliances and a gas cooker stood against the walls. A plain white clock hung on the wall, clacking merrily while it counted off the seconds. A blackboard, near the fridge, bore the start of a scrawled shopping list. The mottled gray countertop held two empty white bowls. A cutting board sat beside them, a tomato ready to slice.

  “I’m in the middle of making salads,” he said. “Would you like a glass of wine while I finish off?”

  Alice thought about her flirtation with alcohol yesterday and decided to risk a drink. “Yes, please.” Yep, no doubt about it—next stop hell. Alcohol. Sex. Who knew what would come next? A private grin curled across her lips.

  James pulled a bottle of white wine from the fridge, poured a glass and handed it to her. “Why don’t you sit at the counter?” He lifted her onto one of the wooden barstools that sat on the other side of the breakfast bar and calmly went back to salad preparations.

  Alice sipped her wine, hoping to still her pounding heart. The man had lifted her without a pause. She wasn’t the lightest female. Well, she wasn’t overweight but she wasn’t slim either. His heady citrus aftershave tickled her nose and she had the absurd desire to lick him. Her hand tightened on her glass as her gaze skirted his shoulders and face. With competent moves, he sliced the tomato, shredded some fancy lettuce and added olives, croutons and slivers of Parmesan cheese.

  Alice sighed, mesmerized by his hands. She imagined them roving her body, strumming sensitive nipples as they had this morning and sighed again. It’d be difficult to choke down food when she wanted to rip off his clothes and explore his gorgeous muscles. Yep, maybe she should add brazen and sluttish to her list of sins.

  She sent a glance heavenward and hoped Santa wasn’t checking his list, because she liked Christmas presents.

  Suddenly James set down the knife. He prowled around the counter, heading straight for her. Alice gulped. He still resembled a bad boy with danger lacing the enticing package.

  He took the glass from her tense hands and placed it out of reach. His arms went around her, and he drew her close until their chests touched. Softness met hard muscle.

  “Spread your legs,” he growled low and gritty.

  When she was slow to obey, he slid her skirt up her legs and forcibly parted her legs. He stepped into the space created and folded her into his arms more completely. His body burned through her clothes, igniting an answering warmth that skipped across her skin. She inhaled. Lemon. Warm spices. She’d never look at her mother’s spice cookies again without thoughts of sex invading her mind.

  Instead of a kiss, he nuzzled the tendons where neck and shoulder met. His groin brushed her inner thigh. Fully aroused, his erection twitched beneath the faded denim. On the plus side, at least he wanted her. Alice hoped he wasn’t disappointed.

  James’ entire body hummed with lust fueled by this woman. He nuzzled her neck and pressed an open-mouthed kiss to an erratic pulse point. She smelled of old-fashioned flowers, of simplicity and lazy days spent in the country.

  Not his normal type.

  He wondered for an instant about mistakes then his shaft lengthened and reared, silently protesting confinement in his jeans. He had to have Alice now. After his restraint this morning and the afternoon appetizer, he might explode if he didn’t have her soon.

  He lifted his head, buzzing a kiss across plump pink lips. With purposeful moves that left no doubt as to his intentions, James undid the top two pearl buttons of her black blouse, and when she did nothing except inhale sharply, he continued, revealing creamy skin for his personal pleasure. He peeled the black cotton fabric off her shoulders and tossed it aside to reveal her ugly bra. No getting away from it. He reached behind her and twisted his wrist. The bra loosened with a satisfactory twang. James grinned while he removed the hideous under garment and tossed it on top of her blouse.

  Talk about hidden treasure. God, she was beautiful, and all his. He stroked the underside of one breast and gradually widened the circles, fascinated by the way the areola darkened. He puffed his warm breath over her nipple, loving her body’s reaction to his caress. But James wanted more. He wanted her naked and open to his touch, her legs spread for him to taste. Moving right along…

  He stepped back and lifted her off the barstool, setting her on her feet. With quick, competent moves, he made short work of the zipper on her skirt. He pushed the skirt over her hips and silently encouraged her to step out of it.

  Finally she stood before him clad only in her white cotton panties. They were as plain and ugly as her matching bra and covered too much. James made a mental note to purchase silk and lace lingerie for her. He’d get a kick knowing she wore sexy lace beneath her conservative clothes. He slid the cotton panties down her hips, taking a moment to fondle her bare arse before he stood.

  Better. Much better.

  Time to move this to the bedroom.

  James pressed a long, drawn-out kiss to her lips, despite the urgency prodding him to action. He tasted tart wine with its hint of peaches and sunshine. His cock pulsed and James quit thoughts of delayed gratification. He swung Alice into his arms and strode to his bedroom.

  He dropped her in the center of his double bed. “Pick a condom,” he ordered, indicating the wooden trio of drawers on the far side of the bed. “They’re in the top one.” James stripped off his T-shirt, his gaze on Alice. She looked superb spread out on his navy-blue quilt cover. As he watched, she turned her back to him, rolling onto her side with a flash of rounded buttocks. It was done so unselfconsciously he knew the talk of condoms had distracted her. Her clear curiosity brought a grin. Best he educate her about condoms soon. Lack of knowledge wasn’t good for a Fancy Free executive.

  “These aren’t the new test condoms.” Alice turned back to James and caught him ogling her butt. Her face reddened, and she rearranged her body to restrict his outstanding view. “Where are the Vibration samples we’re meant to test?”

  “Not this first time.” Given his desperation, James wanted a fast fuck without the worry of a faulty condom. He prayed he didn’t mess up and make her first genuine experience something she’d want to forget. He didn’t want to hear her blurt out her almost-v
irgin speech to other people. Pride bade he did his best work. He wanted to use her throughout the night so she had no doubt of her sexual status.

  He laughed at himself. Never had he become so hot and desperate for plain cotton and prudish. His old school mate Luke would laugh himself stupid when he realized. James would never hear the end of it, but he couldn’t find it in himself to care.

  “Pick a condom. Any condom. They’re all Fancy Free products.”

  “Any one?” Alice peered into the open drawer, flashing her butt at him again. James craved a bite. He stepped out of his jeans and briefs while Alice studied the condoms selection.

  “Hurry up.” He sat on the bed and moved close enough to touch Alice’s creamy skin. He ran his hand down her bare back until his hand rested on her buttocks. His cock pulsed insistently, and he shifted nearer still, unable to resist full-body contact. James nuzzled her ear as he pulled her flush, her back against his chest, her backside teasing his erection. “Alice.”

  “I’ve picked one,” she whispered, a breathless rush.

  James chuckled at her quick glance at his groin. “It’s obvious I’m ready for action, but I want to explore you again like I did this morning.”

  “Um, all right.”

  James chuckled and turned her in his arms to smile down at her. He dropped a light kiss on her lips before moving down her body. This time he skipped her breasts, prepared to hurry things along. He rimmed her belly button with his tongue and moved lower still. Parting her legs, he blew the length of her slit. Alice issued a sexy as hell mewl.

  “Let me take care of you first,” he responded when it seemed she might protest.

  Alice propped up on her elbows, her eyes wide with a trace of anxiety. “We will do things properly, this time? Go all the way?”

  “I’ve done this before. I know what to do.”

  “I know the mechanics. I believe you need to put your cock here.” She gestured at her entrance. “It’s the bells and whistles I require.”

  James smothered a chuckle but couldn’t control the amused roll of his eyes. “Quiet. Let me do my thing. I don’t want another word out of you for the next five minutes.” He hoped five minutes was enough because his balls ached. She hadn’t touched him or studied his privates, but she turned him inside out. Impatient much? Hell yeah, frustration bubbled through him. “Follow my directions.”