She growled low in her throat, frustrated with the barbarian across from her. If it wouldn’t hurt her so much, she’d smack him upside the head and let him feel some pain. But she doubted any type of physical pain she tried to give him would bother him in the least. “Oh for heaven’s sake! Gavin, I don’t understand this supposed danger you keep telling me about.” A shiver snaked down her spine knowing she was a target, but she wouldn’t live in fear ever again. “I can take care of myself.”
He took a step closer to the bed. “Did you not hear Charlie today? This thug has been after her place for months. Each encounter is worse than the last, and his goons hang out here every night dealing drugs to half of the people here. Things are escalating. And the intel I’ve learned about him, hell, it’s just a matter of days—even hours—before someone gets hurt. This guy doesn’t like to lose.”
Shree sighed. His conviction and need to keep them all safe was admirable, but she’d known real danger before, and refused to let it rule her life again. “Okay, I get it. But nothing happened tonight, all right? I’m fine, I’m back and Carla is sleeping in a place where she’s safe tonight. That’s all that matters.” She sighed, knowing she needed to show him what had been left for her earlier. “Don’t freak out, all right? But this was left on my table in the dressing room earlier.” She reached into her bag and withdrew the envelope. She handed it to him, dreading his reaction.
“For fuck’s sake,” he snarled. “Son of a fucking rotting bastard.”
“Gavin, calm down.”
“Fuck that. I should head right over there and…that’s what I’ll do. I’m going to kill the bastard.” The steely determination and rigid set of his shoulders terrified her. She’d seen that look before…in Brian. But this was Gavin. He really wouldn’t hurt her. Not intentionally. And she needed to make sure he didn’t do something stupid. His hot temper at the moment showed her for the first time that he might not think before reacting.
Stepping in front of him, she laid her palms on his chest. He tried to push past her, but she kept her stance tight and wouldn’t allow it. “Don’t go do something stupid. You don’t know who left that.”
“Fuck that. Of course I do. One of Hagen’s pricks. I’m going to wring all their necks.”
She shook her head. “Take a minute and think about it. He wants you to go stomping in there half-cocked and off-guard.” While she was shaken by the fact that someone had been watching her, one of them had to think clearly. “You won’t be in the right frame of mind for a fight and he’ll have the upper hand. Look at me. I’m fine. No one hurt me. Charlie’s fine. For now, everyone is fine.”
Shree held his gaze. When his shoulders relaxed gradually, she released some of the air from her lungs she didn’t realize she was holding in. She needed to remember tonight, and how quick he was to act, always ready to fight for those he loved.
He took a step back, turned, and paced beside the bed. The photo was still clasped tight in his fist, but he finally set it face down on the nightstand.
“Look, I’m sorry you were concerned earlier. And I’m sorry about the photo.”
“I’ll handle it,” he murmured, his tone still dripping with anger.
Tossing the hoodie toward the hamper, she looked away at his sharp intake of breath. Eyes hot and smoldering, his gaze wandered over her, warming her skin. She glanced down and swallowed hard when she realized she still only wore the red, nearly see-through leotard top she’d performed in and black yoga pants.
Her eyes met his. She could come to love the passion and desire in his eyes, staring at her like this every day of her life.
Whoa, crazy woman, what are you thinking?
This wasn’t the time for these thoughts, nor was she in any mood to deal with him anymore tonight. He was so hot and getting her all ramped up in excitement.
“Stop looking at me like that. I’m tired. It’s been a helluva evening. I’m done with you today.” She grabbed up her robe from the foot of the bed, anxious to get in the tub—with a bit colder water than she’d planned—and fall into bed.
“How am I looking at you? Like I want to eat you alive? I shouldn’t. Not now. But it’s not my fault when you’re standing there in that tight outfit. Your nipples tight, your cheeks flushed, and eyes pissed off at me.”
His words curled around her spine, leaving tingles along the nerves and her nipples tight. Breathless, she shook her head and tried to shore up enough resolve to put him out of her home. “Don’t try to get me all worked up, not when you’ve been an ass by ordering me around. And you’re still angry.”
“Yes, I am.” He nodded and moved around the end of the bed. “Ever had angry sex?”
Shree gasped. “What are you talking about?”
He shrugged and smoothed her hair back. “Never heard of angry sex then?”
She shoved at the boulders he had for shoulders. “I’m not having sex with you right now. Forget it. Besides, what the hell is angry sex? I don’t like it rough, if that’s what you mean.” Taking a step back, she glared at him when he followed.
“I figured it’d be a nicer and more polite way to tell you I wanted you, now—right now—rather than come out and simply say I want to fuck the shit out of you.”
Shree let out a shriek of shock. Did he just...? How dare he? The gall of this man! Before her mind finished any coherent thought, she burst out laughing.
Gavin shrugged and pulled her closer. “I take it you’re not pissed off anymore?” His palms eased along her back. She shivered.
“Oh, I’m furious with you, but no other man has ever put his desire for me as simply as you just did. I might like it.” Caressing his chest, she leaned her head back, her gaze traveling over his face. “I never thought I’d say this...” No, forget it. Allowing him to see her vulnerabilities wasn’t something she wanted to happen. He already kept her on her toes.
“Ahh, come on, fess up. Or I can make you all pissed off again.” He pulled her closer, his lips making a trail along her jawline. She trembled, tingles spreading along her body from head to toe. “And I’ll confess, I like you all pissy and flushed. Makes me hot. You make me hot, baby. And my dick hard.” His teeth nibbled at her flesh as he pushed the robe from her shoulders.
Shree purred, and her body aligned with his. Exhaustion from earlier fled, her senses on full alert as she surrendered to the inevitable.
No other man had ever slipped past her defenses or made her forget the past.
As much as she wanted to, and had to admit to herself, she was helpless to resist being in this man’s arms.
Chapter Five
Gavin pushed his way into the waistband of Shree’s yoga pants. He loved them on her. Snug in the bottom, strong thighs clearly outlined, and so damn easy to get into with no hindering belts, buttons, or other pain in the ass frills that women’s stuff always seemed to have. He was a hungry and determined man to get to the center of his woman’s delicious body, and didn’t have time for messing with buttons or zippers.
Your woman?
Swallowing hard, he pushed the inner voice away, then cupped the fine globes of her ass. His lips trailed down her jaw, to her neck, gently nipping with his teeth along the way. Her scent filled his senses, bits of perspiration mixed with some fruity concoction he guessed she’d sprayed on herself. Berries were something he was starting to equate with the firecracker in his arms. He wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to smell any type of berry without thinking about her.
“Gavin,” she whispered, breath hitching when his teeth scraped against her neck. His gut clenched and his dick tightened. Christ, he was losing control. He should be angry with her. She was too vulnerable out alone. Rather than give into his baser needs of lust, he should be angry with her for not following his orders.
But with her body rubbing up against him, like a cat rubbing its favorite post, they’d have to talk later.
Much later.
“Gavin, I need to have a shower.”
He drew back and
grinned. Definitely time for a bit of adventure. “Your wish is my command.” He lifted her into his arms, her legs immediately locking around his waist and her arms around his neck.
“Your leg!” she gasped.
“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” His heart beat so fast, the need to be with her so high, his leg was a second thought for the time being.
Her beautiful eyes gazed into his as he held her tight. Her cheeks flushed. “While I don’t mind the ride, I usually take my showers alone.”
He turned and strode down the hall, certain the layout of her place was the same as his. Once inside the bathroom, he set her on the vanity, pulling her snug against the front of his jeans. If he didn’t get inside her soon, his dick would never forgive him. But he never took without permission.
Resting his forehead against hers, he stared into her eyes. He’d drown one of these days if he wasn’t careful. “Would you rather be alone right now?”
She cupped his cheek in her palm, rubbing over the stubble that always seemed to grow quickly no matter his shaving rituals every day. She caressed his neck, then she fisted his t-shirt. Desire and hunger swam in her gaze, warming her dark chocolate eyes.
He swallowed.
They’d only known one another a short time, but it was as if it were already a lifetime. The trust in her eyes, the familiarity in her body language and what she left unsaid at times, he’d already come to recognize the little things about her. But he could feel her holding back. Walls were definitely built strong around her, but he’d take what she offered him, and destroy them as much as he could. The strong need to protect her and keep her safe from anything harmful clawed at him. He suspected she’d been hurt in the past and he wouldn’t allow it again. Not on his watch.
She inched her fingers under the hem of his shirt. “No, I don’t want to be alone right now. In fact…” She pushed it over his head and dropped it. Her nails dug into his chest as her touch wandered over him. “Now that I think about it, you should join me in the shower.”
His skin tightened as her soft touch skimmed over him. Electric currents followed in their wake from chest to navel. “I should, should I?”
Shree smirked. “Definitely. Since you’re so insistent about being my protector and watching over me, yes, you should.” Making quick work of divesting him of his belt, opening the button and zipper of his jeans, and nudging them, along with his underwear riding a couple inches lower on his hips, she winked. “After all, accidents in the bathroom are the leading cause of so many deaths in this country.”
He chuckled and pulled her closer to his dick. Her breath caught. “I love that you know all these facts. And you’re right. I can’t have you getting hurt.” His fingers slid along her spine, up and down, each time the tips going deeper into the back of her pants and skimming the flesh of her bottom. “What kind of bodyguard would I be then?” He guided his touch around the front, skating along her flat belly.
With a sigh, Shree leaned back, head resting against the mirror, her eyes closed as he explored. Truly magnificent. Her dark, tanned flesh was flawless. Such a gorgeous athlete’s body. He liked her dedication in keeping fit. They shared a passion for it.
He shoved her leotard down to her hips, exposing her tits. He’d always been an ass man, but he was quickly changing his mind. Cupping them, he watched her breathe deep as he massaged. Her nipples jutted out, tight and begging. Leaning in, his tongue grazed the right tip, then the left.
She gasped and her back arched. Playing, he lightly flicked each bud in turn with his tongue, taking his time and enjoying every shiver and moan.
Clasping the back of his neck, she tried pulling him closer. Resisting the demands pounding in his head to greedily take what she offered was hard, but his original need from earlier to put her in her place was gone. He now wanted to take his time with her, worship her, and claim her as his. The time in the gym was too quick, and she’d been in control that time. He wanted more—slow and easy if possible, and all night.
His tongue circled the beads of flesh. She tasted of berries and coconut, something she could bottle and sell for sure. But he’d rather keep it all to himself. Mixed with a bit of saltiness from her long night on stage, it added an edge and was a flavor he could easily become addicted to.
“Gavin, please,” she gasped.
His tongue and teeth teased and pulled at the right bud. Her nails dug into the back of his shoulders, trying to pull him close as her hips rubbed against the tip of his dick where it was peeking out from his jeans.
Damn, he could feel the moisture through the leotard and yoga pants. His jaw clenched, eager to bury his face in her pussy and fuck her with his tongue.
Sweat glided down his spine, the quick fire in his veins igniting and burning him from the inside out. No other woman had ever hit him so hard with passion and hunger.
His mouth latched onto her breast. He cupped both in his palms, suckling one while he pinched at the other. A shriek filled his ears. She rubbed his head, holding him to her, and her purrs filled the room, obviously enjoying his ministrations.
Hunger to feast on her cunt still burned. He wanted to taste her from head to toe. Now.
He lifted his head and cupped her nape. Her eyelids lifted and widened and he swooped in on her and captured her mouth. His tongue swept in. He was ruthless and demanding as he explored every inch. Her arms tightened around his back, giving as good as she got.
Fuck, she was amazing. And matched him perfectly. He pushed against her center. She moaned and tried to get closer still. He slid along her covered pussy. His dick hardened with every touch of her flesh against his.
Pulling back, breathing heavy, he watched her face as his fingers dipped into the waist of her pants. “Fuck, you’re already wet.”
“Mmm, yes. I need you.”
Breathing deep, gathering whatever resistance he could, he stepped back. At the tub, he turned on the faucet and adjusted the water temperature.
Gazing at her over his shoulder, he watched hungrily as she jumped from the vanity, grabbed a foil packet from the medicine cabinet, then pushed her pants off. Clean shaven, her body glistening with moisture, nipples tight and erect, a goddess stood before him. He’d never done anything in his whole life to deserve such a stunning woman. How he got so lucky, he didn’t know, but he couldn’t resist her any longer.
He took the condom from her, covered his flesh, then pulled her to him and stepped into the tub. After helping her in, he closed the door, nudged her under the spray, and watched intensely as water washed over her body.
Her eyes opened, soft and eager, watching him. Capturing her jaw in his hand, he lowered his lips to hers and became drunk on all that was her. Her taste was so sweet, moist, and addictive.
Lifting her under the arms, he pushed her up against the side wall, angling his leg for comfort, and nearly roared with pleasure as her legs wrapped around his waist.
Her pussy, hot and slick, eased onto his erection. Gavin moaned. Shree lifted her mouth from his and gasped out a long sigh. “Gavin,” she breathed in his ear, teeth nibbling his skin.
Slow and easy, he made love to her. Nothing in his life was as erotic as this moment. He’d never shared anything like this.
The water cascading over them, their mouths came together again as his he slid his dick in and out of her, coated them in the steam and heat between them. He didn’t know where he ended and she began.
Ecstasy rushed toward him, making him tense. She moaned into his mouth while her pussy clenched around his cock. Damn it, he wanted this to last forever, but his balls tightened and his heart raced. His mouth left hers on a shout as his release rushed from him, and he swore the world exploded around them.
Her body lifted and fell as he came, pulling every drop of his seed from him. She kissed his neck and shoulders as he came back to earth. Nothing had prepared him for anything like this.
She was heaven in his arms, and it would be hell to walk away.
Reachin
g out, he turned off the taps, uncaring if they needed to get cleaned up. His legs threatened to give out, weakened from giving her all he had, and he wanted to lie down with her.
He stepped out of the tub, not caring that he was dripping wet, carried her to the bedroom, then laid her on the bed. Pulling the comforter from the foot of her bed, he crawled in beside her and covered them both.
He stared at her as they faced one another. Shree curled up against him and laid a cheek on his arm beneath her.
“Sorry I came on so strong earlier. I shouldn’t have.”
She shrugged. “It’s okay, you were upset. And now you know, rough isn’t the way I roll.”
He chuckled at her slang. “You can tell me anything, you know. I’ll never betray your confidence.”
She tried to shift away, but he held her close. “I don’t know what you want from me, Gavin.”
“I know I pushed you hard earlier, and though you were fire in my arms, I know you were fearful at one point. But you pushed it away. I want to know why you were scared. I’d never hurt you.”
She laid a palm on his cheek. “I know you wouldn’t. It’s not you. My past...” Stopping, she closed her eyes, then opened them again. Tears filled them. “I never talk about it.”
“Sometimes it’s easier to talk about it than hold it in forever.” Gavin laid still, his palm at her back, but didn’t push her. She’d finally opened up enough, confirming his suspicions about her past and a boatload of pain that went with it.
He would wait until she was ready to tell him everything. Until then, he’d hold her, and wait.
“I was just out of high school when I met Brian. Having no family since my folks took off when I was seven and never looked back, I was in and out of the system for years. I met him when I was eighteen and had been fending for myself for a couple years when I left the last foster place I was in. I got a job at a local grocery store and he was my boss. And older than me by about ten years. I was happy at first. I really thought that all my struggles were over, and I didn’t have to worry about being homeless or starving any longer.”
Guarding Midnight Page 6
