Guarding Midnight

by Kacey Hammell

  “We could always order something from the kitchen downstairs when we get up,” she said, her warm gaze beckoning him. “Why don’t you lie with me and catch some sleep too?”

  His heart tripped a little. Where she’d wanted time alone earlier, she now wanted him beside her. He chalked it up to progress. And he didn’t need to be asked twice.

  Undoing the button on his jeans, he lowered the zipper an inch for comfort, then nestled in beside her on top of the bedsheet. He wanted her to rest. No sense tempting fate by being under the covers with her naked and all.

  Tucking his arms around her, he pulled her close. She laid her cheek on his chest and sighed. Her palm skimmed over his shirt, and his muscles tightened underneath.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “For what?”

  “For last night. Staying with me and listening.”

  He pulled her in tighter and kissed the top of her head. “Anytime, babe. I’ll always be here for you. Now rest.” Gavin savored the warmth of her by his side as she burrowed closer.

  Trusting him.

  Yes. Progress indeed.

  ****

  Shree’s head came up fast. What the hell is that whistling?

  Flipping her hair back from her face, she scanned the room. Where was it coming from?

  She shifted, or at least tried to, but she couldn’t move because the sheet around her wouldn’t budge. What the hell? She tugged, then heard a grunt from behind her. Eyes wide, she looked over her shoulder, shocked to fine Gavin behind her.

  “Damn alarm,” he grumbled, and hit a button on his phone. Thankfully, the annoying whistle stopped.

  When had he gotten there? What was he doing in her bed?

  She tugged the sheet free finally, shifted to sit up, and rubbed her eyes. The last thing she recalled from the day before was working numbers and calculations of syringes and medications for the exam next week before she’d started to doze on the couch. Not wanting to wake up with a sore neck or any other body part since she had to work tonight, she’d gone to the bedroom, shucked her robe, and fallen onto the bed.

  She must have slept like the dead. And it was no wonder. The emotions of telling Gavin everything about her past had exhausted her. All she’d wanted to do was sleep.

  Gavin’s arm came over her lap and tried to pull her closer. She vaguely remembered his voice, certain she was dreaming when he crawled into bed beside her, but the dream had faded away quickly.

  Scowling, she shoved his shoulder. “Hey, what are you doing here?”

  Tilting his head back on her pillow, he smirked. “You don’t remember inviting me into your bed?”

  Dream or no dream, she didn’t have time for him right now. She still felt too raw, too exposed after telling him everything she’d gone through. There was no one else who knew about her past. Why she shared it with him, she didn’t know.

  Yes, you do. You know he’s going to be around a while, and you want him to be.

  She shoved aside the voice and tried to climb out of bed, but his arm held her steadfast. “Gavin, come on. I have to get up.”

  He pulled her back onto the bed and aligned her back against his chest. “Just a few minutes more. No one will miss us.” His arm tightened across her belly. “Besides, I’m already up.” His hips shifted, and his hardness pressed into her backside.

  Her breath caught. Spooning with him was a bad idea. Very bad. He shifted again, burrowing against her cheeks.

  Heat swept along her body. Damn him. Damn her body for betraying her. And God damn it for not getting dressed after her shower.

  Gavin’s hand skimmed over her bare stomach and cupped her breast. Exhaling deep, her head angled back onto the pillow he also used. His breath warmed her neck and shoulder as his lips pressed along her skin.

  Who the bloody hell was she kidding? She couldn’t resist him. Not anymore. Opening her past and her heart to him put the final nail in how she felt. Never would she have believed in love at first sight, but Cupid had hit her with his arrow.

  He was a man who wouldn’t stay around long, a military man who protected people with his life. Injured or not, he would return to that life once he was able to. And she had her own plans. Get her nursing degree and live her dreams. She’d never factored a man into the equation. Not after everything she’d suffered.

  But until he left, until she had to say goodbye, she planned to grab onto Gavin with both hands and appreciate each moment.

  Her back arched as his fingers pinched her nipple. His other hand behind her massaged her ass cheeks, leaving tingles in their wake.

  She tried to turn, but he held her in place. His lips caught her earlobe, breath hot and moist. Euphoria of warm sparks washed over her body. She trembled. Reaching behind her, she cupped the back of his head, bringing him closer, and his lips toward hers.

  His palms slid along her stomach as their lips found one another. Soft and gentle, his lips skimmed hers, back and forth, lazy and in no hurry. She’d never been kissed like this before. Passionate, delicate, unencumbered as if the man with her had all the time in the world. As if she was special.

  Tears gathered behind her eyelids as her hold on him tightened and her mouth opened, enjoying his kisses. Breathing heavy, her nipples tight and moisture gathering between her legs, she opened them, inviting him in.

  He found her center, brushing over her clit and down to her opening. Circling the nub, he played, stroking and pinching. She shivered. His lips left hers, moved over her neck and back to her ear.

  “I want you so much,” he whispered.

  She opened her legs further, offering him all she had to give.

  “Your pussy is so warm.” His fingers pushed into her, pumping slowly, then went back to her swollen flesh. “I could feast on you all night, every night and never get enough.”

  Her juices flooded her. She never wanted to leave this bed, or him. Never before had anyone wanted her so much.

  “And your cunt would taste like the finest decadent dessert ever created. All mine. All for me.”

  His words clouded her thoughts while warming her from the inside out. Adrenaline washed over her. She lifted her hips, trying to keep his touch close and needing his digits back inside her.

  “Hmm, I love that. Yes, give me everything. Forget anyone else ever making love to you. Just me. Only us.”

  Shree’s heart skipped a beat. Making love. Those two words hadn’t been a part of her vocabulary for years. Not since her innocence had been shattered and her heart ripped from her.

  A shudder tore through her as Gavin caressed her nub, shooting flames along her body. No, as of now, there would be no one else in bed with them. She trusted this man completely, knew he would cherish her as long as they were together.

  “Gavin!” She shrieked as his fingers plunged into her pussy, deep and full. She gasped and turned her head, locking lips with his while he generated a tornado throughout her body. She relished the feel of him pumping inside her, making her pussy eager for his cock.

  She needed him deep. And sooner rather than later.

  Her tongue touched his bottom lip. His tongue mimicked the gesture on hers. Gulping air, heart rate accelerating, she rode the coaster of emotions inside her. Cherished, uninhibited and on fire, she gave her all to this man.

  Sweat coated his forehead and lips as his fingers plunged into her over and over. Her body trembled. “I need you inside me. Please.”

  He pulled away from her, then sat up. On her back, legs open to him, she was on full display. As his gaze swept over her, fire struck and her body heated. He gazed at her as if he wanted to claim and devour her.

  “I like you like this. Spread out in front of me.” His palms skimmed over her thighs, spreading even more electricity over her. Damn, his touch was addictive. She could lie here forever and let him have his way.

  Crossing his arms, he lifted his t-shirt off and dropped it to the side. Her gaze lowered and she shivered at the hard muscles, the strong arms that pro
tected her.

  Standing, he pushed his jeans off his hips then climbed back onto the bed, and up her body. Leaving a kiss on every inch of skin he encountered, he took his time working his way higher.

  Tension filled her body. Her mind rushed with reminders of the past and the last man who’d laid over her like this. But no, this was Gavin, not like the past. It wasn’t the same.

  Her mind slowed. Shree stayed in the moment, absorbing the pleasure and excitement rivaling inside her. If she had wings, she’d fly from the sheer bliss taking over her. Need built and her body shook. Desperation tunneled through her, amplified by her eagerness to gather him into her. She needed him so much. He should be the one to set the pace this time.

  Sighing, she held herself strong, resisting the urge to take over and control the pace. She had to let Gavin know she trusted him completely. To do so was to give him full control.

  His tongue circled each nipple, then moved up and along her neck. He pulled back, arms holding him above her. Hot and wild, he stared at her. His arms shook a bit as he held himself at bay. The heat radiating from him called to her. He was in this just as deep as she was.

  She opened her legs wider, her knees on either side of his hips. Her palms inched over his chest and biceps, then back again. “Make love to me, Gavin.”

  A gust of breath fell from him at her whispered plea. His eyes drifted shut as her fingers played with his nipples. His dick nudged against her thigh, as if wanting Gavin to hurry and claim her already.

  “Shree,” he whispered, his tone soft and agonized. “Are you sure? I don’t want to push you into anything—”

  She covered his lips, understanding his concern. “It’s okay. I’m okay. I promise. Please.”

  “Babe,” he sighed, eagerness in his voice. Grabbing a condom off the nightstand, he shifted, took his cock in hand, and nudged against her. Eyes locked with hers, he pushed slowly into her inch by inch until seated deep inside.

  Trembling, she tightened her knees on his hips. Gavin lowered onto his elbows, completely covering her body.

  Shree drew in a deep, shuddering breath as his hips moved. She waited for the smothering and captive feeling to wash over her, but all she could feel was her blood rushing, adrenaline chasing in its wake, and the warmth of his skin.

  She arched her neck, a gasp escaping her as his cock moved in and out, hitting every swollen inch of her pussy. Splendid. Sweet. Nothing existed but this moment, this man, and the trust that lay between them. She would never forget Gavin for giving her this. Complete and total surrender. And allowing her the time to heal in order to get to this moment. To know she’d been missing this for so long, she wanted to weep from the agony of all she’d been excluded from. But the hatred she’d allowed to fester because of the past eased and dissipated. No longer was it important. Only this. With the man she loved.

  The man she’d someday lose.

  Gavin hit deep inside her, his breathing heavy, and pulled her from the troubling thoughts. Now wasn’t the time to think about that. His body rocked against hers, sweat coating both their bodies as they moved together. Shree held onto his shoulders tight, her feet against his ass, pulling him even further into her.

  Gavin rained kisses along her cheeks, eyelids, and forehead. His gaze dropped to her mouth as he made love to her. “You feel so damn good.”

  She brushed a kiss on his lips and along his neck. He groaned as her teeth nibbled his skin, his hips moving faster.

  Pressure built inside her, tension and swelling causing her to gasp as he filled her very soul. Breathing heavily, she moaned, her pussy on fire and needing relief.

  “I’m losing control,” he grumbled. “Damn, baby, you’re so wet.”

  Pleasure slithered around her spine, his words igniting a richer inferno inside. “Come for me, Gavin. Make me come.” Shree wanted him to know how much she needed him. She flexed her inner muscles. He let out a harsh, guttural moan as she tightened around his dick. His hips cantered faster, shaking the bed and thrilling her.

  The rush of euphoria circled around her, her body ablaze, then crashed over her. Her body surrendered to the release it so desperately sought, and she heard her own squeal of ecstasy in the distance. His shout and his warmth filling her didn’t deter her as her body shook.

  His arms tightened around her as all his weight bore down on her. Shree was sure he anchored her to the bed while her body—no longer hers—floated. Her mind ceased of thoughts and her breathing slowed. Such incredible pleasure and becoming one with this man was unlike anything she could ever imagine.

  His lips feathered kisses across her shoulder. Her heart rate slowed and returned to normal. Her world had been rocked...and quite good. She chuckled.

  “What are you laughing at?” Gavin murmured against her neck, where he seemed content to remain.

  “Just absorbing the moment.”

  His head lifted slightly and he grinned at her. “You amaze me. Such an amazing woman you are. So strong. Brave.”

  Tears choked her. He’d given her so much and he was bestowing compliments on her. “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “For what?”

  She shook her head. “For just being you. And for giving me...back to myself. I’ve lived in the past for so long.”

  He kissed her cheek. “No tears now.” He kissed her nose. “Come on.”

  She frowned. “Where are we going?”

  He tugged her to her feet. She wobbled on unsteady legs until he pulled her close. “Guess I really rocked your world, huh?”

  Laughing, she shook her head. “Such an ego!”

  “Hey, I’m a man of many talents.” He nibbled her neck. “Come on, let’s go get something to eat.”

  “I have to shower first.” She chuckled, enjoying this playful side to him. And she remembered their last shower together. It bore repeating.

  “Hey, there’s no rush. We can stay here.” He took care of the used condom, bundling it in a Kleenex, and tossing it in the trash can near the bed.

  Giggling, she extracted herself from his arms and walked backward toward the bathroom, beckoning him with a crook of her finger. “You can wash my body.”

  “I’d love to, babe, but I have something to tell you first.” He sat on the side of the bed and held out a hand. “Damn, I don’t want to tell you this.”

  Heart in her throat, she snatched his shirt from the foot of the bed, tugged her arms into it, and buttoned a couple holes. “What is it? Just tell me.”

  He sighed but held her gaze. “Someone broke in here and trashed your bathroom.”

  She swallowed hard. “What?” The word, barely a croak, escaped. A chill raced down her spine.

  Now her personal space had been invaded. Nowhere was safe for her, it seemed. “What do you mean trashed?”

  “Red writing on the mirror. I’m guessing red nail polish to look like blood in the sink. Some of your outfits are in pieces. I’m sorry, honey, but I never figured they’d be so brazen.”

  “This isn’t your fault. I didn’t even go in there when I came upstairs. I had no idea.” She ran her hands through her hair. “What happens now?”

  He drew her in close against him. “You’ll be watched even more closely. You won’t be too far from my sight.” She opened her mouth to comment, but he held up a hand, silencing her words. “This is the way it has to be. No arguments.”

  Shree understood his precautions and worry. She didn’t have to like them, though. “I guess I best get things cleaned up in there.” She tried to pull back, but he didn’t let go.

  “Don’t worry about it. The guys came in while you were sleeping.”

  “Jesus. One stranger in my house is enough. Seriously, Gavin, where’s my privacy in all this?” This time, he let her go when she tugged out of his hold. She stared out the window, seeing nothing but her reflection and the tremor in her hands.

  “I’m sorry, but I didn’t want you to have to face the mess. They simply too
k the mirror out for now. They’ll deal with the rest and replace everything later.” He caressed her shoulders. “I’ll get this bastard. I promise.”

  Leaning her head back against his chest, his arms tight around her waist, she sighed. She believed him. Whatever it took, he’d do in order to keep her—and Charlie—safe. It didn’t stop the shards of fear clinging to her. Hagen had made this extremely personal and even more dangerous. And targeted at her.

  “There’s nothing you can do, babe. I’m sorry you feel violated and alone, but I’m here. I’ll never let anything happen to you.”

  Taking in a deep breath, she turned in his arms and gazed up at him. “I know you will. I know it, but I won’t lie. I am scared.”

  He leaned his forehead against hers, his arms tightening and encompassing her even deeper in his embrace. “I’m here, babe.”

  Angling her head back, she gazed into his cognac eyes. Needing him, wanting to keep the world and danger at bay for a bit longer, she captured his lips and lost herself in him. As he deepened the kiss and backed her against the wall, one thing crossed Shree’s mind.

  She could get very used to waking up with him every morning.

  Chapter Seven

  “Here you go,” Gavin touched Shree’s shoulder, then set the mug of tea in front of her.

  They’d awoken this morning at his place. After their delectable shower, he’d asked her to pack a bag and stay with him to keep her safe. Staying in her temporary apartment didn’t matter to her. Not with knowing that a stranger had been there, gone through her things, and wanted to harm her.

  Gavin asking instead of ordering her to do it filled her with warm and pleasure. To know he respected her enough to cease with any caveman behavior made her smile. And it wormed him even more into her heart.