Awaken My Heart

by Maria K. Alexander

  “This is just for you.” He sucked in his breath when she reached under his shirt and ran her hands along the taut muscles of his stomach.

  “Did I ever tell you how sexy I find your sweaters and short skirts? But I’ve always wondered what you wore underneath…” He trailed a hand up her skirt to the edge of her panties only to find they weren’t there.

  “Fuck, Ash. You’re not wearing underwear.”

  “Is that a problem?”

  Fuck no.

  “You’re killing me, woman.” He thrust a finger into her slick heat.

  “Right there, Nick. Yes.” She bucked against his hand, and when he pressed a finger to her nub, she held onto his shoulders and cried out when she came.

  Right in her hallway.

  He held her up while she caught her breath. “That was hot.”

  “You are hot.” She reached between them and grasped him. “It’s time to even out the playing field.”

  Who was he to argue?

  She unbuttoned his jeans and slid the zipper down. The feel of her soft hands against his rigid bulge was almost enough to set him off. She pushed his boxers down, his cock springing free and growing harder and larger at her touch.

  She turned so he was pressed against the door, the swells of his ass cool against the frame of the door.

  He sucked in his breath when she circled the outer rim and then cursed when she took him in her mouth. Guiding her head, he showed her the pace that worked for him. “I’m close, Ash. If you don’t want me to come, you need to stop.”

  In response, she ran her nails along his sac.

  With a grunt, he came, a burst of hot liquid shooting into her mouth.

  Breathless and spent, he opened his eyes, and in one quick movement hoisted her into his arms. “Where’s your bedroom? We’re just getting started.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Ashley rested her head on Nick’s shoulder while he carried her upstairs. What they’d just shared far exceeded any experience of her life. Generally, she wasn’t a spontaneous person. She thought—many times overthought—things before she took action.

  This midday liaison was the most impulsive she’d ever been. Based on Nick’s reaction, she was a new believer in spontaneity.

  He closed the door with his foot and dumped her on the bed. “Let’s see how many more times I can make you scream.”

  She shivered with anticipation and settled back on her elbows to await what came next. He removed his long-sleeved shirt, exposing the gun harness he wore over a T-shirt. And let the record show Nick wearing a gun harness, which cupped his sculpted pecs, was sexier than she could have imagined.

  Ashley slipped out of her sweater and skirt, leaving her bare before him. The scorch of his gaze as Nick examined her from head to toe left her quivering, moisture pooling between her legs and edging her closer to release.

  “So beautiful.” He hovered over her, kissing her deeply and pulling her further under his spell with every hot stroke of his tongue.

  She wriggled beneath him, wanting more.

  “Problem, honey?”

  She reached for the button of his jeans. “You’re wearing too many clothes.”

  After she stripped him and he was gloriously naked, she took stock of his torso, noticing a scar under his rib cage and another on his hip. She skimmed her hands down his six-pack abs and traced the puckered skin with her fingertips, pleased when he shivered beneath her touch.

  When her gaze locked on his erection, she watched it grow, moisture beading at the top. She traced it with her fingers. “You’re the one who is beautiful.”

  She pressed him onto the bed and straddled him. His attention shifted to her breasts, and she was rewarded when he grazed her nipples with calloused hands. Hell if she didn’t think she could come from that alone.

  Then he pinched them, and she did, convulsing on top of him.

  He squeezed her breasts together, laving a distended peak with his tongue. “That’s two.”

  Flipping her onto her back, Nick kissed down her stomach. He nuzzled her mound, and she rocked her hips off the bed to meet him.

  “A little impatient, are you?”

  She was burning up, even more when he blew on her sensitive flesh before tracing the rim with his tongue.

  “Let’s see how close I can bring you,” he said and took her to the edge three times.

  She cried out his name when he finally took her over. “I think I’m dead.”

  She heard paper ripping and saw Nick sheathing his length with a condom.

  “That’s too bad. I’ve never made love with a corpse before.”

  She lay against the pillow and watched him lean over her, positioning himself at her entrance.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  When she nodded, he thrust, filling her with one long stroke. He pulled out, bending her leg and lifting it over his shoulder, allowing him to go deeper than she thought was possible.

  He paused and pierced her with a gaze full of passion…and something more.

  “I need to move.” His voice was husky and rough from maintaining control.

  She thrusted her hips up. “Hurry.”

  He kissed her and plunged in and out, each stroke bringing her closer and closer to release. Even though she’d already come three times, she felt herself rising to the top until the only thing left to do was free fall into oblivion. When she came, he was with her, his mouth coming down hard on hers as they both let go.

  Ashley lay, boneless, working to catch her breath from the ride of her life. Had it been as intense before? She remembered it being great, but things were different now. They had a connection that was more than biology.

  He nuzzled her neck. “That was amazing.”

  She let her head fall back. “Mmm hmm.”

  “Best lunch sex ever. Only lunch sex, now that I think about it.”

  “Really?” she asked.

  He tweaked a nipple. “Yes. Do you mind if I grab a quick shower?”

  She probably needed one, herself, but would wait until he was done. Otherwise, she’d never get to work.

  “Help yourself. I’ll bring our sandwiches up.”

  She watched his lean, muscular frame rise from the bed, admiring the full swells of his backside.

  Ashley ran a hand through her tangled hair before tossing on a robe. She belted it as she walked downstairs, suddenly ravenous. Retrieving the take-out bag from the hallway, she headed to the kitchen to get plates and drinks.

  Setting out a tray, she arranged sandwiches and poured water into large glasses for each of them. She couldn’t contain her smile. How would she get through the rest of the day at work without people figuring something was wrong—or right—with her?

  The water upstairs had turned off, so after adding a couple bakery cookies, she picked up the tray and turned to head upstairs.

  And practically dropped it when she came face to face with…

  Her father.

  “Hi, sweetheart.”

  Hell’s bells.

  “Daddy, what are you doing here?”

  “I mentioned to you this morning I switched my swim physical therapy to this afternoon.”

  She’d forgotten.

  He nodded to the tray. “Is Sean sick or something? Why are you home and dressed like that?”

  Ashley didn’t think things could get any worse, but luck was once again not on her side, and Nick’s voice preceded his entrance to the kitchen.

  “I’m done so we can eat down here, if you want.”

  Please let him not be wearing a towel.

  He wasn’t, but it wasn’t much better. Nick entered, hair damp, bare-chested, and with his jeans on but unbuttoned. He looked delectable and thoroughly satisfied.

  “Looks like we need to work out a sign, sweetheart, so we can avoid these awkward situations,” her father said.

  ****

  Nick froze at the sight of Ashley’s father in the kitchen. The cat was out of the bag, now. And while relie
ved, Nick hadn’t anticipated telling her father about them this way. Not to mention, Ashley seemed paralyzed with shock.

  Nick wasn’t sure what to do but roll with it.

  “Hi, Mr. O’Neil. We’re grabbing lunch. Have you eaten?”

  Nick placed his gun holster and shirts on the counter and reached for the tray Ashley held. “I’ve got this. Why don’t you go upstairs?”

  With flushed cheeks, she searched his eyes before relinquishing the tray to him. “I won’t be long.”

  After Nick placed the tray on the counter, he grabbed his T-shirt, yanking it over his head.

  “I’m sorry to have interrupted…lunch.”

  “No worries. We both have to get back to work.”

  “Look, Nick. I’m not one to get involved in my daughter’s personal life—of course she’s never had one—so this is awkward.”

  “Let me apologize, Mr. O’Neil.”

  “You’re my grandson’s father and sleeping with my daughter. Why don’t you call me Rob?”

  Nick respected the man’s matter-of-fact attitude.

  “Okay. Rob, it is. Things between Ashley and I are new.”

  Rob raised an eyebrow.

  “New since I learned about Sean. We didn’t take this step lightly and don’t want to hurt Sean.”

  “Hence the sneaking around at lunch.”

  “Ashley wants to get more comfortable with us as a couple before we tell anyone.”

  “I’d hope she’d be pretty comfortable if she snuck home for a nooner.”

  Nick choked on his sip of water, surprised by the crude depiction of what happened between Ashley and him. Of course, from Rob’s perspective, that’s how it looked.

  Time for damage control.

  “I care about your daughter. A lot. I’m in this for more than a quick nooner.”

  “Then what are you in it for? Marriage?”

  It was too soon to go down that path. Neither of them was ready.

  “Ashley and I were deprived of pursuing a relationship last time.”

  “Because you got another woman pregnant.”

  “Despite how Ashley and I got together, I don’t go around sleeping with random women.”

  “Ashley’s had a difficult life. Her mother leaving when she was only a girl scarred her. I’ll do whatever’s necessary to protect her from being hurt again.”

  “I don’t plan on hurting her. I think we have a chance to be a family, but she and I need time.” Nick rubbed the back of his head. Talking about his divorce wasn’t something he did often, but it may help Rob understand him better. “When I found out Franny was pregnant, I took responsibility and asked her to marry me. Getting divorced goes against everything I believe in, was raised to believe in.”

  “Ashley said the woman cheated on you.”

  “She did. I have a demanding job, and she couldn’t handle the danger or the long hours.”

  “That’s not a reason to cheat on someone.”

  “No, it’s not.”

  “And despite what you went through, you would consider remarrying?”

  “My first marriage was out of obligation. Should I marry again, I want it to be for love, and because we both want it, not because we have to do it.”

  Rob stared at him, assessing him in a quiet way similar to Ashley.

  “My daughter doesn’t feel she is worthy of love. Accepting it, even when given freely, is difficult for her. Expressing it can also be difficult. It will take a man with a lot of patience to prove her wrong.”

  “Ashley’s a beautiful woman on both the inside and out. I hope over time I can help her feel worthy of being loved.”

  “What about Sean? How are you going to make sure he doesn’t get hurt while you pursue a secret relationship?”

  “By always thinking of him first. Neither of us wants to hurt him. I respect that she’s not ready to tell him yet.”

  “Sean is a smart and intuitive boy. It won’t take long for him to figure it out.”

  “I agree. I’ll talk to her again.”

  “I suppose that’s all I can ask.” Rob sat on a nearby stool. “On a different topic, I wanted to check on details for your undercover operation.”

  “Our undercover detectives have been briefed and are ready. We’re counting on these workshops to create a break in our case,” Nick began. “Either because the kids have used or because they know someone who’s selling.”

  “You’ll monitor the chat rooms the way we discussed?”

  “We have a court order. I know you didn’t want it to come down to that, but the trail is nearing cold. If we don’t come up with something this week, the case is going to be closed.”

  “Then let’s hope you get what you need,” Rob said.

  “That’s the plan.”

  “As we agreed, only a few members of my staff are aware of this operation. Ms. Peterson, Ms. Fielding, and Ashley. Is there anything we can do to help?”

  “Go about your job as normal. If my partner or I need help or need to engage additional resources, we’ll let you know.”

  “Will do.”

  “Are we good, then?” Nick asked.

  “For now. You have your hands full with both this case and my daughter. For all of our sakes, I hope you’re successful in both.”

  So did Nick. Once they closed the case, Nick wanted to focus on him and Ashley. He hadn’t been lying when he said he would marry again. But the woman needed to understand him and the demands of his job. It was a nonnegotiable item. The question was whether Ashley could look past the danger and be willing to open her heart to love.

  ****

  Nick tested his earpiece and gave the all clear. It was Friday, the last day of the workshops at Chartwell Academy, and Nick felt they were making progress. Although the substance-abuse workshop had not been as fruitful as he’d hoped, the bullying workshop proved a different story.

  In the chat room, one student asked about how to handle a situation where his or her friend was being pressured to do something that was wrong and illegal. The kid wanted advice on how to convince the friend not to give in to what they were being asked to do. But the kid was afraid they’d lose the person as a friend if they said something.

  It was never a good situation when peer pressure was involved. No one wanted to be on the unpopular list. Nick thought back to Ashley’s high-school experience and the struggles Sean faced with his peers.

  As much as society had advanced in ways such as technology, it hadn’t changed in terms of how kids treated each other. Once you were labeled an outcast, it stuck with you—fair or not. Having a student reach out for help was good and, if his team approached this right, could save both lives and a friendship.

  The thing Nick liked best about the chat room was the private chat. As part of their op, they started a sidebar with the person and tried to set up a private offline discussion. The hardest part of police work was the hours and days spent waiting. Nick had learned to be patient over the years, but it was still frustrating, especially with kids involved. Now, more than ever, it was time to close the case.

  Although the workshops were technically over, the chat rooms would remain open for thirty days so communication could continue in a risk-free environment.

  While they waited to see if the person took the bait, Nick stepped into the gym where the self-defense lessons were underway. The kids were most excited by this, as it allowed them the opportunity to flip their classmates. Ashley stood to the side, gnawing on her lower lip and watching what was taking place on the mat.

  He approached her from behind. “What’s going on?”

  She pointed. “Sean and Gina are out there.”

  He followed the direction of her hand and sure enough, Sean and Gina faced one another, both in sweat pants and T-shirts. Sean looked focused and determined whereas Gina looked angry. Around them, kids and teachers cheered them on.

  Nick had been trained in jujitsu and knew there were skills that could be useful to anyone. Joey took it,
but Franny had refused to let Gina, insisting she had the body of a dancer. Now, watching his daughter circle her half-brother, Nick could see her gearing up to kick ass. He hoped Sean could hold his own.

  “Isn’t this dangerous?” Ashley asked.

  “The kids have been learning this all week. What they’re doing now is basic sparring. If they follow the instructor’s training, they’ll be fine.”

  “How about the emotional damage if she takes him down?”

  For his son’s sake, Nick hoped Sean wouldn’t hesitate to flip his sister. Nick never had a problem doing so. He’d even trained Kate and Vicky, who each had been able to flip him—something neither of them let him live down.

  Sean had patience on his side, though. Gina lunged first, and when she did, Sean reached for her forearm, pivoted, and flipped her. The staff and a handful of students applauded while Sean looked more uncomfortable at what he’d done.

  Way to go, Sean.

  “Oh my God, he did it,” Ashley said, squeezing his forearm.

  “He’s a natural and has quick reflexes.”

  Sean leaned down and said something to Gina, offering his hand to help her up. In true Gina style, she pushed it away and stomped off the mat.

  “She’s mad,” Ashley said.

  “It’s more likely she’s embarrassed. He won the spar fair and square.”

  “Something tells me that’s not going to matter to Gina.”

  Sadly, Ashley was likely right.

  Sean moved through the crowd to them, wariness on his face. “Did you see me?”

  “We did. You were great,” Ashley said.

  “Nice job,” Nick added.

  Sean smiled. “Thanks. The instructor asked if I ever took lessons.” He removed a business card from his pocket. “He said I could take four free lessons if I was interested.”

  “Are you?” Ashley asked.

  Sean looked at the mat where the next two students sparred. “Maybe. I like being able to defend myself. I’m tired of being bullied by kids.”

  “You realize you can’t use these skills because someone bullies you,” Nick added.