Deserve

by C. C. Snow

“Definitely,” Returning her gaze to me, Serena says with confidence. “Come on. We’ll use the private room so we don’t have to smell the sweaty socks in here.” She starts to walk toward the back.

  “Are you an MMA fighter, Serena?” The idea of a female fighter is fascinating to me.

  “Nah. I don’t have the discipline for it. I’d have to lower my fat mass and I’m not giving up my chocolate for anything. I’d need to train for months before I would be fit enough to go into the cage. I help Ty run this place when he’s not here.”

  Staring at her muscular legs, I say skeptically, “If you’re not fit enough, then the women in the MMA must chew nails for breakfast.”

  “That’s the nicest compliment I’ve gotten,” she says with a huge grin, opening a door to reveal an empty dojo. Following her example, Sean and I take off our shoes. The floor gives slightly under our weight.

  “So, the first rule of self-defense is to not engage your attacker if you can escape. Run and scream. Do everything to call as much attention to yourself as possible.”

  Sean mutters from the corner of his mouth, “Not run toward him.”

  I glower at his snarky comment. “I get it, Mr. Know-It-All.”

  A grin playing on his lips, he is smart enough to keep his mouth zipped. He takes a stance on the sidelines while Serena run through some basic pointers and moves.

  “Aim for the most vulnerable spots. Eyes, nose, throat, groin—they’re all good targets to disarm an assailant. Use your hands and legs, but don’t forget you have your teeth and hard skull as weapons if you are in close range. You don’t need to have physical strength to do damage. You need to be smart,” she says.

  I nod, trying to absorb every word.

  “Okay, Sean and I will do a few demos and then you can try them.”

  Stepping back, I watch Sean walk up to Serena and grab her arm. The next thing I know, there’s a loud thud and Sean’s on the floor, grinning up at the ceiling.

  “Holy shit! I want to do that,” I say excitedly, eyeing her with awe.

  Serena grins crookedly and helps a laughing Sean stand up. “This guy is taking it easy on me. He can easily evade that move because of his training, but most run-of-the-mill street thugs don’t have a black belt in judo.”

  “You have a black belt?” I ask, wondering what else I don’t know about this fascinating man.

  He dismisses it with a casual wave. “It’s not a big deal.”

  Looking straight at Serena, I point at him. “How long do I need to train so I can kick his oh-I’m-so-modest butt?”

  Shouting with laughter, Sean pulls me in for a hard kiss. “I’d let you take me down right now.”

  Ignoring the melting sensation in my middle, I push away. “I’m going to kick your ass, fair and square.” I turn to meet Serena’s amused gaze. “Okay, Teach. I’m ready.”

  For the next couple of hours, Serena patiently runs through defensive techniques, showing me how to use my opponent’s weight and strength against him. I feel uncoordinated and clumsy, but Serena assures me that I just need more practice. I throw Sean onto the ground a few times, but I know it’s because he lets me.

  At the end of the lesson, I’m exhausted, but exhilarated. “That was awesome. Can we come back tomorrow?” I ask Sean, still hyped up on adrenaline.

  “You’re going to be so sore, you’ll be lucky if you can make your way to the bathroom tomorrow. We’ll come back next week.”

  “Damn.” I frown, impatient to improve. After just one session, I already feel more self-assured. I turn to Serena and thank her effusively.

  “You’re welcome. If you want another lesson, just give me a call.”

  “I’ll definitely be coming back,” I say.

  As we start our drive back into Manhattan, I place my hand on Sean’s thigh. “Thanks for arranging all of this. I loved it.”

  Picking up my hand, he kisses my knuckles. “I’m glad and there’s no need to thank me.”

  It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him I love him, but I hold back. I don’t want Sean to feel pressured to say something he doesn’t mean.

  “In fact, when you start walking like a bow-legged cowboy, you’re going to be cursing me.”

  I groan, anticipating the aching muscles. Now that I’m no longer moving, I already feel the fatigue in my arms and legs.

  “Maybe you can convince me to give you a massage.”

  Sean’s hands rubbing all over me? Hell yes!

  Raising one brow, I pretend to consider the offer. “Oh? And what do you expect in return?”

  He shoots me a lustful grin. “I’m sure I can think of something.”

  “I bet you can,” I say tongue-in-cheek, feeling like I’m going to float away.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Sean

  Hanging up the phone, I grin at Marc. “Sheena’s agreed to testify!”

  “Hot damn! That’s the best news I’ve heard all week.” Marc leans over and gives me a high-five. “I bow to your whispering skills.” He mock bows, placing his palms flat on his desk and lowering his head.

  “Jackass!”

  Marc and I work frenziedly to put the pieces into place—contacting the DA, getting Sheena into a safe house, and filling out a never-ending stack of paperwork. After I finish triple-checking the files, I sit back and allow myself to savor the moment. The hours spent talking to Sheena have finally paid off. With her testimony, Carmona will sit in jail for the rest of his life.

  My phone rings and seeing the caller I.D., I pick up immediately. “Hey, Bo.”

  “The bird has returned to the nest. The rabbit is back in the hutch.”

  “You’re a regular comedian, Gonzalez.”

  Maniacal laughter tapers off to intermittent chuckles. “Your girl’s in the apartment. No suspicious characters. Went to school, hung out with a few friends, and then Todd Jorgsen accompanied her back.”

  “She didn’t spot you, did she?” If Maggie finds out I’m having her tailed, she’s going to be hopping mad, but since she won’t let me take any more time off to guard her, this was the only avenue left to me. I’ll be damned if that fucker gets an opportunity to touch her again.

  I met Bo Gonzalez at a national security summit a few years back. His firm specializes in protecting high-profile clients—normally leaders of volatile nations in the Middle East and Africa. This job is small potatoes to him, but he’s doing this as a favor to me.

  Affront threading every syllable, he scoffs, “Whom do you think you’re talking about? I’m stealth, man.”

  “I’m sorry to question your manhood,” I say dryly. “Thanks, Bo. I’m heading out so you can take off.” Luckily the stubborn brat heeds my advice and doesn’t go anywhere by herself.

  “You’re welcome, man.”

  I hang up the phone and look at Marc. “I’m going to call it a day and go home.”

  Home. All the air leaves my lungs at the thought. This is the first time I’ve considered my apartment as a home and it’s all because of one slender redhead. Somehow she has managed to transform an empty, sterile dwelling into a warm, inviting space. Just the thought of seeing her face at the end of my day makes the bullshit easier to deal with.

  I say an absent goodbye to Marc, anxious to get home to Maggie.

  When I open the door, the tantalizing smell of tomato sauce fills the air and I look in the direction of the kitchen. She’s bent at the waist, peering through the door of the oven. My lips quirk at the sight of Maggie’s lush behind sticking in the air, reminding me of the first time I saw her at the airport. God, that’s a sight I can come home to every day.

  I quietly close the door and pad softly to stand behind her. “That smells good, but the view is even better.”

  As soon as the first word leaves my mouth, she jerks upright with a shriek and whips around, her pupils dilated with fear, her body wracked by tremors.

  “SHIT!” I yank her into my arms, wanting to kick my own ass for scaring her. “I’m sorry, angel. It’s me
. You’re okay. You’re safe.” I run my hands up and down her spine, trying to reassure her, repeating the last two words until I feel her shaking subside.

  “Don’t sneak up on me!” A small hand smacks my arm and I smile in relief that I haven’t wrought lasting damage. God, I hope this doesn’t trigger her nightmare.

  I kiss her in apology and when her tongue touches mine, I almost get sidetracked completely, but concern makes me break away. “I’m sorry. Are you okay?” I frown at her, troubled by the nervous energy emanating from her.

  She lifts her shoulders and scrunches her nose, making her freckles bunch together. “Yes. I’m just jumpy because I thought someone was watching me the whole day.”

  Oh shit. I guess Bo isn’t as stealth as he thinks he is. In the next instant, my thoughts take a sharp, dark turn and I scowl, wondering if someone else is following her. Taking her shoulders in my hands, I ask urgently, “Did you see anybody? What did he look like?”

  “No, I didn’t see anyone. It’s probably all in my head.” Her brows furrow with worry. “I think I’m starting to jump at my own shadow.”

  For half a beat I contemplate telling her about Bo and the rest of the team, but I don’t want her to dodge my protective measures. “Don’t doubt your instincts. If anything or anyone makes you uneasy, you need to follow your intuition.”

  She nods in agreement and then her eyes widen. “Oh damn!”

  I look at her in alarm. “What?”

  “You ruined my surprise. Happy birthday!” she screams, jumping up and down and throwing her arms around me in excitement. Her face is now glowing, her smile wide and her green eyes sparkling. Fucking beautiful.

  “It’s not my birthday,” I point out, pulling her in closer. As expected, my cock stirs at her proximity.

  “I know. It’s tomorrow, but since I’m flying out to Chicago first thing in the morning, I thought we should move your birthday to accommodate me,” she says cheekily.

  “Wait.” I rear back in confusion. “You’re flying out tomorrow?”

  “Sean,” she says patiently. “I told you about my plans weeks ago. I’m flying home for Thanksgiving. You’re welcome to come, you know.”

  Like a spoiled child, I want to tell her I don’t want her to go, but I know she misses her brother. I consider accepting her offer, but a familiar rush of guilt swamps me at the thought of facing Cael. The longer I don’t tell him about Maggie’s assault and our relationship, the more trapped I feel. Lying to him over the phone is already difficult enough; I can’t do it face-to-face. I convinced myself I was doing what Maggie wanted, but I know it’s my own selfishness driving my silence. I want to put off the inevitable fallout for as long as I can. The lies are so gnarled and twisted, they’ve formed a Gordian knot.

  “I’ve got to do Thanksgiving with the Senator.” My lips twist into a sneer at the thought of the upcoming luncheon. Instead of an intimate meal with immediate family, my father has invited his political allies and their families, along with a select few members of the press corps. I guess it’s never too early to cultivate friendly media relations for the next election cycle.

  I already dread the hours of false holiday cheer.

  My relationship with my father has thawed slightly since the night of the party, but it is still tension-ridden. I haven’t invited Maggie to go to any more public events, citing the press as an excuse, but the truth is, I don’t want her to witness another confrontation between my father and me; I don’t acquit myself well in interactions with him.

  “I’m going to miss you.” Maggie presses her face into my chest.

  The words “I miss you” snag in my throat. Instead of trying to talk, I turn off the oven and cover her lips, pouring all my unspoken emotions into the kiss.

  After a few minutes, she breaks away and murmurs, “Sean, your dinner is going to spoil.”

  This is the first time in my adult life that a woman has cooked for me. An unfamiliar feeling stirs in my chest, like a baby bird testing its wings. “Whatever you made smells delicious, but I want my birthday present.”

  She blinks and furrows her brow. “Okay, but I hope you’re not expecting anything spectacular. It’s in my backpack.”

  Before she can walk away, I swing her into my arms and say, “Oh, it’s spectacular alright and I can’t wait to unwrap her.” I leer at her, leaving no doubt as to what present I want.

  Her eyes darkening to an emerald green, she wiggles close and loops her arms around my neck. “Oh, can I ask for a similar present for Christmas?”

  Grinning, I say suggestively, “Angel, you got it. In fact, I insist you get a present every day.”

  She hides her head in my shoulder and giggles. “You’re terrible.”

  As soon as I cross the threshold of the bedroom, I place her on her feet and start to strip her. I pull her arms over her head and yank her sweater over her head.

  “You’re beautiful.” I stare at her pale, soft skin.

  “I’m not,” she says shyly, stroking my jaw. “You’re the beautiful one.”

  “Don’t argue with me, woman,” I growl playfully and nip her smiling lips. I glance down at her tender curves, letting my hand follow the subtle lines, careful to avoid her ticklish spots. Her eyes glaze over at my caress and my body tightens in reaction. Her responsiveness is like a siren call.

  Her black lace bra is sexy as hell, but it too has to go. When her pretty tits are bared to me, I can’t resist nuzzling my nose against a pink nipple. The peak tightens, beckoning me to taste. I suck her pebbled tip into my mouth and she clutches me closer with a soft moan.

  I push both hands underneath her sweats and panties to get to her fine ass. Her flesh is firm and resilient under my touch and I can’t wait a second longer to have it under my mouth.

  “Fuck it,” I mutter. I spin her around, kneel on the floor and yank her panties and bottom off. Something tears, but I don’t give a flying fuck because her luscious ass—round and generous—is right in front of me. Plumping one cheek in my hand, I sink my teeth gently into the flesh and Maggie squeals. I would have smiled, but my mouth is busy marking her. I don’t want to break her skin, but I have a compulsion to see my stamp of ownership on her.

  When I pull back, there are two red imprints from my top and bottom teeth. I take a few moments to admire my efforts before I lean down to lick her other cheek.

  “Sean!”

  It doesn’t sound like a complaint, but to check, I press two fingers between her thighs. Fuck! She’s soaked.

  My teeth bite into the strip of flesh where her thigh curves into her ass. With a shriek, she pitches forward to brace her hands against the duvet. I groan at how perfectly she’s positioned for me to take her from behind.

  Carefully I release her flesh from my mouth and use one hand to sooth the redness. My present is truly spectacular and my dick is howling with impatience to sink into her. I stand up, my cock threatening to tear the seams of my trousers.

  The view is incredible. Her smooth back tapers into a slim waist before flaring into plump, pale cheeks. Between the dark valley of her thighs, I catch a glimpse of her slick folds and I groan hungrily.

  “Fuck. I can’t wait another second.”

  “Me either. I want you, Sean.”

  At her whispered words, I move as fast as I can, feeling the primal need rise in me.

  With my eyes firmly fixed on her nakedness, I discard my clothes. She’s my every fantasy come to life. Her body revs me up each and every time, but it’s the beauty of her soul that makes her irresistible. She twists her head, her green eyes tracking my movements and when they lock onto my dick, it jerks with need.

  Wrapping one arm around her middle, I position myself between her thighs and let my engorged cock nudge her wet pussy lips. “You make me so goddamn hard.”

  Her sexy whimper almost brings me to my knees. I love it when she reveals how much she wants me. Her skin is flushed with passion. Her breaths are coming out as short pants and when I curl my hand arou
nd her left breast and abrade the peak with my thumb, she arches her back, pushing her sweet derriere into my groin.

  I place the flared tip of my cock at her entrance and sink slowly into her warmth. Wet and tight, her pussy walls hug the length of my shaft like nothing I’ve ever felt with any other woman.

  “Fuck. You feel so good,” I murmur into her shoulder blade as I try to hang onto my sanity. She shimmies under me, causing my balls to draw up and I’m ready to go off like a virgin with his first woman.

  “Stop moving!” I still her hips, struggling for the control that is always in short supply with her.

  “Sean, what are you waiting for?” she huffs adorably.

  “Don’t move or it’ll be over too soon,” I warn her and move my hand to her other breast, flicking her sensitive nipple with my finger.

  She moans and tries to push back into me, but I easily hold her immobile. Kissing from the elegant slope of her shoulder to her neck, I croon into her ears, “I need to hear the words, angel. Tell me again.”

  From the way she stiffens, I know she doesn’t need me to clarify. I know I have no right to ask, but I don’t care. I continue to seduce her with my body and words, desperate to hear those three words from her. To bind her irrevocably to me. I swivel my hips from side to side, drawing out a long, low moan from her. Licking the patch of skin right behind her ear, I cajole, “Tell me, Maggie. I need to hear it.”

  She drops her head over her fisted hands and sobs softly, “I love you.”

  I close my eyes as the words wash over me, cleansing me with her goodness. “Again, angel. Please.”

  “I love you,” she says more clearly, waits a beat and then whispers, “I love you, Sean.”

  Her declaration demolishes my control. I wish I could say I tried to be gentle, but the truth is my brain shuts down and I pound her hard until I feel her feminine muscles flutter around me. The clenching of her pussy signals the end for my poor cock. I throw my head back and let loose all of my passion. Her scream mixes with my hoarse shout and we sound like a couple of wild animals mating. Which isn’t that far from the truth because I feel pretty damn primitive when I come deep inside her.