Out of the Light, Into the Shadows

by Lori Foster

  She held his head to her and without meaning to, begged for more. “Brax, please.”

  He moved to her other breast and at the same time, rested one big hand on her belly.

  Somehow, it was enough.

  The stimulation of her nipples spread out everywhere, pooled between her thighs, and she started coming.

  Still feasting on her, Brax moaned against her breast, and that was a keenly pleasurable sensation, too.

  When the orgasm abated, Cameo lay there stunned, unable to comprehend how or why it had happened—unless he’d lied to her and manipulated her by other means.

  “You are amazing,” he told her. He sat up again, his chest billowing with his breaths as he stroked her body. “Perfectly amazing.”

  She swallowed hard. “Did you … ?”

  “No. I swear.” His gaze sought hers. “Did you want me to?”

  “No.” She licked her bottom lip. “I just … I don’t understand.”

  “You’re incredible.” As if it were nothing at all, he slipped two fingers between her legs and tested her wetness. “Damn, Cameo.”

  Electricity shot through her again. “No, wait.” The sensations were too sharp, almost painful. “I need a minute.”

  “Sorry.” He started leaning down, and in a growl said, “Can’t.”

  He kissed her belly again, pressed both fingers into her, stretching her, filling her. The incredible stimulation froze them both.

  Urgent now, Brax caught her hips and turned her so that he had better access to her. He parted her sex, licked her deeply, and then closed his mouth over her. He made a sound of sublime pleasure, and that proved enough to send Cameo reeling.

  “Brax!” She arched up as another climax spiraled through her, but this time when it ended, he didn’t stop. She cried out, tried to ease away from him and the too-intense feelings on her already sensitive flesh.

  He didn’t allow it.

  His sharp teeth nipped, his rough tongue lathed, and far too soon, discomfort changed to the most blinding gratification. She was almost there again when Brax jerked away from her.

  Through a haze of lust, Cameo watched as he ripped his shirt off and shoved down his pants and boxers.

  Eyes widening, she rose to her elbows. He was … well, bigger than she’d imagined.

  He found a condom in the nightstand drawer and rolled it on with experienced ease.

  “Um, Brax …”

  He spared her a quick glance. “It’ll be fine, Cameo. I promise.”

  “I should have guessed,” she said nervously while still eyeing his erection. “I mean, you’re so blasted big everywhere.”

  He made a choking sound. “I know you’re far from experienced, but you’ll take me, honey. Trust me.”

  Her heartbeat hurt inside her chest. Her skin tingled. Her body ached.

  Trust was there, as was love so bright, it outshone her misgivings and nervousness.

  She opened her arms to Brax, and he came back to her in raging urgency.

  His thick, muscled thighs opened her legs even more. His weight bore her into the mattress. She felt the head of his erection at her opening, prodding, and then Brax kissed her so deeply that she couldn’t think. Heat infused her, surrounded her. She smelled Brax’s wonderful scent, tasted the heat of his mouth, felt the sleekness of his muscles under her palms.

  Behind her closed eyelids, lights exploded—and then he pressed into her with one solid thrust.

  The shock on her body had her arching hard. Her shout of mingling discomfort and carnal satisfaction was muffled by the thrusting of his tongue, his deep, hot kiss.

  He kept still, letting her get used to the size and girth of him while pinning her down, claiming her. And all the while he continued to kiss her, to touch and stroke her body. Her muscles clenched involuntarily and he moaned, shuddered.

  Wanting to accept him, to ease him, Cameo slowly lifted her legs around his lean waist and locked her ankles.

  He cupped her face, kissed her some more before lifting up to look at her. His bright gaze searched her face. “You’re alright?”

  Cameo stroked his midnight hair and loved him so much it hurt. “I’m filled with you. I’m better than all right.”

  The gold of his eyes smoldered. “I need you so bad it’s killing me. I can’t be easy. I’m sorry.”

  Cameo smiled at him. “I’m ready.” And she was. As overblown as it seemed, she wanted him. Again. Maybe she always would, with or without his influence.

  “I could make it easier on you.”

  “No. This is ours, Brax. It has to be real.”

  He closed his eyes on an internal battle and lost. Taking her mouth again, he began driving into her. The maelstrom shocked her and drove her toward release. He kissed her throat, her shoulder, and just as he came he reared back and slammed into her, growling out his release.

  The near-violent upheaval left Cameo panting. He hadn’t hurt her at all, but never in her life had she imagined sex to be so all-consuming, so wild, so feverish.

  Still on straightened arms over her, Brax said, “That’s a start.”

  A start?

  He pulled out and stood by the side of the bed. “Turn over.”

  Cameo blinked. Her skin still tingled, her nerve endings all buzzing, her mind nearly numb. “Surely you aren’t …”

  “Done? Not even close.” He got out another condom, changed up, and then caught her hips to flip her over. “Up on your knees, baby.”

  She was too speechless to reply or to protest when he pulled her up himself. His big hand smoothed over her derriere with appreciation.

  “Beautiful.” This time he sank in easier, slow and deep.

  The hair on his chest brushed her back. His hands dipped under her, one to ply her nipples, the other stroking her sex. Her clitoris was still swollen, and he very gently touched a fingertip to it.

  Cameo moaned. How she could still respond, she didn’t know, but Brax knew what to do to get her with him again.

  When he donned a third condom, she didn’t even bother protesting. Of course, she was so sluggish, so drained, that speech would have been a bother. Not that he seemed affected by any of it.

  He pulled her atop him and then helped her sit up on his abdomen, letting her lean back on his knees. His hands on her breasts, lightly rolling her sensitive nipples, he ordered, “Lift up, honey, so I can get inside you.”

  Whimpering at the thought of another explosive climax, Cameo closed her eyes and slowly elevated herself.

  Brax positioned his erection, waited until she opened her eyes and looked at him, then said gently, “Sit down.”

  Her eyes closed again as she slowly sank onto him.

  He held her hips, helping her, urging her. “It’s deepest this way, Cameo.” His hands clenched a little, betraying his need. “All the way down, honey. Do it.” His breath caught as she settled onto him.

  She groaned and collapsed back against his bent legs.

  “That’s it.” His voice was gruff, uneven. “Just relax and let me enjoy you.”

  Relax? She was on fire again, her every nerve ending sparking from erotic stimulus. Words were beyond her; she could only moan and pant and do as he asked, trust in what he needed and wanted.

  This time Brax did everything, and as usual, though she remained mostly lax and exhausted, he brought her with him to another ripping release.

  Already half-asleep, Cameo barely noticed as Brax moved her to his side on the rumpled sheets, smoothed back her hair, and pulled the bedcovers over her. She felt his kiss to her forehead, and his smile.

  Seconds later, as the bed dipped and Brax left her, she thought that she should probably say something. But instead, she faded into peaceful, utterly replete oblivion.

  FIVE

  AFTER freshening himself and redressing, Brax found his uncle in the kitchen again, this time at the stove cooking. Amos wore a clean pair of jeans and nothing else. So many scars, old and new, crisscrossed over his shoulders and back.
<
br />   For a man who’d just been badly wounded, he didn’t move with caution. As he scrambled eggs and fried bacon, he showed no signs of discomfort or weakness.

  “That smells good.”

  Amos glanced over his shoulder. “I figured you’d be hungry when you came back downstairs. I cooked plenty.”

  Brax moved to the stove. “What made you think I’d come back down?”

  “I’m here. And you’re curious.” Amos handed over the spatula and moved to the counter to drink some orange juice. “Besides, I can’t picture you napping the day away. No matter what.”

  Brax grinned. “Switched to juice, huh?”

  “The alcohol took the edge off, which is all I needed. I don’t want to blur my judgment.”

  The bacon was almost done, so Brax took down a plate. “Why don’t you sit and let me finish this?”

  Without a word, Amos moved to the table. “The little lady sleeping?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You going to marry her?”

  “We’ll see.” Brax stirred the fluffy eggs. “I don’t want to rush her into anything.”

  Amos snorted. “Like you have a choice? From what I saw, she did all the arm twisting.”

  Brax grinned again. Damn, but he felt good. Great. Cameo was more than he’d ever expected, more than he’d ever hoped for. “You like her?”

  “Depends.”

  Taking the frying pan off the stove, Brax asked, “On what?”

  “On whether you can be with her and keep your perspective.” He propped an elbow on the tabletop. “She seems fine enough, and God knows you’ve got a bad case for her. But if she throws you off your game, then I think you’d be better to end it now, while you can.”

  Brax was already shaking his head. “Too late for that.”

  Amos studied him, then snorted. “I suppose we’d better hope for the best, then, huh?”

  Toast and butter were already on the table, so Brax dished up the eggs and bacon and joined his uncle. It was a little after noon, but he didn’t expect Cameo to show herself again for an hour or more. He’d worn her out—by necessity and design.

  He’d needed her to regain his focus, and he’d wanted her to sleep so he’d have some time to talk with his uncle.

  They each ate a few bites before Brax spoke. “I think she’s the one for me.”

  “I can see it. Reservations already stated.”

  Brax shook his head. “If anything, she calms me so I can better concentrate.”

  “Your uncle Torne felt the same about a woman—until she changed her mind and walked out on him. She couldn’t deal with his duty, and he couldn’t deal without her. Took him years to put himself back together.”

  “You’ve seen him?”

  “Briefly, a few years back. He looks like hell.” Amos considered that, and restated himself. “Like hell with a purpose. He’s a machine, hard-bodied and clear thinking, but without much compassion left. I’m not sure how much longer he can go on like that.”

  A tightness settled into Brax’s chest. He fashioned a cynical smile. “Then I better not let Cameo go, right?”

  Amos shrugged. “For what it’s worth, she doesn’t strike me as the type to turn tail and run when things get rough.”

  “As they always do with Jardine men.” Sooner or later, Cameo would witness the residual effects of his talent. She’d see him cut and bleeding as Amos had just been. She’d see him in a blind rage, intent on destruction.

  She’d see the worst of him.

  “You can’t deny your heritage. Some have tried and failed.” Amos finished off his food. “She’s a tough one, but I’ve learned that with women, you just never know. I suggest you not marry her until you’re damn sure. Marriage complicates the hell out of things. It gets all kinds of legalities involved.”

  Given their lifestyles, the Jardines always shied away from the legal system. Too many questions, too-close observation, was never a good thing.

  “When do we leave?”

  Amos glanced at the clock on the wall. “A couple of hours, I guess. I already got the weapons and tech equipment ready. Now that I’m fed, I figured I’d catch a little sleep, too.”

  Judging by Amos’s haggard appearance, he could use more than a little sleep, but Brax wouldn’t push him. It was a huge concession for Amos to admit he could use his help—and he had Cameo to thank for that. “That’s fine. I have some business to attend anyway.”

  “Wake me at two thirty. I’ll be ready to head out by three.”

  “Sure thing.”

  After pushing back his chair, Amos clapped Brax on the shoulder. “I’m assuming you have a guest room in this palace?”

  Because he was proud of his home, Brax grinned. “I’ll walk you up. I’m heading that way for my office, anyway.” The dishes would wait for later. Normally the housekeeper came in for them, but in anticipation of settling things with Cameo, he’d given her the day off. Same with the gardener and pool guy.

  Since Amos had brought trouble right to his front door, he was doubly glad not to have extra people around. And thinking of extra people, he’d give his sister a call to check in, before she decided to drop by.

  Half an hour later, Brax was at his desk, balmy air drifting in through the hole in his wall, when Cameo appeared in the doorway. He felt her presence before she spoke, and looked up, taking in the voluptuous sight of her.

  She looked like a woman well loved, soft and sleepy and sated.

  Interesting. Brax sat back and laced his hands over his midsection. “Hey.”

  Light-brown hair tumbled in disarray around her shoulders, half hiding her heavy eyes. She’d pulled on her clothes, but they were messy, the blouse untucked, her legs nude beneath her skirt.

  “Hey yourself.” She sauntered in with new sensuality, her bare feet making no sound on the floor. Nodding at the wall, she said, “That has to be fixed, sooner rather than later. It’s a hazard.”

  “Agreed.” Brax tracked her every movement, and was pleased when she came to sit on the edge of his desk.

  He didn’t reach for her.

  She didn’t reach for him.

  Tilting her head, Cameo smiled. “I woke up a little while ago, and I’ve been thinking.”

  A sliver of apprehension pierced his contentment. He kept his expression remote. “About?”

  The corners of her mouth lifted in a sly, sanguine smile. “About the fact that I’m going to continue serving as your personal assistant.”

  Relief eased his taut muscles. Before that moment, he hadn’t realized just how sexy confidence in a woman could be. “Is that so?”

  “It is.” She leaned in a little, deliberately displaying her cleavage for the first time since he’d met her. “I don’t want you hiring another woman who’ll be in my way, and I can’t see you working comfortably with a man.”

  Jealousy? This was about her not wanting another woman around? “I will be faithful to you.”

  “Sure you will.” Her smile turned lazy. “But I’m still going to be your assistant.”

  The phone rang, keeping Brax from saying anything more on the subject. He started to reach for the phone, but Cameo beat him to it.

  As if her position as his number one employee had never been interrupted, she said in a businesslike tone, “Jardine residence. Cameo Smithson speaking.”

  She waited, then smiled at Brax and crossed her legs. “Mercy, how are you?” Nodding, she said, “I see. Well, I hope it gets better. Brax is right here. Did you want to speak to him? Sure thing. You, too.” She handed the phone to Brax with the mouthpiece covered. “I’m going to go shower while you talk to your sister.”

  A tantalizing visual sprang into his mind. He’d love to join her, but his sister waited. Cameo knew he’d never ignore his sister. “Tease,” he complained.

  She kissed his mouth very gently, and then left the room.

  After watching her seductive exit, Brax took a moment to draw in a calming breath. Given how Cameo kick-started his libido w
ith no more than a familial peck, she was definitely the woman for him, the one he wanted around for the long run.

  But as Amos had pointed out, the Jardine males had more considerations than other men. He wanted Cameo to be happy, and until he knew he could give that to her, he wouldn’t cement their relationship legally.

  Putting the phone to his ear, he said, “I was going to call you in just a few minutes. How are you?”

  “Like I told Cameo, I’m tired.”

  To give his sister all his attention, Brax closed the file on his computer. “You’re not getting sick, are you?”

  “I’m getting fat.” Mercedes sighed. “The pregnancy is really starting to show, and not just in my waistline. I am so lethargic, it’s nuts. And to top things off, I think I ate too much this morning and now I feel yucky.”

  Worry brought Brax out of his chair. He strolled to the hole in his wall and looked out at the grounds. “Describe yucky.”

  “It’s nothing, Brax. Just …” A shrug sounded in her tone. “Yucky.”

  “What does Wyatt say?”

  She laughed. “My dear husband doesn’t say anything. He’s in a big meeting today and no way am I interrupting that just to tell him that I’m—”

  “Yucky.” Brax narrowed his eyes at a line of bushes at the back of his property. Had something just moved? “Maybe you should call your doctor.”

  This time Mercy huffed. “You are such a mother hen. I’m sorry I said anything. Seriously, Brax, I am fine.”

  Definitely, something moved. Perhaps an animal—but perhaps not. “What do you have planned today?”

  “Nothing much. I’m staying home to work on some jewelry designs, that’s all. Why?”

  “I don’t want you out driving around, not if you’re not feeling well.”

  “Brax, you’re being ridiculous. I am not incapacitated.”

  “You’re pregnant, and I’m very excited about being an uncle. So please, will you take it easy and call the doctor if you don’t start feeling better?”

  “I will absolutely call the doctor if it’s necessary. I promise.”

  He supposed that’d have to do. Brax thought of his baby sister now married, soon to be a mother, and warmth spread all through him. “I love you, Mercedes.”