by Em Petrova
“It’s okay, isn’t it, Ranger? You can lay here for a little while.”
“He shouldn’t be allowed to think this is his bed. You don’t have to put up with watching a dog and then sleeping with him.”
Lennon’s words… sleeping with… had their gazes locking once more. That initial attraction she’d felt at the honkytonk bar, the date at the Italian restaurant and then when she’d danced in his arms at her ex’s wedding reception hadn’t lessened one bit. Her body was still screaming out for him to place his callused hands on her.
She dropped her gaze to his chest, but that only had her thinking of pressing him down on the bed and straddling him.
She bit back a groan and lifted her gaze to his once more. “I’ll make sure to close my door so Ranger can’t come in.”
Suddenly, Lennon went still. His throat worked a moment before he spoke. “Edie, whatever trouble you’re in, I’ll do anything I can to help you.”
“Like I said, it’s just a streak of bad luck. I’ll be on my feet in no time.” Or out of hiding.
She had to find out what she could. Maybe he wouldn’t mind her using his computer while he was out of the house. She’d have to ask.
“Well, until then, mi casa es su casa. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. I’m pretty sure I’ve got steaks in the fridge that are still good. What do you say? I know you’re not vegan—I saw you eat prime rib at the wedding.”
She grinned. “I’m not vegan, and steak sounds delicious. I’ll just make the bed and then come help you.”
He reached out and caught her fingers in his hold again, pressing them lightly before letting go. After he left the room, Ranger got up to follow, leaving her to unpackage the bedding and make the bed. She was too short to reach the curtain rods without a chair, so that would have to wait. She stood back to examine her new space.
She didn’t want to be here, not really. But if she had to be on the lam, at least she felt comfortable with Lennon. She had to admit, everything had fallen into place for her. The muscled man, the watchdog, a security system installed in his home and even the remote residential street where he lived gave Edie the ability to draw a deep breath again, something she hadn’t since the senator’s speech the other day.
She was okay here for now.
The dog’s toenails clacked on the hardwood as he entered the room again. When she sat on the edge of the bed to lure him near, he took it one step further by bounding up on the mattress with her.
The scent of grilling meat wafted to her through some open kitchen window, and her stomach growled. Ranger looked at her.
“I promise I’ll give you my scraps, boy. Okay?” She rubbed his side, and he flipped onto his back to present his belly. She laughed. “We’re going to get along fine, aren’t we?”
She had no worries about the dog. It was living in such close proximity to Lennon that had her all tangled up… and a little too warm… for her peace of mind.
Chapter Five
A glance through the kitchen door showed no sign of Edie, and Lennon pulled out his phone. As soon as Sully answered, Lennon got straight to the point.
“I need the all surveillance cameras on the following two streets wiped.” He named them.
“What the hell did you do?” Sully asked at once.
“Just tell me you’ll handle it.”
“Jesus. Are you undercover or something too now?”
He threw a look toward the kitchen, but the coast was still clear, Edie was in her room probably putting the bed together. “Look, something came up and I had to get a person out. I’m not sure of any details yet—I’m still working on that. But I don’t want any footage of those streets to be searched.”
“You don’t want anybody knowing who got her out,” Sully said.
“Who said it was a her?”
“Dude, it’s always a woman.” Amusement tinged his leader’s tone. “All right, I’ll call in on a favor one of the techies owes me. Consider it done.”
“Good. And something else, Sully.”
“What is it?”
Lennon picked up the tongs and flipped the steaks. “I’d like to hire a bodyguard. Who do you know?”
“Penn,” he said without hesitation.
Lennon issued a quick breath. “I never thought of your brother, but yeah. I’d trust him with my life.” Penn Sullivan had joined them on one of the Ranger Ops’ very first missions, and he’d fit right into the brotherhood. He couldn’t ask for better than the man who did this sort of thing for a living.
“I’ll send him your way, all right? But in return, you tell me what the fuck’s going on.” Sully’s tone brooked no argument.
“I don’t have anything to hide from you, man. Don’t get your panties in a twist.”
“Asshole.” He chuckled. “I’ll take care of this. You take care of… whatever it is you’ve got going on. Call if you need me, Lennon.”
He quickly ended the call and checked on the steaks again. His mind was far from food and on one beautiful little blonde in his guest bedroom at this very moment. She hadn’t said a word about her troubles, but he’d bet his sidearm that she hadn’t been evicted—she just needed to bug out of her apartment because she was now a target, just like the senator.
In order to really protect her, he’d have to drag the details from her. Putting her at his house with a bodyguard behind the scenes wasn’t enough if he didn’t know what he was up against.
How to get her to talk, though? If only she’d let him get to know her better all the times before this. Dammit, frustrated wasn’t even coming close to what he was feeling right now.
The back door creaked open, and he glanced up with a smile. She stood there, looking unsure, her teeth clamped on her lower lip and the dog at her side.
“He already claimed you,” Lennon said.
She looked down at the dog and rubbed his ear. Ranger leaned into her hand.
Was it possible to melt at a woman’s affection for his dog? If so, he just did it. His chest felt too tight—and his jeans as well after getting a good healthy look at her round curves in jeans and a simple top. Her hair waved at the ends, brushing her collarbones.
He wanted to skim her warm flesh with his lips, his tongue…
“Get settled?” he asked to break the silence.
She nodded. “The bedding is actually quite pretty. But I see why it isn’t your thing.”
“Yeah, Momma is very giving. Can I get you a drink? Some sweet tea?”
“I’d love some tea.”
She followed him back into the kitchen, where he poured two tall glasses. He turned to her. When she accepted the glass, he lifted his forefinger and trapped hers against the glass.
Her gaze shot to his.
“Thank you for taking on my dog.” He let her go.
She moved to lean against the counter opposite him. A few steps and he could have her in his hold, lips over hers, lifting her to the surface to peel away her clothes.
This was going to be one hell of a challenge. Having a beautiful, sexy woman in his home was hard enough, but one who knotted him up this bad would take a feat of willpower.
He would have to turn to exercise to get out his frustrations—either that or become a teenaged boy again, locked up in the bathroom for hours at a time while images of her sweet mouth played through his mind.
He covered his groan with a sip of tea.
“I’m glad Ranger likes me. I wouldn’t make a very good dog sitter if he doesn’t. When do you work?” she asked.
He lifted a shoulder and let it fall. “They call when they need me. There’s no set time, which is my problem. I sort of need somebody at my beck and call. The last girl did great for a while, but she was finding she had very little personal life if she had to check on Ranger several times a day.”
“That won’t be a problem for me,” she said at once.
He examined her closer. Part of his training was to note when people were nervous or afraid. He’d seen
his share of hostages who’d been told to pretend all was well, and he didn’t like how close Edie came to this.
He set aside his glass. “I’d better check the steaks. Would you mind getting out some place settings?”
“Sure.”
“Just rummage around the cupboards till you find what you need. Then you’ll know your way around the kitchen.”
He walked out back again, and Ranger followed. As he removed the steaks from the grill and placed them on a platter, he tried to figure out how the hell to break Edie—to get her to spill to him. Only time and trust would do it, but they didn’t have time to build trust.
He only hoped shielding her and getting Penn on her six would be enough to protect her from the truth he feared.
* * * * *
Edie’s nerves were kicked into high gear. She prided herself on being a confident woman who handled herself, but she had never felt so… lost.
So far, Lennon had been great. He was giving her space and not prying, though she was aware of how odd this entire situation was. She probably could have gone about laying low in a dozen different ways, but Lennon’s offer had given her a quick out.
Out of her apartment.
Out of her life.
Now she was outside of town staying with a man nobody would ever link her to, except maybe Hallie.
And all Edie’s reasons for denying this man’s advances before now seemed stupid and trivial. Yet he’d kept coming at her with sweet or silly texts. His interest was genuine, and she’d spent weeks denying her own for him.
She shot him a look from beneath her lashes. The darkened living room sent shadows over his rugged features, and his five o’clock shadow tormented her.
Seated at the other end of the sofa, he turned his head to look at her. The colors from the TV screen played over his face, but she saw the light in his eyes.
Very slowly, as if trying not to frighten her, he got up and moved closer on the sofa. When he reached for her face, she let her eyes slip closed. What was the point in fighting her attraction? She might be dead by morning if the group targeting her father found her.
No, she couldn’t continue making bad decisions and place Lennon in danger too.
She opened her eyes. “Lennon, it’s not a good idea for us…”
His big hand cradled her cheek and jaw. A feeling of overwhelming tenderness washed through her.
Without a word, he scooted even closer, closing the gap between them. As he leaned in and crushed his lips over hers, she let out a gasp of desire.
It was as if they were still standing on that creek bank, tearing at each other’s clothes. She wanted him just as bad as that moment without any warmup at all.
She moved into the kiss. He angled her head to deepen it, and she parted her lips. The swipe of his tongue over hers made her moan.
He grabbed her by one hip and yanked her across his lap to straddle him. His bulge was unmistakable, and her panties flooded. Need clashed like waves against a rocky cliff.
“Lennon, we…”
“Can’t, I know. Shouldn’t, for sure. But I don’t play by the rules. I thought you didn’t either.” He drew back to look into her eyes.
His masculine scent and the taste of him rushed over her. She lifted her hands to his angled jaw and leaned in again.
“I don’t.” She did anything to get her story. Was doing anything to feel good much different? Lennon was offering her all the pleasure she could handle.
She ground down on his erection, and he groaned. His fingers worked under her hair, and she loved the tugging of the strands. It made her feel…
Alive.
She ran her hands down his broad shoulders to his hard pecs. God, what did he do for a living? Government agency, her ass. He had the body of a soldier, professional athlete or maybe a construction worker. And she was determined to feel every single inch.
Her fingertips trailed over his washboard abs, each ridge igniting her further.
He kneaded her waist and then moved upward to brush his knuckles over the sides of her breasts. A shiver ran through her.
“God, I’ve wanted you for weeks, baby.” His growled words spiked her need even more.
“I didn’t call you back, because I was afraid I’d throw myself at you,” she said between kisses. It was a truth she hadn’t dared to let her mind touch on before now.
He nibbled down her chin to her throat. She tipped her head back, and he cradled her head in his hands as he sucked and kissed a blazing path over her skin to her breasts.
She cried out as he closed his fingers around one nipple through her bra even as he dipped his tongue into her cleavage.
“If you want to stop, it has to be now,” he grated out.
She drew her head up to look at him. “I want you, Lennon.”
He made a sound in his throat and lifted her at the same time he stood. She wrapped her arms around his neck and her thighs around his strong hips. He went still for a moment, gazing into her eyes. “You’re sure, Edie? This complicates things.”
“Don’t worry—I’ll still walk your dog.” She found a genuine smile spreading over her face.
He started toward his bedroom. She clung to him and buried her lips against his neck, running her tongue up to his ear. He tasted of salt and man, a heady combination.
When he nudged open his door, Ranger tried to follow, but he kicked the dog out and lay Edie on his bed.
“Poor Ranger,” she said breathlessly as he hovered over her, elbows holding his weight.
“Poor Edie. I bet you’re aching for me to touch you here.” He cupped her breast and swiped his thumb over her crested nipple. She moaned. “And here.” He moved his hand down along her ribs, up under her top. His heavy, warm touch made her suck in a sharp breath. “And here.” He moved his palm downward, over her mound and between her thighs.
He looked into her eyes as he applied pressure with his palm to her pussy. Even through her jeans it was driving her insane.
She shuddered with delight and clamped her fingers onto his shoulders. “I want all of it.”
“Good.” He did an erotic push-up, chest brushing her breasts, thighs trapping hers and his arousal grinding into the seam of her jeans. Then he began to kiss her again, with long passes of his tongue as he slowly and methodically stripped her.
Her top went first and next her bra. Her breasts seemed made for his hands—he cradled them and teased them for long minutes before finally lowering his lips to take one nipple into his mouth.
She clutched at his spine and lost herself to sensation. Nothing mattered right now but being with Lennon. Giving herself up to him felt like the only good decision she’d made lately.
When his warm, wet tongue circled her hard nipple, she cried out. He sucked with soft pulls of his mouth, his stare holding her in place. When he grazed her straining bud with his teeth, she cried out again. “More!”
He moved to the other breast, teasing it with flicks of his tongue. Just when she thought she’d die if he didn’t suck on her nipple, he clamped down on it and did just that.
She threw her head back, lost to sensation. She barely remembered her working his shirt over his head, but suddenly she was touching all that hard muscle she’d only felt under clothes before now.
“I have to look at you,” she bit off.
A crooked smile captured his lips, and he pushed back off the bed to stand at the edge. She sat up and moved close to him, eyes fixed on his torso. When she brushed her fingers over the chiseled muscles, she let out a sigh.
“How did you get such a body?”
“Hard work.” His eyes were lidded as he watched her explore each ripple of muscle to his waist.
She unbuttoned his jeans, and he froze, hardly even drawing breath. As she lowered his zipper, she looked up into his eyes. They were two hazel flames burning down at her, and she was already on fire for him. That look built an inferno of need inside her.
“Stop,” he said tightly.
She
blinked at the command.
“I’m not ready yet. I want to taste you first.”
* * * * *
Lennon’s grip on his control was like hanging by the fingertips on a ledge, about to plunge a thousand feet. Edie’s fingers brushing over his fly nearly had him at his snapping point. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
Get a grip—now.
He held her face in one palm as he started from the top by kissing her again. Damn, he didn’t want to stop. She gave back nibble for nibble, swipe for swipe, and he couldn’t get close enough to her.
He lowered her to the bed again and scooted her up to the pillows. Looking down at her beautiful face on his pillow was a moment that… well, he couldn’t explain why his throat was suddenly tight.
“I need you, Lennon.” Her soft plea edged deeper into his mind, flicking one more of his fingertips off that ledge.
With a growl, he claimed one nipple and then the other, moving back and forth until each peak was rosy red. He went for her jeans. In seconds he had her fly open and the moment he teased his fingers under the elastic of her panties, his heart started to beat out of rhythm.
Past the bare velvety skin of her mound and traveling over her seam, slick with her juices.
“You’re so fucking hot and wet,” he ground out.
She arched her back and rocked into his touch.
He was a goner.
In a blink, he stripped her bare. Jeans and panties in a wad on the floor and his hands locked onto the fullest part of her hips. He looked from her eyes down her beautiful body to the gorgeous feast before him.
His breaths came faster as he caught the scent of her arousal. Gently, he parted her thighs. She did the rest by pulling her knees up, exposing the slick folds of her pussy.
“You’re just begging for my tongue, baby.”
“Lennon!”
He went for her inner thigh first. She cried out as he sucked on the smooth flesh there, tracing a path up to the place she wanted his mouth most. But he wasn’t ready to give her what she wanted quite yet.
Her stomach dipped on a gasp of air. He kissed down her thigh and back up. She latched her hand onto the back of his head, but he wouldn’t be guided. Not yet.
