For Her Protection: An Alpha Romance (10 page)

He raised his face and swirled his fingers in her. “Don’t come yet.”

She grasped the back of his head but his short hair provided little to grip as she urged him down.

“I have to,” she screamed.

He rose above her, grabbed the back of her knee and flipped her over. Her stomach hit the covers and her knees were knocked apart, her hips drawn back. He palmed her bottom, squeezed her cheeks then pressed one still-wet finger against her rear entrance. She jerked, clenched her cheeks and gasped. Her thigh muscles twitched, desperation shaking every cell. He circled her ass with his damp finger.

“Who’s in charge, Charlie?”

She panted and squirmed against his touch, both longing for and dreading what he’d do next. He pulsed his finger against her but did not enter. A taboo threat, a subtle promise of a different kind of pleasure—deeper control.

“Who—tell me who.”

His other hand delved under her and stroked her clit, pushing her to the sweet edge.

“You, Connor, you’re in charge,” she gasped.

He smacked her pussy softly. “And when will you come?”

“When you tell me to,” she groaned.

He leaned away from her but she stayed still, pressed her bottom back wantonly.

“Protection, baby?”

“The drawer,” she whispered and waited.

The drawer creaked open and he pulled out the box of condoms. The freaking unopened box she’d never had the chance to use. But as with every task he tackled, Connor worked efficiently and the wrapper tore before she had to worry about the wait.

His legs brushed the back of her thighs and she tilted her ass back against him. The head of his cock ran along her slit, up and over, nudging her and moving on.

“Is this what you want, baby? Say you want me inside you.”

“I want you in me, Connor.” She dropped her head onto her forearms and prayed she didn’t sound as desperate to him as she did in her own ears.

He growled softly and turned her again, this time onto her back. She barely had a chance to blink and he was there—pushing his way into her.

She gave a half-shout. He drove in hard, planted himself to his base then maneuvered her thighs. Her pussy spasmed around him, pleasure tinged with a burn. She’d known he was big, measured his thickness in her palm, between her lips—but this, him stretching her open, filling her so fully she barely dared to breathe—the strength of these sensations were something she couldn’t have expected.

He stayed still, must have known she needed a chance to adjust to his intrusion. Pressure filled her abdomen, made her roll her hips. He touched every corner of her with his girth.

“Now, baby. Now you can come—with me in you.”

He withdrew, purposefully but with restraint, then surged back in. Her muscles tightened, she was so ready and his cock felt as if it was made to rock against her G-spot.

Moisture flooded her and when he pulled out, he slid with ease. He went from restrained to unleashed, grasping her hips and tilting her center to him, pumping into her. She reached out and touched his abs, glorified in the ridged nuances flexing with each thrust. He scooped up her hands and pushed them over her head, driving into her savagely. She lay stretched out beneath him—could do nothing but surrender—give in completely. Let him fuck every thought out of her head, fuck every morsel of tension into a ball of electric energy that centered in her vagina.

The grip on her wrists shifted and he grasped her jaw, covered her mouth with his and kissed her. His tongue stroked her mouth, filled it in the same delicious rhythm. He consumed her, from fingertips to toes. No escape. Kissing him, fucking him, breathing him in, and tasting him. Her vision splintered, her limbs twisted, an orgasm crashed over her. Pleasure exploded in waves, shook her in its thunderous fist.

She moaned into his mouth, shuddered and convulsed. He ate her cries with his lips as if he could taste the flavor of her ecstasy. He took her harder, faster. Pumped into her until new tension buzzed through her core. He reached between them and touched her clit, forcing that tension into a sweeter sensation.

The world narrowed, everything else slipping from importance. Nothing mattered except the energy between them. His gaze on her. He stroked her clit, using firm, quick strokes, matching the tempo of his cock. Another orgasm gripped her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and sank her teeth into his shoulder.

She shook and tasted the scent of soap on his body mingled with the tang of sweat. He groaned and pushed home, his cock butted her tender cervix as he came. He collapsed on top of her, his hips still rocking, wringing every last ounce of pleasure from her.

Finally he stilled but remained inside her. He rolled them onto their side and pulled her thigh over his hip to hold her close. He breathed into her hair, arms wrapped around her, stroked her from shoulder to hip. Tenderness wormed its way inside her chest, made her believe life had just changed. He hadn’t lied.

She was his.

Connor rubbed his cheek against the silkiness of her hair. He could live to be a thousand and he would always remember the feel of it against his skin—the soft, feminine scent. Like something he could eat—a cupcake…
vanilla frosting
.

Charlie curled into him, stroking her fingertips over his collarbone. He knew why. She couldn’t stop touching him just as he couldn’t stop touching her.

Taking her hadn’t quelled his desire for her, only hooked him on her sensuous brand of love.

This created a problem. Because now sex wasn’t enough. He wanted all of her—every single stubborn, sexy bit. Yeah, he wanted to fuck her in the worst way, in every place a woman could be fucked. No barriers, no limits, he’d take everything. But worse he wanted her close—only a breath away from him. Not to protect her, but because he craved her presence, because now something deeper tethered him to her.

She snuggled closer and her soft breast grazed his chest. He ignored the way his cock, still buried in her, stirred. Having her again so soon would only hurt her. He smiled into her hair.

He’d give her a few hours.

Charlie lifted her head and gazed at him. Her eyes hit him like they did that first time, warm and golden, but this time they were truly open.

He smiled and touched her chin dimple with his thumb. She smiled back, a fucking sweet smile that winded him. She looked as if she’d lost five years…so damn young and pretty.

But then he knew this would happen, knew she’d be sugar underneath all her resistance. And that hidden sweetness had turned the dirtiest fucking of his life into the most intimate.

“I’ve been wondering…,” she said, her smile twisting mischievously. “What would you have done if I’d demanded to be in control?”

Connor raised a brow but couldn’t help mirroring her grin. “I’d have let you think you were.”

“So you’d have done whatever I said?” She trailed her fingers over his shoulder and tilted her face, looking up at him from under lowered lashes.

He caught her hand and brought her fingers to his lips, nipping the tip of one. “Did it look like I have a problem eating pussy?”

Charlie tugged her hand away and slapped his arm gently. “Is that as creative as you think I am?”

Connor chuckled and shrugged. Fuck no, but teasing her was too fun to resist.

She looked at him all big eyed and innocent. “How do you know I wouldn’t have rimmed your ass?”

Connor’s jaw slacked. The cheeky little minx. Like hell she’d touch his ass but if that’s how she wanted to play it…

He grabbed the thigh still tucked over his hip and rolled onto her. His cock had been hard again before he’d rolled them, now there was no suppressing his renewed hunger. He slid his hand between their joined bodies and cupped her ass. Her sweet, round ass.

“Did you like that, baby? Is that what you want—more ass play?”

He looked down at her. Her mouth opened slightly, wild strands of hair escaped her braid, her cheeks red, her eyes wide. Something in her expression stopped him. Not the hint of embarrassment but rather the way her features softened.

He swallowed, sensing something that hadn’t been there before. A hint of vulnerability that told him they weren’t playing anymore.

Their first time had been like a dare—this was real. Just him and her, nothing else. And it fucking took him apart. He couldn’t help kissing those lips, breathing in her sweet breath.

He kissed her gently, touched her cheeks, her hair, felt the pulse in her neck with his stroking thumb. He pushed into her, held her close, whispered things he barely understood. Not fucking, he finally understood what it really meant to make love. When she came, she looked like a fucking angel. He soaked in her beauty, her joy, and it pushed him to the edge.

And sent him freefalling.

She took her
time in the shower, ran her hands over her body. Her flesh felt different. Reddened patches dotted her skin. Connor’s stubble had left his brand on her. Charlie slipped a soapy hand between her legs and sucked in a hissing breath. Her privates were deliciously tender.

Satisfyingly sore.

Not that the soreness would stop her if he walked in and took her against the shower wall. She tilted back her face and let the warm water cascade over her skin. He hadn’t joined her. Maybe he thought she’d had enough. He’d asked after that second time if she was okay. If he’d hurt her.

Odd since he’d been so tender. So tender she could barely look at him afterwards. Her skin warmed from more than hot water. How would she face him?

She was naked to him now…

They should have stopped after that first time. Now it was too late. She’d never have enough. She’d be like a kid, gorging herself on candy until she spewed. Because no matter how yummy, too much of a good thing was bad for you.

And Connor was the worst, most addictive, and most hazardous kind of treat.

She finished her shower and dressed in a work skirt and blouse, then found Connor in the kitchen. The sight of him freshened up, stark white shirt hugging muscles she could still feel above her, made her want to run back to her room. But she swallowed, stepped forward and slipped into cooler, more collected headspace.

“You ready to get to work?”

Connor leaned against her counter, one leg crossed over the other. “If you’re up for it.”

His gaze wracked over her and this time she knew he pictured everything he’s seen underneath her clothes. Her chest unclenched under a flood of warmth. Today hadn’t been a onetime thing—he planned on more.

He looked at her as if it was all he could do to hold himself back from going for round three. She’d never felt as sexy as she did when she walked into a space and he looked at her.

She’d never been so afraid to be wrong about someone.

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Thought you might need to recover.” His lip curled a little, a hint of smug under his usually stoic façade.

“Oh, honey.” She smiled broadly, and stepped a little closer. “If two rounds is too much for you, next time I’ll take it easy on you.”

He reached out and grabbed her hips, his nostrils flaring. “Would you like me to show you how much I can take?”

She pressed her palm flat on his chest. His heart thumped under her hand.
How much he could take
. Her body reacted—her pulse tripled.

He was easy to rile, and easier to dare.

And the results were so freaking exciting.

“What I’d like you to do is get me to work before everyone notices I’m gone.” She patted him, and bat her eyes softly.

His chest rose and fell. His fingers tightened on her hips.

Did he really want her as much as he acted like he did?

He chuckled softly. “We better get going then, your wantonness has cost you the morning.”

“My wantonness?”

She stepped back as he moved around her for his keys with a look that suggested she’d reacted to his statement exactly as he’d wanted her to. Bastard loved riling her up just as much. She grabbed her handbag and jacket and followed him out his car.

Pity she loved letting him.

They arrived at the Halifax building.

“We’ll go in the rear exit.” Connor locked his car.

Charlie nodded. As much as she didn’t enjoy hiding, she enjoyed getting things thrown at her less.

An engine roared behind them. Conner yanked her back, shoving her behind him. Her back slammed into his car door. A black sports car swung into a parking spot across from them.

“It’s okay. He just drove in a little fast.” She stroked Connor’s shoulder, her mind flashing to that first day when he’d caught the front of a car to save her like a superhero. This time it wasn’t just gratitude and awe her chest flooded with, but something that made her want to wrap her arms around him and hold on tight.

Something that made her want to cry.

Because right then, reminded how he’d risked himself to save her, she saw just how dangerous it was to fool around with one’s bodyguard.

How easily protectiveness could be mistaken for
affection
.

He stepped aside, and took her arm, his whole body still on edge.

How easily duty could be mistaken for
care
.

She needed to be careful with him. Her lungs went tight. There was nothing she could tell herself that could convince her it wasn’t already too late for that.

He led her across the car park. The door of the offending vehicle opened. Connor’s free hand ducked out, and caught the back of a collar.

He slammed the driver against the car.

The stricken face of Neil, Production Manager and Halifax board member, stared at them.

“What’s going on?” His hands flew up.

“You could have run her down—“

“It’s okay.” She grabbed Connor’s arm, and eased it down. “Neil this is Connor Crowe, he’s in charge of my personal security, and he was right, that was no way to drive into a parking lot.”

Connor may have released Neil, but he remained in front of him, intimidating as hell, probably sending the usually harmless guy she knew into near cardiac arrest.

“I’m sorry.” Neil focused on her. “I wasn’t carful. It won’t happen again.”

“I hope not.” She studied the father of two, who she’d known since he began here, ten years ago. She’d been to his wedding and his kid’s baptisms. Her gaze flicked to the door still open next to them.

What happened to the SUV he usually drove?

“You have a new car?”

Neil gaze flicked to the car and he slid sideways, then shut the door. “Yeah, got it last week.”

Charlie watched him. “It looks really nice.”

“Thanks.” His movements slowed. The headlights flashed and he moved from the car. “Sorry about everything, but I’m running late for a meeting.”

Charlie kept her frown in check. “See you later.”

He nodded, gaze avoiding Connor entirely.

Neil walked briskly towards the building.

“Can I ask you something?” She turned to Connor, who stared after Neil. “I don’t much about cars, would you say this one is expensive?”

Connor looked at the sleek black vehicle. “It’s an Audi and yes, it’s expensive.”

“Too expensive for a guy on 180k with a mortgage and two kids in private school?” Her voice went tight. Last year when she’d suggested cutting executive bonuses, when she’d volunteered to forgo her own entirely, Neil stood up and said he relied on the bonus to pay for his kid’s education. That he’d have to pull his children out of their school if he didn’t get his full bonus.

The vote went against cutting bonuses.

“Depends on the house. Depends on the school.” Connor’s voice went as low as hers. “But, yes, I’d say so.”

Suspicions gathered cold and heavy inside her.

Connor turned to her, and his narrowed gaze fixed on her. He’d been a detective once after all. Her back straightened. She pulled in her thoughts. She’d let on too much already.

If there was a thread of accuracy to anything she was thinking then this was the reason someone would want to have her spied on under the guise of protection.

Her stomach churned.

She’d so wanted to trust him.

“You’ll have to wait out here, Conan.” Charlie smiled, and inched away from him.

Connor stood from the chair in the waiting room, his eyes flashing. “You really think so do you?”

“You won’t be getting rid of me so easy—or at all.”
His expression repeated.

Charlie glanced down the beauty salon hallway. “Yep, they don’t do Brazilians with an audience.”

He paused, and his gaze froze as if he couldn’t move his eyes down.
Bingo.
“I’ll be waiting right here.”

She would’ve grinned but her system shuddered in excitement.
Did he just gulp?
Did Connor just gulp thinking about her bald and smooth?

“See you in half an hour.” She turned to the hall to where her beautician Jennifer waited.

Jennifer led her past the treatment rooms towards the rear of the salon. “It’s all been organized.”

“I can’t thank you enough, Jen.”

Jennifer opened the door to the kitchen. “Anything for you, Charlie.”

Charlie squeezed Jen’s arm, and slipped into the kitchen.

“Miss Halifax?”

She turned to the man, absurdly out of place in his expensive suit sitting at a beauty salon staff room table. “Mr. Montgomery, thank you so much for meeting me here.”

“Call me Andy.” He stood and shook her hand. “I understand these situations call for discretion.”

Discretion was a nice way of putting it.

“I’m just not sure who I can trust right now.”

He nodded. “Do you have what I asked for?”

“I do.” She opened her oversized handbag and pulled out the package. “Full server backups from last week, six months, and a year ago.”

Right now wasn’t the first time she’d been forced to slip Conner’s attention today.

“Perfect.” Andy took the package. “I want to assure you I’m making this my top priority.”

“Thank you.” She swallowed, and closed her bag. “If I’m right about this, it’s being done extremely carefully. I’ve poured over the books more times than I can count and I’ve never picked up on anything.”

Andy took off his glasses, and ran a hand over his perfectly groomed hair. “I’m a forensic accountant with five years of experience with the FBI. If there’s something to find, I’ll find it.”

“I’m grateful to have you working on this.” She’d discovered Andy Montgomery a year ago when she’d pushed for an independent audit which was not surprisingly, never approved.

“Anyone else know about this, Miss Halifax?” His brow wrinkled above dark eyes.

“Not even my bodyguard out in the waiting room.”

“Good.” He pushed his glasses on again. “You should keep it that way.”

Her ribs went tight. “I will.”

They shook hands and slipped out of the kitchen, where Andy left via the back staff entrance.

“All okay?”

She turned to Jennifer. “It will be after you perform the fastest wax of your career on me.”

Jennifer grinned. “Honey, I have a new wax and aftercare serum that will have your lady garden feeling like it’s had a rejuvenation, not an excavation in ten minutes flat.”

Charlie laughed, and followed her into the treatment room. Whatever got the job done.

Charlie turned in front of the mirror, examining the back of the fitted black gown. Not that she needed a new dress, but she’d used an upcoming Gala Night as an excuse to get to the mall and have her meeting without raising suspicion. Her gaze caught Connor’s in the reflection.

Not this one.

He didn’t have to say anything, but with every dress she’d tried on she learned a little more about him. When she showed a little back, his shoulders would shift.
Good
. If it hugged her ass, then he’d touch his chin.
Freaking excellent.

He might like to think he was master tormentor but he wasn’t quite the un-phased machine he’d like her to believe. He’d proven that every time she’d deliberately brushed against him and he’d jerked a little. She smoothed the dress over the swell of her backside and watched his jaw clench.

Nothing had ever made her feel as sexy as just standing in front of Connor.

Her insides tightened and her lips tingled. She hadn’t meant to tease him. Honestly, she’d spent the day bouncing back and forth between a vacuum of total distrust, and this overwhelming yearning to just have a little faith in this man.

She changed out of the black dress and browsed the store, making a few choices that fell wide of her usual preference of not too fitted. She selected a red number with a split right up the thigh and tried not to grin like a toddler dipping her finger in the honey pot.

In the changing room she locked the door and stroked the red dress, not quite having the nerve to put it on yet. She went with a flowing white dress, which covered her front but left stretches of skin visible on her sides.

Connor sat on a stool in the central dressing room area, elbows resting on denim-clad knees, playing the bored boyfriend part perfectly. She stepped out of the room and stood in front of the mirrored wall. He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. His white T-shirt tightened over his shoulders.

“What do you think?”

She turned and glanced back at him over her shoulder. He lowered his chin. His gaze devoured her from the ankles up, leaving a path of heat on her skin as it moved over her. He cleared his throat but shot a look at the shop assistant moving through the nearby aisle.