Guardian of Her Heart (2 page)

“Don’t worry. They wouldn’t stand a chance against me. I was only concerned about you. I can’t handle the thought of you getting hurt.”

The memory of Mike’s lightning-fast punches and her fear for him caused her tears of angry frustration to overflow. At the touch of Mike’s thumb wiping them from her cheeks, she met his concerned gaze. The heat in his topaz eyes drew a guilty sensation of need from her belly. Did Mike care for her as much as she cared about him?

She’d always been drawn to Mike more than any of the other guys she’d known. He had always been there for her, working on projects with her. Over the years, they’d become close friends. They’d shared the good times and some of the bad times.

He’d held her with such gentleness and protection earlier when she’d been assaulted by Tito. Mike’s strong, protective arms wrapped around her had made her feel safe. She’d felt at home in his embrace. Would he kiss her now? She would love to feel his lips on hers. She wanted to kiss him and know how that felt.

Suddenly, she knew that either their relationship had changed this evening or she’d become aware of the truth. The truth that she wanted Mike so much—since high school, when he’d hung out in a different crowd—that now, she was willing to take a chance on making love with him.

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her fingertips. Did he feel it, too?

Whatever had happened between them to make her aware of this daring on her part? It didn’t matter. She wanted him to kiss her. Now. As he leaned nearer, she tilted her head and offered her parted lips. When he paused, she feared he’d move away. She lifted a hand to pull him closer.

“You have the most lush lips.” He smiled at her, his eyes darkening. “Makes me want to devour them.” He brushed his warm lips over hers so softly, like the touch of a feather.

Her heart skipped a beat. She shivered, and her toes curled. Not even one of the few guys she’d dated over the years had affected her so. No one else had filled her with such need and desire. She wanted to wrap her arms and legs around Mike and crawl on top of him.

Instead, she tasted his upper lip with the tip of her tongue. His kiss turned fierce. His warm lips spread her lips apart. He licked over every surface within and her lips as well. This was a taste of what could happen between them. Lust swelled between her thighs, she felt hot all over, and she moaned with pleasure.

He deepened the kiss. His arms wrapped around her, making her feel wanted, protected, and cherished. She savored his taste mixed with wine. His masculine scent, mingled with the faint trace of citrus, drew her. She gripped his shoulders and moaned. This was where she belonged, in Mike’s arms, kissing him. If only he felt the same way. Did he care for her like she did for him? She’d waited so long.

After the terror of being attacked by the very men she wanted to protect others from, finally sharing a kiss with Mike helped her forget everything but his touch.

His kiss was hot and wet. Thorough. Following his lead, she explored every surface of his mouth. When he broke the kiss, she waited, breathless, her eyes closed, afraid that was all they’d share. But he brushed kisses along her cheek to her ear, fanning the flames of fire and need. His warm breath tickled and sent shivers all over her. She breathed in sharply. She wanted to taste him once more.

He hugged her close. “I could eat you, you’re so sweet,” he whispered.

She chuckled. “I wouldn’t mind.” She pressed a kiss to the side of his face. His skin was hot, his five o’clock shadow rough against her lips. She slipped her arms around his lean waist and imagined him kissing his way between her breasts, taking a nipple into that hot mouth. Heat rose, and she felt wet against her panties.

For years, she’d wanted Mike to look at her as more than a friend. She’d waited patiently, hoping he’d show her she meant more to him.

Tonight, when she could have lost everything, he’d been there for her. Maybe the intense emotions of the evening had brought about this physical need between them. Maybe it was a release of nerves.

Whatever, she didn’t care. She only cared that they were together at last. She wanted him to make love to her before he returned to his lonely place up on the hill. Her long wait was finally to be rewarded, and it felt right, like she’d always known it would.

The fragrance of Italian spices wafted to her from the kitchen. Judging from the time that had passed since they’d settled on the couch, the timer should ring in about half an hour. Would it be enough time to savor Mike’s kisses? She’d take as much of him as she could get, right now, timer be damned.

“Mike.” She nibbled his prickly jaw and brushed her mouth over his, inviting him to kiss her again. He lowered his head and trailed a path of pure temptation down her throat. “Don’t stop, Mike.” Her voice rasped in a shaky whisper.

He groaned, almost a growl, as his strong arms closed tighter around her. His body trembled. His response left her awestruck.

His teeth grazed her throat. With his warm, wet tongue, he licked the depression at the base of her neck and trailed upward. She leaned back, offering him more. He watched her. His eyes burned with an almost feral intensity.

Her own desire increased under his heated gaze. Fascination consumed her as he unbuttoned her cotton blouse and unhooked her bra. He bared her to his gaze. She wanted him to touch her.

“You’re beautiful,” he said, his eyes darker now with desire. He lowered his head.

His firm lips brushed kisses along the valley between her breasts. She held her breath in anticipation of what he would do next. He nuzzled the fabric aside, pressed his warm lips against the curve of a breast. When he licked the nipple, she gasped. He caused rivers of sensations to course through her, drew her nipple into his mouth, and sucked hard. The flesh surrounding her clit ached with need. She closed her eyes and moaned.

At the touch of his fingers on her jeans waistband, she jerked to awareness. If he was going to undress her, maybe she should turn off the lights. “The lights…”

“How about I turn the light down,” he suggested, his voice low and raspy. He reached for the lamp on the table beside him and turned the light low. “Is that better?”

“That’s good,” she choked, and sucked in a breath as his nimble fingers blazed tantalizing heat across her waist, unzipped her jeans, and smoothed beneath her panties. With the first touch of his fingers on the sensitive flesh between her thighs, her body arched.

“You like that?” he asked, while he caressed her.

“Yes.” She could hardly form the word as warmth swept over her face and wet heat pooled between her legs. A delicious contraction made her want to squeeze her knees together. He parted her already slick folds and slid his fingers around her needy opening.

Oh, my.
Gripping his arms even as she longed to grip the bulge in his pants, she moved one hand to unbutton his jeans. He shifted lower on the cushions. Now, she had better access.
          

His stroking, teasing fingers never left her most needy flesh, and her breaths came faster. She smoothed her fingers over the fabric covering his rock-hard erection. His chest filled with a swift breath at the stroke of her fingertips. She pulled down the waist of his black boxer shorts and touched his exposed shaft. He took another swift breath.

His skin was tight and satin smooth beneath her exploring hand. She marveled at the textures, the curly hair of his groin and the smooth skin of his penis. The sculpted head. Running her index finger over the satin skin, she felt the drop of moisture at the tip and spread it over the smooth surface. A soft rumble came from deep in his chest. He liked that. She curled her fingers around the width of his hard length, squeezing gently. He jerked against her palm.

“I want you inside me,” she whispered.

He moaned deeply again. She stroked up and down his rigid erection until he lifted her to straddle his thighs.

“Let me,” he said, and lowered her, slipped his hand between her thighs and slid one long finger slowly deep inside her wet opening.

She gave a sharp moan, her back arching with the surge of desire he sent through her like lightning.

He took her hand from his stiffened length and held her fingers to his warm, damp chest. “I want to give you pleasure, but I won’t last if you keep that up.” He grinned.

The fullness of his touch stroking sensitive places within her distracted her. He’d never looked more devilishly handsome.
Oh, my God.
She didn’t mind letting him take control, but she wanted to explore his bare chest while he pleasured her. She took hold of his shirt and unbuttoned it. He wore nothing underneath, and she sucked in a breath at the sight. “I want your shirt off.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He quickly complied.

She’d seen his chest before many times, working on high school projects together and on outings to local swimming pools. But he was leaner now, his chest and washboard abs awe-inspiring with a sheen of dampness. The sight increased the pleasure he created.

His tormenting fingers built exquisite need in her. All shyness gone, she moved her hips in time with his strokes as she ran her palms and fingers over the contours of his abs, learning the shape and firmness. Finally, she reached his muscled chest, sprinkled with black hair. She flicked his nipples and lowered her head to lick one and then the other, tasting the salty dampness, feeling his fiery heat. Her inner muscles contracted around the erotic sensations of his delving finger, and she gasped.

He gave a deep sound of satisfaction just before he eased deeper inside her with two fingers, stretching her.

“Mike! I want…” Her body pulsed, wanting to be filled.

He took hold of her shoulder and pushed her flat on the sofa cushions. Feeling as if her whole world tilted, she waited to see what he had in mind next. He wiggled her jeans and panties down over her hips and legs. The brush of fabric added to her craving. Close to sensual overload, she was bare to his devouring gaze, and she felt only a little self-conscious.

“I want to taste you,” he rasped.

Daring to accept his outrageous desire, she shivered as she waited, mostly naked, her shirt and bra parted to reveal her breasts. He eased his fingers from her, knelt on the rug, and smoothed his hands up and down her calves. He removed her shoes and slid her jeans over her feet. Gliding his hands up her thighs and back down to her knees, he spread her legs. The intensity in his eyes took her breath. She should feel naughty or embarrassed, shouldn’t she?

Except she wanted only to share her body with him and let him explore her as she longed to explore more of him. Filled with desire and a strong need for him to be inside her, she held her breath and watched him as he parted her swollen flesh with his long fingers and lowered his head. A whimper escaped her, and she reached for him, tangling her fingers into his thick hair, intending to pull him away but more desperate to let him do what he wanted.

Tension increased through her as he pressed kisses to her most sensitive skin and licked her swollen flesh with one long stroke of his warm tongue. Her body tightened, and she thought she’d come as his lips and tongue moved down again ever closer to her wet opening. Instead, she shivered while he devoured her. When his tongue delved deep inside her, she curled her fingers in his scalp. A keening cry escaped her, and her body arched. He didn’t stop but drove her ever higher.

“Mike!” Her climax took her with more power than she’d ever known. Ecstasy soared, light flashing around her as orgasmic contractions rocked her.

Slowly, the exquisite throbbing eased to teasing pulses.