Military Romance Collection: Contemporary Soldier Alpha Male Romance (39 page)

That was the last thing she wanted right now, since her funds were in a ghost account belonging to the FBI. “I have several accounts right now, and I’m not familiar with which is for what. I’ll have to call my accountant in the morning. Then, I can give you an account for a transfer.”

“Very well. I’m sure you’re set up in a hotel somewhere on the Strip, but we don’t have you registered here. Where might I send a courier to gather your belongings and bring them here?”

Again, she didn’t want anyone in her room. Her badge and other credentials, as well as a couple of guns, were in that room. A bit flustered, Tanya hoped Carson would take her blush as humiliation. “I’m sorry. I tend to be a bit overprotective and private. If you don’t mind, I’d like to go get my things on my own. But I appreciate the offer.”

“That’s completely understandable. I’m here to make you more comfortable,” he said, moving closer to her. With barely a foot between them, she could smell his cologne, a rich musk, and combined with his natural masculine aroma that reminded her of the forests out in east Texas, it made her woozy. She suddenly wanted to eat him alive.

Taking a step back and smiling shyly down at her feet, she told him, “Right now, you’re making me incredibly uncomfortable.”

Again, he stepped forward, closer this time, and he brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “That’s too bad,” he said, his voice more a growl. “I thought maybe I could help you relax. I know you must be excited and a bit overwhelmed. Since I barely got you to drink a glass of wine, alcohol obviously won’t do the trick.” He leaned down, still almost three inches taller than her, even with her heels, and she could feel his warm breath caress her face.

Tanya’s chest heaved as her breath came in short, hard pants, and she felt the swirl of arousal low in her belly. Her skin tingled where he touched her, and she gazed up at him through her lashes, terrified to raise her head. But he took her chin gently in his fingers – with curiously well- manicured nails paired with roughly callused skin – and lifted it, forcing her to meet his piercing gaze. Tanya held her breath, realizing just how close their lips were, and he closed the distance.

Her eyelids fluttered down, and she sighed at the feel of his mouth opening hers, his tongue plying her and exploring. Her arms moved of their own accord, wrapping around his neck so her fingers could tangle in the hair at the nape. He tasted like pepper and lemon and wine, and Tanya reveled in it.

Too late she caught her mistake and wrenched away from him. This man likely ran the operation she had come to uncover, and here she stood, practically throwing herself at him. She was just relieved none of the individuals she reported to could see her right now. They would laugh at her and never take her seriously again.

Clearing her throat and turning her back to Brock, she spoke quietly, “I’m sorry. I should be going.”

Before she could take a step away, his hand fell on her shoulder. “Wait, Tanya. I’m the one who should apologize. I made a move you obviously weren’t comfortable with. I’ll back off. But please, be my guest in our penthouse, and enjoy drinks, food, and entertainment anywhere in this facility with a free pass.”

Could she really accept the kindness, knowing in her heart what might be paying for her stay? “Mr. Carson, I…”

“Please, call me Brock,” he said with that crooked smile, showing his dimple and making her body sing.

She sighed. “Brock, then. I can’t accept all that.”

“I insist,” he said, his voice sharp and his tone demanding. This side of him and his commanding presence took Tanya by surprise. He seemed like a powerful man, but this proved how easily he could influence people. And it increased her attraction to him exponentially.

She was by no means a prude or inexperienced, but Tanya had limited the number of men she’d been with. And she was very selective in who she chose as a sexual partner. It took a lot for her to give in to her desires, and most of the time, she was disappointed anyway. Because of her hesitance and her burgeoning career, it had been over a year since she’d even pursued an opportunity with a man, dating rarely and seeing someone a second time only once or twice. And as a rule, she didn’t get physical until a third date. None of her past lovers had been so direct, so commandeering, so controlling.

But it fueled her. She was definitely a fan. And she hoped that, when she got back with her things, he would join her in the penthouse, even if she denied her arousal and her need for him now.

Quietly, she said, “If you insist, then I guess I’ll accept.” His grin broadened, and he offered his elbow to her, as if to escort her.

“I’ll have a car take you to the hotel you’re in now. The driver will wait outside while you get your things and check out, and I’ll greet you at the door when you arrive back to escort you to your room,” he told her as they walked back down the long corridor toward the flashing lights and the cacophony of machines and revelers.

She could use this to her advantage, and she needed to get herself together. Just because this man made her want to crawl under the covers with him and lose herself didn’t mean she had to succumb to her desires. Admittedly, it sounded like a really good idea when she faced him. But distancing herself from his incredible energy and his unmatched looks, she managed to think a little more clearly, using her head instead of her molten core.

She was an adult and a professional, and she came to Vegas with a purpose. She wouldn’t lose sight of her goal, no matter how difficult it was to focus.

Chapter 5

The instant the car pulled away from the curb, Brock pressed the button on his earpiece. “I need a round table, five minutes.” He strode quickly with intent toward the meeting room, expecting eight other men to join him before that five minutes passed.

Thankfully, no one questioned him, and he found six of them already in the room when he arrived. As the last two filed in, he didn’t waste time. He didn’t think it would take long for Tanya to come back, and he had to finish this meeting and be back to her without leaving any question as to where he’d been.

“Someone here has a history on Tanya Fowler already.” It was a statement and not a question.

Eric Hines passed him a file. “Tanya Fowler, age 29, born and raised in Texas. Attended Odessa Permian High School, graduated from University of Texas in Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a specialization in addiction. She’s the last living member of her family, no brothers or sisters or cousins. Her grandfather left her his oil empire and all his wealth. She’s never been married, never left the country, and rarely travels at all.”

Brock nodded. Everything she’d told him checked out. “Good. She walked in here and in five minutes, had us bleeding out like she’d slashed our carotid. I don’t mind, but we’ve got to keep on top of the loans to make up the loss. How much have we brought in tonight on the tables and slots?”

Graham cleared his throat. “We’ve cleared close to fifty in the last four hours,” he said.

That was good. Fifty million was a good take for that amount of time. Granted, they should be sitting on nearly a hundred, but they couldn’t always count on the odds to keep them swimming in profit.

The numbers were good. It meant they were still bringing in a profit, even if it was small. “All right, I need someone to make sure there’s nothing we’re missing about this woman. Check her out thoroughly, more than the usual target. I like what we’ve got, but it’s not enough. Someone walking into my casino out of nowhere and winning at Roulette doesn’t sit well, and I want to make sure this isn’t some sort of setup. In the meantime, I need two excellent seats to the rock and roll revue, and I want two more seats in the front three rows for the Cirque show tomorrow night. Dalton?”

Dalton was in charge of the entertainment, and he sighed. “I’ll work my magic, I suppose.”

Brock checked his watch. Eight minutes gone. “Okay, let’s wrap it up. Any club business?”

“Yeah, we have a runner,” Don piped up from the other end of the table. Brock stared at him in jealousy. Don didn’t work in black tie; he worked the bars from an ‘undercover’ position, and he wore his Cobra vest with jeans and motorcycle boots. While Brock loved the attention and prestige he got wearing his custom suits, he sometimes longed to wear his vest after six o’clock every once in a while.

Forcing himself to focus on the message, Brock scowled at Don. “Who?”

“William Benson. He’s been paying for the last six months, but this month, he’s overdue and not answering calls, texts, or emails.”

Nine minutes. This had to end. “Pick a prospect and take him with you. I want this guy here, in my office, in 72 hours.” Three days was more than enough time to recover a runner. And as he glanced at the contract Don handed him, Brock knew they couldn’t afford to lose this one, at a hundred grand a month. He clapped his hands. “Keep your eyes and ears open, guys. I’m a little tied up right now, so I won’t be on the floor.”

“You hope you’ll be tied up,” Edgar chuckled as he passed and walked out the door.

Brock laughed and shook his head. He should have known better, watched his words more closely. He caught Dalton by the arm on his way out. “The tickets as soon as feasible?” Dalton saluted and carried on. When all his advisors had left, Brock locked the door and headed purposefully toward the casino’s main entrance, and he arrived just in time, a text from the driver stating they had a five-minute ETA.

In his earpiece, Brock asked, “Hey, Dalton, when can I expect those tickets?”

He waited, and finally, Dalton came back with, “I have the seats reserved in the theater. I’m working on the Celine show now and should have you set up with Will Call for tomorrow evening.”

Perfect. “You’re the best.”

“Hey, Brock, let us know if the sex is as rich as the woman, will ya?”Dalton chuckled, and several of the other boys laughed with him.

“Yeah, man, don’t hit the jackpot prematurely,” another man added, increasing the ruckus on the frequency.

“Whatever, boys,” he said. “Just remember, I’m the one with the key to that vault. You can all go find your own, and I doubt you’ll get the same payout I can handle.” The amusement continued, and he turned off the earpiece, taking it down and shoving it in his pocket. Tonight was his, and he didn’t want any interruptions.

The car arrived, and Brock squared his shoulders. A woman like Tanya thought she wanted a bad boy – most women did – but found a man in a tailored suit that screamed money far more attractive and willingly fell into bed, no matter how much they vocalized their protests. He would be the epitome of the wealthy gentleman, and he’d keep his hands to himself until she practically begged him to join her in the penthouse. And then, he’d make her scream.

With confidence he wore like a beloved old coat, he opened the door and aided Tanya out of the car. “Welcome back,” he said with a slight bow, kissing the back of her hand. He waved to the bellhop to come for the bags, and he was stunned to see she only had one large suitcase and another small bag.

“I pack light,” she told him with a youthful grin. He couldn’t get enough of those incredible gray eyes, such an unusual color and so ethereal against her creamy skin and light hair. She could pass for an angel or elf or anything else magical, especially in the right lighting. Beneath the glitter of the Vegas strip, she was a vision Brock would never forget.

“Maybe you should do some shopping while you’re here and fill up the closet in the penthouse with a new wardrobe to take home. I can tell you have excellent taste. You should reward yourself,” he told her. Mostly, he wanted to cater in designers and watch her try on everything they brought, admiring her body the whole time.

“I might consider that,” she said as he escorted her into the building with the bellhop in tow. Turning to look behind him, he gave the bellhop a nod, telling him to go ahead. The kid often helped him out with the women he took to bed, and Brock knew his employee would earn his bonus tonight, taking the freight elevator to drop off the bags and disappear before they arrived at the top floor.

It gave Brock the opportunity he wanted to get Tanya alone in the elevator leading straight to the penthouse. The enclosed space would surely cause her to erupt – he could feel her holding back, and it wouldn’t take much to have her boiling over.

As the elevator door shut, he spun her to face him and pressed her against the mirrored wall, pinning her arms at her sides as he leaned into her. “Are you still going to try to tell me you aren’t interested?” he asked.

Tanya swallowed hard and opened her mouth, but her pupils dilated, and no words came out. He took advantage of her vulnerable position and crushed her lips with his.

Chapter 6

Tanya’s gut reaction was to shove Brock away, but she didn’t have the strength to do it with her arms pinned. And within three fierce heartbeats, all thought of turning him down flew from her mind. Her body took control, and it wanted more of him. Unbidden, one leg wrapped around his knees, pulling him close against her, and she felt the hard evidence of his excitement grinding against her.

Tanya’s own arousal grew as he took her mouth the way she imagined he would take her body – with demanding thrusts and sensual strokes placed at just the right intervals to keep her blood pressure rising and her interest brewing. She no longer cared if this was wrong or if it would create an issue when and if the time came for her to use her handcuffs for something a little more serious.

She was a mature adult, and this time, that thought inspired her to remember she could make her own decisions, and she could deal with complications and repercussions. The elevator door opened all too soon, and they stumble that out into a small vestibule. Tanya’s head spun, and she didn’t bother to look around. She simply let Brock take her hand and lead her through the large, heavy oak door into the penthouse.

Inside she barely had time to glance around as Brock took her in his arms and carried her over to an enormous raised bed, throwing her unceremoniously on top of the dozens of pillows. Already breathless, Tanya couldn’t move, paralyzed by desire. She’d never acted so wanton in her life, and now, she’d chosen the single most inappropriate timing for it.

But as Brock undressed, all regrets disappeared.  His broad chest was smooth and covered in tattoos that set off the deep lines of his toned muscles, and his abs rippled like waves. She reached out to touch them, and he answered her request, crawling onto the bed and over her, his pants still on but clearly showing a taut erection, insistent on being released very soon.

His skin was as soft as it looked over the hard surface, though the tattoos seemed to cover a couple of raised scars she could feel in her explorations. It gave him even more character and dark appeal, and she answered his kiss while he lifted her just enough to get to the zipper on her dress. He slid it down her shoulders, following the caress of his hands with kisses and bites. She wished she’d worn a matching set of black lace underwear, but she hadn’t exactly planned on anyone seeing it. At least the white silk underwear and the lacey white satin bra were the same color, though as he removed the bra and his mouth clamped around her nipple, she didn’t care if they were green and orange.

She reached for his fly and boldly shoved his pants and boxers down his hips, exposing his rock hard erection. It sprung up against his stomach, and Tanya curled her hand around the smooth rod. His girth was impressive, and she stroked him eagerly as Brock ran his teeth along her collar bone and then licked back up the hollow. She shivered with pleasure, and as he reached beneath her to unclasp her bra, she arched her back to make it easier.

He rose up on his knees to remove her panties, and he kicked off his pants before bearing down on her again, suckling one nipple while flicking the other with his thumb. The stimulation had her whimpering and writhing, and she felt his cock teasing at her center. She opened her legs, welcoming the sensation as he ran his length over her folds. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and he laughed maliciously, knowing he drove her mad.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him toward her and begging him to fill her and satisfy that need for him to be inside her. But he pushed her knees away, taking control, and Tanya moaned at the rejection of her request. If he told her to be patient, she was going to punch him, roll him over, and ride him to the end.

Instead, he flipped her onto her stomach and lifted her ass in the air, pressing down on her back so she arched like a stretching cat. He wasted no time entering her, and as he thrust forward, Tanya cried out with an intense wave of ecstasy that made her blood pump so hard to her limbs, she thought it might shoot right out the tips of her fingers and toes.

He pumped hard and fast, and as her first orgasm dwindled, a second came as a shock to her system. She nearly choked on a sharp intake of breath, her mouth gaping and her eyelids fluttering closed. She fisted her hands in the sheets, unable to slither away or arch her back upward to relieve the overwhelming sensation. Brock’s hold on her was too strong, and the inner demon in her didn’t want the feeling to end anyway.

As Brock pounded into her, Tanya could barely think, the sensory overload blurring everything in her mind, with one exception – that she’d never come so hard and so fast over and over again. Brock gave her what she needed, fulfilled her in ways she hadn’t known she would enjoy, as if he read her innermost desires that even she couldn’t access.

And for once, she had no complaints about the hasty foreplay. The intensity of it worked, and she reveled in it. She could hear his breath coming in uneven grunts, and he pressed harder, his body slapping against hers. Tanya thought he was going to finish, but he pulled out and flipped her over, lowering himself so they were skin to skin as he impaled her again. With two, three, four violent strokes, her body erupted at the same time he spilled, and the two of them convulsed together, clinging to each other, and she fought to keep from clawing skin from his back with the force of her peak.

As he went limp, Tanya took a deep breath, finding it interesting that the pleasant but crushing weight of his body wasn’t a hindrance to her lungs. But at the motion, he rolled over and splayed out on the other side of the bed. Considering how sweaty they both were, it was a blessing, allowing them both a chance to cool off.

She lay there panting, her heart throbbing and her eyelids heavy. She had an errant thought that she should pay more attention to the gorgeous room she was in, but she couldn’t move her limbs and had no real desire to get up. She rolled her head from side to side to take in the rich colors and luxurious décor and linens of the penthouse. But her eyes continued to return to Brock.

Suddenly, she realized exactly what a mistake she had just made. How was she supposed to fix this?  She couldn’t exactly throw the hotel manager who had offered her all these perks out of her room when they’d just slept together.

Or could she?

Tanya groaned and scrubbed in a hand over her face.  The worst part was that she didn’t want to send Brock away. She truly like him, and she admitted to herself that she wouldn’t mind going for round two. He looked amazing and excelled when it came to bedroom skills.

The real question was in regards toBrock’s intentions. He hadn’t left yet, which implied he didn’t plan to bag her and run. But Tanya knew his type well enough, and she couldn’t imagine him spending several nights with her when there were so many other women prettier and more at ease with this sort of thing than she was. And if he did stick around, she didn’t want to think about the fallout and any sense of betrayal he would feel.

Of course, there would be lies on both their parts, so it wouldn’t be fair for Brock to point fingers at her. And why did it matter anyway?  They weren’t together, and Tanya had no intention of changing that. This was a fling, not a relationship.  It never would be, even if it turned out that Brock wasn’t involved in anything illegal or underhanded. They led two different lives in two different places, and she couldn’t foresee a way to merge them. Or a reason to try it, for that matter.  She needed to stop getting ahead of herself and start digging for truth.

If that meant keeping Brock close at her hip and watching his every move until she found her evidence, she would do it. And while she was at it, she would enjoy whatever perks came with the job.  If that included incredible sex, she would count herself lucky for it.

“We should get dressed,” Brock said, grunting as he got to his feet. “I have something for you.”

“Oh, really?” Tanya asked, pushing up on her elbows and quirking a brow at him. “And what might that be?  Because if it’s chocolate and roses, you’re a bit late.”

He chuckled and shook his head. “No, it better than that.  At least, I think so.  I hope you do, too.”

She was intrigued. “How should I dress?  Is this a black tie affair, or something more casual?” She had no clue what he planned, and she didn’t want to embarrass herself by over or underdressing. Her experience with glamor and fame were limited to what she’d seen on television. She’d grown up covered in dust and dirt, living a simple life, and never really longing for something better. She was down to earth, and the fact that she’d started to build a career in law enforcement was far more than she – or anyone else – had ever expected of her.

Tanya glanced at Brock, hoping he didn’t judge her question. She feared it was a stupid one and that she would blow her cover on something so simple as not knowing how to dress for a specific occasion.

But he only smiled. “I want you to wear whatever make you comfortable. This is for your pleasure and entertainment, and I want you to enjoy every moment of it.” He seemed sincere about that, and Tanya planned to take him up on it. She was a bit relieved to see him leave the jacket off and the collar of his shirt open with no tie. It felt less formal, and she didn’t feel as guilty about dressing down.

As it turned out, they both fit right in among a throng a people filing into the large amphitheater. A man Brock called Dalton greeted him like an old friend rather than an employee, and even though she wanted to enjoy this one evening without questioning everything around her, Tanya made a mental note to check Dalton out. Maybe she’d find something on him that would lead her in the right direction.

But that was for tomorrow’s agenda, along with figuring out how to deal with 42 million dollars and avoiding Brock while still stalking him so she could catch him, if he was part of the ring. Tonight, she set it aside as Dalton led them to the middle of the second row, a prime position. The front row would have made the orchestra pit block their view, while the second row raised them just enough to eliminate that problem.

“Do you always reserve the best seats in the house?” she asked playfully as the crowd settled in and the lighting dimmed in preparation for the show to start.

He shook his head. “No, Dalton is a miracle worker, and I pay him well for it. When I call, he complies.”

“And how often do you call?” She had the impression he probably wined and dined a lot of women and used this sort of tactic to impress them, making his seduction of them far easier.

But he scowled. “Not very often. In fact, you’d have to ask him when I last requested these seats. And it was even further back that I sat in one of them. I sometimes get a VIP tickets, and once or twice, I’ve gone so far as to request these seats for them. But I rarely attend a show. I don’t have the time or the luxury of leaving the casino floor on a whim.”

Tanya tilted her head in consideration of that statement. If he couldn’t just up and leave, why had he done it tonight? Was it just about her having won such an enormous sum of money?

Knowing she shouldn’t but unable to stop herself, she decided to test the waters. “What’s different about tonight?” she asked.

His eyes were like deep blue waters as he met her gaze, and she could have taken a swim and drown in them in that moment. Their depths were unfathomable as he told her, “I finally found someone whose company I want to be in for more than five minutes.”

Tanya didn’t know how to respond, and a lump formed in her throat. Was this man real? And if so, why couldn’t he just be some guy she’d met on the street back home and agreed to see for a coffee date? Brock Carson was clearly dangerous in some way. He garnered far too much respect without question, and he was surrounded with mystery, a mystery she was supposed to be solving. Instead, she delighted in sitting beside him right now, listening to his compliments and maybe even contrived lines.

Maybe she was an easy target, but he easily melted the ice she’d carefully built around her heart over the last few years, and he broke through the façade of confidence that concealed the romantic with low self-esteem beneath. She took a deep breath that hitched around the lump, and she cleared her throat, swallowing to try and rectify the situation. But she still didn’t know what to say, and luckily, she was saved as the curtains opened on the show.

The rock and roll review was better than Tanya could have imagined, and too much fun. She found herself singing along to some of the classic rock she knew and greatly enjoying a lot of the newer songs she found familiar but didn’t know as well. The band and orchestra rocked the house, and the singers did an excellent job of mimicking the original voices and keeping the audience on their feet and engaged. It was amazing, and she couldn’t stop smiling as they left.

“I can’t believe the talent you’ve recruited,” she told Brock, taking the arm he offered and leaning into him. “That was amazing.”

“Thank you. Dalton actually did the scouting on this one,” he admitted. “He’s got a good ear, and I trust his judgment. He brought them in, hired a choreographer and a composer to arrange the music, and it’s been selling out for about eight months now. He’s my go-to person for entertainment, although he doesn’t like his job sometimes. There are certain talents and events that don’t play to his preferences.”

“I’m sure,” she replied. “I can imagine some of the shows that roll through here.” She couldn’t see the man she’d met at the start of the show liking a drag show, or even a classical pianist. But she could be wrong.