Sworn to Protect (10 page)

“I think that’s a completely normal feeling to have after being so strong for so many years. Now add your job to that. And as much as you love being a cop, serving the public and protecting others is stressful.”

“Then you came along.” He fell silent for a moment.

“What happened? Did you feel that I was one more person you had to take care of?”

“At first it seemed that way,” he admitted. “I got scared. I thought to myself that maybe my life wasn’t ever supposed to be my own. That I would be taking care of people until the day I died, with never any time for myself. Does that sound selfish?”

She gave him a half smile, though the first part of what he said hurt. “It might if I didn’t know the whole story. But I understand where you’re coming from, why you must’ve felt like you couldn’t breathe.”

“That’s it exactly. But what I learned was that I can’t breathe without the people I love in my life. That letting them in, taking care of them, isn’t an obligation, it’s a joy. I’m just sorry it took Brad’s death to open my eyes,” he said hoarsely.

“Oh, honey.” Reaching across the table, she squeezed his hand. He gripped hers tightly, and they didn’t speak as the waiter served their dinners. Once he was gone, she asked, “When did you change your mind about
me
?”

“I was already close to giving in, if you must know. Having you nearby and knowing I couldn’t have you, that I’d screwed up so badly, was driving me insane.”

“And then?”

“Then I had that horrible call with Drew. When we rushed there and I pulled him into my arms, right then I was reminded that time was precious and never guaranteed. That I’d do anything at all to protect the ones I love, and that it’s my calling. It’s what I was born to do.” He cleared his throat. “And that’s when I knew, deep down, I’d do whatever it took to earn your forgiveness.”

“Those are some beautiful words.”

“I can back them up, I promise you.”

She really wanted to believe. But although she understood where his head was when he broke things off, it still hurt. “Why don’t we take things one day at a time?”

Disappointment flashed in his eyes, but he quickly recovered. “I’ll gladly accept whatever you’re willing to give me.”

The man was saying all the right things. Time would tell if he could walk the walk.

She enjoyed the meal, which was exceptional, and he vowed to bring her back as often as she wanted. After sharing a crème brûlée for dessert, he paid the check and guided her to the truck.

He opened the door for her, helped her in. But this time he didn’t step back. Instead he leaned inside and cupped her face in his hands. Their gazes met, and he simply stared at her as though she held all the secrets to his universe.

He smelled so good, and she loved his strong hands on her. She was addicted to his touch, his warmth. When he lowered his mouth to capture her lips, she moaned, pushing into him. She snaked her arms around his middle, clutching the shirt at his back. His tongue tangled with hers and she relished his taste, wine and sweet cream. And all Shane.

He pulled back with a smile. “If I don’t let go, I’ll end up ravishing you right here and now.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad.”

Chuckling, he kissed her cheek and shut the door. He climbed in the other side, and they took the long way home, enjoying the sight of the river in the moonlight. She knew they both wanted this night to end the same way, but she was glad he didn’t rush the trip. One thing Shane was very good at was savoring a moment.

Half an hour later, they arrived at her little house in town. “May I come in for a while?”

“I’d be sad if you didn’t.”

“We can’t have that.”

She let them in, only bothering to turn on a small table lamp in the living room so they could see well enough on the way to her bedroom. She took his hand, leading the way. Once there, she began to unbutton his dark shirt.

“I’ve missed you, my sexy cop.”

“God, I’ve missed you, too.”

She parted the material and he hissed as she bent and licked one of his nipples. Took it in her teeth and worried it, making the nub stand out proudly. His fingers combed through her loose hair as she gave the other equal attention. Then he went to work on her blouse.

“My turn.”

He pulled it over her head and then unclasped her bra. She let the straps slide off, and the garment fell to the floor. She loved being bared to him, because he always gazed at her as though she was the moon and stars. As if it was more than lust between them. As though he truly cared for her.

And it showed in his lovemaking. Like now, the tender way he guided her to the bed to lie on her back, never breaking eye contact. How he slowly unzipped her capris and made sliding the material down her legs seem like an art. Then he hooked her panties, taking them down as well, making male noises of appreciation in his throat. She loved those sounds.

“Can I taste you, sugar? It’s been so long.”

“Too long. Please . . .”

Parting her thighs, he dipped his head. One flick of his tongue and she melted, opening for him with an abandon she’d never felt with anyone else. Shane made her fly.

He licked and sucked, causing little tremors to zip to every nerve ending. Until she was squirming underneath him, practically begging. “Tell me you came prepared.”

That sexy grin showed his white teeth against his tanned face, feral in the darkness. Exciting. “I brought the gun, the bullets,
and
the holster, baby.”

She laughed as he fished a foil packet from the front pocket of his jeans and tossed it onto the bed. Then he stood and toed off his shoes and hiked up one leg of his jeans to remove his weapon and ankle holster. After placing it carefully on the dresser, he quickly removed the rest of his clothes.

The man was quite simply beautiful. Sable hair fell around his angular face in layers, covering his ears and brushing his neck. His gray eyes were large and stunning, framed by thick, dark lashes. His chest was sculpted but not too muscular, as was the rest of his tall, lean body. His sex was long and thick, heavy balls nestled underneath.

As she ogled him, he retrieved the packet and tore it open, then rolled the condom down his straining shaft before joining her again.

“Where were we?” he murmured, slipping a hand between her legs to finger her mound. “Right about here, I think.”

She wiggled, needing him. “I want you inside me.”

“I need you, too.”

Covering her body with his, he positioned himself between her thighs and used a hand to guide the head of his cock to her entrance. Then he slowly pushed inside, giving her time to adjust. The stretch and fullness of him were wonderful. She opened farther and arched her back, wanting him deeper.

Taking his cue from her, he rose to a kneeling position, cradling her thighs and taking her with him to keep them connected. She loved when he thrust in as deeply as possible, and he knew this. He gave it to her just how she wanted.

He began to move, using a slow, steady rhythm at first. Slide in, balls to her ass. Then out, his rigid length glistening. In again, a bit faster. Harder. Out again. Repeating the thrust over and over until she was moaning, writhing, lost in his body owning hers, taking her to greater heights.

Now he was fucking her, hard and deep, and she couldn’t hold on much longer. It was so damned good. Fire spread from her sex to her limbs, and her body quickened. Ready for release.

The orgasm burst over her, wave after wave of ecstasy as she cried out for him. Rode his cock. In the next moment he stilled, burying himself to the hilt with a hoarse shout as he filled the condom. She experienced a moment of regret that he wasn’t spilling inside her, but pushed it away. If all went well, maybe someday.

Rolling to the side, he gathered her in his arms, kissed her long and sensually. Then he tucked her against his chest, where she was quite happy to snuggle and listen to the strong beat of his heart.

“You’re incredible,” he whispered. “And I don’t just mean in bed.”

She smiled, kissed his chest. “How so?”

“You’re brave and smart. You take care of people, too, and you love what you do.”

The praise wrapped around her heart. “I love kids, and I hate seeing people hurt or neglect them. Someone has to show them there’s a better life, and sometimes I’m the only role model around.” She flushed. “Listen to me, getting all preachy.”

“You’re not. You’re passionate, and I admire that. You’re an amazing woman, Daisy Callahan.”

“And you’re an amazing man.”

He rolled on top of her, pinning her underneath him, suddenly playful. “Then it stands to reason that we’d make a superamazing couple that would have all of our friends bowing down in awe at our awesome mojo.”

“You’re crazy.” He nibbled at her neck, and she giggled. “Stop! That tickles.”

The nibbles became kisses that trailed to her breasts. Her stomach and beyond. Gasping, she gripped his hair as he pleasured her with his mouth, licking and sucking until he brought her to a second shattering orgasm. She bucked, clinging to him, crying out with her release.

He kissed her tummy. “Rest here.”

He was gone for a few minutes, splashing and making noises of washing up. When he returned, he brought a washcloth and cleaned her between her thighs with such gentle care it almost brought tears to her eyes. He disappeared for a few seconds to get rid of the cloth, then he was back, holding her close, spooning her from behind.

“Can I stay tonight?”

Stay forever.
“Yes.”

She was still frightened by how much she wanted this man, needed him.

But just maybe not quite as frightened as before.

•   •   •

Drew lay wide awake in the guest room at Tommy and Shea’s house, tense and waiting. He still wasn’t too sure about this harebrained scheme of Ty’s, but he was committed. If he backed out now, his friend would think he was a chickenshit.

Ty had texted him earlier, asking for the Skylers’ address, because he was planning to show at two in the morning and they were going to have some fun. Who’d be awake to spot them?

“Um, the police for one, dipstick,” Drew had pointed out. “And my adopted Daddy Dearest is a cop, remember?”

“Relax, man, or you’re gonna get wrinkles before your time. We’ll keep to the shadows, like ninjas. We won’t get caught.”

So, despite the warning in his gut that screamed it was a bad idea, Drew had given Ty the address. Like a pussy, he was hoping his friend was home in bed, snoring away. A tap at the window a few minutes later proved he had no such luck.

Crap.
Padding to the curtains, he parted them to see Ty grinning at him. He held up a finger for his friend to give him a minute, then searched for his clothes in the dark. After getting dressed, he shrugged on his jacket and returned to the window. He’d already tested it earlier, and knew it would slide up easily.

In seconds, he was out, standing on the ground. Ty helped him put the window back down all but an inch, just enough to get his fingers under it when it was time to sneak back in.
Sneaking out, and anything could happen.
What the hell am I thinking?
His heart pounded painfully against his sternum at the thought of Tommy catching him—and, worse, telling Shane.

“Man, this is gonna be awesome,” Ty whispered excitedly.

“Jesus, what’re you on?” he muttered. “It’s the middle of the frickin’ night and you’re jumping around like a flea.”

“Nothin’ but a natural high. Chillax, my friend. Come on, let’s get going.”

He followed Ty to the street—and was brought up short by the sleek black SUV parked by the curb. “An Escalade? Is that yours?” he asked, incredulous. By the state of their run-down little house, he’d figured Ty and his dad didn’t have two nickels to rub together.

“It’s my dad’s. Sweet ride, huh?”

“Ty, he’s gonna freak if he wakes up to find this gone!”

“Nah. My old man doesn’t give a shit what I’m doing as long as I show up before he has to leave in the morning.”

“What does your dad do?” he asked as they climbed in, admiring the plush leather interior in spite of himself.

“Hell if I know. He’s all mysterious and crap when I ask, but I intend to find out soon,” his friend said with a grin.

“You don’t
know
what your dad does for a living?” That didn’t sound good. In fact, this whole scenario was giving him a stomachache. Still, he didn’t want to wimp out. “What’s on the agenda?”

“Look.” He pointed to the floorboard at Drew’s feet.

There was a plastic sack. A quick inspection of the contents revealed two cans of red spray paint.
Fantastic—not.
“What are we decorating with those? The train trestle or the bridge?”

“Even better. I’ll show you.”

They drove for a while, to the eastern outskirts of town. Before long, Ty pulled the SUV onto a small county road and parked off to the side. Grabbing both cans of paint, he handed one to Drew and said, “Come on.”

“Where to?”

“Up ahead is Franklin Johnson’s place. Yesterday he called my dad a worthless fucker and a cock-suckin’ son of a bitch,” Ty spat. “So we’re gonna make sure he gets a little payback.”