Sworn to Protect (23 page)

“Thank you.” She hugged him. “You’re pretty cool yourself.”

“Hey, wanna play?”

She started to say no. But then she realized this invite was one more olive branch. How many times had he heard the word
no
at his house? That his dad was too busy? That he had guests to entertain?

“I’d love to.” The beaming smile she received was her reward for giving exactly the right answer.

That’s how Shane found them—whooping and hurling insults at each other about who was going to get splattered next. He came in and flopped down beside them, watching.

“How’s the party?” she asked him.

“In full swing.” His eyes warmed. “I thought I’d see if you wanted to go for a little walk with me.”

She looked at Drew. “Do you mind?”

“Nah, go ahead. I’m good.”

“I think Tommy mentioned he was coming to kick your butt in a bit,” Shane teased.

“He can try. I’m undefeated!” The boy went back to playing.

Shane took her hand. “Come with me.”

She told Drew goodbye, and he just waved without looking up. She let her lover lead her through the crowd, outside to the deck where grilling was underway. Night was falling, the stars peeking out as they made their way down the deck steps and toward the back of the Skylers’ property, by the river.

“The day was pretty, but it’s getting chilly,” she noted.

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep you warm.” His grin told her he’d very much enjoy doing it, too.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see. I don’t want to spoil the surprise.”

“Why do I get the feeling you planned this?”

“Because you’re a smart woman and you know me well. I’m devious when I want something, and I’ll stop at nothing to get it.”

“And what do you want?”

“You have to ask?” Stopping, he pulled her into his arms. “I want you.”

His mouth took hers in a deep kiss. Not rough and bruising. Slow and sensual, the type of kiss that heats the body from head to toe. That binds the heart and refuses to let go. It was more than lust, more than desire. This was Shane, wanting her as a man wants his woman, and not just for sex. This was a connection so powerful and sweet, it defied words.

When he withdrew, he brushed a tendril of hair from her face and stared into her eyes for the longest moment. Like he wanted to take her into himself and never forget a single feature of her face. And she shivered at the knowledge that tonight—right now—meant a turning point in their relationship. For the good.

Taking her hand again, he led her along the bank, keeping to the trees. He kept a firm hold so she wouldn’t stumble, until at last he reached a clearing in the trees near a deserted stretch of river. They stopped and he pointed.

“Just down there, up the bank from the water, is a cave. It’s part of a system that runs all through this part of the county, intersecting with the river at several points. That particular cave is one where years ago, some hikers found the remains of a Native American. The remains went to a museum, but there are paintings still on the walls.”

She waited, listening to the chirp of night birds, knowing he had more to say. That he was going somewhere with the lesson. The night took on a surreal quality. Haunting. Beautiful.

“I spend a lot of time on the river, especially at dawn and dusk. Did you know that if you listen very closely, you can hear their chants, the drumbeats floating over the water?”

She shivered, but not in fear.

“I’ve heard them, and it always makes me feel so at peace. They had a life here, too. They hunted, fought, loved, and died. They were family. That’s why I built here, because of that sense of peace and belonging; times like this when I feel I’m part of something much bigger than myself, and that maybe a hundred years from now, someone else will stand right here, a couple perhaps, beginning their lives in such a special place. And wondering about the people who were here before.”

“About us,” she said softly. She began to understand what he was saying.

“This is our place now, but we only get to borrow it for a while. Nothing lasts forever, except the memory of love. People will come and go, like they’ve done since the beginning of the world, but the impression we leave will last for those who want to stop and really listen.”

Facing her, he cupped her face in his hands. “This place is special to me, and I wanted to share it with the most special lady in my world. The only woman I’ll ever want again.” He sucked in a deep breath as her heart melted. “I love you, Daisy. I love you so damned much. My heart and everything I am is yours. Please believe that.”

He kissed her again, and the truth wound around her. She knew that at last, he was hers. Truly, really hers.

“Don’t run from me again,” she whispered. “I can’t take it. Not from you.”

“Never, baby. Never again.”

“I love you, too. I have for so long.” Tears streamed down her face, and she held on to him.

“I’m so sorry I hurt you,” he said hoarsely. “Please say you forgive me.”

“I forgive you, and I love you. I want us.”

“God, me, too. Come with me.” Grabbing her hand, he led them to the clearing. Now she could see a tent, a large-sized one pitched in seclusion, far from everyone.

“You set this up for us.” More tears flowed, happy ones. She wiped at her face.

“Earlier today, I came down here. Brought the tent and bedding. The others won’t miss us for a while, and we’ll get back before they take much notice. But I wanted not just to sneak away with you, but to create a memory we can share always.”

He led her inside and lit the Coleman lamp that was sitting on a box next to a pile of bedding. A nice, warm glow, not too bright, enveloped the tent.

“Nobody will see us?”

“We’re out of view of everyone here, even if a boater should come along in the dark. But I doubt that would happen.”

She smiled. “Are you planning to ravage me?”

“Better—I’m going to make sweet love to you.” He pulled her close. “I want to celebrate you being mine.”

“And you’re mine.”

“Forever.”

He set about making good on his promise, pulling her shirt over her head, then unclasping her bra to slip it off. Being bared to him, with nothing but canvas separating them from the night around them, made her feel sort of . . . free. As though they were making love the way it was intended in the beginning, with nothing but the heavens to witness them.

Never before had sex felt like an extension of love. Now she understood the difference, and she’d never be able to settle for less again. With Shane, she had faith that he would hold her and care for her. And she would return it to him.

Bending his head, he suckled her nipples, nibbling each one with his teeth, hardening them to sensitized points. He pleasured each one to his satisfaction, leaving her arching into him. Needing more.

“So beautiful, my baby.”

Her shoes and jeans went next, along with her silky black panties, leaving her naked before him. Heat bloomed between her thighs as she worked on the buttons of his shirt, exposing his smooth chest to her hungry gaze. Running her palms down his chest and abdomen, she thrilled at his shudder. He wanted as much as she did.

He pulled off his boots, then she got his jeans undone and worked them down. His erection popped free and he kicked his clothes aside, drinking her in.

They came together with slow hunger, the heat building into its own entity. A living force that drew them together, stoked the flames into steady fire. Not the frantic coupling of lust, but the pure joining of love, deep and true.

He lowered her to the bedding and she found it soft, inviting. He’d seen to her comfort, thought of everything. He hovered over her, kissed down her tummy. But instead of leaving her on her back, this time he gently urged her onto her stomach and spread her legs. Lying between them, he licked her sex, laving, sending tendrils of excitement coiling through her nerve endings. Parting the tender flesh, he feasted on her, giving her every ounce of his attention. Taking her to the peak.

Then he got up and pulled her to her hands and knees. She’d never felt so exposed, or so completely owned, in a wonderful way. She was his.

Two fingers dipped into her sex, began to pump into her channel. She loved the way he prepared her, taking such care. She moaned, wiggled back into his touch.

“Like that, baby?”

“Yes, please . . .”

“Make love to you? That’s what I’m doing.”

“I need you inside me,” she begged.

“I’ll always be inside you,” he whispered, rolling protection on his cock. “Always.”

And then he was pushing his length inside, stretching her so full. She’d never felt anything as incredible as Shane loving her with all his soul.

Grasping her hips, he thrust deep, moving so slowly at first. Driving her insane with the fire licking her womb, her sex. Then he sat back, taking her with him so that her back was pressed to his chest and belly, his cock still buried inside her.

She gasped in pleasure. She’d never made love in such a decadent position. So intimate, every possible inch of their skin touching, her lover surrounding her. In this man’s arms, she was higher than she’d ever been. His cock buried deep inside, there had been nothing like this, ever.

Because he loved her. And she loved him.

He began to move, thrusting up into her tight sheath. Holding her close to his heart, he loved her as no man ever had, or ever would again. Kept her safe and sheltered.

Her Shane. Her love.

The tide began to sweep her out of control and she cried out, her sex clasping him as her orgasm rocked her to the core. He quickly followed, shooting his release deep into her, warming the core of her, to the fiber of her being.

How long they remained in their embrace, she didn’t know. But she heard his breathy declarations of love, reveled in his kisses on her neck and shoulder. They remained even after he’d softened, basking in the glow of what was certain.

“We should go back,” she said reluctantly. “I’m sure they’re eating burgers by now, and are fully aware that our walk lasted a lot longer than a mere stroll.”

He chuckled. “Damn, you’re right. But maybe Drew’s still wrapped up in the Xbox and hasn’t noticed.”

She turned and made a face at him. “Do not mention our boy while we’re naked and stuck together.”

“Sorry.” Suddenly, he squeezed her tight. “You said
our
boy.”

“Well, he is. I love him, Shane,” she said honestly, moving off his lap to face him. “He’s such a good guy, and he’s going to grow into an incredible man because of you and Tommy.”

“Brad too. And you. I’ve noticed how you two are starting to bond.”

She smiled. “We are, and I think things are going to start looking up for him. For all of us.”

“I believe you’re right, sugar.”

Moving to the box holding up the lamp, he retrieved a small pack of wet wipes and a hand towel. He began to clean her up, then himself, doing so as if it was the most precious task in the world. He had thought of everything.

As they dressed, she regretted having to leave. She wished they could stay all night without anyone panicking or wondering where they’d gone. As if reading her mind, he smiled.

“We’ll come back. I promise.”

“I’m going to hold you to that.”

“I expect you will.” He winked.

He doused the lamp and turned on a flashlight he’d stowed beside it. As they started back through the dark, she held tight to Shane’s hand, even though he wouldn’t let her fall.

She trusted that now. Trusted Shane.

Now that she’d found love, no one was ever going to take that from them.

•   •   •

Carl paced the living room, yelling into the phone at Irvin.

“Yes, I’m keeping our meeting, you dumb fuck! We’ve got even more to talk about, don’t we?”

“Come on, Carl! It’s not my fault the cops showed up the other night. I have no clue how they found out about the drop, unless one of those morons decided to tell them,” the man insisted. “They were questioning the product right before the cavalry came. Don’t you think that’s suspicious?”

“Everyone, even you, is suspect when it comes to screwups like this. You’re the one who started questioning the product to start with, so I suggest you get your head in the game and start observing your damned surroundings. I got no patience for shit like this, and you’re going to find yourself out of a job before you know it.”

Meaning retired, permanently. They both knew it.

“I’m sorry! I’ll be more careful from now on. But we do have to discuss the stuff, and you know it. The formula is flawed, nothing near the success it could be if only—”

“What, you want to go legit?” He snorted. “That’ll happen. You’re just a washed-up scientist with a rap sheet. You could invent the cure for cancer and nobody would give you the time of day.”

Silence. Then, “Fuck you, Carl. I know what we’ve got here and it does have real potential. Black market or not, we could go global with this. There are countries begging for drugs like this, with nowhere near the tough drug laws as the States, or they aren’t enforced. Screw thousands per drop—we could be raking in millions.”