Aegis Security 02 - Sinful Surrender (13 page)

“That’s what I’ve been missing,” he murmured when he finally drew back to let her breathe.

His arms were tight around her, and she felt the beat of his heart where she rested her cheek against his chest. She’d missed this too. And, God, she liked it. “I gave up the contract.”

He drew back and looked down at her, surprise flickering across his handsome face. “You did what?”

“I’m not going to write songs for Royalty.” Her stomach twisted, but this time it was with good nerves. Nerves she knew she’d never have if it weren’t for Brian. “We’re working on an album. My debut album.” She pressed a hand against her belly. “I’m scared to death.”

He smiled. Slow and warm and so damn sexy, butterflies took flight in her stomach, sending wicked ribbons of heat all through her pelvis. “You’re gonna sing?”

She nodded.

“My song?”

Her cheeks warmed, but she nodded again.

He framed her face with his hands and brushed his mouth over hers once more. “I’m crazy about you. Mad, wild, completely nuts for you. And I’m so damn proud of you.”

She laughed, because…even though it sounded silly, she was proud of her too. “Don’t get so excited. The album will probably be a total flop. But at least I’m taking the chance. I wouldn’t have done that before you.”

“What can I say?” He grinned. “I know talent when I see it.”

She laughed, and when he kissed her again, she sighed into his mouth, loving the feel of him, the taste of him, loving that he’d come after her. She’d never expected him to do that. And though she didn’t want him to quit his job, there was something…incredibly arousing and sinfully exciting that he would. That she mattered that much to him. That he wanted this to work as desperately as she did.

A rumble echoed from him into her, and she drew back from his mouth. “You’re vibrating.”

He brushed his lips over hers again. “That’s because you rock my world, baby.”

“Not that,” she said, grinning. God, this man was more than she’d ever expected. “Your pocket.”

“It’s my phone. Ignore it.”

When he leaned down to kiss her again, she pressed her fingers against his lips, stopping him. “Check it. It could be important.”

“You’re the only thing that’s important right now. But hey, maybe it’s the Playhouse. If they got hold of
my
number, that could get interesting.”

She lovingly punched his arm while he reached into his back pocket, drew out his cell, and looked down.

“Who is it?” she asked when his silly grin faded.

“Your brother.” He turned the phone so she could see the message.

RYDER:
Marley thinks I’m being an ass
.

Grace yanked the phone from his hand and started typing.

WALKER:
This is Grace. Marley always thinks you’re being an ass. News flash: She’s a smart woman. And you are
.

RYDER:
This doesn’t concern you, Grace. Put Walker back on
.

Typical Jake. Scowling, Grace handed the phone back to Brian. He read the next message, paging the screen up with his thumb.

“Well?” Grace prodded. “What did he say?”

Frowning, Brian held the phone out to her so she could read it herself.

RYDER:
I still think you’re a douche for boning my sister, but…you’re a damn good douche when it comes to the job. Aegis will regret it if it loses you. Just know if you cross the line or hurt Grace in any way, I’ll kick your ass all the way back to Afghanistan
.

Aegis. Not him. Jake sucked at apologies. But a slow smile spread across Grace’s lips regardless, and warmth encircled her heart. A warmth that told her… Yeah, they could totally make this work. And if Jake crossed the line again,
she’d
be the one doing a little ass kicking to get
him
back in line.

She grinned up at Brian. “That’s as close to an apology as you’re going to get from my brother. What are you going to do?”

He pocketed his phone, then wrapped his arms around her and drew her tight against his body again. “First I’m gonna start with your neck. Then I’m gonna nibble and suck and lick my way south until you’re writhing.”

Grace giggled as he leaned down and pressed his lips to the sensitive skin behind her ear. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders, she rose up on her toes so he could kiss her lips again. “Mm… I think I could get used to that.”

He smiled and lowered his mouth to hers. “I hope not. Because I like you just the way you are, Grace Ryder. Unpredictable and talented and full of trouble. But mostly I like that you’re mine.
Mine, all mine
.”

Grace sank into his kiss and sighed. Oh yeah, she liked that part best too.

Before topping multiple bestseller lists—including those of the 
New York Times
, 
USA Today
, and the 
Wall Street Journal
—Elisabeth Naughton taught middle school science. A rabid reader, she soon discovered she had a knack for creating stories with a chemistry of their own. The spark turned into a flame, and Naughton now writes full-time. Her books have been nominated for some of the industry’s most prestigious awards, such as the RITA® and Golden Heart Awards from Romance Writers of America, the Australian Romance Reader Awards, and the Golden Leaf Award. When not dreaming up new stories, Naughton can be found spending time with her husband and three children in their western Oregon home.

Copyright © 2014 by Elisabeth Naughton

All Rights Reserved.

Cover Art by Patricia Schmitt (Pickyme)

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the author.

You do not have the right to resell, distribute, print or transfer this book, in whole or in part, to anyone, in any format, via methods either currently known or yet to be invented, or upload this book to a file sharing program. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.