One to Protect (One to Hold Book 3) (2 page)

Going to the enormous glass windows to look out and wait, only a few lights dot the downtown area. It’s either too early or too wintery for most people to be out. With the tip of my finger, I touch the cold glass and try to imagine where he is right now. How much longer he’ll work. When he’ll be here with me…

A noise from the doorway, and I look over my shoulder. My chest squeezes when I see him enter. His heavy grey overcoat makes him look even taller than six-two, his shoulders broader. His dark hair is longer than usual, and it just touches his collar in gentle waves.

Vibration hums under my skin as I watch him silently, my fingers curl with longing to touch him.

He shrugs off the topcoat and hooks it on the rack, and I almost sigh audibly when I recognize the suit he’s wearing. It’s the same one from all those months ago when I would gaze at him on my laptop screen. Back then I only had my memories and my hands. Now I have the real thing, and it’s perfect.

He doesn’t see me, doesn’t even know I’m here, and it takes all my strength not to call out to him. I’m waiting, wanting him to see me first. The entry light is on, and the stack of mail in his hand occupies his attention. His brow is lined, and even his shoulders appear tense. The combined effect reminds me of the very first night I saw him—so focused and controlled, so intense and intimidating. Giving in to him was so hot.

Touching my lips with my tongue, I long to peel that suit off him, leave it lying in a pile on the floor as I cover his skin with kisses, massaging his stress away. I remember the band holding up my hair and quickly pull it out. Long, dark waves sweep over my shoulders at the exact moment he looks up. Blue eyes meet mine, and my stomach tightens.

My arm drops, parting the robe, revealing a peek at my nude body underneath, and his confusion turns instantly to desire. Without a word, he tosses the mail on the table and shrugs out of his suit coat. He crosses the dining area fast. I can barely breathe as he gets closer, removing more clothing with each step. Tie off, fingers unfastening buttons, he’s in front of me, shirt open, undershirt the only thing between his skin and mine.

Neither of us speaks. It’s very possible I’ll come the moment we touch, but I snatch the edge of the thin white tank and push it up his lined torso. Pressing my lips against his heated flesh, I slip my tongue out to taste him. Large hands go inside the robe to my bare skin, sliding down and gripping my ass.

A little gasp comes from my throat when he lifts me. I’m off my feet, weightless in his arms. My back is against the cold glass, and his light sprinkling of chest hair teases my nipples.

His mouth roughly covers mine, consuming the noises rising in my throat, and his waist is between my thighs, pressing my most sensitive areas. Firm lips part mine, and his tongue explores my mouth. His kisses are insistent and ravenous, and every time his hips push against my clit, flames of desire shimmer down my legs.

Gripping his broad shoulders, my fingers dig into his flesh pulling him closer as his mouth blazes a trail to my breasts. Soft lips followed by the scruff of his beard teases my skin, and I can’t help a moan as my head drops back against the window.

“Oh, god,” I gasp as he catches a straining nipple in his mouth and gives it a hard pull. The sensation registers directly to my core. I need him inside me now.

My hands are in his hair, pulling, threading the soft, dark locks, as his kisses climb back up my neck. He pulls little bits of my skin between his teeth as he goes, and his scent is all around me, intoxicating me.

“Now, baby. I need you now.” I can’t take much more of this or I’ll combust. My thighs are already trembling, my inner muscles aching.

I feel him reposition, holding me with one arm as his other works below his waist. Breathless, I fumble to push his shirt further off his shoulders, wishing it would tear. I kiss his skin again; a hint of salt is on my tongue. In one movement, he boosts me up then sinks deep inside.

He lets out a deep groan, and I gasp. The size of him, his incredible fullness stretching me, is always a delicious greeting after being apart. I’m riding on that delicious edge, and by his next, hard thrust my orgasm roars through me.

“Ohh, god,” I cry, gripping his shoulders, rocking my hips as best as I can against him.

His breathing is labored. Another thrust, and I’m pulling him closer, unable to get enough. My cries seem to make him move faster, and I clutch his shoulders as he rocks me.

“Deeper,” I beg against his neck, my lips just touching his skin. He shudders and grants my request, and a second orgasm begins, hot and low in my stomach.

Powerful waves ripple up my body, and my muscles tighten. It’s like electricity, flashing all the way to my scalp, leaving me momentarily blinded. Inside, I’m gripping and pulling him, until with a loud groan, he comes.

His hips jam into me hard, pushing me against the glass, and his hands tighten on my ass, pulling me flush against him. It’s a mild pain mixed with the most incredible pleasure, and I never want it to stop.

We push and hold, grind and feel, until gradually our bodies calm, our movements become still. Spent, I drop my forehead against his neck, holding him through the last sparkling waves of pleasure. He’s inside me, one arm tight around my waist, the other under my butt. Warm lips touch my head, and I’m in heaven.

As if waking from a dream, I lift my eyes, sliding my hands to his cheeks. At the sight of blue, love bursts inside me. Sometimes it’s still hard for me to believe this beautiful man is mine.

“Hi.” My voice is soft.

Fine lines pierce his temples in the most attractive way as he smiles back. “You’re here.” His deep voice massages my insides, and I can’t resist kissing those cheeks, his eyes, the tip of his nose, his full lips. They part, and our tongues greet each other again.

Movement stirs below, inside me, and I lean back to meet his loving gaze. “I’ve been waiting for you to get here.”

“If I’d known you were waiting, I’d have left two hours ago.”

I laugh, kissing him and whispering, “I love you.”

“I love you more.” His arms tighten around me. “What made you decide to drive in? Not that I’m complaining.”

“I heard you might need a visit.”

His brow creases as he considers my meaning. “Patrick?”

Shaking my head, I peck his cheek again. “Nikki.”

With that he exhales, dropping his forehead against my shoulder with a groan-laugh.

“What?” I laugh, too, at his exaggerated frustration. “She’s not as bad as you make her out to be.”

He lifts me and slides out. Standing in front of him, I wrap the robe around my waist as he adjusts and fastens his pants. Then he scoops me to him again, kissing my nose. “For this surprise, I’ll get her a little gift.”

“Oh! Speaking of surprises, come with me.” Pulling him to the couch, I push him around and make him sit. “Sit here, and don’t move. I mean it.”

He grins, watching me leaning over him. The robe drifts apart, and of course, he catches my nipple between his fingers, giving it a small pinch. “Ow—stop!” I yelp a laugh. “I said don’t move.”

“Darlin’, I haven’ seen you in a week.” He tries to grab me, but I dodge.

“Don’t pull that southern charm on me.”

“I’ll pull more than that on you.” The devilish twinkle in his eye almost causes me to forget my little surprise.

I manage to resist. “Just wait.”

A quick pit-stop in the toilet to freshen up, and I dash to the kitchen. Opening the freezer, I pull out the bottle of cava I brought. Tiny bits of ice float in it, but I pop the cork and pour him a flute—ginger ale for me. Next I take the two large olive-salad sandwiches from the fridge and arrange them on plates. It’s all loaded onto a tray, which I carry on my shoulder to the living room where he’s waiting.

“What have you done?” His voice is full of warmth as he watches me from the sofa.

“Since you’ve been working too hard—”

“Exaggeration.”

“Since you’ve been working too hard,” I repeat, “I decided to recreate our relaxing spa vacation in the desert.”

Placing the tray on the coffee table, I hand him his flute and lift mine. “To family restrooms.”

He laughs and clinks back. “To the gorgeous woman who drives me to crazy extremes.”

We sip and I crawl forward on the couch to kiss him and tell him again. “I love you.”

He leans forward, placing his flute, the tray, my flute, all of it on the coffee table. Then his hands move through the open robe to pull me onto his lap in a straddle, facing him. Just that fast, his mouth is on my neck, nibbling and kissing. My eyes are closed, and I’m powerless.

“I love you more,” he says beside my ear with a deep inhale. “You smell so good.”

Threading my fingers in his hair, I kiss his temple. “I wore the red lace…”

A rumble of approval, and his lips touch that spot behind my ear, a light scruff against my skin, sending shivers flying down my legs.

“My favorite.” His voice is thick as I pull his cheeks, reuniting our mouths.

For a moment, we make out like teenagers, hot and breathless, tongues entwining. He holds me against his bare chest, my elbows are bent, and my palms are on his cheeks. His mouth is like some rich, decadent chocolate I can never get enough of tasting. As we kiss, I feel him relax, and my hands slide behind his neck, my lips travel up to his brow. He hugs me against his torso and doesn’t move. Neither do I.

This big, strong man saved me twice. If comfort is what he needs, I’m here to give it to him. I’m here to give him anything. After a few more breaths, his arms relax. I lean back and study his face a moment. The robe has dropped around my shoulders, so I’m basically sitting nude on his lap, but I don’t care.

“Hungry?” I reach for the sandwich plate and hold it between us, right at our chins. “You probably won’t think it’s as good as Central Grocery, but I think it’s delicious.”

His blue eyes take me in before he bites. “Mmm…” is all I get.

Giggling, I lean forward and take a bite myself. The tangy, savory flavor of olives and smoky provolone fills my mouth.

“Delicious!” My voice is muffled.

His smile glows as he watches me, his voice full of love. “How’s the baby?”

Lowering the sandwich to the plate, I turn and put it on the side table again. “I can’t feel a thing, but the doctor said he’s doing great.”

My last checkup was a week ago, and we both agreed unless something unusual occurred, Derek could miss the routine exams. So far everything has been by the book.

“So he’s a boy now?” I love his grin at the prospect of a little son.

Shrugging, I acquiesce. “Maybe… it’s too soon to know.”

His attention moves from my face to my abdomen. Large hands span my bare stomach before he leans forward and kisses me right below my sternum, right at the top of my belly.

“I love you,” he whispers to the little bean growing there.

I’m certain my heart melts in that instant, and I catch his face again to cover it with kisses. He’s right with me, lifting me in his arms and carrying me to the master suite. A California king-sized bed fills the space, and he spreads me out on the soft mattress, lying on his side next to me.

I trail my fingers lightly over his brow, to his temple, following a line to his strong jaw. He looks at me like I’m the most fragile thing in his bed—another detail he knows isn’t true.

We don’t disturb the moment, though. The truth might be that both of us are strong as iron, tough as flint, but holding each other, we know how precious it is that we’re here, together.

The randomness of chance keeps us both in awe, and for that, we treasure these moments. After working so hard, our reunions are the sweetest bliss. He holds me, and I feel very needed and extremely sexy. This man is like water in the desert to me, and it isn’t hard to see the feeling is mutual.

“I’m sorry I interrupted dinner.” Leaning forward, he nibbles the skin at my neck, and a surge rises between my legs. “Can you wait?”

My voice is thick as I answer. “I guess so…”

His mouth moves to my stomach then lower. My heartbeat quickens, knowing what’s coming. A kiss to my navel, his tongue lightly traces the small circle, and I whimper.

“You guess so?” The sly grin in his voice tells me he knows I’ll wait. I’m buzzing with anticipation as it is.

One quick slide, one quick lift, and my thighs are open. Toes curled, I let out a little cry as soft lips, scratchy beard, trace a line down my inner thigh to the center where his warm tongue makes a slow pass around my clit.

“Oh, god!” I curl up, threading my fingers in the sides of his hair. “Derek!”

Blue eyes are on me in a grin as another hot, firm circle covers that sensitive bud hidden between the folds. I collapse back with a groan of pleasure.

He sucks and pulls as I writhe, covering my eyes as the pleasure roars through my pelvis. My hips follow the movements of his mouth. He doesn’t stop, doesn’t let up until I’m bucking and moaning, holding his head and trembling.

Two thick fingers push inside, and my knees rise on their own. One more little pull, and he kisses my stomach, on the way up before thrusting into me, rocking hard and fast.