The Billionaire's Bodyguard Bride (14 page)

“Why don’t we talk about what’s really bothering you so we can both get some sleep?”

“You’re what’s bothering me!” The frustrated exclamation flew from her lips.

Rafe cocked an ebony eyebrow at her outburst. “And would you care to tell me precisely why?”

“After treating me like an outcast for two years, you waltz back into my life acting like nothing has changed between us. Well I have news for you. Things have changed. I loved you! I know you don’t believe that, but it’s true. I never would have gifted you my body if I hadn’t given you my heart first. When you tossed me aside without giving me a chance to explain, I realized you didn’t care about me at all. I was just a meaningless fling to you. Well, I don’t do meaningless.”

“And I don’t tolerate deceitful partners,” he retorted heatedly.

“I know what happened back in Greece looked bad, but it wasn’t like you think. If you’d bothered to hear me out, you would know that. But your refusal to let me explain isn’t what hurts the most. It’s that you believe me capable of the kind of cruel, heartless deception you accused me of.”

“So you’re saying I was wrong not to trust you?”

Lauren felt her face redden. “I’m saying there are two sides to every story.”

Rafe wasn’t sure what made him voice the words, but before he could stem them, they escaped his lips. “So tell me your side of it, then.”

Rafe’s offer hit her like a sledgehammer. What an ironic juxtaposition. Finally he was giving her a chance to relay the truth, yet she couldn’t do so without jeopardizing her mission.

It was so tempting to let the words she’d been holding on to for all these months flow. But if she told him her article had been planted as part of an assignment and that she was really a covert bodyguard, it wouldn’t take him long to realize why she’d agreed to his marriage bargain. If he deduced she was with him to provide the protection he’d refused, he would ostracize her. She might regain his respect, but in doing so she’d make it far more difficult for Sentinels to keep him safe. It was a chance she wasn’t willing to take.

Exasperated, she threw her hands up in the air. “I am not having this conversation with you. You’ve had plenty of opportunities to hear my side of the story, and you blew them. It’s too late, now.”

Tossing the sheets aside, she got out of bed and headed for the door, pausing only to grab a robe and slip her feet into a pair of sandals.

Rafe shook his head, bewildered by her sudden attitude reversal. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“I’m going for a walk.”

“Not dressed like that you’re not.”

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing? This nightgown is perfectly modest. Besides, no one is likely to be around at this late hour.”

Rising from the bed, Rafe took her hand and led her to the dresser mirror. “Is this your idea of modest?”

She drew in a surprised breath at the reflection staring back at her. Her cheeks were flushed with angry color and her breasts were clearly visible through the silky fabric. The gown she’d thought demure was very nearly transparent, and clung to her like a second skin.

“See? The nightgown’s cut may be discreet, but the fabric isn’t. Every delectable inch of you is outlined under the silk.”

His hands dropped down to cup her breasts and he brushed his fingers over the pebbled nubs that strained against the gossamer fabric. His fingers teased, setting the passion that had been simmering just beneath the surface to a flash point with merely a touch. “Your nightwear hides nothing.”

Heat pooled low in Lauren’s belly at the sight of his hands touching her so intimately. “I hadn’t realized,” she stuttered, her breathing quickening as her sensitized breasts swelled under his caress. His warm palms were inciting feelings that didn’t need any encouragement . . . feelings she couldn’t afford to indulge in.

“Change into something appropriate and go for your walk, but running from me won’t solve anything. The sooner you realize that and surrender to what’s between us, the easier this will be. The next year will be far more pleasurable if you just give in to your desire.”

She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could utter a word, he was swooping in on her lips, melding his mouth to hers in an evocative caress. The kiss was hot. Ardent.

“Come to bed with me,” he urged.

And with his seductively murmured appeal she was lost. With no defenses left to draw on, she surrendered, letting her body melt into his.

Rafe needed no further invitation. She felt the glide of his fingers as they slipped under the straps of her gown, sliding them down her creamy shoulders.

“You are even more beautiful naked,” Rafe murmured as the garment fell in a puddle of silk at her feet.

“This is just going to complicate things.”

“There’s nothing complicated about lust. We’re saving ourselves a lot of agony.”

While it was simply lust for him, Lauren knew she was on the brink of giving him her heart and soul again along with her body. She’d vowed not to go down this road with him a second time, and yet here she was. Worse, she didn’t want to turn back.

She moved deeper into his arms and felt the solid steel of his muscles enveloping her, drawing her closer still. She returned his embrace with the same fervor, reveling in the feel of his firm muscles under her fingertips. She grazed a masculine nipple with her fingernail and was rewarded by his indrawn breath. Emboldened, she traced the same path with her tongue.

The move pushed Rafe’s limits too far. It was her turn to gasp in surprise as he swung her up into his arms and placed her on the bed. Then he was above her, the heat from his body branding her.

“Not fair,” she gasped.

“All’s fair in love and war,
agapi mou
.”

“And which is this, love or war?”

The seconds ticked slowly past while he considered the question. “Neither. If that’s not the answer you wanted to hear, then you need to tell me now. If we go any further, there’s no going back. You’re driving me insane.”

She could feel the urgent evidence of that insanity nestled between her legs, pressing insistently against her thigh. Reaching down to stroke his hard length, she sighed. “I want this. I want you.”

“Then you shall have me.”

He kissed her again, and this time his mouth plundered in a sensual invasion that left her panting for more. Rafe’s fingertips stroked through her hair and down her back before he stepped away for what she knew had to be only seconds but felt like an eternity.

The sound of tearing foil brought the realization he’d had the presence of mind to remember protection when she hadn’t. She’d been so absorbed in the man and the moment that everything else had ceased to matter. Oblivion, no matter how pleasurable, wasn’t a place she could afford to go right now. Letting her guard down so completely meant jeopardizing Rafe’s safety. She needed to put a stop to this now.

Before she could give voice to her change of heart and put a halt to their lovemaking, his mouth rejoined hers and his clever tongue pushed all coherent thoughts aside. His hands fondled her breasts and then slipped between her thighs to tease her slick folds.

She was panting now, awash in sensation, communicating her desire in little needy breaths. His fingers slipped into her center and she shattered around him. And then he was there at the part of her where she wanted him most, and it felt like she was whole again. Thrilling in his possession, she urged him deeper.

Caught in his sensual undertow, Lauren let herself be drawn under, reveling in his every move. Wave after wave of pleasure washed over her, and then they were both spiraling over the edge.

“This changes nothing,” she whispered as he held her in his arms in the aftermath. But even as she spoke the words, she knew they were a lie. What they’d just shared changed everything.

Lauren awoke to bright rays of sunlight streaming into the bedroom, dismayed to find she’d overslept. It shouldn’t have come as a surprise considering the scant amount of rest she’d gotten last night. A delicious tingle coursed through her at the memory of how she’d spent the hours between dusk and dawn, and she turned to find the man responsible for her current sleep-deprived state.

He wasn’t there. Disappointment burned a hole in her heart until she spotted a note on the nightstand, scrawled in Rafe’s definitive, masculine pen strokes.
A.M. meeting before spending the day with Chuck and the other bidders. Looking forward to tonight.

She remembered his early appointment with Chuck, now. And while Rafe was busy wheeling and dealing, she’d promised to do her wifely duty and go along with the girls on their spa trip.

Oh well, how bad could it be? The dash of cattiness Melanie would undoubtedly add to the outing was a small price to pay in exchange for a little relaxation and pampering. Her heart suddenly lighter, she headed for the shower.

The plans for the day dictated casually chic attire, so she donned her favorite jeans, pairing them with a black satin blouse. Pulling her hair into a ponytail, she added diamond studs to her ears. She finished off with the barest touch of makeup and a coat of lip gloss before heading downstairs in search of breakfast.

Catching a whiff of freshly brewed coffee, she followed the wonderful aroma to the dining room. Eagerly pouring a cup, she added sugar and a generous amount of cream.

Trina, a lovely young woman she’d met at dinner last night, greeted her with a smile. “Good morning, Lauren. Boy, do I ever need coffee.”

“Good morning,” Lauren replied, returning the woman’s smile before taking a sip of the hot, fragrant brew. She sighed in pleasure. “It’s sheer ambrosia. The buffet looks amazing, too.”

“Mmmmm. Fresh fruit, yogurt, pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and hash browns. The Fullertons certainly want to be sure no one goes hungry.”

“I’m going to have to live on the treadmill after this weekend, but it’s so worth it.”

Taking their plates, they joined Grace Fullerton and the other women who were already seated at the table. The breakfast conversation was warm and insightful, and Lauren found herself enjoying this gregarious group of corporate wives. Their husbands might be top dogs in the business arena, but there was no question the women gathered here played a big part in that success.

They were chatting about the day’s news when Hurricane Melanie blew into the room in all her moody glory. Judging by her sullen expression, the blonde wasn’t having a good morning. She glowered at the group and abruptly turned to leave.

“You’re welcome to join us, Melanie,” Grace called out in invitation. “It’s not too late. The buffet is still hot and well stocked. Why don’t you grab a plate?”

“I don’t want breakfast,” she replied haughtily. “I was checking to see if any of the men were here. I’ve decided to join them on their golf outing today.”

A puzzled look crossed Grace’s face. “But the spa trip will be so much fun. You don’t want to come along with us?”

Perfectly plucked eyebrows rose in haughty dismissal of the suggestion. “I’m very particular about the spas I patronize, and today’s destination doesn’t meet my standards.”

Grace appeared dumbfounded, but to her credit she recovered quickly. “That’s up to you, of course. Chuck took the men out to breakfast after their meeting. They’ll be at the Madison on the golf course. Our chauffeur will be happy to drive you when you’re ready.”

Without so much as a thank-you to her hostess, Melanie turned and walked away. Pausing at the door, she spun around and shot Lauren a catty glare. “I’ll be sure to say hello to Rafe for you, Lauren. Milton is partnered with him today. I’m going to enjoy cheering them on.”

That clinched it, Lauren thought, as Melanie walked out of the room. She was officially upgrading the woman from bitter ex to evil shrew. She wouldn’t let Melanie’s little barb get to her, though. She didn’t care how the blonde spent her day. Lauren was confident Rafe wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize his reputation in front of Chuck Fullerton.

“Did you see in today’s paper that they caught the creep who’s been accosting female joggers?” Trina asked, picking up the thread of their earlier conversation.

“Yes,” Grace replied. “I’m so glad he chose the wrong woman this time.”

“What happened?” Lauren asked.

“The woman he attacked was trained in karate. Even though she was half his size, she was able to take him down. She held him at the scene until the police arrived.”

“Good for her,” Lauren enthused.

“Too bad his other victims weren’t so lucky,” Rachel frowned. “Their lives are messed up because of this pervert.”

“I hope they lock him up and throw away the key,” one of the older women asserted. “This was a success story, but too many of these situations end badly for my peace of mind.”

“It’s so easy to be lulled into a false sense of security. I used to think something like that could never happen to me,” John’s wife, Stacey, murmured.

Lauren’s gaze flew to the young woman. The vulnerability she saw in Stacey’s eyes struck a chord. She recognized the fragile, haunted look. The underpinnings of fear. She’d seen them in the mirror countless times in her own eyes until she’d found the courage to stand up to her abusive father.