Protecting What's Mine: A Security Romance Collection

by Apryl Baker

  Finding a car didn’t take as long as it’s taking in the grocery store. We’ve only been down one aisle and we’ve been here at least thirty minutes. Now I understand why he normally has the groceries delivered. He’s picky.

  “Babe, let’s get enough food for the weekend and we will have the rest delivered Monday or we can do curbside tomorrow,” I tell him.

  “That works for me,” he says as he bags up the apples in his hand. “What about family dinner tomorrow?”

  “I’ll order Italian and we can pick it up before they come over.”

  “Fast thinking.”

  “Milk, cereal, and meats and cheese. That should be enough to get us through.”

  He nods and pushes the cart to the cereal aisle, and I quickly pick out a box of Cheerios. Aedan looks at me like I’m crazy, so I grab a box of Cocoa Crispies—Aedan and his chocolaty cereal—and he smiles at my selection. The last few items take minutes to grab, and we check out and are on the way home.

  After the groceries are put away, I find myself back in the same place I was before we left, on the couch. I don’t want to watch TV, because I’m not in the mood, but I want to keep my mind occupied. I think too much if I’m not doing something.

  I wonder what Aedan is up to. He said something about working in his office, but I think that’s overrated. He’s worked enough since we’ve been back from Big Bear. I walk through the foyer and see the door to his office is open, and I walk in without knocking. His attention is focused on his work, and I sit down in a chair in front of him. He looks up from his papers, over his glasses.

  “Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “It’s okay. I just don’t feel like being alone.”

  He takes off his glasses and places them on his desk. “Want to do something?”

  “Yes.”

  “Want to go out?”

  “No.”

  “Then what do you want to do?”

  “You.”

  “Oh, is that a fact, Ms. McCoy?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “What do you have in mind?”

  I stand up and seductively remove my shirt and shorts, and his eyes tell me he likes what he sees. The bra and panties I have on don’t hide what they are supposed to be covering, and the cool air moving through the office causes my nipples to harden, pushing the thin lacey material out. Aedan pushes his chair back to get up and I shake my head at him.

  “No, sir. You get to sit there and watch the show.”

  “Show? What fun is that if I can’t touch you?”

  “All in due time, Mr. Hughes.” I put my hand behind my back to unclasp my bra, and I let it fall off my arms.

  “You’re killing me.”

  “Mmm. Good. Anticipation…my love.” I wink and hook my thumbs in my panties, turn, and slide them down my legs as I bend over.

  “Jesse, this is going to lead to something you might not like.” His voice is strained. I’m sure his cock is too.

  “I’m sure I’d like it very much.” I step out of the lacey material and walk around to his side of the desk.

  He puts his hands out to touch me, but I gently push them away. I want to be in full control of this foreplay. His eyes darken as stand in front of him, nude, and not letting him touch me.

  “Can you move your work, please?” I ask sweetly. He clears off his desk in one swipe, and before I realize it, he has his hands around my waist and he’s sitting me on his desk.

  “Enough of that. Spread your legs.” My eyes widen at his throaty command. “Now, Jesse.”

  I spread my legs, displaying myself for him. Aedan bends down and licks my hot center, then unzips his pants, letting his cock spring free.

  “Put your arms around my neck,” he commands, and before I can intertwine my fingers together, he slams into me. The fullness of him inside of me makes me moan, and he hesitates before rhythmically sliding in and out, pushing me to the brink of an orgasm. I feel myself getting ready to go over the cliff and he stops.

  “So close, babe,” he whispers in my ear.

  “Why did you stop?”

  “Anticipation.” He smirks. “Wrap your legs around me.” I hesitate. “Jesse, now.” I wait a moment and do as he asks. He places his hands under my bottom and pulls me into him. His cock throbs against my clit as he carries me out of his office to the kitchen bar and sits me down on the edge.

  “Remember how I told you there were a lot of surfaces to fuck you on? Well, I’m going to fuck you on each one, and right before you orgasm, I’ll stop and move on to the next one.”

  “That sounds mean.” I pout, wishing I hadn’t teased him.

  “I promise you it’s not. It’s the ultimate foreplay, because when I lay you down in bed, you’ll forget about everything else.”

  “If you say so. Sounds like a huge tease to me.”

  “I do. I love you, and I want to show you how much.” He pushes me back on the bar, and kisses my legs up to my center, paying special attention to my clit. I feel myself building and my body tenses under the meticulous attention he’s giving me. Please let me come, already, but he stops just as I’m ready to fall apart.

  “Mmm. You taste amazing.” Aedan pulls me up and carries me into the family room and stands me up by the couch. “Bend over the armrest.”

  “You’re awful bossy.”

  “I am, but you started this…and I’m going to finish it after I fuck you thoroughly.”

  “Mmm.”

  “That’s right, baby. Bend over so I can see that fine ass.”

  I bend over, letting my hips rest on the arm. He adjusts himself to my entrance and enters in one thrust, filling me. My sex is sensitive and I almost orgasm with one stroke.

  “You feel so good,” he moans as he thrusts in and out, roughly. “We might have to postpone the rest of the places.” He stops and pulls me into him.

  “Bedroom now?” I ask as I turn around in his arms.

  “Yes,” he says, tossing me on his shoulder. He doesn’t waste time going up the stairs—he takes them two at a time. Once he enters our bedroom, he gently places me on the bed, and removes his clothing quickly.

  I move up to the center of the bed, and he crawls in after me, like a lion on the prowl. “Sorry I was a little bossy. You got me so turned on. I wanted as much of you I could get, but you’re so tight. You get me keyed up fast.”

  “Let’s stop talking and get back to where we were.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He positions himself over me, but sits up on his knees, and turns my body over. “Up on your knees.”

  I comply, and he positions over me, spreading my bottom with his hands before slowly sliding in. Aedan kneads my cheeks with his fingers before he plows into me, causing me to moan. He grips my hips and pulls me back into him, and the sound of our bodies slapping together echoes throughout the room.

  He suddenly stops and hollers out, “Ahh.”

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, give me a second,” he says as he gets up and off the bed to stretch his leg. “Charlie horse.”

  “A muscle spasm cock-blocked you…and me.” I roll over on my back, giggling.

  “Oh, I’m not done. Just beginning.” He smirks.

  Aedan gets back on the bed and rubs my clit before thrusting a finger inside of me and then adds another before hitting the one spot that causes me to shatter into a million pieces. My body relaxes but tenses under the persistent massage. I’ve never felt an orgasm so deep in my body before. As everything begins to blacken, I feel an explosion of liquid.

  “Whoa, that was hot,” he says. “That’s never happened before.”

  I cover my face with my hands.

  “Don’t do that. If you’re embarrassed, I won’t do it again.”

  I nod my head as I pull my hands down.

  “Okay.” He puts his lips to mine, and they are hot. So hot I want to lick them to cool them down, and I wrap my arms around his neck. I kiss him, claiming him, and he enters me. I wrap my legs around him,
giving him access to all of me.

  My sex is clenching down on his cock as he strokes my walls, and my body tenses with another orgasm as he’s teetering on the edge of his own.

  “My beautiful girl, come with me,” he moans. I feel his release shoot inside me, and it pushes me over the edge as my body releases.

  His thrusts slow and stop. He stills for a few moments before he kisses my cheek. I remove my arms from his neck so he can move, and as I do, he moves to lie on his back. Aedan grabs my hand and kisses it.

  “How about a shower?”

  “That sounds amazing.”

  He kisses my hand again, sits up in bed, and pulls me up with him. We walk into the bathroom, where the only thing I’m thinking about is standing under the spray of hot water. This day will be a day I won’t forget.

  Chapter Ten

  Jesse

  Things have been quiet and normal for almost two weeks. I got my car and I was able to drive it to Aedan’s, but that’s all. Either Aedan or Lyndsay drive me to work. I want normalcy. Normalcy includes not being watched twenty-four-seven. I want a girls’ night with Laney. Even though it’s not safe for me to be out without a bodyguard, and my overprotective boyfriend/head of security in tow, we should be okay. I guess it would be a double date then. I pick up my phone to make arrangements. If it’s not okay with Aedan, I’ll ask for forgiveness later.

  “Hey, Laney Lou, what are your plans for tonight?”

  “Nothing that I know of because Sam’s been working crazy hours. He will be back from Idaho in an hour or so.”

  “How about a double date, dinner and pool?”

  “We haven’t done that since high school.”

  “It’s been way too long. Let me call Aedan and I’ll call you back with a time.”

  “Sounds good. Love you.”

  “Love you too.” I hang up as I walk into the elevator and head upstairs.

  The elevator doors open, and behind the glass wall, the area is still dark. I made it here before Stella and Nadia. That’s unusual. I scan my thumb to let myself in. Once I’m in, I turn on the lights in the reception area. I walk back to my office, open the door, and turn on the lights. The sunlight peeks in the windows, but it’s not enough light to go without the overhead lights on. I set down my purse and briefcase and turn on my computer before I put everything away. Before the computer is ready, I check my voicemails, and none of them are too pressing.

  I press the call button to speak to Stella. It’s a little before eight a.m., and she should be at her desk. After a few rings, I get the afterhours message call center. Maybe she’s here but hasn’t switched over the phone. I walk out to the front desk and see it’s empty. Nadia walks in.

  “Good morning, Ms. McCoy. How are you?”

  “I’m good, just checking to see if Stella arrived. Normally, she’s here by now.”

  “Oh, she called me on my way in. She’s sick. Poor thing could barely talk. She’s going to the doctor and she’s going to call to tell me how long she’ll be out.”

  “Thanks for letting me know. That sounds horrible. When you get a chance, can you let me know Aedan’s schedule for this afternoon?”

  “Of course.” She smiles.

  “Thanks.” I return the smile and walk back to my office.

  A few moments later, my email pings with a new mail. Nadia sent over Aedan’s schedule and he’s free this afternoon. Perfect. I reply to her email.

  Nadia,

  Please block out Aedan’s schedule from three p.m. on. We will both be out of the office.

  Thank you,

  Jesse

  The first part of my plan is in motion, now to prepare the rest. I text Sam and we set up the location and time, and once we agree, I send Laney a text.

  I go back to my emails and delete the junk that doesn’t need my attention. My thoughts turn to Stella. I’m surprised she didn’t call me, but if she’s having trouble talking, then I can understand why.

  “Jesse, did you block out my afternoon?” Aedan asks, flustered, as he enters my office without knocking.

  I look at him with my eyebrow cocked. “Good morning to you too, love.”

  “Care to explain what’s going on?”

  “Date. You and me with Sam and Laney.”

  “He just got back from Idaho. You’re going to make him hang out with his boss when he could be spending time with his girlfriend?”

  “I called and asked before I made definite plans, Aedan. I’m not that rude.”

  “Good. So what are we doing?”

  “Pizza and pool. The losers buy the pizza and beer.”

  “Does Sam know this?

  “Yes, he was the one that came up with the idea when I suggested pool or bowling. He said something about you two being decent at pool.”

  “Something like that. I’ll need to run by the bank before we go out. I hope you’re prepared…this won’t be pretty.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “The last time we played pool together, we got thrown out of the pool hall for being hustlers.”

  “Are you serious?” My eyes widen. What the hell?

  “It was all Sam’s fault. He thought it would be a good idea to bet double or nothing, triple or nothing with a thousand dollars. He is crazy.” He chuckles.

  “Well, watch him and make sure he doesn’t get out of hand. Or do I need to watch you both? Why do I have a feeling I might regret this now?” I shake my head.

  “No regrets.” He pulls me from my chair and into his hard body. “What I would give to fuck you on this desk. You looked so good on mine the other day,” he says, biting his lip.

  “One day, Mr. Hughes. Patience.” I smirk.

  “Patience is like your game of anticipation.” He grinds into me. “I need to get back to my office and finish my work since someone changed my schedule around.”

  “I checked to make sure it was clear before I did, so get to work before your boss notices you’re gone.”

  “I like my boss. She’s sexy.”

  “I’m glad. Your boss thinks you’re hot.”

  “We can cancel tonight and go straight home, and I can show you how sexy you are.”

  “No, we need time with our friends.”

  “All right. I’ll see you at lunch then.” He kisses me and lets me go. I watch his sexy ass walk out the door. My desk could be a lot of fun.

  ***

  The Spider Billiard & Bar isn’t busy when we arrive, and the guys walk behind us as Laney and I walk through the hall to pick a pool table. We pick a table next to an air hockey table. If we get bored with pool, we can play air hockey.

  “I’ll buy the first round,” Sam says. “What do you want?”

  “Fat Tire,” I say.

  “Make it two,” Aedan says.

  “I’ll come with you. I don’t know for sure.” Laney bites her lip anxiously.

  “We’ll be right back.” The two of them go to the bar.

  Aedan walks over to a table and unzips a bag I didn’t realize he was carrying. What in the world? A pool stick? Who carries around a pool stick? He looks up at me and I know he sees the confusion on my face.

  “I played a lot when I was in Indiana. After I couldn’t play basketball, I had to have something to keep me entertained in the winter. I picked it up quickly.”

  “Nice. Is there any other sport that you know how to kick ass in?”

  “Golf.”

  “Of course. I should have known.”

  “I can’t beat your dad, though. He has a hell of a swing.”

  “He’s been playing longer than you’ve been alive. He played in college and wanted to go pro, but it didn’t work out for him. That’s why he’s always been a huge advocate of graduating college even if you go pro.”

  “It’s a good idea.”

  “Beer! Get your fresh tapped beer, here,” Sam hollers.

  I grab my beer and look at Laney. She looks flushed.

  “Shots at the bar?” I ask.

  “A
couple.” She giggles and takes off after Sam.

  I look at Aedan. “Flip for designated driver?”

  “No. After this one, I’m done. I know we will be here a while and we will be eating.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes, I don’t like drinking that much when I’m not at home.”

  “I see. As you know, I like to cut loose.”

  I smile at him as he relaxes into Aedan, my boyfriend, not my hired bodyguard. We need more nights like this, and trips like Big Bear. Once the snow falls, maybe we can head down there to ski.

  “Sounds good to me. I’m going to get some of Sam’s money.” He kisses my cheek and walks over to the pool table.

  “Okay over here?” Laney asks as she bumps her boney hip into me.

  “Yes, just thinking we need to do this more often.”

  “I agree. We adult too much for our ages.”

  “We don’t have enough fun.

  “That too. I think the guys needed tonight more than we did.” We watch them bet on who’s going to sink what shot.

  “Definitely.”

  “Be truthful. Do you feel safe being in public, knowing someone is after you?”

  “Yes, I know that Aedan and Sam will keep me—us—safe. Tonight isn’t a night to worry about it, okay? Relax. We are allowed to do that.”

  “I love you, girl. You’re so strong and I’m so proud of you.”

  “I love you too. Silly, you’ve already had too much. You’re getting all mushy on me.”

  “You need to drink faster.” She giggles.

  “I’m good. Just enjoying the atmosphere.”

  “Jesse, Aedan’s buying,” Sam yells across the table.

  “Okay, what do you want?”

  “Double whiskey and a Coors Light,” he yells back.