Gypsy Soul: A Bad Boy Protector Romance (Lost Boys Book 3)

by Janice M. Whiteaker

  But maybe he might at least like me.

  “Okay.”

  I feel the breath he lets out. See the way my agreement seems to relax him the tiniest bit.

  And I want to give him a little more. “Where?”

  His eyes open and fix on mine. “What if I take you home?”

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I don’t want Gypsy to see what I was. The woman I used to be before I moved here and pretended to be different.

  Tried to be what I thought men wanted.

  And failed.

  Frequently.

  “Why? You ashamed of me?”

  “No. I’m—” I shake my head, hoping to right the thoughts racing through my brain, trying to trick me with the same sort of ideas that got me dumped over and over. “What?”

  “I know women like you don’t normally take men like me home to daddy.”

  Women like me?

  It’s almost funny. “I don’t think you know what kind of woman I am.”

  I expect the truth to push between us, but Gypsy doesn’t let it. Not even for a second. “I know more than you think, Beanie.” He tips his head to the side, studying me for a second. “Can you get off work for a few days?”

  Most of my work requires a laptop and an internet connection and that’s about it. “Probably.”

  “Make the call and find out. We’ll leave as soon as you get the okay.” He stands up, righting my body along with his. “You need anything before we go?”

  “Maybe we should go somewhere else. Maybe a beach or something?” I haven’t been home since Christmas, and I’m not sure showing up with a man will be the best way to smooth over the slight. “Maybe just hide out in a cabin?”

  Gypsy moves in close, his hands resting on my hips. “I like that you want to hole up in a cabin with me, Beanie. Not much to do in that scenario but find ways to make your thighs shake.” His hands slide back to curl around the barely there curve of my ass. “But I think I like the idea of seeing where my girl came from.”

  He won’t like that idea long.

  And maybe that’s not the worst thing that could happen.

  Who the fuck am I kidding? It’s the absolute worst thing that could ever happen, because no matter how freaking hard I tried, I still ended up liking this man.

  Wanting him.

  Praying he wants me back.

  “Shit.” I push him away, wishing I could do it as easily emotionally as I can physically. “Where can I take a shower and change?”

  “Upstairs across from where we slept.” He follows close behind me. “Together.”

  “I remember. Your dick was on me.”

  “Not last night, but it can be tonight if that’s what you want.”

  I glance over my shoulder at his crotch.

  “It’s not going to bite you.” He grins at me. “Promise.”

  I’m not so sure about that. I’ve touched more than a few dicks in my life and not a single one of them scared me.

  Gypsy’s does, and I don’t think it has much to do with additional foreskin.

  I flip on the light in the room Gypsy sent me to and stop dead in my tracks, a little stunned. “Holy shit.”

  I was expecting the bathroom to be in the same state as the rest of the place. I was wrong. The bathroom is completely remodeled. It’s simple and classic with white tile and a walk-in shower. Perfect for a house full of men.

  “Finished this after you banned me.” Gypsy grabs a black towel off the hook closest to me. “Use this one.” He takes a step back. I’ll bring your bag up so you can get dressed. He takes another step back and pulls the door shut behind him, leaving me in the sparkling clean room. I lift the towel to my nose and breathe deep like the teenage girl I might as well be.

  It smells like him.

  I pull it close as I open my phone and send an email to my boss, claiming a family emergency and asking for some time to work from home.

  Literally home.

  I send it and then shuck the clothes I’ve been wearing since yesterday. They were the only thing keeping me from knowing what it would be like to lay naked with Gypsy, and I’m not sure if I hate them or owe them big for that.

  Because I can’t decide if Gypsy will be the best thing that’s ever happened to me—

  Or the worst.

  But I can’t toe the line anymore. Wavering between action and fear.

  And I’ve always been a woman of action.

  10

  “FELICITY?”

  I barely knock on the door. The shower shut off more than ten minutes ago and she still hasn’t come out. “You okay?”

  The door barely cracks open, giving me a narrow peek of her face. “Is everyone still here?”

  I shake my head. I filled them in while Felicity showered and sent them on their way.

  “They’re all gone?” I can’t tell if she’s relieved or upset by the news.

  “All gone.”

  “Okay.” The bare shoulder I can see lifts on a deep breath.

  Then the door swings open wide.

  I stand in the hall, completely stunned. “I gave you a towel.”

  Felicity lifts it with one hand then drops it back down by her side. “I used it.” She swipes the other hand across her bare belly then holds the flat of her palm in my direction. “See? Dry.”

  “I’m seeing a lot right now, Beanie. I’ll be honest, I missed the fact that you were dry.” I thought I finally had her figured out. Could anticipate with relative accuracy what kind of shit she might do next.

  Nope.

  “Why are you naked?”

  “Why are you looking?”

  “Because you want me to.” I force my eyes from where they got tangled up on a pair of nipples more brown than pink, with thick tips that have me salivating just thinking about them being under my tongue. “What else do you want me to do, Felicity?”

  Her eyes widen just a little. “I don’t know.”

  “This was the entirety of your plan? You thought I would see something as fucking perfect as this and not want to know what else I could do for you?”

  “What you could do for me?” She looks genuinely confused. Like she’s really not sure how to navigate this situation.

  “You’re the only one naked here, Beanie.” I step in the bathroom, getting closer but not touching, giving Felicity the opportunity to hit the brakes at any moment.

  Her eyes drop to my chest before lifting back to mine. “You could get naked too.”

  I shake my head. “I don’t think so.” I trace the sides of her body with my fingers, dropping them when I reach the long line of her thighs. “Come into my room.” I back out of the bathroom and across the hall.

  She follows immediately, surprising me. Felicity stops a few feet in and I make a slow circle around her, closing the door as I take in every inch of her body with my eyes.

  I love how she stands tall and proud. Her chin lifted in the air in a sort of defiance. As if she’s daring me to find her lacking.

  That would never happen, but I’m not sure she realizes that. In fact, I’m positive I know she doesn’t.

  It’s not an issue of insecurity with her. It’s an issue of certainty.

  Felicity is sure I will change my mind. Decide she’s not what I want.

  That will never happen either.

  I move in close behind her, letting my body ghost against hers. “What can I do for you, Felicity?”

  Her head barely turns my way so she can peek at me under lashes so dark and long I used to think they weren’t real. “I don’t know.”

  I lean closer, letting my front blanket her back. “What do you like, Beanie?”

  I watch her swallow hard, hear the sound of it. “I don’t know.”

  She’s almost thirty. If the woman doesn’t know what she likes by now then the men in her past are definitely deserving of the ass-kicking I’ve been itching to gift them. “Don’t lie to me, Felicity. Not ever.” I rest my hands on the lean line of her hips. �
��I’m willing to find out for myself, but it will take time we don’t have right now.” The soft mass of her hair tickles my face as I lean into her ear. “And I was really hoping to watch you come before we left.”

  Her legs wobble a little, sending her body leaning back into mine. “This isn’t a good idea.”

  “You don’t really think that or you wouldn’t be naked right now.” I breathe deep, finding the focus I need. “You’re testing me and I intend to pass.”

  She doesn’t argue with me. Maybe because she has no argument.

  Or maybe it’s because my hands are moving over the flat plane of her belly, easing down to a place I’ve been dreaming of for weeks.

  “Tell me to stop.” The tips of my fingers brush across the line of dark hair covering her pussy. “Tell me you don’t want me to make you come, Felicity.”

  Her head falls against my shoulder and she lets out a tiny whimper as I stroke lower, barely grazing the skin of her labia.

  “I bet you’re wet for me.” I nip at the skin of her neck. “Is your pussy wet for me, Felicity?” One more pass of my fingers, giving her a barely-there touch. “Tell me.”

  “Yes.”

  I can’t stop the growl of satisfaction her admission brings. “Good.” I push against her, holding her steady as I force her feet forward, not stopping until she runs into the edge of the bed. I press my thighs against hers and push her shoulders down until her belly hits the mattress.

  Then I drop to my knees.

  “What are you doing?” Her voice is edged with unwarranted nervousness as I splay one hand on each thigh and gently part them.

  “Looking at all that’s mine.” I love that she’s not bare. Nothing I hate more than a naked pussy. “I meant what I said, Felicity.” I trail one finger down the center of her, smiling as it slides through the wetness I knew was there. “You are mine. Every fucking inch of you.” I lean in and suck the skin of one ass cheek hard enough to leave a mark. One only I will know is there.

  She spins around, craning so she can look back at me. “Did you just put a hickey on my ass?”

  So I might not be the only one that knows it’s there. “You’re getting distracted, Beanie.” I use my thumbs to spread the lips of her pussy and lick over her clit. It’s the easiest way to remind her what she’s supposed to be doing.

  Coming on my tongue.

  I stay on it, teasing the tiny nub with the tip of my tongue until I’m sure her mind’s in the right place. Then I lean back and flip her over. There’s no way in hell I’m missing the show. I grip her legs and pull them over my shoulders as I drag her body closer to the edge of the bed. Her back arches the tiniest bit when I put my mouth back on her. “You’re too clean, Beanie. I can’t taste you.” I slide my tongue along her slit, breathing deep. The smell of my body wash smothered out her scent as successfully as it obliterated her taste. “No shower next time.”

  She pushes up to her elbows and stares down at me, eyes wide. “What?”

  “I want to taste you, not fucking soap.”

  Felicity blinks at me, the whites of her eyes showing more than I’ve ever seen. “But—”

  “I’m going to leave that for next time.”

  She gasps. “You’re going to—”

  “Next time.” I bury my face against her, once again forcing her attention where I want it. I’ve known from the beginning Felicity would be a handful on every level. It’s what made me sure she should be mine.

  Because I thought I could handle her.

  I’ve questioned that belief a few times over the weeks, but not anymore. Now I’m positive. I have what she needs.

  Patience.

  Persistence.

  Perseverance.

  “Gypsy.” One hand fists in the hair at the back of my head. The hushed whisper of the word tells me everything I need to know. Felicity is finally here, in this moment.

  With me.

  And as much as I want to make this moment last as long as I can, I want her safe more. Far away from King’s clutches.

  So I’m relentless. If something makes her gasp I do it again. If something makes her moan I don’t stop.

  Not until her hand in my hair pulls tight and her thighs lock, holding my head tight to her cunt as she rides my tongue, the sound of her climax filling the room and my head.

  When her body goes limp I pull her fully onto the bed, dragging her along with me as I move onto the mattress where I’ve laid thinking of her. Wishing she was here.

  And now she is.

  I pull her close, riding the high of her orgasm as if it was my own, tucking her tight to me so I can enjoy this minute before I steal her away.

  She’s quiet, which isn’t normal. “What’s wrong, Beanie?”

  Her head shakes against my chest.

  “Don’t over-think. Don’t try to make this something it isn’t.” I press my lips to her forehead, ignoring the urge to fire off questions until I know why she withdraws in an instant.

  Why she fights herself as often as she fights me.

  “Just trust me.”

  Trust is the most valuable thing there is in this world, and I want hers more than I’ve wanted any before.

  “We should go.” She rolls away and I let her go. Give her the space she needs to try to understand that this is different.

  This is real.

  “You get dressed and I’ll get your car loaded up.”

  She pulls a shirt from one of her bags and glances my way. “We should take yours.”

  I don’t hide my surprise.

  “Mine?”

  Felicity nods. “Trust me.”

  I wonder if she realizes the opportunity she just handed me. Two little words that mean so much.

  “I do.”

  Her lips press together and we stare at each other for a second, long enough I’m sure the words have all sunk in. “I’ll go load up my car.” I crack the door open and slip out, leaving her to finish getting dressed while I go downstairs to collect my computer and chargers. Jeff can run the warehouse while I’m gone with no problem, but even from a different state I can help keep track of our inventories. By the time I’ve loaded my bag, Felicity is dressed and coming down the stairs, wrestling her suitcase as she goes.

  I take the stairs two at a time, taking the heavy case from her. “Stubborn.”

  Her shoulders straighten. “Self-sufficient.”

  I smile. “Fair enough.”

  She follows me down and out into the garage where the passenger’s seat is flipped forward so I can slide in her bag. I wedge it in and flip her seat back into place.

  “There’s a lot of space back there.” Her head tips to one side. “Well, not a lot, but more than I expected.” She takes a few steps back, blue eyes skimming down the length of my restored El Camino. “Did you do this?”

  I nod. “Me and Wind.”

  She slowly walks around the vehicle, trailing one finger along the deep burgundy body as she goes. “How long did it take you?”

  “Six months.”

  Felicity pauses at the rear, studying the back bumper. “Is it all original?”

  I shake my head. “No.” I nod to the bumper she’s eyeing. “The back end had to be parted together because of rust.”

  “Hmm.” It’s a short sound. One that makes me think Felicity already knew that.

  I wait her out. I’m smart enough to know that right now she’s giving me something.

  And it’s another test.

  “The engine is new too.”

  Her dark brows lift and her eyes snap to mine. “You had to rebuild the engine?”

  “No.” I begin to follow her around the car. “There was no engine.”

  “Oh.” She tips her head to one side. “I guess that’s not a terrible thing since we’re about to drive it across the state.”

  “You want to see it?”

  Our eyes lock and I wait as she decides what to give me. The truth, or a lie.

  I wait, knowing this is an important cho
ice for her to make.

  But I already know the truth.

  I’ve seen the tools in her garage. I know what they’re for.

  She can hot wire a car.

  She can ride a bike and not just as a passenger.

  Felicity can do it all by herself.

  This woman is full of secrets I can’t wait for her to share with me, and I’m hoping today will be the first.

  She chews her lip for a second before barely whispering, “I do.”

  “I thought you might.” I open my door and pop the hood.

  Felicity hangs back as I lift it open and hook the prop in place. I step back.

  She leans forward, peeking at the V-6. “Nice.”

  “I’m happy to let you go over it as much as you want once we get where we’re going.” I drop the prop and close the hood. “Hell, you can take it apart and put it back together if that makes you happy.”

  She lifts a shoulder and walks to the passenger’s side.

  Looks like I’ve gotten all I’m going to out of her. For now.

  I might almost be willing to admit I’m not as pissed as I initially was over King tearing up Felicity’s place, since it’s given me the chance to have her all to myself while Tracker and Wind try to find out what the fuck is up.

  Felicity stops at the open door and turns to me. “Why am I the only one who has to leave? What about Shelly and Kerri and Becca?”

  I’m not sure how to explain it to her without having Felicity prove my point.

  She’s strong. Defiant. Independent.

  And still doesn’t trust me. Not enough to listen to what I tell her.

  Until she does, Felicity will continue to put herself in danger. Take risks she shouldn’t.

  “They might have to leave too.” It’s not a complete lie. If Hawk and Tracker thought they had to get their girls out of here they wouldn’t hesitate.

  Just like I’m doing.

  “How long is this going to last?”

  She’s talking about King. I know she is, but part of me wonders if there isn’t more to it.

  “King is running on borrowed time.” I move in close. I want my answer to her question to be as clear as day. “He won’t be able to keep this up forever.” I wrap one arm around her waist. Holding her like this is so easy. So real. “But this,” I point one finger, moving it between us, “will last as long as you want it to.”