“Ashlen,” he breathed and took the knife off her neck immediately.
Sobs were coming from underneath him.
“What’s wrong?” He demanded, rolling his body off her.
“Besides you trying to slit my neck?” She gasped.
He helped her to her feet, looking her over. She was unfortunately only in an oversized white t-shirt and her panties.
“There are noises outside of my room,” was what she told him that shook him out of his daze.
The tone in her voice made him realize how terrified she was. Her voice was choked with tears.
Spurring into immediate action, he flipped on the overhead light and went over to grab his 9mm. Instead of taking it with him, he handed the gun to Ashlen. Her face was tear-stained, and she looked overwhelmed. But she held the gun firmly and safely, just as he had taught her.
Good girl, he thought to himself as he crossed the room.
“Stay here,” he told her as he left the room and went straight to the trunk with his M4A1 carbine. Unlocking the case, he took the weapon out, briefly checking it. Then, he swiftly moved outside to check along the perimeter of the cabin.
The night air was cool, especially in his boxers. But he didn’t worry about that. Yeah, the rough terrain was hard on his bare feet, but he didn’t care. Ashlen’s life was at stake. Mercer moved around right to where Ashlen’s bedroom was at the house, his body tense. He paused for a moment before he saw the movement in the foliage, right where the hill drop-off started. After a few moments of study, he shot two sharp shots from his carbine. He approached closer to where the body lay.
It was a small body. It was a furry body. He had only shot at it knowing what it was: a raccoon. However, he wasn’t about to get close to it without a mask and gloves because of the risk of rabies.
Mercer instead checked the rest of the house thoroughly—very thoroughly—before he reluctantly went inside. Locking the door behind him, he put his carbine away and locked the case.
Walking back to his room, he called loudly, “Ashlen, it’s Mercer. Put your gun down.”
He waited a few moments before attempting to enter the room.
Ashlen was crouched up against the far-left wall, his 9mm in her hands. However, it was currently not pointing at him, which was the best he could have hoped for at that moment.
“Ashlen,” he said as calmly as he could. “Keep the gun down. It’s okay.”
Tears were streaming down her cheeks. He tentatively stepped over to her and knelt by her, slowly prying the 9mm from her hands. Her whole body was shaking.
“We’re okay,” he said to her softly. “It was a raccoon.”
The look on her face was one of relief and then one of embarrassment. Her face visibly reddened. She tried to stand and leave, but he grabbed her arm and held her where she was.
Her face colored red noticeably.
“I’m so sorry I bothered you,” she said and tried to pull away from him.
He instead pulled her in closer.
“Don’t bullshit me,” he said. “Regardless of what it was, you were right to come and get me. It could have easily been something much more dangerous. Got it?”
“Yeah,” she finally breathed.
He let go of her arm, but she didn’t bolt like he thought she would.
“Are you okay to go back to your room?” He asked.
She shook her head and her body visibly trembled. The only thing he could do was walk up to her and hold her in his arms. She didn’t protest, even though he was only in his boxers. She didn’t say a word. She just allowed him to hold her, and she felt so fucking good in his arms. It was driving him crazy. He felt the need to protect her, not because he was being paid for it, but because he felt possessiveness toward her. He knew he had no right to feel like she was his, but he didn’t care.
“You can stay with me tonight then,” he murmured into her silky hair. When he felt her tense, he explained, “Ashlen, as attractive as I find you, I am still here to protect you. If you need to stay with me tonight, I will respect that. I’m not going to push anything inappropriate on you.”
She pulled away from him and looked at his bed. Then—surprisingly enough—plopped down on the bed and curled into a ball.
His heart racing, he shut off the overhead light, walked over to the bed, and set the 9mm on the nightstand. He gently lay down onto the bed as not to disturb Ashlen. There were a few moments when he lay tensely next to her. After a while, however, he relaxed and so did she. He could feel her entire body alongside him in the queen-sized bed. A few more moments later and she had nuzzled herself against him.
He turned toward her, reaching out his arms and encompassing her. She allowed herself to be held. Her shaking had stopped. Her sobbing had stopped. He hoped that she was okay now for what it was worth. Mercer also hoped that she wouldn’t feel how fast his heart was racing.
So, Mercer “I don’t do long term shit” Cade held her that night until he drifted back off into a thankfully dreamless sleep.
Chapter 12
Ashlen woke up abruptly. She hadn’t been dreaming about anything, but somewhere in the back of her mind told her that she needed to be alert.
So here she was very awake and lying very close to Mercer Cade. Looking at the clock, she realized that it was close to five in the morning. It was tempting to try and leave at that point—maybe even try to go back to her bed and finish off whatever sleep she needed in her room.
However, as much as an asshole he had been to her that evening, he had made up for it with his display of heroics when she had needed him the most. She had to admit that he was an exceptionally good bodyguard. She even smiled when she remembered him running out of the room in his boxers. She couldn’t believe how hot he was.
It had only been a few brief moments later that she realized that he was still in only those boxers. The possibilities were endless…
What the hell! She was still supposed to be asleep after all, and she found him irresistibly attractive. He probably wouldn’t notice if she wrapped herself around him. Hell, he had had his lips on her breasts the evening before without any excuse.
Ashlen pressed closer to Mercer, her right arm wrapping around his body and touching around his rock-solid abs. She had intended to just leave her hand there, but her hand seemed to have a mind of its own. While the left hand explored the hard ridges of his back, her right hand swooped down to fondle his chest and abs.
Completely. Solid.
Sexually. Attractive.
It was a realization that turned her on way more than she expected. He had been such a jerk to her the night before. The fact that she had been willing to stay with him that night had been surprising to her. However, she had been so scared about the possibility of an intruder, so she had allowed herself to be vulnerable to him.
The fact that had scared her the most, though, was that she knew he had been awake for all her new-found determination to touch him. His honed skill when she had walked in the room and tackled her made her realize that he was aware of any movement or touch she could offer.
Ashlen didn’t care, though. She was too tired, too weary, and too wired to care. She was incredibly aroused. He had expressed that he thought she was attractive. Now, he would have to deal with her.
She could hear an audible groan from him as her right hand explored his lower abs. With his protest, she ran her fingers lower until she found the edge of his boxers. Then, she slipped her hand underneath his underwear.
It didn’t take long to find what she was looking for. He was raring to go already. Her fingers stroked the silky hard shaft. He was bigger than she had expected. She smiled with delight. His cock responded to her hands by pulsing even larger.
Suddenly, Mercer flipped around toward her, making her lose her grip on him. His eyes snapped open, looking directly at her, his dark and handsome looks sending shivers down her back.
“You’re going to be the end of me, Ashlen,” he told her in a low growl.
She welcomed him as he peeled off her t-shirt and felt her breasts with his calloused hands. His kisses were amazing as they covered her lips and the rest of her body. He started at her neck and worked his way slowly down her body. She moaned at his touch, her body responding to his caresses. She could feel moisture trickling out of her pussy. Her clit was swollen and painfully aroused.
It was then that Mercer found other areas he hadn’t explored that evening, making his way down to her panties. With his teeth, he peeled off her panties down her legs and over her feet. His head looked up only for a moment before he devoured her with his mouth.
The sweet suction with his mouth on her felt amazing. She was panting and gasping for breath as he continued his assault. A cry escaped her mouth, and she wriggled her body against him, trying to fight for control. Mercer only pinned down her legs harder and continued with his mouth.
He only paused once with his onslaught to mumble, “Damn it, Ashlen. You taste so fucking good.”
Then, he changed to a gentled lapping with his tongue: a flick into her vulva and then a light flick on her clit. Then he started teasing her along the inside of her thighs. He was playing with her, she realized. And she was getting way too aroused. She could feel herself letting go. She could feel the pleasure building up, and she knew she would orgasm soon if he kept this up any longer.
He suddenly shifted his body so that his head popped up from her lady areas. His body suddenly and heavily heaved on top of hers. His head was now in line with hers. He was such a large man compared to her that it was almost frightening but also strangely erotic.
“No, Ashlen,” he scolded her. He had somehow known how close she had gotten to release. “You’re not getting off that easily.”
She wanted to protest but didn’t know what to say. This whole action was going against everything she thought she wanted and needed, yet it was happening. And she was going to allow it to happen. She desperately needed him inside of her.
Ashlen could feel the weight of his erection on her belly. She greedily peeled his boxers down with her hands. His hard dick popped out and fell to her skin. She was surprised at its size, though she really shouldn’t have, knowing Mercer’s own substantial body.
“I need to be inside of you…now,” he murmured.
“We should have protection,” she gasped as she felt him lower his erection to the moist folds of her pussy.
“Baby, I know you are on the pill,” he whispered. Why, yes, she was. How he knew that she wasn’t sure. “And I know you are healthy.” Yes, four years without a partner and medical testing confirmed that. “And I am healthy.” Somehow, she didn’t doubt that.
Trusting him, she opened her legs.
With that trust, he first tested her with his fingers. First, he slipped one into her, then two. He pumped his fingers in and out of her, slowly fucking her with just his hand. Ashlen shut her eyes with the sensation. She was disconcertingly wet, she realized. His fingers glided into her way too easily. He knew that too because he had pulled out his fingers after a couple of thrusts and lowered his torso onto her.
She felt the head of his cock brushing against her clit. She shuddered at the feeling. Her clit was so swollen that she thought the slightest touch would end up pushing her to her release. Mercer obviously knew this was driving her crazy because he spent a few moments with him on top of her, the head of his cock brushing the swollen, sensitive nub of her clit.
Then he pushed himself into her. She gasped as her body tried to accommodate him. For a moment, she thought that she wouldn’t. He was too big, she realized. There was no way.
However, it only took a few gentle, liquid strokes for him to ease the rest of the way into her. She let out a deep moan as he situated himself inside her. Her pussy was so wet that it coated his cock like liquid honey.
Then his thrusts started.
Painfully slow and deep at first.
Then, still slow but harder and harder.
She felt her hands glide up and down his body, feeling the contrast of the smoothness on the one side of his body and the roughness of his scars and burn marks on the other side. He groaned, and his lips found hers again. He kissed her slowly and deeply like his thrusts.
Ashlen was most surprised at his gentleness. She hadn’t expected sex with Mercer to be like this. She had expected him to be hard and rough, like his appearance. The more and more she found out about him, the more complex she realized he was. There were things she knew he was hiding.
No, he wasn’t a jerk. Jerks didn’t make love like this. Hell, no one had ever made love to her like this—certainly not Paul. But Mercer was using the asshole façade to bury something deep from her, though she wasn’t sure what.
His thrusts continued, faster and harder. She drew up her legs and hooked one of them around his back. He began pushing much deeper now. She could feel herself close to release. She felt like she was going to lose her mind. As much as she wanted release, she wanted to forever feel Mercer inside of her, kissing her, making her feel alive.
When that sweet release did come, her whole body clenched around his as she rode wave after wave of the delicious pleasure. He continued to pump into her, riding her through her orgasm. She went limp after the last wave hit.
It was not much longer until Mercer finished his last thrust as he emptied himself into her. She could feel the hot liquid of his semen jetting out of him inside of her. When the final jet of semen came, he collapsed on top of her. They were both breathing heavily. Both their bodies were hot and sweaty, but she didn’t care. She didn’t even care if the sex hadn’t meant anything to him.
She had needed it badly, she told herself. Her situation had been too tense and stressful. She had needed this release.
Picking his head up from where he lay, Mercer stared at her in the dark room. She couldn’t tell exactly what the expression was, but when he dipped his head to give her one last final kiss, her heart seemed to skip a beat.
Oh my God, she realized as she returned his kiss. You have fallen for this guy big time.
She was going to have to be careful because she was probably going to get hurt.
✽ ✽ ✽
6 Hours Earlier
“And that’s why we need your help to save our wildlife!” Bruce Marino exclaimed at the podium to an adoring crowd in Charlotte, North Carolina.
They applauded with gusto, and he smiled and waved at the crowd before stepping down and turning to leave. He had only been at the event for a few minutes, and that was already enough for him. However, he had to keep up appearances. He couldn’t even remember what the name of the initiative was. He just knew that no one would touch him when he was the darling of the public. Hell, he polled well enough that he could easily run for office and win.
As he left the stage, he walked with his bodyguards back out toward the exit and back to the limo waiting for him. The driver had been told to keep it running. He hadn’t planned to be there long.
Bruce was looking forward to getting back to his house. He had two women waiting there, and he wanted to get the party started.
The limo had barely pulled out when Bruce’s cellphone lit up. He stared down at the number and cringed. It was the last person he wanted to talk to right now, but he had to take the call.
“Marino,” he answered tersely.
“Where are my guns?” Came a southern man’s voice from the other end.
Bruce cringed.
He knew exactly who it was, and he had been dreading the conversation. If Peter Cole had just kept up with his end of the fucking bargain, then Bruce wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place. Bruce had even sent some men after Peter’s niece with no success. If he didn’t keep this client happy, he would be in a lot of trouble.
“You’ll get them soon,” Bruce said in his smoothest voice possible.
“I’ve been waiting for weeks. I have the Lord’s work to do.”
“Yes, yes. I’m sure you do. But my supplier is havin
g issues. Soon. Very soon.”
“It better be,” the man said, and the line went dead.
Eh, shit, Marino thought.
He’d have to double his efforts on finding Peter’s niece. Finding Peter himself would be impossible. The guy was just that good, but his niece was another story. Bruce might have to call in some favors, but he could get it done. He had to get this shipment before he pissed off the wrong people.
Chapter 13
Present
Mercer had long since rolled off Ashlen, and they both were now lying quietly in the dark. He was silently cursing at himself for taking it that far with her. Yeah, it had been great, even better than he could have ever imagined. Sex with Ashlen had been hot and wet and tight. The way she had reacted to his touch, the noises she had made, and the looks she had given him had driven him over the edge. Yet, hadn’t he promised her that he wouldn’t do inappropriate things if she stayed with him that night?
Well, she’s the little minx who started it, he told himself. Her and those magic hands of hers.
However, as much as she had pushed the issue with him, he couldn’t help but feel that he had taken advantage of her. She had had one hell of a weekend. Mercer knew that she was scared and stressed out. His memory of him holding her trembling body was still very vivid.
Yeah, he felt just a bit guilty for what they had done (a first for him). He had never felt guilty about taking a woman before in his life.
“You know so much about me,” she murmured from beside him, “but I know practically nothing about you.”
Uh-oh.
This is exactly what Mercer had been fearing. She wanted a relationship. He wasn’t going to give her one. Hadn’t he made it clear that when he fucked, it was always a short-term deal?
“Ashlen, look…” He began, a lump suddenly forming in his throat. “You do understand my policy on women. I don’t do…”
She placed a fingertip over his lips, which shut him up quickly.
Perilous Games (Gray Tower Book 3) Page 10