by Susan Stoker
Chapter Eighteen “You guys want to spend the night?” Nathan asked in what he hoped was a nonchalant tone. He didn’t want to move too fast with Bailey, but after their conversation the other night, and after she’d had lunch with Felicity, she seemed to have gained a lot of confidence. She’d begun to touch him more, and even had initiated an intense make-out session the other night. Nathan wanted her. Badly. But he wanted her to be comfortable, ready for a sexual relationship more than he wanted to assuage his own needs. After what she’d been through, he didn’t want to do anything that would bring back bad memories. He’d continue to let her take the lead when it came to anything sexual . . . although he’d do whatever he could to spend time with her. Including asking her and her brother to spend the night with him. “Really?” Joel said excitedly before turning to his sister. “Please? That’d be so cool!” Bailey frowned at both of them. “I don’t know . . . it’s a school night.” “I promise to
Chapter Nineteen Bailey had read the same page ten times, but she couldn’t keep her mind on the romance in front of her. They’d gone to the store and gotten the necessary toiletries. Nathan went overboard and also bought her some makeup, bought Joel some strong-smelling shower soap he insisted “all the boys were wearing,” and lotion, eye drops, cold medicine, and other various things one would normally have in a medicine cabinet. When Bailey had asked him what in the world he was doing, Nathan had shrugged and said that it was better to be safe than sorry, and if any of them got sick, he wanted to have on hand what they needed to get better. Bailey had stood stock-still in the middle of the aisle staring at Nathan as he put item after item into the basket. He was definitely buying too much, but she knew why he was doing it. His words echoed in her brain even now, hours after he’d said them. My love for you isn’t dependent on you making love with me. Or sleeping with me. Or anything. It
Chapter Twenty Bailey gasped and grabbed Nathan’s head as her body readied itself for another orgasm. Nathan smiled as he felt her fingernails dig into the sides of his head. He’d almost blown everything by not considering her feelings about the lights. All he could think about was his feelings, which was stupid. He wasn’t the one who’d been raped. He wasn’t the one who’d been forced to get a tattoo on his back. He needed to make this good for Bailey. His needs and wants should always come in second when it came to her. He concentrated on doing exactly what his brothers had suggested, direct contact with Bailey’s clit. He’d thought licking her folds would feel good to her, and it had, but he hadn’t considered exactly how magical a woman’s clit was. Every time his tongue flicked it, she moaned. When he sucked on it, she squirmed under him and pushed her hips farther into his mouth. When he added a finger into his play, pushing slowly in and out of her, he could feel her muscles clench d
Chapter Twenty-One With every day that went by, Nathan got more and more tense. It had been more than two weeks since he’d spoken with his brothers about Donovan, and they’d made a preliminary plan. The fact that they couldn’t find the gang leader was putting them all on edge. The man was out there. Somewhere. And breathing down Bailey’s neck. He knew it. She knew it. They’d had a long discussion the other night about what Donovan was capable of and what he was likely to do when he showed up. As much as Nathan wanted to reassure Bailey that her ex wouldn’t get his hands on her, he couldn’t. They both knew it was simply a matter of time. They’d argued about what Joel should do when Donovan finally made his move. Bailey didn’t want to talk to him about Donovan at all, while Nathan argued that he should have some idea of what might happen. “He’s not strong enough,” Bailey huffed. “He’s still having nightmares, and the psychologist says that he’s still working through the shit Donovan expo
Chapter Twenty-Two Two days later, Nathan woke up with Bailey’s mouth around his cock. Even though Donovan’s arrival in their lives was hovering like a giant black cloud, his relationship with Bailey had never been better. It was as if showing him her tattoo, and exposing what she thought was her shame, had freed her to be who she was with him. And she was an extremely sexual woman who loved to touch, and be touched, and she taught Nathan how and where. She hadn’t lied when she’d admitted that she liked sex, and he felt like the luckiest man alive. Not only was Bailey beautiful, but she was sharing a bed with him. She liked to wake him by sucking him off, trying to see how close she could get him to exploding before he fully woke up. This morning was no exception. His dick was fully engorged and halfway down her throat when his conscious mind realized what was happening. Instead of protesting, as he’d done the last two mornings, he went with it. Nathan grabbed her head and held on as s
Chapter Twenty-Three Bailey slowly closed the door, taking a big breath to strengthen her resolve before taking a good look at her ex. Donovan looked like shit. Oh, he was still muscular, and still had that cocky grin he always thought got him anything he wanted, but his skin was pale, and he looked disheveled. She had no idea when he’d showered last, but it wasn’t anytime recently. His jeans were dirty with black streaks and dirt. It looked like he’d lost weight as well. He shuffled from foot to foot as if he couldn’t stand still. Bailey’s eyes swung to Joel. “You okay?” she asked quietly in a voice that was steady with resolve. They knew this day was coming, and even though it had surprised her, she’d do exactly as she and Nathan had talked about. She only hoped Joel was ready as well. “Yeah,” he said softly, and winced when Donovan squeezed his neck. “You didn’t think you’d really get away from me, did you?” Donovan asked casually. Bailey shrugged. “I thought you’d be ready to move
Chapter Twenty-Four Bailey sat nervously next to Nathan at the Castle Rock police station. They weren’t under arrest, but they had to give their official statement to the cops. Blake and Logan were also in the room. Standing against the wall, their arms crossed in front of them, scowls on their faces. If she didn’t know them, Bailey would’ve been scared to death, but since their ferocious looks were because their brother had been used as a punching bag, she supposed they were entitled to their scowls. Joel was in another room with Felicity, Grace, her babies, and Alexis. Bailey had been reassured several times that he wouldn’t be questioned without her there, but she was still worried that somehow Child Protective Services would take him away from her. They’d been seen by the paramedics at her house and been patched up. Even though they were both hurt, Nathan and Bailey decided not to go to the hospital. Donovan hadn’t been so lucky. Now they had to tell their side of the story. Bailey
Epilogue “You feel all right?” Nathan asked for the tenth time that afternoon. He knew he was being overprotective, but Bailey had just gone through a four-hour session in a tattoo chair earlier, and she had to be hurting. The day after Donovan had passed away, Felicity had taken her down to Colorado Springs to talk with the tattoo artist she’d recommended. The tattooist had taken one look at the awful words on Bailey’s back and curled her lip. She’d looked Bailey in the eye and swore, “I’m gonna make this the most kick-ass tattoo you’ve ever seen. And it’s on the house.” Bailey had protested, but the woman hadn’t budged. Today wasn’t the first time she’d had the tattoo worked on, and it wouldn’t be the last either. The words Donovan had tried to brand her with were gone, transformed into swirls and shading of three mountain peaks. There was the start of a brilliant sunset behind the mountains, and, at Bailey’s request, there were small birds that matched the ones Grace and Logan had i
Acknowledgments Sometimes writing can seem like a solitary job, but in reality, there are a ton of people behind the scenes. I want to give a shout-out to Elle James, Beth Neal, Chas Jenkins-Patrick, Marie Brown, and every blogger who has picked up the books in this series and let me know how much they’ve enjoyed them. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my Montlake editors as well. Melody Guy has had nothing but wonderful suggestions for tightening up and tweaking my stories, and Maria Gomez has always been supportive and encouraging as we go through the process. And finally, to every one of my readers, you’re the best.
I know this series came out of the blue, but you embraced it and ultimately loved it. I can’t tell you how much that means to me.
About the Author Photo © 2015 A&C Photography Susan Stoker is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who loves hot alpha heroes. She debuted her first series in 2014, and quickly followed it up with her SEAL of Protection series and her Ace Security series, which includes Claiming Grace and Claiming Alexis. She is addicted to writing and creating stories readers can lose themselves in. Susan considers herself an all-American girl with a heart as big as her home state of Texas. Thanks to her Army husband, she’s lived in several different states. Now that he’s retired, however, it’s his turn to follow Susan around the country. Discover more about Susan and her books through her website, www.StokerAces.com, or follow her on Twitter (@Susan_Stoker) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/authorsusanstoker).
Connect with Susan Online SUSAN’S FACEBOOK PROFILE AND PAGE www.facebook.com/authorsstoker www.facebook.com/authorsusanstoker FOLLOW SUSAN ON TWITTER www.twitter.com/Susan_Stoker FIND SUSAN’S BOOKS ON GOODREADS www.goodreads.com/SusanStoker E-MAIL [email protected] WEBSITE www.StokerAces.com
DISCOVER OTHER TITLES BY SUSAN STOKER
Ace Security Series
Claiming Grace
Claiming Alexis
Claiming Bailey
Claiming Felicity
Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Series
Justice for Mackenzie
Justice for Mickie
Justice for Corrie
Justice for Laine (novella)
Shelter for Elizabeth
Justice for Boone
Shelter for Adeline
Justice for Sophie
Justice for Erin
Justice for Milena (March 2018)
Shelter for Blythe (July 2018)
Justice for Hope (TBA)
Shelter for Quinn (TBA)
Shelter for Koren (TBA)
Shelter for Penelope (TBA)
Delta Force Heroes Series
Rescuing Rayne
Assisting Aimee
Rescuing Emily
Rescuing Harley
Marrying Emily
Rescuing Kassie
Rescuing Bryn
Rescuing Casey (January 2018)
Rescuing Sadie (April 2018)
Rescuing Wendy (May 2018)
Rescuing Mary (November 2018)
SEAL of Protection: Legacy Series
Defending Caite (September 2018)
SEAL of Protection Series
Protecting Caroline
Protecting Alabama
Protecting Fiona
Marrying Caroline (novella)
Protecting Summer
Protecting Cheyenne
Protecting Jessyka
Protecting Julie (novella)
Protecting Melody
Protecting the Future
Protecting Alabama’s Kids (novella)
Protecting Kiera (novella)
Protecting Dakota
Beyond Reality Series
Outback Hearts
Flaming Hearts
Frozen Hearts
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Text copyright © 2017 by Susan Stoker
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
Published by Montlake Romance, Seattle
www.apub.com
Amazon, the Amazon logo, and Montlake Romance are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.
ISBN-13: 9781542049023
ISBN-10: 1542049024
Cover design by Eileen Carey
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Connect with Susan Online
Chapter One
Nathan Anderson shook his head in disgust and glared at the steering wheel of his Ford Focus. His brothers, Logan and Blake, told him over and over that one day the car was going to give up the ghost, but he’d ignored them. Marilyn, named after the iconic movie star, was old, but she was the first thing he’d purchased when he’d left home after graduating high school, and he just couldn’t bear to part with her. The black paint had long ago begun to peel off, she was rusting in places, and the trunk only stayed shut because of the rope used to tie it down.
After several mornings of Marilyn barely turning over when Nathan tried to start her, it looked like she’d finally had enough. Figured she’d do it when he was sitting with a trunk full of groceries in a supermarket parking lot.
Nathan took out his phone and tapped on Logan’s number. It went to voice mail. Not bothering to leave a message, Nathan tried Blake and turned the phone off in frustration when it too went to his brother’s voice mail. He considered trying to get ahold of either Grace or Alexis but figured they were probably with his brothers since they were rarely away from each other.
His friends Felicity and Cole weren’t around either. Felicity wasn’t due back until later tonight from some sort of mysterious trip to Chicago that she refused to talk about, and Cole was up in Denver getting marketing ideas for the gym he and Felicity co-owned.
Nathan sighed and drummed the steering wheel with his index finger, trying to figure out who else he could call.
He wasn’t a man who made friends easily, more comfortable with his computer and numbers than with people. Over the years he’d found that he pretty much didn’t like most people. They lied, were rude, and didn’t give a crap about anyone but themselves. And that went for almost every situation . . . in line at the store, on the road, and in business. They almost always put their own wants and needs first. Alexis tried to tell him that he just hadn’t hung around the right people, and he supposed that was true, but it didn’t make his feelings any less accurate.
Alexis and Grace were exceptions. Nathan vaguely remembered Grace from growing up. While they went to the same high school, it wasn’t until he and his brothers had come home to Castle Rock to start their security business that he’d gotten to know her better. They saved her from her horrible parents who emotionally abused her for years, and she and Logan were now married and expecting twin boys, literally any day now.
Alexis’s family had also been victimized by Grace’s parents, and at first Nathan had been annoyed that Blake had invited Alexis to work with them at Ace Security. But over time, he’d found out that she wasn’t like most women he’d known. She was quiet and easygoing, and not afraid to say what she was thinking. They could sit together for hours in the office, and she wouldn’t say a word. He liked that about her.
Where his brothers were didn’t really matter at the moment. What mattered was getting Marilyn started and getting his groceries put away.
Nathan pulled his lanky six-foot-two frame out of his small car after popping the hood. He propped it up, then leaned over the engine. He stared down at the hunk of metal as if he knew what he was doing, hoping he’d somehow magically see
what was wrong. He knew nothing about cars, only that when he turned the key, the engine started . . . usually.
He was staring down into the hunk of steel that was Marilyn’s engine when a slight cough sounded behind him, causing him to whirl around and curse himself for being caught unawares. He knew better than to leave himself vulnerable, especially since the Inca Boyz had tried to kill Alexis and vowed vengeance against her and his family.
The Inca Boyz were a gang from Denver who had gotten into the business of hiring themselves out as thugs online. The Anderson brothers had nearly put them out of business after working with the police to take them down. The leader of the gang, Donovan, had recently gotten out of jail, and all three of the brothers were on high alert, not knowing what the man would do, or if he’d try to get revenge on them for taking down his gang.
Nathan looked in shock at the woman standing in front of him. The first thing he noticed was her height. She had to be almost a foot shorter than he was, and the top of her head came to his shoulder. She had colorful sleeves of tattoos on both arms, her lips were pulled up into a smirk, and her eyes danced with humor. Her black hair blew around her in the evening breeze, the strands looking alive as they swirled around her head. She had high cheekbones, a small nose, and full lips that Nathan suddenly wanted to see wrapped around his dick.
He was shocked at the image that burst into his brain as if it were a memory instead of a fantasy. This woman on her knees in front of him, her tattoos bright against her pale skin, her lips wrapped around him as she took him deep into her mouth, her nipples peeking out between the curls of her black hair as she leaned into him.
The vision was surprising. He’d lost his virginity in high school at prom, and the experience hadn’t been great. His date had obviously faked her orgasm and looked unimpressed as he’d tried to make it good for her.