The Irresistible Protector: A Billionaire Bad Boy Best Friends to Lovers Mystery Romance

by Alexa McLean

  Naturally, the kiss intensified. I could not refuse this man when I felt his fiery lips against my own.

  He held me a little closer, hand pressed against the small of my back. Naughty thoughts ran through my head. I wanted this man and I wanted him bad.

  Our lungs burned with the lack of oxygen but still, Grayson continued to kiss me. He slipped his tongue into my mouth, tangling it with mine. My mind told me to push away but my heart was in control. I savored his taste while my fingers played with his hair.

  His hands dropped down to my rump, squeezed it.

  A soft moan escaped my lips.

  Only then did he break the kiss. Gently, he pinned a strand of hair behind my ear. “I am truly touched that you care so much about me.”

  I punched his arm. “Of course, I do. I might be a little cold to you but you know I care about you, Grayson, I always had.” For the first time, I lowered my defenses.

  He cupped my face in his hands. “Shelly...”

  “But I think you know why I act this way.”

  “I do.” He said with a nod. “And, I don’t blame you. I wouldn’t trust me either.”

  I placed my hands on top of his. “So, please tell me how you’re getting all this money.”

  “Gambling.”

  I shook my head. “Why are you lying to me?”

  “I’m not lying.” He insisted. “All the money you launder into the business, I get it through gambling.”

  “I don’t believe that for a second.” A stepped back a few paces. I couldn’t believe that he would lie to my face like this. I was just about to open up to him too.

  “It’s the truth. Whether you decide to believe it or not, well, that’s your problem.” He stood there, his hands in his pockets, looking smug.

  I ground my teeth together. I felt betrayed. Why was he insistent on lying? He was getting the money by some other means and he didn’t want me to know about it. Well, he couldn’t hide the source forward. “Fine, then show me.”

  Chapter 8: Grayson

  “BACK SO SOON?” LACEY leaned against the blackjack table with a drink in her hand.

  The dealer nodded in her direction before passing out the hand. The other players placed their bets. I doubled the highest bidder with a mischievous grin. “And, I’m feeling generous.” I dropped a $1000 chip as a dealer tip. “Help me win and you’ll go home with deep pockets,” I said with a wink.

  “Now, now, Grayson, you can’t go around bribing my dealers.” She wrapped her lips around her thin straw.

  “Isn’t that what the tipping feature is for?” I countered.

  “Please don’t take a hit,” Shelly whispered into my ear. She was holding onto my arm so tightly that I think she was cutting off circulation.

  “Oh, don’t bother, honey. He never learns.” Lacey waved her hand. “I’ve tried to teach him how to play properly but he won’t listen to a lick of advice.”

  “He’s a little thick-skulled that way.” She watched me bust and shook her head with disappointment. “I don’t understand how you can be this bad at blackjack. It’s like the easier game in the world. Now, I can understand if you sucked at Poker –” Lacey silenced her with an outstretched hand. “Hmm?”

  “I want to buy you a drink.” Lacey whisked her away to the bar where they both sat huddled together, whispering amongst themselves. I had no doubt they were talking about me.

  Let them have their fun.

  FOR THE REST OF THE night, I jumped from table to table, blowing through the cash in my wallet. When I found it empty, I went in search of Shelly.

  I found her in one of the VIP rooms with Lacey. “You girls enjoying yourselves?” I asked with a cocked eyebrow. “I never knew you two had so much to say.”

  “Shelly is a charming young woman.” Lacey placed her hand on Shelly’s thigh. “You would be wise to do good by her or she’ll certainly make your life a living hell.”

  “Oh, don’t I know it.” My gaze dropped to the cut of her dress. For some reason, the neckline seemed lower than I remembered it. “She’s doing a pretty good job of it right now.”

  Shelly bent down to grab her drink. Doing so, her cleavage nearly spilled out of her dress. She was definitely doing this on purpose.

  I stood there and bit my bottom lip. It was all I could do to stop myself from pouncing on her right then and there.

  “Anyway, shall I dare ask how much money you lost tonight?” Lacey smoked a cigarette and blew the smoke away from Shelly.

  “A couple grand,” I said oh so smoothly. “Nothing major.”

  “I’m surprised you’re back here then. I would have expected you to keep playing. A couple grand is nothing to your bank account, is it?” Lacey rose to her feet. “Or, is something the matter, big boy?”

  “Actually, I dropped by to ask Shelly for her ruby earrings.” Instantly, Shelly brought her hands up to her ears as if ready to protect the jewelry from harm.

  “Why?”

  “I need to trade them in for more chips,” I said.

  “What?” She got up and stomped over to me. “Did you gamble away all of your money?”

  I pulled out my wallet and opened the billfold for her to see. “If we were our west, there’d be a tumbleweed in there.” I joked thinking it was funny.

  Shelly did not look amused. She pounded her fist against my chest. “How much did you lose, exactly?”

  “A couple grand,” I said with a shrug. “Look it’s no big deal. If you want to leave, we can leave, but if you want to stay with your new friend, I’ll be needing the earrings.”

  “Better not feed into his addictive behavior, dear. It might just get out of hand.” Lacey peered out through the curtains. “Although, I will say, he makes me quite the profit.”

  Shelly grumbled something under her breath that I could not understand. She took my hand and towed me toward the exit. Before we could clear the room, Lacey placed a hand on her shoulder. “Just another minute of her time.” She paused to look at me. “If you wouldn’t mind waiting outside.”

  I did what I was told but I stood close enough to the curtain so I could hear their conversation.

  “Remember what I told you.”

  “I know,” Shelly answered. “But I will say, it’s difficult. When someone breaks your heart time and time again, it’s nearly impossible to build up that trust again.”

  “Trust me, darlin’, I know all too well.”

  “But, deep down, I want it to work. I’m praying that this time is the time he stays.”

  “He will,” Lacey promised.

  “How do you know?”

  “I have my ways.” Lacey did not elaborate.

  A second later, Shelly came through the current, her expression unreadable. “Come on, we should probably get going before you gamble away your entire business.”

  “I would never do such a thing.” I protested. “I’m not that bad.”

  “From what I’ve seen, you’re pretty bad.” She countered. “I, for one, would never let you gamble with my money. I’m better off flushing it down the toilet.”

  “Ouch.” I winced dramatically.

  She rolled her eyes but to my surprise, she reached over and took my hand in hers. She laced our fingers together and I swear I saw her smile.

  “Holding my hand now?”

  “Shut up or I let go.” She hissed. “Don’t ruin the moment.”

  So, I just savored it. Could it be that Lacey had convinced her to warm up to me a bit? If so, I would never to thank that woman a thousand times over.

  Chapter 9: Shelly

  GRAYSON DROVE ME BACK home. He eased his BMW against the curb and killed the engine. The fancy sportscar looked so out of place in my neighborhood. And, if he happened to leave it there overnight, I had no doubt it would be stolen by morning.

  He got out and opened the passenger side door. He took my hand and helped me to my feet.

  My legs ached after countless hours of wearing high heels. Using his shoulder for support, I
slipped them off my feet. “Ah, that’s better.”

  “Your gown will drag on the ground.” He pointed out.

  I shrugged. “If you really plan on paying me so handsomely for my services then I don’t see why I wouldn’t be able to buy another one.”

  My words must have shocked him because he just stood there like a statue even as I made my way up the walkway. I fumbled through my purse, looking for my keys. “Where are they?” I ended up casting the contents of my purse on one of the rocking chairs. The cushion was absolutely filthy and I dismayed at the thought of touching it with my fingertips but, at the moment, I didn’t have much of a choice.

  “Everything alright?” Grayson appeared right behind me, breathing down my neck.

  I nearly jumped right out of my skin. Doing so, I lost my balance and if it wasn’t for Grayson, I would have faceplanted against the ground. He held me in a protective embrace and it sent butterflies coursing through my system. His lips brushed against the side of my neck. I waited for him to make a move but he never did.

  “I can’t find my keys...” I said, breaking the silence that had surrounded us. “I can’t remember if I threw them in my bag or not.”

  Grayson eased his grip and bend down beside the rocking chair, examining the contents of my bag. “Is this a condom?” He asked as he picked up a circular tinfoil-looking package. “Hoping to get lucky with Nick?” Jealousy crept into his voice.

  “No!” I snatched it out of his hand. “I get my birth control online and every month they send me a goodie bag.”

  “A goodie bag?”

  “Yeah, it’s like a PMS care package. Chocolate. Coupons for ice cream. You know, girl stuff.” I was blushing like crazy. “Look, can we just drop the subject? I’m not messing around with anyone, I swear. I just forgot to throw this out.”

  “Maybe you were hoping to use it.” Suddenly, he had me pinned up against the wall. “Maybe that’s why you decided to keep it...”

  “I...”

  “And there’s one thing I don’t understand. You say that I’m the only man you want – that you’ve never been interested in another. Why, then, would you take birth control?”

  “It helps with the acne... my doctor prescribed it.” I admitted. “Look, I really don’t want to talk about this right now.” Embarrassment thickened in my throat and I thought I was going to choke on it. “I know it looks bad but it’s not,” I added just to cover my bases.

  Grayson plucked a bobby pin from my hair.

  “What the...?” As I asked the question, he approached my front door. It didn’t take me long to figure out what he was up to. After a few seconds, the door swung open.

  “Looks like I still got it.” He said, blowing the invisible steam from his fingertips. “And you can thank me with a kiss if you’d like.”

  “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.” I dumped all my stuff back into my bag and walked inside. I was just about to close the door when I reconsidered. “I won’t give you a kiss but I’m happy to invite you in for a beer or something. What do you say?”

  He flashed a charming smile. “I say yes.”

  WE ENDED UP ON MY COUCH together. I had changed into something a little more casual and by a little more casual I mean pajamas. Of course, Grayson couldn’t refrain himself from making a comment about the booty shorts but I ignored him. Although, if he kept it up, the night would probably end with me slapping him across the face. I doubted he wanted to end on such a sour note.

  “This is nice.” He said as he finished off his beer. “It’s been a while since I’ve enjoyed the night with someone.”

  “For me, it’s been two years...” I frowned. “I knew you were gone when I woke up and found the bed empty.”

  Grayson focused on the TV, his facial expression set in stone. I knew that expression well. He was thinking and thinking hard. He swept his tongue across his lips like he wanted to say something but he couldn’t find the words.

  I turned away from him and attempted to concentrate on the sitcom we were watching. I wanted answers but Grayson was all mystery and I couldn’t figure him out.

  Suddenly, he grabbed me by the hips and turned me so I was forced to look in his direction. “I know it probably doesn’t mean much to you anymore but this time, I’m staying.” He took my hands and squeezed them. “And I know apologizing for my mistakes won’t make them disappear but I want you to know that I truly am sorry for hurting you in the past.”

  He moved a little bit closer until our knees brushed together. Leaning forward, he pressed his forehead against mine. Our eyes locked and I felt my heart skip a beat. “All I am asking for is another chance – the last chance. If I screw up again, I’ll leave your life for good and you’ll never have to worry about me again.”

  His words felt like a red-hot dagger cutting through my chest. “Grayson... please... don’t say something like that.” I grabbed him by the collar until our lips were just inches apart. “Don’t talk about leaving... because I want you to stay... with me...” I looked into his eyes and saw my future dancing in their beauty. I could no longer stay away from this man. He had my heart in the palm of his hand and that’s how it will always be.

  Throwing caution to the wind, I kissed him. My lips danced against his, trying to express everything I failed to say.

  I shimmied my way onto his lap, fingers tangled against his hair. I was hungry for him. My body burned with lust as my hands made quick work of the buttons on his shirt. Once his chest was exposed, I ran my fingertips along his skin.

  His abdomen tensed causing his muscular physique to come on display. Mmm. I liked the look of that.

  I pulled away from the kiss just long enough to breathe. As soon as I had refilled my lungs with air, we were right back at it, making out like a couple of high school kids. Now that I had a taste, I couldn’t stop. My old addiction was taking over.

  My hand slipped into his pants. He groaned with pleasure as I squeezed his member between my fingers. I tightened my grip slightly as I started to stroke him up and down. The pace was slow and cruel.

  “You’re being such a naughty girl...” He whispered before kissing the side of my neck. “I like it.”

  “You’ll like this even more.” I pushed him onto the couch and ripped off his pants. To tease him even further, I rubbed him a bit more only I did it through the fabric of his boxers. He was pitching quite the tent. I grinned. “Someone seems happy to see me.”

  “Very happy...” He breathed.

  “You were always so easy to please...” I purred as I leaned down and took the waistband of his boxers between my teeth. I tugged at them ever so slowly.

  “Shelly...” He pulled my hair. “What has gotten into you?”

  “I’m done running away from you,” I said. “My heart can’t take it anymore. I know that when the morning comes, you’ll probably be gone but I don’t care. I want you.” Suddenly, I tore off his boxers.

  His member sprung to life before me.

  “Like what you see?” He asked.

  “Always.” And so, without another word, I leaned down and wrapped my lips around his girth. He throbbed with excitement as my tongue swirled around his tip nice and slow.

  I fondled his balls, messaging them between my fingers until I heard that telltale groan of pleasure. His eyes rolled into the back of his head as I started to bob my head up and down. I took it slow at first before gradually picking up the pace.

  He took my hair and used it as a handhold to guide me through the motions. Before long, he was thrusting his hips into my mouth, gaining momentum with every second.

  I gagged as he slid down my throat. Try as I might to pull away, he held me firm with my nose pressed against his pelvis.

  “Mmm...” He moaned.

  My head became light and my vision blurred. Only then did he let go. I pulled away, breathing hard. Before I could catch my breath, he picked me up and carried me over to the bedroom. He threw me onto the mattress and pounced. “You’ve been
a very naughty girl.” He said in his seductive whisper. He had his hands wrapped around my wrists. “You know what happens to naughty girls, don’t you?”

  I didn’t bother to answer him. With his lips so close to mine, all I could do was kiss him. I bit his bottom lip and tugged on it. I tried to struggle against his grip but he held me in place. “Someone wants me.” He teased. “Let’s see just how much...” Slowly, he slipped his hand into my pants. There, he found my silk panties absolutely soaked through. “My, my...” He mused as he started to rub me through the silk. He only managed to get me even wetter. I lifted my hips into the air as he pushed his finger against my entrance.

  The silk felt strange. “Please...” I begged. “I can’t take this...”

  “Oh?” He raised an eyebrow in question. “What exactly are you talking about?” He pushed his finger even harder until I could feel my panties brushing against my insides.

  “That.” I gasped.

  “Hmm...” He withdrew his fingers. “That?”

  “Yes.” I nodded.

  “Maybe you’ll like this a little better...” He wrapped his thumb around the waistband and tugged on it. The result was a massive wedgie. The fabric burrowed between my cheeks. I squirmed at the sensation. Grayson knew all too well that I didn’t like the feeling of a thong.

  And then, suddenly, he snapped them right off my body and dangled the severed piece of fabric above my face like some kind of trophy.

  “Now, isn’t that better?” He asked with that mischievous glint in his eye. I could already tell that I was in for a night of pure ecstasy.

  Slowly, he took off the rest of my clothing and threw it aside. He also shrugged off his dress shirt. I drank in the sight of him and smiled to myself. Grayson was, by far, the most handsome man in the world – hands down – and he was all mine.

  With this thought, I managed to turn the tables, straddling him from above. “You know, I much prefer this view.”

  “You always liked it on top better.” He grinned before grabbing me by the thighs and pulling me toward his face. Before I could even realize what was going on, he had his tongue inside of me. He twisted it this way and that. The grainy surface drove me mad.