“Really? Then explain it to me.”
She glanced at the couples talking at the other end of the patio. They probably wouldn’t hear her, but she couldn’t risk it. “Meet me in the Emerald Ballroom. Ninth floor.”
“That’s where you were supposed to meet Dmitry.”
She clenched her fists. “If you already know why I’m here, what’s left for me to explain?”
“I know the facts. I want the reasoning behind why you thought you had to protect me.”
The growl to the last word told her everything. She’d hurt his pride. She hadn’t meant to, but she’d rather make him angry than lose him. If she had to get down on her knees and beg for his forgiveness, she would, but not tonight, not after he snapped at her. “Fine. If you want the truth, I’ll give it to you, but be warned. You might not like it.”
“I already don’t. I’m in a cab. I’ll be there soon.”
The line went dead. No good-bye either. The churning sensation in her gut returned.
“It was for his own good.”
She raised her chin and strode toward the balcony doors. After she explained everything, he’d see it her way.
She hoped
Chapter 18
Wyn slid his cell phone into his pocket. Avery hadn’t been happy about cutting the video and sound feeds to the ballroom, but he’d have to deal with it. Wyn didn’t want anyone listening to his conversation with Iona. They were going to fight. He hadn’t planned on it and didn’t look forward to it, but it wouldn’t stop him from speaking his mind. Hearing the reason behind Iona’s little charade had tipped him over. Getting the truth from Avery had left Wyn fuming.
She might’ve drawn the line in the sand, but he was wiping it clean. No way in hell would he allow her to endanger her life to protect his, and it was obvious from her deceptions she didn’t share his viewpoint. The very thought of her getting hurt angered and scared him at the same time. He had to tell her and try to make her understand how dangerous a game she was playing.
It didn’t matter how good Avery’s men were at their jobs. Dmitry could pull a knife or gun in seconds. It’d be too damn late for the professional bodyguards to save the day then. Of course, Avery had argued they worked similar jobs all the time. The reasoning hadn’t eased Wyn’s mind. Only learning Dmitry hadn’t shown had calmed him.
He strode down the hall. The music from the other end faded. He turned the corner. Two security guards in tuxes stood off to the side.
Wyn pointed behind him. “Out.”
One of the easily forgettable guys raised a brow. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Get out.” Wyn wouldn’t put it past them to listen. Not happening.
“And you are?”
Wyn ground his teeth. “Wyn, Iona’s boyfriend. Didn’t Avery tell you I’d be coming?”
The guards glanced at each other before focusing on Wyn. The one who’d spoken first nodded. “He did.” He motioned his partner forward. “You have Avery’s number. Call it if you need us. We’ll watch the elevator and the lobby to keep an eye out for our special guest.”
With that, they left. Wyn breathed a sigh of relief. Fighting with them wasted time he could be spending with Iona.
He turned the handle. The door opened silently. He scanned the room. Iona stood near the full-length windows, her back to him. His heart stopped before pounding hard. She was beautiful, everything he’d always wanted, yet he’d never expected his woman to look like…well, a princess. Maybe a modern version, though. A wicked one. One he wanted to bend over the nearest table and fuck.
A short beige dress molded to her curves. Heels added height to her delicate frame and defined her slender legs. A loose bun held her hair off her neck, drawing attention to the tiny lock-and-key tattoo he’d only discovered after she’d moved in with him. He’d been washing her hair when he’d made the discovery. Besides her butterfly one, it was his favorite hidden treasure. He let his gaze caress her. One word came to mind.
Mine.
Some of his anger abated. Some, not all. He wouldn’t let her walk away until she understood his point of view.
He closed the door and turned the lock. A loud click carried over the quiet room. Iona’s back straightened. She glanced over her shoulder, and her gaze locked on to him. Her eyes widened.
“Wyn.”
He flashed her a grin. The look of wonder was back on her face. Love, awe, desire—he didn’t care what put it there. He only knew he liked seeing it. “I’m almost unrecognizable in this getup, aren’t I?”
She perused him slowly. Her lips parted on a sigh. “You’re gorgeous.”
He went to her. She backed up, and his steps faltered. Her being afraid was the last thing he wanted. She reached behind her and gripped the edge of a chair. Her gaze wandered over him and settled on his groin. A shaky breath escaped her.
Desire. That was the reason behind her retreat. Still, he slowed his approach, giving her the chance to run. Even if she did and the night ended in tears, he wasn’t giving up on her. A lifetime he’d waited for a girl to capture his attention. Iona had with her passion and confident aura.
Yeah, they’d fight. Would it change how he felt about her?
Fuck no.
A foot away, he stopped. He focused on the edge of her neckline. Her butterfly tattoo was just below it, hidden from him. He wanted to see it. He curled his hands to stop himself from tugging the material down.
“You lied to me.”
“I didn’t lie.”
He snorted. “Really? Making shit up so I wouldn’t question you isn’t lying?”
She dropped her gaze. “I couldn’t let you know. You would’ve stopped me.”
“Hell yeah, I would’ve stopped you. I don’t want you anywhere near that fucker. Assholes like that don’t change. He hurt you once. He’ll do it again. No way am I letting him in the same room as you.”
She flicked her gaze to him. Anger tightened her features. “You see?” She swept her hand out to encompass the length of his body. “This is what I wanted to avoid.”
“What? Learning that I’d be concerned over you?”
“Concern, Wyn? Or wanting to control my actions?”
“Are you looking for reasons to justify lying to me?”
She spun on her heel. Clipped steps took her close to the windows. She crossed her arms under her breasts and focused on the lit-up city.
He stepped in front of her, blocking her view. “Talk, Iona.”
“Did Avery tell you about Dmitry’s uncles?”
“The ones that own Kozar Transportation and are suspected of illegal activities?”
She raised her chin. “You mean trafficking and smuggling.”
“Yeah.” He nodded and asked the one question that had bugged him since hearing about them. “If you knew about them, why did you get involved in their family?”
She stiffened more and leveled a “don’t judge me” look at him. “I didn’t know at first. When their activities came to light, I did question Dmitry. He knew but didn’t approve. You can’t change who your family is. Besides, I was in love with him, not his family.”
A wave of irrational jealousy and anger swept over him. Wyn cracked his jaw. “You loved him, huh?”
She narrowed her eyes more. “Yes. I was going to marry Dmitry. That’d be a foolish choice if I didn’t love him.”
She had a point. It didn’t ease his mind. He took another step. A few inches separated them. “And what about me? Do you love me?”
“Don’t go there, Wyn. If you haven’t noticed, I’m a little wary of relationships. You start pushing me for words, and I’ll run.”
“I noticed.” He skimmed his fingers across her cheek, then dropped his hand. “And I’m not pushing you for words. I simply want to know why you felt the need to keep me in the dark. Figured it had to be because you loved me and wanted to protect me or because you didn’t care enough to share your problems with me.”
“I wanted to ensure Dmitry left
me alone. He’s been a shadow over my life for months now. It needs to end. This is the only way I could think of to do it.”
Her avoidance of his question didn’t escape him. He couldn’t let it go. They needed to clear things up so he wasn’t left out again. “So this little setup has nothing to do with me.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Then why didn’t you tell me about it?”
She sifted the strands of his hair through her fingers and pressed the tips of her nails into his scalp. The small bite of pain sent a shiver down his spine. “Because I was afraid for you. I don’t want to lose you because of my mistake in loving the wrong man.”
“Did you not think I’d want to know?” He pulled her closer, forcing her to arch into him in order to hold his gaze. “Or care how I’d react?”
“I wanted to keep you out of my mess. Dmitry is my past. You’re my…” She glanced away.
“I’m your what?”
She closed her eyes and shook her head.
“I’m your what?” He brushed his lips over the spot right below her ear. “Answer me.”
“My future.”
Fucking hell, he liked the sound of that. He caught her earlobe between his teeth and gave it a little tug. She made a soft noise of surrender. Yeah, that sound was nice too. He released her tender flesh. “Don’t do it again. You hear me? Don’t keep things from me. I have a right to know.”
“And I have the right to decide what I want to share with you. We’re not married.”
“You’re living in my house. That—”
“I am not living with you. I’m sleeping with you. Most of my stuff is still at Ronnie’s house.”
“But you care enough that you want to protect me, don’t you?”
She slipped under his arms, moved to the nearest table, and grabbed the back of the chair. “Yes. I care.” She looked over her shoulder. “Too much for only knowing you a few weeks.”
He closed the distance between them, stepping behind her and covering her hands with his. “And it scares you.”
She rested her head against his chest. “I don’t trust my instincts where men are concerned.”
“Liar.”
She tipped her head to the side. “How?”
He skimmed his fingertips up her stocking-covered thigh. The lace at the top tickled his skin. He toyed with the edge a moment, then moved his fingers to the satin barrier covering her sex. Dampness met him. Her lips parted on a shaky exhale, but she didn’t push his hand away. “You trust me, darling. You have from the moment we met. Otherwise you wouldn’t have let me fuck you that first night.”
“I trust you with my body, yes. I’ve done more things with you than I ever did with another man. I don’t understand why.”
“Because in your heart you know what we have is different. That I’m different.” He bent closer and caught her gaze with his. “That my love for you is real.”
She sucked in a rough breath.
He nipped her jaw before she could argue. “It is. Real. Pure. Honest.”
“I believe that. I really do, but—”
“You’re afraid. I get it, but I won’t allow you to ignore what it means to be my girl.”
“And what does it mean?” Annoyance laced her words.
“It means I get to know what’s happening in your life. The good, the bad, and the ugly. This shit with Dmitry is important. If you can’t include me, then I’m nothing more than a cock to ride. That’s not what I want.”
“What do you want?”
He rubbed his thumb over her opening, pushing the material of her panties between her wet folds. “A lover, a partner, a friend.” He leaned closer so his mouth was a hairbreadth from hers. “Someone to make the center of my world. I want to focus everything on you. Make you the reason I breathe.”
“Wyn.” Just his name. It told him everything. The love and lust he knew she felt accompanied it.
She shifted her hips, rubbing against his hand. He took the hint and slipped his finger under her thong. Arousal slickened her cleft. He dragged his fingertip through her folds. She wiggled her bottom, inviting him closer. More welcoming wetness flowed for him.
“Aww, darling, you’re always so damn hot for me. Why is that?”
“Because I want you. Always, everywhere, anytime. You make me crazy. I can’t get enough of you.”
He covered her mouth with his and twined their tongues in a deep kiss. She matched the pace he set. Her body relaxed in his arms—an unconscious sign of trust he doubted she recognized. He did and relished it.
He tightened his hold on her and gave her what she wanted, dipping his finger into her core. Her low groan rewarded him. He swallowed the sound and stroked her inner muscles in time to the thrusts of his tongue. She rocked over him, pulling him deeper and soaking his hand.
He eased back before lust consumed them completely. It would anyway, whether here or back in her hotel room, but he wanted her promise not to keep shit from him first.
“So, what’s your decision? You told me you wanted to be mine, promised to stay with me and see where this goes, but keeping stuff from me is going to kill this thing between us.”
“I lied because I wanted to protect you. I’m falling in love with you.” She dropped her gaze to his lips. “Maybe I’ve already fallen headfirst.”
Her breathy words rocked him. He pressed his lips to hers. “Iona.”
She cradled his head, holding him close. “I should’ve told you what I’d planned, but I knew you’d worry about me. I just wanted this mess over so I could focus on you. Us.”
“We’ll figure out a different way. Okay, love? I’ll be the bait if you’re set on collecting evidence on him.”
“No.” Fear shone in her widened eyes. “I’m not risking your life. Dmitry won’t hurt me. He could’ve that night. He didn’t. He does love me. It’s just not the kind of love I need.”
“I’m what you need.”
“Yes.”
Relief swept through him. “No more secrets. Understand?”
She nodded. “Yes. I understand. No more secrets. I love you too much. I shouldn’t have—”
He kissed her, stopping her apology. He didn’t need more. The look in her eyes—the commitment—was enough. He lazily teased her cleft as he twined his tongue with hers. He couldn’t keep his hands off her. The woman was his obsession.
She broke their kiss on a gasp. “Oh God, the tape. Avery’s recording this room.”
“He’s not. I had him cut the feeds. We’re all alone.”
“But if he—”
“Relax.” He pushed his finger deeper, stroking her, teasing her, flipping that switch inside her that turned her into a sex-starved woman. His woman. “No one will know that my wicked girl let me tease her in full view of the city.”
She glanced at the floor-to-ceiling windows. Her breathing deepened. She squirmed over his finger, not quite fucking herself but not easing away either. He held completely still. The debate going on between her mind and body wasn’t one he’d influence, at least not until she gave him an indication of her choice—to play here or back in the hotel room. He didn’t care which option won. Both would bring them together, reminding them their fight hadn’t tainted what they had. It made them stronger.
After a moment, she squeezed her inner muscles, then rocked against his hand, stimulating herself.
Oh yeah, he was damn glad the video and sound feeds were cut. She wanted to play. Here. Now.
He bent closer, his mouth to her ear, his fingers lodged deep inside her. “Does that excite you? Knowing someone might be watching us and wondering if I’m going to spread you out on the nearest table and bury my face between your legs. Or maybe they’re hoping you’ll drop to your knees and swallow my dick.”
“Oh God, Wyn.” Her voice held both shock and excitement. Iona loved public sex. The thrill of getting caught did it for her, simple as that.
Fucking her in this room hadn’t been part of his plan, but that
was one of the many things he loved about Iona. She was both wild and sweet, his perfect match, and he’d oblige her whenever he could. He’d waited too long for a lover like her.
He brushed his fingers, slickened with her arousal, over her lips. She parted them wider, a silent plea. He slid his fingers into her mouth, giving her what she craved. Once she licked them clean, he tugged them free and turned her face toward him. “Well, darling? Should we give some stranger a show?”
“Yes.”
Her single, breathy word jerked his cock. He undid the first three buttons on the front of her dress and slipped his fingers under the white lace covering her breasts, easing them from the confines of her bra. A deep valley formed between the plumped mounds. He caressed her soft flesh and teased her nipples into hard points.
She pushed her boobs against his palm. He dropped his hand.
“Don’t stop.”
The slight whining to her voice tore a chuckle from him. “I’ll suck on your pretty breasts later, darling. Promise.” He urged her to move partially behind the table, so only her upper body would be exposed to the windows. The sight of her slickened, lower lips stretched around his dick was not up for public display. “There. Now any guy watching us will see what only I get to enjoy. No one else.”
“Do I belong to you then?”
Well, that was a dangerous question. Yesterday, he would’ve known how to answer it. Today?
He took in the gentle slope of her spine, her slender neck, and the little lock-and-key tattoo along her hairline. There was only one way to respond to her. “Yes.”
She glanced over her shoulder. “And are you mine?”
Had been since the day they’d met.
“Yes.” He linked an arm around her chest and drew her against him, her back to his chest. “Now, show me exactly what you want, Iona. Free my cock.”
She reached between their bodies. The tug of his zipper sounded overly loud in the quiet room. “This, Wyn.” She fisted his dick. “I want this rigid cock inside me.”
He shoved her dress up, exposing her ass and pushing the barrier of underwear away, then angled his hips, his cock sliding along her wetness. He didn’t bother shoving his pants down. His erection was free to sink into her welcoming body. That was enough.
Fix Me: Men of Sander’s Valley, book 2 Page 15