by Em Petrova
She grinned. “And did you?”
“What do you think?”
She laughed. “I came with a few friends in my teen years, but we never got into trouble. The most I did was stare at people too long to see what they were wearing.”
“So you were interested in fashion even then.”
“Oh yes. I think it was my love of Mardi Gras that started my passion for all clothing you wear to celebrations. Weddings, parties and so much more.”
He studied her for so long that she wondered if he thought she was crazy.
“I’m boring you.”
He shook his head. “Not at all. I’m fascinated by you, Athena. Haven’t you realized that yet?”
Before she could ingest those words or ponder what they meant, he towed her through the crush of people, past food vendors who showcased their frog legs or gator on a stick.
“You like gator?” he asked.
“Umm…”
“Forget about the ways you’ve eaten it before. When I take you to my family’s cabin in the bayou, you can try my maman’s and see that it really is good.”
Again, she was shocked speechless. He was inviting her to his family’s cabin and to share a meal with them? After the words that had passed between the Knights and Rocko, she was really curious about his sisters. Were they as strikingly good-looking as all the Knight brothers were? Her mind started pulling clothing options off her mental racks for the beautiful women.
They stopped to watch some young girls trying their hand at heaving a heavy mallet to win stuffed bears. When none of them succeeded, Dylan stepped up and threw down a bunch of bills.
“I’ll have a couple tries.”
Athena watched with amusement and awe as he won teddy bear after teddy bear and handed them out to the girls. When he finished, the game owner flexed his weak arms at Dylan and then gave him a thumb’s up. The girls squealed and thanked him, and laughing, Athena and Dylan moved away.
After only an hour with him alone this way, away from the pressures of the safe house or all the surveillance and the intrigue that came with it, she was seeing a different side of Dylan.
And it was time to admit to herself she was falling for him. With or without the mess she was entangled in, she believed he was right to say that even if they’d met in line at the Ferris wheel, that things wouldn’t be any different.
She tugged at his hand. “C’mon. Let’s take that ride now.”
He eyed her. “You’re sure?”
“Yes.”
Luckily, they didn’t have to wait long to get on the ride, otherwise she might have chickened out. But once she was securely barred in next to Dylan with his arm firmly around her shoulders, she breathed in his scent and felt nothing but happiness. As they ascended, the city spread out before them, and she looked away from the shining lights and celebration below to stare into Dylan’s eyes.
“Athena…” He caressed her lips with the rough pad of his thumb, shooting sparks through her system. His eyes glowed and not only with the reflection of the colored lights. Her heart beat faster as he leaned in to kiss her. His warm breath washed over her lips a second before they connected.
“Cher, I think I’m falling for you.”
* * * * *
Dylan had been surrounded by the enemy in Afghanistan, been in the crosshairs of some asshole holed up in a bunker and experienced some near misses in Madrid when a mission went sideways. But right now, the hackles on his neck were standing straight up at full attention.
Fuck, he’d acted so far outside his training in bringing her here, and now he was going to pay for it. He’d have no choice but to let Ben in as well as Colonel Jackson. He could lose not only his post here protecting Athena but his place on the Knight Ops team.
But it was too late now. All he could do was take care of business while he was in the thick of it.
He shot a sideways glance at the man to his and Athena’s left. The field was packed with people eating cotton candy and gasping at chainsaw jugglers. So the chances of him seeing this guy twice now were slim.
Keeping a hand on Athena’s back, he placed another on his weapon. Firing in a group of people like this was not an option, but he’d do what he had to if this guy made a move.
“I need to use the restroom,” she said.
Fuck, now wasn’t the time. He couldn’t let her go into the building without cover. Somebody could be waiting in there for her. This guy in the plaid shirt with the sleeves ripped off wasn’t doing a very good job of blending. Not when Dylan was trained to pick out anybody who looked suspicious. They were being followed, and he had to get her out of here.
“Okay, I’ll wait right here.” Not wanting to alert her to the danger quite yet, Dylan gave her a smile. She went into the restroom and he stood outside the door, trying not to eyeball the guy who was eyeing him.
Dylan casually pulled out his phone and dialed Ben.
“Yeah?” his brother answered.
“We’re being followed.”
“Fuck. Where are you?”
“The fair.”
“Jesus, you’re stupider when you’re in love than I thought. Why would you risk taking her out of the safe house? You knew she was being watched.”
In love? Dylan’s mind tripped over his brother’s words. Yes, he’d admitted he was falling, but he wasn’t in that deep yet. Was he?
Fuck.
“I’m getting her out of here now and back to the safe house. I need an hour and then I’m going to Jackson.”
“Jackson?” Ben echoed. “You’re planning to get permission to end this, aren’t you? You know what the colonel’s going to say. You’re fooling yourself if you think you can just take over the FBI’s job on the investi—”
“I don’t give a damn what it takes—I’m ending it. Give me an hour and a half and then pick me up at the safe house.” Dylan ended the call, keeping his sights on the man in plaid from the corner of his eye. The man acted like he was intrigued by a group of kids arguing about which ride to go on next, but Dylan saw the hungry expression on his face. The asshole had found what he wanted.
Over Dylan’s dead body would he let him take Athena.
She emerged from the restroom, and he slipped an arm around her. He could tell her what was going on, but that would only throw her into a whirlwind of fear. He wanted her not only calm but still experiencing the emotions they’d shared on the Ferris wheel. Because before Knight Ops showed up at the safe house to collect him, he wanted to take his leave of her properly… with passion and boundless pleasure.
His chest burned as he led her through the crowd. Judging by how she clutched his hand and brushed against him, she had no awareness of the situation or the thoughts running through his mind.
That she was so innocent, naïve and trusting almost killed him. The urge to surround her with big guys packing enough firepower to take out a small town was real.
“Are we leaving?” she asked as they passed the last concession stand.
He trailed a hand down her spine to the top of her buttocks, letting his touch speak for him. “I want to get you alone.”
And safe.
And naked.
She arched a brow and threw him a secretive smile that would have his balls bluer than the Louisiana sky in the height of summer. But he couldn’t think about his desires until he had her away from whoever was following them.
In the car, he took the craziest way home and quickly lost the guy on their tail. After a few minutes, he relaxed, able to breathe a bit easier knowing his skills were enough to continue keeping Athena safe.
Which brought him to other thoughts…
In love? Damn, Ben was an astute fucker. Even gripped by his feelings on the Ferris wheel, staring into Athena’s dark eyes and tasting her sweet lips, Dylan hadn’t realized the extent of his feelings. In one sentence his brother had left him with a perspective that only heightened his need to protect her.
Before they drove to the section of town where th
e safe house was located, he triple-checked that they weren’t being followed. With the coast clear, he parked and took her inside. The locks on the door didn’t seem like enough to keep her from harm.
She turned to face him, that tempting smile on her beautiful face.
He stepped forward, sliding a hand into her mass of hair and looking into her eyes. Yes, he had to end this at all costs. Even if whatever was between him and Athena ended after tonight, at least he’d walk away knowing she was safe.
* * * * *
Dylan stood before Athena, peeling her clothes off with his eyes. She wished he’d hurry up and do the job for real, because she was burning up.
She made a move for the hem of her top, but he caught her wrists. The small feeling of restraint sent a thrill through her, and her pussy squeezed. She dropped her head forward, afraid to speak and tell this man how bad she needed him. Since his confession on the Ferris wheel, she had thought of little else.
He hovered over her, nose brushing the fine hairs at her temple. “Don’t move. Let me take off your clothes.”
Her chest heaved with a breath she had to force past her lips. It was misery being so close to him and not being able to touch him let alone tear off both their clothes.
He took a step back, gaze roaming over her from head to toe as if deciding where to start. Finally, he moved forward again, drawing her tight against his body and claiming her mouth.
Each pass of his tongue across hers sent spikes of lust through her until she was out of her head. Gripping at his shoulders, a plea filled in her mind. She wanted his mouth all over her naked body and his cock buried deep in her pussy.
He nibbled at the corner of her lips and worked his way down her jaw to her throat. She angled her head to give him complete access. Gooseflesh broke over her, and it wasn’t remotely chilly. In fact, it was the hottest night of the year so far and she could already hear the rumbles of thunder in the distance.
Running her hand up his spine, she held on to keep her knees from buckling as he reached a sensitive spot on her neck. A gasp left her, and he gave a rumble in answer.
“You taste so damn sweet.” He licked down to her collarbone while working his hands under her top. She sucked in a sharp breath at the brush of callused fingers against her heated skin. Passion flooded her, and she dragged him closer.
“I need you, Dylan.”
His hands stilled, his lips stopped working up and down the column of her throat.
“Please, I need you so bad.”
“Cher… My God, I love to hear you beg.” He lifted her, and she snapped her thighs around his hips as he carried her the few feet to the bed and laid her down. A wildness took hold of him, igniting her with the fever too. She dug her nails into his shoulders as he ripped away her clothes. When she lay bare for him, he parted her thighs.
Eyes glowing, he looked up at her. “I’m going to make you come twice at least on my tongue and then when I take you, you’re going to be burning up for it.”
“I already am.”
His eyes sparkled with amusement. “We’ll see about that.”
When he dipped his tongue between her wet folds, she knew she was in for it because the man had thrown down a challenge and would never renege on his promise.
Crying out, she twisted the sheets in her fists. He slipped his tongue up and down with the slow passes that would drive a woman crazy. Her patience fled, and she thumped him with a fist on the shoulder.
“Dylan!”
“Mmm.” He was in no hurry to get down to business. She wiggled and bucked her hips to bring his tongue into contact with the bundle of nerves that needed his touch so badly. Tingles raced through her, and her nipples throbbed.
As if knowing this, he reached up her body to strum each, back and forth as he finally opened his mouth over her clit and sucked it in.
Liquid heat enveloped her. She threw her head back as her pussy gave the first contraction. The rest hit with a force like the raging Louisiana storms, and she rocked her hips in time to each wave. He never released his suction on her clit and when he eased his fingers inside her, the second orgasm hit rapid-fire.
She writhed. He pressed his fingers downward on a spot that had her soaking wet in a blink. Breathless, she collapsed on the bed, only able to wiggle her fingers.
“That was two,” she gasped.
He vibrated the inside her thigh with his chuckle, and pure happiness took over. She didn’t have time now to absorb what was going on with her emotions, but the sensation deep in her heart wasn’t something she’d ever felt before.
When he didn’t move from between her thighs, she waggled her fingers at him again. “Dylan, don’t make me wait another second!”
His chuckle turned into a full baritone laugh. Slowly, he moved to the side of the bed. How many times had she watched him strip off his clothes now? Each show seemed to get better, and she didn’t know if she’d ever get enough of staring at that steely, tanned flesh.
At her place, she’d emptied her drawer of the condoms and laid several on the nightstand here in the safe house. He plucked one up with a crooked grin that melted her even more. Another look like that from him and she’d only be a puddle on the bed.
The veins in his forearms stood out as he stroked the condom down over his cock. Gripping the base, he moved over her.
“Arms above your head.”
A shock went through her. “What?”
“Hold your arms over your head and don’t move them until I tell you to.”
Oh my God. She’d heard about guys taking control in the bedroom, but she’d never had the pleasure of finding one. Until now.
Locking gazes with him, she moved her arms upward. Heart thumping hard and fast, it took all her control not to yank him into her. The need to feel him stretching her doubled and then tripled.
“Dylan.” Her voice came out as a reedy cry.
“Mon Dieu, I can’t get enough of you.” When he used his Cajun, she saw a bigger glimpse into the man’s soul.
Bracing his weight over her, he poised his cock at her entrance. She spent several heartbeats lost in his eyes, and just when she wasn’t expecting it, he plunged into her.
She arched at the invasion, her pussy clutching at him as he immediately withdrew.
“I can’t go slow. Fuck, I want to.”
“Don’t.” She moved her arms to hold him, but he gave her a look that sent another spike of need through her.
“Don’t move until I tell you.” He sank back into her, hard and fast. Fucking faster with every stroke until she shook and rough growls erupted from his throat. She clung to the edge of another release, holding on to make it last.
He churned his hips, digging his cock so deep that she cried out.
“Hell. Athena, I can’t hold back. Put your arms around me.”
She did, and he lifted her off the bed, pounding furiously until her insides clenched hard on yet another orgasm. At that moment, he poured his release into her with untimed jerks of his hips. A low groan left him, and he went boneless atop her.
His weight was too much, and he rolled to the side, taking her with him. His eyes were still closed, the pulse pounding in his neck. For the first time, she realized he really was a man and not a machine—that he could actually be as tired as she was. Probably more.
She gave a deep sigh and entangled her legs with his.
He cracked an eye. “I hope that’s a good sigh and not a disappointed one.”
She grinned. “Did I sound disappointed to you?”
There it was—that grin. “No.”
She stared at his hard lips that were incredibly soft when they needed to be. Leaning in, she kissed him softly. The tenderness she felt seeped into the caress. When she finally pulled away, he wrapped his hand around her nape and held her.
“I’m not done with you yet.”
She hoped he wouldn’t be done with her for a long time, but she was only fooling herself. This fling couldn’t withstand the st
ress of the situation and bloom into more.
But as she relished his sweet kisses, all she could think about was how much she wished it could.
* * * * *
During this hell of the past few days, Dylan had been her only comfort, a rock in the sea that would toss her until she didn’t know which direction to swim.
She shouldn’t feel so broken but dammit, she did.
Pressing her fist to her lips, she tried for a few deep breaths of calm, but tears threatened. No, she couldn’t be so upset by a stranger she didn’t want to storm into her life in the first place finally walking out of it. It was just the emotions taxing her for a week finally reaching the surface. She—
“Hey. It’s gonna be okay.”
She jerked at the deep voice, so close to Dylan’s. But she’d woken in the night to an empty bed and when she’d gone looking for him, she’d found Sean in his place. If not for the lamp burning in the living room, she might have mistaken his shape in the darkness for Dylan and embarrassed herself.
“Dylan had business to see to, but he’ll be back.”
“Does this have to do with how quickly we left the fair?”
“I’m not at liberty to disclose that information.”
She hugged herself. After finding him gone, she’d armored herself in jeans, a T-shirt and a cardigan. Though the air was warm, the storms were back in full force, and her favorite natty sweater was the comfort Dylan couldn’t offer.
She couldn’t believe he’d left this way, without a word of goodbye. Was this how it would feel to be in love with a man like Dylan? Never knowing where he was or if he was doing something dangerous?
Of course he’s doing something dangerous. It’s his job.
Something tickled on her cheek and when she raised a hand to brush away a curl, she found tears drenching her skin. One dripped off her chin.
Sean moved closer. “May I?” He held out his arms, and she looked at that broad chest. She felt herself nodding and then he drew her head down on his chest and let her cry. “It’s gonna be okay,” he repeated soothingly.
“You sound like you do this all the time.”
“No, just with my wife. She’s full of pregnancy hormones right now. Oh. I shouldn’t have let that slip. Nobody knows it yet, so just don’t tell my brothers, all right?”