His to Protect_A Bodyguard Bad Boys/Masters and Mercenaries Novella

by Carly Phillips

  Shane kept a firm grip on her hand, and despite the awareness thrumming between them, she sensed his heightened attention to their surroundings as they parked the car behind the motel and walked to their room.

  “Looks quiet,” he said, putting the key in the door and ushering them inside. “But I’m not taking any chances this time.”

  She toed off her shoes while he immediately locked the door and braced a chair against the knob.

  “Good.” She didn’t want any interruptions. What she wanted was Shane’s intense focus on her.

  She slid her tongue along her lips and strode over to where he stood, watching her. His eyes glittered with darkened desire and intent.

  “You’re sure?” he asked her.

  She inclined her head. “Need me to grab your ass again? You know I’m big on providing scientific proof.”

  “Very cute,” he said with a grin, relaxing now that they were locked in the room.

  She wasn’t sure where her bravery was coming from, but knowing he desired her allowed her to feel freer than she had before. The fact that they were on the run meant her adrenaline levels had been spiked for days. And the thought of sweaty, hot sex to take the edge off sounded like a glorious idea. Getting a second chance with Shane sounded even better.

  He met her by the side of the bed. Standing close, he looked into her eyes, then removed her glasses, placing them on the nightstand. There was something inherently sexy in that move, and her heart beat so hard in her chest she thought she could hear the sound. She figured he could hear it.

  He reached for the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head, revealing a plain beige bra. She hadn’t bought anything frilly at Target, but he obviously didn’t care what her underwear looked like, because his eyes glittered with heated passion.

  He unhooked the back clasp and slid the garment down her arms, dropping it to the floor. His gaze settled on her bare breasts and tightened nipples.

  “Fucking perfect,” he said, eyes darkening at the sight.

  Her cheeks flushed under his scrutiny. She’d never been the recipient of such a slow, deliberate seduction. He took his time, not just stripping her out of her clothing but looking his fill. Letting her know he was pleased with what he saw. He deliberately stroked his knuckles over her nipples, and she trembled, the buds beading into hardened peaks, and her panties grew soaked, her body swaying toward his.

  He knelt then, pulling her leggings and underwear down together, waiting as she stepped out of her clothing. “God, you smell good,” he said in a gruff voice. “You want me.”

  “I do.” She shook with need, beyond the ability to be embarrassed at his frank words, as she stood bare in front of him.

  Rising, he cupped her face in his hand and kissed her slowly, gently, his tongue swirling around inside her mouth, parrying with hers. She needed his hard, hot body pressing into her, skin to skin, and she lifted his shirt, intending to make that happen, but he broke the kiss, stripping quickly. As eager to get himself naked as she was.

  She had no time to appreciate his tanned, muscular chest because he undid his jeans and stripped, kicking them aside. Her gaze fell to his thick erection jutting out from between his thighs, a light coating of pre-cum on the head.

  He wrapped a hand around his length and groaned, gliding it back and forth in a forceful pump. She had the sudden desire to touch him. To drop to her knees and taste. To revel in finally being naked with this man.

  “On the bed,” he said, striding over to his small duffel and returning with a foil packet in his hand.

  She wasn’t about to argue and pulled down the spread so she could climb onto the clean sheets. He sheathed himself and joined her, the mattress dipping under his weight.

  “I waited a long time for this,” he said, his words causing an unexpected rush of joy to spread through her.

  “Me, too.”

  “One problem,” he murmured, stroking her cheek. “You’re the kind of woman who deserves slow and sweet. But given the circumstances, we need to move quickly so I can be aware and alert. Slow is going to have to wait for next time,” he said, easing his body over hers.

  He was already talking about next time.

  She was primed for now. “You don’t hear me complaining.”

  His thighs covered hers, his cock nestled into her sex, and her entire body came alive.

  She reached for him, but he was in control, grabbing her hands in his and raising them above her head. Then, cock in his free hand, he slid the head through her damp folds, setting alight every nerve ending she had. Her stomach rippled with need, her core clenching with the desire to be filled.

  “Hang on,” he said, notching himself at her opening and easing inside.

  She groaned at the invasion, his thickness parting her, taking her over. She raised her hips, pulling him in farther, feeling every inch fill her up.

  “Fuck. You feel so good.” He shook and she marveled at the fact that she could affect this big man on such a primal level.

  Pulling her hands free, she grasped his shoulders so she could hold on. With every thrust of his hips, waves of pleasure pummeled at her, and she scored her nails down his back, barely recognizing the noise in the room as coming from her.

  He glided in and out, her inner walls softening, accepting him so deep with each pass. He was hard, fast, and the way their bodies meshed was sheer bliss.

  He kissed her then, his mouth and tongue matching the motion of their hips, and she was lost. Sensation took over. She clenched her sex, clamping his cock deep inside her.

  “Perfection,” he muttered, sliding a hand between them, his finger pressing on exactly the right spot. Glorious contractions began, her orgasm starting immediately from the combination of the angle he hit inside her and the delicious rotation of his finger against her clit.

  “Oh, Shane.” She trembled as her climax hit and she fell apart, losing all sense of time and place as she came apart in his arms. He followed immediately after, taking his pleasure in her body, thrusting in and out until he collapsed on top of her, his breath hard and hot in her ear.

  Chapter Seven

  Talia woke up feeling sore in the best possible way. She didn’t have a single regret about last night. How many people received second chances? It wasn’t like they were talking about forever, something she didn’t believe in, anyway. Even her parents, as in love as they were, had their lives cut short. People died. Left. It was better to keep things casual, and that was what she had with Shane. No matter how fantastic the sex or how much she liked and admired him, this was a passing fling.

  Besides, they lived very different lives, his a fast-paced rush of adrenaline in his line of work for McKay-Taggart, and hers with long hours in the lab. Neither of them had time for relationships. His job had cost him his marriage. No matter how much she enjoyed his company, no matter how her feelings for him were continuing to grow, she had to remember reality. And act accordingly.

  She ought to look to his actions now, as well. Shane was all business as they rushed their individual showers—because he insisted they didn’t have time for him to get distracted by her naked body—and though she didn’t sense he had any misgivings, he wasn’t getting all soft and mushy, either.

  They gathered their things and hit the road, agreeing to stop for gas and food at the first place they came across.

  When they finally reached Portland, the first order of business was to leave the handwritten note asking Jonah to meet up with them tomorrow at a nearby Starbucks. She knew he’d pick up the mail at four p.m. on the dot and would be there for her in the morning, after which they’d be close to ending this nightmare. Which meant the end of her time with Shane.

  She pushed the depressing thought aside, because at that moment, Shane pulled into the parking lot of a glittering high-rise hotel.

  “We’re staying here?” she asked. It was so much nicer than any place they’d been able to find so far.

  “I think you’ve earned a night in a
decent bed without worrying about security, don’t you?” he asked, a grin lifting his sexy lips.

  “Why do I suspect you’ll still be worrying?” she asked.

  “Because that’s my job. But I can assure you nobody’s going to be breaking down your door. And Ian’s got connections with people he trusts to get us a room. It’s all good.”

  “I am not going to complain.” They exited the car, leaving it with the valet, the only choice, and strode into the lobby.

  The hotel was a far cry from the roadside motels they’d stayed in up until now, and Talia took in the mirrored and gold-plated walls, crystal chandeliers, and marble floors. She knew this was a five-star hotel, and if it meant her safety and it gave Shane a night to relax a little, she was all for the expense.

  Check-in was easy, as promised. Ian had already arranged for the room on the lowest floor, giving them a stairwell escape route should it become necessary.

  Once in the room, he locked the door and flipped the security bar, a bonus they hadn’t had in previous places.

  She took in the king-sized bed, something Shane had requested and received, and grinned. She knew they’d make good use of the large mattress. The one thing she’d discovered was that she and her bodyguard were extremely sexually compatible. That was a big deal she’d never truly had with another man. Sex? Yes. Explosive orgasms? No.

  Speaking of orgasms, there was no point in wasting this luxury. She glanced over her shoulder at Shane, who’d put his bag on the bed and was studying the room. So intent. It was time for him to relax.

  “We can eat in the restaurant downstairs,” he said, planning ahead as always. “Or order in room service.”

  “Either sounds good, but I think I’d like a shower first. Wash off the grimy feeling of being in the car for hours.” She bit down on her lower lip. “Care to join me?” she asked in her most provocative voice.

  His gaze darkened at the suggestion. “I think that can be arranged,” he said in a husky voice.

  She pulled her shirt over her head and walked to the bathroom, feeling the heat of his gaze on her back as she walked.

  The bathroom was large and luxurious, spa products set up on the countertop and in the open shower with the overhead rain showerhead. She turned on the water and undressed the rest of the way, stepping underneath. The warm drops cascaded over her. She felt so good and tipped her head back, washed and conditioned her hair, and was rinsing it out when she felt the heat of Shane’s body as he joined her.

  He stepped in, coming up behind her and wrapping his arms around her, his big hands cupping her breasts.

  “Mmm.” She leaned her head back against his shoulder and sighed in aroused delight.

  She wondered what it would be like to have this kind of time with Shane without the pressure of being followed and on the run. For the next two days, at least, they could pretend there was no one else around.

  He reached for a small bottle on the shelf and poured a nice amount of scented liquid into his hand before returning to his task. Now soapy, he lathered her body. Starting with her breasts, he took the time to cup the full mounds in his hands and pluck her nipples with his fingertips, rolling them around, causing waves of desire to ripple through her.

  Her sex clenched with yearning, and she turned in his arms. He backed her against the wall, kissing her hard, his hand sliding down her side, her hip, and around to her stomach. His fingers dipped downward, gliding through her folds, her sex damp, and not just from the water. His fingertips were rough and felt good against her slick flesh.

  One finger penetrated her, and she sucked in a shallow breath. He added a second, and she tipped her head, hitting it on the wall behind her. But she couldn’t focus on that slight pain when the incredible sensations being delivered were so intense. Every pump of his fingers hit a sweet spot inside her, and pleasure built quickly, white sparks of desire flickering behind her eyes.

  “You’re going to come and I’m going to watch,” he said in a gruff tone, his voice a turn-on along with his words.

  She so was.

  She just didn’t expect what came next. He dropped to his knees, braced his hands on her thighs, and buried his face between her legs. His tongue lashed her clit. Over and over, he licked, sucked, and teased the nub with his teeth, soothing again with his tongue. She grasped his head, pulling at his hair, while at the same time holding him in place, never wanting the powerful sensations to end.

  She gasped, panted, and lost all sense of time and place as the sudden orgasm overtook her, bringing her up and over the edge. She cried out, invoking his name, God’s name, and a host of other things she couldn’t recall by the time she sagged against the wall, dazed and satisfied.

  But he wasn’t. He rose and slid his lips over hers, letting her taste herself on his tongue before breaking the kiss.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for a soft bed.” He shut off the shower before facing her once more.

  He grabbed a towel and dried her off, then took care of himself, quickly and efficiently. He dropped the towel and swung her into his arms.

  She clasped her hands around his neck and laughed. “Shane!”

  He grinned as he deposited her on the bed and came down over her, his heavy erection pulsing against her belly, pressing deliciously against her clit, sending ripples of awareness through her veins. Arousal had awakened inside her again, her sex wet and ready for him.

  “Are you going to get a condom?” she asked.

  He dipped his head and let out a groan. “We used what I had on me. Fuck.”

  She blew out a shaky breath. “I get shots,” she said, meeting his gaze. “It’s just simpler for me.”

  His blue eyes turned serious and intense. “You’re sure?”

  “For you? Yes.” He didn’t need to know that she never had sex without a condom or that she trusted he wouldn’t do something reckless and put her at risk. His honor was one of the things she admired about him. Even after all this time, she knew he wouldn’t hurt her.

  He nodded, his jaw clenched, as he took in the implications of her suggestion. This would change things between them on a deep level neither could take back.

  “Are we good?” she asked shakily.

  “Yes. Do you want to know why?”

  She nodded, running her hands over his damp hair.

  “Because that means I’m going to feel every sweet inch of you,” he replied, bracing his arms on either side of the bed and pushing himself into her in one swift thrust.

  She certainly felt every last inch of him. She arched her back, pulling him deeper, clenching around him, and delighting in the waves of desire that overtook her.

  This felt different. He felt different. Raw, powerful…and meaningful, she thought and moaned as he slid out, only to drive back in with a loud groan.

  “God, you feel incredible,” he muttered, rocking into her, sensually, slowly, when she’d expected another hard, fast taking.

  He placed his arms on either side of her and pushed himself up as he continued his passionate assault on all of her senses.

  He smelled good, his skin felt hot beneath her hands, and she was lost in sensation, so when her orgasm came, it came differently than before. She was swept away in an incredible wave of pleasure that took her higher and carried her over into pure bliss.

  * * * *

  In a complete one-eighty, Talia fell fast asleep right after sex and Shane lay awake thinking. Because that…that had been…something else.

  Talia was something else.

  He’d always known she was different. And if he was a different kind of man, he’d be thinking more serious thoughts about his little brainiac.

  In their short time together, she’d blasted through the wall he’d erected since his divorce. He wasn’t worried about her fragility because she’d more than proven herself strong and capable. She didn’t panic. She wasn’t afraid. She stood up for what she’d worked so hard for. And she was a woman who knew her own mind, understood
what she wanted out of her career. Out of her life.

  In another time or place, she’d be his perfect woman. But nothing could change the fact that he was a man always in dangerous situations, rarely home, and she was a woman who deserved commitment. A man who’d be there for her at the end of the day.

  Of course, she didn’t want that kind of relationship. What was it she’d said?

  With love comes inevitable loss. I’d like to minimize any more pain in my life. I keep my relationships light.

  He could relate to the sentiment…even if, looking at her, he wished things were different. For both of them.

  He shouldn’t have been surprised he’d gone from another chance to sleep with this woman to thinking such serious thoughts.

  This was Talia, after all. The girl he’d had a thing for when he’d been too young and stupid to know what to do with her, how to take care of her better. He knew now. And no matter how fast his heart beat around her, no matter how much he enjoyed her or wanted her in his life, that was a lesson he’d learned. How to put others before himself. How to put her first.

  So he’d get her to her professor friend, figure out how to keep her formula safe, and go back to the life he knew. He had no business considering relationships. At all. No matter how much a part of him wanted to.

  * * * *

  Dinner in the downstairs restaurant consisted of the most delicious steak meal Talia had ever had. A juicy filet, creamed spinach, a baked potato loaded with sour cream and she was in food heaven.

  Shane was alert and wary, but he’d also relaxed enough to enjoy both her company and the food.

  “Dessert,” a waiter said, placing the cheesecake Talia had ordered in front of her.

  She cut a piece and tasted it immediately, groaning at the flavor as it melted in her mouth. “This is so good.”

  Shane eyed her, an amused smile on his face.

  “What?” she asked, laughing. “I worked up an appetite earlier.” She pointedly referred to their session in the shower. And in the bed.