Love Under Protection (425 Madison Avenue Book 15)

by Aubree Valentine

  "Not like Momma made it?" I ask.

  Harley gags, grabbing his coffee to wash it down. "Not at all."

  I stifle a laugh behind my hand. "You should know better. You're not in Georgia."

  "Hey now, I've never met a biscuit and some gravy that I didn't like. Until now." He wipes his mouth. "How was yours?"

  "It was toast. And fruit. Can't complain."

  "You didn't eat much."

  "I felt full. Didn't want to push it. Would you think it's crazy if I said I was ready for a nap?"

  In an unexpected move, Harley reaches across the table and takes my hand. "Don't overdo it. It hasn't even been twenty-four hours."

  "Yeah. I think I'm going to take care of the check and go back upstairs for a bit."

  Harley tosses his napkin on the table. "Like hell you're paying for breakfast."

  "Harley, I have appreciated everything you've done for me and the least I can do is pay for breakfast. So, shut up and let me handle the check."

  "I'm not sure if I should be impressed or embarrassed. You do know I don't make a habit of taking orders from other people."

  "And you know, I'm not one to do what I'm told," I tease.

  "That's not how I remember things, but I'll let you have your way this time."

  At the elevator a few minutes later, I give Harley a hug and encourage him to spend the day doing something. Something that does not involve sitting around and watching me sleep. “Like I said, you’ve done more than enough for me. Now, you go and enjoy the island. Maybe you’ll find Liv and Jameson around and can go do something fun with them.”

  He follows me into the elevator and presses the button to my floor. I elbow him gently and push the button for his. He presses it twice and holds it down, successfully turning the light off and overriding the call to that floor.

  “Harley,” I growl.

  “Walking you to the door. Then if you still want me to leave, I will,” he assures me as he tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

  “You do realize, I don’t need you to watch over me. If we’d never met, I would be walking to and from my room—and anywhere else for that matter—by myself.”

  “Well aware,” he says, taking my hand in his as the elevator doors open.

  As promised, he walks me to the door, gives me a kiss on the forehead and tucks me safely inside.

  “No sneaking out for food truck poke bowls this time,” he says with a teasing grin.

  “Scouts honor. Sleep. Nothing more.”

  When the door closes, I dig out my Kindle, pull my hair up in a messy bun, and head for the balcony. I doubt I’ll read more than a few words of the latest release from my favorite author Lauren Helms, with how heavy my eyes are. In my head though, reading and napping while looking out over the ocean sounds like a dream right now.

  Chapter 13

  Harley

  “Only two more nights in paradise for you. Liv wants to explore some of the nightlife. You should come out with us. We won’t keep you out too late,” Jameson says into the phone. “Rumor has it, Raylynn’s coming too.”

  “What are we, twelve? Are you trying to bribe me?”

  “Maybe. Is it working?”

  “What time and where?” I grumble. Somethings will never change, and Jameson likely will never grow up.

  “Liv said she made reservations for five o’clock sharp at Hoku’s. Dinner first, then drinks.”

  “I’m so glad you’re only getting married once,” I joke. “You’re a pain in the ass. I’ll be there at five.”

  I would have gone out with them either way; Raylynn coming along only sweetens the pot. Especially since I haven’t seen her in about twenty-four hours. I checked in on her last night. She swore she was feeling better and said she planned to spend the rest of the night reading and relaxing. I almost offered to join her, but I got the impression that she wanted time to herself, so I let her be.

  Dinner and drinks tonight are the perfect excuse to get together with her again.

  Thanks to Jameson and his last-minute plans, I’ve got exactly an hour and a half to get ready.

  I’m pleasantly surprised when I get a message from Raylynn asking if I’ll be there.

  Me: You bet I will be. Will I get to see your gorgeous face?

  Raylynn: Hmm. I’m considering it. ;) Guess you’ll just have to wait and find out.

  Me: Tease.

  Raylynn: Maybe.

  Her last message ends with a kissy face.

  Satisfied that we’re done talking for the moment, I take a long hot shower and get ready for the night.

  Raylynn is the first thing I see when I step off the elevator and into the lobby a little while later. She looks even more breathtaking, or maybe I’m just losing my mind. Her hair is pulled back out of her face but flows down her back in soft waves and she’s got a flower pinned behind her ear. The pink-flowered dress she’s wearing blows in the breeze as the lobby doors open.

  I pick up my pace and call her name. The smile she flashes me when she turns around, hits me right in the solar plexus.

  “Looking good,” she says, reaching for my hand. When our fingers connect, she pulls me closer and kisses my cheek. “Thank you again for looking after me.”

  “Mmmm. Someone is really feeling better,” I muse.

  Raylynn lifts up onto her tiptoes and whispers in my ear, “Much better. Wait until you see what I’m not wearing under this dress.”

  My mouth goes dry, and I nearly swallow my tongue. Her forwardness in letting me know exactly how tonight is going to end is sexy as hell. Wrapping my arm around her waist, I press against her and let her know exactly how sexy she is. “I hope you can handle what you’re starting.”

  “I sure as hell plan to find out.”

  Jesus Christ.

  “Hmm. Who are the newlyweds here? Did you two run off and tie the knot without us?” Jameson’s voice booms behind us, and Raylynn practically jumps from my arms.

  “Don’t shy away because of us,” Olivia adds.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Raylynn plays coy, and I grunt.

  There’s no hiding my amusement. “Yeah, nothing to see here.”

  “Smooth,” Raylynn mumbles under her breath.

  Jameson shakes his head. “Well, if you’re both done with nothing, then let's get to dinner. Shall we?”

  I extend my arm. “Lead the way.”

  Raylynn slips her arm around mine, and we follow the two lovebirds to Hoku’s.

  Our table is ready when we arrive, and the hostess escorts us to the back patio that overlooks the ocean. I fully expect Olivia to take a seat near her husband, but she quickly pulls Raylynn to her side.

  “Guess we’re sitting together,” Jameson states the obvious, taking the chair across from Olivia. “Don’t try to hold my hand or grab my junk. Keep your hands to yourself,” he deadpans.

  “God, you’re such a fucker. Is your junk tender? Too much action? Can’t handle it?”

  Olivia blushes, Raylynn snickers.

  “Never.” Jameson shakes his head.

  If these two have some kind of plan to keep me from seducing Raylynn during dinner, they’ve clearly underestimated my talents. I’ve got no problem playing footsie with her.

  For good measure, I lean back with the menu in my hands, pretending to be giving it a good look over while I slowly move my foot in her direction. Over the top of my menu, I notice her startle when I make contact. She squirms in her seat and I raise a brow. Jameson and Olivia are oblivious at the moment.

  It’s me who nearly blows our cover when she unexpectedly reaches under the table and grabs my leg.

  The humor dancing in her eyes has my cock beating against my zipper.

  “You okay over there, man?” Jameson eyes me suspiciously.

  Raylynn is ready to burst out in laughter.

  “Peachy.” I play it off by taking another drink of the water on the table.

  Lucky for me, I’m saved by our waiter’s arriv
al.

  With the first round of drinks on deck and appetizers ordered, small talk ensues. I didn’t miss that Raylynn is sticking to ginger ale tonight, so I make a note to limit my drink intake too. Solidarity and all that jazz.

  Jameson and I are busy talking about a new project at The Mason Center, the special needs school and therapy center that Olivia launched not all that long ago; when I notice Olivia lean in and quietly ask Raylynn a question.

  Raylynn nearly spits out her soda and passionately shakes her head ‘no’.

  “What are you two up to over there?” I question.

  “Nothing,” they answer in unison.

  Jameson looks at me and snickers. “I think they’re lying.”

  “Me too.” That’s okay, though. I’m willing to bet that I can weasel it out of her later.

  The hours fly by, and the drinks are flowing, for Olivia and Jameson. Raylynn and I soak it in and enjoy their shenanigans.

  By the time they’re ready to leave, I’m rock hard and tempted to take Raylynn in the elevator. Judging by the way her hands are all over me, she’s struggling too.

  Olivia and Jameson exit on the second floor with a wave. The doors close, and Raylynn looks up at me.

  “Your room or mine?”

  She doesn’t hesitate. “Yours. It’s closer.”

  I pick her up, she wraps her legs around my waist, and I carry her off the elevator and to my room. I sit her down long enough to pull the key card from my front pocket and unlock the door.

  She takes my hand and drags me inside, letting the door slam behind us.

  “I do believe you promised me something,” I remind her.

  Raylynn smiles wickedly and slides the straps on her dress down her arms, letting it float to the floor. She’s completely bare, nothing but a pair of fuck-me heels left on her feet.

  “Jesus. If I had known…”

  “You would have never let us leave the hotel,” she finishes, closing the space between us like a woman on a mission.

  “Damn right,” I agree, reaching out and cupping her perky breasts.

  “Now, if memory serves me correct, you promised to push me to my limits. I do believe we have some lost time to make up for,” she says confidently with her hands on my belt.

  And making up for lost time is exactly what I plan to do.

  Chapter 14

  Raylynn

  “Holy fuck,” I groan.

  My hands are tied to the headboard with a silk tie that he pulled from his suitcase, and his head is buried between my legs. The things this man can do with his tongue has me quivering from head to toe. I buck against him and he presses a hand down on my hips to keep me still. It’s too much and not enough all at once.

  With his free hand, he slips two fingers inside me and twists them around.

  His name tumbles from my lips in a plea for release. He groans against my sensitive flesh, sending me over the edge, but he doesn’t stop, drawing out the pleasure he has created.

  “Give me another,” he demands before kissing along my thighs and working his way back to my clit.

  I don’t know where I end and he begins. I’m lost to every sensation wracking my body like a hurricane.

  “Harley,” I cry out, pulling against the restraint. I’m desperate to touch him. To wrap my fingers in his hair and hold him in place. To pull him to me and kiss him. I want everything from this man.

  When the second orgasm hits me, Harley quickly moves up my body and unties my hands then strokes my entire body with his fingertips as I come down from the orbit he’s sent me into.

  “You good?” Harley asks with a proud smirk on his face.

  I answer by entwining my fingers in his hair like I’ve longed to, and pulling him in for a kiss. It takes me a few minutes to find any energy I have left, but I manage to roll us both over so that Harley is on his back, and I can straddle his hips. Thank fuck he lost his clothes a long time ago.

  “I could get used to this,” he says, wiggling beneath me.

  “Mmhmm.”

  “Condom,” he mumbles as I press my lips to his again.

  “I hope you stocked up,” I tease, putting a little space between us.

  His face falls. “I didn’t. Give me a second to see if I’ve got any left in my travel bag.”

  He lifts me off of him and jumps off the bed, his hard cock bobbing with each step he takes.

  “Seems luck would be on our side,” Harley says, spinning around with two condoms in his possession.

  “Yeah, we’re going to need more than that,” I purr like some kind of sex kitten.

  “Later,” he says, tossing the condoms onto the bed beside me. He lays back down and lifts me back on top of him. “Now, where were we.”

  I tap my lip with a finger. “Hmm. I was about to do this…” I kiss his lips, then his cheek, and work my way down his body.

  He smugly puts his hands behind his head and watches my every move. The moment I cup his balls in my hand, his hips flex, and he lets out a low growl. When my mouth finally closes around the tip of his cock, a string of curses flies from his lips. I am in complete control of his pleasure with every suck, lick and gentle nip, and I feel on top of the world. The opportunity to have him at my mercy is not one that I will take for granted.

  His hands tangle in my hair, and he guides me up and down his shaft, demanding even more from me. I’m almost positive that he’s close, so I double my efforts, fondling him with my hands as I continue working him with my mouth. Slight disappointment sets in for a moment when he sits up and lifts me off of him.

  “I need to fuck you,” he pants, spreading me out on my back and reaching for the foil packet.

  Once he’s covered, I take advantage of the situation and do my best to push him onto his back and take over once again. I expect him to protest, instead he grabs my hips and guides me down on top of him.

  My head falls back as I grind against his hips. Still sensitive from all the earlier gratification, every move is heightened with each thrust. Harley meets me move for move and it’s quickly become clear to me that he only let me think I was running this show. Even from the bottom, he’s still in control and making sure that we both find satisfaction.

  Still, as I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I can’t help but feel empowered. Harley seems to have a way of bringing it out of me.

  He traces his hands up to cup my boobs and roll my nipples with his thumb. Euphoria threatens to rain down on me as he commands me to let it all go.

  I lean forward and wrap my arms around his neck, holding us impossibly close as orgasm number three rockets through me. Harley pounds harder into me before letting out a growl as he stills below me.

  “Goddamn,” he grunts, giving one final thrust.

  Neither of us rushes to move. I lay my head on his chest and listen to his heart, beating wildly while catching my breath. His hand traces lazy circles on my back.

  “You’re something else,” he whispers then presses a kiss to my shoulder.

  “Hey, I told you I could handle anything you dished out.”

  I can feel his smile against my skin.

  “That you did.” He rolls us on to our sides and brushes my hair back from my face. “I need a cold water, want one?”

  I nod in response.

  Harley kisses my forehead. “Why don’t you get comfortable? I’ll be right back.”

  My eyes follow his backside while I reposition myself and lean back against the pillows at the top of the bed. I don't even bother covering myself up. If Harley has the confidence and is comfortable enough to walk around in all his naked glory, than damnit, I'll own the skin I'm in too.

  Harley's cock is still proudly half-mast as he walks back over. My mouth waters and I bite my lip to keep from making a sound.

  "Keep looking at me like that, and I'll have you flat on your back before you can take a drink," he threatens with a twinkle in his eyes.

  I quickly take the bottle of water from him and chug it in a v
ery unlady-like manner. I need something to cool me down.

  "One more day left. Big plans?" Harley asks, reaching for my hand.

  "Not really. I may have hoped we could spend the day right here," I muse. With my free hand, I run my fingers over his chest.

  "Checked everything off your bucket list, then?"

  "Eh. I guess so. I hope to come back here, one day. Maybe go swimming with the dolphins."

  "Swimming with the dolphins?"

  "Yup. I booked a slot for the day I got sick and missed it. I forgot about it until the next day, and at that point, they were booked.” I shrug. “There’s always next time."

  "And here I thought you'd say something crazy, like parasailing." Harley lifts his arm and tucks me into his side.

  "Uhm. No. I'm good, thanks. Sort of afraid of heights."

  We carry on a comfortable conversation about anything and nothing at all until both of us are yawning and delirious.

  "Sleep. I'll take you to breakfast in the morning, and if you're lucky, I may have a surprise, too," he tells me as he tucks us both under the bedsheet.

  As I drift to sleep, I realize one thing is for certain, this vacation has been the experience of a lifetime.

  Chapter 15

  Harley

  This week was meant to be about fun, relaxing, and celebrating Jameson and Olivia. I went into this with no plans outside of my wedding party obligations, so Raylynn has been a pleasant and welcome surprise. Last night when she mentioned missing out on swimming with the dolphins, I knew that first thing this morning I would be making some phone calls and pulling out all the stops to make it happen for her before we all head back home.

  As luck would have it, they had exactly one slot open, but I had to book an entire group to get us in.

  Before Raylynn gets out of the shower, I shoot off a quick text to Jameson then pocket my phone.

  Me: I know, I know...it’s your vacation, honeymoon, whatever. I hung out with y’all last night now you get to hang out with me. Bring Olivia and meet me at the dolphin encounter at three pm. Swimwear required. Consider it an extra wedding gift. You’re welcome. Oh, and DO NOT mention this to Raylynn.