Guarded by the Hero: An Older Alpha Male and Curvy Younger Woman Romance (The Hero Series Book 1)

by Adele Niles

  “Maybe I need a creative hobby, too. I wouldn’t mind learning how to cook.”

  Cody grinned. “I can teach you how to cook. But I’m curious, how do feel about dancing?”

  I shrugged. “I’ve never really danced before.”

  He stood, leaving his coffee on the table. After a moment of fiddling with his phone, he held a hand out to me. “Here.”

  I took his hand. He helped me to my feet and led me into the kitchen, where there was plenty of floor space.

  The music started, and he eased me into a dance.

  It wasn’t anything specific; he just held me in his arms, swaying and turning to the music.

  I slid my arms around his waist, head resting on his shoulders, and closed my eyes.

  This felt good.

  Cody held me close, moving me in a slow circle. His hands were warm on my waist, strong. I felt so safe with him.

  I trusted him.

  I trusted him not to hurt me, lie to me. Not to steal my money.

  I wanted this, I realized. I wanted him.

  I lifted my head from his shoulder, looking up at him.

  He met my gaze, smiling faintly.

  And then he leaned down and kissed me.

  It was everything I wanted it to be.

  Chapter Nine

  Maria

  Cody took me back to his room.

  Stormy was already in her crate for the night, after a long day of getting belly rubs and treats. The alarms were activated, and the broken window in my bedroom was covered with a piece of plywood.

  Everything was safe.

  And Cody wouldn’t stop kissing me.

  Not that I wanted him to stop.

  He eased me back on to his mattress, hands running over my sides.

  Ben had never looked at me the way Cody was looking at me now.

  “I want this,” I murmured.

  He smiled. “You’re sure?”

  “I’m so sure.”

  He nodded, tilting his head to kiss my neck. It sent heat washing through my body, concentrating between my thighs.

  I had definitely never been this wet with Ben, especially not so fast.

  But Cody was so much better than him in every way.

  I tilted my head to kiss him again, moaning as he nipped at my lower lip.

  I wanted to be his.

  I let my legs spread, my skirt riding up to my hips.

  Immediately, Cody slid a hand up the inside of my thigh, knuckles brushing the outside of my panties.

  My hips bucked against his hand.

  “Mm-mm, patience,” he murmured, kissing along my neck once again.

  I didn’t know how I was supposed to be patient, but I would try.

  I leaned my head back, looking up at him. “Take your shirt off?”

  He chuckled and sat up, pulling his t-shirt off over his head.

  His body was incredible. He was so strong, and so handsome, and I wanted this so bad.

  “Please?”

  He tilted his head, running his hand over my stomach. “Please what?”

  “Please… help me out of this damn dress?”

  Cody laughed, a low rumbly sound that made me shiver.

  I sat up, and he worked my zipper down. I pushed the dress down, and he took it, tossing it to the floor.

  Before I could lay back down, he undid my bra, too, pulling it off.

  When I lay back, he looked at me, almost-naked in his bed.

  He lowered his head, taking one nipple in his mouth and sucking. I gasped, my hips rocking up from the bed. He pushed them back down with one hand.

  And then his fingers brushed the front of my panties, and I let out another moan.

  He pushed them off to the side, his fingers finding my clit easily. He started to stroke it in slow circles.

  My toes curled on the bed.

  Ben had definitely never done that for me.

  I wrapped my arms around Cody to pull him closer, kissing him hard. He leaned over me, kissing back just as desperately.

  I dropped my head back to the mattress. “Please… Please, I need you.”

  He smiled. “Panties off.”

  I nodded eagerly, reaching to fumble with them.

  While I did, Cody stood up, taking off his boots, then his pants and underwear.

  My jaw dropped.

  He was huge.

  He looked at me and grinned. “Like what you see?”

  I nodded. I couldn’t find words.

  He chuckled and moved back to the bed, leaning over me. His lips met mine again in a harder, more passionate kiss.

  His hand moved between us as he rolled on a condom.

  And then I felt him push against me.

  He slid inside, grunting softly. “God, you’re so tight.”

  “You’re huge,” I replied, cheeks flushing.

  He chuckled and kissed me again.

  I was never going to get tired of this.

  Slowly, Cody started to move. I felt the full length of him with each thrust. My heart was racing already, stars swimming across my vision.

  How was he this good?

  Ben had never paid attention to me, to my needs. He’d always rolled over and gone to sleep immediately after coming.

  But Cody…

  He was going to make me come.

  For the first time.

  Ever.

  I was so ready for it.

  Every stroke was bringing me closer, making it harder to concentrate.

  And then he moved his fingers back to my clit, and I was done. The heat inside me built faster, burned hotter, and I felt my legs start to shake as I wrapped them around his waist.

  He kissed my neck, and I felt the pressure break, my whole body trembling. I heard my voice rise in a high, desperate moan, felt Cody’s hands and lips and cock, felt my own body responding to everything he did to me.

  He groaned in my ear, his thrusts losing their rhythm, but he didn’t stop.

  He didn’t stop until I went silent and limp on the bed under him.

  And even then, even as he pulled out, he didn’t roll over and fall asleep.

  He kissed me again, touched me as we came down.

  And then we went for a second round.

  * * * * *

  The sun was starting to come up, and we hadn’t slept yet.

  But after four rounds, and too many orgasms so count, I was exhausted.

  I looked to Cody and smiled weakly. “I think I need to call out of work tomorrow.”

  He nodded, lying beside me with one arm thrown over his eyes. “I think… I’ll take it easy.” Then he turned his head to look at me. “But… hey. Ben’s locked up.”

  I sighed. “He might make bail.”

  “Mm. But even then, I’m sure they’d be keeping an eye on him.”

  “I hope so, but it’s hard to say.” I yawned.

  Cody laughed softly. He turned to his side, draping an arm over my stomach.

  I leaned into him.

  “So… I take it that you’ll want my services again tonight?”

  I let out a soft laugh and nodded. “Yeah. And the next. And… you know what? Just consider our contract still active.”

  He nodded. “I can do that. I’m yours until you let me go.”

  That wouldn’t be for a long time.

  Epilogue

  Maria

  Three Months Later

  Stormy let out a bark of excitement as we came back in from our walk.

  Cody sat on the couch, flicking through the TV channels. He looked up as I came in, smiling. “Dinner’s almost ready.”

  “It smells delicious.” I unclipped Stormy’s leash, watching her run to Cody. She sat beside him on the floor, looking up with her tail thumping against the floor. He put a hand on top of her head, petting her ears gently.

  For someone so strong, so commanding, he could be incredibly gentle.

  I sat down beside him, sighing. “I heard from the editor today.”

  “Yeah?”r />
  “Yeah. The first two chapters of our book are good. We still can’t publish anything until the trial is over, but as good as our case looks, we shouldn’t have any problems.”

  He wrapped an arm around my shoulders, kissing my cheek. “Good.”

  I leaned into him. “And the lawyer called, too. The defense team was going to try and claim temporary insanity, but his social media posts show that this was premeditated. So that’s probably not going to go over well.”

  “Good.” He kissed me again, working his way toward my neck.

  “Do we have time before dinner?”

  “Depends on how ready to go you are.”

  I hummed. “Maybe we need to wait until after.”

  He chuckled, kissing my neck one last time. “All right. Later.”

  I smiled, leaning against his chest and closing my eyes. “How was your day?”

  “Good. I got booked for more consulting work. I’m going to be visiting some houses in town over the next few days, making upgrade suggestions.”

  I nodded. “Good. But you’ll be home at night, right?”

  “Of course. I’m not gonna let you sleep alone, babe.”

  I smiled. Of course, he wouldn’t leave me alone.

  Cody would always be right there when I needed him.

  Rescued by the Hero

  The Hero Series

  Book Number 2

  Chapter One

  Belinda

  “All right, guys, this is it! I’m so excited to be doing this fitness-at-any-size challenge for you!” I smiled into the camera, head tilted at a cute angle. “The Catskills are beautiful this time of year. The weather is perfect, and I’m looking forward to a little time out of the city, enjoying a little nature.” I paused, closing my eyes for a minute. “The birds are singing, and it’s just so amazing to be here. So I’m gonna go for now, get my hike on, and I’ll check in soon! Love ya!”

  I blew a kiss into the camera and grinned before shutting it off.

  Intro done. Now, I could enjoy a nice little hike.

  Maybe it was a little ambitious, but I liked to go big.

  I had outfitted myself in good hiking gear—sturdy boots, an ergonomic backpack, two stainless steel water bottles. My backpack was packed with snacks and a healthy lunch, and I had charging bricks for my phone and camera in a waterproof pouch. I was ready for this.

  But I was a little nervous all the same. I usually did stuff like this with Audrey; she was an amazing camera girl and my best friend, but she’d been unexpectedly called away for work. And as much as I hated to let her go, I understood—paying bills was way more important than helping me out.

  And I couldn’t exactly reschedule—I’d made a promise to my followers that I would start this today. The response to my decision to do the fit-at-any-size challenge had been positive, and I didn’t want to let anyone down by backing out of it. The goal of my Instagram program was to be a positive influence and bailing on a commitment wasn’t going to look good on me.

  I’d just have to handle this one alone and make the best of it.

  The first part of the hike was easy—a slow, gentle climb uphill. I’d picked one of the easier trails, but it was still eight miles. And even if I walked a lot, like every other New Yorker, that was a long one.

  But I was sure I’d be fine. I wasn’t worried at all.

  I pulled my hair up into a ponytail after the first mile, grabbing my camera from my bag. The parking lot was already gone from sight; I was surrounded by beautiful, vibrantly green forest. Birds sang around me, and I could hear the soft rustling of animals in the underbrush.

  It really was nice to get away from the city for a little while.

  Every once in a while, I thought about moving away from New York. It usually happened when I got on Pinterest and saw gorgeous photos from people living more rustic lives—teacups steaming in front of a beautiful mountain view, children playing in lush vegetable gardens, bees resting on vibrant flowers. I always wanted to reinvent myself when I spent too much time on that part of the Internet.

  But then I had to accept that I was a city girl. I liked going out to eat, going shopping, and hitting nightclubs and parties. I liked being able to see Broadway shows whenever I wanted and occasionally bumping into celebrities at Starbucks.

  Living in the middle of nowhere wasn’t for me.

  I walked a while longer, climbing the trail farther. I stopped at a split and started to film again—first the signs for the two trails, then turning the camera to the trails themselves. One was paved and looked like it started to slope downward again pretty quickly. The other was a well-worn dirt path, curving farther upward.

  “Which way, guys? I’m thinking I’m up for a challenge. Let’s take the dirt trail!”

  I posted it to my story—a teaser for the whole video, which would get posted after a lot of editing.

  I tucked my camera back in my bag and took a long drink of water before turning and starting up the dirt trail.

  Read Rescued by the Hero Now

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