by Susan Stoker
It wasn’t what she’d meant, but he pinned her against the wall, seared his mouth to hers, and all coherent thought disappeared like the water that now pounded his back. Instinct and need took over. She parted her lips and touched her tongue to Rook’s, and a low, sexy growl sounded from the back of his throat.
In no time flat, she was hot and bothered. And ached. Damn, how she ached. He dipped down to suck a nipple into his mouth, and she arched up. Desire gripped tight. She closed her eyes and moaned his name.
A second later, she felt his hand slide up her thigh. With her legs wrapped around him, she was wide open and at his mercy. He switched to her other nipple, and as his finger slipped inside her, out of nowhere, she came again.
When she finally blinked her eyes open, she found him staring at her, eyes dark and hungry, and bad-boy smug again.
“You are amazing.”
“Me?” she panted. “You’re the one giving the pleasure.”
“Oh, you’re wrong, Tarah. So damn wrong,” he insisted, taking her mouth in a deliciously rough, demanding, and thorough kiss that curled her toes.
When he broke the kiss, she was still shuddering with adrenaline as he held her gaze and pushed inside.
Oh, damn, he felt…
“Perfect,” he uttered. “I knew it. Knew we’d be good.”
He was right. So very right.
He cupped her ass and thrust deeper, grinding the two of them together with every stroke. Her eyes drifted shut and she was lost in the sensation of their bodies pressed tight, chest to chest, hip to hip, flesh to hot, wet flesh.
He nipped at her collarbone. “You with me, Tarah?”
She forced her eyes open and found his gaze intense and hot as hell. “Yes.”
“Good. Stay with me.” He thrust long and hard and deep, holding her gaze the entire time.
She was close to that blissful edge again; her nerves were shouting. “Rook,” she gasped.
Luckily, Rook was well-versed in unspoken words. He slipped a hand between them and pressed his thumb lightly to her center. Only one more of his masterful hard thrusts and the erotic pull of their bodies caused her to burst.
His low, rough groan bounced off the tiles as he shoved deep inside and followed her over. Several long seconds later, he slid them to the shower floor, pulled out, then slumped against her.
It was a few moments before Tarah finally found her breath. But not her legs, they were still a quivering mess.
Rook brushed a kiss to her cheek, lifted his head and studied her. “You okay?”
“Okay?” She managed a snort. “I’m better than okay, Rook. That was…wow.”
A deep satisfaction entered his gaze and he lightly cupped her chin. “Yes, it was.” He kissed her as he reached up to shut off the water. “I’ll be right back,” he promised, and left the shower.
In less than a minute, he was back with a big fluffy towel, which he used to meticulously dry her off after he helped her to her feet. She gripped the top of the shower doors for support while he took his leisure time rubbing her still thrumming body. She smiled when he even towel dried her hair.
The man was thorough. And right. It had been good. Damn good.
“Okay.” Without warning, he scooped her in his arms and carried her into her room. “It’s time I took you to bed.”
He surprised her when he crawled in and hauled her tight against him, unsure if he intended to stay in the bed or guard by the door. She fought off sleep, expecting him to leave any minute. But when the seconds turned to minutes and he made no sign to get up, his arm draped around her as he held her close, she sighed, and snuggled in. Her face rested on his bare chest, and his heart beat steady and sure under her ear. Not even the lingering pangs of guilt could break the peaceful contentment that washed over Tarah and lulled her into a dreamless sleep.
When she woke, sun streamed in the window, shining in the spot where Rook had been.
She was alone.
*
Rook felt like a jerk leaving Tarah’s bed before the crack of dawn, but he’d had a few calls to make. One of them to his boss. He should’ve called last night. His lips twitched into a grin. He’d been otherwise occupied.
Once the intoxicating woman had invited him into her room and their lips had met, he was done. The rest of the world and its problems had faded away. In a normal world, that was great.
He didn’t live in a normal world.
Didn’t live a normal life.
His gaze shifted around the kitchen where he sat drinking coffee while Burly read the newspaper.
As a protector, Rook needed to be aware of his surroundings and everyone in them at all times.
The only thing he’d been aware of last night was Tarah, and how damn good it had felt to let go of his restraint and lose himself inside her.
“Earth to Rook.” His brother appeared out of nowhere and snapped his fingers in front of Rook’s face. “You okay, bro?”
He blinked and set his mug down. “Yeah. Fine. Why?”
“You were kind of off in the fog.” Remy filled a mug and sat down.
Burly grinned at his paper. “Been that way all morning.”
His brother stilled and narrowed his gaze. “Son-of-a-bitch. You slept with her.”
“Looks like it,” their old friend answered for him, face split into a huge grin. “’Bout time, too.”
“I’m not sure it’s such a good thing,” Remy said, shaking his head.
“Why not?” Burly frowned. “Don’t you like her?”
His brother shrugged. “I like her fine. In fact, I think she’s great for Rook.”
He lifted a hand. “I’m right here, you know.”
“Then why aren’t you speaking up?” Remy scoffed.
“Waiting for a reason to.”
“How about this?” Remy sat back in his chair, gaze full of serious concern. “You’re fooling around with a woman who’s about to enter witness protection any day. I mean, that is where she’s probably headed, right?”
A tightening squeezed across Rook’s chest with crushing force. He nodded.
“When she does,” Remy continued, “you’ll never see her again. Are you prepared for that, bro? Because I know I sure wouldn’t be.”
The pain in his chest increased at the thought of the special woman disappearing from his life so soon. In her presence, in her arms, he’d found a complete satisfaction and contentment he’d never known existed.
Could he give it up? He didn’t honestly know.
Remy lifted his mug and stared at him from over the rim. “Look, I just don’t want to see you get hurt. That being said, life is short. No one knows that better than me. Yes, the two of you haven’t known each other long, but anyone can see you have a connection. That’s rare, bro. Trust me.”
Rook nodded again. He’d been around the world. Met a lot of women. Some he hooked up with, others he didn’t. But none had captured his attention with a photo and held him captivated with a glance.
Until Tarah.
“So, no one is going to fault you if you want to make the most of the time you have,” his brother stated. “But keep your head in the game. Just because there haven’t been any attempts on her life yet doesn’t mean it can’t happen five minutes from now.”
Remy wasn’t telling him anything Rook hadn’t already contemplated.
The rustling of paper filled the room as Burly set the news down. “Couldn’t Rook go with her?”
His brother’s head snapped back, and even Rook raised a brow.
“Yeah, I guess he could,” Remy answered, then met his gaze. “He’d have to leave here, his job, his past, his history, and everyone he knows behind in order not to compromise her new identity.”
The tightness was back in his chest again.
The old man nodded. “Sometimes sacrifices have to be made in the name of love.”
“Burly.” Remy grinned. “I never realized you were such a romantic.”
“It’s your mother’
s fault. She was the biggest romantic I knew.” Burly held each of their gazes before he nodded. “You two would do good to remember that.” Then he folded the paper and got up from the table. “I think it’s time I put breakfast on.”
“Need any help?” Tarah asked, breezing into the kitchen with a smile on her face, hair in a ponytail, and a pretty purple sundress hugging those curves he’d kissed every inch of a few hours ago.
His heart literally leapt in his chest at the sight of her. Rook had hoped to get back upstairs to her with breakfast so they could’ve had their morning after in private.
“No thanks, honey. You sit down and help yourself to coffee.” Burly smiled, motioning toward the table.
“Good morning,” she said to him and his brother, and headed for the chair next to Remy.
Not today.
Rook rose to his feet and cut her off, deciding not to worry about the future and just concentrate on the present.
“Morning,” he said, pulling her in close, loving how her body swayed into him even though her gaze was shy and reserved. He dipped down to kiss her lips and inhale her intoxicating coconut scent. “Sleep well?”
A sensuous grin curved her lips. “Very.” She glanced at his brother and Burly, but neither were paying them any attention.
He kissed the tip of her nose. “I was going to bring you breakfast in bed.”
Her brows rose and the most brilliant smile lit her face. “You were? Thank you.” She lifted up on tiptoe and brushed her lips to his.
A surge of pleasure and satisfaction rushed through him at her willingness to show affection in front of the others.
She kissed his cheek on her way to his ear. “Do you want me to go back up and get naked in bed?”
Rook inhaled, his whole body tightening at the visual her words induced. Hell yeah!
Her breath washed over his neck. “Or, maybe we can sneak back up afterwards…” Her whisper trailed off, leaving him hungry for Tarah and not breakfast.
“Well, are you two going to stand there cuddling all morning or sit down and start eating these eggs?” Burly teased, setting a platter of scrambled eggs on the table.
Remy already started to dig in.
Tarah patted his chest. “Looks like we’ll go with plan B.”
He smiled, totally on board with plan B. Either way it was a win/win. Since her time on the ranch was winding down, Rook intended to make the most of it.
Even if it killed him to let her go.
*
Several afternoons later, Tarah was sitting on the couch, smiling at Semper and Fi playing with two balls she’d made from aluminum foil, while Rook watched a history show on TV. He had his arm tossed around her, and a sense of belonging and home settled deep as he brought her in tight against his strong frame.
She slid her palm over his abs and set her cheek against his chest, soothed by the strong, sure thudding of his heart.
Was this what it felt like to be loved?
Although, loved was probably too strong a word. Cared about felt more appropriate for the short amount of time she and Rook had known each other. Whatever it was, it felt good. Damn good. Like nothing she’d ever experienced before.
Not counting her brother, no one had given a damn about her or her welfare while growing up. Not her foster family, and certainly not her mother. The woman had chosen to love a bottle more than her children after Tarah’s dad was KIA. Tarah had taken care of her mother and her brother until her mom didn’t want it anymore.
What she felt with Rook, and for Rook, and from Rook, was far different. Better. Amazing. And much more.
Although she’d tried not to, Tarah was falling for the man more and more every day.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked, hugging her closer.
She tipped her head to meet his gaze and smiled. “You, this.” She squeezed him back. “It’s nice.”
“Agreed.” He dipped down to kiss her lips, kick-starting her pulse. All too soon, he pulled away, leaving her wanting for more.
A daily occurrence.
Since their incredible shower sex, he’d taken to sleeping in her bed, not outside her door, and no matter how many times she had the man, she was always ready for more.
The only downfall to having him in her bed was the end of her early morning, and sometimes late night, check-ins with her boss. Tarah had to get creative with her call times, since Rook rarely left the house anymore, or her side. There was almost no need for the fake ring on her finger. She never went outside. He spent more and more time watching her, and touching her, and bringing her so much pleasure it should be criminal.
In a sense, it made her feel guilty. She knew why he was doing it. He thought she was leaving any day to disappear into the system. God, she hated lying to him. The incredible caring, trusting man was going to be so hurt and betrayed when he found out she actually worked with him.
His forehead wrinkled in concern. “Now what are you thinking?”
Damn, he was astute. Always determined to keep things as truthful as possible, she lifted a hand to lightly caress his jaw. “That I love being in your arms. I hate to see it end.”
Not a lie.
A fierce emotion akin to regret flashed through his eyes. “Me too.” He squeezed her in tight and kissed the top of her head just as her phone vibrated in the pocket of her jeans.
TJ, no doubt.
She had been waiting for him to get back to her about that crowd of onlookers. Lisa was going through the names three at a time. The former Naval Intelligence Officer had already dismissed half of them. Tarah hoped this next batch yielded more.
“Sorry to interrupt.” Remy leaned his good shoulder against the doorway to his office. “But I need to borrow Rook for a few minutes.”
Rising to her feet with Rook, she smiled. “No worries, I need to use the bathroom anyway.”
Although she wished she could listen in on their conversation, Tarah used the opportunity to check her text. Once safely secured in her upstairs bathroom, she pulled out her phone to find the words Call Lisa on her screen.
Adrenaline kicked into gear. She called Lisa.
“Hey, Tarah. I’m here with Sam and I have you on speaker.”
She exchanged greetings, anticipation killing her. “Have you found something?”
“No,” Lisa replied. “Not yet. But I’ve narrowed it down. All of the trainers are in the clear, so that leaves two girls and two guys. Nancy Tate, Charlotte Wilson, Trey Gibson, and John Smith.”
“John Smith,” she repeated, and heard Sam laugh.
“Yeah, there’s a conspicuous name if I ever heard one,” he said.
She smiled. “I agree.”
“I’m digging into all of them now, but Smith will take a little longer even with his photo, as you can imagine.”
She blew out a breath. “Yeah.”
“Not exactly what you wanted to hear, I know,” Lisa stated, understanding softening her tone.
Tarah nodded. “At least you narrowed the list from twelve to four.”
“True, and I have a hunch, but don’t want to say anything now. I’ll just keep digging,” her friend said. “And just so you know, Rook asked us to look into these same people, so we just emailed the information to him, too.”
She breathed a sigh of relief.
He actually listened to me.
“So, tell me, Tarah, how are you doing?” Lisa asked.
“Yeah, is my buddy driving you nuts yet?” Sam chuckled. “Rook can be stubborn.”
She snickered. “Oh, he’s that.”
And determined. It was never more evident than in bed. The man worked her over with the clear and utter intent of taking her out of herself.
More than once.
She was damn lucky. And didn’t want to lose him.
“Oh…dear,” Lisa exclaimed. “You slept with him, didn’t you?”
Tarah’s heart tripped and she could feel heat flooding her face because Rook’s buddy was listening in. But, s
ince it was out there, no sense in denying it.
She inhaled and nodded. “Yes. I know it’s frowned upon at the agency, but I really like him. And the chemistry is insane.”
“Don’t sweat it,” her friend reassured. “Especially if there’s chemistry involved. There’s no way you could’ve resisted. Trust me. I know.”
She heard what sounded like a kiss in the background. Tarah smiled. Yes, those two knew exactly what she’d meant.
“Lisa and I tried to fight it, but that was impossible, so don’t beat yourself up about it.”
“Thanks, Sam. But I do.” She ran a hand through her hair and shook her head. “Rook is going to hate me when he finds out I’m with the agency. I hate lying to him. Any chance I can tell him today?”
“Can you get him to agree to let the agency help him?” Lisa asked.
She sighed. “No. Too damn stubborn.”
“True.” Sam snorted. “But there’s also a deeper reason for his stubbornness. Rook has lost people he cared about because they tried to help him.”
Her heart dropped to her knees. “That’s terrible. Who?”
“When he was ten, his mother died protecting him during a tornado, and on one of our ops the year he joined my SEAL team, one of his buddies pushed him aside and took a bullet in the head.”
Tarah sank down onto the toilet and closed her eyes, her heart aching for his loss.
“So, I’m not surprised he keeps turning down the commander’s request to help,” Sam exclaimed. “There’s no way he’ll put any of us in harm’s way because of him.”
She nodded, even though they couldn’t see. Her shoulders hunched under the weight of those revelations. Rook would never agree to let the agency help, which meant she had to continue to share his bed under false pretenses.
Each day that went by, she could feel the lie choking her tighter and tighter, like a noose around her throat.
“Hang in there,” Lisa encouraged. “One of these names will pan out. I can feel it. Then we can put an end to his threats, and you can come clean.”
That couldn’t happen fast enough.
“Just don’t forget about Serrano, Tarah,” Sam warned. “Rook’s assignment isn’t a ruse. You’re not there under false pretenses. Just a false name. You do need protecting, too. So, watch your back.”