Kept By Casanova (Casanova Series)

by Seraphina Donavan

  He watched as she bit her lip to keep from crying out. “You have no idea how much I want you.” With the statement, he circled the hardened bud of her clit with his fingers and felt her entire body tense. “Or how good it feels to sink into you, to feel you closing around me, hot and tight.”

  “Gavin!” She gasped his name in a broken whisper.

  With the sound of her gasping spurring him on, he lifted her hips and arranged her, so the lush curves of her ass pressed against his thighs—his cock nestled against her sheath. He paused for just a moment, drinking in the sight, the pure eroticism of it. Art wasn’t something he had a gift for, but she made him wish he did. He’d paint her just like that. Naked and aroused—eager for him.

  Unable to wait any longer, he guided himself into her, groaning as the wet heat of her body enveloped him. The position didn’t allow for speed but for a slow climb. He rocked into her again and again, flexing his hips and sinking into her warmth.

  No sound existed in the room, other than their ragged breathing. Gavin kept his gaze locked with hers, watching her expression, the tension building. With his palm resting low on the soft mound of her belly, he dragged the pad of his thumb over the small bud of her clit as he pressed his cock deeply inside her.

  Libby’s thighs trembled against him, her belly quivering beneath his hand as her sheath tightened around him exquisitely.

  Again and again, he thrust into her, until he felt the first rippling spasms. Her whole body drew tight her hips arching up. He looked into her eyes while seeing the mind numbing pleasure reflected in her gaze and gave himself up to it. Another deep thrust and he was spilling himself inside her. Spent, he dropped forward until his head rested on the lush softness of her breasts.

  Neither of them spoke for the longest time, their bodies locked together as their breathing slowly returned to normal.

  While the last vestiges of pleasure slowly receded, ugly truths reared in Gavin’s mind. It humbled him, how much he needed her. He hadn’t expected this, wasn’t prepared for it. “I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you. I need you, Libby.” He hadn’t meant to say it, hadn’t meant to acknowledge the depth of his feelings to her yet, but there they were.

  A sigh escaped him as she stroked his back with the hand of her uninjured arm. “Nothing is going to happen to me. Nothing else at any rate.”

  Raising his head, Gavin gazed deeply into her eyes. “You could’ve been killed. And it’s my fault.”

  “It’s Trevaython’s fault. No one else’s.”

  Gavin wasn’t so sure. “I brought you here because I said I wanted to protect you, but the truth is—I just wanted you. I didn’t think it through...I didn’t think that keeping you close would only expose you to more danger.”

  ~*~*~

  Libby felt her panic rising then. Something rang in his tone, some unsaid thing ballooning between them, pushing them apart. “You don’t know that. If you’d sent me away, he might have come after me anyway, just to get to you. He’s insane, Gavin, and you can’t predict what a madman will do.”

  He touched her arm gently, his fingertips skirting the white bandage, but he remained silent, pensive.

  Libby forced herself not to cling to him, not to acknowledge the fear that roiled inside her that he would send her away. “Let’s just sleep,” she suggested. “It’ll all look better tomorrow. Ronan is working on a plan even now.”

  “Ronan is always working on a plan.”

  She smiled. “That’s what you pay him for. From what I’ve heard, he’s pretty good at it.”

  “He’s the best. I wouldn’t trust anyone else to protect you...Promise me that you’ll do whatever it takes to stay safe?”

  Libby swallowed hard. She feared it might be a promise she wouldn’t be able to keep. “I promise to do what’s best.”

  He shook his head. “That’s not what I asked.”

  “That’s the best you’re going to get.” She said it firmly, but it did nothing to ease the knot of fear in her gut.

  When he lay down beside her and pulled her into his arms, Libby relaxed just a bit.

  “We’ll revisit that later, but for now, sleep.” Just like that, he was out. His breathing evened and the tension slowly melted from his body.

  With the weight of his arm heavy around her, Libby didn’t sleep. She stayed awake and worried about how her fantasy was about to come to a crashing halt.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Libby awoke with a vague sense of unease. As she watched, the tiny sliver of light in the room grew. Turning her head, she saw the door opening.

  Ronan stood there, silhouetted by the light. He motioned to her.

  Curious and possibly even a little frightened, Libby pushed back the covers and eased from the bed.

  Gavin didn’t waken, simply rolled onto his back with an incoherent mumble.

  As stealthily as possible, she crept from the room. Entering the large living area of the suite, still shrouded in darkness, she saw Ronan standing at the window peering out. “What the hell is going on?”

  Ronan turned back to her then. “You love him.”

  Libby tightened her lips. “That’s not really your business.”

  “You don’t hide it well. He doesn’t see it, but he’s not used to being around women who see him as a man and not a means to an end.”

  Libby felt uncomfortably exposed in only Gavin’s shirt. The chill of the air conditioning had prompted her to retrieve it earlier, but now it wasn’t quite enough. She seated herself on the couch and used one of the satin backed throws to provide more coverage. “Are you asking me what my intentions are?”

  Ronan didn’t smile. He rarely smiled, but she could see a hint of amusement in his dark eyes. “No, Miss Jones...He’s very important, so is his work. It’s my job to protect him, but he isn’t really who I work for.”

  “So, you’re like a spy?”

  Ronan shook his head. “Spec Op would be the appropriate term, though that says very little about what we do. I asked if you loved him—”

  “No. You told me I loved him.”

  Ronan nodded. “Knowing people, what makes them tick, makes my job easier. Because you love him, you’ll do whatever it takes to keep him safe.”

  Fear coiled inside Libby, in part because she was so transparent and in part, because she knew he was right. “What do you need me to do?”

  “The Hypernion Project has many potential uses, namely allowing us to track entire networks of terror suspects merely by obtaining the telephone number of one. We need this, but more importantly, we can’t afford for Trevaython or anyone else to get it first.”

  Up to this point, she’d been talking to Ronan. The last statement from him had been a briefing from his superiors—this was obvious. “And that has what to do with me?” Libby got a feeling she wasn’t going to like the answer.

  “We need someone on the inside.”

  “You think I should apply for a job as his personal assistant?” An undeniable snap stole its way into her voice.

  Ronan seated himself across from her, his large frame dominating the space. With his elbows resting on his knees and his hands steepled before him, they were almost the same height. “He’ll try to take you. You’re value as a bargaining chip has already been proven...I say we let him.”

  Libby’s heart dropped. Even expecting it, having anticipated that Ronan would say it, she couldn’t control the knee jerk emotional response. “Gavin would never agree to it.”

  “I don’t plan on telling him. My job is to protect him and the project. My way.”

  She knew how important Gavin’s work was. Hypernion terrified her. The evolved technology was simply too much. To be able to track every move a person made over months, and for it to extend to every person they’d come in contact with. To extrapolate patterns and predict behaviors based on that, if it fell into the wrong hands would be catastrophic. It wasn’t simply Gavin who needed to be protected. “Tell me what to do.”

 
Ronan reached into his pocket and produced a small box. Inside was a simple pair of gold earrings. “These are equipped with transmitters. I’ll know where you are at all times. One would do, but two will allow you to tag a location, if you feel it’s important.”

  Libby took the small box, and slipped the earrings from the velvet lining. “How will this all play out?”

  “The intel on the gala has already been leaked. He’s set up a diversion, and that’s when he’ll make his move.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “Because I pay for good information and because…it’s what I’d do.”

  “And Gavin is to know nothing about this?”

  Ronan smiled sadly. “He’d never agree to it. I can’t promise you won’t get hurt, but I’ll do whatever it takes to get you out.”

  “Alive?”

  Ronan paused. “Yes. Any means necessary.”

  “Keep him safe. He thinks it’s all a big joke sometimes, like it’s impossible for him to get hurt, but we both know that isn’t the case.”

  “He doesn’t think it’s a joke now.”

  Libby rose. “I’m trusting you and I don’t do that easily.”

  “Same goes. You know more than he does at this point.”

  She paused before heading back to the bedroom and the man they were both lying to, even if it was for his own good. “You know you’ll probably need a new job after this.”

  Ronan nodded sagely. “I figured as much.”

  “He won’t forgive either of us for this, but if that’s what it takes to keep him safe, I’m okay with that.”

  “Spoken like a soldier.”

  Libby shook her head. “I’m not. Not a soldier, not even especially brave—and I don’t give a damn about Hypernion. If the whole thing collapsed, I’d be thrilled. But Gavin is another matter.”

  Ronan stood. “You should go back before he misses you.”

  Libby headed for the bedroom and for Gavin, all the while thinking that it was far too late to go back. I wouldn’t even if I could.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Libby surveyed her reflection critically. Not too shabby for someone who’d just been shot. It seemed like a dramatic word for such a minor injury, but if she tried to minimize it, Gavin would snap at her. He didn’t seem to realize that minimizing it helped her hold it all together.

  In spite of the recent trauma, she had to admit, she looked good. She certainly wasn’t model beautiful. Her nose was too short and would only ever be described as cute. With pale skin, slightly rounded cheeks and a dusting of freckles, she looked wholesome. God, what an ugly word. She didn’t want to be wholesome. Sexy, seductive, vixenish, statuesque, ravishing, stunning—the list of things she would rather be was endless.

  She knew obsessing over her appearance was simply another distraction, something else to keep the fear at bay. There was a very real chance she wouldn’t be coming back to the hotel tonight, that she would be a not-so willing abductee. It terrified her, but for the moment, she needed to put on a brave face. If Gavin even suspected what was up, they would never leave the hotel.

  Libby checked her reflection again. The woman staring back at her from the mirror didn’t look so wholesome. This woman looked like a siren.

  The dress Gavin had ordered for her did remarkable things for her figure. The flowing, sea foam green chiffon had an empire waist nipped in by gold braiding just beneath her breasts, which were hoisted up to her chin by the internal architecture of the gown. It flowed from the waistline, over her hips, until it swirled about her feet when she moved. A thin wrap in the same gossamer fabric and matching shade concealed the bandage on her arm.

  It was a glamorous dress, timeless, and it probably cost the earth. With strappy gold sandals on her feet, she looked a bit like a Grecian goddess. Since they were attending a masquerade at one of the more posh casinos, she supposed it was fitting.

  It’d been less than a week since Gavin pushed his way into the elevator with her and turned her life upside down.

  No. That wasn’t true.

  He’d turned her life upside down months earlier at that party. With one searing kiss in a darkened hallway, he’d changed not just her life, but everything she thought she knew about herself. Libby never believed herself capable of a grand passion, and she’d never thought of herself as being anything other than totally pragmatic. Gavin had shown her differently, and if it seemed like his own interest was waning a bit, it would be par for his usual course.

  Part of her wanted to believe that Gavin’s recent reticence was purely related to the danger and his wanting her to be safe. Then another part of her, the ugly part that she tried so hard to silence, insisted it was more. None of it mattered, really. Whatever happened with Trevaython would be a far more immediate concern.

  Putting the finishing touches on her makeup, she headed toward the living room where Gavin and Ronan were deep in conversation, discussing strategy, or possibly Star Wars. She’d discovered over the last few days how both men were full fledged sci-fi geeks with full honors.

  A smile swept across her face at Gavin’s low whistle when she entered the room. She wouldn’t describe herself as beautiful or sexy, but he certainly seemed to think those terms applied. Sometimes, to be honest, when she was with him, she did feel that way about herself—something about the way he looked at her, in the way that he couldn’t stop touching her—it made her feel beautiful and seductive. Mostly, when she was alone with her own thoughts, then the doubts would set in.

  Gavin rose and walked toward her, taking her hand and spinning her around. “You look stunning.”

  “Thank you.” She took a long look at him in his tuxedo. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen him in one, but that didn’t make it any less powerful. “You’ll do.”

  He laughed. “Will my marks go up if I give you jewelry?”

  She shook her head. “No. The clothes are too much already!”

  Her disapproval seemed pointless as he was already retrieving a white velvet box from the table. Flipping it open, he revealed a gorgeous necklace of intricately carved, golden leaves and artfully placed pearls—a true work of art.

  “No, Gavin. No!”

  ~*~*~

  Gavin smiled at Libby’s objection. “Relax! It’s borrowed.” He shot Ronan a warning look when the other man coughed under his breath. The necklace wasn’t borrowed, but Libby didn’t need to know that.

  After fastening the necklace for her, he pressed a soft kiss to the nape of her neck. “Beautiful. Now, Ronan has an endless litany of instructions for us. Try to stay awake.”

  Ronan began his briefing with a curt nod. “You will remain inside the casino at all times. You will only leave the casino if you are in my company. The car I’ve hired is armored, so the only time you will really be at risk is the short span between the car and the door of the casino…I’m serious, Miss Jones. You will not even go to the ladies room alone tonight.”

  “I’m not the target, Ronan. Gavin is.”

  Ronan didn’t answer. Instead, he retreated and left them alone for a moment.

  Gavin sighed wearily. “Ronan isn’t saying it because he doesn’t want to alarm you. Trevaython has already proven he’s not above hurting you to hurt me. But it doesn’t matter at the moment. Every precaution has been taken...In order to lure him out, we need bait, and frankly, you and I are it.”

  Libby turned away from him. “When you put it like that, why don’t we just stay here?” Her reply sounded forced.

  Gavin tried to smile reassuringly as he ran his hands along the smooth skin of her shoulders, trying to sooth the chill that had obviously come over her. “Because we can’t hide forever. At some point, we need to return to the real world. We can’t just avoid danger, we have to eliminate it, and that means letting him think he has the upper hand long enough for us to end this on our terms.”

  “Is this the point where I’m supposed to offer some snappy one liner to show you how brave and plucky I am?”

 
; He chuckled, and pressed a tender kiss to her cheek. She was brave. Incredibly so. Liberty Jones seemed totally unaware of just what an amazing woman she was. It was one of the many reasons he’d fallen in love with her.

  The thought snuck in. It didn’t necessarily take him unawares. It’d been niggling at the back of his mind since that first kiss, and then flared brightly when he’d cornered her in the elevator a short week ago. It was the first time, even in his mind that he’d used this particular word to describe how he felt for her. There should’ve been panic, but it never came—only the deep resolve of how he could not let her go.

  Shaking off those thoughts and her concerned expression at his long silence, he finally answered her, “No. You don’t have to do anything but be yourself. You’re perfect just the way you are.”

  ~*~*~

  Libby felt like they’d been there for eons, but in truth, they’d only been at the gala for a mere two hours. The weight of her own pretense dragged her down. Laughing, smiling, chatting inanely, all the while waiting for the moment when a madman would come and take her—it was just too much. The throng of people wishing to see and be seen, the pandering and toadying to the wealthy and powerful left her feeling completely out of her element.

  “Dance with me?”

  She glanced up to see Gavin standing before her. Before she could answer, he plucked the champagne flute from her hand and slipped it to a passing waiter. Within seconds, they were twirling on the dance floor of the gilded ballroom.

  Libby sighed and leaned into Gavin as they swayed to the music. For just a moment, let me forget everything but this.

  Casinos in Monte Carlo were far different from the ones she’d experienced in the states. Not that she’d been to anything other than the river boat casinos with some girlfriends. Still, there seemed to be an elegance and glamour to the place that allowed her to forget, for a brief moment, that they were in horrible danger. For this one moment, she could simply pretend they were a normal couple, in love, traveling the world together like in one of the classic movies she’d watched with her grandmother when she was a child.