Hale Series Boxed Set

by Marie James

  “Why would you be embarrassed?”

  “I…” I attempt to hang my head again but the finger still under my chin prevents it. “I’ve never done anything like that before.” I see his face soften from the pain and regret he was feeling just a bit ago.

  “You’re embarrassed that we did those things?” His face is unreadable.

  “I’m embarrassed that I liked it.” I whisper and watch his eye lids droop and his tongue lick across his bottom lip. The heat in his gaze causing me to shift in my seat.

  “Never be embarrassed for enjoying something we do in our bedroom.” He smiles and lowers his voice. “And please never be ashamed to tell me that you like something we do. I want you to be brave enough to ask for anything from me while we’re in there.” He leans into me and kisses my lips softly, the hand he had under my chin now at the back of my head pulling me into him. By the time he pulls away from me we’re both breathless and panting.

  He rests his forehead against mine as our breathing calms. “I think you’re trying to kill me.” He says without even opening his eyes.

  “How’s that?”

  He reaches for my hand, takes it in his, and rests it against the very impressive erection in his pants. I moan at the feel of him against my hand, seduced by the feel as well as the idea that one kiss could have him in this state.

  I reach for his zipper. “I can suck you off,” I say, having grown brazen from our recent conversation.

  He groans but stills my hands before I can unzip him. I’m smirking at him as he brings my hand to his mouth and kisses my open palm. “I’d love nothing more, but people are expecting us.”

  I shift my weight back into my seat and pout. “The girls would understand.” I wink at him.

  His green eyes twinkle as his face lights up with a mega-watt grin. “I’m sure they would!”

  I watch as he situates himself in the driver’s seat and giggle when he struggles to find a comfortable position for his erection before we pull out of the parking lot. It only takes ten minutes or so and we’re pulling into the long driveway at Ian and Lorali’s.

  Kaleb helps me out of the truck and I know he’s in the middle of a game of seduction when he unnecessarily and very slowly slides me down his body as my feet settle on the ground. “You make me so hard,” he whispers in my ear as we make our way to the front door.

  We ring the bell and it only takes a few seconds before Lorali is tugging the door open. We’re late and the look on her face and the quick glance between Kaleb and I tells me she knows exactly why.

  “The guys are in the cave,” she says as she points to a closed door. “Come on Josie.” She walks towards the den.

  I turn towards Kaleb and give him a quick hug. I stand on the tips of my toes so I can whisper in his ear. “I’m drenched for you.” I giggle at his sharp intake of breath before I quickly skitter away to join Lorali and Alexa.

  I can feel my face flush and heat under Lorali’s scrutiny as I walk into the den and settle on an oversized sofa. I feel tiny as I sink onto the super soft fabric.

  “We expected you sooner.” Lorali informs me as she hands me a very full glass of white wine.

  “I got held up,” I remark and take a big sip of the crisp, fruity wine.

  “Yeah? What exactly was the hold up?” Alexa is smirking at me and I take it as a challenge to tell the truth.

  I tip my glass towards my mouth. “I was busy getting my ass spanked by a hot Puerto Rican sex god!” I say just before letting the cool liquid hit my lips.

  Lorali’s eyes go wide and I can’t help but laugh at the look of pure shock on her face.

  “Fuck yeah!” Alexa exclaims and holds her hand up for a high-five.

  I oblige by high-fiving her and then throw back the last of the wine in my glass because even though I said it I’m mortified that the words actually came out of my mouth.

  Alexa is laughing hysterically and her reaction has persuaded Lorali to have more of a grin on her face than a look of terror. I reach and fill my glass again, not even taking into consideration that tomorrow is a work day.

  “How are wedding plans coming, Lor?” I think a change of subject is in order.

  She shakes her head at me and grins. “Uh un,” she chides. “You’re not getting away from that conversation that easily!”

  “What else is there to say?” I ask and guzzle more wine. “You want details?” Surely not!

  “Damn straight!” Alexa declares.

  “It’s absolutely amazing. And I’m discovering that I like all sorts of things.” I close my eyes on a long blink before continuing. “He makes me feel safe and free to explore myself.”

  “You’re falling for him.” Lorali says. It’s a statement, not a question.

  I shift my gaze towards the window without answering. It’s not like it’s the first time I considered the possibility of loving Kaleb, but saying it out loud is a whole other situation.

  “Is it too soon?” I whisper. My body is heating up and I know it’s only in part to the two full glasses of wine I’ve drank in the last ten minutes.

  “I don’t think so,” Lorali answers softly.

  “When you know, you know,” Alexa agrees as she stands and fills my glass again.

  “It’s too soon for him though.” It has to be. Right? Only women fall in love at the drop of a hat. The idea that my inexperience is what’s causing me to have such a strong reaction to him settles in my gut.

  “I’m not so sure, Josie.” Lorali’s face is serious. “He watches every move you make.”

  “He’s protective, that doesn’t mean he loves me.” His protectiveness is one of the things I love most about him.

  “The fire in his eyes when he’s near you is dizzying.” Alexa adds.

  “Lust,” I explain her statement away.

  “More than lust, Josie. The way he looks at you. The way his body seeks you out the second you’re within his field of vision, the way he always has to touch you. I thought he was going to explode Sunday at lunch when he had to go almost an entire meal being near you and not able to put his hands on you.” Lorali’s words make me smile. Apparently I’m not the only one who has been paying attention to Kaleb.

  “That doesn’t mean anything!” I’m growing irritated at her insistence on the subject.

  She slides over beside and places a warm hand on my knee. I look her in the eye, trying to figure out why she’s pushing the conversation so hard.

  “He loves you, Josie. All of those things he does, the way he responds to you, it’s the same way Ian is with me.” She nods towards Alexa. “The same way Garrett reacts to Alexa. That’s love.”

  I grin and they can see my acceptance of what they’ve been trying to get through to me. “He loves me.” I say softly.

  “Let’s celebrate!” Alexa says enthusiastically even though I know she’s still on her first glass of wine.

  I smile and hold my now empty glass back towards her for another refill. My head is swimming and I can’t wipe the ridiculous smile off my face.

  We talk for what seems like forever. The conversation about Kaleb slowing transitioning to the wedding and to Alexa and how she only has a few more days until her doctor appointment that will release her to full duty. She’s absolutely giddy and explains into more detail than I’d ever be comfortable sharing just how she plans to celebrate with Garrett. If I ever have to ground myself when I feel guilty or embarrassed about what Kaleb and I do, all I have to do is think about Alexa; she’s way more adventurous than I’ll ever be!

  I’m gazing sleepily at Lorali as she talks about the colors of the flowers for the wedding, when conversation stops and both she and Alexa look up and grin. I turn my head and see all three of the guys walking towards us. It has to be a sin for men this gorgeous to congregate so near one another. It’s like putting the President and the Vice President on the same air plane. There should be laws against it.

  I lick my lips as Kaleb stalks towards me. His tight t-shirt clings to
his muscled chest and the blue jeans he’s wearing squeeze his thick leg muscles in all the right places. I can’t help the giggle that escapes my lips when he bends down and kisses my cheek softly.

  The incredible scent of his skin combined with the faint scent of liquor envelops me. “You’ve been drinking,” I whisper before gently sucking his ear lope into my mouth.

  “And you’re drunk,” he says on a moan as I release the delicate skin of his ear.

  “Drunken sex,” I offer louder than I intended if the sound of Ian’s manly chuckle is any indication.

  The clearing of a throat pulls Kaleb’s attention from me.

  “You guys are welcome to stay in one of the guest rooms.” Ian offers.

  Kaleb looks back at me to make sure that’s ok. “I’d rather not drive since I’ve had a few drinks.” He explains.

  I shrug my shoulders. “It’s fine with me. But can we head there soon?” I yawn unexpectantly.

  “I’ll show you to the room,” Lorali says and I stand beside Kaleb as we follow her down the hallway.

  I’m light headed and borderline dizzy as Lorali swings open the door to a guest bedroom that has no business being as big as it is.

  “There are clean towels in the bathroom. Goodnight you guys.” I catch her wink as she gives me a hug and closes the door behind her.

  I lazily walk towards the bed and begin to undress as I make my way.

  Kaleb slides in behind me to help me with the clasp of my bra, kissing me on the shoulder as he glides it down my arms. He tosses it on the chair in the corner and I face him and hook my fingers in my yoga pants and begin to shimmy out of them.

  Bending over and the amount of wine I drank makes my head swim.

  Kaleb has mercy on me. “Let me help you,” he laughs and steps towards me.

  I watch him with glazed eyes as he drops to his knees in front of me and pushes my bottoms seductively down my legs. He kisses my lower belly softly as he raises one leg and then the other to free them from the bunched fabric. He carelessly tosses it in the direction of the chair, his eyes never leaving mine.

  Dipping his head he nuzzles my cleft with the tip of his nose before reaching in with his tongue and sweeping it over me.

  “So perfect,” he mutters reverently just as he takes nearly my entire mound in his scorching hot mouth.

  I moan as his tongue begins to flick over my very sensitive nub, the feel of the hot breath from his nose running over my stomach just as intoxicating as the wine. His strong hands are gripping the backs of my thighs is the only thing that’s keeping me upright.

  Due, I’m sure, in large part to my alcohol consumption, an orgasm sneaks up on me and slams into my body. Just when the shuddering wracks taking over my body begins to wane I feel his tongue leave my clit and snake inside of me, either prolonging my already intense release or setting an entirely new one off. It’s anyone’s guess at this point.

  Rising from his knees, Kaleb slowly kisses and nips up my torso before reaching my mouth with his. I reach for the front of his pants lazily, my body although sated still wanting to please his. He gently grips my hand and sweeps me off my feet and into his arms, cradling my body as he walks us to the bed.

  “We need to get some sleep,” he says softly as he lays me on the soft bed.

  With half closed eyes I watch as he strips out of his clothing and I feel more than see him slide in beside me. I snuggle against his chest and tangle my legs around his.

  He kisses the top of my head. “What did you ladies talk about this evening?” he asks so softly I’m not one hundred percent sure he even uttered a word.

  “About how much you love me,” I answer honestly to the tender voice before drifting off to sleep.

  Chapter 30

  Kaleb

  We stayed in the guestroom bed tangled around each other until the very last second possible. I hated to even wake her when the first sign of dawn began to filter through the wispy curtains, but my body needed hers with a desperation I’ve never felt for anyone before her.

  I fell asleep last night knowing that not only do I know that I love Joselyne Bennett but apparently all of the other men and women that were in this house last night know as well. When she let it slip that they talked about me loving her I knew the conversation the women had last night was similar to the one us guys had.

  I found it surprisingly easy to talk about falling love with Josie after only five days of having a physical relationship with her. I know it was in large part because the conversation was with two guys who were head over heels themselves.

  My love for her is absolute. I know I could never leave her side and the thought of the daily separation while we’re both at work is frustrating. I wish I could find her a position at the Department. Surely fourth grade science is something each officer should be taught!

  I wake her up with my mouth on her breast, flicking and suckling the very tip, and two very large fingers dipping inside of her. I’m certain she’s been awake for a few minutes and she’s keeping her eyes closed to revel in the myriad of sensations. Her eyes bolt open when I bite down harder on her breast.

  “Good morning, Beautiful,” I say against the heated skin of her breast.

  “Mmm,” is her response along with a deep swivel of her hips.

  I slide up her body until we are aligned, keeping my fingers in her. “I need you.” I pant against her lips.

  “You have me, baby.” I love that she calls me that, especially when her eyes are hooded and she’s breathless.

  I remove my fingers and slide inch by delicate inch into her. She whimpers and I circle my thumb repeatedly over her clit until her body accepts all of me. I kiss her deeply as I move in and out of her, one hand under her hips to ensure I hit her just where she needs me. I want to make love to her slowly but I also know we’re short on time since we have to go all the way back home to get ready for work.

  I swallow her moans of pleasure with my mouth and the overwhelming way I feel, not only my body but my heart, is making me delirious. I pull my head back a scant inch and watch her eyes, searching her very soul for the same overwhelming reaction.

  “Baby,” she sighs drawing my attention to her kiss swollen, trembling lips. I feel the glorious sting of her fingernails in my back and I’m unable to suppress the moan.

  “Tell me,” I beg, my lips a whisper against hers.

  “I’m coming, baby,” she heaves against my lips as she throws her head back on a long moan.

  “I love you,” I mouth without making a sound against her neck as her clenching core pulls me down with her.

  ***

  Against my better judgment, Josie was able to convince me that she was fine driving herself to work today. I knew if we didn’t take separate vehicles I would be late for work and my compulsion for punctuality had me relenting.

  I make my way in to the department with only minutes to spare, avoiding a knowing look from Detective Riley as I hurry past her to my desk. Just as my day always begins I start sorting through emails and voice messages. A brief voicemail from Detective Holt nearly stops my heart. News on the case he grunted into the phone.

  I jump up from my desk and all but sprint down the hall to the desk of the detective in charge of Josie’s case. He’s not at his desk and a quick glance around comes up fruitless. “Has anyone seen Holt?” I ask to no one in particular.

  “Down in tactical.” I hear someone answer.

  Three minutes later and I’m busting through the steel door that opens into the largest room in the department. Vests, weapons of all kinds, and SWAT equipment line the walls.

  “Glad you could join us,” Holt says without malice as he straps a bulletproof vest over a snug fitting polo shirt. The man is a beast and the added armory he’s strapped on makes him more than a little intimidating.

  “Your voicemail said you have news.” I prod, knowing he’ll give me the information when he damn well feels like it and not a minute sooner. He’s a great cop if not a little cock
y and power hungry.

  I watch with baited breath as he straps a glock to the outside of the right leg of his black BDUs. It’s killing me to not know what they’ve discovered and the smirk on his rugged face tells me he knows it.

  Once he’s armed to the nines, he finally speaks. “Prints came back on the death threats. Seems Evans’ newest girlfriend is none too happy about lover boy being locked up.”

  “Who is it?” I know they checked all of his closest acquaintances first and nothing came up as a match.

  “Trina Gilbert.” He answers more quickly than I thought he would.

  “Never heard of her.” I keep pretty close tabs on the people I use as confidential informants. Not knowing this woman means she must be a fairly new addition to his life, which is surprising since she’s willing to go so far as to make threats against Josie and Alexa for Evans. “How’d you guys figure it out?”

  “He tried to add her to the visitation list down at County. The guys have been keeping a close eye on him since they know the vic is your girl.” I can’t help the smile that creeps up on my face. Even my brothers in blue know that Josie is mine. “She’s in the system for a minor pot possession from years ago before it went legal. We got lucky.” He supplies as he bends and positions a small thirty-eight at his ankle.

  “So what are you guys getting suited up for?” I nod towards the other five SWAT members who are strapping on just as much protection and fire power as I just witnessed Holt don.

  “Her address is out on Old Post Oak Road. Intel says she’s there but she’s not alone. Apparently they got a fairly decent meth operation going on.”

  My heart is racing knowing this team is likely an hour away from ensuring that Josie is safe.

  “You going to suit up or just stand there?” He offers.

  I’m gearing up for the raid a split second later. I know he won’t let me into the house on the first wave, but just the offer to let me participate at the location at all is incredible. It’s the gray area of police work. So long as I don’t go rogue and I listen to my commanding officer’s instructions I’m welcome to ride along, but I can’t actively participate unless things go to shit and they need backup to their backup.