Shortly after, Liam finally stepped outside.
“Look who decided to join us,” Adam announced.
Liam reached into the cooler for a beer.
“I thought I told you, no work calls today. Whatever they need, it can wait.”
His little brother appeared distressed. “Not this time.”
“Okay. What’s up?”
“I just got off the phone with the Carringtons. Remember their son, Chase?”
“Sure.” Adam nodded. “Oh, man. That’s right.” Remorse tightened Adam’s gut. “Chase was in that accident last year. Damn, I forgot about that. I’m sorry, bro.” If Adam recalled correctly, Liam’s best friend since middle school, Chase, had been driving somewhere in the northern Midwest, when a truck jack-knifed and took Chase and his wife’s lives with it. Their nine-month-old son had lived, thank God, a small miracle couched in huge tragedy.
“They didn’t call to discuss Chase. It’s about Hope.”
“Was that the cute redheaded sister?” When Marissa elbowed him, he cinched her waist and scattered kisses along her neck. “Just trying to place her, baby. You’re my one and only. I can prove it to you all night,” he whispered in her ear.
She grinned over her shoulder at him. “That’s better.”
Popping the cap, Liam took a swig of his beer. “Hope is in some kind of trouble. I might need to take off for Vegas next week.”
“Yeah, man. Do what you need to do. We’ll hold down the fort.”
“Thanks,” Liam said in a distracted tone.
Cam finished cooking the burgers, brats and dogs. Then they all sat down to eat together around at the glass patio table.
While Brittany’s boyfriend, Daryl, tried to interest him in a conversation about his landscaping ideas for the property, Adam found Marissa a much more fascinating subject. To look at, to touch, to fantasize about.
Arousal stiffened the front of his jeans. He decided he couldn’t wait until later. Not even until tonight.
Setting down his half-eaten burger, he stood and hoisted Marissa up with him. “Excuse us. I need to talk to my fiancé in private.”
Marissa sent him a quizzical glance. Liam barely noticed. Brittany shrugged and turned to say something to Daryl. Cam rolled his eyes. “Seriously?” the bodyguard asked. “You can’t keep your hands off each other for ten minutes?”
Adam’s swift absence answered Cam’s question.
Marissa tried to loosen his grasp on her hand. “I know you aren’t pulling me away from hostess duties for selfish reasons,” she said sternly.
He dragged her into the study, closed the doors and trapped her against them. “What’s wrong with a quickie?”
“Nothing—when we aren’t entertaining guests in our backyard.” She ducked beneath his arms.
He caught her before she went far, and they landed together on the leather sofa. “It’s not my fault you’re irresistible.”
“It’s not my fault you are insatiable.”
“Yeah, it is.” He quieted her protests with a thorough sweep of his tongue against hers. He kissed her voraciously, unfastening her jeans and tugging them below her knees. “I’m selfish when it comes to you.”
“Other people need me, too, Adam.” She gasped as he unbuttoned his fly and nudged his erection against her opening.
Finding her wet and ready, he stared down at her. “Not as much as I need you.”
Filled with possessive need, he slid into her sharply. He gave her several reasons to moan, and showed her exactly how much he needed her. It was so damn good with her, every time.
“I’m glad we have all these bedrooms,” she murmured, coming down from her second orgasm as he rocked with her.
With each surge, he went deeper. Their lips met, released, and met again. Each thrust drove him closer to climax.
“Why?” he asked, cradling her head in his hands.
“At this rate,” she smiled, “we’ll fill them with babies in no time.”
The image of her pregnant with his child humbled him, took his breath away. “However many you want. Whatever you want, it’s yours.”
He watched pleasure wash over her features. They crested the peak of bliss together. He held her tight and came hard inside her.
While his heart rate leveled, her brilliant blue eyes sparkled up at him. “I have everything I’ve ever wanted. Right here with you.”
“Marissa.” He stroked her hair. “I love you.” He poured his heart and soul into the words, wondering how it could ever get better than this.
Marissa had made him a believer in all the things he’d never dared to hope for.
She’d stolen his bitter heart and transformed it into something worth giving her. She’d shown him that real love offered freedom, acceptance and grace.
And whatever the future held, he’d walk through it beside her. Each step along their journey. Falling more in love with her every day.
She was his second chance.
His savior. His lover. His partner.
His always and forever.
About the Author
A Barnes & Noble Nook best-selling author, Kristi Avalon is passionate about writing romance novels. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing love triumph over adversity, as characters change and grow into better people because of each other. And, of course, happily ever after!
Kristi holds a master's degree in English from John Carroll University. When she’s not escaping into fiction, she works as a professor at Notre Dame College, and loves having great conversations with friends over coffee. She lives in Northeast Ohio where she enjoys walking her enthusiastic Australian Shepherd among the ancient trees of the Metroparks.
She loves hearing from readers! Contact her at www.kristiavalon.com or www.facebook.com/kristiavalon or [email protected] .
The Bestselling Billionaire Bodyguard Series
Billionaire Bodyguard – A novel featuring Logan & Allison
The Billionaire’s Possession – A novel featuring Trey & Devon
Bedded by her Bodyguard – A novella featuring Isaac & Mindy
The Billionaire’s Prize – A novel featuring Cade & Kylie
The Bodyguard’s Baby – A novella featuring Slone & Lindsey
The Billionaire’s Dare – A novel featuring Adam & Marissa
Coming soon!
The Billionaire’s Temptation – A novel featuring Liam & Hope
Table of Contents
Title Page
Disclaimer
Dedication
Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
Epilogue
About the Author
The Billionaire's Dare (Book 4 - Billionaire Bodyguard Series) Page 19