Guarding His Heart

by Carolyn Spear

  His blue eyes locked onto hers.

  The same stormy blue eyes she remembered from the man she couldn’t forget. The man who had given his life for her and Allan was standing right here in front of her.

  “Hello, Cassidy. We’ve never been formally introduced. I’m Trevor Greene.”

  His voice rumbled low through her, her stomach jumping at the sound. Another sign he was real and she wasn’t imagining him, thank God. Her erratic pulse skipped and sped, her breathing came in little gasps. Her fingers itched to dive into his short brown hair, stroke the light stubble on his cheeks.

  I’m like a lovesick teenager. Calm down.

  She looked up into his face. He was almost a foot taller than she. Those sea blue eyes seemed to gaze right into her soul. Would those thin masculine lips part into a smile for her?

  “You’re alive!” she whispered, though it sounded loud to her ears. “I thought you were dead. Knew you were dead.” She shook her head and clamped her lips together because she was babbling like a fool.

  Embarrassed when her voice broke, she hid her face against his chest. She needed a moment to regain some semblance of composure.

  Warmth from his skin blazed from her fingertips to her chest. Her hidden desire rose in instant response, suffusing her body with an incandescent heat. His scent, fresh pine and delicious male, wound round her like an embrace. Her heart pounded so loudly she could barely think, and her breath caught in her lungs. She gasped.

  His loneliness called to her as it always had. Strong and solitary, he was a kindred spirit. He kept a secret that kept him separate, yet it only added to his appeal.

  His body was warm solid muscle and she slid her arms around his waist, holding on like her life depended on it. She filled her lungs with his scent, it reminded her of the forest after the rain. Her hero was one hot, intoxicating male. One moment more, she promised herself, since he had not responded. What would she do then?

  Barely had the thought coalesced in her brain when his arms enveloped her in a tight hold. A soul deep sigh expelled from his lungs. What was on his mind?

  Trevor pulled back and with one finger tipped up her chin.

  “Cassie.”

  Her name was dragged from deep inside him. Before she had time for another thought, he brushed her lips with his.

  Thoughts ceased. Her mind shut down and her body and heart took over. She opened to his gentle exploring mouth, her fingers moving beneath his loose T-shirt and up the taut muscles of his back to dig in and hold on. She darted her tongue past his lips, drawing a groan so deep it sounded more like a growl.

  His hand gripped her hair at the nape of her neck. He plunged his tongue deep, took absolute control, and plastered her to the length of his hard body.

  Her mind short circuited. Colors exploded behind her closed eyelids. She clutched at the long lean muscles of his back as the soft fabric bunched in her hands. Adrenaline coursed through her like lightning zapping her nerve endings. Every synapse fired with the sweep of his tongue, the nip of his teeth.

  She matched his passion in her kiss, pouring everything into her response. Her breasts ached for his touch. She pressed harder to him, her nipples tightening, heat pooling between her thighs.

  God, his body was harder than she’d fantasized on long nights alone. His skin warmer, his kiss more intense. He made her feel alive and sexy.

  Yes. Yes. I want more.

  She moved her hand south but he pulled back and held her at arm’s length.

  Staring at him, her chest heaving with passion and confusion, she struggled to ask what was wrong. What the hell was she doing? And more importantly, why had he stopped? No intelligible words came to her.

  He dragged a hand through his hair, his gaze still on her, his breath quick and harsh. So he was affected too. He closed his eyes.

  He backed away from her, his jaw hard, hands in fists.

  Leaving her thoroughly confused.

  He shook his head, his eyes closed and his nostrils flared. “I can’t do this, Cassie. I want to, but I can’t.” He started toward the door then stopped, his hand on the door knob. “Shit.” He slammed his fist on the door.

  With his forehead against the door, he muttered, “I need you to help me to get down to the lobby.”

  Okay. Strange, but okay. Strange was the new normal at this place. In her life.

  “Trevor,” she began, but seeing the furrowed brow, the almost pain in his eyes, she simply nodded and followed him out into the hallway.

  “Lock the door.”

  “Huh?”

  “Go grab your key and lock your door.” He leaned heavily against the wall next to the elevator.

  We have a searing hot kiss and he wants to talk about security? Whatever.

  “It’s in my pocket.” Grinding her teeth against the frustration and stung by the humiliation of being rejected, she dug in her shorts and produced the key, then pulled the door tight, jiggling the knob to prove it was secured. With more force than necessary, she jammed the key back into her pocket and punched the down button for the elevator.

  For a moment after he straightened to his full height, he looked down at her. His empty stare, the downturned corners of his mouth, the heavy sigh all indicated a regret that almost made her forget her anger. Almost.

  Bing!

  Anger still burning in her chest, she moved into the elevator. He had to duck a little to enter to avoid taking off the top of his head.

  A shame, he could use some sense knocked into him.

  Anger at being rejected was better than embarrassment for the need still throbbing between her legs. His scent still pulled her, her body still tingled from his touch, her lips still trembled from his kiss.

  Did I do something wrong? Is he taken? Oh, God, is he married?

  The possible reasons for his rejection swirled in her brain. He’d been as affected by the kiss as she was; his erection was as rock hard as the rest of him.

  He waited for her to push the button for the lobby. The elevator began its descent and she couldn’t stand it one more minute. Her emotions spun wildly out of control. Perhaps it was dealing with the aftermath of being attacked in what she thought of as her sacred space. Getting locked up for what she saw could have added to her reaction.

  She needed answers. Maybe he knew the reason for the assault on the school.

  She slammed the emergency stop button, stumbling slightly as the car jerked to a sudden stop. When Trevor reached out to steady her, she snatched her arm from his gentle grasp. Slight remorse niggled her at his pained expression, but she held tight to her anger. His rejection still stung.

  She backed against the handrail and glared at him.

  “You never explained how you just appear.”

  He returned her gaze, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “It’s one of the things I use to protect my charges.”

  Charges? Things he uses?

  “What are you? Secret Service?”

  “Not exactly, but I am assigned to protect certain individuals.”

  Too vague. And not exactly true. Certainly not what she saw.

  “And Allan is your charge?” Her heart pounded now as she was pulled back to that day. She refused to get derailed. The past is the past.

  “Yes.”

  From the clipped answers, he could have been FBI, but he wasn’t.

  “He’s okay, thanks to you.” He had to be wondering about Allan. He’d been the boy’s bodyguard, always so attentive, so kind. No way he was only doing a job.

  “Thank you for telling me.” While his face was expressionless, his voice cracked, betraying his affection. He did care about the boy.

  Anger drained from her, replaced by resignation. What was left to say? He wasn’t giving her answers, at least not
the ones she needed. She pushed the button to resume operation and the elevator jerked back to life.

  Once at the lobby, the doors opened to anxious faces, including Sage’s.

  She found one more thing to say.

  “Thank you for saving my life. Goodbye.” Tears streaked down her cheeks and she didn’t bother to wipe them away.

  “Let her go, Trevor.”

  Sage had him by the arm, dragging him out of the elevator.

  “Botched it again, did you?”

  Damn, she was one observant bitch. He liked her, but did she have to rub salt in his open wound?

  “Probably.”

  “Probably?” The smirk on her face stirred the beast within. When he growled at her, she shrugged and smacked his arm. “Don’t you growl at me, and don’t even think about releasing your inner animal on me. Especially in full view of my guests. You’ll give them a heart attack.”

  “I need to find Cassie.” He headed toward the front doors, where he’d last seen her.

  Cemil stepped in front of him and blocked his way. “Give her some time, Trevor.”

  As Trevor made to push past him, Cemil grabbed his arm and held on.

  “So, my friend, she offered herself and you refused? Women don’t take rejection well. You need to give her tonight to calm down. Especially since you haven’t told her she is your new assignment.”

  Cemil released him and stepped back. Cemil glanced at Sage, cocked his eyebrow, and nodded. Sage glided away without another word.

  “So you found your mate, did you?”

  Trevor shook his head even as his heart pounded the answer. Yes. Damn psychics. Reading people’s minds.

  “No. She’s my charge. That’s all.”

  Cemil patted Trevor’s arm, a smile curving his mouth.

  “Sure, my friend, fight it if you feel you must. You might take a look at Rekkus, though.”

  “I gotta go, Cemil. Don’t go sharing your observations with your siblings.”

  I have to find her, damn it. She could be in danger.

  Once he was outside and far enough away from everyone, he cloaked and began hunting for her.

  Almost immediately, her laugh chimed on the breeze. His stomach tightened because she wasn’t with him; he feared she never would be with him. Keeping her at arm’s length was his choice. She’d been willing—more than willing—to get involved, but he had secrets he couldn’t share and he was unwilling to allow anyone to hurt her, even him.

  Chapter 4

  The night seemed never ending.

  Staying cloaked required focus and energy. Eventually Trevor gave up being invisible, but he still kept watch over Cassidy.

  Protecting her would be a hell of a lot easier if she knew he was her guard and cooperated with his efforts. He seriously doubted she would cooperate with anything he wanted.

  He needed to keep his distance. If he was right and she was his intended mate, she would be drawn by the pheromone his kind exuded. This adaptation had evolved due to his kind’s huge home range.

  Cassidy dined with the resident mermaid who served as the staff’s marine security. He relaxed for a few minutes, decloaked, and managed a quick bite from Myron’s plate—who this evening wore the name Samantha—before making sure Cassidy hadn’t slipped from the dining room unnoticed.

  Thankfully, she retired to her room early.

  Sage refused to provide him a key to Cassidy’s room, so he set up in the hallway outside her door on an uncomfortable Queen Anne style chair completely unsuited to his large frame. Every once in a while, Trevor rose to stretch his long legs and work the kinks out of his back. His wound ached and throbbed, and his eyes were tired. He closed them just for a minute…

  “Oh, come on, you big idiot.” Despite her irritation with Trevor, Cassidy felt sorry for the long-legged man slumped down in the tiny lady’s chair and decided to wake him up and send him to his room.

  Was he here to apologize? If not, then what?

  He looks like a sweet little boy sleeping. Well, not so little. In sleep, his face relaxed, lines around his mouth softened, and affection surged in her. She longed to smooth the errant lock of hair from his brow. Just like little boys in her class who disappointed her, she ached to give him another chance. But he’d rejected her.

  She shook his shoulder.

  Trevor’s bulging forearm swung from out of nowhere. He stopped a fraction before crushing her windpipe.

  She sucked in a ragged breath as she fought his grasp. She dug her fingernails into his wrist, fighting his grip on her neck. Fear snaked through her as she struggled to gasp his name. He wouldn’t hurt her if he realized who she was.

  “Trevor.”

  His face softened. His brows pulled together and he blew out a deep breath.

  As quickly as he’d attacked her, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her brow, her hair. “Baby, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. You have to believe me, I’d never hurt you.”

  His words registered, but just barely as her head spun. Yet again she was on an emotional rollercoaster. One minute, she fought for air, the next she was nestled in his arms. He intoxicated her with his warmth and scent surrounding her. Her head swam with the memory of his lips on hers. She needed to step back, separate herself before he could reject her again.

  “Trevor,” she began…

  He swallowed her words as his mouth descended on hers. Heat sang through her, propelled by her pounding heart.

  Oh God, don’t let him pull away again.

  She ached for this physical contact, the release only he could provide. Something about him, his unique scent, entranced her, rendered her incapable of thinking of anything but him. Tension already tight in her belly coiled even tighter in anticipation.

  His tongue glided over the seam of her lips. Tempting, but not demanding. On a sigh, she parted her lips, opening for him, inviting, her tongue meeting his. Had she ever wondered if his lips were too thin to kiss well? He definitely had technique and finesse in abundance. She had to break the kiss just to breathe.

  Feeling reckless and loving it, she keyed the door and pulled him in the room.

  Don’t let him reconsider.

  She pressed against his long lean body, a ball of heat igniting low in her belly. Her lips sought his again, were captured again as he wove a sexual spell about her. Everything inside her melted and surged like molten lava.

  His mouth moved to the sensitive spot under her ear. And the one under her jaw. Oh, and the hollow at the base of her neck. By the time she caught her breath, she lost it again.

  She tilted her head back to look into his eyes. She needed to see him, know that he was seeing her. Glittering blue, his eyes stared into hers, his expression inscrutable.

  Damn, not again.

  As she started to pull away, to tell him to leave, he stroked his knuckles down her cheek.

  Gentle and deliberate, he asked, “Are you sure you want this? That you want me? I’m not sure I’ll be able to let you go after. I need you to be sure.”

  Oh, hell. He hadn’t turned away from her because he didn’t want her. He wanted too much from her. Was she ready for that? Was she ready for a relationship with a man she didn’t know, didn’t understand? It didn’t make any sense, but her heart said “yes.” Give him, us, a chance. You know he’s a man of honor and courage.

  She smiled up at this gentle giant of a man. “Yes, Trevor, I am sure. I want you.”

  His mouth took hers again, this time with a desperation that bespoke a need transcending simple lust. His tongue swept her mouth, stoking her desire to a raging fire. She dragged his shirt over his head, breaking the kiss for but a second. She trailed her fingers through the springy, coarse hair on his chest. She drew a line down to his belt, quickly unfastening it and snapped it from the l
oops. It dropped to the floor with a thud. When she went after his zipper, he grabbed her hands.

  “Slow down, Cassie.”

  No one called her that, but she didn’t mind—didn’t give a damn at that moment—as he slid the thin straps of her short nightgown from her shoulders. The silky garment slipped down her body and pooled at her feet.

  Trevor trailed a fingertip from one shoulder down to the rise over her breast, pausing to blow softly on her nipple. She sucked in a breath, forcing air into a suddenly tight chest. He hovered over the spot where her heart pounded against her breastbone. Could he hear it? She could barely hear anything over the thudding of her blood through her veins.

  He traveled past her navel and tugged at her panties. For a second, she regretted not wearing matching ones, but from the intensity in his eyes, he didn’t care. Her panties joined the nightgown on the floor and he lifted her into his arms.

  His lips plundered hers. Demanding, taking, enticing, promising fulfillment. She wrapped her legs around his waist, her desire evident as her wet core pressed to his belly. She ground against him, needing the friction.

  Embarrassed by her unabashed desire, she pulled back, unable to meet his eyes. She’d never been this wanton with anyone, not even her live-in boyfriend five years ago.

  A growl sounded in his throat. Startled, she gazed into his impassioned blue eyes.

  “Don’t even think of apologizing, if that’s what you were going to do,” he said, his voice gravelly and deep. “It means you want me.”

  He tightened his hold on her, walked to the bed and laid her down. His gaze caressed her naked body, heating her up without even touching her. He shucked his pants and stood still for her perusal.

  She stared at his hard, tough body, her own muscles tightening in anticipation. She admired his broad chest, tapered waist, trim hips, traveling to sculpted thighs and calves. She couldn’t wait to trace every muscle, every vein that stood out on his arms. This man’s chiseled physique rivaled Michelangelo’s David with one obvious difference: he was exceptionally endowed.