by Chant, Zoe
He kissed his way down her body, licking and nibbling and caressing. Her nipples hardened as he stroked his tongue around them, wringing moan after moan from her throat. Her hands clenched over the swelling muscles of his shoulders as the ecstasy of his touch grew to incredible heights. Everywhere he touched or licked felt aflame with pleasure, as if he’d left trails of heat in his wake.
“God,” Ellie murmured. “The things you do to me—!”
She felt his breath warm against her skin, felt his lips move against the tender skin of her belly as he replied, “You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
She could hardly imagine. But she was obviously in good hands. “Bring it on.”
He moved lower. She moaned in anticipation, knowing that soon she’d feel his mouth on her slick folds. Then he was licking at her, sending incredible waves of pleasure through her body. She could sense how much he enjoyed tasting her, now licking at her sensitive clit and at her folds, now moving to kiss her inner thighs, now using the tips of his fingers as well as his tongue.
Her hands gripped convulsively at the blankets as her pleasure built and built, sending her to the brink of orgasm. She couldn’t even tell exactly what he was doing, but only knew that he was giving her an ecstasy like nothing she’d ever felt before.
“Hal,” she gasped. “Hal—!”
She heard herself cry out wordlessly as she came, the sound pulled from her throat with the force of her orgasm. Then she was shaking with the aftershocks, each pulse a delicious pleasure, like a string of firecrackers after the first big burst.
Ellie lay relaxed and happy for what felt like a long time. Then she shifted, trying to snuggle closer to Hal’s warmth, and felt the steel-hard rod of his erection against her thigh.
“Oh, no,” she murmured. “I haven’t done anything for you...”
Hal’s voice vibrated through her body, soft and low as a purr. “Yes, you have. Just touching your body... Getting to taste you... Inhaling your scent... Feeling you respond to everything I did... Feeling you come... Ellie, I loved every second of it. It was a gift.”
“Oh.” The sincerity in his words touched her. No man had ever been so nakedly, honestly enraptured with her before. But he also sounded so utterly serious that she couldn’t resist teasing him a little. “So you’re good with just going to sleep now?”
Hal snorted and gave her ass a light smack. “I didn’t say that.”
Before she could say that she’d just been teasing, he added, “But if you’re too tired, we don’t have to do anything else. I could just... go into the bathroom and take care of myself.”
Fascinated, Ellie kept silent, wondering how far he’d go with that. She was used to pushy men who thought of their own pleasure first, and hers a distant second. Would Hal really be fine with finishing up alone in the bathroom?
“Or...” he went on, sounding more hopeful. “I could take care of myself here. If you’re not literally falling asleep, you could watch. That might be hot.”
She burst out laughing. “I was kidding you, Hal. I’m not that tired. But if you’d rather do it yourself and have me just watch...”
“No, no!” Hal said quickly.
“Because it sure sounded like you were into that idea,” she went on mischievously. “What’s that called? Exhibitionism? Kinky!”
With great dignity, Hal replied, “It would only be exhibitionism if I did it in public. If it’s in my own bedroom, it’s... I don’t know...”
Ellie took pity on him. “Something hot we’ll have to try some day.”
As soon as she said it, she realized that she too was assuming there would be a “some day.”
“Absolutely,” Hal assured her. “And hey, if there’s anything you want to try, just let me know. But for now, how about the most basic thing there is?”
“You in me?”
“You got it.”
“Sounds great.” She leaned on her elbow and watched as he rummaged in a drawer on the bedside table, then fished out a condom. “XXXL?”
“Like everything else I wear,” Hal said with a grin, rolling it on.
Ellie reached out to help him smooth the sheath over his huge erection. It was rock-hard, but the bare skin that she touched was velvety.
He drew in a jerky breath at the touch of her fingers. “Ellie, you drive me wild. I’ve never felt anything like this before.”
“Me neither.”
Hal stroked her cheek. “I don’t just mean the sex.”
Ellie felt overwhelmed by his presence, the sheer size of him as he held himself over her, his warmth, the touch of his skin, but most of all, by what he’d just said.
“Me neither,” she whispered.
He kissed her as he slowly eased into her. She gasped at the feeling of stretching, not painful but startling; he was by far the biggest man she’d ever been with. She clasped her arms around his back as he began to move inside her. His skin was slick with sweat, and her hands slipped over his back. She was slick, inside and out. He slid easily into her despite his size.
It felt good— better than good. It felt amazing. Ellie rarely came twice in one night. But she could feel a second orgasm building within her. Every thrust sent her closer and closer to the edge. Her muscles tensed as she waited for it, her entire being caught up in delicious anticipation. Ripples spread out from her core, pushing her farther and farther out into an ocean of bliss.
“Come on!” she gasped, barely knowing what she was saying. “Take me— Take me there—”
Hal was getting close too, his thrusts coming harder, faster, wilder.
“Yeah,” Hal said, his voice a deep rumble. “I’ll take you there— Whatever you need—”
His mouth came down on hers as he stroked in and out of her. One last hard thrust, and she felt his seed spill hot within her. Sparkling lights burst before her eyes, and her whole body exploded into shattering pleasure.
Then they were lying still, hot and sweaty, their limbs entangled. Hal stroked her face and kissed her lips, her throat, her cheek. She kissed him back, and pushed wet strands of hair out of his face.
Ellie stretched, relaxed and happy. Her whole body felt as if she was melting into a puddle. She cuddled up against Hal, and he held her tight.
“That was amazing,” Ellie murmured.
“For me, too.” Hal’s low voice vibrated through her body. “You’re amazing. I feel so lucky to have met you.”
“Same here,” Ellie replied. “Yesterday I thought I was having the worst day of my life. But now it feels like the best.”
“I’m glad.”
They kissed one last time, sleepy and sated and warm. His stubble scratched her chin. The musky scent of sex lay heavy in the air, lulling her like the world’s greatest sedative. Clasped in Hal’s strong arms, she fell into a deep and peaceful sleep.
Chapter Four
Ellie
Ellie woke with a delicious feeling of contentment. She stretched, touched warm skin, and jerked into a startled full awareness.
“It’s okay.” Hal’s deep voice relaxed her instantly, as if it was a hypnotic cue.
He was lying beside her, his magnificent body stretched out nude atop the covers, unselfconscious and tempting. She searched his face for signs of regret, but found none. His expression held only tenderness and a sensual enjoyment of the sight of her own nakedness.
Look and touch, she thought.
“You’re not sorry?” she asked.
“Absolutely not,” Hal assured her. “And I hope you’re not sorry, either. Last night was wonderful, and I bet it only gets better from here.”
Her head spun with the thought of better sex than last night. “I’ll hold you to it. But first... Do I remember you saying something about a cappuccino machine?”
He sat up. “At your service. Fancy coffee first, or shower first?”
“Shower,” Ellie decided. “Want to take one together?” Then, considering his size, she added, “If we’d both fit...”
Hal laug
hed. “We will. I remodeled the bathroom when I moved in. It’s roomy.”
He leaned over and picked up his holster, looping it over one arm.
“You take your gun into the bathroom?” Ellie had almost forgotten the danger she was in, until that reminder.
“I take my gun everywhere, if I have a client.”
Ellie was used to patients not telling her everything, so she caught the brief pause before he replied. “What about when you don’t have a client?”
“Okay, you got me,” he confessed. “I take it everywhere, period. It’s a holdover from being a Navy SEAL. I like to know that I can always protect myself and others. I’d feel naked without it.”
“I bet you could kick a lot of ass unarmed. Naked, even.”
“I could.” His tone wasn’t bragging, but a simple statement of fact. “I’m not bulletproof, though.”
Then, to her delight, he picked her up and carried her out. She nestled against his strong body, loving the skin-to-skin contact.
Inside the bathroom, he looped the holster over a hook, then set her down in the shower stall and stepped in with her. It was more than big enough for both of them.
She leaned her back against him, closed her eyes, and let the warm water wash over her. Ellie wasn’t expecting anything more, but a woodsy scent arose, and she felt Hal’s hands on her head. He shampooed her hair, massaging her scalp and working the suds into every bit of her hair. It was as intimate as it was luxurious. He held one hand over her forehead, to keep any stray trickles out of her eyes.
She sighed with pleasure when he was finally done, and tilted her head back to rinse her hair clean. “Thank you. Want me to do yours?”
Hal looked down at her. “I’m too tall.”
“Thanks for not saying, ‘You’re too short,’” she replied. “Kneel down.”
She had meant it only so she could do him the same sensual favor he had done her. But he knelt to her like a knight before a queen, going down on one knee to swear fealty and protection.
Ellie had seen a drawing of that in a book she’d read as a child. The image came back vividly to her mind as Hal knelt before her with his head lowered. Clear water cascaded over the powerful muscles of his shoulders and back.
The knight in the story had offered the queen his sword, saying, “My life for you.” And the queen had sent him out to do battle on her behalf.
Ellie wondered just how far Hal would go to protect her.
She hoped she’d never have to find out. With any luck, his intimidating size and presence alone would scare off Nagle’s goons.
Trying to push away thoughts of Nagle, Ellie busied herself shampooing Hal’s hair. It was short but not military-short, thick enough for her to run her fingers through. It looked black when it was wet. She rubbed shampoo into it, massaging his scalp as he’d massaged hers. He gave a long sigh of dreamy pleasure, and leaned his head against her side.
When she finally moved the showerhead to rinse out the shampoo, Hal opened his hazel eyes and looked up at her. “You’re the first woman who’s ever done that for me.”
She combed through his wet hair, enjoying its smooth caress between her fingers. “Those other women missed out.”
Hal stood up, and they began to soap each other. Ellie couldn’t decide which was sexier, running her soapy hands all over Hal’s body, or feeling his huge yet gentle hands caressing her. Her nipples hardened and her breath quickened under his touch.
He bent to kiss her, and she felt his own hardness as she pressed up against him. The suds were slippery between their bodies, the running water a sensual tease. Hal put his hand between her thighs, stroking and teasing her slick folds. She could feel her own liquid heat running out and over his fingers. Her clit felt almost unbearably sensitive. Even the lightest stroke of his fingertips made her shudder with pleasure.
Her eyes shut, she reached out blindly and found his steely rod. She closed her fingers around it, and felt Hal’s own shudder of excitement. His delicate skin slid over the rock-hard flesh beneath as she moved her hand up and down his shaft.
Heat pooled in her belly and sent out sparks throughout her body, each one setting its own little fire. She was trembling uncontrollably, caught up in the pleasure of his touch. He caressed her folds, her clit, and her inner walls, and she felt herself pulse around his fingers.
“I—” she heard herself stammer. “I’m almost— almost—”
She ground herself against his hand, rubbing herself against his soft skin, his hard bones. He pushed back, giving her a stronger touch. Her fists clenched and her muscles tensed, her entire body moving toward orgasm. Then she was over the edge, crying out with the strength of her climax.
For a long, lovely moment, she enjoyed the fluttering pulses of the aftershocks, each one a pleasure in its own right. Then Ellie returned her attention to Hal. Her eyes still closed, focused only on the senses other than sight, she stroked him steadily, listening to his breathing grow deeper and faster as she sent him to the brink.
“Ellie—” he gasped.
His seed jetted on to her belly, a splash of heat almost immediately washed away. She looked up at him, blinking through the water. Hal was leaning back against the wall, his head tipped back, his eyes closed. He looked so relaxed and happy.
He opened his eyes, and she knew from the tenderness in his smile that he was seeing her as she saw him, as something precious he’d been lucky to find. “You’re so beautiful after you make love. Did you know that your cheeks turn pink?”
“They do?”
He nodded and kissed each one. “Like roses.”
They dried each other off, and then Hal wrapped a towel around his waist. “Hang on. I’ll get your clothes.”
He took off, and returned fully clothed in black jeans, a blue shirt, and a heavy black overcoat. He carried a suitcase in one hand, and a bundle under his other arm.
He pushed the suitcase toward her. “Here you go. I had some of my team check out your apartment yesterday. Destiny packed your clothes. She figured you’d rather have a woman do it.”
“Yeah.” Ellie was glad to have her own clothes to wear, but she didn’t like the thought of someone going through them, even if it was another woman. “So, I can go back to my apartment now?”
Hal shook his head. “Not yet. I’m putting in a security system, and it’s still being installed. It’ll take another day or so. Meanwhile, you need to wear this.”
He held out the bundle. It was a heavy-looking black vest.
“Bullet-proof?” Ellie asked.
“Yeah. I’ll show you how to wear it. First, put on a bra and a light tank top.”
Ellie opened the suitcase, hoping Destiny had selected her nice bras rather than the ratty gym bras. To her relief, Destiny had thoughtfully packed several of each. Shoving the gym bras under a pair of jeans, Ellie took out a black lace bra and matching panties. The appreciation in Hal’s expression as she put them on almost made up for having to prepare to get shot at. Then she put on a lightweight cotton tank top.
“It straps on like this.” Hal settled the vest over her shoulders and showed her how to adjust it. It wasn’t as heavy as she’d expected. “Now put something on top of it. Dress warm, it’s a cold day.”
The vest was invisible beneath the long-sleeved blouse she buttoned over it. Ellie put on black jeans and a red sweater, then asked, “Are you going to wear one, too?”
Hal opened his overcoat and pulled down the collar of the shirt beneath it, revealing his own armored vest. But before she could get too caught up in thoughts of people shooting at them, he said, “Let’s have breakfast. I’ll make cappuccino.”
They went into the kitchen. The cappuccino was as good as promised, with a shaving of chocolate atop the foam, vaguely in the shape of a heart. Hal made scrambled eggs. Ellie, discovering that Hal owned a pleasing array of jams, managed to make toast without burning it. Much.
After breakfast, she said, “I need to call Catalina and tell her I’m ok
ay. I’m sure she’s wondering what’s up.”
“Wait.” Hal walked across the room and fetched a disposable phone, which he gave to her. “Make your calls and texts from this. It’s untraceable. And don’t tell her or anyone where you are.”
“Thanks.” But her belly clenched at yet another reminder of how much danger she was in. It had even invaded something as normal as calling her partner and best friend.
She went to the guest bedroom and called Catalina, filling her in on as much as she felt was safe. Ellie didn’t intend to tell her she’d had sex with Hal, and tried not to say anything at all about him other than that she was now protected by a bodyguard.
Catalina immediately said, “He’s hot, right? Hunky hot bodyguard... and I mean BODYguard. If you know what I mean!”
“Nooooo,” Ellie said unconvincingly.
Catalina pounced, certain via some sort of BFF telepathy. “He’s already ‘guarded’ your body with his body, hasn’t he? Ooh-la-la! You move fast! I hope it was good.”
Ellie surrendered. “Yes, we did. Twice.”
“Twice!” Catalina wasn’t satisfied until Ellie gave her all the details. At the end, she asked hopefully, “Does he have hot friends? A hot brother? Hot bodyguard buddies?”
“No idea. But I could find out. And on a less sexy topic... Have you heard anything from our boss?”
“Oh, yeah, sorry,” Catalina replied. “I meant to tell you right away. They’re giving you a week’s stress leave. So don’t worry about that.”
Ellie thanked her and returned to the living room, catching Hal while he was still on the phone.
“Yeah,” he was saying. “So can you rustle up the rest of them? Thanks.”
He shot her a slightly guilty glance as he hung up, and she knew he’d been talking about her.
“What now?” Ellie asked. “I can’t go back to my apartment, and I’m not due back at work yet...”
“I’d like to take you to meet my team.” Hal looked at her hopefully. He was obviously dying for her to agree.
“Is this like ‘Come meet my family?’” She was touched that he’d want her to meet them.