Bulletproof

by Melissa Pearl

  “You know I can’t, baby. If I speak up again, Travis will make your life a thousand times worse. I have to stay quiet. No one can find out about us, remember?”

  She tutted and glanced away from me, her jaw working to the side. “I appreciate the fact that you’re trying to protect me...and your career. I get it. But it also makes me feel like you’re ashamed to claim me. I know it’s dumb, and I know I’m probably just saying this because I’m feeling wrung out and beat up right now, but come on, Sean. This whole secrecy thing is starting to wear thin. I want to be your girlfriend, not your secret lover.”

  Her statement surprised me. I had no idea things were wearing thin. I thought she was happy keeping this a clandestine operation.

  Her face crested with sadness before she stepped out of my reach. Her shoulders pinged tight and she moved around me, pausing at the door to give me one final look.

  “Don’t stay. Go home and get some rest. You’ve got a huge day tomorrow.”

  She walked out the door before I could tell her I wasn’t going anywhere. With a heavy sigh, I ambled back to my room.

  Morgan had it wrong. It had nothing to do with shame. She was gorgeous. I’d be proud to wear her on my arm, but I couldn’t put Travis in his place again. I hated that this argument had reared its ugly head once more. I thought we’d dealt with it. I couldn’t jeopardize this job. It was doing wonders for my career. This was the shot Rhonda and I had been looking for. This was my big break. Ratings were increasing with each episode. People liked me as Harley. They liked seeing my softer, emotional side and to be honest, I liked playing it.

  I didn’t miss the guns and the bullets. I loved the dancing. Travis had been sweet as pie to me since his little threat speech, and although I despised the way he spoke to Morgan and some of the other crew, it was hard to deny his creative brilliance. This show was his baby, and it was thriving.

  I slumped onto the couch in the dressing room and rested my head back against the wall. Although Morgan and I didn’t get to see each other as much as we wanted to, we were making it work. Late-night phone calls were still a regular, and now that Morgan had her apartment, I was able to stop there a few nights a week for a little quality time before dragging myself back home. My answer for always declining her invitation to spend the night was, “I don’t want to get caught leaving in the morning.” But that obviously wasn’t cutting it anymore.

  I did want to spend the night. There’d be nothing sweeter than falling asleep with her wrapped in my arms. I was just trying to be careful. That was why I hadn’t taken her to my place; I didn’t want anyone seeing her car or watching her come and go.

  I scrubbed a hand over my face. Was I just being paranoid? It suddenly felt like it. I grimaced. I couldn’t believe she thought I didn’t want to claim her. I had to make this right. Sitting forward, I pinched my chin as an idea lit the corners of my brain. It wasn’t high risk, but it would still make a statement. Grabbing my jacket, I snatched my bag off the floor and headed for the parking lot.

  *****

  Three hours later, I sat in my car watching the exit Morgan usually left from. I kept my eyes on the door, feeling like a stalker as I waited for my girl to finish work. The parking lot was basically empty. There was only her car and two others. I saw Lisa walk out, a big yawn stretching her mouth wide. About ten minutes after she had driven off, I watched Con leave the building. The only car left in the lot was Morgan’s.

  With a frown, I jumped out of my car and ran across the empty space.

  “Hey, Sean, you forget something?” Stan, the security guard, made me jump as he stepped under the light.

  “Uh, yeah, am I too late to collect?”

  “No, man, just remember to lock up when you leave. I’ll be patrolling the grounds all night.” His eyes wandered over to Morgan’s car, and he gave me a knowing smile.

  I winced.

  “Don’t worry. We haven’t said a word.”

  “Thank you,” I mumbled, tapping his shoulder as I walked past, suddenly hyper-aware of how much the guards probably saw.

  I walked into the empty studio, heading straight for the office. It was empty. With a frown, I made my way to the main studio, but that was dark for the night too. I continued down the hallway, checking each room until I finally ran upstairs to the dance rehearsal studio. Morgan was sitting crossed-legged in the middle of the floor. Her back was straight, her eyes closed. To anyone else, it would have appeared as though she was meditating, but I knew better.

  It hurt to watch her looking so strung out, her sad face taut with stress. I wanted to comfort her, to make it better.

  “Hey.”

  Her eyes popped open. “What are you doing here?”

  “I told you I was staying.”

  “I thought you left.”

  I shrugged. “I came back.”

  She glanced at her watch and whispered brokenly. “Why?”

  “Because I love you, and I want to make you feel better.”

  Her sigh was heavy.

  My faced bunched with a frown as she rubbed at her temples.

  “There’s nothing you can do, Sean. Things are just the way they are.” She sounded resigned, like she’d had to give herself the same speech multiple times before.

  I swallowed, wondering how to play this. My eyes grazed the dance studio and a smile lifted the corner of my mouth. “Nothing I can do, huh?”

  She shot me a dry glare, but I could see her lips fighting a smile as she took in my expression.

  With a low chuckle, I headed for the stereo and pressed play. Yeah, I knew it was a sly move. When it came to Morgan, her best aphrodisiacs were music and dancing. And I also knew that if anything was going to make her forget the world for a few minutes... sex worked like a charm.

  I didn’t know what sound would come out of the speakers and was relieved when Cody Simpson started singing “You Got Me Good”.

  Morgan’s eyes stayed on me, her brown orbs sparking with desire. I walked toward her, losing my jacket before stretching out my hand. She gazed at it for a few reluctant beats before placing her fingers on my palm. I pulled her off the floor and against my chest, running my hands down her body and lightly kissing her nose. Spinning her away from me, I lifted my arm over her head and wound her back to my side. I could feel her muscles loosening as she gave into the music...and me.

  We swayed against one another, my hands trailing down her sides. Her back arched, her ponytail skimming the floor as I swung her around. As she lifted her head, I pulled the band, letting her blonde locks run free over her shoulders. Damn, she was beautiful.

  I ran my fingers, feather-light, over the soft skin of her neck, hooking my thumb beneath the fabric of her tank top and sliding it off her shoulder. My lips followed, skimming over her smooth flesh.

  The light beat of the song rained over us, Cody’s easy voice casting a spell on the room. Morgan’s hips kept swaying as she lifted her hands to the soft pulse of sound. With one swift move, I lifted her shirt, pulling it over her long arms. The fabric fell from her fingertips, my hands trailing back down her arms. I bent my knees and flowed with her, gliding over her curves.

  My dark skin against her silky white torso made me smile. She was like milk, her supple skin practically glowing in the soft light. My hands ran over her hips, taking her pants with me. She stepped out of the wide leggings, her leg stretching over my shoulder. I stood, capturing her thigh against me and leaning back to the music. Her eyes were closed, her head falling back, being led by the potent sound. My lips found the pulse in her neck. It thrummed with the soft rhythm. I licked the beat, energy sparking inside my mouth as I trailed my tongue between her perfect breasts. Her nails scraped up my back, pulling my shirt off. Our naked torsos melded together, still gyrating to the velvety cadence floating around us.

  I spun her around so she was facing away from me and pulled her back against my stomach, running my hand between her legs. A sweet moan reverberated in her throat, the sound always maki
ng me feel triumphant. She slid her panties to the floor, flicking them off her toe as Cody Simpson’s voice faded and Beyoncé took over. The ethereal strains of “Halo” echoed off the walls as my hands traveled the plains of Morgan’s skin. Each curve sent my insides into hyper-drive, the liquid sway of her hips turning my blood to boiling.

  Morgan dipped to the floor, her hair sliding down my torso before she spun, and with painstaking slowness, rid me of my trousers. Her smile was wicked as she pulled them off and threw them across the room. They slid toward the mirrors, my belt buckle clicking on the hard, wood frame.

  My eyes stayed on Morgan, mesmerized by the magic of her naked body. Her fingers skimmed up the backs of my legs, tickling me, enticing me, driving me to the edge of sanity...but I couldn’t give in. This wasn’t about my pleasure; it was about hers.

  I stopped her lips before they took me, and I lost all power to think straight. She read my gaze and moved back with a smirk, her hands making a wide circle over the polished floor as she shifted away from me. I dropped to my knees and crawled toward her, my lips touching her pointed toes and working their way up the terrain of her shapely legs. I took my time, letting the song wash over us as I reached her center.

  I lingered there, kissing, caressing, thriving in the mounting energy building inside of her.

  Morgan’s soft panting increased in tempo, her fingers scraping over my head as an orgasm rocketed through her. She arched her back and I supported her weight as she cried out, her legs trembling. Slowly she lowered herself back to the floor and with a smile, I kissed her stomach, my tongue spinning around her belly button.

  “Please, Sean,” she whispered, her hips rising from the floor and hitting my torso.

  “All of Me” by John Legend played over us. It was the perfect song, because it was true. This beauty beneath me could have every part of me. My world made sense when she was in it.

  With a luxurious smile I slid up her body, thinking about the gift I had tucked in my jacket pocket as I held myself over her and lightly kissed her chin.

  “Oh, now you’re just being mean.” Her brown eyes hit me, demanding more from this dance.

  With a soft chuckle, I entered her. A sweet sigh escaped her lips, landing on my cheek and once again confirming everything I felt for her.

  I kept the rhythm slow to match the music, a luxurious ride of pleasure that still sent us soaring. Our rhythm changed as we created our own crescendo, fire shooting through me as Morgan’s satin center sent me over the edge.

  With a low moan I shuddered inside her, resting my lips against her silky neck and wishing time would stop.

  “Every Time I Close My Eyes” by Babyface clicked on. I leaned away from my lover, gazing down at her beautiful face and tucking away a loose lock of hair. Her smile was languid, her eyes glowing.

  “I love you,” she mouthed.

  I kissed those luscious lips that made me whole.

  “I love you too...and I’m not ashamed of that.”

  She broke eye contact, ready to wriggle away from me, but I pinned her to the floor, the gentle pressure from my hips locking her into place.

  “I’m sorry I’m not ready to flaunt the fact you’re my girl, baby, but you have to believe that you are. You are the only one.”

  She stopped struggling and looked at me. “I know. I just...” She shook her head with a sad smile. “I love that you want to protect me.” She squeezed my shoulders.

  “I do.” I licked my bottom lip. “But I also want you to be happy and I never, ever want you to doubt how I feel about you.”

  A soft blush lit her cheeks.

  “I got you somethin’.” Not wanting to move away from her, I stretched my arm as far as it would go, nabbing my jacket with my fingertips and pulling it toward us. Her giggles cut short as she saw me pull a small box from the pocket.

  “Now, don’t freak out; it’s not an engagement ring.”

  “O-kay.” Her eyes narrowed.

  I flicked the box open to reveal a white-gold band with three sapphires inlaid. “It’s a promise ring. I’m claiming you, girl, and I may not want to shout it from the rooftops yet, but every time you look at your hand, I want you to know that I love you and that ain’t changin’.”

  Her lips trembled with a smile and relief flooded through me.

  Putting my weight on my elbows, I pulled the ring free and gently slid it onto the middle finger of her right hand. It fit snugly over her knuckle, and I raised her hand to my lips.

  “Thank you.” Her fingers glided down my face.

  “Come on.” I finally slid out of her, rising to my knees and pulling her up beside me. “Let’s spend the night at your place.”

  “Spend the night.” Her eyebrows rose.

  “Means I can sleep in for an extra thirty minutes.” I shrugged.

  She chuckled, looking at the ring on her finger and then back up at me. “And who says I’m gonna let you sleep?”

  The mischievous twinkle in her eye made me growl, and I captured her in my arms, nibbling her neck and making her burst with laughter.

  We did eventually make it back to her place, but she was right. Sleeping with Morgan’s luscious form beside me was near impossible.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  MORGAN

  “He spent the whole night?”

  “Uh-huh.” I grinned, gulping back the childish squeal I wanted to set free. My mood was so good I felt like I could sprout wings and fly.

  It helped that Jody was actually sounding upbeat for a change.

  “Well, good for you, sis. I take it this isn’t a one-time thing.”

  “Nope, he’s come over about six times in the last two weeks, and he’ll be here after his family lunch today...and now that we’re on winter break, he can stay here for as long as he likes.”

  My smile was indulgent, I could tell. Sean Jaxon for an entire night had been perfection. We’d hardly gotten any sleep and dragged our butts through work the next two days, but then he’d come back again on the Saturday night...and spent most of Sunday here as well...and then the next Tuesday and Thursday... I twirled the sapphire ring on my finger and let out a giddy sigh.

  “Okay, well, I guess I’ll let you go primp and shave,” Jody giggled.

  “No, wait. I want to talk Christmas. I still can’t decide what to get Dad, and it’s only five days away. I thought we could go shopping when you get here. What day are you arriving?”

  “Uh...Christmas Eve.”

  “Not until Christmas Eve? Didn’t school finish for you on Friday?” My eyes shot to my phone on the counter. I leaned toward it as I waited for her reply to come through the speaker.

  “Yeah, but you’re not the only people in my life. Some of my friends are doing a few party things, and I don’t want to miss them.”

  My good mood scuttled into hiding as I crossed my arms and glared at the screen. “Partying things? What’s going on with you at the moment? You get drunk off your face at Thanksgiving, you leave for Tucson the next day without even saying goodbye to me—”

  She groaned. “Would you let that go already. I’ve said sorry like a hundred times.”

  I squeezed my eyes shut. “I know, I just...it was so out of character. I’m worried about you, Jo-Jo.”

  “Stop! Please! I’m fine! Is it so wrong that I’d like to have a little fun with my new friends before dragging my butt home for some boring little Christmas dinner with Dad and Grandma?”

  “What the hell, Jody! We’re your family.”

  “Look, don’t get all pissy with me, okay. I’ve already made my decision. Dad’s fine with it. One of the girls here lives in LA; she’s dropping me home on her way back. It’s all worked out perfectly.”

  I humphed.

  She let out an exasperated sigh. “What do you want from me?”

  I nibbled at my lip, glaring at my phone. “Nothing, I just can’t help feeling like you’re hiding something.”

  Her pause told me everything.

  I rolle
d my eyes. “Look, I know I’m not your mother, but I’m here for you, always. I just want to make sure you’re safe and happy.”

  My fingers tapped on the counter as I waited for her to respond.

  After another long pause she muttered, “I am. My life here is great... just let me live it, okay?”

  “I love you, Jo-Jo.”

  “Love you too,” her voice wavered. “I gotta go. See you in a few— See ya.”

  Her phone clicked off and the worries I’d managed to push aside surged forward like a bullet train.

  What kind of trouble was my little sister getting herself into? Getting drunk enough to throw up? Partying? Maybe I should be popping down there to surprise her. Find out a little more about this boyfriend and meet some of her friends.

  I snatched the phone off the counter, ready to dial Ella and find out if Jody had told her more than she was willing to tell me, but the doorbell rang.

  I glanced at my watch. Sean wasn’t due for another half hour. Maybe he was early. Thank God! I needed distracting from these issues with my evasive kid sister.

  Honestly!

  I threw back the door, ready to leap into his arms, but was stopped short by a very unexpected sight.

  “Rhonda?” I gripped the door handle. “Um, hi.”

  “Hello, Morgan.”

  I forced a smile. “How do you...know where I live?”

  “I can find out anything I need to.” She stepped into my apartment, forcing me to shuffle back and open the door wider.

  With a frown, I closed the door and followed her into my place.

  “So, what can I do for you?” I should have been offering her a drink, but we hadn’t exactly warmed to each other yet, and I wanted her gone before Sean arrived.

  She spun to face me, holding out a wrapped gift. I took it from her, admiring the green and red paper.

  “Just a little Christmas present for you.”

  “You came to give me a Christmas present?”

  “And to have a chat.” She placed her purse on my coffee table and sat in the single-seater opposite me. I lowered myself to the sofa, keeping a careful eye on her as I undid the bow. Inside was a box of decadent chocolate truffles. I smiled at her.