Under His Protection

by Karen Erickson

  He saw her, all of her, and it was as if time stood still. Everything and everyone around her faded until all he saw was her. She took his breath away, clad in a bold red dress that emphasized the creamy softness of her skin, the lush curves of her figure. Her slim shoulders were bare, the long, elegant column of her neck on display and when he saw her face, he knew.

  Raw, aching emotion was etched all over her delicate features, her blue eyes cloudy as she looked around the room. She appeared lost, lonely and he swore right then that expression would never cross her face again.

  Not if he had anything to do with it.

  Mason headed toward her as fast as he could, his fading injuries hindering his movement. Every determined step brought him closer to the woman he loved and when she glanced up, her steady blue gaze meeting his, all the color drained from her face, her ruby red lips parting in surprise.

  She had no idea he’d be there, which pleased him. That he could surprise her with his presence and was about to declare his love for her, made him nervous. He wanted to give her everything, be her everything. And he could only hope she would accept what he had to offer.

  Blake gaped at him as he approached. Her eyes shiny with unshed tears, he reached for her and she went willingly into his arms. He crushed her to him, her soft, curvy body fitting perfectly to his. The sigh of relief that escaped him, of being able to touch her again, was indescribable.

  “What are you doing here?” She pulled away, staring up at him with wonder as she cupped his cheek with cold, slender fingers.

  “I came for you.” He kissed her, unable to restrain himself. Her lips clung to his as if she never wanted to stop, until finally they had to come up for air.

  “Oh, my God.” She smiled, a real, heartbreaking smile and his heart felt like it really did crack when he saw it. “Mason. I can’t believe you’re here. You look...wonderful.”

  She, on the other hand, was thin, her shoulders slim, almost bony, her collarbone more pronounced. She looked fragile, far too delicate and his first thought was to direct her to the buffet table on the other side of the room.

  Then he realized he’d rather direct her to a bed first. His bed. Eating could come later.

  “You’re gorgeous.” He kissed her again, those upturned lips of hers too tempting to refuse. He felt her tremulous smile against his mouth, her trembling fingers slid down his cheek, curved around the back of his neck and she breathed deep.

  “I’m sorry, Mason. I’m so sorry I didn’t come see you.”

  “Your father explained everything.” He kissed the tip of her nose, slid his hand down her back. It was so easy to forgive her. He wasn’t angry anymore, though he had been at first. More than anything, he’d been angry with himself. Full of so much regret it had nearly choked him with its intensity.

  “He did? I just spoke with him and he was so— different.” Blake tilted her head back, searching his face with her gaze. “I think he finally realized that you’re good for me.”

  He squeezed her slim waist. “We’re good for each other.”

  “Are you all right?” Her other hand rested on his chest, on the snowy white shirt he wore and her fingers drifted down, hovered close to his stomach. “Your injuries, are you—okay?”

  “I’m fine.” He closed his hand over hers, brought it up to his mouth. Brushing a soft kiss over her knuckles, he realized he couldn’t stop touching her, kissing her, looking at her. “Did you hear what happened to Rich and Amber?”

  Blake nodded. “Will you be going back for the trial?”

  “When they’re ready to go to trial, yes, I’ll be there.” Mason dreaded going, facing that asshole once more, but it needed to be done. “I start a new assignment in the White House after the inauguration.” He wanted to change the subject.

  “Oh, really?” Her lips pursed and a perfectly arched brow lifted. “Working for the enemy, hmm?”

  “A man has to do what he can to survive.” He held her tight, curled his arm around her waist and she tilted her head close to his. “Your dress is unbelievable,” he murmured close to her ear. “You’re gorgeous.”

  Her lids fluttered downward, her thick lashes veiling her blue eyes. “My mother picked it out. I thought it was too flashy.”

  “I thought you were all about the flash,” he teased.

  “I haven’t felt very flashy lately,” she confessed and the words tugged at his heart.

  “Well, I think you look like a pretty red Christmas package.” He smoothed his hand across her exposed back, curved his fingers around her bare shoulder. “And I can’t wait to unwrap my present.”

  Her cheeks flushed and she admonished him with a glance. “Mason.”

  “You know you want it, babe.” Angling his mouth close to her ear, he lowered his voice to a husky whisper. “I can’t wait to get you naked.” He’d thought of nothing else for weeks.

  She sighed, a wistful, yearning sound that went straight to his cock. “I have to make an appearance here, you know.”

  “I’m sure we won’t be missed.” He blew a hot breath over her ear, then nibbled the lobe. She shivered and he smiled. “What do you say?”

  Blake drew away from him, her expression solemn, her mouth a sexy little pout. Her lower lip trembled and she moistened it with her tongue. His now empty hands tightened in frustration.

  “I don’t ever want to be apart from you again,” she admitted, her voice so soft, he had to strain to hear her. Her gaze dropped to the floor, as if she was ashamed she admitted so much.

  He reached for her, curling his fingers around her chin and tilting her face up. “You never will be.”

  Her eyes went glassy and she blinked once, twice. “I love you. I might not have shown that very well these last six weeks, but I plan on showing you for the rest of your life, if you’ll let me.”

  The second the words flew out of her mouth, Blake wanted to cry. No, she wanted to fall to her knees and beg his forgiveness, damn the huge dress. If she crushed it, she didn’t care.

  Her mother would be appalled, but it didn’t matter. Her life was on the line here.

  She’d wanted to be honest. That first moment upon seeing him, realizing it was Mason who stood just feet away from her, had filled her with such joy she thought she might burst. He was so dashingly handsome in the tuxedo that fit as if it were tailor made for his tall, broad form. He looked a little thinner than she remembered. His cheekbones were more pronounced, his hair longer, tousled and sexy, and so very touchable.

  When he took her in his arms, she’d melted. When he kissed her, her knees buckled. And when he looked at her with his vivid green eyes, whispered those sexy words in her ear about unwrapping her like a present, she quivered, a rush of heat flooding between her thighs.

  And now she awaited his reaction to her declaration of love.

  The few seconds that ticked by felt like an eternity. She waited breathlessly for his answer until finally, without saying a word, he brought her to him, hugging her close. She slipped her arms around him, her breasts smashed tightly against his chest and she buried her face in the crook of his neck.

  Breathing deep, she inhaled his wonderfully spicy male scent. A mixture of subtle cologne, soap and just plain him. If they were alone, she’d lick him there, savor his salty male taste.

  She’d do it later, if he let her. She could hardly wait.

  “Mason,” she murmured against the strong column of his throat. “Please.”

  He drew away so he could smile down at her. “Please what?”

  Nerves made her stomach jump and she shook her head, not in the mood for his teasing. “Give me an answer. Please.”

  “Oh sweetheart, don’t you know? Can’t you see it written all over my face?” He brushed his mouth against hers, his tongue darting out for the quickest lick and tingles swept along her body at his daring. “I love you, too. More than I can ever say,” he whispered against her mouth.

  She knew deep in her heart what his answer would be, but relief stil
l washed over her at his words. Sweet, sweet relief at the realization Mason Russell actually loved her. Such a delicious, heady feeling, she grew dizzy with want and clutched him close, her arms tightening around his waist.

  “Do you think they’ll let me visit you at the White House?” she asked.

  His brows furrowed, confusion written all over his beautiful, handsome face. His eyes, those brilliant green eyes roved over her, lingering on her mouth and her lips tingled in anticipation. “What are you talking about?”

  She smiled, wondered if she’d ever felt so lighthearted. “When you’re working there, do you think they’ll grant me admittance? I will be, after all, the former vice president’s troublesome daughter. And from the opposition too. They might frown on me making an appearance.”

  He laughed, the low rumbling sound doing spectacular things to her body. She loved his laugh, loved everything about him.

  “I’m sure they’ll let you visit. You’ll have to be on your best behavior, though. They might assign you a tail to keep a watch on you, control your antics.”

  “Will you be my tail?” She arched her brows, almost daring him to come up with something suggestive.

  “I know I do love your tail.” He smoothed his big hands over her satin covered bottom, subtly kneading her flesh. Her body pulsed at his intimate touch. “I’ll definitely keep watch on your tail. With pleasure.”

  She smiled. “I’m sure.” Leaning in, she sealed his promise with a kiss.

  ****

  WIN A $200 GIFT CARD TO AMAZON OR B&N!

  Join us in celebrating the launch of UNDER HIS PROTECTION (Defend and Protect, Book 1) and DANGEROUS SECRETS (Tall, Dark and Deadly, Book 2) with a special contest to win a $200 gift card to either Amazon or B&N (winner’s choice)! You can enter in two easy steps.

  (1) Post a review of DANGEROUS SECRETS or UNDER HIS PROTECTION at amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com between now and May 15, 2012. Each posted review of any Lisa Renee Jones or Karen Erickson book is eligible for entry, including reviews at sites such as Goodreads and book review/romance blogs.

  (2) Email lisaandkarencontest@gmail.com with your reviewer/pen name under which you wrote the review and the link(s) where you posted the review(s).

  The winner will be announced on May 20, 2012. An independent third party will validate each entry and randomly select the winner. No Purchase Necessary. Please see details and other terms at http://www.karenerickson.com or http://lisareneejones.com. Good luck!

  Please enjoy the following excerpts from Karen Erickson’s books.

  ON BORROWED SERVICE (Protect and Defend, Book 2)

  COMING SUMMER 2012

  © 2012 by Karen Erickson

  A controversial town hall meeting has turned police officer Caitlin Hanson’s hometown into a national hub. The politicians have taken over, accompanied by the ever present media, but it’s too much for her local force to handle.

  Working security detail alongside the Secret Service, Caitlin realizes one of them is awfully familiar. A shame that summer relationship she had with gorgeous Joe Connor had to end so spectacularly bad or else she’d be tempted to give it another go.

  She doesn’t count on Agent Connor to be so persistent—or so incredibly sexy. Their passionate bickering soon leads into something else. But with threats being made against those he’s supposed to protect, Joe needs to be on top of his game more than ever…

  ON BORROWED SERVICE Excerpt:

  “There’s no way I can work with you.” Caitlin started past him but Joe reached out, his strong fingers encircling her arm in an attempt to stop her.

  “You don’t have a choice.” His touch was firm yet light enough to give her the false sense that she had the strength to pull away.

  She so didn’t. The son of a bitch had such a firm grip on her, no way could she escape. “Let me go.”

  “No.” His deep voice sent a ripple of…something down her spine and she fought like hell to ignore it with everything she had. “We need to talk.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about.” Lifting her chin, she glared at him.

  He glared back. “Are you going to treat me like shit the entire time we have to work together?” Joe drew her closer, so close she could see the golden flecks in his dark blue eyes, could feel the heat from his body radiating toward her. A shiver whispered down her spine at his nearness. “Are you still making me pay for something that happened a long ass time ago?”

  “Bastard.” She yanked out of his hold, rubbed her arm where he’d touched her, her skin still tingling from the press of his fingers. “Why would you bring that up?”

  “Because you did first.”

  “I never said anything about—” She couldn’t bring herself to say it. Hadn’t really thought about it—him—in years but one glimpse of Joseph Connor’s fine face brought all those old memories flooding back.

  Both the good ones and the bad ones.

  “—about our past,” she finished lamely.

  The skepticism in his narrowed eyes was clear. He didn’t believe her whatsoever. “You didn’t have to say anything. Your body language spoke volumes.”

  “We were kids. I’m not about to let our teenage-romance-gone-bad effect me.” She shrugged. “I can be civil.”

  “Can you, Red?” His voice lowered to a dangerous level, as in dangerously sexy.

  “Can you really?”

  Caitlin clamped her lips together, silently fuming. No one had called her that in years. No doubt he said it on purpose to provoke, that was his usual style. She refused to let him get to her. “I’m not the same stupid girl you dumped all those years ago.”

  “No.” He chuckled. “You are most definitely not.” He let his gaze do a slow perusal of her, from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Her skin warmed, as if he’d physically touched her and she knew she should be furious.

  But that appreciative glow in his eyes banished the anger clean out of her.

  ON BORROWED SERVICE, Book 2 in the Protect and Defend series, coming this summer!

  ****

  MELT WITH YOU (Fated, Book 4)

  © 2011 by Karen Erickson

  Dragging a man into a supply closet at work so she can maul him—that’s so not Lanie’s style. But there’s something about Wes, the sexy paramedic with the bad reputation, that she can’t resist. After a terrible breakup, a move and a job change, Lanie’s ready to indulge in some new and exciting adventures. But Wes wants more…

  From the moment he meets Lanie under um, stressful circumstances, Wes is a goner. Yeah, he has a reputation around the hospital as a serial dater but lately he’s thought about settling down. And he believes the petite nurse with the curvy body might be the one. Too bad she only wants a quick affair.

  Lanie can’t deny the chemistry between them is strong but will she take a chance on fate? Or will she let Wes go?

  Enjoy the following excerpt from MELT WITH YOU…

  She had no idea what came over her. Impulsiveness was not her style. Spontaneous was not a word anyone would associate with her but she’d become so overwhelmed with the urge to just—get him somewhere. Alone.

  The two of them wrapped up around each other…

  Okay, she was crazy. Clutching his thick wrist with only her fingers was somehow making her entire body react, her nipples pebbled hard and tight beneath her bra, her skin positively on fire.

  Yeah. She couldn’t even imagine what might happen if he set his hands on her bare skin and stroked her from head to toe. She might explode into tiny bits of ecstasy.

  “Hey.” He turned his hand within her grip and clasped her arm with his long, strong fingers. They burned into her skin, making her shiver. “Where are you taking me?”

  She glanced over her shoulder, saw the perplexed look on his face. Gosh, he was cute. “Hold on, almost there.”

  The door to the left beckoned so she came to a halt, wrenched it open with her free hand and dragged him in after her. It was a supply closet, of course. Straight out
of a clichéd movie, fooling around in the closet, but she didn’t care. Reaching around him, she slammed the door shut, the tiny space immediately shrouded with darkness.

  “What are you—?”

  She cut him off, reaching up and pressing two fingers against his plush mouth. His lips were damp and full and just like that, her panties were wet. “Shut up.”

  His lips parted and a soft exhalation of breath brushed against her fingers. Gripping his broad shoulder with her other hand, she stood on tiptoe, marveling at his height. He was a giant and so…big…

  Dropping her hand from his mouth, she brushed her lips against his, a murmur of pleasure escaping her at first contact. He settled his hands on her waist, his gentle touch steadying her and she released a shaky breath.

  “Do you usually pull innocent men into supply closets and kiss them?” His husky whisper made her shiver.

  “No, not usually. And I’ve heard you’re not quite so innocent.” She gasped when he touched the tip of his tongue to the center of her upper lip.

  “People in this hospital exaggerate.” He angled his head, his lips drifting across her cheek. She clutched both of his shoulders with shaky fingers, afraid she’d slither to the floor if she let go. “I’m not as bad as they say.”

  “Maybe I’m looking for a bad boy.” Lanie sighed when he kissed her again. A dreamy, hot, deep kiss, his tongue slid against hers in a sensuous dance that had her entire body ready to melt into molten liquid.