Rush of Innocence (Rush Series #1)

by LR Potter

  While continuing to lap his tongue against the sensitive tip of her breast, he slid one hand down over her quivering thigh. His fingers sent shafts of delicious tingles running up her oversensitive nerve endings. She arched at the sensation and need as never before exploded within her. With one quick snap, he tore her panties away. He eased his fingers into her and she cried out against all the riotous sensations erupting in her body. He leaned up from her and quickly tore his shirt off. He grabbed a condom from his pocket, unfastened his pants, and kicked them to the floor. He moved back over her, set his firm lips back on hers, grabbed her hips within his hands, and tilted her hips at just the angle he wanted. With one quick thrust he was inside.

  “Oh, God,” he groaned.

  A sharp burst of pain had her gasping and her body tensed. He stilled for just an instant before lifting and plunging back into her slick body. This time there was no pain, only a pleasant fullness. His plunges seemed to stoke the fire within her body and as he moved in and out rhythmically, panic began to build. The sensation was just too much. She wouldn’t be able to endure it.

  She groaned and arched her back to meet his thrusts. As he continued to thrust his tongue into her mouth and slid his body into hers, she ran her hands along the hard, sinewy muscles of his shoulders where a fine misting of sweat had gathered. She wrapped her legs around him and felt the bunch and release of his muscles against the backs of her calves.

  Desire burned a trail through her bloodstream. She clawed him with her nails as she became mindless in her need.

  She whimpered against his lips. “I need… Please… I don’t think I can…”

  Spurred on by her words and her touch, he began to plunge deeper, harder, and faster within her.

  “Oh, baby. You feel so good,” he said as he ran his hands down her body. “Don’t you feel it? Feel it taking over? Go with it, baby, just go with it,” he encouraged in between kisses to her face and neck.

  She tangled her fingers in his hair and pulled his head down to hers. As he kissed her passionately, she began to writhe beneath him and buck her hips to meet his. Her breathing was shallow and rapid. She felt lightheaded and on fire. Her entire body was singing and pulled taunt. As the next wave of desire threatened to pull her under, she cried out and clawed at his body, begging for relief from the concentrated power he had over her body.

  “Come on, baby. Go with it, don’t fight it,” he murmured from the crook of her neck as he increased his plunges into her.

  “Yes, yes, yes!” she cried as finally she was able to capture the wave and ride it out into the calming waters of sensual bliss.

  Once she’d been pushed over the edge, Rush began to concentration on catching his own. With renewed effort, he plunged again and again into the soft, slick folds of her body until finally he secured his own release, and with a strangled oath, he collapsed on top of her, struggling to catch his breath. He shifted them onto their sides as he continued to pant. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her tight against his chest. He placed kisses against her head as he soothed them to the present.

  “Wow… just wow,” he panted. Once he was able to catch his breath, he rose back over her. “Are you okay,” he asked as he smoothed the hair from her face.

  She nodded as awareness of her surroundings slowly returned.

  She rubbed her hands up and down his back and shoulders slowly. She cringed when she felt the raised welts from her nails on his skin.

  He chuckled in the crook of her neck. “No worries. War wounds,” he assured her.

  He glanced around the room. “We need to get dressed. Mark will be back any minute.”

  She blushed at the thought that Mark would know what they’d done in his office. “Do you do this kind of thing often in Mark’s office?”

  “Technically, it’s my office and my club. But no, I don’t normally have sex on the couch in an office.” He cupped her cheek in his palm. “You just drive me so damned crazy!” he muttered, before pressing his lips against hers. “When are you going back to Savannah?” he asked.

  “At the end of the week.”

  “Stay with me tonight,” he murmured against her lips.

  She ran her fingertips across his forehead, brushing the hair out of his eyes as she contemplated him. His face was so beautiful it took her breath away. “Okay.”

  They rose and she blushed when she found her destroyed panties. Rush shoved them into his front pants pocket. “You’ll definitely have to walk in front of me. I don’t want anyone else seeing that delectable bottom of yours,” he said, as he wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her quickly before directing her to a bathroom inside the office.

  She dressed quickly and tried to restore some order to her appearance. She swallowed at the emotions which surged through her body at the memories of his touch on her body. Of looking up into his beautiful face as he loomed over her, plunging again and again into her body. A tap on the door made her jump and she quickly opened the door.

  “Everything okay?” he asked, concern evident in his eyes as he brushed his knuckle over her cheekbone.

  His tenderness made her eyes glassy and she blinked rapidly to keep the tears at bay.

  She cleared her throat. “My purse and coat is at the table.”

  “No problem. You wait here. I’ll catch Mark, grab your things, and let Hunter know what’s going on. Okay?”

  “Okay,” she murmured, as she leaned into his hand.

  ***

  Rush was pensive as he drove them back to his condo at Dragon Towers II. The longer they sat, the further he seemed to distance himself from her. She shivered against the cold. Her mind whirled, trying to understand the complex man sitting beside her. She slid her glaze over him as he sat with one hand on the steering wheel, his elbow propped up on the door, and one hand pressed against the side of his face. He seemed… grim. His mood was so inconsistent with the man who’d literally thrown her down on the couch and had hot, impetuous sex with her just minutes before.

  With nervous fingers, she played with the belt of her coat. The longer she sat, the more emotionally exposed she felt. “Rush, why don’t you just take me back to Sundra’s condo?”

  He flicked a glance over at her before looking back at the road. “Why would I do that?”

  Feeling out of her element and vulnerable, she shrugged her shoulders, and turned her gaze to stare out her window.

  He reached over and placed a hand over the both of hers. “Hey, I’m sorry. I’ve just got a lot on my mind. I want you to stay.”

  He pulled his hand away when his phone rang. Clicking the Bluetooth option of his phone, he answered, “Drayton.”

  He glanced at her quickly as he answered. “Hi, Boppa. I’m good… No, not exactly… Yes, as planned… I’m not entirely sure… I don’t know… maybe a couple more weeks… Yes, sir… I’ll try…” Rush ran a hand over his face wearily. “I know, Boppa… As soon as I can… Of course… Love you, too... Soon, I promise… Bye.” He clicked off his phone and stared out the windshield even more pensive, and sighed heavily. He turned his gaze to hers and gave her a small smile which did nothing to relieve her anxiety.

  He maintained his distance, even when he assisted her from the car. Placing a hand against the small of her back, he led her into the elevator. He slipped his card into the penthouse slot and the doors slid smoothly closed. She fidgeted as her discomfort grew. Idly, he flexed his fingers against the material of the coat covering her back and she shivered at his touch. This action seemed to gain his attention. He moved to stand behind her and wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her with his warmth. He nuzzled his face in the curve of her neck and placed light kisses there. She closed her eyes and tilted her head to provide greater access.

  Slowly, he turned her in his arms and tilted her face up with gentle fingers. She closed her eyes as he pressed his lips gently against hers. “I’m glad you came,” he murmured softly.

  “Are you?” she murmured, just as softly.


  “Absolutely,” he said as the elevator doors pinged. He walked her backwards. Once inside the condo, he captured her face within his hands. He stared intently down into her eyes. Sadness seemed to cross his features before he once more pressed his lips against hers.

  “Do you want something to drink? Something to eat?” At the shake of her head, he smiled the first genuine smile since leaving the office. “Good! Then I say it’s time for bath and bed. What do you say?”

  She wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her face against his chest. “Sounds good.”

  ***

  It was still dark when she reached a hand over to find the bed empty. Trinity leaned up on her elbows and looked around the bedroom, backlit with the bluish glow of the fish tank. She saw Rush standing, leaning against the windowsill, staring out into the clear, starry night. He was dressed only in a pair of cotton shorts. Her eyes raked over his well-chiseled body. How did she ever attract such a man as this?

  As it had been in the car, his expression was pensive. She wondered what weighed on his mind so much to cause him so much pain. She was amazed again at the extreme difference between the cold man at the window and the man who’d been scorching hot in both the tub and then later in the bed. Her body ached in places she hadn’t even known she possessed.

  Not able to bear his desolation any longer, she rose from the bed silently and stepped up behind him, wrapping her naked form against his back. He stiffened momentarily before turning to tug her around to wrap her in his arms, close to his chest. He leaned his head against hers and kissed her head softly. He stroked his hands up and down her back, striving to impart some warmth.

  “You’re cold,” he said quietly.

  Placing a kiss against his muscular chest, she whispered, “Come warm me up.”

  She felt him grin against her hair. “What have I created?”

  “Insatiable lust,” she murmured as she ran the tip of tongue against his salty skin.

  He stared down into her face as he smoothed her hair. “Insatiable, huh?” he murmured.

  “Yep,” she replied.

  His smile faded. “I… I didn’t expect it to be like this,” he said almost to himself as he traced the bones of her face with his fingertip.

  “Me either,” she whispered.

  “I don’t know what to do,” he murmured almost desperately.

  She gave a small shake of her head. “I don’t understand.”

  Cupping her face within his palms, he pressed his lips against hers softly, and walked her slowly backward to the bed. He followed her down, catching his weight on his elbow. “Insatiable,” he grinned again. “Be gentle with me,” he quipped as he intertwined their fingers and lifted her hands up above her head as he lowered his lips once again to hers.

  Trinity spent the entirety of her trip with Rush. He took her sightseeing during the day and made slow, luscious love to her every night. He worshiped her body with his own. And for the most part, it was the perfect beginning to a beautiful romance. But sometimes she’d catch him staring off, lost in whatever demon-filled world his mind went to. His demons scared her.

  He’d insisted on driving her to the airport. She’d tried to veto this decision, but Rush Drayton wasn’t a man easily dissuaded. He held her hand as he drove. She lightly traced the veins in his strong hand. She would miss being with him like this – it was like they were in their own little bubble. She raised their joined hands to press a soft kiss to his.

  “I have some business to take care of in Vail, but I’d like to see you when I return to Savannah at the end of next week,” he said.

  “I’d like that,” she murmured. She tried to push away the thought of how her father would feel about that.

  His lips twitched. “You won’t try to be insatiable with anyone else, will you?”

  “It’ll be a struggle, but I’ll try to keep it reined in,” she teased.

  His responding smile devastated her by its sheer beauty… as did its fade into the now-familiar somberness. She stared out the window at the passing scenery for several long minutes before plucking up the courage to ask once again, “Rush, what’s wrong?”

  He gave her a soft smile and pressed a kiss to her hand. “Nothing.”

  She stared at his handsome face for a long time and wondered why he would lie to her.

  He walked her as close to her gate as security would allow and stood with her until the last possible moment. He pulled her into his arms and held her close with his head resting against hers for such a long time.

  “I wish it could always be like this,” he murmured against her hair.

  “Why can’t it be?” she asked, her heart nearly breaking at the sadness in his voice.

  He inhaled deeply then let it out slowly. “Things change… situations change. The perfect moments always slip away, it seems.”

  She tilted her head to look up into his breathtaking face – with his dark hair and hazel eyes. She wasn’t sure why, but she somehow knew the happiness she had right now in this moment would be destroyed the instant she left his arms. The thought made her wrap her arms tightly around him and bury her face into his chest. Her lips trembled when the last boarding call for her flight was called.

  “I had a good time, thank you,” she said.

  He smiled down into her face and, for too brief a time, pressed his soft lips against hers. “Trust me when I say, it was entirely my pleasure. I’ll see you at the end of next week. I’ll call you at the gallery, okay?”

  She couldn’t reply as tears clogged her throat, so she just nodded her head. He hugged her tight to him once more, pressed a kiss to her temple, then turned and walked away without looking back. She wasn’t sure why, but she never wanted to cry more in her life than at that moment.

  Chapter 5

  She wasn’t surprised to see Alex Masters at her gate when she landed. He gave her a courtesy nod of his head, but otherwise didn’t speak. She glared at him but didn’t speak either. Silently, they walked to the black SUV. She slipped into the front seat and fastened her seatbelt. Alex did the same and rested his hands on the steering wheel and stared straight ahead for several long moments.

  “Your actions were very foolhardy. You know that, don’t you?” he asked quietly.

  She didn’t answer but leaned her head back and closed her eyes.

  “Your father has been very worried.”

  Without opening her eyes, she snapped, “Don’t talk to me about my father.”

  “His only concern is for your safety.”

  She snapped her eyes open and glared at him. “Was it you who followed me on all my dates? Did you get quite the kick out reporting back all the intimate details of my life to him?”

  “Your father was only concerned…” he started again before she cut him off.

  “Did he send you back to them to lay down his threats?” she hissed.

  His brows bunched in confusion. “Threats? No one threatened anyone,” he said.

  “Was it you who wrote ‘Eliminated’ at the bottom of each of your investigative reports?” she continued as if she’d not heard him.

  “What are you talking about?” he asked.

  “Come on, Alex! Don’t act like you don’t know. Wasn’t that what it was all about? That way my father could continue to control my life?”

  Alex sat staring at her for a long time, trying to ascertain her meaning. “All my firm was required to do was follow you to ensure your safety. We always keep an itemized list of events happening during that time so we can document the time spent on each case. We certainly didn’t ever threaten anyone. And never have we written anything on a report.”

  “My father apparently was threatening them with life or limb if they so much as talked to me again. I’m twenty-two years old and not allowed to go on a date un-chaperoned. Don’t you find that disturbing?” she asked icily.

  Alex stared at her silently for a long time. With his lips set in grim lines, he turned the ignition over and they traveled
the rest of the way home in silence.

  It was late when they pulled into the garage. She was pulling the door lever when Alex laid a restraining hand on her arm. She flashed angry eyes at him.

  Alex met her stormy eyes calmly. “No matter what your father has or has not done, doesn’t negate the fact that someone is trying to kill him. Whether you want to believe it or not, you’re in as much danger as your father. I would appreciate it if you’d apprise my staff of your comings and goings.”

  “No. Absolutely not. You and your staff will no longer follow me around. I am over eighteen years of age, as such, I am an adult. I do not require your services. If I see any of your staff following me, I will call the police and report you. Do I make myself clear?” she said through clenched teeth.

  Alex Masters studied her for a long time. “Perfectly,” he murmured, as he stared at her with his flinty eyes.

  She opened her door and climbed out of the SUV. She took a deep breath and exhaled before opening the door which led into the kitchen. Due to the lateness of the hour, the house was relatively quiet. Trinity walked through the kitchen and dinning room. Her confusing feelings about Rush Drayton had her feeling edgy and vulnerable. Her feelings of outrage against her father’s actions left her feeling molested in the worst possible way – by the person she trusted the most. She felt off-balance and somewhat lost. Her rioting emotions left her with the insatiable need to cry.

  Her foot was on the first stair and her hand on the banister when she heard her father call to her weakly from his office.

  “Trinity? Is that you?”

  She closed her eyes briefly and swore under her breath. She wasn’t prepared to deal with her father at the moment. Clearing her throat, she said, “Yes, Father.”

  She turned from the stairs and slowly made her way to his office. He was sitting behind his desk looking pale and frail. “How are you?” she asked quietly, as she stepped into the room.

  “Better, now that you’re home. What were you thinking, Trinity? If you weren’t concerned about your own safety, how could you leave me when I needed you the most? I was lying in the hospital wounded, and you just take off without a word to anyone. I was so worried!” he chastised.