His To Keep

by Stephanie Julian

  She’d cut her hair. How the hell had she hid that from him?

  Thinking back, he remembered that she’d come out of the salon with a scarf wrapped around her head and had kept it.

  Instead of the thick golden mass that fell to the middle of her back, her hair barely touched the top of her shoulders and feathered around her face. Hell, his hair was longer.

  He wasn’t sure he liked it. It certainly was a change. But the cut accentuated her sharp features and bared her slender neck. That he liked.

  The more he looked, the more he realized it was sexy as hell.

  As was her barely there outfit—hot pink, sleeveless and cut to her navel, with not much of a skirt to speak of.

  From that moment, he was blind to everyone but Annie. A nuclear bomb could have exploded next to him and he wouldn’t have noticed.

  She was beautiful and she was his.

  Janey leaned over and whispered in his ear, “So, have you told her yet?”

  “Told her what?”

  “Told her you love her?”

  He didn’t answer and he figured that told Janey all she needed to know. She smirked and he knew he deserved it.

  *

  Third-place trophy in hand, Annie couldn’t stop smiling.

  Everyone she loved had been in the audience tonight, and she and Colin had had the best performance of their lives and had done better than she could have hoped.

  Now, standing in the lobby of the hotel, after having congratulated all of the other winners and getting hugs and kisses from her mother, the DeMarcos, Sean, Toni and everyone else she knew or was even acquainted with, she looked up to find Nic on the outskirts of the crowd.

  She smiled at him and watched his lips kick up at the corners. God, the emotions that man could evoke with just a look. It made her want to leap into his arms and devour him.

  Which, of course, she couldn’t do because everyone would see. And question.

  She tried to keep up with the conversations around her, but she couldn’t take her eyes off of Nic. And when he started toward her, she drew in a breath and held it.

  She could have sworn the conversation around them came to a screeching halt but that couldn’t have been right because Janey continued to discuss the last rumba with Grace and her mother while Frank and Jimmy and Sean and Colin held their own conversations. Toni stood in the center of the crowd, watching everyone around her.

  Nic stopped beside. “You ever going to stop grinning?”

  She knew he was teasing, could hear it in his tone. “Maybe in a few days. So, were you bored stiff?”

  His expression sobered quickly and he shocked her by lifting one hand to brush the short hair away from her cheek. She’d almost forgotten she’d had it cut and she lifted her hand self-consciously.

  “I love this, by the way.” His low tone sent a shiver across her skin and deep into her body. “It suits you.”

  Pleasure spread at the words. “Thanks. I wasn’t sure you’d like it.”

  “I don’t think there’s anything you could do that I wouldn’t like.”

  Her heart flopped over in her chest. “Nic—”

  “Dominic.” Grace stepped up beside Nic. “Annie. We’re going to be leaving. Nic, would you like us to drop Toni off at home?”

  Nic straightened but didn’t move away. “No, thanks. I was going to take her and Annie out for something to eat.”

  Grace looked into his eyes, smiled. “Have a good time, honey. We’ll see you later.”

  Okay, that was way too easy. He was definitely going to get the third degree later.

  But he didn’t let it bother him as he took got the girls in his car and drove them to Pastaria. The popular restaurant was known for opera-singing waiters and Toni was looking forward to her first adult night out.

  Since it was Friday night in Philadelphia, Nic was lucky to find a parking space only two blocks away. They’d have to walk, but the night was warm and it wasn’t that far.

  “I’ve never seen dancing like that before,” Toni said to Annie as they stepped into the street when the light turned green. “It looks like so much fun.”

  “It is,” Annie agreed. “You really should take a few classes if you’re interested.”

  As the girls continued to talk, the tic of an engine caught Nic’s ear and he turned to look up the street.

  And saw a pair of headlights bearing down on them.

  Chapter Twelve

  Nic knew the driver was gunning for them the second the car pulled away from the curb.

  He felt it in his gut.

  Without thought, he grabbed Annie and Toni around the waists. Even though it wasn’t far to the curb, he didn’t think they were going to make it.

  He felt hot metal pass inches from his legs as he jumped onto the sidewalk, nearly knocking the girls over in his haste.

  He could feel the rush of air as the car barreled around the corner. Torn between making sure the girls were okay and running down the car, Nic chose Annie and Toni.

  Nic placed one hand on Annie’s cheek to lift her face.

  “Are you okay?”

  He heard fear in his voice and took a deep breath as Annie’s gray-green gaze caught his. When she nodded, he turned to Toni, staring up at him with wide eyes.

  “Nic,” Annie said.

  That had been way too close. He’d let his guard down. Again.

  “Nic.”

  This time, they could have been injured. Or killed. Someone had actually tried to kill them.

  “Nic.” Annie’s insistent tone finally caught his attention and he focused on her. “Are you okay? Were you hit?”

  He shook his head.

  “That guy must have been wasted.” Toni huffed. “I hope he doesn’t take out anyone else. We should call the cops. I didn’t get the entire license plate but that Lincoln Continental shouldn’t be that hard to find.”

  Shit, was Toni right? Had their close call merely been an accident?

  “So, I’m starving,” Toni continued. “You are gonna feed me, aren’t you, Nic?”

  Shit, was he that easy to read? His first thought had been to get Toni and Annie off the street, locked up tight. But would he have been overreacting?

  Calm down. Take stock. No one was hurt.

  “Sure, kid. Let’s eat.”

  Nic hoped like hell he could.

  And that he wasn’t making a colossal mistake.

  *

  The ride home was quiet. Nic had too much on his mind to keep up with the conversation but Annie kept up a steady stream with Toni.

  He was trying to pick through the details he remembered about the car. It’d been light in color. Beige, yellow…maybe silver or even dirty white.

  When Toni finally stopped to take a break, he broke in. “Hey, kid. Did you get a good look at that car?”

  Annie’s gaze fastened on him, eyes narrowing.

  In the rearview, he saw Toni nod. He should’ve known. She noticed everything with those wide eyes.

  “It was a beige Lincoln, ragtop. A few years old, at least. One guy in the front.” She paused, her head cocking to the side in a motion that was all Mags. “You think he wasn’t just some random guy. That he was aiming for you.”

  Such a smart girl. Nino would be so proud. “Not positive but yeah, that’s what I think.”

  Toni whistled. “Wow. Who’d you tick off, Nic?”

  He controlled the growl that wanted to erupt, didn’t want to frighten Toni or Annie.

  But if that car had been aiming for them, was the guy upping his game?

  He had a few leads he planned to check out tomorrow, but he didn’t want to leave Annie exposed and alone. He could enlist Mal and Jimmy but that would mean bringing in Janey. Another target. And yes, he knew Janey would cut him off at the knees if she knew he thought she needed to be protected. Which is exactly what he thought.

  She was his baby sister, after all. Logic didn’t apply.

  “Hey, kid. How’d you like to spend the weeken
d with Janey and Mal?”

  *

  They stopped at Mags’ and Nic explained what he wanted to do and why.

  Mags took a good, hard look at his face then told Toni to go ahead and pack a bag.

  As Toni bounded up the stairs, Mags just stared at him.

  “How dangerous is this threat, Nic?”

  He shook his head. “Honestly, I don’t think she’s in any real danger, but I’m not taking any chances. I just… I need to know she’s safe. If the guy in the car saw her, then I want her protected 24/7. The guy’s never mentioned her so I have no reason to think he even knows about her but… I just want to make sure. Do you want to go with her? You know Janey would be just as glad to have you too.”

  Mags’ eyebrows rose. “You know I have a gun and know how to use it, right? You taught me. You keep treating me like I’m some damsel in distress and I’m gonna use it on you. I’m letting Toni go because I know it’ll make you feel better but don’t push your luck.”

  Yeah, he could see how Mags might think this was overkill. Hell, even he was beginning to believe it was overkill.

  But his dad had always said better safe than dead and Nic respected the hell out of his dad.

  “I’ll have this taken care of in the next few days. He made his move and I think I got enough on the car to figure out who the hell he is. I don’t think he meant to hit me tonight. I think he wanted to rattle me. But he fucked up. Now I’m gonna shut him down.”

  Mags’ gaze shifted over his shoulder. To Annie. She hadn’t said a word since they’d arrived and he was almost afraid to see what she was thinking. Had he scared the hell out to her?

  He’d fallen into Ranger mode. Kick ass first and ask questions later.

  Maybe he’d gotten too uncivilized. It’s how he’d always felt around her. Not that he was ashamed of what he was or ashamed of being a soldier. It was more that he thought she would want someone different. Someone less rough around the edges.

  Turning, he caught Annie’s gaze.

  And was shocked to see complete trust in her eyes.

  He wanted to grab her and kiss her until he couldn’t breathe.

  Of course, Toni came bounding the stairs at that moment, backpack on her shoulders.

  “Janey called. We’re gonna have an all-night movie marathon and eat popcorn and candy till we puke. Can we go now?”

  “Nice to know you can’t wait to get out of the house.” Mags grabbed Toni as she walked by and gave her a big squeeze. “Be good for Janey.”

  Toni rolled her eyes. “When am I ever not good?”

  “Oh, sweetheart, let’s not go there.” Mags looked up at him. “Nic, take care.”

  He slid a quick glance at Annie. “Absolutely.”

  *

  After he’d dropped Toni at Janey’s—and managed to avoid an interrogation from his sister—he took Annie across the street to her house.

  As soon as she’d gone upstairs to change, he made a call. By the time she returned, dressed in form-fitting black capris and a loose pink top that kindled the lust he’d tried to keep at bay, he’d given the car’s description to Jimmy’s cop friend, Caz, who promised to have a list for him in the next couple of hours. Hopefully, he’d track this guy down by Monday.

  “I called in a favor. We’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

  Annie showed no surprise over his pronouncement. Glass of wine in hand and a beer for him in the other, she sank into the couch and put up her feet. “And where are we going?”

  His gaze narrowed. She sounded much too calm. He figured she’d throw a fit but then realized Annie never threw a fit. Caution was probably the better part of valor right now. “Out of the city. Not far but secluded.”

  She nodded and took a sip of wine. “How long do you think we’ll have to stay away? I do have two jobs, you know.”

  He shook his head as he paced. “Hopefully, we’ll be back by Monday. If we aren’t, I’m going to have to tell Mom and Dad. They’ll know something’s up for sure if we’re both gone.”

  She paused before asking her next question. “Do you really think this is necessary?”

  “Yes. I’m not taking any more chances. I should have done this a week ago.”

  Her head cocked to the side. “If you had, I wouldn’t have been able to compete.”

  “Damn it, Andrea. You could’ve been hurt tonight!”

  Setting her wine on the table, she crooked her index finger at him. Summoning him. When he moved toward her without thinking about it, he realized she had him wrapped around another finger on that beautiful hand.

  Amazingly, he realized he liked it.

  Sitting next to her, he pulled her onto his lap, tucking her head under his chin and wrapping his arms around her.

  “Sorry.”

  “You get a pass tonight because I know you’re upset but try that again and I’ll castrate you.”

  He laughed, not sure if he should but unable to help himself. “I don’t doubt you would, sweetheart.”

  Threading his hands through her now-short hair, he tugged until she looked up at him. “Thanks for the beer.”

  “You need to relax or you’re going to wind up with an ulcer.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.” He scrubbed a hand over his face, trying to rub away the weariness. “Finish your wine and try to get some rest. I’m going to wait up for the list from Caz. Hopefully that’ll give me a lead.”

  “When do you think you’ll get the list?”

  He downed a quarter of the beer before he answered. “No idea.”

  “So you have some time to kill.”

  Those beautiful blue eyes burned into him and he felt it all the way into the pit of his stomach and lower. His blood began to pump slow and hot.

  “And do you have a suggestion for how I should pass the time?”

  “I’m sure I can think of something.”

  She moved, repositioning herself until she had a knee on each side of his thighs.

  When she sealed her mouth over his, he sank into her like he was drowning.

  And she let him.

  She let him devour her, let him pull her tight against his body and absorb her heat. She gave back as good as she got until they were tearing at each other’s clothes.

  When he had her naked from the waist up, he lifted her until he could suck one of her firm, tight nipples into his mouth. Sighing, she arched her back, pushing herself farther into his mouth. Her fingers sank into his hair, nails scraping against his scalp and making him burn.

  With one arm wrapped around her back to hold her against him, the other dropped to her pants. When he couldn’t get them off without ripping them, he stood her on her feet.

  She gasped, swaying as he shoved her pants down her legs, her hands latching onto his shoulders. Now naked, Annie felt excitement bubble like champagne in her veins. And when Nic leaned forward and put his mouth on the skin just above her mound, she thought she might melt into a puddle at his feet.

  Instead, she locked her knees and gave herself over to him.

  With his fingers and his mouth, he kept her on the edge of orgasm, never letting her fall over. He bit and licked and stroked until she grabbed his hair and yanked. She felt his lips curve against the inside of her thigh, felt the tip of his tongue flick against her clit one more time before he began to work his way up her body again.

  When he stood before her, she could barely breathe. And when he put one arm around her and lifted her off her feet, she held her breathe. Not out of fear that he might drop her. Nic would throw himself off a cliff before he’d drop her. No, she was just so freaking turned on.

  But when he walked to the side of the couch and set her down, she had a moment of confusion before he turned her to face away from him then bent her over the arm of the couch.

  She went willingly, bracing herself with her hands as Nic parted her legs and fitted himself to her. With one thrust, he sank deep.

  Annie moaned as ecstasy raced through her. With his hands on her hips, he h
eld her steady.

  The position might have been uncomfortable but Annie felt nothing except excitement as he took her. His hands tightened on her hips, the hair on his thighs scratching against the smooth skin of her buttocks, heightening her senses.

  He felt huge and hard inside her. She tried to hold out, tried to extend the moment, but she could and came with a sharp burst.

  As she cried out his name, Nic followed her over.

  *

  When her eyes opened at six, Annie realized Nic wasn’t there.

  He’d carried her to bed after the episode on the couch and crawled in beside her but she knew he’d gotten up earlier and obviously hadn’t come back.

  Since she knew he wouldn’t have left without her, she headed for a hot shower, trying to ease the slight pounding in her temples.

  Standing under the steaming water, she let last night’s memories replay. God, she loved him so much. Every macho, infuriating, protective inch of him.

  But he still hadn’t given her the words back. And that bothered her.

  She wanted him to say it. Wanted to hear him say them to her in that husky voice she’d dreamt about since she was sixteen.

  The one that had told her how beautiful she was last night.

  With a sigh, she finished her shower, dressed and headed downstairs.

  Nic wasn’t in the living room so she headed for the kitchen, drawn equally by her desire to be with Nic and coffee.

  He sat at the table, hunched over his laptop, but he straightened when she walked in. Looking into her eyes, he made no move to rise, simply watched her, as if dissecting her every move.

  Determined to ignore his hands-off vibe, she walked over and kissed him, put everything she had into it and sighed in relief when he returned the kiss with enough heat to buckle her knees.

  Then he pulled back and stood, turning away to pour her a cup of coffee.

  She watched his usually deft hands nearly spill the hot liquid. “Did you get any sleep?”

  “Did you?” he countered.

  She shrugged. “Some. I’ve gotten kind of used to sharing my bed.”

  He shot her a quick glance as he placed a mug on the table in front of her. When he didn’t say anything, she nodded at his laptop.

  “Did you find anything?”