Protective Instincts

by Mary Marvella

  His inept employers and their bumbling lawyers hadn't been able to get him out on bail. The judge hadn't been amenable since he'd been as good as caught in the act. At least he had an alibi for this last little harassment of the teacher. The guards carried big sticks and stun guns. But they were also dumb enough to let him make his calls in private.

  He'd spread around a few bucks and gotten the favors he needed. He even made calls from the infirmary. Now all he had to do was find a way out of this dump. When he made it out of here, he'd go for the teacher and kill her, slowly, painfully. He'd make her watch him kill the man and the blonde friend first.

  * * * *

  Sam returned to Brit's house and found her sitting on her sofa with her canine protector. When she rose to greet him, he took her into his arms and made a suggestion. "I've called my brother to book us into a hotel on the way to Atlanta." He kissed her temples gently. "We can sneak out now."

  "Yes. I don't think I could sleep here tonight," she murmured. "Let's go away, anywhere."

  Sam helped her pack a small bag for her and one for Monster. He put their stuff in his truck and drove to a large hotel forty miles away.

  Brit watched Sam handle the truck like a part of himself. Attempts at conversation fell short. What would they have discussed? Her thoughts were not to be said aloud. She wanted this strong man to hold her. She wanted to feel wanted and alive. She wanted to forget she was in danger. She needed Sam.

  The bench seat of his truck beat bucket seats but the seat belts were confining. What the Hell difference did seat belts make when someone was trying to kill her? Without the restraints, Brit would've been all over Sam, probably causing an accident. She was adult and could wait a few minutes more. Maybe.

  Registering as a couple, using phony names, and paying cash at the multi-storied hotel felt illicit. They'd stopped at a gas station to call their parents to let them know not to call home that night. Sam's mobile number would let them be reached in case of emergency. A stop at a restaurant had been wasted since neither had any appetite for food. The picnic was only one reason. Take out boxes would ensure Monster's supper.

  She remembered little about the hotel lobby, but it seemed tastefully furnished. Drew must have had great influence to get the hotel management to allow Monster to stay with them.

  The suite was huge. Monster settled down on the lush beige carpet in one bedroom. Sam placed their baggage in the large bedroom. Brit stood at the door watching him.

  "Sam." Her voice was thin.

  Instantly he was at her side, taking her face in his hands. Her arms circled his waist, her hands pressed into his back. She loved his strong gentle hands. His touch warmed her clear down to her feet. His moist breath tickled her skin. His lips touched her cheeks, her eyelids, her nose.

  When she thought she could not wait another second, he touched his moist lips to hers in a chaste kiss. With parted lips, he kissed her again, slanting his mouth, licking and tasting.

  When one hand moved to touch her breast, she felt it swell to fill his palm. Hunger blossomed with a vengeance.

  Starved for his taste, she parted her lips and slipped her tongue inside his mouth.

  With a moan, he moved both hands to her bottom, pressing her against him. She wanted to feel his touch all over her body. She wanted all he could offer – now!

  She trembled in his arms. "Brit," he whispered. "Scared?"

  She brushed her cheek against his chest, kissed his throat. "No," she said against his skin, "not as long as you hold me."

  She unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, branded his chest with kisses, then his neck, then his chin.

  "Make love to me, Sam."

  "Not so fast, Teach." Sam touched his lips to her forehead. "Take it easy, love."

  "But I need you. I need for you to make love to me."

  "We have all night."

  Brit shivered again. "But what if I can't? If I wait too long I might lose my nerve. What if I can't, what if I panic?" What if I disappoint him?

  "We'll take things slow and easy. If you need to stop, we'll stop," Sam's voice rasped. "So, sweetheart, take charge. Make love to me. Take me, take me now!" He flung his arms wide and grinned. "I'm all yours."

  Brit chuckled against his chest. "You got it, bud, I'll take you to heights you've never been before."

  She kissed his throat again, unbuttoned another button. Tunneling his hands through her silky hair, he tilted her face up. Lowering his head, he kissed her slowly, gently, thoroughly.

  Brit needed this man. Sam was so different from Tommy. Was she disloyal to want this man so much? Surely not! She needed to feel alive and clean. She needed to enjoy a normal sexual experience with someone who cared. She needed to know she could stop whenever she wanted to.

  Kissing Sam made her feel cherished. He made her feel he needed her as much as she needed him. He was handsome, manly, sexy as all get out, gentle, in control, and caring. If Sam can't help me through this, no man can. I can do this. I can. I must.

  Sliding her hands inside Sam's shirt, Brit absorbed the rough texture of springy chest hair between her fingers, against her palms. She gasped into his mouth when he picked her up and moved to a couch. Without breaking the kiss, Sam seated them, with her in his lap.

  Kissing Sam, nipping at his lips, Brit tried to stoke his passion. She wanted him to make love to her but he held back. Why was he waiting? If he would just make love to her, she would know she wasn't scarred for life.

  Changing positions, she became more aggressive. She straddled his legs and faced him. "Too many clothes," she yanked his shirt from his jeans. Gliding her hands up his chest and over his shoulders, she exposed his sculpted torso.

  Gripping the bottom of her blouse, she yanked it over her head. Heat and moisture spread through her loins. Sam's emerald eyes glittered. She knew she was tempting him. His heat burned through their clothes.

  Emboldened, she slowly unclasped the front catch of her lacy bra, freeing her breasts to press against him.

  "Come to the bed, lie with me. We need to slow down."

  "Why? I need you now." Snaking her arms around his neck she pressed her breasts against him.

  "Hang on." He rose with her. "Lock your legs around me." She knew making his way to the bedroom wasn't easy while she kissed his face and rubbed against him.

  When Sam reached the large bed, Brit leaned over to grab the satiny coverlet and toss it back. He toppled them onto the bed.

  He lay on his side facing her. He kept his touch gentle. Her pebbled nipples begged for more than his touch. Dipping his head, he stroked his tongue over a nipple, then its mate.

  She clutched Sam's shoulders. Tension built to an unbearable peak. When Sam's hand moved between her thighs, touching her through her jeans, she felt heat spiral inside. Her world flashed, went dark. She floated and she wanted him with her. He pushed her over the edge.

  Sam hadn't taken his pleasure. If she could just rest for a few minutes, she would show him real earth-shaking pleasure.

  * * * *

  Brit moved her cheek to ease the tickle. Moonlight slipped through the curtain of the hotel room to paint the naked chest beneath her face. Sam's scent triggered her memory. What he had done for her last night had been wonderful, selfless.

  Had she fallen asleep atop the man or had she moved in her sleep? Hoping to avoid waking Sam, Brit slid a naked leg along his hairy one. Even in sleep, he reacted to her. She didn't remember removing her jeans, hadn't expected to fall asleep.

  What I could do to him while he sleeps. She slid her hand down his taunt stomach. Moving the sheets, she enjoyed the feel of him beneath her hands. From the indentations where his legs joined his torso, she moved down muscled thighs.

  Spying his morning woody, she wondered at what she'd missed by falling asleep. Not this time. Her chest tightened as she moved down to his bulging calves and back up toward his growing hardness. Thoughts about what she wanted to do to this man were interrupted by a deep rumbling from his c
hest.

  Working her way around his arousal, she smoothed her way back up a firm, flat abdomen, following the line of dark, curling hair as it fanned out to cover his nipples.

  "Oh, God," Sam's voice was hoarse.

  When Sam's mouth was in sight, she moved to straddle his waist, then kissed his beard-stubbled face. When he would have claimed her lips, she kissed his cheeks, the corners of his mouth. When her tongue made contact with the seam of Sam's lips, he opened and captured her questing mouth with a hunger.

  Brit sheathed him within her, in a slow, deliberate move designed to drive him crazy.

  His moan escaped into her mouth. Her muscles clinched around him.

  His hips pistoned, setting her on fire.

  "Sam, oh, Sam!"

  "Yes!"

  He filled her and sent her over the edge.

  Sam's voice rumbled. "Take me, take me, now, will be my favorite words, Teacher,"

  "And I get to be on top?"

  He grinned. "Maybe I'll get to make love to you, next time."

  * * * *

  Jail. Douglas wanted to let loose but he couldn't allow that. He had to stay in control to be safe.

  His mother would probably laugh and say she'd told him he'd end up this way. She threatened him with beatings when he was young and with an eternity in Hell when he'd become too big to hit. Well, age and nature had put her in a mental Hell and he'd helped by putting her away in a cheap nursing home.

  He'd used the pay phone to call the teacher bitch. Either she wasn't answering her phone or she'd taken off. She was probably with the interfering man who was always around. She should be scared shitless. She should be hiding from the world.

  For the first time he had failed, not once but twice. He had to get out of this dump, surrounded by losers. He'd go crazy locked up for much longer. He had a reputation to save.

  So far, he'd been able to fend off the jail animals so horny they'd screw anything or anyone. One stupid bastard guard left him alone with a telephone in the clinic. He'd looked like he expected something personal in return. He'd accepted money.

  The cigarettes he'd bought with money from his lawyer had been a good investment. Some of these jerks would sell their souls for a smoke. Nasty habit!

  He nearly gagged at the odor of the food tray. He shoved it to the floor. Damn! The food in this Hellhole was pig swill.

  Pacing the perimeter of his damned cell wasn't helping, but he'd managed to convince the other men around him he was a loony. Anger, frustration, and hate were his companions and they made it difficult to think straight enough to plan his escape. He had to get out of here. He had a job to finish.

  * * * *

  Morning came all too soon. Brit awoke slowly. Sam's arms and body enfolded her. His arm lay heavily around her waist. His warm hand on her breast brought back memories of wonderful, hot, sex. A hairy leg covered hers, trapping her with its weight and security. A hot chest blanketed her back and a hot, hard, appendage pushed against her bottom.

  Brit ached in places she had forgotten she had and it was a glorious morning. If she lived to be one hundred, she'd remember the first time she'd made love with Sam Samuels.

  Staying right where she was appealed to her until she felt a twitch against her derriere and a hand moving on her breast. Her whole body tingled. Her toenails tingled. Her hair even tingled. Turning in Sam's arms, she looked into his eyes.

  Dark stubble covered his cheeks. He would have looked formidable, but a lock of black hair hung over his forehead, obscuring part of an eye. So endearing, so sexy. Turning her face to nuzzle his neck she inhaled his musky scent. It was hard to tell where his scent ended and hers began, but the effect was as overwhelming as feeling his chest against her breasts, his legs rubbing against hers, his erection begging for attention. It definitely had her attention now.

  Brit reached down to caress its satiny length. Within moments, she invited Sam inside her body and the glorious morning was off to a spectacular beginning.

  * * * *

  While Brit showered, Sam called room service for breakfast. Monster demanded Sam's attention and was happy when Sam took him outside to examine the trees behind the hotel.

  Sam watched Brit feed Monster from her plate after he'd finished his own. "Aren't you a good monster?"

  The time had come for Sam to take Brit and Monster home. He'd have his men recheck her security, as well as his and his parents'. Sean would be on a plane to meet his mother within two days. Sean would enjoy the Spring break with his mother and grandparents in Hawaii. At least Sam wouldn't have to worry about the threat where his son was concerned.

  Within an hour Sam, Brit, and Monster paused outside her front door. Her hand shook so much when she retrieved the key from her purse; Sam took it and unlocked the door. He peered into the living room. The police had assured him they'd made a thorough sweep of her entire house. The telephone was bugged and a man was assigned to watch the house.

  Monster whined and pushed his way past Sam.

  No frantic barking warned of lurking danger. No pain in Sam's gut, no nausea.

  Brit peered around him.

  The living room seemed normal. Walking toward the kitchen, she wondered what she would find in her back yard. Looking from the kitchen window, she saw normalcy.

  "Did you call Drew?"

  They moved back toward the living room and the answering machine. Brit prayed there wouldn't be another obscene message.

  Sam's hand rested at the small of her back.

  "He said we're not done yet."

  * * * *

  Sam sat in Sean's car, waiting for him to come out of school. The sight in the school parking lot Wednesday afternoon at three fifteen caught Sam's curiosity, as he waited for Sean.

  Feeling whimsical, he remembered a bad horror movie. Jean-clad backsides leaning on the front and one side of the faded, brownish, Mustang seemed to belong to topless bodies, Mustang leftovers. Sam couldn't believe he was thinking something so weird. The monster car had its mouth open as if to take another bite of the three scrawny, teenage, male butts. A fourth, more padded and feminine, fanny looked like a tasty morsel for the car, or a hungry man. Now there was a sight to provoke his fantasies.

  Short legs, delicate feet in red, high-heeled shoes and were very visible in red hose. The legs strained as the heels were suspended in air. One knee bent, bringing a foot in the air, almost touching her backside as its owner worked to make up for lack of height. Was there anything about this woman that didn't turn him on?

  Sam's eyes followed the movement of leg upward to see a red skirt covering the top of shapely legs. The skirt had scooted up with movement, allowing a tantalizing view of lower thigh. The red fanny moved from the car, treating the staring man to the sight of a red sweater scooted up to bare a pale midriff. Sam hoped the teens weren't looking at the display of flesh, however innocently exposed.

  Brit was wiping her hands on a rag and instructing her young audience. "Stand back while I try to crank this old girl."

  She pulled the sweater down and hiked the skirt up, as she placed her backside on the bucket seat and then swung her short legs under the steering wheel. Leaning forward, she placed a cushion behind her back, then straightened to insert the key in the ignition.

  The youths stood with their attention under the hood as they awaited the sound of the engine coming to life.

  His perusal traveled from the sexy, dainty slipper, up the leg, to the bent knee, and to the upper legs. Sam imagined running his hands over her thighs, stretching the skirt tight.

  A cheer rose as the engine roared to life, snatching Sam's attention. His sweaty palms and dry throat were not caused by fear the car wouldn't start, but by thoughts of what he wanted to start.

  "Hey, Dad! Didja see that! The guys couldn't believe a lady teacher could show 'em about cars. Billy's gonna ask her to see if she can start his '68 Mustang. You asleep? You got my new tires!"

  "Sorry, son. I was thinking. Didn't you hear wheels turning?
It takes a lot out of us geezers to concentrate." You don't know the half of it, my boy. Thank goodness you don't! Boys probably think their fathers don't get horny.

  "After school, Ms. Roberts' car wouldn't start. She got out and raised her hood. I didn't know a woman would know what to do. Well, Billy, Jon, and I headed over to help. By the time we got to her, she was taking the breather cover off and checking the butterfly."

  "She did that herself?"

  "Yeah, she sure did. When that didn't work, she put a screwdriver in to hold it open and she started the thing. We put the cover back on for her and screwed it down, so she could go home. Wait 'til I tell Angela. She won't believe it! Dad! Are you listening?"

  "Yes, son, I'm impressed." To think I used possible car trouble as an excuse to follow her home?

  CHAPTER NINE

  Breathless, Brit grabbed the phone. Caller ID showed Sam's cell phone number.

  "Where were you?" Sam's voice exploded through the phone. "It's after seven and starting to get dark."

  "What?"

  "I called and the machine took my message."

  "Bad answering machine. I'll have to fire it," Brit laughed. Monster licked her hand.

  "No, I mean, it's not self-defense night or group counseling night and you hadn't mentioned plans to go anywhere or I would have come to take you."

  "Calm down, bodyguard." Brit rubbed the big dog's head. "We had the most wonderful sex I've ever experienced but you don't have to know my every move."

  "Sorry."

  "I know. Monster took me for a walk. He's been so good and I really needed to walk some kinks out. I also took five minutes to water my lawn and flowers. So shoot me."

  "Don't even joke about it. Someone wants to do bad things to you. I worry about you. Why don't you let me move into your guestroom as soon as Sean leaves? I promise to behave."

  "In your dreams, pal." Brit laughed, holding the receiver between her shoulder and chin. She washed her hands then opened the freezer. "Sam, I'm fine." Monster nudged her as she dropped ice into her glass. She glanced out the window, hiding behind the curtain, as she often did. Strange noises made her jump more than normal. She'd never admit that to Sam.