by April Wilson
Then Shane extends his hand to Sam for a handshake. “Thanks for taking care of Beth. Why don’t you come, too?”
Chapter 28
Despite that tumultuous day, I settle quickly into a new routine. Lia drops me off at Clancy’s each morning, where I work half a day. Kline returns to Clancy’s several more times, apparently looking for me, and each time I end up in the bunker with Sam for company, while Mack and the rest of the security team keep a tight lid on the situation in the store. Each time, Kline eventually tires of looking for me and leaves. It’s a stalemate situation, and it’s completely unnerving. Even if I’m safe in the bunker room, I can’t help worrying about the employees and the customers who are clueless about the risk Kline presents.
Three afternoons a week, I go to Shane’s building after my shift to participate in the self-defense class. The class is made up of what they call “noncombat” employees – the folks who work in support roles like accounting and IT and marketing. There are four other women in the class, besides me, and three men. This class soon becomes the highlight of my week.
By the second week of class, I’m starting to get the hang of things. We begin each session with calisthenics to warm up, and I find my physical endurance is increasing. I make a mental note to start working out more often, to increase my stamina. Shane has workout equipment at the penthouse, and there’s a gym in the building as well. Maybe Lia would be willing to work out with me.
After the calisthenics, we get into the good stuff. First Liam demonstrates a move for us, and then we pair off and practice it. I’m usually paired up with either Marilyn from accounting or Kara from IT. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that I’m never paired up with a male partner. That’s not true for either Marilyn or Kara, or the other women in the class.
Marilyn is in her mid-fifties, a little heavy set and very much out of shape. Kara is not much older than me, and as she’s a long-distance runner, she has no trouble keeping up with Liam’s instructions.
We’re practicing holds and evasive maneuvers, taking turns acting as the ‘bad guy.’ We grab each other and hold on for dear life while the ‘victim’ tries to escape. After a while it’s pretty obvious to me that the others are treating me differently, treating me with kid gloves, careful not to grab me too hard or get too physical with me. They’re not nearly so careful with each other.
In the locker room after class, I ask Marilyn about it after the others have left. She seems a little flustered.
“What’s going on?” I ask her. “Why is everyone being so careful with me? They’re not that way with each other.”
She looks nervously around the locker room. “We were told to take it easy with you – to be careful not to hurt you. Especially your left arm.”
“Who told you this?”
“Mr. McIntyre.”
“Which Mr. McIntyre? There are several of them.”
She grimaces. “Shane?”
Oh, my God, I’m going to kill him! How can I learn self-defense if I don’t have anything to defend against? There’s no point in taking it out on my classmates. They’re innocent bystanders, just following the boss’s orders. So I head upstairs to confront the source of the problem. I’m so irritated I don’t even bother showering or changing out of my workout clothes.
When I get up to Shane’s floor, I storm past Diane’s desk. Fortunately, she’s not there at the moment, and Shane’s door is wide open.
I walk into his office and find him standing beside the credenza, pouring a cup of coffee. He looks so damned good standing there in his suit, handsome and polished and urbane, and that makes me even madder. “What did you do!”
He turns to me, his lips curving into a welcoming smile. “Hi, sweetheart. What do you mean, what did I do? I do a lot of things. Can you be more specific?” He’s got an innocent smile on his face, which irritates me even more.
“Did you tell the people in my self-defense class to be careful with me?”
Fighting a grin – that smug bastard! – he takes a sip of his coffee. “I might have reminded them that you’re just getting over some pretty serious physical injuries. And I might have suggested that they be careful with you. So, yes.”
At least he doesn’t try to deny it. “They’re practically afraid to touch me, let alone to attack me! How can I learn what I’m supposed to learn if no one will attack me?”
“Sweetheart, I’m just trying to – ”
“Stop babying me, Shane! You’ve got to stop.”
Shane loses his smile. “Close the door.”
The sudden change in his demeanor throws me off balance. “What?”
“You heard me. Close the door.”
I ignore the flash of anxiety that courses through me at the tone of his voice. This is Shane, after all. He would never hurt me. Still, he doesn’t look happy. I reach behind me and shove his door closed, perhaps a little bit too hard. He sets down his coffee and stalks over to me. I find myself backing up until my back hits the door, and I’m trapped.
“I’m not babying you,” he says, getting in my face. His voice is tight. “I’m protecting you. There’s a difference.”
I swallow, determined not to be cowed. “Not the way I see it.”
He leans closer and I can smell his delicious scent as it washes over me. He has me at a distinct disadvantage, because I’m a hot, sweaty mess. Crap! Why didn’t I stop to shower and change my clothes first?
His eyes narrow on me and his words are clipped. “Beth, if I were babying you, you’d be back at the estate playing in the pool or watching movies on the big screen. But you’re not, are you? You wanted to come back to the city, so we did. You’re working at Clancy’s – which, for the record, I think is a good idea – and you’re taking a self-defense class. Hell, you’re even going back to graduate school soon. I’m not babying you. I’m giving you what you asked for, while managing the risks.”
He moves like lightning, grabbing my wrists and pinning them to the door above my head, making my pulse kick up into overdrive. “I’m giving you what I can, sweetheart. But you have to cut me some slack here. Howard Kline isn’t the only risk out there. As my girlfriend, you’re a target.”
“A target? What are you talking about?”
“Because of the nature of my business, I’ve made a lot of enemies, Beth. And because of my wealth, I’m naturally a target, and that makes you a target, too. If anyone wanted to get to me, all they’d have to do is go through you. You’re my weak link. If you’re going to be in my life, then precautions need to be taken, and you have to accept that.”
“What kind of precautions?”
“Bodyguards, for one thing. Surveillance. Protection.”
“I thought the bodyguards were because of Howard Kline.”
“They are, for the most in part. But even if Kline were no longer a threat, you’d still have to have a bodyguard.”
He grips my chin firmly and looks me in the eye. “Don’t ask me to stop protecting you, Beth, because it’s not going to happen. I’ll bend over backward to make you happy, but I won’t compromise your safety.”
My heart is hammering now. I’ve never seen him like this.
He tips my chin up. “You were assaulted by Andrew because I wasn’t on my guard. I made the mistake of letting Tyler call the shots, and you paid the fucking price for it. Now I’m calling the shots where you’re concerned, and I will not slack off on your protection. Don’t ask me to, sweetheart, because I won’t do it.”
I’m breathing hard, and there must be signs of an impending panic-attack written all over my face, because Shane’s expression softens. “Just breathe, honey.” His thumb brushes gently along my lower lip.
His gaze drops to my lips. I know he’s about two seconds away from kissing me, but I feel at such a disadvantage right now. He looks all GQ, and I’m a hot mess – literally. He doesn’t seem to mind, though, as he lays his mouth on mine and uses his lips to nudge mine open. His tongue steals inside and strokes mine with slo
w, velvet licks.
My knees go weak, and I attempt to push him back. “Shane, no. I’m a mess. I need to shower.”
“Don’t care.”
“But, Shane – ”
“Don’t. Fucking. Care. I don’t care if you just came from wallowing in a barn yard.”
He reaches around me and locks the door, then swings me up in his arms and carries me to his desk. After pushing aside a small stack of files, he sits me down on the top, then presses an intercom button on his high-tech desk phone.
When Diane responds, he says, “Hold all calls. I don’t want any interruptions until further notice.”
Shane spreads my legs wide and slips his hand down inside my workout shorts, his fingers slipping between the lips of my sex. I’m hot and damp there already, and I’m mortified when I smell myself. But he doesn’t seem to mind in the least. The heat in his gaze makes me shiver, and when his fingertip rims my opening with a gentle, teasing motion, my head falls back and I groan in surrender. “This is so not fair.”
“This is one of my fantasies,” he says, his voice low. “Fucking you on my desk.”
“Actually, it’s one of mine, too,” I say, breathless.
I glance out the windows at the high rise buildings across the street, and I can’t help wondering if the occupants can see inside Shane’s office. It’s a bright day, and lots of sunlight is streaming through the uncovered windows.
“Don’t worry, they can’t see you,” he says dismissively, following the direction of my thoughts.
“Are you sure? How do you know?”
“Because the windows in my office are specially tinted to prevent anyone from seeing inside.”
He pulls off my sports bra, freeing my hot, sweaty breasts. The fresh air feels so good against my damp, heated skin.
His hands come up to cover my breasts, and he leans in for a kiss, stealing my breath in the process. “No one can see us. Relax.”
“That’s easier said than done.”
He chuckles, then bends down to suck one of my tightly puckered nipples into his mouth. My nipples are so sensitive, they almost hurt, and I whimper. He bathes the taut little peak with his hot tongue, and a shiver racks my body.
I moan as he practically swallows my nipple, drawing it deep into his mouth and sucking. “Shane.”
“Shh.”
I can’t look away from the window, at the stream of cars I can see off in the distance, at the buildings looming tall directly across the street from us. It’s as if we’re exposed to the entire city. It’s broad daylight, and I can’t just block it out.
Shane pushes me back on the desk and reaches for the waistband of my shorts. He pulls them off, along with my panties, and drops them on the desk. I’m sitting bare butt naked on his desk, while he’s standing there dressed in a suit and tie. It’s wickedly arousing, and I’m so hot I think I’m going to combust.
“I’m going to fuck you right here on my desk,” he says, his hands going to his belt buckle. “Do you have a problem with that? If you do, speak up now.”
I can’t help but notice the huge erection tenting his slacks. Just the thought of that thick, hard length of him buried inside me makes me tremble with need.
His hands still as he waits for my answer. If I say yes – that I do have a problem with it – he’ll stop. He might not be happy about it, but he’ll stop. He likes to push me. And the thing is, I like it. I want this. I want to do this right here, right now. And my concern that someone might see us – or that someone will come knocking on his door – ratchets up my arousal even higher. I am such a twisted individual.
No, I don’t have a problem with it. I shake my head.
“Beth, you have to say it, out loud. No misunderstandings.”
“No, I don’t have a problem with it!” I gasp. “I want this, you.”
“Right here, right now?”
“Yes!”
That’s all the permission he needs. He pulls my bottom to the edge of his desk and touches me, opening me and testing my readiness. I must be soaking wet, because he groans loudly, a pained expression on his face. He pulls his belt free and drops it to the floor where it lands with a loud thud. Then he unfastens his slacks and lowers the zipper. Shoving his clothing down to mid-thigh, he frees his erection, which is straining eagerly upward, and fists his ready cock.
He grabs one of my legs and pins it high on his hip, opening me wide. His chest vibrates with what I can only describe as a growl.
He steps closer, and when I glance down, I see the glistening pre-come seeping from the slit in the head of his cock. He feeds himself into me one inch at a time, pressing slowly and relentlessly into my body. He’s so thick and full right now, his flushed cock stretches me deliciously, making me gasp.
He leans into me, sinking into my aching, wet body in a slow, steady motion. I bite my bottom lip as he fills me, trying not to make a sound as my body softens to accommodate him.
“Let me hear you, Beth,” he says, catching my gaze.
He likes the feminine sounds I can’t help making when he’s inside me, the whimpering and the cries. God, it’s embarrassing. I shake my head. “Someone might hear.”
“The walls are soundproofed.”
“No they’re not. You’re lying.” But I can’t help smiling. And then, when his cock finally comes to rest balls-deep inside me, I can’t help the moan that escapes me. “Shane! Oh, God!”
He grins at me. “I’m not lying. They are soundproofed.”
I fall back onto my elbows on the desktop, reduced to a quivering puddle as he starts to move. At first he’s careful, making slow, steady thrusts. But as my body softens, sucking him deeper into my lush, wet channel, his pace picks up.
His hands grip my thighs hard, pinning me in place so he can thrust hard and deep. I turn my head toward the window, looking outside at a perfect, cloudless day. I can hear the drone of distant traffic, the squeal of brakes, an emergency response siren in the background. The city goes about its business, oblivious to the fact that the man I’m crazy about is about to make me come – hard – on his desk.
“Shane!” I cry out, overcome with almost unbearable pleasure. Every thrust of his cock sends shafts of pleasure shooting through me. The friction is so exquisite, I can barely catch my breath.
His jaw clenches as he tunnels in and out of me in a steady, hard rhythm. This man is everything to me. He’s kind and loving and sweet. He’s also controlling, overly protective, and stubborn as hell. I guess it’s a package deal.
His chest is heaving, and I know he’s holding himself in check until I come first, gritting his teeth so hard the muscles in his jaw twitch and flex. He’s always taking care of me, even when he’s half out of his mind with pleasure. I look up at him, and he’s gazing down at me as if he can see right into my soul. Even now, he’s protecting me.
Shane reaches down and rubs tiny circles over my hyper-sensitive clitoris with just enough pressure to push me over the edge. I come in a blinding rush of pleasure, wailing and whimpering as I fall apart. He throws his head back and joins me, grimacing as he erupts inside me, filling me with spurt after spurt of his thick, scalding seed.
This man owns me, body and soul. But that’s all right, because I own him, too.
Chapter 29
Friday is Shane’s birthday, and I think I’m more excited about it than he is. Whenever I bring it up and suggest we plan a celebration, he shrugs it off. I told him you only turn thirty-five once, but he didn’t seem moved by my observation. Still, I’m determined to do something for his birthday.
He’s already up and gone to work Wednesday morning when I amble into the kitchen and find Cooper putting on a pot of coffee.
“Morning, kiddo,” he says. “You sleep well?”
I take a seat at the breakfast counter. I’m not firing on all cylinders yet, and I desperately need some caffeine. “Yeah.”
Cooper pours a cup of freshly-ground coffee and sets it on the counter in front of me, along with
a tiny pitcher of cream and the sugar bowl.
“I want to do something for Shane’s birthday,” I tell him, as I spoon sugar into my coffee.
Cooper smiles. “Good luck with that.”
“I mentioned it to him last night, but he didn’t seem very interested.”
Cooper shakes his head. “Celebrating his birthday really isn’t his thing. He doesn’t like the attention.”
“I want to do something for him, though. You know him better than anyone. What would you suggest?”
“Knowing Shane... if you’re going to do anything, I think he’d prefer to get together for drinks after work with family and a few friends. Nothing extravagant. No hoopla, no fanfare. Just good food, good liquor, and maybe some good music.”
“Got any suggestions where?”
“Call Rowdy’s. They’ve got a party room. They play blues, and the food’s great. He’d like that.”
I’ve heard of the place, but I’ve never been there. “All right. I’ll make some calls.”
I sip my coffee as I make a mental list of what I’ll need for Shane’s birthday celebration. Cake, invitations, reserve the party room.
“What do you want for breakfast?” Cooper says.
“I can make some toast.” I hate to make more work for him. He does so much for me already.
He looks at me, raising his brow. “You need protein. How about eggs to go with that toast?”
I watch Cooper scramble two eggs. Sometimes he reminds me of my mom. He’s always trying to feed me. He’s such an amazing guy, and he needs someone besides me to fuss over. He needs someone special in his life.
We’re the only ones in the apartment at the moment, so I figure now is a good time to have this conversation. “Cooper, can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.”
“It’s sort of personal. If you don’t want to answer – ”
“Beth. Just ask it.”
“Okay. Why don’t you have a boyfriend?”
He stares at me, looking completely shell-shocked. For a moment, I think I must have heard Shane wrong. Maybe Cooper’s not gay.