by Mia Dymond
“That’s because I’m here.”
She smacked his biceps with her open palm. “I didn’t say arrogance. Seriously, have you always slept in here?”
He nodded.
“She recognized the soldier inside you. The room yields strength, confidence, courage.” His lips closed around her fingertips when she reached to stroke them. “The overwhelming love is unmistakable. The emotion embraces all who step foot in here.”
“Maybe you feel how much I love you.”
“That too,” she conceded, “but I felt your mother’s touch when I entered. I can’t get a solid reading though, the house is infused with natural blockers.”
When he lowered his head to nip the top of her shoulder, Shadow’s thoughts of his mother bounced from his mind to hers. Claire’s nerve endings trembled from the onslaught of emotional vibes. She gave his mind a tentative push, amazed when he let her inside.
Kathryn Windsor had been a strong yet soft and compassionate woman. A nurturer, determined to teach her only child the same qualities. Strength, empathy, intelligence.
The mattress shifted as he bent and moved his lips across the top of her breast. With his arousal in full gear, she caught a slight scent of his past. “Your mom chewed spearmint gum,” she said softly.
He chuckled. “Yeah. On Tuesday nights we had a bubble blowing contest. The biggest bubble won a pack of gum.”
She giggled at a vision of a young Shadow with gum stuck to his cheeks and nose. “You weren’t very good.”
He moved her hair and nuzzled the hollow of her neck with his nose. “That’s enough poking around, Claire Voyant.”
“What do you remember most about her?”
He raised his head and grinned. “My mom always smelled like lemon-scented sunshine.”
Claire pushed his hair back from his neck. She now understood his addiction to lemonade.
“I wish I could bring her back, Shadow.”
He leaned and kissed her forehead. “Me too, angel.”
She wrapped her arms around his back and the corded muscles flexed as she molded herself against him. His erection nudged the ache between her thighs.
“Steele’s down the hall,” he reminded her.
She gave him her best so-what grin. “Serves him right.”
Shadow groaned. Cool silk slid over her skin as he eased her gown up and over her hips. “I need you, Claire.”
She lifted one leg and draped it over his hip to grant him access. He reached between them and then paused at the non-existent lace barrier between them.
“Been thinking about this?”
She pressed her bare mound into his touch. “All night.”
He responded by spreading open her damp, wet flesh and massaging the sensitive nub with one finger. She whimpered and pressed closer. Shadow growled and suddenly her gown grazed her head on the way off her body.
His tongue surrounded one taut nipple and pulled. She gasped and forced his head closer to her body. Addicted to the electric sensations he caused to race through her, she arched and silently begged for more.
He lifted his head, his breath choppy as he spoke. “I need to taste you, sweetheart. Promise me you’ll be quiet.”
Now past the point of return, Claire nodded and pulled her knees up against her breasts. Shadow crawled between her legs. Braced on his knees, he bent forward. His dogtags swung from side to side in the space between them, grazing the very tip of her swollen clit with the motion. She gasped and lifted her hips.
He straightened long enough to toss the metal plates over his shoulder and then returned to the space between her legs. The first pass of his tongue over her swollen nub sent waves of ecstasy rolling through her. She reached down and buried her hands in his hair, pulling his face closer.
He breathed a kiss against the needy flesh then clamped his lips closed.
Claire’s hips bucked and she bit her bottom lip to keep from crying out as his tongue worked the slippery surface of her slit. Up and down. Left to right. Lazy circles around her wet entrance. She tightened her hold on his hair, silently pleading for more. And then, as if he answered her plea, he penetrated her with his tongue.
She lost control as her inner muscles closed around him. Her clit tingled. Her orgasm claimed her and his name escaped her lips on a scream.
In one full swoop, Shadow pinned her against the mattress with his hard body, his hand clamped tight over her mouth. “My bad,” he whispered.
She gave a weak nod.
“I’d like to keep my balls, baby. Please don’t give your brother a reason to come in here.”
She couldn’t stop her obnoxious, almost drunken giggle. He silenced her with a short, hard kiss.
“Damn it, Claire,” he hissed. “Steele is a light sleeper. If you can’t be quiet, I’ll leave.”
His erection quivered when she slipped her hands inside his boxers and squeezed. “No you won’t.”
“Hell.” He thrust deeper into her grasp. “I won’t. Just try to keep it down.”
She stroked him from tip to base and back again while she fondled his balls with her other hand.
Shadow squeezed his eyes shut and cursed the pressure that built in his tight sac and climbed the length of his cock. Claire’s fingers, coupled with her orgasmic screams, made it almost impossible to keep from losing control.
He reached between them and pried her hands loose. “I’m cocked and loaded here, honey.” He balanced on one hand and pulled his boxers from his hips and then shoved them down his legs.
She pressed her fingers into the indentions of his biceps, the pleasure so severe he almost fell on top of her.
“How many one-armed push-ups do you do in a day?” she murmured.
He kicked the clothing from his ankles. Push-ups. Damn. “You can count tomorrow.”
He pressed his cock against her wet entrance. “Open for me, pretty girl.”
She moaned and tilted her hips, allowing him to slide easily inside and begin a slow, steady tempo to accommodate the tight penetration.
Another tiny whimper left her lips as she bent her knees and placed her feet on his thighs, a motion that caused the slick, glistening shaft of his cock to burrow deeper.
“One more solo,” he whispered as he came over her, “and then we’ll fly together.”
Shadow’s self discipline was sorely tempted as he coaxed Claire’s muscles to squeeze him even tighter without triggering his own release. He felt her reach for satisfaction, her tiny mews begging him to put her out of her misery.
He laid his forehead against hers and moved his hand to tease the tight, sensitive bud beneath her clit into submission. He held his breath as she released a soft sigh and then convulsed around his dick.
“That’s it, nice and quiet,” he urged as he raised his head, braced himself on his elbows and quickened his pace.
Her hot juices flooded him as he pumped deep into her. Her hungry inner muscles grabbed him and formed a tight suction. Sweat bathed his back and his balls crowded the base of his dick.
Claire pulsed.
He lowered his head to take one nipple in his mouth for a brief kiss. He panted like a rabid dog, his abs flexed, his thighs tightened. “You ready, baby?”
She nodded and moved a hand to his ass. With her tight squeeze to the hard muscle, he had no choice but to give in. He growled one last time as he thrust and released a rush of hot, thick semen.
She bucked, her voice anything but a whisper while her body contracted around him. “Ooohh… Shadow!”
He knew he should smother her scream, snuff it out like a candle, but he lay paralyzed from the mind-scrambling orgasm that swallowed him whole. Steele would just have to deal with it.
Claire’s sleepy voice seeped through his haze of contentment. “He wants us to be happy, Shadow.”
He placed a kiss to the dewy valley of her cleavage. “I think your happiness is pretty obvious.”
She smacked him on the ass with her open palm. “You made me scream.�
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He snickered as he separated their bodies and rolled beside her. “Can you sleep now?”
“Maybe.” She palmed the semi-hard bulge between his legs.
“Nuh-huh.” Despite his cock’s obvious interest, he brushed her hands to the side, rolled her over, and tucked her back against him. “You just about killed me. I need sleep.”
Her breasts lifted with a soft yawn. “Rest up, Navy boy, you’ll need your strength in the morning.”
He kissed the top of her head then pulled the sheet to cover them. “Looking forward to it.”
CHAPTER TEN
Sunlight streaming through the bedroom window told Shadow he’d slept the morning away. He glanced at the sleeping beauty sprawled next to him, her head on his chest, strands of hair splayed across his skin. His fingers itched.
She gave a sleepy mumble then rolled over, taking those long soft tresses with her. He swallowed a groan and rolled out of bed. He knew better than to wake her. Besides, duty called. Hopefully Steele was awake.
He pulled on his jeans and headed downstairs, stopping by the kitchen for two bottles of beer. Wouldn’t hurt for Steele to be somewhat medicated for this confrontation.
Beer in hand, he hesitated. Partly to listen for Steele’s movement and mostly to gather courage. Birds chirped in the silence. Frogs croaked. Locusts buzzed. Then he honed in on Steele.
Heavy footsteps drew his attention to the front porch.
Shadow left the house, closed the front door, and then handed his best friend a bottle.
Steele raised an eyebrow. “Little early, don’t you think?”
“It’s after noon. I slept in.”
Shadow grabbed a chair, turned it around backwards, and straddled it. He gestured for Steele to take the opposite chair.
Steele gave him a narrow stare. “Any particular reason we’re celebrating?”
Shadow couldn’t fault his friend’s suspicion. No time like the present for an ass kicking. “What would you do if Claire ended up pregnant?”
Steele raised his bottle of beer and took a long swallow. “That’s not something I have to consider.”
Shadow tread lightly. He knew damn well Steele wouldn’t hesitate to pummel him in a heartbeat. “You think you can prevent that?”
Steele glanced over his shoulder at the empty doorway then back at Shadow. “Claire can’t get pregnant. She’s sterile, has been all of her life.”
Shadow took a deep breath. “Wanna bet?”
Steele tipped the amber bottle and downed the remaining liquid. “You’re telling me Claire’s pregnant.”
Although it wasn’t a question, Shadow provided a slow, silent nod, still not convinced he wouldn’t have to fight his way out of this conversation.
“Do I want to know who?”
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“Your state of mind. If you plan to beat the shit out of him, no. If you want to support your sister, yes.”
Steele set the empty container on the table between them and leaned back in his chair. “The only way he keeps his dick is if he takes care of her.”
“I don’t think he even considered otherwise.”
“He loves her?”
“More than life.”
Steele leaned forward and stuck out his hand. “Congratulations.”
Shadow gave Steele’s hand a firm shake. “Thanks.” He eased back into his chair, immensely relieved the worst was over. “Strange you assumed it was me.”
Steele gave him a narrowed stare. “I’ve been forced to listen to your late night antics.” His gaze leveled. “I’ve felt the connection between the two of you for a while. It was only a matter of time.”
“You or Holly?”
Steele’s face broke into a grin. “Holly. Welcome to my world.”
“My mother was psychic.”
“No shit? How come you never said anything?”
“Subject never came up.”
“Oh hell. You’re not, are you?”
Shadow chuckled at Steele’s unbridled panic. “No, but I’m a helluva blocker.”
Steele nodded. “Necessity.”
Shadow shook his hair over his shoulder. “This just puts a major spin on our security detail.”
“We need to contact Brooks.”
“Yeah, but I won’t bring him here. I’ll call this afternoon from the marina.”
“Even Claire can’t convince you he’s innocent.”
“No. Besides, I won’t take chances with her and the baby. Better if he’s clueless about our location.”
“The baby’s probably another female, Shadow. And gifted like her mother, just to spite us.”
Shadow groaned. “Let’s worry about that later. Nine months later.”
“You need back-up at the marina. Should we leave her alone?”
“She’s safe here.”
Steele gestured at two storage bays above the garage. “You gonna lock her upstairs?”
“I’ll show it to her. Maybe she’ll decide to stay there on her own.”
Steele stood and squeezed his shoulder. “I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my sister.” Silent admiration passed between them. “I need another beer. Let me know when you’re ready to go.”
Shadow exhaled slowly as Steele entered the house, extremely grateful the confrontation had not been bloody. Yet, even though the secret was out, now things got sticky. If this lunatic managed to get anywhere near Claire the risk was now multiplied a thousand times.
He ran a hand over the top of his head. As long as she stayed here, Windsor could protect her. No way in hell could he get inside this fortress. As long as Claire cooperated.
Shadow went back inside, intent on slipping back between the sheets with Claire. Instead, he found her perched on the side of the bed sliding a brush through her hair.
Claire gave him a sexy smile. “Too late. I’m done.”
He stepped to her and ran his knuckles through the hair on her shoulder. “Come here, I want to show you something.”
She stood and tossed her brush to the bed. “I’ll bet you do.”
He swatted her bottom. “Come on, naughty baby.”
She followed him out of the bedroom, down the stairs, and to the sitting area. He moved the sofa from against the wall to reveal an ordinary electrical outlet.
“Steele and I are going to the marina to call Brooks. If there’s a problem while I’m gone, push the blue button.”
“I take it that’s not a reset button.”
“Not in this case.” Shadow pressed the tiny blue square and a panel opened directly above them in the ceiling. His boots crushed the fabric as he hopped on the back of the sofa.
“Your mother would kill you,” Claire mumbled.
He chuckled and reached into the opening. His biceps flexed beneath his shirt as he pulled down a ladder and braced it against the wall.
“The ladder is connected at the top,” he told her. “As soon as you get to the top, pull it up behind you.”
“What’s up there?”
“The loft over the storage bays.”
“Since when? I didn’t notice it earlier.”
“You wouldn’t have. There’s another button and panel in the first bay downstairs.” He motioned to the ladder. “After you.”
She grinned. “Any particular reason you want me to go first?”
“I want to watch you wiggle your ass.”
She rolled her eyes as she stood on the back of the sofa and then climbed the ladder. Once at the top, she paused to analyze the surroundings. The spacious, open room was so totally Shadow. Neat, clean, tasteful.
Shadow cleared his throat. “As amazing as my view is down here, I have more to show you.”
Claire boosted herself all the way inside. He followed, lifted the ladder and pushed another button to close the panel.
She stood and walked to the bed, smoothing her palm across the cool comforter. The bed, most likely made of mahogany and king sized, sat in one cor
ner covered in a royal blue comforter and at least six pillows. “You don’t sleep here.”
“No, it’s really just an extra room.”
“Why keep it hidden?”
“When you’ve seen the evil I’ve seen, it doesn’t hurt to have a hiding place.”
Shadow stretched out on the bed, crossed his black combat boots at the ankles, and palmed a rectangular box from the bedside table. She heard a click and then a flat screen television rose from inside a cabinet at the foot of the bed. She blinked several times when visions of love and family flashed through her mind.
She frowned. “I had that all wrong. I thought your mother kept sentimental things in there.”
“You’re right. The television comes from a separate compartment built into the back of the chest.”
“You are a true James Bond.”
Shadow snickered. “No, that would be Sterling. He rigged the whole system.”
Claire sat next to him on the bed and took another look around the room. Cool. Calm. Safe. Virility again.
“You’re the only woman I’ve brought here, Claire.”
She stood, snatched the remote, and tossed it to one bedside table. “Is that so?”
He nodded and a slight grin split his lips when she worked the buttons of her blouse free until it hung open. She crawled on the bed and braced herself on her hands and knees over his hips. “Let’s make a memory.”
Shadow eased the blouse from her shoulders and dragged it down her arms. A familiar tingle tickled the insides of her thighs. Something in the way he undressed her made her purr like a kitten every time. She lifted one arm and then the other, allowing him to free her completely.
He leaned forward and pressed his lips to the nape of her neck. “You are so beautiful.”
His fiery kiss burnt her skin with its desire. His lips continued to caress the bend of her shoulder, his tongue blazing a moist trail to the top of her breast encased in the navy material of her bra.
He lifted his head and slid both bra straps down her arms. “Your obsession with silk underwear drives me crazy.”