by Lori Foster
Cameo pushed away from Brax and moved to Amos’s back. She stretched up on tiptoe to touch the back of his head, examining the wound there. “You have quite the goose egg. Are you sure you’re not concussed?”
Her gentle touch left Amos floundering for a heartbeat before he turned to face her with a frown so fierce, Brax half expected her to scurry back into his arms.
She didn’t.
Amos was as bemused by that as Brax. He ignored Cameo’s question and addressed Brax’s instead. “Soon as I reached my car I called the police and alerted them to the situation.”
“Or most of the situation, anyway.” They never shared their own involvement with local police. It was too risky.
Amos nodded. “I heard the sirens even as I was driving away. He won’t have time to move the women to another spot. They’ll be saved.”
Cameo touched Amos’s chest, above his injury. “Thank you for that.”
His frown deepened more. He propped his hands on his hips. “The point is that whether he understands my talent or not, he knows now that I did something to him. And he knows that I’ll be back for him. There’s no place for him to hide, so his only recourse is to try to get to me first.”
“That’s what you wanted?”
“I’m tuned in to him, so I can find him again with little effort. But until I have him, anyone who’s been in contact with me had better be on guard. You’re best protected here.”
Cameo shivered. “I’ve decided to stay.” She looked past Amos to Brax, and added, “For now.”
To himself, Brax clarified, forever.
Satisfied, Amos went to the counter and poured himself a drink. He tossed it back, winced, and then poured another. After two more sips, he dug into the back pocket of his jeans and withdrew two wrinkled snapshots. “I got these with my Polaroid before the bitch blindsided me.”
He tossed the photos onto the table.
Wide-eyed and silent, Cameo crept to the table to look.
Brax absorbed her emotion and experienced her confusion. “The photos are insurance, honey, in case we’re ever implicated.”
“The people I work for insist on them.” Amos drank a little more.
“You work for someone?”
Brax hadn’t gotten quite that far in his disclosure. “For more than a century my family has worked with high-level government officials within elite force units.”
“Not the police?”
“More exclusive than that.”
“With more leeway,” Amos added. “We don’t answer to anyone. We just report what we’ve done.” Ringing with sarcasm, he added, “We save the taxpayers a lot of money that would be wasted on official procedure.”
“Many crimes that go unsolved, well, that’s us, Cameo. The murder and mayhem stops and that’s all we care about.”
Holding her breath, Cameo touched the photos, turning them for a better view.
Knowing what she’d see, Brax stepped up behind her, bracing his hands on her shoulders. It was always painful to be pulled into the blackness of a depraved soul. Like an oily sheen, it clung, stunk, and clogged cleaner thoughts.
“Dear God.” Cameo’s shaking hands went to her mouth. She closed her eyes for a moment, swallowed convulsively.
“If I don’t get him,” Amos told her, “he’ll do this again and again. More women will be hurt, and most will never recover.”
Agreeing, she said, “We have to do something.”
“We?” His heart almost stopping, Brax jerked her around to face him. “Amos will handle it, and if need be, I’ll help.”
“But what should I do?”
Dear God, was she trying to push him past his control? “You,” he stressed with iron in his tone, “will keep yourself safe from harm.”
That stubborn frown of hers appeared.
It took all Brax had not to shake her. “Understand me, Cameo. I will never allow you to be involved in any of this. Never.”
“Allow me?”
His jaw clenched. “You are a beautiful woman with a generous, innocent spirit, and I plan for you to stay that way.”
She chewed that over before saying, “The women in your family—”
“They are protected, cherished.” And the ones who knew of the inherent influence understood. “The talent only affects the males, never the females. What nature started, I will continue.”
She pulled free of his hold and tried another tactic. “I understand what you’re saying, and you’re right—to a degree. But Amos is injured and can’t concentrate, so of course you’ll help him.” She turned a frown on Amos. “Don’t argue. You need Brax.”
Brows lifted, Amos said, “Perhaps.”
She turned back to Brax. “And you already said that you need me to help you stay clearheaded.”
Damn it, he did not want to have this discussion in front of his uncle. Refusing to look at Amos, Brax leaned down close to her. “My need of you is limited to a sexual environment. That’s all.”
Her eyes narrowed and a lethal edge entered her tone. “That’s all?”
Why did women excel at twisting a man’s words? “You know what I mean, woman, so don’t try to provoke me.”
Her arms folded beneath her breasts. “I will not be a paramour, Brax.”
“We agreed you would be what I need you to be.”
Her mouth fell open. “I agreed to nothing!”
Amos lifted his drink and leaned back on the counter, waiting to see the outcome of their skirmish.
Brax took a step closer to Cameo. “I could settle this right now.”
Anger brought her nose to nose with him. “You could—in the short term. But in the long run, if you expect me to stay here—”
Brax waited.
“—then I want my job back.”
Well. That unexpected reply took him back. He’d expected demands, but not that she be allowed to continue in her position of personal assistant. “Impossible.”
“Why?”
How dare she continue to challenge him in front of his uncle? “Sexual harassment?” He stared at her hard. “I don’t want to be sued.”
He expected fireworks over the blatant sarcasm. He expected another slap.
She surprised him.
Stoic again, she said, “Fine. I get that.” She moved closer still, put a hand to his chest. “Then I guess you’ll have to marry me.”
FOUR
THE look of shock on his face didn’t encourage Cameo. That Amos spit out his drink was annoying, too. Was marriage so unheard of?
She still had a lot to learn about his strange emotional aptitude and family dynamics, and there was no time like the present.
“So.” Trying not to sound hurt, she crossed her arms and propped out her hip. “Your family doesn’t believe in marriage?”
“We do, but …”
It was a rare thing to see Brax Jardine falter in any way. He was such a take-charge guy, a natural-born leader, and superbusinessman, that to see him blank-faced seemed almost comical.
“But?” Cameo prompted. “You don’t want to be saddled with me long term? Is that it?”
“That’s not it at all.”
“Well, come on, Brax. Something has you flopping about like a fish out of water.”
Brax frowned, but remained mute.
Cameo sighed—until she felt Amos’s heavy arm drape her shoulders.
“Few women,” Amos said, “know what we’re capable of. And those who do know had to be … heavily coerced into marriage. But you, well you’re Little Miss Fearless, aren’t you?” He chucked her under the chin.
Cameo got hung up on a single word. “Coerced?” She didn’t like the sound of that at all.
“Erotic coercion.” A devilish twinkle came into Amos’s golden eyes. “Women can become addicted to the complete fulfillment of their appetites.” He leaned closer and whispered, “Their sexual appetites.”
Though Cameo frowned over Amos’s attitude, she could see his point. Already she yearned for m
ore of what Brax had shown her.
She turned her gaze on Brax. “So he can tell me this, but you can’t?”
“It is a sensitive, personal conversation.”
She’d give him that. But right now they didn’t have the opportunity for privacy. Not with that deranged monster lurking about. “Get a grip, will you, Brax? If we’re going to be married, I’ll expect coherent conversation.”
He straightened in umbrage and spoke through his teeth. “I have a grip.”
“About time.” She put her hands on her hips as she faced Amos. “So we’re all in agreement. You’ll wait a few hours to eat, rest up, and then when you leave, you’ll take Brax with you.”
“You’re a little tyrant, aren’t you?”
“Apparently I’m the voice of common sense.” She looked at each man in turn. “Agreed?”
“Fine by me,” Brax said. “As long as I have a few hours before we start the hunt.”
Amos shrugged. “I could use a bath, something to eat. And a change of clothes wouldn’t hurt.”
Cameo nodded in satisfaction. “Great. Now do you need any further assistance?”
“With what?”
“Preparing your bath? Finding clothes? Locating those weapons and whatever ‘tech’ you say you need?”
Bemused, Amos shook his head. “I’m quite self-sufficient.”
“Everything you need is downstairs,” Brax told him. “Including a bathroom.”
“Wonderful.” She moved to Brax’s side. “Then perhaps Brax and I could continue our talk in private.”
“I see why she served as personal assistant.” Mocking her, Amos gave a bow that made him wince, then said to Brax, “Just point me in the right direction.”
Brax dug in his pocket, removed a set of keys, and tossed them to Amos. “Turn right at the bottom of the stairs, then go to the far end of the basement. Behind the bar in my gym, in a hidden panel.”
“I take it no one uses the gym but you?”
“True.” His big hand clasped the back of Cameo’s neck. “Most never enter the basement without me accompanying them, and then it’s to the theater or game room. Mercy’s been there with her new husband, but they weren’t into anything.”
“Mercy’s married?”
“Happily, yes. And expecting a baby.” Brax grinned. “You’ll like Wyatt. He has very strong emotion for her.”
Cameo rolled her eyes. “It’s called love.”
Brax’s brows pulled together. “For Wyatt, it goes beyond even that.”
Amos nodded in understanding. “There’s love, and then there’s something more.”
“I suppose you’re right.” With a sigh, Cameo realized that she wanted the something more, but would settle for love. Actually, she’d settle for marriage.
She loved Brax enough for the both of them. And if she truly made him happy and gave him what he needed, why would he ever need to look elsewhere?
“Ready?”
Drawn back to the present, she smiled and nodded. “Some might even say anxious.” She realized how that sounded and stammered, “That is, I have a lot of questions.”
Amos chuckled as he headed to the basement.
They’d taken only a few steps when Brax stopped and kissed her. “Thank you.”
“For?”
“Amos hasn’t had reason to laugh in a very long time. He’s hovering on the abyss of oblivion, holding on by sheer, indomitable will. But that can only last him so long. He needs laughter, and love.” Brax cupped her face. “You astounded him as much as you astound me.”
“Is that a good or bad thing?”
“It’s an unexpected thing. And for men who can pick apart others by their emanation of emotion, it’s nice to get the unexpected on occasion.”
And with that, he scooped Cameo up into his arms.
Taken by surprise, Cameo grabbed for his neck to hold on. “Brax, what are you doing?”
“I need you. Now. Yesterday and tomorrow. We’ll talk after.” He started for his bedroom.
“After?”
“After I’ve sated this inferno of lust.” His stride was long and sure. “Know now that it’s going to take some time.”
Understanding how badly Brax wanted her had a singular effect on Cameo. Her own desire ignited. She wanted him so badly …
Or did she?
Wondering if he influenced her, Cameo pulled back to look into his eyes, and warned, “I want this, too, Brax, but no … tricks.”
Without a word, he bounded down the long hallway, his face set, his gaze hot.
Her body burned with every step he took. “Damn it, Brax, I mean it.” She caught a fistful of hair at the back of his head to get his attention. “Don’t persuade me with your blasted talent.”
Undisturbed by her insistence, Brax pushed through his bedroom door, carried her to the bed, and came down over her. He rose to his knees and pinned her arms to either side of her head.
Staring down at her with such smoldering intent, he was so big, so impossibly overwhelming, that Cameo felt more vulnerable than she ever had in her life. “Brax?”
His gaze moved over her, and he shook his head with disbelief. “The wonder of it all, sweetheart, is that I haven’t influenced you now at all.” His gaze came back to fasten on hers. “And still you want me so much that it’s tearing me apart inside.”
He hadn’t manipulated her? But … but she’d never been an overly sexual woman. It didn’t make sense.
Still, she believed that Brax wouldn’t lie to her. “Oh.”
He closed his eyes a moment. “It’s taking all I have to keep this civil.”
Civil? That should have alarmed her, and instead it thrilled her.
“I want to do everything to you, honey. Right now. Whether you’re ready or not.”
“I think I am ready.”
“Don’t!” He worked his jaw. “That doesn’t help, damn it. Now just be quiet. Don’t move. Let me … do this right.”
He hadn’t yet said if he’d marry her, but Cameo couldn’t see pushing the issue at the moment. He looked agonized, frenzied, and that was as aberrant as him being tongue-tied. It just didn’t happen to the awesome Brax Jardine.
“All right.”
Her agreement amplified his heat. He released her wrists, and when she stayed still, he went to work on the buttons of her blouse. Big as he was, he had astonishing dexterity, and the tiny pearl buttons opened with ease.
He spread the blouse wide and looked at her lace-covered breasts. Breathing deeply through his nose, he trailed his hands over her throat, her shoulders, and around her breasts to her rib cage. When he reached the top of her skirt, he wedged one hand behind her and unfastened the hook.
“Lift up.”
It wasn’t easy with him stationed over her, but Cameo managed to raise herself enough for him to slide down her zipper. The position thrust her pelvis up hard into his bulging erection. They both took a moment to absorb the sensation of that.
After releasing a breath, Brax scooted farther down her body, and rather than remove her skirt, he reached up beneath it. His hot palms smoothed over her nylon-covered thighs.
“I prefer stockings,” he told her as he worked the pantyhose down her hips.
“Tough.” Cameo did her best to keep her voice even under the escalating stimulation. “They’re too much trouble.”
A half smile curved his mouth. “Maybe I’ll just keep you naked and it’ll become a moot point.”
He had to be kidding, but just in case, she said, “Not on your li—”
The nylon ripped apart in his hands, startling her. “Brax!”
“Shhh.” He pulled the shredded material down to her knees and reached back up for her panties. “You have on too damn many clothes.”
She would have denied that, except that his hot palm settled over her sex and it was nearly enough to set her off.
“Easy,” Brax whispered. “Slow down.”
“I … I’m not sure I can.”
He looked into her eyes and stroked her experimentally.
“Oh, God.” Her breath caught and her muscles clenched, causing her body to bow.
Brax smiled—and removed his hand. “I need you naked.” He took care of that with little help from her, and before she could resettle her racing heartbeat, he had her stripped down to nothing.
It was an irregular thing for her to be naked in front of a man, and her embarrassment would have been extreme except for Brax’s reaction.
Kneeling beside her on the bed, he locked his hands behind his neck and just looked at her. His nostrils flared, his jaw worked. Those beautiful eyes of his blazed with a thousand emotions and raging need.
Still not touching her, he whispered, “Open your thighs.”
Seeing the effect she had on him made Cameo feel so powerful. It wasn’t easy for her to display herself, but Brax’s life was never easy, not with the gift he had, so the least she could do was give him this pleasure if that’s what he wanted.
Slowly, she scissored her legs open.
His biceps bunched, his pecs tightened. His chest labored. Voice rasping, he ordered, “Show me everything. Bend your knees for me.”
Biting her lips to help quell her timidity, Cameo drew her legs up, then let them fall open.
Brax sucked in a deep breath, struggled with himself for a few moments. And suddenly he broke.
It was unexpected, a little scary, and it caught her up on a whirlwind of exhilaration.
He bent down and opened his mouth on her inner thigh, sucking, biting a little, softly eating his way over to her sex.
Cameo held her breath, but he bypassed over to her other thigh, then up to her hip bones and her belly, her ribs.
She felt consumed. In a barely there voice, she said, “Brax?”
He reached up for her breasts, caressed them, and then held them together as he kissed and licked his way there, teasing all of her flesh.
He remained fully clothed, and she wanted to protest that, but then his mouth covered her nipple and it was unlike anything she’d ever felt.
There was nothing subtle in the strong way he sucked at her, the hungry way he fed off her. And the more he took, the higher her need soared.