by Cm Hutton
Before another thought could form, Jason had rolled me to my back and was staring down at me. “What the hell did you just do to me?” Had it not been for the lustful smirk, I’d have thought he was mad.
“Who, me?”
“That little trick there…the pressure under my cock? Damn, that felt amazing.” He leaned down and kissed my mouth. “I’ll never get enough of you—not now that you’re mine. Watching you with me in your mouth, God…that was the sexiest fucking thing I’ve ever seen. Thank you.” He kissed me again, slowly, his tongue caressing my entire mouth. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too, Jace. I wanted to give you pleasure, show you what you mean to me and what it means to me that you understand me so well…that you know me and can read my needs so easily.”
“It’s easy to read someone you’ve loved so deeply for so long. And I’d do anything to make you happy, to keep you safe.” He kissed the end of my nose, then rolled over to lie next to me, placing his hand under my tank top and on my stomach. “Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”
God, his sweet words and loving touch made being pregnant with Antonio’s baby bittersweet. I loved that he was worried about the baby, but hated that it wasn’t his. “Yes and yes.”
“Does it bother you that I care about this baby?”
“A little. But only because I don’t even know how I feel about it.”
“Talk to me, then. Tell me.”
I took a deep breath. “I wish this baby was yours, Jason. I’d be so happy if it was.”
“You would?” His smile was beautiful.
“Yes, of course.”
His hand rubbed my stomach. “I care about this baby because it’s part of you. And I don’t want to see you hurting. All that blood the other night scared the hell out of me. At least knowing it was because of a baby and not something much worse…well, I was relieved. A baby I can deal with…life threatening injuries? No. The thought of losing you was too painful to even consider.”
I turned and cupped his face with one hand. “Thank you for saying that. I’m not sure how I’m going to handle all of this, but at least I know how you feel about it. That makes is better.”
“Well, for the record.” He leaned in close to my face. “I wish this baby was mine, too. But there will be time for that someday. We will have one of our own, Legs. That’s a promise.” I felt a tear roll down my face. “That a happy tear I see?”
“Yes, Jace. Definitely a happy tear. I love hearing you talk about our future and the thought of having a baby with you one day sounds pretty perfect.”
“Good to know. See, another thing we agree on. Now, let’s try to get some sleep, baby. We both need it.” He gave me a sweet, soft kiss before turning to click the lamp off and snuggling against me. He was my home. Always had been.
Chapter 16
Jason
Morning came too early.
It wasn’t that we hadn’t had enough rest. I just didn’t want to let go of Lori Ann and start another day of worrying about The Italian or her injuries or the baby. I wanted to live in blissful ignorance for what was sure to come.
I’d always prided myself on being alert, able to predict certain outcomes within a degree of accuracy. But this situation was so screwed up, so volatile, I couldn’t tell which way was up most of the time. I didn’t want to scare Lori Ann, but in light of all the revelations she’d shared with me, she needed to be hyper aware of everything around her, no matter how small or insignificant it seemed. Everything Craig and I had been able to uncover about Antonio left little doubt that he or his men wouldn’t stop until he either had Lori Ann back in his clutches to control, or dead. And I couldn’t let either of those things happen…ever.
She stirred in my arms. “Morning.” Her sleepy, gruff voice sounded so sexy.
I kissed her forehead. “Good morning. How are you feeling?”
“I’m good, I think. I haven’t moved much since you lulled me to sleep last night with your incredible hands, but I feel okay.”
“Good. I’m going to make us some breakfast in just a minute. Why don’t you shower and get dressed? If you feel up to it, I’d like to take you around this area, show you a few places you can go. I don’t ever want you out by yourself, but it’s good if you at least know where you are and what’s nearby.”
Her eyebrows furrowed at my little speech. “Okay, but I doubt I’ll be going anywhere for a while anyway. I need to let my body heal. I’m no good to anyone if I can barely move, and I’ll be damned if Antonio gets the upper hand just because I’m physically unable to fight him or his guys off.”
My stomach recoiled at her “matter of fact” statement. “You’re not going to have to fight him off. That’s my job. I’m here to protect you.”
“Jace, you know as well as anyone that I need to be able to protect myself. He will come looking for me. You know it. I know it. Hell, even Keri knows it, and she has no clue what he’s like. I just hope he never finds out about this baby.”
I sat up on the edge of the bed and put my face in my hands as I leaned my elbows on my knees. I didn’t want to think about something happening to Lori Ann. I felt the bed shift as she crawled behind me and circled her one uninjured arm around me. “Thank you. I love the way you protect me, love that I’m yours now, Jason. I won’t let him take me, okay? I know that is what has you fretting at the moment. I’ll be careful. I promise. And I’ll listen to you and Craig.”
I reached around and slowly pulled her into my lap, cradling her close to me. I rested my forehead on hers and said, “I don’t know what I would do if something ever happened to you, baby. It would destroy me.” The dread and tiny bud of pain that surfaced for that one second sent chills down my spine. I kissed Lori Ann’s lips and let her pull me closer with her right arm. She held onto me as tightly as she could, trying to reassure me.
“I’ll do whatever you want me to do if it will just take away that scared, painful look you have in your eyes right now.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, just before I kissed her again. “I love you.”
“I know. I love you too. Now, can I have some breakfast?”
“Anything for you, Legs. First, shower.” I stood with her in my arms and walked into the bathroom. She smiled and raised one eyebrow as she waited for me to put her down, but I held onto her for a few more seconds, staring into her beautiful blue eyes. “So incredible that you are here with me. Finally with me.”
“I feel the same way.” I kissed her nose and put her feet on the floor, steadying her before I took a step back away from her. She giggled as she glanced at the giant morning erection I was sporting. “Um…”
“Yeah. Hush the hell up, woman. You know I’d bend you over that counter and drive this into your heavenly pussy if I could. So, get in that damn shower before I forget you’re hurt and do it anyway.” I winked, then turned and walked uncomfortably out of the bathroom to the sounds of her soft laughter. Best sound ever.
*****
We finished our breakfast of eggs, bacon, and biscuits on the outdoor patio as we look out at the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains. It was a beautiful spring morning, slightly cool in the Mile High City, but beautiful nonetheless. I watched as several cars drove down our street. I paid close attention to any that looked suspicious, but most were women with at least a few kids in the backseats. It was well beyond the commuter hour, so I didn’t see many men drivers anywhere. It sounded stupid and tedious even in my own head, but these sorts of details were important and could come in handy at some point. I made a mental note to follow the same routine every morning to see if I noticed any changes.
“So, what are we going to do today?” Lori Ann’s question drew me out of my street survey.
“We are going to stay here and let you rest while I rub your feet, make you a warm bath, feed you deliciously healthy foods, and do whatever other pampering I can possibly think of.” The huge smile on Lori Ann’s face told me she wholeheartedly approved of my plan. “So
und good to you?”
“Oh, well I guess I could suffer through such a tortuous day with you. I mean, if I really have to.” She started laughing as she stood and walked to my chair before sitting down in my lap and kissing all over my face. “Have I told you how happy I am to be here with you?”
“Not in the last thirty minutes.”
“Well, then I’d better make sure you know.” She cupped my face with her good hand and the fingers of the casted one, then leaned in closely, our noses touching, and smiled against my mouth before whispering so soft, so sexy, “You make me happier than I ever thought possible. And I love you more than…chocolate cake.”
I laughed and quickly slipped my hand between her legs, under her shorts and lacy panties, causing her to yelp, the wince slightly. “Chocolate cake, huh? I know how much you love your chocolate, so I’ll take it that you must love me a lot. But you’re gonna have to pay for teasing me.” I watched as Lori Ann’s eyes slowly closed as my thumb rubbed her clit and my fingers gently stroked her up and down her folds. She kept her face near mine as her breath picked up. “Want to change your answer yet?”
“Mmm, no. This punishment feels too good.”
“Cheeky. Maybe I should stop.”
“No. Please don’t.” She wiggled her ass against my lap. “I take it back. I love you…I want you. I know we can’t…but please…I need you.”
“Ahh, baby. I know.” I stood with her in my arms.
“Wait, where are we going?” She moaned.
“Inside, so no one sees my girl when she comes apart at just my touch.” I kissed her, pushing my tongue inside her mouth as I made my way inside the condo and sat down with Lori Ann still on my lap. “Lie back.” I leaned her onto the small pillows that decorated the couch and continued my slow rub of her clit as she writhed against my hand and moaned my name over and over. She was so beautiful. And I watched in wonder, so happy to finally have by best friend as my girl, my lover…just mine.
“Jace…” she panted as her body arched and she climaxed against my hand. I leaned down and placed a kiss against her clit. She gripped her right hand in my short hair. “So much better.”
I looked up into her eyes and smiled. “Good.” I fixed her panties back into place and moved my hand. “What should we do first? Warm bath?”
“Yes, and then a movie, right here curled up next to you.”
“Sounds perfect. Let me go get your bath going, baby. I’ll be right back.” I stood and kissed her smiling lips before walking into our bedroom and bathroom. As I passed back through the bedroom, I noticed a text coming through on my phone.
Craig: Sleep well? Hope so cause we need to talk today about all the shit that I’m hearing and figure out if this is The Italian.
Great. I texted him back.
Jason: Is there any way we can do that tomorrow? I want to stay around here and pamper my girl today. She and I both need it.
Craig: Sure. But asap, I need Legs to look through some pictures and tell me if any of these men look familiar.
Jason: Are you trying to get your ass kicked this morning? Don’t call my girl ‘Legs.’
Craig: Hahaha…whatever, dude. I love pissing you off. Makes you more productive.
That made me laugh, because he was right. Bastard.
Jason: How about you and Keri come over for dinner? We can take a look at the photos then.
Craig: Sounds good. I need to double check with Keri, though. I’ll call you later.
Jason: Yep.
I pocketed my phone, walked to the bathroom to turn off the water, and went back to the living room to retrieve Lori Ann. When I stepped up to the couch, she was lying perfectly still, eyes shut, and a small smile on her face. She was asleep and content. I didn’t have the heart to wake her up yet. So, I grabbed my laptop and sat back on the couch after lifting her feet and putting them back into my lap.
I began searching through several emails looking for any of my contacts that I’d sent out to do recon work on anything related to Lori Ann and The Italian. Immediately, I pulled up an email from a guy I knew as John Williams. He’d helped me on several different cold cases I’d been working on for the last year. He seemed to know a little bit about everything around the California area, and I was hopeful when I emailed for his help that he’d be able to come through with something.
Sure enough, sitting there in my inbox was an email titled ‘Crazy Shit.’
I opened it.
From: jhwil.piservices.org
To: jlondonsdpd.gov, ccdpd.gov
Well, you guys were right. That fucker is nosing around town. I do believe he is in San Diego right now and doesn’t know you’ve taken the girl somewhere else. I don’t think it will take long for him to figure it out, though. He’s got at least three dudes with him. I’ll keep a tail on him. Watch your back.
JW
Yeah, that didn’t make me feel any better. I looked over to Lori Ann, who was sleeping peacefully with a small smile on her face, and thought, how in the hell am I going to tell her Antonio is here in the States, looking for her and practically two steps behind us? She’s going to panic and do something completely stupid, like try to run. I had to do whatever I could to stop that.
I forwarded the email to Craig and waited. My next step was to get some security around us, and I was hopeful Craig could help with that. A few minutes passed, and I heard the ding of a text popping up on my phone.
Craig: Got your email. That is what I wanted to talk to you about tonight. We need some help.
Jason: Agreed. Any ideas?
Craig: Working on it. See you tonight.
I sat my laptop aside and slowly started massaging Lori Ann’s feet. She moaned and shifted slightly as she stirred from her mini-nap. “Is my bath ready?”
I laughed and lifted her foot to kiss the top of it. “As a matter of fact, it is. Come on.” I moved her feet to the floor and helped her stand before wrapping my arms around her waist and leading the two of us to the bathroom. Once there, I helped her to slowly slide off her shorts, taking the lace panties with them before pulling her shirt over her head. After, I helped to fix the plastic sleeve on her casted arm, I guided her naked body into the bathtub, helping her to settle against the back so she could stretch her legs out. “Nice, huh?” The tube was a claw-footed one that sat away from the wall and any cabinets.
“Oh, yes. Aren’t you getting in with me?”
“No, not this time. We’d be in there all day.” I waggled my brows. “But I’m going to scrub your body, then let you soak for just a bit before I get you out of there and rub oils all over you.”
“Oh, God that sounds good.” As Lori Ann settled in, I stepped over and placed my phone on the bathroom stereo docking system, then reached for the remote and pressed play. Lizz Wright’s song Hit the Ground came on, and I hit repeat. It was a slow, sensual song that was perfect for what I had planned.
“Now. Lean back. Let me do this for you.” I took a towel and placed it on the rug next to the tub and knelt down to wash her beautiful body. I started slow, lathering the body soap in my hands as I watched Lori Ann watch me. She was lying back with her breasts barely covered by water. I could feel my cock harden just looking at her, but fought to do what I’d intended to do…pamper my girl.
I first took her right arm, holding her hand in one of mine, then slowly rubbed the bubbles from her wrist to her shoulder in one long motion before making a slight twist and washing the underside as I brought my hand back to her wrist. She watched my hand, then looked at my face as I kept my eyes trained on her arm. I laid her arm down in the water and used my hands to scoop water and rinse her arm before I squirted a little more soap into my hands and started on her shoulders and the top of her left arm—the one with the cast.
I moved to kneel at the end of the tub where her shoulders were resting, then took my soapy hands and massaged Lori Ann’s shoulders and neck. She let out a moan as my hands worked the tension out of her. I leaned forward and whispered into h
er ear. “I love touching you, baby.”
“Feels so good, Jace. More, please.”
“Yes, more.” I pushed my hands farther onto her chest, right above her beautiful breasts, but didn’t touch them as I made small circles. She let out a groan when I removed my touch in order to get more soap. “Shh…” I whispered.
This time, when my hands touched, they cupped her breasts and made a few small circles before I used my thumbs to brush across her nipples—which were erect with arousal. I stayed right there, rubbing and massaging for a long time. Lori Ann’s head was resting back against the tub, close to my face that was behind her. I couldn’t help but to place a soft kiss on her lips as she looked up at me with such want and lust in her eyes at what my touch was doing to her. She closed her eyes and let my tongue slip inside her lips. The sensual feel of her slowly licking the inside of my mouth, dancing with my tongue was almost too much. Without losing the contact, I let my hands slip from her breasts, further down her body, stopping just above her folds.
“Jace, I need you.”
“Shh…we’re not done with your bath,” I teased.
“Baby…please.” I loved to hear Lori Ann beg for me.
“Just relax. I’ll take care of you.” I brought my hand back to her belly and rubbed circles there before lifting my hands out of the tub and getting more soap. “I’m going to clean you right here.” I touched her folds.
“Oh God.”
“Don’t move. Understand?”
“But…”
“No. Just let me.” I let my fingers carefully rub. Lori Ann’s back arched up as I barely swiped across her clit. “I know, sweetheart. I’ll get to that.”
Then, I moved my hand further down, to the tight pucker of her ass. She didn’t fight me or even flinch. No, instead she shifted and opened herself up for me. “Legs, have you ever…”