by Lori Foster
“Did you ever hire a bodyguard?”
He shook his head. No, instead of needing a bodyguard, he’d quit the sport he loved. Thinking about it twisted his guts.
Talking about it was out of the question. Not yet. Definitely not while she stayed so uninvolved.
He forced a smile. “I became one instead.”
“But—”
Choosing to finish that particular battle on another day, he said, “Let’s check on that mower you mentioned, see what kind of shape it’s in.”
“Miles!”
He turned, relieved that she was no longer using his fight name. “I didn’t quite bring that full circle, did I?”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Okay, so I’m going for plain speaking and I hope you’ll try to hear what I mean, even if I say it wrong.”
Impatient now, she said, “I’ll try.”
“I’m not an idle guy. No way am I going to sit around day in and day out doing nothing, especially not when you’re working. It’s not how I’m made. I can keep an eye on things, which is all I’m really doing right now, while also getting some of the things done that you mentioned—things I enjoy doing.”
She gave that some thought and offered an olive branch. “You really do enjoy it?”
“Don’t you?” He could almost swear that she did. Dirt under her nails, sweat on her brow, cat hair everywhere—she looked to be in her element. But she seemed just as at ease in the kitchen, or shopping, or, better still, in bed.
With him.
“Yes,” she confirmed, and then logically, “but it’s my place.”
“Doesn’t matter. I like using my hands. I like the sunshine and fresh air. Hell, I like sweating.” And he liked spending time with her. No, better not go into that right now. “I want you to stop worrying that you’re taking advantage. If I don’t want to do something, I won’t offer.”
“But you’re working so hard.”
He laughed. “I work harder at exercise.”
“When you were in MMA?”
“And at the agency.” He explained, “Body Armor has a gym and an even better indoor gun range so we can all stay at the top of our game.”
“That’s part of your job, then,” she decided. “But this is just...labor.”
“Do I look like I can’t handle it?”
With a soft sigh, she said, “You look amazing.”
Damn, he did love the way this one particular woman looked at him, as if she could devour him with that dark, velvety gaze. “Keep that up,” he warned, “and we’ll be doing the nasty here in the dirt.”
The crude comment made her grin, lightening the earlier antagonistic mood. “With a bunch of cats watching?”
“Probably.” He held out a hand. “Will you trust that I’m enjoying myself?”
She waffled, but in the end she stepped up to him, took his hand and said, “Thank you.” With her head on his shoulder, she asked, “Will you kindly remember that it’s my property and I’m not an idle person either?”
“Sounds like a deal.” They’d both work all day, and burn up the sheets at night. Yeah, a very sweet deal.
And somewhere along the way, maybe he’d win her over.
A guy could hope.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
FRESH FROM A SHOWER, Maxi stood at the kitchen counter watching the setting sun through the window. The brilliant shades of pink and purple over the horizon never failed to take her breath away. The power of nature, the beauty of it and the peace it gave her left her awed.
Somewhere out there, danger remained. Nothing that insane would just disappear. Eventually it would return, but presently it couldn’t intrude on her contentment.
She had wonderful plans in the works. Little by little the farmhouse was coming together. And best of all, she and Miles had ironed out a few conflicts...at least, she hoped they had.
Midweek they’d gone shopping and she’d bought a patio table and chairs that fit on the small deck off the back of the house, along with a larger set now in the yard near the grill. She’d also bought rockers, a glider and a few random lawn chairs.
The cats loved it all, as she’d known they would. They draped themselves over every surface. Anytime she or Miles wanted to sit outside, they had to first move a cat or two.
He never once complained about the cat hairs on the seat of his jeans. Instead, Miles put in an effort to win over some of the more feral animals, convincing them with patience—and food—to come close enough for him to pet.
It never failed to soften her heart, and that worried her more than any external threat.
It would be so easy for her to lose sight of the endgame: independence, responsibility and honoring her grandmother’s wishes. This could be her last opportunity to do things right, to make amends for a thoughtless past.
To prove to herself that she had what it took to make it.
Playing house with Miles, because that was how it felt, could so easily make her forget her goals. She continually had to remind herself that he was a gorgeous, successful MMA star, now working for an elite, expensive agency. He could have his pick of women.
Why would he choose her?
Just because he enjoyed playing on the farm for a bit didn’t mean he’d want to settle down here for good.
Yet that was exactly what she planned to do. This place would be her home forever. She’d grow old here, while Miles had a whole exciting life ahead of him.
He was here because she’d hired him.
He was in her bed because she’d been pushy. Oh, he enjoyed it now, she wasn’t worried about that. But if she hadn’t come on so strong, would he have been content sticking to the letter of the job—protecting her, and nothing more?
Was it the sex, she wondered, that made him feel obligated to do so many other chores?
She hadn’t yet hired anyone, and he hadn’t mentioned the idea of bringing his friends around to help. In fact, she wasn’t quite sure where they stood with things and she wasn’t keen on rocking the boat.
Since their small argument, he’d been insatiable, always reaching for her morning, noon and night. The man was tireless, and he left her in a fog of satisfaction. But was it more than the amazing sex? She couldn’t help wondering.
Twice burned, you’d think she could keep things straight in her head instead of grabbing for a romance that didn’t exist.
Didn’t mean she couldn’t have fun, just that she had to keep reality uppermost in her mind.
She was thinking about Miles in her life while watching a black cat make his way to the barn, his sleek body silhouetted by the bright hues of the sunset, when she felt Miles nuzzle the back of her neck.
Tingles ran over her body. He melted her so easily that now she felt addicted, always wanting more and more. When the job ended and he left her, his absence would be crushing. She’d miss his presence, his touch, the taste and feel of him. Talking with him, laughing, discussing plans...it was like a fairy tale that would end far too soon.
What she needed to do was store up memories to carry her for a good long while afterward.
Determined to do just that, she turned within the cage of his muscular arms where he’d braced his hands on the counter at either side of her hips. He wore only shorts again, leaving the rest of his incredible body bare.
Without a word, she leaned up to taste his mouth. He accommodated her, turning his head a bit, parting his lips when she teased her tongue over them.
He gave his tongue in return, and she sucked on it, earning a soft growl from him.
She loved his heady taste, the delicious scent of his body.
Touching him was a unique joy, feeling the light covering of hair over his firm chest, the rock-hard shoulders, the tensing of his biceps, down to his hair-cove
red forearms.
Leaving his mouth, she put a nipping kiss on his chin, lazily licked his throat and rubbed her nose against his sternum. “Mmm. You are such a treat.”
“There we go again,” he murmured against her temple, “with the pot calling the kettle black.”
Maxi knew she wasn’t a hag. She had more than enough style sense to know she usually presented a nice appearance. Her blond hair was thick, her lashes dark, her figure trim. Her B-cup boobs satisfied her, and her legs were nicely shaped. But was she on a par with Miles? That was asking for a lot, so she doubted it. Even on her best days, when she’d been dressed her finest, manicured and polished, she didn’t think she’d compare to him.
Now that she spent her days in bedraggled comfort? Not even close.
Proving he didn’t mind her lack of style, he stepped against her so that she felt his erection against her belly. “What are you thinking, babe?”
Too many things to explain. “How perfect you are.”
The smile came slowly. “Perfect, huh?”
She ran a hand over a sculpted pec muscle. He wasn’t overblown like a bodybuilder, but she doubted he had an ounce of fat on him anywhere. “You know it’s true.”
“It’s not, but I’m horny, so I’m not about to talk you out of that attitude.”
She laughed. That was another thing to adore about Miles. He lightened her mood and effortlessly made her happy so that it was hard to remember the misery of only a few days ago. “Are you ever not horny?”
“Around you? Afraid not.”
Oh, she liked the sound of that. Hopefully he felt the attraction as strongly as she did.
Staring into his eyes, she lowered her hand down his body until she cupped his testicles through the soft nylon of his shorts. His lids grew heavy and his jaw flexed.
She loved touching Miles, watching his muscles clench, hearing the harshness of his breathing. She stroked her palm up his pulsing shaft, then wrapped her fingers around him. “Maybe I can help you with that.”
His eyes closed on a low breath. “Counting on it.”
When she nudged him back a step, they opened again in question. She smiled before slowly sinking to her knees in front of him.
“Damn.” One hand cupped the back of her head, the other braced against the counter as if he needed help staying upright.
“Let’s get these shorts out of the way.” She tugged them down, not surprised to discover that he’d skipped boxers. Miles often went commando when he was in the mood.
He kicked the shorts away in haste and planted his big feet apart.
“You’re so cooperative,” she teased, running her hands up and down the front of his strong thighs while leaning forward to kiss his stomach. The already defined muscles drew tighter.
Making a rough sound, he used the hand at the back of her head to direct her where he most wanted to feel her mouth.
Since she wanted that, too, she didn’t deny him. She wrapped the fingers of one hand around the base of his erection, then brushed her lips up along the underside...to the sensitive head. His fingers tangled in her hair.
Enjoying the rush of his labored breathing, she licked back down to the base, taking a moment to inhale his scent before licking back up—and drawing him in.
His legs locked and he tipped his head back. But not for long.
He looked down at her again, his gaze burning hot while the fingers in her hair massaged, guided, urged her to take him deeper. Miles wasn’t a small man, but she loved the taste and feel of him, and his reaction to what she did to him turned her on as much as the act itself.
His big hand slid to the side of her face, and she felt the rough pad of his thumb brushing over the hollow of her cheek as she sucked him in.
Maxi took her time enjoying him, opening both hands over his firm butt, trailing them around to his abs, cuddling his balls again. She swirled her tongue as she withdrew, flattened it against him when she swallowed him down once more.
“Enough,” he groaned.
No, it wasn’t even close to enough. She wasn’t sure a lifetime would be enough.
“Maxi.”
She sucked as she pulled back, got rewarded with his groan, but instead of releasing him, she came down again, taking even more of him this time.
“God.”
She tasted his pre-cum and knew he was close. It was a heady thing, pushing Miles Dartman, The Legend, to lose his control.
He tried one more time to warn her. “I’m going to come.”
In answer, she increased her efforts, and after the briefest of hesitations, both his hands fisted in her hair. She felt the tension spiraling through him, felt his legs stiffening, then he groaned harshly, his body shuddering as he took his release.
She still didn’t want to let him go, and only when he flinched away, his hand smoothing back her hair, did she look up at him.
My, my, my. He might have come, but he wasn’t done. The heat remained in those beautiful green eyes, now bright with intent.
He drew in a deep breath, blew it out slowly, then said, “Up with you, now,” and pulled her up to stand before him. She leaned against him, feeling soft and aroused and, damn it, almost desperate.
His arms came around her, the embrace languid. After several warm, soft kisses to her shoulder, her cheek, he whispered, “Let’s see to you now.”
“I’m okay.” She wasn’t, but since he’d just come—
“You’re better than okay.” He nuzzled against her until she lifted her face. “You’re fucking amazing. You didn’t think once would be enough, did you? Because I’m getting hard again right now.”
Dubious, she glanced down, then slowly smiled. “So you are.”
“You doubted me?” Catching the hem of her T-shirt, he peeled it up and over her head, then leaned back to gaze at her breasts. “Much better. But the shorts need to go, too.”
Liking this game, she leaned back with her elbows on the counter and said, “Feel free.”
He stepped up against her, kissing her neck while sliding both hands into her shorts and over her cheeks. He growled against her skin, “I love this ass,” and gave her a soft love bite that made her gasp in pleasure.
He pushed the shorts down until they dropped to her feet. “Let’s play a little.”
Her heart started tripping. “Okay.”
His smile teased. “Now who’s agreeable?” Without waiting for an answer, he turned her. “Brace your hands on the counter.”
Maxi did as told.
“Beautiful.” His hand slid down her spine, over her bottom, then under her, stroking until his fingers were wet with her excitement.
Unable to stay still, she squirmed.
“Move your feet back,” he said, and then, “A little more.”
The position had her stretched out, balanced on her straightened arms.
Still touching her, Miles whispered, “Arch your back.”
It felt so risqué to be doing this in the kitchen of all places, the overhead light shining down on them. Risqué and wonderful.
She arched, her backside in the air and the recipient of his keen attention.
“Damn,” he whispered. “Don’t move.”
She looked over her shoulder and saw him swipe up his shorts, then draw a condom from the loose pocket.
“A man who comes prepared.”
He tore the packet open with his teeth. “Around you, I keep a rubber nearby, always.” Sheathing himself, he stepped up behind her, his hands firm on her hips as he slid his shaft against her. “Keep your arms tensed. This is going to be hard and fast and I don’t want you bruised against the counter.”
That warning made her shiver in anticipation. She was so wet, it should have embarrassed her, but it didn’t. Wanting him to hurry, she pres
sed back against him.
He opened her, looking at her, she knew, but that didn’t embarrass her either. Not with Miles.
She felt the head of his cock pressed to her, and her eagerness grew. “Miles,” she pleaded.
Abruptly he sank in, as fast and hard as he’d promised, going deep even on that first stroke, stretching her, filling her.
Crying out, Maxi gripped the counter as he drove in again and again, rasping against her sensitive, swollen flesh, building up even more heat, more moisture.
She burned for him.
His hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs busy on her painfully tight nipples while he pounded into her.
She did her best to match his rhythm, tightening around him, squeezing greedily.
He groaned, and his right hand left her breast only to dip between her legs, his fingers now strumming over her clit until a bolt of sensation racked her. She went stiff, the scream of pleasure caught in her throat as a powerful climax cut through her, then slowly left her as a soft, vibrating moan.
Vaguely she became aware that Miles now had one arm locked around her middle, giving her support, his other hand flat beside hers. Right after that realization, she heard his hoarse groan as he found his release again.
They stayed like that, slumped over the sink, both of them gasping for breath. Maxi felt sated in body and mind. Give her a pillow and she could have slept right there on the kitchen floor.
She smiled with the thought, especially when she heard Miles moan as he stirred. Not yet, she wanted to say. Please don’t leave me yet. She liked having him draped over her, still a part of her, their heartbeats aligned.
When her legs started to tremble, she gave it up. Once she got him in bed, she’d crawl against him and, she knew, he’d hold her all night long.
With that thought in mind she lifted her head and, through the window, something odd caught her eye.
It was the dark silhouette against the last rays of the pink sunset.
By slow degrees she realized what she was seeing.