by Anita Kidesu
“Yes,” she whispered, wishing they were meeting again under different circumstances. “A little, no make that a lot, rattled, but I’ll live. I can’t believe he followed me here.”
The elevator stopped. Jackson got off first. Bart placed his hand on the small of her back. They passed a closed, windowed door. Perry, still cuffed, sat in a chair, yelling loud enough to be heard in the hallway.
Reenie sidled to the wall away from the door, fearful he’d come bursting through and attack her again.
Jackson opened another office door. “Please sit.”
Bart and she took the chairs in front of a beat-up, gray, metal desk before the officer left the room again.
“I’m so glad you showed up,” Reenie said to Bart, wringing her hands in her lap. “I’m not sure what would have happened if you hadn’t.”
Bart shrugged. “Someone else would have come along and helped.”
“That’s just the thing. Several people passed us in the hall, but every time they did, Perry acted like we were lovers. He kissed me so I couldn’t scream. No one could tell he was actually hurting me.” She took in his attire. “Looks like you were heading to the cosplay party. I’m sorry this is ruining your evening.”
He set the helmet and shield on the floor. A clunk echoed in the small, sparsely furnished room. “The evening’s not over yet.”
Before he could say anything more, Jackson came back into the room, followed by hotel security. He sat behind the desk and pulled out a notepad and pen.
“Mr. Whitehead insists he’s your boyfriend, and he wasn’t doing anything wrong. Want to tell me your side of things?” he asked.
Bart raised his eyebrows and turned his body toward her. Didn’t he remember her telling him about Perry that night at school? If he didn’t recall that, did he also forget having sex with her? Right now, it didn’t matter. She was drained, washed out, and simply wanted this night to be over. Nothing good had come of it.
“Perry and I dated for a year. I broke up with him six months ago when he started getting a little too possessive.”
“He didn’t take the breakup well?” Jackson asked.
Reenie couldn’t hold back a laugh. “You could say that. He followed me, called me, and showed up at my work and classes. When he left threatening messages on my cell phone, I got a lawyer and restraining order.”
“You’re from Texas, right?”
She nodded.
Jackson asked, “How did he know you’d be in Chicago?”
“That’s a very good question. We went to a Comic-Con in another state last year. I never told him about coming to Chicago.”
Jackson set down his pen. “You may want to have your lawyer look into that. Have him check your computer for hacking. Can you tell us what happened in the hallway?”
Reenie tried to keep her voice from quivering. “I came out of my room to go to a party. I walked down the hallway and turned a corner and there he was, standing against a wall. He grabbed my arm and tried to drag me back to my room.” She shivered, and tears started again when she recalled his fingers digging into her arm. Bruises were already forming on her skin.
“He said if he couldn’t have me, no one would.” She wasn’t sure how the three men would feel about what she’d done. “I managed to…to…uh…knee him in the groin, but I guess I didn’t do it hard enough, because it only made him angrier.”
Jackson cringed. “Then what happened?”
She glanced at Bart. His jaw was set, and the muscles flexed. His hands on his thighs were clenched in fists. His foot jiggled up and down as if he was ready to bolt.
She put her hand on his knee to stop the bouncing. “Are you okay?”
“I’d like to tear him apart for trying to harm you,” Bart said through gritted teeth.
Reenie’s heart warmed at his statement. Maybe he did care about her. “I’m fine.”
He snorted.
“Really, I am,” she added. She looked back at the officers. “Perry almost had me to my room, and that’s when Bart came down the hall.”
Jackson turned to Bart. “Why did you get involved? Did you know them?”
“I didn’t know them. I’d only met her yesterday and him this afternoon in the men’s room. I could tell she was upset with his attentions, so I stepped in to help.”
Reenie frowned. He’d met her yesterday? What the hell? Maybe he didn’t want the police to think his coming to her rescue had more to do with jealousy of Perry than helping someone in trouble.
Bart wiped his hand down his face. “I only recognized him when he started yelling at me and came at me with his fists raised.”
“How did you subdue him?”
Bart’s laugh was sardonic. “Subdue him? Hell. When he swung at me, all I did was lift my shield. He smashed into it, which only made him madder. When he came at me again, I hit him over the head with my helmet.” He raised the weapon, showing them the dent on the side. “Believe me, that’s all I did.”
“We know,” Jackson said, closing his notebook. “We have cameras in all the hallways. The entire incident was taped. The question is, what do you want to do about Mr. Whitehead?”
“What do you mean?” Did they expect her to take care of Perry? She just wanted him to leave her alone while in Chicago.
“Do you want to press charges?” Jackson asked.
“No,” she answered.
At the same time, Bart said, “Yes.”
“What do you mean ‘no’?” Bart asked, his eyebrows raised and his eyes wide. “The man tried to hurt you. He attacked me.”
Reenie squeezed her eyes against her tears. “I just want him to leave me alone. Couldn’t you keep him in Chicago? I can contact my lawyer when I get home.”
“Are you sure?” Jackson asked.
She nodded.
Jackson turned to Bart. “What about you, Mr. Sandberg?”
“I want him charged with assault. The man is crazy. Can’t you hold him for a few days? At least until Reenie can get back to Texas?”
“I’ll get the paperwork going.” Jackson smiled at her. “I’m sure he’ll contact a lawyer. If the system moves slowly enough, he’ll be at the precinct for a few days. His lawyer will probably try to get bail set and have him released, but you should be able to enjoy the convention and get back home before he sees Texas again.”
Reenie slumped in relief. Maybe she wouldn’t have to be looking over her shoulder and would have a few days to enjoy herself—if that was possible. She stood and shook hands with Jackson. “Thank you for your help.”
Bart stood with her. After ironing out a few more details, they left the small room. Perry’s voice still echoed down the hallway, calling her names and threatening to go after her boyfriend. Since she didn’t have one, she wasn’t sure what he meant by that.
Bart took her elbow and guided her back to the elevator. “Who does he mean by a boyfriend? Do you have one?”
Reenie shook her head. One night with Bart didn’t make him her boyfriend. “I don’t know,” she answered as they stepped into the elevator. “Perry’s a bit crazy.”
“Ya think?” Bart punched the button for the lobby.
“When we dated, all a guy had to do was look at me, and Perry would accuse me of having an affair with him. I suppose since you came to my rescue, he figures I’ve been seeing you.” Had Perry seen her and Bart that night at the college and jumped to conclusions? By some of the things he’d said, that would make sense.
The elevator doors opened to the lobby. “What are we doing here? I thought I’d go back to my room.”
“I’d like to buy you a drink. Lord knows I could use one.” He raised an eyebrow. “You game?” He kept the door open while waiting for her answer.
Maybe a drink would calm her nerves. Plus, she’d love to spend more time with Bart. And if he was going to continue to act like they’d never spent time naked skin to naked skin, she’d play along. “Sure.”
Bart looked at his shield and helmet. “Do y
ou want to go to the party?”
“Not particularly.”
“Me, neither. How about I drop these off at my room? Then we can come back down and get a drink.”
When she nodded, he pressed the button for the twelfth floor.
Someone yelled out to hold the elevator, and Bart tugged his helmet over his head and pulled her back into the corner of the car when a large group of people charged in. Laughing and holding glasses filled with liquid, they obviously had had more than a few drinks under their belts. She was jostled against Bart as the car filled.
Shivers skittered down her spine as her back pressed against his armored chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist, the hand holding the shield against her stomach. As one of the revelers punched every button on the panel, she realized something hard prodded her ass. Something large, hard, and warm—and it wasn’t his sword. Her breath caught, and her heart skipped a beat.
“Sorry,” he whispered in her ear. “I can’t help it. You’re sexy.” He nibbled on her lobe.
The ridge of his cock pulsed through the thin material of her dress. The heat from his bare chest caressed her exposed shoulder. Electricity sizzled through her and settled in her core. Was he wearing anything beneath his costume? It took everything in her power not to push her ass into his crotch or reach her hand behind her and cop a feel under his skirt. But the Scots, not the Greeks, went commando.
Bart slid his hand up her waist, caressing her ribs as he came closer to her breast. She closed her eyes, recalling how it had felt when he’d sucked on her nipples. A loud laugh brought her back to the present. Shit, they were in an elevator filled with partiers. The elevator jerked to a stop.
The guy at Reenie’s side joggled his drink. When it sloshed on the top of her dress, he laughed. “Oooh. So sorry,” the man said as he drunkenly attempted to wipe the spill from her dress.
Bart grabbed the man’s hand as it went in for a second swipe over her breasts. “That’s enough, man. No harm done. We’ll go back to our room, and she’ll take care of it.”
“Ooops, sorry, man.”
Reenie wasn’t so sure the man was sorry or that the spill was accidental as he continued to stare at her breasts. Bart clenched his fist against her side. When the doors opened again, she grabbed his hand and pulled him through the crowd and out of the elevator. “This is our floor, honey.”
“But this isn’t our floor,” he said, when they entered the hallway.
“I know, but I didn’t want you to get into another fight over me tonight.” Reenie waited until the elevator had moved on before pressing the up button again.
“But that bastard was wiping your breasts.”
“Believe me, I know.” She looked down at her ruined dress. The nipple on her right breast showed through the wet fabric.
Bart sighed. “This hasn’t been a good night for you, has it?”
Grinning, she shook her head and took his hand, a daring move on her part. There was something about this man that made her bold. Bold and horny. She turned to him and ran her hands under his wrap and over his bare chest. She wanted to tear down her dress and rub her breasts against him.
“I think I know of a way to make it better,” she whispered against his lips, hoping for a replay of their last night together.
Chapter Eleven
Even though the way he’d met Reenie again wasn’t under the best conditions, Matt couldn’t believe his luck in how things were turning out. He’d been attracted to Reenie from the moment he’d set eyes on her. But was her reaction to him out of gratitude for helping her? He didn’t want to take advantage of her, but hell, he was turned on.
“Are you sure?” Bart asked.
The elevator dinged, and when she tugged at his hand to follow her into the empty car and turned to kiss him, Matt knew she was sure. Without losing contact with her lips, he took a stab at the button panel, hoping he’d hit the right floor. He wished he didn’t have the damn shield in his hand. It was interfering with holding her.
His heart soared at the warmth and sensuality of her kiss as the elevator rose. All too quickly, the car stopped, and the doors opened. Someone cleared their throat. Matt looked over Reenie’s shoulder. A man and woman stood at the entrance, waiting for them to get off.
“Reenie?”
“Hmm?” Her eyes were closed. A small smile graced her face.
“We’re at our floor. People are waiting to get on the elevator.”
Reenie opened her eyes and frowned as if she had no idea where they were. Matt was man enough to enjoy knowing he’d put that look on her face. What other expressions he would elicit before the night was through? Passion? Excitement? Desire? Maybe all of them and more?
Matt held his shield in front of his bulging erection as they left the elevator. Walking around with his cock tenting his skirt was beyond his comfort zone. But the damn thing was ready and raring to go.
“Whose room?” Reenie glanced up and down the hallway.
With books and swag strewn on the spare bed, and clothes on his bed, his room was a disaster. Besides, she had said she and Perry had been near her room, so that made it closer. “Yours.”
Reenie grabbed his hand again. “Good. It’s not far.”
It seemed as if they’d walked hallways and turned corners forever, but in a matter of seconds, they were at her door. Reenie pulled her key card from her bag. As soon as the door closed behind them, Matt dropped the shield, thrust her against the door, and brought his lips to hers, the warmth of her mouth sending spirals of desire through him. His balls tightened as his cock urged against her stomach.
Matt opened her mouth with his tongue. He couldn’t get enough of her taste, her heat. Reenie slid her hands under his cape and up his bare back. Her hot, soft hands caressed his skin in a way he’d never experienced before. He tipped his head to deepen the kiss. The sides of the helmet designed to protect a warrior’s cheeks dug into his skin.
“Dammit,” he said, frustration sending the word out as a growl.
“What?”
“I need to take this damn thing off.” He stepped back, yanked the helmet off, and tossed it behind him. It hit the wall, spun like a top, and landed on a pair of shoes. He turned and took in her beauty.
Her flushed face pleased him. Her chest rose and fell in rapid breaths. She reached up and unclasped the pin at his shoulder, letting his cape fall to the floor. He shuddered as her warm palms skimmed against his bare chest. He cupped her cheeks and peppered kisses over her forehead, eyelids, nose, and finally, her lips.
Reenie wrapped her arms around his waist and grabbed his ass. It took everything he had not to raise her dress and his skirt, lower his underwear, and take her against the door. He needed to slow things down, a feat near to impossible.
“I need to feel you,” he said, pulling back from her. He slid his hands down her neck to her shoulders and eased the top of her dress down her arms until her breasts were free. From the spilled drink in the elevator, he’d known she wasn’t wearing a bra.
His breath caught. Her boobs were not too big or too small, perfect with dark pink nipples. “Beautiful,” he murmured, feeling the weight of each one in his hands. He wrapped his hands around them and tweaked her nipples between his fingers. Her small moan prompted him to look at her.
Reenie’s eyes were closed, her lips parted. Her chest rose and fell in short bursts. He rolled her nipples between his fingers again, and she turned her head back and forth against the door. Her excited breath puffed against his cheek.
“More?” he asked, tipping his head, ready to take a taste.
“Oh, lord, yes.”
Matt licked her nipple and drew it into his mouth. She tasted like heaven, like he never wanted to let go. His cock pulsed, and drops of pre-cum dampened his underwear. He switched to her other breast. “Mmm. Brandy.”
“What?” Her single word came out hushed.
“Your nipple tastes like brandy.” As he drew that nipple into his mouth, swirling his tongu
e around the tip, he slid his hand down the silkiness of her dress and cupped her mound. Reenie pushed her hips into his hand, her heat burned into his palm.
Suddenly, it was too much. He’d always prided himself on his control. On making sure his partner came at least once, maybe twice, before he did. But his finesse had flown out the window the minute he had kissed her. Reenie had him on fire; a fire he needed to put out by fucking her. He swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bed, depositing her there with a bounce.
****
Like her first night with Bart, Reenie wanted to ravish him, have him ravish her. To hell with finesse. She nearly came when he’d sucked on her nipples, and the heat from his hand on her pussy had her on fire. She ached to have him fuck her.
Now she lay on her bed, staring up at the sexiest man she’d ever encountered. Her memory didn’t do justice to his broad shoulders and narrow waist. She did remember rubbing her nipples across the hair on his chest. They now ached and pebbled at the thought. His cock tented his skirt. The heat in his eyes made her pussy clench. This was going to be every bit as good as the first time.
“I’m not sure I can wait, Reenie,” he said, his breath catching. “I need to be inside you.”
Reenie licked her lips and held out her arms. “Then what’s taking you so long?”
“Lift your dress and take off your underwear,” he said, putting his hands at the waistband of his skirt.
His commanding tone made her feel bold. “Leave that on,” Reenie said, raising her hips and bringing her dress up to her waist. “I think it’s kinda sexy.”
Bart raised an eyebrow as he stared at her barely-there thong. “Seriously?” He looked down his body. “A man in a skirt?”
“Not just any man in a skirt. You in a skirt.” She raised an eyebrow back at him and wondered how often she could get him to wear one in Greece. He might raise a few eyebrows, but she’d certainly love it. “Do you have anything on underneath it?”
He nodded, seeming to be at a loss for words as he kept staring at her pussy. “I’ll take off mine, if you’ll take off yours.”