“No pressure,” Grace protested.
“Not a bit,” he declared. “Just lots of togetherness and trust and the feel-good factor. No, don’t stop moving. I want to watch you sway. Your tits move.”
Not one of her previous lovers had stated their needs, their wants, their desires while making love. It had always been about getting off as fast as possible. And she’d settled, letting them get away with their shoddy treatment. The realization stung, even if it was the truth. Cullen was their polar opposite.
“Hey!” He pinched her nipple hard, and the resulting pain raced through nerve endings to land in the achy place between her thighs. “Stay with me.”
A gasp escaped before she managed, “My mind is firmly on you.”
“I thought you’d gone to sleep.”
“With you inside me? Never,” she said, her tone solemn.
“Minx.”
Grace grinned and resumed her rise and fall, still experimenting to get the perfect angle.
“Use your finger because otherwise, I’m going to come first,” Cullen gritted out, no longer displaying the same amusement of seconds earlier.
Grace followed his order and shuddered at the rush of sensation that feathered from her touch. “You’d never leave me hanging,” she protested, knowing this with every particle of her being. “You’re a generous lover. It gives you joy to see me come and know you played a part.”
“Now you’re making the process feel like a chemical equation.” The corners of his eyes crinkled as if he was trying not to laugh.
“I like to see you orgasm,” Grace whispered. “It makes me feel powerful and happy and more in control than I’ve ever been.”
“You are a strong woman, Grace. One day, I’d like you to see yourself the way I do. Clever and confident and so skilled with your baking.”
“Is that the way to your heart?” she asked, uncomfortable with his words.
“Ah!” he said, his eyes growing dark.
Yet for the life of her, she couldn’t read him. The man only gave what he wanted to give, but she didn’t fear his shadows. She understood they came from his life experiences, and she’d glimpsed the same quietness in Cullen’s friend, Josh.
She lifted and pushed down, filling her needy flesh. Close, but she was happy with the slow build—the tease.
“Not fast enough,” Cullen gritted out. He lifted her and turned their bodies before she could blink. He caged her with his arms and his strength, his eyes glowing as he grinned down at her. “You were teasing me.”
“Yes.”
“Can’t have that,” he said, but grinning lips—that sexy mouth of his—told her he hadn’t truly minded. “What I am is desperate, cupcake.” He stroked into her and pulled back, repeating the move in rapid succession.
“Yes. Right there.”
“Right there?”
“Cullen!”
His laughter rang out, and then he leaned down to caress her lips with his. “I’m so happy.”
“Me too.” If he was brave enough to discuss feelings and emotions, then she could too.
He thrust into her again. Once. Twice. Three times, driving her higher each time until she gasped, caught on the edge between pleasure and pain. One last stroke nudged her over the cliff, and she soared, the colors of the sensual celebration bursting behind her closed eyes. Cullen leaned down for a kiss, his tongue stroking against hers in a facsimile of lovemaking. A quiver ran through her, and another small series of spasms had her gasping against Cullen’s lips.
“Yes,” Cullen muttered, his hands gripping her shoulders hard as he stilled, buried deep inside her. “Grace,” he said, seconds before he kissed her again.
Their skin stuck together, and Cullen was becoming a heavy weight across her chest, but she didn’t complain, loving the sensation of him holding her down, protecting her, loving her.
As if he read her mind, he broke their kiss and shifted a fraction, rearranging their bodies for comfort.
“Each time we do that, it gets better,” Cullen said as he removed the condom.
Grace just grinned. “We’re comfortable together. Friends and lovers.”
“My point,” Cullen said, yawning widely. “That’s exactly how it should be between us.” His eyes fluttered closed, and he fell asleep.
Grace didn’t conk out as fast, her mind busy trying to work out the subtext. What did he mean? Cullen hadn’t spoken of the future. Their future. Yes, they were friends, but making love and the intimacy between them now changed everything. It made things far murkier, and despite her promise to herself to live each day, instead of worrying about things she couldn’t control, she couldn’t see forever happiness ahead.
An ache formed in her chest, and she slammed her eyes shut to halt the heaviness in her heart turning to tears.
One day at a time, dammit.
21
UNWELCOME VISITORS
“I’m getting a lot of crank phone calls,” Grace told Cullen five nights later. She and Cullen were sitting on her back deck with a drink each. Bees buzzed around a bed of marigolds, but the day’s summer heat had dispersed, and a pleasant breeze wafted from the west. “They say nothing, but I can hear them breathing on the other end of the call.”
“Have you tried calling the number back?”
“No, because I don’t know the identity of my caller. I figured it was better not to engage. I’ve blocked two numbers so far, but I keep getting the calls. If it’s a telemarketer, they speak to you. It doesn’t feel like that.”
Cullen straightened in his chair, his gaze intent and a frown forming on his forehead. “Have you noticed anything weird around the house? Strange cars driving past?”
“Work has taken most of my time, but nothing has stuck out as unusual. What about you? Did you see anything odd?”
“No, and I’ve been looking,” Cullen said. “The shoes hanging in the tree have gone. I figured that with the dirtbag in custody, everything was back to normal.”
Grace shrugged. “Maybe it is nothing. Can you light the barbecue for me? I’ll get the steaks.”
They’d just finished dinner when Cullen’s phone rang.
“Hey, Josh.” Cullen listened for a few minutes. “No, I can meet you there. You give me instructions, and I’ll do the work. See you in ten minutes.”
“Problem?” Grace asked when Cullen ended the call.
“Yeah, a property Josh monitors has a problem. He needs me to help him since he can’t work with his arm.”
“You want to get out of doing the dishes.”
Cullen grinned and drew her into an embrace. “Ya got me.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ve no idea what time I’ll be home, but I have a key. Make sure you lock up.”
“Promise.”
Five minutes later, Cullen had left to meet Josh. Grace cleaned up their dinner mess before deciding to watch a movie and ponder her business ideas. Cakes or special bakes for Valentine’s Day appealed to her. That way, she could experiment. She grabbed her phone to do a search on Valentine’s Day cakes.
The front doorbell halted her internet search, and she paused the movie and stood to answer the summons, slipping the phone into the pocket of her sundress. The bell rang a second time, along with a knock. Grace opened the door to find two burly suit-wearing men. One had a shaved head while the other had such short hair he might as well have been bald. The pair towered over her, their faces set in impassive expressions.
She didn’t know them, hadn’t seen them before, but the hair lifted on her nape, and instinct had her slamming the door shut. She didn’t get far. One man stuck his foot in the gap, his bulk preventing her from placing the door between them.
“What do you want?” she snapped.
“Our boss wants to speak with you,” Shaved Head said in a low rumble.
“He didn’t think of calling or sending an email or text?” Grace snapped before she thought better of it.
“Miss, our boss doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”
“Why does he want to talk to me? Who is he? What have I done?” Grace asked.
“Miss,” Short Hair broke in on her rapid-fire questions. “Our boss has a temper, and he’s already angry with your boyfriend.” He grasped her upper arm and dragged her through the doorway before she could resist. “You’re coming with us now.”
It was like an ant facing off with an elephant. Grace had no alternative but to go with them. Outside, darkness had fallen, the streetlights automatically switching on and bathing the street in a cobweb of light and shadows.
Julia, her neighbor and the woman she’d discovered with Jeff, walked past with her Labrador.
“Help!” Grace shrieked.
Julia continued walking. She didn’t even glance in Grace’s direction.
“Bitch,” Grace muttered.
Shaved Head laughed. “Didn’t expect she’d help. That one is only interested in herself.” He opened the rear door of a large steel-gray Chrysler and waited for her to get inside.
Grace darted away, her hand going to her phone. Her glance down to speed dial Cullen was her undoing.
Short Hair grasped her shoulder and spun her around, but she hit the number and slipped the phone back into her pocket before he grabbed her.
“Stop mucking around,” he snapped. “You’re coming with us.”
“I’m going with you against my will.” Grace spoke loudly and clearly, hoping that Cullen might pick up some of the conversation. “I’m a sane person, and I don’t want to go with two strangers to meet someone I don’t know.”
Short Hair propelled her into the vehicle and closed the door behind her.
The two men climbed into the front, and the doors locked.
“Put on your seatbelt,” Shaved Hair ordered.
“Great. I get kidnapped and have a safety-conscious abductor,” Grace said.
Short Hair sniggered but put on his belt.
“Stop mucking around,” Shaved Head snarled at Grace. “Put on the damn seatbelt. You’ve created a lot of trouble for our boss, and you’re lucky he’s being polite about having a meeting with you.”
“This is polite?” Grace shrieked. She glowered at the rear-vision mirror, her gaze connecting with Shaved Head’s. What she saw in his eyes made her decide to cooperate. She clicked the seatbelt into place.
Soon they were on their way, but Grace was none the wiser.
“Where are we going? Can you at least tell me that?” She continued to speak loudly, hoping Cullen had received her call and was listening. If he wasn’t, she didn’t know what she’d do.
Short Hair sighed. “We’re driving into the city to the Hobson Apartments. Now, will you shut up?”
“The Hobson Apartments? Aren’t they luxury apartments worth over five million each? Exactly who is your boss?”
“Button it!” Shaved Hair ordered. “Do I have to show you my gun?”
Until now, she’d been too angry for fear, but the mention of a gun had her freezing, her mouth open. She swallowed back the words pushing and shoving for release, and pressed her lips together. Please, please let Cullen have heard part of the conversation because she had a terrible feeling about this situation.
Cullen absently answered his phone while waiting for Josh to finish his call to Nikolai. What he heard made his chest grow cold and fear to grip him in sharp talons. He signaled to Josh and pressed a finger to his lips, indicating Josh should listen but not talk. Once they heard the mention of Hobson Apartments, Josh stepped away and spoke to Nikolai in a low voice. He hung up and gestured for Cullen to follow him.
At Cullen’s vehicle, he handed over his phone to Josh to listen to Grace. Once they were both in the SUV, Cullen tore out of the parking lot, his pulse racing.
He couldn’t lose Grace. Not now. He’d always liked her, and now those feelings had solidified into love. He hadn’t told Grace in words, but he hoped he’d shown her in deed how much he cared for her. Until he completed his last mission, he couldn’t in good conscience commit to Grace. His hands clenched the wheel. No, that wasn’t the truth. He was committed to Grace now. He wanted everything with her. A marriage. A family. A dog or a cat. Maybe both.
The trip to the Hobson didn’t take long since they were already in the city for Josh’s work crisis. He and Josh exited the vehicle. Josh handed Cullen’s phone to him while Josh called Nikolai again.
Josh signaled five minutes to Cullen, and he nodded. He continued to listen to Grace.
She cleared her throat. “Are you sure you can’t tell me who I’m going to see against my will?” Her voice trembled, and Cullen vowed to thump whoever had instilled that fear in her.
“No.” The terse reply didn’t help Cullen.
“Who lives in apartment six?” Grace’s voice wavered while Cullen saluted her bravery. She was trusting him to help her, and he wouldn’t fail this wonderful woman.
His woman.
He heard a sharp rap on a door filter down the line and Grace’s soft gasp.
“Go in there and wait for the boss,” a voice growled.
A vehicle pulled up, and Nikolai, Louie, and Jake climbed out along with another guy that Cullen didn’t recognize and a woman. They headed directly for Cullen and Josh.
“Josh. Cullen.” Jake nodded at them. “This is my buddy, Luke. He’s from Sloan and is a cop like me. This is Janaya, his wife.”
“Hi.” Cullen put the phone down against his side and spoke in a low voice. “They’ve gone to apartment six. Grace is in a room waiting for the boss to show up.”
“Apartment six is Matthew Geraghty, the hotshot lawyer. They say he’s worth a few billion these days,” Josh said. “And lucky for you, I did the security there six months ago. The guy got me to do the job because of Ashley.” He let his disgust show. “As if I’d ever try to get Ashley to do any favors for my customers.”
“Right, we know where she is,” Cullen said. “Can we please get my lady?”
“Weapons?” Nikolai asked.
“I don’t have my gun,” Josh said. “Not that I’m much help with my arm.”
“I’m not armed either,” Cullen replied.
“Probably best if we keep the weapons to a minimum,” Luke said. “There are six of us.”
“They have two goons plus the lawyer. The lawyer won’t want to get his hands dirty,” Cullen said.
“Any idea what this is about?” Nikolai asked.
“Grace’s ex sold drugs. He’s in custody now, awaiting charges, and the drug supply is also with the cops. I’m guessing there are more drugs somewhere, and the lawyer and his organization want them back. It’s only a guess. I don’t care what he wants. Grace is an innocent in this, and she doesn’t deserve the crap her ex has heaped on her.”
“Let’s go,” Josh said. “I’ll knock on the door. If the goons are standing outside, I’ll distract them while you guys immobilize them. Ride up to the fifth floor, then take the stairs to the sixth.”
“Let Janaya go with you,” Luke suggested. “She has worked as a bodyguard, and they won’t suspect anything dire if a man and woman come to their door. Between you, cause a disturbance.”
“Thanks.” Cullen would take all the help he could get. If Jake hadn’t objected to the proposed plan, Cullen figured Luke spoke the truth about his wife’s capabilities. He raised the phone to his ear and listened. He heard nothing, and his guts twisted in knots. Grace had to be all right.
A masculine voice spoke, rich with a trace of arrogance. “Ms. Feeney. You have led me a merry dance.” The man projected his voice, so Cullen heard him clearly. No doubt his courtroom appearances had honed his speaking skills.
We’re coming, cupcake. Keep him talking as long as possible.
As if she heard him, Grace said, “I’m sorry, but I don’t know who you are or why you ordered your heavies to collect me like an unwanted package. I am a baker. I’m not used to men forcing me into a car.”
“Did they hurt you?”
“They threatened me with a gun when I kep
t asking questions,” Grace snapped. “Why am I here, and who the hell are you?”
Cullen listened and scrambled into the elevator with the other men. None of them spoke. On the fifth floor, they piled off the car, leaving Josh and Janaya to travel to the sixth floor.
Cullen’s insides twisted again, and fear slithered down his backbone. What if he didn’t make it in time and this lawyer hurt Grace? Damn it, if—no when—he got his hands on Grace again, he intended to ask her to marry him. He’d go back to the war zone an engaged man if he had anything to do with it. He wanted to ensure Grace understood he cared for her. That he was committed and would never cheat on her. She was the woman he wanted.
Cullen double-timed it up the concrete stairs and slid open the door at the top. He peered out into the corridor on the sixth level and spotted Josh and Janaya speaking to two immense men in suits. He blinked as Janaya whipped a weapon out of her dress pocket and jammed it in the ribs of a man with a bald head. Baldy dropped like a stone. Before the second man could react, he suffered the same fate.
The instant he slid to the ground, Cullen was through the doorway and jogging down the passage to join Josh and Janaya.
“That’s my girl,” Luke said.
“I loathe bullies,” Janaya said, her violet eyes narrowed. “You know that.”
Josh tried the door to the apartment. “Locked,” he said. “Check them for keys.”
Janaya squatted beside the bald man and rifled his pockets. Cullen checked the second man and produced a set of keys.
“Which key, Josh?”
“Let me,” Josh said, snatching the keys from his palm. Seconds later, they’d unlocked the door, opened it enough to slide through into the apartment. They communicated in hand signals, slipping into the apartment one after the other.
A gravelly voice rose and fell from a room to the right. “Ms. Feeney, you have something that belongs to me.”
22
RESCUE
Grace swallowed hard, her gaze running over the casually clad man before scanning the rest of the room. Behind the man, large glass windows overlooked the central business district and the harbor beyond. The city lights sparkled and glowed like gorgeous jewels. She noted the room contents—the expensive wooden furniture and the thick cream carpet beneath her feet. A massive modern painting provided a burst of red and green and yellow and blue—the only actual color in the room.
Protecting the Bride Page 18