Chapter 11 – BODHI #2
She boosts herself onto a low countertop, her legs dangling. The position puts her face level with my chest. “Why am I in here?”
“What I said, about only protecting Kozlov’s investment, that’s not the only reason why I want you safe,” I say, carefully choosing my words so I don’t give away my real reason for being here.
She doesn’t talk, just raises an eyebrow and waits. It seems she’s as surprised as I am by my need to explain myself.
“I said that because that’s the only thing a man like him would believe.”
If I really was one of Kozlov’s guards, just here to keep the men’s grubby hands off her, I wouldn’t explain myself or care about her feelings. And she’s smart enough to know it.
“Why are you telling me?”
Damn it.
“Because…”
I suck in a deep breath as she reaches out and traces a finger down the front of my shirt, feeling the muscles beneath. She doesn’t look up at me, her eyes fixed on where she touches me.
“Because you shouldn’t be here. And while you’re under my protection, nobody touches you.”
“Because?” Emma’s fingertips slide under the edge of my T-shirt, tickling the sensitive skin of my lower belly, tantalisingly close to the fly of my trousers.
My hand shoots out and catches her wrist as I suck in a sharp breath. Finally, her bright eyes meet mine in the gloom, pupils dilated, cheeks rosy, as I grip the shelf behind her, need crashing over me like a wave.
“Don’t.” I grit out. I brought her in here to reassure her I’m not just some asshole who’d hurt her too if he wasn’t afraid of losing his job or his head to Kozlov. Not to lose control. I drag her hand to my nose, inhaling her scent first at her wrist, and then taking those damn fingers to my lips.
“Why not?” She tilts her head back to look at me, fingertips of her other hand catching on my belt, eyes huge. Vulnerable. So fucking beautiful that it’s making me want to fall to my knees.
“Because I’ll get you killed.” The words come out harsh but honest.
“Would that be so bad? I’m going to die anyway.” She spreads her knees slightly.
The invitation makes my blood run hot at the same time that my brain screams in agony from the words she’s speaking, at the truth of what she’s saying.
Emma’s right. If I mess up, if she gets sold, she’ll never be found.
“Don’t…” I close my eyes, screwing them tightly shut against the mere idea that someone might hurt her, or lay a finger on her, let alone rape and murder her.
I should walk away. I should put distance between us and pretend this conversation never happened.
Instead, when she goes to speak, I step forward, fitting myself between her thighs, putting one finger against her lips to stop her from speaking, while I struggle to regain control.
But my mate, because apparently she doesn’t understand the concept of backing down, kisses my finger slowly, her plump lips pressing into my skin enough to make me hard in an instant.
It’s hardly racy. It’s barely a kiss, but it’s enough to send my brain and my libido haywire.
My hands slam down on either side of her hips, forcing her legs wider and pulling her hard against me. My erection rubs her core and just knowing that the scent of her desire is going to be on me, painted onto the crotch of my trousers, is enough to make me almost come right here.
“Bodhi.” Her delicate fingers travel lower, trailing over the zipper in a manner that’s designed to drive me wild.
“You’re playing with fire, Emma.” I lean in close, my lips brushing her ear. “Don’t push me if you don’t mean it.”
“I just…” Her low moan is nearly my undoing, and I growl, pressing my hand over her mouth, both of us too loud, even as I wish I could hear her fall apart. “I only have a few days.”
One of her fingers slides down behind the top button of my combats, stroking my skin and dangerously close to the head of my cock that’s stretching up to meet her.
When her other hand presses against me, cupping my balls and sliding up my length, I groan, my chest heaving, all self-control rapidly evaporating.
Towering over her, I press my forehead against hers, breathing in deeply and letting the scent of her arousal fill me up.
“You have no idea how tempting you are.” My hands trail up her thighs, pushing her skirt higher, fingers digging into soft flesh. “Or maybe you do.”
Fuck, I know this is wrong. She’s scared, vulnerable. I’m supposed to be protecting her.
“I don’t want to die without knowing, without experiencing… you know…”
“Fuck.”
Her words barely register as she slides her hand down and up, her movements shaky. Her chin tilts up, bringing her mouth closer to mine, mere inches away, as our breaths mingle, tingles dancing across my lips at just the thought of touching them to hers.
“It’s not an act.” Her voice is barely a whisper, tinged with self-deprecation as she pulls her hands off my swollen cock. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve never... I haven’t...”
She trails off, cheeks flushing, but I understand. She’s a virgin, and she’s throwing herself at me, trying to rid herself of that precious thing that now seems like a curse.
I rock my hips, smug as hell when she whimpers, and her scent blooms. Her hands fist in my shirt to pull me closer as she rolls against me, seeking more friction, more pleasure. “I’d rather it be with you than one of them.”
The thought of anyone else touching her, being her first, taking what should be mine, is more than I can stomach.
She’s right. It should be me. It will be me.
“But that’s up to you,” she continues, holding my gaze as we rock together, moaning and groaning our pleasure. Her hands slide up my abs and over my chest and shoulders before gripping my hair. When she tips her head back and tugs hard, stars dance before my eyes.
“No.”
I can’t do it. Can’t risk her doing something she’ll regret because she thinks her virginity is some kind of ticking time-bomb she needs to rid herself of.
I’d never forgive myself if she did it out of fear more than desire.
I have to know she wants it, needs it, craves it with every fibre of her being.
Defiant and fiery as ever, she locks eyes with me and pulls my face down to hers by my beard. There’s no hesitation as she utters the words that cleave my heart in two and send my bear into a frenzy.
“If you won’t, I’ll find someone who will.”
Red floods my vision.
When she goes to wriggle away, I grip her hips, sliding her back on her perch, the movement sudden enough for her to grab my biceps to keep from falling off.
“No.”
I can’t trust myself to say any more than that. Even that single syllable comes out sounding barely human.
“Then give me an alternative.” She’s not backing down, not even slightly intimidated by the animal that’s barely leashed inside me. “Please.”
I do have a better plan. I’m going to get her out of here before Saturday. Burn this whole operation to the ground and take her somewhere safe where no one will ever hurt her again. Then I’m going to make her mine.
But I can’t tell her that.
So, I just stare at her, my mate, offering herself to me with courage that breaks my heart, and I can’t say a single fucking thing.
“Lennox?” Igor’s voice is muffled through the wood, but he’s close and coming closer.
I step back from Emma, helping her down from the shelf and smoothing her skirt with hands that aren’t quite steady.
“In the kitchen.” I yank open the door, waiting until she’s composed before stepping out of the pantry.
I’m leaning against the island, and Emma is rushing through the pantry door as Igor enters the room. “What’s up?”
Igor’s eyes flick between us, noting Emma’s flushed cheeks and my rumpled shirt. His expression doesn’t change. I keep my eyes on his, praying he doesn’t look down and notice the erection tenting the front of my trousers, no matter how hard I will it away.
“It’s almost noon.”
Shit.
“I was just about to take her up.” I gesture for Emma to precede me out into the hallway, grateful for a reason to get the hell out of here. “Let’s go.”
Igor narrows his eyes, a hint of suspicion dancing across his expression, as he watches us leave.
Emma’s steps are uncertain as she silently walks a half-step ahead of me. Her breathing is uneven, and I can still scent the desire, the wetness, waiting for me between her thighs if only we weren’t stuck in this fucking nightmare.
And it’s about to get much worse.
We’re halfway to the stairs when Kozlov appears at the end of the corridor, with Dimitri at his shoulder like a shadow. He’s dressed impeccably, as always, but there’s an energy to him that sets my teeth on edge.
My heart sinks as he zeroes in on my mate and smiles.
“Ah, Emma. Perfect timing.” His smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “I’ve had a change of heart. Our guests this afternoon have expressed interest in... alternatives. Something with a little less risk attached.”
Then what? I wonder before refocusing on his words.
“They’ll be viewing all the other assets, of course, but I thought it might be nice to offer them a preview of Saturday’s other main attraction.
” Kozlov’s pale eyes fix on Emma with a possessiveness that makes my skin crawl.
“Come.” He pauses, his voice dripping with barely concealed rage. “Both of you.”
He turns and walks away without waiting for a response, knowing we’ll follow, while Dimitri lingers, his beady eyes flicking between us, making sure we comply.
Emma has gone pale beside me.
She’s trembling, the sharp spike of her fear cutting through the tantalizing scent of her desire from just moments before. I force my shifter side back, his protectiveness going into overdrive after getting so close to her. In his head, he’s already claimed her. She’s already ours.
“It’s okay,” I whisper, even though I’m not sure it is. I place my hand on the small of her back, guiding her forward, hoping it gives her some measure of reassurance.
We follow Kozlov through a part of the mansion I haven’t seen before and into what must be his space for entertaining guests.
The décor shifts from cold opulence to something richer, more sumptuous.
Leather furniture. Heavy drapes that block out the daylight.
Art on the walls. Shelves full of books. A roaring fire.
He leads us into a lounge, spacious and windowless, with a bar along one wall and deep sofas arranged around the massive fireplace. The lighting is low, intimate in a way that feels deliberate.
“Sit.” Kozlov gestures to one of the sofas as he moves to the bar. “Make yourselves comfortable. We have some time before our guests arrive.”
Emma lowers herself onto the edge of the sofa, her spine rigid, and her hands clasping tightly in her lap.
I remain standing, positioning myself slightly behind her, close enough to intervene if needed, looking every inch the paid bodyguard.
Kozlov takes his time selecting a crystal decanter before pouring amber liquid into a glass with unhurried movements, but he’s not as relaxed as he seems. He rolls his shoulders and holds the glass tight in his hand as he fixes his drink, the clink of glass against glass the only sound in the room.
He doesn’t offer us a drink.
“You know,” he says conversationally, swirling the whiskey. “When I first acquired Emma, I wasn’t sure there’d be enough interest, but I’m starting to think this is an entirely new market I’ve discovered. And a lucrative one. If they want a virgin every time, they’ll keep coming back.”
My bear is desperate to break free, to put himself between our mate and the predator circling her. I dig my nails into my palms, fighting for control. He deserves to have his head ripped off. He really does.
But only after Emma is safe.
Kozlov is disturbingly thrilled at the success of his new venture as he settles into an armchair, crossing one leg over the other and positioning himself with one arm draped along the back, attempting to look perfectly at ease.
“I’ve got a lot riding on this. And so do you.
So don’t fuck it up, or Jake will pay the price. ”
Emma says nothing. She’s barely moving at all.
“Good,” he says, that cold smile returning as he takes her quiet hostility for acceptance. “Now we wait.”