Chapter 4 #2
Dax had learned from his father’s failed marriage. He wouldn’t let himself fall into the trap only to be proven right. Love was a weakness. His father had taught him never to be weak.
Thankfully, he was a confirmed bachelor, immune to falling in love. He didn’t believe in it. Now, lust? That’s what it was all about. He didn’t deny himself a healthy romp in bed as long as there were no strings attached.
“Oh,” John lifted a hand, “Kyla left some clothes in the room for you, seeing as how you didn’t bring anything with you. I also stocked the bathroom with toiletries you’ll need.”
“Thank you,” Liliana said. “And be sure to thank Kyla.”
“She came here with nothing, like you. She knows how awkward it can be to have only one set of clothes.” Mr. Jacobs grinned. “She’s since been on a shopping trip for all the essentials. Not that she’s all that into fashion. She’s good for my Stone. He's met his match with that one.”
“I’m happy for them both.” Liliana glanced around the lobby. “Which way to the room?”
John Jacobs lifted his chin toward Dax. “Your protector will see you to your room. I’m going to set up the coffeemaker for the morning.
Then I’m off to bed. You’re welcome to help yourself in the kitchen.
There’s ham for sandwiches and cocoa if you fancy a cup of hot chocolate before you hit the rack.
If I don’t catch you before you leave in the morning, good luck with your campaign.
The state of Wyoming would be well-represented by you, I’m sure. ”
“Thank you, Mr. Jacobs.” Liliana hugged the man. “Thank you for your support and kindness.”
The older man’s cheeks turned a ruddy shade of red. “I only speak the truth. We need more people in congress who work for the people, not for the big businesses who are only interested in lining their pockets.” He glanced toward Dax. “Take good care of her, you hear?”
“Yes, sir.” Dax hooked Liliana’s elbow and led her across the lobby toward a hallway. “Our rooms are this way.”
“Mr. Jacobs is a generous man.”
“Yes, he is. He took us all in when we came back from our stint in Afghanistan. We didn’t have jobs or places to stay. All we knew was that we wanted to continue working as a team. Mr. Jacobs’ son, Stone, is a good man as well. He has our backs, and we sure as hell have his.”
“You’re all pretty tight.” Liliana walked at his side. “What would you be doing now if you hadn’t come to work for Brotherhood Protectors?”
“I don’t know,” Dax said. “We were all trained to fight and defend. What else could we do in the civilian world?”
“You could work in law enforcement or as a prison guard.”
“As a team?” Dax shook his head. “We were lucky Hank Patterson came to our rescue in Afghanistan when the U.S. pulled out before we could get out ourselves. Not only did Hank get us out, but he also offered us a place in his organization, utilizing our skills to benefit others. And we got to stay together as a team. Stone, Bubba, Manning, Hunter and Moe are my brothers.”
“You’re lucky.” She smiled up at him. “I was an only child.”
“Something we have in common,” he said. “But now, I have brothers on this team and scattered around the world. They drill it into our heads in training to rely on each other, to always have the others’ backs.” He stopped in front of a door. “This is your room,” he said.
“Thank you for taking me on.” She slid her key through the card reader and twisted the handle.
Dax touched her arm. “Let me check the room before you go in.”
She frowned. “Do you think my attacker followed me here?”
“I doubt it, but I want you and me to be in the habit of always clearing the room before you enter.”
She nodded and stepped aside, allowing him to go in first.
The room was small but comfortable, with a queen-sized bed taking up most of the space and a small table with two chairs near the French doors leading out onto a balcony.
He looked in the small wardrobe, under the bed and in the bathroom shower. It was empty of anyone who might feel the need to attack a congressional candidate.
Liliana stood in the doorway until he returned to her.
“All clear. If you need me for anything, I’m in the room beside yours. Let me have your cell phone.”
She frowned. “Do I get it back?”
When she held out her cell phone, he didn’t take it. “Unlock it,” he demanded.
After she’d unlocked it, he took it, added his name and cell phone number to her contacts list and made himself one of her favorites. “If you need anything, or hear anything go bump in the night, call me, text me or bang on the wall. I’ll be there.”
“This is an old building,” she argued. “It will make noises just settling.”
“If it concerns you, it concerns me. I’ll come.” He handed her the phone. “The French door is locked. Shove a chair under the door handle. I’ll wait outside your door until I hear the lock click.”
“I thought we were safe here.” She held up her hand. “I know. I need to get in the habit, and it might as well start here.” She gave him a crooked smile. “I’ll do everything you suggest.”
“Good girl,” he said, his lips quirking on the corners. Her crooked smile made his heart beat a little more erratically than he was used to. He chalked it up to leaving her on her own in her room. “Going forward, I’ll be staying in your room with you if we can’t get a room with connecting doors.”
Her brow twisted. “Are you sure it’s necessary?”
He nodded. “I can’t let you out of my sight and still protect you.”
Liliana sighed. “I guess it won’t hurt to be extra careful until election day.”
“Exactly.” He stepped around her and out into the corridor. “Good night, Miss Lightfeather.”
“Remember, it’s Liliana.” She stepped toward him, leaned up on her toes and pressed her lips to his.
He hadn’t expected her to kiss him. When she did, it stunned Dax into silence. Her mouth was soft, her lips full and her hands were on his chest. Electric current raced from everywhere she touched through his body, pooling low in his groin. His cock hardened.
When she stepped back, she shook her head, frowning. “We’ll have to make it more convincing than that. Perhaps we should practice an engaged couple’s kiss along with memorizing our story.” She raised an eyebrow. “Care for a do-over?”
Before he could think of a reason why he shouldn’t, he reached out, wrapped his arms around her and pulled her up against his body, molding her form to his.
His fingers weaved into the hair at the back of her neck, and he tugged gently, angling her face upward.
He claimed her mouth in a kiss so hot and demanding he couldn’t end it until he was forced to come up for air.
When he released her lips, he continued to hold her around her waist, his arms refusing to let go. “Better?”
Her eyes wide, the pulse beating wildly at the base of her throat, Liliana looked up into his face, her tongue sweeping across her swollen lips. “Y-yes. That should do it.” Her voice came out as little more than a breathy whisper. “Thank you.”
Liliana continued to stare up into his eyes for another long moment.
Realizing what he’d just done, Dax dropped his arms to his sides. It took a great amount of effort to keep them there when all he wanted to do was take her back into his arms, carry her over the threshold to the bed and make mad, passionate love to her well into the night.
The desire to do just that threatened to overwhelm him.
Dax stared down into her face. She was breathing hard, and her cheeks were flushed. “Go to bed, Liliana, before…”
“Before what?” she whispered. Her tongue swept across her mouth again, making Dax all kinds of crazy.
“Before nothing,” he said, his voice a low growl. “Just go.”
She frowned. “Did I do something wrong?”
He shook his head. If she didn’t go soon, he’d lose his grip on his control and do something they’d both regret in the morning. “Goodnight, Liliana.”
He backed her through the doorway, grabbed the handle and pulled it toward him. “Remember to lock the door and block it with the chair.”
Pulling the door shut, he leaned his forehead against it until he heard the lock click in place.
If he had to kiss her like that too often, this job was going to be a hell of a lot harder than he’d thought.
He wasn’t sure he could remain neutral and unaffected. That kiss…
Wow.
He had his work cut out for him.
The good thing was that he wouldn’t have to fake his desire for his fake fiancée. The bad news was that his desire for the pretty congressional candidate was all too real.