Chapter Nine
T he mother had been a complete waste of effort, and he was tired of hiring incompetents. Tired of waiting for Ivy Foster to lead him to Katie. He was done screwing around with Vegas and he was heading to Mexico, tomorrow if he could swing it. He'd done some more sleuthing, found a perfect spot to make an exchange. And if he got to exorcise a little bit of his frustration while he waited, so much the better.
He looked at the map on his computer. At the comments in the Reddit thread. People were so helpful when it came to talking about their adventures in the Nevada desert. Theories of who was buried where were rampant, as were suggestions for what equipment to take for a successful day trip. Where a helicopter had landed before. Where a car could be stashed. Of course he didn't put it that way, he asked questions about operations and history. Nothing excited geeks like questions about the history of the thing they loved most.
He just needed a few things, and then he could start his new life. With Katie on her knees beside him.
~
Katie’s words had pierced her straight to the heart. Let her go? No, she couldn’t accept that. Couldn’t let the girl who’d been her best friend since right before her fifth birthday disappear into the mist.
She turned to tell Clay just that.
He was right next to her, his expression one of sympathy. Not pity, but sympathy. And then he was wrapping her up in his arms, crushing her against him as he murmured soothing words against her hair.
Unlike an hour ago when she disengaged from him, this time she took his offered strength. Felt it bolster her, felt it began to soothe away some of the hurt.
She steeped herself in him and his scent, and his strength. And as she did, her need to be comforted turned to something else, a desire that swirled in her belly, ten times stronger than it had been at her place the day after they met.
Because now she’d seen the different layers of him, had witnessed the almost wounded look on his face when her mother pulled him in for the hug. Knew that there were depths to this man she couldn’t even imagine. And so when he began to pull away, she went up on her tip toes and kissed him. The feel of his mouth on hers was like coming home, but with a dark, needy edge. He pulled back, his lips still ghosting over hers and whispered, “We can’t, you’re still under my protection.”
“Katie’s okay, and that’s all I need to know. Now kiss me back, I know you want to.”
He pulled away, his gaze direct and seeming to connect straight to her soul.
“Of course I want you,” he said in that deep, dark voice. “I have since the moment I laid eyes on you. But,” he said, “nothing has changed. You’re still under my protection and we’re still trying to find Katie. Doesn’t matter how much I want you, I can’t, not when your safety is at stake.”
She regarded him seriously, knew that for both of them it wasn’t just the safety angle. It was the commitment, the knowing that this would be more than a simple sexual liaison.
“I understand what you’re saying,” she said, “but I want to ask you a question.” She gestured around the sumptuous penthouse suite. “Where in the world could I possibly be safer? There’s always danger in the world. You’ve got people out looking for Hamilton, and I know Katie is safe. Do I wish that she was with us right now? Absolutely. Well, not with us right now,” she said with a grin. “I wish she wasn’t in hiding, and that she had confided in me. But none of that matters right now, where we’re as safe as we’re ever going to be. So be honest, it’s not the safety, it’s this thing between you and me. It will be more than just sex and we both know it.”
Clay flinched the tiniest bit and she knew her words had struck home. Deep in her gut was the surety that the decision he made right now, right in this second, would be what made or broke their future together.
He weighed her words in that quiet way of his, his gaze still direct, his hands still cupping her shoulders, sending ripples of warmth through her. And when a grin kicked up the corner of his mouth, she breathed out a tiny sigh of relief.
“You make a hell of an argument, babe,” he said softly. “A hell of an argument.” And then his mouth was on hers, as he initiated a kiss for the first time between them.
She’d thought that the Clay she kissed at her place had been unbridled, passionate. But this Clay? He was raw, powerful, unleashed. And she loved every second of it.
His mouth plundered hers--there was no other way to describe it. She plundered right back, wanting, needing the taste of him. His hands streaked down her back to cup her ass, and she did a little leap just like she had that first night and wrapped herself around him. He hummed against her lips in approval and squeezed her butt cheeks. She laughed against his mouth, and he gave her lips one last velvety swipe with his tongue before disengaging.
“I could take you right here up against the wall,” he said, his voice rough. “I’m not going to. I’m gonna lay you down in that big ridiculous bed, I’m going to touch and lick every inch of you.” His words were a dark promise, as soft and silken as bed sheets.
She shivered enough for him to notice, and he laughed. It was the first laugh she’d heard from him, and it transformed him into someone younger, more carefree. And infinitely hotter.
He was still laughing as he strode down the hallway to the bedroom, grinning as he disengaged her and tossed her through the air like she weighed nothing, making her laugh with joy before she bounced on the bed. She propped up on her elbows and watched as he began to unbutton his shirt. God he was gorgeous, his skin tan and supple over muscles that were defined enough to be sexy but not overdone. She wanted to lap him up with a spoon. He shrugged out of his shirt, then began to unbutton his jeans, one tantalizing inch at a time. When he slid those jeans over his lean hips to pool at his feet she gulped. His cock was long and thick, made her wonder exactly what else he may have been hiding.
He kicked out of his jeans, and she forcibly yanked her gaze from his crotch and allowed herself to appreciate the rest of him. She had the feeling they’d be enjoying each other all night long.
In the low light she saw the scars snaking over his calves, the gnarly knot of them at his right ankle. A brief flash of sorrow lanced through her, tamping down the lust, but then she pushed it aside.
Tonight she would enjoy this magnificent man. What had happened to him was long past, at least physically, and tonight she planned on practicing some healing, Marvin Gaye style.
She ran her gaze back up his body, lingering long enough on his dick that he coughed out a laugh.
“Jesus, Ivy.”
“Just admiring the goods,” she said slowly, not even needing to ramp up the heat in her voice. It came out thick and sultry. She met his gaze, let him see the hunger in hers, then she crooked a finger at him. “Now bring that fine body over here and undress me, Airman.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he drawled, and she could hear the deep south in his reply.
He walked toward her slowly, all fluid grace and rippling muscles, and she felt the tension inside ramp up impossibly higher.
He reached for her, his hands grazing her bare arms, shooting tingles throughout her body. His fingers brushed her belly as he drew the tank top over her head, and he drew in a breath when he saw the lacy bralette she had on beneath.
Her breasts had never been big, and she liked pretty things, so it only made sense to highlight what she had.
His head dipped and he caught one nipple in his teeth, bit down just enough to wrench a cry from her throat, make her back bow in response, seeking more.
He hummed and the vibration rolled through her before he backed away, blew on the wet lace.
“Very nice, Ivy,” he drawled, now completely in command of the situation.
She didn’t care one damned bit who was in charge, she just wanted both of them naked, now.
She hooked her fingers in the waistband of her skirt and panties, ready to shimmy out of them, but he brushed her hands aside then lifted her to her knees.
“Pretty, pretty Ivy,” he said softly, and the intent in his eyes made her shiver. “You gave me an order, and I fully intend to execute it.”
Oh Jesus, how could he make her even hotter?
He took care of the rest of her clothes, unhooking her bra with practiced fingers.
“Good at that, aren’t you?” she murmured as she stroked a finger down his chest, tweaked a nipple and watched him jolt in response.
“I believe that practice makes perfect,” he said very solemnly, then slid down her body, his mouth hot on her belly, her thighs, and then her core. “And I intend to practice on you until I get it absolutely right,” he murmured against her skin. “Now hold on.” His voice had gone from that dreamy drawl to a sharp order that had her fisting her hands in the silky sheets.
He mapped her with his tongue, hitting everywhere but where she needed him to be. Frustration coiled within her as she rose to her elbows and looked down at the unbelievably erotic sight of him teasing her.
“Clay,” she growled, though it was ruined by the breathless way she ended it when he smiled up at her, his eyes dancing.
“Am I doing something wrong?” he asked, his breath ghosting over her clit, making her jump, then grind against him.
“You know exactly what you’re doing,” she accused on a whisper, then fell onto her back when he suctioned onto her clit, and drove her to a hard, fast peak.
She was still contemplating if she really needed to breathe. Did she? Really? when he loomed over her, his cock sheathed in a condom. She had a brief moment to wonder how she’d missed that whole show, and then he was sliding into her, his mouth hot on hers, and she decided breathing was definitely overrated.
~
Ivy was everything he’d never dreamed he’d needed. Soft, supple, hot, demanding. One hundred percent focused on him. On them. On the exquisite sensations as he moved within her, his dick impossibly hard, her body sensually accepting him, then demanding more as she met him thrust for thrust.
He kissed her deep as he drove into her, his tongue mimicking the movements of his cock as he fucked her long and slow and deep.
She writhed beneath him, crying out for more, for harder, faster. And still he tortured them, just as he had when he’d lost himself in her pussy.
Pure, decadent heat began to gather low in his back and he increased the pace and reached down, caressing her clit as he pounded into her, as he plundered her mouth, his body weight balanced on one arm.
And then she was splintering apart beneath him, her heels digging into his ass, her short nails clawing at his back.
He detonated, there was no other word for it, and heard himself roar in satisfaction and a claiming.
He rolled with the last of his strength, pulled her on top of him and reached for the sheet. “You’re amazing,” he whispered in her ear, cradling her in his arms as sleep took him under.
~
Ivy stretched, every muscle in her body humming with a pleasant, well-used ache. Clay had proven to be an inventive lover throughout the night with a stamina that had wasted both of them. Multiple times.
He stirred beside her at her movement, eyes sleepy, expression sated.
This was a Clay she hadn’t seen before. Last night he’d been an amazing lover, and before that, a commanding presence as he ensured her safety. In both cases he’d been the one calling the shots, directing their actions.
But now he was open, truly unguarded for the first time. Vulnerable, though she doubted he’d appreciate the observation. So instead of making it weird, she reached out, trailed a hand down his cheek.
“Good mornin’,” he rumbled as he turned on his side so he could focus on her. His accent peeked through.
“Good morning,” she replied with a smile, leaving her hand on his cheek. “I love your accent," she said.
He stiffened just slightly, and she wondered what she’d said that had put him on guard. Then he relaxed. “It’s not something people usually notice. I worked really hard to lose it.”
“Well, I like it,” she said, then moved her fingers down to lay over his heart. “Especially when you’re talking dirty.” She teased, trying to get them back to where they’d been.
He smiled, as she’d intended, and leaned in for a kiss that was long and slow and loaded with promise. Then he pulled back. Considered her with a searching expression. Whatever conclusion he came to must have been in her favor because he eased back on an elbow.
“I grew up in Georgia,” he said.
Ivy kept her expression perfectly neutral, not willing to break the spell. She wanted, no needed, to know him. To know everything she possibly could about him.
“My father was in the Army and met my mom when he was stationed in Korea. I was their only child. Connor’s a drinker, always was, and it got worse after Mom died. Nonna Sally moved in then. She was his mother and taught me how to be a man in a way he never could have. Never even tried to.”
She saw the hesitancy on his face as he said the words, then regret that he’d even said them.
So instead of telling him how sorry she was about his father, about the loss of his mother, she drew him in for another kiss. Whispered against his lips, “Thank you for sharing that with me, it means more than you know.” She deepened the kiss, not as a reward for his soul baring, but because she wanted to feel that connection with him again, and when he moved to pull her beneath him, she smiled and shook her head. Slid down his body, took him in her mouth. And loved him in the only way he’d allow. Right now.
~
Clay woke again, Ivy nestled against his side, her hair fanning out over his chest, her hand on his heart once more.
He replayed what he’d said in his head. Why in the world had he opened up like that? And as soon as he had the thought, he had an answer. Because she got him, right down to his soul. Even if he knew so much more about her than she did him, it almost seemed like she knew what he was thinking. It was a connection he’d never experienced before, hadn’t believed was possible.
She cuddled deeper against his side, murmuring against his shoulder and his heart turned over.
He’d been attracted to her from the moment he’d seen her, and last night had been the natural extension of that attraction. But it was more. So much more that he was afraid to even name it, lest it disappear. All he knew was that right now, Ivy Foster was the only woman in the world he cared about. And until she was safe and Hamilton was behind bars, that was the most he would allow himself to feel. Because he couldn’t lose another woman who was important to him. Not after his mother, his grandmother.
He wouldn’t.
She pushed up on one elbow and looked him over, her hair gloriously tangled from his fingers. “Good morning…again.” She smiled. “This time we probably actually need to get out of bed.” Her expression was wry, a bit self-deprecating.
He fought against the laugh that originated somewhere in the vicinity of his heart… and failed.
She was going to be the death of him.
~
Clay pulled on a pair of jeans that conformed to each and every curve of his body and made her sigh just a little in appreciation and remembrance before she slipped into a pair of shorts and a tank top. Last night had been a night for the ages, something she couldn’t wait to repeat, but now the sun was shining, and it was time to leave their bedroom cocoon of awesomeness and face reality. Figure out what they were going to do now that Katie was safe.
But first, coffee.
She wasn’t overly surprised to see that it was past ten and saw Clay glance at his watch in surprise as they walked into the kitchen. “I’ve never slept this late,” he said with a little bit of horror that made her laugh out loud.
“I promise it won’t kill you,” she said, and scooped coffee into the gazillion dollar machine. She was pretty sure the price wasn’t going to make it brew any faster, but a girl could hope.
She felt remarkably refreshed despite the lack of caffeine. “You’re lucky you’re great in the sack, because normally I can’t form more than two words before coffee.”
He smiled, a slow, beautiful thing that lit up his face. “I’m aware.”
She waited for a beat, then laughed again. “Aware of how good you are in bed or how much I need my coffee?”
The grin stayed in place. “Both.”
The man was insufferable. He puttered while the coffee brewed, putting together his tea, and she wondered how often he stayed here. Then she figured why shouldn’t she ask?
“So, Airman, do you come here often?” she waggled her eyebrows suggestively, keeping it light.
He looked up from his fiddling, surprise on his face. “No, first time I’ve been here.” He looked down at the tea, and a look of understanding crossed his face. “I suspect Dev had everything set up yesterday, while we were at your mom's.” He shrugged. "It's just his way."
Ivy considered that for a moment. Even though he was the consummate professional, Dev had seemed... nice. So yeah, she could see him having the hotel set everything up the way she and Clay would want it, all the way down to the kind of tea that Clay preferred.
She was inhaling her second cup of coffee on the sumptuous leather sofa when her cell rang. She grabbed it and crossed over to Clay, while he madly texted Dev, she assumed. When he gave her a quick nod she swiped right.
“This is Ivy,” she said keeping her voice bright and professional. If it was the asshole, it wouldn’t matter how she sounded but if it was someone else, she still had a business to run.
“Miss Foster, my name is Rich Chastain, and I was just hired to spruce up the Zephyr. I’ve seen some of your work at the other casinos and down on Fremont, and I’d like to chat about what we might be able to do for each other.”
Ivy barely managed to contain her squeal of pleasure. Everything she’d done so far had been piecework. A job like this would take her to the next level, would allow her to finish up the things she wanted in her home, maybe even take a vacation. And to have it in the casino next door, so beautiful and classy, made it even sweeter still. She looked over at Clay, who was rolling his finger telling her to draw it out, so she did.
“Mr. Chastain, I’d be more than happy to meet. What would be convenient for you?”
“If you could meet here at the casino, that would be great. I’d like you to really get an idea for what my vision is. And then we can talk some pricing. Would today, say one o’clock, be all right?”
She glanced quickly at Clay who was nodding, a look of relief on his face.
“That would be fine. I’ll check in at the front desk at one o’clock,” she said, triumph coursing through her as she disconnected.
Clay gave her a big grin. “Dev knows Chastain and Malone, the head of casino security, he says it’s legit. I’ll be on site with you as your significant other,” he gave her lascivious grin. “Dev will be there as well, kind of coasting in the back. He might be recognized but no one will think too much of him being there.”
“Well then, I guess I’d better get ready. This is gonna be the job interview of my lifetime.”