Chapter 6
MACK
One of the things I've learned in both security and business in general is to listen. Read body language. Hear those words between the lines that people aren't saying.
For example: something’s definitely up with Layne. I need to put a finger on what it is, so I can sort it out.
I wake up early to find her sleeping curled right into my chest. Instinctively I stroke her back, the soft hum of her breath adding some extra oomph to my morning wood.
I want to kiss her awake and caress her sensual body as she stretches.
Want to start showing this precious woman how much I need to care for her.
But she’s in a strange place, trapped here with me. She’ll be nervous.
It takes ten full minutes to roll her away, inch by inch, so I don’t wake her. I shower and get ready and am across the room on my phone when she wakes up. Once she's in the bathroom, I order us some coffee, fruit, and croissants.
A few minutes later, the bathroom door cracks open. "Mmm. Do I smell coffee?"
"Yes. Shall I hand you some around the door?"
I don't want to open the door too much or she'll think I'm sneaking a look. The thought of her showering, naked and glistening, and me in there with her, rinsing off her back… This woman makes me burn and gives me chills at the same time.
She pops out her head, a dazzling grin on her face. Her hair is damp, and her freshly scrubbed cheeks are glowing. "Sure. Thank you."
I hand her a mug while staying to the side so I can't look in. I do, however, get a glimpse of her bare shoulder and her towel-draped hip.
I want this woman so much it's becoming a distraction. I retreat to the small desk, flipping through emails on my laptop and getting lost in work while the coffee kicks in.
When Layne steps into the room, she sniffs the air. "What gives? Your coffee smells different than mine."
“I drink the caffeinated stuff until noon—" I start, swiveling my chair toward her. Suddenly I lose the power of speech for a full minute.
Layne is ravishing, wearing a casual dress and strappy sandals. Her hair is tussled and waved, and she's looks to be wearing almost no makeup. Just a smudge of brown on her eyes, and liner on those incredible full lips.
She steps back, blinking in alarm. "What's wrong? The stylist said this was a great brunch outfit."
I shake my head. "I'm sorry. You're just so beautiful that I swear my brain just fell out and rolled under the bed."
She stares at me in disbelief, then begins to laugh. “Mack, you sure know how to make a girl feel good, I’ll say that. Thank you."
"I'm not trying to flatter you, gorgeous. I’m too busy trying to control myself so that I don't reach out and pull those luscious hips closer and kiss your perfect mouth."
My eyes squeeze shut as I raise my hands in the air apologetically. "I'm sorry. I don't sleep well in new places, I've been studying the Gillis family and trying to find an in with Ron, and… I’m distracted. If you want me to behave, I will hold it together. I'm going to need a second, though."
I hear her footsteps moving toward me. My knees spread so she can come as close as she wants.
"What was that about…" Her voice is breathy. Soft. So sexy that I think I'm going to lose it. My eyes snap open to meet her gaze as she whispers, "Pulling me?"
My hands tentatively reach for her. She doesn't flinch. As soon as my palms feel her hips through the thin fabric, all the jumbled pieces of my life fall into place. This woman and her feminine energy are exactly what I've always craved.
My palms move slowly, bringing her toward me as they drift up to her waist. Since I'm sitting, her face is above mine. She's in control. I hope she realizes that.
"Is that kiss-proof lipstick?" Every trace of professionalism has flown out the open window and I don't even care.
“Apparently. But I haven't tested it yet." Her tongue darts across her lower lip, sending at least a quarter of my blood between my legs as my cock stands to full attention. My entire back feels flushed. "Should I do that?" she whispers.
“Yes." My voice is nearly a growl. "You're in charge, beautiful. It’s all up to you. But yes."
My entire world changes the split second she steps closer, bending down to meet my lips. My arms circle her in a flash, pulling her entire body against mine as I stand, our mouths already molding together.
With a quick swivel I twist, lying back on the bed as I pull her on top of me to caress her hips, her ass, the backs of her thighs.
Layne moans, her lips so sweet against mine.
I can feel her hips rocking, her breasts swaying, her fingers trailing around the sides of my neck and shoulders as the kiss deepens.
Suddenly she stops, lifting her mouth from mine. The small space between us makes me miss her already. "Is this a good idea?" she whispers. "I mean…the whole boss-employee thing, especially while on an assignment…"
I caress her back gently. "Normally, I would agree with you. But these are extremely different circumstances."
Her eyebrow quirks up as she rolls so that we're face to face, propped up on our elbows. "How so?"
My hand lazily drags around her waist and hip, admiring every curve. "We're supposed to be a couple madly in love. So we're just getting into character, right?"
"Like method acting? Okay."
"But also…" A sliver of ice traces down my spine. "Despite you being twenty-two, and me being thirty-five…and your boss… This weekend, you’re still in charge, okay?"
"In charge?"
My fingers trail around her cheekbone as I marvel at her soft skin. "I'm in charge of the assignment, but you’re in charge of how physical we get. If you need space, step away. If you want a cuddle, come closer. If you want a kiss, come get it. Does that sound good?"
Her eyes glow. "Okay."
"If I dip in for a kiss you don’t want, you can always turn and make a joke about my onion breath. Whatever feels right in the moment, do it."
I lean in to trail a row of kisses along her collarbone. "If you like, we can think of this as a vacation from reality and the whole boss and employee thing. We’ll get to that on Monday. Until then, we just relax and enjoy the weekend." I chuckle. "While kicking ass on this assignment, of course."
"Of course."
"Let's practice." I pull her body tight against me. "I'm going to lean down to kiss you, and you're going to stop me. Got it?"
Every slow movement increases the soft light in her eyes. Layne makes zero attempt to block me, edging closer until we're lost in a slow, dreamy kiss. I hear two thumps as her sandals hit the floor, then her top leg rolls over my hip.
"Nope. You failed your assignment," I rasp, pulling her closer. “This is what you get.”
Her eyes fly wide when she feels the ridge of my shaft branding her hip. She moans, shifting to press my heat right where she needs it. A deep shudder runs through me as she rubs against me several times, the only thing between my cock and her hot pussy a few layers of clothing.
She wants me. I want her. It's just a matter of time until we explore this craving.
I have no idea how long we're lost in the kiss before Layne pulls away. "Onion breath," she whispers through a giggle.
I give her delicious round ass a light spank. "Gorgeous, you completely bombed on that task. I'm going to have to give you a lot more training, clearly."
"Go ahead," she grins.
With a rumbling moan, I sit up. "First, we have to take care of our assignment today. That includes pre-breakfast." I nod toward the silver tray. "Fruit for brain energy.”
Layne stands up and straightens her dress. "Why the croissants?"
“The dark chocolate and hazelnut will remind us we're on vacation."
Layne grins wider, her sparkling eyes making my heart speed up again. "Good idea. A vacation from work stress while making sure a family thief doesn’t strike again, and eating great food. Multitasking for the win!"
I have another task on my agenda: make Layne fall for me before we go back to the real world and I no longer have the excuse of being her fake husband to hold her in my arms.