Chapter 12
MACK
The last few laps around the reception are an extreme lesson in patience.
It’s important that we say goodbye to the newlyweds and several couples we've been chatting with over the weekend, but all I want to do is get Layne alone in our hotel room so we can give our full attention to this rapidly growing heat between us.
I circle past Caleb at the bar, and he gives me a thumbs up. "Your mixing advice was great. No problems at all. Boisterous, but not rowdy."
"Perfect." I drop a twenty into his tip jar, then we head back to our table. Astor is straightening Ryland's tie, both of them laughing at his mock strangled sounds.
"You both look wonderful," Layne says to them, "but I'm guessing this is not how you normally dress."
Ryland's head shakes. "No kidding. I feel naked without my spiked leather cuffs and my wallet chain.”
Astor rolls her eyes. "Seriously. Even in these heels, I'm three inches shorter than I am in my stompy boots. The world looks weird from way down here."
Before I can say anything, Layne leans in. “We can't mention any details, but things have been taken care of," she says quietly.
"Who was it?" Astor's eyes are bright. “Uncle Harvey?”
"Like I said, we can't mention any details—" I grin, just as Layne butts in.
"But it wasn't Harvey."
The music changes, and the pink-haired duo leap to their feet. "Oh my God, this song is extra terrible. Let's dance.”
We join them on the dance floor. Halfway through the song, Layne murmurs in my ear, "You're still watching that gift table."
"Of course. I can't let my guard down. What kind of security professional would I be?"
She laughs. “Even though this is probably the tamest job you've been on this year."
Even though it's a fast song, I slip my arms around her and we begin slow dancing, moving in half time to the beat.
"I'm never going to tell you anything that might make you worry, baby."
Layne rolls her eyes using her entire head, making me chuckle. “I skim the reports, you know," she says, looking straight into my eyes. "I know about the stakeouts. The surveillance. The weapons. The constant physical training."
“Hey, an hour at the gym five times a week grunting and sweating like animals is good for guys. Burns off steam."
Her soft smile lights up her eyes, as if she can see what I'm thinking. My lips drop to her ear. "Are you thinking about me grunting and sweating?" A quick nod. "Are you thinking of grunting and sweating with me?"
Layne's head shakes primly. "A lady does not grunt, thank you very much."
My hand slips down her back to grab her hip firmly. "What about moaning, baby? What about crying out my name when you're sprawled on the bed, naked, clutching me—"
Her hand lands in the center of my chest. "Stop." Her breasts are rising up and down with her breath. "Do not say things like that here."
I look around to see the fathers of the bride and groom starting to clear the gift table, putting everything onto a large restaurant trolley while their wives supervise.
I catch Ron's eye, and he gives me a nod.
I flash him a thumbs up, then steer Layne toward the elevators.
The second the doors slide shut, I scoop her into my arms, kissing her with all the fire in my soul.
She moans softly, clutching me, then breaks into a giggle when I step away just before the doors open.
I hold her hand on the way down the hall, chuckling. "This is another reason why you can't go on assignments, beautiful. You have no poker face."
"How would you know? You've never seen me play poker."
"Please. I can read your mind right now." I swipe the key card, hustle us both in, then secure the extra lock on the door.
Layne kicks off her shoes, then turns to me. "What do you mean, read my mind?"
For a long moment, I simply stare. She's not just gorgeous, or beautiful. Layne is…lovely. Her sweet blue eyes glow with curiosity as I smile, stepping closer.
"I know that you want to be independent and be able to take care of yourself." My arm slips around her waist, tilting her back so I can kiss along her throat. "But I know you also like it when I take care of you and treat you like the precious angel you are.”
She tries to sputter in protest, but instead melts into my arms as I kiss under her ear.
"I’m a protector, baby. I want to care for you. Right now, that means caring for this unbelievably sexy body." I lean back to watch her eyes. "May I lick your pussy again?"
She nods eagerly.
"May I…do more than that?"
She bites her beautiful bottom lip. It's a trigger that makes my heart and cock pound at the same time. I fling off my jacket, then take her hands in mine.
With a laugh, she drops my hands and grabs my tie to pull me in for a kiss. "Much more," she whispers. "I want everything."
"Good."
She undoes my tie. I unzip her dress. My shirt hits the floor and then I stare at my gorgeous girl, wearing only light mauve panties and a lacy bra that shows off her gorgeous tits so well my mouth waters.
I can barely contain the growl in the back of my throat as I tear off the rest of my suit, my shorts, anything that could come between us. It's difficult to hide the fact that my hands are trembling as I gently remove her bra.
"You're so soft, baby. Every inch of you."
A shiver runs through her. "Where else are you soft, beautiful? Is your sweet pussy getting wet for me already?" She nods slightly. "Do you need your communication-challenged boss to lick it?” Another nod. "Do you need me to make you come?"
With each small nod, Layne’s breath becomes more ragged. I lay her across the bed, then grip the side of her panties. "Up," I command, before she automatically lifts her hips. As I slide the fabric down her silky thighs, it hits me.
This is my woman. Layne is the one.
The one I’ll make coffee for every morning. The one I’ll fall asleep next to every night.
She's the only woman I'll make love to for the rest of my life.
And that is, hands down, the most satisfying thought I've ever had.