2
REECE
“So Kyle was still keeping track of his son,” Charlie says around a mouthful of shrimp fried rice. He’s the sloppiest eater, worse than Jax, who at least tries to be polite while stuffing his face.
It’s just the two of us in this creepy house, using Kyle’s dining room table probably more than he ever did. The rest of the team bailed on another takeout dinner.
“How’d he even find the address?” I push the Styrofoam container of General Tso’s chicken away. I can’t stomach it with this conversation and the dread swirling in my gut. “And why would anyone else need it? Who?”
He sweeps his shaggy hair from his eyes with the back of his hand. “Doesn’t mean Aurora is in danger. I know that’s what you’re thinking.”
I clench my jaw, exacerbating the headache coming on. With Kyle dead, Aurora should be safe. Should be. Doesn’t guarantee she is. “What if they’re aware of the investigation and believe Jackson has evidence? They’ll go after him.”
Charlie arches a brow and holds my gaze. “Does he?”
I trust my partner explicitly. We were deployed together before joining the Department of Homeland Security. Whatever lies ahead in life, he’ll follow me. “I’m not protecting him, if that’s what you’re asking.”
He cocks his head and purses his lips.
“I’m not,” I insist. “I’m protecting Aurora. I have something, but I need your help.”
Hours later, after painstakingly going over the evidence, I’m staring at the ceiling of my hotel room. Unable to sleep, I check Aurora’s location—she’s in New York. She has the guys with her, including the twins, but it still weighs on me. I should be there to protect her.
I flip the phone over in my hand, wanting to call, but it’s past midnight on the East Coast. I’ll message her. If she’s awake and replies, maybe I can relax and get a few hours’ sleep.
I need you to be safe for me, princess.
Three dots pop up, and a smile replaces my unease. It’s not normal—or helpful—to be this excited over a simple text.
Angel
Everything okay?
It will be. Be good and stay with the guys.
Angel
I’m always good
I might be imagining things, but that response feels a little flirty.
Liar. Why are you awake?
Angel
I haven’t been feeling well. Spent most of the day in bed.
It’s likely anxiety, her worrying about Jax, but her being sick only adds to my misery. They’re too preoccupied to care for her properly. I bet they didn’t even check her blood pressure.
Where’s your harem?
Angel
Sleeping. We have an early flight tomorrow.
You need me to take care of you? Say the word, and I’ll be there.
Angel
Go to sleep, Viking.
Nope. Not flirting. Damn.
Yes, princess.
I fall asleep with a stupid grin.
Her scream echoes in my skull. I bolt upright and grab my pistol from the nightstand. I’m shirtless, only in a pair of black boxer briefs. My weapon out in front of me, my heart pounding, I navigate through the suite, finding it empty.
I spin in circles as flashes of lightning fracture the darkness. Only Aurora is here, shaking and frightened. I place my gun down and draw her into my arms. “It’s just a storm, angel. You’re safe.”
She peers up at me, her expression full of fear. “Can I stay with you?”
I hesitate, knowing she’s too much temptation to have in my bed.
Her eyes turn pleading. “Please, Reece.”
My name escapes her lips, and steals my restraint. I lift her, carrying her to the sofa, her soft, silky legs encircling my waist. She straddles me and lays her head on my shoulder. Thunder crashes, and she shivers in my arms.
“Shh. I got you. I’m here.” I grab a blanket from the back of the couch and wrap it around her.
“You can’t want this.”
Why does that sound familiar? And w hy can’t I want this? I do. I want her so fucking bad. My erection is harder than it’s ever been, throbbing underneath the weight of her perfect ass. “I want this. You know I do.”
She sits up, and the blanket falls. Like the day in the kitchen, she only wears a T-shirt, but tonight, her nipples are pebbled, her bare thighs pressed to my waist. I clench my fists to stop from touching her.
“Why?” she asks. “Tell me.”
I’m in love with you. It physically hurts me to stay away. Yet, the words remain stuck in my throat. “Just sleep. Okay?”
She releases a frustrated sigh and lies back down. Her disappointment is a deep ache in my chest. I’m fucking this up, again and again.
“Aurora—”
I tilt my head, and she’s right there. Our lips brush, and I feel it throughout my entire body, every cell awakening.
Her fingers weave through my hair, and she grinds against my erection. “Please.”
My hands come to her waist. “Angel…” My voice is rough, my resolve hanging on by a thread.
She trails kisses along my jawline and rocks her hips.
I release a throaty groan and grip her ass, guiding her over my length. “What do you need? Say the words, Aurora, and everything changes. You just better mean them.”
“Make me yours,” she breathes.
Three words I never thought I’d hear. Three words I never knew I needed. Three words that turn my entire world upside down.
A whimper breaks through the sounds of the raging storm as she becomes mine, one thick inch at a time.
A sharp gasp, my piercings hitting the right spot.
Her ass meets my thighs, my cock buried deep, her tight walls gripping me like the sweetest oblivion.
I clutch her to me, afraid to let go, afraid she’ll slip through my fingers.
Her lips find mine, an our tongues intertwine. She lifts her hips, taking her pleasure and my heart.
She’s greedy. Her tanned thighs widen, her bare, smooth pussy stretching to fit every inch of me. She takes it all—my skin between her teeth, my cock until my piercings hit deep and she’s crying out, my sanity when she shatters with my name on her tongue…
She’s simultaneously destroying me and piecing me back together.
I surrender to the madness, pounding months of resentment, desperation, love, and lust into her.
I memorize every detail, never wanting this to end.
The way her breath hitches and her legs tremble.
Her seductive scent. Her moans as she begs for more.
The powerful wave of her cunt milking me for what belongs to her.
My balls hug my shaft. I grow impossibly hard, and her body tenses with the realization of what’s coming.
She’s not escaping me. She said the words, and I’ll never let go. “Don’t you dare fucking stop now. You’re mine, and you’re taking all of me.”
Ecstasy dances in her half-lidded eyes. “Say it again.”
“You’re mine.” I slam into her. “Mine to touch.” Thrust. “Mine to please.” Thrust. “Mine to care for.” Thrust. “Mine to protect.” Thrust. “And mine to fill.”
Reality pushes in, and I shove it away, holding tight to the dream…and my throbbing cock. I still feel the ghost of her—her heartbeat beneath my palm, her lips on my skin, the weight of her on my thighs, the taste of her on my tongue.
I stroke harder, faster, the fantasy of her cries of pleasure sending me over the edge.
“Fuuuck, fuck, fuck. Shit.” I come so hard, the air freezes in my lungs, my cock jerking, shooting cum over my chest and stomach.
When I’m finished, I collapse into the pillow, gasping for breath, my body tingling from head to toe. My eyelids fall shut, and I see her, those golden, lustful eyes piercing my soul, and I crave her worse than ever.