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Lilly rolled over and punched her new pillow into a ball. On a heavy sigh, she tried to force herself to sleep but her mind reeled with the events of the day. A few hours ago, Josh had arrived with that Jeff guy, who worked for Jack, and Stacie. They headed straight to the library.
She knew Josh had seen her. He’d looked right at her but hadn’t stopped talking on his damned phone. He simply followed Jack under the ground floor balcony to the stairs and disappeared.
Well, to hell with him. She didn’t need him or any other man. She was a successful attorney, a wonderful mother to two fantastic boys, and had a busy social life back in Chicago.
Lilly rolled to her back and stared at the freshly-painted white ceiling. She loved her remodeled bedroom. The turquois and blues accented by that rich orange that Zal had selected were perfect, so bright and reflective of the Caribbean. It was still new to her, that’s why she couldn’t settle.
No, Lilly. Don’t lie to yourself. She couldn’t sleep until she settled things with Josh.
She reached over to the night table and turned on the light. It was past two o’clock. She’d be tired tomorrow and considered hiring Calita to watch the boys for a few hours. Maybe she’d lose herself in a book. If she could free her mind from the questions she had for Josh, she could fall asleep.
Flipping through the carousel of books she’d downloaded from her favorite romance authors, a secret passion of hers, she selected one and started reading. He who-would-never-be-allowed-in-her-bed-again thought her “stupid to read that trash.” He had been such an ass. As usual, he’d pre-judged. She loved the entertainment of a sexy romance that took her away from her everyday life to exotic locals where she could slide into the characters and root for their love.
Lilly dropped the e-reader to the duvet, feeling as though she'd been hit with a fist to the heart. She’d been escaping him all those years and their lack of exciting intimacy. She’d lived vicariously through character after character, hoping they’d reach a happily ever after, when all the while she’d been wanting that destination herself.
Well, damn. She lifted the tablet and resumed her story.
She was deep into a hot and heavy love scene when someone knocked on her hall door. Without thinking, she called, “Come in.”
Josh slid in and locked the door behind him. “I saw your light on while headed to my room.”
She only wore a lightweight camisole and panties. Damp panties. Whether it was from the scene she’d been reading or the man who stalked toward her, stealing her breath with each step closer, she wasn’t sure. “Liar. My room isn’t on the way to yours. We’re in different wings.”
Broad shoulders, enticing blue eyes, and that assured gait made her want to beg him for a single brush of a finger across her clit. Or better yet, his hot, rough tongue. She’d explode into a million pieces.
His gaze never left hers as he sat on the edge of her bed and leaned across to plant his hand on her far side, trapping her. “I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner.”
She looked up into tired eyes. “I couldn’t sleep.” She cupped his face and brought it in for a sweet kiss. “Is everything all right?”
She wasn’t sure if it was a grin or grimace when his lips tightened, then his expression softened.
“You look beautiful.” He ran his fingertips through her hair, down the side of her neck sending shivers through her whole body.
He hadn’t answered the question.
“I think we should talk,” she suggested.
“Me, too.” He lifted his shirt over his head and all thoughts evaporated.
He had the biggest biceps she’d ever seen this close. She hadn’t gotten to explore his body the way she’d wanted to last night, and he’d promised her that she could tonight. She ran her hand from the huge ball of his shoulder over a bicep filled with multiple woven muscles, each clearly defined. In the soft yellow light of her lamp, she could see several scars at odd angles that marred the tanned skin that tightly covered long ropes of hidden strength.
“How did you get these?” Lilly traced a straight thin line about four inches long.
“Knife fight.” His direct answer startled her.
Her brain shot to a city gang attack but when their eyes met, she knew this man hadn’t fought on the streets of Chicago. “Where?”
He shook his head. “That’s not important.”
“It’s classified? If you told me you’d have to kill me?” She’d struck a raw nerve, given the pain in his eyes. He’d killed before and might kill again. In apology, she lifted his arm and kissed the scars, each and every inch of them. Then she took his hand and placed it on her beast.
He cupped her and ran his thumb back and forth over her hardened nipple. “Christ, Lilly. What you do to me.” He captured her mouth with unbridled ferocity, forcing his way in.
Oh, yes. She wanted...no...needed him deep inside her. “Hurry,” she demanded.
“Under me. Hard and fast.” His heavy eyes asked as much as warned. Within seconds he’d shucked his trousers and boxers. His erection stood long, almost reaching his belly button. When she lifted her silk top it tickled and tantalized her oversensitive breasts. She was so wet and ready for him as she slid the lacy panties down her legs.
Rather than crawl under the covers next to her, he threw them aside and grabbed several pillows. “Lift up,” he ordered. “You’ll like it this way.”
The muscles of his naked body rippling in front of her stole every ounce of brainpower she possessed. “Huh?” She wasn’t sure what he’d asked her to do but in the next instant he’d scooped her butt off the bed with one swift movement and stuffed pillows under her hips. No, she’d never done it this way before. But as long as he was inside her soon, she didn’t care how they did it. She was so needy at that moment, his big warm hand on her ass was almost enough to make her come.
On his knees, he moved closer. God, he was magnificent. Every chest muscle undulated as he straightened his back and lined up his erection with her sex. When he took his cock in hand and stroked it she thought it was about the sexiest thing she’d ever seen. Then he rubbed the tip up and down her wet slit, pressing hard over her clit, teasing them both.
“Josh, please,” she begged between ragged breaths. Her whole body was shaking in anticipation of what he’d do next. She wanted him to plunge into her.
He looked over his shoulder at his pants heaped ten feet away then back to her. “Do you have condoms in that drawer?” He nodded to the night table.
“Uh. No. I’m sorry. I...haven’t...not here in years.” Was she even making sense?
He started to crawl off the bed. “Let me get to my—”
“No.” Her tone was more clipped than she’d expected. She didn’t want him to stop touching her. “Are you,” she inhaled a little more air to get this out. “Are you safe?” Then she quickly added, “I...I can’t get pregnant. I’ve had an IUD for two years. And after I discovered he...” Lilly swallowed. She would not allow even one thought of the cheating bastard in this bed. But Josh needed to know she was disease-free. “I got tested for everything. I’m good.” She’d be better if they hurried up and got to it.
He rushed back to her. “I’m clean. I was tested six weeks ago.” He ran his thumb over her clit then pressed down on it.
She automatically arched into his hand hoping for just a little bit more. That’s all she’d need.
“And it’s been a while since I—” He drove two fingers into her.
She gasped as he brought her right to the edge.
“You’re so fucking wet.” He removed his fingers and placed the tip of his cock at her entrance.
Then his whole body went completely still.
“Wha—” before she could finish her word Josh placed two fingers over her lips. With his other hand, he pointed toward the quad. She heard it then, too. Footsteps headed their way.
Damned Levi. He’d left hours ago to get a drink. Given the time, he’d managed more than a drink. They listened as he passed by her bedroom and opened his own next door.
Josh smiled down at her and whispered, “You’ll have to be quiet now.” Then he pushed into her to until his pubic hair tickled her clit. He withdrew almost completely before slamming back in. This time he hit something that made her moan. He’d found that ever illusive G spot. With each thrust she drew closer and closer but she wanted to hold out for him.
“I’m right there with you, Lilly.” Sweat glistened across his chest but his grip on her hips was gentle. “This feels so good I wish could ride you like this forever, but, babe, I’m so close.”
He stretched his wide hand and flicked her clit with his thumb. Once. Twice. And the world fell away as Lilly came harder than she ever had in her life. She felt Josh thrust in once more and arch his back with a low groan. She could feel his warm release deep inside her. She wondered if he’d be this kind of lover forever. Forever with Josh. The thought held her as she fell into mindless bliss.
She felt the bed rise when he got up, but she was still wallowing in the warm bliss of her orgasm and refused to open her eyes. If this was all she’d ever have from him, she could be satisfied reliving the past half hour for the rest of her life. She must have dozed because she felt the warm, wet cloth between her legs before she realized he was stretched out beside her. He drew the terrycloth slowly up her slit and across her clit which sent jolts to every nerve ending throughout her body. She tingled along her side where his body touched hers.
Damn, this felt so...wonderful? Definitely. Comfortable? Yes. Right? Absolutely.
And it shouldn’t.
They’d only known each other a few days, and wasn’t she a slut for sleeping with him so soon? He’d never taken her on a date, although they shared several meals together. But amazing sex was what he’d promised, and it’s what she was getting. Nothing more. He would leave after Jack and Jillian’s wedding and memories was all she was guaranteed.
With her eyes still closed, she placed her hand on his ridged abdomen and imprinted the feel of his body into her brain. She wanted to remember everything about this man when he was gone. She followed the trail of fine hair down and reached for his cock, finding it soft. Encircling it with her fingers, she gave it a little squeeze. It responded by filling, growing both wider and longer. She did it again with the same results.
“I’m not as young as I used to be,” he admitted and kissed her nose, her cheeks, and her forehead before he tucked her in beside him. “Give me about twenty minutes, and I’ll be ready for your next fantasy.” He moved her hand to right over his steady heart and held it there.
Curling the salt and pepper hair above his flat nipple around her fingertips, she figured this would be as good a time as any to get some of the answers that had bothered her all day. She’d read somewhere it was hard to lie when you were naked.
Where to start? She worked her day backward. “What was that meeting all about upstairs?”
He didn’t answer. His breathing had become slow and regular.
Damn. She was wide awake and wanted to talk and he’d fallen asleep. Or so she’d thought.
“I’ve asked Jack and Ed to help me tomorrow night with the capture of some bad guys.” Josh’s words seemed carefully chosen as Lilly mulled them over.
“You asked Jeff and Stacie to help, too?” She lifted her head so she could see his face. He continued to stare at the ceiling but obviously seeing nothing. “I might see you asking Jeff because he used to work with Jack, but Stacie?”
He moved only his head and looked at her. “They work for me.”
“No, Jeff works for Jack and Stacie is the cruise...” Lilly quickly assembled the seemingly random pieces together and didn’t like the picture. Josh hunted terrorists. “They’re undercover.”
Not a muscle moved on Josh’s blank face. He wouldn’t confirm nor deny her accusation.
“What does all this have to do with the cruise ship?” She leaned up on an elbow to see him better. Her courtroom experience had taught her to catch and exploit lies.
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear then ran his fingers down her tight jaw. “Don’t worry. We’ll take care of it before you officially buy the ships.” He lifted her chin and lightly kissed her lips. “I promise.”
So it did have to do with the ship. Oh, hell. The hint of a problem could ruin their cruise line before they ever set sail. But her family didn’t own the ship yet.
“I’ll prepare a statement for the PR Department to release when you’ve got the...who are these bad guys?” Her mind was now in business mode running at full speed. It was her job to protect all the Girard International holdings.
Josh shook his head. “Maybe, and I mean maybe, when it’s all over, I’ll tell you about it. And there won’t be any press release. The general public is never officially informed about our government stopping terrorists at the borders. Only when an ambitious journalist stumbles onto a story is it ever addressed.”
“Then what can I do to help?” There had to be something she could do, but she didn’t have a clue as to what.
He took her face in both hands and brought her lips to his. He kissed her from one end of her mouth to the other. “I need you to stay here where I know you’re safe.” He then smiled. “And be prepared for a night of sex. When I finish a mission, all I want is a shower, a drink, and a night of fucking. In that order.”
Fucking. She really didn’t care for that word but that’s what they were doing. It wasn’t making love. That involved feelings, and she didn’t have— Or did she? Nope. All they had between them was good sex. Okay, damn good sex. Oh, hell, it was the best sex of her life. With the promise of more. Yes. She wanted more.
She smiled back at him. “I can do that for you.” He seemed open to discussion so she thought she’d hit him with her next line of questioning. “I overheard you talking with your son today. Why—”
“Whoa.” Josh’s brows drew together and he stared at her. “Where did you get the idea I have a son? I don’t have any children.”
Lilly sat up and leaned back against the new, woven rattan headboard. It felt scratchy so she grabbed a few pillows and stuffed them behind her. “I distinctly heard you talking to your son. He wanted to come live with you.” She wouldn’t tolerate a liar. “The boy you’re going to discuss buying a car for when you get back to D.C.” She crossed her arms over her naked breasts.
Josh smiled and sat up beside her, throwing an arm over her shoulders. “Sweetheart, I was talking to my nephew.”
“But you called him son.” She didn’t want to sound whiney, but he had referred to the teenager as son.
“I call your boys son, too, and they’re not mine.”
Was that a flash of regret that sped across Josh’s face and disappeared quickly? Maybe he regretted not having children.
“You and your sister are close?” She was going to get to the bottom of this, then make her own decision if he was lying.
His smile broadened. “I don’t have a sister, but I have a sister-in-law named Henrietta, but we all call her Honey.”
“Oh,” was all Lilly could manage. She collected her thoughts and continued that line of questioning. “You seem to be very involved in your brother’s family life.”
Josh’s entire body tensed. He closed his eyes and swallowed. His muscles eased a fraction. “I promised Sean I’d take care of his family if anything ever happened to him.”
“Your brother is...gone?” An invisible fist clenched around Lilly’s heart. She knew what it was like to lose a brother. Although a lump the size of a golf ball clogged her throat, she choked out, “How was he killed?”
“Fucking politics.” He spat out the words.
That made no sense. “What?”
He shifted as though uncomfortable with the conversation. “Ever hear of the Battle of Benghazi?”