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“DAMN IT,” BROCK MUTTERED, watching the Land Rover drive away. He’d struck out with Lily once again. Trouble was, what the hell did he want, anyway? It’s not like she was going to throw herself at him. And hell, he hated clingy woman. Was it just the thrill of the chase? Or did he actually have feelings for a woman he’d barely just met?
The door to Jake’s house opened, and Morgan’s head popped outside, looking quizzically at him.
“Crashed and burned, huh?” she asked.
He raised his eyebrows. “Something like that. Were you standing there watching us?”
Morgan shut the door and walked down the driveway toward him. “Sort of. I heard voices outside, so I looked out the front window. Lily doesn’t know anyone else around here, so I wanted to make sure she was all right. Were you hanging around all night waiting for her? What is it you wanted, anyway?”
“To apologize.”
She shot him a knowing look. “Uh-huh.”
“I just needed to talk to her,” he muttered. “No big deal.”
“Look, I’m not trying to get into the middle of whatever this is—”
“Sure you are.”
“Okay, so I am, detective.”
He smirked. Morgan was a smartass just like her brother.
“From what Jake tells me, you don’t even look at the same woman twice. Yet you’re hanging around his house all night just to talk to Lily? No way do I buy that you’re just waiting here to apologize. And as for Lily? She grew up differently than you or more. Her parents forced every decision on her. Pressured her into doing whatever they wanted. She has no say in her own life. Somehow you got her to let go and just be herself—maybe for the first time ever.”
“So what’s your point?”
Morgan shrugged. “Don’t give up on her. Honestly? I think you were an ass to her the other night.”
Brock frowned.
“But I don’t think you’re a bad guy. You wasted your entire afternoon yesterday helping me out.”
“It wasn’t a waste. You’re Jake’s sister, and you needed help. You’re family.”
“I’m just saying, someone totally self-centered wouldn’t have done that. If you think something’s there with Lily, go after her. I mean, what do you have to lose?”
“You sound a lot like your brother.”
Morgan grinned. “Nope. He got all his words of wisdom from me.”
Brock chuckled. “Now that I just might believe.”
***
BROCK CLIMBED INTO his unmarked vehicle and aimlessly drove around the streets of Brooklyn before finally heading back to his own apartment. He was in a shit mood, and although he’d considered hitting one of the neighborhood bars to flirt with a pretty woman for the evening, he just couldn’t stomach it. Who’d have thought that Jake’s younger sister would’ve been giving him a guilt trip? Or some words of wisdom?
Jesus Christ.
What was next? He’d be looking to settle down and buy a home with a nice little white picket fence? He didn’t need a relationship. He didn’t need any of this mess.
The hell with everything.
He opened the fridge in his apartment, pulling out a bottle of beer, when his phone buzzed.
“There’s been another break-in on the Upper East Side, and this time the owner walked in on the perp in the act,” Brock’s captain barked out over the phone.
Damn it, he thought, gripping his phone tighter in his hand. The fridge door slammed shut as he spun around. He grabbed his badge from the kitchen table, holstered his weapon, and ran down the steps of his apartment building. Once outside, he hastily climbed into his unmarked vehicle, slamming the door shut behind him and tearing out of the parking lot. At times like this he wished he lived right in the city.
He whipped through the neighborhood streets and sped up, racing over the Brooklyn Bridge back to Manhattan. Thank fuck there was only light traffic at this time of night. He’d barely walked into his own apartment after driving aimlessly around Brooklyn for an hour after blowing things with Lily. Again. Now he needed to get his mind off of her and on the case, because this shit was ending. Tonight.
“Anyone hurt?” he asked in a clipped tone, his mind reeling with possibilities. A family. A single woman. A couple arriving home. Combine that with a panicked burglar? There was no telling what could happen.
“No, the robber pushed the victim aside and ran out the front door as soon as she arrived home. Spooked, probably. Police are searching the building. The owner was pretty shaken up though. She didn’t think anything was missing, so it’s likely they’d just broken in before she arrived home.”
Brock’s ears perked up at the word “she.” Something wasn’t sitting right with him. Another break-in on the Upper East Side, a woman arriving home alone after Lily had driven away from him.
It couldn’t be.
“Text me the address,” he demanded. “I’m already on my way.”
He hung up and sped up the road, flipping on the siren of his unmarked vehicle. There’s no fucking way it was Lily, but he’d feel better once he got the damn address. Maybe he’d even swing by her place later to check on her. With the way his heart was racing, he wouldn’t calm down until he saw her with his own two eyes.
A moment later, his phone beeped with a new text message, and he glanced down, his heart dropping. Lily’s address flashed across the screen. The island of Manhattan couldn’t have felt longer as he raced up the road to her building. She would’ve been scared out of her mind to come home to an intruder, and she was already upset enough tonight with him. Until she was wrapped in his arms, safe and sound, he was going to be out of his mind with worry.
“Damn it!” he shouted, pounding his fist on the steering wheel.
If he hadn’t fucked things up with Lily to begin with, she wouldn’t have been alone tonight. Maybe they would’ve gone out together, or gone back to his place, or at the very least all hung out at Jake’s house earlier. He’d have heard the news of a break-in occurring in her building, but Lily would have been safe at his side.
This whole shit storm felt entirely like his own fault.
He raced through the streets, siren wailing, and finally came to a stop in front of her high rise on the Upper East Side. Dozens of cop cars were already outside the building, along with several ambulances and fire trucks.
“What’s the status?” he asked, flashing his badge at one of the uniformed officers guarding the front entrance.
One of the fire crews was already piling back onto their engine, and a second was on their way out of the building. He hoped that was a good sign.
“We’re searching the building floor by floor—no one’s getting in or out. Some of the residents are upset they’re not able to get to their homes though.”
“Fucking Christ,” Brock muttered.
“They don’t want robberies in their building but don’t want to inconvenience themselves either. Go figure.”
“And the victim?”
His chest tightened. He hadn’t gotten word from his captain on how Lily was, and he needed to be at her side. Immediately.
The officer shrugged. “EMS crews are still up there with her.”
Fucking A, he would rip the suspect’s goddamn head off when he got a hold of him. He’d be the one ending up in jail with the amount of rage seething through him at the moment.
“Thanks,” he muttered, jogging inside.
He approached the elevator, currently being guarded by a uniformed officer, and flashed his badge. He’d half-debated racing up the stairs, but this was probably faster. Biting out a curse as the elevator made its slow ascent, he finally exited onto her floor. The door to her apartment at the end of the hall was open, and police and other detectives were milling about. The same apartment where she’d undressed in the foyer a week ago, giving herself to him. Where he’d carried her to her bedroom nearly naked.
Where he’d kissed her and pleasured her and then got the fuck out of there as fast as he could. Like some sort of goddamn pansy.
Brock’s heart dropped as he spotted an EMS crew. His pulse raced and palms begin to sweat as he saw the stretcher being pulled out the door, but then he realized it was empty. They were packing up. But if anyone had so much as touched a hair on her head, they would answer directly to him.
He ran through the door to Lily’s apartment, looking around her living room in a panic. Everything looked so different from what he remembered, but he’d barely spent any time there. He’d been just as much of an asshole as she’d said.
Shit.
At last he spotted Lily sitting on the sofa, a female police detective by her side. Lily looked so fragile and alone in that moment, he felt his chest clench in fear. She was shaking as she wiped tears from her cheeks, and Brock mentally kicked himself for not having been there for her when she needed him.
“Lily!” he called out, hurriedly crossing the room to her. She rose from the sofa, looking shocked and relieved, and stumbled into his arms, crying against his chest as he held her.
“Shhh, it’s all right, Baby,” he murmured. “It’s all right. I’ve got you.”
She trembled in his embrace, and he let out a huge sigh of relief. If anything had happened to Lily, he wasn’t sure how he’d have been able to live with himself. It was bad enough that he hadn’t been around when his own sister had been killed years ago, but to have something horrible nearly happen again?
Life was too short for this kind of shit.
It took everything in him not to race out the door and tear the entire building apart, piece by piece, looking for the intruder.
“Brock,” Lily whimpered as he tightened his arms around her.
“You’re safe. I raced here as fast as I could when I got the call. You’re safe now.”
“I need you.”
“You have me, Princess. You have me. I’m going to hold you all night long.”
***
AFTER EVERYONE EXCEPT for Brock had left an hour later, Lily sank down onto the sofa in her living room, completely exhausted. Brock had barely left her side the entire evening.
The entire night was completely surreal. After what seemed like a dozen cops had searched her apartment for any other suspects, she’d been allowed to go back inside and give a statement to the police. Then her building’s management and security had shown up at her door, an EMS crew had descended on her wanting to check her vitals, and finally Brock himself had run through the front door. She’d been scared out of her mind sitting there, and it wasn’t until she’d seen him and felt his strong arms wrapped around her that she knew everything would be all right.
Brock closed the door behind the last of the emergency personnel to leave, turning the lock and securing the deadbolt. He was all business as he strode back across the room, his jaw set and eyes serious. He still had on the black NYPD tee shirt she’d seen him in earlier, but with the badge and gun clipped to his belt, he looked the part of an officer sworn to serve and protect.
At last he sat down beside her, collecting her in his muscular arms. This was the first moment they’d had alone all evening since she left him at Jake’s house in Brooklyn, and she didn’t even know where to begin. That conversation almost felt like a lifetime ago, and she felt guilty for saying that he was a mistake. That man had come flying into her apartment looking ready to tear the place apart just to find her. No one acted like that around a woman they hoped never to see again. Around someone who meant nothing to them.
“God, Lily, I was out of my fucking mind when I found out the break-in was at your place,” he said, palming her head with one large hand as he cradled her to his chest. “I couldn’t get here fast enough. If anything had happened to you....” His voice broke off, and Lily was surprised at the depth of emotion she heard there. Brock was a no-nonsense, tough-talking detective. He wasn’t the type of man to share his feelings.
“I was so scared, Brock. When I opened my door and saw that woman prowling around my apartment, going through my things, I just about lost it. I saw her at my neighbor’s earlier today, and I thought something was strange, but I just ignored it. I thought she was their new cleaning lady or something and just walked right by her.”
“You should always trust your gut, Lily.”
“I know,” she replied, tears rolling down her cheeks. “I should have called security. I just can’t believe something like that could happen, you know? This is a safe building.”
“There’s been string of break-ins all over the neighborhood, Lily,” Brock replied, gently wiping her tears away. His thumb swiped another stray tear that slid down her cheek. “Your building’s security team should have notified everyone. I’ll speak to them myself about it in the morning. The woman you saw used to work for a local cleaning company and knew her way around all the buildings in the area. She possibly even had former colleagues helping her out. We’re still investigating, but they’ve been burglarizing people all summer long.”
“I feel really stupid.”
“Don’t feel stupid. Just be aware of stuff like that in the future. If you see something you don’t like, you call me immediately.”
“Brock—”
“Call me. I’ll be here, no matter what.”
“You can’t promise something like that,” she said, rising to her feet.
His eyes blazed, and he tugged her back toward him. The feel of his hand on her waist anchored her in place. Made her feel like the world wasn’t spinning off its axis anymore. Like he would make everything okay.
“If there’s one thing you should know, it’s this—I protect what’s mine.”
His words warmed her, as did the intensity in his eyes. “I’m scared,” she whispered.
His jaw hardened. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, Lily. Not now, not ever. First thing tomorrow, I’ll change the locks on your front door. I’m staying tonight. You won’t have to worry about being safe in your own home.”
She shook her head. “No, I know you’d protect me. I meant that I’m scared of this—of us,” she said, gesturing between them.
“I meant what I said earlier tonight. Back at Jake’s house. I care about you. I just about lost my mind with the thought of you hurt. I don’t know anything about relationships, and I realize we barely know one another, but I want to give things a shot with us. I want you to give me a shot.”
“I just—I’ve never felt like this before. Not ever. Not with anyone.”
“You’ve been mine since the moment I saw you at the bar, Princess.”
He looked up at her, an emotion she couldn’t quite read in his blue eyes. She reached down and traced her fingertips over the dark stubble on his chiseled jaw. Brock’s breathing hitched, and he stood up, his large frame towering over hers. One large hand splayed across her ribcage, the other curved around her neck. She felt possibly more vulnerable than she’d ever been before.
“Lily, right now I want you more than I fucking want my next breath. But if you want me to just hold you tonight, or stay here on the sofa, I’d understand.”
“I want you to kiss me.”
Flames licked his eyes as he stepped even closer, his intense blue gaze burning into her. “Is that right?” he asked, gently brushing a strand of her hair back from her face.
“Yes,” she said, stepping into his open arms. He leaned down, and his lips gently brushed against hers as she trembled.
“You’re shaking,” he said gently.
“I need you.” She kissed him, deeper this time, and then stretched up on her tip-toes, so that her breasts pushed against his chest and her lips brushed against his ear. He smelled woodsy and male, a scent distinctly his. The scruff of his five o’clock shadow brushed against her check. Muscular arms wrapped around her, and things were different this time. Better. She was insanely attracted to him, but she was safe. Safe to be herself with him. Safe from the world.
“God, Lily, the things you do to me,” he said, his voice gravel.
His arousal hardened, and she pressed even closer, needing him inside her.
“Make me yours, Brock,” she whispered into his ear.
He bent down and swept her into his arms, holding her closely against his muscular chest. Gently, he carried her toward the bedroom and placed her on the bed as if she were something delicate and fragile to be cherished and treasured. He removed his holster, setting it on her nightstand, and pulled off the black NYPD tee shirt. Toed off his shoes. Stood before her wearing nothing but jeans that hung below his perfectly sculpted abs.
Lust raced through her as she once again took in his masculine physique, all walls of taut muscle and restrained power. Power that was just waiting to be unleashed on her. A dark smattering of hair trailed from his abdomen down to the bulge in his jeans, and her heart raced. When he’d stripped down to his boxers, he bent over the bed and softly kissed her, his warm body hovering over hers.
His muscular hands gripped the hem of her tee shirt, and then he edged it up, tugging it off over her head. Her bra was next, carelessly tossed aside, revealing her bare breasts. A large hand skimmed over the side of one, and then he cupped it, squeezing, unable to keep his hands off of her.
“Fuck, Lily, you’re so gorgeous,” he said, trailing his fingers across her temple and down her cheek. “All of you. I don’t even know what you’re doing with a man like me.”
“I need you, Brock,” she whimpered. “Don’t make me wait.”
Brock helped remove her jeans and panties, and then she was beneath him. Lily shuddered as he bent down, his mouth hot on hers. He kneaded her breast with one hand, and then his mouth was trailing down, kissing her across her breasts, his stubble lightly grazing over her sensitive flesh. He kissed around one areola, driving her crazy with want, then lightly flicked his tongue across one nipple.
Arousal was already pooling at her core, dampening her folds. She needed him desperately and gasped and arched up as he sucked one taut nipple into his mouth. He lightly bit down and then blew on the sensitive bud, easing the sting, and she felt every sensation in her throbbing clit.
“Brock,” she whimpered, bucking her hips up toward him.
She gasped when he slipped his large hand down to find her wet and ready for him. Thick fingers traced her seam and then teased her sensitive folds. “You’re always so ready for me, Princess. I get so hard knowing just how wet you are.”
“Just for you, Brock,” she gasped, bucking her hips as he slipped one thick finger inside. He added a second finger, stretching her inner walls, readying her for him. He slowly eased them in and out, and she moaned at the delicious ache inside.
Abruptly he stood, pulling his hand free, causing her to whimper at the loss of him.
“Hang on, Baby,” he said, pushing down his boxers. His throbbing erection sprang out, thick and hard, and he quickly retrieved a condom from his wallet. She watched in awe as he sheathed himself, already throbbing and ready for her.
Brock crawled back on top of her, his thick arousal pressing against her inner thigh as he kissed his way back up her body. Spreading her legs apart, he finally lowered himself to her aching center, his cock brushing against her core. She gasped as he rubbed against her folds, the tip of his penis brushing against her clit.
He nudged against her again, causing her to cry out, then clasped her hands in his larger ones and lifted them above her head, so that she was completely trapped beneath him. Exactly where she wanted to be. And just when she thought she couldn’t wait a moment longer, she gasped as he lined himself up and slowly entered her, easing in inch by glorious inch.
His length and girth filled her completely, and she cried out again at the exquisite pressure. His large body moved above hers, and he kissed her slow and deep as he thrust into her, seemingly in no hurry. “Brock,” she moaned, feeling the base of his penis rub up against her clit with each and every agonizing stroke.
“I love it when you moan my name, Princess,” he said, gently tugging on her lower lip with his teeth. “I could listen to that all night.”
“You feel so good—”
Any further conversation was cut off as she gasped, at a loss for words as he thrust into her harder, faster. He moved her hands to one of his, wrapping his fingers around both of her wrists as he held them above her head. Brock reached back with his free hand and pushed one of her legs up, bending it at the knee and opening her further to him. Strong fingers gripped her leg, holding her in place. Letting him penetrate her completely. She cried out, loving his dominance, craving more of the way he took complete control of their lovemaking.
He slid in even further in this position, and she was helpless, spiraling out of control as he thoroughly commanded her body. Brock bucked his hips, penetrating her even more deeply, and she cried out as he rubbed up against her sensitive bundle of nerves. With each and every thrust, the base of his erection rubbed against her clit, and she was powerless to stop the surge of pleasure rushing through her. Her inner walls began to tighten around his thick length, and as Brock thrust again and again, she screamed out his name, writhing beneath him as she shattered and her orgasm went on and on.
Afterwards he pulled her close, wrapping his large frame around her from behind. Brock didn’t seem like the type of man who’d want to cuddle after sex, but she was too exhausted to care. Too thoroughly sated to do anything but melt into his embrace. She closed her eyes and drifted off to the sound of Brock murmuring, “I’m glad you’re safe, Princess,” into her ear.
