Alaric kissed her again, and panic clawed at her chest. From everything she knew about him, he wasn’t the type of man to settle down, and from what she knew about his needs, she wasn’t sure she could ever fulfill them. And she was also sure that every moment she allowed this to continue, the further she slipped under Alaric's sensual control. But she was no coward.She wanted to feel this—whatever this was. As long as she kept her head on straight and above water, she could handle him and her own conflicting feelings. Couldn’t she? The flutter moved from her stomach to her chest. Maybe she wasn’t even thinking straight, but who could blame her? This man was walking, breathing sin.“Vanessa,” he murmured, brushing his lips over hers. His breath was enticingly hot. “Tell me.”Blinking her eyes open, she barely contained a sigh when her eyes met his. “You are really impatient.”He grinned, and her chest spasmed at the almost boyish quality to it. “You have no idea.”Her hands smoothed ou
“Oh.” Her thoughts were muddled in a sensual haze. “It was just a dream.”He pulled her closer and then his mouth was on her breast, licking over the peak and then tugging on it with his teeth. The sharp burst of pleasured pain was instantly soothed with a lap of his tongue. He alternated between the quick nips and licks until her head fell back. She cried out, her body shuddering even as it tightened deliciously.Alaric suddenly pulled back, and her eyes flew open. She stared at him in disbelief. “You stopped!”“For now.” He sent her a fleeting grin and then pulled his shirt off over his head.His body…she hadn’t forgotten how perfect it was. The broad, muscled shoulders, hard pecs, and a stomach that was rippled and chiseled like rock. He was 100 percent male, not an inch of flab on his body. Her gaze found a puckered, circular scar on his shoulder, the skin a darker shade than the rest of his body. She wanted to ask how he got it, because to her, it really looked like a bullet woun
His finger moved lower and she tensed. “When did you get it done?”She closed her eyes and clamped her lips together, wishing she could just grab his head and put his mouth to better use. “Alaric.”“Tell me when.” His finger traveled up the inside of her thigh, stopping just below her heat. “How old were you?”The bastard was relentless. Her skin burned and her body pulsed with yearning. “I was eighteen,” she bit out. “Happy?”“Yes.” He cupped her between the thighs, covering her throbbing center. “Happy?”Her back bowed as her hips immediately pushed against his hand. “Getting there…”“Hmm.” He pressed a kiss to the crease of her thigh as he rotated his palm, eliciting a throaty moan from her. “Drunk or sober?”“What?” she gasped.He pressed his palm against her. “Were you drunk or sober when you got the tattoo?”She wanted to refuse him, but then he lifted his hand. Cool air brushed her and she muttered a curse. Alaric laughed. “I was a little drunk,” she admitted, and was rewarded
“You said earlier that you planned on putting my mouth to good use.”He had said that, and fuck if he didn’t want that more than anything he’d ever wanted in his life, but he…Alaric shook his head. Her tongue moved against her lips and whatever tiny level of hesitation that had been brewing in his chest evaporated like smoke. Her eyes were wide and dark with passion, hair a tumbled mess over her shoulders and curling around her breasts. It was the first time he’d seen her look so…so free. And fuck, she was perfect.“Well then…” He rose, unbuttoning his pants. He had them off in less than a second.Her gaze dropped, and she made a sound that his cock really liked. He was hard, jutting up in the air, and so close to losing it that if she kept staring at him like that, he’d come right then. Gripping her shoulders, he positioned her on her knees before him and then bent down, capturing her lips in a searing kiss that ended too soon. Then he straightened before her.With her wrists secure
She was folding and refolding her newly acquired stash of clothing for the hundredth time when Alaric appeared in the doorway. The moment her gaze connected with his, heat zinged across her cheeks and she felt silly for blushing so easily.“Hungry?” he asked, expression impassive.Her stomach rumbled in response. All she had eaten earlier was a bagel with cream cheese. “What do you have in mind?”“Thought we could go out and grab something to eat.”For some reason, her heart flopped over in her chest. “Go out and eat?”Obviously mistaking her high-pitched response for fear, he softened his features. “I know this place. My partner and I go there all the time. It’ll be safe.”It was better if he thought she was afraid instead of knowing the truth. Which was what? The sudden increase in her heart rate was due to excitement? But that was silly. This wasn’t a date. Calmly, she placed the folded shirt on the dresser. “I don’t have anything nice to wear.”“What you’re wearing is fine,” he re
Time for another subject change. “Did you always want to be a Detective?”Alaric gave a little half smile. “I used to work as a bodyguard for a while, but I don’t do a lot of personal protection anymore. I guess this is a special case.” He winked at her, and damn if it wasn’t sexy as hell.“That didn’t answer my question,” she said, feeling her lips curve into a grin.“I don’t know.” His hand slid an inch up her leg. “I always kind of did the whole…watching out for others thing—like with my brothers. Just something that came naturally to me. I was the only one who could really pick what I wanted to do. My brother always played ball, since he was old enough to pick one up. The other was primed to take on our father’s business, but me? Yeah, I could do whatever.”Interested, she looked at him. “Did you go to college?”“I did. Are you surprised?”“No.” She knew he wasn’t just all brawn, even though she liked to say that. “What did you study? Kicking ass?”He laughed deeply, causing her g
Disappointed, she hung up the phone. “Was that long enough?” she asked.“No.” Alaric made a face. “I just needed a few more seconds. However, I’m going to let Paul know he called you again. See if he can do more digging from his end.”She nodded. “Can’t he get in touch with my carrier and find out the caller’s number?”“They could. But most likely he either used a burner phone—one that’s untraceable—or blocked his number. What showed up on your caller ID?”“Unknown Caller.” She tried not to be too glum. “Which means he blocked his number, right?”“Probably.” Alaric didn’t appear too concerned. “Don’t worry, we’ll figure it out. He’s actually not the one I’m concerned with.”“What do you mean?”“He even admitted he’s not the one trying to hurt you, though he claims to know who is. I’m more worried about the guy who took out your window and tried messed up your things.”Put that way… “I agree.” She sounded worried now and all Alaric wanted to do was cheer her up. “You don’t have to wor
Her lips tightened. “Since when do you give orders around here? I know it's your house, but I was Christopher's campaign manager and personal assistant and one of the few people he trusted implicitly.”“Good for you,” Alaric drawled. “I’m sure that’s why you won’t tell us about Chris.”Chloe met his stare with one of her own. “Tell me what you know. I can confirm or deny any misinformation.”Suppressing a flash of anger, Vanessa set her cup down with a loud thunk. “I’ve had enough,” she said, noting the surprise flash in Chloe's eyes. “What’s with the secrecy? Christopher is dead. Why protect his secrets now?”“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Chloe drew herself up. “And I’m offended that you would treat me as if I am hiding something.”Both Alaric and Paul watched the two women with interest. Vanessa would have said more if Paul hadn’t been present. For now, she decided to let it go. “Thank you for all your help,” she told Chloe. “I really appreciate it. This has been a stres