Best Man For The Job (The Men of Fear Incorporated Book 1) (9 page)

Talk about a touchy feely man. Now Kasper had his hands just above the soft globes of her ass as the song ended. With each song his hands dropped lower. One or two songs more and he would have Sloane’s sweet ass in the palms of his grimy hands, literally. A slow pop song sang about love. It was the first slow song that they had danced to. Sloane put her head on Gutter Mouth’s shoulder, eliminating any space between them. Max saw red. Oh hell no, he wasn’t going to sit and watch this.

Max was on his feet before common sense could stop him. He tapped Kasper on the shoulder, and without a word he stepped in, taking his place. Surprise washed over Sloane’s features before she could school her expression. What did she see when she looked at him? Did his eyes give him away? Did she know what she did to him or how hard he’d fought against her pull? Her arms slipped around his neck, but inches still separated their bodies. He couldn’t have that. He needed to erase Kasper from her body.

Max pulled her close enough that he knew she could feel his semi-erection press into her belly. He didn’t care; in this moment, he wanted her to know. Her breasts practically flattened between their bodies he held her so tightly. Like a lover’s caress, his hands never stopped moving. Sliding down her back, up her side, swirling circles on her hip. Her arms were wrapped around his shoulders. One hand played with the hair on the nape of his neck. Their eyes locked together, unwavering. It was breathtaking.

The song continued on as the rest of the room fell away. No one else existed. Sight, sound, smell—all of his senses were filled with only her. His hands threaded into her golden mane, pulling her head forward to meet his. Their bodies touched from their foreheads, chests, and hips. He could taste her breath on his lips as they swayed together. The sweet smell of the margaritas she had been drinking beckoned to him to take a taste.

He was just about to give in and take that taste when suddenly Sloane pulled away, her eyes wide with wonder. Max instantly missed the feel of her. Cold seeped into his skin all the while his blood burned for her. He wanted to grab her again and beg her not to let go this time.

“Song’s over,” she whispered like he cared.

“Just like that, it’s over…” Max didn’t know if he was making a statement or asking a question. Was he talking about the dance or the enchantment they had been under? That he was
still
under? She opened her mouth, an answer on the tip of her tongue. Max held his breath, waiting for her reply. Whatever she said could make or break this thing he could feel between them. Meanwhile, the DJ was taking his sweet time announcing the next song. Max wished she’d answer before the music drowned her out.

“Hey, Darlin’ get your sweet ass over here.” From the table Kasper’s loud call pulled her attention away from Max.

“Gutter Mouth, shut the fuck up.”

It was out of Max’s mouth before he could stifle it. He groaned internally, slowly closing his eyes in frustration.
Way to lose your cool there, Maxwell.
Sloane’s jaw dropped slightly. It might have been comical in any other situation. Risking a look behind him, Max took in the expressions on his friends’ faces. Disbelief, humor, self-righteousness, and—yup, right there to round it all out—rage. Charlie was one pissed off woman.

That pissed off woman was heading in his direction, a murderous look in her eye. Her confident stride quickly ate up the space between them. Briefly he wondered if he could hide behind Sloane. Nah, even in her incredibly sexy heels she was still a few inches shorter than him.

“You had to be here to
protect
her?” she accused, her hands waving around.

He wanted to say yes, that’s exactly why he was here, but he couldn’t get the words out. The whole drive to Charlie’s house he kept thinking of the way Sloane’s ass had looked under the robe she was wearing as she ran to her room. He should have known this night wouldn’t end well.

“Looks to me like Kasper had things under control just fine without you.”

“Charlie—”

“No. Just no, Max.”

***

Sloane

Sloane watched Charlie march back to their table to collect her purse. She eyed Sloane, shaking her head in disapproval. What the hell did she do now?

“Look, Charlie…” He tried to talk to her, but she wasn’t having it.

“Handcuffs, Max…Hope she’s worth it.”

For the second time in less than five minutes, Sloane was frozen with her mouth hanging open. Peering up at Max, she tried but couldn’t read his expression. What the hell just happened? One minute she’s having a great time flirting with Kasper and seriously thinking of letting him take her home, the next she’s lost in a moment so intense with Max, she forgot where she was.

Perhaps Charlie’s departure was a good time to call it a night. Max refused to meet her gaze, so she left him standing there on the edge of the dance floor. She tried to ignore the looks from everyone. She was just as confused to the cause of Max’s outburst as they were. She just shrugged her shoulders.

“It looks like the party is over tonight, Darlin’.”

“So it does.” Sloane put on the happiest face she could muster. It wasn’t much.

“So, you gonna let me call you?”

“Sure, I’d like that.”

She smiled for real this time. How could she not when Kasper flashed that sexy as sin grin? Sloane knew he was probably a total player, but she didn’t care. It wasn’t as if she was looking for forever. She just wanted some fun, so she gave him her cell phone number. After hugging everyone goodbye, she promised them they would all get together again. Sloane picked up her clutch, trailing out behind Mirabella. She was just about to get in the Tahoe when Max called out to her.

“Sloane, I’m over here.”

“I see that.”

“I mean, why are you getting in Foster’s SUV?”

“He was driving me home. As per your request.”

“Why would he go out of his way to drive you when I’m here and going to the same place? That makes no sense. Get your ass in the truck.”

“Fine,” she mumbled, walking to his truck. “Night, guys,” she called back.

“Hey, darlin’,” Kasper bellowed while running toward her across the parking lot.

He was crouched down to half his height, closing the distance between them quickly. He was ex-SWAT and she could easily imagine him in action. All he needed was his gear.

He picked her up without slowing his speed, spinning them around in circles until she was dizzy. Considering the amount of alcohol she had consumed, it didn’t take long before she was yelling and giggling.

He stopped abruptly, letting her body slowly slide down his until her feet hit the ground. The friction caused her dress to slide up enough that only the swell of her ass stopped her from an indecent exposure charge. She tried to tug it back down as Kasper grabbed her face. He pressed a soft, closed-mouth kiss to her lips, winking when he stepped away.

“I’ll hit you up later, beautiful.”

“See ya around, cowboy.”

She couldn’t hide the smile on her face as she hoisted herself up into Max’s truck. Which was not easy considering her attire. He barely gave her time to shut the door before he sped off out of the parking lot.
Whoa
. What was his deal? Up until the end, she’d had a great night. She met some new people who helped take her mind off of all her problems for a little while. Sloane could have done without seeing Max with Charlie, but it wasn’t any of her business who Max slept with. The chaste kiss from Kasper probably would have been amazing, if only she hadn’t had Max as the new standard of kisses. That was a depressing thought.

Max parked the truck and then exited without saying a word.
Whatever.
She wasn’t in the mood to deal with him anyway. Her plans of getting laid were ruined. Maybe she still could’ve went home with Kasper. If only she had his number, he could come get her. She’d only given him hers, though. Asking Max for it didn’t sound like a good idea. Foster, maybe. Yeah, that’s a better plan, but it would have to wait. Now that she’d taken her shoes off, she realized she wasn’t going anywhere. Max slammed the refrigerator door, startling her.

“What’s your problem? You’re acting like you have a huge bug up your ass.”

“The only problem I have is trying to keep you safe,” he growled. “Going to a crowded club with wall to wall strangers was a bad idea.”

Sloane folded her arms. “Foster didn’t seem to think so.”

“That’s because Foster was thinking of keeping Bella happy. I was thinking of keeping
you
alive.”

Sloane didn’t know what to say. She was so angry with him for ruining her night and yet at the same time she understood what he was saying. She knew he was trying to look after her. The whole situation sucked. She hated being babysat. She hated being a burden on him. She decided she didn’t want to fight with him.

“Do you mind if I shower first? All that dancing made me sweaty.”

“No, go ahead.”

“Thank you. Good night.”

“Night.”

Sloane wanted to press him. She wanted to ask if keeping her safe was all that was on his mind. He was pissed at her. She couldn’t bring herself to ask, though. She didn’t want him to tell her how he screwed up with Charlie. Ignorance is bliss. On the dance floor with his arms around her was by far the most sensual encounter that she’d had in…well, ever. Like a ray of sunlight, it warmed her, bringing with it desire like she’d never known. Her panties were still damp with it.

She stripped everything off and stepped into the shower. She poured body wash into her hand, lathering herself. Her palms moved smoothly over her breasts, the nipples peeking into stiff points. She closed her eyes. She remembered the way they pressed into Max’s hard chest, not even an hour ago. There was something about Maxwell Fear that pushed every one of her buttons. She massaged her hands down her body, picturing Max there with her. She imagined him holding her from behind.

Sliding her hand down lower, her fingers touched the delicate folds between her thighs. Skimming them gently, she shivered. Placing one foot on the side of the tub, she let her head fall back, giving into the sensations overwhelming her body. The water continued to rinse away the rest of the suds as she plunged her finger inside. Already the digit was slick with her juices. Sloane pulled it out before pushing back in, adding another finger this time. In and out she drove them repeatedly. Soft moans escaped her, even as she bit down on her bottom lip to stop it. The pressure, building rapidly. Her hips rocked forward on their own accord, fighting for sweet release.

She imagined Max’s hands on her like they were on the dance floor. The feel of his breath in her face. She imagined they were still there dancing. That they were his fingers bringing her closer. Not caring who witnessed their performance.

It hit her hard and fast. Her inner walls squeezed her fingers as she cried out. It almost had her collapsing on the shower floor. Using the tile wall to hold her up, she waited until the aftershocks subsided before rinsing herself yet again. Finally, exhausted, she wrapped herself in a towel. She hustled to her room, dropping the towel at her feet before collapsing onto the bed.

***

Max

The entire drive home, all Max could see was the image of Gutter Mouth pressing his lips to Sloane’s. He couldn’t even say anything, for crying out loud. He’d had Charlie there for no reason other than to fuck her afterward. He was so pissed he could hardly see straight. Now might be a good time to ask her what was going on with them, but what if he didn’t like the answer? What if she was interested in Gutter Mouth for real? He hoped she was just flirting to have some fun. For now, he had to try to ignore it. He wished he could ignore the way she felt in his arms.

Once Sloane was in the shower, he checked his messages. Nothing but a few solicitors, thankfully. This whole mess started with checking his messages. He was worn out. He needed to stretch out in bed and get some much-needed rest. His emotions were all over the place. He wasn’t used to feeling this way, but something about her called to him.

Climbing the stairs, he heard a moan. His body instantly on alert, he pulled his gun from his waistband, stopping outside the bathroom door. No way, she couldn’t be. Yet, there it was again. A soft moan. She was in
his
shower getting herself off while he stood in the hallway like a dirty pervert listening.

His cock grew hard quickly. It was almost painful as it strained in an odd angle against his zipper. He reached down to adjust himself, trying to alleviate the ache. Another moan, more intense now. He swiftly began undoing the button on his jeans. Tugging the zipper down and releasing himself into his hand, he began to work his cock. He spread the bead of pre-cum down his shaft, stroking himself to the sound of Sloane’s pleasure.

Max wished he was in there with her. He imagined covering every inch of her sweet ivory flesh with his lips. He kept his pace slow, only increasing the grip and strength of each pull. His breathing grew shallower with each pump of his wrist. Like a deviant, he pressed his forehead to the bathroom door. It reminded him of the way he’d pressed it against Sloane’s at the club. The way her eyes had been glued to him as he’d learned her body with his hands.