HIS Choice: An H.I.S. Novel (H.I.S. series Book 2) (20 page)

Sex. She had no problem with just sex. Have fun and then return home. Easy.

He studied her. “Let’s sit down and play cards or watch
a movie.”

She relaxed at the suggestion. No matter how much bravado she had about rolling around in bed with him, no matter how much her body ached for him, for some reason, she was nervous. “I’ll pop the popcorn for
a movie.”

She leaned against the kitchen counter while the popcorn popped, her thoughts returning to their lovemaking. Not lovemaking, sex. She wanted to fan herself from the heat rising within her by thinking of it. She’d cherish
that table.

Then in the hotel room, he’d been gentle, taking his time. How many other sides existed in this sexual being? She looked forward to finding out. Somehow she doubted her experiences would keep up with his. But she was willing
to try.

He broke into her thoughts. “Are you planning to sit down and watch
the movie?”

She jumped. Did he realize what she’d been thinking? Calm down. Slow the breathing and he’ll never know. “I’m coming.” She pulled the popcorn from the microwave
and hesitated.

* * * * *

AJ wanted to laugh as she stood, staring at the couch. He smiled and touched the space beside him. “Here
you go.”

His pulse spiked when she sat so close. He risked it and put an arm behind her. Tension eased in his shoulders when she didn’t push away or sit forward. She hadn’t snuggled into him, but he’d take one thing at
a time.

Sexual tension crackled between them. If she hadn’t appeared skittish, they’d be testing out the bed right now. But he noticed the slight tremble in her hands. It could be from desire but more than likely it
was nerves.

She had nothing to be nervous about. She’d been so sensual and responsive with him earlier. Anticipation rolled through him, driving his lust and determination. She’d have to get ready because he would fuck
her tonight.

AJ had made a wise choice choosing a scary movie for them to watch. Megan had jumped closer to him and finally relaxed and then
snuggled close.

After clicking the TV, he rose and offered her his hand, the obvious question in his eyes. She looked up at him, took his hand and stood.

He pulled her to him. “My little dove, we’re finishing what we started earlier. Are you okay
with that?”

She whispered, “Yes.”

Her eyes slowly darkened, her
body quivered.

Slipping his hand behind her head, wrapping it in her silky strands, he leaned over and took her mouth with his in a deep, slow kiss, his tongue claiming her mouth. He drank in her sweet taste. Her heavenly sweetness rocketed heat through his gut straight to
his groin.

He tightened his hold on her, pulling her closer, needing to feel every inch of her against him. The resulting whimper encouraged him. He deepened the kiss, hungry for her, and her body melted
against his.

Pulling back, he looked at her lips, swollen and wet. God, she
was sexy.

He shot her a reassuring smile and led the way to the bedroom, hoping she didn’t change her mind. They stopped beside the bed, locked in a smoldering gaze that should have set the room
on fire.

AJ reached forward and slowly slid her sweater over her head. He swallowed a burning lump in his throat. She hadn’t put her bra
back on.

His trembling hands reached up to grasp her breasts, lightly massaging, his thumbs circling her nipples that were already puckered, ready for him to suckle. She tossed her head back and released a soft, feminine sigh when he pinched them between his thumbs
and forefingers.

Sliding his hands down her soft belly to the tops of her jeans, he hadn’t expected to
find resistance.

She stayed his hand. “No. You’re hurt. I saw the pain in your eyes the last time you were over me. Let me
do this.”

He’d never sat back and let the woman lead. Her pleading eyes couldn’t be denied. He dropped his arms to his sides, a tremor slid through
his body.

She smiled. “You need to get rid of your
weapons first.”

After removing them, he ripped his sweatshirt over
his head.

Her feather-light, lust-arousing exploration of his naked chest sent ripples of excitement through his tense body. She set him on fire with just her touch. No woman had ever
done that.

“Am I
hurting you?”

He looked down, watchingher hand make circles around his nipple. “Not
a chance.”

“Good.”

She glided her hand down his abdomen, softly smirking at his indrawn breath when she reached the bulge in his jeans. She reached for his zipper, sliding it down slowly, drawing out the anticipated pleasure, driving him close to insane. The same thing he’d done to her earlier.
The minx.

He snagged her hand. “I’ll take off mine, and you take off yours.”

He jerked his zipper down, easing his cock from the tight grasp of his jeans. He wrapped his hand around it, moving his hand slowly up and down the shaft as he watched
her undress.

His gaze raked over her naked body. His breath quickened. He had to take some control back from this tease. He stilled his hand. “On
the bed.”

She shook her head. “
After you.”

He ached too much for an argument. As long as they were flesh to flesh, he didn’t care how it happened. He moved to the bed, stretching out, waiting for whatever she had planned
for him.

She crawled and leveled herself over him, remaining on her hands and knees. His cock throbbed at the thought of taking her from behind in
that position.

Unable to resist the temptation, his hands reached up and covered her silky breasts, his thumbs playing with her nipples. She murmured his name as she leaned down and covered his mouth with hers in a smoldering kiss that heated with each passing second, threatening to rip his self-control
to shreds.

Slowly lifting her head, she whispered, “Lie still,” before she pressed butterfly kisses searing down his neck, past his chest and to
his stomach.

He pushed her hair from her face so he could watch lips descend to his swollen manhood. A sight he refused
to miss.

Her eyes sparkled mischievously before she wrapped her hand around his engorged length, slowly sliding her hand up and down. Leaning in, she took the head of his cock into her mouth. The wet warmth pulled his remaining blood rushing to his loins, leaving him lightheaded, but wanting to flip her over and pound
into her.

“Turn around,” he said in a
raspy voice.

She lifted her head, cocked it and nodded. Watching her swing her tight ass around, placing her wet pussy in his face almost set him off. He took a deep breath, fighting for control. The smell of her arousal didn’t help him want to take
things slow.

She didn’t speak, just slid his length to the back of her throat and then back again, her mouth and hand working in tandem. She added her tongue stroking up and down. A primal groan tore from his chest, spinning him in a jumble of heat
and pleasure.

He took a deep breath to slow the pulsing of his cock as naked desire rushed through
his veins.

He took in the glorious sight before him. Pink, wet, addicting.

With his tongue, he stroked over her clitoris, and felt her tense, her whimper vibrating over his cock. He gritted
his teeth.

He parted her soft, naked lips and licked her hot center, finally tasting her. Ambrosia. “Your scent and taste are intoxicating,” he
said hoarsely.

She hummed something in return while still sucking his cock. He threw his head back and sucked in deep breath after deep breath. Not yet. Not
fucking yet.

No longer teasing, his tongue returned to work, thrusting in and out of her core while his thumb stroked her clitoris. He inserted a finger in her slick entrance and then another. He licked her swollen clit and tugged on it with his teeth, sucked on it with
his lips.

She tensed, her mouth and hand stilled on him. She pushed closer to his mouth, and then let out a cry with spasms rocking her body as an orgasm
overtook her.

The vibrations of her sounds on his cock, drew his
balls tight.

“Megan, I don’t want to come in your mouth, and I’m
that close.

She took a deep breath, released him and then climbed off. She reached for a condom, ripped the package and
sheathed him.

Before he could take his next breath she’d straddled him and inched herself down his cock, taking him deeper and deeper until she took him to the hilt and sat flush with him. She leaned down on her forearms and gazed at him. “That was amazing. No one had made me come
that quickly.”

He grinned, happy he was her first for something. “Kiss me and taste yourself,”
he challenged.

She smiled and leaned down for a deep,
slow kiss.

His
blood heated.

She lifted her head. “Ready?”

“I was born ready.” He held her hips tight and rocked them up and down
his shaft.

She leaned forward enticing his mouth with
her breast.

The little hitch in her breath when his teeth grazed her nipple pushed another jolt of lust spearing
through him.

“Find it. Find what you need, Megan.”

She adjusted their rhythm, arched her back and released a
sensual moan.

Watching her ride him with an erotic look on her face nearly cast him over
the edge.

He reached down and rubbed his finger over her swollen nub, helping drive her closer to her climb. She’d come again before
he would.

She touched her breast with one hand, squeezed her nipple, and covered his hand with the other, adding to the pressure he applied to her
other breast.

Holy fucking shit. Normally a woman taking her own pleasure with him didn’t faze him, but watching Megan, his cock throbbed harder, his need
burned stronger.

His lover’s eyes closed, her cheeks flushed, and her head rolled back. His balls decided he’d held on long enough after she clenched him and cried out as a second orgasm
rocked her.

He did not wish for this to end. He gritted his teeth, controlling his much desired release, keeping it at bay. “Are you familiar with
Kama Sutra?”

With a wicked grin, she responded, “I’m in the mood for the
Erotic End.”

Before he could respond she lifted herself up and turned around, riding him with the view of her perfect ass presented
to him.

He sat up, his arms behind him, holding him up and began making small, circular rotations of his pelvis. Leaning forward, he pressed teasing kisses to her neck
and shoulder.

She tightened around him, teasing him, destroying his ability to hold on any longer. A mixture of a grunt and groan ripped from him as an orgasm
burst forth.

She climbed off and dropped beside him, cuddling in the arm he’d stretched out to his side. He pulled her closer and breathed in her scent. He gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before he went to the bathroom to
clean up.

He braced his hands on the vanity counter and hung his head. A cold hand held his heart, crushing it in its grasp. That orgasm had shaken him to the core, reaching uncharted territory. He feared he wouldn’t get enough of her, especially knowing their time together was limited. And nothing could
change that.

Megan woke languid and content and found AJ watching her from the doorway to the bedroom. Leaned against the doorframe, one foot crossed over the other, he held a newspaper and a coffee cup. Pure lust rippled
through her.

She sat up in bed, holding the sheet over her breasts to hide their stiffening nipples. Memories of what had happened the night before made them ache for
his touch.

She cleared her throat. “Is that newspaper
for me?”

He sauntered towards her in tight jeans and a forest green sweater that uniquely displayed his firm and muscular body. She still
wanted him.

He handed her the coffee and set the newspaper on the nightstand.

She took a quick sip. “Hmm.” The day could
now begin.

“We have a large snow storm coming through.” He sat on the edge of
the bed.

“That will slow down
our information.”

“We’ll make do. It also keeps them from chasing us. So, you
can relax.”

Relax? How could she relax when they wouldn’t even leave the room? They’d be shut up together possibly for days. What happened last night couldn’t happen every day. Raw panic crept its way into her bloodstream, raising her
pulse rate.

“I didn’t think about that.” The sheet slipped down when she’d set the coffee back on the nightstand. She pulled it up and picked up
the newspaper.

He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the lips and then surged up from the bed. “I’ll cook breakfast. How do
omelets sound?”

“That sounds great.” She observed him as he walked stiffly to the kitchen. That’d been odd. She shrugged. Who knew the minds
of men?

She opened the newspaper and flipped through the pages, wishing she had an article in print. Today she’d write the article she’d promised Kristen. She should have been writing it last night instead of snuggling and then making love
with AJ.

While AJ cooked, she slipped from the bed and hauled her suitcase into the bathroom. She started the shower and waited for the water to warm. Looking in the mirror she noticed the whisker burns and a love mark on her neck. She didn’t regret
a thing.

* * * * *

Writing the article of her life on the run made Megan truly grasp the seriousness of the fact that people were still trying to kill her. The sick feeling in her stomach worsened with each word she typed. She remembered the terror that had gripped itself around her body when they’d shot up her home. It had been pure luck she hadn’t
been killed.

She had no idea how AJ would react being the major focus of her article. She couldn’t ignore how he’d been protecting her, keeping her alive even when it wasn’t his responsibility. He could’ve left her at the restaurant so she had no choice but to go with his brother and Kate. But he had allowed her to choose. She hadn’t thought to ask him why. One would think he’d prefer to do this on
his own.

If she asked, she’d probably get his usual evasiveness for
an answer.

He’d drawn the line at several things in her article and one had been describing him. Even though Magic Shop suspected they were together, she didn’t need to confirm it. His physical description would have the ladies falling in love. He was gorgeous and a hero. No woman would pass up the article or the man. Jealousy clawed at her with thoughts of another woman wanting him.
Good grief, he doesn’t belong
to me.

She had to admit that she’d become attached to him even though she continued to fight it. It wasn’t just the attraction or the way her breath quickened when he neared. When what she now called the ‘fun AJ’ appeared, he was enjoyable to be around. That AJ never stuck around for long. It seemed that whenever he realized he was having fun, the ‘brooding AJ’ returned as if he wasn’t allowed to
be happy.

She stretched, leaning back in her chair. After covering a yawn, she turned to him and caught him staring at her. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. His face may have been impassive, but the desire in his eyes
flamed hot.

“I’m done. Would you like to
read it?”

“Of course.” He gestured for her
to move.

She paced, nervous about what he’d think. Those butterflies now bounced off the walls in her stomach waiting for some response from him. She’d poured a lot of herself into this article. Her experiences only continued to escalate in terms of danger. While that made great copy, it wasn’t so great for Megan’
s nerves.

He turned back to her. “You did a great job. Your boss will
love it.”

She beamed at him. It meant so much to her to have his approval. Her butterflies now had it together and fluttered only for him, for the praise he’
d bestowed.

“There’s only one problem. You made me out to be some kind
of hero.”

Then he chose to yank her down from her floating cloud of joy. Her smile vanished. “But you have been my hero. You’ve done everything to save me. I’d be dead if not
for you.”

He looked away and cleared his throat. “Megan, I’m no hero. I don’t like being characterized
as one.”

She put her hands on her hips. “Tough. What I wrote is accurate. You may not think you’ve been my hero, but that article is
my viewpoint.”

What was wrong with him? He’d been nothing but a hero. Was it the term? Did ‘brooding AJ’ think he didn’t deserve such a righteous name? She had to break into that mind of his and learn what made him tick. Most men would be over the moon to be
called that.

He leaned forward, elbows on his thighs. “Megan…”

“No,” she broke in, waving her arm to stop his words. “The article doesn’t break any of your rules. You dictated what I couldn’t write, but not what I could write. I’m submitting it as
it is.”

Dropping his head in his hands, he let out a long exasperated sigh. “Okay.
Submit it.”

Yes
!
“You need to show me how to send
it securely.”

“I’ll do that
for you.”

She set her hand on his shoulder sending tingling warmth traveling up her arm and spreading throughout
her body.

A crooked half-smile curved his lips. “Okay, let’s send in your
Pulitzer article.”

* * * * *

“Kristen, I’
m sorry.”

“I was disappointed when I didn’t receive the article yesterday, but what I just received makes up for it. It’s excellent. The readers will
love it.”

Megan let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d held. Worry that her boss might not like it had left her sitting on pins and needles waiting for a response. AJ had attempted to help her relax with a card game or a movie. She sat only for a minute or two before she jumped back up to pace, every muscle tense, every nerve on edge. “Thanks.”

“Now, who is this mysterious man you’re with? How do you know that you can trust him? In fact, how do you
know him?”

Her smile collapsed. She wanted to tell her boss, but she’d promised not to divulge anything specific about him. “I can’t tell you, Kristen.”

A heavy sigh floated through the phone. “I still think you need to come in and go to the FBI. You’re living too dangerously. Let me pick you up and bring you to safety. He can
come too.”

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m staying with him, and we’re not
coming in.”

“Why?”

Why was a really good question. She didn’t trust law enforcement after the protection fiasco. The FBI hadn’t done anything to her. She should trust them. But the more she learned about the Magician, the longer she saw how far his armed reached. “I know he’ll keep
me alive.”

There was a rustle in the background and then another voice came through
the phone.

“Megan, it’s Victoria.” The excitement in her voice didn’t go unnoticed. “Remember the photos you showed me of people you thought might
be important?”

She gripped the phone tighter. Holding her breath, she responded, “Yes.” Could it be? Did she
find something?

“I saw two of them come around. One was that guy you saw
murder someone.”

Great. Damian was more active than she’
d hoped.

“I also have some names.” Victoria’s excitement burst through in
her voice.

Megan moved the phone to her left ear and grabbed a pen. Her blood pumping fast, she couldn’t believe their luck. And now was the
right time.

“I kept hearing the Richards brothers but couldn’t find out who they were. Well, they run the two brothels and the streets. I took some photos that I’d like you to look at in case you see someone you know. Where do I
send them?”

Dang it all to hell and back! This could help them, but she knew AJ wouldn’t allow her to accept another email. She cleared her dry throat. “There’s no way to send it to me. I’ll have to look at it
another time.”

“Oh. Well, I’ll figure it out. If you find something new, please let me know. It’s time for us to
finish this.”

She couldn’t help but smile. “Okay.”

“Bye, Megan.”

“Keep in touch with me so I know you’re okay,” her boss said
in closing.

* * * * *

AJ had finally settled Megan into a bath. If that much worry and anxiety went into getting an article printed, he could live without it. It had taken most of the day for her to connect with her boss. He thought he’d have to give her
a sedative.

After they’d cooked dinner, they talked. Well, she talked. He grunted and turned conversations around, off him as the subject. The woman could
ask questions.

He’d finally convinced her to take a long soak in the tub to relax her tense muscles. And to give him time to think about what to
do next.

Sharing information on the drug operation with her tomorrow would help begin the disruption of Magic Shop’s business. They’d hit him on all fronts. But they’d
start slow.

She’d talked about the girl who worked the prostitution angle. He hadn’t decided what to do with that. His knowledge on that area of business
was limited.

He wanted to trust her with the prison break information, but didn’t want to argue over her publishing it or her doing it behind his back. He’d figure it out. He
always did.

Dropping the curtain he sighed. It’d been a good thing he hadn’t planned to move yet. The snow hadn’t stopped all day. According to the news, the salt trucks couldn’t move fast enough to keep the roads from freezing again before they made
another run.

He looked at his watch. He wanted to go to bed but someone was
still absent.

He knocked on the bathroom door, calling her name. When she didn’t answer, fear gripped him and he rushed into
the room.

He dropped his head and released a heavy breath. She’d only
fallen asleep.

What the hell was he doing keeping her with him? It was about to get very dangerous, and he planned to take her into it. She may not have always acted brave, but she’d followed his instructions. What he’d seen of her on a story, bravery flew out the window for foolishness and stupidity. And he’d have her on
a story.

Self-disgust rolled through his stomach. He’d allowed himself to become who he was. Someone as good and bright as Megan shouldn’t even associate with him. And she shouldn’t be having sex
with him.

He should discourage her. Nothing could ever come of the two of them. Yet, inside her, the darkness and guilt disappeared. He felt
whole again.

Deciding it best he sleep on the pullout couch, he softly called her name to
wake her.

She sighed in
her sleep.

“Megan,” he
called louder.

“Go away, Kevin. It’s my turn,”
she mumbled.

His heart seized. She’d hate him if she ever found out. He’d lied to her. He had been called to take care of her brother. But he’d been
too late.

Reaching down, he shook her. “Come on, my little dove. It’s time to go
to bed.”

She reached up and wound her arms around his neck but made no move
to stand.

Hell. It was hard enough seeing her lying there in the water, now he had to dry her off too. Glancing down at her pile of clothing, his eyes took in the lacy matching blue bra and panty. He really had fucked up his life to be punished
so badly.

He lifted her. “Come on. Stand up
for me.”

After somehow drying her and leading her to the bed, he covered her and looked down as her eyes
fluttered closed.

“I’m sorry I didn’t wear that lip stuff you like,”
she whispered.

There was no help for it. He moved to the other side of the bed, took off his clothes and slid in beside her. She turned on her side, away from him. He pulled her snug against him, against his painful erection. There was no hope for it. She was his, for as long as he could
have her.