Protected by Shadows (21 page)

“Oh fuck!” she cried, hips kicking up from the bed, grinding herself against his searching tongue.

She twined her fingers into his hair and tugged. Her hips ground against him, she was unwilling to let him go. Tenseness spread out from her middle and overtook her. Another cry exploded from her throat as she came hard.

Valentino was relentless and he didn’t move, just continued to thrust his tongue deep inside her, lapping her cream and asking for more. She trembled and whimpered as he moved to her clit and slipped two fingers inside her.

“Val…more…give…please…”

He didn’t give her a break and she knew all she could do was hang on for the ride. It wasn’t long until she came again. Before she could recover, he had risen over her and kissed her, tongue slashing through her mouth, combining their tastes.

She moaned as his thick length slid into her with a single stroke. Wrapping her legs around him, she took him in as far as she could. He ended the kiss, drawing out her bottom lip until it popped free.

“You know this is where you belong, Lexy,” he muttered. “In bed with me. My cock buried deep in this hot, tight pussy of yours.”

She couldn’t find words to say. Not even her typical snarky remarks found their way free. She couldn’t argue with him, not when she was in complete agreement.

He withdrew until just the head of his cock remained inside her. “Tell me, Lexy. Tell me I’m right.”

“Fuck me, Val.”

“I plan on it,
wife
. But I want you to tell me this is where you belong. Tell me and I’ll fuck you until you have a hard time walking tomorrow. So all those college students will wonder why you’re moving so stiffly up there on stage. And you will know I’m smirking from the back of the room, knowing it’s because of me having fucked you.”

She shifted beneath him, trying to pull him back inside her. His chuckle wasn’t all that comforting.

“No way, baby. Tell me and I’ll give you what you want.” He pulled back more.

She whimpered and latched her legs tight. “Inside,” she said.

“Give me what I want and I promise I’ll do the same to you.”

“This is where I belong.” She dug her nails into his upper arms. “Now hold up your end.”

He thrust forward with a powerful stroke. Everything within her splintered as his cock filled her again. She came hard, her scream leaving her throat and body arching.

“That what you want?” he rumbled in her ear.

“More,” she begged. “Oh, God, more.”

And he did. He drove in and out of her with strong movements of his hips. She tightened her internal muscles around him and he groaned. Words in Italian fell from his lips as he moved.

Sliding her arms beneath his shoulders, she angled her hips to allow him deeper and buried her face into his neck. She flicked her tongue out and tasted the sweat on his skin.

Harder. Faster. Deeper.

That was all she wanted. To be fucked until she couldn’t remember her own name. And Valentino was well on his way to accomplishing that. She stopped thinking and just allowed him to take her away.

Something he achieved. Over and over. When her alarm went off, she’d been asleep for maybe twenty minutes. Valentino reached over her for the phone and shut off the light noise set to wake her.

“Come on,” he murmured in her ear. “Let’s shower.”

She sat up and bit back her groan. Her clothes were scattered and she just ignored them. When he scooped her up she didn’t fight him on it. The warm water he turned on soothed and rejuvenated her sore body.

“You okay?” he asked as he poured some of her body wash into the loofa.

“Sore,” she said, voice hoarse and graveled.

“Told you,” he replied. He turned her so her back was in the stream of water and began washing her front.

Shit. Even as sore as I am, I’m still getting turned on by him touching me.
She bit back her moan and shifted her position, allowing him easier access. His touch was gentle and firm yet all together arousing.

“Turn around,” he ordered.

She did and waited as he washed her back. She closed her eyes and enjoyed it. There was more waiting while he took the showerhead to rinse off the soap on her.

When the stream hit her clit, she whimpered. He stood behind her, cock thick and hard, pressing against her. “Widen your legs.”

She did and he rewarded her with another stream to her oversensitive clit. His arms were around her, his body holding her up. He used his right hand to glide over her pussy and sink two fingers inside her.

“Val,” she gasped.

He nipped the side of her neck and put the water back on her. She trembled and shook as he worked his wrist, driving his fingers deep into her. The combined stimulation had her coming with a loud cry. Her back bowed and her legs nearly gave out on her.

“Please.”

He replaced the showerhead and turned her, covering her mouth with his as he filled her once more with his thickness. No words were spoken as he showed her the way to another huge orgasm.

She was shaky as they eventually finished the shower, dried off then dressed. He had his arm around her as they went down to grab some breakfast. Every inch of her was sore, her muscles unused to being held in those positions for so long. She wouldn’t complain though. It was what she’d needed and she’d very much take a night like he’d delivered her over one alone.

They ate quickly then when they were back at the room, she stood before her outfit and tried to work out the nerves rapidly gathering in her gut. She hated giving speeches and it was extremely hard for her to do so.

“Get it together, Camden. You have to do this.”

She pulled the outfit to her and dressed. Valentino watched her but kept his comments to himself, for which she was grateful. After giving in to him again last night, she wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what he had to say. Seated on the foot of the bed they’d made extremely good use of the previous night, she bent to buckle her shoes.

Taking a moment after she’d finished, she sighed heavily and looked up. Valentino stood there in another of his custom suits.
And Bond is back.
She truly couldn’t fault him there—the man wore the hell out of his suits and made her think things that would only get her back in the bed with him on her. Under her. Beside her.

Heat flashed and she shoved those thoughts away. Now wasn’t the time for thinking like that. After shoving her belongings in her bag, she shouldered it and saw him do the same. At the door, he took her bag from her and the look he gave her told her it wasn’t even in her interest to argue with him.

They checked out then walked into the early morning. Familiarity sank into her as she made her way to her car. She remembered this time of the day up here from when she’d attended the university.
Back when I was optimistic and full of hope. When anything was possible.

Bags in the back, she slipped behind the wheel and headed to the building she needed to get to. Already, more than a few students were milling about. They parked and got out. At the trunk of her car, she withdrew her wheeled cart—it was actually a flat dog crate holder for dog shows. But she’d picked it up after she’d seen how handy it worked and it was just what she needed to carry all her things.

Again, Valentino didn’t speak, but he did take the cart handle and level that look at her, telling her to just keep it zipped and let him do this. So she gave in, not wanting to fight with him, not this morning. She slammed the trunk shut and began walking to the doors.

The auditorium was packed and as she stood before the gathered group of students who were doing their damnedest to become veterinarians, she constantly looked for Valentino. It didn’t make sense to her, but she was suddenly increasingly nervous and suspicious. This group had listened to Hector yesterday and tomorrow another vet would show up to talk exotics with them—it was supposed to have been Eugene’s talk. All three of them had gone to vet school here and often came back to do talks to upcoming grads.

Was the bastard who’d been calling her in the crowd? He didn’t seem to have a problem getting close to her any other time.
Why wouldn’t he know I was going to be here? Perhaps he’s doing something to my car right now.
She nearly faltered but recovered. In the back, she saw Valentino take a step toward her and she shook her head. He got the message, but she noticed he became even more alert, which for that man was one hell of a feat.

Drawing deep on the strength she knew she possessed, Lexy refocused her attention. These students didn’t deserve a half-assed lecture because she was thinking about other things. Besides, Val was there and she knew he would protect her.

Chapter Thirteen

Lexy was nervous. He could see that even from where he stood at the back. Valentino didn’t like being this far from her, but he didn’t need to be on the stage with her. And here he could watch everything. Which he did. Vigilantly.

She stumbled once but made a smooth recovery. In fact he didn’t think any of those gathered would have noticed, but he did, easily. He stood where he could watch both the doors and the entire gathered group. More often than not, however, his attention returned to the woman up in front of them all.

Lexy was a sight to behold. She utilized the entire front. Her voice carried well and was crisp. Personally, he was more attuned to her outfit than what she was talking about, but he didn’t understand the terms she was using. He wasn’t a vet and had no desire to become one, though it was evident she was good at what she did.

Her skirt wasn’t overly short—it stopped at her knees—but to him, it was material for a walking wet dream. He put his hands in his pockets and tried to refocus his concentration. It wasn’t easy and simply put, he failed.

Those shoes, skirt and shirt did a number on him and he had many more ideas for that podium she used occasionally than what she got out of it. When they took a break, he walked down to where she was pacing and muttering to herself.

“Lexy?”

She lifted her head and stared at him. “What? Something wrong?”

“You tell me.” He moved closer and stood in front of her.

“I just hate talking in front of crowds. That’s all. I’m okay.”

“Would it help to picture everyone naked?” he asked deadpan.

As he’d hoped, a smile cracked the seriousness of her expression. Then her gaze narrowed and she crossed her arms.

“Did you just make a joke?”

“Nope,” he replied instantly. “Just a question.” He winked. “That’s what I’m doing to you from up there. Well, in my fantasy, you’re still wearing those shoes.”

Her pupils dilated and he saw the pulse jump in her neck. Good, she wasn’t thinking about whatever had her worried before. Capturing her chin with one hand, he bent in close and kissed her gently.

“Doing great, Dr Cassano.” He gave her a bottle of water from the stuff she’d brought in then walked back up to where he’d continue to watch.

“Who’s that, Doctor?” a student asked her as he left.

“My husband.”

He nearly grinned. Hearing those words from her mouth made things seem right. Sobering, he got back to being observant and keeping her safe. Nothing struck him as out of the ordinary, but he wouldn’t put it past Mansfield to send someone.

Anger enveloped him at the simple thought of Trevor Mansfield.
Get it together, Cassano,
he reprimanded himself.
Can’t protect Lexy if you’re dwelling in the past.

Masters had said there was no current picture of the man. The best they’d been able to do was age him using software, but that only gave them an idea of what he would look like, assuming he hadn’t had any work done, or disfiguring accidents.

Problem was with a man like Mansfield, there would be many young people who shared his ideals, whom he could manipulate over to his way of thinking. Not that it would be a stretch. Quite a few weren’t happy with how the country was now.

He exhaled and shifted against the wall he stood by. There were no scripts for this man. Valentino thought about the two who had been killed most recently.
That we know about, anyway.
The images of their slaughtered bodies had been sent to the Feds. Masters had gotten copies and shared them.

Having met a lot of violent people in his life, Valentino could say he didn’t know many pure psychopaths. But he would definitely classify this man, Trevor Mansfield, as one.

Not the only one you’ve had the pleasure of meeting.
Again with the unwanted commentary from his brain.

He ground his jaw and refused to let his thoughts go there. If he went down that path, he wouldn’t be able to do his job. So Valentino did as he always did, ignored the pain lancing him and focused on what had to be done. Right now, protecting Lexy.

* * * *

They left the campus in the afternoon after grabbing a bite to eat. Once on the road, with Lexy driving, he allowed himself to relax. He’d gone over the car after the talk and again before they left the diner from their lunch. He wasn’t about to risk anything happening on the return trip. Breaking down in the middle of nowhere wasn’t what they needed.