Stronger With Us (The Strength Series Book 3) (4 page)

D

I drove up from Tampa last night and found a hotel close to my interview with Belator Security Systems. I didn’t mention it to Colin and he’s probably going to be pissed, but I couldn’t deal with any “help” from him. This job sounds promising and I don’t want to jinx it.

Pulling into the Belator Security Systems office park, I’m stopped by an armed guard at the entrance. I’m impressed with the level of security, and once I’ve given the proper identification the guard gives me directions to the main office and opens the gate. The buildings are four stories tall and made with a dark stone, giving them a foreboding appearance. I make my way around the drive to building A and park in the visitor’s spot. I check my appearance one last time, making sure my shirt is tucked in and fairly wrinkle-free and that my shoes are tied.

When I enter the building I’m stopped by another armed guard and a metal detector. I empty my pockets and hand over my ankle weapon. Yes, I’m armed. I have a concealed carry permit and I never leave the house without my Glock 43. It takes a few minutes to clear this security checkpoint, but once I’ve secured my gun in their wall locker, I’m escorted to Mr. Davidson’s office.

The guard announces my arrival to the receptionist and walks out. She simply nods as a greeting and gets up to open the glass door to Mr. Davidson’s private office. I only know this because his name is etched into the glass wall that separates the spaces. She waves me into the office and then sits back down, never saying a word.

“Jude Schaefer, I’m pleased to meet you,” he says extending his right hand. I take it and reciprocate the handshake.

“Thanks for inviting me, Mr. Davidson. I appreciate you taking the time.”

“No problem at all, please have a seat,” he gestures to a small grouping of chairs away from his desk. “Would you like anything to drink?”

“No, thank you, sir. I’m fine,” I reply as I follow his lead and sit in a rather comfortable leather club chair.

“All right, then let’s just get down to it. I’ve done my research, and I know what happened at the DEA. You have quite the reputation, Jude. Do you think you can keep it in your pants if you come to work for me?”

Well, nothing like just putting it out there. I don’t stop the grin that’s forming on my lips. “I can’t guarantee anything, but I will certainly try harder than I did before.”

“That’s all I can ask then. We have a strict no-fraternization policy here so you should know if you decide to dip your pen in the company ink you will be fired immediately. Also, as you can imagine, you aren’t to sleep with any of the inmates you transfer either. Otherwise, do as your told, meet your deadlines and we’ll get along just fine.”

“I like how you get straight to the point, Mr. Davidson. I appreciate the bluntness and honesty. I’ll do my best not to let you down.”

We spend the next half an hour discussing the details of the job, the additional training that is required, and my start date. With the next class starting on Thursday, I’ll need to find a place to stay quickly.

“Good to have you on the team, Jude. I’ll check in with you and your training officer on Friday. Let me know if you need anything in the meantime,” he says as he escorts me to the security checkpoint to retrieve my weapon. Once I’ve got it secured in the holster, I offer Matt a handshake and leave the building, breathing a sigh of relief that I found something to pay the bills.

I send Colin a text before I leave the complex asking him to meet me for lunch. I figure he can offer some suggestions for something to rent in the area. I’ve only been here once, when I came up to assist with the case where Colin’s fiancée was kidnapped, and I didn’t really have time to explore. It seems like a decent college town with some nice retail areas. I just want to be sure not to live too close to campus or frat boys partying it up on the weekends. When my phone pings, I assume it’ll be my brother giving me a time and place, but it’s not.

When did you get to town?

What the fuck is his problem?

I thought we could talk over burgers.

I can’t today, big meeting. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?

Long story. Call me when you have five minutes to talk.

I know that Colin has always resented me, but I had hoped after our mission together where we freed Becca that would have changed. Maybe he’s just busy, but I can’t shake the feeling that our relationship is still strained.

I pull into a coffee shop called Freedom of Espresso and take the opportunity to get some caffeine and search the internet for rental properties. The interior is inviting, with booths set away from each other, giving a feeling of privacy, and the overwhelming aroma of roasting coffee makes my shoulders relax. As I approach the counter, I’m greeted by a rather cute employee.

“Welcome to Freedom of Espresso, I’m Amber. What can I get you?” Her eyes rake down my body and slowly come back up to my face. I know that I’m a good looking man. I take care of myself, hit the gym regularly, and I’ve been told that I’m hot. I’ve never had trouble getting a woman’s attention, and it seems that this is no different.

“Well, Amber,” I say with as much flirtation as I can muster, “what do you recommend? I’m a virgin here so I’m not sure what to choose.” That earns me a giggle.

“I’d say the white mocha marble macchiato is our most popular drink. It’s sweet, but not too overpowering,” she says with a wink. I like this girl.

“Then that’s what I’ll have in the largest size you have,” I respond with a smile I usually reserve for those I hope to see in my bed.

“What name should I put on it?” she asks as her cheeks blush. Yep, exactly the reaction I wanted.

“Jude. Nice to meet you, Amber,” I say offering my hand. She reaches up and I pull her toward me and kiss the back of her hand. Cliché, I know, but it works and I need to get laid soon.

“Well,” she says on an exhale, “I’ll get that right out to you, Jude.” She slowly pulls her hand back and turns to make my coffee. I find a booth away from the windows but where I can still see the entire restaurant and sit with my back to the wall. I’ve never felt comfortable if I can’t see what’s coming up behind me. Before I can pull up the internet Amber is standing at the table with my drink.

“Here you go, I hope you enjoy it,” she says as she lays a napkin down before setting the coffee on it. I can see her name and phone number written on the napkin.

“Thanks, Amber. I’m sure I’ll like it. I’ll let you know if I need another one,” I reply with a wink. She blushes again before she turns back to the counter, and I take a long look at her sweet ass while she walks away.

I’ve been searching for apartments on my phone for a while when my attention is diverted by a familiar voice. I look up at the counter and I see her talking to Amber.

“Hey, CJ,” Amber greets her, “You want your usual today?”

“That’d be great, thank you. How’s it going in here?” she answers looking around the small shop. I know I should look away, but I physically can’t remove my eyes. CJ’s gaze lands on mine, and I think I see a reaction, but it’s gone as soon as I see it. She turns back to the counter quickly and continues her conversation with Amber.

Being the stalker that I obviously am, I find myself taking in that long, lean body, beautiful blonde hair that she has pulled into a ponytail, and remembering what her skin looks like under those scrubs, which do nothing for her figure. It’s been a while since we were together, but I can still feel her wrapped around my cock, which, of course, makes him stand up to take a look.

I’m still watching her as she takes her coffee, glances back over at me, and quickly looks away, walking out of the coffee shop. My dick tells me to get up and follow her, but I ignore him, which is new. Normally, I let him call all the shots. Instead, I indulge in a little memory about the night we met.

A female nurse comes in and walks to the opposite side of my bed from where Colin is standing. I look over at her when I hear her curse.

“Fucking hell, there are two of you?” She looks back and forth from Colin to me.

“Well, you need to get out of here so we can take care of this one,” she orders, pointing out the door and looking my brother in the eye. “Now.” I guess he didn’t move fast enough for her.

“Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?” the nurse asks in a clipped tone. I look over at her name badge before I respond.

“All right, Christin, what would you like to know?” I try to muster my flirtatious smile, but based on the look on her face, it falls flat.

“You can call me CJ. Why don’t you tell me your name and what happened so I can get the doctor in here and you discharged as fast as you obviously want,” she says with an attitude. I can get on board with this.

“I’m Special Agent Jude Schaefer, DEA, and I was shot in the shoulder with an automatic pistol. I’m not sure of the make, but I’d guess the slug is a 9 mm.”

“Okay, were you shot anywhere else or do you have any other injuries we need to address?”

“Just the shoulder.” I can feel my fight start to leave me as the adrenaline fades.

“I’ll let the doctor know and I’m sure we’ll get x-rays before we stitch it up. Sit tight, Agent, and I’ll be back soon.”

I lean my head back and close my eyes, hoping this will go quickly so I can get out of here. Hospitals make me crazy.

I know it’s stupid to waste any more time on this woman, but even after all this time my dick remembers her. Normally he doesn’t want someone more than once, but apparently we both agree CJ is different.

E

I walk out of Freedom of Espresso with my large cup of yum feeling like I’m being watched. I noticed Colin’s brother in the corner booth, but I doubt he remembers me. It was a long time ago, and we were only together one night. Unfortunately, he rocked my world like no other man before or since. In fact, I’ve spent the past several months trying to get him out of my head.

If Jude is in town that can only mean that there is danger. He works for the DEA and was part of the team that rescued Becca. I can’t go through that again. I was on duty when they were both brought into the ER. Jude had been shot in the shoulder, but it was mostly a flesh wound. After we got him patched up I gave him a ride.

I take Jude to Colin’s apartment to get him settled in. I have no intention of staying the night, at least that’s what I keep telling myself. Jude oozes masculinity. Of course, it doesn’t help that I know he carries a gun and fights the bad guys. I’ve always been a sucker for a hero.

I barely have the front door closed when I feel him press against me, his front to my back.

“Do you know what I want to do to you?” he growls in my ear. My body breaks out in goose bumps as I try to fight the attraction.

“You were shot today. I think you need to rest,” I say with a quiver in my voice. I’ve tried to be strong, but there is just so much a woman can take before she gives in.

“My shoulder was shot, the rest of me works just fine,” he says as he proves his point by grinding his hard length into the crack of my ass. A sigh escapes my lips before I can hold it back. Jude presses against me again and I push back, enjoying the friction. If only I could turn around, I could get even more.

Jude gathers my hair in one hand and gently tugs my head to the side, opening my neck to him. His tongue skates over my skin up to my earlobe, which he pulls into his mouth and sucks. My knees grow weak, but he holds me in place with his hips.

“Bedroom, now,” he whispers, and I am helpless to do anything but nod. The loss of his heat gets me moving toward the back of the apartment, which has the same floor plan as Becca’s. Neither of us says a word as we walk into the room. My arousal is growing by the second. I don’t think I’ve ever been this turned on by a man in my life, which scares me a little.

“Jude, I don’t think this is a good idea,” I say as I turn around to face him and have to tilt my head back to see his face. He’s got to be at least six-and-a-half-feet tall.

“It’s a great idea. I need to forget today, and you need to relax. From where I’m standing it’s a win-win for both of us.” His eyes travel down my body, and I can’t help the shiver that follows his gaze.

“But won’t it be weird with your brother dating my best friend?” Even I know that sounds ridiculous, but I’m trying to do the right thing here.

“You don’t strike me as the kind of woman who gets attached to someone after one night in bed. I know I’m not looking for anything long-term. It’s just sex, CJ. Why are you fighting your attraction?”

He’s a cocky fucker, that’s for sure, but I let him kiss me. His lips are soft, his tongue is strong, and he tastes like heaven. Great, now I’m thinking like a fucking romance novel.

I pull away from the kiss and bring my top over my head. Jude stands there and watches me, his pupils dilating more and more as I take off my bra. His good hand reaches up and pinches my nipple, causing me to gasp and my panties are suddenly soaked. Any caution I felt is gone now, and all I can think about is riding what appears to be a very large cock trying to escape his pants.

“Do you need some help with that,” I ask reaching for his waistband. He growls in response but doesn’t move away. His arm is still in a sling, so I know it’ll be difficult for him to undress.

Instead of going for his pants like he expects me to, I walk around him trailing my hand on his waist. The first thing I take off is the sling. His shoulder has to hurt, despite the pain meds he’s taken. Thankfully he didn’t put a shirt on at the hospital so I don’t have to try and raise his arm to remove one. His right bicep and side are covered with tattoos that wouldn’t be visible if he were dressed. It’s like a collage of different things, soldiers in battle, a helicopter, and a few symbols I don’t recognize. Even though they aren’t similar, it all goes together like a beautiful painting.

“Come here and let me worship that body,” he says seductively. I move around him and find him pulling the front of his pants down, revealing his thick, veined, long cock. Normally I find them ugly, but this one is impressive. The piercing is also something I’ve never experienced, but I can’t wait to try. I lick my lips and start to drop to my knees when I’m caught under one arm.

“I said I’m going to worship your body. Lie down and let me do my job.” I’m powerless to resist. Most of the time the men I sleep with are in it for themselves, and I have to make sure I get off. No one has ever told me they want to give me pleasure first. This man is going to be very dangerous to my heart.

Jude slowly peels my pants down my legs, taking my underwear with them. When he gets to my feet, he slowly removes my shoes before my pants join them on the floor.

“You are beautiful,” he says as he runs one hand up my leg, to my core. He doesn’t stop where I want him most. He flattens his hand against my stomach and continues his ascent to my face.

“Please don’t hurt yourself,” I whisper. The last thing I want is for him to pop his stitches.

“I’m tougher than you think, princess,” he says as he lowers himself to lay on me and kisses my neck.

Did he call me princess? I’ve never liked pet names. They usually piss me off, but this time is different. Jude’s lips moving down my chest interrupt my thoughts and I’m happy to let them go. I reach my hands around his back and feel the raw power in his muscles as he moves. There’s not an ounce of fat on him.

He finds my breasts again and takes one nipple into his mouth. The sensation travels to my toes, arching my back and causing a whimper to escape my lips. I feel his lips curl into a smile briefly before he does it again. Just when I think I’m going to explode from only his mouth on me, he moves to the other side and starts over. His length is pressed against my thigh, but I want it inside me.

“Please, Jude, I need you to fuck me.”

“Oh, CJ, we’ll get there, but first I need to be sure you’re ready for me. I want you right on the edge when I push inside that sweet pussy. The first orgasm you have will be from my cock,” he says as he moves lower on my body. My skin is on fire, every touch of his fingers or tongue searing through me. I glance down to see him staring at my hairless mound. I’ve never let a man go down on me; it brings back bad memories. I start to push his head away, but the look in his eyes stops me.

“Perfection,” he whispers right before he plunges his tongue between my lips and latches on to my clit, sucking it hard. My back bows off the bed, and I cry out.

He moves away from that bundle of nerves quickly, which brings me back to the bed again, panting and frustrated. As I start to protest, he reaches for the nightstand with his injured arm. I see the wince as he tries to hide it, and I know he’s hurting. I roll to the side to open the drawer, knowing he’s going for a condom. I locate the Trojan Magnum and tear it open.

“Let me,” I say as I put the condom over the apadravya piercing and slowly roll it down his length. Damn, he’s fucking huge.

“Now, lay back and enjoy the ride, princess. I know I will,” he says in my ear while I finish sheathing him. I don’t argue and do as he asks.

Jude guides himself to my core and puts the tip in. The round balls of the piercing rub against my walls as he slowly presses all the way into my vagina. Thankfully he goes slowly because I don’t think I could adjust to his girth any faster. Once he’s balls deep, he stops and looks at me like he’s worried.

“Are you okay?” he asks quietly.

“I’ll be better when you move,” I say with attitude. I’m not some fragile China doll that needs to be treated with kid gloves. I start to say that when he pulls back and then pushes back in. The words die on the moan that is ripped from my lips. The piercing hits my G-spot first, and I see stars. I wrap my legs around his waist and try to pull him closer, but he doesn’t budge. He puts his hands on my hips and lifts me off the bed a little, changing the angle and making it that much better. I spiral into an orgasm before his third thrust.

“That’s one,” he says gruffly. “You’ll give me at least one more before I’m done with you.”

I’m shocked by his words and his tone, but I don’t argue. This is the best sex I’ve ever had in my life, and if he wants to give me more orgasms, I’m going to let him.

Jude pounds into me faster, and I love every second. I’m building up to a bigger orgasm when he pinches my clit and sends me flying. I scream out my release, and he follows me with a groan of his own. I can feel him coming in powerful spurts. My orgasm continues with his and once he’s done we fall down to the bed in a sweaty heap of limbs.

I stare at the ceiling trying to catch my breath and find rational thought. I just had sex with my best friend’s fiancé’s brother. He touched parts of me that I’ve never let anyone near, and I even let him call me princess. This has got to be a one-night thing or I could more than lose myself in this man, which would only end in disaster for both of us.

I made myself walk away from him the next morning. Nothing good could have come from any sort of relationship with a guy like Jude. He’s a player, he likes to fuck, he’s fantastic at it, but he’s not the type who stays. I’m not the kind of woman who stays either, so I have no business even thinking like this.

My phone brings me out of my head and back to the present. I click on the Bluetooth speaker in my car to answer.

“Hey, Becca! Are you packed and ready to leave for Vegas on Friday?”

“Almost. Can you come by and help me? I need some fashion advice and you know how much I suck at putting together outfits that don’t look like my grandmother’s.”

“Of course I can. Do you need a coffee? I’m right by Espresso.”

“That’s okay. I’ve already had two this morning. Anymore and you’ll have to peel me off the ceiling.”

“I’ll be there soon. Stop stressing,” I say as I end the call and turn toward Becca’s house.

When I walk in, there are clothes everywhere. Literally, scattered from the front door back to her bedroom. I find my friend standing in the middle of her room with her hands in her hair staring at the ceiling.

“What the fuck is going on here?” I ask. “I didn’t think you even owned this many clothes.”

“I just can’t figure out what to wear. Las Vegas is so far out of my comfort zone. I’ve only been to a few clubs, and I’ve never been to the desert. You’ve got to help me.”

“Don’t worry; we’ll get it figured out. I’m glad to see that you’ve improved most of your wardrobe,” I say with a smile. “I saw a couple things in the hallway that should work. Let me go get what’s out there and you organize what’s in here. This’ll be fun,” I say as I return to the front of the house to retrieve her garments.

Fifteen minutes later we have her organized and a few outfits put together. I’m standing in the closet looking to see what else can be done when I hear Becca on her phone. I can’t make out the words, but she sounds excited.

“Who was that?” I ask as I emerge from the closet.

“It was Colin. He said that Jude is in town, and I told him that he should ask Jude over for dinner tonight.”