Tightly Wound (9 page)

“Maybe.” She palmed the semi-hard bulge between his legs.

“Nuh-huh.” Despite his cock’s obvious interest, he brushed her hands to the side, rolled her over, and tucked her back against him. “You just about killed me. I need sleep.”

Her breasts lifted with a soft yawn. “Rest up, Navy boy, you’ll need your strength in the morning.”

He kissed the top of her head then pulled the sheet to cover them. “Looking forward to it.”

Sunlight streaming through the bedroom window told Shadow he’d slept the morning away. He glanced at the sleeping beauty sprawled next to him, her head on his chest, strands of hair splayed across his skin. His fingers itched.

She gave a sleepy mumble then rolled over, taking those long soft tresses with her. He swallowed a groan and rolled out of bed. He knew better than to wake her. Besides, duty called. Hopefully Steele was awake.

He pulled on his jeans and headed downstairs, stopping by the kitchen for two bottles of beer. Wouldn’t hurt for Steele to be somewhat medicated for this confrontation.

Beer in hand, he hesitated. Partly to listen for Steele’s movement and mostly to gather courage. Birds chirped in the silence. Frogs croaked. Locusts buzzed. Then he honed in on Steele.

Heavy footsteps drew his attention to the front porch.

Shadow left the house, closed the front door, and then handed his best friend a bottle.

Steele raised an eyebrow. “Little early, don’t you think?”

“It’s after noon. I slept in.”

Shadow grabbed a chair, turned it around backwards, and straddled it. He gestured for Steele to take the opposite chair.

Steele gave him a narrow stare. “Any particular reason we’re celebrating?”

Shadow couldn’t fault his friend’s suspicion. No time like the present for an ass kicking. “What would you do if Claire ended up pregnant?”

Steele raised his bottle of beer and took a long swallow. “That’s not something I have to consider.”

Shadow tread lightly. He knew damn well Steele wouldn’t hesitate to pummel him in a heartbeat. “You think you can prevent that?”

Steele glanced over his shoulder at the empty doorway then back at Shadow. “Claire can’t get pregnant. She’s sterile, has been all of her life.”

Shadow took a deep breath. “Wanna bet?”

Steele tipped the amber bottle and downed the remaining liquid. “You’re telling me Claire’s pregnant.”

Although it wasn’t a question, Shadow provided a slow, silent nod, still not convinced he wouldn’t have to fight his way out of this conversation.

“Do I want to know who?”

“Depends.”

“On what?”

“Your state of mind. If you plan to beat the shit out of him, no. If you want to support your sister, yes.”

Steele set the empty container on the table between them and leaned back in his chair. “The only way he keeps his dick is if he takes care of her.”

“I don’t think he even considered otherwise.”

“He loves her?”

“More than life.”

Steele leaned forward and stuck out his hand. “Congratulations.”

Shadow gave Steele’s hand a firm shake. “Thanks.” He eased back into his chair, immensely relieved the worst was over. “Strange you assumed it was me.”

Steele gave him a narrowed stare. “I’ve been forced to listen to your late night antics.” His gaze leveled. “I’ve felt the connection between the two of you for a while. It was only a matter of time.”

“You or Holly?”

Steele’s face broke into a grin. “Holly. Welcome to my world.”

“My mother was psychic.”

“No shit? How come you never said anything?”

“Subject never came up.”

“Oh hell. You’re not, are you?”

Shadow chuckled at Steele’s unbridled panic. “No, but I’m a helluva blocker.”

Steele nodded. “Necessity.”

Shadow shook his hair over his shoulder. “This just puts a major spin on our security detail.”

“We need to contact Brooks.”

“Yeah, but I won’t bring him here. I’ll call this afternoon from the marina.”

“Even Claire can’t convince you he’s innocent.”

“No. Besides, I won’t take chances with her and the baby. Better if he’s clueless about our location.”

“The baby’s probably another female, Shadow. And gifted like her mother, just to spite us.”

Shadow groaned. “Let’s worry about that later. Nine months later.”

“You need back-up at the marina. Should we leave her alone?”

“She’s safe here.”

Steele gestured at two storage bays above the garage. “You gonna lock her upstairs?”

“I’ll show it to her. Maybe she’ll decide to stay there on her own.”

Steele stood and squeezed his shoulder. “I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my sister.” Silent admiration passed between them. “I need another beer. Let me know when you’re ready to go.”

Shadow exhaled slowly as Steele entered the house, extremely grateful the confrontation had not been bloody. Yet, even though the secret was out, now things got sticky. If this lunatic managed to get anywhere near Claire the risk was now multiplied a thousand times.

He ran a hand over the top of his head. As long as she stayed here, Windsor could protect her. No way in hell could he get inside this fortress. As long as Claire cooperated.

Shadow went back inside, intent on slipping back between the sheets with Claire. Instead, he found her perched on the side of the bed sliding a brush through her hair.

Claire gave him a sexy smile. “Too late. I’m done.”

He stepped to her and ran his knuckles through the hair on her shoulder. “Come here, I want to show you something.”

She stood and tossed her brush to the bed. “I’ll bet you do.”

He swatted her bottom. “Come on, naughty baby.”

She followed him out of the bedroom, down the stairs, and to the sitting area. He moved the sofa from against the wall to reveal an ordinary electrical outlet.

“Steele and I are going to the marina to call Brooks. If there’s a problem while I’m gone, push the blue button.”

“I take it that’s not a reset button.”

“Not in this case.” Shadow pressed the tiny blue square and a panel opened directly above them in the ceiling. His boots crushed the fabric as he hopped on the back of the sofa.

“Your mother would kill you,” Claire mumbled.

He chuckled and reached into the opening. His biceps flexed beneath his shirt as he pulled down a ladder and braced it against the wall.

“The ladder is connected at the top,” he told her. “As soon as you get to the top, pull it up behind you.”

“What’s up there?”

“The loft over the storage bays.”

“Since when? I didn’t notice it earlier.”

“You wouldn’t have. There’s another button and panel in the first bay downstairs.” He motioned to the ladder. “After you.”

She grinned. “Any particular reason you want me to go first?”

“I want to watch you wiggle your ass.”

She rolled her eyes as she stood on the back of the sofa and then climbed the ladder. Once at the top, she paused to analyze the surroundings. The spacious, open room was so totally
Shadow
. Neat, clean, tasteful.

Shadow cleared his throat. “As amazing as my view is down here, I have more to show you.”

Claire boosted herself all the way inside. He followed, lifted the ladder and pushed another button to close the panel.

She stood and walked to the bed, smoothing her palm across the cool comforter. The bed, most likely made of mahogany and king sized, sat in one corner covered in a royal blue comforter and at least six pillows. “You don’t sleep here.”

“No, it’s really just an extra room.”

“Why keep it hidden?”

“When you’ve seen the evil I’ve seen, it doesn’t hurt to have a hiding place.”

Shadow stretched out on the bed, crossed his black combat boots at the ankles, and palmed a rectangular box from the bedside table. She heard a click and then a flat screen television rose from inside a cabinet at the foot of the bed. She blinked several times when visions of love and family flashed through her mind.

She frowned. “I had that all wrong. I thought your mother kept sentimental things in there.”

“You’re right. The television comes from a separate compartment built into the back of the chest.”

“You are a true James Bond.”

Shadow snickered. “No, that would be Sterling. He rigged the whole system.”

Claire sat next to him on the bed and took another look around the room. Cool. Calm. Safe. Virility again.

“You’re the only woman I’ve brought here, Claire.”

She stood, snatched the remote, and tossed it to one bedside table. “Is that so?”

He nodded and a slight grin split his lips when she worked the buttons of her blouse free until it hung open. She crawled on the bed and braced herself on her hands and knees over his hips. “Let’s make a memory.”

Shadow eased the blouse from her shoulders and dragged it down her arms. A familiar tingle tickled the insides of her thighs. Something in the way he undressed her made her purr like a kitten every time. She lifted one arm and then the other, allowing him to free her completely.

He leaned forward and pressed his lips to the nape of her neck. “You are so beautiful.”

His fiery kiss burnt her skin with its desire. His lips continued to caress the bend of her shoulder, his tongue blazing a moist trail to the top of her breast encased in the navy material of her bra.

He lifted his head and slid both bra straps down her arms. “Your obsession with silk underwear drives me crazy.”

She crooked an eyebrow. “I won’t ask how you know it’s silk.”

He pushed both bra cups to one side and ran his thumbs across each taut nipple. “You don’t wear anything else.”

Claire moaned and thrust her breasts further into his touch. He answered her silent request by sliding his hands to the small of her back, lowering his head, and wrapping his tongue around one nipple. His lips snapped closed around the pebbled pleasure point, drew it deep into his mouth and then sucked hard.

She tossed back her head, planted her hands on his shoulders, and squeezed as he moved to the other nipple. “Shadow,” she moaned, “you have a wicked tongue.”

He released the second nipple and trailed feather-soft kisses in the valley of her cleavage, across her collarbone, and finally blew a heated breath across her left earlobe.

“Are you wet for me, baby?”

Claire gave him a sultry grin then reached behind her to grasp his hand. She guided it between her legs and squeezed her thighs closed.

“You tell me.”

The exact second the tips of his fingers met the damp, silky, navy blue panel between Claire’s thighs, Shadow realized his phone call to Brooks would have to wait.

“Where’s Steele?”

“In the den.” His fingers slid against the moist fabric as she swung her hips back and forth. “Talking on the phone to Holly.”

He moved the barrier to one side and worked her clit in lazy circles until moisture coated the heel of his hand. She whimpered when he paused.

“These have to come off.”

She leaned back, balanced on her hands, her hips raised in offering.

Rather than pull the silk and lace down her legs, he sat up and squeezed both of her ass cheeks. He drew in a deep breath, placed his mouth against her musky, slippery flesh, and then exhaled a long, slow breath.

She released a breathy moan and lay flat on her back. He came over her. “Another great thing about this room,” he said as he brushed the waves of hair from her neck, “is that it’s soundproof.”

Her eyes twinkled as he pulled his shirt over his head, tossed it to the floor, then crawled back down the bed toward her. He plucked the strings tied at her hips. Her panties left her body in a matter of seconds. He eased himself to lie on his belly between her hips and braced her legs over his shoulders. She wound her fingers in his hair and pressed him closer.

He touched his tongue to the bottom of her slit and licked the heated flesh like an ice cream cone. Bottom to top, over her clit, then back down to her wet entrance. She tightened her hold and whimpered.

Shadow reached down and popped open the buttons of his jeans to grant his raging hard on some space. Claire’s sweet smell filled him completely, taunting the prowling beast inside him. He placed one more French kiss to the nub tucked beneath her clit and then shifted to kiss her stomach. She bucked beneath him.

“Patience, sweetheart,” he whispered.

His dick jumped when he inserted a finger inside her body and the tight, swollen muscles surrounded him like a suction cup. Her orgasm was close; he felt the tension in the tightly bound inner muscles, her desire coated his fingers.

He placed a kiss to her lips as he introduced another finger and began a slow, easy massage. “Open your eyes, Claire. Let me see you come.”

He gazed deep into the chocolate depths as he increased the rhythm between her legs and flicked her clit with his thumb. Her breathing escalated. The jewel hanging from her belly button sparkled as she moved her hips in tandem with his motion.

He suddenly stilled.

Her eyes widened. “No!” she panted. “Damn you, Shadow. You can’t stop now.”

He grinned and reached to position her hand over her glistening clit. “Show me what you need.”

She moaned and rubbed her fingers across her flesh, zeroed in on a certain spot just left of where he’d been.

Shadow lowered his head between her legs, careful not to interrupt her furious rhythm. Her hand shook with the movement as her fingers attacked the flesh. She lifted her hips and rolled her head to one side. He buried his tongue deep inside her body.

She screamed and released her orgasm, closing her muscles around his tongue in a tight vise. Her essence filled his mouth.

She lowered her hips, making some sort of noise that sounded like a sleeping kitten.

Sweat coated his lower back as Shadow scrambled from his position, yanked off his pants and boxers, and wondered where the hell he lost his sanity. His cock begged for mercy.

In seconds flat, he scooped her from the bed and then lay down with her on top of him. She gave him a lazy, almost-sedated smile and wrapped her fist around his throbbing cock. He groaned and thrust into her touch. Beads of pre-come coated the surface of his dick.

“My poor baby,” she purred as she gave him a squeeze then bent to lick the head clean.

Immediately, he reached to yank his cock away from anywhere close to her warm, wet mouth.

“Fuck, no,” he groaned.

Claire’s eyes widened. “Did you just say —?”

Shadow released another moan and clamped a hand over her mouth. “Don’t
you
say it. I’ll never last.”