Contracted Defense Read online

  “It was generous of you to offer the use of your sink. I wouldn’t want to keep you out of your own room. It won’t take me long to clean up.” She gave him a sweet smile. Her face was striking with high cheekbones and an angled jaw. Her mouth was small, her lips plump. The effect was captivating.

  He couldn’t help but focus on those lips for a moment, wondering what she’d taste like. When he tore his gaze away and looked back up at her eyes, they were a steel blue and sparking with amusement.

  Giving a relaxed smile in return, he held the door to his room open for her. He’d given her enough space to get by, but she brushed against him as she walked in anyway. A hint of warm, spicy perfume with a note of sweet teased him as her passing touch sent ripples of heat through his body. He swallowed hard and willed his cock to stay in his pants. He’d had the tuxedo fitted a few days ago, and he’d give the tailor points for having done the fitting to allow for good movement. He’d not torn a single seam in the fight earlier. But the cut and fabric of the pants were not going to hide the way he was responding to her.

  Victoria paused, taking in the small but elegant hotel room. Her gaze noted the open closet and every nook and corner as she visually cleared the room, something he’d done as he’d opened the door and before he’d let her in. Her shoulders, bare in her lovely gown, relaxed a bit. She was in peak physical condition, without the sleek look of those who might remain slender by controlling diet. Muscles slid under her smooth, porcelain white skin in subtle definition. He’d not noticed earlier because her glorious blond hair had fallen in soft curls down her back. Now though, she’d pulled it over her shoulder.

  She turned toward him, her gaze trailing as she took her time enjoying the look of the room. There she stood, framed in the light of the bedside lamp he’d left on, all rose and gold in the middle of an impeccably decorated room of creams, pale blues, and soft brown accents. He could be looking at a high-end magazine, really, or a dream. But he was awake and a very lucky man.

  “I’ll only be a few minutes.” She crossed the room to the bathroom and left the door partially open.

  He stepped inside and let the door close. This had been an unpredictable evening. He’d come on the last-minute invitation of the lead of the Safeguard Division. He’d had a chance to introduce himself to Gabriel Diaz, wish him and his fiancée well, and then have a few bites to eat as he’d circulated. The guests had been people both from Safeguard and the Centurion Corporation as well as close partners, including one or two representatives from local law enforcement. It’d been swank, the food was delicious, and the space somewhat crowded. He could blend in fine in those events but they drained him. He’d thought his cheeks would be sore from all the smiling.

  Then he’d stepped out to the quieter bar for a drink and found himself a refreshing brawl, a little one, a breath of evening air. Ah, he was rough around the edges, what could he say? It’d been fun. And he’d met Victoria.

  Who was now in his bathroom.

  “Do you happen to have a safety pin or sewing kit?” Her voice was low-pitched and had a husky quality to it, but it carried well.

  He headed for the closet and pulled his duffel off the floor. “Probably have both.”

  The duffel was more of a go bag containing enough clothing for the next few days, and he kept it equipped with simple travel necessities as well as spare ammo and extra blades. He was a private military contractor now, best to have whatever he might need on hand. Pulling out a small travel kit, he approached the bathroom door and held it out. “Here.”

  Victoria glanced up at the mirror, using the reflection the same way he was, to see around the edge of the door. “Thank you.”

  She opened the bathroom door a bit wider and took the kit from him. Her fingertips brushed the inside of his palm as she did, tickling him with the shock of their contact again.

  “This gown was made to allow for dancing, not sparring.” Her tone took on a wry flavor. “It’s fine through the torso and the lower skirt, but the back, right at the bottom of the zipper, gave at the seam some. If I don’t at least pin it for now, it could pull open even more, and I’ll end up with unexpected air conditioning in this dress for the rest of the night.”

  He chuckled. “Did you need some help?”

  She stopped twisting to see her back in the mirror and lifted her gaze to look at him via the reflection. “I guess that depends.”

  Her lids were at half-mast and lips pursed in a half smile. He stilled, waiting.

  “How much longer am I going to be wearing this?”

  Message received. He pressed the door to the bathroom the rest of the way open, and she watched him enter, giving him her back. He moved with care, not wanting to damage her dress and wishing he could tear it off her at the same time. It was slow torture for him to find the tiny zipper and pull it down, revealing more and more of her. She let the lace and silk slide to the floor in a puddle of pink-and-gold shimmer at her feet and sighed as he coasted his hands back up her sides to her shoulders.

  She turned to him, lifting her face, her lips parted as she paused. “Just this, tonight, for fun. No strings attached. No surprises?”

  He let his lips spread in a slow smile. “This is plenty surprise for me, Queenie, and I plan to keep my attention on exploring the adventure at hand. No strings. No ulterior motives. I’m just a very horny man right now.”

  Laughing, she smoothed the fabric of his tuxedo jacket, then grabbed the lapels in her fists. “Good. Let’s have fun.”

  Chapter Two

  A good fight to burn off Victoria’s bad mood and a hot tumble to take the edge off the tight control she’d had on her emotions lately was perfect. She was a vigorous, single woman. If her ex didn’t want her, fine. Adam obviously did, and so far, he’d proven to be both an excellent fighter and a polished gentleman. Now, she wanted all this delicious strength unclothed and all over her.

  He hadn’t answered her. Instead, he covered her mouth with his and sent her drowning in a very thorough kiss, only letting her up for air when she started to see stars behind her eyelids. His big hands gripped her waist and lifted her easily, setting her on the cool marble top of the bathroom counter. He pressed closer, coaxing her knees apart until his hips were settled between her thighs and his erection was snug against her.

  She almost groaned. Oh, this was going to be good. Tugging at his tuxedo jacket, she managed to get it open and over his broad shoulders. Seriously, she could swing from them if she wanted. Once his arms were free of the jacket, he undid his cufflinks and untied his bow tie—a real one, she was delighted to see—and set those carefully aside before yanking off his tuxedo shirt.

  Greedy for touch, she laid her hands on his well-defined abdomen. His skin was smooth and faintly tan with a copper undertone. He had a bodybuilder’s physique, all glorious muscles. She ran her fingertips over the stark, black lines of the tattoo on the left side of his chest, fascinated by the grooved skin left by the complex design.

  “Ta moko.” His voice was gruff but there was no temper. Instead, there was a quiet pride. “Maori. Part of my heritage.”

  “Does it hurt?” She whispered the question as she leaned forward to brush her lips over the tattoo. She was drawn to the design, captivated, and turned on.

  He didn’t stop her. As she continued to explore his skin, he used his hands to wander over her shoulders and back, down the sides of her thighs and back up again. They continued to touch each other until her skin was so sensitive, she thought she’d cry. Then he cupped her ass and squeezed, hard.

  She gasped, looking up at him, pressing her entire body against him.

  His gaze was glazed with desire now, and he bent his head to her throat. His lips brushed her pulse, and the sound of her own breathing roared in her ears. He set his teeth against the soft spot where her neck met her shoulder, grazing her skin. She whimpered.
When she’d ever made sounds like that, she wasn’t sure, but he’d brought it out of her and she was feeling too good to worry about it. This time, when he kissed her, his tongue danced with hers.

  His hands moved the entire time, petting her, his rough palms sliding over her skin and finding the most sensitive spots. As they kissed, he undid her bra and removed it. He cupped her breasts, squeezing one and rubbing his thumb over the sensitive nipple of the other.

  She broke the kiss, gasping for air as he continued to play with her. He kissed and licked his way over her collarbone to her chest. His mouth closed over her neglected nipple first, wet heat and a sharp tug as his teeth gently caught her tight flesh. Trembling, she had to use both her hands to prop herself up on the counter, giving him free access.

  And he took it. He licked and sucked at her breasts, alternating between one and the other. He took his time about it too, making sure to pay detailed attention to her responses and build on what he was learning about her body until she had her legs wrapped around his hips in need. The entire time, she’d had the hard pressure of his erection pressing against her with only their clothes keeping them apart.

  “Not yet, Queenie.” His voice had dropped so low, it sent shivers over her wet nipples.

  He loomed over her for another kiss as he undid and dropped his pants. Then he was kneeling down in front of her, easing her panties off and keeping her perched on the edge of the counter.

  “Can I taste?”

  “Yes. Absolutely yes.” She could’ve come up with a more clever response, teased him maybe. But she wanted him to taste her. She wasn’t about to be coy here.

  He grasped the undersides of her thighs, pressing her legs apart and up. His tongue swept up through her aching flesh, and she cried out. He feasted on her then, sucking and licking, nibbling at her until all she could do was try to remember to breathe as the sensation drove her insane.

  He released one of her legs and traced her opening with his fingertip, still tickling her clitoris with the tip of his very clever tongue. He pressed his finger inside of her, stretching her. It’d been a long time. She came around his finger, leaning forward to clutch at his shoulders as her inner core convulsed. He pumped his finger inside her, lengthening her orgasm until she calmed.

  “Good. So good,” he murmured.

  She heard the distinct crinkle of a foil packet and blinked her vision clear to see him sliding on a condom. Good man, well prepared. She’d been about to ask, but now she didn’t need to. She could focus on enjoying.

  He stood and pulled her off the counter. Turning her around, he pressed her forward until she was bent over the marble. He reached forward and played with her breasts as he encouraged her to widen her stance.

  “Look up.” He straightened behind her and reached down between them. “Watch us.”

  He must’ve taken his erection in hand, pressing the tip of his penis against her. He slide it up and down her slit until she was panting, watching him wide-eyed and wanting him inside her. This was exactly what she needed and the way he was giving it to her was so very good. Her ex had never looked at her when they’d had sex, never wanted her to open her eyes. This was not her ex. She wanted to remember Adam.

  This, this was intensely erotic, and the image of the two of them poised on the brink was enough to fuel her own fun for nights to come.

  She arched her back and pressed her hips back in invitation, and he put his free hand on her tailbone as he slid into her. He stretched every muscle inside her as he entered, and she let out a happy groan as he did. The cool marble under her kept her steady, and she bit her lips looking up at him standing over her. God, he was beautiful.

  He placed his hands on either side of her hips and started to move.

  His abs rippled as he pressed his hips into her. First in a smooth rocking motion, easing in and out of her until she’d been able to take the full length of him. He made subtle moves, angling his hips to one side or the other as he continued. She couldn’t tear her gaze from watching him, and the pleasure of it built inside her slowly, low in her belly as it was pressed against the cool marble. He changed his stance then, bending his knees and leaning forward a little, and the pressure of his penis inside her lit fireworks behind her eyes.

  She cried out, almost screamed.

  He chuckled, deep and dark and masculine. One hand coasted up her spine and grasped her hair, gently tugging, while the other took a firmer grip on her hip. He thrust then, harder and deeper, at the same angle.

  “Yes. Don’t stop. Yes.” She was gasping, almost lost in the feel of him inside her. So, so good.

  He picked up the pace, thrusting inside her hard and fast. Over and over, she called out as he drove her closer to the edge of sanity. Every muscle inside her tightened with the waves of sensation until she crested and came, clenching tight around him.

  He shouted too, coming with her. He let go of her hair as he did, planting his hands on the counter, bracing himself over her as he convulsed. They remained like that for a long minute, their breathing ragged, until their heart rates came back down to something closer to normal.

  He pulled out of her carefully and reached behind the bathroom door, retrieving a thick bathrobe and draping it over her where she still rested bent over the counter. Then he disposed of the condom and turned on the shower.

  His dark gaze found hers in the reflection of the mirror. “Join me?”

  She smiled.

  * * *

  Victoria entered her condo a few hours past midnight, disengaging the security. She deliberately ignored the packet of papers sitting on her desk in the living area and focused on doing a sweep to clear the space out of habit. Secure the area first. It might be overkill, especially considering her line of work had most recently evolved more into private security as opposed to the kind of contract work that made more enemies out in the world. But old habits developed for a reason, and it rarely did more harm to be careful.

  She’d managed to survive a long time in a dangerous profession because she paid attention to details and didn’t relax her exacting standards. There were, after all, other ways to relax.

  Her heart rate kicked up slightly at the memory of Adam lying in the hotel bed, one muscular leg revealed by the tossed sheets. A night of sexual sport most definitely had her ready to unwind. He had tried to coax her into staying ’til dawn, but she hadn’t wanted to linger beyond the warm aftermath of good sex. It’d been better to kiss him goodnight and head home.

  She completed her check of the area in good spirits. Satisfied that her two-bedroom condo was empty of anyone but her and secure now that she was inside with locks engaged, she finally let her guard down. Even during her tryst with Adam, she’d been peripherally aware of her surroundings. Safety was a relative thing. The hotel room had been well and good for fun, but they’d both been very much awake. If something unexpected had occurred, she’d have been able to react. Here in her condo she could actually let go of consciousness and sleep.

  Perhaps not peacefully, but professionals like her tended to gather disturbing memories. Nightmares weren’t ever easy, and she woke in the middle of her sleep cycle more often than not, but she had to close her eyes and shut down for a few hours regardless.

  First though, she wanted to savor the release of tension and indulge a bit. So she popped into the master bath and turned the taps to begin filling the tub. As the sound of running water echoed in the room, she dropped in a small bath bomb. The earthy fresh scents of mint and rosemary rose up with the steam. She crumbled a soft chunk of a bath bar under the running water and watched for a moment as rich bubbles formed in the bath.

  Leaving the tub to continue filling, she stepped out into her bedroom and slipped out of her gown. Her shoes went neatly into their storage cubby among a select collection of other footwear. Her wardrobe and accessories were limited, simply becaus
e she tended to travel light. Material belongings were things to be left behind in a rush. But what she did take the time to acquire was of good quality and versatile.

  Her nose was sensitive, and now that she’d taken off her clothes, the slight musk of sex still clung to her. Her lips stretched wider in a satisfied grin. It’d been quite the romp and she had absolutely no regrets. All she needed now was a good soak followed by some liberal application of liniment to ensure her muscles weren’t too stiff in the morning. Feeling brazen, she crossed her bedroom naked, returning to the master bath.

  Stepping into the shower, she washed thoroughly. It was her preference to get every nook and cranny clean first, then settle in for a long soak. Visits to hot springs around the world were an interest of hers, and she’d picked up a few practices that’d made quite a lot of sense to her. Who wanted to soak while less than clean?

  Her ex-husband did. Ugh. The man would jump into a pool covered in sweat and suntan oil. He’d never rinsed off first. Ever.

  That’s what chlorine is for, babe.

  She shuddered and banished the voice of her ex, replacing it with the memory of golden brown skin under her fingertips. Adam Hicks was a spectacular encounter to take the place of past disappointments.

  She stepped out of the shower and her bath was just about ready. Bubbles rose up and threatened to spill over the edge of the tub by the time she turned off the faucet. Cautiously, she slipped in one foot at a time. The water was hot—at the very threshold of what she could tolerate—which was exactly her preference.

  Settling in and leaning back, she let the heat soak into her. It was a large tub, deep enough for the water to come up all the way over her shoulders. It’d been the main selling point that’d prompted her to buy this condo. There were plenty of lovely spaces available for sale or rent in the downtown Seattle area, but a tub this luxurious was hard to find anywhere.

  To be honest, she hadn’t been expecting the night to be so enjoyable. And it was about damned time she did have a worry-free, perfectly simple romp. It’d been exactly what she needed.