Stirring Attraction(36)

“I’m putting in the floodlights so that you can see out into the yard at night. You’ll sleep better with them on,” he said. “But why don’t you go ahead and tell me more about this ‘superspecial oral surprise.’ ”

“It might be better if I showed you.”

“I don’t know.” He shook his head and crossed his arms in front of his chest. “A few days ago, you threw a wine glass at me. I’m not sure I’m ready to let your teeth near a part of my body I would rather keep intact.”

“You’re holding a grudge because I didn’t welcome you with open arms?” Before he’d opened his mouth, she’d been tempted to run her tongue over his forearm, tracing the powerful muscles. Now, she wanted to sink her teeth into him. Which proved his point, but still, he’d promised to return home to her.

“No.” He shook his head. “I expected you to kick me out of the bar and call Noah. I got on the plane telling myself I would come out, see that you were all right, then hop the next flight back to Georgia once I knew you were safe.”

“But you didn’t expect to find me this messed up?” she said, wishing they could return to the topic of BJs.

“Someone hurt you.” Fury flashed in his eyes, offering a glimpse of the former warrior hiding behind the beard and long hair. “You have every right to be messed up. Hell, I’m screwed up too.” He held up his hand. “I’ve been hiding in my apartment refusing to face the world. So if there is a prize for most fucked up, I’m betting I win. At least you’re out there, trying to put your life back together.”

“And you thought you’d find me barricaded in my house? That’s not an option for me. I need to go back to my job in a ­couple of weeks. The one that involves a roomful of kids under twenty-­one.”

“I knew you wouldn’t hide,” he said.

“Then what kept you from taking that return flight?” she demanded.

“Honestly?”

“Don’t you dare lie to me,” she said.

His expression softened. “I didn’t expect to take one look at you and want you so damn much.” He stepped forward and cupped her jaw. His thumb brushed over the visible reminder of her attack. “And I’m not talking about my desire to keep you safe.”

“No?” she murmured. He’d use the words “want” and “desire.” What she felt when he touched her bore a stronger resemblance to take-­me-­against-­the-­wall lust. Desire could be controlled. But she’d snapped her restraint in the Big Buck’s bathroom. The pieces had probably been swept up with the broken mirror and discarded.

He released her chin and ran his hand down her back. Then he gave a little pull, drawing her body up against his. “I look at you,” he murmured, “and I remember every position, every way I made you come, how you felt against my mouth. Honey, I know it all by heart. I don’t want to try some new kinky position. I want to revisit where we’ve been.”

Impossible.

After all these years, after all that had happened, she couldn’t go back to the uncertainty. She refused to wait for him again. Her life was too splintered now. She required long-­term. She needed permanence, stability, and trust.

But right now? With her body pressed against the hard muscles that promised protection and pleasure? Safety ­coupled with seduction from a man she trusted not to hurt her . . .

Well, he might walk away with her heart again. But if he did, that was on her this time. She understood the risks. And she knew when he said “I’m leaving,” he meant it.

But she was willing to take a chance to win a brief reprieve from her constant anxiety.

“I think we’ve reached a compromise.” She lifted her fingers to his lips. “If you don’t trust my mouth on you”—­she placed her other hand over the hard ridge beneath his cargo shorts—­“I guess we know who goes first. But don’t forget, you had your chance and you tossed it away.”

Dominic captured her hand and held her fingers to his mouth. His lips parted and his tongue ran over the tip of her index finger. Anticipation raced from her hand down to her toes.

“You’re sure about this?” he murmured.

“It’s part of the bodyguard job,” she said before he could remind her that he made a better protector than boyfriend.

He scooped her into his arms and turned to the sliding glass door. “Just remember you asked for this.”

“I have a long list of fears,” she murmured as he lowered her feet to the ground. “Orgasms don’t make the cut.”