Page 23 of Being Bold (Tactical Operations & Protection (TOP) Security #1)

He heard her sharp intake of breath at the contact, but his gaze didn’t leave her mound. His thumb was so close. All he had to do was move it a half-inch, and he could touch her there. Or he could slide it under that thin blue barrier, run it through her dark curls, and part her folds.

The image made him instantly hard. In answer, alarm bells sounded in his head. He couldn’t do this. The nightmare about his past always left him raw, but the only comfort he deserved came from a glass of whiskey.

Closing his eyes, he shook his head slightly, releasing his hold on her. “Sorry.” His voice sounded like he’d chewed on gravel then swallowed. Maybe he could use that glass of water.

“Don’t apologize. I want . . .” When her quiet voice trailed off, he met her eyes. Her lids half-shielded the haze swirling among those sea-green irises.

His stomach quivered, but he wasn’t sure if it was from dread or anticipation.

“You.” She took a deep breath, stepping closer. “I want you, Bo.”

A part of him shattered, splintering off in sharp shards. He shuddered from the pain as it tore its way through his body. “No.” The word sounded as broken as he felt. “I’m damaged goods, Selene. The best thing you can do is keep your distance.”

“I don’t care.” Her eyes stayed on him as she gripped the bottom of her sweater and lifted it over her head. Her scent drifted to his nose. It was different. Something bright and floral but no less enticing.

Like wildflowers.

Yumi must have retrieved her soap with her clothes.

The thought fled on a groan. The sight of Selene naked but for her underwear tortured him.

He couldn’t look away. When she picked up his palm, placing it over her breast, the air backed up in his lungs.

Despite the warning he gave himself, he didn’t take his hand away.

“Make me forget, Bo. Please.” Her plea made him weak. “I want to feel something other than fear.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and he knew he’d lost the battle. He didn’t have much to offer her, but he could at least give her that.

With the hand cupping her breast, he dragged his thumb across the peaked point. She shivered, closing her eyes. He repeated the motion and marveled at the moan she let out.

It filled him with an excitement he hadn’t felt in a long time. One that meant he might enjoy this. Hell, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d been gentle with a woman. His usual method ended up being a quick fuck in a bathroom stall or the backseat of a car. He didn’t do dates or stayovers.

Guilt stewed in his gut, but he buried it deeper.

None of that mattered because this wasn’t about him.

Using his other hand, he tugged Selene closer.

Then, he replaced his thumb on her nipple with his tongue.

She gasped as he tasted her flesh, teasing that tight little nub until she squirmed in his arms. “You like that, ocean-eyes?”

Her answer was a throaty moan that made his dick jump.

Yeah, you’re not getting any relief, pal.

Ignoring his body’s reaction, he focused on hers.

Her skin warmed under his mouth, but he was far from finished.

He moved to her other breast, while using a hand to do what he’d imagined earlier.

Slipping a thumb under the edge of her panties, he tested her wetness.

When his finger came away slick, he grunted against her skin.

She was so damn damp, and he’d barely touched her. He wanted—no, needed—to put his mouth there. He stopped suckling her breast to slide the underwear down her legs. As soon as the cool air hit her wet skin, those gorgeous golden buds perked up, and she shivered.

“Lift your leg, beautiful,” he prompted when he had her underwear down to her ankles.

She placed one hand on his shoulder for balance and lifted her opposite leg. He tugged the cloth off her foot, then trailed his lips up her inseam from her calf to her thigh.

“So smooth,” he murmured as her olive skin glowed in the firelight.

Her pulse fluttered under his mouth, tightening the pressure in his sack. He was in for an epic case of blue balls. Pulling her closer, he grabbed her hips and plunged his tongue between her folds. She tasted like salvation.

She squirmed, the gasp she made driving his hunger. With a grunt in satisfaction, he dove deeper with his tongue, thrilling at the feel of her nails digging into his bare shoulders.

“Bo, I need—” Her words cut off on a groan when he nibbled on the tight bundle of nerves at the apex of her thighs. Her legs trembled as he continued to work her with his mouth. “Mmm, more,” she panted.

Since she’d asked for it, he teased her bud while he thrust a finger into her slippery heat.

“Unh, God. Yes!” she mumbled and gasped. A slew of words, some incoherent, tumbled out as he added a second finger, stretching her open.

God, she was sweet. Her response was a huge turn-on, and his cock strained to take the place of his fingers. Her arousal filled his senses, drowning him in pleasure until he never wanted to smell, taste, feel, hear, or touch anyone else.

Whoa. Where the hell did that thought come from?

Before he had a chance to worry about it, her inner walls started to clench. She was close. “That’s it, ocean-eyes. Come for me,” he growled the demand against her sex, and she exploded.

Watching her liquefy with the orgasm made his erection throb, but he didn’t care. She was resplendent in her ecstasy.

Resplendent? What the fuck, Bo?

He cradled her in his arms as tremors shook her limbs.

When his heart did a belly flop, he squeezed her tighter.

Selene had a way of opening him up. Frankly, it shocked the hell out of him.

He’d spent so many years closed off, wishing for the end, and now .

. . maybe if he saved her, he could find a way to forgive himself.

Like hell. He laid her on the couch and frowned at where his mind led. Her eyes closed, then she settled into the material with a contented sigh.

Or maybe he’d just bring his shit into her life.

Because no matter how much he wanted her, he couldn’t have her. He was too damaged. She didn’t need the clouds blackening his soul to cast their gloom over her. After what she’d been through, she deserved sunshine and rainbows.

All he knew was the storm.

A great calm seemed to suffuse her as she curled onto her side. “Thank you,” she murmured.

For once, her gratitude didn’t send that burning anger blazing through him. He watched her until she fell asleep. It didn’t take long. Grabbing the blanket he’d shoved to the floor, he tucked it around her body, covering up her glorious curves.

Even so, they flashed in his head on a continual loop. She was soft in all the right places. Distinctly feminine. Like a drunk, he stumbled to the bathroom to relieve his aching dick. Whatever just happened . . . there couldn’t be a repeat.

If he was going to protect her, that included protecting her from himself.

So, he’d keep his distance and hope he didn’t lose his resolve. He wasn’t religious, but he was desperate enough to pray. Remembering the little sounds she’d made as he’d tasted her, he knew he’d need it.

God help him.