Page 2 of Innocent and Sweet (Roosters #2)

Anissa hid in her suite and sank to the floor.

According to her schedule, her original plans had been erased in favor of the hospital event.

She’d thought she could take charge of her life and have a night to herself.

Not if her father had a say. He’d run her life into the ground.

He’d probably changed the plans, let the security staff know and ignored her wishes.

He hadn’t wanted her to grow up. Too bad. She couldn’t stop time.

She stared at her lopsided chest, then removed the remaining gel pad.

Tears burned at the corners of her eyes.

So much for trying to be buxom. Embarrassment washed over her.

No wonder Kam looked at her with such a strange expression.

She willed the mortification to leave, but how?

She’d made an impression, but not a good one.

“Anissa?” Kam knocked on the door. “Ms. Dunn?”

She froze. He’d come hunting for her. “Yes?” She wiped her face and smeared her makeup. “I’m okay.”

“May I speak with you?” Kam asked. “Please?”

She shook her head. “No. I’ll be out in a few minutes.” She’d let him in once she fixed herself up and put on a demure outfit.

“Anissa, open the door.”

She stood, then rested her hand on the knob. She had to face him sometime. “Okay.” She twisted the lock. “Come in.” She didn’t know why he’d asked for entry. He had keys to her suite. He could’ve barged in without a second thought.

Kameron stood in the corridor and held up the enhancer. “I thought you might want this back.”

“I’m good.” She kept her head high. “I thought I’d make the single-boob thing a new look. Besides, you might want that as a trophy.”

He half-smiled, then tucked the falsie in his coat pocket. “You’re gaping.” He tugged the looser side of her dress into place, covering her nearly exposed breast. “Someone might see more than you intended.”

Oh, God. She closed her eyes. She’d embarrassed herself again. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

She placed her hand on his. “You can let go. I’m changing, so the pads won’t be necessary.”

He did as she’d asked, but instead of letting completely go, he cupped her jaw in both hands. “You asked me for a favor.”

She had when her confidence wasn’t in the toilet.

“What was it?” he asked. “Say it. If you want something from me, I want to hear the words. Nothing happens until you speak. I’ll make you wait.”

“Cocky bastard,” she muttered. She didn’t mind him being in charge, but he could’ve used a softer approach. “I asked you to teach me how to kiss.”

“You’re sure?” He caressed her cheeks. “You’ve been kissed. What can I teach you?”

She didn’t understand. Why wasn’t he going along with what she wanted? She’d said the words. Part of her was irritated, but the rest turned-on by his touch.

“Haven’t you been kissed? I seem to recall seeing at least one man… do so.” Kam rested his forehead against hers. “Anissa?”

“I have,” she said. “But you’re better.” She’d eavesdropped on him while he kissed his girlfriends. She longed to be possessed the same way. “Will you… teach me?”

“I will.”

Thank God. She relaxed a bit, expecting the first lesson. “Kiss me.” He didn’t oblige her. Instead, he swept his gaze over her. “What?” she asked. “Lesson one. Let’s go.”

He shook his head. “I’m going to lose my job when your father finds out what we’re doing.”

“I know.” She’d thought of that and hoped somehow her father wouldn’t eviscerate Kam for doing what she needed.

“You will follow my instructions,” he said. “No arguing.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She wanted him as her lover and protector. Why couldn’t he be both?

“I have rules,” Kam said. “First one being panties.”

Panties? She froze. She’d forgotten about her lack of undergarments.

“Naughty girls who want to learn about life and kissing need to wear panties in public. When we’re alone, the undies have to go.” He rubbed his nose along hers. “Understood?”

Her nipples beaded again. He hadn’t touched her mouth, yet he overwhelmed her. She nodded. “Yes.”

“Second rule. If you want lessons, you have to tell me and be honest. I’ll teach you whatever you want to know, but don’t bullshit me.”

She shook her head. It sure seemed like her will belonged to him, but she refused to break the spell he had over her. “I’ve always tried to be honest with you.”

He brushed his lips across hers. “I know, sweetheart.”

All the times she’d longed for him to use her name…

she’d never expected him to have a pet name for her.

She liked the nickname. She let go of the strap of her dress and stroked his arm.

She felt so small in his grasp. Minutes ago, she’d worried she couldn’t be enough for him.

Now she wanted every experience he could provide.

If she had some already, she’d know how to behave. Should she push for more? Hold back?

“This is how you kiss. Tender, but claiming.” He feathered his lips over hers. Within seconds, he nipped her bottom lip.

The scrape of his teeth on her skin excited her. She opened to him and forgot about her predicament with her dress.

He swallowed her moan. Kam pushed the kiss farther and sucked on her tongue.

She struggled with what to do. Other guys kept their kisses platonic. One of her ex-boyfriends didn’t want her to touch him when he kissed her. Did Kam? What did he expect?

He tucked her to his chest and deepened the kiss.

He feasted on her mouth, using every bit of her.

She followed his lead. If he nipped, she whimpered and opened more.

When he sucked on her tongue again, she gave in and touched his chest. Sparks shot down her spine, and heat centered in her pussy. She couldn’t breathe.

Kam broke the kiss, then stood her on her feet. “Fuck, that’s hot.” Excitement like she’d never known coursed through her veins. The hotness was her . She’d turned someone on -- better yet, the someone was him.

“Kiss-swollen lips, flushed cheeks and wide eyes.” He grinned. “That’s the sign a woman’s been properly kissed. Lesson one complete.”

She reached for him. “I didn’t get a passing grade. I want another try. I know I can bump my grade up to an A.” She wound her arms around his neck. “At least offer me some extra credit.”

“Get through this event tonight, and we’ll not only go back over lesson one, but we’ll move to lessons two and three,” Kam said. “Once we leave this room, we resume our roles. No question.” He caressed her ribs. “Remember, this is an event for kids.” He let go, then left her in the suite alone.

Anissa touched her mouth. Her lips tingled. She’d never felt so wanted before. She bit back a whoop and spun on her heel. Hope blossomed in her chest. She’d chosen the right teacher. He’d give her everything she craved.

Now to find ways to make him crave her, too.

* * *

Kameron stood outside her door and measured his breaths. The guys she’d had in the past were fools. They’d passed over a diamond in the rough. A diamond sure to wear him out, but he welcomed the challenge. Nothing good came without a price.

John, the head of the Dunn security team, strode down the corridor. “Where were you?” he asked. “I summoned you. We could’ve had an incident.”

“How? I was in there with the package.” He wanted to say “ her ,” but couldn’t. John would blow a gasket if he thought Kam had gotten especially close to Anissa.

“In there? You know better.” John glared at him. The man knew security and how to keep someone safe, but little about relationships. John pulled no punches and didn’t play favorites. He did his job and could be a serious hardass.

“She needed my help.” At least he could say he wasn’t lying.

“She needs us as protection,” John said. “We aren’t here to bed her or be her best friend.”

“I’ll protect her.” But he wanted to have her in his bed… across the hood of his truck, on the dining room table and anywhere else he decided to take her.

“I assumed you’d gotten close. I’ve seen the way you look at Anissa.” John cocked his eyebrow. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

“She’s special.” He refused to back down.

“If she’s so special, then why did she request Julian protect her tonight?” John folded his arms. “You’ve been taken off this detail.”

The hell he had been. Anissa wouldn’t have him removed.

“Her father insists she have an escort tonight -- not just Julian. We need to bring in one of the boyfriends. Call… Evan. He seemed to like her. At least he liked her enough to go to the last event.” John nodded once. “Get him.”

“No.” Kameron wouldn’t let this go without a fight. “He was paid to give her attention. He doesn’t care about Anissa.”

“They’re all in it for the money,” John snarled. “That’s why they come. They want paid -- just like us. You’re only here and on her personal detail because you get the extra cash.”

He’d agreed to protect Anissa because he wanted to get closer to her. Money wasn’t considered.

“Doesn’t matter. I trust Evan and Julian. Evan’s not interested in her, but he’ll play ball. Julian’s married and devoted to his wife. Neither will compromise her, and both will be focused on the job.” John scrubbed his hand across his mouth. “Decision’s made.”

John had piqued his attention. “They’ll be focused? On what? I’ve heard nothing about a threat.” What wasn’t John telling him?

“Daddy Dunn pissed off an oil baron. Ever heard of Michael Gahan? He wanted to hook his son, Alex, up with Anissa. They want Daddy Dunn’s money and land holdings.” John sighed. “Julian will protect her, and Evan won’t touch her. They get paid, and she’ll be safe. Alex won’t be able to move in.”

She might be protected, but he wouldn’t be happy.

Anissa wasn’t a pawn for an oil baron, his son or a couple of dips looking to make a quick buck.

Kameron gritted his teeth. He refused to stand for this bullshit.

Anissa deserved better. She didn’t have tons of experience, but she’d think Evan cared.

What if she asked Julian to help her with her lessons? Would he? Not if Kameron had a say.

“Call Evan, and I’ll alert Julian. She needs to get going.” John turned on his heel.

“I’m taking her.” No question.

John paused but didn’t turn around. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” Kameron held firm. “No Evan. No Alex.”

“She can’t go alone.” John spun around and stood face to face with Kameron. “You are her guard, not her boyfriend, and you can’t protect her if you’re too busy making eyes at her.”

“I refuse to change my mind.” Kameron widened his stance. “Call Julian off. I’ll be her escort. It’ll look cleaner, and I’ll scare away Alex or anyone else trying to push in. Fewer people around her means I can focus.”

“I can’t risk you getting hurt or fired because you’re thinking with your dick and not your brain.”

“No?” Kameron snorted. “I’m not asking.” He left John alone in the hallway. Fuck this shit. Anissa needed him, and he’d let her down for long enough. Time to take what he wanted in order to give Anissa what she needed.