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ELEVEN

MADDOX

PLENTY OF MEN at Alaskan Security have crossed the lines of propriety before me. I’m not going to claim I didn’t judge them. I did.

I might have to apologize for that.

Now I understand how it happens. How quickly things spiral out of control until right and wrong are so muddied there’s no clear path through. Even if there was, I’m not sure I’d take it. Not when I know there’s a trail that leads me to Audrey.

I came here thinking this job would be a means to an end. I might have been more correct than I realized.

Because, with Audrey’s thighs pressed against my cheeks and her fingers laced in my hair, the glistening skin of her flushed pussy laid out in front of me, my endgame is starting to change. Shifting into something new. A variation of what was and what could be.

When I finally allow myself that first taste—hear the way my name passes through her lips—I know there’s no way I can come back from this. I’ve survived being shot. Fought through rehab and pushed past pain. But I don’t know that I want to go on if Audrey doesn’t come with me.

Which is fucking hilarious considering the limited amount of time she’s been beside me.

“Maddox.” She says my name again, fingers tightening their grip as the nub of her clit hardens beneath my tongue.

I’m caught between dragging this out, prolonging my own enjoyment, or proving how competent I am.

In the end, competence wins. It always does.

Because I want my proficiency to encourage her to let me do this again.

When I find someone I click with—rare occasion that it is—I want to give them everything. Please them in every way possible. I’ve always been an overachiever, and that didn’t stop at the bedroom door.

So, as Audrey comes undone beneath me, I’m already hungry for more. Greedy for another taste.

When she sucks in a breath and jerks away, I know I can’t continue on as I’m going.

Instead, I move up her body, lips against her skin as I work my fingers into the slick tightness of her channel.

My mouth locks onto a nipple, the hard line of my dick rubbing against her thigh through the fabric of my underwear as I search for that elusive spot I plan to exploit.

When I find the textured bit of flesh, Audrey gasps, her fingers digging into the skin of my shoulders.

I pull my mouth from her body. “There. That’s it, isn’t it?” Lifting my head, I fix my eyes on her face. “I want to watch this one.”

I’m already becoming addicted to so much about her.

The way she smiles. The way she speaks. Her quiet laughs and brave words.

But what I like way more than I should, is the look on her face when she comes.

The flash of surprise that happens right before she crumbles. As if she can’t believe it’s happening.

Makes me wonder how often she’s been left wanting.

And I hate it, but a selfish part of me is glad. Grateful I can be the one to please her. Give her something she’s never had before.

Watching her reactions, I gauge what’s working and what’s not.

It’s easy to figure out what Audrey likes, and soon she’s writhing against me, chanting my name as she races toward another crest. As her walls clench against my fingers, I fuse my lips to hers, swallowing down the sweet sounds she makes.

Claiming them for myself.

I want as much of her as I can get, and that’s a dangerous thing. For me. For her. In my line of work, distraction is our worst enemy—and I can’t imagine one bigger than fearing for Audrey’s safety.

When her limbs fall to the mattress, body boneless and sated, I lift my mouth from hers and ease my fingers free. As I shift, preparing to go collect a warm washcloth from the bathroom, the air suddenly feels very chilly.

In one very specific region.

Audrey’s eyes drop to the front of my briefs, zeroing in on the dampness blooming across the fabric. “Oh my God,” she breathes.

I tense, embarrassed over my own lack of control. “I didn’t mean t?—”

“That is so hot.”

Did I hear her correctly? “Hot?”

Audrey’s head bobs in a nod, her hooded gaze still locked onto the outline of my softening dick. “I’ve never had someone—” her eyes finally come to my face “—enjoy touching me like that.”

“I fucking love touching you.” The admission slips free before I can stop it.

Audrey pinches her lower lip between her teeth, looking hesitant. “I bet I would love touching you too.”

It’s not the first time she’s brought that up, and each time she presents me with it, I get closer to giving in. But I’m on a slippery slope, and already gaining speed.

So I slide off the mattress without making any more promises.

After cleaning her up, and changing my underwear, I crawl under the blankets beside her, pulling her close.

We’re just a few nights in, and I’m already used to the feel of her body next to mine as I sleep.

I already open my eyes in the morning and anticipate seeing her face.

After struggling to find someone for so long, I never would have expected it to happen like this.

And that fucking terrifies me.

“Maddox?” Audrey’s voice is soft and sleepy.

“Yeah?”

She snuggles closer to me, wiggles in until she’s pressed against me from head to toe. Like she can’t get close enough. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

I slide my fingers through her hair the way I did last night as she fell asleep. “I’ll keep you safe. I promise.”

“I know.” She yawns, words slow and a little sloppy as she says, “But that’s not why I’m happy you’re here.”

I SLOWLY OPEN my eyes, the room coming into focus around me as I wake up. It’s pitch black—still very much the middle of the night—and I’m not sure what pulled me from the deep sleep I’d managed to fall into.

Holding my breath so I can listen better, I strain to identify any strange noises. Something to explain why the hairs on the back of my neck are standing up. But Audrey’s apartment is silent.

I carefully extricate myself from her grip and slide off the mattress, silently moving through the small unit looking for any explanation. A dripping faucet. A jammed ice maker. Maybe an appliance humming louder than before.

There’s nothing. But something is wrong. I can feel it. I’ve been doing this enough years to know when I need to listen to my gut.

And right now my gut is not happy.

So I go to work collecting important items. Audrey’s purse and her cell phone.

My bag and weapons. I’m just pulling on my boots when my cell phone lights up and begins to vibrate, an unfamiliar number populating the screen.

Connecting the call, I press it to my ear as I double down on my efforts to be ready to get the fuck out of here. “This is Maddox.”

“You need to get her the fuck out of there.” Darion, the private investigator Audrey’s ex hired to follow her, echoes my thoughts, then fills me in on the bad news I’ve been sensing.

“Trevor and two guys loaded up into a car about thirty minutes ago. I’ve been tailing them, and I’m pretty sure they’re headed your way. ”

“What’s his ETA?” I glance at where Audrey’s still soundly sleeping.

“His? You’ve got about fifteen minutes. But I can’t guarantee there’s not someone ahead of him.”

“Understood. I’ll call you when we’re out of the area.”

I disconnect because I don’t have the time or the inclination to continue conversing with him. My priority right now is to get Audrey the fuck out of here. Safely.

I go to where she’s sleeping and crouch down, brushing a little of the hair out of her face. “Audrey, sweetheart. I need you to wake up. We’ve got to go.”

Her eyes fly open, dark pools in the shadowy room. “What?” She sounds disoriented, but I don’t have time to offer her more.

“We need to go.” I straighten, offering her my hand.

She doesn’t hesitate. Her grip is strong as her palm slides into mine.

Then we’re moving fast. Her pajamas aren’t perfect, but they’ll do.

I grab her a set of socks and a pair of sneakers, going to the window to check outside while she slides them on.

A quick scan of the street out front accompanies my call Luca, letting him know what’s happening.

Then I’m back in her bedroom, sliding open the window, making sure I put more pressure on the left side than the right so it doesn’t squeak.

Checking again for any sign someone’s outside, I toss her bag and mine out, then slide through, landing silently on my feet before reaching both arms up. “Come on.”

Again, she doesn’t hesitate. It’s not a long distance, but the elevation makes it an intimidating drop. So when Audrey doesn’t bat an eye or question me, I’m relieved as hell. And proud as fuck.

She slides into my arms, and I lower her feet to the ground. After closing the window, I pick up our bags, lace my fingers with hers, and we start to run, weaving our way through her neighborhood.

When I stop, she tucks in right behind me, keeping her hand on my back the way I showed her when we went through the basics of what I’d need from her at times like this.

When we start to move, she stays a half step behind me and to the side, eyes moving, feet flying.

Our progression is careful but quick, and soon we’re closing in on the location of my parked car.

Just as I’m about to make my move across the sidewalk, a set of headlights cut through the night.

Then they shut off.

Hooking one arm around Audrey’s waist, I spin her into the closest line of hedges, blanketing her body with mine since the dark color of my pants and shirt will hide us better than the pale green cotton of her pajamas.

She’s silent and still against me, arms tucked in tight, hands holding the waist of my pants, as the sound of an engine slowly gets louder. The vehicle I saw creeps down the road, getting closer each second, and I grit my teeth, running through all the possible scenarios in my head.