Page 12

CHAPTER 11

Finally.

Shadow fell into Digger’s arms, the front of her body pressing against his bare, sculpted chest. His hand slid from her cheek, his fingers gently finding their way up under her hair.

He was kissing her as if she might suddenly disappear. Thanks to Stanton, she almost had.

Digger’s masculine groan of pleasure met her moan, vanquishing all thoughts of near-death experiences and killers. At five-three, she was a full foot shorter than the tall, dark, and fascinating man. So to avoid missing even an ounce of the pleasure his mouth was creating, she balanced on her tiptoes and cranked her neck back.

Hot. Wet. The kiss was erotic and all-consuming. And the way Slade was holding her body flush with his…

It’s like we’re two pieces of a perfect puzzle.

Shadow’s nails dug into the skin at his back as she kept a tight grip on his broad shoulders. He was warm and slightly damp from his recent shower, his scent a mixture of soap and shampoo, along with his own natural, masculine spice.

Her mouth opened wider, letting more of him in as their tongues swirled and danced in an explosion of euphoric bliss. Digger swallowed her next moan as his hands slid low on her back, and her hips instinctively moved forward toward his.

Butterflies swirled when the impressive bulge between his toweled thighs pressed against her lower belly. Her sex filled with desire, and her inner muscles clenched with anticipation from the magic the two of them were about to share.

Their hunger grew to new heights, and before she realized what was happening, Shadow felt herself being hoisted into Digger’s arms. On reflex, she wrapped her legs around his narrow waist, locking them at the ankles to help keep herself from falling.

He’ll never let you fall.

The thought whispered through her head as his strong hands held the backs of her thighs. Digger turned and walked toward the stairs. His mouth never left hers as he carefully carried her toward the second floor, moving with ease as if she weighed nothing at all.

His steps were smooth, and his hold was protective yet gentle. When they got to the top, he headed straight for his room.

Shadow continued feasting on him as if she were starved as he covered the distance between his doorway and the bed. When he got to the edge, Digger lowered her down onto the mattress, settling himself between her thighs.

Her head fell back, and her eyelids closed as she let herself become lost in the moment. There hadn’t been many like this in her thirty-two years. Or any, if truth be told.

Not like this. Not like it was with Digger. And they’d only just begun.

Deciding to take more control of the situation, Shadow pushed her palms against his chest. The man above her froze half-a-second before pulling his lips from hers and lifting himself up so he could look her in the eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Digger’s dark brows bunched together at the center.

But Shadow simply gave him a grin as she shifted her body out from beneath his. Guiding him onto his back, she straddled his terry-clothed hips. Speaking softly, she brought her mouth back down to his.

“Nothing’s wrong,” she promised. “I just wanted to see more of you. This way makes it so much easier.”

Her fingertips traced the curves of his sculpted chest as she began a trail of small, wet kisses along his jaw. The coarse hair of his well-trimmed beard tickled her lips before her mouth moved to the smooth curve of his neck.

A kiss here. A light, playful nibble there. The edge of her teeth bit into him oh so gently, and when they did, Digger’s breath hitched, hips thrusting reflexively upward toward hers.

Shadow smiled against the dip of his collar bone as she continued making her way lower. With one hand following the lines of his muscular abs, she put her lips around one of his small, distended nipples.

Digger moaned, the deep sound filling the otherwise silent room as she used her tongue to lick and tease the tiny nub. And when she was finished there, she moved to the other, giving it the same slow, titillating attention as the first.

Shadow wanted to go faster. She wanted to rip off her clothes, pull his towel free, and fill herself with the steel rod that was currently pressing against her throbbing sex. But she forced herself to savor the moment because, as they both knew all too well, tomorrow was never guaranteed.

Moving lower, she slid her body slowly along the length of his. She didn’t stop until her feet were hanging halfway off the bed. Rising up onto her knees, she looked down at him with another sensual smile, and then Shadow reached for the towel still knotted around his waist.

The white terrycloth was fully tented, but Digger didn’t act embarrassed or ashamed in the least. Given what she’d already felt pressing against the apex of her thighs, she could understand why.

Her fingers dipped between the tanned skin of his lower abs and the thick, white material. She paused just long enough to give him time to change his mind. When he didn’t, she pulled the towel free, exposing him in all his glory.

It felt like Christmas morning as she unwrapped the most glorious gift she’d ever been given.

Reaching down, she took him into her hand, curling her fingers as far around his thick rod. Digger hissed in a breath, and she saw his eyes roll shut. Shadow smiled, loving how reactive he was to her touch.

She began sliding her fist up and down his velvet-lined shaft. Using slow, methodical movements, she focused on bringing him as much pleasure as she possible could.

Digger moaned again, his chest rising and falling with increasingly panted breaths. A drop of moisture beaded at the man’s swollen tip, and suddenly nothing could keep her from discovering his taste.

Leaning down, Shadow took him fully between her lips. A touch of warm salt hit the tip of her tongue, and she moaned around his length. His body jerked beneath her as she savored that very first taste.

“Damn, princess.” His breathy rumble gave away his obvious approval. “That feels so fucking good. But you don’t have to?—”

“Shhh…” She stopped long enough for a gentle reminder. “I don’t have to do anything, Dig.” Her gaze slid back down to his swollen cock. “Trust me, I want to do this.”

Not giving him a second’s worth of time to further protest, Shadow resumed her previous torture, adding a playful little swirl of her tongue.

Digger reached for her, being careful to steer clear of the bandaged cut. His palm came to a rest at the back of her head. His fist filled with the silky strands of her hair as she moved up and down in slow, salacious slides.

She was cognizant of her recent concussion, but there was only a dull aching of pain remaining. It was nothing compared to the all-consuming pleasure she was giving, and Shadow refused to let it get in her way.

“Oh, yeah,” Digger groaned. His breaths becoming even shallower as they came at a more rapid pace.

She licked and sucked to her heart’s content, finding the perfect rhythm that seemed to be driving him mad with need. Her head continued bobbing between his strong thighs, bringing him closer and closer to that glorious edge. But just as she was certain the man in her arms was about to explode…

Digger pulled himself free, hauling her up his body and flipping her over, onto her back.

A tiny squeal of surprise escaped Shadow’s throat, but then she caught sight of his fiery gaze. His eyes were filled with a burning desire, and she smiled knowing it was all for her.

“My turn,” Digger growled.

It was the only warning he gave before the man leaned down, mimicking her every move.

Bringing his mouth to her lips, he kissed her even more thoroughly than before. When he was finished, he moved lower to her jaw, neck, and the dip at the front of her throat.

He rose up, wasting no time divesting her of her black tank-top and bra. With her upper half was bare and lying before him, Digger gave her hardened nipples the same delicious attention she’d given his.

Shadow’s back arched high when he took the first peak into his mouth. He was hot. Wet. His talented tongue and lips bringing her closer and closer to Heaven.

When he got his fill there, the incredible man stole another page from her impromptu playbook, using his mouth to follow the shallow line running vertically down the length of her toned abs. Digger reached the waistband of her cotton jogger shorts, and he didn’t so much as pause

His fingers dipped between her hips and the tops of her shorts and white lace panties. Shadow lifted her pelvis from the mattress in an effort to help. A ghost of a smirk lifted one corner of the baffling man’s lips as he seamlessly pulled the garments over her hips and down the curves of her smooth thighs.

She watched from where she lay fully naked in the center of the bed, taking in her fill of his mouthwatering form. Tanned skin, impressive muscles, and a heart much bigger than the stubborn man realized made him about as perfect of a man as any she’d ever known.

Digger crawled back onto the mattress and brought a hand to her bare sex. Using only his fingers, he began an erotic journey, running a fingertip the length of her slit. Shadow’s moan echoed off the white bedroom walls as he doled out the same delectable torture she that had.

His fingers were magic as they played her body like an instrument he’d already mastered. And when he pushed one deep inside her greedy core, she cried out to the heavens above.

In and out, he thrust his hand back and forth between her splayed thighs. She was wet and ready, her body practically begging him for more. And the sweet, selfless man seemed more than happy to oblige.

Leaning down, Digger brought his lips to her swollen, aching clit. And when his tongue flicked the taut bundle of nerves, Shadow cried out, already close to finding the ultimate release.

“Dig!” His shortened nickname flew from her mouth. Her hips pressed higher, her greedy body seeking everything this man was willing to give.

Digger increased his speed and the force of his hand as he continued using his mouth to drive her positively mad. He added a second finger, stretching her body in ways it hadn’t been in a long time.

The combination of movements and sensations proved to be damn near lethal. Her legs trembled, and she could feel her impending climax as it climbed higher and higher with every beat of her racing heart.

And just when Shadow was convinced it was possible to die from the erotic pressure, Digger used a little more force with the tip of his tongue, and then…

She began to fly.

* * *

Slade was awestruck as he took in the sight of Shadow lost in the throes of passion. Breathtaking didn’t even begin to do the erotic scene justice.

Flushed skin. Disheveled hair. Firm, luscious breasts rising and falling with the sound of her audible breaths.

It was an image he’d already committed to memory.

“Wow.” The woman lying naked before him slowly opened her eyes. Staring up at him through a satiated gaze, she told him lazily, “That was…”

When she appeared to be struggling to find the words, Slade shot her a sideways grin.

“Tell me about it.” He let his grin inch closer to an actual smile. “Don’t move.”

“Don’t worry.” Shadow didn’t hesitate in her response. “I’m pretty sure my legs would just collapse beneath me if I tried.”

With a breathy chuckle, Slade turned around and walked unabashedly across the room. He’d noticed earlier that Owens’ men had left the go-bag they’d recovered from the cabin on the floor next to the dresser. Squatting down, he unzipped the bag and began to search for the small box he’d tossed into one of the inner pouches at the last minute.

At the time, he and Shadow were planning to be at the cabin for an undetermined number of days, and they had no idea what to expect in the way of threats. And since he’d learned early into his military career that condoms had multiple uses in the field…

Don’t be a dumbass. There’s only one reason you packed that box, and she’s lying on that bed right now waiting for you to return.

He tore open the box and ripped one of the foil squares free before dropping the others back into the gaping bag. With his hands on his knees, he pushed himself back up to his feet. Seconds later, Slade was standing at the edge of the bed.

“I thought maybe you’d changed your mind.”

“Not a chance.” He tore the small package open, retrieving the protective sheath and rolling it over his aching length.

Shadow smiled, her heavy-lidded eyes following his every move. And when she licked her lips as if she were about to consume a delicious meal, he had to force himself not to pounce.

The mattress dipped beneath him as he rejoined her on the bed. Slade settled himself between her legs, keeping the bulk of his weight balanced with his forearms at either side of her head.

Speaking of her head…

His gaze slid to the injured area on her forehead, the skin around the bandaged cut even darker than it was when they’d first arrived. The same murderous rage he felt toward the person responsible threatened to return.

“I’m okay,” she promised him softly. “Really, I am.”

She brought a palm to his cheek, the sweet touch creating a rush of emotion he didn’t know he possessed. Leaning down, he pressed his mouth to a spot next to the place where she’d been hurt, letting he know without words how sorry he was that she’d been hurt.

“Slade,” Shadow whispered his name like a prayer.

He pulled back, feeling as though something significant had just changed. Not with her, and he hoped like hell nothing ever did. Because as far as he was concerned, she was perfect in every way.

No, the change Slade felt came from a place buried deep within himself. A shifting of sorts, and one he couldn’t exactly name. But it was there, and whatever it was he was feeling, it was all because of her.

Her actions. Her amazing heart. And also…her sweet words.

“Say it again.”

Shadow frowned, clearly confused by the unexpected command. “Say what? That I really am okay?” she asked softly.

He gave a quick shake of his head. “Not that part,” he clarified. “I want to hear you say my name.”

A slow and gentle smile lifted both corners of her lips. Her eyes remained locked with his, and with her very next breath, Shadow opened her mouth and whispered his name again.

“Slade.”

God, he’d never get tired of hearing that. Not when it was coming from her.

His heart kicked against his ribs, and then it hit him like a ton of bricks. Slade no longer hated the sound of the name.

Before now—before her —it had merely served as a constant reminder of the darkness from which he’d been created. When she said it, however…when he heard his name fall from Shadow’s lips…Slade realized it was time to leave all that other in the past.

The future, that was what he needed to focus on. It was suddenly the only thing that mattered.

Sure, his past had molded him into the man he was today, and there were some parts he hoped he never forgot. But from this moment on, Slade decided he was going to let the rest of the shit go.

Starting today, he was focusing on being the man Shadow saw when she looked deep into his eyes. Starting now, he made a silent promise to himself to do whatever it took to become the man she deserved.

Because she was what mattered. Shadow, her father, and the rest of the team. They were the family he’d never been given, and thanks to her, he finally understood that was all he’d ever need.

“Make love to me, Slade.” She said his name again.

This time, it was accompanied by a request he was more than happy to fulfill.

With his eyes still on hers, Slade reached a hand between their bodies to align himself up to her welcoming core. He hissed a breath when he felt her hot and ready, and as he began pushing his hips forward, he moved gently to avoid causing her pain.

She was tight, and he was larger than average. And since the last thing he ever wanted to do was hurt her, he went slow, giving her body time to adjust to his size.

Shadow’s eyes fell shut, and her lips parted with a feathery gasp. At first, he worried he’d hurt her in spite of the care he was taking, but then…she smiled.

“You good?” he asked, because he had to be sure.

Her heated gaze returned to his. “I’m good. You?”

Good? Hell no, I’m not good. I’m fucking fantastic.

“Oh yeah.” Slade cleared his throat and nodded. “I’m perfect.”

With that all cleared up, he began moving his hips backward and forward in slow, gentle slides. He groaned aloud at the exquisite feel of her core as her inner muscles clenched and worked his body as if she’d been made solely for him.

Home.

The word entered his mind of its own volition, and he couldn’t bring himself to fight it. He’d never had a home, not in any real sense of the word. But now…

I never want to leave.

“God, sweetheart,” he moaned loudly when her hips rolled upward against his. “You feel so fucking good.”

Shadow closed her eyes and let her head fall back, giving herself over to him like an offering he couldn’t refuse. And as their bodies worked together in search of the ultimate pleasure, Slade found himself equally excited and terrified, all at the same time.

He was excited because he felt like he’d finally found the one thing he hadn’t known he’d been missing. But with that came the unrelenting fear that he’d eventually lose her.

Because that’s what life had shown him. Pain. Loss. Disappointment. Those were the lessons life had taught him up to this point. And Slade knew with all he had that if anything ever happened to this woman, every last part of him would be destroyed beyond any hope of repair.

A little fear never hurt anyone.

His former Naval drill sergeant’s words floated past his ears. The guy wasn’t wrong back then, and he wasn’t wrong now.

He wasn’t supposed to fall for the boss’s daughter. Slade wasn’t supposed to fall for anyone at all. But he had, and now…it was too late.

What was happening between him and the woman in his arms far surpassed physical pleasure. It ran deeper. Truer. And truth be told, even if he could, Slade wasn’t about to stop it.

“Oh, God, Slade.” Shadow panted his name again. “I’m…close.”

A wide smile lifted his lips as he thrust a bit harder and picked up the pace. He pushed himself in and out of her molten heat as she rolled her hips against his.

Time stood still as they both became lost in a sea of sensual, sexual joy. And when he angled his hips just so, Slade’s name echoed off the wall with Shadow’s next cry.

She arched her back high as a low, keening sound escaped from the back of her throat. He held her close as she came even harder and longer than the time before. Slade grunted and huffed out several harsh breaths as her inner muscles clamped down on him like a vise.

“Ah, fuck.” He ground the words out as his own climax grew nearer.

His lower body moved faster and harder, his thrusts becoming uneven in their delivery. As Shadow’s muscles began to relax with the final tendrils of her release, Slade’s orgasm struck him down with a vengeance.

A deep, guttural, masculine growl flew from his chest as he came. His cock pulsed as he became depleted of his essence, and by the time his climax had passed, he wasn’t sure his heart was still beating.

He huffed out a breath before sucking in more much-needed air. Slade repeated the move a half-dozen times before blowing out a breath.

“Holy shit.”

“Told ya, it was wow.” Shadow teased, her voice slightly strained from being trapped beneath him.

With a below-the-breath curse, Slade pushed himself up to prevent his weight from crushing her completely. Growing serious, he brushed some wayward strands from her face before gently tucking them behind her ear.

“You okay?” he asked, praying he’d done nothing to cause her pain.

She nodded as a genuine smile slowly spread across her face. “Oh yeah. I’m definitely okay.”

Slade stole another precious moment, letting himself hold her close without saying a single word. He simply looked at her, taking in the beauty that was Shadow.

And suddenly, for the first time ever, he felt like the luckiest bastard in the world.