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The next day, Annalissa caught a cab to her teacher’s studio after Vinny left for work. Walking up the steps of the old brownstone with her harp case in her hand, she knocked on the door. As it opened, she saw the look of surprise on his face. As he threw his arms out wide, she rushed into them, feeling the comfort he offered.

“Oh, my dear, what a time you’ve had. Come in, come in and tell me all about it.”

She picked up her case and followed him down the hall to his studio in the back.

“Mrs. Baxter, some tea for us, if you please,” he called out to his housekeeper. By the time they had settled into chairs, she was already bustling in with a tray of steaming tea and a platter of cookies.

Placing it on the table in front of them, she hurried over to give Annalissa a hug. Pulling her into her bosomy embrace, she effused, “Oh dearie, you gave poor Mr. Feinstein such a fright.” Making herself right at home with her employer, she settled her girth on the settee and poured the tea.

Annalissa had to laugh; Mr. Feinstein and his housekeeper had been together for so long they seemed more like an old married couple, even though they had never been interested in each other that way.

The next hour passed with her regaling them with tales of her trip. She told in great detail the plight of the man having the heart attack and how Vinny saved him. She followed that with the harrowing landing in Kansas City and once again how Vinny took charge. “I just couldn’t fly again so soon,” she lied, feeling horrible at the necessity of keeping the truth hidden. “So Vinny suggested that we book Easnadh on the next flight and we drove instead.”

“But why not just keep Easnadh with you?” Maurice asked, his brow furrowed.

Remembering her practiced explanation, she said, “It would be too crowded in our little rental car. And it was much safer for us to ship it and have one of the Alvarez Security men pick it up at the Richmond Airport.”

“So it came directly to Richmond and not through Dulles?” he asked.

“Yes, we could get a direct flight from Kansas City to Richmond for it.”

He nodded thoughtfully, while Mrs. Baxter’s head bobbed enthusiastically.

“It sounds like you not only had an adventure, but perhaps had some fun as well?” she said, desperately wanting more gossip.

“Yes,” Annalissa grinned. “I did have fun since I never get to travel by land and Mr. Malloy was perfect company.”

As they finished their tea, Mrs. Baxter hustled the dishes away after giving Annalissa a kiss and another hug.

Annalissa opened her case and removed her harp. “I thought instead of just practicing at home to relax, I’d come over and practice with you.”

Smiling, the older man nodded as he moved to his instruments in the corner of the studio. Choosing another Celtic harp, they sat and played companionably for another hour. The music filled the room, allowing her to finally and completely relax. With a few of his windows opened, the tones drifted outside.

Jobe sat in his SUV, the windows down, listening to the music. He had already called in her location to Vinny since it was his time to follow her. Not a hard duty , he thought as he allowed the music to settle over him. I can see what she has done to Vinny. Her music is bewitching. And for a man like him… he smiled thinking of his friend. Leaning his head back, he maintained his vigilance while his mind rolled to what Lily had said earlier.

They’ve all found it…the forever kind of love. His friends Shane and Annie, Lily and Matt, BJ and Suzanne. And now his brothers-in-arms, Gabe and Jennifer, Tony and Sherrie, and now Vinny. The last of the professed bachelors was fully, completely in love with Annalissa.

Sucking in a huge sigh as the haunting melody floated out to him. I had it. And I goddamn threw it away. Thought I was being noble. God, what a prick. Giving himself a shake, he forced his mind back to the case and off of the past.

As Annalissa came out of Maurice’s house, she was walking down the steps when suddenly Jobe loomed before her. Taking the harp case from her hands, he nodded toward his vehicle.

“Did Vinny send you to spy on me?”

“No ma’am,” he replied with a wink. “You have the protection of Alvarez Security. One of us will be with you when you aren’t with Vinny.”

“Oh,” she said, a concerned look on her face. “I don’t mean to be a problem,” she admitted.

He placed her harp in the back of the SUV before rounding to her side to open the door. “No problem. It wouldn’t matter if we were working on your case or not. You’re one of us now. We protect our own,” he said simply.

As she settled in for the ride back to Vinny’s, she smiled. Belonging. Friends. Just what I’ve been looking for.

That evening, she slipped easily into the pool, holding on to Vinny’s hands as he led her around, and kicked her legs.

“Feel how the movement of your legs propels you along?” he asked, trying to keep his eyes off of her ass as it wiggled just above the waterline.

“Yes, but that’s only my bottom half. What am I supposed to do with my arms? ”

“You don’t want to keep holding my hands?” he joked.

“I’d love to but I don’t think that will help me swim on my own,” she sputtered trying to keep her head above the water.

Moving back to the shallow end, he let go as she stood on the bottom of the pool. “Okay, let’s work on the arm movement.” He spent the next fifteen minutes teaching her how to circle her arms in a paddling motion. After she was comfortable with that, he supported her with his hands on her tummy as she kicked while moving her arms.

“You promise not to let go?” she asked as they moved toward deeper water.

“I promise, baby. I’ll never let you go.”

Once again, she wondered if there was a double meaning in his words. After several minutes of working to get the rhythm correct, he pulled her in close to his body. She wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his neck, luxuriating in the feel of floating in the water holding on to him.

With her breasts pressed tightly to his chest and her core firmly nestled against his throbbing cock, he kissed her as they continued to move through the water. Her back finally landed against the side of the pool and he pressed even closer. The kiss became desperate. Needy. Just like his desire for her.

“Princess,” he growled. “We’ve gotta get upstairs. I fucking want to take you here and now, but I’m not about to chance someone coming in. ”

Panting into his mouth, she nodded. “I need you now,” she cried.

With an easy lift, he set her on the side of the pool and pulled himself out effortlessly. Reaching down, he plucked her up, carrying her in his arms. Bending as they rounded the side, he grabbed their towels as he carried her to the elevator. Once inside, he continued the kiss that had been interrupted in the pool. As the elevator doors opened, he set her down and grabbed her hand as they quickly walked to his apartment.

Another man came out of a door, his eyes noticeably appreciating the view. Vinny looked down, seeing Annalissa’s nipples clearly poking through the worn bathing suit material. Throwing a towel around her chilled body, he growled at the neighbor who quickly paled at the sight of the large, muscular, and obviously pissed-off man.

Giggling, she felt herself gently pushed inside his apartment as Vinny kicked the door closed behind them.

“I can’t believe I let you walk around in that bathing suit on our way up here,” he exploded. “I must be crazy.”

“Vinny, really?” she asked, tapping her foot on the floor. “Are you telling me that you’ve never been at a pool party or beach with other women in skimpy bikinis?”

He stopped and looked at her, his eyes still flashing irritation.

“Well?” she prodded. “You’ve never ogled a woman in a bathing suit? You’ve never been with another woman at a pool who was wearing a lot less than this old one-piece?”

“That’s different,” he spluttered.

“How, for crying out loud? Please tell me how you and your friends hanging around a pool trying to pick up girls in skimpy bikinis is any different than that man catching a glimpse of me in this outfit? Which, by the way, covers most of me?”

He stood there, perplexed as to how to answer her. She was right. He had spent a lot of time hooking up with skimpily clad women and not caring what his own dates were wearing. If his friends got a glimpse of the tits or ass of a hookup of his, he never cared.

Running his hand through his dark blond hair, making it stand up on end, he looked down at the beauty in front of him. But this was different. He had wanted to gouge his neighbor’s eyes out. Sighing, he knew he could not lie to her.

“Because I never cared about anyone before you. Because I’ve fallen in love with you. And because the thought of anyone else seeing a part of you that’s only for me, makes me crazy,” he confessed nervously.

“You…you love me?” she whispered, forgetting to breathe.

“Yeah, but I know a man like me doesn’t deserve someone like you,” he said, his eyes gazing deeply into hers. Give me a chance, baby. Please. He watched her own eyes tear up. Stepping closer, he reached his hand out to touch her cheek. “Breathe, baby,” he reminded.

She gasped as she leaned her face into his hand. The warmth of his touch melted into her .

“Tell me I’ve got a chance. I know I’ve lived wild and rough, but please tell me that you might feel something for me too.”

Her smile lit up his world. Dark, wet hair tangled behind her, still dripping water off of the ends. An old, faded, red bathing suit designed for practicality instead of sex appeal. No makeup. And the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.

“I think I fell in love with you somewhere between Indiana and Kentucky,” she said, still smiling.

Struck speechless, Vinny stared at the woman who had stolen his heart. And was handing it back to him along with hers.

Suddenly, the two reached for each other, hands grasping as they quickly pulled off their swimming attire. He scooped her up in his arms, her naked body inflaming his, as his aching cock swelled.

Making it to the bedroom in record time, he lay her on the bed reverently. She loves me. Determined to worship her body slowly, he lay next to her as his lips sealed over hers. Moving his hand down, he felt every curve, from her breasts that just filled his hands to her flat stomach all the way to the gentle swell of her hips.

She turned on her side to face him and his hand slipped between her legs. Tangling in the strip of curls, he moved through them to her drenched folds. Sliding two fingers in, he reached a place and a rhythm that had her writhing on the bed.

His tongue danced with hers as he captured her moans. His dick was painfully pressing against her stomach, eagerly seeking entrance. Down boy. This one’s for her.

Her body felt as tight as a bow ready to snap but could not quite reach the breaking point. He sucked her tongue into his mouth and the sensations zinged from her throat to her nipples down to her aching core.

He reached the spot that finally threw her over the edge, the explosion causing her inner walls to contract and weep over his fingers. Eyes closed tight, she saw colored lights sparkling behind her eyelids as she floated gently back toward earth.

He kissed his way down her body paying special attention to each breast as he sucked one nipple deeply into his mouth before moving over and nipping the other. Continuing his downward path, he slid between her legs, lowering his mouth to replace his fingers. Her juices were like nectar as he feasted on her drenched folds before plunging his tongue into her sex.

Absolute nectar. He loved her innocence. No pretense. No faking. Every movement, every sound from her was real. True. Heartfelt.

Moving from between her legs, he kissed his way back up her body, displayed for him. For his eyes alone. He closed his eyes for a moment in silent reverie, thanking God that he was lucky enough to have found her. When he opened them again, her green eyes were gazing intently into his.

“Are you all right?” she asked, gently reaching up to caress his cheek. His strong jaw filled her hand as her eyes moved over his muscular chest and thick arms, with the Malloy Celtic tattoo on them. Her gaze lifted back to his, pleased to see him now smiling.

“Yeah. I’m great.” He hesitated a moment and then plunged ahead with something that had been on his mind. “Can I ask you something?”

“Anything,” she replied.

“Would you consider getting on the pill? I’m clean and I swear I’ve never, ever gone without a condom.” Seeing a look cross her face, he continued, “Honest, babe. Never without a condom. But we had to have physicals all the time in the military and for Tony as well. I’ve got the paperwork.”

Her pink tongue darted out, licking her lips. “I’ve thought about it but just never did anything. I…I can go to see my doctor.”

“If it’s not what you want, then you don’t have to do it. I’ll keep a sheath on,” he assured her.

“No. No, I don’t mind,” she admitted shyly. “I…I’d like to see what you…um…feel like.”

Bearing his weight on his arms, he leaned down to kiss her again. “Good, ‘cause I want to feel your walls squeezing me without any barriers and baby, I’ve got to tell you, I can’t wait to fill you.”

Moving away just long enough to roll on a condom, he moved over her again placing his eager cock at her entrance. Looking down into her eyes, he felt her grasp his shoulders before he plunged inside.

Her body welcomed his as she felt the tight stretching when he filled her. Her hand slid from his shoulders to his back, feeling the muscles ripple and move underneath her fingertips. Such power, she thought. All this and he could have anyone. But he wants me. He loves me. The warm friction was building inside as he rocked in and out, still bearing his weight on his forearms. Her head was supported by his hands on either side, as their gazes never wavered.

She watched him and all the emotions that played across his face as their bodies were joined as one.

Looking down at her, he felt a myriad of feelings. Love, certainly. But also protectiveness. Pride. Awe. And the desire to feel all of these forever. Right before his body’s needs took over all rational thought, he was left with the realization— I want this woman in my bed and in my heart for the rest of my life.

Powering through his own orgasm he felt her body contract around him, squeezing as he poured himself into her. Refusing to take his eyes off of her, his thick neck strained as he gritted his teeth, the orgasm sending shocks down to his toes.

Underneath all of his strength and power, she flew apart again, her core clutching at him. Feeling him release deep inside, she knew this was a connection she wanted to experience forever.

Their eyes finally closed, he lay his head down on the pillow next to hers, their ragged breaths heaving from their bodies. Legs tangled, arms wrapped tightly, hearts beating as one.

He loves me, she thought with a smile.

She loves me, he realized, knowing he would protect her with his life.

Jawan wondered if things could possibly get more fucked up. His contact had just called to say that the harp had never passed through Dulles and the handler had gotten nervous. Not only that, but instead of searching carefully, he had trashed the harpist’s apartment and now was on the police’s radar. Sighing heavily, he placed another call.

“I need a hit,” he bit out.

“You got it,” came the response.

Jawan felt his blood pressure slowly drop as he received the answer he desired. Tired of bumbling fools making a mess of things, it was satisfying to have someone he could count on to take care of things. And this would surely make Don happier with him.

Giving the name of the handler and his address, he disconnected.

Now, placing another call, he reported to Don. “We’re making progress. It never went to Dulles and we’re eliminating that problem. It will be easier to train and place new employees there than to leave him as a threat.”

Not hearing Don reply he continued, “We know where the drugs are. They’ve got to still be with the harp.”

“And why hasn’t it been confiscated? How difficult is it to get it from the carrier?”

Jawan recognized Don’s icy tone. Licking his lips, he plunged ahead, “She’s not living alone. It appears that she is living with her security escort from Alvarez Security.”

“So the drugs have been discovered? Is that why they’re still involved? Are the goddamn police and DEA involved as well since it appears the whole fucking world is?”

“No, no,” Jawan hurried to explain. “It seems like no one has discovered what is inside the harp yet. She’s just living with him. I guess they started fucking on the trip and are still involved. But don’t worry. She’ll be on her own soon. He’s got a reputation for not sticking with one woman, so he’ll soon tire of her.”

Silence once again greeted him.

“Don, I’ve got this. She can’t keep the harp secluded forever. It’ll come out and when it does, we make our plans. I’ll get the drugs back. That’s a promise.”

“You’d better. Cousin or no…I don’t accept failure.”

Sighing after Don hung up on him, he called his contact. “Are you keeping tabs on her? I want to know where she is and who she’s with. And we need that fucking harp.”

“Look, all my other runs for you have been successful—even the ones with lil’ miss princess. I’ve got this. I’m keeping an eye on her and as soon as I can, I’ll get the stuff back for you. I can still make it to the buyer on this end.”

“I’m sending someone to take care of the baggage handler. No problem to me if he does another job for me. You get what I’m saying?”

Licking their lips nervously, they bobbed their head as they rushed to agree.