In The Still of the Night [The Protectors 2] (Siren Publishing Classic) (10 page)

“Hopefully this is the last time. I’m tired of being sore all over.”

The door bell rang. Riley quickly moved to the door and checked the peep hole. He let in Logan, Morgan, and someone she hadn’t met. It must be Tyler, she thought to herself. He was as tall as the other three men. He had short, light-brown hair and blue eyes. He was also the most muscular of the men. He smiled a cocky grin and crossed the room with his hand out.

“I’m Tyler. It’s great to finally meet you in person. I’ve heard nothing but talk of you for the last four days.” He shook her hand, holding it just a few seconds longer than was necessary.

“You can let go of her hand now, Tyler.” Riley growled.

“You didn’t say what a lovely woman she was. Shame on you.” Tyler winked at her.

Jenna liked him right off. He was a shameless flirt.

“Cut it out, man. I’ll bust your mouth if you lay any of your shit on her.”

Tyler died out laughing and threw his hands up to ward off a blow when Riley turned on him. Jena liked seeing the playful side of the men. They had been so serious every time she had been around them.

“So, what is the plan?” Morgan asked.

“The same one we had with Tina, only I’ll be in here with Jenna. Tyler and Morgan can take the night shift, and you will take the day shift. That way you can be home with Tina at night, Logan.” Riley turned to Tyler “Did Morgan fill you in on everything?

“Yep. The whole sordid story. Even the part about how you’re—”

Riley interrupted him with a slap upside his head. “That’s enough.”

Tyler rubbed his stomach and frowned. “Morgan, you didn’t say he was sensitive about it.”

“Yeah, well.”

“You’re next, asshole. Shut up,” Riley said.

“You two haven’t been helping Riley all this time?” Jenna asked.

“No, we got detained and just made it in last night,” Morgan said, looking pointedly at Tyler.

She looked at Riley but kept her mouth shut. She’d say something to him later about working on his own. Right now, she needed to concentrate on what their plans where. What did Riley mean he’d be inside with her? Her couch was too small for him, and she only had one other room, and it was her office.

Tyler stretched. “I better find my spot to watch. I’ll see you later, little lady.”

“Over my dead body.” Riley took a step toward Tyler.

“Play nice boys,” Morgan said.

Logan just shook his head and grabbed Riley. “Come on. I’m going to go get Tina and follow her home.”

“I’m going to scout out my spot, too. I’ll see you in the morning. Tell Tina I said hi.” Morgan said he was going to look around the house and leave out the back door.

“Talk to you later, Riley.” Logan bumped fists with his friend and left, as well.

“Let’s check your ankle. How’s the pain?” Riley asked.

“Good. It’s not bad.” She winced when he took the ice pack off.

“Swelling isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. That’s good. We need to keep it elevated over the next twenty-four hours. I’ll set up your bed for it. Be right back.”

Jenna sighed. She was stuck with him for the next few days, she guessed. It wouldn’t be a hardship until he decided to leave again. She couldn’t keep getting used to him only to have him disappear. It was too hard on her. The fact he hadn’t really left wasn’t lost on her. She still couldn’t believe it. Why had he kept his presence a secret? She might never know because she had made up her mind not to fall for him.

“Okay, I have your room ready.”

“I’m not going to bed this early.”

“You need to be in bed resting. You’re going to be sore tomorrow.” Riley jammed his hands on his hips.

“I’m sore now. If I stay in the bed, I’m going to get where I can’t do anything.”

Riley huffed out a breath. “Okay, fine. You can stay up until after dinner.”

“Gee, thanks, Dad,” she said, sarcasm in her voice.

He left her alone to start dinner. She reached over to the coffee table for her book and started on it again. It still didn’t hold her interest. She refused to flip through channels again. Finally, boredom got the best of her, and she called into the kitchen.

“Why did you let me think you had left?”

Silence.

“How long have you been watching me?

Silence.

Had he left again? Maybe he stepped outside to talk to one of the others. She removed the nearly thawed ice bag from her ankle and swung it off the pile of pillows to the floor. She attempted to put pressure on it, but it was having none of that. She grimaced and stood up on her good leg. It didn’t buckle under her weight, but it wasn’t exactly happy to be holding her up. She eased along the room, putting as little pressure as she could on her bad ankle. She had just about made it to the kitchen when Riley came out. He glowered at her and swept her up in his arms.

“What in the hell are you doing up? Are you trying to ruin that ankle?”

“You didn’t answer me, so I was coming to see where you were.”

“I’ll answer you now. Let’s get you back on the couch,” he said with a sigh. “I didn’t think it was a good idea to holler back at you.”

“Oh.” Jenna didn’t have anything to say to that.

“I didn’t tell you because I wanted to catch the bastard, and you knowing I was around might have tipped him off. You would have been looking to see me like you were those cops. I saw you looking for them.”

“I guess Gregg could tell, too. That’s the reason he hasn’t tried anything, isn’t it?”

“Probably. That’s why we are going to pretend no one is here but you. So, at night, I’ll be in one place so my shadow doesn’t show up moving around.”

“Doesn’t he realize they will eventually catch him? He’s going back to prison.”

“He’s crazy, Jenna. I don’t think he realizes how deep a hole he’s dug for himself. Once I get my hands on him, I’m going—”

Jenna interrupted him. “Nothing. You’re going to turn him over to the police is what you’re going to do.”

“After I teach him not to beat up on women.” Riley looked at her with a smile. “I’m going to check on dinner. I’ll be right back. No getting up again. You need to stay on the couch with your leg up.”

She grumbled at him but didn’t plan to try that again. Her ankle hurt worse now. Of course she wouldn’t let him know it. He’d just tell her he told her so.

Chapter Eight

“You’re what? I don’t think so. I can get in the tub by myself.” Jenna shook her head no at his suggestion that he help her in and out of the tub.

“You can’t stand on your ankle. How in the hell do you think you can get in the tub?” he demanded.

“I’ll figure out a way.”

“Face it. You’re stuck with my help. Now shuck those clothes.” He crossed his arms and waited.

“I’m not doing a strip tease with you in the room.” Jenna couldn’t believe she was in this predicament.

Why hadn’t it registered with her that she was completely at his mercy before now? How had she expected to get in and out of the tub on her own, much less up to the bathroom? That idea had heat rushing to her cheeks.

“I’ll wait outside, but if you dare and try to make it to the bathroom on your own, I’ll redden that bottom of yours in a New York minute.” With that, he walked out the door but left it cracked.

“This is humiliating,” she groused.

She slowly pulled off her blouse then unhooked her bra but left it on. She struggled with her pants but finally managed to wiggle out of them. She hesitated at her panties. How could she do this? He’d already seen her buck naked, but she’d been hurt.
Well, you’re hurt again. It’s nothing to him.
Yeah, right. He’d still see her. Hell, she couldn’t pretend that they hadn’t had sex.

“Are you done in there?”

“Just a minute.” She huffed out a breath and slipped her panties off her butt and let them pool at her feet.

“Okay.”

Riley walked in and picked her up as if it was nothing to have a naked woman in his arms, and perhaps it wasn’t. He probably was used to the situation. Well, she wasn’t. He lowered her into the bath water he’d already run for her. He’d even put some of her bath salts in it. Funny how thoughtful he could be sometimes.

“I’ll be waiting outside in your bedroom. Just call when you’re ready to get out.” He closed the door most of the way and left her alone.

Jenna sighed and took the bath cloth to begin bathing. After she was finished, she leaned back and soaked for awhile. It felt good to relax in the water. All too soon, it began to cool.

“You okay in there?” Riley’s voice called through the door.

She reached and pulled the plug on the tub. “I’m ready to get out.”

He walked in the door and leaned over the tub to help her out. She stood up with his help. He snagged the towel and wrapped it around her before picking her up out of the tub. He stood her on one leg and began drying her off. He was impersonal at first, but his resolve must have wavered when he went to his knees to dry her legs. It put him face to face with her pelvis and pussy. He leaned in and inhaled. She knew she was wet. Just having his hands on her body turned her on despite her attempt at resisting the need coursing through her body.

A groan escaped his lips as he leaned in and kissed her belly. He placed open-mouthed kisses over her abdomen downward until he reached her pussy. He licked and nipped at her. Then he drew in a deep breath and stood up.

“Let’s get you in bed.” He picked her up again and carried her into the bedroom.

Darkness greeted her in the bedroom. He didn’t hand her anything to put on. Instead, he pulled the covers over her and stripped down to his boxers. He climbed into bed next to her and drew her into the circle of his arms.

“Get some sleep,” he said.

Jenna doubted she was going to sleep with him that close and her without clothes on. What had he been thinking? There was no way she could go to sleep like this. But she was wrong and, in no time, did.

* * * *

Riley lay awake for a long time thinking about her and how he had nearly lost her again. Never mind the fact that she wasn’t his to lose. Now he was torturing himself by holding her without clothes to separate them. It didn’t matter that he had his boxers on. He still felt her skin next to his. Her sweet ass nestled against his hard cock. In her sleep, she ground against him suggestively. It had him gritting his teeth with need. He had to be a glutton for punishment.

He would keep her safe. No way would he let that asshole hurt her again. He’d purposely left the lights off so he wouldn’t be able to tell that there was someone else in the room with her. Everything hinged on him thinking she was by herself. As long as he kept hidden, he would take the opportunity at some point to attack her again. When that happened, they would spring the trap.

If he got hurt in the process, well, all the better. He hoped the asshole fought him. He would take great pleasure in beating the crap out of him. In fact, if no one stopped him, he would likely kill the bastard. He knew Logan and Tyler wouldn’t let him if they where there. Morgan, on the other hand, just might. He would agree with him that the bastard deserved death.

There wasn’t much he could do until the man played out his hand. They were waiting on him to make a move. He just hoped it would be soon. Jenna had lost weight, and she was obviously not getting a lot of rest. She seemed to be sleeping soundly now. Maybe she did trust him to keep her safe. She didn’t realize that her safety meant more to him than breathing. His entire reason for living had shifted to taking care of her at some point. Maybe it had always been that way, or maybe when he thought he would lose her it had happened. Either way, he knew she was the one for him. He just had to figure out how to make it work.

Riley fell asleep to that thought.

Early the next morning, he woke to the soft sounds of snoring. He smiled. So she snored. That was cute, he decided. He would enjoy informing her of that bit of news. She had also turned over in the night and rested her hand on his chest and her head on his shoulder. His arm was asleep, but he didn’t mind. The feel of her nipples against the side of his chest more than made up for it.

She stirred, and he held his breath, hoping she wouldn’t wake up just yet. When she did, she would turn away from him in embarrassment. He had her figured out to some extent. Well, as much as you could figure out a woman anyway. His cock was fully awake and aching at the thought of her pussy not five inches away. What would she do if he woke her up with his dick inside of her? It was a fantasy he had in his head now. He groaned. She stirred. He held his breath. She settled back down, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He wanted a few more minutes of enjoyment before she drew away from him.

Her soft skin felt like heaven against his roughened skin. Her silky hair smelled wonderful against his nose. He longed to feel her pussy and taste its sweet nectar. Maybe once this was all over, he could indulge himself. He couldn’t afford to get hooked on her. He wasn’t planning on settling down and definitely not with her. She couldn’t handle his lifestyle.

She stirred again, and he found himself looking into startled eyes.

“Good morning.” He held her when she would have turned away.

“Hi. Um, I need to get up.” She averted her eyes and tried to pull away.

“Did you know you snored?” he asked.

“No I don’t,” she huffed out.

“Yes, you do. It’s cute.”

“Don’t call me cute.” She pushed against his chest with her hand.

Riley let go of her and let her roll away from him. It was only temporary anyway. She couldn’t walk to the bathroom. He would need to carry her, and there she would be, back in his arms once again.
Where she belonged
. No. He frowned and rolled out of bed on his side. She didn’t belong to him. He needed to get that thought out of his head.

A soft groan reached his ears. He stood up and walked around the bed to find that Jenna was trying to put weight on her ankle.

“What are you doing? You need to stay off of it.” He picked her up and carried her to the bathroom. He sat her on the toilet. “Call me when you get through. I’ll be right outside the door.”

Several minutes later, he heard the water in the lavatory running and figured she would be ready in a minute. When she didn’t say anything after the water turned off, he knocked on the door.

“Jenna?”

“Just a minute.”

He pulled on his jeans and left them unbuttoned at the top. He waited until she finally announced she was ready. He opened the door and found her standing on her good foot waiting by the sink. Her face had a rosy glow as if she’d just washed it. Maybe that was what she was doing that took so long. He picked her up again and walked the few feet to the bed and sat down with her in his lap.

Jenna’s arms where twined around his neck, but when he sat down, they loosed until they were resting on his shoulders. The feel of soft hands against his skin burned through him. His breath came in short bursts as he realized he was going to kiss her. There was nothing he could do about it, either. He had no control over his body in that moment. He bent down and brushed his lips against hers, soft kisses that had his cock aching to get out. He nibbled at her lower lip until she opened to him. His tongue delved inside her mouth to tease alongside hers. She tasted like sweet vanilla ice cream.

Riley groaned and deepened the kiss then drew her tongue into his mouth where he sucked until she moaned and drew away for air. They both panted, trying to catch their breath. Each looked into the other’s eyes, searching for something. He couldn’t get enough of her though.

He bent once more to kiss the corner of her mouth then lower until he could run his lips along her jaw to the shell of her ear. He licked there then sucked on her earlobe, making her squirm in his lap. His cock jerked at the friction, demanding to be released from his prison. He had no intention of letting him free. Jenna was hurt and didn’t need him rutting on her like this.

It didn’t stop him from teasing her with his lips and tongue. He nibbled again at her ear and slowly worked his way down the side of her neck to the spot where neck met shoulder. He stopped to nip the skin there then sooth it with his tongue. She shivered in reaction. It thrilled the man in him to know he could affect her that way. He wanted to make her scream her release. He wanted to bury himself so deep inside her she wouldn’t know where to go to get away from him. But, he wouldn’t let her out of his sight. She would be his in every sense of the word, his to care for, his to protect, his to cherish. She would be his to love.

Love? Where had that come from? He didn’t love her. Lust yes, but not love. He couldn’t love her. She deserved a lover who could treat her like the queen she was. He would want things from her that might break her. He wouldn’t be responsible for that.

His eyes focused on her, and he found her looking at him with a look of wonder in her eyes. Wonder at what, he thought. She gave him a tentative smile then reached a hand up to cup the side of his face. He couldn’t help rubbing his face into her open palm. The caress felt magical to him.

“Riley?” Her voice held the hint of a tremor. “Kiss me again.”

He groaned and took her mouth in an almost savage kiss full of his need. When he finished, he raised his head and noticed the beard burn on the side of her face and her kiss-swollen lips. He wanted more of her, so much more. He wanted to lay her down on the bed and ravish her. He wanted to tie her hands and bring her to brink of pleasure over and over until she begged to come. Seeing her face when she did would be the ultimate rush.

Her startled expression woke him up from his fantasy. Had something shown on his face? What had she seen in his eyes to give her an expression of worry?

“How about coffee?” he asked.

She nodded, and he let her sit on the edge of the bed. She grabbed at the sheets to cover up. The move angered him for some reason, and he stopped her from covering up. She raised startled eyes to him.

“Don’t cover yourself. We slept with each other. I’ve seen and felt you all over. I’ve been inside of you. Don’t.” Riley jerked on his shirt.

“I can’t stay like this. One of the others might see me.”

He stared at her for a solid thirty seconds and sighed. “I’ll get you some clothes. Tell me where they are.”