Page 44 of Once a Killer

He edged his hands over her sides and cupped her breasts, drawing a gasp. A tiny, throaty cry. Backing her against the door, he slid his thigh between her legs and felt her heat. He wanted to strip her jeans down her legs and inhale her. Taste her. But he was afraid that if he reached for the button on her waistband, she’d shove him away.

He needed to move slowly. One tiny step at a time, until she wanted him as much as he wanted her. So he burrowed beneath her bra and cupped the small mounds of her breasts. Brushed his thumbs over her nipples as he trapped her cries in his mouth.

He’d never been so turned on by merely kissing a woman. Never been ready to explode from a kiss. The soft skin of her breasts in his hands, the hard pebbling of her nipples pushing against his palms completely did it for him. Desire for her crashed over him like a tsunami.

He pressed closer, until their bodies were aligned perfectly. He slid his hands out of her shirt and wrapped his arms around her. Pulled her even more tightly against him. Her muscles were strong beneath his hands. Quivering with need. The only thought in his head was lifting her into his arms and carrying her into his bedroom. Laying her on his bed and spending the whole night making love to her.

Before he’d realized it, he’d scooped her up into his arms. She stiffened against him. Put her hand against his chest and shoved. “Put me down, Jameson,” she said, and her voice wasn’t the murmur of a lover. It was a command. An order.

He leaned back and studied her face. Her skin was flushed. Her lips swollen. She looked like a woman who was ready to be fucked.

Except for her eyes.

Her pupils were dilated. Her eyelids were at half-mast. But beneath the need, he saw fear.

Fear he didn’t understand. But he set her on the floor. Instead of stepping away, he twined his hands with hers. This time, they were palm to palm. And the feel of her calloused hands against hers? It felt perfect. Right. Like it was meant to be.

Chapter 16

Bree stared at Jameson, appalled. Horrified at what she’d almost done. He studied her, his expression puzzled. Mystified.

“What’s wrong?” he asked. “I thought you were as into this as I was.”

“I was,” she said, locking her hands together behind her back to stop herself from reaching for him. “That’swhat’s wrong.”

“There’s no one here but you and me, Bree. We’re locked into my apartment, and no one’s getting inside.”

“I know that. But bodyguards aren’t supposed to sleep with the person they’re protecting. It’s against the rules.”

“Which rules?” he asked. “Not mine.” His smile was slow. Persuasive.

“The… the unwritten rules,” she said, straightening her shoulders. “If you sleep with your principal, it can compromise you. Throw off your judgement. It affects your decision-making.”

“Is that a Blackhawk Security rule?” he asked.

Bree pursed her lips. Glanced away. “It doesn’t have to be. Everyone who does close protection knows that’s true.”

Jameson frowned. “Are you telling me that no bodyguard from Blackhawk has ever slept with the person he or she was protecting?”

Bree stared at the floor, because she couldn’t tell him that. A number of Blackhawk Security employees had met their spouse or significant other on the job. And Mel and Dev’s position? If a relationship made a bodyguard less effective, or put their principal at risk, the employee would be replaced with another operative. But if it didn’t affect their work? None of their business.

“No,” she said, her voice too soft. Her back was against the kitchen wall, and she struggled to keep herself there. What she wanted to do was throw herself at Jameson. Take everything he wanted to give. Give him everything he wanted. “There’s no rule against employees getting together with their principal.”

“Then what’s the issue?” he asked.

She swallowed hard and stared out the window over the sink. It was better if she couldn’t see that hot need in his eyes right now. “Look, it’s my own rule,” she finally said. “I don’t get involved with my principals.”

“Why is that, Bree?” He’d taken a step closer, and he took her hand. Twined their fingers together. The slide of his palm against hers sent need vibrating through her. “If it’s not against Mel and Dev’s rules, if it’s not putting me in danger, why can’t we have sex?”

She tried to tug her hand away from Jameson, but he tightened his grip. “Please tell me,” he murmured. “I want to understand.”

She took a deep, trembling breath. She could give him the bare bones of the story. That wouldn’t reveal much. And maybe it would help him understand. “It’s the reason I left the military,” she finally said. “I was a corporal, and I got involved with a sergeant.” She swallowed. “He was setting me up, because I was good at my job. Better than he was. He thought of me as competition, so he made sure we got caught in bed together.”

He tugged her hand and pulled her against him. Wrapped his arms around her, and she sighed. Leaned into him. Jameson made her feel safe. And she knew he’d never betray her like Rick had. She wanted to burrow in but held herself back.

“That really sucks,” he murmured. “Big time.” He brushed a kiss over her hair. “Did he regret losing you?”

“I have no idea.” She gripped his shirt in both hands and held on tight. “He was killed a few weeks later.”

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