Page 47 of Protecting Talia

They chatted about plans and getting the rest of her things as she munched on pancakes. After she was full, they headed to Thario’s place. She really liked him, and liked his dog, Frog. Thario seemed like a really great guy, and she liked him even more after he explained how he tracked other women and what he would and wouldn’t do. He told her he never violated their privacy, but if there was ever a question about their locations, he checked. He also explained that he had a policy about never divulging to anyone else where the women were unless there was an issue with their safety. That his tracking devices were never to be used to spy on people.

She left Thario’s place, satisfied with the tracking device he put in her shoes and the earrings she now wore.

Once back at Zip’s place, she headed to the bedroom to nap. When she woke, she felt refreshed. After washing her face, she sought out Zip, wanting more than just a few sweet kisses.

When she found him in the den, he glanced up as she pulled off her shirt and pushed her shorts and underwear low. He swallowed and then stood, saying nothing as he moved to her. He picked her up, and they were in the bedroom in seconds.

His lips were on her, teasing her nipples as he found her clit with his thumb. He knew exactly how to touch her to send her to heaven. She arched up, needing more as he kissed his way down her body. Then his tongue stroked over her clit. She cried out with pleasure as he took her to heaven.

He knew exactly how to lick and suck her to get her off, and it only took a few minutes for her to be coming around his fingers. He grabbed a condom and slid in quickly, filling her all the way.

“Talia, I’ve fallen so in love with you. I want you forever.”

“Yes. I love you, Zip. Forever.”

They came together hot and fast, neither of them holding back. They would have time together, enough to spend lazy Sunday afternoons exploring each other. She never wanted anything more. Being with Zip was happiness. Together, they would make a great life.

34

Rider knew he’d failed his sister. He’d been young when their mother died and not that much older when their father passed away. He was her only family, and instead of trying to stick around, he’d gone off and joined the Navy.

Sure, he’d sent her money, paid for her degree, and made sure she had food and a place to live for all those years until she could take care of herself, but he’d left. Now, he was about to see her for the first time in about six years, and his stomach felt tighter than it did before a dangerous mission.

The wedding wasn’t until Friday, so that gave him three days to hang out and get to know her again, but he wasn’t really looking forward to explaining why he’d abandoned her.

He stepped from the rental and grabbed his bag from the trunk, noticing he was the only one entering the hotel with a military bag instead of a traditional suitcase. None of these people were military. None of them would understand him. The next four days would be interesting.

It had been years since he’d spent any considerable time with civilians. Sure, the women he hooked up with weren’t military, but they didn’t talk much because that’s not why he got together with them. With this crowd, there wouldn’t be any hooking up. His sister wouldn’t be pleased if he fucked one of her friends, then walked away. He would be on better than his best behavior.

“Excuse me,” a soft voice said behind him.

He paused and glanced over his shoulder before turning to face the woman. She was short, plump, with green eyes, and brown hair. She was mostly plain looking, but then her lips spread into a wide smile and his heart hammered so hard he wondered if she could hear it.

“Yes?” he asked, trying to keep his voice even.

“You’re Emily’s sister.” Her hands flew to her face, which was turning redder by the second. “I meant brother. I didn’t mean to imply you looked like a woman. You don’t. You definitely look like a man. All man.” Her eyes went wide, and her mouth fell open. “Oh God, I’m so sorry. I’m fucking this up more. I need to go crawl under a rock.”

She was cute, maybe even cuter the more flustered she got. He tried not to laugh, but he knew a chuckle escaped his lips before he replied.

“Yes, I’m Michael, Emily’s sister.”

“I need you in my room.”

He cocked his head to the side, wondering what she meant when she said she needed him.

Her eyes went even wider as her face turned white. “Oh shit. Emily is going to kill me. You probably think I was propositioning you. I’m not. I just have the tuxedo your sister picked up for you. It’s in my room, and she wants to make sure it really fits. She took them the measurements you sent, but the guy said there’s no way your body is—” Her gaze dipped to his thighs, and he saw her take in a little gasp. “He said your thighs were too big and your waist too small.” She waved her hand at him and shook her head. “I mean, you are proportioned very well. Shit, that came out wrong, didn’t it?”

“What’s your name?”

“My name?”

“Yes. What’s your name?”

“Andie, but not with a y.”

“Okay, Andie, not with a y. Let me check-in, and I’ll?—”

“Oh, you’re already checked in. Here’s your key. The room has been paid for, and I made sure you had some snacks and drinks in the room.”

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