Breaching His Defenses - Allyson Lindt (best short novels .TXT) 📗
- Author: Allyson Lindt
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His gaze lingered on her naked form, searing her skin. He shook his head. “Not really.”
She hovered above him. His skin was hot between her knees, and if she lowered herself just an inch or two, the swollen head between her legs would nudge her opening. “I can live with that.” She rested her hands on either side of his head, leaned forward, and kissed him lightly before saying, “Most of the time.”
His hands found her hips, thumbs digging in and lighting her desire. As she straightened, he thrust up. She moaned and sank onto his shaft. He tried to set the pace, hard and fast, but she rocked slowly instead. His groans rolled through the room, echoing in her chest.
One of his hands trailed down her leg and along the inside of her thigh. She whimpered when his thumb pressed into her still-tender clit. She didn’t know if she should pull away or let him keep going. His hips slammed into her, and she didn’t resist the increased tempo this time. Each time he thrust, he bumped her aching sex as well, and she felt another orgasm build inside. She gasped as she came, and he didn’t let up, still pounding furiously. Her head swam, and every inch of her body sang with pleasure.
A long series of punctuated grunts rose from his chest, and she knew he was close. He gripped her hips tight as he came, the frantic pace slowly fading off into nothing.
She leaned forward, head resting on his chest. His heart hammered against her cheek as she struggled to catch her breath. Comfort enveloped her when he rested his palms on her back, holding her in place. They lay there for a few moments, until she thought she might be able to speak again. She rolled to one side and curled up next to him instead, head on his shoulder and hand on his chest.
“You still want breakfast?” His question was quiet even in the still room.
She shook her head, her vocal cords feeling as wobbly as her legs. “I think something else filled me up.”
He chuckled and tugged her closer. “So what are you doing instead of eating?”
*
“Falling asleep on my boyfriend. I don’t know if you know this, but I didn’t sleep much last night, and screwing you takes a lot of energy.” Mikki’s words were warm and soothing against Jared’s skin.
He was intimately and pleasantly familiar with it. Boyfriend, he liked the sound of that. “Sounds like a solid plan. And now you don’t have to sneak out in an hour or two before anyone knows you’re missing.”
She stiffened in his arms.
He shouldn’t have brought up her lack of job. Even if he respected her completely for the decision, she didn’t need to deal with the stress of being unemployed right now. “I can help, you know. I have contacts.”
“How would that look?” There was no bitterness in her voice. Only calm. “For me to use the guy I’m fucking for a reference.”
He knew she didn’t mean the words harshly, but they still stung. “Is that all I am?”
“Definitely not.” She kissed along his side before leaning into him again. “But you know what I’m saying.”
He hated it, but he did. “Your skills speak for themselves. You’ll be fine, regardless of whatever threats were hurled when you resigned.”
“I guess.”
He ached to erase the hesitation in her voice, but he didn’t know how. “I’m here in whatever capacity you need, I promise. Even if it’s just to ravage you so you forget your troubles for a few hours.”
That drew a laugh. She sat up and turned so she was facing him. The sheets fell away, and he couldn’t help but let his gaze trace her breasts and waist.
She looked down, and then back at him, mouth twisted in amusement. She tilted off the bed for a second and came back up with something in her hand. She tugged her T-shirt on. “Now are you listening?”
She was too much fun. He nodded. “I was listening before.”
“Right.” Her pursed lips faded into a smile. “Since we already ruined the pillow talk, I need to know something. About the future.”
He pushed himself upright. “You’re talking about making plans?”
She ducked her head, suddenly intently focused on the stark white of the comforter. “No. I mean, yes, but it doesn’t have to be concrete or anything, just kind of a loose idea, and—”
“Stop.” He placed a finger under her chin and raised her face so he could look her in the eye. “I’m teasing. Tell me.”
She let out a tiny sigh, and the corners of her eyes tugged down, marring her smile. “We live several states apart. All this talk about lov—falling for each other, and still seeing each other, the details don’t quite add up. I mean, okay, so I’m a bit transient, especially if I don’t find a new job before my rent’s due again, but you’re a busy guy. You’re not going to have time to drop by whenever, and I can’t afford to travel like that.”
He wrapped his fingers around hers. He hated to admit, he hadn’t thought that far. All of his focus had been on not losing her now. “I’ll make time. And you will find a new job. If you’re interested in Atlanta…there are a lot of good companies out there.” He didn’t even know what he was trying to say. Something was stuck in the back of his head, but he couldn’t reach it. “I’ll visit on weekends until we can make it work. I promise. Okay?”
She nodded, but creases still lined her forehead. “Okay.”
He pulled her back toward him and lay down again, tugging her back to his chest. He wrapped an arm around her stomach. “You’ve been running full throttle all week. Get some sleep. When you’re rested, you’ll be able to think better.”
She nodded and pressed back into him. He held her tight until her breathing grew steady. The sound lulled away his tension and dragged his eyelids shut. They’d both think clearer once they’d slept.
****
A familiar chime echoed through Jared’s thoughts, jarring him into consciousness. The first thing he registered was the warm weight in his arms and her mumbles of protest.
He kissed her cheek as he sat up. “Phone. Go back to sleep.”
He could get used to this. Waking up next to her. Fuck, who was he kidding? He was already used to it. What was he going to do when she was gone tomorrow?
The clock on the nightstand said it was three, and the light peeking through the curtains confirmed yes, they’d slept into the afternoon.
He grabbed his phone and swiped Answer. “Yeah?”
“You still pissy and vengeful?” Tate asked.
“Uh…” Jared had to fumble through his memories to figure out what the question was linked to. That morning, arguing in Tate’s room, seemed like an eternity ago. His entire world had shifted since then, and his friends had no idea. “No, I’m so much better you wouldn’t believe it.”
“Right.” Hesitation dragged out Tate’s reply. “Or you started drinking early and without us.”
Jared laughed. The sensation felt natural and light drifting from his chest. “No. I’m actually good. What’s up?”
“V says you’re ignoring her. We doing something or not? Dinner? Cards? Celebrate not losing our shirts last night?”
Or celebrate losing them this morning. He glanced at Mikki. She had rolled onto her back and was watching him, eyes half open, full lips twisted in unspoken question.
He dragged his attention back to the phone conversation. “Yeah, dinner. We need to talk. Give me two hours. I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
“Two? Because you need to blow dry your stunning locks? Fine, but you text V, so she stops bugging me.”
Jared said his goodbyes and sent Viv a quick message, assuring her he’d just been asleep and repeating the two hour time frame. He set the phone aside and focused all his attention on the woman now sitting next across from him.
“You’re okay with dinner, right?” Maybe he should have asked her first.
“With your friends?” Her expression had gone flat.
“Yes?”
She grinned. “Duh? Tate’s kind of cute, have you ever noticed that?”
“No, I hadn’t. And those rumors about college and experimentation aren’t true.”
“Too bad.” She gave him an exaggerated pout. “I’d love to hear the stories. Why do we need the extra time?”
He shifted his weight and crawled toward her. He traced his lips up the side of her neck, inhaling her intoxicating scent. “I want to get to know you a little more first. Or a lot more. If I have to put you on a plane tomorrow, I want to learn as much as possible about you tonight.”
Mikki drained half her orange juice in a single swallow. Embarrassment flooded her cheeks, when she realized all eyes were on her, and she ducked her head.
“Dehydrated?” Vivian teased.
Possibly. Dinner the night before had been a blast. Mikki knew for sure now why Jared, Tate, and Vivian were such close friends. At the same time, they hadn’t left her out. Though for the fourth night in a row, she hadn’t gotten much sleep. The sex had been amazing every other night. However, last night they’d only talked. Connecting with Jared, learning about where he’d grown up, hearing stories about his past, had been even more incredible. The sleepless night had been worth it.
“It’s a desert, Viv.” Jared grabbed Mikki’s hand from where it rested on the bench between them and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “It’s important to drink plenty of fluids.”
“Good excuse.” Tate wasn’t paying attention to them. He’d been scoping out waitresses since they’d arrived. “Maybe it’s more important not to deplete those fluids so quickly in this dry climate.”
“No, I don’t think that’s the solution.” Jared poked at his toast. “I’m almost certain of it.”
Mikki’s face flared red-hot. She was going to die of embarrassment, she knew it. It was one thing to let loose and experience life—she was still pretty happy with her decisions there—but she hadn’t expected her impulses to be the focus of breakfast conversation. Especially since she hadn’t indulged last night.
“Did you tell her yet?” The shift in Vivian’s tone drew Mikki’s attention.
“Nope.” Jared suddenly seemed more interested in his food than the conversation. “I told you, I have nothing to do with this.”
Her embarrassment skittered away, and Mikki gave her full attention to the woman across from her. “Tell me what?”
Vivian reached down, grabbed a manila folder from her briefcase, and handed it across the table. “Wait,” she said before Mikki could open it.
A glimmer of hope flared inside Mikki, but she suppressed it. This wasn’t the kind of thing she could afford to get her hopes up about.
“I should be allowed one more chance.” Vivian’s tone was serious and her expression neutral.
“Come on.” Tate turned back to the table and looked at Mikki. “Please, for the love of all that’s good, hear her out so she’ll just shut up already. I swear, if I have to hear one more time— Ow.” He rubbed his shin and glared at Vivian. “Kicking. Real mature.”
Vivian gave him a casual shrug and nodded at the folder. “There are some ground rules. Things you have to keep in mind that don’t really go in the contract, but are deal breakers.”
Mikki’s hope surged again. Contract? No. It couldn’t be. She couldn’t ignore the giddiness climbing inside, but she did manage to keep it from her voice. “Go on.”
“First rule.” Vivian ticked off on her finger. “I don’t care what title the person you’re screwing holds. You report to me, not him, so it earns you zero special treatment.”
It really was what she thought. Mikki’s fingers itched to open the folder. They were going to make her an offer. She glanced at Jared, then back at Vivian, not daring to interrupt.
“Which also means.” Vivian ticked off another finger. “The two of you never work together, unless he needs you for collaboration.”
“What else?” Mikki didn’t care. She was ready to sign. This was her dream job. The one she would have taken in an instant if she’d been thinking six months ago.
“Nothing else.” Vivian nodded at the
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