“You won’t.”
Meaning...what? That he wouldn’t do anything to cross the line? He didn’t give her long to ponder that awful possibility.
“Everything you overheard, about the PI and Tesh and Webb... I don’t want you to worry.”
She’d definitely heard a lot. Talking about it later would have better suited her, but if it had to be now, she’d get it out of the way. “I’m going to assume you didn’t leave a trail when you poked around online, looking into Webb’s or Tesh’s business.”
“Good assumption.”
“And,” she said, inching closer to him, “I figure as long as we keep the drapes drawn, no one can spy on us here. Sucks, but I’m still safer here than I’ve been in quite a while.”
“Completely safe,” he assured her, meeting her halfway. When they got within touching distance, he lifted her chin. “I’m on it, okay? And what I can’t do, Sahara has others doing. No one is going to touch you.”
“Well, that’s the thing.” Cat slipped a hand up to his chest. “I know we’re a couple of days shy of the agreement. But I was sort of hoping for a few touches.” She stepped against him. “From you.”
*
SUCH A TEMPTATION.
Leese had to admit, kissing Catalina topped the list of the hottest things he’d ever experienced. The softness of her lips, her immediate response, the natural way she would press against him... Catalina Nicholson wore her heart on her sleeve.
She kept dark secrets, true, but not about how she felt.
It was an amazing combination—her physical honesty with her obvious mistrust—that made him more than a little nuts.
Lately, he’d given in to the urge to kiss her, taking her mouth when he knew she wanted him to, which was pretty often.
She gave new meaning to practicing moves.
For so many reasons, good reasons, Leese had denied himself. But it seemed impossible to wrestle with her and not kiss her, so he’d quit fighting it.
“Leese,” she groaned, going on tiptoe to better fit herself against him in that now-familiar way.
Encouraging her, he scooped one forearm beneath her bottom and lifted her up.
Before she could show her surprise, his mouth took hers. For only a moment, she stiffened...then sank against him with a soft, hungry sound of approval.
The problem, Leese knew, was that every kiss made him want her more. There were times at night, with her small body tucked close and her scent filling his head, that he couldn’t remember why he waited.
To prove something to her—or to prove something to himself?
He’d figure that one out later, he decided. Now, after Sahara’s visit, he sensed things were coming to a head. It wouldn’t be much longer before the players made a move, and then he’d have them.
And Cat would be free.
Before that happened, he needed to cement his relationship with her. For him, that’s what it was: an intimate relationship beyond the obligation of a bodyguard to a client.
How much more, he didn’t yet know.
But he damn sure wanted an opportunity to find out.
Did she feel the same? Only one way to tell for sure.
Still holding her, he headed for the couch; if he made a beeline to the bedroom he’d lose his cool and rush things. After all their teasing, she deserved more than that.
To ensure she didn’t disappear from his life, he needed to make an impression on her.
He needed her, period.
As he sat on the couch, he arranged Cat to straddle his lap. Her slim thighs opened around him, her knees aligned with his hips. “Touching,” he said against her mouth, “sounds good to me.”
Eyes heavy, lips damp, she whispered, “Really?”
“That,” he promised her, “and more.”
She inhaled deeply. “How much more?”
She might fight total honesty, but he could give it. “As much as you want.”
“Perfect.” Without hesitation, she tugged his T-shirt free from his jeans. “I want everything.”
Leese surprised her by leaning forward far enough that he could strip off his shirt and toss it aside.
He’d definitely changed over the past couple of years but he’d never been modest.
She gave a throaty groan of approval and stroked those small curious hands down his chest, dragging her fingers through his dark chest hair, over his pecs, back up again to his shoulders and then his nape. Without a word she leaned into him and kissed his jaw, his neck, lightly bit his shoulder, opened her mouth on his upper chest.
“Hold up, honey.” It was enough to have her sweet ass warmly snuggling his dick. Now, with her hot, damp mouth touching his skin, he was damn near a goner. Setting her back, he said, “You need to play catch-up.”
“Okay.” In quick agreement, she started to peel off her sweatshirt.
Leese again stopped her, this time with a short, tortured laugh. Pleased with her, he said, “Let me, okay?”
“Okay, sure.” She held up her arms.
So damn ready.
During his adult life, he’d had easy conquests, but never had a woman wanted him as much as Catalina did.
Rather than do as she expected, he drew her in for a hungry, openmouthed, tongue-twining kiss, and while she melted against him, he slipped his hands under the sweatshirt.
Her warm, silky skin enticed him. More than anything, he wanted to strip her naked and kiss her all over.
And he would. Soon.
Until then, he traced her spine upward...
No bra strap.
Well, hell. Knowing she was bare beneath the sweatshirt stole a good chunk of his control.
Bringing both hands around to the front of her, he opened his palms over her breasts. So soft and warm. He rasped gently over her already tight nipples, taking her groan into his mouth.
When he caught her nipples in his fingers, gently rolling, her legs tensed and her hands on his shoulders clenched. As if she needed the added contact, she pressed more snugly against his cock, slowly rocking, setting him on fire.
Okay, so maybe he couldn’t take things slow. Apparently neither of them wanted or needed that. “Arms up again, babe.”
Without a single word of protest she sat back and did as he asked.
More clumsily than he would have liked, Leese whisked the sweatshirt away, then had to pause and just...look at her.
God, she was beautiful.
Using only his fingertips, he traced over her shoulders, her collarbone, around the outside of her breasts, down to her small waist and then the flare of her hips. The low-fitting jeans left her belly exposed. Dipping one finger inside the waistband, he brushed back and forth over her satiny skin.
“You’re such a tease,” she complained, her breath strained. Tunneling her fingers into his hair, she leaned forward.
Knowing what she wanted, Leese licked around one taut nipple, stroked his tongue over it and, when she shuddered, he slowly drew her in, sucking softly.
She gave a husky, barely there whimper. “Oh God...”