So damned wise.
Prodding him, she said, “Sort of like you becoming a bodyguard, right?”
Made sense. “I do like protecting people. A few times in my life I was lucky enough to be around when someone needed me. And damn, it always feels good to know I could help.”
Pride gave her a small smile. “You’re a natural-born hero.”
“And you’re an optimist, determined to paint me in the nicest way.”
“Naked,” she quipped while bobbing her eyebrows. “I still say that’s the nicest way for you.” Then, more seriously, she added, “I see you as you are, Leese. Very smart and caring, capable, and most definitely honorable and protective. So yes, you’re a hero, and that’s that.”
Leese knew he’d happily spend the rest of his life doing what he could to live up to her expectations. But at the moment, the tightening of her nipples distracted him. And he could feel the damp heat of her open thighs. “Mostly,” he whispered, “I’m a man who wants you.”
Her gaze warmed and her breathing deepened. “Again?”
Always. “Yeah.” Reaching between their bodies, he opened her, not so he could sink in, but so he could rock his cock against her, spreading her wetness, slowly stroking over her clit. “What do you think?”
Her nails bit into his shoulders. “I think we can talk more later.” She kissed him, her mouth open, hot. Drugging.
Enjoying her escalating excitement, Leese kept the friction steady until she bowed under him.
He damn near came with her, but he held off, unwilling to take a chance without protection. This particular game was risky enough already.
When her harsh groans receded to soft moans, he moved away, grabbed the rubber and seconds later was ready.
“Over you go,” he said, turning her to her stomach, drawing her up to her knees, then opening her legs. Palming her ass, he growled as he slowly pressed into her.
So fucking hot.
He loved seeing her body accept him, the delicate pink lips glistening with her release, snug around him, taking him deep.
She clutched at the sheets, her hands fisted; all along his cock he could feel her squeezing him, the little aftershocks of her pleasure.
Holding her hips, he began a strong, heavy pace that rocked the bed, each thrust and retreat pushing him closer to release. Cat kept her head down, her bottom raised in a carnal position so erotic, Leese knew he wouldn’t last. When she cried out, the sleek muscles in her neck and shoulders strained.
He put a hand at the small of her back to keep her right where he wanted her. Awkwardly, she thrust back into him, taking what she needed to finish, and he liked that enough that he stopped trying to hold back and instead joined her.
Depleted, his body thrumming, Leese eased her flat and rested over her, his face beside hers. With his heart still thumping, catching his breath wasn’t easy. Damn, she pleased him.
She sighed. “Leese?”
Satisfaction leveled him, so he only managed to say, “Hmm?”
There was a moment’s hesitation, then she whispered, “Every time seems better.”
He gave her a squeeze, and wondered what it would be like...for a lifetime.
*
THE NEXT MORNING the weather finally cleared enough that everything returned to normal.
Leese stood at the stove cooking breakfast and Cat sat at the counter sketching. She wore thick white socks, yoga pants and an oversize pink sweatshirt.
She was the sexiest, sweetest thing he’d ever seen.
Being with her like this, in a domestic routine, felt right.
As he removed eggs from the skillet, he asked, “What are you drawing this time?”
Before she could answer, the intercom buzzed.
More relaxed now, Cat merely glanced toward the door, then started to rise.
Leese stopped her. “I’ll get it.” She might be less wary, but he would continue to take every precaution. On his way past her, he saw that she’d drawn birds, a cluster of them on a broken fence with a small ramshackle shed to the side.
It should have been a depressed scene, but she made it pretty. The background faded, making the plump little birds the focus, and damn, it made him smile.
In his youth, maybe he should have noticed the birds more and he’d have been a happier kid.
Cat might deny it, but she was incredibly talented.
He hit the intercom button and said, “Hello?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you, Leese.” Enoch sounded jovial. “Sahara is on her way in, but since I got here before her, she asked that I check on you both.”
Leese unlocked the door and welcomed Enoch. “Thanks, we’re fine. Come on in.”
Nose and cheeks still red from the cold, Enoch strode in. “You had enough to eat? Stayed warm enough?”
“It was an adventure,” Cat said from the kitchen. “I enjoyed it.”
Enoch smiled toward her. “Good morning, Catalina.”
“Good morning.”
To Leese, he said, “I’m making a run for Sahara, so is there anything either of you need?”
“Making a run?” Cat asked.
“She wants to welcome everyone back to work with coffee and fresh pastries.” He set aside a briefcase and chafed his hands together. “There’s a little bakery right across the street. It won’t take me long. But while I’m out...?”
“We’re good.” Leese led him toward the kitchen. “We were just about to eat. Want to join us?”
“Thanks, no. I’m short on time.” He lifted his briefcase. “I haven’t even been to my office yet. I came straight here to check on you, as Sahara requested.”
“Then the least I can do is give you a cup of coffee before you go.” Leese needed a chance to talk to Enoch alone. Stalling was his only option. “Cat insists on having it every morning.”
“Oh, okay.” Picking up on Leese’s unasked request, Enoch nodded. “I think I have time for half a cup. Thank you.”
Cat stared toward him. “You mentioned pastry?”
Leese handed a steaming mug to Enoch, then slid a plate of eggs in front of her, scrambled with a little cheese and ham, a small dish of mixed fruit beside that. “You have breakfast.”
“And I’m sure it’s delicious,” she countered. Then with a begging expression, she added, “But fresh pastry? Like something with jelly or icing. Come on, Leese, you can’t seriously expect me to skip that.”
She looked so mulish, Leese bent and kissed her pinched mouth, leaving her pink-cheeked and blinking. “I don’t expect you to skip anything.” He asked Enoch, “Would you mind bringing us two?” If he missed his opportunity to talk to Enoch now, he’d catch him on his return.
Cat cleared her throat. “I only need one.”
“I’ll eat one with you.”
She brightened up, making him laugh. To Enoch, he said, “She’s easy to please.”
Enoch wasn’t listening. While he sipped the coffee, he studied the drawing on the counter in front of her. “This is incredible.” He took in the pencil she held, the charcoal dust around the art mat under the drawing, and his eyes widened. “Did you do this? It appears you have, but still...”