Dangerously Deceived Page 19

  “Why?” Farez frowned. “I don’t know who he is.”

  “He’s not some kind of gang enforcer? A friend of Hani’s?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You haven’t heard about any kind of bad ass in the city? Someone like him?”

  Farez shook his head. “No.”

  Well fuck.

  That wasn’t what Vaughn had hoped to hear.

  Whoever this new face on the board was, it wasn’t good news for them.

  Vaughn’s phone began to buzz. He glanced at the screen.

  Mom.

  “Guys, I need to take this.” He did the math. It had to be six or seven in the morning in El Paso.

  Vaughn retreated from the room into the hall before answering.

  “Hey, Mom. Everything okay?” He held his breath.

  “Yes. What’s wrong mijo?”

  He shut his eyes. Damn. “Nothing.”

  “I can hear it in your voice.” And he could see her wagging her finger at him.

  He swallowed and consciously tried to change his tone to something lighter, more comforting. “You don’t have to worry about it. Work stuff.”

  “You’re my boy. I’m always going to worry about you.”

  “I know that, Mom.” He turned and caught the scent of lemons and bleach on the air.

  Carla.

  She’d found a cleaning closet or something somewhere. So much for hooking her up with one of her old, favorite black and white films.

  His throat tightened. Mom would like Carla. They’d bond over cleaning up after people. He could see them now at the kitchen sink, fighting over who did the dishes.

  “Mijo?”

  “Mom. Sorry. Long day, tough job.” He squeezed his eyes shut. “How’s Santiago?”

  “Through the worst of it, I’m told.”

  “Good. You going to get to see him soon?”

  “Possibly. The counselor said it might be good for him if I stayed away a week or two. Let him find his way on his own.” She blew out a breath.

  “He’s going to pull through this.”

  “That’s what I like to hear.”

  Vaughn smiled because he could hear the smile in Mom’s voice. He tipped his head up and looked at the stairs at the front of the house.

  What would life be like if he could bring Carla home?

  He was afraid to dream about it because then he’d want to make it happen.

  MONDAY. SECONDARY SAFE House, Beirut, Lebanon.

  Carla sat back on her heels and stared at the bathroom. She could easily imagine this being the height of fashion when it was built with the hand-painted tiles and desert colors. Over the years it hadn’t aged well, but with a little scrubbing it at least seemed more inviting.

  Vaughn’s deep voice resonated off the stone and tile. “You going to spend all day in here?”

  She yelped and twisted around, sitting down hard in a still damp puddle.

  He stood in the doorway, hands up and a chuckle curving his handsome lips into an inviting smile.

  “It’s not cool to sneak up on someone like that.” She threw her rag at his boot.

  “Sorry.” He offered her a hand. “Any chance you’re finished in here?”

  She took his offered hand and let him pull her to her feet. She turned to once more examine her handiwork.

  “It’s good enough, I suppose.”

  “Does it only have those squatty potty things?” He stepped past her and groaned.

  It was Carla’s turn to chuckle. “I was surprised the downstairs bathroom had a normal-to-us toilet. After looking around up here I think someone briefly tried renovating this place, but only did that first part of the house.”

  “Well, at least now I know.” He finished his look at the bathroom then turned toward her. “You done?”

  “I guess. Any word on...?”

  “Grant talked to the Hani guy. We don’t think he’s behind the attack. Hani seems skittish though. Maybe because we told him about the attack? I don’t know, but he won’t meet today to do the trade. Could be stalling, could be anything, really.”

  “Do you think Jared is okay? That—that was a lot of...”

  “Don’t think about it.” Vaughn reached out and took her hand.

  “I need to wash up.” She pulled away from him, keenly aware of the grime and bleach on her clothes.

  She turned toward the sink and scrubbed at her hands. Vaughn was content to pick up her cleaning supplies and wait, watching her in the mirror.

  There were dark circles under his eyes. She didn’t want to tell him he looked tired, but she was half afraid he was about to drop.

  “Thanks.” She took the supplies from him and slid past.

  A closet in the hall had given her everything she needed to tackle the bathroom project.

  No sooner had she shut the door than Vaughn wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against his chest. He pressed his face against her hair and inhaled, like he needed her or something. Her stomach fluttered, and she was keenly aware of the two or more hours she’d spent crawling around on the bathroom floor.

  “I’m gross.” She pushed at his arm, but he was too strong. Or maybe she didn’t really want him to let go of her after all.

  That was probably the real answer.

  Carla sighed and leaned back. It was nice to be held by someone who wanted her romantically. Someone who looked at her with desire burning in his eyes. For once she wasn’t the person on the sidelines watching two people fall in love. She was the one doing the falling.

  She swallowed.

  That thought had swirled in her mind all night.

  Vaughn’s decision to break it off with her shouldn’t hurt as much as it did. Unless she’d fallen for him the moment she walked into him.

  “I could help clean you up,” he whispered.

  “Hm?” She pulled herself back to the present and found that she was breathing far too hard. Then again, whenever Vaughn got his hands on her, it was like this.

  “That shower.” He kissed her temple. “You.” His lips coasted down her neck to her shoulder. “Me.”

  She shivered.

  Her body screamed, Yes!

  But what about her?

  If she was falling for him, she had to think about her heart. It was fragile. She didn’t know if she could take him going back and forth, changing his mind anymore. She might want him, and her terms weren’t ideal, but she didn’t deserve someone who couldn’t handle everything she was and all the complications that came with her.

  She squeezed her eyes shut and wrapped her hands around his wrists. “No.”

  His mouth stilled on her neck and for a moment all she could do was feel the pulsing need for him grow inside of her.

  “Do I get to ask why?”

  “Like you said, we can’t keep doing this to ourselves. I can’t let you in only for you to walk back out.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “The same thing I’ve always told you.” She stepped away from him and this time he let her go. She turned to face him and stared into deep, brown eyes. “This is my life. You either have to be okay with it or you and me doesn’t work. And you’ve been pretty clear that me and you don’t work.”

  “Me and you, what does that mean, exactly? I don’t think I was ever clear on that point. Is it just sex, or what?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “It’s whatever works out. I guess for us that meant great sex.”

  “But what if I want more?” He took a step toward her, crowding her back against the closet door.

  “More plays by the same rules.” She knew what she felt for Vaughn was intense and scary. But would it last? Was he the kind of guy who stayed around?

  Ashton had never left her, never given up on her. She couldn’t give up on him just because Vaughn made her crazy for him.

  “I meant it downstairs when I said I wasn’t fighting this anymore. We can play it by your rules, however you want it.” He lifted his hand and dragged his f
inger across his lips. “I can’t let you go. If I have to show you, I can do that.”

  She was glad for the door at her back. Without it she might have melted into a puddle on the floor from the way he was looking at her.

  Carla didn’t do well with waiting. She’d become accustomed to getting what she wanted, and with him saying things like he wanted to be with her, she couldn’t resist him.

  Fuck it.

  “You know what I want?” She hooked her finger in the neckband of his shirt.

  He braced his hands on the wall on either side of her shoulders. “What?”

  “A long soak in that big tub with someone to rub my back.”

  “That sounds good. Do I get to volunteer?”

  “You’re my first pick.”

  “You taking that no back?”

  “Where you’re concerned I’m weak. Don’t make me regret this, Vaughn.”

  “That’s the last thing I want.” He bent his head and kissed her cheek.

  She ducked under his arm and backed toward the bathroom. The backup clothes she’d had in her purse weren’t sexy. Black yoga pants and a T-shirt, but the way he looked at her she might as well be wearing the finest silk and lace.

  Carla led him into the bathroom and he shut the door, closing them into this moment in time where it was just them.

  He closed the distance between them and pulled her in for a tender kiss she felt all the way down to her toes. She wiggled them against the cool tile and gave up pretending she wanted anything but this with him.

  Vaughn turned toward the tub. It was a big, strange thing in the corner. Sort of triangle shaped and deep enough to soak in. She watched him fiddle with the temperature until he was satisfied. Once that was done he turned toward her and she knew they weren’t leaving this room any time soon.

  He stalked across the bathroom toward her, his gaze burning holes in her eyes. She couldn’t look away from him.

  “Time to get rid of your dirty clothes.” One side of his mouth hitched up.

  “Just mine?”

  “We’re both getting naked, but you first.”

  Vaughn grasped the hem of her shirt. She held her arms up and he tugged it off then the Kevlar vest. She’d wanted out of that thing for hours, but had feared taking it off after this morning. He kissed and soothed the angry red marks the protective gear had left on her body. Piece by piece he stripped her out of her pants, panties then her bra. He ran his knuckles over her sensitive skin, but nothing further. She was almost disappointed when he helped her into the tub.

  But then it was her turn to watch.

  He started with his boots, undoing the laces and setting them by the door. Then off came his T-shirt, the Kevlar vest and under shirt. His tanned skin was dotted and bisected with scars from battles gone by. Reminders that he’d survived.

  She perched on the bench and stretched her feet across the tub, conscious of his gaze sliding back to her between tasks.

  He was a well-built man. Wide shoulders. Arms and abs that were rom-com swoon worthy. She sighed and sank down a bit farther as he reached for his belt.

  Yes, please.

  Carla liked all of Vaughn, but right now her favorite part was in his pants.

  He dropped his jeans and underwear together, stepping out of the last of his clothes gloriously nude and semi-erect.

  “Get over here,” she purred at him.

  He grinned and palmed his cock as he crossed to the tub and got in. She slid over to sit next to him, hungry for his warmth. The water was up over her hips and rising.

  “Come here.” He looped his arm around her waist and dragged her across his lap.

  Carla sputtered a laugh and allowed him to arrange her sitting between his legs, her back to his chest as the water continued to rise.

  “That’s better.” His arms wrapped around her waist and splayed against her stomach. “It’s hard to keep myself from touching you all the time, you know?”

  She sighed and closed her eyes, content to experience this moment in the fullest. He kissed her cheek again. These little temple and cheek kisses were becoming her favorite. Tender, gentle, possessive. She liked it.

  He cupped a breast in his left hand, his thumb swiping over her stiff nipple.

  “You like that?” His voice was low and rough in her ear.

  “Yeah.” She arched her back a bit.

  “How about this?” His other hand stroked down her mound.

  She shifted her legs and parted her thighs. He caressed her folds, sliding back and forth.

  “What do you like better?” he whispered.

  “Both.” She covered his hand at her breast and guided his thumb, showing him how to tease the flesh and how hard she liked to be handled.

  Vaughn hummed his approval and took over, playing her breasts like a master. The hand between her legs pressed against her sex harder, his fingers circling her entrance.

  She groaned and let her head drop back on his shoulder.

  “You want to show me what else you like?” he asked.

  “You.” She grabbed his wrist and guided him. “Inside me.”

  He took the hint and thrust his fingers into her pussy. She sucked in a breath, her aroused flesh rippling at the intrusion.

  “Vaughn.” She shifted her hips with him.

  “Come on,” he urged, twisting and thrusting inside of her.

  “Oh—right there.” She braced her foot on the other side of the tub and worked with him until the pleasure coiled so tight she could barely breathe.

  Vaughn muttered something into her hair and pressed her clit, spurring the sweet release her body craved. But it was nothing like having him inside of her for real.

  She twisted in his arms until she could cup his face between her hands and kissed him, hungry for more. Crumbs weren’t good enough right now. She wanted all of him.

  Carla wrapped her hand around his cock and pumped him even as his tongue thrust past her lips.

  That was what she wanted.

  Him inside of her in every way.

  She scooted closer until his erection pressed against her mound.

  Condom—

  Oh, no...

  “What?” Vaughn asked.

  She sat back, her lust crazed mind clearing just a tiny bit.

  The condoms had been in her nightstand in the other room. She’d never packed them. Which meant they had no protection.

  They didn’t technically need it. Not with her implant. And she’d seen his medical history, the routine tests. It was part of their pseudo hiring process.

  “Carla, what’s wrong?” Vaughn sat up causing their noses to bump.

  “Um...”

  He reached past her and turned off the tap.

  The silence made the roar of her thoughts that much louder.

  She hadn’t allowed a man inside of her like that. Ever. But she wanted Vaughn. Even if now was all they had. There was something about their connection she’d carry with her forever.

  “You don’t happen to have a condom on you?” she asked.

  His eyes closed, and he bent his head forward muttering, “Fuck.”

  “That’s what I thought.” She cupped his face and lifted it, needing to see his eyes for this. “Here’s a thought...we don’t need one. I’ve got it covered.”

  “How?” he asked then winced. “Sorry—I just—”

  “Valid question.” She took his hand and pressed his thumb to her arm. “Implant. Long story. Your call.”

  “I think it’s your call. Your body.”

  “My body’s speaking pretty loud right now.” She chuckled and pumped his cock again. “It’s saying get in here.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yeah. I mean, I don’t do this, but I want to now. You don’t have to if—”

  He wrapped an arm around her waist and hauled her up against him. Their mouths crashed together, and she felt his cock against her stomach. She pushed up farther, bracing a hand on his shoulder. His other hand caressed her in
ner thigh, teasing a shiver out of her. He guided his erection through her folds and she groaned, pressing down on him until he slipped inside of her.

  It was different. Not by much, but there was a delicious drag of skin on skin she’d never felt before.

  “I get to be on top?” she whispered against his mouth.

  “For now.” He captured her nipple between his fingers and squeezed, just as she’d shown him.

  She threw her head back and groaned. “You liked it last time.”

  “I’d like it every time.” He kissed her sternum and up to her collar bone.

  It was killing her to just sit there like this, his hardness inside of her. Not moving. “But you’re a man who enjoys control.”

  “No denying that.”

  The arm around her waist guided her up. The swirl of the warm water only sensitized her heated skin. She groaned at the feel of him her mind already rising to a state of bliss.

  “I needed this,” she whispered.

  He nipped her lower lip. “I need you.”

  She groaned and lowered her head until her brow touched his.

  He growled something she didn’t understand and hugged her to him, driving his cock deep, then surged up. He lifted her out of the bath so suddenly all the air left her lungs.

  He turned and set her ass on the wide tile lip of the tub. She gasped at the feel of the cold tile.

  “Sorry, kitten. I need...” He bent his head and kissed her.

  She groaned and shifted her hips. “Fuck me.”

  “Here.” He pushed one of the towels she’d set nearby under her head. It was the perfect pillow.

  “Cute and thoughtful.” She kissed his cheek.

  He nuzzled her cheek. “I take care of my toys.”

  Carla chuckled. The way he moved her wherever he wanted her did make her feel a bit like a doll. It was a new thing, one she didn’t think she’d get tired of soon.

  Vaughn knelt over her, his body cradled by her hips. He kissed her neck and thrust, driving into her with a barely contained strength.

  In these moments it was easy to see a future together. Sex this good wasn’t just these moments. It was everything leading up to it. Part of her could see spending nights on a sofa with him, making him dinner, washing his clothes. Normal stuff she’d do for a person she loved.

  Her heart ached at the word.