Guarded from Sabotage (Blade and Arrow Security Bravo Team #2)

Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

SARAH

Why am I so nervous?

Up until about a minute ago, I was fully confident in my plan. Operation Convince Dante I’m Not Going to Break and It’s Really Okay to Have Sex .

It’s a little long. Maybe Operation CDINGbrOHS ?

Maybe not.

But regardless of what it’s called, the purpose is the same. I want to reassure Dante that I’m fine, he doesn’t have to treat me like spun glass, and I am more than ready to have sex with him.

If I’m being honest with myself, it’s more than just sex. In my heart, at least, it’ll be making love.

Yes. Love. Because I think I’m falling in love with Dante.

No. I don’t think I am. I know .

And it’s not the safe, comfortable affection I felt for Tanner, back before our relationship fell apart. It’s a million times more than that. I feel like Dorothy as she entered Oz, stepping into a world filled with a rainbow of colors.

It’s all because of Dante. He brings the color I never knew I was missing. But now that I’ve seen it, experienced it, I never want to go without again.

Not that I’m going to toss around the L-word just yet. I don’t want to freak Dante out by rushing things. Although… When he told me I was the one he’s been waiting for, that’s close to love, isn’t it?

I think it might be.

There’s no question in my mind that he cares about me. He shows me in a hundred different ways—making me coffee and breakfast every morning, no matter what his schedule looks like, watching my sappy movies without complaint, the thoughtful gifts he gives me just because, and staying up for hours sharing silly stories about his childhood when I can’t get back to sleep after a nightmare.

I know Dante cares about me. And he thinks I’m beautiful. Smart. Kind. He compliments me all the time.

So I should be feeling good about this. Ready to put Operation Finally Have Sex With My Hot Boyfriend I’m Falling in Love With into action. I should be thinking about touching Dante’s body and discovering if he’s as well-endowed as I think he is. I should be looking forward to feeling him inside me, relieving the growing emptiness only he can fill.

I was feeling good about Operation FHSWMHBIFLW until I looked in the mirror, and instead of feeling confident in how I look—hair freshly deep-conditioned, eyes bright with anticipation, skin glowing from the shimmery lotion I put on after my shower—I’m bombarded by insecurities.

Am I too sparkly? Do I look like one of those women on the reality shows instead of subtly sexy, like the bottle promised?

Are my boobs too small to pull off this look? The model wearing this lingerie set on the website had C cups at least, and mine are at best a generous A. Would I be better off in a T-shirt and shorts, like I usually wear to sleep?

Should I have done something special with my hair? Curled it? Added highlights?

What if Dante turns me down? What if I go out to the kitchen where he’s making breakfast and he very gently—he would never be unkind about it—says he doesn’t think it’s a good idea?

What if his eyes dim with disappointment when he looks at me instead of heating with desire?

Ugh.

This is ridiculous. If Hanna were here, she’d tell me to go for what I want. She’d give me a pep talk, telling me I’m beautiful and smart and any man would be lucky to have me.

Yes . I lift my chin and look in the mirror once more, forcing myself to squash the niggling insecurities as I do it.

This time, I’m not as hard on myself. My hair is a gleaming bronze, as shiny as I’ve ever seen it. My skin looks sun-kissed and glowing. The green-gold cami drapes nicely across my breasts, showing off a bit of cleavage and the faintest outline of my nipples. And my legs are looking nicely toned, helped along by daily workouts in the B and A gym.

Forget insecure Sarah. There’s no place for her here. It’s time for self-assured Sarah to get what she wants.

With a flick of my hair and set of my shoulders, I leave the bathroom with my head held high. And all the way to the kitchen, I keep telling myself, Dante thinks I’m beautiful. He cares about me. I can feel his arousal each time we kiss. He said I’m the one he’s been waiting for.

I march into the kitchen, a woman on a mission, smiling when I see Dante standing at the counter, whisking eggs in a bowl and humming to himself. My heart squeezes at the sweet incongruity of it—this big, tough guy humming the tune to The Wind Beneath My Wings —and I almost hate to interrupt him.

But there’s no chance of me silently watching, not with Dante’s crazy-good hearing. Honed after years of having to listen for the tiniest noises, even if I tiptoed in on bare feet, I’m sure he’d notice me.

And I’m right. Dante looks up from the bowl and across the kitchen, his hand stilling mid-whisk as he sees me.

Before he can speak, I say brightly, “Good morning!”

After a few moments of silence, he sets down the whisk and swallows hard. “Sarah.” He clears his throat. “I don’t remember you wearing that when we went to bed.”

“I wasn’t.” Trying to channel my inner seductress—or at least, how I’d imagine one acts—I walk towards him, putting a little sway in my hips. “This is new. Do you like it?”

“Do I like it?” He rounds the kitchen island, coming to meet me halfway across the kitchen. Stopping only a few feet away, his gaze moves down my body and back up again. “Where… You…” He’s adorably flustered. “I’ve never seen this before.”

My heart rockets to triple speed, and I can feel the heat in my cheeks rising. Be confident. “I just got it. I thought you might like?—”

“I more than like it.” Dante takes a step closer, his hand coming to rest on my hip. His eyes darken to a deep, inky blue. “You look incredible, Sarah.” After a beat, his cheeks tinge pink and he adds quickly, “Not that you don’t always. But like this…”

Gathering my courage, I ask, “Would you like to take it off me?”

His gaze flares with heat. “Take it off?”

“Yes.” I look at him steadily, trying to ignore the fluttering nerves in my belly. “I know you’ve been trying to be careful with me. But you don’t need to. I’m fine.”

“But the accident. You’re still recovering?—”

“Just some bruises. I wasn’t injured any worse than you. And you’ve been doing your superhero workouts the last two mornings.”

Lips quirking, he asks, “My superhero workouts?”

“Yes.” I prop my hands on my hips. “The ones where you run for approximately a hundred miles and lift weights as heavy as me.”

“I don’t run for a hundred miles.” Dante grins. “And my weights are way heavier than you.”

I’m getting sidetracked.

“Anyway,” I continue, “I just thought…” Could he have changed his mind? “I thought we both wanted this, and?—”

“Sarah.” Dante’s voice goes low and rough. “Of course I want this. If you had any idea how many times I’ve thought about making love to you…”

“Me too. So many times.”

His pupils dilate until there’s just a thin ring of blue around the black. The hand that’s on my hip slides around to my back, pulling me flush against him. “Are you sure that you’re feeling okay? The last thing I want to do is hurt you.”

“I’m more than okay.” Reaching under his shirt, I trail my fingers across the lines of his abs. He sucks in a sharp breath, his stomach jerking under my touch. And I’d have to be blind not to notice the rapidly growing bulge straining at the mesh fabric of his shorts. Dipping in my well of courage, I say, “I want you, Dante. More than anything.”

“Oh, beautiful,” he groans, and in one fluid move, he lifts me into his arms. My legs instinctively go around his waist, and my arms twine around his neck. Dante dips his head and slants his mouth over mine; not a tender kiss this time, but a hungry one.

As we kiss—tongues plunging, exploring, stroking, teasing—my nipples go tight and a pulsing ache builds at my core. My body is on fire for him, my skin ultra sensitized, every inch of my body desperate for his touch.

Dante effortlessly holds me to him, one hand beneath my ass, the other at the nape of my neck, tipping my head back to take our kiss even deeper. It’s only when I’m lightheaded from lack of air that I regretfully drag my lips from his.

“Are you okay?” he asks, eyeing me with open concern. “If you’re not ready?—”

“I am.” I lean in and kiss him again. “I just needed some air.” With a little grin, I add, “I’m not a super athlete like you.”

As the concern disappears, his lips lift into a tiny smirk. “Well. I guess we’ll have to see if all my workouts have paid off.” He lifts me higher in his arms and nuzzles my neck. “Starting by carrying you to the bedroom.”

As Dante carries me towards the bedroom, kissing me the entire way there, I’ve never felt sexier. More desired. More protected.

When Dante carefully lays me on his king-sized bed and stands back to gaze at me with an expression of wonder, I’ve never felt more cherished. Special.

Yes, there’s desire in his eyes, but it’s so much more than that. He looks at me like he can’t believe how lucky he is. His gaze is reverent as it sweeps over my body, regarding me like a masterpiece.

“You’re so beautiful,” Dante breathes. He’s still standing at the foot of the bed, fully clothed, staring at me. “I can’t get over it. How perfect you are.”

Insecurity comes sneaking back in. “I’m not.”

“Oh, Sarah. Yes, you are.” He pauses. “To me, you are perfect.”

Oh.

My heart.

It’s never felt this full before.

And with this burst of joy, my confidence comes flooding back. I prop myself up and pin Dante with my gaze. “Why don’t you let me see how perfect you are, too?”

He gives me a cocky smile. “You want me to take off my clothes?”

“Yes, please.”

“Oh, Sarah.” Softening, he adds, “Anything you want. Just ask, and I’ll give you anything.”

And then he pulls his shirt off, revealing a glorious display of golden muscles dusted with brown hair that trails down in a V to his waist.

Then Dante yanks off his shorts, and the question I’ve been wondering about is finally answered—his arousal is long and thick, jutting towards me, already leaking steadily.

My womb clenches.

Moisture dampens the fabric at the apex of my thighs.

I’ve never wanted a man more in my life.

“All my clothes are off,” Dante says. “Now. How about if I take yours off, like you asked me to?”

“Yes.” As he moves towards me, a Roman statue brought to life, his desire never more obvious, I whisper through a constricting chest, “Yes, please. I would love that.”

So he does, but it’s not what I was expecting.

Dante peels off my satin shorts and cami slowly, kissing each bit of skin as it’s revealed, lingering at my collarbone, my breasts, and my belly.

Then he goes lower, suckling and lapping and stroking, using his fingers and tongue to build the aching need stronger and stronger, until my hips are lifting towards him and my inner walls are quivering.

When I’m finally naked, Dante braces himself above me, his biceps and shoulders and chest muscles flexing, and I can’t help blurting out, “I didn’t think it was possible to have that many muscles.”

He grins. “Do you like them?”

“Yes. Oh, yes.” After a beat, I stroke his cheek. “But I don’t care how many muscles you have. I care about who you are inside. The muscles are just a bonus.”

Emotion sweeps over his face. “ Sarah . I—” A ruddy pink tinges his cheeks. “I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met. Inside and out.”

If I had any doubt about falling, I don’t anymore.

As we finally, finally, come together, I’ve never been more sure about anything.

As Dante sinks deep inside me, filling me, nothing has ever felt so right.

At first, he moves slowly, stretching me, using his fingers to pluck at my sensitive bud until I’m moaning and begging him for more.

“I want to make sure you’re ready,” he murmurs between kisses.

Ready? I’m beyond ready.

“I am ready. Please .” Holding Dante’s gaze, I say in a throaty tone that doesn’t sound like my own. “I want it fast. Hard. Don’t be careful. Not now.”

And he’s true to his word. Ask for anything, and he’ll give it to me.

Our movements become frenzied, bodies colliding, Dante plunging deep and bottoming out every time.

I’m making these little sounds—something between a whimper and a moan—and Dante groans, “Shit, Sarah. That’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Please,” I beg, “I’m so close. I just need?—”

“Yes.” And he lifts my hips, tilting them so he goes impossibly deeper on his next thrust, hitting a spot I thought only existed in romance novels.

And that’s all it takes for me to fly over the edge, crying out in ecstasy.

It’s fireworks on the Fourth of July. A supernova. A galaxy bursting to life.

Seconds later, Dante shouts out his pleasure as he explodes along with me, throwing his head back and stiffening as he pulses inside me.

Still joined, he flips us over, draping me across his chest as the aftershocks ripple through us. We’re both breathing hard, his heart jackhammering in rhythm with mine. One hand traces lazy circles on my back, the other strokes my hair, and he presses a soft kiss to the top of my head.

It’s so perfect, I almost blurt it out— I’m falling in love with you . But if he’s not there yet, it’ll make things awkward, and I don’t want to ruin this moment. So instead, I lay my head on his chest, listening to the gradually slowing thump of his heart. And I think to myself, how lucky am I? To have found this in all the chaos?

I’m so relaxed, so comfortable snuggled against him, it’s a blow when Dante gently sets me aside with a regretful sigh and says, “I’ll be right back. I just need to clean up.” But he’s back right away, sliding back under the covers and wrapping his arms around me again.

“Do you need to get to work?” I ask, hoping the answer is no.

“Not yet.” His breath feathers across my hair. “We can stay like this a while longer.”

“Good,” I murmur drowsily. “Because this is the best place in the world.”

I must have dozed off, because the next thing I hear is an incessant buzzing—Dante’s phone springing to life on the nightstand beside us. There’s a blanket covering us now, and I wonder how long I’ve been sleeping. But before I can ask, Dante kisses my head and says, “Sorry, beautiful. But that’s the B and A ringtone. We use that one if there’s important news. So I really need to get it.”

“That’s okay,” I reply, my voice raspy from sleep. “Sorry for falling asleep on you.”

He gently lifts me off his chest and tucks me under the covers beside him. “Never apologize for that. I loved it.”

Awww.

How can he be so perfect?

As I snuggle against his side, Dante reaches over to the nightstand and grabs his phone. “Hey. Matt. What’s up?”

His other arm comes around me, hugging me close as he listens. All I can hear is a dull rumble, but I can’t distinguish the words.

“Are you sure?” Dante asks. His tone shifts, becoming brisker. More commanding. After a pause, he says, “Okay. Everyone’s at HQ, so we can meet in an hour. I’ll let them know.” Another pause. “Thanks, Matt.”

Matt says something on the other end of the line, and within thirty seconds, Dante hangs up. He quickly taps out a message, hits send, and then rolls over to face me.

His serious expression makes my breath catch, and a small shiver runs through me. “What is it?”

Dante sits up, pulling me into his lap and wrapping the blanket around me. “It’s not bad. But it might come as a shock.”

“A shock?” Another shiver catches me. “Did you find out?—”

“Yes.” His tone is gentle, but somber. “Matt seems to think so. We’re going to meet, go over the evidence, talk about next steps, contacting the police…”

“ Who ?” Urgency strains my voice. “Who did this to me? Why?”

“Matt set up something called a honeypot,” he explains. “Basically, he opened some new accounts under your name, but they’re meant to be a trap. So if anyone tried to access the accounts, Matt and Leo would be able to trace them. And it worked. The asshole took the bait.”

“Who?” I repeat. “Who tried to ruin my life?”

Dante rubs my arm. “His name is Ivan Petrovic. He’s an IT guy at your?—”

“Ivan?” My voice pitches up. “But… I barely know him. I think I’ve talked to him twice, and it was just to set up my work computer—” Crap. Why didn’t I think of him?

“We looked into him,” Dante says, shaking his head and frowning. Self-recrimination laces his tone. “But there was nothing. No red flags. He looked normal. Obviously, we missed something.”

I’m stunned. Ivan? The tallish guy with horn-rimmed glasses who always wears nineties band T-shirts and stares at the floor whenever he talks to a woman? The guy I’ve spent less than five minutes in total talking to? He did this to me?

“It doesn’t make sense. To do all of that, and he doesn’t even know me?”

“I know.” Dante hugs me closer and brushes a kiss across my forehead. “A lot of times, it doesn’t make sense. But we’re going to make sure he’s punished. He won’t be able to hurt you again.”

As the shock subsides slightly, reality edges in. “So it’s over? He’ll go to jail, and my life can go back to normal?”

“I think so, Sarah.” He kisses me again. “We’ll investigate everything, pull in the police, probably the FBI, as well. Make sure the case is airtight. But I think so.”

Normal life.

But this time, I’ll be with Dante. We can go on dates and trips whenever we want without fearing for our safety. We can go to New York and South Carolina to visit our friends and families. We can be together like a regular couple.

Relieved tears burn behind my eyes. Voice thick with emotion, I say, “Thank you. For fixing this. For protecting me. For everything. And—” I squeeze his hand. “I can’t wait to go do regular couple-y things with you.”

Dante’s features soften, and emotion darkens his gaze. “I would do anything for you, Sarah. And I can’t wait, either.”