Merry with a Gambler (Love Beach Holiday Collection)

Chapter 12

CHAPTER 12

Boots

Something’s different tonight. There’s an intensity in Stack’s perusal that hasn’t been there before. He’s sitting at a corner table glaring at the nice guy who was talking—well to be honest, flirting with me. The guy doesn’t interest me, so I wasn’t thinking anything of it. Deflecting flirts is part of the job.

After the guy leaves, Stack seems to relax. Just before closing time Nyla goes over to bus his table, they talk for a minute, and he leaves. When she returns, she pauses to talk to Pax then comes over to me. “A little change of routine tonight. Pax and I are going to take you home. We’ll do a cursory cleanup tonight and come in early to finish.”

“But Nyla, it’s my job.”

“You’ve already worked harder than everyone else here tonight. We have to remind half the staff what to do. You see what needs to be done and take care of it. You’ve earned leaving early tonight. And Pax and I could use the extra time as well. So, load up the dishwasher and let’s go.”

Pax insists on walking me to the door of the condo, pausing on the first step he looks at me. “You aren’t alone anymore, Boots. You have family now. We take care of our own.

“But even chosen families can sometimes push boundaries. I don’t care who’s asking or telling for that matter, if your answer is no. It is NO. You hear me? You know what I’m saying?”

I meet his gaze with tear-filled eyes and nod. He pulls me into a brotherly hug and kisses the top of my head. “You have me on speed dial.”

He waits while I key in the code, enter and close the door behind me. Stack is standing in the middle of the room, shirtless and barefoot, hands stuffed in the pockets of his sweatpants. “I’ve missed you. I missed bringing you home.”

Crossing the room, I wrap my arms around his waist and place my cheek against his chest. His heart is thundering, and he wraps his arms around me like he’ll never let me go. This is home.

“I missed you too. It didn’t feel right.”

“For me either. I should be there. Every night to make sure you get home okay.”

Using one cupped hand he raises my face to his and takes my lips in a gentle, almost worshipful kiss. Breaking away, he removes my jacket and backpack and hangs them on the coat rack inside the door. “Shower or snack first?’

“Shower. I’ll be quick.”

“I got you a new robe. It’s hanging on the door. And something else I think you’ll like. I’ll make some tea.”

Hurrying through my shower I only partly dry my hair. The something else is a beautiful pair of Starburst earrings. Removing my plain hoops, I slip the new ones through the hole in my earlobe. They are so sparkly and beautiful, they could almost be real diamonds.

One of his T-shirts is hanging next to the fluffy pink robe on the bathroom door. Grabbing the shirt, I hold it to my face inhaling deeply. I love how it smells of him. Slipping it over my head, I pull on the robe and head out to the kitchen.

He glances up as I approach. Turning he puts his hands on my upper arms and smoothes the fabric of the robe. “Do you like it? Does it feel good, warm?”

“Yes and yes. But you’re spoiling me.”

He fingers an earring. “That’s what I’m here for and what you deserve. I’ve got a yogurt ready for you since I wasn’t there to make sure you ate during your shift.”

Smiling, I cross to the breakfast bar. “How was your night?”

“Not quite as informative as I would have liked, but not bad.”

“So, what are you doing?”

Leaning on his elbows on the other side of the breakfast bar, he brushes a thumb over my cheek. “The less you know, the safer you are. I’m investigating something and doing recon.”

“Recon, that’s like checking stuff out. Do you carry a gun?”

“I’m always armed in some way.”

“What about undercover? Do you do that, too? Pax was pretending to be a bodyguard—well I guess he really was a bodyguard, but not for who Nyla thought.”

“Sometimes I’m undercover. Part of this job is doing just that.”

I hesitate. Suddenly no longer hungry, I rest my spoon in the bowl. Tension knots in my stomach. “Is this—am I— just your cover?”

He rounds the counter, spins the chair I’m sitting on, and places his palms on the edge trapping me between him and the granite top. “YOU are the most real thing that has ever happened to me. You are more important to me than any case. I will take care of you, protect you from anything and anyone. If I’m not here to do it, I will make damn sure my family takes care of you. You are not a JUST anything. You are so special.

“That guy at the bar tonight, the construction worker who was drooling all over you. He’s one of my teammates. I’ll break him in half if he touches you.”

I laugh, until I see how serious he is. “Stack, he was just being friendly. It’s okay.”

“I know I can’t claim you, yet. Treat him like any other customer at work, but so you know, I won’t tolerate anyone crossing a line with you.

“As of today, Silk is living in the other half of this condo. If something happens you can go to him. He’s supposed to be watching out for you when I’m working. I’ll send you his number later.”

“Why Stack? I don’t understand.”

“While investigating the serial killer, we realized other women were going missing from local bars. We don’t think the events are tied together, but we do think someone is taking advantage of what was already happening. I need you to be careful. If I get made, I need to know they don’t know about you, can’t get to you. If I have to, I’ll send you away until this is over.”

“No! You can’t do that. I’m so close to having my dream. Tegan told me today she may have found an investor for me who’s willing to fund me a year’s rent and an advance for product with a really low interest rate that doesn’t have to be paid back for five years. I can’t miss this opportunity.

“Please, I’ll be careful. I promise. How long do you think your investigation will take?”

He shrugs. “A week, maybe more. I made some headway tonight. I’m not infiltrating just gathering intel at this point.”

A couple of weeks and when he’s done, he’ll leave. I want that time with him. I want the memories.

“I’ll be careful,” he assures me. “But you have to promise you’ll be careful, too. I need you to do what Pax or I say, babe. Promise? And if you see either of your parents again you let Pax or Silk know.”

Leaning forward, he kisses me on the forehead before sliding his hands under my thighs and lifting me into his arms until my lips are within his reach.

Cupping his face I meet his gaze. “I want you. Now. Tonight.”

“Are you sure? I told you there’s no pressure.”

“I’m sure. I—I want you.” Oh shit, I almost told him I love him. Quickest way to send a man like him running.

He carries me to the bedroom. With one hand on my ass, he uses the other to throw back the covers before setting me on the mattress. Kneeling before me, he opens the robe and pushes it to the side.

Slowly he slides his palms up my calves to my thighs. Leaning forward he nuzzles my cotton covered pussy, inhaling deeply. “You smell so fucking good. I want dessert.”

Tugging off my panties, he spreads my legs for his perusal. “You are so beautiful. So fucking perfect.” Leaning forward he burrows between my folds licking and sucking. “So sweet.”

He glances up and meets my gaze. “And mine.”

I cup the back of his head weaving my fingers into his hair. “And you’re mine.”

“I’m yours,” he confirms. Leaning forward he licks a path over my folds. Then again. When his tongue finally edges a path between and touches my clit I gasp, clutch the sides of his head, and arch up. “Oh my god.”

He lifts his head, meeting my gaze. “Been a while?”

I nod. “Like, never.”

“Never?” He hesitates. “You lived with your boyfriend.”

“He told everyone we were dating. When we first moved in together, he was over twenty-one and told me I was jailbait until I was eighteen and I needed to stay a virgin. He got me my first fake Id for jobs, but it wasn’t a great one so he knew he could get into trouble if we were caught. He’d have me go down on him when he was in the mood but wouldn’t touch me. We worked a lot of opposite shifts. Honestly, we didn’t spend that much time together.

“One of the reasons we fought, and he dumped me, was because I found out he had two other girlfriends. One he was playing just like me. He swore I was the real deal. I should have known better. But living with him was the first stable environment I’d had. I—I felt like I was in a better place, in control.”

Turning his head, he kisses my palm. “The asshole. I’ll find him when this is over and get your money back.”

“No. Let him be. It was the best thing that ever happened to me, the way it happened to me. If it hadn’t gone down the way it did, I wouldn’t have met Nyla. Or ultimately you.

“Knowing that, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“I’ll take care of you, babe, and I’ll be faithful. I’m yours now. There won’t be anyone else.