The Ex Assignment (Rogue Protectors Book 1) Read online

  “Your nipples say otherwise,” he said. “And I bet if I sink my fingers into your pussy, you’re wet and ready for me. So tell me. Why are we wasting time?”

  A tightness lodged in her throat. She couldn’t lie. She needed him inside her, to fill her. A low moan escaped her as his lips brushed the edges of her mouth and sought the pulse at her neck. His tongue briefly touched it and her knees nearly buckled.

  He held her up, chuckling. “Still the magic place, huh? Give in, Angel.”

  The bastard! He was pulling out all the big guns in this seduction game.

  “I will,” she replied with a bored tone she was far from feeling. “But this will only be a fuck.”

  He flinched, but recovered quickly. The heat in his eyes disappeared and turned chilling, as if he’d taken a step back from his own body. “Fuck each other out of our systems you mean?”

  She gave a tight nod.

  Without another word he lowered his head and captured her lips, slowly at first and then devouring. Her hands were trapped between them and she fisted his shirt as they kissed. Their tongues tentatively touched, stroking and seeking what was familiar. His hands burned a trail down her body and gripped her ass, lifted her and walked her to the nearest wall.

  Pinning her against the hard surface, her legs were lowered, her feet finding purchase on the floor as he continued to explore every inch of her skin as if learning her curves all over again. Her fingers tangled in his hair as he teased the pulse at her throat and then lowered to the swell of her breast. When he sucked her nipple through cotton, she gave a small cry of pleasure, eyes closing.

  “Fuck,” he muttered, and his mouth was back on hers, nipping at her. Her eyes flew open.

  He slipped his finger behind her sleep shorts and his lids shut briefly. “Fuuuuck.” When his eyes opened, she reeled at the determination etched in them. “I feel you gripping me,” his breathing was ragged. “Sopping wet.” He fitted another finger and she gasped as he curled them. He knew her sweet spot.

  “Oh my god,” she breathed.

  “Feel that,” he snarled softly. “Just to be clear, this is not like the last time we had angry sex. This is not me fucking you as if I hate you. You’re not fucking me out of your system, Angel, because I’m fucking myself into you so deep, there isn’t a chance in hell you can get me out.”

  His mouth descended and there was no finesse in the way he kissed her, it was pure savagery. He jerked his head away with a growl and dropped to his knees, yanking her sleep shorts on the way down, fumbling with them as he lifted one leg over his shoulder and put his mouth on her.

  His tongue speared her, lapping her slickness as if he’d been starved for her taste. The flat of his tongue pressed on that sensitive trove. Sucking on her clit, he sent her spiraling into a chasm of pulsing pleasure. Her back arched back and she cried out.

  “Stop, I can’t …” She couldn’t breathe. She couldn’t come down and suck in air because he continued to torture her with the beauty of multiple orgasms.

  Stars. She was seeing stars.

  “Declan! Let me breathe!” She pulled at his hair and he eased back the pressure of his mouth, transferring his attention to the juncture between her leg and pussy. It was one of his favorite spots to nibble just before …

  Assault number two.

  Less intense, but equally torturous pleasure. He worked her sensitized flesh, moving that skilled tongue from her clit to the pulsing liquid heat at her core.

  As she came down from another high, Declan rose, framed her face with both hands and captured her lips in another long, searing kiss. Tastes mingled, tongues dueled, and their breathing fractured into desperate exhalations.

  “You taste so good,” Declan rasped. “I need inside you.” He went in for a quick kiss before lowering his hand between them. His hard cock pressed briefly against her before she was boosted up against the wall and without another word, he surged inside her.

  Filled her. Stretched her.

  He gave her a chance to adjust, tugging her hair with his left hand as he went in for more bruising kisses. His right arm held her leg hooked around his hip. Then he started pumping, upthrusts that were slow and deliberate before quickening into a rhythmic pace.

  Declan pulled back and they watched each other, his face etched in some kind of pain that regret could only bring.

  Gabby’s hand cupped his jaw, the bristly texture of his beard was unfamiliar, yet it symbolized the years that had passed and the time they’d spent away from each other. She gave a watery smile.

  “Angel.” Her name on his lips was tortured and ragged. He thrust harder, more brutal and she broke again under the ferocity of his possession. He inhaled sharply before releasing a soft grunt. His eyes squeezed shut and warmth filled her womb.

  He shuddered against her and she continued to ride her own wave, allowing herself to indulge in this moment that she thought she’d never experience again.

  Declan relaxed against her, his face buried in her neck as he let go of her leg. Slight tremors rippled through his muscular frame. Finally, he backed away an inch, his mouth feathering hers as if tasting her in small doses and wonder. Then he laced their fingers together and pulled her away from the wall and led her to the bed.

  She resisted. “We can’t.”

  His brows drew together, nostrils flaring. “Don’t want to hear can’t, Gabby.” He jerked his head in the direction of the wall. “We definitely can. We—”

  “Door is broken, you neanderthal. Theo could come home any minute.”

  “He hasn’t been gone an hour.”

  “He probably went to the Revenant party because he’s sulking. No telling when he’ll decide to come back.”

  He tugged her hand and, unbalanced, she fell into him. Her eyes narrowed. He hadn’t even taken off his shirt and she was naked from the waist down.

  “He’s a grown kid. He doesn’t need his parents breathing down his neck. Hell, he seems to have his shit together more than we do.”

  She tried to pull away, but he held on tight. “You don’t get it,” she said. “Not every teenager is you. You matured quickly because you had to care for your sister. Theo—he’s at that vulnerable age, you know? Veer a little to the side of drugs and bad decisions, we’ll have a big problem on our hands.”

  “Gabby—”

  “I work gangs and homicide, Dec. I’ve seen enough teenagers fucked up by heroin and oxy to know that we need to keep an eye on Theo—”

  His face softened in understanding and the back of his hand caressed her face. “Sometimes …” he shook his head, mouth twitching wryly. “Sometimes I forget that you’re not the girl you used to be.”

  “Is that good or bad?” Her tone lightened from earlier.

  “Oh, definitely good.” He sighed. “You’re right.” He edged his face closer. “Mom.”

  Gabby laughed. It was too soon to get used to the word.

  “My room then?”

  She tried to break free from his arms but he’d cleaved her to him in a bear hug. “Dec … I just said…”

  “Uh-uh, Angel. I’m not letting you go until we’re clear about what this is.”

  She looked down at her half-naked state. “I’m feeling at a disadvantage.”

  He chuckled. “Totally on purpose.”

  “You sneak.”

  Declan kissed her nose. “I get your concerns about Theo. We can switch rooms if you feel more comfortable with a lock. I’d rather you move into my room, but I understand the need to ease Theo into the idea of us.”

  “I can stay here.” She puffed a short laugh. “And Dec, you’re moving too fast. Now let me go so I can put on my shorts.”

  He stared at her a beat and then let his arms drop to his side. Gabby could feel his eyes on her.

  And before long, he pulled her back into his arms and was kissing her again.

  When they broke apart, he murmured. “Come into my room later.”

  “No.”

  “Hang out wit
h me then? We can stream something.”

  She smiled up at him. “That I can do.”

  They settled in front of the widescreen, but Gabby didn’t last very long and fell asleep on Declan’s shoulder. He shifted to the end of the couch, taking her with him.

  “What? Is the episode over?”

  “No, sleepyhead, we barely got to the middle.”

  “Oh.” She snuggled closer. “So comfortable.”

  Somehow, he managed to get her feet up on the couch. Gabby was on her side, her hands cradling the side of her face on his lap. Declan couldn’t see if she was watching TV.

  “You awake?”

  “Hmm.”

  “Hmm yes, or hmm no.”

  A brief burst of laughter came from her and she tilted her head up and down as if to scratch the side of her face, but fuck any movement from her was torture to his self-control. If she didn’t stop her fidgeting, she’d have his erection for a pillow.

  “We didn’t use a condom,” she mumbled.

  Now that came out of nowhere.

  “No. I trusted you to stop me if it wasn’t okay.”

  “I trusted you not to put me at risk,” she said.

  “I’m safe. I’ve always suited up, and my last check-up was three months ago.”

  “You’re saying you haven’t had sex since then?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  She didn’t say anything else. Well, hell, was he expecting her to share? Did he actually want to know of the men in her past? He suppressed the growl that threatened to rise.

  He leaned forward and saw her thick lashes blinking. She was awake and watching TV.

  “That’s the bad guy,” Gabby said. “I’m sure of it.”

  They were watching a detective show, one where Declan had read the books and Gabby idolized the main character for his tenacity and sense of justice even if he was fictional.

  “If you say so, detective.”

  She turned her face toward him. “Wanna bet?”

  “I’ll only bet if it’s for more sex.”

  “You’re one-track-minded, aren’t you?”

  “I haven’t even begun to get my fill of you.” He let his fingers comb through her hair and let them stroke down her neck. He smiled when her body shuddered.

  “Stop with the seduction routine and watch.”

  “I’m watching,” he replied. “I’m a multitasker.”

  “You’re so cocky. Now, stop distracting me.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  They watched the show quietly for the next twenty minutes until the villain was revealed and Gabby was right.

  As the series credits rolled by, Declan asked, “How about you? Dated a lot?”

  Gabby shifted on her back and stared up at him. “You wanna know when I last had sex.”

  His jaw hardened. “Not really.”

  A delicate brow arched.

  “Okay, yes. I’ve always been possessive, Gab. You know that.”

  “Four months ago.”

  When she wasn’t forthcoming with more, he prodded. “Go on. Who was he?”

  “Promise not to hunt him down.”

  “Scout’s honor.” He’d never been one and Gabby knew this.

  She rolled her eyes. “A lawyer. He was the assistant DA.”

  Declan’s mouth flattened, the itch to look up the guy online was overwhelming.

  Gabby’s brow went higher. “I don’t like that look in your eyes.”

  “What look?”

  “Like you’re about to commit murder,” she grinned. “You don’t have to worry about competition. He moved to the east coast. I wouldn’t even call it a relationship. I think his term was serial monogamy.” He gave a tight nod, wondering how he would have handled the situation if Gabby was actually seeing someone. Probably not well. Yup, not well at all.

  “Does it bother you that I work with men?”

  “As long as no one hits on you and … I hate it,” he gritted. “That you share a locker with guys. That they see you naked.” Declan swore his eyes actually bled red.

  Seeing his reaction, a corner of her lip tipped up.

  “I’m not finding this funny,” he growled.

  She burst out laughing and sat up. “I was just pulling your leg. The women’s area is sectioned off. Guys don’t see us naked.”

  His chest whooshed with relief, but the predator in him was poked.

  “Why you—” He dragged her back to the couch and started tickling.

  “Dec, stop! I’m sorry.” But she started laughing that tinkling laughter that warmed his heart and held a direct line to his dick.

  He was about to kiss her when they both heard a sound. Declan grabbed his phone and checked the surveillance app. It was the garage, and the volume on the television had muffled its sound.

  “Theo and Levi are back.”

  “They’re early.” Apprehension suffused her face.

  “It’ll be fine.”

  “Remember what we talked about.”

  Declan didn’t say anything.

  “Dec,” she censured.

  “We’re not gonna hide what’s happening between us,” he said. “But I’m not gonna grab your ass in front of him.”

  She rolled her eyes.

  The next episode started playing. “It’s started.”

  Gabby’s attention was drawn to the garage.

  He nudged her. “It’s best if we act as if nothing happened. That our son didn’t throw a tantrum. At least, I think that’s what we’re supposed to do.” It was like the blind leading the blind. “Got me?”

  She blew out a breath and sat back on the couch, six inches away from him.

  A few minutes later, Theo walked in.

  Both Declan and Gabby turned and said “hey” and turned back to the TV.

  He could feel anxiety rolling off her and didn’t think she was even breathing normally. His hand moved towards hers and touched his pinky to hers. A slow smile started on her face.

  “The party was boring, so I came home,” Theo shared as he walked up to them.

  “Watching Bosch?” Levi asked as he joined them in the living room.

  “Shh …” Gabby said.

  “Aren’t you tired of watching cop shows when you’re a cop?” Theo asked.

  Gabby grabbed the remote and paused the episode. “And don’t you know it’s rude to interrupt someone when they’re binge watching a series?”

  Theo’s mouth twitched. “Mea culpa, sis.”

  Somehow, to Declan’s ears, it was an apology for more than interrupting the show.

  “You guys wanna hang out with us? We can pick a movie to watch instead,” Declan said.

  The teenager shrugged. “Sure.” He eyed the empty bowls on the table. “What did you guys eat?”

  “Made enchiladas,” Declan said, then looked at Levi. “There’s plenty.”

  “Thanks. They served rabbit food over there.” His partner laughed.

  “I can—” Gabby made to get up, but Declan tugged her down. “Levi and Theo can help themselves. Right, guys?”

  “Of course.” His son shrugged again and accompanied Levi to the kitchen.

  He yanked Gabby to his side. “Relax.” He murmured into her ear. “See, I told you it’ll be fine.”

  “I just don’t know how to do this mommy shit,” Gabby hissed.

  They both gave a puff of laughter. Declan pulled up the selections of the net streaming providers and brought up a list of new releases.

  When Theo and Levi returned from the kitchen, they didn’t only bring back their dinners but some chips, dips, and beer.

  They argued about what to watch, but the guys let Gabby win.

  The midnight hour was about to strike, and the tumultuous day ended on a high note.

  19

  “I need a tuxedo.”

  Gabby looked up from her laptop and took off her reading glasses. Theo was standing in front of her with his arms crossed. His stance was so similar to his dad’s
when he was telling her something important that she knew she had to give him her full attention before any other information was forthcoming. Being his father’s son definitely had its advantages when it came to deciphering body language.

  “What’s so funny?” the teenager demanded.

  “Nothing. Tuxedo—don’t you have like ten of them?”

  He rolled his eyes and before he could respond, Emma came up behind him and wrapped her arms around his torso. The puzzle of the boy’s difficult behavior two nights prior before he left for the Revenant party was solved. It wasn’t about Gabby and Declan getting together, it was because he was having girl problems. Levi hinted that her boy made up with Emma at the party which explained his good mood when he came home. Though Theo made an effort to spend movie night with them, he spent half the film texting someone with that mysterious smile Gabby knew so well.

  She’d been in love and a teenager once.

  “He has six,” Emma piped in. “Still one too many if you ask me.”

  “But I’m a presenter,” Theo protested. “And I’ve outgrown half of them.” He puffed up his chest and this time it was Emma who rolled her eyes.

  “Don’t you have a new gown for every awards show,” Theo added.

  “It’s different for the ladies,” Emma said, grinning at Gabby. “Tell him, Ms. Woodward.”

  Gabby dropped her gaze to the screen and coughed uncomfortably. “Well—”

  “Actually.” Theo snapped his fingers like he had an epiphany. Gabby’s eyes pulled back to him at the sound and he pointed at her. “You, sis, need a new wardrobe.”

  Oh, hell to the fucking no.

  Emma clasped her hands together. “Oh, that’s exciting.” The teenage girl gave Gabby a once-over, at least what she could see from her sitting on the couch. Gabby was wearing gray sweatpants and a well-worn LAPD sweatshirt.

  “Why do I get the feeling,” Gabby said slowly, “that I’m being set-up? And if you need a tuxedo, I’m sure you have a personal shopper. Or could have them deliver it.”

  “I haven’t had my measurements taken in a few months.” He flexed his arms and shrugged his shoulders the way she’d seen Kelso do when he was showing off his traps.