Such a good man. And I can’t keep him.
“Come on, take the money. Consider it a bonus.” I wave the envelope and immediately feel stupid like I’m offering a treat to a puppy. Only, Trace is a dangerous attack dog. “You know better than anyone, I don’t need the extra money. You’re working this weekend. Consider itovertime pay.”
“And you thinkIneed the money?”
My skin itches in embarrassment. I don’t know Trace’s financial situation. According to Balor, he served eight years in the Irish Defence Forces on a special ops team. He was doing private contract work when I met him in Vegas three years ago. That’s not a seven-figure-CEO job, but my family pays their guards well.Reallywell.
“You certainly don’t look like you’re starving, but you’re paid to watch over me.” I shrug. “Split it with Rhys, who I’m sure didn’t think he’d be sitting in East End Long Island summer traffic with a man in his trunk.”
“Rhys is like me. We go where we’re called, and we don’t ask questions.” He reaches to take the envelope but grips my wrist instead.
A shock of lust storms through me. His fingers magically interlock with mine, drawing a look between us. Oh God, I have to hide how he makes me feel. He’s a sinful indulgence, and I don’t need him tempting my neglected body.
With Archer now gone for good, it’s time to face facts that I had my last shot at a husband and family, even if it meant being a stepmother. I wasted eight years waiting for that man.
Trace pulls me with him, and I go willingly, walking through a maze of dark corridors in this beach-front venue.
I imagine riding him in a dark, coat room, moans rising from our mouths.
Christ, what am I thinking? He’s been here for six hours, and I’m already visualizing him inside me. To be physical with a bodyguard is dangerous on several levels. It compromises their protection. Loss of focus and obsessiveness clouds the mind. That’s when people make mistakes.
In Vegas, we were just us. Old friends.
“Let’s get one thing straight, princess.” Trace pushes me against the nearest wall in a hidden corner. “I’m in charge of your protection for a few days. You do not leave my sight.”
“I assume I’ll be able to shower by myself,” I hear myself say.
“I won’t be turning down an invitation to soap up this banging curvy body, princess. According to the state of Nevada, you’re mine.”
He takes these liberties with me because he’s a Quinlan. I scoff, realizing it’s in their blood to go after the forbidden.
“As if you can handle me,” I challenge. “Sober.”
“Handleyou?” He drags his gaze up and down my body. “When I have my way with you again, Iwillleave you a wrung-out, sore mess, princess.” He breathes me in. “And my bed’s been cold since that night in Vegas when I fuckedmy wife. I have years to make up for.” His hips press into me, teasing me with a shockingly long and thick erection.
“You sure about that?” I tease back, all while dying inside. “If you’ve been without female company, I’m not sure how wrung out you can make me.”
“Care to make a wager on how long I’ll last?”
“Errr.” Damn him.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and glancing at the number, I see it’s...Lachlan’s burner phone. I wrench back, Lachlan a stark reminder of how forbidden Trace is. Just as he took revenge on Archer for hurting me, my brothers will not appreciate that Trace Quinlan got me drunk and married me.
“I have to take this.”
“Take all the time in the world, princess. I’m not going anywhere.”
CHAPTER NINE
Trace
Shea puts her phone away, her skin pale. “There’s been a shooting... At Lachlan’s wife’s college campus. She was hurt. They’re on their way out here.”
Lachlan showing up is a wrinkle I didn’t count on. There are only two men who scare me. Lachlan O’Rourke is one., Faolan Malone, my old commander, is the other.
“I have to find them someplace to stay.” Shea skirts around me, but I catch her by the arm, her skin as soft and supple as I remember. “Lachlan’s not exactly an easy house guest. He prefers his own space.”
“Where you go, I go.” I pull her in close to me.