His To Protect (Elite Force Security Book 2), page 5
Kenzie’s different. A small voice pushed its way through the fog clouding his head. Ending their kiss was the last thing he wanted, but if he didn’t do it now, he wouldn’t be able to. Ryan allowed himself one last brush across her lips before pulling away and hoped she didn’t look any lower than his chest, because she’d never miss the erection straining against his shorts.
When she met his gaze and he saw the same fire raging inside him reflected in her eyes, the desire to strip her naked and lay her down on the ground only intensified. “Still friends?” As if it had a mind of its own, his hand lingered in her hair, loving the way the soft strands cascaded over his skin.
Slowly, she traced her index finger along his jaw and then continued down his neck before settling on the rapid pulse in his neck. “For now. But if you do that every time one of your friends is upset with you, we will have a problem.”
“I’ll remember that.” If he kissed her mouth again, it’d be all over, so instead he took her hand and pressed his lips against her palm.
Despite the lack of candles, Ryan offered to sing “Happy Birthday.” Much to his relief, she insisted it wasn’t necessary, because him singing wouldn’t be a pleasant experience for anyone present. And today had been all about making Kenzie’s birthday special.
After cutting two large slices of cake, he switched on the large outdoor television mounted to the house.
“It’s not the same as being there, but I thought we could watch the ball game out here. If you want to do something else, just say the word.” He knew what he’d rather be doing, but he didn’t think it was an option tonight.
“Depends. If I wasn’t here, would you be watching the game?”
Digging his fork into the cake, Ryan shook his head. “Nah. I only watch Boston’s games, when I can get them.”
“Then let’s skip it.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. We’re going to the game next weekend.” She licked the frosting off her finger before taking another forkful of cake.
The baseball game would have kept her there for a few more hours. With it off the table, there was nothing to keep her around once she finished the cake, and it might make him a selfish SOB, but he wasn’t ready to call it a night. “Interested in a movie?”
“Sure. What do you have?”
More like what didn’t he have. He’d always been a movie buff and had everything from classic black-and-white films to the latest box office hits. “A little of everything. Name a genre and I’ll tell you what I have.”
“Musicals.”
He couldn’t tell if she was serious or not. “Sorry. No musicals.”
“They’re not my thing either. I was just curious.” She took another forkful of cake. “How about something with a little suspense?”
That he could do. “Do you want something recent or an older movie?”
Kenzie considered his question before answering. “Older. Maybe a Hitchcock movie if you have one.”
“I have most of his movies. Which one do you want to see?” His mom was a Hitchcock fan, and she’d introduced him to the man’s movies.
“Do you have North by Northwest?”
It wasn’t his favorite, but he enjoyed it. Picking up the remote, he logged into his movie collection and hit Play.
Next to him, she took a final forkful of cake before setting the rest aside. “If you have most of his movies, you must be a Hitchcock fan. What’s your favorite?”
“I’d have to go with Rear Window.” More than half his cake remained, but with her so close, he wouldn’t pass on an opportunity to touch her. After putting his plate on a table, Ryan slipped his arm over her shoulders. And as if they’d sat like this a hundred times, she immediately leaned against him.
“Probably my third favorite. North by Northwest is at the top of my list, followed by Vertigo.” Kenzie rested her head on his shoulder, where it seemed to fit perfectly in the hollow between his shoulder and neck.
On the screen, the opening scene played out. “Any plans for tomorrow after work?”
“My parents are coming up for my birthday and staying the night.”
Looked like he might visit with Spike and his family tomorrow after all.
“They’re taking me to Fleming’s Grill for dinner. Come with us.”
He hadn’t met a woman’s parents since his senior year of college. Most of the women he’d dated since then hadn’t been looking for anything but some fun and sex. Until recently he’d been content with that. Not anymore. Since his sister gave birth to her second child back in February, he’d started to notice all the things both she and their older brother had and he didn’t. The minivan he’d pass on, but a partner to share his life with, he’d take.
“Are you sure they won’t mind?” Judging by what she’d told him, she had a close relationship with her parents. They might not like some random dude suddenly showing up for a special dinner with their baby girl.
“Positive. My parents should be here around five.” Lifting her head, she kissed his cheek. “I’ll need some time to get ready after work, but I should be done by about four. Come on over anytime after then.”
Looked like tomorrow he was meeting Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong. “Will do.” With her lips so close to his, he couldn’t resist kissing her.
Chapter Five
Before leaving for work, Kenzie let her parents know she’d invited someone special to join them tonight for dinner. And no question about it, Ryan was special. Long after she’d left his house last night and climbed into bed, she reflected on the effort he’d put in to make the day special. Other than her parents, she couldn’t remember anyone ever working so hard to make sure she enjoyed her birthday, and she had some incredibly thoughtful friends and relatives.
Thanks to Ryan’s actions and knee-melting kisses, Kenzie assumed they’d crossed from the “let’s see if we like each other” stage to the “no longer dating other people” stage. The fact he’d agreed to dinner with her parents tonight supported her assumption. Generally, she hated to assume anything. At the same time, asking Ryan if she was his girlfriend struck her as something thirteen-year-old girls did, so at least for the time being, she’d assume and hope she didn’t make an ass of herself in the end.
With a towel wrapped around her body, Kenzie checked her wristwatch on the nightstand before opening the closet door and revealing her somewhat limited wardrobe. Her idea of getting dressed up involved a pair of jeans and a nice top rather than a T-shirt. Unfortunately, jeans were out tonight. Although the Fleming Grill didn’t require evening gowns and tuxedos, you didn’t walk inside looking like you just came from a shopping trip to the mall.
Kenzie pushed aside the heavy sweaters hanging up, along with her ski jacket and favorite Washington Nationals sweatshirt. She’d never been big into wearing dresses and skirts. Even as a child when she played dress-up, she’d skipped the princess gowns and opted for either the doctor scrubs or the firefighter jacket, and forget about wearing tights. The only year she’d taken dance, she’d been forced to wear tights to every class and to the recital. After that year, she’d tossed out all her tights, dived into team sports, and never looked back. Her view on the offending piece of clothing hadn’t changed since then either. She didn’t even own a pair of pantyhose, and nowadays the tightest article of clothing she wore were the occasional leggings.
Sundresses were the one exception. Since she could keep her legs bare under them, she owned several and wore them often in the summer. While some of the ones in her closet were far too casual for dinner tonight, a few would do. Kenzie pulled out the floral lilac one she’d purchased back in June when she took her goddaughter shopping. After cutting the tags off, she tossed it on the bed and went in search of underwear. When it came to clothes, she opted for ones that were comfortable and practical. Her choice in underwear followed the same logic. She’d tried thongs and found nothing comfortable about a piece of fabric stuck between her butt cheeks all day long. Give her a pair of cotton bikini briefs and she was happy. The same was true of her bras. She didn’t want some padded contraption pushing her boobs up to her chin. Regardless of her preference for everyday wear, she owned a handful of lacy thongs and hip huggers and their matching bras. She only wore them when she expected someone besides her to see them. Last night she’d considered putting on a matching set, but in the end, opted to stick with her usual. It turned out to be the right move, because Ryan never attempted to get her out of her shorts and T-shirt—a fact that raised a whole host of emotions, including disappointment and surprise.
She didn’t make a habit of sleeping with every man she went on a date with. However, if Ryan had taken things between them further last night like she suspected he wanted to, she wouldn’t have stopped him even though they hadn’t been dating long. And there wasn’t a doubt in her mind he’d wanted to have sex last night. She’d tried not to stare, but there had been no missing the erection he suffered with through much of the movie. Later, when he walked her home and pulled her against him, she’d felt it pressing into her lower belly. In fact, she’d almost invited him in so they could satisfy the desire they were both dealing with, because he hadn’t been the only one. She was turned on almost to the breaking point by the time they arrived at her front door. Sure, they’d turned on a movie, but they hadn’t simply sat there and watched it from beginning to end. Instead, they’d taken breaks from what was on the screen to engage in more pleasurable and heart-racing ways of passing the time.
Closing her eyes, Kenzie could almost feel his fingers teasing her nipple again as he demonstrated what a master he was when it came to kissing. She’d had her first boyfriend at sixteen, so she’d kissed her fair share of guys. None had ever kissed her in such a way that her entire body responded. Somehow Ryan had managed it.
Although only a delightful memory, her nipples responded, straining against the bath towel, begging for Ryan’s touch. Yup, if he’d stripped her bare last night, she wouldn’t have stopped him. When he finished, she would’ve returned the favor and helped him out of his shorts and T-shirt.
In her head, the memory of him touching her breasts ended and her imagination took over. Rather than keeping the evening PG-rated, Ryan tugged both their clothes off before pleasuring her with his mouth and tongue, his barely-there beard brushing against the sensitive skin on her inner thighs as he did. Then while she still rode the high of her orgasm, he joined their bodies and took her over the top again. Taking in a slow breath, she allowed her imagination to keep going. It didn’t disappoint. Now, instead of Ryan pleasuring her, she set about seeing to his needs.
The sound of a sleigh bell intruded on the X-rated daydream, and Kenzie opened her eyes. The whole thing might have happened in her head, but her body ached for Ryan’s hands and mouth. She might daydream from time to time, but they were never erotic. Considering the way she felt at the moment, it was a good thing her imagination usually stayed kid friendly.
When she picked up her cell phone, a picture of a cartoon butt dancing greeted her. She didn’t need to check the number to know who the text message was from. Only Megan would send her a dancing butt instead of a hello. A message from her cousin appeared on the screen before Kenzie typed any kind of reply.
Do you have time to talk? I want to know how your date was last night.
They never managed to keep a conversation less than thirty minutes, and she didn’t have that kind of time right now. Ryan, as well as her parents, would be there soon, and thanks to her X-rated daydream, she wasn’t even dressed.
Not really, my parents will be here soon. I’ll call you tomorrow.
A pair of pouting lips appeared on the screen followed by another message.
Okay, but at least tell me if you had a good time.
“Good” didn’t adequately describe the day. Even “great” wasn’t quite right, but for now, it would have to suffice because a better one didn’t come to mind.
I had a great time. Tell you about it later.
I’m glad. Look forward to hearing about it. Say hi to your parents for me.
Will do.
Setting the device down, she went back to getting ready before she again got distracted by her vivid imagination. A mix of various colors stared back up at her from the drawer. For a moment, her hand hovered over the pale pink lacy thong. Then she pushed it aside and grabbed a pair of cotton panties instead. Even if Ryan came back to her house after dinner, her parents were spending the night. She might be an adult and this might be her house, but she still didn’t want her parents sleeping down the hall while she and Ryan had sex for the first time. Something told her Ryan would have a similar view. Going back to his house instead would solve that problem, but ditching her parents who had driven up for her birthday so she could get laid was out of the question.
After fastening a necklace around her neck, Kenzie moved in front of the mirror. A sight she wasn’t all too familiar with greeted her. Unlike most days, her hair wasn’t pulled back in a ponytail or bun so it wouldn’t fall in her face all day and drive her crazy. Instead, thanks to a hairdryer—which it had taken ten minutes to find because it had been so long since she last used it—and a styling brush, it hung around her shoulders in gentle waves. While she wore a touch of makeup to work every day, she never bothered with anything around her eyes, and forget about lipstick. On the rare occasion she wore the stuff, it was all over the rim of her travel coffee mug by the time she got to the clinic, so she saw no reason to bother with it. Today she’d gone all out though, and thanks to her cousin’s lessons she didn’t look like a three-year-old who’d gotten into her mother’s makeup bag.
Turning away from the mirror, she looked at Marley. At the moment, he was playing with a miniature rubber tire on the floor, oblivious to anything else. “What do you think, Marley?” At the sound of his name, he looked up, cocked his head and one ear, then went back to what he’d been doing.
“I will take that as a compliment.”
From the other side of the door, Ryan heard Marley barking, letting Kenzie and their neighbors know someone had rung her doorbell. Raking a hand through his hair, he glanced around for any approaching cars. Although he’d intended to skip the gym and mow his grass before going over to Kenzie’s at four, well before her parents arrived, it hadn’t happened. Instead, he’d agreed to meet Keith at the gym for a few rounds on the mats, a decision he was regretting now. Not only did a traffic backup cause him to get home later than he’d planned, but thanks to Keith’s elbow he had a fabulous black eye. Meeting your girlfriend’s parents, or whatever label she wanted him to use, with a black eye was not the best way to make a good first impression. If the bruise wasn’t bad enough, he still had a heavy metal drummer going at it in his head thanks to his sparring session with Keith, despite the ibuprofen he’d taken before he jumped in the shower. Perhaps the only consolation to the events of the day so far was that Keith hadn’t walked away unscathed either.
When Kenzie opened the door, she didn’t greet him with a kiss like he’d hoped she would or even a hello. “Yikes. What happened to you?” She touched his cheek just below the bruise and searched his face for any other injuries while Marley came forward and nudged his leg, looking for some attention.
“I sparred with Keith today, and I didn’t get my face out of the way fast enough.” Perhaps if his head had been on the mats instead of on Kenzie and how perfectly her breast had fit in his hand last night, he would have avoided his buddy’s elbow. Then again, maybe not—when it came to ground fighting, Keith was one of the best in the group.
Taking his hand, she drew him inside and closed the door. “Is that the only place he got you?”
“If I say no, will you feel obligated to give me a complete physical and take care of my injuries?” Yesterday Keith had teased him about playing doctor with Kenzie, and he couldn’t think of a more pleasurable way to spend the rest of the evening.
Releasing his hand, she smiled, and it was like Keith had sucker-punched him in the gut. Explaining the effect Kenzie’s smile had on him was beyond his capabilities, so Ryan didn’t even bother to analyze it. Instead, he planted a kiss on her parted lips. Pulling her in closer, he slipped his hands over her bare shoulders and down the portion of her back left exposed by her sundress. Beneath his hands, fabric replaced her smooth skin, and he continued south until his palms settled on her exquisite ass. Much like her breasts and smile, visions of her ass had kept him hard long past the time she left last night.
Kenzie groaned when he gave her ass a little squeeze; then she pulled her mouth away. “I would, but we don’t have time.”
Reaching between them, she ran her fingers down his chest and stomach. She’d done something similar last night, and he’d thought she intended to unfasten the button of his shorts. Unfortunately, she’d only let her fingers linger near his waistband before reversing the trip and settling on his shoulder. This time, her fingers didn’t linger. They slipped past his belt buckle, and her palm settled over his zipper.
Rubbing her hand against him, she held his gaze. “But I wish we did.”
If he didn’t stop her, he would embarrass himself or worse, because in another minute or two he was going to push her dress up around her waist and make love to her against the wall. But damn, her hand felt good against him, and removing it went against every cell in his body. While he still had the willpower, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand away. If he had any hope of behaving himself between now and when her parents arrived, he needed to start a conversation.
“You look beautiful.” The dress clung to her breasts and put just enough skin on display to tease him and any other guy looking her way. And every time another dude glanced at her, he’d have to resist the urge to rip his arm off, an urge he’d experienced many times while they’d toured the botanical garden. He’d never thought of himself as the jealous type, but each time a guy’s eyes lingered on her yesterday, the primitive emotion had reared its head.
