Paradise Ties: A Fortis Security Novella: Book 8.5 Page 9

  “And on that note, I’m going to go and collect my fiancée and children and go back to the suite for a quiet night.” He jumped off the stage and walked towards the exit, needing to hold Lauren and the kids and be with them tonight. Today could’ve ended so differently.

  “Dane, remind Lauren we have a final walk-through with the wedding co-ordinators tomorrow,” Lucy called.

  Dane waved his arm in the air to acknowledge he heard. “Will do.”

  He would, but first he wanted to kiss her until she lost all thought of the danger they’d faced today.

  Chapter 13

  No matter how many times Dane put his life on the line, Lauren would never get used to it. That didn’t mean she’d ever let him see her worried. The last thing he needed when on a mission was to worry about her.

  When he’d called to say he and the others were okay, the nervous nausea in her belly dissipated. She’d seen the same relief with Ava, Meg, and Lizzie. They all felt the same and while they could discuss their fears among themselves, they never would with the men they loved. This group of women had become her family, her sisters in so many ways.

  Roz plopped down beside her on the sand. The air was still warm and light as she waited for Dane to finish up and collect her. “You good?”

  She turned and looked at the woman who had changed so much in the past year yet had retained her badass attitude. “Yeah, I’m good. Just relieved everyone is okay. It could have turned out a lot different.”

  Roz looked out towards the sea. “It could have. Lucky for the hostages we were here. I guess your wedding was fate.”

  Lauren laughed. “Maybe but I would’ve preferred it not to be.”

  Roz turned to her and tilted her head. “No, I don’t think so. If you’d known, you still would have come here because you know if you hadn’t, a good many people would have died here today.”

  Lauren released a deep sigh as she processed the words. “I guess you’re right. The people we love are protectors. We love that about them, so we take the fear as part of the package.”

  “Don’t ever underestimate your role in this, Lauren. You give him a reason to wake up in the morning and a reason to come home. That’s more precious than any gift.”

  Lauren smiled at Roz. “You’re a good person, Roz.”

  She turned to watch Natalia and Katarina who were building sandcastles with Noah and Riley and shook her head. “No, I’m not, but I’m getting there.”

  Lauren stood at the sound of approaching vehicles, a smile on her face as Dane and Drew stepped out from the first car and Zack and Daniel from the second. She watched as Dane scanned the beach until he found her, a smile slipping over his features. She felt a rush of love for the man who had saved her so many times, offered her his heart, and promised her a future she’d never thought possible.

  Her feet were moving, and he caught her up in his strong arms when she reached him. Her head buried in his neck and she let the feel of his body envelope her. Instantly she felt it—the pain he was hiding from her. Her body tensed, and he held her tighter.

  “I’m okay, babe. Just got a bullet to the chest plate and it bruised like a bitch.”

  Lauren stayed silent and thought back to her conversation with Roz. She could do this for him, could remain calm and help him heal. Give him what he gave her, which was peace and security. “I guess I’d better get my hands on you tonight then. Because tomorrow you’re sleeping with Jace in his suite.”

  Dane pulled back and looked down at her, his face a mix of irritation and acceptance. “Is this my sister’s doing?”

  “’Fraid so, buster. So, you best make the most of being a sinner with me tonight before we get all legal and proper.”

  His face softened as he slid his big, calloused hands up to her face, cupping her cheeks. “Babe, I’d follow you into hell if it meant just one night with you. But Mrs Bennett sounds awesome, so I’ll relent on one condition.” He leaned over then and whispered in her ear causing her to blush at the condition he requested. Lauren dropped her eyes as she tried to get herself together. “Hey.” He used his thumb to tilt her head to him. “What is it?”

  “Nothing. I just love you so much.” Her hand rested over the top of his, and she leaned into it.

  “I love you too, Lauren. More than you’ll ever know.”

  “I know, Dane. I know because I love you the same way. Like you’re the air I breathe.”

  He lowered his head and his lips found hers in a soft, tender kiss that spoke of all their emotions. It was hot and deep and ended all too soon. Dane pulled away and she could feel the ache between her legs for this man’s touch. She read the same need in his hooded eyes, heavy with desire for her.

  “Time to go.”

  His voice was gravel and glass with need and Lauren could hardly speak. He set her back and waited for a beat until her suddenly shaky legs held her. He gave her a sexy, knowing smile, confident with the effect he had on her as he went to retrieve their sleeping children from the beach shack. Tonight she’d show him how much she loved him, pour all her worry and fear into making him feel good.

  “Lauren!”

  She turned as Drew called her. He looked exhausted, but there had been a disconnect between them of late that left her unsure of her place in her baby brother’s life. “Yes?” Her smile was open as he walked towards her, the limp more pronounced after the exhausting day.

  He stopped in front of her, looking nervous. “I just wanted to say I’m sorry.”

  Lauren frowned. “Sorry? Sorry for what?”

  “Being an asshole.”

  Lauren shook her head. “I don’t understand. You haven’t been an asshole.”

  “Yes, I have. I pushed away your concerns over my injuries. I locked you out and wouldn’t talk to you about how I was feeling about Rhea, about Dad.” He pointed at his leg. “And then about this. I let you down, and you didn’t deserve it. All you ever did was offer me love and support, and I threw it back in your face. I fucked up and not just with you, with the others too.”

  “Oh, Drew.” She went into his open arms, laying her head on his broad chest. “You could never let me down. I love you, and maybe I pushed too hard because I guess this brother thing is new to me too, but don’t ever think you let me down.” She raised her head to look into eyes so much like her own. “I am so damn proud of the man you’ve become. Despite our father, despite our disgusting genes, we turned out pretty good. And your leg does not define you. What you’ve managed to achieve over the past six months is nothing short of heroic.”

  “Thank you, Lauren. I’m going to try and be the brother that deserves you from now on.”

  “You already are the brother I deserve and so much more. If I had a choice of all the men in the world, I’d pick you.” They hadn’t asked him to be the twin’s Godfather yet as their relationship had been too rocky, but she now knew it was what she wanted more than anything else.

  “Will you be Leah and Aaron’s Godfather?” She felt tears in her eyes and saw them reflected in his.

  “It would be my honour.” He wiped a tear that had broken out and was trailing down her cheek. “Now stop crying before Dane beats the crap out of me for upsetting you.”

  Lauren laughed and brushed the tears away. “He wouldn’t, he loves you like a brother too.”

  “I know he does, which means sibling rules apply and he can and will definitely kick my ass.”

  “Okay, then you best get moving before he sees.”

  Drew leaned in and kissed her forehead before smiling and stepping away.

  Lauren watched him walk towards Dane and pick Aaron up from his bed. Her son instantly nestled against his uncle, knowing with the innocence only a child had that he was safe.

  For the first time since the accident took his leg, Lauren felt like she was getting her brother back. A feeling of rightness settled over her. It was going to be okay—he was going to be okay. She sensed the weight that had been hanging over her lift.

  *
* *

  Tipping her head back, Lucy let the hot water wash the dirt and grime and fear from her body. Lathering her hair in coconut shampoo, she let the smell of sunshine and relaxation seep into her body and let go of the day’s tension.

  Lucy had never really considered how Jace felt when she put herself in danger. He had never asked her to not go on a mission or to step back from the constant threat she faced. Her family hadn’t known she worked for Roz until after the fact, so it’d never been a consideration. When she signed on with Fortis, her skills had evolved, and her jobs had been less dangerous.

  When she and Jace got together, they’d never discussed it. He supported her and she supported him. They were a team but today was a mirror that showed her how her being in danger affected him. Watching the man she loved prepare to sacrifice himself to save her had broken the dam, and now she saw things clearly. She’d desperately wanted to protect him, to stand between him and danger. That was how he must feel every single time she put herself in danger. Yet he’d never said a thing, never asked her to step back or not to go. He’d stood beside her as the bullets flew.

  Stepping out of the shower, she wrapped a towel around her body. Dragging a comb through her wet hair, she left it to air dry in the evening heat. Jace was on a day bed by the pool, whisky in hand and watching the lights from the yacht out at sea.

  He heard her move and tipped his head back to look at her. “Hey.”

  She sat down beside him, and he lifted his arm so she could crawl beneath it. His body felt warm beneath her hands. His naked chest had the scent of his shower gel, and it comforted her and turned her on at the same time.

  “Feel better?”

  Lucy nodded. “Yes, a shower always helps.”

  They lay in silence, peaceful as their bodies settled against each other, minds a thousand miles away as they watched the waves roll in and gently hit the shore. “Are we going to talk about it?” she asked finally.

  Jace took a sip of his drink, his body tensing beneath her. “Nothing to talk about.”

  Lucy pulled away and looked at him. “Don’t do that, Jace. Don’t shut me out.”

  Jace got up and went the bar to pour another drink, lifting the bottle to offer her one. Lucy shook her head.

  Jace retraced his steps and sat on the edge of the bed, facing her. “What do you want from me, Luce? I can’t apologise for wanting to protect you. I spend my life trying to make sure I’m not treating you like you’re weak or incompetent. I know you’re more than capable, probably more than most men I know. But up here,” he said, tapping his head, “up here, you’re mine, and I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t want to raise hell just to keep you safe. That’s me, that’s who I am.”

  Lucy leaned forward and grabbed the hand that had been tapping his head, bringing it to her lips. “I know that, Jace. I love the man you are, and I love how you support me every step of the way. Today made me realise that perhaps I don’t always appreciate that. The man I love and want to spend my life with is a protector, and it’s time I started letting him be who he is.”

  “What’re you saying, Luce?”

  “I’m saying that although I don’t plan to change my job, which I love, or be someone I’m not, I will take your feelings into account and talk with you before I take on jobs or go running into danger. Watching you on the ground today, knowing there was the genuine possibility that you could die, was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But it made me realise that you feel that tenfold.”

  Jace stroked her cheek with his hand. His eyes seared into her soul with all the love she knew he felt for her. “I love you, Luce. You’ve owned my heart since the day we met, and I don’t want it back, not now and not ever.”

  “I love you too, and I promise that no matter what happens in the future, I’ll always be by your side.”

  “That’s all I ask, babe.”

  He leaned down and placed the glass on the ground before moving over her, pushing her body flat against the day bed. His hand flicked open the towel, exposing her needy body to his hungry eyes. Luce let her legs fall open, allowing him to settle against her where she needed him most.

  “How about we make the most of our last night together as single people?” His grin was sexy and suggestive as he twirled a fingertip over the tight nub of her nipple.

  “I say…what’re you waiting for?” Her voice was husky with desire. His returning smile made her want to moan, he was so devastatingly handsome.

  “That’s my girl. What do you need from me, baby? Hard and fast or long and slow?”

  Luce didn’t need time to consider. “Long and slow.”

  “You got it, baby.”

  Jace dipped his head and took his time kissing her, building the need between them until all she could do was hold on and trust he’d give her what she needed. Her hands moved over his back, touching his hot skin, loving the feel of rippling muscles under her fingers as he moved to awaken every fibre of her body.

  Jace kissed his way down her neck, over her collarbone and across the swell of her breasts before pulling the hard, sensitive nub into his mouth. He teased her until she was writhing against him, her hands gripping the firm cheeks of his ass through his gym shorts as her legs held him prisoner against her body. Her body was alive, every nerve and every pulse pounding for what only he could give her.

  “What do you need, baby?”

  “I need your cock,” she demanded on a breathy whimper.

  His chuckle was sexy and deep. “Then take it.”

  Lucy slid her hand in the front of his shorts and gripped the hard length of his cock, his hiss of pleasure making her feel powerful. This man, deadly and lethal, showed his weakness at her hands. She moved with firm strokes and watched as he arched his strong neck, his head thrown back as he rose above her body. Seeing him like this turned her on, almost as much as his hands on her did.

  He pulled back and she released him as he looked down at her with dark, hooded eyes. “Take them off me.”

  Lucy scooted her hands until his shorts were below his knees and his cock was bobbing hard against the lean muscle of his belly. He kicked them away and grinned as he lowered his head to kiss his way down her body. His hands were firm and sure as they stroked and teased her.

  “Jace, please.”

  “Please what?” He kissed the inside of her thigh, nipping at the silky skin with his teeth.

  “I need your mouth on my pussy,” she said, giving him what he needed.

  He’d once confessed one of his favourite things was when she talked dirty to him. Then she couldn’t think at all as his mouth found her pussy, making her desperate for the climax that was just out of reach. He pushed two fingers into her wet pussy and rubbed her G-spot, and she saw stars.

  White lights of pleasure skated her vision as pleasure so intense and consuming she thought she might pass out ploughed through her. When her breathing began to settle and the keening noise had left her, she released her grip on his head.

  He lifted his head and the desire on his face was so erotic she felt her pussy spasm with aftershocks. Kissing his way up her body, he sealed his lips on hers and she could taste herself on his tongue. Her body heated with renewed desire.

  “I’m going to make love to you until all you remember about today is how my cock felt inside you.”

  “Yes,” she whimpered.

  Lifting, Jace moved her onto her side and placed his thick thighs on either side of her bottom leg. Holding the other up in the air, he wrapped it around his hip as he slid inside her heat, a slow, single stroke until she was full with him. He caressed the skin on her thigh as he rocked his hips slowly in and out of her body, and she felt an orgasm begin to build again.

  “You feel like heaven,” he rasped out, his voice gravelly.

  Lucy couldn’t speak, focusing on the building pleasure. His finger against her clit was her undoing, spinning her into another climax that ebbed over her and left her shuddering with sensation after sensation.

 
Jace picked up his rhythm, fucking her through her climax before finding his own. His body stiffening as he spilt his seed inside her. He collapsed slightly before rolling off and gathering her into his arms against his body.

  Lucy nestled against him, listening to the beat of his heart against her ear. This, being right here in his arms, was heaven. She was satiated from the orgasms he’d given her, from the knowledge he was hers and she was his, and because she’d be his wife in thirty-six hours.

  Chapter 14

  “Wakey, wakey, rise and shine.”

  Jace opened his eyes and saw a mug of coffee hovering in his vision. Instead of it being the beautiful face of the woman he loved waking him up, it was Jack. He sat up slowly, eyes bleary from sinking one too many last night, and took the proffered cup of steaming coffee from his cousin.

  “So today is the day,” Jack said, pulling open the blinds which make Jace blink at the brightness. “Have to say I didn’t think it would happen. Saw you pine over that woman for years, never getting your head out of your ass and then boom. It’s on.”

  Jace thought about marrying the most wonderful woman in the world today and smiled. “Yeah, well for a while I didn’t think it would either.”

  Jack walked to the door and stopped, “I’m happy for you cous. She’s one hell of a woman, and you’re a lucky man.”

  “Thanks, Jack.”

  Jack nodded. “Now get your lazy ass up, time is wasting.”

  Jace took a sip of the too-dark brew and grimaced. His cousin drank his coffee like sludge, said it matched his black heart. Jace knew better, he knew the man who’d throw himself over a stranger to save their life. He hoped one day Jack would find what he and Lucy had.

  At the sound of voices on the deck, he got up and pulled on a pair of shorts. He would shower later, right now he needed to make sure Dane wasn’t ready to kill someone. Being apart from Lauren was not something he’d been happy about last night.

  His phone pinged with a text, and he picked it up.