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“Why don’t I believe you?” he protested. “And for the record, Tobin, your doctor has a mean mule kick. I’d watch that shit if I were you.”
Cherise
Malaysia’s long, sensual form ascended the stairs and had me sort of jealous. I would never have that type of body, I was all short curves. Weirdly, she preferred my short curves. Tobin wasn’t paying her the least bit of attention. Gently propelling me into the house slightly ahead of him, his hands and eyes roaming over me and the tops of my plump ass insinuated he was just fine with my body type. I invited them to the sofa then went off to the kitchen to exhume beverages from the fridge.
As I carried bottles of foreign beer and glasses of champagne in the living area, Malaysia made her way back down the stairs. The guys’ heads went in two different directions, Andre towards Malaysia, who didn’t return the favor. Tobin damned near liquefied me with his heated gaze. It was a blessing to make it to the coffee table with the drinks without spilling a drop. Passing the beer to the men, I sat beside Tobin with my champagne.
In a Bohemian dress, Malaysia snagged herself a glass of bubbly, taking her place across the room on the loveseat by herself. “What happened tonight?”
Andre didn’t give anyone else the chance to speak. “Chad showed up. Tobin ran after him. I got stuck with Cherise. She kicked me for not letting her go with Tobin. Chad got away because he left his truck running for that purpose. I think he’d have snatched Cherise if given the chance. Somebody needs to find out where the hell Chad is holed up in Long Island. The man is appearing out of thin air and vanishing into it. I hate being on the defensive.” The offensive sounded pretty damn good right now.
Tobin took a swig of beer. “What Andre said.”
A discussion ensued of how to go about pinning down Chad’s hidey-hole and his ass to a wall. One o’clock in the morning hit. I didn’t know that until Tobin was carrying me up to my room. The last thing I remembered was leaning my head on his shoulder to rest my eyes that had grown heavy.
Tobin mounted the final step with me in his arms. “Woke now, sleepyhead?”
Very aware of morning breath’s existence and my contentment in his arms, I yawned into the valley of his enormous pectorals in case I had a severe case of stank mouth. “Yes, I’m sort of woke now. Where is everyone else?”
He veered to the right into my bedroom that was extra dark with the curtains pulled. “Andre just left. Malaysia went to bed about an hour ago.”
“An hour? Why didn’t you wake me? I’m shocked she didn’t wake me herself.” And put them out on their asses with no preamble.
Tobin set me down on my feet. “Nobody wanted to wake you. She said she’d trust me if I brought you home safe. I did, so I got to watch you sleep without her chaperoning. Besides, you’re not a hellion when you’re sleeping, and I enjoyed watching you rest for a change. I think Andre likes Malaysia.”
I gaped at Tobin. “A hellion?” It didn’t escape me that I had passed out a second time when he was near. The man was better than a lavender bath, and let’s not forget hypnotically alluring. Most importantly, he made me feel secure.
Tobin heaved me against his body, snaking his arms around my back. “Yes, a hellion. I got your number now. You’re innocent, sweet, and professional until provoked. Then, the feet, unicorns, and tiny fists start flying toward people. I’m not surprised I forgot that about you after fifteen years.”
I slapped at his arm. “I’ve never struck anyone in my life.”
He twisted his lips into the ‘Yeah, right’ configuration that everyone understood. “You’d have struck the night we met if things went sideways. I saw it in you, and stupidly, I forgot that about you.”
He had me there. “It’s different when you’re protecting you and yours. I’m usually nonviolent.”
His head dipped, lips resting right against mine. “I don’t remember threatening you tonight either, Cherise, and I still got hit.”
I wrapped my arms around his neck. “You menaced my sanity. That’s worth fighting for, don’t you think?”
“I won’t forget that. It’s your bedtime. Kiss me goodnight,” he uttered just before taking my mouth.
The mind-blowing encounter went on endlessly. That may have been my fault. It wasn’t enough. I hadn’t had my fill of Tobin, hungering for more than his lips. I wanted him here with me, his soul, and his essence. I wanted his lovemaking. Tonight was just as good as any other for that. We didn’t really know how things would turn out with Chad from day-to-day. Sometimes, the bad guys won, and that was why I didn’t want anyone else involved in this situation initially. Did I really want to not be with Tobin in every way I could before Chad made his final play for me? Hell no.
I had better say something before I lost my nerve. “Tobin, stay.”
He brushed the tip of his nose against mine. “Gladly.” Nibbling on my lips, he added, “Go get ready for bed.” That required a trip to my bathroom, where my nightgowns hung behind the door.
Moving sideways into the bathroom, I shut the door to quickly brush my teeth then strip. Tossing every article of clothing I wore in the hamper behind the door, I snatched the smallest, thin-strapped gown off the hook. Towing it over my head, I flipped off the light. Swamped in complete darkness, I was ready to find my way back to the bed from memory. Opening the bathroom door, Tobin had opened the curtains. Moonlight was sneaking in through the window. The silhouette of Tobin became my focal point. He had gotten under my coral duvet, leaning against the headboard with his head cushioned on an arm. I climbed in the bed on the empty side.
Tobin scooted next to me, propping up on a powerful arm. “How do you want to sleep?”
I gazed up at him. “Who said anything about sleeping?”
He chuckled low. “I did. You have to work tomorrow, and you’re tired today.” Not to mention, it had been a long day and complicated night.
I had not one single care about either. “And?”
“And I want you rested so you can protect you right along with me. This is what we’re going to do.” Tobin straddled me.
