Mission: Her Protection (Team 52 #1)(37)

Her eyes looked over her mug. “Nope. I’ve honed it. Wait until I make you my brownies or my home-made chocolate pralines. The health benefits of chocolate are huge. Good source of antioxidants, can lower blood pressure and risk of heart disease, increase brain function.”

He laughed.

She kept staring. “You should do that more often.”

He tilted his head. “What?”

“Laugh.”

He dragged in a breath. “I guess I haven’t had much to laugh about for a long time.” The robe clung to her curves, and Lachlan tried to talk himself out of noticing. Dammit, she’d been hurt. She’d had a really rough few days.

But the desire—strong and unstoppable—hit him hard.

He’d almost lost her today. She’d just barely come back into his life, and—more than once—she’d almost been snatched away. Who the fuck knew what the assholes would have done with her? Lachlan had seen enough shit in his career to know it wouldn’t have been pretty.

His mouth pressed into a flat line. If they came for her again, he’d make them hurt. She was his to keep safe. Even if he had to lock her in his room at the base until this was over.

She looked up at him, her eyes widening. “Lachlan? Are you okay?”

“No.”

He stalked toward her, and she hastily set the mug on the coffee table.

“Do you want to talk?” she asked.

“Hell, no.” He knelt down in front of her again, but this time, he pushed her knees apart and moved closer.

Her robe parted a little, giving him a view of smooth, bare legs. They were slender and toned, and his cock surged.

“Hey.” She gripped the belt. “I’m naked under here.”

He froze. Now, his cock pressed hard against his zipper. He wrapped his hands around her calves and took a deep breath.

Her breathing became uneven. “Lachlan.”

His gaze met hers. She stared at him, straight and direct. Then slowly, he slid his hands up her legs. Her teeth sank into her bottom lip, and as he reached the edge of the robe, he pushed it higher.

“This is probably a bad idea,” she said.

“I think it’s an excellent idea.”

“You told me you didn’t have time for this. For me.”

“I lied.”

Air whistled through her teeth. “You said you had nothing to offer.”

“Changed my mind.”

“What?” Her voice rose. “You can’t just change your mind.”

“I can when I see you get kidnapped. When I see you dangling off a fucking building or diving on drivers of speeding vehicles.”

She licked her lips, her gaze warming. “Lachlan.”

“I need to see you.” He leaned closer, parting the robe farther. “I need to see that you’re okay.”

She fell back against the couch, and the robe fell open, baring her. Damn, she was even prettier than he’d imagined. She had firm curves and toned muscles, but her skin was so pale and smooth. He leaned forward and pressed his mouth to hers. As his tongue stroked hers, she kissed him back.

Lachlan slid his hands down her body, cupping her breasts. “You’re so beautiful, Rowan.”

“No, I’m—”

“Yes.” He rolled her nipple between his fingers. “You are.”

As he played with her breasts, she writhed, pushing into his touch. “Oh, that’s so good.”

He dropped his head, sucking one nipple into his mouth. He played with it, nipping it with his teeth before moving to the other.

“Lachlan.” Her hands tugged on his hair.

He moved lower, sliding his mouth down her belly, scraping his teeth over her skin. She tasted so good, and smelled like his soap again. He nudged her legs apart. She wasn’t wearing any panties and the nest of dark-red curls was so damn pretty. He stroked her.

“Oh, God,” she murmured, jerking against him. “Please.”

“Please what?” He stroked her pink folds. Need slammed into him so hard he couldn’t think straight.

“More,” she panted.

Lachlan dropped his head and pushed her thighs wider apart. He licked her.

“Oh.” Her hips jerked up.

He gripped her thighs, lifting them over his shoulders and holding her in place. He licked and sucked, working her with his tongue. “Taste so good, Rowan. I could stay right here all night.”

He kept licking, learning what strokes she liked best. He closed his mouth over her clit, toying with it, enjoying the hungry noises she made. Then, he went back to lapping, and slid a finger inside her. Damn, she was tight.

Her face was flushed, her eyes glazed. “Please, Lachlan.”

He could feel her body shaking. She was close to coming, and he couldn’t wait to watch.

The doorbell buzzed.

Lachlan cursed. “Shit. That’ll be dinner.”

“No.” Her legs tightened on him, trapping him close to her.

He thrust another finger inside her and leaned forward, licking her clit. “Come for me, Rowan.”

Her hands clenched in his hair. “I’m going to scream.”

“So scream.” He closed his mouth on her clit and sucked.

Her body clamped down on his fingers and her back bowed. She moaned, biting her lip to try and control the noises coming from her throat.