Nick, page 4
THREE HOURS LATER, Nick was pulling into the outskirts of the little college town. He could see lights from bars and restaurants several blocks down, but the motel was in a quieter area. He scrubbed a hand over his jaw, waiting for the traffic light to change. He’d been running on adrenaline since he landed hours ago and was tired yet anxious to see Kaylee. The drive felt like it had taken forever, the distance between them shortening as the minutes ticked by.
The light changed, and a minute later, he turned into the parking lot. Nick pulled into a space, glancing at his phone as he momentarily left the engine running. Nothing. Gray had texted earlier, saying they were working on finding out who owned the vehicle tailing Nick. He thumbed a quick message to Kaylee, and she responded with her room number. Moments later, he was striding toward the motel, duffle bag slung over his shoulder.
He hadn’t totally thought this through, because he hadn’t been planning to bunk with Kaylee tonight. They might’ve spent plenty of time together in bed long ago, but that was in the past. If she was truly in danger, however, he wasn’t about to leave her alone in an unsecured motel room.
Hell.
Nick jogged up the stairs to the second level, his gaze sweeping the area as he moved in the dark. His sidearm was tucked into his waistband, but he was lethal even without a gun. Nick was a highly trained operative, and it would take someone with a skill to get the jump on him right now.
A door opened as he moved closer, and then Kaylee’s head peeked outside. His heart thundered at the sight of her, but he cursed, wishing she’d stayed inside the room. If anyone had followed Kaylee or Nick to the motel, she’d just given away her precise location.
“Kaylee,” he said, his voice gruff. Her look of fear had briefly disappeared at the sight of him, but just as quickly, her distress was back, and she glanced toward the dark parking lot. “Let’s go inside,” he urged, his voice gruff even to his own ears. His hand landed on her arm without thought, and then he was guiding her in, his big body blocking her own in case anyone was watching them from down below.
Nick’s gaze swept the small space as he turned to lock and bolt the door. There was a small double bed and armchair, neither of which looked too comfortable. He’d sleep on the floor if he had to tonight in order to keep her safe.
“You brought your stuff,” she said unnecessarily as he slung his bag to the ground. He didn’t miss the way her gaze traveled over his muscled forearms. Nick kept in good shape and didn’t hate Kaylee’s eyes on him. Not in the least.
She flushed as she realized he’d caught her staring, but Nick decided to ignore her reaction to him for now. “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice lower than usual.
The moment between them felt private—intimate. They were locked inside a motel room together, and his first priority was to make sure Kaylee was truly all right. His gaze tracked over her, drinking her in. She wore a hooded sweatshirt over a white tank top, and he tried not to stare at the way it stretched across her breasts. Her jeans clung to her like a second skin, and her face was flushed, her lips parted. She looked good. Damn good. He tried to ignore the hint of cleavage and the way her denim jeans hugged her ass and thighs. Nick’s body had immediately taken notice, however, and he felt his dick twitch. Kaylee was a knockout, all flushed and beautiful, standing mere feet in front of him.
She was also in danger. Scared.
“I’m fine,” she said, but the wavering of her voice betrayed her.
Nick kept a respectful distance from Kaylee—as much as he could in the tiny motel room, at any rate. His hands itched to touch her, to ease the fear written across her face. She’d always fit perfectly in his arms—and felt like she’d been made for him alone when she was stretched out beneath him, their bodies moving together as one.
“I brought my bag up because I didn’t want to leave anything in the rental. I was followed when I left your apartment earlier,” he said.
“You were followed?” she asked in surprise.
Nick hated seeing the worry in her eyes. Unable to stop himself, he finally stepped closer, brushing back a strand of her silky dark hair. He might have no right to touch her, but it was hard to stay away. He’d once known her entire body intimately. He wanted to explore all of the woman she’d become, but the need to soothe and protect her took precedence above all else.
“A car followed me after we spoke earlier. They tailed me on the highway once I left your apartment complex. Someone was watching your place.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “Shit. Kaylee.” He drew her in for a hug, feeling her body meld against his own, her vanilla scent filling his nostrils. Her arms tightened around him, and he could feel her trembling. Nick slid a hand down her back reassuringly, needing to keep her close. “It’s okay. I lost the tail. No one knows that I’m here. We’re safe for tonight, but you’ll have to tell me what’s going on. We can keep moving in the morning, maybe even go back to New York.”
“To Shadow Security?” she asked as she pulled back.
He lifted a shoulder. “It’s a more secure location. It might be good to disappear for a while, and I can keep you safe there. We can figure out what exactly is going on. I work with a lot of my old buddies,” he said, licking his lips. Energy was already coursing between them, despite the nature of their conversation. His body had always reacted to hers on a primal level.
Her green eyes tracked over his face, lingering just a beat too long on his mouth. “God, Nick. I just can’t believe any of this is happening.”
She stepped back, but he took her hand, loving the feel of her smooth skin against his own. She looked so damn fragile and delicate beside him. He’d always been a lot bigger than her, and he’d loved that. Now it just made him realize how much more vulnerable that made her. Kaylee was his to protect, even if she didn’t know it yet. A part of him had always belonged to her, and he’d do whatever was necessary to keep her safe.
Kaylee clung to his hand, pulling him over to the bed. The gesture wasn’t sexual in the least. She needed someone to hold on to, and Nick was happy to be there for her. She sat down on the edge of it, clutching onto him as she began telling him what she’d witnessed.
“You think they were stealing classified information,” he said once she’d finished explaining what she’d seen a month ago.
“I know they were. No one should’ve had a camera or phone in the secure area.”
He scrubbed a hand over his jaw, his other hand sandwiched between Kaylee’s. He wasn’t sure she even realized she was still clinging onto him, but he loved that after all these years, she still trusted him to keep her safe.
“I didn’t even know you were on a DEA contract,” Nick said. “I thought you were in marketing.”
She shrugged, looking slightly embarrassed. “I was but got a new job a year or so ago. We didn’t really tell each other a lot about our lives, Nick.”
He looked down at their joined hands, clearing his throat. Even though Kaylee was scared, he couldn’t deny how fucking right it felt to have her close, clutching onto him. Her vanilla scent and smooth skin were tempting as hell. He wasn’t about to lay her down on the bed and do all the things he was dreaming of, but he’d be lying if he said being near Kaylee didn’t affect him. “You’re right. We didn’t share a lot of details after we broke up. I’m not sure I’d have wanted to hear about any boyfriends of yours over the years.”
Kaylee gripped his hand more tightly. “You dated, too, Nick. You left Omaha behind and went off to see the world. I know you weren’t single all this time.”
“I wasn’t,” he said, his voice thick with regret. “We agreed breaking up was for the best.”
“Was it?” she asked, and his head swiveled toward hers in surprise. “Never mind,” she muttered. Kaylee let go of his hand and stood, pacing the room. Nick wanted to know why she’d said that, but it was hardly the most pressing matter right now. Kaylee was in danger. He’d have to sort out his feelings toward her later—either that, or bury them back where they’d been for the past decade. She still lived in Omaha, and Nick was still deploying on missions all over the world.
“I don’t know who those guys were that shuttled me to a safehouse that night,” she said. “They acted like they were FBI, but now I’m not so sure. I never saw a badge. I didn’t tell anyone what had happened yet, either. I rushed back to my apartment in surprise. I’d gone into my office because I accidentally left my wallet there and needed to go grocery shopping. The next thing I knew, two guys in suits were at my front door.”
Nick shifted on the bed, frowning. “What’s the standard protocol for your office when something like that happens?”
“We’d report it to the Security Information Officer. I was planning to go in early Monday morning to speak with him. There’s a regular security desk in my building and of course guards at the entrances to base. I should’ve told someone,” she said, sounding frustrated. “I could’ve gone straight to my supervisor at DEA or even my own employer. I figured not saying anything until the next morning would be all right.”
“You did what you thought was best,” Nick assured her.
“I knew something was off,” she said, shaking her head. “They knew who I was and showed up at my apartment within the hour. If I hadn’t reported it yet, that meant someone else at Offutt or within DEA knew what was going on. They acted like I was a key witness to an ongoing investigation and leaving for a little while would be for my own safety.”
“Whoever was involved got access to your personal information. If you were in a secure space, I’m assuming you had to badge in. Someone there accessed that.”
“Yeah,” she said, worrying her lip. Kaylee was still pacing, playing with the zipper on her hoodie. The material fell to the side, revealing a creamy shoulder. Her breasts were rising and falling, pushing against the white tank top as her breathing sped up. Nick stilled. He had no right to want her, but God damn, he did.
Pushing those thoughts aside, he focused on the back of her head as she turned and strode the other way, still agitated. “What’s the name of the military officer you caught sharing classified information?” he asked.
She whipped around, her gaze landing on him. “Colonel Mike Cornwell. I only found that out afterward, because I don’t directly work with him. We didn’t know each other before that night.”
“And the woman?”
“She’s in HR. I forgot her name but could find out. I don’t think she would’ve known exactly who I am either. I only recognized her from HR training. She wouldn’t know me from my face alone.”
Nick nodded. “One of them had access to the security databases or knew someone who did. They found out who badged in at that time, got your name, and then went to your home. If the men who you believed were FBI or other Federal Agents came to your apartment immediately after what you witnessed, someone at Offutt or DEA sent them.”
“They wanted me out of the way, so I couldn’t report them. But what happened to that classified intelligence? She was photographing some materials Colonel Cornwell had.”
Nick’s fist clenched. “The materials could’ve been sold already, unless they were waiting for the right buyer. Either way, you witnessed what happened, and that puts you in jeopardy. They already identified you.”
Kaylee let out a breath. “So, what should I do? I feel like I don’t even know who to trust right now. I don’t know if anyone else was involved.” Her chest rose and fell again, and he could see the fear in her eyes.
“We need to find the extent of who’s involved in this. I’ll have my team work on it.”
“Your team of bodyguards?” she asked skeptically.
“There’s stuff about me you don’t know either.”
She looked at him, her green eyes wide, and the vulnerability he saw there slayed him. Nick clenched his jaw as he stood, slowly moving toward Kaylee. If he was going to help her, she deserved to know the truth. “Shadow Security does provide bodyguards to clients, mostly former government officials. I do other work, too. Go on missions.”
Kaylee let out a breath. “You never got out of the Army?”
“I’m out of the Army. I run missions on a black ops team now.”
Chapter 6
KAYLEE PULLED SLIGHTLY back, staring at him in shock. Nick was looming in front of her, his entire body tense and alert. She could see his chest rising and falling, the material of his shirt stretching across his pecs. He might have a runner’s build, but he was solid muscle. Nothing but pure male strength. He’d been a sniper in the Army, from what she recalled. The man was lethal—both his looks and skills. She could see it now—the patience, the restrained strength. He might’ve left the military, but it was still every bit a part of him.
“You’re on a black ops team?” she echoed.
Kaylee knew he was a bodyguard but figured it was more of a formality, escorting former government officials around safely. He worked for a security company. He guarded clients.
How wrong she had been.
Nick moved closer, and she felt the heat from his large body, his slightly musky scent filling the air between them. It wasn’t cologne, just whatever soap he used and pure Nick.
Raw. Masculine. Virile.
“Kaylee,” he said, reaching out.
“Don’t,” she snapped, tears smarting her eyes. “I was worried about you every day that you were deployed, and I thought you were safe now. I thought you were okay.” The tears began spilling over, and then he was collecting her in his arms.
“Shhh,” he murmured, his hand smoothing over her hair.
She felt his hard body pressed against hers and soaked in his strength and warmth, awareness coursing through her. He’d been here mere minutes, and she was already falling apart. Kaylee whimpered against Nick, trembling as he held her. He was still putting his life in danger after all these years, and now Kaylee was in danger, too. Nothing she knew made sense anymore, and as Nick tightened his arms, awareness of his firm muscles and raw masculinity washed over her, complicating everything.
“It’s okay,” he assured her. “We’ll both be okay. My Army training got me to where I am today. Our missions are fully sanctioned by the government. My former commanding officer recruited us to join his company when we got out of the military. Jett runs the Shadow Ops Team himself. We take jobs the Feds can’t or won’t do.”
“But you—you’re supposed to be out of all that,” she said, pulling back as she tearfully looked at him.
He raised an eyebrow.
“I want you to be safe,” she said, her voice faltering.
Nick’s large hand rose to cup her cheek, his thumb smoothing over her skin. Even now he was trying to soothe and comfort her. His other hand landed on her hip, squeezing gently. He was holding her to him, she realized, keeping her from pulling away. Her eyes searched his as the air between them grew thick, her admission hanging there. Maybe she wasn’t supposed to still feel anything for him, but this was Nick. She’d always care about him.
“I hate that you were worried about me,” he said, his voice gruff. “But I would do anything—anything—to keep you safe.”
The air between them grew thicker, and she felt the same pull she always did when he was near.
Nick moved in, seemingly without thought, his lips landing on hers. Her hands spread across his hard pecs, and she could feel his thundering heartbeat. He wasn’t as unaffected as he appeared. His hands moved then, one sliding to the back of her head, tangling in her hair, the other pressing against her lower back, drawing her closer. He held her the way he wanted as he took her mouth, deepening the kiss, their bodies pressed together.
Kaylee gasped and opened to him, letting Nick take complete control. His tongue slid into her mouth, and she felt her panties growing damp, her nipples pebbling. His touch always sent her up in flames, and she both loved and hated that he still affected her this way years later. His erection pressed against her stomach, and she felt a throbbing in her sex. She still wanted him. Badly.
“Kaylee,” he breathed, drawing back as they both gasped for air. “Tell me to stop.” Nick’s eyes were wide with arousal, his body tense, and she could tell he was hanging on by a thread. He’d stop if she asked him to, but then she’d always regret not getting one more night with him.
Kaylee gripped his biceps, searching his gaze. “And if I don’t want you to stop?”
“I didn’t come here tonight to make love to you,” Nick said softly. “I can hold you. Keep you safe.”
“I want you,” she whispered urgently.
No other words were needed as he backed her towards the bed. Her hoodie came off, Nick’s big hands steady and sure. His fingers edged beneath her tank top, touching the bare skin of her stomach. He gripped her waist firmly as he kissed her again, and then he was urging her to lift up her arms as he tugged off her tank top, tossing it aside. Nick’s eyes grew hot as he gazed at her, Kaylee’s breasts heaving up and down in her lacy bra. Her curves had filled out since she’d been a teenager, and she could tell he liked what he saw. He’d changed, too. Nick was bigger. Harder. He had strong planes of muscle and a confidence and self-assuredness in his movements. Nick was all man now, and she couldn’t get enough of him.
Kaylee gasped in surprise as he lifted her up, his hands beneath her ass as she wrapped her arms and legs around him. “Kaylee,” he murmured. “I’ll never get enough of you.” Their mouths met again, and then they were kissing each other desperately. His stubble rubbed over her skin as his mouth trailed down her neck, and she felt marked by him. Claimed. His musky scent made awareness shoot straight through her, and she knew she’d smell like him tomorrow. She’d be his.
Nick shifted her higher in his arms, impossibly strong, kissing his way across her cleavage. It was erotic seeing his mouth and the stubble of his jaw at her breasts. Nick was taking what he wanted, and goodness if she didn’t want to give it all to him. Kaylee’s pussy was throbbing, her panties damp, and she bucked her hips against him, shameless in her need.
