Who are these guys, and how do they know that Trace is my bodyguard?
I open my mouth to scream for help when the first cowboy lunges at me, cursing myself for leaving the club without Trace.
eight
Trace
Iwatch the bathroomdoor, waiting for Ember to emerge, but it’s hard to see through the crowd of women waiting to use the restroom. Then I finally catch a flash of her blonde hair and that barely-there dress heading toward the back door. That little minx. I’m going to spank her ass for running from me.
Pushing through the crowd and out the back door, I take in my surroundings before spotting Ember in the middle of the alley, with those two guys from the club blocking her path.
Without a plan, I act on impulse and rush the first guy, who is inches from my woman. I catch him off guard and land a hard left hook that knocks him out. “Pussy,” I mumble, looking down at him in disgust. “Next.” I shift my gaze to the second guy, who must think he’s the Karate Kid or something, taking the crane stance from the movie.
“I know Karate.” He pronounces it like Ross from the TV show Friends. And there it is—a wannabe martial arts expert. He lifts his leg and kicks toward me, which I easily sidestep and give him a real karate roundhouse kick to the face, also knocking him out.
“Are you okay?” Ember rushes to my side, her hands running over my body as if searching for injuries, which she won’t find. I didn’t even break a sweat with these two assholes.
“I’m fine,” I say, making no move to stop her hands from roaming on my body.
I call the local sheriff to have these two interrogated and arrested—all the while Ember fusses over me.
“Once we get home, I’m going to make sure nothing's hurt or broken.” I hold back my smile at the stubborn look on her face. It’s nice to have someone worried about me. I’m going to drag this out as long as I can.
“Sure thing, darlin’.” I give her a wink and pull her in close to my side.
The sheriff arrives a few minutes later, hauling the still-unconscious guys to jail. “I’ll give either you or Gray a call if I get any useful information from those two.” The sheriff promises as we shake hands, then I take my woman home.
***
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Ember asks after we’ve both showered separately, unfortunately, and are each dressed in a pair of my sweats and a hoodie. She’s wearing my sweats and hoodie from the other day, which I washed for her, and I’m in one of my Navy SEAL sweats and a hoodie. I don’t question why she isn’t wearing one of her new loungewear outfits. I’d rather see her in my clothes any day.
“I’m fine, really.” Giving up the fight to keep my distance from her, I take a seat on the couch next to her and wrap my arms around her. “How are you doing?”
She turns in my arms to face me. “I’m doing fine, but I need to tell you something. I’m not the wild party girl everyone thinks I am. My mother created the Temptress persona, along with Elsa’s Ice Princess, to sell more jewelry.” I try not to show my relief and let her continue. “It all started when we turned eighteen. Thecompany needed something new and fresh that all influencers could get behind and promote our product. What better way than to have two completely opposite twin personalities? But I’m done. After this is all over, I’m going to just be me.”
“It’s okay. We’ll figure this out, and you can be whoever you want to be.” I rub her shoulder, comforting her the best way I know how.
“What I want right now is you, Trace.” She presses her lips to mine. “Make love to me.”
nine
Ember
“Tell me to stopif you don’t want this,” he growls against my lips.
“I’ve never wanted anything more,” I whisper, slipping out of his arms, standing, and pulling off all my clothes until I’m standing in front of him, needy and naked.
“You’re beautiful.” He groans, frantically tugging at his clothes. I stare at his bare chest, where a gorgeous patch of brown chest hair meets my hungry gaze.
It isn’t until he slides his pants over his trim hips and his erection springs free that I begin to have doubts. “I don’t think that’s going to fit.” I stare in awe as it bobs up and down.
“Trust me. It will fit.” Suddenly, he lifts me, and I squeak in surprise. Instinctively, I wrap my legs around his hips and feel his hardness pressing against my soaked pussy.
“Trace.” I moan, throwing my head back. A tiny voice in the back of my head keeps nagging me to tell him I’m still a virgin, and I try to ignore it. I don’t want to ruin the moment. My breasts rub against his hard chest, making my nipples pebble. Common sense urges me to confess my inexperience before it’s too late, but I tune it out, letting the pleasure course through me. Trace gently bites the side of my neck, sucking the skin into his mouth and sending tiny sparks of electricity to my aching core. It’s all I can do to hang on as I shiver against his body. The sensations overwhelm me, making my pussy pulse with need. His fingers slip lower, teasing my dripping core. I dig my fingernails into his back and grind my pussy against his hand, desperately searching for release.
“That’s it, darlin'. Let go.” He presses one of his fingers into my opening, and I cry out as pleasure and pain mix while he stretches me, preparing me for his huge cock. “Such a good girl.” He strokes me through my orgasm.
I’m in a daze when he carries me into his bedroom and lays me across his bed. He steps back, letting his gaze drift down my body. “You’re so beautiful.”
