Up to Me (The Bad Boys #2)(24)
Author: M. Leighton

I hear Cash’s breath in my ear. I feel his body inside mine. I feel the air rushing over my skin as he carries me to the bed.

Then there’s a firm mattress at my back and a warm body on top of mine.  He’s moving inside me, hard and powerful, each thrust deeper than the last.

The build-up is too much, the pleasure too strong.  My body feels like it’s coming apart at the seams.  Just before I squeeze my eyes shut, I see Cash come up onto his knees.  I give myself up to feeling as he spreads my legs wide and rubs my most sensitive part with his thumb, all the while driving in and out of me.

And then I’m toppling over the edge.  The first wave of my orgasm makes me dizzy.  I hear Cash saying my name over and over.  I open my eyes to see him arch his back and pound into me with a recklessness that bursts in my body like a shower of fireworks.

The walls absorb his groan as his pace slows to longer, more languid strokes.  His body still pulses within me.  Then, with one final thrust, he collapses onto me.

We rest together, drifting back down to earth.  His breathing is heavy in my ear.  When it becomes less labored, I feel the first press of his lips against my neck. It’s one of a thousand tiny kisses he rains over my throat and my face.  When he lifts his head, his eyes meet mine.  I’m not sure what they say, but I think my heart understands.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Cash

With Olivia tucked along my side, I really don’t want to move.  But I have to.  Reality—and danger—are lurking just around the corner.  On the other side of daylight, which is just a few short hours away.

Olivia is tracing the tattoo on the left side of my chest, like she often does when we lie naked together.  I don’t know if it’s soothing to her, but it is to me.

Her fingers start to move more and more slowly until they stop.  Her breathing becomes deep and even. She’s so still I know she’s asleep.  I’m sure she’s exhausted.  But there’s nothing I can do about that yet.

I slide out from under her as gently as I can, but I still wake her.

“Rest, baby. I’ll be right back.”

I can see that her eyes are open and focused on mine, so I know she heard me.  She doesn’t answer, though.  She just smiles.

After straightening my clothes, I head out through the office to the club.  Nash and Gavin are sitting at the bar, pouring shots from a bottle of whiskey.

“Make yourself at home,” I remark smartly as I approach.

“Oh, don’t worry.  We have,” Gavin replies with a cheeky grin.

I pull up a stool and a shot, downing it in one quick swallow.  The burn is welcome.  It reminds me that there will be much pain and loss if I don’t do this just right.  The first time. There’s no doubt that I won’t get a second chance.

“I was thinking about it and I feel like the only place Olivia will really be safe is with her mother.”

“That’s what you were doing back there? Thinking about that chick’s mother?” Nash asks snidely.  “If she mentions needing a real man, send her my way.”

“Spending so much time alone with a bunch of men on a boat, I’m sure you could recommend one.”

Gavin spits whiskey across the bar.

Nash stands so quickly his stool falls over.  “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

I stand, too.  “It means that you even think about touching her, talking to her, so much as looking at her and we’re gonna have a big, big problem, bro.”

Before Nash and I can get chest to chest, Gavin steps between us.  Again.

“I’m not going to be able to leave you two alone at all, am I?”

He gives us each a little shove, which, coming from Gavin, is nearly enough to send us back a step. Nearly, but not quite.

Gavin pours three more shots and slides one to me and one to Nash, picking up the third and holding it up between us.  “To safety and success. Salut!”

Nash and I are still eyeing each other, but we toast to Gavin.  It’s a good sentiment, one worth taking a moment to recognize.

After a short pause, I clear my throat, saying pointedly, “As I was saying, I was thinking that the only place Olivia can really be safe is at her mother’s.  Since her parents divorced, Olivia hasn’t been close to her.  They rarely talk and I doubt anyone would be able to find her there very easily.  In fact, I’m not even sure where she lives.  Seems like I heard Olivia mention Savannah, but I can’t be sure.  At any rate, I’ll find out.”

“So you’re sending her there, hoping they won’t follow you?  And that you’ll make it back in time?” Nash asks sharply.  I grit my teeth and try not to take exception to his tone.

“No, I’m sending her with Gavin. You and I are going to be taking care of the trade tomorrow.”

Nash smirks.  “Afraid to leave her alone with me, huh?”

“Yes.  I am.  She needs protection.  Competent protection.  That’s why I’m sending Gavin.  I know he’s capable of keeping her safe.”

Nash rolls his eyes but says nothing.  At least he’s learning to keep his mouth shut.

I turn to Gavin.  “Man, I’m trusting you.”

He looks me in the eye and I try to convey all that I mean when I say that.  I’m trusting him to respect me by not touching her. I’m trusting him to keep my secrets, to keep Olivia safe, to do whatever he has to in order to protect her.  This is not a simple request and he knows it.  The fact that he pauses to really consider what I’m asking makes me feel somewhat better, like he’s not taking it lightly.

“I know, mate.  You know I’ve got your back.  And hers.  We’re brothers.”  Gavin holds out his hand, arm bent at the elbow. When I take it, we’re both agreeing to do right by one another, no matter what the cost.  This isn’t a game.  We both know that.

“Brothers,” I repeat.

“I hope he’s a better brother to you than he was to me,” Nash mumbles from the other side of Gavin as he pours himself another drink.

I ignore him.

“I’ll find out exactly where you’re taking her, where her mom is living now.  Give me a few minutes head start and then meet me at the hotel.  Sound good?”

Gavin nods.  “Sounds good.  And safe.  Just make sure you’re not followed.”  I give Gavin a look and he grins and throws up his hands.  “Sorry.  Habit.  I know you’re as careful as you can be.”