Protecting His Witness Read online

  Vincent appeared from the hallway moments later. His eyes lit up when he saw the mug. “You made coffee?”

  “Yep, just the way you like it.” Two scoops of sugar, nothing more.

  He grinned in such a boyish way, she forgot about pretty much everything for a few seconds. She really hated the effect he had on her. It was as if she forgot to breathe sometimes. “Who’s the woman? Is she important?” Jordan asked, motioning to the open laptop.

  That sexy smile suddenly fell as he shook his head. “No.”

  At that, she raised her eyebrows. “No, what? She’s not important? Obviously she is or you wouldn’t be wasting time on whatever that file is. Come on, don’t leave me in the dark if you know something about tonight.” It wasn’t like she needed to be protected from whatever he thought was going on. After what she’d been through, she could handle pretty much anything.

  “She’s…just some woman I dated a while ago. She went kind of stalker on me and I had to take out a restraining order. I haven’t seen her in almost two years and haven’t had any issues, but I had Lizzy run her records to see where she’s been hanging out lately.” He said the words in a rush, glancing back at the screen as he spoke.

  Jordan knew that Vincent had dated. Probably a whole lot. It made sense and she had no reason to get mad. She was the one who’d left. She’d made that choice. But it still hurt to actually hear that he’d been with other women. And she knew it was beyond stupid to feel hurt, but she did just the same. For years she’d locked down thoughts of Vincent completely, had locked down stupid masochistic images of him with other women. Actually seeing someone he’d been with felt like a punch to the stomach. Not to mention the woman looked so damn different from her. Jordan wasn’t sure why that was worse, but somehow it was. “Covering all bases is good.” Damn it, why did her voice have to tremble? Swallowing hard, she tilted her head in the direction of the bedrooms. “If you don’t need me, I’m going to crash.”

  Without waiting for a response, she made a quick escape. Tonight had left her feeling raw and vulnerable and she simply couldn’t add any more to her plate. Sleep was the only thing that might make her feel better. Unfortunately she had a feeling finding rest was going to be difficult.

  Chapter 6

  Jordan stared at the ceiling in the darkened bedroom. She’d pulled the drapes back from the sliding glass door so that the room was illuminated by moonlight and a few stars. Both bedrooms had private balconies looking out over the pool at the complex. She wondered if Vincent had his curtains open too.

  Okay, she didn’t care about the state of his stupid windows. She wanted to know if he was sleeping naked or not. About an hour ago she’d finally heard him go to his room. She wasn’t sure what he’d been doing on his laptop but he’d eventually given up. For that she was thankful. He’d looked so exhausted earlier.

  She was annoyed with herself because her body was begging for rest but her mind was working overtime, refusing to let her give in to the call of sleep. Shoving off the sheets, she slid out of bed. The cool hardwood floor chilled her feet as she made her way across the nautical themed room. Maybe a hot cup of herbal tea would help, though she doubted it. But at three in the morning, she was willing to try anything.

  The place seemed so silent as she strode down the hallway. As she started to pass Vincent’s room a muffled, almost strangled sound made her pause. Then she heard it again and it was definitely coming from his room.

  A wave of anxiety swelled through her. After what had happened only hours ago, she was feeling edgy. The door had been left cracked open a few inches so she nudged it and stepped inside.

  This room had more of a beach theme than nautical. A salvaged piece of driftwood had been treated and was displayed above the bed, holding a collection of sea coral. And Vincent was curled up on his side in the middle of the queen sized bed under the display. With his back to her, he looked tense, all his muscles pulled tight. The moonlight spilled in from the glass doors, illuminating his toned, powerful body.

  When he let out another strangled moan she hurried to his side. Kneeling on the edge of the bed, she gently touched his shoulder in the hopes of pulling him out of whatever was going on inside his head. She hated the thought of him being in any kind of anguish, even while asleep. His skin was warm under her fingertips.

  At her touch, he stilled and she let out a small sigh of relief. She started to get off the bed, but nearly had a heart attack when Vincent shot up in bed. Yelping, she tried to move back, but he was fast and in seconds had her pinned underneath him.

  Breathing hard, with his hands on her shoulders in a tight grip, he stared at her with those pale eyes. But he wasn’t really seeing her. It was almost as if he was looking through her.

  “Vincent, are you awake?” she whispered.

  At her voice, he seemed to shake out of whatever was going on. Blinking, he shook his head as if clearing away the vision of something. He stared down at her in confusion. “Jordan, what are you…?” He looked at his hands, then down at their bodies where he was splayed over her, and back up to her face.

  “I think you were having a bad dream or something. I was just checking on you.” She kept her voice low.

  “Did I hurt you?” he asked as he loosened his fingers from her shoulders, but didn’t take them off completely. Instead, he gently caressed his hands down her bare arms.

  “No, I was worried. Do you want to talk about it?” Knowing him, she doubted it.

  Shaking his head, he pushed up and rolled off her. Immediately she missed the feel of his muscular body covering hers, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it. As he lay back against the pillows, he practically dragged her over him so that she was half-laying on his chest.

  She knew she should probably leave the room and definitely not get all physically tangled up with him, but her body wouldn’t listen. Nope, she liked being gathered in Vincent’s arms. She laid her cheek against his chest and when he linked his fingers through hers and placed their hands over his stomach, she knew she wasn’t going anywhere tonight. His breathing was slightly erratic and she could hear the jagged beat of his heart as he came down from whatever internal adrenaline rush he’d had.

  “Sorry if I woke you up. It…I think the fire bomb from earlier must have triggered a memory. I was having a dream about an op that didn’t turn out so well.” His voice was ragged as he spoke and she could hear the pain in his voice. Vincent had never talked much about his time in the Navy and she’d always respected his privacy.

  But she still wanted to be there for him. “You can tell me about it if you want.”

  “I know, I just can’t. Classified stuff.” Now there was sadness laced through his words.

  Which made her heart ache knowing how much he had to keep bottled up inside. Since he wouldn’t be able to tell her anything about past operations, she didn’t push. Instead she said, “Tell me a good memory. Funny or happy.”

  He was silent for a long moment, his breathing slowly evening out. She wondered if he’d speak, but eventually he did. “Right around the time I turned thirteen, I had a growth spurt and thought I was pretty hot shit.” He chuckled lightly, the sound wrapping around her like a warm embrace. She loved to hear him laugh. “I was playing ball with some of the older guys in my neighborhood one evening and my mom came out to tell me it was dinner time. I can’t remember exactly what I said, but I mouthed off to her. This was before my dad died, but he was out of town, and I knew she was dealing with my sisters’ boy drama—they were all teenagers at the same time—and I thought I could get away with being a little punk. She didn’t say anything that night but the next morning when she took me to school she didn’t change out of her pajamas and she had on some hideous slippers with pink horses on them. I think she snagged them from one of my sisters—who, incidentally, had all gotten rides to school with their friends that morning. Traitors,” he muttered.

  “But she wasn’t done. Oh no, not my mama. She put on a housecoat I’m pretty su
re belonged to my grandmother, a shower cap, and told me to get in the van. When I asked her what she was doing she said that if I was going to act as if she embarrassed me, she’d give me a reason to be embarrassed. She also said that if I couldn’t respect my own mother in front of my friends that she clearly wasn’t raising me right and was going to make some changes.”

  Jordan laughed against his chest, unable to contain her howl of amusement. When she looked into Vincent’s face, his lips were quirked up at the corners. “So what happened?” she asked.

  He shook his head, but he was smiling. “She took me to school, and stubborn little ass that I was, I didn’t think she’d actually go through with getting out of the car, but that woman has no fear. As she started to get out I apologized—profusely—and begged forgiveness. She told me if I ever mouthed off to her in front of anyone again, I couldn’t even imagine what she’d do. That’s the day I realized that my mother is smarter and scarier than I’ll ever be.”

  Jordan grinned up at him. “She sounds like a trip.”

  “That, she is. My sister Zoe still hasn’t learned her lesson where my mom is concerned, but that’s probably because she’s just as scary as my mom.”

  “I’d love to meet them.” The words slipped out before she could rein in her big mouth. She inwardly cringed and tried to think of a way to backpedal what she’d said.

  “I’d like that too.” Now there was no amusement on his face. Just a raw intensity that stole her breath.

  She had no idea what to make of that comment. Absolutely. No. Clue.

  “Over the past few years, there have been other women in my life.” His abrupt change in topic was like a knife in her chest.

  She so did not need to hear any of this. Even if it was true, she didn’t want to hear the fucking words. Jordan started to get up, but he held her firm, his grip around her tightening. “Why the hell are you telling me this?” she snarled, not bothering to hide her hurt.

  “Because I don’t want anything between us. There might have been others in my life, but no one meant anything to me. I never got over you. When you left, it was like you took part of me with you.”

  Tears burned her eyes. She didn’t want to hear this either. Didn’t want him to tell her how much she’d hurt him, even if she had. She could feel her emotions spiraling out of control and didn’t want to break down in front of him. Blinking the wetness away, she kept her gaze on his. In the moonlight, his beautiful pale eyes seemed even brighter against his dark skin. “You can’t know how sorry I am,” she whispered.

  “I’m not telling you because I want an apology. I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to get over you leaving, but after last night, I’m not living without you, Jordan. I…can’t. And I don’t want to.”

  She could hear the truth in his voice, but she also knew he could be saying this now and mean it, but what happened later? What happened when he couldn’t get over what she’d done? Just a few hours ago he hadn’t been sure what the hell he wanted and now he was so positive? No freaking way. She tried to tell herself to get the hell out of his room, to get far away from him before they crossed a line and she got her heart shattered. Walking away had nearly killed her.

  If he walked out on her after this, she didn’t know that she’d survive the heartbreak.

  Before she could form a response or force herself to leave the room, he kissed her. Maybe he’d sensed her hesitation, she wasn’t sure, but he moved lightning fast, crushing his lips over hers in a heated, hungry kiss—devouring her mouth. It was the only way she could describe what he was doing to her. Like he was trying to completely possess her.

  He shifted in an impressively quick move so that his body was on top of hers, pinning her to the bed once again. This time he was fully awake and aware of what he was doing. And she loved the feel of him on her more than anything. As his mouth and tongue teased hers, he slid one of his hands through her hair until he was cupping her head in a dominating grip that was so familiar it made her chest ache.

  She wasn’t about to stop what was happening between them. Even if it would be better for her in the end, she needed to be with him again, needed to experience everything Vincent had to offer. When he rolled his hips against hers, his hard length pressing against the juncture between her thighs, she moaned into his mouth. She hated that her pajama pants and his boxers were in the way when all she wanted was to feel him sliding deep inside her.

  It had been too damn long since she’d taken real pleasure and she wanted it so badly. But only from him. Only from Vincent.

  Her hands skated over his taut shoulders then down his bare chest. The feel of all that raw power under her fingertips made her entire body shudder and tighten in awareness. It was hard not to be aware of this man. Of everything he made her feel and want.

  “Fuck yeah, touch me everywhere, baby,” he whispered as he tore his mouth from hers. He feathered kisses along her jaw in a slow, sensuous path that made her inner walls tighten with unfulfilled need.

  Following his directive, she slid one of her hands under the waistband of his boxers and fisted his cock. No teasing right now. He pulsed in her hand as she stroked him once. The way he groaned against her ear and shuddered gave her a feeling of such power that she’d only ever experienced with him.

  She loved bringing this man to his knees. Because he could do the same to her so easily. Literally and figuratively.

  Even though she wanted to continue stroking his erection, she wanted him out of his clothes first. She wanted to see exactly what she’d been fantasizing about for so long. Removing her hand, she bunched the material of his boxers at the sides and started shoving them down his hips as he continued kissing her neck and chest. Thankfully he helped getting them the rest of the way off and kicked them away.

  The feel of his lips along her skin was pushing her into sensory overload and suddenly she couldn’t stand it anymore. Reaching for the hem of her tank top, she grabbed it and practically tore it off. For a brief moment, she felt completely exposed. Which seemed stupid since he’d seen her naked not too long ago. But still, it had been years and now they weren’t rushing into this like maniacs. She had time to think about what they were doing and she was very conscious of her body and the fact that she wasn’t twenty-two anymore.

  Vincent had made a protesting sound until he realized what she was doing. Now he knelt in between her spread legs, his cock pulsing upward in such a beautiful display that she had to bite back her moan of need. She couldn’t wait to feel that thickness pushing inside her. Had dreamt about it for way too long.

  Her bottoms were still on, but with her breasts bared to him, he looked almost ravenous. The glint in his gaze sent another wave of hunger rolling through her. Squirming under his intensity, her nipples tightened to almost painful points as he let out a low curse.

  “God, baby, I’ve been fantasizing about this for so long. Too fucking long,” he murmured before bending his head to capture one of her breasts with his mouth. His tongue teased and licked along the underside of her sensitive skin before he found her nipple and sucked. Hard.

  The sharp action made her back arch off the bed and she wrapped her legs around him. Stupid pants were still in the way.

  She wanted to take them off, but wanted to touch him more. Needed it. Craved it. She spread her fingers over his head, savoring the feel of holding him as he flicked his tongue over the tight bud of her nipple. His hair was buzzed almost to his skull so she grabbed onto his head, holding him in place.

  He just chuckled against her sensitive nipple and slightly pulled his head back. “I’m not going anywhere.”

  Was that a promise in those gorgeous eyes? She swallowed hard, unable to find her voice before he dipped his head again to her other breast. He lavished that one with just as much attention. With each stroke of his tongue, she felt the pulse between her legs grow hotter and more insistent.

  Somehow she forced her hands from his head and slowly stroked her fingers down his back. His taut muscles tens
ed under her touch, his big body trembling.

  When he started a path down her belly she knew what he intended. And while she wanted to feel his mouth on her again, she wanted to feel him inside her even more. They could drag out the foreplay for hours later. Right now, she was walking a tightrope of control and she was about to lose it. “No,” she rasped out as he grasped the edge of her pajama bottoms with his hands.

  Hovering over her, he looked up, his eyes wide in confusion. “You don’t want this?” His voice was ragged.

  “No, yes, I do, I just mean no foreplay. I want you in me. Now.” Her face flamed as he watched her with a mix of hunger and amusement. She was practically rabid to have him in her and he seemed almost unaffected. Of course his hard cock said otherwise, but still, it was maddening how in control he appeared.

  “I forgot how impatient you are,” he murmured as he tugged her bottoms and panties down her legs. When his gaze landed on her mound, she squirmed under his intensity. “Should I tease you?” he asked, his eyes pinned to hers as he dragged a finger along the length of her wet slit.

  He didn’t penetrate though, just stroked up and down in languorous movements. Damn him. He was going to tease her.

  “Payback will suck,” she promised. Because she could tease him until he was begging. The thought of doing so made her even wetter.

  Finally, he pushed two fingers inside her in one long stroke. His eyes shut for a moment as he pulled out then pushed back in.

  She slightly arched her back off the bed as her inner walls clenched around him and she let her own eyes close. It wasn’t enough, she needed so much more. When he completely withdrew, her eyes snapped open to find him watching her intently.

  He put his fingers in his mouth, the act of him tasting her incredibly erotic. “I don’t think I will tease you.” His voice shook as he spoke and she realized he was just as close to losing it as she was. Thank God.