Protecting Phoebe Read online

  Hmm. Looked like the wine was already hitting her. He glanced at the bottle and noticed she’d already taken out a quarter. Apparently, she was a lightweight.

  He found the cork and closed up the bottle again, setting the white wine into the fridge. Scanning the contents inside, he grabbed himself a can of soda.

  Next, he cut the strawberries and arranged them on a plate with the cheese and salami, before walking to the couch to join her.

  “How you holding up?” He set the plate on the coffee table.

  “I’m fine. Just fine. Why wouldn’t I be?” she said a little too brightly, reaching for a strawberry. “Look at you, Craig. You really know how to impress a girl.”

  He laughed softly and smiled. That may have been his initial purpose, but now it was just something to offset his appetite and her alcohol consumption.

  Grabbing a slice of salami, he stacked it on a slice of cheddar and took a bite.

  “Don’t you want any wine?”

  He popped the tab on his soda. “I’m good, thanks.”

  She stared at him hard for a moment.

  “Oh jeez, you’ve changed your mind. Haven’t you?” Her eyes widened. “You don’t want to sleep with me anymore.”

  “Phoebe, listen to me.” He reached out and caught her hand.

  She tried to jerk away, but he held tight. Anger flashed in her gaze, her temper no doubt encouraged by the wine.

  “Listen to me,” he repeated again. “We need to talk about your ex.”

  “There’s nothing to talk about.”

  “Bullshit. What if he comes after you again? It sure as hell sounds like he’s planning on it.”

  “So then let him.” Her jaw hardened. “Of course I was hoping he’d never find me again. That he’d stay the hell out of my life. But you know what? I’m ready this time. I’m a second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and if he even tries to touch me, he’s toast.”

  His eyebrows rose, her admission surprising him. And though, at the same time, not so much. It fit with the woman who was beginning to reveal herself layer by layer to him.

  He watched the anger, pride, and determination in her gaze. It was obvious she meant every word she said. That she wouldn’t hesitate to fight him if it came to it. Even though he was new to his job, he’d seen enough to know that sometimes you didn’t always get a fair fight.

  Softly, he asked, “And what if he has a gun and shoots you from six feet away?”

  She blinked, looking stunned as the glass of wine wobbled in her other hand.

  He took it from her and set it on the coffee table.

  “Listen to me, Phoebe. Stalkers don’t play by the rules. It’s great that you can defend yourself, but you need to know that there’s a real good possibility you’re not going to get a fair fight with him.” He ran his thumb over the palm of her hand, holding her gaze intently.

  Frustration and a hint of fear flickered in her gaze before she lowered it.

  “Phoebe, I want you to file a temporary restraining order against him.”

  *

  A temporary restraining order? Phoebe frowned, though the idea wasn’t new. From the moment she’d first suspected that Rick had found her again, she’d considered the idea of one, but the fact that she hadn’t been able to prove it was him had slowed her down. Until tonight. Tonight, he’d shown his hand.

  Her head swirled with the idea and the fears. All the legal tape that meant. She dealt with this on a daily basis. She knew what kind of step this would be.

  “I know I should,” she hedged.

  “Of course you should. He has a history of violence with you, and now there’s reason to believe he’s stalking you.” Craig paused. “Can you remember anything he said to you tonight?”

  She swallowed hard and frowned, trying to remember exactly what he’d said. The wine she’d guzzled, in combination with Craig’s thumb making soft rotations on her palm, made it hard to focus.

  Warm tingles moved through her body and her breathing slowed.

  “Phoebe?”

  “I think he said something about us being soul mates. And something like…this isn’t over.”

  His grip tightened on her hand, but he didn’t say anything.

  “I hate this,” she whispered raggedly. “I hate him. I changed my number and kept it unlisted, I changed my name, I moved to another city… I thought he was gone from my life. I should have never accepted that award in person.”

  Craig gave a soft curse and reached for her, pulling her onto his lap.

  “The world is full of way too many assholes like him,” he muttered. “I’m sorry. We’ll file the TRO in the morning.”

  She lowered her gaze to the collar of his shirt. The top couple of buttons were undone, showing a hint of his solid upper chest. Her pulse fluttered and desire stirred low in her belly.

  “Are you going to leave me tonight?” she asked huskily.

  His body tensed. “Do you want to be alone?”

  “No.” She wiggled a finger under the collar of his shirt, running her short nail over his light brown skin. “I don’t want to be alone.”

  His chest rose against her cheek and stayed risen as he held in the breath. A few seconds passed before he exhaled unsteadily.

  “I can sleep on the couch if you’d like,” he offered carefully.

  A soft laugh escaped her throat and she lifted her head from his chest to meet his gaze.

  “If you stay, you will not sleep on my couch. You’ll sleep in my bed.” She quirked an eyebrow. “I just explained that I can defend myself, Craig. I’m not asking you to sleep over for protection.”

  Heat flared in his gaze and she felt the unmistakable hardening of him against her thigh.

  Obviously torn, he muttered, “Phoebe, you’ve had a big shock tonight. You’ve been drinking. This may not be the time—”

  “Look. I’m not a little girl. I’m a grown-ass woman.” She curled her fingers around a button on his shirt and pushed it through the hole. “I’m asking you to stay and make love to me tonight. I need you to hold me.” Her confidence slipped on that last confession. “I have had a shock. And forgive me for coming on strong, but this is how I want to deal with it.”

  He glanced down to where she’d undone another two buttons, baring his chest.

  “By sleeping with me.”

  “Well, that was the plan when we left the club anyway.” She gave him an impish grin and, because his chest looked so damn enticing, leaned forward to brush a kiss across it. “I haven’t changed my mind. And unless you have…”

  “No.” The word came from between clenched teeth. “Hell, no. You win.”

  He slipped his hand between them, fumbling with the buttons on her shirt as his mouth covered hers.

  Her moan was a mixture of relief and pleasure. His tongue eased past her lips to stroke against hers, while his fingers delved into the cup of her bra to stroke her nipple.

  Pleasure spiked through her and she let out a ragged whimper. Amazing how fast she could lose control with him. How he could make her brain turn to mush.

  Cool air on her shoulders indicated he’d won the race for who could get the other’s shirt off first. Her fingers went lax the moment he touched her breast.

  She bit her lip and then resumed her task, managing another button even as he unfastened her bra and tossed it to the floor.

  “Beautiful,” Craig whispered.

  His large hands cupped her breasts, squeezing the flesh and tugging the nipples into harder points. Oh God, it felt so good.

  With a frustrated groan, she tore her mouth from his to rapidly undo the rest of the buttons on his shirt. She was so out of practice.

  A moment later his shirt hung open, showing the defined muscles of his chest and abdomen. Her mouth dried at the sight. So sexy. So male.

  The last thought sent a tiny wave of unease through her. She hadn’t been with a man in seven years. Hadn’t let herself trust one enough to become physical with him. There’d been too much
bitterness covering the small layer of fear.

  And yet, here she was, throwing it all to the wind. Ready to jump between the sheets with a man she barely knew.

  “You sure about this?” His question indicated he sensed her inner turmoil. She lifted her gaze to meet his, searching his eyes for any sign that he’d hurt her, or excessive dominance.

  His expression only held desire and a surprising amount of tenderness.

  “Yes,” she murmured and pushed his shirt off his shoulders. “I’m sure.” Leaning forward, she flicked her tongue over one dark nipple. “But thank you, Craig, for checking.”

  The air hissed from between his teeth and his fingers delved into her hair.

  So he liked that, did he? She smiled and gave the other nipple the same treatment.

  His groan encouraged her and she shifted on his lap, letting her nails drag down his chest as her tongue teased him.

  He slid his hands down to her ass, squeezing the flesh through her jeans.

  Hot moisture gathered between her legs and her inner muscles clenched, seeking release.

  “Come here.” He eased her off his lap and stood them both. “Let’s go to the bedroom.”

  Part of her wanted to dig her heels into the rug and declare the couch a fine and dandy place to do what they were about to do. But when he caught her hand and urged her down the hall, she knew she’d want the bed for what happened afterward. The real question would be if he’d really hold her or not, like she’d said she needed.

  It doesn’t matter, she told herself firmly. Nothing mattered except this moment with him. It wasn’t permanent and there certainly weren’t strings. Even if, by some crazy chance, he wanted them, she wasn’t sure she was ready for that.

  Once inside her bedroom, he shut the door firmly behind them and reached for the belt buckle on his jeans.

  Tension coiled through her and she couldn’t move as she watched him undress. The jeans fell heavily to the floor, leaving him naked except for his briefs.

  His thighs were solid and muscular, but she only briefly noted them before her gaze locked on the thick coil of his erection beneath the cotton.

  She swallowed hard, her pulse fluttering and her panties growing damper.

  Her gaze dropped to the gun that was strapped around his ankle. Her pulse jumped, but not with arousal this time.

  “Sorry.” He noted her widened eyes and removed the gun, laying it on her dresser. “I know it’s a shock.”

  “I understand.” And she did. He was a cop.

  He stepped toward her, sliding one hand around her waist and the other into her hair. His mouth brushed across hers again. Once, twice, until her knees began to shake.

  She turned him, backing him up to the bed until he sat down. Bolder now, she straddled him, her knees on each side of his hips.

  Her breasts swung free in front of his face, and he made a strangled groan before reaching for them. His lips closed over one nipple, drawing it deep into his mouth.

  The air rushed from her lungs and she tangled her fingers into his hair, arching her back.

  He cupped her ass, squeezing the flesh while he teased and sucked on the tips of her breasts.

  “Craig.” His name left her lips on a ragged plea.

  “What do you want, baby?” His head lifted from her chest and he gazed up at her.

  “I want an orgasm.” Humiliation almost bloomed in her belly, but she shoved it aside. She wouldn’t be embarrassed for taking control of her sexual pleasure.

  Relief filtered through her when he just smiled. Apparently, he wasn’t shocked or offended by her declaration.

  “Good, because I’m pretty sure I can help with that.” He reached for the button on her jeans and slid it through the hole.

  He closed his hands around her ribcage and lifted her to her feet on the bed, so she stood in front of him. With practiced ease, he pulled down her jeans and panties.

  She kicked them free, the cool air washing over her naked body. A tremble racked through her when she watched his eyes darken as he drank her in.

  “Damn, baby, look at you,” he muttered and placed his hands on her outer thighs. With skilled thumbs, he parted her and stroked an index finger down her cleft, drawing a ragged gasp from her.

  “You’re all warm and wet for me.” The male appreciation in his voice only heightened the intensity of her arousal. “How do you feel inside?”

  She bit her lip, watching as he pushed his index finger deep into her. The invasion was a sweet and thorough pressure. Her body clenched around him, her mouth forming a silent O.

  “Tight. Jesus, you’re tight.” His heated gaze flicked up to hers. “I hope you can handle me.”

  He accompanied the statement by adding another finger inside her.

  Her legs shook and her mind spun. The image of his erection flashed in her head. Could she handle him? Darn good question. But she’d sure as hell try.

  “Yes,” she whispered raggedly.

  He pulled his fingers from her and she almost cried out in disappointment. Then he brought his fingers to his mouth and sucked them dry.

  His nostrils flared and he closed his eyes. “And you taste good.”

  “Oh God…” Her body quaked.

  Craig’s mouth curled into a slow sexy smile. “You’re going to scream when I taste you, baby.”

  His words turned her muscles to jelly, the visions so blunt and intoxicating, she forgot to breathe.

  He gripped her thighs, urging her forward as he lay down on his back on the mattress. With his silent ministration, she straddled his face, her sex just above his mouth.

  His tongue delved into her slit, his strong hands still gripping her thighs.

  “Oh.”

  The sensation was so intense she blindly reached out for something to hold, finding the headboard and gripping it.

  His tongue thrust deep into her this time, moving in and out. His thumb found her clit, rubbing it in slow circles.

  The position was so new to her, so erotic, it brought her quickly to the edge of an orgasm.

  Her knuckles turned white, she gripped the headboard so hard. Her body rose and fell against his mouth. Responding and following the movement of his tongue.

  He switched his technique, moving fingers deep inside her, while flicking her clit with his tongue.

  Phoebe’s head spun, sweat broke out on her body and her breathy pants turned into guttural moans.

  His lips closed over her swollen nub, drawing it deep into his mouth and sucking.

  True to his promise, a sharp scream fled her throat as her pleasure peaked. Her thighs tightened around his head and her entire body tensed.

  Lights flashed behind her closed eyes and she gasped in air like it was a novelty. She gripped the headboard so hard with her nails, she felt one break.

  She released the headboard and blinked, stunned by the intensity of her climax.

  Craig’s mouth left her and he placed a kiss on each thigh.

  Her gaze drifted down to him as his head returned to the mattress. His eyes glittered up at her with desire.

  “I…” Her lips trembled. How could she put into words the emotions rushing through her? Would it even be wise to try?

  He gave a lazy smile and, still lying back, reached up to massage her clit.

  “Wanna go for two?”

  He quirked an eyebrow and licked his lips.

  Phoebe groaned raggedly and shook her head. “I don’t think I can handle it. Yet.”

  She moved off him and glanced down at his bulging erection. Wow. It had grown even more since he’d first undressed.

  Gulping, she reached out and ran her hand over it though his briefs.

  “I think I’m ready for this now.”

  His cock twitched against her fingers, as if begging to be released.

  She licked her lips and grasped the waistband of his briefs, tugging them downward.

  His erection sprang free. Dark, thick, with a swollen, fat head. A drop of moisture ga
thered on the tip and her mouth watered at the sight.

  “Phoebe,” he rasped. “Grab the condom. It’s on the corner of the bed.”

  “In a minute.” She lifted her gaze from his cock to give him a coy smile. “I like to play fair.”

  Leaning forward, she nuzzled his erection before sliding her tongue out to catch the drop of arousal from the tip.

  The air hissed from his throat in response and his hips jerked against her.

  “Oh. Obviously I did something right.” Her smile widened and she wrapped her hands around his cock to feel his girth.

  He was long, but more so thick. Her fingers couldn’t quite close around him. The urge came on strong to take him in her mouth, to see if she could make him squirm the way he’d made her.

  A wave of doubt washed over her. What if she was terrible at it, though? She hadn’t given a blowjob in years…since Rick. The thought sent a wave of ice down her spine, but she thrust it aside.

  This moment was about Craig. Not her past.

  “Phoebe.” He reached out and touched her arm. “Baby, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

  “I want to. I’m just afraid I might suck.”

  “Isn’t that kind of the point?” He gave a soft laugh and she watched the muscles in his lower abdomen bounce.

  Some of the doubt eased from her mind and she relaxed a bit, moving her hand up and down his length. “You know what I mean.”

  “Baby.” His voice came out husky now. “I promise that if your mouth is on my cock, it’s not going to feel bad.”

  “Unless I was to, say, bite down really hard or something?”

  “You’re a sadist.”

  “Kidding.” She laughed softly and leaned down again. Her hair fell against his thigh and she nuzzled his length.

  His cock twitched against her lips and she watched his stomach clench.

  A good sign that she was pleasing him. Her tongue flicked out over the base of him, before she slid it up his length to circle the head.

  He exhaled harshly and his thighs tightened. Her confidence bloomed, the slightly salty taste of his flesh made her blood pound.

  She parted her lips against the head, hesitated a moment, and then slid her mouth down over him.