Smiley

  A hand gripped his shoulder and he figured it was Slash helping steer him in the right direction. He peeked once, regretted it as his eyes teared up from the acrid smoke but he was able to make out the news van they passed. They were almost to the gates.

  “This way,” a male snarled. “Keep coming. We have you covered.”

  Vanni’s arms wrapped around his neck and her legs spread, hugging his hips. Her fingernails dug into his shirt but he didn’t care if she scratched him. She was probably terrified. He peeked again and realized the smoke was clearing as they left the affected area. He saw the gate and a line of masked NSO officers with guns drawn, waiting for them. Two rushed forward and grabbed members of his team, leading them inside.

  The gates closed and Smiley sucked in air to his starved lungs. “It’s okay,” he whispered to Vanni. “You won’t choke.”

  She gasped and coughed a little. He hugged her tighter and kept walking to put more distance between them and the smoke. He looked around, appreciating the dozens of Species who’d rushed to the second gate to help. He nodded at a few of them. He blinked rapidly to clear the irritant from his eyes.

  “Are you okay?”

  Vanni nodded against his neck. She kept her face buried there. He stopped and just held her. He’d made a mistake by taking her away from Homeland. Luckily she hadn’t been harmed but the trauma of what she’d just experienced might sour her on becoming his mate. It pissed him off that everything had gone so badly. He tried to push that anger back though, wanting to soothe her.

  “Well, we sure know how to make an entrance.”

  Vanni lifted her head and peered at him. Her pretty eyes looked haunted but she smiled. “Is that what you call that?”

  “They didn’t manage to flip the SUV and we’re safe at Homeland.”

  “Why would they do that?”

  He hesitated. He didn’t want to give her more bad news. “I don’t know. Maybe they think it’s fun to rush a stranded SUV and turn it on its side. It happened once before. They took videos and posted them as if it were a prank. The team inside the SUV didn’t think it was funny.”

  A Jeep came hauling ass around a corner and he spotted Tim O’berto in the driver’s seat. He advanced when the male hit the brakes and jumped out, leaving the engine running.

  “Is she okay? Hurt?”

  “She’s fine.”

  Tim looked relieved. “I should have agreed to the chopper.”

  “I shouldn’t have agreed to let her leave Homeland,” Smiley responded. He stepped around Tim and walked to the passenger side of the Jeep. “Get in, Vanni. We’re going home.”

  Vanni slid down his front and he helped her climb inside. He rounded the vehicle and climbed into the driver’s seat. “I’m taking Vanni home.”

  “That’s my Jeep.” Tim scowled.

  “Get another and have Vanni’s new things sent to her home.” Smiley threw the Jeep in reverse and backed up slowly since Vanni hadn’t put on a seatbelt. He stopped, shifted gears and pushed the gas pedal. He just wanted to get her home and safe. She wouldn’t be leaving Homeland again.

  Vanni was still a bit shaken when Smiley escorted her into the house. He closed and locked the door, leaning against it. His grim expression told her he didn’t take what had happened as lightly as he’d implied. She kicked off the high heels, happy to be out of them.

  “No more shopping,” he announced.

  “I don’t really like it anyway. I buy a lot of my clothes online.”

  He blinked a few times and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry.”

  “For what?”

  “I shouldn’t have agreed to that outing. I didn’t think you’d be in danger. I failed you.”

  He was more than a little upset. He seemed to blame himself and she refused to let him. “That wasn’t your fault. I’ve come to the conclusion that people are assholes and idiots. You got me back safe and sound.” She lifted her arms and glanced down. “In one piece.” Her chin rose and she smiled at him. “I’m okay. It was scary there for a few minutes but we’ll laugh about this later.”

  He pushed away from the door and stalked toward her, stopping just inches away. “I will never find that funny. They could have flipped the SUV.”

  “They didn’t.”

  “They could have.”

  She liked the way he looked at her. His beautiful eyes showed worry and concern, all of it directed at her. She reached out and placed her hand against his chest. “I’m okay. I’m more worried about you right now.”

  His gaze widened. “Why?”

  “You’re more upset about what happened than I am.”

  “I made a mistake.”

  Her heart rate increased. It sounded as if he was about to dump her. She wasn’t even sure that was possible since they didn’t exactly have a relationship. “About what?”

  “I never should have agreed to take you shopping. I don’t care what the out world thinks of me. I know it was for the NSO and to prove the Woods Church statements to be untrue but it wasn’t worth risking your life. I won’t agree to put you in any kind of danger again.”

  “I was the one who agreed to go shopping.”

  “You’re mine to protect. I could have overruled the decision.”

  That surprised her. “What does that mean?”

  “You’re my responsibility to care for.”

  A horrible thought struck and she stopped touching him. “Is that why you’re with me? You feel responsible?”

  “No.” He frowned.

  “It’s not your fault that we were drugged. You were their target but Gregory and his messed-up followers did this to both of us.”

  “I’m aware.” She stumbled back a step and almost tripped on her discarded shoes. She righted herself before Smiley could reach out and help her, putting up her hands, waving him off. It hurt to think he might only be spending time with her out of some sense of duty. Her gaze locked with his.

  “Do you even like me or is this about guilt?”

  His lips parted and he looked surprised by her question.

  “Seriously. Just tell me the truth.”

  He advanced. “I want you. This isn’t about guilt. We have a bond.”

  “One that was forged because we went through a traumatic event together.”

  “It’s more than that. I feel things with you.”

  That helped ease her hurt. “I don’t want you here if it’s just because you think you owe me something.”

  “I want to spend time with you.” He frowned. “I was attracted to you before the drugs. I’m still attracted to you.”

  The tightness in her chest eased. “Okay.”

  Smiley wrapped his fingers around the curve of her hips, holding on to her. “How could you even question my attraction?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “You do know or you wouldn’t have said something like that. Look at me.”

  She hated seeing the way he gazed at her in that moment, as if she’d hurt his feelings. It made her regret the rash assumption. “My track record with men isn’t that great.”

  “You’re sweet, Vanni. You make me laugh and you drive me a little crazy.”

  “I know it’s a bit annoying that I’m not more outgoing.”

  “You don’t annoy me.”

  “You just said I drive you crazy.”

  He smiled and the pained look in his gaze vanished. “It’s because I’m so worried I’ll say or do something that will drive you away. I don’t want that. We’re from dissimilar backgrounds and I’m worried those differences will make you want to leave. I need you to stay.”

  “You do?”

  “Very much so.” He released her hip with one hand and cupped her face, dipping his head until his mouth hovered just inches from her lips. “I also would never call what we experienced traumatic. It brought us together. I can’t regret that.”

  “Me neither,” she admitted.

  He caressed her cheek. “Let me take you to bed. I want to prove to
you how strongly I feel. I’m not good with words but I can show you.” His fingertips trailed from her cheek to her neck. “Say yes.”

  She was tempted. “Do you understand that I don’t typically rush into a sexual relationship?”

  “I do. What we share is special.”

  She wanted to believe that. “I don’t know what you expect or want from me. Is it just sex?” She needed to express her concerns. “I don’t want to be used. That’s how I’ll feel later if you just walk away. I don’t do casual sex.”

  Smiley softly groaned. “I’d frighten you if you knew how serious my feelings are.”

  “Is that just a line?”

  His eyebrows arched and a confused look filled his gaze. “What does that mean?”

  “Men just say what they think a woman wants to hear to get her to agree to go to bed with them. They don’t mean it.”

  “I’m nothing like your males, Vanni. I wouldn’t lie to you. Our females wouldn’t want me to tell them I have deep feelings. They prefer males who keep an emotional distance. I don’t want that with you. I wouldn’t share how I feel if I was just saying what I think you want to hear from me. I’d keep it hidden.”

  “So you’re looking for a girlfriend? A serious relationship?”

  “Yes.”

  “I don’t know how that could work out between us. You live here and I live about two hours away.” She wished she could see a way to make it work but wanted to be totally honest. “You also spend a lot of time at that Reservation place. That’s up north. Long-distance relationships never work. We can’t even date. You saw what happened when we went shopping together. It’s not as if we can go out to dinner.”

  “You never have to leave my side. We could live together.”

  Whoa! She swallowed hard. “That’s moving kind of fast.”

  He let his hand drop away from her throat. “Life is short, Vanni.”

  She had learned that lesson. Gregory and his goon could have killed her. She also could have died from the drug. She peered up at him and wanted to say yes but it just wasn’t that simple. She wished it could be.

  “Give me some time.”

  “I’ll give you anything you need.” He stepped back and urged her to follow him.

  They ended up in the bedroom. Smiley sat on the bed and bent to remove his boots. She enjoyed watching him strip out of the shirt. He had a beautiful chest and his fit body always took her breath away. He stood and cocked his head.

  “Will you let me show you how I feel?”

  She clumsily unbuttoned her shirt. He watched as she removed it and let it drop to the floor. His gaze seemed fixated on her bra.

  “You’re so beautiful.”

  It encouraged her to reach back and unzip the skirt then shove it down her hips. It hit the floor and she stood there in her bra and panties. Smiley came closer and reached around her to unfasten the bra. He had it off in seconds. She’d noticed the first time he’d so easily unlatched her bra that he seemed to have some experience at undressing a woman. He looked down as he bared her breasts, a soft, sexy noise coming from his parted lips. He wasn’t like any other man she’d known. She decided he was so much better. No one had ever affected her the way he did.

  He lightly caressed her hips before hooking his thumbs in the sides of her panties and surprised her by dropping to his knees. He tugged them down until they were around her ankles. She used his broad shoulders to help keep her balance as she stepped out of them. Smiley looked up at her, his dark eyes smoldering with passion.

  “You should never wear clothing.”

  “You either,” she admitted. “You’re a little overdressed.”

  “Get on the bed.”

  She moved out of his reach and sat on top of the covers. Smiley opened the front of his slacks and just shoved them down, not even bothering to remove them. He climbed up on the bed and she lay back when he crawled over her until his face hovered just above hers.

  “Let me kiss you.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, licking her lips to wet them. “Please.”

  His soft lips brushed hers. That changed rapidly though when he deepened the kiss and she met his passion. He lowered more of his weight onto her, pinning her down on the bed. She liked how hot his skin was, pressed tightly to hers, and the way he shifted his hips, bumping against her thigh to let her know what he wanted. Vanni spread her legs to make room for him between them.

  He broke the kiss and lifted up enough to stare into her eyes. “I’m going to roll us.”

  She wanted to protest but it was done before she could speak. She ended up sprawled on top of him. She tried to scoot down a little but his stiff cock bumping against her pussy halted her. His hands splayed on her rib cage as he bent his legs to raise her shoulders higher, allowing him to cup her breasts.

  Vanni closed her eyes at the sensation of his firm hands kneading her. She bit her lower lip, enjoying the caress.

  “So beautiful and soft.”

  Bracing her knees on the mattress, she tried to lift her pussy away from his lower belly, the ache between her legs a telling sign that she was getting aroused. He was making her hot and she didn’t want to get him wet.

  He let go of one breast to grab her hip and pull her down again. She opened her eyes and stared at him. He shook his head. “Stay where you are.”

  He bent his legs up, kicking off his pants as he did, and trapped her where she sat as the tops of his thighs pressed against her ass. His stiff cock was trapped between them. There was no missing the thick, hard shaft. He slowly rolled his hips. The erotic motion rubbed her clit against him. She braced her hands on his chest, just needing something to cling to.

  “What are you doing?” She hadn’t experienced anything quite like it.

  “I enjoy watching your face.”

  That made her blush. She broke eye contact and stared at his stomach. His well-defined abs flexed as he continued to slowly rock his hips as she sat on top of him. The aching increased, almost a tease of what it would feel like if his cock was inside her. She grew wetter and knew he must be aware of it.

  He released her hip and slid his thumb between her pussy and his lower belly. He traced her slit, played with the proof of her arousal and then pressed the pad of his thumb against her clit. She moaned.

  “So beautiful,” he rasped.

  “Smiley!” She wanted him inside her.

  “Not yet. I want you too much. You need to come for me first so you’re prepared.”

  For what? She was already wet and ready to have sex. He continued to play with her breast, using his thumb and forefinger to pinch her nipple gently. She closed her eyes, the sharp jolt of pleasure making her pussy clench.

  His cock felt harder as it rubbed her ass and the muscles of his thighs pressed tighter against her too. He rolled his hips under her, the slow rocking driving her insane. She wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anyone. His sexy, intense gaze seemed to see right into her soul as his thumb circled her clit in tight movements that drove her wild. She panted and moaned but fought the urge to dig her nails into his skin.

  “Please,” she pleaded.

  “Fuck,” he groaned. “I could never say no to you.” He jerked his hand away, stopping the torment of her clit, lowered his legs and sat up. She almost fell backward now that he wasn’t supporting her. He also stopped massaging her breast.

  “I’ll try to be gentle.”

  He rolled her onto her side. She hadn’t seen that coming and lay there a little stunned until he got to his knees and bent forward, grabbing her hips. He flipped her over onto her stomach as if she weighed nothing.

  “Hands and knees,” he ordered. His voice came out in a deep rasp and sent good chills down her spine.

  She pushed up and did what he wanted, hurting for him to fuck her. She expected him to climb upward and pin her under him but Smiley surprised her again when he gripped her inner thighs and urged her to part them. She spread her knees until he let her go and sat back
on his heels.

  Vanni gasped when he shoved both hands between her parted legs, flattened them on her lower belly and jerked her backward. The rapid movement lifted her off her knees and her chest hit the bed when her arms collapsed. The thick crown of his cock pressed against her pussy and he entered her. She cried out when he suddenly drove inside. He eased his hands from between them so she was half on his lap, facedown on the bed with his bent knees under her stomach. He spread her legs farther and bent forward, coming down over her.

  He fucked her deep and hard, one hand hooked around her hip to keep her in place. She clawed at the bedding, not caring if her nails damaged it. His finger found her clit and with every thrust of his hips the friction drove her higher. She buried her face against the bedspread, moaning louder as he increased the pace.

  It was so good it nearly hurt. Her vaginal muscles clenched in anticipation of the impending climax, along with about every other muscle in her body. Smiley fucked her even faster, the headboard banging loudly against the wall. She didn’t care. He was so hard and it was so good.

  “Killing me, Vanni,” Smiley groaned.

  She would have said the same but the world exploded around her when she started to come. Ecstasy ripped through her and she was pretty sure she screamed. Smiley tore his hand from between them and grabbed her hips, driving into her as deep as he could get and jerking with enough force to shake them both as he came too, while snarling her name.

  His dick pulsed inside her as if it had a heartbeat. He slowed his tight thrusts until he was still. The firm grip on her hips eased and he leaned forward, his chest pressing against her back. He didn’t crush her with his weight but he definitely had her pinned.

  “No female makes me feel the way you do, Vanni,” he rasped, his breathing erratic. “Was that too rough?”

  She just shook her head, lacking the energy to turn her head to peer at him. “I loved that.”

  He brushed a kiss on her shoulder and stroked her outer thigh. His big hand gentle as he explored her from hip to knee then back again. “Me too. We’re going to do this a lot. Often.”