Protection Read online

  A man clapped him over the shoulders. “You’re in there, James.”

  Alice frowned at the bearded man who spoke. All four of his eyes winked and that beard grew out of control. With fierce concentration, she leaned on James, a firm grip on his arm for balance while she savored the play of hard muscles beneath her breasts.

  James sucked in a hasty breath as Alice wriggled one warm hand beneath the collar of his shirt. The minx was as drunk as a lord, and so, so sexy with it. Talk about temptation on two wobbly legs.

  Ignoring the regulars and their smart-arse comments, he steered her out the front door of the pub, conscious of how well she fit in his arms. She smelled great—of cinnamon and whiskey. After an afternoon with her, he appreciated her intelligence. When he’d seen her disappear into the pub, he’d made two calls and joined her. In the back of his mind, he’d hoped to move from business acquaintances to intimate friends or at least nudge the relationship in that direction. He hadn’t figured on squiring a drunken female to safety.

  A virgin. Almost virgin.

  He wondered at the story behind the almost bit. Why the hell had she told him that? Now his imagination worked overtime while he pondered the color of her nipples and how her breasts would fill his hands. Not that he could do anything tonight. His cock lengthened, exerting a clear opinion on the matter, unhappy with the gentlemanly notions crowding his mind.

  But hell, no way could he take advantage of a woman in this condition. Despite his reputation, he had principles, a code of conduct. He snorted. And wouldn’t Ms. Knowall fall over in shock if she discovered this truth.

  James propelled her from the Cricket into the main street. Night had fallen and streetlights lit the cobblestone footpath. Apart from the corner dairy, which did a brisk trade in their small games room, the shops had closed for the evening. A group of teenagers lingered outside, the telltale haze of cigarette smoke giving away their purpose. Although he knew them, James steered Alice past with nothing more than a curt nod. He ushered her down the street past the post office and the florist’s with its dramatic spring window display.

  The Children of Nature shop had a baby-wear display in their window. A snort emerged and for a few seconds he considered sprinkling the footpath with condoms. He chuckled. Ah, perhaps not. After dodging a couple outside the jeweler’s, he guided Alice past the police station and headed toward Alice’s Griffin Street accommodation.

  “Can you skip?” Alice demanded.

  “No.”

  “I wanna skip. Never done it before.” Alice spoiled her dignified reply with a loud hiccup. “Wanna skip.” She struggled.

  “James Bates, hands off that woman?”

  Oh god. His mother. They’d almost made it to Griffin Street. Why couldn’t she have waited for a few minutes longer before taking the dog for a walk? Dredging up patience, he turned to face her. Gypsy, his mother’s dog, growled low at the back of his throat. The fluffy white rat had never taken to him.

  His mother scowled. “Unhand her this instant.”

  Alice chose that moment to come to find her tongue again. “No, no,” she chided, waving an unsteady finger through the air. She almost whipped off his mother’s nose. “I might fall over. I’m almost a virgin, you know. We’re going to my place to take care of that wee matter.”

  James groaned. His mother already considered him a wastrel. She’d told him often enough he was a disgrace to the family and should emulate his older lawyer sister.

  “James!”

  “Think what you like, Mother. Nothing I say will sway you.” James tried to keep the bitterness from his voice and failed. Without another word, he directed Alice down the street. His mother’s hard stare bored into his back until they turned the corner onto Griffin Street. One more transgression to add to the long list his mother kept on his behalf. James sighed.

  The old Victorian house where Alice had chosen to stay was halfway down the street. He opened the white gate and they ambled up the footpath to the front door. The owners—Jake and Lindy Redcliff—kept the place immaculate. Tidy beds of red petunias and white pansies contrasted with the duck-egg blue paint of the house.

  “Do you have your key?”

  “In my pocket. Lucy Locket had a pocket, ya know? Kept her key there.”

  “Clever girl.” His mouth twitched. She made him laugh, but he’d bet she wouldn’t chuckle much tomorrow morning. “Which room are you in?”

  “Sunny one.” She blinked like a sleepy owl and pressed even more firmly against his side.

  James assumed the Sunflower room. Luckily, he knew the location since he’d stayed in the same room for two weeks when he’d first arrived back in Sloan.

  “Alice. Alice, are you awake?”

  “No,” she whispered.

  With a soft chuckle, James searched for a pocket and found her key in the second one he tried. He unlocked the door and maneuvered her inside. After shutting the door, he scooped her up in his arms and headed to the Sunflower room. The stairs creaked a loud protest. James froze, positive Jake and Lindy would cry intruder. When it didn’t happen, he continued up the stairs, glad they’d left night lights on for her.

  James reached Alice’s room and fumbled the door open. He shouldered his way inside and flipped on the light before closing the door.

  “Can you stand on your own?”

  “Course I can,” Alice warbled. She lurched forward and almost fell flat on her face.

  James lifted her off her feet and dropped her on top of the white lacy bed cover. Lindy had changed the room, the décor more feminine since he’d stayed here.

  “I’d better go.”

  “No, you can’t leave yet.” Her pink lips formed a pout. “I need you.” Her voice rose.

  “Okay.” James agreed to stay and prayed she didn’t wake Jake and Lindy. In all honesty, he didn’t think they’d mind, but he’d prefer not to experience their reactions when a clean getaway would work better. “I’ll sit beside the bed for a while.”

  Alice glowered at him then kicked off her shoes, pulled back the covers and lay full length on the bed. “My head’s all a spin.”

  “Close your eyes and breathe. It might help if you lie on your side.” But it probably wouldn’t. Hopefully she wouldn’t throw up. James covered her, watching while she followed his instructions and relaxed when he heard her soft sigh. A clock ticked and he closed his eyes. He’d stay until she fell asleep.

  The crick in his neck woke him. James winced, coming to full wakefulness and stretching out the kinks. A soft snore drew his attention and early morning light shone through the net curtains. What the hell? The previous evening rushed back to him.

  Alice. He’d only intended to sit with her until she’d gone to sleep, but he must’ve dozed off. James rose from the chair and stretched his hands above his head.

  The figure in the bed stirred and woke quicker than he had. “James, I’m still dressed. I’m still an almost virgin, aren’t I?”

  Her question rubbed him the wrong way as did her hopeful expression. “What sort of man do you think I am?” Perhaps she’d listened to the rumors.

  Alice stared at him with a solemn expression. “A sexy one.”

  A surprised laugh escaped. “Why me? What about your boyfriend?” James dropped back into the chair. Despite good behavior last night, he’d seen a little more of her body. She was curvy in the old-fashioned film star kind of way. Large breasts, a trim waist and curvy hips for a man to hold on to. A pocket Venus. “What the hell is an almost virgin?”

  “Steven doesn’t enjoy sex. He has done nothing but kiss me. Doesn’t seem to like that either. You have more experience with women.” Alice’s gaze shifted across his face before drifting lower, devouring him with an innocent hunger that made his cock rear to attention. “Besides he doesn’t like me anymore.”

  James reacted to her even though she’d pissed him off with the implication he slept with every woman who walked into his life. Or maybe he was extra touchy because of Ms. Knowall’
s frequent digs at his love life in her column. He led a productive life, dammit, and he liked it fine without changes. He could do what he wanted, when he wanted. Footloose and unencumbered remained his motto. Who the hell wanted settled and stagnated?

  He stood and prowled across a blue Persian rug until he reached the bed. “Are you sure I’m not the big, bad wolf? You’ve heard the rumors about me, right?” He took his time, moving nearer and nearer to her until he lay on ruffled lemon sheets.

  “No.” Her voice sounded a trifle uncertain now and he watched her teeth tug at her bottom lip. If she kept that up, it would soon look swollen and puffy, as if she’d kissed a man for a long time.

  The need to make it so surged within him, biting with an intense ache. James leaned over her, caging Alice between his arms and the bed. He closed the distance between them, the beat of his heart loud to his own ears. He might not be a saint, but he had a conscience, his own set of morals. One last chance. “Are you sure you want this?”

  Chapter Four

  “Yes.” Alice swallowed. This close, James appeared big and strong and not as tame as she’d prefer. “Yes, I’m sure.”

  What would her friend Jennifer do in the same situation? Something devious, but what? Quick, decide. She couldn’t dilly-dally here all day because he’d leave.

  She’d have to go to the restroom at some stage. After a fight to free herself from the constraints of the sheets and his muscular arms, she wriggled one hand from captivity. The force of her struggle slammed it into his collarbone.

  He winced but when he tried to back away, her fingers curved around his shoulder and clung. His scent tickled her nose and made her think of the outdoors—trees, grass and trickling streams all tangled up with lemon. His body warmth seared right through the fabric of his shirt and the man froze at her touch.

  Good? Bad?

  Alice wasn’t certain, but she let her hand slide toward the open collar of his white shirt. Her fingers slipped underneath the fabric and met warm flesh. Her breath caught at her daring. She’d never been like Jennifer, one to grab what she wanted from life. Alice inhaled, steadying her attack of nerves.

  All that would change, and soon.

  “Let me go,” she demanded.

  “This is not a good idea. I’m not nice when it comes to sex.”

  What did he mean not nice? Did he beat his women?

  She peeped at him between lowered lashes and decided no. Perhaps he meant he enjoyed unusual positions. Did she need to purchase a sex manual and hit the research trail? She’d noticed a bookstore on the main street. No wait, the internet would present less of the embarrassment factor.

  With a toss of her head, one hard enough to make her hair swish across her forehead, she licked her lips.

  “Mad, bad and dangerous to know.” Alice’s voice entered sultry territory. An alien had taken over her body. There was no other explanation. “Take off your shirt so I can touch you.”

  James stared at her, his blue eyes dark and unfathomable. Finally, he levered away from the bed.

  She held her breath, afraid to move. If he walked away, she didn’t know what she’d do. Hopefully, the alien inside her body had a plan of attack should the need arise.

  He stood by the bed, his hesitation obvious. Then, in a flurry of movement, he stripped off his shirt.

  Alice inspected him, frissons of excitement tugging her breasts, her nether region, her entire body. That would be pussy, the alien inside snapped. Don’t act prissily. Men don’t like prudes. They want real women.

  James continued undressing. With rapid movements, he stripped off his jeans and black briefs. He kicked them aside and stood in a statue-like pose.

  A naked man.

  Oh. My. God.

  He prowled toward her.

  Alice gulped, her gaze zeroing in on his erection. It bobbed up and down, only stopping when he halted by the bed, mere inches from her head.

  “Now that you’ve got me naked, what do you intend to do with me?” he asked in a sexy drawl.

  A challenge.

  Alice glanced away from the thick cock. Good question. Her gaze drifted back to the veins beneath the surface and the darker-colored head.

  Without warning, it felt as though someone had sucked every particle of oxygen from the room.

  “Why don’t I give you a hint? For this to go any further, both of us need to remove our clothes. We can’t have down and dirty sex if you hide under there.”

  Now that was a dig at her. Alice flung back the sheet that covered her bottom half. She still wore her black skirt, her matching top and black cotton socks. She stood and peeled off her socks.

  “That it? All I get to see is your toes?”

  Alice grimaced and, despite a tremble of fingers, undid the top three buttons of her shirt. It gaped to show the generous curves of her breasts. Doubt struck hard and shot terror through her veins. What would he think? Ever since her early teenage years, males had fixated on her breasts because they were so big.

  It was the reason she dressed in layers with clothes that disguised the size of her chest. It was why she’d accepted Steven when he’d asked her out on a date. He hadn’t studied her breasts first. She laughed, some of her humor directed at herself. Steven didn’t like to look at all. Something ironic in that.

  “Changed your mind?”

  “No.” Alice unfastened the last buttons and shrugged the baggy black shirt off her shoulder, baring her sturdy bra to his gaze. Without hesitation, Alice peeled her black skirt over her hips. With a deft twist of her wrist, she flicked her bra closure and removed it. For an instant, she paused then shucked her panties. After a deep breath, Alice straightened. She stood upright, her shoulders back so James saw her clearly.

  His expression didn’t change for a long, drawn-out second. Then his brows rose. “Is there a problem?”

  “Um, I need to go to the bathroom.” She couldn’t maintain his gaze and scanned the room. Two suitcases sat in the far corner. Ah, her clothes. Thank goodness the lost case had arrived. The courier had promised her he’d recheck the depot. They must have found it. Her gaze flitted back to James and away.

  “I’ll be here when you come back.”

  Alice cast another doubtful glance in his direction before scuttling to her en suite and shutting the door. He’d seen her naked. The thought ran through her mind in a constant loop while she took care of business. What if he left? What if one look at her naked body had appalled him?

  She grimaced as she washed her hands and cleaned her teeth. Her head ached a little. A hasty breath later, she opened the door.

  He was still there.

  Relieved, she closed the distance between them and let her breasts brush his chest. He’d had his chance. It was too late for him to flee now. Delight zapped her, a jolt of pleasure as her nipples dragged against the muscled planes of his chest.

  James shuddered, grasped her shoulders and drew her even closer. “Hell.”

  “Something wrong?” He’d seen her now. If he left, she’d have to kill him.

  “Why do you hide your stunning body in those godawful clothes?”

  “People gawk at my breasts. They don’t see me. I hated my teenage years and my appearance.” She gestured at her chest.

  “So you hid.”

  “Self-protection.”

  James lowered his head. Alice closed her eyes and puckered up, her heart pounding so hard she could barely hear herself think. Their mouths slid together and clung. She sighed, loving the hardness of his lips as they shifted against hers.

  He pulled back and smiled down at her. “Open your mouth for me.”

  Alice puckered up again, rounding her lips so they parted. “Like this?”

  He chuckled. “Relax your lips. I won’t hurt you. Kissing is enjoyable. Pleasurable.”

  “Prove it,” Alice dared.

  With a laugh, he cupped her face and dipped his head to nibble her lips. Alice attempted to relax but it wasn’t easy with his naked body pressed ag
ainst hers. His tongue slid over her bottom lip, then his teeth bit down. She gasped, and he took advantage, coaxing and urging her to open her mouth farther. His tongue slipped inside, teasing, sliding against hers.

  Kissing Steven had never thrilled her like this. Her breasts ached even though he’d hardly touched them. She shuddered, aware the best was yet to come.

  Without warning, he swung her into his arms and walked over to the bed. Alice was so startled she didn’t have time to squeak. She bounced on the bed before James leaned over and fixed her body in place.

  “Will I get in trouble if I pay attention to your breasts?” James kissed the corner of her mouth, the tip of her nose.

  “Just do the same thing you’d do with any of your women,” she said, striving for an airy tone when acute embarrassment filled her. No one had scrutinized her chest like this since age thirteen when she’d fallen into her friend’s swimming pool at a party. To this day, she didn’t wear T-shirts.

  James froze, the rub of her luscious breasts against his chest a kind of torture. For the second time she’d implied he had too much experience. He studied her innocent expression and released his indignation as he took in the sights. With a finger, he traced the base of one breast before following the feathering of veins beneath the surface. Not one freckle. She possessed skin the color of rich cream, and he wanted to lap every inch. Her breast quivered at his touch, her pretty pink nipple pulling tight. The whisper of pleasure from her lips made his cock twitch.

  Hell, she was beautiful, from her full, creamy breasts to her slim waist and flaring hips. Not fashionable, but her body would make any red-blooded man howl with joy.

  His affronted mood subsided as he concentrated on her. He trailed his hand across her collarbone, savoring the petal-soft skin. Desire filled him plus the need to give her pleasure and make her first time with him one she’d remember. Selfishly, he didn’t intend to give her another opportunity to say no. He’d tried to do the right thing, to warn her and his conscience remained clear.

  She was willing.