Lea’s eyes went wide and then clutched her stomach with both hands as her sweet laughter filled the air. Good one. Lea had backed up to the wall for support as she continued to laugh.
Lynx had walked ahead to secure our car as Miller and Xian flanked Lea and I, amusement on their faces at my sudden playfulness. I closed the distance between Lea and I and placed one hand on the wall by her shoulder and the other on her cheek causing her to immediately quiet.
Shit, she hissed as she realized she was in the same situation as before for the third time now.
I dropped my head to her ear. You know, this is currently my favorite position for you to be in.
I placed a kiss on her shoulder and then stepped back.
Lea sighed quietly, So I’ve noticed.
I searched Lea’s face as she spoke. There was no sarcastic undertones to her words and I let my eyes drop to her plump lips.
May I ? I looked back into her eyes.
I held my breath as I waited for her answer. Normally I would have just taken the kiss, but I did want to try to be more for Lea.
She slowly nodded and watched nervously as I closed the distance between us for the second time. I placed one hand on her waist as I cupped her face with the other and lowered my lips onto hers. My body relaxed into Lea as she placed one hand on my arm at her waist and the other on my chest.
I brushed her soft mouth with my rough one, causing my body to feel as if it were going to explode from the simple contact. But I held back my desire to ravage her lips, not wanting to scare her off by asking for anything more than this moment.
I savored the taste of her and felt Lea shiver as I kept the kiss light and gentle. I pulled away a few moments later, taking in a deep breath as I laid my forehead against hers.
Fuck, do you know what you do to me ? I asked quietly as Lea fought to steady her breathing.
I have a pretty good idea.
I growled as a throat cleared behind me.
Boss, Miller’s voice was hesitant as he spoke, the um, the car is ready.
I pulled completely away from Lea and held my hand out. She looked up and past our two guards, a blush settling over her exposed skin. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she placed her hand in mine.
We walked out into the night, the air holding a hint of coolness. I felt Lea shiver beside me and shrugged out of my suit jacket, dropping Lea’s hand just long enough to drape the jacket over her shoulders.
Thanks.
You’re welcome.
Lynx stepped from the car and held our door open as we all took the seats we had before and settled into a comfortable silence.
It was midnight and we had about a two hour ride before we were home. Lea covered her mouth and yawned.
Tired ?
She nodded and pulled my jacket tighter around her.
Come here. I put my arm behind her and pulled her into my side, Rest. I’ll wake you when we get to the house.
I was more than surprised when Lea didn’t argue or struggle against me. I was even more shocked when she pulled her legs up onto the seat between her and Miller and tucked them under her as she curled into my side and laid her head on my shoulder.
Thank you. Her voice was thick with sleep.
You’re welcome, Lea.
I watched the steady rise and fall Lea’s chest and brushed the hair from her forehead.
You really do care for her. Lynx spoke quietly from the driver seat.
Yes. There was no use in denying the truth. And I’m counting on you three to help me keep her safe.
A chorus of Yes, Boss sound through the car.
I pressed a kiss onto the top of Lea’s head and rested my chin on top of it.
Boss ?
Yes. I looked up and met Lynx’s narrowed gaze through the rear view mirror a little while later.
We are being followed.
Shit.
I had honestly expected it to happen. That was why I had wanted Lynx and Miller with Lea and I tonight. Xian was here so that the three of us could keep an eye on him, to gauge his true intentions.
Is it one of ours ?
I knew the answer before I asked. If Lynx was informing me that someone was behind us, it was because he knew the car wasn’t one that we kept in the showroom. He was, after all, his secondary responsibility in the house was the maintenance and security sweeps of the vehicles we owned.
No. It’s a low end, late 2005 sedan.
How long ? I pulled my safety belt around Lea and I and secured it as I held her closer.
The last half hour.
How far are we from the house ? I ran my hand over Lea’s arm, more to calm my anger than anything else.
About forty minutes.
I pulled my jacket out of Lea’s grasp, careful not to wake her, and reached into the pocket. I pulled out my phone and punched the number for Darrell.
We are being followed. I didn’t wait for an answer, We are just over half a hour from the house.
On it, Boss.
How do you want to handle it, Boss ? Lynx asked as I slid the phone closed.
I looked down at Lea. I’d be damned if anything was going to happen to her tonight.
Stay on course, act as though nothing is wrong. Darrell will intersect within a couple of miles.
Lynx nodded.
Ten minutes later Lynx broke the tense silence. There’s Darrell.
I watched as Darrell sped past us and drove out of sight. It was a tactic we used to avoid suspicion. He would drive by the trailing sedan, turn around, then catch up to us and slide in between our two vehicles.
Once he forced the sedan to a stop, he would find out who the person was and what their intentions were. Their punishment would depend on the answers they gave.
Darrell approached and cut in behind us and started to slow.
Take the alternate route. I wanted to be sure that there was not a second car on our tail.
Lynx drove another mile before turning down a one lane black top road. The entrance was hidden by overgrown brush and unless you knew it existed, it was impossible to see, especially at night.
We drove a few more miles, each of us holding our breaths as we turned once more. It was only after we pulled into the heavily armed gates of the house thirty minutes later that we all finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Lynx drove us to the showroom garage and turned the Navigator off. As I removed the safety belt and pulled Lea into my lap, I pressed a kiss to her forehead, thankful she was still asleep. Lynx opened the door and I slid out with Lea in my arms.
The doors to the house opened and Lea’s four guards stepped into the showroom, weapons raised. Each man looked tense and pissed as they scanned the garage.
Lea stirred slightly as I tilted my head toward the men and proceeded toward the main house.
As the bright lights of the hall flicked on, Lea scrunched her eyes together and started mumbling, Put the sun back outside for Christ’s sake Jack.
If things hadn’t been as tense as they were, I would have asked her what she meant. However, I couldn’t relax, not just yet.
Where do you want to take her Boss ? Leon asked tightly.