Guarding Their Valentine Read online

  “Innocent?” she asks as if tasting the word for the first time.

  “Untouched,” I counter, wondering what her answer will be. If I had a guess I would say she’s a virgin, but neither of us would care. We will be her first in so many other ways.

  A wild look roams over her expression as she dodges my question.

  She follows my lead through several turns. Out of the corner of my eye I see Noah trailing our position a few feet away.

  “Our mother saw to it we learned. I shamelessly wanted to learn hip-hop much to my mother disgust. So naturally I insisted.” The admission makes her eye sparkle with the memories.

  “I would bet my bottom dollar you can do a killer break dance.”

  Her fingers tighten around my hand and the other on my shoulder as I guide us across the floor. Her dress flows with the movements and there goes that slit of her dress again.

  She breathes out, and I catch a hint of mint and my mouth waters.

  “I wanted to be a dancer before—”

  She drops her words off and I focus on our moves, letting her regain her composure, pulling her closer. The sad look on her face makes my fucking heart crack down the middle.

  “Before my brother died,” she finishes so quietly I have to strain my hearing over the music.

  “God, you’re killing me, beautiful, please don’t be sad. I rub the tip of my nose against hers before I can think better of it and pull her into a deep dip that has her eyes pinned on me.

  “You’re killing me and I’m ready to slay the fucking dragons that have put that look in your eyes.”

  “Nice thought. But I don’t think there’s much you can do unless you can turn back time.”

  I shouldn’t say the next word on the tip of my tongue but the pain in her eyes force my lips to move. “I’ll find a way to heal your heart, damn it. I promise. You’re too precious to have that pained look in your eyes.”

  I scoop her up and spin her into Noah’s waiting arms, meaning every last syllable of my promise.

  Chapter Five

  Valentina

  My nipples peak and I slam my eyes shut as Noah carries us across the floor. Ash’s husked words play my body like a finely tuned instrument. I can do nothing more than follow Noah for several seconds.

  I hit a mental rewind on our conversation as one waltz melds into another.

  He promises? What the hell does that mean?

  I relax into Noah’s warm arms as he holds me protectively. By the side I see Ash tracking us.

  Noah is just as smooth on the dance floor as Ash and as we glide across the polished marble, he makes me feel light as a feather.

  All the swirls of combined perfumes and musky colognes from the other men finally dissipate and when I inhale, Noah’s masculine scent fills my senses.

  I shake my head but it does no good.

  It’s all it takes to pull my mind off of Ash’s words and onto the man who I no longer see as a hulking beast.

  “You move like a panther. Do you always dance like this with your clients?”

  “Like what?”

  His fingers trace the dip of my back and my breath lingers in my throat for a long moment.

  I lean into his arms until my chest presses against his. “Like you’re making love to them,” I purr.

  Just like Ash, Noah glides us to a swaying halt, I swallow a moan when his fingers press into me.

  What was it about these men drawing attention to us? I flash a sheepish smile to a passing couple I recognize as the governor and his wife. My mother would be receiving a call by tomorrow at the latest. Those two had lunch twice a month and by the extra long looks aimed my way, there will be no end to the questions they will lay on my mother.

  “Princess, this isn’t us pleasing you. Yet. I saw the look in your eyes when you were dancing with Ash. I didn’t have to hear the words to understand the emotions behind your eyes. You feel what we feel. Do you deny it?”

  “You feel it too?” I ask quietly as though anything said above a whisper will break whatever spell that has fallen over the three of us.

  “Something draws us to you, Valentina. Give us one night.”

  His hand finds the place where Ash placed his, and the second the roughness of his palm finds my heated skin I whimper.

  Does that make me weak? Probably.

  Insane in that I only just met these men? Err, I’d rather not answer that just yet if I do not have to.

  Does any of it matter in the large scale of things? Not in the least.

  “One night?”

  My mind goes blank as his dark eyes watch every inch of my expression.

  We’ve all but forgotten about our dance as we sway in place on the outskirts of the dance floor. Ash is hanging back, giving us a moment alone.

  Noah brushes long brunette locks of hair over my shoulder and leans in into my nipples brush against his chest. The slightest touch causes them to pebble and I suck in a shocked gasp.

  “You will know the difference when we have you between us and learn the difference between foreplay and when two men pleasure their woman.”

  Noah’s dark eyes gleam with sexual knowledge I desperately want to learn.

  What is happening to me? I want to groan aloud with the frustration I feel toward myself but keep it under a tight lid. Within an hour of meeting my newly hired bodyguards, I want to do exactly what my best friend suggested and fuck their brains out.

  Or vice-versa works for me too.

  Maybe I shouldn’t fight what I feel. We’re all adults and like Ash put it, why should I refuse to acknowledge the truth and lie to myself? There’s nothing wrong with knowing what you want and going for it.

  I’m already doing it with my code—why not now with the two of them?

  A flash of a shiver rushes me. Thinking about their size has me clenching my legs and a warm liquid wetting my thighs.

  “Tell me how to take your silence. Should we step back, walk away, or are you curious as to why your pussy drips with sweet cum right this second and what we can do about it? That’s right, princess, I saw you clench your thighs. I know what your body is asking for. Question is, do you want to give it what it wants?”

  Smug and arrogant. I imagine his hands parting my thighs, his friend's hands in my hair and lips sucking on my nipples, making them hard with lust.

  If I said no and walked away I’d be masturbating to their images every night. My hand would get pretty tired. Why should I do that if I can have the real thing?

  “May I cut in?”

  I jump and my face reddens.

  I really shouldn’t be shocked by what comes out of either man’s mouth but the sudden interruption has me turning with my mouth gaped open like a damn school girl caught reading her mother’s filthy romance novels.

  “Mr. Thacker?”

  I’m content where I am at and don’t make a move to comply with the request. I could be dancing with the devil and still not want to move.

  “Are these men bothering you, my love?”

  His pet name makes cold chills skitter along my spine. I was wondering when the slimy billionaire would get enough steel in his balls to approach. I noticed him walking the fringes of the dance floor a few moments before, only I made the mistake of not preparing myself for the inevitable.

  They did that to me.

  I couldn’t afford the distractions. Not when I’m within seeing distance to cracking the damn code and being done with it all.

  Which meant there would be no need for my bodyguards and I didn’t need my one-seventy IQ to know that meant they would be nothing more than a quick romp in the sheets for Valentines.

  Fun, but I didn’t have time for fun. Time means lives and money.

  Both of which I can’t afford to squander when I have a promise to keep.

  Thacker places a heavy hand on my shoulder and I flinch. I’m sure he didn’t mean to be so brutish but the chunky emerald ring on his finger dug into my bare flesh.

  I’m not a co
nfrontational kind of person, but it doesn’t seem Noah has a problem throwing his massive weight around.

  “The lady is dancing with me. Fuck off. Sorry.”

  I almost snort. Like hell he is sorry.

  Thacker leans around Noah’s broad shoulder, thinking his money affords him the scene he is making.

  “I’m not talking to you, piece of trash. Move out of my way. You’re nothing but the hired help. Mr. Carmichael told me about you. The two of you are dancing around my woman like two hyenas. I’ll ruin you both. Now step away.”

  My brows rise. “Your woman? Thacker, what has gotten into you?”

  And just like that my stealthy panther transforms into the hulking beast I first met.

  Noah pulls me behind him and in the next second I feel Ash come up behind me. He sandwiches me between him and Noah and I know one more word from Thacker and it might be his last.

  In front of me, Noah’s shoulders rise and fall with his heavy breathing.

  “You don’t want this. Take a breather, man. Walk away while you can. No harm done.”

  Ash speaks up from behind me and places a protective hand on my shoulder. “Believe me when I say nothing will make me feel better than to polish the scuff marks off the marble with your pussy ass face. Don’t push us.”

  Both men’s warning turns lethal and despite trying, Thacker can’t work his level of intimidation to match Noah’s or Ash’s.

  My eyes grow big. So this is what I’m up for. Wow.

  “Another time perhaps.” Thacker turns his attention to me. “I’ll be seeing you, Valentina. We have business to discuss. Alone. Until then.” He fixes me with a dark look that has my skin crawling.

  Ash moves behind me and places a gentle hand on my back. The gesture is soothing, but I can’t take my eyes off the scene in front of me.

  When Thacker melts into the crowd and everyone returns to their drinks and low whispering, all eyes on us, I take several steps away from both men. Neither let me get very far.

  Thacker needed someone to stand up to him and it did my soul good to hear and see it for myself.

  “I need air. No…” I change my direction down a hidden exit that leads to the back of the house and the farthest from the guests. “…I need to get out of here.”

  Noah gives me a quick nod. “Sounds good to us.”

  Their proximity is more potent by the minute and I’m having a hard time remembering why I thought falling into their arms and bed was a bad idea.

  Both mean lead me from the ballroom and I find us a small study off to the side. “Is there a back way out of here?”

  “Follow me. There’s a back staircase that leads down to the parking garage from my father’s office. It’s how he sneaks out for a round of golf or two when my mother wants to go antique shopping.”

  Ash wraps his arm around my waist and I fall in step beside him. “Remember how I said we would get you alone, princess?”

  “I remember the words, ‘one night’ were used.”

  “Yes?” They say in unison.

  “And what is your answer?” Ash asks.

  “I swear you guys could be twins,” I mutter to myself more than to them.

  I should have known they would hear.

  “Not twins nor brothers.” Noah opens the door and closes it behind us as I reach for the light switch.

  “By blood but that’s not the only way to be family.” Ash waits until I raise my gaze to his and his next words sear a hole in my heart.

  “Family is the people you chose, or sometimes, those who appear in your life as if fate senses your connection and moves some giant chess pieces to make it happen.” He strokes a finger down my cheek as he speaks and I don’t have to question who he is referring to.

  I don’t say anything, just listen. It all seems too surreal. Too woo woo to believe some outside force has brought us together. Math and science are my languages. Not endless rippling muscles bewitched by some magic spell no one can see.

  That doesn’t stop from feeling though. I have a good handle on how well they can play my body with a caress of a finger here and a look there. I absorb their presence and let their words from our shared dance replay in my mind. The emotions they stir in me and the need to feel each and every one of them under their touch.

  We hurry down the back stairs and make our way through the seas of black Caddies and SUVs when we come to an abrupt stop beside a polished limo.

  Ash holds the door and I pause.

  “Yes. My answer is yes.” I state matter-of- factly and cringe at my own curt, dry answer.

  I shove that aside and before I can question my actions I follow Noah inside and Ash quickly slides in behind me, closing the door behind us and I can’t help a pang of something to come. A change.

  Darkness cocoons us as Ash gives directions to the driver that is not my apartment.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Our place. Where it’s safe and free of any interruptions. We have a few things to discuss.”

  Sweet, holy torture. No science class or computer skill ever prepared me for the dark, sinful promises in Ash’s deep voice.

  Agonizing anticipation hits me and I tremble.

  Chapter Six

  Valentina.

  Within seconds of stepping inside the limo both men shed their bow ties and jackets, tossing them aside. “Having second thoughts?” Noah’s bass-toned question brings my head around as he flicks on a dim light that fills the spacious interior of the limo.

  The driver pulls out of my father’s driveway and points us back to the big city. The drive will take a little under an hour and I spy a blacked-out partition that keeps the driver’s prying eyes from us.

  Second thoughts would mean I had any thoughts at all. Right now I want to be numb to everything. Thacker, my brother, the pain and the damn code taking over my life.

  “Second thoughts are the furthest thing my mind right now.”

  “Good,” Noah takes my hand in his larger one. “We have a few questions. What can you tell us about this Thacker?”

  I watch the dark woods pass over his shoulder as I consider my answer. Noah is all business and I can see the banked fury in his eyes even in the dim confines of the limo. I’m pressed between both and I have to say, Thacker is the last man on my mind.

  I give him the billionaire’s backstory and his thoughts on what he wanted to do with me.

  “You would think my father promised my hand in marriage to the man with how possessive he acts toward me. Every time my family throws one of these galas I’m stuck dancing with the man because my mother wants access to all his money for one charity or another.”

  Anger flashes in their eyes and I suddenly feel like I’ve thrown my mother in the lion’s pit.

  I quickly move on. “Tonight you really stuck it to him.” I squeeze Noah’s hand. “What you guys said tonight. I’ve wanted to say to his face forever. I guess I am just too scared to stir the waters. Thank you for sticking up for me. Even if it is your job,” I say to both of them.

  Noah interlaces our fingers and presses our palms together.

  My lips part as his finds the back of my hand.

  “You never have to thank us for protecting what’s ours.”

  “A man puts his hands on a lady without permission automatically needs a kick to the nut sack.”

  “Agreed,” I say breathlessly. I’m still stuck on Noah’s words protecting and ours to digest Ash’s.

  “I think she likes the sound of being ours.” Ash pulls me back to rest against his broad, muscular chest. The small movement makes my breasts pop forward and the hungry look to Noah tells me he appreciates the view.

  I’ve lived off my brains and high IQ all my life. Overthinking and rehashing every thought I have until I come up with the best approach is second nature. But right now, tonight I wish I had an off switch.

  Ash’s hot breath brushes against my neck as he nuzzles my ear and I groan, pressing my thighs together when his lips make first
contact with tender flesh. He nips and licks his way down my neck and slips the strap of my dress off.

  I don’t realize he’s undone the small tie around my neck until the slight movement causes the bodice to slip and my nipples pops free.

  “Sweet fucking heaven.”

  I whimper from being so turned on.

  Noah slips his hand from mine. “Are you sure about this, princess?”

  For the first time I’m thinking I should have waited to give up my virginity to men like them instead of a fumbling football player sophomore year of high school. I thought that puppy love and attention from someone so popular made him my forever. God, I nearly groan from the embarrassment of my naivety.

  “Look how sweet she looks. Tender and ready to be thoroughly dirtied by her bodyguards.”

  “I told you her nipples would be rosy pink.”

  Noah brushes my exposed nipple with the back of his knuckles and I arch into his touch with a whimper on my lips.

  “Yes,” I shudder.

  I reach behind me and slip my fingers into Ash’s hair and pull his lips closer.

  “Beg us, princess. Beg us to make you wet and then fuck that tight, sweet little pussy with our big cocks.”

  “Please. Yes. I want you.”

  One little movement and my dress slips fully open and Ash’s hands are sliding in, touching, caressing, stroking.

  Oh my God.

  I could die right now. But then again, I wouldn’t know what it feels like to have them spread my thighs and take every inch of my body.

  Noah’s hand slides up my bare thigh and when he drags the material of my dress over my left leg Ash leans us back where my bare lips and nearly virgin pussy are fully exposed to Noah’s eyes.

  I moan and grind my hips when Noah leans forward and blows hot air against my throbbing clit.

  Ash frees my other nipple as Noah parts my thighs with his big shoulders. He’s slipped into the expansive floor of the limo and I know for as long as I live, I’ll never forget this moment.

  “Just like that, princess. That’s it, spread those legs and let him see all your wetness.”