Deadly Peril_Military Romantic Suspense Read online

  “It looks like we won’t be going anywhere,” Jana said. “We’ll have to get a room for the night.” It would have been romantic to be snowed in with a lover, but she cautioned herself that she wasn’t on a date.

  “I’ll get the room. There has to be a suite or something,” Thaddeus said. “I want to make sure I don’t get stuck down the hall from you. This outing may seem safe enough, but I’m not taking any chances.”

  Jana had learned not to be cavalier about her safety. She shuddered. What if the enemy had followed and was snowed in with them? That seemed ominous, so she was glad that she wasn’t alone. It would be difficult to escape in a snow storm.

  “We can leave the truck in the lot and make a run for it to the resort hotel,” Jana said. “It’s a huge place. I’m sure they’ll have room for us.”

  The resort had a family suite with two bedrooms and two baths, but it was pricey. “I’ll cover it,” Thaddeus said, and handed over his credit card. “It’s a business expense.”

  The room was spacious, and the rooms had balconies with a view of the lake. It had a dining table large enough for ten and a full-sized kitchen. “This is way more than we needed,” Jana said, but she didn’t object to the luxury accommodations.

  “There was no other way to get two bedrooms.” Thaddeus looked at her. “Unless you’d prefer two beds in the same room.” His eyes twinkled. “But I’m afraid you snore.”

  Jana laughed. “I do not snore.” She got a kick out of him. He was so serious most of the time. Yet he had a sense of humor.

  She thought about the coffee shop. Thaddeus had actually talked to her; he’d spoken more than a sentence or two in a row. She felt like she was getting to know him.

  Thaddeus walked over to the window. “That’s quite a view.”

  Jana stood next to him, looking out at the nighttime scene. The mountains rose in the distance, surrounding the lake. South Lake Tahoe was close to the shore and looked like a sprinkling of glittery building blocks at the base of the majestic Sierra Nevada range.

  “It’s going to be stunning in the morning, when we can see the snow-capped peaks.” Jana gazed into the dark that was lit by the lights of the buildings below. “Right now, it’s a blaze of white. But I love to watch it snow, don’t you?”

  Thaddeus was so close that she smelled his cologne. His strong, hot body was close enough to touch. Temptation pulled at her, but she managed to resist. She must be crazy, being this close to him and letting the moment pass.

  Jana turned from the window and strolled around the room. She glanced at the big-screen TV and the plush furniture. The bathroom for the master suite where she’d be sleeping was large enough to live in. The marble floors gleamed, and the sunken tub had Jacuzzi jets that she had the urge to try out.

  “Are you hungry?” Thaddeus said.

  Jana’s cheeks warmed, and she nearly shared what she was hungry for. Instead, she walked past Thaddeus, out to the main room, and grabbed her purse. “Starved.” She smiled. “How about you?”

  “We don’t have a lot of choices, since I don’t plan on leaving this hotel until the weather lets up.”

  “True enough, but I happen to know the downstairs restaurant is excellent.”

  Thaddeus opened the door. “Lead the way.”

  In the elevator, Jana steeled herself to focus on something besides Thaddeus. He stared up at the lights indicating the floors as they descended. She wondered if he was having the same difficulty that she was. He seemed overly intrigued by those lights.

  When the doors slid open, Thaddeus put his hand on the edge while she stepped out. As she moved past, attraction consumed her. And it wasn’t only hers. She felt tension from Thaddeus and sensed that he wasn’t immune to what was happening between them.

  The restaurant had the ambience of the region, with wood-paneled walls and a massive stone fireplace. The understated elegance was upscale and romantic. Thaddeus asked for a table by the patio, and the greeter offered one by the glass doors.

  It was an opportunity to watch it snow. Jana looked out, trying to tell if the weather had abated. Snow fell heavily, so all she could see was the covered patio. It was vacant for the evening, since the customers would be eating indoors.

  Since Jana had the entire evening, she planned to enjoy herself. She ordered the coconut hibiscus mojito, and to her surprise, Thaddeus ordered a beer on tap. “We’re fairly snug in this hotel. If there is anyone in pursuit, I doubt any attack would come in this classy restaurant.”

  “You’re right about that. In the morning, when the weather lets up, would make more sense.” That was if anyone was around, which Jana doubted.

  Dinner was as delicious as predicted. She ordered the curry-roasted pork chop and Thaddeus had the twelve-ounce ribeye, which he ate every bite of. It was a joy to watch him eat, as he did so with such abandon.

  Jana discreetly watched him devour his meal, eying his kissable lips and craving the feel of his strong arms around her. Thaddeus relished his food, but he glanced at Jana when he didn’t think she noticed. But she had. The meal turned into a sensual game, with each looking at the other, while trying not to.

  The elevator ride back up to the suite was electrifying. Jana stood close, as if testing his resolve. She was so bad; she wanted him to grab her. And she prayed he would. But his sense of duty probably overrode the chemistry radiating between them.

  Inside the suite, it was awkward. It wasn’t like Jana was going to say goodnight and disappear into her room. She didn’t want to leave Thaddeus. She chatted a bit about the weather, the lake, the dinner—about a lot of nothing.

  Because what she really wanted wasn’t conversation.

  When Jana ran out of things to say, she looked at Thaddeus. He stood up and, with a nod, he said, “Guess I’ll get some sleep.”

  His words said one thing, but his expression said another. Jana watched him walk toward the bedroom, ogling his tight ass. Heat flooded her belly, and she was utterly incapable of not following him into the room. When she opened the door, Thaddeus already had his sweater off.

  Jana took a step closer. His bare chest was enticing. She licked her lips and walked over to the bed. “Thaddeus…” Her throat felt dry.

  Thaddeus didn’t speak and didn’t show the emotion she was certain was there. Jana looked into his gorgeous blue eyes. And she thrilled at the lust she saw. She reached out.

  Thaddeus stepped close to the bed and she looked up at him. He took her hand. The touch made her tremble. He lifted her hand and kissed her palm, sending a spark of desire through her. He dug his hands in her hair. “Jana…” Then he leaned down and kissed her.

  The heat of his kiss made her crazed. Jana dragged her nails down his back and cupped his hard ass. She wanted him. And he wanted her. Thaddeus removed her sweater and bra, then cupped her breasts. His hot, wet mouth covered one nipple then the other.

  Jana whimpered and arched her back. In a deep-throated voice, she whispered, “I need you.” It flashed in her mind that she hadn’t said that to any man before. But it was the truth.

  Thaddeus kicked off his shoes and peeled off his socks, then removed Jana’s. He undid the button of her pants then unzipped them, letting them slide to the floor. Then the passion between them broke loose, all restraint gone.

  Jana made soft sounds as Thaddeus raked his hands over her body then found her lacy underwear and yanked it down. He ripped off his jeans and tossed them away. Then he lifted Jana onto the bed. He got up there with her and kissed her tender skin.

  Thaddeus started under her jaw, then moved to her neck, down her belly, and to her inner thighs. Jana squirmed on the bed. “Please…”

  With his palms on her knees, Thaddeus spread her wider and lowered his mouth over her sex. It was so damn good that Jana gasped with pleasure. His lips brushed against her wet opening, as he whispered, “Sweet, so sweet.”

  Then Thaddeus kissed and licked her, expertly so, until Jana came unglued. She panted and grabbed a pillow above her
head, but there was no reprieve. When Thaddeus swirled his tongue just so, and sucked like she was a taste of honey, she lost it.

  The orgasm burned through her, and Jana cried out as she shuddered with waves of delight. The sensation lasted long, and Thaddeus continued to kiss and lick her until she calmed. Then he crawled up, so his face was above hers.

  Jana put her hands on his shoulders, and he covered her mouth with his. His tongue delved inside, finding and stroking her tongue. She lashed her tongue against his, drinking him in, craving his taste. Her palms flattened on his back and she felt the heat of his skin.

  Then she reached down, inside his jockey shorts, to squeeze his butt. Thaddeus sat up on his knees, and Jana looked into his eyes. Then he put his thumbs under the waistband and yanked the shorts down.

  Jana couldn’t breathe. His cock was thick and hard, his heavy balls tight underneath. Her eyes drifted over his big arms, wide chest, then down to his muscular thighs. When her gaze settled on his huge cock, she felt weak. She reached out and put her hand around it.

  The feel of the velvet skin over his steel strength spiraled her desire higher. She cupped his balls, and he reached down and flicked his thumbs over her stiff nipples. He slid off the bed, and Jana’s heart fell. But he was right back.

  He’d retrieved a condom from his pants. He rolled it on then kissed Jana hard. She dug her fingernails into his scalp then along his spine. Thaddeus put the tip of his erection inside her. She thrust up to take more of him. He cupped her buttocks and lifted her, then slid deeper.

  “More…I want more.” Jana’s gasp urged him on, and Thaddeus shoved into her. She whimpered with pleasure and arched up, trying to get him deeper. Then he began to stroke, easy and sensual, then harder and faster.

  Thaddeus panted rapidly, and the sound escalated her need. Jana wanted all of him, and it seemed impossible to get close enough. He stroked deep and hard, then went still. “I’m nearly…”

  Jana breathed in ragged gulps. “I want you. I’m…ready.”

  As Thaddeus moved inside her, he kissed her roughly. Then he panted and moaned, as Jana clenched around him. He was so big, so hot, and he filled her in a way she desperately needed. It was as though they were one; there was no holding back.

  Jana yelled, unable to control the waves of her climax. She pulsed deeply with Thaddeus inside her. Then he stiffened and swelled inside her. When he let go, he groaned, an erotic, gravelly sound, then came long and hard.

  Jana held him tight, lightheaded and tingly. He stroked even after his peak, as though reluctant to pull out of her. She wrapped her legs around his thighs, holding him close, and sifted his long, silky hair through her fingers. “Thaddeus…”

  Chapter 14

  From the bed with Jana sleeping beside him, Thaddeus stared out the window at the snowy mountains. The evening had been memorable, and Jana had been irresistible. He hadn’t been able to get enough of her, so he’d made love to her, long into the night.

  The first time had been passionate and needy. But then Thaddeus had slowed it down, taken his time giving Jana pleasure. And gaining his own satisfaction, too. He’d discovered a flame of desire deep within her that ignited a fire in him. His body still hummed from the experience.

  Thaddeus hadn’t held back, but had been more open and intimate than he could recall. He’d felt more with Jana, physically and emotionally, than he had in a long time—maybe ever. The interludes had shaken his world and moved him in the deepest part of his being.

  Jana had welcomed his affections, had craved the closeness. She’d told him so. And her actions showed the truth of her words. Thaddeus had relished the hot sex, and Jana’s lust for him had been beyond compare.

  It had been fortunate that he carried condoms, as sometimes clients needed them. A celebrity or VIP client appreciated the bodyguard having the protection on hand. And it was certainly better than allowing a client to be reckless in the heat of the moment.

  Thaddeus noticed that the snow had stopped. The mountain range was bright white in the morning light. Blue sky peeked through the clouds. The roads would be cleared, so he’d be able to take Jana home. The intimate getaway would end, which created an indefinable ache in his gut.

  It struck him that he didn’t want to lose her. As a bachelor, he hadn’t sought to connect with a woman for any duration. He had no right to expect anything, since he wasn’t offering much. But Jana wasn’t just any woman.

  At first, Thaddeus had wondered if she’d fallen into his arms for the right reasons. He’d been attracted to her, and the power of that attraction had been difficult to ignore. Especially after hours of leisure activities leading up to a romantic dinner.

  Possibly, Thaddeus hadn’t been as adept at hiding his desire as he’d thought. He might have revealed more than he’d wanted to. But that certainly hadn’t stopped him when Jana had entered his room.

  In a quieter moment, Thaddeus had broached the subject. Talking about feelings wasn’t usual for him, but then, he’d done quite a few things lately that he would have said weren’t usual for him. He was reluctant about taking advantage of Jana. And he’d given her a way out.

  Jana had been grateful that he’d saved her life, more than once. And that he was her protector. It was natural for a woman to be infatuated in such circumstances.

  When he’d outright asked Jana, she’d been incredulous. She’d said, “Is that what you think?” Her gentle tone made it clear that he’d been totally off base. That added up, since he was woefully inept at telling what went on in a woman’s mind.

  Jana had quickly disabused him of that line of thinking. Then he’d felt like a fool for even considering it. The passion between them had been authentic. He’d have to be blind not to have seen that. But that didn’t equate to a long-term relationship.

  Thaddeus wasn’t marriage material, as he’d botch that without a doubt. The lovemaking he understood. But a woman’s emotions? Not so much.

  Yet a part of him had the urge to make the attempt. There was no other woman like Jana, and there wouldn’t be. If he had any chance with her, it would be foolhardy to give that up. For his selfish reasons, he considered giving it a try. For a fleeting moment, he longed to have Jana by his side, for more than a few hours. Plus, he wanted a family.

  But it wouldn’t work. Thaddeus was totally wrong for her. It was Jana and her future that mattered. He couldn’t usurp her happiness to placate his own desires. For that reason, he had to let go. It was best not to reveal his thoughts or do anything to bind Jana to him.

  Next to him, Jana was sleeping peacefully. She had the pillow bunched up under her cheek, with her hands underneath it. Her long hair hung over the sheet, reminding him of a goddess. Thaddeus watched her steady breathing and stared at her lovely form.

  Her beauty filled his mind. She was tall and toned, just his type. Her long legs, lean arms, and strong back had endured many years of skiing. It had honed her into an athletic beauty.

  Yet Jana was so feminine, with her graceful form, silky skin, and lush breasts. Visions of the night before flooded back: of her gorgeous figure highlighted in the dim light of the room, and of her writhing underneath him, in the throes of ecstasy.

  Jana stirred then opened her eyes. She smiled and reached for him. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning, beautiful.” Thaddeus brushed a strand of hair from her face and stroked her cheek. “You look radiant.”

  “You’re the cause of that.”

  “I don’t mind taking credit,” Thaddeus said. “I like seeing you this way.”

  Jana slid closer, so he snuggled her against his shoulder. She felt awfully good there. He was at a loss for words, but Jana didn’t seem to be.

  She rubbed her palm over his chest, grazing his nipples. “You were wonderful last night.” She looked up at him. “I want more.”

  Her voice was soft and sensual, the look in her eyes dreamy. And Thaddeus was already hard for her. He stroked down her spine and over the curve of her ass. Then h
e pulled her on top of him and dug a hand in her hair.

  Jana’s lips touched his, spiking his desire. Thaddeus pulled her tighter for a deeper kiss, plunging his tongue into her warm mouth. She was so sweet and impossibly sexy. He ravaged her mouth with his tongue while his hands ravaged her body.

  Her sweet whimpers fueled the passion between them. Thaddeus leaned up to suckle her nipples, gently licking then nipping with his teeth. Jana made a sexy sound in her throat then sat up. She straddled his thighs and fisted his cock with both hands.

  Thaddeus moaned and grabbed her hips. “My God, that feels good.”

  Jana increased the pressure of her grip on him, then slowed at the plum-shaped head to caress his tender spot with her thumbs. “Oh, Jesus.” He wasn’t going to last much longer.

  Thaddeus rolled to the side and grabbed a condom from the table. He rolled it on, then looked into Jana’s glistening green eyes.

  “I’m glad you came with a supply of those,” Jana said with a tiny smile. “I think you’re going to be out of them before I’m done with you.”

  Thaddeus didn’t have a chance to respond. Jana lifted up, then slowly lowered onto him, with his throbbing cock buried inside her. She put her hands on his chest then moved up then down, in a steady rhythm.

  Her hair fell over her shoulders and her breasts gently moved with her motion. Her rosy nipples were tight and sumptuous, so he leaned up for a taste. Thaddeus ran his hands along her sides, then rubbed his fingertips over her belly. He found her sensitive spot and caressed it with his thumb.

  Jana panted softly. Thaddeus breathed deep and hard to keep up. He stiffened as she moved over him, tightening her inner muscles. It was like her fist still gripped him, only that wasn’t what was wrapped around his aching erection.

  When Thaddeus flicked his thumb over just the right place, Jana cried out and tossed her head back. She tensed, and he responded by rocking up into her, hard. Jana pumped with ferocity, and he lifted his hips to meet hers.