BarelyBreathing Read online

  “I know.” She nodded at Griff. Standing this close to her, he could easily visualize just how well their bodies would line up.

  “Don’t remind me of your breach,” Jack warned and Griff watched Honor bite her lip. He was pretty sure it was to hide the grin he saw lurking at the corners of her mouth.

  “Griff, follow Miss Davison back to her hotel and help her check out. Take her back to the apartment building.” Jack turned back to Honor. “It’s secure. No one gets in or out without one of us knowing it. Period. I own the building. Griff lives there as do several other of my employees. Including Stace. It’s the best I can do for now.”

  Honor nodded. “Thank you. I know you don’t know me, Mr. Madigan. You have no reason to listen to me or help me in any way. I screwed up. I’m not proud of it but it happened.”

  “I would expect Zach to help my daughter in my absence. I’m assuming there’s a good reason you want him left out of it. I’ll respect it, for now.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I see Stace and Shep heading this way. I don’t think she’s noticed Miss Davison yet.” Griff met Honor’s eyes for the first time and felt a jolt of pure lust rock through him. It had been a long time since a woman affected him this way. Maybe never.

  “I’m sorry for crashing the party. I should have waited.” Honor looked poised to run. Griff reached out and took her hand without thinking. He told himself it was just to keep her from bolting without him. It had nothing to do with wanting to see if her skin was as soft as it looked. He held the moan in. It was.

  “Griff will make sure you have my number,” Jack told her. “Call me if you need anything. I’ll see you first thing in the morning.”

  “Jack,” Julia said as she walked up and snuggled against her husband. Griff watched as Jack hugged his wife close to his side. She was really good for him. And a force to be reckoned with herself. “Julia Madigan.” She held her hand out to Ms. Davison, cutting off their timely exit. Luckily Stace and Shep had stopped to talk and weren’t close enough yet. Griff adjusted his position hoping to block Honor from their view.

  “Honor Davison.”

  “Lovely to meet you, Honor. A friend of the prospective bride or groom?”

  “Neither.”

  “I see.”

  Griff wanted to laugh. If Jack knew who Honor was and had obviously been expecting her, then Julia knew as well. Jack kept little from his wife. He’d once said she’d just find out on her own anyway. But then that was one of the skills, which made her such a great detective.

  “Tyler, as always, it’s good to see you.”

  “You too, Julia.”

  Honor shook her head. “I apologize for intruding.” She pulled her hand from Griff’s and held it out to Jack. “Thanks so much, Mr. Madigan. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She turned and almost ran in her haste to leave. She was moving fast and it was all Griff could do to try to catch up. He did his best to keep his eyes off her well-rounded ass. The woman looked good both coming and going. But he really wanted to see her coming, preferably at the same time he was.

  Chapter Three

  Griff Daniels caught up to her as she reached the door. “Slow down. You’ll draw less attention if you act normal.”

  She knew that. God, what was wrong with her? She was reacting and that wasn’t like her. She needed to calm down, take some deep breaths and figure out what to share with Jack Madigan in the morning. She needed to be honest but not make herself look as stupid as she was, or pathetic.

  Why had Jack chosen Griff Daniels to be her escort? She stifled a groan as his palm pressed against the small of her back. If he knew how many sexual dreams he’d starred in, he’d be running from her. No file could ever do him justice. He was so alive. She swore she could feel his body strumming with energy. He practically vibrated with it. Christ, she’d let Vince rev her engine before she knew his game. Now she was high-and-dry and ready to dry hump the dream walking beside her.

  “I was afraid Stace would see me. I wasn’t thinking clearly or I would have waited until morning anyways.”

  “It’s good you came. You’ll be more secure where I’m taking you than at the hotel.”

  “I’m sorry you got stuck with me tonight. I’ll be quick so you can get back to your friends’ party.”

  “No worries. I wasn’t really in the mood for a party tonight anyway.” He smiled at her and her toes tried to curl in her shoes. She’d done her research this time. He was one of the good guys.

  “I like that.” His grin did funny things to her stomach.

  “What?”

  “You think of me as one of the good guys.”

  Crap! Had she spoken the thought out loud? She stopped by the door to her Jeep.

  “I rode over with a friend. I’ll just ride with you if that’s okay.”

  She would die if he’d been on a date and she’d interrupted. “I’m so sorry. I really didn’t mean to pull you away. You can go back inside. I’m sure I’ll be okay until the party is over.”

  “No can do when Jack says go.” He grinned at her.

  “Is there someone you need to go in and say bye to?”

  “If you’re asking if I had a date, then the answer is no. I’m single. Not dating at all in case you’re interested.”

  She laughed. “Am I so transparent?”

  “Maybe I was just wishful thinking? How well do you and Tyler know each other?”

  “He’s like a brother to me.”

  “Good to know.”

  “Why can’t I ever meet a guy like you when the timing is right?”

  “There are no guys like me. I’m an original.”

  “I bet you are.”

  “You’ll be a true believer when you get to know me better.”

  “I know a little about you. Griff Daniels. Six-feet-six-inches. Black hair. Blue eyes. Owned a martial arts studio before coming here. Now you work for Jack. You still teach a few MMA classes during the week and help with personal safety training at your sister-in-law’s gym. You’re the perpetual Boy Scout, always prepared and probably helping little old ladies across the street and shit. You have major issues with your mom and her recent marriage to Caesar Davis, also known as Roman. Cool nickname, though I would prefer the power behind a name like Caesar. Don’t you agree?”

  She saw temper flash in his eyes. Lord, she needed to think before she spoke. Yet again she proved how easy it was for her to piss people off without meaning to. Nice way to let him know you basically cyber stalked him.

  “Fuck you.”

  It didn’t sound like the invitation she’d like from him. Maybe it was a good idea to back off. She was in danger and anyone involved with her would be too. She should keep him away. And the best way was with insults. Wound his ego and he’d give her a wide berth.

  “Oh, I bet you’d like to fuck. I’m sure I would too. Bet you know your way around a woman’s body. But I’ve never been one for crowds. You know, taking the road less traveled and all that.” She let her gaze sweep him from head to toe, letting the insinuation sink in.

  Griff took a step back. If it wasn’t for the lust in her eyes, he’d really be pissed. As it was, he’d let his temper get the best of him when she’d made the comment about his mom. He sighed. Honor smelled like warm honey and something else, some type of exotic spice maybe. The scent was toying with him, getting into his skin and making him hot. Christ. How long had it been since he’d made love to a woman? Too long if she was getting under his skin this way. He never used the “f” word around a woman, not even during sex.

  His mind filled with a movie reel of the two of them. Hot, naked and sweaty, contorting into positions you only seemed to see in porn. He groaned. Maybe it was all the love floating in the air around him. Seemed as if everyone was finding their perfect match and hooking up lately. All three of his siblings were married and now had kids. Out of the people he worked with, only he and Chetan were still single. And Chetan had been a little odd lately. Which was saying something. />
  “What’s the matter, Honor? I thought you didn’t fear anything?” He laughed. “Seems to me, maybe you do. Maybe I’ve suddenly become the big, bad wolf and you’re afraid I’ll eat you up.” He leaned back in close and whispered in her ear. “I would too. I’d savor every delicious inch and keep coming back for more.”

  “Fuck you.”

  He liked the flash of temper in her eyes. It just turned him on. “Oh, you’d enjoy me fucking you. You’d wrap around me like a vise and never want to let go. I’d make you feel things you’ve only dreamed about or read in a really smutty novel.” He shrugged and stepped back, heading around the front of her car to the passenger side. “But I’ve got little old ladies to help across the street. Or some other shit like that.”

  She glared at him. He smiled back. And, damn if his cock wasn’t hard as a rock.

  “Honor?”

  “What?”

  He had to bite his lip to keep from laughing out loud at her snarl. “Unlock the car so we can go.”

  She looked at the car and seemed to realize they were still standing in the parking lot. He hadn’t enjoyed himself this much in a long time. Too long.

  “Fuck.” He heard her mutter just before the locks clicked open.

  He’d always dated smaller women. They were usually at least a foot shorter than he. They tended to be polite and ladylike. The only times they used the word fuck was in the bedroom, and even then very rarely. Most would never utter that word, no matter the location.

  He glanced at Honor. She probably didn’t have a ladylike bone in her body. She’d keep him on his toes and give him pure hell. He zoned in on her mouth. Soft, full lips just perfect for kissing, or even better for sucking… He shook the thought out of his head. Down boy, he told his cock and opened the door to get in.

  She was moving some bags from the passenger seat to the back. He watched her eyes zone in on his fly and felt his cock pulse and throb against his zipper. There wasn’t much he could do to hide his aroused state. He wasn’t a kid anymore so he refused to be embarrassed by the hard-on he was sporting. Especially since she was the cause.

  Her gaze flew to his and he lifted an eyebrow as he finally sat in the seat, adjusting it to suit his long legs. He watched her swallow and lick her lips as she put the car in gear. It sent his mind right back to where he’d like to feel those lips. This was going to be a long night.

  They made the ride to the apartment building in silence. She had used her room at the hotel to shower but left nothing there once she headed out to find Stace. No reason to go back to the room. They’d take care of checking her out tomorrow. Plus, if anyone was checking on her already, they’d find her checked into the hotel. It might be a good idea to leave her checked in there. Didn’t mean she had to stay.

  She did her best to ignore him and he just sat there grinning. He couldn’t help it. It had to be hard to pretend a guy as big as he was didn’t exist. But she gave it her all. He shifted as much as he deemed necessary, making sure to brush his elbow across her. He did manage to hold the chuckle in every time she gritted her teeth and pulled away.

  Her smell was intoxicating. It filled his head and made his mouth water.

  “What’s that perfume you’re wearing?”

  “What?”

  “Your perfume. It smells nice.”

  She gave a snort and gritted her teeth. He didn’t even try to bite back the laugh that tumbled out.

  “Turn into the lot here.” He pointed to the private parking for the apartment building and gave her the code to raise the bar so she could drive in.

  “What can I carry?”

  She grabbed the stuff she’d moved from the passenger seat for him and then pointed to a zipped duffle bag. “Just take that. It’s all I’ll need for tonight.”

  He grasped the bag and stood by while she punched in a code on her keypad to alarm her car. The lights flashed and they were good to go. She probably didn’t need it in this lot but he doubted she would care if he told her that.

  “I can take those.” He indicated the heavy-looking backpack she had on one shoulder. He’d also take the laptop case she had on her other one. But she shook her head.

  “I’ve got them.”

  They headed toward the building. He didn’t offer his arm like he would to any other woman. He grinned. She’d probably bite it off and leave him with a bloody stump.

  Her cry had him turning quickly, just in time to have her slam against his chest. He grunted, automatically wrapping his arms around her to steady her.

  Her green eyes blinked up at him. “Sorry, I tripped. I’m not so great with heels.”

  He glanced down at her feet, taking in the stilettos, and his thoughts flashed to an image of her wearing nothing but his bed sheets and those heels. His cock pulsed and throbbed. Her eyes flared and he knew she could feel it with the way she was plastered against him. The fact they were still out in the open and had her stuff weighing them down all faded away. He had one thing on his mind.

  “If you don’t want me to kiss you, I’d step back.” It was the only warning he was going to give her.

  Her eyes darted to his mouth and her little pink tongue flicked out to wet her bottom lip. With a groan he bent his head and took that full bottom lip between his teeth. Sucked it and nipped it. She moaned and shifted impossibly closer, opening her mouth and granting him full access.

  He took. His tongue foraged inside and he felt high on the taste of her. She filled his senses so she was all he could see, hear, smell, feel and taste. She surrounded him and left him gasping for air when she pulled away. Lust rocked through him. He wanted her, probably more than he’d ever wanted anyone. It scared him a little. But then, it had been a long dry spell for him. By choice.

  “We’re going to have sex and it’s going to be incredible.” She smiled, took another step back and a deep breath. “But it’s not going to be tonight.”

  She stunned him with her honesty. She obviously wasn’t one to play games or beat around the bush. He could appreciate that in a woman. Especially one he wanted to get naked.

  “Why not tonight?” He could have bit his tongue once the words left his mouth.

  She smiled. “Because I have work to do. And I’m not easy.”

  “Trust me, I can tell there’s not an easy thing about you.”

  She laughed. It was such a soft, seductive sound. It rolled over him and grabbed him by the balls, giving them a squeeze and making his dick ache for release. “I like you.”

  “I like you too.” He’d like her even more when she was naked and under him. Or over him. Or even better, on her hands and knees in front of him.

  He grabbed her hand before she realized his intention and resumed leading her to the building. “In case you stumble again.”

  She didn’t say anything but she didn’t pull her hand away this time.

  “Does Stace know your car?” His mind was trying to think of things other than Honor. It was a slow process.

  “Yes, anyone who knows me knows my car.”

  “We probably should have parked somewhere else, but Stace will know you’re here soon enough. We’ve probably got a few hours before she and Shep get back.”

  She nodded her head. Griff keyed them into the building and then led her to the stairs. There was an empty apartment on the second floor where he was. But he didn’t intend on letting her stay there.

  “You said something about having work to do?”

  “I need to find a secure network and do a little research.”

  “Mine is secure. It’s probably the best you’ll find. A friend of mine, Chetan, set it up for me. He stays up on the third floor.”

  “Where do Stace and Shep stay?”

  “Bottom floor. There’s one apartment down there. Two on each of the other floors. Five floors. There are only three of us living here right now though.” He put his key in and opened the door to his apartment. “This is my place.”

  “Welcome to my parlor, said the spider to th
e fly.”

  He laughed. “I’m not so bad.”

  She let her gaze slide from his head to his feet and back up again. “I’m betting you’re very good.”

  He watched her walk in and move across his living room to the large desk he kept in the corner.

  “Nice setup.” She nodded toward the computer that took up most of his desk.

  “Help yourself.” He offered, then thought of Jack’s earlier comments. “Nothing illegal right?”

  She grinned and pointed to her computer bag. “You’re safe. Promise.”

  He watched her long legs as she made her way to his dining table and set up her laptop there. “What do I need to know to log into your network?”

  He spouted off the information.

  “I’m in. Thanks.” She sat down and her fingers began moving across the keys.

  “Want anything to drink?”

  He dropped her bag by the end of the couch and glanced her way. She didn’t even hear him. She was already absorbed in whatever she was doing. He went to the kitchen and grabbed a couple of bottles of water. He sat one on the table but she didn’t even look up. It was a little disconcerting the way he seemed to no longer exist for her. He moved to the couch and debated for a few minutes about whether to turn the TV on or not.

  His cock ached. Maybe some mindless movie would help him put his thoughts on something other than grabbing Honor and taking her to his bed. He sighed as he adjusted his position to accommodate the hard-on that didn’t seem to want to deflate. It was going to be a long night.

  Chapter Four

  She’d found it. Holy shit. It all made sense now. She yawned and stretched then shut her laptop down and stowed it back in her bag. Her back ached and her neck had a kink in it. The quiet filled her ears and she glanced around. She could just see the top of Griff’s head by the arm of the couch. She stood up, stretching and almost fell over in her shoes. Hell, she’d been so consumed with finding answers she’d left them on.