Changing Roles

“Is that so?” she teased.

I crawled on the bed, my cock pulling and surging to get closer. “Yep. You need an injection. An OJ injection.” I shook my head. “I won’t lie to you, Shelby. It will probably take more than one injection to cure you.” I waggled my eyebrows at her. “Probably…mul-ti-ple.” I said the last word slowly, running my tongue over my lips as I leered at her.

For a minute the room was dead quiet.

“Oh my God,” she whispered. “Everett was right. You do make me silly.”

Then she giggled.

And I pounced.Having her under me again was perfect. She was perfect. Our mouths pressed, tongues claimed, our hands stroked and sought out curves and dips as we rocked together. I held her tight, devouring her mouth as I thrust deeply, needing her as close as possible. She whimpered and moaned as she clutched my shoulders, my name falling from her lips like a prayer while I pushed and pulled, the heat between us blistering.

I cursed and moaned as I felt my orgasm building—too soon and too strong to ignore. Desperately, I slipped my fingers between us, finding her clit, and stroking. “With me, Shelby. I need you to come with me, baby.”

She cried out in her release, the sound of her passion music to my ears as I succumbed, breathing out her name. The pleasure was so intense it was almost painful as I gasped and clutched at her small form, finally collapsing on her chest, panting and mindless.

She pressed her lips to the top of my head. “I missed you.”

I sighed against her neck, leisurely trailing my lips up to her mouth, kissing her with the lightest of pressure. “I missed you. So much.”

I rolled slightly, tucking her against my chest, not ready to let her go yet. “How the hell did we live together for six months and not do this every fucking day?” I wondered into her hair. “I must have been blind.”

“We weren’t ready.”

“Was it worth the wait, Shelby?” I asked, suddenly uncertain and needing her assurance.

“Yes,” she answered simply.

I lifted her chin for another kiss, my hand tightening on her shoulder. She stiffened, and I heard the small gasp of pain escape her lips. “Beaker?”

“It’s nothing.”

I sat up, flicking on the light and straddling her, effectively pinning her to the pillows. I ghosted my fingers over her shoulder, and I frowned at the bruise I could see forming there. I met her nervous eyes. “How?”

“It was an accident.”

“What kind of accident?”

She hesitated. “Did someone touch you?” I hissed through my teeth. I was going to kill whoever had put those marks on her.

“They tried.”

“Start talking, Shelby. Before I lose it.”

She sighed. “You were right, Liam.”

“About?”

“Caroline and I went for breakfast without Ryan this morning. I thought it was early enough we’d be okay. There were only a few of them hanging around.”

I already knew where this was headed. “And?”

She huffed. “They followed us. I got nervous and called Ryan. He met us at the restaurant, but it was like the few had multiplied—there were so many of them, so fast. They were surrounding us and yelling all sorts of things. One of them got too close, and I stumbled back and fell, hitting my shoulder. Ryan got there right then and pushed the guy out of the way. He hit the car with his camera, denting it. Ryan got us into the restaurant and took care of them outside. He had my car sent to the shop and drove us home after—yelling at me the whole way.” She pouted. “Everett called and yelled at me too.”

“I told you—”

Her eyes beseeched me as she cupped my face. “I know you did. I was stupid, and I thought I could handle it. Please don’t be angry. I have enough people angry at me.”

I leaned into her touch. “I’m not angry. But you have to understand—”

“I do,” she assured me. “It was a mistake. I won’t do it again. I promise.”

“Everett yelled at you?”

“He called me by my full name and everything. He was really mad.” She sighed sadly. “He said now they’ll print a story about me being drunk in the morning and falling down and my bodyguard assaulting a member of the press.”

Sounded about right.

But she looked sad and worried. I hated that she’d learned this lesson, but I also knew she’d learn many more. No doubt Everett would be here at some point this afternoon, and we’d hash it all out. But for now, I wasn’t going to lecture her. I wanted her to smile. “They’ll probably link you and Caroline together as well.” I waggled my eyebrows at her. “Maybe I’m doing both of you—together.” Then I grinned at her. “And they’ll see her with Douglas. No doubt, we’re sharing the two of you. Keeping it in the family and all.”