The Unnecessary Bodyguard Read online

  He dropped the folder on the desk and picked up a thick binder. He opened it to a random, type-written page with logs of data. “These are records of hostile clans and vampire activity in the U.S.” He flipped several pages over. “Here they’re broken down into cities.” The data was long and detailed. “We’ve made great progress in reducing hostile activity, yet it’s an ongoing struggle keeping it in check.” He tapped the page. “This is the enemy—a very dangerous and often evasive enemy—and it’s a significant factor in my life. Not to be taken lightly.”

  He replaced the binder and turned to her. “I’ve killed.” He let this sink in. “I sometimes suffer from painful stomach cramps because I rarely kill now. You see, we are biologically conditioned to destroy vampires. Our people have been doing this since the 18th century.” He paused and held her wide gaze. “It’s who I am.”

  She nodded, understanding his point and the implications if she were to get involved with him, which she’d been generally aware of from the start.

  “Is this what you want, Nina?” He held up a finger to her lips when she made to speak. “I’m giving you a chance to think about it, because if you want to continue what we started earlier, I need to have all of you.”

  Her mind worked on his meaning for a moment. All of me.... Her heart stilled for an instant before rushing on. No matter which angle she looked at it, her thoughts came to the same fact: she wanted Jovan Markovic, all of him, with every fiber in her being, with a need that shattered all fears.

  Taking a confident step forward, she placed her palm against his chest and felt the quick drum of his heart. “You’ve saved lives, too, and I admire that very much.”

  A pained look crossed his face. His thumb brushed the line of her jaw. “All of you, Nina....”

  “Yes.”

  Chapter Five

  “A part of me hates myself for doing this,” he said huskily as they stood in his bedroom. He’d removed all her clothing.

  “Mmm...but I’m sure it’s just a small part,” she teased. Her senses stirred with anticipation while desire thrummed urgently through her.

  He inclined his head as his gaze took its time traveling down her body. “The rest is uncontrollable need. It hurts to look at you.” He tore off his shirt and began shrugging out of his jeans.

  “Hey, not fair. You got to undress me.” She pouted.

  “Next time, sweets.” He scooped her up and walked to the king-size bed. “I can’t wait.”

  He laid her down gently, with her head on the pillow, and insinuated a strong thigh between her legs. He propped up on his elbow and spread her hair across the pillow. His handsome face was so intense as he looked at her that it stole her breath. Her body melted under the solid weight of his.

  “I’ve wanted to do this for so long,” he murmured. His mouth brushed hers in a light but possessive kiss. He continued a tantalizing trail along her jaw line, alternating with moist flicks of his tongue that had her arching her neck. He lingered on the throbbing pulse of her throat, teasing with soft brushstrokes and a not-so-gentle graze of his teeth that would surely leave a mark.

  A rough sigh escaped her.

  His mouth moved along her collarbone. There it was again—the unusual sharpness of incisors. In her erotic haze, she recalled having read something about dhampirs possessing very sharp incisors, not exactly like vampire fangs, but sharper than most humans’. A tiny jolt of panic gripped her for a few seconds, but then she succumbed to whatever he was doing with his mouth. It was like...the pointed corners of a warm ice cube sweeping across her skin. Trillions of goose bumps erupted all over her flesh.

  He grazed her left nipple—”Ooh!”—then the right. If one could define painful pleasure, this was it, especially after he’d soothed her tender tips with his tongue. He switched to deep sucking and licking, forcing her climax to near-peaking. She wriggled under him, not wanting to come this way.

  He kissed his way down to her navel, where he dipped his tongue in and out. Her abdomen trembled, and she gripped the bed sheet. She watched him move between her legs, spreading her thighs wider. He rose up on his knees, and her gaze fell to the large erection pressing against his briefs. With a teasing lift of his brow, he dispensed with the underwear.

  Her breath caught. Oh God! His shaft was long and thick and very hard. Her tongue swept across her lips. She was sure both her hands couldn’t span his length. Her gaze devoured him. There wasn’t an inch of fat on his smooth body.

  “Do you approve?” he drawled.

  “You’re beautiful, Jovan. All of you.” When she made to reach out to him, he pushed her legs wide and ducked between them. She blushed, aware that she was quite wet.

  “And you have the prettiest pussy I’ve ever seen.” She bucked when his fingers swept over her swollen folds. “Shades of deep and light rose, glistening lips. I like that you’re smooth except for this small, soft patch at the top.” He brushed the rise of her mound and gently pushed two fingers inside her. “Mmm...so wet.” He mimicked the motion she craved from his cock.

  His mouth replaced his fingers soon after, and she cried out her pleasure. His tongue was a skilled, merciless weapon. It made her arch off the bed. He swirled over her tender flesh with long strokes in every direction—light pressure, deep pressure, shifting to rapid flicks and plunges into her aching heat. Moisture trickled from her folds, and she heard his muffled moan as he caught the stream before it disappeared between her buttocks.

  “Aahh...” She released the sheet and grasped his dark head, pressing him against her as she greedily rotated her hips. When he parted the flesh around her clit and began a wicked assault on that little bud, she shook and came apart in seconds.

  He didn’t stop.

  She had barely recovered from that first climax when he brought her to a powerful second, making her toes curl. “Please, no more....” In her muddle-headed state, she barely recognized what she was saying.

  He paid no heed. He was sucking her clit in a way no one ever had, coaxing new sensations so wonderful that they had to be sinful. Tension unfurled in waves of the sweetest pleasure, rocking every inch of her body.

  Completely limp, her eyelids drooped while she tried to catch her breath. When next she looked at him, he was swiping his fingers across his moist, sensual mouth. “You killed me.” She smiled.

  He grinned. “In that case, let me bring you back to life.” He clasped her behind the knees and lifted her legs up at a wide angle, positioning the bulbous tip of his cock at her entrance.

  She noticed that he wore a very sheer condom. He must have slipped that on during her state of stupor. A quiver of anticipation went through her. She was desperate to have him inside her, driven by an intense desire to mate with him.

  “I want you to watch me as I take you, Nina.”

  She looked at the impressive length of his flesh. “Um, Jovan, go slowly at first.” She hoped she could take him all in.

  Slowly, he pressed into her folds, and her lips stretched to envelope the bulbous tip. He was barely inside, and the sensation was leaving her breathless. He stopped when he was halfway in and met her gaze. She nodded.

  He slid the rest of his shaft into her inch by inch until he’d reached the hilt. A raw sound broke in her throat. He paused while her womb adjusted. He filled her perfectly, completely. His nose flared as his hands tightened about her legs. The desire she saw in his eyes could have seared her. Her inner muscles were already clasping his flesh, demanding that primitive dance.

  He pulled out almost all the way and slowly slid back in. He followed with shorter thrusts, spreading her, before plunging in all the way. They shared a raw groan of pleasure. Back out he went and began a long, slow rhythm. Mesmerized, she watched his gorgeous cock dip into her several times. The hard silkiness of his flesh against her slick womb produced the most achingly sweet sensation. She turned her head to the side and whimpered against her knuckles.

  He leaned over her, trapping her legs under his shoulders, which she k
new would allow for deeper penetration. “Nina.”

  She met his gaze as he thrust into her hard. A shattered cry broke from her throat. Sweet mercy! He took her without restraint. Her nails curled into his shoulders. Primal sounds escaped her as her womb caught on fire. Tension curled deep inside her like hundreds of coils. He shifted closer and took her mouth in a rough caress.

  “Do you like...the feel of me...inside you?” he murmured against her lips.

  “Oh...yes...so much....”

  With a satisfied growl, he gave her bottom lip a sharp tug and drove into her harder, if that were possible.

  He truly was a beast, and she loved it.

  Her tension snapped and uncoiled throughout her sex, followed by the rest of her body, at the same time his climax ripped through him. She clutched him to her tightly as his muscles clenched, his long moan of pleasure mingling with her ragged cries.

  * * * * *

  Jovan woke with Nina in his arms and a deep sense of contentment. He breathed in her sweet, feminine scent as he swept a hand across the soft skin of her back, stopping on the curve of her backside. He thickened with swift arousal. He had already accepted the fact that where Nina was concerned, he would never be satiated. With other women, his desire had been fired by lust. But Nina had somehow implanted herself into the deep layers of his being. At some point, he’d given up struggling against it. He gave her rump a squeeze. In fact, he was determined to do everything to keep her in his life, regardless of the challenges they would face—and those were just around the corner.

  He needed her again, now. He pulled her from her light sleep. She lifted her head, a tumble of unruly waves, and gave him a leisurely smile that got him rock hard.

  “Mmm...hello stranger,” she murmured.

  “Mmm, indeed.” He combed his hands through her hair and brought her mouth to his for a long kiss. He pulled back and looked at her. “Was I too rough, baby?”

  A hint of pink touched her cheeks, but a mischievous smile played about her lips. “Yes...no....” She let out a girlish giggle. “I can’t complain.”

  The corner of his mouth lifted teasingly, and he gave her buttock a light smack. “Although that’s a less than satisfactory answer, it suits me at the moment.” He rolled out from under her so that she lay stomach-down. He raised her hips and nudged her legs open. “Oh, sweetness....” His breathing stalled at the sight of her pert bottom and wet, swollen pussy. He brushed his fingers over her folds, and she gasped, arching her hips upward. “You will be my undoing, Nina,” he groaned.

  He slid along her seam and caressed her clitoris with circular strokes, delighting in her mews of pleasure. He lubricated the head of his cock with her arousal before gliding in. A fireball of pleasure shot through his shaft, making his thighs shake. He gripped her buttocks firmly and shut his eyes in an attempt to control his climax. The restless movement of her body was pushing him toward the edge faster than he wanted.

  Slowly, he began moving inside her, watching as his flesh disappeared into her rosy folds. He increased his thrusts, clenching his teeth as her muscles milked him. He wrapped her hair around his fist and gave a little tug as he reached the farthest depths of her womb. When she met his thrusts with the backward movement of her hips, he nearly exploded. “Woman!”

  “Ooh...”

  “Harder, baby?”

  “Yes!”

  He gave her butt cheek a firm smack and took her with unrestrained passion. With every thrust, he branded her as his, even if the thought was subconscious. He joined their bodies in the most intimate way, yet it wasn’t enough. All of you, Nina. He’d never felt such intense, unbearable pleasure. Her muscles contracted around his shaft, snapping his restraint. His legs nearly buckled as his climax tore through him. With a feral growl, he bent over her and caught the soft skin of her nape between his teeth. She whimpered, reminding him that she wasn’t one of his kind and wouldn’t easily heal should he bear down. Instantly, he reined in his inner beast and soothed her with his tongue. Only when he withdrew did he realize that he’d neglected to use protection—another first for him. He pulled her into his arms, where she nuzzled like a satisfied cat. With her soft breath fanning his throat, he welcomed the peaceful darkness of sleep.

  Chapter Six

  Jovan barely let her out of his sight over the next few days. Not that she minded. Despite their passionate lovemaking that first time, they were still ravenous for each other. They’d only gone to her place to pick up some clothes and other essentials. He worked from home, although she doubted he got much accomplished with their impromptu love sessions. Steamy quickies in various rooms throughout the condo were a prelude to the long, passionate coupling at night.

  Halfway through the meal she’d cooked, Jovan left the room to answer the phone. Ten minutes later, he returned with a sober expression.

  “Something wrong?”

  He sat back down and picked up his fork. “We’re going to carry out a day raid on that Peoria clan this Sunday.”

  Something unpleasant shifted inside her. “I see. And, does this mean you’ll go in, too? I mean...inside their residence?”

  “Yes. Hopefully we’ll find those missing students. Best time is during the day when the vamps are asleep.” He resumed eating in a casual manner.

  Unsettled, Nina placed her fork down. “Is it generally safe?”

  “We have an FBI team accompanying us. Don’t worry, sweetheart.” He winked and sat back in his chair with a satisfied pat to his lean abdomen. “Yummy. I see keeping you here has several benefits.”

  She made a face, and he chuckled. “Seriously, Jovan, promise me you’ll be very careful.”

  “I promise. There’s briefing and preparation most of the day tomorrow.”

  She nodded. “Of course. Actually, my niece’s birthday party is this Sunday.”

  “That’s good. At least you’ll be doing something nice instead of hanging around, waiting for me.”

  She held his gaze. “I’ll still be worrying about you, though.”

  “I’ve done this dozens of times—nothing to worry your gorgeous head about.” He paused. “Do you like chocolate?”

  Her brows lifted with interest. “Love it.”

  “I know a place that specializes in it.”

  * * * * *

  Nina snapped a couple of pictures of her niece eating cake, her tiny mouth covered in pink and white frosting as she wiggled happily in her chair. She was delighted to be here, yet the animated atmosphere didn’t succeed in taking her mind off Jovan’s raid. He’d mentioned that the vampires would be asleep, but what if they woke up? Was that even possible? She cursed her ignorance and decided to learn everything about vampires and what took place in the raids. The more she knew, the easier it would be for her.

  She schooled her features into a calm expression as Amy approached with a glass of soda.

  “Here you go.”

  “Ah, thanks.” Nina squeezed the lime garnish over the drink.

  “So, we need to catch up. Chris tells me you’re on vacation?”

  “Yep, just until the end of next week. I’ve got a couple of offers for work.” She felt her sister-in-law’s perceptive gaze on her.

  “Who’s the lucky guy?” There was a knowing tug at the corners of her mouth.

  Nina’s mouth parted in surprise. “Guy?”

  Amy nodded. “You’ve got that look of new love all over your face.”

  Gosh, was she that obvious? “I do?”

  “Totally. Not to mention the mark on your neck. Real passionate, too, hmm?” she teased.

  Nina’s hand lifted to her throat. She’d covered the mark with concealer, hoping to minimize the dark shade. Color flooded her cheeks. “Well, I did meet someone. I mean...it was quite unexpected.”

  “Sometimes the best ones are. Like the way I met Chris.” She gave her husband a warm smile, which he returned from across the room.

  “Well, he’s definitely nothing like any man I’ve met before. He’s genuine an
d strong, the way you want a man to be. He owns a security company and, em, he’s...”

  “Yes?”

  Nina braced herself for Amy’s response as she replied, “A dhampir.”

  She sensed Amy stiffen for a few seconds. Her nose crinkled as she digested this. “Well, if you’re fine with it, and he makes you happy, I think that’s wonderful.”

  She met Amy’s gaze. “Do you mean that?” Not that she needed anyone’s approval about her relationship with Jovan, but she had a strong desire to tell her loved ones about him.

  “Of course I do. As long as he treats you well, Nina,” she emphasized. “So, when can we meet him?”

  Nina smiled. “It’s a little fresh, but we’ll arrange something one day, I promise.”

  Amy squeezed her hand and glanced over at the children sitting around the low table. She chuckled. “I better go clean Katie up.”

  * * * * *

  Later that afternoon, Nina headed back to Jovan’s place. She drew in a calming breath. “He’ll be fine.” She entered the condo with the key he’d given her and swallowed her disappointment at not seeing him there. Logically, a raid could be a lengthy affair. She pulled her fingers away from her teeth, an old nervous habit. She forced herself to watch TV, but when that didn’t work, she began pacing around, pausing by one of the tall windows with a view to the downtown skyline. Please come home soon. She didn’t know how long she’d been standing there when a pair of muscled arms circled her waist.

  “Did you miss me?”

  She jumped nervously and turned around in his arms, her heart flipping with relief. “Thank God!” She gave him a tight hug before pulling back to inspect him. Her breath caught at the sight of him packaged in a commanding black uniform, similar to those worn by SWAT officers. Arousal flared in a long flame from her stomach to her sex. A dhampir in uniform—it couldn’t get sexier than that. There was a fresh scrape on the rise of his left cheekbone, but other than that, he seemed well. “How did you get that?”