The Unnecessary Bodyguard Read online

  “It’s nothing.”

  He dipped his head and caught her mouth in a kiss so sensual she melted against him. Before surrendering to the wild rush of desire, she pushed away from him a little. “Did you find the missing students?”

  He gave a brisk nod. “We found all of them—seven young people—and they’re fine.”

  Her eyes widened. She was almost afraid to ask. “What were they keeping them there for?”

  A muscle in his jaw clenched. “They were using them as a blood source.”

  Her brow crinkled. “You mean...they were drinking their blood?”

  He inclined his head, and a shiver raced up her spine. “How horrible. Jovan...” She brushed her thumb just under his scrape. “I was worried about you. If anything happened to you, I’d...” Her throat clogged.

  Something flashed in the gray depths of his eyes as he held her gaze. “Tell me, Nina.”

  She’d die. God, she loved him—really loved him. His hands tightened about her waist. She met his eyes. “I couldn’t imagine my life without you.” There, she said it, and tried to read the emotion churning in his eyes.

  He cupped the side of her face. “That feeling is mutual, beautiful.”

  Her heart swelled.

  “I’m heading for the shower, and you’re coming with me,” he stated huskily, clasping her hand.

  To her surprise, when they entered the bathroom, Jovan turned the taps in the whirlpool bath and took a moment to adjust the water. “I thought you were going to shower.”

  He grinned. “I am, but you’re going to relax in the bath and wait for me.” He began removing his clothes, tossing them into a corner. “I need space for what I have in mind.” The corner of his mouth curled up into a roguish grin, sending a frisson of excitement through her.

  “You’re such a bad boy.” She observed his erection as it bobbed free of his underwear, and her sex wept in response.

  His gaze flicked over her. “Start stripping, woman...and press this button when the water rises above the jets.”

  She smiled as he stepped into the shower cubicle. Glancing down at her dress, she decided to remove it in the bedroom instead of adding it to Jovan’s possibly soiled clothes. When she returned, the water had reached the right level. She closed the taps and started the jets before picking up a bottle of bath oil sitting by the lip of the tub. She flipped the cap open and added several drops to the bubbling water before climbing up the steps. She sank into the warm water with a sigh. It was a lovely tub, set in granite and large enough for four.

  The shower stopped and Jovan stepped out, rivulets of water running down the magnificently sculpted muscles of his body. A fiery tremor went through her. He was a dhampir version of a Greek god, only rougher around the edges.

  Heady desire flickered in his eyes as he lowered himself into the water. In seconds, he’d pulled her into his embrace, the aching folds of her sex pressing against the base of his shaft. The warm, silky water heightened the sensation of their naked contact.

  His fingers tangled into the hair above her neck. His gaze swept over her face before meeting her eyes. “You make me forget all unpleasant things, Nina.”

  Her lids drooped as she lost herself in his kiss. His mouth brushed against hers with heart-wrenching tenderness at first, which soon changed to fervent need. Her fingers dug into the damp thickness of his hair as she pressed her body closer to his. His free hand caressed her back and her buttocks. She rotated her hips, wanting his hard flesh against her soft folds.

  He let out a groan, breaking the kiss. “Arch your back, sweetheart. Give me your breasts.”

  The ends of her hair dipped into the moving water as she offered her body to him. He grasped her flesh and feasted on her puckered nipples. He sucked her deep into his mouth, the edge of his teeth grazing carefully. Darts of sweet pleasure shot out from the tender tips. A long moan passed her lips, turning into a broken gasp when his fingers slid over her sex. He went higher and stroked the sensitive bud, pushing her toward a quick climax. She fought it, wanting to come with him inside her.

  As if sensing this, Jovan clasped her hips and brought her down onto his erection. With one stroke, he filled her completely. She could have cried—it was achingly exquisite.

  He let out a raspy breath and shut his eyes. “Sweetness.” His gaze locked onto hers. “Ride me, baby.”

  It was, of course, the most natural thing to do in this position. Using her toes as leverage, she moved up and down his cock, forcing her muscles apart until she took him in easily. He grabbed her hips and met her downward movement with upward thrusts. “Mmm...ooh!”

  “The more I have you, the more I want you,” he said with a rough whisper.

  She couldn’t get enough of him, either. Her fingers curled tightly in his hair as pleasure pulsed in her core, intensifying with every stroke until it overcame her. She felt his body tense as he came inside her. They clung to each other, hearts racing in unison.

  After a long moment, Jovan pulled away and looked at her throat with a frown. “I’ve bruised you.”

  It took her several seconds to realize what he was referring to. She stroked the thick locks of his hair. “That’s a few days old.”

  “I know. I should be more careful.”

  She traced his mouth with her finger. “Do all dhampirs have sharp incisors?”

  He pulled her finger between his lips. “Mmm...I believe tho.”

  She chuckled, planting a kiss on his nose. He was still inside her, semi-erect. She nuzzled his throat as he decreased the force of the jets. “I’m starting a new job on Tuesday.”

  “Mmm...” His hand stroked her back in lazy circles.

  “I’ll have to go home soon, I suppose. I mean...” She nibbled her bottom lip. There were a few issues. She couldn’t abandon her home, and even though she desperately wanted to share everything with Jovan, he might not be ready to make that sort of commitment.

  His hand stilled. “You can stay here as long as you want.” He tucked his fingers under her chin, lifting it so that she met his gaze. “Let me rephrase that. I want you to move in with me.”

  Her heart did a somersault. “Is that what you really want, Jovan?”

  His thumb brushed along her jaw. “I want to fall asleep with you in my arms and wake up the same way.”

  Her heart leapt some more.

  “I want to come home and see you. Every day,” he added with emphasis before brushing his mouth across hers.

  Her chest swelled with emotion, bringing moisture to her eyes. She cupped his face. “I want that, too.”

  He claimed her mouth in a delicious, long kiss. The water was cooling, yet he swelled hot and hard inside her. He broke the kiss and gently pulled out of her with some apparent effort.

  “I don’t want you catching a cold.” He stepped out first and held out a thick towel for her. “Besides, I’d like to continue this conversation over dinner.”

  Chapter Seven

  Her cell phone rang as she was opening the third box among the dozen or so sitting in Jovan’s living room. This one contained photo albums and framed pictures. She picked up her bag and pulled out the phone. She answered without bothering to see who the caller was.

  “Nina, hi! First of all, I’m so excited for you. Clever girl—snatching that dhampir hunk. Secondly, a wonderful thing has happened,” Daphne said.

  Her friend’s excitement made her chuckle and stirred her curiosity. “What?”

  “I just realized this morning that I haven’t had any psychic dreams about you in weeks.”

  Nina couldn’t help smiling. “Well, that’s good news, Daphne...honestly. Glad to hear it.”

  “And not just that. I feel it in my bones that you’re safe, that nothing will happen to you. Thank goodness,” she added.

  Despite her doubts about Daphne’s credibility, she was relieved to some degree. After all, Daphne had been so adamant and worried. Besides which, she must have missed hours of restful sleep.

  “So
it’s all good, hon. Nothing to worry about,” Daphne added.

  “Thank you, Daphne, and you know, if it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have met Jovan.”

  “And to think you were dead set against the bodyguard idea. It could only be fate.”

  “Could be.” Nina smiled, the connection dawning on her for the first time.

  “Oh, that’s my other line.”

  “Go ahead. Kisses.”

  The doorbell rang once she ended the call. She returned to the boxes, knowing that Jovan would get that. A few minutes later, male voices floated toward her. She smiled as Jovan walked into the room in the company of a tall young man.

  “Nina, this is my cousin, Dejan...and this is Nina.”

  She observed the man, who was of similar build and height as Jovan. The dark blond locks of his hair had a rather charming unruliness and suited his handsome face. Yet there was a distinctive sharpness in his blue eyes that warned of an unyielding temperament.

  They shook hands.

  “Nice to meet you,” she said.

  He inclined his head. “Likewise.” He slanted his gaze in Jovan’s direction. “Now I know why you’ve practically disappeared these past couple of months.”

  Amusement danced around Jovan’s mouth. “I just opened a 2005 Shiraz—Cape Mentelle. Care for some?”

  Dejan’s eyebrow arched. “What’s the occasion?”

  Jovan smiled in her direction. “Nina’s moving in today.”

  The eyebrow went higher.

  Jovan clapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll get the wine. Now, don’t ask Nina any inappropriate questions.” He grinned, but there was an underlying edge in his voice.

  Left alone under Dejan’s probing gaze, Nina sensed a prickle of discomfort.

  He cleared his throat. “Well, this is a big step for Jovan. He’s never shared his home with a woman before.”

  She smiled. “It’s a big step for me, too.” Her ex had been the only man she’d lived with—under her roof. Now, she had put her place up for sale. This was altogether different, and she knew it was the right decision.

  “Knowing Jovan, he’s been open with you. It takes a strong woman to be by his side.”

  He was prying, but she sensed he meant well. “Actually, I feel even stronger with Jovan.”

  “What part of Europe is your family from?”

  It was her turn to raise an eyebrow. “Europe? My family is third-generation American, although my mom’s side carries some French blood.”

  His expression stilled. “So, you’re not—”

  “No, she’s not a dhampir,” Jovan interrupted as he returned, carrying a tray with three wine glasses.

  Dejan shot him a disapproving look before handing her a glass. “I am somewhat disappointed, Jovan. I thought you and I kept no secrets.”

  She took a sip of the rich wine, amused with the conversation.

  “I wanted to keep her all to myself for a while—is that so bad?” He winked at her. “Don’t mind him. He’s a harmless grouch.”

  “You were going to say dhampir, yes?” she questioned Dejan.

  He inclined his head. “I was. I assumed—wrongly so—that my cousin would settle down with one of our kind.” He paused. “Don’t be offended. We live a harsh life at times, and this could be difficult on a human.”

  “No offense taken. And I understand what you mean.” She caught Jovan’s gaze, and her heart swelled with affection. He was worth any discomfort on her part. “I’m prepared to support him completely.”

  A long, intense silence followed as Dejan regarded her before giving a nod. “That’s good to hear.” He placed his hand on Jovan’s shoulder. “I believe you’re in good hands, Cousin.”

  Jovan raised his glass. “Here’s to Nina—the most incredible, beautiful woman I know.”

  Her lower lip trembled. “Oh, baby...thank you.”

  Dejan didn’t stay long once he’d finished his drink, yet he left with a calm smile.

  She let Jovan pull her into his arms. “He cares about you.”

  “Mmm, do you care about me?” He nibbled her ear, sending goose bumps over her skin.

  “You know I do. In fact, I told you I love you...as I said this morning and yesterday and the day before that.”

  His hand curved about her waist. “I love you so much it hurts.” He nuzzled her throat.

  It thrilled her every time he said those words. “Poor baby. Should I ease your pain?”

  “Mmm, please do.”

  She took his hand and led him to the bedroom. She undressed him slowly, teasingly, planting tiny kisses on his skin as his clothes fell away. Her gaze drank the manly beauty of his form, lingering on the hard expanse of his chest, the bands of tight muscle along his abdomen and his generous cock. Wet heat pooled between her thighs. With a step back, she began removing her clothes while holding his gaze.

  His eyes darkened, and she saw the tell-tale flare of his nose as he restrained himself. She hooked her thumbs in the band of her panties, offered him a playful smile, and pushed them down her legs. A groan sounded in his throat. She kneeled before him and met his gaze.

  He dipped his fingers in her hair. “Baby...”

  She moistened her lips, wrapped her hand around his thick flesh and swept her tongue over the full tip. His breath hissed. When she pulled the head between her lips, he moaned. With slow, even strokes, she pleased him. She increased the pressure, drawing him in deep. The warm, silky smoothness of his skin was delicious. The throb on the underside of his shaft quickened. He was close.

  His fingers clenched in her hair. “Sweetheart...stop...”

  She paused and glanced up at him.

  “I want you.” His voice was thick with arousal.

  Recognizing the urgency in his tone, she stood up. He scooped her up and lowered her onto the bed. In almost one motion, he parted her legs and sank his hard flesh into her. Their rough gasps of pleasure mingled. He leaned over her, and she clasped his shoulders as he moved inside her with long strokes. She envisioned the rest of her life sharing moments like this with Jovan. No other man had come close to fulfilling her on so many levels. Not naive, she expected to face certain times of distress because of his work in the organization. As she’d assured his cousin, though, she was prepared to support Jovan. She loved him with every cell in her body.

  She arched her back as the first wave shuddered through her. “Jovan!”

  His mouth closed over hers, drinking her cries of pleasure.

  Jovan doubted there was anything more beautiful than the look of pure pleasure on Nina’s face, pleasure he’d given her. As her womb convulsed around his cock one more time, Jovan gave in to the release he’d been fighting since he joined their bodies. He spilled into her with intense bursts until he was drained. His body slackened against hers. He brushed a few strands away from her face and kissed her. He held her warm brown gaze for a long moment while caressing the velvety skin of her cheek. “I’ll always love you.”

  Her mouth curved into a smile as a light danced in her eyes. “I will, too.”

  He rolled over with her body against his. She sighed and nuzzled the crook of his shoulder, and he toyed with the wavy locks of her hair. Nina was good for him. More precisely, she was exactly what he needed. Even his bouts of nausea had lessened significantly—he couldn’t recall the last one he’d had. Her heart beat steadily against his chest, and he smiled, liking the sense of comfort she felt with him. He recognized the sacrifice she was making for him because she could have any man of her choice—someone uncomplicated. His arms tightened around her as he vowed to make her life as happy and tranquil as possible. As for any possible vampire attacks, he’d protect her with his life.

  He pulled the sheet over their bodies as he sensed Nina falling asleep, her breath softly fanning his skin. Once she settled into his home—their home—he’d take her away on a nice trip somewhere. She’d mentioned places she’d like to visit. He smiled, realizing he’d never been so enthusiastic about a trip. It
didn’t stop there. He was enthusiastic about the future. And the reason lay right here in his arms. He kissed her forehead and let sleep claim him.

  The End

  Author Bio

  Evie Balos adores anything romantic. She picked up her first romance book at the age of fourteen and soon after developed a keen desire to write professionally. After trying her hand at traditional romance, she decided her sweet stories needed some spice and kicked it up a notch with edgier, sensual characters. She’s been writing erotic romance for several years under a different pen name. Evie’s stories are set in contemporary and paranormal worlds.

  When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling across Canada—her native home—spending time with her wonderful family, reading everything from spy novels to newspapers, and participating in little adventures like rafting. When it comes to food, her ultimate indulgence is sushi and dark chocolate.