Wyatt's War

Chapter Four

Fiona swiped her card and entered the room first, every nerve cell in her body completely aware of the man behind her. What had she been thinking? She couldn’t share a room with a perfect stranger.

And based on her earlier observations of his naked body, he was perfect in every physical way possible. All the more reason why she couldn’t sleep in the same room with him.

Hell, sleep would be the furthest thing from her mind. As another thought occurred to her, her pulse leapt and heat rose up her throat into her cheeks. Did he sleep naked? Holy hell.

She made an abrupt about face. “I’m sorry. This isn’t going to work.”

“So you’ll be leaving?” he asked.

“No, you will.”

He shook his head. “I’ve done my share of sleeping on the hard ground. I’m in a hotel, not a campground. If you want to leave and let me have the room, fine.”

A knock on the door made Fiona jump.

Wyatt opened it to a bellboy with the rollaway.

Just when she didn’t think it could be worse, the bellboy had to be prompt.

“Where do you want it?” he asked.

Wyatt pointed to a space near the desk and an easy chair. “Right there for now.”

The bellboy parked the bed where indicated and left the room before Fiona spoke again.

“You’re not staying,” she said.

“Relax. You’ll barely know I’m here.”

Like hell. He was all she could focus on. His broad shoulders practically filled the room, making it feel smaller with each breath she inhaled. “Look, I’m not happy about this situation. I like my space and, frankly, you’re invading it.”

“I’m here for the job, sweetheart, not you. Besides…” he cupped her cheek with his big, callused hand, “…you’re not my type.”

The warmth of his hand on her face made her want to lean into his palm, until his words hit her like a splash of chilled water. She straightened away from that dratted hand. “What do you mean?”

“About the job or the type?” He grinned, raising her ire another notch.

“Not your type? Just what is your type?”

His grin broadened, those full, kissable lips doing funny things to her insides. “Well, you got part of it right earlier. The naked part. But I also like my women willing.” He winked, grabbed his duffle bag and dropped it on the rollaway. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to pay a visit to my buddy with the dogs.”

“And I have to head over to my office for an hour or two.” She glanced around the room again before shooting a narrow-eyed glare at him. “Don’t touch my things.”

He gave her mock salute. “Yes, ma’am.”

“And don’t call me ma’am. I’m not that old.”

“Yes, ma’am. I mean…Fiona.” He cupped her cheek again and leaned in until his lips hovered over hers. “A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.”

Knowing it was all wrong but unable to stop herself, she leaned closer until their lips connected. A jolt of electricity shot through her, instantly heating places she’d thought cold for a long time.

Wyatt’s hand slipped behind her neck and he applied pressure, his mouth taking hers in a deep, satisfying kiss.

When his tongue swept across hers, she opened eagerly, her tongue greeting his hungrily. Her brain disengaged and her body took over. Fiona slid her hands up his chest. When she should have been shoving him away, she linked her fingers behind his neck and pressed her breasts to his chest. She slid her leg up the back of his, her pussy pressing against the thick muscle of his thigh, an ache building deep in her core.

Wyatt’s hands slipped beneath her shirt and up her ribs, his thumbs brushing against her breasts. In that moment, she wished she was as naked as she’d been at their earlier meeting. The way he touched her made the bones in her legs dissolve. Why did he have to be so damned attractive with his muscular body and high-and-tight haircut? Couldn’t the government find a white-haired old man to oversee the security of this shindig? She could handle that.

When he broke off the kiss, he leaned his forehead against hers and chuckled. “I didn’t see that coming.”

Knowing she was as much at fault for initiating that kiss as he was, she stepped away, scrubbing her hands down the front of her skirt. If he hadn’t backed off first, where would that kiss have led? Butterfly wings beat against the insides of her belly and her glance darted to the bed, and a sharp pull of longing swelled inside. This was wrong on so many levels. She wasn’t sure how sharing a room with Wyatt would turn out, but it couldn’t end up good.

Or it could end up way too good… Her insides tightened and a thrill of anticipation raced through her body. How long had it been since she’d had sex?

No, this was not how she envisioned this event starting.

Eager to get to the office and out of the overwhelming presence of Wyatt Magnus, she moved toward the door. “Gotta go.”

“Me too.”

She held up her hand. “For the sake of sanity, give me a head start. I need some time to think.”

“As you wish, darlin’,” he said with a serious poker face. Then he ruined it with a sexy grin. “Hopefully, you’ll spend some time thinking of me.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” she shot back at him. Then she made a dash for the elevator before he could see the blush rising in her cheeks, or notice how she couldn’t keep her gaze off him. Fiona knew what lay beneath the clothing and the thought of him lying in a bed near hers, possibly naked… Well, it didn’t bear imagining. Nothing was going to happen. She had far more serious things to worry about than if he would make a pass at her. Or worse…that he wouldn’t make a pass.

As she stepped into the elevator, she shot a glance down the hallway. Wyatt stood at the doorway of their room, a smile still fixed to his face that broadened when her gaze met his.

Damn. He’d caught her staring.

A warm, rich chuckle filled the hallway, like he knew the secret of what was to come later that night.

Fiona dove into the elevator, her cheeks burning, a place farther south flaming to life.

Holy hell. How was she going to get through the next few days with Wyatt Magnus’s larger than life body to bump into everywhere she turned?

Wyatt was still grinning as he closed the door behind him and made certain it was securely locked and then adjusted his jeans. His groin was far too tight, but it had been worth the kiss to see the event planner’s reaction. He’d made the calm, cool and efficient Fiona Allen run like a frightened rabbit. Oh yeah, he had definitely made an impression on her. Good. Because she’d made an equal one on him and he needed to shake it off so he could see to the security of the convention.

Sleeping in the same room with the fiery redhead would be a challenge. If he planned on sleeping. The real challenge would be to get her to agree to share her bed with him. A couple nights with Fiona ought to get him back on track sexually.

Rather than take the elevator, he headed for the stairwell, jogging down the steps until he reached the garage level. His Jeep was where he’d left it and he climbed in, pulling out his cell phone. Before he put the shift in gear, he dialed Joe.

“Dogs are Heroes, Joe speaking.”

“Joe, Wyatt Magnus here.”

“Wyatt, you old bulldog, what are you doing in town?”

A flash of guilt washed over Wyatt. He’d been in town for weeks and this was his first call to his friend. “It’s a long story, but I need your help with bomb-sniffing dogs at the downtown convention center.”

“What the hell? Did you quit the Army?”

“No, no. I’m on loan to Homeland Security to provide oversight for the security of the International Trade Convention.”

“I thought you were in Ethiopia or Somalia or some other godforsaken country.”

“I was. It’s part of that long story I’ll fill you in on later.” He sighed. “In the meantime the convention starts tomorrow night and I want to make sure the threats we’ve been getting don’t happen.”

“Wow, who’d you piss off to get that assignment?”

Wyatt chuckled. “It’s temporary. So what do you say? Do you have the resources?”

“Sure. I’m on the tail end of training fifteen dogs to be used at airports with the TSA. I can have them loaded and delivered by morning.”

“Good. Can you meet me in an hour at the convention center to discuss the plan with the security firm the planner hired?”

“Which security firm?”

“Lone Star Security.”

“They come highly recommended,” Joe confirmed. “I haven’t heard anything bad about their work. But you never know when you’ll get a bad egg waiting to explode.”

“Right. That’s where you and your canines come into it.”

“Keeping everyone on the up and up.”

“We’ve already had one incident with the Columbian delegate. Shots were fired at his limousine.”

“I heard about that on the police scanner.”

“All the more reason for you to meet me at the convention center.”

“I’ll be there.” Joe told Wyatt what entrance he’d be at and rang off.

Wyatt dug out the card Fiona had given him for the person in charge of the convention center security team for the next few days. Preston Jones.

He keyed the numbers and waited for the man to pick up on the other end. While he waited, he scanned the parking lot of the hotel. If they wanted to keep the delegates safe, he needed to check with hotel security. It wouldn’t hurt to add a few guards to the mix. And he’d check out the cameras to ensure all were functioning and monitored.

Someone exited the building and walked quickly to a shiny black Mustang convertible. By the twitch of her skirt and the long, flowing red curls hanging down her back, there was no mistaking Fiona Allen.

Wyatt’s pulse quickened and he couldn’t tear his gaze away from her as she slid into the sports car and drove past him.

“Lone Star Security, Preston Jones speaking.”

The male voice in his ear brought Wyatt back to the task at hand and he introduced himself.

“I’ve been expecting your call,” Preston said. “I cleared my afternoon to meet with you and show you what we’ve done to get ready.”

“I’m headed to the convention center now.”

“I can meet you there in fifteen minutes.”

“Good.” Wyatt hung up and shifted his Jeep into drive, pulling out of the parking garage into the glare and heat of the south Texas sunshine.

Now that he had his meetings set up, he could get to work. The sooner this convention was over, the sooner he could get back to his real job with the Special Operations command.

When the convention was over, he’d leave San Antonio. A quick fling with the pretty little redhead wouldn’t hurt in the meantime. It would get his motor revved and his spirits up. Yeah, a quick affair with the redhead might be just what the shrink ordered.

Maddie met Fiona at the door to her office, electronic tablet in hand. “I called the caterer, they had a hiccup in the menu and won’t be serving cherry cheese cake. Instead it’ll be caramel chocolate cheesecake. All’s good though because the menu only states cheesecake.”

Fiona strode through the outer office to her inner sanctum with Maddie on her heels.

“The string quartet I got to replace the original for tomorrow’s welcome reception is down to a trio. One member is out sick. They assure me the music will be just as good. I called around to see if I could get someone else, but everyone is booked or out of town.”

“Whatever.” Fiona plunked her purse on her desk and stared at the order that was her desk, drinking in the fact that everything had a place. Order made her feel in control.

Perhaps that was why she was so upset by the day’s events. Being around Wyatt made her feel completely out of control and chaotic. She planned the hell out of events with contingency plans in place in case the originals didn’t work out. She didn’t see a hotel reservation as risky or she would have booked two rooms on the off chance someone was double-booked in one.

The room grew so quiet, Fiona turned to her assistant.

Maddie stood with her hand on her hip.

“What?” Fiona said.

“Whatever?” Maddie stared at her as if she’d grown antennae. “Whatever from a boss who manages everything down to the most minute detail?”

Fiona shoved a hand through her hair, her fingers getting tangled. “Oh Maddie, this day has been insane.”

“Yeah, and since when do you wear your hair down during the day?” Maddie shook her head. “What’s got you rattled, oh gracious control freak?”

An image of Wyatt standing naked in her hotel room flashed in her mind. Fiona turned toward the window, feeling the heat rush up into her cheeks. “Did you have any more luck getting me a room than I did?”

“No. Their system is fouled up and they’ve double-booked several foreigners. They want to place them first since you live in the city.”

“That’s the right thing to do. Still…” She inhaled and let out a long breath.

“Can’t you get the man to give up the room you two are double-booked in?” Maddie joined Fiona by the window.

“He needs to be there as much as I do.”

“Is he one of the foreign delegates?”

“No, he’s the man Homeland Security sent to oversee security of the convention. There are no other rooms in the downtown area.”

“What are you going to do?”

“We’ve agreed to share the room.” When Fiona said the words, she knew how crazy the idea sounded.

“You’re sharing a room with a strange man?” Maddie’s brows furrowed. “Want me to run a background check on him? He could be a serial killer or rapist.”

Fiona’s lips tipped upward on the edges. “He’s military and on loan with Homeland Security. I’ve already run it up the chain of command. I’m stuck with him on the project.”

“But you’re not stuck sleeping in the same hotel room.” Maddie lifted the phone and started dialing.

“Who are you calling?”

“The hotel. This will never do.” Maddie held the phone to her ear.

Fiona took it from her. “Don’t bother. I’ve already talked until I’m blue in the face. The hotel is booked. It’s sleep in the streets or share a room with Wyatt.”

“Wyatt?” Maddie set the phone back on the desk. “You two are already on a first name basis?”

Fiona’s cheeks warmed all over again. Hell, they’d seen each other completely naked. They ought to be on a first name basis. “Yes. He’ll be reporting directly to me about the security. He’s already come up with a good idea.” Why she hadn’t thought of running bomb-sniffing dogs through the convention center was a mistake that could have cost her.

“The point is he’s got to be nearby. We’ve already had an incident.” Fiona explained about the shooting.

“Well, crap. Things couldn’t go smoothly, could they?”

“There’s a lot of unrest between some of the countries attending. I had hoped everyone would get along while they were here. And then the shooting had to happen. We don’t know who’s responsible yet. The police are looking into it.” Fiona glanced at Maddie, her lips twisting in a wry grin. “In the meantime, I’m sharing a room with the head of security.”

Maddie’s eyes narrowed. “Want me to come stay with you? I’m sure I can convince my boyfriend that sharing a room with my boss and a strange man is perfectly acceptable.”

“Sounds crazy, doesn’t it?” Fiona’s lips pressed together. “As much as he’s annoying, I trust him not to do anything stupid.” Perhaps that was why she’d agreed to share the room. That and he made her blood burn through her veins and the thought of catching him naked again… Damn. She had to get her mind out of the gutter. The man was there on a mission and so was she. “I’ll be all right.”

“You have that pepper spray I gave you last Christmas?”

Fiona nodded. “On my keychain.”

“Leave it on the nightstand and use it if he gets too friendly.” Maddie crossed her arms. “I don’t like it.”

“I promise I’ll be okay.”

“I have a mind to check in on you tonight. I could have a little chat with the squatter and let him know in no uncertain terms that he’s to keep his hands to himself.”

Fiona laughed. “Thank you, Mother, but that won’t be necessary.” A naughty thought insinuated itself into her head. What if he didn’t keep his hands to himself? Maybe she wanted him to touch her. After the kiss they’d shared in the room, she was sure there was enough attraction to lead to more. Did she want it?

Maddie’s gaze narrowed even more. “Just how old is this DHS guy? Is he a fatherly type?”

The heat burned in Fiona’s cheeks again and she didn’t turn away fast enough to avoid Maddie’s pointed stare.

Her eyes widened. “He’s not, is he?” Maddie grabbed Fiona’s hands and forced her to face her. “Crap, Fiona, tell me all about him. Is he tall, is he handsome, is he nice?” A grin spread across her face. “You do realize you haven’t had a boyfriend in at least a year. It’s about time you got laid.”

Fiona tried to shake free of Maddie’s grip. “Oh please. It’s not a crime to be without a boyfriend. I simply haven’t had time.”

“Ha! You do plan on getting laid.” Maddie whooped. “You go, girl. Take charge of your sex life and rev it up.”

“Really, Maddie. I have no plans to get laid.”

“You can’t plan everything, sweetie. Some things have to be spontaneous. The important thing is…does he make you hot? Is there any fire between the two of you? Has he kissed you?”

The more Maddie pushed for information, the hotter Fiona’s cheeks burned.

“He has!” Maddie hugged Fiona. “I’m so happy for you. A kiss is just the beginning. Tonight you need to meet him in the bar in that little black dress that shows off your figure so well.”

“I’m not dating the man. I’m just sharing a room with him. The kiss could very well have been a mistake on his part.”

“But not on yours?” Maddie shivered. “Makes me wish I could be a fly on the wall tonight in your hotel room.”

“Maddie! I never knew there was a naughty voyeur in you.”

Maddie gave her a wicked smile. “Only because you never asked. My boyfriend and I belong to a BDSM club and they have a voyeur viewing room.”

Fiona poked her fingers into her ears. “I don’t want to hear this.”

“Oh come on, Fiona. You’re not that old. BDSM can be a lot of fun. You should bring Wyatt. I’m sure I can get you in for a trial run.”

“No, no, no. Get this straight. Wyatt and I are sharing a room. Not a bed, not sex, not BDSM. He’s not my boyfriend and he’s not my lover. The end.”

Maddie pouted. “Spoilsport. You really need to loosen up. Life is going to pass you by if you’re not careful.”

“I have a convention to run. I suggest we get back to what’s important.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Maddie left Fiona in her office, and giggled all the way back to her desk. “Methinks the boss has met her match,” she muttered loud enough Fiona could hear.

“He’s not my match!” Fiona slammed the door between them.

Alone in her office, she could no longer ignore the fantasies that had plagued her all the way across town. Her body was on fire, her core hot and wet.

No stranger to pleasuring herself, she clicked the lock on the door and went to her desk where she kept her little secret. A shiny silver bullet vibrator that fit in the palm of her hand.

Maybe if she got herself off, she wouldn’t be so aroused by Wyatt when she met up with him later.

She swept the papers on her desk to the side, pulled her skirt up to her waist and sat on the edge of the polished mahogany, thankful she’d worn thong panties. The cool wood surface did little to chill the rise of desire thrumming through her veins.

Fiona switched on the vibrator and let it shake in her palm for a few seconds, warming the cool metal. This was crazy. Maddie had given her the vibrator for her birthday, along with a sexy nightie and permission to seduce a man. She’d tucked the tiny tool away, preferring to use the larger one she kept in her nightstand at home. In private. What professional businesswoman fired up her vibrator in the office?

The vibrator had remained in her drawer for the past six months, unused, untested, tucked behind her pain medication for the occasional headache. What kind of medication was a vibrator?

She hoped it was the right kind to get her over her lusty feelings toward the naked security supervisor.

Spreading her legs wide, she imagined Wyatt stepping between them and rubbing his big cock against her clit. She parted her folds and pressed the pulsing device against the highly sensitive strip of flesh packed with what felt like thousands of little nerve endings, begging to be fired up.

At the first touch, her breath caught in her throat. Dipping it into her pussy, she coated the magic bullet in her juices and slid it back over her clit, the vibrations bringing her senses to attention, firing off synapses throughout her body.

She pictured herself naked, Wyatt dropping to his knees, draping her legs over his broad shoulders. He’d flick his tongue over that nubbin, again and again.

Fiona tapped the vibrator over her clit, pretending it was Wyatt’s tongue. Her breathing grew more ragged, her body tightening, her core so hot she might spontaneously combust on her desk.

When she was close to the edge of orgasm, she slipped the bullet into her pussy and clenched around it, while finger flicking her clit.

“Oh my,” she moaned, her finger working faster, trying to match the pulsing beat of the vibrator. “Oh yeah. There. Right there.” Fiona threw back her head, her back arching, her finger doing double-time as the vibrator shook inside her.

Tingles began at her center and shot outward to the very tips of her fingers and toes. She held her breath as tremors of lust rippled across her body. For a long moment, she cupped her sex, the vibrator charging on until the last of the orgasm faded.

A knock on the door made her jerk the vibrator out. “Y-yes?” she said, her voice hoarse. Clearing her throat she aimed for her usual clear tone. “What is it?”

“I thought I heard you call out,” Maddie said. “Is everything all right in there?” The doorknob wiggled. “Why is this door locked?”

“I was just resting my eyes. I’ll be out in a moment.” Fiona hopped off the desk and nearly fell flat on her face when her heel caught the carpet and sent her flying forward. Once she’d righted herself, she wrapped the vibrator in a tissue and stuffed it into her purse and slung the strap over her shoulder. On her way to the door, she tugged her skirt into place and patted her hair, pleased she’d been able to provide her own orgasm without the help of a man.

Well, almost. Fantasizing about a certain man didn’t count. It could be any man, not the one she’d be sleeping with that night.

When she stepped through the door, she gave Maddie a cool smile. “I’m on my way to the convention center and I won’t be back to the office today. Call me if you need me.”

“One thing before you go, boss.” Maddie’s lips quirked upward on one side.

“I’m not going to have sex with Wyatt Magnus, so save your breath.” Fiona was proud of herself remaining firm on that subject and for having taken care of her own needs.

“I wasn’t going to say anything about getting laid by the sexy security guy.” Maddie made an attempt to wipe the smile off her face, failing miserably. “I just thought you might want to know that your skirt is tucked into the back of your thong panties and your ass is showing.”

“Oh, good grief.” Her face flaming, Fiona yanked the back of her skirt down over her bottom. “Am I covered?”

“Yes, ma’am.” Grinning broadly now, Maddie waved. “That silver bullet does the trick, doesn’t it?”

She never could pull one over on Maddie. “Yes, it does. Let’s hope it holds me through the night.” Fiona paused at the exit. “And thank you for the gift.”

“Just glad you’re getting some use out of it. Although the real thing is so much better.”

“I’ll keep that in mind for the future. After the convention.”

Her resolve strengthened by her release, she headed for the convention center, charged with the wicked thrill of anticipation as unavoidable as breathing.