scar he wore with pride, because it represented the downfall of one more bad guy. Another pawn in a never-ending game of chess.
“I hate that you were hurt,” she said. “But you do look damn sexy with your warrior scar and your tuxedo and those tortoise shell glasses.”
“I’m very glad you think so.”
“You know what else I think?”
“Tell me,” he said as he cupped her ass and pulled her close enough that he knew she could feel his hard cock against her belly.
“Exactly what you’re thinking,” she teased, wiggling just enough to drive him a little crazy. “But like you said, right now we have a limo waiting downstairs, and we need to go so you can be the man of the hour.”
“We do,” he said, releasing her ass so that he could take her hand. He paused at the door. “I’d give it up, you know.” He looked at her hard, wanting to make sure she understood the heart of what he was saying. “I’d give everything up if that’s what it took to keep you by my side.”
He watched her face, assuring himself that she understood fully what he meant. What he was willing to walk away from in order to keep El in his life.
“I believe you,” she said, taking her hand in his. “But if you did, you wouldn’t be you. Now come on before we’re late.”
Chapter Four
She tempted him in the limo, of course. That dress with the slit that revealed way too much thigh. How delicious would it be to burn off some of this pent-up energy? To take her here in the back, with the privacy shield up? To fuck her hard as the sights of Manhattan flew past them? To have the taste and scent of her on him when he stood at that podium and made his speech?
She made him strong, his Ellie. And God knew, she’d been his talisman throughout the long journey of his life. The beacon that had shined along his path to becoming the man that he was. Good. Bad. However you took it, he was that man because of her. Hell, he was hers.
And she was his as well.
As if he had to prove it, he pressed his hand lightly on her thigh, then started to slide it up her bare, silky skin. He heard her soft intake of breath and noted the way her nipples tightened under the thin material that covered her breasts. Her legs parted, and her soft moan did a number on his cock before she gently pressed her hand over his, halting his upward trajectory.
“There is no way you’re getting me mussed up before you accept this award.”
He heard the heat in her voice, and his pulse kicked up in response, his cock twitching in anticipation. He smiled. How many times had he told her how much he got off on anticipation?
“And after?” he asked.
Her hand remained on his, but she spread her legs wider. He was watching her, the gloss on her parted lips, the promise in her eyes. “After’s a no-brainer. How many girls get to say they fucked the Humanitarian of the Year in the back of a limo?”
“Would hate for you to miss out on that.” He brushed his thumb back and forth on her thigh, his whole body tightening as he watched her body tremble in response to that minuscule touch.
“Good. Because I don’t intend to. Still…” She trailed off with a smile, then laid her hand back on top of his again. For a moment, she just held it there. Then she slowly—so wickedly slowly—started to slide his hand higher until his thumb brushed her bare pussy. “Just a preview…”
He moaned aloud.
“Baby, how the hell do you expect me to make a speech knowing what you have on under this dress?”
She squeezed her legs together, trapping him in place. Practically insisting that he slide his eager fingers inside her slick folds. “I have faith in you,” she said. “Think of this as inspiration,” she added on a sigh as the tip of his finger found that sensitive spot that made her arch back and then gasp in pleasure.
“Oh, no,” she said, her words belied by the breathiness of her voice as she tugged his hand away. “That’s for later. We’ll take the long way back to the hotel.”
“Yes,” he said, his mind on the return trip and not the speech he was about to give. “We will.”
She grinned at him as she settled back in