bears as adversaries. But that was fine. She’d learned to cope, and it had built her imagination muscles. Maybe too much, considering how it was working overtime imagining all the things she’d like to do to Clint when they were alone.
They’d been sleeping together for the past week or so and each night seemed better than the last. He still seemed to have his walls up, but Tara understood that. It wasn’t like she’d let him into her heart all the way either. She still didn’t do love. Although this came about as close as she’d gotten in a while. Maybe ever.
“All right, sweetpea,” Clint said, getting up and scooping a still wriggling Ashley up into his arms. “I think it’s time we got you to bed.”
Ashley resisted a moment, then relaxed in her dad’s arms. Tara knew the feeling. There was nothing better than Clint holding you. Those strong arms had a way of supporting you that let you know everything was going to be all right.
While Clint got his daughter ready for bed, Tara put away their game, then went to the kitchen to make sure all the leftovers had been stored. His cooking repertoire might not be extensive, but the food he made was super tasty and she couldn’t wait to heat up a plate of pasta the next day for lunch.
A short while later, Clint padded back down into the living room, his stockinged feet nearly silent on the hardwood floor. He slumped down on the sofa and yawned.
“Everything went smoothly?” Tara asked, joining him. “No water issues tonight?”
“Nope.” Clint stretched, putting his arm around her and drawing her into his side. “The kid was all tuckered out. Can’t say she’s the only one, either.”
“Huh.” Tara burrowed her face into the side of his neck and inhaled deeply. There was something about the way he smelled that made her insides go all soft and melty. She’d never really liked cologne on a guy before, but Clint seemed to break all her rules. In more ways than one. Sleeping with your bodyguard was fraught with issues, and normally Tara wouldn’t touch that with a ten-foot pole. But with Clint, it was like she couldn’t stop herself.
And speaking of poles…
“Gee.” She slid her hand down his chest to the waistband of his jeans beneath his T-shirt, then lower still, to cup him through the soft denim. “I hope you’re not too tired.”
As if in answer, his cock twitched beneath her hand, hardening fast. Clint cracked one eye open and grinned. “Baby, I’m never too tired for that.”
He kissed her fast and hard and deep, then picked her up and carried her down the hall to her bedroom, slowly unzipping the front of her hoodie to expose her breasts along the way. She’d showered and changed after the rally, going for comfort over fashion, and now Tara couldn’t be happier with that decision. Anything that made getting naked with this man happen faster was okay by her. Clint closed the door behind them with his foot then he bent and took first one nipple then the other in his warm, wet mouth, making her pulse quicken and her eyes slide closed with pleasure. Man, the things he could do with his mouth. Delicious, wicked things that made her want to stay in his bed and never, ever leave.
But you will leave. You always do.
The errant, unwanted voice in her head was quickly drowned out by sensation, as Clint slid her yoga pants down and off her, leaving Tara in just her lacy thong.
“Have I ever told you how much I love your taste?” he said, flashing her his slow, sexy grin as he stared down at her body, making the simmering desire inside Tara boil over.
“In fashion?” she joked, shrugging out of her hoodie to leave her all but naked beneath him.
“In everything,” Clint said before swooping down to nuzzle her through the lace of her panties. He tortured her that way with his sweet lips and tongue until she was all but begging him to get rid of her thong and take her already. “Let’s take this to the bed.”
At first he looked like he was going to argue with her, but then he seemed to come to some decision. Instead of the bed, though, he pinned her against the wall as he kissed her thoroughly. When they both came up for air, they were panting and ready. She ground the molten heat between her legs against his