Guts & Glory: Brick (In the Shadows Security Book 6) Read online

  Chapter Nine

  Brick didn’t turn when he heard the glass door slide open. Instead he kept his eyes on Kramer. Who happened to be watching Londyn as she came back outside.

  No surprise.

  He finally turned his head to watch her approach. “She okay?”

  Londyn nodded and released the plump bottom lip she had tucked between her teeth.

  Sex kitten.

  That’s what she reminded him of.

  A fucking sex kitten.

  And it was something she didn’t have to fake. It was obvious that she didn’t know what kind of effect she had on men. Which surprised the fuck out of him, especially since she wasn’t some naïve young woman.

  But it could be that cluelessness made it even sexier.

  She was far from conceited. Brick had plenty of those. Women who knew they were hot and tried to use it to their advantage. Hot or not, it was a complete turn-off for him. Most expected him to turn to putty in their hands so they could mold him to their wishes.

  Fuck that.

  That alone was another good reason why he kept “dates” limited to one night. And not even a whole night. A few hours were enough before he scraped them off.

  As much as he had the need for these “dates,” he always breathed easier once he saw the taillights of their car or cab disappearing into the night.

  He was a pro at making excuses of why they had to leave in the middle of the night. He was a volunteer firefighter and got a call he needed to respond to. A sick family member. A friend needed bailed out of jail.

  He was also good at faking emergency phone calls or texts.

  There were even times he’d slipped the neighbor boy some money to make those middle of the night calls. But the kid was unreliable and apparently preferred sleep over ten bucks, so Brick always had a back-up plan.

  Her blue eyes flicked to Kramer briefly before landing back on him and sticking. She plastered on a smile and practically bounced on her toes as she approached the two of them. Her eyes held some kind of mischief and he wondered what it was about.

  Then he realized she’d hardly flirted with him all night. One of his requests. Now that Barb was out of the picture, apparently he was her next target.

  He had to hand it to her, the fucking woman was good. Diesel might have to hire her whenever they needed a woman for a job.

  And bonus! Mercy would fucking love it!

  Brick smothered his snort as Londyn stopped next to his chair.

  The smile she gave him now seemed genuine, even if it was over the top. She sounded extremely bubbly when she told him, “Honey, I’ll have to borrow the credit card Friday. ‘Kay? Thanks!”

  As she bent over to kiss his cheek and give him a healthy view of her tits, he snagged her hand and yanked her off balance. She planted her other hand against his chest as she caught herself and twisted to land ass first in his lap.

  Right where he wanted her.

  He cupped a possessive hand over her bare knee and murmured, “Whatever you want, muffin.”

  That had her hooking her arms around his neck and settling against his chest. He wrapped one arm around her back so that his finger rested on the outer curve of her left tit and he let the other one wander from her knee down her smooth-as-fuck calf.

  Her sandals had straps that not only wrapped around her red painted toes but circled her ankles and partially up her calves. It reminded him of what the gladiators wore—at least in the movies—but hers were much fucking sexier. He ran his finger slowly around the narrow strap of black leather that snaked around her lower calf. He didn’t miss Kramer’s eye following it like a hawk tracking a field mouse.

  “You should’ve worn a skirt,” he said softly, but loud enough for Kramer not to miss.

  “Why?”

  “Easier access.” He slipped his fingers up into the bottom opening of her shorts and partially up her thigh, stroking her skin. Even though he was currently playing Kramer, if he wasn’t careful, he’d be sporting an erection soon. “Friday, when you’re out with Barb, I want you wearing a skirt with no panties.”

  Londyn’s cheeks instantly went bright red and her arms tightened around his neck. “Honeeeey, I’m sure Chris doesn’t want to hear this... conversation.”

  “Maybe he’ll tell Barb to do the same. While I’m working hard to provide for you, I want to think of you like that when you’re out and about.” He twisted his head to glance at Kramer. “How hot would that be? Right, Chris? Knowing our women are out in public like that? Knowing, when they get home, all we have to do is bend them over and—”

  Londyn slapped a hand over his mouth. Brick hid his smile before peeling her finger off his lips.

  This was way too much fucking fun. But he wasn’t done yet.

  “Muffin, get Daddy a beer.”

  When Londyn opened her mouth to complain, she caught Brick’s stern look. While she shut that mouth, he didn’t miss the deadly glare in her eyes as she started, “Yes...” sucked in a breath, and finished with a tight, “Daddy.”

  Brick fought his smile again as he gave her a pointed eyebrow lift.

  He gave her an encouraging squeeze that Kramer wouldn’t notice, then released her. Using his shoulder for balance, she climbed off his lap and onto her feet. The sharp smack on her ass had her jerk forward before turning enough so Kramer didn’t catch her answering eye roll.

  It was no surprise that Brick wasn’t the only one watching that caboose rocking and rolling on the tracks as she went inside.

  Kramer had to give himself whiplash as he snapped his head back to Brick. “She calls you Daddy?”

  Oh yeah, fucking with Kramer was fun. “When she’s been a bad girl.”

  The man’s dark brown eyes flared. “How was she a bad girl?”

  Brick sat back in his chair, donning a serious expression. “I suggested she make brownies. She made cookies instead.”

  Kramer didn’t bother to hide his surprise. “But the cookies were good. Best I’ve had in a long time. I wish Barb could bake like that.”

  Brick leaned forward and grabbed a cookie off the nearby plate. He held it up and studied it. “But cookies are not brownies, Chris.” Brick took a bite out of it and threw it back on the plate with a look of disgust.

  “Maybe you should have told her what you wanted, instead of suggesting.”

  “Suggestions are a test, my friend. And this was one she failed. Because of that, she will get punished.”

  “Does she... like being punished?” The gleam in Kramer’s eyes became brighter.

  Hook. Line. And sinker.

  A grin spread over Brick’s face. “If she didn’t, she would’ve made brownies.”

  Kramer sat back in his chair, scraped a hand through his dark hair and blew out a ragged breath.

  Brick wasn’t done fucking with him. “The secret to a happy marriage is using a firm hand, Chris. It not only keeps her obedient but keeps her happy. A woman needs that direction whether she realizes it or not.”

  “She seems pretty strong-willed to accept that.”

  Brick turned his head and met Kramer’s eyes directly. “That’s what makes it even better. She likes to challenge me.”

  Their conversation halted when the slider opened and Londyn stepped back out into the lanai, carrying not only his requested beer but a fresh one for Kramer.

  When she handed Kramer his first, Brick was surprised the man didn’t have to wipe drool off his mouth before thanking her. Then she approached him.

  He accepted the beer and noticed it wasn’t open. Another perfect opportunity. He tipped the top of the beer bottle toward her and she stared at it for a second, not understanding. He caught the slight flare of her nostrils when she got it and took it back from him, twisting the cap before offering it to him again.

  “Good girl,” he whispered just loud enough for Kramer to hear.

  Londyn’s mouth opened slightly and a puff of breath escaped.

  Jesus fuck. Did she get off on what he had just
said?

  Brick’s gaze dropped from her parted lips and landed on her pebbled nipples in that snug, red blouse. His cock twitched at the thought of their acting turning her on.

  Time to wrap up the evening and send Kramer home, so he could start their night.

  He caught her hand, lifted her palm to his mouth and kissed the center of it. “Now, go clean-up the kitchen and get ready for,” he paused just long enough for Kramer to hang, “bed. I’ll be up as soon as Chris and I finish talking.”

  She nodded obediently even though the look in her eyes was anything but.

  Kramer called her strong-willed.

  He had no fucking idea.

  When he released her hand, she trailed her fingers over the short, wiry hairs along his jaw, tilted her head as she studied him for a moment, then turned to Kramer. “Goodnight, Chris. I hope Barb is feeling better. I look forward to spending time with her on Friday.”

  “Goodnight, Gertrude.”

  Brick saw Londyn’s body jolt at the name before she nodded and went inside.

  As soon as the sliding glass door shut behind Londyn, Kramer said, “You’re a lucky man, Seamus.”

  Brick stared at the door where his “wife” disappeared, murmuring, “That I am.”

  Londyn stared into the mirror, dragging the brush through her hair with more force than was necessary. She’d washed off the makeup, had brushed her teeth and was waiting for her “Daddy” to come up to bed.

  It would serve him right if she went back to the spare bedroom she slept in last night. She was also surprised her tongue was still attached after as many times as she had bit it.

  Daddy.

  She shuddered. What other couples called each other was their business, not hers, but calling the man she was sleeping with “Daddy” was not and would never be her thing.

  She dropped the brush to the counter. Other couples?

  They weren’t even a freaking couple.

  This was all playacting.

  A farce.

  They hardly even knew each other.

  They hardly even knew each other and here she was about to climb into bed with him again.

  Even though the master bathroom was twice as large as her bathroom in New York, it suddenly felt cramped when Brick stepped through the open doorway.

  She didn’t hear him come upstairs or into the bedroom and wondered at what point he lost most of his clothes. Or put on a pair of long shorts that were loose enough at the waist to hang low, exposing the drool-worthy muscular V above his narrow hips.

  She turned back to the mirror so it wasn’t so obvious she was ogling him.

  But, oh, she was ogling him. The thin silky fabric of those shorts clung in a way that made her wonder if he even wore underwear. Because he did not look contained at all.

  At. All.

  And while he wasn’t totally ready for action, she couldn’t help but notice he was semi-aroused.

  Maybe it was the whole fucking Daddy thing. Maybe he got off on that shit. But if he expected her to call him that when they were having sex, he was sadly mistaken.

  Though... Seeing him the way he was dressed—or undressed—at that moment, she’d call him whatever the hell he wanted if it guaranteed getting a piece of his deliciousness. She just wasn’t going to share that information with him.

  “What was with all that?” she asked.

  “All what?”

  Oh, he was playing dumb. “You know what. Pretending you’re some Dom.”

  He moved to stand behind her, grinned and lifted a brow, which she caught in the mirror. “Who said I’m not?”

  She was tall. But even in bare feet, he was much taller. She liked that.

  She also liked that even though she wasn’t a smaller woman like Barb, him standing behind her made her feel petite. Almost delicate.

  “You’re a Dom?”

  She watched in fascination when he chuckled, flashing his white teeth and drawing her attention to his lips which had done a lot of naughty, but spectacular, things to her earlier in the day.

  “No. But it was fun to pretend I own your ass.” With that, he smacked it again.

  This time it didn’t sting like it did when he did it in front of Kramer. It was more playful.

  And, yes, holy shit, did she like it.

  Her eyes met his in the mirror. And neither said a word for the longest moment.

  He lost that panty-dropping grin of his. “He’s got a hard-on over you, Londyn. That interest in you will keep him interested in us. Otherwise, we’re just like every other boring couple in this neighborhood. You give him a reason to want to hang out with us. He wants a piece of your ass and we can use that to our advantage.”

  “He won’t be getting a piece of my ass.”

  His fingers wrapped around the front of her neck and his thumb stroked the side of her throat. “No, he won’t.”

  “You won’t be either if you insist I call you Daddy.”

  He lifted his eyes from where they were focused on her neck, focused on where he was stroking her skin over her pounding pulse. “I don’t want to be your Daddy.”

  “That’s good,” she murmured, her nipples pebbling at his warm, but firm, grip on her neck.

  Stepping closer, he nuzzled her hair with his nose and sucked her earlobe into his mouth. His semi-aroused state was no more. His length was now hot and hard against the small of her back.

  “You did good, Londyn,” he murmured close to her ear.

  “Did I?”

  “I was impressed. I thought a couple times you might deck me, but you kept your impulses under control.”

  “Was I a ‘good girl’ like a well-trained dog?”

  She not only felt him smile into her hair, but she saw a glimpse of that smile in the mirror.

  The hand he had planted on her stomach slid up and grazed her aching nipples, then skated back down to where the top of her PJ’s met the bottoms. This set was blue that matched the color of her eyes and was always her favorite. The satiny feel against her bare skin made her feel sexy, even if she was sleeping alone.

  Tonight, she wouldn’t be sleeping alone.

  His fingers separated the bottom hem of her top and the elastic waistband of the shorts and his palm skimmed over the bare skin of her belly, making everything inside her clench. She lifted her gaze from where his hand was causing a fire inside her and saw he was watching her. His cheek was pressed to the side of her head and his eyes were intense as he shifted the fabric of her top higher, exposing not only her stomach but the bottom curves of her heavy breasts.

  Her hand itched to stop him. Not only were they in the bathroom in the light, but she was directly in front of the mirror. There was no one harder on her than herself and she knew that.

  Kevin had scoffed at her insecurities, but never did anything to help her get over them. When she’d mentioned her faults, he would simply shrug and ask her if she wanted him to turn off the lights.

  She did. And he did. Problem solved.

  But so far, Brick hadn’t let her hide.

  Not.

  Once.

  Chapter Ten

  Brick didn’t miss the second her breathing shallowed, or the moment she tensed.

  He was ready when her mouth opened in protest. He used the hand planted just below her breasts to pin her against him and his other to cover her mouth. “Not one doubt, Londyn, not one. Unless you want me to spank your ass until it’s red.”

  Her eyes, which went wide when he covered her mouth, became hooded at his threat. He dropped his hand at the sudden switch.

  “Yes, please,” she whispered.

  His brow furrowed and his cock twitched since his brain was a sudden mass of confusion. “’Yes, please’ what?”

  “Spank me.”

  What?

  “What?” It was supposed to be a warning. Not a reward. “You want me to spank you?” he asked carefully. While he was in the bathroom maybe he should clean out his ears. Because if he was hearing what he was hearin
g...

  “Yes,” she breathed, a flush rising from her chest into her cheeks.

  Damn. She continued to surprise him.

  Baking, anal, good at working undercover and now... spanking.

  Though, he hadn’t tested that last one yet. But if it was true...

  He smiled.

  She smiled.

  If she had the same confidence about her body as what she did with that body, she would be...

  His smile flattened.

  Not moving across the country thirty days after meeting someone online.

  No, she would hold out for the right time and the right man who would appreciate her for who she was, what she looked like and what she wanted.

  Just like he did.

  Just like he did.

  Huh.

  Or someone like him. Right.

  He needed to get back to business here. If the woman wanted to be spanked, who was he to deny her?

  But first...

  Brick finished slipping her silky top over her head. He tossed it to the side then cupped both of her tits in his palms.

  Full and beautiful.

  He wanted his mouth on her beaded nipples, but he also wanted to watch her in the mirror.

  He continued to knead her tits and brush his thumbs over hard points when he said, “Slip out of your shorts.”

  She only hesitated long enough to look at herself in the mirror, to look at the both of them sandwiched together, his chest to her back, then she gave a little nod—he assumed to herself—and tugged her shorts down over her hips. They only went so far before the fabric caught between her thighs and when she bent over to free them, he grabbed her hips and yanked her back.

  She cried out in surprise and put her hands on the edge of the counter to catch herself so she wouldn’t crack her forehead. As she was still bent over, he jerked her shorts down the rest of the way until they fell around her feet.

  “Brace yourself,” he warned quietly, seeing both surprise and heat in her face.

  He moved to her side and with a last glance in the mirror, he turned his attention to her ass which was sticking out in the perfect position for her requested “spanking.”

  He wasn’t into a lot of kink, but he did like to play and some things he liked more than others. He wasn’t going to break out the rope and ball gag, nipple clamps and leather crop. But, in the past, he’d used neckties and scarves to tie up women upon their request.