Chapter 5

5

SARA

S ara could feel the outline of his erection as she slid her hands around his waist and then down to cover his ass. Squeezing it lightly, she felt his cock twitch.

“Fuck.” He wrapped his arms around her body and lifted her off the floor, cradling her to his chest.

Sara had never been one for romantic novels or big displays, but she had to admit that every time one of the Doms swept up his sub either into his arms or tossed her over his shoulder, it was all she could do not to sigh. She laughed at the way he said fuck. It was like he was releasing all the tension that had been building between them since they’d bantered at the gala and giving into what he wanted.

“I think I would be remiss in saying that it is against Cerberus policy for bodyguards providing close cover to fuck the people they’re protecting.”

Bryan snorted as he carried her to the bedroom. “Yeah, right,” he said as he tossed her onto the bed. “Every single couple I know from Southside has met through Cerberus, and every single one of them fucked before their assignment was concluded.”

Sara lifted her body and rested on her elbows. “I didn’t say it didn’t happen. I just said it was against company policy.”

“So what’s the problem?”

“I'm supposed to protect you, not fuck you.”

“Are you always this forward?” He pushed her onto her back onto the mattress and crawled up her body.

“Only with you.”

“Seriously?”

“Seriously.” She fisted her hand into his shirt and pulled him closer. “You’re my first.”

“As in, you’re a virgin?” He tried not to sound shocked.

“Not a chance, but I’ve never let myself get this far with a client. Should we have the obligatory safe sex talk? I’m clean and on birth control.”

Bryan chuckled. “You don’t even want to know all the testing they put me through before letting me out of the country. So no STDs for me, but then I’ve always been careful.”

He slid his hand under her shirt and moved his fingers back and forth over her belly as she reached down to unbutton his jeans. Sitting up, he helped her to pull her shirt over her head and then reached back and unhooked her bra. Before she knew it, Bryan had managed to strip her naked.

“Fuck,” he said as he sat back for a few seconds, staring at how she looked splayed on the bed in front of him.

Sara reached up and touched the side of his face. “I’ve been thinking about how you’ll feel inside me since I met you.”

He rolled off the bed and stood, removing his clothes. Sara ogled unashamedly all six feet four inches of his gorgeous naked body, and couldn’t take her eyes off his magnificent, fully- engorged cock.

He lay back on the bed beside her, reaching for her hand and tugging her against his body. “I’ve never met anyone like you before.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Is that a compliment?” She kissed his chin, nose, cheeks, and finally his mouth.

“Definitely a compliment.” He rubbed his nose back and forth over hers and then lowered his mouth to hers, biting her bottom lip and forcing his tongue inside. He didn’t ask, he simply took the lead, and Sara was happy to follow. They let their tongues dance and tangle together. She pressed herself close and a quiet warmth suffused her being.

She moaned against his lips and continued enjoying the way he made her feel with every movement of his tongue.

She fisted her hands in his hair, “Bryan, let me feel you inside me. Please.”

“Patience.” He kissed her and started to inch down her body. “First, I need a taste of you.”

“No,” she started. But before she could say more, he flipped her onto her belly, landing three hard strikes to her backside before flipping her back.

“You may be in charge in matters of security. But I’m in charge in bed. We’ll use—what is it they all use? The stoplight system.”

As Sara leaned back against the soft pillows, she felt her body tense with anticipation as his warm breath tickled her skin. Goosebumps formed on her arms and a shiver ran down her spine. She couldn't help but smile at the familiar sensation that always came when he was near

He pushed her legs further apart and dragged his finger over her sensitive and needy sex.

He smiled and dropped his head. His tongue circled her clit, and she thought she might come right then and there. It had been so long, and every cell in her body lit up in anticipation. He pushed two fingers inside her and continued to circle his tongue around her throbbing nub. When he sucked her clit inside his mouth, Sara’s body lifted off the bed, and her eyes flew open. The orgasm that washed over her was not like any other she’d ever experienced. She fell back and closed her eyes, taking in the moment.

Bryan began to make his way back up her body. She let her legs open wider, excited for what was next. He positioned himself over her, snugging his cock up to her entrance and slowly pushing inside. Sara helped to ensure he was in by wrapping her legs around his body.

He stilled and looked down at her. “You’re gorgeous.”

“More,” she whispered.

He didn’t hesitate. He pulled out and then thrust back in. Sara cried out from the arousal that surged through her body again. Over and over, he pounded into her, and Sara reveled in his attention. She hadn’t expected the doctor to be as strong and virile a lover as he was.

He pulled her behind up a bit, so she was almost sitting on his thighs. The movement positioned his cock in the perfect spot, and another orgasm began to build low in her belly. She wrapped her fingers around his wrists and pushed her back against the mattress.

As Bryan thrust into her repeatedly, her inner walls shook and quivered as she tried to wrap her head around the intense pleasure he was giving her. Her breath sped up, and the noises she began making were more whimper than moan as her orgasm rushed over her.

Sara’s body stiffened in anticipation, and her breathing became faster and more erratic. Then suddenly, it was as if the bottom fell out of her world, and she was spinning in a freefall of ecstasy. Bryan gave a last ferocious, deep thrust, grinding against her as he spilled himself inside her. Her pussy spasmed, clamping down hard, greedily milking his cock. Her legs trembled as she writhed in his hold, savoring every bit of pleasure as he held her in his arms.

Sara stirred awake, the faint hum of the security monitors pulling her from the edges of sleep. The small safe house was quiet save for the distant crash of waves against the rocky shore. The events of the day lingered in her muscles, but her mind was sharp, restless.

She sat up slowly, running a hand through her hair, and grabbed Bryan’s shirt from where it was draped over the chair nearby. It smelled faintly of him, and she pulled it on, the fabric soft and oversized against her skin.

Padding softly into the living area, she approached the security console, her eyes scanning the monitors. The feeds were still—just dark stretches of sand and brush under the faint glow of the moon. Nothing seemed out of place, but she knew better than to trust appearances.

Her fingers brushed the edges of the keyboard as she adjusted the cameras’ angles and ensured the infrared cameras were working as well. Satisfied, she exhaled and turned toward the island, turning the risen dough out of the bowl, then punching it down and kneading it again before putting it back in the bowl to rise a second time.

She then headed to the porch, needing fresh air to clear her brain. Usually, making bread did that, but she knew that from this time forward, she would always associate making bread with Bryan.

The wooden boards creaked under her bare feet as she stepped outside. The salty breeze wrapped around her, cool and refreshing, and she rested her hands on the railing, staring out at the dark expanse of the sea. The moonlight painted the waves silver, the horizon endless and daunting.

She felt him before she heard him. Bryan’s presence was steady, grounding, even when he wasn’t trying.

“You couldn’t sleep either?” she asked without turning, her voice soft but carrying over the sound of the waves.

He stepped closer, his movements unhurried. “Didn’t need to,” he replied, his voice a low rumble.

When his arm wrapped around her waist, she stiffened for a fraction of a second before letting herself lean into him. The warmth of his body at her back was a comfort she hadn’t expected.

They stood there in silence for a long while, the ocean stretching before them, the world shrinking to just the two of them.

“You okay?” he asked finally, his voice gentle.

Sara swallowed hard, her gaze fixed on the horizon. “I don’t know.”

Bryan didn’t push, didn’t demand answers or explanations. He simply stayed, his hand resting lightly on her hip, his presence enough to keep her grounded.

“I don’t do this,” she said after a while, her voice barely above a whisper.

“This?” he prompted, his tone free of judgment.

She exhaled, shaking her head. “Let people in. Let them see me like this.”

Bryan tightened his arm around her, a subtle gesture that felt like both reassurance and challenge. “Maybe that’s why you need to.”

His words sent a shiver through her, though she wasn’t sure if it was the breeze or the truth in them.

“I’ve spent my whole life building walls, Bryan,” she admitted, her voice raw. “It’s easier that way. Safer.”

“Maybe,” he said. “But is it better?”

She turned then, her back against the railing, her eyes searching his. The moonlight softened his features, but his gaze was as piercing as ever, steady and unrelenting.

“I don’t know,” she said honestly.

Bryan lifted a hand, brushing a strand of hair from her face. The touch was gentle, his fingers lingering for just a moment longer than necessary. “You don’t have to figure it all out tonight.”

The corner of her mouth lifted in a faint smile. “You say that…”

“Because it’s true,” he said simply.

Sara looked down, her hands gripping the edge of the railing. “You make it sound easy.”

“It’s not,” Bryan admitted. “But then most things worth doing rarely are.”

His words settled over her like a soft-knit afghan. She lifted her gaze back to his, her chest tightening at the sincerity in his expression.

For the first time in a long time, she felt seen—not as the operative, not as the protector, but as Sara.

She reached up, her fingers brushing his jaw, and he leaned into the touch, his eyes never leaving hers. The moment stretched, the air between them charged with unspoken promises.

“Bryan…” she started, her voice trembling.

But he shook his head slightly, his hand lifting to cover hers. “You don’t have to say anything.”

And for once, she let herself believe it.

They stood like that, the world around them fading into the background, the crash of waves the only sound as Sara let herself lean into the warmth and strength of the man who somehow managed to see through all her walls.

Finally, she broke the silence. “Bryan, I need to say something.”

His dark eyes lifted to meet hers, steady and unflinching. “Go ahead.”

“I’m not an easy person to be with,” she started, her tone quiet but firm. “I don’t do relationships—not because I don’t want to, but because I’ve learned the hard way that they don’t work for me.”

Bryan tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable but attentive. “Why don’t they work?”

She exhaled, her fingers lacing together as she searched for the right words. “Because of what I need. What I want.”

His brow furrowed slightly, and she rushed to explain. “I’m not talking about flowers and date nights. I’m talking about… control. The kind I have to give up in order to feel like I can breathe.”

The confession felt too weighty to be saying right now, but she pushed through. “Most guys either can’t handle what I can do, or they’re obsessed with it. They’re either intimidated by my skills or turned on by them in a way that makes my skin crawl. And neither of those things works for me.”

Bryan nodded, but he didn’t interrupt.

“And then there’s…” She paused, forcing herself to meet his gaze. “The submission. I need someone who can take the reins—someone I can trust to take them, even when I don’t necessarily want to give them up. But every time I think I’ve found that, it ends with resentment or disappointment.”

The silence between them was deafening, her words hanging in the air like a live wire.

Bryan leaned forward then, setting his glass down beside hers. His voice was low but steady when he spoke. “Sara, I respect the hell out of your abilities. I’ve seen you in action, and I know how damn capable you are. But none of that changes the fact that right now, I’m not thinking about the badass operative who can take down a cartel gunman.”

Her breath stopped, and she forced herself to breathe before she asked, “Then what are you thinking about?”

He held her gaze, his expression softening just slightly. “I’m thinking about the woman standing here next to me in nothing but my shirt while we watch the moon and tide dance together. The one who’s brave enough to say what she needs, even when it scares her. That’s the person I want to know. That’s the person I want to figure this out with.”

Her heart thudded against her ribs, her mind racing. “You don’t know what you’re signing up for, Bryan.”

He smiled faintly, leaning back in his chair. “Maybe I don’t. But I’ve always been curious about… the lifestyle.”

Sara’s brows lifted in surprise. “You have?”

He nodded, his tone thoughtful. “Yeah. It’s always intrigued me, but I was raised to think it was kinky—something nice guys didn’t do. It wasn’t until recently that I realized it’s not just about sex or control. It’s about trust, connection, and knowing what the other person needs.”

Her pulse quickened, a mix of hope and wariness coursing through her. “And you think you could… do that? Be that?”

Bryan’s eyes darkened, his voice lowering as he replied. “I think, with the right person, I’d want to try. And I think that person might be you.”

Suddenly the vast expanse of the moonlit horizon felt impossibly small.

“Bryan…” she started, but he shook his head, cutting her off gently.

“Don’t answer now,” he said. “Take your time. If you decide this isn’t something you want with me, I’ll respect that. But if you do…” He leaned forward again, his eyes locking with hers.

“I know this sounds stupid, but maybe this could be the start of something.”

“Something good?”

Sara grinned. “That remains to be seen.”

Before either of them could say more, the sharp beep of the security monitor shattered the moment.

Bryan stood immediately, his body tense. “What is it?”

Sara moved to the console, her eyes scanning the feed. A shadow moved along the edge of the camera’s view, just beyond the perimeter.

“We’ve got company,” she said, her voice steady despite the sudden rush of adrenaline.

Bryan stepped up beside her, his hand brushing her shoulder briefly. “We’ll finish this later,” he said, his tone calm but firm.

Sara nodded, her focus shifting to the task at hand, but her mind lingered on his words.

As they prepared for whatever danger loomed outside, one thought burned bright in her mind: later might be closer than she ever expected.