Hmm. Not too sure Im going to be thrilled if you use that a.n.a.logy with respect to me, Forde.

Well, you are a totally different matter.

I heard the teasing note in his voice. I bit down on my lip. I didnt like saying this out loud. Im probably going to make a lot of mistakes. I dont think I know how to do this. You know, have a good relationship. My voice got a little rough. And I want it to be good between us.

Same goes with me, he said softly.

Youre nothing like him.

His hand flexed. I could feel each individual finger dig in. He wasnt all bad. If he had been, you would never have been with him, Lay. He got into something that took control and buried him before he even knew it.

He could have told me. I would have helped him. I hated that my voice shook.

I imagine he didnt want to. He didnt want to show you he had a problem. From everything Ive read, he worked hard to shield you from that side of his life. Im not saying what he did was right, but I think he was trying to protect you. Fordes fingers relaxed as he finished. He wanted you to think well of him.

Dont be like him. The words were torn from my heart. I dont mean that I think youd get addicted to some drug. I mean, keeping me in the dark.

I want to protect you. Give you a good life. I dont want s.h.i.t to touch you. His voice had gone deeper.

I straightened my legs and moved closer to him. Im stronger than you think. I can handle a lot. I know this life is dangerous. I get that.

Dont ask me to stop, he warned.

Not a chance. Its important to you, like its your mission. Im just saying, keep me in the loop. I wont try to stop you, I promise. I might not like something, or I might be worried, but I wont ever tell you to stop or make you choose between me and your job.

His hand moved to my a.s.s, and he pulled me even closer to him. Love you, Lay.

Because I just told you that I wouldnt tell you what to do? I asked in a teasing tone.

Because you get me. If youd ask me to choose, it would be the beginning of the end. It might not be fair, but its just the way I am. Ill try to be open with you.

I couldnt ask for much more. I put my hand on the side of his face, and moved in to give him a kiss.

Marlena Blue, you are an amazing woman. He kissed me again.

My hand moved to his back. I loved feeling the muscles move under my touch. Whats your middle name? Sometimes it freaked me out how little I knew about him.

Dean.

Lucas Dean Forde. Thats a very masculine name. I pictured it in writing on a doc.u.ment.

Lucien, he told me softly. Its really Lucien.

Lucien, I breathed. I like it.

Well, dont use it, he ordered. I mean, unless somebody checked my official records, n.o.body knows it.

I loved that. It was our secret. I kissed him, and I ran my tongue along the seam of his lips. He opened immediately.

Chapter Thirteen.

I ran my hands under the T-shirt Lay was wearing, touching her soft skin.

She pulled it over her head.

Better, I whispered as I ran my lips down her neck, using my teeth along the tendon, which drove her wild. She ran her hands up my arms and over my shoulders.

I moved lower to palm her t.i.ts. G.o.d, I would never get tired of touching them. I knew she thought they were too big. She didnt dress provocatively. I liked that. Layla wasnt flashy. It was like she didnt want to show off her body to others, just to me. I moved my head lower to suck her hard nipple into my mouth. I rolled the other between my fingers.

She made a low moaning sound. G.o.d, that feels good.

I chuckled as my hand continued lower. Christ, she was wet, practically dripping. I shifted my body so that I had my mouth on her left breast and my right hand on her mound. I didnt waste any time. I pushed one finger into her hot channel, and her hips bucked.

Yes, she whispered as she grabbed a handful of my hair.

I pumped my finger in and out then added another. G.o.d, she was so wet.

Forde? I think I heard her say. This time, she yanked on my hair to get my attention. Forde, honey? She sounded concerned.

I raised my head from her breast. What? I may have sounded a little short.

I, uh, I need to tell you something.

I rested my chests weight on my arm and tried to soften my tone. What babe?

She hesitated. Well, its just, uhm My impatience won out. Lay, youre riding my hand, and I had my mouth on your t.i.t, what do you need to say right now?

I felt her body tense, trying to move away from mine. Id learned that when she was uneasy, or thought I wasnt going to like what she had to say, she tried to move away from me. I pumped my hand a few times, hard. She lost interest in moving.

She whispered, Its just that I dont have a lot of experience. I mean, I might not be very good.

Jesus, she killed me. Babe I sighed. Ive got no worries. I started to lower my head to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s again, but she wasnt done.

I mean, Ive only been with one other guy. She sounded so unsure. I dont know how to do very muchstuff.

Lay, trust me. Were in this together. If I do something you like, let me know, and Ill do the same. Well get to know each others bodies and needs. Itll be fine, I promise. I watched her. I could just see her face from the light in the hall.

She relaxed her hold on my hair and ran her hand down onto my shoulder. Kay.

I continued with my fingers in her p.u.s.s.y, keeping a steady rhythm, but I added a twist as I pulled out. I felt her hips match my rhythm.

She made those sweet noises I wanted to hear every night. Forde, Forde, she chanted as her nails bit into my back. Forde, ahhhh She came riding my hand.

I moved over her body, and she raised her knees and widened her thighs. G.o.d I wanted inside of her. I dont want to hurt you, but I need to f.u.c.k you.

You wont hurt me. She sounded sure.

Dont let me, okay?

Forde. She ran her hands down my arms, urging me to continue. I need you.

I raised my hips, lined my c.o.c.k up with her entrance, and slowly pushed inside. Christ, she felt so good, tight and hot.

Honey, I, we, birth control. She didnt seem to be able to complete a sentence.

We hadnt discussed it. I didnt care. Im clean, I swear.

Not that, she panted, Im not on anything. She tried to push at my shoulders.

I chuckled. So we make a baby. I smiled at her.

She lifted her head to see me better. What?

Layla, we want kids. I say we start now. I pumped my hips to show her that I meant what I said.

Forde? Are you sure? She sounded out of breath and a little befuddled. She was still riding the high from the first o.r.g.a.s.m Id given her.

Im buried inside of you, barely holding on, while you keep talking. Im telling you, Im sure. I pumped my hips again. No more talking, because I want to f.u.c.k you.

After a moment, I heard her laugh. Well then, get on with it.

I pulled back until the head of my c.o.c.k was at her entrance, and then pushed back into her heat.

Again, that sound came from Laylas throat. She wrapped her arms around my ribs and lightly scored my back with her nails.

I set a steady rhythm and tried to make it last. I moved my hand to her leg and pushed it higher on my side so I could go deeper.

Thats good, she moaned.

Layla, I love being in you. Youre so tight. G.o.d, youre squeezing me. I growled as I added a twist to my hips.

She was panting, and I knew she was close.

I sped up, and I knew it was getting a little rough. I couldnt slow down. I wanted to make her come, and I wanted that before I did.

Oh, G.o.d, please, she whimpered.

I shortened my strokes and felt her muscles start to milk me.

She moaned, Lucien, as she came.

G.o.d, I loved hearing my name on her lips. My b.a.l.l.s exploded as she said the last syllable.

I knew it was still early when I opened my eyes. I was wrapped around Layla with one arm under her pillow, cradling her head, and my other between her legs. It was a sign of ownership. She was mine.

I pressed a kiss against her shoulder. I needed to taste her.

Hmmm, she mumbled as she pressed her a.s.s against me.

Shh, go back to sleep, I whispered.

What time is it? She murmured.

Sixish. I didnt want to move to look at the clock or check my phone. No matter what time I went to bed, I woke up at O-six-hundred.

She repositioned her body against mine. Want me to make breakfast?

I loved it that she cared about me. You dont have to get up yet.

Ive got stuff to do today, so I should get up. She rolled onto her back.

I raised my head up and rested it on my hand. What stuff?

She opened her eyes, and then shifted her gaze in my direction. She flashed the s.e.xiest smile. Hey. It came out all breathy.

I wanted to kiss her. Hey. I gave her an answering smile and gave her a light kiss on her lips.

We continued to look at each other, smiling.

So what kind of stuff do you need to do today? I returned my hand to her stomach.

I need to call Zoe. She said something about going shopping. Since we threw away my last bra, I need some things. I cant walk around like this. She motioned with her hand in the area of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

I tried not to show that shopping was not something I wanted to do, ever. How much time do you need?

Not very much since Im sc.r.a.ping the bottom of my checking account. She frowned. I guess youll have to put up with the clothes I have for your office.

Why dont you do this? Take my credit card and get what you need.

No. I felt her body stiffen. Money was definitely a sore spot for my woman.

I expected that answer. Then how about this? Take my card, and Ill take some of your pay out of each paycheck to cover what you spend.

I watched her wrestle with that option. She took a deep breath, and then let it out. Thats really nice of you.

But? I didnt move or apply any pressure.

Im used to paying my own way. Its hard for me to take your money when youre already doing so much for me.

I respect that, but as your employer, I think there is some rule in the handbook that says you have to wear appropriate clothing in the office. And as your man, I will tell you there is no way in h.e.l.l I want you around my guys without you wearing a bra.