Page 100 of Defended By Love

His morning wood is hard and getting harder.

With a question in his eyes, Grant raises an eyebrow at me.

I start to protest—what if his mother hears us?—but then, as his hands slide over my ass and he rubs me against his erection, I decide that the likelihood of this being our final time loop day is very minimal.

Besides, Shelly already thinks we’re into some kinky role-playing, so what’s a morning quickie?

“Yeah, alright,” I moan. “Just an orgasm apiece and then I have to go confront an evil villain.”

Grant’s head disappears underneath the covers as he traces a trail of kisses down my stomach. His fingers have already found that special place inside me that fires off electricity all over my body by the time his mouth is on my clit.

“Maybe two,” I amend.

After all, it’s his time loop, too. I want to crush the evil of the world with my scathing tongue while he wants to make me come again and again on his dexterous one. Who am I to deny him what he wants?

Chapter 43

After more than two orgasms and another full breakfast, Grant flies me to Zagreus Hart’s headquarters.

“Hey there, Dennis,” he says cheerily to the grotesque skull.

I don’t think I’ll ever fully understand optimists. For my part, I avoid direct eye-contact with the ghastly cliff face, lest it steal my soul.

When we get to the balcony to Reinhold’s office, Grant sets me down. He hovers protectively, holding onto my hand without showing any signs of letting it go.

“Be careful,” he warns, like we’re not in a time loop and he’s not going to be a second away if anything goes awry.

“Oh, don’t worry. Reinhold’s a big ole softy once you get to know him,” I tease. “Just like your skull friend.”

Grant narrows his eyes. Apparently, I’ve triggered his inner-beast mode. Shame to waste it when we don’t have any time for another quickie.

“Just be careful,” he rumbles.

There’s a part of me that’s seriously worried that this will awaken something in me. Am I going to have to take up skydiving or lion taming for the killer sex that will undoubtedly come afterwards?

I guess if we stay in the time loop—maybe?

I shudder. I’d better get this all sorted out. I do not have the stomach for skydiving.

I go to walk inside Reinhold’s office, but Grant is still holding my hand. He flexes his big hand, watching the two of ours twine together, before folding his fingers around mine once again.

“Hailey, I love you.”

It’s not the first time he’s said it. It’s not even the first time I’ve fully believed it. Still, his words fill me with a warmth I’m not used to feeling.

For a second, I want to say it back to him. I haven’t said it yet, and I feel like this is the moment for it.

But I don’t.

Instead, it occurs to me that there’s something better I can say.

I lean forward and kiss him with everything I’ve got. “I know,” I reply, with a roguish wink.

Grant pauses and eyes me over to fully grasp my meaning. Finally, placing two hands over his heart, he keels over and falls away and out of sight from the balcony. Out of sight, but definitely not gone.

No, Grant is never going anywhere. I know that.

He’ll always be right there after I’m done slaying the beast.

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