Page 153 of Protective Heroes

Still that didn’t stop the harsh breaths or her vision clouding over with unshed tears.

“Calm down, sweetheart. I didn’t mean for you to see those, but… ah, for fuck’s sake.” He backed up a step and raked a hand down his face. “You gotta understand, Willa. I’m not mad, baby. I understand more than you think why you would want to leave.” He wound his arms around her, holding her tight against his large, warm chest.

Willa pulled out of his embrace but couldn’t force herself to look in his eyes. He slipped a finger under her chin and lifted until her gaze locked with his.

“It’s not like I jumped into my decision to leave on a whim, Nathan.”

“I know, sweetheart. Like I said, I’m not mad. I’m hurt you didn’t come to me, and pissed you signed on with that ass-hat Johnson all the way in California no less, but I’d never turn my back on you if that’s what you want. Though I hope you’ll give me a chance to prove why you should stay.”

He feathered kisses across her forehead while his fingers trailed a seductive path down her back. Heat flushed her cheeks. She couldn’t lie—her selfish side wanted more of the proof he talked about. Hot liquid slipped from her entrance to soak her panties more and her entire body trembled with anticipation of the promises he offered.

He pulled back, raised their joined hands to his lips and trailed his lips over her knuckles. “You wanting to leave Chicago and your job is my fault.”

“You have to understand, Nathan. I couldn’t take seeing you and wanting you so much my heart ached and not being able to have you. It was torture.”

“I know, baby. I’m sorry.”

She cupped his cheek. “I wanted you to be my first. To think I would one day watch you with someone else…” deep sigh shuddered through her and unwanted tears. “I couldn’t do that and keep my sanity, so after your father passed I knew it was time to leave. I hope you understand it’s because I loved—love—you too much.”

“Oh, baby.” He kissed her long and slow only pulling back far enough to look into her eyes. “I’m man enough to know when I fucked up. And when it comes to you and me, yeah, I screwed up royally. I should have told your brother to fuck off—lovingly of course—but fuck off all the same. But,” He lifted her onto the dining table, their faces now level. “…this, right now, is not a mistake. I know I’ve kept my distance. I had a lot riding on my shoulders, now more so than ever. I guess I used the job for Uncle Sam as a wall to hide behind.” He worked his jaw a couple of tics before continuing. He pushed between her parted thighs. “I know you don’t understand and hell, I don’t completely understand, but it boils down to a promise your brother had no right to saddle me with. A promise I think he’d take back if he knew how much I love you.”

He was right. She didn’t understand. Her vision clouded with disappointment. And tears. Damn it! She refused to cry. Willa blinked back the waterworks, tired of being weak with her emotions.

Wait. What did he say? Her mind threw on the brakes while her heart raced ahead full speed.

“Willa, everything changes.” He grabbed the papers from her and tore them down the middle in one swift, loud rip.

And there went her heart.

“I found them by accident, but now I’m glad I did.”

She nodded, focusing only on what he’d said about a promise and love.

“I’m sorry,” she whispered, still trying to wrap her mind around what just happened.

“Are you not listening? I don’t care about pieces of paper unless it’s a marriage license with our names on it. I want to fuck you until you know my touch by memory and want only me. I want to fill your tight pussy with my seed until your belly swells with my baby. And then I want to do it again until this home overflows with happiness and love. As long as it’s what you want… and believe me when I say that I won’t stop until I’ve convinced you of my undying love.”

He cupped her pussy through her soaked panties. “That makes you wetter, doesn’t it, baby? You want my dick sliding into your pussy, my fingers teasing and pinching your nipples while my tongue claims your mouth.”

She leaned back, hooked her thumbs in the band of her silk panties and slid them down the length of her legs. Thighs spread, she reached between her legs and parted her pouty lips.

He suddenly tensed and groaned as he watched her swirl a finger through her juices.

She pulled the corner of her lip between her teeth and bit down and crooked a finger. “Come here.”

Her breath caught in her throat when he obeyed her command.

God, he was sexy as hell.

He moved slowly and with great control, his gaze alight with fiery lust.

Soft lips brushed the tender flesh of her belly and she quivered from the tender touch that was in such contrast with everything that defined the war-hardened man.

Slowly his kisses melted her heart, unraveling the nervous concern knotted in her chest.

He looked up at her through her parted legs.

Those eyes tugged at strings connected straight to her heart.

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