Page 48 of Protective Heroes

“Yeah, I’m sorry, baby. She would have loved seeing you this happy. That pretty smile on your face. I know I do.” Gabriel reached out and stroked a thumb over my cheek when my smile dipped at the memory of my mother.

She passed away shortly after I was born due to complications and it was just me and my dad ever since. Or more like, me, nannies, tutors and my dad stopping in long enough to sign the checks. Don’t get me wrong, I loved him more than anything in the world. He cared for me, only in his own way. But for tonight, I shrugged away the sad memories and focused on the here and now.

I took Gabriel’s hand in mine and soaked in all the glittery lights and festivities I could. Tens of people paid no attention to the snow. They bustled about, smiles on their faces and packages tucked under their arms.

“Oh, look. They’re getting ready for a party.”

“A tree lighting,” he offered warmly.

I arched a brow. “You speak as if you know.”

“You could say that.”

“Wanna go?”

“Maybe. First food. Mayor Johnson tends to be a little long-winded for how cold it is outside tonight. But we can see it from where we are going.”

I turned to the side window when we eased down Mistletoe Lane before coming to a stop outside a cute bakery with garland and all sorts of decorations blinking from the front.

“I swear, If I’d known this place was here all this time I would have totally found a hotel here instead of back at the Mystique. Honestly, because of who my father is I have to keep up this persona. It’s all a never-ending game really.” I pursed my lips. “About how I talked to you back at the hotel. Yeah, that’s not really who I am. I’m not some brat. I’ve just been playing this part to fit in for so long I’ve kind of adopted this preppy college kid vibe.”

Beside me, Gabriel reached out and settled a hand on my thigh, and I immediately felt a jolt of heat bloom from my center and feed into my whole body.

“It all worked out. I have no regrets of slinging you over my shoulder.”

I turned as red as the bathing suit I still wore under my warmer clothes.

“And I’m glad you like the town. I come here every year so it’s grown on me.”

I sat back. “You do?”

Gabriel climbed out of the truck and pulled me across the expansive seat with him,

“Creamed Pie Bakery?” I asked, unable to hold back a small laugh when I looked up at the pretty red and white sign. “After what you did to me back at the hotel I should have known you would bring me to a place like this,” I teased, falling into his open arms, snow catching in our hair.

We’re tucked behind the truck door so I give a throaty forbidden moan when he slid a hand past the band of my pants to grip my ass cheek. “You don’t like pie? Would you rather we go somewhere else?”

“Tough questions to answer. Yes, and yes please.” Just then my stomach gave another gurgling plea for food. “Or how about I let the dinner bill speak for me in an hour as to how much I love pie and we can leave the other question open?”

He chuckled, holding the door open. “Challenge accepted.”

Fifteen minutes later we had a slice of everything you could imagine spread out before us. The traditional pumpkin, with a creamy whipped topping, apple, coconut, and even ones made out of pineapple and sweet potato. That one I had seconds of and then stole Gabriel’s when he switched to the apple.

“Shall we order another round?” His left hand has taken up a permanent spot on my right thigh, and it felt nice sitting there in silence just being for once. No preppy boys to shoo off or girls to play up my snotty too-good-for-anything-and-anyone attitude. Honestly, working to fit in got tiresome real fast.

“I don’t think I can but yes. We can take it with us. And ask for whipped cream to go, maybe?” I wiggled my brow and he read my intentions instantly.

“Dirty girl,” Gabriel hissed and squeezed my thigh.

He hooked my leg and dragged it over his lap. I gasp around a mouthful of cream when I felt his huge fucking cock pulsating against my thigh.

I felt the heat of his hunger through the cotton of my sweats and I’m ready to ask for the check.

We’re sitting in a corner booth a little out of sight from the rest of the late-night crowd coming in to warm up, so I’m not entirely surprised when his hand grazed up and stroked over the V between my legs.

“Gabriel,” I half moaned, half-whispered when what I wanted to do was find that room and see how his cock tasted covered in whipped cream.

His eyes locked on mine and suddenly I’m drowning in anticipation for the dark promises he had in store for me.

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