Page 74 of Protective Heroes

He grinned and ducked his head, an almost boyish expression on his face. “I’m glad you like it. And just picture it in another couple of weeks. Everything will be in bloom and the valley will be filled with wildflowers.”

The look on his face might be even more enchanting than the scenery. I had to rip my gaze from his and make a real effort to turn my attention back to the forest and meadow.

“I can see what you mean about the road here,” I said. “It might not look like much, but I can’t imagine getting tents and tables, not to mention guests, up here without having a road in.”

I could picture all of it so clearly as I planned and plotted for Lily’s wedding day. I could see the tents and tables, flowers and chandeliers. I could hear the soft music playing and the clink of forks and glasses against fine china and crystal. I could imagine the bride and groom and their guests wandering through the enchanted meadow.

“It’s so beautiful, I almost hate to bring people here,” I whispered to Trevor. “I’d love to keep it just for us.”

As soon as the words left my mouth, my eyes grew wide and my body froze. I couldn’t believe I just said that. The words slipped from my mouth before I even really registered the thought.

Not that they weren’t true. As I imagined all the people invading this space, I worried it would lose some of its magic. And if I was being completely honest, part of the magic had to do with the fact I got to experience it all with Trevor at my side.

My eyes flew to him. He wasn’t grinning, but he didn’t look irritated or impatient. If anything, his expression had grown softer as he looked at me. His gaze was no less penetrating, but at the same time it was filled with such warmth, it all but robbed me of the ability to speak.

“We can come here as often as you like, just the two of us,” Trevor assured me.

Confusion drew my brows together. I only had a few more days left in Hartwood. How many opportunities would Trevor and I get to visit this spot?

The thought caused a sharp pain to shoot through my chest. Was it only two days ago I was packing and counting down the minutes until I could return home?

“Are you sure the people who own the property won’t mind?” I managed to ask. Because despite my doubts, despite my fears, despite my feeling completely out of my depth, I couldn’t bear the thought of this being the last moment I’d be standing out here with Trevor.

“I own this land. I’m happy to let you have your wedding here. There’s another entrance that is a little smoother but it’s coming from the opposite side. This way was quicker today.”

“This is all yours?” My voice reflected my awe. I’d never considered myself anything but a city girl, but standing here surrounded by the wildness of nature and with Trevor at my side, I could imagine looking out at this spot every day for the rest of my life and loving every minute of it.

The thought jarred me. What was happening to me?

Before I could give any worries or fears free rein, Trevor stepped to my side and tugged me around to face him. The intensity of his expression stole my breath. I had no time to assemble my jumbled thoughts before his head bent toward me.

“All ours. I bought this land the second I left the Navy. I bought it for us,” he said right before his lips hit mine.

In that instant, I was lost to him and the feeling of his mouth moving against mine. His arms came around me, tucking my body close to his. Between us I could feel the hard length of his arousal and now I was the one growling.

“Baby, I’ve missed you,” he murmurs against my lips.

I gave in fully to the feelings he pulled from me.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and when his tongue traced the seam of my lips, I opened my mouth to him. With a groan, he deepened the kiss, his tongue diving in to taste and tease me.

It was as if the enchantment of the forest seeped into us and imbued us with its magic. As our bodies opened to each other, so did something else. Warmth built low down in my belly, but it also sparked and ignited something deep, deep inside me.

The kiss was both new and familiar. I reveled in learning the way he moved his mouth over mine, and I followed where he led. At the same time, I felt as if I’d been kissing him forever. As if this was a long-awaited homecoming that allowed me to recognize the warmth and familiarity that seemed to come from some soul-deep level.

When Trevor finally lifted his head and broke the kiss, a small mewl of protest escaped me. With a chuckle, he pressed a soft kiss to the corner of my mouth, another to my cheek, and another right beside my ear.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” he said. “I would love nothing more than to kiss you all day, but where you’re concerned, I don’t think I could keep it to just kissing for very long. The way I’m craving you requires a bed. The first time after so long deserves better than the back of my truck.”

Before I could pull my scattered thoughts together, my stomach responded for me, letting out a large growl.

Trevor laughed and tugged me toward the SUV. “Come on, sweetheart, let’s get you fed.”

Trevor

Pulling my mouth from Kami’s had been the hardest fucking thing I’d ever had to do. Every instinct I possessed roared at me to rip her clothes off and fuck her until we both couldn’t walk.

The only thing that kept me from dragging her down to the cool, lush grass of the meadow and making her mine was the thought of how she might feel afterward. All morning she’d allowed me to lead her wherever I wanted to bring her, but I got the sense that putting that much trust in me again was costing her.

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