Page 128 of Damaged Protector

“No, Lan is making chicken and dumplings, and Bode’s making the cake. He bakes better desserts than any bakery in town.”

“Okay, sounds good.” I handed him the leftover pancakes wrapped in foil. “Take these to Taz.”

He sweetly kissed my forehead. “Thanks, Mal. I know who to call when I need a bacon fix.”

“Any time.”

“Don’t tell him that. He’ll be here every damn day,” Hawk said, striding back into the kitchen wearing a dark-blue tank top and shorts. His hair was still damp from his shower, and I could smell the tempting scent of his body wash from across the room.

I had just eaten, but my mouth watered. For him.

Once Woody had gone, Hawk cornered me against the kitchen cabinets, running his nose up my neck and kissing just below my ear. “Thank you for the breakfast, Bee.”

“You’re welcome,” I said, maneuvering our bodies until his back was against the countertop. “I have another present for you.”

He tucked a messy strand of hair behind my ear. “And what is that?”

I sank to my knees in front of him, pulling his pants and boxer briefs down, and his breath caught. “Mallori, you don’t have to—”

“I know I don’t have to, and that’s why I want to.” Cupping his balls, I licked a wet stripe up the shaft of his cock before flicking his piercings with my tongue.

“Goddamn,” he breathed, leaning back and grabbing my hair in both hands. “I love my birthday.”

Chapter 37

Turning onto the road that led to Landree and Bode’s home, I squeezed Mallori’s hand. “We’re gonna have to play it cool, okay? Everyone is going to be here.”

She pretended to pout. “So I can’t fondle your penis every time I pass you?”

“Mal,” I warned, and she laughed.

“We work together every day and manage just fine.”

“I know, but the women will be here too. Those chicks can sniff out something juicy in a split second.”

“And we’re juicy?”

“Damn, Bee. You just left the door wide open with that. So many juicy comments I could make.”

“And all of them are inappropriate, I’m sure.”

“Would I even be me if they weren’t?”

“Oh my god! Giraffes!” she exclaimed, abandoning our conversation when she caught sight of the majestic animals behind the tall fence.

“Their names are Fred, Wilma, Barney, and Betty.”

“The Flintstones! How cute.”

“Yeah, and there’s a baby somewhere.” I slowed the truck so we could search the trees, and I finally spotted the newest addition, munching leaves from a low branch. “There she is. That’s Pebbles.”

“Awww, she’s so pretty.”

I turned into the driveway between the stone Wild at Heart signs, and two small zebras dashed by on our left. “That’s Spanky and Buckwheat. They’re twins and not quite a year old.”

“This is so cool. I can’t believe Landree owns a drive-through safari, and they get to live here. Where did all the animals come from?”

“Most are rescues. You know, people think, hey, I’d like to have a kangaroo, and then a few months later, the novelty wears off, and they abandon it. A few are from zoos but need a place to retire to, so Landree provides them a home. She’s adamant about not taking animals from the wild.”

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