Page 54 of Untamed Protector

“I didn’t plan for it,” I say.

“We just felt it,” he adds, his voice a low rumble. “And that’s enough. We don’t have to talk about it. I actually like silence—it allows space for everything else to breathe.”

His gaze wanders, looking for comfort. It doesn’t feel like a push-away, more like him retreating into the strong, silent man he usually is. Maybe he needs time to process everything that’s just happened between us, feelings he’s not ready to talk about.

I’m actually grateful for it. My mind can finally take a break. I still haven’t gotten over the stunt Lucas pulled. But being here in this house with Gabriel makes everything feel less awful. It feels so safe, but I can’t stay here forever. He has his own life, and he’s made it clear he doesn’t want any complications. And my life is nothing but a series of complications.

“What’s on your mind?” Gabriel asks.

“Just thinking about silence. I might try it, you know. See what it’s like to live like you.”

“Oh, my lifestyle is not what you think. Trust me, it’s not right for a girl like you.”

“A woman, you mean,” I feel the need to correct him.

“My woman.” He flashes a smile and leans on his elbow, looking at me. “Can I touch you?” he asks, taking me by surprise.

“Do you think you need to ask that after everything that’s happened between us?”

“You mean earlier when I devoured your pussy and then went deep inside you, and we made love?” Now that the desire has simmered down, I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks.

“On your first night here, you hinted that this, um, bed activity could help you forget bad memories. You said you needed it. I mean, you practically asked me for it. So why are you blushing now? Not that I’m complaining—you look stunning when you blush.”

I sit up, my hands instinctively covering my breasts, when I feel him lean over and kiss my back.

“Can you hand me your shirt, please? I want to cover up,” I ask.

“Hold on a sec,” he says, without looking at our clothes on the floor. “I’m a little busy at the moment.”

He sits up, too, looks at me, and slides my hands away from my breasts. “You’re perfect,” he says softly. “I love seeing you naked and satisfied after sex. Don’t hide yourself.”

He grabs my chin and pulls me onto his lap, uncrossing his long legs to make space for me. As I lean against him, I notice a small scar on his left leg. “What happened?” I ask, running my hand up and down the rough skin.

“Deployment life,” he says, smiling and messing with my hair, trying to pull my head back.

“Every scar has a story. How did this one happen?” I insist. There’s something about his vulnerability that draws me in.

“It’s not a bedtime story. And besides, I’d rather focus on what I want to do to you right now.”

He gently silences me with a finger on my lips, then puts me on my back with my legs wrapped around him. He starts by kissing me from my ankles to the back of my legs and down my thighs. Grabbing my hips confidently, he then moves to my ass, squeezing it firmly. His touch is an electric current, a surge of power that both protects and excites. Never have I felt so held, so utterly captivated by a man’s strength. He ignores my eager stirrings and instead teases me with gentle movements. He brings his hands to my breasts, running his fingers over my nipples and sending shivers down my spine as I arch and squirm.

Then he gently caresses my clit, tracing delicate circles around it with his fingertips. He uses his fingers, too, but only lightly grazes the surface. When I start to moan, he suddenly springs up from beside me, and as soon as his feet touch the floor, he grabs me in his arms and lifts me off the bed.

“To be continued,” he says, pointing to the shower while I cling to him like a vine, my breasts squished against his rock-hard pecs.

***

He kept his promise, making me moan his name a million more times in the shower. Getting me to face the wall, he slowly covered me in foam, taking his time around my breasts and my hard, eager nipples. Then he pulled me close and slipped two fingers inside me, making me thrust against his erection. He played with the head of his cock between my ass cheeks until I came screaming, clinging to his fingers. Then I turned around and gave him a soapy hand job until he came as well, hitting the wall with his fist.

Twenty minutes later, I watch him move around the kitchen, wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, attempting to whip up dinner. It’s almost evening, and all I’ve had today were two slices of cake up in Lena’s hotel room.

“Sorry, not much for dinner, but I got some frozen veggies and ice cream,” he says.

His shirt hangs loosely on me, a flimsy barrier between my skin and the kitchen counter that doubles as a table. I’m mesmerized by his muscles. Every flinch and twitch has me hooked, especially the big vein that pops out on his arms when he moves.

If he keeps moving, I’m sure that towel’s going to slip right off. After last night, I’m ready—I know exactly what’s under there. Seeing him fully naked again wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.

“It’s not coming off, baby,” Gabriel says, seeing the look in my eyes. “But since it looks like you’re struggling to focus, I’m going to go get dressed. Come here and give that veggie mix a stir, will you? You can throw in some more butter if you want.”

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