Page 14 of Her Protective Lumberjack

“How you feeling, princess?” Trace asks eventually, lifting his head to look at me.

I beam up at him. “Amazing.”

He smiles at me, eyes crinkling at the corners. “Good.” He repositions himself beside me, pulling me against him, my back to his chest. “You were so fucking incredible, Chloe.”

I glow at his words, melting against him. “You were pretty incredible yourself.”

He makes a noise deep in his throat and presses a kiss against my neck. “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up. Then I’ll make us some breakfast.”

“Breakfast sounds great. I’m starving.” I stretch out my limbs, smiling like the cat that got the cream as Trace lifts me out of bed and into the bathroom. We get in the shower together, the warm water like heaven on my sweaty skin as Trace’s soapy hands rub me all over, cleaning me gently. He touches me like I’m a piece of art, his hands reverential, eyes glued to my curves. It gives me butterflies.

Trace makes me feel so special. So safe. He’s like a dream come true, a fantasy I never thought could exist in the real world. I’m falling fast, all my resolve crumbling away, leaving me sure of one thing: if this is a dream, I never want to wake up.

8

TRACE

I strokeChloe’s soft hair, pulling her tighter against me. We’re sitting on the couch, Rocky curled up beside us, two plates covered in cherry pie crumbs on the coffee table. Today has been heaven. There’s no other way to describe it. After our first time together this morning, Chloe and I haven’t been able to keep our hands off each other. We spent most of the day in bed, and now that night is drawing in, we’ll be heading back there soon. My heart is already thrumming with anticipation, and I lean in to kiss Chloe’s soft cheek, breathing in her sweet scent.

“I love it here,” she says, sighing happily as she relaxes against me.

I smile at her. “Not missing Arizona too much?”

She shakes her head. “I love Phoenix, but I sure don’t miss the heat.”

“You have a lot of friends in the city?”

I’m curious about Chloe’s life back home. She told me about her past, but there’s still so much I don’t know about her present.

“Not really,” she says. “I made a few friends in art school, but we didn’t stay in touch.”

“I didn’t know you went to art school.” My eyes flicker to the painting of Rocky. “Figures. You’re so damn talented.”

She beams at me. “Thanks. I’ve always dreamed of being an artist, but it’s not that simple. I was actually about to start a job as a school receptionist before the death threat arrived.” She shrugs. “It’s not exactly my dream, but I want to pay my share of the bills.”

My brow furrows. I want Chloe to follow her dreams, and I’d do anything to make them come true for her. Hell, I’d do anything for her, period, even leave Crave County behind and move to Phoenix. But before I can formulate these thoughts into words, my cell phone rings. I don’t get many calls, so it’s enough to make me frown down at my pocket.

“Sorry, I should get this. Might be your dad.”

Sure enough, Roman’s name flashes up on my screen, and I accept the call, holding the phone to my ear.

“Hello?”

“Trace? Are you with Chloe?”

“Yes,” I say, hoping my voice doesn’t betray the fact that my arms are around his daughter.

“Okay.” He lowers his voice. “I’m going to tell you something, and I don’t want you to react in front of her. Got that?”

My heart starts to thump unpleasantly. “Got it.” I pull away from Chloe slightly, making sure she can’t hear the buzz of her dad’s voice from my cell.

“I got another threat today,” Roman says, his voice taut. “A note shoved under my windshield wiper. Says it’s my last chance to stop chasing Mercer or…or Chloe’s blood will be on my hands.”

My veins turn to ice. Chloe is looking at me curiously, but I force myself not to react, keeping my expression even.

“He’s almost certainly bluffing,” Roman continues. “I have no reason to think Mercer or his people know where Chloe is, but I need you to be on high alert, Trace.”

“I will be,” I tell him firmly.

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