Page 12 of Her Older Protector

Patrick freezes, and if I weren’t so shit-scared, and so busy screaming the roof down, I would laugh at how ridiculous he looks. He’s shocked that I’m not completely cowed, and doesn’t know how to react.

“JAKE!” I scream again.

Within moments, I hear heavy footsteps thump against my porch and the clatter of the door as someone shoves it wide open and it bounces against the wall. A second later, Jake hurtles into the kitchen, not missing a beat before he takes Patrick down with a hard close-fisted jab. Down he goes, like a sack of potatoes, and Jake kicks him viciously in the ribs as he hits the floor. And Patrick stays down, a wheezing heap on the linoleum.

“This fucking piece of shit,” he spits. He turns to me and pulls me into his arms. “Thank Christ you screamed, baby. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I say, but to my surprise, my face crumples and hot tears fill my eyes. “I’m fine.”

Jake pulls me tight and I sob into his shirtfront. A few minutes later, I hear a few more footsteps thump against my floors.

“Who’s that?” I sniffle. I don’t bother to look up.

He strokes a gentle hand down my hair. “Police. Patrick here was involved in some big-boy federal crimes. Moving money for some cartels while his dad leaned on some people to look the other way. The FBI was very interested in getting him into custody as soon as possible.”

I look up at Jake and he flashes a soft smile as he gently wipes away my tears.

“It’s over?” I ask through my tears.

Jake nods. “It’s over.”

I burrow into his arms again. “Take me home.”

Chapter 8

Jake

“Don’t we need to stick around for awhile? Give statements or anything?”

I nudge Leah in through the front door and lock it behind us before I pull her into my arms again, inhaling her sweet fragrance and relishing the feel of her curvy body against my big, hard frame.

“No,” I murmur against her hair. “They know where to find both of us if they need anything.”

She lifts her face and I press a long, gentle kiss to her lips. It feels like home, like a welcome to the rest of my life.

If she’ll have me.

I raise my head and gaze into her eyes. “I’m falling for you, Leah,” I say, and press another gentle kiss to her lips. “It’s okay if you aren’t ready to say it back or if you need some space, but when you’re ready, I’m here.”

“I don’t want space,” she says fiercely. She looks up at me, her eyes alight with life and purpose. “Maybe it’s bad timing, maybe a therapist would have a field day with this—I don’t care. I care about you, like I’ve never cared about anyone before. I’m falling for you, too.”

She draws in a ragged breath. “I’mfreenow. Nobody has ever said I could do what I wanted or go where I want to go. And what I want isyou.”

I’m so glad to hear her say the words, and pull her close again to bury her in a hot, demanding kiss. Our mouths move together aggressively, a whirl of lips and teeth and tongue, and when we pull apart again, we’re both breathing hard, and a feral gleam lights her eyes.

“Show me your bedroom,” she breathes against my lips.

She doesn’t need to tell me twice. I grab her hand in mine and drag her down the hallway while she giggles behind me, past the guest room where we spent our first night together and all the way back to the master suite. She skids to a halt behind me and I turn to drag her into my arms again, smothering her with hot kisses as she gropes at my clothing.

I let her take charge, stripping my boots, pants, and shirt, until I stand in front of her in just my tight boxer briefs. I reach down to free my dick from the snug confines, enjoying her wide eyes when she takes in my size.

“Holy shit,” she mutters. She reaches out and circles my cock with her cool little fingers. “You’re huge, Jake.”

I try not to groan at the feel of her smooth hands on my sensitive length. “Yeah, I do okay.” I reach out and finger the hem of her shirt. “You’re a little bit ahead of me, though.”

She releases my dick and with a wicked smile, drags her shirt over her head, revealing those luscious tits for the second time. I admire them as they jiggle inside the cups of her bra while she unzips her pants and lets them fall to the ground. The bra goes next, and my mouth goes dry as her beautiful breasts with their ripe nipples come into view. She steps closer to me, pressing her soft curves against me.

“Show me everything this time,” she says, and I laugh at her soft demands.

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