Page 69 of Fiercely Protective

He wrapped a hand in my hair and tugged my head back sharply. “It’s too late for that now. You are already a part of it. The first moment I laid eyes on you, the second my lips touched your skin, once I made the decision to claim you as mine…it was already too late. Trust me, Angel, to keep you safe.”

“I don’t want to always rely on others to keep me safe. I want to be able to do so myself.”

He shook his head. “No, protecting you is my job.”

I squeezed his arms harder to make him listen to me. “Can’t you see that me knowing how to defend myself can only be an asset? I don’t want to play the damsel in distress. I don’t want to always be fearful. If I had known some sort of self-defense moves on the night that Tony attacked me, I might have avoided a stay in the hospital. Teach me to shoot, teach me something that will allow me to save myself if the need arises.”

I could see that he was considering it by the way his eyes searched my face.

“The thought of you having to defend yourself doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t want you to ever be in a situation where those types of skills are needed, but if you are determined to learn, I will consider it.”

“Blaze could even teach me if you are too busy.”

He grinned. “Blaze would turn you into a cold-blooded killer if given half the chance, but Father Michael might be able to assist.”

“Thank you.”

His lips came down hard on mine, and I felt any anger or fear I was holding onto swiftly dissipating. I didn’t know how he managed to make me melt in a puddle of desire with just a kiss, but he did every time.

When he pulled away, I felt strangely bereft.

“You looked beautiful tonight. Now take off the dress.”

My brow furrowed. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. Strip for me, Angel. I have wanted to see you naked before we arrived at the museum. So, you have two choices, take it off or I’ll rip it off. Your choice.”

He moved back to the couch and took a seat as if waiting to watch a show.

“Here. Not in the bedroom?”

“Right here. The clock is ticking, baby. Better get started.”

My fingers moved slowly to the straps of the dress. It was strangely disconcerting to undress while he sat there watching. I could feel the heat in my face as the straps slowly slid down my arms. His eyes darkened as the tops of my breasts became visible and what at first made me feel awkward and uncomfortable, suddenly became very erotic. I shimmied the dress down a little slower, stopping just as my nipples became visible. A muscle in the side of his jaw flinched as my hands moved up to cover my breasts.

“You want to give me a show, Angel? Go right ahead but know that I will not be held responsible for my actions.”

The threat emboldened me. I pushed the dress down farther so that it hung low on my hips. My hand glided slowly over my stomach before dipping lower, the dress still obscuring my actions. Rogue’s eyes were watching every move I made, his lips set in a straight line.

When the dress fell to the floor, my hand stilled. It was one thing to be hidden, but with Rogue’s hungry gaze fixed on my hand, watching every movement I made was another thing altogether.

He stood from the sofa and walked toward me, every nerve ending in my body tingled in anticipation of his touch.

He raised his hand, letting the backs of his fingers gently graze over my skin. “You truly are perfection.”

Then something snapped in him. He became urgent and aggressive. He gripped my hair in his fist and pulled my head back sharply. His head dipped lower, and he pulled my nipples between his teeth while his other hand moved over the curve of my ass. His urgency grew. He lifted me in his arms and carried me over to the bar and sat me on top of the cool granite surface.

“Lie down and put your feet on the edge.”

I did as he asked and felt him press my knees farther apart. One of his hands moved over my stomach toward my breasts. He rolled my pebbled nipples between his fingers, squeezing them enough to elicit a gasp from my lips. As his hand slid lower, I felt his fingers spread apart my folds.

I closed my eyes under his inspection and waited in anticipation for his mouth to cover me.

“Keep your eyes closed, Angel.”

He pressed one finger inside me.

“Stay there. I have another surprise for you.”

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