Page 96 of When He Protects

“All right.” He waited.

“You think I’m the evil villainess who is about to seduce you. Then leave you.”

“Never said you were evil. I’ll punch out the next bastard who does.”

Her lashes swept down to conceal her gaze. “I don’t think you can actually have sex so soon after a concussion so my plan—if that was my plan—it’s flawed.”

Cute. “Esme…”

Her lashes lifted.

“Sweetheart.” He smiled at her. “It will take one hell of a lot more than a concussion and some stitches to stop me from fucking you.”

“You say the most romantic things.”

He eliminated the space between them and towered over her. All traces of humor were gone. “How’s this for romantic? You try to sacrifice yourself to protect me, and I’ll fuck you so long and hard that you won’t walk for a week.”

She bit her lower lip as she seemed to consider his words. “We need to work on your romance.”

“You didn’t call anyone.”

“You didn’t exactly give me the chance.” An exhale. “How’d you know I took the phone? I thought my technique was flawless.”

“You palmed it perfectly, but, sweetheart…”

She’d been staring at his neck. He waited until she had to look up and meet his eyes. He didn’t like the way she kept avoiding his gaze. As if she had something to hide. As if she was afraid to see him.

Only when that beautiful darkness was locked on him did Tyler finish, “I know you now. Inside and out.”

“Tyler…I want you safe.”

“I will be.” His hands reached out and curled around her waist. He lifted her up against him. “But you will never sacrifice yourself for me. That’s not how this works between us.”

Her hands grabbed his shoulders. “Your stitches?—”

“Told you they wouldn’t stop me.” He took her mouth. Thrust his tongue inside and felt the control he’d been trying to hold fracture. “Nothing is gonna stop me when it comes to you.”

A low moan pulled from her.

Thought I wasn’t gonna get her out of the house in time. Thought I was gonna lose her. Another explosion. Her gorgeous eyes closed. Her body limp.

In truth, he hadn’t needed the freaking hospital or even the stitches. He would have survived just fine. Not like he hadn’t stitched himself up before. But he’d wanted to make absolutely sure Esme was safe. So he’d gone in the ambulance—with her—and when he’d been at the hospital, he’d ordered her checked out, too. Then, because the place had good security, he’d kept them in the room overnight. He’d known that Kane was working to get a new place set up for them. A new identity. An escape path.

And, sure enough, Kane had delivered.

But Esme hadn’t realized Tyler was staying in the hospital for her safety. She’d been worried about him. Holding him tight all night.

He’d been so very wrong about her. She wasn’t some heartless villain. In fact, he thought her heart might just be too big. Esme wanted to save the world. She just pretended that she was trying to wreck it.

He carried her to the bed. Lowered her down. When she was settled, he eased back and stared at her.

The minutes ticked past.

“Uh, Tyler?” Her hair trailed over her shoulders as she stared at him. “Something wrong?”

“I’d kill for you.”

She blinked.

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