Page 16 of Curvy Girl for the Cop

I watch helplessly as she retreats down the sidewalk, her curvy figure disappearing around the corner. Fuck! I scrub a hand over my face.

What Ava and I have is special. In just a short time, she's turned my world upside down in the best way. Those soft curves, that brilliant mind, the way she looks at me like I'm her hero...I can't lose her.

I start moving in the direction she went, determined to make this right. To make Ava understand that no distance can change how I feel about her. That this small town girl has completely captured my big city heart.

My heart pounds as I pick up the pace. The city can wait—I have to find Ava now. I sprint in the direction she ran off, scanning the quaint storefronts lining the street.

Then I hear it—a scream piercing the air up ahead.

Ava.

Rounding the corner, I see red. Some scumbag has his filthy hand clamped around Ava's arm as she struggles to break free, her beautiful face etched with fear.

"Get your fucking hands off her!" I roar, closing the distance in a fury. The adrenaline is singing in my veins.

The guy looks up, startled, his grip loosening just enough for Ava to wrench herself away. She stumbles back, clutching her arm. My vision tunnels on the soon-to-be dead man.

"Who the hell are you?" He spits, squaring up to me. I can tell by his weaselly face this is Ava's dirtbag ex. Call me a stalker, but I quickly put all my cop resources to work and found out just how the fucker was when I found out about him. The one who made her doubt herself, broke her heart.

I don't bother with a response. I let my fists do the talking. One solid crack to his jaw sends him reeling. He swings wildly but I dodge, my training kicking in, and land another blow to his gut. He doubles over with a wheeze.

Grabbing his collar, I wrench him up to snarl in his face.

"I hear you’re a city boy. If you know what’s best for you, you’ll crawl back into whatever gutter you crawled out of. Got it? And if you ever so much as look at her again, I will end you. Understand?"

He makes a choking sound I take for assent. With a final shove, he crumples into a pile on the pavement, out cold.

Breath heaving, I turn to Ava. She's staring at her ex's prone form, then up at me, her green eyes wide and glassy with shock.

"Ryan..." she whispers, starting to tremble.

In two strides I'm there, pulling her tight against my chest. She clings to me, hands fisting in my shirt.

"I've got you, sweetheart," I murmur into her hair, running soothing hands down her back. "You're safe. I'm here."

I'll always be here for her, no matter what. This brave, beautiful woman has me, body and soul. And somehow, I'm going to prove it to her.

I hoist her up in my arms, ignoring her startled squeak. "What?" I grin down at her. "Am I not the strong, rugged hero you dreamed of?"

Ava blushes.

That blush does wonders for my ego. I carry her back to her store, up the stairs to her cozy apartment above. Kicking the door shut, I lower her to her feet.

"Stay," I growl, voice gravelly with need as I unbutton my shirt.

Her eyes devour every inch of bared skin, sending a red-hot pulse straight to my groin.

I push my pants down, freeing my rock-hard erection. Her eyes widen, then travel down my form.

"Ryan..." she whimpers, desire glazing her eyes.

"Tell me what you want, kitten."

"You," she moans, uncrossing her arms to tug at her hoodie. "I want you, Ryan. So badly."

"Damn right, you do." I stalk towards her, backing her against the wall. "And you're gonna have all of me, Ava. Every inch, until you're branded with my touch."

I crush my lips to hers, devouring her sweetness. Ava responds with equal fervor, her soft curves molding against me seamlessly.

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