Page 45 of Protector

Slowly, she walks toward me. “You want to watch a movie or something?” Her fingers brush mine, so I raise my hand and rest it on the doorframe, looking down on her now that she’s barefooted and shorter than me. “It’s still early, so I’m not sure I can sleep.”

“You go ahead.” I nod over her shoulder, into her room. “Think I’ll shower and get some sleep.” I take one step back and try not the think about the disappointment in her gaze. “Leave the door unlocked…” When her expression turns expectant, I add, “Just to be safe.”

Nodding, she replies, “Okay, you too.”

“I will.” Then I back up another step and grip the door, closing it slowly.

Her phone rings just as we both click our doors shut, and I can’t help but stay in place. Though Shay’s constantly in demand, most of her correspondence is via text. It’s probably just her mother looking for her, but still... I convince myself I’m not eavesdropping, either, but I lean in and wait.

I can’t make out the words, but they’re strained, and I don’t like her tone, so I open the door. It registers immediately who she’s talking to. Fear and anger burn in her eyes, the pain coming off her shooting right to my chest.

Unable to stop the thunder from taking over me, I cross to her in two swift steps, swipe the device from her hand, and boom into the phone. “This ends now, you cowardice motherfucker.”

As I wait for his response, I register the surprising reaction from Shay. An instant before I took the phone, I readied for her anger, but instead, she slips her hand into my free one and presses close to my body.

“Is this…Uncle Todd?” he says in a low sarcastic tone.

“No, asshole, this is your worst fucking nightmare. I’m putting you on notice that you better disappear from the face of the earth because if you so much as breathe in Shay’s direction, I will find out, and I’ll come for you.” And before he says anything in response, I tap the call off, wrap both arms around Shay, and hold her tightly.

We stay that way for long moments, and when we’re both breathing more fluidly, I am suddenly aware of her heartbeat against my abs. It’s still flying, but the way she’s burrowing into my body tells me it’s from more than that call.

When I take hold of her shoulders and nudge her back, I note the plea in her gaze and swallow back the emotion.

“Please, Brooks, don’t go. I don’t want to be alone.”

Even I’m not that cold of a bastard. I take her by the hand and lead her over to the bed. Pulling the covers back, I allow her to climb in first. She stays sitting up, leaning on one hand, waiting for me.

When I slide in next to her, she claims her spot, resting her head on my chest. Fuck me, if this isn’t the best and worst feeling I’ve had in longer than I can remember. My body instantly comes alive, a war of emotions swirling through me. This feels so damn good, so right. So, why do I simultaneously feel like the world’s greatest douche?

Her hand smooths across my pec muscle before she places a soft kiss there. “Don’t…” she whispers.

“Don’t what?” Even as I pose the question, my hand strokes over her silky hair, down her back to rest just above her firm ass.

Leaning up until her face is inches from mine, she says, “Don’t fight it. Stop telling yourself it’s wrong when you know it’s so right that denying us both is painful.”

I can’t stop my chest from heaving at her words, the truth in them, her parted mouth waiting, her gorgeous innocent eyes begging me to take her, our bodies clinging to each other, yearning to be as close as two people can be.

“Please…” A groan escapes her lips, and in that instant, nothing else matters.

I pull her closer, brush my lips over hers, my tongue just barely sweeping across hers in a teasing dance. “I’ve never wanted anything so badly in my life, Shay. But that doesn’t mean…”

“Yes, yes it does,” she says against my mouth, and I instinctively pull her until her body is fully on top of mine.

Our lips meet in a soft, slow, searing kiss that sends my heart pumping at a frantic pace. We both work to catch our breath in between our mouths seeking contact again and again until finally, I hold back and search her eyes.

“Dammit, baby, I hope you’re sure about what you’re doing, because I’m out of my mind.”

“Brooks…” She kisses the side of my mouth, blazes a trail up my neck and then behind my ear. “All I know is I want you. I need you.”

I kiss her one more time, then guide us both to a sitting position, her dress hiking to her upper thighs.

“Lift up your arms, baby.”

She grins and complies. I lift the dress up and over her head. The stunning display of skin and ample breasts—sans bra—catches me off guard. I blow out a hungry breath before bringing my mouth to her, my arms wrapping around her back.

She moans when my tongue makes contact, then cradles my head against her. “Oh, God, Brooks.” The yearning I hear in her voice, the realization that something we’ve both wanted since day one is finally happening, is exactly how I feel.

So, I take my time, lavishing her with my mouth, exploring her soft curves with my hands until we both grow so frantic I can’t deny either of us any longer.

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