“You’re trying to protect people now,” I said, the memory of his earlier words coming over me.

He nodded, and I didn’t know how to react.

I believed him, had believed him when he had said that, but it felt different now.

Felt more real.

Because he included me in the group of people that needed to be protected.

Something no one, not even my mother, had ever done.

I never doubted that my mother loved me, would never forget the countless beatings she’d taken for me or the way she’d tried to shield me as best as she could.

But what Nico was talking about was something I had never experienced, and I wasn’t sure how to feel about it.

No, that wasn’t true.

I knew how I felt about it.

I just didn’t like it.

Hated it, in fact, because I liked it so much.

I felt myself moving toward him, feeling almost incapable of controlling my actions.

Nico had slept next to me every night since that one, but hadn’t touched me.

In a way, I was grateful for that, but now, I needed him.

I stopped in front of him and almost ran when he widened his legs. But I didn’t. Instead I stepped into the new space and leaned forward, my hair brushing his face as I brushed my lips against the corner of his mouth.

Then did it again when I heard his growled exhale.

I felt both powerful, and shy, the same contrasting emotions that Nico drew from me, emotions that shouldn’t surprise me anymore. I tried to focus on the power and not the shyness.

I wasn’t sure how men responded to me. I made it my business to stay out of their line of sight, to do everything I could not to attract attention.

But I wanted his attention.

Craved it.

I pressed my lips against his, pretending that I knew what I was doing.

When he kissed me back, I took that as sign enough.

I broke the kiss, locked eyes with his as I dropped to my knees in front of him.

My eyes were on his as I reached for his belt and opened his pants with certainty and authority that I didn’t have to. He did nothing as I moved closer and pressed my cheek against the growing bulge.

I shifted and kissed his cock through his pants and was rewarded with a twitch.

I smiled, feeling wanton and powerful as I carefully peeled his pants and underwear down.

When my fingers found his shaft, I broke contact and stared at him in fascination.

The thickness and weight of him in my palm made me clench and reminded me of how it felt to have him inside me.

I stroked his long length, watching in fascination as he grew in my palm.