Page 110 of Mountain Protector

Lark clutches my arms, her nails digging in as she moans, a primal sound that’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard. “Knox. Oh. I’m so?—”

But I reach between us and flick that sensitive bundle of nerves, and she swallows her words. Whimpers. Gasps. And then she explodes, convulsing around me.

And that’s all it takes.

I let myself go.

Bursts of light fill my vision as I go impossibly hard, the pleasure—no, ecstasy—taking over. Pulsing hot and intense. Filling her.

Still joined, I roll us over so Lark’s on top of me, and I wrap my arms around her as I press my lips to her head. Then I just breathe. Catch my breath. Absorb Lark’s scent and the feel of her skin and the way her soft curves fit so perfectly against me.

She snuggles into me with a little sigh. Her hand covers my heart. “I love you.”

Warmth blossoms inside me. My heart fills.

And all at once, I know I can’t wait any longer.

Lifting Lark off me, I carefully set her to the side. “I’ll be right back to clean up. Don’t move.”

As I walk into the bathroom to grab a washcloth, Lark calls after me, “We should probably hurry. Breakfast will be over if we don’t get downstairs soon.”

“We have some time. I don’t think anyone is expecting us up early since we got in so late last night.” On my way back into the bedroom, I take a quick detour past my luggage, waiting until Lark isn’t looking to snag the little box tucked in an inside pocket.

“True.” She turns on her side and smiles at me. “But I’m excited to actually get to talk to everyone. I was so tired last night, I probably looked like a zombie. And sounded like one, too.”

“Hardly.” I climb back into bed and lean against the padded headboard, pulling Lark into my lap. “You looked beautiful. And definitely not like a zombie.”

Our flight to Colorado Springs didn’t get in until after eleven last night, and by the time we made it to the ranch that serves as headquarters for the Brotherhood Protector’s Colorado branch, it was well past midnight. So we didn’t spend much time talking with RJ and Jake, who live here and help run the place—RJ having grown up here with her father, and her husband, Jake, who’s a part of the Brotherhood Protectors himself.

But today we’ll have a chance to talk to everyone. RJ and Jake, of course, plus Devin and Mal, Tayo, who’s good friends with Enzo, and his wife Kayla, and any of the other Brotherhood members who happen to be around. We’ll be here for a week, and then we’re heading to San Antonio to meet up with everyone at theBlade and Arrow branch there, and finally to New York to visit with the original B and A team.

It’s the first actual vacation I’ve taken in, well, ever. And I’m beyond excited about it. Getting to see my old Army buddies, seeing what they’re up to,andgetting to do it all with Lark. After everything she went through before Christmas, and then the weeks of adjusting to normal life again, this is a break she definitely deserves.

Everything is good back at home, though. Even better than I could have hoped, actually. Lark and I have gotten comfortable at her cabin—at first, I wasn’t sure if she’d want to stay there, but during a conversation soon after the New Year, she said, “I love this cabin, Knox. I’m not letting Ed ruin it for me. If you want to move to your house, I’m okay with it. But it won’t be because I’m getting chased out of here.”

So we’re living at Lark’s cabin, which is our cabin, now, I guess. Tom’s house—myhouse—is vacant for now, but we’re brainstorming ideas for it. Maybe a safehouse, or someplace for one of our friends to land if they’re looking for some peace and quiet.

Fortunately for us, things have been quiet, too. Ed’s in prison after pleading guilty, and he probably won’t be out in his lifetime. After a lengthy investigation by the police, Alec, and some of our other techie friends, no other accomplices have been found. And Mrs. Vinnetti is still in treatment at a facility in Burlington, but she seems to be doing really well.

Lark says she forgives her. Me? Not so much. And although I don’t believe Mrs. Vinnetti is a threat anymore, me and Alec are keeping tabs on her. Just to be safe.

Everything is pretty much perfect, really. Except for one thing I’ve been waiting to do.

“Should we get up and take a shower?” Lark asks. “Not a sexy shower this time,” she adds with a smile. “Just a regular one.”

“We will. But first, there’s something I want to ask you.”

“Oh?”

My heart speeds up, tripping over itself.

My stomach flips.

Shit.

I’ve thought about this a thousand times. Imagined the exact words I would say.

Now I’m terrified.

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