Page 9 of Snowed in with My Protector

Duncan smirks and then Blake is standing next to me, and I hold myself very still to stop myself from startling. Blake nods, his voice filled with conviction, “Good.”

It doesn’t take long for the guys to move out of the cabin, and I stand in the doorway watching them go. While I do, I can feel Fallon’s eyes on me. Normally that would make me uncomfortable, like they’re trying to unearth all my secrets. But that’s not how I’m feeling at all.

When I turn toward Fallon, her hands are clasped on her lap and her eyes are big and round like she’s just now realizing that she’s alone. With me. Out in the middle of nowhere.

“Fallon,” I rumble, “you’re safe with me. I want you to know that I spent years serving our country. I’m trained and skilled. My time-,” I cut myself off and look away and swallow hard, wondering why I was just about to share far too much with this woman.

Her voice is a gentle coaxing, “What were you going to say?”

I look back at the woman who I never would have expected to be dropped at my doorstep looking for help. Her blue-grey eyes are wide and curious. Somehow, I find myself wanting to let her in and not just because it’ll put her at ease.

“It wasn’t easy,” my voice is husky as I try to focus on the woman in front of me and not all the ways my cock wants to help her relax. “It left scars, but what I’ll never forget is how to use the skills I earned over there.”

Fallon nods slowly, compassion and empathy softening her features. Still, I can see the exhaustion written on her features. I move toward her slowly. I don’t want to spook her, but I also need to be closer to her. Her eyes sweep over me and the appreciation that flashes in her eyes makes me feel like the king of this mountain.

I’d much rather her check me out than be thinking about everything she left behind and the fact that she had people in her home hunting her down. I’ll do just about anything to ensure I never see stark fear in her eyes.

Not on my watch.

And I don’t ever want my watch to end.

Fallon tips her head back when I’m a few steps away from her and my cock takes notice that it would be so fucking easy for her to reach out, undo my belt, and slide my zipper down to let him out. I’m throbbing at the thought of her wrapping her fingers around my shaft.

Would she take me into her mouth? It would be warm and wet; I just know it.

I hold my hand out for her to take, but I don’t push her. I just wait her out.

As she slides her hand into mine, it takes all my will power not to squeeze her hand much harder than would be appropriate, but it’s hard to hold myself back with the shock that runs up my arms and hits me right in the middle of my chest. The small gaspand the way Fallon’s eyes widen tells me she felt the same thing I did.

“How about a tour?” I look around the cabin, suddenly feeling like it’s not good enough for her. “There’s not much to it, but I want you to feel comfortable here. Then, I want you to take a nap. I’ll watch over the house so you know you’ll be safe and can sleep without worrying about anything.”

Her shoulders slump and she sways toward me a little bit. As much as I want to wrap her up in my arms, I don’t want to move too fast for her.

“I am tired,” she admits.

Fuck, she’s gorgeously adorable.

It doesn’t take long to lead Fallon through the cabin. Instead of looking around my home, I watch her face intently. There’s a glow about her as she takes everything in.

There is part of me that desperately wants to ask her if she likes it here, but I also don’t necessarily want to know. What if she hates it here? She’s used to life in a big city, maybe that’s more her pace. It shouldn’t matter, but, somehow, it does.

After showing her the guest room and the small gym I have set up in two of the rooms with a bathroom between them, I lead her back out to the living room. I feel like a nervous kid waiting for her to tell me what she thinks, as silly as it is.

“Your place is gorgeous,” she breathes out. “It’s so peaceful here and to be able and look out at that,” she nods toward one of the large windows with the forest beyond it, “only makes it better.”

“Thanks, Beautiful,” I husk.

Her cheeks turn a gorgeous shade of pink. Her shoulders relax even farther and watching her face smooth out now that she’s not a complete stranger in this space makes me oddly happy.

The shy way she glances up at me makes it harder not to grab her and kiss her. That would be too much far too soon. I know it, but damn it’s hard to keep my hands off her.

“I am tired,” she admits before cringing slightly, “but I also don’t want to go to sleep. Does that make sense?”

My eyes roam over her face, taking in her delicate features. I can see the tension written on her face and I would do anything to make her feel better, more settled, safer.

“How about I start a fire, and we can sit here? If you feel comfortable, you can curl up and go to sleep,” I offer.

“That sounds perfect,” she breathes out.

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