Page 20 of Protected Hearts

“When you’re finished, I drew you a bath.”

She almost choked on her bite of chicken. She gaped at him for a long heartbeat.

She’d never had any man draw her a bath before, not even William, who considered himself a smooth operator. At one time, she thought so too.

Setting the coffee on the tray, she moved to the edge of the bed, careful not to upset the tray. As she approached, he stepped aside, allowing her to peek into the bathroom.

Light notes of lavender floated to her nose. When she saw the tub, all her muscles stiffened despite the soothing scent.

“You added flower petals. And candles.” Suddenly, that chicken felt like lead in her stomach.

He scrubbed a long finger over his upper lip. “I thought it might help you relax. You’ve had a hell of a day.”

She shook her head, trying to clear it of the alluring bath, the man and the fact that she’d been forced to marry him.

“This is a lousy honeymoon.” A sob threatened, and she shoved it deep down inside. But the lavender swirling through her head broke in and almost made her burst into tears.

Oaks leaned against the vanity. He wasn’t leaving anytime soon.

“What kind of honeymoon would you like?”

Her throat closed. “An over-the-water bungalow in the Caribbean. Not a ranch full of people and horses and…”

“I can see you’ve given this some thought.”

“Well, I had time.”

He nodded. “I have six siblings, so I understand being overwhelmed by too many people.”

She lowered her stare to the tub that swirled with petals and had a light purple tinge to the water. When she swung her gaze back to Oaks, it clung to his manly features…then dropped to his bottom lip.

“I’m sorry for biting you. I’m really a much better kisser.”

Now why had she blurted that out? It wasn’t like shewantedto kisshim.

“I was just mad and scared,” she rambled.

He continued to lean against the vanity, looking rugged and hot. Maybe kissing him wouldn’t be so bad right now.

She stepped up to him. His deep gray eyes lingered on her face. Then he pushed off the vanity and took a step toward her too.

When she edged closer, she caught the manly scent he carried. The pull to close the gap between them took over.

Laying a hand on his chest, she went on tiptoe and brushed a kiss along his jaw. His stubble tickled her skin, and her inner thighs squeezed on a new sensation.

She dropped back. “Thank you for getting me out of there.”

He stared down at her for a heavy heartbeat. A new energy filled the space. The air almost pulsed with it.

Suddenly, he swooped in and crushed his lips against her throat. A small gasp escaped her, and suddenly she was leaning into him to feel that hard muscle. It made her feel safe and secure even as it ignited a new warmth.

When he latched onto her waist and bowed her into him, she bent to his will. The tender suction of his lips on her throat shot shivers through her body. She dug her fingers into his shoulders, then slid them all the way down his muscled spine to the hard planes of his ass.

Oh god. He was so fit. Sexy as hell.

He moved his lips toward her jaw, and she twisted her head, seeking his lips even as he rocked his stiffening cock against her pussy.

Their lips collided. His breaths came faster and heavier. As he yanked her flush against him, there was no stopping her body from rolling into his every inch.

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