Page 30 of Her Faithful Protector

When Ava invited me to sleep with her in the same bed, I felt honor and joy. Yet, this nightmare is the one thing I dreaded.

“Good dog, Elmo,” I whisper, patting his head, which only fuels his enthusiasm to lick me more. “All right, all right. You don’t want to wake her up now, do you?” I glance at Ava, who’s still sound asleep.

Slowly, I lift myself, catching my breath.Damn you, Scalpel!

Elmo fidgets on my lap, his fluffy tail wagging like the spinning wheel of an express bus. Meanwhile, Ava starts to stir, turning toward me with her arm reaching up to my shoulder. “You okay?” she rasps.

“I’m fine. Go back to sleep.” I brush her hand aside, but as she feels the dampness on my palm, she wakes up fully.

“You’re sweating!” she exclaims, patting my body. Her gaze then falls on a patch on my tank top. “Is it too hot in here?”

Not really, but I certainly look like a man who just stepped out of a gym. “I’m fine, Ava.”

Elmo leaps onto my chest, his nose pointed at my face, ready to lick me again.

“Elmo, come on, go easy on him,” Ava says. “How did he manage to get onto the bed?” She stretches to see my side and realizes the dog used my bag as a launching pad.

“Let him stay.” I pat Elmo’s head. “Good dog.”

Resting against the bedhead, Ava smiles, observing us. “The vet at the shelter said Elmo wouldn’t live past four. I had the option to cancel his adoption, but I loved him too much. He’s six now, and he’s still going strong.”

I wipe my face, clearing the remnants of Elmo’s kisses, then help the mutt off the bed.

“I guess it’s proof that love can keep anything alive,” I quip.

Ava’s azure eyes lock with mine, her love radiating like a lifeline that will sustain me for a hundred years. With restrained lust, I lean in to kiss her, wanting to confirm that yesterday wasn’t a fleeting moment. Oh yes, she craves more. Yesterday’s kiss was pure bliss, a taste of heaven. Now, as ourlips meet again, a subtle dance of tongues ignites an irresistible heat.

Her body slowly sinks down until her back meets the mattress. I hover over her, propping myself up on my elbows. Our lips stay locked while her hands eagerly run over my abs. Then, they trail behind my back, gliding up along my spine until they reach the spot between my shoulder blades.

I arch my back. It doesn’t bother me that she’s touching my scar, but the moment feels tainted as my mind wanders momentarily to the dark figure in my nightmare.

Ava pulls away slightly, her expression reflecting the realization that we’ve rushed into things. She has a lot on her mind, more than what I’m trying to conceal.

“Sorry,” she murmurs.

“Yeah.” I roll over to her side.

“I wanted it, Jack, but I don’t think the timing is right,” she explains.

I stroke her cheek, feeling a tingling sensation from the contact. “I wanted it too, but you’re right.”

She lifts herself a little, just enough to reach my lips.

“You up for breakfast?” I offer.

“I don’t feel like eating anything. You go.”

I hold her. “Ava Belle.”

She cocks a brow. “Ava Belle?”

“Look. You promised to take care of yourself. You didn’t have dinner last night.”

“Okay. I’ll have a banana.” She gives in. Then she tilts her head. “Why did you call me Ava Belle?”

I nod toward her T-shirt featuring Belle fromBeauty and the Beast. “I didn’t know you were into Disney.”

She lets out a giggle. “It’s Cass’ tee.”

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