Page 60 of Her Faithful Protector

“You’re too far away. Come here,” Jack beckons me to sit on his lap.

“Isn’t your lap getting cramped? Quinton was sitting on you for a few hours.” Despite my will to be considerate of him, I can’t resist lowering myself onto him.

His finger lands on the tip of my nose. “Quinton might’ve defeated me, but you’ll never do. I mean, I’ll always have time and energy for you.”

I turn to look him in the eye. “You’re amazing with Quinton. Have I ever told you?”

With a face full of pity, he answers, “No,” as if I truly hadn’t told him.

I sigh as my body melts into the curve of his abs.

“Before Quinton, I had never been around babies,” he explains. “Not even Sam’s son. But with our Quinnie-Bear… it was like an instant connection.”

Our Quinnie-Bear. There’s nothing hotter than a man who adores babies. Especially with Jack’s physique and what he does, it’s scorching.

I shift my position, wrapping my arm around his neck toget closer. Jack ducks, his gaze fixed on my pocket brushing against his belly. “What’s in there?” Sensing the texture of an item behind the fabric, he smirks when he realizes I’ve been keeping a condom there. “When were you planning to seduce me?”

I blush. I had hoped, but I didn’t want to bother him after his efforts to put Quinton to sleep. “I wasn’t going to.” I tidy his hair and wipe his face. “You deserve to rest.”

He runs his hands along the curves of my body, a gesture he enjoys. “I’m tired, but that doesn’t mean I’m not up for pleasing you.”

I coo, my hand caressing his abs while my eyes remain locked on his. The blue of his eyes has deepened, and the twinkle around his irises seems brighter, like they have their own source of light.

My hand glides upward, grazing the exposed skin where his shirt remains unbuttoned. It’s more than just his thick ash-blonde hair and light-brown beard. His chest and abs boast a velvety softness that adds to his irresistible allure. How is it possible for a man to be this sexy? It’s a crime!

Jack holds me, motioning me to face him directly. His gaze unravels my soul, drawing out my longing as if unspooling a ball of yarn.

“You know,” Jack begins. “I want to have children with you. And you know I’ll raise Quinton like he’s my own.”

My heart swells. “I know, Jack. I never doubt it.”

A tender smile curves his lips. “If you really want another baby now, we’ll make it happen. I know having children means a lot to you. It’s my duty as your man to fulfill your wish. I trust you more than I trust myself, so I will change my life to suit yours. I’ve lived alone for far too long. I won’t let my doubts ruin it for the both of us.”

His words resonate deeply, and I admire his unwaveringcommitment to my happiness. But I won’t let our relationship be a one-sided affair. So I reach out to him, conveying my disagreement. “Jack, happiness is a two-way street.”

He traces the outline of the condom. “Are you really willing to wait for me, even without knowing how long it will be?”

“Bringing a person into this world is a monumental decision. We both need to be ready. And honestly, I’m not ready right now either,” I reply, my hand finding its place on his shoulder. “And you’ve got to know this, Jack. Having you in my life brings me more joy than the prospect of having more children.”

It’s the truth, but I have faith that he won’t shatter my dream of having a big family. His past could create some obstacles, but I won’t let that affect us. I’m bigger than his past. He’ll choose me over it. Sooner rather than later, he will realize that granting my wish is not just about putting me first but also enriching both of us.

Jack’s hand shrouds mine, radiating warmth. It could be from the teacup he just puts down, but I believe it’s just his nature. Always warm, always comforting.

“You’ve changed my life, Ava,” he confides. “Unexpectedly, at a speed I could never have imagined. You and Quinton have made me a better man, nothing that the military or anyone else can ever do. I want you to know that.” His touch is gentle as he caresses my face. “I know you could live without me, but I hope you never do.”

I know how to rely on myself when a situation demands it. So, it wouldn’t be true to say that I can’t live without Jack. I could, but I never want to. I have a man whom I trust completely, and I want to depend on him for everything. And it feels incredible to have such a person in your life.

“Living without you would be like living with a jaggedshard buried in my heart. I’d survive, but I’d slowly drown in my own blood,” I respond deliberately as if trying to comprehend how it would feel. “I know pain. But that kind of pain is one that I’d struggle to bear.”

He crashes his mouth onto mine. As I get lost in the contact, a strong force pulls me off the chair, and I feel as if I’m floating. I hold onto him tightly, my heart racing as something halts me from sliding, in addition to his hands. His bulge rests underneath my crotch like a rock on a climbing wall.

Jack settles me on the balcony balustrade, getting me to lean on a pillar. He breaks the kiss with reluctance, then murmurs, “I still haven’t reconciled with my past. You may need to wait, but I’ll make it worth your while.”

Still scorching from his previous kiss, I can only sigh my acceptance.

He rewards me with yet another kiss, his lips exploring mine with a hunger that matches my own. I tilt my head, seeking a better angle, and our tongues dance in sync, a delicious tango of desire.

I feel a hand supporting the small of my back while another hand tackles the buttons of my shorts. His touch sends electric currents through my body, igniting a fire deep within me. His finger slips under my panties, teasingly sliding inside my wetness.

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