Page 35 of Her Faithful Protector

There’s no question that Jack is right. “Then we need to prepare for the worst. So, you suggest we cover both areas, meaning you and Sam will split up?”

“As much as I wish I could be in two places at once, I can’t. The decision is yours. Do you want Sam or me to accompany you?”

I want Jack by my side. But if Quinton won’t be in Clancy as Willem had promised, I want Jack to be with my baby when I cannot. I decide, “You go to Townsend. I’ll go with Sam. I’ll feel better knowing Quinton will be with you.”

Jack gently squeezes my hand. “There is no one I trust more than my brother. He’s just as good as having you with me.”

His hand is so massive that mine feels like a child’s when I return his squeeze.

We then inform Sam about our decision, and he’s fully on board.

Then Jack makes a request to his older brother, “Give me someone.”

Without hesitation, Sam replies, “Comet will be with you.”

“Comet?” Jack frowns.

“He once saved a toddler from certain death in Colombia, and he’s saved my ass a couple of times.” Sam pats Jack’s shoulder. “Good night, brother. Night, Ava.” Finally, that man gets the opportunity to go home.

I make my way into the bedroom. Elmo, who has been quietly observing us, follows me with his tail wagging.

“Elmo, bed,” Jack points to the doggy bed outside our door. The mutt gazes at Jack, begging for permission to sneak past and join me. “Let Mommy sleep.” Elmo obeys and settles down as Jack strokes him.

When I see the bed, my eyelids get heavy. A good sign. After all the sleepless nights, I’m on the verge of losing my ability to function.

“Baby Quinton will be with you tomorrow,” Jack says as he joins me in bed. “Believe that.”

I stare at the crib in the corner of the room. I’m sure Sam had included it in the house because he believed that, too.

The impending moment looms just hours away. Despite my sleepiness, my emotions are in disarray, raging inside every corner of my body. Icy numbness seeps into my bones, a reminder of the stakes at hand. I trust Jack with all my heart, but my mind betrays me, unleashing a torrent of doubts that twist my stomach into knots. Thoughts of Quinton, vulnerable and in harm’s way, haunt every second that ticks by. I am a wreck, shattered and broken, longing for the one person who can bring me solace. I imagine the warmth of his embrace, as it is the only remedy that can ease my torment.

After what feels like an eternity, I shift myself, sitting up with my face buried in my hands. Jack rises as well, his touch gentle upon my arm. But for the first time, simply being in his presence isn’t enough, and I struggle to find the words to convey it. If he were to ask, I wouldn’t be able to articulate anything other than begging him to fuck me.

To fuck me.

The rawness of my own words takes me by surprise. What happened to ‘comfort me’ or ‘make love to me?’

He leans closer, seeking perhaps a glimpse into my troubled mind. “You need to get some sleep, Ava.”

I turn to him. “I need you. Please.” My plea comes out more civilized than my thoughts. Aching for him, I press my palms against his smooth, bare chest. He hesitantly runs his fingers through my hair as if afraid of what he might discover.I interrupt his hesitation and tilt my head toward him, capturing his lips in a kiss.

He responds by kissing me deeper. Overcome by hunger, I let greed take over, sucking his full lips ferociously as if trying to devour his essence to sustain myself through the night.

“Sweetheart…” His voice, barely a whisper, breaks our connection. His hand soothingly rubs my back as if attempting to soften the growing separation between us.

But my desperation refuses to be quelled. “Jack, I need you,” I growl, determined to bridge the distance that threatens to pull us apart.

He halts my advance, his voice filled with tenderness, “Lie down.”

My breath quickens as I obediently fall back onto the mattress. My lungs take in air as if my life has just been renewed. The mass of his body envelops me, pressing on my distended breasts, making a moan escape my lips. His hand glides beneath the Belle T-shirt, eliciting a pleasant ache in my hardened left nipple with each tender caress. Giving in, I discard my T-shirt, granting him unrestricted access. When his mouth latches onto my other nipple, every nibble ignites a fire within me. This should be the moment I surrender control, letting him burn me as I’ve been wishing.

But the heaviness of my conscience bears down on me like a punch to the chest. It’s impossible to resist the allure of his skilled hands. Yet, my tears flow for the wrong reason. Guilt.

I release a pent-up breath, feeling his body retreat from mine.

Jack appraises me. “I’m sorry. Did I…” His words trail off.

I sit up, the sheets slipping from my body.What am I doing?

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