Page 63 of Jenna's Protector

He enters me slowly, his eyes locked on mine. I gasp at the fullness, the stretching, the perfect fit. He's overwhelming me, completing me. My body was made for his.

"You are mine now,” he growls, voice rough with lust and possessiveness. And then he starts to move, driving into me with deep, powerful strokes.

We move together, our bodies in perfect harmony, each thrust building the fire within us.

I cling to him, nails raking down his back, hips rising to meet his thrusts. The pleasure builds again, cresting higher each time his pelvis grinds against mine.

"Yes, yes, yes," I chant, lost in the exquisite friction, in the moment of abandon, of letting go. "Don't stop! I'm so close…"

He takes me hard and fast, giving me everything I need and more. Angling his hips to hit that magic spot deep inside, pushing me over the precipice.

Ecstasy explodes through me, more intense than before. I convulse around him, crying out my pleasure, consuming me. I'm drowning in sensation, in emotion, in love.

Seconds later, he joins me, his body tensing before he collapseson top of me, his breath ragged. His choked shout of my name is rapture personified. We collapse together, a tangle of writhing limbs. Skin slick with sweat. Hearts pounding. Basking in the afterglow.

Pressing tender kisses to my face, my eyelids, my nose, he whispers in my ear. “Now, that was worth the wait.”

I burst into laughter, the sound bubbling up from my chest. "You have no idea," I murmur against his lips, shaking my head in amused disbelief. “I’ve imagined it so many times, but never thought it would be so—incredible."

“You doubted my skills?” He brushes an errant strand of hair off my face.

“Never.”

“Good, because that's just the beginning, my love.” His eyes twinkle with wicked intent. "We've got a lifetime of nights like this ahead of us."

“You're impossible.” I can't help but laugh, feeling a wave of warmth and happiness wash over me. I smile up at him, my fingers tracing the lines of his face.

In his arms, I find home. Safe, cherished, secure. And loved, wholly and completely. Here, I can escape my nightmares. Here, I can heal.

In his arms…

The world outside fades away, leaving only Carter and me. We’re lost in each other, in the heat and passion of our connection.

We cling to each other, our bodies tangled together, our breaths slowly returning to normal. The room is filled with the lingering scent of passion, and I can't help but smile, feeling a sense of completeness I've never known.

Exhausted but sated, we lie tangled together, Carter’s heartbeat steady beneath my cheek. A profound sense of peace washes over me. I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. With his arm wrapped around me, I drift off to sleep, safe and content in his arms, unaware of the nightmares lurking in my dreams. We’re two halves of a whole, inextricably linked.

TWENTY-TWO

Carter

I barely driftoff to sleep before Jenna’s sudden thrashing and whimpers jolt me awake. In the darkness of her bedroom, the only light comes from the faint moonlight filtering through the curtains, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

Jenna’s forehead glistens with sweat, her body tangled in the sheets as she battles her nightmares.

“Jenna, wake up. It’s just a dream,” I whisper, my voice steady and soothing.

“No… Please… I’m sorry…” Her mumbled words are punctuated by unintelligible pleas. “Don’t… Please, don’t put me in there…”

I reach out, gently smoothing her damp hair away from her face, but my touch triggers a violent response.

Jenna’s eyes snap open, wild and unfocused, and before I can react, her fist connects with my jaw. Pain explodes in my face, the sharp taste of blood on my tongue.

Despite the throbbing ache, I can’t help but chuckle at her mean right hook.

“Jenna, wake up.” I try to keep my voice calm, but urgency bleeds through. “You’re having a nightmare.”

Max, alerted by the commotion, jumps up on the bed, his soft whines joining my efforts to wake her. He nuzzles Jenna’s hand, offering his own brand of comfort, then licks her face. Though I don’t usually allow him on the bed, I let it slide, seeing how Jenna responds to his presence.

---