Page 17 of Protected By the Surly Carpenter

She nods, as I brush her hair from her eyes with my free hand. “Yeah. We’re on the same page.”

“Want a little more, baby?”

“Ye–”

I cut her off with a deep, firm thrust, sinking so deep her mouth and eyes fly wide open in surprise. My lips crush to hers, the kiss making us both a little high and breathless as we move together and apart, over and over, chasing even more pleasure.

All the while, I’m studying every movement of her body. The way her fingertips clutch at me, the way she lifts her hips to meet mine. Every breath, every moan, every caress that brings us closer together.

Thisis what I want. What I need. Not just pumping hard into her softness, getting as close as we can possibly be. I need the other closeness. To learn the way she communicates and anticipate her needs. This is the woman I’ve been hoping to find, and now that she’s here, I feel like the luckiest son of a bitch in the world.

My hand slips lower to tilt her against me, hoping to get some friction against her clit. I must be hitting the spot, because Elena begins to mutter wordless sounds.

“So damn beautiful,” I whisper. “Can’t believe I finally found you, baby.”

Her hand drifts across my beard, pulling my face so that we’re nose to nose. “Didn’t just find me,” she gasps. “Protected me.Wantedme.”

Her blinking becomes erratic as I feel her tight wet pussy clamp around me. I can’t slow down, thrusting fast and deep asthe climax overtakes her. I hold our mouths together, not quite kissing, allowing her to breathe as she moans and shakes.

There’s no way I can hold back any longer. Every stroke is more intense than the last as I stare into her eyes. Everything tightens, then I come hard, growling and muttering, “Elena…my beauty…” Flooding her hot little pussy, I can’t stop, still pumping as she quivers and quakes again from feeling my wet heat inside her.

Clutching her against me, I gradually stop moving, kissing her gently. We’re bonding. Creating a cocoon of energy, a little bubble for just us two.

Dammit, when did I get all mushy? That isn’t me. But it’s what happens every time I think of the two of us becoming one forever.

Finally we roll apart, and her hand slips into mine. “That was…” She looks over at me with stars in her eyes. “No words.” I’ve never felt so proud.

“None here either. But yeah.”

She laughs, grinning at me. “I love the way you smile when you’re mellowed out.”

“I think you’re the only person on the planet who can do that to me.”

“Good.” Her eyes sparkle. “I can pretend I’m important.”

If only this precious girl knew how important she is to me already.

After we take turns in the bathroom and I get her a glass of water, we snuggle together under the blankets, our bodies now much more comfortable with each other.

This is the most at home I’ve ever felt in my entire life.

It’s not just because of the climax of a lifetime, although that did rattle me to the core. It’s not even the comforting way that Elena strokes my hair for a few moments before her breath slows down, and her body goes limp.

It’s the feeling of possibility turning to probability. Knowing that there’s a good chance Elena is going to stay with me. Allow me to be her man, to set up a wonderful life for us together.

Just as I’m drifting off, my eyes snap open. She’s never actually said that she intends to stay. It’s been hinted at. But her biggest worry is keeping moving, to steer clear of her jackass of a father.

She’s been making light of it, as if it’s a minor thing, but I see the way entire body stiffens whenever her phone beeps. The way the light goes out of her eyes whenever she has to talk about him. He sickens her. The thought of him chasing all over Hell’s half acre to find her, to get that safety deposit box key… My poor sweet baby must feel like she’s being hunted.

I want to be the one who keeps her safe.

Was it too soon for us to sleep together? It was beyond perfect in every way, and I can feel how much it meant to both of us. I loved that.

Maybe that’s the problem that has my heart pounding so hard.

I’m already in love with Elena.

Part of protecting my beautiful girl includes protecting her feelings. If she decides not to stay, will she end up getting hurt?

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