Page 24 of Bound to the Guard

Air catches in my throat. The thought of being held, of being restrained, sends a jolt of fear through my veins, but I yearn for the comfort, for the warmth and security of Damien’s touch.

I nod, a small, jerky movement, and Damien’s arm comes down, encircling me. Instead of imprisoning me, it’s like a weighted blanket, and my body uncoils as I relax. My head rests on Damien’s chest, and I inhale his scent, which thickens by the second.

A tingling warmth spreads through my body, my skin flushing with heat. With a choked gasp, I bury my face against his side, breathing in his pheromones to soothe my nerves, but I only grow hotter.

All at once, the pheromones vanish, and a whine of protest escapes my lips.

“I’m sorry,” he murmurs into my hair. “I shouldn’t have lost control like that.”

Unsure of what he means, I stare up at him.

His hand cups the back of my head. “You don’t even realize how tempting you are, do you?”

I shake my head in protest. “I don’t tempt Alphas.”

“That’s just not true. At least, not for me.” Shifting, he pulls one of the cloth napkins into his lap. “I won’t do anything you don’t want, though, okay? You’re safe with me.”

Considering how many times he’s said it, he really wants me to believe it. I consider the hard bulge in the front of his pants that the rectangle of white linen can’t hide. But he does nothing about his arousal beyond trying to spare me from seeing it.

If I say nothing, we can both ignore that, for whatever reason, Damien desires me.

He clears his throat. “Now, how should we tackle this French toast? Should I feed you? Because I don’t want to let you go, and this position doesn’t exactly?—”

He cuts off on a choke as I slide onto his lap, straddling his waist. “Seven?”

Just as surprised by my action, I tremble in place. “Y-you said I could touch you, whenever, wherever.”

“Yes, I did.” Damian’s arm comes to rest around my hips, loose enough that I can return to my chair if I change my mind. “It’s going to be harder to eat this way, though. Unless you have something else in mind?”

My change of position dislodged the napkin, and his hard cock strains against his zipper, thickening the more I stare. “Should I turn around?”

“Only if you want to,” he chokes out. “But if you wiggle your tiny ass on top of me right now, I’m going to need to change my pants.”

I peek up at him through my lashes. “Because you’ll come?”

“Yes, Seven,” he grits out, still not doing anything. “Because I will come in my pants.”

I catch my bottom lip between my teeth in consideration. “Will it upset you?”

“Only if it upsets you.” His eyes drop to my lips. “I enjoy orgasms.”

His gaze skims lower, to where my legs straddle his thighs. “Doyouenjoy orgasms, Seven?”

Shame floods my cheeks, and I lower my head. “I don’t know. I haven’t…since the Doctor… I think he broke me.”

“Hey, it’s okay.” He reaches up to cup my cheek, and I turn my face into his palm. “Would you like to try? With me?”

My breath hitches. “Can I keep my clothes on?”

“Whatever you want.”

My body heats. “Then yes.”

His fingers slip into my hair. “Can I kiss you?”

A needy sound slips past my lips, my pulse racing. This is one of the few things never taken from me, and I want this Alpha to have it.

Head turning, I raise my mouth to his.

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