Page 49 of Protecting Lanie

Lanie let out a soft, humorless laugh. “That’s all?”

“For now.”

Her throat tightened. “I’ve been running for so long. I don’t know how tonotbe afraid.”

Archer reached out, brushing his knuckles over her cheek. The touch was featherlight but grounding. “Then let me remind you.”

She swallowed, searching his face. The firelight flickered over his features, casting shadows along his sharp jawline, his blue eyes dark and unreadable. He wasn’t demanding anything from her. He wasn’t expecting her to bounce back, to be okay just because the danger had passed.

He was giving her time.

Lanie’s breath trembled. “You won’t let me run, will you?”

His fingers trailed down her throat, stopping just above her pulse point. “Not a chance, little one.”

She exhaled sharply, the knot in her chest began to uncoil. She realized now what she needed. Not space; not distance. Him. Her anchor. Her home.

She reached up, hesitating for only a moment before curling her fingers around his wrist. “I don’t want to run anymore.”

A flicker of something passed through Archer’s gaze. He didn’t speak, just lifted her hand, pressing a kiss to the center of her palm.

Her breath hitched. It was such a simple gesture, but it unraveled something deep inside her.

She wanted him. Not just for protection. Not just for safety. She wanted to be his. She had completely conquered her fear of that.

A small, shaky inhale. Then she let go of his wrist and slid off the couch, sinking onto her knees in front of him. Archer’s entire body stilled. Lanie’s hands rested lightly on her thighs, her gaze lifted.

“I want this,” she whispered. “I want you.”

Archer’s jaw tightened. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.” His fingers curled into fists at his sides, as if he was holding himself back. “Not out of fear. Not out of need.”

He growled low, lifting her face and searching it. “You’re choosing this. You’re choosing me.”

Lanie’s pulse raced. She had never felt so sure of anything in her life.

“I choose you, Daddy.”

He seemed to experience a sudden shift—not a breaking, but a settling into place. He exhaled deeply, his entire body shifting as he reached for her, cupping her face with both hands. “Good girl.”

The praise sent a shiver through her. Then, slowly, deliberately, Archer leaned in, capturing her mouth in a deep, possessive kiss. Lanie melted against him, her hands sliding up to grip his wrists, holding onto him like he was the only solid thing in her world. His lips moved over hers with slow, devastating control, his tongue teasing, coaxing, until she was gasping against him.

He pulled back just enough to murmur, “Upstairs. Now.”

She didn’t hesitate; she rocked up onto her knees only to have Archer guide her through the darkened house, his grip firm around her wrist. When they reached his bedroom, he turned to face her, his expression unreadable.

“Clothes off.”

Heat pooled low in her belly. She obeyed, slipping out of her dress with careful, measured movements, letting the silk slide down her body and removing her undergarments until she was bare before him.

Archer let out a slow, controlled breath, his gaze drinking her in. Then, without hesitation and with what seemed to be a sense of ownership, he touched her. Not rough, not hurried, but slow and reverent. His hands traced her curves. His lips followed, worshipping every inch of her skin.

Lanie trembled beneath his touch, her body burning, her breath coming faster as his mouth moved lower, teasing, tormenting. Kneeling, he found her clit with his tongue, and she cried out—a shattered moan—her fingers in his hair, her hips tilting into his mouth as pleasure overwhelmed her.

He didn’t let up. Didn’t stop until she was begging, writhing, completely undone before him, barely able to stand. And then he stood, scooping her up and depositing her in his bed before removing his own clothes and joining her there.

Leaning over, he sucked one hardened nipple into his mouth and sucked hard before giving it the edge of his teeth as his fingers closed around the other and pinched it. Before she could even moan, he flipped her onto her belly, guiding her hands above her head as he pulled her up onto her knees while pressing her shoulders into the mattress.

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