Page 48 of Guarded By a Monster

Zeus pocketed his phone. “Luna’s up-to-date and she looks forward to meeting you.”

“Do you need me for anything else? I think I’d like to go home now.” Despite having slept more than usual, exhaustion settled in my bones.

“Try to rest,” Zeus said, his eyes sympathetic.

Without asking, Thurl scooped me into his arms again and strode from the common hall.

I looked up at him, marveling at the strength surrounding me with such gentleness. “Thank you. For protecting me.”

“You are my mate.”

It was a matter-of-fact statement and he seemed to think that explained everything. “Right,” I said softly. “And who protects you, Thurl?”

He skidded to a halt, his muscles bunching where they held me. “No one has ever…” His chest rose and fell with a deep breath. Then his head shook as if to clear it. In a low voice, he answered, “You do, kitten.”

I understood. I couldn’t protect him physically, but he didn’t need me to protect his body. He could do that on his own. What he needed was someone to protect his heart. His soul. He had been through so much, experienced so much trauma, and despite the claws and horns and deadly power, he was vulnerable.

I knew without a doubt he would protect me. And I was determined to protect him right back.

Because from here on out, there was no me or him. There was only us.

The next morning I woke warm and happy in Thurl’s arms, the smell of bacon and eggs permeating the room. “Mmm. Nanna’s made breakfast.”

He shifted and I felt his cold nose against my neck, then his warm tongue as it flicked and trailed over my collarbone.

“Are you hungry?”

I stretched and realized I was naked beneath the covers. I didn’t remember getting naked. Thurl’s tongue wrapped around my nipple and I moaned.

“I’m getting there.”

He chuckled and scraped his teeth along my stomach. My clit pulsed and I rubbed my thighs together. Even though talking with Zeus and Bull yesterday exhausted me, Thurl showed me the fastest way to get my brain to shut up was for him to lick me. That forked tongue could do wicked things and I was addicted.

My skin lit up as he made his way down to where I wanted him most.

“Breakfast is ready, you two!”

For an eighty-year-old woman, Nanna’s voice was loud.

“Just a minute!” I yelled back at her, my breath sucking in when Thurl’s tongue found my clit.

“It’s going to get cold!”

I groaned. Thurl chuckled, nipping my inner thigh.

“We’d better go before she comes to get us.”

I wouldn’t put it past her, and Thurl had already gotten up, abandoning me still spread eagle on the bed. I groaned in frustration. “Fine.”

Just as I stepped into the kitchen my phone rang. Detective Chambers’ serious voice greeted me.

“Jade, I’m glad I caught you.”

Had he been trying to reach me? I pulled the phone away from my ear to check the notifications, but I didn’t see any missed calls or voice mails.

“We need you to come to the station this afternoon,” he continued as I put the phone back to my ear. “The district attorney wants to meet with you about your statement.”

“Um, okay. What time?”

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