Page 31 of Savage Protector

“Your uncle is a greedy, murdering fuckwit, and he definitely does not speak for God. Forget him, do as you think fit.” When I was young, I heard enough of moralising, pseudo-religious claptrap to last me a lifetime. I know it’s hard to throw all that rubbish off, it’s been drilled into her since she was tiny, but she has to start somewhere, and it might as well be now.

Leila holds my gaze. “Maybe I will.”

She lovesher room and spends the first five minutes doing circuits of it, touching the furniture, the fittings, admiring the sea view.

“Oh, look at that bed. A real four-poster. And curtains to match. And the fireplace… Oh, and those cliffs. They’re breathtaking. I can see for miles from here.”

“There’s tea, coffee, biscuits, and a kettle and some cups in this cupboard,” I point out. “And here’s the remote for the TV. You’ll need clothes. What size do you take?”

She frowns, then her face brightens. “Oh, yes, right. I could go shopping, now I have my money.”

“Best to stick to ordering online, just until I sort out that uncle of yours. Do you still have that tablet Frankie lent you?”

“I left it at the clinic.”

“That’s okay, Megan will send your stuff over. Order whatever you want, it’ll delivered by tomorrow.” I stroll to the window to take in the view she’s found so impressive. I never really saw the beauty in rocks and churning waves myself, and I can take or leave puffins if I’m honest. Still, I have to admit it’s a fine vista and I’m glad she’s going to enjoy it. “I have shit to do, so I’ll leave you for now. Relax, watch a bit of TV. I can’t let you wander round on your own, security, you, understand? But I could show you some of the sights later. There’s a swimming pool in one of the converted barns, and a gym. Oh, and a small cinema.”

She’s taken aback. “Wow. I never realised. This place is awesome, like a holiday resort. But I don’t even have a swimming costume, and I never learned to swim.”

“We’ll put that on our to-do list,” I promise. “Mrs McRae makes dinner at around six. Can you find your way down to the kitchen, or shall I come back for you?”

She stares at me. Her expression is one of longing, and of curiosity. And, maybe, just a little fear. “Can’t you stay?”

I’m not obtuse, I know what’s on offer. And it’s tempting. She really is lovely, I thought so from the first moment she opened her eyes and looked at me. My dick clearly agrees. It hardens in response, forming a tell-tale bulge in my jeans.

But my dick doesn’t run the show, and I know a disaster in the making when I see one. Reluctantly, I shake my head. “Not a great idea, Leila.”

She perches on the edge of the huge bed. “I don’t understand.”

I’m not entirely sure I do, but I make an attempt to explain.

“You’re young, Leila. Very young, and vulnerable. You almost died a couple of days ago. If I were to stay, we both know how that would end up. And you’d hate me later. You’d hate yourself, too, probably.”

She jumps up, indignant. “I wouldn’t. I know I wouldn’t.”

“Leila…”

“I want you. Don’t you want me?” Tears threaten.

I groan. “Fuck, yes, but this is not the right time.”

“Why not?” She leaps forward and flings her arms around my neck. Her mouth is on mine before I can stop her, not that I would, necessarily. My self-control is not infinite.

I allow myself to enjoy the kiss. Her mouth is soft, she smells of something sweet and tangy, fruity. I inhale her, drinking in the heady sensation to store it up, knowing I’ve no option but to save it for another time.

A time that may never come.

I force myself to break the kiss. “It’s too soon,” I growl. “We can’t do this.”

“We can. I want to, and so do you.” Her slender fingers cover my groin and squeeze my erection. “I can tell.”

“Fuck,” I groan. So much for not socialising outside the family. Where did she learn these tricks? It takes all I have to wrap my own digits around her wrist and peel her delectable touch away from me. “No, Leila. This can’t happen. Your path is different now, you have a future, the futureyouchoose for yourself. I didn’t drag you out of the ocean just to rob you of that.”

“But I want you,” she pleads.

“You’re young…”

“I’m eighteen. I know what I want.”

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