Page 31 of Protect

“I’m good,” I report, trying to be strong, and trying to pretend that having her this close doesn’t affect me more than the pain right now.

A long, drawn-out silence takes over while she does her thing, the only sound is the ticking of my IV pump, and my thunderous heartbeat in my ears as she touches me.

“So, you like being a mom?”

Her eyes meet mine.

Fucking lame King, Jesus.

“I gotta be honest with you, Violette,” I add. “Being alone with you again, I’m—fuck—I just want to make this right here.”

Her eyes stay on her work which makes me even more nervous for some reason.

“It can just be what it is. I’m your nurse, King, I’m going to take care of you the way I would any patient in my unit,” she says with no emotion, using my last name.Have I mentioned I fucking hate that?

A few more moments pass as she finishes up.

“I’ll be back to check on you in a bit. There are only two other people on the floor right now, so if you need me, I’ll be close by. All you have to do is buzz, okay?” she asks, and once again her tone is kind but very professional. Visions of her laughing her real, genuine laugh fill my mind. Hell, even to see her angry at me would be better than this monotone type thing she’s got going on. She tosses her gown and gloves into the bin and readies to leave.

I should just let her go. Quit while I’m ahead with her actually talking to me without looking like she wants to punchme, but I just want to keep her here for as long as I can, and I’m a sucker for punishment if nothing else, so I don’t.

“Hey, Vi, you never answered my question.”

She pauses and turns back to face me, for just a second the spark in her eyes as she rolls them almost gives me hope.

“Anyone ever tell you you’re kinda needy, Kingsley?” she asks as she places her hand on her curvy hip. Fuck yes, this I can work with. I give her my best, poor me face.

“Maybe I’m needy, but I can’t help it—I’m injuredandI’m high.”

She tips her head back and laughs lightly, a small but genuine laugh that feels like a goddamn reward as she pumps some hand sanitizer into her palms and rubs them together. Her phone dings again in her pocket, the ex.

“Yeah,” she says with a genuine smile, one I can tell is all for her daughter. “I really love being a mom, it’s the best job I’ve ever had. Try to get some rest.” And then she disappears out of sight. I lean back on my bed and grin up at the ceiling. It wasonelaugh, but at this point I’ll take anything I can get.

AGE 18

Crazy for Violette Taylor’s lips

“I have to go…” Violette murmurs into my lips thirty minutes after leaving Fraser beach. The console of the SUV is digging into my ribs and I’m pretty sure my right arm is numb from leaning on it, but I’d take any amount of discomfort to keep these addicting lips on mine.

“Mm-hmm,” I mumble, continuing to kiss her. I lick a slow trail across her plush bottom lip and my cock throbs. I’m used to it at this point. My cock may never forgive me for just getting rid of my hard-on and then spending the last fifteen minutes kissing and talking to her at the end of her street. I just couldn’t drop heroff yet. Jacob has been calling me on repeat and I know I have to go. Not to mention, any more of this and we’re gonna fog the windows up in here.

Violette giggles as I nuzzle her neck and makes a throaty little sound that tells me she’s just as turned on as I am. She’s just as desperate for me as I am her. I can’t wait for more nights just like this.

“Rowan,” she half moans, “I told my dad ten.”

I back up just to give myself a moment to compose myself, but the way her skirt is hiked up her thigh… she looks so good in skirts and dresses. She needs to wear them more often.

“Go to prom with me, Vi.” The thought of how beautiful she would be in a prom dress is driving me to make it a reality, to make all these feelings for her official.

She sobers up and backs away from me. “What?”

“If you’re not going with anyone, I mean,” I add, realizing I shouldn’t assume.

She grins just enough for the dimple to appear in her rosy cheek. “I’m not,” she says in disbelief. “I don’t get many prom date requests.”

I’m just about to read her the riot act for assuming no one would want to go with her. I hate that she doesn’t see herself the way I do, but before I can, Violette’s phone rings in her purse, forcing me to keep my mouth shut about how incredible she is.

She pulls it out. “Jacob,” she says, laughing, showing me her lock screen. She clicks the button to answer. “He’s coming.” Fuck, do IwishI actually was. I shift in my seat to soothe the ache.

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