Page 28 of Challenging Her Protector

“How about starting withhello, it’s good to see you.” She cupped his face, forcing him to meet her gaze. “You can do this Iron, if not for you, then for them.”

“You’re right.” A sigh left his lips, still reddened from kissing her breathless.

“I’m proud of you.” She dropped her hands from his face and offered him her hand, but he shook his head.

“I, uh, can’t get out quite yet.” He glanced toward his parents.

“Why not?” She couldn’t force him to go talk to his parents, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t going to try.

“Because five seconds ago I had you in my arms, your body pressed up against mine, and I haven’t recovered from that.”

The realization dawned on her and she smiled. “I’ll grab your crutch.” She ran out of the water and gave what she hoped was an enthusiastic wave and her brightest smile at his parents, then turned back to where Iron was moving toward the shore. She met him halfway and passed him the mobility aid before bounding out of the water to get a towel. She wrapped it around her shoulders and dashed up to where Iron’s parents were retreating.

“Wait! Lilly, Bill.” They turned around, confusion stark on their faces.

“You know our names?” Iron’s mom had paused, clutching her husband’s forearm.

“You’re Iron’s parents.” She smiled trying desperately to diffuse the uncomfortable situation. “Your picture is hanging in my bedroom.”

His mother rapidly blinked then stared openly at her. His dad raised a single brow.

Shoot. She was messing this up. “I shouldn’t call itmybedroom. More the room I’m staying in. It’s so good to meet you both. I’m Vivienne and your son saved my life. Twice actually.”

When they said nothing, she stepped forward to embrace Iron’s mom, hesitating when she remembered she was still soaked from the ocean. Lilly caught her hands as she started to step back and yanked her into her arms.

“Get in here. I don’t give a hoot that you’re wet.” Lilly’s sweet, warm scent and quick acceptance made her eyes prickle. The woman squeezed her fiercely, and she gave up on trying to keep her damp body away from Lilly’s dry clothes and melted into the hug. She couldn’t remember her mother hugging her if it wasn’t for a camera, but this felt different. This was a woman holding tight to a link to her son. She forced herself to let go of a hug charged with love belonging to Iron and not her. Iron’s father silently held his arms out and she wrapped her arms around his waist. Like Iron he was far taller than her. He also hugged her hard.

She’d been taught to be a proper hostess at a young age. One whose manners and appearance were expected to be flawless. She quickly pushed thoughts of what would be served to their guests, interesting talking points, and their perception of her aside. She was just going to do what felt right. “Why don’t we go inside? Iron will catch up.”

Bill cleared his voice as they walked toward the screen door. “How long have you known our boy?”

“About five days. It’s kind of a long story.” She could only imagine what was running through their heads. She held open the door for them and led them through the kitchen and into the living room. “Please sit. Make yourselves comfortable.”

“It looks the same as when he first moved in,” his mother murmured looking around the bare space. She didn’t think Lilly was being judgmental, just concerned for her son.

“He doesn’t like giving himself soft or pretty things, does he?” She wasn’t sure what made her say that, maybe she was trying to allude to his internal struggle, his guilt. She wanted them to understand that Iron didn’t push them away because he didn’t love them.

“I know.” His father wrapped his arm around Lilly, and they sat on the couch. “That’s why we were surprised to see you here.”

A blush heated her cheeks. She could still feel their son’s lips branded against hers. It was the most beautiful, intimate moment she’d ever experienced. “I’m not…We’re not…” She wasn’t exactly sure how to handle this situation and Iron was taking longer than she expected. The thought of him being so aroused because of her made a small sound squeak in her throat. God, Iron’s parents probably knew exactly what she was thinking. Her face burned as she rushed to tell them why she was here in their son’s home. “I ran into some trouble. My parents wanted me to marry a man for the wrong reasons, and Iron and his SEAL friend Silver helped me get away to start fresh.”

“I’m so sorry you had to go through that.” The expression on Lilly’s face was sincere and the woman reached out and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

“I talk with Jordan’s former lieutenant commander every now and then when he emails to see how he’s doing. I never have much to say, because even though he’s been on US soil for more than five years, we don’t know about his life. I was always under the impression that he wanted nothing to do with his former team, but maybe it’s just us he doesn’t want in his life.”

Bill’s pain nearly broke her. “It’s not that. Iron—I mean Jordan—keeps to himself. He only came to help a friend. My sister, who was supposed to be a bridesmaid in my wedding, asked him to come. The plan was never for me to stay with Jordan, but we had to leave Texas without my sister. She got really hurt trying to help me and needed surgery.”

“Oh no.” Lilly leaned forward, grasping her hand once again. Vivienne swallowed past the tightness in her throat at the kind gesture. “What happened?”

“Like my parents, my eldest sister, Regina, had a stake in making the marriage come to fruition. When she discovered I was gone, she tried to kill Hannah.”

There was an audible gasp from both parents and Lilly’s grip on her hand tightened.

“Everyone’s going to be okay,” she reassured them. “And Regina is awaiting trial to be charged with two counts of attempted murder. She shot at me, but your son pushed me out of the way. He saved my life. When we returned to Virginia, the plan was for me to stay at Hannah’s house, but it looked like there might’ve been a break-in. Your son was kind enough to open his home to me. I know he likes his privacy, so I’m doubly grateful that he let me stay here. You raised an amazing man, and I hope you know how much he loves you.” Lilly let go of her hand and covered her mouth as her eyes filled. She didn’t bother to swipe away the tears.

“I feel like we failed him in so many ways,” Lilly choked out, voice thick with emotion.

“No,” she said too sharply, shaking her head, before continuing in a softer tone. “The reason he pushed you away was because he failed himself. Or at least, that’s what he believes. It’s not my story to tell, but you should know keeping you both and Milo at arm’s length is just as much punishment for him as it is for you.”

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