Page 72 of Second Shot

“But she’s backnow?”

“Staying with Blake. She got into some…trouble.”

“What kind oftrouble?”

“Trouble I didn’t want you having to deal with…again.”

“Oh.” I sit down on the edge of the bed. “Why didn’t you tell me abouther?”

He exhales heavily. “Because I don’t know what kind of shit she’s messed up in. And I don’t want her around you and Noah. Especially not after everythingwith…”

“Sam.”

“Yeah.”

“Trying to protect me,” Imutter.

“Always,” is his muffledreply.

My heart pounds in my chest, aching with an emotion I don’t want toname.

I stand and walk towards him, reaching up and placing my palms on hischest.

He doesn’t move. Just watchesme.

“No more,” I say, standing on tiptoes and brushing my mouth againsthis.

“No more what?” He still doesn’t touch me. Our lust is thick and heavy between us. But it’s so much more than that. It’s a connection I’ve been too scared toadmit.

“No more protecting me.” I press against him, feeling his cock strain against hispants.

“Can’t help it. Made a promise.” His words are strained as I kiss his jaw, his neck, hiscollarbone.

“If we’re going to do this, then I need to know you’re being honest with me. That you’re not keeping things from me, even if it’s for myprotection.”

He sighs. “I won’t lie to you,Brynne.”

My fingers skim over his chest, down each sculptedab.

He captures my wrists. “But I willalwaysprotect you. Always,Brynne.”

I try to swallow, but it feels like there’s something lodged in mythroat.

“I…”Loveyou.

Damn. Why are those three words so hard tosay?

His lips twitch up slightly, and he places my hands around his neck. “Youwhat?”

I love you and it scares me more than anything everhas.

Pressing against him, I whisper against his lips. “I want to finish what we started thismorning.”

He runs his hands down my back, his heavy erection against my stomach. “And I want you in my bed.Every night. That’s mycondition.”

I raise my eyebrows at him. “Already makingdemands?”

He nips at my bottom lip, then scoops me up. “Yes.”

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