Page 13 of Fearless Protector
She takes a step back…
I eliminate the distance, placing my hands on either side of her against the wall.“Tell me you didn’t feel what I felt.That you’re immune to the attraction that we share.Tell me that last night was just a roll in the hay to you, and I will leave and never come back.But don’t you dare lie to me, Priscilla Jean.That was me underneath you last night when you weren’t thinking of every reason that we shouldn’t be.”
Her lip trembles.“Like I was telling the ladies.We owe you a lot for last night, but this thing”—she gestures a finger between the two of us—“me and you.This thing we have?A long-distance relationship will never work.You have your job, and I have my life here.Like I said, it was a fun night, but I don’t want to draw out the obvious conclusion.”
I touch her lip, tracing my finger across its softness, and watching every myriad of emotion pass through those violet blues.“You thought you would dump me before I dumped you?”
She inhales as her chest heaves with emotion.“Something like that.”
I lean down and push a lock of hair from her face so that I can whisper in her ear.“I don’t intend on being dumped or dumping anyone today, little missy.This thing we have between us, it’s only going to end one way, because I don’t plan on leaving you or this town.”
Her gasp is an exhaled breath against my ear.I cradle her face in my hands, connecting with those wide eyes so she can see for herself that my words are sincere.I think for once in her life, Priscilla Jean is at a loss for words.She just stares up at me as though in a dream.
I stroke a finger down the creaminess of her smooth and silky skin.“You are mine, PJ.I’m not letting some baggage in the past or a job location get in the way of that, for either of us.”
Her eyes moisten.“You would give up Vegas, the big night life, the desert, and all the people you take care of out there, for me?”
“I would, and I did.”
She narrows her eyes at me like she does.“When did you decide to do that?”
I smile because now the sassy miss who’s managed to worm her way into my heart is getting her spunk back.“Last night while I watched you sleeping in my arms.”
“Before I got up and left you that Dear John note?”
I stroke a finger down the side of her cheek.“I know why you did it.Cole told me what happened in the past, but I’m not that guy, PJ.This feeling is as new to me as it is to you.But I’m not going to break your heart if you take a chance on me.”
She dabs the corner of her eyes with a dainty finger that’s been painted with white tips and glitter and nods.“I’ll take a chance on you, Mason.I’m sorry I left you this morning.If it means anything, it was one of the hardest things I ever had to do.I was just trying to protect my heart from all the hurt that would follow if you left me.”
I fold her into my arms.“From now on, protecting you, all of you, is my job, understand?I just want to feel my arms wrapped around you and for you to know that you’re protected, safe, and all mine.”
A persistent knock on the door pulls us from our moment.“Hey, lovebirds.Time to get to the church and get dressed!”
Mason laughs.“Is Jules forever going to be interrupting at the most inopportune times,” he whispers.
“I’m pretty sure she took that single room last night to leave me no choice but to sleep with you.”
He grins.“Then your friend is forgiven.Now let’s all get ourselves to the church on time so Lacy and Garrett can say I do.I’ve got something important to take care of first, but then I’ll meet you there.Wait for me, okay?”
Chapter12
Pj
Iclimb into the back of Krissy’s van with Patti and Jules still bubbling with excitement.Lacy turns around from her seat up front, and her face is positively glowing.“I’m actually doing this.I am going to get married in the same church my grandparents married in and my momma and daddy too.It may have been reconstructed over the years, but the heart and soul of its presence in Deadwood never changes.It’s part of what makes the history so special.”
My arms wrap around myself as we drive, contemplating all that has happened with Mason in such a short time before we park next to the entrance in the back of the church.When we reach the back rooms reserved for us today, the dresses are all hanging on a rack.The lady volunteers hover around, making sure we look our best and don’t forget one single detail.
When Lacy turns around, it’s almost impossible to keep the tears at bay, but we all try as hard as possible.I hug her lightly so as not to wrinkle her or get one bit of this makeup on that beautiful long white dress.“You look absolutely beautiful.Garrett is one lucky man.”
Lacy beams with happiness.I squeeze her hand while Jules and Patti say a few things before we have to leave.I glance at the clock.“Come on; it’s almost time to do this thing.The music will start soon, and the guys should be arriving any minute.”
We make our way to the area we’re supposed to meet at, and Lacy’s father is escorted in by a couple of our friends who went to pick him up for the occasion.Lacy hugs her dad and dabs at her eyes.“I can’t cry, dad, but I’m so glad you’re here,” she chokes.
The rest of us leave them to have their special moment and make our way to the area right off the entrance where we’ll couple with the guys and make our way up to the pulpit and watch with the rest of the town as Lacy’s dad escorts her down the aisle.
A loud gunshot breaks the serenity of the moment, and then another, and another, each permeating the air and causing my chest to tighten with the greatest fear I’ve ever known.
The entire group turns toward the exit, and all I can think about is Mason, Garrett, and Cole.Neither of the three are in the church.Mason’s words ring over and over in my mind.I have something important to take care of first; wait for me, okay?
