Page 4 of Stalking in the Holidays

“Bryan,” I whisper his name and feel a tremble go through him where he's still cupping my chin. His nostrils flare again, and his eyes flick down to my lips. I've never even been kissed before, yet I feel my lips tingling in anticipation of what it would feel like to have his lips touch mine.

“If this is hell, it's not so bad,” I say without even thinking.

His brow furrows. “What?”

My face heats again before I explain, “Last night before I passed out, I remember seeing your eyes and thinking that the devil was handsome. I thought I was being dragged down to hell.”

He suddenly lets out a boom of laughter that has me grinning. I love the sound of his deep rumbles that are like that of a big bear.

“I might be the devil for the thoughts I’m having about you,” he finally says, “but this definitely isn't hell because angels don't live in hell.”

He pins me with a look that sends butterflies taking flight in my stomach.

“What kind of thoughts are you having?” I whisper as I feel my nipples pebble and wetness gush between my thighs.

His nostrils flare as if he can sense the change in my body, but instead of answering me, he fists his hands in the bedding.

I stare at him with bated breath, wondering if I've gone too far and upset him, but when he finally does speak, his voice is husky as he vows, “Nothing you have to worry about, princess. I promise I'm going to protect you from everything, even myself.”

I bite my lip again to restrain myself from voicing what I can't help thinking.

What if I don't want to be protected from him?

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