Page 41 of Protected By Her Daddy

“P-please don’t hurt me.”

Clarity hits me. Ah, fuck. I’m such a fucking asshole.

I release her and step back, holding my hands up, palms facing out. “It’s okay, sweetheart. It’s me. It’s Gabe. You’re safe. I’m so sorry, little bird.”

The familiar endearment penetrates her fear, and her eyes lose that haunted look as she focuses on me. “Gabe?”

“Yes, Wren. It’s me.”

She lifts a shaky hand to her mouth. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry. I-I didn’t hear you, and for a second, I was right back there in the kitchen with Gregory and Jerry, and he was—” She grinds to a halt, her blue eyes wide in her pale face.

My hands itch with the need to touch her, comfort her, but I know I need to give her space right now. “Don’t you dare apologize. It’s my fault. I wasn’t thinking. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I’m an idiot. Swear to God, I’ll never do that again.”

“It’s not your fault, Gabe. It was a knee-jerk reaction because I didn’t know you were behind me.” She takes a shaky breath. “I think that whole situation with Gregory and Jerry has affected me more than I realized.”

Swear to God, I’ll fucking kill them when I get my hands on them. If I ever get my hands on them. I push those thoughts aside for later and focus on my wife.

“What do you need from me, little one?”

She moves toward me, wrapping her arms around my waist and burrowing into me. Her voice is muffled against my chest as she says, “Take me to bed, Gabe. Make love to me. I-I need your hands on me. Make me forget.”

I don’t need to be asked twice.

Wren buries her face in my neck as I scoop her into my arms and carry her to our room. I gently place her on the bed, shucking my T-shirt and sweatpants as she wriggles out of her sleep shorts and camisole.

I take my time, worshiping every inch of her body. I kiss the small scars on her arms and thighs, refusing to think about how they got there and focusing only on washing away the fear and pain they represent with each healing touch, each loving caress. I cherish her. Love her.

When I finally sink inside her, she clutches me as if she never wants to let me go, holding me with every part of her body as her tight sheath welcomes me home. And when she comes, she sobs her release, chanting my name over and over. I follow her over the edge with a hoarse shout, sharing my soul with her along with my seed.

I must doze off again because the bed is empty when I wake. I quickly shower and dress in my usual suit for work before going in search of my wife for the second time this morning.

She’s at the stove in the kitchen, flipping pancakes, and this time, I make sure to announce my arrival.

“I’m looking for my wife. Have you seen her?” I ask, leaning against the doorframe. “She keeps escaping from my bed, and I’m starting to wonder if I’m not keeping her satisfied.”

Wren smiles at me over her shoulder. “Oh, she’s a good friend of mine, and she told me she’s very satisfied.”

She turns as I walk over to her, wrapping her arms around my neck and hugging me tight. I rest my chin on her head and simply hold her as the scent of pancakes and coffee fills the air, warm and comforting.

“Pancakes?” I murmur. “You’re spoiling me.”

She moves away, returning her attention to the stove. I see the tension in her body, the way her movements are a little too deliberate.

“I figured you deserve it. Besides, it keeps my mind busy,” she says, her voice soft, almost hesitant.

I don’t need to ask to know what’s on her mind. “You’re worried.”

She pauses, the spatula in her hand hovering over the griddle before she turns off the burner and slides the pancakes onto a plate. “A little. Gregory and Jerry are not good men. It still amazes me that I got out of there as unscathed as I did. It could’ve been so much worse. But it’s hard knowing that Gregory and Jerry are still out there, that they could be preying on other innocents.”

I gently turn her to face me, searching her eyes. “I know. And I promise you, Wren, I’m doing everything I can to make sure they’re not a threat to you or anyone else.”

She sighs, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I believe you, Gabe. I do. It’s just… I don’t want to keep looking over my shoulder, wondering if they’re out there, waiting.”

I capture her hands, rubbing my thumb over her wedding ring. “You won’t have to. Ed and I are on it. We’ll find them, and when we do, they’ll be out of our lives for good.”

She nods and looks down at our intertwined hands.

I lift her chin so she meets my gaze, letting her see the determination in my eyes. “I won’t let anyone hurt you again.”

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