Page 42 of Vow to Protect
“I like it when you smile,” she says softly, skimming my lips with her finger.
Our gaze locks. I capture her roaming fingers. With a drag of my tongue, I dampen the pad of her forefinger. There’s a second of silence between us. I absorb the delicate brush of her skin next to mine, the flavours of sex lacing her fingertips and the raw glint in her eyes. All the jagged edged pieces of my solitude creep together, molding around Raen with a hint of sunlight.
“I was the artist in my family. She obviously takes after me.” My spine goes rigid. The eyes of my daughter's family quickly locate us, naked and entwined before them.
As if sensing my unease, Raen leans in. “Who did this to you?” She caresses my cheekbone, curling her leg around mine.
“Like I said, I was training. When you play with fire, you expect to get burned.” A defeated sigh whispers free when she presses her lips to my shoulder.
“I imagine the other guy went home worse off than you?” She smirks.
I’ve somehow let her in, giving permission to crawl under my skin. Soft flesh, naked breasts, tender strokes and sultry kisses awaken the veiled man inside me. Now, I’m consumed with the possibility of burying myself inside her for the rest of the week.
I don't regret it for a second. What troubles me is the necessity to stay right here for as long as possible.
“I’m sure he’s feeling uncomfortable this morning.” With any luck, he’s at the bottom of the river Liffey.
“Will you teach me how to fight properly?” She clambers over the top of me and clamps my forearms to the mattress with her weight. “My primary defense is a knee to the nuts.” Bare thighs press down on my hips. Breasts sway. A smile of adoration tricks me into thinking this is real. Her threat of inflicting any harm on me is a simple shunt of her pelvis.
The tips of her hair sway with her nipples. A scent of sex hits me like a grenade.
I narrow my eyes. “You really want me to show you?” Her lips lift to a sassy smile as she purrs out approval when my cock stirs. “Okay, here’s the secret to winning. Come closer, and I’ll tell you.”
Strands tickle my chest when her back arcs over me. With a rough wrestle, I topple her to the side, taking her completely by surprise. Raen squeals when I secure her beneath me, arms stretched high and legs spread. “Always be one step ahead of the enemy.”
“That’s cheating.” She giggles. Such a sweet sound. An arrow pierces my heart. My mouth descends, muffling the joy until groans of pleasure replace laughter.
Rising above her, I dally palms down the underside of silken arms. She squirms with ticklish greed, so vulnerable and trapped. It's an impulsive decision to stay in bed with her, but fuck it.
Peachy perfect cheeks flush. Lashes bat slowly when I smudge her lips with the pads of my fingers. Pin pricks shower the unprotected curve of her throat. Her reaction is volatile. I fucking love it.
The voltage buzzing to my dick is more gratifying than physical agony, more intense than bloodshed and utterly addictive. I explore every inch of her. She trembles, straining to move her hungry hands. I halt her eagerness to take, imprisoning her, winning control of her body while I recondition my desires.
“Mmmm…” Raen hums into my mouth. “I could get used to lazy mornings.”
I could too. However, I opt out of agreeing. Instead, I tilt my hips to a better angle. With every kiss, I trick myself into thinking I won’t be off balance when she leaves at the end of the week. It’s worth it to enjoy the high of attraction and having a woman next to me again. She accepts punishing pressure, finally diving her fingers into my hair as I release her arms.
“Brett,” she mumbles into my neck when I flinch, feeling the burn of internal bruising. “Seriously, I hope all this wasn’t because of me?” Searching fingertips tips glide from my hair to my chest.
Everything hurts.
My skull.
My ribs.
My knuckles.
“Some things are worth fighting for.” I wink.
She stills. Her eyes fill with sadness. “I’m sorry. That’s not what I wanted.”
“It’s over now.” Our foreheads meet.
Raen surrenders. Her body goes lax, and she sighs, wriggling out from under me. “I’ll run you a warm bath. It will ease your sore muscles.”
I’d rather satisfy my erection than sooth my overworked body. When she flings her legs over the edge of the bed, I snag her wrist. “Do you want to get in with me?”
Our fingers unite, and her lips curve upwards at the corners. Rather than replying, she nods and stands. Naked. Curvy. Confident. I watch her prance to the bathroom without looking back. Something inconceivable has happened. My guard has slipped. I’ve tasted the forbidden. I wouldn’t trade the last few days for normal, but I wish the outcome wasn’t so predictable.If only she could stay a while longer.
